{ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: INTERVIEW} RJ Griffith | @rjgmusic

Artist Spotlight: Interview

RJ Griffith

May 22nd marked the very first of many Artist Spotlight interviews on the Rise and Shine with Rae radio show on Platinum Radio. I've been doing interviews on The Underground Artistry for a while now; ever since I accepted the position on Platinum Radio as their morning show host, I've been anxious to start incorporating interviews on my very own show.

And everyone who knows me knows I love good music & good vibes. And when the music encompasses the latter, it's even better. Well, below you'll find the interview I had with RJ Griffith, an inspirational R&B artist coming out of Chicago, IL! I was so excited for this interview because his music is so different. It's on another level from what's on the radio nowadays.

I wanted to make this interview available to my readers who may not have had the luxury of tuning into the show to catch the interview. I will allow you guys to listen to it yourself below. The interview is followed by his single, Good Day. I hope you guys enjoy this artist as much as I did because he was so candid; it was like talking to a friend.

You can find his song Good Day on iTunes, Amazon & other streaming sites like Spotify. And now you can call 616.841.5253 to request his song on Platinum Radio! [And be sure to tune into the Rise and Shine with Rae morning show every Monday through Friday from 8am to 12pm EST.]

Press play below & let me know what you think about the song in the comments.

RJ Griffith on Social Media:

Twitter

Facebook

SoundCloud

Until next time...

Enjoy the music?
Support the artist.

xoxo,
Rachel Marie
Entertainment Blogger, The Underground Artistry 
Senior Publicist, Platinum Sound Promotions

Want more from this author? You can find The Underground Artistry site on FaceBook here; and you can also follow her on Twitter & make sure you show your support by following her writer's page on FaceBook here.




*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS*

{ NEW MUSIC } No Tears Left to Cry by @ArianaGrande

 Ariana Grande: No Tears Left to Cry

To all the Ariana fans out there, she's baaaaack!!! And not to mention, she came back in a major way with a major hit--or at least, those are my thoughts.

No Tears Left to Cry is her first single since the Manchester attack May 22, 2017. Reportedly there were 500 injured and 22 actually killed. Reports stated Ariana 'cried for days'. And I can't go on without first noting her phenomenal philanthropy as she hosted the One Love Manchester benefit concert on June 4, 2017 with other stars like Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber & others. Tickets sold out within 6 days of the event notifications and all proceeds went to the families of the victims.

The last song performed was her single, One Last Time, & the entire crowd was moved to tears. Even Ari was crying by the end of the performance. Raising over $13 million in proceeds, I'd say the mission was accomplished. Either way, I'd like to take a moment to recognize those effected & give my deepest condolences to the victims & their families.

Moving onward, apparently she has 'no tears left to cry' and I, for one, am extremely excited for her & her upcoming album. Actual release date isn't noted; but, nonetheless, she still graced us with the first single from the new album and I am IN LOVE with it.

No Tears Left to Cry starts off as if she's about to give us a ballad and then the beat drops & it turns into the pop sound we're used to hearing from her as in the songs The Way, Side to Side & Love Me Harder. 

Not to mention, this new album is produced by none other than Pharrell & Max Martin. Martin has worked with artists like Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, and many, many more. And Pharrell, well...I don't think there's a need for an intro. 

Keeping it going, this song debuted on 4/20 & has over 20 million views on YouTube so far. The video is #8 on the YouTube trending list. I think it's safe to say she's made a major comeback with this song. There's numerous reaction videos to this single & the results are all the same: everyone loves it.

And let me just say this about the video...it's a masterpiece. The effects are like those from a movie with Ari seemingly defying gravity and walking on ceilings to falling from the top of a building to her literally taking off her face. It's almost as if she's saying she's tired of the tears & the pain and is ready to start anew. And I completely agree with her. But you can view the video below & come to your own conclusions. And be sure to support Ari & get her new song from iTunes here & from Amazon here. 

If you're feeling this song, drop your comments below to let me know what you think. Also, let me know what you think about the video. The effects? How cool are they? Let me know in the comments & I'd love to hear if you enjoyed the song, if you're looking forward to her 4th album, which doesn't have an official release date, yet, but I will let you know when it does!

As always, thanks for visiting, reading, supporting. I love you guys & I hope you enjoyed the content.

Until next time...

Enjoy the music?
Support the artist.

Follow Ariana Grande

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

xoxo,
Rachel Marie

If you'd like more from this writer, visit her official Facebook page here & The Underground Artistry on Facebook here. You can also follow her on Twitter here.

*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS*

{ARTIST SPOTLIGHT} Hip-Hop Isn't Dead Pt. 1 #SupportFlintMI

There's a notion that hip-hop is dead...and with the mumble rappers getting all the hype right now, I see where that thought may creep into one's mind. However, over the past few months I've been searching for --and have came across-- some of the hottest hip-hop artists that will change your mind. This is not a top-anything...this is a spotlight on the artists keeping hip-hop alive & bringing back the lyricism that first made me--and I'm sure millions of others--a fan in the first place.

Hip-Hop isn't dead...

Allow these artists below to assist you in reviving your love for the genre.
Let me know what you think in the comments.

Jon Connor...the hip-hop artist from Flint, MI..."Judge & Jury" :

Get the single, "Judge & Jury" on iTunes or Amazon

King Los...hailing from Baltimore, MD..."God Money War":

Get the single, "God Money War" on  iTunes or Amazon

Mark Battles...hails from Indianapolis, IN...here's his single: "Chicken"

Get his single, "Chicken", from iTunes or Amazon

Jarren Benton...one of Atlanta's own...here's his single "You Don't Me" (ft. Hemi):

Get his single, "You Don't Know Me" on iTunes or Amazon

Kydd...beginning & ending with Flint, MI artists...here's his single "End Game" (ft. Jarren Benton):

Get this single, "End Game" on iTunes or Amazon

That rounds of this part one's artist spotlight...now go update your playlists! 

Visit the iTunes & Amazon links to support the artists.

Want more? Click the names below to be directed to my favorite track by the following artists: 

#Go

1. CyHi the Prynce
2. Big K.R.I.T
3. NF
4. Cozz
5. Euroz
6. Casey Veggies
7. Stalley

I know your playlists should be on FIRE right now!! With these tracks ALONE...you'll have people asking you "Who's that?!"...Drop your thoughts in the comments. Any suggestions for artists for PART 2? (They have to have music on iTunes & Amazon) List them in the comments below! 

As always, thanks for stopping by...reading...commenting...sharing. You guys are awesome! Thank you for your continued support of the blog...and those that know me, my writing in general. 

Being that I began & ended PART 1 with Flint, MI artists, I want my readers, fellow bloggers and other supporters to take a moment & find a way to support the city of Flint, MI. As you may recall, in 2014, then-Gov. Snyder replaced Flint's water supply with water from the Flint River. This caused an extreme spike in lead in their water supply. Though pipes from 'over 6,200 homes have been replaced & they are receiving clean water, there's still over 12,000 homes without clean water'. ♦(Redlener, We Still Haven't Made, 2018) 

Ways you can help:
Donate water

Monetary donations

Volunteer your time

Just go to the website for the city of Flint, MI here ♦ and scroll down until you see "Donate Water" and you'll be able to get all the details you need to find ways you, too, can help.

I want to say THANK YOU once again & be sure to drop your comments below.

xoxo,

Rachel Marie

The Underground Artistry

Visit The Underground Artistry on Facebook & be sure to visit the page that started it all: Rachel Marie, the Writer. Follow me on Twitter here.

*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS*

Resources

♦ We still haven't made things right in Flint by Irwin Redlener at https://goo.gl/f95B4R

♦ How can I help? City of Flint, MI at https://goo.gl/unqVw2