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Rising Philly Hitmaker Lay Bankz Shows Her Versatility on Debut EP ‘Now You See Me’

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Applying R&B vocal chops and sharp songwriting skills to club-style instrumentals, Lay Bankz is one of the most talented artist in a bustling Philly scene. The 19-year-old singer, rapper, and dancer continues to redefine what it means to be a club music vocalist on her debut EP, Now You See Me, out now. Assembled with assistance from her frequent collaborator JUMBO, the 7-track EP has no shortage of high-BPM bangers: “Ick” is a ferocious club-rap song about the moment sparks stop flying, while pre-release single “Throw Dat” is a relentless dancefloor anthem. On the other hand, Now You See Me gives Lay the opportunity to flex her vocal chops, on the trap-style, radio ready “Smackdown,” the slowed-down club beat of “IDFWU,” and breathtaking closing ballad “Flowers, a waltz-time plea for recognition that recalls torch songs by R&B divas past.

Now You See Me is home to Lay Bankz’s recent viral hit “Na Na Na.” An impossibly energetic, fast-paced anthem, “Na Na Na” is a clarion call to the dancefloor, as Lay builds on the titular playground chant with tongue-twisting bars, before floating over the track with a melodic bridge. To date, the song has generated 15.9 million global streams (1.9m global streams per week) and over 179K creates on TikTok. Recently mentioned as a potential Song of the Summer for 2023 by The FADER, “Na Na Na” has been featured on key playlists such as Spotify’s Most Necessary, Feelin’ Myself, Internet People and the cover of Jersey Club Heat. Filmed in Miami during spring break, the official music video has reached over 900k+ views, with over 170k YouTube shorts creates.

“Na Na Na” and Now You See Me continue to exhibit why Lay Bankz is one of the most exciting risers in hip-hop and R&B today. Lay Bankz first emerged onto the scene as a dancer, gaining a following on social media with her energetic interpretations of regional dance moves, like the “blick.” When she built a large enough platform, she showed the world her true talent with the viral hit “Left Cheek (Doo Doo Blick),” a club and R&B hybrid that generated nearly 450k creations on TikTok. The success of “Doo Doo Blick” established Bankz as a bonafide TikTok phenomenon–wit over 1.5 million followers and 61 million likes–and one of the most sought-after talents in the club scene–she showed off her chops on “PIANO,” a highlight from Bandmanrill’s debut album, and recently got a call from Ciara, who recruited Lay Bankz to appear on the “Dance Mix” of her new single “Da Girls.” Videos of Lay dancing with Ciara generated over 1 million combined views on TikTok. Lay earned critical acclaim from Pitchfork for her seamless club-n-b single “In My Bag,” and showed off her bars in a a performance with On The Radar. Most recently, she was mentioned by Complex as a Philly artist on the rise in their list of The Best Rap Cities Right Now.

Stay tuned for much more from Lay Bankz, as she continues to make waves as the new face of club music.

Stream Now You See Me EP

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Latrell De’Sean Releases “45” Music Video

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Latrell De’Sean is unique, catchy, and undeniable as an emerging artist with his raw lyrics over a sing-a-long flow and honest exterior in the fiery new visual of his breakout single “45.” In survival mode, the visual displays imagery of gunshots and chaos that portray the chaotic times society is living in right now. As De’Sean sits with his back to the madness, he raps about the destructive force he possesses as he endures life’s harsh reality on his path to luxury.

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He raps: “So I’m toting on this 4-5/Hoping it don’t go down/Hoping that the danger don’t come my way/Cause if it do, then I’m blow mine/Take a Ni**a soul/I’m sorry Father God if I put one away.”

“45” is the perfect origin point for newfound fans of the Dallas native as it showcases his signature southern sound that has already accumulated over 11,000 monthly listeners on Spotify based on his catalog’s biggest songs such as “Heartbreaker’s Diary,” “Love Is War,” and “M.I.A. in Miami.” The new single is a follow-up to De’Sean’s 2022 album, AntiHero.

The latest release promises more new music from Latrell De’Sean on the horizon as his popularity spreads contagiously from local to regional to nationwide. To date, “45” has generated over 153,634 streams on Spotify. Now is the perfect time to hop on the Latrell De’Sean bandwagon.

Watch “45” below, and afterward, hear more Latrell De’Sean music on Spotify.

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Meet Madison Star, NYC’s rising rap and fashion creative to watch

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Paying homage to an Eve classic, “For The Girls” is an empowerment anthem for all the it girls and girl bosses everywhere. Madison oozes confidence as she delivers braggadocious bars, affirming that her work ethic will pave the way for her continued success: “Better let them know you that girl for real/And in time it will show/Patient with your gift, in time it will grow/What Michelle say? We get high when they low.” The video finds Star roaming the streets of Japan as she visits fashion houses and performs in front of an intimate audience. 

Hailing from Westchester, NY, Madison Star has always been surrounded by hip-hop, R&B, and fashion – all which permeates her music. In September 2021, she released her debut mixtape, FREE STYLE: THE MIXTAPE. The 8-track mixtape is featureless, proving that Star can hold her own on a track and leave a formidable first impression on listeners. With hard-hitting tracks like “SS OFF WHITE,” “P*SSY RAP” and “DRESS 2 KILL,” she makes it clear she’s that girl and has the bars to make you affirm it. Within the same year, she also launched her fashion house, Madison Star Couture, in which she creates custom statement pieces from intricate fabrics. Fun fact – you can catch her wearing her own designs throughout the video! 😉 Star has since earned praise from outlets like Essence, HYPEBAE, 21Ninety, and more.

With new music on the way, Madison Star is ready to dazzle in the spotlight in true it girl fashion – pun intended. 

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RONNY J Is “CHARGED UP” On His New Album

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Charged Up!” The highly anticipated sophomore album from producer and artist, RONNY J. Known as a trailblazer that significantly influenced the current sound of Hip-Hop as a producer, Ronny is here to prove the same feat as a solo artist.

This album follows his initial endeavor, “Jupiter” from 2020, and showcases his creative genius with tracks involving Wiz Khalifa and a special verse from the late XXXTENTACION.

Having previously collaborated with the likes of EminemKanye WestRoddy Ricch, and Juice Wrld, just to name a few, Ronny is renowned for his songwriting and production skills. His signature tags, “Oh my God, Ronny!” and “Ronny J, please turn me up,” have achieved iconic status.

Now re-energized and ready to reclaim his position in the limelight, the Miami native has resurfaced with a powerful statement – his solo album. Ronny J continues his journey of challenging the norms of music, solidifying his reputation not just as a much-loved producer, but a recognized creative powerhouse.

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