Posts made in July 2021

BLXST × BINO RIDEAUX — SIXTAPE 2

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On Friday, rising LA hip-hop artists Blxst and Bino Rideaux teamed up for the release of their collaborative project, Sixtape 2. Out now via Red Bull Records, the project serves as the highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 release of Sixtape, which helped to catapult both artists’ careers and establish them as two of the West Coast’s most exciting new acts. You can stream Sixtape 2 HERE.

Spanning across twelve tracks, including the hit single “Movie,” Sixtape 2 showcases the palpable chemistry between the South Central artists, flexing their smooth, stylistic lyricism and penchant for catchy hooks. Serving as songwriters on the project, in addition to Blxst producing several of the tracks, Sixtape 2 allows both artists to highlight their individual talents while maintaining an effortless sense of collaboration, making for one of the must-listen projects of the summer.

The release of Sixtape 2 is also accompanied by the music video for the single “One Of Them Ones,” which finds both artists at a late-night casino. Featuring a motivational opening narration by DJ Drama, the visual features XXL Freshman class member Blxst and Def Jam signee Bino as they celebrate their rise to success, surrounded by their crew as they gamble and commemorate how far they’ve come. You can watch the music video HERE.

Sixtape 2 is out now, full tracklist is below and is available to stream on all platforms HERE.

Sixtape 2 Tracklist

1. Pop Out

2. Movie

3. Might Do Well

4. Program

5. One Of Them Ones

6. Accountable

7. Hate How Much

8. She Perfect

9. What Is It

10. Stressful

11. Time Will Only Tell

12. Beginning To The Ending

About Blxst

Blxst began his solo music career in Los Angeles in 2015, rapping, singing, writing and producing. From self-editing his videos and artwork to mixing and mastering his sound, he’s been on an unstoppable run, gaining notoriety for his productions and collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, YG, Eric Bellinger, Mustard, G Perico, Mozzy and Kalan.FrFr.

Last year saw the release of his highly anticipated debut EP, No Love Lost, an expansive and emotive collection of music inspired by past relationships and his hometown of Los Angeles. Paired with a four-part cinematic series of videos to bring the project’s overarching narrative to life, its quintessential West Coast vibe received acclaim from fans, press and tastemakers, cited by Pigeons & Planes as “one of the best projects of 2020.” Following this up with his first release of 2021, the two-track project Just For Clarity featuring Drakeo the Ruler and Russ, Blxst has solidified his position as the next must-watch musician out of LA. Receiving praise from Billboard, BET, Complex, Pitchfork and more, in 2021, Blxst was announced as a XXL Freshman Class member and an Amazon Breakthrough artist. This fall also sees Blxst headline his first ever North American tour, which sold out in less than an hour.

About Bino Rideaux

With a one-two punch of laidback flows and hypnotic melodies, Bino Rideaux has quietly shaped the next era of West Coast hip-hop. Growing up in South Central, he crafted his 2015 independent project, Life Is Like A Movie, out of a D.I.Y. studio in his grandmother’s house. Gaining traction around L.A., he co-founded Out The Blue Records and dropped music at a prolific pace. Penned in the wake of his homie KP’s death, “100 Days 100 Nights” caught the attention of the late Nipsey Hussle. He featured on Nipsey’s tracks “Clarity” and “The Field” before they teamed up on the 2017 joint project No Pressure.

As his profile rose, Bino linked with Blxst on Sixtape in 2019 before unleashing his full-length debut, Outside, which boasted appearances by heavyweights such as Ty Dolla $ign, Fredo Bang, Mozzy, and BlueBucksClan. In addition to praise from Complex, LA Weekly, VICE and more, UPROXX named it one of the “100 Best Albums of 2020.” Signing to Def Jam in partnership with Out The Blue, he only perfected his signature style on the likes of “Pride 2 The Side” and “BET” before igniting 2021 with the entrancing guitar-laden trip of “Incredible” [feat. Drakeo The Ruler]. Pegged as one of Rolling Stone’s “Breakthrough 25,” Billboard championed him among “6 LA Rappers to Watch in 2021” and went on to describe him as “the brightest star to emerge from that orbit.” Meanwhile, KAZI christened him “one of the West Coast’s most exciting new talents.”

Zoe Wees

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By: Kai Yeo

Powerful vocal range, unguarded vulnerability, and great songwriting skills. All of that combined is Zoe Wees, 19-year-old German singer-songwriter who is creating a global imprint with her unbelievable vocal range and soulful rhythms.

If you’re new here: Zoe Wees made her stellar debut with her single “Control” in March 2020, a song she opens up about her child epilepsy, a traumatic, isolating condition that can cause severe seizures. “Before I wrote ‘Control’ I looked back to the past every evening. Like I was just sitting in my room and was just there and was just sad and looked at the wall… After I wrote ‘Control’ it was another feeling. Like the situation wasn’t even that bad no more.” The emotional ballad became a worldwide hit and entered the top 20 at Pop radio in the U.S.

A year after her debut single, Wees continued to magnify her presence in the mainstream atmosphere with her emotional release “Girls Like Us” – an empowering anthem of solidarity shared among girls fighting against the stereotypes and expectations of society. Not just about struggling with looks, it is also a song that talks about emotions and pressures of social media. Now at 13 million streams on YouTube, it is praised as “a vulnerable pop anthem that pushed for togetherness” as Wees encourages her listeners to find confidence within themselves.

Now, with her debut EP “Golden Wings” out, Wees continues to relay her personal narratives in her music to create an inspiring and safe space for her fanbase – her wings. Last week, I got the chance to speak with Zoe about the five-track EP and potential live shows, as well as her struggles and autobiographical songwriting.

In your interview, you stated that this EP is your “strength and wings.” Can you share any special moments in the process of making this EP that reflects your strength and wings particularly?

“I feel like the last song for the EP that I wrote, I think it was ‘Girls Like Us.’ The one special moment I realized was that for the first time in a session, I thought about – not just about me – also the other people. About my wings and my community, which I didn’t really have before. I was always thinking about writing my own stuff down and thinking of myself for now, because it was what I was going through. But in the end, I know my music helps a lot of people. So [the one special moment] is taking extra care to also write about what people and my listeners can relate to, especially because I know what they’re going through.

Just in your lyrics and voice, the execution of your message “just want to make people feel less lonely, make them feel stronger” is shown so clearly. How do you feel about your fans’ reactions to your EP?

“I’m so happy. Cause you know actually; one thing is we wrote together. And they’re here from the beginning, and we’re gonna grow together when I go on tour and when I’m in their city. They’re gonna come visit me and I’m gonna see them. This is what makes me happy because anytime I go back to a city, I’m gonna see them again and again and again, so we grow together, which is so nice.”

Known for your “raspy low to unbelievably powerful and sky-high” singing style, is there a personal favorite style when making this EP or did you just go with the flow?

“I actually just go with the flow. Really, I just go with the flow. Whatever comes out of my mouth.”

You wrote your first song on anxiety and epilepsy; can you tell us why this was important for you to show your authentic and true self?

“Because I never write about happy things. You know, I hate writing about happy things, cause it makes me sad. That’s funny, I know. But I really like… never thought this was something I was ever gonna release. But I was just in the studio, and it was the first session, and I was so nervous. And then I thought about because I struggled so much with my epilepsy, and I still do even though it wasn’t as intense at that time, I really wanted to write a song about it. For me, it was the most natural way to be honest to my wings and everyone around me. And a way for me to be real. And that’s just me.”

Thank you for showing us such personal aspects of your life and empowering us (especially women) to be comfortable in our own bodies. Can you tell us what inspires you to write music?”

“Jessie J and Billie Eilish… and especially just what I’m going through.”

Follow Zoe Wees musical journey

Author’s Notes

P.S.: If you can’t tell from her answers… Zoe was every bit as wonderful and charismatic with her words as she is with her musical talent. Zoe, I can’t wait to see what’s next for you and to listen to more of what you create! Your music is so inspiring and when we finally meet in real life (hopefully at one of your tour stops), please remember we promised to trade my skin for your brows. Cheering for you always, stay beautiful x

What to Consider When Buying Foundation

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Buying the right foundation is essential if you want the ideal finish when it comes to your makeup. If you have the wrong foundation color or shade, it can make you look really unnatural, and this can end up ruining your appearance. This is why you need to ensure you do your research and find ways to identify the right foundation for your specific needs.

There are various factors you need to look at when choosing a foundation such as the condition of your skin and your skin tones, as this will help you to determine the best type and shade of foundation. You should bear in mind that there are lots of different types of foundation available these days in addition to different shades, so you can find one that is ideally suited to your skin. In this article, we will look at some of the things to consider when making your choice.

What You Need to Keep in Mind

There are a few key factors that you need to keep in mind when it comes to buying this type of makeup. Some of the main ones are:

The Type of Foundation

One of the things you need to do is to determine the best type of foundation for you based on the condition of your skin and the finish you want to achieve. For instance, if you want a light, natural finish, you may prefer a mousse foundation or if you want something that is heavier in terms of coverage, a cream foundation may be ideal. There are also mineral foundation powders that can provide great coverage and a smooth finish, so you need to decide which of these is best suited to your skin and your preferences. If you need some recommendations, check out skorbeauty.com/makeup/why-you-should-get-a-korean-cushion-compact-in-2021.

Your Skin Tone

Another thing you need to look at is your skin tone and undertone, as this will determine the best shade of foundation for you. As mentioned earlier, choosing the wrong shade can be disastrous, so it is important that you take your tone into consideration before you make your decision. If you can, it is worth trying a sample of the foundation shade to be on the safe side.

Reviews of the Product

Some foundations are far better than others in terms of the coverage they provide, how long they last when applies, and the finish they give. One of the best ways to learn more about the foundation you are considering buying is to look at reviews from other people. You can look at consumer reviews online, and you can even find videos on YouTube from beauty bloggers who try out the foundation and provide you with a first-hand opinion.

Pricing

One additional thing to look at is the pricing of the foundation, and this can vary widely from one product to another. While the cost is very important, make sure you also consider the quality, effectiveness, and suitability of the foundation before you make your decision.

These are some of the main things to look at when buying foundation.

Bill Anderson – Grand Ole Opry

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BILL ANDERSON CELEBRATES 60^th ANNIVERSARY AS GRAND OLE OPRY MEMBER

The Grand Ole Opry presented by Humana honored Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson on his 60th anniversary as an Opry member Saturday evening. Anderson made his Opry debut just a few weeks before his 21st birthday and became an official Opry member less than three years later on July 15, 1961, at 23-years-old, the youngest member at the time. Sara Evans and Opry members Mark Wills and Vince Gill joined other artists on stage congratulating Anderson on his milestone 60th Anniversary. The performances aired as part of Opry Live on the Circle Network.

In celebration of the Grammy-nominated and ACM Poet Award honoree, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued an official proclamation that July 17 is “Bill Anderson Day.” Nashville Mayor John Cooper also proclaimed July 17 as “Bill Anderson Day” in Music City. Backstage after the Opry performance, the country legend celebrated with friends, family members, and fellow artists in the Opry House’s backstage Studio A. Longtime friend and Opry member Vince Gill presented the State of Tennessee proclamation to Anderson on behalf of Governor Lee, while 54-year Opry member Jeannie Seely was on hand to present Anderson with a framed proclamation from the City of Nashville on behalf of Mayor Cooper.

“First of all, it’s really hard to imagine I’ve been at the Grand Ole Opry for 60 years,” shared Anderson. “It seems like yesterday they asked me if I wanted to be a part of this great family, and of course I couldn’t wait to tell them yes and be a part of this wonderful family. Because that’s what it is, a wonderful, wonderful family. I feel so blessed to have been a part of it for 60 years. I tell people all the time that the Grand Ole Opry is like Yankee Stadium to a baseball player, or Broadway to an actor, or Hollywood to someone in film. It’s the highest rung on the ladder. It’s as high as you can go in country music and I’m just thankful that I’ve gotten to be here for 60 years.”

Anderson’s music career started in 1958 when Ray Price recorded his song, “City Lights” and it stayed at the top of Billboard magazine’s country charts for 13 weeks. Soon after this success, he signed with Decca Records and began to have hits of his own such as “Po’ Folks,” “Mama Sang a Song,” “Still,” and “Bright Lights and Country Music.” By now he had affectionately been nicknamed “Whisperin’ Bill” because of his soft-spoken delivery and recitations. Through the years Anderson has written hit songs for numerous artists, including Lefty Frizzell’s “Saginaw, Michigan,” Conway Twitty’s “I May Never Get to Heaven” and many more including Kenny Chesney’s “A Lot of Things Different,” George Strait’s “Give It Away” and Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss’ “Whiskey Lullaby,” with the last two hits winning CMA Song of the Year honors.

On October 30, 2021, the Opry, the world’s longest-running radio show, will mark a historic, record-breaking milestone with its 5,000^th Saturday night broadcast.

ABOUT BILL ANDERSON
Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry titan Bill Anderson is the rare songwriter whose first major label cut went to No. 1 on the charts, was named Song of The Year and sparked a writing career that is currently in its seventh decade. The song, “City Lights,” was written when Anderson was a 19-year-old Georgia disc jockey and became a career-defining hit for Ray Price in 1958. The song opened doors for him in Nashville, leading him to signing with BMI and Tree Publishing. He was voted country Songwriter of the Year six times during his first decade in Music City. His success continued into the 1970’s with award-winning hits like “Slippin’ Away,” “The Lord Knows I’m Drinking,” “I May Never Get To Heaven,” and the disco-flavored, “I Can’t Wait Any Longer.” The 1980’s saw Anderson’s chart-topping career take a hiatus as he became a TV network game show host, spokesman for a national restaurant chain and a nonstop touring Grand Ole Opry performer. In the 1990’s he came roaring back with a vengeance, however, as he seriously turned to co-writing for the first time. Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001, his collaborations with the newer generation of Nashville tunesmiths resulted in hits like “Wish You Were Here,” the GRAMMY-nominated “Two Teardrops,” “A Lot Of Things Different,” for Kenny Chesney, “Which Bridge To Cross (Which Bridge To Burn),” for Vince Gill and two CMA Song Of The Year trophies for “Whiskey Lullaby,” with Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss and George Strait’s “Give It Away,” in 2005 and 2007 respectfully. He continues to write today with songs like Brad Paisley’s “Dying To See Her.”

ABOUT THE GRAND OLE OPRY
The Grand Ole Opry is presented by Humana. Opry performances are held every Friday and Saturday of the year, with Tuesday Night Opry shows running February 16 -December 13. The Opry presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn. Celebrating nine decades of entertainment, the Opry can be heard on the official site, Opry and WSM mobile apps, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and its flagship home, 650 AM-WSM.

Pi’erre Bourne Announces First US Headline Tour

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Grammy Award winning producer/super rapper, Pi’erre Bourne announces his highly anticipated US headline “The Life Of Pi’erre 5” Summer tour. Pi’erre is set to kick off his long-awaited string of dates in Miami next week at Rolling Loud before making stops in Houston and Los Angeles and wrapping up in Chicago at the Lyrical Lemonade Festival. While most of the shows are already sold-out, tickets for the remaining “The Life Of Pi’erre 5 Tour” dates are on-sale now and can be purchased here. See full list of tour dates below.

Recently, Pi’erre released his highly-praised and long-awaited (Pitchfork named one of the “Most Anticipated Albums of Summer 2021”) album The Life of Pi’erre 5. The 16-track last installment of the series include features with long time collaborators Lil Uzi Vert and Playboi Carti, as well as a track with Pi’erre’s own artist, Sharc. The album went on to receive massive praise from Fader, Billboard, Pitchfork, Complex, Rolling Stone, as well as support across digital streaming platforms including Spotify’s Rap Caviar and New Music Friday playlists, Apple Music’s Main Page, Audiomack’s “5 New Albums You Need to Hear This Week” and more. TLOP 5 debuted at No. 6 on Apple Music’s Top Albums chart and landed a spot on the Billboard Hot 200.

Listen to The Life Of Pi’erre 5 here.

“THE LIFE OF PI’ERRE 5 TOUR” DATES:
7/23 – Miami, FL – Rolling Loud Festival
8/2 – Atlanta, GA – Center Stage SOLD OUT
8/5 – Houston, TX – WareHouse Live
8/6 – Austin, TX – Emo’s
8/8 – Denver, CO – Bluebird SOLD OUT
8/9 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom SOLD OUT
8/10 – Los Angeles, CA – Roxy SOLD OUT
8/11 – Oakland, CA – New Parish SOLD OUT
8/14 – Portland, OR – Hawthorne SOLD OUT
8/15 – Seattle, WA – Neumos SOLD OUT
8/18 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity
8/19 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues SOLD OUT
8/20 – Detroit, MI – The Shelter SOLD OUT
8/22 – Chicago, IL – Lyrical Lemonade Festival

PRAISE FOR THE LIFE OF PI’ERRE 5:

“…known for creating musical landscapes for other artists, but he does the same for himself.” – XXL

“One of hip-hop’s most sought-after producers is also a great rapper.” – FADER

“Bourne slides between rapping regularly and rapping a half-measure ahead of the beat,
creating a beautiful instability.” – PITCHFORK

“bouncy project that highlights Pi’erre’s strong suits as a woozy beatmaker and rapper.” – HNHH

“another seamless, front-to-back experience of hypnotic earworms begging for repeat listens.” – Audiomack

“Lyrically, Pi’erre is in a brand new bag as he steps it up on this project even more and really showcases how deep his pen can go.” – Lyrical Lemonade

TOBi × Mick Jenkins – Off The Drugs

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Winner of the 2021 Juno Award for Best Rap Recording of the Year for his project Elements, Vol. 1, Canada-raised/Nigeria-born TOBi and Mick Jenkins today release an old school groove “Off The Drugs” via Same Plate/RCA Records.

Listen/watch the lyric video here.

Speaking on the inspiration behind the song, TOBi says, “When I smoke, I see things clearer and I’m way more aware. So I’m intentional about how I use it. I think more money should go into researching things like cannabis and mushrooms for their healing properties. Just the way I look at it, so many things are actually drugs—alcohol, gambling, even social media cuz it affects brain chemistry, but all that shit is legal. Whereas things that can legitimately heal if properly understood and done correctly are stigmatized, it’s wild. Mick came thru and bodied the verse as he should, and we’ve got a video on the way too. I just wanna live life to the fullest and enjoy this while it lasts. Life to me is a good trip if you let it be.”

The slow burning track follows a handful of TOBi’s singles “Come As You Are” featuring Baby Rose and “Don’t Touch!” which Complex heralded for its “smooth production…elevating (TOBi’s) empowered musings on the hairy side of the Black experience to new heights.”

His re-working of track “Family Matters” with Flo Milli was described as a “dynamic” and “impassioned reboot” (Atwood) and Highsnobiety declared it a “formidable pairing.”

ABOUT TOBi

TOBi released his music project ELEMENTS, Vol. 1 in fall 2020, heralded by the critics, combining hip-hop, R&B, soul, grime & Afrobeats. The project features some of TOBi’s favorite producers & musicians worldwide and embodies the sounds and music that have influenced his artistry. TOBi was voted by Complex Magazine as “a top artist to watch” and has received critical praise from Interview Magazine, Pitchfork, Vogue, Teen Vogue, L’Officiel, Paper, Billboard, Rolling Stone, Clash, OkayAfrica, Flaunt, Exclaim!, Refinery29, Essential Homme, COLORS, and many more. The rising star announced his partnership with Same Plate Entertainment/RCA Records last year and has enjoyed over 49 million streams globally. Prior to ELEMENTS, TOBi released his debut album STILL in May 2019 followed by a deluxe edition, exploring themes of vulnerability, post traumatic growth, self-reflection and masculinity in his time emigrating from Nigeria to Canada. STILL’s release was followed by two new singles “Holiday” produced by !llmind, “Paid,” the “City Blues Remix” featuring The Game, the “180 Remix” featuring Kemba and the “24” remix featuring all Torontonians SHAD, Haviah Mighty, Jazz Cartier and Ejji Smith.

TOBi has cited the work of Gil Scott-Heron, Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar, Marvin Gaye, Eartha Kitt, Florence and the Machine, and Andre 3000 as some of the artists who have inspired his work, particularly his lyrics.

Follow TOBi:

Instagram – Facebook – Twitter – YouTube – Spotify – Apple

THE GREETING COMMITTEE NEW SINGLE × VIDEO – FLOAT AWAY

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Today marks the premiere of The Greeting Committee’s emotionally revealing new single “Float Away” and its equally riveting animated video. Released via Harvest Records, the Kansas City-based alt-rock band’s latest offers an up-close and unguarded look at the way depression warps our self-image. Listen to “Float Away” here, and check out the video here.

Along with today’s release, the band has revealed the September 24 release date for their second studio album Dandelion. All singles and the full album were produced by Jennifer Decilveo (MARINA, FLETCHER, Bat for Lashes)and mixed by Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips, Tame Impala). Pre-order Dandelion here.

Anchored by a gorgeously airy vocal performance from frontwoman Addie Sartino, “Float Away” opens on a candid piece of confession: “Glad it’s raining so I don’t have to go outside and pretend I’m happy just to be alive.” With production from Jennifer Decilveo (MARINA, FLETCHER, Bat for Lashes), the track unfolds in fuzzed-out riffs, frenetic rhythms, and incandescent textures as Sartino documents her inner turmoil with an intense level of detail. “There’s a line in the chorus that says, ‘Stale rye, once an apple’s eye,’ which is a way of saying, ‘I used to have so much potential, and now I’m sitting here frozen, and I don’t know what to do with myself,’” she notes.

After slipping into a moment of anti-nostalgia (“Haven’t felt this since/Listening to the 1975 while getting high/In somebody’s basement party”), “Float Away” closes out with another bit of personal revelation: “Treading water’s getting harder/Don’t let me fall another martyr.” But despite its undeniable melancholy, “Float Away” embodies a strangely exhilarating energy thanks to the stormy urgency of The Greeting Committee’s sound and the pure catharsis of its uncompromising honesty.

Created by illustrator/animator Kezia Gabriella, the video for “Float Away” perfectly captures the track’s whirlwind of feeling. The beautifully offbeat and brightly colorful visual follows Sartino’s avatar through a series of gently articulated emotional states – isolation, disconnection, overwhelmed confusion – and ultimately finds her rediscovering a subtle yet powerful sense of hope.

“Float Away” follows The Greeting Committee’s recent single “Can I Leave Me Too?”, which premiered last month alongside its intimate and quietly captivating video. Hailed by Clash as a “a raw portrayal of post-break-up poignance, cloaked in indie pop reverb,” “Can I Leave Me Too?” arrived as the band’s first release since appearing in Netflix’s To All the Boys: Always and Forever and contributing three of their songs to the film’s soundtrack.

About The Greeting Committee

Comprised of Addie Sartino, Brandon Yangmi, Pierce Turcotte, and Austin Fraser, The Greeting Committee have fully embraced a spirit of purposeful sharing since their formation in 2014. Founded soon after Sartino and Yangmi got their start playing open-mic nights in Kansas City, the band self-released their debut EP It’s Not All That Bad in fall 2015. The EP’s lead single “Hands Down” quickly became a breakout hit, paving the way for The Greeting Committee’s signing to Harvest Records when they were all still in high school. After making their Harvest debut with the Meeting People Is Easy EP in 2017 and releasing their debut album This Is It in 2018, the band spent much of the next few years on the road, with sold-out headline shows in major markets such as Chicago, Austin, New York, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis. To date, they’ve toured with the likes of Bombay Bicycle Club, Tennis, Hippo Campus, and Rainbow Kitten Surprise and taken the stage at leading festivals like Lollapalooza and SXSW, in addition to delivering the I’m Afraid I’m Not Angry EP in late 2019 and appearing in Netflix’s To All the Boys: Always and Forever. The band’s second album Dandelion will be out on September 24 via Harvest Records.

This Week’s Top News Stories

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LA Country Reinstates Indoor Mask Mandate

LA County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis announced Wednesday, that beginning Saturday night masks must be worn inside. Following rising numbers of COVID cases and COVID deaths, LA county decided to reinstate the mask mandate that was recently lifted. This new ordinance is not in compliance with the existing California mask mandate and the mask mandates of many cities in the county, but is in the best interest of all Angelenos.

The previous mask mandate which had been in place for months was recently lifted and many people are not happy about the regression we are making. Many other cities and states are also reinstating their previously abandoned mask mandate while cases rise across the US. With so many still unvaccinated it seems impossible to think we will not be wearing masks anytime soon.

U-ROY × SOLID GOLD U-ROY

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SOLID GOLD U-ROY OUT TODAY

GROUNDBREAKING DEEJAY AND MUSICAL PIONEER JOINED ON NEW COLLECTION BY SPECIAL GUESTS INCLUDING ZIGGY MARLEY, SHAGGY, SANTIGOLD, MICK JONES, SCIENTIST, SLY & ROBBIE, RYGIN KING, BIG YOUTH, AND MANY MORE

U-ROY & ZIGGY MARLEY’S “TRENCHTOWN ROCK” OFFICIAL VISUALIZER PREMIERES TODAY – WATCH

Trojan Jamaica/BMG is proud to celebrate the life and legacy of the late, great U-Roy with today’s release of U-Roy’s final album, SOLID GOLD U-ROY. The eagerly awaited album – which features guest appearances from such icons as Ziggy Marley, Shaggy, Mick Jones of The Clash, Santigold, Sly & Robbie, David Hinds of Steel Pulse, Big Youth, Tarrus Riley, Rygin King, Jesse Royal, Richie Spice, and Scientist – is available now at all DSPs, streaming services and limited-edition colored vinyl.

Produced by label co-founders Zak Starkey and Sshh Liguz, with Youth, and mixed by David Sardy (Toots & The Maytals, Oasis, The Who), SOLID GOLD U-ROY boasts a stellar band of superstars comprised of Zak on guitar, New Orleans legend Cyril Neville on percussion, as well as reggae royalty, including drummer Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare on bass and backing vocals, Tony Chin on guitar and backing vocals, Robbie Lyn on keyboards, trumpet player Stingwray and saxophonist/horn arranger/backing vocalist Dean Fraser.

Originally scheduled for release in 2020, SOLID GOLD U-ROY now serves as a musical memorial to the one and only U-Roy, who sadly passed away on February 17 of this year. One of the most profoundly influential reggae stars of his generation, U-Roy left behind an unmatched legacy as an originator of the chatty rhythmic vocal style known as toasting – a key foundational element in the development of rap and hip hop in the 1970s. Today’s release is marked by the premiere of an official visualizer for album highlight and Bob Marley classic, “Trenchtown Rock,” with U-Roy and Ziggy Marley.

WATCH U-ROY AND ZIGGY MARLEY’S “TRENCHTOWN ROCK”

DOWNLOAD/STREAM SOLID GOLD U-ROY

SOLID GOLD U-ROY was previously heralded by such tracks as U-Roy and Rygin King’s “Stop That Train” and U-Roy and Santigold’s “Man Next Door,” both of which are joined by official music videos directed by Nick Franco/1185 Films in collaboration with Zak and Sshh and streaming now at the official Trojan Jamaica YouTube channel.

LISTEN TO U-ROY AND RYGIN KING “STOP THAT TRAIN”

WATCH U-ROY AND RYGIN KING “STOP THAT TRAIN”

LISTEN TO U-ROY AND SANTIGOLD “MAN NEXT DOOR”

WATCH U-ROY AND SANTIGOLD “MAN NEXT DOOR”

Last year saw SOLID GOLD U-ROY first announced alongside a new release of U-Roy’s iconic “Wake The Town.” Originally released in 1970, the track proved a #1 Jamaican pop chart phenomenon and immediately established U-Roy as an international star. Last year’s release of “Wake The Town” coincided with a tour of Brazil by an all-star band featuring U-Roy, Zak, and Sshh that performed to over 150,000 fans in early 2020.

LISTEN TO “WAKE THE TOWN”

U-Roy, also known as The Originator, The Teacher, The Godfather or just simply Daddy, wasn’t the first Jamaican deejay but he was undoubtedly the most influential. Born Ewart Beckford on September 21, 1942 in Jones Town, West Kingston, U-Roy holds an exalted place in the trajectory of Jamaican music. By adapting his melodic, jazz-inflected scatted rhymes to “versioned” records – that is, alternative cuts of recordings with the original vocals stripped down or completely removed – U-Roy elevated the uniquely Jamaican vocal style known as toasting into a hit-making artform.

For three months in 1970, U-Roy’s “Wear You To The Ball,” “Wake The Town,” and “Rule The Nation” indeed ruled the nation, occupying the top three slots on Jamaica’s radio station charts. U-Roy’s many successes – which also included 1973’s VERSION GALORE, the inaugural deejay album – led to an explosion in recordings which forever altered the course of Jamaican music, especially its dancehall strain. Subsequent generations of superstar Jamaican deejays including Shabba Ranks, Shaggy and Sean Paul have each said they owe their careers to the trail blazed by U-Roy.

U-Roy’s impact further extended far beyond Jamaica’s shores. In 1973, Jamaican immigrant DJ Kool Herc strung up his sound system in the Bronx to play at a back-to-school fundraiser. Before the set, he told his emcee, Coke La Rock, to chat over the breaks in songs like U-Roy and the other deejays he heard growing up in Kingston – thus, the foundation for rap and hip-hop culture was born.

Throughout his illustrious career U-Roy was the recipient of countless international awards; in 2007 he received the Order of Distinction from the Jamaican government for his contribution to music. In 2018 U-Roy was introduced to Trojan Jamaica co-founders Zak Starkey and “Sshh” Liguz and a friendship quickly developed. Three weeks after their initial meeting, U-Roy went into the Trojan Jamaica Sound Studios in Ocho Rios and revisited several of his classic tunes, backed by a stellar cast of musicians: Sly Dunbar (drums), Robbie Shakespeare (bass), Robbie Lyn (keyboards), and Tony Chin and Zak Starkey on guitars.

The resultant album, SOLID GOLD U-ROY, was originally scheduled to arrive in 2020 along with a worldwide tour but of course, the global pandemic derailed those plans. Sadly, U-Roy passed on February 17, 2021, prompting tributes from artists, DJs, sound systems, and media outlets spanning the New York Times, BBC, Variety, The FADER, Rolling Stone, and NME, among many others, all of which affirmed the infinite ripple that U-Roy set forth to the universe. Already praised by BlackBook as “the grandest of grand finale statements,” SOLID GOLD U-ROY now stands as The Originator’s ultimate recording and a heartfelt celebration of his extraordinary legacy, which resonates within every Jamaican deejay and dancehall track that has followed.

“We had always loved U-Roy because of the power of his voice, and his lyrics, with their humor and seriousness,” says Sshh. “We made SOLID GOLD U-ROY because we wanted everyone to know that U-Roy helped invent rap.”

“It’s heartbreaking that he didn’t live to see the release of this record,” adds Zak. “The outpouring of love and respect that happened after he passed was beautiful, but bittersweet, knowing this reimagining was in the wings. It’s an honor to be able to spread his musical legacy.”

CHELSEA CUTLER × WALKING AWAY

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Platinum Certified singer, songwriter, and producer Chelsea Cutler is back today with her new single, “Walking Away”—listen HERE!

Chelsea Cutler’s new song “Walking Away” hinges on lightly plucked guitar, as she accepts the end of a relationship and says goodbye once and for all through lyrics so personal, they could be a text message. Last year, she shared a short snippet of the track on Instagram, which fans lovingly dubbed the “Jeep Song.” After months of clamoring for its release, she finally delivers it today, and it marks the beginning of her highly anticipated sophomore album, set for release later this year.

Of the new song, Chelsea says, “‘Walking Away’ is about how intricate and complex a relationship can be, and it’s also about realizing you can’t keep holding on to something when it’s not right. This was actually the first song I wrote for the album, so it feels fitting to go forward into this next chapter with this single. I’m so excited to share everything with the world!”

Earlier this week, she shared with her fans on socials, “i spent a lot of time this past year daydreaming. for the first time in a few years, i was stationary. and i didn’t really know how to be stationary, or how to spend time alone with myself. so i closed my eyes a lot. i envisioned places i wanted to see and things i wanted to do. all of the daydreams and emotions i had eventually materialized into my second album, which i am proud to say is finished. i miss you guys, and i love knowing i get to share moments and feelings with you all again soon.”

“Walking Away” follows Chelsea’s critically acclaimed 2020 debut album, How To Be Human, 2021 brent ii EP with Jeremy Zucker, and a slew of widely praised collaborations over the past year, including “Stay Next To Me” with Quinn XCII, “Little Things” with Louis The Child and Quinn XCII, “Crying Over You” with The Band CAMINO, and “Crazier Things” with Noah Kahan. As Chelsea gears up to release her upcoming sophomore album, she will embark on the “Stay Next To Me Tour” with Quinn XCII this fall, which includes two sold out shows at New York’s iconic Radio City Music Hall on September 17^th and 18^th—see the full list of tour dates below. Tickets are on sale now at https://www.chelseacutler.com/. In addition to the “Stay Next To Me Tour,” Chelsea will perform a sold out show at Red Rock’s Amphitheatre on August 17^th, alongside her fellow Mutual Friends artists, Quinn XCII, Jeremy Zucker, and ayokay.

Stay tuned for more new music to come from Chelsea Cutler this summer.

ABOUT CHELSEA CUTLER
Instantly-relatable lyrics and handcrafted lo-fi soundscapes have established Chelsea Cutler as a quiet, yet disruptive, force for popular music. Within two short years, the singer, songwriter, and producer went from bedroom-constructed uploads to 750 million-plus cumulative streams and acclaim from Billboard, The New York Times, E! News, PAPER Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29, UPROXX, HYPEBAE, L’Officiel, Ones To Watch, and more. In 2017, her breakthrough single “Your Shirt” paved the way for her debut EP, Snow In October. Leaving college shortly after, she hit the road alongside Quinn XCII at the top of 2018 before kicking off a prolific string of releases, including the independently released mixtapes Sleeping with Roses and Sleeping with Roses II, leading to two completely sold-out nationwide headline tours in 2018 and 2019 and appearances at Governors Ball, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and more. Signing to Republic Records in 2019, she uncovered undeniable chemistry with Jeremy Zucker on the collaborative brent EP, which spawned the platinum single “you were good to me.” Honing her style further, she unveiled her 2020 debut album, How To Be Human, featuring the breakout single “Sad Tonight.” Bringing the new music to fans across the country, she launched the sold-out “How To Be Human Tour” in early 2020, highlighted by two consecutive sellouts at Terminal 5 in New York City. In 2021, she reteamed with Zucker on the brent ii EP and notched another fan favorite anthem with “this is how you fall in love.” Along the way, the likes of Quinn XCII, Louis The Child, The Band CAMINO, and Noah Kahan all teamed up with her for collaborations. In between, she lit up television with performances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Today, and more. Chelsea Cutler kicks off her next chapter with a massive co-headline tour highlighted by two sold-out nights at the legendary Radio City Music Hall and more new music.