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ArtSoul Spotlight VIDEO PREMIERE: Ft. Leland Philpot

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Hailing from Chicago, Leland Philpot is a new independent hip hop artist who brings the true sound of his city to his music!  While he is new to the Chicago rap scene, he is no where near a novice.  In addition to being a lyricist, he is also a producer as well as an engineer.  With 11 years in to building on his craft, Leland has already opened for Dee-1, Da’Truth, Jonathan McReynolds and more.

Chicago has a history of birthing passionate and talented conscious rappers.  Leland is one we think you should know!  Whether he’s speaking about violence in Chicago, faith and more, he never holds back on his message or waters it down.  He never falls short of informing or inspiring while telling a story through clever word play.  His most recent single, “Where’s Jack” is proof.  On the track Leland begins with a sharp observation, “Their message is diluted…” and proceeds to take you on a journey – a stream of consciousness that makes the listener think.  Common’s lyricism over Madlib-ian soundscaping mixed with an urgent delivery makes “Where’s Jack?” something hip-hopper and rap-lovers alike can appreciate.  Check out the video below to see what we mean, and comment below to let us know your thoughts!

Leland’s single is dedicated to the memory of his aunt who was murdered in Chicago on April 1, 1990.

Official Music Video:

Leland is very intentional and passionate about his lyrics.  After speaking with him, he made it very clear that never wants his lyrics to get lost in the beat.  So in case you missed something, click here for a closer look at his lyrics.  Scroll down for a free download and to hear another one of our acapella favorites from this artist.

Free Download:

(Click the image above to download)

Hear More:  “Levitate” (Acapella/One Take) #Bars

 

Stay connected with this artist on social media:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

 

ArtSoul Radio is a 24/7 online radio station and entertainment site dedicated to keeping you updated with what's new and hot in Christian entertainment news and culture. Created for millennials by millennials. Stay connected for a new and diverse sound in Christian music and much more! (Follow us on social media via the links below.)

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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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