Artist Spotlight

Chapell’s “The Underground Music Show”

There’s nothing quite like Chapell’s The Underground Music Show in the modern musical universe.

I assert that this is a good thing. We don’t need any more cookie-cutter singer/songwriter fare full of quavering sensitivities. Nor do we need paint-by-numbers noise merchants peddling oh-so-indie guitar albums that wear their oddities on their sleeves. Chapell is, unashamedly, himself and nothing more.

The Stamford, Connecticut-born performer and songwriter discovered initial notoriety as a fifteen-year-old prodigy working with Dirty Dancing producer Jimmy Ienner. He later led the East-West fusion outfit Kalki. His tenure with that band served notice that Chapell wasn’t content with finding fame as a garden variety song and dance man. He had bigger fish to fry.

The peak of his musical journey so far comes with the formation of the band bearing his name. Chapell’s 2016 debut, The Redhead’s Allegations, produced by Talking Heads’ Jerry Harrison, illustrated Chapell’s mammoth growth as a songwriter and human being. Two successors, Soul Man and Love in the Summer of Trouble, solidified his direction and garnered him a loyal following.

I believe it bodes well for the album’s remaining songs when an artist leads off with the title track. There’s a long tradition of this kind of track listing signaling a wellspring of self-assurance. It’s justified in this case. “The Underground Music Show” sets the stage for everything following it. One of its primary merits lies with the vocals. Chapell has an idiosyncratic voice, and further strengthens the singing with The Crush Boys’ backing vocals. Marrying thoughtful lyrical content with the pop predilections of this opener establishes a template that Chapell won’t desert.

However, I’m glad to report there are ample variations. He doesn’t follow a single path. The bright piano-laced pop balladry of “The Space Between Us” is an excellent follow-up to the opener. He builds the song from relatively restrained beginnings into a robust march that simmers with energy. Chapell continues indulging in anthemic pop with the album’s third cut, “When the Music Plays Again”. Violinist Lorenza Ponce is one of the underrated musical forces driving many of these cuts and plays with great confidence throughout this track.

Artist Spotlight

Honk Magazine’s Artist of the Week Spotlight on Rising Talent

At Honk Magazine, we take pride in finding and backing the next wave of the hottest artists that will shape the music industry. Our Artist of the Week spotlight is on five artists with one-of-a-kind sounds, lives, and grinds that set them apart in the music world. From emotional rap to genre-defying Afro-fusion and gritty indie rock, the following songs are a vibrant reflection of the future of music.

Tuknight – “Campagne”

Starting off our feature is a Canadian Rapper based out of Sarnia, Ontario, Tuknight. Spelled “tuknight,” the name is great for boys with a deeper, human story. He started making music at 14, taking to it as an outlet for coping with the pain of losing his older brother to an overdose. That visceral feeling he translates into his music, and it really shines through in his most recent song, “Campagne,” a stripped-back and reflective number that delves into the heart of affliction and adversity.

Performing live for his second year, Tuknight shows no sign of slowing down. He’s opened for big names such as Roney, Mar Mar Oso, MLNY, and Kryple, slowly but surely carving out a spot for himself in Canada’s underground rap landscape. His centered energy and earnest lyrics establish him as one of the genre’s most promising new voices.

M For The Movement – “I’m Alive”

Up next is an enlightening act, M For The Movement, a deep-thinking emerging artist with old-school influences and too much fire. Their recent single I’m Alive is a sonorous cry of resilience, of being and of being present. With this album, M’s been waiting for the come-up, with collaborations with Juno award-winning Choclair and the iconic Snoop Dogg being teased.

M For The Movement has already commanded opening duty for some of music’s big names, including Sean Paul, Sean Kingston, and Nelly. By no means do they fit into that small talk; it’s big league stuff. A veteran in Performance, M is crafting a legacy rooted in Art and Activism with lyrical storytelling that captures both personal evolution and cultural momentum.

Huss Nem – “Lemme Tune In”

Raw energy, street-wise wisdom & versatility are what you can expect from Chicago’s own Huss Nem. The music industry is not new to Huss, who has been writing songs for over a decade. And on his latest offering, Lemme Tune In, one can see that KOK’s grimy delivery and larger-than-life stage presence prove that the street rap purveyor has street rap in his blood.

Aside from music, Huss Nem is a seasoned actor with a couple of movies, ” Chi-town Down for Life and 8 Dayz: Part 2.” He is also shooting for his second season of Decatur, Where It’s Greater, to show his multitalented side. A real hustler, he manages two streetwear brands, Rip Clown and Chitalo, bringing that entrepreneurial swagger to his impressive resume. Huss Nem is building a cultural empire.

Drela – EP “RAIN”

Up-and-coming Afro-Fusion talent Drela is changing the concept of what it means to be genre-fluid. With a new “RAIN” EP this May, Drela combines smooth vocals, AfroBeats, alternative R&B, and pop for a heady concoction. Her songs are incredibly personal, grounded in self-examination, change, and emotional pain.

Drela has cultivated a dedicated following with its live shows and frequent single drops on topics ranging from love to perseverance. She’s bridged the gap between sonic identities and still been true to herself in one of the toughest meccas of hip-hop. RAIN is shaping up to be a refreshingly different project that takes risks and pushes the art while helping to transcend its listeners.

Inland Years – Album “Keep Your Eyes On The Road”

Lo-fi indie rock fans will want to remember the name Inland Years. About Inland Years is the solo project of Brooklyn’s Ryan Daniels, who crafts warm, nostalgic tunes strung with tape warble and fuzzed-out emotion. Titled after the recently released album “Keep Your Eyes On The Road,” Elements breathe is a reflective voyage through pensive songwriting and analogue tones.

And, influenced by Lou Barlow and the ’90s four-track phenomenon, Inland Years has earned praise in underground circles. WFMU spins, playlist love, yay-di-over from DIY tastemakers. The music is close. It hums softly, imperfectly in just the right way, dripping with the simple honesty from which great music arises. Daniels’ method for making music seems like a love letter to anyone chasing clarity through chaos.

The music industry is changing, and guys like Tuknight, M For The Movement, Huss Nem, Drela, and Inland Years are the living proof that they are in good hands. Be it raw lyricism or experimental sonics or, in one case, an impressive lifestyle grind, there’s something all four artists this week share: they’re all a little different, but more importantly, they’re all themselves. We’re looking forward to following their progress and invite you to do so. Met someone on this list that you’re vibing with?

Let me know in the comments if you think someone else deserves to appear on the crown this week! 👑👇

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Artist Spotlight

Marnix Emanuel drops a heartfelt anthemic ballad with his recent single, “You Got Me Hurt”

Marnix Emanuel infuses emotion into every note in his newest single, “You Got Me Hurt.” This beautifully crafted soulful pop ballad captures the lingering pain of losing a love that seemed irreplaceable, destined to last forever. Right from the first note, Marnix reels audiences into his world with a unique voice that’s equal parts raw silk and aching steel. He exudes a genuine vulnerability paired with a confident stage presence that only a truly seasoned artist can deliver.

What’s striking about this track is how effortlessly it balances heartbreak with resilience. The song doesn’t merely wallow in sorrow; it channels that bittersweet emotion into something intimately powerful, pulsing with the quiet strength and endurance, a timeless anthem that feels personal and universally relatable. “You Got Me Hurt” hits home in all the right places with its poignant lyrics and soaring melodies.

Marnix’s talents shine through as a vocalist, songwriter, and producer. Every element of the song’s production feels intentional, from the heartfelt lyrics to the lush, timeless pop instrumentation. The chorus has a warmth that touches modern and nostalgic, showcasing why the melody resonates so deeply. It features an undeniable rhythmic hook that echoes long after the tears have dried, inviting listeners to experience it repeatedly.

Coming out of the Netherlands as an emerging independent artist and singer-songwriter, Marnix Emanuel continues to build on a promising career with a strong foundation. “You Got Me Hurt” is a bold sonic statement affirming that his music is here to stay. For anyone who has ever experienced heartbreak and is seeking to navigate the complexities of love lost and desire to rebuild after love falls apart, this single offers genuine emotional gravity. It perfectly represents heartbreak done right: soulful, innovative, and utterly human. As he looks toward new releases in 2025, this single sets the tone: honest, compelling, and impossible to ignore.

For more information about Marnix Emanuel, please visit [website].
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