Browsing Tag

r&b

A&R Factory Present: Katie Cunningham

Posted on 14 September 2016

Katie Cunningham hails from Los Angeles, but is soon to be a New York native having been accepted by the prestigious Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU. At a mere 17 years of age, Cunningham’s songwriting talent extends far beyond her years. She started writing professionally at the age of 15; Being both a piano and guitar player Cunningham was able to frame her mature melodic writing with an ability to arrange a well crafted track.

“Nobody’s Second Best is my personal favorite on the EP. It’s really rooted in the R&B I love to listen to and sing. The song itself is about my personal experience in a relationship where I was treated like “second best” and an “afterthought”. No one deserves to be in a relationship or situation in which they’re considered easily replaceable,” says Katie.

“It’s about not accepting the circumstances you’re in and being confident in your own skin. I had so much fun writing it with production team Trap Noir, which consists of Colton Toy, Brandon Combs, and Tori Schachne.”

Nobody’s Second Best is the second single from Katie’s debut EP “Let Me First Say…” and lays the foundation for her first extended offering. The song is available on iTunes and Spotify (with a music video still in the works). The EP comes out on those platforms on August 29th.

A&R Factory Present: GNRA

Posted on 15 July 2016

James “GNRA” Douglas is a spark that reminds us of something more than a trend bound by a generation. He provokes an exercise in nostalgia because he reminds you of the last time music made you feel this way. His voice is a thoughtful gift, which upon hearing makes an undeniable impact much like those soulful artists that came before him. And much like those who came before him, there’s a level of detail in the inflection of his tone that is a blend of the gift and being a conscientious student of the art form. There’s a texture of grit that hints at the journey of his experiences. There’s credibility. You can hear that he’s been somewhere.
Born to a Jamaican-Irish dad and Norwegian-Irish mother, GNRA’s parents were ministers in a gospel band that frequently traveled for the sole purpose to sing God’s praise. His mother was the first to recognize that he had an ability to sing. At the age of 5 she asked him if he knew the words to one of the songs and after demonstrating that he could memorize them, she allowed him to sing with them. The opportunity was electrifying and he knew then that this is what made him happy. Although he continued to perform with his parents’ band, it wasn’t until he was 10 that he was given formal direction on how to sing from his diaphragm. The tutelage he received at this age gave him the most valuable lesson he could receive: Outside of being coached on the science behind singing, he was never pushed to sing in a particular style and was told he will find the right note once he believe in his voice. It was from this training that he developed range and began building confidence in his ability to sing. He found his passion.

He pursued opportunities to showcase his vocal ability and was met with success that reaffirmed that he was on the right path. His voice proved to be seasoned. His next greatest triumph also proved to be his greatest test. A classmate and a teacher, who knew he could sing, encouraged him to audition for X Factor during its first run in America. It was during his experience there that he became more assure of himself and his ability. When interviewed about his experience on the show, in the Speakeasy column of the Wall Street Journal, music mogul LA Reid, CEO of Epic Records and a division of Sony Music Entertainment recognized his potential for stardom. Reid stated, “there are people I’ve seen audition already that I hope make it to the finals b/c I really want to work with them. James Douglas was the kid I liked the most. He may be my favorite so far, I wanted it for him.”

However, after being dismissed after making it into the top 20 he lost faith. It was this loss that made him doubt whether he was truly as great as others thought he was. Hurt, he decided to attend college to pursue engineering but found that he was just going through the motions. There was a void that existed and he no longer knew what his purpose was. Still in a rut, he skipped classes and wasted his days in college by making poor choices and experimenting with drugs. In search of the high that music provided, he found himself to be in a state of depression longing to sing while stuck in the prison of the thought that he was no longer capable of performing at a higher level. He found himself in a fog. His parents gave him an ultimatum to get some help but what truly turned him around was divine. Having been raised in the church, among the things that he gleaned that proved to be a sign was the statement that God does not give anyone things they cannot handle. It was clear to him that he could not handle experimenting with drugs any further. This clarity gave him the drive and fortitude to start the process of turning his life around.

GNRA knew all along the gift he had and realized now more than ever it was all he wanted to do. Once he identified with his purpose again, he began to have faith in himself. He was finding the right notes in his life. He stayed clean, pursued studio time and worked with his brother to make music. Others who knew he had talent recognized a change in him. He was serious about his craft. He was ready for opportunity and it found him. After listening to a few demos, Grammy Award-Winning music producer & executive Torrance “Street Symphony” Esmond immediately knew that GNRA was special. He recognized the difference in the power, complexity and soulfulness in the texture of his voice versus others in his age range. Esmond knew GNRA represented a sound that will appeal to the hearts of many. The distinction was clear. GNRA was not a trend. Now given the right direction, Esmond knows the possibilities and wants to share GNRA with the world. Literally.

GNRA’s addition to the music industry is a nod to why music exists. He uses his voice as an instrument to translate his life as he experiences it through song. He believes in his art and his place in it. With every song he wants you to fall in love with music. He wants you to question. He wants you to lose yourself. He wants to inspire. He wants you to understand you as he exposes his fears, triumphs and lows. He can be the soundtrack to your life. Be bold enough to listen. No bias. It will change your life.

A&R Factory Present: Yemimah

Posted on 9 July 2016

Yemimah is an Urban R&B/Pop singer/songwriter who resides in Canada. She is Equatorian, which is East African Sudanese & Arabic decent; the main languages Yemimah speaks are English, Kakwa tribal language and Arabic, which she incorporates into her music.

When Yemimah turned 10 years old she started to write music and learned to play hand bells, electric guitar, and the flute thru her after-school music class. After she had written all of her music her father had brought her to Calgary to record her music at Alchemy Studios. She was discouraged after hearing the recordings because she had never had any experience recording in a studio before. Taking that experience she kept on writing and recording music and coming back to the city every so often to record more music.

Yemimah’s main influences are Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Rihanna, and cultural influences such as East African & Sudanese artists, watching her Uncles and aunts perform music, play tribal instruments in church back when she lived in Africa. Mixing these influences had led to her singing in English, Arabic and Kakwa, but using a pop, r&b twist to it. These influences are noticed in Yemimahs songs today.

Yemimah released her first r&b/pop songs “It’s Over Now” and “Cycle onto Reverbnation in Sept of 2012, which helped her draw attention from her management team headed by Thomas Williams. Her top single “Make Me Feel” was such a hit that it landed her radio interviews with LCF-RADIO around North America, Brazil, and UK from Carlito Truelife Radio Host and music opportunities from HIP VIDEO opening doors to all types of fans .

Yemimah released her first music video to her hit song “Make Me Feel” following her success with the song she released another hit track “Tell Me Something” Ft/ Jaynova which was released as a music video in June of 2014. The song “Tell Me Something” is a unique blend of pop/ethnic and rap sounds which helped her grow a buzz and recognition for the unique Urban music Yemimah creates today.

A&R Factory Present: Rhea Monet

Posted on 8 July 2016

Rhea Monet, Recording Artist/Songwriter was born 12th January 1993 in London UK.

Rhea Monet started singing at the age of 6 years old. She was heavily influenced by artists such as Mariah Cary, Whitney Houston, Aaliyah, Alicia Keys, Jill Scott and many more.

Rhea Monet has taken part in performing arts from an early age attending performing arts clubs at weekends during her primary school years, before attending Susi Earnshaw Theatre School for performing arts at a secondary level in North London.

Rhea Monet attended further education at City & Islington College achieving a BTEC National Diploma in Music. While in her first year of college Rhea Monet also attended a summer school at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles and was the youngest student.

Rhea Monet finally took the leap and moved to the US to pursue her music career and enrol at the Music Institute in Los Angeles and study the Independent Artist Programme.

Rhea Monet has the opportunity to work with people in the industry including Devine Evans and Amir Swain.

Rhea Monet’s Caribbean/ African heritage and her British birth has seen the fusion of her unique sound. Rhea’s love of music has enhanced her electric sound and her experimenting of different genres such as Neo-soul,Urban and R&B sounds being her main influences.

Rhea Monet has performed live in the UK and LA where she develop her stage performance. Rhea is currently releasing new music this year for the world to hear.

A&R Factory Present: Anna Dellaria

Posted on 7 July 2016

At just 20 years old, singer-songwriter Anna Dellaria has performed with the likes of Chaka Khan, John Fogerty, Lamont Dozier, and more. Dellaria currently studies music at the prestigious USC Popular Music Program in Los Angeles, CA.

Hailing from San Francisco, CA, Dellaria began singing at age 6 when she discovered the soulful melodies of Aretha Franklin and Lauryn Hill, and began songwriting at age 12 under the imagery fueled influence of Jeff Buckley. Her ability to create has been recognized by the likes of Mike Grubbs (“One Tree Hill”; lead singer of Wakey!Wakey!), Disney music supervisor Matt Mugford, and Chop Shop music supervisor Kasey Truman.

Dellaria has had the opportunity to consistently work with world renowned performers like Patrice Rushen (Artist; “Forget Me Nots”, Performer; Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock), and Romeo Johnson (Vocalist for Michael Jackson; vocal coach for Mariah Carey,The Voice) who says, “Anna Rose Dellaria, an awesome talent! I love the natural soul that comes through her beautiful instrument! Her teachable spirit and work ethic will take her far”. Anna Dellaria continues to produce, write, and perform new music and is set to release her debut solo music this Spring.

A&R Factory Present: Liana Bank$

Posted on 26 June 2016

New York singer/songwriter Liana Bank$ has premiered her newest track, “OFF” today. The slow burner – with its steamy/heady YOBO production long side Bank$’ unmistakable raspy vocals – is yet another taste off the rising artist’s upcoming debut project to be released later this year.

Speaking to Idolator , Bank$ mentions that the song was inspired by the idea of fashion and consumerism: “I’ve always found it alluring, the way we buy clothes to please the eye, and the eye in turn only wishes to remove them.” “OFF” is the follow up to Bank$ “ Leave Me Alone ,” which premiered on Nylon.com and went viral. Bank$ has been swiftly making her mark in the music industry after releasing her debut “LVLUP” earlier this year – watch video  HERE – which climbed to the Top 10 of the Spotify Viral charts – read her recent interview with TIDAL who named the Queens sensation as a “rising talent.”

A&R Factory Present: Chris Stylez

Posted on 24 June 2016

R&B artist Chris Stylez is a fresh, unique voice whose rapid success in the music world has been thus far unstoppable.

His recently released EP, “Who Is,” has been featured on Spotify United States Viral 50, the UK’s Viral 10, and Snapchat Discover’s “Under the Ghost” Channel. It has more than 50 million total plays, topped by use in more than 10,000 clips on Vine, and has charted in 14 countries on Spotify’s Viral Charts, including France, Portugal, Spain, Poland, and Austria.

This EP’s instantaneous popularity is no fluke; its immense reputation can be entirely attributed to its quality. The four sensuous, memorable songs show Chris’s roots in reggae, R&B, and rap, yet are guided to new landscapes through his deft hand in contemporary production. The tracks are in no way shy of their overt sexuality, and yet are presented in such luscious and enticing restraint that the listener is left wanting more. “To appreciate this record is to open yourself up to uncomfortable conversation,” Stylez explains. “I wanted to keep the minimalistic approach of the music consistent in the visuals. This is about more than the physical aspect of sex; it’s about the complex emotions involved.”

Chris is having no problem stealing the spotlight with his new EP, largely due to his endless list of accomplishments in the more invisible roles of the music scene. He has previously toured the world singing background vocals, and his songs have been sold to numerous artists throughout the United States and Europe. However, after his extremely successful debut on BET’s “Music Matters” campaign, Chris decided it was time to place his music in his own very capable hands. He opened as a solo artist for both Ne-Yo and Wyclef Jean, and is currently preparing for tour in Fall 2016.

Chris Stylez, né Allen, is of both Jamaican and Canadian decent, and is bilingual in French and English. He has always been heavily influenced by reggae, particularly from his father’s first cousin, Jimmy Cliff, and his granduncle, B.B. Seaton, who was the first reggae artist to be signed to Virgin Records. Chris studied Entertainment Business Management at the Toronto Film School. He now lives and works bicoastally in the United States with a strong base in both New York and Los Angeles.

“Who Is” and more from Chris Stylez is available on Spotify, Soundcloud, and at www.ChrisStylez.com

A&R Factory Present: Teenear Renee

Posted on 23 May 2016

Born and raised in Miami, music found 17 year old Teenear Renee at the tender age of three. She gained her determined and positive spirit from a supportive family and from a musical influence that she emulates; an artist like Michael Jackson left an indelible mark and has truly molded Teenear into developing her own soulful pop sound.

At a young age Teenear discovered that she could sing and has showcased and honed her skills in pageants, talent shows and the praise team at her church. A prolific moment for Teenear was a talent show in her early teens where she performed Rihanna’s “Stay” and captivated her audience and that performance helped her decide that she wanted to share her voice with everyone “Being on that stage and singing gave me such a push and drive and I loved it so much” says Teenear “I remember when I went back stage after the performance and people came up to me telling me they enjoyed the performance and asking for my picture. It was a great moment and it gave me so much confidence to push further.”

The past year has been a defining time for Teenear, with the encouragement of her parents she uploaded pop covers on YouTube and received incredible feedback. That feedback has given her the opportunity to record original records and she is currently working on a fun, summer song she wrote called “Friday Night” that is sure to cause some waves online “The song is basically about a girl who recently broke up with her boyfriend and how he is constantly worrying about her and checking up on her but she’s moving on, Its Friday Night! She’s going to have fun! ,” says Teenear “I love it, it’s fun and gives a little confidence boost to us girls.”

Teenear Renee is currently in the studio recording and prepping her new single. With all that is happening, Teenear is destined to share her voice with the world “…I plan to strive and perform in unbelievable places, grow vocally, grow as an artist, touch people with my music,” she says “and most importantly glorify God throughout my entire career!”

Produced by Malkia “Milk” Hornsy and Kazha “Sizz” Hornsby, “Streetlights” is a brand new offering from the Miami native that details her personal struggles between balancing a love life and career as an artist. Of the single, Teenear says, “Let’s just give it our all. Let’s dance and enjoy the moment”. Dreamy and melodic, “Streetlights” is a precursor to bigger records, dropping this summer.

A&R Factory Present: Mason

Posted on 19 May 2016

Mason is a multi genre artist and songwriter from Philadelphia who’s taken his talents all over the country with acts like Snoop Dogg, Lupe Fiasco, RJD2, Joe Budden, Cypress Hill, DJ Skee, Nipsey Hussle and many more.

He’s progressed from a lyrical break beat rapper to a multifaceted shooter for mainstream stardom in a lane yet to be taken. With a myriad of albums piling up in the creative stage of his career he is the ultimate sleeper artist emerging from the Philadelphia area bound to stretch his wave nationally and internationally.

Drowning out the competition and leaving the scene wading in a new direction of sound is the inevitable force of this mix between The Weekend and Kendrick Lamar with a twist of Eminem’s rebelliousness.

Remember the name… Mason

A&R Factory Present: Damien Horne

Posted on 3 May 2016

Damien Horne is a triple.. double threat. Period. He Dances; He writes; He sings; He plays instruments; He acts; He serves. With a diversely decorated background, Damien lives his life making art and helping people.

As a member of Nashville’s infamous Muzik Mafia as well as the chart topping country trio The Farm, Damien has worked with many, many artists over the years. If you’re not hearing about him and his music from country superstars Big & Rich, then you’re seeing him or hearing about him from music legend John Legend.  If not there, you might catch him on stage with Faith Hill, Three Doors Down or Dierks Bentley; Haven’t seen him there? You can see him on CMT or at the Grand Ole Opry from time to time with his chart topping country trio “The Farm”; Maybe even catch him on Sirius XM The Highway; or if you’re an American soldier, you may even see him wherever you’re stationed.

HE DOES IT ALL; and yet still, amid this packed full schedule, you can find this sensational, inspiring soul serving children and people in need across the globe with unending amounts of love and support through organizations like the Salvation Army among many others. In short, we love Damien Horne, and you should too!