New Orleans has turned out a number of boundary-pushing rappers who have influenced a number of different styles in the industry. Cashhhh is following in that path, creating her own lane and she is not coming to play. Men have dominated the success from rap out of New Orleans but between Cashhhh’s signing and rapping, she is making her way to becoming one of the hottest female rappers from NOLA. I had the chance to catch up with Cashhhh to talk to her about her journey thus far.

When did you start your journey with music and how have you evolved as an artist since then?

I started my journey on like summer 2017. Since then, I can say that my fan base has grown and with the help of my team: Ben, and TJ, and others, I feel like that’s what’s helping me grow and get better. I can honestly say, I started off rapping, I started off just playing around. But then, I found it was an outlet for me. I started to perfect it more and it changed me as a person and motivated me to being a better parent and a better person. So, it changed my music and the way that I look at it now. Now I’m doing it for a reason. Before I was just doing it just to play around with, just because I had the buzz and people was listening, but it’s like now, it’s deeper than just, Rap. I mean… Now it’s like I’m trying to pay for school and make it, give my baby a different life than I had.

How has the culture of New Orleans music influenced the artist that you are now?

I can honestly say that New Orleans culture is forcing me to be different as far as my own sound, because our culture is based off bounce music, and I never was, like, I wouldn’t say like a fan of it, of course, if I’m out in the club, getting on a plane, I’m a listen to it and I dance to it, but on my own time, it was never something that I just tried to listen to. Our city is a whole lot of that, and I never was into that. So it always encouraged me to do and make different music for my culture. So it really helped me create and find my own sound.

As a female artist coming up in the industry, what are some of the challenges that you have faced so far?

Basically, being put against other females, I wouldn’t say compared, because everybody or most people are different. But it’s like people always try to put us up against each other to make us compete with each other. That’s one thing that’s challenging for me because I don’t want like, I be in my own lane, so I don’t really look at someone as competition, it’s not a competition for me. If it is it’s like I’m competing against my own self. But in the industry, you always being put against people like, for instance, the other day, me and my friend did a song together and they tried to make us compete, like try to put us against each other to see who was better on the song. I don’t like that. I feel like that’s just, no matter how far you get, or how big you get, or how little, that’s just one of the biggest problems that we have.

What artists currently inspire you, and who is your goal to work with?

I really like two male artists. Lil Baby and DaBaby, I really like them, and they inspire me because when they came out poppin’ they started off just like me, local and then slowly branching off and people catching on to them. So they’re really two of the people that I really paid attention to in the game, and they really inspired me to keep going, ’cause I know, if that happened for them, it could happen for me and I really like their music. So they really two artists that, when I get bigger, I would like to work with.

What is the story behind your single, What’s Love?

My music is all based off true feelings and emotions that I experienced or went through, and that’s all… I think music is my outlet, so when I was going through, you know, my ups and my downs with my guy, it was just a song that I made, going through our problems. You know, it’s just helping me get over it, so that’s basically the story behind it.

Cashhhh has been hard at work applying all the pressure she can to make it to the top. She has recently released a new track, “Let It Burn,” and it has been going up since its release, hitting 13K streams in just 24 hours. The track features the best of both worlds with singing and rapping and Cashhhh killed the music video.

Virginia Beach artist, Will Jung, is using the power of lyricism to do more than stand-out. Will Jung, has been delivering bars and catchy tracks for some years now and it wasn’t until about 2009 when Will started taking music seriously. He began writing, recording, and perfecting his craft and as a member of RVA Rap Elite, his delivery keeps getting better! Virginia has gifted a number of artists to the music industry including Pusha T, Missy Elliot, and Chris Brown which has left a sharply paved path for Will to follow. Timbaland has served as a source of inspiration as well, serving as his favorite producer. These groundbreaking artists have more than inspired Will, who now teaches after receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Not only does Will provide essential education to children, but he also creates music filled with mind-bending metaphors to keep his listeners intrigued, just like his students. His talent brought him opening spots for Rick Ross and Busta Rhymes in 2017 and with this new decade ahead, I had the pleasure of talking to Will about his journey and 2019 debut album, Pronounced Young.

Being from Virginia Beach, a place carrying names like Pharrell, Timbaland, and Missy Elliot, what are some of their qualities that have inspired you as an artist?

“Just going left. As simple as that sounds, I’ve never heard a Missy Elliot record or Pharrell or a Timbaland record, that sounds “normal.” Every time you hear them, it’s a genre-bending type of music. You can’t really classify it or put it into one box. That’s what I try to take away from them every-time I do a record, it’s that I don’t want to be boxed in. If I want to do a pop record one day, I’ll do that, if I feel like rapping one day, I’ll do that, and just try to make it as appealing as possible while still remaining being an individual and being different.”

What went into the process of your debut album Pronounced Young and what was your message to listeners?

It was a culmination of just a lot of time. 2010, I’m telling people that I do music and stuff like that, and I really… I built a relationship with my engineer, one of my producer’s T-Rifik. He mixed and mastered that entire album, and produced I wanna say four beats on it. He was the one that really got me into melodies, harmonies, attempting to sing on records, and just trying different things with the music, and that takes a lot of time. With that, I was never really super confident in releasing music. I have a song on there from 2013, believe it or not. ‘Gymnasium’ is the oldest song up there. Ever since then, those 10 songs, the most recently recorded one was ‘The Past’ and that was recorded summer or fall 2018, one or the other. So it’s just time, and it was just more so, okay, I need to get a body of work out. I wanted to showcase as much as my skill as possible. So, while it’s a short project, it does cover the rapping from the beginning and then there’s a shift around track three, after “Know Me,” then to the more thought-provoking: “The Past” and “Disconnect,” and songs like that. So, just the message is just like, you know, just getting the music out. Just showing people that I can do whatever I need to do to make a good record.

How did you get involved with RVA Rap Elite and what has the community done for you as an artist?

“Man, I actually just call him my big brother Intalek, He was participating in the Lyricist Lounge when they were called Lyricist Lounge. This was 2018, and he pretty much put it out there, like, ‘Yo, go up there and rap. There’s nothing like getting on that stage.’ I was dismissive of it for a moment because, not that I wasn’t confident in my ability, but I was just kinda like, ‘I don’t feel like rap rapping. I just want to make music.’ I’m listening to this music and I forget that essence. The reason why I do this rapping, it’s putting words together. I got a talent like everybody else. So why not showcase that on a stage? I went up there, the season finale of their first season of The Lyricist Lounge. At the time, I hadn’t performed in over six months, so what a terrible way to jump back in a stage in that format. I go up there, and I choke. I stumbled through a verse and had to start over. I ended up finishing the verse, but the delivery was terrible. I actually made it to the sudden-death round with like six other MCs, and I wasn’t aware that there’d be a sudden death round. So it comes and I’m like the second name called, and I’m like, ‘Oh my god.’ I have nothing in my register. So, I got to a verse that I could remember and I remembered maybe eight bars of it and I choked again and I was just like, Hey, I appreciate you, so that lit a fire in me. I started writing more verses and was just being ready. July 2019 is when I came back and ever since then, every month. Now I finish maybe second or third every time and the only person that I lose to is my brother Basic.

As far as what it’s done for me is just, there’s a different type of energy man, when you’re rapping. When you’re just rapping, and barring, barring people up, and getting those oohs and ahs, or getting the screw face, or even if somebody don’t like your bars, even that energy is good to see. It’s just made me appreciate real rap. It’s made me appreciate the essence of what we all do this for, and they’re a very, they’re really a very supportive group of people, man. I really appreciate all those guys, man, Radio, Spielberg, and Nicholas, and all those guys, my man West. Everybody really is a supportive group of people, man. They just love rap. It’s a group of people that love rap and I love that.”

On a mission of turning dreams into reality, Will is constantly creating new music to push him even further. Jung has released some new singles this year to include a bar-pack track titled “RapElite” featuring his close friend B.A.S.I.C. and “Missile,” both cover the melodic and cold-cut lyrical aspects of hip-hop and are must adds to a playlist.

Virginia made entrepreneur and hip-hop artist J-Real has been nothing but busy building an empire that would bring his followers up with him.  His father raised him on soul music from the ’70s and ’80s, which enticed J-Real into “listening to the emotions behind certain records that played in [his] household.” At the age of 14, a love for music evolved into an obsession. He indulged in any material he could to increase his knowledge on music and its production. J-Real began taking music seriously around 19, which then led to the creation of The Future Millionaires Company. thefm.co was created as a hub for creativity and outreach beyond music. This expanded into the development of the Dream in Numbers Program, an interactive seminar hosted by thefm.co on college campuses. J-Real partners with Mason Taylor, producer with credits for “On My Block,” and the “Top Boy” soundtrack, and a few very accomplished others to give students a hands-on opportunity to dive into certain aspects of the ever-changing music industry. I had the pleasure of catching up with J-Real to talk to him about the release of his single “Frankie’s Story,” and The Future Millionaires Company.

What was the process like in starting The Future Millionaires Company?

thefm.co also known as The Future Millionaires Company was a way for me to create a shell company that broadcasts to more people that were not just music based. It was a way for me to sell clothing, do seminars, mentor the youth, donate to charity, and so many other things not just attached to the music industry. thefm.co, pronounced the fm dot co, is the top company which has many parts/layers under it, such as music production, videography, eCommerce, & much more.

What inspired the Dream in Numbers program and what message do you bring with you to the seminars?

The “Dream in Numbers Program” is a very hands-on college seminar that shows and explains how to navigate life while in college then transitioning into what you want to do with your life after school. The basis of the Program is tailored for each school we go to, but it breaks down into two parts. Part 1, starts with 2 Guest speakers myself, and Mason Taylor who talk about our journey in the music industry, covering topics from music business, being an entrepreneur, making money on the internet, and navigating your life in the real world. We end part 1 of the seminar with a live construction of a Hip-Hop record in front of the audience. Part 2, of the seminar, is a high energy concert that same night, showing you everything we talked about in the daytime in a live action format. The message we bring to the seminars is very simple and not just related to people interested in the music industry. We teach it in our program and we call it, you have to L.E.A.P., Learn Every and All Possibilities.

How have you as an artist and your brand been affected by COVID-19 and what do you plan to do when the pandemic is over?

As an emerging artist, this pandemic has 100% affected me and my future endeavors. The team had plans to go to SXSW, Sneaker Con, and more college dates lined up. Also, music streaming is down, with people being at home more you would think more people are listening to music, they’re not. Most people listen to music to and from work, parties, and gatherings. With more people home there are not too many new music listeners. As artists, we have to get more creative to keep up with our fan base and adapt to the times.

When the pandemic is over I plan on popping out to a lot more places and continue with this college tour focusing hard on the “Dream in Numbers” program and release a ton more music.

As an artist where do you feel you have room to grow?

I always have room to grow, you always feel like you can be a better musician the more you work at the craft. Right now with everything going on I feel like I need to grow the most with fan engagement. We want to do more contests and be more connected to my fan base. We recently started text campaigns and theycallmereal.com to keep fans updated on what’s happening daily.

What aspects of “Set it Off” inspired “Frankie’s Story” and what is the working dynamic between you and Mason Taylor, who produced the track?

Money Montage and Mason Taylor both produced Frankie’s Story together. They are the most frequent producers I work with. The idea from Frankie’s Story came from the sample in the instrumental, the main sound in the beat is from the movie “Set It Off”. With the addition of the movie clips at the beginning and end of the song, I took the angle of telling a story of a person who wanted more in life and were frustrated with their current situation. After hearing the lyrics to the song Mason said it sounded like you’re telling a deeper perspective of Frankie, one of the characters in the movie. Blended with events in my life relating to Frankie, we came up with the name “Frankie’s Story.”

Who inspires you, and do you have an artist that is your goal to work with?

I draw inspiration from many things such as movies, sports, people, and music. My top musical inspirations would be Kanye West & Wiz Khalifa. They are very different artists but they provide a heavy influence on my artistry. The way they approach the craft of their music and the way they always want to remain unique and stand out from other artists. I like people who want to push the boundaries and the culture forward. I love the way the artists are sounding from my home area, the DMV right now. But I would like to work with Goldlink, IDK, and Shordie Shordie. I really only want to work with DMV artists at the moment.

J-Real as brought The Dream in Numbers Program  to colleges like James Madison University and positively influenced a number of students. As a rising artist, J-Real’s smooth R&B rap style can be found in a number of his tracks. The artist recently released a dope, laid-back new visual for his track D.N.D, and is definitely and artist you want on your playlist.

Rebecca Lynne aka “R. Lyn” is not afraid.  The Boston born R&B singer and songwriter reflects on her life and everything in between through her music.  It’s the honesty in her lyrics that create a sound and vibe that are undeniable.

The Boston born R&B singer and songwriter reflects on her life and everything in between through her music.

R.Lyn was raised by her mother, with no knowledge of her biological father. She faced several struggles throughout her life, but always turned to music for healing. Her musical influences include Aaliyah, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Etta James, Amy Winehouse, Jhene Aiko, Kehlani and Jazmine Sullivan.  She started singing and writing her pain away.  She participated in several talent shows throughout high school and sung the national anthem all across Massachusetts, venues including local high schools, UMass Lowell, UMass Amherst, Harvard, and TD Garden.

Rebecca was one of the few in her family to attend College and leave Massachusetts.  At age 18, she packed her bags and headed to Philadelphia to attend Temple University.  This was where she found herself on a personal and music level.  Rebecca ended up getting pregnant her senior year of college, and gave birth to her son Royal.  Royal brought music back into her life.  She sang to him every day and night, and once he got old enough, she knew she had to attempt to do music professionally.

Beginning in the summer of 2016, Rebecca really dug into her talents.  On top of being a single mother, homeowner, and working full time as a Sr. IT Consultant in the Pharmaceutical industry, she would stay up all hours of the night writing and began recording.  After creating a buzz from the short catalog she had created in a few months, R. Lyn was chosen by Philadelphia’s AMP 96.5 Radio as one of the best local artists in Philadelphia.  Shortly after this as well, she opened for Tory Lanez, Ginuwine, Mya, Ashanti, Rick Ross, Kranium and performed twice for New York Fashion Week.  She has since released her debut album, “She’s not Afraid”, which is already making an impact with over 500k streams and resonating with all genres based on her unique voice and stories.

Megan Alyssa is a 22 year old Sexy Pop and R&B singer, songwriter and dancer. Born of Dominican heritage and raised in Long Island, NY. Much like the lively and diverse culture she represents, Megan’s passion for music, writing and dance mimics the same qualities. This love affair has catapulted her into a well rounded and talented force to be reckoned with.

the idea of mixing luxury and MUSIC is modern ART, no one CAN DISAGREE WITH THAT.

Young Megan Alyssa has been captivating audiences since the age of three. Surrounded by a musical family and deeply inspired by her grandfather who played in a band, she quickly developed a desire to be a performer. To add to her musical talents, Megan also plays percussion and pitched instruments such as the piano and violin. Consistently and fearlessly, she has broken down musical barriers creating a sound all her own. In 2019, Megan Alyssa plans to captivate and increase her fan base by performing across the country, opening up for other artist, releasing a new EP and album with some mainstream features and collaborations. Her fans can also look out for new songs that gets in touch with her Latin roots. Her diversity will be unmatched and heavily sought after. This millenial is one to watch! Remember the name, Megan Alyssa!

When Lil Zay Osama walked into juvenile lockup just days after his 16th birthday to spend the next five years of his young life behind bars, it could have been the end of his story. It often is for young people who the system decides it can’t do more for than locking them away. Instead, he turned the experience into the beginning of a new chapter, where he’d build from his time in the street life to build a path away from it, and come out the other side the greatest rapper in years to emerge out of Chicago’s storied South Side.

By the time he was sent away for what the state euphemistically calls “juvenile life”–a sentence lasting until age 21–Zay was already a street veteran. He was only 12 when he turned to the only source of income available to a kid trying to help support his family in one of the most chronically underserved communities in America. He was already making records too, a young prodigy coming up in the booming Chicago drill scene that was thrilling rap fans and sparking controversy across the country with its unflinching depiction of Chicago street life. With his videos breaking the half-million mark on YouTube, Zay seemed on his way to join drill superstars like Chief Keef and Lil Durk who’d made it from the corner to the pop charts before jail took him off course.

When he got out early at age 19–and in the process getting the laws changed to end juvenile life sentences in Illinois–the rap game had changed and drill was no longer the phenomenon that it had been. But Zay had changed too. While he was locked up he’d spent his time focusing on his craft because he’d decided that once he was free again he wasn’t going back to the streets. With a new style, a new perspective, and new level of determination, he set out to rebuild the career that had almost been taken away from him.

At age 21, Zay’s already been through more than most people will in a lifetime, and in the two years since he got out of jail he’s developed the skills to capture his experiences in vivid, high definition lyrics. Street singles like “Survive,” “Changed Up,” and “Trenches” document the ups and downs of life in the Chicago crack game in gritty detail, with a cinematic scope that recalls not only Tupac’s thug poetry but the verite drama of The Wire and John Singleton’s Nineties gangsta classics–all delivered through unshakable melodies that demand repeat spins.

And the streets are liking what they see. “Survive” has already done nearly 9 million streams on YouTube, while “Changed Up” has become Zay’s breakout single with over 22 million, all on word of mouth. Every time a Chicago rapper’s earned this kind of buzz it’s flipped hip-hop on its head. With new material on the way, Lil Zay Osama’s about to show the world the power of a second chance