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From the Block to the Billboard: Kir’s Transformational Story

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Today we are talking about standout stories, there’s no story more inspirational than that of Philly artist; Kir. You may recognize his motto and brand #LONGLIVEBRAND & #DABRAND. From humble beginnings on the block to lighting up the Billboard charts, Kir’s transformational journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

Rapper & label owner, Kir has performed at shows with Lil Uzi, Meek Mill, Torey Lanez as well as festivals that included Rod Wave, Money bagg Yo and more! Born and raised in a neighborhood where dreams often get overshadowed by the harsh realities of life, Kir always had a spark of talent that set him apart. His early days were spent freestyling on street corners, where his raw and authentic lyrics began to capture the attention of his peers. As stated in one of his most recent uploads Big Facts Ft Yaya Flawless (Philly rapper and tv personality), “I’m out here giving them facts.” What started as a way to express himself and cope with his surroundings quickly became a passionate pursuit of a career in music. Kir’s relentless drive and unwavering belief in his craft pushed him to keep creating, even when the odds seemed stacked against him in ways he never wanted to imagine.

His breakthrough came when he decided to take a leap of faith and share his music on social media platforms. Many people caught on when he dropped “In Due Time” now standing with over a million organic streams and even more YouTube views. With each upload, his following grew, and his unique sound resonated with listeners far beyond his block. Kir’s authenticity and relatability struck extreme interest with fans, earning him a dedicated fanbase that believed in his potential. It wasn’t long before his tracks started gaining traction, and the industry began to take notice. Record labels reached out, collaborations were proposed, and Kir realized that his dream was turning into reality.

Today, Kir is not just another Philly artist but a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. His songs, which reflect his journey and the struggles he has overcome, have made their way to the Billboard charts, a testament to his talent and perseverance. But more than the fame and the accolades, Kir remains grounded, using his platform to inspire others to chase their dreams, no matter where they start. His story from the block to the Billboard is a powerful reminder that with hard work, dedication, and a little bit of faith, anything is possible.

Make sure you keep an eye and ear on this artist as he’s moving fast and creating music that we need to hear more of. Whether you see him driving foreign cars or performing his dad duties just know that his music and story is always in the mix and growing. As Kir says “You can’t stop what’s already written for you.” Check out Kir on social media and all streaming platforms — especially YouTube.

Day 1’s may remember: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY8Fd3d4v-E&list=OLAK5uy_nv5dLMYmLI6d3u092BIp7DoOH_8A6Ce6k 

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Yahne' Jackson, writer, publicist, and owner of PubliSIS Grind PR & Marketing Firm, brings over 11 years of experience in public relations to the table. She has honed her skills in crafting captivating communications for a diverse range of industries, including airline unions, finance, influencers, creatives, and small businesses. When she's not busy shaping brands, you can find her gliding on skates, exploring the world, or cherishing precious moments with her family.

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We Speak Music

Acclaimed US singer-songwriter Juliet Lloyd to tour the UK for the first time this summer.

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Shortly after releasing her sophomore album in 2007, US-based singer-songwriter Juliet Lloyd walked away from music completely for more than 10 years, feeling burned out and unhappy with her career progression like so many other independent artists. After going through a divorce in 2019 and in the midst of a global pandemic, she found herself pulled back toward the siren call of songwriting and again making the leap to pursue it full time. Her latest album ‘Carnival’, released in 2024, is in many ways the culmination of those decisions, and the reintroduction of an artist who now has the wisdom of experience.

There’s an unmistakable urgency you can feel when a song is written and performed from a place of complete honesty. That feeling permeates ‘Carnival’. “I’ve always been envious of writers who say they write songs because they have to, because they had these things they just had to get out of themselves,” Juliet says. “I had never really felt that way until this album. I’ve become someone who writes because they have to.”

Stylistically, ‘Carnival’ draws on a range of influences from Laurel Canyon-era singer/songwriters, to Lilith Fair rockers, to confessional country/folk balladeers, to indie pop. The central theme of the record and that of its title track is not being too precious about any one experience or decision. Take them for what they are, live in the moment, and move on when they’re done. It acknowledges also that memory can be subjective, and ambiguous—was an experience ultimately a good thing or a bad thing? And whose memory can you rely on to determine the answer to that question?

‘Carnival’ doesn’t just deal with the complexities of ending relationships, it also deals with all the feelings that come with moving on. The album’snine songs feature evocative storytelling that reveals a simple truth: when the carnival inevitably leaves town, you’re left with an empty parking lot. And how you remember, it is a choice. As Juliet sings in the title track, “If only there was a way you could bottle up that feeling / and you’d drink it in / when the days are short and you long.”

Across her 20+ year career, Juliet has been admittedly stylistically non-monogamous. Her first full-length album, ‘All Dressed Up’, was released in 2005 and was heavily jazz-influenced- a label that she rejected at the time. “I am a piano player and a woman, so I was immediately compared to Norah Jones—and I bristled at that,” Juliet says. “Listening back now, I can totally see that it was true, and it of course wasn’t a bad thing.” Her follow-up release ‘Leave the Light On,’ came out two years later and featured a slick piano-pop production that led to five of its songs being placed on reality TV shows on MTV and VH1. Coming back after her 10-year break from writing and recording, Juliet released ‘High Road’, a collection of five Americana/soul-tinged songs produced by Jim Ebert (Meredith Brooks, Shai) that earned her widespread recognition and songwriting awards both in her home region of DC as well as nationally.

Now with her first ever UK tour scheduled for July 2025, Juliet has also dropped a completely brand-new single ‘Wild Again’, which like ‘Carnival’, was written with and produced by Todd Wright (Lucy Woodward, Butch Walker, Toby Lightman). ‘Wild Again’, however, charts yet another new step in Juliet’s journey.

Carnival’, is full of deeply personal songs that are drawn from my real-life experiences and relationships. Coming out of that album cycle, I was feeling a little exhausted by my own navel-gazing and I was craving inspiration elsewhere. So, a lot of the songs I’m writing now are an evolution of sorts – focused more on external stimuli and finding the personal stories and humanity in that. Wild Again is a perfect example of this,” she explains.

The idea for ‘Wild Again’ was born out of a NY Times podcast Juliet listened to about the real-life efforts to return the whale that played Willy in the iconic movie ‘Free Willy’ back into the wild.

“It’s an insane, heartbreaking story that asks all kinds of thorny questions about human responsibility and humility and what’s the “right” thing to do and is that the same as the “kind” thing to do. There was a line that one of the trainers said in the podcast, explaining that they were trying to “train him to be wild again.” The complete absurdity of that statement hit me in the moment, and I immediately started jotting down lyrical ideas”, Juliet says.

Catch Juliet Lloyd on her UK tour this July:

1st July: The Folklore Rooms / Brighton
2nd July: The Hyde Tavern / Winchester
3rd July: Hen and Chicken / Bristol (CRH Music promotions)
4th July: Artisan Tap Hartshill / Stoke-on-Trent

5th July: Waggon & Horses, Nottingham

6th July: Cafe#9 / Sheffield
7th July: Hyde Park Book Club / Leeds
10th July: FortyFive Vinyl Café / York
11th July: The Muddy Puddle / London
13th July: The Wrotham Arms / Broadstairs

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