Ebony Riley is stepping into a new era, one that she's always felt drawn towards. Growing up in church choirs, the Detroit-born artist became a successful model under the stage name Riley Montana, yet she always dreamed of music. Re-launching her career under her real name, Riley practices vulnerability through her art. Dedicated to her late mother, her debut album, Beautiful Tragedy, is told through conversations between Riley and other women.

Imagine seeing or hearing the sounds from your most meaningful memories flash before you. There’s a theory that in the final seven minutes of life, your brain replays the most pivotal moments you've ever experienced. For indie R&B singer-songwriter Keoni Usi, that idea became the heartbeat of his eight-track debut album 7 MIN.—with the last track “7 minutes” combining all of the themes and sonics. With 7 MIN. out in the world for some time now, Mido had the chance to ask Usi