Divine Records Magazine
Meet the artists behind the music
Stage Name: Kang
Name: Kang Ewimbi
Genre: Pop, Hip Hop, R&B
From: Montgomery County, MD
Start Year of Making Music: 2014
Songs on TRL Tape Vol. 1: Intro, Jetpack, Leave Me Alone, Nova Scotia Interlude, Alright
Type of Music/Audience: High energy music, made for dancing and having fun
Similar Music To: Michael Jackson, Hi-Five, Travis Scott, Gunna, Big Time Rush
Social Media:
Instagram: kang.242
Spotify: Kang, Room 242
About the Artist:
Kang is a high energy person who has always been into music, spanning back to middle school where he was enrolled in a class called "Rock Band" that taught him guitar, piano, bass and informed him about the music industry. This class is what inspired him to pursue music full time and start a band called Room 242 (pop punk music) while still in middle school. In high school he then made it a label focusing more on hip hop music and took another class where he learned to use audio editing programs to further his efforts. Additionally, Kang created a gospel band with his sister called Golden Rush, enjoys watching tv, enjoys superheros and spending time with friends.
Top 5 Artists:
Michael Jackson
Hozier
Freddy Mercury
New Addition
Boyz II Men
Favorite Performance: IDK
Stage Name: Acex (Producer)
Name: Alex Roffhenbaber
Genre: Hip Hop, Indie, Rock&Roll, Jazz
Social Media:
Instagram: _acex__
Spotify: acex
From: Towson, MD
About the Artist:
Start Year of Making Music: 2020
Songs on TRL Tape Vol. 1: Intro
Type of Music/Audience: High energy, good vibes, projecting feelings from his life
The inspiration behind Alex's start into music production came from when he saw that Steve Lacy made his hit "Dark Red" on his Iphone and wanted to try making music that was as well. Alex started making beats on Garage Band and is now producing beats for artists to use in their music. So far he has only released hip hop related music, however he's looking forward to creating more Indie inspired beats in the future and releasing new albums.
Similar Music To: Mac Miller, Dominic Fike, Kenny Beats
Favorite Performance: Pink Floyd cover band with two original members
Top 5 Artists:
Feng Suave
Kendrick Lamar
Smino
EDEN
Mac Miller
Stage Name: Sif
Name: Adam Asifo
Genre: Hip Hop
From: College Park, MD
Start Year of Making Music: 2017
Songs on TRL Tape Vol. 1: Jetpack,Leave Me Alone, Alright
Type of Music/Audience: People who love genuine hip hop and rap, college students, writes about his own life experiences
Social Media:
Instagram: adam.asifo
Spotify: sif
Apple Music: sif
Soundcloud: sif
Youtube: sif
About the Artist:
Adam is currently a 19 year old sophmore at the University of Maryland. Originally from Ghana, he has been rapping since his freshman year of high school and wrote his first verse in 2013. He enjoys listening to soul music and listening/making music with a message while having fun as well. He likes to explore all genres and sounds and tries not to box himself into one category.
Similar Music To: Has his own unique sound
Top 5 Artists:
J. Cole
The Weekend
Drake
Jay-Z
Whitney Houston
Favorite Performance: SZA
Stage Name: Vineeth (Producer)
Name: Vineeth Vajipey
Genre: Hip Hop, Asian Instrumental
From: Princeton, NJ
Start Year of Making Music: 2016
Songs on TRL Tape Vol. 1: Jetpack, Beg For Me
Type of Music/Audience: Chill music
Social Media:
Instagram: vineethvajipey
About the Artist:
Vineeth started his musical journey at 6 years old playing the piano and continued in to play the viola and violin throughout elementary and high school. In addition to playing piano, violin and viola, Vineeth also plays the Tabla, an Indian classical drum. Early on he was involved in a lot of musical things but didn’t heavily dive in until his sophomore year of high school where he started piano lessons again and began his recording process by making a piano cd in a studio. At the same time, Vineeth started making beats on garage band. Vineeth said that "usually when people start immediately there's a lot of hype", however he didn't get that until his later projects where " it was obvious that in 2-3 years there had been improvement".
His most recent project has been creating a trilogy for the last few years based on the Weekends trilogy, and he hopes to finish the next section during the Spring 2023 semester.
Top 5 Artists:
Frank Ocean
The Weekend
Nujabes
Tyler, the Creator
Dominic Fike
Similar Music To: BROCKHAMPTON, Isaiah Rashad
Favorite Performance: Channel Tres
Stage Name: Aleca
Name: Alex Nguyen
Genre: Alternative/Indie R&B, Bedroom Pop
From: Germantown, MD
Start Year of Making Music: 2021
Songs on TRL Tape Vol. 1:
Leave Me Alone
Social Media:
Instagram: anguyen792
Spotify: Aleca
About the Artist:
Alex started playing guitar and piano at a young age but didn't retain much from grade school. In quarantine, he relearned the two instruments and learned how to sing. Alex started to produce and write his own music in Fall 2021 and since then has performed in front of over 1,000 people in the span of one year, with 3/5 performances being his original music. He is excited to perform more and release his first single in 2023.
Type of Music/Audience: Mix of relatable wholesome/toxic love songs catered to young people, Chill music filled with good vibes and lyrics that you can sing to
Similar Music To: Joji, Steve Lacy, Omar Apollo, Daniel Caesar, Giveon
Favorite Performance: Giveon
Top 5 Artists:
Joji
Steve Lacy
Giveon
Brent Faiyaz
The Weekend
Stage Name: Chemx
Name: Xavier Hawkins
Genre: Alternative R&B
From: Prince George's County, MD
Start Year of Making Music: 2019
Songs on TRL Tape Vol. 1:
Leave Me Alone,
Nova Scotia Interlude
Type of Music/Audience: People who like to have fun, mix of chill and high energy, catered towards young people
About the Artist:
Xavier has been around musichis entire life, even recalling how his mom would tell him that he would sing Alicia Keys “word for word” when he was a kid. He was heavily influenced to pursue music after the death of Michael Jackson. Throughout his academic career, Xavier played the trumpet in concert for the marchingband and bass for band. A fun fact about him is that his birthday numbers are 01 10 01.
Social Media:
Instagram: chemmmicalx
Spotify: Chemx
Similar Music To: Miguel, Brent Faiyaz, Steve Lacy
Favorite Performance: Hiatus Kaiote
Top 5 Artists:
Miguel
Michael Jackson
Tyler, the Creator
Childish Gambin0
Anderson Paak
Stage Name: YEMI SOL
Name: Omar Abubakar
Genre: Rap, R&B
From: Prince George's County, MD
Start Year of Making Music: 2020
Songs on TRL Tape Vol. 1:
Leave Me Alone,
Keeping Secrets, Alright
Type of Music/Audience: Introspective music that makes people want to dance, discusses real life events he goes through, relatable music
Social Media:
Instagram: yemi.sol
Tik Tok: yemi.sol
Spotify: YEMI SOL
About the Artist:
Omar is a first generation American coming from a Nigerian and Ghanian household. He started his music career mixing and mastering his own beats and began his career as a producer . Eventually, he branched off into rapping and singing as well and has a well versed discography on Spotify. A fun fact about Omar is that his favorite color is pastel purple and he currently loves the song "20 Minutes" by Lil Uzi.
Top 5 Artists:
Isaiah Rashad
Trippie Redd
J. Cole
Lil Uzi
Kendrick Lamar
Similar Music To: J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Isaiah Rashad
Favorite Performance: Isaiah Rashad
Stage Name: Aspen Beats (Producer)
Name: Jake McDonald
Genre: Hip Hop, R&B
From: Norwalk, CT
Start Year of Making Music: 2019
Songs on TRL Tape Vol. 1:
Leave Me Alone,
Keeping Secrets
Type of Music/Audience: Varries depending on what type of genre, beats used in songs for college students
Social Media:
Instagram: aspen.beats
BeatStars: prodaspen
Tik Tok: prodaspen
Youtube: jakeaspenbeats
About the Artist:
Jake has always had an interest in music and started off playing a piano gifted to him from his parents when he was 7 years old. He began taking lessons, then he brielfy dropped piano and he picked it up again in high school. During his sophomore year, he took a class called digital video animation where he had to make a project on Garage Band and from there he began making his own beats as a result. Soonafter, he switched audio programs from Garage Band to FL studios.
Similar Music To: Tyler, the Creator,Juice WRLD, Internet Money
Top 5 Artists:
Juice WRLD
Tyler, the Creator
Kanye
Metro Boomin
Nick Mira
Favorite Performance: J. Cole
Stage Name: sam loring
Name: Samantha Rehak
Genre: R&B, Pop
From: Towson, MD
Start Year of Making Music: 2022
Songs on TRL Tape Vol. 1:
Keeping Secrets
Type of Music/Audience: Really relatable to the younger generations but applicable to all, especially if you are someone who puts your heart on your sleeve
Similar Music To: Kehlani,
Daniel Caesar, Ariana Grande
Social Media:
Instagram: samloringmusic
Apple Music: Sam Loring
Spotify: Sam Loring
Pandora: Sam Loring
About the Artist:
Singing is Sam Loring’s favorite thing in the world. Growing up, she learned to sing alongside her dad, who inspired her to pursue her musical aspirations, despite her stage fright. Now, the stage is where she thrives. She spent most of her highschool years in the chorus room alongside her teacher, who encouraged her to embrace her passion for music even further, making her favorite memories singing with chamber choir. In college she continued her musical journey, becoming an independent artist, releasing her first ever single “nothing at all” in July 2022, followed by her second single “Empty Apologies” in November. She continues to spend her time singing, performing, and writing music and hopes her fans are excited for all of her new music coming in 2023!
Favorite Performance: H.E.R Tiny Desk Concert
Top 5 Artists:
Daniel Caesar
Omar Apollo
H.E.R
Kehlani
ABBA
Stage Name: Jose Ceballos
Name: Jose Ceballos
Genre: Progressive Pop, R&B, Funk, Neo Soul, Gospel,
From: Silverspring, MD
Start Year of Making Music: 2021
Songs on TRL Tape Vol. 1:
Nova Scotia Interlude
Type of Music/Audience: People that can appreciate different cultures, fluid music, anyone can listen
Social Media:
Instagram: yzojjozy,
fontanamusicgroup
Spotify: Jose Ceballos
About the Artist:
Jose started his music career by playing guitar for his church and playing the saxophone in elementary and middle school. He is a Latino American whose parents came to America from Guatemala when his mom was 7 months pregnant with him. Growing up, he moved around a lot which exposed him to many different people and hearing the music of different cultures is what inspired him to pursue music. He is also a member in his band Fontana, creates graphic design posters and has his own clothing brand.
Similar Music To: The Internet, Hiatus Kaiyote
Top 5 Artists:
Hiatus Kaiyote
Isaiah Sharkey
D'Angelo
Santana
Erykah Badu
Favorite Performance: Hiatus Kaiyote
Stage Name:Yungseriki
Name: Ayo Seriki
Genre: Afrobeat, R&B, Rap
From: Baltimore, MD
Start Year of Making Music: 2021
Songs on TRL Tape Vol. 1:
Alright
Type of Music/Audience: Mix between happy and sad music, chill music while evoking emotion
Social Media:
Instagram: yungseriki
Tik Tok: yungseriki
Spotify: YungSeriki
About the Artist:
Ayo started his music journey by first creating skits, movies and writing short films and wanted to have a soundtrack for parts of his films with no dialect. He has been writing skits for three years and is also a stand up comedian with a large following on Tik Tok and an actor as well. His cousin has helped in his music career as he plays the piano when they sing together.
Top 5 Artists:
Michael Jackson
Drake
Lor Scoota
Kodak Black
Rod Wave
Similar Music To: Rod Wave
Favorite Performance: Jazzy T
Stage Name: Adu
Name: Samuel Adu
Genre: Lyrical Rap, Christian Rap
From: Laurel, MD
Start Year of Making Music: 2022
Songs on TRL Tape Vol. 1:
Alright
Type of Music/Audience: People that want to think about what they are listening to, very lyrical, mix of high energy and low energy
Social Media:
Instagram: 4g.sam
Spotify: Adu
About the Artist:
Samuel has always used music a an outlet to express himself and release his feelings off his chest so he can look back and reflect on what he writes. He has always had a passion for rapping, lyricism, poetry, and it was only when he got around friends that he took music seriously. Sam is a computer science major at UMD and is exploring where his music can take him. He started freestyling 5 years ago and samples beats on Youtube with his brother.
Top 5 Artists:
Kanye
Glorious BIG
MF Doom
Koffi Olomide
Saba
Favorite Performance: Jazzy T
Similar Music To: Kanye, Glorious BIG
Stage Name: JKeys (Producer)
Name: Jeremiah Awoseye
Genre: Rap, R&B, Aftrobeat, Indie Pop
From: Silverspring, MD
Start Year of Making Music: 2020
Songs on TRL Tape Vol. 1:
Alright
Type of Music/Audience: Music about what is popular today, keeping up with trends, sampling from older music such as gospel samples, includes soulful piano
Social Media:
Instagram: jkeys
Tik Tok: 1jkeys
Youtube: jkeysyt
Apple Music: 1jkeys
About the Artist:
Jeremiah grew up playing music in church, listening to gospel music and was always surrounded by musicians. He played in his school's orchestra and jazz band and has 5 other siblings that all play instruments. He can play by ear, piano, violin, electric bass, guitar architecture and jazz piano performance. His extensive work has landed him the chance to open shows at at has opened shows at Echostage for Simi and he also has a band called Ayo.
Similar Music To: Lil Baby, Summer Walker, Tate McRae, Davido
Top 5 Artists:
Lil Baby
Drake
Summer Walker
Tink
Ariana Grande
Favorite Performance: Simi
Stage Name: bombasticchicken
Name: Sarah Zhu
Genre: Indie Pop
From: Guangzhou, China
Start Year of Making Music: 2019
Songs on TRL Tape Vol. 1:
Beg For Me
Type of Music/Audience: Mix between high energy and low energy, expresses how she feels as a person
Social Media:
Instagram: sarahdzhu
Spotify: $sarah:>
About the Artist:
Sarah expressed an interest in music when she was 15 and bought a guitar. The reason she invested was because she thought people who play guitar were cool and wanted to learn to play, but that began her start as a musician. Her main music inspiration comes from the people around her and lyrics are very personal which makes her music relatable and is one of the many reasons that people enjoy listening to her music.