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Reason Is In His Element On “Stories I Forgot”

Back in August 2018, TDE first announced the signing of Reason. Now, two years later, we’re seeing the West Coast rapper really settle into his role within the label and his sound, with his second project under the label, New Beginnings, out today. It seems, like many of his TDE counterparts, he needed to get one album deep to truly develop his sound and find his own creative spin– there is a trend of the second album among TDE signees to be preferential: ScHoolboy came with Habits & Contradictions, Ab-Soul had Control System, Jay Rock dropped 90059, while Kendrick Lamar was Section.80. Each of these albums marked a turning point in the artist’s respective careers, and each still hold up in the artist’s respective larger discography. We’ll have to see if this trend comes to fruition with Reason as well, but upon the first listen of New Beginnings, he seems to be on the right path.

Among the early records on in the tracklist, there is the definite stand-out “Stories I Forgot.” This is the type of banger we love the TDE team for, in fact, the song feels like it somehow works at the intersection of all four Black Hippy members– and yet, there, we find Reason. And for his part, Reason has a stranglehold on the sinister West Coast beat, stretching his cadence to exciting new heights, and then, restraining it, lazily hammering off the hook. Just as menacing as the production from Kal Banx, are Reason’s bars, where he reminisces on gangster activities, with memorable lines like, “Keisha, I done missed ya, nut and doze off/Called me, say she pregnant, bitch, that’s your fault.”

The result is a captivating, late-night, car-ready banger, and incidentally, one that could also work extremely well on a Halloween playlist.

Let us know in the comments what your favorite song off the project is.

Quotable Lyrics

Woah, shit, get the whole clip, knock his face back
Did that to my little homie, it was hard to face that
Had to tell his mom they caught that nigga while they search for me
Now she praying hurt on me, popping pills, too numb to see
Drinking liquor, smoking weed, hoping they don’t come for me
Nah, I hope they come for me so I can get some vengeance

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Joelle Charan’s “Forgive Me,” a Soulful Orchestra of Redemption

Joelle Charan’s latest creation, “Forgive Me,” is a soul-jazz masterpiece that transcends boundaries, weaving together a tapestry of modern soul and Jazz orchestral horns with enchanting musical influences that are deeply emotional. This single is a heartfelt reflection of a daughter’s yearning for forgiveness. The result is a symphonic fairytale that tugs at your heartstrings, combining modern pop with the timeless elegance of orchestral and Indian instrumentation.

Drawing from the depths of her mixed heritage and spiritual beliefs, Joelle Charan pours her heart and soul into this track. The song’s genesis in the aftermath of a poignant argument, set against the backdrop of New York City, adds a layer of raw authenticity to its lyrics. The smooth-jazz verses are a soothing balm, while the choruses’ layered vocal and instrumental harmonies evoke a sense of catharsis.

Joelle’s smooth-jazz verses effortlessly lead you into a world of introspection, while the choruses, adorned with intricate vocal and instrumental harmonies, take you on an experimental odyssey. The outro, embraced by French horns, adds a touch of old-world charm to the modern Manhattan backdrop that inspired this composition.

Influenced by the likes of Laura Mvula, Norah Jones, and Alicia Keys, Joelle Charan’s vocal prowess shines brightly. Her ability to blend soulful vocals with jazz-infused melodies is captivating. “Forgive Me” is not just a song; it’s a journey through the depths of emotion, a musical experience that will resonate deeply with anyone who has felt the weight of regret and the need for absolution.

As Joelle Charan returns to the U.K. and Europe for live performances, “Forgive Me” is bound to stand out in her repertoire, a testament to her musical talent and artistic growth. It’s a must-listen for those who appreciate the exquisite fusion of captivating rhythms and emotive storytelling. Joelle Charan’s “Forgive Me” song is a soulful track that offers healing and elevates the soul. It’s a great addition to any jazz or soul playlist, inspired by Charan’s musical journey from Amsterdam. Truly an artist to watch!

CLICK HERE TO STREAM Joelle Charan’s “Forgive Me“ on Spotify.

CONNECT WITH Joelle Charan | Instagram | Facebook |

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Industry Veteran and Legend – Aria – Teams Up With Renowned World Artists For Rhythmic Single Smile

Mariano Schiavolini, aka “Aria“, is a leading representative of international world music, and collaborates with other major artists in the genre such as the Soweto Gospel Choir, Peter Gabriel, and the group of Miriam Makeba. Now, recruits a tour de force of global talent for his latest single Smile. Released August 14th of this year, the infectious single is characterised by its strong rhythms, global influences, and masterfully intricate composition.

Smile’s driving force is its undeniable rhythm influenced strongly by South and Central American musical styles, namely rumba and cha cha. However, jazz and RnB influences elevate the song with its positive vocals and message, and instrumentation such as that of American bassist Joseph Patrick, bassist for Steward Copeland of the Police.

Smile’s arrangement is in a way a testament to Aria’s decades spanning legacy in the music industry. With over 120 tracks making up the song (with most contemporary songs only reaching 50), Smile was recorded with older analogue set-ups that retain the individual frequencies of each instrument with more fidelity than their modern counterparts at this complex layering. In doing so, it demonstrates the mastery that comes with having been in the industry for so long now, such is the case with Aria.

The single and its accompanying music video continue in Aria’s trend of global collaboration. As viewers will see, the video brings together the smiles of those from all backgrounds, who interpret the dance of Smile with spontaneous and unique gestures. Behind the scenes, English author Nicolette Turner penned the lyrics which were sung by vocalist Ariel Jones, who also interpreted the song in Portuguese after contributing the lyrics in her native tongue. Smile’s Portuguese version is to be released in the South American market.

Prior to Smile, Aria’s successes have included charting in his native Italy and abroad, rotation on BBC Radio, millions of streams and views on his songs and videos, and charitable drives to help causes close to the artist’s heart. These causes include defending human rights, saving near extinct animals, and fighting apartheid, to name a few.

Smile is a song of universal brotherhood that hopes to bring people of all walks and creeds together through dance. The single is available across all platforms now.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7gk7om5XNA2sfXvXPq1H2x
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6lco834ehS7Dtha6bS7AUy

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf_HFi_4KOI
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AriaTheComposer

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/smile-single/1700688680
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/aria/1618070725

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/ariathecomposer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariathecomposer/?hl=en