Shine like Sterling Silver

Plan-A Radio is a platform created by Indie artists FOR Indie artists. When DJ Show and I had the idea to build off of DJ Show's previous work in radio, we realized one of the most important parts of our work would be to create community for artists who would otherwise be overlooked.

When I was offered the opportunity to write about my review of Silver's music, I did the typical artist assessment as I always do: How is their social media? Do they have a website? How marketable could they be if they decided to further their music career? How do their music videos (or any videos) look?

This write-up will be different.

I will not be critiquing based on the four aforementioned criteria. I will basing my review off of the genuineness of this artist and hoping to implore the independent artist community to reach out to Silver (@poffsterling) and encourage community for someone who is building themselves up through music.

Silver's song, "Broken Memories" is a passionate and emotion-driven piece delivered via YouTube (linked here).

When Silver submitted his song to DJ Show's live, he was celebrated for his willingness to be honest and vulnerable, two things we support fully here at Plan-A Radio.

The first skill observed: Silver delivers this song in one-take. Every verse. Every hook. Every "uh." All in one take. Through tears, and deep breaths. Silver bears his soul. Delivering a song in one-take is NOT easy. It is not for the weak nor is it something can do without stumbling over their words.

The next skill observed: Authenticity takes work. Silver's tears are a genuine reflection of the emotion he likely felt when he wrote this song. We expect artists to show up as they are when they submit their music and their videos to our platform. We understand and value artists that are well-packaged and prepared for a label or to open up for a big-named artist. But the soul of artistry happens when a root is formed. That root must be genuine, it must be real, because if the root is not real, the fruit won't be real either.

Silver's song, "Broken Memories," is real. It is a heartbreaking declaration. It takes courage to write a song from your heart and then to decide to make yourself bare to the internet. Not all performances will look polished, but if you have a good ear, you can hear the potential of an artist and the willingness. With the support of our community, Silver could improve his music in a way that is widely well-received, outside of Plan-A Radio.

The lyrics could use some work, but because of Silver's passionate performance, it's hard to not be moved by this song. Feeling "twisted" is something we've all felt. Feeling as though we've disappointed someone we love, or even disappointed ourselves, can be universal. Silver invites listeners to his pain.

We appreciate Silver for his transparency. If it were not for artists like Silver, we would not have fanbases for artists like Immortal Technique, XXXtentacion, Juice WRLD, Eminem. The willingness to be open with their fans made millions of people gravitate to their music. Their sadness is necessary. Silver's sadness in "Broken Memories" is necessary.

Thank you, Silver, for your song submission and for your vulnerability. Continue to submit your music and trust us to hold space for you. Trust that we, indie artists and fans, are willing to build community with you. We encourage you to keep going; keep creating music and keep submitting. Think of your fellow indie artist, Clinton, who has submitted music to the live for almost a year. He didn't always receive rave reviews on his music but he is now one of the most highly requested artists on the platform. He continues to create and create and create. Silver, continue to create. Never let that intensity you have to be authentic and to bare your soul die down. Live. Live loudly. Live proudly. Be a force through your music. Plan-A Radio supports you.

Keep. Fucking. Going.

Artist Spotlight: Yung Slap gets real with "Afterlife"

"Afterlife" is one of FIVE completed projects by South LA artist, Yung Slap. The first time I heard this album, I thought I had turned on Lil Weezy circa 2004-- his "Go DJ" era. "Afterlife," the introductory song to this project, is such a fire track, you are going to want to keep listening to see how Slap plans to keep you bouncing. Yung Slap seems to be the kind of artist that you can't say "no" to-- undeniably talented. This album will have you saying, "aye, this shit SLAP!"

Yung Slap comes from a wonderful mother who supports him wholeheartedly, and inspires us here at Plan-A Radio continuously. We have had the blessed opportunity to see Yung Slap grow and blossom over the last few years. As supportive as Mama Slap is to Yung Slap, she continues to light a fire beneath the feet of the Plan-A Radio team as well. She sees a magic in her son, and that very magic exudes all over his albums. Yung Slap is charismatic, he is creative, he is talented, and most importantly-- Yung Slap is excited to do this and understands that in order to win, you must have the right support (shoutout Mama Slap) and you must have the drive.

Yung Slap was made for this.

Bop: The song that jumped out and grabbed me delivery-wise is the intro track, "Afterlife." It's just FIRE. STRAIGHT FIRE. But the song that is an OVERALL BOP is "Birthday." That song is club-ready. If I could suggest anything it would be to start circling that song to strippers like yesterday. The beat is addicting. The snares hit like when Lil Jon was making summer hits back to back; they give a lot to the track and help carry the bouncity bounce of the song; and that's where the ass shaking comes from. The switch up between the bass and snare also give a really textured vibe to the song. It elevates the song and gives the listeners (and the skrippas) some creativity when shaking ass to it. If you need to know which song to turn on first, it is "Birthday"

Airpods Quality: "Heart Cold" has the best mix on the album. It is very bass heavy but mixes really well with Yung Slap's vocals. He is nasty on this track. He's letting his heart out on this song, but keeps a level of what the hood niggas love. The beat is a slapper and he gets straight to the point with his lyrics. I love the key changes in the song. If you listen to this song with the wrong speakers, you could miss the personality of this beat. It is a vibe that, when you play at close range (in your airpods), becomes the soundtrack of that moment-- you can almost smell the burning rubber from The Takeover on Western (iykyk).

The West can't go wrong. I understand how biased that must seem, but think about it: LA has the women everybody wants, the weed everybody tries to get, and the weather no state can imitate. The West just can't go wrong! Yung Slap is dancing all over this album and laughing in the face of anyone who isn't grinding as hard as he is. Because, all emotions aside (pun fully intended), The West births brilliant artists and Yung Slap is another confirmation of that truth.

Knock Value: "Broken" is THE one. It has the best beat, the rawest lyrics, and great production; the trifecta. As mentioned, Slap is the truth when it comes to creating a complete project that covers all the bases. Are the beats good? Do the lyrics have some substance? Can you dance to it? All YESES. "Broken" is where Slap made all of his gifts meet on one track. This song is creative, but honest. "Broken" is cocky, but inviting. Slap is a versatile artist with a lot to offer.

Misogyny Meter: "Where you at baby? Do you need a bag baby?" These are the questions women want to be asked! This song is kind of on-the-nose, but it's just those kind of songs that carry folks through their careers. The keys in the background give the song a summer vibe, and invite the feeling of love to the track. It is a simple track that doesn't ask a lot from the listener, plus, we get to see a softer side of Yung Slap. He's singing to us on the track and y'all know how I feel about a crooner. If they're crooning, they're alright in my book. We need more love songs in hip-hop, and what's more loving that sliding your girl a bag!?

After you check out "Afterlife," please give Yung Slap's other projects a listen. Especially "All Emotions Aside," which has a feature from the late, great, Young B The Future. Yung Slap has five completed projects that will give you the essence of LA without having to land at LAX. You can see the influence from the Bangin on Wax era all through Yung Slap's music. He is determined and gifted. Yung Slap isn't afraid to be vulnerable on a track, nor is he afraid of eating the beat up and leaving no crumbs. Overall, Yung Slap is an incredible artist with a wealth of talent to offer. Be on the lookout for what he has to give us next.

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Clothing line: Bail Money Clothing

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Ink, 2022

A rendezvous with Suthurn Faze

Just when folks thought we were losing R&B, Suthurn Faze blesses us with this lighthearted

rhythmic tune titled, "Undercover". It is mysterious with its dark keys and deep stacked vocals; it is also nostalgic like 112 in the Bad Boy days; and there is no shortage of sexy even down to the last eight seconds which feel like a passionate rendezvous in elegant hotel. You'll enjoy "Undercover," but let's get into why you'll like this song...

Bop: If you've had a chance to listen to Suthurn Faze's catalogue on Spotify, you'll hear a wide range of solid and soulful music from hip hop to eclectic instrumentals, and even this bippity bop, "Undercover." Sexy and relatable; the lyrics provide imagery that make this song about an illicit affair feel like a legitimate fairy tale. Suthurn Faze even gave us a few rap bars toward the end of the song to show his versatility. Overall, a solid song with a lot of love to offer.

Airpods Quality: The mix on the song is a bit cloudy, however, the stacked vocals make the song sound that much more intimate, hot, and heavy. I'm not sure if the intention was to make the song feel like a really sexy meeting at the bar, but that's exactly the vibe. There are a few moments where the vocals come in hot, but are quickly swept up by those nostalgic stacked harmonies reminiscent of the early 2000s when Case and Jaheim were flooding the radio with those stacked tracks of Hood Nigga Harmonies©.

Knock Value: This song has a nice bit of bass that you can grind and wind to. As mentioned, it is very sexy song. Being someone's Undercover lover is a heart-palpitating and gut-wrenching affair; and that anxiety shows up through the knock of this song and the long breathy pause at the end that feels like an extended climax. What a ride...

Misogyny Meter: I give credit to an artist that can add so much sexy energy into one song. It feels consensual but naughty; it feels raunchy but soulful. Suthurn Faze definitely checked off quite a few boxes with this one.

Overall, this song is really good, it just needs proper mixing to pull the fullness of those vocals out. We want to hear how great this artist sings the first time we listen. Luckily, I have the honor of being able to really dissect a song and listen to it a few dozen times before I even begin writing about it. This time gives me a chance to honor the music, respect the artist's hard work, and properly review the music. This song just needs the right mixing and I could definitely hear this song on the radio or even in a movie during a really hot and heavy scene between the protagonist and their secret lover.

Give Suthurn Faze a listen if you'd like a good mix of music to vibe out to. His entire catalogue is really decent. We always have room for improvement and as an independent artist, you have even more space to grow and change.

Great song, Faze.

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