SwagRight Toni Opens Up About Her Early Life, Creative Process & More

Who is SwagRight Toni &What Is Your Background?

America's Favorite Stud, Billion Dollar Baby,  The Gay Agenda, SwagRight Toni or Toni Wells. People have called me many things but in essence, I'm everything the music industry has been missing. I come from the little big city of Ann Arbor Michigan, a college town just outside of Detroit. Although I grew up in one of the richest cities in America I grew up in the worst part during the crack epidemic in the 90s. Ultimately shit wasn't as sweet as it seemed and the hardships I endured mixed with the privileges afforded me by where I grew up molded the artist before you today.

 

Your biggest influence in hip hop?

Hip-Hop is my influence, I truly am a child of the culture. Personally, my favorite rapper is DMX but as an artist, my style is a mash-up of so many people I've listened to over the years. Childhood growing up on artists like Snoop, Biggie, Pac and Chuck D who you can hear influences in my single Slave House.  As a teen in the Napster era I suddenly had access to everything rap new and old. Falling in love with DMX and the Ruff Ryder Movement. Diving into Huston culture and the DJ Screw movement. Smoke culture had me listening to rappers like Devin the Dude Cypress Hill and Ludacris. As much as I love the older artists I'm proud of the new generation of rap that has been inspired by Hip Hop's founders. Atlanta's takeover has been inspiring musically and as far as how we do business as independent artists. My love for this music runs deep

Your first release and what leads you to the game?

My background in the music industry for the last 5 years has been in artist management. My first single "Cakes" was released on Thanksgiving Day 2021. I had a lot to be thankful for and making the transition to signing myself as a artist was number one. Honestly, I had no intention of making this song by myself. The original plan was for me to get several other artists into the studio and work on a collaborative track where I wrote The Hook and arrange the song and they would actually be the talent on the track. I was happy to just get my DJ Khaled on and not rap. Unfortunately after booking studio time and scheduling to record with everyone not one artist showed up. Me and the engineer just decided we should record the hook, I freestyle the rest of the song and we made history. My latest single Fake is the story behind my feelings towards a lot of the people who I've worked with in the music business and my journey into being an independent music artist.

What kind of emotions do you try to give the person listening?

I really don't want to control the emotions the Listener has when they listen to my music as long as they feel it and it's invoking some type of emotion within them it's good music to me. Most of the time I just want the underlying theme of my music to be fun but It really depends on the song. For instance, with my first single "Cakes" it was just a strip club song something to shake your ass to and have fun. On the other hand, my second single slave house was filled with sociopolitical commentary but ignorant rapper shit at the same time because we woke up but still we having fun. I'm going to be driving into deeper subject matters with my new music. For instance, my new single "Fake" touches on business friendships and betrayals and my upcoming single "Problems" is about my own personal battles with depression.

What is your creative process like?

I'm always singing or rapping to myself honestly I've probably forgotten more hit hooks than most artists have ever written. My production team keeps me loaded up on beats. So sometimes the song concept comes from the beat or sometimes it's just something I started writing in my head already. Good music and good lyrics haunt me like the ancestors talking to me in my head. Saying them out loud and putting them to music is a level of satisfaction only artists really can understand.

Where do you see yourself in the future with this career?

Working hard and being Kanye rich is the goal. How I go about it is optional. I love being an independent artist and I put the work in to be able to monetize my brand and benefit from leveraging ownership. At the same time, I can't say I would never sign with a major label. I just know my entertainment lawyer will be looking over every detail before I sign anything.

If not rap, what else would you be doing right now?

I would love for Politics to be a part of my next chapter but I could see myself running a nonprofit to benefit the African American community here in America and offset systemic racism

How much have you grown as an artist?

I feel like I've truly found my sound in the last 12 months. Because becoming an artist wasn't planned and I'm not someone who has been recording music. I wasn't sure of the sound I wanted to create as an artist. After putting together the team of producers that I work with and finding two engineers who have helped me mold my sound I'm honestly proud of how much my music has improved so quickly. I've been able to consistently create better music every time I am in the studio

How are you different from others in this game?

I go harder than so many of my peers. In an industry where some of the most talented people are very complacent and because of this they fall off and try to blame the people around them. I know that no matter how good my music is if I don't put the work behind it all of this it's a waste of time. I've put the work in to learn and master the business side of music. So now that the only artist I manage is me I feel like Jay-Z in 2003 "imma show you how to do this son"

 

Follow SwagRight Toni on Social Media:

Instagram: @SwagRight Toni

Twitter: @SwagRight Toni

 

Contact

 

Email swagrightshow@gmail.com

 

Phone 734-230-2677

A Journey Into The Mind and Personal Life of the Rapper Akuu

Who are you? Back-story and childhood

My name is Ravine better known by Akuu, I come from a small town in Southern Oregon where there isn’t a whole lot going on. My father accidentally killed my mother when I was two, and he spent 10 years in prison for it, so I was raised by my Aunt Crystal. I went through hell because of that woman, so a lot of my childhood was traumatizing.

Your biggest influence in hip hop?

Hip-Hop is great because there are so many subgenres that can be created from it. Tech N9ne does an amazing job of mixing Rock, Rap, and Opera. A lot of artists from the Midwest in general have a unique sound that resonates deeply with me.

Your first release and what leads you to the game?

Music is like any other form of art, you’re able to capture emotions and express how you feel. People have a hard time saying hard things, that’s where I come in. I’m not afraid to say what needs to be said, and I believe I can capitalize on being that person in the industry. This is actually the main reason I started making music. Everyone deserves to hear the truth, even if it hurts.

What kind of emotions do you try to give the person listening?

Whatever emotion I feel when I first listen to the instrumental. The key is to exaggerate the emotion to its fullest extent to convey your message. In order for the music to be relatable, you need to make sure the emotional impact hits the listeners hard.

What is your creative process like?

There are two ways I typically go about it. Sometimes I like to be alone, by myself in solitude. Other times I like to surround myself with friends and capture their feedback as I write. My friends also lighten my mood. A lot of times we end up smoking weed and goofing off, but we eventually get things done.

Where do you see yourself in the future with this career?

I can see myself being famous enough in the distant future. I don’t concern myself with mass amounts of fame. I just want to make a difference in the world, so even if I only ever reach a few million people I will be content. Although, I think there’s a high chance I may accidentally release that one song that just goes insanely viral overnight. An artist can dream right?

If not rap, what else would you be doing right now?

Actually, I am already doing what I love for a career outside of making music. I am a Data Analyst, I wanted to work with Google at some point, but my current job makes me pretty happy. I suppose if I didn’t need to pay bills, I would pursue a career in video game development.

How much have you grown as an artist?

Since my start back in 2012, I’ve made leaps and bounds to strive for success. At first, I was just doing small garage shows at my friend’s house. Then I made my way to performing as an opener at local shows and bars. I did a few of my own headlines before I took a break for a few years, and I had a few thousand followers on social media. The real growth has come from this past year. Life hit hard, I learned a ton of lessons from my past failures in music, and I put it all on the page. The problem with being an artist is that you are never fully satisfied with your own work. We are our own critics, and because of that I still feel I have a long way to go before perfecting my craft.

How are you different from others in this game?

You have to be willing to think outside of the box. People want uniqueness now more than ever, and most artists just want to play things safe. Not me, a few years back I decided to start learning Japanese. I fell in love with the language and culture. Honestly, Japanese music made me fall in love with music all over again. It gave me the idea to try and express myself in a foreign language. The potential to connect with other people on the opposite side of the planet is an exciting feeling. I know there are a lot of bilingual artists out there, but you don’t see many American performers switch languages during a song, especially not an English/Japanese combination. Bottom line is, that I have been prepaid my entire life for this moment and I don’t have to pretend to be someone else to succeed.

K3NCH, Mansfield Ohio Scene’s Most Enigmatic Rapper to Watch.

 

Kench better known by his stage name K3NCH is the Mansfield, Ohio scene’s most mysterious, unpredictable, and enigmatic figure. His style and voice are unique, his storytelling lets you excited to keep listening until the last second of the track.

K3NCH is 26 years old and from a town called Mansfield, Ohio. About an hour south of Cleveland. Kench grew up with a struggling mother and 3 younger brothers in the household. He spent a lot of time listening to music as therapy and as an escape from the war he was living in every day.
You can taste a variety of Eras in K3NCH’s music, from the 80s and 90s old-school hip hop to nowadays rappers.
He started writing music at the age of 9 while studying lyrics from big artists like Drake, Lil Wayne, DMX, Jay-Z, and Eminem then practice reciting them.
After shaping his writing style he sold his Durango and bought studio equipment and taught himself how to mix everything.

K3NCH started out posting freestyle videos on Facebook where he got thousands of views. So then he thought “Maybe I can Do Something With This.” His fans motivated him to keep going.
After releasing a couple of singles on SoundCloud and people kept engaging. That’s where he dropped his first ever Mixtape that won him “Album of the year” at the North American music awards hosted in Ohio.
He released the project in 2017 but won album of the year in 2022. And he won favorite artist of the year also.

How did K3NCH Grow as an Artist?

K3NCH: ''I’ve grown in a lot of different ways as an artist. The first is doing shows across the country and building necessary business relationships. Also networking across all social media platforms. And winning 2 awards at the North American Music Awards (NAMAS) for my state was a blessing and didn’t expect it. I went from only getting a couple of hundred plays to thousands. Doing shows in multiple cities and states, including Georgia, Florida, Missouri, Michigan, and California just to name a few. From being featured in Hip-hop magazine placements to radio shows and interviews. This year alone has been huge and the hard work is starting to pay off. ''

''The emotions I try to give to the listeners is pretty much just a vibe. Life is stressful and sometimes we can get in our heads, I want my music to help others in ways it’s helped me. I’m pretty versatile and make different types of music for just about any mood.''

 

KENCH shows how much he’s attached too much to the streets and the whole hip-hop culture. The reason why he is so attracted to music is that not only is it like therapy for him, but he finds it amazing to be able to create and manipulate sounds in unique and different ways. And people can connect to you through it.

Where Do You See Yourself in the Future?

''I see myself being very successful in this field because of how seriously I take it. This isn’t just a hobby to me, this is something I plan to feed generations off of. And if music didn’t work, I would still be an entrepreneur/businessman. Probably still doing photography, videography, acting, and real estate. Either way, failure is not an option.''

K3NCH is a rapper who shaped his style and build his career by himself. A rapper who started from the bottom and he's sure of what he's doing. KENCH is a rapper to watch in the future!

Drazmatik Released a New Song ''Da Last Of Us''

Drazmatik is one of the New Jersey scene’s most mysterious, unpredictable, and enigmatic figures. His style and voice are unique, his storytelling lets you excited to keep listening until the last second of the track.

He released a new song titled ''Da Last Of Us'' featuring Killah Cal, NikkiNailbomb and Watts, you can stream it here.

You can taste a variation of Eras in Drazmatik's music, from the 80s and 90s old school hip hop to nowadays rappers.

Drazmatik shows how much he's attached too much to the streets and the whole hip-hop culture.

He was influenced by the Golden eras of hip-hop. Artists like KRS-1, NWA, JAY-Z, REDMAN, BIG DADDY KANE,EPMD, KOOL G RAP have traced his path to hip hop, while Run DMC is the first rap group that had him ready to start rhyming.

 

 

 

 

Follow Drazmatik on social media:

Fb @drazmatik

IG @drazmatik

Why Indie Pop Artists are the Future of the Music Industry

Why Indie Pop Artists are the Future of the Music Industry

 

When someone mentions the word “Indie Pop Artists”, chances are the common person will just shrug his or her shoulder in apparent obliviousness to the term.

Most often, they only know of their more prevalent counterpart, the Pop Artist. This refers to world-famous celebrities with a luxurious lifestyle and a calendar full of concerts and tours.

However, well-grounded folks know that there are still those who attempt to make a name for themselves through their music on their own efforts. These people belong to a special group of “Indies.”

The term indie is short for independent. These are artists who do not rely on any label to produce and sell their music. They include street performers and those who offer their talents in local bars and shows.

Usually, established Pop Artists started out as Indie Artists before they were discovered or scouted by Music Labels. It is similar to movie actors or athletes in a way. And most often than not, Artists are aiming for that to happen and would sign a contract with a label without any second thoughts if the chance arrives.

But that was before.

Independent Artists currently claims almost 40% of the market of the Music Industry worldwide.

So what are the driving forces behind this and what are its implications to the future of music?

One of the main reasons for this shift is the rise of technological advancements that allow artists to produce and share their work throughout the whole world. This means that they can make music at their own pace and abide by their original style.

According to a survey conducted by MIdiA, 83% of independent artists claim that it is of paramount importance for them to have complete control over their music. In contrast, only 74% of label artist

In relation to this, artists now also have access to a wide array of tools and programs that were only available in actual Recording studios of the past. A musician can practically have his or her own studio at his or her own house, with some needing nothing more than a laptop and a couple of peripherals.

Another significant factor to this paradigm shift is the feasibility of earning a living. This is usually associated with a platform and an audience.

With Social Medias--like Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Youtube--moving to monetize their content, they successfully provide an earning platform for artists. The possibility of earning money lying at the tips of each person’s fingers, nothing can stop a talented and hard-working artist to exploit it.

It also helps that Spotify and SoundCloud both compensate artists for their work as long as somebody is listening.

Social Media also helps artists in keeping in touch with their fans and allows them to create and maintain communities that can easily be reached. This way, artists can cater to requests and delve in a bottomless pit of ideas about what works and what do not, and in turn apply it on their work.

Additionally, the advent of social media and other platforms means that Indie Pop Artists can crunch out their music in a faster pace than ever before. And this even applies to labelled artists, as well.

Before, in the 80’s and in the 90’s, the standard timeline of signed artists revolved around releasing an album and touring on it for about two years. This model is known as the “Two-Year Album Cycle” and is seemingly designed to maximize impact, and hence the profit.

However, in todays, fast-paced and highly-advanced culture, many artists have deviated from the said model in favor of a constant stream of singles, back-to-back albums, and a new format called “playlist”. These, especially the latter, is made possible by a multitude of easily-accessible platforms online.

Finally, it is also worth considering that younger musicians are not well-acquainted to the concept of managers who are tasked with helping them towards success. However, they did saw YouTubers and other influencers who made plenty of cash by marketing their own products.

This isn’t to say that music management is bad; they still are relevant and helpful nowadays but the line of thinking is a lot freer today and other options are more available than before

For example, a lot of artists, as we have mentioned earlier in the article, prefers more control over their music. In connection to that, Indie Pop Artists believe that short-term contracts in contrast to lengthy deals, give them just what they want while empowering themselves and other artists to be in command of their own work.

So will this trend continue? Yes, it is highly probable; citing the reasons above. As long as Indie Pop Artists continue to be unique, unclassified, and boundless, they will have their fans and supporters and they will certainly become the future.