Rosa Cesareo’s Debut Single “Pretty Eyes” Lands at #6 on the UK Music Week Commercial Pop Chart

Emerging music artist Rosa Cesareo is making waves in the music industry after releasing her debut single titled “Pretty Eyes” and hitting the 19th spot on the UK Music Week Commercial Pop Chart in November 2022. To date, the single continues to rise and has secured the sixth spot. Despite being new to the highly competitive world of the music business, Rosa has managed to draw attention to her unique talent that highlights her musicality and lyrical skills. 

Rosa is presently finishing a degree in Production and Sound Design at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Despite the demands of competing in her final year at Berklee, she manages to write her own songs and perform her original compositions in Las Vegas, whether it’s solo, duo, or band gigs. Motivated by her earnest desire to become an established and respectable name in the music industry, Rosa is a trailblazing powerhouse who is unstoppable. 

The 21-year-old rising artist was only 15 years old when she first got inspired to write her own songs as a way to cope with a challenging season in her life. Music became an avenue for her to express herself freely and forget about life’s stressors. For a couple of years, she passionately wrote her own songs and uploaded them on SoundCloud. Finally, after several tries, she became fully convinced that she wanted to become a music artist. 

The Las Vegas rising star was born to an Iranian mother and Italian father, who migrated to the United States. They met in California, fell in love, got married, and eventually relocated to Las Vegas. As a young four-year-old, Rosa showed a special love for music by singing at the top of her lungs with her Hello Kitty CD player and entertaining her family with her charm and talent. 

Rosa has never had any form of formal music training. Everything that she knows now, she learned on her own. Growing up, she listened to all kinds of music, but she eventually drew a lot of attention to the artistry of Gwen Stefani, Amy Winehouse, and Brittney Spears.

In just a matter of time, Rosa had developed so much confidence that she would boldly sing in karaoke and surprise onlookers with her amazing talent. Interestingly, none of Rosa’s parents are musicians, but she grew up exposed to the different musical tastes of her parents, considering their rich cultural background. 

The determined young girl started learning the piano with a little help from YouTube in middle school. She would copy the hands of pianists note for note until she finally acquired her own style. Seeing his daughter’s great potential, Rosa’s father bought her an upright piano as a personal gift. 

Rosa is where she is today because of her dedication, hard work, and deep love for music. The undeniable success of “Pretty Eyes” is proof that music fans appreciate her song despite being an independent artist. 

The single is now available on all streaming platforms. 

 

Rick Monroe and the Hitmen Revolutionizes the Country Music Genre With Their Fresh Approach and Unique Talent

While there is no shortage of musical stylings that can be closely associated with the United States, country music remains to be the country’s best representation. After all, there is no other place in the world that adores and reveres the genre as Americans. With that said, most fans have a fixed notion of what a country song and artist should sound like. However, one revolutionary band is bravely breaking the mainstream country mold and challenging the norm by putting their own spin on the beloved genre: Rick Monroe and The Hitmen featuring Rick Monroe on vocals. Alongside him are The Hitmen, composed of Bobby Perkins on guitar, Alan Beeler on bass and banjo, and Jason Bohl on drums.

This multi-talented group of movers and shakers is known for their one-of-a-kind musicality. While they remain faithful in honoring the style of country music, they have also expertly redefined it. Asked to explain their sound, Luna Road Entertainment founder and bonafide music lover Megan Pore creatively said, “An accurate description would be a modern classic rock band with a heavy southern rock influence who doesn’t forget their Country roots. Think The Eagles hanging out with Skynyrd jamming, but then Johnny Cash kicks in the door and crashes the party.”

Despite being relatively new to the scene and without the help of a major label, Rick Monroe and The Hitmen quickly gained a loyal following of music enthusiasts and country music fans. Their impressive accomplishment and massive success can be attributed to their unique and unrivaled artistry. This time, the up-and-coming band is seeking to grow their popularity even further and reach a wider audience through their latest release, “Bad Stretch of the Road.”

Several respected personalities in the music industry have worked with the gifted group to bring the captivating song to life. For example, Dead Eyes frontman Zach “Hooky” Williams has added his special flare to the track. As Rick fondly looks back on the experience of writing the masterpiece, he shared, “The moment we got in the room, the riffs started flying, and Hooky lived up to his nickname because the song just flowed.”

The insightful artist also talked about the story behind the hit single and said, “The concept is basically we all hit hard times, and you have to just push through it because nothing ever lasts forever.” Moreover, the band’s bassist and “Bad Stretch of the Road” co-writer Alan Beeler shared that they took inspiration in merging an “active rock” approach to country music for the track. 

On top of that, it was produced by award-winning and multi-platinum producer Malcolm Springer who has worked with numerous industry greats like The Low-Down Drifters, Nappy Roots, Matchbox Twenty, and Collective Soul, while Maor Appelbaum mastered the track at Maor Appelbaum Mastering in California. “Bad Stretch of the Road” was recorded at Universal East Iris Studios in Nashville and released by Epochal Artists Records of TLG and Ingrooves Music Group.

With their incredible creativity, Rick Monroe and The Hitmen are undoubtedly breathing new life into the highly beloved country music scene. As they continue their musical journey, the group remains steadfast in their vision of elevating the genre and creating extraordinary music that people would love.

Singer Rachel RaQuel Is Making Waves in the New York Music Scene

The road to becoming a successful artist is paved with challenges, setbacks, and hardships. It takes determination, dedication, and passion for making it as an artist. Rachel RaQuel had a challenging start to her music career, but she has captivated her audience with her musical talent and charming personality. A talented performer, Rachel RaQuel is a rising star with great things ahead for her and her career. 

Rachel RaQuel was born and raised in Philadelphia. Her experiences in her hometown have shaped the person and artist she is today. Rachel started singing at four years old. She showcased her talent through various creative avenues, including stage plays, television commercials, major festivals, and game shows. 

By honing her talents from a young age, Rachel RaQuel became a poised, beautiful, and talented artist and performer. Her talents are diverse. Aside from singing, Rachel RaQuel also displays impeccable acting, dancing, and comedy skills, making her a quadruple-threat performer in the entertainment industry. Her career brought her close to other impressive names, artists, and celebrities. However, Rachel’s confidence shines through, and she can hold her own when working with her more experienced co-artists. 

Recently, Rachel RaQuel gave an outstanding performance at the legendary SOB’s in New York City. Rachel’s iconic performance drew positive praise and garnered her new fans. “That show was the culmination of everything I have ever strived for. It felt so good to share my love of music with an audience who appreciates my gifts,” the singer shared. One television executive even commented that Rachel’s performance that night was magical and that she captivated the city.

Rachel Raquel has been very busy performing at different shows and events. Aside from her captivating stage presence and vocals, she also gives a memorable performance due to her warm personality and sultry appearance. She will leave an impression every time she sets foot on stage.

Her success is hard-won, and Rachel is proud of how far she has come. “I have suffered many tragic losses in my life,” Rachel RaQuel said, “I even came very close to losing my mother. After all those experiences, I have come out of them with a different outlook on life. Because of everything I lost, I became even more determined to pursue my passion and follow my dreams. I am glad I now have the confidence to make music and performing my full-time career.”

Rachel RaQuel is also set to perform at the 10th Annual Soirée in the Cities on the 5th of November, a pop-up tour that creates shopping parties for women-led brands. The event brings shining fashion stars to every city they go to. Rachel shared, “I’m so excited to be a part of this event as they make their stop in my hometown of Philadelphia. I think it’s beautiful to be in a space that uplifts and celebrates women and female entrepreneurs.”

As Rachel RaQuel’s career is starting to take off, she is unconcerned about competition from other artists, singers, and musicians. “How can you compare people that are not the same?” she retorted, “I am me, and you are you. We are different artists, which is what makes music interesting, in my opinion. As artists and musicians, we are all working towards a similar goal. There’s no competition; it’s all just pursuing and sharing art.” Rachel RaQuel is making waves as a musician in her hometown of Philadelphia. Her star is rising, and Rachel’s music career is one to watch out for.

Meet the talented artist Elisa Sintjago – Model, singer, and CEO of fashion brands

Elisa Sintjago is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, model, entrepreneur, and actor. Originally from Amsterdam, she was born into a family with a musical background. According to her, she had a tough childhood with financial struggles and limited opportunities. However, nothing could stop her from pursuing her dreams. From a very young age, Elisa was determined to make a name for herself. And that spirit kept her going no matter what. “I wanted a different lifestyle that demanded determination and intense hard work, and I was ready for all of it,” Elisa shares.

One thing is sure that Elisa Sintjago was built for the spotlight. She started her career through modeling at the age of 16. Her incredible poses and style helped her secure a photo shoot with two of the most prominent fashion magazines in the Netherlands, Glossy and Glamour Holland. This was the opportunity Elisa was waiting for, and it changed her life forever. After that, she was offered a contract by one of the biggest women’s brands in the world, Victoria’s Secret, which allowed her to move to America, where the next chapter of her life began.

There are two types of people in the world, some wait for opportunities to knock at their doors, and there are people like Elisa Sintjago who create opportunities for themselves. Such people are so determined to succeed that they work hard to achieve their goals and fulfill their dreams. Once she came to America, Elisa decided to venture into singing. She was gifted with a soothing and melodious voice, but her road to becoming a singer required hard work. While enjoying her life as a model, she started promoting her singing as well. Talking about her singing career and how it all started, she says, “I remember my parents used to take me to the church a lot. I grew up listening to all Gospel music. During my teenage years, I was appointed to lead the church choir as a soloist, and it was an incredible honor for my family and me. I used to showcase my talent and love for singing on any platform I could get a chance. Back then, I used to perform in churches, pageants, and in school.” 

To further learn the art of music, she even joined Marta’s Academy of Dance and Music, where she graduated with a major in music performance and dance. Living in LA helped Elisa Sintjago to start her singing career. She participated in Mary’s Organization’s Hunt for backup singers for their upcoming American Tour. Elisa won the audition and started touring the States, singing backup vocals with Mary J. Blige. After a successful tour and a fantastic modeling contract, Elisa returned to Amsterdam to work on her songwriting and launch her album. This talented young artist claims that working extensively with her own eight-piece R&B Funk and Jazz group helped her learn so much about music. The group performed in Amsterdam, Belgium, France, Spain, England, Greece, Germany, and Italy while also playing at famous clubs such as the Bulldog, the Ritz, and the Hard Rock Cafe. Their growing popularity and love from the listeners have helped them create their own fan base. “We would perform any place where good music was appreciated.”

While finding her originality in the music industry, Elisa released a hit song that she wrote herself. The best part is that it was picked up by radio 538 and went on to become a big electro-pop dance hit all over Europe. Her dream finally came true as she received positive reviews from all around the world for this track. There was no looking back for this amazing young artist, and after her global hit, she even launched her own music album and performed in many countries, including St. Tropez. Asia and Dubai, with a live band, DJ act, and dancers.

After two years of touring in Asia, Elisa Sintjago came to New York City and started working on her acting and modeling skills. She began taking classes from institutes like Broadway Dance Center, Ballet Arts, and Alvin Ailey for Dance Theater and Vocal Lessons. Her portfolio includes modeling for fashion shows, music videos, commercial print modeling, and acting for TV and film.

While her personal career is really impressive, Elisa is also a renowned entrepreneur. She started her music label by the name of Dream House, the Label, which produces an all-around mix of pop/r&b/hip-hop/and dance music. She even launched her swimwear collection and cosmetic line under her name.

Coming from nothing and building a self-made empire Elisa Sintjago is truly an inspiration for everyone around the world. She believed in working hard while enjoying her life to its fullest. Her love for music, fashion, and modeling pushes her to exceed her limits and amaze everyone.

The Rise Of Rapper Joseph Morales, A.K.A Kakazi

These days everyone is familiar with rap music, which is an emerging branch of hip-hop that has dominated the music industry for the past couple of years. While many people still find it challenging to understand rap music, its fan following has increased rapidly. This genre emerged in the early 1970s at block parties in New York City. Since then, we have seen rap artists like Dr. Dre, Lil Wayne, Eminem, Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dog, and many more take the music industry by storm. In fact, they have proved their mettle and shown how versatile rap music is. And one thing is sure that many young and upcoming rappers are all set to carve a niche for themselves in this cutthroat industry. One name that has already started making waves is Joseph Morales, a.k.a Kakazi.

Joseph Rey Morales is a young American rapper with immense talent and incredible songwriting skills. According to Kakazi, he always felt inspired by music, especially rap. Coming from a musical background – his cousin being part of a Spanish rock band and his brother known as ‘Richie the Rhymer’ out of Houston, Texas – music was something that came naturally to him. “I never had any formal training for music and didn’t start rapping until I was 16 years old. For me, rapping was truly an inspiration and a dream,” Kakazi stated. He further went on to explain, “I saw it as a heartfelt conversation between the artist and his fans. This genre allows the rapper to share their life experiences, motivations, and regrets in the verses of their tracks, and that is so beautiful. Understanding the depth of rap made me fall in love with it even more, and I decided to pursue it professionally.”

It is no secret that many artists go for unique stage names that become synonymous with their success. Just like Eminem’s real name is Marshall Mathers, and Snoop Dog is an alias for Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr, Joseph Morales knew he needed a stage name that would make him stand out from the rest. Initially, he adopted Kawasaki, but because a famous Japanese bike company already uses this name, it was taking the spotlight off of Joseph. “Ironically, I was playing with a toy piano that was branded ‘Kawasaki,’ and I liked how it sounded, but when I chose it to be my stage name, people always referred to me as the motorcycle,” Kakazi revealed. “I was not too fond of the fact that it reminded people of something other than myself. I was searching for another name, and once, I was freestyle rapping, and accidentally ‘Kakazi’ came out. I immediately stopped flowing and didn’t think twice about that being my permanent stage name,” he added.

Many new and aspiring artists look up to their idols as a motivation and inspiration for their art. They follow them and dream of being just like them. For Joseph Morales, one artist that truly inspired him, especially when it came to rap, was none other than Eminem. Talking about his idol, Kakazi shared, “Eminem is the rap god. I have always admired his versatility throughout the years. Like many, he, too, came from nothing and climbed to the top. Being raised in the slums of Detroit, he managed to showcase excellence throughout his career.” He continued, “From winning Oscars for his track ‘Lose Yourself’ to creating a jaw-dropping song, ‘Rap God’, where he shows off his incredible vocal skills. He showed me how we could have success through lyricism. His lyrics were always heartfelt, emotional and truly motivating. And that’s exactly what I want to achieve in my career.”

As for the problems that he comes across as an emerging rap artist, Joseph Morales stated, “Finance is a big challenge for young artists/musicians. Even though the internet has helped us get recognized anywhere in the world, it has also brought massive competition in the industry. There was a time when America was the king of Rap, and while this is still true, other countries have shown some good potential, making it even tougher to showcase our talent to the world.” Kakazi is of the view that young artists like himself need financial freedom to be fully creative with their work and that they require brand endorsements and sponsorship to survive in the ever-so-competitive music industry. 

A passionate and hardworking soul, who is always determined to meet the high goals he set for himself, Kakazi is undoubtedly an inspiration for young talent who want to achieve success. In fact, his efforts and dedication clearly show that he is on his way to becoming the next big thing in the world of rap!

Nickolas Benson: The Military Veteran Who Aspired to Make it Big in the Music Scene

Nickolas Benson is a Rock, Pop, Country, and Blues singer/songwriter, recording artist, and producer. He is also a U.S. military veteran, having served during the second Iraq war. When Nickolas Benson’s trucking unit was deployed to the Persian Gulf, they did not know the length of their stay, but that deployment changed his life forever.

After spending eight months in the Middle East, it was around Christmas in 2003 that Nickolas realized he had to pursue his true calling, music. He bought an acoustic guitar from the small shop on base and started learning to play after years of fiddling around. As a freshman in high school, Nickolas was encouraged by his band teacher, who told him he had a good ear for music. His stepfather further motivated him not to let go of his passion and bought him his first guitar.

To further his career in entertainment, he attended the Los Angeles Film & Recording School in Hollywood, California, where he attained three degrees in Audio & Music Production and Entertainment Business, summa cum laude. He had been recording and producing music from an early age, but after graduation, he received the necessary education to produce music the right way.

Hence, it was in 2003 that Nickolas started jamming and printing out sheets of his favorite songs to hone his skills. “Before I record, I spend days playing guitar to the metronome to make sure the tempo is right for the song. Every day, I challenge the melody and beat, and when I feel good about it, I finalize the song and hit record,” shares Nickolas.

In the world of YouTube and online streaming platforms, there is a sea of content out there where hundreds of hours are uploaded on a daily basis. To make your mark in this competitive industry is an art on its own. Hence, a major process must take place before you record a song. This makes the production process easier and maximizes the inspirational effect, so you can add the necessary elements to bring it to life.

Since his genre is quite unique and not one of the popular genres of today’s time and age, he had to face a number of challenges. Yet, he did not lose hope and continued pursuing his love for the kind of music closest to his heart. That’s the same advice he gives to aspiring musicians as well, “Make music for yourself. If it doesn’t move you, you won’t enjoy playing it for others. Make your music relatable and simple to reach as many people as possible. And if you play from your heart, it will reach the hearts of many others out there as well.”

A talented and inspirational performer, both onstage and online, Nickolas’s achievements include recording a song meant for George Strait called “Rodeo and the Radio,” which averaged over 800 plays per week on Country music radio in the summer of 2019. The song was also featured on CMT’s hit show, “Nashville.”

Moreover, the official music video for “Song for You” was featured on CMT in January of 2021. Along with this, he has been growing an online fan base of 100K fans online and has written over a thousand songs.

Talking about writing songs, he claims that it comes naturally to him. “Over time, the lyrics come to you, sometimes all at once, but you write what you can as fast as you can, making a word garden of ideas, and then go back to get what you need to do it right,” expresses Nickolas. “The key is to write without worrying about the lyric form because you will stall out – so just write it all out and come back when you need the right word or line to get total coverage of your song’s message or feeling. Recording this process helps a great deal, especially if you are writing music and lyrics in tandem,” he adds.

Nickolas Benson has grown and evolved as an artist since he started off in 2003. The journey he has gone through, his times during the war and his life after returning home have all contributed to his music and writings, making him the artist he is today. He has moves like Mick Jagger, swagger like George Strait, and vocals like Steven Tyler, which has helped his career grow, especially when it comes to onstage performances. With the world of music presented as an oyster for him, Nickolas is all set for his successful journey ahead, with more music, videos, and concerts paving his way forward!

Rising Music Icon Moxie Knox’s Impressive Talent and Work Ethic Sets Her on a Remarkable Trajectory for Success

Some say that the most successful people are those who never cease to become better. After all, most industries have become saturated, and one cannot thrive on talent alone. This complex reality is even more apparent in the highly competitive and cutthroat music scene. Given this, one music prodigy is making waves for her impeccable artistry and her admirable work ethic – Moxie Knox.

Born in The Bronx and raised in the boroughs of NYC, the gifted young woman was exposed to the entertainment scene at an early age. She was already performing as a dancer when she was only five years old, appearing in prestigious venues such as Alvin Ailey Studios. As years passed, she continued to hone her dancing prowess and learned several types of dance, including ballet, tap dance, gymnastics, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, and African dance at the Dance Theater of Harlem, Millennium Dance Company, and Elliott Dance Company.

Over time, her passion for the arts evolved, and she became fascinated with poetry and lyrics, particularly with the impressive wordplay skills of rappers and MCs. Before long, she began composing, writing and recording her songs a capella and singing them to whoever would listen, leaving audiences in awe of her exceptional prowess. Moxie is particular with artists she collaborates with, making sure the songs she produces are well-aligned with her vision and vocals that she records to a metronome.

Aside from that, the incredible musician’s education has been instrumental in shaping her to be a well-rounded individual. She has gone to some of the best schools on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Harlem, and Brooklyn, focusing on math, sciences, and the arts. As a student, not only did she excel in academics as a Calculus tutor, but she also participated in extracurricular activities as an artist and choreographer. 

Since her early days, Moxie has released several hit singles, such as “Thorough” and “One More Time.” Both tracks have been positively received by music enthusiasts and critics alike. In fact, “Thorough” was reposted by the prestigious music site Pigeons & Planes, while “One More Time” reached over 40,000 streams in its first weeks and landed on Audiomack’s Verified R&B playlist.

In 2021, the multi-genre singer/songwriter dropped her debut album, Ride, with ten tracks. The LP was executive produced by Moxie, who recorded and engineered the album in her own studio. She had it mastered by Dan Millice, who has worked with superstars like Kanye West, Nas, ASAP Rocky, and 50 Cent. Furthermore, other high-caliber industry professionals worked on the album, including Grammy award-winning producer and engineer High Octane, multi-platinum engineer Anthony Daniel, and Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist and composer Phillip Lewis. Lewis also serves as one of Moxie’s trusted musicians/producers and is currently on tour with Doja Cat. Following the release of the outstanding album, she became the face of Pandora’s Indie R&B playlist.

As a testament to her unrivaled prowess as a singer-songwriter, the artist showcases her rich textured timbre and melodious voice in her songs, unlike most other artists who heavily rely on sonic elements to capture the attention of audiences. Because of her distinct and fresh sound, the songstress has earned the adoration of millions of fans worldwide.

But more than her undeniable talent, what truly makes Moxie stand out is her impressive dedication to learning. Moxie recently completed her studies at the Berg School of Acting as a follow-up to her years of training in the arts. In addition, she has shown an admirable commitment to continuously improving her craft, participating in vocal fitness classes and performance training five days a week while studying music theory and business. 

Her passion for learning also manifests in other ways, such as her love for travel, where she immersed herself in the many places she has visited, like London and Berlin. She even speaks Spanish and was able to communicate with an exchange student she met while in high school.

On top of that, she has made it a priority to educate herself on sound design and the history of music, ultimately honing the skills of audio engineering and vocal production using digital audio workstations such as ProTools, Logic, Reason, Ableton and Maschine. In fact, she wrote the treatments and served as director or co-director for all of her independently released music videos.

Furthermore, the “Thirst For Yours” campaign for Moxie’s “Love Me Right” music video, which premiered on BET Jams, has garnered more than 71 million impressions to date and has launched the careers of many of the creatives involved. Even more impressive, Moxie was the only artist from New York City chosen for this campaign by Sprite out of 20,000 submissions. Lawrence Lamont, director for Issa Rae’s new HBO series, Rap Sh!t, served as the overseeing director to Ed “Buck” Buckles for the music video. Buck is known for his HBO documentary, “Katrina Babies,” featured in Time Magazine.

The inspiring young woman’s spirit and tenacity has allowed her to accomplish such tremendous success is her dynamic character. Most of her friends say she is “on-point, self-motivated, and inspiring,” while her colleagues describe her as a natural and warm-hearted leader who can effortlessly communicate with anyone. 

Due to her remarkable work ethic and vibrant personality, the seasoned performer has become a sought-after headliner performing in shows and venues all across New York City, such as SOB’s, DROM (via MajorStage), The Delancey, Rockwood Music Hall, Bowery Electric, The Paper Box, and many others. Moreover, she has graced the stages of several popular music festivals, including SXSW in Austin, Texas and A3C (via Fader Fort) in Atlanta, where she opened for Pink Sweat$ and Lion Babe on a three-day show, including Megan Thee Stallion. She also appeared in Spike Lee’s “She’s Gotta Have It.”

Additionally, the multi-talented young lady has amassed a community of loyal fans and followers, many of whom are members of the dance and artist community. They have demonstrated great love and support for the rising superstar by creating choreographies and covers of her songs, such as “Love Me Right,” featured on Joe Kay’s Soulection Apple Music Playlist & Radio.

Recently, Moxie released her latest single, “Open Up,” with two music videos featuring day and night versions. Aside from that, the iconic artist has created a merch shop where fans can purchase premium shirts and totes that feature embroidered lyrics from the song. 

As Moxie Knox moves forward, she remains steadfast in her vision of elevating her music, and music lovers can expect more tracks that captivate the ears and stimulate the soul. She is already preparing several exciting drops, releases, features, and surprises, including collaborations with popular producers like Maya Jane Coles, and artists from around the world, including Germany, London, and the Netherlands. Lastly, fans can watch her live at her upcoming show with Sofar Sounds on October 29th in Los Angeles.

Entrepreneur Ricardo Ortiz Opens Studio for Young Artists To Create Amazing Music

Many promising artists are fighting tooth and nail to gain a spot in the music scene, some dedicating their whole lives for a chance to be recognized. One entrepreneur by the name of Ricardo Ortiz hopes to create an avenue for young artists to share their music with the world. 

Ricardo Ortiz is the CEO and founder of Safehouse Studio, a recording company that provides young and promising artists a place to discover their gifts and share them with others. The 23-year-old entrepreneur started his studio to become a haven for musicians and has built it into what it is today: a company helping budding talents establish their identity amidst the saturated industry. 

Music has always been Ricardo’s passion, even at a young age. The young entrepreneur used to work for an exotic car company but realized he was specializing in the wrong type of business. Since then, Ricardo decided to start working toward his dreams. Recently, he finally fulfilled his goal and opened up his own recording studio, Safehouse Studio. 

After only six months in operation, Ricardo and the Safehouse team have already accomplished so much. In fact, they signed many acclaimed artists and put out quality content that has built a strong case for their authority in the music industry. Safehouse Studio continues to expand its services, including becoming more interactive with local schools. Additionally, they are one of the only studios to offer in-house videography and an isolated photography room in the same space. To further their cause, Ricardo and his team are currently searching for an instructor who can teach engineering and photography to future students. 

Ricardo has his mentor, Jason Valcarcel, to thank, as he has encouraged him to build his company from the ground up. Through the help of his mentor and other significant connections, Ricardo is seeing substantial progress in his business in such a short period.

Ricardo’s goal is to help young musicians find their own creative voice. It can be challenging, but he works with each artist to create a safe space to develop their skills. Safehouse Studio is not just a typical music recording studio; for Ricardo, it also serves as a training ground for artists looking to take themselves to the next level. 

As a result, many of their talents have expressed extreme appreciation for Safehouse and its team as they serve as a one-stop shop for top-tier services, with offerings such as music video creation, photography, mixing and mastering, and even coordinating. These many competencies set Ricardo’s company apart from countless other studios. Safehouse Studio allows its artists to work with skilled professionals who have vast years of music industry experience. Its team gives artists control of their music while lending proven experience and expertise in sound engineering, songwriting, production, and more. 

Safehouse Studio hopes to be the premiere studio for artists to develop their creativity, confidence, and career. Although he admits that it will be challenging to set up all this because of the time and effort needed to integrate multiple tools, Ricardo’s passion for helping others and creating quality tracks pushes him to keep moving forward with his mission.

Loudar: Meet a Hardstyle Music Producer from the Netherlands.

A hardstyle music producer Loudar, also known as Arnoud van Nispen, hails from the north of the Netherlands. With over ten years of experience in making music, when it comes to hardstyle,  Loudar is one of the remarkable artists who has been making waves in the music industry. He was quite young when he started playing musical instruments and composing different tunes. With time, his passion grew, and he further went on to explore his musical journey. When he turned 16, Loudar was introduced to electronic dance music (EDM), a unique music genre that uses samplers, drum machines, and synthesizers to create grooving sounds. Hardstyle music – a kind of EDM – is a genre that emerged in the late 90s in the Netherlands, but it has already made a fan base of millions. 

Arnoud started his career as a multi-genre DJ; however, it was in 2018 that he started focusing only on hardstyle music. According to Loudar, hardstyle music is a popular subgenre of EDM that combines house music, trance, hardcore, and hard techno. It is rated at around 150-160 bpm (beats per minute) and can be recognized by its use of synthesizer melodies and distorted sounds. Moreover, hardstyle consists of a synth, a hard-sounding kick drum, and reversed basslines along with vocals as well as detuned and distorted sounds. In the start, hardstyle music was also known as trance. But it took its own exclusive sound once it was fused with other instruments and melodies. 

We all look up to someone to inspire us, but for Loudar the art of music has always been his biggest motivation. Talking about what inspires him to achieve great things in life, he shares, “I don’t have any specific role models, but I really appreciate the DJs who have created amazing tracks. They have improved and evolved with time and have helped develop hardstyle into what it is today. I have a lot of respect for the big names from the earlier hardcore era, like the Prophet, DJ Isaac, Paul Elstak, etc. I respect them as they paved the path for all of us who love music. I believe this is their true legacy, and I want to be remembered like that as well.” 

For a music enthusiast like Loudar, it’s the passion for music that drives him. As for hardstyle music, he claims it is energetic, and the softer tracks could sound like EDM with more energy and hip beats. However, the production techniques and songwriting can be tailored to a more commercial audience. “I always loved producing music, but the difficult part for me was to finish a track. I see music as a journey; the ending should portray a perfect closure. It is quite challenging as I have been a perfectionist when it comes to music. Until I am satisfied with the track, I keep on improving it. I remember my first demo track; it took me years before I sent it to a record company, as I kept working on it and trying to make it perfect. It was also my first official release,” he reveals.

We are all aware that many artists try to create bootleg music versions of some amazing tracks and release them. For those who don’t know, bootlegs are the unofficial release of an existing track by another artist holding the rights to the music. In fact, various kinds of bootleg range from making a copy of the official release to versions that appear different. Though Loudar is famous for his unique style and music, he often releases bootleg music as well. “A bootleg is not an official remix, you can’t release it officially, but you can share it as a free download. I like to make bootlegs, and it allows me to put my ideas, feelings, and energy into a new remix from an existing release from another artist. From my perspective, I’m not trying to make it better, just different. While such songs do not benefit me or any artist financially, they enhance the audience for the particular song and share its love,” he informs.

Despite having a successful career as a DJ, he is also a loving and caring father. “DJ-ing is my number one hobby; a large part of my life has to do with making music, playing music, and experiencing music and events. But in life, there are other things as well that push you towards excellence, and for me, that’s my son, Milan. He is my life, and I’m grateful for having him. He makes me smile, and I am very proud of him,” he shares

A successful music producer, incredible artist, and inspirational dad, Loudar is indeed an inspiration for many aspiring musicians and artists. In a short span of time, he has carved a niche for himself, but he claims that he has a long way to go, so we can expect nothing but exceptional music from him in the future.

Entrepreneur Christopher M. Aboy’s Adaptability Ensures T.A.G. Muay Thai’s Massive and Lasting Success

Building a business from scratch is an already massive accomplishment that not everyone can fulfill. However, getting started is only half the battle. Up ahead is an even more arduous and challenging journey of ensuring that the enterprise endures and lasts. And more often than not, these budding brands end up falling through the cracks. Yet despite that, T.A.G. Muay Thai has triumphantly beaten the odds and continues to thrive since its inception 16 years ago.

The Virginia-based Muay Thai training facility has consistently progressed over the years. In fact, from its humble beginnings inside Christopher M. Aboy’s two-car garage, the venture has moved to bigger spaces, including the Dulles Sportsplex. But alongside these remarkable milestones, it had experienced its fair share of setbacks and hurdles, most especially as among the many enterprises that were heavily impacted when the global pandemic broke out. During this incredibly difficult season, it moved three times to various sites. Finally, the business has found its permanent home at 45698 Elmwood Court, Suite B, in Sterling, Virginia, where it celebrated its first anniversary in May 2022.

What helped the inspiring brand reach such wide renown is the exceptional leadership of its founder and owner, Christopher M. Aboy. The entrepreneur is a certified Muay Thai instructor and uniformed police officer serving the U.S. government for over 20 years. Utilizing his acquired skills from both disciplines, the visionary has greatly scaled T.A.G. Muay Thai’s success and reputation. 

Not only that, but the head instructor also possesses an awe-inspiring passion for teaching. As a testament to this, he has curated a stellar training program that enables students to achieve their maximum learning and potential. Currently, it offers multiple different classes specifically developed to accommodate a wide variety of students from all ages and skill levels.

But perhaps the most significant attribute the visionary holds is his impressive adaptability and dedication to innovation. For example, at the height of COVID-19, restrictions were enforced, and everyone was advised to stay home, leaving the gym empty. But instead of stopping operations, Christopher carefully assessed the situation and quickly made strategic adjustments. Before long, he decided to conduct virtual lessons until restrictions loosened up to bring back “in-person” learning in a physical space. 

Having an admirable propensity to roll with the punches is a crucial element when learning martial arts such as Muay Thai. The perceptive founder realizes that this very same principle can be applied to any business that wishes to have continued growth. “Things aren’t always going to go your way; think smart and logical for the next steps. Things don’t happen overnight, but consistency and executing step by step will help put you one step closer to your goal,” he excellently explained.

Moving forward, the extraordinary man remains steadfast in his vision of elevating T.A.G. Muay Thai to greater heights and ensuring its longevity. To accomplish this, he plans to keep putting in his best efforts and employing a strategic approach. On top of that, Christopher hopes to add more value to the community, which is why he shares his wisdom through his books Conquering Muay Thai published in January 2021 and Conquering your Law Enforcement Career, which is scheduled to drop in October 2022.