The Jonas Brothers show off their eclectic taste in music with this exclusive video playlist!
"Chopped N Skrewed" feat. Ludacris
Few people can accurately say they've changed the course of music; count T-Pain among that short list. His bright, polished arrangements have become the in-demand sound across genres, and his scene-stealing vocal performances are among the most coveted in music. Since bursting on the scene in 2005, T-Pain has been awarded a Grammy, produced and written a plethora of chart-topping and platinum-selling singles, garnered "Songwriter of the Year" and "Producer of the Year" honors at the BMI Urban Awards and earned a BET Award. So it should come as little surprise that the musical maestro's tremendous, self-produced third album, THR33 RINGZ, stands as a sonic odyssey brimming with innovation.
The distinctive spelling used for the album title may not hold any significance, but the meaning behind the name carries weight. "It came from people telling me that I'm running the game, that I'm the ringleader of the game," T-Pain says humbly. "That's where the whole circus imagery came from. I started putting it together with the idea that the circus is just like the music industry. You've got your different acts, all of the different animals, etc."
THR33 RINGZ is quite the musical journey, complete with highs and lows, smash singles and unexpected twists. Lead single "Can't Believe It" is already enjoying heavy radio and video exposure. Aided by sprinkly keys and T-Pain's trademark vocoder, he and guest Lil Wayne talk about spoiling their respective ladies in the song. There's good reason T-Pain's music often connects with and speaks to women. He had plenty of training dealing with the fairer sex.
"When I was in school, I would sit and talk to a lot of girls," T-Pain recalls. "I would listen to what they would talk about, what they want. I would try to understand the passions of a woman. That's where my concepts come from. That's how you know if people can relate to your songs. If you've heard the same elements of a story over and over again, you know there are millions of people going through this."
Since his schoolroom listening sessions, T-Pain has kept his ears open. In fact, listening to several sob stories inspired "Therapy," a tune where T-Pain and Kanye West talk about women who need to get themselves together. T-Pain then details relationships with negative energy on "Chopped & Screwed" a track that features Ludacris. But T-Pain's music isn't all about drama. He also listens to his friends when they gush about a special someone. The party track "Freeze," for instance, grew out of conversation T-Pain had with Chris Brown. Brown, who also appears on the high-energy song, was telling T-Pain how he finds women that can dance particularly attractive.
Of course T-Pain's long-time fans know that he especially appreciates women who dance in strip clubs. But he knows from first-hand experience how men often fall victim to DJs who switch songs up too quickly when they've just paid for a lap dance. Hence, the five-minute plus "Long Lap Dance." "In Florida, strippers charge for lap dances by the song," T-Pain explains. "If you just so happen to ask a girl for a lap dance in the middle of a song and the DJ cuts it off, you still have to pay the full price. So I just made a long song, so whenever you ask for it, you should be good. And the DJs know that they can't cut it off, "cause then it wouldn't be the "Long Lap Dance' song."
With his music being largely based on real-world encounters, it makes sense that T-Pain recorded "Reality Show," a tune that details some of his wild experiences. "At certain times, everybody's like, "I need my own reality show because the stuff I'm going through is crazy,'" T-Pain says with a laugh. "I don't know why you'd want the world to see everything you're going through, but nobody's done a reality show song yet."
Reality shows are filled with drama, and T-Pain's existence is no different. When he gets angry, T-Pain is likely to end up rapping, as is the case on "Ring Leader Man," "Karaoke" with DJ Khaled, and the title track. "If I'm upset, then it's going to be a rap day," T-Pain says with a chuckle. "I make music depending on what mood I'm in. If I'm pissed off, I can't get on there and talk about love."
Even though T-Pain sometimes finds himself in an angry mood, he remains grounded because of his wife and children. His family is also the inspiration for THR33 RINGZ song "Keep Going." This acoustic tune stands as a testament to T-Pain's dedication to his family. "I want to make sure that my kids live a good life," he says. "I don't want them to have to figure out the hard way what a food stamp is. I've slept in cars. I went through a lot in my life and I'm going to make sure that if somebody's life is in my hands that they're not going to have to go through that."
Indeed, T-Pain can speak from that perspective because he knows what it is like to struggle. His Tallahassee, Florida hometown was lacking music industry opportunities and connections, so the man born Faheem Najm chose the T-Pain moniker to signify his plight. He taught himself how to make music, write songs and record music.
In 2003, T-Pain's sly remake of Akon's "Locked Up" caught the attention of music industry insiders, and the independent release of his "I'm Sprung" single led to a contract with Jive/Zomba.
T-Pain's use of the vocoder made his music stand out, and his prolific, high-quality output turned him into one of music's most oft-imitated and in-demand producers, singers and collaborators. His first two albums, 2006's Rappa Ternt Sanga and 2007's Epiphany, have been certified gold, thanks to hit singles such as "I'm N Luv (Wit A Stripper)" and "Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin')." He has also collaborated with Kanye West ("Good Life"), Chris Brown ("Kiss, Kiss"), Flo Rida ("Low"), Plies ("Shawty"), and Bow Wow ("Outta My System") for platinum singles.
Now, as T-Pain gains more control over his artistry, expect him to continue expanding his sonic and creative reach as a singer-songwriter-rapper-producer. After all, he knows the key to long-term success in the music industry is evolution. "You've got to be different and keep it consistent at the same time, which is super-hard to do," T-Pain says. "I come different every time and that's what people look for, what they expect."
And with THR33 RINGZ, the world expects nothing less than another magical musical adventure from T-Pain. Expectation achieved.
"Go Girl" feat. T-Pain
With the release of their banging Def Jam/So So Def debut single "Booty Music," the multiracial R&B quartet Git Fresh has transformed the hotness of their hometown Fort Lauderdale into scorching grooves. "Our song 'Booty Music' was one of the tracks we recorded when we were between labels," says primary producer Rudy. Along with Sly, Brent (Penny) and Mike (Mike Easy), the group has been together for ten years. "Though I do most of the production, all group members contribute to the lyrics and vocal arrangements. We are own worst critics, so we have no problems trashing a song if it isn't up to par."
Originally formed when all the boys were still teenagers singing at local talent shows and performing at parties around the state, Git Fresh is far from another prefab boy band. "With the exception of Sly, we all went to the Dillard Performing Arts High School, and have been working together for years," explains Mike. "As a unit, we love working together."
Formerly signed to Jive Records, the group once called DeepSide changed their name soon after splitting with the label. "This is our new beginning, and Git Fresh is as energetic as we've always been," Mike finishes.
Indeed, that energy can be heard in the electro bounce of "Booty Music," a hypnotic dance track that is bound to be the song of the summer. "We recorded that song down in Atlanta, and somehow it leaked to a few stations," says Rudy. "At the time we were parting with Jive, and being courted by other labels, and 'Booty Music' became our official calling card."
Def Jam President LA Reid was one of Git Fresh's many fans. After the fellows auditioned in LA's plush New York office (which was also the day after Rudy buried his grandfather), R&B's premier music man knew he had made the right choice. "Though there were other labels were interested in us, we signed to Def Jam because we thought they were more artist driven," recalls Sly. "Git Fresh felt at home from the moment we walked through the door."
Having formed their own production company called The Studio Monkeys, the group immediately retreated back home to begin recording their upcoming disc. "We have been honing our skills for a long time," explains Penny. "It was as if we put ourselves in boot camp. In our early days it was rough, but we stuck together through negative energy and hard times."
Citing various artists from El DeBarge to Jodeci, Elton John to The Temptations as aural influences, Git Fresh works from a harmonic paint palate of many colors to create their impressionistic soul. So, while the group can wild out on party jams "Booty Music" and "Naked," the can also slow down the pace on joints like "Cheaters" and "Blow Me A Kiss."
Smiling, Penny says, "As a group, we're just so excited about where our music is going. Though we make slamming club records, we also like making ballads that give us the opportunity to show heartfelt emotions." One soulful standout includes "This Right Here." "Our sound represents all that is culturally diverse in music."
With so many, "just alright" singers, songwriters and producers littering the R&B landscape, the time is right for Git Fresh to get ahead.
The Carnegie Group is pleased to announce that Ravenel Records and Sirius Radio's Hip Hop Nation have teamed up for a joint venture to release Nina B: "The Real Rap Supreme" mix-tape. "The Real Rap Supreme" which drops Friday the 13th boasts 13 tracks and is formatted like a live interview. The mix-tape touches on a variety of topics that allows the music world, fans, supporters, and yes even haters to get up close and personal with the bostress, Nina B. "The Real Rap Supreme" gives listeners an in dept look at who Nina B really is. It touches on the controversial subject of the reality show Miss Rap Supreme and why Nina opted out of being a contestant on the show. The mix-tape also includes an interview that Nina did with Sgt. Reggie Hawkins from Hip Hop Nation's after hours show.
"The Real Rap Supreme" will be available Friday, June 13 for FREE download at www.illroots.com reintroduces us to a female lyricist who hands down is a Real Rap Supreme (congrats to Reese Steele) With undeniable talent, dedication, a serious grind, and Ravenel Records behind her, there's no stopping Nina B; hip-hop's new leading lady!!
About Nina B Nina B is a native New Yorker who was born in the Bronx and raised in Brooklyn, two of hip-hop's breeding grounds. Hip-hop is her genre, and every rhyme she writes brings her one step closer to carving what will soon become her legacy in the history of the music game. At the tender age of six, Nina recorded her first rhyme on her playschool recorder. By age 9, she had written enough to have a catalog of poetry and music, which would soon pave the path to her becoming one of hip-hop's most promising female artist. As a young girl, Nina experienced the harsh reality of the streets and the trials and tribulations life had to offer. This attributes to the realness in the rhymes that she writes and her strength to overcome adversity.
Nina spent her teenage years writing and educating herself on the ins and outs of the music industry. By age 16, Nina was offered a major record deal, which she professionally declined. By nineteen, NINA B was an active participant in Russell Simmons/Bruce Willis Art Start and Hip-Hop Project, where she met Amber Ravenel, CEO of Ravenel Records. In 2003, Nina B signed with Ravenel Records, becoming the first female artist on their roster. Since then, Nina has released six mix-tapes, did a barrage of live performances at venues throughout the New York/Tri-State area, has been featured on some of hip-hop's most notable sites, and publications.
As a female artist signed to an independent label run by a woman, Nina B and Amber Ravenel have broken down barriers in what has always been considered a male dominated industry. Nina's song "Can't Stop" has been pick of the week on Hot 97's morning show with Miss Jones and DJ Envy. She has made four appearances on Rap City, a record for an independent female artist. She has also been highlighted on The Drhama Hour with DJ Kayslay and his Sirius Satellite Radio Show, Cipher Sounds "Don't Quit Your Day Job" Show, and "On The Spot" with DJ Green Lantern. These are all huge accomplishments for an artist not signed to a major record deal, being represented by an independent label. Combine Nina B's consistency, diligent work ethics, and lyrical flow, with the misfortunes of her past serving as her strength for her future, and you have a female artist whose future and success has no limits.
After 2 weeks on the Billboard charts, independent Texas rap trio, TMI Boyz, have jumped from #11 to #6 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop album chart with their debut, Grindin' for a Purpose, which hit stores nationwide on May 20th, making them a 'pacesetter.' They have also jumped from #88 to #79 on Billboard's Top 200 album chart.
Although the group is not supported by a major label, or have a current breakout radio single, TMI Boyz have made their presence felt to fans the old fashioned way - by grindin'. With Rap Coalition's Wendy Day at the helm, and the support of TMI Muzic CEO's Lil C and Mario Henchmen, TMI Boyz jumped in a van and hit the road, attending every rap-related event possible for over 6 months; ending with an FYE in-store promo tour that had the guys in over 50 cities in as many days.
Hailing from Galveston, TX and Houston's notorious South West, TMI Boyz are doing their small part to let the industry know that Texas is always going to play a major role in this rap game. The group has been featured in XXL, The Source, Ozone, Hip Hop Weekly and�Down, amongst many others, graced the front page of MySpace Music and had a video debut on BET's 106 & Park as a New Joint of the Day. Not bad for an independent group. TMI Boyz are consistently hailed as 'next to blow' by industry vets like Michael '5000' Watts, Bigga Rankin, Crisco Kidd�and DJ Smallz and as they continue to make their presence felt, that list keeps growing.
Those attending the Texas Urban Music Summit in Dallas this weekend can see TMI Boyz perform at the AllHipHop.com Breeding Ground event on Friday, June 27th and talks are being had for other major performance opportunities.
Snoop Dogg's first animated DVD, The Adventures of Tha Blue Collar Treatment DVD in Stores and On-Demand at CodeblackTV.com Today!
The Adventures of Tha Blue Carpet Treatment is a psychedelic stream-of-consciousness trip through the magical mind of Snoop Dogg.This feature-length animated film showcases music from Snoop's smash hit album "The Blue Carpet Treatment," along with cameos and guest voices from many of hip hop's biggest stars such as E-40, The Game, Nate Dogg, Kurupt and B-Real from Cypress Hill. Comedians Mike Epps and Katt Williams also lend their talents to the film as well.
"The Adventures of Tha Blue Carpet Treatment is a funky-fresh-fricassee of animated hood psychedelic mixed with the West Coast bounce and lean of creator Snoop Dogg's smash hit album, Tha Blue Carpet Treatment. The straight-to-DVD brings to life the Doggfather's magical mind state, full of colorful Roy G. Biv'S: blue rags, Pittsburgh Steeler low-low's and the stickiest of the green." - Kevin L. Clark of TheUrbanDaily.com
To purchase On-Demand, go to CodeBlackTV: Codeblacktv.com/ DVD Purchase Link
Official Trailer
Several students from the No More Victims, Inc. advocacy program, founded and headed by Marilyn Gambrell, made the big walk last Thursday despite the many odds against them doing so. These are children from Northeast Houston's M.B. Smiley High School who have one or more parent in prison, some of them doing life sentences. By the mere act of graduating these young people have been able to achieve success despite some very tough odds, something that is statistically not expected of them.
Smiley High is closing it's doors this year, making this the final graduating class from this school, so, to make this event very special, music publicist Nancy Byron worked with Gambrell to get nationally known rappers such as Chamillionaire, Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Trae tha Truth and Michael '5000' Watts, some of whom themselves attended Smiley,to participate and give the graduating kids some much deserved congratulations and encouragement to keep up the great work. The event was held at a Houston Pappadeaux's restaurant where the young graduates were dropped off in donated stretch limos.
Congratulations guys and all the best in the future!
No More Victim's, Inc. is an advocacy program for infants and children of incarcerated parents; offering counseling, mentoring, and educational assistance. To many of the children it is the only family they know. No More Victims, Inc. is a program unique to the city of Houston and currently has over 700 members, both past and present. The amazing work Marilyn has done with the children enrolled in her program (only 3% of the children who have gone through her program have ended up in prison themselves) has garnered not only national media attention (CNN, US News and World Report, People), but a motion picture, Fighting the Odds; The Marilyn Gambrell Story, was released by the Lifetime Television Network in 2005, starring Jami Gertz as Marilyn Gambrell, that continues to air on a monthly basis to this day. The film won an Emmy Nomination as an outstanding feature film.
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