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Russ Sings The Blues On ‘Hard For Me’

‘Hard For Me’ caps a year that saw the New Jersey rapper drop two projects and give away his streaming money to fans. …

Russ flat-out refuses to stop making new music and it’s kind of hard to argue that it’s not endearing. Just weeks after dropping his Chomp EP and rapping alongside legends like Black Thought and Busta Rhymes, the New Jersey-born rapper is back on his solo grind with the soulful “Hard For Me,” crooing his blues over a melancholy piano loop with a nifty guitar noodle in the background. It’s a return to the heartbroken, world-weary persona in the mode of early Drake that made him a fan-favorite capable of racking up platinum plaques independently.

Russ has had himself busy year, releasing not just one but two projects beginning with January’s Shake The Snow Globe. He followed up in May with the deluxe version, adding features from Ty Dolla Sign and Westside Boogie, all while pulling down a reported $100,000 a week from streaming. He also contributed verses to projects from the likes of Trippie Redd, made his television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and worked with Kehlani on “Take You Back.”

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But his arguably most impactful move of the year wasn’t even a new music release, it was giving away $20,000 to his Twitter followers to boost their spirits during the rough early months of the pandemic. 2020 may have been trash for most of us but Russ turned that trash into treasure and in this process, may have changed some minds about him as well.

Listen to Russ’s “Hard For Me” above.

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Music

Clay and Kelsy Embrace Darkness and Light in Transformative EP ‘I am’

Clay and Kelsy

Clay and Kelsy, the innovative pair at the forefront of Los Angeles’ indie music scene, present their latest project: the emotionally charged and sonically intricate EP, ‘I am’. This work consists of five tracks that delve into the complexities of doubt, emotional pain, and the intricacies of self-discovery, addressing the multifaceted nature of the human experience—from heartache to resilience.

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The EP opens with “Insecure,” a raw sonic narrative that unpacks themes of waning self-confidence. Following this, “You Hurt Me” delivers a poignant exploration of betrayal, characterized by its evocative lyrics and dynamic arrangement. The track “I Miss You” amplifies the emotional landscape with its soulful introspection, articulating the challenges of grief and attachment faced while letting go. In “Memories of Me,” the duo addresses the profound weight of despair, tackling themes of existential fragmentation and mental health struggles with brutal honesty.

The titular track, “I am,” emerges as a pivotal moment within the EP—serving as a testament to survival, growth, and the journey toward self-acceptance. This piece balances the turmoil of past experiences with an optimistic outlook on future endeavors, ultimately acting as a powerful affirmation of resilience and readiness to confront forthcoming challenges.

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Clay and Kelsy’s exceptional storytelling is complemented by their innovative integration of electronic soundscapes with soulful lyrics and instrumentation, transforming ‘I am’ into a cathartic listening experience. As artists, producers, and co-founders of CKI—an initiative championing women’s empowerment and amplifying underrepresented voices—they infuse their work with authenticity and creativity. ‘I am’ signifies a significant evolution in their artistic trajectory, and the anticipation for their next steps is palpable within the industry.

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Artist Spotlight

Sadie Brown delivers a heartfelt illusion of a fake life with her new single “Counterfeit”

Sadie Brown

At the heart of “Counterfeit” is a tale of love manipulated for selfish purposes, yet still feels captivating. Sadie Brown’s new single “Counterfeit” invites listeners into the deceptive lull of beautiful and bleak love, one that promises everything while lacking genuine vulnerability, ultimately delivering only heartbreak. Brown adeptly illustrates the anguish of being entangled in a romantic relationship that never fully reveals itself, leaving listeners caught between longing and the painful acknowledgment of reality. Through ethereal pop sensibilities and a bittersweet melody, Brown explores the complexity of a “counterfeit love life” alluring yet reserved, a love that’s perpetually poised to “cut its losses.” The outcome is a sonic experience that feels as vast and unreachable as a memory of love gone awry.

Counterfeit” doesn’t just touch on the hurt that comes from unrequited love; it captures the quiet resignation accompanying it. With “Counterfeit,” Sadie Brown steps into a new creative direction in her music, mixing introspective storytelling with emotional resonance.

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Written during the lockdown and produced by Cashybear (Tim Ross, formerly of Cash+David), “Counterfeit” builds a hazy, indie-pop atmosphere that feels grounded and otherworldly. The collaboration with guitarist Jimmy Sims (known for his work with George Ezra) lends a retro warmth, creating swirling riffs that complement Sadie’s soft yet piercing vocal delivery. This subtle instrumentation mirrors the song’s themes: a relationship built on false pretenses, with its sweetness fading away like mist.

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Brown draws inspiration from artists like Camera Obscura, Kate Bush, and Lana Del Rey, bringing a charming and restrained sense of vulnerability. Like Joni Mitchell, Brown leans into the contradictions of love, evoking nostalgia but never retreating from the reality of unfulfilled desire. “Counterfeit” is a thought-provoking piece that establishes Sadie Brown as a voice that can authentically convey both the charm and the ache of illusion.

 

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For more information about Sadie Brown, please visit [website]. 
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Sadie Brown’s Counterfeit on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Sadie Brown | Instagram

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