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Hector Dominguez Returns w/ New Name & Free Album Release: Misunderstood

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“Improperly understood or interpreted” …this is the definition of misunderstood.

A secondary definition is “not appreciated”.

Ironically the music of Hector Dominguez, formerly known as Witness, fits both descriptions more than you might know.  Hector’s latest release, an EP fittingly entitled Misunderstood, is his life story put to the sound of hard-hitting drums, multi-syllable and thought-provoking raps.

Growing up as the son of a pastor, in the middle of one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago, liking comic books and Pokemon, it’s no wonder Hector feels misunderstood.  However, all of these things make up who this emcee is and it all makes its way into his music. In a private listening session for Misunderstood, Hector informed the listeners that this is his most authentic music to date.  On his previous releases, God is Good and Leading While Bleeding, he tried too hard to appeal to specific groups.  If a person unfamiliar with Hector’s music were to listen to all three projects, my guess is that they would not believe the artist behind Misunderstood also created the other two.  This latest project is light years ahead of what he previously crafted!

Everything from his flow, to the quality of the production, down to the pitch of his voice, sounds as though it was meticulously and carefully thought out. The title track is one of my personal favorites because it not only displays Hector’s unique ability to control the tone of his voice as he bounces back and forth, but his overall growth.  With lines like “I know Ima kill it, I know that I can sir (cancer) I’m not in remission,” it will take you a few listens before you fully grasp everything he’s giving you.

There is one downside to Misunderstood which is that this will possibly be last the project we receive from Hector Dominguez.  Being an independent artist can take a toll on a person and it’s unfortunate that right when Hector finds his sound he feels the need to walk away.  We are in an era in hip-hop where content and music with a message is scarce…  Hector may not have been properly understood, interpreted or appreciated before this, but I’m sure now people will get the picture.

 

Misunderstood is currently available below as a free download via Soundcloud:

 

 

Posted by Vince Porter | @vopga

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Entertainment

Aklesso Unveils Deeply Personal Album “Still Lonely” Under Rodney Jerkin’s “Alienz Alive” Label

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After a three-city string of private listening events and insightful new interview with Sway In The MorningMiami’s own Aklesso unveils his deeply personal album Still Lonely, released via Rodney Jerkins’ Alienz Alive. A follow-up to his praised 2024 album Lonely, the project solidifies him as one of Hip-Hop’s most honest storytellers.

Produced by Okay.BennyWilliam Soolua, and GLEECEStill Lonely is a vulnerable, atmospheric exploration of fatherhood, faith, abandonment, and generational healing. The album expands the emotional universe introduced through his recent singles, including the Lecrae-collaborated single “Lonely” and the Darrel Jones–directed “Range!” featuring 1K Phew.

Listen to Still Lonely in its entirety below and watch his intimate conversation with Darkchild below:

 

The Florida-born entertainer officially signed with Alienz Alive back in September, marking a new chapter in his career. Rodney Jerkins, founder of Alienz Alive, adds:


“Aklesso’s story, his culture, and his sound all carry a weight that this generation needs to hear. From Miami to Haiti to the global stage, he’s not just making records, he’s making an impact. At Alienz Alive, we’re about building legacy, and Aklesso embodies that. I couldn’t be more excited to walk this journey with him.”

The Haitian lyricist, Aklesso, shares:

“This is the most honest project I’ve ever made. It’s not about perfect answers, it’s about presence. It’s about realizing God was with me even in the moments I felt the most alone.”

Be sure to stream and purchase this latest release – Now Available everywhere where music is sold.

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Music Videos

Aklesso & Jon Keith Release Fresh Visuals for “Freedom” — A Song About Breaking Cycles and Choosing Healing

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Aklesso and Jon Keith — both artists signed to legendary producer Rodney Jerkins’ label Alienz Alive — have released fresh visuals for their collaborative single, “Freedom.” The record blends hard-hitting Hip Hop energy with smooth, melodic vocals, creating a sound that feels emotionally raw while remaining sonically intentional.

While both artists are often categorized as Hip Hop, Freedom exists beyond strict genre lines. The collaboration reflects a layered musical identity — Hip Hop at its core, but shaped by vulnerability, reflection, and a willingness to confront real-life struggles head-on.

At the heart of Freedom is a conversation many artists — and listeners — are quietly having: how do you break generational cycles without becoming consumed by them?

Aklesso’s verses pull listeners into an unfiltered space, addressing trauma, fear, and mental health battles that often go unspoken. Lines wrestling with destiny, survival, and internal conflict give the song its emotional weight, while the repeated declaration — “Promise you, promise God, I will never repeat the trauma” — stands as both a confession and a commitment. It’s not framed as perfection, but as responsibility.

Jon Keith’s chorus offers balance and resolve, reframing freedom as something that requires intention and partnership. “There’s freedom if we try… if we fight” positions healing as an active process — one that involves effort, faith, and community rather than isolation. The repeated refrain, “It’s you and I,” underscores the idea that freedom isn’t achieved alone.

The visuals echo that same tension between struggle and hope. Clean, focused imagery allows the message to lead, reinforcing the song’s core theme: freedom is not just personal — it’s generational. Choosing healing today shapes what gets passed on tomorrow.

In a cultural moment where conversations around mental health, faith, and generational healing are becoming more urgent, “Freedom” lands as more than a collaboration. It’s a statement — one rooted in honesty, faith, and the courage to choose a different path forward.


WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:

WATCH: ArtSoul Radio’s Exclusive Interview with Aklesso & Jon Keith on “Freedom”

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Culture

NEW MUSIC: Jonathan McReynolds & Jamal Roberts Deliver a Soulful Moment with “Still”

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Chicago was the backdrop for a moment you couldn’t script any better: GRAMMY®, Dove, and Stellar Award-winning powerhouse Jonathan McReynolds linking arms with American Idol Season 23 winner Jamal Roberts to deliver a live ballad that hits straight to the soul. Their new single, “Still,” isn’t just another worship record—it’s a reminder that God’s love is the one thing that doesn’t shift when life does.

Recorded live in McReynolds’ hometown, the song is lifted from his forthcoming project Closer—an album already carrying heavy anticipation. What unfolds in “Still” is classic Jonathan: heartfelt storytelling, layered with rich theology, now elevated by Roberts’ fresh, unshaken voice.

👉 Watch the live performance here.

Legacy Meets New Fire 🔥

Jonathan McReynolds has carved out a lane few can touch—an artist who makes Gospel feel as real as your group chat confessions. His catalog has always balanced honesty and worship, bringing Sunday morning depth into everyday playlists.

Enter Jamal Roberts: the new voice America fell in love with on American Idol. His win wasn’t just about vocal ability—it was about heart, authenticity, and the kind of presence that feels rare. Pairing him with McReynolds doesn’t just make sense; it feels prophetic. It’s the kind of intergenerational link-up that keeps Gospel fresh while honoring its roots.

The Vibe

With “Still,” Jonathan McReynolds and Jamal Roberts don’t just give us another Gospel single—they give us a soundtrack for resilience. It’s raw, it’s soulful, and it’s proof that the future of faith-based music is in good hands. Expect this one to be on repeat long after the Stellars.

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