Max Priest – “Bruce Lee”

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Rapper Max Priest releases the music video for his song, “Bruce Lee,” named after iconic martial arts movie star. Knocking the rap game in the face with Fists of Fury a la Bruce Lee, Max Priest drops a track off his forthcoming album Born Regal which is set for release Spring 2017. Check out the OG on social media as @OGMaxPriest and make sure to tune into this slapper!

Xian Bell – “She On Go”

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Growing up in one of Los Angeles’ most notoriously rough neighborhoods and with a father serving a life sentence, Crenshaw bred artist Xian Bell flourished with unfavorable odds.

Persevering through scant odds and a rough upbringing, Xian Bell developed an feverish passion for creating for music at an early age. Inspired by seeing his older cousin find success with music on TV, Xian Bell knew music was his calling and it saved his life.

“When I saw the world premiere of my older cousin CJ Mac’s video with Mack 10 and TQ ‘Imagine That,’ it was the first time I saw someone I knew on TV,” Xian Bell explained. “I realized I could make it out of our area without playing ball or selling drugs. Although he was rapping about drugs, it showed me that you can reap immense benefits by talking about your life. I’ve always loved writing, so since then my love for it just grew as I developed my craft.”

Forming like a diamond in the rough, Xian Bell’s ambition and hunger for musical success drove him to a sound that mixes rap and singing together.

“I just wanted my first single to be a representation of me. Although it’s sort of a rapping cadence, I’m primarily a singer. It’s a mix of both worlds, which my whole ContraDistrict project represents,” he said. “I’ve been heavily influenced by both my parents, and now with all my cousins and best friends I grew up with being dead or in jail, I struggle with guilt remorse of leaving them behind to try and better myself.”

For the Ricardo Navarro directed visual, Xian Bell wanted to show everything that represents the Crenshaw District also known as ‘The District.” Flanked by bad chicks and donning a gold grill, Xian rides through the city in an old school Cadillac, making this visual vibrant and brash.

“We shot the video in the District with the infamous Crenshaw sideshow to show viewers how we live over here,” he added. “The District is just one big ass contradiction but it all meshes perfectly into some dope sh*t. That’s exactly what I am – a big f*cked up contradiction that luckily turned out dope,” Xian Bell said candidly.

That internal contradiction and deep roots in The District aptly yielded the title of his newest project, ContraDistrict, which will be available for fans on Soundcloud early Summer ’17. In the mean time Xian Bell is gearing up for the release of several more pieces of content including another visual, a single and the project release itself.

Figg Newton – “Still With The Bullshit”

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Donning one of the most noticeable names in Hip-Hop today, South Central LA based rapper Figg Newton is more than just a rapper with a clever name.

Pushing tracks from the second volume of his hood acclaimed Streets Wont Let Me Chill series, Figg Newton delivers a project with no features, but production from a range of producers (Larry Jayy, Paupa, Dave O, DJ Flip, Lfinguz, Mac James, BraveStarr and 89th).

Kicking things off Figg Newton drops his self directed visual for “Still With The Bullshit,” which also features the co-direction from up and coming videographer, Fullgrind.

“‘Still With The Bullshit’ was produced by Lfinguz, a producer and engineer out of Sacramento, CA.” Figg Newton explained. “It’s basically like a majority of my other music – this is a real life narrative perspective of life on Figueroa St., in LA.”

Despite the bullshit, Figg Newton is focused on his FASTLANE movement that developed when Figg Newton was in prison.

“I had a natural love for music as a child, but I started getting serious about making music in prison. Eventually that led me to doing research about the business and upon my release I began to record,” Figg Newton said.

Following up the Streets Wont Let Me Chill 2 release, Figg Newton is gearing up for a bunch of new music that he’s been in the lab cooking up.

“Be on the look out for U Figg Me 2, the digital release of U FIgg Me 1 and also We Started The Woop Compilation, which features a lot of other FASTLANE artists,” Figg Newton said.

Currently the Streets Wont Let Me Chill 2 is available on in iTunes an Apple Music, while the video is available on Figg Newton’s YouTube channel.

[Video] CYRUS SMITH – BOAT Ft Z-Mac @CyrusSmithMusic

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Below, please find the video link to the new single, “BOAT” from 16 year-old hip-hop sensation CYRUS SMITH featuring male singer, Z-Mac. The video was directed by famed video director and photographer, Derek Blanks. “BOAT” was written by Cyrus Smith and produced by Billboard Hitmakers.

Cyrus Smith is preparing to hit the road on a promotional tour in support of the single and stops will include; New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Washington DC and Chicago, just to name a few. Cyrus’ forthcoming debut EP will be released later this Summer.

“BOAT” (Video Link) by CYRUS SMITH featuring Z-Mac
https://youtu.be/s-8UjxCa9ME
(mp3 format available upon request)

Multi-talented may not be a special enough word to describe, Cyrus “Cy-Fi” Smith. The youngest of three siblings, Cyrus knows how to make a statement on the football field and now he is poised to make a statement in the music industry. At the age of 11, his family moved from Los Angeles, California to Duluth, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta, where he made his position as a running back look easy. Throughout middle school, Cyrus continued to work hard, show up and show out at every game! Two years in a row, he was selected to participate in the Diamond Youth All-American Bowl. This event brought together young phenom players aged 13 to 17 from around the country to participate in week long activities, which culminated in championship games. Cyrus was able to gain the respect of his fellow players and his coaches because of love of the game and his “let’s do it” attitude.

Even though Cyrus suffered a knee injury in his last appearance in the All-American Bowl, he prevailed with the support of his family. Cyrus worked hard with his trainers and doctors to come back and burn up the field. During his Freshman year of football at North Gwinnett High School, Cyrus scored an average of 2 touchdowns and ran for more than 100 yards each game.

Cyrus had his first glimpse at what he could accomplish in the music world, when he teamed up with his brother and sister to record the song, “Shoes.” Cyrus added the flavor and youthful appeal to the song with his baritone voice and handsome dimples. Now at age 16, Cyrus has his eye on conquering the music world and he has something to say. His producers have positively commented on his work ethic and his willingness to learn. His music is edgy with clean vocals, which means his age demographic will surely be able to catch his vibe, but having a little swagger built in can’t hurt either.

Whether it’s football or music, it doesn’t matter because this multi-talented young man has the chops that it takes to make success happen.

CONNECT WITH CYRUS SMITH:
Website: www.CyrusSmithMusic.com
Twitter: @CyrusSmithMusic
Instagram: @CyrusSmithMusic

Messiah B – “All In One”

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Originally raised in London, up and coming emcee Messiah B came to the USA around 17 years of age moving to Memphis, Tennessee of all places. From there he picked up his bags and moved to NYC and eventually LA risking everything, he moved to pursue his goals of being a successful musician.

A self proclaimed, trapper, hipster and rockstar in one, Messiah B feels he encompasses all three lifestyles in his music as shown in his new single aptly titled, “All In One.” Regardless of labels, there’s one thing that’s for sure, and Messiah B is a unique artist that is on the cusp of whats poppin now with Hip-Hop.

“The single is produced by Kushingham one of my long time collaborators. The single is a statement of what I am; a trapper, a hipster, and a rockstar. I encompass all three in my body and they come out when I make music – that’s exactly what I express in this song,” Messiah B said. “Just watch me turn up on these weak ass fake industry rock stars. Time to breathe some fresh air into music, I make music u can jump on your mums couch with your mum to – with or without a gun, Yadigg!”

There’s no question that he’s living that rockstar life as Messiah B is on a college tour right now with the Rejectz and iamsu!, where he’s already collaborating with acts on the tour.

“I am dropping a music video with my brothers the Rejectz and Orlando brown and I have a tape with Warren Bensmokin (Bounce of the Rejects) called Mortal Kombat Trap where we have the remix to the “Cat Daddy,” and our song “Lui Kang,” hosted by LAs own DJ Carisma and Dj Shon.”

Now looking back Messiah B feels fortunate to have found music as he found himself homeless on his path to musical success. To this day he continues giving back to the homeless community with food giveaways and more.

“I was homeless on Skid Row just basically paying for food and studio and sleeping in a shelter before I started buzzing here in LA,” Messiah B says. “I always used to make lil raps in my room from when I was 9. I was obsessed with Three 6 mafia as they were known then with Project Pat. Funny enough, Memphis was the first place I lived in America.