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Kodak Black and Chance the Rapper Unite for “Still Get Chanel” and Announce New Album ‘Just Getting Started’

Eric Alper
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Kodak Black and Chance the Rapper Unite for “Still Get Chanel” and Announce New Album ‘Just Getting Started’

Today, multi-platinum Pompano Beach rap star Kodak Black teams up with GRAMMY® Award-winning Chicago champ Chance the Rapper for “Still Get Chanel,” a romantically themed cut that revels in the creative chemistry between two artists who fluidly blend soulful melodies with freewheeling bars. Listen HERE via Vulture Love / Capitol Records, and watch the video HERE. Additionally, Kodak officially announces his next studio album Just Getting Started out on Halloween 10.31, pre-save/order HERE.  Watch the trailer HERE featuring a cameo from Lamar Jackson.

“Still Get Chanel” produced by Kodak’s longtime producer Dr. Zeus, finds Kodak getting vulnerable over chiming keys and booming drums. He brings his distinct brand of blues to the opening lines, describing a moment where he sought forgiveness from a partner who left him: “I was all f—– up, I was down as f— / Like the grass stop growin’, the wind stop blowin’ / The birds stop chirpin’ and lightning struck / But you still get Chanel and chocolate and stuff.” Chance similarly dedicates his verse to the kind of love that deserves to be nurtured — and spoiled by a trip to Rodeo Drive — mixing athletic wordplay with sincere reflection as he glides across the beat. 

It’s been several years since the duo last linked up on record — on 2 Chainz’ 2017 track “I’m Not Crazy, Life Is.” Chance, of course, is coming off the release of his long-awaited second album, STAR LINE, while Kodak continues his prolific streak both in the studio and around the communities he grew up in. In the summer, he received the key to his home city, Pompano Beach, Florida, in recognition of his significant generosity and impact over the years. He marked the honor with a song and locally shot video, “Keys to the City.”   

Additionally, Kodak dropped “Imma Shoot,” spitting some of his grittiest bars over a track that’s drawn favorable comparison from fans, peers, and press alike (including VIBE) to his massive 2021 hit “Super Gremlin,” which climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has 376 million views on YouTube alone. In July, he released “By Myself” with South Florida risers DJ E Money and G6reddot. That track samples the iconic strings from Fabolous and Ne-Yo’s 2007 hit, “Make Me Better” — in honor of that connection, Ne-Yo himself made a cameo in the “By Myself” video alongside influencer Big SLM TY. Watch HERE. 

Kodak entered 2025 with serious motion, dropping three full-length projects in less than two months at the end of 2024. On Christmas Day, he stuffed fans’ stockings with Gift for the Streets, a star-studded affair featuring Lil Yachty, Veeze, Rob49, Taylor So Made, No Limit Records OG C-Murder, DJ E Money, and more, not to mention a partial Hot Boys reunion between Juvenile and BG. But Kodak season kicked off in November with a pair of mixtapes: the haunted and inward-looking Dieuson Octave, titled after the artist’s actual birth name (see “Catch Fire”), and Trill Bill, which for the most part captured him from a different angle — the “fly, fresh, and foolish” side, to quote Kodak (see “News Matt”).  

Before all that, Kodak was focused on his record label’s first official project, Vulture Love Presents: The Last Zombies on Earth, which dropped in the summer of 2024 featuring contributions from VVSNCE, Lil Crix, GorditoFlo, Big Fredo, Jay Dirty, and more. Listen HERE. Ever the collaborator, he’s recently popped up on singles “Florida Flow” on Jackboys 2, Ty Dolla $ign “Smile Body Pretty Face”, Marques Houston “Hold On”. 

Kodak’s expansive vision and status continue to transcend rap. Over the years, he’s cultivated the role of a prophetic storyteller and a staple cultural figure. He has over 25 billion global streams to his name and continues to engage in altruism within his beloved Florida community, from covering rents during tough economic times, to giving out AC units in the heat of the summer, on to annual his annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive — last year Kodak gave out 1,800 turkeys in honor of the 1800 block he grew up on. Deep into 2025, he’s continuing to ride for the next generation while affirming his place as a creative beacon. 


Combining vivid street vignettes with the soul of a world-weary blues singer, Kodak Black is one of rap’s most indelible innovators. Just over a decade since he launched his first single, 2014’s “No Flockin,” straight onto the Hot 100, the prolific South Florida superstar keeps racking up the numbers — 44 Billboard Hot 100 chart placements, 30 RIAA-certified platinum or gold records, 25 million monthly listeners on Spotify, 25 billion global streams — and yet, it somehow seems like he’s nowhere near the top of his powers. In the last year or so he’s dropped three full-length solo projects, a posse album from each of his two record labels (Sniper Gang and Vulture Love), and been awarded the key to his native city, Pompano Beach, in recognition of his significant generosity and impact on the community over the years. He’s also a game collaborator regularly sought out by fellow rap giants (Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane, Juice WRLD, Playboy Carti), but quick to lend his shine to young artists on the rise, too. One of his generation’s most gifted songwriters, with an inimitable vocal style that fluidly blends soulful melodies and freewheeling bars, Kodak Black is a force of nature: unpredictable, undeniable, and certain to leave his mark on this world — in more ways than one — for years to come.  

Combining street vignettes with the soul of a world-weary blues singer, Kodak Black is rap’s most indelible innovator. Since releasing “No Flockin” in 2014, the 26-year-old has turned pain and mortal danger into block boy scripture. He’s earned 42 Billboard Hot 100 chart placements, billions of streams, over 30 platinum and gold RIAA-certified records, and status as one of his generation’s most gifted songwriters. In 2023, he reinforced his reputation with When I Was Dead, a cathartic new album for Capitol Records. After building momentum with popular freestyles, Kodak consummated his level-up with Project Baby, a 2013 mixtape that crystallized his penchant for immediate, first-person narratives and anthemic hooks that invoked the spirit of his neighborhood — Pompano Beach, FL. By 2016, he’d become XXL Freshman. The following year, his debut album Painting Pictures debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. In 2018, his Travis Scott and Offset-featuring single, “ZEZE,” peaked at No. 2. Despite several stints in prison, his winning streak has only continued. At the end of 2021, Kodak’s searing “Super Gremlin” peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. His appearances on Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers only reaffirmed his status as a young legend. On the way to superstardom, he’s also become an entrepreneur and a philanthropist. He’s launched two labels—Sniper Gang and the newer Vulture Love—which he hopes will reinforce the reality raps he’s let loose since before he was old enough to drive. 

Oliver Tree Returns With Explosive New Single “Superhero” and Announces Fourth Album

Eric Alper
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Oliver Tree Returns With Explosive New Single “Superhero” and Announces Fourth Album

Genre bending artist Oliver Tree is making waves yet again with the release of his latest single,“Superhero.” The bold and upbeat track, which marks Tree’s first official release in two years, serves as an anthem for anyone who has ever felt like an outcast, encouraging listeners to stand up and embrace being misunderstood as a superpower. It is a song of authenticity and courage, possessing sonic qualities reminiscent of the classic Oliver Tree sound listeners have come to treasure. Stream “Superhero” HERE.

Fans first got a taste of the electric track last weekend during Tree’s performance at the famous Red Rocks amphitheatre in Denver, Colorado, where he co-headlined with renowned rapper LOGIC. Tree surprised fans by playing the track for the very first time live, generating an enormous amount of buzz from fans leading up to the song’s release. He followed up this live performance by announcing his highly anticipated 4th studio album, Love You Madly, Hate You Badly, set for release next year. The groundbreaking new album was completed over a period of two years, with recording taking place in 7 continents and 80 countries ranging from Africa to China to Afghanistan. Love You Madly, Hate You Badly is Tree’s most daring chapter yet, showcasing his musical prowess and ability to continually push boundaries. 

“Superhero,” which was fully written and produced by Oliver and marks the first single off the upcoming album, was first recorded in Cape Town, South Africa, with guitars and bass recorded in London, England. The track was then re-recorded and re-written in San Salvador, El Salvador with additional instrument recording taking place in Los Angeles. The track was released with a colorful and high energy music video that will have viewers mesmerized. Watch the music video HERE. 

Oliver Tree’s latest single, “Superhero”, is available now on all digital and streaming platforms.  Stream the song HERE and pre-save the upcoming album Love You Madly, Hate You Badly HERE.

Vocalist, producer, writer, director and performance artist, Oliver Tree explores the intersection where pop and alternative meet sonically and has arrived where art and entertainment collide visually. From comedy to action sports, the world of Oliver Tree is unlike any artist who has come before him.

A Santa Cruz, California native, Tree has emerged as a polymath from many different projects and iterations over the last 10 years. As unpredictable as one artist can be, no one can seem to put their finger on what Oliver Tree will do next. Unafraid to make you laugh, cry, think profoundly or feel completely uncomfortable for the length of a 4 minute music video, he is on the road to developing his own blueprint for packaging and marketing pop culture in the internet era. Versatile in every sense of the word, Tree not only explores every type of entertainment but also every type of genre in his music alike. The box he puts himself in is limitless. It has no boundaries. Oliver Tree has built a multimedia project designed to challenge people’s perspective of what art is, and he’s not the slightest bit concerned what anyone has to say about it.

MOTHS Channel Darkness and Emotion on Crushing New Single “Envy”

Eric Alper
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MOTHS Channel Darkness and Emotion on Crushing New Single “Envy”

MOTHS, the progressive metal unit hailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico, are excited to launch their new single “Envy,” marking the third taste of new music from their upcoming album ‘Septem,’ out now.

“Envy” is a haunting callback to the band’s earlier sound, blending heavy Stoner/Doom Metal influences with the psychedelic tone fans have come to expect. It’s a track that feels both familiar and intense while being driven by crushing riffs, atmospheric layers, and a deep emotional undercurrent.

Lyrically, the song centers around the theme of the capital sin of envy, told from the perspective of someone who feels inherently flawed and consumed by resentment. It explores the feeling of being on the outside looking in, and the damage that comes from wanting what others have; not just to possess it, but to tear it down. The character’s descent reflects the darker side of human emotion, without glamorizing it.

Importantly, this song features one of the last lyrical contributions from Damaris Rodriguez, MOTHS’ previous vocalist.

This release highlights MOTHS’ ability to seamlessly blend genres, moving between heavy, psychedelic, and progressive elements without missing a beat, all while staying true to their signature sound.

MOTHS comments on the new track: “‘Envy’ feels like the closest link to what we did on our previous album, ‘Space Force.’ It puts more focus on the vocal performance and the riffs that drive it, but still includes that jam-session energy we love to bring into our writing process. The music on ‘Septem’ as a whole is more direct; darker, heavier, and more extreme, but ‘Envy’ keeps that progressive foundation that’s naturally part of who we are as a band. It’s also one of the most colorful tracks on the record, filled with catchy hooks and dynamic shifts. Now that this is our third single, we hope it gives listeners a clearer idea of what to expect from the album and sparks their curiosity.”

Demi Lovato Ignites the Dance Floor With Flirty New Single “Kiss” From Upcoming Album ‘It’s Not That Deep’

Eric Alper
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Demi Lovato Ignites the Dance Floor With Flirty New Single “Kiss” From Upcoming Album ‘It’s Not That Deep’

GRAMMY-nominated global superstar Demi Lovato has released her viral, fan-demanded song “Kiss,” delivering yet another dance pop banger from her forthcoming ninth studio album It’s Not That Deep – and the most anticipated track yet. Produced by Zhone (Kylie Minogue, Troye Sivan, Kesha), “Kiss” is a flirty, sensual and irresistible record that perfectly encapsulates the ethos of It’s Not That Deep: letting loose, having fun and enjoying life’s pleasures. “Kiss” instantly became a viral sensation when Demi first teased the song at LOOSE in Los Angeles on August 1st, followed by another viral moment during Demi’s PAPER Magazine cover celebration in New York City on September 15 – earning over a combined 60 million views on these two clips alone.

Directed by 91 Rules, the music video brings the song’s spirit to life as Demi embodies the lyrics, inviting everyone around her to tap into their own sense of freedom and desire by kissing for fun. The visual is lighthearted yet subversive, capturing the essence of the lyric “it’s not that deep, unless you want it to be,” which also serves as the origin for the album title.

“Kiss” follows the release of the sleek and sexy electro-pop track “Fast” and the fierce, anthemic banger “Here All Night.” Executive produced by Zhone, the 11-track It’s Not That Deep (out October 24 via DLG Recordings/Island Records) revisits the dance-pop sound threaded through Demi’s most iconic records and channels a celebratory energy rooted in confidence and release. Presave the album HERE.

Demi helped celebrate the release of “Kiss” at The Abbey in West Hollywood last night, where Demi and special guests unveiled the album’s full tracklist by holding up their phones and requesting songs for the DJ to play. The full tracklisting of Demi’s upcoming album “It’s Not That Deep,” out October 24, is below.

Demi recently returned stateside from her first-ever Paris Fashion Week, where she turned heads at shows including Vivienne Westwood, Messika, Ann Demeulemeester, and Coperni, as well as events like her own Nylon x Demi Lovato party, the Business of Fashion 500 Gala, and Edward Enninful’s EE72 launch celebration.

Alessia Cara Expands ‘Love & Hyperbole’ With Deluxe Edition and Julia Michaels Collab

Eric Alper
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Alessia Cara Expands ‘Love & Hyperbole’ With Deluxe Edition and Julia Michaels Collab

Extending a prolific creative run, GRAMMY Award-winning history-making superstar Alessia Cara expands her acclaimed fourth full-length album, Love & Hyperbole, with a brand new Deluxe Edition out October 24 via Def Jam Recordings. She notably reupped, recharged, and refreshed the original LP with three previously unreleased tracks available for the first time on this version. 

To herald its arrival, she just shared a new collaborative version of the fan favorite “Nighttime Thing” featuring Julia Michaels out now.

Julia adds another dimension to the song altogether, locking into a smooth and sultry back-and-forth with Alessia. Together, their voices uplift this lovestruck anthem highlighted by the unshakable hook, “I think I like you like that—like that.”

Following a string of sold out dates throughout 2025, Alessia will hit the road on an upcoming North American headline tour for two weeks this fall. Visiting major markets coast-to-coast, this run kicks off on October 29 in San Francisco, CA at The Fillmore, rolls down to Los Angeles, CA on October 30 for a show at the Orpheum theatre, crosses the country, and concludes on November 12 in Philadelphia, PA at Keswick Theatre. 

Check out the confirmed itinerary below.

Thus far, the original Love & Hyperbole has gathered tens of millions of streams in addition to earning widespread acclaim. GRAMMY.com raved, “Love & Hyperbole is Cara’s most emotive album to date,”and DIY awarded it “4-out-of-5 stars,” proceeding to applaud, “Placed against a landscape of infectious basslines, sensual strings, and irresistible hooks, the record is a lesson in timings, accepting the past, and embracing an unwritten future.” Atwood Magazine christened it “her most intimate and raw work yet.” CLASH professed, “‘Love & Hyperbole’ is anthemic, self-aware and shows listeners how confident Alessiais in herself as an artist.” RIFF lauded it as “her most self-assured and mature work to date.”

She paved the way for Love & Hyperbole with the single “Slow Motion.”EUPHORIA. wrote, “Cara has been experimenting more and more with jazz elements with this upcoming album, and “Slow Motion”is no different,” going on to profess, “The beauty is in the general song.” Billboardattested, “For Alessia Cara, emotion and connection is at the heart of her creative endeavors — hence why each of her three studio albums live in a unique world full of signature concepts, colors and themes built around them. Her music isn’t just a listening experience, it’s a feeling.”

“Slow Motion” was produced by Mike Elizondo (Twenty One Pilots, Nelly Furtado) and Jake Gosling (Ed Sheeran, James Bay). It arrived on the heels of the standout “(Isn’t It) Obvious,” which featured a guitar solo from John Mayer. The latter has already generated millions of streams and counting in addition to earning critical praise. Not to mention, she delivered a showstopping performance of the track on Good Morning America. Watch her performance HERE.

Ultimately, Love & Hyperbole showcases her evolution as a powerhouse vocalist, empathetic songwriter, and force of nature. She initially teased this chapter with “Dead Man.” People spoke to her exclusively about this chapter, going on to note, “she has a few new surroundings to thank for where she’s headed on her soon-to-come fourth album.”


Thus far, Alessia Cara has generated billions of streams, earned dozens of multi platinum certifications around the world, and notably made history as “the first Canadian to win ‘Best New Artist’ at the GRAMMY® Awards.” At the same time, she has sold out tours on multiple continents and emerged as the rare force equally comfortable on a track with Logic and Khalid or Juanes, Bastille, Major Lazer, and The Warning.

ALESSIA CARA TOUR DATES:
10/29 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
10/30 Los Angeles, CA Orpheum Theatre
11/2 Denver, CO Summit
11/6 Minneapolis, MN Uptown Theater
11/8 Chicago, IL House Of Blues
11/10 Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre
11/11 Washington, DC Lincoln Theatre
11/12 Philadelphia, PA Keswick Theatre

Ape Drums Bridges Worlds With Hypnotic Edit of Vøgue’s “Can You Hear Me”

Eric Alper
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Ape Drums Bridges Worlds With Hypnotic Edit of Vøgue’s “Can You Hear Me”

Miami-based producer and Major Lazer member Ape Drums continues his streak of boundary-pushing releases with a fresh edit of Vøgues “Can You Hear Me,” out this Friday via Pablo Fierro’s label, We’re Here.

Blending the soulful resonance of Vøgue’s original with his signature percussive edge, Ape Drums transforms “Can You Hear Me” into a hypnotic club experience that’s equal parts rhythm and emotion. The edit bridges Afro-house elegance with his globally influenced drum work, adding layers of depth and drive that expand the record’s dancefloor potential while honoring its melodic roots.

The phrases “Do you hear the words that are coming out my mouth” and “Can you hear me in the north and the south” hit listeners before the rhythmic ta-ka-ta-ta-ta pattern intertwines with the flowing house beat—creating a moment that feels both intimate and explosive. It’s a track built for deep connection and movement, resonating through speakers and bodies alike.

This release marks Ape Drums’ debut on We’re Here—a collaboration that underscores the growing connection between global Afro-electronic communities and the next wave of boundary-defying producers. Coming off the momentum of his recent single “GQTECH”with South Africa’s DJ Lag, the producer continues to evolve his sound toward a deeper, more atmospheric club aesthetic rooted in African percussion and electronic experimentation.

Beyond the studio, Ape Drums recently appeared alongside Major Lazer on Kai Cenat’s viralMafiaton III Stream, bringing his infectious energy and genre-blending style to millions of viewers worldwide. The moment highlighted his ability to connect with fans both on and off the dancefloor, bridging cultures through sound and personality.

With “Can You Hear Me (Ape Drums Edit)”, Ape Drumsonce again demonstrates his ability to move between worlds—bridging continents, cultures, and sounds while keeping the pulse firmly on the dancefloor.

Eric Alberto-Lopez, professionally known as Ape Drums, is a Mexican-American DJ and producer from Houston, Texas, and a core member of Major Lazer. Starting out as a self-taught teen producer inspired by The Martinez Brothers, he built his name through high-energy, Caribbean-influenced dance music before officially joining Major Lazer in 2019. Now based in Miami, Ape Drums has evolved into a leading voice in Afro-tech and Afro-house, blending global rhythms, reggaeton, funk, and electronic elements into a sound uniquely his own. With a background in breakdancing and a career spanning solo world tours, chart-topping collaborations, and festival main stages, he continues to shape the future of club music worldwide. VØGUE is a producer and DJ known for conquering dance floors with his distinctive, genre-blending sound. His sets fuse Afrohouse, Melodic House, and Tech House with influences from Afrobeats, R&B, and Rap, creating a driving and energetic experience that moves crowds worldwide. After years of curation and learning from some of the industry’s leading acts, he’s entered the next logical phase of his career—crafting his own music, which has already earned support from major names like &ME of Keinemusik, Pablo Fierro, Samm (BE), Ajna (BE), and Drake’s manager Oliver El-Khatib, CEO of October’s Very Own. Guided by rhythm and rooted in culture, VØGUE continues to shape his own sonic universe, one track at a time

Ben Nichols Finds Solace and Southern Myth in New Solo Album ‘In the Heart of the Mountain’

Eric Alper
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Ben Nichols Finds Solace and Southern Myth in New Solo Album ‘In the Heart of the Mountain’

Ben Nichols, frontman and songwriter for the long-running Memphis rock band Lucero, released the new single “In the Heart of the Mountain,” the title track of his sophomore solo album In the Heart of the Mountain out now through Lucero’s label Liberty & Lament. The album is one of his most personal pieces of work to date and marks his first solo release in 16 years since 2009’s acclaimed The Last Pale Light in the West.

“I’ve never before set out to write a song about mental health,” explains Nichols. “Although one could say all songwriting is about mental health in one way or another. The title track to the album, ‘In the Heart of the Mountain’ is a wife-appreciation song. My wife and I have been together for over ten years now and I realize how much she keeps me sane. We can often be our own worst enemies and having someone who keeps us from getting too wrapped up in the devils and demons of our own making is a truly wonderful thing.”

“In the Heart of the Mountain” follows previous singles “The Darkness Sings” and “Fading Back Into the Night”, both of which were released with accompanying music videos shot by photographer Chad Cochran and edited by Nichols. The tracks earned praise from Brooklyn Vegan, Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, Glide Magazine, DittyTV, and more.

“A few years ago, a stranger mailed me a copy of What About This, Collected Poems of Frank Stanford. He sent it because he knew I was from Arkansas and Stanford had lived and died in Arkansas and he thought my lyrics shared something in common with those poems. Even at the age of 50, I’ve never read much poetry, but there was something about Stanford’s writing I fell in love with. There was something alive and dangerous in his words. Nothing safe about the way he wrote. Soaked in Southern tones but not backwards, more unconventional and pushing at the edges of Southern decorum. It was mythology and everyday life, it was an exotic landscape and it was home. It was not quite like anything I’d read before.

Frank Stanford’s poems made me want to write in a style I’d never written in before. I’m not sure if I actually achieved that, but I ended up creating my own everyday-life-mythology of where I was from. I also ended up writing some of my favorite lyrics in years. I had a handful of guitar parts that I was holding back from the band. They were acoustic-based and had a quieter feel to them and I wasn’t ready to turn them into Lucero songs. In my head I was hearing different instrumentation and a different approach than what the band usually does. And I had these new lyrics I was working on. Before I knew it, I’d written an album’s worth of songs and fashioned the song titles into a poem unworthy of Frank Stanford but still inspired by him.”

In the Heart of the Mountain features Nichols on acoustic guitar and vocals, as well as occasional electric guitar solo and percussion. He is accompanied by Morgan Eve Swain (The Huntress and the Holder of Hands, The Devil Makes Three, Brown Bird) on violin and backing vocals, Cory Branan on electric and acoustic guitars, and Todd Beene (Chuck Ragan, Glossary) on pedal steel and electric guitars. It was recorded at Southern Grooves studio in Memphis, Tennessee with Matt Ross-Spang as the recording and mixing engineer.

“I’d say In the Heart of the Mountain is the closest I’ve come to making an album completely on my own terms,” Nichols reflects. “I had help from a great engineer and great friends who also happened to be amazing studio musicians, but it was self produced. I wrote it without input from anyone else. There were no band members to negotiate parts and approaches with. It wasn’t based on a novel or a theme. The only inspiration was that desire to create something that lived in my memories of those rivers, fields, and mountains, in that mythological Arkansas my family called home, where I grew up. I haven’t been able to get back there nearly as often as I would like.”

Nichols’ will set out on a run of solo tour dates this July and August including shows in his hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas as well as St. Louis, Columbus, Cleveland and more.

Calum Scott Unveils Soul-Stirring Third Album ‘Avenoir’ and Global Tour

Eric Alper
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Calum Scott Unveils Soul-Stirring Third Album ‘Avenoir’ and Global Tour

Today, multi-platinum, UK singer-songwriter Calum Scott releases his hotly anticipated third album, Avenoir, via Capitol Records. The 14-song set showcases Calum’s evolution as both a vocalist and songwriter, with an ambitious sonic palette that balances his signature soul-stirring ballads (singles “Die For You” and “God Knows”) with groove-steeped romantic anthems like the previously unheard “Unsteady,” watch the “Unsteady” visualizer HERE.  Also included is Calum’s stunning duet reimagining of “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” alongside the late and legendary Whitney Houston. Download/stream Avenoir HERE. 

Avenoir borrows its title from John Koenig’s book of neologisms, The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, which defines the invented word as “the desire that memory could flow backward.” Reflecting on the concept, Calum explains, “‘Avenoir’ refers to how we move through life like a rower moves: always moving forward but facing backward, seeing where we’ve been but not where we’re going. The songs on this album speak to both regret and sorrow, and to undying love — a plea to live life to its fullest.” 

That’s particularly apparent on the guitar-driven “Unsteady,” which finds the global hitmaker gripped by the unapologetic self-exploration; I’m a little unsteady, a little messed up, a little bit petty,” But, by the time the moving chorus hits, Calum is on solid ground, and celebrating his own love story admittedly unconventional. “I’ve found a place to go, now I’m standing all alone with you,” he belts, “’cause you’re unsteady too.” 

Recorded with longtime collaborator Jon “MAGS” Maguire and production duo The Nocturns, Avenoir reveals Calum’s newfound freedom and growing certainty as an artist. “As I started working on Avenoir, there was a level of confidence that I hadn’t really felt on my first two albums,” he explains. “I realized I’ve put my foot firmly in the door of the music industry and I’m capable of doing so much more than I thought possible with my music — and it gave me a whole new sense of freedom, allowing me to evolve.”

Calum pushes his vocals to evocative new heights on poignant ballads “Die For You” and “Mad,” a heartbreaking letter to his future child, but also ventures into bold new territory with songs like the funk-laced “Peripheral Vision,” club banger “Roots,” and country detour “One More Drink” with Lauren Alaina.  Avenoir also features “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” – a stunning new version of the iconic Whitney Houston hit that pairs Calum’s vocals with Houston’s, marking the first time her original stems have been used. Recorded with the endorsement of The Estate of Whitney E. Houston, the new rendition transforms the dance-pop classic into a symphonic duet that subtly magnifies the song’s mood of heavy-hearted longing. Watch the official video, which features archival imagery of Whitney, HERE. The release comes as fans around the world celebrate the 40th anniversary of Whitney’s historic career in music and entertainment, which began with her 1985 self-titled debut album, which is now one of her three certified RIAA Diamond albums in the U.S.

In support of the album, Calum will embark on “The Avenoir Tour” — a global headline run set to bring his phenomenal live show to 48 cities across Europe, South Africa, Asia, North America and finishing in his home country of the UK. With his latest live experience including performing at stadiums across Asia and Europe as support for Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics Tour, Calum will take the stage at hallowed venues such as London’s OVO Wembley Arena, The Wiltern in Los Angeles, and New York City’s Terminal 5. North American dates below and the full itinerary can be found HERE. 

Calum’s music has amassed over 10 billion streams worldwide to date. His gold-certified 2018 debut, Only Human, featured his 6x platinum smash “You Are the Reason,” boasting over 1 billion YouTube views on the music video, and 5x platinum cover of Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own,” which earned a BRIT Award nomination in the category of Best British Single. The hits continued with his acclaimed sophomore album Bridges and a series of high-profile collaborations including “Where Are You Now” (a Gold-certified collaboration with Lost Frequencies that earned a 2023 BRIT Award Nomination for Best International Song), and “Whistle” (his Gold-certified collaboration with Jax Jones).

With his powerful voice and soul-baring songwriting Calum creates the kind of deeply resonant songs that are primed to become the soundtrack to our lives’ most meaningful moments. From weddings to end-of-life rituals, fans have turned to his music to score major life events and for solace in times of heartbreak and loss.  His moving television performances have included Late Night with Seth Meyers, Good Morning America, LIVE with Kelly and Ryan, Dancing with the Stars, and TODAY  while his songs have appeared on countless TV shows over the years (including “American Idol,” “The Voice,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” (and many more).  In addition, Calum has garnered acclaim from outlets including Billboard, who praised his “stunningly pure voice,” The Huffington Post, who stated that “Scott makes an impressive splash…compelling,” and Rolling Stone, who declared that “[Scott] can give any listener chills”. 

Calum Scott, “The Avenoir Tour” 2026 North American Dates

3/23/26 Vancouver, BC Orpheum Theatre
3/27/26 Sacramento, CA Ace of Spades
3/28/26 San Francisco, CA The Masonic
4/1/26 San Diego, CA SOMA
4/3/26 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
4/4/26 Phoenix, AZ The Van Buren
4/6/26 Salt Lake City, UT The Union
4/8/26 Denver, CO Paramount Theatre
4/10/26 Dallas, TX House of Blues
4/11/26 Houston, TX House of Blues
4/12/26 Austin, TX ACL Live at The Moody Theater
4/14/26 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Revolution Live
4/16/26 Orlando, FL The Plaza Live
4/17/26 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
4/18/26 Nashville, TN Brooklyn Bowl
4/21/26 Washington, DC The Anthem
4/22/26 Philadelphia, PA The Fillmore
4/23/26 New York, NY Terminal 5
4/25/26 Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre
4/26/26 Montreal, QC MTELUS
4/29/26 Toronto, ON Massey Hall
5/1/26 Detroit, MI The Fillmore
5/2/26 Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre
5/3/26 Minneapolis, MN The Fillmore

Kuzi Cee Heats Up R&B With Smooth, Viral New Single “Rather Be”

Eric Alper
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Kuzi Cee Heats Up R&B With Smooth, Viral New Single “Rather Be”

After a viral moment on TikTok had fans clamouring to hear the full track, singer, songwriter, and producer Kuzi Cee officially drops “Rather Be”, a sultry and smooth ballad that signals a new era of R&B.

The Zimbabwe-born, Canadian-raised, and Calgary-based singer introduces a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh, anchored by his dynamic flows and buttery vocals. A true student of the game, Kuzi’s influences include artists across various genre spaces, including pop, R&B, hip-hop, Afro-fusion, Amapiano, EDM, and more. His commanding presence online has crossed international borders, catching the attention of fans across platforms with a viral snippet of “Rather Be”, which surged in unique creations and has amassed over 6.5 million views to date.

“Thank you to everyone who’s been showin’ love on ‘Rather Be’ – it’s been amazing seeing the support online,” said Kuzi. “So excited we can all hit our lil dance and vibe with it now that it’s out. JUST KNOW we got more on the way. Loverboy R&B is back and I hope y’all gonna be there singing in the rain with me.”

“Rather Be” is produced by West London-based producers BALTHAZARD and Jon leKole, who provide the perfect throwback vibes for Kuzi to shine atop.

Kuzi is no stranger to the spotlight, recently opening for G-Eazy and bringing his energetic live show to the Calgary Stampede, SXSW, and more. His impressive vocals and contemporary production, paired with his infectious stage presence has audiences wanting more.

Appealing to fans of The Weeknd, Burna Boy, and Calvin Harris, Kuzi is just getting started, with much more to come.  

Fridayy Captures Intimate Connection in Cinematic “That Vibe” Music Video

Eric Alper
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Fridayy Captures Intimate Connection in Cinematic “That Vibe” Music Video

Today, GRAMMY-nominated R&B artist Fridayy dropped the official music video for his XX track “That Vibe.” Directed by multi-faceted creative The.97, the moody, cinematic visual captures the intoxicating moment of catching a vibe with someone, where the meeting of eyes quickly grows into daydreaming about a romantic connection. 

Set inside a dimly lit fashion show, Friday is seated amongst flashing lights, stunning models, and a room of onlookers lost in the high-fashion spectacle. Amid the luxury and allure, Fridayy remains solitary – reflecting on love, heartbreak and healing while the world glitters around him.

The music video leans into vintage textures and film-style intimacy: soft grain, flickering flashbulbs, and fleeting close-ups of the woman at the heart of the story. As Fridayy sings about picking up the pieces of her broken heart, the visuals shift between reality and reverie, giving “That Vibe” a timeless edge that mirrors the song’s soulful vulnerability.

The release marks another standout moment for Fridayy, who continues to define his own lane in R&B with emotional storytelling and unique perspective. 

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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