Entertainment

Inspirational New Artist, Ali Angel, Tells All about her Newest Single “I’m a Ram”

Published

3 years ago

February 9, 2022

Opening with a bluesy, driving riff and kicking into high gear with searing, sultry vocals, Ali Angel’s newest single, “I’m a Ram” may be the perfect song for a cross country drive with all of the windows down and the volume up.

Released on February 4, 2022, the Al Green cover is one Angel and her band has enjoyed playing live for years. They decided it would be fun to record but didn’t have any initial grand plans for the single beyond that.

“We recorded it, but then we let it be for a while,” says Angel, “but I was listening to it months later and thought it was really good. It fit with the retro-soul sound on the EP.”

As Angel told News Channel Nebraska, “‘I’m a Ram’ has such a cool driving rhythm and such power to it. It’s given me a lot of freedom to be fierce vocally, which I love.”

That fierceness is on full display in a song that talks about pushing forward and getting close to that special someone no matter what.

The Ali Angel EP, which drops June 17, 2022, has a sound that is colored by Angel’s life experiences and her favorite musical influences.

“Sonically, I’m inspired by 70s music and 60’s music. There are so many different genres on this EP.” she says.

Connecting her writing and voice to the sonic tones of the past is front and center on the EP, even through a cover tune like “I’m a Ram”. Angel’s distinctive soul-tinged voice soars through the cover tune. Additional tracks like “Extra Wild” are more Motown influenced, while “Middle Name” harkens back to a pre-punk Talking Heads vibe. Hopping forward several decades in rock-and-roll history, Angel brings an alt-rock Green Day sound to “Beck and Call.”

“I wanted to incorporate all of my styles into one EP. I wanted it to all fit,” says Angel, “I wanted to tell stories where you could hear the influences.”

Angel grew up in LA, and the Malibu feel colors her songwriting. She’s delved into a myriad of ideas in her lyrics for this release. “Middle Name” dives into the idea of obsessing over a person you’ve only been seeing for a short time. You can’t stop thinking about them, but you know very little about them (including their middle name). The ideas of falling in love for the first time, the vulnerability of heartbreak, and the sweetness of experience are also explored. Everyday experiences also get the musical treatment, including a song about a toxic friendship. The west coast sensibility and sentiment weave their way through every track.

“A lot of the EP is very daydreamy, the imagining of hideaways, getaways, playing pretend, perpetual golden hour,” says Angel.

After the release of “I’m a Ram” on February 4th, two more singles (“Middle Name” and “Loving You Lately”) and a music video for “Middle Name” will be coming pre-EP release. The “Middle Name” video has a film noir/old detective movie feel. Upon the full EP release in June, Angel hopes to hit the road with her set of soulful songs, bringing shows outside of LA to San Diego, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, and further up the California coast.

If the overall vibe of “I’m a Ram” is any indication, the self-titled Ali Angel EP may be perfectly poised to be the ultimate summer release for romance, daydreaming, and getaways.

Ali Angel can be found online at www.aliangelmusic.com and on Instagram at @aliangelmusic.

Entertainment

MiG Arogan: The Haitian Powerhouse Behind the Spiritual Anthem “Moon Under Me”

Published

3 days ago

July 12, 2025

Jonathan Grilli

MiG Arogan has firmly established himself as a commanding force in the music industry, bringing the weight and depth of Haitian culture and spirituality into the spotlight with his powerful track “Moon Under Me.” This song is not simply a musical creation; it is a bold spiritual declaration and a vivid expression of ancestral strength rooted in Haitian Vodou tradition.

Hailing from Haiti, MiG Arogan combines contemporary rap energy with rich cultural symbolism, carving a unique space where music meets ritual. “Moon Under Me” stands as a testament to this fusion, drawing deeply from the Vodou pantheon of Lwa (spirits) to convey protection, power, and fearlessness.

The song’s hook centers around the presence of Mama performing the sacred work “with the moon under me,” a metaphor for hidden spiritual forces guiding and empowering the artist. Papa Legba, the revered gatekeeper of the spiritual crossroads, “opens doors I don’t see,” symbolizing MiG’s access to realms and protections invisible to others. This connection to Legba asserts a profound control over paths both physical and metaphysical.

Further spiritual guardians emerge in the lyrics: Kalfou, the fierce spirit of crossroads and chaos, “waiting at the edge with heat,” ready to defend or attack; Baron Samedi and Baron Kriminel, powerful death spirits who “laugh when your blood hit street,” representing MiG’s untouchable status backed by forces of life and death. These spirits signal that crossing MiG Arogan or disrespecting his heritage comes with grave consequences.

The song also invokes Erzuli, embodying love, beauty, and pride, along with Simbi, the wise serpent spirit guiding MiG’s style and movement. Ogou, the warrior spirit, tests and arms him, while Damballa offers calm wisdom and balance. The mention of Granne Brigitte, the fierce protector, and the other spirits completes a powerful spiritual armor surrounding the artist.

“Moon Under Me” goes beyond conventional music; MiG Arogan describes himself as “no rapper, I’m a ritual in boots,” emphasizing the song’s ceremonial and mystical weight. The imagery of candles, chants, incense, and spirits evokes authentic Vodou ceremonies that infuse the track with genuine ancestral energy.

By weaving these sacred names and symbols into his lyrics, MiG Arogan not only asserts his own power but elevates Haitian Vodou from misunderstood superstition to a living, respected tradition. His message is clear: “Play with Haitians — that’s the wrong belief.” It’s a warning and a proclamation — the strength of his roots and spiritual backing make him untouchable, commanding respect from all who hear his voice.

With “Moon Under Me,” MiG Arogan asserts a profound cultural and spiritual identity. His music becomes a vessel for ancestral power, a declaration that the Haitian spirit is fierce, unbreakable, and very much alive in him. This song stands as an anthem for strength, heritage, and the unstoppable force that MiG Arogan represents in today’s music and culture landscape.