2008 HARLEM USA CELEBRITY READ-A-THON ON THURSDAY 6/12

On Thursday, June 12th at 10 a.m., over 300 elementary school students from the Harlem area will gather at the Hip Hop Culture Center on the second floor of the Magic Johnson Theatres in the Harlem USA retail complex. They will gather for the 8th Annual Harlem USA Celebrity Read-A-Thon. This momentous occasion is a morning dedicated to encouraging literacy among youngsters in the Harlem area.

Confirmed guest readers from various professions and local celebrities will read aloud to Third and Fourth graders from local elementary schools in the Harlem district. This year’s participating readers include: Egypt (Media Personality), Whitney Cunningham (America’s Next Top Model), Jared Cotter (Recording Artist/Host of FUSE TV’s The Sauce), Danica Daniels (Editor-in-Chief of Black Beat/Right On! Magazines), Winsome Sinclair (Casting Director), Lisa Arrindell Anderson (Hollywood Actress), Doug Bailey (Music Choice VJ), Bob Lee (WBLS Personality), Nicoye Banks (Hollywood Actor), Napiera Groves (Hollywood Actress), Joy Doss (Publicist), Mei-Li da Silva Vint (Attorney), DJ Superstar J (MTV DJ), Shenique Coston (Marketing Specialist), Albert “Al Be Back” Daniels (Actor/Poet), among others.

The annual event is part of an ongoing commitment by Harlem USA to encourage literacy and academic achievement through a variety of events and programs which also include an annual Kids Chess Tournament and a series of art exhibits. “Every year we look forward to gathering the kids and giving a bit of ourselves by spending these few hours with them and encouraging them that we must continue to read,” says Ricky Day, Director of Marketing for Harlem USA.

Harlem USA’s Magic Johnson Theatres and Hue-Man Bookstore will once again serve as the host venues for the event. The nine-screen, 2,700 seat Magic Johnson Theatres complex includes stadium seating and state-of-the-art sound and projection systems. In addition to showing the best in current film releases, the theaters host an array of community-based and promotional events throughout the year. Other event partners include: Burger King, McDermott Will & Emery LLP, The Hip Hop Culture Center in Harlem and Hue-Man Bookstores, just to name a few.

Harlem USA is the highly successful retail and entertainment complex located at the corner of Frederick Douglass Boulevard and 125th Street. The 285,000 square foot development includes Magic Johnson Theatres, Old Navy, the African-American owned Hue-Man Bookstore and Café, Modell’s Sporting Goods, K&G Superstore for Men and Women, New York Sports Club, a full-service Chase Manhattan Bank branch, Nine West, Chuck E. Cheese, Rainbow, FoodChange, and a full service branch of Commerce Bank.

Lil Wayne Announces Pact With Musicane to Sell Downloads of His Upcoming Tha Carter III Release Direct to Fans

Lil Wayne (www.lilwayne-online.com) will sell downloads of his highly anticipated Universal Motown release, Tha Carter III directly to fans via his website, social network pages and official blog using the Musicane widget — a viral player with embedded commerce capability. Lil’ Wayne’s Musicane widget will be posted on all of his official sites offering fans a chance to buy the entire album and/or individual songs directly from his page. The player will also stream previews of the album, promotional interviews and, in the immediate future, merchandise and other products. The digital music downloads sold via Lil’ Wayne’s Musicane will be 320 kbps DRM-free MP3’s, assuring that the music will be playable on a broad array of portable and home music players including Apple iPod’s and iTunes.

“Lil Wayne is a natural fit to help further this movement not just because of his stature in the music world but more for his bold attitude toward change. He knows that the new model for the flow of music distribution is rooted in empowering the fans, not the traditional gate keepers that tend to slow everything down,” says Musicane President and COO Vikramaditya Jain.

Musicane enables direct retail of digital and physical product through artist websites, as well as through embedded widgets that sit on users’ personal websites, blogs and social networks. Billing, payment processing and delivery are also incorporated into the widget. Fans can post Lil Wayne Musicane widgets onto their own social media profiles, allowing them to share in the revenues generated through sales made from their widget. This 2-way relationship represents a fundamental shift in the traditional top-down approach that record labels have relied on in the past. Now fans and key “influencers” can virally participate in the launch of an artist’s release and be rewarded for their efforts.

Lil Wayne will release Tha Carter III June 10th fresh off the success of the albums debut smash “Lollipop”, which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Tha Carter III, the last of his ‘Carter Trilogy’, has been called by XXL “The number one most anticipated album of the year.” With production from Kanye West, Swizz Beatz and Alchemist among others as well as collaborations with Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, Lil Mama, Ludacris, Fabolous, Juelz Santana and Robin Thicke The Carter III promises to be one of music’s biggest releases.

Musicane, a media distribution and social shopping company founded by internet entrepreneurs Vikramaditya Jain and Sudhin Shahani. In September of 2006, Black Eyed Peas’ frontman Will.i.am became a partner in the company.

Earlier this year, The Universal Music Group inked a deal granting Musicane a license to sell its entire catalogue in MP3 form via Musicane’s network of websites, widgets and media players. To date, Musicane has generated over 50 million impressions and created incremental retail sales around album release campaigns of up to 55%. Recently, Musicane garnered attention for its distribution of Saul Williams’ newest album The Rise and Fall of Niggy Tardust. Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor came out in support of the company’s distribution services in an interview with New York Magazine.

See the Musicane widget on Lil Wayne’s website www.lilwayne-online.com

Tassho Pearce And Evidence (of Dilated Peoples) Are Set To Drop “Return To The Basics”

Flip The Bird clothing designer and Hip Hop artist Tassho Pearce (aka EMIRC) springs into action in 2008 with the upcoming single “Return to the Basics”. After 2007’s successful collaborative effort on Room Service with DJ Qbert (available exclusively on iTunes), the lyrical entrepreneur return’s to the basics with Evidence (One third member of “Dilated Peoples”). The 2004 Grammy award winner Evidence, brings to the platform a combination rhymes, and hard-hitting production that has been used by Beastie Boys, Linkin Park, Talib Kweli, The Alchemist and Kanye West to name a few.

After visiting Hawaii, Evidence displayed strong interest in producing for Tassho Pearce. Tassho echoed the same sentiments about the famed producer/ MC by saying “It was a great pleasure working with Ev at the Dilated studio in LA. Right now, his production skills are on par with the best. We wanted to take listeners back to a time when Lyrics were in the foreground-Image, fame, money and all that other stuff was secondary. Back to the Basics!”

    * On the album cover of Dilated Peoples Capital Records release “20/20,” Evidence sported a black limited edition “90’s All Star” Flip The Bird tee.

About Flip The Bird Entertainment
Born on the remote Japanese island of Iriomote, and raised in Honolulu. Tassho Pearce (aka EMIRC) is not only a clothing designer. He is also Hawaii’s biggest hip-hop artist . In 2004, the multi talented Tassho Pearce started printing up T-shirts to promote his record label Flip The Bird. The clothing line spread like wildfire gaining such large appeal that his chic upscale T-shirts have reached the backs of Kanye West, Redman, Method Man, Lupe fiasco and has fostered collaborations with hip hop mogul Russell Simmons and Rasheed Young.

There are two versions of the song ” Return to the basics.” The “Evidence” version will feature production by Grammy award winning Evidence with scratches by DJ Babu of Dilated Peoples. The “Radio Bums” version is comprised of production by Radio Bums Franky Fade and DJ Chonz . Following the release of the single will be a remix contest, in which the only requirements for producers are to download the accapella and add their creativity to enter.

“Return to the Basics” is set for release on June 3rd exclusively on iTunes and Beatsource.com. Following the release of the single will be a limited edition T-shirt collaboration with Evidence and Tassho. Limited edition Tee’s will only be available to select DJ’s across the globe, Kicks HI, and In4mation in Honolulu.

In an effort to connect the design aspects of Flip The Bird with the music side, FTB marketing executive, Hakeem Khaaliq came up with a great plan. In very limited quality, Flip The Bird will be releasing high resolution prints of the cover art for Return to the Basics as well as the art from Room Service, Tassho’s previous single featuring DJ Q-Bert. Talented Hawaiian artist, Aaron Kawaiaea, has hand signed each print.

UNIVERSAL/MOTOWN’S, THE POP IT OFF BOYZ HIT THE ROAD WITH THEIR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED SOPHOMORE SINGLE “BOAT IT”

With a totally fresh new perspective of today’s Hip-Hop, the Pop It Off Boyz have flooded the scene with their debut hit single, “Crank Dat Batman,” on Universal/Motown. At the young ages of 16 and 18, Mr. CG and Lil Action bring high energy with their creative dances and outstanding stage presence. To most, the idea of being on stage in front of thousands is only a fantasy. To The Pop It Off Boyz, it has already been a reality. With the viral success of “Crank Dat Batman,” the Pop It Off Boyz were able to actualize their dream. The duo has crafted a flamboyant stage show that includes singing, dancing, crowd interaction and of course – rapping.

Nigil Mack, Director of A&R offers, “I think The Pop It Off Boyz have a new sound that the youth in hip hop want to hear right now!” Now with the release of their newest single, “Boat It,” the POB will be touring across the U.S. to present their dynamic style to all audiences.

Markets targeted for this long awaited tour include but are not limited to:

Jackson, MS
Minneapolis, MN
Fayetteville NC
Richmond, VA
Little Rock, AR
Tallahassee, FL
Dallas, TX
Houston, TX

AMALGAM DIGITAL SET TO RELEASE TAME ONE’S “DA OL JERSEY BASTARD” AS PLELUDE TO FORTHCOMING DIGITAL ONLY RELEASE

Amalgam Digital, the up-and-coming independent company responsible for launching hip hop’s first genre specific digital retail store, has signed another hip hop stalwart.  The hybrid online store record label has signed New Jersey rapper Tame One to its roster; demonstrating that it has both the business savvy to lure artists away from the majors as well as the integrity to sign talented underground artists.  Tame joins a mixed roster of commercially successful artists and indie hip hop classics, including Grammy-nominee Joe Budden, Peedi Crakk, Kurious, Tash (of Tha Alkaholiks), and the Juggaknots.

In the 90’s, Tame One was one half of the critically acclaimed underground hip hop duo, The Artifacts (along with collaborator El Da Sensai).  Along with his unique flow, Tame also received attention for being a prominent graffiti artist in New Jersey , something he rapped about on “Wrong Side of Da Tracks” the single off the Artifacts debut album that became a bona fide hip hop classic.  Since The Artifacts disbanded, Tame has continued to earn respect from peers and hip hop heads through his work with the Weathermen (including Aesop Rock, Breeze Brewin, Cage Kennylz among others) as well as by collaborating with artists like Busta Rhymes and Kool G Rap.

Tame’s new album “Da Ol Jersey Bastard,” an ode to Wu Tang’s ODB, will hit stores on July 29, 2008.  The album will be entirely produced by Drum and Knowledge of Parallel Thought, and will feature just two guest rappers, Sean Price and Del The Funky Homosapien.  This effort will serve as a prelude to Tame’s next project, an ambitious download-only album tentatively titled “Acid Tab Vocab.”

Both of the upcoming albums hint at Tame’s personal progression.  Over the years Tame has become an eccentric, rapping less about graffiti and more about the mind expansion qualities of drugs.  His sound has become more organic and wild, something that will keep fans on their toes.

Exclusive bonus tracks will be included with the digital version of the album when purchased from Amalgam’s online store: www.AmalgamDigital.com

Tracklisting and credits for Tame One’s “Da Ol Jersey Bastard”:

1.) Da Ol Jersey Bastard: Live & Uncut

2.) Action Word

3.) Against the Grain

4.) Move ft. Mr Turner

5.) Haha Da Rah Rah ft. Sean Price

6.) J Dilla Summer Camp Unplugged

7.) Milk of Magnesia

8.) Supanatural

9.) Catch Me ft. Del the Funky Homosapien

10.) For You

11.) The Night Cap (After the Jam)

12.) Now

Amplive Releases Second MGMT Remix Featuring Mistah Fab, Preps Tokyo Police Club, Jamie Lidell Remixes

Fresh on the heels of his recent MGMT/Of Montreal mash-up, Bay Area producer Amplive has released a second remix from MGMT’s Oracular Spectacular. This time out he’s tackled “Of Moons, Birds & Monsters,” nicking the song’s finest synth line and fleshing out a track around exclusive verses from North Oakland MC Mistah Fab. You might recognize Fab from the most recent Snoop single, “Life of the Party.” Or if you’re well versed in Bay bangers, you’ll recall his Ghostbusters-nodder “Ghost Ride It” and its endlessly entertaining video, wherein Fab and company ghost ride a short bus (no joke). Either way, his turns here are memorable in and of themselves, and serve as the perfect compliment to Amplive’s shimmering synth-driven production.

MP3: Amplive vs. MGMT: Of Moons, Birds & Monsters [Communication Edit ft. Mistah Fab]

http://www.onesevensevensix.com/amplive/grab/amplive_ofmoonsbirdsandmonsters_ft_mistahfab.mp3

In other news, Amplive is currently at work on official remixes for both Tokyo Police Club and Jamie Lidell. They’ll be coming down the pipe line later this summer. And, with the Radiohead remixes still reverberating through the music world, some even bigger things have begun to line up on the horizon. More on those developments later this month!

For More Information on Amplive:

http://www.myspace.com/amplive

http://www.ilike.com/artist/amp+live

http://www.youtube.com/user/zionitv

http://www.last.fm/music/amplive

BEKAY MAKES HIS DEBUT ON “THE SET AT JSM MUSIC”

Bekay, the Brooklyn native, hence the moniker, has been spitting rhymes since he was just 10 years old. His writing talent, punch-lines and unique perception combined have not only enabled him to become a cult personality, but have also brought credibility and power to the issues found in his music.

Through the buzz he created in the underground, Bekay was offered a deal through the burgeoning New York City based indie label, Coalmine Records. Under his new deal, Bekay has added more hits to his list that include collaborations with Saigon, Inspectah Deck, Masta Ace, Alchemist, DJ Kayslay, Dilated Peoples, R.A. The Rugged Man, Illmind, Heltah Skeltah, Marco Polo & DJ Revolution among other keynote players in the world of underground hip-hop.

Fans can now hear a lot more from Bekay as part of his 2007 inauguration into the Rawkus 50. The Rawkus 50 is an artist driven revolution comprised of the 50 next important hip hop artists. As a member of the coveted 50, Bekay delivered a digital album titled The Horror Flick LP earlier this year, which is available on iTunes.

For a free taste of Bekay and his dope beats visit http://www.woozyfly.com/bekay to view his performance for the web series “The Set at JSM Music” and an exclusive interview with the artist.

**6th Annual Southeast Urban Music Conference Returns August 19-21**

The stage is set for the 6th Annual Southeast Urban Music Conference (SUMC), August 19-21, presented by The Baraka Group, Legion Of Doom DJ’S , Promo Kingz and Power Entertainment.  The conference will take place at Park Tavern in midtown Atlanta.

 

This year’s theme is “The Branding & Marketing Of Black Entertainment”.  SUMC Chairman Tony Baraka, an Atlanta based marketing executive, is adamant that to maintain success within this industry branding and marketing strategies must be implemented.  “It takes more than just passing out flyers, having promotional models and a wrapped van.  It is much more important for those that are interested in this industry to understand cross promotions/branding and to grasp their target demographic,” Baraka adds.

 

“There are lots of issues facing our entertainment industry today,” says Baraka.”  “We are seeing that the industry is creating a new business model that has embraced additional marketing campaigns and places great emphasis with the independent artists and labels.  The model also includes marketing plans that continually change the way artists are signed, continues to create creative distribution opportunities, and implements new media technology (i.e. myspace, street team websites, interactive fan sites, etc).”

 

The SUMC will focus heavily on providing information – with key seminars and networking opportunities.  Attendees will be provided

branding & marketing information in all areas of the entertainment industry.

The event will kick off on Tuesday, August 19 with the official SUMC Black Carpet Opening Conference Media Party at Over Da Edge Lounge. Among the highlights at the opening party will be the annual Legends Tribute Award, and this year’s recipient of the SUMC Trailblazer Award, which will be announced May 15^th.

Additional conference highlights:

·          SUMC “Black Carpet” Media Kickoff Reception & Legend Award @ Over Da Edge Lounge

 

·          Gospel /R&B /Neo Soul Luncheons

 

·          SUMC Networking Lounges

 

·          Night Of Stars Awards Showcase & Fashion Show

·          Power Records 15^th Anniversary Tribute

·          Press, Radio & Retail Luncheon

·          Distribution & Marketing Panel

 

·          Power Packed Seminars

 

·          Future Stars Showcases

 

·          Major Label Executives Roundtable

 

For sponsorship and registration information please call 770-973-8441/678-559-4470 email smiurban@comcast.net or promokingz@gmail.com or log onto www.myspace.com/sumclod2008

**Former Game Protege, Ya Boy, Releases New Mixtape, “I’m Bout To Murdah This Sh*t”**

Its murder he wrote as Hip-Hop and Internet superstar, Ya Boy releases his latest mixtape, “I’m Bout to Murdah This Sh*t”.  The compilation, hosted by DJ Amen, Digital Product and Boxxx Kev also features Hip Hop Heavyweights, Kurupt, Eastwood, Steven Styles and Boo.  The former protégé of The Game takes his mark, aims and shoots to kill over heavy bass lines, unforgettable hooks and mesmerizing verses that promise to reclaim the streets this summer. 

It’s no secret that Ya Boy is one of the most sought after rappers on the West Coast.  Hailing from San Francisco, CA, Ya Boy has accomplished more in two years than most artists achieve in a lifetime.  He has sold more than 540,000 units collectively, starred in his own reality web-series that generated over 20,000,000 views and worked with everyone from the likes of E-40 to Tila Tequila.  With a fan base that spans the entire globe, from Los Angeles to Europe, Ya Boy has his heart set on world domination.

“In my short time in the industry, I can safely say that I have done the unthinkable,” says Ya Boy.  “What separates me from other cats is that my ears stay glued to the streets.  ‘I’m Bout to Murdah This Sh*t’ reiterates that Ya Boy ain’t goin nowhere and to all you naysayers, I’m coming for ya head!”

Currently, Ya Boy, who is one of the most requested rappers on DJ Green Lantern’s Sirius Satellite radio show, “The Invasion” and Power 106 in Los Angeles is hard at work on his debut album, set to drop this Fall.  “I’m Bout to Murdah This Sh*t” is available via digital download on iTunes.

 

ABOUT YA BOY

Born in raised in the Fillmore District of San Francisco, CA, Ya Boy is the voice of the streets.  Called everything from “…a great writer,” by Britney Spears to “…the beginning of the next episode,” by Dr. Dre, Ya Boy will not rest until everyone knows and respects his hustle.  Already have sold 540,000+ units collectively through various mixtapes and albums, Ya Boy, most notable for his “100 Bars of Crack” and “100 Bars of Death” has been featured in The Source as the Unsigned Hype and called, “…next to blow” by XXL Magazine.  For more information, please visit www.myspace.com/yaboy.

 

NEW ARTIST TYGA READIES FOR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED ALBUM ‘NO INTRODUCTION’ DUE ON JUNE 10TH

THE MTV ‘DISCOVER & DOWNLOAD’ ARTIST WILL VISIT TRL ON RELEASE DATE AND HOLD RECORD RELEASE PARTIES IN NEW YORK, CHICAGO AND LOS ANGELES 

New artist and Compton, CA native Tyga readies for his highly anticipated album, “No Introduction” to be released on June 10th. The album will be released on Pete Wentz’s (Fall Out Boy) label Decaydance through Travis McCoy’s (Gym Class Heroes) imprint Bat Squad. The 18 year old artist was named “One of the Best Undiscovered Rappers in America” by Vibe Magazine and MTV News declared Tyga “the hottest export out of Compton since NWA.”

The first single off the album is “Coconut Juice” and it is already invading homes everywhere by way of heavy video play on TV and the web. Featuring cameos by Travis McCoy, Lil’ Wayne, and Pete Wentz, the video for “Coconut Juice” has truly become an online sensation having amassed THREE MILLION impressions online in less than 1 month. “Coconut Juice” is a bouncy and infectious summer anthem that is an undeniable smash. The song has sold over 30,000 digital tracks in only 4 weeks and has been added to regular rotations on dozens of Crossover and Top-40 stations.

Tyga’s hip hop roots blend with a pop/rock vibe to make his album a stand out in today’s cluttered musical landscape. He says, “The best advice I’ve ever given anyone is to be yourself and that’s exactly what I did with this album. I’ve made music all of my life and I have definitely tried to present a fresh and new sound that’s never been heard. If other rappers albums are like one big bag of regular potato chips, I’m trying to give people the variety pack – bbq, ranch, salt n vinegar, everything. There’s something for everyone – Enjoy The Chips!”

Additional contagious tracks on “No Introduction” include “AIM,” which talks about how technology is the new form of communication. Tyga raps, “She don’t know me by my name, she just knows me by my AIM,” this song is sure to become the ultimate social networking page pick. “Diamond Life,” which touches on Tyga’s life as part of Hollywood’s elite crowd and the hardships he has overcome to get there has already been selected to be a featured song in XBOX 360’s highly anticipated NFL Madden 2009.
Tyga’s live show has also garnered rave reviews since his breakout performance earlier this month at the Bamboozle Festival where Rollingstone online selected him as “one of five breakout artists” from the festival. Tyga’s hectic touring schedule from now till the end of the summer will include high profile radio shows for stations such as KYLD/San Francisco, HOT-97/New York (‘Summer Jam’) and KZZP/Phoenix, as well as dates on the Ying Yang Twins’ national tour scheduled to begin mid July. Record release parties have also been scheduled during the first two weeks of release in New York, Cleveland, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Tyga will kick off the release of “No Introduction” with his debut appearance on MTV’s ‘TRL’ show June 10th.