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.