Shae Stadiums is back with a gospel spin on the Phil Collins classic, “ONE MORE NIGHT.” Take a listen to the inspirational track pinned by the singer/writer.
And listen to the original below.
-Stay Fly
Shae Stadiums is back with a gospel spin on the Phil Collins classic, “ONE MORE NIGHT.” Take a listen to the inspirational track pinned by the singer/writer.
And listen to the original below.
-Stay Fly
Miami songbird Ms. Karoline is gearing up for the release of her debut EP Elephant In A Song this fall. The Colombian Florida native has always had an affinity for the arts, but it wasn’t until 3 years ago that she picked up a pen and tried her hand at songwriting. Since then, the soulful singer has been honing her craft while simultaneously channeling her ups and downs into her music. SFPL sat down with the songstress to discuss her upcoming EP, some of her favorite artists, and other projects.
Hey, thank you so much for chatting with me. Your upcoming EP is titled Elephant In A Song, can you tell me more about it?
Elephant In A Song is an 8 track EP and each song is about a different person or relationship. “Elephant In A Song” is a record about an ex while “What If” is about my relationship with my father and how things would’ve been if things had gone differently.
What’s the main message you want people to leave with after listening to your EP?
I think honesty and vulnerability. To get the vibe of going from a place of fear to being like this is who I am. I have gone through different situations in my life that I feel people can relate to; but they don’t really know how to express it, so they listen to music to find what connects with them. Mainly sincerity. I would definitely say the theme for the project is honesty.
Awesome, I like that. It’s like your own musical diary. How long have you been working in music?
With my own music I began 3 years ago when I started songwriting. I kind of just was like I want to make an EP. I want to be able to write music and see if it would connect with people. I’ve been singing since forever. I was in musical theater, and I went to school for it. So I’ve been around music for most of my life. I started taking voice lessons when I was 15 or 16.
Is singing something you were always drawn to?
Yes, since I was a little girl. I would grab a brush, stand in front of the mirror, and you couldn’t tell me I wasn’t singing to thousands of people. I just knew it was something I wanted to pursue.
Who were some of your favorite artists growing up?
Amy Winehouse, and you can kind of hear her influence in my style. When I discovered her I had just gotten home from school and I was watching MTV. Her video for “F Me Pumps” came on and I was just like who is this woman? Where did she come from? Why is her voice like that? It’s amazing. I need to know who she is. I immediately started following her. I even cried when she passed. She will always be one of my all-time favorites. Also Lauryn Hill. I actually got to meet her in person. She has such amazing sides to her and soul. I think she’s just very misunderstood. I really liked Nelly Furtado too. Another one is this French singer from the 1930’s, I had a cassette that I would listen to of Edith Piaf.
I love her.
I just really love her story, how powerful her voice was, and how minimal her performances were. It was just her, a piano, and her voice and everyone was so captivated by her. I feel like nowadays you have to give people a lot more because it’s harder to keep our attention for even 3 minutes. You have to have 3D images jumping out of the screen, and all this other stuff that’s going to stimulate our brains. When before it was just like let me hear the pain in your voice, the lyrics, and what you’re going through, and see if I can relate to it. And even if you didn’t relate you still felt that pain and the beauty in that.
Back then the focus was definitely more on the voice. They were also limited by technology but Edith Piaf is one of the greatest singers of all time. She just had a very beautiful and powerful voice.
Nina Simone is another one. Donny Hathaway, I love Donny Hathaway. Alternative music too. Bands like Radiohead. I grew up on The Beatles. My Dad loved them. He was really into The Police, Journey, and Cyndi Lauper. I remember asking him what his favorite thing of being a part of the 80’s was and he said the transition in the music was the best. You had Hip-Hop which was new, and then you had synthesizers and that was funky. He definitely felt that the 80’s was one of the best periods of music.
I can see that. Do you agree with your Dad?
Definitely I feel like the 80’s was a time when music was really changing. I love early 90’s stuff too. I love 2Pac, and Biggie. You know very lyrical rappers. I can bop my head to what’s out now and get drawn in with catchy lyrics and dope beats; but I definitely love a good lyricist. Like J. Cole, I love J. Cole. Kendrick Lamar. Those are lyrical rappers.
I love J. Cole. I’m obsessed. Are there any other artist out now besides Cole and Kendrick that you’re really in to?
There’s this British singer Joy Crookes. She has a bit of an Amy vibe going on. Lizzo. I think she’s very funky, I love her. She kind of reminds me a bit of Missy Elliot. I love all kinds of music. I love people who can do that. Play with different styles. I don’t really think that I could do that. I’m more soulful. But I definitely love to listen to something that’s going to get me going. I love to work out and so I have to listen to music that’s going to make me want to be in the gym. Kali Uchis I mean she’s who I identify the most with. She’s Colombian as well. Jorja Smith, Sabrina Claudio. Sabrina Claudio she’s also someone I really look up to. She’s from Miami too. Her music is so great. I know she had some setbacks with an incident on Twitter but I believe people make mistakes and they learn from them. Ari Lennox is another artist I really enjoy too.
Ari is great. Her last project is amazing.
Hiatus Kaiyote. I was definitely inspired by their music. They’re this band from New Zealand and the lead singer she was featured on the intro track for Drake’s More Life. They’re this jazzy kind of R&B group. They’re super soulful; but their style is really gothic so it’s kind of interesting.
Who would you say is your dream collaboration?
Kali Uchis for sure. I love her voice, and style. She is who she is and doesn’t fit into this box. Especially as an artist who is latinx you can get put in box and at times are expected to fit a mold.
So besides the EP, are you working on any other projects?
I’m actually currently working on an independent short film as well. I also enjoy acting so that’s something else I wanted to tap into. I’ve been putting together visuals for the project too and I have a pretty good idea of what the next project will be about.
That’s cool, tell me more about the short film.
It’s by a local Miami filmmaker. I connected with her through a college friend. She reached out to me and told me she wanted to tell this poetic love story about a girl who finds love in Miami. It’s actually in Spanish. I have been asked before “why don’t you sing in Spanish.” Whenever I sing it’s always been in English, that’s just been my preferred language. So, doing something in Spanish is definitely something I wanted to try. I sing in both languages; but writing wise I don’t know how strong I’d be in Spanish so I’ve been a bit hesitant. I am Colombian so I definitely have to step out of my comfort zone and embrace that part of me.
Is there a title for the film and a release date?
It’s called Corazon Cantando and not release date yet. I believe sometime in November or December of this year.
What does fly mean to you?
Fly is honesty. It is being and owning who you are 100%.
Fly girl, Kash Doll just dropped the music video for her latest single “Ready Set,” featuring fellow Detroit native, Big Sean. You already know the vibes when these two collaborate. If you don’t though, step into So Good real quick.
The visual was directed by Jesse Ray Diamond with Teyana (Spike Tee) Taylor serving as Creative Director (Yes Petunia is out here working!), the video really matches the single’s energy with a Motor City inspired race theme that syncs the pair with their roots. Speaking about the song and video, Kash Doll says, “Ready Set is a motivational and aspirational song. I wanted to let people know if I can make it, despite the things I’ve been through, they can do it too. I’m a D girl so I’m determined.”
Step into it below.
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-Stay Fly!
Step into the new single, Oh Yeah! by long-time supporter of The SFPL, M. Island. Produced by Steven “Sequel” Quintana, Oh Yeah, is a beautiful tale of faith, encouragement and perseverance. Directed by Azzie Scott, Step into the extremely thoughtful and touching video below.
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With a new project coming early Fall, Dash Gwoppovelli teams up with SFPL to premiere his Marty McFly-directed visual for “100k”.
The song was produced by M-80 and is available now via Big Coin / New Wave here: https://lnk.site/1/100k
Dash says:
“Money solves and creates all problems. At one point in time, 100k meant you were hood rich, so I wanted to voice how far things have shifted. Now we view 100k like play money.Personally, it’s never enough. I feel I’m making movement, but it’s continuous work.”
McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden movement was lit at the 25th Essence Festival! The (em)power-packed weekend was full of activities to uplift and inspire up-and-coming entrepreneurs everywhere. With appearances by actress/businesswoman La La Anthony, entertainer Luke James, reality television starsCynthia Bailey, Tamar Braxton and Trina Braxton, vocal powerhouses Jazmine Sullivan and Kierra Sheard, the always-suave actor/host Terrence J and more, some of the culture’s brightest stars came out to support the Black & Positively Golden movement, which celebrates Black excellence through empowerment, entrepreneurship and education.
BLACK & POSITIVELY GOLDEN WELCOME BREAKFAST: McDonald’s kicked off the explosive weekend with an exclusive Black & Positively Golden Welcome Breakfast. The intimate event was hosted by McDonald’s Head of Cultural Engagement and Experiences Lizette Williams — the spearhead behind the brand’s largest African American-focused campaign in 16 years — and New Orleans franchisee Henry Coaxum.
WE SHINE ENTREPRENEURSHIP PANEL: Actress and self-made businesswoman La La Anthony moderated McDonald’s We Shine Entrepreneurship Panel before a crowd of thousands. She interviewed rising moguls, Dana Chanel (Sprinkle of Jesus, Founder), Nicole Walters (The Monetized Life, Founder & CEO)and Jewel Burks-Solomon (Part Pic, Founder), alongside McDonald’s franchisees Jade Colin and Tanya Hill-Holliday. At 29, Colin is McDonald’s youngest owner/operator, while Hill-Holliday is the brand’s first female owner/operator in Philadelphia.
EMPOWERING MUSIC PERFORMANCES: R&B songstress Jazmine Sullivan brought down the house Saturday with some of her classics. Gospel music vocalist/actress Kierra Sheard left it all on the stage Sunday afternoon. Thousands of fans gathered at the Black & Positively Golden Booth for both performances to rock out to some of their favorite tunes.
BLACK & POSITIVELY GOLDEN LATE NIGHT PARTY: After a long day of empowerment, McDonald’s hosted its Black & Positively Golden Late Night Party — the official Essence After Party. Celebs, such as actor/singer Luke James; reality television stars Cynthia Bailey, Tamar Braxton and Trina Braxton; actorTyler Lepley; and social media star Karlton “@notkarltonbanks” Humes, sparkled at Club XLIV as attendees and Hiplet-style dancers showed off their best moves to the sounds of DJ Rashida and DJ B-Hen.
BLACK & POSITIVELY GOLDEN SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTATIONS: To close out the weekend, McDonald’s empowered the next generation of leaders by supporting college education. In partnership with Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the organization’s national ambassador and HBCU alum Terrence J, McDonald’s presented two, $10,000 Black & Positively Golden Scholarships to well-deserving incoming HBCU freshmen.
Photos Courtesy of McDonald’s
GRAMMY® Award-winning rapper COMMON will release his new album Let Love on August 30, 2019, his debut for Loma Vista Recordings.
Pre-order it HERE.
In tandem with this announcement, he shared his latest single and music video entitled “Hercules” [feat. Swizz Beatz]. On the track, he serves up his sharp signature wordplay between soulful backing vocals from Swizz Beatz. Meanwhile, the music video directed by Carrick [Weezer] sees Common thwart a convenience store robbery caught on surveillance camera—in between rapping into his iPhone. Vince Staples makes a cameo as the cashier.
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Fresh off the release of his new album Perfect Ten, Grammy Award-winning producer Mustard returns with a new visual for his latest single “100 Bands” which features Quavo, YG and Meek Mill. Check out the Colin Tilley-directed-video.
Mustard will be joining Meek Mill, Future, YG and Megan Thee Stallion on the Legendary Nights tour, which kicks off August 28th in St. Louis, MO.
Perfect Ten is available at all digital retailers via 10 Summers/Interscope Records.
The 2019 Ford Media Ride & Drive during 25th Anniversary of the Essence Festival was in full force this year yet again! Running with this year’s theme “Paint the Future Proud”, the well-known motor company spotlighted visual artists Shantell Martin, Sydney G. James and Melissa Mitchell. Art installations were displayed all weekend to showcase their work, while test drives
were being offered of Ford’s current vehicle lineup; paired with panel discussions and giveaways also featured, plus so much more.
During the Ford Media Ride & Drive, journalists, influencers and more got a chance to attend a special brunch (prepared by Chef Gary Netter, Culinary Ambassador of New Orleans) at The New Orleans African American Museum of Art, History and Culture powered by Ford. Attendees received a special tour of the museum which was founded in 1996 under the guidance and extensive support of the City of New Orleans Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development.
The tour led by Gia A. Hamilton, Executive Director & Chief Curator of NOAAM, gave an extensive background story and history of the land which is located in the Tremé section of New Orleans, a neighborhood that was home to the nation’s largest, most prosperous and politically progressive community of Black people by the mid-1850s.
More about NOAAM:
In the 18th century, the land was occupied by the Morand Plantation and brickyard, which was later acquired by hat maker and real estate developer Claude Tremé. In 1810, Tremé sold the land to the city of New Orleans, and it became home to many free persons of color. Congo Square, was a gathering place for free persons and slaves to gather, play music, and sell goods.
Tremé is unique in its architecture, it’s streets are a gumbo of double shotgun houses, Creole cottages and townhouses. An excellent example of Creole architecture is the Meilleur-Goldthwaire House, a villa built in 1828 which makes up part of the NOAAM campus. The New Orleans African American Museum is situated near the St. Augustine Church, one of the oldest African-American Catholic parishes in the nation, and two other museums that center black culture and contribution: the Backstreet Cultural Museum and Tremé’s Petit Jazz Museum.
On site, local artists also display their work showcasing the importance of the NOLA’s heritage and what it means to them, with an addition of political and racism issues that is going on to this very day.
Visiting NOAAM was the perfect segue way into learning about the progression within their community and how someone like the media, and more could be involved. The work starts in your own communities first, and just simply should not be ignored. Invest. Create. Lead By Example. Stand for what your ancestors stood for. Fight for what they fought for.
Thanks to Ford for staying on top of what’s important to the culture! New Orleans is so rich in history and culture, so this was a very much-needed visit and collaboration during this year’s 2019 Essence Festival.
If you’re ever in NOLA, please be sure to stop by!
Be sure to visit their website at http://www.noaam.org.
Contact: info@noaam.org
More pics below!
Photos by Gabriel Williams & Nigel Degaff
Photo Credit: Getty Images for Spotify
On Saturday, July 6, Spotify celebrated a community of Black voices, female creators and thought leaders in New Orleans at the multi-storied Spotify House of Are & Be at Kingsway Studio, featuring live performances, a high-profile podcast recording, DJ sets, a curated art gallery, and personalized Are & Be playlist (5MM followers), spotlighting these visionaries up close and personal.
On the first floor, Spotify House displayed 6 rooms of iconic artists and influential R&B albums, whose work of art speaks to our soul and tells the story of our times. Featured artists included: Patti LaBelle, Erykah Badu, Sade, Chaka Khan, Mary J. Blige, Destiny’s Child, H.E.R, and more. The Bar Room incorporated The Classics such as Jill Scott and Anita Baker, among others. Moving into the Red Room was Neo Soul, with the music sensibilities of Solange and D’Angelo, to name a few. Contemporary R&B was highlighted in the White Room, featuring Musiq Soulchild and Janet Jackson. Lastly, the Pool Room paid tribute to the many ladies of 90’s R&B, followed by R&B Excellence in the Dining Room and New R&B in the Backyard.
Extending the narrative beyond music, Spotify House showcased 6 Black women-led podcasts and installations on the 2nd floor, where Jemele Hill is Unbothered did a live taping with U.S. Senator and Presidential candidate Kamala Harris. The episode premieres on Spotify on Monday, July 15 at 6PM ET. Other podcast spotlights included: Dope Labs, The Nod, Still Processing, and Therapy for Black Girls.
Keeping the party going, Spotify hosted a Black Girl Magic Day Party that included a performance by R&B artist Ari Lennox, followed by an evening Are & Be Jam Session curated by Neo-Soul Artist and R&B/Hip-Hop Super Producer Raphael Saadiq, featuring JoJo, VanJess, Lucky Daye, PJ Morton, Luke James, Ledisi, and DJ set by Angel+Dren.
Also spotted at the event: Power’s Omari Hardwick, Lena Waithe, Monica, Wale, Mario, Elle Varner and BJ The Chicago Kid, among others.