Like a rubber band, you can be pulled past your breaking point till you snap! Luckily SAESOH can keep her composure, singing about toxic relations. Almost a rebuttal to Yung Bleu and Drake‘s collab single YOU’RE STILL MINE, SAESOH’s music video remix scribes “NOT YOURS” across the screen. Craft-fully working around versus from the original song, SAESOH sings from the opposite perspective of the male counterpart. Where Bleu would say “You’re mine still… I don’t wanna go unless you make me“, SAESOH rebuts “You don’t wanna go until you break me.” A very eye opening and passionate contrast between the mind of a stubborn selfish man and that of an impassioned woman. Even more so, SAESOH’s vocals compliments the beat flawlessly, fitting well with the original harmonies, almost as if it was waiting to be rediscovered by her!
Her braids draped past her hips, clad in leather jacket, skirt and lacy bra, empowered by her femininity, RO$E presents her DRIP. The instant hit single DRIP comes doubled with a music video, produced by Tunnel Vision, emphasizing the seductive lyrics. Setting up a date at a party with friends, singing “I know you want to take control, baby just let me lead, anything is possible when you’re fucking with me.” The lyrics are complimented by a dreamy beat by Hippy Jack, creating a sultry R&B track that can set a mood right! RO$E made some noise last weekend, performing and getting interviewed at Ever Evolved x The Dog & Pony Show‘s O.verly D.edicated live stream event, setting off the audience with singles like DRIP. Find out what she has coming up next, and check out her music at her links below!
Making noise out South in Florida, this talent rocks the mic with energy and character! Introduced to Summer through a live performance, at an event hosted by Ivan L & Bro Life at Lozers in Pompano Beach, there was no knowing what to expect! Summer easily took over the room with her energy, quite literally, walking out past the stage and into the lounge areas. With ease she hits her highest octaves, balanced with her sultry lows. A spectacle in the middle of a room of hip hop artists and fans, as she wows them all with a dose of R&B.
Such charisma from Summer comes from the fresh release of her debut EP. A five song project dubbed LILO’S LEGACY, with a cover of her puppy, and a great introduction to Summer! Starts of light hearted and a bit theatric with a tune called PLAYED, confessing in her own words “damn I got played, just trying to get laid.” Though a bit comedic, the performance was still dynamic, with the harmonies, melody and her vocals and piano chords. She either brushed off that problem, or is a natural entertainer!
The next track MUST BE BAD lays down the tone for the rest of LILO’S LEGACY. Getting more familiar with her powerful vocals, going back and forth between her lyrical and singing ability. LOVERS ODYSSEY offers another style, as the beat is more pop and future bass edm, yet maintaining the R&B and soulful style to her voice and lyrics. SANCTUARY is definitely a favorite; most melodic, harmonic and passionate and contains some uplifting language, “smile cause you’re gorgeous, cause you can hold a pitch, smile even though you feel like shit.” Ending LILO’S LEGACY with another pop tune, with an electronic bass beat and a good attitude, making light of often lowly situations. The potential is high for Summer and her vocal talent and writing, she is an instant favorite and a must see live!
Ready to take flight with this smooth tune, Don’t be 2LATE to show love to GQ the Fool. Working with a couple talented artists, GQ releases his latest R&B tune 2LATE. The vibe is produced by Versus, with a relaxing beat, the energy is completed with GIFFTED on the chorus, singing “Please don’t be too late to love me,” followed by his finishing verses. GQ starts the track with his hip hop influenced R&B lyricism. The two compliment each other well, as they both have a suave flow that lets the beat breathe, while delivering just enough of their mind and charm. A proper follow up to his RED ROOM music video with Keem Singing, these tracks can surely heat up a dance floor, or a date night out.
Seemingly an endless flow of creative effort, Queen Mars is back again with more music and videos to accompany. Consistency is the name of the game, and this girl is a boss player. Not letting anything stop her, she has been on the move since quarantine, when most people stagnated with the times, the queen has been releasing content after content. Taking off with the B!TCH quarantine promo video, she followed up with an official music video, visual concept art for LET ME LOVE YOU, MISS AMERICA, QUEEN OF HEARTS, and multiple video performances for Art After Dark.
Wasting no time with the new year, Queen Mars is back again with BOYS LIKE YOU. Starting out the video with a fierce gaze, as if she sees into your soul, before the beat drops, you know she is not playing any funny games! Lyrically laying out her distaste in the key word of boys, who have no intention for genuine love, but promiscuity instead. In accordence with her previous music video releases, Queen Mars creates concept, design and art to make an entertaining video, aside from her flawless singing and smokin hot wardrobe!
YOUNG XAV follows up and comes through on his music video promise! His first release of the year, KISS KISS BANG BANG, covers the feelings of heart break in relationships; a culmination of all his personal experiences regarding love connections in one song. Ever Evolved got to interview YOUNG XAV about the significance of the new release, noting a change in direction of sound moving forward. The music video itself montages his different experiences with different women, his own lyrics expressed through their lips, creating an atmosphere of tension. The video also features behind the scenes shot, before and after the making of the visuals, giving viewers a peak into the creative process that went into KISS KISS BANG BANG.
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.
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.
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.
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.
