Entertainment

Alt-pop artist Rikki Valentina shares a visual for her new song “What Happens When You Die?”

Rikki Valentina delivers a visual for the new single “What Happens When You Die?” a catchy song that displays her versatile songwriting and entertaining, vibrant vocal performance.

“This video is based on my younger mindset regarding the afterlife. As a child, I was raised in a Catholic household and was taught about what happens in the end by religion. Now that I am older and experiencing grief firsthand, I am questioning everything. The line “you never say hi” is based on multiple people telling me that my dad is always with me when it feels far from that,” says Rikki Valentina.

Rikki Valentina had a conversation with us and answered our distinctive 8 Questions. Check it out below.

Honk: Could you tell us how it all began? What encouraged you to start playing and making music?

Rikki Valentina: Growing up, I was surrounded by many musicians, thanks to my dad. He was a drummer in various bands, so I am an artist now. I have been singing since I was 13 years old, and it was in 2018 I started pursuing my career as an overall artist. I knew I couldn’t make it in the industry alone as just a singer. I had to act on the creative and business part of the industry as well. I just trusted myself, and sure enough, I made my way.

Honk: Talk me through your creative process when you write new music.

Rikki Valentina: For this particular song, I knew I wanted this song to start as a piano ballad but end in a film orchestration. The four songs I had in mind when it came to making this song were “Smother Me” by The Used, “Pretend” by Lights, “Welcome To The Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance, and “Don’t Forget” by Demi Lovato. These songs were my favorites growing up and worked perfectly with the formula.

While writing new music, I like to sit by myself and make different suggestions on how I want a particular song to go. As an artist, I never appreciated just putting out multiple songs that sounded like one another. I don’t see any fun in that. I want to treat each piece as a film to tell my story.

Honk: Can you tell us about your new single, “What Happens When You Die”!?

Rikki Valentina: The inspiration behind this song comes from my experiences with death. In 2019, my father was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident. That was the first time in my life I had experienced someone very close to me pass away. As time passed, more loved ones around me started giving, which was surreal. I was terrified but found comfort in writing this song.

I grew up in a Catholic household and was taught what happens when you die, but my grief had me questioning everything. During the funeral, people would tell me that my loved ones were always with me, which frustrated me. I wondered why I didn’t feel the presence of others and felt so alone. In a time of weakness, we want to know the answers and feel comfort. I made this song to make others feel comfortable when it comes to questioning the great unknown.

Honk: What do you like most about being a music artist?

Rikki Valentina: My favorite thing about being a music artist is that I can express myself through music. I can show a different side of myself through my vocal abilities, and I’m able to connect with others who enjoy my music as well.

Honk: What projects do you have coming up? Can you give us any info on them?

Rikki Valentina: I have yet to make anything come out for the rest of this year, but I am excited to show you what I have coming up. I can’t speak too much, but I know you will love it!

Honk: Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to enter the game of music?

Rikki Valentina: My most extensive advice to anyone looking to enter the game of music is to find your sound and do what works for you. My mantra is, “If you put yourself out there and work on whatever you believe in. You can do it.”

Honk: How do you solve productivity/scheduling problems and reduce overwhelming situations?

Rikki Valentina: I’m a bit of an advocate on the downsides of Social media and how it hurts our generation with anxiety, depression, etc. So #1, GET OFF of social media – it’s distracting! I’m into fitness and take pride in going on long hikes. It gets the creative juices flowing and helps me keep a clear mind. I also have a daily planner that keeps me on track to stay calm on a fully booked day. Writing things out has always helped me not get overwhelmed and feel in control.

Honk: Name Three things you can’t live without when recording in the studio.

Rikki Valentina:

One thing I can’t even step into the studio without having is a good night’s sleep. It keeps my voice healthy and keeps me alert when it comes to the creative aspect.
Secondly, Drink WATER. It’s essential. I make sure to hydrate myself constantly.
Thirdly, it would have to be sweatpants. I am more creative and free when I am comfortable, lol.

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Celebrity

Meek Mill Draws Mixed Reactions With Drill Take on Nico & Vinz’s “Am I Wrong”

Meek Mill has released a couple of songs that leaked online recently, giving fans a proper way to hear the tracks after they popped up over the weekend. “Philly Heathens” has been praised for its attention to street culture and youth affected by violence, but his other new album, “Am I Wrong,” has received a much more divided response.

“Philly Heathens” has been praised for its lyrics about street culture and the young people who get caught up in violence. “Am I Wrong,” however, takes a vastly different approach, remixing the song of the same name by Nico & Vinz as a drill centric interpolation.

“Am I Wrong” is now 12 years old, and its connection to the EDM sound of the time makes it especially recognizable to those who grew up with it. So Meek’s take is built on a familiar musical reference, but the response has been far from universally complimentary. A lot of the criticism has been directed at the hook. The production has also been called dated, but the track was leaked, which may explain its sound. But the strongest reactions have focused on Meek’s chorus vocals.

Some of the responses have been good, though. Some listeners felt the track was a throwback to the blog era, while others thought the criticism targeted almost entirely the hook, not the song as a whole. One Reddit commenter wrote that the track was good, but the chorus was bad, suggesting that Meek’s performance on the rest of the song was better than the reception to the hook may suggest.

The different reactions demonstrate the contrast between Meek’s two new leaks. “Philly Heathens” has resonated with audiences for its subject matter, while “Am I Wrong” has sparked discussion due to its interpolation and vocal approach.

Both songs are now officially available on YouTube so that fans can decide for themselves. The response to “Am I Wrong” shows how difficult it is to reinterpret a well known song, especially when a recognizable hook becomes the centerpiece of the new version

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Celebrity

Drake Joins Karol G in Houston for First Live Performance of “Ahi”

Drake made a surprise appearance in Houston this weekend, joining Karol G on stage for the first-ever live performance of their collaboration, “Ahi.”
The surprise appearance took place during Karol G’s show in Houston, where Drake jumped out from the bottom of the stage to perform the song with her. “Ahi” is the latest from Karol G’s project No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto, and the Houston show marked the first time the pair had performed the collaboration together on stage.

Drake made his entrance to a loud reception from the crowd. The rapper popped out from under the stage, bowed to Karol G, hugged her, and launched into their collaboration. With “Ahi,” the performance was not over. Drake stayed on stage and carried on with the set, performing “Janice STFU” and “One Dance” and giving the Houston crowd a long set from the Canadian rapper.

The collaboration also sparked speculation about Drake’s upcoming music. A rumor started that Karol G was one of the collaborators on the project, along with Molly Santana and Future, days before ICEMAN is expected to drop. Future and Molly Santana were among the names on the rumored list, and Future ended up on “Run To Atlanta.”