In "What's in Your Playlist," we ask Artoyz members to share a glimpse of their current musical tastes. In the third episode of this blog series, we are pleased to introduce Hasina, who takes over from Noé (see episode 2). She will share her musical tastes and favorite discoveries with you.

Before we start, we want to let you know that if you are passionate about toy design and music, we have two Bearbrick Rinaro models in stock. These portable speakers offer exceptional sound quality. Come test them directly in our store!

You take one of the best rappers of our generation, add his label and artists, sprinkle a touch of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, let it rest for 10 days, and you get my all-time favorite project!

In 2007, rapper Jermaine Lamarr Cole, better known as J.Cole, and his manager Ibrahim "Ib" Hamad founded Dreamville Records, a US hip-hop and R&B label in partnership with Interscope Records. Initially created to provide an independent platform for the rapper, the duo ultimately managed to create a real artistic family, aiming for free development with a human- and creativity-centered approach rather than just commercial concerns. This is where the name "Dreamville" comes from: a place where every artist can fulfill their dreams.

The reason this project is undoubtedly my favorite lies in the production behind it. J.Cole set up a kind of "recording camp": he gathered the artists from his label, including JID, Ari Lenox, Bas, EARTHGANG, and many others, and sent invitations to over a hundred artists for a large collaborative event to create a project in just 10 days. In the documentary Dreamville Presents: REVENGE, which chronicles the 10 days of the camp in Atlanta, the invitations are compared to the golden tickets from the film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory since many artists dreamed of participating.

Of the more than 100 participating artists, only about thirty appear on this album, which mixes hip-hop, R&B, trap, boom bap, alternative rap, and more. Despite the collaborative spirit of the project, competition was inevitable at times: no available recording studios, multiple artists wanting to record on the same beat, everyone trying to prove themselves and stand out. Still, it did not affect the overall camp atmosphere: the documentary shows the artists having fun together, enjoying their time, and the creativity is palpable.

Born Jo-Vaughn Virgine Scott, Joey Bada$$ is a multifaceted artist: rapper, model, and actor of Caribbean-American origin. With his 2012 mixtape 1999, many saw him as the heir to the golden age of New York rap thanks to the "boom bap" touch in the project. His lyrics are carefully crafted and cover a wide range of topics.

However, like many, I discovered Bada$$ with his 2017 album ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$, which I consider a real gem.

This project was released during a period marked by racial tensions, police violence, and the election of a new president: Jo-Vaughn criticizes the United States and delivers a real message of resistance through much more "accessible," melodic tracks, unlike the sound in 1999, which targeted a more specific audience.

Despite my love for the entire album, the track that impacted me the most is DEVASTATED: he talks about having gone through many hard moments in life thinking he would never make it, but ultimately succeeding, with patience being the key. Having faced many challenges myself (even just to find an apprenticeship, haha), this song reassures me greatly and lifts my mood thanks to its catchy instrumental.

For me, he is one of the best lyricists of our generation: meet Joyner Lucas, born Gary Maurice Lucas Jr.. Around the age of 10, the Massachusetts-born rapper started rapping under the names G-Storm and later Future Joyner before settling on his current stage name.

What makes him stand out is that he doesn’t just "rap for rapping’s sake" but addresses topics rarely explored in rap, particularly mental health, as seen in his album ADHD. The title refers to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, which Joyner has experienced since childhood. Over his career, he has also tackled racism with I'm Not Racist, addictions with Best For Me, injustice with Devil's Work, family issues, and more.

I chose to talk about ADHD because this album feels like entering the artist’s personal diary. The way he addresses his disorder, challenges, stigma, frustration, ambition, and revenge is perfectly organized in the project, especially with the skits. In a world where mental health is not taken seriously enough, Lucas had the courage to create a remarkable project.

You've all heard at least once one of these iconic American hip-hop tags: "If young Metro don't trust you, I'm gon' shoot you", "Metrooooo" or "Metro Boomin want some more, n***". These are the signatures of the famous producer, DJ, and beatmaker Leland Tyler Wayne, better known as Metro Boomin.

In middle school, Metro wanted to become a rapper under the name Young Zesty. However, when he received a synthesizer and FL Studio (then FruityLoops) for Christmas to create his own sounds, he discovered a true passion for beatmaking and gave up on becoming a rapper. After sending his productions to numerous artists, he eventually produced "Alley Boy" by Young Jeezy and Lil Gotti. From there, nothing could stop him: the biggest names in American hip-hop flocked to his beats, and he became a major figure in the genre.

A genius: that is the only word I can use for H.E.R., born Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson. This singer, songwriter, performer, and musician embodies contemporary R&B with her ability to blend genres like soul, jazz, and pop. With acoustic guitar as her main instrument, she also masters piano, bass, drums, and electric guitar. Her voice easily transports listeners on an emotional journey.

H.E.R. addresses themes centered on love, femininity, vulnerability, as well as social and identity issues. Her EP H.E.R. Volume 1 with Focus, her cover of Drake’s Jungle, and the song Best Part featuring Daniel Caesar contributed to propelling her career. Over time, she won numerous awards, including 5 Grammy Awards, an Oscar, an Emmy, 3 American Music Awards, 4 Billboard Music Awards, and more.

Her album Back of My Mind mainly explores the complexities of love, such as Hold On, which addresses the pain of holding onto someone, empowerment with Slide (feat. YG), resilience with We Made It, and social awareness with I Can't Breathe, which won a Grammy for Song of the Year and 2 MTV Music Awards for Video For Good.

I couldn't talk about H.E.R. without mentioning Daniel Caesar since, after their incredible Best Part, they are a perfect pair in my eyes.

Born Ashton Dumar Norwill Simmonds, the Canadian singer, songwriter, and performer is a pillar of neo soul and contemporary R&B. The son of a gospel singer, he incorporates this influence into his music, making it even more melodic, as heard in Hold Me Down.

After independently releasing two EPs, Praise Break and Pilgrim's Paradise, he released his first album Freudian. Honestly, I seriously consider using one of the tracks for my wedding, haha, as it discusses relationships, personal growth, and spirituality. The release of Freudian was a real turning point in his career, earning him a Grammy for Best R&B Performance at just 22.

Simmonds' life was not easy, but his work paid off. He dropped out of high school after being expelled for selling drugs. He then bravely moved to Toronto to pursue music, initially facing homelessness, sleeping at acquaintances’ places or in city parks. It shows that you must be ready to do anything to make your dreams a reality.

Tems, born Temilade Openiyi, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.

In 2018, Tems left her digital marketing job to fully dedicate herself to music. Armed with her voice and a mix of alternative R&B and Afrobeat, she debuted with the single Mr.Rebel in 2018, followed by Looku Looku and Try Me in 2019. The latter was a big success and gave her a strong position in the music industry. Alongside collaborations with artists like Wizkid, Davido, Khalid, and Drake, her EPs For Broken Ears and If Orange Was A Place further fueled her popularity.

Her uniqueness lies in perfectly blending traditional Nigerian music elements with more "Western" sounds, giving her music international appeal. Her world is emotional, introspective, and deeply rooted in her Nigerian heritage. Listening to her feels like entering a dreamlike world with an intimate atmosphere.

Her first album Born In The Wild, released in 2024, clearly presents her universe and defines her personality. Every theme is beautifully highlighted by her voice, both soft and slightly raspy, guided by melodies showing pride in her African heritage. For example, in Wickedest, where she talks about her rise in music, a sample of Magic System’s Premier Gaou is heard in a completely new way.

Born Sarah Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, Ayra Starr grew up in a musical family from Benin but spent much of her life in Nigeria.

Early on, she showed talent for singing, participating in school choirs and developing a powerful, expressive voice. Before music, she started as a model but quickly turned to singing, posting covers on Instagram that caught Don Jazzy’s attention, founder of Mavin Records. Signed to the label, she released her self-titled EP in 2021, led by the single Away, which was an instant success in Nigeria and other African countries. Her first album, 19 & Dangerous, confirmed her talent with hits like Bloody Samaritan, blending Afropop, R&B, and Neo-Soul. This combination of vocal talent, artistic creativity, label support, and her ability to discuss youth, self-confidence, and empowerment made her internationally famous.

The album The Year I Turned 21 presents a more mature, introspective artist. Released in 2024, it explores themes of transitioning to adulthood, self-assertion, love, and the challenges of modern youth. Songs address confidence, breakups, and personal experiences, balancing danceable tracks with introspective ones. Being the same age as her, I could relate even more to this project, as I was going through similar life experiences.

13 members + 3 subunits + 1 group = SEVENTEEN. And yes, this group is in some ways my “guilty pleasure”. Formed in 2015 by the label Pledis Entertainment, this group of korean pop consists of S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon and Dino, all born between 1995 and 1999. It also has 3 leaders for the 3 sub-units: S.Coups, overall leader of the group and the hip-hop unit, Hoshi, leader of the performance unit, and Woozi, leader of the vocal unit and producer of the group.

Often nicknamed the "K-Pop's Powerhouse", they are distinguished by their very dynamic style, with very careful and almost theatrical stage performances, synchronization and complex choreographies. In addition, they are qualified as a "self-producing group" because the members actively participate in the composition, arrangements, choreographies, etc. This is especially what attracted me to SEVENTEEN because we often have this image of simple performers who are content to bring to life what a label gives them when we talk about k-pop; however, with this group, I understood that it was quite the opposite. Each member brings their personal touch and all participated equally in their success.

I decided to highlight the title Great because it illustrates the perseverance of the group over all these years. Woozi, the leader of the vocal unit and producer of the group, confided that this title was also a way for him to give strength to the members of the group because they were all going through a rather complicated period. The track is inspired by the Chinese mythological character Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), known for his strength and ability to transform, which reflects their own artistic evolution and ability to reinvent themselves.