J. Dash Tabloid Truth

StereoFame Records   Released exclusively through Wal-Mart    Available through iTunes

Described as ‘Mozart meets Outkast’, hip hop artist J. Dash is infusing rap with a new level of sophistication that has it headed for world domination. His tracks are way more than a beat with a rap; they contain layers of instrumentation. Revolutionary yet steeped in the melodic tradition of music. At the same time, it’s at once classic and contemporary.

Indeed, the debut single, “WOP (Without Prejudice),” from the Jacksonville, FL, resident’s CD, Tabloid Truth, that started a viral dance craze and claimed a #1 hit on TuneCore, has been charting on a global level, counting 10,000 downloads on just Christmas Day alone that have added to its more than 250,000 in sales. The “WOP” video has earned 30 million hits and is still counting.

Such is the appeal of J. Dash. And what’s really cool about this artist is that it all stems from a real source of talent. A classically trained pianist, he also plays several instruments and has a degree in computer science from the University of Florida. All this adds up to tracks that are musically infused and lyrically intelligent.

While all the tracks on Tabloid Truth feature Dash’s trademark flavorful flow, the music makes it glow. The anthemic “Take It Hard” with its uptempo beat could just as easily be the theme song to a racing scene on TV or a sports competition. On the other hand, the catchy cut “Strut,” another uptempo movement with a hot hook, is truly a chick song (meaning it’s complimentary to the ladies). While many of the cuts are steeped in the bass basic to hip-hop, the background vocals and Dash’s fluorescent flow give it all a pop presence. “Dance All Night” is an example, while “Drugged” goes on another journey that shows off Dash’s southern roots. “Fresh” could easily be another single, with its sing-song liquidity yet fun, carefree feel that would blast well in a convertible ride down the I-95.

Loaded with hit singles, Tabloid Truth dropped January 31. Look for this artist to shine on a global level!

Diana, Gil and Steve Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awards

Describing their influence as “making lasting impressions on our culture” is how Recording Academy President Neil Portnoy characterized this year’s Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awards. Included in this year’s honors which will be handed out the night before the 54th Annual Grammy Awards on February 11, are the 12-time nominee who never won a Grammy Motown diva Diana Ross, Glen Campbell, the Allman Brothers Band, George Jones, the Memphis Horns and two posthumous tributes to pianist/guitarist Carlos Jobim and Gil Scott-Heron. Trustees Awards for non-performance musical contributions will also be awarded to Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder and songwriter Dave Bartholomew.

Gil Scott-Heron, who died on May 28, 2011 at the age of 62,  was praised for pushing the boundaries of music, poetry and social commentary. “For more than 40 years, Gil Scott-Heron generated an international following with his dynamic, revolutionary musical performances, unforgettable voice, and profound lyrics,” said the Grammy Committee about this cultural icon who had been dubbed the “Godfather of Rap.” 

Don Mizell On Gil Scott-Heron

Grammy-winner Don Mizell, Esq, who produced the 2005 Album of the Year on Ray Charles, Genius Loves Company, shares his insight on the Recording Academy’s selection of cultural icon Gil Scott-Heron. 

Gil Scott-Heron receiving the Lifetime Achievement Grammy is entirely fitting and proper because his significance as an historic artist is indelible. He was truly brilliant as a pioneer in fusing scintillating spoken word poetry/rap with a  powerful musical brew of blues, jazz, soul and world pop into a fresh, startling presentation of the world probed through a sharp prism of politically conscious, existentially-charged lyrics full of deep wisdom and real heart at a crucial time in our nation’s struggle to fully realize the potential of its professed ideals.

Gil was a charismatic genius, gifted with a keen intelligence, highly literate, educated, erudite, articulate and professorial by nature but steeped in the life of the urban streets. His ruminating voice was a unique and commanding instrument of serene strength and sensitivity, of gutty grit and grace. He was witty, caustic and smart-ass funny-as-hell. His work was a clarion call bravely speaking truth to power and challenging us all to stand up for Right for all human rights. He cautioned us about the debilitating, often irresistible lure of various addictions. He cared deeply about the fate of Black folks and the future of all humanity. In the ‘70s he and fellow spirit traveller Brian Jackson made sublime music together that raised the consciousness of a whole generation of Black collegians and liberation minded creative folk in ways that have resonated down through the years now to a generation of great rappers who rightfully call him the Godfather of Rap.  Indeed he was, but his artistry was also much more than that.

Because Gil was always, like Stevie Wonder his friend and colleague, always, and in all ways, all about The Truth, about Justice and Righteousness and connecting the dots of those supreme ideals to the power of great music. And that was what he did, in so many remarkable collaborations with comrade Brian Jackson.

I knew him right before they started making music together when we were both 19 in neighboring colleges (he at Lincoln and me at Swarthmore), going around performing black liberation poetry at  gigs in the Philly area. He was cool then, already an Old Soul in a way, way ahead of the rest of us poets in his precocious grasp of being a Full Grown Man in Life. I mean, he had already written a novel, put out a book and an album of dope poetry and was cooking up the magic music he and Brian concocted for The Pieces of A Man album which launched his career with a bang in 1971. I think it is fair to say that most of his storied recognition stems from the music they made during the ‘70s because it is without a doubt the music for which he is most remembered.

I’ve always been a huge fan and I’m also really proud  to say I knew him well back in the day when he was at his best…and Gil was certainly one of the best when he was at his best!

And we are all the better for it, too. The provocative, compelling  music he and Brian made for Bob Thiele and later with Malcolm Cecil and The Midnight Band for Clive Davis will surely stand the test of time. The urgent messages he courageously championed in his entire lifetime will never die in the minds and hearts of those of us who care about freedom, fairness and human progress.

Finally, I’m sure he would be deeply grateful to know he is being honored in such a profound way and also that his legacy will be properly recognized, protected and advanced with dedication in the capable hands of his family estate heirs, valued past comrades and trusted colleagues going forward at gilscottherononline.com

Red Tails Flies High

The 20^th Century Fox film “Red Tails,” produced by George Lucas, about the first all-black squadron of fighter pilots in World War II, didn’t disappoint its studio in its opening week, grossing more than expected with more than $19 million. And the accolades keep coming in, from President and First Lady Obama at the White House to the Friends of Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, Inc, (FTANHS) who, along with the National Parks Service and communities from Tuskegee to Macon, displayed red ribbons and held commemorative parades. Jeep, which transported troops on land during WWII and is highlighted in the film, joined in the celebration sponsoring four premieres in Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York attended by surviving Tuskegee Airmen and a Red Tail pilot.

Nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show host Tom Joyner joined in the salute to Tuskegee Airmen by not only delivering a convocation on MLK Day at his alma mater the Tuskegee Institute, but also airing a live show from Dallas and another four-hour Sky Show from Atlanta through WALR-FM (Kiss 104.1) with Ashanti, SWV and Estelle. Declaring, “I’m the son of the Tuskegee Airmen program,” Joyner proudly explained that his father, Hercules, was part of the Tuskegee Airmen program, while his mother worked in the airmen’s office.

Joyner, decked in airmen garb, with the cast and director of the “Red Tails” movie (l-r) Kevin Phillips, Elijah Kelley and director Anthony Hemmingway

iHeartRadio: Biggest Live Concert Festival in Radio History

Las Vegas welcomes what is being touted as the “biggest live concert festival in radio history” to the MGM Grand for two consecutive nights on September 23 and 24 to celebrate the official launch of the new version of Clear Channel’s iHeartRadio digital service. Live audio and video streams of the iHeartRadio Music Festival will be available online, via mobile devices at www.iHeartRadio.com and across all of Clear Channel’s radio station websites.

And the line-up is stellar. According to “American Idol” host and Clear Channel radio personality Ryan Seacrest, the host for this two-day festival, “This is a once in a generation gathering of artists and fans from all over the country for a true, must-see music event. The iHeartRadio Music Festival, like the iHeartRadio digital radio service, will showcase top artists across all genres of music. Listeners from all over America will travel to Las Vegas to celebrate the next generation of iHeartRadio, while seeing the greatest musicians in the world on one stage.”

So far that lineup includes lineup Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Steven Tyler, The Black Eyed Peas, Kenny Chesney, Jennifer Lopez, Carrie Underwood, Jane’s Addiction, Nicki Minaj, John Mayer, David Guetta, Rascal Flatts, Bruno Mars, Kelly Clarkson, Sublime with Rome and special performances from Usher and Sting, with more announcements still forthcoming.

“Building up to the festival, we will be presenting the biggest national promotion in radio history,” said John Hogan, President/CEO of Clear Channel Radio. “All 850 Clear Channel radio stations, spanning diverse music formats, introduced millions of listeners across the country to this historic music event. The majority of our stations will also feature exclusive radio and digital content including exclusive artist interviews and ticket giveaways. The announcement of the event alone has set new records. It’s the first announcement ever to roadblock all Clear Channel Radio platforms and the teasers and the announcement have reached an estimated 100 million people.”

Added Bob Pittman, Chairman of Media and Entertainment Platforms for Clear Channel Radio, “Music is the heart of our business and we think there is no better way to celebrate the launch of the New iHeartRadio than with a groundbreaking, multi-day festival featuring the world’s biggest, most exciting artists – and reaching the largest combined U.S. radio and online audience ever. This underscores Clear Channel’s transformation to a dynamic integrated media and entertainment company with an unmatched reach in the U.S. The New iHeartRadio will offer users a much broader, more integrated and customized digital listening experience than any other service available – and it’s all in one product.”

Seacrest’s video promo on the new iHeartRadio compares it to Pandora, “but with more songs, more control and no commercials through the end of the year.” The New iHeartRadio will deliver Clear Channel stations from across the country as well as the ability to create custom stations with even more songs, more control than the leading custom radio station services and with no commercials through the end of the year.

IDJMG Welcomes G.O.O.D. Music

Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJMG) has signed an exclusive long-term worldwide label agreement with Kanye West’s record label, G.O.O.D. Music. West will continue as a core recording artist on the Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam label, but the artists he has signed to his label will now be released through IDJMG. The first artist under the new agreement is Detroit rapper Big Sean whose debut product, Finally Famous, arrived in stores on June 28. West executive produced the album, which features the single “My Last” featuring Chris Brown.

According to the new Chairman/CEO of Universal Motown Republic Group (UMRG) and IDJMG, Barry Weiss, “G.O.O.D. Music is an exciting new chapter in the long and successful association of Kanye West and Island Def Jam. As a recording artist and a producer over the past eight years, there is no one who has made a greater impression on the game than Kanye. We look forward to working closely with the new and established artists that he will be bringing to G.O.O.D. Music, which is already off to an impressive start with Big Sean.”

Added IDJMG President/COO Steve Bartels, “Kanye’s genius has been proven time and time again on records and onstage. He not only pours it out for himself, but he has made the difference with his presence on innumerable projects with other artists who are indebted to him. Kanye is an integral core member of the IDJ family, and G.O.O.D. Music continues his unselfish tradition of bringing along great new artists to the forefront.”

Sylvia Rhone Relinquishes Motown Spot

Sylvia Rhone and SESAC Songwriter of the Year Rico Love

Sylvia Rhone has resigned as president of Universal Motown with GM Pat Monaco taking over the day-to-day operations of Universal Motown, while UMG looks for a replacement. UMG said in a statement that it remains “committed to [Universal Motown] as a strong presence in the contemporary music scene. We will soon announce important additions to the staff and will further invest in building its artist roster so Motown can continue to bring to market the highest quality music that is best positioned to succeed artistically and commercially.”

Rhone was named president of Universal Motown in 2004. “We’re thankful to Sylvia for her contributions,” said a Universal statement. “We continue to be in discussions with her on how and where she can best utilize her skills and relationships in the multiple rights arena in which UMG continues to expand.”

Before running Motown, Rhone was the top executive at Elektra Records. In a career that spanned three decades, she has jump started and maintained the successful careers of a variety of artists, including many that remain hot today, such as Lil Wayne, Akon and Nicki Minaj.

Esperanza Grabs Grammy’s Best New Artist

Debuting in 2008 with her self-titled album that spent more than 70 weeks on the Contemporary Jazz charts, this multi-lingual prodigy from Portland, Oregon has had a rapid ascent ever since she discovered the bass and taught herself to play. A Berklee College of Music alum, who also became the youngest ever instructor for the venerable music school at age 20, Spalding, who appears in the Banana Republic ad campaign, was invited to perform at the Nobel Prize Ceremony In Oslo, Norway by President Obama. Highlighted in Oprah’s May 2010 edition of O Magazine in “Women on the Rise,” Spalding is already readying her third album, Radio Music Society, for this spring.

Grammys Salute Aretha

“I loved it!” was the response on Aretha Franklin’s Facebook page about the Grammy Salute to Aretha that had Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams, Florence Welch and Martina McBride performing Aretha hits. And in the personal message Aretha taped for the show, she looked great! The 18-time Grammy Award winner was in great spirits, having just attended the previous Friday night basketball game between the Detroit Pistons and the Miami Heat in hopes of personally meeting the Heat’s Dwayne Wade. The Queen of Soul fully expects to return to performing this May and recently recorded a new song with R. Kelly for her upcoming album on Aretha Records.

Michael Kyser Named 1st Ever President Atlantic Black Music

Michael Kyser (Photo by Andrew Zaeh)

Michael Kyser was named the first-ever President of Black Music for the Atlantic Records Group according to Atlantic Chairman/COO Julie Greenwald and Chairman/CEO Craig Kallman. Kyser, who began his music career two decades ago at Def Jam Recordings, joined Atlantic Records in 2004 as EVP of Urban Music.

Says Greenwald, “Kyser has been my trusted colleague and close friend for nearly 20 years, since we both joined Def Jam. We grew up together in this business. He has a deeper understanding of the urban music landscape than anyone in our industry. Kyser has immersed himself in the music and the culture, and he is a master at creating opportunities, building careers, and developing invaluable artist relationships. He has been a down-to-earth mentor and guide to artists and staffers alike, earning the genuine respect and loyalty of everyone he works with. I am very proud to announce this much-deserved promotion.”

Added Kallman, “It is a terrific testament to Kyser’s rich knowledge, insight, and achievements that he becomes the first person in Atlantic history to hold the title of President of Black Music. Among his many gifts, he knows intuitively how to bring the music to the widest possible audience, breaking down cultural barriers while nurturing the artist in the process. Since coming on board at Atlantic seven years ago, he has played a pivotal role in the revitalization of our urban presence.”

“Since Kyser joined us at Def Jam, I have watched him quite literally learn the business from the ground up: working the streets; hitting radio, TV, and the clubs; going on the road with the bands and doing whatever it took to break artists, get their music heard, and build brands,” commented Lyor Cohen, Warner Music Group Vice Chairman and Chairman and CEO, Recorded Music – Americas and the U.K. “That kind of complete immersion in an artist’s career is one of our top priorities at WMG, where we are 100% focused on identifying rising stars and nurturing their careers, as well as on giving our creative executives the support they need to make those careers the biggest they can be. Kyser is one of those executives. He doesn’t just do his job, he lives his job, and since those early days at Def Jam, I’ve seen him evolve into one of the most admired and accomplished members of the urban music community.”

Kyser, for his part, referred to the promotion as a dream come true, adding, “I’m looking forward to building on our achievements to take black music at Atlantic Records to new heights.”

Willie Mitchell Remembered (1928-2010)

Willie Mitchell

Famed soul producer, arranger, musician and artist Willie Mitchell died January 5 around 7:30 am at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis from cardiac arrest suffered on December 19. Born March 23, 1928 in Ashland, Mississippi, Mitchell was 81. Also known as “Poppa Willie,” a moniker he received when he took over the helm of Hi Records in 1970, Mitchell brought the label to its greatest heights with the recordings of such artists as Al Green, Syl Johnson, Ann Peebles, O.V. Wright and himself. He helped create the Memphis sound, employing the hard-hitting kick drum sound in his releases that was usually executed by Booker T & the MGs’ drummer Al Jackson.

Most of Mitchell’s hits were made behind the console at the revered Royal Recording Studio, which he owned. Mitchell would say not to touch any of the settings since that’s where so many hits had been produced. Most recently, he reunited with his partner Al Green in 2003 to record I Can’t Stop, followed by the 2005 release Everything’s OK.

His adopted sons, Archie and Boo Mitchell, the sons of his two daughters who now carry on his name, traveled to Los Angeles with him in 2008 to accept the Trustees Award from the Grammy Foundation. Raised in the studio under their father, both sons, who played keyboards on Green’s Grammy-winning 1988 release “As Long As We’re Together,” continue to record in the same South Lauderdale Street location which was renamed Willie Mitchell Boulevard in 2004, where their father created the Memphis soul sound. The two-CD set Poppa Willie: The Hi Years (1962-1974), the four-CD set The Immortal Soul of Al Green, and the three-CD package Hi Times: The R&B Years are among the collections that reveal the talent of this legendary artist.

Next Page »