Music Observer

Jeyaia Bursts into the Music Scene with Debut Single, “Rising”

Authenticity is one of the best approaches to stamp one’s solid presence as an artist, and that’s the one thing Jeyaia counts on as her career blooms and blossoms with her debut single, “Rising.” 

The song, a creative expression of her journey through life, telling a story of becoming and adopting the self-love that exists within her to churn out positive energy towards progress, has become a crowd favorite and is setting the tone for the kind of career Jeyaia is building. The Sydney-based singer and songwriter passes a message of self-awakening through the transformation of challenges to growth and hopes to inspire consistent energy in her listener.

On first listen, Jeyaia’s voice bursts through the soundwaves with silky smooth tones and creamy harmonies as she blends neo-soul and old-school R&B. “Rising” is a song about liberation from the shackles of conditional love while adopting love from within, which leads to empowerment and independence to pursue one’s goals relentlessly. “Rising” exudes the energy of self-empowerment and freedom. To me, true freedom is knowing who we really are. Unconditional love is a feeling; when we are connected to the truth of who we are; knowing we are divine extensions of the universe, and we have everything we need within,” Jeyaia shared.

“Rising,” produced by Sydney-based producer Otis James on his first meeting with Jeyaia, has become a well-loved song putting everyone involved in the production in a good spot. “Otis is a musical genius. He played a few chords for me, and I knew it would be my first song. I felt it in my bones. The melody and lyrics channeled through me effortlessly, and together with Otis’ expertise in the studio, the track became more and more powerful. We both became bigger versions of ourselves through the process of creating this song,” Jeyaia revealed.

For most of her life, especially the early days, Jeyaia was influenced heavily and directly by her parents, performing musicians in a blues band. She frequently traveled with them and started developing her artistic skills from that experience. “Music is everything to me. I grew up in a very musical household, and all of my earliest memories are kept alive by the music that created them. Christmas at nan and pop’s house with Ella Fitzgerald and Bing Crosby on vinyl, and summer holidays singing with my family in the car on long road trips. For me, music is my happiness,” she revealed.

As her career takes off with her debut single, the resulting traction and the number of fans she has gained have given her massive encouragement to not rest on her oars. The lyrics from her debut single do nothing but encourage people to see themselves in a new light and embrace the strength they possess from within. “I’m honored to share my voice with the world and inspire other awakened souls to remember their divine truth,” she said.“Rising” is now available on music streaming platforms such YouTube, Soundcloud, Spotify, and Apple Music. For more information and updates on Jeyaia’s upcoming projects, check out her Instagram and Facebook accounts.

Mugal Group Co-Founder Dani Stephenson Executive Produces Marvel’s Eternals Soundtrack “Nach Mera Hero”

Daniel “Dani” Stephenson has continually cemented his name in the  music and entertainment industry, and he got to where he is now through hard work, consistency, innovation, and creative vision. Having gained  many accolades throughout his career, many are often wondering what  the entrepreneur will focus on next. Recently, Dani Stephenson took  another significant stride in his career in the music industry as he stepped  into the Marvel universe and took part in the production of the highly acclaimed soundtrack for Eternals with “Nach Mera Hero.” 

Dani Stephenson has always portrayed an unparalleled vision in music and  entertainment. He began his career as a producer and songwriter under  the moniker Pyramids in Paris while studying at Christ Church University,  taking up music production and artist development. He also studied DJ  technology, music law, media, and publishing at Open College Network. 

Always one to aim for great heights, Dani Stephenson worked hard to  make a name for himself in one of the most cutthroat ecosystems in the  world. From working silently behind his alias to interning at community  radios, Dani Stephenson eventually proved that he is a force to be  reckoned with when he took part in the production of the Billboard topping single “The Mack” featuring Mack Morrison and Fetty Wap. That  marked the beginning of many more opportunities for the visionary.

Soon enough, Danie Stephenson built his company Straight Forward  Music Group. The company has gained many accolades, including multi platinum recognition, various Grammy Awards, Brit Award, BET Award,  Mercury Award, Soul Train Music Award, Q Award, ASCAP Award, BMI  Award, Brit Asia Award, BBC Future Sound Award, and more. The CEO has  worked with many prominent names throughout his company, such as  Diddy-Dirty Money, Drake, Big Sean, Dave, Kanye West, Don Diablo, Gucci  Mane, Nana Rogues, and more. 

Furthermore, in 2019, Dani Stephenson co-founded L3gacy Group with  the former manager of P Diddy, Ryan Lopez. The company has signed  eight-time Grammy-nominated producer-engineer-mixer Shawn “Source”  Jarrett. 

Venturing more into the Southeast Asian entertainment industry, Dani  Stephenson co-founded Mugal Group. The company pilots global  strategies for the next generation of Southeast Asian artists who want to  be heard in the global music and entertainment scene. Mugal Group  champions talents across Asia, including the teen sensations Harris J, Lil  Bilz, and of course, Celina Sharma. 

Eternals follows the journey of an immortal alien race emerging to protect  the earth from the Deviants after hiding for thousands of years. The 2021  superhero film was a blockbuster hit and marked yet another milestone  for Dani Stephenson, who was the executive co-producer of “Nach Mera  Hero.” The title song, which translates to “Dance My Hero,” was  performed by Mugal Group’s rising artist Celina Sharma and was the only  original song featured in the Eternals film score and soundtrack. The films  opening week was a huge box office hit, charting at number one and  accumulating $161.7 million in sales globally. The blockbuster production  features an all-star lineup featuring Angelina Jolie, Lauren Ridloff, Don Lee,  Kumail Nanjiani, Barry Keoghan, Kit Harington, Brian Tyree Henry, Lia  McHugh, Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Harry Styles and Salma Hayek. 

The iconic film was directed by Chloe Zhao who is the writer, director, and  editor of the Oscar award-winning film Nomadland. 

Eternals pays tribute to both Asian and Western culture. Director Chloe  Zhao and score composer Ramin Djawadi wanted the film’s musical score  to represent the vibrance of each culture, and “Nach Mera Hero” has  successfully amplified the message. The song leads with a hypnotic and  melodic Indian flute then by rhythmic drums, all tied by the stunning  vocals of Celina Sharma, who sang in both Hindi and English.  

Dani said; “I’m extremely honored and privileged for the opportunity to  work on the Eternals with the Marvel and Disney team. It’s been a great  experience and a fulfilling one. Extremely proud of Celina Sharma for  stepping up to represent her Southeast Asian roots and for delivering such  a positive and uplifting song like ‘Nach Mera Hero,’” Dani Stephenson  shared . “Very grateful to everyone involved that played an equal part in  bringing this project to life.” 

Visit Spotify to listen to Nach Mera Hero.

G Douglas Creating Music and Pushing a Music Career that Addresses Important Societal Ills

Passion for one’s craft is one thing but using that craft to contribute to a better world is another thing. This explains Garcia Douglas’ story and journey as a musician and all she has tried to achieve with her gifts and talents.

Picking up the reins of music at a very young age as a hobby, G Douglas, born Garcia Douglas developed her skills by joining the church choir. She discovered many things she could do and started flexing them to the fullest. She never shied away from an opportunity to sing and perform, and with time, as she improved, she had her mind set on taking things professionally.

Over the years, she has not only grown professionally as a musician but also as a person with a growing influence and powerful voice who understands that she’s capable of driving change in her world. Growing up, she has set her musical career on the path of conscious music even though she tries to explore multiple genres and styles. She fuses R&B, Soul, and Reggaeton to create her own version of uniquely eclectic sound with unparalleled richness, depth, and flair. In addition, G Douglas has made domestic violence a dominant theme in her music, and she hopes to inspire the world to start paying attention rather than looking the other way.

The G Douglas brand sees entertainment beyond what the average eyes see. She cares deeply about happiness, hope, and prosperity and is committed to making sure that the average person can achieve these. By fighting domestic violence and doing something to put an end to it, she believes she’s playing her part. With her concise, deep, and meaningful lyrics, she has carved herself a niche that places her in the position as an ally and powerful voice for the powerless.

G Douglas draws inspiration from iconic musicians like Michael Jackson and Bob Marley. She hopes to fashion her career to reflect the strong messages and ideals that these artists represented when they were alive. She’s never scared to experiment or try new things out, and whenever she deviates from her typical R&B musical style, she goes out of her way to create something iconic. One of such deliveries can be found in her song, “I Say No,” where she combines elements like reverb and slow tempos to give a 90s R&B vibe and talk about domestic violence.

For a growing musician, this is uncharted territory, but G Douglas remains undeterred, as what she believes in is what she wants to stamp as her identity. Over the next few years, she hopes to be known as the artist making giant strides through her music to make life better for the powerless, voiceless, and oppressed. She also looks forward to getting accepted for her music style and releasing chart-topping, impactful and influential songs to send the right messages into the world.Learn more about Garcia Douglas on her Facebook and Instagram pages. Also, stream her music on Spotify and YouTube.

Entertainment Guru Karine Sho-Time Thornton Establish His Legacy With Trailblazing Media Company, Sho-TimeTV

Anyone can aspire to success in the entertainment industry, but success in the cut-throat industry requires hard work, patience and an unparalleled determination to rise above the daily challenges. Karine Sho-Time Thornton is one individual that has risen above these challenges and now creates opportunities for others to pursue their dreams. 

Hailing from the Bronx, NY, the hotbed of hip-hop music culture and tradition, Karine Thornton, better known as Sho-Time, is an American hip-hop artist, actor, prominent rap personality, verified influencer across multiple social media platforms, and the founder of Sho-TimeTv. This media company represents artists in the film and music industry. Growling up in the birthplace of rap music, Sho-Time always had a flair for art. His passion led him to the high school of Art & Design, where he studied architecture and animation. Here, he discovered his passion for creating music, and as a go-getter, he pursued this passion relentlessly, collaborating with Tron on the Beat to produce his earliest tracks.

In establishing himself and his brand on the entertainment scene, Sho-Time began to explore his other skills, and he soon added film and media to his impressive resume. As a result, the year 2010 saw the establishment of Sho-TimeTV and its later transformation into a media outlet. Sho-Time has worked with acclaimed entertainment companies such as Def Jam, Sony, Universal recording, and many more through his media outlet. Additionally, he has hosted and judged various artist showcases and concerts and interviewed the casts of shows on the OWN Network, “The Have and Have Nots,” and “Love Thy Neighbor” by Tyler Perry. He has also been featured in major media outlets such as NBC, Fox, ABC, NY Weekly, and Entertainment Monthly News because of his undeniable talent and work ethic.

In 2015, Sho-Time founded and created Sho-time Battle Rap League, one of NYC’s hottest up incoming battle rap platforms. Sho-Time provides battle and exposure opportunities for upcoming artists through the platform, helping them market their brands to a global audience. Sho-time Battle Rap League boasts of an epic roster of battle rap EMCEE’s from around the world. A guru in the entertainment scene, Sho-Time is always on the grind to bring pure entertainment to the audience. In 2016, he played the lead role in Pressed,  a Battle Rap Film by Vera Edwards and Street Line. He also appeared in Rodent, the Urban Soap Opera, Perate, Chicken Waiting 4 Mr. Wright, and A Teenage Story. Currently, he is working on a yet-to-be-released album, two movies, a reality show, and a television series. 

A genuine jack of all trades, Karine not only raps and acts, but he also casts for street line videos. Furthermore, he is the director of music engagement for Soulja Boy’s new social media app, Kandiid. And as the world slowly settles into a post-pandemic era, Sho-Time plans to take the world by storm with his artistic genius. He is creating music with his artist, Stack Daniels, dropping street jams like “Body,” “Fan Klub,” and “Stay in Your Place.” 

Sho-Time is a dynamic example of success earned through hard work, determination, and perseverance. In the coming years, he wants to give back to the community and help aspiring artists get their arts to a larger audience by telling their stories in an unfiltered yet sophisticated manner. 

Learn more about Karine Sho-Time Thornton and Sho-TimeTV by visiting this website. 

The People’s Thieves Continues to Break Barriers With Their Revolutionary Music That Tackles Mental Health Issues

Over the years, music has continuously influenced human beings through its versatile aspect. Music has been sustaining itself with form and harmony throughout the years by merging vocal and instrumental sounds to effectively create a product of the emotion. Additionally, experts have long proven that music has this particular hold on people that benefits both their physical and mental health. The sweet jolt of memory and morale boost and improved response to anything are just a few of the many gains that music offers unconditionally.

With that said, it’s one thing to listen to it and another to create it. Creating music is an art and is the perfect medium to express one’s emotions. For some individuals, it is their way of giving their life meaning, inspiring others with their work, or promoting a certain kind of social connectedness through the symphony.

For the three talented individuals who make up the band The People’s Thieves, their musical journey intends to focus on the realism of mental health issues that plague many, including themselves. This alternative indie pop-rock band hails from Salt Lake City, Utah, and comprises cousins Jackson and Dallan Turnbull, lead vocals and instrumentals, and drummer Brent Richards. Since its formation, the trio has provided the public with incredible and relatable music while achieving several milestones.

The band’s origin is fascinating in its sweet way, with Jackson and Dallan writing their first song together around 2014. They experimented with other genres before finally cementing their brand to the current sound, an instance that prompted them to seek out a drummer. It did not long before Jackson spotted Brent on the treadmill at the local gym.

“He was air-drumming as he ran, and I noticed that his tattoo was referencing on a band that I also happen to adore – we made an instant connection,” Jackson recalled, adding that it was the perfect timing considering that Brent’s old band had just broken up.

The People’s Thieves has become a household name in the music and entertainment industry from that moment on. The band has since garnered over 11 million views and 20 million streams on YouTube alone and earned the tenth spot in the alternative album genre. However, despite their fast-rising success, it would seem that the trio is showing no signs of stopping, releasing two songs, “Twisted” and “Now That We’re Alone,” that’s expected to break through the alternative music scene, much to the delight of their loyal fanbase. According to music enthusiasts, the release of the band’s second album “Tunnels” on August 20, 2021, marked the birth of one of the industry’s most iconic personalities. Since its launch, it has peaked at #7 on the iTunes Alternative chart, and it ranked 45th on the top albums of the country.

Among their many triumphs was the release of their first-ever recording called “Voices” in 2017. The song was met with great positive reviews, and it later peaked at number 32 on the iTunes Alternative chart, garnering over 3 million streams on Spotify with an average of 500,000 listeners.  

With a heavy focus on mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, the band aspires to share their similar experiences through the music they create so they may help others with their battles. Plenty of opportunities have started materializing for the band, and they’re more than ready to work on new and exciting things with the industry’s top producers.

To learn more about The People’s Thieves and their music, check out the band’s official website. You may also check out their Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages for more updates.

Olivia Rodrigo Gives High-Schoolers the Experience They Deserve Through Her Concert Film, Sour Prom

Source: Pitchfork

Since the turn of the year, no artist has gained more recognition than Disney star Olivia Rodrigo. Taking the lead in the sleeper hit, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Rodrigo’s performance has led her to pursue a serious career in the music industry, where she has been making the waves. 

Her composition and performance of the song I Am More in the series caught the attention of music executives, leading her to sign a record deal. By January, she made her debut with “Drivers License.” With how stagnant the music industry had become, Rodrigo immediately bagged the number 1 spot on the Billboard chart. In three days, “Drivers License” reached new heights, breaking Spotify’s record for the most streams in a single day, with a record 15.17 million. 

Upon its release, Drivers License went viral on TikTok. The song’s sudden popularity can be attributed to its timeless appeal as it tells a high school love story that ends tragically, something that the youth can relate to and bring nostalgia to the older generation. Drivers License gained further traction when speculations arose that it was intended for her partner and co-star after he allegedly started seeing another actress. While never confirming the allegations, Rodrigo has let her song do all the talking.

In a time when hits falter as quickly as they rise, Olivia Rodrigo’s debut song proves to be an anomaly, accumulating one billion streams worldwide. She quickly followed it with the release of her debut album Sour on May 21. The album includes “Drivers License,” “Deja Vu,” and “Good 4 U.” The album received praises from critics and artists, including Rodrigo’s idol, Taylor Swift, who had nothing but positive words for the budding musician. In addition, other figures in the music industry like Travis Barker, Yungblud, and Kelly Clarkson have praised Rodrigo’s debut album. Rodrigo would later premiere her concert film, Sour Prom, on June 29. 

Sour Prom was streamed online with high anticipation from Rodrigo’s fans. However, drama arose when Courtney Love accused the young artist of plagiarizing the cover art of Hole’s “Live Through This” for Rodrigo’s concert film. The resemblance is not hard to miss with a purple background, a bouquet of roses, and a prom queen with smeared makeup. However, Olivia Rodrigo has debunked the claims. 

The concert film premiered via live stream on YouTube. It began with a limo driving up to a suburban street to pick up Olivia Rodrigo, setting the scene for her songs. Throughout the drive, the singer performs some of her hit songs before arriving at the party. Stepping into the dance floor, Rodrigo unravels into the upbeat track, “Brutal,” shifting the scene to mirror moments from the horror film Carrie. Her classmates then circle the singer as she breaks into a slow song, reflecting on her loneliness on the dance floor surrounded by couples. Rodrigo then breaks into a high-energy song with people mobbing her, symbolizing the pressure to lead an aesthetic life on Instagram. 

With the gym turning into a hot and sweaty setting, Rodrigo makes her way into a dark room filled with photographs that develop into memories. Producing a guitar from nearby, the singer strums to “Enough for You,” a soulful introspection of a relationship that left her feeling less than the other women her ex loved before. After the song, she grabs a nearby suit jacket and puts it over her dress as she wanders back into the dance and through the parking lot. The opening chords to “Drivers License” play out as a crowd welcomes Rodrigo on the football field.

The show concludes with a marching band-accompanied rendition of “Good 4 U,” ending the show on a brighter note and giving many high-schoolers the ending that they were deprived of the past year. 

M u g a l G r o u p C o – F o u n d e r D a n i S t e p h e n s o n E x e c u t i v e P r o d u c e s Marvel’s Eternals Soundtrack “Nach Mera Hero”

Daniel “Dani” Stephenson has continually cemented his name in the music and entertainment industry, and he got to where he is now through

hard work, consistency, innovation, and creative vision. Having gained many accolades throughout his career, many are o=en wondering what the entrepreneur will focus on next. Recently, Dani Stephenson took another significant stride in his career in the music industry as he stepped into the Marvel universe and took part in the production of the highly- acclaimed soundtrack for Eternals with “Nach Mera Hero.”

Dani Stephenson has always portrayed an unparalleled vision in music and entertainment. He began his career as a producer and songwriter under the moniker Pyramids in Paris while studying at Christ Church University, taking up music production and artist development. He also studied DJ technology, music law, media, and publishing at Open College Network.

Always one to aim for great heights, Dani Stephenson worked hard to make a name for himself in one of the most cutthroat ecosystems in the world. From working silently behind his alias to interning at community radios, Dani Stephenson eventually proved that he is a force to be reckoned with when he took part in the production of the Billboard- topping single “The Mack” featuring Mack Morrison and Fetty Wap. That marked the beginning of many more opportunities for the visionary.

Soon enough, Danie Stephenson built his company Straight Forward Music Group. The company has gained many accolades, including multi- platinum recognition, various Grammy Awards, Brit Award, BET Award, Mercury Award, Soul Train Music Award, Q Award, ASCAP Award, BMI Award, Brit Asia Award, BBC Future Sound Award, and more. The CEO has worked with many prominent names throughout his company, such as Diddy-Dirty Money, Drake, Big Sean, Dave, Kanye West, Don Diablo, Gucci Mane, Nana Rogues, and more.

Furthermore, in 2019, Dani Stephenson co-founded L3gacy Group with the former manager of P Diddy, Ryan Lopez. The company has signed eight-time Grammy-nominated producer-engineer-mixer Shawn “Source” Jarrett.

Venturing more into the Southeast Asian entertainment industry, Dani Stephenson co-founded Mugal Group. The company pilots global strategies for the next generation of Southeast Asian artists who want to be heard in the global music and entertainment scene. Mugal Group champions talents across Asia, including the teen sensations Harris J, Lil Bilz, and of course, Celina Sharma.

Eternals follows the journey of an immortal alien race emerging to protect the earth from the Deviants a=er hiding for thousands of years. The 2021 superhero film was a blockbuster hit and marked yet another milestone for Dani Stephenson, who was the executive co-producer of “Nach Mera Hero.” The title song, which translates to “Dance My Hero,” was performed by Mugal Group’s rising artist Celina Sharma and was the only original song featured in the Eternals film score and soundtrack. The films opening week was a huge box office hit, charting at number one and accumulating $161.7 million in sales globally. The blockbuster production features an all-star lineup featuring Angelina Jolie, Lauren Ridloff, Don Lee, Kumail Nanjiani, Barry Keoghan, Kit Harington, Brian Tyree Henry, Lia McHugh, Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Harry Styles and Salma Hayek.

The iconic film was directed by Chloe Zhao who is the writer, director, and editor of the Oscar award-winning film Nomadland.

Eternals pays tribute to both Asian and Western culture. Director Chloe Zhao and score composer Ramin Djawadi wanted the film’s musical score to represent the vibrance of each culture, and “Nach Mera Hero” has successfully amplified the message. The song leads with a hypnotic and melodic Indian flute then by rhythmic drums, all tied by the stunning vocals of Celina Sharma, who sang in both Hindi and English.

Dani said; “I’m extremely honored and privileged for the opportunity to work on the Eternals with the Marvel and Disney team. It’s been a great experience and a fulfilling one. Extremely proud of Celina Sharma for stepping up to represent her Southeast Asian roots and for delivering such a positive and upli=ing song like ‘Nach Mera Hero,’” Dani Stephenson shared . “Very grateful to everyone involved that played an equal part in bringing this project to life.”

Visit Spotify to listen to Nach Mera Hero.

Heather Jane Prescott aka Only1SweetZz Building a Musical Career


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The music industry is a heavily saturated space, and artists have to keep reinventing the wheels for themselves to stand out. For Heather Jane Prescott, aka Only1SweetZz, putting her multiple talents to good use is the way to go, and she’s going all out to make things happen for her musically.

Only1SweetZz is a songwriter, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist chasing a spot in the music industry to become well-recognized, respected, and successful. Her music has elements of different genres ranging from pop, jazz, R&B, deep dark indie, country, folk, bluegrass, and house music. She’s a multidimensional artist looking to capture a wide range of audiences all over the world. Her sole aim for making music is to connect with people’s souls globally while giving them captivating performances and immersive experiences.

Heather Jane Prescott uses her music to encourage epic reflections which create a loving atmosphere with empirical sounds. “I’m a passionate, eclectic Indie artist who draws inspiration from a wide range of musical influences,” she shared. Some of the musicians who have inspired 

her to get into music include Boys II Men, Brittany Spears, SWV, Mariah Carey, Sara McLaughlin, Jewel, Alanis Morisette, Incubus, Coldplay, Demi Lavato, Jo-Jo, Dua Lipa, The Pretty Reckless, Smashing Pumpkins, Carrie Underwood, Cardi B, ASAP Rocky, Drake, Future, Kream, Calvin Haris, Sara Bareilles, among others.

Only1SweetZz exudes so much confidence in her music that she is always ready to experiment with different music genres and styles. She also takes up acting and modeling roles in addition to her music. Her brand is fluid and adaptable, and she made it that way to make herself gain more appeal to as many people as possible. “I compose, produce, collaborate in structured and at times in non-structured ways through networking or random opportunities that present themselves. I tend to keep an open mind and be open to criticism since I am still growing.

As an up and coming musician, Only1SweetZz is doing everything to etch strong memories in her audiences worldwide and build a strong brand. While reveling in her uniqueness, she also does a bit of everything to keep her career afloat and her talents relevant. Over the next few years, as she aspires for growth as a musician, she hopes to use her gifts and talent to impact lives globally. She believes her music is for all ages and can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of age, tribe, nationality, or race.

Only1SweetZz is also open to collaborations and partnerships with people in the entertainment industry as well as other creatives. “I believe so much in working together to achieve a common goal. If my talents are needed to help another person unlock new levels of creativity, I’m always ready to step in. I hope to work with as many people as possible towards progress, growth, and success,” she said.
Learn more about Heather Jane Prescott, aka Only1SweetZz, on her Reverbnation page or follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. For bookings: TruthMgmt.

Half a Bar Giving Nigerian and African Musical Sounds More Coverage as a Musician and Investor

Nigerian music has found success in the global music scenes recently without refining or fine-tuning the sound to be accepted. The Billboard charts have seen more entries than it has ever seen, and that’s proof of how the world has grown to appreciate the colorful sound from that part of the world. One of the ambassadors of that sound looking to make a mark on the global music scene is Matthew Ezeigbo, also known as Half a Bar.

The Nigeria-born musician, based in the United States is a musician, entrepreneur, investor, and CEO of MatteyeRecords. At MatteyeRecords, Half a Bar champions the promotion of Nigerian songs, and he throws his weight behind upcoming Nigerian artists to help them grow into superstars. Tremor is currently an artist on the label.

His journey into music started as a hobby and over time, his friends and family spurred him to take it more seriously. Thus, the moment he got the chance to start creating music seriously, especially outside the Nigerian shores, he welcomed the opportunity with open arms. Early last year, he released a single titled “The Finest,” which enjoyed massive airplay and streaming from different parts of the world, especially audiences who just discovered the Nigerian musical sound. He released his latest single “Don’t Leave Me” recently, which has cemented his credibility as a Nigerian artist putting in work to get global attention.

Half A Bar draws inspiration and influence from successful rappers like Jay Z, Nas, Biggie, Rick Ross, and MI Abaga. He strongly believes Nigerian music is mature enough to take on the world if only the right people are willing to invest. “Music is the next crude oil for Nigeria but it needs to be fully supported and tapped to reach its potentials. If more people are willing to invest like me, there is so much Nigeria has to offer to the entertainment world,” he said.

The uniqueness in the Half A Bar brand is something he takes pride in. He has worked hard over the years to carve a niche for himself and create a distinct sound, so he does not see himself as anybody else nor does he compare himself with anybody. “I respect everyone and acknowledge their talents. But for me as an artist, I am one of a kind. Half A Bar is Half A Bar and that’s what sets me apart,” he declared.

In a few years, Half A Bar has strong hopes for Nigerian music and looks forward to seeing artists from Nigeria on the global stage. He sees himself being a part of that progress and reveling in the blessings that will come with that. He also makes an open call to music executives and investors to pay attention to the Nigerian music industry and invest because there are sounds from there that the world has not heard.Learn more about Half a Bar on his official Instagram page and Twitter page.

ViewStub Helps Artists and Fans Engage with Virtual Concerts

In many ways, the pandemic has entirely changed how we consume art. Music especially. Over the years, the music industry has faced many sweeping changes, as we moved from cassette tapes, to CDs, to MP3s, and now, to music streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. In the early 2000s, peer-to-peer sharing sites like Napster and Limewire threatened to overhaul the music industry entirely, cutting the revenue of artists and their record labels alike, and so the industry had to change and adapt.

In 2020, a new threat emerged for the music industry, as live events screeched to a halt, and musicians and labels had to find new ways to engage with fans. The pandemic ushered in the popularity of virtual and hybrid events, and now, as the world slowly returns to normalcy, it looks like these virtual events aren’t going away.

Prior to 2020, the idea of a virtual concert was almost unheard of, with people preferring to see their favorite bands play live when the opportunity arose. However, in March of 2020, as most people were confined to their homes, with access to speedy internet and streaming, virtual events popped up everywhere.

It took some time for the music industry to adapt. They lost a tremendous amount of revenue due to event cancellations and lack of merch sales. And since most merchandise gets sold at live, in-person concerts, many artists quickly branched out on their own, performing virtually on YouTube, Instagram Live, and other streaming sites. Soon, people all across the world were attending virtual events and concerts, and it became something to look forward to during those first few months of the pandemic.

ViewStub already knew the impact of these virtual events, though, and built a platform specifically to enable virtual concerts.

During lockdown, Home Depot and Brad Paisley collaborated on an online concert, hosted by ViewStub, in which fans who spent $50 or more on Home Depot gift cards could gain access to the private performance. The event was a sweeping success, with more than 110,000 gift cards sold, and over $6 million in profits.

The event, said ViewStub co-founder Patrick VanDusen, “was all about creating a memorable experience. By focusing on that, Home Depot generated a tremendous return on investment and strengthened brand loyalty. This will have a compounding effect on all of their marketing efforts for years to come.”

As a result of that event’s success, ViewStub has continued to stream virtual concerts on their site, with performances by Jason Derulo, One Republic, DJ Snoopadelic (more commonly known as Snoop Dogg), Dru Hill, Noah Cyrus, and more.

Now, despite the return of live concerts, people are still using the site to stream virtual or hybrid events, as many have found that watching a concert from the comfort of their own home is sometimes a preferable experience, while others, who may not be comfortable attending live events just yet, or are unable to, can still have an online alternative. In fact, there are a number of advantages to virtual concerts, versus in-person, for both fans and artists.

For fans, watching a concert from home means no more travelling long distances to a tour stop, or waiting months, if not years, for an artist to perform close to your home. Watching from home saves money on travel costs, and also means no more stress or inconvenience of having to go to a destination, stand for hours at a time in a crowded venue, or wait in long bathroom or food lines. A virtual concert will only cost you the ticket itself, as you remain comfortable at home.

And for artists, virtual or hybrid concerts have meant more ticket sales and attendance. When a virtual option is available, data has shown that there is upwards of a 64% increase in attendance.

Currently, a hybrid in-person/virtual concert called Overwatch 13 is being planned in Tampa, Florida to raise funds for the families of 13 fallen troops in Afghanistan from August 2021. ViewStub will be hosting the virtual part of the concert as a way to support nonprofits and charity events. US Marine Corp veteran Raymond Lott, also known as The Marine Rapper, will be headlining the concert, with other artists still in talks to perform.

“The event is a great way to generate camaraderie, and bring awareness to important issues like suicide prevention and remembering our fallen troops who served overseas,” said Lott.

Virtual streaming platforms existed before the pandemic — ViewStub being one of them — but it wasn’t until lockdowns began that these platforms really started to gain traction. Another such site hosting virtual concerts includes Generation Hip Hop Global, created by music industry professionals as a youth empowerment and development program.

Generation Hip Hop Global works with non-profit organizations around the world to host virtual hip hop events. As of today, 67 countries have partnered with the organization, working to help artists affected by the pandemic. Artists and industry professionals have hosted virtual concerts and meet and greets, workshops, summits, and conferences all on the site.

“Today, even though the world is mostly back to normal, we continue to harness virtual engagement,” said Terence Barry, the founder and Executive Director of Generation Hip Hop Global. “The goal is to never lose connectivity by making use of all channels for engagement. Not easy, but possible.”

ViewStub is unique, though, in that it provides all the necessary services for artists to host a virtual event, without the artist having to hire an outside team for AV support, promotion, sales, etc.

“People needed a way to host virtual events, but there wasn’t anything else on the market that put everything into a single platform,” said Spencer Elliot, ViewStub co-founder.

Before sites like ViewStub existed, explains Elliot, artists used to have to buy several different subscriptions and hire various tech experts to make everything run smoothly.

“And even then,” said Elliot, “things are more likely to go wrong. We wanted to eliminate that by providing a single, seamless solution.”

ViewStub provides the streaming service, as well as managing ticket sales, merchandise sales, audience engagement, marketing, sponsorships, analytics, and anything else that might come up. In essence, they are a one-stop shop for virtual concerts. As a result of this integration, revenue is higher, since artists can more easily sell merchandise during and after the concert.

The platform makes it easy for artists and fans to engage, and even now long after the pandemic, fans are still flocking to virtual concerts, making it easier to watch their favorite artists at any time.

So, it seems, virtual concerts are here to stay, even in a post-pandemic world.