Pop essentials and a little bit more

Author: Lisa Hafey

Lisa has been writing for over 20 years, starting as the entertainment editor on her university newspaper. Since then she's written for Popwrapped, Maximum Pop, Celebmix, and ListenOnRepeat. Lisa loves all good music, with particular fondness for Jedward and David Bowie. She's interviewed Edward Grimes (Jedward), Kevin Godley, Trevor Horn, Paul Young, Peter Cox (Go West), Brendan B Brown (Wheatus), Bruce Foxton (The Jam), among many many more. Lisa is also available for freelance writing - please email lisa@essentiallypop.com

Trav Torch – ‘Give It To Me Baby’

June 29, 2020

Trav Torch returns with his new single, ‘Give It To Me Baby’, alongside a music video which takes full advantage of his butter-smooth vocal talents and magnetic screen presence. The clip is certainly one for the times, demonstrating that Trav too has perfected his hand-washing technique. It’s love in the time of Covid-19.

Jekalyn Carr – ‘Changing Your Story’

June 29, 2020

Jekalyn Carr is a highly respected Gospel artist, who won a Stellar Award as a teenager, and has since topped Billboard’s Gospel Album chart with ‘One Nation Under God’, and ‘The Life Project’. Beyond that she’s won Dove Awards, and been nominated for three Gospel Grammys. She’s listed as one of the most influential people in the world, in EBONYcounts’ “Power 100″‘. With her music ministry, Jekalyn has touched the hearts of thousands of listeners, and now she’s hoping to make a difference in the lives of everyone else.

Makes My Blood Dance – ‘Power Of The Lightside’

June 29, 2020

Makes My Blood Dance’s latest single, ‘Power Of The Lightside’, is nearly 5 minutes of full on power metal, paying homage to those heroes of the 70s and 80s, with thrashing guitars and throbbing drums, and enthusiastically emoted lyrics which serve to empower the listener.

Voice Of A Rebel: Jedward’s Fourth Album Still Stands Out One Year Since Release

June 27, 2020

Jedward’s fourth album, ‘Voice Of A Rebel’ was released one year ago today, 27 June 2019. Their first with their new label Universal Music Singapore, the release comprises 22 tracks, all written and produced by John and Edward themselves.

‘Underwater’ Is A Good Old Fashioned Monster Movie

June 24, 2020

‘Underwater’ came to our cinema screens at the start of the year, and this William Eubank directed movie follows a group of scientists who travel seven miles to the bottom of the ocean and encounter some particularly nasty underwater creatures.

iinvad3 – ‘Mix It Up’

June 23, 2020

iinvad3’s latest single, ‘Mix It Up’ feels like a popping club tune, but the clip, directed by Charlie Sky, takes place at a car show, filled to the brim with vintage classic cars, alongside finely polished modern vehicles.

Kamilah Shani – ‘Certified’

June 23, 2020

Kamilah Shani’s video for her latest single, ‘Certified’, sees her flexing on the New York City subway, getting her point across, dressed in neon Puma gear.

Good Fella Uno – ‘Lemonade’

June 23, 2020

The latest signing to 360 Records, Good Fella Uno is the absolute epitome of Florida’s hip-hop scene. Uno – the first born and only male among his siblings – is a born storyteller and has studied both OG hip-hop and the up and coming underground styles shaping the modern sound.

A.T.L.D.V. – ‘Hotel’

June 19, 2020

When you listen to ‘Hotel’, by A.T.L.D.V. you might find yourself thinking that you’ve gone back in time, that the track couldn’t possibly be a modern one; there’s a distinct 9os vibe to its RnB sound, with its seamless merging of hip hop rhythms and soulful vocals. But it’s a modern track indeed, and it’s captured the classic feel of the heyday of RnB, while at the same time feeling every bit a part of the now.

Blondia – ‘Do The Damn Thing’

June 19, 2020

Blondia swaggers through her native New Jersey with style, and oozes a confidence that others can only dream about. ‘Do The Damn Thing’, her latest single, sees her laying down bars like they’re going out of style, and she certainly shows who’s boss in the accompanying music video.

Da$Htone – ‘Someday’ (feat. Alma Cook and Ethan Butler)

June 19, 2020

Da$Htone is proud of his hometown Chicago, and has taken to the streets with his iPhone, a Steadicam, and a Bluetooth speaker, for the video to accompany his latest single, ‘Someday’. Along the way he’s cajoled passers by into lip synching lines from the song, and put them all together in a tribute to not just Midwestern hip hop, but also to all those who are inspired by it.

Maribased1 – ‘Thee End’

June 19, 2020

We’ve written about Maribased1 a number of times now, and never fail to be amazed by the quality of his flow, and the quick wit of his mind that allows him to switch between styles and rhythm in the blink of an eye. On the one hand he can write a club banger, while on the other he can come up with a sweet and soulful tribute to strong, and independent women. Citing his style as “Northern Flow”, this artist from the Pacific Northwest knows exactly how to make himself stand out, and it’s meant that he’s found a home for his indie music on he likes of BET Jams, and MTV OnDemand, with his singles, ‘Bouncin’, and, ‘Score’n’, as well as his most recent release, ‘Mystery Girl’.