Scion Joins Up With The Rubs Comso Baker & DJ Ayerrs

SCION AUDIO/VISUAL RELEASES 12" VINYL FEATURING EL MICHELS AFFAIR AND RAEKWON AND SCION CD SAMPLER V.15 MIXED BY COSMO BAKER AND DJ AYRES

Scion continues to support independent artistic expression through its latest Scion Audio/Visual (SA/V) 12" vinyl release of El Michels Affair and Raekwon and Scion CD Sampler v.15 - Award Tour mixed by Cosmo Baker and DJ Ayres.

"Scion Audio/Visual opens up a path that connects creative artists and avid listeners," said Jeri Yoshizu, Scion sales promotions manager. "We encourage artistic creativity and the A/V label is one of Scion's approaches to supporting the music community."

The latest 12" vinyl installment, available this month, sees Brooklyn's El Michels Affair paired up with hip-hop legend Raekwon (of Wu-Tang Clan) for a "live remix" of Raekwon's song with Pete Rock called "The PJs," as well as an original El Michels song and a couple interlude/bonus beats. Raekwon wrote some new lyrics for "The PJs" track, and El Michels flipped it with their signature vintage soul sound.

SA/V brings you Scion CD Sampler v.15 - Award Tour mixed by Cosmo Baker and DJ Ayres. Along with partner DJ Eleven, they comprise The Rub crew.

The Rub started as a monthly party in the summer of 2002 at Southpaw in Brooklyn, and it quickly grew into "the best party in NYC" (New York Press). Now in its fourth year, The Rub continues to live up to the accolades - packing in a diverse crowd who'll wild-out to hip-hop, '80s, disco, rock, funk, house, reggae and everything in between.

The Rub's Cosmo Baker played a crucial part of Philadelphia nightlife for years - holding down the now-legendary Back to Basics party with King Britt; spinning at house parties back in the day with The Roots; and launching the beloved Remedy monthly alongside Rich Medina. The Rub's DJ Ayres got his start spinning hip-hop on college radio and at parties, and has released upwards of 50 mixtapes in 10 years, prompting the New York Times to call him "one of New York's best mixtape DJs."

Included on Scion CD Sampler v.15 - Award Tour are songs by Ghostface & MF Doom, Memphis Bleek, The Streets, Aloe Blacc, Chromeo, Bloc Party, and UK Mercury Prize nominee Sway, among many others. Scion CD Sampler v.15 will be available at upcoming Scion events across the country.

SA/V continues to bring listeners, those with and without the skills to cut it up on the turntable, the heart and soul of music through its vinyl and CD releases.

Look out for future installments of the mix CDs and 12" vinyl from Scion DJ Contest winner DJ Cutler and from Connie Price & The Keystones w/ Big Daddy Kane, respectively.

About Scion Audio/Visual
Scion Audio/Visual (SA/V) was founded to give true artists a voice in a noisy world. Scion has consistently championed independent thinking and alternative culture. With its Audio/Visual in-house record label, Scion continues to promote that culture with a series of CD mixtapes and 12" vinyl releases, both given out for free, which focus on getting exposure for these talented musicians and DJs. With global vision and diversity through expression, SA/V champions individuality with no genre boundaries.

Each 12" release features an up-and-coming live band with a special guest vocalist (an established MC or singer) doing a "cover"or "live version" of that vocalist's song. Past collaborations have included the daKAH Hip Hop Orchestra featuring Guru of Gangstarr; The Fyre Dept. with GZA; and Rhythm Roots Allstars featuring Raheem Devaughn, Aloe Blacc and Afrodisiac Sound System.

On the other side of the SA/V concept, the mix CDs span the gamut of hip-hop, funk, soul, reggae, world, and electronic music. Previous installments have featured mixes from Wax Poetics' DJ Monk One, Mr. Scruff & Nicolay, The Oakland Faders, Peanut Butter Wolf & Jazzy Jeff, and others.

For more information about Scion A/V visit:
www.scion.com/culture/music or
www.scion.com/SAV

Wylde Bunch have recorded the new theme song for FOX SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL and the video for the blazin NEW track ‘YEAH YEAH (STOMP THE BLEACHERS)’ which airsSaturdays during the college football kick off show on FOX SPORTS NET!!!!! The single will be available on the forthcoming Wylde Bunch EP due out in November.

Listen here

Music: Silk - Always & Forever

Always And Forever is not a phrase usually associated with a fickle music business, especially in recent times when one-hit wonders and manufactured artists have been especially prevalent. But for Silk, one of the few vocal groups to breakthrough in the hip-hop era, the phrase applies not only to their own longevity--seventeen years and counting with the current line-up featuring the four original members who have been together throughout--but also to the quality of their music which features finely crafted harmony singing and lyrics that deal with timeless issues of love, romance and sex. With the release of their seventh album Always And Forever, their debut release on Shanachie Entertainment on October 17th, Silk brings their vocal artistry to a hand-picked selection of songs that have inspired them as simultaneous homage to artists who they respect and musical statement of the ultimate quality of Silk's music.

"It all comes full circle on this album," relates Gary Glenn. "A lot of these songs were ones we were already familiar with so it was easy for us to step in and emulate people we have a lot of respect for. It's a chance to show off our own artistry. If someone has the audacity to do a Michael Jackson number or a Prince tune and do it well, or to really do justice to"The Secret Garden" , then they walk away with respect from the audience. That's what we want."

The album, which features Silk's interpretations of major hits by Blue Magic, Switch, Shalamar, Prince, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Heatwave and others, simply builds on something Silk had already been doing.

""We've done a re-make on almost every album anyway so it was like time to do this--a full serving of what we've been doing throughout. Like (Blue Magic's classic) "Sideshow", we've been doing that in our shows and people love it. We were doing (Switch's) "There'll Never Be" at shows and people start to "step" when we do it...and it's a beautiful thing. It even happened in Aurora, Colorado, which is the last place I thought people would be steppin'!"

Silk
Always & Forever
Shanachie Entertainment
October 17th
myspace.com/silk

TV: Lil Kim Reality Show Season 2

Yes you read right they are shooting another set of episodes for Lil Kim

Music: Lauryn Hill

Im Back

Updates are coming back....

Video: Mario Vasquez ft Baby Bash - Gallery

Mario Vazquez feat. Baby Bash
Gallery
J Records
Former American Idol contestant Mario Vasquez romances a girl from around the block, despite her overly possessive boyfriend. Most of the action takes place at a posh club and in the grimey shadow of Brooklyn's Williamsburg Bridge. watch Gallery

Tech: How Not To Send A Sidekick again...

When will people learn finding a lost sidekick and not returning it to it owner is not a good look. Especially when our sim cards store everything that the theif has done. I know how they feel I lost my cell on vacation and called it but the driver never picked my phone up when it rang. So I had the phone turned off... and used my backup phone when I returned from vacation.

Live: Jody Watley at Joes Pub

Jody Watley
The Makeover

Joe's Pub
August 12
9:30 pm
$25

TV: Master P's Americas Next Hip Hop Stars

New Orleans mogul rapper Master P. has announced his own reality show America's Next Hip-Hop Stars, which will offer the next big rapper and group a $50,000 recording dealon the New No Limit Records.

According to Master P., born Percy Miller, twelve solo artists and six groups will perform various Hip-Hop songs to be critiqued by a panel of celebrity judges, which includes Paul Wall, Free formely of 106 & Park, Snoop Dogg and Master P.'s son, Romeo.

Master P. will serve as America's Next Hip-Hop Stars' host and a guest celebrity dj will be featured each week, along with a performance by a well known artistor group.

While the show does not have a home on the small screen as of press time, Master P. said negotiations are underway to launch the show on a major network or a cable/pay per view channel.

Stage: Toni Braxton - Revealed

Six-time Grammy award-winner Toni Braxton, will bring her spectacular live show - Toni Braxton: Revealed - to Las Vegas for an extended engagement in the Flamingo Showroom. Flamingo Las Vegas proudly announces an agreement in principle to make Ms. Braxton the resident headliner at Flamingo Las Vegas beginning August 3.

Toni Braxton: Revealed will be a sexy, entertaining and intimate evening with the woman who interprets the emotional essence of a song as no other artist can. Revealed will be a full-scale musical production that draws upon Ms. Braxton's experience as an accomplished musician, singer and Broadway performer, complete with her incredible band, amazing costumes,
background singers and dancers.

"I've just come off the road doing my first tour in 10 years and I can't wait to create an exciting new show for the legendary Flamingo," says Ms. Braxton. "There is nothing like the thrill of performing nightly to a live audience with fans that have supported me throughout my career. I'm looking forward to developing the show for the Flamingo, settling into Las Vegas with my family and bringing Revealed to a whole new crowd."

Over the course of her stellar recording career, Toni has also taken Broadway by storm, with starring roles in the musicals Beauty & the Beast and Aida and made her film debut in Kingdom Come.

If you thought you knew Toni Braxton before, just wait until she's.....Revealed. The show promises an intimate look at the heart and soul of Toni Braxton, her music, her life, her loves.

Tickets for Toni Braxton: Revealed are now on sale. Showtime is 7:30 p.m., Monday-Saturday. Ticket prices are $65, $75 and $100 (including tax, plus handling fees.) To purchase tickets by phone, call 702/733.3333 or 800/221.7299.

Damn Star! Power 105 radio host Star gets fired

Radio host Star, of Power 105's The Star and Buc Wild Morning Show, was terminated Wednesday following a news conference that blasted him for broadcasting sexual remarks about a rival host's 4-year-old daughter.

In recent broadcasts, Star threatened to track down his rival's daughter, offered money to anyone who would tell him where she attended school and repeatedly described the degrading sexual acts he wanted to perform on her. He also claimed to carry a gun.

"Where does this kid go to school? I got 500 bucks for that information," Star said. "Oh, yes, I'll come for your kids."

It was the latest salvo in the ongoing feud between New York City's two biggest hip-hop stations, Power 105 (WWPR/105.1 FM) and Hot 97 (WQHT/97.1 FM). Star, whose real name is Troi Torain, once worked at Hot 97, where his rival DJ Envy, born Raashaun Casey, is employed.

Star, who calls himself The Hater, has been in trouble before. In his Hot 97 days, he enraged fans of the singer Aaliyah by spoofing the plane crash that killed her. Last year, he drew fire after calling an Indian woman as a filthy rat-eater while doing a syndicated show on several Clear Channel stations.

Star's latest comments went largely unnoticed until Wednesday, when city council member John Liu (D-Flushing) and others arranged a last-minute news conference to call for Star's dismissal from the station, which is owned by Clear Channel.

Liu played a CD recording of Star's comments, which included sexually degrading remarks and racist slurs directed at DJ Envy's wife, Gia Casey, who is of Asian descent. Casey, who stood nearby, began crying part way through the playback.

"I'm wondering what it will take for some measure to be taken," she said. "Do I have to go down to the morgue and identify my child's body before Clear Channel says, 'You know what, maybe they've gone a little too far?'"

Her husband did not attend the conference.

Shortly after the news conference Clear Channel suspended Star pending and investigation, but hours later the company released this statement: "Power 105 finds recent remarks broadcast by Troi Torain of the Star & Buc Wild Morning Show to be wholly unacceptable. As of late this afternoon, he is no longer with Power 105.1 or Clear Channel Radio. We sincerely apologize to those who may have been offended by his remarks."

Liu and his fellow councilmen have sent a letter to the Manhattan district attorney requesting an investigation into the broadcasts. They say they have also already contacted the Federal Communications Commission and police in New York and New Jersey, where the Caseys live. Liu says Casey's daughter's school has already instituted additional security measures.

"You can't broadcast threats like this," Liu says. "And these are real threats.

Music: Simply Red - Cuba! (Live)

Simply Red
Cuba! (Live)
UK Exclusive
2006
Disc 1
Disc 2

No Request No Reups
Tracklisting and pass in comments section

Music: Joi - Tennesse Slim Is The Bomb

Please go out & purchase this cd!!!
It was worth the wait!!!
Spread the word!!!


Joi
Tennessee Slim Is The Bomb
Joilicious
2006

DVD: Buffie The Body - Larger Than Life

Buffie "The Body" Carruth has released her first DVD Larger Than Life.

Scenes include the legendary Infamous Thunder Ass Clap and the uncut video for Tony Yayo's So Seductive featuring Buffie.

Buffie gives you a chance to win a Fantasy Rub Down with her during a photo shoot.

View the trailer

Music: Bob Marley & The Wailers - One Love - The Very Best Of 2cd LTD

Bob Marley & The Wailers
One Love (2cd Ltd ed)
Island Records
2001
Disc 1
Disc 2

No requests or reups.
Tracklisting and pass in comments section

Thanks
Aris

DVD: The Boondocks

Based on Aaron McGruder's award-winning and politically-charged comic strip distributed in 350 newspapers nationwide, Sony Pictures Television's The Boondocks: The Complete First Season - Uncut And Uncensored debuts on DVD and for PSP June 13 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Called the fall's edgiest new show by TV Guide, the three-disc DVD includes all 15 episodes as well as extensive bonus features including a behind-the-scenes featurette, commentary on select episodes, deleted scenes and animatic compilations. The set will be available for $49.95 SRP.

The Boondocks: The Complete First Season - Uncut And Uncensored tracks the adventures of two boys, Riley and Huey Freeman, who experience a culture clash when they move from Southside Chicago to the suburbs to live with their irascible grandfather. Huey, a 10-year-old left wing revolutionary, is determined not to enjoy the affluence of suburbia. This attitude is seconded by his 8-year-old brother, Riley, a proud product of contemporary rap culture. Although they torture each other and provoke the neighborhood, the two aren't any match for Granddad, who is eccentric even by "crazy-ass-old-black-man" standards.

Regina King (Miss Congeniality 2, Ray) and John Witherspoon (Friday After Next) are among the actors who voice characters on the wonderfully cynical comedy. Cedric Yarbrough (TV's "Reno 911"), Gary Anthony Williams (TV's "Malcolm in the Middle"), Gabby Soleil (Johnson Family Vacation) and Jill Talley (The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie) are also included in the cast.

The Boondocks: The Complete First Season - Uncut And Uncensored episodes include:

The Passion of Reverend Ruckus
The Block Is Hot
Wingmen
Riley Wuz Here
Let's Nab Oprah
The Itis
The Return of the King
The Real
A Huey Freeman Christmas
Gangstalicious
A Date with the Health Inspector
Granddad's Fight
Guess Hoe's Coming to Dinner
The Trial of R. Kelly
The Garden Party

DVD Special Features Include:
* Digitally Remastered Audio and Video
* Widescreen Presentations
* Audio: English (Stereo)
* Subtitles: French
* Commentaries on Select Episodes with Creator Aaron McGruder
* Audio and Video Crew Commentaries
* Audio Only Crew Commentaries
* Printable Storyboards
* Unaired TV Promos
* Animatic Compilation
* Behind-the-Scenes Featurette
* Deleted Scenes
* Bonus Previews
* Closed Captioned

Run time of approximately 330 minutes and is not rated.

Fashion: New Era: New York

New Era Cap Co., Inc., the premier, global headwear designer, developer and manufacturer, announced today that it will open a Flagship store in New York City. New Era: New York, which will be located at 9 E. 4th Street, in New York City's Greenwich Village, is slated to open in May 2006. This is the company's first flagship store.

New Era: New York will feature the broadest and most exclusive selection of New Era headwear in the world. The New Era 59FIFTY, the company's famed, signature fitted baseball cap will take center stage in this highly anticipated retail space. The store will also feature looks across New Era's many market segments, like fashion; styles in Women's and Kid's fits; and caps that satisfy the true sports enthusiast. Additionally, consumers will find New Era branded product; hats from the EK by New Era brand, and caps made for New Era's Action Sports partners including DC Shoes, Stussy and Billabong.

The look of New Era: New York, a 2,000 sq ft boutique space, was developed by Jager Di Paola Kemp Design, Burlington, VT, with final design executions by architectural firm TPG, whose portfolio includes Barney's New York, Dolce & Gabbana and the NBA Store. Housed in one of New York's historically land marked gems, the E. 4th Street building was built in the 1800s and was home to a manufacturing company for most of the 1900s. The boutique has a distinguished look, a unique departure from traditional headwear stores; it features exposed brick, maple hardwood floors, custom cabinetry and iron cast, floor inlays of the company's logo and the famed visor sticker found on the New Era 59FIFTY.

DVD: Karrine Steffans aka SUPAHEAD

Karrine Steffans "Hip Hop's most notorious groupie." NY Times best selling author Confessions Of A Video Vixen. "Tell-all" author does it all for the Vivid cameras. She blew the lid off the rap world by exposing her laissons with P. Diddy, Ja Rule, Jay-Z, Usher and more... but before all that, she blew Mr. Marcus and fucked him dry and we have the tape to prove it!!! They call her SuperHead... and you're about to find out why... Featuring chapter search, no regional coding, dvd-rom compatible, photo gallery, and previews.

Vivid Video

Music: Guru, Solar Prep Fourth Install Of Jazzmatazz Series

Guru, of the duo Gangstarr, is prepping the second release on his 7 Grand label, entitled Jazzmatazz Vol. 4.

The new album follows up the mildly successful 2006 release, Version 7.0: The Street Scriptures, which enjoyed heavy spins on New York's Hot 97 radio station with the album's second single, "Hood Dreamin'," and was hailed by such media outlets as The Source and the NY Post, among others.

Nine months after the label's first release, the duo of Guru and Solar are working hard at finalizing the fourth install of Guru's Jazzmataz series, which will be a double-disc endeavor that will be entirely produced by Solar and co-produced by Guru.

"7 Grand Records allows me not only to be creative, but to finally be in control of my creativity," explains Guru. "With us, you've got a legendary spitter that's still hungry and still relevant, teamed up with the hottest New York producer in the game, which makes for a musical vision that is powerfully important and virtually unstoppable."

"The tracks Solar and I have laid down are incredible and it's going to be the best Jazzmatazz yet," Guru adds.

Jazzmatazz Vol. 4 is expected to drop in early 2007.

Music: The Return of THE BRAND NEW HEAVIES

BRITISH SOUL/FUNK GROUP THE BRAND NEW HEAVIES REUNITE
N'Dea Davenport Rejoins Band for Summer Release

New York, NY (April 10, 2006)- Trend-setting British based soul outfit, The Brand New Heavies have re-united with their original lead singer N'Dea Davenport and their original label Delicious Vinyl, and are set for a June 27th, 2006 release of a new studio album, Get Used To It. The album skillfully blends the classic live funk and soul sound that was the signature of the group when they came out with their stunning debut album 15 years ago. Recorded and produced in New York and London, the album will be available simultaneously at Starbucks Company-operated locations in the U.S. and Canada as well as traditional retail.

After pursuing a solo career, the return of N'Dea Davenport (with whom the band created their debut self titled album and follow up Brother Sister in the early/mid 90s) is creating a major stir amongst The Brand New Heavies fans. Get Used To It is full of Davenport's stunning vocal prowess and the band's funky live jamming that intertwine into the perfect blend that Heavies fans have been craving since their premature parting.

The Brand New Heavies were born out of the rare groove scene and formed in the late eighties by drummer/keyboard player Jan Kincaid, bassist Andrew Love Levy and guitarist Simon Bartholomew. As pioneers of the London acid jazz scene, their groundbreaking alternative sound has garnered commercial and critical acclaim worldwide.

N'Dea Davenport originated out of Atlanta, then onto LA where she emerged from the downtown art and musical community. N'Dea's notoriety came swiftly by collaborating with varied artists in Hip hop, pop, rock and soul before joining TBNH-forever shaping her diversity of life, style and musical taste.

Starting out as a groundbreaking West Coast label that developed a string of rap and R&B artists, Delicious Vinyl was co-founded by Michael Ross and is responsible for some of rap's first true crossover successes including Tone Loc, Young M.C, and the Pharcyde. Ross signed The Brand New Heavies in '92 and handpicked Davenport as lead vocalist, which not only diversified the label, but also led to the creation of a great international live soul band.

"Obviously I'm very excited to be working with the band again," says Delicious Vinyl Co-Founder Michael Ross. "The Brand New Heavies with N'Dea are like a dream team. Like any great band they all play an important role, and the sum of the parts is cool music. The new record puts them right back in the pocket of where they left off."

"With their classic sound, The Brand New Heavies have always been musical trendsetters," explains Ken Lombard, President, Starbucks Entertainment. "When we heard that the band was reuniting with a national new release this summer, we were excited to have to opportunity to offer the album to our customers."

In support of the upcoming album, The Brand New Heavies are gearing up for a U.S. promo tour, performing at The Bowery Ballroom in New York and The Roxy in Los Angeles in early May; this will be followed by a 25 date nationwide tour in July and August.

Music: Teena Marie: Sapphire

On Sapphire, Ms. Marie delivers the goods expected by her loyal fan base. A perfect blend of sultry ballads, uptempo funk jams and down right “feel good” music. The album features collaborations with R&B legend Smokey Robinson, west coast rapper Kurupt and a final duet with the late, great Rick James.

The leadoff single, Ooo Wee was co-produced by along with Cash Money co-ceo's Ronald and Bryan Williams.

Teena Marie
Sapphire
Cash Money Classics/Universal Records
May 9th

Music: Pearl Jam

Props to Sky So Blue

Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
2006

Music: Skyy - The Anthology (UK)

Uploading

Skyy
The Anthology (UK)
Salsoul Records
2006

Tracklisting in comments section

Read More BLOGS!!!!

Hey take a moment to check out these blogs

• Bitter Vibes
• Temping Aint Easy
  
• The Throwbacks
  
• Blues Away
  
• Butch Queen
  
• Neo Souljah Fortress
  
• House of Demin (NSFW)
  
• The Smoking Section
• Letters To Famous People
  

Black Rob Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison

Bad Boy recording artist Black Rob was sentenced to seven years in prison for grand larceny. After being convicted of a 2004 robbery of a hotel room, the rapper was supposed to turn himself in on January 24 to serve a two-to-six year sentence. Upon missing the date, he became a fugitive, but was finally picked up on February 24. Because he fled, Rob was given the maximum sentence of seven years.

Padlocked: NYPD Shuts Down 5 Manhattan Nightclubs

The music stopped at five Manhattan nightclubs Friday night when they were shut down.The closures were part of a nine-month New York Police Department undercover narcotics investigation. Detectives made the rounds just before midnight Friday and ordered the clubs to close immediately.

The clubs, located within blocks of each other, include View on Eighth Avenue, Club Deep (operating as Krash) on West 22nd Street, Avalon on West 20th Street, Splash on West 17th Street were all closed because of the sale of illegal drugs including cocaine, heroin, marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy. Spirit on West 27th Street was also shut down for the sale of illegal drugs, and several incidents of assault and serving alcohol to minors.

Two other clubs were issued restraining orders. Undercover police observed the sale of illegal drugs and prostitution at Club Speed on West 39th. Police say illegal drugs were also being sold at Steel Gym on East 23rd Street. Police say those clubs can remain open as long as they stop the illegal activity, but the clubs that were shut down will stay closed indefinitely.

Hearings will be held later to see if the establishments should lose their club and liquor licenses.

Movies: EZFLix DVD Rentals

Interested in being a beta tester for free DVD rentals?

Check Hacking Netflix for details.

Music: The DeBarges

Discovered by Jermanie Jackson, the group named for their shared surname, which comprised of siblings El, Mark, Randy and Bunny. After several years of grooming from Motown's A&R department, the group's career was launched via the debut album The DeBarges (1981). Their first release was a commercial disappointment. James was later added for the second release All This Love and the name changed to DeBarge.


DeBarges
The DeBarges
Gordy / Motown Records
1981

Tracklisting in comments section

If you decide to use this link provided here elsewhere, then please give Boogie Tonight V2 the proper credit.
No requests. No reups.

Music: Rupee - Thisisrupee.com

Soca fans this one is for you. This is the original version that I happen to purchase off the streets during a summer street fair in NY.

Rupee had a summer hit with Tempted To Touch but Atlantic Records never released the cd. It was only released in Japan and renamed One To One.


Rupee
Thisisrupee.com
djrudeboy
2003

Tracklisting in comments section

If you decide to use this link provided here elsewhere, then please give
Boogie Tonight V2 the proper credit.
No requests. No reups.

Persia White on the cover of Unleashed

Music: Hil St. Soul - SOULidified

On SOULidified Hil St. Soul's third recording, and the follow-up to last year's acclaimed US Shanachie debut Copasetik & Cool, Hilary Mwelwa emerges as one of the most gifted young R&B singer/songwriters in recent years. SOULidified serves up 14- head-nodding tracks with infectious grooves, poetic and self-empowering lyrics and Hilary Mwelwa’s soulful, sensuous and hypnotic trademark vocals.

Blessed with an intensely rich, soul-drenched and honey-toned alto and armed with serious lyrical and compositional sensibilities, SOULidified showcases Hilary Mwelwa’s powerful chops and soul stirring, ultra smooth gospel-laden vocals that beg to be heard. Hilary shares,"Hil St. Soul is an amalgamation of all the music that has influenced me throughout the years, from soul and R&B to hip hop, jazz, blues and gospel."

Highlights on SOULidified include the steamy and sexy duo with Dwele, Baby Come Over, the endearing and catchy Sweet On You, the soulful and inviting Hey Boy and the strikingly beautiful, pensive and emotional ballad Goodbye. Also included are such feel-good and uplifting numbers as It's OK and Time 4 Love (Relax). In a market overcrowded with vanishing one hit wonders, Hil St. Soul delivers the kind of music that promises to stand the test of time. Hilary, who enjoys cooking and interior decorating during her spare time confides, "All of the songs on my new CD are originals that I have developed over the past year that have been inspired by personal experiences. It's been a therapeutic and enjoyable process. Writing this album has allowed me the freedom to express myself and I am proud of the result."

When Hil St. Soul's Hilary Mwelwa hit Philadelphia for one of her first shows in America last year, she was met by an enthusiastic crowd shouting requests for her to sing Aretha Franklin's Until You Come Back to Me, which was featured on Soul Organic her first import-only album. "Well, the band didn't learn that one," replied Hilary, "But I'll sing it for you anyway." She then sang a spontaneous, note-perfect a capella version of the song, to the audience's great delight. In that single moment she won over the crowd. After all, how many singers around can sing perfectly on demand? And that's what Hil St. Soul is all about: delivering soulful, straight-from-the-heart music without gimmicks, or pointless vocal gymnastics.

Hil St. Soul:
SOULidified
Shanachie
April 18, 2006

Music: Loose Ends - The Best of Loose Ends

One of the top British dance and urban contemporary trios in the early '80s, Loose Ends formed in London. They were originally called Loose End, included Jane Eugene, Steve Nichol and Carl McIntosh. Virgin UK signed them in 1982. By 1983 the group changed its name to Loose Ends and signed with Virgin/MCA in America in 1984. Their single Hanging on a String (Contemplating) topped the R&B charts in 1985, and they repeated that achievement in 1986 with Slow Down. Their last hit was Watching You in 1988, which reached number two. The group shuffled its lineup in 1990 for the release Look How Long of with McIntosh was joined by Linda Carriere and Sunay Suleyman.

Loose Ends
The Best of Loose Ends (UK)
Virgin/EMI Gold

Tracklisting in comments section

If you decide to use this link provided here elsewhere, then please give Boogie Tonight V2 the proper credit. No requests. No reups.

Music: Mica Paris – The Best of Mica Paris

Mica Paris started singing in church when she was seven, and became a session singer when she was fifteen, doing backing vocals for bands like Hollywood Beyond and Shakatak. Widely regarded by critics as the British Aretha Franklin, Mica Paris is a soul sensation. She was quickly signed as a solo artist to Island Records, & released the hit, My One Temptation. Her debut album, So Good, went platinum in the UK & met with critical acclaim around the world. A voice in great demand, Mica worked with the best in the music industry including Nile Rogers, Prince & Bobby Womack.
Included in the best of is the original version of You Put A Move On My Heart which was later covered by Tamia & Qunicy Jones. The only thing is about this release is some of singles which were release here in the U.S. are not included; such as Contribution, South of the River, If I Luv U 2nite and I Wanna Hold On To You.

Mica Paris
The Best of Mica Paris (UK)
Island Records
1999

Micaparis.com

Tracklisting in comments section

DVD: Lil Jon's Vivid Vegas Party -- His First Adult Movie

Famous hip hop artist Lil Jon was involved in every detail of Lil Jon's Vivid Vegas Party, from coaching the actresses in their fine art to writing a sensual score to accentuate the storyline. The DVD of the movie goes on sale in explicit and non-explicit versions in video stores and by mail order nationwide now.

Lil Jon's Vivid Vegas Party is the first of two movies he will do with Vivid Entertainment, and in it the King of Crunk shows he can get down with the XXX starlets.

As the on-screen host of the movie, the multi-platinum rapper shows he had a very direct role in its direction. Although his role is billed as a "non-sex" performance, at one point he holds one of the actresses in his arms as she is being pleasured by another actress.

In the opening scene, Lil Jon tells viewers, "We're going to show you how we party. We'll show you how we get down and how freaky wild we get." He then climbs out of his limo as he arrives at the famous AVN Awards ceremony in Las Vegas, which has been dubbed the "'Oscars of adult" and proceeds to get very friendly with the sultry adult stars in attendance.

For the next two hours the movie directed by C-Mizzle and Shy-Dawg with help from Mr. Jon, does just that. At times it literally gets steamy, when the camera follows a couple into the shower to record a sizzling sex scene. Throughout the film Lil Jon's driving musical score accentuates the sexual action.

Lil Jon was on set throughout the production, which took place in Vegas hotel rooms as well as on studio sets. He pops up throughout the film during its many intimate scenes and at one point exclaims, "I love my job!" He interacts frequently with the performers, who include former Vivid contract actresses Mercedez and Lexie Marie, Angel Eyes, Ayana, Fire and Cherokee. Male performers who make appearances include the award-winning African American adult actor Mr. Marcus, Brian Pumper and Tony Gunn.

Video: Ray J - What I Need

Ray J currently riding the wave from the success of his single One Wish which peaked at # 3 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles chart and # 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. His current single and video, What I Need, from his current opus Raydiation. His co-star in the video is The Insider’s own correspondent Ananda Lewis. The story line is a bout the couple relationship which gets tested by a few things as Lewis questions the relationship, as Ray J confesses she’s all he’ll ever need.

Ray J’s “What I Need” Streaming Video:

http://media.revver.com/broadcast/15042/video.mov

www.rayj.com

www.myspace.com/rayj

His brother admits Jacko's 'thing for young children'

LOS ANGELES - Jermaine Jackson feared his kid brother Michael might be guilty of child molestation, but backed him at trial because he thought the pop star would commit suicide in prison, according to a bombshell book proposal obtained by the Daily News.

In a tell-all outline shopped to publishers just weeks after Michael's arrest in November 2003, Jermaine described the Pop King as a sometimes out-of-control drug and booze abuser with a calculating mean streak and "a thing for young children."

The eight-page proposal for Legacy: Surviving the Best and the Worst, lists Michael Jackson's preferred substances as Vicodin, Demerol, Codeine, Percocet, Cocaine, Jack Daniels &Wine.

"Does he really know what he does with these kids?" Jermaine wondered.

"I don't want to tell you my brother's innocent. I am not certain that he is," Jermaine said in the tome-teaser drafted by author Stacy Brown, who co-authored Michael Jackson: The Man Behind the Mask with the singer's former publicist, Bob Jones.

But Jermaine's still-unpublished tale is the ultimate insider look at the troubled star.

He admits that the family has protected Jacko's image and says that Jackson also cheats, lies and even changed the color of his skin.

Even the pop star's behavior with his own nephews has left his family "shaken," according to Jermaine. He recounts the family coming together after the death of brother Tito's ex-wife in the mid 1990s and finding Michael sitting on a bed with Tito's young sons and holding them in a disturbing manner.

Jermaine also dished about the singer's bizarre behavior shortly before he surrendered to authorities to face charges in November 2003.

Holed up in a Las Vegas hotel room, Michael calmly watched a Pinocchio DVD with his three children in his lap, but he later flew into a rage, trashing the room and breaking every glass, lamp and dish in it.

The protective big brother vowed to help Michael beat the rap because "Michael couldn't survive one day in prison ... He'd commit suicide."

Other bombshell teasers in Jermaine's outline include:

• Michael hates Jews because he thinks Hollywood moguls Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen stole the idea for Dreamworks studio, including the boy-on-the moon logo, from him.

• "But the Jews are the powerful ones and they have done a lot to put my brother in his place ... just another n-----."

• That a devious and calculating Michael squashed his brothers' solo musical careers.

• That during the Jackson 5 days, Michael's brothers feared he was gay. The brothers met lots of women while touring and all eventually fell in love. "But Michael, well, he wasn't interested. We used to quietly say that we couldn't have a gay brother."

But the family stood behind Michael despite pain, doubts and misgivings, unwilling to give up on "our little brother."

(source NY Daily News 3/5/06)

Bombshell: Jermaine Jackson Dishes The Dirt On Michael

Jermaine: Michael 'bought' his kids

Michael Jackson's two older children by ex-wife Debbie Rowe were fathered by a "sperm donor" - not the "natural way" as the pop star has insisted for years, according to his brother Jermaine's 2003 bombshell book proposal.
"My brother purchased children," Jermaine, 51, says in an outline for his never-published tell-all titled Legacy: Surviving the Best and the Worst.

Rowe, the mother of Prince Michael I, who is 9, and Paris, who is almost 8, was paid "several million dollars" to carry the artificially inseminated babies.

"It is like a sanctioned black market," Jermaine said.

Jermaine cattily referred to Rowe as a woman "nobody would ever look twice at" and said the only reason Michael married her was to appease his Muslim pals who do not approve of out-of wedlock pregnancies.

Jermaine offered no explanation for how Michael acquired his third child, 4-year-old Prince Michael II (nicknamed Blanket), whose mother has never been identified.

When Rowe and Jackson divorced in 1999, she signed a confidentiality agreement that barred her from ever discussing the children's "paternity, Michael's mental or physical condition, purported drug use, sexual behavior," according to a 2005 court document.

Rowe is currently battling Michael Jackson for access to her children. She previously surrendered her parental rights in 2001, but won them back in 2004 when a court found improper procedures were followed in the first action. An appellate court recently backed Rowe's parental rights, too. Now a judge will decide what's best for the kids.

(source NY Daily News 3/5/06)

Music: Mario Vasquez - Gallery (Debut Single)

Former AI alum Mario Vasquez debut single has been leaked from his forthcoming J Records release.

Mario Vasquez
Gallery
J Records
2006

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=YLXXWKZQ

Music: A Spike Lee Joint – School Daze soundtrack

Fun Facts:
* During the Be Alone Tonite performance, the black gloves the Gamma Rays wear go from above the elbow to below the elbow and back again in between shots.

* The matching kneepads that Kyme and Tisha Campbell are wearing during Straight and Nappy scene were not part of the original wardrobe. Kyme had a knee injury throughout the shoot and the stylist gave Campbell a kneepad to match.

* Vanessa Williams was originally considered for the role of Jane Toussaint. However, Spike Lee was impressed by Tisha Campbell's singing performance in Little Shop of Horrors that she got the part.

* The fight scene at the end of the fraternity step show was not scripted.

Tracklisting in comments section

A Spike Lee Joint: School Daze Soundtrack

Music: Karyn White - Sweet & Sensual (Rare)

This 1995 Japan only release is a complied by Karyn White and her then husband Terry Lewis. Sweet & Sensual serves as a greatest hits cd, since Warner Brothers has yet to put one out state side. Tracks include The Way You Love Me, Superwoman, Romantic, Hungah and Can I Stay With You. Enjoy.

Karyn White – Sweet & Sensual

Tracklisting in comments section

Barry Bonds

Dressed in drag portraying Paula Abdul on "American Idol," San Francisco Giants left fielder Barry Bonds adjusts his dress as he participates in a rookie hazing spoof of the hit television show prior to a Major League Baseball spring training workout, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
(AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Music: Digital Black from Playa - Memoirs of a R&B Thug

Digital Black from Playa is the embodiment of Kentucky soul. Digital Black is pushing R&B in a whole new direction. "My sound comes from the heart. Its old school and emotional yet still ghetto, "says Digital Black."It's about knowing which parts need harmonies and which parts don't. Or you might need to sing one line really, really soft and blow up on the next line. I write my songs so I know exactly how they should sound."

Digital Black had begun to make a name for himself when he wrote Ginuwine's number one hit, So Anxious and he has also worked with the late Aaliyah, Missy Elliot, Timbaland, Al Green, David Hollister, Tweet, Nicole Ray, Tank, Gerald Levert, Jodeci, Jo Jo, Toni Braxton and a host of producers such as Dr. Dre, Jazzy Pha, Kanye West, Seven, Scott Storch and Stevie J. "I think he brings a spiritual soul back to R&B that has been missing for the past decade or so. It's rare to see a solo artist that is as vocally solid and talented as Digital Black," said the late Aaliyah.

"My styles are also influenced by older people," says Digital Black. "Donnie Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Smokey Robinson, & Charlie Wilson" Digital Black's real strength is his versatility. From one track to another, the album moves easily from lover's jam to party ruckus. There is nothing this young man can't do. With style, flair and down-home flavor, Digital Black is bringing on the next wave of soul. People get ready and let the music speak for its self.

Digital Black - Memoirs of a R&B Thug features Aaliyah, Jazze Pha, Smokey and Static from Playa. Enjoy.

Digital Black Memoirs Of A R&B Thug

Tracklisting in comments section

Update: Victor Wills makes Americas Most Wanted Again

If you see this man call AMW there could be a nice lum sum of cold cash for you.

http://amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=35412

I Still Have No Words

via galleryoftheabsurd.typepad.com

WTF: SO WRONG!!!!! i have no words

shake


View more video clips at Yashi

H.A.M. = Miss Urban Beauty Pageant

There is a new pageant in town, but its unlike any other, The Miss Urban Beauty Pageant! This pageant features women who have full-figured physiques, community-oriented outlooks with the smarts to build successful careers in Corporate America and they love the hip-hop culture.

Hip-hop has become one of the most popular, profitable music genres and lifestyles in the marketplace today. The hip-hop culture is the basis of billions of dollars in annual sales of clothing, accessories, fragrances, automobiles, spirits, movies and more. A large part of hip-hops appeal is the beautiful models featured in music videos, magazine layouts and other aspects of the culture. Shannon Anderson, founder of the Miss Urban Beauty Pageant, would like to bring urban models to the forefront in a different, more positive light. She says they contribute significantly to the marketability and power of hip-hop, but are usually seen as just a group of pretty girls with glossy lips and voluptuous hips.

We are taking urban models and placing them in a more mainstream setting. The Miss Urban Beauty pageant is designed to break the barriers and stereotypes associated with urban models by giving them more mainstream appeal while still maintaining the integrity of being an urban model. "This pageant will be Miss America meets Americas Next Top Model and the Apprentice,"Anderson says, "and with the expected release of the calendar, DVD, and submission to television networks this pageant is definitely setting the path for major success!"

This years Atlanta pageant will be held at the Rialto Theater on Sept. 9th,2006.

www.MissUrbanBeauty.com

Music: Cheryl "Salt" James - Salt Unwrapped

After a delayed start Cheryl "Salt" James solo debut will finally be released. Originally due in 2001 as Salt Of The Earth, the forthcoming project is now titled Salt Unrapped. Her new sound, filled with trademark hip hop and r&b fused with inspirational messages, classified as “Urban Inspirational."

In her own words, she is ‘much wiser now, happier and has a new outlook on life. She left the industry on top, and has spent the past six years building her faith with God, sharing life with her family, building her businesses, and preparing to be an asset to the Kingdom.


Along with her musical career, she is currently working on a series of children’s books, her biography, and would also like to explore television and movie roles. Salt is relevant and wants to share her testimony with Generation Y. “All That Glitters Ain’t Gold.”, she says, with this theme her heart is bleeding to speak to the world.

"This is about me giving my testimony, completely straight from the heart," James said of her CD. "It's just me talking about things that I've gone through, where I've been and what I've learned. It's also about what God has meant to me and my life and done for me as well."

www.saltunrapped.com

Music: Lynden David Hall - RIP

It's been a very sad few days period for music... after Jay Dee's passing, don-e's myspace page is reporting the passing of UK soul singer Lynden David Hall... after a two year battle with cancer. The London born singer succumbed to Hodgkin's Lymphoma on Feb 14.

If you didn't know him please check his three LP's (Medicine 4 My Pain, The Other Side & In Between Jobs) and his guest appearence in the movie Love Actually. In a successful career, Hall released three albums and won the Best Newcomer Award at the 1998 Music of Black Origin (MOBO) awards.

Hendryx: LaBelle Reunion In The Works

Nona Hendryx, one-third of the pop-soul act LaBelle, is hard at work on her first new music in 10 years, including a planned reunion album with LaBelle members Patti LaBelle and Sarah Dash. Hendryx says the trio has laid out plans to record this year and is looking to release a project in 2007. Meanwhile, new LaBelle material will appear in the form of two songs featured in the Cataland Films/Code Black Entertainment film Preaching to the Choir. Due April 14 in U.S. theaters, the film premiered in October at the Chicago International Film Festival. A label for the soundtrack has yet to be determined.

The movie revolves around fraternal twins who part ways when one chooses a career in ministry while the other seeks hip-hop fame. Patti LaBelle stars as a choir director and also performs three new songs composed by Hendryx. "The title song is the reunion song by Patti, Sarah and I, and that will be in the film's credits and also in the trailer," Hendryx tells Billboard.com. "We also did a song called Dear Rosa as a tribute to Rosa Parks. Those two songs are sort of like our start."

Hendryx says her label, Rhythmbank Entertainment, will also play a role in the reunion album. Most of her projects are funneled through the company, which she formed two years ago with partner Bobby Banks. The roster currently includes singer/songwriter David Ryan Harris and 10-year-old gospel singer Najiyah. As for Hendryx's solo project, the singer is looking to add more hip-hop components to the album and has reached out to several writers and producers, including M-1 of dead prez and Rahzel of The Roots. But Hendryx insists she plans to stick to her pop-rock style. "I like that sort of young, street, edgy element that they bring to my more rock, melodic, song-structured creativity," she says. "It's about making that blend between R&B-rock music and making songs rather than just beats with flow on top. I'm looking to come up with classic songs."

Hendryx recently composed new music for the soundtrack to the Showtime series Sleeper Cell, released Feb. 7 via Rhythmbank. Hendryx served as executive-producer of the album, as well as co-producer along with Grammy-nominated composer Paul Haslinger. "Half of the soundtrack is music I performed with Paul," says Hendryx. "The other half is music from the show." The disc also features music from Sufjan Stevens, Tricky, Faithless and Citizen Cope. A podcast interview with Hendryx and Haslinger about the soundtrack will be available later this month via the Rhythmbank web site, iTunes and Showtime's web site.

www.rhythmbank.com

Amex Partners with Product RED to Fight AIDS

American Express announced a new partnership today with the UK's Product RED to help fund the fight against AIDS and malaria on the African continent. As part of the program, the financing giant has launched a new product, American Express Red, a credit card that will contribute 1% of everything spent with the card toward the humanitarian group the Global Fund. (Product RED is an initiative whose primary objective is to engage the private sector in the fight against AIDS in Africa by channelling funds from the sale of RED products directly to the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.)

American Express RED will be the first credit card to meet the payment needs of a new and growing group of individuals it calls 'Conscience Consumers.' These are consumers who make decisions about the brands they purchase based on their social, ethical and environmental values. Companies whose products take on the RED mark have made a commitment to contribute a portion of profits from the sale of that product to the Global Fund to finance AIDS programs in Africa.

Besides Amex, current partners are Converse, Gap and Giorgio Armani. Launch partners will channel a portion of profits to the fund from selected 'Red-branded' goods -- including, respectively, T-shirts, wraparound sunglasses and training shoes made from African mudcloth. Rumors are circulating that Apple may join by offering its highly popular ipod in red.

The companies will roll out the Red brand in various markets at different stages, mainly targeting Britain at first, where Amex expects a market of some four million 'conscience consumers' by 2009. It will unveil its card in the UK in March.

www.americanexpressred.co.uk/

http://www.joinred.com/

Music: ABSOLUT TRACKS - Lenny Kravitz

ABSOLUT recently launched ABSOLUT KRAVITZ – a new music project which sees Lenny Kravitz creating an exclusive new track based on his interpretation of the ABSOLUT brand. Famous for its creative collaborations with leading world-famous artists and designers, this collaboration marks the first time Absolut has worked with such a well-known figure from the world of music.

ABSOLUT KRAVITZ is the first project that has seen ABSOLUT teaming up with an internationally recognised recording artist. Lenny Kravitz joins the long list of talented individuals – Andy Warhol, Gianni Versace, Damien Hirst and Helmut Lang among them – who have collaborated with ABSOLUT to create exclusive new works.

Kravitz recorded a new song entitled Breathe , which will be featured in the campaign. Although this collaboration marks Absolut’s first collaboration with a musician, the brief given to Kravitz was exactly the same as the one any world –class artist working with the brand would receive: present your personal interpretation of Absolut and its core values. The result is a track that is a transition from Kravitz’s traditional rock and roll to a distinctly dance music sound, with minimal lyrics, a memorable melody and pulsating beat.

Get the free MP3 of "Breathe" at absolutkravitz.com.

Analog turnoff date is set

Pending a signature from the President of the United States, the deadline for all American televisions to go digital will be February 17, 2009, where all US TVs will either need to be digital or have a digital to analog converter. Luckily for consumers prices are falling too. The clock is ticking and only three years remain.

Nelly's Club Derrty NBA All-Star Weekend

www.clubderrty.com

Security Guard Killed At Busta Rhymes Video Shoot In Brooklyn

A man was shot to death early this morning (Feb. 5) near a video shoot for rapper Busta Rhymes in the Greepoint section of Brooklyn, N.Y. According to reports, Israel Ramirez was shot once in the chest, he was pronounced dead a short time later. Ramirez who was working as a bodyguard at Kiss the Cactus Productions, where the video for Rhymes' Touch It remix which was being filmed.

Police said 14 shots were fired from an AK-47 assault rifle outside the studio. Police are looking for a man they say gunned down a security guard at a video shoot. Rhymes was inside the studio at the time and was not injured and at deadline it is unclear whether the incident had any connection to the artist. Surveillance tapes are being analyzed for evidence.

Israel Ramirez, 29, a relatively new addition to the rappers' security detail, was shot once in the chest around midnight in front of 259 Green St. in Greenpoint, where up to 500 people, including several hip-hop artists, gathered for a filming of the rapper's hit single police and witnesses said.

Busta Rhymes, who was unhurt and may not have heard the gunfire, was filming footage inside the studio at the time, an employee of the studio said. The rapper left before he could be questioned.

Missy Elliott was at the studio, but also left before police could talk to her, police sources said. Those sources also confirmed that rappers 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks along with singer Mary J. Blige, who also raps on the single, had been expected in the studio, but it was unclear whether they were there at the time of the shooting.

A spokesperson for Busta Rhymes or his record company could not be reached.

Ramirez was standing outside the building, while recording took place in a ninth-floor sound-proof studio, police said.

The shooting occurred as a large group of people spilled out from the warehouse onto the street and several of them began arguing, police said. The origin of the dispute was not clear, but more than 10 shots were fired from at least one gun, police sources said.

"Everyone started hiding. People started running," said a studio grip, who declined to be identified, but said he was inside the studio and hid behind a scissor lift with 20 others. "It was a chain reaction; people just running everywhere."

Ramirez, of 200 W. 107th St. in Morningside Heights, was shot once in the chest and pronounced dead at Woodhull Hospital Center at 1:10 a.m., police said.

No one was arrested in the shooting, but police said they were looking for several people who were there to understand what happened.

Hours after the shooting, police recovered a small, silver handgun with a black grip about 100 feet across the street from the studio.

The business is part of a network of production studios in Brooklyn that operate under the name Broadway Stages. A woman who picked up the phone at the company's main office declined to comment.

A resident says it's been a long time since this neighborhood has seen this kind of violence.

"I've noticed that this neighborhood has changed over the last few years in terms of soundstages being developed and a new arts community thriving. We haven't heard of this kind of news since the 1980's when there was so much gang violence and street violence rampant in our community," he says.

"It's kind of disheartening to know that after so many decades, there is a looming threat of that kind of street violence once again emerging in this neighborhood."

No word yet on a motive for the shooting, or any possible suspects.