TICKET INFO: Tickets go on sale Friday, June 24, 2022, at 10am PT via AXS.com
About Kenny Beats:
Kenny Beats is a multi-platinum music producer, artist, and DJ. Over the last few years, he has produced critically acclaimed albums for Vince Staples, Denzel Curry, Rico Nasty and Key!. In addition, he has produced chart topping singles with Ski Mask the Slump God, Lil Baby, Skrillex, Gucci Mane, FKA Twigs, Future, Freddie Gibbs, and many more. Outside of his productions, Kenny Beats is also the creator of the hit YouTube series Éc;The CaveÉd; which has amassed over 50M views and hosted artists such as Thundercat, Mac DeMarco, Doja Cat, 6lack, Danny Brown, Denzel Curry, and many more. By hosting weekly Beat Battles and educating young artists through his Twitch platform, Kenny has created one of the largest music communities on Twitch and the second largest music community in the world on Discord.
Esteemed hip-hop artist Vince Staples today debuted his new single “Magic.” The Mustard-produced track is the first single off his highly anticipated forthcoming album Ramona Park Broke My Heart. Dedicated to his hometown–the Ramona Park neighborhood of Long Beach, CA–the new album will be released in April via Blacksmith Recordings/Motown Records.
“It’s symbolic of home,” Staples says of the album’s title. “And everyone has a home. Even though it’s very personal to me, everyone can relate to it. That’s why I thought it would work for this chapter.”
Released on Valentine’s Day, “Magic” is meant to provide warm feelings. But the love Staples’ expresses on the track is broader and more complex than its charming beat suggests. It’s a celebration of how he was able to beat the inner city blues and a system designed to keep him seeped in the adversity he was raised in. “It’s handshakes and hugs when I come around,” he raps just before acknowledging that there are foes around who don’t enjoy seeing him win. “I think it’ll put the listener in a good state of mind,” Staples says. “The mood of it defines the project.”
Staples also recently began his run as a supporting act on Tyler, the Creator’s 34-date North American Call Me If You Get Lost tour, which kicked off February 8th and also features Kali Uchis and Teezo Touchdown. The celebrated rapper will also return to Coachella to perform this April on the 17th and 24th.
At the top of March, Staples will release his debut graphic novel: Limbo Beach. Releasing via Z2 Comics and co-written by industry vets Bryan Edward Hill (Batman & the Outsiders; Titans), Chris Robinson (Children of the Atom), and Buster Moody (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), it follows the journey of the newest member of The Wunderlosts, a band of misfit teenage raiders, on a journey to discover the truth about the park—and himself—in a tale that is equal parts Lord of the Flies and The Warriors.”
Ramona Park Broke My Heart follows Staples’ 2021 critically acclaimed self-titled LP that welcomed fans to his hometown (the Ramona Park neighborhood of Long Beach, CA) in addition to introducing personal friends and family. Entirely produced by Kenny Beats, The Rolling Stone praised Staples for his “brilliantly concise songwriting” and “knack for combining brevity and sly wordplay” with Pitchfork calling Staples and Beats “unstoppable forces” saying, “there’s fire to be found even in the duo’s quietest moments,” while NPR called the project “powerful,” and NME described it as “another spectacular record.” There’s a direct correlation,” Staples says of 2021’s Vince Staples, and 2022’s Ramona Park Broke My Heart. “They were kind of created at the same time. I was in a similar state of mind. I’m still working through things and the questions that life poses. This album will make even more sense if you heard the previous one.” There is a key change, though. “This one has more answers.”
Kicking off 2022 with a bang, Meechy Baby unleashes a brand new single and music video entitled “Get in There” via Never Broke Again/Motown. Listen HERE. Watch the music video HERE.
The track hinges on a jaggedly menacing beat fueled by 808s and skittering cymbals as Meechy Baby tears through the production with tenacious verses. It all culminates on a commanding hook, “Get in there.”In the accompanying visual, he turns up next to a luxury SUV as he flows directly into the camera. It hints at his unbridled star power and raw charisma.
He captured the attention of audiences everywhere on last year’s red-hot compilation “Never Broke Again Vol. 1.” Across a stacked track listing, he bodied “Pure Dope” [feat. Rjae & Rojay MLP], “Chippewa,” “Til Da Morning,” “Parking Lot,” and “Cutlass.” Of the latter, HotNewHipHop praised, “Paying ode to the old school car, the rapper brings high energy,” and Rolling Stone noted, “He raps about his lifestyle and his love of the American classic.” He has already amassed over 3 million streams and counting.
However, everything just paves the way for more music from Meechy Baby.
Motown is a beacon of transformative, inter-generational success guided by forward-thinking leaders who have introduced the world to some of the most iconic songs and artists in history. From supporting the dreams of Black artists to inspiring and empowering entrepreneurs whose focus and dedication to great artists, great songs, artist development, hard work, shattering barriers, and limitless dreams are always at the heart of all that they do. Motown will always be the place where Black dreamers are supported and protected, dreams are achieved, and the sound of youth culture is cultivated around the globe.
Coachella returns to the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA for two weekends set for April 15-17 and April 22-24, 2022, with Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, Ye, Swedish House Mafia, 88Rising’s Head in the Clouds Forever, and more performing both weekends. (Full lineup as of January 12 below)
Register now for the weekend two presale and receive a unique code to purchase passes starting Friday, January 14 at 10 am PT. This is a presale and does not guarantee pass type, packages, or camping.
YouTube returns in 2022 as the official Livestream partner for both Coachella weekends on the festival’s official YouTube channel, marking its tenth year streaming the fest to millions of music fans around the world.
Official Hotel Travel Packages are available for weekend one and weekend two, sold exclusively through Valley Music Travel. For more festival information and updates, please visit their website.
The complete Coachella lineup in ABC order is as follows:
Artists from around the globe have come together to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Pokemon with songs inspired by the global entertainment franchise and recorded exclusively for Pokemon 25: The Album. The compilation was released today in digital and CD formats by Capitol Records as part of a massive, yearlong music campaign from The Pokemon Company International in partnership with Universal Music Group. Get Pokemon 25: The AlbumHERE. View the album trailer HERE.
The official video for J Balvin’s contribution, “Ten Cuidado” debuted today and can be viewed HERE. The award-winning Colombian singer, known to most as Reggaeton’s global ambassador, is joined by some of his favorite Pokemon & Pikachu, Hitmontop, Totodile, Loudred, and Charizard & in the clip, which was shot in New York City. Colin Tilley (Halsey, Kendrick Lamar, Cardi B), who helmed Balvin’s MTV VMA award-winning official video for “Rojo” directed.
“I always wanted to be Ash Ketchum and through this collaboration with Pokemon I’ve been able to live out a childhood dream,” said J Balvin. “That love for Pokemon inspired Ten Cuidado, my contribution to P25 Music, as well as the video in which I get to be a Pokemon Trainer in New York City. I can’t wait to share my fandom for Pokemon with my fans around the world with this song and still can’t believe I get to be part of this project.”
“The release of Pokemon 25: The Album marks the culmination of a yearlong music celebration of Pokemon by an amazing array of global artists,” said Colin Palmer, vice president of marketing, The Pokemon Company International. “From Katy Perry and Post Malone to today’s release of J Balvin’s contribution to the album, all of the artists brought a unique perspective to this collection, which we hope brings music fans as much joy as Pokemon has delivered for 25 years.”
Tokyo-based artist/producer Yaffle created the new track “Reconnect”(feat. Daichi Yamamoto & AAAMYYY) for P25 Music. French singer Louane and UK artists Mabel and Jax Jones with Sinead Harnett further attest to Pokemon’s universal appeal. Post Malone offers up “Only Wanna Be With You (Pokemon 25 Version),” a surprising take on the Hootie and the Blowfish hit, and Katy Perry led the charge with the uplifting single “Electric.” Vince Staples, Cyn, Lil Yachty, and Tierra Whack also joined in the celebration. See below for tracklisting.
Director Eric Maldin (U2, 30 Seconds To Mars) takes Vince Staples, Mabel, and Cyn on a surreal walk down memory lane, exploring their early experiences with Pokemon and how they went about creating their original songs for P25 Music in the new “Evolution of a Song” video series. The episodes also feature ZHU in the studio, discussing the evolution of his remixes of Staples’ “Got Em” and Cyn’s “Wonderful” found on the digital edition alongside his remix of “Take It Home” by Mabel. View “Evolution of a Song” at Here.
The P25 virtual merch store & UMG’s first-ever multi-artist interactive shopping experience ߝ launched today with new merchandise from J Balvin, Katy Perry, and ZHU. Check out the animated, interactive virtual pop-up shop HERE. A special edition colored vinyl edition of Pokemon 25: The Album will be released in February 2022 in celebration of Pokemon Day. It is now available for pre-order.
Fans can keep up with the latest news for P25 Music and more celebrations across the franchise on Pokemon’s 25th-anniversary website at Here.
Pokemon and music fans are invited to join the conversation online with @Pokemon and #Pokemon25.
ZHU Remixes All Three Tracks For Pokémon 25: The Blue EP, Out Later This Month
The Dual Releases Honor a Pokémon Tradition As 25th Anniversary Celebration Continues
Three new artists have joined Pokémon’s 25th-anniversary celebration: Vince Staples, Cyn and ZHU. Staples and Cyn contribute exclusive new songs to Pokémon 25: The Red EP, which was released today. Available HERE, the EP also features Mabel’s song “Take It Home,” which was unveiled last month. View Pokémon 25: The Red EP visualizers on YouTube HERE.
Reflecting the longstanding tradition of dual releases for the core Pokémon video game series, with each featuring nuanced differences from the other, and paying homage to the original Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue video games, Pokémon 25: The Blue EP will follow later this month. It will feature remixes of The Red EP songs by GRAMMY-nominated recording artist ZHU, who is fresh off the release of his third album, DREAMLAND 2021, and a sold-out, six-night stand at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater.
The songs from The Red EP will appear on the upcoming P25 Music compilation album, which will be released this autumn by Capitol Records as part of a massive, yearlong music campaign from The Pokémon Company International in partnership with Universal Music Group. ZHU’s remixes will be included on the digital edition of the album. Vince Staples, Cyn and ZHU take their places alongside fellow P25 artists Katy Perry, Post Malone, J Balvin and Mabel.
On the atmospheric, melodic “Got ‘Em,” Vince Staples faces life’s challenges head-on, drawing inspiration from iconic Pokémon characters Mew and Raichu. Staples recently released his self-titled, fourth album out now via Blacksmith Recordings/Motown Records. Garnering positive reviews from Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, NPR Music and NME among others, the LP debuted as the No. 1 Current Rap Album and landed at No. 21 on the Billboard 200 Chart week of release. Staples is also currently working on bringing his dramedy, The Vince Staples Show, to Netflix.
“I’ve always been a fan of Pokémon, so it was particularly special to be asked to take part in this 25th-anniversary celebration,” said Vince Staples. “I’m excited for people to hear ‘Got ‘Em,’ and hope the song resonates with fans, especially those who grew up with Pokémon like I did.”
Cyn—who is signed to Katy Perry’s Unsub Records and recently contributed two songs to the soundtrack for the Oscar-winning film Promising Young Woman—offers up “Wonderful,” a shimmering song that celebrates friendship and the joy of being alive.
Cyn shares, “I am so excited to release one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written, ‘Wonderful,’ in celebration of 25 years of Pokémon! This song is special to me because I feel it comments on growing pains while also emphasizing a destination of grace and a beautiful journey to it—eggs hatch when they want to or in other words, when they are ready. When I wrote this song, my newborn baby son was in the room—I can hear the influence of becoming a new mother in the music, it will always ring special for me.”
“The Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue video games introduced the world to Pokémon 25 years ago and we wanted to recognize that important part of the franchise in our 25th-anniversary celebrations within the P25 Music campaign,” said Colin Palmer, vice president of marketing, The Pokémon Company International. “Pokémon fans will appreciate the nod to the first Pokémon video games with these EPs, while music fans will enjoy new songs and remixes from exciting artists on these dual collections.”
The Red EP kicks off with “Take It Home,” an original song from BRIT Award recipient Mabel. PAPER Magazine noted, “to say it’s a bop would be a complete understatement—‘Take It Home’ is packed with bright and buoyant beats.” The official video, People Magazine observed, “finds the star chasing Jigglypuff into a Wonderland-style dreamworld full of colorful ensembles and pop star choreography.”
Fans can keep up with the latest news for P25 Music and more celebrations across the franchise on Pokémon’s 25th-anniversary website. Pokémon 25: The Blue EP can be pre-saved HERE.
Pokémon and music fans are invited to join the conversation online with @Pokemon and #Pokemon25.
Vince and Kenny Beats have easy chemistry in and out of the booth because both are consistently proving how adaptable they are to any facet of rap. They’re two unstoppable forces, here’s fire to be found even in the duo’s quietest moments. – Pitchfork
The self-titled record once again sees the North Long Beach rapper at the top of his game. – Complex
A spectacular slow-burn – NME
Idiosyncratic and really impressive, the sound of someone walking their own path – The Guardian
Another superb outlier from a rapper who excels in them – The Independent
Esteemed hip-hop artist Vince Staples debuted his self-titled album today via Blacksmith Recordings / Motown Records. His first full-length release since 2018’s critically acclaimed FM!, the 10-track LP delves not only into Staples’ upbringing in Long Beach, but his psyche as he learns to cope with his yesterdays and strides toward new tomorrows, picking others up along the way. Stream or download Vince StaplesHERE. Staples also unveiled official lyric videos for every track on the LP, which are available to watch via his YouTube channel HERE.
Ahead of the album’s release, Staples gave fans an early preview of the project sharing the first two singles off the LP — LAW OF AVERAGES, and ARE YOU WITH THAT?, LAW OF AVERAGES was released alongside a companion music video (available to watch HERE) featuring a montage of voyeuristic moments in Long Beach, CA, and imagery that embodies Black joy and highlights the beauty within the fringes.
Of the new Kenny Beats-produced LP, Staples says, This project really gives much more information about me that wasn’t out there before. That’s why I went with that title. I feel like I’ve been trying to tell the same story. As you go on in life, your point of view changes. This is another take on myself that I might not have had before.
Throughout the LP, Staples ropes in recordings of intimate chats with loved ones for poignant interludes that provide insight into who he is. THE APPLE & THE TREE features his mother recalling moments she let anger push her into a situation, hindsight now tells her succumbing to anger did nothing to serve her. LAKEWOOD MALL stars one of Vince’s best friends Pac Slim remembering a night where Vince decided not to go to a party that ended in gunshots. Other standout tracks include ARE YOU WITH THAT? and TAKE ME HOME, which showcase his dynamic musicality and knack for layering hard-hitting bars over infectious beats that push the creative envelope.
Elsewhere on the album, we discover that Staples deals with the anxiety of not being able to decipher friend from foe at times as who cruises through streets he grew up on. Moreover, the tug of war between the music star life and staying planted in the soil he bloomed from doesn’t seem to gnaw at him as it does with others as fortunate as he.
The celebrated rapper’s latest body of work is also just the beginning of his busy 2021. He is currently working on a number of creative projects with additional details to be announced throughout the year.
I’m a mind more than I am an entertainer to a lot of people, Staples says, adding, I appreciate that my fanbase is willing to go on this ride with me. I’m ready to diversify what we’re doing and see how we affect the world.
VINCE STAPLES TO RELEASE SELF-TITLED ALBUM ON JULY 9, MARKING HIS FIRST FULL-LENGTH RELEASE IN THREE YEARS
Esteemed hip-hop artist Vince Staples today announced the release of his self-titled LP – out Friday, July 9 via Blacksmith Recordings/Motown Records. His first full-length release since 2018’s critically acclaimed FM!, the 10-track LP delves not only into Staples’ upbringing in Long Beach, but his psyche as he learns to cope with his yesterdays and strides toward new tomorrows, picking others up along the way.
In conjunction with the announcement, Staples released the much-anticipated first single off the LP, “Law of Averages”, alongside the official music video for the track, directed by Kid. Studio. Set against a montage of voyeuristic moments in Long Beach, CA, the cinematic visual features imagery that embodies black joy and highlights the beauty within the fringes.
“Law of Averages” is available to stream or download HERE. Watch the official music video HERE.
Of the new Kenny Beats-produced LP, Staples says, “It really gives much more information about me that wasn’t out there before. That’s why I went with that title. I feel like I’ve been trying to tell the same story. As you go on in life, your point of view changes. This is another take on myself that I might not have had before.”
The celebrated rapper’s latest body of work is also just the beginning of his busy 2021. Staples is currently working on a number of creative projects with additional details to be announced throughout the year.
“I’m a mind more than I am an entertainer to a lot of people,” Staples says, adding, “I appreciate that my fanbase is willing to go on this ride with me. I’m ready to diversify what we’re doing and see how we affect the world.”
Motown Records released Queen & Slim: The Soundtrack on vinyl for the first time. The two-LP limited edition of the acclaimed soundtrack is now available at participating independent record stores in conjunction with the Record Store Day’s RSD Drops 2020 program. Visit here for further details. Queen & Slim: The Soundtrack merchandise is available HERE.
Starring Oscar nominee Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out), Queen & Slim is a powerful, consciousness-raising love story that confronts the staggering human toll of racism and the life-shattering price of violence. The film, from GRAMMY–winning director Melina Matsoukas and Emmy winning writer Lena Waithe, has won numerous awards including Best Movie at the BET Awards 20.
The music in the film serves as an additional voice and showcases the range of talent across Black artists with a compelling blend of genres. The 16-song soundtrack features new tracks by Ms. Lauryn Hill, Megan Thee Stallion x VickeeLo, Lil Baby, Vince Staples featuring 6lack X Mereba, Tiana Major 9 & EARTHGANG, Coast Contra; featuring BJ The Chicago Kidand Syd, plus classic songs byRoy Ayers, Bilal, Mike Jones and others. Blood Orange composed the film’s score and is featured on the soundtrack. See below for track listing.
Queen & Slim: The Soundtrack has received numerous award nominations, including an NAACP Image Awards nod for Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation. Collide by Tiana Major9 and EARTHGANG took Outstanding Original Song honors at the Black Reel Awards earlier this year and was named one of the best R&B songs of 2019 by VIBE.
Motown Records President Ethiopia Habtemariam, Waithe and Matsoukas served as executive soundtrack producers. AP said, “Together they’re like the perfect aux-cord DJs. They hit play, and they don’t miss.” The Atlantic noted, “The Best Part of Queen & Slim is the Soundtrack Music is woven throughout with an impressive ear for black American artists’complex relationships to the country they inhabit, and to other black people.”
TIME hailed the soundtrack as “an astounding collage of sound an ode to the past, present and future of black music.” NYLON predicted thatRide or Die fromMegan Thee Stallion x VickeeLo “will be bumping in the club for months.” Pitchfork praised Vince Staples’ “Yo Love” feat. 6lack & Mereba as “a charming swerve from Staples that’s only further proof of the rapper’s chameleonic talents.” Rolling Stone said, “Guarding the Gates is an immersive and sprawling ballad as [Ms. Lauryn] Hill delivers a mesmerizing vocal performance.”
While on a forgettable first date together in Ohio, a black man (Kaluuya) and a black woman (Jodie Turner-Smith), are pulled over for a minor traffic infraction. The situation escalates, with sudden and tragic results, when the man kills the police officer in self-defense. Terrified and in fear for their lives, the man, a retail employee, and the woman, a criminal defense lawyer, are forced to go on the run. But the incident is captured on video and goes viral, and the couple unwittingly become a symbol of trauma, terror, grief and pain for people across the country.
As they drive, these two unlikely fugitives will discover themselves and each other in the most dire and desperate of circumstances and will forge a deep and powerful love that will reveal their shared humanity and shape the rest of their lives.
Waithe wrote the screenplay forQueen & Slim from a story by herself and bestselling author James Frey (A Million Little Pieces, Katerina). The film is produced by Frey, Waithe, Matsoukas, Michelle Knudsen, Andrew Coles, Brad Weston and Pamela Abdy. The executive producers are Pamela Hirsch, Kaluuya, Aaron L. Gilbert and Jason Cloth. Universal Pictures and Makeready present Queen & Slim in association with 3BlackDot and Bron Creative, a Makeready/De La Revoluci, Films/Hillman Grad/3BlackDot production.
Track Listing Queen & Slim: The Soundtrack
LP1 / SIDE
Megan Thee Stallion feat. VickeeLo, Ride Or Die
Bilal feat. Raphael Saadiq, Soul Sista (Remix)
Vince Staples Feat. 6lack & Mereba, Yo Love
Tiana Major9 & EARTHGANG, Collide
LP1 / SIDE B
Syd, Getting Late
Mike Jones feat. Slim Thug & Paul Wall, Still Tippin’
Coast Contra feat. BJ The Chicago Kid, Queen x Slim
Choker, Frame
LP2 / SIDE A
Lil Baby, Catch The Sun
Roy Ayers, Searching
Ms. Lauryn Hill, Guarding The Gates
Burna Boy, My Money, My Baby
LP2 / SIDE B
Cedes Benz, The-Dream
Little Freddie King, Standin’ At Yo Door (Live)
Blood Orange feat. Ian Isiah & Jason Arce, Runnin’ Away
Today, Terrell Hines shares his thrillingly inventive and eclectic new project, Portal One: The Mixtape. Released via Capitol Records, Portal One: The Mixtape is the debut mixtape from the boldly original songwriter/vocalist/multi-instrumentalist/producer.
Co-produced by Hines, Portal One: The Mixtape features his powerful and politically charged recent single Get Up (with Vince Staples); a collaboration with Vince Staples that’s earned acclaim from tastemakers like Rolling Stone, Brooklyn Vegan (who hailed it as a dose of kinetic art-funk) and The FADER (who praised the track’s forceful, heart-racing peak). Meanwhile, Rolling Stone noted that Staples’ verse on Get Up (with Vince Staples) perfectly complements the still-relevant urgency Hines packed into the original.
Along with Get Up (with Vince Staples), Portal One: The Mixtape includes previously released singles like Balance, Wu Dirt, St. Mark Rd., and Promise. Over the course of nine dynamic tracks, Hines delivers a genre-blurring sound informed by artists as disparate as OutKast, Joy Division, and Four Tet, infusing each song with the kinetic energy of live guitar, drums, bass, keys, and strings. To that end, Portal One: The Mixtape also showcases the polymathic musicality honed in part through his studies at The Berklee College of Music (which Hines attended on a full-ride scholarship). True to his hyper-creative tendencies, Hines created a visual component for all nine tracks while in quarantine, shooting his own videos with the help of a green screen.
Tracklist for Portal One: The Mixtape by Terrell Hines:
