What up party peoppppppppllleeeee!?

Ok, it’s been a month and I will try to never do that again. I totes missed writing to you all and was keeping myself busy between the Sounds About Wright Facebook and Instagram. Anywho, all the things have been going on and maybe I’ll draft up a post for tomorrow to run it back but I wanted to tell you about my new fave…Rhyon Brown.

I mean COME ON! We’re both pocket-sized, we both have “boy” names, AND we both had the woes of our college years to build the drive for our musical aspirations. I was sold in like 2 seconds, ok five minutes but she’s adorbs. Rhyon sings dances and acts. Can we say triple threat?

Note: The only acting I plan on doing is voiceover work for Disney cartoons but this girl it the real deal!

This cute little nugget has apparently been on the scene in LA for quite some time, acting and singing on a couple very popular shows, and released her Pretty Girl film just last week! Needless to say it’s winning over hearts and ears with each passing day.

I don’t want to dive in too deep right now, but check it out! She has a great story that is so relatable and easy to follow. You can absolutely feel her authenticity which is definitely rare for me to experience from these cute little pop-tarts born and bred from the glitzy streets of Los Angeles. However, this girl is different. She’s got a good blend of slick and real going on here. Rhyon comes off as a young woman with a message, a journey to share and a spirit that can spread some much needed light in the ever so dark world of entertainment.

Let me know what you think! I’m excited to hear from you. <3

-D.Wright

One of my favorite songs this year is from an artist you will get to know very well…Houston’s own, Jack Freeman. And he just dropped a video for it! Swoons.

Nobody is this soulful, and romantic expression to a love lost that draws you in from the first guitar lick. You just know you’re going to be in for a treat. Then you hear it…

[su_quote cite=”I’ve been around the world. Been a lot of places, seen all these pretty faces but hey…ooooohh it’s nobody like you.”][/su_quote]

The new visual is dark yet boldy luminescent. It almost feels as if there’s a spotlight on his reflective time of this once in a lifetime love he let slip away. And EVESBOROUGH did not disappoint, bringing out beautifully timed cuts and imagery of Jack. They helped him tell a story all on his own. He performs this song alone, with no female lead dramatically leaving him after a big fight or props helping distract him from his obvious pain. Jack Freeman holds down this video with a super-fly tailored suit and a player-worthy hat. Check the clip below if you don’t believe me.

I met Jack years ago at South by Southwest, and immediately knew he was special. I don’t say that because he’s crazy as all get out and a riot to hang with. He had great energy then and I later found out the dynamic artist that he was. Over the years, Jack has put in a ton of work around the city and performed some amazing venues all over the US. It’s truly been a pleasure to see him grow as musician and singer. Jack is the real deal and has next in Houston.

Photo courtesy of Jack Freeman.

He’s already quite accomplished as an independent artist and has had a pretty amazing year so far. Nobody was hand selected by the legendary Spike Lee to feature on his new Netflix series “She’s Gotta Have It.” Not to mention, Jack has also been featured in numerous digital publications and was mentored by John Legend after being one of five hand-picked artists selected for the AXE Collective showcase during South by Southwest 2016. This guy stays pushing forward. Jack, we’re rooting for your win! <3

-D.Wright

Photo courtesy of Gorilla vs. Bear.

Let’s start with, I always thought SZA was a model. I didn’t even realize she did R&B. All I knew was that she was a beautiful milk-chocolate girl with amazing hair and freckles.

All of a sudden everyone was talking about her and asking me if I had listened to any of her music. At the time, I was into a couple of other upcoming folks and didn’t dive into the work she was putting out. I can’t even tell you any of her solo material I’ve heard aside from the music she’s most recently released. What I can tell you is I listened to her on my girl Ratchet Rhi aka Rihanna’s “Anti” album on the 1st track, Consideration, and absolutely loved her. It was my gateway into the world of SZA.

Photo courtesy of Rap-Up.

A few weeks ago I heard “Love Galore” and immediately felt drawn into her rich, youthful alto. Then this “Ctrl” dropped and I totally understood why her label was NOT about the life of letting her go. I mean I did hear it was overblown at the time but if it were real, I probably wouldn’t have let her go either. She’s pretty awesome. I sat here on Friday and was just hypnotized. She literally says everything young women might want to express or chat about with their  girlfriends but with these raspy vocals over R&B tracks. How Sway? That’s legit not an easy feat, especially in R&B these days. Many new-age R&B crooners are not able to capture authentic, raw, and yet polished stories. I mean we fell in love with Usher and Alicia Keys at some point because they were able to skillfully take us on a journey while sticking to the R&B/pop formula. This new wave of R&B is less pop influenced though, and challenges young writers to connect with their audience in that Confession’s album sort of way but with the soul of a Songs in A Minor, all the while creating a new approach to R&B. She’s very much so a musical unicorn in the Frank Ocean sort of way where she’s able to tell really complex stories in a relatable way while, again, over R&B tracks. That’s pretty cool. The ethos of her work is storytelling. And the difference between her and a lot of other R&B artists out now, is she’s crafting the story herself. She’s vulnerable and real. She’s also not overproduced so you hear every word and syllable. You know exactly what she means and feels what she says.

Photo courtesy of Rap-Up.

SZA is a very moving artist and that’s so refreshing nowadays. You get the sense that she’s really bearing her soul in 14 tracks. Ctrl is extremely personal in a time when music seems so impersonal and contrived. For that reason alone, she has a new fan in me. I love it and I think as a woman, she plays up a lot on those feminine sensitivities without even trying. I’m glad to have an artist like her on the rise and I’m excited to see where she continues to journey with her artistry. <3

-D.Wright

Photo courtesy of H.E.R.

She’s elusive, mysterious, sensual and poetic… but who is she? There have been long-time whispers from fans that the identity of  RCA’s latest femme fatale is none other than the talented Gabi Wilson.

H.E.R. has been praised by the likes of Alicia Keys, Solange’s Saint Heron and music tastemaker, Mr. “Golden Ears” himself, Carl Chery of Apple Music. Her debut EP H.E.R., Vol. 1 was full of moody, melodic tracks and stayed on constant repeat for me while I spent time in Los Angeles last summer. It was the perfect soundtrack to accompany a beautiful drive in Venice, windows down, and passing towering by palm trees on a breezy day.

California, Summer 16

Vol. 1 takes you back to your first intense love. It’s warm, youthful and yet extremely mature. I don’t mean mature in the typically formulated “I’m a woman now so I’m going to talk about sex and get naked because I love myself ” pop princess sort of way either. I mean the lyrics are real and come off genuine to her experiences. Shout out to RCA for letting her do her thing!

She obviously is looking to strike twice with a sonically soothing Vol. 2. and has provided her listeners with a preview to the next level of her artistry. The proof is in the pudding as the old folks say, and yes…this is all kinds of musical pudding. Vol. 2’s pre-release tracks, tease a confident and assured young woman. “Every Kind of Way” is romantic and bodyrolling-fantastic if I must say so myself. You instantly want to sing along to it. Her vocals are sweet and the storytelling is inviting. A listener is drawn into the warm sounds of love and adoration. If you’re a subscriber to one of the big music streaming services, you can check out the other tracks Say It Again and Lights On right now.

If you don’t believe me on how amazing this new, velvety-smooth R&B chick is, feel free to check H.E.R. out for yourself and maybe swing by one of her tour dates with Bryson Tiller beginning this August.

I can not WAIT for this full release. <3

-D. Wright