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JAI’LEN JOSEY RELEASES SOUTHERN DELICACY EP VIA HILLMAN GRAD RECORDS/DEF JAM RECORDINGS

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Jai’Len Josey, the seductive Atlanta singer, songwriter, musician, and seasoned Broadway star celebrates the arrival of SOUTHERN DELICACY, her newest project available in-stores today via Hillman Grad Records/Def Jam Recordings. Ahead of the release, a smoldering live version of one of the tracks, “Good Soup” was teased in support of Jai’Len’s opening spot on Ari Lennox’s 26-city Age/Sex/Location winter tour of the U.S. & Canada.

In addition to “Good Soup,” which unspools a deft metaphor for the type of nourishment that can only come from the heart, SOUTHERN DELICACY offers other treats.  On the title track, Jai’Len coasts over lush strings for a playful lover’s sales pitch, combining flashes of regional hospitality with a voice that’s as sweet as it is seductive: “All you needed was the sugar, honey, ice tea / Me, I’m a Southern type of delicacy.” On “Pay For My Drink,” she glides over dreamy keyboards and a dazed electric guitar line, turning a simple request into a charming prelude to passion. 

SOUTHERN DELICACY is the patiently awaited follow-up to Illustrations, the 6-song EP that introduced Jai’Len on record in September 2020. The EP, comprising “She Got It,” “All Mine,” “Can You Do It for Me?” “When We Jump,” “You Ain’t Gotta Worry,” and “Fall” evolved in between Jai’Len’s performances as Pearl in the Broadway production of The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!, during which time she wrote and recorded as many as 200 original tracks.  The EP ultimately led the way to award-winning creator Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Records and Def Jam Recordings.

Exposed by her mother as a youngster to an eclectic tableau of popular sound, from Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye, to Stevie Nicks and Billy Joel, Jai’Len developed into an award-winning actress by the time she completed high school.  While attending Baldwin Wallace University, she learned how to use GarageBand, and went on to record her first 40 songs.  
Today, Jai’Len Josey seeks to channel the spirits of the artists who came before her. “Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone inspired me to leave music behind that people want to grow with,” she shares. “I feel like I’m supposed to be doing this right now,” she adds. “I feel like the seeds that I’m planting right now are destined to grow.”

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Dee-1 Taps Raheem DeVaughn For New Hit “Purify My Eyes”

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Fresh off his Breakfast Club appearance after having “Lines Drawn” with help from Billboard and successfully migrating From The Hood To Harvard, NOLA native Dee-1 taps Soul singer/songwriter Raheem DeVaughn for “Purify My Eyes.” Continuing his theme of counter-culture centered messaging the timely track, which was produced by Anonymous, urges listeners to replace images of corruption and cynicism with lifegiving content to reprogram our thinking for the better.

“This is easily one the most important songs I have ever done because it provides Hip-Hop with a solution-based perspective meant to combat some of the problems we face as a culture. It’s honest, raw, and transparent. I’ve been friends with Raheem Devaughn for a long time, so to finally collaborate on a song feels great. When I played the record for him, he fell in love with it and instantly added his parts; which took the song to another level,” say’s the David Found His Slingshot author in a exclusive statement to Medium Creative Agency.

Award-winning rapper. educator, host, activist, business owner, and keynote speaker are synonymous with Louisiana’s Dee-1. The Nasir “Nas” Jones Hip Hop Fellow at Harvard University is a Billboard Top 10 charting, game-changing MC with a persona to match his penmanship. He’s transitioned from being a middle school math teacher in The Boot to a Hip-Hop heavyweight with much more to accomplish. He has released 10 albums and 21 projects thus far in his career.

Dee-1’s music is part of a bigger lifestyle movement called Mission Vision, which centers around three core principles: Be Real. Be Righteous. Be Relevant. In 2020, Dee received the prestigious NAACP “Power of Influence Award,” highlighting his community activism and commitment to inspiring the youth. In 2021, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work on “The Manhattan Project,” but he lost to Michelle Obama. Later that year, Dee was appointed to the “Louisiana Council for the Success of Black Men and Boys” by Governor John Bel Edwards, making him the first rapper in Louisiana history to become a governor’s appointee.

After addressing critics and fans alike in the official music video for the Danny Beats-produced single for “Lines Drawn” and following his viral interview on Sway In The Morning centered around industry hypocrisy, Emmy-nominated educator turned entertainer Dee-1 released his latest project to date From The Hood To Harvard. The 8-track body of work includes guest features from Skyy Brooks as well as P3RK and is anchored by supporting records “Impostor Syndrome” & “Dr. Freshh.”

Stream “Purify My Eyes” on your DSP of choice below and watch Dee-1‘s interview with The Breakfast Club | HERE.

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Kinfolk Thugs Are Blazing The TikTok Billboard Chart With Their Viral Hit “Back It Up and Dump It (Dump Truck)”

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Kinfolk Thugs are absolutely on fire right now with a track over ten years old. Their TikTok viral smash “Back It Up and Dump It (Dump Truck)” has taken over the hearts and minds of fans, the airwaves, and now the TikTok Billboard charts. The Memphis-bred group is built of long-time friends GC Eternal and Tyme Bomb. They met in high school in the late 90s before officially forming a group in 2004. 

What was once a regional smash has become an internationally known banger. Their track has now been acknowledged by big stars like Megan Thee Stallion and Meghan Trainor and has reached the top 10 on Billboard’s TikTok chart. With over 800,000 creates on TikTok and millions of streams across various DSPs, Kinfolk Thugs are back outside and excited for the world to hear more.

The team recently released their EP, Back To Business, featuring seven tracks, including three variations of their hit song, “Back It Up and Dump It (Dump Truck).” Who will pop up dancing to the viral track next? The track has resurfaced on radio all across the United States. 

Press play on the new track below!

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Chelsea Pastel Is Poppin’ So The “Price Going Up”

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To celebrate “Greener” pastures, following the announcement of her joining Kid Cudi’s ‘Insano World Tour,’ Cleveland native Chelsea Pastel releases the Cassius G-produced single “Price Going Up.” Marking CP’s explosive entrance into 2024, the empowering anthem resonates with anybody pushing forward with resilience and determination. With infectious beats and powerful vocals, she asserts her presence as a rising star to watch. Setting the stage for an exciting year ahead, the brand-new track is a bold declaration of Chelsea’s unwavering commitment to excellence.

“I jumped off that porch, I’m not going back to that house and I mean just that. I’m never looking back. I took a leap of faith and where I land is where I’m staying,” says the talented triple threat in a press statement to Medium Creative Agency about her latest release.

Born and bred in Forest City, Chelsea found her passion for music early on, which led her to enroll in the Cleveland School of Arts. After graduating, Chelsea begin to make a name for herself throughout the Midwest and beyond. Her unique sonic style, catchy hooks, and lyrical prowess have earned her the title of Cleveland’s Next Up talent.

Apart from accolades, which include spotlight spots regionally on WKYC and Dirty Glove Bastard as well as national recognition on top-tier entertainment networks like BET, Chelsea is a self-taught instrumentalist who often handles her production, writing, and engineering. Her unique brand of ballads can be best classified as a fusion of Rap and Pop with a touch of Rock accented by old-school flavor.

Press play on “Price Going Up” on your DSP of choice below and watch the visual for “Greener” | HERE via Pastel Productions LLC / Vydia.

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