GRAMMY NOMINATED SINGER/SONGWRITER KENNY LATTIMORE BEGINS U.S. SUMMER TOUR WITH DAVE KOZ...

(New York, NY – July 15, 2015) -- Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Kenny Lattimore announces tour dates this summer.  As a result of the success of his new album, Anatomy of a Love Song, Lattimore was asked by jazz favorite Dave Koz to join his Summer Tour as a special guest, alongside Rick Braun.  Full dates are below.
 

Watch Kenny Lattimore, Dave Koz & Rick Braun here

Lattimore’s current single, “Love Me Back” has reached top 10 at Urban AC radio. Listen to the track here and watch the video here. "Love Me Back" is featured on Anatomy of a Love Song, which can be purchased here. 

Additionally, Kenny will be signing copies of his album at the Best Buy Wedding Registry Blogger event tomorrow, where he will be the featured Celebrity Guest. The event is the single largest annual gathering of female bloggers and social media influencers in America.  For more details, click here.  Lattimore’s music reflects the best of all worlds as it combines the timeless sounds of traditional R&B with a unique contemporary flair to create a universal sound that transcends boundaries and appeals to audiences of all ages, races and genres. His body of work, which includes hits such as “Never Too Busy” and the Grammy nominated “For You,” has garnered two Gold-selling albums, the NAACP Image Award for Best New Artist, and nominations for Soul Train Awards and Stellar Awards.
 
In addition to Kanye West sampling Lattimore’s “Lately” in his song “I’m In It,” from his #1 album Yeezus, a diverse array of artists including Musiq Soulchild, Rachelle Ferrell, Ray J, Nancy Wilson, Heather B, Michael Lington and Brian Culbertson, have sought out his talents for their own projects. He performed the duet “Love Will Find A Way” with Heather Headley for Disney’s The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride. He and singer Chante Moore recorded the Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell duet “You’re All I Need To Get By,” which was selected as the theme song for the BET show The Family Crews.
  

Summer Tour with Dave Koz:

July 18 -  Apple Valley, MN - Zoo Amp

July 19 - Winter Park, CO - Winter Park Jazz Festival

July 24 - Atlanta, GA - Cobb Energy PAC

July 25 - Hammond, IN - Horseshoe Casino

August 5 - New York, NY - Infinity Cruise

August 7 - Kansas City, MO - Music Hall

August 8 Kettering, OH - Fraze Pavillion

August 15 - Sparks, NV - John Ascuaga's Nugget Hotel & Casino

August 21 - Sacramento, CA - Red Lion Hotel

August 22 - Las Vegas, NV - Alliante Casino

August 23 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl

August 28 - Austin, TX - One World Theater

August 29 - Hoston, TX - Bayou Music Theater

August 30 - Dallas, TX - Music Hall

September 5 - Cancun, MX - Cancun Jazz Festival 

September 11 - Saratoga, CA - Villa Montalvo

September 12 - Guerneville, CA - Johnson's Beach

September 18 - Seattle, WA - Redhook Concert For Cancer (solo date)

September 25 - San Diego, CA - Humphrey's

Lil' Wayne Releases 'Free Weezy Album" Via Tidal....

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Lil' Wayne has resurfaced from a short obscurity to release "Free Weezy Album" via the Tidal streaming service. Check out our review of the album by clicking here!

Dr. Dre Launches 'The Pharmacy' on Beats 1 Radio via Apple Music...

As one who has continuously defied the odds and pushed the boundaries of hip-hop, music mogul Dr. Dre continues to change the game in ways unseen. Dre has launched a new radio show called "The Pharmacy", and will debut on Beats Radio via the new Apple Music format today. 

The bi-weekly show will focus primarily on West Coast hip-hop. It's is the second exclusive from Dr. Dre this week. Just days ago, he made his debut album, The Chronic, available for streaming via Apple Music. At this point, there's no confirmation whether The Pharmacy will be a full station, or if it is just to be a standalone show. 

For more information, visit www.beats1radio.com, and be sure to tune in at 6pm EST. 

@BounceTV Posts its Most-Watched Quarter Ever in Second Quarter 2015.....

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ATLANTA, July 1, 2015  -- Bounce TV -- the nation's first-ever and fast-growing broadcast television network designed for African American audiences – continued its ratings surge in the just-completed second quarter of 2015, setting network records for viewership and the delivery of key targeted demographic audiences in both Primetime and Total Day with June becoming the network's most-watched month ever.

In the new record-setting quarter, Bounce TV posted double-digit Primetime gains of:

• +17% in Households (179K vs. 153K) 
• +14% in A18-49 (90K vs. 79K) 
• +11% in A25-54 (98K vs. 88K) 
• +14% in Persons 2+ (246K vs. 216K)

The network also racked up increases in Total Day among HHs (+12%, 140K vs. 125K) and P2+ (+8%, 192K vs. 178K.)

June 2015 is now the network's most-watched ever, with Prime increases of +32% in HHs (208K vs. 158K), 38% in A18-49 (106K vs. 77K), +39% in A25-54 (117K vs. 84K) and 34% in P2+ (294K vs. 220K.) Double-digit Total Day increases for June 2015 were led by +24% in HHs (157K vs. 127K) and +26% in P2 (223K vs. 177K.) 

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Helping fuel the network's strong performance was the first season of the original series Mann & Wife starring David and Tamela Mann. The show was a smash hit, delivering more than 6.2 million viewers and 4.0 million homes across all plays in its first season on the air.

Bounce TV is the fastest-growing African-American (AA) network on television and has become the #2 most-watched among all AA networks.  The network airs on the digital broadcast signals of local television stations and corresponding cable carriage and features a programming mix of original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, specials, live sports and more.  Bounce TV has grown to be available in more than 85 million homes across 90 markets, 90% of African American television homes -- including all of the top AA television markets -- and three quarters of the total television homes in the United States.

SHADY RECORDS TO RELEASE SOUNDTRACK FOR "SOUTHPAW"...

July 1, 2015 -- Southpaw (Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture), the soundtrack to The Weinstein Company motion picture Southpaw, will be released on July 24th -- the same day the film hits theaters -- via Shady Records/Interscope Records. Eminem serves as Executive Producer of the album, which includes two tracks from the multi-platinum rapper: the first single, "Phenomenal," and "Kings Never Die," featuring Gwen Stefani.  Eminem also appears on two songs from his side project with Royce Da 5'9", Bad Meets Evil. In addition, the soundtrack includes music from 50 Cent, The Weeknd, Action Bronson & Joey Bada$$, Slaughterhouse and more. In addition, the soundtrack includes two arrangements from the late James Horner, the Academy Award-winning composer (Titanic, Avatar) who scored the film and tragically passed away earlier this week.  The complete track-listing for the soundtrack is below.

The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) and written by Kurt Sutter (Sons of Anarchy, The Shield), is the riveting story of Billy "The Great" Hope, the reigning light heavyweight boxing champion of the world (played by Academy Award nominee Gyllenhaal). Hope seemingly has it all, with an impressive career, a beautiful and loving wife (Rachel McAdams), an adorable daughter (Oona Laurence) and a lavish lifestyle.  When tragedy strikes and his lifelong manager and friend (Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson) leaves him behind, Hope hits bottom, and turns to an unlikely savior at a local gym, Tick Willis (Forest Whitaker), a retired fighter and trainer to the city's toughest amateur boxers. With his future riding on Tick's guidance and tenacity, Billy enters the hardest battle of his life as he struggles with redemption and to win back the trust of those he loves.

Check out the Southpaw trailer HERE. 
Check out the Beats By Dr. Dre spot featuring "Phenomenal" HERE

The track-listing for Southpaw (Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture) is as follows: 

"Cry For Help (Part 1)" — James Horner 
"Kings Never Die" — Eminem feat. Gwen Stefani 
"Beast (Southpaw Remix)" — Rob Bailey & The Hustle Standard feat. Busta Rhymes, KXNG Crooked & Tech N9ne 
"This Corner" — Denaun 
"What About The Rest Of Us" — Action Bronson & Joey Bada$$ feat. Rico Love 
"Raw" — Bad Meets Evil 
"R.N.S." — "Slaughterhouse" 
"Wicked Games" — The Weeknd 
"All I Think About" — Bad Meets Evil 
"Mode" — Prhyme feat. Logic 
"Notorious Thugs" — The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Bone Thugs N Harmony 
"Phenomenal" — Eminem 
"Cry For Help (Part 2)" — James Horner

Source: Interscope Records

POP STAR JILLY ANAIS CALLS ON NICKI MINAJ’S COMPOSER IN NEW VIDEO...

LOS ANGELES, CA – Urban pop music has a new face and a new voice and she goes by the name Jilly Anais. At just nineteen years old, Anais took the music industry by storm in February of 2015 with the release of her debut EP “The Juice”. The project was an instant success on soundcloud and also got the attention of major media outlets and mega music producers all over the world.

Following the success of the EP Anais released her hit single “Afterparty”. The song has been a fan favorite both on the radio and in the clubs. “Afterparty” combines gritty pop lyrics with a fun upbeat sound and after just a few weeks and thousands and thousands of plays, Jilly Anais has just released a music video for “Afterparty”.

Some of the song’s success is because of the all-star cast that collaborated to make this epic track. 

It was co-written by industry veteran Troi Irons, whose credits include Lupe Fiasco, Timbaland, and Rita Ora. Perhaps the biggest person to mention is the producer of the song, music mogul Irvin Whitlow. He is part of the production duo ThaAristocrats, who are known for their work with Christina Milian and Nicki Minaj.

The “Afterparty” music video dropped June 16th on Anais’ official Vevo channel. For more on Jilly Anais and to listen and download her music visit www.JillyAnais.com

About Jilly Anais

Nineteen-year-old Jillyan Anais Moor is on course to be on top of the pop charts. The Houston, Texas native hung up her cowgirl boots and stepped out in faith to launch an entertainment career in Los Angeles. As a winner of the prestigious Miss Teen Houston Pageant in 2011, Anais’ resume also includes modeling, acting, competitive dance, competitive cheer and she is now carving her own path in the music industry.

​

BOUNCE TV SERIES "MANN & WIFE" RENEWED FOR SECOND SEASON, RETURNING IN 2016...

Following a record breaking season on Bounce TV, the new and original series Mann & Wife has been renewed for a second season. The show will return spring 2016. 

David Mann, Tamela Mann

Starring David and Tamela Mann, the series follows the newlywed, second-chance sweethearts as they laugh and love their way through the ups and downs of life as a blended family, each with two children from previous marriages. Mann & Wife features a vibrant supporting cast: Vivica A. Fox, portraying Daniel's ex-wife; Tony Rock, playing Daniel's new partner on the police force and JoMarie Payton as Lorraine, Daniel's overbearing mother. Series co-creator Roger Bobb (The Rickey Smiley Show, House of Payne) serves as executive producer and director. 

Mann & Wife Cast

The series premiere of Mann & Wife bowed on April 7and quickly became the network's most-watched original series ever.  The following week, Mann & Wife joined Empire in the rare company of television series that increased ratings from week one to week two when the second episode increased viewership over the series premiere episode to become Bounce TV's most-watched original to date. 

Real-life husband and wife team David Mann (House of Payne, Meet The Browns) and Tamela Mann (Madea's Big Happy Family, Sparkle) star and serve as executive producers of Mann & Wife.

About Bounce TV

Bounce TV is the nation's first-ever and fastest-growing broadcast television network designed for African-American audiences.  It airs on the digital signals of local television stations with corresponding cable carriage and features a programming mix of original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, documentaries, specials, live sports and more. The rapidly-expanding Bounce TV is the number two most-watched African-American network on television. 

Legendary Wrestling Superstar Dusty Rhodes Dead at 69...

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Thursday, June 11, 2015 - Legendary wrestling superstar Dusty Rhodes has passed away. He was 69. 

Rhodes, whose real name was Virgil Runnels, spent more than two decades in the wrestling world, billed as “The American Dream”. He began in 1985 as a booker for Jim Crockett Promotions, and would make his debut with the World Wrestling Federation in 1989 as Dusty Rhodes. Managed by Sapphire, we witness many battles, notably those between he and Macho Man Randy Savage. For a short period, he returned to WCW, and eventually jumped ship for ECW. He would have yet another short run with WCW, and also spent time with TNA, and along the independent circuit. The last decade of his career and life have been with WWE. 

Emergency medical personnel were called to Rhodes’ home in Orlando Fall upon receiving reports of a fall. It’s being reported that he ultimately died from kidney failure. 

Stay tuned for updates in this story as they become available. 

Where Hip Hop Lives™: Hot 97 and Power 106 Launch Mobile App...

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New York City, NY, June 10, 2015  -- The two most powerful brands in hip hop, Hot97 and Power 106, have joined forces to launch a new mobile app, Where Hip Hop Lives, a must-have for true Hip Hop fans. 

Where Hip Hop Lives aggregates music, news and social media, curated not by technology but by music trendsetters. 

The free app, available now for download for iPhone and Android devices, is a one stop shop for up-to-the-minute entertainment news, Instagram photos and video feeds from Hot97 and Power 106 on-air talent and relevant Hip Hop Artists. 

A subscription-based model is available for a monthly fee of $3.99 which grants access to commercial-free Hot 97 and Power 106 online radio, along with an exclusive channel dedicated to breaking new Hip Hop music, "New At 2," an extension of both Hot97 and Power106's terrestrial broadcast daily 2 pm feature hour dedicated to new music. 

New At 2 on the Where Hip Hop Lives app delivers 24 hours of uncensored new music curated by the DJ's closest to emerging music. New At 2 will allow Hot97 and Power 106 DJs to break music online prior to breaking it on radio.  

"Hot97 and Power106 personalities are the authentic curators of the hip hop lifestyle," said Jeff Smulyan, Chairman and CEO of Emmis Communications (Nasdaq:  EMMS), parent company of Hot 97 and Power 106.  "The Where Hip Hop Lives app provides Hip Hop fans worldwide access to everything Hip Hop straight from the DJs in New York and Los Angeles that set the lifestyle and cultivates the next generation of superstars.  From news and images to hip hop radio like you've never heard it before, Where Hip Hop Lives promises to deliver an experience unlike other music apps."  

"We have been breaking the hottest new artists in hip hop for years," Ebro Darden, Hot97 Morning Show Host. "In today's crowded online music landscape we wanted to create a step between what is hot in the clubs, online, and radio.  The New At 2 channel allows us to deliver new music in a 24 hour experience curated by the DJ's in clubs not a computer algorithm."  

"Where Hip Hop Lives connects our authentic east coast and west coast hip hop authorities to a global audience," Funk Flex HOT97 DJ and digital trailblazer. "As I've shown with In Flex We Trust on the web and mobile, the digital and mobile universe for hip hop is limitless and Where Hip Hop Lives is the key to reaching the next stage of breaking the biggest artists, best club DJs and spreading the hip hop lifestyle worldwide." 

"Like so many things in the tech landscape, people want everything at the tip of their fingers, especially music," said Felli Fel, afternoon drive on Power 106 and New At 2 mixer.  "This app will allow the consumer to access the newest most cutting-edge Hip Hop. As a DJ, we see and hear the reaction of the consumer when we are out and about in the clubs. We also have access to info the average consumer does not have. Most importantly, all we do is look for what the consumer is going to love, it's our job to do this every day."

About Emmis Communications
Emmis Communications Corporation is a diversified media company, principally focused on radio broadcasting.  Emmis operates the 9th largest radio portfolio in the United States based on total listeners. Emmis owns 19 FM and 4 AM radio stations in New York, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Austin (Emmis has a 50.1% controlling interest in Emmis' radio stations located there), Indianapolis and Terre Haute, IN.

About WQHT HOT 97 FM
WQHT HOT 97 FM is the world's first all Hip Hop station and has held the dominant position in New York for over ten years.  HOT 97 is best known for its celebrity on air talent, such as Funk Flex (television host, multiple gold records) and Miss Info (renowned journalist, television personality), as well as being the world's premier source for Hip Hop music culture. HOT 97 TV is an online and mobile destination for original web series, celebrity content, concerts and music videos.  For more information, please visit www.HOT97.com, facebook.com/HOT97official, or twitter.com/HOT97

Chris Brown Announces "One Hell of A Nite" Tour...

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LOS ANGELES, June 10, 2015  -- Multi-platinum selling artist Chris Brown today announced a headlining summer amphitheatre tour. Produced by Live Nation and Haymon Events, the ONE HELL OF A NITE TOUR kicks off on August 12 at Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo. and will take the acclaimed performer to 25 cities throughout the U.S. including shows in Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas and San Diego. Kid Ink, Omarion, Fetty Wap and Teyana Taylor will join Chris on the summer tour as special guests. A full list of tour dates is below. 

A Citi® cardmember pre-sale began yesterday, June 9, through Citi's Private Pass® Program. For complete pre-sale details, visit www.citiprivatepass.com. Tickets for the general public go on sale starting Friday, June 12 at www.livenation.com. 

GRAMMY Award®-winning singer/songwriter Chris Brown made his sixth #1 album entry on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart with his latest release X (RCAS Records). The album also debuted at #2 on Billboard's Top Albums chart, marking his sixth album debut within the Top Ten. X sold over 140,000 units in its first week while Spotify streams of the album continue to rise. Earlier this year, Brown released his first collaborate studio album, Fan of a Fan: The Album, with Tyga.  The album debuted in the Top 10 on the Billboard 200. With the continued release of chart-topping albums and singles, there's no question why the talented Chris remains one of today's most influential entertainers. 

ONE HELL OF A NITE TOUR

All dates and venues below subject to change. 

Wednesday, August 12

Kansas City, MO

Sprint Center

Thursday, August 13

St. Louis, MO

Scottrade Center

Friday, August 14

Chicago, IL

First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre

Saturday, August 15

Indianapolis, IN

Klipsch Music Center

Sunday, August 16

Detroit, MI

DTE Energy Music Theatre

Tuesday, August 18

Cleveland, OH

Blossom Music Center

Wednesday, August 19

Darien Lake, NY

Darien Lake Performing Arts Center (on sale June 13)

Friday, August 21

Camden, NJ

Susquehanna Bank Center (on sale June 19)

Saturday, August 22

Bristow, VA

Jiffy Lube Live

Sunday, August 23

Bridgeport, CT

Webster Bank Arena* (on sale June 19)

Wednesday, August 26

Holmdel, NJ

PNC Bank Arts Center (on sale June 13)

Friday, August 28

Saratoga Springs, NY

Saratoga Performing Arts Center (on sale June 13)

Saturday, August 29

Boston, MA

Xfinity Center

Sunday, August 30

Wantagh, NY

Nikon at Jones Beach Theatre (on sale June 13)

Tuesday, September 1

Birmingham, AL

Oak Mountain Amphitheatre

Thursday, September 3

Miami, FL

American Airlines Arena

Friday, September 4

Tampa, FL

MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

Saturday, September 5

Atlanta, GA

Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood

Wednesday, September 9

Austin, TX

Austin360 Amphitheater

Thursday, September 10

Dallas, TX

Gexa Energy Pavilion

Saturday, September 12

Albuquerque, NM

Isleta Amphitheater

Tuesday, September 15

Phoenix, AZ

US Airways Center

Thursday, September 17

San Diego, CA

Sleep Train Amphitheatre

Friday, September 18

Anaheim, CA

Honda Center

Saturday, September 19

Concord, CA

Concord Pavilion* (on sale June 19)

* - Citi® cardmember pre-sale starts June 16

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About Live Nation Entertainment 
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE:  LYV) is the world's leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, Live Nation Media & Sponsorship and Artist Nation Management. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.

ATL Rapper Ke Turner Here to Show Vitality of Hip-Hop with New Single....

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ATLANTA, June 9, 2015  -- There's a new hip hop artist in town as Ke Turner releases her single "Slick" and a new extended EP later this year. The single is dedicated to Grammy-nominated rapper Ricky "Slick Rick" Walters.

"When other girls my age were playing with Barbie dolls, I began sharpening my ear for music when I used to make impromptu songs to my father's guitar playing. Today I want to speak about real life or spiritual matters that many can relate to with only one goal - to inspire people," Ke Turner said. 

Influenced by past emcees like Roxanne Shante and Nikki D and artists like En Vouge, Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige, not only is Ke Turner an emcee and singer but she is also a songwriter. Atlanta-based Ke Turner has previously, between 1997 - 2003, been a part of an all female hip hop group  "Gypcees." With all of the diversified influence she has had its a no brainer why her music has such a culturally rich unique sound & vibe.

The single "Slick" and the upcoming EP are produced by Maseed Productions. 

Listen to Song at Music City's online music store: http://bestwaytodownloadmusic.com/slick

Reality Star Draya Michele to Make Acting Debut in TV One Original, Will to Love...

Draya Michele

Reality television star Draya Michele will be making her acting debut this month in an exclusive TV One original film. Michele will star alongside Marques Houston and Keshia Knight-Pulliam in the TV One original, Will to Love. 

Marques Houston, Draya Michele

Directed by Chris Stokes and Joel Layogan, the film follows the story of Jamal Hawkins; played by Houston, a bachelor who must marry within 90-days to earn an expected inheritance from his grandfather. In comes Michele, who is out to find and marry the baller of her dreams. This will stand as Michele's first acting role, after having starred in the Basketball Wives LA franchise. 

Marques Houston, Keshia Knight-Pulliam

Others featured in this film include Shondrella Avery, Black Thomas, Valarie Pettiford, and Gary Sturgis. Will to Love will debut on TV One June 27, 2015!

Tyler Perry's "Madea on the Run" Added to MegaFest Lineup...

DALLAS, June 8, 2015  -- MegaFest, the nation's largest inspirational family festival, today announced Tyler Perry's new stage play, "Madea on the Run," will make a tour stop in Dallas during the five-day experience slated for August 19-23. The play will be in the arena at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on Friday, August 21 at 7 p.m.  Tickets go on sale today via Ticketmaster.

"Madea always makes us all laugh while teaching valuable lessons that we remember long afterwards," Bishop T.D. Jakes said. "We are excited to welcome Tyler Perry back to MegaFest. Tyler is a friend and constant supporter of ours. We are happy to extend this platform to his fan base knowing that MegaFest attendees will enjoy this hilarious play."

"Madea on the Run," which began touring in March, will be the first Tyler Perry play ever staged at MegaFest. The play's plot follows Madea, played by Perry, as she goes on the lam from local authorities and is forced to hide with her friend, Aunt Bam, played by Cassi Davis. The play's brand new score, written by Perry, promises audiences a night of laughter and inspiration.

Tickets for "Madea on the Run" are available for purchase individually, separate from MegaFest ticketing packages. Additional MegaFest event and speaker updates will be announced throughout the summer, and the public is encouraged to check www.mega-fest.comfor news on speakers, schedules and other exciting announcements. 

About MegaFest

Since its inception in 2004, MegaFest has been a meeting place for diverse audiences from Atlanta, Ga., to Johannesburg, South Africa, and has reached nearly 1 million people. Visit www.mega-fest.com for more confirmed talent and special event updates, and stay connected via Twitter by following @tdjmegafest, @wtalconf, and @mpconf. This year's list of events includes Woman Thou Are Loosed, ManPower, MegaYouth presents Fire Code, and MegaKidz presents Destiny World.  General admission tickets for all events can be purchased by visiting www.mega-fest.com. (#MegaFest2015)

Source: MegaFest

ANTHONY ANDERSON AND TRACEE ELLIS ROSS TO HOST “BET AWARDS” 2015

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New York, NY (June 4, 2015) – BET Networks, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), today revealed Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross as hosts for this year’s "BET Awards" 2015 airing live on Sunday, June 28 at 8pm/ET on BET from the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles, CA.

“I look forward to the BET Awards every year! Tracee and I are going to have so much fun this year celebrating 15 years in black entertainment television,” said Anthony Anderson. “I can’t wait to see all of my peers and the amazing performances that evening.  We may even have a few surprises up our sleeves!”

“I’m thrilled to be hosting the 15th annual BET Awards alongside my on-screen husband Anthony, and am so honored to also be a nominee!  The BET Awards always deliver an epic evening with the best of the best across movies, sports, TV and music,” said Tracee Ellis Ross.

“We can’t think of a better way to ring in 15 years of BET Awards than with the talented on-screen duo of Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross as our hosts,” said Stephen Hill, BET’s President of Programming. “They are both comedic geniuses and we are ready for them to unleash the laughter and good times on June 28. It will be a night to remember!”

Actor, writer and Los Angeles native, Anthony Anderson is currently starring and Executive Producer of ABC's new comedy Black-ish alongside actress Tracee Ellis Ross and host on Food Network's Eating America.  He is known for leading roles on NBC’s Emmy Award-winning drama Law & Order where he played Detective Kevin Bernard opposite Jeremy Sisto as Detective Cyrus Lupo, as well as the shows K-Ville and The Shield. Anderson also brought his talent and humor to the small screen in his own WB sitcom All About the Andersons, which was loosely based on his life. Anderson has appeared in over 20 films, and his performance on Law & Order earned him his second consecutive NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for the 2008 season. He also displayed his bountiful talent in the DreamWorks’ blockbuster Transformers directed by Michael Bay; as well as in Martin Scorsese’s Oscar winning feature, The Departed, alongside a stellar cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson. Anderson first gained attention as one of Jim Carrey’s sons in Me, Myself, and Irene, and has subsequently appeared in such films as Scary Movie 3, Barbershop, Kangaroo Jack, Exit Wounds, Cradle 2 the Grave, Two Can Play That Game, and Malibu’s Most Wanted.
Actress, model, comedian, producer and television host, Tracee Ellis Ross began her career acting in independent films, variety series and hosted the pop-culture magazine The Dish on Lifetime. She is best known for her lead role as Joan Clayton on the UPN/CW comedy series, Girlfriends. She starred in the show from 2000 to 2008. In 2007, Ross also starred with her brother Evan Ross and Queen Latifah in the HBO film Life Support. That same year, she appeared in the Tyler Perry theatrical movie,Daddy's Little Girls and in 2011 had a leading role as Dr. Carla Reed on the BET sitcom Reed Between the Lines. She won a third NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series in 2012 for her performance in the series. In 2012, the fashion influencer expanded her vast digital influence by launching her official website Traceeellisross.com. The lifestyle site utilizes Ross' unique cross-cultural and joyful point of view to inspire the soul, body and mind of her followers. In 2014, Ross began starring as Dr. Rainbow Johnson in the hit ABC comedy series, Black-ish, which will return in September 2015. For her role, Ross won the 2015 NAACP Image Award for “Best Actress in a Comedy Series”. This past April, Ross returned to the BET Network to co-host the popular award show, “Black Girls Rock,” with Regina King for the fourth televised installment. In May, Ross was awarded an honorary doctorate of fine art (honoris causa) by Brown University. She is nominated in the Best Actress category for the “BET Awards” 2015.

BET Networks recognizes artists, entertainers, and athletes across 20 categories with the "BET Awards" 2015 nominations. The nominations are selected by BET’s Voting Academy, which is comprised of fans and an esteemed group of entertainment professionals in the fields of television, film, music, social media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, and the creative arts.

BET Experience VIP Package offers the only way to purchase a “BET Awards: ticket, great seats to 3 nights of concerts at the Staples Center, and exclusive access to events at the free Fan Fest. For more information, including exclusive hotel rates, and to purchase tickets, go to BET.com/BETX.

The list of nominees are as follows:

BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST
BEYONCÉ
CIARA
JANELLE MONÁE
JHENÉ AIKO
K. MICHELLE
RIHANNA

BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST
AUGUST ALSINA
CHRIS BROWN
JOHN LEGEND
THE WEEKND
TREY SONGZ
USHER

BEST GROUP
A$AP MOB
JODECI
MIGOS
RAE SREMMURD
RICH GANG
YOUNG MONEY

BEST COLLABORATION
AUGUST ALSINA F/ NICKI MINAJ – NO LOVE (REMIX)
BIG SEAN F/ E-40 - IDFWU
CHRIS BROWN F/ LIL WAYNE & TYGA - LOYAL
CHRIS BROWN F/ USHER & RICK ROSS - NEW FLAME
COMMON & JOHN LEGEND - GLORY (FROM THE MOTION PICTURE "SELMA")
MARK RONSON F/ BRUNO MARS – UPTOWN FUNK

BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
BIG SEAN
COMMON
DRAKE
J. COLE
KENDRICK LAMAR
WALE

BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
AZEALIA BANKS
DEJ LOAF
IGGY AZALEA
NICKI MINAJ
TINK
TRINA

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
BEYONCÉ - 7/11
BIG SEAN F/ E-40 - IDFWU
CHRIS BROWN F/ LIL WAYNE & TYGA - LOYAL
CHRIS BROWN F/ USHER & RICK ROSS - NEW FLAME
COMMON & JOHN LEGEND - GLORY (FROM THE MOTION PICTURE "SELMA")
NICKI MINAJ - ANACONDA

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
BENNY BOOM
BEYONCÉ, ED BURKE & TODD TOURSO
CHRIS ROBINSON
FATIMA ROBINSON
HYPE WILLIAMS

BEST NEW ARTIST
BOBBY SHMURDA
DEJ LOAF
FETTY WAP
RAE SREMMURD
SAM SMITH
TINASHE

BEST GOSPEL ARTIST
DEITRICK HADDON
ERICA CAMPBELL
FRED HAMMOND
LECRAE
MALI MUSIC
MICHELLE WILLIAMS

BEST ACTRESS
GABRIELLE UNION
KERRY WASHINGTON
TARAJI P. HENSON
TRACEE ELLIS ROSS
VIOLA DAVIS

BEST ACTOR
ANTHONY ANDERSON
IDRIS ELBA
JUSSIE SMOLLETT
KEVIN HART
TERRENCE HOWARD

YOUNGSTARS AWARD
JACOB LATIMORE
JADEN SMITH
MO'NE DAVIS
QUVENZHANÉ WALLIS
ZENDAYA

BEST MOVIE
ANNIE
BEYOND THE LIGHTS
SELMA
THINK LIKE A MAN TOO
TOP FIVE

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
BRITTNEY GRINER
CANDACE PARKER
SERENA WILLIAMS
SKYLAR DIGGINS
VENUS WILLIAMS

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
CHRIS PAUL
FLOYD MAYWEATHER, JR.
LEBRON JAMES
MARSHAWN LYNCH
STEPHEN CURRY

COCA-COLA VIEWERS’ CHOICE AWARD
BEYONCÉ – 7/11
DEJ LOAF – TRY ME
KENDRICK LAMAR – i
NICKI MINAJ F/ DRAKE, LIL WAYNE & CHRIS BROWN - ONLY
RAE SREMMURD F/ NICKI MINAJ & YOUNG THUG – THROW SUM MO
THE WEEKND – EARNED IT (FROM THE “FIFTY SHADES OF GREY” SOUNDTRACK)

CENTRIC AWARD
AVERY SUNSHINE – CALL MY NAME
JAZMINE SULLIVAN F/ MEEK MILL – DUMB
MARK RONSON F/ BRUNO MARS – UPTOWN FUNK
SAM SMITH F/ MARY J. BLIGE – STAY WITH ME
THE WEEKND - EARNED IT (FROM THE “FIFTY SHADES OF GREY” SOUNDTRACK)

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT: AFRICA
AKA (SOUTH AFRICA)
FALLY IPUPA (DR CONGO)
SARKODIE (GHANA)
SAUTI SOL (KENYA)
STONEBWOY (GHANA)
THE SOIL (SOUTH AFRICA)
WIZKID (NIGERIA)
YEMI ALADE (NIGERIA)
         
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT: UK
FKA TWIGS
FUSE ODG
LETHAL BIZZLE
LITTLE SIMZ
MNEK
STORMZY

The “BET Awards” 2015 will premiere around the world on BET’s international network at 8:00pm GMT (check local listings)

POSTHUMOUS ALBUM RELEASE BY CHINX SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 14, 2015

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(June 2, 2015 -- New York, NY) – eOne Music and Four Kings Management have announced the posthumous release of hip hop artist Chinx's nearly-completed debut album, Welcome to J.F.K., on August 14, 2015. A new single from the album, “On Your Body,” was released today.  Listen to "On Your Body" here and purchase here.
 
As widely reported, the untimely and tragic death of the Queens, NY native earlier this month sent shockwaves throughout the hip hop community and his hometown of New York City.  
 
Chinx, an affiliate of French Montana’s Coke Boys, signed to eOne Music in February 2015, and had been working on his debut album, initially slated for a late 2015 release.  The record is produced by Lee on the Beats and B Korn of the Amazinz.  Chinx recently said about the album, “I’m in a great space creatively, and it’s time to really play.

Doug "Biggs" Ellison, Chinx’s manager, says, "Watching and helping Chinx develop as an artist over the last few years has been an amazing experience. He had finally come into his own, musically.  This new body of work, Welcome to J.F.K., is a 1 of 1 creation.  We took the raw emotions of an artist on the rise, and created a lane that will absolutely establish Chinx as a pioneer in the game.  That may be a bold statement for some, but this kid was ahead of his time.  His work ethic was 2nd to none. I'm looking forward to the release of his best work yet.  I promise, you will be able to press play and ride out to this one! I dare you to live with it and tell me he wasn't on to something special.  Spread the word and support good music!"
 
Gabrielle Peluso, VP Urban Music of eOne Music, adds, “I first knew of Chinx when he was in a rap group called Riot Squad back in early 2000. His group member and close friend Stack Bundles (who was also murdered in 2007), was signed to my husband’s label, Desert Storm, in 2005, so signing Chinx to eOne was very personal to me because of this connection. He was the most humble, down to earth GENTLEMAN I have ever met in my entire career.  The music industry lost a true talent. However, I am grateful that we were able to complete his album before he passed.  His wife and children will be able to witness him grow into a household name, as bitter sweet as that may be.”
 
Fans will be able to preorder Welcome to J.F.K. on iTunes on July 17, 2015.

Branford Marsalis Quartet to Reissue Coltrane's A Love Supreme: Live in Amsterdam...

NEW YORK, May 26, 2015  -- This historic Marsalis Music CD/DVD, including a full performance by the Branford Marsalis Quartet at Amsterdam's esteemed Bimhuis plus bonus interviews and audio-only disc, will be re-released on May 26 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original John Coltrane A Love Supreme album, released in February 1965.

For Coltrane's A Love Supreme: Live In Amsterdam, label founder Branford Marsalis and his quartet have been captured in a complete performance of John Coltrane's 1964 recorded masterpiece. This legendary suite, which tenor saxophonist Marsalis included on his label's premier release, Footsteps of Our Fathers, was performed at Amsterdam's Bimhuis during a European tour in March 2003. 

"We felt that we were pretty much done with A Love Supreme when we went to Europe, but my manager wasn't done with it," Marsalis recalls wryly. "After hearing us perform the suite at the Bottom Line, she insisted that we had to film it so she approached Pierre about the project and he agreed." Pierre Lamoureux, a filmmaker known for his expertise in musical subjects, has co-directed with his brother many award-winning live musical films for artists including Harry Connick, Jr., Pat Metheny, Rush, and Judy Collins. "Pierre cares about how his films sound as well as how they look," Branford emphasizes, "and the combination of Pierre and the Bimhuis was too good to pass up."

When Marsalis's A Love Supreme package was originally released, Branford was unsparing in his enthusiasm for the Amsterdam club, which has been a center for jazz in Europe since it opened in 1973. "I only played there once before, with Art Blakey in 1981, and I'd wanted to bring my own band into the Bimhuis ever since," he admits. "It's simply one of the two or three best jazz clubs in the world, because the room is intimate and the focus is on presenting the music instead of selling food and drinks. There is a bar outside of the performance space, and people do go there to hang, but once they walk into the club itself, it's all about the music."

Marsalis' acclaimed quartet of that time - with pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts - was all about the music as well, as they delivered a performance both musically and visually riveting. As a bonus to the live performance, all four members of the quartet, together with Marsalis' fellow saxophonists the now late Michael Brecker,Miguel Zenon, Ned Goold and David Sanchez, discuss the inspiration and the challenges presented by Coltrane's composition. In addition, Alice Coltrane, John Coltrane's late widow and the pianist in his last band, is seen in a historical 30-minute conversation with Marsalis. An audio-only disc of the Bimhuis performance is also included in the package.

A Love Supreme is considered by many to be the ultimate expression of the classic John Coltrane Quartet, and remains Coltrane's most popular album. Where Coltrane only performed the suite live on one occasion, Marsalis and his band had several opportunities to play individual sections of the piece as well as A Love Supreme in its entirety before hooking up with Lamoureux for video documentation. "We definitely grew into the piece as we played it, which is why I'm so pleased that Pierre caught us when we really understood it," Marsalis reports. "One thing about A Love Supreme, it takes tremendous concentration and focus from every member of the band. The first time we played the whole thing live, all we could do afterward was sit in the dressing room for 20 minutes, totally exhausted. You don't see this band in that shape too often. By the time we got to the Bimhuis, though, we were up to the challenge."

What has resulted – a scintillating live performance, plus informed musical commentary and a rare visit with Alice Coltrane – makes Coltrane's A Love Supreme: Live in Amsterdam a must for all fans of Coltrane's and Marsalis' music.

Source: OKeh/Sony Music Masterworks

FEATURE: TAHJ MOWRY: MUSIC'S NEW POWERHOUSE

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We recently had the opportunity catch up with Actor Tahj Mowry. We've seen him throughout the past two decades on shows like Full House, Smart Guy, and Kim Possible. For the past 4 seasons, he's been the star of his own sitcom, Baby Daddy, which has done phenomenally and was recently renewed for a 5th season. Now, in the midst of it all, he's embarking on a new path in his career. He's soon to release his debut album, and the lead single dropped the day we spoke with him. He spoke with us about the single, the direction of his new album, Baby Daddy and it's success, and so much more. Take a few moments to check out our exclusive with Tahj Mowry by clicking HERE! 

This will also run in the upcoming issue of Urban Grandstand Digital Mag, which will be available for download later this week!

Mariah Carey Announces February 2016 Shows For Hit Las Vegas Residency "MARIAH #1 TO INFINITY" At The Colosseum At Caesars Palace...

LAS VEGAS, May 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As global superstar, Mariah Carey, wraps up the first run of sell-out performances of her hit headlining residency "MARIAH #1 TO INFINITY" at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, nine more shows scheduled for Feb. 2016, including a Valentine's Day performance, will go on-sale Friday, May 22 at 10 a.m. PT. 

Since its debut on May 6, "MARIAH #1 TO INFINITY" has been met with praise by fans and critics alike, being hailed a "smash hit" and a "must-see" show in Las Vegas. 

The following nine Feb. 2016 shows will go on-sale Friday at 10 a.m. PT.: 

Feb. (2016): 2, 5, 6, 10, 13, 14, 17, 20, 21 

In addition, tickets can still be purchased to the below previously-announced shows: 

May (2015): 23, 24 

July (2015): 8, 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 22, 25, 26

Conceptualized by Mariah, directed by legendary Grammy Awards Producer Ken Ehrlich and brought to life with the help of Creative Director Raj Kapoor, "MARIAH #1 TO INFINITY" embodies the true meaning of Vegas glitz and glamour. The breathtaking production designed exclusively for The Colosseum features a six-piece live band, three back-up vocals, two DJ's and ten dancers choreographed by Nappytabs, the double Emmy Award-winning married choreographers Tabitha D'umo and Napoleon D'umo. 

Performing 18 of her timeless and beloved Number One Hits in chronological order, Mariah takes fans on a spectacular journey through her life and career in an unforgettable evening filled with fan-favorite singles, new musical arrangements, her new song "Infinity" performed live for the first time, and many more surprises. "Vision of Love," "Hero," "Fantasy," "We Belong Together" and "Touch My Body" to name a few, are among Mariah's 18 songs to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, a feat that has not been achieved by any other solo artist in music history.

In tandem with her headlining residency and groundbreaking record, Mariah released her first album this week with exclusive collaboration with Epic Records, celebrating her remarkable career. For the first time ever, the album, "Mariah Carey #1 To Infinity," is a one career-spanning chronological collection of her 18 Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles (17 self-penned), more than any solo artist in history. Now available in stores, the final track on the collection is Mariah's breathtaking new single, "Infinity," co-written and produced by Mariah herself. 

Tickets may be purchased in person at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Box Office, by calling 866-320-9763, or online at thecolosseum.com or axs.com. Orders are subject to additional service charges and fees.  Ticket prices are $250/$175/$140/$95/$55 (prices include 10% Live Entertainment Tax). For groups of 10 or more, call 866-574-3851. All shows are scheduled for 8:00 p.m.

Mariah Carey is the best-selling female artist of all time with more than 200 million albums sold to date and 18 Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles (17 self-penned), more than any solo artist in history.  Mariah is a singer/songwriter/producer recognized with multiple Grammy Awards, 21 American Music Awards, Billboard's "Artist of the Decade" Award, the World Music Award for "World's Best Selling Female Artist of the Millennium," and BMI's "Icon Award" for her outstanding achievements in songwriting, to name a few – with her distinct five-octave vocal range, prolific songwriting, and producing talent, Mariah is truly the template of the modern pop performance.

Mariah Carey's ongoing impact transcends the music industry to leave an indelible imprint upon the world at large.  Mariah Carey made her entrée into the world of independent film with her breakthrough performance for her role in "WiseGirls" starring alongside Academy Award winner Mira Sorvino and Melora Walters. In 2009, she was recognized with the Breakthrough Performance Award at the Palm Spring International Film Festival for her critically acclaimed role in Lee Daniel's "Precious" and most recently appeared in his latest stellar ensemble piece "The Butler" (2013). 

A Congressional Award recipient, Mariah has generously donated her time and energy to a range of philanthropic causes near to her heart including Save the Music, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, World Hunger Relief, and the Elton John AIDS Foundation, among many others. A tremendous supporter of children's charities, both domestic and international, Mariah founded Camp Mariah in partnership with the Fresh Air Fund, a retreat for inner city children to explore career development.  In May 2014, Mariah released her critically-acclaimed new album, "Me. I Am Mariah…the Elusive Chanteuse" (Def Jam Recordings). She most recently completed a hugely successful world tour, "The Elusive Chanteuse Show" and an unprecedented run of six sold out Christmas shows at New York City'sBeacon Theater, "Mariah Carey Presents: All I Want For Christmas Is You. A Night of Joy and Festivity." For more information visit www.mariahcarey.com. 

AEG LIVE 
AEG Live, the live-entertainment division of Los Angeles-based AEG, is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performance. AEG Live is comprised of touring, festival and special event divisions, seventeen regional offices and owns, operates or exclusively books thirty-five state-of-the-art venues. The current and recent concert tour roster includes artists such as Alicia Keys, Bruno Mars, Bon Jovi, Carrie Underwood, Cher, Ed Sheeran, Enrique Iglesias, George Strait, Hunter Hayes, J Cole, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Bieber, Kanye West, Katy Perry, Kenny Chesney, Leonard Cohen, Paul McCartney, Pitbull, The Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift, The WHO, Trey Songz and Juanes.  The company is also currently producing residency shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas including Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Rod Stewart, and Reba, Brooks & Dunn opening in June and is the exclusive promoter at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.  AEG Live is also the largest producer of music festivals in North America from the critically acclaimed Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival to Stagecoach Country Music Festival and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. www.aeglive.com

CAESARS PALACE
World-renowned Las Vegas hotel and casino, Caesars Palace features 3,960 hotel guest rooms and suites, including the 181-room Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace and Forbes Star Award-winning The Laurel Collection by Caesars Palace. The 85-acre resort offers 25 diverse dining options including the award-winning Bacchanal Buffet, as well as celebrity chef-branded restaurants by Gordon Ramsay, Bobby Flay, Nobu Matsuhisa, Guy Savoy, and Searsucker Las Vegas, the restaurant from "Top Chef" finalist Brian Malarkey. The resort also features nearly 130,000 square-feet of casino space, a five-acre Garden of the Gods pool oasis, the luxurious Qua Baths & Spa and the new 75,000 square-foot OMNIA Nightclub. The 4,300-seat Colosseum, Billboard Magazine's Venue of the Decade, spotlights world-class entertainers including Celine Dion, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Reba, Brooks & Dunn, Mariah Carey and Jerry Seinfeld. The Forum Shops at Caesars showcases more than 160 boutiques and restaurants. For more information, please visit www.caesarspalace.com. Find Caesars Palace on Facebook and follow on Twitter.

Legacy Recordings Announces the Release of 23-disc Collection from The Isley Brothers...

NEW YORK, May 24, 2015 -- Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, is proud to announce the release of The Isley Brothers: The RCA Victor and T-Neck Album Masters (1959-1983), a monumental 23-disc box set, on Friday, August 21, 2015.

Pre-order here: http://smarturl.it/Isley_TNeckBox_Amzn

An essential library collection chronicling the sonic evolution and abiding achievements of the unprecedented R&B ensemble, The Isley Brothers: The RCA Victor and T-Neck Album Masters (1959-1983) follows The Isley Brothers through their transformation from a 1950's doo-wop/gospel vocal group into the world's preeminent R&B rock 'n' soul powerhouse party band. As evidenced in this quarter century of recordings, The Isley Brothers absorbed the music and culture surrounding them to continually create contemporary sounds spanning the decades.

The Isley Brothers: The RCA Victor and T-Neck Album Masters (1959-1983) showcases tracks written (excepting "covers"), arranged, performed and produced by The Isley Brothers.  This definitive new Isley Brothers anthology was compiled and produced by Grammy Award®-winner Leo Sacks, co-produced by Jeffrey James and Jeremy Holiday, and mastered from the original analog tapes by Grammy Award®-winner Mark Wilder at Battery Studios.

The Isley Brothers: The RCA Victor and T-Neck Album Masters (1959-1983) features  newly remastered versions of The Isley Brothers' 21 albums released for both labels, nearly all of which are expanded with rare mixes and tracks making their CD and digital debuts.  The new collection includes 84 rare and previously unreleased bonus tracks. 

This set also includes, released here for the first time in its entirety, the "Great Lost Isley Brothers Album": Wild In Woodstock: The Isley Brothers Live At Bearsville Sound Studio 1980.  First conceived as a "live" double album (with overdubbed crowd noise), this newly restored performance offers an immersive look at a crucial chapter in The Isley Brothers' history, a pivotal moment in the fusion of rock and funk music in an era fueled by the sound of the Isleys.

By the 1990s, The Isley Brothers' dominant influence over hip-hop music and culture could be felt at every turn. "Footsteps In The Dark" from 1977's Go For Your Guns was sampled in Ice Cube's "It Was A Good Day," while The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Big Poppa" interpolated the title track of 1983's Between The Sheets. The Isleys' flashy fashion sense directly inspired the "bling" aesthetic embraced by rappers everywhere. R. Kelly proclaimed the group his biggest influence, collaborating with them on his Top 5 hit "Down Low (Nobody Has To Know)" in 1995 (featuring Ronald Isleyin a career-redefining role as Mr. Biggs in the accompanying video). Kelly's writing and production for the group continued through the 1990s and 2000s, peaking with Body Kiss which hit No. 1 the Billboard 200 in 2003, a full 44 years since their first hit with "Shout."

The Isley Brothers' classic works continue to reach new fans through consistent radio airplay, film and television licenses and samples: in 2015, Kendrick Lamar won two Grammy Awards® for the track "I," built upon the groove of "That Lady" (from 1973's 3+3), while singer/rapper Frank Ocean covered "At Your Best (You Are Love)" from Harvest For The World (previously covered by Aaliyah in 1994, who made it a Top 10 hit).

The Isley Brothers: The RCA Victor and T-Neck Album Masters (1959-1983) offers new music fans an opportunity to revisit the seminal R&B sounds that continue to reverberate through contemporary soul, rock, hip-hop and pop records.

Born and raised in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio, The Isley Brothers--O'Kelly Isley, Jr., Rudolph Isley, Ronald Isley and a fourth brother, Vernon Isley (who died a couple of years after their first incarnation)--began performing as a gospel-based vocal group in 1954.  Moving to the New York City area in the late 1950s, The Isley Brothers scored some modest regional chart successes before their fourth single (and first for RCA Victor), "Shout"--written by O'Kelly, Rudolph and Ronald--catapulted them into the pantheon of pop immortality in 1959.  One of the most immediately identifiable and infectious party anthems ever written or recorded, The Isley Brothers "Shout"--with its irresistible call-and-response structure--combined gospel heat and doo-wop soul with a high-powered rock 'n' roll energy.  The much-covered "Shout" was inducted into the Grammy® Hall of Fame in 1999 and placed No. 118 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

The Isleys followed up "Shout" with a variety of tracks (including their Top 20 single, "Twist & Shout," a song later famously covered by The Beatles).

Perhaps the most musically adventurous vocal ensemble in American pop history, The Isley Brothers were adding rock, funk, R&B, soul and ballad elements into the gospel and doo-wop music at the foundation of their sound.

In the 1960s, while The Isley Brothers bounced between various labels (including Atlantic, United Artists and Motown), they briefly employed a then-unknown Jimi Hendrix (aka Jimmy James) as their lead guitarist, buying him a white Fender Stratocaster guitar and moving him into the Isley home.   Though Jimi's stint with the Isley Brothers was brief, his musical sensibilities remained in the group, with younger brother Ernie Isley carrying the fiery experimental rock 'n' soul guitar sound they shared into the Isley Brothers future.

Tired of labels that didn't fully understand or support their R&B/rock fusion musical vision, The Isley Brothers launched their independent T-Neck imprint with distribution through Buddah Records. At T-Neck, the Isleys finally enjoyed the freedom to make music the way they wanted, recording and producing their own material as well as assisting in the distribution and promotion process. The T-Neck label's lead single, the irresistible Grammy Award®-winning funk hit "It's Your Thing," instantly established the band and label as a commercial powerhouse, its lyric a mantra for the trail The Isley Brothers would blaze in the next decade.

The Isleys' ever-expanding musical repertoire in the 1970s included funky covers of pop/rock favorites ("Love The One You're With," "Lay, Lady, Lay") that helped spread these songs through urban markets. The group would hit a new peak with the album 3+3 and single "That Lady" in 1973. 

They added younger brothers Ernie Isley (lead guitar, drums) and Marvin Isley (bass guitar) and Rudolph's brother-in-law Chris Jasper (keyboards, synthesizers) into the mix, turning The Isley Brothers vocal trio into a self-contained pop/rock/R&B/funk ensemble, writing, producing, performing, arranging, distributing their own works on T-Neck Records throughout the 1970s into the early 1980s.

With Ernie, Chris and Marvin leading the way creatively, the group pushed the barriers of soul music, bringing funk and laid-back quiet storm into the mainstream and earning the band three gold and seven platinum or multi-platinum albums--including 3+3 (1973), the #1 chart-topping The Heat Is On (1975) and 1983's Between The Sheets--and 14 Top 10 R&B albums (seven of which hit No. 1). In the world of R&B, only Parliament-Funkadelic and Earth, Wind & Fire have achieved success rivaling the Isley Brothers.

The Isley Brothers have had 19 Top 10 singles (7 of those at #1) in the US Billboard R&B chart, with 16 Isley albums hitting the Top 40.  13 of their albums have achieved RIAA gold, platinum or multi-platinum status.  The Isley Brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.  They got their star on the Hollywood Rockwalk in 1997 and were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003.

The Isley Brothers, through an unprecedented seven decades, have remained one of the most consistently successful groups of all time. The Isleys were present at the birth of rock and roll, their biggest hits have influenced R&B, rock and roll and funk music from the 1950s onward while their deep grooves helped form the rhythmic backbone of hip-hop, a sound the Isleys would embrace in the 1990s and 2000s.

Still active as a duo of Ronald and Ernie Isley, The Isley Brothers earned a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.  The Isley Brothers: The RCA Victor and T-Neck Album Masters (1959-1983) brings all of their works for the Sony Music family into one impressive package.

The Isley Brothers: The RCA Victor and T-Neck Album Masters (1959-1983) (* includes bonus tracks)

Shout! (RCA Victor, 1959)*  (T-Neck, 1976)*Harvest For The WorldGo For Your Guns (T-Neck, 1969)*  (T-Neck, 1977)*It's Our ThingShowdown (T-Neck, 1969)*  (T-Neck, 1978)*The Brothers: IsleyWinner Takes All (T-Neck, 1969)  (T-Neck, 1979—2 CDs)*The Isley Brothers Live At Yankee StadiumGo All The Way (T-Neck, 1970)*  (T-Neck, 1980)*Get Into SomethingWild In Woodstock: The Isley Brothers Live At Bearsville Studios 1980 (T-Neck, recorded 1964-1965; remixed/released 1971)* (previously unreleased)*The Isley Brothers & Jimi HendrixIn The Beginning...Grand Slam (T-Neck, 1971)*  (T-Neck, 1981)*Givin' It BackInside You (T-Neck, 1972)*  (T-Neck, 1981)*Brother, Brother, BrotherThe Real Deal (T-Neck, 1973)  (T-Neck, 1982)*The Isleys LiveBetween The Sheets (T-Neck, 1973)*  (T-Neck, 1983)*3+3 (T-Neck, 1974)* Live It Up

The Heat Is On (T-Neck, 1975)* 

Source: Legacy Recordings

Rico Love: Turn The Lights On (Album Review)

Rico Love has released his new album, "Turn On The Lights", and the review is in! Check that out by clicking HERE!