Music talk, real music, hip hop, real R & B. It is a postive place to talk about good music.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
MJ video for Hold My Hand
New CD drops December 14th 2010!
Lauryn Hill's single that was released earlier this year
Lauryn is hold a concert in NYC later this year,and she also released this single a couple of months ago. New CD, coming out next year? I hope so
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Keith Sweat's New Video
Keith's back with a new Cd entitled Riding solo. This is a single called Test Drive with Joe
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Anita Baker and Snoop colabo?
Anita Baker has a new cd coming out in the fall and she features Snoop on song!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Download Phil Ade's The Letterman Free
Download now Phil Ade - The Letterman (Hosted by Don Cannon):
http://www.djbooth.net/index/mixtapes/entry/phil-ade-the-letterman/
http://www.djbooth.net/index/mixtapes/entry/phil-ade-the-letterman/
Friday, July 9, 2010
Ayah
Ayah is talented singer who is working with DJ Jazzy Jeff. I love her check her out.
Aaron Smith's Pretty Girl
What inspired Aaron Smith to take a break from his "Shwayze" ways? A "Pretty Girl" of course...
Aaron Smith
Embed streaming audio player:
Aaron Smith
"Love Stoned" mixtape coming soon!
Suretone Records
"I have a side project under my Real name Aaron Smith and a lot of people are asking “Why isn’t it Shwayze”?? Or “Is the group Done”?? First of all the group will NEVER BE DONE that’s how we started and we’ll alwayz be pumpin out Shwayze tunes for you to party to, so no worries there. 2nd I didn’t use the name Shwayze because I felt like this music is a bit different and I didn’t want to throw off the Shwayze fans, because we all know how ya’ll love your WEED and Women!... Somewhere along the journey I fell in love, which gave me a whole new motivation and inspiration. Love Stoned is a product of a lot of different emotions and overall I think its a growth for me as an individual... I defiantly stepped outside of my comfort zone and learned a lot of new things about myself... My advice to people after making this record is don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone because that’s when we challenge ourselves and that’s when we grow!"
- Read Aaron's full blog entry on AaronSmithMusic.com
Connect with Aaron Smith:
http://www.facebook.com/aaronsmithmusic
http://aaronsmithmusic.com
Aaron Smith
Embed streaming audio player:
Aaron Smith
"Love Stoned" mixtape coming soon!
Suretone Records
"I have a side project under my Real name Aaron Smith and a lot of people are asking “Why isn’t it Shwayze”?? Or “Is the group Done”?? First of all the group will NEVER BE DONE that’s how we started and we’ll alwayz be pumpin out Shwayze tunes for you to party to, so no worries there. 2nd I didn’t use the name Shwayze because I felt like this music is a bit different and I didn’t want to throw off the Shwayze fans, because we all know how ya’ll love your WEED and Women!... Somewhere along the journey I fell in love, which gave me a whole new motivation and inspiration. Love Stoned is a product of a lot of different emotions and overall I think its a growth for me as an individual... I defiantly stepped outside of my comfort zone and learned a lot of new things about myself... My advice to people after making this record is don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone because that’s when we challenge ourselves and that’s when we grow!"
- Read Aaron's full blog entry on AaronSmithMusic.com
Connect with Aaron Smith:
http://www.facebook.com/aaronsmithmusic
http://aaronsmithmusic.com
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Philly emcee Gilbere Forte' shows he's just as quick on his feet as he is with his rhymes in the brand new video for "Black Chukkas" directed by Chris Robinson (Lil Wayne, Nas, Alicia Keys) and Iren! Watch it now, only on MySpace!
VIDEO: Gilbere Forte' - Black Chukkas
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Gilbere Forte'
87 Dreams - Coming Soon
The RPM GRP
www.gilbereforte.com
Connect with Gilbere Forte':
www.twitter.com/gilbereforte
www.facebook.com/gilbereforte
www.myspace.com/gilbereforte
VIDEO: Gilbere Forte' - Black Chukkas
Embed:
Gilbere Forte'
87 Dreams - Coming Soon
The RPM GRP
www.gilbereforte.com
Connect with Gilbere Forte':
www.twitter.com/gilbereforte
www.facebook.com/gilbereforte
www.myspace.com/gilbereforte
El Debarge is back
El did his thing o the BET awards and is set to come out with his first solo Cd since tbe early 90's! Check out link which talks about his time out of the spotlight and challenges.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The Family Stand's Sandra St. Victor Releasing First of Five EPs of the “Sinner Child” Series May 28
The Family Stand's Sandra St. Victor Releasing First of Five EPs of the “Sinner Child” Series May 28
Debut EP “At My Spheres” Produced by Mark de Clive-Lowe
05.20.2010 – Sandra St. Victor, best known for her role as lead singer for the groundbreaking Soul/Funk band The Family Stand, renowned for their international hit "Ghetto Heaven", returns with her latest venture in the form of a five-series EP aptly titled “Sandra St. Victor’s Sinner Child.” The first EP, “At My Spheres,” is set for release May 28 on St. Victor’s own imprint, Strategic Soul Ventures, available digitally through Believe Digital.
“At My Spheres” is a four-song EP that brings St. Victor’s powerhouse vocals together with West London producer Mark de Clive-Lowe’s infectious yet soulful grooves,to create a mash-up of futuristic R&B with dance. “I had a show last summer in Brooklyn,” recalls de Clive-Lowe. “Sandra happened to be in town so I invited her down to come jam, freesoul improv style. To say that she killed it would be a complete understatement… that was a truly great experience for me and showed us both we definitely need to collab properly.” The EP features three new tracks and one remix.
A total of five “Sandra St. Victor’s Sinner Child” EPs will be released. The size of an EP gives Sandra the liberty to work in various styles and in different genres with some of her favorite writers and producers such as Mark de Clive-Lowe, David Hollister, Nona Hendryx, Lalah Hathaway and Vernon Reid of Living Color, without losing her signature style. The EP series is about musical expansion as well as an appreciation of the various styles of music that has influenced St. Victor’s
impressive career.
PREVIEW Sandra St Victor - At My Spheres/F.M.A.O.-ocity/Cosmos/Cosmos (Souled remix) by mashibeats
Debut EP “At My Spheres” Produced by Mark de Clive-Lowe
05.20.2010 – Sandra St. Victor, best known for her role as lead singer for the groundbreaking Soul/Funk band The Family Stand, renowned for their international hit "Ghetto Heaven", returns with her latest venture in the form of a five-series EP aptly titled “Sandra St. Victor’s Sinner Child.” The first EP, “At My Spheres,” is set for release May 28 on St. Victor’s own imprint, Strategic Soul Ventures, available digitally through Believe Digital.
“At My Spheres” is a four-song EP that brings St. Victor’s powerhouse vocals together with West London producer Mark de Clive-Lowe’s infectious yet soulful grooves,to create a mash-up of futuristic R&B with dance. “I had a show last summer in Brooklyn,” recalls de Clive-Lowe. “Sandra happened to be in town so I invited her down to come jam, freesoul improv style. To say that she killed it would be a complete understatement… that was a truly great experience for me and showed us both we definitely need to collab properly.” The EP features three new tracks and one remix.
A total of five “Sandra St. Victor’s Sinner Child” EPs will be released. The size of an EP gives Sandra the liberty to work in various styles and in different genres with some of her favorite writers and producers such as Mark de Clive-Lowe, David Hollister, Nona Hendryx, Lalah Hathaway and Vernon Reid of Living Color, without losing her signature style. The EP series is about musical expansion as well as an appreciation of the various styles of music that has influenced St. Victor’s
impressive career.
PREVIEW Sandra St Victor - At My Spheres/F.M.A.O.-ocity/Cosmos/Cosmos (Souled remix) by mashibeats
Monday, May 31, 2010
Kelly Price is Tired
Kelly Price is back with her single called Tired. Kelly is a force of nature. She has a voice and knows how to use it. Take some notes little girl "singers".
Rox's new video
I love Rox. She is from the UK and her debut CD,Memoirs is coming soon to America. Check her and tell me what you think!
R. Kell's Victory
The man who put the R in R & B is back. He is also the man that put the P in.. oh nevermind.
Music by Singersroom.com | More on R. Kelly
Music by Singersroom.com | More on R. Kelly
Diggy Diggy Diggy
Russell Simmons' (RUN DMC) son Diggy is coming out with a mixtape soon. Does he have what it takes? Will he outshine his older brother's efforts? Only time will tell.
Diggy- What They Been Waiting For from philthegod. on Vimeo.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Ok I'm late on the Dru Hill TV show front.
I had no idea this was coming out.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Marvin Gaye Biopic?
There have been numerous names that have been said to be playing Marvin Gaye in the story of his life over the pas 10 years. This list has even included Usher, now throw Terrence Howard's name in that ring as well. We will have wait to see who or if the project will ever get off the ground.
There was one that was going to center on his life after Motown to his death then there was another that included the Motown years. It at the point where I will believe it when I see it.
Sammie has Found Someone
Sammie is back with a new single. He released his last solo cd a couple of years back. He started his career when he was a kid back in the day.
Music by Singersroom.com | More on Sammie
Music by Singersroom.com | More on Sammie
Johnta is back with Close Your Eyes
Johnta who has not released his solo debut yet, is back with a new single. His CD ocean Drive, was suppose to be released years ago,but never was. Hopefully, we will get a cd from this talented brother soon.
Music by Singersroom.com | More on Johnta Austin
Music by Singersroom.com | More on Johnta Austin
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Angela Johnson
One of my favorite artists is out with some new music. She was born in my hometown of Utica, NY. She is my homegirl
Music by Singersroom.com | More on Angela Johnson
Music by Singersroom.com | More on Angela Johnson
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
New Musiq SoulChild
Musiq is back with a remake of Maze's tribute to Marvin Gaye. Musiq always brings it. When he first came out I first thought he was D'Angleo rip off. (Boys and girls I will explain who that is at a later date.) He proved me to so wrong. He's one my favorite artists.
Musiq Soulchild - Silky Soul (ATribute To Maze Ft. Frankie Beverly) Directed By PARRIS from parris on Vimeo.
Erykah Badu Part 3 Monique
In the final part of her interview Erykah gives some insight on the tracks from her new album and explains the urban myth of falling in love with her!
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Erykah Badu part 2 Monique Interview
In Part 2, Erykah talks about her children and the amazing women in her life!
Mo'Nique Interview Part 2 (VIDEO): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exlCWhKiRuw
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Mo'Nique Interview Part 2 (VIDEO): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exlCWhKiRuw
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Erykah on Monique Part 1
Ms. Badu gets deep and discusses the importance of artistic expression. We also discover why she ditched her signature head wrap!
Mo'Nique Interview Part 1 (VIDEO): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU91emtmmmc
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Mo'Nique Interview Part 1 (VIDEO): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU91emtmmmc
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Jill Scott's Trailer for Light of the Sun
Jill Scott has moved to a new record label and will release a new CD soon. Here is a teaser she put on her website, not too long ago.
Jill Scott - The Light of The Sun (trailer) from Okayplayer on Vimeo.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Kelly Rowland's new single!
You should know that we love some Kelly Rowland here at Chalet Towers, so check this one out!
Music by Singersroom.com | More on Kelly Rowland
Music by Singersroom.com | More on Kelly Rowland
Monday, April 26, 2010
TLC 4 ever
I was watching What Chilli Wants on VH! and it got thinking about TLC back in the day.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Faith having fun with "I wanna Rock"
Here is cut from Faith's mixtape! She will have a CD later this year.
Music by Singersroom.com | More on Faith Evans
Music by Singersroom.com | More on Faith Evans
Monday, April 19, 2010
ERYKAH BADU ANNOUNCES 2010 NORTH AMERICAN
ERYKAH BADU ANNOUNCES 2010 NORTH AMERICAN
OUT MY MIND, JUST IN TIME TOUR
ERYKAH BADU has confirmed dates for her 2010 North American tour, Out My Mind, Just In Time. The tour takes its name from the closing track on the multiple GRAMMY® Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, director, and actor’s new album, NEW AMERYKAH PART TWO: RETURN OF THE ANKH, which debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Digital Albums chart and No. 4 on the Top 200 chart.
ERYKAH BADU’s Out My Mind, Just In Time Tour will make stops at a mix of amphitheaters and concert halls throughout North America this spring, beginning on May 22 at Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore, MD and wrapping up on June 24 at The Pearl Concert Theater in Las Vegas, NV. For more information and tickets, please visit http://www.cdepresents.com/.
A galvanizing live performer renowned for her electrifying stage presence and soulful vocal ability, ERYKAH BADU’s Out My Mind, Just In Time Tour promises to deliver a fantastically funky live experience not to be missed. The outing will also feature an exciting revolving cast of opening acts that vary by city, including N.E.R.D., Bilal, Janelle Monae, and drummer Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson from The Roots.
Released by Universal Motown Records on 3.30 2010 AD (((333))), ERYKAH BADU’s fifth studio album, NEW AMERYKAH PART TWO: RETURN OF THE ANKH, arrived to a chorus of critical acclaim that hushed critics of the controversial music video for the album’s first single, “Window Seat.” Newsweek calls NEW AMERYKAH PART TWO “the R&B album of the moment that actually has a hint of timelessness about it.” The Washington Post says, “This is Badu at her retro-futuristic best.” And People raves, “This is the album that fans have been waiting for.”
NEW AMERYKAH PART TWO is the long-awaited follow-up to ERYKAH BADU’s superb 2008 disc, New Amerykah Part One: 4th World War. The current single, “Window Seat,” has been heating up airwaves and will be featured as Delta Airlines in-flight boarding music throughout the month of April. Other highlights from the new album include the funky fresh party jam “Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY),” a hypnotic hustler’s anthem called “Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long” that famously contains a sample of “Arrow Through Me” by Paul McCartney and Wings, and the breathtaking three-part suite “Out My Mind Just In Time,” which also inspired the concept and title of the album cover artwork designed by ERYKAH BADU in collaboration with famed artist and poster designer EMEK.
ERYKAH BADU has been busy promoting the release of NEW AMERYKAH PART TWO: RETURN OF THE ANKH with recent television performances on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (March 3), The Wendy Williams Show (March 25), Good Day New York (March 26), Jimmy Kimmel Live (March 30), Chelsea Lately (March 31), and The Wanda Sykes Show (April 3). She is also visible on newsstands on the April cover of EQ and featured in Nylon, Playboy, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Time Out New York, Newsweek, and New York Magazine, among many other publications.
In addition to ERYKAH BADU’s Out My Mind, Just In Time Tour, she has joined the lineups for this summer’s Lollapalooza festival and will reunite with the revamped Lilith Fair tour for 7 Canadian and U.S. dates. She will also be featured as a special guest at Maxwell’s upcoming concerts at Phillips Arena in Atlanta on June 11 and Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 26. For more details and ticket information about those shows, please visit www.lollapalooza.com, www.lilithfair.com, www.philipsarena.com, and www.thegarden.com.
ERYKAH BADU 2010 OUT MY MIND, JUST IN TIME TOUR DATES
May 22 Baltimore, MD Pier Six Pavilion
w/ Bilal
May 23 Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre
w/ Janelle Monae
May 25 New York, NY Roseland Ballroom
w/ ?uestlove
May 26 Philadelphia, PA Tower Theater
w/ Bilal
May 28 Washington, D.C. Constitution Hall
w/ N.E.R.D., Janelle Monae
May 30 Detroit, MI Chene Park
w/ N.E.R.D., Janelle Monae
June 2 Chicago, IL Chicago Theater
w/ N.E.R.D., Janelle Monae
June 3 Chicago, IL Chicago Theater
w/ N.E.R.D., Janelle Monae
June 5 Memphis, TN Orpheum Theatre
w/ Janelle Monae
June 6 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium
w/ Janelle Monae
June 8 Kansas City, KS Midland Theatre
w/ Janelle Monae
June 9 St. Louis, MO Fox Theatre
w/ Janelle Monae
June 13 Houston, TX Verizon Wireless Theater
w/ Janelle Monae
June 14 Dallas, TX Nokia Theatre
June 16 Denver, CO The Fillmore Auditorium
w/ Janelle Monae
June 18 Oakland, CA Paramount Theatre
w/ Janelle Monae
June 19 Saratoga, CA The Mountain Winery
June 20 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theater
w/ Janelle Monae
June 22 San Diego, CA TBA
June 23 Phoenix, AZ TBA
June 24 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl Concert Theater
TOUR DATES WITH MAXWELL
June 11 Atlanta, GA Phillips Arena
w/ Maxwell
June 26 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
w/ Maxwell
LILITH FAIR & FESTIVALS
June 27 Calgary, AB MaMahon Stadium
Lilith Fair
June 28 Edmonton, AB Northlands Spectrum
Lilith Fair
June 30 Vancouver, BC Pitt Meadows Airport
Lilith Fair
July 2 Portland, OR Sleep Country Amphitheatre
Lilith Fair
July 3 George, WA The Gorge Amphitheatre
Lilith Fair
August 4 Raleigh, NC Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion
Lilith Fair
August 8 Chicago, IL Grant Park, Hutchinson Field
Lollapalooza
August 11 Tampa, FL Ford Amphitheatre
Lilith Fair
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Janet Interview
Janet's latest radio interview with The Bert Show.
http://blog.q100morningshow.com/2010/04/03/janet-jackson-joins-the-bert-show/
Monday, April 5, 2010
Electrical Enchantment by Bashri Asad
This is song that I heard that is out of this world! His name is Bashri Asad. His style is a throwback to the old soul of the 60's and early 70's.
Marsha from Floetry is out with single
Marsha Ambrosius from Floetry has a new mixtape out. Here is a song from it.
Music by Singersroom.com | More on Marsha Ambrosius
Music by Singersroom.com | More on Marsha Ambrosius
Rocki Evans: Fantastic
New artist Rocki Evans. The is pretty hot. It is called "Fantastic"
Music by Singersroom.com | More on Rocki Evans
Music by Singersroom.com | More on Rocki Evans
wanda's take on Erykah's video
Wanda had Erykah Badu on her show and showed Erykah her own take on Window Seat, which she called Middle seat.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Kelly Rowland
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Ayah's new music He Don't Want it
Ayah is coming out with some new music produced by Jazzy Jeff!
Music by Singersroom.com | More on Ayah
Music by Singersroom.com | More on Ayah
Janet Behind the scenes clip
Tomorrow (Thursday, 4/1) is a BIG day, as it is the day Janet Jackson's BRAND NEW video for her new song "NOTHING," from WHY DID I GET MARRIED TOO, debuts on AOL! In the meantime, check out this very cool behind-the-scenes look at the making of the video:
http://www.theboombox.com/2010/03/26/janet-jackson-nothing-behind-the-scenes-video-exclusive/
http://www.theboombox.com/2010/03/26/janet-jackson-nothing-behind-the-scenes-video-exclusive/
Why Did I Get Married TOO clips
Check out these new clips for the movie:
EXCLUSIVE CLIP: The guys discuss how demanding their wives can be.
http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/why-did-i-get-married-too.html?showVideo=1
EXCLUSIVE CLIP: How do you know if your spouse is cheating on you?
http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/whydidigetmarriedtoo/
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Jill Scott's new song for Haiti
Hear my Call which will be featured on the NAACP for Haiti CD
Music by Singersroom.com | More on Jill Scott
Music by Singersroom.com | More on Jill Scott
Janet Jackson will be at tthe Essence Music Festival
Que from Day 26 is coming out with new music
Que Mosley,who used to be with Day 26 is coming out some new music
Music by Singersroom.com | More on Que Mosley
Music by Singersroom.com | More on Que Mosley
Win Erykah Badu Ankh
Universal Motown, GoodWoodNYC and ThinkTank Marketing have joined forces for a special venture to commemorate the release of Erykah Badu's new album New Amerykah Part 2: Return of the Ankh. Fans will have the opportunity to win a custom “Erykah Badu Ankh” jewelry piece (as seen in above image) designed exclusively by the masterminds of GoodWoodNYC. The light wood custom Ankh measures slightly over 2 inches with a 30 inch long dark wood beaded chain. Only 50 custom Erykah Badu Ankhs were created for special online giveaways and will not be available for retail sale. More details to come!
GoodWoodNYC specializes in custom rings, pendants, necklaces, bracelets, pins and earrings. They utilize a variety of exotic woods including, Zebrawood, Bloodwood, Lacewood, Purple heart and Birch. All GoodWoodNYC designs are hand sanded, painted and lasered by designer and founder Kerri O’Connell along with a team of wood carving elves. For more information please visit: http://goodwoodnyc.com/
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Leela James's New Video
Leela has one of the best voices in music today. She will be coming out with a CD on Stax later this year. Check this one out.
New Film for Janet?
Report: Janet to star in Tyler Perry's film 'For Colored Girls'
Posted on 3/23/2010 08:44:00 AM ET
AOL's Black Voices is reporting that Janet Jackson will star in Tyler Perry next film, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.
The website says that last night at the New York City premiere of Why Did I Get Married Too?, Perry revealed the film's cast, which, in addition to Janet, will include Mariah Carey, Whoopi Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad, Jurnee Smollett, Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington, and Macy Gray.
The film is based on Ntozake Shange's award-winning 1975 play consisting of a series of poems performed through a cast of nameless women. The poems deal with love, abandonment, rape, and abortion. It is scheduled to shoot in June in New York with a possible winter 2010/2011 release date.
If the report is true, this would be Janet's third film with Perry. I don't know it is one of those that sounds too good to be true. I will keep ya'll posted.
Posted on 3/23/2010 08:44:00 AM ET
AOL's Black Voices is reporting that Janet Jackson will star in Tyler Perry next film, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.
The website says that last night at the New York City premiere of Why Did I Get Married Too?, Perry revealed the film's cast, which, in addition to Janet, will include Mariah Carey, Whoopi Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad, Jurnee Smollett, Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington, and Macy Gray.
The film is based on Ntozake Shange's award-winning 1975 play consisting of a series of poems performed through a cast of nameless women. The poems deal with love, abandonment, rape, and abortion. It is scheduled to shoot in June in New York with a possible winter 2010/2011 release date.
If the report is true, this would be Janet's third film with Perry. I don't know it is one of those that sounds too good to be true. I will keep ya'll posted.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Janet on Tonight Show
With only a couple of weeks until the release of WHY DID I GET MARRIED TOO?, we're excited to keep everyone up-to-date with all the great events surrounding the film's debut.
Check out JANET JACKSON talking about her performance and her new song from the film, on THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO!
Part 1: http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/video/clips/janet-jackson-1/1210354/
Part 2: http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/video/janet_jackson_2/1210356/
Check out JANET JACKSON talking about her performance and her new song from the film, on THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO!
Part 1: http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/video/clips/janet-jackson-1/1210354/
Part 2: http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/video/janet_jackson_2/1210356/
Erykah Badu Reveals Album Cover Artwork
Erykah Badu Reveals Album Cover Artwork
Discover the significant meaning behind the vibrant illustration by designer EMEK
March 19, 2010 - Multiple Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, and actress ERYKAH BADU has revealed the cover artwork for her upcoming fifth studio album, NEW AMERYKAH PART TWO: RETURN OF THE ANKH, which will be released by Universal Motown Records on 3.30 2010 AD (((333))).
The cover art for NEW AMERYKAH PART TWO is a collaboration between ERYKAH BADU and famed artist and poster designer EMEK, who also designed the inspired packaging for 2008’s New Amerykah Part One: 4th World War. The new album cover depicts an underwater image of BADU wearing a suit of armor that symbolizes the tough exterior she developed to protect herself from the harsh realities of life. The armor is her old shell and now she’s liberating herself from it by climbing out of her own head so that she can be reborn. Her tuning fork is summoning the vibrations of the universe and the purple-colored tree of life and purple sky represent the 7th Chakra—the Crown Chakra right above her third eye shield, which represents peace, wisdom, and spirituality. The numerical theme of three is symbolized by three moons, three hidden babies, three trees, and three ankhs. Closer inspection reveals that BADU’s shoulders are surrounded by many of the same objects that filled her abstract afro on the cover of New Amerykah Part One, including handcuffs, a foreclosed home, fast food, cigarettes, broken chains, and a military tank. Here, those items represent refuse and rubble from which new life grows into a vibrant garden of colorful flowers blossoming all around her.
“Working with ERYKAH always brings out the best in me,” says EMEK. “I have worked with hundreds of bands and I have to say that she is pretty unique. The amount of time and energy she spends on all aspects of her life. She is very creative and hands-on, but she also respects and encourages the creativity in others.”
In keeping with the concept of the cover art, NEW AMERYKAH PART TWO: RETURN OF THE ANKH taps into BADU’s emotional side by thematically focusing on romance and relationships. “With Part One, I was standing at an apex, looking at what was going on around me politically, socially, and economically,” BADU explains. “With PART TWO, I’m hovering over me, looking at what’s going on inside of me.”
New MJ Music is on its way
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