Artist Spotlight

Issa Rae Demands Hollywood Pay Its Dues to Black TV in Fiery SXSW Keynote

In an impactful keynote speech, Issa Rae highlighted the ongoing challenges that Black television has faced over the years. She explained how, from the earliest sitcoms to today’s hit dramas, networks have prospered by telling Black stories, yet true recognition and appreciation remain hard to come by. Some may dismiss this as talk, but Rae is resolute in sharing her perspective. Her new project, Seen & Heard, aims to prove this history clearly.

“It’s one thing to hear about it,” Rae explained. “You might have encountered discussions around how certain networks have treated Black creators. But having the actual storytellers and writers document this history makes it undeniable. We wanted to create a thorough record that shows how they built their success on our stories, while we have little to show for it. It’s a sad situation, and it keeps happening again and again.” The docuseries includes perspectives from notable figures in entertainment, such as Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, and Ava DuVernay, who share their experiences and discuss Black television’s ongoing struggles.

It serves as a rallying call for recognition and ongoing support and investment in Black storytelling. Issa Rae’s career showcases the importance of authentic Black voices. From her groundbreaking show Insecure to her growing role as a producer, she has constantly pushed the industry to improve. With Seen & Heard, she’s committed to ensuring that Black TV pioneers’ contributions are remembered and valued. Hollywood tends to forget things when it suits them, but Issa Rae is ensuring that Black television will be acknowledged this time. Seen & Heard is a powerful call for change.

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Artist Spotlight

Fanny Alexandra explores emotional recovery and self-discovery on “Ceasefire”

Not every fight ends a relationship, and there could be long-term emotional damage, with questions about identity, attachment, and the difficult path to moving on. “Ceasefire” is a ghostly alternative rock ballad in which Fanny Alexandra navigates difficult terrain, exploring emotional dependency and the search for selfhood after a toxic relationship.

“Ceasefire” is full of sad melodies and hints of atmospheric rock, making it a dark, cinematic listen. The song’s alt-rock pivot provides an emotionally charged foundation, and it’s about the internal battle, especially when your identity has been so tied to another person.

Fanny Alexandra’s ethereal vocal approach suits the song, lending real emotional weight to the exploration of self-loss and internal tension. “Ceasefire” is a reflective track, with atmospheric instrumentation and deeply personal songwriting that capture feelings that can linger long after a tough chapter closes.

It’s about finding yourself again, and its emotional arc moves from openness and dependence to the hard-earned discovery that personal freedom is more than just walking away. Fanny Alexandra’s love for dark, emotional alternative music inspired “Ceasefire.” Her art is about intimate storytelling, cinematic atmosphere, and making music that explores the quieter struggles people tend to keep inside. In this record, she turns the fallout from a toxic relationship into a meditative reflection on the long road to selfhood.

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Artist Spotlight

Stephani Ezatoff honors Elvis Presley’s legacy on powerful new single “Run On”

Gospel-rooted music carries emotional weight, especially when it explores the tension between faith, love, and accountability. With “Run On,“ Stephani Ezatoff combines these into a rock version of Elvis Presley’s famous 1967 version of the traditional African American gospel hymn.

Ezatoff doesn’t simply retrace history but surrounds it with a unique atmosphere of powerful vocals and an ever-intensifying arrangement. The single was recorded at the legendary Sound Shop Studio on Music Row in Nashville and has an interesting connection to Elvis Presley’s own recording history. The studio session was located a stone’s throw from RCA’s Studio B, where Elvis recorded his own version of the hymn.

This adds another layer of meaning to an already meaningful release, placing Ezatoff’s take within Nashville’s musical heritage. Aaron Minick’s arrangement plays on the contrast between divine love and judgment, which is central to the track’s identity. The production builds slowly, and the song becomes a dramatic, cinematic experience. Ezatoff also makes a unique contribution by singing all the vocals herself.

The story of how the recording was made adds to the poignancy of “Run On.” This is one of the last releases made at Sound Shop Studio, which hosted artists like Dolly Parton and Brenda Lee, but closed for good just days after the session. For Stephani Ezatoff, “Run On“ is a vital link between generations of musicians preserved in a recording that’s a piece of Nashville history.

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