A writer blogs on her thoughts, and experiences with music from independent, unsigned, and unfamiliar artist. This urban girl presents: A Different World of Music.
"The best expression is self expression . The stage is my
gun , my songs are the bullets and the people are my targets"- Olamide Faison
Video: Olamide "Dear Lamz" Live at the Bitter End
( I love this Song!!!)
Jamal Hampton fromImajin is on drums
I was going to title this blog, "Hey, do you remember this guy?" but I decided not too. If your old enough to remember the 1999 hit "Shorty (You Keep Playin with My Mind)", watched Sesame Street in between 2003-2005, and haven't been living under a rock- you know exactly who this guy is. This artist was signed to Jive records when he was a member of Imajin, an R&B group from the late 1990s,and now he's on his own making sweet, original music. He's a singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Hell's Kitchen, New York.
Faison's new EP "Live from The Bitter End"has seven tracks that will make you feel like you've step out of your world and into another. This EP is full of instruments, meaningful lyrics, and Olamide- he's a poet armed with a guitar and a voice worthy of a Grammy. His music will bring chills up your spine, and tears in your eyes. Every song is so personal and heartfelt that you feel like you've met him before- perhaps even shared a laugh or a handshake somewhere in Hell's Kitchen.
Whether you live in NYC, the U.K., or some small town "Live from The Bitter End"brings an energy that you'll only find in The Big Apple. This EP is full of timeless music, and it's practically honey to your ears. Faison is a true talent and I wish him much success. Support Good Music!
Siaira Shawn is the singer you haven't heard in awhile. There are no auto tunes, and no studio help to make this girl sound good- She can sang!!! She's the type of singer that makes other singers ( or those who think they are) want to sing. I came across her music on Issa Rae's blog ( The Awkward Black Girl), and I was blown away by this rich sound. Big ups to this natural "sista" and check out her website for more info. I haven't been this impressed with a singer since Chris Marsol; here she is singing "Prototype" by Andre 3000. Personally, she sings it better than he does.
So who sings it better?
You decide.... Leave Your Comment
Peace and Blessings!
Miks
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So Apollo is a good friend of my cousin Chrys ( Roses International Stand Up!!!!), and we met when he came to visit Hollywood, Fl . I think I may have even shared a Black and Mild with this man, but I had no idea he was so talented. I shouldn't have been surprised though, I mean he is a member ofDef Team: Hear Us Outand he's my cousin's friend (ROSES!)- they are all talented.
On a personal level, Apollo is a great person and very down to earth. His mix tape, Good Ol Chuck is on tweetmysong.com and I highly recommend it. I have never put a wack artist on this blog, and I never will- Apollo isSong Love tested andADWM approved. My favorite songs on the mix tape areRoyal Flush,Wack Rapper Genocide, Carolina Bluz-I like ALL THE SONGS ON THERE.
I can't compare him to anyone. He doesn't sound like Drake, or Weezy- but with a name like APOLLO you have to be an original. After all, Apollo is the god of music; so if he decided that he wanted to be a young evolving rapper between the ages of 18-25 he'd choose to be this native of WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina. The name fits the man.
Watch this video of Apollo and click the link below to listen.
I love Jazz (acid jazz especially) so I was really glad to come across this Rising Star ArtistCarl Lester-El. He is an impressive bassist, drummer, percussionist and guitarist. Carl studied at VirginiaUnionUniversity in RichmondVirginia. He’s the founder of a contemporary jazz band called F.R.E.N.S.; the band has shared the stage with Chaka Chan, Syro, and Doc Powell to name a few. In 1994, Carl was also the studio bassist for the television sitcom “Living Single”, and played bass & drums for CBS recording artist Regina Belle.
Check out the track L C Groove on Carl’s MySpace page. It’s a very silky, sensual, sound- something you can listen to while you clean the house and burn incense, or sending time with that special someone. Enjoy the smooth sounds of Carl Lester-El!
Some of you may not know this, but I love a man that can sing and this man can “SANG”. Hasan Smith was born in Newark, New Jersey. He’s the 9th of ten children, and he’s also a comic, playwright, songwriter, and actor; Smith’s music is a blend of Pop, Hip-Hop, and Gospel- Have you ever been thirsty? Oh course you have, so if that tall glass of water (or kool aid) could sing it would sound like Hasan Smith.
Seriously, when I was introduced to the Music Maven’s Rising Star website, Smith was the first artist that caught my attention and impressed me the most. I have no video for you today (don’t forget to watch The Charles Clemmons Project tonight), but I do have three songs for you to hear:
Whatever It Is
Questions
The Deal
I love all three tracks, but Questions is my favorite ( I could listen to it over and over again). Hasan Smith has a voice that the industry is missing.
Enjoy the music
Peace and Blessings
MIks
Click here to hear Hasan Smith's music: Hasan Smith
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, and ate lots of Turkey ( or Tofurky ). Have fun fighting for the last pair of Jeans at the mall tomorrow. If you can, go and buy a Wii for me - just joking.
I have more music from Gidgets Ga Ga, they are releasing Christmas Wish as a single available on Tunecore. Check it out
Profanity is the easy way out for this rapper- that’s why he prefers not to use it. This Flint Michigan Hip- Hop artist decided to turn to spirituality and add “Minister” next to his hustler name “Kaine”. Minister Kaine was using & selling drugs at an early age, he even participated in gang activities, but one day things changed. He was advised by the manager of “Tribe Called Quest” to pursue music- and he did just that.
This energetic performer has traveled through the East &West Coast with other artist such as The Ghetto Boys, Scarface, 8Ball & MJG, A Tribe Called Quest, McEhit, and the Late Great Tupac Shakur; he has also enjoyed television placements on MTV’s Laguna Beach, My Super Sweet 16, and MTV Cribs. MK has released his fourth album “The Dead Hood Scrolls” which include Real Out Here (featuring a verse from The Game) and my personal favorite Shawty Like That. This is an Official Club Banger! It’s one of those songs you can drop it low too and have fun with. The hook is very catchy, and this rapper has a wicked (meaning GREAT) lyrical flow- no wonder it’s rapidly getting air play around the country.
Now, if you see me riding around Florida & my car is vibrating, just know I have Shawy Like That on heavy rotation. I’m usually not a big fan of something like this- most rap artist use degrading and disgusting words towards women- this song has none of that. The song does contain adult content but don’t worry, there are no “F Bombs”, the horrid “B word”, or Sugar Honey Ice Tea’s here. So Enjoy!
Hey Guys! Check out Parker's song "Love Myself". The song was featured on a Global television sitcom called “The Jane Show”. The chorus of the song sounds like the anthem to all my breaks up, but I don't want to joke about a song that could mean much more. Unfortunately, I was not able to hear the entire song but I heard enough to like it, and write about it. The artist bio gives a great description of the CD:
"... [The CD] examines the point in our lives where we reach moments of personal crisis and how close we come to destruction in our everyday existence."
The Band has built a strong following and shared stages with The Bare Naked Ladies, Finger Eleven, and The Lowest of the Low just to name a few.
Click on this Rising Star Artist link to hear for yourself
Peace and Blessings
MIks
Marsol and his buddies made this record the old-fashioned way; they got together in a room and played. Most mixtures of this type are a watered down, sloppy, undefined mess. This project, however, is unique, bold and confident with its own texture and attitude" - Music Remedy.
I’ve heard an album recorded the exact same way, but it sounds nothing like Chris Marsol’s, Butterflies, Lipstick, and Hand Grenades. This album can not be compared to anything that’s out right now: it’s full of passion, raw artistic talent, depths, color, diversity, Rock, Pop, & Soul; and if you think you can compare Marsol to any other artist after hearing this album, you were not listening- so go back to track 1 on your iPod and try again.
Actor/Singer/Songwriter Chris Marsol is from the San Francisco Bay Area; home of the 60’s hippie movement, the Black Panther Party, and Psychedelic Rock. That decade is long gone, but its spirit and influences still live on. Marsol is a product of this environment, but he has started a new movement/revolution with his music. So what does the title, Butterflies, Lipstick, and Hand Grenades, mean? “There is no meaning until you create one”, Marsol says.
This album is a musical journey; on this journey the songs are stories, and those stories are like hearing a poet speak at an Open Mic venue-except there is a really tight band behind this one. If you’re the kind of person that really listens for the words in a song, you won’t be able to deny that Marsol is a very strong song writer. His voice is the most powerful instrument on this record, making every track special and unique- no song on this album sounds the same- Danae Braggs said it best, “Like a hearty home cooked meal or an iced cold glass of water this new album fills a baron void and quenches a dry thirst.”
I love this quote because it’s a picturesque description of how rare it is to hear really great music, and it kind of makes me hungry- I’m kidding!
I heard the album after I accepted Marsol’s twitter request, and visited his website. I saw his photo and thought to myself, “Hmm, he’s cute-wonder what he does?” little did I know I’d be blown away by this very gifted musician- I hate surprises, but I really enjoyed this one.
There will be critics, and crazy people who will think Marsol should be an R&B or Hip Hop artist, but need I remind you that when Little Richard and Chuck Berry did their music it was called Rock & Roll. Now, this isn’t about who started what kind of music, I just strongly believe that this man is right at home when it comes to genre. This album is not about color: it’s about love, freedom, expression and music- It’s simply a masterpiece.
I love acoustic and electric guitars, one of the many reasons why, Butterflies, Lipstick, and Hand Grenades is now one of my favorite albums. Support this artist! Tell all your family, friends, co-workers, and Local DJ’s about it. I wish Chris Marsol all the best for 2010, and I’m sure that, before we all know it, Chris Marsol will be a household name. Check out his video “3 In The Morning”; it was featured on Myspace as one of the best indie artist to watch. Chris has performed at the Hard Rock Cafe, The Palms, & Vegas Music Experience with Tommy Lee and Dave Navarro, just to name a few . Chris Marsol has also donated time, performances, and money to charities such as: the American Cancer Society, Feed the Children, and Universal Healthcare.
Read what others are saying about Chris Marsol, and Butterflies, Lipstick, and Hand Grenades:
"Marsol's album is described as bringing the rock lover, the soul lover and the pop music lover together in one blissful Technicolor orgy, celebrating life and music outside the lines of race, creed and color"- Patrick Luce, Monsters and Critics.
"This guy out of the Bay area is so amazing. You MUST check him out!!! His new album Butterflies, Lipstick & Hand Grenades will be out this fall"- AbsolutePunk.net
3 In the Morning Will be hitting airwaves soon. Look for interviews, TV Shows, giveaways, and tour dates on his website.
Enjoy the video!
3 In the Morning By Chris Marsol
Peace and Blessings
MIks
