Category Archives: Entertainment

Entertainment, Music

J Webb New Single ‘Pay Attention’

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“J’s high-energy, strong sexy voice is a perfect match for this track.” Felix Howard (Sony)

Pay Attention is the new single from London power vocalist J Webb, featuring rap heavy weight Honours Tea. Described as Rihanna meets Anne Marie, J Webb is a no-messing force of nature who embodies female empowerment and self-reliance. The young singer says “Pay Attention is a female bedroom anthem, showing your lover you’re not taking a backseat – his full attention is needed from start to finish. I had a lot of fun building the track and have even more fun performing it.” J Webb is a self-employed model, performer and business woman who is as savvy as she is sassy. She says, “as an artist, I want my music to serve the same qualities which I needed as a child, an expression of all emotions and most importantly the love of self…. strong, confident, sexually confident and above all, true to how I feel… no sugar coating.” From an early age, music truly served its purpose in J Webb’s life. She was dependent on music to help her cope with strong emotions, happy, sad, in love or angry… music always held the invisible answer. J Webb was an instant hit as a model and she has driven her own career from the start. She says, “being a self-employed woman was the greatest gift I could have given to myself. But now I’m ready to make music again.” J Webb reconnected with a producer she’d known since she was 16. The pair had worked on a demo together which landed J Webb a deal with Sony. The leading track Down and Dirty was a huge success and won J Webb a loyal fanbase in countries all over the world. Now on her own label, J Webb is unstoppable. Pay Attention to this fresh new talent…

 

Music, TV & Film

Fred & Ginger, Jazz Hands & More! TCM To Pay Tribute To Musicals In June Programming Special “Mad About Musicals!”

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Fred & Ginger, Jazz Hands & More!

TCM To Pay Tribute To Musicals In June Programming Special
“Mad About Musicals!”

Network To Also Offer Free Interactive Online Course About the History of the Musical Genre

 

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will pay homage to the glittering world of Hollywood musicals with Mad About Musicals!, a special month of programming celebrating timeless movie musicals such as The Wizard of Oz, Singin’ in the Rain and Cabaret. TCM is once again partnering with Ball State University and Canvas to offer a free online multimedia course tied to this programming special about the history of the musical genre and its evolution with cultural and technological shifts. Enrollment is open until June 17 and fans can sign up for the course at musicals.tcm.com.

Movie musicals have been a part of pop culture since films began to talk. Mad About Musicals! will feature more than 90 musicals every Tuesday and Thursday in June, including:

  • The ‘20s – fans discover the development of the genre with the dawn of sound technology in films such as The Broadway Melody (1929) and The Love Parade (1929)
  • The ‘30s –  Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the most-loved musical couple of the 1930s, shine in Top Hat (1935) and the technicolor dream Wizard of Oz (1939) is released
  • The ‘40s – with films like Meet Me In St. Louis (1944) and On the Town (1949), this decade proved to be a love letter to the musical genre
  • The ‘50s – the Hollywood musical hit its sparkling peak with Singin’ in the Rain (1952) and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)
  • The ‘60s – the decade of the Academy Award®-winning musical with My Fair Lady (1964) and Oliver (1968) winning for Best Picture and Barbra Streisand winning Best Actress for Funny Girl (1968)
  • The ’70s – marking the age of musicals based on stage hits with films like Cabaret (1972) and Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

The network’s fourth annual Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) will run concurrently with TCM’s programming and lead participants through the history of the musical. More than 44,000 participants enrolled in TCM’s past three successful MOOCs, all of which generated industry-leading completion rates and very high satisfaction rates, while acting as an on-ramp for new audiences to the TCM brand. The free, month-long multimedia course exploring the musical’s place in cinematic history, features:

  • Course lessons with movie clips from Dr. Vanessa Theme Ament, former Actor’s Equity performer, successful Hollywood Foley artist (Die Hard, Edward Scissorhands) and Endowed Chair of Telecommunications at Ball State University
  • Interviews with guests such as Academy Award-winning sound designer Gary Rydstrom, discussing sound in the Hollywood musical, and film scholar Richard Edwards examining the connection between musicals and melodrama
  • Fun and challenging online games to test expertise and create friendly competition
  • Ongoing social conversation with fellow participants on TCM message boards and on social media with #TCMusicals
  • On-air film introductions from Dr. Ament alongside TCM Host Ben Mankiewicz during the first week of June

“At TCM we are constantly looking for ways to create immersive experiences so our fans can engage with us on a deeper level, and our annual online courses tied to an on-air programming special have proved to do just that,” said Jennifer Dorian, General Manager of TCM & FilmStruck and EVP of 360 Brand Strategy for Turner. “This fan experience we create with our partners at Ball State University and Canvas helps take our mission of context and curation to the next level.”

Canvas, the online educational platform for this year’s MOOC, will utilize Arc, a hands-on video platform that turns content into collaboration. It empowers learners to collaborate with peers and interact with content by allowing them to comment and offer feedback within the video timeline.

For more course information and programming details, see musicals.tcm.com.

Entertainment, TV & Film

BOOMERANG STREAMS INTO YEAR TWO WITH NEW CONTENT, PRODUCT FEATURES AND MORE

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BOOMERANG STREAMS INTO YEAR TWO WITH NEW CONTENT, PRODUCT FEATURES AND MORE

NEW SCOOBY-DOO CELEBRITY TEAM-UP SERIES AND NEW PEBBLES AND BAMM-BAMM SERIES AMONG ANNOUNCEMENTS

Renewed Original Series, Full Spanish Language and New Platforms Premiere This Memorial Day Weekend

As Boomerang streams into its second year, the premium video subscription service is revealing some of its new, 2018 offerings for kids, families and animation fans. Launched April 2017 with a renowned animation library of over 5,000 titles including the Hanna-Barbera, MGM and Looney Tunes franchises alongside original series, today the service unveiled multiple new and renewed original series, additional platform partners, and enhanced product features, including a fully translated Spanish experience premiering this Memorial Day Weekend, to expand its overall consumer experience.

Boomerang users now have access to over 2,000 titles for streaming or download-to-go instantly. Throughout 2018 and beyond, Boomerang will continue to increase its content offering with new and original titles, premiere episodes and more fan-favorite series to the service:

New Original Series:

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Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?

The Mystery Inc. gang welcomes new members in the all-new series, Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?. From Warner Bros. Animation, Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? follows the grand tradition of Scooby-Doo team ups and takes the idea to hilarious new heights.

Faced with some of their toughest mysteries yet, Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and Scooby-Doo will join forces with some of the biggest names in celebrity and pop culture including NBA superstar Chris Paul, recording artists Halsey and Sia, Ricky Gervais, Kenan Thompson, Bill Nye, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Mark Hamill, Steve Urkel (voiced by Jaleel White reprising his iconic role) Batman, Sherlock Holmes, The Flash, Wonder Woman and many more!

Jump into the Mystery Machine for all-new comedic mystery-solving adventures where the biggest mystery will be who’s teaming up with those “meddling kids” this week!

Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? is produced by Warner Bros. Animation.  Chris Bailey (Kim Possible) serves as producer with Sam Register (Teen Titans Go!) as executive producer.  The series premieres in 2019.

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Yabba-Dabba Dinosaurs!

Yabba-Dabba-Doo!  Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm are back in this quarter-hour animated comedy series, Yabba-Dabba Dinosaurs!  Warner Bros. Animation takes you beyond Bedrock to The Crags, a vast land that is as dangerous and wild as the dinosaurs that inhabit it.

Pebbles Flintstone and Bamm-Bamm Rubble are two best friends, growing up in the prehistoric time when dinosaurs and giant beasts still walked the earth. But as exciting as that sounds, they live in peaceful, quiet old Bedrock, a modern domestic civilization similar to our own (but with stone cars that run on leg-power). That’s why whenever they get the chance, Pebbles, Bamm-Bamm and Dino head to the open wilderness, helping new friends, fighting new enemies and learning about life through their endless crazy adventures.  Back in Bedrock, Fred, Wilma, Barney and Betty still enjoy all the familiar quirks and trappings of life as a modern Stone Age family not knowing all the trouble (and fun!) their kids are getting themselves into.

Yabba-Dabba Dinosaurs! is produced by Warner Bros. Animation.   Mark Marek (MAD) and Marly Halpern-Graser (Right Now Kapow) serve as producer with Sam Register (Teen Titans Go!) as executive producer.  The series premieres in 2019.

Returning Original Series:

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Be Cool Scooby-Doo!
Boomerang will continue to premiere new season two episodes through 2018.

With high school over and one last summer to live it up, Shaggy, Scooby-Doo, Velma, Daphne and Fred decide to travel during what could be their last summer break together. The gang hits the road in the Mystery Machine, chasing fun and adventure. However, danger and trouble are never too far behind as Scooby and the gang encounter new mysteries that may end up spoiling their fun.

Be Cool Scooby-Doo! is produced by Warner Bros. Animation.  Jeff Mednikow (Teen Titans Go!) and Mark Marek (MAD) serve as producers, Michael Jelenic (Teen Titans Go!) as supervising producer with Sam Register (Teen Titans Go!) as executive producer.

Bunnicula

Bunnicula
Premiere episodes of this series have been available on the service since Boomerang’s launch and season two will continue through 2018 with a newly greenlit season three following in 2019.

The Monroe family homestead and its two resident pets, droll dog Harold and hyperactive feline Chester, are thrown into a tizzy by the arrival of a new creature, Bunnicula – a vampire rabbit with a taste for carrot juice – that drags them into a variety of paranormal adventures.

Bunnicula is produced by Warner Bros. Animation.  Jessica Borutksi (The Looney Tunes Show) serves as producer, James Howe (Bunnicula book series) serves as consulting producer and Sam Register (Teen Titans Go!) is executive producer.

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Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz
This new and original series had its worldwide premiere on Boomerang last June and will kick off season two with a Memorial Day movie special. Season two premiere episodes will continue into 2019.

After the Wicked Witch of the West’s defeat, Queen Ozma has appointed Dorothy the Princess of Emerald City. With her feet firmly grounded in her ruby slippers, Dorothy tackles her royal duties with enthusiasm, bravery and farm girl feistiness. And whether it’s magic, munchkins, flying monkeys or her arch-nemesis Wilhelmina, the wicked witch in training and niece of the Wicked Witch of the West, Dorothy is ready to track down and put a stop to any problem that comes Oz’s way.

Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz is produced by Warner Bros. Animation.  Jeff DeGrandis serves as producer (Dinotrux) with Sam Register (Teen Titans Go!) as executive producer.

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New Looney Tunes
Boomerang premiered season two earlier this year and new episodes will continue to be added to the service through 2019.

The hilarious, heroic and mischievous Bugs Bunny you love is back! Follow Bugs as he stars in a new series consisting of slapstick comedic shorts that find the iconic, carrot-loving rabbit matching his wits against classic characters, such as Theodore “Tasmanian” Devil, Wile E. Coyote and Yosemite Sam.

New Looney Tunes is produced by Warner Bros. Animation.  Matt Craig (Saturday Night Live) and Gary Hartle (Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters) serve as producers with Sam Register (Teen Titans Go!) as executive producer.

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The Tom and Jerry Show
As season two premiere episodes continue through 2018, season three has been greenlit and will come to Boomerang in 2019.

The iconic cat and mouse rivals are back and up to their old antics in a new setting that puts a fresh spin on the classic series. Follow Tom and Jerry as they explore fantastic new places, including a witch’s cabin and a mad scientist’s lab, in The Tom and Jerry Show.
Preserving the look, characters and sensibility of the original, this series shines a brightly colored, high-definition lens on the madcap slapstick and never-ending battle that has made Tom and Jerry two of the most beloved characters of all time.

The Tom & Jerry Show is produced by Warner Bros. Animation.  Ashley Postlewaite (Funny Face) and Darrell Van Citters (The Mr. Men Show) serve as producers with Sam Register (Teen Titans Go!) as executive producer.

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Wacky Races
Premiering on Boomerang last summer, this new and reimagined series has received a Season two pick-up and will premiere later in 2018.

When the engines start, the laughter roars in this animated comedy series featuring the return of your favorite racers and, of course, their wacky cars! Penelope Pitstop in the Compact Pussycat is the sassy Southern bell whose charm and intelligence make her a formidable racer but most of the time she’s taking a detour to save the other racers. Penelope’s best friend, Peter Perfect in the Turbo Terrific, has a big heart and an even bigger ego, which fuels his super positive can-do attitude. Meanwhile, in the Mean Machine, Dick Dastardly and his accomplice, Muttley, stop at nothing to win the race by any means necessary. And if it’s bizarre, creepy, slimy or just plain weird, The Gruesome Twosome, Tiny and Bella, are either related to it or keep it in their monster truck, the Doombuggy.

Wacky Races is produced by Warner Bros. Animation.  Mike Disa (Space Dogs: Adventure to the Moon) serves as supervising producer with Sam Register (Teen Titans Go!) as executive producer.

Acquisitions:

Wind in the Willows
Based on the classic novel, this new, original animated series from UK distributor HoHo Rights will be available exclusively in the U.S. on Boomerang in 2019.

Part of Britain’s great literary heritage, Wind in the Willows was first published in 1908 and the riverside adventures of Mole, Rat and Toad have been enchanting children ever since. Harking back to a gentler era of altruism, good manners, community and citizenship, the values in The Wind in the Willows continue to endure.

In addition to the multiple new premiere series coming to Boomerang in 2018, the service will also continue to enhance the consumer experience through various new product offerings.

Product / New Platforms:

Spanish language: Coming this Memorial Day Weekend, Boomerang will launch a full Spanish language experience for its users.

Profiles & Personalization: Giving families and individual fans the ability to personalize their Boomerang experience through avatar creation and show discovery.

User Created Playlists and Interactivity: Users will have the ability to create and share playlists featuring their personal cartoon favorites along with other features under development aimed at elevating interaction with Boomerang’s beloved characters.

Universal Search: Available on Thursday May 24th across Roku, Amazon and Apple, Universal Search will easily allow animation fans to find Boomerang content when searching their favorite animated series and characters. Universal Search on Google will be available later in the Summer.

New Platforms: Boomerang will be available via Android TV starting Memorial Day Weekend, with additional platforms to come by the end of the year.

Entertainment, Germany, TV & Film

Spielzeug und Mode mit dem Powfactor: 2018 kommen neue Produkte zu den Powerpuff Girls auf den Markt

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2018 dreht sich alles um die Powerpuff Girls! Die Emmy-prämierte Zeichentrickserie feiert dieses Jahr nicht nur ihr 20-jähriges Jubiläum, sondern es wird auch viele neue Produkte rund um die drei kleinen Superheldinnen geben. Im Rahmen der Licensing Expo, die derzeit in Las Vegas stattfindet, hat Cartoon Network daher nun zahlreiche weitere Partnerschaften und Kooperationen angekündigt.

Bereits im August 2018 erscheinen LEGO® Powerpuff Girls Sets, womit sich Fans die Welt von Blossom, Bubbles und Buttercup zu Hause nachbauen können. Ebenfalls ab August erhältlich ist die neue Powerpuff Girls Kollektion des französischen Modelabels Undiz, die Nacht- und Unterwäsche umfasst. Außerdem plant der Spielzeughersteller Mattel eine Powerpuff Girls Modelinie für Barbie Puppen, die Ende des Jahres in den Handel kommt.

Cartoon Network, der Kindersender von Turner Deutschland, zeigt die dritte Staffel der Powerpuff Girls voraussichtlich ab Mitte August als deutsche TV-Premiere. In den brandneuen Folgen nehmen es die Mädchen wieder mit Bösewicht Mojo Jojo auf, wetteifern um den Titel „Weltbeste Superhelden“ und erleben ein Abenteuer auf der Rennbahn.

Über Die Powerpuff Girls:
Blossom, Bubbles und Buttercup sind die Powerpuff Girls, drei kleine Heldinnen mit einer großen Mission: Sie wollen mithilfe ihrer Superkräfte die Welt retten. Professor Utonium erschuf die Heldinnen in seinem Labor. Eigentlich sollten sie normale Mädchen werden, doch versehentlich fügte der Professor seinem Gebräu die Chemikalie „X“ hinzu, und so wurden die Powerpuff Girls geboren. In der Serie nehmen es die Mädchen mit Grips und Geschick gegen Monster und andere Schurken auf.

Weitere Informationen zu Cartoon Network: www.CartoonNetwork.de / www.turnertv.de / http://www.facebook.com/CartoonNetworkDeutschland

 

Entertainment, TV & Film

FilmStruck continues international roll out with launches in France and Spain

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Joint Venture Movie Streaming Service Between Turner International’s Digital Ventures & Innovation Group and Warner Bros. Digital Networks Continues International Expansion

Turner International’s Digital Ventures & Innovation (DV&I) Group and Warner Bros. Digital Networks (WBDN) today announce additional international markets for their premium movie streaming service FilmStruck.

The subscription video on-demand service, which announced its arrival in the international marketplace with its UK launch in February, will expand with bespoke services for France and Spain, offering movie lovers a diverse movie catalogue drawing on the extensive Warner Bros. library and the Criterion Collection library, as well as other global and local content partners.

The service offers a range of hand-selected, critically acclaimed movies across many categories – Independent, Classic, Cult, Contemporary and World Cinema – and will also feature curated themes and exclusive bonus material, including cast interviews, original artwork, Criterion mini-documentaries and hosted introductions. The collection will be continuously refreshed, providing movie fans with a trusted source of quality films and a simple and engaging way to discover content.

Additionally, and with a strong emphasis on catering to different audiences with carefully chosen bespoke local content, the service offerings for each market reflect expert local curation. The service for France will draw on local content partners Carlotta Films, MK2, RKO and StudioCanal while the service for Spain will team with local content providers Wanda, Caramel and A Contracorriente Films, resulting in a rich mix of local, European and global content.

“Rolling FilmStruck out to these additional markets is a significant next step for us,” said Aksel van der Wal, Executive Vice President, DV&I, Turner International. “France and Spain both have a rich heritage in and love for movies, as well as being rapidly developing SVOD markets, which makes them both exciting markets to tap into with what we believe is a fresh and differentiated offering working with fantastic content partners.”

The expansion of the service into France and Spain comes shortly after DV&I and WBDN announced the appointment of Kerensa Samanidis to the role of General Manager, FilmStruck, International. Samanidis joins from the British Film Institute where she was Head of Digital Products and Distribution for the past few years overseeing BFI’s digital strategy in both the B2B and D2C space.

The international expansion of Turner’s SVOD service is in line with the fan-centric strategy underpinning Turner’s approach to engaging new audiences. FilmStruck is expected to roll out in France and Spain soon and will be available across mobile, tablets, computers and TVs.

Entertainment, TV & Film

The Ladies Battle for Power in Season Two of TNT’s Claws

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Niecy Nash Stars in Series Executive-Produced by Rashida Jones, Will McCormack, Showrunner Janine Sherman Barrois and Creator Eliot Laurence

One of 2017’s Top 5 New Cable Dramas 

Claws Returns on Sunday, June 10, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)

TNT’s Claws is back, and the fierce women of the Nail Artisans of Manatee County are now under new management. Niecy Nash (Getting On, The Soul Man), Carrie Preston (True Blood), Judy Reyes (Scrubs), Karrueche Tran (The Nice Guys), Jenn Lyon (Justified), Jack Kesy (The Strain), Kevin Rankin (Dallas Buyers Club, Friday Night Lights), Jason Antoon (Famous in Love), Jimmy Jean-Louis (Heroes), Suleka Mathew (Men in Trees), Harold Perrineau (Lost, Oz) and Dean Norris (Breaking Bad) star in the hour-long dramedy series, which returns for season two across TNT’s television, mobile and digital platformson Sunday, June 10.

Claws follows the rise of five treacherous manicurists working at the Nail Artisans of Manatee County salon, where there is a lot more going on than silk wraps and pedicures. At the center of this diverse group is salon owner Desna (Nash), who works alongside her salon staff to launder money from Suncoast Rejuvenation, a barely legal pain clinic operated by the Dixie Mafia.  While it has always been Desna’s mission to break free of the redneck syndicate and become her own boss, last season saw Desna trade one crime boss for another as the mob took control of both the pain clinic and the salon. With new management comes new problems for the women to navigate.

A multiplatform reach of 5.4 million viewers per episode vaulted Claws into the top 5 new cable dramas of 2017. Last season, the series secured strong momentum with in-season growth of more than 40% and earned the title of the #1 cable series on VOD during its run.

Claws is executive-produced by Rashida Jones (Angie Tribeca, Toy Story 4, Celeste and Jesse Forever, A to Z,), Will McCormack (Toy Story 4, Celeste and Jesse Forever, A to Z), Janine Sherman Barrois (ER, Criminal Minds), who also serves as showrunner, and Eliot Laurence (Welcome to Me), who created the series. Claws is produced for TNT by Jones and McCormack’s Le Train Train, in association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television and Turner’s Studio T.

The complete first season of Claws will become available to stream exclusively on Hulu on May 11th, just in time for viewers to catch up on all episodes ahead of the season two premiere. Fans can catch up on select episodes of Claws via the TNT App and website by logging in with their user name and password given to them by their TV provider. Season one episodes are also available on participating TV provider apps.

Events, Music

IMPRINT’s Review | Arrested Development at Mercury Ballroom

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IMPRINT Writer| C.Michael Stewart
Photo Credit | Michael Stewart
Photo Credit | Michael Stewart
Photo Credit: Michael Stewart
Photo Credit: Michael Stewart
May 24, 2018 Mercury Ballroom , Louisville , Kentucky—A true pioneer in hip-hop music, Arrested Development performed in Louisville’s Mercury Ballroom to an enthusiastic audience last evening.
Since 1991 the band has raised awareness to of the homeless, racial injustice and consciousness while providing a award winning music including two Grammys.
Considered one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time by VH-1, Speech lead off the show with “Mr. Wendal” which ignited a night of sharing dance and song with their fans who seemed to know every word of the entire set.
1Love followed singing “1 4 the Treble” and the band traded vocals through out the evening backed by lady dancers and backup singers Fareedah and Tasha LaRae who created powerful energy to the show.
Ms. Larae’s strong vocals and Fareedah’s amazing dance energy kept the tempo ay a high level as Speech and 1 Love continued to run through their best loved songs compiled since 1991! “Revolution” and Grammy Award winning song” Tennessee” voted one of the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was combined into a jam that raised the energy level to its highest peak.
Although guitarist JJ Boogie was not present the music was strong and each of the 13 songs were powerful. Speech seemed to enjoy poking todays rappers with the song” I don’t see you at the club” His reply “ I don’t see you at the Bank!”
Ending the show with Sly and The Family Stones “Everyday People” fit perfectly with the bands message of consciousness.
As the show ended the members of the band showed their appreciation by coming to the stages edge shaking hands ,meeting and thanking fans.
It was an energetic night of uplifting music with a message. A celebration of the genus and vision of this legendary band!
Events, Music

ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT

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It’s been twenty years since a new group called Arrested Development slammed the gangsta dominated world of hip hop with defiant lyrics of hope. Apparently the world was ready for the change as AD became the first ever hip-hop artist to receive the “best new artist” Grammy, (a distinction it still maintains today in that category). In addition, the group also received a Grammy award for “best rap single” for their anthemic prayer-like hit song, Tennessee.

Money came in but not for precious stones and big cars. Instead, these pioneers of the conscious rap game took one big step for mankind by giving back and becoming the first African American artists to donate money to Nelson Mandela and the ANC. They used their voices and their status to the benefit of many underprivileged brothers and sisters around the world.

With the success of the single Mr Wendal, Arrested Development brought the issue of homelessness to the forefront. The group donated half of the royalty earnings from Mr Wendal to the National Coalition of the Homeless. Awards, chart success and accolades continued to follow. One of the highlights was being asked to write a song for Spike Lee’s movie about minister and human rights activist, Malcom X. The movie, X, went on to become one of Spike Lee’s most highly acclaimed works. The Arrested Development song, Revolution, would forever be associated with one of the most important movies in black culture. (Eighteen years later, the response that comes whenever the group performs this song is inspiring.

Their album, 3 years, 5 months and 2 days In The Life of…, sold over 4 million units, with singles from that maiden voyage playing like a soundtrack in the lives’ of so many people world wide Their sophomore release Zingalamaduni was a critics’ favorite. Although the album was well received and garnered another Grammy nomination, it failed to reach the same heights as the previous album. Nonetheless, it reached sales in excess of 500,000 copies.

Just as it seemed that positive hip hop had found a way of being embraced by the mainstream, a new wave of negative hip hop artists, demeaning women, glorifying drugs and promoting criminality, came along and energized the base at the corporate record companies, prompting record executives to inject more and more money to get these negative stereotypes into the minds and hearts of young people, of whom many, were desperately searching for their path and identity in life. The move proved to be an enormous success for these artists, while making corporations billions of dollars.

With the pressures of the music industry weighing heavily, and inner turmoil striking within the group, it was time for Arrested Development to take a break and redefine their individual and collective purpose. For some members, it was time to take a hiatus from the industry, for a few, it was time to start a family, while other members delved into new musical projects and collaborations.

In the year 2000, Arrested Development re emerged with a new lineup and a new album called “Heroes of the harvest” This time the inner turmoil was replaced by inner peace, the pressures of the industry were lifted, and one of hip hop’s best, was back rocking stages.

For the last eighteen years, Arrested Development has performed sold-out concerts in literally every part of the world. They continue to release new music and find new success in different corners of the globe. Their shows are a celebration of life. Experiencing an Arrested Development concert is an uplifting and spiritual event wrapped into one big party.

Entertainment, Music

ZAYTOVEN TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM TRAP HOLIZAY ON MAY 25

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Red Bull Music Shares Documentary The Note: Zaytoven

Trap Holizay The Tour Underway Now

Zaytoven

May 7, 2018 — Hollywood, CA — GRAMMY® Award-winning multiplatinum super producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Zaytoven will release his anxiously awaited full-length debut, Trap Holizay, on Friday May 25, 2018.

WYT

In addition to “What You Think,” the full tracklisting promises to bring together some of the game’s heaviest heavy hitters behind the production mastery of this game-changing hip-hop maestro. Stay tuned for the full reveal soon.

Excitement continues building for the impending arrival of the record. In an in-depth feature, High Snobiety claimed, “Trap Holizay, is set to be one of the spring’s standout albums.”

Allowing audiences into his world, he recently teamed up with Red Bull Music for a new documentary entitled The Note: Zaytoven. Watch it HERE. The 17-minute film explores his inimitable creative process and story as told by the man himself and those closest to him, including his mom. Additionally, it intercuts archival behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with collaborators and fellow innovators such as Gucci Mane, OJ Da Juiceman, Young Dolph, Bankroll Fresh, and Cassius Jay. Of the doc, Noisey claimed, “The Note goes deep into how Zaytoven became so essential to rap’s most popular format.” He also recently spoke to Billboard in detail about The Note.

Zaytoven just embarked on his North American headline run—Trap Holizay The Tour. It’s hitting major markets across the country. Check out the remaining dates below.

Trap Holizay season is underway now. 

TOUR DATES:

4/24       Spokane, WA

4/25       Castlegar, BC, Canada

4/26       Calgary, Canada

4/27       Vancouver, Canada

4/28       Seattle, WA

4/29       Portland, OR

5/2         Sacramento, CA

5/3         Reno, NV

5/4         Berkeley, CA

5/5         Santa Cruz, CA

5/6         Los Angeles, CA

5/25       Savannah, GA

                A true trendsetter, Zaytoven proved integral to the sonic architecture of the Atlanta scene with which he stands synonymous. His influence can easily be felt in nearly every corner of hip-hop and R&B. 2011 saw him win his first GRAMMY® for co-producing and writing “Papers” on Usher’s Raymond v. Raymond. Among countless multiplatinum productions for the likes of Gucci Mane and Migos, he teamed up with Future for seminal 2015 collaborative mixtape, Beast Mode. Everybody from Drake and Nicki Minaj to Rick Ross and Lil Yachty has sought him out.

Unsurprisingly, his musical acumen encompasses more than just beat-making. Born in Germany, raised in San Francisco, and based in Atlanta, Zaytoven’s nickname pays homage to his piano virtuosity. VIBE has hailed him as “Atlanta’s true trap music pioneer” while Complex praised his “singular blend of layered, oscillating synth melodies, ominous organ chords, and booming low-end bass.” Founding Familiar Territory Records, he’s becoming a cultural tastemaker and entrepreneur in 2017 as well.

TRAPHOLIZAY TRACKLISTING:

01 Intro feat. Gucci Mane

02 Left The Bank feat. Young Dolph

03 Go Get The Money feat. Yo Gotti, Rick Ross, TI, Pusher T

04 Wake Up and Cook Up feat. Quavo, 2 Chainz

05 Back On It feat. Offset, Young Scooter

06 What You Think feat. Ty Dolla $ign, Jeremih, OJ Da Juiceman

07 Black Privilage feat. Trey Songz, Trouble, Plies

08 Show It feat. Kodak Black, TI

09 Boot Up feat. Future

10 East Atlanta Day feat. Gucci Mane, 21 Savage

11 Strong feat. Lil Uzi Vert

12 Designer feat. Lil Pump, Black Youngsta, Rich The Kid

13 Mo Realer feat. Future

Entertainment, Events

The Ford Center Takeover!

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Written By | Ashley Murphy – Beyond the Line Studio

Five Finger Death Punch and Shinedown along with Starset and Bad Wolves took over the Ford Center in Evansville Indiana Thursday night.  The show started out with Bad Wolves, a band from California currently climbing the charts with their cover of The Cranberries “Zombie.”  Starset followed with their sci-fi influenced set including songs “Ricochet” from their new Album Vessels as well as “My Demons,” and “Monster” from their album Transmissions.  During “Monster”, they literally blew the house by taking out the power of the whole arena, but crews worked quickly and the show reignited.

Shinedown fired up the stage next with a lineup of many of their past hits including “Bully,” “Second Chance,” “Cut the Cord,” as well as a few songs from their new album Attention Attention.  During the song “State of My Head,” lead singer Brent Smith asked the audience to take out their cell phones and turn on their flashlights.  The arena lit up like stars in the sky.  It was absolutely breath taking.

Five Finger Death Punch finished the lineup with their high energy set including “Bad Company,” “The Bleeding,” and “Gone Away.”  At one point in the show, band front man Ivan Moody asked several kids from the audience to join him onstage while he sang “Remember Everything.”  Watching the excitement on their faces was so amazing to see.  They will always remember Five Finger Death Punch and Ivan Moody for this experience.

Photo Credit | Ashley Murphy