“I’ve learned that maintaining my integrity artistically and personally not only liberates me but also other creatives and everyday people to take up more room as themselves”. Storm Ford asserts in a 2022 interview. Demonstrating laser-focused motivation, Storm has already established herself as a multi-faceted musician, songwriter, and storyteller at just 25 years old, whose work reflects the complexity of her life experiences. Her latest project, 2025’s"Down Payment," has continued to build on her impressive discography. Since her debut EP,  “Highest Mountain," in 2018, Storm has secured songwriting credits for prominent artists, including Mary J. Blige, Summer Walker, and Ari Lennox, lending her unique creative voice to top-charting records. Now, stepping into her own, singles like the sultry “Trying” expose not only Strom’s phenomenal vocal prowess, but her vulnerabilities. A self-proclaimed “perfect blend of an extrovert and an introvert”, Strom admits she’s a “perfectionist” but knows how to have a good time. “I’m not some sad ass little girl,” she confesses while speaking about her music in 2019. “I can be happy and goofy, too. I am a dreamer.” This spirit of duality infuses her music. The polish of contemporary R&B combines with nostalgic flourishes and airy background vocals, making Ford’s sound fearlessly honest

With intoxicating love for inspiration, the hip hop drum loops of the album’s debut single, “All The Way,” complement Ford’s delicately soulful vocals. With a slick bassline and mellow synth melody, the song revives the sound of early 2000s R&B. Elsewhere, the lyrical wordplay of “Crutch On Me” cleverly mirrors the emotional mind games of a dysfunctional relationship. Effortlessly smooth and sultry, with multipart harmonies and a hypnotic groove, heartbreak has never sounded so good.  The melodic structure of “Reception,” meanwhile, is reminiscent of soul’s golden era. While beautiful as it stands, if reworked as a duet with an artist like Leon Bridges, it has the potential to become modern classic. On acoustic ballad, “Step Back”, Strom’s emotive vocals convey the pain she’s feeling while her musicianship shines; her guitar carries the song’s core melody. Finale, “Proud Of Me” finds Ford searching for validation as she sings, “I just want you to be proud of me. “   The lyrics become all the more palpable when combined with moody electric guitars and Gospel tinged backing vocals.

Hailing from Woonsocket, Rhode Island, though the relationships Ford formed while spending time in Providence would have a lasting impact on the fledgling musician. Dropping her birth name, Caroline, Storm chose to go by her middle name, feeling it better encapsulates her personality. Following her studies at Manhattanville College outside New York City, she refined her vocal skills by listening to greats such as Jennifer Hudson and Beyoncé. Lauryn Hill, D'Angelo, and Led Zeppelin are also among her inspirations. A multitalented artist, Strom has also dabbled with watercolour painting, dancing, and writing short novels, Writing by age 15, Strom’s poetry journal titled "I Know You Don't Care But I Wrote it Down Anyway" would eventually evolve into lyrics for her debut EP, " Highest Mountain”. A collaboration with the musicians of non-profit arts organisation, NUA (New Urban Arts), the metaphor of the mountain figures prominently in Storm's work, symbolic of many of the obstacles she has overcome.

Maintaining that sense of vulnerability with 2019's "In the Moment: A Process”, a project Ford has described as "beautifully imperfect",  she reveals, "I decided to show the evolution of my song ideas to inspire other creatives to take pride in their own art in its purest form. It was not produced, mixed, mastered, or premeditated. “Music will be your way out.” Intro track “Room 230” begins with a pep talk from Storm’s friends, who encourage her to stay the course. Meanwhile, “Need You To Need Me”  and “Hard to Say” are comprised only of a guitar, a mic, and Ford’s soaring vocals, the echo in the room enhancing the clarity of her tone. The jam session continues with the project's title track, “In The Moment”, a snapshot of a freestyle where Ford breaks midway into laughter, while the spine-tingling high notes of “Half Way”  are breathtaking.  The stripped-back arrangement elevates its raw beauty. Unfiltered and untouched by studio production magic, this demo is a testament to Ford’s exceptional vocal ability. On the flipside, the starkly honest “Dear Douglas” showcases her formidable rapping skills.  A rare glimpse into the songwriting process, this project is a must-listen for Ford’s fans.

As the new crop of R&B artists continues to emerge, the genre is more competitive than ever before. Storm Ford, however, possesses talent that sets her apart from her contemporaries. With a voice that stirs the soul and songs that move the heart, Storm will undoubtedly be on the horizon in 2026.

Who is Jeff Darko? The Music Of The Enigmatic British-Ghanaian R&B Artist

“It started at the age of 6 or 7, I discovered my love for it through gospel music [...] I would sit inattentively in math class, scribbling metaphors and compositions to take to the studio after school. I sang in church choirs and led choirs. My parents were heavily into soul music, so I started to develop my ear and voice through that experience,” [...] Jeff Darko recalls during an interview reflecting on his beginnings. Those early studio sessions significantly impacted the British-Ghanaian artist. His eclectic sound, which is primarily rooted in Afro-Jazz, Soul, hip hop, and electronica, would eventually solidify into a genre he labels psychedelic gospel. Explaining the concept, Darko says, “Psychedelic' has a core meaning psykhē in Greek, the revealing of the soul. When you reveal your soul, you represent your truth. “This is why the music may sound unexpected because it has not been filtered, it's raw, unencumbered”. 

From his distinctive musicality to his captivating album artwork, Jeff commands attention. His off-kilter, distorted facial expressions in the promo shots for his 2024 project, “Merry Go Round,” are intriguing enough to halt an Instagram stroll dead in its tracks. Jeff’s enigmatic presence can be attributed to his life, which mirrors the borderless nature of his music. Born in Ghana, Darko emigrated to Paris for a time before settling in the UK while also establishing connections in the Belgian music scene. This international influence is a consistent thread in his work, which incorporates lyrics in French and English, traditional Ghanaian elements, and collaborations with acts like Korean artist Tellkika. Reflecting the lineage, Darko once said, “The traditional sounds we use, the bongos, the shakers, and the overall ambience. I am forever exploring new ways to introduce my tradition and culture into new and refreshing music”.

Collaborating with Sheffield multi-instrumentalist, Yarni, and Jamaican hip hop artist, Franz Von, on 2025’s “ Natural Light”, Jeff’s most recent project, “Merry Go Round”, dropped at the end of November 2024. To promote the EP, Darko headlined 93 Feet East in Brick Lane in London. The set, which featured an appearance by  Mercury Prize nominee Corto.alto, marked a career highlight for Darko. Capitalising on the momentum, singles including “Smile Away” and “Overrated” garnered support from Spotify with playlists Fresh Finds, Sugar, & Groovin R&B. Jeff’s ‘Psychedelic Gospel’ also received praise from top UK tastemakers,  BBC 6, Craig Charles Funk & Soul, Radio 1 Future Soul, and BBC Introducing, among others. 

Inspired by” the experience of Jeff’s friend who kept going through the same experience over and over and couldn’t get out of it”, “Merry Go Round” opens with “Overrated”  featuring Caesar. With downtempo jazz percussion, laid back snares, warm high hats, and dreamy glittering synths, Darko’s distinctly raspy tone conveys feelings of melancholy and isolation as he sings “I'm a lonely stranger but I know it's safer so I'm leaving you alone”. The airy falsetto of the hook amplifies the emotional weight, while Caesar's rhyming in his UK accent adds authenticity, with uncomfortably raw lines like “I'm sick to my stomach/ stick to my gut feeling /treat today like tomorrow like there's no meaning”

Elsewhere, “Don't Worry About A Thing” calypso style intro samples Stevie Wonder’s classic, “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing”. The sunny atmosphere sharply transitions to heavy hip-hop beats and intricate jazz trumpets. Maintaining the song’s essence of positivity with lyrics like “I think it's time we put the past to rest// Park the stress/ Count our blessings /while Jeff glorious high notes on a hook, breathe new life into Wonder’s “Innervisions” classic.  The song’s self assured delivery and sultry horn melodies lend a sense of sophistication to the track. On “Les Quatre Cents Coups” meanwhile the sound of a fairground breezes by, a carousel spinning in the distance. The song’s title, which translates to “the 400 blows”, or more literally meaning to "raise hell" finds Darko embracing the depths of his lower register. Lamenting past regrets, the dark tone conveys the helplessness of a vicious cycle and the hope to escape it, while the hypnotically funky refrain, “it cost me all my money,” builds in intensity as it loops through the track. The chilled, neo soul-infused single, “Smile Away,” is effective; however,  the hook, while catchy, has a slightly nasal quality that becomes slightly irritating with replay. Finally, the layered, swirling a cappella vocal arrangement of the E.P.’s title track gives the production a uniquely playful tone. The contribution by Korean vocalists adds softness, with the non-English lyrics ads an air of mystery to the track.

Darko, who claims to be unable to live without his “hat,  headphones, and Kellogg's Crunchy Nut Cornflakes,” says his recording studio must-haves include “Water, Apple voice recording app, and a piano”. This simplistic approach to recording saw him release 2023’s “Feel Alright” Better Love”, and “Give it Thought”. The former’s bluesy tone evokes a timeless quality; its smooth vocal delivery is effortlessly cool. With a call-and-response chorus, it is instantly memorable. The latter, meanwhile, stands out for its sparse, rhythmic, yet soulful arrangement.

Describing his personal style as “vibrant, jazzy, and loud.”  Darko fully embraced his individuality on his avant-garde 2022 release, “Strange Dreams” E.P. With three mixes of the title track, and two additional songs rounding out the concise eighteen-minute project, “Strange Dreams” minimalist approach of synths, clap grooves, and restrained vocal melody leaves Darko with the space to question what matters most in life. While the sparse, alternative production style may not appeal to mainstream R&B fans, Darko's willingness to push the genre’s boundaries is refreshing. The gospel version of the song, meanwhile, diverges from traditional church music, instead using trip-hop drum loops, trumpets, and a subtle, lingering Hammond organ to bring the spirit of gospel. The track’s final rework featuring Yarni is arguably the most psychedelic. Complete with retro, spacey sounds, additional strings offer texture to the fluid, experimental jazz horns as Darko sings with heartfelt conviction, “mama’s working hard these days.” Elsewhere, “Follow You,” Darko fuses romantic lyrics with electronica, gospel handclaps, and a catchy, soulful melody on arguably the most mainstream track on the project.  On “Blue Skies, the EP’s conclusion,”  Darko explores spirituality with lyrics, “the love, the joy, the light, rejoice”. As though finally awakened from his strange dream, the optimistic approach and understated arrangement create a moment of levity as the EP comes to a close. 

Debuting in 2014  with “Epic Dreams of A Pedestrian”, the project was based on his  “life's journey,” according to Darko. Each track illustrated a chapter of Jeff's life, from his afrocentric roots displayed on "Don’t Worry Me Now" to his emigrating to France, inspiring Mzet-Je Suis (I Am). It is this kind of vulnerability that continues to connect with audiences as they discover his music. Don't sleep on Jeff Darko- with such undeniable talent, his epic, strange and beautiful dreams should soon come to fruition.

Cult Classic Queen: The Music Of Cassie

I can't say that I've been respected. There's a big part of me that wanted people's respect and not on a level of just listening to me speak, but listening to the music that I make and the music that I want to play for them. I think I've gotten shaded in a lot of situations where people just haven't given me a chance. Then I have been blessed enough to have been given those other chances, those second chances, so now people are listening to what I have to say." Cassie revealed to Hypetrak TV in 2013.

Speaking in the interview 12 years before allegations against Diddy, Cassie's words now seem eerily prophetic, a glimpse into a world where she struggled for respect, autonomy, and to be heard. Rising from the silence, Cassie Ventura has finally found her voice. Her recent testimony in the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs was both brave and unsettling, and at times deeply harrowing. As the proceedings of the RICO case against Diddy continue to dominate headlines with the twisted world of Combs on full display, the former partner of the disgraced music mogul gave a detailed account of the abuse she allegedly suffered during their eleven-year relationship. Allegedly controlling both her personal and professional life with an iron fist, Cassie's creative output was limited, stifled by Combs' need to curate every aspect of her existence. From her style to her production team, Combs, it seems, lurked in the background pulling every string. Despite their allegedly toxic relationship, the collaboration produced music that sounds fresh and innovative even today. With her debut, Cassie [2006], the Rockabye Baby Mixtape [2013], various stand-alone singles, and soundtrack contributions, Ventura made her mark in the industry, with her releases considered cult classics by fans. Yet the soft-spoken, versatile performer never quite reached the heights of mainstream success she deserved. HSR decided it's the perfect time to celebrate Ms Ventura's brief yet brilliant discography

Debut: 2006

Beginning as a model at 14, Cassie met producer Ryan Leslie in 2004; Their professional and personal chemistry soon led to her signing with his production company, NextSelection.  When the original version of the song, "Me & U," gained traction online via MySpace, an early online music-sharing platform, the Connecticut-raised aspiring entertainer signed to Sean "Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Records in 2006.  Re-releasing her breakthrough single 'Me & U' with a more polished, minimalist production style, the song became a hit, reaching number four on the Billboard charts and number two on the R&B charts.  The song's hypnotic minimalism and sparse instrumentation would eventually become a trademark of Cassie's sound.  Her self-titled debut album's combination of Ventura's breathy, laid-back delivery and futuristic R&B-pop was well received for its catchy hooks and crisp aesthetic. While Cassie's vocals were at times criticised for lacking range and power, she offered a sense of cool girl chic that audiences embraced as an antidote to the more heavily produced sound of the time.  Dripping with attitude, the electro R&B pop of the single "Long Way 2 Go" garnered greater success in Europe than in the States, showcasing her potential to break through internationally. Elsewhere, on the album, Cassie's naturally sweet tone aligns beautifully with the acoustic ballad “Not With You.” Conversely, the funk guitars and Janet Jackson-esque layered vocals of "Miss Your Touch" create an album highlight. Not devoid of missteps, the immature-sounding "Ditto" and the pop punk of "What Do You Want," haven't aged well. However, it's the songs inspired by dysfunctional relationships that still feel the most impactful, almost two decades later. The darkly atmospheric "Kiss Me" and “Call You Out” possess new power in retrospect.. Written before her relationship with Combs in “Kiss Me”, when  Cassie sings, "I'm intoxicated, I can barely breathe," the association is unavoidable. Cassie appeared on the music show 106 & Park to promote the album. Visibly nervous, Ventura’s vocals were described as “less than stellar.” The backlash was swift, with critics writing Cassie off as a studio creation. Diddy publicly defended his artist in a rare moment of empathy for the unusually cut-throat entrepreneur. In the years since, the doubters have been silenced as Ventura's debut has been reevaluated in recent years and credited with influencing the alt-R&B genre. 

The Unreleased Second Studio Album: "Electro Love" [2008]

In 2008, Ventura entered the studio excited to record her sophomore album. According to Cassie, at the time, the working title "Electro Love" featured superstar collaborations with Ne-Yo, Maxwell, and Robin Thicke. Industry heavyweights, including music collective The Clutch, The Neptunes, Brian Michael Cox, and Mario Winans, were reportedly contributing their talents to the project. "Official Girl," featuring Lil Wayne, marked the beginning of a new musical era. While the song failed to reach the Billboard chart, the track's slick music video effectively conveyed Cassie's newfound confidence. However, when the project was again halted because tracks leaked online, the experimental, Latin-infused "Must Be Love" featuring Diddy was dropped to maintain momentum. The video depicts Diddy and Cassie separated by a wall in a house engulfed in flames —a visual metaphor that speaks volumes in 2025. A collaboration with Akon brought the carefree, club-banger "Let's Get Crazy," and after signing a new deal with Interscope [in partnership with Bad Boy], Cassie worked to reinvent her sound. The result was the pulsating "King Of Hearts."  Diving head-first into house and techno, the song’s escalating monster groove clashes with Ventura's delicate delivery, which felt innovative and unexpected for its time.  Cassie's aggressive yet catchy collaboration with Nicki Minaj in 2013 contrasted sharply with the ambient electronica production of "Balcony," featuring Young Jeezy.  This low-fi gem exemplifies Cassie's signature of rough-edged, effortless cool. 

Rockabye Baby Mixtape [2013]

With her second studio album no closer to fruition, Ventura channeled her energy into her mixtape, “Rockabye Baby”. Considered her most accomplished work to date, the project dropped in 2013 to practically universal critical acclaim. Inspired by the character of Keisha in the ’90s classic movie New Jack City, Ventura embodies a streetwise persona that contrasts with her naturally sweet demeanor.  Hair shaved on one side, donning gold lipstick, and brandishing a blinged-out firearm- and that's just the artwork. The music does not disappoint. Featuring a who’s who of hip-hop, including Rick Ross, Wiz Khalifa, and Meek Mill, among others, the gritty sound showcased a darker side of Ventura. Setting the tone for the project, the understated yet assertive “Paradise” is a highlight of the project. Steeped in electronica-tinged hip-hop, the song portrays Cassie as an unapologetic force of nature. “You're my heroin and cocaine. I know you're not good for me, but I don't want to go away”. Cassie sings the raw and sinister-sounding 'Addiction.' The intensity of French Montana’s verse, complete with funeral tolls, adds to the forboding nature of the track. Meanwhile, Numb featuring Rick Ross invites us to escape with her. What seemed like rock n roll hedonism could now be reassessed as the destruction of her spirit. Flawless in its execution, Rockabye Baby demonstrates the true depth of Cassie’s talent when paired with the right collaborators.

2019: Ventura Music

Releasing the stand-alone singles ” Love a Loser " and " Don't Play it Safe” in 2017, Cassie finally cut ties with Diddy the following year. Embracing her autonomy, in 2019, she formed the independent label, Ventura Music. Reinvigorated by her new creative outlet, Cassie began the Free Fridays Playlist. Dropping a new song each Friday, the playlist helped Cassie reconnect musically with fans. Featured tracks include the dreamy, sensual "Moments" and emotionally honest "Excuses."  Both produced by Chris N Teeb (Ciara, Tiffany Evans, Danity Kane).  The latter, which samples Lauryn Hill's "Sweetest Thing," is an angelic acoustic ballad that lays bare the scars left by an unhealthy relationship. Elsewhere, "Hungover" is as haunting as it is beautiful, while on “Don't Let Go”, Cassie brings contemporary R&B coolness as she celebrates the security of true love. “Simple Things” reminds us that the best things in life are free, cementing Cassie's personal and creative evolution.