For Those Who Can't Sleep On Hip Hop
KILLAH PRIEST: AT THE TOP OF HIS GAME WITH LATEST "OFFERING" By Khalid Strickland a.k.a. Dirty Angel Brooklyn wins again. After their legendary movement avalanched hip-hop’s landscape, the Wu-Tang Clan assisted a lion’s share of rappers who have gained notoriety on their own merit. Killah Priest, hailing from Bed-Stuy Brooklyn, is one of these alumni. Priest (as he prefers being called now) made his memorable debut in 1994 on “6 Feet Deep”, the first LP by The Gravediggaz (a group spearheaded by Wu-Tang Clan leader The RZA). In 1995, he appeared on two classic Wu-Tang solo albums: “Liquid Swords” by The GZA and ...
Although Charlie Murphy has appeared in countless films since the late ‘80s, there’s no getting around that most fans started to really get to know him during and after his appearances on The Dave Chappelle Show. Charlie’s skits, some based on his telling of real-life encounters with celebrities while he worked security in the early days of his younger brother’s career, have become larger than the show itself. Plays of some of Charlie’s segments on Chappelle’s show have exceeded the million-view mark on Youtube.com. There are very few people who follow pop culture that haven’t heard the words “I’m ...
Place your music-related press release on InsomniacMagazine.com for only $19.99. With this service you can include one image in your music based press release and two links to your website, social networking page, or link promotional downloads on your site. The press release submitted cannot exceed 500 words and will include your heading as the title of the post on InsomniacMagazine.com. Press releases will contain a note stating that they have been sponsored by contributor. Insomniac Magazine has been online for well over a decade and features interviews and coverage including some of the biggest names in music, entertainment, and media. ...
Insomniac Magazine recently participated in an interview with Julian Lennon to discuss his new release and a brand new company called theRevolution LLC. Lennon and music industry professionals Michael Birch (sold Bebo to AOL for $850 million) and Todd Meaghe (created the first 50/50 artist music store) started the company as a new approach to releasing music and working with artists. The company scouts talent, and then helps set up these artists with their own businesses. The company assists the artists with a variety of business endeavors including: finance, development, digital and physical distribution, promotion, and other important aspects ...
Aston "FamilyMan" Barrett, the bassist for the legendary Wailers is responsible for the basslines and other creative elements on many of Bob Marley and the Wailers' classic songs. We discuss his thoughts about why Bob Marley and The Wailers' music continues to resonate with fans decades after its creation. He also discusses his thoughts on current state of music, and how he met and started working with Bob Marley. Yvad, the Wailers' Band's new vocalist shares his views on the power of Bob Marley and the Wailers' music. Whether you're a musician or an artist, if you aspire to have a ...
Merry Miller is an extraordinary artist and businesswoman. Don’t take my word for it, she was named in Crain's New York Business magazine “40 Under 40” issue. She is the former Executive Vice President of Programming at the Learning Annex, and instrumental in building the organization’s revenue from $3 million to $100 million in three years. During that time, she coordinated visits from the who’s who of business and entertainment. She’s coordinated visits from some of the biggest leaders in the business, from Donald Trump to Russell Simmons. If that’s not impressive enough, Elle magazine named her one of the ...
In a day and age of commodity artists who are forgotten shortly after a year or so of a radio hit, and in an environment where hit artists of yesteryear are remembered only by those who were raised on their sounds, it is rare to find an artist who continues to resonate with new and old audiences decades after launching their career. Teena Marie stepped on the scene in ’79 and continues to touch music fans with her amazingly soulful voice. Not only has her music swept her fans off of their feet for years, but she has also influenced new ...
Sharon Jones is one of the most inspirational artists on the show circuit. It’s not just her soulful voice, nor is it her hard and heavy dancing on stage, nor her soothing retro sounds that are reminiscent of class acts such as ‘60’s female groups The Shirelles, The Marvelettes, The Dixie Cups, and others, that makes her such a powerful inspiration. Even Jones’ uncanny, pure energy and movements, that seem to be channeled from the late James Brown, don't make her such a rousing figure. The inspiration is her story: A struggling singer who worked at a state prison as ...
Get your single or album covered in Insomniac. Within the review we will include your artwork and a link to your site. Only $19.99 for your single or $49.99 for your album. Album review Single review Why pay for a review? This guarantees that your release is reviewed within InsomniacMagazine.com. Insomniac has been online since the later ‘90s. (Note: we always reserve the right to refuse coverage of any release that we decide is not appropriate for the site. If this were to happen, we will of course refund the amount paid.) Back to the question at hand: Why pay for a review? ...
WITH A FRESH START, STYLES P READIES "SUPER" NEW ALBUM By Khalid Strickland a.k.a. Dirty Angel The streets may now rejoice... When I first interviewed Styles P, around this same time last year coincidentally, the self-proclaimed “hardest rapper out” wasn’t in the best of moods. Although Styles’ sophomore album, “Time is Money”, was set to be released on Interscope Records, the moment was bittersweet. That’s because his excellent solo debut album, “A Gangster and a Gentleman”, had been released four years earlier in 2002. With the airtight singles like “Good Times” and “The Life” (featuring Pharaoh Monch) getting burn on the airwaves, Styles ...
In 1992, Speech, along with his group Arrested Development, went on to receive countless accolades including two Grammy Awards and being named Band of the Year by Rolling Stone Magazine for the ground breaking “3 Years, 5 Months, and 2 Days in the Life of…” The album launched the band into stardom with constant video and radio rotation for their hit "Tennessee," and later for singles "People Everyday" and "Mr. Wendal." The funky and soulful blend of Hip Hop and R&B delivered socially conscious music in a manner that was palatable to the masses. Despite being adorned with admiration by ...
When it comes to the pinnacle of entertainment, Mr. O'Shea Jackson, better known as Ice Cube to the world, arrived quite a while ago. As a performer, he's transcended from Hip Hop legend to movie star, all while maintaining credibility in both worlds. As an entertainment entrepreneur, he's successfully conquered the music, film, and now television industries. Counting the "Friday" and "Barbershop" movies, "Are We There Yet" is his third franchise film. This time, he's delivered one of his popular major motion picture properties to TV. The family-oriented sitcom stars Terry Crews (known best as Chris Rock's father on "Everybody ...
Public Enemy is having a contest calling on all interested DJs to remix their brand new single “Say It Like It Really Is.” Not only do upcoming Hip Hop producers have a shot at winning some amazing prizes, but they also have a chance at going down in history in the music industry for remixing a track for one music’s most iconic bands.
Don’t sleep. Visit the link to submit.
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During the later 70s, punk music began creeping up from the underbelly of the Bowery in New York City with the help of a Queens’ based band called The Ramones. The Clash and Sex Pistols bashed the establishment in England with their brand of rebel music. And shortly after, a band called Bad Brains were forming in Washington, D.C. However, unlike the earlier forefathers of the genre, the Bad Brains have continued to make records and perform for three decades. Having never experienced a radio hit or a platinum album, they are by no means a household name. Regardless, they are something that many bands who have garnered hits could never be- iconic. If you happen to be a fan of hard underground rock, then Bad Brains are your favorite band’s favorite band. In fact, they may be your favorite Hip Hop icon’s favorite band too. The Beastie Boys apparently decided to name themselves with “B” and “B” in their name to pay homage to Bad Brains.
Leading the band is H.R., one of the most dynamic and unpredictable front men in the genre. However, it’s the whole Bad Brain’s package that has made the iconic rock figures forever rediscoverable by lovers of rebellious music. The Rasta quartet is infamous for their high voltage hybrid of punk-hardcore-metal-reggae-spiritual music. Their tracks run the gamut in regards to diversified sounds. Within one song they can bounce from genre to genre in a seamless fashion, remaining cohesive and sonically appropriate. Bad Brains can teach artists of any genre something about longevity, creativity and embracing uniqueness. This is because their music incorporates so many different genres, in many ways, similar to early Hip Hop. Those initial artists in Hip Hop delivered a sound that couldn’t not be pigeon-holed to one style. In that way, although some characterize Bad Brains a hardcore band, the reality is that they can jam Dance Hall grooves as well as any seasoned Reggae group. Like early Hip Hop, Bad Brains are the original practitioners of what we now call mash-up music. – Israel Vasquetelle
Here I speak with indie music industry veteran Anthony Countey, manager for Bad Brains, and members Darryl Jennifer (bassist) and legendary frontman HR.
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Slayer’s new vinyl box set includes all of their classic Def American releases on wax including: Reign in Blood (1986), South of Heaveneasons (1988), Seasons In The Abyss (1990), the double-record Live Decade of Aggression (1991), Divine Intervention (1994), Undisputed Attitude (1998), God Hates Us All (2001), Christ Illusion (2006), and World Painted Blood (2009). The Vinyl Conflict will be released on October 12, 2010 to pre-order visit the record label site.
Courtesy of Heidi Ellen Robinson Fitzgerald:
American/Sony Legacy invested a great amount of care into making The Vinyl Conflict, treating the albums the way they would treat a great jazz, classical, Bob Dylan or Miles Davis record, something that isn’t normally done for metal records. All ten albums have been re-mastered from the original analog flat master tapes and were pressed on the highest quality, 180-gram audiophile vinyl at RTI, the most respected pressing plant in the U.S. and among the best in the world. Lacquers were cut and re-cut several times to ensure the highest sound quality. The individual vinyl discs will come in a standard, clear inner sleeve to preserve the vinyl, are then housed in high-quality litho-wrapped jackets, and then boxed in a hardcover slipcase. Additionally, reproductions of the original LP inner sleeve artwork were converted to 12X12 inserts.
Make sure to check out Insomniac Magazine’s music industry interview with Slayer’s Dave Lombardo.
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G-Unit Records has entered into an exclusive agreement with EMI Label Services in which EMI will distribute and promote releases on the G-Unit roster in North America. EMI will release the Grammy nominated multi-platinum rapper Lloyd Banks’ third solo album “H.F.M. 2″ (Hunger For More 2) on November 23rd, 2010, and Tony Yayo’s as yet untitled sophomore album, which is scheduled for early 2011. [click to continue…]
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