Photo by: Lee Campbell / Unsplash

Josh Stone, the promising protege of Public Enemy's Chuck D, debuted his new breakout single today titled "What They Talkin' Bout."

As a producer and CEO of his own Real Vibez Only record label, Stone may not yet be a household name, but has been immersed in the music industry for years. While originally from New York, he was set to be a hockey superstar before an injury sidelined him indefinitely from the game he loved. He turned to music as a way to cope with the stress, and ended up dedicating his life to perfecting his craft.

Over the last decade he's worked for a plethora of different labels, and has collaborated behind the scenes with some of Hip-Hop's biggest stars, from The Diplomats to Uncle Murder of G-Unit. Now, he wants the spotlight for himself, his hard hitting debut seeking to prove to the naysayers that Josh Stone is next up, and that Hip-Hop better brace themselves for his arrival. "'What They Talkin Bout' was created because I can't relate to anything being said and going on in the music industry today," said Stone. "These new artists are following trends and talking about nothing. There's a niche in the market that I'm here to fill."

Check out the single below:

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Jenna Raine talks her latest single, 'Technicolor'.
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PREMIERE | Mychael Gabriel Shows Off His Pop-funk Flare on "Ghost in the Midnight"

Mychael grew up watching Prince lay down tracks for Purple Rain, Love Sexy, and Diamonds and Pearls.

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Mychael Gabriel, the godson of Sheila E. and Prince, launches his first solo release on Popdust, "Ghost in the Midnight."

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Kevin Kolk Releases Dance-Inducing Debut Single "Deep End"

The Nashville native continues the mental health conversation with his debut single.

Kevin Kolk

16-year-old pop singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Kolk fuels the conversation on mental health in his debut single "Deep End."

Inspired by a diverse range of artists from Post Malone and Khalid to Alec Benjamin and Ed Sheeran, Kolk's bold and unique sound expresses a maturity that is well beyond his years. It's clear that the single was made with passion and the utmost care. "I was involved with the writing, producing, and obviously the singing, and when everything came together it just all fell into place," shared Kolk. "Luckily, I had a great team around me...for the writing, which is probably my favorite part, that kinda came together when I came up with the hook and we wrote from there and based the sound off of the lyrics that we created."

"Deep End" begins with an entrancing sound collage of infectious and well-layered beats that set the scene for the rest of the track. Listeners are then soon drawn in by Kolk's smooth and clear vocals that serve as a guide through the track's relatable message. "'Deep End' is about dealing with anxiety and wondering if it gets better. It's about keeping hope in hard situations," says Kolk. The singer's vulnerable voice is attention-grabbing, especially on poignant lyrics like, "the voices in my head are getting louder than my friends/and it's getting harder and harder to play pretend/and I'm stuck in the deep end," and "you can't drown in a puddle."

"I wanted to take risks with my music," says Kolk. "I worked to create a style that is unique to me, both lyrically and musically." "Deep End" is a dance-inducing song perfect for the summer, but the deeper meaning is what makes Kolk someone special and worthy of keeping an eye on as he progresses with his career.

As for what Kolk is going to be doing in the future, the singer shared that there will be a music video for "Deep End" coming out soon and that he will be releasing his EP Hearts this fall, which will further dive into themes like anxiety, trust, and hope. "I think I really created a sound that is unique to me and each song is different, but each one speaks to me and I'm excited to share it with people very soon!"

Be sure to check out Kevin Kolk's debut single "Deep End" below.

Deep End

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Sophia Messa Confronts Isolation on "moneydontfixlonely"

The new singer-songwriter's first release manages to be a dark, theatrical power-pop experience and a thoughtfully-crafted debut at the same time.

Khufu Najee

Generally speaking, most pop artists' debut singles aren't terribly risky, in content or in sound.

Sophia Messa isn't most artists. She just released her first single, "moneydontfixlonely," kick-starting her career with a definitive sonic statement that pulls unabashedly from the annals of power-pop in order to introduce a new artist to the industry.

The track itself is as theatrical as a pop single can get, with a ringing organ-like intro leading into a sawing acoustic guitar, darkly echoing synths, and an exploding drum line surging under Messa's powerful contralto. For a new artist, Messa is bracingly assured as both a singer and a narrator, and her confidence carries the song forward with aplomb. She reflects on her imposter syndrome, her heavy feelings of isolation in an image-obsessed world, and coping with her pain with drinking and running headlong into ill-fated relationships. "I just wanted you to want to hold me," Messa pleads to a disembodied lover, just before this line: "Been looking for someone to entertain me / But I'm the only one that's gonna save me." Messa muddies the water on "moneydontfixlonely," jumping back and forth from alienation to determination, but still manages to lend a grounding element to the song's sense of melodrama.

It's perhaps too early to say whether the 19-year-old singer-songwriter is a surefire star in the making, or to try and predict what's to follow "moneydontfixlonely." But Messa's adept use of the tools of modern pop, and her self-aware invocation of the "silver spoon on my tongue," might just be the kind of distinction she needs to make her mark as a serious budding artist.

moneydontfixlonely



Matthew Apadula is a writer and music critic from New York. His work has previously appeared on GIGsoup Music and in Drunk in a Midnight Choir. Find him on Twitter @imdoingmybest.


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MUSIC | Ryan McCartan releases debut single "Changed My Mind"

The off-Broadway and TV star released this single off of his first solo EP "The Opposite"

"'Changed My Mind' is the premiere single off my debut solo EP 'The Opposite.' This is a massive passion project of mine, as every song was written, performed, produced, recorded and engineered all by me in my home studio."

In a world where we are constantly hearing break-up narratives from a million different artists, it's nice to hear something that's more raw that what we're given. I'm not saying these other artists don't share a lot with us and bear their soul - art always allows you to do that, even in its most commercialized form. Still, there's something about hearing an artist who has done everything himself - someone who has had complete control over everything from writing to production to release. There's a realness there, and I think that's what McCartan has given us with this new single.

For those who aren't familiar with this Broadway/TV darling, Ryan McCartan first rose to prominence in a recurring role on the Disney Channel TV show, Liv and Maddie. From there, he went on to play JD in the hit off-Broadway adaptation of Heathers, and even got the chance to play Brad Masters in Fox's recording of The Rocky Horror Picture Show! And while the latter wasn't the most well-received show ever, no one can argue that McCartan's voice wasn't electrifying.

Now, coming off of the break up of The Girl and the Dreamcatcher (which McCartan had formed with his ex-girlfriend, Liv and Maddie star, Dove Cameron), he is back to release a new EP. Ryan has this to say about his new release:

"'Changed My Mind' is one of five songs on the EP, which takes listeners through my convoluted and tumultuous grieving process following a horrific break up. Each song represents one of the five stages of grief, and 'Changed My Mind' is the final stage of acceptance. I feel blessed every day to be able to create and share my art with the world. I've never been happier in my entire life!"

I can't say which break up McCartan is referring to. Perhaps he's talking about his break up with Cameron? Or maybe there was another that wasn't necessarily in the spotlight. Regardless, what McCartan brings to the table is catchy and fun, that is charged with an emotional energy that doesn't seem manufactured or disingenuous. Is it the most groundbreaking single I've ever heard? No. But it is real, and you can feel it in the work that McCartan has put into this track.

Bottom line: It's fun, it's emotional, and to this writer, it's a great start, and I can't wait to see what more McCartan brings to us in the future.

What did you think of the song? Do you want to buy the EP? Do you want to follow this great artist on social media? Then you should follow him on his social media!

Follow Ryan McCartan on Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

And listen to the single on Spotify or Apple Music!


Shann Smith is a freelance writer, screenwriter, playwright, gamer, music lover, and film/TV lover. When he's not working on his columns for Popdust, he's doing his best to create and consume as much media as he can!


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