Na’Kia Evonne Ricks, known as Ayo Kia, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. She is known for her motivating lyrics, jabbing punchlines, irresistible hooks, unforgettable story-telling, and melodic delivery. Ayo Kia began to build popularity after releasing her first project in 2021. Her solo project, “Before I Go” was listed on JukeBox Time’s Magazine as a Top 10 Album, where Before I Go ranked as Number 8 and Number 1 in Trending. 1 In Music meets the artist. Ayo Kia Talks About Life, Relationships, and New Music in Exclusive Interview.
“My girl, it’s so nice to have you here! The Queen! Hey, so the world knows , tell them your name and the city you rep?”
Ayo Kia [AK]: What’s good baby! My name is Ayo Kia and I’m repping the Greater New Orleans Area, …. SJP more specifically.
“I feel you! I feel that! So, Tell us about your latest releases, The Your Eyes video just dropped, tell us about that. What inspired you?”
AK: I’ve been motivated to release songs so they weren’t suffocating in a file folder. I used to always ask myself: like if I died today or tomorrow, no one would have heard these and that wouldn’t be fair to me so, yeah! I said ‘Self! Let’s get it! Hit the button.The Your Eyes song comes from my latest album Before I Go which was an all-night winger project. And besides “Running”, Your Eyes was like a song that I just thought I had to expound upon. So, I thought to myself, let’s do this video, it’s going to be beautiful. It’s crazy because that song was recorded like 7 years ago. And I’m just releasing it and making the video today. It’s not new to me, it’s just new to y’all. And my real day one fans, know that. Back when we couldn’t release music so easily, I used to send this song via email and that was the only way you could get it. But today, I have the leverage to release on all social media platforms, so yeah. I just want to be heard before I pass away or something or have children.
“100% Percent! Speaking of children, you have kids? You dating ? Single?”
AK: I’m single. No kids I always say when I’m single, I’m like Jesus, I’m Christ like.
“That’s lit! That’s what’s up! So, tell me what is unique about you and your music?”
AK: It’s designed by me. I consider it ‘designed’. Like certain words, messages, and sound effects, are hand selected for each song. (laughs) And the way I sit and write a song, you would think I was doing heart surgery how delicate I am with the words and the pen. I even write the words on the paper with a lot of pride (laughs) like I’m doing calligraphy. You really have to see me do this. It’s fun! It’s incredible! (laughs)
“Yes! Must do things well! Loving that my girl! So, right now, what is shaping your music?”
AK: I want to say it’s my emotions, past relationships, past friendships, a motivation to succeed and become rich, a desire to be heard and understood.
“And, when did you realize you were going to make music professionally?”
AK: I never realized it (laughs). I had been doing music for so long you know. Like, I had been going to recording studio since I was like 14. I always viewed it as my unique superpower. I want to say that it didn’t truly hit me until I made it to my twenties. Then I was like, ‘Okay, I’m about to do this for real.’
“Okay! Okay! So for the fans – tell them, What type of music do you listen to?”
AK: Everybody knows I’m in love with Drake, Beyoncé, and DJ Khaled. Love Lil Baby, Kanye is like the bestie. I love everybody that’s really doing their thing right now to be honest, because it inspires me to go harder. I always say that. It depends on the time of the day though, like I listen to Classical, Alternative Music, EDM, Gospel, R&B and Trap Music. Classical music is so sexy to me. But so is Trap Music. But, honestly, I listen to mainly rap music. I don’t think I listen to much of anything else. Unless I purposely step away from rap to create a new vibe in my space.
“Okay! Big fan of those people myself! Let’s get it! What do you do when you don’t do music?”
AK: Look for more things to do and become passionate about like, design something new and create a new world honestly. I just try to zoom in on my goals honestly.
“Okay, Okay, So Tell Me: Happiness to you is…”
AK: Peace. Period. Like if there is no peace, I will not be happy, and I think I need to get exactly what I want to be happy.
What do you wish you were told when you first started making music that you think would help artists just starting out?
AK: To…
Never give up.
I wasn’t told that when I was younger, like so many people were against me doing music telling me it wasn’t me, but I was good at writing songs, and rapping and singing, and it seemed like everyone had an issue acknowledging the talent and so focus on the character that it hindered me from embracing myself fully. Like people would laugh at me, try to embarrass me and stuff when I told them I was a rapper. They never viewed me as a “tough” girl, just a smart, classy woman. They never viewed me as a musical person, but this was like my biggest talent. I wish someone would have been like “forget them people and do this.” Eventually people did start to tell me that, but then it was just like – too late.
“Wow! I feel that. I’m glad you’re still pushing! That’s why we need to hear about these new things in the works! Tell us about your upcoming projects, Ayo Kia…”
AK: Right now, I’m cooking up something special for myself actually. This next project is a little personal. It’s always personal, but y’all can check it out.
“Is it an album, it’s a single? What is it?”
AK: It’s an album.
“So where would we find more about this and your music?”
AK: Everywhere. Like I tell every body: Google Me B————! (laughs) On the real though, I’m on all social media platforms under Ayo Kia.
“Man Ayo Kia, thanks for joining us today, you have some of the hottest music out right now! Glad you could have this talk with me. Y’all keep it locked! We out!”
Design The Void Debut A Powerful New Anthem in “Not All Treasure is Silver and Gold”
Design The Void is a progressive metalcore band from Pennsylvania, formed in early 2016. They have released numerous efforts since then, and have undergone a few changes along the way. The band is now here to solidify their name in the heavy metal community.
When we spoke to the group about the song and its meaning, here’s what they had to say.
“Imagine a man with schizophrenic tendencies, faced with a choice of changing is ways or losing his partner. The relationship slowly turns into a sort of emotional Stockholm syndrome, but it’s all in his head. He doesn’t know where he stands with his own partner, he doesn’t want to change, but he doesn’t want to lose her. This song is a song about dealing with that stress.”
Savarre has certainly pleased fans with the release of the 2020 song, “Unbeautiful.” Anyone who enjoys rock soundscapes will enjoy hearing this track. The electric guitar complements lead vocalist Shannon Denise Evans’ vocals rather nicely throughout the entire song. For example, both start fairly softly and grow in volume as the song continues. While not the only part of the instrumental, listeners will find their ears gravitating toward the electric guitar, given how prominent it becomes in volume. By the end of the song, it gets loud enough that “Unbeautiful” practically becomes a duet between the vocals and the guitar. This is certainly a good thing, as it is unimaginable to think of “Unbeautiful” being as good without either one of them.
Shannon’s emotive vocal delivery adds to the overall forlorn but robust aura that the song brings about. After hearing tons of rock songs that are out there, “Unbeautiful” is a breath of fresh air. Shannon certainly conveys the sentiments of the song perfectly, bringing her raw energy all throughout. Her unfiltered vocal performance is charismatic and will definitely capture the attention of music listeners across the globe.
Savarre’s “Unbeautiful” can be heard on all streaming platforms, including Spotify. Savarre is also on Instagram and can be followed @savarreofficial.
Every summer season is super hot for music, and one song seems to become the anthem of that summer. Stacey Jackson is turning up the heat and demanding that anthem spot this year by releasing a rebooted version of her hit song “Live It Up Feat. Snoop Dogg”! This electric dance song was originally released in 2013 and immediately became a feel good hit amongst every crowd. The energetic beats and positive lyrics paired with Snoop Dogg’s signature vibes, it was the perfect hit. Since the 10 year anniversary of the song is coming up, the pair had the record remastered.
The rebooted version of the song was released on June 4th. The song is already in a hit movie called Reboot Camp, where Jackson appeared as a cameo and performed the track “Live It Up.” Along with the current remix from Jackson and Snoop, 4 other mixes will be coming out as well. The excitement for her projects this summer is palpable and gives fans, her family, and herself so much to look forward to, especially after the year we have had.
Along with the already uber popular film and song, Jackson has been booked and busy in 2021. She has an acoustic album coming in 2021 and a dance music album called ‘Beach Party’ in the works as well; though, ‘Beach Party’ will not be coming out until the summer of 2022. Jackson is not new to song or screen and has been acting and singing her whole life. In recent years, she has held off on making music and being on set for the sake of her sportswear line StaeFit which has a cult following for its patented material and her fun workouts to some of her music.
Stacey has also been busy with philanthropic efforts. Recently she partnered with A.D.I.D.A.S to fund a charity event giving shoes back to a community in Los Angeles affected by COVID. It’s the little things that make the first step back to normalcy easier, whether it’s music and fun to get people excited for the seemingly near end of the pandemic, or participating in philanthropy events to get people back on their feet, we can count on Jackson to be a positive light.
Make sure to stream “Live It Up: Rebooted Feat. Snoop Dogg” to get you in the best summer mood everywhere music streams! To learn more about Jackson and her incredible careers as an executive producer at 3B1G Records, founder of StaeFit workout apparel, talented singer/songwriter, accomplished television publicist, fitness aficionado, dedicated mother, activist, and philanthropist, visit her Instagram @staerox.
Today, Southern Florida Singing sensation and Songwriter Leiza Michaels announced the release of Nuevos Estándares, the Spanish version of her 2020 classic “New Standards”. She and Starburst Records also announced they will be hosting a CD Release Party at The Pavilion Grille in Boca Raton, Florida on Sunday, June 27 from 6:00-9:00 PM.
Both Leiza and Jay Carney, Founder/CEO of Starburst Records are huge fans of the old Jazz Standards. During the summer of 2019 they collaborated on a collection of six brand new songs that embody the vibe and style of popular songs from the Great American Songbook, exemplifying songs by such luminaries as Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin and many other composers that had hit songs from Broadway Musicals. They recorded the first English version of this album in Nashville in January of 2020 and have followed up in 2021 with a re-write of each song in Spanish being released on over 40 music streaming platforms on Friday, May 28. The songs on “New Standards” have been streaming globally since mid-2020. They can be heard on Spotify, Itunes, Amazon Music Plus as well as all major digital streaming sites. This album, “Nuevos Estandares” however has been released early exclusively on Bandcamp at starburstrecords.bandcamp.com. Leiza & Jay enlisted the talent of Enrique Duarte of Mexico to translate this great collection of songs into Spanish, which he accomplished with elegance capturing the depth and meanings in a new prose!
New York Native, Leiza Michaels has been performing Jazz Standards & Popular songs from The Great American Songbook for many years throughout Europe & the USA and most recently throughout Southern Florida over the past 10 years. When we composed these songs we also felt this was the perfect genre of music to further important social causes. The song Pure White Snow is an homage to Billie Holiday focusing upon on the struggle this gifted artist had with drug addiction, an addiction that faces many and can hinder progress through life. Also our songs Charm Me and Natural focus upon spousal abuse, eradicating violence against women and forced marriages. The greatest “crowd pleaser” of the album appears to be Some Kinda Girl/ Chica especial owing to it coming into closest proximity to modern pop of the album’s songs. Leiza was especially excited about rerecording her CD in Spanish so she could connect with her Latin heritage.
Here are the titles of each song:
English
Spanish
Movin Too Slow
Muy lento, mi amor
Pure White Snow
Mi perdición
The Older You Get
Al envejecer
Some Kinda Girl
Chica especial
Natural
Natural
Charm Me
Hechizame
Each song has an Official Music Video in both English and Spanish as follows:
