Artist Spotlight

Exclusive Interview with Independent Rapper Alan Walker From New Haven, Connecticut

Every day we meet up-and-coming artists, rappers, producers, and songwriters who are working so hard to make it to the top in the music industry. Alan Walker is one of the emerging rappers who is seriously paving a way for himself in the music industry. If you are familiar with Alan Walker, then you are in the right place because we had the opportunity to talk with Alan Walker about his music career and fast growth in the music industry. He shared a lot about himself, his biggest musical influences, and the challenges he had faced in the industry. Before going deep into the interview with Alan Walker and we want to discuss it briefly about Alan Walker.

Who is Alan Walker?

Alan Walker is an American rapper, singer, songwriter born on March 20th, 1999, and raised in New Haven, CT with his family. The 22-year-old emerging artist Alan Walker, grew up playing basketball and football and actually went to school to play football. Walker graduated from Westfield State University in 2021. Ever since he found himself in music he has always wanted to be an impact in the music industry. He rose to popularity in 2021 with his single “Grandma”, which had quite a high number of streams on Spotify.

Interview start;

Where are you based?

Alan Walker: Right now I am living in Haverhill, Massachusetts with my girlfriend.

How long have you been making music?

Alan Walker: I’ve been making music for a good 2 years now, almost three this upcoming March. I started making music with my friend in his dorm room and ever since that day I’ve never stopped doing it because it’s something I love to do.

What genre would you consider your music to be?

Alan Walker: I consider my genre to be “emotional rap” or you can say “alternative rap”. To be honest I don’t really put a designated genre for my music because I try to be creative and dive into all types of music.

What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

Alan Walker: The passing of my close friend “Kerion Rogers’ ‘ made me want to go hard on the music journey as well as my friend who first put me in the booth in his dorm room. My grandma also is a major reason why I do music because she is the person who taught me everything there is to know about music and the different artists she used to listen to back in her day. We would listen to her types of vinyl for hours just picking apart the music we were hearing and how it made us feel when we heard it.

See also Tad - "Feeling Hazy"

What are your biggest musical influences?

Alan Walker: My biggest musical influence is hard to say because I have a wide range of musical knowledge that inspired me to do this myself. But I’d say Juice Wrld, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Tupac Shakur, James Brown, chuck berry, Jimmy Hendrix, and more

Are you signed to a label or are you an independent artist?

Alan Walker: I am an independent artist

What have been the biggest challenges in your music career?

Alan Walker: I’d say the biggest challenge in my career so far is having the money to keep funding my career. So it’s a lot of hard work, blood, sweat, and tears going into my career. I wouldn’t really say it’s a challenge because that’s part of my journey to reaching success.

How many songs or albums have you released to date?

Alan Walker: I’ve put out more than 40 plus songs to date

Can you tell us a few things about your latest release?

Alan Walker: My latest release I put a dedication project together for my nana who passed away this past March. 8 days from my birthday and so that really hurt me a lot and really strained my mental health a bit as well. So I resorted to what makes me feel happy and what makes me express my feelings which is music. I wanted to do something special for her because she was very special to me. She taught me everything I know in life and to repay her I promised her I’d make it in the industry and so far I haven’t been doing a bad job. The project is a 9 track album, filled with emotions and creativity which is why I call it a masterpiece.

Any plans for new music or upcoming projects we should know about?

Alan Walker: I plan to drop a couple of videos and songs off my latest Album “DRW” and then after that I will be releasing a lot of singles I have in the vault for the fans and supporters.

End Interview.

As Alan Walker is gearing up to release more singles, before the end of the year, and more in 2022, be sure to tap in with him via social media on YouTube

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Album Review

Dian Sheng explores identity, life and love with “Sid” album

Dian Sheng releases his long-awaited first English-language album, “Sid,” a genre-defying collection of songs that includes pop, rock, electronic, and jazz. “Sid” is a deep, meditative exploration of identity, relationships, and self-growth, spanning 29 minutes and 12 seconds across eight tracks. This album is a personal exploration of the complex emotions of mankind and the vitality and jubilation of life.

From the opening track, “Right Now,” Dian Sheng establishes a sense of urgency and reflection. The upbeat song “I Come From Far” examines the connection between the self and one’s environment. It has joyful beats and layers that make you think and feel like part of the narrative.

The jazz ballad “Undecided Love” delves into the complexities of modern romance, featuring tender vocals and instrumentation that showcase Sheng’s delicate touch as a songwriter. “It Will Be Alright” is an empowering anthem about overcoming life’s biggest obstacles, combining electronic beats with a rock influence.

“Seventeen” is bursting with youthful energy, and its production captures the restlessness and emotionality of adolescent life. Two introspective songs with similar atmospheres, “The Way Before” and “This Life,” match chilling melodies with moving lyrics that touch on bygone relationships, self-awareness, and the quest for meaning we all experience.

The album concludes with “Shining As Your Name,” and the final few minutes of this piece alone evoke a strong sense of hope. Dian Sheng demonstrates his ability to join emotional depth with new styles. “Sid” is an invitation into the rich musical universe of Dian Sheng, where you can both consider yourself and feel influenced.

Written by:

Faith Koch

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Artist Spotlight

Feel the vibe with Sporty-O’s new EP “The P.L.U.R. Project,” a blend of emotions and sound

“The P.L.U.R. Project” begins like a rush of light across a crowded dance floor as jubilant, purposeful, and very human. This seven-song, 29-minute journey from the EDM pioneer Sporty-O is a cultural reset built around peace, love, unity, and respect.

Sporty-O establishes the emotional timbre for the entire project from the first track of its lead single, “Spirit Higher.” The song is anthemic, its purposes well outlined despite a high-gloss production. It’s a centerpiece that establishes the mood of an intensive exploration of sound and self-awareness.

“The P.L.U.R. Project” is just as much about managing your feelings as it is about moving. Sporty-O creates each record with intention, writing things that make people think on the dance floor. Another high-energy song is “Happy Together,” with Lorme and Chris Willis, pulsing warmth and togetherness. “SOLD!” has a clean, feel-good sound that embodies the community spirit of EDM culture.

Sporty-O embraces a multi-genre EDM palette on the EP, fusing forward-thinking sounds with uptempo beats. Tracks like “Revolution” with Specimen A and “Geek’d Up” with Baby Sweet provide lots of energy and edge. “Piece Of My Mind” is more introspective, while “Cheveyo” features a diverse array of collaborators and culminates in a rich, layered sound, all while maintaining a global welcoming spirit.

What makes this project unique is that it serves both and reminds people of the origins of dance culture. Sporty-O aims to help people rediscover the heartbeat of the community. “The P.L.U.R. Project” is an EDM experience that reaches beyond the speakers, colorful and thoughtful about meaning in music-based culture.