Sunday, December 23, 2012
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
New Music: Phonte ft Carlitta Durand- Gonna Be a Beautiful Night
Phonte just released a new music video for Gonna Be a Beautiful Night. Not only was I excited to see some newness from Phonte, I was surprisingly shocked to see one of my favorite jewelry artist Rachel Stewart in the video. Come to find out the baldhead fella in the video is her real life maaaaaaaaan. Kudos to them. Such a cute couple! Enjoy the video.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Sneak Preview: Solange- Losing You
Remember a couple weeks ago, Solange was seen shooting her new video in South Africa? Well here is a little taste. Her new single Losing You will premiere October 2nd. Btw suck and blow takes me back to my childhood. Enjoy!
Friday, August 17, 2012
New Music: Flying Lotus ft Erykah Badu- See Thru to U
Flying Lotus just released his new single, from his highly anticipated album, Until The Quiet Comes, which drops October 2. This song is a perfect blend of jazz, "african" drums, and Baduism. Enjoy!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
New Music Video: Brandy ft Chris Brown-Put It Down
It's about time Brandy premiered her video for Put It Down. Homegirl got some serious dance lessons! Yaaaaaaaaaaaas! I love it! Frank Gatson, choregrapher for Beyonce, brought the best out of Brandy. Frank can make anybody look good! #Starsunite!!
Saturday, August 11, 2012
New Video: Jhene Aioko- 3:16 AM
I love this girl! She's not just a pretty face. Jhene can actually sing. Enjoy the video.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Peter Hadar: A Hidden Treasure
Last week, I got an opportunity to catch up with Peter Hadar at his performance at J. Crew. We talked about his latest EP, upcoming projects and how his mom felt after watching his videos. I discovered Peter back in 2008, and today I'm still surprised that he isn't as well known as I think he should be. Hopefully, after this interview, he'll gain some new fans. Check it out!
Chanel Laren: Most of your album titles have been off the wall? How'd you come up with them? (ie. She's 4 Months, Take off Victoria, Well Dressed for the Art Show)
Peter Hadar: I'm a weirdo. She's 4 Months came from a song I did with Nicolay. Nicolay didn't want to put it out, so I put it out anyway. The soul community gravitated to it very well, especially when I put out a song called Watermelon. I made my first baby making album my way. If you listen to it, it's not your average baby making album. I went kind of left with it. She's 4 months is just saying after you listen to the album, she should be pregnant.
CL: Do you come up with the concept of the album first or do you record the songs first?
PH: I typically come up with the album title first and then build from there. If you're a R&B dude what else is there to talk about besides women? You can write message music. Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye wrote message songs after their hits. I have to cultivate my fan base first.
CL: You have a lot of EPs, why don't you put out a full blown album?
PH: Right now, we're in a digital age and it's so competitive with people putting music online. It's not the most inexpensive thing to put out a project, especially the way that I would want to put it out. I pay for studio time. I don't record or mix my own music. She's 4 Months did well for me. If it's not broke, why fix it. If you put out a big project, you really need to go on a strong campaign. Not that I can't do that, these are just concept albums and that's more of the reason why I put out EPs. Keep the fans wanting more.
CL: What's your take on this mixtape trend right now?
PH: Mixtapes are way too long. I don't want people to say "I don't know who this dude is and why is his mixtape so long". I want to give people a taste of it and then give them more. When it gets to the point of fans saying we need a whole album, then I'll definitely give them what they want.
CL: I always get your emails from The Honor Program about your shows in New York. When are you coming to the DMV?
PH: I have a show in DC July 13th. I have new material so I'm trying to tour as much as possible.
CL: I love your style. Where do you get your fashion sense from?
PH: I'm a magazine addict, so I get a lot of ideas from websites, magazines and just from living in New York. I love Highsnobiety, Nylon and Paper magazines.
CL: Describe your live shows in one sentence.
PH: It's like you're in a underground soul capsule.
CL: Which musicians did you look up to growing up?
PH: My father was a contemporary gospel singer, so I listened to Commission and the Crouches. Gospel is all we listened to in the house. I didn't get into R&B until high school.
CL: Your music is really sexy and so are your videos. How would you describe it?
PH: I would have to agree, it is sexy. I've been getting some flack from the ladies lately about my videos. I don't want to be pigeon holed into it, because I can write all types of songs. I just like everything sexy. I love all types of women. I don't think the media presents women in a beautiful way. Provocative for sure...but not beautiful. My mom's a minister and she recently saw my Body video. I explained everything to her. She understood what it was.
CL: What else can we expect from you this year?
PH: My new project is called Entree's Gourmet. It's a little bit more progressive with bigger records. It should be out this fall.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Miquel- Arch and Point
Say what you want about Miquel, but dude makes some pretty cool music. Don't sleep on him. Download his Art Dealer Chic series. (If you're late finding out about this, good luck locating a download link)
New Music Video: Dawn Richard- Bombs
I always knew Dawn would leave Danity Kane and Dirty Money and do her solo thang. That girl can sing *in my Coming to America voice*! Make sure yall stop by iTunes and cop her Armour On EP. Enjoy!
Yasiin Bey & Dead Prez Tribute to Trayvon Martin
In the words of The All Mighty Mos aka Yasiin Bey "if this aint for a purpose, then what is".
Saturday, March 10, 2012
New Music Video: Usher-Climax
Love this song, but I don't understand the video at all. Am I the only one lost after watching Usher in action? Enjoy!
Big K.R.I.T. performs 4Eva N A Day on Sway In The Mornings
Big K.R.I.T. is so country but I love him. Get familiar!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Robert Glasper Experiment ft Bilal and Lupe on David Letterman
Black Radio is already the best album of 2012 and it just came out 3 days ago. Doubt anything else tops it this year. Check out this performance.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Monica & Brandy Perform on Jay Leno
Monica and Brandy reunite after 14 years to perform their new single It All Belongs To Me, which is featured on both of their upcoming albums. Although, I'm a fan of both of them, I CAN NOT wait for Brandy's new material. We all know she'll sing Monica under a rug any day. Check it out!
New Music Video: Daley ft Marsha Ambrosius- Alone Together
This song is hot sex on a platter. As corny as it sounds, it's true. Those two sultry voices on one track are simply amazing! I must admit when I first heard the song last year, I thought Daley was a woman. No pun intended. I stand corrected LOL. Enjoy!
New Music Video: Stacy Barthe-Comfy Little Coffin
I first caught wind of songwriter and singer Stacy Barthe during Brandy and Ray J's reality TV show a year or two ago. At that time, she was in the studio working on some songs for Brandy. Since then I knew homegirl had pipes. Last year, she dropped Sincerely Yours mixtape,which in my opinion was one of the best mixtapes of 2011. If you're not familiar with this chick, then what are you waiting for. Check her out!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Live Performance: Mos Def- Umi Says
Look what I stumbled across. I'm super pissed that I wasn't there. Enjoy!
Friday, January 13, 2012
The Making of Robert Glasper Experiment EPK
I don't think you understand how excited I am for this album to drop! So far I've heard about 5 songs from Robert Glasper Experiment's Black Radio album and my ears are more than happy. I'm just going to go out on a limb and say that this is going to be one of the best albums of 2012. The guest appearances alone should peak your curiosity. Lala Hathaway, Erykah Badu, Bilal, Lupe, Yasiin Bey (Mos Def), Stockley from Mint Condition. Need I say more? Make sure you get 2 copies when it drops February 28th. Enjoy!
Monday, January 9, 2012
New Video: Jesse Boykins II- Zoner (Demo)
Jesse Boykins III just released the video for his song "Zoner" off his latest EP The Way of the Wayfrarer. The video was shot and directed by Dr. Woo in Berlin. Check out Jesse and his naked lady friends looking like Prince Hakeem and his flower bearers from Coming to America.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Phonte- Dance In the Reign
Phonte's debut album Charity Starts at Home was undoubtedly one of the best hip hop albums of 2011. It may have gone under the radar but I still play CSH to death. Enjoy the visuals for one of my favorite songs off the album.
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