Artist To Watch
Brooklyn Born Rap Phenom Lola Brooke Signs to Arista Records
Capping off a breakout 2022, Brooklyn M.V.P. Lola Brooke officially announces her signing to Arista Records in collaboration with Team Eighty Productions today. She officially joins the label’s dynamic and diverse roster as its latest trailblazer.
Regarding the news, Arista Records President and C.E.O. David Massey comments, “Lola is the rare talent whose presence matches her message. Her music is larger-than-life, but her vision is just as powerful. We’re excited to welcome her to the Arista Records family.”
Arista VP/Co-Head of Urban Music, Kendell “Sav” Freeman adds, “From the moment I saw and heard Lola Brooke, I knew it was imperative that I sign her. She’s an elite rapper and a born performer with an undeniable vision. Lola has an amazing work ethic, her music is phenomenal and her personality is unmatched. I’m excited for everyone to witness her path to greatness in 2023!”
Founder of Team 80 Productions, Eugene “80” Sims shares, “From the beginning, Lola has stayed true to her artistic integrity and identity that, as the world is seeing now, is dominating the music culture in Rap and beyond. Since joining the Team 80 Productions family in 2016, Lola has embodied the core principles of our independent label that was established to continue the legacy of Hip Hop in its birthplace, New York City. Brick by brick—we aren’t afraid of putting in the work and grinding it out to the path of artist development excellence. We mean business and now in the 50th year of Hip Hop, we’re very excited to join forces with the Arista team to develop Lola Brooke for global success.”
Shawna “Sha” Morgan, General Manager of Team 80 Productions, adds, “Lola’s dedication to her craft and intention with every move she makes equips her for continued success and career milestones. Seeing her rise with Team 80 Productions in her corner every step of the way has been a treasure. When you have the right people in place and a clear vision, the road to seeing transformative results is inevitable. We are very excited about this new journey with Arista Records as Lola continues to make her mark as a powerhouse artist.”
Deemed as a “musician set to take over in 2023” via Vogue, “artist you need to know before 2023” via Ebony Magazine, Hot 97‘s “Who’s Next: Class of 2022,” and one of the “Best Female Rappers of 2022” via HipHopDX, Lola Brooke has established herself as a breakout talent and the next New York artist to watch. With over 50 million streams to date, Lola’s most acclaimed hit, “Don’t Play With It,” stands as one of the most in-demand songs in today’s current music landscape. The Recording Academy via GRAMMY.com recently highlighted the smash single as a viral phenomenon that defined Rap music’s dominance on the social media platform. To date, the track has garnered over 500k + TikTok video creations, peaked at #9 on TikTok Viral chart, and has garnered 100 + million views on the platform. The track and official music video have charted Top 50 on both the US Shazam and YouTube Music Video Charts with 11 + million YouTube views. “Don’t Play With It” has recently earned placements on coveted playlists across major platforms, including Apple Music’s “Rap Life,” “High Maintenance” and Spotify’s “Most Necessary” and “Feelin’ Myself” while Lola has been crowned as a 2023 Artist to Watch by Apple Music.
All signs point to a massive new year for Lola. She just pulled up at Future’s sold-out show at Barclays Center in her hometown of Brooklyn, NY, as well as a recent A Boogie wit da Hoodie show eliciting massive roars from the crowd as soon as she hit the stage.
Lola recently unleashed her latest lyrical salvo “Here I Come.” Showcasing her slick, savage, and sharp flow, the track and official music video have earned her widespread acclaim. Right out of the gate, Pitchfork highlighted it as “The must-hear rap song of the day” and warned, “Her aura is intimidating; like a black widow, she shows that she’ll seduce and devour to get to the top.”REVOLT christened it “a bold new declaration of her presence in the music scene,” and OkayPlayer touted it among the “Best Hip-Hop Videos to Drop Last Week” and noted, “Lola Brooke’s ‘Here I Come’ is a swift-paced video that centers on her gritty and fiery rhymes.”
However, it just paves the way for more to come. With Arista Records and Team Eighty Productions in her corner, Lola Brooke has her sights set on 2023 with plans for more music very soon.
The Next Face of New York has arrived.
The LOX’s Styles P joins Poiison in the Boss Life Music Group presented music video for “Big Boys.” Serving as the commercial follow up to 2023’s “I Can’t Fall In Love” with Sha Money XL, which has already organically earned 100K+ streams since it’s debut in October, the Hip-Hop vocalist/songwriter finds herself trading bars with the decorated D-Block diplomat and fellow New York native about navigating romantic relationships without proper male guidance.
Hailing from Queens, Poiison passionately channels her life experiences into music, infusing pop and soul melodies with profound lyrical skill. Inspired by diverse artists like Madonna, Sade, Rick James, Lil Wayne, and Travis Scott she maintains a unique sound that captivates listeners; making their hearts and bodies move. As a multi-talented creative, Poiison actively oversees the details of her visuals, taking on the role of director to authentically deliver her perspective to the world with a fun and magnanimous spirit.
Her star quality and charisma are undeniably evident in her content. Parallel to her imagination, the release of her La Madrina mixtape series echoed creativity while showcasing her interpretation of well known industry records. Poiison’s development has led to performances alongside renowned artists such as 50 Cent, Ciara, and Robin Thicke. Poiison strives to create timeless music that conveys powerful messages rooted in real-life stories.
Press play on the Nimi Hendrix-directed visual for “Big Boys” as well as stream the official audio below via Roc Nation’s indie distribution company Equity.
Josvani has released a new track called “Low Lights” which is accompanied by a seductive visual. The beat of the song is irresistible and will make you dance. The lyrics depict a day in Josvani’s life and his struggles with entanglements.
“Low Lights” filmed by Nimi Hendrix showcases New York City’s beauty and Josvani’s calm demeanor. He expresses his position with facts, not arrogance, making him an instant fan favorite.
As Josvani gains momentum, he is heading on tour with T-Rell, 4fargo, Pretty Brayah and friends.
“Low Lights” is out now on all major streaming platforms. Follow Josvani on Instagram for updates on his new releases and upcoming events.
The first thing we see in Neesin Williams’s vibrant video for “You Gone Learn Today” is Ryck Jane’s earrings. They’re hard to miss — and they also might’ve been a challenge to wear. The two matching accessories that dangle from the rapper’s lobes appear to be made of solid gold. But the most notable thing about them is what they signify. They’re L.A. logos: twin declarations of allegiance to the city and scene that made her.
Even without the earrings, fans would know exactly where Ryck Jane was from. It’s not just her California drawl, the left coast pattern of her cadences, or the hard Los Angeleno funk that forms the bedrock of her irresistible recordings. It’s also in her dedication to glamour and her scrupulous attention to every detail of presentation. Jane knows exactly how to showcase her fierce individuality. She may be a new artist, but she handles herself like a showbiz veteran. She believes that she was born to inhabit the spotlight — and single after single, she demonstrates that her confidence isn’t misplaced.
“You Gone Learn Today” is her boldest declaration of autonomy yet. On the track, Ryck Jane raps about the inevitability of her rise and underscores her theme with a performance that’s relentless, colorful, and loaded with personality. Call it a message to the nonbelievers — who are getting harder and harder to find. The production backs up her boasts: the track is muscular and hypnotic, decorated with a thick, serpentine bass synthesizer lead, skittering beats, a thumping kick drum, and chanted backing vocals. The deep musicality of the track arrangement is a reminder that long before Ryck Jane found fame as an independent rapper, she’d distinguished herself as a trumpeter.
That horn shows up on “No Problems.” The track is a centerpiece of Jane Got A Gun, the rapper’s scalding 2023 album. It’s slinkier and more subtle than the rambunctious “You Gone Learn Today,” but as the video makes clear, it’s another message to the world that Ryck James can’t be stopped. Just like the “You Gone Learn Today” video clip, “No Problems” is a showcase for the artist’s unique, and unerring sense of style. It’s all here, and it’s all wild, and worn with the self-possession of a queen.
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