Category Archives: video

WATCH: Nicólas Soul & Foundation Mecca Catch the ‘smoky blues’

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A weekend trip to the Smoky Mountains has resulted in the latest collaboration between UnderDogs.

Nicólas Soul teamed up with fellow hip hop artist and UMC Academy Faculty member Foundation Mecca on “smoky blues,” from the former’s latest full-length project, RISE OF THE LOST. Last weekend, the duo drove to eastern Tennessee to bless us with some visuals to go alongside the contemplative single.

“smoky blues” is dedicated to the memory of Bryce Evans, whose body was found in a remote location within Smoky Mountain National Park after going missing for five days. The verses recall the ways we experience and cope with pain in today’s society — whether through the news, or in our everyday lives. Through it all, the message is clear: every single one of us has scars. The bravest among us face them once they are brought to light.

“smoky blues” was produced by mangiiia, with the chorus performed by vocalists Shelby Conquest and Gianni Cashtro. Watch the video below!

UPDATE: As of press time, Foundation Mecca’s other most recent collaboration with Stefan Heuer on “I’ve Done Wrong” has eclipsed 44,000 streams across platforms, less than two weeks after release. In addition, Foundation’s monthly Spotify listener count has skyrocketed to more than 24,000 since release.

A Week in NOLA: The Official Vlogumentary (Produced by NuRenaissance)

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If you’ve been following our journey around here, you’re probably well aware that we took the UnderDogs on down to New Orleans to participate in this year’s NOLA MusiCon. We had a wonderful time connecting with the creatives in this vibrant community, and we look forward to spending a lot more time together in the months and years ahead.

We were also fortunate to have Nicolas Soul with us. In addition to being an UnderDog and NEXT2RISE artist, Nicolas documented the entire trip through his media company, NuRenaissance. He caught all of the action — from time spent at the conference, to the diverse talent on display during its showcases, to after-hours hangs from the studio to Bourbon St.

It’s an incredibly fun watch — one which illustrates what it means to be an UnderDog by providing a genuine view into the joy of the experience. Sit back and enjoy!

Thanks to NOLA MusiCon for having us, DAWn Audio for being our NOLA-based family, and our sponsors at Guidance Whiskey and Ether Nashville for their support.

Finding a Deeper ‘Innerstanding’ (ft. Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess)

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Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess is a spoken word poet, speaker, author, and mindset coach whose work begins from within. Jazzy’s raw transparency makes her a force to be reckoned with: a creative’s creative whose ability to lean into her truth inspires the community around her.

Jazzy makes her Quinn Spinn debut today to chat about a variety of topics, including creativity in the age of AI, the inspiration found through love, and the importance of doing our own inner work.

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

Follow Jazzy: ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/goddessmindsetjazzy⁠
More about The Quinn Spinn: ⁠⁠https://umcworldwide.com/thequinnspinn⁠

WATCH: Da’ Healerz Circle featuring… Da’ Healerz!

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For the season finale of Da’ Healerz Circle, we decided to do something special: invite Da’ Healerz themselves to share about the depth of their individual healing journeys.

And so, I volunteered to put my interviewer hat on to sit down with each Lord Goldie and Foundation Mecca, as they shared the details of their individual upbringings, the evolution of their healing journeys, and the changing narrative of hip hop.

WATCH: Brother Dusty Makes Us Go ‘whoa’

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Last Wednesday — following our inaugural UnderDogs Across Borders livestream benefit concert — our friend and fellow UnderDog Brother Dusty held a special event in Nashville at The Underdog, in celebration of his birthday *and* the release of the music video for his new single, “whoa.” (Clips of the event have begun surfacing, in case you want to check ’em out.)

We can definitely understand why Dusty threw a party of such magnitude. This one is worth celebrating!

Produced in conjunction with Ensworth Guitars and directed by Anastasia Elliot and Josh Saltzman, “whoa” is a thrill ride that breaks the rules and bends the genres as only Brother Dusty can. The video was filmed on location at popular Nashville music venue The Underdog and the Garden Family Warehouse, and is as dynamic and explosive as the hard-hitting single for which it was created.

Brother Dusty is just getting warmed up. Make sure you keep an eye on his socials for updates, and watch the video below. It’s sure to make you go… “WHOA.”

WATCH: It’s Music Monday for Powder Valley Bang

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You may have noticed a new friendly face around here by the name of Matt Schmoyer. Not only has Matt faithfully jumped in and begun reviewing music for UMC, but he’s doing it while also pouring plenty of love into his own musical project.

That project? Powder Valley Bang, a Lehigh Valley, PA-based rock band that creates Golden Moments of Rebellious Exhilaration. They’re hard-hitting, energetic, and offer a sense of familiarity while delivering something completely fresh to audiences.

We’re super proud of Matt and the guys today, as they appeared on WFMZ’s Music Monday program in Allentown, PA. Here, they play a couple tunes and share their summer plans — which includes a gig at this year’s Musikfest up in Bethlehem, and possibly even a Nashville date on the horizon!

(Also, special thanks to Matt for sharing some of what he learned from participating in BRANDCAMP from UMC Academy this winter!)

Check out the full interview and performance!

Staying Unique in the Music Industry (ft. Mary Jennings)

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Mary Jennings wears many hats as a musician, songwriter, mom, and business owner — and she does it all with her own unique style! Jennings’ success across multiple facets of the music industry comes from building meaningful relationships and understanding that, as individuals, we are all a part of a much larger ecosystem.

Mary joins us on The Quinn Spinn to share what she’s learned along the journey, while giving us a preview of what’s to come.

Follow Mary: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/maryjenningsmusic/⁠

The Quinn Spinn is recorded and produced at Helping Our Music Evolve, Nashville, TN.

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

The Quinn Spinn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3fhgcfrjZt19NLFagfRB5o⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-quinn-spinn/id1455228949
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/quinnspinnofficial⁠

WATCH: Da’ Healerz Are Feeling ‘Abundant’

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It’s a good time to be Da’ Healerz. The Heal Hop project — featuring Nashville hip hop veterans Lord Goldie and Foundation Mecca — is quickly gaining recognition, with more than 11,000 Spotify streams already amassed on the duo’s debut EP, Heal Talk. Add the fact that people in Music City are seeking out their live Heal Talk Experiences (like this one taking place February 13 at NECAT), and it’s easy to see why they’d be feeling a sense of abundance right now.

It’s timely, then, that they’ve just dropped visuals for the standout Heal Talk track, “Abundant.”

Described by Da’ Healerz as “an affirmation anthem celebrating abundance, growth, and connection to nature,” “Abundant” was shot at Bullbourne Bison Ranch in Cornersville, TN — located about an hour south of Nashville. Directed by Patrick Johnson, the video features breathtaking views on a beautiful summer day in Tennessee, capturing the track’s uplifting essence, while illustrating our connectedness to the ebbs and flows of Planet Earth.

“Abundant” was produced by N8MLVL. Check out the video below!

WATCH: Max McNown Vows to Become a ‘Better Me For You’

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Max McNown Night Diving

The purest form of love inspires us to find the best within ourselves; it causes us to confront and defeat our demons, so that we can show up better than we ever have.

Max McNown wrote about that type of life-changing love to create “Better Me For You (Brown Eyes),” from the forthcoming album Night Diving (out Jan. 24, 2025). The Billboard Country Rookie of the Month continues his scorching hot streak with an introspective pop-country ballad about rising to the occasion for the girl of his dreams.

“It’s more than just her alluring brown eyes that captivate him,” shares Max. “She imbues goodness and, above all, has a ‘heart of gold.’”

The release of “Better Me For You (Brown Eyes)” is accompanied by an official performance video, which you can watch below. If you want to catch McNown live, you won’t have to wait long — his debut headline tour kicks off in January. However, you’ll want to get tickets fast, as dates in New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, and other cities have already sold out.

WATCH: Da’ Healerz Preview ‘Heal Talk’ with ‘Healin’ It’

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On Friday, UMC Spotlight Artist Da’ Healerz kept the hype train rolling toward the release of their debut album, Heal Talk, with the release of the project’s first visuals.

“Healin’ It” — directed and produced by Twisted Focus Entertainment — sees Foundation Mecca and Lord Goldie on a nature walk through Burgess Falls State Park, about an hour east of Nashville. The picturesque setting provided Da’ Healerz an opportunity to connect back to nature, taking in the sights and sounds as they release their burdens and come to a place of inner peace.

“Healin’ It’ is a powerful track that dives deep into self-restoration and making amends, whether you’re the one who caused pain or the one carrying it,” Da’ Healerz said in a joint statement. “This song is a guide through the process of finding peace, as we explore therapy, meditation, healthy eating, facing our fears, and addressing childhood trauma.”

The track itself was produced by N8MLVL, who added soulful vocals in the song’s chorus. “Healin’ It” is a preview of what is to come on Heal Talk, which now has a new release date of December 12 (12.12.24) — which just so happens to be the solar return of Healerz member Foundation Mecca.

“Join us on this journey toward wholeness—one step at a time.”

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