Posts made in March 2023

OTR AND JONES

OTR teams up with acclaimed UK artist JONES on Heat of the Sun, his first new single since 2020. Boasting an explosion of dreamy synths and polished percussion, the sparkling track showcases the scope of emotion as well as meticulous attention to detail that elevates OTR’s work. With her smooth, sultry vocals, JONES hints at the warm, unforgettable summer nights that lie on the other side of winter as OTR unveils a drop that, as he describes, cures sadness. Listen to Heat of the Sun, which was released by Astralwerks today, HERE. View the official video HERE.

I wrote the initial idea while experimenting with some analog synths during lockdown, recalls Ryan Chadwick, the onetime aerospace engineer-turned-producer known as OTR. It wasn’t until my visit to London when JONES was able to add her unique charm that the track transformed into what it is today. It reminds me of the togetherness summer brings.

The official video for Heat of the Sun follows a vibrant young woman with a joie de vivre that carries her through a series of events, eventually bringing her to the start of a pivotal new relationship. Throughout the day, she senses a mysterious, ethereal presence as time and reality blur in a world created by director Kevin Clark (Finneas, Between Friends). View the video, which was produced by Emily Truong, HERE.

Hailed as a rising star by Wonderland, JONES recently released the new single Hard To Be Happy her first new music since her acclaimed 2021 EP Blue Sunshine. OTR, who has amassed more than 200 million combined global streams in his career to date, has been teasing Heat of the Sun on social media in the lead-up to the single’s release and answering questions from fans like what does OTR mean? and how did you go from aerospace engineering to music production? His 2020 debut album, Lost At Midnight (Astralwerks), included collaborations with such artists as Shallou, Ukiyo, Vancouver Sleep Clinic, WYNNE, and Panama.

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Taleban Dooda | “Major Pain”

Today, East Tampa rapper Taleban Dooda releases his unfiltered new single Major Pain. Listen HERE District 18 / Warner Records. Powerful and diaristic, the rising star’s new offering explores the challenges of putting on a brave face when the going gets tough. To mark the occasion, Dooda also drops the track’s accompanying video, which highlights his emotional delivery and magnetism. Watch it HERE.

Grounded by a driving beat and melodic guitar arrangement, “Major Pain” finds Dooda at his most vulnerable.“As a child I feel major pain, trying to hide my feelings behind a smile but I don’t feel the same,” the 20-year-old spits.“I know how you feel my friend, it hurt like hell I know.” The track culminates with the melancholy, brutally honest outro;“I can’t give out no love no more, no love no more, it’s all gone.”

The “Major Pain” video finds Dooda in a number of different locations, delivering the new track with poise and grace. Many of them, a backyard by a fence, leaning out of a backseat amplifying the song’s disarming, confessional quality. Although “Major Pain” hits where it hurts, it also demands to be played, again and again.

The new single arrives shortly after Dooda‘s boisterous Come After Me and Step Wit A Passion mixtape, which dropped in late 2022 and boasted the hit single If It Happen It Happen. That project followed Dooda‘s other 2022 releaseWhite Chalk & Yellow Tape, which is disarmingly cohesive from front to back. Prior to that, he dropped a series of singles including Foreigns & Trackhawks, Sunset, Call 100 Times.

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DUPRI, CURREN$Y, T.I.

JERMAINE DUPRI & CURREN$Y RECRUIT T.I. FOR NEW SINGLE “NEVER FALL OFF” FROM ANTICIPATED EP ‘FOR MOTIVATIONAL USE ONLY’

‘FOR MOTIVATIONAL USE ONLY’ EP OUT ON APRIL 4TH

With the release of their highly anticipated EP For Motivational Use Only right around the corner on April 4th, Grammy® Award-winning producer, songwriter, and rapper Jermaine Dupri and New Orleans-based rapper and founder of Jet Life Recordings Curren$y unveil a brand new single entitled “Never Fall Off” featuring award-winning rap mogul T.I., available today.

Listen to “Never Fall Off” HERE

Weaving between a heavenly vocal sample, powerful bass kicks, and sizzling hi-hats, Curren$y opens the track with a chantable hook, “I raise my hand to the lord, I pray I never fall off.” Dupri follows with a flurry of punchy flows and bold bars before T.I. adds an incendiary verse of his own. These three titans show up and show out together. They will never fall off…

The new track comes on the heels of Jermaine Dupri and Curren$y’s debut single, “Essence Fest.” Released earlier this month, the single has already racked up over 456k Spotify streams, in addition to receiving critical acclaim from the likes of RapRadar, Dirty Glove Bastard, and HotNewHipHop, to name a few. The latter praised, “Curren$y and Jermaine Dupri are coming through with some heat this summer.” Also, Essence Magazine and Billboard recently announced that Jermaine Dupri will be celebrating hip-hop’s 50th and So So Def’s 30th anniversaries with a star-studded performance at this year’s Essence Festival.

Listen to “Essence Fest” HERE.

In addition, From the Block recently debuted a live performance of Jermaine Dupri and Curren$y’s song Never Enough , which served as a preview of what’s to come.

Dupri and Curren$y have also announced their upcoming concert in Atlanta, GA, on Friday, April 7th, at The Eastern at 7:30 PM ET. For additional details and to purchase tickets, please click HERE.

ABOUT JERMAINE DUPRI:

Rather than impacting only one lane, Jermaine Dupri has changed the course of R&B, hip-hop, and pop throughout an illustrious career earmarked by some of the most recognizable hits of all time. The GRAMMY® Award-winning iconic songwriter, producer, rapper, artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist has powered game-changing, and chart-breaking smashes such as Mariah Carey’s 6x-platinum “We Belong Together,” Usher’s 3x-platinum “Nice & Slow,” Xscape’s platinum “Just Kickin’ It,” his own “Money Ain’t A Thang” [feat. JAY-Z], and countless others. “We Belong Together” not only toppled the Billboard Hot 100 for the year, but it also emerged as “the song of the decade” and “fifteenth most popular song of all-time,” according to Billboard. It took home “Best R&B Song” and “Best Female R&B Vocal Performance” at the 2006 GRAMMY® Awards. At the helm of So So Def Recordings as Founder, he has built a catalog of classic albums, including those of Da Brat, the first solo female rapper to go platinum, debut and historic Funkdafied; Bow Wow’s double-platinum Beware of Dog; Jagged Edge’s double-platinum J.E. Heartbreak; Anthony Hamilton’s platinum Comin’ From Where I’m From; and more. Simultaneously, he has launched JD’s Vegan as a mega-popular plant-based ice cream alternative available in major retailers such as Walmart. Plus, he notably stands out as the second rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame® following JAY-Z. Meanwhile, the GRAMMY® Museum paid homage to JD and So So Def with a dedicated exhibit entitled Jermaine Dupri & So So Def, 25 Years Of Elevating Culture. He has also appeared on-screen in the Aretha Franklin movie Respect, Hip-Hop Family Christmas, and Step Up. Speaking to his presence, Variety attested, “What isn’t recognized enough is his undeniable influence on the current cultural climate.” However, he never stops setting the pace for the entire game to follow.

ABOUT CURREN$Y:

Curren$y (a.k.a. Spitta Andretti) has cemented his status as an underground legend with his prolific and consistent output. The New Orleans vet is known for his refined taste and a straightforward yet sharp pen that he never seems to put down. Since his debut album, This Ain’t No Mixtape back in 2009, Curren$y has released countless studio albums, mixtapes, and collaborative projects with hip-hop heavyweights, including Wiz Khalifa, Freddie Gibbs, The Alchemist, and Harry Fraud. He’s also the CEO of Jet Life — which houses his record label, an apparel company, a cannabis business, and a slew of other endeavors.

The rise to success was slow and steady for Curren$y — he got started in 2002 after signing with Master P’s No Limit Records, before joining Cash Money Records and Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment, and made it through struggles with various labels before starting his own label; Jet Life Recordings. Over the years, his smart lyrics would catch the attention of fans and other artists alike, and along with prolific output in the form of solo mixtapes, Curren$y had high-profile collaborations with Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Future, Freddie Gibbs, Rick Ross, 2Chainz and many others. Curren$y’s cult-like fan base, long-standing career, and adaptable flows have undoubtedly dubbed him as one of the king’s of the underground.

Twenty One Pilots

Available for pre-order/pre-save today, Twenty One Pilots’ MTV Unplugged performance will be released on vinyl in an exclusive blue colorway and as a deluxe CD accompanied by a 24-page photography booklet [album art below]. In addition, the band has launched a new MTV Unplugged merchandise collection that pays tribute to the iconic performance and is available on their official store.

Twenty One Pilots recently celebrated a decade of their seminal multiplatinum Fueled By Ramen debut album with the announcement of the Vessel 10 Year Anniversary Limited Edition Boxset which sold-out instantly.

Capping off 2022, Twenty One Pilots received multiple new RIAA certifications including Gold certification of their latest album Scaled And Icy, Gold certification of their single “Shy Away,” Platinum certification of their single “Jumpsuit,” and a Diamond certification for their generational anthem “Heathens.” This notably marked the group’s second Diamond award elevating them to rarified air as one of only 18 artists ever to earn multiple Diamond singles certifications.

Twenty One Pilots traversed North America on “THE ICY TOUR 2022,” headlining arenas coast to coast. This past summer Twenty One Pilots headlined festivals around the globe and shared a special live version “Heathens,” inspired by the opportunity to reimagine the song within the fitting world of Netflix’s original hit series Stranger Things. Filmed on the last stop of their European festival run at Romania’s Electric Castle festival, “Stranger Things // Heathens” (Live from Romania) is joined by an official performance video capturing the surprise live moment from the festival ground’s historic Bánffy Castle – watch it HERE.

The duo’s 2021 epic Scaled And Icy debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top “Rock Albums” and “Alternative Albums” charts while landing at No. 3 on the “Billboard 200,” marking the biggest opening week for a rock album in 2021. The record is highlighted by the #1 Alternative Radio hits “The Outside,” “Saturday,” and “Shy Away,” the latter of which ascended to #1 at the format in just three weeks, placing the duo in an elite group of acts with multiple songs to rise to #1 at the format in three weeks or less including: U2, R.E.M., The Cure, Linkin Park, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Foo Fighters.

ABOUT TWENTY ONE PILOTS:

GRAMMY® Award-winning Twenty One Pilots quietly emerged as one of the most successful bands of the 21^st century and redefined the sound of a generation. After billions of streams and dozens of multi-Platinum certifications around the world, the history-making Columbus, OH duo—Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun—ascended to a creative and critical high watermark on their new full-length album, Scaled And Icy. The album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top “Rock Albums” and “Alternative Albums” charts, while landing at No. 3 on the “Billboard 200,” marking the biggest opening week for a rock album in 2021. Among a collection of anthems, Scaled And Icy spawned “Shy Away,” which spent eight consecutive weeks at #1 at Alternative Radio, as well as “Saturday” and “The Outside,” both of which also climbed to #1 at Alternative Radio. The RIAA Gold certified Scaled And Icy follows Twenty One Pilots’ 2018 Platinum certified album TRENCH, which features the Platinum singles: “Chlorine,” “My Blood,” and the GRAMMY® Award-nominated Platinum song “Jumpsuit.” The album graced spots on “Best of” year-end lists by Billboard, KERRANG!, Alternative Press, and Rock Sound—who placed it at #1. Formed in 2009, the guys grinded towards this moment following the mainstream breakout of 2015’s BLURRYFACE. Certified 4x Platinum in the U.S., it was declared the first album ever to have every one of its songs certified Gold or Platinum by the RIAA, and garnered a GRAMMY® Award for the Diamond certified “Stressed Out.” In 2019 Twenty One Pilots announced that their 2013 LP Vessel achieved the same Gold & Platinum milestone with every individual track from the album receiving Gold, Platinum or Multi-Platinum certification from the RIAA, making the duo the first artist / group with two albums to reach this landmark achievement. With their second Diamond certification in 2022 for “Heathens,” they also stand out as one of only 18 artists to earn multiple Diamond singles certifications.

For more information on Twenty One Pilots, contact:

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THE BLSSM – WHO’S TO SAY

Genre-bending, effervescent alt-pop artist and fashion curator THE BLSSM (she/they) is back with her bright and buoyant new single “WHO’S TO SAY,” out today on Fueled By Ramen. On the much-anticipated new release, THE BLSSM is pensive about the future, bearing her soul with introspective lyrics over an upbeat, John Hughes movie-style soundtrack. The song is playful in its catchiness, yet intertwined with deeper elements. It’s both sensitive and sharp-toothed, defiant in categorization and elevated in lyricism, and delivers a deeper layer to the emotionality the artist has become known and loved for. Listen HERE and watch the accompanying official music video HERE.

“‘WHO’S TO SAY’ is my definition of a pop song that I can listen to at both 10am and 3am when I need a band-aid for anxiety of the unforeseen future,” said THE BLSSM. “It feels like a remedy for my insecurities. It’s the letting go of whatever or whoever I cling to so tightly, in fear that whatever I’m wrapped up with in bliss will always be destroyed by my own flaws.”

“WHO’S TO SAY” kicks off an exciting new era for the New York by-way-of Sydney, Australia artist, whose latest EP PURE ENERGY (2022) amassed widespread critical praise. Touring alongside alt staples Remi Wolf, Wolf Alice, and Role Model, THE BLSSM also hit the U.S. festival circuit last year, performing must-see sets at Outside Lands, Life is Beautiful, All Things Go, and more. In addition to playing notable stages such as Terminal 5 in New York City, she has also garnered a reputation for her electrifying, superhero-inspired stage presence, packed with powerful vocals and palpable intensity.

Alongside the music, THE BLSSM was also featured in an incredible Heaven by Marc Jacobs campaign last fall (check it out HERE), which showcases her fearless and kinetic style that matches the soundscapes of her music.

Breaking boundaries, THE BLSSM has continued to offer audiences an exciting and new definition of what it means to truly be “alternative.” The self-described embodiment of “chaotic good” exudes effortless energy, both endearing and born of pure punk spirit. Her music is pop at its heart, though it’s an undoubtedly modern iteration, made for everyone from misfits to cultural tastemakers. Thriving at the intersection of reminiscent and fresh, new and nostalgic, THE BLSSM’s work blends the spirit of Y2K radio hits with the digitized chaos of today, creating a sound both challenging and accessible, and all her own.

THE BLSSM also uses her sharp-witted intention and vision as a compass for her growing music discography, which has cultivated a community of collaborators including the likes of Brockhampton’s Kevin Abstract and Romil Hemnani, James Ivy, Zach Fogarty (Jean Dawson, Carlie Hanson), Joy Again’s Sachi DiSerafino, and producer Sophie Gray, among others.

THE BLSSM is currently in the studio working on new original music for her next project… stay tuned for more details coming soon.

THE BLSSM

“WHO’S TO SAY”

LISTEN HERE

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Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Grand Yozakura, joining Glenfiddich’s luxury Grand Series, is an all-new limited edition 29-year-old expression, paying homage to the Japanese practice of Yozakura

Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky revealed Grand Yozakura: the first-ever single malt Scotch whisky to be finished in rare Japanese Awamori casks. The expression is a limited-edition fusion celebrating the finest flavors from Scotland and Japan.

Grand Yozakura is a 29-Year-Old Scotch whisky matured at the Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown and finished in oak casks that previously matured the oldest distilled alcoholic spirit in Japan, Awamori – creating an incredibly unique finish unlike any other. Awamori is made using long-grain Indica rice and is traditionally stored in clay pots, with only a small proportion matured in oak casks, making the liquid exceptionally rare. It is said that the technique for making the spirit has remained the same for over 500 years.

Grand Yozakura sits within Glennfiddich’s ultra-premium Grand Series, a collection of extraordinary single malts characterized by innovative and experimental cask finishing. The collection includes Glenfiddich Gran Reserva (Aged 21 Years), Glenfiddich Grand Cru (Aged 23 Years), and Glenfiddich Grande Couronne (Aged 26 Years).

“We are always looking to experiment with new finishes, so when the chance arose to acquire rare Awamori casks, we saw an opportunity to push the boundaries and experiment with this highly unusual spirit,” says Brian Kinsman, Malt Master, Glenfiddich. “This is the first time that single malt Scotch whisky has been finished in these rare casks. We always learn something new when we lead with innovation, so taking a risk is worth it, and in the case of Awamori, we trialed a very small number of casks at a younger age.”

Lorne Cousin, U.S. National Ambassador, Glenfiddich, said: “Awamori is the oldest distilled alcoholic spirit in Japan, and its diverse range of flavors run deep, like Scotch whisky. Finishing in Awamori Casks for the last six months, this process elevates the liquid with rich oak notes complimenting Glenfiddich’s signature smooth taste.”

Allan Roth, U.S. Ambassador, Glenfiddich,shared: “Bringing together two carefully crafted spirits with such great heritage pays homage to Glenfiddich’s history of creating dynamic whiskies through innovation.” David Allardice, U.S. Ambassador, Glenfiddich, added: “This fusion is unlike any other project we have seen before at Glenfiddich; Grand Yozakura is arguably the most ground-breaking expression in our Grand Series so far.”

Grand Yozakura is the first of a collection of limited-edition Grand Series expressions that are finished in rare casks from around the world, honoring a cultural celebration from that country. Glenfiddich’s Grand Yozakura expression celebrates Hanami, the cherry blossom festival when Japan appreciates the temporal beauty of nature through the sakura (cherry blossoms). A time for renewal and optimism, the festival is best experienced illuminated after dark, where it is known as the Yozakura or ‘night sakura.’ This fleeting moment captures a pause when nature is honored, and at the same time, this marriage of rare liquid – once gone, will never be replicated. Grand Yozakura presents a transient chance to experience a beautiful collision of cultures and flavors.

Grand Yozakura is presented in an opulent glass bottle with a bespoke stopper with beautiful Hanko stamp engraving, a label tear design with Hanko stamp embossing, and a decorated fabric capsule with a traditional poem on sakura. The bottle is placed in a rotating Grand Range box with cherry blossom florals, bringing Hanami to life with a signature illustration created by Japanese artist June, who creates visions incorporating Japanese culture and landscapes.

Grand Yozakura (45.1% ABV) is available in very limited quantities at high-end retail and on premise accounts in the U.S. with a suggested retail price of $1,999. Luxury spirit enthusiasts have the opportunity to secure an option to purchase one of the limited edition bottles in select markets through a ballot process available on Glenfiddich.com. The ballot opens on March 21st and closes on April 20th. For additional information and purchasing details, visit https://www.glenfiddich.com/ or on social channels @glenfiddichUS.

Cian Ducrot – Part of Me

Everything is falling into place for Cian Ducrot. The Irish singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist has seen his previous two singles — “I’ll Be Waiting” and the Gold-certified “All For You” — fly into the Top 20 of the Official Singles Chart, spending a combined total of more than six months in the Top 40, and exceeding 300 million total streams to date. Cian is also making an international impact, with two Top 10 singles in Ireland, Top 20 hits in Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway, and impacting Spotify’s global Top 200 after charting in 18 markets. His recent UK tour was entirely sold-out and he recently completed a huge arena tour as guest to Ed Sheeran. And to cap it all, his social media following has exploded in recent weeks, taking him to 4.3 million followers at TikTok and another 1.1 million at Instagram.

Now Cian is set to cement his rising star status as he shares his new single “Part of Me.” Listen HERE. Watch a snippet of a live rendition of the track on tour with Ed Sheeran HERE.

The single comes ahead of Cian’s upcoming sold out North American tour that will see Cian hit spot cities bringing his incredible live prowess to fans and teasing music that will appear on an upcoming debut album — more info to come soon.

Listen to “Part of Me” by Cian Ducort here: https://cianducrot.lnk.to/partofme

“Part of Me” is Cian’s heartfelt tribute to his best friend Phily who ended his own life, reflecting on those shared moments that define a friendship — and they are memories that will never be forgotten. Cian also expresses regret that there wasn’t a chance to talk him out of a decision that can’t be taken back. That’s one of the cruellest elements of mental health battles: the struggle prevents people from seeking the help or starting a conversation that could make all the difference.

CIAN DUCROT U.S. TOUR DATES

Thu 4/20 – Brooklyn NY @ Baby’s All Right *SOLD OUT

Sat 4/22 – Toronto ON @ Drake * SOLD OUT

Mon 4/24 – Chicago IL @ Schubas *SOLD OUT

Thu 4/27 – Los Angeles CA @ Moroccan Lounge *SOLD OUT

Fri 4/28 – San Francisco CA @ Popscene, Rickshaw Stop *SOLD OUT

Find more of Cian Ducrot, via:

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BEP – BAILAR CONTIGO

Lifting off to another stratosphere yet again, multi-platinum and six-time GRAMMY® Award-winning, genre-bending pioneers Black Eyed Peas reveal their music video for “BAILAR CONTIGO” [ft. Daddy Yankee]. Watch HERE. The track remains a standout from the group’s acclaimed ninth full-length album, ELEVATION, out now. Listen to ELEVATION HERE.

As the vision of will.i.am and director noMSG, the video for “BAILAR CONTIGO” co-mingles eye-popping next-generation animation with masterful choreography, breakdancing, and performance footage of Black Eyed Peas and Puerto Rican superstar Daddy Yankee. The music video brings viewers into a whole new dimension aesthetically and once again finds the group breaking boundaries sonically, visually, and creatively as only they can.

“BAILAR CONTIGO” remains a fan favorite from ELEVATION, posting up close to 20 million streams and counting thus far, with the album tallying over 313 million streams to date. Released in late 2022, the 15-track juggernaut album kaleidoscopically spins together hip-hop, Latin, R&B, electronic, trap, and more into a larger-than-life vision of what pop can be in the 21stcentury without borders. It finds Black Eyed Peas expanding the collective musical consciousness and pushing boundaries yet again. The band set the stage for the ELEVATION era with the international smash “DON’T YOU WORRY” [ft. Shakira & David Guetta], which has already accumulated more than 196 million Spotify streams and 160 million YouTube views of the music video. They then followed up with “SIMPLY THE BEST” [ft. Anitta & El Alfa], which has generated more than 26 million Spotify streams and 49 million YouTube views of the music video. Along the way, the album received acclaim and attention from the likes of Billboard, NME, Forbes, Uproxx, and more, and performed on ABC network’s Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series in Central Park, and The Late Late Show with James Corden.

It is ELEVATION season for Black Eyed Peas. Join them on the next level!

ABOUT BLACK EYED PEAS:
Black Eyed Peas continue to fulfill a master plan to push the game forward devised way back in 1995. They have executed each stage of this plan with focus and intent, allowing their evolution to play out in real-time over a series of game-changing albums, beginning with Behind The Front [1998] through Bridging The Gap [2000], Elephunk [2003], Monkey Business [2005], The E.N.D. [2009], The Beginning[2010], Masters of the Sun, Vol. 1 [2018], and, most recently TRANSLATION[2020]. Along the way, co-founders will.i.am, Apl.de.Ap, and Taboo have set music industry records, moved north of 35 million albums and 120 million singles, garnered six GRAMMY® Awards, and headlined the Super Bowl, the World Cup, and F1 races. The multi-platinum group launched the comeback of the decade after an eight-year hiatus. The future matters the most to these trailblazers, which brings us to their 2022 blockbuster ninth full-length, Elevation [Epic Records]. The 15-track opus represents another logical step and the dawn of a new phase, boasting the smash “DON’T YOU WORRY” [feat. Shakira & David Guetta] and collabs with Daddy Yankee, Nicky Jam, Anuel AA, Ozuna, Nicole Scherzinger, and more.

About the record, will.i.am comments, “We were behind the front, then we bridged the gap. We rode an elephant’s back to realize the industry was full of monkey business. That was the end, but the end is new beginnings. Becoming masters of the sun, mastering the industry, we realized we had to have translation in this complex world. But we be falling up, and never falling down. Black Eyed Peas is known for elevation. This is the next stage for us, reaching higher.”

Follow BLACK EYED PEAS, will.i.am, Taboo, Apl.de.Ap:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackeyedpeas/
Instagram: @BEP
Twitter: @BEP

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/william/
Instagram: @iamwill
Twitter: @iamwill

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialTaboo/
Instagram: @TabooNawasha
Twitter: @TabBep

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apldeap/
Instagram: @Apl.de.ap
Twitter: @apldeap

Reebok – My Name Is

Reebok has revealed ‘My Name Is’, an ‘80s sport footwear collection remixed for Gen Z and accompanied by an irreverent campaign short film that mocks today’s over-styled brand advertisements. Featuring Classic Leather, Club C 85, BB 4000 II, LT Court, and a matching retro apparel lineup, the ‘My Name Is’ collection drops April 4 from Reebok.com and select retailers.

Inspired by Gen Z’s self-confidence and demand for respect, ‘My Name Is’ represents the idea of calling someone by their name. The concept is brought to life throughout the collection where footwear model names are boldly emblazoned across the tongue of each ‘80s Reebok sneaker fused with branding and colors from its ‘90s performance design catalogue.

The collection includes:

Classic Leather “My Name Is” (IE9383/IE9384 – $85): Reebok’s historic running shoe built with a leather upper, EVA midsole, and rubber outsole, remixed with archival colors and “Classic Leather” embroidered on the tongue.

Club C 85 “My Name Is” (IE9387/IE9388 – $90): Reebok’s iconic tennis sneaker built with a leather upper, a rubber midsole and outsole, remixed with archival colors and “Club C 85” embroidered on the tongue.

BB 4000 II “My Name Is” (IE6832/IE6833 – $90): Reebok’s archival cupsole basketball shoe built with a leather upper, EVA midsole, and rubber outsole, remixed with archival colors and “BB 4000 II” embroidered on the tongue.

LT Court “My Name Is” (IE9385/IE9386 – $100): Reebok’s low-profile ‘80s court model built with a leather upper, EVA midsole, and rubber outsole, remixed with archival colors and “LT Court” embroidered on the tongue.

Alongside the collection, a ‘mockumentary’ campaign short film imitates the over-styled, over-scripted, and overproduced brand advertisements of today. The irreverent 60-second video brings viewers to the set of a mock Reebok photoshoot where models pose in simulated environments as a stage director shouts for lighting adjustments, rain, snow, and facial expressions from behind the camera, eventually stripping it all away to leave just the ‘My Name Is’ shoe on stage in its own limelight.

“We wanted to have some fun with this spot and flip the script on what’s become of today’s over the top campaign creation process,” commented Caroline Machen, VP, Global Brand Marketing at Reebok. “The end result is a light-hearted piece that we hope will give people a laugh or two.”

Reebok’s ‘My Name Is’ collection is available beginning April 4 from Reebok.com/My_Name_Is and select retailers.

The Exploding Hearts

Legendary power-pop trailblazers The Exploding Hearts have announced an expanded and remastered reissue of their beloved sole studio album, Guitar Romantic, due May 26, 2023 via Third Man Records. A new mix of fan-favorite track “I’m A Pretender,” remixed in 2022 by since-departed erstwhile member “King” Louie Bankston, is available to stream now via all DSPs.

In the twenty years since its release – and the subsequent tragic deaths of three of the four band members in a van accident later that same year – Guitar Romantic has outgrown its onetime “cult” status to become an immortal touchstone of the genre. Adored the world over for its vivid depictions of young love and reckless abandon, alongside its effervescent combination of influences like the Buzzcocks, Undertones, Nick Lowe and more, Guitar Romantic is an undeniable statement from a band gone entirely too soon. The expanded & remastered reissue brings a welcome dose of new life to an album all-too-often associated with death, and with it, plenty of old favorites and unheard gems for fans to rejoice about.

LISTEN TO “I’M A PRETENDER” (KING LOUIE MIX)

PRE-ORDER GUITAR ROMANTIC (20th ANNIVERSARY REISSUE)

The thought of how an underground power/pop/punk band should exist in the aftermath of the Green Day Nineties was a proposal that hung heavy with apprehension, confusion and bewilderment. While a difficult construct to navigate, this is the unlikely Portland, Oregon setting we see the Exploding Hearts erupt from.

Drawing spiritual inspiration from the likes of the Buzzcocks, Undertones, and Nick Lowe, the attitude and implied delinquency of the Exploding Hearts was more in line with that of au courant Naughties Warped Tour line-ups. The band also considered themselves peers with the scuzzier side of “The” rock bands at the top of the 2000s. The intersection between Detroit garage punk, Goner Records and the shelves at Hot Topic is a seldom-tread land, but it was fertile with potential.

With ten undeniable songs clocking in at just 28 minutes, the Hearts’ indisputably essential Guitar Romantic operated as the punk rock equivalent of Ernest Hemingway’s writing: Nothing extraneous, simple, straightforward, to the point, deserving of no additional flourish or accoutrement, with every creative decision pushing forward the work as a whole. Arguably, perfect.

The album immediately felt strong. It felt classic. It felt…destined for bigger things.

Yet barely three months after its domestic release, with momentum building and Lookout! Records sniffing around, band members Jeremy Gage, Adam Cox, and Matt Fitzgerald, all barely in their twenties, would die in a tragic van accident that ended the band.

The intervening two decades has found Guitar Romantic bubble up from a below-the-radar cult classic to a genuinely acknowledged and appreciated touchstone of its time. As years have carried on with the album rightfully landing on countless “Best of” lists, this record is somehow still ascending and growing.

With that in mind, the passing of Guitar Romantic co-writer “King” Louie Bankston in 2022 served as inspiration for Six to place the album with an appropriate and caring long-term home after years of planning to self-release. Six approached only one label – Third Man Records – who immediately agreed to take up the mantle of the record that was near and dear to their collective hearts.

Guitar Romantic (Expanded & Remastered) doesn’t just present the album with a sharp, spiffed up remastering. It also found original album producer Pat Kearns spinning the old reel to reel and archived DAT tapes for the first time in twenty years. This enabled Six to drop in nuggets like little snippets of pre-and-post-take studio dialogue amongst band members, adding audible life to a record that for too long has been overly-associated with death.

If that weren’t enough, the remastering uncovered the previously forgotten organ-heavy “King Louie Mix” of the fan favorite “I’m A Pretender.” Even more intriguing was the discovery of a completely unheard take of “So Bored”, previously not even known to have been recorded at the Guitar Romantic sessions. Of most excitement though is a remastered version of “Busy Signals” (a song originally released on a small-quantity 7-inch in January 2003).

All of these songs are included here, housed in a beautiful gatefold packaging and still all fitting on a single LP.

With plans to play a handful of select tribute shows across the US to honor the Guitar Romantic material, Terry Six continues to carry the torch for the Exploding Hearts and the countless fans who count this album as a quintessential touchstone.