Teena Marie- 3 Decades of Soul, Funk and Classic R&B
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 ...
STYLES P (All-new, 2nd interview) by Dirty Angel
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 ...
Talking with entertainment mogul Ice Cube: The “Are We There Yet” interview
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 ...
Julian Lennon discusses his new company, career, and the music industry
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 ...
Family Man Barrett of Bob Marley’s Wailers (interview)
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 ...
Charlie Murphy interview: Big Name in the Stand Up Game
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 ...
Sharon Jones Reminded Me Why I Like Music
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 ...
Speech, frontman for Multi-Platinum selling Arrested Development, talks Hip Hop and Music Industry
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 ...
What you can learn from harpist Merry Miller about succeeding in the music industry
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 ...
KILLAH PRIEST interview by Dirty Angel
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 ...
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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 Hates Chris” and the over the top spokesman/model in the hugely viral Old Spice commercials) and Essence Atkins. Atkins plays Suzanna Kingston, opposite Crews as Nick Persons (Cube’s character on the big screen version). The program focuses on the challenges faced within the home of the Persons/Kingston blended family. Comedy ensues as Nick tries to win the affection of the two new children in his life, all while attempting to maintain a harmonious relationship with Suzanna.
Although Cube’s major role in this production is actually behind the camera as executive producer, he also fills the recurring role of Terrence, Suzanna’s overprotective older brother. In this interview, Ice Cube discusses his new television program and shares his insight into the entertainment industry. interview by Israel Vasquetelle
If you’ve listened to the Howard Stern Show since his move to Sirius satellite radio (currently Sirius/XM) or are a subscriber of Howard TV (Stern’s On Demand cable channel), you are probably well versed with the irreverent comedy of the Reverend Bob Levy. Despite his popularity on the show, he recently cut the cord with the King of all Media. In regards to Stern’s position on satellite radio, Levy explains, “if Howard leaves, there’s no station. If Howard stays, there’s no room for us…” Levy explains that the premise of his contention with the show stems from not being properly compensated for his many contributions to the program, and then, as he describes, being browbeaten by Stern for having plugs that ran at the end of the show. The world’s most successful radio broadcaster’s contract with Sirius was highly publicized as a $500 million deal for a five-year term. [click to continue…]
Who the hell does Troy “MixByMail” Hightower think he is?
Sure, he’s one of the sharpest studio engineers to ever work a mixing board. Indeed, he has mixed a slew of gold and platinum records for Onyx, Redman, Big Pun, Erick Sermon, Common and many others. Admittedly, Hightower’s engineering resume is untouched; there’s not enough room here to list his credentials. Many of the classic Hip-Hop records that dropped in the 90’s were glazed with the Hightower polish.
But to quote Janet Jackson, “What have you done for me lately?” Moreso than any musical genre, Hip-Hop is about the moment and Hightower can’t rest on his precious-metal plaques forever. Besides, is a good engineer really necessary to the hit-making process? He just turns a few knobs after the artist and producer do the all heavy lifting. Anyone can do that, right?
Wrong. An engineer can make or break a record and grandmasters like Troy Hightower do not come a dime-a-dozen. A poor mixdown can sap the potency of even the dopest track. Hightower is a reputable, seasoned vet with a keen ear; a sought-after component for great-sounding records. Recently he’s mixed albums for deejay/producer Presto, Boss A.C. from Portugal and De La Soul, to name a few. At an event called “Future of Music,” Hightower shared his expertise on a panel with Bumpy Knuckles and the legendary DMC, moderated by Harry Allen. In addition, Hightower has put his knowledge of television audio to use by working at networks such as FOX News, CNBC, Court/Tru TV and currently ESPN.
Hightower also established a company called MixByMail, hence his nickname. Clients from around the globe send him their unmixed songs in a variety of formats and Hightower returns them professionally enhanced. The finished, improved songs are available for download upon completion. From rank amateur to platinum superstar, no one has to have their records sound like crap with Hightower as an option.
In the comfort of his home studio, adorned with gold & platinum plaques, I interviewed Troy “MixByMail” Hightower and it was very enlightening. Head to the basement and get in the mix.
Jay-Z’s departure from Def Jam left Roc-A-Fella up for grabs, so Damon Dash commandeered the label and nominated Curren$y its flagship artist. Recently at the cavernous DD172 Studios, a multi-purpose Tribeca loft building owned by Dash, the once-and-future head of Roc-A-Fella held a listening party for Curren$y’s upcoming debut album, Pilot Talk.
The Snyper & I attended this exclusive event for the scoop.
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