TLS, Vol. 1 by Various Artists (The Listening Session Collective)
The Listening Session is a community of independent artists, producers, and creatives who seek to build their own tables to thrive in sound, aesthetic while best representing their God-gifted talents. Q-Flo played an intricate role as the leader of the community while enlisting this core of hip-hop heads. Trutha and Mic Wise are the typical social media faces of the collective, however, it's comprised of numerous talented individuals such as Mitch Darrell, Alcott, Cyrus Sonata, Weez the Satellite Kiid, Jusrzd, Q-Flo, Scribe Music, and a host of others. 

TLS compiled the 12 singles they've released since March 2022, then added five fresh tracks finishing out a unique, powerful, and sonically pleasing mixtape of hip-hop at its purest form. A hefty workload of 20-plus artists offers lyrical additions to one of the various collaboration tracks. All with one common goal, "the message of God takes precedence." The tracks are meaty and infused with biblical standards and principles. Stories are comprised from the streets, real-life difficult situations only adding strength and reach to personal testimonies. This project is meant for multiple visits to capture the artistic contributions of all involved. Stream TLS, Vol. 1 on Apple Music here.

Miles Minnick feat. Lecrae - "BIG!" (bonus mini review)
I don't think the CHH space or fans, generally speaking, truly understood the massive effort put into the collaboration known as the single "BIG" by Bay Area's "GLOKU" Miles Minnick and Reach Records icon Lecrae. Taking a look back, Lecrae hit up Minnick via an Instagram direct message looking to collaborate with the west coast riser on the "right" beat. A few days later, Minnick posted a video snippet of the beat in mind for the future single now known as "BIG." A few more days pass, Lecrae responds how he is vibin' with the concept, but will only hop on the track if there is a music video to accompany it. One conversation led to another and 21-year-old artist and videographer Cinemaddox agreed to direct the video for the track (Tahi produced the video). Circling behind, the concept, beat, and verses for the song were completed in under two weeks. The video was shot, directed, and mixed/mastered in less than 48 hours. Near perfection was the end result of what we know as the "GOAT" (Lecrae) of CHH and one of the fastest risers on the West Coast known as Minnick. The supporting staff in-between were all superheroes too. 

During these first few weeks of 2023, Minnick purchased his first home, said his final goodbyes to his grandmother, Shirley "Grandma Shirley" Robison, and a close friend due to an untimely death, Nick "THIZZNICK" Palmieri. We all know Lecrae's personal schedule stays crazy too, therefore, the creation of "BIG" is nothing short of a miracle; a God thing. Stream "BIG" on Apple Music here.
 
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