Music

Rapper Bakes Talks About His Music Coming Full Circle and His Evolution as an Artist

Rapper and songwriter Bakes has been in the independent music game since he first pursued his hip-hop career while attending college. As he wrote and recorded right out of his college apartment, Bakes captured the attention of the San Diego music scene and went on to perform as an opening act for A$AP Ferg. An artist who has evolved into a “self-contained” musician with an emphasis on lyrical wit, Bakes talents go beyond music production and writing with visual skills of his own showcased within his image and music videos.

From the Ground Up was Bakes’s first project released this year. The 14-song album details his life experiences and how powerful optimism and manifestation can be. Since the release of this album, Bakes has also put out a few singles including “Changed,” a moody lo-fi track that is accompanied by a visualizer. His most recent project is an EP called Illusions, with a music video of the same name releasing on Friday, November 5.

With more projects up his sleeve, Bakes will also be dropping a merch collection soon. While we anticipate the release of these projects, you can listen to his music on Spotify and Apple Music. The rapper discusses how his career has come full circle and his evolution as an artist below.

Connect with Bakes through the following links:

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How would you say your music has come full circle ever since you decided to pursue being a hip-hop artist?

When I started making music, I was trying to find my sound and identity as an artist. As I’ve grown, both in the music industry and as a person, it’s reflected in my songwriting and artistry. I feel that I’m now the most polished, seasoned, and mature version of myself so my lyrical content is representing what I always wanted to convey: witty, positive, intelligent, motivational, and thought-provoking music.

As a songwriter, what inspires you to write?

I’m always writing down concepts, chorus ideas, and raps/ bars as they come to me, but I draw inspiration from the instrumental for writing an actual song. If the music feels good and invokes an emotion I want to elaborate on, I’ll start piecing together lyrics. I write to share ideas and bring value to listeners through what I’ve learned and experienced myself.

How would you describe your sound when you’re producing music?

I’m categorized as a lyrical rapper, but my sound goes beyond just clever wordplay. I focus on positive messaging, including having an entrepreneurial mindset and manifesting your reality, and mix it with my own lifestyle to produce songs that are true to who I am.

You’re in charge of a lot of the visuals you create for yourself. Can you walk me through the process of how you plan that out and how you make your visuals match your vibe?

I’ve worked with one director for several music videos, as well as other directors for other videos, and it’s always a collaborative effort. I like to give the director/ videographer the song I want to shoot and let them come up with a conceptual idea for the visual. Since I only work with people whose vision I trust, I let them take the lead while contributing my ideas along the way, resulting in a teamwork production.

Describe your most recent music video?

My new music video (Releasing November 5th) is titled “Illusion”; the visual is inspired by the movie The Matrix. The song is about perceiving reality, and the cinematic video shows the character realizing the simulation.

What are some recurring themes in your music?

Overall, I aim to uplift people with my music, and my themes reside on the positive side. I explore different topics of life with an optimistic outlook, combining lessons learned with an observant viewpoint. I find a balance between expressing myself and giving the listener something to relate to. I write a lot about manifesting your dreams, providing knowledge of how it’s done as I’m actively doing it myself. I also write about tapping into your purpose, finding your path, and bettering yourself.

How did being raised in the Bay Area affect your music background?

Growing up in the Bay Area gave me an eclectic taste in music. The Bay Area hip-hop scene was huge with the Hyphy movement and underground music having a big reach, the sound definitely influenced me. I was also really into East Coast rappers and other lyrical artists, plus I listened to rock bands like Linkin Park so I grew to appreciate all genres, and incorporate what I like into my own work.

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Natalie Patrick

Natalie is a journalism major with a focus on Entertainment and Music who aspires to become a Content Creator For Honk Magazine. Eventually, she wants to be the Publisher or Editor-in-Chief of a major Publishing House. She loves helping people find their voice and passion for writing and journalism, and she can always be found with coffee in hand, editing another article.

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‘Wicked: Part One’ Stuns CinemaCon with Exclusive Trailer Reveal

Hey Moviegoers, Universal Pictures stunned us WOW’d the world with a mind-boggling exclusive “Wicked: Part One” trailer at CinemaCon 2025, a modern film for movie and theater lovers alike. Its big-screen adaptation, featuring Renstar, Cynthia Erivo, and Ariana Grande, is one of the most Webby-obsessed, world-famous pieces of the Broadway smash you’ll have the treat to see off-Broadway released in 2025. The first “Wicked: Part One” trailer was released at CinemaCon, the biggest gathering of movie theater owners and insiders. It’s been exciting in the entertainment world. With its dazzling visuals, career-defining songs, and an all-star cast, the trailer teased a movie poised to take over the 2025 holiday box office.

Fans of Wicked and The Wizard of Oz have been anticipating the film version of the smash hit Broadway show that has delighted audiences for over 20 years. Wicked: Part One will be directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights) and promises to bring the magical land of Oz to the big screen through advanced visual effects, awe-inspiring musical moments, and a new perspective on Elphaba and Glinda’s story. The trailer starts with a breathtaking shot of the Emerald City, with an ocean of glowing green lights, teasing the magical wonder it promises to bring. Fans were excited to see glimpses of Cynthia Erivo’s powerful performance as Elphaba, the misunderstood witch whose transformation from pariah to Wicked Witch of the West is the story’s beating heart. Ariana Grande dazzled as her Good Witch, Glinda, a bubbly but ambitious girl who becomes best friends with Elphaba, the misunderstood teenage outcast.

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Universal Pictures spared no expense to make “Wicked: Part One” a visual and emotional tour de force. The CinemaCon footage offered quick glimpses of some of the musical’s most treasured songs, including Defying Gravity, which sent chills down attendees’ spines. Erivo’s powerhouse vocals during the climactic scene where Elphaba ascends into the sky sealed the movie as an instant watch for both fans of musical theater and casual moviegoers alike. Another standout from the trailer was Grande’s performance of Popular, which brought to life bright costumes, playful choreography, and trademark vocal flourishes that helped make Glinda feel both new and recognizable. The ensemble of “Wicked: Part One,” including Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard, is ready to deliver unforgettable performances.

The trailer, which debuted exclusively at CinemaCon this week, received rapturous applause and excited social media reactions from industry insiders and attendees able to score a sneak peek. Many touted the film as the next great blockbuster, likening its epicness to Les Misérables and The Greatest Showman, while others sang praises of Jon M. Chu’s visionary direction in bringing the land of Oz to the big screen. Fans took to X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to share their responses, with some calling the trailer “spellbinding” and “everything we dreamed of.” Others lauded the film for maintaining the Broadway production’s faithful adaptation, thereby preserving the magic of Wicked on the big screen.

What lies ahead for ‘Wicked: Part One’?

With the initial entry scheduled for release in November 2025, Universal’s marketing push is likely to kick into high gear after the CinemaCon debut. The studio has teased more trailers, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and interactive fan events ahead of the movie’s release.

Moreover, splitting the film into two parts enables the full depth of Elphaba and Glinda’s journey to receive ample time to fill the screen. “Wicked: Part Two” is currently scheduled for a 2026 release. This two-part format opens up the possibility of a more expansive story, allowing viewers to get a much deeper experience than a singular, tragically told film would reach.

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The “Wicked: Part One” trailer screened at CinemaCon 2025 has laid the groundwork for what could be one of the most popular movie musicals of all time. The movie is a true nostalgic playground with exciting visuals and powerhouse performances that are sure to entice long-time fans as well as newcomers.

As the months continue to dwindle until “Wicked: Part One” hits the theaters, one thing is for sure: this film will take us on a magical ride, and we will all be defying gravity. “Wicked: Part One,” but stay tuned to Honk Magazine for exclusive updates, interviews, and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film that you won’t find anywhere else.

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The First Artist to Sell 1 Million Records in a Week

It is extremely rare when you look at the Billion Club, a million records sold in a week, but extremely rare, the Million Club ends up being one of the most exclusive clubs, and the Billion Club for only a select set of acts. Whitney Houston was the first artist to record this chart achievement, which she did with “The Bodyguard” soundtrack in 1993. Since then, only a handful of artists have reached this milestone, each marking the respective pivotal moments in the music industry’s evolution.

Breaking a Barrier With Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston’s “The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album” became the first album ever to sell more than one million copies in one week (according to Nielsen SoundScan, which began tracking sales in 1991), when it sold one million seven hundred seventy-eight thousand eight hundred twenty copies in January 1993. In its sixth week of release, it sold 1.061 million copies, a record for future artists.

NSYNC’s Record-Breaking Sales

P.S. The boy band NSYNC became record breakers when their album “No strings attached” sold 2.4 million copies in the first week in March 2000. The record was not broken for more than a decade.

Eminem, “The Marshall Mathers LP”

Eminem’s “The Marshall Mathers LP” debuted with 1.76 million copies in May 2000. At the time, this meant it was the fastest-selling rap album in history, and it cemented Eminem as a prominent music figure.

Britney Spears’ “Oops!… I Did It Again”

In May 2000, Britney Spears released her second album, “Oops! I Did It Again,” which sold 1.319 million copies in its first week and set the record for most first-week sales by a female artist at the time.

The Wildly Successful Adele Album “25”

Adele’s “25” not only sold 3.38 million copies in its debut week in 2015 but became the first album to sell more than one million copies in two different weeks. That historic feat underscored that the masses loved Adele, and all loved the album.

Taylor Swift’s “1989” and “Reputation”

Taylor Swift sold over a million copies in one week across several albums. Her album “1989” sold 1.287 million copies in its first week in 2014, making it the first album that year to break a million. She equaled that feat with her 2017 album “Reputation,” which sold 1.216 million copies in its first week.

The ability to sell more than a million copies of an album in one week is a growing rarity in the streaming age, in which digital services have fundamentally changed how listeners consume music. Artists who accomplish this feat generally adopt tried-and-true sales strategies combined with an innovative outreach to and connection with their fans. For instance, when Adele’s monstrous album “25” came out, she mostly kept it off streaming services, which would have boosted its sizable physical and digital sales.

Selling a million records in a week is still a fantastic feat, reflecting an artist’s wide-ranging talent and the success of marketing moves. There are milestones in musical history, like Whitney Houston’s crossover success with “The Bodyguard” and Adele’s record-breaking “25.” As the landscape of music consumption continues to shift, these feats speak to the staying power of artists who understand how to enlist their fans’ loyalty and flow with the tides of the marketplace.