I got Soul Remix - Funktastic Players - Music Review







Funktastic Players is a project of David Williams. It’s the perfect blend of 70s soul with 80s hip hop and contemporary Jazz. William got his start in the 80s working for a record label called Jamm City Records where he wrote and produced for several groups. In the 90s he worked for Eco USA, BNTB Studio and MADD Trax Records. While at MADD Trax Records, Williamsproduced MADD Trax volume 1 and 2 (a collection of club and hip-hop instrumentals). He also created his own sample collection called ‘M.a.d.d Trax Representing Hip-Hop!’ with eight CDs in the collection. By the mid-90s he and two of his childhood friends opened a studio called Platinum Vibe. Production work slowed down but he was still able to produce a spoken word project for a female artist, The Prophetess. You can truly see his expertise shine in his music.
Funktastic Players really lives up to the name with this I Got Soul remix. Their classic R&B Soul sounds with the funky saxophone, my favourite kind, blends well with the subtle hip hop flair present in the record scratch. It’s an easy listen giving the perfect balance of hype with the sax and calm with the use of the bass and spacing in the music. The whole composition keeps you drawn in, like snake charmers to a snake – it makes you want to groove. Not to mention the nostalgia when the smooth tones of the voice come in. Give this one a listen when you’re feeling for a soulful nostalgia.




Todd Barrow - Good Luck (Music Review)




Todd undoubtedly draws his sonic influence from country titans like Hank Williams and Jonny Cash. However, his melodies skew modern. Playing many instruments from piano and guitar to mandolin, harmonica and drums, this already multi-talented musician also doubles as a songwriter for both himself and others. Todd is said to be drawn to country music because of the stories, the people and the sincerity that comes from the heart. His song, ‘Good Luck’ captures all those elements just as well.

It feels like your run of the mill, feel good, encouraging country song, the kind of song I remember listening to when I was younger. The addition of the electric guitar is something that always elevates a country song for me. Further than that, the lyrics talk about people going for their dreams and a man just wishing them luck on their respective journeys.

The lyrics never go too far into false hope. It’s a reminder that it will get hard chasing your dream and there are people ready to pull rug from under you, but Todd is steady wishing you good luck, because everyone deserves to have dreams they are passionate about. And his voice really lends itself to the storytelling kind of feeling he’s drawn to. It’s stable without trying to be flashy, but he somehow, it still sounds like he’s almost speaking – it’s conversational.

You should take a listen for yourself if you need a little encouragement.

Exclusive Interview with Hip Hop/R&B artist Sean Hampton





So Sean, being from Brooklyn, I know there's a beautiful and rough side to living in the inner city. Could you tell us little about your upbringing?


I was raised in the 90’s and early 2000’s. I was in foster care before 1yrs old and later adopted at the age 9. My mom was a single mother who moved around alot from place to place pretty much just living off foster checks and disability because of she was unable to work . I had to go outside and hustle to get nice things like Jordan's and Rocawear. I always had to work hard for everything I wanted in life.



If you had to paint a picture of your style of music, how would it look? 

If i had to paint a picture of my style of my music it would look like Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” because my style is so well balanced. Its almost flawless. Detailed lyrics you could compare to the details in the Mona Lisa, variety of flows comparable to diverse features also of the Mona Lisa. 



Who are some of the notable people that influenced you to go your direction of musical choice? 

I would have to say that my biggest influence musically was Diddy because he showed me more musically. He showed me different styles and how there could be sub genres of rap/hip-hop. Lanes that alot of artist use now. Melodic rap, sample beats, remakes, remixes or etc; he would showed me that first. He wasnt too cool for any kind of style or idea he would take it there if he felt the vibe for it. And to be clear I'm talking strictly musical influence. Not the business side just the music.



Besides music, what other things you love to do?

I love sports, cooking, i love to spend time with my family, take trips around the world.



Can you tell us about your latest project?

My latest project “Honorable Mention” consist of 16 tracks. The title came from my journey in this game. I have been around awhile rapping and doing my things but I don't get mentioned much. There’s always a list of artists somewhere excluding my name. Now I just kind of embrace it for what it is. Thats why its called Honorable Mention. 


What are your near future plans? 

get more involved in the NFT world. Invest in real estate. Open a few more small businesses.



Anybody you like to work with? 

That would be a very long list lol but if I had to chose just one and it was like right here and now it would be Jay-Z.



Any last remarks? God is great!



Chance the Rapper - Pulled Off DONDA?


 Chance the Rapper is from Chicago Illinois the same as Kanye West. Chance was in the XXL Freshman list back in 2014 and made his debut in mixtape format with Acid Rap and Coloring Book. Chance also had made sporadic appearances on SNL and other tv shows.

The rapper had an appearance on Kanye's newest album, DONDA; however he was pulled from a song at the last minute. Chance had a verse entitled Ultralight Beam. The controversy comes after Mike Dean was just announced to have exit from the project as well.

The rumors of the incident were going on as long as 3 weeks ago then made public and confirmed by Social Media that Chance was removed from the album. a back and forth between both Chicago rappers had been getting intense for months and now the fire had since led to the departure.

For more news, stay tuned to Flyah Magazine

Drake - Weird Hair After Contracted Covid 19?


Audrey Drake Graham known eponymously by his middle name Drake had began using an excuse of contracting Covid-19 for his weird hair growth. Undetermined if this was scientific fact behind hair growth, Social Media thought otherwise and began trolling Drake on the internet at the hairstyle.

Drake had recently contracted Covid while at a party which had up to 200 or more people gathered in at a place in Toronto. Drake since then was in the line of recording his upcoming album Certified Lover Boy.

About a week ago, the album was given praised by 4 time NBA Champion and current player of the Los Angeles Lakers, Lebron James. 

For more news, stay tuned to Flyah Magazine

 

Young M.A. - Henny'd Up?

The Virginian turn New York rapper, Young M.A. had made an announcement that was a shocking to her core fan base and that announcement was that she was injecting herself into Rehabilitation. M.A. had just released her second album, Off tha Yak, in May of 2021. The newest single from the album is Henny'd Up.

After the announcement for Rehab,  a video adaptation for Henny'd Up was introduced. The video is a bikini party and M.A. is rapping around the women. The theme going around the entertainment world and real world is Mental Health. M.A. falls in this category as she is taking the proper steps to get herself checked out.

M.A. is still moving on the Billboard charts from her single of Ooouu which has transcended her to superstardom after accumulating sales of 3,000,000 digital sales. 

For more news, stay tuned to Flyah Magazine

 

Jim Jones - Tested for Covid-19?


Dipset rapper and founder, Jim Jones over 24 hours receive some news by his doctors that he has been giving a positive test related to Covid-19. Jim Jones was seen at the Verzus battle with fellow Dipset members Cam'Ron and Freaky Zeeky weeks ago. The Capo sort of speak has been battling symptoms dating back to January of this year.

Jim had negative tests in the months of March and April. 4 months later, the diagnosis came back positive. Jim has now forced by his doctors to quarantine and recommended to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Family members and friends are sending prayers for Jim on a speedy recovery and for his health and safety.

He gave a message to his fans stating to take the virus seriously and stay socially distant

For more news, stay tuned to Flyah Magazine.

 

Kendrick Lamar - Meme After Saweetie Deal?


Kendrick Lamar goes viral on the internet not with music but a Meme in the line of some that surfaced the web after the commercial sponsor of McDonald's for rap artist, Saweetie. Kendrick had begin getting attention for the meme over a 24 hour period.

The Compton based rapper has not been notarize since 2018 after the achievement of his Grammy won at the awards for his album entitled DAMN. Kendrick recent took to Twitter by laughing in amusement of sound clips that come from his tracks.

The retweet had since reached 20000; in line of music this is still to be determined. For more news, stay tune to Flyah Magazine 

 

Mike Dean - Leaves DONDA Project?


 Mike Dean is a legendary producer behind acts like Travis Scott and Kanye West. There has since been setbacks occurring through the production process behind Kanye West's newest album DONDA. 

Kanye had since been living in the Mercedes Benz stadium in Atlanta also keeping the producer hostage for sessions of mix and mastering procedures. Precautions aside, Mike felt the environment was becoming toxic. 

The delays began to take toil and Mike took things to twitter stating it was good to be at the house. There was no further update on DONDA being release.

For more news, stay tuned to Flyah Magazine


Iggy Azalea - End of a Era Released?


 After giving birth to her son Onyx, Iggy has returned to hip hop to release her newest album, End of an Era. The concept explained by her is that the youth and irresponsible side of her persona is long behind her and the mark into motherhood has change her outlook on future pieces of her life.

Iggy has not released an album in 5 years after several scandals of her been documented and exploited her in situations notably of her business relationship with Cliff "TI" Harris. Iggy has since then has pushed forward with recording new music and put a new perspective into her career while at the same time taking responsibility for her and her son's life.

For more news, stay tuned to Flyah Magazine

Nas - King Disease II's Album Projection Sales?


According to Billboard, the 15-track project debut at No. 5 with a total of 51,500 equivalent album units, including 16,000 in album sales.



King’s Disease II is executive produced by Hit-Boy and Nas himself, and features appearances from Eminem on EPMD “EPMD 2,” A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and YG on “YKTV,” Ms. Lauryn Hill on “Nobody,” Charlie Wilson on “No Phony Love,” BLXST on “Brunch On Sundays” and Hit-Boy on “Composure.

For more news, stay tuned to Flyah Magazine

Ludacris - Butter ATL?


Ludacris is one of the most recognizable voices in Hip Hop. The icon residing in Atlanta recently celebrated the birth of Chance, a newborn daughter he has with wife Eudoxie Bridges.


While fatherhood and a movie career have been taking up much of Luda's time, he always gives himself a moment to beast out in the booth.



Ludacris returns with "Butter.Atl," a track he speaks on his legacy, career, and climbing out of the trenches with his friends and family beside him. another project is on the horizon.

For more news, stay tuned to Flyah Magazine

Nicki Minaj - No More Mrs. Petty?


Some fans have taken noticed that last week, The Queen changed her name on Twitter back to "Nicki Minaj." The move was made after her husband Kenneth Petty was convicted with the state of California reaching a plea deal after failing to register as a sex offender initially.


Nicki hasn't commented on the change, but fans are fearing the worst from it.


For more news, stay tune to Flyah Magazine

Birdman - Making Money Off Masters?


Over the course of Cash Money label's existence, rappers have been signed to Cash Money Records such as Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Tyga and more. Wayne, however, officially left the label in 2018, after settling a lawsuit with Cash Money while Drake parted ways the following year.



Nonetheless, several rhymers throughout the years have called out Birdman for his business mismanagement dealings and contractual agreements.

In 2017, Cash Money Records was reportedly sued for withholding Drake's profits.

Lil Wayne is among the rappers who have been disgruntled with the label via a very public dispute with Birdman and Cash Money Records over the delay of his Tha Carter V album.

For more news, Stay tuned to Flyah Magazine

Dr. Dre - Collab with Diamond D?


Diggin’ in the Crates own hip-hop legend, Diamond D had took to Instagram to announce that some unreleased projects from Dr. Dre were curated himself. Just last week, Grandmaster Flash, another hip-hop icon, teased fans on some never-before-heard music from Dre.



It remains to be seen if Dr. Dre drops a full-length album by the end of this year. His last album, Compton was released in 2015.

For more news, stay tuned to Flyah Magazine.

Trey Songz - Spike Drink Incident Goes Viral?


As video on Trey Songz having his drink spiked has circulated this morning, there has been a divided response to it on Social Media. Some people have found the clip to be humorous, laughing at the ordeal. Others are claiming that the video is far from funny and that if roles were reversed it would be a major issue. Trey has not commented on the video.



For more news, stay tuned to Flyah Magazine

Exclusive Interview with Eli Anderson

 

Flyah Magazine

August 5, 2021





  1. Where are you from and do you feel your hometown has an influence on your career path?

I’m from the DMV. I feel the most influence my area has had on me is how to chase after your dream. There are a lot of talented artists in this area but despite the challenge of our geographical positioning we still make a way to keep going after our dreams relentlessly.


  1. Who are some of your musical influences and who would you like to work with in the future?

One of my major musical influences is Prince not just because of him as an artist, but the person he is. He stood out and challenged the status quo on what it means to be a man and a musician. As far as future collaborations, I would like to work with Frank Ocean because he’s a gifted songwriter and an amazing singer. 

  1. So Eli... as a 26 year old Pop artist, what are some of the challenges you feel you have to face in today's industry?

I think the most challenging part of it all is consistency. You have to keep working even when you don’t see the results that you want to see. 

  1. Do you feel that you have to be gifted in order to be successful in music?


Being gifted is part of it but it’s not the end all be all. Hard work is still the number one catalyst to success.


  1. What is your opinion about the state of the music industry; are you enjoying its open public benefits? 

The state of music is an interesting one. So many different artists and records are coming out that are influenced by so many different genres. It's very interesting to hear and see where it’s going in the coming future. In terms of the open public benefits, seeing fans interact with my posts, music, and videos through social media has been extremely encouraging on this journey. It's always amazing to see comments from people in different countries speaking different languages and leaving positive comments on various platforms.


  1. If you had to describe your music; how would you describe it?

Personally, I would describe my music as something that can be connected with. My music conveys an emotion that sparks a passion within those that listen, my music is not restricted by what this world tends to impose on us. My music has a voice of its own that you’ve never heard and is always going to stand out. 


  1. So tell us about your latest project?

My latest project “For All I Love” is about meeting the right person at the wrong time and when the right time comes how you would give them your all but it may be too late.


  1. Who are some of the notable people that helped you on your latest project?

The most notable person that helped me on my latest project is Brandon George Washington, AKA WriterBoy. He has been one of my closest and supportive friends since high school. We’ve been on this journey together since the start of both our careers and I could not be more appreciative for the influence that he has had over my life.

  1. Any last remarks?

Readers can follow me on Instagram @elianderson and on Twitter at @elianderson_ and stream “For All I Love” now on all platforms!