Watkins moved to Los Angeles, California in 2016 to pursue her music career. While living in LA, Watkins gained a new support system and better opportunities. When Watkins isn’t recording or performing, she’s a humanitarian. Watkins “Glow Movement” is a non-profit organization that encourages people to excel in life and become their best selves. Having a positive platform is one of the reasons why Watkins has gained a large support system throughout the years. The path she took could inspire other Arkansas musicians who want to expand their horizons.

Madison Watkins can’t be labeled as just a singer, she can also play the piano, guitar, reach high notes and dance. To get her name out, Watkins released song covers on YouTube to hits like “Light up the Sky” by Christina Aguilera and “Hold On, We’re Going Home” by Drake. After a couple of years, Watkins signed with Mad Wat Productions, surpassing all expectations placed upon her. 

In March 2016, Watkins released her first EP “Glow,” which reached the top 20 album chart on iTunes. In July, Watkins made her first appearance on season 11 of “America’s Got Talent.” Watkins received a standing ovation after her “Let It Go” performance by James Bay. Although she didn’t make it to the quarter-finals, Watkins did not give up on her music career. In April 2017, Watkins performed the national anthem at the LA Clippers playoffs. In 2018 and 2019, Watkins released music videos to her notable singles “Movin,” “Crazy,” and “Curls,” gaining over 10,000 views per video. 

Madison Watkins released her most recent EP “Rooted,” Sept. 25, 2020. On Oct. 4, Watkins released the music video to her new single “Worthy,” which has accumulated over 2,000 views despite COVID-19. Watkins has made many achievements throughout her career. Notably, during the pandemic, Watkins has been working on new music and new content for social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube. To stay updated, follow Watkins on Instagram at Madison Watkins.

The post Artist Spotlight: Madison Watkins appeared first on The Forum.

Little Rock native, Freddie Gladney, who is professionally known as “Bankroll Freddie” is one of the hottest and most-streamed music artists from Arkansas.

Bankroll Freddie was born in Helena and moved to Conway at a young age for better opportunities. At the age of 25, Bankroll Freddie is one of the most successful public figures from Arkansas and has opened the door for other Arkansas music artists to obtain a major record label deal. In June 2019, Bankroll Freddie was discovered by Atlanta Native, CEO Pierre “P” Thomas, after releasing his “Act Up Challenge” to current label mates, The City Girls hit song “Act Up”.

In Sept. 2019, Bankroll Freddie made history by becoming the first Arkansas rapper signed to a major record label. Signing to Quality Control Music and expanding his brand in Atlanta are the best decisions Bankroll Freddie has made so far in his career. Ranking in over 200K monthly listeners and 8 million streams on Spotify, Bankroll Freddie was born to be a star. In October 2019, Bankroll Freddie released the video to his hit song “Drip Like This” from his first mixtape “Saved By The Bales” and gained over 30 million views on YouTube in less than a year, making him the most viewed and highly requested rapper from Arkansas.

In Nov., Bankroll Freddie performed his hit single “Drip Like This” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, opening up for the highly anticipated rematch between Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder and Luis Ortiz. 2019 was just the beginning for Bankroll Freddie, judging by his accomplishments and work ethics, he’s just getting started. Back in Jan., Bankroll Freddie released his second mixtape “From Trap To Rap” and showed versatility in his sound, hits like “Street Love” and “Backend” went viral on social media platforms during the global pandemic. In March, Bankroll Freddie was featured in XXL magazine as a candidate for the 2020 Freshman cover, which is a major accomplishment in the Hip-Hop community.

Expressing his struggles and success in music has allowed Bankroll Freddie to gain fans from around the world and more international publicity. Despite COVID-19, Bankroll Freddie is still booked for performances, interviews and collaborations. In July, Bankroll Freddie recorded his first interview with “VladTV” and discussed numerous topics such as his upcoming project, signing to Quality Control, childhood experiences, finances, relationships, living in Arkansas and the death of former label mate, Lil Marlo. Bankroll Freddie has collaborated with notable music artists in the music industry such as Moneybagg Yo, Young Dolph, Renni Rucci, Lil Baby and YFN Lucci.

By collaborating with different music artists with a large fan base, Bankroll Freddie’s social media followers, radio requests and YouTube views have increased tremendously. In just one year, Bankroll Freddie has raised the bar and accumulated prominent achievements in the music industry, which is impressive and inspirational to all Arkansas music artists who aspire to have a successful career in the music industry.

The post Local Artist Spotlight: Bankroll Freddie appeared first on The Forum.

ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock has an underground variety of artists around campus. I started the Artist Spotlight column in October of 2019 to showcase some of these artists. February’s Student Artist Q&A focus is on ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock’s student Tajjon McDaniel. McDaniel is a junior majoring in Media Production. His supporters may also know him by his stage name Perspectiv3. 

When did you know you wanted to do music? How old?

Perspectiv3: I knew I wanted to do music at a very young age. I fell in love with music when I was in the womb. My dad said that when my mom was pregnant, he would always play music around the house. My dad just loved playing music out loud in general. I would often bang on pots or tables around the house making beats. 

How did you get into producing?

Perspectiv3: My dad plays a huge role in my producing lifestyle. He used to make beats all the time when I was younger and even had friends who did the same thing. Anytime my dad was in the studio, you could find me in the back with him. It’s just something about merging sounds together and coming up with a breathtaking product.

You said you would be in the studio with your dad, was he an artist as well? 

Perspectiv3: My dad was an artist and producer, but [he] embraced the producer side more.

What is your process like in the studio?

Perspectiv3: My process is fairly simple. I sing a lot throughout the day and come up with melodies. I often record them on the phone so I don’t forget them. Once I get to the studio, I pull my software up and go straight to the piano. As soon as I touch the keys, I experience a surge of power that’s undeniable. My process varies from day to day.

Why did you decide to come to school instead of solely focusing on your music career?

Perspectiv3: I came to school because it was something that was always instilled in me. My parents wanted to attend college but didn’t really get the chance. I picked up the torch and decided to go. I’m the oldest of three. I had to be that beacon of light and show them that they can do anything and still pursue what they love. I just wanted some more skills under my belt to enhance what I truly love. 

How do you juggle being a student and an artist/producer at ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock?

Perspectiv3: Honestly, it’s quite a lot juggling between being an artist/producer who’s also a full-time student. At the end of the day, it all comes down to prioritizing time and understanding what’s more important during this season. I try to get my work done earlier in the week so that I may have time to do what I love most.

What challenges have you faced?

Perspectiv3: I’ve faced a lot of challenges since coming to college. I lost a very good friend due to a tragic car accident and sickness. He was an inspiration to me and always told me that I was going to make it and do big things in this world. I was just making beats at that point of time, but he always saw more in me. After he passed away, I went into a deep depression, but it made me write more and added power to my passion.

Can you take me through a day’s process of when you have classes and also work in the studio?

Perspectiv3: My day usually starts at 5 a.m most days. It doesn’t happen every day but most of the time. My class schedule is kind of spread out, so I’m usually in the Mass Communications building from 9 a.m to 6 p.m. every day. I have two-hour breaks on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so during those breaks, I go to my room and cook up a quick beat if I have an idea.

Where do you get your inspiration from when you get producer’s block? Do you have any techniques?

Perspectiv3: I get my inspiration from a walk outside, watching other producers produce, talking with friends or even late-night drives.

Was there ever a time where you wanted to focus on school or music more than the other?

Perspectiv3: Most definitely! I often find myself wanting to do the music way more than school, but I know that school is going to benefit me in some areas that I’m not aware of yet. I dropped out of school for a year and worked on my music religiously while working a server job and as a counselor in the summer.

How did your family react to you dropping out since you were the first in the family to attend college? 

Perspectiv3: They were very supportive of my decision. They knew that I had a dream and that I wanted to pursue it.

What motivated you to come back? 

Perspectiv3: My parents, little siblings and working at Texas Roadhouse as a server. I had a couple of regulars who said that I deserved better and that I was meant to do big things in life. They told me if they saw me in that restaurant in the next couple of months, they were going to get me. They said I was bigger than a restaurant and too bright to be there. That blessed my soul and motivated me even more. 

What are your goals after graduating from college?

Perspectiv3: I think about my goals a lot! One of my goals is to travel to different states and see how their music culture is. The big goal is to move to Texas for a little bit and network down there. Texas has a pretty nice music scene that I want to be a part of and then bring that heat back to Arkansas. I will also be traveling to music conferences and pursuing the lifestyle of being a full-time entrepreneur, making a living as a producer, artist, videographer and filmmaker.

After looking at your SoundCloud, I noticed that your uploads go back to four years ago. How has social media helped you grow as a producer?

Perspectiv3: I started uploading music to SoundCloud when I was a senior in high school. That’s when I discovered that I had something to say to the people. Social media has helped me a ton as a producer. Sometimes I would post snippets of my beats and start catching the attention of some local artists. I’m the type of person who pulls up a beat on the spot because I’ve made at least a thousand beats and am proud to show them off. [During] my senior year of high school, I posted a song with a friend of mine by the name of Mary Rachel Rose. [As] soon as we dropped it, our high school went crazy and posted it on their social media. We had a thousand plays in a matter of two days. I thank social media for that.

What school did you attend?

Perspectiv3: Lakeside High School in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Who are some of your favorite producers in the game now?

Perspectiv3: Sounwave, TaeBeast, Noah Shebib, Tay Keith, Sonny Digital, IllMind, Anderson Pak, Big Krit and J. Cole.

I know that you’ve collaborated with ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock student DeeAyee. How did that collaboration come about? 

Perspectiv3: DeeAyee is my brother! I met him when I was a sophomore through a mutual friend. That man has bars that will twist your head in circles. He’s dope in person, but when you listen to his music, you really get an idea of how dope he really is. I love that guy, I’m just glad that I was able to connect and make a brother of a future legend. I always tell him that he is going to be big one day. He simply laughs at me, but his humbleness is going to get him very far. That man has a passionate soul and is always willing to help people. 

I know that there are other artists and producers on ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock’s campus. Are you open to collaborating?

Perspectiv3: I’m always open to collaborating, whether it be making a beat for someone, spitting a 16 on a feature, or even mixing and engineering vocals.

What is one collaboration you would like to get under your belt? Locally and famous?

Perspectiv3: I would someday love to get a collaboration with my guy from Dreamville, J. Cole. I would also love to get on a record with the top dog himself, Kendrick Lamar. First, I need to upgrade my bars to super saiyan mode. As far as locally, I would say Comosaski, Penn Davis, Alexis Ray Parker, Stoney Jackson and more. 

Now let’s talk about your personal projects. Tell me about your latest release, “Vein.”

Perspectiv3: In “Vein,” I was coming from a broken place and a self-identifying period. The message was made to give people hope and inspiration. Letting them know that they could conquer any situation thrown at them, no matter the obstacle.

I noticed that it had spoken word flow. Was that the goal?

Perspectiv3: Yes, that was the goal for sure.

How would you categorize your work?

Perspectiv3: I often ask people this question. Most people say that my work is socially conscious and motivating. My whole goal is to inspire and motivate.

As a producer, are you open to delving into other genres?

Perspectiv3: Most definitely! It’s important to be versatile, especially with this generation of music. Music rules this world in every form. It’s the universal language and you have to know it and be willing to advance as it rapidly progresses with time.

How has your musical journey been since you’ve started?

Perspectiv3: I started taking rap seriously a year ago and have loved every part of the journey. It’s something about hearing your voice playing through people’s cars. I was already passionate about making beats, why not get back to my love of writing songs as well? Throughout this journey, I’ve thought about giving up, but every time that happens, people walk up and say, “I listened to your last song, bro, keep on grinding and putting out music. You actually have a lot to say, we need more music like yours.” That gives me so much hope and inspiration, like wow people really rocking with my music. I had someone come up to me a couple of months ago and tell me they loved my music. I honestly didn’t even know this person, but they knew my words. That was real love.

What has been your most memorable memory?

Perspectiv3: My first performance here in Little Rock at Aphrodesia Studios. It was my first show ever since I started releasing music. It was actually on my mom’s birthday. My mom drove from Dallas, Texas, to watch my first performance as an artist. I’ll never forget that moment.

What upcoming projects do you have coming out? 

Perspectiv3: I have a lot of projects coming soon. My first real project is going to be a story of my life. I’m going to talk about the things I’ve encountered in my years of going out into the world by myself and entering college.

Perspectiv3 is expecting to put out his first project during the summer of 2020. Listeners can stream his music on all streaming platforms.

The post Student Artist Q&A: Perspectiv3 appeared first on The Forum.

K. Michelle shows that she is true to R&B on her fifth studio album, All Monsters Are Human. This album was released on Jan. 31, following the release of her top 10 albums Kimberly: The People I Used to Know.

She is one of the few artists who rose to fame as a reality star on VH1’s hit show “Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta”. She’s always been an advocate for staying true to herself and writing music that is true to her life experiences. 

Social media played a big part in the making of All Monsters Are Human. She regularly used Instagram and its live streams to connect to her fans while recording the songs for her highly anticipated album. During this album cycle, fans got a chance to get an inside look at her creative process. 

“I have a different motto. I don’t believe you leave your fans waiting, I believe you let them hear and you see how they react,” K. Michelle said in a behind-the-scenes clip on Instagram.

The lead single, The Rain, was the first song that fans gravitated to. It samples the 1988 hit Can You Stand The Rain, originally recorded by R&B male group New Edition. Even though the original song is about a relationship standing the test of times, K.Michelle spices up her version by singing about her sexual experiences. 

The cover art of the album is not like any other cover art that she has had on her previous albums. There is a connection between the design and composition of the cover art and the title of the album. A theme of duality and good versus evil is present throughout the work.

Michelle said she believes that there is a monster in everyone and that is why she named her album All Monsters Are Human.

“Everybody is a villain to somebody. In somebody’s story, you’re not an angel so all monsters are human. We all have been hurt and hurt,” K. Michelle said during a radio interview with The Morning Hustle. 

Michelle heavily touches on relationships and everything that comes with them; the good, the bad and the ugly.  She sits down and writes songs that stem from real-life experiences. Topics on this album include love, sex, infidelity, heartbreak and revenge.

On this album, she has songs that are lyrically driven, like Can’t Let (You Get Away) and Just Like Jay. One song that lyrically stands out on the album is The Worst. She sings: “I know she comes first and that’s the part that hurts, boy loving you is the worst.” 

In an Instagram post, she explained that there can be a situation where a guy moves on after a breakup but a woman can still have love for him. Seeing a man that you’ve spent time with being a better man for another woman could hurt. Even though there isn’t a relationship anymore, you’ve created memories together.

This is the type of music that K. Michelle has been making since she entered the music industry. Throughout her discography, it is safe to say that she is a fan of creating real R&B music. This album puts a confirmation on the statement that R&B is not dead. 

Other songs like Love on Me and Supahood give the album an uptempo and light vibe to complement the heartfelt songs that reign throughout the album.

All Monsters Are Human has received good feedback since its debut. Her honesty and vulnerability connect with fans on a personal level. Due to her undeniable talent and solid fanbase, the album hit the number one R&B album in the country with over 20 million streams.

The post K. Michelle returns with the theme of “All Monsters Are Human” appeared first on The Forum.