Artist Spotlight

HOW UP-AND-COMING HIP HOP ARTIST ROYAL RASHAD IS HANDCRAFTING HIS CAREER TO HIS FULL ADVANTAGE

Hello Royal Rashad, Thanks for coming to Honk Magazine to talk about your career.

Tell us a little more about when you first got into music?

I got into music at an early age, 13 I believe. I remember hearing one of my cousins freestyle and I was like “yo how do you do that… just brainstorm rhymes on the fly?” He said “man you just flow with the beat and say what’s on your mind” then he started beating on the porch and told me to try.. that’s when history started.

If you could describe your sound/style in one word, what would it be and why?

Sleek. My wordplay is sharp and my cadence is smooth

What would you say to any aspiring recording artists who look up to your work?

Just be yourself and do you and Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do what you’re passionate about.

What quote or mantra do you live by?

Whenever things go left or go wrong I call it a Minor setback… for a major comeback. And I always bounce back.

What is your hobby outside of music?

In my free time I like to play video games, it allows me to miss and reminisce my first love… sports

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Continuing the path that God has set out for me, which is to evolve and grow with my talents

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

This is what you love to do, just have fun with it.

Do you have anything new or upcoming we can expect to see from you?

Yes I always have hot new music on deck that I can’t wait for the world to hear. Stay tuned

What is the inspiration behind your latest song?

Playa Made. The beat really. It just felt like something I could ride and listen to with the windows down cruising on a beautiful day.

How can our readers follow you online?

You can follow me on Instagram @royalrashad

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Album Review

R3b3l I explores self-discovery through sound on “A Different Frequency” album

In a music scene often ruled by lyrics, R3b3l I proves that you can tell a powerful story without a single lyric. “A Different Frequency” is a twelve-track instrumental hip-hop and rap-inspired album inviting you into a deeply personal journey of growth, self-discovery, and purpose, speaking its message purely through mood, rhythm, and expression.

“Dance Before the Throne” opens the album, immediately establishing the tone of reflection and reverence. From here, “Elevate” and “The Wave” continue, adding momentum and a sense of movement and change. Each piece is a chapter in a larger story, allowing you to interpret the music with your own experience.

Songs like “I AM Power,” “Level Up,” and “Awaken” seem to be a big part of the progression of the album. The energy is one of empowerment and inner evolution. “The Jazzy Hop” is a nice change of pace in style, with a smooth, groove-flavored taste that shows R3b3l I’s versatility. Meanwhile, “Carousel,” “Raindrops,” and “Heartbeat” are moments of introspection that balance uplifting themes with emotional depth and openness.

The project wraps up on an emotional high with “Ancestors,” a heartfelt tribute to the forebears and the invisible forces that still influence us on our journeys. It’s a fitting way to close out an album about connection, growth, and purpose. “A Different Frequency” is more than a collection of tracks with carefully constructed instrumentals and thoughtful sequencing, and it’s a rewarding journey for those who want immersive instrumental hip-hop with heart, imagination, and substance.

Connect with R3b3l I on | Spotify | TikTok |

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Artist Spotlight

“Signalling Signatures” finds Mr Pigeons exploring dreams, truth, and hidden meanings

While the first look at an upcoming project usually sets the expectations, Mr Pigeons does something more ambitious with “Signalling Signatures.” With this release, the hip-hop artist opens up a portal into “Shining Arras,” inviting you into a world where dreams, symbols, and hidden meanings collide.

“Signalling Signatures” is an exploration of the thin veil between reality and imagination, based on themes of altered consciousness and shifting perspectives. The song is a mix of mythology, film, and spiritual symbolism and encourages you to look beyond the ordinary and find the messages in everyday life. Mr Pigeons delivers with purpose and swagger, blending introspection with crisp storytelling. He also renders the abstract ideas of the song accessible.

The thing about “Signalling Signatures” that is so compelling is its sheer audacity to challenge you. There are no easy answers in this song, only a quest for truth, perception, and uncertainty. A good opening chapter to “Shining Arras,” and it manages to build up suspense as well as showing Mr Pigeons’ artistic vision. “Signalling Signatures” is a good introduction to what could be an interesting new creative phase for the artist.

Connect with Mr Pigeons on | Website | Spotify | X | FB | TikTok | IG |