Β It was a pleasure to attend the conference series, discussing Hip-Hopβs relationship with health over the past 50 years!Β
This weekend we were on the scene forΒ Rolling Loud, the largest Hip-Hop festival in the world,Β CΓROCΒ andΒ Mass AppealΒ kicked off the officialΒ Hip-HopΒ 50th festivities with an exclusive dinner bringing the influential voices inΒ Hip-HopΒ together to toast to the past, present, and future.
Futureβs One Big Party Tour landed in Atlanta on January 14th with special guest appearances from producer Metro Boomin, Lil Durk and more.
Jetsonmade recently announced the launch of BoyMeetSpace β a music education program inspired by his label. BoyMeetSpace Academy takes aspiring producers through a six-week course where theyβll learn about the beat making process, as well as be provided with the resources and tools to establish a successfully career in music while receiving one-on-one feedback from music industry playmakers.
Notable names that will join Jetson at his academy are Tay Keith, Pooh Beatz and WondaGurl. Artists from Jetsonβs label including 1st Class and Neeko Baby will also help guide students as they get up close and personal with the inner workings of the music industry.
Those who enroll could also receive college accreditation for the program as soon as next year. Jetson plans to team up with universities across the country in the near future.
We got to sit down with Jetsonmade to talk more about the creation of BoyMeetSpace Academy, his thoughts on higher education, what truly makes an artist and producerβs sound unique and what itβs like producing for some of the biggest stars of today.
You can find out more about Jetsonmade and how to join BoyMeetSpace Academy here.
Amazon Studios presents Sleazyworld Go, the event gave fans a chance to get a first look at the Kansas City native presenting his music and story in his own words. After a brief interview breaking down his upbringing, Sleazyworld made it clear that those same circumstances were instrumental in the way that he developed his own sound and was able to handle all that has come with his current fame.
The intimate setting complimented Sleazyworld Goβs quiet confidence as he took his time and carefully and clearly answered each question- it was clear that he understood how big of an opportunity he was receiving as he sheaded a light on the fact that there are but a few rappers coming out of his city.
βI think what I am doing now is big- but I want to make a way for the artistβs down the line. Like, in ten years I want my city to look like Atlanta, Memphis- you know what I mean.β
Going into deep dive, Sleazyworld discussed some of the main influences that made his project βWhere The Shooters Atβ exactly what it is.Β
While he is known for the hard hitting anthems, he mentioned showcasing his ability to make slower love songs- such as his single that was released in August of this year βIndia Meβ. In the song Sleazyworld Go elaborates on his fantasy of finding a female that will stick by his side through thick and thin. A rare sight to see an artist this early into his development willing to experiment with his sound, especially when he has already developed a formula that has been successful thus far.Β
Shortly after the interview wrapped, Sleazyworld Go proceeded to show those in attendance as well as those live streaming exactly what they came for. His soft spoken energy disappeared almost immediately as he showcased his high energy that worked almost hand in hand with his music.
From his smash hit single-βSleazy Flowβ to the single he elaborated on βIndia Meβ he did not hold back anything. It felt like he had an endless supply of energy once he began performing, each song carrying the energy that the previous song had held. Throughout the entirety of the performance- one thing was evident, the sky’s the limit in terms of potential.
On Saturday, November 19, 2022, at The Ned NoMad, BustaΒ RhymesΒ hosted a private EP Album Release party taking over the entire Jazz Club level of Akiva’s Members Club and hotel, a popular New York hotspot. The party, of which guests entered through The Library Room which was filled floor to ceiling with red and black balloons, went from Midnight to 4:00am, with an exclusive guest list of Busta‘s personal invitees celebrating all evening. The party was to honor his new album, “The Fuse Is Lit,” as he toasted with guests into the late night hours.Β
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Other music artists and industry notables at the bash included Dave East, DJ Suss One, Rowdy Rebel, Spliff Star, Giggs, Badius, Capella Grey, Tr Trizzy, Hustle Hard Herbie, Eric The Jeweler (Eric Mavani), Murda Mook, DJ Scratchator, Nicole Mitchell Murphy, Stacie J, Gianni Credle-Harrell, and more.Β
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“The Fuse Is Lit” EPΒ has been trending on the charts, released on November 18th. The album includes a collaboration with Swizz Beatz as producer, and special guests Conway The Machine, Capella Grey, Big Daddy Kane & more.Β
Busta, all smiles all night, was draped in a powder blue custom Chanel suit and matching puffer jacket ensemble highlighted by red Chanel stitching, a red turtleneck and gold button details. The rap mogul was draped in gold jewelry, his hands donning oversized gold, diamond and ruby rings, for a show-stopping look.Β Β
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Busta took to the mic once the room was full, noting “I didn’t have a DJ until 8:00pm, shout out to Blends,Β and a venue until 72 hours ago, okay..ok… let’s be straight, 48 hours ago.., I called my brotherΒ Richie Akiva and he pulled off a lot for me, not going to sugarcoat it, love that man.” Guests continued to cheer and shout out their pal Busta, everyone so excited for his EP. He also went on to give additional speeches, and notedΒ “Now I am going to say a few things. First, I AM HAPPY.Β I have been working on final touches of this EP release for the last 48 hours, and right now I am super in love with being an artist first and when it comes to the creative space especially. When you have real friends and real love and relationships in your life, that just makes all things next level.”
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A special DJ set was performed byΒ Busta‘s palΒ DJ True Blends.
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The Ned NoMad continues to have an endless flow of VIPs through its doors, with Dave Chappelle hosting his SNL party the weekend prior, of which Busta and Miguel were both present and performed.Β
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Richie Akiva has been at the forefront of New York hospitality since he opened Butter, followed by Up&Down, The Darby and 1OAK. The Ned NoMad is his latest chapter of an evolved career, bringing New York his latest vision of curated hospitality and nightlife, through the doors of the exclusive Members Club, Hotel, and private lounge.
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Exclusive Images from Busta’s EP Release Party. Photo credit: Johnny NunezΒ Β
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The West Coast is experiencing what some would define as a musical renaissance. For the past few years, thereβs been a huge emergence of talent hailing from the city of Los Angeles and taking the nation by storm, including Roddy Richh, rap duo BlueBucksClan, 1TakeJay and Blxst just to name a few.
And joining that list is L.A. bred newcomer Kalan.FrFr.
But rap wasnβt always on his radar. After establishing a pretty solid football career at San Diego State University, a then 21-year old Kalan had to unexpectedly end his time on the field and shifted his focus to pursuing music full time.
His biggest song βNever Lose Youβ has over 5 million views on YouTube and his infectious discography has gained him 628,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
So, it came as no surprise when he caught the eye of Roc Nation and signed on the dotted line officially to be a part of the company founded by Jay-Z. He even made his Made In America Festival debut this year as a Roc Nation artist.
We caught up with the rap star to talk about his new album 222, his appreciation for fashion and his outlook on the music industry as a business.
We get deep and touch on his deep connection with his spirituality and how itβs impacted his career, as well as his dedication to fighting the negative stigmas surrounding special needs β an issue the rapper holds near to his heart.
Last month, the rapper hosted his TwoFr Day annual charity event, where he donates clothes, school supplies and more to his former community and high school in Compton, CA. A portion of the proceeds were donated to the Compton Unified School District Special Needs Program.
On a lighter note, he also speaks about his genuine love for his job and making music, and how heβs determined to not let the pressures of life and work stop him from enjoying the fruits of his labor.
βIβm not gonna say Iβm not having fun because itβs fun. This is fun, my job is fun. But, itβs still my job at the end of the day. So, I treat it like work. I feel like this next stage Iβm at in my life, Iβm gonna have a lot more fun with the perks of being a rapperβ says Kalan.FrFr.
As for whatβs next for Kalan.FrFr?
βThe video ‘Light Breeze‘ finna drop. So, just get ready for the video, itβs gonna be fireβ he said.
Fire would be an understatement. The new music video for the melodic trap bop off his 222 album follows the rapper around his city of L.A.
Kalan.FrFr may be a rookie in the rap game but he carries his self like a veteran. The lifestyle comes easy to him and it shows.
In the video for βLight Breeze,β released yesterday, he raps βAll you can see is a light breeze, Sunroof back, A/C riding through the light, light speedβ as he rides past palm trees in foreign cars from sun up to sun down.
Watch out interview with Kalan.FrFr below.
ClubΒ LIV, located at theΒ Fontainebleau HotelΒ in Miami Beach, FL was the place to be last week for the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards. The spectacular and extremely exclusive event was hosted byΒ Mike OβNeill, BMI president and CEO, and Catherine Brewton, BMI vice president, creative.Β
The evening started with the artist, producers, family members, and other VIP guests walking the red carpet and showcasing their outfits, as well as being interviewed, and photographed before they get into the awards show. We got the pleasure to speak with a variety of artists such as;Β Christopher βYCβ Pearson, India Shawn, Lil Scrappy, Adiz βBambiβ Benson, Travis Porter, Morray, 808 Mafia, ATL Jacob, DJ Khaled, and the 2022 BMI Icon,Β Busta Rhymes. The interviews can be found on ourΒ Instagram.Β Β
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After the Red Carpet guest made their way inside the event where they could listen to jams played byΒ DJ NastyΒ and guests were welcomed byΒ DJ Khaled.Β Guests also were invited to indulge in an open bar and hors dβoeuvres. On the menu were; chicken and waffles, many types of empanadas, and a variety of flatbreads. My personal favorite was the carne asada empanadas they were filled with some much flavor and the meat was cooked to perfection.Β
The crowd got to enjoy performances from singer-songwriterΒ PheelzΒ andΒ Morray. Towards the end of the night Busta Rhymes preformedΒ βBreak Ya Neck,β βScenarioβ and βPut Your Hands Where My Eyes Could SeeβΒ withΒ Spliff StarΒ andΒ DJ Scratchator.Β Closing the eveningΒ Busta RhymesΒ andΒ Pharrell WilliamsΒ preformed βPass the Courvoisier.β
βAs one of the pioneers of hip-hop, we are excited to honor Busta Rhymes as a BMI Icon,β saidΒ Brewton. βThrough his award-winning solo work, countless collaborations and acting, Busta is a true innovator in every sense of the word and has made a dynamic impact on legions of fans and music creators worldwide.Β
RhymesΒ launched his musical career in the early 90s with the hip-hop crew Leaders of the New School. He moved on to become an in-demand collaborator, appearing on numerous tracks for other artists before he officially went solo in 1996 with his massive hit, βWoo-Hah!! Got You All in Check.β The single was quickly certified platinum, earning him his first GRAMMY nomination. Throughout the β90s and 2000s, he was a creative force, topping the charts, including debuting at number one in 2006 with his seventh studio album,Β The Big Bang. Several of his hit songs, such as βPut Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See,β βBreak Ya Neck,β βDangerous,β βGimme Some Moreβ and βWhatβs Itβs Gonna Be?,β featuring Janet Jackson, became hip-hop anthems, solidifying his place as one of the most in-demand rappers in the industry. In 2020, he independently released the critically acclaimedΒ ELE 2: The Wrath of God, withΒ NMEΒ saying it was βarguably one of the best-produced hip-hop albums of the last five years.β
Beyond his work in music, Rhymes has appeared in several films and television series, including inΒ Shaft, Finding Forrester, Master of None, The Rugrats MovieΒ and he competed inΒ The Masked SingerΒ on FOX.
As the 2022 BMI Icon, Busta Rhymes joins an elite group of music creators who have received BMIβs highest honor. Past BMI Icons include:Β Β Janet Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Nile Rodgers, Snoop Dogg, The Jacksons, LA Reid, Babyface, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, James BrownΒ and more.
Song of the year:Β Justin Bieber hit “Peaches,” featuring GIVEΜON and Daniel Caesar.
Songwriter of the year:Β Megan Thee StallionΒ andΒ Christopher βYCβ PearsonΒ tied. YC and Megan Thee Stallion co-wrote three of the most performed R&B/Hip-Hop songs.Β
Megan Thee Stallion:Β βBody,β βCry Babyβ and βThot Shit.β
Christopher βYCβ Pearson:Β βTime Todayβ and βWockeshaβ and Pooh Shiestyβs βBack in BloodβΒ
R&B/Hip-Hop publisher of the year: Sony Music PublishingΒ
Producer of the year:Β DβMile. His work included: Silk Sonicβs βSmokin Out the Window,β βSkateβ and βLeave the Door Open,β and βFair Tradeβ by Drake and Travis Scott.
Top producer citations: Isaac βZacβ De Boni, ATL Jacob, Michael βFinatikβ MulΓ©, Kanye West, Charlie Handsome, and RogΓ©t Chahayed.
Lastly, but definitely not least, Busta Rhymes was named a BMI Icon at the 2022 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards.Β
To learn more about the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, visitΒ hereΒ and use the hashtagΒ #BMIRnBHHAwardsΒ on social media.
Β Β 09-07-2022- Brooklynβs own National Sawdust hosted Paloma Fordβs breakout session sponsored by United Masters & Crown Royal Apple.The intimate venue was electric from the jump, not sure if it was the specialized cocktails that were sponsored by Crown Royal Apple or the level of excitement that was exuded from each artist that had a chance to grace the stage, regardless every party involved delivered.
The opening acts consisted of a variety of talent as United Masters showcased their diverse roster. You had artists such as Goldie Scott, a New York based soul-singer who seemed to grasp the crowdβs attention immediately. Following Goldie, we had Pieri- a Mexico based artist whose energy can only be explained as electric, when she got on stage you could not believe the tone and energy she was able to generate during her set.Β Following a brief intermission- Liana Banks hit the stage and delivered in a major way. The Queens born R&B sensation captured everyone in attendance with not only her vocal ability but with her veteran-like stage presence, those in attendance seemed to be holding on to her every move. As she finished her set, the crowd was in an uproar as they did not get enough.
United Masters set it up perfectly, as by the time Paloma Ford hit the stage the crowd was in a peak frenzy. For those in attendance that had no knowledge of Palomaβs track history was able to get a hands-on first experience.
From the lighting to the back up vocalist, everything was on point. She delivered with precision as she ran through her catalog as well as performing her newest single fresh off her two year hiatus βBentley Truckβ. As she wrapped up her performance, she voiced her gratitude for being allowed to perform for such a lively crowd.
As she exited and those in attendance were heading to the exit, it was announced that they have a special guest performance. As the crowd pressed for the identity to be revealed, VP Recording Artist & Grammy nominated Spice made her grand entrance and sent everyone into a frenzy.
The energy was off the charts as Spice along with her backup dancers and volunteers from the audience quickly brought a dancehall vibe to the stage that felt authentic. From her provocative outfit to her exotic choreography, one thing was evident- Spice is a star and she was the perfect talent to utilize as a guest performance.
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On Tuesday, May 10th, I had the pleasure of attending new breakout artist, Willow Kayne’s, first ever concert in New York.
Willow Kayne is a British sensation who is taking over the pop/punk/hip hop world by storm.Β
Location: The Sultan Room, Bushwick Brooklyn
It was 10pm and the anticipation of her arrival was worth the wait. The crowd of influencers, musicians, and new fans were eager to be surrounded by her magical sound. Kayne began by introducing herself and started singing her first song. The sound waves filled the room as the colorful background changed with each note she sang. I was quite impressed with her stage presence and impact.-
Willow Kayne is 20 years old and to have this much experience so young is very inspiring. She likes to live young, wild and free, unapologetically being herself and doesnβt give a damn what anyone thinks about her. I was very intrigued with her song βcopycatβ which was about people who let jealousy get the best of them. Kayne is very uplifting and sheds light on her experiences being in her teens as well as entering her 20βs. Everyone was dancing along to her being so flawless on stage. Willow Kanyeβs style was what I was also so interested in as well. Kayne rocked an oversized vintage Dennis Rodman T-shirt, Bermuda baggy jeans, and layers of jewelry, and a spice girls hairstyle that completed her punk rock aesthetic. She is a star and I love the crossover impact she has being from the UK. Im looking forward to what else she brings to the music scene.
To have such an impact and voice at such a young age, can only show that her career will take her very far in life. Β Her concert lasted only about an hour, but within that time span, I felt like I was brought back to being carefree and dancing in my room as a teen with the music on full blast. I appreciate when artists give you the feeling of being βaliveβ. Iβm so happy that she building a fan base, curating her personal sound and style, being positive, and living life to the fullest, I wish her the very best and hope to attend another one of her concerts soon.