Kareem's Pick: Celeste

Hey folks! I know it’s been a minute since I’ve been here. The issue is I only write about music that I feel, and it just so happens to be underground. Recently, I’ve discovered Celeste on the internet.

Originally from Los Angeles, Celeste Waite immigrated to Brighton, U.K. where she grew up and now calls home. On March 22nd, Celeste released her EP titled, Lately. Out of all five beautiful tracks, “Father’s Son” really caught my ear—It’s funny that she would call herself a son to her father with her being a woman. The song pulled on my heart strings, especially with the lyrics written below:

“Maybe I'm lonely, maybe you're lost
Maybe I'm an echo, or maybe you're a ghost
Could there be two of us?
Could there be two of us?”

Growing up without a father—at least for me—can have you feeling disconnected. It’s like you’ve been given a puzzle without seeing what picture the puzzle forms. I often wonder if some of my struggles and flaws are even my own. Were they the struggles and flaws of my father? His parents? Or even his grandparents? Who knows? At the same time, I wonder what cool things and quirks I share with him.

Enjoy the single’s Bob Harlow-directed visual below:

Written by Kareem Hilaire

Kareem's Pick: UMI

For some reason, nostalgia always feels heavier in the fall. Music can vocalize the emotions that are hard to put into words. “Remember Me” by UMI is the perfect translation of how I’ve been feeling on the low.  

The Los-Angeles based singer/songwriter/angel ‘s track reminds me of a few risky texts I’ve sent in my lifetime. In the song, UMI pens a heartfelt letter to an ex lover detailing the memories they made together.

Nostalgia isn’t always gentle. Thankfully, this song reminds me that I’m not the only one suffering.

Written by Kareem Hilaire

Kareem's Pick: Santigold

Santigold is far from underground but I felt this song, and her entire discography in general, deserves to be heard more.

The multi-talented songstress is one of the first black faces I personally saw in a genre other than R&B and Hip-Hop.  I am truly inspired by her authenticity in a musical space where African-Americans are rarely in.  Recently, Santi released her Dancehall mixtape, I Don't Want: The Gold Fire Sessions.  My favorite track from the project, "Run The Road," shares her honest opinions of being in the music industry.

Listen to the jam below:

Written by Kareem Hilaire

Kareem's Pick: Men I Trust

Based in Montreal, Canada, Men I Trust began in 2014.  The indie band consists of five members, which includes Emma (Vocalist/Guitarist), Dragos (Keyboard player/Guitarist), Jessy (bassist), Alexis (Bassist) and Mathieu (Drummer).

The group's single "Show Me How," has a bass that caresses your soul.  The track keeps my head bopping while relaxing my core all at the same time.  The song is simply about unrequited love.  Emma is singing about someone who she can't seem to stop loving—even if her affection will never be returned.

Enjoy the Men I Trust-directed visual for their tune below:

Written by Kareem Hilaire

Kareem's Pick: Ravyn Lenae

Ravyn Lenae is doing R&B in her own way.  The Chicago-based songstress just released her EP, Crush, earlier this year.  The project consists of five songs, all produced by Steve Lacy.  Its lead single, "Sticky," is a bonafide hit that sticks like grits!

The tune is about a love that seems to be ending shortly.  Ravyn is pleading for her lover to do his part in the relationship.  The visual for the track involves vibrant colors and features the soulful singer grooving to the track while the camera circles around her.

Check out the Weird Life-directed clip below:

Written by Kareem Hilaire

Kareem's Pick: MorMor

Seth Nyquist, better known as MorMor, is a mysterious Singer/Songwriter/Producer from Toronto, Canada.  His soothing single, "Heaven's Only Wishful," pleases all of the senses— there's something about the synths that calms me down.

Indulge in the tune's riveting visual below:

Written by Kareem Hilaire

Kareem's Pick: Raveena

Raveena Aurora, better known as Raveena, is a 25-year-old singer/songwriter based in New York.  The Indian-American goddess' voice is sweet and light like the smell of honey suckle.

"If Only," found on Raveena's Shanti EP, is a song that explores the mind of someone who has clocked out physically, mentally and emotionally from a relationship.  Furthermore, it also discusses the perspective of the counterpart in the failed union.  The one that ran away is now making an effort to be available for the partner who's already moved on.

Check out the single below:

Produced & Mixed by Everett Orr Lyrics by Raveena Bass: Aaron Liao Rhodes/Guitar: Cale Hawkins

Written by Kareem Hilaire

Kareem's Pick: Jadu Heart

The mysterious duo named Jadu Heart consists of two musicians named Dina and Faro. They are signed to Mura Masa’s label Anchor Point Records.

The artists, who have seemed to start buzzing as of last year, are seriously releasing interesting content. The group's sound is indefinable—one thing that remains true, though, is that their tunes are dope!

Check out the visual to Jadu Heart's latest single, "U Never Call Me," featuring Mura Masa himself down below:

Written by Kareem Hilaire

Kareem's Pick: Kelela

Kelela is an Ethiopian-American songbird that is worth listening to.

“Blue Light,” is a song from her debut studio album, Take Me Apart, which was released on October 6th, 2017. The tune entangles the listener in Kelela's experience with freeing herself from a past lover. From the afro-futuristic visuals to the sensual production, "Blue Light" is a piece of art that all should be blessed to experience.

Check out the video below:

Written by Kareem Hilaire

Kareem's Pick: Jessie Reyez

Hey! It's your boy Kareem Hilaire and I'm back again to showcase artists of the now who are starting their own wave in the music industry.  

Jessie Reyez is a multi-talented singer from Toronto who released her debut EP, Kiddo, earlier this year  in April.  "Gatekeeper," is a stand out track from the colombian crooner's project that highlights the topics of sexual abuse and misogyny in the entertainment industry. 

check it out below:

Jessie Reyez on tour now. Tickets available here: http://jessiereyez.com/

Written by Kareem Hilaire

Kareem's Pick: Tama Gucci

What's good everyone!  I'm happy to announce that my 19-year-old cousin Kareem Hilaire will be providing you all with some potent tunes that might not necessarily be on your radar every Wednesday from here on out (well, most of the time at least).  With that said, check out his first installment below:

Hey! It's your boy Kareem and I'm here to showcase artists of the now who are starting their own wave in the music industry.  Kymani Floyd, better known as Tama Gucci, is a musician from South Florida that caught my ear.  His soft and eerie vocals calms my mind or breaks me into a contemporary dance number.

The 20-year-old singer/songwriter/model debuted his mixtape, Out of Order, in July of 2017.  Treat yourself to one of his gems below:

off my mixtape " OUT OF ORDER " coming july 21st

Written by Kareem Hilaire