Artist Spotlight

Everything You Need To Know About Dre Banks, A Fast Rising Rapper Who is Rewriting History In The Music Industry

Dre Banks is a fast-rising American artist who has been a staple in the midwest rap scene, hailing from Grand Rapids Michigan. He started like many other young men in the inner city. He was pulled into the allure of the streets and then, unfortunately, found himself caught up in the system.

After being caught in this revolving door he knew it was time for a change. “I knew I had to break it and make the change myself. I knew I had to start from scratch and get back to just the music,” he says. With a clean slate and a new focus, Dre Banks hit the studio to prep his freshman release entitled “Check” which hit streets in October of 2015, again featuring Amil as well as another New York hip-hop legend, AZ, and was co-executive produced by Dre’s childhood friend of many years, Baby Paul aka BpZy (formerly of “Da Beatminerz”) – producer for talented artists like Nas, AZ, Fat Joe, Remy Ma, Dj Clue, Consequence, others.

In 2018, Dre followed up with a street album released on the internet for promotional purposes entitled, “Coke Iz It” hosted by legendary Queens NY mixtape staple, Dj Mr. FX. The project featured Jay-Z protégé Amil, Nature, of the New York supergroup, The Firm, and Roc-a-fella Records/State Property veteran Omillo Sparks (of Oschino and Sparks).

In support of the release, Banks performed several show dates along a mid-Atlantic and northeast tour with various artists at each venue. Striving to stay consistent with his music, Dre Banks is already putting the finishing touches on his next project “Checkmate” for release in the 2nd quarter of 2022, the new album will include the HIT single, “Boyfriend, Girlfriend” ft. Trina of “Love and Hip Hop” fame

Listen to “Boyfriend, Girlfriend” on Spotify:

This song was released in 2020 and streamed over 1.5 million plays on Spotify along with the catchy street anthem “Off the Chain” which is currently streaming at over 2.5 million plays on Spotify.

Watch “Off the Chain” on youtube:

Stay tuned for the next best thing coming out of the state of Michigan since Dej Loaf,

Big Sean, Royce 5’9, and Eminem because Dre Banks is the future of the midwest.

Hello Dre Banks, greetings and welcome to Honkmagzine. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

Dre Banks – I was born into music through my father, I learned how to play drums with the church band as a child and kept my inspiration to be a part of music, especially when hip-hop became a dominant force in urban music.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?

Dre Banks – I believe the opportunity to meet the legendary female rap star Trina to collaborate on my record, “Boyfriend, Girlfriend” was an interesting moment for me, we had so much fun together shooting the music video in Miami.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Dre Banks – I would say the funniest mistake was agreeing to do business with an independent label called “Real Life Music” based in Kansas, the owner had fewer resources and financial backing to support my music releases than I did on my own previously but I had to discover this after the fact!

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

Dre Banks – I am currently working on my album “Checkmate” which will feature legendary artists like Styles P of the LoX, Trina, AZ, Ms. Toi, and singer extraordinaire Ne-Yo all coming this year in 2022!

Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?

Dre Banks – I would say I met Benzino of LHH “Love and HipHop” fame, we got to tour together in the midwest and also made a song and video together – It was a crazy time on tour with Benzino, we were driving on the highway doing 90 mph, and the Ohio state police who are notorious for pulling people over stopped us on the road and gave us a ticket for having a half-ounce of marijuana and for speeding!

Another time I got pulled over on the highway while in Ohio with my producer/manager Baby Paul – this time after being pulled over the cop befriended me, gave me back my weed and we exchanged Instagram contacts and he checked out my music in the car!

Baby Paul could not find the air freshener to air the weed out in the car so I automatically complied with the cop and he respected it.

Artist Spotlight

CircleKSK ignites an anime-metal collision on “UnBreakable Turn” ft. Anya J

On their exhilarating high-octane track “UnBreakable Turn,” CircleKSK and guest vocalist Anya J aim to combine the technical prowess of Nordic metal with the urgent melodies and dramatic flair of an anime opening sequence. Creating a cinematic and adrenaline-fueled tune with a melodic edge, CircleKSK has risen to prominence as an innovative act.

The deliberate fusion contributes to the single’s captivating nature. J-Pop and anime-song sensibilities contribute emotional hooks and sweeping, catchy lines; precision, dense riffs, and a sense of weight are brought by Nordic metal. Echoing the song’s vivid melodic contours, Anya J’s heroic and personal vocals and demeanor heighten the dramatic impact of the performance. The structure is based on the standard narrative progression: lively, evocative parts leading the way to more somber ones that ground the emotion.

The production relies on contrast so that lighter parts sparkle and heavier parts thud with satisfying force. As if CircleKSK were creating music for the eyes as well as the ears, this piece could serve as the score for a dramatic scene or the music for a violent montage. Not everything is surface-level, though; the emotional core remains. Anthemic and deeply personal, “UnBreakable Turn” combines the vigor of youth with the gravity of experience.

An assuredly inventive single that fearlessly asserts new territory, “UnBreakable Turn” by CircleKSK is sure to please fans of big, dramatic music that isn’t hesitant to mix sweetness and steel, as well as those who enjoy cross-cultural mashups. The single, which has been lauded by curators and tastemakers worldwide, is a strong statement about artists who fearlessly combine cultural genres, showing that passionate J-Pop melodies and intense Scandinavian metal can coexist in one unforgettable track.

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Artist Spotlight

Garth Adam keeps the flame of Journeysong burning with the new single “Three Fires”

Garth Adam‘s latest single, “Three Fires,” evokes a warm dialogue in a subdued studio that is intimate, contemplative, and subtly victorious. Adam candidly discusses the exhilaration of uncovering self-assurance in both himself and his songwriting, and this revelation serves as the driving force of the track. At its essence, “Three Fires” is a straightforward commemoration: the delight in transforming a modest idea into something extraordinary through patience.

Adam’s vocal style resides comfortably within a folk-influenced pop genre, which he characterizes as a blend of Neil Finn and The Lumineers, interspersed with elements reminiscent of Coldplay and James Blunt. The reference point is beneficial yet not confining; “Three Fires” represents Adam’s unique creation, an accessible, melodic composition that prioritizes artistry over novelty. The single, recorded in joyful sessions in Perth with long-time collaborator and producer Melvin Tree, exudes the warmth of musicians collaborating in a circle, with the vintage Studer analog desk imparting an analog glow to the final recording. Melvin, Dave Kelly, and a select group of skilled music students contribute backing vocals that enhance the track with harmony and impart a subtly communal, authentic quality.

The lyrics of the song emphasize Adam’s preferred motifs: travel, journeys, and the subtle transformations that occur during the voyage. However, it is not overly forceful; the songwriting is elegant, transitioning from observation to insight with effortless fluidity. Adam’s delivery conveys satisfaction; he is a songwriter who has witnessed minor concepts evolve into completed songs and has learned to trust that process.

“Three Fires” serves as a testament to the notion that skill and perseverance can transform a mere spark into something luminous. For aficionados of melodic songwriting with an analog essence, Garth Adam’s latest work is a comforting, exquisitely crafted ember to accompany one on their journey. It is a song that encourages repeated, soothing auditory experiences.