S.A.M.

Shooting Star!

2009-02-17T13:06:00.003-05:00

I don't know if you all have heard or seen him, but in some way shape or form,
I'm sure you have. Starting out as a model one Steph Jones has always
had an ear and passion for music.

With songs like "Mr.Ordinary"

He has already set his foot in the door. Now Mr.Jones is set to release a six song EP
with a leading track entitled shooting star

Issued Statement from: Steph Jones

"WELL I AM GEARING UP TO RELEASE A SIX SONG EP THAT WILL BE EXCITING, ENERGETIC, INNOVATIVE, AND SOMETHING REALLY NEW TO THE INDUSTRY AND I JUST POSTED THE FIRST SINGLE TO KICK IT OFF CALLED "SHOOTING STAR" I AM GONNA BE MYSPACE UK FEATURED ARTIST OF THE WEEK AND THEY ARE ABOUT TO BLAST IT AS WELL AS QUITE A FEW RADIO STATIONS AND CLUB BUT I CANT DO WHAT I DO WITHOUT YOUR HELP..... THANKS IN ADVANCE HERE IS THE ARTWORK"

T.U.

The Lioness: Teedra Moses

2009-02-16T19:49:00.005-05:00

Teedra Moses - Young Huslta Vol. III – Lionhearted

The best thing about a secret is that few people know about it. You don’t know what is bubbling under and when you finally stumble upon it, its like a fresh breath of air. And that’s what singer-songwriter Teedra Moses is – a veritable R&B secret. Ask those who know of her music – you’re likely to get an overwhelming response urging you to run to your computers.

Complex Simplicity, released in 2004, is seen as a classic. Hip-hop meets neo-soul with light gospel flourishes. Everything from the glossy and shimmering beats supplied by Poli Paul (including a stunning duet with Raphael Saadiq) to the simple melodies and straight-forward lyrics about love, loss and heartache – every aspect of that record is luminescent and pure. There’s a magic in her tracks that is nothing short of authentic or mesmerizing. One could even go as far to compare it to the influence that Mary J. Blige had with her 1994 album, My Life. Its that serious.

Her follow up, The Young Lioness, while praised by those who have heard the tracks, has been marginalized by numerous setbacks and a subsequent label folding. Understanding her commitment to her fans, Moses started from scratch. She hit the road, continuing to write for other artists (Trina, Macy Gray, Mary J. Blige, among others) and releasing mixtapes of unreleased tracks and collaborations.

Released to fans first after a lively show in Pasadena, California, the third installment in the Young Hustla mixtape series is Lionhearted, a 13-track pre-cursor to serve as a taste of what’s to come next for her eager fans. Teedra works largely with up-and-coming producers (partner Poli Paul receives only one inclusion on the album). Stylistically and sonically, they manage to place Teedra between the mid-80s and 90s while keeping a current modern footing in its lyrics and themes. 9^th Wonder brings a summery groove to “Love Devine”, a close cousin to Erykah Badu’s “Honey”. The sparse “I Told You” and “Say Lil’ Mama” (with its lovely Paisley Park drum programming) show brimming personality and confidence with its charming lyrics. But it’s the face-paced, Flashdance-inspired “So Kool” that Teedra breaks it down for a former lover that crossed the line for the last time.

The mixtape is an excellent welcome addition to those eager waiting for more pieces of Teedra Moses. It’s thoroughly consistent and should satisfy listeners until her next release.

Here is a Youtube.com clip I found of the Lioness, about this up and coming.

As Heard By,
Micheal Ashton

Who is It?

2009-01-04T16:56:00.005-05:00

I AM...

She is moving like the sea, taking shape from the different shores she’s come across. Any opportunity she sees, she takes advantage of, in and out of the music industry, her success grows and benefits others. Beyonce has become much more than just an artist, her work goes beyond.

We’ve seen the different personalities, the characters that she’s been able to create and put into her songs. Through the media we see this Glam and R&B Diva with number one hit singles, Billboard albums, and traveling internationally doing her “thang,” as some critics would say. At performances, we see this phenomenal artist, a chameleon of various colors that depicts the world of Beyonce, discovering that each one is distinct. But when the lights go out and the make up is gone, do we still see the same Beyonce? Are we in the same world?

Every year she’s painted her canvas differently. Dangerously in Love, gave us the soul to her voice and B’Day gave us stories each with a different message. Her most current album I am…Sasha Fierce introduces the duality of her character. Through this album we’re able to see that though she is the definition of superstar, she hasn’t lost her essence. She reveals the side we don’t get as often, her blank canvas. Beyonce allows us to feel like her, picture her writing the lyrics that her heart beats and the melodies that drive her soul. We truly get to see the artist at work. When the makeup comes off and the lights go out, is she human?

With Love,

Billie Gabriela

Legends

2008-12-28T16:12:00.004-05:00

The Death of the legendary Catwoman Eartha Kitt was a complete shocker to us.
We had no clue she was even sick.

At age 81 Kitt was working almost until the end taping a PBS special six weeks ago in Chicago, Illinois. The show is set to air in February. Kitt was best known for her one of a kind voice and made a name for herself in her portrayal of Catwoman in the television series Batman which produced Kitt’s recognizable sultry cat growl. Throughout the six decades of her career, Kitt had won two Emmys as well as several nominations for Tony and Grammy awards. Her multiple talents included dancing, singing and acting on stage and screen. She will truly be missed.
Here are a few clips and songs from her career

BOOMERANG!!!!

R.I.P.
Eartha Kitt

With Love,
Gabriela

Interview with a Hip-Hop Star

2008-12-26T17:58:00.007-05:00

ANSWERS PROVIDED BY FATSO
VISIT FATSO AT
WWW.FATSOWORLD.COM & WWW.MYSPACE.COM/FATSONJ

What inspires your work?
TODAY, YESTERDAY, TONITE...MY LIFE & YOURS!

Who's had the biggest influence on your style?
CAN'T SAY WHO IN PARTICULAR BUT MOST DEFINITELY THOSE ARTISTS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO PRACTICE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION THRU MUSIC AND LIFE.

Which producers would you love to work with and why?
RYAN LESLIE...HE HAS A GIFT OF MUSICIANSHIP AND A VERY BRILLIANT MUSICAL VISION TO MATCH.
THE NEPTUNES...HOW COULD YOU NOT WANT TO WORK WITH THEM!
JOHN MAYER...I HAVE FOUND A PLACE IN MY MOOD SYSTEM FOR EACH PIECE OF MUSIC HE CREATES.

What do you think about the state of Hip-Hop today?
NEVER BEEN THERE, IS IT WARM?!

Do you have any guilty pleasures as far as music?
LMAO...MAN HOW CAN YOU DENY SARA BAREILLES,
"I'M NOT GONNA WRITE YOU A LOVE SOOONG!"

Describe your writing and recording process...
I'M A LITTLE WEIRD WHEN I WRITE...I FEEL I PRODUCE MY BEST CONCEPTS WHEN I CAN BE ALONE TO FREESTYLE LYRICS AND TEST THEIR FEASABILITY IN MY DELIVERY AND IN THEIR MEANING FROM ME TO YOU.
I USUALLY SECLUDE MYSELF SOMEWHERE WHERE I AM FREE TO BE LOUD AND SOUND STUPID UNTIL IT ALL COMES TOGETHER.
RECORDING IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS OF THE PACKAGING PROCESS...I NORMALLY AM PREPARED WITH ALL OF MY LYRICS IN MY HEAD BY THE TIME I LAND IN THE STUDIO. NEVER FAILS THOUGH, NO MATTER WHAT I TAKE IN THE STUDIO-IT WILL PROBABLY COME OUT SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT ONCE I AM SATISFIED WITH THE WORK. I LOVE LEAVING ROOM FOR CHANGE AND IMPROVISATION.

Of the songs that you've recorded, which has been your favorite to date and why?
I LIKE ALL OF MY SONGS MORE THAN THE OTHERS AT SOME TIME OR ANOTHER BUT RITE NOW...MY SONG "I CAN FIX IT" SITS REALLY WELL WITH ME. THE PRODUCTION IS FANTASTIC AND I ENJOY DOING THAT PIECE LIVE BC THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO REINTRODUCE THE SONG.

Which is one of your songs is the most personal?
REAL EYES. IT IS ONE OF MY SHORTER SONGS BUT I PICKED THE WORDS VERY CAREFULLY. IT HAS 2 MESSAGES IN IT AND THEY ARE BOTH VERY PERSONAL TO ME.

If you weren't a recording artist, what else could you see yourself doing?
LOL...BEING A COWBOY.

Name one artist who's footsteps you'd like to walk in?
THESE ARE REALLY GOOD QUESTIONS! I'D HAVE TO SAY CAREER WISE, LL COOL J. SEEMS LIKE HE'S HAD A LONG, FRUITFUL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT CAREER...NOT TO MENTION HIS PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS AROUND THE WORLD.

Describe yourself in three words.
CRAZY, SEXY, COOL

What would you like for a listener to take from listening to your music?
THE GOOD. AND KNOW THAT IT DOESN'T COME FROM ME...I AM JUST A FUNNEL FOR IT. I AM TRULY BLESSED AND HONORED TO EVEN BE USED.

I LOOOVE THESE QUESTIONS!

Questions Provided by:
Micheal Ashton for Stoic Audacity Magazine Blog

Fatso: The Up and Coming

2008-12-23T15:36:00.006-05:00

Rapper, singer, songwriter, fatso™ is a fresh and extraordinarily talented rising star in the field of entertainment. His unexpected yet highly treasured honesty, intelligence and wit make him an artist to watch in a sea of predictability and mediocrity. For fatso, music is life and without it we cease to exist.

fatso™ has graced stages all along the east coast. His high-wattage stage show shutting-down non-assuming venues in his path. While his 1^st major independent project was a compilation CD, fatso has opened for many artists. Some signed with major record companies including Carmon, D’wayne Wiggins from (Tony, Toni, Toné), Ruff Endz, Cap One and Grenique. One major highlight, his performance with Washington DC’s own Backyard Band courtesy of Big G from HBO television series, The Wire.

When asked what next, this young dynamo suggests complete song production and honing his musicianship on the guitar and piano. The rare ability to see and speak life as it is, while finding humor, simplicity and beauty in the truth, makes fatso™ an avant-garde gourmet entrée in a stale chicken-box world. “Show me one person that doesn’t listen to music and I will show them pity.”

You can find out more about Fatso at WWW.FATSOWORLD.COM

Micheal Ashton

Human

2008-12-06T22:12:00.002-05:00

Almost fifteen years into her music career, Brandy has evolved from the young and sassy teenager singing out her wishes of wanting to be “down” to a refined, mature and sensual chanteuse.

Human, her fifth solo album and first for Epic Records, finds Brandy reunited with longtime collaborator Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins (the solid “The Definition” as well as the first single “Right Here (Departed)” and other newcomers such as Toby Gad (Beyonce), RedOne (Trina, Usher) and Midi Mafia (Fantasia, Jennifer Lopez).

Vocally versatile and never missing a single beat, Brandy consistently weaves melodious textures around each of the fifteen songs, centered on the growth from being in love (the excellent “1st and Love”), the fear of heartbreak (the eerie “Shattered Heart”) and personal anthems (the relaxed, but slightly trite title track). But when the album drags through plodding or near-lifeless material (“Piano Man”), it is her voice never lets up, making one wish that the production equally matched her emotive and impassioned performances. Additionally, the material leaked to the internet over the past year (notably, the Timbaland-sounding “List” and “Porcelain Doll”, the pounding and captivating “Sweet Nothings”, and percussive “Maximum Risk”, among countless others) begs the nagging question of why those tracks weren’t put in place of the weaker inclusions.

There are very few, if any, sleek or sexy moments that match the peaks displayed on 2004’s Afrodisiac. Still, Brandy is likely to keep many satisfied with a back to basics formula with her latest release.

Here's the Video to her second single "Long Distance"

As heard by...Michael Tilus.

808s & Heartbreak

2008-12-06T22:09:00.006-05:00

Gone are the usual high walls of sped-up R&B-soul samples and melodically clobbering beats. In their place, Mr. West favored sweeping strings, sparse programming, auto-tuned vocals, quirky keyboarding and, yes…808-assisted drums for his fourth studio album 808s & Heartbreak. Lyrically, he abandons his socially-conscious leanings in an effort to deliver the unloading of emotional baggage accrued from a the loss of his mother and a broken engagement over the past year (thus, explaining the absence of the mascot ‘Dropout Bear’ in support of the expressionless promotional pictures of Mr. West and a deflated heart-shaped balloon on the album cover).

Recorded over three weeks in Hawaii, the 12-track opus provides ample ground to convey his late-night introspection, confusion, loss and heartache. “Love Lockdown”, the album’s first single signaled a new chapter in Kanye’s musical career, puzzled fans and critics with its troubled lyrics, rumbling tribal drums and shuffling keys among other effects. With its shift from popular hip-hop towards downtempo, 80s-tinged electronica, the album is somber (the dragging and indulgent opener “Say You Will”) and at times difficult to take all in one sitting (the lazy “Amazing” featuring Young Jeezy).

Nevertheless, West is focused in his lauded inventiveness to challenge his listeners and his contemporaries to expand their capabilities. Case in point – the highlight “RoboCop” takes an arresting, machinery-sounding track awash with swirling strings to make humorous yet striking jabs at his longtime girlfriend Alexis Phifer, (“You’re just an L.A. girl/You need to stop it now/Oh, you’re kidding me/Oh! You must be joking/Oh! You are smoking.” he ad-libs with a smug tone). “See You In My Nightmares” (featuring a guest spot by Lil’ Wayne) meets an annoyed Kanye snarling over an insistent electronic beat with pulsing synth blips. But the most affecting moment comes from the final track, “Pinocchio Story”, free-styled and recorded live in Singapore with a mellow acoustic accompaniment (reportedly added at the last minute after Beyonce’s request). It is here that he delivers his most touching lines. “There is no clothes that I could buy that could bring back the time/There is no vacation spot I could fly that could bring back a real piece of real life/Real life, what does it feel like?” It is here that Mr. West strips down the ego that buoyed most of his past three albums and brings an inherent insecurity that fame brings to the fore. It has been reported that he has begun recording his 5th studio album, tentatively titled A Good Ass Job for release in 2009. Apparently, he has already accomplished the feat.

As heard by...Michael Tilus.

The Kick Off

2008-12-06T22:06:00.000-05:00