Chris Brown "Turn Up The Music" RCA Records

Multi-platinum selling superstar CHRIS BROWN is getting the party started early with his brand new single “Turn Up The Music,” being released to radio stations now!!! The track will be available at all digital music stores on February 14.

Written and produced by The Underdogs, the energetic track will appear on Fortune (RCA); the eagerly anticipated follow-up to Brown’s critically acclaimed 2011 release F.A.M.E. F.A.M.E has garnered 3 Grammy Awards nominations including Best R&B Album, and Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for his hit single “Look At Me Now.”

Brown is currently in the studio adding the finishing touches to Fortune. The official release date for Fortune will be announced soon.

Chris Brown

“Turn Up The Music”

From Fortune

RCA Records

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Fun

A long road of artistic soul searching, growth and development is paying off for Nate Ruess, Andrew Dost, and Jack Antonoff.  The trio of dedicated musicians is enjoying recently achieved success after they formed their Indie Pop band, Fun in 2008. New fans will credit that success to their infectiously catchy tune “We Are Young” featuring Clizbeats Featured Artist, Janelle Monae, and while in many ways this is true, die hard fans know that, it is the well deserved reward after years of hard work.

Now based in New York, New York , Fun was born out of the wake of Arizona Indie/Pop band The Format’s decision to break up, after the excitement of their grass roots following wasn’t matched with mainstream label support. Nate Russes then moved to New York leaving a band he had been a part of since he was a teenager. To make the best of a new situation in New York, Russess actively sought out the help of his music industry friends in order to help him make a new start.

While on that journey of rediscovery Ruess began collaborating with fellow displaced indie rocker formerly of Anathallo, Andrew Dost, and Jack, Antonoff, front man of Drive Thru Records, band Steel Train.   The collaborating trio became Fun. They partnered up with former Format producer, Steve McDonald to make their debut, Aim And Ignite. Canadian based Nettwerk Records released it in 2009.

Over all, Aim And Ignite was warmly received in the exclusive Indie Rock community that bands like The Format, and Steel Train were born out of. Much of the praised however, appeared to stem most from already familiar Steel Train and Format fans and critics that were infatuated with the novelty of Fun being an experimental twist on something from guys they already knew, and less from a newly exposed audience.

Deeper reasons for Aim And Ignite’s reception, and what it actually meant to the band would be debated amongst critics, but the best way we’ve seen it summed up was by Dave de Sylvia of spunkimusic.com, who recognized that their immense was there, it simply needed time to grow into itself.
“Aim And Ignite isn’t the most consistent pop album around,” but ultimately commended the album as “a superbly mixed and arranged album made by musicians who clearly understand the limits and potential of pop music.”

Ken Shane of Popdose.com also felt like there was defiantly something there, but they needed to find a presentation that better fit the quality of their talent. Shane called the album “an interesting and unusual listen.” He applauded the album’s songwriting and said “many of the songs are really good,” but thought the album’s production was too “cute”, and wondered if a shift in production’s presentation would make a bigger impact for the band.

To Fun’s credit, criticisms didn’t appear to deter them at all.  They continued to tour and network in the industry until they were ready to make their second album called Some Nights.  For the Some Nights production approach, Fun enlisted the help of Jeff Bhasker.  This was an important difference to note for the band.  Prior to working with Fun , Bhasker built a name for himself producing popular Hip Hop, and R&B acts like Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Bruno Mars, Drake, Brandy, and Birdman. Through that work, he has shown a keen ability to layer very dominate procession, key, and string sounds in a way that melodically surrounds, props up, and often thickens the vocal delivery of the performer.  It’s hard to say how much of that same stylistic influence found its way on to Some Nights, because Nate himself is a fantastic songwriter. That being said, after studying all of the available music from Fun, The Format, and Steel Train, he seems to have helped them find the consistency that they have been searching for, and hone it into a more powerful and direct musical statement.

The completion of Some Nights, then clicked with the major promotional efforts of their new label Fueled By Ramen Records. Fun’s lead single “We Are Young” struck a chord with the mainstream public very fast.  Within a matter of months it rose from tastemaker buzz, to being featured through the blockbuster promotion of a Chevy Sonic commercial and Fox shows Glee and American Idol. The best part of all of this is that it will give this truly talented band a chance to grow and effect the direction of the Pop mainstream while maintaining an artistic depth that will hopefully continue to enrich the Rock genre. Some Nights will be hitting stores February 21st.

Fun Featuring Janelle Monae

“We Are Young”

From Some Nights

Fueled By Ramen Records

Glee Cast Performing Fun’s “We Are Young”

Ryan Murphy Productions/20th Century Fox/Columbia Records

Fun

“Carry On”

From Some Nights

Fueled By Ramen Records

People Are Talking About Fun!

“Baroque indie-popsters make a counterintuitive play for the big time, slowing down for the massive sing-along chorus.”

USA Today

“This is the ultimate uplifting anthem to bring you into the weekend.”

Teen Vogue

“With their bold new video and bombastic new single, Fun. serve notice that 2012 may very well be their breakout year.”

MTV

“With a name like fun, how can you resist? More importantly, why would you want to?  Bubbly, pop-synth songs are nothing but pure, unadulterated fun.”

Paste

“Nate Ruess’ voice is legendary… [fun.’s] music is special.  To watch fun. is to perhaps watch the renaissance of Queen mixed with their own fresh approach to music.”

Janelle Monáe (Atlantic Records)

“Indie pop band fun. is irresistible.”

944 Magazine

“The band pays homage to ’60s and ’70s rock…. Ruess’ soaring, impassioned vocals easily draw comparisons to Freddie Mercury… [and fun.] should be commended for their infectious enthusiasm…”

Metromix

“…Awesome hook!!! FUN”

Bruno Mars (Elektra Records)

“Song of the Day: Fun ft. Janelle Monae: We Are Young”

Samantha Ronson (DJ)

Kart Perry "The One That Got Away" Capitol Records/EMI

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Feb. 1, 2012) — Current GRAMMY® nominee Katy Perry has been added

to the stellar lineup for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards® (www.grammy.com). Country artist

Dierks Bentley, rapper/actor Drake, GRAMMY winner Miranda Lambert, and Emmy® and Academy

Award® winner Gwyneth Paltrow will appear as presenters. Music’s Biggest Night® — hosted by twotime

GRAMMY winner LL COOL J — takes place live on Sunday, Feb. 12 at STAPLES Center in Los

Angeles and will be broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network

from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio worldwide via Dial Global, and

covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/thegrammys.

Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. For GRAMMY

coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy®’s social networks on Twitter

and Facebook: www.twitter.com/thegrammys, www.facebook.com/thegrammys.

Katy Perry is up for two awards: Record Of The Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for “Firework.”

Previously announced performers for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards include Adele (in her first live

performance since undergoing vocal cord surgery last fall); Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson; Glen

Campbell with The Band Perry and Blake Shelton; Coldplay and Rihanna; Foo Fighters; Bruno

Mars; Paul McCartney; Nicki Minaj; and Taylor Swift. Aldean, The Band Perry, Minaj, and Shelton

will perform on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time, while Adele, Campbell, Clarkson, Coldplay,

Foo Fighters, Mars, McCartney, Perry, Rihanna, and Swift are returning to the GRAMMY stage. LL

COOL J has hosted “The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest

Night” since its inception in December 2008, and this is his first time hosting the annual GRAMMY

Awards telecast.

The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich

Ventures for The Recording Academy®. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director,

and David Wild and Ken Ehrlich are the writers.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and

recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music

and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized

award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is

responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and

human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical

excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part

of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking

news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter, like “The GRAMMYs” on Facebook,

and join The GRAMMYs’ social communities on YouTube, Tumblr, Foursquare, GetGlue, and

Instagram.

Lil Wayne Featuring Bruno Mars "Mirror" Cash Money/Universal Republic Records

Last month we told you how Lil Wayne’s song “Mirror”, featuring Pop singer Bruno Mars went from deluxe bonus track, to the next officially released single from his album, The Carter IV.  The song grew by popular demand to become the highest charting song from the record that wasn’t originally intended to be a single.  This favorable reaction for all intensive prepossess made the song a single as a result. A music video was shot towards the end of last year, and it was officially published on Vevo yesterday, January 31^st. Take a look and see what all the buzz is about.

Lil Wayne Featuring Bruno Mars

“Mirror” (Explicit)

From Tha Carter IV

Cash Money/Universal Republic Records

, Don Cornelius'

The Los Angeles Police Department revealed earlier today that the body of legendary Soul Train host, Don Cornelius’ body was discovered dead around 4 a.m. in his Sherman Oaks, California., home. He was pronounced dead at 4:56 a.m. at Cedars-Sinai hospital from a a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

75 year old Cornelius was a disc jockey, who would then help make music history by launching the syndicated music show, Soul Train in 1970.The show started as a local show in Chicago, and took off nationally later that year.  It became a landmark platform for music in Black America. Like American Bandstand did for Rock and Roll/Pop music before it, Soul Train was historic platform for the black community’s impact on Pop culture with R&B/Soul music  It featured trend-setting black dancers as well as breakout performances from Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and, The O’Jays,  Barry White and others. The impact of Soul Train lead to Cornelius the annual Soul Train Awards as well.

Cornelius was host of Soul Train until 1993, and the show wrapped up in 2006 after 35 years, setting a record with the longest run in national syndication of any series ever.

Cornelius received a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, and in 1995, and was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame.

Despite his professional achievements,it was no secret that the man had a very troubled personal life. Cornelius was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence for beating his then-wife in 2008. He pled no contest and served three years probation. The couple divorced in 2010.

Soul Train

“The Hippest Trip In America”

(VH1 Rock Docs)

VH1

Nick Carter

The following statement was just released from Nick Carter in regards to his sister, Leslie’s passing.

Nick Carter is thankful to the many people and the fans who have shared their wishes and prayers during this tragic time. We want to let the fans know the tour will go on as promised. “Performing is cathartic to me and I am dedicating the rest of my tour to my sister since she loved to watch me perform.”  Also we ask that the press to respect Nick’s privacy during his time

Nick Carter’s Remaining US Tour Dates

2/02 – New York, NY at Irving Plaza
2/03 – Baltimore, MD at Rams Head
2/04 – Philadelphia, PA at Trocadero

Leslie Carter

Various news sources are reporting that Leslie Carter, sister to Pop stars Nick and Aaron Carter, has passed away at the young age of 25.  A publicist  representing the family states that Leslie died yesterday, Tuesday, January 31st, 2012.  All other details about her cause of death are being kept private at this time.

“Our family is grieving right now and it’s a private matter. We are deeply saddened for the loss of our beloved sister, daughter, and granddaughter, Leslie Carter,” the Carter family said in a statement. “We request the utmost privacy during this difficult time.”

Music and movie fans will be able to remember Leslie from when she was featured on The Shrek original movie soundtrack with her single, “Like Wow” in 2001.  She is survived by her husband Mike, and their infant daughter Alyssa Jane Ashton, who was born this past April.

Clizbeats.com visitors may know of our in-depth work with Leslie’s brother Nick.  In reaction to this sad news, we felt compelled to say that out of all of our years working in this industry, Nick has been one of the most kind, supportive, and genuinely caring celebrities we’ve ever befriended.  Our hearts goes out to  Nick and the rest of the Carter Family during this tragic time.

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Adele

Current GRAMMY nominee Adele will make her much anticipated return to the live stage on the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards. This will be her first time performing live in nearly five months since being forced to cancel a sold-out U.S. tour to undergo surgery on her vocal cords. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon.

“I’m immensely proud to have been asked to perform at this year’s GRAMMY Awards,” said Adele. “It’s an absolute honor to be included in such a night, and for it to be my first performance in months is very exciting and of course nerve-racking, but what a way to get back into it all.”

Two-time GRAMMY winner Adele has six nominations: Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best Short Form Music Video for “Rolling In The Deep”; Album Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for 21; and Best Pop Solo Performance for “Someone Like You.”

Previously announced performers for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards include Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson; Glen Campbell with the Band Perry and Blake Shelton; Coldplay and Rihanna; Foo Fighters; Bruno Mars; Paul McCartney; Nicki Minaj; and Taylor Swift. Aldean, the Band Perry, Minaj, and Shelton will perform on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time, while Adele, Campbell, Clarkson, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Mars, McCartney, Rihanna, and Swift are returning to the GRAMMY stage. LL Cool J, who has hosted “The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night” since its inception in December 2008, will be hosting the annual GRAMMY Awards telecast for the first time.

The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director, and David Wild and Ken Ehrlich are the writers.

The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards will take place live on Sunday, Feb. 12 at Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 8–11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio worldwide via Westwood One/Dial Global, and covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube.

Follow GRAMMY.com for our inside look at GRAMMY news, blogs, photos, videos, and of course nominees. Stay up to the minute with GRAMMY Live. Check out the GRAMMY legacy with GRAMMY Rewind. Explore this year’sGRAMMY Fields. Or check out the collaborations at Re:Generation, presented by Hyundai Veloster. And join the conversation at Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Graffiti6 "Colours" N.W. Free Music/Capitol Records

Have you heard the new and exciting sound of British Alternative/Soul duo, Graffiti6 yet? They have a cutting edge style and sound that is beginning to get a lot of attention here in the USA! Their debut album Colours was recently released by Capitol Records on January 24^th , and they made their very first late night TV appearance on January 13th, performing their hit single,”Free”  on ―The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. They made their national TV debut last month when they performed the single on ―The Rachael Ray Show.‖

 “Free”, the first single from Colours is climbing its way to the top of the AAA radio airplay charts where it is currently #9 and will impact the Hot AC format next month. It was selected as “Pick Of The Week” by USA Today, praising the track’s “bassline and singer Jamie Scott’s exquisite falsetto breaks.” Marie Claire described the song as “Pop at its most glorious” and called Jamie Scott’s falsetto  “swoon-worthy,‖ while Billboard said in their review of the track that Scott and producer TommyD “makes the art of crafting pop gems seem like the easiest task in the world.”

 The video for “Free” is currently in rotation on MTVU and VH1. It was featured as a “One to Watch” on last week’s VH1 Top Twenty Countdown.

Graffiti6 is currently on a nationwide tour with Sony recording artist Augustana on January 17th in Anaheim, CA, running through Feb. 7th in Atlanta, GA (full schedule below). They wrapped a tour last month with Latin singer-songwriter Xemina. 2011also saw them play Austin City Limits and shows with artists such as Fitz And The Tantrums, Oh Land, Talib Kweli and more.

 For those that do not already know, Graffiti6 is collaboration between singer/songwriter Jamie Scott and songwriter-producer TommyD. American Pop music fans will remember Jamie Scott as a featured artist on Jive Records’ 2006 soundtrack to Touchstone Pictures’ Step Up. Scott’s “Made” was featured on the soundtrack, and he played the role of “Colin” in the film. Jamie was originally signed as a solo artist to Jive’s parent company at that time, Sony BMG. But due to the corporate restructuring of Sony and BMG during their merger of 2004, his intended debut album, Soul Searching was never released. Scott also wrote and produced for other artists including Enrique Iglesias, JLS, One Direction, Nicole Scherzinger, Michael Kiwanuka

The other half of the duo is Writer/producer/DJ, TommyD, who has worked with, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Kylie Minogue, KT Tunstall and others. The first song they wrote together was “Stare Into the Sun.” The track was chosen to soundtrack a TV ad campaign for The Sun newspaper.

After Sony/ATV Music Publishing  submitted the song to The Sun newspaper, the exposure they got from the campaign encouraged Jamie and Tommy to write and record even more music. It would be the music that would become their debut album.

The band first decided to put out their music on their own label, N.W. Free Music. That music was then exclusively licensed to Capitol Records for further distribution.  

That music was praised in a five-star review of from London newspaper The Independent raving that the album “a mélange of pop, psychedelia, R&B, and British Northern Soul.” It goes on to say that they have a soul that “sparkles with invention and throbs with emotion”. They are now beginning to finally ready to break state-side with the release of Colours. Graffiti6’s songs have been heard on Grey’s Anatomy, Covert Affairs, CSI: NY, One Tree Hill, Parenthood, Chelsea Settles, Basketball Wives and the MTV series Teen Wolf. MTV has also featured the group in its Freshmen 5, Artist to Watch, and Push campaigns.

Graffiti6

“Free”

From Colours

N.W. Free Music/Capitol Records

Graffiti6

“Stare Into The Sun”

Sun TV

Graffiti6

“Annie You Save Me”

From Colours

N.W. Free Music/Capitol Records

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 Graffiti on tour with Augustana:

01/17 Anaheim, CA House of Blues

01/18 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre

01/19 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall

01/21 Seattle, WA The Crocodile

01/22 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge

01/24 Salt Lake City, UT Club Sound

01/25 Denver, CO Bluebird Theater

01/27 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater

01/28 Chicago, IL Park West

01/30 Ann Arbor, MI Blind Pig

01/31 Boston, MA Paradise

02/01 New York, NY Gramercy Theatre

02/03 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of the Living Arts

02/04 Washington, DC 9:30 Club

02/06 Charlotte, NC Visulite Theatre

02/07 Atlanta, GA Vinyl