It's the end of the year. a great time to reflect on goals and accomplishments, but then I start to remember, there hasn't been a World Culture Music Festival this year. I look through Instagram posts and Facebook posts and even Eventbrite posts and there's not one mention of a World Culture Music Festival or a DreamLand Festival this year. We're in November, there isn't much time for promotion, let alone time to have a full-blown production like year's pasts. That's when the feeling sets in. That feeling of disappointment, that feeling that this is one more score for the argument that there's nothing to do in Tulsa. That feeling of 2020 when there wasn't a World Culture Music Festival. But does it matter?

My answer is yes. For one, this was a huge stage for Oklahoma artists. For some, the World Culture Music Festival will be the biggest stage they perform on all-year, possibly their whole career. This was also a bridge for artists from other cities to see the hip-hop scene in Tulsa and how much the artists and concertgoers enjoy the music and support the scene. Also, that meant that when people did come to town they would go back to their city and tell how dope the town is, which would create more buzz for the town and the artists here. There have been collaborations that may never have happened if they didn't come to the festival. The festival was a form of appreciation in letting artists know that their hard work hadn't gone unnoticed. 

The revenue. The festival was a place where the dollar circulated. From vendor to vendor, artists to artists, person to vendor and artist, the dollar circulated. Also, when people came to town they stayed in hotels, they paid Ubers, they tried local restaurants. The festival brought in not only attention, but it also brought in dollars that the town benefited from. For bars this was a week where sales skyrocketed. When people came to town, they wanted to try local, and the festival championed that. 

But they don't know! This is one of the most frustrating parts of throwing any event. They don't know. Which is a hard to argument to challenge. Social media has become the first place for information but with the algorithm how can you confirm that everyone knows about what you've posted? There are 3 levels that I want to talk about here. 1st a simple post. If you post something and you have followers, you believe that they will see what you post right? That's iffy with the ever-changing algorithm. Which brings us to level 2, Instagram Ads. Now an Instagram ad should be the end all be all argument, right? If I use an Ad, then all my followers should see it, on top of new followers in your area or with similar interests, right? Maybe! It still depends on how good you are at setting up Instagram Ads and how well the algorithm interacts with this ad. Level 3, the last one should shut down any argument. The DM. If I DM you then you should have no excuses, with the caveat that we have to be friends. Then again Instagram can also ban your account, saying that it's a spam account. So, as you can see, there's no straightforward answer. But that doesn't mean that all three should be proof that people didn't know, but it's really close. And the promotion for the World Culture Music Festival did them all, plus fliers, plus radio ads, plus being highlighted on the news, plus whatever form of social media marketing you want to throw in there. This kind of promotion in a small town should've reached the masses.

2025 won't have a World Culture Music Festival or DreamLand Festival, we didn't even have a Hip-Hop 918 Festival (it was cancelled because of the rain), but maybe that's a good thing. Maybe the city will show up if there's ever a next one. I would love for people to not have the excuse that they didn't know about it next year, because If we do want dope events to continue to be created here, then we have to show up to the events we already have. You have to ask yourself, why would a big named act want to come somewhere where no one is going to show up? You wouldn't, you would just move on to the next big city like Dallas or Kansas City. So, I challenge everyone to show up to the next World Culture Music Festival / DreamLand Festival, even if you're tired, even if you can only come for an hour. Lastly. even if there isn't another World Culture Music Festival or DreamLand Festival, I'm appreciate for the memories they have let me be a part of.

Make sure follow the @dreamlandtulsa page for all updates about the festival

Also let us know how you would like to be contacted about the festival.

Here's a little playlist of some of the festival's performances:

​Steph Simon "Diamond" continues to be a staple in the Oklahoma music scene. He's had an illustrious career with more highs than lows while being able to pull off some pretty impressive feats as an independent artist. The Steph Simon of today is wiser and just as driven as Stephon R'Kel.  If you know you. For so long, Simon has been the glue that's kept the Tulsa hip-hop scene together, at times putting himself on the back burner while others got their shine. That's changed, Steph Simon seems to have a new energy where he's more career focused even if that means less involvement in his peers' careers. I see this as a good thing because if GUnit hadn't have concentrated on getting 50 Cent's career off the ground, there may have never been a Lloyd Banks or The Game, and especially not a Tony Yayo. Steph Simon is back, and the timing couldn't have been more perfect with the release of his new single "Built Different".

The beat starts with these long sustained piano notes that create a depth that is carried throughout the track. The song has such an energy to it, especially the kick drums that creating this building effect that feels like that drive that tells you to go harder. The snare stays on course in a very military synced cadence, it guides the lister through the verse like an NPC player in a videogame. The beat lays the groundwork for Steph to do what he does best. 

At this point Steph has a superpower to make bars that are relatable and at the same time technical in both delivery and lyrical composition. Even the beginning tell just how talented of a rapper he is as they are both relatable and build to the perfect metaphor, "I built a lane like this, it was brick by brick, every day I was perfect attendance." And this is the opening bars. "Got it out the mud, had to water that dirt, Just a seed they couldn't see, now I'm in season." Steph then goes on to rap, "Lended my hands, I can't waste no more limbs. Standing on business, and Ima be still". As you can see, it's hard to pinpoint just one bar in Steph's writing because it's that good, it's technically sound, and unpacking it fully would feel like a Genius lyrical breakdown video. Don't worry, that we may be onto something. Lastly, Steph has stepped into the knowing, and that's how his music has come across. He knows he's the best and sometimes that means throwing the oop to yourself, you can hear it in his delivery that has a confidence to it. This confidence allows him to have fun on the track and experiment with different vocal effects such as in the ending where he uses a telephone vocal effect, this very creative element also reinforces the replayability of the chorus. The song plays like and anthem and has been used in various User Generated Content such as, workout videos, work videos, and overall motivational moments. You'll get it if you're Built Different!

This single might be an indication that Steph Simon is back in album mode. 4th Quarter Release? Who knows? But what I do know is that Built Different is a hit. ​Checkout Steph Simon's new single "Built Different". Leave a comment and let us know what you think!

Make sure you follow Steph Simon on social media:

Instagram: @stephxsimon
YouTube: Steph Simon
Spotify: Steph Simon

Follow Phil Sosa on social media:

Instagram: @philsosa23
Spotify: Phil Sosa
YouTube: Phil So
​

​The Dream Team was formed after the embarrassing performance of the USA men's basketball team struggling against international teams in the 1988 Olympics where they finished with a bronze medal. The 1992 Summer Olympics proved that with Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, and Patrick Ewing as your starting 5, there's no competition and not only did team USA take the gold medal, but they also left no doubt that the USA started this ballin' shit. Much like The Dream Team, Klovis Khepri and his fellow featured artists are looking to put Oklahoma hip-hop in its rightful place with the release of their new single "You Crazy".

The beat starts off with this slow playing violin that reminds me of OTS J Huncho's song "Lion's Den", but also there are parts in the song where the violin plays quickly (or Détaché) creating almost an ad-lib with the verse. The track smoothly transitions into this 4-part bass kick that feels very West Coast inspired, and with Klovis Khepri having roots in Compton, it feels very natural when he sings the chorus. Phil Sosa, MikeDaDon, Sayso Da P. and OTS J. Huncho are the other featured artists on this star-studded track, which only makes me wonder, with all these artists is this a clue to possibly a larger project in the works for Klovis Khepri? What's also surprising is that again with this many featured artists that the track is only 2 minutes and 44 seconds, but I choose quality over quantity anytime. Let's see how the starting 5 did.

Just like The Dream Team, each artist attacks this track differently. Phil Sosa kicks it off and delivers in  8-bars nothing short of magic, his metaphors are crazy, and his delivery is confident. He knows he can hold his own on any track. One of his lines that caught my ear, no pun intended. was when he said, "canary yellow hugging on my lob, bitch I can't hear." slight work for the hip-hop all-star. Immediately after Phil, OTS J. Huncho asserts his presence on the track by wasting no time showing off his rap skills, "I'm like T.I." I don't skate with niggas", His bars are so masterful that have to break them down like sports announcer, bar after bar, I also like that he showed love to a Tulsa legend when he said, "I'm like Josh Jacobs, because I put the G on top." Bar! Josh Jacobs, played for McClain, now plays for Green Bay Packers. slam dunk! What more do you want!

Khlovis Khepri plays the point guard slash floor general on the track, not only does he make sure everyone gets shine, but he also makes sure that everything stays on track. But let's not forget that he's also a scorer, so it's no surprise when he comes in with a verse of his own, "hottie in the East who say Klovis you a 1 of 1", his delivery is so much in a pocket that your drawn in by his melodic rapping.  Next up is MikeDaDon he's been one of those songwriters that knows how to make a hit and his own lane as an artist that can do it all, "I been a P ever since Phat Pharm", it's lines like these that showcase why putting him on the track just makes sense. The last artist on the track is Sayso Da P, who is the wild card. He delivers on the track with swagger as well as a few bars, "Mister swing my dough, like a nigga playing Top Golf". If you don't think this is a hit. YOU CRAZY!

It's crazy to think you can see this many stars on the same track, it had to be what fans felt when they saw Jordan and Magic on the same team. Take a listen and let us know what you think!

Make sure you follow all these amazing artists on social media:

Klovis Khepri Instagram: @klovis_khepri
Klovis Khepri Spotify: Klovis Khepri

Phil Sosa Instagram: @philsosa23
Phil Sosa Spotify: Phil Sosa

MikeDaDon Instagram: @itsmikedadon
MikeDaDon Spotify: MikeDaDon

Sayso Da P Instagram: @saysodap
Sayso Da P Spotify: Sayso Da P

OTS J Huncho Instagram: @ots_jhuncho
OTS J Huncho Spotify: OTS J Huncho

Also checkout the video below:​

Follow EBE TD on social media:

Instagram: @ebethedonofficial
YouTube: EBE The Don
Spotify: EBE TD 

​It's a great time to make great music. That's what people may be failing to understand. When times get hard and people begin to lose hope, music has always been a vessel to carry people through those times. Music has the power of giving light in a time of darkness or creating a call-to-action to the restless. History is passed down through music, and great music continues to make history, it continues to make people feel.  Nia Moné is an artist looking to bring that feeling back to music with the release of her new single "Veins". Let's get into just how deep these feelings go. 

Sonically, this track has inviting instrumentation that feels like very much straight out of a high school prom where the anti-cool students form a band and the lead singer gets the popular girl. The lead guitar immediately asserts its authority on the track while the drums play as right hand man and enforcer of structure. Keeping true to that rock band spirit there are times when the vocalist Moné breaks from singing allowing the instruments to take centerstage as the drum becomes the lifeline of the track. I can literally see the crowd dance as the lead singer runs to kiss the girl and make her cry.  

Moné paints love as this addictive drug that courses through her veins, her lyrics stating headaches and withdrawals as side effects of this drug, as well as being unable to break this addiction even through the use of other drugs. Her vocal tone has this euphoric feeling that she expresses through numerous runs and repeating lines. As the drug takes it course you hear Moné in waves of emotionally driven highs and lows, in one line stands out is when she says, "you just got here and you're already leaving", this expression withdrawal is amplified as she sings the chorus, which then sends to lead into Moné going on a drug induced trip as the drums mimic a pounding heart that is feeling the effects of the drug. So powerful is this drug that Moné again wakes to sing a powerful wave of chorus driven emotion, which ends in fragmented cooing. By the time we get to the second drum break the drums feel like rhythmic chest compressions fighting to keep Mone alive. Love is a powerful drug!

You can't deny great music. That's what Nia Moné's new song "Veins" is. Give it a listen and let us know if you get the same feelings!

You Follow Nia Moné' on social media:

Instagram: @niaxmone
Spotify: Nia Moné'
YouTube: Nia Moné​

There are a lotta steps on your way to greatness. For some that means the path is straight forward, while for others that might mean a few twists and turns. No matter how fast you get there, the journey will be just as enjoyable as the destination. Theologic proves this on his recently released track called "Stepping Stone", an audible journey on his way to greatness. Let's take a listen.

The beat starts off with this slow playing guitar that literally leads the listener like a steppingstone to the next bar. But by the 2nd bar it's full hip-hop, the beatboxing, then the record scratching, and of course you've gotta have a kick drum and snare, these are all the elements of a hip-hop track. Who would've thunk that Theologic was also the mastermind behind this crazy beat that is emphatically inspired by the early boom-bap hip-hop production. Theologic is a student, and this is just one of the many lessons he shares with his listeners.

Theologic keeps true to the very hip-hop style by being very technical in his delivery and chopping words very much like hip-hop's early pioneers while also being very crafty with his wordplay by stringing together tongue-twisting bars. Ironically Eminem also has a song called "Stepping Stone" off his Kamikaze album by which Theologic pays homage to the legend by including a line from his hit single Lose Yourself. One thing that could've been executed a little better was the ending chorus/bridge. I realize with this song he's showcasing his lyrical skill, but a chorus can also be the difference between someone being good at rapping and someone who makes great songs. When he starts serenading the listener it gives the track more of a folk-lore type of feel. This is where sometimes doing everything isn't the answer, I would've liked to see him outsource this to possibly a female vocalist to counterbalance his hard-hitting bars and delivery. 

The song is good. There's a lot of elements of hip-hop and technical rap skill in this track. It has a very creative execution that keeps you engaged, and I can truly say that it's very unique. Go listen to Theologic's new track "Stepping Stone" for yourself and let us know what you think!

Follow the Theologic on social media:

Instagram: @akatheologic
Spotify: Robert Roland tha Theologian / Theologic
​YouTube: ​Robert Roland tha Theologian / Theologic

In all my years listening to rap music I have never heard anyone flip the song "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", the hit single from Cyndi Lauper. It seems like the furthest sound from any hip-hop producer's record collection, and they would never even consider sampling it, but that's just what happened with Jay The Icon's new single "123" featuring 130 DollaSign. And I have to say, that I'm not mad at it. The sample itself exudes a fun bright upbeat feeling, which is further amplified by the synth chords and supporting clap. I would've liked to see the beat a little more stripped down, there are times when listening to the production where it becomes too busy, one example of this is when the chorus where the words get lost in the instruments added to the production. Not terrible, but room for improvement.

Jay The Icon starts off the track with the chorus using the age old adage, "1 for the money, 2 for the show", but after that Icon puts his own twist on the saying using 5,6 to talk about his height while also continuing the sequence of counting. Icon has a great pen and is able to go from bar to bar with ease, I think in that though, I would like to see him leave room for the track to breathe, so that not only the listeners aren't overstimulated but also help put more emphasis on the bars. Jay-Z learned this lesson early in his career when his flow switched to from a fast-passed technical to a now more strategic and substance driven. As an artist there can be a tricky balance between showing skill and entertaining, Icon can do both, and he still does entertain in the verse with some really clever lines. One line in particular I liked was, "thinking you're that nigga, you're an extra off GTA".  That's a hard dose of reality. I had to laugh at that one.

The other featured artist on the track is 130 DollaSign. His flow immediately reminds me of a Lil B where his words aren't exactly on beat, but surprisingly it actually sounds good, and because of that he really shines on this track and is able to deliver on not only flow but also his bars. An example of this is in the line, "I've been making plays like I'm Popovich", not too many rappers can put Popovich in a rap. As he continues to rap he switches gears to a faster flow and begins to speed thru the rest of his verse fitting in multiple metaphors in a short amount of time. I worry they may get lost on a listener who isn't actively listening, but maybe that's what the second listen is. 130 DollaSign is definitely now on my radar.

All-in-all, this is a fun song that has some really good raps in it. Give this a listen and let us know what you think about Jay The Icon featuring 130 DollaSign in their new single "123".

Follow both artist on social media:

Jay The Icon Instagram: @officialjaytheicon
Jay The Icon Spotify: Jay The Icon

130 DollaSign Instagram: iam130DollaSign
130 DollaSign Spotify: 130 DollaSign

When everything isn't what it seems. That's what I truly like about music. The metaphors, the double entendres, the stories behind the bars. That's what makes hip-hop music so great. Meaux Pesci is an artist that has used some of these tactics, to first create an amazing song, and second to drop bars in a way that hip-hop word technicians truly appreciate. As an artist he has created a sound that has set him apart and nullifies any "Every artist from Oklahoma sounds the same" propaganda. Hailing from Lawton, artist Pesci is back with his new single MIRAGE Or LIE. Let's get into it!

The beat's foundation was created from the soulful sample of Tony! Tony Tone!'s smash single "Whatever You Want". this gives it that 90s feel good vibe, that is further built upon when the chorus comes in, even Pesci can't help but to sing. The thing that brings this beat into the future is the laser percussion synth that creates this layer of complexity, it sounds like a triple-beam pointed HALO weapon, it's distinct sound counteracts the samples slow pace. One thing that really caught my ear about the production is how the kick drum blends in with the piano in this 4-beat tango that is first present and then fades as the beat continues. Enough with the production. let's get into some bars!

Meaux Pesci is an artist that's batting 1000% at this point. He doesn't miss, and this track is no different. His player-like delivery from the very beginning read like luxury raps with his mention of secondhand Za smoke and the luxury cologne Baccarat that costs $500 a bottle. The Za, plus the cologne, luxury shit. He also fits in a clever couplet with his use of the word "dodge", with first bar speaking to a person getting out of town or dodge, and then the second line stating that his car being in a 2SS Camaro which is the luxury-tier version of the car, which the V6 Dodge that some rappers lie like it's a lot, can't compare to. A common thing throughout his verse is the way he repeats certain bars at times reiterating and as well as slightly adjusting the wording giving the bar a different meaning, similar to a mirage, you think you've heard it before.  This track is short but has lots of depth, hopefully it's the beginning to more music and a full-length project. 

Like I said. Meaux Pesci doesn't miss. Give his new single "MIRAGE Or LIE" a listen and let us know what you think.

Follow Meaux Pesci social media:

Instagram: @meaux_pesci
YouTube: Meaux Pesci
Spotify: Meaux Pesci

D'Angelo his art was so impactful that with only 3 studio albums he was able to define a sound that would be the soundtrack for so many. It's something about hearing his tracks that unlocks your soul. DeCook is an artist from Desoto, Texas who is looking to recreate this soulful feeling with a little bit of Texas with his new single Dangelo.

The production starts off with the familiar chords from D'Angelo's "My Lady" combined with the track's backing vocals of D'Angelo singing "My Lady" but sounds more pitched up than the original tracks. This familiarity grounds the track for listers, but also producer XtraFlyMusic added his own twist to the track that created new territory for listeners to explore. The beat seems to compete at times with the high-pitched up-tempo vocals which are then anchored by the original tracks familiar chords. Also, the use of the kick drum and snare give it a very hip-hop texture. This lays the runway for De Cook's words to take off.

De Cook masterfully cooks on this by not wasting anytime on a beat that's already preheated in familiarity. "I don't see nothing coming in between us but this interface", this is just one example of his vivid bars that paints the picture of the relationship and activities that De Cook raps about. He has a presence on the track that gives credibility to the bars, he's speaking from experience and not artistic liberties that are sometimes put in raps. "I crossed the gunline just to get them panties", not only is it connecting the previous bar of "I the papi", but it also tells that he's going to great lengths such as going into rival neighborhoods for a woman he is entertaining. Lastly is the chorus, it has this one distinctive part that sticks out when he says, "She think that we in Miami, we in Dallas", this bar alludes to the fact that De Cook is able to show his lady the finer things that Dallas has to offer. 

The track is rooted in nostalgia with a Texas feel. Make sure you give "Deanglo" by De Cook a listen.

​Follow De Cook on social media:

Instagram: @desoto_cook
Spotify: De Cook
YouTube: Desoto Cook