Christian R&B pop duo, The Stewarts, has revitalized an old favorite single, “Battle of Survival,” for modern times. The new version, “Battle of Survival - Remix,” is a daily reminder to stay strong, no matter what comes our way.

The Stewarts is comprised of brothers Del and Garry K Stewart. From a young age, the duo has been deeply involved in music. One brother played the keyboard, the other the drums from ages five and eight, respectively. “We were always singing, performing, and dancing,” they add. In fact, music runs in the family: one cousin played with Duke Ellington, another two were popular in the 50s and 60s, and their mother sang gospel with Sam Cooke in the 50s. Now, the duo boasts five decades of music making—and they’re not slowing down just yet.

Their most recent single prior to “Battle of Survival - Remix” was “Stand,” which won the Blue Chip Award in April and was on the up-and-coming charts for weeks on end.

Since their last release, The Stewarts have continued to fine-tune their signature sound. According to The Stewarts, their style is “Pop, Christian R&B. We talk about family and what’s going on in the country and current events. Our music is about keeping the faith in Jesus and staying strong, no matter how dark it is.”

“Battle of Survival - Remix” was originally released in 2013 as “Battle Survival,” based on an even earlier version written in the 1980s. The Stewarts returned to the single, adding keyboard parts and horns to give the song a new upbeat edge. “We’re dealing with what’s happening now in the current political atmosphere,” explain The Stewarts about why they’re bringing the song back to life. “A lot of people are experiencing job loss. There’s chaos going on right now, but we’re trying to put it out there to stay strong.”

Three weeks out from its release, the video for the single has already amassed more than 26,000 views. Tried and true, “Battle of Survival - Remix” sends as strong a message today as when the original come out more than a decade ago. “Back then, people were still going through hardship and turmoil. Others were going through personal changes,” add The Stewarts. “We like that it’s a song of hope and believing in dreams. If you can dream it, you can achieve it. God is in control.”

When writing music, The Stewarts let their songs evolve as they will. “Sometimes the melody comes first; sometimes the drum beat comes first,” they share. “There are times we’re texting each other different lyrics and ideas for a song.”

The Stewarts attribute their continued motivation to wanting to share a strong message about Christ and helping keep hope and dreams alive. These days, with music becoming a free for all for all sorts of artists, many of whom bash women and people through derogatory lyrics, The Stewarts believe in sharing a positive message. “We never want to bash anybody,” they share. “That’s why we’re focused on positive lyrics.”

Up next for the duo is the release of another remix, “Truth,” and ongoing music creation. “We release music as it feels right,” they add. At the end of the day, they’re here to remind us that “You can’t be great without the greatness of others. Check your ego at the door and be humble.”

Make sure to stay connected to The Stewarts on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts.

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Clinton Brand III – better known as CBIII – is a California-based rapper. His new single, titled “I Won’t Quit,” is a motivational and relatable message for everyone “going through it.”

The track, with a beat by Tunna Beats, has a Blurry Face vibe. It starts with a violin and the soft “ahh”s of featured singer Alex Brinkley. When the beat drops, piano, bass and drums enter along with CBIII’s lyrical meditations on “overthinking, contemplating, and debating” why he “won’t quit.”

Sad but I should be filled with joy.
Played with my heart just like it was a toy.
But the truth is I’m tired of venting.
This constant feeling is relentless.
Nobody wants to listen and everyone is a critic.
Hate my life but I won’t give up, I can’t give in.

 

As the final line makes clear, the song is a study in contradictory mindsets. There’s the fear of failure – what if I’m not good enough? – and then the contrast of relentlessness as stated in the title.

The lyrics of the song’s final quattrain are especially strong. Beginning with an example of CBIII’s wordplay (phenomenal and astronomical anomaly), the final message is one of inspiration: I’m tired of this, so I’m going to make it better.

Phenomenal and astronomical anomaly – that’s what I would like to be
I don’t want to eat, I don’t want to sleep
Tired of this life, the way that I’ve been living
It’s time to make a change – for the greater good.

 

This struggle with nagging self-doubt and overthinking makes “I Won’t Quit” very relatable. In the end, CBIII wants listeners to be inspired, to not give in when they find themselves in similar circumstances.

Brand’s inspiration for “I Won’t Quit” was intensely personal. Following the death of his parents at a young age, he was raised by his grandmother and then was placed in foster care. A recent visit found his grandmother’s memory fading; this was painful, considering that she had once been his biggest supporter.

This episode left him feeling abandoned, in a dark place.

He says, “I wrote the song ‘I Won’t Quit’ because at that time I was suicidal. I didn’t have nobody else to turn to because my grandma didn’t really care anymore.”

The vulnerability expressed in the lyrics made CBIII unsure if he wanted to release the song at all. He says, “I actually sat on the song for like five months before even thinking about releasing it because it’s so close to home that I wasn’t even sure if I was going to have the courage to share it.”

Now that the song is out, its vulnerability is its strength. Brand’s struggle is real, and the general contours – missing family support, doubting yourself, knowing you need to persevere – will be familiar to many.

In addition to his personal desire to live up his dream of greatness, Brand has another reason not to give up: his younger brother, who is currently in foster care. Knowing his brother looks up to him, he wants to remind him that giving in to doubt is the easy way out.

Brand says, “I want to encourage him, to show him that if you set your mind to it, bro, there’s nothing you can’t do.”

In the end, CBIII wants listeners to learn from his pain, to ask themselves, “What if I don’t give up?

Stream “I Won’t Quit” now, wherever you listen to music.

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