Author Archives: Niyah Nel

Xian Bell – “She On Go”

Growing up in one of Los Angeles’ most notoriously rough neighborhoods and with a father serving a life sentence, Crenshaw bred artist Xian Bell flourished with unfavorable odds.

Persevering through scant odds and a rough upbringing, Xian Bell developed an feverish passion for creating for music at an early age. Inspired by seeing his older cousin find success with music on TV, Xian Bell knew music was his calling and it saved his life.

“When I saw the world premiere of my older cousin CJ Mac’s video with Mack 10 and TQ ‘Imagine That,’ it was the first time I saw someone I knew on TV,” Xian Bell explained. “I realized I could make it out of our area without playing ball or selling drugs. Although he was rapping about drugs, it showed me that you can reap immense benefits by talking about your life. I’ve always loved writing, so since then my love for it just grew as I developed my craft.”

Forming like a diamond in the rough, Xian Bell’s ambition and hunger for musical success drove him to a sound that mixes rap and singing together.

“I just wanted my first single to be a representation of me. Although it’s sort of a rapping cadence, I’m primarily a singer. It’s a mix of both worlds, which my whole ContraDistrict project represents,” he said. “I’ve been heavily influenced by both my parents, and now with all my cousins and best friends I grew up with being dead or in jail, I struggle with guilt remorse of leaving them behind to try and better myself.”

For the Ricardo Navarro directed visual, Xian Bell wanted to show everything that represents the Crenshaw District also known as ‘The District.” Flanked by bad chicks and donning a gold grill, Xian rides through the city in an old school Cadillac, making this visual vibrant and brash.

“We shot the video in the District with the infamous Crenshaw sideshow to show viewers how we live over here,” he added. “The District is just one big ass contradiction but it all meshes perfectly into some dope sh*t. That’s exactly what I am – a big f*cked up contradiction that luckily turned out dope,” Xian Bell said candidly.

That internal contradiction and deep roots in The District aptly yielded the title of his newest project, ContraDistrict, which will be available for fans on Soundcloud early Summer ’17. In the mean time Xian Bell is gearing up for the release of several more pieces of content including another visual, a single and the project release itself.

Figg Newton – “Still With The Bullshit”

Donning one of the most noticeable names in Hip-Hop today, South Central LA based rapper Figg Newton is more than just a rapper with a clever name.

Pushing tracks from the second volume of his hood acclaimed Streets Wont Let Me Chill series, Figg Newton delivers a project with no features, but production from a range of producers (Larry Jayy, Paupa, Dave O, DJ Flip, Lfinguz, Mac James, BraveStarr and 89th).

Kicking things off Figg Newton drops his self directed visual for “Still With The Bullshit,” which also features the co-direction from up and coming videographer, Fullgrind.

“‘Still With The Bullshit’ was produced by Lfinguz, a producer and engineer out of Sacramento, CA.” Figg Newton explained. “It’s basically like a majority of my other music – this is a real life narrative perspective of life on Figueroa St., in LA.”

Despite the bullshit, Figg Newton is focused on his FASTLANE movement that developed when Figg Newton was in prison.

“I had a natural love for music as a child, but I started getting serious about making music in prison. Eventually that led me to doing research about the business and upon my release I began to record,” Figg Newton said.

Following up the Streets Wont Let Me Chill 2 release, Figg Newton is gearing up for a bunch of new music that he’s been in the lab cooking up.

“Be on the look out for U Figg Me 2, the digital release of U FIgg Me 1 and also We Started The Woop Compilation, which features a lot of other FASTLANE artists,” Figg Newton said.

Currently the Streets Wont Let Me Chill 2 is available on in iTunes an Apple Music, while the video is available on Figg Newton’s YouTube channel.

Messiah B – “All In One”

Originally raised in London, up and coming emcee Messiah B came to the USA around 17 years of age moving to Memphis, Tennessee of all places. From there he picked up his bags and moved to NYC and eventually LA risking everything, he moved to pursue his goals of being a successful musician.

A self proclaimed, trapper, hipster and rockstar in one, Messiah B feels he encompasses all three lifestyles in his music as shown in his new single aptly titled, “All In One.” Regardless of labels, there’s one thing that’s for sure, and Messiah B is a unique artist that is on the cusp of whats poppin now with Hip-Hop.

“The single is produced by Kushingham one of my long time collaborators. The single is a statement of what I am; a trapper, a hipster, and a rockstar. I encompass all three in my body and they come out when I make music – that’s exactly what I express in this song,” Messiah B said. “Just watch me turn up on these weak ass fake industry rock stars. Time to breathe some fresh air into music, I make music u can jump on your mums couch with your mum to – with or without a gun, Yadigg!”

There’s no question that he’s living that rockstar life as Messiah B is on a college tour right now with the Rejectz and iamsu!, where he’s already collaborating with acts on the tour.

“I am dropping a music video with my brothers the Rejectz and Orlando brown and I have a tape with Warren Bensmokin (Bounce of the Rejects) called Mortal Kombat Trap where we have the remix to the “Cat Daddy,” and our song “Lui Kang,” hosted by LAs own DJ Carisma and Dj Shon.”

Now looking back Messiah B feels fortunate to have found music as he found himself homeless on his path to musical success. To this day he continues giving back to the homeless community with food giveaways and more.

“I was homeless on Skid Row just basically paying for food and studio and sleeping in a shelter before I started buzzing here in LA,” Messiah B says. “I always used to make lil raps in my room from when I was 9. I was obsessed with Three 6 mafia as they were known then with Project Pat. Funny enough, Memphis was the first place I lived in America.

Al-Doe – “Legends of the Lobby” (Project Stream)

Al-Doe has made a name for himself not only throughout the Bronx, his hometown, but across the map, making him a legend in his own right. With a tremendous drive for success and determination to be great pushing him, Al-Doe will continue to make waves and prove to be a force throughout the industry. For his latest project, Al-Doe teams up with the legendary DJ Drama to feed the streets with Legends of the Lobby — a 14-track project that comes loaded with plenty of heat including standout tracks like “Get It” featuring 600 Breezy and Makarel, as well as “Heavy Is The Head That Wears The Crown” featuring highly-touted lyricist Dave East. Aside from the the aforementioned appearances, Tree Mason also joins the line up to contribute to the project while Al receives undeniable production from the likes of Rico Suave, Buckwild, V’Don, Sean C & LV, Cleva Keys, and more. Legends of the Lobby is available everywhere.

A1krashn – “Black Moon”

Getting his start learning to produce after playing musical instruments was “natural” says up and coming singer/producer A1krashn, also know as A1.

“It all started from beating on the table. When I was younger my father kept me in music classes to learn how to play instruments, but the older I got the more I started to grow as a producer and songwriter,” A1 explained. “Now I just want to reach people around the world with my music ”

Taken from his debut album MelodicParty, A1 delivers a breakthrough project featuring his well received single “Black Moon.” A1krashn describes the song as a result of having gone through a hard time and found his way through.

“Black Moon Was produced and wrote by me. At the time of making this song i was going through a hard time and wanted to share my story with those who could relate or you have went though some of the same trials. I just want to give some motivation for those who believe they can grow from any situation,” he said.

Stepping forward in May, A1 returns from his residency in Australia where he performed at several venues across Melbourne. He looks to continue performing over the Summer in LA and on the West Coast.

6ixers – 6ixers

Representing the “6” in Atlanta—a neighborhood directly off 6 Flags Drive—KKruger and Boo are a young, up-and-coming duo known as the 6ixers. Growing up and witnessing creativity, violence, and talent throughout their city, the 6ixers have been able to usher in a sound that allows them to set themselves apart from the rest of the pack, while maintaining the authenticity of their Atlanta roots. Prepared to formally introduce themselves to the world, the 6ixers come equipped with production from Zaytoven, Traebeast, Earlthepearll, and more for their debut self-titled project. 6ixers spans 11 tracks in all, but listeners will be asking for more by the end of the project thanks to the 6ixers’ top-notch beat selection, distinctive style, and effortless flow.

Keytalife – ‘ExesKeys Vol 1’

Florida native Keytalife teams up with DJ Exes for the release of his new project ‘ExesKeys Vol. 1’. The release comes with six tracks in total, including features from DeeSoulopez and Allesandro Crawford.

In addition to the drop of the tape, Keytalife delivers the official music video for the intro track ‘Open Doors’.