Day: February 1, 2022

People always hear the advice “follow your dreams,” and it is usually said in the spirit of encouragement and motivation. But following one’s dreams is easier said than done. Sometimes the journey isn’t all butterflies and rainbows. Sometimes it can be a journey filled with self-doubt and setbacks. In chasing after their music career dreams, the soulful duo Jimmie Bishop and Zach The Hero experienced the latter. But they persevered and are proud to present their second project together; an album called So Far So Good. 

Jimmie Bishop and Zach The Hero started their music careers separately in 2015 and 2014, respectively. Both were in college, studying for a degree unrelated to music, when they decided to pursue music instead. For Jimmie, this decision came after a close friend’s clothing business took off. He recalled, “I saw all the hard work he put in and the success that resulted after that. And it inspired me to pursue music, which I was really passionate about. I had let other opportunities pass because I was too scared. I didn’t want music to be one more regret in my life.”

For Zach The Hero, a fateful music class paved the way for his music career. “All the classes were full, so the only class I could register for was Piano 1,” the artist explained, “Music just sort of found me, or as I like to say, we found each other. Once I discovered that you could make a career in music, I changed my major the very next day from Computer Engineering to Music Education.”

Jimmie Bishop and Zach The Hero each went on their journey as artists on their own. But they eventually found each other and released their first collaboration, The Ark, in 2019. This project was popular among new listeners and fans, which is why the duo is excited about their most recent collaboration, So Far So Good.

“We describe our sound as soulful trap music. It’s a good mix of my soul samples and Zach’s trap drums and bounce,” Jimmie Bishop said of their musical style, “And as we grow as artists, our sound has evolved. Of course, we still keep that soulful trap feel, but we’re elevating it by experimenting, adding more live instruments, and incorporating other styles like R&B or alternative.”

So Far So Good is the second project that Jimmie Bishop and Zach The Hero collaborated on. While their first project, The Ark, showcased music that spoke of heartache and bitterness, So Far So Good is a more hopeful album. Zach shared, “For me, this latest project is a celebration of how far we have come in our careers. We both started out recording in our garage with no experience whatsoever. And now we are both doing music full-time. We produce, record, mix and master all of our stuff, and we create music at a high level. Of course, we still have a long way to go, but so far, so good!”

“So Far So Good was written from a place of happiness and contentment,” Jimmie Bishop added, “This project is all about elevation. We appreciate where we are now, but we understand that this is just the tip of the iceberg, and our work is only beginning.”

Jimmie Bishop and Zach The Hero are also set to release the deluxe version of So Far So Good sometime in April, and this soulful duo hopes their latest project will set the tone for a thriving career in 2022 and beyond.

In the meantime, check out the project here.

Singer/songwriter Sonyaé has been putting out music for the past few years, giving loyal fans and new listeners something to celebrate. That being said, 2022 is gearing up to be an exciting one for Sonyaé and her fanbase with the recent release of her single “Cameras Watchin” and the highly anticipated project BLU.

“Cameras Watchin,” Sonyaé’s latest single, is a high-energy, fiery track produced by international DJ/producer Siobhan Bell. The artist flawlessly weaved dynamic lyrics with her confident attitude, making the song stand out with a catchy hook and vivid visuals. This song can be relatable to anyone who wants to put themselves first, adopting a mindset of abundance. Sonyaé wrote “Cameras Watchin” to express her principle of attracting instead of chasing the things she wants in life, whether it is the type of relationships she desires or the professional opportunities Sonyaé would like to achieve.

Sonyaé displays her prowess as a rapper and a performer throughout the song. “Cameras Watchin” is a track that is the perfect balance of confidence, high energy, and sensuality. With lyrics such as “He think he my main, but I consider him an option,” this single may very well be on its way to becoming a female anthem. The song also features a sample from Britney Spears’ iconic hit “Toxic.” Bell has expertly layered UK drill drums over a trap arrangement with this sample to make Sonyaé’s single a certified hit.

With the successful launch of her single, Sonyaé is hard at work on her upcoming project, titled BLU. While the artist hasn’t shared much about the project, fans eagerly await its release later this year. The artist promised it would be an ambitious project that would elevate her music and stylistic identity. 

Sonyaé has been a widely respected collaborator in the music industry. Aside from working on her music, she has worked with other renowned artists such as Young Thug, Lil Yatchy, Anderson .Paak, and The Game, among others. Even when working with musical greats such as these artists, Sonyaé’s incredible skill and talent as a singer, rapper and songwriter speak for itself. In 2021, Sonyaé received her first Grammy nomination for Best R&B song as co-writer of the song “Collide.” This is a song from Queen and Slim: The Soundtrack featuring Tiana Major9 and EARTHGANG.

Even before Sonyaé began her professional career as a musician, she shared that music has always been a part of her life, and she gravitated towards music and performing from a young age.

Music is an art form that has inspired Sonyaé for as long as she can remember. She started out in theater as a child, then as a songwriter collaborating with other established artists, to becoming a full-fledged artist in her own right. While “Cameras Watchin” is a fun track, fans have more to look forward to this year with the upcoming release of BLU.

Check out the visual for “Cameras Watchin” here.

Photographed by Tommy Amato

While it is undeniable that the modeling industry has scrapped and addressed practices that promote harmful beauty standards, more significant strides are yet to be made as numerous of its institutions and approaches are still actively exerting pressure on its target market to conform to conventions and discriminating against those who do not fit the mold. Models, in particular, suffer from the ongoing and widespread preference for certain body weights, types, and more, a harsh reality that Johanne Vanessa Moise hopes to counter as the founder of Jamila Reine Models. 

The move to establish Jamila Reine Models was a decision influenced by the awareness of the power of agencies to enable success for aspirants. In managing the model Jacqueline Lockhart and helping her land the cover of her first magazine, Johanne Vanessa Moise realized that companies could open so many doors of opportunities for the clients under their wing. But, most importantly, she became intimately privy to the struggles that countless hopefuls in the industry have to face. “Many modeling managements discriminate and exclude models who are of a different weight, race, etc.,” she shared. “Some even make models pay thousands of dollars, only to underdeliver.”

Highly fueled by the drive to provide a space where everyone can feel comfortable in their own skin, Johanne Vanessa Moise launched JRM Management. Through this brainchild of hers, she intends to maneuver clients in the right direction and propel them to greater heights without breaking their banks. 

Currently, this Black-owned business assists with finding and booking appropriate and professional jobs on behalf of their models, closing the gap between its clients and the print, commercial, and fashion show opportunities that they want. Additionally, Jamila Reine Models goes the extra mile by providing services that can boost the careers and growth of its models, including coaching classes and training.

Under the leadership of Johanne Vanessa Moise, JRM Management also places a heavy premium not only on delivering an impressive host of services but also on making sure that every model feels supported in their journey toward the limelight. By welcoming people, regardless of their body weight, type, and race, and incorporating practices that foster inclusivity and body positivity, it manages to cultivate a sense of belonging among its models. It has also now been announced that she has officially given the company over to new owner, Shantae Menendez.

Right now, Jamila Reine Models serves as the home of a long list of aspiring and established models in New York, New Jersey, and Florida. So far, it has provided tailored services to every model in its roster, paving their path toward the forefront of the fashion and modeling industry. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, it has also succeeded in connecting its models with the job they need to reach the next level of their careers.

In the years to come, Johanne Vanessa Moise hopes to expand her company and transform it into a full-fledged global agency, one that would make a positive difference in the world of beauty and fashion.