Ghanaian-Australian artist Kofi Owusu-Ansah—better known by the moniker Genesis Owusu—is anything but a conformist. With a genre-defying discography that communicates deeply personal, critical narratives, Owusu is constantly pushing the boundaries of his medium; Owusu touches on themes of racism, depression, and Absurdism, utilizing soundscapes that veer from R&B to EDM to Hip-Hop.
Fusing the 70’s with South Asian music, Annika has found her unique sound. Pioneering a new type of music, she sings of being satisfied with her life and brings in her heritage to help convey her certainties. Her visuals, filled with bold colors and beautiful embroidery, draw you into her music as well. We got…
Samuel Ibarra Aispuroalsoo, also known as, El Padrinito Toys, is a 17 year old rising regional Mexican artist who has made a huge name for himself in the latin music industry very quickly. With hit songs such as, “KLK” going viral all over social media and with huge collaborations with artists such as Oscar Maydon…
Ramon Vega is a 19 year old regional Mexican singer and songwriter from Sonora Mexico. With hits songs such as; “dEsANiMaO :(”, “eScoRpiÓn :)”, and “Tirame Un Hello” and huge collaborations with artists such as, Christian Nodal, Michelle Maciel and Kenia OS. Ramon has been making a name for himself in the latin music industry…
By Natalie Chen On May 10, 2024, Billie Jean King addressed the graduating class of The Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California. On this day, valedictorian Asna Tabassum would have delivered a speech to her peers at the commencement ceremony which would have occurred, if not for the cited…
From starting Habibi’s House party in 2021 with modest crowds to celebrating two back-to-back sold-out shows in LA a few years later, Ibrahim Abu-Ali, AKA DJ Habibeats, is triumphantly growing and forging paths in the music industry for third-culture artists along the way. His new song ‘Wala’ is coming out June 7th. I had the…
SIDEPIECE, the dynamic DJ duo comprised of Party Favor (Dylan Ragland) and NITTI (Ricky Mears), has been making waves in the electronic dance music scene since their formation in 2019. Known for their infectious beats and innovative sound, SIDEPIECE quickly captured the attention of EDM enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. Their unique blend of house…
As we drove off the highway, our eyes were peeled for any sign of a chocolate wonderland hiding in the midst of nondescript warehouses just outside downtown LA. Unfortunately, just like Willy Wonka in the classic novel, the organizers didn’t make it easy for us. Still, we persevered. After our second wrap around the block,…
Brainstory is a musical trio comprised of brothers Kevin and Tony Martin, along with longtime friend, Eric Hagstrom. Releasing their debut album Buck in 2019, they’ve grown tremendously when it comes to finding their sound. Selling out their record release party at The Lodge Room yesterday, their new album, Sounds Good, is now officially available!…
UCLA Radio’s Rising Artist Spotlight aims to highlight upcoming artists who have demonstrated unique creativity andtalent through their music. Through interviews and features, we delve into their journey, influences, and aspirations, giving listeners a glimpse into the future of music. It was by chance that Deanna and I found one another. I was invited by…
Photos courtesy of death’s dynamic shroud Any list of the greatest vaporwave acts of all time would lose all of its credibility if it didn’t include death’s dynamic shroud near the top. Since 2014, James Webster, Keith Rankin, and Tech Honors have helped push the niche and often misunderstood genre towards the spotlight of internet…
The following description is taken from the Sounds of LA website. Cherry Club: Cherry Club is a powerhouse all-female rock band with a sound that fuses surf rock and fem punk. With melodies like the 70s and attitude 90s, the band takes a bold step into a newly emerging fem rock era. Proudly representing women…
From dancing in the mirror at age eight to choreographing for the biggest names in the music industry, Charm La’Donna is the premier example of hard work paying off. Born and raised in Compton, CA, the artist discovered her passion for dance early in her lifetime. At only ten years old, she was discovered by…
The following description is taken from the Sounds of LA website. Sparse and effective production lends a hand to a style of tightly-stitched songwriting that founders Sasha Goldberg & Maia Ciambriello honed during their years studying music in New Orleans after kindling a connection in their Bay Area hometown. Weaving meticulously stacked pop-inspired melodies with…
The following descriptions are taken from the Sounds of LA website. Lady Vengeance Lady Vengeance is an all natural, free range, no preservatives added punk band from Los Angeles. One of their most important goals is to create a space for everyone within their music, amplifying the emotional depth of their listeners’ ignored voices. Their…
The following description is taken from the Sounds of LA website. Jay Satten Los Angeles-based Jay Satten is a dynamic force in hip-hop, drawing inspiration from his roots in Chicago and New York. His music blends influences from Quincy Jones to Kanye West, maintaining a sound uniquely his own. RC Avenue Years in the making,…
Childhood friends Kelley Dugan and Mina Walker are bringing their small band to the stage of the Hollywood Palladium on March 21. Opening for The Kooks with The Vaccines, the duo known as Daisy the Great is showcasing how quickly true talent can be discovered. Their hit song “The Record Playing Song” debuted in 2017,…
Photos courtesy of FM Skyline Since the release of his debut record in 2017, Pete Curry, a.k.a. FM Skyline, has been a figurehead of the vaporwave community. It’s easy to understand why – his unique brand of abstract, nostalgic, and dreamlike aesthetics have become nearly synonymous with, if not definitive of the “utopian virtual” style.…
All photos courtesy of ghost prom UCLA Radio’s Rising Artist Spotlight aims to highlight upcoming artists who have demonstrated unique creativity and talent through their music. Through interviews and features, we delve into their journey, influences, and aspirations, giving listeners a glimpse into the future of music. With the rise of indie twang and the…
All photos courtesy of Blank Space UCLA Radio’s Rising Artist Spotlight aims to highlight upcoming artists who have demonstrated unique creativity and talent through their music. Through interviews and features, we delve into their journey, influences, and aspirations, giving listeners a glimpse into the future of music. Many bands have been born from the intimate…
Photography by AJ Loera Alternative Citizens, a punk rock group of high school friends from Anaheim, just might be your new favorite band. After experiencing the fun, boyish energy of their set at SOMA San Diego (read our coverage here!), I was eager to find out more about them. Singer-guitarist Zachary John, guitarist Mason Ortiz, drummer…
Cover Photo by Gianna Zaffino UCLA Radio’s Rising Artist Spotlight aims to highlight upcoming artists who have demonstrated unique creativity and talent through their music. Through interviews and features, we delve into their journey, influences, and aspirations, giving listeners a glimpse into the future of music. In today’s world, being in a band means that…