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Chance The Rapper Releases His ‘Are U Live’ Video With Jeremih And Valee

The Chicago rappers spread holiday cheer as they encourage one of their own to get well soon. …

Chance The Rapper and Jeremih’s 2016 holiday mixtape Merry Christmas Lil’ Mama is an odd bit of internet ephemera. It’s a fan favorite, yet fans can only stream it sporadically, as the two uploaded the project and its 2017 follow-up to SoundCloud originally but not to more mainstream services like Apple Music, Spotify, and Tidal. While Jeremih is currently recovering from a bad case of COVID-19, Chance decided to spread a little holiday cheer by releasing the video for one of the project’s songs, “Are U Live,” after holding onto it since 2017.

The video was directed by Cole Bennett (no relation to Chance or his brother Taylor) of Lyrical Lemonade at the start of his rise as one of hip-hop’s most sought-after video shooters, while the track itself was produced by ChaseTheMoney, a SoundCloud rapper go-to who has since produced for Dreamville and J. Cole on Revenge Of The Dreamers III and JID’s DiCaprio 2. Like plenty of Cole Bennett’s previous works, the video blends a low-fi aesthetic with a simple concept, as well a cheeky sense of humor with on-screen captions pointing out a failed “successful dap” and more. He even appears in the video, although you’ll have to have a sharp eye to catch his cameo.

The song isn’t what you’d call a traditional Christmas song, with its call-and-response, sparse beat, and the artists’ rap athletics. But the video displays their festive mood, with Santa caps and fairy lights aplenty decorating their red cup turn up.

Watch “Are U Live” above and listen to Merry Christmas Lil’ Mama below.

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Artist Spotlight

Plain Mister Smith unveils a journey of sound, spirit, and reflection with new release “Dream to Be Free”

Plain Mister Smith

Plain Mister Smith’s new single sounds more like a portal than a regular song. “Dream to Be Free” is a powerful meditation that came from a life-changing trip to Kyoto during Diamonji, the festival where huge bonfires are lit on hillsides to guide spirits home. Smith’s work is inspired by this deeply meaningful moment and is full of self-reflection, awe, and emotional release.

Plain Mister Smith is a well-known figure in the Canadian indie music scene. He has worked on projects like Moev and Cinderpop and is now a cellist with the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra. This adds a lot of musical depth to his solo work. His unique mix of indie pop, baroque folk, and subtle textures comes out with ease and style. The result is a piece that has both fragility and vastness, is rooted in tradition, and easily slips into ethereal soundscapes.

“Dream to Be Free” features a variety of instruments and subtle melodic shifts that make it shine. It makes you want to stop and take in its thoughtful mood. The track gives the impression of movement, as if it is following you and guiding you through self-reflection, memory, and small changes. Every passage seems carefully placed, but it flows naturally, letting the emotion grow and echo.

The single goes beyond mere inspiration, it captures a universal desire for freedom, clarity, and renewal. It talks about the deep moment when we reflect on what it means to let go. In “Dream to Be Free,” Plain Mister Smith reminds us that the first step toward freedom often begins with calmness and careful listening.

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Artist Spotlight

Morpheus von Dobenhausen and Buddy Joe claim their space breaking the mold on latest release “I Have To Do It My Way”

Morpheus von Dobenhausen

Morpheus von Dobenhausen’s latest single, “I Have To Do It My Way,” is both personal and purposeful. It is a strong statement of independence and artistic identity, grounded in conviction rather than in giving in. The track is a good example of staying true to your creative vision. It embodies the essence of following your own path, celebrating your uniqueness, and trusting your instincts to help you grow as an artist. Morpheus von Dobenhausen and Buddy Joe, an artist based in the UK, are working together on the project. This gives it a sense of authenticity and dedication. Their work together results in a product that is focused, certain, and truly refreshing.

The song was made by people from different countries working together online with Logic Pro 12 and structured data exchange. This shows that distance doesn’t stop people from being creative together. This modern approach to making music allows the composition to have universal energy while still maintaining a personal touch. The process shows the main idea of the song: to work alone while remaining open to important collaboration.

“I Have to Do It My Way” is a statement for people who value being true to themselves over what society expects of them. It speaks to people who value artistic freedom and self-confidence, and it serves as a powerful reminder that being original often comes from having the courage to trust yourself.

This track from Morpheus von Dobenhausen and Buddy Joe shows how much they care about creative freedom. It’s both uplifting and very relatable. It is a major step forward that has a lasting effect long after the last note fades away.

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