Hip Hop
Rod Lopez The Man On The Go
How busy is music video director Rod Lopez?
The answer is not only impressive but awesome.
Rod Lopez is on the verge of doing something that not many indie directors can brag about. He’s on pace to direct 30 music videos in 2014 ALONE.
His 22nd video release of the year, The D, is a collaboration with True Magazine’s “You Got Next” featured artist Black Jewelz. The video establishes Lopez’s skills as an exceptional filmmaker behind the camera as well as in the editing room. Watch it and you’ll see why there’s no wonder the Baltimore-based director is on such a roll. Next, Lopez plans to release, Moment of Silence, by Brooklyn-born Rapper Ray West. The video sheds light on some of the recent killings of Black teenagers in America like Mike Brown and Trayvon Martin. Lopez follows that up with, Where You Are, by Washington DC native Rylan Mahoney. With 3 more additional music videos in Post and 2 scheduled to shoot this month, Lopez is sure to stay busy right into the New Year.
Music videos are not the only thing keeping Lopez busy these days. He’s also directed 3 short films and 3 documentaries this year. This is in addition to the work done by the corporate division of his company, New Style Independent Pictures.
In fact, a quick peek at Lopez’s IMDb page shows the filmmaker already has produced 16 films, 15 of which he directed himself since he’s arrival on the scene in 2001. Impressive.
So it begs the question: Is Rod Lopez the busiest man in the independent music scene? It certainly looks that way.
But wait, there’s more. He’s on a 3-year award-winning streak for his work as a film director earning awards at several film festivals across the country. Plus, he’s also scheduled to produce 2 feature films slated to be released in 2015. One of the films is a Documentary about his mother Rosa who was killed by a drunk driver when Lopez was two. You can learn more about the project by visiting the film’s campaign page on Indiegogo.
Oh yeah, did we mention that Rod is a former minor league ball player with the Baltimore Orioles? And, on a personal note, he’s busy at home too as he and his wife Mariely recently welcomed their first son, Benjamin.
I think we can say it, at least for 2014; Rod Lopez is the busiest man in the independent music video scene.
For more information about Rod Lopez, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or visit his website: NewStyleIP.com.
Get ready for the ultimate summer song “drunk ass home” by cornelius x Muntu that invites you to long nights out and cold drinks with friends. Groovy beats combined with Muntu’s nonchalant Rap feel like pure summer!
With his latest release shout, cornelius has reached over 190,000 streams in less than two months to date and is already building a name for himself in the music scene with his debut single on Secret Society/NITRON. Not only the quality of his own music but also his work as a writer and producer for heavyweights like Topic, Fast Boy, or Lil Baby make cornelius an artist you should definitely have on your radar.
For his second release on Secret Society/NITRON, cornelius brings in multi-talented artist Muntu. Muntu is strongly rooted in Hip-Hop, generally active as a singer/rapper and songwriter, and has already achieved several number-1 successes and a gold award. Muntu is from Germany, has Congolese roots, and grew up in Luxembourg. He is the voice of a global, multi-layered, and exciting generation. On drunk ass home, he takes over the vocals with his cheeky Rap parts.
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Imagine how hard it is for some people to be true to themselves. However, there’s a new song called “KILL” by Benjamin Lewis that’s all about being authentic.
Essentially, a powerful Hip-Hop tune that speaks out against the societal pressures that try to make us all fit into the same mold. With this in mind, the up-and-coming singer urges listeners not to let anyone else tell them who to be.
Besides, this adds some important context to the eye-catching music video as it captures the feeling of being trapped and limited in our actions or decisions. Without a doubt, viewers will notice the entire clip serves as a great metaphor that can be quite relatable in these times.
Of course, it’s impossible to hear “KILL” and not think about Benjamin Lewis’ upcoming stories transformed into songs. Actually, this is the second single of his next four-track EP.
Versatility is his best letter of presentation, therefore, you can expect different genres of music through each jam. Also, the way he portrays his personal struggles and sensibilities to a creative level is worthy of admiration.
In conclusion, whenever someone tries to tell you what to wear, what to say, and even how to act, let your authenticity be the song you sing out loud and never give up to advocate for diversity.
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Louisiana-born rapper D$AVAGE shares a fresh Hip-Hop track titled “Pain.” The song, inspired by real-life experiences, touches on a dark drug world theme that is both introspective and thought-provoking.
“Pain” is straight fire! The sick piano melody, catchy beats, and dope rhymes will get you hooked right from the start. Of course, it’s no surprise it’s already got over 20k streams on Spotify.
In my opinion, I really like how D$AVAGE poured his heart out on this one, taking you on a trip down memory lane and keeping it real with no filter.
With a raw and agile flow, D$AVAGE showcases his ability to craft unique wordplay. Moreover, he doesn’t shy away from the realities of the streets, and instead, embraces them in a way that is relatable.
The highly anticipated ‘007 The Mixtape’ by D$AVAGE features “Pain” as its debut single, making it a crucial jam to check out. Undoubtedly, a tune that can be easily described as meaningful and musically appealing.
Beyond his reflective prose, it seems he seamlessly switches between different tempos and tones, showing his versatility as an artist. And like many of you, I’m also eagerly awaiting his next releases.