South Georgia’s RVSHVD (pronounced RA-SHAD) drops despondent single “Couldn’t Be Me,” available now on all platforms. Continuing to showcase his unique blend of country, hip-hop, and rock, the tune – co-penned by Clint Johnson, Rob Pennington, and Ben Simonetti and produced by Brandon Manley – finds the CMT Listen Up Artist for 2024 spiraling at the thought of another man with the woman he loves. With over 175M cumulative streams to date, RVSHVD “is turning heads in the country music scene,” (All Country News). His new album, It’s Rashad (out September 20) promises to excite listeners continuing with his “carefully curated” and “genre-melding sound,” (Billboard).
“‘Couldn’t Be Me’ is a song about regret,” said RVSHVD of the tune. “I’ve always been a fan of sad songs that slap and I’d had the title in my phone for a while so I’m glad we got to bring it to life for y’all to hear.”
“Couldn’t Be Me” follows RVSHVD’s July release, “Proof” – “a country-metal blend that will certainly shake you awake,” (Countrypolitan). The track, a collaboration with All That Remains, features “intense guitar riffs and powerful vocals,” (Fandom Daily) that amassed nearly 500,000 streams on Spotify alone in a few short weeks.
It’s Rashad showcases the complete RVSHVD. The album is fueled by stories he has accumulated from his small town origins in Willacoochee, Georgia, to the life changing experiences as a touring artist to personal introspection on “Drowning Man” and “Wasn’t For You.” RVSHVD adds his own signature flare with a blend of genres attached to his country upbringings and sound, that ties the project together to make not only a debut album, but a debut to the artist himself.”
“I moved to Nashville in 2021, new to everything as a professional artist,” RVSHVD said. “Everyone always asks me about how to say my stage name, who I am, where I’m from, but I’m introverted so it’s a challenge sometimes. I’ve always put what I wanted to say in music, so I spent 3 years learning how to put myself out there. Once I did that, I knew I was ready to make a project for not only everyone who’s always asked, but my fans who wanted to get to know me more. I titled it ‘It’s Rashad’ to show how to pronounce my name and to show what songs and sounds make me who I am, ‘Rashad.’”