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Podem | Crafting a Unique Rhythm Out of Rawness, Energy, and Rebellion

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Music is an evolving force, a reflection of society, culture, and personal expression, ceaselessly reinventing itself and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. It is through this evolution that unique artists like Philipp von Westphalen, better known by his stage name “Podem,” emerge and shape our auditory landscape.

In a world cluttered with cookie-cutter hits and redundant trends, Podem stands out, charting his own course through the vast ocean of sound. Notorious for his unyielding individuality and invincible energy, Podem transforms his audacious defiance into a catalyst for innovation. He does this in the spirit of his self-professed mantra – hardcore, raw, and crazy.

This trinity is a clear reflection of his ethos and the fuel that drives his vibrant musical style. Podem’s refusal to bend to societal norms or yield to critics and ‘haters’ showcases an artist deeply committed to his personal journey. He’s a breath of fresh, if not incendiary, air in the music industry, reminding artists that the path to genuine success and influence is through self-expression, rather than assimilation.

Podem’s journey began a mere three years ago, when his passion for music and a laptop converged into a powerful epiphany. His subsequent commitment to creating his unique music style is a testament to his innate creativity and the raw energy he brings to his work. While most people see a laptop as a tool for work or recreation, Podem saw it as a gateway to a world of unlimited musical potential.

Two standouts in his discography are “I’m the Next Generation Drummer” and “Always Follow Your Dreams”, which underscore his approach to both life and music. They pulse with Podem’s distinctive brand of energy, reflecting his relentless spirit and vision. Then, there’s “Beast Mode”, a track that doesn’t just make a statement—it roars with audacity and verve.

Part of Podem’s uniqueness stems from his eclectic range of musical influences, encompassing a wide array of genres and artists. His playlist reads like a testament to the diversity and power of music, from the pulsating beats of Lil Jon, Riff Raff, and Rich The Kid, to the hypnotic rhythms of Blasterjaxx, Angerfist, and Miss K8. He has also drawn inspiration from the soulful resonance of Beyoncé, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and legends like Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones.

These influences have imbued his music with an unpredictable, compelling vibrancy that keeps fans on their toes, eagerly anticipating his next venture. With his unique blend of styles and sheer audacity, Podem embodies the spirit of the rockstars he aspires to emulate. His journey hasn’t been an easy one; the grind, as he puts it, is real. However, the tenacity and unyielding determination he displays is nothing short of inspirational.

While he may be tight-lipped about his current projects, the excitement in his tone is unmistakable. His fans, a group he genuinely loves and appreciates, can look forward to more of his distinctive sound and hard-hitting beats. Podem may just be the paradigm shift the music world has been yearning for, a welcome disruption in the monotony of the mainstream.

Podem’s music and ethos encourage everyone to embrace their individuality, to be creative, and most importantly, to have fun. To the upcoming artists, he has a simple yet powerful advice: cultivate your unique style, disregard the naysayers, and never lose sight of why you began this journey – for the sheer love of music.

The spirit of rebellion, creativity, and unfiltered joy is the cornerstone of Podem’s legacy, influencing not only his musical journey but also impacting the very nature of the music industry. His music resonates with raw energy and uncompromised authenticity, a refreshing testament to the power of individuality and artistic freedom.

Podem has shown us that the road less traveled often leads to the most exciting destinations. With his unyielding energy, inspiring individuality, and rebellious approach to music, Podem is more than an artist – he’s a pioneer. He may have just begun his journey, but if his past is any indication, we can expect a future filled with more hardcore, raw, and crazy rhythms. And as we watch this unique artist forge his path, we can’t help but feel the infectious excitement that comes with anticipating the unpredictability of his next move.

Want to keep up with Podem’s journey? Be sure to check him out on Instagram, Twitter, and Spotify where you can hear his eclectic mix of music, keep up-to-date with his latest projects, and perhaps draw some inspiration for your own creative ventures.

This article contains branded content provided by a third party. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the content creator or sponsor and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or editorial stance of Popular Hustle.

Entertainment

iurisEkero Proves Pop Music Doesn’t Have to Be Loud to Be Good

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iurisEkero

There’s something refreshing about an artist who doesn’t chase volume. “I don’t make music to sound loud. I make music to sound deep,” says iurisEkero, and after diving into his catalog, you get exactly what he means.

Born in Mendoza, Argentina, iurisEkero (stylized in lowercase, like his approach to fame) grew up in a house where music wasn’t just background noise—it was the main conversation. His grandfather recorded albums as a vocalist, his father played trumpet, and young Iuris absorbed it all. But here’s what’s interesting: instead of just carrying the torch, he’s completely reimagined it.

Now splitting time between the USA and Argentina, iurisEkero creates what he calls “sonic exploration”—pop mixed with electronic textures, ethereal vocals, and these atmospheric moments that genuinely make you want to hit pause on everything else. He pulls inspiration from unexpected places: cities at night, red wine, those comfortable silences between people who know each other well, and what he describes as “the glitch of memories.”

His latest single, “This Summer Night,” dropped on August 19th and perfectly captures that specific magic. At 3:17, it’s packed with synths that stick in your head and a melody that somehow feels both nostalgic and brand new. Other tracks like “The Sun, The Wine and You” and “Midnight Drive” show his range—each one catching different emotional frequencies while keeping that distinctive warmth that comes from his bicultural perspective.

The numbers tell their own story. Nearly 3 million Spotify streams. Over a million YouTube views. But when you mention this to iurisEkero, he seems genuinely surprised. “I don’t even understand those numbers,” he admits. “I just enjoy and am grateful.”

What he hopes listeners take away is simple: that urge to play a song again, whether you’re remembering someone, dancing alone in your kitchen, or waiting for something you can’t quite name yet. Even his breakup songs somehow feel optimistic—there’s always this undercurrent of possibility in his work.

Currently working on a new album featuring various guest artists, iurisEkero seems ready for whatever comes next. The sound explorer from Mendoza has found his frequency, and people are definitely tuning in.

Find iurisEkero’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and other streaming platforms, or visit his official website and follow him on Instagram.

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Alain Mékani Confronts Success and Solitude in New Single ‘Quiet’

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Alain Mékani

What happens when you achieve everything you dreamed of before turning 23, but there’s no one around to celebrate with? That’s the question Alain Mékani wrestles with in “Quiet,” his introspective new single that dropped August 1st, 2025.

The Dubai-based artist, who grew up in Beirut speaking Arabic with his mom and French with his dad while MTV played in the background, has been carving out his own corner of the Middle Eastern pop scene since his 2023 debut “Fool.” But this latest track hits different. It’s raw, honest, and uncomfortably relatable for anyone who’s ever felt alone in a room full of people.

Written during a period of professional success while living abroad, “Quiet” runs just over three minutes but packs an emotional punch. The track opens with Mékani reflecting on his younger self’s dreams—the car, the new place, all achieved before his 23rd birthday. But here’s where it gets real: “I left it all behind just to find myself / But am I really free?”

The chorus doesn’t pull punches either. When he admits “I’ve been going through some changes and my mind is fucking racing,” you feel that restless energy. It’s not polished pop perfection; it’s someone working through their stuff in real-time. The official music video, which premiered July 31st, visually captures this internal conflict.

“Quiet” by Alain Mékani

Family threads through every verse — and you can feel it. There’s the promise to make his mother proud, the desire to share his victories, and that gut-punch line about missing the people who matter most. The bridge transforms into something between a mantra and a desperate reminder: “Be somebody if you’re nobody.” It’s less motivational poster, more survival mechanism.

Since emerging with tracks like “Awlad El Haram” and his licensed reimagining of the Lebanese classic “Tallou Hbabna” earlier this year, Mékani has built a reputation for blending French, Arabic, and English lyrics with what critics call a “melancholic awakening” sound. Regional outlets including Musivv and Buro 24/7 Middle East have taken notice of his ability to pair cross-cultural production with genuine vulnerability.

The artist, who taught himself guitar after starting on accordion at eight, turned to songwriting as therapy following his father’s death in 2015. While working a marketing day job in Dubai, he spent nights and weekends learning production, eventually creating the demos that would launch his career.

Currently working on collaborations with Rayan Bailouni and Jay Janith, Mékani is pushing further into French territory with his upcoming releases. It’s a natural evolution for someone who grew up switching between languages at home. As he puts it: “I write in three languages because some emotions need more than one passport.”

“Quiet” is now streaming across all major platforms. Connect with Alain Mékani on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Anghami, Instagram, TikTok, and at alainmekani.com.

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Siren Built Her Entire Sound in Secret and Now She’s Ready to Surface

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Siren

The first thing that hits you about Siren isn’t just her voice—it’s the sheer audacity of someone who taught themselves everything. No formal training, no music theory classes, just pure instinct driving her to create something that sounds like Rammstein got into a late-night conversation with Lana Del Rey while Massive Attack played in the background.

At 24, this LA-based artist has already written around 70 songs, most still unreleased, sitting in her vault like secrets waiting to surface. Born June 13, 2001, Siren started making music in 2019, and what’s emerged since then defies easy categorization. Her sound pulls from trip-hop pioneers like Portishead, the industrial weight of German metal, and the cinematic drama of Tchaikovsky—yes, the Swan Lake composer.

“Every ache must be turned into art,” she says about her approach to music. It’s this philosophy that drives her self-described “raw confessions where melancholy meets beauty.” Her mezzo-soprano voice shifts between whispered vulnerability and soaring intensity, creating what she calls “cold waves of sound that mesmerize like a siren’s voice in the night sea.”

Siren

The artist’s journey started unexpectedly early. One of her most vivid childhood memories involves her grandmother singing Russian folk songs on a winter swing—an experience she describes as “blue, cold, wintry, dark, nostalgic, deep, soulful, and melancholic.” By twelve, she’d discovered Rammstein, which she credits with awakening “strength, courage, resistance, and the spirit of a fighter.” The band shaped about 60% of her musical taste, while Lana Del Rey, who she calls her “musical mother,” opened up the other side of her artistic personality.

What’s striking about Siren’s work is how she balances opposing forces. She describes her music as reflecting both her anima and animus—the feminine emotional vulnerability paired with masculine instrumental drive. This duality shows up everywhere in her sound: acoustic piano meets electric guitars, string arrangements collide with rock drums, trip-hop grooves support orchestral swells.

Her latest release, “Devil 2019,” dropped on August 3, 2025, running 3:28 and showcasing her hypnotic vocal control. But it’s just a taste of what’s coming. Her debut single “Siren Heroine,” released on June 13, previews her upcoming album “Blue Blood,” which promises an oceanic, siren-themed concept drawn from songs written three to four years ago.

Siren

Beyond music, Siren works as a visual artist, filmmaker, and photographer, creating her own visual concepts exactly as she imagines them. She admits to both loving and fearing the ocean—thalassophobia mixed with an obsession for deep blue imagery. “I reflect what I fear. I am what I fear,” she explains.

When asked about dream collaborations, she mentions Hans Zimmer, Rammstein, and Lana Del Rey—though she notes that most of her musical heroes are dead. Her approach to creation remains uncompromising: “I don’t write for people—I write for myself. Music is how I let you know me.”

For those curious to dive deeper, Siren’s music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, SoundCloud, and her website. Follow her journey on Instagram and TikTok.

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