Coming across fresh faces in Nobatoby! Releasing a music video recently and bringing summer energy back into our lives. Using a song off their debut EP BRAIN STORM, the Chicago artists create a visual water park experience, creating a nostalgic vibe with the combination of music. Taking advantage of the empty amusement rides in NYC due to COVID circumstances. Adding to the diversity of Chicago music, alternative indie rock music fans would enjoy this, with a similar sound to Smashing Pumpkins and the likes, GO DOWN it is already on replay here!
It is here, the long awaited EPIC by StankNasty! A three track EP to start off the new year, continuing from the last. Consistently releasing singles throughout 2020, he thrived in an otherwise tough time. StankNasty gave us track after track of melodic, lyrically packed, conceptual, anthemic hip hop and rap beats. All to lead up to the release of EPIC; The planning behind the project itself is to be taken note of!
Releasing KNOW THE NAME last summer as the first teaser of the EP, using samples from the movie Transformers, it was preceded and followed up with multiple songs. Keeping you on your toes till the eventual release date. It was even promoted with an official LP trailer for the project, where StankNasty is consumed by the energy of music, through the mic. He keeps up with conceptualizing ideas through both music and visual, creating a cinematic touch to his art. Whether its an idea like CARNAGE, or TRAUMA, braggadocios like BEAST MODE, PREACHING TO THE CHOIR, or using music references in HOLD IT DOWN and I KNOW I’VE WON; The pattern continues with EPIC-EP.
The summer release KNOW THE NAME starts out the track, giving you that StankNasty confidence on the mic, and introducing his lyrical ability right off the bat. THE FORCE is a conceptual track lyrically as well as musically, using literal Star Wars scores, verbal and audio references and samples, and of course, THE FORCE that we seen in the very same official trailer for the project. It also seems to be a tribute and appreciation to the hip hop genre as a whole, as the chorus repeats, “Hip Hop is THE FORCE, and the force is strong with him. It surrounds us, moves through us, like the wind. It binds us, it connects us, it reflects us; and it lives within...” MAKE IT EPIC ends the project on a cinematic and positive note, with its loud biblical horns and beat work and Avengers: End Game samples, never turning off his lyrical proficiency for a moment. Leaving you with a message “If you get something out of this record it’s never say never, thats part of the essence of doing what you do, but making it epic. Make every second count, instead of counting seconds…“
Having the opportunity to sit down with YOUNG XAV for an interview, there are a few things to learn about this up and coming artist! First introduced to his music with the release of AFTER DARK, you would instantly notice there is more to this artist than just the music. He has a story to tell! Breaking down a little bit of his creative process, we also get an idea of the direction YOUNG XAV is going with, regarding his current and newer music entries.
Making music since 2017, it was not until the release of AFTER DARK that he decides to take on the hobby more seriously. When asked what his purpose is behind his music, YOUNG XAV responds with, “I think just narrative driven, that’s my thing. I can’t make music if I’m not living life… Big thing for me, is to tell what I have to feel… Cheaper than a shrink. Sometimes expensive.” Noting that relate-ability is key in the messages he conveys to his audience.
In regards to how YOUNG XAV gets comfortable expressing his vulnerabilities, he responds with, “Thing is I never created something where it’s like, wow, I’m literally exposing myself. When it comes to my friends I keep things very tight nit, I keep things very closed, but my music contradicts that. If you want to know about me, for better or for worse, you can hear my music. It’s therapeutic. It translates to something different. It’s never been difficult to deal with that vulnerability.” As you listen to his songs from AFTER DARK and the following, you will notice a deep sense of introspection within each track. Whether it is personal or involving relationships.
Out with a new release, his new tune KISS KISS BANG BANG is no exception. In the song he confides to his listeners about heartbreak and the emotional trauma connected. However the difference with KISS KISS BANG BANG and other heart break songs like IN MY HEAD, YOUNG XAV would say it is more of a culmination of thought about all his past relationships, and not specific to a single individual. When asked how he gets through heart break, he simply says, “I write a song about it, and if that doesn’t work, make more music.”
KISS KISS BANG BANG also represents a new direction of sound YOUNG XAV mentioned with his last release, MANIA FREESTYLE. Preparing for his next big release, his 2nd album, DEAD BY DAWN, ready for an October 1st release date. YOUNG XAV notes, “KISS KISS BANG BANG is the perfect bridge, if I released certain songs in DEAD BY DAWN it would sound like an entire 180. So I think with releasing kiss bang bang, instead of being a shocker, it’s more of a bridge.” Specifically, YOUNG XAV, plans to experiment past the genre of hip hop and rap that he has been used to, and into more melodic sounds and singing, live instrumentation as well as dipping into lo-fi, jazz and rock genres.
When asked why the new take on his music, YOUNG XAV responds with great insight. “It’s crucial to story telling. There’s certain stories you can tell in genre of rap, then there is certain stories you can’t. In terms of genres I don’t think about them as categories that define an artist… But instead more of which genre can I use, which tools can I use to best explain how I feel.” Very thoughtful perception to take in as you listen to his songs moving forward! The story for KISS KISS BANG BANG is not over just yet, as YOUNG XAV also plans for a music video release, on the 29th of January. So stay tuned for visuals coming up very soon, as he prepares you his next big LP, DEAD BY DAWN related in concept to AFTER DARK.
There is always room for fresh artists to be recognized and Chicago is flourishing. Seeing an influx of soulful and R&B singers, we are introduced to yet another talented voice. Charmaine Makeda steps up to the mic with a debut self titled EP Project, after releasing a few singles. Adding to the already diverse plate of creatives in Chicago, she notes to social media there is only more to come.
Seven songs deep, the EP starts out with SEE YOU AGAIN, a passionate song of romance, with a chorus that will have you singing along by the second go. LONELY gets more sensual, with a touch of saxophone, slow deep bass and a catchy piano loop, keeping the vocals to a seductive whisper. As her EP continues Charmaine gets deeper into her mind and her thoughts, a deep thinking romantic, embracing her humanity. ANXIETY INTERLUDE and NOTE 2 MYSELF, is the back and forth in our head, the lows and highs, that happens to the best of us. Charmaine Makeda so eloquently, fluently and fearlessly expresses her mind, from beginning to end, resulting in a beautiful project.
Reaching out from the UK, 14 year old artist named YXNGJ.O is making moves for himself in becoming a developed hip hop emcee. Already on a good start with three singles, and collaborating with other artists. Recently he released his fourth track, PULL UP featuring Retread and YoungAsko, and the potential is clear for YXNGJ.O, with his moody, lo-fi hip hop sound. As he builds his network and maintains ambition, YXNGJ.O’s creativity and efforts should know no bounds! Looking forward to see the growth and direction of this young star moving forward.
With Fight Club vibes in this music video for OPEN THE GATES, the heaviest hitters of Chicago hip hop make their presence known. MOECYRUS and Novatore of Azthmatix, connect with A.M. Early Morning to create a lyrically raw and gritty hip hop beat. Challenging in their words as they open with their chorus, chanting, “We love to talk shit, this is what we do. Know there’s a big gap that’s in between us and you. We came with AM to slay and bring mayhem.” Each artist spits their lines of braggadocios bars, over an ominous slow beat with a piano progression, and the atmosphere is perfected under dark skies in a graffiti laced alley, on an urban corner in the streets of Chicago, with Yung City Slicka Films editing to emphasize energy. To step up to these fearless three on the mic would be menacing, to say the least!
Another up and coming artist in Chicago is breaking grounds with a significant achievement in her music career. Yajaira is making some noise with her debut EP, REALISY. The singer, dancer and model is inclined towards soulful genres like R&B, Pop, Neo-Soul and even Gospel, having experience singing in Church and summer camp talent competitions. Her debut EP even dips into more cultural genres like reggae, and reggaeton creating a diverse portfolio from the start.
Starting REALISY off strong with a MAKE IT, a collaboration featuring K Breeze, and J. Trav. Walking the line of confidence and ambition with a hook like, “My future I can see it. When my eyes close, I can dream it. Can’t let no one come between, all my life I swear I mean it.” Following up would be WHAT YOU DO TO ME, a reggae influenced track adding diversity to the EP, singing about the dance of a temporary and fleeting seduction. Pondering about attraction in TO BE IN LOVE, she sings beautifully as she unravels her thoughts. Yajaira innocently lets her fans know the project is about her own perspectives, embracing her point of view and being able to visually create the world she sees. Her vocals paint a colorful picture of her mind and her range is a refreshing addition to the music community in Chicago, particularly R&B.
If you love a good ol cup of joe in the morning, than COFFEE is the joint for you. Wilhelm Duke, hyperbolizes his love for the black bean of energy with a music video in dedication to it, a follow up to BOSS SHIT with RhymSter. Doing things only coffee lovers would approve of, like chilling at a coffee shop and having a coffee shower; admittedly that may be good for your scalp. Starting out with coffee on repeat on the intro, what would be assumed to be the first thought of a coffee addict as soon as they wake up, as the caffeine juice rolls down Wilhelm Dukes face. A surprisingly slow paced hip hop beat for the insanely fast heart beat you get from the bean, but either way a good song to stroll to on your way to you local coffee shop, on a morning vibe. If you can agree with and appreciate the knowledge of detail for the different brews in the Dukes lyrics, while you sip on that rocket fuel, then, you should be dancing like Wilhelm by the end of the song.
Real lowkey artist with a soulful voice, Me’chelle presents her fans with WHIRLWIND. Since performing at an Ever Evolved Empower Herstory event a few years back, her sound and energy could not escape the mind. Patience is well deserved as WHIRLWIND brings a sound of peaceful composure. Speaking like a goddess and a guardian, “but when we let that hurt go look how great we can be, two god like beings, with a billion destiny, I dont need you to rescue me, and with out you I’m complete.” Though the chorus would imply personal relationships, the simple yet powerful lyrics echoes independence and security. The R&B and Soulful energy brought by the drum pattern, bass line and ambient sounds compliment Me’Chelles vocals, creating a disarming yet relaxing vibe when you need it.
Christmas is typically full of traditions, and CantBuyDeem has one of his own. As he mentions on social media, it is a tradition to gift his fans every year during the holidays, after reigniting his holiday spirit following unfortunate events. This year CantBuyDeem gifts us all with an order of POPEYES, a two piece combo, a single with a side of music video. With a cool demeanor, and even cooler visuals, CantBuyDeem spits game over the smoothest, Curren$y type, hip hop beat, with real ambient lo-fi sounds that will get you in the clouds before the weed hits you like ah-ha.
There is nothing more that would make you want to be in CantBuyDeems shoes than a beautiful, sexy woman, dancing around your money, while eating popeyes, wearing so much drip. But “You can’t follow in nobody tracks exactly, look n***a keep movin.” CantBuyDeem leaves quite a few insights that entertains uniqueness, he does not “live his life by movie one liners, that sh*t corny,” as he would say. Filmed by TevDesh Productions, the tight angles, slow pace and evening colors, with a hint of lustful seduction, really puts a mystifying feel to the video. Following up on the NUMB EP, CantBuyDeem looks to have found a comfortable position with his sound and presentation.
New EZY Era is a Chicago born artist with an enigmatic sound. Raised in the multicultural suburbs of Chicago his sound blends as much as his surroundings.
Gridlock Andy
GridLockAndy is a 22 yr old Music Producer from Chicago. He started his music career at 17 making beats in his spare time from home. Eventually moving to his first music studio in 2013. In the beginning of 2014, he moved to his second music studio which was in the back of a cellphone store where he learned how to audio engineer. Later that same yr he teamed up with Rhymster, Frekwenzy, Z3ndoctor, and Will Balonos to rent I studio room in the highly acclaimed Fort Knox studios where they currently house the Ever Evolved headquarters. A could of yrs later in the the spring of 2016 he release his first beat tape “Is Andy Real?” sporting neo-jazz hip hop tracks that defines his sound.
RhymSter
RhymSter
Julian Rodriguez, aka RhymSter, was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. The interest to take on music didnt catch on until he graduated high school in 2010. Looking back on his past, he realized that all his life his family had exposed him to different genres of music such as 80s-90s Hip Hop, Jazz, Rock, Oldies, Soul, House, R&B, & various types of Spanish music. In a way, he was already preparing himself for what was to come.
Julian was a solo artist for some years building his skills and relationship with fellow partners/producers Frekwenzy & GridLockAndy. After some time Julian linked with William Bolanos, Founder of Ever Evolved, to establish a vision that both of them shared musically and creatively. During the time of building the company Julian expanded his creativity into production as well as taking on the business side of Ever Evolved. A jack of all trades is what you can call him.
William Bolanos
EverEvolved Owner
Born and raised in Chicago, Il. I started EverEvolved as a music blog to promote conscious creative music from Chicago. Throughout my life i have been entertained by music of all genres. Music is my one consistent love and seeing it promoted in mainstream television networks in such negative and lazy form, i decided to take matters into my own hands. Making it a mission to open minds to the underground and artists who create original music out of passion rather than greed.
Working along side Rhymster and Frekwenzy at Fort Knox Studios, we quickly transformed EverEvolved into a music studio, event and promotion company. With this platform we not only promote music, we create it and bring it to an audience directly. Hoping to inspire and bring talented individuals together. We aim to create a future of music with class, soul and original style.
Frekwenzy
My name is Ken and I am an engineer/ producer/ and graphic designer out of EverEvolved Studios located near Montrose Blue Line train station in Chicago, IL.
I specialize in EDM and trap based production. I tend to enjoy creating beats from scratch with the people I work with just because I believe in the artistry. It’s always fun to create something organic from scratch. What usually happens in one of my sessions is I would start working on a beat with a lyricist and we would bounce off ideas and give each other critiques.
Xandr
I started gaining an interest in music from a young age. Eventually taking guitar lessons when I was in 6th and 7th grade. Then later into highschool I was musically involved with some friends in a band for a while which just brought me closer and closer to music. Which ultimately lead to me picking up Ableton which completely changed my outlook on music altogether.
As far as to why I do it….well it’s just a part of me. Sitting down to compose and edit music always gives me a really calming rush. Especially knowing that I came from dreaming about as a kid to being here right now.
