thawilsonblock magazine issue84

for tha revival & preservation of

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ISSUE84 JANUARY 9

TH

, 2019

R&B From A Wider Perspective

1. Read "Unwind" poem by Jhantu Randall 2. Watch "Mission Statement" music video by Sixhundre...

3. Stream "Sunshine" song by Kevin Dorin [Invisible L...

4. Listen to "Beautiful Struggle" song by Tony Moxber...

5. Read "GRADUATION" album review by Ockley (R&B From...

Being Published This Week…

1/10/19 thru 1/16/19 Thursday

1/10/19

(Yellow)

Diamond In The Mud ALBUM REVIEW

Friday

1/11/19

(Purple)

"TRIBORO" music video

Saturday

1/12/19

(Orange)

Grand OPUS “Surfs Up”

Sunday

1/13/19

(Brown)

25 Nights for Nujabes instrumental album

Monday

1/14/19

(Green)

Baker's Dozen: Suff Daddy

Tuesday

1/15/19

(Blue)

al.divino According to His Own Surrealistic Vision

Wednesday 1/16/19

(Red)

"Vacant" EP by Amaka Queenette (((AUDIO)))

Our new Publishing System thawilsonblock magazine will begin content programming. Star ting Januar y 10 th , 2019, thawilsonMAG will publish one featured ar ticle ever yday at 12p NOON (Pacific Standard time).

Issue85 will be the beginning of custom pages for ever y daily ar ticle over the past week. thawilsonblock magazine will have ar ticles scheduled for publish. This will help us cover more

ground and save time working on each weekly issue .

CONTENTS 1. Read "Unwind" poem by Jhantu Randall 2. Watch "Mission Statement" music video by Sixhundre...

3. Stream "Sunshine" song by Kevin Dorin [Invisible L...

4. Listen to "Beautiful Struggle" song by Tony Moxber...

5. Read "GRADUATION" album review by Ockley (R&B From...

Read "GRADUATION" album review by Ockley (R&B From A Written by Jhantu Randall Wider Perspective) In this new era it feels as if there’s no solid boundaries anymore. In many aspects, that can be a good thing, at the same time it can leave the landscape feeling rather confusing. In music for instance, our entire generation has come up hearing certain genres and recognizing them right away whereas now, the artists are willing to experiment with their sound. As a result many acts we consider rap actually sound like a fusion of 70’s rock, soul and pieces of neo soul. While risky, it does open the doors for something new, but it begs the question, what defines R&B these days?

I grew up listening to groups from the 1950’s all the way up to the 90’s and fell in love with the music and how it had evolved. Each decade building upon the foundation the previous generation paved for it to thrive and change with the times. I’d be lying if I said I knew which R&B acts stand out today because at this point every genre, from hip hop to country seems to borrow from one another leaving only the artist interchangeable, the songs themselves sound very similar to me. Over the last few years there’s been acts who have carried the R&B mantle for only for a short time. While all of them are good in their own right, there seemed to be something lacking when it came to the projects overall connection to the audience. Not saying that there’s any quick answers here, but knowing this leads me to the next step which is digging a little further and seeking the raw vocals I’m looking for to ease this dilemma.

With that being said, I was fortunate enough to come across this album being streamed titled “Graduation” by a singer named Ockley. From the first track, “100 Everyday” his melodic voice comes across with a particular sincerity accompanied by a fierce determination to get his message out with every note. The thing that sets Ockley apart in my mind is, that even though his sounds sound like a throwback to what I feel has been missing, he himself was born in Lusaka, Zambia. Thus the bonus for the listener comes with hearing R&B with an international viewpoint. That is made clear as he sings in what I assume is his native language on the track “Tikondane” and while I don’t know what he’s singing about, I feel that song in a way I can't quite explain. On songs like “Singla Mama” “She Told Me” and “ Tikaonana” it’s his story telling ability that I am drawn to. These songs stood out to me because it allowed me to escape and reflect upon my own experiences through his melodies. The go to tracks for me are “Africa” “Time Flies” “Amanda” and “Show Me Some Love” as they all have their own unique sound to them.

What I love about this album is that the content is completely unexpected and at the same time, exactly what R&B needs to energize itself. This is an album that you can just put on ands listen to whether you're heading to the club on a Friday Night or just going for a drive and looking for a soundtrack. If this is a graduation, I’m curious to know what Ockley has in store for the next stage.

Read More by Jhantu Randall >>>

“On songs like “Singla Mama” “She Told Me” and “Tikaonana” it’s his story telling ability that I am drawn to. These songs stood out to me because it allowed me to escape and reflect upon my own experiences through his melodies.”

–Jhantu Randall on GRADUATION album by OCKLEY

Poem by Jhantu Randall

UNWIND In the night it feels like a different world comes to life Transition from the grit of the daily grind to an uneasy, yet more carefree time At night, when a rainy drive reveals the beauty behind the city sights Encompassed in bright and brash neon lights Sit back and fall into your vices The days headaches are silenced Swimming in a sea of drink exhaling the pain away A smokey view adjusting the tune Holding onto these good vibes, hoping they stay During the night, there seems to be a different sound A new scent blankets the air as earlier cares can no longer be found If the sun gives off energ y than the moon creates an alter nate view of this town A place where opportunity is both gifted and repented Stuck in a rush unaware of its limits Secrets shrouded in mystery hidden in plain sight waiting to be unfurled A road illuminated by lights to appear glittered with gold Holds a deceptive beauty as part of its alluring traps Lost in your drink, you exhale to feel your lungs contract For a moment lost to roam free in your thoughts During the night, you find a moment to relax

Read More by Jhantu Randall >>>

ThaWilsonBlock Network consists of local ar tists, musicians, & entrepreneurs we showcase through exclusive inter views and special features in our magazine, podcast, & social media platforms. We fill a void in the ar ts by committing our weekly publication and ar tist collective to "local talent".

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Your Pledge can help us facilitate a safe and creative space for local ar tists to: ✓ Formally Introduce themselves and Be recognized for who they are ✓ Learn what they want to do and how to go by pursuing it ✓ Build their EPK's and Develop their Ar tist Profile ✓ Book Photo Shoots for their Por tfolio ✓ Record & Produce songs for their albums/EPs ✓ Be inter viewed about their career, goals, and experiences

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