Music
Alex Aiono Shares his striking single “Played Out” ft. Jake Miller

Alex Aiono is ready to share his most honest project to date, starting with the release of his striking single “Played Out” ft. Jake Miller, due out June 25th. The fast-rising, multi-hyphenate is a force to be reckoned with. As a Pacific Islander (Maori Samoan,) music was an integral part of his upbringing and the singer-songwriter first got his start when he picked up the ukulele, drums, and piano when he was seven years old. Constantly striving to learn more, Alex started producing his own innovative covers of hit songs and what started as a fun hobby has since blossomed into nearly a Billion views on YouTube, 500 million streams, 6 Million followers across socials, Top 10 hits of his very own, sold-out tours around the world, and starring movie roles.
In this follow-up chapter, we see a side of Aiono that he has never shared before when it comes to his music. This new music is a full reflection of Alex here today; he is the record producer, writer, and performer. “This new era of music for me is special because I’m on an endeavor to continually reach deeper,” shares Alex. “With every release, I see more of me in my music. This next era truly will be the deepest I’ve gone yet, and as I live more life and dive further into who I am, I plan to share it with the world.”
In the intimate and intoxicating new single “Played Out,” glassy vocals packed with emotion usher in gorgeous, anthemic production as Alex muses on all the hardships he’s had to overcome in order to get to where he is now. He shares, “I think at our core as humans we consistently lose the forest for the trees when we are in the thicker situations of life. It’s not until you’re out of the woods or have overcome what it was you were going through that you get to see it all for what it truly is. Whether it’s love (as I refer to in the song), a career, a long term goal, or any budding and flourishing situation, sometimes you have to stop and appreciate how everything ‘played out.’”
“a truly defining moment for Aiono” – Variety
“precociously experienced performer” – LA Times
“a clear intentionality behind all of Aiono’s work” – Wonderland
“Alex Aiono’s ‘Her’ is for everyone” – PAPER
“Aiono’s Drake-like tone has us in love” – Billboard
Aiono has seen a whirlwind of successes over the last few years. He released the unpredictable hybrid album The Gospel at 23 in 2020, which saw him deep in the mix of gospel truth-telling, stark hip-hop swagger, alternative ambition, and pop bliss. The album garnered praise from the masses, from Variety and The LA Times to Wonderland to name a few, and has racked up millions of streams. Early 2021 also saw Alex star in the Ian Bryce produced and Jude Weng directed film Finding Ohana, which marked the start of another burgeoning venture for Alex.
The uniquely talented Aiono has proven himself as a jack of all trades. From writing and producing his own music to his collaborations with artists like John Legend to Jon Bellion, to securing starring roles on major networks, we see Alex continue a soaring career that’s bound to position the star as a household name for years to come.
Follow Alex Aiono
Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Spotify / Apple Music
Artist Spotlight
“Young Man” by Highrise echoes soul-stirring lessons from the flames of his past

Produced entirely from his home studio in Kansas City, Highrise crafts chapters of life experiences, transforming into the spotlight with “Young Man,” a song that sparks an open conversation we all recognize but often try to forget. This rap-rock anthem features smooth guitar arpeggios woven together with clean vocals, modern hip-hop drums, and hard-won wisdom that resonates with emotion and intention.
At first listen, “Young Man” radiates like one part heartfelt advice tossed to the wind, a cautionary tale directed at the younger men of the next generation as they navigate chaos. But dig a little deeper, and it’s revealed this song is a mirror reflecting Highrise’s own younger self, haunted by the echoes of choices made and paths taken. The production balances rawness and refinement, giving the track a lived-in yet polished musical quality.
Vocally, Highrise shines with a melodic and emotionally charged delivery, comfortably occupying a sonic space that fans of MGK, Bryce Vine, or Ryan Caraveo will find familiar, yet it feels uniquely his own. The standout bridge hits hard: “Take it from me, I’ve been down this road…” a poetic gut-punch for anyone who’s been too stubborn to listen before learning the hard way.
Inspired partly by his late grandfather, the track carries a weight of generational reflection. It tiptoes through the complexities of enduring legacy and shifting perspectives with age, acknowledging the scars of youthful mistakes while nodding to the lessons passed down. “Young Man” doesn’t preach; it empathizes, and humility makes it particularly impactful. It is an anthem for anyone who looks back at their younger self and wishes they could whisper, “Slow down.”
Highrise has established his influence in making music and building a legacy, one brutally honest track at a time, telling truths that echo long after the song ends.
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Highrise’s “Young Man“ on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Highrise | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook |
Music
Jake Paul Sets the Stage for His Toughest Test Yet Against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on June 28

When Jake Paul put on a pair of boxing gloves for the first time, everyone laughed. Some dismissed him as just another YouTube celebrity looking for clout. But whether you love him or loathe him, Paul (11-1, 7 KOs) has transformed from a viral novelty into a bona fide figure in the fight game. His biggest challenge is on tap—a faceoff with former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (54-6-1, 34 KOs) on June 28 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
The 10-round fight, which was announced Friday by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) in conjunction with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, will take place at a 200-pound catchweight and be shown live on DAZN pay-per-view. This is not some other novelty fight. This is a risky maneuver, a high-stakes bet, and a pivotal moment in Jake Paul’s career.
Chavez Jr., the son of Mexican boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., is no stranger to secrecy or controversy. The 38-year-old has done it all by now, with more than 60 professional fights and a WBC title. But though his name still resonates, recent outings have caused fans to wonder if he’s genuinely committed to the sport. He has gone from bursts of brilliance to maddening inconsistency. Enter Jake Paul. He is 27, a decade younger, and he’s made his brand shocking the world one fight at a time. By knocking out former UFC champion Tyron Woodley and beating seasoned veterans of the sport in his last couple of fights, Paul has demonstrated that he’s a fighter who trains hard, shows up in the ring, and improves fight after fight. “I am not here to be dismissed anymore,” Paul said. “One, people believed this was a gimmick. I’m at a point where I want to fight world champions, and Chavez Jr. is the first step towards that.”
Check this article: Drew Carey, 66, Enjoys Lunch Date with 37-Year-Old OnlyFans Star Niki Skyler in L.A.
The Paul-Chavez Jr. fight is a cultural moment. It is the crossroads of old-school boxing lineage and new-age promotion. It’s just the sort of fight that has traditionalists chatting and TikTok fans watching. For Paul, this is a significant step toward title contention. Critics will say he hasn’t faced a “real boxer” yet, but Chavez Jr. destroys that narrative. In addition to being a seasoned veteran, he’s also a former world champion with a deep boxing IQ and hammers of his own.
“Chavez Jr. is everything I’ve been working toward,” Paul said. “He’s a true fighter. He’s been in there with everybody. And now he’s getting in there with me.” For Chavez Jr., it’s an opportunity to regain relevance and silence the critics who have questioned his heart and discipline over the past few years. Defeating Jake Paul, who boasts a huge following and considerable media coverage, would not only represent a win but a comeback. What’s interesting is the agreed weight of 200 pounds. It’s a step up from Chavez Jr.’s most of his career, and well within the cruiserweight realm, where Paul is comfortable. Physicality will matter in this fight. That sort of mass isn’t how Paul is accustomed to moving, but it is how Chavez Jr. is used to moving, and he’ll need to adjust.
“This isn’t my first time going up in weight,” Chavez Jr. said. “I’ve fought big guys before. Jake Paul is powerful, yes, but he’s inexperienced. He’ll find that out.” With both fighters possessing knockout power and a penchant for the dramatic, the matchup promises to bring the fireworks from the opening bell. And for the crowd at Honda Center, it will be a night they don’t forget. This is being promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, led by Hall of Famer Oscar De La Hoya, which adds an additional layer of credibility to the proceedings. A stamp from Golden Boy, in partnership with Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, suggests a merging of boxing’s golden age with a viral, digital future.
“Jake Paul has proven he has his act together for boxing,” De La Hoya said. “This is not a joke anymore. He is up against someone with pedigree, experience, and power. This is what boxing needs: big moments, big personalities, and high stakes.” A victory over Chavez Jr. would be a career-defining achievement for Jake Paul, potentially even thrusting him into title consideration at cruiserweight. For someone who started as an internet personality, that kind of narrative arc is nothing short of wild, but it’s also very real.
For Chavez Jr., this is an opportunity for redemption. But his final years were defined by intermittent appearances, issues with training, and criticism. A loss to Paul would be a devastating blow to his legacy, but a win? It’s only one thing that could start a comeback.“This fight is legacy-defining for both guys, just in completely different ways,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of MVP. “Jake wants to be treated like a future world champion. Chavez Jr. wants to show people who he is and what he can do.”
Expect bold entrances. Expect a packed Honda Center with fight fans, influencers, celebrities, and boxing purists. Expect talk trash, social media activity, and maybe more drama inside the ring. But above all, expect a real battle. “I’m not underestimating him, and he better not underestimate me,” Paul said. “This is not for YouTube views. This is for respect.”
Training camps are already in full swing, with both fighters bringing in the best accessible sparring partners and conditioning coaches. The excitement is building, but rest assured: When June 28 comes, the two men will be ready to risk it all. Boxing has long sought a way to connect older fans with younger viewers. Whether intentionally or not, Jake Paul has been a catalyst for that evolution. His fights draw millions, many of whom are new to boxing.
And with the legends of the sport, like Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather, now retired or in exhibition-mode, Paul vs. Chavez Jr. is a different kind of spectacle: entertaining, unpredictable and strangely meaningful. And signed by politicians royals Oscar De La Hoya among others, the boxing world has finally accepted that not only is this not a fad — it’s the future. Jake Paul Is Out to Prove He’s More Than a YouTuber-Turned-Boxer. He’s on a mission to show he belongs on the same poster as champions. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is out to show that bloodline and battle-tested experience can still mean something in this shifting fight landscape. When they face off June 28, it won’t all be about punches thrown. It will be about statements, respect, and narratives.
-
Entertainment6 days ago
Drew Carey, 66, Enjoys Lunch Date with 37-Year-Old OnlyFans Star Niki Skyler in L.A.
-
News2 days ago
Claressa Shields Urges Tesehki to Seek Rehab, Not Revenge
-
News2 days ago
Savannah James Breaks Silence with Subtle Clapback at Kevin Gates’s Controversial Comments on Her Marriage
-
News2 days ago
Dody6 Reveals Homelessness Despite Kendrick Lamar Collab on “Hey Now”
-
Music6 days ago
Jake Paul Sets the Stage for His Toughest Test Yet Against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on June 28
-
Artist Spotlight7 days ago
“I AM Good Enough” by TaniA Kyllikki evokes a soaring melodic anthem to liberate self-affirmation
-
Artist Spotlight6 days ago
Noah Zayden releases a new single “Fuego”
-
Music6 days ago
3 Powerful Tracks That’ll Shake Your Soul and Soothe Your Skin