Iconic Musician Jim Peterik Modifies “Eye of the Tiger” to Show Support for the Cincinnati Bengals

Photo: UCR

Super Bowl Sunday is one of the most awaited sports events in the United States. This year is particularly exciting for the Cincinnati Bengals as it makes its comeback to the championship after more than 30 years. With talented quarterback Joe Burrow leading, fans are hopeful that the team can take back the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Ohio.

To make things even more special, legendary musician and former member of famous rock band Survivor Jim Peterik has decided to help boost the team’s morale through a rousing anthem. 

On a Facebook video uploaded on his page, the Ides of March and Pride of Lions guitarist demonstrated his support to the team by donning an orange outfit and sunglasses. In addition, the co-writer of the award-winning theme song for  Rocky III, “Eye of the Tiger,” reworked the iconic song as a tribute to the Cincinnati Bengals.

The creative man tweaked some of the lyrics, including “Joe Burrow got the eye of the tiger” and “The Bengals got the eye of the tiger.” He even used a guitar with tiger stripes to show his love for the team. 

At the beginning of the video, he proudly proclaimed that 2022 is the year of the fierce feline, as he showed off his exceptional guitar skills by playing a riff of the song. He said, “There is so much tiger energy in the air this year. We’ve got the 40th anniversary of “The Eye of the Tiger,” it’s the Chinese New Year – the Year of the Tiger, and we have star quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow of the LSU tigers taking the Cincinnati Bengals to the Super Bowl.”

The musician went on to add, “I may not be the biggest football fan, but when the Bengals are at the Super Bowl, I know who I’m rooting for! Joe Burrow’s got the Eye of The Tiger – this one’s for you!” After which, he passionately sang the song’s riveting chorus.

This is not the first time that someone from the music industry has shown support for the Bengals. As many would recall, hip-hop superstar Kid Cudi recently had an endearing interaction with the phenomenal Joe Burrow.

The MC shared in a Tweet, “Ok. So after the Bengals win against the Chiefs, I hit Joe and congratulated him and asked if I could have his jersey. He said yes and sent it right away, rockin this to the game and then framing it. I am so geeked right now.”

Sports enthusiasts, most especially the Ohio football team fans, are stoked to see such an impressive and galvanizing display of support from some of the biggest names in the music scene. While waiting for the most-awaited match, fans have painted the town with black and orange, the Bengal’s signature colors.

Viewers can catch The Cincinnati Bengals versus the Los Angeles Rams for this year’s Super Bowl on Sunday, February 13th at 6:30 ET on NBC.

Lil Nas X’s First Album Montero Debuts at the Second Spot on the Billboard Charts

Source: Lil Nas X

Famous singer and rapper Lil Nas X has proven once again that he has what it takes to be a worldwide sensation. A week after the release of his long-awaited studio album MONTERO on September 17, the LP has successfully debuted at the Top 2 spot of the prestigious Billboard 200 Albums Chart.

The young musician, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, first rose to fame with “Old Town Road,” 2019’s hottest summer track. Since then, Lil Nas X skyrocketed to the top of the music scene and showed no signs of slowing down. 

The success of his debut album can be attributed not only to his impressive musical prowess but also to his superb marketing strategies. The artist had long been teasing fans and listeners about his album by posting snippets on his social media accounts.

On the 26th of March, he finally dropped the first single, “Montero (Call Me by Your Name).” In the following months, he subsequently released the second and third songs on the album, which are respectively called “Sun Goes Down” and “Industry Baby.”

The songs quickly became trending on the social media site TikTok, and millions of users were using them to create content. Lil Nas X is also active on the app. He continues to build momentum by engaging with his audience and giving them minor updates as well as little sneak peeks on what to expect from the album.

Aside from making catchy tunes and writing clever lyrics, Lil Nas X has captured listeners’ attention due to his authenticity. Most, if not all, of his songs, take inspiration from his experiences. On top of that, he is known to be very outspoken, opinionated, and open, which adds to his charm and charisma. 

MONTERO debuting at the second spot on the highly coveted chart is an already impressive feat, being that it is only the hitmaker’s first-ever album. The top spot still belongs to Drake’s Certified Lover Boy, which has been the number one album for the last three weeks. 

In addition to this, three tracks from the album have also seen immense success and have made it to this week’s Billboard Top 100, including the recently released “That’s What I Want.”  

The LP is distributed by Columbia Records and contains a total of 15 tracks. Fans can also listen to it via music streaming platforms. It features this generation’s most sought-after musicians such as Megan Thee Stallion, Miley Cyrus, Jack Harlow, and Doja Cat. Music legend Elton John has also joined the singer for the single “One of Me.” 

Lil Nas X has definitely hit the ground running. The gifted musician has successfully proven the skeptics wrong and has removed all traces of doubt that he is a one-hit-wonder. Fans and music enthusiasts alike should be on the lookout for upcoming projects and future releases from the young artist as he continues to dominate the industry one song at a time. 

Damion Hype Bridging Cultures through His Crossover Music Concept

Music knows no bounds, and artists like Damion Hype understand its universality the most. And while one could take Damon’s music and put it under the Dancehall category, there are many other elements to his songs that exude melodies and aspects of many other genres. Accordingly, the artist is out to challenge cultural divides as he progresses in his music career. 

Damion Hype is a singer and songwriter who originally hails from Jamaica. The son of a professional musician, his life revolved around music.

“My dad had a great influence on me as I can remember going to watch him perform at hotels in Jamaica with a band,” shares Damion. “Just the outpouring love from the guests inspired me to become a musician too.” The artist’s calling into music as a career was further confirmed while attending Happy Grove High School, where he would get through everyday beating his desk and creating songs and stringing lyrics in his head during class. 

Damion grew up listening to Dancehall and Reggae artists like Bob Marley. After moving to the United States, He would widen his scope and start listening to other genres, especially rap. He would listen to Jamaican rappers like Shaggy, Sean Paul, and Louie Culture, expanding his music and polishing his sound.

In 2016, Damion Hype took a giant leap and recorded his first single track, “Gone,” alongside artist Twaine Henry. The song received a good reception from audiences, especially his family, who encouraged Hype to continue pursuing music. After releasing his first single from his home parish of Portland, he flew back to Jamaica to record his second track. While working on the sophomore release, Damion could brush shoulders with his music idol Louie Culture who praised the Dancehall artist for his “unique voice.” 

While Dancehall would become the bedrock for the Jamaican artist’s music career, Damion Hype started expanding his sound a bit more.

“I am from Jamaica, and the slangs we used are not always easy to understand; some say it should be a language, but I make the most of my music with the intent that everyone will understand it,” shares Damion Hype. “In some cases, I used order foreign languages in some of my songs, like in my single ‘Tonight’ that has some Spanish, and ‘Baby Boo’ that has some African languages. And I have at least four songs out in a foreign language.” Just recently, Damion released his new single “Secret” as production starts on the visuals so that he can showcase to the world.

By bringing together languages and elements from other cultures, Damion hopes to break barriers and differences globally. Currently, he has a very diverse listenership, with his audiences and fans now hailing from over 26 different countries. By catering to a global audience and creating music with various influences, he hopes that people will connect with his music and each other. 

Some of Damion Hype’s other songs include tracks like “Bad Gal,” “Tonight,” “Above Di Wata,” “Baby Boo,” “You Mi Want,” and “Identity,” to name some of them. His music is most popular in the United States, Jamaica, Kenya, and the Caribbean and circulates in various radio stations in those countries and beyond. 

Damion currently resides in Memphis. Learn more about his music and life by visiting his YouTube channel and Instagram profile.

15 Years of Digital Music Streaming: How Spotify Radically Impacted the Music Industry

Music streaming has significantly evolved throughout the years from bulky vinyl, CDs, and the radio. Today, the music streaming industry is dominated by Spotify. The platform did not merely provide a more convenient solution for one of America’s greatest pastimes but also addressed various problems faced by record labels and independent artists, such as piracy. After 15 years since its founding, Spotify remains at the top.

Spotify was founded in 2006 by two Swedish entrepreneurs, Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. The duo wanted to build a platform that would address the rising demand for audio-streaming services among consumers who did not particularly want to purchase physical albums or might want easy access to a library of songs by artists from any part of the world. Spotify is an open archive offering unlimited streams for those who avail of its subscription, but it also offers free streaming for users who do not mind listening to advertisements. 

Initially headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Spotify reached new heights when it finally launched in the US market in 2011. Since then, the platform grew from having only 7% of users in the United States in 2010 to a staggering 83% by the end of 2020, according to Variety. Spotify currently has offices in 17 countries, has over 356 million active users worldwide, and over 158 million paying subscribers. Spotify’s library holds over 70 million songs from various record labels and media companies, all of which are subjected to the streaming platform’s digital copyright restrictions. 

With Spotify’s affordability, experts have found a significant decline in online piracy. Record labels and music companies have been struggling to fight against piracy after the illegal downloading and file-sharing solutions introduced by Napster, Limewire, and other sites encouraged people to disregard the idea of paid music. By introducing a cheaper alternative to the traditional CD albums, Spotify changed a generation’s perspective about piracy and digital property.

Spotify’s vast library also allows users to explore multiple genres. The platform also created “Mood Playlists,” categorizing songs into moods, therefore saving users time to search for songs that carry the same vibes. The “Mood Playlist” includes songs from various genres. One of Spotify’s generated playlists is called the Mood Booster, which includes happy songs from multiple genres, artists, and even languages.

The platform’s unique feature called Spotify Clips also revolutionized the industry as it gave listeners a glimpse of the lives of their favorite artists through the stories they share. Artists can record short clips of themselves and connect with fans as they would on Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

Spotify also stepped in to help communities amid the challenging times of the pandemic. The platform launched a feature called Artist Fundraising Pick, which allows fans to donate directly to artists, who will then give the proceeds to their chosen charity. 

Spotify has indeed radically changed the way people stream music. Beyond portability, the platform has addressed some of the most controversial issues in the music industry and provided avenues for artists to showcase their everyday life. With its rapid growth in 2021 despite the pandemic, there’s no doubt that Spotify is here to stay.

Sources:

https://variety.com/2021/music/news/spotify-turns-15-how-the-streaming-giant-has-changed-and-reinvented-the-music-industry-1234948299/

https://www.fastcompany.com/90630368/spotify-q1-2021-covid-at-home-streaming-boosts-premium-subscribers-to-158-million

Bruno Mars Leaves the Door Open for His Eighth No. 1 Hit On Billboard Hot 100

Bruno Mars is at the top of his game. Consistently elevating the industry’s standards with each track and album release, the music artist has once again secured number one—this time as one-half of the critically-acclaimed team “Silk Sonic” with Anderson .Paak.

Since its release last March 5, 2021, the R&B super duo’s track “Leave the Door Open” has crooned its way into radios worldwide and, recently, into the No. 1 spot of Billboard’s Hot 100—marking Bruno’s eighth time on the list. 

A well-loved and celebrated creative, Bruno Mars is a multi-talented American singer, songwriter, and performer. He first developed his craft at a young age as an Elvis Presley impersonator before putting pen to paper and moving to Los Angeles in 2003 to pursue music. Although he often wrote songs for the industry’s biggest names, it wasn’t until 2010 that Bruno would rise to stardom.

The year was defined by his soulful vocals’ success on “Nothin’ on You” by B.o.B., Bruno’s first Billboard Hot 100 No.1, and Travis McCoy’s “Billionaire.” Fresh from the attention of his collaborative work, Bruno Mars launched his debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans in the same year. To say it succeeded would be an understatement.

With chart-topping hits such as “The Lazy Song” and Billboard Hot 100 No.1 Tracks “Grenade” and “Just The Way You Are,” Bruno’s debut album cemented his reputation as a multi-talented artist. His masterful blend of pop, reggae, funk, R&B, hip-hop, soul, and rock attracted a loyal, international following that continues to grow with each released track.

The versatile music artist’s subsequent two visits to the coveted list occurred under promotions of his second album, Unorthodox Jukebox, in 2012. Containing undeniably groovy tracks, it came as no surprise when Bruno’s “Locked Out of Heaven” and, later, “When I Was Your Man” found spots on the Billboard. 

Two years later, he was back. In 2014, Bruno Mars was featured on Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk!” The single swept worldwide charts and reigned king at Billboard’s Hot 100 for an awe-inducing fourteen weeks. Bruno’s third studio album, the fan-favorite “24K Magic,” soon followed with iconic hits, generating another No.1 spot with “That’s What I Like” on the charts and multiple well-deserved Grammy awards for the artist and his talented team. 

This year, Bruno makes history with his eighth stay on the sought-after seat. Debuting as “Silk Sonic” with fellow industry game-changer Anderson .Paak, Bruno Mars has snagged another Billboard Hot 100 No.1 spot with “Leave the Door Open.”

Released only this year, the single has left the door open for multiple chart recognitions and unending praise for the crowned super duo’s creativity and performance. Featuring a unique and sexy tune, “Leave The Door Open” has serenaded fans worldwide, attracting a growing and diverse fanbase and redefining R&B.

Twist the knob and listen to “Leave The Door Open.” Learn more about the leading hitmaker Bruno Mars on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, or his official website

References:

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9555081/silk-sonic-leave-the-door-open-number-one-hot-100

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9555322/bruno-mars-anderson-paak-celebrate-leave-the-door-open-hitting-no-1-billboard-hot-100

From Poetry to Rap Verses, Chaney Chino Shares His Journey to Developing His Brand and 3K Entertainment

The beauty of music is that it takes inspiration from a variety of people, events, and memories, walking the line so closely with poetry. Both serve as catalysts to express their innermost feelings by reaching out to listeners with relatable experiences. Many rappers often cite poetry as one of their earliest exposures to the music style, attributing their lyrical practice to the lines and composition of poetry. Chaney Chino is an up-and-coming rapper whose growing success stemmed from his early exposure to the literary form of art.

Chaney Chino is a renowned Texas artist, producer, songwriter, and partner and founder of 3K or 3Kings Entertainment LLC. While he is growing significantly in the music space, the artist’s journey started from humble beginnings with exposure to Gospel music, Neo-Soul, and Country Rap Tunes, igniting his passion and interest in music production.

At nine years old, Chaney was already exploring his lyrical gifts, writing as a poet while learning how to play the piano by ear and polishing his drum skills in church. These early practices would be beneficial in his later career. As an adult, Chaney Chino would bring his training to the big stage, working alongside some of the biggest names in the music industry. The rising artist has already performed with multi-platinum Grammy-nominated producer, Mr. Lee, Lil Flip, Webbie, and many legendary Texas artists.

The rising artist also boasts expertise as a highly-skilled liaison, looking to bridge gaps between business and consumers while providing preeminent entertainment. Chaney took his platform to the next level when he opened the doors for emerging 3K artists. Despite being busy with multiple endeavors, Chaney continues to release high quality visuals like “Playmade” in 2017” and “Hood N*gga” in 2021. Recently, he released a track called “Jungle.”

With a colorful discography, Chaney Chino’s works have been well received by music blogs and tastemakers. The artist has also landed a feature on Genius and Say Cheese TV this year. With 3K Entertainment, the artist’s greatest contribution is developing artists around North and Central Texas, transforming them into heavy hitters in their respective cities. Since establishing the company, 3K has become a reputable brand and entertainment company. 

Working with Illmatic from Louisiana, Chaney has developed a joint venture on building a reputable business and brand. The duo first came together in 2016 and have been making strides in the industry. Together, they developed 3K Entertainment, leading the brand to gain traction and build with the lead beat production from Illmatic.

In 2020, Chaney and 3K Entertainment released “Eleven Eleven,” one of the company’s earliest productions and collaboration. The commercial visual illustrates everyday activity with family and community values. 

Since then, 3K Entertainment has been moving in the right direction. Chaney Chino is optimistic about the fate of his brand and hopes to scale it on a national level next year as a new market for growth, opportunities, and placement.Stay updated on Chaney Chino’s latest tracks by following him on Facebook and Instagram and subscribing to his YouTube channel.

Rap Artist Trotter Water Narrating Life Experience Through Lyrics and Tune

Kenneth Ray Trotter, better known as Trotter Water, is an American Rapper hailing from Columbia, Missouri. He began his journey in hip-hop in the 1990s, when Kris Kross debuted as a rap duo famous for wearing their clothes backward throughout the mall. Four years after discovering his passion for music, Trotter started freestyle rapping and penned amazing raps. As he grew older, his love for hip hop also bloomed, and the rap star wrote and performed raps as often as he could. 

In November 1998, he made his debut stage performance at the Blue Note Columbia, MO, alongside fellow rappers. “Just being on the stage and seeing the crowd and their reactions, it felt so good,” he said. “It felt so good. There is no other feeling.”

However, there was turbulence ahead for the budding artist as his musical career was put on hold for over a decade when he was incarcerated. While in prison, he had time to self-reflect, and he concluded that his happiest moments were on stage performing.

With nothing but time on his hands in prison, he wrote over 400 rap lyrics. The content of his raps was about his perspective on his life experiences. “A lot of it was basically on how I viewed life because, at the time, I felt that a lot of people turned their back on me because I was locked up,” Trotter said. “A lot of my initial first drafts were angry and just hatred and just as a form of release.”

Despite his past experiences, Trotter Water is not one to give up on his dreams and goals.  Once he finished his prison term, he immediately picked up from where he left off, brushing off his skills and launching into the musical scenes to narrate his story through captivating lyrics and tunes.  He has recorded three hip-hop mixtapes under his production company (Target Takeover Productions). He also starred as an opening act for Bone Crusher, Hurricane Chris, Luni Coleone and a few other artists.

In 2019, Trotter Water signed a management contract with JPS Productions out of Columbia, MO. Jason Schrick, the owner of JPS Productions, would then arrange to record and produce Trotter’s EP “Switching Lanes,” at Universal Music Group–Nashville. The title track of that EP was released in September 2021 and made a significant splash on the airwaves. The soul-rending song was accompanied by a YouTube video, directed and produced by Jonathan Grajeda, and the entire “Switching Lanes” EP is on all nearly every music platform available for streaming.

For Trotter Water, his brand of music is inspired by real-life events, and he wants his raps to reflect his own experiences and not just what the industry wants.

“Hip-hop is telling a story. It’s about life experiences,” he said. I didn’t want to fall into the trend of saying what people wanted to hear; if I have never lived it or haven’t done it, I will not talk about it.”

Additionally, he has an interview segment with local businesses called “Water Wednesdays” on Facebook, where he spotlights businesses and local organizations. He also has a Facebook segment called “Is It Too Hot for Water,” where he tests hot food for how spicy/hot it is. One notable segment is Hattie B’s chicken in Nashville, TN.

To learn more about Trotter Water and his discography, visit his management company’s Facebook page. 

Stryker Records Founder Chris Dobry Paves the Way for Aspiring Artists Worldwide

Many tried, but not everyone has managed to establish a name for themselves in their chosen fields. Although the road to success has become relatively easier these days thanks to the advent of the digital era, the rise of social media, and the growing accessibility of today’s industries, it takes more than having a clear-cut vision to make a mark. Aspirants anywhere not only have to deal with naysayers and face adversities, but they also have to contend with the harsh reality that not everyone is meant to take center stage. For this reason, Chris Dobry, the brilliant mind behind Stryker Records, is here to help.

Having had his fair share of trials and tribulations before being able to secure a spot at the summits of the music and entertainment industry, Chris Dobry is intimately aware of the hardships that one has to go through in order to carve a success-enabling path in a highly cutthroat trade. Utilizing these experiences, this multifaceted go-getter decided to maneuver others towards greatness and become an instrument of hope by establishing Stryker Records, a record company that is beyond ordinary.

Passionately established in 1997 by a visionary, Stryker Records is widely recognized for its distinctive artistry and all-out approach to delivering success among aspirants, dreamers, and emerging artists. Through its industrious efforts, it has served as an effective launching pad for people and communities, earning countless acclaim from several established authorities, powerhouses, and peers. With a passion-driven founder taking its reins, Stryker Records is setting the bar high across a highly competitive industry.

Over the years, Stryker Records has proven worthy of its stellar reputation across the realms of music and entertainment. Chris Dobry has promoted live concerts for artists, such as Saving Abel, Merle Haggard, The Goo Goo Dolls, Saliva, Trapt, Tantric, and more. He has also collaborated with Holly Hutchinson (former VP of Capitol Records) of AnRGirl in launching the label’s former rock group, Jamie Fontaine and The Level, to the number 20 spot on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Indicator chart and the number seven spot on the Concrete or Foundations Chart with their single, “Save Your Life” last September 2020. The track was produced by Jason Schrick of JPS Productions and platinum producer Malcolm Springer of Universal Music Group in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Pushing the boundaries of music and entertainment to pave the way for more aspiring artists across the industry, Chris Dobry is proud to announce Stryker Records first Hip Hop artist, Drew Lines. The “Drew Lines” singles ‘Rise’ and ‘Love is War’ featuring Clio Cadence, were also produced by Malcolm Springer at The House of Blues Studio in Nashville. The single “Rise” topped the NACC (US and Canada) chart at #18 as well as the M3 Radio chart in Brooklyn, NY at #1 in the Hip Hop category and #1 on the ‘all genre’ top 30 chart. Currently the single “Love is War”, has been impacting radio charts throughout the US and Canada. 

Although Chris Dobry has managed to pave the way for his company to reach impressive heights, he would not have achieved promising milestones had it not been for his passion and dedication towards music. Ever since he dipped his toes into the industry at the age of 14, the power player has been relentless in his pursuits despite the odds stacked against him. After years of hard work and determination, Chris has managed to climb the summits of success, maneuvering those under his wing towards greatness.

In the years to come, he plans to continue transcending limitations and exceeding expectations, carving success-enabling paths for aspirants worldwide.To know more about Chris Dobry and Stryker Records, you may visit their Facebook page.

NEEZY’s, ‘Letters From London’ unifies industry powerhouses for a Christmas album like no other

Being talented is a characteristic that not everyone possesses. Some are born with the unparalleled ability to climb the pinnacles of greatness, while others hold an incomparable capacity to change the world. While being gifted has its own perks that benefit the person in the long run, what one does with it is a different story. In the case of Nihal ‘NEEZY’ Andrews, an emerging artist with a soulful voice, it is shown how one’s talent can blossom into channels of hope, positivity, and change. Today, this rising star strives to bridge the gap between communities, unifying people through the power of music.

While having exceptional skills and remarkable abilities is a feat in itself, using these talents to create a significant impact on the world is a choice that transcends limitations and defies odds. Those who choose to make a difference in the world have the capacity to cement themselves in a dog-eat-dog world. Being someone whose career has touched lives and sparked joy, Nihal ‘NEEZY’Andrews has proven that anyone can be a catalyst of positive change if they aspire to. 

Better known as Neezy, Nihal Andrews is a singer and songwriter based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Since dipping his toes into the music realm, the multifaceted has been capturing the hearts of many listeners worldwide with his distinctive artistry, impressive discography, and revolutionary efforts. After being classically trained in music, Neezy goes the extra mile to materialize his purpose-driven vision of a better world.

From the get-go, Neezy has always been focused on one goal: to unify individuals and communities through music. Believing in the importance of blending cultures and bringing people together, he has made it his mission to spark initiatives that not only attract listeners but also empower others to build relationships and connect with people around the world. For this reason, he is currently collaborating with various artists worldwide, from Puerto Rico, Tanzania, and Jamaica to Germany, Ireland, and India, working on a Christmas album that exceeds expectations and breaks cultural barriers.

As can be gleaned from his trajectory, Neezy is pulling out all the stops, making significant strides across the realms of music and entertainment. As a matter of fact, the rising star has not only called upon various artists worldwide to strengthen his visionary purpose, but he has also created songs that demonstrate unity. Drawing inspiration from notable figures like A-HA and Silk Sonic, Neezy’s Christmas album is one to look out for during this season of love, peace, and unity.

Although Neezy has already made an impact throughout his career because of his selfless initiatives, what sets this powerhouse apart from other industry players is the time and effort he dedicates to connect with fans and listeners worldwide. He makes it a point to be present during pre- and post-event meet-and-greet sessions, sparking meaningful conversations with people and communities. This personal touch that Neezy gives to his listeners is what makes him unique.

Throughout his flourishing career, Neezy has proven to be a vital voice in the modern era. With his newly-released album entitled Letters From London, the star is bound to make a lasting impact on the entertainment world.To know more about Neezy, you may visit his Instagram account.

From Flight Attendant to Music, Autumnlilly Strives to Use Her Platform and Shed Light on Global Issues

Life is filled with many adversities, but the person facing them often determines how they get affected. Others get overwhelmed and fall into pits of self-destruction and harmful cycles that go on for the rest of their lives while some people muster the courage to break free and start anew. Lilly Phiri is among the exceptional to fall into the latter category, creating a new career under the stage name Autumnlilly.

Growing up, Autumnlilly had faced many trials and tribulations that would have left anyone else with a permanent bad day. But for the rising artist, music had been one of the safest outlets that allowed her to escape the harshness of reality. As a child, she would sing along with her favorite tunes that came on the radio, setting up the foundations for her passion for performing. Despite life bombarding her with one challenge after another, Autumnlilly never wavered, and she realized she was special. “I never allowed my reality to get the better of me,” the artist shared proudly.

Although she had a deep love for music, Autumnlilly’s career started in the most unexpected position. She held a stable job as a flight attendant, soaring the skies for seven years before deciding it was time to pursue her greatest love. Since shifting her career, Autumnlilly has been brewing on the backdrop of vocal art performance training in music. 

As an artist, Autumnlilly is trained in the vocal arts of opera. She strives to tell stories through her music, shedding light on social issues and global situations that the world is dealing with. The artist on the rise draws inspiration from musicians like the late Brenda Fassie, Wizkid, and Black Coffee. Autumnlilly utilizes the Afro-Soul and Jazz genres to help push her stories forward. She is always open to making collaborations because she believes in the diversity and beauty of good music. 

Autumnlilly’s approach to music can be traced back to the trials and tribulations she’s had to overcome through the years, using the life lessons she learned as catalysts to launch her music career forward. With nearly a decade of flight attendant experience under her belt, the artist was also able to absorb many stories, using her platform to shed light on the injustice and struggles that thousands endure daily. “I like to tell stories through my music,” said Autumnlilly.

“For instance, South Africa is currently at the epicenter of gender-based violence,” the artist elaborated. “My song ‘Hamba Juba’ highlights those issues but also speaks about the inherent strength that women and men in abusive relationships have and that it’s also better to walk away. Hence the South African proverb ‘Hamba Juba,’ meaning ‘Go/fly bird.’

SA is currently commemorating 16days of activism, an annual awareness campaign about gender-based violence and abuse against children.

With her career still full of promise Autumnlilly is optimistic about how her brand will grow through the years and is, in fact, currently working on a skincare range of products and hopes to expand into a clothing and cologne brand. Some have suggested she also gives a go at being an author; after all, hers is a story worth telling.” I’m also just trying to figure it out, “she said jokingly.

Additionally, Autumnlilly hopes to involve herself with the United Nations with the goal of making a difference to the youth in the world.Get the latest updates on Autumnlilly’s music by following her on Instagram and Facebook and subscribing to her YouTube channel.