Meet Who's Bringing Real RnB Back | D.Lylez

Do you remember waking up on Saturday mornings to your mom blasting music that made you want to do the two- step as the house was being cleaned from top to bottom? Some of those family favorites could’ve been:

Superstar by Usher

Let Me Love You by Mario

So Beautiful by Musiq Soulchild

Understanding by Xscape

So Sick by Neyo

Or maybe you’ve seen the frenzy behind the internet’s conversation on who is the king of R&B. Well, I’d like to introduce a new face in the music industry who is definitely making noise when it comes to bringing back that soulful yet raw energy to R&B music! Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce you to D.Lylez. 

Darious Lylez, widely known by his stage name D.Lylez is a Chicago Native who has always embodied and displayed not only a love but a passion for music. Although his childhood was under the framework of a preacher’s kid, Lylez stood firmly withhis personality, stage presence, and emotions when it came to falling in love with R&B! By age 9 music lessons and recitals became his daily routine with the support of both his parents despite church culture. Everybody knows that no matter if you sing in a choir, are a deacon, or can recite many bible verses; they bump to New Edition, Bobby Brown, and Jodeci, here and there. 

You may be squinting your eyes trying to figure out just exactly where you know this cat from. The answer is the hit talent show The Voice season 18 with judges John Legend, Kelly Clarkson, and Nick Jonas. It’s no secret that his soothing yet confident voice blew the judges away but that was not the start to his journey. From being in a boy band called Changes, auditioning for the Voice, and becoming a signed solo artist, D.Lylez's musical journey has been quite eventful. He has tapped into what he wants his legacy and artistry to represent: authenticity, story-telling, and a groundbreaking powerhouse when it comes not only to his vocals but also his performance. The superstar’s two latest singles “24 Hrs” and “Is It Time?” are a direct visual buffet of how truly captivating his artistry is. 

As I watched the video of 24 Hrs” it instantly took me back to the hit single “Sensitivity” by Ralph Tresvant (Yes, one of the cuties from hit group New Edition). The two videos have several similarities when it comes to color stories such as Midnight Blue and Harvest Orange. They both also showcase scenarios that male artists deal with when it comes to the challenge of balancing their career in the spotlight but also having someone very dear to them in their personal lives. In the video you see him wanting his girl so passionately and thinking of her but he’s in the studio doing what he also loves: creating stories and music. The leading woman begins thinking that she’s being ignored and stood up for a romantic dinner date but he’s thinking about her just as much. Lylez is bringing back the R&B that reunites couples when they go through ups and downs, makes you fall in love all over again, and at other times he lets his audience know that they aren’t the only ones dealing with the harsh realities when it comes to dating, loving a person unconditionally, and any other curveballs this life throws at us. Before you know it brothers will be singing and dancing in the rain while us sistas live for every moment of it. 

I love how there’s now space being created again for vulnerability, soft love in the black community, and raw emotions when it comes to a black male artist and he is one of the individuals becoming responsible for that. His music indeed celebrates and uplifts women in the most beautiful light but Lylez's next single “Is It Time?” also is a friendly reminder that everyone can be heartbroken and played; no matter the gender. The video will showcase him in a more painful and distraught light after finding out his partner may be entertaining other men in these streets. I feel very few artists are extremely transparent while still being entertaining and that's a gift he utilizes to a tee when it comes to creating music. 

A catchy chorus and beautiful lyrics that will sound good on the radio or in the club is not his top priority; rather it’s creating a versatility quality music catalog. Neo-soul vibes and the heart is coming back to R&B. Music that makes you feel like you are on cloud 9 when thinking of your boo or last romantic partner has a different energy bringing people of all communities as one because who in this life doesn’t want to experience good ole lovin’ or as Mary J. would sing out, “Real love”. 

Tune into both of D.Lylez’s latest videos if that sultry yet heartfelt R&B makes those car rides a vibe before work or if you just love love.

Comment down below which is one is your favorite out of his latest songs. Follow the talented young star on all platforms as well. [@dlylez]

Desriana Gilbert | Entertainment & Social Journalist for /CW

Juggman Ice - Juggman of The Raaq

Allllll the way from Chicago, Juggman Ice is coming at us w “anotha f****** hit bi***”!! Nothing is better than trying to better yourself and it’s hard to knock someone’s hustle when it’s working for them, you don’t gotta understand you just gotta respect it. The beat rocks and it’s apparent in the music video that they be calling him Dora the way his bag talkin. 

Good things happen to those who hustle.

Open your ears for this right quick and let Juggman Ice who really got the juice.

/CW Maxp

Lando Chill (coming to MKE) - "Black Ego" album

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Tired of hearing the same ol’ artists and looking for someone new to vibe to? Well, look no further! Musical creative Lando Chill, is an experimental rapper and social activist who is heading straight for Milwaukee. Lando’s tour will be making a stop at The Back Room at Colectivo Coffee on Wednesday, May 1.
“Lando's sound is a thoughtful, emotional exploration of the black experience, that is equal parts west coast funk and desert trip-hop. His third studio album, Black Ego, received widespread critical praise and was called a "'hello' to the present-day of our country" by NestHQ”.

Lando Chill’s vision is bold and fresh. His artistry explores “the nuances of the black experience, and touching on themes of cultural appropriation, privilege, and intersectionality, his recent release draws from a vast expanse of influences”.

He will be making stops in the biggest cities all over the U.S. and our city is the first stop on his map. Come and check him out! You know we’ll be there!

/CW

Black Ego, an album by Lando Chill on Spotify



Chloé - Outta My Face ( Feat. Chay Milan and Frances King)

Today's submission comes straight from one of our Chi-town neighbors, Chloé.

“Outta My Face” featuring Chay Milan and Frances King has that soft but punchy production that Chicago is known for. With wispy undertones, “the ladies pay homage to those summer vibes riding with your crew or a side piece in a cool ride”.

We love to hear the ladies come through with some witty bars & attitude! #WeSeeYou

As we break away from those summer nights (it just feels so far away *tear*) and get straight back to business, lets put this track in rotation!

Oh and yo... “Back up out of my face” lol

/CW

*Now Available on All Major Platforms *

New Single "Outta My Face" feat. Chay Milan and Frances King

NONAME is on Tour and It’s Live AF // FreakishNerd

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NONAME out the Chi.

NONAME in the Mil.

Telefone on tour.

Vibes are all you need.

This past Saturday Chicago's very own, NONAME, blessed the stage with good vibes and Hennessy for a sold out crowd at The Miramar Theatre. I actually did not know that many people in Milwaukee even knew who she was (though like 57% of the people there came up from Chicago because those shows sold out in like 6 minutes). Not only was room packed, but EVERYBODY KNEW EVERY WORD TO EVERY SONG ON HER PROJECT which caused her to blush and smile profusely in my direction. Seriously, we made eye contact like 30 times last night and all she had to do was slide me her number and I would have been gucci, but that's neither here nor there.

Milwaukee's own Siren opened the show backed by The Truth. Siren's growth as a performer and a lyricist continues to amaze me every time I see her perform. That new music is going to be fire. Fresh off the release of her Moon Shoes EP (maybe I'll review it one day maybe I won't),  Ravyn Lenae came through and showed out. The audience was entranced with her chill beats and light vocal qualities providing a perfect bridge between Siren’s energetic set and NONAME’s…

Let me tell you about NONAME.

The energy flowing through the room was different. A good different. As if you came over to your best friend's granny's house for play date and y'all were plotting on a sleep over. "Let me take you back," the singers opened the show with a medley of songs from Telefone as scenes from Dorothy Dandridge's Carmen Jones are projected behind them. A red lamp sat on a wicker basket next to bottle of Hennessy half(ish)way full. NONAME leaps on the the stage to thunderous applause and screaming. She was rapping the opening verse to “All I Need,” but you couldn’t tell until the applause died down.

She proceeded to perform the entirety of Telefone and two of her Chance collaborations, Lost and my personal favorite, Drown (which she added another verse to that was FIYAH). Halfway through the show she comes out in this red sequined cape, giving a“playing dress up” vibe, performing a cover of The Isley Brothers’ “Contagious” before falling back into the somber “Casket Pretty.” After closing out the show with Yesterday the crowd burst into chants of “NONAME! One More!” I mean she performed the whole album so she was quite literally out of music. Not sure what they were expecting, but the sentiment was certainly felt.

Noname puts on a hell of a show. If you were lucky enough to snag a ticket (the whole tour is sold out y’all), have a great time and if you were at the show, I’m glad we shared a vibe together.

- FreakishNerd //CW

See more photos from the show here

Noname - Telefone

If this lady rapper is not already on your radar. Well, you're welcome.

Chicago native, Noname (Yes, her name is Noname), is a force to be reckoned with. And with the release of her debut project, "Telefone," Noname combines honest sharp verses with sass, poetry and a ballad of smooth soulful beats that will find you in a sense of thought. 

Though the project was originally slated to come out two years ago; the wait was worth it. Featuring a layered production team of Noname, Cam O’bi and Phoelix with some killer mix and mastering by L10, "Telefone" has us wanting to know what's next for the femcee. 

Until then, listen to the proof that Noname shines below.

Executive Produced by Noname, Cam O’bi & Phoelix
 Artwork by Nikko Washington Mixed & Mastered by Elton “L10MixedIt” Chueng