Hip-hop @ MindSay

India Arie is going to drop her fourth album, 'Testimony: Vol. 2, Love and Politics' on February 10th.  With her last album debuting at number one on the Billboard top 200 in 2006 and the singles, 'Chocolate High' and 'Therapy,' already doing the rounds this looks set to be another relase to check out...

With Leona Lewis making an impact in 2008 and Jay Sean signing on with Cash Money Records it seems like British R&B is making inroads into the U.S. market. Hoping to add his name to those who are already breaking is Youngman with, ‘Who I Be.’ However to call his music R&B is to sell him slightly short as he couples his, at times, falsetto singing with some firm rhyming on tracks like the surprisingly Americanized, ‘In My Whip.’ Indeed, such is the cross pollination of styles across the Atlantic, that none of the 17 tracks would sound out of place on a U.S. release. The good news for international listeners is that Youngman has an instantly accessible sound as tracks like ‘Hey Shorty,’ which features a strong rap from female MC Ava Denera, bring familiar themes. Where cuts like ‘Break Me,’ and ‘That Girl’ deliver the sort of solid R&B that names like Ne-Yo would be proud of, moments like ‘Fallback’ see Youngman’s R&B take a back seat as S.A.S., Dynamite, Ruckas and Harry Shotta flex their UK hip-hop muscle. While Stylo G drops past to add some spice to ‘Wine It (Remix),’ Youngman handles most of the tracks himself with just a handful of skits to break matters up. Lyrically, Youngman brings a youthful swagger to his lyrics as he walks the familiar R&B territory of love and loss with cuts like ‘Make Up’ and ‘Love On The Line.’ Musically the production fits Youngman’s message with each track making ‘Who I Be’ a solid offering that is worth locating. Fans of R&B will certainly find plenty in Youngman’s sound to appreciate if they only take the chance before he makes it to the big-time. Youngman is a genuine talent with some real appeal in his music that should see him effortlessly crossing borders – R&B fans that take a chance on him are unlikely to be disappointed. To Read More Log onto HTTP://WWW.GRINDMODECONNECT.COM

Finally, a sense of normality begins to return after the holidays. Don’t get me wrong – it’s nice to let your hair down and relax after working all year. It can even be good to see family members, but, as soon as you begin to lose track of what day it is you know it’s time to get back to business. There are also the benefits of having a fully functioning postal service and food stores that are open long enough to prevent hordes of people panic-buying everything in sight with the fervour of a starving orphan who has been handed a blank credit card and told that the end is nigh.

 

 

 

Of course, January also brings something of historical importance with the inauguration of Barack Obama as President. While the world waits to see how Obama handles the international responsibility that comes with the presidency we can all sit back and enjoy the inauguration. Or can we?

 

 

 

Already the inauguration has been making people twitchy and causing headlines in the entertainment world. With questions like “What will Michelle be wearing?” surrounding almost everything to do with the event, Sean Combs (or ‘Puffy’ as we call him here – a man can only choose so many aliases) has already fallen foul of the rumor-mill. Despite having to come out and say that he didn’t have to beg to buy tickets from Obama there is no doubt that Puffy is lucky not to be targeted by some of Beyonce’s most ardent fans.

 

 

 

Now, let’s get this straight, Beyonce Knowles has many fine and upstanding supporters and fans and indeed I like quite a lot of her work, but you must admit that there is something slightly worrying about certain hardcore elements of her fan-base. I am talking about those who feel the need to dress up as her and post footage of themselves on the Internet, those who seem to sit at their computers scouring the web for any sign of Beyonce being put down and never mind the stalkers! What is that all about? As I type this I can’t help but be gripped with a fear that one of these Beyonce ‘super-fans’ will be planning to ambush me in full ‘single ladies’ outfit the next time I step outside, but it has to be said. Already the Internet is gripped with a fever of anger that Beyonce may not be picked to sing at Obama’s inauguration. Sasha’s fiercest are sharpening their claws ready for whoever should be picked instead. Unless, of course, that person is Jennifer Hudson. 

 

 

 

Jennifer has had a tragedy-ridden 2008 and, all joking aside, is a fine talent who I am sure everyone wants to see get back on track as soon as she is ready. It will of course be a great honor for whoever is picked to sing at Obama’s official inauguration and it would be nice to see Ms. Hudson given this recognition. Not just because of what she has endured but also because of her talent, personality and the strength she has shown the public over the last few months. That’s why, as the inauguration approaches and the media gets itself worked up, I am happy to risk the wrath of the Beyonce-hardcore: if Jennifer Hudson feels she is ready then I for one am all for her representing on Obama’s inauguration night.

 

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So you want to be a multi-selling artist, but you do not know what channels you should take. WWW.GRINDMODECONNECT.COM is providing you with, what we feel is a blueprint, to at least get you to thinking about the different things that will have to be taken into consideration in this sometimes, seemingly 'cut throat business.'

If you are an independent artist with little to no funds, to hire someone to do your publicity, you may want to take heed to what we have incorporated in this segment. Below are a few thing that will help you get started and at least get you to thinking: Hit up college radio & Internet radio outfits...because they do not have all of the B.S. and political rigmarole that transpires on the more known stations, they are more inapt to playing your music. If it is widely received in those arenas, then you'll know that it is time to take it to the next level...but remember, everyone has to start somewhere...EVERYONE! Do performances almost any and everywhere (that is legit), just so that you can gain exposure...hit up promoters, and clubs, and let them know that you're willing to provide your services for free--this is so that people can start recognizing the name...it's all apart of paying dues. Pass out flyers...make them up yourself using your favorite word processing program--make sure that they look as professional as you can get them to, because YOU NEVER GET ANOTHER CHANCE TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION (this is one of the truest sayings). Have friends and family help promote your product. Try to get as many music reviews as possible...if you can't get an interview, at least you'll be able to get your albums reviewed, so that cats will know that your product is likely tight...if you have a good review, and EVEN a bad review will help you. While you don't want to bombard people with what you are doing, trying to send out SPAM, make sure to be tactful...EXAMPLE OF WHAT NOT TO DO (this is an actual email that I obtained, and right away I was turned off): "Yo, I wanna send you some of my HOT shit," I am sure that people do not want to be disrespected like that, and right away, you get a sense that that person is not a tactful, professional being and you do not want to be bothered with them...so whatever you do...be tactful...and it will pay off. Finally, you can promote here for FREE! Good luck, and may God be with you!   Content Provided by WWW.GRINDMODECONNECT.COM and May Be Reproduced with all content in tact.

You would be surprised how many artists do not know what an electronic press kit, and why an electronic press kit is needed. An electronic press kit is an advancement of a press kit that is considered an artist’s resume. Every person in every profession needs a resume in order to sell themselves to people that will either hire or help them. 

 

Your press kit often times tells the story about who you are, what you have done, what you are doing now, and what you would like to do. As an artist, you should have some sort of press kit. We at Grind Mode Media, LLC have devised a very affordable service for Electronic Press Kits that will allow you to edit your information, as you grow as an artist, and sell yourself in a professional manner. All of the ingredients are already included for your convenience, to make you, as an artist, look good. Check it out (WWW.GRINDMODEPRESS.COM ), or check someone out, because you definitely need an electronic press kit, to really sell yourself professionally.