AstroBlack Revives R&B with Latest Single “What You Came For”

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Hip-hop and R&B duo AstroBlack delivers a new single, “What You Came For,” reminding listeners to get with the vibe or walk away. The single is authentic and uninhibited — listeners can feel the pulse running through it — while introducing the world to AstroBlack’s fresh take on old-fashioned R&B and hip-hop.

AstroBlack is the brainchild of musicians KingJu1c3 and AcWolf. KingJu1c3 is a Bellflower, California, native who has transformed from a combat veteran into a full-time musician. With a deep understanding of pain, struggle, and war, KingJu1c3 explores the contradictions of life through a positive lens as much as possible. His style is influenced by ’90s R&B and early 2000s hip-hop, creating a new layer with his penchant for authentic storytelling.

“I started writing music in high school,” shares KingJu1c3. “Then life got in the way, and I took a hiatus. Now I’m back and figuring it out.”

When he first began, KingJu1c3 looked to Michael Jackson for inspiration. It wasn’t until the 2000s that R&B — particularly Ne-Yo — took over.

“That was the prime era that I want to encapsulate in a bottle.”

AcWolf hails from Inglewood, California, where the artist developed a passion for music through overcoming obstacles, including gang life. AcWolf now guides others toward spirituality and personal growth, inviting listeners to partake in the higher vibrations of life.

“What got me started in music was, at a particular point in my life, I was going through different things, and music was the outlet I could be heard and be completely transparent. It was the vehicle to express everything going on in my mind and heart — music was my pulpit.”

AcWolf found inspiration in many musical talents, including the late Nipsey Hussle, also from Inglewood. After leaving gang life, AcWolf found solace in music. Nipsey taught him to appreciate his viewpoint of struggle.

“It’s a space where others can learn, and you can’t judge a book by its cover,” adds AcWolf. “It’s about recognizing that light and believing in yourself.“

AcWolf also admires Drake’s ability to talk about life authentically, openly.

The artists chose the moniker AstroBlack as a representation of a more spiritual side.

“When we look inward, there’s a black shadow we all have,” shares KingJu1c3. “Inward, there’s a shadow of the things we hide. Astor is the possibility that we can create infinitely. It’s all connected.”

AcWolf adds, “The universe is vast. There are different meanings and factors. Everything is part of the design. Nothing is confidence or happenstance. It’s all part of the process of you becoming complete.”

It wasn’t until KingJu1c3 and AcWolf joined forces as AstroBlack that AcWolf jumped into the music scene. Together, they created “What You Came For” to capture a very real sentiment.

“We out living life, and there’s a higher level inside that’s taking place here,” shares AstroBlacK. “‘What You Came For’ breaks down the wall of social nonsense. It gets the foolishness out of the way. We’re literally high off life, not substances. It’s a euphoric space.”

The single tells listeners, “I know why you are here and what you came for. We’re vibing and you’re coming in with foolishness.”

As authentic as its message, the song came together organically during a recording session. While browsing beats, AcWolf was thinking about KingJu1c3’s versatile style and how they needed a song to bring that out.

“When I came to the studio, I put the beat on and described an event, like when we were two boys. And we tuned into that,” shares AcWolf, recounting an adventure they shared driving through Iowa.

“I was seeing him in that space. The ride, the road, clear and dark. Cornfields. The sky all clear. It was that perspective I wanted to fall on this track.”

 “We’re just trying to get back to the chord, the reality of the art,” AstroBlack explains.

“What You Came For” is meant to capture the feeling of what comes after all the chatter is done.

“This record creates the feeling of being made in a space of organic flow. Life is chaos, but in the midst of it, we’re thriving. We’re here for what we came for. Bring the right energy and be synergetic, or I’ll look at you like, ‘Why you over here?’”

“What You Came For” will be followed by AstroBlack’s EP, Watch Close, coming in August. The duo is also planning to perform in the Coast to Coast rap competition.

“We’re doing this for the people, not for the recognition,” they add. “We already know we’re great. This is to inspire and uplift—and inspire others to be creative and use their talents and gifts as well.”

Make sure to stay connected to AstroBlack on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts.

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Nafaika reinvigorates an iconic song in debut release of ‘Left With A Broken Heart’

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A lifetime lover of music and passionate performer, Nafaika was destined to become a recording artist. Through her own hard work and the support of an already musically inclined family, she has taken the first steps in what is sure to be a long and prosperous creative career.

Nafaika has been singing for almost her entire life, developing her skills as well as her love for the craft. Now at 20 years old, she is taking the steps to become a thriving and well known artist. Supported by her father who has guided her through the developmental processes of her career, her mother who has helped with the technical and managerial points, and a collection of family and friends, she has been able to grow into the musician she is today.

A debut to her creative career, Nafaika has recently released a gorgeous cover of the classic Four Tops track “Left With A Broken Heart”. The R&B cover took upwards of four years to complete, an on and off project that now symbolizes perseverance in her eyes.

Though she wasn’t always in love with the track, Nafaika grew to appreciate the work that it took and the beauty her performance was able to pull out of the music.

“I came to really like the song. It symbolizes perseverance and getting it done,” she explained. “It took a lot from me emotionally because my dad wanted it sung a certain way. He was absolutely correct, but it took a lot of work to learn to connect and emote with the song.”

Now Nafaika is able to listen to the song and feel a sense of accomplishment. She hopes that the song gives her audience the chance to connect their own experiences. “I want people to hear the lyrics and melody in contrast to what I feel, having actually sung the song,” she said. “It’s about catching your partner in the act of cheating, processing your emotions through the anger as well as processing a broken heart.”

Though “Left With A Broken Heart” comes with a heavy hearted story, the song pairs masterfully with a light and uplifting melody. The project, produced by her Uncle, is an easy to listen to song that will leave any listener craving more.

Following the release of “Left With A Broken Heart”, Nafaika is looking forward to continuing her journey as a recording musician. She has alluded to a variety of upcoming singles and the potential for some amazing collaborations, including one with Jamaican artist Dangio.

Nafaika is looking forward to sharing the other sides of her personality through her writing and performance. “These songs won’t sound exactly like ‘Left With A Broken Heart’,” she said. “I’m excited to show the versatility my music has to offer.”

Keep an eye out for her next release as Nafaika prepares to share her next single this coming fall.

Be sure to stay tuned in to Nafaika on various platforms for new music, visuals and social posts.

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