T.R.U. Tunez R Us

Orlando based blog featuring all things music from news, reviews, & local events. Artist submissions open at the email link below.

[t-r-u-music]

#moodymondays - “Witness The Sunrise ☀️”

It’s the first Monday of May, meaning a new playlist! This is a morning based playlist, filled with songs that’ll inspire you to take on the day. It was curated in a specific order, starting with more mellow songs and easing into the more energetic ones. However, you’re free to shuffle it if you wish to. Hope this playlist helps you as much as it helps me each morning! Links to streaming platforms down below.

Apple Music

Spotify

TIDAL

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#artistoftheweek - Gian Kash

Orlando rapper Gian Kash has made it clear that if you didn’t know already he’s up next, and I wholeheartedly agree with him. He has a sense of confidence, not to be confused with cockiness, within his rhymes and smooth flow. Kash says what he feels, regardless of how you may feel, and means what he says. With a combination of the steady grinding he’s been on and authentic music he’s been releasing, he’s set for take off any moment now.

I find that his most recent EP, The Allure, stands out because it’s a delicate, yet candid take on his love life. The project isn’t that long, topping in at six songs, but it’s essentially a complete story. Starting with the opener “Get Inside,” Kash seems to be one pursing a girl who he seems to be very fascinated by. By the fourth track “All That I Need (Feat. Heavy),” it seems he’s won her over, and he’s reassuring her that he’s all about her while dismissing her worries. The EP closes out with “The Prize,” followed by bonus track “Already Know.” On “The Prize,” he recognizes what they’ve been through together, and uses it to put her on a pedestal. Despite being vulnerable towards a woman on the entire project, he still manages to hold on to his charisma and confidence, which is probably what woos her in the first place. It’s an interesting concept to tell a story on an EP of only six songs, but Kash pulls it off quite well.

Kash has also been very involved in the local music scene as of late, between pushing his work on social media, and playing showcases and open mic’s everywhere. He’s a clear demonstration that it’s one thing to have good music, and another to have good promotion backing it. His most recent single “Office” is a testament to his work ethic, the chorus consisting of “Put in work, everyday I’m in the office.” While Kash isn’t literally sitting behind an office desk, we know all exactly what he means. The entire song is packed with bars of confidence and affirmations for his future behind a bouncy beat, which makes it a a good song to listen to before taking the day head on. Although Kash might have made it for himself, others including myself may find it inspiring.

If you still haven’t listen to Gian Kash after reading this, do yourself a favor and tune in right now. I won’t even be mad if you don’t read the end of this to go listen to him. He’s a talented artist who takes his craft seriously, and without a doubt the world will see that soon.

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#newmusicmonday - CrasH Talk

On this past Friday, rapper ScHoolboy Q released his highly anticipated 5th album CrasH Talk. Although it’s been three long years since his last project, Blank Face LP, it was well worth the wait. The album is quintessentially Q, as he still channels his aggression and facetiousness as a key part of his flow. What makes CrasH Talk a little different is Q uses this album to tell a naturally flowing story. He’s no stranger to being exposed within his music, he often shares his past troubles in a way that is vulnerable, yet still G, as he did on Oxymoron. But the difference now is we can tell Q has matured in his own right, both within his music and his life. Between smooth transitions and raw, in your face lyrics, ScHoolboy Q is definitely in his bag right now.

This here isn’t one set theme of this album it seems, but all the songs seem to share a common factor, it’s all very vivid and very real experiences that Q has decided to share with the world. It explores many avenues, such as what it was like growing up on his block. On the track “Tales,” he opens with the line, “Tell you all about it, from mopeds to dope heads,” which is rattling to hear, but honestly it’s not that surprising, knowing that he was raised in the streets of LA. Then there’s the gangsta persona of Q we all know and love, which really comes through on all the tracks, but shines the most on the leading single “Numb Dumb Juice” where he says, “Got a plan, we gon’ kill this man, the gun won’t jam, it’s all on sight, I might get life, that’s on my life,” letting us know that if we didn’t know already, Q is with the shits without hesitation. Despite this apparent belligerency, we also see a more sensitive side of Q on “Drunk (feat. 6LACK)” where he denies his intoxication while admitting his feelings towards a significant other. Finally there’s an obvious sense of contentment within Q’s life. On the track “CrasH,” he speaks on how far he’s become, and how he still has to go further. The album closes out with “Attention,” where he shouts out himself and his idols with a few accolades from his career. “Front row at the Grammy’s, I’m gettin’ praises from Jay. Fuck this award, I’m happy he know my name. Favorite rapper Nas been told me that I’m the best, had a couple sessions with Dre, he knew I would win. Alchemist my favorite producer, and he my friend.” Now that’s a lengthy name drop, but it’s definitely a respectable one done with taste.

Production wise, the album comes just as hard as it did lyrically. Between the intricate beats that vibe with his flows, some more mellow when the story telling is more apparent, while others serve hype, quickly paced with jarring 808’s to match is aggressive attitude. The transitions flow so smoothly which really makes his story stick, such as from the album opener “Gang Gang” to “Tales,” and “Die Wit Em” to “CrasH.” It’s best to listen to this album top to bottom at least once before diving in at any order, as it’s better to appreciate that way.

After listening to this album, it seems essentially that ScHoolboy Q took 3 years to put out something like this. He’s in a different place, and it really shows. It’s amazing to see his growth from Habits and Contradictions all the way until now. Even if it takes 3 more years for his next project, it’ll be well worth the wait.

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New Album: Anger Management - Rico Nasty & Kenny Beats

🚨 New album alert! 🚨 Rico Nasty & her producer Kenny Beats dropped an album today titled Anger Management. It’s a short project, checking in at only 9 songs, but it’s nothing short of great. As you could expect from the title, it’s packed with the aggressive energy that Rico is very well known for. The album seems to flow between a mood shift, it starts off angrily but as it proceeds, it’s obvious Rico is calming down, and it ends on a lighter note. She still manages to address what’s on her mind, from motivating us to get it together & reminding us in other words n****s ain’t s**t 😅 to telling us that knowing that relaying how she feels to us keeps her going, because she knows someone out there can relate. And her producer Kenny Beats really went off on the entire album, especially on this interpolation of Jay Z’s “Dirt On Your Shoulder.” 🔥 He manages to layer his daring beats with Rico’s amped voice and bars in a way where it’s in your face, but still not obnoxious. All in all it’s a good project and you should check it out! What’s your favorite song? Let us know!

[t-r-u-music]

3 Year Aniversary of Lemonade

Happy birthday to Lemonade!! It’s been 3 years since Beyoncé released her controversial 6th album, letting us divulge into her personal life. Not only does Bey speak the truth on the infidelity within her marriage, this album also holds a lot of references to her culture as a black woman from the south. Lemonade showed us a very vulnerable side of Beyoncé that was not only about revenge, but in the end also forgivenesses, which is probably harder to do than to just call it quits. But 3 years later she and Jay are still going strong, and she finally put Lemonade on all streaming platforms! So you have no excuse not to listen to it, go check it!

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#artistoftheweek - CreativAngel

Anyone who knows anything about Orlando music knows exactly what we mean when we refer to the city as “The 7,” and for that we can thank CreativAngel. If you didn’t know, it comes from his hottest track of the same title, featuring the voice of the city, radio host and fellow artist Young Scholar. Even though the entire song is quite catchy and a good representation of what the city stands for, it’s most prominent line to me would have to be “I been out here workin’ in the 7,” because really, aren’t we all out here putting in work?

It was this song actually that got my attention from Angel. It was about a year ago at 2018 Smokechella. I was fairly new to the local music scene, and that was one of the first bigger shows/events that I had been to. I remember feeling so engulfed within everything going on around me, from the influx of people, to the multiple sets going on at once in different parts of the venue. I also may have been a little lit, but if anything that only made the experience more magical. I’ll never forget seeing Angel take the stage as his own. Throughout the whole night his set was the most hype I saw. Everybody was vibing with him heavily, including myself, even if they didn’t know his songs. It was all about his energy, and that is why Angel is one of the most captivating Orlando artists I know. He has a way about him that not only draws people in, but keeps them there, waiting for more.

Everyone in the city can attest to the fact that Angel is talented not only in his music, but his work ethic is unmatched. He’s been grinding in the game for a few years now, but he still manages to put in the work like he’s just getting started, well because in a way, he is. Time isn’t a factor within being a creative. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in the game, what matters is the work you put in to stay in, and on top of it. And although Angel has been doing so much with his craft and within the community, at the rate he’s going, we know there’s so much more for him in the future. He also has such a genuine, kind spirit that’s very inviting. With all considering, it’s no question on how easily he can bring people together with his talent.

Just this past weekend, Angel and Scholar had a release party for the music video of “The 7” at Loud Gallery, which ended up with a hit. A lot of people came out, and it was so amazing to see the culture of our city all together. Everyone was networking and making friends, the energy was so welcoming. I personally showed up by myself to support, and I was nervous that I would end up being alone the whole time, but that didn’t happen. I networked with so many people, and even managed to leave with some new friends. The one thing we all had in common was showing support for not only Angel and Scholar, but for one another. Everyone I met was equally excited to not only put themselves on, but to be put on to whatever everyone else was involved in.

“I’m an up and coming artist just like everybody in the building,” CreativAngel explained in a short interview panel before the premier of the video, with Young Scholar and radio host Brittany Elyse. “I’ve been in positions that everybody in the building may be experiencing. And at the same time, I just have to work hard, and visualize it, and make it happen for myself.” That one quote I believe shows everything Angel stands for. The way he speaks his truth is something anyone can relate to, his positive affirmations remind us that we’re all the same, and we’re all pushing towards our own goals. And with a positive mindset surrounded by positive energy, anything is possible, and he’s the living proof of that.

CreativAngel will be at Smokechella again this year, next Saturday on 4/20. So if you haven’t met him or seen him live yet, make sure to come out! You definitely don’t want to miss out on knowing a person like him, nor do you want to miss his set. I wish him the best of luck with the rest of his journey, and as he already knows, he has the support of not only me, but plenty of others in city. Undoubtedly, he will soon go very far, and we’re all rooting for him in the 7!

[t-r-u-music]

#moodymondays - Feel Good :)

It’s the first Monday of the month, so we’re back with another playlist! The playlist this month is titled Feel Good :), filled with songs off all genres that give off good vibes. Hopefully this playlist will make you happy, and want to dance around as well! It was curated in no specific order to feel free to shuffle it. Find it on the streaming platforms below.

Apple Music 

Spotify

TIDAL

[t-r-u-music]

#newmusicmonday - Lately EP

Celeste, a captivating singer with a sonically rich voice, has blessed the world with her new EP Lately this past weekend. LA bred but UK raised, Celeste is coming across the pond to the states to bring back some refreshing soulfulness to the genre of R&B. It’s debatable which genre her music falls into, but its safe to say its a mix of both R&B and soul than to try to box her into one versus the other.

The EP explores themes of love, being enslaved to it (“Both Sides of The Moon,”) versus growing tired and falling out of it (“Lately.”) Another kind of love, or lack thereof is expressed, that being parental love, on the track “Father’s Son,” a chilling, tempestuous ode to absent fathers. After learning that Celete’s father died when she was only 16, and that his death seemed to be one of the huge factors she began to pursue music, it makes sense that she could write something so authentic that could make even those with the most present fathers feel a way. The track is personally my favorite, not only because the emotional depths it reaches, but the production is simple yet astounding. The song consists of a light keyboard melody, a sultry baseline, tight drums, and my favorite part, an organ spun through a Leslie Speaker, which gives the song a very original, yet eerie touch. There’s also the track “Summer (feat. Jeshi),” which seems to describe a love ending with the summer time, as one of the counterparts in the relationship reluctantly returns to another lover. However, as music is an art form that is open to many interpretations, take that with a grain of salt. Nonetheless, it’s still a good track with a heavy yet smooth baseline, Celeste’s hypnotic vocals, and a brooding spoken verse from fellow UK rapper Jeshi. The EP finishes out with a track titled “Ugly Thoughts,” that instantly draws you in with a jazzy saxophone solo, shortly followed by a soulful grand piano, a perfectly timed timpani drum, and finishes off with heavy horns and crashing, yet non-overbearing cymbals. This track seems to channel the great Sade, which shows us that Celeste is undoubtedly an artist that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Overall, this is quite a touching EP. I’d have to give it 4 out of 5 stars, simply because I hear so much untapped potential in her sound, I know she will someday be amongst the greats. Although it’s a short project consisting of only 5 tracks, these 5 tracks will reel you in, leaving you restless for what Celeste has coming next.

[t-r-u-music]

Sea Yung -  #artistoftheweek

An Orlando native dripping with moxie and attitude, Sea Yung is a force to be reckoned with. She’s confident - not only in her looks, but in her skills as well - as she very well should be, since she spits quick-wittedly with sharp jabs at anyone that may attempt to block her shot. Although Sea can be cutthroat in her rhymes, she’s not as intimidating as one might assume from her music; she’s a kind person who’s all for uplifting others instead of stepping on them to reach the top.

I discovered Sea Yung at a local show, The Set It Off Showcase, featuring an all female rapper line up. I’m always interested in local shows to discover new talent in the city, and to support others I already found, but the idea of an all girls showcase was just too enticing to not attend. The show was amazing, the energy in the room was so warm and welcoming. I was in a room full of people I didn’t really know - with the exception of a few - but I felt so comfortable, like I belonged with them all. Every artist I saw that night was talented, each with their own flare that made them special. But from her fire look to her spunky vibe, Sea instantly drew me in, so much that I had to move to the very front of the room to see her in action.  And as quickly as Sea sparked my attention, she made sure to keep it, mine and everyone else in the room. Her energy was wild, she had the entire crowd vining with her as if they all already knew her and came out just for her. After seeing her take that stage and make it her own, I instantly knew I had to feature her.

As much as I know Sea Yung will soon take over with her distinct swagger and savvy bars, she knows it more than anyone. Her lyrics are packed with as much confidence as they are cleverness, one of my favorites being “I may have to set the tone, call me Laura Mercier,” a reference anyone who uses makeup easily caught like “AYE!” From the same song “They Know Me,” she finishes out the punchy track with “I’m an icy bitch, they know me!”, ensuring that if you don’t know who she is already, you surely do now and you won’t forget it. 

Despite being a talented artist, Sea has admitted that she’s still a rookie with about a year’s time under her belt. It’s crazy to believe within a year she has built up such an image for herself, and is so sure to who she is as an artist already. If Sea Yung can do everything she has done and then some within the next year, undoubtedly she’ll be the next big thing. If you aren’t a fan yet, you best hop on now before you miss out on her next big move. I hope to see Sea flourish and grow into the phenomena I know she will soon be.

[t-r-u-music]

#moodymondays - Girl Power! (Women’s History Month)

Hello all! I’m starting a new column, #moodymondays. The first Monday of each month I will be posting mood curated playlists for you all. March is Women’s History Month, and as you know we have come very far as women in the past few decades. However, we still have some ways to go and we won’t stop until we get there! The future is female, if you didn’t know already. ;)  This playlist is called Girl Power!, and it’s filled with girl powerhouse anthems, featuring Beyonce, Rihanna, Cardi B, SZA, Ariana Grande, and several more successful women in the industry. It was curated in no specific order, so feel free to shuffle it. Happy Women’s History month to you all from ya girl at T.R.U., please enjoy on all streaming platforms!

Apple Music

Spotify 

Tidal

Soundcloud

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#artistoftheweek - LB199X

“We all got something to say,” a simple, yet embodying lyric from one of Tidal’s Rising Hip Hop artist, LB199X. Hailing from Washington DC, LB can be described as an artist for the people. With lucid beats and socially charged lyrics, his sound gives a new feel to conscious rapping. 

Between his album Black Matter and most recent EP I Thought About it, both projects make it clear that LB is rather keen with his pen game, and not afraid to reveal what sits on his inner psyche. Black Matter showcases his cognizance within society, and in turn how it shapes his way of thinking of himself and those around him. On I Thought About It, we can see LB has done a fair share of rumination and reevaluation of what’s important to him. 

Its quite obvious LB is very confident in who he is, as he constantly speaks with pride in affirmations of his identity as a black man. He uses this to give us introspect into how it shaped him growing up, and how it even shapes him now, because we never truly stop growing. Although LB does make music for everybody who is willing to hear his message, it’s telling that these messages are not only for his audiences, but notes to himself as well. What makes him refreshing is that he can get away with speaking on his life frequently without seeming self-involved, but rather as an altruist outlet for those who mirror what what he’s been through. 

LB199X is definitely an artist that needs to be on your radar if he isn’t already. The DC native will undoubtedly shake up the industry, as he takes all his experiences head on with an eager attitude as for what comes next. He’s served his due diligence as a rapper, as his flows sharpen with every project he releases. It’s evident that he knows he’s talented and will leave a mark on this world, as a lyric from his self-titled album LB199X states “I’ma be here for the rest of your years.” LB is working hard to chase his dreams, and at this rate he’ll catch them quite soon. As determined by Tidal already, LB199X is definitely a rising artist, and we’re very excited to see what 2019 has in store for him.

[t-r-u-music]

#newmusicmonday - While We Wait

Hey everybody! I know it’s been a while, but I’m finally back with #newmusicmonday, and on a new platform! I’ve been silent for a bit because I was working on building this blog and I’m finally ready to share it with you all. So without further ado, let’s jump right into it.

This week’s feature is the lovely Kehlani, who just dropped a dope mixtape While We Wait. The project is pretty short, but sweet nonetheless. Due it’s length, and well the title, we can assume it’s meant to hold us off in the interim until she drops her sophomore album. Kehlani is no stranger to mixtapes, this being her third one in the course of her career, with SweetSexySavage being her official debut album. The tape serves as a great tease for what she might be toying with for her next album, leaving me wondering how hard she’s going to come with it! 

The Grammy-nominated R&B singer explores life and love on both sides of the fence, whether it be wanting space from an ex (“Nunya”), or wanting to be closer to a present lover (“RPG”). She also digs into the giddy feelings of new love, on tracks “Feels,” “Butterfly,” and “Love Language.” As for the other side of that fence, she touches on the more messy, confusing parts of love - or lack thereof -  on tracks “Too Deep,” “Nights Like This,” “RPG,” and “Footsteps.” (Side note, can y’all believe this girl got a Musiq Souldchild feature?! Like where has he been! And an interpolation from Omarion’s “Ice Box” on the same track? AND that 6LACK feature as well, never knew we needed the both of them together until we got it! Yes ma’am, come through with this heat now!) While exposing her vulnerabilities surrounding love and relationships, Kehlani still showcases her savage side on track “Morning Glory,” where she says “I know I’m fine, I don’t need outer conformation from a man, who uses 2-in-1 and thinks he’s a sensation,” and on “Too Deep,” singing “You just wanna talk, I don’t wanna listen.” Then there’s “Nunya,” but to pull a single line from that song is just too hard honestly, as the entire track drips with attitude from our favorite sexy savage. Clearly, lyrically this mixtape has a nice range of depth and emotion all around. 

The production is just as great as the lyrical content, but could we really expect less from Miss Kehlani? Relaxing R&B synths, guitars, and keys give us the chill vibe Kehlani always serves, but the punchy Hip-Hop 808’s underneath still give us that bounce so we’re not entirely sulking in our feelings. Of course in each individual track one might overshadow the other, but both still similtainouusly provide an overall “feel-good” vibe to the project. The opening track “Footsteps” begins with a rather soothing sample of rushing water and a simple airy guitar melody, and ending with the beautiful harmonies between Kehlani and Musiq Soulchild. The last song, “Love Language” finishes out the mixtape strong with a unique xylophone melody, and underlying 808’s providing a rather colorful rhythm.

Overall I would have to say I’m very much in love with this mixtape! Kehlani really went hard and gave her fans something great to sit on until she decides to provide her next album. Being that she is very much pregnant (congrats mama Lani!) at the moment, we’re not sure when that will be but I’m sure we’re ready to wait! We wish Kehlani positive vibes, a happy birth, and wonderful experiences with her first born daughter as a new mommy, while we relish in this mixtape to give her as much time as she needs before she comes back. What’s your favorite song from the tape? I really do love them all, but my favorite would have to be “Nights Like This,” let me know!

Thank you to everyone who read my first post back in forever on my new blog! It means so much to me, as I really wanted to provide strong content on this new platform, and I really poured myself into this piece. If you like what you’ve read, please follow us to keep up with more reviews, and even more exciting projects in the future! Remember, it only goes up from here! Happy #newmusicmonday :)

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