Marc E. Bassy

Marc E. Bassy has stepped into his own power as an artist. Revisit earlier projects like 2016’s Groovy People EP and 2017’s Gossip Columns album, and the San Francisco-born singer-songwriter has mastered orchestrating heartbreak records for the masses (see: gold single “Morning” and the double platinum single “You & Me” featuring rapper and fellow Bay Area native, G-Eazy). These days, though, he’s pumping out more empowering notes in his music and has become the founder of his own independent label, New Gold Medal Records. 

Inspired by the recent artist that have taken the more entrepreneurial route with their businesses, Bassy wanted to flip the script on his own trajectory after swerving in and out of label deals since he was 20 years old. “It’s the best possible scenario for any musician to own their own music, to be in control of their own marketing and just be distributed by [another company],” says Bassy, who left Republic Records in 2019. “‘New Gold Medal’ is just the idea that the standard has changed now for what success means in this industry. It’s not just about having a song on the radio. It’s about having an impact on the culture and taking care of your people, and that comes from ownership and independence.”

Jordan Hawkins, R&B’s rockstar didn’t just appear overnight. This project and his stunning sound have both come together through years of passion and work, fusing together so many influences, inspirations, and collaborators. Born in Greensboro, North Carolina and raised in the church choir, he is following in the spirit of true performers, Prince, Jimi Hendrix, John Mayer, artists who took the guitar and brought their magic to life. Hawkins might have come to Southern California for school, but LA quickly became the perfect place to harvest a growing passion for music. He followed that passion, and now at just 24 years old, he has found his community and found his sound. And here, on his debut EP, Heart Won’t Stop, we get to witness Hawkins put it all together in one stunning project.