Posts made in June 2020

Paul McCartney New Release

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PAUL McCARTNEY FLAMING PIE ARCHIVE COLLECTION LIMITED NUMBERED DELUXE EDITIONS TO INCLUDE REMASTERED ORIGINAL ALBUM, BONUS TRACKS, PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED MATERIAL, EXCLUSIVE BOOKS, PHOTOS, ARTWORK, & MUCH MORE

TO BE RELEASED JULY 31 VIA MPL/CAPITOL/UMe

PRE-ORDERS LIVE NOW

All Pre-Orders Include YOUNG BOY EP

Paul McCartney proudly announces the thirteenth installment in his GRAMMY Award-winning Archive Collection: On July 31, Paul’s critically acclaimed and universally beloved tenth solo album Flaming Pie will be the latest to receive the Archive Collection treatment, being released on formats including a 5CD/2DVD/4LP Collector’s Edition, a 5CD/2DVD Deluxe Edition, plus 3LP, 2LP and 2CD editions.

All digital pre-orders for the Archive Collection release of Flaming Pie will include YOUNG BOY. Also available as a stand-alone for digital download & streaming, the EP recreates the 1997 “Young Boy” maxi single and features the remastered Flaming Pie single “Young Boy,” a home-recorded version of the song, the original B-side “Looking For You,” and excerpts of “Oobu Joobu Part 1,” also from the original single. The two music videos for the track have been restored and will also be published on the same day. Two additional EPs will be available with “The World Tonight” arriving on June 26 and “Beautiful Night” on July 17.

Originally released May 5, 1997, Flaming Pie ended a four-year gap between McCartney studio albums. Recorded largely in the wake of Paul’s involvement in the curation and release of The Beatles Anthology series, Flaming Pie was shaped and inspired by that experience, with Paul remarking at the time “(The Beatles Anthology) reminded me of The Beatles’ standards and the standards that we reached with the songs. So in a way it was a refresher course that set the framework for this album.”

Produced by Paul, Jeff Lynne and George Martin and featuring a supporting cast of family and friends including Ringo Starr, Steve Miller, Linda McCartney and son James, Flaming Pie is equal parts a masterclass in songcraft and a sustained burst of joyful spontaneity.

With highlights ranging from the uplifting and inspirational opener “The Song We Were Singing” to the raucous title track (named for a quote from an early John Lennon interview on the origin of The Beatles’ name: “It came in a vision – a man appeared on a flaming pie and said unto them, ‘from this day on you are Beatles with an A.’”) to the pensive “Calico Skies,” and featuring singles “Young Boy,” “The World Tonight” and “Beautiful Night,” Flaming Pie would represent yet another pinnacle in Paul’s solo catalogue:

Released to rapturous reviews, the album would be Paul’s most commercially successful release of the ‘90s, achieving his highest chart positions since the ‘80s and would receive gold certifications in the US, UK, Japan and more.

As the thirteenth release in the Paul McCartney Archive Collection, Flaming Pie will be available in formats including a numbered, limited seven-disc (5CD/2DVD) Deluxe Edition Box Set comprised of the original album remastered at Abbey Road Studios, 32 bonus audio tracks including unheard home recordings and demos, alternative studio recordings, rough mixes and B-sides including selections from Oobu Joobu parts 1-6, Flaming Pie At The Mill CD (Paul’s hour-long tour of his studio), video content including the In The World Tonight documentary, original music videos, EPKs, interviews, performances and behind-the-scenes material.

A 128-page book containing previously unpublished images by Linda McCartney, expanded album artwork from the archives and the story behind the album written by Chris Heath – including track-by-track information, recipes and new interviews with Paul, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynne, Steve Miller and key album personnel, studio notes, handwritten lyrics, the 1997 Flaming Pie issue of Club Sandwich, the official newspaper of the Paul McCartney Fanclub, downloadable 24bit 96kHz HD audio, and more.

A 4LP/5CD/2DVD Collector’s Edition — strictly limited to 3,000 numbered copies issued in a cloth wrapped two-piece collector’s box — will feature everything in the Deluxe Edition plus a marbled art print portfolio of six silkscreened Linda McCartney art prints, exclusive vinyl versions of the remastered album cut at half speed across 2LPs in an exclusive gatefold sleeve, an LP of home recordings in a hand-stamped white label sleeve, and “The Ballad of the Skeletons” – Paul’s 1996 collaboration with Allen Ginsberg, also featuring Philip Glass and Lenny Kaye – released for the first time on vinyl and cut at 45 RPM with vinyl etching and poster.

Additional Flaming Pie Archive Collection formats will include 2CD (remastered album + 21 tracks of bonus audio), 2LP (remastered album cut at half speed across two 180g LPs in gatefold sleeve with booklet), and 3LP (remastered album cut at half speed across two 180g LPs in gatefold sleeve with booklet, plus single 180g LP of unreleased home recordings in hand-stamped white label sleeve both housed in a slipcase). The release will also be available on streaming platforms.

The Paul McCartney Archive Collection debuted with the November 2, 2010 re-release of Paul McCartney and Wings’ 1973 milestone Band on the Run, which won the 2010 GRAMMY Award for Best Historical Album, while the Archive Collection’s Deluxe Edition Box Set of the 1976 classic Wings Over America took the 2013 GRAMMY for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package.

Every release in the ongoing Paul McCartney Archive Collection is supervised by Paul himself, who oversees all aspects of each and every title from remastering to the curation of lost tracks, outtakes, artwork, photographs and video from his personal vaults, and much more.

The result is one of the most ambitious and personal undertakings of its kind, one that encompasses more than 50 years of cherished, classic material from the most successful songwriter and recording artist in music history.

Flaming pie- Paul McCartney Archive Collection

DELUXE EDITION

· Numbered cloth wrapped clam shell box
· CD portfolio containing 5CDs and 2DVDs
· 128-page book containing previously unpublished images by Linda McCartney, expanded album artwork from the archives and the story behind the album – including track-by-track information, recipes and new interviews with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynne, Steve Miller and key album personnel, written by Chris Heath.
· Facsimiles of John Hammel studio notebook, Club Sandwich Magazine, Flaming Pie plectrum, and envelope containing handwritten lyrics for 8 tracks and The Flame newspaper

CD1 – Remastered Album

1. The Song We Were Singing
2. The World Tonight
3. If You Wanna
4. Somedays
5. Young Boy
6. Calico Skies
7. Flaming Pie
8. Heaven On A Sunday
9. Used To Be Bad
10. Souvenir
11. Little Willow
12. Really Love You
13. Beautiful Night
14. Great Day

CD2 – Home Recordings

1. The Song We Were Singing [Home Recording]
2. The World Tonight [Home Recording]
3. If You Wanna [Home Recording]
4. Somedays [Home Recording]
5. Young Boy [Home Recording]
6. Calico Skies [Home Recording]
7. Flaming Pie [Home Recording]
8. Souvenir [Home Recording]
9. Little Willow [Home Recording]
10. Beautiful Night [1995 Demo]
11. Great Day [Home Recording]

CD3 – In The Studio

1. Great Day [Acoustic]
2. Calico Skies [Acoustic]
3. C’mon Down C’mon Baby
4. If You Wanna [Demo]
5. Beautiful Night [Run Through]
6. The Song We Were Singing [Rough Mix]
7. The World Tonight [Rough Mix]
8. Little Willow [Rough Mix]
9. Whole Life [Rough Mix]
10. Heaven On A Sunday [Rude Cassette]

CD4 – Flaming Pies

1. The Ballad Of The Skeletons
2. Looking For You
3. Broomstick
4. Love Come Tumbling Down
5. Same Love
6. Oobu Joobu Part 1
7. Oobu Joobu Part 2
8. Oobu Joobu Part 3
9. Oobu Joobu Part 4
10. Oobu Joobu Part 5
11. Oobu Joobu Part 6

CD5 – Flaming Pie At The Mill

DVD1 – In The World Tonight

DVD2 – Bonus Film

1. Beautiful Night
2. Making Of Beautiful Night
3. Little Willow
4. The World Tonight [Dir. Alistair Donald]
5. The World Tonight [Dir. Geoff Wonfor]
6. Young Boy [Dir. Alistair Donald]
7. Young Boy [Dir. Geoff Wonfor]
8. Flaming Pie EPK 1
9. Flaming Pie EPK 2
10. In The World Tonight EPK
11. Flaming Pie Album Artwork Meeting
12. TFI Friday Performances

Plus downloadable 24bit 96kHz HD audi

COLLECTOR’S EDITION

· All the contents of the Deluxe Edition plus:
· Numbered cloth wrapped two-piece collector’s box
· 4LPs including: exclusive remastered album cut at half speed across
2LPs; hand-stamped white label vinyl featuring home recordings;
exclusive “The Ballad Of The Skeletons” 12” single with vinyl etching
and poster
· Exclusive marbled art print portfolio housing six Linda McCartney art
prints
· Watch the unboxing video HERE

LP1 – Remastered Album

Side 1

1. The Song We Were Singing
2. The World Tonight
3. If You Wanna

Side 2

1. Somedays
2. Young Boy
3. Calico Skies
4. Flaming Pie

LP2 – Remastered Album

Side 3

1. Heaven On A Sunday
2. Used To Be Bad
3. Souvenir

Side 4

1. Little Willow
2. Really Love You
3. Beautiful Night
4. Great Day

LP3 – Home Recordings

Side 1

1. The Song We Were Singing [Home Recording]
2. The World Tonight [Home Recording]
3. If You Wanna [Home Recording]
4. Somedays [Home Recording]
5. Young Boy [Home Recording]

Side 2

1. Calico Skies [Home Recording]
2. Flaming Pie [Home Recording]
3. Souvenir [Home Recording]
4. Little Willow [Home Recording]
5. Beautiful Night [1995 Demo]
6. Great Day [Home Recording]

LP4 – The Ballad Of The Skeletons

Side 1

1. The Ballad Of The Skeletons

Side 2

1. Somedays
2. Young Boy
3. Calico Skies
4. Flaming Pie

LP2 – Remastered Album

Side 3

1. Heaven On A Sunday
2. Used To Be Bad
3. Souvenir

Side 4

1. Little Willow
2. Really Love You
3. Beautiful Night
4. Great Day

LP3 – Home Recordings

Side 1

1. The Song We Were Singing [Home Recording]
2. The World Tonight [Home Recording]
3. If You Wanna [Home Recording]
4. Somedays [Home Recording]
5. Young Boy [Home Recording]

Side 2

1. Calico Skies [Home Recording]
2. Flaming Pie [Home Recording]
3. Souvenir [Home Recording]
4. Little Willow [Home Recording]
5. Beautiful Night [1995 Demo]
6. Great Day [Home Recording]

2LP FORMAT

LP1 – Remastered Album

Side 1

1. The Song We Were Singing
2. The World Tonight
3. If You Wanna

Side 2

1. Somedays
2. Young Boy
3. Calico Skies
4. Flaming Pie

LP2 – Remastered Album

Side 3

1. Heaven On A Sunday
2. Used To Be Bad
3. Souvenir

Side 4

1. Little Willow
2. Really Love You
3. Beautiful Night
4. Great Day

2CD FORMAT

CD1 – Remastered Album

CD2 – Bonus Audio

The Mavericks New Album

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Today sees the GRAMMY, CMA & ACM winning band THE MAVERICKS release “Poder Vivir” as the first single and performance music video from their upcoming first all-Spanish language album “En Español”. With the pre-save / pre-order period for the album also beginning today, the full track listing (below) now reveals a truly unique collection befitting the band’s critically praised notoriety for energetic eclecticism. Born from the Latin heritage influences of band members Raul Malo and Eddie Perez, their early founding roots in Miami, and long embrace of injecting Tejano (Tex-Mex) rhythms into country and rock & roll, a close examination shows a mix of Maverick originals written in Spanish and classic songs of the Latin-American songbook enlivened with their distinctive style.

“This is the record I’ve been wanting the Mavericks to make for a very long time. I’m a first generation Cuban-American, and some of these songs are songs my family would play and sing on weekends at family parties and get-togethers. But it’s not all nostalgia either. There are plenty of new original songs that put this record squarely in the moment for us.” – Raul Malo of The Mavericks

From the album’s background bio, we learn that first single and new original song “Poder Vivir”:

“…at first blush appears to be a simple song about lost love [but] the two-word title suggests much more. “I had this phrase and melody that just kept playing in my head,” says Malo. “I wasn’t quite sure what it meant exactly, or what I was going to say, but somehow it felt right to start the song with those words.... After many conversations and late nights out on the road, the song kind of wrote itself. We wanted it to be conversational and simple in the end, and that’s what we got.”

… That, and a killer final verse that makes the song what Malo intended it to be: “a bit philosophical and wise”:

“…A veces la vida nos hace pensar – Que el mundo no cambia sino para mal

Son solo momentos, también pasarán – En fin, ni la muerte nos marca un final”

(“Sometimes life makes us think – That the world only changes for the worse

These are just moments, they will also pass – Anyway, not even death marks the end”)

The Mavericks “En Español” – Track Listing

01. La Sitiera / “The Sitiera” – Writer: Rafael López González

02. Recuerdos / “Memories” – Writers: Raul Malo, Alejandro Menéndez Vega

03. No Vale la Pena / “It’s Not Really Worth It”– Writer: Alberto Aguilera Valadez

04. Poder Vivir / “To Live” – Writers: Raul Malo, Alejandro Menéndez Vega

05. Sombras Nada Más / “Shadows and Nothing More” –Writers: José María Contursí, Francisco J. Lomuto

06. Mujer / “Woman” – Writer: Raul Malo

07. Me Olvidé de Vivir / “I Forgot to Live” – Writers: Pierre Abel Billon, Julio Iglesias, Jacques Able Jules Revaud

08. Pensando en Ti / “Thinking of You” – Writers: Raul Malo, Cynthia Susana Medina

09. Sabor a Mí / “Taste of Me” – Writers: Alvaro Carrillo Alarcón

10. Suspiro Azul / “Blue Sigh” – Writers: Raul Malo, Alejandro Menéndez Vega, Lisset Diaz Guevara, Miguel Comas

11. Cuando me Enamoro / “When I Fall In Love” – Writers: Mario Panzeri, Daniele Pace, Roberto Livraghi

12. Me Voy a Pinar del Río / “I’m Going to Pinar del Rio” – Writers: Néstor Manuel Pinelo Cruz

“The Mavericks are capable of doing everything from rock & roll to Tex-Mex to jazz and soul… a breathtaking collective that can do anything – everything, really – better than the rest. …The Latin-fused big band sound of the … wildly eclectic group …is an earthy but globetrotting place where Tex-Mex, Western swing and Miami music all intersect…Just try not to get up and dance.” – Rolling Stone

Santa Barbara Wine Country Opens

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Santa Barbara Wine Country welcomes guests back into wineries and tasting rooms with dine-in services and safety measures to keep guests safe as they sip the latest vintages and soak in the beautiful surroundings.

Located less than two hours from Los Angeles, Santa Barbara Wine Country is a beautiful wine country escape. Over 200 wineries are part of the picturesque wine region known for producing highly rated, internationally
recognized wines. Given its close proximity to LA, Santa Barbara Wine Country is an ideal day trip for SoCal wine lovers ready for a relaxing, outdoor getaway now that the County has opened back up.

For lockdown-weary Angelinos, Santa Barbara Wine Country is an easy, two-hour drive where they can escape to rolling vineyards and enjoy exceptional wines. Wineries and tasting rooms are partnering with food trucks, local caterers, and restaurants. The re-opening is a rare opportunity for restaurants and caterers to show off their farm-to-table offerings aside the County’s award-winning wine. Guests will find sit-down meals with wines by the glass, flight, or bottle.

“People are so excited to get out and explore again. They’ve been enjoying wine at home, but nothing compares to a wandering day-trip to see the vineyards, rest your eyes on the gorgeous landscape, and engage with the dynamic people behind the wines,” said CEO of Santa Barbara Vintners, Alison Laslett. “Our wine region is a stone’s throw from Los Angeles, but it feels like a world away. We can offer guests the break they’ve been craving, and with all our outdoor space, our Wine Country has some of the safest social activities people can engage in right now.”

To help ensure the health and safety of visitors and staff, Santa Barbara County wineries and tasting rooms are implementing the following protocols:

Strict adherence to CDC health and safety guidelines: sanitization, hygiene, face coverings for staff and for guests when not consuming food or wine
Use of outdoor space and other social distancing practices
Daily employee wellness screenings and temperature checks
Reservation systems to manage the number of guests

The Santa Barbara wine region is best known for two things: the exceptional quality of the wines and the laid-back community vibe. From signature Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs worthy of Burgundy to sought-after Rhone and Bordeaux style varietals, there is a wine for every palate with over 50 varietals grown throughout the region. The welcoming laid-back vibe comes from the spirit of the tight-knit wine community. Winemakers are often found behind the counter in tasting rooms, pouring their wines and sharing anecdotes about the latest vintage. Wineries are located within a 30-mile radius throughout the valley and additional boutique tasting rooms are found in downtown Santa Barbara.

*For updated information on winery re-openings, click HERE*

About Santa Barbara Vintners

Santa Barbara Vintners (Santa Barbara County Vintners Association) is a non-profit 501(c)6 organization founded in 1983 to support and promote Santa Barbara County as a world-class wine-producing and wine grape growing region. The association includes winery members whose annual production is at least 75% Santa Barbara County (or sub-AVA) labeled, winery associates, vineyards, vineyard management companies, hospitality, and industry associate members. The association produces festivals and wine country weekends; educational seminars and tastings; provides information to consumers, trade, and media; and advocates for the Santa Barbara County wine and grape industry.

Follow: @santabarbarawinecountry on Facebook & Instagram and @sbcwines on Twitter.

Toosii Releases “Mercedez” Video

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Today, Toosii unveiled the official video for “Mercedez,” one of 20 songs found on Platinum Heart (Deluxe). The story of the young couple from Toosii’s “Love Cycle” video continues in the compelling new clip. Together, they find joy yet also face overwhelming sorrow. View “Mercedez” HERE and watch “Love Cycle” HERE. Both videos were directed by Edgar Esteves (Chris Brown, Pedro Capo x Alicia Keys x Farruko) and Toosii. In less than two weeks, views of “Love Cycle” climbed past the two million mark.

Toosii says, “I always wanted to explore my directing skills, so it was a GREAT FEELING to bring my vision to light, and connect the ‘Love Cycle’ and ‘Mercedez’ videos.” Last week, at the request of his fans, Toosii dropped the video for “Club House,” which he shot at home. View HERE. Spotlighting Toosii in “The Break,” XXL said, “He enters the game with a sing-song delivery, delivering melodic tracks centered on personal storytelling odes…and the ups and downs of love.” In the XXL Q&A, Toosii talks about his journey thus far. Check it out HERE.

Released last month, the 20-song Platinum Heart (Deluxe) charted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart and entered the Billboard 200. The collection includes “Club House,” “5 Stars,” “Red Lights” and “Truth Be Told.” In conjunction with its release, Toosii launched a new line of merchandise. Available HERE, the collection includes a hoodie and t-shirts for men and – beginning today – a crop top, a crop hoodie and biker shorts for women and a dad hat.

2020 stands to be a breakout year for the 20-year-old, North Carolina-based rapper, who is fiercely dedicated to following his own instincts. HipHopDX said, “[Platinum Heart] was characterized by Toosii’s melodic flow and driven by his hit, ‘Red Lights.’” In the video premiere for “5 Stars,” Complex said, “Rising North Carolina rapper Toosii continues momentum with ‘5 Stars,’ his introspective new single…the track sees Toosii contrast his aspirations against his roots.” A compelling live performer, he has supported such artists as DaBaby, Summer Walker, Polo G, Moneybagg Yo, Money Man, NBA Young Boy, Yung Bleu, City Girls and more.

About South Coast Music Group:

South Coast Music Group is the first major record label out of the Carolinas to produce an artist as successful as DaBaby. Owned by Arnold Taylor, the American label is focused predominantly on hip hop, rap and urban music. Taylor and Vice President Daud Carter are two business men on a mission to continue elevating the label that has stunned the world in 2019 with the release of DaBaby’s Baby on Baby. The label’s roster also includes Blacc Zacc, Toosii and Big Mali.

Follow Toosii: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

BTS – The Journey

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BTS has drawn over 2 million people on their world tour across 62 dates in 2019, performed at The 62nd GRAMMY® Awards in January as the first Korean act in the award show’s history, and stayed at No. 1 on Billboard’s Social 50 chart for 152 consecutive weeks (182 in total). The global superstars will be releasing their first Japanese album in over 2 years, MAP OF THE SOUL : 7 ~ THE JOURNEY ~, digitally at 11am EDT / 8am PDT on July 14 (0am JST on July 15), followed by the physical products on August 7 in the U.S.

MAP OF THE SOUL : 7 ~ THE JOURNEY ~ will be the septet’s fourth Japanese album. It follows their latest Korean album, MAP OF THE SOUL : 7, which was released in February, topped both the Billboard 200 (the band’s fourth No. 1 in the U.S.) and The Official Albums Chart in the U.K., and sold an astonishing 4.17 million units to date.

The album title thematically represents BTS’s 7-year journey, which took off with their Korean debut in June 2013. The members have experienced joys, successes, hardships, and challenges throughout their quest for answers, a journey that will surely continue.

Included in the album track listing are two new Japanese original songs. “Stay Gold,” the theme song for the Japanese TV drama series “Rasen no Meikyuu -DNA Kagaku Sousa-” conveys the message “The world may not be full of good things, but please don’t lose your luster.” “Your eyes tell,” is a track that was co-written by Jung Kook. “Stay Gold” will be available digitally at 5am EDT / 2am PDT (6pm JST) on June 19, which also marks the start of the pre-order/pre-add/pre-save for the digital release of MAP OF THE SOUL : 7 ~ THE JOURNEY ~.

The hit songs “ON,” “Black Swan,” “Make It Right,” and “Dionysus” are newly recorded in Japanese, while the 13-track album also contains the mega hit “Lights,” which was certified as a million-seller by RIAJ in July 2019, “Boy With Luv -Japanese ver.-” and more.

Limited-Edition A and B versions also include a video disc containing the music video of “Stay Gold” and its ‘making of’ footage, along with other music videos. Limited-Edition C and D versions include a 56-page photo booklet featuring an array of new and unseen conceptual photos of BTS. Moreover, each edition includes an exclusive square photo card available only outside of Japan. Pre-order here.

ABOUT BTS:

BTS, an acronym of Bangtan Sonyeondan or “Beyond the Scene”, is a South Korean boyband that is capturing the hearts of millions of fans globally. The members of BTS are RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook. Gaining recognition for their authentic, self-produced music and top-notch performances, as well as the way they interact with their fans, the band has quickly become a global icon since they debuted in June 2013.

While imparting a positive influence through activities such as the LOVE MYSELF campaign and the UN ‘Speak Yourself’ speech, BTS has mobilized millions in a fan “ARMY” across the world. BTS has topped prominent music charts, sold out worldwide tours (including stadiums), and been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the Billboard Music Awards and American Music Awards.

Follow BTS: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Youtube

Nasty C – EAZY

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Today, Nasty C, global multi-platinum rapper and one of Def Jams’ newest signees, releases the hot new track and visual for “EAZY” – the latest single from his forthcoming album, ZULU MAN WITH SOME POWER. The visual brings “EAZY” to life with captivating scenes to match the rhythmic lyrics. On “EAZY,” Nasty C raps about putting in work, coming up from his efforts, and earning his way. He raps, “I’m right where I should be.”

Nasty C made his official U.S. debut with “There They Go,” the first advanced track from, ZULU MAN WITH SOME POWER. The track premiered on March 26th with Ebro on Apple Music Beats1.

On June 5, Nasty C teamed up for his first-ever collaboration with Tip “T.I.” Harris with “They Don’t,” a powerful new track in the wake of rampant police brutality and international unrest over horrific racial injustices. All proceeds from the song are donated to Until Freedom, an intersectional social justice organization focused on addressing systemic and racial injustice, as well as investing in those who are most directly impacted by cyclical poverty, inequality, and state violence and Solidarity Fund, which provides social support, including access to food and shelter, for those in South Africa whose lives have been systemically and disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

Nasty C’s most recent second multi-platinum album, STRINGS AND BLING was #1 for three consecutive weeks. With over 120 million streams across all platforms, and landing at #1 on Apple Music, STRINGS AND BLING was far and away the most streamed South African and African album on the Apple Music streaming platform in Sub-Saharan Africa. The album spawned three multi-platinum singles: “King,” “Jungle,” and the radio smash, “SMA,” as well as the platinum title track, “Strings And Bling.” A further 14 songs off STRINGS AND BLING were certified gold.

Stream “EAZY” here and watch the visual here.

FOLLOW NASTY C: Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

QxA With Brian Breach

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1. How did you first get into the entertainment/performance industry? My journey into entertainment started off in the world of Hip Hop. I and one of my closest friends, Lex One, formed a group after high school and got the opportunity to open up for a lot of amazing hip hop artists that we looked up to while growing up. I loved being on stage performing. It’s something that’s never left me, so when I stopped doing music in 2017, I found other ways to keep my creative juices flowing. I was given the opportunity to do a TEDx Talk, then months later something I shot went viral and the combination of the two got me back on stages speaking around the country. I think even if I made it to 90 years old, I would still find ways to entertain people in my nursing home.

2. What does it take to be a successful serial entrepreneur and how have you developed this/these skill(s)?

My story was a little bit different than others in the sense that my arrests in 2006 prevented me at that time from getting another 9-5 for a while, so I was in a sense thrown to the wolves and had no choice although I’ve had the entrepreneurial spirit in me long before that time. It takes a ton of discipline. Remember when you decide to become an entrepreneur, you no longer have anyone telling you what to do, what time to be somewhere, or holding you accountable. You have to be that person for yourself. Not everybody has the ability to do that. There are some people in this world that cannot function unless there’s someone micromanaging them. You have to get out of that mindset extremely quickly and get into the independent mindset ASAP! I’ve known from the first time I ever took a business class with my teacher Mr. Evans my senior year that I wanted to become an entrepreneur so I spent a lot of time researching other entrepreneurs to check out the kinda moves they were making. Once you go out on your own and leave the 9-5 world behind you adapt very quickly and start learning the do’s and don’ts. You’re going to fail very often but it’s within those failures where you learn, grow, and adjust to it.

3. Have you always been passionate about comedy, and what makes sketches special in comparison to other visual content?

I’ve always had a funny bone. When I was younger my dad would whip out his video camera and we would shoot skits when I would visit him in New York. It was similar to what you would see on Saturday night live back in the days, but the bootleg version. When I got older, I started making more music. It was rare for a while that you would see me shoot skits. It wasn’t until I decided to step away from music that I felt that shooting comedic content was a natural step for me. I feel like anything that has a comedic element to it is going to draw people’s attention a lot more than If comedy wasn’t added to it. I’m no comedian but I love to make people laugh. There’s something about being able to make people laugh that gets them listening. Those are the kind of videos that people love to share because it spreads positivity around social media.

4. What is/are one/two catalyst(s) that tie all of your different projects, companies, and entertainment ventures together?

If you’re talking in a broad sense, I think I would say it’s the fact that I want to do it all. I’ve never wanted to be known for one thing, so I’m constantly adding new roles to my arsenal of skills. When It’s all said and done, I don’t just want to be known for music, I don’t just want to be known for skits, I don’t just want to be known for my Tedx talk and speaking. I want to be known for everything. I want to be considered a mogul, so it motivates me to keep doing more projects, start new ventures, and get more involved in entertainment. Everything I do now is under my brand’s umbrella of Sikey, which originally started off as a clothing line and evolved into the brand that encapsulates everything.

5. How and why did you decide to transition your career from focusing on performing to focusing on entrepreneurship and innovation?

Entrepreneurship was something that was consistent with me even while I was doing music. Me and my good friend/business partner at the time, Lex One, and I started an independent label called GTPS, as well as a hip hop blog. We also ended up starting GTPS printing and opened a studio in a huge warehouse. I was actually still making music at the time this was all happening so it was a balancing act between the two. My biggest transition was when I decided to quit music late 2016, early 2017 and start shooting skits, pranks, and social experiments. The main reason I moved away from music was because I just felt like I’ve done all I could do in that world. Sometimes they say giving up isn’t always a bad thing. Knowing when you’re defeated is also a victory in itself and allows you to pivot. I adjusted and adapted extremely quickly and thank God it paid off.

6. What was your experience like with serving as a TED speaker and what made you choose the specific topic of “surviving without a job through failure?”

It was actually one of the most incredible experiences of my life and has sparked so many opportunities ever since. After I was chosen out of 62 people, we spent 6 to 7 weeks rehearsing once a week. It was great to be around other speakers that helped me trim and finesses my talk a bit in order to get it right. I remember my first rehearsal, I think I spoke for well over 20 minutes when it was only supposed to be 12. I’m not going to lie, I was nervous each time even on game day, but I had a blast. On top of that, I had to pull a double duty because they asked me to do a spoken word piece to open up the entire event. I was grateful to be given double the opportunity. When I was thinking about what my topic was going to be, I thought back on all my life experiences I could possibly share with an audience and chose the one I think relates to most people these days. We’re living in this new world where social media is king and you don’t necessarily need a 9 to 5 as much anymore to survive, so I figure I would share my experience on my decade long journey without a job.

7. Which topics have you chosen to discuss at conferences around the country, and why?

What was funny about this is that outside of my Tedx Talk, the first time I was asked to speak was in the Hampton’s in New York, to which I’ve never been. My boy, who asked me If I wanted to speak, also asked me what I would talk about. Most of the people that were going to be in the audience were young adults mostly in their 20’s, and I remembered that a few of my past videos had gone viral, so it popped into my head. Why not speak about “how to go viral’ and teach them some strategies to increase your video views and get more engagement. So I ended up putting together a 30-45 minute talk on how to go viral. The funny part about it is after I actually went viral I never in my life thought I would ever be speaking about how to go viral.

8. How have you positively influenced your fans on social media outlets like Instagram?

First of all, I hate the term influencer because most influencers aren’t influencing anyone the right way or at all. I made a conscious decision to do my best to incorporate positivity in most of the things I do to help and motivate people. When my time is up on this earth I want to be remembered for trying my best to change people’s lives for the better. I spent a lot of time on Instagram answering questions people have in my DM’s and giving young people guidance in their own lives, so I make myself extremely accessible so they can reach out.

9. What have been some of the best parts of working with multiple different radio platforms?

This last year especially has been crazy. I’ve been given the opportunity to be on a plethora of radio stations and tons of podcasts. The best part is being able to use your voice to spread positivity and make people laugh just like I do on my social media platforms. Every single time I have the chance to be on the radio, I make sure I gear it towards inspiring and motivating others.

10. How and where do you plan to direct your career or influence in the near future? My main goal at the moment is to work on shooting the show I created, “America’s Gone Viral.” We were in the beginning stages of getting everything in order and then BOOM, the pandemic hit. So the concept is basically a viral competition show for up and coming comedic content creators with not so many followers. The show would also cater to content creators that want to make a career out of it and love shooting content. We’re going to select 3 or so content creator teams such as a brother and sister team, boyfriend girlfriend team, etc. We’re going to issue them viral challenges such as skits, pranks, or social experiments and allow them to shoot and edit the content themselves while showing the behind the scenes on how viral content is made. After they shoot their viral challenge, they’re going to present it to our 3 influencer judges. With everyone shooting content right now, this is the perfect time for a show like “America’s Gone Viral.” I can’t wait! Although I plan on shooting this show I’m thinking even beyond it. I want to use this show as more of a launching pad and move onto other things in entertainment. Like I said before, I’m in mogul mode and I want to do it all!

Teyana Taylor – Wake Up Love

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Teyana Taylor reveals pregnancy with her second child in new video for “Wake Up Love”

“Wake Up Love” is the latest single from her highly anticipated LP which you can listen to here.

Teyana Taylor delighted fans today with a very special announcement: her and husband Iman’s pregnancy with their second child. Teyana reveals the news in her new video for “Wake Up Love” featuring Iman, daughter Junie and a special guest. “Wake Up Love” is the latest in a string of singles from Teyana’s wildly-anticipated new album, THE ALBUM.

Tapped by Pitchfork as one of the “most anticipated albums of the summer,” THE ALBUM also features Teyana’s new graduation anthem “Made It,” pegged by NPR as a “a triumphant, isolation-proof anthem for the Class of 2020,” the Janet Jackson-approved viral sensation “Bare Wit Me”, the Kanye West-produced “We Got Love” and “How You Want It? (HYWI?)” featuring King Combs. Since 2018’s KTSE, Teyana’s star has continued to rise; from her successful career as video director and continued investment in her production company, The Aunties, to her acting and modeling career, to a string of scintillating self-directed singles and videos, including “Morning.”

THE ALBUM is the highly anticipated successor to K.T.S.E. (June 2018), Teyana’s second album, one of the five G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam albums produced by Kanye West during his 2018 sojourn in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. K.T.S.E. (acronym for Keep That Same Energy) set off an 18-month chain reaction for Teyana, starting with its summertime Top 10 R&B smash “Gonna Love Me.” She performed “Gonna Love Me” (in a medley with “Rose In Harlem,”another K.T.S.E. track) on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Hip-hop audiences embraced the “Gonna Love Me” remix featuring Wu-Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah, Method Man and Raekwon, whose video was directed by Teyana.

K.T.S.E. spun off a hot new single and video for Teyana in early 2019, the explicit “WTP (Work This P***y).” The video was nominated for “Best Dance Performance” at the 32nd annual BET Soul Train Awards. The third single from K.T.S.E. was the evocative “Issues/Hold On.” After slaying the audience with the song live on Ellen in April 2019, Teyana was surprised on-air when Ellen presented her with the RIAA gold award plaque for “Gonna Love Me,” bringing it all full circle.

About Teyana Taylor

Being a jack of trades has enabled Teyana Taylor to become a master of all. From her smoky melodic vocals to her dynamic dance moves, the R&B superstar entertainer dips in dives between her talents as singer, songwriter, producer, director, dancer/choreographer, actor, fitness guru, model, and mother. When it comes to describing herself, the Harlem native can only think of one word: Everything.

“I literally can do everything. I never look at anything as being impossible,” she explains. “I exhaust all options to make what happen when I need to make happen.” Her mantra made her an early favorite to artists like Pharrell, who she signed her first deal with, and later choreographed videos for artists like Beyoncé and Jay-Z. In 2014, Teyana’s love for the arts and R&B earned her the title of the first woman signed to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music imprint. Between R&B’s identity crisis in the 2010s, Teyana dropped her debut album VII, with tracks like “Maybe” (featuring Yo Gotti and Pusha T) and the sultry “Just Different” shaping her musical persona. The critically acclaimed album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in 2014, cementing her position in today’s modern R&B field. “I fought for that raw, hood necessary R&B and now I feel like it’s better than ever,” she says. After spicing up the R&B charts, Teyana was blessed with the arrival of her daughter Junie with husband and NBA star Iman Shumpert in 2015. “I do all of this for my baby. She’s who I do it for,” she says about Iman “Junie” Tayla Shumpert Jr., her main source of inspiration. “I always show her how to be a leader and a businesswoman. I want her to believe that she can be anything she wants to be and it not be a shocker that she’s a female doing it all.”

Soon after, Teyana went on to star in the internet-breaking video for Kanye West’s “Fade,” and scored her first MTV Moonman for “Best Choreography” at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards. But it wasn’t until the release of her second album project K.T.S.E.(released June 2018) that the world caught up with Teyana’s talents. With her all-female production company The Aunties, Teyana self-directed videos for “WTP,” the RIAA gold-selling single “Gonna Love Me,” (whose remix features Wu-Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah, Method Man and Raekwon), and recently, “Issues/Hold On.” Teyana has also directed videos for her peers like T.I. (“You”), Monica (“Commitment”), and Lil Duval (“Pull Up” featuring Ty Dolla $ign) with fans like Ms. Lauryn Hill and Elton John praising her boss moves.

Part of what makes Teyana stand out from the rest is her ability to move with precision and poise in everything she does. From the studio to the stage, every idea is a project with the singer front and center with a vision all her own. With her musical inspirations like Aaliyah, Teena Marie, Mint Condition and Janet Jackson speaking to her soul, Teyana is aware her mission is larger than life. “I’m working on me every day and I think that’s my purpose,” she says, comparing her life to a never-ending book. “I’m still going, still mastering and being a better me.”

YG – “FTP” Music Video

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Rapper YG has released an official video for his new single, “FTP,” a song which reacts to police brutality and serves as a musical form of a Black Lives Matter protest. The music video highlights recent activism over the systemic racism plaguing our country. YG delivers a powerful critique of the police force, as well as a call for change. The video is viewable HERE, and the song is streamable HERE.

Reaching out to his Instagram audience, YG wrote, “You gotta understand that a lot of people out there they see me as a N*gga. They don’t see the black proud man. They see a kid from Bompton and they expect violence. They hear FTP and they think I’m gonna come and burn my city. So we showed up and did it right. We proved them wrong. The real story here is me and Black Lives Matter brought out 50,000 people today to peacefully protest and unite for change….That is history. That is breaking down these stereotypes on our people and our neighborhoods.” – @YG Instagram

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BLM × Bloomfield Township

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Justice For All

The goal of Saturday, June 13th’s peace march is to instill a spirit of hope and empathy at a difficult time in our nation. Politics shall be set aside as fellow residents will gather in solidarity with the aim of facilitating an uncomfortable yet essential dialogue about race relations and police brutality. The overarching goal of the community event is to express the simple yet powerful message that Black Lives Matter. As Dawn Lowery-Campbell, the peace walk’s organizer, put it, “When you have those real authentic communications and allow the walls to fall, minds and hearts to open so that life can be better for us all.”

This non-violent demonstration, not dissimilar to a tranquil pilgrimage, will take place at 1:00pm with the march beginning at Seaholm High School. The peace walk is a superb opportunity to galvanize the Bloomfield Township community around the message of justice. The event organizers’ cooperation with the township’s police is emblematic of a community eager to foster a positive relationship between citizens and law enforcement. “The march is meant for bringing people together,” commented the community organizer responsible for the walk, “I feel we can control our own narrative as a community to repair the hurt and brokenness that has been going on,” she continued.

This small suburban township of over 40,000 residents is aspiring to “continue those tough conversations of race and racism,” Lowery-Campbell states. It is not easy or pleasant to discuss these things yet the atmosphere this peace walk endeavors to create is one of tolerance and understanding; this cannot come into being without facing reality then peacefully marching to change it.

About the Organizer:

Dawn Lowery-Campbell is married to Greg and they’re parents of two who have lived within the Bloomfield Township 15+ years. She studied at Wayne State University and is the granddaughter of the late Joseph E. Lowery.

About the Bloomfield Township:

Established in 1827 with a population of approximately 41,000, the suburb is 6 miles north of Detroit. It is one of the richest areas in Michigan. Cranbook Schools, an exemplary private preparatory school PK-12, is located within the township. Some of its most reputable residents include: Mitt Romney, Aretha Franklin, Andy Levin, Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Robin Williams.

Dawn Lowery-Campbell stands in solidarity with Chief of Police – Bloomfield Township, Phil Langmeyer.