, , , , , , , ,

R&B SUPERSTAR NOEL GOURDIN RETURNS WITH NEW SINGLE, "LOVIN' UP (YOU)....

, , , , , , , ,

It’s official! R&B Superstar Noel Gourdin is back with a new single, titled “Loving Up (YOU)”, and it’s on fire.

LOVIN' UP (YOU) is a wonderful mid-tempo track that has a great 90’s R&B/HipHop vibe (think Stevie Wonder/Michael Jackson “I Can't Help It”). There is an undeniable hypnotic groove that Noel Soulfully navigates through in his own inimitable style that will have the listener toe tapping and finger popping. The song was written by Noel Gourdin and Canita Rogers and produced by Tone Jonez and Regi Myrix.

“I wanted to record a light hearted record for the project, because Marquis Green and I had written some pretty heavy-toned records (Strugglin', Low Down) prior to me writing "Lovin' UP:", mentions Noel. "It pretty much tells the story of how in love this man is with his woman, and how he assures her that he's so deeply enthralled with her that he has no thoughts nor desires for "Lovin' UP" anyone else but her", he adds. "I am now in an amazing new relationship, and I'm incredibly happy. So I'd say that she played a huge role in the inspiration and motivation department for me to create this record as I did”.

Click the links below to get a taste of what you’ve been missing….

Audio

ABOUT NOEL GOURDIN: 
Soul and R&B singer Noel Gourdin emerged on the music scene with his number one hit song “The River” which stayed on the Urban AC charts at number one for 15 weeks! Noel’s childhood was not a traditional one; he was born in Brockton, MA but spent his summers with family in Pachuta, Mississippi. The result is a man who is city to the heart but southern to the soul! Noel scored a deal with Sony Music at age 24, but his first exposure to the vocal arts came in church and he was introduced to the larger audience of soul music by his father (who introduced him to the classics, such as Otis Redding) and his brother (who turned him on to the sounds of new jack swing). Noel is influenced by classic soul as well as the contemporary sounds of R&B and hip-hop. Making his music is a seamless blend of each genre. “Listening to so much music from so many different eras really helped me put my style together,” explains the gifted singer- songwriter.

In 2004 Gourdin contributed the song “Family Reunion” to the soundtrack of the movie “The Cookout”. In 2005 a meeting with Sony Music led to a summer showcase which landed Noel on Sony Music’s roster and resulted in his 2008 debut album "After My Time", which is a refreshing mix of timeless R&B music with a modern, youthful feel which produced his number one hit song “The River.” The album is armed with Noel’s commanding rich vocals and a solid collection of intimate, soulful songs. The hit song, “The River” was featured on the soundtrack to the film, “Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins.” Noel’s sophomore album “Fresh: The Definition” released in 2011 was filled with refreshing blend of live instrumentation, organic production, and lyrical content which is reminiscent of classic old soul yet relatable to current music and lyrics. “Fresh: The Definition” produced “Beautiful, “which reached the Top 10 on the Urban AC charts.

In 2012 Noel finished a successful run of sold outs shows in the UK. He released his third project entitled “City Heart, Southern Soul” on February 18, 2014. “City Heart, Southern Soul” is a musical expression of Noel’s life. “The project was a culmination of creating and molding Retro-Relevant music, with underappreciated producers and writers,” says Gourdin. The project produced hits like “FOXXXY” which made top 10 on UK’s urban radio soul charts and was also in heavy rotation on UK radio. The single “Don’t You Wanna” was featured on VH1’s “Love and Hip Hop – Atlanta”. “Heaven Knows” is another one of Noel’s singles that quickly became a fan favorite. Noel is also featured on Brian Culbertson’s single “You're My Music" off the “Dreams” album which also earned heavy radio rotation.

The most recent endeavor the singer-songwriter has undertaken is his role in creating the title track to a new film. The name of the film is "Love n Success", written by the Baz Brothers in Atlanta, GA. As Noel tells it, “I watched the film and it really made me think how tough it is to know when love is true. I feel I was able to capture the essence of the film, so I developed a basic idea for the track. Thanks to assistance with Ty Allen Macklin and Charles Brandon, I finished writing the record, then recorded it at GoldStreet Music. We later got Aaron Stapler to lay down the guitar and that was that!”

“I grew up on music that had meaning and it’s still around today; music was made in the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. That’s something that my father had me listening to. I just want to be a positive black role model as well as a role model for anyone, regardless of their ethnic background as my music transcends across all color lines. It’s really important for me to be respectful and have music that can speak to the masses, from a two year old to your Great GrandMAMA! Musical integrity is extremely important to me, for when I leave the industry, my musical legacy is what I want to be remembered for..... timeless, real and soulful music.”

, , , , , , ,

Brian McKnight Releases Visuals for New Single ‘Nobody’…

, , , , , , ,
IMG_2469.jpeg

Multi-award winning singer and songwriter Brian McKnight has released touching and emotional visuals for his new single, ‘Nobody’, which boasts footage from his own wedding ceremony.

Take a moment to listen to Nobody or watch the amazing video below:

audio | video

"Nobody" was written by Brian McKnight and produced by Earl Cohen, Chris Paultre and Claude Villani and is available now via all platforms. "Nobody" is lifted from Brian's upcoming 20th studio album, "EXODUS", scheduled for release on June 26th, via the SRG ILS Group/UMG label imprint.

As shared with Billboard.comregarding the inspiration behind the video, Brian shares, “The funny thing is that we were trying to decide on a concept for the video, and after brainstorming, it was becoming too much of a process. Then suddenly the idea came to use our wedding footage because we hadn’t shared any of that footage with anyone. We thought what more of a special way to show our celebration and make it part of this beautiful song written for my wife.”

“This song was inspired by my wife Leilani and It’s about the incredible love we share as have been all the songs I've written since we've been together,” McKnight says. “’Nobody’ is perfect for right now at a time when real true love seems to be missing in music and in most aspects of society. It’s the best song I've written in a long time."


ABOUT BRIAN MCKNIGHT 
Brian McKnight has earned a place in music history selling over 25 million albums worldwide and charting numerous hits across many genres. In addition to being a singer, songwriter and producer, McKnight is a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments including piano, guitar, bass, drums, percussion, trombone, tuba, french horn and trumpet.

IMG_2468.jpeg

About Brian McKnight

IG: @brianmcknight23 - FB: @BrianMcKnight - Twitter: @itsbmcknight

In an industry known for its constant revolving door, McKnight has established himself with an enviable record of chart and touring consistency for over two decades. During that span Brian has collaborated with superstar artists including Quincy Jones, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Diddy, Christina Aguilera, Rascal Flatts, Nelly, Vanessa Williams, Willie Nelson and Kenny G.

On top of selling millions of records and performing in front of millions of fans, Brian McKnight has been nominated for and has won dozens of awards including the Grammy, American Music Awards, Soul Train Awards, NAACP Image Awards, Blockbuster Awards, and the prestigious Billboard Songwriter of The Year.

Alongside his skills as a gifted singer, songwriter, and performer, Brian has hosted and appeared on dozens of radio and television programs. Most notably in 2009 Brian hosted the eponymously titled “The Brian McKnight Morning Show” radio program which aired in over 60 markets through the ABC Radio Network. The show then became a nationally syndicated television program. In 2007 McKnight stepped onto Broadway with a successful run as Billy Flynn, the slick lawyer, in the legendary musical Chicago.

2020 will be a landmark year for Brian McKnight. Exodus, his 20th album, will be released in the summer of 2020. Brian has stated that this will be his final album of all original material. Exodus will include the hit singles “When I’m Gone”, “Neva Get Enuf Of U”, and “Nobody” alongside other original compositions and maybe some other surprises.

[ARTIST] Tank

While making his seventh full-length album, SLP2 [R&B Money/Atlantic Records], Tank posed a crucial question.
“What does cutting edge R&B sound like in 2016?” he asks. 
 

He answered that question by crafting the long-awaited sequel to his influential 2007 opus, Sex, Love & Pain. That album not only provided a blueprint for the likes of Chris Brown, Trey Songz, and more, but it also debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 and earned a Grammy Award nomination for “Best R&B Album,” while its #1 single “Please Don’t Go” became nominated for “Best R&B Male Vocal Performance.” Following 2014’s Stronger, Tank once again captured a creative spirit that resembled the process behind his seminal third body of work.
 

“Sex, Love & Pain was the first time I had ever made an album just because I wanted to make some good music,” he recalls. “There was no pressure to meet a deadline or put out a single because money was low. We were writing and producing for pretty much everybody and just decided to create a Tank album one day. That was the inception of the project. We chose to write some great music and let the chips fall where they may. That process mirrors this process. I made Stronger, and it was natural for me at the time. People have been screaming for SLP2 though, and I wanted to give them what they wanted. To do that, we had to merge classic and modern sounds and make this super crazy hybrid. When people are asking for something, you’ve got to deliver it right.”
It all started with his first single “You Don’t Know” [feat. Wale]. Co-written by Eric Bellinger [Justin Bieber, Kid Ink], the track fuses a subtle trap beat with airy, open production. Meanwhile, Tank carries a smooth and soulful refrain between incendiary bars courtesy of Wale.
 

“My music parallels my life eventually,” he remarks. “This song was happening at the same time I’d be telling my lady at home, ‘Listen, you don’t understand. I really love you. We’re in a different space. You’re on my back about all of this other stuff right here, and you’re making issues out of nothing. This is not where we’re supposed to be. You don’t know. I’m trying to show you, but in my own way.’ As soon as I got the record from Eric, I knew that was it. If you’re getting someone to complement raw emotion, Wale’s my favorite right now. It came together perfectly.”
 

As far as sequels go, Tank knew he had to go even bigger to make SLP2 the blockbuster audiences desired. In addition to cameos from Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men and Yo Gotti, he assembled a new West Coast anthem in the form of the Tank produced “Birthday” with a little help from Chris Brown, Problem, and Siya. He also teamed up with TGT collaborator and producer Brandon “BAM” Hodge to “help set the musical tone,” of this new project.
 

Then, there’s “She With The S***” featuring Rich Homie Quan. As a self-professed “huge fan” of the original Sex, Love & Pain, the Atlanta rapper jumped at the chance to fire off a verse on the follow-up. “It’s so next level,” smiles Tank. “Quan’s one of the hottest rappers out period right now. I was literally in the booth cheering him on while he was rapping and singing. He’s just fearless with it, and it was one of the coolest studio interactions I’ve ever had sitting in the booth.”
 

In between crafting his albums, Tank continues to make an impact as a songwriter, leaving his mark on pop culture at large. His writing credits include songs for everybody from Jamie Foxx, Pitbull, Aaliyah, and Beyoncé to Trevor Jackson and Adrian Marcel. At the same time, he’s evolved yet again outside of music with his fitness program Stronger U and starring role on the 2015 TV One hit Born Again Virgin. It builds upon his legacy, which encompasses everything from his first two gold-certified albums—Force of Nature and One Man—and 2013’s chart-topping TGT collaboration with Tyrese and Ginuwine, Three Kings.


“The moon, the stars, and the sun don’t align very often like they have recently,” he smiles. “I finally feel like I’m in a space creatively where I’m doing my best music and best acting. I’ve reached this amazing place.”
 

In the end, Tank taps into something timeless with SLP2, while delivering the perfect sequel.
 

“The meaning of Sex, Love & Pain never changes,” he leaves off. “That’s the order I put it in. I’m a guy, so most of the time, sex comes first. Then, we fall in love. Somewhere later, the pain creeps in—whether it’s us doing the pain or feeling it. You build off that. The process starts all over. We fall back in love again. It’s still the same. Nothing has changed. That’s my life, and I write my life. I use that to inspire melodies, song titles, and lyrics. I want to create a moment that can help change someone else’s life.”

[ARTIST] Philly Weeden

Philipé Winston Weeden is a Designer, Model, Semi-Professional Football Player, Public Speaker, Author, Playwright and now Screen Writer. He has two published books titled REALationship Breakdown Philly Style: Based on Real Life Experiences and The Black Man's Guide: If You Knew Better You'd Do Better, under his belt and is currently working on his third book. 

At a young age Philipé loved to write fictional stories. As he aged and matured his writings were about his own life situations. Throughout Philipe's life he has experienced good times and bad times. From being married, divorced, and father at a young age. But it doesn’t end there, he was also a member of a famous dance/rap group, the creator of his own clothing line, an off & on football career, a life threatening car accident and even being homeless. Throughout this, Philipé always remained humbled. How he survived? He lifted himself above all his hardships through his walk with God. Philipé is an avid believer that with God all things are possible! He took a leap of faith and pursued writing. With the encouragement of his Facebook friends, Philipé set out to release all he had pinned up inside of him. He realized that by helping others through words he was in turn helping himself to heal. His first book REALationship Breakdown Philly Style: Based on Real Life Experiences released October 30, 2011 and pre-sold over 1,500 copies. The focus of this book was to breakdown relationships and help people to retain or gain one. The success of this book, along with the rave reviews from readers, gave Philipé the motivation to release his second book The Black Man's Guide: If You Knew Better You'd Do Better on January 1, 2012. This book focused on breaking down the male partner of the relationship.

After releasing his second book, Philipé decided to take his writing to another level, birthing the hit stage play If You Knew Better You'd Do Better. The first showing on April 22, 2012 at Cleveland State University was a sold out show. Many of Philipe's supporters and fans demanded a second show that he delivered on June 3, 2012 which was filmed by TV 20 and aired June 2012. His cast, which he hand-picked himself, consisted of all local Clevelanders with no acting experience.

With all the suspense from the first play many people were left to wonder what happened to the characters and their situations. Since Philipé loves challenges, he embarked on the sequel immediately after the plays sold out show. The sequel titled "If I Knew Then, What I Know" played September 22, 2012 with another sold out performance. Part 3 "If Only You Knew... The TRUTH!" played May 4, 2013 and was the biggest production he has done thus far adding 4 sold out performances. Philipé went back in the lab to bring forth another 3 Part series from a Romantic- Dramedy perspective. First up was "BRUTHA's... We All We Got!" being performed in front of a sold out audience. He wrote and produced his next stage play "God's Gift to Women!" April 26, 2014. Not soon after Philipé started filming his first movie "If You Knew Better; You'd Do Better!" which premiered November 8, 2014 at Solon Cinemas selling out 4 theaters and over 1,000 people in attendance. Showing a second time at Cedar- Lee Theatres selling out with over 175 people in attendance. Then showing it at Capitol Theatre which included over 100 people selling out the auditorium. “Standing in the Need” was Philipe’s production and Playhouse Square debut where he not only came into a new mark but being the youngest African American to sell out the Ohio Theatre. 

 

Awards & Accomplishments
2008 Young Black Business Association Growing Business Award winning clothing company (OHIO) 
Nominated Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 OMA's (Ohio Mixtape Awards) Hip Play Producer/ Playwright
2012 Young Black Business Association Entrepreneur of the Year (OHIO) 
2013 "Key to the City" Recipient - "for your dedication to improving the lives of others through your books and stageplays" 
2014 Who's Who in Black Cleveland Honoree of Game Changer Award
2014 Man on Fire Award
2015 Feed the Heart Ministries Service Award
2015 Dawson Foundation Cycle Breaker Honoree

[ARTIST] Kelly Rowland

For a Grammy-award winner who has been part of one of the most successful groups of all time, a solo star in her own right, with roles in motion pictures and television, Kelly Rowland isn’t kidding when she says, “This is a fresh start for me. I’m in a fantastic place right now.”

With brand-new management, a new record label and a world-wide hit, “When Love Takes Over,” with acclaimed French dance producer David Guetta, call this new phase, “When Kelly Takes Over,” as the multi-talented singer/songwriter/TV host and actress exerts full control on a career that has already produced millions of album sales, smash records and accolades.

After spending a summer in Europe, Rowland found herself turned on to different sounds and musical genres, especially dance and electro, which has encouraged her latest stylistic direction.

“I went out and had great experiences learning about the culture of dance music, how people interact with the DJ,” she says. “It really inspired my sound moving forward.”

Kelly launched her post-Destiny’s Child solo career by teaming up with rapper Nelly in 2002, recording the vocals for the track “Dilemma” for his album Nellyville. The song ended up with a Grammy nomination for Record of the Year and earned Rowland an award in the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration category.

After two successful solo albums—2002’s RIAA-gold certified Simply Deep, which reached #12 on the Billboard chart, and 2007’s Ms. Kelly, featuring top producers like Billy Mann, Scott Storch, Sean Garrett, Tank, Rockwilder and Polow da Don, and guest stars Snoop Dogg and Eve, going on to sell 1.2 million worldwide—Rowland found herself ready for a change of pace. One of the singles from Ms. Kelly, “Work,” offered a hint of her new direction, when a dance remix hit the Top 10 in France, Italy and the U.K.

“When the Freemasons did their thing, it became this massive international hit,” explains Kelly. “To be quite honest, I was a little nervous about doing it, but when I met David, I realized how much I was enjoying dance music.”

Playing the same club in the south of France, Rowland and Guetta hit it off straight away. He played her one of his tracks, which Kelly took back with her to London, and finished writing what became “When Loves Takes Over” with Mim and Liv of the production/ songwriting team Nervo, whom she had just met for the first time. She sent it back to David, and the rest can be heard on club floors all over the world.

“Half the time, I don’t even have to sing the words,” marvels Kelly at the reaction of dancers to the hit. “It’s just a fun record. It feels good. For so long, I’ve been saying I wanted to do a record that I could be me on.”

While “When Loves Takes Over,” which has already topped the charts throughout Europe, appears on Guetta’s new album, One Love, Kelly and the DJ/producer/songwriter will reprise their collaboration on her own third solo effort, which she has begun to record in L.A., New York and Miami, where she makes her home.

“Yes, he will definitely be a part of it,” nods Kelly. “We have started thinking about what we want to do and I know in my gut, it’s going to be fantastic. Our chemistry in the studio and on-stage is so good. It just works.”

Aside from Guetta, Rowland has already begun working with a variety of European producers, including up-and-comers like Calvo and Fredro Odesjo, as well as U.S. hitmakers like producer/songwriter Brian Kennedy (“Disturbia”).

“These guys are really creative, excited about dance music and understand it,” says Kelly. “I want to incorporate those sounds without going too far away from what people know me for, which is R&B. I’ve traveled the world as a solo artist and have been influenced by all these different sounds—Europop, electro, dance, etc.—that I want to share with my fans. I’d like my audience to get to know me better on this album, discover my personality—which is sass and class, the fun part. That’s what I’m trying to showcase.”

As for her illustrious past, Kelly just wants room to grow as an individual, to explore her own artistic path.

“It’s about respecting me in my space as an individual, as I respect the other members of Destiny’s Child in theirs,” she insists. “That is certainly a large part of my career, how big it was. We continue to love and support each other, but we’re all adults moving forward.”

Rowland is also intent on continuing to appear on TV and in the movies. She had a recurring role in the UPN sitcom The Hughleys, before appearing in other network shows such as Eve and Girlfriends. She also appeared as Martha Reeves in American Dreams, singing “Nowhere to Run.” In 2003, Rowland made her big screen debut in the film Freddy vs. Jason, then the following year starred in the romantic comedy, The Seat Filler, executive-produced by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, playing a pop star who falls for an awards-show seat filler she mistakes for a high-profile record executive. She just finished co-hosting Bravo’s reality series The Fashion Show with designer Isaac Mizrahi.

“I’m definitely going up for more roles because it’s something I truly enjoy,” she says. “I really want to continue to study the craft to where I can be respected as an actor. I want to completely understand the role and get engrossed in it to the point where I am that character. For me, it’s about passion, not taking a role just to say I did it.”

With a clean slate and a promising start on this latest phase of her impressive career, Kelly is ready to embark on this latest phase of her career.

“I’m very confident in everyone that’s around me now,” she says. “I believe in them as much, if not more, than they believe in me. I let them know what’s going on, what I want, what I expect from them. I’m in control, and that’s a great thing.”

Now that she’s set in the present, Kelly has no problem casting an eye toward the future.

“I want to put together a great #1 album and tour, just play live, be with the crowd and create more of those magic moments,” she concludes, before adding she’s working on creating her own TV show, one which she wouldn’t mind being behind the camera for a change.

Now that “Love” has taken over, Kelly Rowland won’t be far behind.

[ARTIST] Rah Digga

One of music’s most respected and premier “rapper’s rapper” – regardless of gender, former First lady of Busta Rhymes’ Flipmode Squad Rah Digga has returned with another classic album and accomplished something that is unheard of in Hip-Hop. "No female rapper has ever released a sophomore album 10 years later and I hoped to capture all audiences once more and remind everyone why they fell in love with Dirty Harriet in the first place!" states Digga.

In an industry ruled by flash in the pan MC's and a what is "hot" at the moment mentality, Rah Digga is not worried about her absence from the game or her place in it, "I'm not a gimmick; I wasn't created by a label. I am a natural born talent that broke into the industry based on my ability to rhyme and that's what people will always expect from me." With a recent album produced by Nottz, one of the most famed beatsmiths in Hip-Hop, Digga had no problems meeting the expectations of any hardcore Hip-Hop fan. Accolades from music icons such as Amy Winehouse have been ringing aloud thoughout Rah’s entire career. With her creative and progressive outlook, she has returned to prominence as a trendsetter in music. "Classic" was released September, 14th 2010. 
 

Keeping an eye on the future and her continual work in directing, editing, business, acting, motherhood, motivational speaking and activism, Rah Digga’s work is never done. A true renaissance women is an understatement. "With all the time that has passed what I've learned from all the outpouring of support is that people just want their good ole "Dirty Harriet" back. 

[ARTIST] Jazmine Sullivan

The most powerful stories are real. They’re the sagas that we grasp on to, learn from, and live with. Jazmine Sullivan tells her story in all its unfiltered, unabridged, and unrestrained glory on her third full-length album, Reality Show [RCA Records].

 

In 2013, the eight-time Grammy Award nominee experienced a personal revelation that would spark the recording process. It also broke her creative silence after she had initiated a hiatus from music on Twitter only two years prior.


“I took a break, and I had some time to reflect on my life,” she admits. “I was trying to figure out what things were wrong and how to fix them. Instead of keeping that journey to myself, I decided to take the opportunity to make songs about it. I’m definitely being as honest as I can be. I’m growing up. When I was young, I was emotional, I was little crazy, and I used to bust windows out! I didn’t know how to handle things. Now, I do. I hope this process can help someone else.”

 

The Philly native retreated to a hometown studio and, for the first time in her career, assumed the role of executive producer. She also tapped the talents of iconic producer Salaam Remi, Key Wane, and more. Not only did Jazmine oversee the entire production, but she served as the primary writer on each of the album’s twelve tracks. As a result, Reality Show encompasses everything from R&B and soul to hip-hop, funk, and even a little disco.

 

“I love so many different styles and genres,” she says. “It wasn’t about following one muse, but rather embracing what spoke to me in the moment. Everything was scaled down to the basics. I feel like you can hear that in the album. There’s no glitz and glamour. It’s really raw and straight-to-the-point.”

 

That’s why the title Reality Show fits so perfectly. While making the album, Jazmine spent a lot of time watching Bravo’s Real Housewives of Atlanta and VH1’s Mob Wives, Love & Hip-Hop Atlanta, and T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle. The exposed emotions of those programs definitely seeped in.

 

“I found that some of the songs and storylines had a bit of drama,” she smiles. “The language was affected by a lot of reality television. It’s grimy, but I wanted to write how people actually speak and feel. My story found its way into each of the songs.”

 

The first single “Forever Don’t Last” sees her inimitable vocals rise over bluesy acoustic guitar and production from Chuck Harmony [Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo]. “You can get to a point where a relationship isn’t good for you,” she says of the song. “That’s where it comes from. I’m really pouring out my heart on that one.”

 

Trumpets and piano augment a jazzy intro on the DJ Dahi-produced “Brand New” just before her spirited cadence takes the spotlight. She goes on, “I was looking at a lot of famous rappers and thinking to myself, ‘It doesn’t seem like any of them are with the girls they started out with.’ Those are the women who helped and supported them when they didn’t have anything. I wanted to tell that story. People identify with feeling unappreciated. Once their significant other gets a bit of success, it’s like they’re forgotten. I don’t want to speak for the superstar ideal. I represent the normal woman.”

 

On the other end of the spectrum, the upbeat and undeniable “Stanley” slides forward on disco-infused production courtesy of Da Internz [Nas, Rihanna], calling out another “guy who doesn’t appreciate his woman.” At the same time, “If You Dare” dives into intoxicating haze tempered by confessional lyrics. Meanwhile, Reality Show’s conclusion “Masterpiece (Mona Lisa)” begins with a chord progression Jazmine wrote on her keyboard, and then showcases her passionate, potent powerhouse voice.

 

“I really want everyone to hear this one,” she exclaims. “In a way, it’s a reminder for me to love myself the way I am. I’m just a regular woman in an industry that expects perfection. This was how I assured myself that no matter what situation I’m in, I know I’m beautiful.”

 

Jazmine’s evolution shines throughout the album loud and clear. She has come a long way since her gold-certified 2008 full-length debut, Fearless. The record boasted the chart-topping singles “Need You Bad” and “Bust Your Windows” and achieved seven Grammy Award nominations. Her sophomore effort 2010’s Love Me Back garnered critical acclaim as well as her eighth Grammy nomination for “Holding You Down (Goin’ In Circles).” Along the way, Jazmine also received Billboard’s “Rising Star Award” and played to sold out crowds worldwide.

 

Ultimately, Reality Show sees Jazmine deliver a timeless true story — hers. “I don’t want to be put in a box,” she leaves off. “I wanted to make the album as eclectic as I could, include different styles, and open people’s minds. I needed to get real with the lyrics and not hold anything back. This is me.”

[ARTIST] King Chip

Charles Jawanzaa Worth (born October 20, 1986), better known by his stage name King Chip (formerly known as Chip tha Ripper), is an American hip hop recording artist from Cleveland, Ohio. He is best known for his collaborations fellow rappers Kid Cudi, The Game, Michael Bolton, Bun B, Big Sean, Juicy J, Kanye West, Hitek, Jadakiss, Nipsey Hussle, Scarface, 8 Ball & MJG, Devin Tha Dude, Trey Songz, Smoke DZA, GLC, Asher Roth, Fonzworth Bentley, Jeramiah, ASAP Rocky, Ray Cash, Twista, Layzie Bone, Krazie Bone, Curren$y, Audio Push, Hit Boy, Travi$ Scott, Chuck English, Kidz in the Hall, Mike Posner, Mikey Rocks, Freddie Gibbs, Logic, Boldy James, Dom Kennedy, Chiddy Bang, Key Wayne, ASAP Twelvy, Roscoe Dash, and Eric Bellinger. Chip is currently with his own record label Rebel Castle

2006-2011:

Since 2006, Worth obtained a significant following through hip-hop blogs and frequent appearances on mixtapes. Much of Worth's recent work has been done alongside fellow Ohio native and rapper Kid Cudi. Worth incorporates the slow, "chopped 'n' screwed" style of southern hip hop in his music. Worth amassed a cult-like following on the underground scene and Internet blogs throughout 2007 and 2008 for his hard, but often humorous lyrics. A large part of his internet success was due to his rap "SLAB Freestyle." The lyrics "Interior Crocodile Alligator / I Drive a Chevrolet Movie Theater" gained notoriety in blogs and image boards and eventually grew into an internet meme. Multiple videos featuring the lyrics from "SLAB Freestyle" were posted on sites such as YouTube with humorous images accompanying the looped lyrics or featuring altered lyrics based on Chip's track. In 2007, the track "Club Rockin" off his Money mixtape featured hip-hop artist Akon singing the chorus. Worth has decided to remain independent over the years and keep his options open as far as labels go. In 2008 Worth started making trips to Chicago which lead to working with Kidz in the Hall on their album The In Crowd doing a song titled "Mr. Alldatshit" as well as forming many other relationships that Worth still holds till this day. On September 5, 2010 Chip Tha Ripper announced plans to form a group called "The Almighty GloryUS" with fellow Cleveland rapper Kid Cudi. Chip Tha Ripper states The Almighty GloryUS stems from a mutual appreciation between the two artists. Worth was featured on producer Hi-Tek's album, Hi-Teknology 3 in 2007; and on Kid Cudi's first mixtape, A Kid Named Cudi in 2008. He hooked up with The Kids In The Hall and Donnis for what seems to be a favorable connection, by featuring on their 2008 The In Crowd and their 2010 Land of Make Believe album. Then in 2009 he was featured on Kid Cudi's first album "Man on the Moon: The End of Day" which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Chip was a featured artist on the track "The End" from Kid Cudi's sophomore album, Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager (2010).

2012-Present:

On August 9, 2012, the rapper announced a name change, from Chip tha Ripper to King Chip. He also revealed he signed a deal with talent agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Defending his decision to change his moniker, Chip tweeted: "I am King Chip. Actually born in the ghetto slums of East Cleveland, Ohio. Rest in peace my mentor & former king, Hawk. His death made me....". Continuing on later, he said: "My birth name is Charles Jawanzaa Worth. Jawanzaa is Swahili and it means 'great leader and great warrior.' Look it up. I am King Chip." His first credit under the new pseudonym was his role as a featured artist on longtime friend and collaborator Kid Cudi's single "Just What I Am", taken from Cudi's third studio album Indicud (2013). On September 4, 2013, King Chip released the mixtape 44108.

[ARTIST] Trick Daddy

Trick Daddy born Maurice Young, has made an impact on the mainstream that paved the way for fellow thugs in the rap game. Despite the obstacles that were prevalent in the industry his talent broke through the barriers with his raw ability to relay his message straight from the hood while proving club bangers to the masses. His past achievements cannot be disputed from the first time his skill ravaged the airways with the release of Scarred in 1996. Subsequent releases were in 1997 Based on a True Story, in 1998  www.thug.com containing the hot single Nann Nigga featuring Trina, and 2000:Book of Thugs: Chapter AK Verse 47.

The album that erased the line between underground and mainstream was in 2001 with the release of Thugs Are Us with cameos from Ludacris and Mystykal. In 2002 Trick Daddy released Thug Holiday and brought a new awareness of the lifestyle of thugs. Trick Daddy is an artist that has remained close to his roots and to date has exemplified how being a product of your environment does not have to dictate your destiny. Over the next few years he would reiterate this with his releases of Thug Matrimony: Married to the Streets in 2004, Back by Thug Demand in 2006 and Finally Famous: Born a Thug, Still a Thug in 2009. If it wasnt for Trick Daddy birthing a Thug Kingdom in the mainstream music arena the rap game would not be what it is today. Trick Daddy, one of the Original Kings of the south has evolved without sacrificing the voice of the streets. He is like the Hulk of the Hip Hop Game the harder hes hit the meaner he spits annihilates the odds against his movement.

[ARTIST] Rico Love

Rico Love: Songwriter and Producer
Love has written and produced hit records which include Usher’s “There Goes My Baby,” Nelly’s “Just a Dream,” Trey Songz “Heart Attack,” Kelly Rowland’s “Motivation” feat Lil’ Wayne and Beyoncé’s “Sweet Dreams,” and has contributed to Grammy Award winning works such as Beyoncé’s 2009 Best Contemporary R&B album “I Am... Sasha Fierce,” Usher’s 2010 Best Contemporary R&B album “Raymond v. Raymond,” and Usher’s 2010 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance “There Goes My Baby.” In addition, Love has written and produced records for artists such as Fergie, Chris Brown, A$AP Rocky, David Guetta, Wiz Khalifa and Mary J Blige. 

Rico Love: Recording Artist
Having appeared as a featured artist on records with Usher, T.I., Jermaine Dupri, Jamie Foxx, Rich Boy and Fat Joe, Love released the acclaimed “Discrete Luxury” EP, his first work as a solo recording artist in 2013. The lead single “They Don’t’ Know” was called “one of the hottest songs on the radio right now” by Vibe magazine and reached #4 on Billboard’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop chart. His second single “Bitches Be Like” released in early 2014. A “smash hit” according to XXL magazine, the track received heavy rotation by leading digital broadcasters Sirius XM radio and Music Choice. Following summer 2014’s “Honest Tour,” Love released “He Got Money” featuring tour headliner, Future. The track was taken from Love’s forthcoming LP, “I SIN,” released August, 2014. 
 

Rico Love: CEO
Love is the CEO of Division1, a record label formed in partnership with Interscope Records in 2013. Division1’s roster features Love alongside singer, songwriter, and musician Tiara Thomas, celebrated for writing and singing the hook on Wale’s highly acclaimed #1 hit, “Bad”. In 2015, Division1 will release Tiara Thomas’ debut LP, “The Bad Influence” and Love’s follow up LP, “#TTLO.”

 

For more info on Rico Love, visit his official site at:

www.ricolove.com

[ARTIST] Faith Evans

Faith Renée Evans is a multi-platinum Grammy Award winning recording artist, songwriter, arranger and record producer.  Faith is also a New York Times best-selling author, an entrepreneur, a TV executive producer and most importantly — a mother.  With so many hats to be worn, it is undeniable that Faith has a little something for everyone.  Through what has been an equally rewarding and trying career, ask her how she’s come this far and she’ll simply reply, “FAITH.”

With a music career spanning over two decades, Faith has released eight studio albums, with over 18 million albums sold and spawning over 30 singles.  Faith has also performed on 20+ soundtracks and a host of guest appearances during her career.  Faith Evans is a seven-time Grammy nominee; winning “Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group” in 1998 for “I’ll Be Missing You,” an homage to her late husband and hip-hop legend Notorious B.I.G.

Faith has three Platinum-certified albums under her belt, including: “Faith” (1995), “Keep The Faith” (1998) and “Faithfully” (2001); the Gold-certified “The First Lady” (2005), and the holiday staple, “A Faithful Christmas” (2005).  In 2008, Faith penned her New York Times Best Selling Book, “Keep the Faith: A Memoir” with Aliya King, which won the 2009 African American Literary Award in the “Best Biography/Memoir” category.  The memoir is currently available in hardback, paperback and in e-book format at most major retailers.  In 2010, Faith released her first independent album through her music imprint Prolific Music Group and E1 Music, titled “Something About Faith”.  The lead single “Gone Already” was nominated for “Best Female R&B Vocal Performance” for the 2011 Grammy Awards.  In August 2012, Faith co-created, executive produced and starred in an original reality series, “R&B Divas”, which became cable network TV One’s most watched original premiere in the history of the network and later released a compilation album of the same name.  The “R&B Divas” album earned Faith her seventh Grammy nomination for “Best R&B Album” for the 2014 Grammy Awards.

In November 2014, Faith released her eighth studio album, “Incomparable”, on Prolific Music Group, with distribution through BMG Chrysalis.  “Incomparable” reached number 17 on Billboard’s Independent Albums chart and number 27 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.  “Incomparable” includes the lead single “I Deserve It” featuring Missy Elliott and Sharaya J and the follow up second single “Make Love”, featuring Keke Wyatt, is currently climbing up the Urban AC radio airplay charts.  The album also includes guest features from Problem, B. Slade & Karen Clark-Sheard and production by Mike City, Chucky Thompson, MyGuyMars and Brian Morgan.

[ARTIST] DJ Quik

Six years after his last solo studio release, Hip-Hop icon and platinum recording artist DJ Quik is back. The Compton, California native returns with his eighth solo studio album on 4/20 with The Book Of David. As a nod to his birth-name, David Blake, this latest release is a candid and insightful project.

Mixing Quik's legendary beat crafting with his well known gangsta bravado, The Book Of David is a raw representation of Quik as both an evolved recording artist and the mind of the man behind the music, David Blake. The album is entirely produced by DJ Quik and features memorable cameos from Bun B, Ice Cube, Kurupt, Dwele, Suga Free, Jon B, Bizzy Bone and others.

“The whole idea behind this project was not just to make another rap album,” says DJ Quik. “I wanted to focus on the overall musical performance process…not just the rapping part. It’s a smart album, it’s everything I wanted it to be.”  

The Book Of David is as multi-faceted as the illustrious creator. Every track provides another gripping chapter to Quik's prolific discography. The album’s lead single, “Luv of My Life” featuring Gift Reynolds, is already garnering heavy spins from top regional radio stations, including Los Angeles’ Power 106, San Francisco’s KMEL, Seattle’s KUBE, Phoenix’s KKFR and more. 

Given that his skills are just as precise now as they were two decades ago, Quik's music remains relevant and essential. The Book Of David is yet another fine addition to the catalogue of an immensely gifted artist. 

[ARTIST] Young Buck

These days being a rapper in the industry has been very challenging. Not only do you have to have the lyrical flow, but you have to be versatile, creative, and energetic on the stage. All the women should want you and all the men have to want to be you. In this industry your swagger and talent has to be on point. When you combine everything they should be the perfect ingredients for a successful rap star. This is exactly what former G-Unit and Cashville member Young Buck brings to the hip-hop industry. 

Young Buck was born March 15, 1981 as David Darnell Brown in Nashville, TN. He grew up hard, living with his single mother, sister and cousins in Nashville, also known to Buck as Cashville, Ten-A-Key. At the young age of 14, David took to the streets of Cashville selling drugs to make a way to survive. At the same time he discovered a new hobby: rapping, which soon became a major focus in the young hustler's life. The Nashville hip-hop scene was just beginning to pop and Buck wanted to be apart of it any way possible. 

By 1997 Buck gained the attention of the then blossoming and recently known empire, Cash Money Records. The new rapper spent the next four years on and off with Cash Money before aligning with the label's biggest star, Juvenile, who left to build his own company, UTP Records. 

Buck spent most of 2001 on the road with UTP hustling and making a name for himself around the country. During a New York visit, UTP recorded with Sha Money XL and local rapper 50 Cent, who had created quite a buzz for himself and his G-Unit crew. 50 really liked Young Buck’s style and by 2002 Buck was signed to G-Unit/Interscope Records. Soon after G-Unit released the crew's double platinum Beg For Mercy album, which showcased plenty of Buck's Southern swag and mellow but aggressive flow, that helped put Cashville on the map. 

In 2004 Buck dropped the platinum-plus selling Straight Outta Cashville, only about ten years after he first put his hands on the mic. Buck says, "I was blessed to get the success that I got on that album." The rapper says, "It really was good material, but it wasn't the best Buck material." 

With about a two-year break, Young Buck released his second debut album March 27, 2007. Buck the World debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, with sales of 141,083 in the first week. 

Since the release of Buck’s second album he's had a couple of controversies. The biggest controversy is the highly publicized beef with rapper 50 Cent. After numerous rumors of a "beef" within G-Unit, 50 Cent officially kicked Young Buck out of the group, in 2008. He later assured that he was still signed with the label. There were many slandering songs that arose on the internet from both camps with Young Buck also appearing in a music video of former rival The Game. 

After all of this, 50 Cent then leaked a taped phone conversation between himself and Young Buck, which showed one of the true reasons for the falling out. Young Buck later stated the conversation took place over a year before the leak. The two camps have since released a multitude of songs against each other, with the feud settling down by 2009, with Young Buck stating he's been working on his latest album. 

Even though Buck hasn’t released an album since 2007 and he has been through some drama. He has overcome all of the negativity and is working hard to push out his next mixtape. Buck’s new mixtape is entitled BACK ON MY BUCK SHIT 2 and it is going to be the hottest thing to hit the streets from this talented artist. 

Young Buck has recently spoke about his new song “Gotta Love It” which addresses his relationship status with 50 Cent. This new mixtape really showcases Young Buck’s talent and his versatility. He has really grown over the years and is ready to show everyone what else he has to offer. 

And as far as what Young Buck feels, he says, “If you not a fan of Buck, then just pay attention 'cause at this point, I feel like I'm more focused than I've ever been in my career...I'm good people, I'm doing what you should be doing and that's surviving...Coming to a 'hood near you. Back On My Buck Sh*t." (Southern Smoke TV).” 

Get ready for the new and improved rap star because he is coming back stronger and hotter than ever. You can get the mixtape now at www.iamyoungbuck.com 

YOUNG BUCK, CASHVILLE RECORDS IN THE BUILDIN'

[ARTIST] Alani Skye

Growing up, Alani was constantly surrounded by music. She always looked forward to being backstage and watching her mother perform with her band. As she got older, her mother began to bring her on stage. Alani embraced the comfort of the stage and now it is her turn to be in the spotlight.
As early as age 7, Alani Skye began to write songs and would entertain her family with her talents. Like most young aspiring singers, she joined the children’s choir at church. The desires to be an artist led her to record her first song by 13. Soon after that, she and a few friends formed an all-girl group called “Set It Off”. During high school, she moved to Florida and continued worked to expand her career.
 

Alani knew that it was important to write and record as she tried to figure out who she would be as a solo artist. Unfortunately upon return to Syracuse, things took a turn for the worst. Surrounded by death and violence, Alani found herself caught up within her environment. And although her trouble and pain led her to dark place in life, she found her solace in music and never stop believing in her calling.
Growing up, like most young singers, Alani Skye was influenced by some of the greats such as: Lauryn Hill, Mariah Carey, and the late Aaliyah, but the one she admired the most was Mary J Blige. Alani could identify with the message within the queen of Hip Hop Soul and her music and the personal transformation throughout the years.
 

Alani Skye is primed to bring her talents to an audience that is hungry for the return of great music. With the renewed success of Ms. Jennifer Hudson and the talented Tamar Braxton, Alani Skye will be a shining star of today’s new generation of music. 
Remember, believing in yourself is all it takes..... There is no need to remind ALANI.... SKY IS THE LIMIT....

[ARTIST] Wiz Khalifa

“Being out in front of people and just being ‘The Man’” might sound like a vague and ridiculous dream to have, but for Cameron Thomaz it might be the most appropriate thought to cross any mind. Better known as Wiz Khalifa, the son of two military parents has always had his eye on being a new standard by which cool is measured. Rapping since the third grade and starting to record music at 14 was probably a step in the right direction. The next best move? Inking a deal to Rostrum Records after a meeting with Benjy Grinberg.

Fresh out of high school, it was time to either sink or swim. In 2005 Wiz released his first mixtape, “Prince of the City: Welcome to Pistolvania.” The mixtape was quickly accepted by the local scene and began to gain buzz outside of Pittsburgh. With that excitement growing by the day, it was the perfect time for a proper commercial album. Wiz soon dropped “Show and Prove,” which Okayplayer.com claimed was “arguably the best album of the year.” The accolades began piling up and Khalifa was receiving significant co-signs from XXL, Rolling Stone, and VIBE, alike. A deal with Warner Bros. Records soon followed.

Any other 20-year-old probably would’ve let all this hype go to their heads, but not Wiz. As focused as ever, Wiz only saw this praise as an opportunity to work harder. In 2007, with the help of famed mixtape DJ, Green Lantern, Wiz released “Grow Season,” which was soon followed by “Prince of The City 2.” The sequel to “Prince of The City” would soon out grow its predecessor so much so that the demand for Khalifa’s music was greater than ever.

Unfortunately, the relationship between Khalifa and Warner Bros. dissolved, and once again, Wiz found himself as an independent artist. Typically a huge roadblock for any artist, Wiz refused to allow the lack of a major label deal to slow down his momentum. He and his Rostrum team hit the ground running in 2009 and released three highly acclaimed mixtapes: “Flight School,” “How Fly,” a collaborative mixtape with New Orleans rapper Curren$y, and “Burn After Rolling.” The album “Deal Or No Deal” followed in the Fall and debuted at the top of the iTunes “Hip-Hop” chart, and has remained in the top 50 to date.

In the months following, both his fanbase (known as the “Taylor Gang”) and the anticipation for his new mixtape grew daily. Once Wiz dropped “Kush & Orange Juice” in early 2010, it was clear that he had established himself as one of the rap-game’s brightest young stars to watch. With an unprecedented amount of downloads, not to mention both the top search on Google as well as the number one trending topic on Twitter, it seemed as if the entire nation was on board with the “Taylor Gang” movement. Many said that the release of “Kush & Orange Juice” placed Wiz as the valedictorian of his “XXL Freshmen 10” class and kicked open the doors he and his team were looking to walk through.

Fast forward a few months, and together Wiz and Rostrum Records proudly announced that these doors were those of Atlantic Records, the new home to Wiz Khalifa. Following this huge milestone in his career, Wiz soon embarked on a stint on the famed “Rock The Bells” tour alongside such legends as Lauryn Hill and Snoop Dogg, immediately followed by his nation-wide headlining tour, appropriately dubbed the “Waken Baken Tour.” After receiving co-signs from a multitude of rap veterans, including Rick Ross and Diddy, and humbly rejecting Drake’s offer to join his recent tour, it became evident that Wiz also established himself as a prominent staple online with over 3,000,000 friends on Facebook, and over 1,000,000 fans following him on Twitter. With the video for his first Atlantic Records release, “Black & Yellow,” getting an astonishing 30 million views on YouTube, there is no question about it: Wiz Khalifa’s debut album is bound to be something great.

[ARTIST] 2Pac

While he was most famous for his rap career, but was also a gifted actor, poet and a thoughtful while outspoken advocate for the poor and the overlooked in America. During his life, he produced an immense amount of artistic work, which included albums, major Hollywood feature films, and published works. He was most prolific in the music industry, selling over 75 million albums. Tupac’s unapologetic lyrics were relevant, important, and reflective of the hard lives led by many. His music earned attention and respect through a poetic style that embraced street vocabulary while being innovative and he is still considered by many to be one of the biggest influences on modern hip hop.



Tupac’s career has earned him 6 Grammy nominations and three MTV Video Music Award nominations. Shakur was honoured by the American Music Awards as the Favourite Hiphop Artist in 1997.



Born on June 16 1971 in New York City, Shakur’s parents were both members of the Black Panther Party whose militant style and provocative ideologies for civil rights would come to influence Tuapc’s music. At an early age, Tuapc’s love for performance and the arts began to show, as he began acting at age 13 and later enrolled in the Baltimore School of the Arts before dropping out at 17. Shakur broke into the music business with rap group Digital Underground as a back-up dancer and roadie. Eventually Shakur released his first solo album in ’91, 2pacalypse Now. Now sporting the stage name 2pac, Shakur’s music career began to grow as his second album, Strickly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z included 2 top 20 pop chart tracks: I Get Around and Keep Ya Head Up.



Shakur’s legal battles began after he established his rap career. In the early nineties Shakur faced a wrongful death suit which settled out of court, accusations of assaulting police officers where charges were ultimately dropped, and even an incident where Shakur sustained 5 gunshot wounds from unknown assailants. In 1995 Tupac was sentenced one-and-a-half to four-and-a-half years in prison for sexual assault. However, not even prison could slow the success of Shakur’s career.



While incarcerated Tupac’s latest album, Me Against the World, was number one in the pop charts and would later go double platinum. Shakur become the first artist to reach number one in the pop chart while serving a prison sentence. Making the most of his time in jail, Tupac became an passionate reader. Among his favourites were the works of Niccolò Machiavelli, an italian Renaissance writer whose works were in part the foundation for western political science. Shakur’s appreciation of his work inspired the nickname: Makaveli.



After serving only 8 months of his sentence, Tupac was out on parole thanks to a 1.4 million dollar bond paid by Suge Knight, CEO of Death Row records. Now signed on Death Row records, Shakur went on to create All Eyez on Me, which featured hits How Do You Want It and California Love.



Tupac’s life was cut short in September of 1996 when Shakur became the victim of a drive-by shooting while his car waited on a red light. Inspite surviving the surgery that followed, Shakur was pronounced dead almost a week after the attack.



Even today, Tupac’s musical influence is wide-spread from the library of congress where his song Dear Mama was added in 2010 to the national registry, to artists like 11 time Grammy winner Eminem who in an interview with MTV said:



“He made you feel like you knew him. I think that honestly, Tupac was the greatest songwriter that ever lived. He made it seem so easy. The emotion was there, and feeling, and everything he was trying to describe. You saw a picture that he was trying to paint.”



Tupac leaves a legacy of honestly and passion in his songs. Respected by many, Tupac has become an inspiration for artists and a standard in rap music.

[ARTIST] The Notorious B.I.G.

Hailed by many as the greatest MC of all time, the Notorious B.I.G. was Bad Boy's flagship artist. From his early verses on Craig Mack's "Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)" and "Real Love" by Mary J. Blige, it was clear to the hip-hop world that a new king had been crowned. Biggie solidified his position with his classic 1994 debut album, "READY TO DIE." Through the combination of Sean Combs' powerful production and B.I.G.'s vivid rhymes, the disc brought Bad Boy Records to the forefront of East Coast hip-hop and went to sell over four million copies. 

Tragically, this superstar's life was cut short on March 9, 1997, when he fell victim to a shooting. Released just two weeks later, the double album "LIFE AFTER DEATH" instantly confirmed Biggie's status as a modern musical giant. Universally considered to be among the greatest hip-hop albums of all time, "LIFE AFTER DEATH" went on to sell more than 10 million copies worldwide, fueled by B.I.G.'s timeless lyricism and such chart-topping singles as the classic "Mo Money, Mo Problems." Since his passing, B.I.G.'s legacy been kept alive via such posthumous releases as 1999's double platinum "BORN AGAIN" and 2005's "DUETS: THE FINAL CHAPTER." More significantly, he lives on through his profound influence on modern hip-hop. A prolific poet of the streets, a charismatic performer, and an honest, impassioned storyteller, the Notorious B.I.G. remains a true superstar to this very day...

[ARTIST] Rich Boy

Life as the hottest rapper in the sleepy city of Mobile, Ala., comes with its perks. Nobody bats an eye when you drive your Escalade on the sidewalk so you wont be late getting to the club. And they dont notice when you illegally park your vehicle in between two police cars once you arrive. See, you can do things like that when your earth-trembling single, D-Boyz, is blazing local radio. 

But for Maurice Rich Boy Richards, 21, the ultimate goal isnt hometown VIP treatment its widespread acceptance. Out here, Im a ghetto star, he says.But Im focused on the bigger picture. 

Music hasnt always been so heavy on the rappers mind.As a student at Alabamas Tuskegee University, Rich Boy majored in mechanical engineering. Then Rich, who occasionally dabbled in music, dropped out of school and fully committed himself to producing. School wasnt for me, and I knew I could make it doing music, he says with a shrug. But trying to go the Kanye West route brought out family differences. My mother was supportive, but my grandfather thought it was a terrible idea. He didnt understand that type of thing. 

Rich Boy set out to prove himself by making beats and applying his gangster twang to them. Soon his hometown radio stations started spinning his indie track Cold as Ice. Then he had a chance encounter in early 2003 with Polow, a member of Atlanta rap group Jim Crow. Impressed with Richs material, Polow flew Rich to ATL and nurtured him into a full-time MC. By November of that year, Rich had inked a deal with Interscope and was soon recording with the likes of Mannie Fresh, resulting in his as-yet-untitled debut. 

Reminiscent of vintage Cash Money, the albums Fresh-produced first single, D-Boyz, is Richs attempt to put the Souths other A on the hip hop map. With a country-fried flow and buoyant beats tailor-made for any strip club, Rich Boy has all the makings of a modern-day hot boy. Even Fresh admits to a bit of dj vu when working with him. It rekindles that old feeling, he says. Ive been waiting for that to come along. An artist like Rich is a breath of fresh air. 

Still, Rich is a long way from enjoying even the fringe benefits of hip hops platinum club. Im on a label with Eminem and 50 Cent, Ive gotta grind to make my stuff standout, he says. Until then, small-town perks will have to do.

[ARTIST] Maxwell

In an age of immediacy the idea of waiting sounds hopelessly outdated. But that said, there is something to be said about anticipation. Such is the case with Maxwell’s new album. Yes, after an extended hiatus the sexy ambassador of soul has returned with a brand new look and a fresh yet deliciously vintage sound. The same artist who brought us classic songs like “Sumthin’ Sumthin’,” “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)” and “Lifetime” (not to mention the unforgettably ethereal cover of Kate Bush’s “This Woman’s Work”) is back with a challenging, mature, sensual, courageous and emotionally open album entitled, BLACKsummers’night. BLACKsummers’night, the first installment of a trilogy, is a collection well worth the wait.

His fourth studio album and first in eight years, BLACKsummers’night is the sound of an artist taking the commitment to his craft and the conversation with his audience that much further. Needless to say, it is a conversation that’s been overdue; but as the soft-spoken, multi-platinum artist sees it, in order to come back it was necessary to step away. “I wanted to return to ‘what was the promise?’” Maxwell offers. “What did my music and creativity speak of to people? For me, coming back to that promise was kind of where my heart was really gravitating towards. I didn’t intentionally step away from all of it, but I just wanted to…live my life a little bit, and then be able to make music with that pure experience again.”

He might have been out of the spotlight, but Maxwell along with long time collaborator and friend Hod David, had begun crafting BLACKsummers’night several years ago. The album is the first installment of a trilogy entitled BLACKSUMMERS’NIGHT. BLACK is a much darker but soulful compilation, SUMMERS’ leans more toward the gospel side and NIGHT is more a cool collection of slow jams. By late 2008, the process of polishing and shaping the album was full on. Though having much of his creative team on board, Maxwell still approached the creative process with extreme caution and the painstaking meticulousness of a true genius. “Every time I’d get in the studio it would be like am I trying to outdo this last record? I just wanted to make a really good record.” Of course, what Maxwell’s notoriously modest character failed to warn was that what he was creating was more than “good” but rather (like his other projects) a timeless piece of work.

Composed of nine indelible songs BLACKsummers’night finds Maxwell exploring life with a bold and purposeful sensuality unmistakably his own. Opening with a delicate hint of wistful chimes, the first single, “Pretty Wings,” is nostalgic, (“your face will be the reason I smile”) and yet undeniably passionate. “It’s about the last relationship I had,” Maxwell describes. “How you meet the person of your dreams but at the wrong time. She was a serious muse and the song is a testament to what I wanted to say and say, to her.” “I can be a bit emotionally handicapped” he elucidates, “but through music, I can say what I want to.” Another of the album’s more persuasive songs is “Stop the World.” A rhythmic rush of desire, Maxwell describes “Stop the World” as “having corporal relations.” “That’s what I call having sex…” he unabashedly reveals “…and that’s stopping the world.” …Mhmmm.

Equally personal is “Fistful of Tears.” Pushed along by a sturdy and incessant piano, Maxwell, shifting from those oh so recognizable falsettos and baritones, rides the melody like a man both possessed by and resigned to his feelings. “It’s kind of about wanting to leave the industry and a relationship, but then realizing that I should give it a last try. Don’t let it go.” Then there’s the jazz thumping “Cold.” Peppered by a funked up horn section and wrapped in a moist honey soaked groove, this fun, head bopping track finds Maxwell asking the eternal lovers question, “why do you like me like you do?” It’s very sexy stuff.

On June 24th Maxwell galvanized an unsuspecting audience at the 2008 BET Awards with a live rendition of Al Green’s classic song, “Simply Beautiful.” It would be his first live performance in seven years. Without his signature afro or silk mono-chromatic suit, it was hard to tell if this six-foot tall body was merely a mirage or indeed the man that for so many years had left legions of devoted fans wanting more. But after uttering the first gentle lyric (“If I gave you my love…”) everyone remembered and so did Maxwell. The unforgettable performance became one of the most talked about in 2008. It left each audience member (regular folk and superstar celebrities alike) rejoicing that unquestionably authentic soul sound that was denied to them for far too long. Overwhelmed and inspired by the ecstatically warm response, Maxwell decided to boldly hit the road, with no album, nor concrete plan to follow. Less than two months later the artist announced the launch of his much speculated 2008 BLACKSUMMERS’NIGHT tour. Maxwell initiated the tour with his first concert at South Africa’s Macufe Music Festival. Maxwell sold out 10,000 seats and was given honorary South African citizenship. The show, which aired on “BET’s Access Granted,” was not only his first concert (as well as on-air interview) in seven years; it was his first show ever in South Africa.

In the U.S., all 144,000 tickets for the tour sold out within minutes of their on-sale date. An overwhelming demand for Maxwell caused the original 26-date tour to be extended to 33 dates. He performed in all the major cities including New York; selling out the renowned Radio City Music Hall and uptown New York’s 3,000 seat theater, The United Palace. New York Times writer Jon Caramanica asserts, “Maxwell has something that his emulators lack: complexity…some of the most potent moments [at Radio City] came in the pregnant spaces between notes, with Maxwell managing to hold a feeling even with his mouth shut.”

For Maxwell the opportunity to get back on stage and receive such an enormous response, especially without an album to support, was revelatory and further inspired him to complete his oft delayed album. “That experience is something for which I am beyond grateful. To be able to take a risk and to have that genuine interest from people is so rare. It actually made making this record even more precious. It was that pure energy. It was like, ‘oh, this is why I do it.’ It’s because people care about real music and they’ll wait for you.”

In 1996, a then 23-year old Brooklyn born phenomenon took the music world by storm with his debut, Urban Hang Suite. (He signed to Columbia Records at the tender age of 21, already having composed more than 300 songs before signing on to the major label.) The critically acclaimed CD received a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album and went on to achieve double platinum status. Maxwell’s MTV: Unplugged (1997) achieved gold status with his live rendition of “This Woman’s Work.” He was heralded as the future of soul music and proved his staying power when he followed up with 1998’s platinum seller Embrya. In 1999 Maxwell’s single, “Fortunate” (off of the LIFE soundtrack) became Billboard magazine’s number one hit of the year. Maxwell’s third album, Now (2001) debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart; selling 300,000 copies its maiden week and eventually also reaching double platinum status. The album was appropriately described by Entertainment Weekly as “A velvetined gauntlet thrown at the feet of today’s bling-bling-obsessed R&B pack.”

To hear Maxwell explain it, as much as his fans were waiting for him, he was waiting for them-and in the process of finding himself. “Sometimes I can’t believe I do this because you’re living your life. Going to the corner store, taking out the garbage and the next thing you know you’re on stage at Radio City Music Hall. It’s such a humbling thing and you’d think it would make my ego go out of control but I feel humility. Like this is why I need to do this. It’s not about your ego. It’s about celebrating your opportunity and the blessing to work and the joy you can possibly bring to people. That’s how it all resonated with me.”

A constant throughout BLACKsummers’night is its live and often raw sound. The entire album was recorded with an extraordinary live ten-piece band. He is taking it back to when a solo genius artist offered music that was close to perfection. No synthesizers, no duets. Just Maxwell bare and in the flesh ready to give old fans and new ones a sensory experience that he never fails to bring.

[ARTIST] K Camp

In the fast-paced world of rap music, some artists are lucky enough to have opportunities fall into their lap and blow up instantly. Then you have the ones who have to toil behind-the-scenes before they finally get their chance to shine. K Camp, the man behind the hit singles “Money Baby” and “Cut Her Off” can relate to being a little bit of both.

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin but raised on Atlanta’s northside, K Camp is no stranger to making hit records. He formally introduced himself to the city’s rap scene by performing at open mic competitions alongside the likes of Waka Flocka Flame, Roscoe Dash, Travis Porter and few other future stars. His first local hit, “Party All Night,” came out just as songs like Waka’s “Oh Let’s Do It” and Dash’s “All The Way Turnt Up” were starting to blow. Unfortunately, his did not make it past the state limits.

“I made that song right after I left college,” says the former University of West Georgia student. “I don’t like being told what to do, I like to make decisions for myself. So I chose to leave and chase my dream. If you’re not chasing a dream, what are you doing? That one shot let me know I was doing the right thing.”

One year later, K Camp found himself involved with another hit, Mykko Montana’s 2012 club smash, “Do It.” Camp sang and wrote the infectious hook and even engineered the song. But, he failed to get proper recognition for his contribution and barely appeared in the song’s music video.

“When that happened, people thought I was gonna be done for, again,” he says. “But the grind speaks for itself.”

In 2013, Camp became the talk of the town (and the country) again with his smash, “Money Baby” featuring Kwony Cash. The Big Fruit-produced track started off as a freestyle initially, and was intended to be a filler track for his mixtape. But the catchy beat and infectious hook turned the song into another win for the young hit maker. 2014 ushered in a new era for Camp as he signed with Interscope Records.  His club anthem “Cut Her Off” has made so many waves that industry vets like 2 Chainz came calling to hop on the remix.

The EP, In Due Time, releases digitally on 4/22. It not only speaks to the timing of K Camp’s undeniable rise, but is also an effort to show the world that he is a complete artist and not just a party anthem machine. “I like to party alot, but I want people to know that I’m capable of making good music period,” says K Camp. “When they see what I really bring to the table, they will be amazed.”

K Camp promises that the EP, backed by production from Nash Beats, Big Fruit, and Bobby Kritical will give listeners a true picture of his musical abilities. Citing everyone from Lil Wayne to the Temptations as his inspirations and influences, In Due Time showcases K Camp’s ability to craft songs that can resonate in the club, car and crib.

“I want the world to hear me and what I have to offer,” says the former high school hoops star. “People will relate to what I’m talking about because I keep it 100 in all of my records and speak what’s going on. I’m just trying to be innovative out here.”

Cart (0)