Industries Most Wanted

Hailing from Queens, New York, rising R&B artist J. Houston is creating his own lane in the music industry by blending smooth R&B melodies with melodic rap and a distinctive sound he calls “Love Drill.” Drawing inspiration from artists like Ginuwine, Drake, and Future, J. Houston combines modern production with relationship-driven storytelling to deliver music that connects with listeners on a personal level. His projects Welcome 2 Love Drill and Throw It All Summer showcase different sides of his artistry, while his track “Ride My Wave” highlights his evolving musical direction. In this interview, J. Houston discusses his Queens upbringing, the inspiration behind Love Drill, and how his personal experiences influence his songwriting. He also shares why maintaining creative control is important, including writing and directing his own music video treatments. Beyond recording, J. Houston is creating opportunities for other independent artists through his #EverybodyEats showcase, following the success of his own headlining event, which sold more than 180 tickets. He discusses what's next for #EverybodyEats2, the role faith plays in his career and business decisions, and how he plans to elevate his sound with new music arriving this winter.

Born in Sri Lanka and now based in Australia, Dr. Kanchanamala Ranasinghe is a medical doctor, recording artist, composer, senior lecturer, and clinical researcher whose extraordinary journey brings together medicine, music, and multicultural creativity. Raised in a family deeply connected to the performing arts, her parents earned a Guinness World Record for more than 5,000 consecutive theatre performances, inspiring a lifelong appreciation for artistic dedication. With a background in sitar and Northern Indian Hindustani music, she blends traditional influences with contemporary sounds while exploring music's potential to support emotional wellbeing. Her latest single, “Heal This World,” was inspired by a train journey in Japan and created in collaboration with Australian multi-instrumentalist Connor Devine. Having performed more than 50 original songs and produced over 75, Dr. Ranasinghe has earned international recognition, including Best of Asia for Classical Singing at the 2024 InterContinental Music Awards in Los Angeles. In this interview, she discusses balancing medicine with music, the inspiration behind “Heal This World,” and the challenges multicultural independent artists face. She also shares details about her upcoming film, for which she wrote the script, composed the music, and will portray the lead female character. Through her work, Dr. Ranasinghe hopes to inspire healing, unity, and meaningful connections across cultures.

Atlanta-based band Davis and The Love is bringing a refreshing blend of modern pop and classic soul to the music scene, creating records centered around love, relationships, and genuine human connection. Founded by Nate Davis, the band came together five years ago with a vision of combining timeless musical influences with a contemporary sound. Their latest single, “Mine,” introduces listeners to another chapter of their artistry as they prepare to release their upcoming album, Songs We Wrote About You. In this interview, Davis and The Love discuss how Atlanta's diverse music culture has influenced their sound, the personal experiences that inspire their songwriting, and the challenges of maintaining a band in today's music industry. They also revisit an unforgettable career moment—opening for Ludacris at the Playboy Mansion with Hugh Hefner in attendance—and how live performances have helped shape their identity. Beyond creating great music, the band is passionate about spreading love and encouraging meaningful connections through their songs. Davis and The Love share the lessons they've learned throughout their journey, what fans can expect from their upcoming album, and their vision for the next chapter of their career.

Skyve is an independent artist embracing musical evolution, creative freedom, and the challenge of stepping outside his comfort zone. After beginning his journey in rap, Skyve began exploring indie and alternative rock, incorporating singing and guitar into his music while developing a sound that reflects his artistic growth. His latest single, “eternal time,” marks another chapter in that evolution, highlighting his willingness to experiment with different styles and push his creative boundaries. In this interview, Skyve discusses the inspiration behind his artist name, the transition into a new musical direction, and how his collaboration with producer Jordan Lyles helped shape the creative process behind “eternal time.” He also reflects on how his sound has changed since releasing “Recurring Dream” in 2025, the challenges of navigating the industry independently, and the emotions he hopes listeners experience through his music. With an upcoming album in the works, Skyve shares his vision for the project, his ambition to eventually create an entire album on his own, and where he hopes to take his career over the next five years.

Nia Na’an is bringing movement, creativity, and cultural inspiration together with her record “Bobble Bobble Wiggle Bounce.” Blending singing and rapping over a simple, bass-heavy production, the song incorporates elements of Double Dutch culture while drawing creative inspiration from Chicago. In this interview, Nia Na’an breaks down the concept behind the record, why she wanted Double Dutch to be part of its identity, and what separates the song from her previous releases. She also discusses how involved she is in developing the concepts behind her music, her creative relationship with John Martin Hunter, and the role technology—including AI—played during the creation process. With more music on the way, Nia Na’an gives fans a preview of her upcoming singles and the 14-song album she is currently working toward. She also shares what listeners can anticipate as she prepares to close out the final quarter of 2026 and continue expanding her sound and creative vision.

Brooklyn-raised artist Big Gustoo is building his career around authenticity, real-life storytelling, and an independent mindset. His music draws from personal experiences, allowing him to turn the realities of his journey into records listeners can connect with. His single “FTO” featuring BlockWork represents another step in that progression as he continues expanding his catalog and developing the Big Gustoo brand. After relocating to Atlanta, he gained a new environment to grow his career, including performing in the city in 2022 and learning valuable lessons about navigating the industry. In this interview, Big Gustoo discusses the origin of his name, how his family influenced his passion for music, and what MoneyAttached represents to his overall vision. He also opens up about the challenges and advantages of remaining independent, how assembling a professional team has changed the way he approaches his career, and what fans can expect from his upcoming mixtape. With Brooklyn as his foundation and Atlanta becoming part of his next chapter, Big Gustoo is focused on building something that lasts and creating a legacy bigger than the music.

Steubenville, Ohio artist L-HECKTO H-DONUTS has built a journey in hip-hop shaped by his hometown roots, years of performing, and a commitment to representing Ohio. Coming from Steubenville—also known as “Little Chicago”—his career has included being part of Raw Intellect, performing alongside major artists, and gaining valuable experience through opportunities connected to Wu-Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah and the Ohio Hip Hop Awards Tour. In this interview, L-HECKTO reflects on how those early experiences helped shape him as a performer and how his sound has evolved throughout his career. He also discusses the inspiration behind his 2023 project Crookz & Jewelerz and what listeners can expect from Mobsters, Madams & Murder. With Donuts Entertainment, he’s also focused on building something that extends beyond his own music. L-HECKTO shares his vision for the company, the legacy he hopes to leave in hip-hop, and the story behind “740 Anthem,” a record that puts his Ohio roots front and center.

Originally from Wellford, South Carolina and now based in Greenville, Joey Bandz brings 25 years of experience, persistence, and evolution to his journey in music. His current single, “WIDE LOAD,” showcases the energy he continues to bring to his career, while his album Down in the Stixx represents another chapter in his growing catalog. Over the years, Joey has reached significant milestones, including landing a placement on Kevin Hart’s What Now? soundtrack, while continuing to prioritize authenticity and staying true to himself in an ever-changing industry. In this interview, Joey reflects on how his sound has evolved over more than two decades, what continues to motivate him, and what it feels like watching listeners create dances and have fun with his music. Beyond being an artist, he’s building LonerLife Entertainment LLC while expanding his entrepreneurial vision into a car dealership and barber school. Joey also discusses how he plans to connect his music, businesses, and creativity into one larger ecosystem designed for longevity.

Montgomery, Alabama artist CrazyMan Yurk has been making music since the age of 12, growing from NYAJ Yurk into the artist and brand he represents today. With NYAJ standing for “Not Yo Average Joe,” his recent name change marks another stage in his evolution as he introduces listeners to his new single, “CrazyMan.” He’s also preparing fans for “White Teeth Baddie” while continuing to build on the story behind his project Lost Love. In this interview, CrazyMan Yurk reflects on his Montgomery roots, starting music at such a young age, and the experiences that have helped shape his career. He also discusses performing on the Deal or No Deal Tour, receiving feedback from artists including Yella Beezy, DDG, and Fredo Bang, and what being invited to the Atlanta finale meant to him. Looking ahead, he shares what fans can expect from an upcoming collaborative tape featuring NYAJ Wopp, 334 Motion Man, Hundoe Patt, Kbleezyyy, and DGE Jaco, along with the goals he’s setting as CrazyMan Yurk heads into 2027.

HappyOutsideSadInside is an artist whose name reflects the emotional contrast at the heart of his music—what people see on the outside versus what someone may be experiencing internally. Influenced by goth culture while bringing his own perspective to trap music, he uses pain, heartbreak, and vulnerability to create a deeply personal sound and image. Teaching himself to record and produce gave him greater creative control, while his first live performances in 2024 marked an important step in his development as an artist. Now, HappyOutsideSadInside is continuing that evolution with his new song “Emily” and preparing listeners for his upcoming EP, Pink Casket. Songs such as “Emily” and “Fake Love” give fans a look into the emotional world that fuels his creativity. In this interview, he opens up about expressing feelings through music that may be difficult to communicate in everyday conversation, the risks of being vulnerable, and why pain often inspires some of his strongest work. He also discusses what he wants listeners experiencing heartbreak to take from his music and what’s next after Pink Casket.