Anushka Talks New Debut Single, Learning Production, and Finding Her Voice as a Young Independent Artist

At just 16 years old, independent pop artist Anushka is already taking her first major step into the music world with the release of her debut single, “My Valentine.” Written, composed, and produced entirely by the young artist herself, the track introduces a voice shaped by classical training, global influences, and a genuine desire to create music that connects emotionally with listeners.

Balancing high school life with songwriting and production, Anushka approaches music with curiosity, discipline, and a willingness to learn every part of the creative process. In this interview with New Hit Singles, she reflects on the excitement and nerves of releasing her first song, the challenges of teaching herself production, and the role her family, teachers, and everyday experiences play in shaping her music. She also shares what she’s learned from this first release and what listeners can expect from the next chapter of her journey.

Q: Congratulations on releasing your debut single! What did it feel like the moment “My Valentine” officially went live?

A: When “My Valentine” officially went live, I felt very nervous because it was the first time I was sharing my music with such a wide audience. At the same time, it was incredibly exciting. After spending so long writing, refining, and producing the song, being able to finally share it with people and let them experience something I created was very meaningful to me.

Q: You’ve said this is the first song you fully wrote, composed, and produced. What part of that process challenged you the most?

A: The most challenging part of “My Valentine” was producing it. When I first wrote and composed the song, I had no experience with production or recording, so I considered hiring a professional producer. However, my family and teachers didn’t support that idea because they believed that if someone else produced my songs, they wouldn’t truly feel like my own.

Instead, they encouraged me to learn to produce and record the music myself, so I could shape it the way I wanted. Through that process, I realized that art always has room for improvement, and learning production allowed me to express myself more fully while developing new skills. This experience helped me grow not only as a musician but also as a more independent and creative artist.

Q: You balance school with being an independent artist. How do your everyday experiences as a student influence your songwriting?

A: My everyday experiences as a student often inspire my songwriting. Being around classmates and friends allows me to observe many different perspectives and experiences, which can generate ideas for songs that people from different backgrounds can connect with. Sometimes stories or moments from the lives of people around me inspire lyrics or song themes. Being a student also gives me the opportunity to receive suggestions for improvement from peers who are interested in music, which helps me improve my work.

Q: You come from a classical background and have played in the school orchestra. How does that training show up in your pop music today?

A: My classical background has taught me a lot about music theory, which helps me when creating melodies and harmonies for my songs. I often use that knowledge when arranging accompaniment instruments, layering backing vocals, or adding different sounds that improve the overall feel of the song. Playing in the orchestra also helped me understand the importance of collaboration and how different instruments and sounds can work together to build a complete musical piece. My classical background and experience playing in the school orchestra have also given me interdisciplinary experience, which I can apply to my music, in turn allowing more people to feel connected to it.

Q: “My Valentine” captures the feeling of appreciation as much as romance. Was there a specific moment in your life that inspired the song?

A: I wrote “My Valentine” to show appreciation for the people in our lives who mean a lot to us, even if we don’t interact with them every day. In particular, I wrote it with my family in mind. I don’t always get to spend as much time with them as I would like, but they are incredibly important to me. I believe many people have people similar to that in their lives, so the song is meant to acknowledge the relationships we sometimes take for granted. I chose to present it as a Valentine’s Day song because that day is dedicated to celebrating loved ones, which is the purpose of this song as well.

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Sandy Ortega on EL TOQUE, New Music, and Letting the Guitar Lead

For Spanish guitar performer Sandy Ortega, practice is performance and performance is something far greater than routine. With a growing repertoire of 43 original compositions and an upcoming collaboration with a dancer from The Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center, Ortega continues to expand his sound without stepping away from its classical roots.

In this conversation with New Hit Singles, he speaks candidly about chasing “El Toque” — the elusive Spanish touch — why modern listeners often misunderstand the sweetness of classical Spanish guitar, and why writing new material still excites him more than revisiting the past. Grounded in discipline but guided by something beyond himself, Ortega’s creative process is as instinctive as it is intentional.

Q: Do you have a specific routine before recording or performing that helps you stay focused?    

A: Not really but focus is most important before a practice that takes a while to get that focus maybe 20 minutes or so.  I consider any practice that I do everyday as performing.

Q: What’s something you stopped doing musically that actually made your sound stronger?    

A: When I compose I stopped thinking about what I should compose from one phrase to the next.  It is just that my hands are not my own they are given over to the higher power.  I just put my hands on the strings and neck and something exquisitely beautiful comes out of course!

Q: What’s the biggest misconception people have about the Spanish guitar when they hear it in a modern context?    

A: Great question requires thought…  the music fundamentally is from the Romantic Era of the 1800’s that never changed.  The music is sweet like honey from the honeycomb in a modern way.  The biggest misconception then is that yes it has flamenco influences but it is not flamenco it is classical it is not hard hard it is sweet.

Q: Have collaborations or outside feedback ever changed the direction of a piece you were sure about

A: I’ll be collaborating with a dancer who performs at The Metropolitan Opera Lincoln Center.  I play the Spanish guitar she dances.  When I practice the songs amazing but they are now coming out with a dance feel very danceable I am very surprised.

Q: Right now, what excites you more: writing new material or revisiting ideas you haven’t performed or released yet?    

A: Definitely writing new material.  I’ve developed a repertoire of 43 songs my own compositions and it is just so incredibly beautiful the experience!  

Q: After finishing a piece that feels complete, how do you mentally reset before returning to the instrument?    

A: I mentally reset by understanding that the piece is not my own it may come out totally different even though the structure is the same.  It me are given over to a higher power.

Q: Is there a difference between the music you enjoy playing and the music you feel called to create?     Fascinating question. 

A: There is no difference because what I feel called to create is from the higher power the song after all becomes so exquisitely beautiful even though I may not understand what has been created it just becomes…

Q: What’s one sound, texture, or emotion you’re currently chasing but haven’t fully captured yet?     The sound! 

A: I am chasing EL TOQUE THE SPANISH TOUCH.  This is where I need to be and I am so close I really am there but I wish to feel comfortable in it.  If you have EL TOQUE you have everything your life everything.

Peg Luke ’s Reflections On “Dirt Under His Nails” And The Divine Role Of Her Music

Celebrated artist and versatile musician, Peg Luke, has recently released her latest single, “Dirt Under His Nails,” a song that dives into the themes of sacrifice and love, drawing inspiration from a deep contemplation of the human aspect of Jesus Christ. In our interview, she reveals that this introspective exploration has profoundly reshaped her perception of Jesus, highlighting His relatable and human qualities.

Peg sees parallels between this exploration and the overarching storyline of her career, marked by personal challenges, including a rare autoimmune disease diagnosis, pandemic isolation, and a transformative evolution. The emotionally charged video re-enacting the crucifixion of Jesus reflects Luke’s commitment to visually encapsulate her music’s essence and convey life’s raw truths. 

Through vivid lyrics, she portrays Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice, inviting listeners to find their own stories within the narrative. Peg’s music, including “Dirt Under His Nails,” continues her legacy of sharing messages that challenge, comfort, and heal. Her work addresses universal topics like love, redemption, and spiritual yearning, connecting with audiences on a deep and soulful level. 

What led you to explore the themes of sacrifice and love in “Dirt Under His Nails,” and how does this song connect with the overarching storyline of your career?

I read this wonderful meditation about the human side of Jesus Christ. It stated how Jesus had “Dirt Under His Nails,” calluses on His feet, how He healed the sick and bore bodily pain.  The meditation basically was stating how Jesus was like you and me when He lived here on Earth. This meditation for some reason really affected me. It made me take a step back and consider each descriptive word written on that page.

I normally had thought of Jesus in a ‘heavenly aura’ not a ‘human’ one. I always thought of Him as untouchable to the human dilemma. The dilemma of human feelings, fragility, and imperfections. This meditation made me change my concept of the human Jesus. From this came my song, “Dirt Under His Nails.” 

I think in a very veiled way “Dirt Under His Nails” resembles the overarching storyline of my career. I have had to step back and reexamine my concepts of what I wanted my musical career to look like. My diagnosis of a rare life changing autoimmune disease a few years back which has changed my career and the way I carry it to fruition. The pandemic, my bodily intolerance of the vaccine, the years of isolation, the huge presence of my invisible God and my stepping forward into a side of a music career I could have never envisioned. The evidence of everyday miracles.  Yes, ‘Dirt’ symbolizes this.

Could you share the creative process behind the emotionally charged music video re-enacting the crucifixion of Jesus, and what messages you intended to convey with these visuals?

One thing I really enjoy doing (although it can be time consuming) is creating video and photos that encapsulate the music itself. I use specific applications that help me achieve this. I take the lyrics and the visuals that I have in my head when I create the music and try to convey and expand those images when I create the video. I knew when I created the video that accompanied “Dirt Under His Nails,” that it may offend or be hard to watch. But truly, life is not all about beauty. Life can be hard and even harder to experience. I tried to express the truth behind the lyrics, the truth behind the music, the truth about life itself. There is a story that needs to be told and someone should do it. I just happen to be that “someone” in this instance.

How did you go about creating lyrics that vividly depict Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice, aiming to make this experience relatable and tangible for your audience?

Going back to that original meditation, I was moved by the descriptive words used. I tried to use that same process when going about placing lyrics into a melody that demands honesty, detail, and integrity. It’s an important message and my use of the words dirt, thorns, tears, nails, calvary, and even ‘sheepskin sandals’ are all extremely important. I want the listener and viewer to see their own story in the descriptive events I am trying to portray. The music helps to digest this pictorial experience.

Considering your impressive journey marked by Grammy and Emmy nominations and a notable discography, how does “Dirt Under His Nails” align with your growth, and what role do you envision it playing in shaping your artistic legacy?

Each and every tune that I compose or arrange has a story. There is a reason why I need to tell it. I don’t put out music and lyrics because I want to create a new song every week. I don’t put out music and lyrics because I want people to “feel fuzzy” inside. I don’t compose music for a good groove or vibe. My music can make you feel loved, seen, comforted, and healed.  But sometimes my music can make you a bit uncomfortable. 

I compose music and in some instances write lyrics because there is a need and a reason to do it. There is an emotion that needs to be told. I have done too many musical endeavors to place music out there now just to “place it out there.” It is more important because I place my music out there for my listeners. I don’t do it for me. Like I say to so many people, “I am just the messenger.” God uses me. Earthly rewards and accolades are not what’s important.  Telling God’s stories, that is what is important.

How do you perceive your songs connecting with today’s audiences in light of its exploration of universal and timeless themes like love, redemption, and spiritual yearning? What role do you think music plays in addressing these topics in our modern society?

I hope my music connects with listeners and society. It needs to. The message needs to keep coming out until people believe it. I write my own style of music. It does not belong in a box or genre. It just needs to connect. I have been rejected by many radio stations because my music doesn’t fit that “Christian/Gospel” mode. I ask, did Jesus fit in? Question answered. I keep doing my thing. Let God’s message keep coming!

Could you provide an example of how your music has brought people together and sparked positive change or a sense of community among your listeners?

The most recent and deeply felt communication that I’ve had was from my community on the ground in Ukraine. I try desperately to get my message of God’s love and peace to people there. I received and continue to receive love and positive uplifting messages that my music has given them hope. I wish I could give them more. Perhaps, worldly peace. At least I can try to offer them God’s peace. It is a very important message. I have also had many people that have encountered first-hand loss come to me offering thanks for my musical message.

What key lesson about faith, perseverance, and the music industry would you like to share with your fans and fellow artists as the most significant takeaway from your experience?

First of all I would like to say that my experience is far from being over. I feel like I have just begun. Funny how that happens. I think if we stay open, open our hearts, open our minds and open our soul to whatever you believe is being said to you from inside of you (whatever source that may be), you will continue to thrive and spread joy in whatever you do. 

It’s not easy and can be scary. That internal source for me happens to be God. God has never steered me wrong and I look to God to continue to offer me strength, love, and courage to keep going on my musical life path, whatever that may be. You’ll just have to wait and see what’s next. It keeps my life exciting! I am forever grateful for all that I’ve been given and continue to be given. I hope my community of listeners can sense the joy, peace, and love that I get from doing this.

Watch the music video below:

Listen to “Dirt Under His Nails”  here:

Lil Wayne Explains His Comments on George Floyd That Rubbed So Many The Wrong Way

During an interview with Fat Joe, Lil Wayne made comments about the killing of George Floyd that rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.

"What I mean by that is we have to stop viewing it with such a broad view, meaning we have to stop placing the blame on the whole force and the whole everybody or a certain race or everybody with a badge," Wayne said. "We have to actually get into who that person is. And if we want to place the blame on anybody, it should be ourselves for not doing more than what we think we're doing."

Wayne then added wasn't down with activism by Tweet or T-Shirt.

On Tonight's episode of Young Money radio with Killer Mike, Wayne revisited and explained those comments.

"I respect the effort of the people to seek justice and what they doin'. I just knew it was time for more action than a tweet. Also, my mama always told me—I sat in the passenger seat getting picked up from school every day and dropped off. I would look outside that window in the 'hood, so you gon' see situations when you riding home. I might make a comment or give my opinion on what I just saw.

"'Mind you f*ckin' business,'" his mom would tell him, giving him a smack. "Mind your business. You don't even ask, 'Why you smack me? Why I need to mind my business?' But you know one thing, I need to mind my damn business. So, for folks out there that figure that whatever, Wayne gon' say this or... Listen. I'm from New Orleans, understand. I'm from New Orleans where, what we're seeing ladies and gentlemen around the world finally because [of] the cameraphones and all that, baby, we went through that every day. We saw that, we went through that every week. We gave police names, just cause of who they were and how they were, and we got used to that... That was the system. That's what I grew up in. So, don't blame me, don't fault me. But if you do, you already know."

Do you now better see where Wayne is coming from?

Dr. Dre Explains How Social Media Is Damaging the Game

Everyday social media becomes more and more ingrained in the music industry, with rap turning as hard into the Instagram curve as any other genre.

Dr. Dre's not sure if that's a good thing.

“I probably would’ve hated social media when I was coming up,” Dre says during an interview with GQ. “There’s a certain mystique that gets destroyed. I like the mystique. I like waiting. I don’t need anybody to know where I am every minute or what I’m doing. Or what I’m about to do ... There’s a certain mystique that came along with music that was entertaining to wait to see what was about to happen."

Dre's business partner and best buddy Jimmy Iovine is also skeptical of social media impact.

“I don’t know the impact of Instagram, it’s not mutual. If Michael Jackson had Instagram, would he have ended up healthier? Who knows. I think what’s happened is, ‘great’ was never behind fame as much as it is now. Fame is what the currency is. Likes or whatever the stuff is. So fame, and if you happen to be great … musicians up until recently, that’s why people put music out every day. That’s marketing," Iovine said. But not all of its great because that’s impossible. I think ‘great’ has pulled back a little bit.”

Jump to 15 minutes to hear Dre and Iovine talk about social media.  But the whole interview is worthwhile.

Snoop Dogg Responds After Tekashi 6ix9ine Says He’s a Snitch & Posts Suge Knight Video

Tekashi 6ix9ine's latest target is Snoop Dogg.

Last night, the troll rapper claimed the Feds provided him a list of other rappers who snitched and then implicated that Snoop was on it.

He added this message to Snoop:

 "If your in denial the paper work is online and suge knight speaks on it from prison but we choose to ignore who we want to call rats," 6ix9ine typed.

Snoop responded by posting a video from rapper Omar Ray's Pimpin Silky character, which Snoop captioned "PSA".

 

 

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#SnoopDogg posts a PSA ? #Tekashi69 (See previous tea)

A post shared by  The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) on May 15, 2020 at 10:15pm PDT

"There's two things silky ain't never seen: A turtle with speed, and a monkey-mouthed, knock-kneed, trout-mouthed, b*tch I need. And when this quarantine over, I'm trying to take the blue out the sky and put it in a white b*tch eye, ya dig that," Silky threatened.

6ix9ine responded to the sub with a defiant message.

"Posting this is not gonna distract everyone that you are trying to play it off. Explain yourself," 6ix9ine typed. "They pick and choose who they want to call rats THERES PAPER WORK and SUGE KNIGHTS prison interview BUT the industry acts blind mute and death I’m not letting up either."

Then he posted the video in which Suge suggests Snoop works with the police:

 

 

 

 

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When I was locked up the most thing I missed is Friday night movies

A post shared by  IM BACK AND THEY MAD (@6ix9ine) on May 15, 2020 at 6:30pm PDT

There's also paperwork on Snoop floating around the web, although it's never been authenticated.

Should Snoop respond, or should he just "let it go".

Snoop Dogg denies ever telling on Suge or anybody else. He also states he’s on good terms with Suge Knight now pic.twitter.com/AKfIygmes5

— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) May 16, 2020

how did i miss this? LOL this is the best pic.twitter.com/Y7AfOHEbOh

— Mark Sundstrom (@106th) May 16, 2020

Cam’ron Reveals Who He Thinks The King of New York Is and It’s Not Himself

The King of New York. 

It's a title that's been floating around since The Notorious B.I.G.'s reign. 

In more recent years, people like Tekashi 6ix9ine have called himself the King of New York, so has A$AP Ferg, Cardi B, Kendrick Lamar and others. On the other hand, Dave East made it clear that he wants nothing to do with the title.

Cam'ron weighed in on the King of New York thing during an interview with Complex and had a lot to say about it.  

"You got 6ix9ine saying he's the King of New York or whatever; Pop Smoke [was] saying he's the King of New York, God bless the dead. I really love Pop Smoke's music. I miss him. But what is the King of New York, really, in detail?" asked Cam. "Are you going to pertain it to doing music and having the most guys in the street and not having a problem and not having beef? It really depends."

"If you want to ask me to be genuine, as far as King of New York, as far as music or entertainment, you got two people: you got Diddy, and you got Jay. Don't get me wrong. Like I said, these young artists... I get where they're coming from, but let's be realistic. You got two billionaires; if you're not a having a billion, then you know."

Do you agree with Cam'ron?

Boosie Badazz Breaks Down The Secret Rooms In His Atlanta Home

When Boosie Badazz designed his Atlanta home he included two secret rooms.  He broke them down in his latest Vlad TV interview.

"I want a wall closet that look like a wall right here with a latch behind and when I hit the latch and it opens up and that's going to be my freak home," Boosie explained he told the builder.

The only thing he would reveal about the freak room was there was an old school boom box in it, which isn't too freaky.

He expanded more upon his other secret room, which he said will protect him from a vengeful God.

"A purge room.  If the purge comes.  It's cemented.  You can't shoot through it.  Just in case the purge coming and they closing on on us.  You gotta go to that room with all of that concrete.  You can't shoot through that.  You never know with Corona the purge might be coming.  I believe anything can happen in this world.  I feel like God punishing us for not living by the bible and all of these people doing this, pushing this. God is punishing us.  And He got more coming, bro.  There's too much sin," Boosie explained. 

Boosie Badazz Explains Why He Snapped When Asked About Webbie

The once-dynamic duo of Boosie Badazz and Webbie no longer collaborate like they used to.

Not so long ago, Webbie suggested that money had changed his Baton Rouge bro. 

Last month, Boosie snapped when asked about Webbie on Instagram Live.

"Don't ask me about Webbie.  Do you see me with f*cking Webbie. Do you see me hanging with Webbie?  Well, don't ask me about f*cking Webbie," Boosie said when he saw Webbie's name on his scroll.

Boosie's constant interview companion DJ Vlad has known both Boosie and Webbie since 2004.  He asked Boosie why he got so pissed when Webbie's name was brought up, and Boosie calmly spoke on why he's staying mum on his old friend.

"I can't even talk too much about Webbie because anything I say about Webbie [first] I have to talk to him face-to-face.  We just in two different lanes right now, I got a lot of sh*t going. That's really all I can say about it, I love him to death," Boosie said. "This train ain't derail for nobody.  I ain't falling off the track.  I got to keep working hard.  That's basically the moral of it.  I love him to death, but I gotta just keep doing me."

Wiz Khalifa Names The Two Weakest Pot Smokers In The Rap Game

Wiz Khalifa has a well-earned reputation for having very strong lungs.

During his interview with Big Boy, Wiz was asked if he would call out famous people he's partied with who couldn't handle the smoke. [Jump to 16 minutes.]

"What celebrity that Wiz Khalifa smoked with that they couldn't hang," Big Boy wondered.

"Big Sean," Wiz said quickly and then paused. "French Montana. See I'm stoned so I can't think of anyone."

We are surprised Wiz didn't mention Swae Lee, as he almost murdered the Rae Sreummurd bro during their Dazed & Blazed tour.

We are not surprised he mentioned French.  Not so much because he looks like a weed lightweight.  But because nobody in the rap game seems to have any issue with throwing dirt on French's name for any reason.