Belize – May 11, 2025 — Iconic Music Group (IMG) announces the release of Still Standing, Reflections, Vol. I, a powerful new instrumental album from veteran producer, writer, and creative visionary Samuels. With 21 immersive tracks, this Lo Fi Beats project blends atmospheric chill pop with golden-age hip-hop influence—marking a reflective tribute to where it all began: the underground emcee scene of Hollywood, California in the mid-1990s.
While the genre of Lo Fi Beats has gained explosive popularity in recent years—thanks to platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Twitch and artists such as Nujabes, J Dilla, Jinsang, Idealism, Joji (formerly of 88rising), ChilledCow (Lofi Girl), and Tomppabeats—its roots stretch deeper into the analog texture, raw soul, and emotionally driven storytelling found in independent hip-hop scenes across New York, L.A., and the Bay Area in the ’90s.
Samuels, known then as a lyrical force in Hollywood ciphers and studio sessions, helped cultivate that very essence—where beats were gritty, loops were emotional, and bars came with meaning. Now, decades later, he revisits that vibration with new wisdom, translating it into lush, instrumental storytelling.
“Back in the Nineties, before the term ‘Lo Fi’ was even coined as a genre, we were already making beats with soul, vibe, and imperfections. We looped dusty vinyl, recorded on 4-tracks, and rhymed with intention. That energy never left me—it just evolved,” says Samuels. “This album is me paying homage to that sound and proving that emotion, rhythm, and story are eternal.“
The album delivers a carefully crafted atmosphere with tracks like:
Anew Beginnings, Autumn Breeze Nostalgia, Blue Waters Reflection, Chill Pop Dreams, Coldest Winter Nightfall, Crystal Clear Visions, Desert Sands Mirage, Emotional Drift, Heavens Touch Divine, Heavy Heart And Soul, Introspective State, Mesmerizing Energizing Vibes, Romantic Reverie, Rose Pink Skies, Spring Flowers Bloom, Still Standing Strong, Summer Sun Memories, Sunday Funday Flow, Tropical Sands Escape, Last Time Again, and Melancholy Echoes.
Built for background listening, studying, reflecting, creating, or decompressing, Still Standing, Reflections, Vol. I honors the sonic tradition that birthed modern Lo Fi—and adds new layers with Samuels’ signature musicianship and legacy-driven sound.
With over 30 years in the industry as a producer, songwriter, engineer, label executive, and business consultant, Samuels continues to defy limitations. From raw hip-hop to pop ballads, cinematic soul, Caribbean rhythms, and now Lo Fi Chill Pop, there remains no genre untouched by his precision and grace.
This album also ushers in a new era for Samuels, Inc., as Samuels prepares a broader rollout of his expansive 1,000-song catalog, alongside film, brand, and business ventures spanning multiple continents.
Still Standing, Reflections, Vol. I is available now on:
YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon | Tidal
www.ewingsamuels.com
This release is part of a larger 1,000-song music catalog fully owned by Ewing R. Samuels III and Iconic Music Group. The catalog spans multiple genres and includes exclusive original works available for sync licensing, publishing deals, and acquisition opportunities for music investors and global brands seeking timeless content.
Album Release Date: May 11, 2025
Label: ers3 Entertainment/Iconic Music Group (IMG)
Available On: All major streaming platforms worldwide
World Premiere Music Videos: YouTube – @ewingrsamuelsiii
All songs available for licensing
Part of a 1,000-song original music catalog
Publishing acquisition inquiries welcome
