Chuck Brown (August 22, 1936 – May 16, 2012)

Legendary Chuck Brown of Chuck Brown and the Soul Searcher passed away due to pneumonia and multiple organ failure. He was known as “the Godfather of Go-go. The Go-go originated in the Washington, D.C. area in the 1970s it is the subgenre of funk music. I was fortunate to see Chuck Brown live in person, when I was visiting the Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C. area in 1983. I remember the days of the house parties, if you wanted to get the party started put on a Chuck Brown song. Nelly used the music from Chuck Brown’s “Bustin Loose” song, on his number one hit song “Hot in Here”. Chuck Brown was funky. His songs “Bustin Loose”, “Funky”, “It Don’t Mean A Thing” and “Go-go” will always be his trade mark. I also liked the song “Misty”. He put his Go-go swing style on it. Chuck Brown influenced other Go- go bands like Big G and The Backyard Band, Rare Essence, Experience Unlimited, Little Benny and the Masters, and Trouble Funk. In 2009, T Street in Northwest Washington, DC was renamed “Chuck Brown Way”. Chuck Brown will always be the one and only Godfather of the Go- go, he will be missed, but his funky Go-go style of music will live on through the bands that he has influenced. R.I.P Chuck Brown!

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Brown

T.O.N.E-z

  About T.O.N.E-Z

Last month, Gangstagrass members Rench and T.O.N.E-z attended the Creative Arts Emmys for their nomination in the Best Original Song for a Television Show Category. The song, “Long Hard Times to Come” was written as the theme for the show Justified on FX. The song captured the public’s attention immediately, with fans from across the world trying to find the track and its creators. While the theme for Showtime’s Nurse Jackie took home the win, this marked a historic moment for both the Emmys and the Hip Hop/Rap music genre with T.O.N.E-z getting the nod as the first rapper ever nominated in this category. Now, T.O.N.E-z is set to launch his solo career in a way he has never done before. T.O.N.E-z While gaining mainstream attention as the co-writer of the Emmy Award nominated song, T.O.N.E-z, formerly “Style,” was an established musician before his work with Gangstagrass. In the early 90's, he was signed with Select Records, which produced such artists as Chubb Rock, and his first release was entitled “In Tone We Trust.” T.O.N.E-z went on to sell thousands of mixtapes, and starred alongside Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks in “Philadelphia.” His brothers are Special K, formerly of the Treacherous Three, and T La Rock. Now he can add the Emmy nomination to his impressive list of accomplishments. With an EP on the way next month and a full CD to follow within the next few months, T.O.N.E-z is set to expand his career from the underground and into the limelight. This move inspired the titles of his releases, the first one being “The Lime Light: The Warm Up EP” and the second being “The Lime Light”. While both discs have will hit the masses via International distribution, T.O.N.E-z stays true to his roots with songs that convey rhythmic power and lyrical depth. Lightning On the Strings, Thunder On the Mic” is the second Gangstagrass album. Available now through most online retailers, it features T.O.N.E-z on the majority of the tracks. Both Hip Hop and Bluegrass fans have taken to this seemingly impossible musical combination. The next track to hit the airwaves is T.O.N.E-z’s personal favorite and opening track on the disc, “That’s Right I’m Good.” You can learn more about T.O.N.E-z and Gangstagrass by visiting Tonezworld and www.gangstagrass.com. Who is T.O.N.E-z? Perhaps you've heard the name before, or by the previous alias Style (or Tony Tone not to be confused with any of the other people to go by that name). T.O.N.E-z signed with Select Records (a powerhouse in the early 90s, featuring acts such as Chubb Rock, Kid N' Play and M.O.P.: for a list of releases go here). His first release .. Records was entitled "In Tone We Trust". He also released two singles, "The ssassinator" (click to view the video on Youtube) and "What a Brother Know". br />After parting was with Select he dropped the Style alias they had given him and started going by T.O.N.E, which eventually morphed into T.O.N.E-z. Over the years he sold thousands of mixtapes, and worked on several releases including a project with Myzery and a full length solo album "The One No-One Expected". His exploits are too numerous to detail, but this interview with the Cavalier Daily will fill in some of the gaps: T.O.N.E. talks influences, goals, lessons learned. A good exclamation point leading up to T.O.N.E-z affiliation with Rydas Records would be his Mannequins / State of Hip Hop video.Pedigree If you've already checked out the mixtape and clicked the links you have probably seen the family connections that T.O.N.E-z has. The brother of both Special K formerly of the Treacherous Three and T La Rock both hip-hop legends in their own right. Special K's group (which featured Kool Mo Dee) was signed to Sugar Hill Records and T La Rock had what some consider to be the first Def Jam release, It's Yours. (To read a 1996 New York Times article about T La Rock (which details the T.O.N.E-z/Style and Special K family connection in the tenth paragraph go here. ) Needless to say T.O.N.E-z roots lie in the origins of hip-hop and he and his family has had a profound impact on hip-hop.

Read more:http://www.myspace.com/tonezworld#ixzz12SggRyEX

Related articles

• 'Wire' Actor Tray Chaney Drops His First Mixtape (mtv.com)
• 'Def Jam Rapstar' Review - No Turn Tables And Two Microphones (multiplayerblog.mtv.com)
• DJ Hero Dev Trimming Hip Hop for Sequel (escapistmagazine.com)
• HIP HOP GOSPEL Embraced by Donald Trump; Seeks Oprah Winfrey Endorsement (prweb.com)
• 'End' of Blue Scholars as we know it (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Wale's Seinfeld tribute mixtape (guardian.co.uk)
• Tennille (einsteinmusicjournal.co.nz)
• Soundtrack Saturday: "Beat Street" (popdose.com)
• Everything Sad About Hip Hop [Parables] (gawker.com)
• Imagination Movers release new CD, In a Big Warehouse (timeoutny.com)

Butter Jonez

Butter Jonez is talented singer and songwriter from Columbus, Ohio. A self described “Renaissance Man”, Mr. Jonez crafted his style of Hip Hop soul while growing up listening to his father’s extensive collection of soul 45s & LPs.

Drawing his influences from such groups as The Delfonics, New Birth, and Black Ivory; as well as artists like Bobby Womack, Linda Jones, and Marvin Gaye.

His debut single “Fire”, produced by The Intalec, is a seductive

mixture of strings and warm rhythmic percussion that sets the

mood for Mr. Jonez’ smooth vocal style to relax and soothe the listener, while fellow label mate Doc Giggz follows up with a melodic rhyme flow that compliments Mr. Jonez’ vocals like silk and satin. On the extended Hip Hop Mix Butter brings in fellow label mate Lord Hakim to spit 16 bars on how to “Do The Right Thing with a cup of ice”. “The song is about a night of intimacy with that special someone that’s so intense and so passionate that the

only way to describe it is as that fire”- Mr. Jonez.

Although the song is provocative in nature, Mr.

Jonez showcases his songwriting abilities by

addressing it in a mature yet artistic manner. “It's

one thing to tell somebody something, it another

to be able to describe something so vividly that the

listener can actually see, taste, touch, & smell whatever

it is your describing.” The most accurate way to describe

Butter Jonez debut single “Fire” is, the perfect theme music

for a romantic evening.

Tracklist

1. Fire (3:28) featuring Doc Giggz

2. Fire (Extended Hip Hop Mix) (4:06)

featuring Lord Hakim & Doc Giggz

Contact Information

for booking: booking@a-cipher.com

for sales: sales@a-cipher.com

for interviews, drops, and similar

requests: requests@a-cipher.com

Butter Jonez online:

www.butterjonez.com

www.a-cipher.com/butterjonez

www.myspace.com/butterjonez

www.twitter.com/butterjonez

www.iLike.com/butterjonez

Butter Jonez

Single:

Fire

Label:

A. Cipher Recordings,LLC

Catalog #:

ACR21026CD0S

Barcode #:

8-80077-21001-0

(Registered with Neilsen Soundscan)

Release Date:

Jan. 5, 2010

iTunes * Amazon * Rhapsody * CDbaby

9-Year Old Phenomenon Rapper Ly’asia

9-Year Old Phenomenon Rapper Ly’asia to Release New Album
Daughter of IGT Fame Hits the Scene Powerfully with “A Star In The Making”
 
 
New York, USA— “A Star In The Making,” the new album by rapper Ly’asia, whose music has been compared to the music of Lil Mama, Eve and MC Lyte is set to release in the spring of 2010. Ly’asia’s music has caught the eye of the media and captured fans from across the country.  Her talent has been recognized within the Hip Hop community and critics have predicted that her music will make her one of Hip Hop’s most promising ingénues.  Why is Ly’asia’s music so special, one may ask?  Because for many who hear her music, it’s hard to believe Ly’asia is only 9 years old.
 
Growing up with her father Lagato Shine of IGT fame, Ly’asia has been exposed to many genres of music since the day she was born.  Picking up on her father’s swagger and lyrical flow like a seasoned professional, it wasn’t long before the young Ly’asia was coming up with music all on her own and taking command of the stage like it was the only thing she was born to do.
 
The recent music video for her song “Dream” really captures what Ly’asia is all about, showing her spunk, catchy dance moves and inspirational messages that reach well beyond her age.  As she continues to break down all barriers with dreams and aspirations not many other girls her age can even imagine, Ly’asia says she “hopes that [her] raps will influence young girls to grow up and believe they can be whatever they want to be."
 
Ly’asia’s strong voice has led her to perform at many musical venues. With her ability to take control of the stage with what some fans have called her “incredible presence,” many say she has the potential to be one of the greatest female rappers on today’s music scene.  For Ly’asia, getting her message across and being on the stage is what it is all about.  She says,  “I love making music and performing... when the crowd screams for me it makes me want to never stop!"
 
Even though her musical career takes up much of her time, Ly’asia also makes time for her other interests, such as basketball and cheerleading while still maintaining an impressive straight-A report card.  It is this down-to-earth character that makes Ly’asia stand out among other young musicians; her music is always relatable and accessible to audiences young and old.  Ly’asia says she hopes her raps will reach other girls her age and in the end, just make people happy.
 
For additional information about Ly’asia or the release of “A Star In The Making,” please visit the artist’s web sites:  www.lyasiaworld.com, www.myspace.com/lyasia9,
or www.overplay.com/lyasia  (for her EPK) or contact Laurena Marrone at gritpr@gmail.com.

QUEEN LATIFAH

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

QUEEN LATIFAH

Dana Elaine Owens(born March 18, 1970) known as the Queen of Rap, is a rapper, actress, singer and songwriter. The first time I heard of Queen Latifah was on Yo! MTV Raps in the late 80s the song was “Princess of the Posse”, I knew this girl had something special, I was right. Queen Latifah’s first album “All Hail the Queen was released in 1989, this album is still my all time favorite. Queen Latifah released three more albums “Nature of a Sista” in 1991, “Black Reign” in 1993, “Order in the Court”

in 1998. After Order in the Court, went in another direction she made a all jazz album entitled “The Dana Owens album” this album showcased her singing ability and could she sing. The Dana Owens album, his her best selling album to date it was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2005. In 2007 Queen Latifah released Trav’lin’ Light, the song “I’m Gonna Live Till I Die” won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist and nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. In 2008  Queen Latifah came out with another hip hop album called “All Hail the Queen II”. Queen Latifah wanted to mess with peoples head so a rumor was started that the album was to be titled ‘L’ Word”, because a rumor was going around that she was a lesbian, . Queen Latifah was also a accomplished actress she had a supporting roles in House Party 2, Juice and Jungle Fever. Queen Latifah had a starring role on the TV series Living Single from 1993-1998, she also wrote and performed the theme music. Queen Latifah also had her own talk show for two years and recurring roles on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Hangin with Mr. Cooper.

Her film career consist of the 1996 box office hit Set It Off, Living out Loud  and The Bone Collector. Queen Latifah was nominated for  Best Actress in a Supporting  Role for her role as Matron “Mama” Morton in the Oscar winning musical Chicago. In 2003 she starred with Steve Martin in Bringing Down The House. Other films where she had the lead or supporting role were Scary Movie 3, Barbershop 2: Back in Business, Taxi, Kung Faux, Beauty Shop, Hairspray, Last Holiday, she was also the voice of Ellie the mammoth in Ice Age: The Melt Down her first voice role in animated film.

Latifah her stage name means “delicate” and “gentle” in Arabic, her cousin gave her this name when she was eight. Queen Latifah is also blessed with a gift from God and she is and always be one of my favorite person of this century.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Latifah

LM

Related articles by Zemanta

• Queen Latifah, The Virgins, Liza Minnelli Celebrate Paper's 25th Anniversary (mtv.com)
• Queen Latifah Parties...With A Stripper!!! (perezhilton.com)
• Personal Trainer Who Produced Star Studded Events Featuring Michael Jackson & Queen Latifah, Now Creates Childhood Obesity Prevention & Awareness (prweb.com)

Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Melissa Arnette Elliott was born July 1st, 1971 in Portsmouth, Virginia. She is the only female rapper in America to have produced

 six platinum albums...with record sales exceeding 7-million.  Better known as Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, her early rise to fame, however, came at a 'felonious'  price.

 

At the age of eight, Elliott was raped almost every day for a year by an older cousin, before an aunt finally noticed the abuses. "No matter how many years later, it's something that affects me every day...and will live with me forever," Elliott stated. 

 

She also had an abusive father who beat Missy's mother daily, and then missy as well when she was 14.  After pulling a gun and forcing both outside of their home naked, Missy and her mother both left her father... never to return.  "My mother soon realized how strong she was on her own, and that made me strong too", said Missy. From that point on it was all uphill for the sharp-minded Elliott, who was actually advanced two years ahead in grade school. 

 

In 1990, Elliott and three other girls formed an R and B group called 'Sista', which was produced by neighborhood friend Timothy Mosley.  Within a year their demo tracks caught the ear of famous 'Jodeci' band producer De Vante Swing, who moved the band to New York, signed them to 'Electra' records, and created the new, 20-member "Swing Mod"....which included future stars 'Ginuwine', 'Playa' and "Tweet'.

 

All 20 members lived together in one-single, two story house, working on 'Jodeci'  material and and thier own projects.  Missy also wrote and rapped for 'Raven-Symone', and 'Jodeci's lbums 'Diary of a Mad Band', 'The Show', 'The After Party' and 'The Hotel'.  But, in 1995 Swing Mod folded, and Missy moved on with friend and producer Mosley.(newly named Timbaland) 

 

The new songwriting production team then crafted tracks for acts such as 'SWV', '702' and most notably 'Aaliyah', who's album "One in a Million" went platinum.(Elliott and Timbaland producing 9 of the tracks)  This would launch them both to star status.  Over the past 14-years Elliott's vocals and lyrics produced by Timberland have blessed the rap world with album hits 'Supa Dupa Fly', 'Da Real World', 'Mis E...So Addictive', 'Under Construction', 'This Is Not a Test', 'The Cookbook', and 'Block Party'.

 

During it all, Elliott has added acting to her performance resume, appearing in four films including "Fade to Black", and "Just for Kids"....as well as numerous TV appearances in shows like "Family Matters", "The Wayans Brothers", and "MTV Cribs".  She's also made plans for a biographical film with Robert De Niro as one of the interested producers.  The script is almost finished.

 

In her personal life, Elliott says she wants to start a family someday, despite rumors about her sexual orientation.  "I don't need a man to make me happy without making MYSELF happy first', she declares. Meanwhile, her body of work has already made millions in the rap world...very happy!

  

 

Thanks, that's a rap!

 

PeteCam4