GRUNGECAKE

Author: grungecake

  • Future Bass artists Au5 and Nytrix share anthemic love song ‘Always in a Nightmare’: Listen

    In a warm yet industrially “cold” composition, Au5 and Nytrix bring forth a Future Bass anthemic love song that says, without you, I’m always in a nightmare. It’s the first follow-up to their first collaboration called, ‘Only in a Dream’. If you’re a fan of Electronic Dance Music from the 10s, ‘Always in a Nightmare’ may satisfy your craving for what’s been called “glittering melodies” when describing their sound.

    Photo: Courtesy of the publicist

    Working with Au5 is always an artistically expanding experience. I feel like we both really aim to make a story through soundscape and lyric. In a way, when we made these songs, it was almost like working on a large painting. It was also fascinating to make Part 2 of a song. I have never done that before. – Nytrix.

    Upon hearing the a capella, I was immediately inspired to get to work. The song kind of writes itself when I hear a vocal a capella that I strongly resonate with. Collaborating with Nytrix is always a blast. We tend to gravitate towards a similar sonic aesthetic, and we both have a strong artistic vision. I’m looking forward to seeing what our next big project beholds! – Au5

  • Justin Bieber releases ‘Habitual’ video exclusively on Apple Music

    From the creative minds of Justin Bieber and director Michael D Ratner, this is the third installment of the Apple Music x Bieber official nature music video limited series. The two prior music videos, ‘ETA’ and ‘Changes’ both went #1 on the Videos Top Charts on Apple Music. This is the exclusive visual for the hit track ‘Habitual’ from Changes, Justin’s seventh #1 worldwide album. At just twenty-five-years-old, he is the youngest artist to ever have seven #1’s and wants to thank his fans by releasing more unique content that is meaningful to him.

    Photo: Courtesy of Def Jam

    The visuals for ‘Habitual’ are inspired from locations in nature symbolic of faith as Justin combines heartfelt lyrics and soothing melodies with a cinematic treatment for one of his favorite tracks on the album. The fourth and final ‘Nature’ series video will be premiering next Tuesday, March 10 only on Apple Music. Watch the video via this link.

    Justin Bieber told Apple Music: These videos were all shot in places in nature that meant something to me over the years and I’m thrilled that my fans get to experience the music with these concepts in mind.

  • Song of the Day: ‘LIKE I WANT YOU’ by GIVEON

    Name: GIVEON
    Representing: Long Beach, California
    Genre: R&B
    For fans of: Luke James, James Fauntleroy
    Single from: G1*
    Produced by: River Tiber, Jahaan Sweet & Sevn Thomas
    Song of the Day: March 3, 2020
    Label(s): Epic/Not So Fast

    GIVEON has just arrived on our radar with his recent Drake collaboration on the track ‘Chicago Freestyle’, but it doesn’t appear as though he’ll be dropping off any time soon! His distinct, beautiful voice left us craving more, thus leading to the discovery of today’s Song of the Day, ‘LIKE I WANT YOU’. This song was released in November of last year, and it is a truly emotive love song. There’s something special in his voice that will forever set him apart. His deep voice and pure tone draws you in and refuses to let you go. We, too, often hear the complaint of ‘real R&B’ being rare as of late but I think it’s safe to say that we have an emerging crop of vocalists that provide true R&B. GIVEON, without a doubt, is in this conversation.

  • AT&T TV launches nationwide

    Today, AT&T launches a new live TV service, AT&T TV, nationwide after a successful 13-market pilot.

    Photo: Courtesy of AT&T Communications

    AT&T TV marries what you love about live TV with video streaming and apps. Powered by Android TV, it includes live TV packages with your favorite channels and offers easy access to your live TV and apps with one device without having to switch inputs. You can control the whole TV experience and more by using your voice with the Google Assistant. National advertising launching next week brings this to life using some very famous mouths.

    AT&T TV works with a compatible high-speed internet connection and is a breeze to set-up. Customers can bundle AT&T TV and 1 gigabit AT&T Internet for just $39.99/month for video and $39.99/month for internet for 12 months with a 24-month TV agreement where available1. That’s triple the speed at no additional cost when you bundle AT&T TV and AT&T Internet – a move unheard of in the industry.

    Our customers told us what they want from their TV service and we built AT&T TV around that, said Thaddeus Arroyo, CEO of AT&T Consumer. AT&T TV is live TV made easy and when you add AT&T TV to our amazing 1 gigabit AT&T Internet you can’t go wrong.

    AT&T TV includes:

    • Compelling live TV packages, sports and access to more than 5,000 apps on the Google Play Store, including your favorite streaming apps—like HBO Max when it launches in May 2020. For example, you can easily switch between a live basketball game, Netflix, YouTube or listen to music on Pandora or Spotify.2 No need to pick up a different remote or switch inputs. We plan to integrate even more apps in the future.
    • Voice remote with the Google Assistant. You’ll be able to seamlessly access the Assistant both on and off-screen and search for content across your apps with a simple word or phrase – everything from accessing a show, changing the room temperature, playing your favorite music playlist, dimming the lights and more.3
    • A cloud DVR with 500 hours of storage. You can record as many shows at once as you want, in your home or on-the-go. You can also stream your favorite sports, shows and movies virtually anytime, anywhere on the AT&T TV app on your smartphone or tablet.4 This is especially handy if you’re moving – you don’t have to worry about losing your recordings and the simple set-up process lets you get back to watching TV at your new place in a snap.

    And with 1 gigabit AT&T Internet, you’ll get unlimited data, symmetrical upload and download speeds with upload speeds 20 times faster than cable5. If you’re video conferencing, enjoying virtual gaming or telecommuting, upload speeds are critical. You can enjoy your favorite apps, streaming service or connected devices without worrying about bandwidth. Plus 1 gigabit AT&T Internet is over 99% reliable and can support a multitude of connected devices.

    If you don’t bundle it with AT&T TV service, 1 gigabit AT&T Internet is available for only $49.99/month for 12 months. AT&T TV packages start at $49.99/month6 for 12 months with a 24-month agreement if you buy as a standalone service.

  • GIVEON, singer featured on Drake’s ‘Chicago Freestyle’, shares new single ‘HEARTBREAK ANNIVERSARY’: Listen

    Photo: Courtesy of the label; Breyona Holt

    If you’ve watched the split video for Drake’s ‘When to Say When’ and ‘Chicago Freestyle’, which is now #1 trending on YouTube, you’ve heard GIVEON’s distinct voice come in ahead of Drake’s latter verse at 2:22.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jz0GAFNNIo&h=315]

    Over the weekend, the vast majority on the internet didn’t know it was GIVEON, though. Music fans thought that the baritone vocalist was Sampha, the English singer who Drake sampled on ‘Too Much’ from his third studio album ‘Nothing Was the Same’. GIVEON is an artist mentored by Long Beach local and multiplatinum singer-songwriter AUGUST 08—known for his work with DJ Khaled and Justin Bieber.

    GIVEON recently joined Snoh Aalegra on her headline tour, after performed to a packed crowd at Soho House and leading a songwriting camp sponsored by Remy Martin and ASICS with boi-1da, Jahaan Sweet, Sevn Thomas, WondaGurl, Charline Handsome, and more. If you like what you heard on Drake’s freestyle, delve into GIVEON’s new track ‘HEARTBREAK ANNIVERSARY’ out now through Not So Fast/Epic Records.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nja_0BaQcNg&h=315]

  • British artist Joseph Marcus shares self-produced single ‘Tell Me What You Think About Me’: Listen

    Photo: Courtesy of the artist

    Starting at the young age of 12 penning songs on the piano, Joseph Marcus began his musical journey. With his debut EP, ‘ROOT’, drawing over a half a million streams on Spotify, he began to make his mark. Giving us a new release, ‘Tell Me What You Think About Me’, he provides us with a song you want to put on repeat. Creating the song to help a person dealing with depression and anxiety. With a catchy chorus and memorable lyrics, the song will have you yelling out to people that you didn’t even notice they weren’t there. Listen below.

  • Stream Latin legend Bad Bunny’s new album ‘YHLQMDLG’

    Photo: Instagram

    Musical legend Bad Bunny released his latest album, ‘YHLQMDLG’. It features fellow legend Daddy Yankee, Yaviah, Ñengo Flow, MORA, Jowell and Randy, Anuel AA, Myke Towers, Kendo Kaponi, Arcangel, Duki, and Pablo Chill-E. Stream the twenty-track LP in full below.

  • New Music Sundays: 10 new artists you should know featuring Asoh Black! and JSPH

    JSPH
    Photo: Instagram

    Prince Wiser, Chris Patrick, and Samad Savage – Evangelion (Submission)

    Prince Wiser, Chris Patrick, and Samad Savage join forces on this hard-hitting track. Each verse starts with rapid-fire punches and slows down without taking the foot off our neck. The intensity of this track leaves you in awe as the song builds, wondering if you’re ready for the following verse. Each artist complements each other on this high powered release and gives us an appropriate showcase of their talents. We hope this isn’t their last collaboration!

    Neak and Since9ine6ix – AbstracT (Submission)

    Listening to Neak and Since9ine6ix’s collaboration, ‘Abstract’ transports us to the 90s almost immediately. From the beat to the flow, we get a nostalgic feel that has you legitimately wondering if this song is new or if you’ve heard it before in your youth. The lyrics are intense and woke, not worried about ruffling any feathers at all. The rappers discuss the stigmas that come with being Black. You can tell that Neak and Since9ine6ix are way ahead of their time and class based on their stylistic choices made on this track.

    Asoh Black! – AP Watch (Submission)

    Asoh Black’s originality and sound are refreshing and perfect for your playlists. His flow in his track ‘AP Watch’ is fun and so different that you can’t stop listening. He talks about blowing up and his plans to buy himself a nice watch and his mom a house, something that we all can relate to. A YouTube commenter referred to him as a “hidden gem” and I couldn’t agree more! Fans will definitely enjoy the style that Asoh Black brings to the game.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dtqg-TeDSGU&h=315]

    JSPH – Time in LA (Submission)

    Capping off your playlist needs to be JSPH’s ‘Time in LA’. The beat and his voice are both hypnotic and can ease you back into the work week. He talks about needing to find himself and ground himself in reality, something most casual listeners will understand. The track is motivating, reminding us to keep ourselves on track and get to the bag. He keeps it too real about not being grounded, a reality check we all need as we head into the work week.

    https://soundcloud.com/jsph-2/time-in-la-1/s-kR4x3

    Coma Tek – War God (Hami Remix)

    The soldier sees beauty only in the blood of his enemy.

    Anyone ever read anything as deep as this? Well, Coma Tek’s remake of the Hami original doesn’t stir away from the full-on Dub soundscape, but gives it another dimension of “cool”. It is an incredible rendition of the juggernaut sound. Listen to the explosive track below. (Richardine Bartee)

    My Ugly Clementine – Try Me (Submission)

    After a good turn-up, we’re always looking for a way to quench the flame in us, momentarily. ‘Try Me’ by Austrian band My Ugly Clementine should help you get there. Released last month, the band refers to the record as “as unusual Valentine’s song that was a gift to itself on [its] first birthday”. The Post-Punk outfit delivered a song about loving yourself before anyone else, opening up and communicating to remain your self and still giving everything you can and want for a person you love. It’s deep. The single is from their album ‘Vitamin C’, which comes out March 20. We’re into it. (Richardine Bartee)

    Arkells – Years In The Making (Submission)

    Canadian fun band Arkells share the colourful visual for the high-energy track ‘Years In The Making’. If you haven’t heard a great hook in a while about working hard towards something, the JUNO-Award winning band will do it for you. We all need motivation and inspiration from time to time. There’s positivity in their message; I love that. Check out the well-made music video below by one of Canada’s most in-demand live acts. (Richardine Bartee)

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CdcqGjQvb4&h=315]

    Mannequin Online – I Do (Submission)

    We wrote ‘I Do’ to encompass the late-night rush of escaping a crowded bar or party to be alone with someone you’re extremely interested in. It also doubles as an anthem for when you’re starving, waiting for takeout food, and can physically see the restaurant taking their time preparing your order. Either way, we hope listeners find ‘I Do’ to be a soundtrack worthy addition to their late-night drives and/or questionable evenings on the town as we intended for it to be.

    If you’re looking for a song that seems to be suited for warmer weather, ‘I Do’ by Mannequin Online needs a place on your weekend playlist. Stream the Electro-Pop track by the Los Angeles-based duo below. It’s a feel-good record. (Richardine Bartee)

    Mae Muller – Therapist (Submission)

    How authentic are you when you’re in relationships? Would you be able to be with someone like Mae Muller, who keeps it frank with their assessment of you? How would hearing that you need a therapist change you? Would you listen? If it meant to keep her in your life?

    On the flip side of that, if you were Mae Muller how much would you be able to take before you exit the “one-way” relationship? There’s only so much one person can take of giving to not get anything back in a union. Written by Mae Muller herself, David Pramik (Bebe Rexha/Machine Gun Kelly) and Caroline Ali (Dua Lipa/Ella Mai), the relatable record purveys her honesty. It’s admirable. (Richardine Bartee)

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pDgPv33DCQ&h=315]

    Airospace – The Pleasure Is All Mine (Submission)

    If you love Hip-Hop, in the traditional sense, or lyricism, it will be easier for you to appreciate this one. Delivering his vocals like famed underground rapper Aesop Rock, newcomer Airospace shares ‘The Pleasure is All Mine, a short composition about how his city raised him. One of the lines about someone not wanting to be with you until you’re busy, resonating with me, so that’s what made me get in tune. Listen to the Southeast DC rapper’s latest track below. (Richardine Bartee)

    Solarrio and Niniola – On My Mind (Submission) (Bonus)

    We had a hard time selecting this one because we felt Niniola’s vocals outshines Solarrio’s, but opting out to support the Nigerian vocalist wasn’t fair to us. The French recording artist didn’t record his part in a way that displays mastery, but the lyrics he sings—flatly—are lovely. Flowing like a fluttering butterfly over the World Music production, the famous singer lends her warm vocals in English and Yoruba. If you’re in love or plan to be in the future, we feel the wording of the record ‘On My Mind’ suits said moment. Listen to the track, now, below. (Richardine Bartee)

  • Bad Bunny tells Apple Music about ‘Ignorantes’ and working with Sech

    Photo: Courtesy of Apple Music/Beats 1

    Bad Bunny joins Zane Lowe on New Music Daily and tells Apple Music about his new song ‘Ignorantes’ and his experience working with Sech.

    Video | Bad Bunny Tells Apple Music About ‘Ignorantes’ and Working with Sech

  • Viewer’s Choice: Get to know our ‘Best New Artist’ Banxsy Aliym

    Photos: Jeffrey Chambers

    Last year, Banxsy Aliym crossed my path. I can’t tell where or when because I don’t remember, but when I heard his music for the first, I thought he was a good songwriter. Over time, he took the necessary steps to structure his songs for the general consumer base. As the Queens-based recording artist continues to find himself as a creator and gets a footing in the music industry, packaging his duality will be the feat he has to master.

    GRUNGECAKE: What has been the most difficult things you’ve come to realize as a new artist working to make a breakthrough in the 10’s? What will change for you in 2020?

    For me, it has been realizing the importance of content creating in this day in age. It’s necessary for any artist to possess if he/she wants to keep their audience engaged. Consider your brand like a TV network and every piece of good content convinces people to stay tuned in. This year, I want to display my ability to push out content through as many platforms as I can to keep fans invested in Banxsy Aliym.

    Do you have a team of people who help you with your music career? What have you been able to accomplish with your team? (If you don’t have a team, what have you been able to do by yourself?)

    I do have a team that helps me with creative decisions and I usually consult them on most moves I make. This year, we have been establishing a strong network which allows us to keep a pulse on what’s going on in the industry.

    If you could compare your live performance to a holiday dinner, what would be on the menu and why?

    A good plate of West Indian jerk—extra spicy! Something you love, something you feel, and something you won’t forget!

    Describe your creative process when writing a song. Do you have certain things you have to do with every song you write?

    I like to tap into the most personal places in my head in hopes of finding something I can make relatable to others. I want anyone listening to feel like I am directly sharing stories with them. Most, if not all, songs have to start as or expound on a true situation because it also gives an outline for whatever I create.

    With all of the changes music has had over the years, how do you see your sound evolving over the next few years? Do you think you have found your sound?

    Sometimes, I think I have found my sound, but then again I find it evolving more and more as the trends in music shift. The message is the same, but the delivery is always changing and maybe even for the better. For example, [I] find myself exploring my vocal abilities more now than I ever did and that contributes to the evolution of my sound.

    Who are you?

    The artist all knowing which is what Banxsy Aliym means, or the artist and the intellect. The two sides of me are displayed throughout the music when I can dive into deep topics, and then sometimes, I choose to be free with my sound as long as it doesn’t compromise who I am. For now, I rather let the people choose how to identify who is Banxsy Aliym.

    Listen to the ‘The Essence Tape’ EP below; to see the post that made this feature possible, scroll down or click here to view.