Drew

Nicki Minaj recently set tongues wagging following the release of her sexually explicit “Anaconda” music video and amongst the chatter of fans and critics begs the question: why are so many women in hip-hop using […]

Late nights that crawl well into the early morning hours are Lil Wayne’s and Drake’s way of life in the music video for “Grindin,'” off Tha Carter V album. The DJ Scoob Doo-directed visual, which features footage […]

DOVER, N.J., Sept. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Casio G-SHOCK releases a technologically advanced timepiece, the G’Mix Rotary Switch BLE, GBA400, designed with a new rotary switch that enhances the music listening […]

By Myles Russell Cook, Swinburne University of Technology It’s not difficult to find reference to Indigenous ethnographic designs in contemporary Australia. Motifs from Adelaide’s Balarinji Design Studios coat Qantas’ Boeing fleet and elders wore Victorian possum skin cloaks at the 2006 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Melbourne. What is more difficult is determining the nature of…
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As his passion and love for Ghanaian HipHop seems not to quench, the Multi-Platinum and Billboard #1 winning producer Coptic has finally settled on the first artist for his GH record label The Black Star Line. Coptic and The Black Star Line who have already partnered with Kwaw Kese, Jayso & Gibrilville for their next album…
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A new report from Android Police shares the first specific details about the long-rumored YouTube-branded streaming music service from Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), indicating key differences from other streaming services. According to the report, the subscription-based service will be called YouTube Music Key and will offer more than 20 million songs and videos that have been curated…
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The continuing turmoil in Ferguson, Missouri, has opened up a much-needed dialogue about race in America, but apparently not all Americans think so. In a national survey released Monday by the Pew Research Center, […]

The Grammy-nominated rock group, Alabama Shakes, headlined Mercedes Benz Evolution Tour in Atlanta last Thursday evening (Aug 7). Held at the swagged-out 200 Peachtree venue in Downtown, Atlanta, Alabama Shakes performed to an intimate group of 300 or so social media fans and special guests, with a much-anticipated performance that rallied the crowd as lead singer Brittany Howard belted out soulful, bluesy riffs and howls.

Only the second stop on a nine-city tour, Mercedes Benz went all out in an effort to promote their 2015 GLA-Class. As you entered the venue, guests walked the black carpet to photographers snapping candid shots ported to iPad portals, accessible by email. The venue was very posh and decked out like a concert at the music awards, only smaller. Guests were treated to an open bar and free products by vendors vying to entice and appease them. Trendy and stylish silk-screened tanks and tee’s boasting a Pink Dolphin, and the Mercedes brand logo were a part of the swag give-a-way.

Opening acts The Deslondes, and Clear Plastic Masks played 20-minute sets to a semi-hyped crowd all too eager to see Alabama Shakes, who delivered a roaring opening performance. Brittany Howard did her thing and the band’s in-tune synergy set the stage for what became an hour or so long performance of riveting proportions. Singing favorites from their 2012 debut album “Boys & Girls,” including “Hold On,” “I Ain’t the Same” and “You Ain’t Alone,” the crowd was in a frenzy. Howard performed some new songs from their upcoming sophomore album – out 2015, and her father even got a shout-out, as he watched the performance from the second-floor balcony.

Eager to speak with the bands on their upcoming projects, we hope to feature exclusive interviews with The Deslondes, Young The Giant, Mayer Hawthorne, Clear Plastic Mask and Alabama Shakes in the next print issue and digital editions.

Article By Patrick Kelly
Photography By Stephen Williams
Special thanks to Taylor Gowdy, Eric K Thomas and Stephen Williams

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Dee 1 Turned Down A Cash Money Contract
Dee-1, New Orleans rapper who just released his Free Lunch & Sallie Mae mixtape, is still letting the ink dry on his recently announced that he signed toRCA Records… To the public’s surprise, during a telling interview with Dr. Boyce Watkins, Dee-1 revealed prior to finding solace with RCA, he actually turned down an offer from Cash Money Records.

“[Cash Money CEO] Slim reached out, and me and Slim were talking back and forth for several months. They were trying to sign me to Cash Money,” said Dee. “He flew me to Miami, put me in a studio where they do all their recording, it’s crazy…It didn’t feel right in spirit, it just didn’t. I couldn’t put my finger on it. It’s not like they weren’t gonna offer me money, of course they were gonna offer me money. Of course I’m not a millionaire. It would have been like, ‘This is cool, I could probably do some good with this.’ I never make decisions based on money. I could take a $100 bill and tear it up and then it’s worthless. You can’t do that with your integrity.”

Full interview: Watch Video

Dee 1 Releases ‘O.D. On Life’ feat. Stalley
After receiving an amazing response to Free Lunch And Sallie Mae, Dee-1enlisted the aid of Maybach Music Group’s Stalley to remix the critically-acclaimed, “O.D. On Life”. Dee-1 and Stalley first crossed paths while on Lupe Fiasco‘s Tetuso & Youth Preview Tour, so it was only a matter of time before the rappers capitalized on their friendship and came together on a song. The record is called “O.D. On Life”, was prod by Jaymison Beverly, and mixted by Mixed By Stiv. Listen, below.

Connect with Dee1:

http://www.twitter.com/dee1music
http://www.dee1music.com
facebook.com/dee1music
instagram.com/dee1music