Tag: Michael Jackson

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MUST SEE: Ashley Everett Pays Tribute to Janet Jackson, Beyonce & more In ‘DUETS’

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YouTuber Michael Korte has teamed up with some of the biggest names in the dance world to deliver a mesmerizing new mashup, ‘DUETS’! Known for his viral hits #HAM4BEY & #GAGA4RENT, Korte has teamed with Beyonce’s heaviest hitters, her dance captain Ashley Everett, her choreographer Chris Grant, creative assistant Anthony Burrell and Chris Brown’s choreographer John Silver and 5 sensational singers to pay tribute to some of the greatest modern music duets.

The video features a pounding tribute to Usher & Alicia Key‘s classic ‘My Boo’, an emotional take on ‘Say Something’ and a spot on tribute to Michael & Janet Jackson in ‘Scream’! The video wouldn’t be complete without a joyful tribute to Beyonce & Jay-Z.

Vocalists include India Carney, Mark Joseph, Elizabeth Komba, Bryson Camper and Erin Cafferky.

The piece was directed by Baxter Stapleton with musical direction by Jared Jenkins.

Enjoy the full visual above!

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Music

New Video: Louis York – “Hipsters”

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Weirdo Workshop band Louis York is excited to release their new video “Hipsters”, which is featured on their new EP Masterpiece Theater: Act II . Also known as multi-Grammy nominated production and songwriting team Chuck Harmony & Claude Kelly (Rihanna, Britney Spears, Bruno Mars, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson among others), the duo wrote and produced the single along with the whole EP. In creating “Hipsters,” the guys were very deliberate about the theme of the single, which addresses individuality, bullying, and self-acceptance.

“As a self-proclaimed ‘weirdo,’ we wanted to create a song that the fans could relate to as well as address a topic as serious as bullying,” states Kelly, who continues “As artists, I think it’s also part of our responsibility to educate the public.”

In addition, the duo’s previous video “Don’t Play,” which premiered via Essence.com was added to video stations across the country including MTV Live, BET Soul, Aspire TV and Music Choice.

Follow Louis York
Facebook: LouisYorkMusic
Instagram: LouisYorkMusic
Twitter: LouisYorkMusic
www.louisyork.com
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Music

Wyclef Jean – “The Ring” [New Music]

From the upcoming album J’ouvert, Wyclef Jean drops his official single “The Ring.” Not taking a break from music and continuing his legacy, Jean makes it known that he isn’t stopping at all.

In the song, Wyclef references A Tribe Called Quest, Big Pun, Michael Jackson, DJ Khaled and more.

‘J’ouvert’ is due out on Feb. 3.

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Entertainment

Fly Introduction: Chris Brown and Usher Praises New Dance Duo AYO & TEO

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Hailing from Ann Arbor, Michigan, brothers Ayleo and Mateo Bowles (a.k.a. AYO and TEO) have been dancing and competing at dance since elementary school. Influenced by greats such as Michael Jackson, Usher, Missy Elliot and Chris Brown, the duo quickly developed their own unique brand of dancing and began to upload Youtube videos from their basement and living room.

With zero promotion, and strictly through the power of social media, they began to gain mass appeal by creating and having their “dance challenges” reposted to some of Instagram‘s most popular dance pages. Recognizing this as their main outlet, the younger of the brothers (Teo) created what has become a instant phenomenon and their moniker – “THE REVERSE”. Simply reversing the steps to some of world’s best dance crazes, their Reverse of the “Nae Nae” went viral overnight, on every posted outlet, and received over 150 MILLION VIEWS.

 

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Kicked off by with a number of pics and vids reposted by Chris Brown, the two are now rubbing elbows and sharing stages with the very people that influenced them the most.

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Most recently being invited and flown out to perform by Usher himself, the boys shared the 2016 BET Awards stage with the R&B phenom.

On the map as rising stars, with no place to go but up, be on the lookout for AYO & TEO. They’re NEXT.

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Entertainment

Erykah Badu Returns To Host Soul Train Awards, Drake and Beyonce Lead Nominations

CENTRIC today announced the godmother of soul, Erykah Badu, will return to host the Soul Train Awards 2016. The four-time Grammy-award winning soul singer and songwriter will once again take over the Vegas stage with her eccentric style, cerebral music, incomparable spirit and comedic commentary. The yearly celebration will honor the best in soulful music from returning legends to the next generation. Filmed November 6 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, the awards special will air on Centric and BET on November 27th, 2016 at 8PM ET. 

Centric also announced the all-star nominees for the STA 2016 across 12 different categories. Drake leads the pack with 12 total nominations including two nominations for the highly coveted Video of the Year Award for his feature on Rihanna’s single “Work” and this year’s mega hit “Hotline Bling.” Beyoncé follows with 8 nominations including Best R&B/Soul Female Artist, Album/Mixtape of the Year for her groundbreaking album “Lemonade,” and multiple honors for lead single “Formation” including Song of the Year, Best Dance Performance and The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award. Rihanna, Kanye West, DJ Khaled and Usher also received multiple nominations this year including Video of the Year, Album/Mixtape of the Year and Best Collaboration. The next generation of soul is also being recognized, including Bryson Tiller, Chance the Rapper and Anderson .Paak who are multi-nominees across categories including Best New Artist, Best R&B/Soul Male Artist and the Rhythm & Bars Award (Formerly Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year.)

Multi-platinum and three-time Grammy award-winning producer, singer-songwriter, artist, musician and technology expert Edward Theodore “Teddy” Riley, also known as the creator and king of “New Jack Swing,” is set to receive the coveted Legend Award. His major accolade was producing Michael Jackson’s “Dangerous LP” which sold over 32 million copies worldwide. Riley produced number one hits for countless icons which have governed the airways for decades.  As a founding member of the multi-platinum groups Guy and Grammy award-winning Blackstreet, Riley’s “Swing” sound was the epic lifeline that forever changed the design for R&B and Hip-Hop music. He is the first African-American producer to bring Korean Pop (K-Pop) music to the USA and has been producing number one hits on Billboard charts for nearly a decade.

The 2nd annual Lady of Soul Award will be presented to singer-songwriter and actress Brandy. The platinum selling artist and actress has sold over 40 million records and received numerous awards and accolades, including a Grammy Award, one American Music Award, and seven Billboard Music Awards. Last year’s inaugural Lady of Soul Award went to R&B torchbearer Jill Scott. Both Brandy and Teddy Riley are being recognized for their longstanding presence in the music industry and influence on the world of soul and R&B music past and present.

Congrats to all of the nominees, Teddy Riley and Brandy!

Hope you will be watching! We will!

Photo Credit: Photo by Paul R. Giunta/FilmMagic

The complete list of nominees for SOUL TRAIN AWARDS 2016 are:

Best New Artist

ANDERSON .PAAK

ANDRA DAY

BRYSON TILLER

CHANCE THE RAPPER

RO JAMES

TORY LANEZ

 

Best R&B/Soul Male Artist

ANTHONY HAMILTON

BRYSON TILLER

MAXWELL

THE WEEKND

USHER

 

Centric Certified Award

AFTER 7

ANDERSON .PAAK

BILAL

LALAH HATHAWAY

MUSIQ SOULCHILD

 

Video of the Year

BEYONCÉ – FORMATION

BEYONCÉ – SORRY

DRAKE – HOTLINE BLING

KANYE WEST – FADE

RIHANNA FT. DRAKE – WORK

 

Best Gospel/ Inspirational Song

DONNIE MCCLURKIN – I NEED YOU

HEZEKIAH WALKER – BETTER

KIRK FRANKLIN – 123 VICTORY

TAMELA MANN – GOD PROVIDES

TRAVIS GREENE – MADE A WAY

 

Album/Mixtape of the Year
BEYONCÉ – LEMONADE

BRYSON TILLER – T R A P S O U L

DJ KHALED – MAJOR KEY

DRAKE – VIEWS

KANYE WEST – THE LIFE OF PABLO

RIHANNA – ANTI

 

Rhythm & Bars Award (Formerly Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year)

CHANCE THE RAPPER FT. LIL WAYNE & 2 CHAINZ – NO PROBLEM

DJ KHALED FT. DRAKE – FOR FREE

DRAKE – CONTROLLA

DRAKE FT. WIZKID & KYLA – ONE DANCE

FAT JOE & REMY MA FT. FRENCH MONTANA & INFARED – ALL THE WAY UP

 

Best R&B/Soul Female Artist

ALICIA KEYS

BEYONCÉ

FANTASIA

JILL SCOTT

RIHANNA

 

Song of the Year

ADELE – HELLO

BEYONCÉ – FORMATION

BRYSON TILLER – DON’T

DRAKE – CONTROLLA

RIHANNA FT. DRAKE – WORK

 

The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award

HELLO – WRITTEN BY: ADELE LAURIE BLUE ADKINS, GREGORY ALLEN KURSTIN (ADELE)

RISE UP – WRITTEN BY: ANDRA DAY, JENNIFER DECILVEO (ANDRA DAY)

FORMATION – WRITTEN BY: MICHAEL L. WILLIAMS II, BEYONCÉ KNOWLES, KHALIF BROWN, AAQUIL BROWN, ASHETON HOGAN, (BEYONCÉ)

DON’T – WRITTEN BY: JOHNTÁ M. AUSTIN, MARIAH CAREY, BRYAN-MICHAEL COX, JERMAINE DUPRI, TAVORIS JAVON HOLLINS, ISOM BRANDON STEWART, BRYSON DEJUAN TILLER (BRYSON TILLER)

NEEDED ME – WRITTEN BY: NICHOLAS VALENTINO AUDINO, RACHEL DERRUS, ADAM KING FEENEY, ROBYN R. FENTY, BRITTANY TALIA HAZZARD, CHARLES HINSHAW JR., LEWIS BERESFORD HUGHES, DIJON ISAIAH MCFARLANE, KHALED ROHAIM, TE WHITI TE RANGITEPAIA MATAA WARBICK (RIHANNA)

 

Best Dance Performance

BEYONCÉ – FORMATION

DRAKE – HOTLINE BLING

KANYE WEST (DANCE PERFORMANCE FT. TEYANA TAYLOR) – FADE

RIHANNA FT. DRAKE – WORK

USHER FT. YOUNG THUG – NO LIMIT

 

Best Collaboration
BEYONCÉ FT. KENDRICK LAMAR – FREEDOM

CHANCE THE RAPPER FT. LIL WAYNE & 2 CHAINZ – NO PROBLEM

DJ KHALED FT. DRAKE – FOR FREE

FAT JOE & REMY MA FT. FRENCH MONTANA & INFARED – ALL THE WAY UP
RIHANNA FT. DRAKE – WORK

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Music

Kid Ink Wants To “Die In It” [New Music]

With his signature delivery complimented by trap-like production, the Batgang boss dropped all mics as he raps about Aaliyah and Michael Jackson.

“Watch them bitches catch that ‘4 Page Letter’ love / Feeling like MJ with the glitter glove / Pimp slap a ni**a with it.”

“Die in It” is the latest release off Rocketshipshawty 2 and also the last. RSS 2 is the sequel to the 2012 original. The mixtape, that also features “GoldenEye” and “Lamborghini Dreamin’”.

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Entertainment

Apollo Theater To Hold Amateur Night Auditions In New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC For 2017

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The Apollo Theater announced today that it will hold auditions for its legendary Amateur Night show, now in its 82nd year, in multiple cities this Fall. Auditions will be held in Philadelphia at the Kimmel Center on Saturday, September 17th, in New York City at the Apollo Theater on Saturday, September 24th and will conclude in Washington, D.C. at Howard University on Saturday, October 1st. Amateur Night producers will screen hundreds of vocalists, rappers, dancers, comedians, spoken word artists, and other performers vying for a coveted spot on the Apollo’s stage, where they will then compete for a chance to win the new grand prize amount of $20,000.

“The Apollo is driven by a commitment to explore all possibilities of contemporary artistic expression. One way to achieve this is by opening our Amateur Night 2017 auditions to a geographically-diverse pool of talent,” said Jonelle Procope, President and CEO of the Apollo Theater. “Amateur Night is not only a beloved live, weekly show but rather a greater catalyst renown for sparking the careers of so many legendary performers.”

“The Apollo is the world’s stage and, as such, we want to make sure the performers are equally world-class. By reaching out to talent in locations like Washington, DC, we ensure we are getting the best possible competitors. Long before American Idol, America’s Got Talent, and Star Search, the Apollo’s Amateur Night was, and continues to be, a primary source for discovering and spotlighting up-and-coming artists. We’re on a hunt for the best of the best,” said Amateur Night Producer and audition judge, Marion J. Caffey.

Since its inception in 1934, the Apollo Theater’s signature show, ‘Amateur Night,’ has been one of New York City’s most popular live entertainment experiences, launching the careers of thousands of performers and attracting audiences from all over the world. ‘Amateur Night’ has long been revered by artists as a transformative experience where up-and-coming talent feel the power of the legendary performers who have come before them, and where audience responses can help make or break a career. Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Lauryn Hill and Michael Jackson are just a few of the legendary performers who launched their careers on the Apollo stage.

 

Auditions for Amateur Night are as follows:

September 17th in Philadelphia (10am- 6pm)

Location: Kimmel Center

300 South Broad Street

Philadelphia, PA 19102

 

September 24th in NYC (10am-6pm)

Location: Apollo Theater

253 West 125th Street

New York, NY 10027

 

October 1st in Washington, D.C. (10am- 6pm)

Location: Cramton Auditorium – Howard University

2455 6th St NW

Washington, DC 20059

 

*Important Note: For Amateur Night, only children ages 5 to 17 will be considered for the “Child Stars of Tomorrow” segment. For those competing in the adult category, you must be 18 years and older to compete in the adult category. Children under 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult. For a complete list of audition guidelines and rules, visit apollotheater.org

For Amateur Night auditions, judges will only see the first 250 acts if time permits, so please arrive early. Amateur Night at the Apollo weekly performances are independent from the APOLLO LIVE and SHOWTIME AT THE APOLLO taped events. 

 

RULES:       

  • An Amateur is anyone who has not had a recording, Film or TV contract with a major studio.
  • NO profanity, including any racial epithets or slurs all material must be appropriate for a family show.
  • Children under 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult.
  • Only children ages 5 to 17 will be considered for the “Child Star of Tomorrow” segment.
  • For those competing in the adult category, you must be 18 years and older.
  • No lip synching, singing along with track vocals or post-production engineering of vocals is permitted.
  • The audition is open to singers, dancers, comedians, spoken word artists and musicians and other variety performances.
  • Each live contestant will have up to 90 seconds to perform.
  • Singers can bring a track on cassette or CD or sing a cappella. A band is NOT available.
  • Musicians must bring their own instruments.
  • Dancers should bring a CD.
  • Do NOT bring CD’s in CD-RW format.
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Music

Kyle Evan Drops His Seductive Tune “Snapchat” [New Music]

Massachusetts bred recording artist Kyle Evan, is establishing himself as the music industry’s next big thing. The 16 year old teen phenom is a singer, songwriter, producer, engineer and dancer. At the age of 10 he appeared on the Apollo. At 11 he covered a Michael Jackson record that garnered over 200,000 views on World Star Hip Hop. He has collaborated with Grammy nominated, Multi Platinum and Gold certified Mixing and Recording engineer Serge Tsai and recorded radio promo singles for Tony Guess, Kid Fresh, and the Hot Morning Crew (Nancy Barrow and DJ Buck) for Hot 93.7 WZMX.

Evan recently signed a production deal with music executive Malcolm Miles, CEO of Dreams Come True Music Group. Mr. Miles is a veteran in the music industry, with almost two decades worth of experience marketing and promoting some of the most successful and well-known artists of our time, at the most sought-after record labels in the world. With the strategic direction of Mr. Miles spearheading his career, success is inevitable.

Now after nearly a decade of training, writing, producing and perfecting his craft Evan is ready to take his career to the next level. He is prepping the release of his new single “Snapchat” that he wrote, produced, arranged and engineered. The song is a sexy, seductive, uptempo ballad that showcases his alluring vocal skills and witty and captivating lyrics. This record is sure to become a bonafide banger as it has already amassed over 30k plays on Soundcloud in less than 2 weeks.

Check it out above.

Follow Kyle
Instagram: @KyleEvanMusic
Twitter:@KyleEvanMusic
Snapchat: k-god413

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Kanye West Keeps It All The Way 100 on ‘The Ellen Show’ [Video]

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Now, normally we tend to tilt our heads, and squint our eyes at Kanye West‘s speeches or social media rants, and outbursts. But this time, The Life of Pablo rapper-producer-designer gives a clear understanding on what his intentions are behind what we would call: “his random moments”, when all he is simply just trying to do is “change the world”, he says.

“Michael Jackson and Russell Simmons is the reason why I was able to go so far in music.”

“I have to be Michael Jackson of apparel in order to break open doors.”

Recently, West had great conversation with Ellen Degeneres on The Ellen Show as they discussed Kim Kardashian, Kanye’s social antics, his reasoning behind just simply being real, how we’re in a Renaissance period, and that he was raised to make a difference. He even references a few classic lines from rapper Rakim, which Ye says he was raised on; including Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest, paired with overall Hip-Hop music, and expression.

Check out the special clip above.

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Music

ELHAE RELEASES KEHLANI-FEATURED NEW PROJECT ‘ALL HAVE FALLEN’

ELHAE, whose name acrimoniously breaks down to “Every Life Has An Ending”, adopted his moniker one day while he was writing a song in high school, was born in Minot, North Dakota, but with a military dad, he moved around quite a bit, landing in Warner Robins, Georgia and spending summers in Savannah. His first taste of music came when he sang in his school choir, though he was deeply inspired by the rhymes of Kanye West, Mos Def and Talib Kweli.

Once he developed his sound, he went on to record his own projects like The Zero, Every Life Has an Ending and Before You Go. His 2015 EP, AURA, is a soulful selection that samples Michael Jackson and draws inspiration from Usher, while simultaneously showcasing his songwriting and soothing voice. AURA’s two stand out tracks “Drive Me Crazy” and “Halfway Love” have amassed over 2 million plays on SoundCloud. His latest single “Love A N***a” is a cocky and confident ballad with traces of trap; and in less than a year has racked up 2 million spins on its own.

Now Elhae’s upcoming project ALL HAVE FALLEN (Dream Loud Music Group/Atlantic) will put him on the path to greatness. As mentioned, the body of work features Kehlani, and soulful newcomer Re’lxuise who makes appearances on tracks: “Intro”, “Hartley Bridge”, Pronouns” & “Re’s Lxuise Interlude.”

“I want to be considered one of the best and that’s what I’m gunning for,” he says. “I have the tools and intellect and talent to get there.”