The long anticipated LP DEAD BY DAWN by YOUNG XAV has been received and it is bigger than expected! In the works since the release of his debut LP AFTER DARK, it is an extension of the 1st, completing the journey we are living vicariously through YOUNG XAV. Being teased with singles like WAYS TO DIE, MANIA FREESTYLE and KISS KISS BANG BANG, and interviews with the Ever Evolved platform and others alike, foreshadowing concepts and genres. There is a bit of something for everyone in DEAD BY DAWN, leaving each listener with a piece of his life within every song!
Earlier in YOUNG XAV’s music journey he was more centered on hip hop styles in his production and his lyricism, dabbling in R&B whenever. Making a decision to explore other sounds following his MANIA FREESTYLE, with his style, it seemed like it was bound to happen. Leaning towards more instrumentals, YOUNG XAV fittingly dips into more rock influences, without abandoning hip hop altogether of course. He balances it smoothly back and forth throughout DEAD BY DAWN in between other styles, creating a diverse and highly entertaining LP, there is no dull moment, despite its length at 13th tracks!
Introducing us with its title track DEAD BY DAWN, with a 80’s dark, electro synth-pop, Stranger Things vibe, featuring Aanjoulique on vocals, creating a mystifying energy. YOUNG XAV enters firing with a prelude as the beat switches up: “If I should die tonight, best believe i lived my best one, if I should die tonight please reflect on all my words, if I should die tonight please my momma love her tell my father… tell my brother…” Opening strong he keeps the energy going with ONCE UPON A TIME, keeping up the heavy hip hop bass. He then switches it up and dials down to something different and personal!
Continuing with a jazzy selection, the LIFE & TIMES OF XAVIER ROBERT opens up with soothing horn instruments and grand piano, as if in a 1920’s speak easy, leading you into the happenings of YOUNG XAV’s mind in his verses. The production of this track in particular sets it apart from the rest of the album, but is not the exception to its diversity. The following title, PLAY PRETEND keeps a similar melancholic energy, as XAV sings over acoustic guitar. Just the introduction of the full LP shows you how far YOUNG XAV has come as he has grown as an artist since his debut LP in 2019 and earlier releases. Whether he continues on this path or not, we are forever grateful for the talent we have been able to experience through him and look forward see what YOUNG XAV has planned next!
Fafa is back with another heart felt song, pairing the single with a new music video as well! Fafa is no stranger to deeply artistic music videos, noting tracks like GIVE ME A MIRACLE, THE SKY CRIES WITH ME and a collaborative single, ANTA AL BATAL. Her latest single TREE OF FLAMES is no exception, as Fafa is decorated with makeup, making her look like a cinematic fictional fairy. The video starts off in a calm, natural setting, with a sleepy fellow resting in the shade of a tree. Fafa appears as a unique soul, taken for granted, walking away from someone significant. Metaphorically, tree of flames is in reference to a higher power, and surrendering herself to this power, “Standing at the tree of flames” she “lets go of all her fears,” to go in search of what belongs! Beautifully expressed through amazing vocal range, Fafa continues to amaze!
Milly Mango quietly releases a couple of projects, fitting to her style. Her aura is one of mystery, being known around underground circles in Chicago, yet reclusive; Milly is everywhere and no where at the same time, an enigma! She will appear on stage to perform, or take supporting role for other artist, like backup dancing for CantBuyDeem at an Overly Dedicated event by Ever Evolved and the Dog and Pony show, then go into hiding. Recently releasing a music video that can only add to her mysterious composure, through her lyricism and acting! LISTEN CAREFULLY is apartbof a bigger 8 track project, self titled MILLY, be sure to check it out in full to capture some her essence while you can!
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.
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!
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
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!
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!
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!
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.
