Music
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH HEISTHEARTIST

Who Is Heistheartist
Heistheartist is an American Christian singer-songwriter from Central Islip, NY. Formerly a secular neo-soul singer signed to “Bentley Records” under his biological name “LeeMann Bassey,” Heistheartist discovered that his true calling was with the Lord after hearing an inspiring sermon by TD Jakes online one day. That day he was inspired to teach the world about the Lord as TD Jakes did with his Sermon but through music.
Hey, Heistheartist Thanks for coming to Honk Magazine to talk about your music career. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path? Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
I was actually discovered on Instagram one day singing a cover of “Tyrone” by Erykah Badu and a local producer happened to see my video. He loved what he heard and he then invited me to his studio to record my first ever single (now titled “Honey”). And the rest is history.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?
Yes, one of my songs was selected to be included on one of Dave East’s mixtapes. The song is called “Boom (The Explosion)” and it’s exclusively available on his mixtape “Who Got Next Vol.4”.
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?
For one of the first songs that I wrote, I forgot to register it with my Performing Rights Organization (PRO) BMI and missed out on some royalties because of it. From that experience, I learned how important registering music with a PRO is.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
I have the music video to the Afrobeats Remix for my song “Childish” coming. There is no set release date for the music video but when there is a date I’ll be sure to post it on my social media accounts.
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
I had a chat with Ne-Yo which was pretty cool. It was nice to pick his brain about songwriting. It ironically was around the time of the 15th Anniversary of his album “In My Own Words”.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
To experiment with different genres. You never know what other genre may be of interest to you. Many people believe that you have to be a “genre specialist”, but realistically that’s not true anymore in today’s music market.
You have been blessed with success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?
In this industry, you must get used to rejection. You will get more no’s than yes’s. But keep on trying because the more work you put in, the closer you will get towards reaching your goals.
Can you share with our readers any self-care routines, practices, or treatments that you do to help your body, mind, or heart to thrive? Kindly share a story or an example for each.
I find prayer and meditation extremely important. They cleanse my mind, body, and spirit of toxic thoughts before I start the day, as well as before I go to bed each night.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
- Remember to register your music with your (PRO) because of the incident I mentioned previously with me missing royalties because I forgot to register one of my songs once.
- That the industry is very political (as I’m sure most have heard… but I’m here to tell you it’s real!).
- To trust your creative vision. I found myself drifting off into trying to fit the industry mold. But in the end, I found myself being much happier trusting my own vision.
- That learning songwriting is the only true way to get your vision heard completely. Of the many reasons why I worked hard to become a proficient songwriter and drifted away from doing cover songs.
- That success will come but be patient. I found myself almost giving up in the beginning because I didn’t get lucky and go viral. But I’m happy I didn’t because it gave me time to develop my songwriting skills before jumping into the big leagues.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
It’s actually a quote by Sugar Ray Robinson. His quote “You have to believe in yourself when no one else will”. It’s very true in my life and in an entertainer’s life in general. The competition is stiff and there will be lots of rejection, but if you believe in yourself and look past the “no’s” you’ll reach your goals sooner than you think. Success is all about persistence and self-belief.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Firstly, I thank God for everything great going on in my life. But secondly, my manager Michael Stover. He helped lead the way in getting my music to a wider audience as well as on the radio. Before meeting him after he did publicity work for me and eventually became my manager, I was struggling to get traction. But he definitely turned my career around for the better.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
Definitely a self-love movement. Many people struggle with self-love around the world (that’s why there is so much hate in the world). The more people there are who love themselves in the world, the more love they can give to others.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might see this.
Yes, Singer-Songwriter Trey Songs. I love his new creative vision going back to old-school R&B with a contemporary twist. I feel like that’s a good starting point for the revival of R&B and great R&B songwriting.
How can our readers follow you online?
Find Heistheartist music on all major digital music services at the link below:
Instagram – https://www.Instagram.com/SignedLoveTheArtist
Facebook – https://www.Facebook.com/SignedLoveTheArtist
Twitter – https://www.Twitter.com/hefreedmysoul
Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/artist/6gcmZuz875tFsPHeT9RZaK
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.
-
Entertainment5 days ago
Drew Carey, 66, Enjoys Lunch Date with 37-Year-Old OnlyFans Star Niki Skyler in L.A.
-
Music5 days ago
Jake Paul Sets the Stage for His Toughest Test Yet Against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on June 28
-
Artist Spotlight6 days ago
“I AM Good Enough” by TaniA Kyllikki evokes a soaring melodic anthem to liberate self-affirmation
-
Artist Spotlight5 days ago
Noah Zayden releases a new single “Fuego”
-
Artist Spotlight6 days ago
Lexi Berg stirs a soulful splash of intimacy with her recent single, “In So Deep”
-
News1 day ago
Dody6 Reveals Homelessness Despite Kendrick Lamar Collab on “Hey Now”
-
Music5 days ago
3 Powerful Tracks That’ll Shake Your Soul and Soothe Your Skin
-
News1 day ago
Savannah James Breaks Silence with Subtle Clapback at Kevin Gates’s Controversial Comments on Her Marriage