interview

Interviews with top Beat music advocates celebrities, musicians, artists, and icons about their current and past music projects.

The Quiet That Follows the Applause
I didn’t cry at the end of Better Call Saul. I cried three days later, while washing dishes. The water was hot, the sponge worn thin, and suddenly—without warning—I saw Kim Wexler’s hands again. Not in the courtroom. Not in the finale. But in that tiny Albuquerque office, adjusting the blinds just so, trying to control one small thing in a world spinning out of her grasp.
By KAMRAN AHMAD9 days ago in Beat
The Song That Brought Him Back
After my mother passed, grief settled into our home like winter fog—thick, gray, and impossible to ignore. He stopped whistling while fixing the sink. Stopped tapping his boot to the oldies station. Even his laugh, once so loud it startled the dogs, vanished into a silence so heavy it filled every room. For two years, he moved through life like a man walking in someone else’s shoes. So when he said, voice barely above a whisper, “Let’s go south for New Year’s,” I didn’t ask why. I just booked the tickets.
By KAMRAN AHMAD10 days ago in Beat
Hold It Down by Stephanie Marie Music
Stephanie Marie Music has a number of songs that have been quite helpful for me in feeling not quite as alone or better overall. I wanted to share, not just her music, but what it means to me as I listen to it. *smile*
By The Schizophrenic Mom10 days ago in Beat
Tyla’s Chart-Topping Rise
Introduction When South African singer Tyla released her self-titled debut album in late 2023, few predicted it would ignite a global movement. But by 2025, her name was everywhere: on Billboard charts, Grammy stages, and playlists from Lagos to Los Angeles. Fueled by her breakout hit “Water”—a seductive fusion of amapiano, R&B, and pop—Tyla didn’t just enter the global music scene; she reshaped it.
By KAMRAN AHMAD11 days ago in Beat
Richard Smallwood
Introduction In recent months, false rumors have spread online with alarming speed: searches like “gospel singer Richard Smallwood died”, “Richard Smallwood passed away”, and “Richard Smallwood cause of death” have surged—despite having no basis in truth.
By KAMRAN AHMAD11 days ago in Beat
Why I Started Writing Music
I didn’t start writing music because I thought I could be an artist. I started because I needed somewhere for the truth to go.
By Eliara Rae29 days ago in Beat
Introducing Indie Q Radio—A Fresh Platform Built to Champion Emerging Voices. AI-Generated.
Supporting independent artists has always been at the center of what we do, and that purpose continues to shape every new direction we take. The music world moves fast, and things change constantly—especially for artists trying to build a path on their own. With those changes come new challenges, but also new chances to rethink how we can genuinely help creators get noticed. That’s why we’re excited to share an update that strengthens our focus and opens up a more meaningful way to highlight emerging talent.
By Indie Q Radioabout a month ago in Beat
Inside the Artistic Mindset of Realfly Dp: Authenticity, Influence, and Expression
In today’s music landscape, artists navigate an environment shaped by rapidly shifting audience expectations, digital trends, and an expanding number of creative voices competing for space. Within that environment, Realfly Dp outlines his personal viewpoint on why he creates music, what motivates his style, and how he interprets the current state of the industry. His reflections, presented in his own words, offer insight into how he understands his artistic identity without aiming to persuade or influence listeners. Instead, he provides a direct explanation of his motivations and beliefs. When describing the purpose behind his music, Realfly Dp states, “When it comes to why I believe people should listen to my music, I believe that my music is very helpful and understanding. People dont have to care about my music. And that’s the beauty of it. I make music that is true to my heart and that I feel good about. So whether that caters to you or not is not my choice. You don’t have to care but you will have to respect my talents.” His comments reflect his personal reasoning behind creating music and how he interprets the relationship between an artist and their audience. From his perspective, the value of his work comes from emotional sincerity rather than external approval.
By Cloutfly2 months ago in Beat
The Unfiltered Creative World of ChrisHndrixx: A Rising Artist’s Breakthrough
In today’s constantly shifting music landscape, artists not only create sound but also contribute to broader conversations about artistic purpose, technological advancement, and personal development. ChrisHndrixx, an emerging musician continuing to refine his identity and approach, has offered a straightforward look into his motivations and beliefs surrounding music and the industry that shapes it. His reflections provide insight into how he views the emotional impact of his work, the evolving role of artificial intelligence in music, and the questions listeners often raise about his career trajectory. A central element of his artistic mindset involves how audiences respond emotionally to his music. ChrisHndrixx states, “People should listen to my music because of the way it changes people’s emotions. When somebody plays music, and say ‘put on some ChrisHndrixx, I’ll feel like I’ve succeeded at my passion.” He shares this as a measure of fulfillment rather than a marketing tool. From a neutral standpoint, emotional influence has long been a factor that listeners consider when choosing music. Many genres rely on mood, tone, and emotional storytelling, and his comment aligns with a broader understanding of how music interacts with human experience. His statement does not attempt to claim superiority but instead communicates his personal sense of purpose.
By Cloutfly2 months ago in Beat
Zipho Memela and Ethnomusicology in Modern Film Scores. Content Warning.
Zipho Memela, the South African creative polymath whose journey from hip-hop prodigy to classical innovator has captured global attention, embodies a profound truth about music: its inseparable link to culture and narrative. While Memela’s projects span the worlds of composition and entrepreneurship, his artistic trajectory offers a masterclass in the principles of ethnomusicology—the study of music within its social and cultural context. In the realm of modern film, this approach has become an indispensable tool for crafting authentic and emotionally resonant scores.
By Kin Mancook2 months ago in Beat
Zipho Memela on the Profound Benefits of Singing. Content Warning.
South African creative visionary Zipho Memela, known for his dynamic shift from a childhood hip-hop star to an innovative entrepreneur and classical composer, has always been deeply attuned to the power of the human voice. Beyond its artistic expression, the simple act of singing offers a remarkable array of scientifically proven benefits for both physical and mental well-being, a phenomenon Memela's career implicitly champions.
By Kin Mancook2 months ago in Beat
The Universal Current: Zipho Memela on Music’s Role in Shaping Social Connections. Content Warning.
Zipho Memela, the South African creative polymath who transitioned from a child hip-hop prodigy to a "million-dollar tycoon" and now a classical innovator, has always understood that music is far more than just sound and rhythm; it is the fundamental architecture of human connection. His career, spanning diverse genres and global stages, consistently illustrates music's unique power to bridge divides, foster empathy, and build communities from the ground up.
By Kin Mancook2 months ago in Beat