Produced by Grammy-winning Drew Correa (Lil Wayne, Jay-Z); out now on major streaming platforms.
BOCA RATON, FL / MusicWire / Feb. 12, 2026 — Sol Centric, an 18-year-old singer, rapper, and songwriter based in Boca Raton, Florida, debuts with his first single and official music video, “Remember Me.” Released Jan. 23, the 3:15 track (Explicit) was produced by Grammy-winning producer Drew Correa (Lil Wayne, Jay-Z).
A song about love and breaking up, “Remember Me” pairs a catchy, string-led chorus with melancholy lyrics, crisp beats, and a melodic guitar riff that drives the mid-tempo track.
“I wanted to express the heartbreak and pain many of us experience during and after a breakup,” said Sol Centric. “It’s really about reaching out and connecting with others so they know they’re not alone.”
“I started dating at a young age—as many do today—and ‘Remember Me’ was inspired by a breakup I went through that hit me hard,” Sol Centric added. “The good news is we learn to move on and things do get better. It’s been meaningful to see people already connecting with the song. This track marks the beginning of what I hope will be a long, successful career, and I’m excited to release a lot of music this year—and for many years to come.”
“Remember Me” is available now on all major streaming platforms: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, and more.
The official music video—Sol Centric’s first—was filmed in Miami, Florida, and directed by Grey Smoley. “This music video was the first one I’ve ever done, and I’m grateful for the team that helped bring it to life,” said Sol Centric. “We wanted to create a sad but optimistic vibe in and around Miami. As I continue making videos, I’m excited to grow visually and conceptually.”
The music video has also been added to Vevo’s “Incoming Pop” playlist on YouTube, a curated playlist featuring new and trending official pop music videos from emerging and established artists. An accompanying behind-the-scenes video is available now as well.
Sol Centric, born Luke Ryan Solomon, is an 18-year-old singer, rapper, and songwriter based in Boca Raton, Florida by way of New York City. The self-described Gringo-Latino was exposed to a wide range of musical influences from an early age, including hip-hop, heavy metal, classic rock, R&B, pop, and Latin music.
From an early age, Sol Centric gravitated toward drama, music, and performance discovering an early passion for creative expression. During high school, he performed in drama classes, spent endless hours discovering music, gaming and streaming, all while training for semi-professional tennis, though a tennis injury and other factors ultimately ended his athletic pursuit.
During a challenging period with mental health, he began journaling and writing lyrics, which became a turning point in his artistic development. As his confidence and vision matured, so did his sound. In the post-COVID years, he attended hundreds of live performances and festivals, further shaping his artistic vision.
In early 2025, he began producing music from his bedroom. Later, while recording vocals in a professional studio, he met Grammy-winning producer Drew Correa, who also served as a resident engineer at Cash Money Records. The two connected instantly and began collaborating. From this partnership, Sol Centric was officially born.
MusicWire / Feb. 11, 2026 — Moroccan-born, Canadian-raised cultural disruptor El Mehdi makes a bold entrance into the global pop conversation with “SALAM,” his landmark debut EP released January 30 via RENAISSANCE/AWAL, accompanied by “EL FILM,” a self-directed musical short film premiering today. The genre-defying project marks a historic debut for an openly queer Arab artist, expanding music into a cultural statement.
They say no one is a prophet in their own land. With “SALAM,” El Mehdi breaks the adage — and with it, silence, shame, and the glass ceiling.
The project unfolds with art-pop precision, bridging regional identity with global pop resonance. A leap of faith in a landscape that still polices who gets to exist freely, “SALAM” asserts presence without compromise. Ceremonial and defiant, El Mehdi’s sound fuses modern pop with North African and Middle Eastern influences, pairing rich vocals and cinematic strings with dance-driven energy, sensual urgency, and multilingual song writing in English, French, and Arabic. The result is an incandescent world that feels ancestral yet radically future-facing. El Mehdi doesn’t dilute identity to reach wider audiences — he expands pop itself to hold it.
This is pop that remembers where it comes from — but refuses to apologize for where it’s going.
Across five tracks, including the manifesto-like title track “SALAM” (meaning both “hello” and “peace” in Arabic) — El Mehdi transforms vulnerability into power. Written and creative directed by El Mehdi, and produced by El Mehdi and Sūn Jùn (LayLow, AntsLive, Dior), with mixing by Grammy-winner Wez Clarke (Zara Larsson, MARINA, Sam Smith) and string performances by Grammy-nominated Drew Jurecka (Dua Lipa), “SALAM” was created across continents — a global pop record born from emancipation, vision, and reclamation.
“I needed to create a space where we can exist without hiding. And beyond that, a place where we can celebrate ourselves” El Mehdi says. “SALAM is that place.”
Premiering today, “EL FILM” extends this declaration into cinema. Directed, choreographed, edited, and costumed by El Mehdi, the musical short film reflects his multidisciplinary approach, weaving music with dance, fashion, image, and storytelling. Set inside a Moroccan riad, the film unfolds as a passage from darkness into light, centered around a traditional mint tea ceremony. Beneath the anonymous male gaze, ritual chants and El Mehdi — an iconoclastic figure with an androgynous presence — fracture normative masculinity, allowing a fluid, liberated force to emerge. Traditionally associated with the sacred, these elements are reimagined — not as provocation, but as transformation.
“They wanted me in Hell. Baby, I went there. I came back. I only warmed up my tea.”
El Mehdi, “El Film” (Official Video):
https://ffm.link/elfilm.OPR
Disruptive to some and inspiring to others, “SALAM” opens a dialogue many were waiting for and others feared. More than a debut, “SALAM” is a cultural statement.
A new voice has arrived — and it’s coming in peace.
Moroccan-Canadian artist El Mehdi first emerged with his debut single “ELKASS HLOU,” which sparked rapid traction across platforms, amassing hundreds of thousands of streams and views and breaking into Anghami’s Top 50 across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) — the leading streaming platform of the Arab world.
He crafts a magnetic, genre-defying pop sound shaped by his North African heritage, shimmering across English, French, and Arabic. A former spokesperson for Amnesty International Canada, El Mehdi has established himself as a distinctive voice within the global MENA diaspora.
With his follow-up “ENCORE” and its self-directed music video created in partnership with the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, Marrakech, El Mehdi affirmed a crystalline and uncompromising vision. He has been hailed as “a rising young phenomenon” (CBC) and “emblematic of a generation” (L’Orient Today), while ICON MENA described his work as “a quiet revolution, far from clichés.” Flaunt praised El Mehdi for challenging social and cultural expectations, The New Arab highlighted a stage presence that is both “elegant and subversive,” and Vogue Arabia noted his ability to move “with grace and intention.”
Previously artist-in-residence at the Cité internationale des arts in Paris, El Mehdi has presented his work at TIFF, the BAFTA-qualifying Aesthetica ShortFilm Festival, and Amsterdam Dance Event, and has performed to capacity crowds across Canada (Nuit Blanche, Canadian Music Week, Montreal Pride).
In 2025, he made his big-screen debut as a leading actor in “L’Héritier des secrets” (dir. Mohamed Nadif), which premiered at theMontreal Museum of Fine Arts as part of Cinémania. Set for theatrical release in 2026, the film is the first Moroccan feature to address trans identity and co-stars Nisrin Erradi, who also appears in “Everybody Loves Touda” (dir. Nabil Ayouch), Morocco’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards.
On stage and in the studio, El Mehdi challenges what it means to be an Arab man in the modern world, transforming pop into ritual. With his debut EP “SALAM,” he ushers in a new era — free, luminous, and indelible.
UK Music Publication Examines How Belfast Singer and Moxie Media CEO Are Empowering Independent Artists to Build Careers Outside Traditional Label Systems
I want artists to bet on themselves. Show up when no one’s watching. Keep writing even when the last song didn’t hit. That’s what builds fans – the journey.”
— Jolene Allison-Burns
LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, February 1, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Neon Music, a global voice in music and culture based out of the UK, has published an in-depth feature profiling Belfast singer-songwriter Jolene Allison-Burns and entrepreneur Kenneth W. Welch Jr. of Moxie Media Marketing. The piece examines how independent artists are building sustainable careers outside traditional label systems, with Allison-Burns’ recent trajectory serving as a case study for broader industry power shifts.
The publication opens with Allison-Burns reflecting on her career momentum coming out of TikTok LIVE Fest season. “It’s weird, because you work your whole life for momentum, right? And then momentum finally shows up, and it doesn’t knock politely. It just kicks the door in,” she states in the feature. Neon Music describes Allison-Burns’ journey from performing in Belfast venues night after night to establishing herself in “a new kind of music economy where ‘going live’ can function like touring, radio, and fan club all at once.” The article notes her work is rooted in Belfast community experiences, with songs connected to documentary projects and lived experiences around her.
The profile details her partnership with Moxie Media Marketing and its CEO Kenneth W. Welch Jr., who Neon Music describes as positioning himself differently than traditional music executives. “That’s the part people don’t really talk about,” Welch states in the piece. “We love to romanticize ‘the grind.’ The hustle. But we don’t always admit that the game is uneven from the start. There are artists who show up to these competitions, these platforms, with full teams behind them—managers taking percentages, budgets, infrastructure. Most independent talent just doesn’t have that. They’re showing up alone.”
Allison-Burns confirms this assessment in the feature. “And that’s not shade. That’s just reality. It’s not a level playing field. Never has been,” she states. “But what I’m proud of is—I didn’t need to become someone else to compete. I didn’t need to fake a persona or wait for a label’s permission. I needed a plan. Consistency. And the right people around me.”
When Neon Music asks what support actually looks like in practice, Allison-Burns describes the behind-the-scenes realities. “Moxie showed up in the unglamorous parts,” she explains. “The strategy calls. The scheduling. Figuring out how you pace a week so you don’t burn out by Thursday. How you build a show, not just a stream. They treated me like an artist with a future—not like a moment they were trying to capitalize on.”
The publication emphasizes this distinction throughout the feature: the difference between building sustainable artist development versus capturing temporary viral spikes. Neon Music highlights Allison-Burns’ newest release “Can’t Control Me” as embodying this intentional approach, dropped through her official channels as part of the Moxie Media ecosystem rollout.
“I wrote that song from a place of finally claiming my own voice,” she tells the publication. “And then it became bigger than just me. Because I think every independent artist has had that moment—where someone, an industry person, a gatekeeper, sometimes even a well-meaning friend—tries to tell you what you are. What you should sound like. What you should do to be ‘marketable.’” Making air quotes around the word, she continues: “And I just thought… no. You can’t control me. That’s it. That’s the song.”
Welch responds to her creative independence in the feature with clear appreciation. “That’s exactly why people connect with her,” he states. “You can’t manufacture that. It’s a real artist with something real to say. Audiences know the difference.”
Neon Music expands the conversation to examine Moxie Media’s broader thesis: that independent artists can build sustainable careers without waiting for traditional industry machinery to validate them. The article details Welch’s work developing the Global Talent Billboard Directory, which the publication describes as “an online visual platform designed to spotlight independent talent and connect artists into a wider discovery and promotion ecosystem.”
Allison-Burns discusses the platform with the publication not as a corporate product but as infrastructure she wishes had existed earlier in her career. “People need places where independent talent isn’t treated like a hobby,” she states in the feature. “Where you’re not just another name in someone’s DM inbox, hoping they’ll respond. The Global Talent Billboard Directory is the kind of thing that says, ‘No—this is real. This is organized. This is professional.’ It gives you a place to actually be an artist, not just hope someone notices you are one.”
The publication highlights what becomes the center of the entire conversation when Allison-Burns states: “I want artists to bet on themselves.”
Neon Music reports that she doesn’t mean this in vague motivational terms but in practical ways, listing the unglamorous realities: show up when no one’s watching, keep writing even when songs don’t hit, keep performing, learn how audiences actually behave rather than how you wish they did, protect your energy, find a team that doesn’t treat you like a line item.
“Trust is a skill,” she explains in the piece. “Trusting yourself when you’re not getting the outside validation yet—that’s a skill. And you don’t get it from affirmations. You build it by doing. By performing. By finishing songs even when you’re not sure about them. By putting the work somewhere people can actually find it.”
When the publication asks what she would tell artists who feel they’ve already missed the wave—who think TikTok, livestreaming, and the creator economy have already peaked—Allison-Burns doesn’t hesitate in her response. “I’d tell them to stop asking if it’s too late and start asking if they’re ready,” she states. “Seriously. Because the world doesn’t reward perfect. It rewards the person who keeps showing up—who shows up consistently enough that people actually get to fall in love with the journey. That’s what builds fans. Not one viral moment. The journey.”
Welch adds industry context in the feature. “And the industry sees that now. The platforms, the brands—even the old gatekeepers, the ones who used to decide who got a shot—they’re following the crowd now, not leading it. Artists who can build real community have actual power. That’s new. That wasn’t true ten years ago.”
Neon Music positions this observation as representing a fundamental change in how music careers develop. Where traditional systems required artists to wait for industry permission—label deals, radio airplay, playlist placement controlled by gatekeepers—the article notes that independent artists with direct audience relationships now hold leverage that wasn’t available in previous decades.
Allison-Burns reflects on her position with measured gratitude in the profile. “I’m grateful,” she states. “Not just for what happened this year, but for who showed up while it was happening. There’s so much incredible talent out there—some of them will never get the shot they deserve because the traditional system just can’t hold everyone. It’s not built for everyone. So if Moxie can open doors for real independent artists—people who aren’t waiting around for permission—then that’s something I want to be part of. That matters to me.”
The publication concludes the feature with Allison-Burns offering direct, practical encouragement. “If you’re an artist and you’re tired of waiting for someone to pick you—go build your own stage,” she states. “Go perform. Go live. Write the song that scares you a little. Look at what’s happening with the Global Talent Billboard Directory, because the whole point is giving artists a way forward that doesn’t require begging for access.”
She adds in the closing moments of the conversation: “And when you do it—don’t do it trying to be someone else. The only thing you can’t fake in this industry is heart. People feel it. They know. So give them something real.”
Jolene Allison-Burns’ music, including her latest release “Can’t Control Me,” is available on all major streaming platforms. More information about the Global Talent Billboard Directory and Moxie Media Marketing’s artist development programs can be found at www.moxiemediamarketing.inc.
Broc Foerster
Moxie Media Marketing
+1 949-409-4700 email us here
“Can’t Control Me” Original Song by Jolene Allison Burns
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Award winning vocalist Debo Ray follows up her acclaimed debut album with a very personal contemporary r&b song, Going Down, about her mental health struggles.
BOSTON, MA, UNITED STATES, February 7, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Award-winning vocalist extraordinaire Debo Ray announces the release of the first single from her upcoming 4-song EP entitled Echoes and Embers. The EP is a narrative arc which deals with Debo’s mental health struggles, its effects on her life and her determination to come out the other side. The debut track, entitled Going Down, shows Debo at her lowest.
“I wrote this song about one of the darkest points in my life where no matter what I did to survive, it felt like I kept falling lower into my neurosis and that it was my own fault,” said Ray. “I don’t wish that feeling on anyone, but if that resonates with others, I hope this song helps to release that energy.”
The song, written by Ray with co-writers Jerry Velona, John Kim and Producer Prince Charles Alexander was recorded at Dimension Sound in Jamaica Plain, MA. It’s a Contemporary Alternative R&B track with a moody, almost dreamy, contemplative vibe leading to a cathartic chorus marked by Debo’s intensity and vocal prowess. Ray is known as one of today’s most versatile vocalists. Her professional resume includes styles as diverse as jazz, metal, hip hop, opera, rock and soul. In Going Down, her versatility is on full aural display.
Debo will be releasing each track on the EP separately over the next few months hoping to start a dialogue about the issues in each song and develop further connection with her audience. Ray said, “It’s about the struggle to reclaim ourselves with the necessary balance of strength, grace, and hope. I’m hoping it will be relatable and useful to others as well as enjoyable to listen to.” The remaining songs will release every five weeks. Real Good Girl on March 13th, A Flicker on April 17th and I’m Fire Now on May 22nd along with the full EP. Each single will be available on all streaming platforms as it’s released. A video for Going Down will release in two weeks.
Debo and her all-star band will be appearing at The Boston Harbor Distillery for one night, Saturday, February 28th at 8:30 PM. The band will feature three of Boston’s best female vocalists, Loren Benn, Jess Curran and Lydia (Lovely Singer) Harrell singing with Debo and also performing some of their own music along with special guests. Debo will be performing Going Down as well as other music from the EP, her highly-acclaimed, self-titled debut album and some classic covers. Tickets on sale through 24 Hour Music.
For Further information and interview opportunities:
Debo Ray and Band performing her award winning song Now You’re Here.
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LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, February 5, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Recording artist Jourdin Pauline is set to release her new single, “DANGERUSH,” on February 6, 2026, through MMC Entertainment Group LLC. Her new single explores the emotional experience of falling in love with someone who may not be good for you but choosing to stay in the relationship anyway. With this release, Jourdin Pauline offers a song that lyrically tells the story about the beauty of romance, and the vulnerability that comes with opening your heart to love someone.
“ ‘DANGERUSH’ tells the story of the tension between what the heart wants and what the mind logically understands. The song talks about human vulnerability and choosing the feelings in your heart over your mind’s logic. ‘DANGERUSH’ is about being honest with yourself. This song presents love as something that is complicated and at the same time powerful in our lives.” says Jourdin Pauline.
Jourdin Pauline is more than a rising pop star—she’s a cultural force. The Guyanese-American singer, songwriter, and performer is forging a new path in mainstream music, blending trap, pop, and Caribbean influences into a sound that’s bold, dynamic, and uniquely her own. Crowned the “Guyanese Pop Princess, With 1.4 million+ Instagram followers and a growing global fanbase, she’s already earned major recognition from VIBE, Flaunt, The Source, and beyond. Her recent single release “SUGAR,” Jourdin debuted on the Pop chart, peaking at #40 and gaining momentum across platforms. “SUGAR” was named a Rolling Stone Song You Need to Know, received a world video premiere on MTV, and was featured on VEVO New Music Friday, VIBE’s New Music Friday, The Fader, and more.
Produced by Grammy-nominated Brian “Killah B” Bates, “SUGAR” has racked up 1.3 million+ global streams, with the video nearing 1 million views on YouTube. On TikTok, fan engagement continues to skyrocket, with the track generating over 1.6 million likes. Influenced by icons like Prince, Frank Ocean, and Rihanna, Jourdin brings sensuality, empowerment, and bold visual aesthetics to everything she touches.
“DANGERUSH” will premiere on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and all major digital and streaming platforms on February 6, 2026.
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NY, UNITED STATES, February 5, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — With captivating ambition, NTHNL sets the new year aflame with his latest multimedia epic, the narrative-driven concept album and full-length feature film What Kind of World is This?
The Queens-based multi-instrumentalist and renowned flutist has twisted an eclectic array of sounds that span both era & genre into distinct motifs that show us the way to hell & back. Our journey’s reward is one lesson above all else: find compassion for those whose views we find destructive and hateful, and use that compassion to build a bridge and construct a better world.
The story: beginning with an overture of hope, our hero ruminates at home upon a wistful reflection. But soon their peace is upset as they meet a prophet with nefarious intent. Alas, in an attempt to fix their untimely possession they descend into hell and are confronted with a world of unimaginable darkness. The music is busy and vibrant, dark and twisted: a fiery environment sounding from all angles. The contrast between the soundworlds emphasizes the absurdity of our collective circumstance and the split nature of our perspectives as we learn to navigate it; we must fight, and yet, we must live, and above all, we must learn to know ourselves.
The accompanying film, created in collaboration with Viennese filmmaker Babak Ahteshamipour maintains the core story of descending into a realm of the worst possible evil, finding stillness even there, and returning to the world once known with a newfound joy and equanimity, even as massive challenges are faced.
NTHNL’s vision, in sound and picture, executes a delicate balance of tranquility and turmoil; the recordings playfully pairing serene flute melodies against bombastic percussive programming just as the album’s visual manifestation juxtaposes natural handheld footage with crude 3D-figures, DOS-inspired landscapes, and exaggerated digital clutter. The result is earnest, absurd, and colored by NTHNL’s signature brand of charm & mirth.
Having produced electronic and acoustic music in a variety of contexts since 2012, NTHNL’s work currently straddles both healing and contemporary creative spheres, leading regular sound baths as well as collaborative concerts. NTHNL first joined Youngbloods in 2023 by recording Movement in The Tunnel on the tracks of the NYC subway system. Since then NTHNL has been steadily expanding his unique style. In 2024 he released Ontogenesis, the third album in his Tranquility Studies series, combining electronic binaural frequencies with performances on a variety of instruments to create soundscapes that are at once calming, poetic and healing. Most recently NTHNL released Awareness of the Wind Within with acclaimed percussionist Sphente, combining gongs and winds into immersive long-form improvisations. His mastery of the flute, piano, and woodwind instruments has been featured in projects by Cola Boyy, Laura Wolf, and Liturgy, and met with wide critical acclaim that describes his productions as “genre-defying” and transportive.
“The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.” -Dante
Credits:
Released February 4, 2026
All songs written, performed, and produced by Jacob “NTHNL” Rudin. “Face Up, Twilight” is written and performed by Jacob “NTHNL” Rudin and Nakama.
Jacob “NTHNL” Rudin plays the flute, synths, EWI, drum programming, piano, Shakuhachi, bansuri, percussion, melodica, bodhran, glockenspiel, alto saxophone, pitch pipe, and clarinet
Minnie Jordan plays the violin
John Cushing plays the trombone
Nelson Devereaux play the tenor saxophone
Shalmas Wegsman plays the harp
David Earle Chorowski plays the buzuq
Nakama provides vocals
Lucas Rossi, Beibei Lubin, Sam Wolff, and Blu Frankel provide additional vocals.
Mixed by Jacob “NTHNL” Rudin
Mastered by James Bernard at Ambient Mountain House
Executive Produced by Nicholas Concklin and John Moses
Published by Mushpost, LLC
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This is about saluting the people who built the culture and giving that recognition directly from the fans, where it truly belongs.”
— Russell “Russ Prez” Pressley, Power Over Everything Live
BROOKLYN, NY, UNITED STATES, February 5, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Power Over Everything Live returns to Brooklyn with a powerful night of culture, legacy, and community as the FTF Awards (From The Fans)—which launched earlier this year saluting legendary hip-hop group Fu-Schnickens—continue their mission by saluting two of Brooklyn’s most influential hip-hop forces: Jaz-O and Smif-N-Wessun.
The event takes place Thursday, February 26, from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM at Starr Bar, located at 214 Starr Street, Brooklyn, NY. Admission is free and open to the public.
Brooklyn, stand up.
Guided by the belief that music truly has power over everything, Power Over Everything Live continues its mission of saluting authentic hip-hop culture while bringing fans, media, and industry together under one roof.
The FTF Award (From The Fans)
The FTF Award salutes the people who shaped music culture—honoring their life, impact, and legacy directly from the fans. Rooted in authenticity rather than industry politics, the FTF Award is a fan-powered recognition that places cultural influence, longevity, and community respect at the forefront.
Saluting Jaz-O
Known to the culture as “The Originator,” Jaz-O is a pioneering rapper and producer whose influence runs deep in hip-hop history. Active since the late 1980s, Jaz-O helped redefine lyrical skill by introducing rapid-fire double-time and triple-time flows at a time when breath control, cadence, and technical precision became defining measures of MC excellence. His style was not just fast—it was intentional, precise, and ahead of its time.
Beyond the microphone, Jaz-O’s legacy is firmly cemented through his role as an early mentor and collaborator to Jay-Z, appearing on Jay-Z’s earliest recordings and helping open doors at the very start of a historic career. Their Brooklyn-rooted partnership remains one of hip-hop’s most talked-about origin stories.
On February 26, Jaz-O will receive the FTF Award (From The Fans), a salute rooted in authenticity and appreciation from the people who matter most.
Saluting Smif-N-Wessun
One of Brooklyn’s most respected and foundational hip-hop duos, Smif-N-Wessun have represented raw lyricism, street authenticity, and uncompromising East Coast sound since the early 1990s. As core members of the legendary Boot Camp Clik, the duo helped define the gritty underground movement that reshaped New York hip-hop during one of its most competitive eras.
Breaking onto the scene with early appearances on Black Moon’s Enta Da Stage, Smif-N-Wessun quickly made their presence felt with the breakout single “Bucktown,” an underground anthem that became a defining record of 1990s hardcore hip-hop. Their 1995 debut album Dah Shinin’ is widely regarded as a classic, peaking on the Billboard 200 and reaching the Top 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, while producing standout records such as “Wrekonize,” “Sound Bwoy Bureill,” and “Wontime.”
Across multiple eras and releases—including work under the Cocoa Brovaz name, key Boot Camp Clik collaborations, and acclaimed projects such as Reloaded, Monumental (produced by Pete Rock), and their latest project Infinity—Smif-N-Wessun have remained culturally relevant while staying true to their core sound.
On February 26, Smif-N-Wessun will be saluted with the FTF Award (From The Fans) alongside Jaz-O, marking a powerful salute to Brooklyn’s enduring influence on hip-hop and the architects who built its foundation.
Event Highlights
• FTF Award ceremony honoring Jaz-O and Smif-N-Wessun
• Live performances and special moments
• Music by DJ Spunk (Aqtive Ent.)
• Fans, media, and industry celebration
• Free public admission
Event Details
Date: Thursday, February 26
Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Venue: Starr Bar
Address: 214 Starr Street, Brooklyn, NY
Admission: FREE
Media & Booking Inquiries
Attn: Russell “Russ Prez” Pressley
Email: info@POEDigital.com
Email: info@FTFAwards.com
Phone: 914-537-0067
About Power Over Everything Live
The award presentation and performances take place during the Power Over Everything Live Music Tour, an independent, artist-driven platform focused on discovering, developing, and elevating emerging talent. Originating from the Power Over Everything DJ compilation series—launched with DJ Envy and followed by Volume 2 hosted by DJ Self—the tour bridges established tastemakers with the next generation of voices. Distributed by POE Digital via The Orchard, the movement is self-funded, community-driven, and committed to integrity, ownership, and cultural growth.
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From Flat Track Racing to Slide School; Here’s a Sneak Peek of What’s Happening Inside
The HellRacer Dome is a favorite hangout for our motorsports enthusiasts. But even non-riders should check it out”
— Lisa Cyr
SCOTTSDALE, AZ, UNITED STATES, January 28, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Arizona Bike Week returns to Scottsdale this spring, bringing with it major concerts, suspenseful stunts and bike shows, and a full lineup of racing and experiences in the HellRacer Dome, the rally’s go-to hotspot for high-energy action.
A significant part of the festivities at the Southwest’s biggest bike rally, set for Wednesday, April 8, through Sunday, April 12, at WestWorld, the HellRacer Dome will host a series of races, training sessions, motorcycle displays, and exceptional experiences designed to educate riders and captivate spectators.
A fan favorite, flat track racing, returned to Arizona Bike Week last year after a multi-year hiatus. Known for its loyal fanbase and intense bike-on-bike action, flat track racing sees riders race around a 1/8-mile dirt track, in a nearly constant left turn, requiring careful precision and skill from the racers. Also happening under the HellRacer Dome is the Slide School, with professional racer Johnny Lewis instructing all sessions and helping participants develop confidence and control on two wheels.
Electric Unicycle Racing from Amped Electric Games will also draw fans to the HellRacer Dome, adding a fast-paced and unexpected twist to the event lineup. Participating riders reach high speeds while balancing on a single wheel in races that reward precision, balance, and reaction time.
“The HellRacer Dome is a favorite hangout for our motorsports enthusiasts. But even non-riders should check it out,” said Arizona Bike Week Co-Producer Lisa Cyr. “The action inside is fast, fun, and totally unpredictable, giving guests a front-row seat to all the excitement.”
While the HellRacer Dome is always a central hub of action during Arizona Bike Week, it’s one of many event draws, with some of rock and country’s biggest names taking over the RockYard Wednesday through Saturday nights and a full vendor showcase featuring everything from apparel, leather goods, and tattoos to bikes, bike accessories, and other gear and merchandise. Bike shows, stunt shows, and combat sports are also part of the festivities, with “Bikes & Fights,” part of the Arena Wars Fighting Series, setting up shop inside The Pit, Arizona Bike Week’s newest action arena.
Arizona Bike Week offers numerous ticket options and experiences, from all-encompassing Rally Passes that give fans access to all five days and all four concerts to single-day passes for those planning their visits around a specific show or performance. The PowerYard allows free entry until 5 p.m. with paid access available after that time. RV and tent campsites are also available for those who want to stay close to all the action.
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, January 28, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Vocal Equipment Store, a United Kingdom-based retailer located in central London, provides musicians, vocalists, and audio professionals with access to a curated selection of vocal equipment. The store specialises in products designed specifically for vocal performance and recording applications, serving customers who require dedicated equipment for voice-based work.
The retailer maintains an inventory spanning several product categories essential to vocal performance. Their vocal microphones selection includes options suited for both studio recording and live performance environments. Microphone selection plays a significant role in capturing vocal quality, with different models offering varying frequency responses and pickup patterns suited to different vocal styles and performance contexts.
Beyond microphones, the store stocks vocal effects processors and vocal effects pedals, enabling performers to shape and enhance their vocal sound. Effects processors and pedals allow vocalists to apply real-time modifications during performances, with capabilities including reverb, delay, pitch correction, and harmonisation. These tools have become increasingly relevant for performers seeking to expand their sonic palette or achieve specific vocal textures in live settings.
Vocal equipment represents a distinct category within the broader audio equipment market. Unlike general-purpose audio gear, products designed for vocal use often incorporate features addressing the specific frequency ranges, dynamic characteristics, and tonal qualities associated with the human voice. This specialisation can benefit singers, podcasters, voice-over artists, public speakers, and content creators seeking equipment optimised for their particular applications.
The store serves a diverse range of customers, from professional touring musicians requiring reliable performance equipment to home recording enthusiasts building personal studios. As voice-based content continues to grow across various media platforms, access to specialised vocal equipment remains relevant for those working in music, broadcasting, education, and digital content production.
Vocal Equipment Store operates from its London location at 335 Strand, situated in the heart of the city, and serves customers throughout the United Kingdom. The store maintains a focus on vocal-specific equipment, distinguishing its offerings within the audio equipment retail sector. Further information regarding the company and its complete product offerings is available on their about us page.
Stephen Ramotowski
Vocal Equipment Store email us here
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ASHEVILLE, NC, UNITED STATES, February 4, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Liz Lenten (BEM) says “After lockdown, and all that isolation and distance…Behind the Scenes grew from a desire to connect. Working with writers, vocalists, musicians, and producers from around the world, each song came from shared ideas and honest conversations.
The album explores everyday life – relationships, friendships and situations we find ourselves in.
Recorded across the U.S., the U.K., and Brazil, each of the 32 different collaborators brought their own perspective, sound, and experience, giving a wide range of musical approaches and writing styles from rootsy americana to soulful pop.
I think that diversity really pushed me creatively and let the songs move across different moods and textures, just like the people behind the music.”
First single ‘Perfect Imperfections’ – 23rd January 2026
Co-written with Michael Garvin (Jennifer Lopez, George Benson) and Sharon Vaughn
(Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson) in Spain. Produced by Thomm Jutz (Nanci Griffith, Mary Gauthier) and Finn Goodwin Bain. Recorded & in Nashville and Lincolnshire.
“Perfect Imperfections is a love song about how our affections deepen through vulnerability and humour; not in spite of our imperfections, but because of them”.
Liz Lenten (BEM) has worked in various roles in the music industry for over 30 years. She currently manages folk hero Martin Carthy (MBE) and previously other artists including Eliza Carthy (MBE), Shane MacGowan, Nasher (F.G.T.H), and Galia Arad.
She’s been touring, writing, recording and performing since she was 16.
Since re-starting her band Auburn in 2012 has recorded 4 albums, in Nashville with Grammy Nominated producer Thomm Jutz to critical acclaim, gaining great reviews, extensive airplay worldwide, selling over 10000 units. She tours regularly with her band ‘Auburn Acoustic’ and performed live at E Entertainments showcase in New Orleans.
Liz also presents podcast ‘Behind the Scenes of an Indie Artist’ – chatting, in depth, to independent creatives and collaborators about their lives.
In 2022 Liz was awarded a BEM (British Empire Medal) on HM The Queens New Year’s Day Honours list, for Services to Music.
EDITOR’S NOTES
‘Behind The Scenes’ Track Listing
Side A
1. Bathroom Shelf – 4.19
2. Perfect Imperfections – 3.22
3. Let The Good Times Begin – 5.31
4. Speaking In Tongues – 3.20
5. Behind The Scenes – 5.36
Side B
1. What You Don’t Know – 3.41
2. Opposites – 3.43
3. Lie As Easy As You Breathe – 3.39
4. Don’t Give Up – 3.49
5. You’re Beautiful – 3.33
6. Sweet Dreams – 3.47
Some of the fantastic collaborators/players include: Thomm Jutz, Mo Pleasure, Sharon Vaughn, Michael Garvin, Lyn Williams, Gustavo Andriewiski, Will Fowler, Pat Garvey, The London strings, Martin Sutton, Cat Aimi, Dante Augusts, JB Bennetts and many more…..
Publishing: Sentric
Distribution: Gonzo Multimedia
Label: Scarlet Records
LIVE DATE: Fri 27th March 2026 – ALBUM LAUNCH
The Green Note, 106 Parkway, Camden, London NW1 7AN
“it’s all high quality. It’s also all artsy and non-mainstream ….. mellow and all classy”
“Intriguing and entertaining”
“so cool”
Gary Hill, Music Street Journal (USA)
“Armed with a voice that is decidedly husky, Lenten’s soprano simultaneously carries an emotional torch that lights up the ballads and mi- tempo tracks that fill the disc.”
Robert Kinsler, Rock ‘n’ Roll Truth (USA)
“another new masterpiece in the discography”
Rootstime (Belgium)
“…Exceptional and so sensitive vocal talent give a very special dimension to these songs, a vocal richness for a richness of emotions, an album with a real musical signature…”
EIN Presswire provides this news content “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability
for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this
article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
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