Hip-Hop Lives Here
Hip-Hop Lives Here
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Nigerian born hip-hop artist Lekanskii has a vast array of inspirations when it comes to making tracks, as he spent his youth in Africa before ending up in Colorado. Now he is putting together an EP called Break the Chain featuring the single “Sunshine,” with both set to be out in the coming months.
Break the Chain will have eight tracks and it is expected to be fully released by the summer. “Sunshine” is a track that is all about being grateful for life. It focuses on knowing there is sunshine even though there are dark days when times are tough. The song will be dropping this spring before the release of the EP.
“It is about thanking God for seeing the sunshine for good things happening in my life,” he said.
He is also working on a new song called “Newsome,” which will be on the upcoming EP, as well. The song’s focus is on getting new things and living fresh. This is a project that he is still perfecting, and it should come out just in time for the summer, as well.
Lekanskii was born in Nigeria and lived there until he was 12, before traveling to the suburbs of Chicago where he spent his adolescence. He now hails from Colorado, and his experiences through his journeys around the world contribute heavily to his music.
“Coming from Nigeria, it’s a very different environment,” he said. “There were different everyday struggles of life, from having bad roads, bad water, corrupt politicians and stuff like that. They all kind of impact what kind of music I make.”
Lekanskii was no stranger to the U.S. before moving, as he would come over here on vacation as a child. Through living here he has found that while it is a vastly different environment, there are struggles and strife no matter where you go.
“We still have poverty stricken areas and everyday struggles of man,” he said.
The EP will lead with a track of the same name, “Break the Chain,” which has been out for more than two years and has gained popularity among his listeners. This tune is about breaking through every obstacle one may encounter.
“When it comes to life we’re always going to face obstacles, and you’ve just got to keep going,” he said.
Lekanskii said this is where “breaking the chain” comes into play. In order to obtain the American dream, he said that there are always going to be barriers to overcome.
“It’s not easy, especially coming from a foreign land,” Lekanskii said. “Even coming from America it’s not easy. All that consists of breaking the chain, getting yourself better and getting yourself ready.”
When it comes to making music, Lekanskii said he is most proud of his work ethic. He started everything with his own money, and knows how to get it done in the studio. He’s in there four times a week, and said he can put together three or four songs in a studio session. Lekanskii’s music is primarily hip-hop based, but his roots are clear as he also involves the Afrobeats scene into his work. He is a signed musician with Cold Summer Record Label- something he is especially proud of.
“Getting signed to a record label was a sign of progress,” Lekanskii said.
Lekanskii is a relatable, humble, hardworking artist who goes through everyday struggles like anyone else. Fans can expect plenty of great music from him for years to come, as he is striving to have lasting power as a musician.
“My goal for the long run is getting my music out there and having people relate to me more,” he said. “I want longevity in the entertainment industry. I don’t want to just make music for a year or two. I want to make music where people still listen to me four or five years ago, and they say ‘I get what he’s saying. I feel this.’”
Lekanskii hasn’t dropped a new song in about a year, and after spending time polishing things up, he is excited to new material out for everyone to listen to.
Be sure to check out his music and keep up with what is on the horizon through his website at lekanskii.com and other platforms.
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Spanish pop musician Caterina Ross has had international success, putting out music on two different continents. Now she is releasing her fourth studio album, Yes, I am Cat, featuring the single “Strong,” where she sings about inner strength.
“I think that is more important than what you show on the outside,” Ross said. “It is important to be strong inside and show that you can face everything, and can do anything.”
The song is complete with a music video that she filmed with horses, which she notes are strong animals, but at the same time they are very sensitive. This is a major theme in the song “Strong,” and something she was able to bring to visual life in the video and relates to humanity, as well.
“You don’t have to be afraid of showing your feelings or weaknesses, because it is a beautiful part of being a human being,” Ross said. “
Ross was born and raised on the island of Majorca, Spain, and has been singing since she was a teenager. She eventually turned to theater acting in classical plays, and went on to television and and musicals. Ross sang in several several pop rock cover bands, but then in 2013 she released her first single titled Don’t Miss the Time.” The next year she released her first album titled Pieces of Me through her production company Blau.
In 2015 she released her second album titled Remixed that included the award winning song “Sólo Me Queda Soñar, which was a big hit in her home country. This song was originally composed for a film in international festivals, and thanks to this track, she was able to come to the U.S. to sing. She was invited to various festivals to perform after the song became a huge success. One of Ross’s songs, “Let the sun just shine” received plenty of fanfare, as well.
In 2018, Ross was the recipient of 15 international awards, and in 2020 she was “Best International Artist” through the Hispanic Music Awards in Acapulco, Mexico.
Ross’s first two albums were in English, but her fans in Spain wanted her to speak in their native language. In 2021 she released Nunca Se Pierde, which she received several awards for in Mexico and Spain.
“During the pandemic I had a lot of time to compose that album, and the one I am going to release now,” she said.
Yes, I am Cat’s title is a play on Ross’s identity, as people call her Cat for short, but it is also her favorite kind of pet. The album is composed of 10 songs in English, with sounds of pop and a little bit of soul.
“In this album, I talk about the things around me,” Ross said. “I talk about friendship and things that I find important in my life. I am more mature than in the other albums so I reflect on things that have happened to me, or around me.”
Ross touches upon aspects like nature in her new album, as well. There is a song called “If I talk to the Earth,” speaking about being thankful and also apologetic to the Earth about all that has been done to it. There is another track about stray cats called “My Sheltered Cat,” as she operates and helps at shelters.
The record was created by Ross composing the songs and recorded with the help of her producer Daniel Ambrojo. Ambrojo has worked with established musicians across Spain, and is an excellent pianist and guitar player that Ross has high respect for. Ross said they put the bass line to the songs, and add other electronic instruments to help bring her ideas to life on record.
Ross explained that she doesn’t just sit down and compose songs. Normally she is in the car driving, and a song will come to her and she’ll start singing. The melody will come and then suddenly the lyrics will be there, and voila: she has a new song.
“I think I am quite content with the ideas in this album, with the melodies,” Ross said. “I expressed so many things I have inside. It’s expressing myself through music, and that is wonderful. It makes me feel very good.”
Being her fourth album, Ross was able to put out material that she loves and is proud of. She admits that she is not a fan of her first three records, saying she can’t even listen to them because this one is so much better.
“There is an evolution,” Ross said. “Growing up and learning. I have a vocal coach and I am still learning and developing my music. I am learning from other artists, especially the artists of the ‘80s like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Madonna and Queen. I learn everyday. I want to do it better and grow up musically speaking.”
As Ross said, there is a constantly evolution in her music. She wants to improve the lyrics she has in English as it is not her native language. Ross will be taking courses in April to be able to grow as a songwriter.
Musicians like Michael Jackson have helped her develop the sound she currently has. Ross has always wanted to be like him musically, and said that his work taught her to believe in herself and put her all into her work.While she is inspired by the musicians she reveres, Ross also said it is important to not be too influenced by others and “just be you.”
“It is important to be authentic,” she said.
Check out Ross’s brand new album Yes, I am Cat, and the single and video for “Strong,” available on all platforms on March 22.
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