Entertainment

Kaye Drops “Life” EP, Fusing U.K. and U.S. Rap Influences

Published

6 months ago

December 17, 2024

Jonathan Grilli

Photo Credit: Kaye

Byline: Joshua Sunday

It was a typical London evening, and Kaye, seated in his studio, was contemplating the next step in his musical journey. A new EP had been brewing for months—an exploration of both his roots in U.K. rap and his influences from across the pond in the United States. But as he worked on the final touches, one thought kept echoing: What could I bring that is truly unique?

He was not just thinking about the sound—he was thinking about what his music could represent in the larger cultural conversation. It was not enough to blend the two styles of U.K. and U.S. rap; Kaye wanted to make a statement about identity, authenticity, and the future of rap itself. Thus, the “Life” EP was born—an album that brings together the sounds of two continents and the stories of a generation caught between them.

“With this project, I wanted to showcase what it means to have a global sound while still staying grounded in where I come from,” Kaye says.

A New Wave in U.K. Rap

Kaye’s decision to release a full EP without a preceding single is one of the many ways he defies conventions in the industry. He flipped the script in an era where artists often build anticipation with multiple singles leading up to an album. “Life” is a bold statement, dropping in full force, with no teasers or hype, just music that speaks for itself.

This decision was both a risk and a reflection of Kaye’s artistic philosophy. He sees the rise of streaming platforms as an opportunity to redefine how projects are released and consumed. “People do not need to wait months to hear what you have been working on. If your sound is good, people will find it,” he shares. “I wanted to present my whole vision at once. It is about seeing the whole picture, not just bits and pieces.”

The EP features collaborations with different artists, including grime stalwart Double S, Subten, and Shocka. Double S, known for his hard-hitting, rapid-fire delivery, contrasts with Kaye’s more melodic and introspective style, while Shocka’s gritty lyricism provides an anchor to the project’s more experimental moments.

“Double S has been in the game for years, and Shocka is someone whose authenticity I’ve always respected,” Kaye explains. “I wanted to work with people who bring something different, something real. The goal was always to create something that challenges the listener and pushes us as artists.”

Redefining the Sound of a Generation

For Kaye, the “Life” EP is not simply about music—it is about building a community and a movement. As streaming platforms continue to make access to music easier, the artist’s relationship with fans is shifting. Kaye is keenly aware of this change, utilizing social media for promotion and direct engagement with his audience.

“I think the way music is consumed today gives artists much more power. It is not about waiting for labels or radio stations to dictate what is good. Fans are the tastemakers now,” Kaye says. “I’m all about connecting directly with people. They are the ones who will shape this scene’s future.”

Kaye’s international appeal is another critical facet of his rising influence. While U.K. rap has long been tied to local scenes in London, Manchester, and Birmingham, the sound is now reaching audiences worldwide. “Life” has charted in the U.K., the United States, Australia, and parts of Europe.

Making More Than Just a Sound

Kaye is well aware that this is only the beginning. “The goal is to make music that lasts,” he says with determination. “I want to create something that defines a generation, something that people will still be listening to in years to come.”

He is already at work on his next project, which he hopes will redefine his creative boundaries even further. “The next one will be different,” Kaye promises. “I am not here to follow trends. I am here to create them.”

Entertainment

Going Public: The Groundbreaking Series Transforming How Americans Invest

Published

4 weeks ago

May 16, 2025

Jonathan Grilli

In a media landscape saturated with reality TV and startup showcases, Going Public stands apart, not just as a show but as a movement. Now in its third season, the interactive series invites viewers to do more than just watch entrepreneurs chase success. It gives them the tools and the opportunity to invest in startups in real time, democratizing access to early-stage funding and reshaping how ordinary Americans engage with entrepreneurship and wealth-building.

Launched by Todd M. Goldberg, a former MedTech executive who hit a frustrating wall while preparing his company for a Nasdaq IPO, Going Public was born from a moment of personal disillusionment.

“When I brought a list of interested friends and colleagues to the Chairman of the Board,” Goldberg recalls, “he explained that all the IPO shares were reserved for institutional investors. That was my epiphany. I just knew that was wrong. Regular people should have a chance to invest in IPOs, but it needed to go even further.”

That insight became the foundation for Going Public, a hybrid of entrepreneurial storytelling and financial access that offers retail investors a seat at the table usually reserved for venture capitalists and insiders. The show brings audiences inside the capital-raising journey of startups, often before they go public, and leverages a powerful innovation: its “Click-to-Invest” feature.

“The bottom line with Click-to-Invest is that it’s seamless,” says Goldberg. “Viewers can go from watching the show to literally clicking a button. It feels more like a Shopify or Amazon checkout than a traditional investment process.”

This accessibility is central to the show’s mission: to educate, inspire, and empower everyday people to participate in early-stage investing. Unlike financial news channels that target seasoned traders, Going Public merges entertainment with financial literacy, using real startup stories to highlight the risks, rewards, and realities of entrepreneurship. It’s financial content with emotional stakes, real people, and tangible outcomes.

Season 3 reflects how far the show has come and where it’s going. With more celebrity involvement, including gaming icon Ninja backing the cashew milk startup Nutcase, and a strategic partnership with the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Going Public has widened its reach while deepening its cultural relevance.

“How do you make this mainstream?” Goldberg says. “The concept was The Apprentice meets Shark Tank meets IPO, but with a twist. Viewers aren’t just spectators, they’re stakeholders.”

The show’s selection of featured companies is another defining element. Startups are chosen not just for their growth potential but also for their mission, relatability, and cultural resonance. In Season 3, that includes everything from disruptive wellness brands to tech-enabled platforms, each paired with guidance from top-tier venture capitalists and Silicon Valley mentors.

This season also introduces a livestream finale, a format innovation designed to create a real-time, high-stakes environment where viewers can watch, decide, and invest together. It adds urgency and community to the investing experience, aligning with the show’s values of transparency and participation.

One of the most surprising and meaningful outcomes has been the personal stories from viewers who never imagined themselves as investors. “We’ve heard from teachers, nurses, and even students who said this was their first time investing and they felt confident doing it because the show made it accessible,” Goldberg shares. “It’s not just about money, it’s about empowerment.”

Looking ahead, Goldberg and his team have ambitious plans. They aim to expand the format to new platforms, explore international adaptations, and build out educational tools so viewers not only invest but understand what they’re investing in. The goal isn’t just more participation. It’s smarter participation.

In a world where capital often feels distant, technical, and exclusionary, Going Public brings the financial journey down to earth and into the hands of the people. It’s not just a show. It’s a redefinition of how business stories are told and how wealth can be created and shared.