I might be selfish for choosing to write this article in a manner that I would want to read if I were looking to be inspired by an article covering the ASCAP Expo — but I genuinely believe the words I am about to share with you are rooted in the foundation of success. Not just in the music biz, but success for every aspect of life including the most important one of all; personal development. Don’t worry, I’m not about to go all “Tony Robbins” on you. Well, that’s not entirely true. Let’s jump right in.
We live in a very noisy world. No, I am not talking about downtown Los Angeles rush hour traffic noise — where everyone honks at everyone but does nothing about it noise (try pulling that off in New York City, where people actually do something about it), I am talking about noise in the sense that we have so many options to choose from. From streaming services (Netflix for the win) to production software, email automation software, grocery delivery services and just about everything else in between; how do we know what the right option is? Well here’s some cold hard truth; none of it matters. Why? Those are all external variables that amplify, or expedite what it is that you’re doing, when success, get ready for a cliche; is an inside job. The 2017 ASCAP Expo was full of amazing people, sponsors, and energy, but these are the top themes for success that I discovered through all the wonderful people that spoke.
Everyone who spoke, regardless of what field or avenue their success came from, humility shined brighter than any variable. We all love what we do, there is no doubt there — but I think we all fall victim (myself included) to either comparing ourselves to the success of others, or worse; obsessing on HOW they got there, and the path that worked for them. Each one of us has our own story, our own obstacles to overcome, our own moments of doubt, moments of success and moments where we want to jump ship. But then, we remember. We remember that our gift, our purpose, the very reason we all jumped on this rollercoaster in the first place comes from the fact that we have the best job in the world; to create. To inspire through our creations, have it be our words, our voices, our piano melodies or our instrumentals; we are the expression of self. Love is the language of the universe and through music, we are able to spread that message and influence parts of the world, or even, parts of ourselves that we never thought we could. There is a difference between thinking you’re the best and simply being the best. Those who think their the best, walk in a room with a sense of entitlement and say “no one in this room can provide me any value, they should feel lucky that I am here.” Whereas those who know they're the best say “I know I am the best, how can I be of service to everyone in this room and expect nothing in return?” Here’s the kicker, you think both are ego right? Well, you're right, ego is always a part of us, we cannot kick it the curb, but we can rewire it to serve others. Love all, serve all.
Gratitude would be the next biggest key to being successful in this business. I sat in on a panel titled “ The making of Justin Bieber’s Purpose.” On the far right sat, Stevie James, the youngest of the group, in the middle sat Big Taste, who was a few years older (24 I believe) and next to him sat Poo Bear, the oldest of the producers. Chelsea Avery, SVP of A&R at Scooter Braun Projects sat on the far left and was the one asking the questions. From Bieber’s 2013 Album “Journals” to his most recent album “Purpose” was a long, 3-year process that each member of the panel discussed. Each, a story of their own, involving the capacity in which they were involved in the project and what it meant to them. Although they literally created the music and lyrics (amongst a handful of other people and let’s not forget Justin he hustles harder than anyone) they never took credit for their work. Seriously, I’m not joking, they didn’t. They were simply just happy to be a part of the journey in and of its own. Okay yeah, I know you’re probably thinking “well I too would be grateful if I got to work with Justin Bieber!” And you’re right you probably would. But did you ever stop to think that maybe the reason they got the opportunity in the first place, is because of the simple fact they feel with every cell in their body that they are lucky to just create in general? That they were always just grateful, period? As human beings, we experience every single emotion all at once. If we want to be sad, we can be sad, if we want to be thankful, then we can be thankful. We have the ability — and the right might I add, to amplify whatever emotion we want. Remember that. Oh and here’s a blunt note on the matter: whenever you’re feeling high and mighty, don’t. You didn’t create Soundcloud, or Spotify or Apple music. Or the program you’re creating your music on. You didn’t create YouTube of Facebook or the damn computer you’re doing all of this on. So be so damn grateful that you have all these tools accessible to you, that you want to cry. Seriously, think about how fortunate we are for just those things alone!
Whether it’s your musical career, part-time job, significant other, and yes, even your mother; listening is a major key to success. Let me add another point to that; listening with the intent to understand, not waiting for the other person to finish so you can add your 2, or sometimes even 99 cents. Let me say that again: listen with the intent to understand, not so that you may speak when the other person is done. Everybody doesn’t just want to be heard, they want to be understood and that, can only be done when we listen to understand. The same goes for your music. How? Well, it’s simple — your music speaks to you. Not to get all spiritual but it’s true. Music is an energy and it’s one that has the power to move mountains. If you ever find yourself frustrated with your work, simply take a set back (literally) and create some space between the two. Take a couple deep breaths if you have to and give it another go! Listen objectively, and the answers will come to you. This concept is especially important when dealing with multiple personalities, behavior patterns and ego of a team. Regardless of your position, or if it’s just two of you — take a step back from a situation where progress isn't being made and come back with the intention of coming to a solution even if it means swallowing your pride. A little saying my team and I have is “it doesn’t matter who’s right or who’s wrong, as long as we get there.”
Your best friend says “ come visit me in New York, I live in SoHo.” You, living in Los Angeles want to take a road trip, pack your car and start driving to New York. Eventually, you make it there and even make it to SoHo but you have no freaking idea where your friend lives because she never told you what her address was. Unfortunately (or fortunately) this is how most of the world works. They have a general idea of where they want to go but have no GPS coordinates to get there. If Sally (this feels like a standardized test math question involving apples) gave you her address, you would end up 3 feet in front of her apartment. Success works like that too.
I am an artist manager with an entrepreneurial background. I treat my artists like a business, like a startup actually. There are many messages and takeaways from my experiences and others like me, but here are two that are very close to my heart.
Never leave customer (or in this case fan) unanswered (thanks, Eli Chmouni)
Where do you want to end up, and how do you take the steps to get there? The first is kinda a side note that I think is very important to all those reading this; never leave a customer (fan) unanswered. If a fan engages, engage back. If they have something rude to say, drown them with love — there is already enough hate in this world. The second is super SUPER crucial. Where do you want to go? Is your goal to sign to a label and sell millions of records / win a grammy? Okay cool, track your steps backward. Are you an amazing singer/songwriter but a subpar producer? Swallow your pride and work on what you’re already incredible at. Outsource your production to someone who's extraordinary in that field. Are you an amazing vocalist who can’t write? Okay cool, again, collaborate with an amazing writer who wants to see his/her works come to life. Yes, things change but remember the GPS example, it’s a major key to keeping yourself focused. Are you here to make it, or are you just here to make music?
It’s 05:30 am. You’ve been in the studio or your office for 18 hours and you’re exhausted. You’re super proud of what you’ve accomplished and you know that there’s a 90% chance tomorrow is going to be another 18 hour day and to be frank, the next 3 years are probably going to be the same. So, naturally, you snap a photo and post it on Instagram with an assortment of subpar hashtags including #hustle. You peak at your normal 87 likes and get a few comments from your homies that toss you some praying hands and a “keep at it, bro.”
This is where I tell you to stop. For the love of Chuck Norris; STOP. While you’re showing off how hard you work, some kid on the other side of the world is taking all that energy and cracking out 10 times the results you are. Sorry, but it’s true. I am not saying don’t be proud of what you do, but keep it for yourself and for your team. Let your results speak for themselves, your process is your own. We’ve all heard the line “Hard work beats talent” which, I will agree with. However, when you’re talented and you work hard, that’s a deadly combination. Work hard in silence, let your success make all the noise.
But wait, there’s more! (Paul Williams inspired)
Here’s secret rule #6
We tend to think that our lack of success comes from a lack of resources. It’s 2017 and we have Google, so let’s toss that excuse out the window. Let me be very VERY real with you; or as Stevie Wonder said do you want me to be Stevie or do you want me to be Frank?” Can we all take a moment and agree that he’s the f*cking man?
There are millions of people trying to do the exact same thing you are. I live in the heart of Hollywood, within a 5-mile radius there are probably 10,000 people trying to do the same thing I am, and the same thing my artists are trying to do. Hell, a better half are probably more talented and better funded. If you walk into our (I live with my artist) apartment/office you will see a whiteboard that says: “How badly do you want it?” This is a daily reminder that we moved out here to be remarkable; to be extraordinary; we came out here for greatness and we will not accept anything less. And by attending the 2017 ASCAP Expo, so did you. So I leave you with this thought…
Although I am sure you met a ton of amazing people, remember that YOU and only you alone hold all the keys to your success. Everything you’ve ever wanted does not lie with you shaking the hands of others, but rather, you shaking hands with the person you are striving to become. Yeah so maybe you need to shake the hand of the CEO of Republic Records to get that deal. But ask yourself this: is the current version of yourself ready for that? If yes, then literally go walk into the office and demand (kindly of course) that you speak with Monte Lipman and won’t settle for anyone else. Trust me, when you want something that badly your eyes say it, your soul screams it; the universe conspires in helping you achieve it. If the answer is no, then go chase that version of yourself and bridge the gap between the two.
You’re already half-way there, I promise :)
“Our purpose lies not within the product we create, but rather the process in which we are consumed by; the process in which we surrender ourselves to.”
- Tomer Greenfeld obo Hunnypot Unlimited
Let my people "show". Hunnypot Live #364 kicked off with Hot Tub Johnnnie feeding guests with a set of musical manna. DJ Moonbaby (Angela Jollivette) told us about her time in exile before music supervision & DJ Work and everything after and current. Choklate set Bushy and the rest of the Mint on fire with her songs and voice, Johnette Napolitano & David J freed us from the slavery of mundane entertainment, Caught a Ghost gave us a pleasant plague of rock/soul music and Sleeplust parted the "C's" and other keys with dream rock beauty. Hot Tub finished the evening unlike any other night (but sorta like most Hunnypot Live nights) with a killer dance music set that could have lasted 40 years.
-J. Gray (4/17/17)
DJ Moonbaby knew music would be a huge influence in her life, from the time she played her first record, Stevie Wonder's "Hotter than July" on her pre-school's Fisher Price. Today, Moonbaby has turned her love for music into a successful career. DJ Moonbaby is currently a radio personality on the Accelerated Radio Network hosting & producing “UnRestricted” Live every Thursday 8-10p PST. UnRestricted officially launched the kick-off of AcceleratedRadio.net on Aug 1, 2013. Past guests include; 3x GRAMMY® Winner Robert Glasper, GRAMMY® Winner Faith Evans, GRAMMY® Winner Chrisette Michele, Blue Note Recording Artist Jose James, 4x GRAMMY® Winner Lalah Hathaway, and many other artists.
As an ever evolving talent, DJ Moonbaby is the Curator & On-camera Host of GRAMMY® Pro’s Buzzin’ music series. Exclusive interviews & Live performances with GRAMMY® Winning & Nominated artists, along with breaking talent you need to know before they ever hit the GRAMMY® stage.
For the last 3 years, Moonbaby has interviewed and showcased some of the brightest stars in music from this year’s “Best New Artist”, Anderson.Paak, Andra Day, Kamasi Washington, George Clinton and more. Recently covering the red carpet at the 7th Annual Guild Of Music Supervisor Awards.
Corporately known as Angela Jollivette; She is a seasoned executive with The Recording Academy for the last ten years overseeing the Visual Media (TV/Film Soundtrack Music) & Gospel Music GRAMMY® Awards fields as Senior Project Manager.
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Born in Seattle, WA. and raised in San Diego, CA., Choklate has always in one way or another been involved in music or dance. She was raised primarily on gospel music; but was introduced to hip-hop with DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's "Parents Just Don't Understand" hit. Go figure. "It was the first song and only video allowed in the house. I used to sneak and listen to the radio so low that all I could hear sometimes was the beat. I dubbed it ‘Music Deprivation Disease'," said Choklate. In her youth, the gospel, she wasn't allowed to listen to soul music or secular music of any kind, so when finally on her own, she recalls having her ear to everything from Bach and Yo Yo Ma to Brotha Lynch Hung.
Her last recorded project, had a different kick, with more of a Jazz, R&B sound with a slight Hip Hop edge, enlisting the talents of several notable artist while being produced entirely by up and coming Seattle producers. She's been sited on phenomenal records and worked along side legendary artist like Blacksheep, Abstract Rude, Butta Verses, De La Soul, Gift of Gab and Chali 2na's solo albums, as well as a host of other artist. She's also been caught commanding some of Seattle's favorite stages like The Baltic Room, The Scarlett Tree, Lo-Fi The Mirabeau Room, The War Room, Chop Suey and The Showbox not to mention a handful of away stages like Hollywoods well known Ventura, Key Club and others. Safe to say she is definitely one of the hardest working entertainers in the Northwest.
Choklate has completed her latest work on a new full length album with acclaimed beat-smiths Vitamin D, Jake 1 and BeanOne and others and will be looking to continue to express and explore the art of musical creation through both writing and singing for herself as well as other artists.
"I'd like to think that I'm going to be allowed to actually be creative and have my chance to be apart of the game changing conceptually..." she says..."everybody should be able to relate to the material that I write, after all I ain't the only one livin life and I fa sho ain't the only one writin about it. I just hope to reach those livin life along side me."
"All I need is my beat, my mic, that stage, the crowd and I'm good..." Choklate
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This is a very special acoustic performance by two legendary artists. Johnette and David J will play a few solo numbers and then debut some new songs written together.
She's down-to-earth, intelligent and political. She's the mistress of her own destiny --and she just plain rocks. Best known as the voice of Concrete Blonde and their hits "Still In Hollywood", "Joey", "God Is A Bullet", Tomorrow Wendy" and "True", Johnette Napolitano is more than just a singer, she is an artist who constantly reinvents herself. She displays original work in L.A. galleries, and she has made music with a variety of artists, including The Talking Heads. Johnette also composes music for Television though she doesn't own one herself.
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Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction once described David J as the Avant of the Avant-garde. Never was a truer word spoken . . .
A founder member of one of the most influential bands since The Velvet Underground; namely BAUHAUS. Bauhaus spearheaded the post-punk Alternative music scene of the early ‘80’s with a string of innovative albums and singles, including, for many, perhaps their defining moment, a song that is ranked as a classic and feasibly the pinnacle of the entire Gothic scene and beyond, the nine minute plus epic slab of industrial dub that is 'Bela Lugosi’s Dead', featuring the lyrics of David J. Check out the astonishing opening scenes of Tony Scott’s stylish Vampire flick 'The Hunger' to witness Bauhaus in all their dark glory, performing that very song whilst David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve stalk the disco for new flesh. Appearances on TV shows such as Top Of The Pops, The Old Grey Whistle Test and Riverside coupled with an electrifying live show propelled Bauhaus to the upper reaches of the UK charts before reaching their zenith in the summer of ’83 and imploding, shattering into fragments of individual talent. It was that implosion that inadvertently gave rise to David's long and varied solo career. He was the first of the four members of Bauhaus to actively make that tentative step outside of the comfort zone of his original band by forming an unusual alliance with poet / painter, Rene Halkett, an original member of the very movement from which the band took it's name, fusing poetry with music for the 'Nothing' /'Armour' single which was released on the 4AD label in 1981. A second collaboration in ‘84, with graphic novelist and highly acclaimed author Alan Moore entitled 'V For Vendetta' resulted in a now much sought after 12” E.P. A big screen adaptation of Moore’s graphic novel, adopting the same title, was one of the blockbusters of 2005.
David's debut solo album, 'Etiquette of Violence' was released in 1983, and was followed two years later by 'Crocodile Tears and The Velvet Cosh'. Both albums being exemplary of his burgeoning talent as a songwriter. Next came a brief stint producing and playing bass with another underrated songwriting great, Pat Fish AKA The Jazz Butcher. This pairing producing two excellent albums. David then regrouped with two of his former Bauhaus band mates, guitarist, Daniel Ash and drummer, Kevin Haskins to form the hugely successful Love And Rockets, whose debut single hit gold status in Canada, followed by a top three US single with 'So Alive' which the band capped with a million selling album and sold out stadium tours.
A self-imposed hiatus meant that David could now resume his on/off solo career. The heartfelt and intimate 'Songs From Another Season' and the sophisticated 'Urban Urbane' being the result. The former producing the first single to top the newly forged US Alternative Charts, namely, 'I'll Be You Chauffeur'.
Solo endeavors were once again put on hold in ’98 when Bauhaus was gloriously resurrected, initially three dates were booked at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, such was the demand for tickets however that all three shows sold out in fifteen minutes! The success of these initial dates ultimately led a full blown world tour. 2003 saw the release of another solo album, the achingly beautiful and poignant, 'Estranged'. Then came a second rebirth of Bauhaus which resulted from a spectacular appearance at Palm Springs’ Coachella Festival in 2005 where a memorable inverted 'hanging man' stage entrance by vocalist Peter Murphy ensured their performance was not only heralded as the event of the festival but would forever be included as a stand out in it's annals .
‘Vagabond Songs' is David J's ninth studio album and features a disarmingly charming and heart felt collection of acoustic songs written on the road and inspired by people and places encountered by the artist as he ventured on his ramblin' vagabond way. The double vinyl album includes the hit single, 'The Day That David Bowie Died' as well as a radical reworking of the Love and Rockets' classic, 'The Dog End of a Day Gone By'. David will be undertaking an international tour in support of this latest project.
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Caught A Ghost is a foot-stomping, electronic soul outfit led by producer Jesse Nolan, from East Los Angeles, California. Their sound reaches into the past, grabs ahold of images and sounds that resonate, and complements them with modern sonic landscapes and lyrics that are sure to spark the urge to get up and MOVE.
The band’s live show typically consists of a 3-4 piece band colorfully backdropped by homemade visual treatments that paint vivid landscapes for each song they perform live. The band released their debut album “Human Nature LP” on +1 Records in April 2014, which garnered positive reviews from Rolling Stone, Paste, SPIN, Billboard, USA Today, and Last Call with Carson Daly and more.
Caught A Ghost have performed before thousands of fans in North America and the United Kingdom, with several sold out performances in the United States. You may have heard his music on television alongside ads for Miller Lite and BMW, or in shows Vampire Diaries, The Blacklist, Boardwalk Empire, Suits.
Caught A Ghost is putting the final touches on a followup album and will release the first single "VICTORY LAP" in Spring 2017 worldwide.
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SLEEPLUST is the creative collaboration of twin brothers, guitarist Michael Pepe and bassist Joseph Pepe, vocalist Amber Ruthe and drummer Sarah Luffred. Around the same time in 2015, the four members moved to Los Angeles to pursue music full-time and would cross paths many times before coming together. The band’s music is a distinctive mixture of sounds as diverse as their backgrounds. Michael and Joseph, originally from Charlotte, NC ,come from a rock and electronic background, while Sarah, hailing from Cleveland, OH, was deeply involved with hip-hop prior to the band. Amber, from Milwaukee, WI has origins in the electronic and post-punk worlds. With such diversity comes a unique approach to songwriting with the result being honest music that they hope will strike a chord with their fans and listeners.
Without knowing it, the current lineup of the band has been in the same place at the same time long before they would come together for this new material. In late 2015, Amber had attended a SLEEPLUST show in Hollywood at Boardners, which prompted her to search out a similar band to get involved with. However, a couple of months later when looking for a new vocalist, Joseph ended up answering her online post completely by chance. The band has been writing and performing ever since.
Since their formation, SLEEPLUST has released two EPs, their debut Self-Titled EP and its follow up remix EP simply titled Remixes. Together, those EPs have accumulated over one million plays across digital streaming services, and tracks from both have also been placed on television shows such as The Real World, Bad Girls Club, Total Bellas and more. Their new single, “Over”, is the beginning of the band’s next chapter as they prepare their forthcoming album for Summer 2017.
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Dive into the the brain of Lil Dicky in what may well be the greatest video of 2017. Hunnypot wholeheartedly approves! Be sure to follow Brain on Twitter. Ready for more.
Hunnypot has long loved Daniel Ash's song "Flame On" and thrilled to see a new video release to this classic solo single!
Rock legend, Daniel Ash (Bauhaus, Tones On Tail, Love And Rockets) performs Flame On in Benjamin Pollack's music video of the same name. Daniel Ash burns up the electric guitar in this heavy metal tune that brings to life a silver robot woman who rocks the screen with her electric energy.
A founding member of the groundbreaking Bauhaus, Tones on Tail, and Love and Rockets, guitarist, singer, and songwriter Daniel Ash distinguished himself in the world of alternative rock during the 1970s, '80s, and '90s. Ash was born in Northampton, England, on July 31, 1957. Ash had become friends with Peter Murphy in his teenage years: "We were two oddballs in the class who didn't fit in."
Ash went to art school and Murphy went to work in a printing factory. They met up five years later and Ash suggested forming a band. Rigging up a makeshift rehearsal space, Ash played an echo 12-bar blues, while Murphy sang a series of newspaper articles.
Four weeks after, we formed Bauhaus, and we recorded 'Bela Lugosi's Dead'." That song, issued in 1979, became the cornerstone of the goth rock movement. After nearly five years of trailblazing recording and performing, Bauhaus broke up and Ash put together Tones on Tail with Bauhaus drummer Kevin Haskins. After several EPs, the full-length Pop, and a club hit in "Go!," the group mutated into the highly influential Love and Rockets in 1985, when Bauhaus bassist David J came on board. The band became one of the biggest alternative bands of the '80s, issuing respected LPs like 1986's Express and 1987's Earth, Sun, Moon, and finally enjoying a worldwide Top Ten hit with 1989's "So Alive."
Hunnypot Live! #363 went off more crazy than a Santa Monica fish restaurant freakout. Hot Tub Johnnie started the night with a kiss to our foreheads with baby waking music. We poke bowled in to the creative mind of Gabi Henriques and she brought her musical queue of inspiration. Premiere A Cappella stalked us with multi part harmonies and beat boxing blasts, Sassy Black got in our faces with consciousness and coolness in song, William Bolton offered to be our "Bae Tonight" without critique and we liked it, 19th Moon sounded like sole (soul) music from the future, The Barhemian brought a peaceful resolution with uplifting hip-hop and the night closed with our famous dance party. -J. Gray
Gabi Henriques is the newest addition to the Creative Sync team, seventeenfifty at Capitol Music Group in Hollywood.
Originally from Austin, TX (the Live Music Capital of the World), Gabi was introduced to music at a young age. Her father is an Ethnomusicology Professor at Fresno State and the director of the Mariachi at the University. Her mother, although in nursing, is a lover of all things music and sometimes sings with the Fresno State Mariachi. During Gabi’s senior year of high school she produced and distributed a CD of teenage rock bands in order to raise money and awareness for the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), a nonprofit organization, which assists in providing primary healthcare for Austin’s uninsured working musicians. She was also the pianist for her high school jazz ensemble and lead guitar and vocals in an all girl band called Blush Therapy.
While studying at UCLA, Gabi knew she wanted to work in the music industry but was unsure of in what field. She explored internships with various companies including Neophonic, Sony Music and Red Light Management while also serving as the Director of Hospitality for the JazzReggae Festival at UCLA. It was through these experiences she was able to determine which facets of the industry interested her the most, thus pursing a career in sync.
After college, Gabi worked at Warner/Chappell Music in Licensing Administration. She then joined the Creative Sync department in which she assisted the SVP of Creative, pitched Warner/Chappell and Rhino repertoire for film and television, organized events and much more. She is currently at Capitol Music Group and one of the co-organizers for Synch This events in the Los Angeles area.
Premiere is LA's own award-winning all-female powerhouse a cappella group.
They sing a diverse repertoire with attitude, dynamic leads, and messages of female empowerment. Premiere has performed for tbs, the LA Galaxy, and the house of blues, and they've hosted the LA A Cappella festival twice. premiere's music videos and recordings have garnered them various awards, compilation selections, TV and corporate partnerships, and over 150,000 hits on YouTube. Premiere are currently performing with the LA Public Library's LA Made Series.
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Sassy Black is a space aged singer/songwriter & producer based in Seattle, Washington. This Goddess of “electronic psychedelic soul” & “hologram funk” explores the concepts of sound through deep compositions. With roots in classical & jazz, her voice is often compared to Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Erykah Badu & Georgia Anne Muldrow. Her production value and creativity is reminiscent of Roy Ayers, Pharrell & Herbie Hancock. Graduating with a Bachelors in music from Cornish College of the Arts in 2008, Black has traveled the world performing in cities such as Berlin, LA, Madrid, Barcelona, New Orleans, Lisbon, Manhattan, Milan, London, Brooklyn, Rome, Shanghai, Washington DC, Sydney & more.
You may also know Black from her (now defunct) group THEESatisfaction and her appearances on both Shabazz Palaces albums Black Up & Lese Majesty all released on Sub Pop Records. In the summer of 2015 she independently released her EP “Personal Sunlight“ which garnered attention from Okayplayer, SPIN Magazine, Exclaim!, Afropunk, Pitchfork & more. Her debut solo album No More Weak Dates released May 17th 2016 to great review & praise from The Fader, Loud & Quiet Magazine, Noisey, DIVA, Dummy Mag, Saint Heron, FvF & other well known media outlets. Ms. Black successfully toured Europe in fall of 2016 and is preparing her second solo album due in 2017.
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William Bolton is a 22 year old artist, producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Detroit, MI. A recent graduate of Boston College, "Willy B" has been independently releasing music on the internet for 2 years. In this time he has acquired 10 million plays on SoundCloud/YouTube/Spotify and has over 100,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
His catchy soulful music and Rockstar energy caught the attention of his mentor, Ryan Leslie.
After playing Firefly Music Festival, he completed a 15 city Europe tour supporting Hoodie Allen & Headlined his first show at Webster Hall on Valentine’s Day.
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The Barhemian is an artist from Oakland, California. His music started to catch ears in early 2015. The Barhemian then teamed up with Media and Creative director Donghoh Han and along with few other artists to form a music group called 665 Music. As college radio started to catch on to the sound, Bay Area music blogs started to include his music as a part in their content. The Barhemian has dropped several singles and videos, and is currently working on his album to be released summer 17’. He has performed for many crowds throughout the Bay Area including, nightclubs, San Jose State University, and youth empowerment programs for the community. He has also thrown his own successful events.The Barhemian has a wide range of sounds with a rhythmic flow that keeps the crowd engaged.
Back with another pro-feminist, self-advocating and sexy track titled Living Out Loud, Brooke Candy let's the world know who she is — time after time. Backed by international vocalist Sia, the two team up together to empower us all by promoting us to step outside and deal with the world head on.
Brooke Candy is an American rapper and singer. She is best known for co-starring in the music video for Grimes' single "Genesis".She independently released videos for her songs "Das Me", "Everybody Does" and "I Wanna Fuck Right Now". Candy signed with RCA in February 2014, releasing her debut EP Opulence on May 6, 2014 which features title track as lead and major label debut single.[3][4] Later she joined Columbia's UK roster.[5] Candy's debut album Daddy Issues is set to be released during spring 2017, which lead single "Living Out Loud" featuring label mate and album executive producer Sia was released on February 3, 2017.
“A thousand miles from their homeland in northern Mali, across a vast expanse of desert, the music of Tinariwen has found shelter in the hearts of six young musicians from M’hamid el Ghizlane. They were only boys when the desert rockers first visited their home, back in 2006, but they saw an immediate reflection of their own dreams and aspirations in the music they heard. In the years that followed they learned the Tinariwen songbook note for note, word for word, even though they couldn’t speak a word of Tamashek, the language of the Touareg.
When Tinariwen returned to M’hamid in 2016 to record a new album, those young disciples from M’hamid had achieved a remarkable mastery of the desert guitar repertoire. The torch had been passed from hand to hand and heart to heart across the great desert. The young musicians from M’hamid were invited to perform Abdallah’s ‘Sastaqanam’, standing in for their older brothers and playing with uncanny fidelity. But first the members of Tinariwen wrapped new turbans around the heads of their young acolytes, marking not only the passage from boyhood to manhood according to ancient desert custom, but also the transmission of their music across the generations, a transmission that is taking place in the hearts of youth from every corner of the great Sahara.”
Hailing from Northern London, Avelino teamed up with fellow U.K artists Stormzy & Skepta to release a track called "Energy." Their music video is a testament to the name of the track. Having a very low-fi, VHS feel, the video is definitely worth a look, which is why we are happy to showcase it as one of our Video Picks! Be sure to share the love and follow Avelino on social media.
"What's in the box??!?!"
Another killer night from Hunnypot Live!
Hot Tub Johnnie started the night with a premeditated set of hot tracks. Chris Husong from Club M lead the Sampling Session and got in the hot tub to talk about the upscale marijuana subscription box, Orion Simprini gave us felonious pop gems, Punky G brought salvation to the show, CeCe Frey incarcerated the crowd with pop/rock gems and The Tens gave us a life sentence of entertainment to close the live set. At the end Hot Tub returned to the decks to revisit the scene of the crime; We all danced to repent. 3-20-2017
- Jeff Gray
Writer of Music, Maker of Mischief, Love Child of the 1970’s, Modern Day Resister.
Orion began his musical journey in the 1990’s New Jersey music scene. While fronting the psychedelic bubblegum pop band Kitty in the Tree, Orion shared the stage with the likes of Ween, Cake, The White Stripes and The Strokes. Fast forward to New York City circa 2006, Orion started his Supergroup, The Orion Experience. Subsequent albums Cosmicandy, Heartbreaker, NYC Girl, and Children of the Stars produced a handful of indie hits garnering over a million YouTube views and a million Spotify streams. Cool!! Today ORION lives in beautiful Redondo Beach, where he continues to write and record subversive pop songs with a shiny, candy coating.
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A fresh face to Rock & Roll, a breath of fresh air to music—she’s been called everything from a “rock star” to a “fashionista” to a “preacher”. She just simply calls herself a servant.
Gabrianna also known as “P.u.n.k.y. G…”, a Los Angeles native, is a budding entrepreneur, artist and philanthropic visionary. Her experiences and background provide her with an unmatched and diverse style. Her strength, authenticity and sincerity are to be an inspiration to all people, with a developing fan-base transcends race, age and culture.
With a bold yet graceful approach to challenge and confront the status quo, it can sometime be difficult to categorize her into one specific genre between her broad lyrical content and musical diversity. She has developed her unique rap style from taking her original spoken word content and blending them with her original melodies combined with her love for Rock & Roll. She infuses her messages of love, hope, respect, faith, unity, and individuality in melodies that stick, words that matter, chords that unite and lyrics that heal, provoke and restore! Blending various sounds and styles of rock, soul, funk, hip-hop and folk she tends to fall into her own genre. She calls it “Rock Fusion”.
Punky G… is the first of her kind and is undoubtedly an up and coming voice for this generation with a fresh sound and perspective. Providing the world with timeless melodies and timeless content, her music will make you dance, rock, cry, laugh, think, perhaps even change.
Punky loves people, life and fun. She is a creative, prophetic prodigy with a strong commitment to acting, writing and music that all show her passion to impact and change lives and culture.
CeCe is a singer/songwriter originally from a small farm town in southern Illinois, and now residing in Los Angeles where she is gearing up for the release of her new material. CeCe delivers raw, timeless, pop energy with the southern rock flare she was raised on. Her undeniable voice fills a room and captures hearts across all demographics- if you didn't show up as a fan, you're sure to leave as one.
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The Tens are a greasy, blue, soul-funk jazz collective that originated on a street corner in Old Hollywood. They polished their chops on the concrete sidewalk for two years before they started getting booked for gigs. Since then, they've become the resident band at several venues across Los Angeles. The Tens never play the same set twice, they never play a song the same way, and they always play with their heart. They are a living, breathing, organic manifestation of music that will leave you feeling experienced.
From Paris France, Bastien Laval has released a new single titled "Souvenir" with his Billboard Dance Chart ranking vocalist and friend, Layla.
Already getting remixed by acts such as tyDi and Tim Gartz, Bastien and Layla are eager to show the world that they still got what it takes.
This one is ready to be licensed! Reach on out and we can help you clear the tack for your current project.
Written by Rose Falcon, Lenny Bertoldo, Bastien Laval
Published by Spirit of Nashville One (BMI) / Lil Flossie Music (BMI) admin by Spirit of Nashville One, Nota Lent Songs (BMI), Rocks/ASCAP/Robbins Ent,