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Keri Hilson: Gearing up for Debut! |
Brandy Back with "Human" | Brand New Album! |
August 15th, 2008Epic Records proudly announces the release of "Human," the new full-length studio album from the multi-platinum-selling Grammy-winning R&B/pop music superstar Brandy, available online and in stores on Tuesday, November 11. Brandy's Epic Records debut and first new album since 2004's Grammy-nominated RIAA gold-certified "Afrodisiac," "Human" is a bold new collection of songs reflecting the artist's evolution as a musician and an individual.
"'Human' is my most personal album to date," said Brandy. I have grown so much since my last album. Being able to express myself and my journey through my music is a feeling I can't describe. With this new chapter of my life it feels good to have Rodney, a familiar face, by my side again. He brings out emotions in me like nobody else."
Reunited with executive producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, who first collaborated with Brandy on her 1998 multi-platinum-selling collection "Never Say Never," Brandy has created the most emotionally resonant album of her career with songs and performances reflecting the truth and complexity of her experiences.
"It feels good to be back in the lab with Brandy again," said Rodney Jerkins. "We've always made great records and I'm humbled and honored to be continuing our legacy. The sound might be new, bigger, and more uplifting but we've kept our musical promise by making great songs and great music once again. There is no musical combination like ours!!!"
The album's title is a real life mirror of Brandy as a woman, an artist, a musician and a performer, communicating what it means to be fully "Human": strong yet vulnerable, candid and triumphant, in love with life and in touch with the things of the spirit.
"Right Here (Departed)," the first single from "Human," will impact Pop radio on September 16. The single and ringtone are scheduled to be released on August 26, with a digital pre-order for the album slated the same day.
Other key tracks on "Human" include "Fall," which Brandy co-wrote with the chart-topping British dance/pop singer/songwriter Natasha Bedingfield, as well as the new songs "Long Distance," "Piano Man," and "Torn Down." Brandy's other musical collaborators on Human include Brian Kennedy (Rihanna/"Disturbia"), emerging production whiz RedOne (Kat DeLuna, 2006 World Cup Official Single "Hips Don't Lie" with Shakira & Wyclef Jean), and James Fauntleroy (Jordin Sparks/"No Air").
Born Brandy Norwood in McComb, Mississippi, Brandy moved to California with her family at the age of 4. She was 15 when her first album, the RIAA 4x platinum certified "Brandy," was released in 1994, generating her first four hit singles: "I Wanna Be Down" (#6 - Hot 100, #1 - R&B); "Baby" (#4 - Hot 100, #1 - R&B); "Best Friend" (#34 - Hot 100, #7 - R&B); and "Brokenhearted" (#9 - Hot 100, #2 - R&B), her duet with Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men.
Her second album, 1998's "Never Say Never," reached #2 on the Billboard Top 200, earned her five Grammy nominations, is certified 5x platinum in the U.S., has sold more than 14 million copies worldwide and introduced "The Boy Is Mine," her runaway smash duet with Monica. The first Brandy single to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, "The Boy Is Mine" remained in the top slot for 13 straight weeks, achieved RIAA double platinum status and took home a host of awards including Billboard's R&B Sales Single of the Year, Billboard's Hot 100 Sales Single of the Year, the MTV Award for Best R&B Video and the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
Her third album, 2002's "Full Moon," hit #1 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart, #2 on the Top 200, and became her third straight platinum-selling album.
Having sold more than 25 million albums worldwide -- with 10.5 million of those in the U.S. alone -- since the beginning of her career, Brandy is one of the top-selling female recording artists in pop music history.
Concurrent with her music career, Brandy has enjoyed ongoing success as an actress, notably as the star of the UPN sitcom "Moesha" and the lead in the two-hour Emmy-winning Disney special "Cinderella" as well as a variety of big-screen roles.
Over the course of her career as a recording artist, musician and actress, Brandy has taken home more than 100 awards worldwide notably!
Isaac Hayes Passes Away! |
August 12th, 2008The multigenerational appeal of Isaac Hayes, who died on Sunday at age 65, speaks to the breadth of his talent. But it also serves to distort the perception of his contribution to American popular culture.
To his youngest fans, Hayes was recognized as the silky, seductive voice of Chef on the animated TV program "South Park." Prior to that, Hayes's best-known achievement was the music for the 1971 film "Shaft." He wrote it, performed it and won an Academy Award for Best Original Score, the first African-American to do so. He also acted in some 30 films.
But the early stages of Hayes's lengthy professional career include significant work as a songwriter, arranger, producer and staff musician at Stax Records' studios in Memphis. As such, Hayes was in many ways responsible for some of soul's best-known songs while working, and often leading, groups of racially integrated musicians in the Deep South during the '60s.
Born in Covington, Tenn., in 1942, Hayes picked cotton after his parents died. He dropped out of high school but returned to earn his diploma at age 21. Singing in church since early childhood -- one imagines what Hayes's velvety baritone sounded like when he was a boy -- he taught himself keyboards, saxophone and flute. In the early '60s, he found a position at Stax as a session musician, backing various singers including Otis Redding -- he played piano on "Try a Little Tenderness" -- and working alongside Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Al Jackson and Duck Dunn, better known as the racially mixed Booker T and the MGs.
In the mid-'60s, Hayes and his songwriting partner David Porter composed a string of hits, most notably for Sam & Dave: "Soul Man," "Hold On, I'm Coming," "I Thank You" and "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby," among them. They also wrote "B-A-B-Y" for Carla Thomas, "Your Good Thing Is About to End" for Mable John and some 200 other songs.
A striking, charismatic figure, seeming vaguely threatening in oversized sunglasses and a shirt made of chains, Hayes set out on a solo career in the late-'60s, and his second album "Hot Buttered Soul" suggested the emergence of a gifted, idiosyncratic artist. Though he was an admired composer, Hayes included only four songs on the 1969 release, two originals and lengthy reimaginations of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "Walk on By" and Jimmy Webb's "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," which runs almost 19 minutes. Decidedly down-tempo with deep grooves, sweeping strings, wah-wah guitars and female backing singers, it foreshadowed his soundtrack for "Shaft."
The award-winning song, "Theme From Shaft," is a modern classic, with its driving intro featuring Willie Hall's pattern on the high-hat cymbal and the wah-wah guitar of Charles Pitts, whose performance throughout the album is a marvel. Today it instantly evokes the gritty inner-city experience and the emerging Black Pride movement of the times. It's funky elegance would later influence arrangers of disco music. As such, it eclipses the rest of a sophisticated, wide-ranging recording of not only fast-paced orchestral soul, but also slinky jazz and brassy R&B that transcends its era.
"Black Moses," a beautiful 14-track album released the same year as "Shaft," includes his takes on "I'll Never Fall in Love Again," "Never Can Say Goodbye," "Close to You" and a pair of Curtis Mayfield compositions. Hayes used the technique of the spoken word over his rich arrangements since the inception of his solo career; though he called them "raps" on "Black Moses," they had little to do with the rap movement that followed.
Financial difficulties disrupted Hayes's career in the mid-'70s. In debt to a regional bank, Hayes sued Stax for back royalties; unable to comply, the label released him from his contract, and he paid his debt with future royalties and income. He continued to record with sporadic success, and increased in his appearances as an actor in TV and films. In 1995, he had a hit with his album "Branded," which revived his '70s formula of lavish love ballads and bubbling soul. In 2002, he was named to the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, and celebrated in "Only the Strong Survive," a 2004 documentary.
In what is now a distracting coda to an admirable musical career, in the late '90s Hayes took on the role of Chef, the licentious grade-school cook in TV's "South Park." Though Chef is reliable and stalwart in contrast to other South Park adults, he often seemed to lampoon Hayes's on-record reputation for simmering romance. In 2006, Hayes announced he was quitting the show as a protest over its portrayal of religions and their followers; the show's creators pointed out that Hayes didn't object until they took on the Church of Scientology, of which Hayes was a member since '95. Find television listings for Isaac Hayes at LocateTV.
America's fascination with celebrity may prize more highly his voice-over duties on a controversial cartoon show or the distinctive public personality he assumed as a pop musician. But his contributions to the legacy of soul and R&B illustrates why Hayes was an important player in the development of our country's, and the world's, popular music.
(Jim Fusilli - New York Times)
UBG First: T.I. Leave's "PAPER TRAIL!" |
July 31st, 2008T.I. has grown to truly be one of his generation’s most captivating speakers. Whether he’s conversing frankly with a room full of youth about the positive side of staying in school and following their dreams, or moving tens of thousands at one of his concerts, audiences are immediately engrossed by the King of the South’s words. Later this summer, he promises to deliver his most potent and important LP to date, Paper Trail.
“I’m not doing too much pre-hype on the album,” Tip says of his new project. “I just want everyone to know that it’s coming out in a few months and that I’m going to answer a lot of questions in the music. It’s intense and insightful; it’s gonna shake up the game and it’s me at my best.”
Paper Trail’s title is a direct reference to T.I.’s return to literally writing down his lyrics -- a practice he hasn’t engaged in since his debut, I’m Serious, in 2001. Ironically, he found that going back to the basics has helped him evolve into a better MC. The album features guest appearances and production by Lil Wayne, Rihanna, Usher, The Dream, Fall Out Boy, Kanye West, B.O.B., John Legend, DJ Toomp, Swizz Beatz, Drumma Boy & Danja.
T.I.'s next single Swing Ya Rag” will debut on MTV2 Unleashed and Jam of The Week 9/8. The album Paprt Trail arrives in stores on September 30th!
TRACKLISTING (Not Final)
56 Bars (Intro)
I'm Illy
Ready For Whatever
On Top Of The World
Live Your Life [Featuring Rihanna]
Whatever You Like
No Matter What
My Life Your Entertainment [Feat. Usher]
Porn Star
Swing Ya Rag [Feat. Swizz Beatz]
What Up, What's Haapnin'
Every Chance I Get
Swagga Like Us [T.I. and Jay-Z feat. Kanye West and Lil' Wayne]
Slide Show [Feat. John Legend]
You Ain't Missin' Nothing
Dead And Gone [Feat. Justin Timberlake]
UBG First: LL Set To Drop EXIT 13! |
July 7th, 2008LL COOL J is an entertainer who has succeeded in crossing into all mediums of entertainment. Already a talented actor, author, recording artist, two-time Grammy Award winner and NAACP Image Award winner, LL continues to display his wide range of talents in his upcoming projects. Now he readies for his newest release, EXIT 13.
His new release, EXIT 13, is everything LL Cool J fans want and delivers even more. Recruiting an amazing and unique list of collaborators, EXIT 13 features the likes of 50 Cent, Wyclef Jean, Richie Sambora and The Dream and producers such as Suits, DJ Scratch, Ilfonics, Raw Uncut.
EXIT 13 showcases LL Cool J’s duality. “Depending on my mood, I can be aggressive or I can be aggressive in a different way. It’s no secret that I like making love songs,” commented LL.
Joining forces with 50 Cent on a track called “Heartbeat,” the two Queens natives rap over a stripped down track while sounding like they are having a good time. “It’s a song about role playing,” On the tracks “Rocking With The Goat” and “Queens,” LL taps into his native New Yorker persona and LL teams with The Dream and delivers a classic lady’s hit with the single, “Baby.”
Being an entrepreneur and always a forward thinking businessman, LL has always had a multi-faceted career. This Spring, he inked an exclusive deal with Sears, Roebuck to brand an affordable clothing line that will appeal to both kids and their parents. “The clothes are fashion forward, and I’m using my whole family in the ad campaign.” Expanding into the digital world, LL has founded www.boomdizzle.com, an on line community designed for aspiring artists to record, share and remix original music and video content.
Plies Starts Power Of Visions Foundation! |
July 7th, 2008Big Gates/Slip-N-Slide/Atlantic recording artist Plies has announced details of his very own non-profit organization, Big Gates and Plies Power Of Visions Foundation, Inc., as well as a scholarship program, the “Somebody Loves You” Scholarship Fund. This all comes as the Ft. Myers, Florida-bred rapper continues to ride the wave of success proven by his sophomore release, “DEFINITION OF REAL,” which debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, selling 215,000 copies in its first week. In fact, the album’s first week sales gave Plies the highest selling first-week numbers in the history of Miami-based Slip-N-Slide Records.
Keeping in the tradition of Plies’ philanthropy, Big Gates and Plies Power Of Visions will provide funding for legal representation and aid to needy individuals, specifically those who are incarcerated, with the goal of promoting a more functional, productive, and just community. The organization will also provide educational forums, classes, workshops, trainings, opportunities, and other charitable activities aimed at individuals in the community, in particular focusing on rehabilitation.
In addition, Big Gates and Plies Power Of Visions will focus on promoting activities for youth and minorities, including education, mentorship, cultural experiences, and preventative measures aimed at combating incarceration in the Tampa and Ft. Myers, Florida areas.
The organization’s first effort will be the “Somebody Loves You” Scholarship Fund 2008 (named after the song “Somebody (Loves You) “from his current album), which is designed specifically for students attending an accredited college or university, who have a parent(s) that is presently incarcerated and who is financially disadvantaged. The scholarship is open to students who are currently enrolled or who will be entering school this fall. Two scholarships will be awarded to one male and one female in the amount of $5000 each.
According to a published Senate report in September of 2000, as many as 70 percent of children of incarcerated parents will become involved with the criminal justice system unless effective intervention strategies are set in place. Big Gates and Plies Power Of Visions, Inc. hopes to inspire and encourage these at-risk youth to break the cycle of incarceration. Co-founder Plies comments, “We want to provide those who have been and continue to be affected by the negative impacts of the prison system with a sense of hope, and to let them know that they are not forgotten. No matter what adversities one may face in life, one thing remains true – and that is that somebody loves you.”
For more information on the organization and scholarship, as well as scholarship application details, visit www.pliesworld.com/somebodylovesyou.
In other Plies news, “Bust It Baby Part 2 (Feat. Ne-Yo),” the first single from “DEFINITION OF REAL,” continues to be another massive hip-hop hit for Plies. The track is ranked at #2 at Urban outlets nationwide this week. What’s more, “Bust It Baby Part 2” is turning out to be a pop mainstream summer sensation, coming in this week at #3 on Billboard’s “Hot 100 Airplay” ranking, as well as #8 on the overall “Hot 100.”
“Bust It Baby Part 2” is also continuing Plies’ incredible run of blockbuster ringtones. The single is currently #3 on Nielsen Ringscan’s “Top 200 Mastertones” ranking.
Plies recently shot the music video for his next single, “Please Excuse My Hands (Feat. Jamie Foxx and The-Dream),” which is slated to hit video outlets nationwide early next month.
For up-to-the-minute news and information, visit www.pliesworld.com, www.myspace.com/plies, and www.imeem.com/plies.
Lil Wayne Goes Platinum in First Week! |
June 18th, 2008Cash Money/Universal Motown Records multi-platinum recording artist Lil Wayne expands his dynasty with Tha Carter III. The new CD is the biggest release by far for 2008, selling over 1 Million copies it’s first week, reigning #1 on Nielsen SoundScan, besting Mariah Carey’s record-breaking release earlier this year. Not since 50 Cent’s The Massacre in 2005 has an artist sold over 1 Million albums their first week. “This is truly a proud moment for the Cash Money family, says Cash Money co-founder Ronald ‘Slim’ Williams. “Lil Wayne is truly changing the game of hip-hop.” Cash Money co-founder Bryan ‘Birdman’ Williams adds “I knew my son had it in him, and this just proves what I’ve been saying all along. Lil Wayne is the most talented rapper out there right now, and these numbers prove it.”
"This is a landmark week for Lil Wayne and for our company," said Universal Motown President Sylvia Rhone. "Wayne has not only scored by far the biggest debut of the year, but the highest first week sales in Universal Motown history. He has energized his fans and the retail community by delivering a seminal, original album that defines the state-of-the-art in hip-hop. Wayne's explosive success proves that when the music is there, the consumer is there. This is an event release from a genius artist who represents and speaks for youth culture. 'Tha Carter III' had a brilliant set-up, and I want to thank my entire Universal Motown team and our colleagues at Cash Money for all the hard work, devotion, and enthusiasm that made this day a reality."
GQ Magazine (2007) called him the “greatest rapper in the world,” proclaiming him Man of the Year, and Blender Magazine (2008) declared him the “Best Rock Star Alive.” Lil Wayne lives up to widespread critical acclaim garnering over 216 million in radio audience at Crossover and Urban radio. The talented rappers stronghold at radio extends to holding the #1 position at Crossover for nine straight weeks.
Two singles from Tha Carter III simultaneously blitz the Top Ten mainstream radio charts including the smash hit “Lollipop” at #2 and “A Milli” at #9, tagged as a Greatest Gainer. With these impressive figures, he eclipses Kanye West by nearly 10,000 units in first week performance. A dozen major retailers including Amazon, Circuit City, Kmart, Target and Walmart show Lil Wayne outselling West since the album dropped on June 10.
Star power sizzles for Lil Wayne, as a follow-up to his biggest solo effort, the multi-platinum Tha Carter II. With success squarely in the bag, Lil Wayne worked diligently to produce Tha Carter III and the result is a carefully honed masterpiece.
Lil Wayne was born and raised in the infamous poverty-stricken section of New Orleans- the 17th Ward. His rise to stardom came in 1995 at the tender age of 12 when he made his debut on his former label mates' B.G's True Story CD. Shortly thereafter, the rap prodigy garnered national attention as a member of the group, Hot Boys, which consisted of rappers Juvenile, Turk and B.G., with their 1997 debut album, Get It How You Live, followed by 1998's platinum certified Guerilla Warfare and 2003's Let Em Burn. Success continued to follow Lil Wayne, as a solo artist, his debut CD, 1999's Tha Block Is Hot reached platinum status and was a #1 Billboard Album. He later released in 2000, Lights Out, 500Degreez in 2002 and his defining album, 2004's gold certified, Tha Carter, which featured the hit single "Go DJ."
Since the release of his last CD, the platinum selling Tha Carter II, Lil Wayne has guest appearances on over 70 songs for other artists including Fat Joe’s 2008 Grammy nominated single “Make It Rain,” DJ Khaled’s “We Taking Over,” and Wyclef Jeans’ “Sweetest Girl.” He also released a duet CD with Bryan “Birdman” Williams titled Like Father, Like Son in 2006 which was a critical and commercial success.
Lil Wayne heralds Tha Carter III, as ‘The album he was born to make.’
Rev Run Presents.. Team Blackout! |
June 18th, 2008If you've been following the hit MTV reality series Run’s House starring Reverend Run (of Run-DMC), then you already know about the hip-hop trio Team Blackout. Team Blackout consists of Rev Run’s teenage son JoJo Simmons and his childhood friends Zach, and Reggie. The Queens / Long Island natives have been rhyming together since the 7th grade, but it wasn’t until the 2003 New York City Blackout that JoJo, Zach and Reggie decided to officially unite and form Team Blackout – hence the name.
Since then, they’ve been honing their craft, in the studio, on stage and even on TV. For the past four-years, millions of Run’s House fans have watched Team Blackout develop, on-air, into a full-fledged group to look out for. In 2007, they landed their first record deal with NY / LA based indie label Latchkey Recordings (distributed via Koch Entertainment). Team Blackout immediately hit the studio to record their debut album, Lights Out, in stores 8/19/2008. Lights Out was produced entirely by upcoming production duo Chris n Teeb (Danity Kane, Salt N Pepa), Grammy award winning producer Rockwilder and Ron Browz. Rev Run serves as the LP’s executive producer.
Lyrically, Lights Out is fun and carefree, bringing back a feel good vibe that’s been missing in today’s hip-hop music. Sonically, Chris n Teeb, Rockwilder and Ron Browz deliver a heavy dose of slick, futuristic sounds – perfect for the radio and clubs. JoJo Simmons states “we’ve got hot music, so it’s gonna be hard for people to say we only got a break just because I’m Reverend Run’s son. People are gonna be surprised.”
Season 5 of MTV’s Run’s House kicks off this summer, with more of Team Blackout’s steady rise in the music biz. Keep an eye open for Team Blackout’s upcoming video for “Billion Dollar Boyfriend” and be sure to check out their internet buzz video “J5 On ‘Em”, produced by Ron Browz (Nas, G-Unit), featuring DJ Webstar and Boogie Black. Fans of Run’s House loved the J5 dance from season four and continually sent messages asking for more, so Team Blackout hit them with a summer dance anthem for the kids.
With Team Blackout’s drive and Rev Run as mentors, JoJo, Zach & Reggie have a bright future ahead. But in the meantime, get ready for them to put your lights out this summer.
Tracklisting and credits for Team Blackout’s Lights Out (all songs produced by Rockwilder & Chris n Teeb except where noted):
1.) Whip So Clean
2.) Billion Dollar Boyfriend
3.) Its Yours
4.) Lights Down Low
5.) Gotta Have Her
6.) Paper Chase
7). It’s Automatic
8.) Why Wouldn’t I
9.) Anywhere You Wanna Go
10.). About U
11.) Outro
12). J5 On ‘Em f/DJ Webstar & Boogie Black (Bonus track produced by Ron Browz)
J Records Introduces.. Jazmine Sullivan! |
June 16th, 2008With a distinctive vocal style that's rich and full of conviction, J Records' latest signing, Jazmine Sullivan, is set to heat up the airwaves this summer with her smash new single "Need U Bad." The infectious reggae-tinged single, written by Jazmine and produced by Missy Elliott and Lamb, impacted urban mainstream radio on May 26th and has already climbed to #25 on the charts.
Demure but dangerous, Jazmine's frank, take-no-prisoners approach to songwriting, coupled with her passionate delivery, will quickly establish her as the one to watch this year and years to come. While her self-penned lyrics on "Bust Your Windows," "One Night Stand," "Call Me Guilty" and "In Love With Another Man," may raise a few eyebrows, music production by Missy, Salaam Remi, Jack Splash, Tricky, Wyclef, Stargate and more, will keep listeners captivated throughout her forthcoming debut disc.
While in the process of recording and promoting her album, Jazmine will give fans an inside look into her life by leaving voice mail updates along her journey. Fans can call Jazmine at (215) 789-4753 to hear her updates and leave messages.
Singing since the age of five, the Philly native made her first national televised appearance on Showtime at the Apollo at the age of 11. As Jazmine continued to hone and define her vocal dexterity, she quickly gained a legion of fans during her jaw-dropping live sets at her hometown's popular Black Lily showcases, where artists such as Jill Scott, Musiq, and Floetry performed before they became national recording artists.
With a track record of amazing live performances, songwriting credits for Christina Milian's "Say I," and background vocal appearances on several albums, including Missy's forthcoming album, there's no question that the sassy 21 year-old Jazmine is prepared to introduce the world to her unique brand of bold and beautiful music with a rebellious spirit.
Nas Set to Release New Album! |
June 10th, 2008Surrounded by controversy at every stage of his long and influential career as the conscience - and often most severe critic - of hip-hop, Def Jam Recordings artist Nas has returned to the headlines, declaring that his new 9th album, arriving in stores July 15th, will be untitled. The untitled new album follows-up Nas' Def Jam debut, the Grammy nominated Hip-Hop Is Dead, which entered the Soundscan chart at #1 in December 2006, on first week sales of more than 350,000 copies.
"It's important to me that this album gets to the fans," Nas said of his newest project. "It's been a long time coming. I want my fans to know that creatively and lyrically, they can expect the same content and the same messages. It's that important. The streets have been waiting for this for a long time. The people will always know what the real title of this album is and what to call it."
In advance of the untitled new album, which will be issued on the Def Jam/Jones Experience imprint, the first official single will be "Hero," produced by Polow Da Don.
Over the past few weeks, two tracks from the album have been leaked: "Black President" (produced by DJ Green Lantern) and the album's closing track "N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and The Master)" (produced by DJ Toomp), containing the provocative lyric, "They say we N-I-double-G-E-R/ We are, much more/ But still we choose to ignore the obvious/ Man, this history don't acknowledge us/ We were scholars way before colleges..."
One of the albums highlights is "Fried Chicken" featuring Busta Rhymes, produced by the Grammy winner for Producer Of The Year, Mark Ronson. "Fried Chicken," finds Nas and Busta in top form, mixing elaborate metaphors over a decidedly throwback Ronson track. "When I was young, sitting in my room hammering out beats on my MPC, Nas was one of those truly legendary artists that you daydream, 'One day, I'll get to do a track for...,'" says Ronson. "We finally met Grammy night in LA, and he said he wanted some stuff from me for the album. I started thinking to myself, as a Nas fan, 'What kind of beats would I love to hear him over?' That's how the Dapkings and I came up with the track for 'Fried Chicken', and I reckon it sounds like a stone cold classic."
The untitled new album will also include collaborations with producers Stic.Man from Dead Prez, Jay Electronica, Stargate, DJ Cool & Dre, and others.
Hip-Hop Is Dead, the third album by Nas to enter the charts at #1, got started with the lead title track single "Hip-Hop Is Dead," produced and co-written by and featuring will.i.am. of Black Eyed Peas. The cut (which sampled '60s hits "Apache" and "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida") made it inside the Top 40 on the Hot 100, Pop 100, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Hot Rap Tracks, and Hot Digital Songs charts. It was followed-up with "Can't Forget About You," featuring fellow Def Jam artist Chrisette Michelle, a jazz inspired Top 10 Rap track also produced by will.i.am, that riffed off a sample from the classic "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole.
Time Out New York stepped out early in January 2007, and picked Hip-Hop Is Dead as "rap record of the year." Pitchfork's reviewer called it "the album I'll give to people in 20 years when they ask who Nas was." The album release set up the "One Man, One Mic, One Night" 26-city North American tour, one of the biggest ever by Nas, from March through May 2007.
An influential hip-hop culture icon since the early 1990s, Nas (Nasir Jones) emerged from the Queensbridge neighborhood of Long Island City, a hotbed of rap artist since the '80s. Son of jazz trumpeter Olu Dara, junior high school drop-out Nas apprenticed with such local crews as the Devastatin' Seven (at age nine) and Main Source ("Live At the Barbecue," 1991).
Nas first reached an international audience when his track "Halftime" was tapped by producer MC Serch as the opening cut on 1992's Zebrahead movie soundtrack. Signed to Columbia Records, the first full-length album by poet and rhyme-master Nas arrived in 1994, the RIAA platinum Illmatic, featuring the singles "It Ain't Hard To Tell," "The World Is Yours," and "One Love." 1996 brought the breakthrough double-platinum It Was Written (#1 R&B for 7 weeks, #1 pop for 4 weeks), with his first major crossover singles "Sweet Dreams" and "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)." The streak continued with the double-platinum I Am in 1999 (again #1 pop and #1 R&B), containing the chart singles "Nas Is Like," "Hate Me Now" (featuring Puff Daddy), and "You Won't See Me Tonight" (featuring Aaliyah).
Subsequent albums by Nas included: the RIAA platinum Nastradamus (1999, #2 R&B, #7 pop, with "Nastradamus" and "You Owe Me," featuring Ginuwine); the platinum Stillmatic (2001, #1 R&B, #5 pop, with "Got Ur Self A...," "Ether," "One Mic," and "Rule"); the platinum God's Son (2002, #1 R&B, with huge R&B/pop crossover hits "Made You Look" and "I Can"); the platinum double-CD Street's Disciple (2004, #2 R&B, #5 pop, with "Bridging the Gap" and "Just a Moment"); and Hip-Hop Is Dead in 2006.
Over the years, Nas has also been the featured guest on a number of crossover hits by other artists, among them: Allure ("Head Over Heels," 1997); R. Kelly ("Did You Ever Think," 1999); Missy Elliott (the #1 "Hot Boyz," 1999); fellow Queensbridge rapper Mobb Deep ("It's Mine," 1999); Nature ("The Ultimate High," 2000); Jagged Edge ("I Got It 2," 2002); J-Lo ("I'm Gonna Be Alright," 2002); Kelis ("In Public," 2003, and "Blindfold Me," 2006); Kanye West ("Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been)," 2006); and others.
In addition to his successful career in music, Nas has pursued a career in motion pictures that began with his co-starring role (alongside DMX) in 1998's crime drama Belly, a film by director Hype Williams (with whom Nas has done several video clips). Subsequent appearances include Albert Pyun's action crime thriller Ticker (2001, with Tim Sizemore and Steven Seagal); Carl Seaton's Sacred Is the Flesh (2001, also co-written by Nas); a cameo as himself in Boaz Yakin's comedy Uptown Girls (2003, with Brittany Murphy and Dakota Fanning); Lawrence Page's Murda Muzik (2004, with Ron Artest and Chinky); and the fictional hip-hop group bio-pic The Vapors (upcoming in 2008, with an all-star cast of Roxanne Shanté, Kool G Rap, Marley Marl, Biz Markie, and others).
Tracklisting:
01 Intro
02 Gangsta Rap (rmx) (prod. DJ Green Lantern)
03 Cops Keep Firing (prod. DJ Green Lantern)
04 Hero (prod. Polow Da Don)
05 Black President (prod. DJ Green Lantern)
06 Association f. stic.man (of dead prez)
07 Legendary (Mike Tyson).. (prod. Salaam Remi)
08 Ghetto (rmx) f. Joell Ortiz (prod. DJ Green Lantern)
09 Seen it All (Green Mix)
10 Esco Let's Go (Full Song) (prod. Dj Khallil)
11 N.I.G.G.E.R. (Slave and Master). (prod. DJ Toomp)
12 Be a Nigger Too (rmx) f. Dante Hawkins (prod. DJ Green Lantern)
13 Surviving the Times (Original Cool and Dre Version)
14 Nas Timeline (mixed by Statik Selektah) (Nararated by Nas)
15 Outro f. Richard Pryor
Nas & DJ Green Lantern - The Nigger Tape (Mixtape): [DOWNLOAD LINK]: Download
Plies Ready to Get Real! |
June 10th, 2008Big Gates/Slip-N-Slide/Atlantic recording artist Plies gets even more real with the release of his highly anticipated sophomore album, “DEFINITION OF REAL.” The collection—which features the top 2 hit single, “Bust It Baby Part 2 (Feat. Ne-Yo),” and the official street anthem, “Who Hotter Than Me”— arrives in stores and at all online retailers today, June 10th.
The Fort Myers, Florida-based MC will team up with Ne-Yo for a pair of major television appearances, including an appearance today on BET’s 106 & Park. Tomorrow afternoon, Wednesday, June 11th, will see Plies and Ne-Yo busting out “Bust It Baby Part 2” on MTV’s TRL as part of its “Spankin’ New Music Week” programming (check local listings).
To celebrate the release of “DEFINITION OF REAL,” beginning today, Plies will show his love for his home state with a series of in-store events throughout Florida. Cities on his trip include Fort Myers, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Miami, Ocoee, Jacksonville, and even a stop in College Park, Georgia on Friday. In addition, Plies will host a very special album release party tonight in Tampa. The celebration will be held at the all new Club 360 (1609 E. 7th Avenue) in Ybor City at 9PM.
Plies – who recently came in at #6 on Forbes’ list of “The Year’s Hottest New Music Stars” – kicked off his busy schedule this past weekend in Orlando with a live “MySpace presents The Release” show at a packed-out Voyage Nightclub. Check out MySpace this week, where the rapper will be a featured artist. Plies will next appear at the “Biggest Hip-Hop Concert in the South,” HOT 107.9’s Birthday Bash 13 at Atlanta’s Philips Arena on Saturday, June 14th.
“DEFINITION OF REAL” will be available in a variety of retail exclusive editions. The Best Buy version includes three exclusive tracks (including “Bust It Baby Part 1”), while Target’s adds an exclusive 30-minute DVD interview. Fans who purchase the album at Circuit City will receive a “Definition Of Real” t-shirt (while supplies last). Kmart will offer “DEFINITION OF REAL” with an exclusive Plies voicetone. Finally, iTunes’ “Bonus Version” features the companion video clips for “Bust It Baby Part 2” and “Who Hotter Than Me.”
“Bust It Baby Part 2,” the first single from “DEFINITON OF REAL,” has already proven to be another massive hip-hop hit for Plies. The track is currently #2 at both Urban and Rhythmic radio outlets nationwide. What’s more, “Bust It Baby Part 2” is turning out to be a mainstream summer sensation, coming in this week at #6 on Billboard’s “Hot 100 Airplay” ranking, as well as #14 on the overall “Hot 100.”
The “Bust It Baby Part 2” companion video is also a favorite at BET, where is recently hit #1 on the network’s 106 & Park. The clip has just premiered on MTV’s “Sucker Free,” having already been added to MTV2. “ Bust It Baby Part 2” has also reached MTV’s TRL countdown, coming in at #7 last week.
“Bust It Baby Part 2” is also continuing Plies’ incredible run of blockbuster ringtones. The single is currently #3 on Nielsen Ringscan’s “Top 200 Mastertones” ranking.
The next single from “DEFINITION OF REAL” will be the lustful “Please Excuse My Hands (Feat. Jamie Foxx and The Dream).” In addition, Plies has also unleashed a new video for the album’s “I’m Da Man (Feat. Trey Songz),” which is currently streaming at the rapper’s new website, www.pliesworld.com . As if all that weren’t enough, also showing on Plies’ website is the companion video to the recently released street track, “Who Hotter Than Me.”
In conjunction with the release of “DEFINITION OF REAL,” Plies is holding a special “Real Things” promotion in which two diamond chains will be awarded to a pair of very lucky fans. The promotion – which will run for three weeks, beginning on the album’s June 10th street date – allows fans to enter for a chance to win either a diamond “Plies Bust It Baby” chain or a diamond “Goon” chain.
“DEFINITION OF REAL” arrives hot on the heels of the rapper’s 2007 RIAA gold debut, “THE REAL TESTAMENT.” The album – featuring the blockbuster hit singles, “Shawty (Feat. T-Pain)” and “Hypnotized (Feat. Akon)” – entered the Billboard 200 at #2 upon its release last summer and continues to run strong, coming in this week at #14 on Billboard’s “Top Rap Albums” ranking. In addition, “THE REAL TESTAMENT” has spawned a series of smash hit ringtones, with at least six tracks from the album hitting Nielsen Ringscan’s “Top 200 Mastertones” chart.
Plies has also become an online powerhouse, with his hugely popular www.pliesworld.com, www.youtube.com/pliesworld, and MySpace sites. The rapper is currently top 5 among MySpace’s “Top Hip-Hop Artists – Major,” as well as top 10 on the overall “Top Artists – Major” charts.
Usher Stands Tall! |
June 4th, 2008LaFace/Zomba recording artist Usher debuts at No. 1 on SoundScan's Pop and R&B Albums charts with his fifth studio album, Here I Stand. This is the highest debut of the year for a male artist.
Here I Stand is the Atlanta-based singer's second No. 1 debut on the Top 200 Albums chart and his third No. 1 debut on the R&B Albums chart. This week Usher dominates international charts as well, bowing at No. 1 in Canada, Japan (International Chart), Australia, and for the third time in a row, debuts at No. 1 on the UK Albums chart. Additionally, Here I Stand enters Top 5 on album charts in Ireland, Switzerland, New Zealand and the Netherlands.
Fans and critics have praised the singer/songwriter's newest effort: The New York Times declares, "Usher knows what works in the suave come-ons that have made him the male R&B sex symbol for a generation;" Entertainment Weekly raves, " ... Stand's tunes deserve a place in the dance-floor pantheon;" The Los Angeles Times observes, " ... [Here I Stand] a more accomplished version of 'Confessions,' the hooks more effortless, the singing even better, the songwriting more consistent."
Usher's latest certified hit, "Love In This Club" featuring Young Jeezy, has remained a Top 10 staple on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart for 14 consecutive weeks and has sold close to 3 million digital units (digital singles, ringtones and ringbacks) to date. The poignant follow-up single, "Moving Mountains" is rapidly climbing the singles charts and the riveting video, filled with breath-taking special effects, recently debuted on MTV and BET.
Usher Raymond IV started his multi-faceted career at the age of 15 years old, and over the span of his 14-year career, the five-time Grammy winning singer, songwriter, dancer, actor, and entrepreneur has sold 26 million albums worldwide.
Summer Music Preview I - 2 Pistols & NAS! |
June 4th, 2008It’s nothing short of a miracle that 2 PISTOLS, is here to tell his story. With a history of incarceration and brutal violence in his family that predates his own life, his is a story of a survivor. Pistols is an ‘80s baby who managed to keep his eyes on the prize after many obstacles seemed to block his path. While his parents spent most of his childhood in jail, Jeremy "2 PISTOLS" Saunders was shuttled between his aunts and older brothers, eventually opting for the street life by the time he was a teenager. The transformation from Jeremy Saunders to 2 PISTOLS has been several years in the making. And his story, which illustrates the lives of so many young men like him, is both a cautionary tale and a motivational one. With the release of his debut album, DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR, he is one step closer to establishing himself as a street artist with passion, dedication and talent.
DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR embraces the duality of 2 Pistols, the good and bad, the romantic and sad. The album is equal parts street meets sexy radio-friendly tracks.
DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR features appearances by T-Pain, Ray J, Trey Songz, Slick Pulla, Blood Raw, Tay Dizm, Tyra B and BMU click
DEBUT SINGLE: SHE GOT IT F/ T-PAIN AND TAY DIZM
SECOND SINGLE: YOU KNOW ME F/ RAY J
THIRD SINGLE: THAT’S MY WORD F/ TREY SONGZ
Original Members of THE TIME Reunite! |
June 4th, 2008The original members of the legendary, genre-busting funksters THE TIME will reunite beginning with a series of shows at Flamingo Las Vegas beginning June 24 (see below). It will be the first time in 20 years that the original members, the outrageous Morris Day, master producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, dazzling guitarist/songwriter Jesse Johnson and 'the fellas,' Jerome Benton, Jelly Bean Johnson & Monte Moir have performed in concert. The band began rehearsals in Los Angeles this week. Said Day, "We don't know what the show will be yet. It's just like the beginning of sex. You know what the goal is, but you don't know what the path is to get there."
The Time's unique blend of outrageous, swaggering fun combined with some of the wittiest lyrics and most sizzling dance/ R&B grooves in music received worldwide critical acclaim in the 1980s. They released four groundbreaking albums, THE TIME, WHAT TIME IS IT? , ICE CREAM CASTLE, and after a ten-year hiatus, the acclaimed, platinum-selling PANDEMONIUM.
After several years of discussing a reunion, it was the camaraderie they experienced during rehearsals for their show-stopping performance at this year's Grammys that motivated them to 'get their act together.'
"After the first chord, it all comes back, the feeling of why you started doing this in the first place," said Johnson who wrote several of the band's biggest hits, including "Jungle Love" and "The Bird."
"I never planned on playing again, since I had already been in the best band," said Jam, who along with partner Terry Lewis is one of the most successful record producers of the last 25 years. "It's only MY band that could get me back on stage. It's a great hang. I don't have to think about what everyone else is doing. I just have to get my part right and enjoy myself."
The Time's limited engagement is June 24-July 5, July 29-August 2. Showtime is 7:30pm, Tuesday - Saturday. Tickets are at the Flamingo Box Office or go online at http://www.flamingolasvegas.com
Tyga Needs... No Introduction! |
June 4th, 2008New artist and Compton, CA native Tyga readies for his highly anticipated album, “No Introduction” to be released on June 10th. The album will be released on Pete Wentz’s (Fall Out Boy) label Decaydance through Travis McCoy’s (Gym Class Heroes) imprint Bat Squad. The 18 year old artist was named “One of the Best Undiscovered Rappers in America” by Vibe Magazine and MTV News declared Tyga “the hottest export out of Compton since NWA.”
The first single off the album is “Coconut Juice” and it is already invading homes everywhere by way of heavy video play on TV and the web. Featuring cameos by Travis McCoy, Lil’ Wayne, and Pete Wentz, the video for “Coconut Juice” has truly become an online sensation having amassed THREE MILLION impressions online in less than 1 month. “Coconut Juice” is a bouncy and infectious summer anthem that is an undeniable smash. The song has sold over 30,000 digital tracks in only 4 weeks and has been added to regular rotations on dozens of Crossover and Top-40 stations.
Tyga’s hip hop roots blend with a pop/rock vibe to make his album a stand out in today’s cluttered musical landscape. He says, “The best advice I’ve ever given anyone is to be yourself and that’s exactly what I did with this album. I’ve made music all of my life and I have definitely tried to present a fresh and new sound that’s never been heard. If other rappers albums are like one big bag of regular potato chips, I'm trying to give people the variety pack - bbq, ranch, salt n vinegar, everything. There's something for everyone - Enjoy The Chips!"
Additional contagious tracks on “No Introduction” include “AIM,” which talks about how technology is the new form of communication. Tyga raps, “She don’t know me by my name, she just knows me by my AIM,” this song is sure to become the ultimate social networking page pick. "Diamond Life," which touches on Tyga’s life as part of Hollywood’s elite crowd and the hardships he has overcome to get there has already been selected to be a featured song in XBOX 360’s highly anticipated NFL Madden 2009. Tyga’s live show has also garnered rave reviews since his breakout performance earlier this month at the Bamboozle Festival where Rollingstone online selected him as “one of five breakout artists” from the festival. Tyga’s hectic touring schedule from now till the end of the summer will include high profile radio shows for stations such as KYLD/San Francisco, HOT-97/New York (‘Summer Jam’) and KZZP/Phoenix, as well as dates on the Ying Yang Twins’ national tour scheduled to begin mid July. Record release parties have also been scheduled during the first two weeks of release in New York, Cleveland, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Tyga will kick off the release of “No Introduction” with his debut appearance on MTV’s ‘TRL’ show June 10th.
Maino Makes Debut! |
June 4th, 2008Hustle Hard Entertainment/Atlantic recording artist Maino made a spectacular debut onto the hip-hop scene with his surprise appearance at Sunday night’s HOT97 Summer Jam in East Rutherford, NJ. The Brooklyn-based MC was brought to Giants Stadium stage by none other than multiple Grammy Award-winning superstar Alicia Keys.
Maino proceeded to light up the enormous crowd with his current street anthem, “Hi Hater,” which will be featured on his eagerly anticipated debut album, “IF TOMORROW COMES…” The collection will arrive in stores and at all online retailers on September 30th.
“Hi Hater” is set to become one of the summer’s hottest tracks. The single – a quintessential club-banger produced by Mista Raja and Maino – is currently scoring at NYC’s two biggest Urban radio outlets, HOT97 and Power 105. In addition, the “Hi Hater” companion video has just been added at MTV2 and MTV JAMS, where Maino has been named one of featured artists in the network’s “Fab 5 of Summer 2008” programming.
Already notorious in the hip-hop underground scene for a number of buzzworthy mixtape joints, Maino has been hailed for his blend of gritty lyricism with riveting street flair. His appearance on “Getaway Driver,” a featured track on Rockstar Games’ blockbuster Grand Theft Auto IV, brought him to a wide new audience and is now set to take things even further with “IF TOMORROW COMES…” The album sees the MC showing off his unadulterated candor and staccato flow on such tracks as the hard-charging “Be Me” (produced by Nard & B) or the J.R. Rotem-produced “Back to Life”. Maino is joined by a star-studded guest lineup, including his multiple Grammy Award-winning labelmates T.I. and B.G. with production from such hip-hop notables like Cool & Dre, Chris Styles and GQ Beats. Stacked with a broad spectrum of bangers, “IF TOMORROW COMES…” makes an indelible first impression of a serious new hip-hop star.
Lloyd's New Release! |
June 2nd, 2008As a child, Lloyd Polite Jr. fell in live with performing. As a student at the prestigious Atlanta-based DeKalb School of the Arts, it was clear he’d found his calling. After catching the attention of former Klymaxx-member-turned-talent-manager Joyce Irby at the tender age of ten and wetting his professional feet via a stint with the kiddy group N-Toon, the dynamic performer known to music fans today simply as Lloyd eventually signed with Irv Gotti’s The Inc. Records and has been nurturing a solid career ever since.
After making his major mark on the music scene in 2004 via “South Side,” the Top 20-placing love-struck anthem on which he collaborated with Ashanti, Lloyd released his debut disc of the same title. In the years that have followed, he’s proven himself as a legitimate industry player, generating hits like 2006’s chart-topping “You” and the infectious “Get It Shawty,” which saw Top two placement last year. The latter was spawned from his gold-selling sophomore disc, Street Love.
In June 2008, Lloyd returns with his third effort, Lessons In Love. The hard-driving lead single, “How We Do It” featuring Ludacris, a party track written by Lloyd and Wood Works and produced by Baby Boy & Superkidd, a group of promising up-and-comers based out of Inglewood, California. Lloyd says of the track, “It’s pretty much reppin’ where you’re from and having pride in your community.” The album sees Lloyd re-teaming J-Lack, the mastermind behind “Get It Shawty.” Eric Hudson, famed for Kanye West’s “Flashing Lights”, and with beat-men Jasper Cameron & Big Reese. Lloyd also enlisted some additional heat working with, Polow Da Don and the team of Tricky & Dream (“Umbrella” & “Bed”).
The level mix of club-bangers and ballads presented on Lessons In Love varies in subject matter, from physical lust to true love; Lloyd communicates with his strong fan base through terms they can relate to. He nods to the time-honored sport of girl-chasing on tracks like “Around the World” and acknowledges the realities of sexual activity on “Party All Over Your Body,” a seductive ballad dropped over a fast-moving drum bass resulting in an organic, mid-tempo gem. “Lose Control,” which features Nelly, dares ladies to let go of their inhibitions and embrace their wild sides, taunting, “I’m trying to find out how low can you go/Free your mind of doubt/Let love rule your soul/Take the time out so we can loose control….”
But at 22, Lloyd is ready to embrace maturity. Songs like “Lose Your Love” - which cunningly borrows the chorus from ‘80s rock band Outfield’s hit “Your Love” - and “Have My Baby” touches on genuine love and relationships.
Growing up in a largely-female household gave Lloyd a deep-rooted respect for women and has helped tune his antenna to the fairer sex. His sensitivity comes through on tracks like “Treat U Good” - on which he flips his vocal style to a fast staccato - and “I Can Change Your Life,” a moving, beautifully-produced piece sure to secure the cross-over potential heard on “You” and “Get It Shawty.” This ladies man not only enjoys pursuing women, but uplifting them as well.
Lloyd’s performing arts education not only helped him hone his natural-born talent but also gave him an important outlet to express himself that has stuck with him throughout his career. Since releasing his debut single, Lloyd has gained more confidence in his craft and his identity as an artist. His energetic performances on the Scream Tour have proven his ability to command a crowd and he’s counting on his new project to further cement his brand.
Lloyd aspires to be successful behind the scenes as well; He’s launched his own label, Young Goldie Music -- on which his last two projects were released -and he’s prepped to sign his first artist, Bronx, New York-based Tokyo Diva. He’s also taken on endeavors outside of the music world. The Atlanta-raised performer has given back to his birth city of New Orleans by taking part in rapper and New Orleans native David Banner’s 2006 Heal the Hood Concert benefiting displaced Katrina victims. He donated 50 tickets for the show to children from fellow heartthrob Usher’s New Look Foundation, which helps create avenues for young people to enter the business side of sports and entertainment. He also travels to speak to kids across the country with producer and musical mentor Dallas Austin in support of the fellow Atlantan’s new project that builds recording studios in area public schools. All of this encompasses Lloyd the person.
With a successful recording career, business savvy and a connection to the community, Lloyd is one young person on which youth has clearly not been wasted.
Ashanti's Declaration! |
May 30th, 2008The fourth studio album by The Inc./Universal Motown superstar singer-songwriter ASHANTI, titled THE DECLARATION, reaches retail stores and digital online sellers on June 3rd, 2008. Album producers and collaborators include such genre-defining talents as Robin Thicke, Jermaine Dupri, Babyface, L.T. Hutton, and Pharrell Williams.
The Declaration’s first smash single, “The Way That I Love You,” maintains a Top 3 posting in the national Urban radio airplay chart, and is continuing to bullet upward in the Top 20 of Rhythmic/Crossover radio stations nationally, and is top 25 in the adult-targeted Urban AC format. The track remains a Top 10 entry on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, after a 14-week run and a peak position of No. 2.
To celebrate the album release, ASHANTI appears on BET 106 & Park on June 2nd, MTV TRL on June 3rd, performs at the Virgin Mega Store Times Square on June 3rd, performs live on ABC’s Good Morning America on June 6th from Manhattan’s Bryant Park, also performs on ABC’s Live With Regis & Kelly on June 6th, and on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on June 13th.
The album’s release date also marks the launch of a special on-line campaign “I Declare Me…” by the artist. The campaign’s core is a very personal focus on the self-definition and empowerment of women across the United States, with its home base at Ashanti’s official website. The campaign will create a safe and inclusive on-line space to for women to share testimonies on the site. Participants will be able to openly declare their own breakthroughs, revelations, struggles and victories in every life area they choose: career, birth, death, relationships, and personal situations. “I Declare Me…” also invites women to a virtual discussion with Ashanti on such issues as voter registration, teen obesity, and other concerns facing women today.
Grammy-winner ASHANTI has been a trailblazer and role model for the new breed of multi-talented young artists since her 2001 chart debut as a featured artist on the No. 1 Ja Rule single “Always on Time.” She made history at the 2002 release of her first album Ashanti, which entered at No. 1 nationally, and sold over 500,000 in its first week, the record for a female debut artist. In the same week, she held the No. 1 and No. 2 singles in the Billboard Hot 100, with her self-written solo single “Foolish” and her collaboration with Fat Joe, “What’s Luv?” With “Always on Time” remaining in the Top 10, she became the only artist since The Beatles to have her first three singles charting in the Top 10 simultaneously. Ashanti also co-wrote a fourth song in the same week’s Top 10, Jennifer Lopez’ “Ain’t It Funny.”
Both of ASHANTI’s succeeding albums, Chapter II and Concrete Rose, are certified by RIAA for sales in excess of a million copies. As an actress, Ashanti appeared in the No. 1 box-office smashes Coach Carter and Resident Evil: Extinction, and in John Tucker Must Die and Bride and Prejudice. She is the author of the poetry collection Foolish/Unfoolish: Reflections on Love, and the forthcoming teen-targeted life and style book Ashanti Style (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion).
Jonnetta Patton Launches New Label! |
May 15th, 2008Atlanta based JPat Management President / CEO Jonnetta Patton recently launched her own independent record label, JPat Records, with two newly signed acts on the roster - R&B group Kwiet Storm and R&B male singer Dante. Jonnetta Patton, a veteran music executive and artist manager, is best known as the mom and former longtime manager of five-time Grammy Award winning superstar Usher. In addition to forming her new record label, she is managing the career of her youngest son, Grammy-nominated producer James "JLack" Lackey and Jive recording artist Natasha.
To kick off the newly formed label, JPat Records will participate in the 30th Annual Bauder College student fashion show on May 16th at AmericaMart in Atlanta. The runway show will feature top designs of 22 student and alumni designers. The runway show will be opened and closed with performances by R&B group Kwiet Storm. R&B solo artist Dante will also perform during the event. Also represented by JPat Management, the management team that guided the success of multi-platinum superstar Usher, is Grammy-nominated producer James "JLack" Lackey, who produced the music for the Bauder Black Tie student fashion show. Jonnetta Patton, CEO and President of JPat Management, also plans to attend the event.
The show will also be a live streaming event and fans can log on to view Kwiet Storm and Dante perform live by visiting http://yaktivate.com/jpatrecordsevent/ at 8 pm ET on May 16, 2008.
Hailing from Chicago, Kwiet Storm comprises of four handsome and talented singer/songwriter/producers who have literally dedicated their lives to the pursuit of their dream. Cousins Duke Terrell, 18, and Lewis "Drey Skonie" Jackson, 19, hooked up with best friends Russell "Romance" Foster, 20, and Roshawn "Slow Mo" Lyles, 20, two years ago and set out on a journey that would ultimately bring them to Atlanta and Jonnetta Patton of JPat Management, the training ground and team that guided the astronomical success of multi- platinum R&B superstar Usher. Already receiving strong radio support for their single "Get To Know You" from major R&B radio stations such at WGCI in Chicago, WVEE-103 in Atlanta, WFXE in Columbus and WJTT in Chattanooga, among others, Kwiet Storm is off to a great start.
Dante, the 20-year-old Philadelphia native was playing the lead role in the musical stage play "The Life of Marvin Gaye" when, during intermission, he was introduced to Jonnetta Patton. Impressed by his soulful music and acting abilities, she soon signed him to her record label.
JLack, Grammy nominated producer and Usher's younger brother is a force to be reckoned with. He has already achieved success producing R&B artist Lloyd's #2 hit single "Get It Shorty" and produced music for Lloyd's upcoming album. JLack also produced the music featured in the national launch of Usher's men's and women's fragrance, Usher's performance on Movies Rock and Usher's new album, Here I Stand. Recently JLack won an ASCAP Award and signed a multi- million dollar publishing deal with EMI Music Publishing.
For more information on JPat Records and the live streaming event on May 16th, please visit: www.jpatrecords.com
D'Angelo; The Best So Far ...! |
May 7th, 2008D'Angelo's top hits, music videos and collaborative tracks to date, including rare recordings for soundtracks and other compilations, have been gathered for the first time for The Best So Far ... , a new career and label-spanning release that showcases his award-winning talents. Featuring 17 audio tracks and seven previously unreleased music videos, The Best So Far ... will be released June 24 on CD/DVD by Virgin/EMI. A 15-track digital album and four video downloads will also debut June 24, as well as four ringtunes.
By the age of 18, D'Angelo was a three-time Amateur Night at the Apollo winner. He established himself as a spectacular new solo talent at the age of 21 with the 1995 release of his debut album, Brown Sugar, trailblazing new musical ground as an innovative songwriter and vocalist. With his sultry grooves and cool falsetto, evocative of artists such as Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and Prince, D'Angelo carried classic soul's torch into new territory.
Brown Sugar's double platinum success was followed by extensive touring and recording for soundtracks and other releases, including a cover of Eddie Kendricks' "Girl, You Need A Change Of Mind" for Get On The Bus, The Ohio Players' "Heaven Must Be Like This" for Down In The Delta, and Prince's "She's Always In My Hair" for Scream 2; and a duet with Erykah Badu of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's "Your Precious Love" for Marvin Is 60: A Tribute Album.
By the time D'Angelo's second album, Voodoo, debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums and Top R&B/Rap Albums charts in January 2000, he was fully established as a soul superstar. Produced and written by D'Angelo and recorded live with no overdubs, Voodoo won the year's Grammy Award for Best R&B Album, and D'Angelo also won the Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "Untitled (How Does It Feel)." The album features a who's-who of collaborators, including trumpeter Roy Hargrove, Raphael Saadiq, Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, Lauryn Hill, Q-Tip, Method Man and Redman. D'Angelo's cover of Roberta Flack's "Feel Like Makin' Love" is so sexy it was prominently used in a third season episode of the "The 'L' Word" and included on the show's soundtrack release.
2000 was a banner year for D'Angelo, and he spent much of it touring across the U.S. and internationally to support Voodoo. Rolling Stone magazine named him "Soul Man of the Year" and, in his Village Voice review of a March 2000 concert at New York's Radio City Music Hall, Robert Christgau ("The Dean of American Rock Critics"), hailed D'Angelo as "R&B Jesus" and christened himself a believer: "D'Angelo sang and danced and preached and flexed and crooned and humped the floor and covered Roberta Flack and snapped a mike stand in two and danced and sang and sang some more. Everything meshed; all stops were pulled out. It was already the greatest concert I'd seen in years when Redman and Method Man propelled the climactic 'Left and Right' through the vaulted ceiling. I flashed on P-Funk's 'Sadie,' Apollo 1981. What a privilege to experience such a thing again."
The new collection is titled The Best So Far ... because D'Angelo is far from finished, currently writing and recording his highly anticipated next musical chapter.
D'ANGELO: THE BEST SO FAR ... (CD/DVD)
CD
1. Lady
2. Brown Sugar
3. Cruisin'
4. Me And Those Dreamin' Eyes Of Mine
5. Smooth
6. I Found My Smile Again
7. Girl, You Need A Change Of Mind
8. She's Always In My Hair
9. Can't Hide Love [live]
10. Heaven Must Be Like This
11. Your Precious Love [Erykah Badu with D'Angelo]
12. Devil's Pie (A Cappella Interlude)
13. Left And Right [with Method Man and Redman]
14. Untitled (How Does It Feel)
15. Send It On
16. Feel Like Makin' Love
17. Be Here [Raphael Saadiq with D'Angelo]
DVD
1. Lady
2. Brown Sugar
3. Cruisin'
4. Me And Those Dreamin' Eyes Of Mine
5. Left And Right [with Method Man and Redman]
6. Untitled (How Does It Feel)
7. Send It On
UBG First: Lil Wayne | Tha Carter III! |
May 2nd, 20082007 was a breakthrough year for Cash Money/Universal Superstar artist Lil Wayne. Vibe Magazine (November 07’ Cover Story) named him "The Best Rrapper Alive" & featured his "Best 77 songs of 2007". He was honored at the BET 2007 Hip-Hop Awards, pulling down two trophies. The prolific rapper was crowned MVP – beating out hip-hop icons such as Jay-Z and Kanye West – he also snagged the coveted fan-voted Alltel Wireless People’s Champ Award (Stuntin’ Like My Daddy). He also won this year’s "Viewers Choice Awards" at the BET Awards.
2008 is proving to be an even better year! The first single"Lollipop" broke records with over 138 radio adds in 1 week and continues to be groundbreaking garnering over 1300 spins and becoming #1 Greatest Gainer at radio in it’s 2nd week. He also just returned from a highly successful European Tour which introduced Wayne to new fans and a worldwide audience.
The Carter III showcases Lil Wayne’ tremendous growth as an artist since the release of his The Carter III showcases Lil Wayne’ tremendous growth as an artist since the release of his last album, the platinum selling Tha Carter II.. Wayne a fan of many music genre’ has chosen a who’s who of producers and guest artist. Producers include: Kanye West, Swiss Beats, Cool & Dre, and David Banner to name a few. Guest artists include: Jay Z, Tpain, Babyface, Fabolous, Juelz Santana, Static (who tragically passed away a few days after making the video), Robin Thicke and the incomparable Betty Wright.
In stores June 10th!
TRACKLISTING
1. 3 PEAT
2. MR. CARTER FEAT. - JAYZ
3. A MILLI
4. GOT MONEY FEAT. - TPAIN
5. COMFORTABLE FEAT. - BABYFACE
6. PHONE HOME
7. DR. CARTER
8. TIE MY HANDS - FEAT. ROBIN THICKE
9. SHOOT ME DOWN FEAT. - D.SMIH
10. PLAYN WITH FIRE FEAT. - BETTY WRIGHT
11. LOLLIPOP FEAT. - STATIC MAJOR
12. LA FEAT. - BRISCO, BUSTA RHYMES
13. GOOD GIRL GONE BAD
14. YOU AINT GOT NUTHIN ON ME
FEAT. - FABOLOUS, JUELZ SANTANA
15. LET THE BEAT BUILD
16. WHIP IT
17. MISUNDERSTOOD
Deluxe version includes "THE LEAKS" album. Available for the first time on CD. This extra disc contains 5 additional songs that fans have been waiting for on disc! The Deluxe version is only available on initial orders!"
THE LEAK INCLUDED THE HIT SINGLES "GOSSIP" & "I’M ME"
UBG First: Usher Presents...Here I Stand [update]! |
May 1st, 2008Over the course of his career Usher has sold close to 26 million albums worldwide and won numerous awards. As an intimate body of work, Usher's last studio album Confessions, took fans on his journey through romantic relationships, making commitments, breaking them and dealing with the consequences of his decisions. Here I Stand in stores May 27th, raises the stakes and is the next chapter in this ongoing story of Usher's coming of age.
Here I Stand tells a story of growth; triumphant, reflective, somewhat defiant, and marks a new period in Usher's life and creative expression. Through his music, Usher illustrates the tension and challenges of balancing a very public life with private decisions; of being a sex symbol and entertainer with being a faithful husband and father. Here I Stand finds Usher working with some of the best producers and writers around, including Polow Da Don, who produced the first hit single Love In This Club, Jermaine Dupri, Dre & Vidal and Dream & Tricky Stewart.
Although the market has changed dramatically since Usher's last release, there is a massive anticipation for his return, demonstrated by the groundbreaking one week jump of Love In This Club from #51 to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (see story below). The follow up single Moving Mountains, provides an opportunity for multiple format single success across pop, rhythm and urban radio.
Usher once again is ready to take top spot & give his fans what he has been giving them from day one, great music!
Tentative Tracklisting (subject to change)
1. Intro
2. Love In This Club featuring Young Jeezy
3. This Ain't Sex
4. Trading Places
5. Moving Mountains
6. What's Your Name featuring will.i.am
7. Prayer For You Interlude
8. Something Special
9. Love You Gently
10. Best Thing featuring Jay Z
11. Before I Met You
12. His Mistakes
13. Appetite
14. What's A Man To Do
15. Lifetime
16. Love In This Club Part II Usher featuring Beyoncé & Lil Wayne
17. Here I Stand
UBG First: Plies: Definition Of Real! |
May 1st, 2008Success hasn’t changed Plies; it has just made him more real. After selling over a half million copies of his 2007 debut album, “THE REAL TESTAMENT,” the rapper hailing from the streets of Fort Myers, Florida returns with the release of his sophomore set, “DEFINITION OF REAL.” “I feel like what I try to stand for in this game and what I reflect and represent is the extinct individuality in terms of being real,” explains Plies. “It was only right for me to embody my sophomore album with the whole definition of what I like to call real. It’s a term that I looked up and I dissected and I feel like it fits me as a person; better than any term I ever ran across.”
Led by a pair of powerful singles, Plies has created an unstoppable movement with “Bust It Baby, Part 1” and “Bust It Baby, Part 2.” The two-part ode to the women who have supported the rapper’s career goes beyond mere radio records. Instead, Plies has an unprecedented marketing campaign that is sure to keep him at the forefront of hip-hop. The first installment of the series is a southern-cooked dedication to the rapper’s faithful female fan base, while the second part is a largerthan- life tribute featuring production from JR Rotem and an infectious hook by R&B superstar Ne-Yo. If 2007’s “Shawty” was a pop-hit with a ghetto twist, then “Bust It Baby, Part 2” is that to the tenth power. Still, don’t expect too many features on the album, as Plies pledges to give his fans exactly what they pay for. “There ain’t no other rappers on my album, that’s important for me. I don’t believe in having seven or eight features on an album - to me that’s a compilation album.” So, much like Plies’ debut album, “DEFINITION OF REAL” only boasts R&B features. “I think I’m alright when it comes to talking about certain issues, so I don’t really need the support of n****s to help me fulfill that vision.
“I never try to be defined by how many records I sell. I think it’s more important for my mark to be made on what I stand for,” says Plies. In stores everywhere June 10th.
Tracklisting
1. I’m Da Man f/ Trey Songz
2. Ol’ Lady
3. Bushes
4. Dat Bitch
5. 1 Day
6. Feel Like Fuckin
7. Worth Goin FED Fo
8. Who Hotter Than Me
9. Bust It Baby (Part 2) f/ Ne-Yo
10. Somebody (Loves You)
11. Watch Dis
12. Shit Bag
13. Thug Section
14. #1 Fan feat. TBD
SoL-AngeL and The Hadley Street Dreams! |
May 1st, 2008Talented singer, songwriter, artist, and entrepreneur, Solange Knowles AKA SoL-AngeL, is ready to set the world on fire with a sound that is sure to breathe life into a sometimes stagnant music scene. With her sophomore set, SoL-AngeL and The Hadley Street Dreams, on her new label home of Geffen Records through Music World Entertainment, Solange takes us through a walk in yesteryear with an uber modern twist. SoL-AngeL and The Hadley Street Dreams is due for release on August 26th.
On SoL-AngeL and The Hadley Street Dreams, SoL-AngeL enlisted help from producers and songwriters that she knew would capture the sound she wanted to project instantly; but getting them to believe in her wasn’t easy.
“I literally had to beg Cee-Lo to listen to my music but once he did he signed on immediately,” states the giddy SoL-AngeL. “We wrote and recorded ‘T.O.N.Y’ and ‘Sandcastle Disco’ (produced by Soul Shock) that same week. Producer Jack ‘Splash’ joined in to produce ‘T.O.N.Y’ and went on to produce two more songs for me: ‘Would’ve Been the One’ and ‘Ode To Marvin,’ my special take on Mr. Gaye’s ‘What’s going On,’ both of which I wrote with Splash and Makeba.”
For the remainder of the album SoL-AngeL went on to work with Pharrell for the finger-snapping, feel-good first single “I Decided,” Lil Wayne makes an intoxicated guest appearance on “Champagnechronicnightcap,” Bilal helps write and appears on “Cosmic Journey” and “Wanna Go Back,” which Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry lends vocals to, and Raphael Saddiq produces the soulfully insightful, “Same Song, Different Man,” which features Estelle.
Chauncey Black Returns from Blackstreet! |
May 1st, 2008Multi-platinum Grammy - winning singer Chauncey Black has seen the highest heights of success in the music business. As one of the founding members and lead singer of the supergroup, Blackstreet, he scored a string of radio and pop hits like, “Before I Let You Go” and “Don’t Leave Me.” Their breakthrough success was largely due to the Dr. Dre - assisted "No Diggity" hit which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1996, and won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
"Blackstreet was a successful group," Black reminisces. “We sold eight million records. We were one of the last urban groups to really sell records like that.”
Now signed to Busta Rhymes' Flipmode Records, Black believes his future is limitless. "I wanted to get with a team that could give me that hip-hop feel but also a team that would give me creative control. Busta let me do my whole record. He saw the history with Blackstreet and trusted me.” Recalling his first encounter with Busta in Virginia Beach at Teddy’s studio, he remembers thinking, “This cat goes hard! I need to be in this camp.” Chauncey seized the opportunity to show Busta that he was just as serious about his solo endeavor and that he could bring something different to the Flipmode family. Next thing you know, Chauncey’s Flipmode for life, with a tattoo to prove it.
"Every Day Is Your Birthday," is the Teddy Riley produced, first single that reunited the music with the voice, to consummate a feel good song that caters to everyone. Black describes it as "aggressive R&B” music. It's for everyone. I feel as though a man or woman can play this song for their spouse, relative or anyone that they want to celebrate. You should show that person how you feel about them every day. A birthday is just a one day celebration but what if your lover treated you as though your birthday was everyday?"
Now again part of the Interscope Records family, Black reunited with Dr. Dre, got 16 bars from The Game and parlayed on a party record called "Roll Out." The good doctor also produced "I’m Your Pusher," a song about "a girl, a hotel room and what a few too many drinks can lead to." Award-winning songwriter Ne-Yo wrote two songs called "I Get It" and "Someone Else," while producer LT Hutton contributed the sexy track, "One Nite Stand." Keeping it in the camp, Busta Rhymes catches wreck on the remix of "Every Day is Your Birthday." Always thinking of his female fans, Black recorded "A Woman’s Intuition," which he said pays homage to a woman's sixth sense. "She is usually right about her suspicions. Nine times out of ten she knows exactly what is going on. I want to be the one who admits it.”
Readying for his album release and his upcoming tour with Keyshia Cole, Black is so thankful to be back in the game. “Church Boy is who I am and where I come from. It’s my solid foundation that keeps me standing. God has blessed me with a talent and has given me so much. Yes, I make mistakes, we all do, just believe in him and stay focused."
Sean “Diddy” Combs Honored! |
April 28th, 2008Sean “Diddy” Combs will be Honored with a Coveted Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this Friday, May 2nd!
Combs, Actor, Producer, Solo Artist, Performer, Entrepreneur and now Hollywood Icon Receives a Tribute for his Life-Long Contribution of both Public and Peer Appreciation in the Entertainment Industry
Acting is fast becoming an important ingredient in the burgeoning empire of Sean Combs. Beginning with his acting debut in the film “Made,” he went on to receive critical acclaim for his supporting role in “Monster’s Ball,” opposite Halle Berry, and made a successful Broadway debut starring in the lead role of Walter Lee, Jr., in the classic Lorraine Hansberry play, “A Raisin in the Sun,” which garnered four Tony Award nominations, including Best Revival of a Play. In addition, Combs stars in and executive produced the highly anticipated, special three-hour television movie adaptation from Sony Pictures Television of "A Raisin in the Sun," along with the cast of the award-winning Broadway revival who recreate their roles for the new film, including Emmy and Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad, four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, Tony Award nominee Sanaa Lathan, plus "ER" star John Stamos. Based on Lorraine Hansberry's play that inspired a generation, "A Raisin in the Sun" aired as an "ABC World Premiere Movie Event," February 25th and will be available on dvd Wednesday, May 14th.
Alicia Continues Tour, Set for new Single & More! |
April 17th, 2008After wowing fans during her successful sold-out European tour, MBK/J Records' global superstar Alicia Keys is just days away from bringing that same excitement on the North American leg of her As I Am Tour presented by Lexus. Joined by American Idol winner Jordin Sparks and Grammy-nominated R&B singer/songwriter Ne-Yo, the As I Am Tour presented by Lexus, kicks off April 19th in Hampton, VA. The tour continues on across the US and Canada, and will conclude on June 18th at Madison Square Garden in Alicia's hometown of New York City. Due to popular demand, new dates have been added in Memphis, Anaheim and Sacramento (updated tour dates listed below).
"I wanted to make this show unique and different from my standard style show, so the approach of this tour is like a journey; from the beginning of my life, leading up to where we are now," comments Keys. "I'm communicating a lot to the audience through the music and by talking and sharing personal stories," she adds. Throughout the duration of the tour, Keys will also communicate with her fans that call her at 917-934.3319 and provide them with tour updates and other exciting news.
Keys will give millions of morning TV viewers a mere sample of her stage show when she kicks off NBC's popular "Toyota Concert Series on Today" on April 21st. Keys is set to perform her hit single "No One," as well as her new single "Teenage Love Affair" for the first time on national television.
Keys' new single, the endearing "Teenage Love Affair," is set to impact radio April 21st. The Chris Robinson directed video for the single pays homage to the 20th anniversary of Spike Lee's classic film School Daze, with cameos by the film's original cast member Giancarlo Esposito (Julian), actors Derek Luke (Glory Road, Antwone Fisher), Tristan Wilds (The Wire), and R&B singer Anthony Hamilton. On April 23rd, BET will conduct an all-day premiere of the video and Keys will host the popular video countdown program 106 & Park.
Ignited by her first two hit singles "No One" and "Like You'll Never See Me Again," Keys' internationally-acclaimed third studio album As I Am (MBK/J Records), has sold over 5 million copies worldwide since its November 2007 release. The disc has claimed the #1 spot for several non-consecutive weeks on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart and the single "No One," earned Keys two Grammy Awards for Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Additionally, Keys received four awards at the NAACP Image Awards and was honored at the first annual BET Honors ceremony.
Not one to rest on her laurels and accolades, Alicia continues her philanthropic outreach as the Co-Founder and Global Ambassador of Keep A Child Alive (KCA) by offering a free download of her inspirational documentary Alicia in Africa: Journey to the Motherland. Directed by South African filmmaker Earle Sebastian, the documentary follows Keys' month-long trip to Africa to visit communities affected by HIV and AIDS pandemic in South Africa, Kenya and Uganda. The documentary can be viewed in its entirety at www.aliciainafrica.com or downloaded courtesy of the film's exclusive web partner www.spiralfrog.com. Additionally, Keys will screen the Alicia in Africa trailer before each concert on her North American tour.
With an impressive combination of heartfelt, award-winning music, a burgeoning acting career and noble humanitarian efforts, Keys continues to demonstrate that she's one of the most influential persons of her generation.
THE ALICIA KEYS AS I AM TOUR PRESENTED BY LEXUS
(Updated 4/7/08 ~ Dates are subject to change):
DATE CITY VENUE Sat-Apr-19 Hampton, VA Hampton Coliseum
Mon-Apr-21 Philadelphia, PA Liacouras Center
Tue-Apr-22 Pittsburgh, PA Peterson Events Center
Thu-Apr-24 Cleveland, OH Wolstein Center @ CSU
Sat-Apr-26 Columbus, OH Value City Arena @
Schottenstein Ctr Sun-Apr-27 St Louis, MO Scottrade Center
Wed-Apr-30 Minneapolis, MN Target Center
Thu-May-01 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
Sun-May 04 Anaheim, CA Honda Center
Mon-May-05 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center
Wed-May-07 San Diego, CA San Diego Sports Arena
Fri-May-09 Las Vegas, NV MGM Garden Arena
Sat-May-10 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion at San Jose
Sun-May-11 Sacramento, CA Arco Arena
Wed-May-14 Dallas, TX Nokia Theatre at Grand
Prairie Thu-May-15 Memphis, TN Fed Ex Forum
Sun-May-18 Houston, TX Toyota Center
Thu-May-22 New Orleans New Orleans Arena
Sat-May-24 St. Petersburg, FL St. Pete Times Forum
Sun-May-25 Miami, FL American Airlines Arena
Wed-May-28 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
Fri-May-30 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum
Sat-May-31 Atlantic City, NJ Mark Etess/Taj Arena
Tue-Jun-03 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
Thu-Jun-05 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
Fri-Jun-06 Detroit, MI Joe Louis Arena
Sat-Jun-07 Chicago, IL Allstate Arena
Wed-Jun-11 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden
Fri-Jun-13 Washington, D.C. Verizon Center
Sun-Jun-15 Baltimore, MD 1st Mariner Arena
Tue-Jun-17 Newark, NJ Prudential Center
Wed-Jun-18 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
For more information on Alicia Keys and complete tour and ticket information, please log onto www.aliciakeys.net.
UBG First: Usher Presents...Here I Stand! |
April 15th, 2008Over the course of his career Usher has sold close to 26 million albums worldwide and won numerous awards. As an intimate body of work, Usher's last studio album Confessions, took fans on his journey through romantic relationships, making commitments, breaking them and dealing with the consequences of his decisions. Here I Stand in stores May 27th, raises the stakes and is the next chapter in this ongoing story of Usher's coming of age.
Here I Stand tells a story of growth; triumphant, reflective, somewhat defiant, and marks a new period in Usher's life and creative expression. Through his music, Usher illustrates the tension and challenges of balancing a very public life with private decisions; of being a sex symbol and entertainer with being a faithful husband and father. Here I Stand finds Usher working with some of the best producers and writers around, including Polow Da Don, who produced the first hit single Love In This Club, Jermaine Dupri, Dre & Vidal and Dream & Tricky Stewart.
Although the market has changed dramatically since Usher's last release, there is a massive anticipation for his return, demonstrated by the groundbreaking one week jump of Love In This Club from #51 to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (see story below). The follow up single Moving Mountains, provides an opportunity for multiple format single success across pop, rhythm and urban radio.
Usher once again is ready to take top spot & give his fans what he has been giving them from day one, great music!
Keyshia Cole Hits the Studio for Third CD! |
March 19th, 2008Geffen Records platinum-selling songwriter and recording star/BET Reality TV icon KEYSHIA COLE is currently in the studio recording her third (3rd) CD which is slated for release Christmas 2008. On this untitled release, Keyshia has already started work with top producers including Polow Da Don, Nephew and Scott Storch to name a few. The third disc will follow two highly popular platinum-selling CD's: 2005's The Way It Is and 2007's Just Like You.
In addition, within the past two weeks KEYSHIA COLE completed the shooting of three back to back videos with the first being for her 4th single, "Heaven Sent," from her chart-topping sophomore CD Just Like You. "Heaven Sent" was shot in Hawaii by popular lensman Benny Boom. Directly following that shoot, Keyshia flew to Atlanta to shoot her performance on Universal/Republic rap group C-Side's debut single titled "Boyfriend/Girlfriend," and then was off to Miami lending a hand to her girl Trina on Trina's new Slip-N-Slide single, "I Got A Thang For You." Prior to shooting those three videos Cole also appeared in Jaheim's new video for his single, "I've Changed."
The #1 Series telecast of The Way It Is 2, airs its reunion show Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is: A Family Affair this Thursday, March 20th, at 8PM on BET.
The 5'1 dynamo is continuously at work and promises to debut her new artist Amina on Imani Entertainment (a label she owns with manager, Manny Halley) through Geffen Records in June. Keyshia will soon be announcing a major deal she has with a hair care line as well as an 11-city tour with a corporate brand.
"Low" Continues to Make Music History! |
March 17th, 2008There's less than one week to go until the release of one of the most eagerly awaited releases of the year: "MAIL ON SUNDAY," the debut album from Poe Boy/Atlantic recording artist Flo Rida. The collection is set to drop in stores and online next Tuesday, March 18th as Flo Rida continues to make chart history with his game-changing #1 smash single, "Low (Feat. T-Pain)." "Low," which has just been certified triple-platinum by the RIAA, now ranks as the #1 best-selling digital single of all time, with over 3.2 million sold.
"MAIL ON SUNDAY" sees Flo Rida teaming with some of today's top hit makers, including Timbaland, Will.I.Am, The Runners, J.R. Rotem, and Atlanta's DJ Montay, who produced "Low." He has also recruited a who's who of A-list collaborators, among them Atlantic Records labelmate Trey Songz (on "Freaky Deaky"), Lil Wayne (who appears on the album opener, "American Superstar"), Yung Joc (featured on the raucous party anthem "Don't Know How To Act"), and Timbaland, who shows up on the album's second single, "Elevator." Executive Producers of "MAIL ON SUNDAY" are E-Class and Mike Caren. [track listing below]
The Carol City, FL native will celebrate the release of "MAIL ON SUNDAY" with appearances next week on BET's "106 & Park" and MTV's "TRL." He is also slated for a return appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" when her show hits Orlando the first week of April. This follows Flo's recent February performances on both "Ellen" and "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."
Meanwhile, "Low" continues to break new records with each passing week. The track has reached the #1 spot on a spectacular array of charts, earning accolades across radio, video, digital, and online outlets. The song is also featured on the Atlantic album, "STEP UP 2 THE STREETS - ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK," the musical companion to the Touchstone Pictures dance film.
"These are the moments that we live for -- when all the stars are aligned and a hit turns into a full-blown phenomenon," said Atlantic Chairman/CEO Craig Kallman. "'Low' grew organically and exponentially, striking a huge nerve with fans and taking on a life of its own. Flo Rida stands out because he has a truly original style and a hugely charismatic presence. He has an incredible sense of melody, with the rare gift of being able to deliver monstrously catchy hooks while at the same time being rooted in the streets. The great news is that 'Low' is only the beginning. An amazing roster of producers has checked in to contribute to 'MAIL ON SUNDAY,' and he has a string of terrific records in the pipeline. Flo Rida is going to be delivering the goods for a very long time to come."
Among Flo Rida's numerous achievements, "Low" held the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for ten weeks, and has been #1 on Billboard's Pop 100 chart for 12 weeks and still counting. "Low" was also #1 on Billboard's Hot Rap Tracks chart for 11 weeks, marking the longest-running #1 since 2004 and the seventh longest-running #1 in the chart's history.
Flo Rida made hip-hop history when "Low" became the first-ever debut single from a rap artist to top the CHR/Top 40 radio chart, where it is now in its sixth week at #1, and only the fourth rap artist to hit #1 since 2005. "Low" was ranked #1 at Rhythmic radio nationwide for nine weeks.
"Low" held the #1 spot on Billboard's Hot Digital Songs chart for 13 consecutive weeks, and was #1 on iTunes for 14 weeks in a row. The track broke the single-week digital sales record the week after Christmas when sales exceeded 470,000 downloads (besting the previous record-holder, Fergie's "Fergalicious," by some 176,000 downloads). Flo Rida also became the first-ever debut artist to have two top ten digital singles prior to an album release, when "Elevator (Feat. Timbaland)" entered the top ten only three weeks after its release.
"Low" has also been certified as a platinum ringtone by the RIAA, with nearly 1.5 million in sales to date. The track recently broke the record for the most consecutive weeks as the #1 ringtone in the country, with 13 weeks in the top spot on the Nielsen RingScan chart.
On the video front, "Low" has been the #1 video on both BET and MTV, while also topping the charts at BET's "106 & Park" and MTV's "TRL." It has also been the #1 clip on MTV.com and has ranked at #1 on AOL Music for four weeks and counting. As part of MTV's Discover & Download program, Flo Rida is now featured on the shades at the network's Times Square studio. In addition, he will be the spotlight artist of MTV's coveted 52/52 promotional campaign during the album's street week. Flo Rida is slated to perform as part of MTV's Spring Break programming on April 7th as well as BET's upcoming Spring Bling.
Flo Rida is the #3-ranked artist on MySpace, while "Low" has been played over eight million times on YouTube.
Meanwhile, "Elevator (Feat. Timbaland)" is quickly following in the footsteps of "Low," having already bulleted into the top 30 at Rhythmic radio and the top 40 at Urban radio.
"I approach music from a universal level and not just a neighborhood feel," says Flo Rida of his category-busting appeal. "I always try and come from the left field, but still stay somewhere where everyone can relate."
For more information about Flo Rida, visit www.officialflo.com, www.myspace.com/officialflo, www.youtube.com/officialflo, and http://florida.imeem.com.
Mariah E=MC2; Are You Ready? |
March 5th, 2008With over 160 Million albums sold worldwide, Mariah Carey is the most successful female recording artist in HISTORY. This year, Mariah returns to the marketplace with E=MC2, the follow up to the 10 million selling #1 album, The Emancipation Of Mimi.
‘Touch My Body’ is the deliciously daring first single from the upcoming album release, which has already set records for it’s massive reception at radio across the Top 40, R+B, R+B/Adult, and Ryhthm/Crossover formats. The single exploded onto the charts before official impact on February 19, 2008! Written and produced by Mariah Carey, C. ‘Tricky’ Stewart and The-Dream, ‘Touch My Body’ sets the stage for the next ‘Mimi’ world take-over…
The video for ‘Touch My Body’, directed by feature filmmaker, Brett Ratner (Rush Hour, X-Men), premiered globally on network and cable television, along with online outlets. Mariah Carey is now positioned as the only active recording artist in the 48 years of the Hot 100 with the potential to surpass the Beatles’ all-time high of 20 #1 hits, and has already tied Elvis Presley’s record setting 17 #1s. Executive Produced by Mariah
Carey and Antonio “L.A.” Reid, E=MC2 will include offerings by hit-makers Jermaine Dupri, DJ Toomp, Stargate, will.i.am, Bryan Michael Cox, Nate ‘Danjahandz’ Hills and James Poyser.
The E=MC2 album release will be supported by major television appearances/performances, specialty programming at BET/MTV/ VH1, specialty online programming, and a superstar advertising campaign including television, radio, online, outdoor and print outlets.
Usher's Newest Single Dominates Charts! |
March 5th, 2008Fans of LaFace/Zomba recording artist Usher are embracing the multi-talented superstar's newest song, "Love In This Club." It is the No. 1 song in the country making an astonishing leap from #51* to the No. 1* position on Billboard's "Hot 100 Singles" chart. "Love In This Club" also claims the No. 1 spot on SoundScan's digital tracks and iTunes tracks charts during the first week of its release. This accomplishment marks Usher's eighth No. 1 single in the United States.
"Love In This Club," featuring Young Jeezy, co-written by Usher and produced by Polow Da Don is also being well-received by music critics; Entertainment Weekly calls it a "Must" listen, proclaiming that Usher "returns with his magnetic club groove."
"Love In This Club" is the first single from his eagerly-awaited fifth studio album titled Here I Stand, slated for worldwide release this June. Here I Stand is Usher's follow-up to his history-making, 9x platinum-selling Confessions. Within the first week of the release of Confessions, Usher sold more than any other R&B artist in the history of SoundScan. The album spawned four #1 hit singles and Usher spent 40 weeks in the No. 1 position on The Billboard Hot 100 -- which is more than any other male artist in the nearly 50 year history of the chart. The multi-talented, five-time Grammy-winner, musician and actor has sold nearly 14 million copies of Confessions worldwide and it earned a multitude of honors including MTV, BET, and People's Choice awards.
Over the span of his 14-year career, Usher has sold close to 26 million albums worldwide and combining all of his single, album and DVD sales, he's sold in excess of 36 million units globally. With four studio albums, the eponymous first release, Usher (1994) and multi-platinum albums, the 6x-platinum My Way (1997),the 4x-platinum 8701 (2001), and the 9x-platinum Confessions (2004) and one gold-certified live album simply titled Live (1999), and a string of #1 hit singles including "U Remind Me," "U Got It Bad," "Yeah," "Burn," and "My Boo" Usher's return to the top of the charts is inevitable. The Tennessee-born, Atlanta raised performer, songwriter, producer, dancer, actor started his multi-faceted career at the age of 15-years old.
Usher Raymond IV has achieved what few other contemporary entertainers have ever accomplished. He most recently launched a successful line of signature fragrances, actively heads up his own charity, New Look Foundation, a camp for teens that teaches them about the entertainment business, and he is part owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team.
He is currently gearing up to promote his forthcoming album.
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