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A Performance Rooted in Authenticity

I had the opportunity to see and hear Teledalase in action during Delaware Music Network’s Open Mic Jam Session, and the experience confirmed everything her branding suggests. She took the stage accompanied only by a small drum and her 4-year-old daughter, effortlessly merging her personal and artistic worlds in a way that felt natural and deeply intentional.

Keeping time with her drum, she treated attendees to a taste of her music and her culture—not as separate things, but as one cohesive expression. There was something both intimate and commanding about the performance. It wasn’t just a showcase of vocal skill; it was a raw, unfiltered moment that pulled the audience into her world.

In an industry where so much feels manufactured, Teledalase’s authenticity stands out. She doesn’t just sing—she invites you to experience something real.

Branding That Speaks Before the Music Plays

If you’ve ever encountered Teledalase’s work, you already know what she sounds like before you press play. Her branding is that tight.

From the warm, earthy color palette of her visuals to the curated elegance of her album covers and social media presence, Teledalase’s aesthetic choices aren’t just about looking good—they set a mood. Shades of tan, brown, and gold dominate her imagery, subtly communicating warmth, nostalgia, and intimacy. It’s a visual signature that promises listeners a rich, soulful experience, much like the golden age of Neo Soul artists who came before her.

But she doesn’t stop at color schemes. Her typography, promotional materials, and even the way she carries herself on camera all reinforce her brand’s central themes: depth, emotion, and storytelling. She understands that branding isn’t just about logos and album covers—it’s about consistency in how she presents herself to the world.

Beyond the Music: A Multi-Layered Artist

Teledalase’s artistry extends beyond her own music. In 2024, she composed and performed original songs for the Netflix series Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre, a project that showcased her ability to craft music that enhances a visual narrative. This wasn’t just a feature—it was proof that her sonic identity is strong enough to carry weight beyond traditional albums.

This move isn’t just a flex—it’s smart branding. Artists who position themselves beyond just “singers” and into the realm of composers, storytellers, and sonic architects stand out in an oversaturated industry. The Netflix collaboration subtly reinforced Teledalase’s identity as an artist whose work is cinematic, evocative, and deeply intentional.

A Brand That Evolves with Life

One of the most fascinating aspects of Teledalase’s approach is how fluid yet unmistakable her branding remains. Many artists struggle with the idea of branding because they feel boxed into a fixed image. But Teledalase has cracked the code—she lets her branding evolve as she does, while maintaining the core elements that make her instantly recognizable.

She’s spoken about how life’s experiences shape her work, making it difficult to “lock in” a fixed brand. But rather than resisting change, she leans into it. Her music and visuals reflect the shifts in her perspective, yet they always feel like her. This is where many artists struggle—either their branding is too rigid and fails to evolve, or it’s too inconsistent and lacks identity. Teledalase strikes the perfect balance.

The Bottom Line

Teledalase isn’t just another emerging artist—she’s a case study in how to build a brand that feels authentic, fluid, and intentional. She understands that branding isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating a world around her music. From her visuals to her storytelling to her expansion into film and television, everything she does reinforces the same message: this is an artist who knows exactly who she is and what she wants to say.

If you’re an artist looking for a lesson in cohesive branding, take notes from Teledalase. And if you’re just here for the music, trust me—you won’t be disappointed.

Listen to Teledalase’s latest single “Aabidi” HERE & follow her on the web:

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Then came FLAVOR later that year, a slick and spicy standout that played it close to the chest. The lyrics left just enough to the imagination, but not too much. It was confident, sensual, and unapologetically femme. It cemented Talii’s ability to straddle mystery and directness. If More Than Friends was the whisper, FLAVOR was the tease.

By the time Where Did We Go Wrong landed in 2023, Talii had fully fleshed out a three-act narrative built on desire, drama, and heartbreak. That single hit different. Melancholic, restrained, but resonant. It sat right on the edge of ballad without falling all the way in, offering the emotional depth of heartbreak without melodrama. It was clear by then that Talii wasn’t just building a catalog. She was building a saga.

Listen to Talii’s past releases in order—she’s telling a story.

Then came the silence. A pause in her release schedule that only made fans lean in closer. That gap between 2023 and now wasn’t just absence. It was anticipation. And in 2025, she’s making the return feel earned.

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Talii – Do Whatever (Out Now on Streaming)

This Is What Growth Sounds Like

“Do Whatever” isn’t just her new single. It’s Talii’s full-circle moment. A soft girl anthem for the listeners who live in their feels but move with maturity. Sonically, it sits comfortably in that Alt-R&B lane Talii’s carved out for herself. But this time there’s a deeper sense of trust and control. She’s not just singing about love. She’s writing from a place of safety, confidence, and reciprocity.

That nuance shows up in the songwriting. Lines like “I could blame it on the moon, but I think it’s you” aren’t just cute. They’re honest. This is grown intimacy. Talii isn’t performing infatuation. She’s describing the space that opens up when someone makes you feel safe enough to go all in.

And she’s not just delivering emotionally. She’s delivering professionally. “Do Whatever” marks a major shift in her creative control. For the first time, Talii stepped into the role of co-producer, putting her fingerprints directly on the final product. That decision matters. It’s one thing to write a vulnerable track. It’s another to shape how it feels, how it breathes, how it moves. This song isn’t just about her evolution. It is her evolution.

And she’s rolling it out in a way that proves she sees her fans not as an audience, but as a community.

First, there’s the direct-to-fan drop. Before DSPs even got a whiff of the single, Talii put it on her site and let fans name their price. That kind of move isn’t just about sales. It’s about relationship. She knows who’s been rocking with her and she’s rewarding them first.

Then there’s the merch. Handmade zines, personal touches, and limited drops for the real ones. No algorithms. No gatekeepers. Just Talii making art and sharing it with the people who care. It’s a rollout that respects the connection.

And now, she’s taking it on the road. Teaming up with Isaiah Falls, Talii is hitting 20 cities in 30 days this summer. That’s not just a tour. It’s a reintroduction. A chance for old fans to reconnect and new ones to catch the wave in real time. If the show matches the energy of the single, expect those soft girl singalongs to hit hard across the country.

Talii’s not just back. She’s building. And if you’re paying attention, now’s the time to lock in. Her pen is sharper, her sound is tighter, and her fanbase is about to level up right alongside her.

Trust this. By the time fall rolls around, a whole lot more people will be saying what her day-ones already know: “I knew her before she was famous.”

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Zeeky El just released his highly anticipated debut album, The Codices. Sharp listeners will notice the explicit irony of dropping a project highlighting the misuse of taxpayer dollars — funding espionage and destabilizing select communities within U.S. borders — on Independence Day. Like a counterintelligence operative, Zeeky flips the script, indoctrinating listeners with propaganda that champions Pro-Black revolutionary ideals and experiences.

The Codices unfolds like a complex game of Spy vs. Spy, embedding hidden messages within its layers. True to the art of powerful propaganda, Zeeky leaves just enough ambiguity for listeners to draw their own conclusions.

Watch: Fly Propaganda (Live from Wilmington Public Library)

The (BTS) Newsletter crew captured a live session featuring Zeeky El performing one of the album’s standout tracks, “Fly Propaganda.” Watch below.

About Zeeky El

Zeeky El is a Delaware native driven by self-actualization and self-sufficiency. A multi-talented creative with a background in branding and graphic design, Zeeky’s fascination with the power of propaganda runs deep.

In an unpublished interview, Zeeky and I discussed key influences shaping his music, from pioneering hip-hop artists like KRS-One to renowned literary figures such as Aldous Huxley. Zeeky El, who notably had the honor of interviewing KRS-One himself in 2023, shares KRS-One’s passionate belief that Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone. Zeeky applies this principle by continually educating himself, and his listeners, on cultural history, present realities, and potential futures.

His extensive reading has drawn him to texts like Huxley’s classic novel Brave New World, which portrays a dystopian society distracted by endless pleasure and consumption. For Zeeky El, this narrative resonates deeply with the current American climate, where similar distractions often overshadow systemic issues.

Zeeky El’s personal and intellectual pursuits blend seamlessly into his music, infecting listeners with militant fervor, intellectual urgency, and a powerful Pro-Black vision.

The (BTS) Review

Production

Despite its 2025 release, The Codices lands with an unapologetically blast from hip-hop’s golden age. Zeeky El and producer Joey JuggaKnotts meticulously crafted an authentic boom-bap experience, complete with gritty textures and dusty tape samples.

Fans of seminal albums like GZA’s Liquid Swords will feel right at home with Zeeky El’s fresh take on a timeless sound, delivered as an instant modern classic.

My Favorites Tracks

Track 2: They Don’t Know, with B-Wellz

“They Don’t Know” fully embraces Zeeky’s militant, old-school hip-hop aesthetic. Featuring B-Wellz, the track’s standout chorus cements its status as an instant boom-box anthem, perfect for repeat rotations.

Track 5: Nobody Move

Originally released as a single in 2024, “Nobody Move” still hits hard. The track signals its more lighthearted vibe with a Black Dynamite sample, dropping into a beat that fuses blaxploitation swagger with the tension of classic spy film soundtracks. It’s a playful yet sharp cut that offers a vivid glimpse into Zeeky’s real-life personality.

Track 9: Fly Propaganda

“Fly Propaganda” opens with a chilling sample, pulled from what sounds like a nightly news broadcast on foreign espionage masked as national security. One line in particular distills Zeeky El’s ethos:

Unwrap the bandages, assess the wound, reveal untapped advantages.

Here, Zeeky reframes the narrative: the most marginalized communities aren’t broken, they’re underestimated. He positions “Fly Propaganda” as a call to rebrand power and reclaim identity, turning wounds into weapons.

Track 15: Strange’r the Times, with Ancient Alienz & King Osiris (Taino Knight)

Track 15, “Stange’r the Times” marks the return of old school hip-hop tag-teams. The chemistry here is undeniable, and the track feels like a cipher straight from the golden era. Joey JuggaKnotts’ production is on full display here too. His work on the classic MPC groove box delivers a warm, punchy soundscape that feels hand-crafted for this moment. The swing in the drums make this my favorite beat on The Codices.

Counterintelligence for the Culture

Zeeky El’s The Codices serves as an incisive antidote to cultural complacency. Rather than drowning listeners in cynicism, the album cleverly weaponizes knowledge, identity, and history as positive propaganda – reclaiming narratives often hijacked by destructive forces.

In this ambitious debut, Zeeky transforms his cultural literacy into actionable art, urging listeners to shake off apathy and actively participate in rewriting their collective futures. If dystopia is where ignorance thrives, then The Codices is a battle cry for awareness, a wake-up call, and a compelling reminder that music still has the power to reshape reality.

Follow Zeeky El and stream The Codices on all major platforms.

Zeeky El

• Website

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The Codices

• YouTube Music

• Apple Music

• Spotify