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Concerts

Curren$y Is Going On Tour

TWS Staff

Shante Franklin, better known as Curren$y, is hitting the road this spring for his highly anticipated 4:20 Tour with The 747 Band. The tour kicks off on April 18, 2025 in Austin, Texas, and to other cities across the country. The tour follows the release of his latest album which dropped on March 14. The project is a collaboration with notable producer Harry Fraud and showcases an intriguing blend of classic hip-hop with Curren$y's signature hard hitting flow over trap-style drums.A highlight of the tour will take place on April 22, 2025. When Curren$y performs at Warehouse Live Midtown venue in Houston, Texas. As the opening the night act is rappers, producer, and of 7 L'ANGES close collaborator, Iamyourlittlebrother.Overall, the 4:20 Tour is slated to provide an authentic musical experience with live instrumentation top-tier performances. Tickets are available here: Curren$y tour tickets

Story

Eladio Carrión Releases New Album "DON KBRN

TWS Staff

Eladio Carrión, 30, is a Puerto Rican singer-songwriter who was born in Kansas City, Kansas. He recently released Don Kbrn, a twenty two track Latin trap album featuring major artists like Big Sean, Jessie Reyez, and Peso Pluma.The project blends hard-hitting trap drums with unique synths, giving the album an eccentric and dynamic sound. On tracks like “Mosh Pit Musik,” the production has a clear direction and energy that pulls the listener in and lets them fully immerse themselves in the experience.Overall Don Kbrn feels like the perfect project to cruise to in the summer.

Tour News

311 Announce the Unity Tour

TWS Staff · March 18, 2025

311 are starting the year off right with the announcement of their Unity Tour, riding the success of 311 Day and their latest album, Full Bloom.

The tour kicks off June 20 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and travels across the United States. Tickets for 311 Nation members went on sale first, with general sales beginning March 21 at 10 a.m. local time. Fans can sign up for tour updates and presale information at unity-tour.com.

Story

Doechii is everything the culture needs right now

TWS Staff

Florida native Jaylah Hickmon also known as Doechii (26) is a musician signed to the notorious label Top Dawg Entertainment better known for its acronym T.D.E. Which has signed very popular artist such as SZA, Isaiah Rashad, (formally) Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, and Ray Vaughn just to name a few. And as the roster continues to grow, we see a new wave of artist with fresh approaches to the game. One of them being Doechii, she signed to the label in 2022. And has proven year after year that she has what it takes to elevate the culture. In a time where everyone is being put into a box she does "everything" sonically. As she states in her song Boom Bap "I am everything" and quite literally her music tends to break barriers of traditional rap or R&B per say all while remaining close to her roots. This is seen throughout Doechii's recent mixtape called Alligator Bites Never Heals.It feels authentic although there is not one set sound the genre blending is so seamless making it a cohesive body of work. Similar to an abstract painting the core essence of what music and art. And because of her authenticity and great storytelling I believe she will continue to receive a lot of accolades and essentially thrive in this current model of the music business.

The Festival

Nicki Nicole Announces Herself in the Desert

TWS Staff · Indio, California

Nicki Nicole — born Nicole Cucco — is a rapper, songwriter, and singer from Argentina, and this was her first time performing at Coachella.

Across both weekends, Nicole delivered an electrifying performance with a rhythmic, smooth delivery. Weekend two brought her own rendition of Eminem's classic "Lose Yourself," and the crowd loved every part of it — supporters at her set sang and danced along to each of their favorite songs.

Her Coachella debut only sets the stage for what's to come from one of the brightest artists on the rise.

Story

Agender's Eccentric Album

TWS Staff

Agender is a post-punk band featuring Romy Hoffman (vocals), Sara Rivas (synthesizer), Cristy Michel, and Christy Greenwood (drums). They recently released their third album, Berserk, which showcases unique textures and rhythmic dissonance. Berserk is not only refreshing to listen to, but also captivating, with tracks like "Life Is Acid" that make you want to move your body. It strikes a perfect balance between upbeat and syncopated rhythms. If you're into punk music, Berserk is definitely an album worth experiencing and diving into.

The Panel

Halle Bailey, in Conversation with Muni Long

TWS Staff · Grammy Weekend, Los Angeles

Halle Bailey and Muni Long joined forces during Grammy weekend for a masterclass panel on their personal journeys and navigating the music industry.

Bailey spoke about auditioning for the role of Ariel in The Little Mermaid — how nervous she was, given the sheer number of hopefuls auditioning at her center, and how she went through with it anyway. She recalled crying while singing, but the performance was so heartfelt that it moved the casting directors. A testament to the do-it-anyway mentality, and a role that fused her twin talents of singing and acting.

Bailey closed the panel singing with her guitarist — a beautiful way to end an impactful, informative conversation.

The Interview

Jean Dawson Doesn't Follow Rules

TWS Staff · Los Angeles

David Sanders, known by his stage name Jean Dawson, is a music mogul and rule breaker. Dawson's singular style and eye-catching music videos draw a diverse range of viewers and listeners around the world.

His recent music — like "3 Heads*" — carries an edgy yet melodic tone. Dawson says he's in his "rock era" now, though he started in rap because it was the "easiest breaking point" given the limited resources he had at the time. He keeps shifting and molding his style, proof of a versatility few artists can claim.

Grammy Week

Teyana Taylor Hosts 'A Tribute to the Nominees' Pre-Grammy Celebration

TWS Staff · Globe Theatre, Los Angeles · Feb 1, 2023

Teyana Taylor kicked off Grammy week hosting 'A Tribute to the Nominees: A Pre-Grammy® Celebration,' presented by Devine Evans, Kristine Mirelle of Music Hustler, and Queens of The Underground.

The unforgettable evening at the historic Globe Theatre in Los Angeles ran from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Wednesday, February 1 — ahead of the "biggest night in music" that Sunday.

Attendees got a night filled with performances by rising hip-hop artist Elle E.D. and recording artist Josh Moreland, appearances from Keith Harris of the Keith Harris Experience with Tayler Green, networking opportunities, and several activations. Grammy-winning artist Estelle closed the festivities with an electric surprise performance. The red carpet drew appearances from Chaz Lamar Shepherd, reality TV star and actress Masika Kalysha, influencer Shantel Jackson, and many others.

A portion of ticket proceeds went to the Los Angeles Boys & Girls Club, funding music and arts programming for LA youth in collaboration with the Guitar Center Music Foundation.

Story

Arin Ray Drops His Second Album "Hello Poison

TWS Staff

Arin Ray, 26, singer-songwriter, has recently dropped his highly anticipated album Hello Poison via Interscope Records. With this new release, Ray continues to captivate listeners with his silky, groovy tone over laid-back drum patterns. Hello Poison features collaborations with Ari Lennox, D Smoke, VanJess, Blxst, Ty Dolla $ign, Rose Gold, and Childish Major. Ray has already proven his success, accumulating over 175 million streams in the U.S. alone with his previous album, Platinum Fire (2018), and his EP Phrases II (2019). Ray no signs of slowing down as hw continues to push boundaries and elevate his sound.

Events

ARE NFT FESTIVALS THE NEW WAVE ?

TWS Staff · Los Angeles

As Covid-19 cases have dropped and Los Angeles has almost came back to normal. I have seen a shift in concert culture. As more NFT concerts are starting to happen. Starting with Last weekend at TheWeatherFest.
TheWeatherFest was located at the Wisdome LA in Downtown Los Angeles. The Fest showcased artist such as Buddy, YG, Soulja Boy, Blondie Beach, Pedro and special guest Rae Sremmurd. The Fest was free for rsvp and V.I.P for NFT holders along with swag bags. The fest contained a very high artist production value all while making a pleasing experience to most. Which make me believe that NFT Festivals will change concert life as the way we know it for years to come.

Event

ESSENCE HOLLYWOOD HOUSE : TO ALTADENA WITH LOVE

TWS Staff · Los Angeles

Essence Hollywood House is a dynamic space where like-minded creatives, artists, and professionals can come together to enhance their skills and knowledge in an ever-evolving industry. By connecting top-tier experts with aspiring artists, it creates a strong sense of community and belonging, reminding everyone that regardless of their background, they have an equal opportunity to succeed in the entertainment industry.
One example of this is the speed mentoring program, which gives aspiring artists the chance to learn directly from successful professionals. This program not only helps them grow but gives them the tools to fully express their creativity. Additionally, there will be a live workshop led by industry-leading film professionals, designed to teach actors essential skills needed to thrive on set. Beyond supporting individual growth, Essence Hollywood House also recognizes the importance of giving back to the community. The event shines a light on Altadena, a community deeply impacted by the wildfires in January 2025. Altadena has long been a vital hub for economic growth and creative collaboration within the Black professional community. To bring attention to this, one of the day’s panels, “Hollywood & Altadena: A Shared Legacy”, presented by AT&T Dream In Black, will explore the city’s significance and its strong connection to Hollywood. This is just one of many thought-provoking discussions taking place throughout the day.

The Festival

Lil Wayne's UPROAR Fest Proves the Catalog Is Forever

TWS Staff · Los Angeles

Dwayne Carter Jr., better known as Lil Wayne, held his long-awaited hip-hop festival UPROAR in partnership with GKUA, Wayne's lifestyle brand.

The lineup included a dance competition and performances by Young Money, Polo G, and Latto. Wayne performed classic hits — "How To Love," "Bedrock," "Lollipop," "Mrs. Officer" — sending fans into a frenzy and showing the lasting impact his music holds. Throughout the night he kept returning to his supporters: "I wouldn't be sh*t without my fans."

The night closed with surprise sets from Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, and The Game, the mutual respect on stage unmistakable. Wayne's work ethic and accolades speak for themselves — you cannot mention hip-hop without mentioning Lil Wayne.

Story

ARTIST ON THE RISE MUSTAFA

TWS Staff · Hollywood, California

The 24 year old Toronto based artist " Mustafa The Poet" formally known as Mustafa Ahmed. Preformed his debut album "When Smoke Rises" released on May 28, 2021. At the Goya Studios in Hollywood, California. Mustafa's authentically rooted Islamic and Folk sound was sweet and melodic . Each song was poised with raw emotion. Which led into a cry mid performance. Mustafa stated "When Smoke Rises" ' is a "dedicated eulogy'' to his close friends that have passed away.His strength to evoke those reminiscent memories and feelings of his close friends carried throughout his performances. Mustafa's lyrics are relatable to anyone that has ever lost anyone close to them. Each word holds value. Mustafa's originality and uplifting tone makes his music compelling. In all Mustafa an artist to keep an eye out for.