Following a couple of weeks of hiatus, welcome back to another edition of Saturday Spotlight. Each week we review submissions from all over the globe, picking the best out of the batch to highlight at the end of the week. If you’re an aspiring rapper, a producer wanting to create a buzz, or a singer looking to expose their talent, Saturday Spotlight is dedicated to discovering the next star. This week, we received over 40 submissions — below are the two picks.
Whether it’s your latest single or a new beat you made, all upcoming artists can submit music to us for Saturday Spotlight on this link.
Jake Vicious
Producer Jake Vicious has teamed up with TikTok star turned artist JUFU and DMV-based Dyson Alexander on a punk-pop-hip hop inspired track, ‘My Mind’. Describing the all too tragic and common occurrence of drunk driving and the mental torment it both causes and results from, the track is a ballad aimed at preventing the temptation.
Jake Vicious’ production certainly played a key role in the song’s sonic quality, with expertise gained from working as a featured music producer and mixing engineer at the Grammy Award-winning production company House Studios which has produced work for stars like Kendrick Lamar, Wale, and Future.
Listen to ‘My Mind’ below.
Jai Winter
Based out of Philadelphia, Jai Winter is a rapper, singer, songwriter, and engineer who prides himself on conscious rap, influenced by the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Nipsey Hussle. With a tonality that carries the heaviness of his lyrics, engaging bars, and a calming but powerful flow, Winter is poised to be an artist to watch in the coming years.
In his latest single ‘Never Needed’, Winter delves into the disheartening feeling of being unappreciated and the uphill battle of trying to appease those closest to him in the throws of his own low-lights and inner-conflict. The track is heartfelt and insightful, paired with a self-produced music video of Winter going about his day, seemingly being watched by the confines of his own home.
Watch the video below.
Through our artist discovery platform Saturday Spotlight, we have discovered some amazing talent in the past including Russ, Ty Dolla Sign, Mez, IDK, Victoria Monét and Trap Beckham to name just a few. In most cases, coverage on HHNM was their first look among media outlets. Find the submission guidelines here.