Versatile Actor, Recording Artist, and Filmmaker Amir Royale Releases New Single “Paradox”

The Disney Dilla / Stevie Wonder / Prince of Hip-Hop Returns With Another Classic Masterpiece

By StageScene MagazinePublished 3 years ago • 4 min read

Amir Royale (right) recording and mixing with John Arbuckle (left) and Ryan Carmody (back left) at Cove City Sound Studios, LI; photography by Aja Eden Adam

From Amir Royale

"Paradox" is about overcoming one's insecurities and becoming free of your personal demons. You are meant to soar higher than the brightest star. You are meant to outlive the wisest turtle. Thus, truthfully, the only thing really stopping you from doing that -- is YOURSELF. Why is it so hard for us to stay sane? Why does it take us so long to recover from heartbreak? Why are we so fragile? Why am I STILL not enough? Where "People Say" teeters the line of dangerously falling prey to the naysayers and our dark thoughts -- I wanted "Paradox" to be the exact OPPOSITE of that. My hope is that it helps others find solace in the love they've always secretly had for themselves. Why? Because just writing this all down helped me. Yet for some odd reason, it still doesn’t even feel like I wrote it all for myself... </3

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artwork by: BlueSketchyDoodles

composed by: Amir Oliver

lyrics by: Amir Oliver

produced by: Amir Royale

arranged by: Amir Royale

executive produced by: Richie Cannata, Eren Cannata & Prince Royale

music consultant: Alan Silverman

engineered by: John Arbuckle & Amir Royale

mixed by: John Arbuckle

mastered by: Chris Gehringer

musical key: D major

BPM: 104

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Press Release

NEW YORK -- March 30, 2021 -- Amir Royale, a multi-talented actor, recording artist, filmmaker, and entrepreneur, released today “Paradox,” a thought-provoking record with an enlightening message of overcoming one’s insecurities and breaking free of personal demons.

Click here to listen to the record.

The record centers around introspective rap verses about stardom and ego; employing a melodious and insightful hook that responds critically to Royale’s verses. The “Disney Dilla/Stevie Wonder/Prince of hip-hop” envisioned “Paradox” as a song to help others during the strain of the pandemic, and more specifically, as a direct contrast to the emotionally powerful and personal record “People Say” (which was released in January 2020).

“My hope is that ‘Paradox’ helps others find solace in the love they've always secretly had for themselves,” Royale said.

In addition to writing and performing the thoughtful lyrics of “Paradox,” Royale also composed, produced, arranged, and engineered the record. The song was executive produced by Richie and Eren Cannata of Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove, NY, as well as Prince Royale (Amir’s father). John Arbuckle of Cove City Sound Studios engineered and mixed the record.

Chris Gehringer of Sterling Sound (mastering engineer for Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Lizzo, and Lana Del Rey) in Edgewater, NJ returns as Royale’s mastering engineer after collaborating with him on his 2020 single, “People Say.” Sterling Sound mastering house most recently has received Grammy nods for involvement in the Silk Sonic 2021 single, “Leave the Door Open.” Grammy award-winning mastering engineer Alan Silverman of Arf Mastering in New York, NY (engineer for Norah Jones, Dolly Parton, and Chaka Khan) also returns as the musical consultant to “Paradox.”

The artwork for “Paradox” was imagined by Amir Royale, realized by Julisse Tinoco (a.k.a. BlueSketchyDoodles, a BFA Animation student at the School of Visual Arts), and designed by SPECTRUMM Animations.

The release of “Paradox” follows a flurry of releases in 2020, such as Amir Royale’s debut horror film Les Poissons Morts in October. There was also the “hip-pop” infused electronic hit “Turnin You Out” in June (which was a collaboration with fellow polymath and songwriter/producer DOMENICO). Prior to that, Royale re-released his debut mixtape Magnificent in May, while previously releasing his short film drama Please Stop Calling Me, and acting in the comedy sitcom podcast NEXT STOP in April. In February 2020, Royale dropped the soulful hip-hop record “Hold it Down (Freestyle),” while beginning the year of 2020 with the aforementioned “People Say” in January.

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Cover Art for “Paradox”

*Artwork Imagined by* *Amir Royale* *; Realized by* *Julisse Tinoco / Blues SketchyDoodles. Designed by* *SPECTRUMM Animations*.

Click here to listen to the record.

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About Amir Royale

Amir Royale, is a multi-talented actor, recording artist, musician, filmmaker, producer, and director with M. StageScene Communications / Blues Bell Music. Royale is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music (where he also earned a minor in Cinema Studies), and currently teaches as an adjunct professor. Royale also is a graduate of the acclaimed Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, where he studied drama. Royale hails from St. Albans, Queens—a neighborhood that was once home to many legendary musicians, such as James Brown, John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, A Tribe Called Quest, and Count Basie.

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