R&B

June 15, 2021June 15, 2021

League Champs Volume 1. Presented by Ever Evolved Studios

Sports and music are heavily intertwined mediums that permeate the fabric of our modern world. Specifically, basketball and hip hop appear to have a more intimate connection than most. In Chicago, we at Ever Evolved have put together a compilation record for your summer listening pleasure called, LEAGUE CHAMPS. A lot of us hit road blocks in our athletic endeavors but now when it comes to Chicago music and beyond, we are the championship team. Ever Evolved and its affiliates have been pushing the forefront of the independent music market for years now. And it is all led up to moments like these, becoming the League Champs.

Fully produced, recorded, engineered and mastered completely in house; much done by the co-founder head engineer RhymSter himself, LEAGUE CHAMPS is a 26 track LP, including a documentary, skits and more special content soon to come, that will surely pique your interest in one facet or another. LEAGUE CHAMPS includes appearances from RhymSter, Keem Singing, Hayward, Ivan L, BeatrixKiddo, CantBuyDeem, C-Mac, Ben Rose, Nate Broskii, Kidd of OTKST Society, Essse, Orlando Coolridge, DJ Hunt, DJ Curt Henny, JaiTheArtist, J-Bose, and William Bolanos.

Track 1 is an introductory record with a sports-like announcer voice over done by William Bolanos promoting the album of LEAGUE CHAMPS. A well done rendition of that vocal style for announcements. Track 2 is HANG UP, which features a voice over from DJ Curt Henny about a situation where someone is getting sent off at the studio. A typical Chicago type of scenario. “Why’d you hang up on me?” And “You didn’t text me back!” are said repeatedly over a dope instrumental containing a sample of a female singer.

BABY LEG is track 3 on the LP, it is a collaboration between CantBuyDeem and Rhymster, with CantBuyDeem on the hook, and then they split two verses. BABY LEG is a vibey track with strong lyrics from the two Chicago rappers. Essse and Keem Singing composed a surprisingly beautiful melody in GO CRAZY track 4 with the refrain lyrics reading, “Baby, can you fly away with me? Maybe, cause we not the same, we go crazy, every night and day my head crazy, but I’ll be OK!!” Track 5 is a Ben Rose production, INCOMPLETE, another surprise on LEAGUE CHAMPS is that you will hear sophisticated, and banging, heavy metal music!

Track 6 is a BeatrixKiddo song called ITS A VIBE, you never heard energy from her like this before on previous kiddo beats, and it is a favoritefrom her so far! Track 7 Interlude 2 is the 1st intermission of the LP featuring another VO from William Bolanos, and the artists who were on the first few records screaming shouts of joy in the background. Track 8 is a trifecta collabos between RhymSter, JaiTheArtist, C-Mac, and Keem Singing. “It’s the way your body moves when the songs on,” sings Jai, with Keem coming in with a complimentary “Shake it for me, shake it for me” and a guest verse in the latter half of the track by RhymSter, referencing Phoenix Suns, Devin Booker, Santana, Dusk Till Dawn, Salma Hayek, Desperados, and Missy Elliot all in one verse.

The next track cuts in immediately with lyrics from RhymSter saying “I made a milli by lunch, life can be great when you live how you want.” A nice lyrical chop by Rhymster on track 8, LUNCH BREAK, with JaiTheArtist bringing in a solid verse as well. SMELLING LIKE THE UNIVERSE, is another strong collab, featuring C-Mac, Cockykidd, Rhymster, and company. The C-Mac line, “You cant have a life if you not really living,” stands out as the main theme from this record. ESTRELLA is definitely a favorite from League Champs, a house record produced by Orlando Coolridge, featuring lovely ambient vocals from Keem Singing. J-Bose comes in on track 11 GET THE DUCK OUT, a superfluous record with amazing chopping and vocal inflection from the Busta Rhymes, Busdriver-like rapper singer. This track has insane energy and flow, highly recommended.

APOLLO is a powerhouse, 2 rapper collabos between Hayward of B.B.E. and RhymSter of Ever Evolved. You will want to bump this track for the hard lyrics, paired with the flow and the beat. A hype song live as well! Next on the super LP is another Ben Rose production, SABRETOOTH TIGER, which reminds a lot of Dragonforce’s, THROUGH THE FIRE AND FLAMES, speed and instrumentation. CantBuyDeem featuring Essse show up with another record in KEEP A WHISTLE. A really fun, incredibly catchy tune with memorable lyrics from the Chicago heavyweights. CantBuyDeem references queso, pesos, cucumber in the water, no Faygo, in the beginning of the record, and that string of lines hits so hard.

BESOS is the next track on League Champs which is a progressive house record with a high pitched vocal sample that only a few might recognize. MY ENTOURAGE flips the famous Eminem and D12 MY BAND melody brilliantly, with Keem Singing at the helm of that record. LAY UP is a strong collab between CantBuyDeem and BeatrixKiddo, who make multiple appearances on League Champs! A major part of League Champs is the Chicago to South Florida connection, thanks to Ivan L Rhymes Well. This record DIS MY SONG features impeccable verses from Rhymster and Ivan L with a flawless hook from Keem Singing. A video is out to this now on YouTube shot by Hayward of B.B.E.

SKIP A BEAT is another super collab on League Champs between CantBuyDeem and Keem Singing. Hayward shot the video to this joint as well, while the Ever Evolved family traveled to South Florida for shows earlier this year. PAIN OR PLEASURE is a Ben Rose production featuring vocals for Essse, who also doubles as a versatile rock and heavy metal vocalist, incredible song. REPEAT begins hilariously as you can hear Hayward continually tell CantBuyDeem to do the hook on the record. A bumping track that will surely have you giggling from hilarity. The theme of REPEAT has to do with the repetition of the rapper lifestyle, to keep it from becoming monotonous we must make dope tracks about it.

BOOTY CALL ends the LP with a low bass voice over on a house record that will have you dancing and vibing out wherever you are listening to it. DJ Hunt has a special extra exclusive mix attached to League Champs Vol. 1 as well, look out for that during the related content campaigns surrounding League Champs. In the last interlude, William Bolanos explains that there will be a billboard on Cermak and Racine, with all the colorful bobble head characters part of the Leauge Champs compilation record. This was done by graphic designer and artist Amanda MacMillan.

Are there any other independent recording artists that put themselves on a billboard in their own city? It is a special one, and it is encouraged everyone reading this to go see it when it is up and completed. Ever Evolved continues to push the envelope in the indie music market based in Chicago Illinois. Chicago is notorious for negativity and hatred in the hip hop scene and culture, but that is disproven over and over again by the collective of Ever Evolved and all its affiliates. Independent people, creating a true civilian based entertainment industry.

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June 4, 2021June 4, 2021

RhymSter’s Overly Dedicated; Chicago’s Premier Live Performance Platform.

You might have heard of or have even listened to OVERLY DEDICATED, the legendary mixtape by Kendrick Lamar. In slight homage and reference to a portion of the great K.Dot’s catalog, RhymSter, the co-founder of Ever Evolved, started the Overly Dedicated Concert Series in Chicago Illinois to push artists live acumen, keep them sharp and create a community of music industry networking. Already on their 5th installment of the virtual shows, Overly Dedicated is raising the bar for live performances in the Chicago music scene.

Co-hosted by Scotty Rocks at his Dog & Pony Show TV Studios, together they bring in both local and national talent to perform via Twitch and Facebook live stream, to a vast online audience. They have featured recording artist talents you may have seen before such as Orlando Coolridge, CantBuyDeem, Hayward, Charmaine Makeda, Ro$e, RapCrush, Ivan L, Keem Singing, and many more! Overly Dedicated 5 airs once a month, last show being Friday May 21st at 7PM, featuring Chicago artists Big Homie, Azmattic, Essse, OG Poe, Pharoah, Monsoon Staraw, and Frostee Cavanero with contributing sounds from DJ Curt Henny! Reach out to Ever Evolved and RhymSter if you’d like the opportunity to perform at a live limited audience (also exclusive) Overly Dedicated event!

May 27, 2021May 27, 2021

Calm Down With CassInova!: Woman Crush Wednesday

CassInova is turning up the heat with her latest release, CALM DOWN, taking the R&B sound to a whole nother level. The beat is slow, dark and moody, and CassInova enters to give an aire of elegance, that is almost operatic with the vocal harmonies! “I feel your heat, but daddy calm down. I know you want me. Want to please me. I can see your temptation, rising from a urging flame… I’m the one who’s all to blame.” Her seductive lyrics remind you that love and lust is a mysterious and subtle engagement, not to act obvious or too forward. “I like to play some games right now” she hints later on, letting you know who is in control! An amazing tune to set the mood for a night, or heat up a dancefloor

May 14, 2021May 14, 2021

Sherrell The Artist Is Drowning In Deep Thoughts And Lyrics!

Sherrell the Artist is definitely one that lives through passion. Her expression is fulfilled through music, and it can be quite relatable to listeners. She recently releases a single called DROWNING and opens up very blunt on the first verse, making it known she is deeper than her looks and style. “Misunderstood so I might lose you when I say this but, you looking for some pretty music. Got the wrong bitch cause, this is passion, rage and pain, baby all of it so. It’s not gonna sound pretty, I’m not sorry. Besides the music i don’t open up hardly.” Nearly every line is deeper than words, even Sherrell’s chorus to the song opens up with some heavy thoughts, connecting her confusion to a feeling of drowning, and numbing herself with drugs, leading the blind with her songs. Or perhaps in another perspective, comforting the blind, as she sings knowing most people tend to keep their troubles private, and her words may help guide them through the motions. “I got the music that can speak through all your heartaches, i’m touching souls with my words.” Music or therapy, you decide!

May 7, 2021May 7, 2021

Eli Liberty Inspires Dance With Drippy!

Just in time for summer weather, Eli Liberty comes out with a fun and sultry pop R&B song! DRIPPY is released to mark what Eli is calling a new era for himself, foreshadowing a new project. The song itself is enthusiastic, energetic, flirty and would no doubt get the dance floor drippy! Eli even has a lyric video created to help you keep up with every catchy line, so you can sing along at a show or steal a line or two for your significant other! Eli Liberty has been taking the extra mile to promote his track as well, with his dancing talent, he has created a social media challenge called #DrippyMoonChallenge, where you dance along to the song, to a specific choreography, like TIK TOK. Altogether a fun and catchy song to dance and sing along too, it is not too explicit, not too cartoonish, just playfully suggestive and perfect for the upcoming summer months!

April 14, 2021April 15, 2021

SAESOH Remixes Yung Bleu & Drake: Woman Crush Wednesday

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!

March 24, 2021March 24, 2021

RO$E Got The Drip In Latest Music Video: Woman Crush Wednesday

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!

March 3, 2021March 23, 2021

Summer And Lilo’s Legacy: Woman Crush Wednesday

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!

March 2, 2021March 23, 2021

Don’t Be 2Late on GQ The Fool!

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.

Giffted | Soundcloud | Twitter

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February 13, 2021February 27, 2021

Queen Mars Knows About The Boys Like You: Artist of the Week

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!