Rising Songbird Special Edition: Dreezy

SN: Language in this writeup is more colloquial than usual.

As a frequent viewer of Rising Songbird, it is no secret that this platform is geared toward under recognized R&B artists, but I had to make an exception for the rapper/singer Dreezy. Dreezy hails from my hometown, Chicago, Illinois, which is why I felt that it was my job to give her the credit and accolades (that I could provide) that she was recently stripped of. 

This past week, BET released the nominees for the 2017 BET Awards and Dreezy was excluded from not one, but two categories: Best New Artist (which is debatable depending on when the cut off/start date is for artists to drop music to be considered for the category) and Best Female Hip Hop Artist. The other nominees in the category are deserving without a doubt, but for the record, Dreezy is the only female in the genre to release an official album between 2016 and 2017. To say less, Dreezy's talent is undeniable. 

I made it a priority to go (back) and listen to older projects of the rapper/singer and I must say she is consistent in-regards-to the rawness (of her subject matter) and sound. This rawness, causing Dreezy to gain a lot of attention with her remix to "Chiraq" (2014) after Nicki Minaj hopped on the track with fellow Chicago native, rapper G Herbo (formerly known as Lil Herb).    

From calling out the girls and guys to let them know that she is not the one to be played with and that her name holds weight on a track off her DSM project entitled, "Say My Name" (2013) which also samples Destiny's Child classic (of the same title,) to a similar and more recent track entitled "We Gon Ride" that features rapper Gucci Mane released on her debut album No Hard Feelings (2016), Dreezy hasn't lost the edge that fans from our hometown, know and love all too well, while also evolving her sound. We get to hear a softer side of Dreezy on ballads like "Wasted" and "Close to You," the latter featuring a veteran singer/songwriter in the game, T-Pain. Not to mention, her single "Body" (another song from her debut album) which features another Chicago artist Jeremih, has gone certified platinum by the RIAA. It goes without saying, Dreezy most definitely deserved to be a 2017 BET nominee for Best Female Hip Hop Artist and like the old saying, "When one door closes, another one opens," I am positive that the 23-year old Chicago native has other opportunities to shine light on her hard work and craft coming her way.

To get more of Dreezy, please checkout her debut album No Hard Feelings, which is available everywhere and her other projects can be located on mixtape and streaming outlets. 

Rising Songbird Trevor Jackson

Many people may know Trevor Jackson as one of the main character's in Disney Channel's 2012 hit film Let It Shine, but the "singer that acts or an actor that sings" got his start long before he starred on Disney Channel. At a young age, Trevor played the role of Young Simba in the Chicago production of the Lion King before he made his big move from hometown, Indianapolis, Indiana, to Los Angeles to pursue his singing and acting career full force. I've been following Trevor on and off the music scene for a while and when I got ahold of his "In My Feelings" project (2015), I was amazed. He has a very distinct (mature) voice, if I may add. Taking on ballads like "I'll Be Who You Love" and more rap influenced tracks such as "Simple As This," he makes it smooth to transition from the love like melody to my other personal favorite a "turn up song" that makes you feel like you are partying right along with him. I have to admit, Trevor is one of few artists whose speaking voices and singing voices sound the same, so his voice is one your ears will not have a hard time recognizing again and that's for certain. The first song that I actually fell in love with is "Like We Grown" off his "#NewThang" EP (2013). The innocent young love track has a fresh and fun summertime vibe, with a nice dance grove that will make you want to pull an all nighter, enjoying the company of a special someone. 

Outside the music realm, Trevor has a recurring role on the ABC drama American Crime, which returns for a third season on March 12th. With his impeccable resume and talent, it is safe to say that Trevor has the best of both worlds and this 20 year old is not stopping anytime soon. To stay up-to-date with Trevor Jackson check out his instagram @trevorjackson5 and for more music head over to iTunes or youtube.

Rising Songbird Jacquees Update

                                                    

Sunday, March 13, 2016 Premo brought Jacquees to Chicago as the headliner of a series of shows called "Bounce House" they are doing at The Promontory and I had the pleasure of meeting Jacquees (as you see) after the show. There were a lot of opening acts and the crowd grew very anxious up until Jacquees took the stage. For this 3peat, Jacquees once again did his thing and yes I screamed sang the entire show lol (you actually may hear me in some of the footage, sorry lol). His vocals were on point and despite the small and crowded stage, that did not stop him from showing off his moves. Jacquees' energy was very high, he interacted with the crowd, and he most definitely showed Chicago love. He even did an extra thirty meet and greets because the show ran longer than expected (no I was not one of those who waited until the last minute to get the meet and greet either). I even got a hug after giving him an early birthday card and he thanked me as well. I know you guys are tired of hearing about what I think, so I'll let this actual concert footage do the talking (and I was right up front so you're welcome). I hope you enjoy #TeamJacquees. Jacquees Live

Just in case you are wondering what I think of this video and why I chose this one out of the several other videos I have is because first and foremost, I caught this set on camera from beginning to end with no interruptions. Now for the real reasons, he has awesome stage presence from the very beginning until the end. He makes the ladies go wild and yes that does include myself 😏. He shows off his moves a bit and makes his way all across the stage, giving all the sections of the audience a good performance. His vocals are on point and if you've heard any of his records, especially the two from the concert footage, you would agree that he sounds exactly the same live and of course he does some ad-libbing. Ad-libbing in a live setting is great and very much so if it is done successfully and Jacquees most certainly 'came through'! This is a job well done and I look forward to being at more shows.

Rising Songbird Jacquees

My first writeup has to go to none other than Jacquees. Jacquees is a songstress from Decatur, Georgia who makes that fact known loud and clear in several songs, including his "Quemix," "Persian Rugs." Jacquees is known for his miraculous covers, which have been released on his mixtapes titled "Quemix" (2013) and his most recent mixtape release "Quemix 2" (2015). In 2014, Jacquees released his own original songs on an EP entitled "19" and his song "Feel It" (featuring Lloyd and Rich Homie Quan) was featured in the 2015 hit film Magic Mike XXL. Jacquees has a tendency to make you forget the original versions and artists with his unique voice and the 90s vibe you get when listening to him sing on any track, cover or original. I've had the tremendous pleasure and honor of seeing Jacquees live twice this past summer (I will get to in just a bit) after becoming hooked on his music when my boyfriend suggested quite a while ago that I listen to him.

Jacquees has a sweet, but yet bold voice that definitely stands out and that makes that the ladies ooo and ahh (I know I did when I first heard him). Yes, yes fellas his music is for you too, I know quite a few of you can relate to coming across a beautiful young lady who is being done wrong by her boyfriend and you want to come in and fix that. Does this sound familiar? Here are a couple of tracks to follow up with: "5 Steps," a romantic melodic suggestion on how she should leave her man and "Idgaf," which channels the more aggressive guy who doesn't care about her man and will do anything (I won't give away the song/video too much) to get her.

The first time seeing Jacquees, (of course front, dead center) I was just blown away because I had never been to a concert where the performer sounds just like the record that I've listened to tons of times. I was far from disappointed. The second time in concert, his talents yet again did not fail from the dance moves, which greatly improved from the first show, to his vocal performance, which made me scream to the top of my lungs I have to admit. One thing I will say is that he was booked in a bigger venue and an outside arena the second time around and the constructive feedback that I give to him is to really practice his pitch in sound check in larger performing (outdoor) spaces because what can sound very appealing from up close, can sound just a little off for someone who is sitting farther back. Overall, I highly recommend the sound styles of Georgia native, Jacquees, but if you do not want to become hooked, I suggest you do not let his voice get wrapped around your ears #TeamJacquees.

Follow Up:

As of the 25th of last month, Jacquees has dropped a mixtape entitled "Mood" and I cannot stop playing it. The 16 track tape has only a few features (but if you're Jacquees, you don't need a mixtape full of features) including Houston, Texas native Kirko Bangz and Detroit's very own, Dej Loaf. Download it here at http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/38105/jacquees-mood.html. Also stay tuned for show dates in a city near you.