Connect with us

music

The Musical Influences Of: Jay-Z

Published

on

Like the most successful of artists, rapper Jay Z is something of a musical magpie, fusing diverse styles into his work, including pop, soul and contemporary R&B. His lyrical deftness, wide-ranging musical scope and unwavering determination have helped forge Jay Z into a cultural icon. The embodiment of the American Dream, Jay Z rose from the lows of drug-dealing in the Brooklyn Projects to the founding of an empire. His legacy lies as much in his entrepreneurial spirit as in his music, but where did his sound come from?

Jay Z Quotes:

“If you’re havin’ girl problems I feel bad for you son / I got 99 problems but a b***h ain’t one.”*

Jay-Z’s major influences:

Marvin Gaye (1957-1984)  – Jay-Z grew up listening to soul legends such as Gaye. Listen to the shimmering, soul-funk of Jay-Z’s The Blueprint to hear echoes of Gaye’s ambitious sprawling ballad-style.

Donny Hathaway (1945-1979) – On classic Hathaway soul tracks such as “The Ghetto” precursor’s of Jay-Z’s smooth grooves abound.

Notorious B.I.G. (1972-1997) – B.I.G.’s explicit gangsta-rap held a large sway over Jay-Z’s earlier harder-edged street style.

De La Soul (formed 1978) – Jay-Z’s eclectic tastes and wide scope owe much to the ground-breaking hip-hop trio. Listen to the jazzy vibe of Jay-Z’s “Marcy Me” alongside De La Soul’s “Eye Know.”

Puff Daddy (b 1969) – Puff Daddy’s lush, relatively more accessible style guided Jay-Z toward a slicker, radio-friendly and melodic approach.

Nas (b 1973) – “I had the Illmatic on bootleg, the s**t was so ahead, thought we was all dead,” sings Jay-Z on 2009’s “A Star Is Born” – an explicit reference to the classic Nas album.

Diana Ross (b 1944) – According to Jay Z, seeing Ross perform live at central park ranks as one of the greatest moments of his life. Jay Z name-checked Ross in his song “Intro/A Million and One Questions/Rhyme No More.”

 

Jay-Z Photo by Joella Marano Creative Commons 4.0

music

‘You Wrote Hallelujah’ Marks a Reflective New Chapter for Ferdinand Rennie

Published

on

By

Ferdinand Rennie’s ‘You Wrote Hallelujah’ arrives as a tender reflection on the meaning and legacy of great songs. Released in June 2026, the single celebrates the way songwriters transform real human experience into music that can comfort and inspire listeners across generations.

Written by Michael Andrew Storm and Meg McAndrew, and produced by Alan Vukelic alongside Rennie, the track is built around a clear and heartfelt message. It recognises that behind many beloved songs are stories of pain, belief, regret, healing and hope. In doing so, it invites listeners to hear familiar music in a deeper way.

The song is inspired in part by Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ and John Newton’s ‘Amazing Grace’. Cohen’s classic reflected a complicated and searching relationship with faith, while Newton’s hymn emerged from a life changed by remorse and redemption. By referencing these creative journeys, ‘You Wrote Hallelujah’ becomes both a tribute and a reminder that songs often endure because they carry emotional truth.

Rennie’s own background gives the release a strong personal foundation. Across more than three decades, he has performed on European television, taken part in Austria’s Eurovision Song Contest selection, appeared in leading musical theatre roles and built an international audience through recordings and live performances. Now based in Dunoon, Scotland, he continues to release music through Fabscots Music while maintaining his ambition to one day perform on the Eurovision Song Contest stage. ‘You Wrote Hallelujah’ stands as a sincere and thoughtful addition to that ongoing journey.

The post ‘You Wrote Hallelujah’ Marks a Reflective New Chapter for Ferdinand Rennie appeared first on Minutemen52 .

Continue Reading

music

Paul Stone & The Basement Collective Find Strength in Friendship on “Brother”

Published

on

By

Paul Stone & The Basement Collective are proving that meaningful music can be built slowly, honestly and away from the noise of the mainstream industry. Led by Yorkshire-born songwriter Paul Stone, the project brings together six exceptional musicians with a shared commitment to emotional songwriting, live musicianship and authenticity.

Stone’s journey has not followed the usual route. Described by Music Week journalist Mark Sutherland as a “self-starter,” he built a professional recording studio beneath his family home rather than waiting for opportunity to arrive. From that space, he has shaped a body of work rooted in jazz influences, contemporary songwriting and the natural chemistry of musicians performing together.

The latest single, “Brother,” is inspired by the Stage 4 melanoma diagnosis of one of Stone’s closest friends, who has since made a remarkable recovery. Rather than focusing on despair, the song offers compassion and optimism, built around the message: “I can be there if you let me.” It is a song about friendship, presence and making sure nobody faces their hardest moments alone.

Stone’s life outside music has also shaped the honesty of his writing. A father of four, he has spent years running property development businesses and a local butcher’s shop while quietly developing his music. Those real-world experiences inform songs about resilience, relationships, hope and human connection.

With past support from BBC Radio 2, Jazz FM playlisting, a placement on NBC’s The Blacklist and the official Tour de Yorkshire theme to his name, Stone has already built a respected musical foundation. But with Paul Stone & The Basement Collective, the focus remains firmly on creating songs that last, built from genuine feeling rather than passing trends.

The post Paul Stone & The Basement Collective Find Strength in Friendship on “Brother” appeared first on Student NewsWire.

Continue Reading

music

Ferdinand Rennie Releases Emotional New Ballad ‘You Wrote Hallelujah’

Published

on

By

With ‘You Wrote Hallelujah’, Ferdinand Rennie delivers a warm and emotionally rich ballad about the hidden lives behind iconic songs. Released in June 2026, the single reflects on the way music can preserve stories of faith, heartbreak, redemption and resilience long after the moment that inspired it has passed.

Written by Michael Andrew Storm and Meg McAndrew, the song was produced by Alan Vukelic together with Rennie. Its message is rooted in gratitude toward songwriters who turn deeply personal experiences into music that can be shared by millions. Rather than focusing only on melody or performance, ‘You Wrote Hallelujah’ highlights the human truth behind the creative process.

The single takes inspiration from the legacies of Leonard Cohen and John Newton. Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ became one of the most enduring songs of modern times, shaped by his searching reflections on faith and humanity. Newton’s ‘Amazing Grace’ came from a dramatic personal transformation and remains one of the world’s most recognised hymns. Rennie’s song connects these histories as part of a wider tribute to meaningful songwriting.

Rennie’s own career gives the release added depth. Over more than 30 years, he has appeared on Austrian and German television, performed leading roles in celebrated musicals, sung before Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, and reached new listeners after being invited to audition for ITV’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ in 2022. ‘You Wrote Hallelujah’ now adds another chapter to his career, reaffirming his belief in music as a source of connection, comfort and inspiration.

The post Ferdinand Rennie Releases Emotional New Ballad ‘You Wrote Hallelujah’ appeared first on All Day London.

Continue Reading

Join Our Newsletter

Latest News

RSS url is invalid or broken

WE’RE VERY SOCIABLE

Our Radio Show

We’re Really Quite Great

Latest News