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Featured topics in Beat's musical universe.
JingYuan Li: Composing at the Crossroads of Culture, Story, and Sound
JingYuan Li, also known as John Li, has carved out a distinct space for himself as a composer, orchestrator, and guitarist. His creative range spans film, television, games, and concert stages, where he consistently leaves a mark with his emotionally attuned compositions. Born and raised in China, and later trained in Australia and the United States, Li’s journey reflects a rare combination of cultural depth and professional rigor. From an early age, he showed a strong inclination toward music, dedicating himself to honing his craft.
By Rashila Shahi5 months ago in Beat
10 Eighties Emo Albums That Defined the Genre
Eighties music has a reputation for being bright, sparkly and poppy, but in Washington, D.C., a darker genre was starting to evolve. The first "emotional hardcore" bands emerged from the 80s punk scene, setting the stage for mainstream emo to explode in the 2000s while giving listeners an outlet for their heartache, grief and rage.
By Kaitlin Shanks5 months ago in Beat
Worship Without Walls — Taking Praise to Festivals, Bars, and Streets
The Church Without a Ceiling For centuries, worship has been synonymous with sacred spaces: vaulted cathedrals, polished pews, stained glass windows. But if the past few years have taught us anything, it’s this: God is not limited by walls.
By Sunshine Firecracker5 months ago in Beat
Music at the Margins: Why the Church Needs Outsiders to Lead Revival
God Moves at the Edges History makes one truth clear: revival rarely begins at the center of power. It begins at the margins, among those dismissed, overlooked, or rejected by polite society.
By Sunshine Firecracker5 months ago in Beat
Brandon Lake: The Chuck Smith of a New Generation?
Is Brandon Lake sparking a Jesus Revolution 2.0 as the Chuck Smith of our time? The original Jesus Revolution began when Chuck Smith welcomed the outsiders of his day into Calvary Chapel. Today, worship leader Brandon Lake may be playing a similar role—tearing down barriers through music, radical love, and collaborations that reach the margins. Could his ministry be the beginning of a new awakening?
By Sunshine Firecracker5 months ago in Beat
Why 3Quency Is the Next Big Name in Music
By Sandy Lo This summer, Netflix introduced viewers to a wave of musical hopefuls on Building The Band, hosted by Backstreet Boy AJ McLean. The twist? Their bandmates were chosen Love Is Blind-style, in private booths where the only things to go on were vocal talent and vibe-check conversations.
By All’s Fair in Love & Writing5 months ago in Beat
10 Nineties Emo Albums You Should Hear
I'll admit it: I've been a bad emo kid. Like a lot of millennials, I sincerely thought that emo started in the 2000s, when bands like Taking Back Sunday and Aiden appeared on the scene. However, when I did some research, I learned that emo's roots go all the way back to the mid-eighties.
By Kaitlin Shanks5 months ago in Beat
Zauntee – Jesus Called My Name: Why Recovery Is Possible When God Is Love
🎶 Introduction: Please Hear This When Zauntee released Jesus Called My Name, it landed like a lifeline. This wasn’t just another Christian track with polished hooks and predictable choruses — it was a raw testimony set to a beat.
By Sunshine Firecracker5 months ago in Beat
Brandon Lake’s Sevens: A Prophetic Anthem of the Jesus Revolution 2.0
Introduction: The Sound of Truth When the first riff of Brandon Lake’s Sevens from his King of Hearts album drops, it doesn’t feel like the start of a worship set — it feels like a revolution. 🔥 The guitars roar, the drums thunder, and the lyrics cut straight to the heart. This isn’t polished background music for Sunday morning; it’s prophetic fire wrapped in heavy rock. And that’s the point. Brandon Lake is stepping into the role of a modern-day prophet, using raw sound and unflinching truth to awaken a generation.
By Sunshine Firecracker5 months ago in Beat
Sisterhood in Stereo: Urban Electro-Pop Trio SIMIEN Debuts Single “Utterly in Love”
When music meets authenticity, the results are undeniable. Enter SIMIEN, the powerhouse Urban Electro-Pop trio composed of sisters Taédym, Jaiden, and Kamrein, who are stepping boldly into the spotlight with their debut single "Utterly in Love." Released on Konvict Kulture label founded by global superstar Akon, the track is more than just a debut. It's a statement of truth, unity, and the kind of fearless creativity that only comes from sisterhood.
By Tammy Reese5 months ago in Beat
Xoë Miles on “I Said It,” Her Musical Journey, and What’s Next
By Sandy Lo Nashville-based singer/songwriter Xoë Miles is the very definition of a one-woman powerhouse. She often writes, records her background vocals, and even mixes and masters her songs. On her latest release, the vibey and emotive single “I Said It”, Xoë collaborated with fellow Nashville talent Olivia Gunn to write the track, while Joseph DePrizio served as engineer. The song blends smooth production with lyrical vulnerability, showcasing Xoë’s knack for crafting music that’s as authentic as it is sonically rich.
By All’s Fair in Love & Writing5 months ago in Beat
