The Rock 926 Featured Artists

Who is Brendalynn?

Brendalynn McKinney is a native of Houston TX who was raised in the church being brought up as “The Preacher’s Kid.”

Not turning away from her true gift and absolute love for God, she has been singing at different churches and in the church choir since the age of 4 and songwriting since the tender age of 14. It was at that age she found her way to the industry and teamed up with Houston’s Super Producer D. Bottz to take her talent to the next level!

Highlights

Brendalynn soon released her official single entitled “Friends”. The video was released soon after and has been viewed by thousands! Therefore, it created a growing fan base, Dj Blasts, promotions online and clubs, generating a small online and local buzz. As a result, the record has gone viral and other websites like VH1, MTV, BET, VEVO, and MusicChoice to name a few, have taken notice including the world’s leading search engine Google. By simply typing in ‘Brendalynn Friends’ anyone, anywhere can download the single, video or artist history. 

Making it happen

Joining forces with a Chicago now New York based agent, radio media soon followed. Stations in the North East on the East Coast, as well as the Lafayette, LA market embraced the single and has added it to their rotation. Brendalynn has participated in numerous radio interviews from Massachusetts, Minnesota, Philly, Huntsville, and an in-studio interview at KAZI in Austin, TX.

She has done several live shows in the Dallas and Houston area as well as the BET Blaze the stage event in New York, NY, and the Soul Food fest in Florida to name the least, delivering a stellar performance!

She has also featured on artist projects and shows like Houston artist Lil Flip, Z-Ro and more local others.

More About Brendalynn

Brendalynn had the opportunity to attend the ASCAP & BET Awards and performed on BET’s 106 and Park which definitely created the ‘Brendalynn Buzz’. A new video was later released, which was the remix of “Friends” singled from her “In My Feelings” Mixtape featuring Houston’s own and Rap legend Lil Flip.

A New twist is what she needed to crossover into a different realm of her music catalog. Brendalynn released a single titled, “Get 2 U” gives a fun romantic story and positive energetic vibes that you can feel to the soul. “Get 2 U” was featured on Billboard Top 5 most increased plays via music choice with some of the industry's most talented artists such as Bruno Mars, Robin Thicke, Jill Scott, and Avery Sunshine. An EP entitled “Her Heart” shortly followed.

Lately

This ‘Jill of all trades’ now has joined forces with super RnB artist Raheem DeVaughn to complete a project that will possibly break her further in the industry and let the world know who Brendalynn is as an RnB artist. In addition she is also moving her way into the film industry, syncing and scoring with Emmy nominated partners! Now, there’s nothing like a good old release of music that can get the people dancing. Her single, DM will be ringing in the ears of people soon, and the visual will follow, showing just how cool it is to Slide in the DM.

The Objective

To be a star! Not just for the glimmer or the fame but for the opportunity to inspire with each performance! An opportunity to share words from the heart that people can relate to and be encouraged by. To help those that feel as though they have lost what they once loved (music) and get them back to really understanding what it is all about. Whether it’s through singing, training, or writing about relative experiences that we face in life.

About L. Young

Many may know L. Young from his many viral videos on Youtube and Facebook, including ABC's Good Morning America featureof his acapella rendition of the 2015 Bruno Mars hit - "Uptown Funk". 

L. Young, however, has also released five full length studio albums to date; 2004's "They Just Don't Know"; 2008's "The 12th Letter"; 2013's "Reverb"; 2015's "4Ever Young"; and his latest released in 2018, "Wrinkles in Time". 

The title track "Love is a Verb" from the album "Reverb" garnered L. Young his first radio hit and top #20 Billboard magazine urban A/C chart hit. 

L also achieved two #1 singles on the UK Soul Charts from his album Wrinkles in Timeand another top 40 Billboard Urban A/C single with the song "He is Not the One" in 2021. 

Credits & Performances

L has graced the studio and stage with performers and artists such as Stevie Wonder, Coldplay, SealDavid Foster, John MayerBabyFace, Aaron Neville and Toni Braxton just to name a few. 

Credts include Jessy J, Keke Wyatt, B2K along with majoe motion pictures and television such as The Long Kiss GoodnightDon Jon, Booty Call, Real Housewives, 20/20, Bones, According to Jim, Basketball Wives, Hairspray, and many more. 

Facebook: LYoungMusic

Instagram: LYoungonline

Website: https://lyoungmusic.com

Raja-Nee' grew up in Harvey, Illinois a suburb of Chicago, she began singing in church at the age of 5. As an emerging talent Raja’s voice was recognized by Marshall Thompson of Chicago’s infamous Chi-Lites. His mentorship helped to develop her craft and stage presence. She toured with the Chi-Lites and recorded on their "Just Say You Love Me" album with the single "Eternity" garnering top spots on overseas radio stations. 

In addition, Raja caught the eye of production team Auto & Cherokee who signed her to a production deal and landed her an audition with super producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis which led to her solo project on their A&M/Perspective records label as the ragga-hop artist: Raja-Nee'. Jam and Lewis went on to produce her hit track “Turn It Up” for the “A Low Down Dirty Shame” movie soundtrack. 

She has also recorded with A&M/Perspective artist Low-Key, SOLO, and the Godfather of Soul himself James Brown. She has been featured on syndicated television shows and in numerous magazines including Billboard Magazine's Hot 100. Her singles "Turn it up" & "Bitchism" were used for the X-Box Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball game. She has recorded singles for a variety of producers in Japan and was selected to receive Chicago's Home Jam Award. In 2016 her singles "Don't Marry Her" and "The Battle (Angelo's Song)" made the Grammy Awards long list.   

Raja-Nee' is an anomaly of talent never limiting her gift to any one Genre or brand of music. From Gospel, Neo Soul, Rock, Jazz or pure unadulterated Rhythm and Blues she is sure to evoke pure emotion in every lyric that she sings. She has unapologetically, returned to her roots of R&B to create a brand of pure Rhythm and Blues that aims to please. I take great pleasure in introducing Raja-Nee' or Raja for your listening pleasure. I assure you her voice will feel like a breath of fresh air or maybe a cool drink of water on a hot summer’s day.  

Singer-Songwriter Neika Simone’s elegant vocals have soared from her Kings Mountain, NC church choir as a youth to #1 on the “Chartbound Below 30” Smooth Jazz  chart  with  the  release  of her debut EP, Beautiful Moments. Presented by her mother with the opportunity to study the piano at the age of seven, Neika’s love for music became a driving force that helped her find confidence and heal throughout the most challenging times of her life.

With a name inspired by late-great Recording Artist, Arranger and Activist Nina Simone, Neika is a classically trained pianist, vocalist and music educator who graduated with a Master of Music from Norfolk State University and Bachelor of Arts from Elizabeth City State University. After graduating from college and getting married, Simone found herself returning to music lessons to seek balance in her life. By the end of her 20’s, she found herself in an eight-year battle for her body, spirit and soul. Simone underwent multiple surgeries for a severe case of endometriosis, tragically lost her brother, and endured a painful divorce.

With music as her outlet, Simone found a safe place to begin exploring her recording career with her friend and mentor Songwriter/Producer Victor Nelson and performing at Fredricksburg, VA jazz hotspot, Shannon’s. The pair began collaborating on her debut project with Multi-platinum Songwriter, Producer and Musician Hannon D. Lane and legendary Trumpeter Bill McGee, both of which played for Evelyn Champagne King’s iconic band, Trussel.

Simone’s Beautiful Moments debut is a tantalizing      four-track     EP     covering relatable emotions from opening oneself up to the sweet cravings of new love, unpacking the complicated nuances of infidelity, to setting boundaries after a break-up.  With lyrics and melody written entirely by Simone, her work has been described by SmoothJazz.com as having “powerful vocal range, a dynamic expanse of emotions, an intoxicating rhythm diversity and a hypnotic gift for intimate and inviting songwriting.” Her major influences aside from Nina Simone include Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Nancy Wilson.

The Beautiful Moments EP track list includes:

1. My Door

2. Million Pieces

3. Beautiful Moments

4. Sweet Craving

Follow and Stay Updated on Neika Simone by visiting:

Official Website: www.NeikaSimone.com

Instagram: @neika_simone 

Facebook: Neika Simone 

Spotify: Neika Simone

Unapologetic and focused are two words that describe singer and songwriter Miya Guggs.

The qualities that allowed her to be an elite athlete on the basketball court now help the independent artist launch her music career. A woman of many gifts, Miya’s talents on the hardwood allowed her to earn a scholarship to her hometown college basketball team, Kansas City (Kansas) Community College. Nobody would have blamed Miya if she had pursued her hoop dreams to their logical conclusion – a college education, maybe attracting the attention of a Division One school and becoming a Lady Jayhawk and achieving the ultimate dream of being drafted into the WNBA.

Miya, however had a different dream. It’s a dream that Miya first spoke into existence during late nights in the presence of her aunt, Denise.

“We would sit there and watch music videos because me and her are night owls,” Miya recalled. “We would be up watching music videos, and I remember watching those videos and I was like, ‘I want to do that.”

This is a part of the story where Auntee Denise tries to talk sense into the child by telling her about the steep odds she faces in trying to make it in the music business or describing the cautionary tales of heartache that befell those tried to make it in the industry and failed. However, Miya’s aunt encouraged her niece to follow her dream.

“She was like, you can do this, and I was on my way,” Miya said. The singer and songwriter also received support from her parents to pursue the music that constantly played in her head and her heart – even when Miya was on the court.

“It’s crazy because during halftime I would just think about music,” she recalled. “It was a hard decision to leave basketball because I do enjoy the game, but school and basketball kind of wore me down.”

With the encouragement from those who cared for her the most, Miya was all in.

“A lot of people expected me to have a back-up plan, but I don’t really believe in that,” she noted. “I’m just going to keep going and it was nice to hear encouragement, especially at a young age, because most people will tell kids to be more realistic.

“I appreciate what my auntee told me and I feel like the universe spoke through her.”

So, Miya decided to devote efforts to pursing her passion. The results can now be heard in a series of singles that showcases a vocal her range and diversity that allow her to move from sultry ballads like “Situationships,” to conversational rapid fire, hip-hop inspired delivery of “Bad Boy,” a club banger where Miya playfully and seductively where she lets a roughneck guy know that she can be his ride and die chic. “Bad Boy” pairs Miya with Richard Wingo, member of the legendary R&B group Jagged Edge. That track gave Miya an opportunity to work artist who made music that was a part of her mom and aunt’s soundtrack.

“It was a very nostalgic feeling and I really enjoyed working with him,” Miya recalled. “He’s funny and a very talented person. And yeah, my mom and my aunt listened to Jagged Edge a lot, so they were really excited for me.”

“Situationships,” Miya’s latest single, provides insight into her songwriting process. The song tells the story of a person trying to manage emotions and expectations in a relationship.

“I was on Twitter one day and one of the topics that was really trending was situationships, and I was like I can talk about that because I’ve experienced that,” she recalled. “So I kind of put my little take on it – my little two cents and it became something really cool.

“It was how I was feeling in that moment and it came out really great.”

Miya takes her next step in her career when her EP, “Patterns,” drops later this year. “I’m excited for that and I am putting the finishing touches on it.”

The EP will be a mix of new tracks and tunes from her existing catalog. She said that the album’s title tells a story.

“It actually refers to the patterns in relationships that I’ve seen that are just negative and I am kind of making people aware of that.”

That mindset of using music to seek truth shows that Miya is following a path laid down by singers like Amy Winehouse, SZA and Jazmine Sullivan.

“All of those women are unapologetically themselves and that is what draws me toward them, and that is what inspires me to be unapologetically myself,” she said. “That is what it’s all about.

“Following your own dreams and being an inspiration to others to achieve their dreams. The same thing that those artists do for me, I want to do for others.”

From their inception, DEBONNAIRE MUSIC has crafted their unique brand of "Retro R&B and Soul" music. With the art of blending genres and musical influences throughout their eclectic mix of songs.

While maintaining their R&B roots they have melodically blended a feel of Rock, jazz and even some soul from yesteryear.

PHILL: The musical genius behind the group, this musician hails from Washington, DC. He spent his early career playing with such artist/producers such as; Rich Harrison, Chucky Thompson and Regina Belle, just to name a few. PHILL is a co-founder of the group along with being an accomplished musician that plays multiple instruments.

SMOOV: Born and raised in Columbia, Maryland. SMOOV serves as the primary lead voice of the group. With his incredible range, velvet tone and writing skill, he was a welcome addition to the group after singing with other artists in the DC area. From day one his talents propelled the group into a new atmosphere with his unique soulful style and powerful delivery.

WILEY JAY: Born in Cincinnati, Ohio. WILEY JAY joined the group soon after moving to the Washington, DC area. His career began as a backup dancer for multiple nationally known artist. This is where he discovered his love of singing and a one night audition quickly turned into a rehearsal to solidify DEBONNAIRE MUSIC'S signature sound. His talents as a singer and showman has been the DNA of the groups soul from the beginning. His classic style and falsetto is reminiscent of the greats sounds of the past.

WILLIE: Born and raised in Washington, DC. WILLIE is a co-founder a primary songwriter for the group. WILLIE'S career began with a chance meeting with PHILL that turned into a songwriting partnership. He rediscovered his desire to be an artist after working in the industry in management for such internationally known artist as Grammy award winning singer REGINA BELLE and balladeer GLENN JONES.

Miracle Thomas is a vocalist, songwriter and producer whose musical roots began at the incredible early age of three, when she sang publicly with "The Gems of Truth Gospel Choir" in her Lynchburg, Virginia hometown. In her early teens she relocated to Washington, District of Columbia and began to write songs and perform in local talent shows. Miracle's voice is mesmerizing with sensual low tones and incredible high notes. She sings all genres of music; keeping the listener wanting more. She has demonstrated her versatility as a songwriter by writing over 800 songs that include a wide variety of genres as Rhythm and Blues, Pop, Country, Alternative, etc. No, you cannot put her in a box!

Through private tutoring and studies in voice and drama, Miracle established a solid foundation for her musical career. She was professionally trained by the late Dr. Napoleon Reed, one of the original cast members in the Broadway Show "Carmen Jones." Since they worked together for 10 years and developed a wonderful relationship, she quite vividly recalls Dr. Reed's inspiring stories of former cast members of color such as Dorothy Dandridge and the obstacles they faced while performing at different venues. She credits him for his strong insight and guidance that continue to keep her keenly aware of the fact that she stands on the shoulders of so many great performers that opened doors and paved the way for her. She concludes, "I am thankful for the ancestors and all those who make it a little easier for me to share my talents." She says, "Dr. Reed's wisdom helped to prepare her mentally as I face the challenges of the competitive music business."

Miracle also receives a great deal of inspiration from powerhouses such as Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Randy Crawford, The Emotions, Deniece Williams, Earth, Wind and Fire, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Kenny Rogers, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Chuck Mangione, Babyface, BeBe and CeCe Winans, White Snake, opera singers Denyce Graves and Kiri Te Kanawa, the late Whitney Houston, Phyllis Hyman, Luther Vandross, Bob Marley and her Uncle Carl Anderson, known for his song "Buttercup."

She explains, "Uncle Carl was very protective and advised me to be careful as I pursued my musical goals." I wrote and recorded a song "Where Will I Go" many months before I found out he was diagnosed with leukemia. My Aunt Frieda called Uncle Carl to play the song for him and he was blown away. He asked if he could record it and the only answer I could come up with was yes! Unfortunately, his health declined before he could record the song and he passed away." She fondly recalls him saying that she would have to sacrifice a great deal most of the time and be willing to give more than one hundred percent all of the time. As a result of this kind of influence and encouragement, she has won several noteworthy national and international songwriting contests.

Among her achievements and accolades are: local talent show winner in The Coors Super Talent Showcase; Camp Springs, Maryland; finals held at The Warner Theater in Washington, District of Columbia. She has opened shows for such great artists as R. Kelly, Jodeci, Mary J. Blige, Father MC, Regina Belle, The Manhattans, The Dells, II D Extreme, Kim Waters, the late Gerald Levert and many others. One of her most influential performances occurred when Miracle appeared before an enthusiastic audience of over 30,000 at Baltimore's AFRAM Music Festival. She also sang the National Anthem at a Chicago Bulls Basketball Game, when Michael Jordan was starting to a crowd of over 19,000. She performed and recorded Whitney Houston's

hit song "Miracle" and for the very first time, Video Soul (former BET show with hosts Donnie Simpson and Sherry Carter) showcased her as an artist who, at the time, had not officially recorded.

Since releasing her single "You Say You Apologize" in 2018, she continues to stay relevant by collaborating with top Indie Artists: The Terri Green Project, Cornell "CC" Carter, Randy Hall, Dynelle Rhodes from the Weather Girls, David A. Tobin,

Marc Staggers, Rob Hardt, and Michelle Lawson. They recorded a remake of Marvin Gaye's hit "What's Going On". She recorded a song with Dave Mascall "Brighter Day" (from the UK), "Something in Common" with Teddy B. (from New Jersey) and continues to write songs with Soulheil from Algeria.

Miracle has numerous #1's under her belt from the UK Soul Chart as well as other music charts in the UK, Grenada Chart, Radio Indie International Network, The Network Soul Chart, UK Urban Chart and many others. "Love Me" from the Expect a Miracle EP was #1 in sales on the UK Amazon site and "Stay With Me" charted #2. She has placed many times on the chart and is steadily building her fanbase and connecting with deejays and producers. She's hands-on when it comes to marketing and communicating with people in the music industry.

Miracle is excited about 2021, coming out with a bang with a remix project and a collaboration with Rob Hardt from the group Cool Million and owner of SedSoul Records in Germany. The song "I'm All You Need" is getting support all around the world. Miracle can add another #1 UK Amazon to her list of achievements for this amazing track. She collaborated with Rob Hardt on a song that has the potential to be an anthem for the ladies; "If I Told You". This one will get you in the mood to dance and listen carefully to the words. Sometimes, you have to tell him how you really feel. Rob is featuring Miracle on a special project. The song is called "Get Up On The Floor". It's a song that will make you forget about your problems and jam! She also collaborated with DJ Mystique from London on a song she wrote "I Wanna Be Your Girl". DJ Mystique is known for his remixes. This is first original music composition. All of Miracle's music is available on all digital music platforms.

Miracle is looking forward to doing live shows again. In the meantime, she's staying safe, recording and writing from home; and doing virtual performances. Miracle states, "I would like to thank all of the deejays and promoters for helping me get more exposure and I am grateful to my fans for showing me love; always sending it back!"

Musically speaking...Expect a Miracle!!!

Check out Miracle Thomas YouTube Channel Here

Desmond Parson, a man of vision, passion, and song. Music was and is the outlet in which he conveys his thoughts. Born in Washington D.C. in the mid 70's, Desmond's interest in music peaked at the age of 4 when his grandmother would play albums by the likes of Gladys Knight, Teddy Pendergrass, and Michael Jackson. However, it was one artist in particular that his grandmother played that would forever change his appreciation for, and approach to music, Stevie Wonder. Through studying the albums of Stevie Wonder, Desmond would learn the many roles of an artist; a vocalist, writer, composer, producer, arranger, all of which Desmond performs on all of his projects. Desmond started playing the piano at age 10 learning melodies taught by his uncle. From joining singing groups in high school to presently directing his own band, Soulfied Village, Desmond's musical journey is ever evolving. Through his involvement with the DC music scene, Desmond has performed at many historic venues in the Washington D.C. area including Takoma Station Tavern, Smith Public Trust, and The Kennedy Center, and has shared the stage with the R&B group, The Dramatics. Desmond infuses the sounds of R&B and neo-soul to create a style all his own.

Check out and Follow Desmond Parson on:

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TruSoul Davis is an r&b artist hailing from Cleveland, Ohio. Raised on the east side of Cleveland's Morris Black housing projects, he discovered a love for music at a young age, his mother gave him the love for music instilling it in him at the young age of 5. She was a local Dj spinning records at a local shop and would bring home albums of all the musical greats - The Jackson’s, Stevie Wonder, etc. 

He also would watch his dad rehearsals and performances with his singing group and he was always inspired by him. Here is a quick sidenote -  once in a local department store as a young child, TruSoul had gotten away from his mother and was lost. When the security officer found him, they asked him "what is your name" he told them Michael Jackson. When the security officer called out “could the parent of Michael Jackson please report to customer service” his mother instantly laughed and said “one day my son will be a star” - then expeditiously came to receive him. 

He began singing in local choirs in his youth,  including schools (success tech and East high schools) To no avail he felt that his voice just wasn’t enough and that singing may not be for him -  in fact he felt as if he didn’t have to look so he started to rap and at a talent show audition the young lady asked him to “show her what he had” so he began to spit a hot 16. The lady said “that was great but not what we’re looking for - next”. After that he felt bad but a young lady in the back of the room shouted “he can sing too” feeling a tad  awkward he also felt he was compelled to sing, so he started to sing a song by the 90s group shai.  After he finished, the young lady at the audition's mouth dropped and she said “now that is what we’re looking for”; and at that moment in the 10th grade he knew he wanted to be a singer. 

In his latter years, he began to take music more seriously. Honing in on his gifts, Soul went on to release multiple singles on route to his first major release “The Tru Experience” to widespread local & international (UK) acclaim. After a short promotional tour that included various radio station visits & shows such as “The FreeThinkers Tour", "Indie Acoustic Soul Live" Who Run IT CAJOKIA MUSIC CONFERENCE (received a plaque for best new artist) & "Song Wars 5" to name a few, TruSoul looks to make an impact in the r&b scene by "Bringing real R&B back". 

To contact Trusoul Davis and stay updated visit his website at - www.whitelionaudio.com/trusoul-davis OR www.therealtrusoul.com 

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