We Speak Music
D’Lourdes Steps Out Loud with Genre-Smashing Debut Album ‘You Get It or You Don’t
If genre is a suggestion and identity is a spectrum, D’Lourdes is painting in every color. Their debut album You Get It or You Don’t arrives as a sonic collision course—part rock opera, part confessional mixtape, and entirely its own universe. At a moment when many pop debuts play it safe, D’Lourdes explodes out of the gate with a body of work that’s brash, aching, and defiantly queer.
The Filipino-American artist, who gained early fame via TikTok and their 2022 breakout EP, has created an album that actively resists being boxed in. From the emotionally charged rock ballad “One of the Boys” to the seductive push-pull of “Get Hurt,” the project channels the angst of Paramore, the soul of R&B, and the lyrical precision of a seasoned storyteller. And yet, none of it feels derivative—because it’s filtered through D’Lourdes’ singular voice.
Trained in classical theater and seasoned on Broadway stages, D’Lourdes brings a rare gravitas to their performances. Each track pulses with the kind of drama you’d expect from an actor, but the emotion is never feigned. Instead, it feels like each note is wrestled from personal truth. “This album is about freeing myself from the fear of being misunderstood,” they explain—and that vulnerability is what gives the music its edge.
Live shows are set to follow, with two major NYC appearances already announced: Arlene’s Grocery on July 20 and The Sultan Room on September 25. The small venue choice speaks volumes—this is music meant to be felt up close, face-to-face. Fans who’ve followed D’Lourdes’ rise on Spotify and TikTok are sure to find these performances transformative, the kind that leaves you changed on the walk home.
With a debut like You Get It or You Don’t, D’Lourdes isn’t just entering the alt-pop scene—they’re redrawing its boundaries. Bold, fluid, and fully realized, the album is more than a first impression. It’s a declaration of arrival.
The Devil’s Violinist returns!West Coast beat-boss / rhyme capo Dios Negasi finally drops the long-awaited LP, Black Violin 2. Out now via streaming courtesy of Chamber Music Ent / Reagan Era Records this edition tops the grit factor and guest roster of the 2023 first edition.
The project is named after legendary composer Niccolo Paginini (1782-1840) who was nicknamed “The Devil’s Violinist” for his supernatural ability on the instrument and adherence to wearing all black. Negasi also has a similar mastery of dark boom-bap sounds, creating some of the roughest tracks of this century.
Reagan Era Records cohort Skrillz Dior makes multiple appearances on the project and Los Angeles homies also appear including Dyverse, Killa Kali, K-Borne and Chamber Music’s Ominous also guest. However, the guest list on this project also taps a litany of mic legends including Ghostface Killah, Young Zee (Da Outsidaz), Conway The Machine, RJ Payne, Blu and Fredro Starr (Onyx).
Stream Black Violin 2: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/chambermusicentpresents/black-violin-2-2
Speaking on working with legends Negasi said “Ominous was dead set on topping Black Violins 1 plus I think he just likes seeing me under pressure. Of course when you are dealing with artists of this caliber, the end product takes longer to complete but I love this album!”
Additional props must be given to M-s BEATZ THE MAD KID from Colombia who produced “Black Scrolls” ft RJ Payne, Chris Scott who sprinkled keys on “Gods Wallabee Clarks” ft Ghostface Killah and “Only God Can Save You” ft Conway The Machine and finally the UK’s Too Nasty who engineered the album.
(rings in the holidays with a blast! Enlisting Onyx’s Fredro Starr for new single “Bust Back” the Dios produced banger combines two of the grittiest lyricists of the West and East coasts.
Listen to “Bust Back” ft Fredro Starr: https://youtu.be/4j0hFml5ly0?si=aBxxuYruhdjq2403
Listen to “God’s Walabee Clarks” ft Ghostface Killah: https://youtu.be/_9e-6RgHQ40?si=bXQRrDDcd9eu2O0i
Listen to “Black Scrolls” ft. RJ Payne:
Listen to “Domingre Gang” ft Young Zee:
Listen to “Only God Can Save You” ft. Conway The Machine:
More Info: https://www.instagram.com/diosnegasi/