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Blac Samurai’s Compendium Of Hip Hop: Artist of the Week

Coming across another Chicago artist that takes lyrical content and flow to the next level. Blac Samurai, focuses greatly on lyrical content more so than he does the production on his tracks, however the beat is equal in quality; it just caters to, or emphasizes the words. Armed with a few singles and an EP, Blac Samurai also recently released a full length album called COMPENDIUM. Now with that title, you can tell this artist owns a dictionary, and does not mess around with his words.

Once the beat drops you instantly get that old school, boom bap vibe on the first opening track PLAY ME CLOSE. Blac Samurai was looking for an old school and alternative sound and he nails it, with the balance between old and contemporary styles throughout COMPENDIUM. His next track, U WANT, sounds more modernized, with trap influenced beats, bass and hi hats, snares, but still heavy on a lo-fi ambient energy. This will be the consistent theme throughout the LP, you can comfortably play it out without disrupting its own flow.

Samurai notes that this COMPENDIUM is an album that has taught him patience, evidently from his lyrics in MASK. “Why do you continue to hide these emotions, how can you understand someone else when you never understood yourself, have you ever asked for help?… How do you really feel? Just take off the MASK…” Followed by a beautifully sung verse within the same idea, and a commentary that goes even deeper within the lines of self understanding. KELLY ROWLAND really captures the Notorious BIG 90’s R&B essence, and some Pusha T within DNA and HOW YOU LIKE ME NOW INTERLUDE, with some A$AP Rocky inspiring tracks like KNOW THAT and BRAND NEW on some acid rap. As those artist come to inspire Blac Samurai, he establishes his own flow, style and energy with COMPENDIUM, the full 12 track album is a good one to put on repeat; and he really saves the best one for last, with the smooth jazz hip hop vibes, rightly named WILL BE CROWNED.

Blac Samurai | Soundcloud | Facebook | Instagram

Ever Evolved | Soundcloud | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Addicted To New Kellen Fescina Music: Woman Crush Wednesday

Coming up upon another talented artist that displays the amazing diversity in Chicagos music scene. A model with a beautiful voice, Kellen Fescina comes into attention with a sensual pop single called ADDICTED. Not new to the mic in the slightest however, Kellen has a few releases this year following a hiatus. Currently armed with a 12 track album and some singles, she has bounced between synth pop styles, dance music tracks and experimental rock. ADDICTED takes on more of an R&B aura, and shows a maturity and more confidence in her presentation compared to her earlier work!

Singing “Boy you got me drunk off your love, it’s addicting! I need it, I fiending! You got me losing my mind,” over a slow beat and piano chords. The chorus uplifts you with a vibrant emotional serenade, as you fall into a dream state! A powerful yet gentle tune to add to your playlist, to really get the vibe right in an intimate setting. This track follows LEAVE ME and SHINING, a hip hop and house beat respectively, released earlier this year. Quite a different energy from her earlier releases in her album LOVE IS A GAME, where that album treads into retro and old school styles and influences, while her recent releases have more a contemporary, confident and original quality. It is always interesting to hear an artists experiments and progression!

Kellen Fescina | Soundcloud | Youtube | Facebook

Ever Evolved | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | Instagram

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Queen Mars One-Ups Herself Like A Boss B!TCH: Monday Majesty

Back in the middle of summer, Queen Mars had gone through some creative angst brought upon early lockdown orders, that was only cured through song and visual expression. She freed herself with the release of B!TCH, and its accompanying music video that she created with just a phone and strobe light. An artistically racy video that drew attention from censures and challenges, but was ultimately won over with support and admiration of a large audience at 11k views! That first B!TCH was a riot, but this second B!TCH is a boss!

With a new music video to top and remake the summer hit, Queen Mars turns on that boss B!TCH energy in this hyper artistic visual. With abstract visual symbolism at ever turn, Queen Mars goes from a confident, empowered woman to Picasso in just two videos. Starting at admiring herself in the mirror, to stoically sitting at a table like a center piece, laying next to a goldfish tied to floating balloons, to a favorite: fashionably posing like a Queen glowing in the sun, on a small platform fit just for her. All pointing to the fact that she is the one in control, she is that B!TCH. Whether she is creating her own music video, making abstract symbolic visual art, or just singing with that flawless and powerful voice. Join the 16k viewers in this experiencing this masterpiece!

Queen Mars | Soundcloud | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Ever Evolved | Soundcloud | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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MOECYRUS Rings In The Fall Season With Pumpkin

MOECYRUS gifting us all a Fall single to jam to as we anticipate some big up coming projects and collaborations! Over a smooth beat with a retro R&B vibe, MOECYRUS serenades us. “I’m lookin for a pumpkin patch bae. The one who aint scared of an ex, the one who aint all about sex. Im a genuine treat, a little broke, but im loyal. Most of these mother fuckers cant even change the oil.” Do not read too much into it though, he is pretty honest and tells us straight up, “I’m pretty good at acting when I really want to smash.” This class act is ready to release projects with multiple artists, teasing names like Mic Terror, AM Early Morning, Mood Swangs, Novatore and more from Chicago, so bump this treat until the next one!

Moe Cyrus | Soundcloud | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Ever Evolved | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | Instagram

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Lassai’s Got ‘It’ Within (Music Video)

Lassai has got IT goin on in his latest music video, and as a reminder, so do you. Whatever IT may be; energy, attitude, message, perspective or hustle, this music video is a reminder to feel IT within yourself, and to be proud of IT. From the South Side of Chicago, Lassai aims to invoke confidence in your authenticity as a human being, directing your awareness inward through his verses, “Are you feeling it, Take control of it… If you want it come get it, Do you want it?” Doubling up with the visuals, dancers passionately moving to and fro, with urban settings as their stage, it paints a metaphor that you can flourish in any environment, any circumstance. A calming song to reflect upon personally, on top of being moved by the rhythm physically.

Lassai| Soundcloud | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Ever Evolved | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | Instagram

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Come-Back: Travie Austin and Brad Kemp

Chicago recording artist Travie Austin links with Brad Kemp to drop an eight track record, in collaboration with a number of other artists and musicians. COME-BACK by Travie Austin and Brad Kemp, out September 18th, is an upbeat neo-gospel-soul pop record. Every track features complex melodies and harmonies laid down by Travie himself. Each song is produced and engineered by Brad Kemp, with five of the tracks featuring TomCat Trumpet, Davyd Reddyk, Anthony M. Rodriguez and Tim Burke.

The themes of empowerment, self confidence, moving on and getting through heartbreak are prevalent throughout the album. Travie Austin seems to channel Sisqo as well as soulful singers of decades further, archaic in its sound and tonality, but contemporary in his flows and melodies; his style is unique and refreshing! Track 3, MAKE A MOVE featuring Anthony M. Rodriguez, is a feel good, jazzy club record you can easily dance to, about making that first sensually strong move, falling in love, living in the moment and letting go. “If you don’t want me to leave you better make your move,” Travie sings, reminding his love interest not to waste any time. In LET GO Travie belts, “I know that it’s right for me, I’m not gonna call you back, cause you got a plane to catch,” further illustrating the theme of moving past a relationship and hoping for a better dynamic in a future partner. The feelings portrayed in each song are quite universal in their appeal.

“I don’t want to be that man anymore!” Travie croons in track eight, SAY GOODBYE, and the song sounds like he has a chorus backing him when the hook comes in. “Say goodbye to the ones who ain’t on your side, trying to tear your heart in two. And say goodbye to the ones trying to dim your light, they don’t shine as bright as you, cause you are so worthy, you are so special. Don’t let them see you fall, just keep your head up high, and say good bye!” This hook was quite powerful and exemplifies that theme of self confidence and moving on! A really inspiring song that will make you want to sing along as if you were in a huge choir.

Travie Austin | Soundcloud | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Brad Kemp| Soundcloud | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Ever Evolved | Soundcloud | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Gq The Fool Seduces In The Red Room: Artist of the Week

Gq The Fool is back with new music, and a racy video to accompany it. When you think of a RED ROOM, what do you think of? Some may reference a room for photography, others may have more promiscuous ideas. In this music video, the camera follows the adventures of a group of curious women, looking for a night of satisfaction. With the help of a couple Chicago R&B vocalists, the song and video adds up to be the perfect seductive song for the bedroom.

Even with a sensual song as this, GQ the Fool does not hold back on his lyricism. In fact in seems to come more naturally in provocative scenarios, in tune with his inner casanova. “This vibe is so amazing, want you to know that Im really feeling your conversation, I love the fact that you require trust and reciprocation.” His lyrics enter confidently following the sensuous beat, laying down the atmosphere for the rest of the track.

As GQ makes his moves in the video, on the chorus, the talented vocalist Nxt Ext chimes in. “Snuck into my bedroom, about to make this bed room boom, i hope you aint got no plans, baby take my hand, I got some things I want to do to ya.” As the chorus echoes and repeats in your head, Keem Singing adds his verse, to perfect the energy of seduction within the video. Filmed by Hayward of BBE Visuals, he leaves out enough of the action to leave the rest for imagination, making a memorable R&B track, expected to be released on GQ The Fools upcoming EP SPOKEN.

GQ the Fool | Soundcloud | Youtube | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Ever Evolved | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | Instagram

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Jamila Woods Emboldens Through Words: Woman Crush Wednesday

It is exciting to hear some new music from Jamila Woods. A powerful and wisdomatic voice and advocate for black communities, women in music and in general. With numerous songs highlighting the power of Black Girl Magic, she is an inspiring voice for youth artists, who she helps support through charities like Chance the Rappers SocialWorks, and teaching them herself as an art director at Wordplay Youth Chicago Artists. Advocating for justice from police brutality, and missing black women, highlighting #SayHerName movement in her videos, is it always a delight to hear her speak her mind through her music.

Wisdomatic is no exaggeration when it comes to her lyricism. With her recent live release of ZORA on soundcloud (Which can be best experience with the live video) from her most recent LP LEGACY! LEGACY!, you can hear it in her chorus simply put, “I will never know everything, everything. You will never know everything, everything, and you don’t know me, couldn’t possibly.” From individual wisdom to self love, her most recent release SULA expresses personal independence. “I’m not sorry that I cut you out, I’m not sorry. What’s done is done,” her closing chorus emboldened by her earlier verse, “Promiscuous holiness, slope is slippery I got all this time to kill, Somethin’ like a prayer to kneel to.” Jamila always speaks to the power within you with her music, and the ambiance of it is something else entirely to get lost into.

Jamila Woods | Soundcloud | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Ever Evolved | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | Instagram

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Some Adam Houston To Uplift Your Soul When You’re Feeling Low

Bringing some soul to Chicago, Adam Houston, all the way from Houston, TX, joins other Chicago jazz inspired artists like Lili K and Livia Gazzolo, as he debuts his solo work. Formerly lead singer of Hot Planet, Adam Houston continues strong with his first solo single, LOW. Accompanied with a music video directed & edited by Kaden Acosta, giving off a very 90’s urban vibe, showing off Chicago’s skyline, street corners and art, while horns, bass guitar and guitar riff away smoothly in the back. Adam really catches you in a groove right off the bat with this song, flawlessly diving into the next chapter of his career.

Adam Houston | Soundcloud | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Ever Evolved | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | Instagram

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Queen Mars Radiates Confidence In Her Music Video B!tch

As an artist, there can be many forms of self expression; from instruments, to painting, photography, video, modeling, dancing and even nudity! Masters of self expression, or artists, can combine some of these ideas, and with lock downs in place everywhere, the free time puts creatives at an advantage. Queen Mars is one of many taking control of this free time, working on new music, an accompanying video and the promotion for it all. Running into an obstacle at first, the B!TCH music video is celebrated by a welcoming audience.

Using just her phone and a flashlight in the comfort of her home, Queen Mars got creative with some visual effects. With slow motion, shutter and reverse effects, Queen Mars dances confidently in her skin to her own music! Causing some form of censorship from advertising, she took to the media to speak her mind about hypocrisy and double standards in media between men and women. Even more pressing as the song, aside from the visual, highlights strong divine femininity.

The emerging woman will be strong-minded, strong-hearted, strong-souled and strong bodied. Strength and beauty must go together. One of many quotes Queen Mars places in her music video as subliminal reminders of inner power and confidence. Over a simple guitar riff, piano chords and vocal harmonics, she sings, “I’m that B!TCH, say my name, where’s my crown, call me queen. I’m the one in control!” The video noting a B!TCH as an equivalent to a Boss, and ironically, a word used by emasculated men towards women they find themselves intimidated by. Sitting on her own thrown, B!TCH accumulated close to 2k views in just a week.

Queen Mars | Soundcloud | Facebook| Instagram

Ever Evolved | Soundcloud | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram