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Music

Sevyn Streeter and Luke James – “Nothing Even Matters” [New Music]

Sevyn Streeter and Luke James collab in the name of love on this Valentine’s Day and covers a Lauryn Hill featuring D’Angelo classic slow jawn, “Nothing Even Matters.” In case you were under a rock, the original song was birthed from the “Ex-Factor” singer’s ultimate album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

Sevyn surprised fans and dropped the link to the cover on Twitter today:

Just three days ago, Lauryn wished D’Angelo a Happy Birthday via Instagram:

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Hill has yet to comment on the new cover by Sevyn and Luke but we will keep you updated once she does.

Streeter just ended her successful Girl Disrupted Tour on Feb. 12 in Los Angeles at The Roxy Theatre.

Luke just recently celebrated the success of The New Edition Story as he played the role of singer Johnny Gill.

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Entertainment Last Night in NYC

#GrammyWeekend: Celebrities Attend Essence’s Black Women In Music Gala Presented by Lincoln Motor Company

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The Lincoln Motor Company returned this year as an exclusive automotive sponsor for ESSENCE’s eighth annual Black Women in Music event held last night in Los Angeles. 2017 marks the eighth consecutive year Lincoln has been an elite patron for the event.

This year’s event celebrated nominees from the biggest night in music, along with singer/songwriter Erykah Badu on the 20th anniversary of her groundbreaking debut album Baduizm.

Award-winning singer/songwriter Estelle joined Lincoln on stage as part of the festivities to premiere her feature in Lincoln’s ongoing First Listen series. The latest feature, available for viewing on Lincoln Now, previews Estelle’s latest track, “Be in Luv,” from behind the wheel of the all-new Lincoln Continental.

Nigerian singer-songwriter, actress, and Roc Nation‘s very own Tiwa Savage also performed live as an opening act just before Erykah hit the stage.

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“This is a big week for Lincoln as it relates to music,” said Raj Register, multicultural communications manager, Lincoln. “From celebrating women at events like Black Women in Music, to debuting Estelle’s First Listen piece, to premiering Gary Clark Jr.’s new Continental commercial, it’s clear music drives us.”

READ MORE: FLY CARS: LINCOLN TEAMS UP WITH GARY CLARK JR. FOR NEW COMMERCIAL [VIDEO]

Celebrities that hit the Black Carpet were: the cast of BET’s New Edition mini-series (Luke James, Keith Powers & Woody McClain), Mya, Remy Ma, Lil Mama, Billboard‘s Bozoma Saint John, Diana Gordon aka Wynter Gordon, Gabrielle Dennis, Chloe x Halle, Faith Evans, Serayah McNeil, Simone Missick, Mario, Master P & his daughter Cymphonique, Tasha Smith and many more. shared the red carpet with the all-new Continental and Lincoln MKZ.

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Entertainment

Part 1 of BET’s ‘The New Edition Story’ Gained Millions of Views, Cast Covers VIBE Magazine

BET completely racked up in numbers from Part 1 the highly anticipated 3-part miniseries, The New Edition Story. The most-talked about biopic drew in 2.5MM viewers P18-49, and 4.2MM total viewers P2+ on Black Entertainment Television. Teaming up with their sister network Centric the telecast scored 2.6MM viewers P18-49, and 4.4MM total viewers across both networks. BET also dominated the social-sphere as the channel ranked as the #1 most social network on television.

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On BET alone The NE Story was the highest rated and most watched telecast in five years since 2012 with the Season 5 premiere of The Game (excluding tentpoles). Outranking all other TV programs including cable, syndication, and sports the special was the #1 most social episode on both Facebook and Twitter. Across social platforms, 2.2 million people generated nearly 1 million interactions. On Twitter, BET and the series drove 12 of the top 20 trending topics of the night including #Betamax, #BobbyBrown, #CandyGirl, #MikeBivins, and #LukeJames. Interactions peaked during the live 10:30 pm – 10:44 pm window, as viewers applauded the transition of the band from boys to men.

To add, the multi-talented cast was also featured on VIBE‘s new digital cover which includes Bryshere Y. Gray, Elijah Kelley, Luke James, Keith Powers, Algee Smith, and Woody McClain as the adult members of New Edition. Along with a stellar cast, it also includes a collective of award-winning producers and directors including iconic music powerhouses

Along with a stellar cast, the movie also includes a collective of award-winning producers and directors including iconic music powerhouses James “Jimmy Jam” Harris, Terry Lewis and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Executive Producer Jesse Collins (Real Husbands of Hollywood) for JCE Films, a division of Jesse Collins Entertainment, and award-winning director Chris Robinson. Co-Producers are: co-produced by Brooke Payne, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Johnny Gill, Ralph Tresvant and Bobby Brown.

The most epic television film of 2017 continues tonight, Wednesday, January 25 at 9 pm ET/PT, and concludes Thursday, January 26 at 9 pm ET/PT. 

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Fashion

The New Edition Story: Cast Of The Most Anticipated Biopic Covers Heed Magazine

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How can you follow up one of the biggest ‘boy bands’ of all time? New Edition has sold millions of records, packed out venues, toured the world, and endured the pressures of fame, all while singing about teenage love. Ralph, Bobby, Mike, Ricky, Ronnie, and Johnny, have been etched in music history as the purveyors and mold for groups that followed them, and the world finally has a chance to watch the creation, development, rise, fall, and reprise of this iconic group. BET has enlisted a few of the industry’s talented and brightest stars to depict the nostalgic story of one of Boston’s most prized music possessions.

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Heed Magazine flew to La La Land, set up shop, invited their friend Ashley Everett (yes, Beyonce’s choreographer and lead dance captain) as she talked with Bryshere Gray, Luke James, Elijah Kelley, Woody McClain, Algee Smith and Keith Powers about their on-screen depiction of New Edition.

Head over to Texture to check out more of the issue.

Tune into BET tonight for Pt.1 of The New Edition Story mini-movie at 9 pm ET.

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Entertainment

Watch: The Cast of ‘The New Edition Story’ Performing New Edition’s Classic Hit “You’re Not my Kind of Girl”

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If you didn’t tune into the Soul Train Music Awards on Sunday night, you definitely missed the premiere of the cast of the new BET original TV event The New Edition Story performing “You’re Not My Kind of Girl”. The Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis produced song was originally featured on their Double Platinum-selling album ‘Heartbreak’ which is the groups highest selling album to date.

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In the clip the cast performs the song and nails the choreography step by step, also including in the video are clips from the highly anticipated TV event. The star-studded cast for the The New Edition Story includes:

Bryshere Y. Gray (Empire) plays Michael Bivins as an adult and Dante Hoagland (Emelie) plays Michael as a child.

Elijah Kelley (The Wiz Live!) plays Ricky Bell as an adult and Caleb McLaughlin (Stranger Things) plays Ricky as a child.

SFPL‘s Digital Blog Cover Guy & Grammy®-nominated singer/songwriter Luke James plays Johnny Gill.

Algee Smith (Let It Shine) plays Ralph Tresvant as an adult and Jahi Winston (Feed The Beast) plays Ralph as a child.

Keith Powers (Straight Outta Compton) plays Ronnie Devoe as an adult and Myles Truitt plays Ronnie as a child.

Woody McClain (Autographs) plays Bobby Brown as an adult and Tyler Williams plays Bobby as a child.

The New Edition Story is 6 hours total and will air over 3 nights on January 24th, 25th, and 26th. All six members of New Edition serve as co-producers on the biopic alongside longtime manager and original choreographer Brooke Payne. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis alongside Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds serve as music producers on the biopic.

We cannot wait to sit down and watch this cause it looks extremely good.

PHOTO: BET

ALSO READ:

The First Clip Of BET’s New Edition Miniseries Has Arrived + Official Release Date

Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis & Babyface confirmed as music producers for the NEW EDITION STORY on BET in January

#EssenceFest (Day One): Toni Braxton Tribute, New Edition Performance And More

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Entertainment

Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis & Babyface confirmed as music producers for the NEW EDITION STORY on BET in January

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Along with a stellar cast, THE NEW EDITION STORY includes a collective of award-winning producers and directors including iconic music powerhouses James “Jimmy Jam” Harris, Terry Lewis and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Executive Producer Jesse Collins and award-winning director Chris Robinson. THE NEW EDITION STORY will air as a six hour, three night event on January 24, 25, and 26, 2017 at 9 PM ET/PT on BET.

The much-anticipated biopic follows the famed group (Ronnie DeVoe, Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, Michael Bivins, Ricky Bell & Johnny Gill) from their humble beginnings as kids in Boston to global mega stardom- weathering the highs and lows of controversy, personnel changes, and the ultimate cost of fame.

The biopic is the brainchild of Collins who says the idea first came to him when he was producing 25 Strong: The BET Silver Anniversary Special (2005) and New Edition was set to perform. “New Edition was pure magic on stage.  The first time I got to see the behind the scenes challenges that they were dealing with to function as a group was during production of the special.  I reached out to Michael Bivins after the show and we started the process to produce a film based on the group,” said Collins. “Ten years later, after production delays, we were finally able to tell their story.”

Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, with 17-Grammy Award wins collectively (11 for Babyface, six for Jam & Lewis, all receiving awards for Producer of the Year) were already an integral part of the careers of the members of New Edition. Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis produced New Edition’s 1988 seminal, Double Platinum-selling album “Heartbreak,” their highest selling album to date as well as produced Ralph Tresvant’s solo breakout #1 single “Sensitivity” and Johnny Gills #1 single “Rub You The Right Way.” ‘Heartbreak’ ushered in a new, mature sound for the band, introduced Johnny Gill into the group after the group voted out Bobby Brown and featured five singles including #1 & #2 Billboard R&B tracks “Can You Stand the Rain” and “If It Isn’t Love” respectively.

“Terry and I came in at a pivotal time when they were having internal issues and growing pains. Fans will get the true behind-the-scenes story of this key phase in their personal lives and careers,” said Harris. Lewis added, “Their songs are like a time capsule, not only capturing the quintessential 80’s R&B sound but also document the New Edition journey particularly transitioning from a boy band to adult stars. ”

Edmonds will serve as the music producer for the first half of THE NEW EDITION STORY, but ironically he and producing partner L.A. Reid were responsible for crafting almost half of the hits, including the Grammy-Award winning “Every Little Step,” from Bobby Brown’s explosive 1988 sophomore solo album, ‘Don’t Be Cruel.’ “I learned a lot about Bobby and the band dynamic during the making of ‘Don’t Be Cruel.’ But I also lived and breathed 80’s R&B because I was performing with my band (The Deele) and producing with L.A. Reid, so I make sure the feeling was captured,” said Babyface.

Chris Robinson, is responsible for a long list of iconic music videos for the likes of Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Pharrell, Diddy, Usher, T.I., Nas, Mary J Blige, Alicia Keys, Common, Boyz II Men and more. His biggest goal was to capture the band’s distinct look and feel.

“We went through great pains to get every detail right because true New Edition fans and 80’s babies like myself will know. That was such a distinctive and colorful era. I think we succeeded,” said Robinson.

The star-filled ‘New Edition Story’ cast includes Bryshere Y. Gray Elijah Kelley,  Luke James, Keith Powers, Algee SmithWoody McClain as NEW EDITION along with La La Anthony, Yvette Nicole Brown, Monica Calhoun, Lisa Nicole Carson, Sandi McCree Wood Harris, Michael Rapaport, Faizon Love, Duane Martin Tank and Bre-Z.

The story is executive produced by Jesse Collins (Real Husbands of Hollywood) for JCE Films, a division of Jesse Collins Entertainment; directed by Chris Robinson (ATL) and co-produced by Brooke Payne, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Johnny Gill, Ralph Tresvant and Bobby Brown.

For behind the scenes look at the making of the film, plus exclusive clips and photos from the movie, log on to http://www.BET.com/shows/the-new-edition-story.html and join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #NewEditionBET.

 

Categories
Last Night in NYC

Last Night In NYC: ‘The Rotimi Experience’ at SOB’s with 50 Cent, Bianca Bonnie, Kelby and Ayo Jay

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Last Night In NYC, POWER‘s very own Rotimi graced the SOB’s stage to a ‘SOLD OUT’ crowd hosted by SFPL‘s Rae Holliday. Premiering his music series titled Rotimi Experience, opening the show were artists Kelby and LHHNY‘s Bianca Bonnie. During Rotimi’s performance he surprised his fans with guest appearances by G-Unit head honcho, 50 Cent, and Nigerian singer/songwriter, Ayo Jay.

Other celebs in attendance were Yandy Smith, Ro James, Luke James, Sonyae Elise, Lea Robinson, Michael Kenneth Williams and more.

Photo Credit: @jmartinvisuals

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FLY Events

Nene Leakes, Bryshere “Yazz” Gray, Debbie Allen, Luke James & more Attend Johnny Gill’s 50th Birthday Celebration

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Over the weekend, the stars aligned to celebrate the 50th birthday of legendary singer Johnny Gill. The 50 Shades of Johnny themed birthday celebration was held at a private Bel-Air mansion.

VIP’s in attendance included: Smokey Robinson, NeNe LeakesCynthia BaileyNicole MurphyEric BenetBryshere Y. GrayCedric The EntertainerRon DevoeMichael Bevins, Luke JamesShaun RobinsonJill Marie JonesNichelle TurnerYvette Nicole BrownJon Jon (Troop), Phillip Bailey (Earth, Wind & Fire), Jeffery OsborneKenny LattimoreRocsi DiazJoeDebbie AllenSheryl Lee RalphA.D. DolphinHarmony SamuelsMAJOR. and more.

Photo Credit: @ArnoldShoots

More photos below:

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Entertainment

Watch: The Ladies of BET’s ‘Chasing Destiny’ Sing Their Faces Off with the help of Vocal Coach Julian Sapp

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Passing the torch, Kelly Rowland is instilling into the new generation what she’s learned over the years through her new series Chasing Destiny, which airs on BET every Tuesday at 10P/9C.

Putting together what she hopes to be the next “Super Girl Group”, Rowland gets some assistance from the ultimate Creative Director, Frank Gatson Jr. and Vocal Coach, Julian Sapp.

Julian is known for offering his knowledge of vocals and instrumentation to some of the biggest music stars in the industry. He is also singer Luke James‘ Music Director and front Keyboardist.

In the clip provided, Sapp groups all of the ladies together around the piano, as they go through a series of songs in A cappella mode. And if you’ve been watching the show, you may be surprised on how polished all the contestants sound in this short video, compared to what’s been shown in full. It looks like Julian brought the spark out of them, and it’s just what they needed.

But now, it’s up to Kelly and her team to decide who stays, and who goes.

Check out the Fly vocals below:

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Entertainment Music

New Music: MAAD*MOISELLE – “Sweet & Low”

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Rhythmic-pop siren MAAD*MOISELLE returns with the release of her new single,Sweet & Low — a 70s-funk inspired tune that’s one part groove and one part disco jam premiering August 10, 2015 on Vibe.com. Sweet & Low is heavily influenced by the disco era and encompasses everything you would expect from that glorious time in music — a groovy, sexy, funky good time! Produced by #PRODUCEDBYTHEVAMP and written by MAAD and Guylaire Léon, it’s truly a record that calls to keep the summer party going.

Of Sweet & Low, MAAD says: 

“I really looked to the 70s era this time around — all of the glam, glitz and groove. It was important for me to make the music feel good. I want people to get up, dance and have a great time, but also feel the sound. The 70s played a huge role in creating this record. We just wanted to create something that felt fun and organic. I loved how the music and culture during this decade made people forget about their worries and I want to do the same for people in the present day.”

Sweet & Low is riddled with glamorous Diana Ross vibes (a legendary artist who has had significant influence on MAAD’s personal artistry) — sassy, sweet and always fabulous. One look at MAAD and the influence is easily understood. Along with being a singer and songwriter, MAAD is also an emerging fashion model and DJ to watch, having modeled in fashion campaigns for the likes of designer label William Okpo, appearing in music videos for artists such as Luke James, working alongside superstar Drake and even making television appearances in hit shows such as Power on Starz.

MOISELLE truly defines her sound and identity in a genuine manner with Sweet & Low, which is apart of a untitled forthcoming full-length project scheduled to release later this year.

“I hope that people really enjoy themselves, leave their worries at the door and let this record be the soundtrack for their special moments,” says MAAD.  “I just want people to feel good when listening to it. Get into the groove!”

Sweet & Low is available on iTunes, Apple Music, and Spotify.

Visit MAAD*MOISELLE’s official website at www.MAADMOISELLE.com.