Steemit's Official Open Mic Judge @Verbal-D's Top 5 Entries For Week 76 (Original Blog)
Steemit Open Mic Week 76
My Top 5 In Order
As one of the 6 judges, and as an original artist also, I aim to represent the best original artists in this contest from our wonderful Steemit community. I am keeping my ears open for cover artists as well, don't worry but creating an original song is indeed impressive, especially if executed and performed well. Best of skill and performance to you all next week. This week was filled with so many wonderful artists, even amongst the high amount of entries, and there were still many talented performers who entered, so forgive me if I didn't list you, I definitely heard everyone's entries. Also, be sure to check out the other judges' top picks for the week, @krystle, @soundlegion, @passion-ground, @meno, and @luzcypher, who hosts the Open Mic Contest. See you next week! And don't forget to please vote for @Pfunk, @Ausbitbank, & @Teamsteem as witnesses, all three of whom are our biggest supporters equally who help to run, fund, curate, build and expand the Open Mic Contest.
1. @funkmedia's "Lentosa" Original Song
I know how difficult it is getting a band together and you had it all and the chemistry was pinpoint, crystal clear. You executed this real smooth funky original song with finesse and melodic teamwork. The good vibes, the passion, energy, visual and sound quality were all at a high caliber, which made this an easy pick for my number 1 choice this week. From all the fun you are having I am sure a jam session with you all would be a memorable one. So much creativity and talent in one room is bound to continually produce more hits and inspiring entries to come. With that said, thank you for this gem and looking forward to your next one.
https://steemit.com/openmic/@funkmedia/openmic-semana-76-lentosa-fullband-funkmedia-cancion-original
2. @dreamrafa's "Mr Front Man" By Jacj Thammarat Cover Improv
I have not forgotten about your legendary and most notably consistent guitar shredding skills. My goodness gracious bro. You are on a whole other level and this is one of your most PRISTINE entries every. Hardly any misstep or flaw or misplacement of your strumming or fingering can be heard as you make this wonderful instrument wail, sing and serenade us with a plethora of various rhythmic runs and creatively exciting melodies that you weave on the strings. This was superb to say the least, anyone would love for you to be Mr Front Man of their band and you are The Best Metal/Rock Guitarist On Steemit in my humble opinion. You inspire so many guitarists here and are a guitarist's guitarist lol. What you do is not easy even if you have mastered such abilities. I hope you are appreciated for your talents. Thank you for your constant guitar entries week in and week out, definitely looking forward to your next one.
https://steemit.com/openmic/@dreamrafa/steemit-open-mic-week-76-mr-front-man-cover-improv
3. @pedromrmourato's "Turn Me On" Original Song
You turn any song you sing into an epic display of raw talent and honed musical skill as we can hear the experience, pain and joy intertwined in your vocal performances. Your conviction and passionate control of such powerful singing, backed by your two brothers in music on the strings of influence is what brings you back to the top 5 of the sequential week 76 following your first place win original There Is Love from week 75. You all are incredibly gifted and we are elated to have such high end quality performers raising the standard of the gift music for us all to enjoy. Your music makes us all winners in this community building competition. If we replaced many professional bands lead singers with the likes of your vocals, many bands would be enhanced by what you bring and provide musically. You have music capable of changing the world and even saving lives if you chose to wield such power in that way with what you write and perform, please keep that in mind and Please keep sharing and we look forward to more of your entries in the upcoming weeks.
https://steemit.com/openmic/@pedromrmourato/steemit-openmic-week-76-turn-me-on-original-song
4. @bonniepiesse's "The Way I Am" By Ingrid Michaelson Cover Song
What a pleasing, heavenly and pleasant gifted voice you have. You sang this so well and was full of sweet inflections of the soul's essence. You are able to perform at radio quality level which is a rare and highly sought after musical quality for many performers. Live performances such as yours create moments worth experiencing and you cascaded us with your all in this great cover choice that complimented and highlighted your soft and gentle, yet refined and angelically toned voice. With your guitar playing or acapella, you would captivate regardless, because the music is from within being released effortlessly. Thank you for your gift of music, looking forward to what you sing for us all next.
5. @branhmusic's ”Valerie” By Amy Winehouse Cover Song
You are also one of our most consistently gifted musicians and this Amy Winehouse cover, as difficult as some seem to find performing this song, was quite the breeze for you. Your soulful conviction always carries through and fuses well with any song choice you seem to select and this was no exception. Your guitarring is always rhythmically grooving and sets the pace for you to belt out your heart and soul, and when you zone in, the momentum continues to build and it makes the performance overall an inspiring one. You can move crowds with the way you present your music. Always upbeat in energy, with catchy flairs of the strumming and singing, this entry secured you top 5 with the best of them. Thanks for another one, looking forward to the next.
https://steemit.com/openmic/@branhmusic/steemit-openmic-week-76-cover-of-amy-winehouse-s-valerie
Honourable Mentions
My Top 7 In A Particular Order : )
1. @belenlopr's "Fallin'" By Alicia Keys Cover Song
You both did really well in this entry, you have a powerful and gripping singing voice, I can't wait to hear you sing in your own language as well where you are even more in your comfort zone. Maybe you even have an original to share with us? :)
https://steemit.com/openmic/@belenlopr/steemic-open-mic-week-76-fallin-alicia-keys-cover
2. @jotadiaz12's ”Elastic Heart” Cover Song
You create wonderful and seamless sounds of melancholy and awe with this hypnotic and entrancing entry. I definitely have to read the lyrics to this one, as the way in which you sing it is pleasing musically, and the bending of the words of how you sing it seem to bleed into each other in a overlapping effect.
https://steemit.com/openmic/@jotadiaz12/steemit-openmic-semana-76-elastic-girl-cover
3. @nadabrahmasounds's "Neptune" By Hernán Suárez Original Composition
You are an elite pantamist and watching you play this beautiful instrument is such a treat. I instantly want to be in the carribean islands on the beaches exploring and being at peace in nature. You are quite excellent at changing the pace and creating strong original melodies and handling the vibrato and rhythmic structure to keep it interesting from start to finish! Bravo!
4. @honeymoon-1611's "I Can't Make You Love Me" By Bonnie Yaitt Cover Song
Again, another great song choice and you bring it to life with such a genuine vibe of happiness and innocence that translate fluidly into your music.
5. @drewsmusic's "See You Again" Original Song
A classic entry from the way you smoothly play the keys and deliver a nice quality tenor voice over a profoundly reminiscent original. I enjoyed the creativity and your obvious talents. Please share more originals
https://steemit.com/openmic/@drewsmusic/steemit-openmic-week-76-or-see-you-again-by-drewsmusic
6. @yrmaleza’s "Yo Sé Que Él Vive" Original Song
Your husband created a wonderful song and you presented it even more beautifully with the gift of music God has blessed you with. I appreciate you continuing to share your singing with us all. Indeed God exists and has inspired many of us to display our love of Him through our love for music as well.
https://steemit.com/openmic/@yrmaleza/steemit-open-mic-week-76-yrmaleza-entona-yo-se-que-el-vive
7. @builtinfire's ”Sometimes” Original Song
The verses were a bit of a slow build up and didn't branch out of a small range of notes but the lyrics were what kept me listening as you are quite the poetic songwriter and you have a knack for creating powerful choruses and executed them with precision. The chorus definitely makes an impact and hits home. Great job on this original entry and a self reflective and thought provoking set of imagery you've songwritten in the lyrics.
Special Mentions
I want to mention more people, but I keep my judging strict for a reason. Many of you inspire me and make an impact. There simply are too many wonderful artists here, which is why open mic continues to grow. Keep playing and sharing please.
Artist On My Radar From Week 76
@thesimpson @danshawmusic @mcmusic @untaljames @yatxuni @melodeons @shaktisun @anurodriguez @bryandivisions @luiskrupaz @melavie @graceleon @addiesworld @williamsreinoso @anatolianwishdom @trevorpetrie @danielmonteso @bisodun @edenmichelle @drewley @ed-the-songster @gladiador @alvaro017 @jotadiaz12 @melissakellie @ingridkornelia @andii @nirtsfaty @rodrigocabrera @maerod @markaustin @wilins @joecha @silviagoh @kericx @javierdunn @donatello @yonderarrietajr2 @miguelblanco @benleemusic @operahoser @petrajordan @kendramoriah @danieldyemusic @beeflomein @camporr @yisusgtr @laviq @etemi
Apparently a lot of people don't know that I, @Verbal-D, am a Hip Hop Emcee as much as I am a singer/songwriter/beat producer, so I will continue to showcase from now on the song that inspired @Luzcypher to create the Open Mic Contest that we are all apart of today. I hope it inspires you to write original music.
The Official Steemit Song By @Verbal-D, Feat. @Papa-Pepper & @EdgarStudio
My entry for @Termitemusic's World Cypher Jam Round #24
I won 1st place in @Jamesgetsit's Kill The Pad Challenge Wk # 5, the theme being Family, and entered a late submission using @Termitemusic's real smooth, laid back jazz hop instrumental. Hope you enjoy the good positive vibes.
World Cypher Jam Rd 24: Family
More original music from me coming very soon, stay tuned to my profile this week. I'll be releasing more live performances and professionally recorded tracks shortly.
Thank you for viewing and reading this post in its entirety, I hope you enjoyed it for what it's worth.
All Gifs used from Giphy.com
Next Post coming tomorrow
Beautiful
Thanks so much, the music indeed has beauty to be heard
Family.
A touchy topic indeed but yes family. We the open mic team are a family as well.
Just let me state for the record, every last one of us is indeed, "Family."
This is what builds the Steemit community. You have some wonderful music here for all of us to listen to. Hats off to the musicians. @verbal-d
Thanks for stopping by and appreciating the good music they all provide for us here.
Thank you for the honorable mention, @verbal-d! Really appreciate it and I can imagine how challenging it is to pick the top from so many wonderful artists. But we all know it’s not just about the top in @openmic ;) I love how the contest stimulates me to put out weekly recordings and that in and of itself is fantastic! Thank you!
Thank you very much for your kind words @petrajordan. You are most welcome, yes same for me as well. We are growing and pushing ourselves and fully motivated within our community of appreciators and musicians who truly listen and care. Even though I am now a judge, I want to contribute and particpate with you all as well week in and week out, which is what pushes me to include a video or two of my own at the bottom to help share and inspire you all as you do for me :) You did great but no it is not easy deciding all the time. Every week is a beautiful struggle
“A Beautiful Struggle” - I love it! Could be a song title ;)
Just listened to “The Official Steemit Song” of yours and I loved it! I’m actually going to interview a young rapper @bryandivisions next week on My Artistic Journey series - talking to and about people that inspire me as an artist... He also raps about positivity, love & empowerment, like you ;)
I’m also thinking of interviewing the @openmic judges one by one... I can imagine you’re busy but if you’d like to be on, let me know. Seems you got a lot to say ;) Does D in verbal-d stand for what I think it stands for? :)
Sorry for the late reply, thank you for the warm words and for listening to one of my songs. I know of @bryandivisions, we've entered the rap challenge together and also connected through open mic. He is a positive and inspiring person here on this platform for sure. I hope the interview goes smoothly for you both. Sounds like a great series you are doing. I'll check it out whenever I have time, a reminder from you doesn't hurt also.
Thanks so much for the interview invitation. I humbly accept. We can discuss when we can plan the interview out, what time zone are you on? I'm usually free weekends. Also, before I tell you what the D stands for, please enlighten me on what you are thinking of what it is. I am curious of what interpretations arise from an outsider's perspective :)
And yes, maybe a future song can be titled Beautiful Struggle, a lot of depth and detail can be intertwined on such a generalised poetic title :)
I wish to give this a trial. Thanks for organising this contest @verbal-d
Definitely do participate :) You are more than welcome just follow the rules and have fun and do your best. Thanks to the Open Mic Team :) @Luzcypher, @Krystle, @Meno, @Soundlegion, @Passion-Ground, @Ausbitbank, @Pfunk, @Teamsteem. I do what I can when I can how I can to help as well :)
Thank you so much for the mention!
All the Best!
You're most welcome, yes all the best, steem on
Thank you, @verbal-d! :) Have a good week
You're most welcome, likewise, enjoy your week!
Thanks for the mention my friend!, i feel very proud of being in your top picks :)
You're welcome @dreamrafa, glad to include you in my top picks this week!
What a great playlist to listen through! Thanks for summing up your favorites! I really enjoyed your choices of the week!
Thank you very much for checking out this awesome playlist. You are also among the judges' favourites including mine as well. Each week there never seems to be enough room to show appreciation :) This week was so inspiring, as was the last, and I'm sure this week as well too :)
Thank you so much! thanks for valuing our work. The music is our life! and thanks for the advice!
You're most welcome, you both did really well! Congrats on a great performance. Keep up the music :)