Artist Of The Month

Singer/songwriter Matisse is no stranger to the spotlight. She began appearing on TV at six months of age on “One Life To Live” and by the age of 15 she was a popular spokes-model for the successful hair care brand John Frieda and signed to The Ford Agency. But now at 23 years old it’s always been about music.

From an early age Matisse gravitated toward music, finding inspiration in the songs of Michael Jackson, Prince, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. Whether singing along to Motown with family, putting on impromptu concerts with friends or taking the stage with her Dad and his band, she always had a tendency to steal the show.  “My family is very musical and I grew up listening to everything from rock and roll, to pop, soul, the blues you name it.  I definitely inherited my parent’s love of music, and was influenced by their diverse tastes.” Evidently music is an innate family trait. Matisse and her twin sister Alex honed their craft from an early age which led to a stint as a duo with Universal Music.  Now, after years of writing, recording and fine-tuning her sound, Matisse is ready for her close-up.

Like the famous painter with whom she shares her name, Matisse refuses to follow convention and instead sings to the beat of her own drum.  “Over the years people have tried to make me into something I’m not,” Matisse says, “but I’m not interested in being the next ‘so and so’ or compromising myself to be a one hit wonder.  I want to make music that I like and that I can be proud of.”

Matisse has been working with some of the biggest names in music such as Dallas Austin, Tricky Stewart, The Dream, Ne-Yo, Stargate and Kevin Rudolf.  As a result, she has compiled a collection of songs that define her as bold, colorful, strong and determined; someone ready to be heard.  “I’ve been writing, recording and performing for years now. I’m definitely ready for this.”

Her background and experience make Matisse a unique – and sometimes surprising – personality.  “My family likes to tease me because I’m fiercely independent and freedom loving, yet I don’t have my driver’s license.  They think it’s funny that I can be equally enthralled with “The Star” magazine as I am with “Anna Karenina.”

As Tricky Stewart says, Matisse “brings the entire package to the table: great songwriting, strong vocals and explosive live performance”.

Meet Matisse.

(Press Play Button on bottom left to hear music)

Def Jam Prepares For The WU Massacre

(New York, NY) Cosmic forces of destiny unite three mortals in world-shaking times, as Def Jam recording artists – and Wu-Tang Clan brothers-for-life –  Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon join forces on WU MASSACRE, an historic collaboration that takes Wu science and theology to the next step on hip-hop’s evolutionary grid.  (Tentative tracklist, song titles and guest artists appear below, subject to change.)

WU MASSACRE, which arrives March 30th in the physical and digital marketplace, will be preceded by the soulful street single “Our Dreams,” starring the legendary Wu-Tang Clan’s three most dynamic MCs, Meth, Ghost, and Rae and produced by RZA for Wu-Tang Productions. For an added tug on the heart-strings, “Our Dreams” samples Michael Jackson’s mid-’70s hit as a 17-year old, “We’re Almost There.”

In addition to “Our Dreams,” Meth, Ghost and Rae take the trio spotlight on two more tracks: the thunderous opener “Criminology 2.5” and “Miranda.” Ghost and Meth take the lead on “It’s That Wu Sh*t.” On the “Smooth Sailing” Remix, Ghost and Meth are joined by Solomon Childs and Streetlife.  On “Gunshowers,” Meth and Ghost are joined by fellow WTC rapper Inspectah Deck and Sun God.  “Youngstown Heist” features Trife, Sheek and Bully.

In addition to RZA, WU MASSACRE features a number of guest producers, starting with Mathematics on “Mef vs. Chef,” “Dangerous,” “Miranda,” and “Made Men.” Scram Jones produced “Youngstown Heist” and “It’s That Wu Sh*t.” E Meal produced “Pimpin’ Chipp.” And Ty Fyffe produced the “Smooth Sailing” Remix.

The springtime arrival of WU MASSACRE follows a busy year of album releases and performance schedules by all three artists:

Ghostface Killah returned as The Wizard Of Poetry (released September 2009), his 6th Def Jam album (and 10th major label album).  The Wiz focused on duets with an A-list of guests including Raheem DeVaughn (on the first single, “Baby”), Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Fabolous, Lloyd, Vaughn Anthony & Estelle, and others.  Ghost spent July and August with Method Man and Redman, keeping the Wu-Tang Clan spirit alive and well on the month-long, 21-city Foot Print in Hip-Hop Tour.

Raekwon aka The Chef gave WU fans something to believe with the long-awaited Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II (also released September 2009), which spun off a pair of all-star singles: “New Wu” featuring Meth and Ghost, produced by RZA; and “House of Flying Daggers” featuring Meth, Ghost, GZA, and Inspectah Deck, produced by J. Dilla.  CLII is the sequel to Rae’s groundbreaking solo debut of 1995, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, one of the very first solo albums released by a W-TC member after the group’s 36 Chambers entry back in ’93.  Rae spent the summer 2009 on the massively successful Rock The Bells Tour alongside GZA, RZA, Nas, Damian Marley, the Roots, Ice Cube, Common, and others.

Always larger than life, Method Man is still basking in the glow of Blackout! 2 (released May 2009), his critic­ally acclaimed collaboration with Redman. It was the long-awaited sequel (ten years!) to Meth and Red’s RIAA platinum Blackout, a defining hip-hop event of 1999 (with “Tear It Off,” “Y.O.U.,” and “Da Rockwilder”).  Blackout! 2 blasted off with a trifecta of new single releases showing off Meth and Red at their very best: “A-Yo” featuring Saukrates, produced by Pete Rock; “Mrs. International” featuring Erick Sermon, produced by Buckwild; and “City Lights” featuring Bun B, produced by Nasty Kutt.

WU MASSACRE (tentative track listing):
1.  “Criminology 2.5” featuring Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Method Man.
2.  “Mef vs. Chef” featuring Rhythm Roots Allstars, produced by Allah Mathematics.
3.  “Ya Moms” skit featuring Method Man and Raekwon.
4.  “Smooth Sailing” Remix featuring Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Solomon Childs and Streetlife, produced by Ty Fyffe.
5.  “Our Dreams” featuring Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Method Man, produced by RZA.
6.  “Gunshowers” featuring Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck and Sun God, produced by Digem Tracks Productions.
7.  “Dangerous” featuring Rhythm Roots Allstars, produced by Allah Mathematics.
8.  “Pimpin’ Chipp” featuring Rhythm Roots Allstars, produced by E Meal.
9.  “How To Pay Rent” skit featuring Tracy Morgan.
10.  “Miranda” featuring Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Method Man, produced by Allah Mathematics.
11.  “Youngstown Heist” featuring Trife, Sheek and Bully, produced by Scram Jones.
12.  “It’s That Wu Sh*t” featuring Ghostface Killah & Method Man, produced by Scram Jones.

The “Joy” of Fee Fee’s New Music (and more)

(New York, NY) Fefe Dobson has completed her new album, JOY, scheduled for May release on 21 Music / Island Records.  JOY follows-up Fefe Dobson, her self-titled debut, which generated JUNO Award nominations for Best Pop Album and Best New Artist.   In advance of JOY, the first single “I Want You” will impact at pop radio on March 2nd (the digital song available now).  In addition, Fefe Dobson has been picked for VH1’s You Oughta Know program kicking off April 5th.
“I Want You” was heard in the trailers for Drew Barrymore’s roller derby directorial debut, Whip It, and is currently being heard on STARZ promos over the next three months.  “I Want You” has also been heard on television in The Vampire Diaries, and in promos for VH1’s Megan Wants a Millionaire.  The song was also included – in Simlish version, of course – on EA’s 6-million selling SIMS 3 World Adventures videogame.  Another song from JOY, “Watch Me Move” was recently featured on American Idol’s final 24 episode,  heard on promos for CW’s America’s Next Top Model, the theme of VH1’s The Cho Show (starring Margaret Cho), and NBC’s Lipstick Jungle.  “Watch Me Move” digital song will be released on March 19th.

The videos for “I Want You” and “Watch Me Move” – as well as Fefe’s mashup mix of “I Want You To Watch Me Move” – were all added last year on MTV, MTV2, mtvU, MTV Hits, MTV.com, VH1.com, The N Network, and Logo.  Excerpts of “I Want You” and “Watch Me Move” are posted on http://www.myspace.com/fefedobson, which boasts over 4.1 million total plays, and over 1.7 million profile views.

Fefe Dobson’s #1 Billboard Heat­seekers debut album contained the back-to-back Top 40 Mainstream singles “Take Me Away” (an MTV TRL, MTV2, and MTV.com hit in ’03) and “Everything” (in ’04).  In addition to “Everything” (heard in the CW’s One Tree Hill, and The Perfect Score movie soundtrack), other songs by Fefe surfaced in movie sound­tracks for Raising Helen (“If You Walk Away”) and It’s a Boy Girl Thing (“Be Strong”), as well as FOX-TV promos for Fringe (“Paranoia”).

Fefe is a prolific writer whose songs have included Miley Cyrus’ single (“Start All Over” on Hannah Montana 2) and has been covered over the years by a variety of artists including Jordin Sparks (“Don’t Let It Go to Your Head” on Battlefield), and Selena Gomez (“As A Blonde” on Kiss & Tell).  In addition, the highly photogenic Fefe enjoys a sideline career as a spokes­person, and has been photographed for dozens of magazine features. Among her credits, she was seen in the popular “Got Milk?” ads, and Tommy Hilfiger campaigns.

On Set With B.O.B: Behind The Scenes of “Nothin’ On You”

Shout Out to Clizbeats Artist of The Month B.O.B aka Bobby Ray!  He and Bruno Mars got together recently shot the music video for his hit single “Nothin’ on You” steadily climbing the charts.  Grand Hustle/Atlantic hooked us up with a bunch of stills so we could show all of ya the behind the scenes scoop on how it all went down.  Be on the look out for our interview coming soon.

Enjoy-

Kris Allen Follows The Script For Hit Single

The following audio extra is a  bonus clip from our interview with Glen  Power of Pop/Rock band, The Script.  In this Bonus Clip, Glen discusses the fact that The Script had originally wrote and recorded what later became the lead single for American Idol, Kris Allen, entiled “live Like We’re Dying.”  Glen Discusses his appreciation for Kris, and how this unexpected collaboration happened.  Continue to check back with us here at Clizbeats for more on The Script and the rest of Glen’s full length interview being published soon.

Glen Power Interview

Download Clip Here If Needed (Right Click Save Target As)

Full Interview with The Script Coming Soon!

“Every band with a single this year has a mission: beat “Break Even” by The Script. Oh, yah… good luck.” – John Mayer Via Twitter

Check Out More From The Script

The Script “Breakevem”

From Th Script

Phonogenic/RCA/Epic Records

More From Kris Allen

Kris Allen

“Live Like We’re Dying”

From Kris Allen

19/Jive Records/JLG

Audio Feature Credits

Host: Matt Clizbe

Interviewers: Craig Clizbe & Matt Clizbe

Produced, Mixed & Engineered By; Craig Clizbe

Special Thanks

Glen Power, The Script, Nathalie Levey, Think Tank Marketing, Epic Records, Phonogenic Records, RCA Records, RCA Music Group, Jive Label Group, Sony Music Entertainment

Clizbeats Productions Presents: Justin Bieber Before He Was A Star (Extended Interview From “Justin Bieber: Welcome To ‘My World’”)

Justin Bieber "My World 2.0" Island Records/Island Def Jam Music Group

Clizbeats featured artists Justin Bieber has easily become one of the most famous and popular Pop stars that we have gotten to talk to right when he was getting started. We are veyr happy to be able to tell the story of such a natural talent that many have grown to love in 2009! Due to popular demand accompanied with the anticipation for the release of his second album, My World 2.0, Clizbeats has decided to release the full unedited conversation we were lucky enough to have with teen sensation, Justin Bieber! We also have to give sincere heart felt thanks to Justin, our friends and supporters at Island Def Jam, and Scooter Braun’s camp. Thanks agian!

HERE IS THE FULL UNEDITED JUSTIN BIEBER INTERVIEW 17:04

( ORIGINALLY RECORDED IN JUNE 2009 BEFORE THE RELEASE OF THE VIDEO FOR “ONE TIME”)

(this quicktime player may take some time to load due to how long it is any problems feel free to download it)

Download Justin’s Interview Here! (Right Click Save Target As)

Check Out Justin’s new video

“Baby” Featuring Ludacris

from My World 2.0

Island Records/IDJMG

Audio Feature Credits

Interviews By Craig Clizbe & Matt Clizbe

Produced Mixed & Engineered By: Craig Clizbe

Production Assistant: Allison Kaye

Special Thanks
Justin Bieber, Scooter Braun, Allison Kaye, Dana Meyerson, Biz 3, Laura Swanson, Aishah White, Adesina Dowers,   Alexandra Bianchi, Biz 3 Island Records, Island Def Jam Music Group

Forgetting Sarah Marshal: The Diddy Remix

After making an indelible mark in the Hip Hop world, Mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has consistently made efforts to expand and diversify his ventures in anything that would further the human brand that is Sean “Puff Daddy P. Diddy Diddy”Combs  Now he is very sincerely placing his ambitious finger print on the world of comedy, in a way that only he can.   Combs teams up with Judd Apotow’s comedic rat pack responsible for films like, 40 Year Old Virgin, Funny People, and Forgetting Sarah Marshal, for the Sarah Marshal spin off Get Him To The Greek.  Co Staring Russle Brand and Jonah Hill, Get Him To The Greek comes off as a comedic feature film version of  VH1’s I Want To Work For Diddy.

From the start, it is quite  obvious that his role was tailor made for him by the films writers, Forgetting Sarah Marshal star Jason Seagle and Nicholas Stoller. Combs plays an eccentric record executive, Sergio Roma, who while on a quest for the next big hit, grants his eager intern Aaron Green.  (Jonah Hill) the responsibility to retrieve and babysit rock star Aldous Snow (Russell Brand ) who has very distinctly relapsed to an addiction to drugs and alcohol.  The music world is all over this thing.  In addition to Diddy, the movie also features appearances from Katy Perry, Christina Aguliera , Pink, Lars Ulrich, Dee Snyder, and Clizbeats featured artist Pharrell Williams.

Take s look..

Get Him To The Greek

Universal Pictures/Spyglass Entertainment

Free B.O.B Concert Webcast 2/18/10 Right Here!

Tune Into B.O.B.'s Official Site www.bobatl.com for a free concert 2/18/10

Clizbeats.com has joined Rebel Rock/Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records in a very cool webcast of a free concert from our Artist Of The Month, B.O.B. aka Bobby Ray.

***TUNE IN TOMORROW***

B.o.B AKA BOBBY RAY PERFORMS LIVE CONCERT WEBCAST

 IN ATLANTA FEBRUARY 18^th  

WHO:

             Rebel Rock / Grand Hustle /

Atlantic recording artist B.o.B AKA

BOBBY RAY.

WHAT:           B.o.B will perform a LIVE concert webcast for all his fans this Thursday.  Celebrating the new release date of his highly anticipated debut album, “B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray” IN STORES & ONLINE APRIL 27^th!

                        WHEN:          Thursday, February 18^th

 TIME:              8:00 PM EST

                       WHERE:        Check out the performance on his official website: 

http://www.bobatl.com/

Check out B.O.B.’s first Official single

“Nothin’ On You” Featuring Bruno Mars

Clizbeats Productions Presents “All About ‘Almost Alice’”

"Almost Alice" Album-Soundtrack to Disney's Alice In Wonderland 2010

Walt Disney Records was kind enough to round up some of the artists who are featured on the soundtrack to Walt Disney Pictures’s 2010 “Alice In Wonderland”, Almost Alice  The following is a compilation of conversations with various artists Disney put together for us. Take a look and enjoy! Almost Alice is the Pop/Rock version of the soundtrack with an aditional score soundtrack composed by Danny Elfman. Almost Alice  is in stores on March 2nd, 2010 via Buena Vista/Walt Disney Records/Disney Music Group

MARK HOPPUS – “In Transit”

“I have been a huge fan of Alice in Wonderland my entire life, so much so that Blink-182 named our first album “Cheshire Cat.”  Tim Burton is an absolute hero of mine and when I first heard about this project, his participation and Johnny Depp playing the part of the Mad Hatter, I was excited beyond words.  To be a part of this film by having a song on the “Almost Alice” album, I feel like I can check a life goal off of my list!”

 SHINEDOWN – Brent Smith – “Her Name Is Alice”
“Lewis Carroll wrote, in our opinion, one of the most imaginative pieces of literature ever published (Alice in Wonderland). He created a world of pure beauty and chaos all wrapped up into story of nonsense that, oddly enough, makes total sense.  ‘Her Name Is Alice’ was an honor to write as it expresses how the story and the movie inspired us to create the song. Imagination is a powerful thing and we think that everyone should dream a little bit more and stare through their own looking glass…..just like Alice.”

 OWL CITY – Adam Young – “The Technicolor Phase”

 ”I’ve always loved the quirky, imaginative vibe of Alice in Wonderland because it’s so expressive and colorful. Needless to say, I’m thrilled to be a part of recreating such a timeless classic.”

3OH!3 – Nat Motte– “Follow Me Down”

 “Let us see… sometimes everyone eats a little cake and thinks about growing up. We were decidedly late in the making, but running in circles posed no problem. We kept our heads and managed to keep our heads on…firmly and positively on. Did we finish our conversation?”

 ALL TIME LOW – Alex Gaskarth – “Painting Flowers”

“”Painting Flowers” is a song inspired by the story’s exploration of blind faith, a concept made most prominent in the exchanges between the Queen of Hearts and the playing cards who serve under her. The cards fear her wrath, and bend to her will unquestioningly, portrayed in the original Disney film’s song, “Painting the Roses Red”. We revisited that concept, and its application to real life in “Painting Flowers,” — a song about coming to terms with, and finding comfort in your own spirituality.”
PLAIN WHITE Ts – Tom Higgenson – “Welcome to Mystery”

 “The day before I found out about “Almost Alice,” I had just finished this very trippy, haunting song in my hotel room. It’s all about using your imagination to run away from life to a new town that you create in your mind. Tim Burton has always been one of my favorite directors, and I thought the song fit the theme of the movie perfectly!”

METRO STATION – Mason Musso – “Where’s My Angel”

 “Growing up, Alice in Wonderland was a movie I would put on and it would always spark my imagination and creativity. Being a huge Tim Burton fan I can’t wait to see his spin on such a great classic. I am so excited and honored to be a part of it.”

GRACE POTTER AND THE NOCTURNALS – “White Rabbit”

 “The first time I heard Jefferson Airplane’s White Rabbit, I was transfixed.  The recording is the perfect manifestation of rock n’ roll and fantasy, storytelling and musicianship. It’s stirring from 

the inside out. My band, The Nocturnals, actually learned the song last year for a documentary about Woodstock and we’ve played it live ever since. I watched Disney’s Alice in Wonderland (the classic cartoon) as a kid and I always loved it, but when I heard they were remaking it I was out of my skin. I saw the preview in 3D and almost spilled my drink! Lewis Carroll’s ‘Through the Looking Glass’ is one of the only books I ever read more than once. We were in the studio 

making our new album and Bob Cavallo, being a classic rock junkie, suggested that we put it in the can just for kicks, so we recorded it in 1 take. Tim Burton’s vision is so wonderfully skewed, I wanted to bring that same energy to the track (which might explain the creepy backwards piano and eerie laughter).  I am so honored to be a part of this compilation. One of my ultimate fantasies has come to life!”

THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS – John Flansburgh – iTunes Exclusive – “You Are Old, Father William”

 ”Like half the people in the world and probably everyone on this album, I grew up deeply involved with the story of Alice in Wonderland, and we always intrigued by the poem Alice recited to the 

caterpillar. “You Are Old, Father William” was a brilliant introduction to the world of fantasy and absurdism. When we were approached about the album it was an obvious choice to turn that verse  into a song. The only alteration we did was repeat the line “You are old!” which seemed in keeping with the spirit of the story.”

Feature Credits

Special Thanks,

Maria Kleinman, Buena Vista/Walt Disney Records

We Are The World For Haiti Premiere!

We Are The World 25 For Haiti

Today (Feb 12, 2010) during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Olympics, NBC Universal premiered the music video for the 25th anniversary edition of “We Are The World”, also known as “We Are The World For Haiti.” All proceeds from the song and video downloaded on ITunes, as many already know will be donated to help the efforts to help those suffering in Haiti. Please take a look at the music video right here.

The artists involved in the song include

For More Information Please Visit

http://www.wearetheworldfoundation.org