A Look At The Music And Impact Of Bruno Mars In 2011!

December 14, 2011

We would like to send big congratulations to one of our favorite singer/songwriter/producers, Bruno Mars! He has become one of the year’s highest performing artists on 2011’s year end chart! After bursting on to the music scene in 2010 first singing on and /writing/producing on B.O.B’s  “Nothing On You”, Bruno has been on a hot streak all through the year of 2011. He has produced hits for other artists like Bad Meets Evil (Eminem & Royce Da 5’’9’), Travie McCoy, Cee-Lo and Far East Movement among others! He also has had also helped redefine the boundaries of soulful Pop as an artist, with many hits off of his Elektra/Atlantic Records’ debut album, Doo Wop And Hooligans. That album produced the hit singles “Just The Way You Are”, “Grenade”, The Lazy Song” and “Marry You.” All of those songs scored Top 10 status on various charts around the world, and have had a huge impact as major Pop music for 2011, not only commercially but critically.

  As a producer first, the 26 year old has been able to successfully inject a timeless feel of doo wop soul into his music and mix it with some very emotionally driven song concepts with contemporary meaning. He has done this while using his instrumentally driven sound of either piano or guitar to show a different side to him with each song. On one song he can be clearly compared to Elvis Presley on a guitar driven track with Rock flair, the next, a piano ballad that sounds like a classic cut by Donny Hathaway. Bruno and his production/song writing partners, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine, A.k.A., The Smeezingtons have shown an ability to do it all with an integrity and wisdom that is arguably far beyond their years. This is because at a young age Bruno has been able to survive record deals gone bad, and like Ryan Tedder, Robin Thicke and Ne-Yo before him, develop his craft into creating a production sound all his own, rather than being endorsed by a producer like Justin Timberlake with The Neptunes/Timbaland and Chris Brown with Sean Garrett/Scott Storch for example.

 Those skills have allowed him to not only be a trail blazer with his own sound, but it also explains why oftentimes when he collaborates and produces with other artists, his contributions can be considered the leading characteristic that helped make that song a hit. Some of the best examples of this are when Bruno’s vocals are the first thing heard on B.O.B.’s breakout hit, “Nothing On You”, or when his hook also dominates the direction of the song “Lighters” by Eminem and Royce Da 5’9’. (Bad Meets Evil). No matter if Bruno was writing with Flo Rida and Ke$ha on a party track like “Right Round”, or getting reflective recently on “Mirror” with Lil Wayne for Tha Carter IV, he has approached each different type of song topic that he has been a part of with the same amount originality, and use his skills to help score an idea, each one of those providing a very visual escape a little different than the last. With that said, it is easy to see why even though his music is phenomenal without question, his many layers as a young performer show how sometimes radio music directors do not always know how to place him. Some songs sound like he is more R&B, some sound rocking, and others even have a Jazz influence to them. While this has been a very understandable problem for other artists in the past, Bruno has proven that this has been a good problem for him to have.

 His music has found a place in many different circles based on the merits of the song’s strength of melody alone. How else could a song he co wrote and produced for Cee-Lo Green originally called “F*** You”, go on to be sang by Gwyneth Paltrow on Fox’s Glee, and eventually be featured in Disney’s 2011 film, The Muppets? 2011’s year end charts show that no matter how you describe his music, he has done nothing short of define the Pop music of today! Bruno has become Billboard’s, Top Male Hot 100 Artist of the Year, Top Hot 100 Producer of the Year (The Smeezingtons), Top Male Radio Songs Artist, Top Male Digital Songs Artist, Top Adult Contemporary Artist of the Year, Top Male Adult Pop Songs Artist, and Adult Contemporary Song of the Year (“Just The Way You Are”). The coolest part about all this is that he is just getting started. All these accolades are primarily based on the success of only his first album! The best is yet to come for Bruno, now that he put a cap on the year by contributing “It Will Rain” as the first single to the wildly successful Twilight film, Twilight Saga; Breaking Dawn Part 1. We at Clizbeats are very excited to see what else he has in store for us. Keep up the good work!

Bruno Mars

“It Will Rain”

From Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 Soudrack

Summit Entertainment/Chop Shop/Atlantic Records

Bruno Mars

“The Lazy Song?

From DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS

Elektra/Atlantic Records

Bruno Mars

“Grenade”

From DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS

Elektra/Atlantic Records

Bruno Mars

“Just The Way You Are”

From DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS

Elektra/Atlantic Records

Bruno Mars

“Marry You”

From DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS

Elektra/Atlantic Records

Lil Wayne Featuring Bruno Mars

“Mirror”

From Tha Carter IV

Cash Money/Universal Republic Records

Bad Meets Evil Featuring Bruno Mars

“Lighters” (Explicit)

From Hell: The Sequel

Shady/Interscope Records

Travie McCoy Featuring Bruno Mars

“Billionare” (Explicit)

From Lazarus

Fueled By Ramen/Decaydance/Atlantic Records

B.O.B. Featuring Bruno Mars

From B.O.B. Presents: The Adventures Of Boby Ray

Rebel Rock/Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records

Cee-Lo Green

“Forget You”

From The Lady Killer

Elektra/Atlantic Records

Far East Movement Featuring Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic

“Rocketeer”

From Free Wired

Cherrytree/Interscope Records

Flo Rida Featuring Ke$ha

“Right Round”

From R.O.O.Ts.

Poe Boy Music Group/Atlantic Records

Glee Cast

“Marry You”

Ryan Murphy Productions/20th Century Fox/Columbia Records

Glee Cast

“Just The Way You Are”

Ryan Murphy Productions/20th Century Fox/Columbia Records

Glee Cast Featuring Gwyneth Paltrow

“Forget You”

Ryan Murphy Productions/20th Century Fox/Columbia Records

Camilla and the Chickens

“Forget You”

From Walt Disney Pictures’ The Muppets Soundtrack

Walt Disney Records

David Guetta Becomes The Best Selling DJ Ever Worldwide With “Without You” US Success!: New Single “Turn Me On” With Nicki Minaj In 2012!

December 12, 2011

David Guetta

Global superstar DJ and producer David Guetta became the first DJ and music artist to be handprinted at the legendary Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood recently. To celebrate Guetta’s status as the world’s best-selling DJ of all time, the Chinese Theatres selected the French-born Guetta as the inaugural artist in its musicians-only handprint series “Handprints Homage.” Guetta attended the ceremony, which took place inside the newly opened Grauman’s Ballroom, and performed a jubilant set at the space on December 3^rd.

The Grauman’s honor came the same weekend that Guetta was nominated for two 2012 Grammy Awards: “Best Dance/Electronica Album,” for his acclaimed fifth studio album Nothing But The Beat, and “Best Dance Recording” for his electronic track “Sunshine,” which he produced with Swedish DJ Avicii. Now an eight-time Grammy nominee, Guetta won the award for “Best Remixed Recording” back-to-back in 2010 and 2011.

Guetta is also riding high on the success of his current single “Without You,” which spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Top 40 Airplay chart. This achievement marks Guetta’s highest U.S. chart placement yet. Currently positioned at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Without You,” featuring Usher, has been certified platinum, making it the second million-selling single off Nothing But the Beat following the summer sensation “Where Them Girls At” featuring Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida. Released by Capitol Records/Astralwerks on August 29^th, Nothing But The Beat debuted Top 5 in 12 countries and has sold 1.5 million copies world-wide.

To celebrate the success of “Without You,” Guetta has partnered with VEVO for the official David Guetta “I Can’t Live WITHOUT YOU” VEVO Sweepstakes, runs through December 26^th, 2011.  Entrants can win prizes that they cannot live without, including an all-inclusive trip for two to the Grammys, a trip for a family of four to Disney World, an iPad2, Beats headphones, or an official WITHOUT YOU RIAA platinum plaque from David Guetta. For more details on how to enter, please see the David Guetta tab at www.facebook.com/VEVO!

Since the release of Nothing But The Beat, Guetta has been traveling the globe to promote the album. He opened The American Music Awards telecast with a performance with Nicki Minaj that included the debut of his new single “Turn Me On,” featuring Minaj, and appeared with Usher on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. This month, Guetta made the holiday radio show festival rounds, performing at Jingle Balls for Channel 955 in Detroit, Q102 in Philadelphia, Z100 in New York, and Y100 in Miami.

In addition, two screenings of Guetta’s documentary-style film Nothing But The Beat take place in the next week. The film gives fans unique insight into Guetta’s life, career, and meteoric rise from underground house DJ into one of the world’s most sought-after DJ/producer/artists. With commentary from collaborators will.i.am, Kelly Rowland, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Taio Cruz, and dance music legends Fatboy Slim, David Morales, and Pete Tong, plus new talent Afrojack and Avicii, the film is a peek into the journey of making Nothing But The Beat while inspiring new audiences across the globe.

Related Media

David Guetta Featuring Usher

“Without You”

From Nothing But The Beat

Astralwerks/Capitol Records/EMI

David Guetta Featuring Nicki Minaj

“Turn Me On”

From Nothing But The Beat

Astralwerks/Capitol Records/EMI

David Guetta Featuring  Avicii 

“Sunshine”

From Nothing But The Beat

Astralwerks/Capitol Records/EMI

Bad Boy’s Machine Gun Kelly Inspires Teen With Cerebral Palsy To Walk

December 7, 2011

Cleveland rapper, Machine Gun Kelly has gained a very loyal following around his city thanks to his home grown EST movement of fans. As he tells his fans to “lace up” to keep going forward,  MGK’s presence on the Hip Hop mixtape scene has allowed him to take his dreams of becoming a nationally known Rap star and make it a reality. After a lot of hard work, Kelly was discovered by Bad Boy Records’ CEO, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Interscope Records’ CEO, Jimmy Iovine . Cleveland’s Hometown hero is already being treated like a superstar by many locals in his city, as his voice in music has allowed him to touch the lives of thousands, who have connected with his struggle to make it in life.

 But as he touches the lives of his fans in this process, it has given him some priceless memories that go beyond just a record contract. One of those memories happened this past Saturday night, when one of his teenage fans was inspired enough by Kelly stand up from his wheelchair and take his first steps at one of his concerts. That teenage fan was Ryan Yex, a 17 year who was born with Cerebral Palsy. Yex is a huge fan of what MGK’s music represents, and after meeting him at a Blink 182 concert this summer, Ryan promised Kelly that he would one day walk at one of his concerts. Yex kept his promise, and after months of physical therapy, he was finally ready to take those first steps. Take a look at the inspirational video captured by Cleveland’s Fox 8!

 Machine Gun Kelly Inspires Teen With Cerebral Palsy To Walk

 CLICK HERE!

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Machine Gune Kell

y Featuring Wacka Flocka Flame

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EST/Bad Boy/Interscope Records

Machine Gun Kelly  Featuring Fitts Of The Kickdrums

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From Lace Up

EST/Bad Boy/Interscope Records

A Look At Carl Thomas’ Highly Anticipated Comeback Album, Conquer

December 7, 2011

Carl Thomas

Once a protégé of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs (who signed Thomas after hearing him sing at an open mic night in New York in the mid-‘90s), he was the first heartthrob R&B songster on Bad Boy Entertainment. Thomas is best known for his No. 1 R&B smash “I Wish” from the album Emotional, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard R&B Album chart and was a critical and commercial success, selling nearly 2 million copies.

Lothario & Leader

When Thomas crooned “I wish I had never met her,” with equal parts pleading and regret, women found his white-wine cool vocals and Marvin-Gaye-meets-Nat-King-Cole sex appeal irresistible, while guys immediately identified with his worldly yet around the way lyricism and spot-on relationship observations. With a solid debut—also yielding the windswept hit single “Summer Rain”—Carl Thomas instantly transformed from a Chicago native son singing for his supper into both an in-demand lothario and the voice of masculine romance for an entire generation. However, it was his indefatigable passion and not industry position or fanfare that beckoned him back to the studio for his new album, Conquer.

Death & A Bad Boy Dips

It has been a long road back home. In 2004, on the eve of the release of his highly anticipated sophomore project, Let’s Talk About It, Thomas’ brother was murdered in Aurora, Illinois, the Chicago suburb where they grew up. Instead of basking in the glory and glamour of another hit album, a devastated Thomas left his career behind, fled abroad and rendered himself incognito in the States. “Puff fought me on that one. But we were at different points of communication at the time,” he says. Thomas also makes it clear about his eventual departure from the iconic hip-hop/R&B label. “My leaving Bad Boy had nothing to do with dollars and cents, points and percentages or contractual issues. But it had everything to do with a shift in personal priorities. I lost my biggest cheerleader, my big brother. The label was the greatest college of the music industry that I ever attended,” he admits.

Legs to Stand On

After leaving Bad Boy and still in the grief-stricken process, friend and producer Mike City (Brandy, Usher, Dave Hollister) reached out and invited him to the studio just to record for fun, with the hopes of getting his mind off his troubles. He ended up working with industry legends Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis as well, and the project resulted in his third album, So Much Better. “That not only gave me legs to stand on again, but it showed me that I was supposed to be standing.”

A few years later, he would hear an album by one of his contemporaries that would change his life. “I saw my good brother Maxwell and I listened to his last project before it came out and it reminded me of the integrity that we are supposed to be having as R&B artists. It reminded me of how much of an honor it was to uphold this lineage of Black music. It got the ball rolling for me again.”

Battle Read

“There is nothing more passionate to me than music,” he says. Like a soldier confident in his skill for battle, this singer/songwriter is ready to reclaim his territory—a land now saturated by their over-active libidos and Southern sounds as thick and gritty as Georgia’s infamous red clay. In stark contrast, Carl Thomas is the epitome of New York ‘70s and ‘80s soul: breezy and funky; the absolute perfect storm of class, charisma and cool. He’s returned with a new respect for the music and his craft and states, “I know now that I was absolutely built for this.”

Ready to Conquer

Conquer, his first album in 4 years, is bursting with lush orchestrations and entrancing chords. The core of Conquer is comparable to Coldplay’s soulful sparseness. It’s the spirited pop of Maroon Five on a hot Harlem night. It’s Sting meets Lamont Dozier. Not wishing to travel the same, traditional R&B course,Thomas has carved his own melodious niche. “As a songwriter, I hear songs and say, ‘Man, I wish I had written that record.’ There are types of records that have eluded me most of my career. Those are the records that I managed to find for Conquer.”

The title track, produced by Andre Harris (formerly of multi-platinum production duo Dre & Vidal), opens with a quiet tempest of strings—the kind you hear during a pivotal scene of a spaghetti Western, where the hero faces danger or, even worse, doom. Carl Thomas has his own particular brand of hero music. “The heroes always seem to lose at the end of most R&B songs. On Conquer, the hero always wins!” he says. On the title track Thomas sings, “Let me save you/I love you so much/Let me conquer you.” Amidst all of the dismissive fare disguising itself as romance nowadays, Thomas turns the tables. He’s a man sincere and decisive in his declaration of love.

“Round Two,” also produced by Harris, finds our hero awakening from a night spent with a beautiful woman, and while the details of their previous passion are murky, he knows he wants it again. “Last night we went hard/look what we did baby/bring your body back around, the time is right now,” he coos in his familiar falsetto over a deep and sexy bass thump. The smoldering lead single “Don’t Kiss Me,” produced by Rico Love (Usher, Beyoncé), is a modern-day ode to the oldie R&B track offering Thomas’ signature vocal styling with a reminiscent touch of Al Green and Marvin Gaye for good measure. “It Ain’t Fair” reunites Thomas with Emotional collaborator Mario Winans; he continues his grown man and flirts with adulation, singing “She’s so perfect/flawless/gorgeous/so much it ain’t fair.” Winans’ magnetic, music works in perfect tandem with Thomas’ subtle yet urgent delivery. Thomas’ vocals are still his strongest calling card. “Running,” an all-or-nothing ultimatum and invite to love for life written and produced by award-winning producer Blac Elvis (Beyonce/Fergie) and “It Is What It Is,” a caught-in-the middle, cautionary tale written by hip-hop legend Heavy D and Mike Winans and produced by Rex Rideout (Ledisi), showcase his effortless ability to ride rhythms and skillfully ad-lib all at once.

An Instant Legend

Carl Thomas experienced the type of success with his first song that most artists never touch during their entire careers. “I Wish,” with its universal theme of lost love, is now a part of a songwriting canon. It’s a feat not lost on the singer. “I came out of the box and entered the Great American Songbook with ‘I Wish’. That’s what made it so special. There was no working up to it,” he says with more awe than conceit. “I remember being in the studio with Jay-Z (who sampled “I Wish” for his hit 2000 song “I Just Wanna Love You (Give It To Me)” featuring Pharrell) and he told me: ‘Whatever happens, remember that your debut album is one of the best foundations an R&B artist could ever ask for.’ I know now that when people talk about the album they are really referring to their personal connection to it.” He is even more excited about the potential of his newest offerings.

“I Do,” written by Thomas and produced by The Internz (Justin Bieber), may well become another classic. Stunningly pared down, this wedding song conveys the groom’s point of view as he watches his gorgeous bride walk down the aisle. “I can’t wait to call you by your new last name/I can’t wait to stare at our future in your eyes/And leave the past behind,” he sings.

While he wants to make timeless and genre-pushing music, his mission this time is even grander in scope. “I am supposed to help and inspire someone coming after me. The word “conquer” is an admittance that you’ve won. With the battles in my life over the past several years, I definitely consider myself victorious.”

Carl Thomas

“Don’t  Kiss Me”

Verve Music Group

Related Media

Carl Thomas

“I Wish”

From Emotional

Bad Boy/Arista Records

Carl Thomas

“Emotional”

From Emotional

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Carl Thomas

“Summer Rain”

From Emotional/Shaft 2000 Soundtrack

LaFace/Bad Boy/Arista Records

Miley Cyrus Lends Her “Liberty Walk” Track To Occupy Movement

November 29, 2011

Miley Cyrus "Liberty Walk" Hollywood Records

Pop singer Miley Cyrus  recently exploded on to the blogisphere with another viral video that is heating up in popularity.  No, it’s not about her Smoking Salvia, or an over reaction to her jokingly admitting to being “a stoner”  on a home movie amongst friends at a party.  This time it was in positive  reaction to her viral video montage made up of footage from different “Occupy” movements across the world.  In the video Cyrus released herself, the impressively edited piece takes the famed protest clips and rhythmically edits them to fit seamlessly with the sounds of her 2010 Can’t Be Tamed album cut called “Liberty Walk”.

It’s amazing to see how within a year’s time, a song that had little prior public presence can take on a cultural relevance that is much bigger than Cyrus’s herself.  Cynics may say she’s joining a long list celebs that are taking advantage of the movement for their own publicity gain, but the song has quickly become a wild spread popular tool that helps “Occupiers” to continue to spread their message. Because Miley is very well off personally it may be understandably hard for her to relate to the struggles of the movement the way some would like or expect, but it does appear that her heart is in the right place.  Her viral video is accompanied by an opener that reads: “This is dedicated to the thousands of people who are standing for what they believe in. Don’t give up! It’s a ‘Liberty Walk!’”

The “Occupy” movement has many layers with many opinions. Take a look at the video below and if it affects how you feel about the controversial issue.  We applaud your effort MIley.

Miley Cyrus

“Liberty Walk”

(Occupy Movement video)

Michael Buble Tells The Story Behind His Take On Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You”

November 22, 2011

Michael Buble "Christmas" 143/Reprise Records

Recently we told you about Michael Buble’s new holiday album, Christmas and all of his cool things involved with promoting it! As we mentioned previously, that album features Michael singing some of the world’s best known Christmas classics in only the way that he can. While the album features timeless songs  that have been performed by other major crooners of the past like Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, Michael’s first official single from the album however is his version of a modern classic from one of this generation’s greatest female talents.

 That single is a remake of Mariah Carey’s hit single, turned Christmas radio staple, “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” It was written by Mariah and Walter Afanasieff in mid 1994, originally for her holiday themed album, Merry Christmas from Columbia Records. It has proven to be one of the most popular Christmas songs in the modern day. Mariah’s version first hit the top 10 on multiple charts in January of 1995 after it’s first Christmas season of release. In December of that year the song returned to those charts and years to follow after as the song grew more popular. The song was first ineligible for inclusion on the Billboard Hot 100 during its original release, because it was not released commercially as a single. In 1998, however, this rule was removed and allowed the song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. It peaked at number 83 in January 2000.  The song went on to top the Hot Digital Songs in December 2005, but it was unable to gain a new peak on the Hot 100 because it was considered a recurrent single in radio rotation, and was thus ineligible for chart re-entry. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 Re-currents chart In December from 2005-2008. It has become the best-selling holiday ringtone, and it is the first holiday ringtone to be certified double-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America .

 Away from Mariah’s own success with the song, it has become one of the most covered Christmas songs from her era. Some of the people to cover the song include, Shania Twain, Olvia Olson, (Featured in the 2003 Universal Pictures’ film, Love Actually) Play, My Chemical Romance, The Cheetah Girls, Miley Cyrus, Whitney Duncan, John Mayer and many others In recent years the song was featured on Lady Antebellum’s 2010 holiday EP, A Merry Little Christmas, and was also covered by Big Time Rush and Miranda Cosgrove on Big Time Rush’s 2010 holiday EP, Holiday Bundle. Mariah has actually also covered the song, releasing new versions of the tune with her current label Island Def Jam, It was featured on her second Christmas album, 2010’s Merry Christmas II You. This year Mariah teamed up with her Island Records label mate, Justin Bieber to sing a duet version of her classic. Bieber’s version is featured on his hit 2011 holiday album, Under The Mistletoe.

 As we mentioned to you in a previous post, Michael Buble’s version is produced by David Foster with his production partner/engineer, Humberto Gatica and Bob Rock. David Foster is a 16 Grammy winner best known for producing career defining ballads for the likes of Chicago, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston among many others. His 143 Records has been responsible for developing the careers of such great vocal talents like, Josh Groban, Charice, and Michael Buble himself. Bob Rock’s credits as a producer include land mark Pop/Rock works ranging from Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet, and, Keep The Faith, several blockbuster album’s from Metallica, as well as Simple Plan’s Still Not Getting Any  and Michael Buble’s own 2007 album Call Me Irresponsible among many others. When you combine the influences of Foster, Gatica and Rock’s production  with Mariah’s classic song, you get a version of the song that is much less up tempo, more stripped down, but just as sincere and heart warming than the original if not more. It has a sounds like what would happen if you take the sound of Foster’s original 1992 Christmas composition, “Grown Up Christmas List” and combine it with the Mariah’s song lyrics, and Michael’s trademark vocals.  

 To come away with a unique take on a song as popular as “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” Michael knew he and his team needed to come up with a fresh idea to help make his version stand out. The inspiration behind making his version came from an arrangement that Michael’s bass player, Craig Polasko came up with. Back in October Reprise Records published a video telling the story behind the production of the song. Now that the song is being promoted as a single, we wanted to share it with all of you.

Michael Buble Recording “All I Want For Christmas Is You

143/Reprise Records

Michael Buble

“All I Want For Christmas Is You”

From Christmas

143/Reprise Records

Original Version

Mariah Carey

“All I Want For Christmas Is You”

From Merry Christmas

1994 Columbia Records

Other Mariah Carey Versions

Mariah Carey

“”All I Want For Christmas Is You” (Extra Festive 2010 Version)

From Merry Christmas II You

Island Records/IDJMG

Justin Bieber Featuring Mariah Carey

“All I Wamt For Christmas Is You” (Super Festive 2011 Version)

From Under The Mistletoe

RBMG/Island Records/IDJMG

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(Sound Starts 2 seconds in)

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The Cheetah Girls

“All I Want For Christmas Is You”

From Cheetah-licious Christmas

Walt Disney Records

John Mayer

“All I Want For Christmas Is You”

From WPLJ Benefit at Blythedale Childrens Hospital 2008

Big Time Rush Featuring Miranda Cosgrove

“All I Want For Christmas Is You”

From Holiday Bundle EP

Nickelodeon/Columbia Records

Lady Antebellum

“All I Want For Christmas Is You”

From A Merry Little Christmas EP

Capitol Records Nashville/EMI

David Foster Featuring Natalie Cole

“Grown Up Christmas List”

From River Of Love

World/A&M Records

Asher Roth Signs With Def Jam Records! New Album Due In March 2012

November 22, 2011

Asher Roth

(Nov. 22, 2011 – New York, NY)

Philadelphia-based rapper Asher Roth has announced that his sophomore album will drop on the legendary Def Jam Recordings in March of 2012. The follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2008 debut album Asleep In The Bread Aisle, Roth’s first Def Jam offering promises to be a significant step for the young star. “Def Jam is a great place to call home,” said Roth. “I’m excited to get back to the basics with good, honest music.”

 While working on his IDJ/SRC debut, Asher has kept his rabid fan-base satiated with a flood of new material online, including a lauded mixtape, 2010’s Seared Fois Gras With Quince And Cranberry, The Rawth EP- a free album with producer Nottz, plus countless singles, guest verses, and videos. Now, Roth prepares to leap back into the spotlight.“The Def Jam brand stands for quality, creativity, and authenticity,” said Steve Bartels, Island Def Jam President and COO. “We believe Asher Roth delivers all this and more. He’s a great fit for us and we look forward to delivering Asher’s special brand of great hip-hop music as only Def Jam can.” SRC Records CEO, Steve Rifkind, agrees. “Partnering up with Def Jam on Asher’s album is a great opportunity for all parties involved,” said Rifkind.

 His most recent project is the Pabst & Jazz Sessions, a collection of tracks by Asher, The Cool Kids’ Chuck Inglish, and production duo Blended Babies. The sessions collection will go on sale at iTunes December 20th with Asher’s proceeds going to The Philadelphia Hunger Coalition. For more on The Philadelphia Hunger Coalition: http://www.hungercoalition.org/

 Stay tuned for more on Def Jam’s newest star, Asher Roth…

Latest Single From Amy Winehouse’s New Album: “Our Day Will Come”

November 21, 2011

Amy Winehouse Lioness: "Hidden Treasures" Island Records

In many ways friends, family, and fans alike are still morning the untimely  loss of popular R&B Soul singer Amy Winehouse.  Thankfully fans will be able ease through their grief with help from the release of her posthumously released third album, Lioness: Hidden Treasures. The will features unreleased songs and demos hand picked by the projects producers  Mark Ronson, Salaam Remi, and Winehouse’s family.   Some stand out tracks that are set to be included on the album will be her duet famously recorded with Tony Bennett, “Body and Soul”, and her rendition of 1963′ number 1 hit “Our Day Will Come” by Ruby & The Romantics.

Winehouse’s cover of the Ruby & The Romantics hit appears to be stepping in  as Lioness: Hidden Treasures’ follow up to  ”Body and Soul” as the album’s second single. This may be thanks to the fact that Amy’s Reggae influenced version has been ramping up in popularity since it was released last week as a part of what has been described as a video tribute to her on Vevo. One interesting note idolator.com is reporting that the Winehouse rendition of “Our Day Will Come” was recorded when the singer was a teenager in 2002.

Though release dates may vary depending on the country, reports indicate that the album will be available internationally December second via the Universal Music Group. Lioness: Hidden Treasures.is being released “in aid of the Amy Winehouse Foundation”.  Preview the album’s featured tracks below.

Amy Winehouse

“Our Day Will Come”

From Lioness: Hidden Treasures

Island Records

Related Media:

Tony Bennett Featuring Amy Winehouse

“Body And Soul “

From Duets II/Lioness: Hidden Treasures

 Columbia Records & Island Records

Ruby &The Romantics

“Our Day Will Come” (1963)

RPM Records

SINGER/SONG WRITER/PRODUCER, BRUNO MARS SCORES 11TH TOP 10 HIT WITH “IT WILL RAIN”; Best Pop/Rock Male Artist Of The Year At 2011 American Music Awards

November 21, 2011

Bruno Mars At 2011 American Music Awards Dick Clark Productiosn/ABC Network

Elektra recording artist Bruno Mars has scored yet another top 10 single with “It Will Rain,” the first single from Summit Entertainment/Chop Shop/Atlantic’s recently released “THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – PART 1 – ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK.”  The track is currently bulleting its way to the upper reaches of Billboard’s “Hot 100” while also achieving top 10 sales on the “Hot Digital Songs” chart.

The success of “It Will Rain” marks the 11th top 10 single for Mars, following solo blockbusters like the multi-platinum #1 hits “Just The Way You Are” and “Grenade” – both featured on 2010’s 24x-worldwide platinum debut album, “DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS” – as well as songs written and co-produced by Mars in his role as one of The Smeezingtons (Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine), including fellow Elektra recording artist Cee Lo Green’s history-making “F**k You,” Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen recording artist Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire (Feat. Bruno Mars),” and “Nothin’ On You (Feat. Bruno Mars),” the #1 smash by Rebel Rock Entertainment/Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist B.o.B (see full list of top 10 hits attached).

In other news, Mars – who earlier this year took home a “Best Male Pop Vocal Performance” Grammy Award for “Just The Way You Are” – was among the big winners at last night’s American Music Awards, winning the prestigious “Pop or Rock Music/Favorite Male Artist” prize.  The victory comes soon after Mars’ triumph at MTV’s 2011 European Music Awards, where he received two awards, for “Best New Artist” and “Best Push Act.”  Other recent achievements for Mars include a “Best Male Video” award from the MTV Music Awards Japan (honoring “Just The Way You Are”) as well as two nominations for the upcoming 38th People’s Choice Awards (for “Favorite Male Artist” and “Favorite R&B Artist”).

Mars will celebrate the success of “It Will Rain” with an eagerly awaited live performance on Fox’s hit singing competition series, The X Factor, slated for Wednesday, November 23rd (check local listings).  What’s more, the award-winning superstar’s recent performance of “It Will Rain” alongside members of the The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 on the nationally syndicated The Ellen DeGeneres Show is scheduled for a Thanksgiving re-broadcast on Thursday, November 24th.  As if all that weren’t enough, Bruno is set to make a guest appearance on an upcoming episode of Sesame Street, airing on PBS stations nationwide on Friday, November 25th.

The “It Will Rain” companion video recently had its MTV premiere and is quickly proving another online sensation for Mars, earning over 6 million views and counting via the official Elektra Records YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-w3WfgpcGg.  In addition, the track’s audio version has also lit up YouTube, receiving over 20 million individual views thus far.

Mars has proved to be a global success with his 2010 debut album “DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS” reaching 3x Platinum certification in the UK this past week, making the album 24x Platinum worldwide

Mars is also currently receiving notable success as the featured vocalist on Lil Wayne’s single “Mirror” from the MC’s acclaimed album “CARTER IV.” The track debuted at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been receiving massive airplay at urban radio.

For more news and information, please visit: www.brunomars.com and www.elektra.com. 

(Full list of top 10 hits attached)

11 TOP 10 SINGLES FOR SINGER/SONGWRITER/PRODUCER 

BRUNO MARS

- All Songs Written and/or Produced by The Smeezingtons

11- Bruno Mars

“It Will Rain”

From Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 Soudrack

Summit Entertainment/Chop Shop/Atlantic Records

10- Bruno Mars

“The Lazy Song?

From DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS

Elektra/Atlantic Records

Bruno Mars

“Grenade”

From DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS

Elektra/Atlantic Records

Bruno Mars

“Just The Way You Are”

From DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS

Elektra/Atlantic Records

Songs by Other Artists Featuring Bruno Mars

Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa Featuring Bruno Mars

“Young Wild And Free” (Explicit)

From Mac And Devin Go To High School

Doggystyle/Rostrum/Atlantic Records

Bad Meets Evil Featuring Bruno Mars

“Lighters” (Explicit)

From Hell: The Sequel

Shady/Interscope Records

Travie McCoy Featuring Bruno Mars

“Billionare” (Explicit)

From Lazarus

Fueled By Ramen/Decaydance/Atlantic Records

B.O.B. Featuring Bruno Mars

From B.O.B. Presents: The Adventures Of Boby Ray

Rebel Rock/Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records

Songs Written For Other Artists

Cee-Lo Green

“Forget You”

From The Lady Killer

Elektra/Atlantic Records

Far East Movement Featuring Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic

“Rocketeer”

From Free Wired

Cherrytree/Interscope Records

Flo Rida Featuring Ke$ha

“Right Round”

From R.O.O.Ts.

Poe Boy Music Group/Atlantic Records

An Indepth Look at The Potential Of Google’s Highly Anticipated “Music Service”

November 16, 2011

Thomas Houston of online Tech trade magazine Theverge.com was the first to  break the story  on what is being described as “The Go To Event”.  Though specific details are limited, and appear to be on a need to know basis, The Verge is confidently trumpeted to the rest of us  that this event being held is for  Google’s developing “Google music”. Like it was discussed in previous reports, “Google Music” is suspected to be Google’s online music service with, “a twist”, that is expected to be a part of Google’s Google+  Google has declined to commenton specifics, leaving many of us eagerly waiting for the event later today.

In response to the buzz, CNet.com has music industry sources hinting at licensing  agreement details. With aid from their sources,  Cnet indicates that Google is proceeding with the launch of its music service without  currently having  agreements with  Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group. The word is that negotiations have been going on for some time now, and labels are in favor of Google entering the music game, it is simply a matter of each of the companies coming to terms that they think are fair.

Though they are the number 2 and 3 largest music companies in the country, odds are that coming to an agreement with Google will only be a matter of time for Sony and Warner. This is because deal precedence has already been set by  the industry’s largest major label conglomerate, Universal Music Group. This is important to note because historically UMG’s agreement’s with Google create a pattern that companies like Warner and Sony soon follow.  Therefore UMG’s recent agreement represents a strong possibility for  change in the structure of how digital music is bought, sold and promoted.

To see Google’s track record in this vain, all one needs to do is look at the music industry’s growing use of use of its subsidiary, Youtube. While the copyright aspects have been continually in debate, Google has consciously evolved Youtube’s direction to become an essential element for promoting music, or media of any kind.  Such a structure  fits in perfectly with Google’s plans to create a music service with a social networking attached via it’s Google+.  The “Google Twist” that brings it all together is the rumor that Google+ users will be able to use the network to distribute music from the music service to fellow Google+ using friends. According to the rumor, each of those friends would then get a free promotional listen of songs sent by Google+ friends as part of this new music service.  This will allow Google to extend its role in the “pollination” of a song to its audience beyond the circulation of music videos and low quality song clips on Youtube.

Similar to Spotify’s arrangement with Facebook, Google+ appears to be setting up to create a digitally enhanced word of mouth promotional system within its network of users.  In return, the logical assumption is that it will aid in stimulating online impulse buys via this music service’s “ITunes Like” functions.  However, Google’s apparent difference from Spotify and ITunes, is that through their shier size and influence, they will be able eventually take a systematic  approach in having a hands on role in every stage of promoting and and selling music and music related material.

To see this trend already in action all one needs to do it take a closer look at the strategies associated with Google and Youtube’s recent corporate moves.  The first major example is Google and Youtube’s game changing partnership with Vevo in 2009.  As we have discussed in previous articles, partnering with Vevo allowed Youtube and Google to lend its dominance to Vevo owners and licensees like Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, EMI, and Disney.  Through this game changing alliance  Google was able to really help them dominate in online promotional circulation. This Vevo spearheaded dominance set an unofficial standard in online music marketing. The stabilizing of that standard coincided with Warner Music Group eventually dropping their law suit inspired avoidance of Youtube, with its labels striking up their own deals with asimilar business model as  Vevo.

Now if we fast forward to 2011, Google and Youtube have spun off that model’s success into content licensing on a broader scale.  In March Google acquired pioneering broadband channel and viral video marketing master house, Next New Networks. (Next New Networks is known best for featuring stand out clips from producers, “Auto Tune The New”s, Obama Girl, and Epic Rap Battles Of History.)  Now within relatively recent days, Google has issued over 1,400 “Vevo like” licensing deals to  independent labels, and finalized Youtube content production budget for celebrities like Madonna, and Pharrell Williams.

This tells us that while they are going to use the success of these models to develop a wide variety of high quality  short form videos, mainstream music serves as Youtube, and therefore Google’s very logical and tangible back bone of easily viewed and legally licensed content.  To see how all of this would relate to Google+ and its mysterious music component, all one needs to do is take a step back and recognize Google+, Google Music, and  Youtube as different arms of the same body. Pre-music licensing  and Vevo, Youtube was a essentially an  advanced home movie distributor that shot up in popularity by hosting copyright infringed videos on such a high scale that it earned them a $2 billion law suit with MTV owning media giant Viacom.  If Google+ and Google Music were also forced to stand alone, they would have the daunting reality of competing with their perspective market dominators, Facebook, Spotify, ITunes, and Amazon.com. However, by working all of these elements together, in conjunction with the plans  and agendas of their licensing record label partners, they have a systematic tactical advantage that could make them  an invaluable facilitator of the digital record industry.  All music fans would have to do is continue to use Youtube and Google at a reliably growing rate. Since that’s exactly what’s already happening, we’ll just have to wait and see if Google lives up to the potential we think it has. If done right this could be the start of something big. Theverge.com will be airing Google’s highly antificpated Google Music press conference at 2pm Pacific Time live from LA.  We will keep you up to date on the story as it develops.