Music
(Video) Star2 – “Run Away” @star2official
Star2’s staggering new “conscious rap” release, documents the crushing social and environmental catastrophes that plague our world and consume us with alarm and despair, including the horrific invasion in Ukraine. Woven in his sobering retrospective is his personal sorrow and anguish growing up without a mother and father in a refugee camp in South East Asia – fleeing genocide and ethnic cleansing of his Ka-ren people by the brutal Burmese Army and Myanmar Military Regime.
The acoustic guitar song begins with a haunting arpeggiating guitar intro that flows into Star2’s almost spoken narrative about the world’s ills and his own hollow suffering, “we should appreciate things we have in life, appreciate your mama and papa…I’m one of those kids who grew up with no parents you see…it’s ok, it’ ok, it’s what I say to myself everyday…but deep down I ain’t feeling ok, I been puttin on a fake smile every day! I been putting on a fake smile.”
The song builds through the first verse and at the chorus carries to the arpeggiating guitar’s actualization, along with haunting, filtered vocals, and a sustained bass synth which support the song’s intense emotional refrain: “I just wanna go away, just wanna go away, I just wanna run away, got me thinkin, fuck the world … this place ain’t safe.”
Part religious testimony, part philosopher’s insight, Star2 directs us to consider what the rest of the world is facing and how they are suffering – also how people are in misery and anguish because of homelessness, poverty, violence, and war.
“…So mean, so unfair. People suffer every day, with these hurricanes and viruses. It’s all real shit, killing thousands of people every day. I pray to God to bless this place, to make this world a safer place…”
He delivers the chorus, retreating to an aching pain of wanting to “run away” and “fuck the world.”“Hella shit’s been going on! Killing, shooting, people dying…”
The video was filmed in an LED panel warehouse in Compton, California. A wet floor reflects the panoramic and mesmerizing images as well as a series of vintage tv sets Star2 views in a 1970s style living room watching in a peace symbol sweatshirt. Included are the Black Lives’ Matter protests, the desperate exodus from the Afghanistan airport, border patrol agents whipping Haitian refugees, tornado carnage in Kentucky, apocalyptic fires in California, homeless encampments, Burmese soldier atrocities, the Russian invasion in Ukraine, and the juxtaposition of the last views of stunning nature – birds, ocean, forests, mountains, what once was…
The visuals are instantly recognizable and bring sadness and even temporary numbness.Star2 reveals, “I wanted to write a song about the state of the world. I was in the studio recording during most of COVID and in LA during the Black Lives’ Matter protests. My family fled genocide, has experienced starvation and atrocities. My neighborhood in San Diego is a crossroads for refugees and the problems of poverty, homelessness, mental illness and addiction.” “The chorus poured out of me – at my lowest point, I literally want to run away – to a place of safety. Most of the suffering in the world is heartbreaking and so unfair!” The end of the video asks everyone to “Pray for peace in our world.” Star2 implores: “pray for my Ka-ren people who continue to experience genocide, for the Ukranian people, and for everyone suffering injustice – pray for peace.”
Music
(Video) MUMU FRESH – “MY WHY” @maimounayoussef
Grammy-nominated Washington, D.C.-based singer/songwriter/emcee Mumu Fresh presents her new single “My Why”. Produced by Carvin Haggins and Johhny Smith, “My Why” will appear on The Healing, Mumu’s forthcoming album which will also feature contributions from DJ Jazzy Jeff, Nile Hargrove, 14KT, Daniel Crawford, Vidal Davis, DJ Dummy and more. Mumu has collaborated with Lil Wayne & Tech N9ne (stream “Too Good”), Busta Rhymes, Salaam Remi & Black Thought of The Roots (watch the music video for “No Peace”) and Common (watch Mumu Fresh and Common perform “I Used To Love H.E.R.” live) and Tobi Nwigwe (watch the music video for “Tundah Fiyah”). Mumu has performed on two separate NPR Tiny Desk concerts (watch Mumu Fresh featuring Black Thought of The Roots & DJ Dummy on NPR’s Tiny Desk) and has performed worldwide at events like the Essence Music Festival, Montreux Switzerland’s Jazz Festival and Dubai’s Sole Fest DBX. “State of Emergency” marks another chapter in a career of self-described “art activism” for the Baltimore native who has performed and given lectures within the US prison system, The Congressional Black Caucus, I.M.A.N. Central in Chicago & Atlanta, The W. K. Kellogg Foundation, Ford Foundation and The Indigenous People’s Movement. Mumu is co-creator of the Recording Academy’s “Best Song For Social Change” trustee award which went live in 2023 at the 66th GRAMMY awards show and was presented by The First Lady, Jill Biden. The winner of Indigenous Music, Washington Area Music (WAMMIE) and Urban World Music Video awards, Mumu has served as Musical and Cultural Ambassador for the US State Department, Ambassador of The Black Music Collective and is a former elected governor of the DC chapter of The Recording Academy. Mumu describes “My Why” as “a tribute to that person(s), place, or thing in your life that is your “WHY”. Your reason not to give up. Your reason to keep trying and to push a little harder than you thought you could. You why reminds you of what you’re made of and brings out the best in you.” The Healing drops April 19.
Music
Santa Sallet X Nemizzo (MSP) – “Big Hands”
DMV-based rapper/producer Santa Sallet and France-based producer Nemizzo are MSP, presenting their new single “Big Hands”. Sallet has been busy showcasing his brand of East Coast braggadocious rap across a slew of recent singles like “Camouflage” (watch on Youtube), “I Get Money” (watch on Youtube), “Championship Ring” (watch on Youtube) and “Chinese Funk” (watch on Youtube) in preparation for the release of Plutography, Sallet’s forthcoming album which blends salsa beats, southern trap, and eastern jazz with classic and conventional rap samples, reflecting Sallet’s international upbringing across South Africa, Dominica and the US. Sallet is planning a series of full-length releases, among them C.R.E.A.M. which recounts his journey from broke to financially free, and Women and R.A.P. which describe his pursuit of success in relationships and the music industry respectively. “This is the song that really started MSP Tunes,” Santa says. “Nemizzo had laid down his verse and I was like, let me try something on this and I just talked about what I knew. What I think is funny, the outro is actually me recording a bunch of potential beat tags. There was a miscommunication and Nemizzo extended the beat and made it the outro. I like it though lol.” Check out Santa Sallet merch here.
EP
(EP) 38 Hauncho – “First 38”
In a momentous stride forward, rising rap sensation 38 Hauncho has unveiled his latest EP, “First 38”, a bold testament to his unparalleled artistry and unyielding dedication to his craft. After spending the last 8 months incarcerated, 38 Hauncho came home and got straight to work. Within the first 38 hours of being released, these songs were created. Hence the title, First 38.
Crafted with precision and passion, “First 38” serves as a placeholder for his highly anticipated next project featuring his single “Smooth Nigga” and “Alter Ego”. The EP encapsulates his distinctive style, blending infectious beats with reflection of 38 Hauncho’s journey, drawing from his personal experiences and aspirations.
Featuring a dynamic fusion of tracks, each song within “First 38” showcases 38 Hauncho’s versatility as an artist, effortlessly navigating through various themes and emotions. From his gritty street narratives , the EP offers a multifaceted glimpse into the artist’s world, inviting audiences to immerse themselves into his trap.
Available now on all major streaming platforms, “First 38” is set to make waves across the industry, solidifying 38 Hauncho’s position as an artist to watch in 2024 and beyond.
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