Released December 11, 2025, the dance forward single performed in Egyptian Arabic continues to chart across radio and streaming platforms throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
SYDNEY, AU / MusicWire / Feb. 27, 2026 — Moroccan artist Mohamed Rifai continues to build momentum with his single “Cool,” which has surpassed 10 million views on YouTube and achieved multiple #1 placements across key markets in the region since its December 11, 2025 release.
Performance Highlights
• YouTube: 10M+ views (official music video via YouMusicArabia)
• Lebanon: #1 on The Official Lebanese Top 20 (OLT20) airplay rankings (compiled by Ipsos)
• Morocco: #1 on Popnable Morocco charts
• Anghami: #1 in Morocco, Jordan, and Algeria; charted in Tunisia, Egypt, and the UAE
• Radio: #1 on Radio Delta and Sawt Lubnan (OLT20)
Written and composed by Essam Shaaban, “Cool” pairs contemporary pop energy with a dance‑driven feel and an uplifting message. Sung in Egyptian Arabic, Rifai’s performance marked by warmth and emotional clarity connects strongly with listeners drawn to modern Egyptian pop rhythms and cross‑regional pop releases.
“Cool” is available now across all major international streaming services.
About
About Mohamed Rifai
Mohamed Rifai is a Moroccan singer, lyricist, and composer whose work has contributed to some of the region’s most‑watched and widely shared releases. After relocating to Marrakech, he pursued technical studies in electrical maintenance while continuing to develop his writing and composing. In 2013, he performed on one of Morocco’s biggest stages at the Mawazine Festival, and he has since written and composed for major Arab artists alongside building a catalog of his own releases. His credits include standout hits such as “NtiBaghia Wahed” (performed by Saad Lamjarred, 2014) and “Blach Blach” (performed by Jamila, 230M+ YouTube views), while his own collaborations such as “Kifach Nkhalik” with Hind Sdassi have reached 72M+ YouTube views.
SS Heliodor is an Australia-based independent record label and creative studio dedicated to developing distinctive Arabic and global crossover artists. Working across music production, visual storytelling, and digital distribution, the label blends contemporary sound with cinematic visuals to create culturally resonant releases for audiences across the MENA region and beyond. SS Heliodor collaborates with emerging and established talent to deliver high-impact singles, music videos, and live experiences that connect Arabic artistry with global platforms.
OWENSBORO, KY / MusicWire / Feb. 26, 2026 — Rising singer‑songwriter Stella Mabry has released her new single, “Bored,” now available on all major streaming platforms.
“Bored” explores the anxiety of stepping into a new relationship after losing a first love. The song centers on the tension between excitement and hesitation, where hope exists alongside the constant presence of “what if” thoughts. It reflects the internal struggle between wanting to fully accept love and fearing the moment it might disappear.
“I love writing songs to feel like a story. And one of the main reasons I actually started writing was to make sure people could have a song which represents them in such a way that they feel seen musically. I love the feeling of having lyrics that narrate exactly what you’re going through, so I wanted to experience the joy of making music for others as well,” says Stella Mabry.
Sonically, the track blends intimate indie‑pop textures with Stella’s developing dreamy indie‑folk sensibility, creating a soft, reflective atmosphere that matches the vulnerability of the lyrics. “Bored” marks the next step in Stella Mabry’s continued artistic growth, offering a candid look at young love, uncertainty, and emotional self‑awareness.
Track Credits
Written by: Stella Mabry, Shawn Brashear Produced by: Wyatt Mones, Aaron Mones Mixed by: Wyatt Mones Mastered by: Wyatt Mones
Released February 25, “Bored” has been added to the independent Spotify playlist Indie Vibes 2026 (262K followers, as of February 2026).
For fans of: Lizzy McAlpine, Phoebe Bridgers, Gracie Abrams
About
Stella Mabry is a 16‑year‑old singer‑songwriter from Owensboro, Kentucky. She began writing songs at age 11 and has since written and recorded more than 16 original songs, with seven released to date. A trained vocalist who also plays piano and guitar, Stella spent over two years recording in Los Angeles at The Sound Factory Studio, collaborating with musicians associated with NBC’s The Voice stage band. Originally drawn to pop music, Stella has increasingly connected with the cultural significance of folk music and how it aligns with her Kentucky roots. Her upcoming 2026 releases blend both influences, pairing honest storytelling with accessible melodies and a modern indie approach.
PITTSBURGH, PA / MusicWire / Feb. 24, 2026 — Hellbender Vinyl is proud to announce that it has been named a recipient of the 2026 Quality Business Award, recognized for its “proven track record of exceptional service quality” and “commitment to maintaining highest industry standards.”
The award, presented by Quality Business Awards, honors businesses that consistently demonstrate excellence in customer satisfaction, operational performance, and professional integrity within their industry – which, in the case of Hellbender Vinyl, is custom vinyl records.
Quality Business Awards
“This recognition reflects the dedication and craftsmanship our entire team brings to every project,” said Jeff Betten, co-owner of Hellbender Vinyl. “Whether you’re an independent artist or a major record label, our mission has always been to deliver custom vinyl that meet the highest expectations of audio fidelity. We are honored that our commitment to quality has been recognized at this level.”
As vinyl continues its strong resurgence in the global music market, Hellbender Vinyl pledges to remain focused on customer service and quality control. The company plans to further expand its capabilities in 2026 while still maintaining the meticulous standards that have earned this award.
Matt Dowling (left) and Jeff Betten (right), Hellbender Vinyl
“We believe that every record tells a story,” added Betten. “Our responsibility is to bring that story to life with the highest level of care and consistency.”
More information at www.hellbendervinyl.com
About
Hellbender Vinyl is a vinyl pressing company in Pennsylvania dedicated to helping artists and labels bring their music to the physical media format. With a focus on quality, collaboration, and respect for the art form, Hellbender Vinyl supports releases at every stage, from first-time pressings to established catalogs.
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.
NASHVILLE, TN / MusicWire / Feb. 19, 2026 — Majestic Phoenix is proud to announce a landmark management and distribution partnership with BrownLeeEntertainment (BLE Nashville). This strategic alliance secures P1 global distribution for Majestic Phoenix through The Orchard, a subsidiary of Sony Music, providing the artist with a world-class platform and unparalleled industry reach.
The partnership was finalized with Todde Lawton, VP of A&R for BrownLeeEntertainment | BLE | ATX Southeast. BLE is led by President Dewayne Brown, a 30-year veteran of Sony Music, bringing a wealth of institutional knowledge and major-label expertise to the collaboration.
Through this new relationship, BLE will provide Majestic Phoenix with comprehensive career advisory services, including:
● Editorial Pitching: Direct positioning for high-profile placements, such as Spotify Featured Artist slots.
● Sync Licensing: Targeted pitching for film, television, commercials, and video game placements.
● Strategic Growth: Holistic artist development and global marketing infrastructure via The Orchard’s network.
“We are thrilled to embark on this journey with BLE and The Orchard,” said Aaron McLean, CEO and Producer at Majestic Phoenix. “Having a team with this level of experience and a global distribution pipeline allows us to scale our vision and bring our music to a worldwide audience. We are already seeing the synergy and are excited to grow together.”
NextMusic Release: Revelation (Drop, Reimagined), March 6, 2026
About
Majestic Phoenix is a Cinematic Electro-Pop duo redefining electronic music with a bold blend of expansive soundscapes, emotional depth, and innovative production. Formed by lifelong collaborators Aaron McLean and Von Hertzog, the group fuses McLean’s multi-instrumental songwriting and melodic instincts with Hertzog’s seasoned audio engineering and production expertise to craft immersive tracks that feel both cinematic and deeply personal. MajesticPhoenix’s debut EP, Manifest (2025), marks a decisive artistic arrival, showcasing the duo’s commitment to innovation and emotional resonance within the electronic genre. With a growing international audience and releases available across all major streaming platforms, Majestic Phoenix continues to push the envelope of cinematic electro-pop music. www.majestic-phoenix.com
NASHVILLE, TN / MusicWire / Feb. 5, 2026 — Sevenfold Entertainment officially announces its launch as a Nashville-based, multi-disciplinary entertainment company focused on artist management, live touring strategy, brand partnerships, and creative development across music, film, television, and experiential entertainment.
Founded by Angel Jennings and Stephen Martines, Sevenfold Entertainment was created to support artists and creative projects by combining strategic insight, hands-on execution, and long-term vision across multiple entertainment verticals.
“Sevenfold was built from experience on both sides of the industry,” said Jennings. “We’ve worked closely with artists, agents, labels, publishers, brands, and media, and we’ve seen firsthand where creatives are often underserved. This company exists to bridge those gaps and advocate for talent in a way that’s honest, strategic, and sustainable.”
Jennings brings extensive experience across the music, hospitality, and entertainment industries and is known for her highly organized, solutions-driven approach in fast-paced creative environments. Her background includes overseeing large-scale events, managing cross-functional teams, and providing high-level executive support. She is recognized for her ability to anticipate needs, streamline complex systems, and deliver seamless execution while supporting artists, leadership, and brands.
Angel Jennings
Martines is an actor, recording artist, and entrepreneur whose career spans television, film, and music. His credits include television series such as Burn Notice, General Hospital, Guiding Light, and The Vampire Diaries. As a recording artist and songwriter, Martines achieved a career milestone with his chart-topping single “Sounds Like Whiskey,” with additional releases planned for 2026.
Beyond music and acting, Martines is the founder of Seven Skies Productions, a film company focused on original cinematic storytelling, and is currently developing SmashHouse, a large-scale Pickleball venue concept with planned U.S. and international expansion.
“Sevenfold is about creating real opportunity for artists and projects — not just visibility, but sustainability,” said Martines. “We’re building something that connects creativity to infrastructure, and talent to platforms where it can truly grow.”
Stephen Martines
Together, Jennings and Martines bring a multidisciplinary perspective to Sevenfold Entertainment, connecting artists and projects to stages, screens, brands, and audiences while maintaining a strong emphasis on authenticity, live performance, and community impact. Based in Nashville, Sevenfold Entertainment is positioning itself as a regional hub with national reach, working throughout the Southeast and beyond. Additional announcements are forthcoming.
Sevenfold Entertainment is a Nashville-based entertainment company specializing in artist management, live touring strategy, brand partnerships, and creative consulting across music, film, television, and experiential entertainment. Built on integrity, transparency, and artist advocacy, Sevenfold supports creators who are ready to grow — without compromising their voice.
NASHVILLE, TN / MusicWire / Jan. 23, 2026 — Chris Williams and Kid Reverie release “Strawberry Moon,” a folk single shaped by memory, distance, and the soft gravity of moments that arrive and disappear almost at once. Featuring Kid Reverie (Steve Varney) on lead vocals, the song drifts through seasonal imagery and quiet reflection, carried by organic acoustic textures and a patient, open arrangement.
Rather than spell everything out, “Strawberry Moon” moves like a recollection: summers that fade, friendships that shift, and love that remains just out of reach. The refrain lands with a gentle ache—“I lost you in the glow of a strawberry moon”—and then hangs in the air like an afterimage.
The track continues a collaboration that began with an unlikely spark—banjo lessons that turned into long-distance writing sessions—eventually growing into a fully realized songwriting partnership. In recent sessions, the duo have leaned further into atmosphere and restraint, letting space and silence carry as much emotional weight as the words.
The momentum around Williams and Varney’s work has steadily built since their 2023 collaborative album, Something from Nothing. “They’ve blossomed into one of the most exciting partnerships in modern folk,” wrote Eric Alper (That Eric Alper).
Warm, unresolved, and quietly luminous, “Strawberry Moon” is a new chapter in the duo’s shared world of storytelling—music that trusts the listener, and leaves the door slightly open.
“Strawberry Moon” is available now on all major streaming platforms.
Kid Reverie ranked within the top 200 “indie folk” artists worldwide (Chartmetric).
Chris Williams ranked within the top 10K “US singer/songwriter” artists worldwide (Chartmetric).
“Bees” reached #1 on IndieFolkVibe’s Spotify playlist “Indie Folk Haze”.
Kid Reverie saw a 481% spike in Spotify monthly listener growth on Dec 31, 2025.• Chris Williams saw a 163.5% spike in Spotify monthly listener growth on Jan 13, 2026.
Early radio tracking includes spins on KJAC 105.5 FM (Fort Collins area, CO) and WFPK 91.9 FM (Louisville, KY).
Chris Williams is a Wilmington, North Carolina–based Americana/folk songwriter and multi-instrumentalist—ranked within the top 10K “US singer/songwriter” artists worldwide, according to Chartmetric. Raised near Greensboro and rooted early in bluegrass, Williams built his foundation on the banjo before expanding his palette with jazz influence, rock energy, and melodic restraint. His solo releases The Farewell Tour and To Be Determined established his reflective voice and detail-forward arrangements, and in 2023 he deepened his collaborative work with Something From Nothing, a full-length album with Steve Varney (Kid Reverie).
Kid Reverie:
Kid Reverie is the Boulder, Colorado-based indie-folk project of songwriter/producer and guitarist/banjoist Steve Varney—ranked within the top 200 “indie folk” artists worldwide, according to Chartmetric. Varney is also known as a longtime touring member of Gregory Alan Isakov’s band and the former leader of Glowing House. Introduced in 2018 with a full-length rock record both tender and furious, Kid Reverie continues to evolve across styles with a constant emphasis on honest, songwriting-forward work. Recent radio pickups include spins on KJAC 105.5 FM (Fort Collins area, CO) and WFPK 91.9 FM (Louisville, KY).
LONDON, UK / MusicWire / Jan. 23, 2026 — Singer-songwriter Parson James, the genre-blending artist behind the multi-platinum global smash “Stole The Show,” returns with “Water Me”, a deeply personal soft-release single crafted for the fans who’ve supported him since day one and setting the stage for the bold comeback anthems arriving next.
Born in South Carolina and now based between Nashville and London, Parson’s work has always lived in contrast of struggle and resilience, gospel and EDM, soul and euphoria/ Water Me marks a moment where his internal landscapes finally catch up with his fullest creative intention.
Parson has spent nearly a decade honing not just his sound but his story. From releasing his debut EP and single almost 10 years ago, he admits he’s rewritten versions of his album many times over, always chasing a moment when his life-experiences, vulnerability and songcraft align. Only within the past few years has he felt that his growth, self-awareness and honesty would finally allow that alignment. With “Water Me”, Parson doesn’t just share a song, he shares an inner turning point.
In “Water Me”, Parson confronts a familiar but often avoided truth: that even the strongest among us can run utterly dry. A “withering flower in need of a little love”, he confesses he’s never been one to ask, always pushing forward regardless of his capacity. But after a tough patch in 2021, mistakes made, lessons learned, he realizes he can’t do it all alone. He’s tired. He’s depleted. Yet, he’s poised to grow if someone just offers light, water, safety, love.
That water becomes metaphor, plea and promise all in one. The track is as much an emotional reclamation as it is an invitation for anyone listening to feel seen: that asking isn’t weakness, that growth can come even at your lowest.
Musically, “Water Me” draws from Parson’s lifelong fascination with gospel’s heartfelt roots, the organic simplicity of soulful balladry and the emotional directness of country-twang. During its creation, Chris Stapleton and gospel music rotated heavily in Parson’s world, shaping a sonic atmosphere that is intimate, raw, yet expansive.
His writing process here, as always, feels like an internal conversation laid bare: therapy set to melody, harmonies rising out of honesty. Choir-like vocals whisper and soar. Vocal grit and quiet space intertwine. The production leans toward organic textures, letting the emotional core live uncluttered.
“Pour yourself a whiskey (or a non-alcoholic hot cider if that’s your preference), wrap up in your favorite blanket. If you can, find a fire (literal or figurative), sway with someone who holds you. By the bridge, you should be standing, belting, maybe crying, utterly lost in the comfort of the moment.”
Above all, hope. Parson wants listeners to recognize their own worth: that the parts of you that feel frayed, unappreciated, misunderstood. Those are not liabilities, they’re markers of what makes you uniquely you. He wants people to love themselves, celebrate their quirks and embrace honesty. Because, in his vision, those become foundations of strength.
This song itself emerges from collaboration with Parson’s trusted circle, friends and artists who bring voice, craft and co-vision. Longtime friend and Grammy-nominated artist Joanna “JoJo” Levesque lends background vocals, adding warmth and familiarity that reflect their real-life bond and shared musical history. Her presence in the studio brought an ease and emotional resonance that carries through the record.
Additional keys were played by Phil Lewis, who has since gone on to work extensively with Doja Cat, bringing a subtle modern touch to the song’s otherwise organic palette. His contributions help bridge the track’s soulful roots with a contemporary edge, underscoring Parson’s genre-blending instincts.
The visual world around “Water Me” will honor that same honesty: minimal, emotive, rooted in light and shadow, growth and fragility. Just like the song, it’ll invite you in rather than push you back.
Beyond music, Parson continues to stand for causes that deeply matter: queer youth, mental health, HIV/AIDS awareness. He works closely with organizations such as The Trevor Project, GLAAD, LoveLoud, and amfAR. His identity as queer biracial artist from the conservative South is not just an origin story, it’s a lens through which he lives, creates, and advocates.
Parson James
Market Drivers/Career Highlights
Over 1.2 billion streams globally
Stole The Show has gone multi-platinum, with awards and milestones in the USA, UK, France, and beyond
30× Platinum across the world; Diamond certified in France
More than 15 million Shazams
Honored as New Zealand’s honorary ambassador, key to the city of Opotiki
High-profile syncs including Grey’s Anatomy, Love Island, The Voice, Real Housewives, The Originals, American Idol (winning song)
Extensive live credentials: Coachella (three times), AMFAR Galas with Diana Ross and Christina Aguilera, appearances on Ellen, Fallon, Seth Meyers, plus iconic venues like MSG, Hollywood Bowl, Greek Theater, etc.
Parson James is a singer, songwriter and performer whose genre-blending sound and deeply emotional storytelling have positioned him as one of the most distinctive voices in modern pop and dance music. Best known for co-writing and performing on Kygo’s multi-platinum hit “Stole The Show,” which has surpassed 1 billion streams globally, Parson has spent the last decade captivating audiences across streaming platforms, global charts and stadium stages.
Born in South Carolina and now based between Nashville and London, Parson’s music is rooted in contrast, soul and euphoria, gospel and EDM, struggle and resilience. His perspective as a queer, biracial artist raised in the conservative South has shaped a narrative that is as emotionally powerful as it is culturally important.
Following his breakout with “Stole The Show,” Parson has toured the world alongside Kygo and collaborated with a range of top-tier artists including Sam Feldt, The Knocks, Vandelux, Said the Sky, Audien, CAZZETTE, Hook N Sling, Big Gigantic and others. His solo releases, including the Temple EP (RCA), “Only You,” “Little Fires,” and “Right Now,” reflect an evolving voice that pairs cinematic vocals with bold, genre-spanning production.
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.
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.
Produced by Brian Collins and Will Turpin (Collective Soul), the live‑captured duet launches MAKIE’s forthcoming vinyl album, Constellations, out this fall.
ATLANTA, GA / MusicWire / Feb. 13, 2026 — Indie Country/Americana artist MAKIE releases her new single, “Will You Love Me When,” featuring Grammy‑nominated, #1 charting singer‑songwriter Shawn Mullins, available today on all major streaming platforms. The duet marks the first release from MAKIE’s forthcoming vinyl album, Constellations, scheduled for release this fall.
Recorded at Real to Reel Studios in Atlanta, “Will You Love Me When” is a live‑captured Americana duet exploring the long road of love — where humor, grace, and vulnerability become the true milestones. The song was produced by Brian Collins (CMA artist and singer‑songwriter) and Will Turpin of Collective Soul, through Atlanta‑based production team Real People Music.
“This song asks a question so many of us carry quietly,” says MAKIE. “Will you love me when life gets messy — when we’re not at our best? Recording it live felt like the only honest way to tell that story.”
Known for his enduring influence in modern Americana and pop songwriting, Mullins rose to international recognition with hits including “Lullaby” and “Shimmer.” His feature on “Will You
Release Information:
Artist: MAKIE feat. Shawn Mullins Single: “Will You Love Me When” Album: Constellations (forthcoming vinyl release) Release Date: February 13, 2026 Genre: Americana / Indie Country
Originally from a horse farm in Blue Earth, Minnesota, MAKIE made her way to the Deep South after performing across the U.S. — from New York City to Los Angeles — and internationally. Blending Americana, indie folk, and country, her sound draws comparisons to Lucinda Williams, Jewel, Jenny Lewis, and Kacey Musgraves.
MAKIE’s songwriting has earned notable placement in film. Her song “Magic,” co-written with composer Gene Micofsky (winner of Best Original Score for Heart of Texas at the Cannes Film Festival), was written for and placed in the feature film Sunny Daze, starring Jason Wiles and Lonnie Chavis. MAKIE and Micofsky also co-wrote “Believe Again,” written for and placed in the film Adventures of the Naked Umbrella, starring Jeremy Davies and Taryn Manning. MAKIE is also an Off-Broadway actress, singer, and dancer, and is a member of both the Actors’ Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA.
In December, MAKIE was personally invited by the Cathy family to debut her original song, “Good Old Fashioned Christmas,” at the Chick-fil-A Headquarters Christmas devotional. Faith and family remain central themes in MAKIE’s work and life, reflected throughout Constellations, an album dedicated to her late father, Rahn Greimann, founder and publisher of Performance Horse Digest, a national equine publication.
“Will You Love Me When” is available now worldwide. Additional singles from Constellations will be released throughout 2026 ahead of the full vinyl release this fall.
About Shawn Mullins:
After early indie releases and growing buzz in the Atlanta music scene, Shawn Mullins rose to international success with Soul’s Core (1998), featuring his Grammy‑nominated No. 1 hit “Lullaby.” He later earned the AAA/Americana No. 1 “Beautiful Wreck,” and his song “Shimmer” was used in promotion of the 2000 Summer Olympics and included on the Dawson’s Creek soundtrack. Mullins also co‑wrote Zac Brown Band’s No. 1 country hit “Toes,” formed the supergroup The Thorns with Matthew Sweet and Pete Droge, and revisited Soul’s Core with Soul’s Core Revival, featuring newly recorded versions with new arrangements.
