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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Artist Spotlight

Marsha Bartenetti reinvents in her own style “New York Minute”

Marsha Bartenetti’s latest release, “New York Minute,” written by Don Henley, Danny Kortchmar, and Jai Winding, offers emotional depth, turning a timeless look at life’s fragility into a reflective, cinematic journey. Stephan Oberhoff’s arrangement perfectly frames Bartenetti’s voice, and Kevin Bate’s expressive cello adds a warm resonance that makes the track feel like a movie.

The way each instrument sounds makes it feel planned, which lets the listener stay in the fleeting moments the song so beautifully describes. Bartenetti’s singing is the best part of the song. She shows an openness that feels real, as if she has lost something and still fully embraces love and presence with complete honesty. Her choice of words and small changes in tone make the lyrics feel even closer.

“New York Minute,” is a new version that pays tribute to the original while showcasing Bartenetti’s own style. The movie-like instruments and heartfelt vocals make the song feel both personal and universal. It makes us think about how hard it is to let go and hold on.

Artist Spotlight

“Yonkers” – Song by Tyler, the Creator

15 years ago, Tyler, the Creator released “Yonkers.” The song would go on to shape a generation of hip-hop fans and make him one of the most talked-about artists in modern music. Tyler’s work on “Yonkers,” which came out of the Los Angeles group Odd Future, was a brave mix of raw lyrics, dark humor, and simple production that made him stand out from other artists right away.

“Yonkers,” which is just over three minutes long, seems simple but has a big effect. The song’s production is based on a spooky bassline, simple piano chords, and simple drums. This puts Tyler’s voice and story front and center. His flow is slow and threatening, and it sends out a stream of verses that balance shock value with deep thoughts on themes like being alone, rebelling, and thinking about oneself. This song has a modern twist on the gritty, confrontational style of hip-hop that was popular in the early 2010s.

The music video for “Yonkers” became a cultural phenomenon all by itself. In the black-and-white video, Tyler looks straight into the camera while doing something that surprised both fans and critics. Tyler became known as an artist who isn’t afraid to push boundaries when the song’s raw lyrics and stark images quickly went viral. The video’s viral success brought Odd Future national attention and helped Tyler get more work, including his albums Goblin (2011) and Wolf (2013), which were both well-received by critics.

People who didn’t like “Yonkers” thought it was a new take on hip-hop. People in the genre often liked flashy production and collaborations, but Tyler’s solo song showed that minimalism can be just as interesting, if not more so, when it has strong lyrics. Young people who wanted realness and change connected with the song’s unapologetic tone, and its influence can still be heard in music today. Many contemporary artists assert that Tyler’s early compositions, particularly “Yonkers,” significantly influenced their lyrical writing and visual storytelling techniques.

“Yonkers” was a big moment in Tyler, the Creator’s career. It was a bold statement from a single artist who wanted to change the rules of hip-hop, and it captured the spirit of early Odd Future, a group that thrived on chaos, creativity, and free expression. More than ten years later, the song is still a touchstone for fans and a turning point in the growth of alternative rap. Its creepy beat, controversial lyrics, and viral music video are still seen as examples of a time when hip-hop was pushing its limits and welcoming a new generation of voices that were willing to question the way things were.

“Yonkers” is a cultural artifact, a snapshot of the time that shaped Tyler, the Creator’s unique artistic style, and a reminder of how powerful bold, unapologetic music can be.

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