Artist Spotlight

Afroman and BLAZAR Take a Fresh Approach for “Step it UP”

Legendary hip-hop icon Afroman closed out 2020 with a feature on “WHOLEthing” alongside electronic music producer BLAZAR. Since then, Afroman has signed with BLAZAR’s Cosmic Wire label, and the duo is finding the perfect combination between the present and past. Now, nearly one year later, they are back to putting their studio magic on full display with the funk-driven new single, “Step it UP” available via a collaboration between Cosmic Wire and AntiFragile Music (INgrooves/Universal).

Wasting no time with a hard-hitting, old-school hip-hop bassline, BLAZAR’s retro synth work soon falls into place. The opening verse by Afroman delivers the no-nonsense message: “Step up your game, drop dead weight.” Venturing into electro-pop schemes, “Step it UP” offers a fresh soundscape for Afroman to showcase his world-renowned lyricism.

“This was such a raw song from the start – Afroman and I wrote it in my studio during the lockdown,” said BLAZAR aka Jerad Finck. “He fired the lyrics off in this explosion of energy, and it was just so inspiring, so pure. It was a moment that really spoke to me in a visceral way about direction and intention. The gatekeeper is the one in the mirror, if you want it, do better.”

Artist Spotlight

Alwyn Morrison explores betrayal, judgment, and survival on new EP “Trial”

Life isn’t always a straight line, and Alwyn Morrison explores that in “Trial,” a four-track EP that goes beyond the familiar territory of love and heartbreak. The project blends pop, rock, and singer-songwriter influences, exploring themes of betrayal, false accusations, emotional pain, self-defense, and survival. Each track is inspired by courtrooms and is a step in a personal journey of understanding, acceptance, and ultimately freedom.

The first track, “Puzzle Piece,” is Morrison’s raw, heavy alternative rock sound, fitting the weight of betrayal and false accusations. The song has a sense of tension, putting you in the shoes of someone trying to understand a difficult situation. Followed by “Everybody Bleeds,” which follows that emotional path, creating a song about confusion, openness, and the struggles we all face, and it’s an emotional listen, with hard truths and personal experiences laid bare.

Alwyn Morrison

The project’s focus track, “Monster,” goes into more personal territory. It explores what happens when we are judged or condemned for the choices we make, and it carries a message that goes far beyond Morrison’s own experience. The central theme will strike a chord with anyone who has felt misunderstood, unfairly labeled, or defined by others’ opinions.

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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