ORLANDO, FLA – Are you giving up? Everything you need to hear right now is in this instant-hit single and it’s going to feel like it was written just for you.

“Alive” – written and produced by Alvin Giles (formally known as Vthov) and his independent label Back Rank Records – is complete fire across the board in sound, vibe and message. It’s been 10 years since this artist stepped behind the mic, but this spring has been a new season for this Orlando native. And he’s not pulling any punches.

“I’m coming off of a hiatus with my music and my brand,” Giles said. “I took time to focus on my family – make sure they were secure and in a good place – But ‘Alive’ is like my anthem. It’s something that makes me feel like I can get back in the fight and start swinging. I honed in on the sense of being alive – as long as you got breath, you can make micro decisions that affect the macro. You might think you’re down, or you missed your shot, but ‘Alive’ has a message to keep fighting. That was the blueprint to this song.”

Giles’ incredible vocals empower your spirit in a style that merges rap and hip-hop, and the steady drum rhythm takes over your heartbeat – leaving you fulfilled and inspired to pursue your aspirations.

But it doesn’t stop there.

The nation is fresh out of a pandemic, and currently looking at the uncertain future with the Russia-Ukraine war. Giles said he knew he needed to release this song now.

“When you have a good song, it should have meaning behind different lenses,” Giles said. “I want people to feel like a superhero after they hear it … My music this year will show the different sides to my artistry. Hip-hop is my love and passion, and I’m excited to release the next two.”

Listeners need to be ready this summer for “Grinders and Hustlers,” and followed in the fall with “Oscar Worthy.” Giles said this song plays on the adage of “my life is a movie,” and if that’s true … he encourages you to make it Oscar worthy. It’s important to him that people know, while his music is impactful and insightful – it’s also fun.

“I like to incorporate wit into artistry,” he said. “It’s about finding ways to say things that need to be said in a creative way. Messages people can get behind. Impact the community. In the next song I release, I salute those people who work hard, keep society going and contribute. I want to celebrate those grinders and hustlers – use those words with a different spin – and celebrate people who graduate, learn a trade, climb corporate ladders and build relationships. We saw these people shine in the pandemic, and I think this song is going to go over well.”

Giles has a decade of experience in the music industry and when you hear his name, it’s followed with a list: producer, audio engineer, arranger, composer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and artist. He plays piano, drums, bass, tenor sax, guitar and any percussion instrument you can name, but his first love was – and always will be – piano.

Under the brand of Vthov, Giles was the pianist and lead musician for “What Does Freedom Mean” from the soundtrack to the Oscar-winning movie, "Twelve Years a Slave.” He was the principal arranger for Cody ChesnuTT's critically acclaimed sophomore album "Landing on 100.” He’s shared the stage with Gary Clark Jr, Ledisi, Cody ChesnuTT and opened for legends such as Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Nas, Bryan Adams and many more.

In a season of re-branding, Giles has used his time to sharpen his skills and stay focused.

“I’m in a great place where I can do things independently,” he said. “I’m a strategist, and my go to distraction from music is chess. I love the game. The back rank is where all your powerful pieces are. The game demands that you always protect your back rank. I named my label ‘Back Rank Records’ because I want like-minded artists, who want a brand they can trust, to know how important they are and that our team is going to do everything in our power to protect them. Everyone has a lot of intrinsic value. It’s a place where, you’re not just welcome and expected to thrive, you’re protected.”

 

Find Giles at any of the following clicks and don’t miss “Alive” – streaming on the following digital platforms.

 

Website: https://gilesmusic.com

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B000QJI4E4/giles

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/zw/artist/giles/1612668569

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/officialgilesmusic

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/68TzkIrPgDqHPko5ZHvxqV

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OfficialGilesMusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialGilesMusic

Instagram: http://instagram.com/officialgilesmusic/