R&B songstress Tinashe is back with a new album for all you music fans! We'll just say this album is bangin'!
Check out the iTunes stream below, and be sure to download your copy today! You won't be sorry!
NEW MUSIC: Nicki Minaj is Back With Two New Singles...
Friday, April 13, 2018 - New York - Rap star Nicki Minaj has been out of the limelight for the last few months, as she's been working diligently on new material for her fans. The rap queen has stepped out of the darkness with two new singles. Listen below to "Chun-Li" and "Barbie Tingz", and comment back on what you think of the new singles....
NEWS: @IAmCardiB Breaks Apple Music Streaming Record....
Friday, April 13, 2018 - New York, NY - It's looking like Cardi B has got the world of hip-hop fans in the palms of her hands. Just a week beyond the release of her new album, "Invasion of Privacy", the New York rapper has broken yet another record, this time with Apple Music. The album, since it's release, has streamed more than 100 million times, besting Taylor Swift for the "most first-week streams by a female". "Invasion of Privacy is expected to top the Billboard 200. Cardi B's popularity has soared throughout the past year with release of her music, and the climb shows no sign of slowing any time soon.
If you haven't had an opportunity to hear the album, you're in luck! We've got a stream below for you. Check it out now!
NEW MUSIC: @Iamchantemoore .. "1 of 4"
Chanté Moore is back with an all-new bangin' EP, titled "1 of 4". Chanté is delivering some serious heat with this offering, picking right up where she left off with last year's "The Rise of the Phoenix". Check it out below!
NEW MUSIC: Drake .. "Nice for What"...
Drake is back with all-new heat in "Nice for What"!
Listen to the new track below...
NEW MUSIC: @PorcelanMusic ... #LoisLane
Memphis, TN has long been known for its rich musical history. The city has bred a new star in chanteuse @PorcelanMusic, and we’ve got the new single, “Lois Lane”, right here for your ears!
In this gem, Porcelan sings of her ideal beau...
"Every woman wants a strong man in their lives that makes them feel secure," mentions Porcelan. "The ideal fancy is to be swept off your feet and protected by a strong man who will rescue you from anything that can bring you harm, and Superman's love for Lois Lane, symbolizes that," she adds.
PORCELAN is currently on her national promotional tour and has just been confirmed to perform at "Center Stage" at the 2018 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans this upcoming 4th of July weekend.
Check out the new single below, and be sure to follow Porcelan on social media at @PorcelanMusic
ROGER ORTEGA [@RnBPoPWrytr]: LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!
We recently had to catch up with writer and musical superstar Roger Ortega, and the conversation was amazing. We get to hear all about his most recent project, The Lottery, and what else he has in store now that the music is pumping out consistently again. Check out the exclusive below!
Thank you so much. You have so much going on. Obviously, your progression is something to be noted. I love what you’re doing. This is especially good because we work to promote and push independent acts, so in that respect, there’s so much to talk about. It would be good to start with what brought you into music. I know you’ve been here…
It’s funny man. Long story short, I was born into a musical family. I didn’t want to do what my dad’s band was doing, but I listened to them practice. I knew this was what I wanted. At 14, I put together a group with my cousin and another guy. We changed members and names, but maintained the R&B and Pop feel. Eventually, we got a record deal.
Almost like a new edition…lol
Right. And New Kids on the Block played a big factor. One morning I saw them on TV, and was like who are these guys. Being a solo artists as a kid, I felt like I’d have more support with a couple other guys on stage. Eventually, some faded away, and I found more guys. We got a deal in Kansas and moved to New York. Universal was buying out everybody. We got locked into this deal where they just wouldn’t do anything with us. We eventually got out of that deal. By age 24, I said I was done. I went on about my life, but would write more for the love of it. Through a random series of events, at 37 I got a deal. I started off as a writer, and eventually they wanted a record. I quit at age 24 because I thought I was too old. How would it be at 37? I reluctantly said yes, and it ended up being number 62 on iTunes. I kept at it, and worked on a second album. The Lottery came out last year, and hit number 8. There’s so many good songs on the album, and you learn from your mistakes. You put all this work into an album, and you are to let it breathe. With the new single, The Worst Hangover, it’s actually a remix to the album’s first single. It’s doing pretty well. Not the same rules as an independent artist. You don’t necessarily have to do something new every year. You can work with what you have.
Now that you’re independent, how does it feel, having been with a major before? I see a lot of artists who don’t do well in the transition. Many artists don’t realize the level of work. How has it been for you?
I hate being told what to do, and am a lot less motivated when I am told what to do. So it’s one of those things where I’m in control. Failure or success comes back to me. My team is amazing, but they’re name is not the brand. If it doesn’t work out, it’s on me. I can sit with a little more pride when things go good.
I think it’s cool. What you have is hot and in so many ways, you break the stereotypes, and break the color lines. What has been your experience with connecting with other artists? I turn 40 this year, so I appreciate the fact that you pay respect to the artists before you of our era. I find it so funny that because of this new edition movie, our kids know all about New Edition now. My son is ten and is so enamored with Cool it Now like it just dropped yesterday…lol.
I think that has driven the direction of my music and where it comes from. Like you, I grew up on all that. It’s infused in my DNA. The Lottery album pays homage to a lot of those artists, and has a 90s appeal. That was one of the biggest things. I definitely wanted to be taken serious with this, but I knew my fanbase was 28+, and people who knew that era. That’s what was so cool.
I also think it’s cool because a big part of me misses that era. I make it a point to look back and connect with artists of that era now with the magazine. I like to be able to show what these artists are doing now, and how they impacted music. The blessing is I get to connect with my favorites, the ones who don’t get the respect. As far as shows go, what have your shows and tours looked like? Are you doing a lot of shows?
Yea, I have been. My last show will be in New Mexico. The last few months, I’ve had shows in New York, Miami, and so on. The shows have been great. One of my favorite shows was a tribute to George Michael.
Awesome. I grew up listening to him in Wham, and so much of his music.
He was one of the first to really cross over to R&B and radio play. I can remember hearing him on Hot 97. He had a lot of respect for R&B and Soul, and vice versa. I respect how he rode that line, and was one of the first major stars to cross over. I released a cover of Father Figure a few months ago along with a video. The video was to tie into the next video. That and The Worst Hangover is like a series. It was a cool concept.
I saw the father figure video, and I heard the single first on reverbnation. What are your plans moving forward and progressing?
What I feel like right now; someone asked me when the third album was coming. I don’t think I’m in a place emotionally to do a third album. I’m just writing right now. When something hits me emotionally, I’ll do a third album. With The Lottery, it was a lot of start and stop. I immediately went to work on the second album, but the owner of my independent label passed away and the label shut down. I lost a lot with that first album. All the stuff I had before was good, but not as good as this album. My dad developed cancer in the process and passed away as I started on the second half of the album. That gave me a lot for the album. I wrote three songs on the plane back from his funeral. One of those is Never Forget, which was a tribute for my dad. I also wrote The Worst Hangover, which is about losing someone and how you feel. I changed it to be more about losing a girl, but I pulled the pain from losing my dad. I also wrote a song called Put It On Me. Through darkness comes light and that’s where that came from. My plan moving forward is to work on singles and get as many people to hear my projects.
What else is to come for people to look out for?
There’s a song I’ll be working on for a project that my fans had been inquiring about. I can’t say much about it yet. I’m working on a song with another guy which will eat up a lot of time. Two guys from my group joined me for the George Michael show. I put up a video of us practicing Careless Whispers, and they agreed to do an album. That’s down the road, but right now, I’m focusing on me. I have to get to the Grammys, one way or another, even if I got to work the door [laughing].
Where can people check you out online?
Everything is at rogerortega.com. I’m on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.
I look forward to your upcoming projects. You clearly love the music so much that you’re still here. I appreciate having the opportunity to connect with you. I feel like you’re breaking barriers. Thank you.
Thank you. I appreciate telling my story.
[EXCLUSIVE] @IAMCHANTEMOORE : THE RISE OF THE PHOENIX
I can’t begin to speak on how excited we are for the release of Chanté Moore’s new album, The Rise of the Phoenix. It’s one thing that she’s releasing a new project. Sure, there’s a certain level of anticipation that’s already there, yet, there’s something different about this project. This truly is a rising for Chanté. Her life has taken her in so many different directions. She’s had an amazing career, but like any other artists she’s experience some good and definitely some bad. This album represents her new beginning. She has truly risen to the top again, and the result is a beautiful project that the world can enjoy in it’s entirety. She also has a bonus coming in the form of a Christmas album that all release two weeks after The Rise of the Phoenix. It was an absolute blessing to connect with Chanté to talk about the new projects and what we can all expect. If you’ve heard the new singles ‘Real One” and “Something to Remember”, then you know she ain’t playing no games with this album. So enough talking on our end. Let’s jump right into the exclusive….
U.G. Digital Mag: Ms. Chanté Moore! How are you?
Chanté Moore: I’m great and you?
U.G. Digital Mag: I’m doing great. I have to thank you for doing everything you are to keep good R&B music alive. You are absolutely killing it right now.
Chanté Moore: I’m trying so hard, so thank you [laughing].
U.G. Digital Mag: You make it look effortless. I was at Essence Fest, and you were so beautiful, professional, and I could see this beaming happiness on your face when you spoke about the project. Obviously, at that time, I hadn’t heard any of the songs yet, but I’ll tell you .. with Real One, I have absolutely driven that song into the ground with my wife and she thinks I’m crazy. I love the song, and love the video. With the pre-download, you also get “Something to Remember”, and you get the Intro. What went into putting this together, because it’s almost like a new artist who comes in and kills the game.
Chanté Moore: You know, I just feel renewed. I really do. The Rise of the Phoenix is purposeful. The title is very purposeful. I feel like I have been through a lot of ups and downs, some good stuff, negative and positive, and it all worked together for the good. I’m just trying to give it my best. I feel like it’s time to be authentic, as usual, but what I love is the new producers I work with on this album are people like Lil’ Ronnie. I’m sure you know who he is, with songs from Usher’s “Same Girl” with R. Kelly, and the new song with K. Michelle, and he’s been doing very well. I love that he understands the music. It’s like adding chemistry. It’s like adding one thing with another and it doesn’t cease to just be one. All the elements are still present, but it becomes something new. That’s what I think happened with the music. With the writers, Felly the Voice is amazing; I love singing his words and writing with him. The melodies he comes up with are so beautiful. A new guy, @Sickpen, @beats4thestars is lil’ Ronnie, and we had so much fun making this record. We had so much fun that we did a Christmas album as well. So that’s pretty exciting, and we had so much fun. It has been work, but good work. We had the best time.
U.G. Digital Mag: I was going to ask about the Christmas album, and still will, but I have to say that the producers and writers you’re connecting with stand as a testament to the type of person you are as an artist. These people see how genuine you are, and they want to work with your caliber. It speaks volumes. It’s people like you, and I also credit Faith Evans because she is amazing, but going back to the songs, I always say if they have a good intro, they got me. I interviewed Faith as well, and every single interlude and intro she does to me should be a full song.
Chanté Moore: She is so incredible. I love her so much. She’s so funny and talented. Every time she sings, it’s like dang, I want to do that. Ooh, that’s a nice run. Just the way she soulfully approaches every song, I love her too, so you got my praises on that.
U.G. Digital Mag: But it’s the same thing with you. With “Real One”, for someone like me who can not sing a lick, I can admit that I go to town in the car on that song. My wife and son are so sick of me right now, but I love it [laughing].
Chanté Moore: It’s funny about “Real One”. It seems like a really easy song to sing, but that sucker is hard. When I sing live, and this song is new for me. We just wrote the album, finished it and mastered it. It comes out in two weeks, so these are new to me. Singing them live is a new experience for me. I sang “Real One”, and “Something to Remember” back to back; oh that’s never going to happen again [laughing]. That made me so tired. Then I did “Chante’s Got a Man” after that? I was worn out. It was form, but it wore me out. I was like, OK, enough.
U.G. Digital Mag: Why was it important to bare your soul with this? I feel like you give us your life with this album?
Chanté Moore: Absolutely. That’s been something I have done from the beginning. The songs I sing come from the heart. When I do it for my own learning and growing experience, I also do it for others. So many times, people come up to me on the road, and after the show there are tears for both of us. They say things like “if it wasn’t for your music, I wouldn’t have made it through this breakup”, or “I wouldn’t have made it through losing my mother”, or “if I didn’t know you were alone like that, I wouldn’t have felt like I could deal with it too”. Everyone always makes this thing of who they think you are and that regular stuff doesn’t happen to you, but it happens to everybody. We all get our hearts broken. We’re all get let own sometimes. We let other people down. We’re not exempt and we have that human life experience, so that’s what I endeavor; for people to know they are not alone. I’m not alone either. I put on my music sometimes and sing it to myself.
U.G. Digital Mag: The Christmas album. It’s amazing, but my biggest question is why it’s so close to this album?
Chanté Moore: Stuff kept happening over and over to push it back. We’ve been trying to release this project for like six months. My fans on Instagram and Twitter are like yelling at me like, Chante, really? If you push this back one more time, we are coming after you. It’s been for different reasons, and I don’t know exactly why because I really wanted it to be released February 17, 2017. It’s the 7th album release for me. 2/17 is my birthday. Then it was pushed back. I don’t know what happened, but I do know at the end of making this, and finishing up and adding new songs, we still wanted to keep working. We said let’s do a Christmas album. We had no idea it would happen so quickly. We said let’s just put it out. Radio just plays the radio stuff, and they don’t play a lot of R&B and the other genres. We’ll be in the middle of that, and then next year, we’ll add another, and another the following year. What’s beautiful is it keeps living on. We were excited about making more music, and it made sense to capture the holiday spirit because I love Christmas so much.
U.G. Digital Mag: I like the concept of adding a new song each year so you don’t get the same thing over and over.
Chanté Moore: This CD is so unique that I can’t wait for the world to hear it. I play both all the time, and put them on shuffle. That’s how I know this is music I love and I’m happy about singing it because I’m playing it. Usually, I finish a record and want to take a break from myself. Listening is work, singing it is work, and performing it live is work and making sure people get it, and there’s so many aspects that can be tiring and draining. I find that these two CDS are my favorite listen right now.
U.G. Digital Mag: Any last words or comments that you want to get out, and what can we look forward to in the next couple weeks?
Chanté Moore: I’m trying to do as much press as I can. I’m going on tour. I can’t give you the exact dates, and if I did, I’d be wrong [laughing]. Go to chantemoore.com, where we will put up the calendar. Please come see these LIVE. We’ll be performing the Christmas stuff as well as the new album. I’m having a great time. The band is amazing; I have a new band. The dancers are there when I have room on the stage. I’m giving my all like it’s my last.
VIDEOS: REAL ONE & SOMETHING TO REMEMBER...
DISCOVERY with CVSS HAMILTON [ @CvssOfficial ]
Discovery has become quite a popular section here at U.G. Digital Magazine. One of the things we try to do is introduce you to hot new talent who blaze trails in the industry through their craft. This month and issue, we lead with Canadian hip-hop artist Cvss [pronounved Cass] Hamilton. Only a few projects in, he’s already building a strong name for himself through a mixtape and album that he’s released over the past year or so. Now, with a new album, and single in the forefront, he’s ready to take his brand to an even higher level. In our feature, we talk about his new single, “Bang”, with Karl Wolf, his new album to come, and the career he’s striving to build in this industry.
Meet Cvss Hamilton!
U.G. Digital Mag: Your story is one of inspiration for a lot of people who follow. You’ve dealt with the triggers and blows of life in terms of being in trouble, and living the street life. What took you in a different direction?
Cvss Hmilton: I always had music, but the thing that pushed me to get away from the streets was the birth of my daughter.
U.G. Digital Mag: That’s what up. That’s real to so many people when they want to have something better for their kids.
Cvss Hmilton: Right. I’ve seen it so many times with friends of mine. They either get shot or are in prison, and then their kids don’t have a father.
U.G. Digital Mag: Now realistically, this is a business that takes time when it comes to cultivating your craft and building a proper presence. Money usually doesn’t roll in immediately. Now having a daughter and obviously needing a steady flow of income, what motivated you to continue as you got started?
Cvss Hamilton: I was always more than an artist. I did a lot in the background, from design to doing my own mixtape covers. Once I established myself, I used my own name to get business. I was generating income through it all.
U.G. Digital Mag: Let’s talk influences. Who were the artists who really inspired you to pursue this?
Cvss Hamilton: Growing up, definitely Pac, Biggie, Jay-Z, Eminem, Royce Da 5’9”, Ludacris, Jeezy, and Jadakiss. All those guys were big influences for me. Even recently, I have to give a shout out to Kevin Gates. He has really influenced me a lot. A lot of his songs, I relate to. If I had to decide to do a feature with someone, that’s who it would be.
U.G. Digital Mag: Who were the people in your ear in real life, who influenced and inspired you to turn the page for a better life?
Cvss Hamilton: I would say people that I bumped into in the streets because for a while I wasn’t really putting out music. Once I started doing music, people would recognize me out in the streets. They would stop me and say “hey, you’re that guy, keep doing it”. Others weren’t always my biggest influence. They were into the streets too, and would say things more like don’t waste your time. I was really doing it for me, so I didn’t pay much attention to people’s negative opinions.
U.G. Digital Mag: You’re dropping “Bang”, your collaboration with Karl Wolf, in just a couple days. Talk to me about that single and the direction you went for?
Cvss Hmilton: So, I was invited to do the Canadian Urban Television Awards this year, and I was still fairly new. I had just dropped the album “Selfish Ways” and it was kinda popping. I was at the rehearsal, and Karl Wolf was doing some a capella work. I walked over and started beat-boxing, and we started talking. Kardinal Offishall was supposed to be with him, but couldn’t make it. He asked if I could freestyle for him when he performed, and while I thought about it, I didn’t really feel I was prepared for it. I did it anyway, and we established a connection. I hit him up with a beat and some ideas, and was hoping it would make for something a little different to help build a presence. I want to touch a different type of audience and show versatility.
U.G. Digital Mag: The collaboration is definitely dope. How does it feel to be getting so much love and respect for your craft and the way you do things musically? You have to be in a good place with that, right?
Cvss Hmilton: It’s a good feeling. I’ve always been humble about it. I try to stay that way. I love progress in anything, be it music or anything else. I love good music. Anything with progress is wonderful. How can it be denied?
U.G. Digital Mag: What can we look for in a full length project for you?
Cvss Hmilton: I was introducing myself with “Selfish Ways”. This time around, I want to make people dance. I’m trying to focus on radio distribution, and things that can play in the club. I want more energy, and want to keep people moving. I want to show I have more style.
U.G. Digital Mag: That’s dope. I love to see when artists are truly having a good time. Ultimately, it makes for better music. It’s all about escaping from the everyday madness of life that you may experience. People can appreciate that from you. It’ll be a dope turnout and people will surely see that versatility.
Cvss Hmilton: I can’t wait.
U.G. Digital Mag: Talk about your goals as an artist? How do you contribute something lasting to this industry that helps the next artist coming in?
Cvss Hmilton: That’s pretty much the plan. More artists should be that way. Once I have the power and can help, I want to build a team. It’s not about being the best. I just want to do what I love and be happy doing it. I want to have a good team, and want them to work the same way. Having the power to be that guy that everyone respects, and being humble to let others in is what I’m trying to do.
U.G. Digital Mag: Where can everyone find you online?
Cvss Hmilton: They can find me at www.cvssmusic.com. You can find the social media links, mixtapes and albums there. My videos are there as well.
U.G. Digital Mag: Do you have any final comments?
Cvss Hmilton: I just want to give a shout out to everyone watching my progress. I really appreciate it. I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing. I’m loving it.
Soul Crooner @OfficiaALEX Releases Music Video To His Debut Powerful Single, "WORDLESS"
ALEX HARRIS a Soul/R&B vocalist and actor is no stranger to the entertainment scene. Having started his entertainment career at the tender age of 7 years old, he toured throughout the southeast region with his siblings. ALEX HARRIS has a growing following world-wide because of his #1 hit singles, "Hope for Us" and #1 hit "Love Line", Top 20 Billboard success, "Don’t Walk Away", with his brothers, A7, and his electrifying soulful and engaging performances. His polished lyrical styling and dynamic energy is a breath of fresh air with a very earthy twist that transcends multiple audiences everywhere he performs including 2 of the Presidential Inaugural Galas, Premier of Bermuda Gala, Premier of Ireland Gala and many other prestigious galas, schools, colleges, corporate events, and festivals world-wide.
ALEX HARRIS has not only headlined his own shows, but has graced stages with entertainers and actors, such as Al Green, Bobby Rush, Eric Benet, John Legend, Kirk Franklin, Lamman Rucker, Leon and many others.
Take a moment to check out Alex’s new single, Wordless, right here at UGDigital.
Be sure to connect with Alex Harris on Social Media!
Website: www.AlexHarrisOfficial.com
Twitter: @OfficiaALEX
Instagram: @AlexHarrisOfficial
Facebook: /OfficialAlexHarrisMusic
Snapchat: @AlexHarrisOfficial
[NEWS] @REALDJPREMIER Brings A New Life To NPR’s ‘Tiny Desk’ By Rocking Their First Ever DJ Set
Three-time Grammy winner DJ Premier, one of the definitive architects of New York hip-hop, brought a new type of life to NPR’s Tiny Desk: their first concert helmed by a DJ.
A packed house of head-nodding journalists grooved through their lunch hour to a nine-song medley of iconic Premier productions while decompressing from the unrelenting grind of the news cycle. The set list rested on the undeniable footprint of Preemo’s classics, but this was more than just another DJ mix. His touring outfit, The Badder Band, overlaid Premier’s blends with an undulating electric bass courtesy of Brady Watt, a steady accent on the one from drummer Lenny Reece and boisterous horns from Mark Williams and Jonathan Powell.
But it was Premier who remained front-and-center, commanding the crowd like a true party rocker. With throwbacks ranging from Gangstarr’s “Step into the Arena” to an amped rendition of Jeru The Damaja’s “Da Bitches,” embellished by The Badder’s jazzy horns, Preemo concluded the set with a “Moment of Truth,” featuring the exalted rhymes of his posthumous Gangstarr partner, Guru.
Tiny Desk concerts are short by design, so naturally the format could barely scratch the surface of Premier’s vault of street anthems, done for the likes of the Notorious B.I.G., JAY-Z, Nas, Kanye West, Big L, M.O.P., Mos Def, Group Home, Jeru the Damaja, AZ, Snoop Dogg, and many more. Even after a career spanning almost three decades, the man born Christopher Martin has managed to stay authentic to his analog grit and sample-chopping integrity, as if he were still an underdog.
Watch DJ Premier & The Badder Band’s NPR ‘Tiny Desk’ Performance: http://www.npr.org/event/music/543717146/dj-premier-the-badder-band-tiny-desk-concert
Check out the new single, “Free,” from DJ Premier’s New Artist Torii Wolf featuring Macklemore & DJ Premier.
Listen to Torii Wolf f/ Macklemore & DJ Premier “Free” (Produced by King Of Chill):
[NEWS] @IAmChanteMoore Releases New Video for “Something to Remember”, “The Rise of the Phoenix” on the way....
You’ve heard the debut single, Real One, from Chanté Moore’s upcoming album; now its time to peep the video for the latest masterpiece to come from “The Rise of the Phoenix”, titled “Something to Remember”!
"Something to Remember" was written by Chante' Moore and Felly The Voice and produced by Lil Ronnie for Beats 4 The Stars. "Being on the road as much as I am, staying connected to the one you love is vitally important. In those times when saying "I love you" is not enough... you've got to give them something to remember you by," says Chante'.
The music video was creatively directed by the one and only Frank Gatson Jr. "My goal with Chante' was to create a stripped down visual that concentrated on real black love as being very simple.... "Something to Remember," adds Frank.
Check the video out below, right here at UGDigital Online!
about Chanté
CHANTE' MOORE has been dominating the R&B charts for decades and this time is no different. She is currently enjoying the success of the smash mid-tempo love anthem, "Real One", presently charting as the #10 Top R&B song in the country. The world will experience the first collection from the master songstress in nearly four years!
Moore's most personal album yet, "The Rise of the Phoenix" is rich with emotion and personal revelations about Chanté's life and feelings. Infectious dance tracks, sensual ballads and anthems of heart-and-soul capture Moore's impressive vocal dexterity, songwriting skills and production ingenuity to thrill her legion of avid fans and quench the soul music lovers longing for real R&B."This album reflects where I am now in my life. I am perfecting myself. I continue to learn how to burn away the old mindset, the negativity that weighed me down so I can become the best me. I am the Phoenix rising and I'm living my life again!"
CHANTE' MOOREis currently on a national promotional tour in support of the single and upcoming album; cities include:Cincinnati, Birmingham, Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Oakland, Los Angeles, New York andNew Orleans, just to name a few.
R&B SONGSTRESS @IAmChanteMoore REVEALS THE COVER TO 7th STUDIO ALBUM, "THE RISE OF THE PHOENIX"
Below, you'll find the cover artwork and album tracklisting from the upcoming 7th studio album, "The Rise Of The Phoenix" from R&B Songstress CHANTE' MOORE. The anticipated album will be available worldwide on September 15th, 2017 and pre-orders will be available on Friday, August 11th. itmss://itunes.apple.com/album/id1267111727?ls=1&app=itunes&ign-mscache=1
"The Phoenix is a powerful mythological symbol of renewal," she says. "It lives a long life, burns to ashes, but reemerges more beautiful and more powerful than ever. I relate to that."
CHANTE' MOORE has been dominating the R&B charts for decades and this time is no different. She is currently enjoying the success of the smash mid-tempo love anthem, "Real One", presently charting as the #10 Top R&B song in the country.
Check out the video for "Real One" here:
The world will experience the first collection from the master songstress in nearly four years!
Moore's most personal album yet, "The Rise of the Phoenix" is rich with emotion and personal revelations about Chanté's life and feelings. Infectious dance tracks, sensual ballads and anthems of heart-and-soul capture Moore's impressive vocal dexterity, songwriting skills and production ingenuity to thrill her legion of avid fans and quench the soul music lovers longing for real R&B.
"This album reflects where I am now in my life. I am perfecting myself. I continue to learn how to burn away the old mindset, the negativity that weighed me down so I can become the best me. I am the Phoenix rising and I'm living my life again!"
CHANTE' MOORE is currently on a national promotional tour in support of the single and upcoming album; cities include: Cincinnati, Birmingham, Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Oakland, Los Angeles, New York and New Orleans, just to name a few.
"THE RISE OF THE PHOENIX" TRACKLISTING:
Standard Album
- Welcome to the Journey -Interlude
- Chasin
- On His Mind
- I’d be a Fool
- Pray
- Real One
- SuperLover
- The Journey -Interlude
- Saving Grace
- Breath
- I Know
- OffaU
- Something to Remember
- We Up
- Pressure
16. Back to Life
17. Thank you for the Journey - Interlude
[AUDIO] @LEDISI RETURNS WITH NEW BANGER, "HIGH"....
It's a great time for soul music right now, as singer and songwriter Ledisi has returned with what is guaranteed to be a huge hit. Check out her new sing, "High", below...
Ledisi's new album is due later this year!
@thedangelo NEO-SOUL MASTERPIECE, 'BROWN SUGAR', REMASTERED & EXPANDED FOR NEW DELUXE EDITION...
July 14, 2017 -- D'Angelo's platinum-certified debut, 1995's neo-soul masterpiece Brown Sugar, is newly remastered and expanded for a 2CD and digital Deluxe Edition to be released August 25 by Virgin/UMe. Remastered by GRAMMY®-winning engineer Russell Elevado, Brown Sugar's Deluxe Edition adds 21 rare tracks, including remixes by CJ Mackintosh, Dallas Austin, King Tech, Erick Sermon and Incognito, as well as instrumentals and a cappella versions. Of the 21 newly added tracks, 15 were previously available only on vinyl and seven will make their commercial release debuts on the new edition.
Brown Sugar's 2CD Deluxe Edition is presented in a digipak with a 20-page booklet featuring an essay by noted author and filmmaker Nelson George, rare photographs, and lyrics for the album's 10 original tracks. Preorder Brown Sugar (Deluxe Edition) here: https://UMe.lnk.to/BrownSugarDeluxePR
Released July 4, 1995, D'Angelo's Brown Sugar album heralded a new direction for soul music, bridging tradition and innovation. D'Angelo, then 21 years old, wrote, arranged, performed and produced most of the album himself, inspired by classic jazz, gospel, soul, and hip-hop and using a mix of vintage and new equipment to realize his creative vision.
In the Deluxe Edition booklet, D'Angelo's Brown Sugar co-producer Bob Power writes: "D was one of those artists that came not just fully formed, but truly genre-bending; genre-creating is really more like it."
D'Angelo's Brown Sugar collaborators also included A Tribe Called Quest's Ali Shaheed Muhammadfor the title track and Raphael Saadiq for "Lady." The first album to be dubbed "neo-soul," Brown Sugarspent 65 weeks on the Billboard 200 albums chart and drew praise from music critics around the world. In his four-star album review for Rolling Stone, Cheo Hodari Coker wrote, "Brown Sugar is a reminder of where R&B has been and, if the genre is to resurrect its creative relevance like a phoenix rising from the ashes, where it needs to go."
"Young D'Angelo was duly anointed the new musical messiah, charged with leading the culture into a new promised land," writes Nelson George in his Deluxe Edition essay.
Brown Sugar received four GRAMMY Award® nominations. The groundbreaking album is featured in Mojo's list of 100 Modern Classics and in Rolling Stone's Essential Recordings of the '90s.
D'Angelo: Brown Sugar (Deluxe Edition) [2CD, digital]
CD 1 (Remastered album, plus bonus tracks)
1. Brown Sugar
2. Alright
3. Jonz In My Bonz
4. Me And Those Dreamin' Eyes Of Mine
5. Sh*t, Damn, Motherf*cker
6. Smooth
7. Cruisin'
8. When We Get By
9. Lady
10. Higher
Bonus Tracks
11. Brown Sugar A Cappella (released on 12" single)
12. Me And Those Dreamin' Eyes Of Mine A Cappella (released on promotional 12" single)
13. Brown Sugar Instrumental (released on 12" single)
14. Lady Just Tha Beat Mix Instrumental w/Chorus (Mixed by DJ Premier; released on CD Maxi-Single)
15. Brown Sugar Alternate Version (released on 12" single)
CD 2 (More Sugar)
1. Brown Sugar King Tech Remix feat. Kool G. Rap (released on 12" promotional single)
2. Me And Those Dreamin' Eyes Of Mine Def Squad Remix feat. Redman (Remixed by Erick Sermonfor Funk Lord Productions; released on 12" single)
3. Cruisin' Cut The Sax Remix (Remix by King Tech; Released on 12" single)
4. Lady Just Tha Beat Mix/featuring AZ (Remixed by DJ Premier for Works of Mart Productions, Inc.; released on CD Maxi-Single)
5. Brown Sugar Soul Inside 808 Mix (Mix by DJ Dodge; released on U.K. 12" single)
6. Me And Those Dreamin' Eyes Of Mine Two Way Street Mix (Remixed by DJ Premier for Works of Mart Productions, Inc.; released on promotional 12" single)
7. Cruisin' Dallas Austin Remix (released on 12" single)
8. Lady 2B3 Shake Dat Ass Mix (Remix produced by Neville Thomas and Pule Pheto for 2B3 Productions; released on U.K. CD Maxi-Single)
9. Brown Sugar Incognito Molasses Remix (released on "She's Always In My Hair" promotional 12" single)
10. Me And Those Dreamin' Eyes Of Mine Dreamy Remix (Remixed by Erick Sermon for Funk Lord Productions; released on promotional 12" single)
11. Cruisin' Wet Remix (released on CD single)
12. Brown Sugar Dollar Bag Mix (released on U.K. 12" single)
13. Cruisin' God Made Me Funky Remix (released on promotional 12" single)
14. Brown Sugar CJ Mackintosh Remix (Additional production and Remix by CJ Mackintosh; released on the various artists CD collection Nu Classic Soul)
15. Lady CJ Mackintosh Mix Radio Edit (Additional production and Remix by CJ Mackintosh; released on U.K. CD Maxi-Single)
16. Cruisin' Who's Fooling Who Mix (released on promotional 12" single)
SOURCE: Universal MusicEnterprises, PRNewswire
[NEW AUDIO] @Sevyn: OL SKOOL.... FEATURING @DejLoaf & @Jeremih
R&B Songstress Sevyn Streeter is back with a new album, 'Girl Disrupted", and you can hear "Ol' Skool" featuring Jeremih & Dej Loaf below....
"Girl Disrupted" is now available with all online retailers, Apple Music, and more!
MC EIHT: WHICH WAY IZ WEST | EXCLUSIVE [ @eiht0eiht ]
It’s always an amazing honor to talk to one of the heroes of hip-hop, as I often call our legends. Without a doubt, MC Eiht falls within that category. For any of your who were around in the nineties, you know exactly what I meant. Eiht entertained the masses with his tales of struggle, triumph, and glory in Compton. His presence and his magic had so much significance for me, and I’m sure it’s the same for many others. Many people, whether in his own surroundings, or around the world, were inspired in some way or another to pursue music, entertainment, or more.
I can proudly say that I was one of those. Always excited by the industry, It was pretty easy for me to look beyond some of the perceived negative to see that figures like Eiht were absolutely living their dreams through music. I strongly admire the fact that while Eiht has remained mostly low-key through the years, he has managed to maintain his relevance, appearing on various tracks here and there with many of his hip-hop peers. In doing that, he has also maintained his own character, doing what he does best and not variating to match the times so much. He’s always continued to give its the hard-hitting flow that we are accustomed to from him.
That makes his new album all the more better. “Which Way Iz West” has been a long time coming, for anyone who has truly followed Eiht, and more importantly his relation with DJ Premier. The two have worked seamlessly together for such a long time, and it’s always been anticipated that the two would collaborate on a full-length project. That project has finally come to pass with “Which Way Iz West”.
We had an amazing opportunity to connect with the legend himself one day before release to talk about the influence he has had in this industry throughout his career which has span well over two decades. It was amazing to hear his thoughts on the industry, and how he is keeping real hip-hop alive. It was amazing to hear him proudly big up other legends like L.L. Cool J. and Kool Moe Dee! He’s paying homage to the West coast with this album, but more importantly, he’s paying homage to Hip-Hop! Check the exclusive out below!
U.G. Digital Magazine: The album is dropping man, I would love you to talk more and expand upon the process of putting it together.
MC Eiht: Well basically, I’ve just been working the past few years to find the sound I felt was familiar, and paid homage to west coast music. A lot of music today is different to the ear, but we have a lot of core fans who grew up in the nineties and who appreciate it. I just felt with trying to direct this record, I wanted to reach them, or people who appreciated what hip hop stood for at that time. It was my direction to capture that feel good music of yesterday when music had substance to fans and to artists.
U.G. Digital Magazine: You speak a great deal of truth in that perspective. I’m one of those fans. I think back to my high school days, listening to you. You’re relevance is still strong. When you look at your history, it’s well over twenty albums, and we appreciate that. Music has changed drastically in the sense that many artists don’t work the same anymore. No one works as hard to do this anymore or to get noticed.
MC Eiht: I know, because I was reading somewhere, and someone said rap was a young man’s game to where it’s about the money you got, or the broads you’re fuckin’, or being on cocaine and pills. If rap is a young man’s game, it’s just a different lane that we came from. I don’t jump into the game to hate on today’s rap music, or what these cats are doing to entertain. I was just brought up in a time where it meant something to pen a song. It meant something to deliver quality music to your fans. Bullshit didn’t get any kinda play with us back in the day. I know it was payola, but still, my music has substance and it’s more than just braggadocios effect. Not to say people didn’t brag back theneither because I love me some L.L. Cool J, or Kool Moe Dee, you know what I’m saying but..
U.G. Digital Magazine: …but they talked about so much more than that though!
MC Eiht: Exactly. You know, shout out to L.L. Cool J. He had substance: I can’t Live Without My Radio, I’m Bad, 4,3,2,1, we had that. But now, the youth can youtube it, and iTunes it, and whatever, all they want to hear about is the Lamborghini, or the choke chain. But it’s cats from our era who are still around, and they appreciate the substance. I wanted to give back to fans who have been riding with hip-hop from the beginning, and who deserve a decent project.
U.G. Digital Magazine: I appreciate the fact that the people you worked with have been here working just as hard. The Lady of Rage, Xzibit, and more. You’re clearly on your own page, and sticking to your truth. We appreciate that man..
MC Eiht: I can’t get caught up in trying to compete with cats. Been there, done that. My lane is just that. I stay in my lane with my music. I’m not trying to compete because if I’ve been consistent with my clientele all this time, then I’ll remain that way. They don’t expect me to be over 40, talking about how may girls I ran through, or look at my car, rims, and chain. Been there, done that. You have to be grown enough to know what substance is. Reaching out to cats I’ve had respect for, to the point they have been hustling as long as I have, and people forget about when they were on top, and still are, we just wanted to reach out to those we respected.
U.G. Digital Magazine: I feel like this has been written for you and Premier for a long time. What took so long?
MC Eiht: I mean, you know. He’s a busy cat. You can’t force a square peg in a round hole. Timing is everything. I’ve known Premier my whole career. Him doing his thing and touring, me doing mine and touring, him being in New York, and me in Cali, it all was done for a reason and it’s set up to where shit will slide into motion. Our friendship is what brought us to this place, and having respect for what he’s done. We sat down as friends, and he came at me asking what I was doing, and saying music was so messed up. I let him hear what I was working on, and we decided to finally do this project. He felt like I deserved it, and being a pioneer of West coast hip-hop, he felt it was time.
U.G. Digital Magazine: I wholeheartedly agree with that, but also, the reality is you’ve inspired so many people. Looking at the albums, and even more your collaborations, you’ve inspired a lot. Til’ this day, your collaboration on Snoop’s “Blue Carpet Treatment”, “Candy”, is one of the dopest cuts I’ve heard. It’s funny that my son appreciates the whole vibe of that song too, and it shows you’re reaching all groups.
MC Eiht: I mean, that’s what I’ve been able to do, thank God. I’ve been able to get with the times, and you have to be able to adjust as a true artists. That keeps me fresh and able to hang if you wanna say that. I always love competition, so that’s what I look at when someone asks me to get down or be on a song. As an artist, you want to come up with your best work. Whether it’s Snoop with “Candy”, Pete Rock, or “Ma.a.d City” with Kendrick, I try to adapt to what an artist is feeling in me. Obviously, there’s a reason they contacted me. When someone shows me that respect, it’s nothing for me to give my best. That’s out of respect for the artists I work with.
U.G. Digital Magazine: So I did the pre-buy. That gave me a few tracks. It still drops tomorrow, right?
MC Eiht: It officially drops tomorrow. No delays. A lot of people talk about Jay being out tomorrow. Everybody has their own lane.
U.G. Digital Magazine: But speaking to that, dope is dope. It doesn’t matter who you drop with. If people are going to buy, they’re going to buy.
MC Eiht: That’s the way I look at it. We didn’t sleep on anything, and don’t bite out tongue for anybody. We have just as good a product, whether it be Jay-Z, T.I., Snoop, or whoever. Everybody has their own lane, and I advise you to pick and choose. That’s what preference is for. If it’s good and stand up just as strong, then why not…
U.G. Digital Magazine: What else is in the can?
MC Eiht: I’m working on “Which Way iz West II”, I’m back in the studio to work on some Compton’s Most Wanted stuff with Chill, and hopefully from there I’ll get out on tour, meet some of the people like back in the day. I like to get out to the fans, meet and greet, and see the people. Rap is so computerized, but you need to connect with the people. I want to show people my appreciation.
U.G. Digital Magazine: So many appreciate you for that. You have to get out there, communicate, and open up to the buyers. That’s dope.
MC Eiht: Exactly. If you can’t do that, you lose. I thank the people for giving this project a listen.
U.G. Digital Magazine: I’m looking forward man. I love the people you have on here. It’s great to feature you, and look back at your history and influence. I follow music so much, and this is my life, so I appreciate your contributions.
MC Eiht: When you been here as long as I have, you know to stay humble, and stay on the right track with music, and not going out of your lane. I’m just trying to give the people what they want.
U.G. Digital Magazine: Website, social media?
MC Eiht: They can hit me at @eiht0eiht on Instagram and Twitter, and @eihtcompton on Facebook.
Article by: James Johnson
Twitter: @iamjamesgrant
Instagram: @iamjamesgrant
Web: www.authenticallyjames.com
[AUDIO] @TheRealTank : WHEN WE
We recently had the opportunity to hear Tank speak about his new album, Savage, at the 2017 Essence Festival. He definitely kept the jokes coming during his talk, but all in all, the album is going to be nothing short of amazing.
Take a moment and check out the new single, "When We", below! And by all means, comment back about how you like it. You never know....he may be checking in to see your thoughts!!!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Twitter, & Facebook to see more photos from 2017 Essence Fest!
Instagram: @ugdigital
Twitter: @UGDigitalMag
Facebook: @UGDigitalMag
@Blumbros: The Evolution of Philly
So much has changed in hip-hop, but when you look at areas like Philly, the evolution has gotten even bigger. Hip-hop newcomers Blumbros have best onto the scene to wild popularity, and their riding a train that shows no sign of slowing down. While easily compared to groups like Rae Sremmurd, this Philly duo have certainly developed their own style and following. We recently caught up with the fellas to talk about their latest single, Everybody”, and their plans for maneuvering through this industry.
U.G. Digital Mag: It’s awesome to connect with you brothers for this feature. First and foremost, we’re grateful to you. I think what you have is awesome for hip-hop. I appreciate what you bring. So much has changed in hip-hop, and no one is having the kind of fun you’re having. You’re bringing that feel back to music. Is that something you’re starting to hear from people?
Blumbros: We’re hearing that a lot. We also get compared a lot to Rae Sremmurd. Other than that, people are amazed at our vibe.
U.G. Digital Mag: It’s good and you really have something. You work well together, and that goes a long way when you’re dealing with so many people. Who were your influences, coming from Philly and there being so many people from there in music?
Blumbros: I say Quavo and Kendrick Lamar inspired me to do music.
U.G. Digital Mag: And that’s how. People see that, but they also see you have your own style.
Blumbros: For me, it’s Meek Mill and PNB Rock. I saw them go from nothing.
U.G. Digital Mag: How did you guys really want to be seen as artists coming into this?
Blumbros: We really wanted to let people know how different we were. We wanted them to see we bring a different vibe. We’re more positive than a lot of things you see.
U.G. Digital Mag: So talk more about the overall scene of Philly. Like, I’ve been into hp-hop for years, and when you think of the people who have come out in the last 10-15 years, nobody has come the way you are. Artists have been more like they have to have that “hard” or tough persona to come out and be respected, and they’re not really high spirited and having fun, especially in Philly. Some artists enjoy ti a lot more than they let on, and they feel like they have to cover up that fun side of it to be respected. You guys aren’t afraid to be who you are. With that in mind, do you see the respect from Philly?
Blumbros: They support us. It’s like 50/50.
U.G. Digital Mag: That’s good. Any support is good, but no one can dispute how different you guys are from everything else in the city.
Blumbros: People used to that battle rap and all that (laughing).
U.G. Digital Mag: I do think it’s dope. I love what you guys have, and it takes me into the single, Everybody. What separates you guys, because what I got from the song is “this is us and this is what we’re offering, we’re doing this and everybody else is doing that”.
Blumbros: What separates us aside from the music is our shows as well. We do choreographed dance and everything. We want people to look at us positively. We make our shows fun to come to.
U.G. Digital Mag: You’re proving that music can be something really big. You hear a lot of negative, and not just with hip-hop. It’s in all music. I think back to being 17, knowing I wanted to work in this, and the thing my mother always warned about was drugs and how a lot of people get turned around on that sort of thing. It’s not just hip-hop. It’s just a lifestyle that has come with entertainment period. You guys have consciously made an effort to separate from that.
Blumbros: We try to be positive. We come from Blumberg projects. People have a different perspective on us, but we try to prove them otherwise. Just because we from the hood don’t mean we got to be ghetto. It’s still positive people out here.
U.G. Digital Mag: Things are really growing for you guys. You’ve had other songs, and I’m actually hooked on “Wanna Be Grown”. I think it’s really hot. What do you see over the next year with your brand?
Blumbros: I think we’ll be doing more touring for sure. We have a mixtape dropping July 22. We’ll have a release party for it when the time comes.
U.G. Digital Mag: That’s awesome. We’d love to see you guys here. Everyone is into what you’re doing.
Blumbros: We appreciate that.
U.G. Digital Mag: Where should everyone be checking you guys out at?
Blumbros: All of our social media is @blumbros, and we’re also on Soundcloud and Youtube.
U.G. Digital Mag: Any final thoughts at all?
Blumbros: Our mixtape is “Something’s Gotta Give”. We feel like we’re kicking our way into the industry. Being broke, and needing help sometimes, it’s like something’s gotta give.
U.G. Digital Mag: People can relate to it, so it’s cool. Young people especially can relate to that. We’re looking forward to it.
@organizednoize Announce New Album, featuring @bigboi, @2chainz, & More
The collective known as Organized Noize, who have been the force behind groups like Outkast, Goodie Mob, and more, have announced a new compilation to hit the streets. The list of collaborators includes Big Boi, Cee-Lo Green, Joi Gilliam, and 2 Chainz, among others. Titled ONP EP, it'll hit the streets May 4.
Listen to the first single, Kush, below!