Mass Appeal premiered NASIR: The Film today as a companion piece to Nas’s album of the same name. The seven songs are pulled together into a 16-minute film. Nas appears throughout the More »
Angela Johnson has a message of unity on her new single “Inclusion.” It is the first single from her seventh album and she was inspired by the differences among people. She told More »
Mick Jenkins does a parody of cop TV shows and stops a heist in his video for “Reginald (Feat. Ben Hixon). Jenkins stars as a white wig and mustache-wearing detective who stops More »
Thundercat’s “Friend Zone” is remixed by Brainfeeder label mate Ross from Friends into a dance-style endeavor. Thundercat’s vocals go deeper into the machine and a litany of sounds and samples from a More »
Detroit DJ and house music auteur Moodymann will play an extensive set of Prince’s music at Paisley Park December 1st. The longtime Prince fan will honor the late musician with a More »
Angela Johnson has a message of unity on her new single “Inclusion.” It is the first single from her seventh album and she was inspired by the differences among people. She told PopMatters,
“At first, I wanted to write a song to celebrate our uniqueness as individuals. As I got deeper into the idea, I started to feel sad. My heart breaks every time I learn about a child or young adult committing suicide because of bullying. Whether it’s in school or cyber-bullying, they are so vulnerable and feel so pressured to hide their true selves from the world.”
“Inclusion” welcomes the existence of all people with bustling percussion, smooth brass and Johnson’s velvety vocals honoring those who feel like outsiders.
Johnson’s journey as a solo artist after she started her career with Cooly’s Hot Box has been a consistent advance into her ideas of soul music. Her self-directed muse has always been centered around honesty and seeing the beauty in the world around her. She also admitted to PopMatters that she too has been influenced by the movements of the current president’s administration and could not allow herself to be silent about something as important as respecting who people choose to love or being an immigrant. Johnson does not have a title for her next album but she is drawn to making R&B that is more suited for the dancefloor.
Pieces Of A Man North American Tour Dates
Detroit DJ and house music auteur Moodymann will play an extensive set of Prince’s music at Paisley Park December 1st. The longtime Prince fan will honor the late musician with a set of rare tracks, B-sides, and unreleased songs. Red Bull Music will present the event at Prince’s home in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Prince’s relationship with Detroit was unique because of the way the city embraced him before superstardom. The artist gave rare interviews to DJ The Electrifying Mojo and played limitless concert dates in the city during his rise in the ’80s. Moodymann has always been open about Prince’s influence on his music. The reclusive artist and label owner, who has recorded with Prince collaborator Amp Fiddler in the past, became one the most respected names in dance music during the ’90s. His unconventional approach and refusal to dilute his vision with trends produced some of the most sweat-inducing moments on wax. Moodymann’s “Shades Of Jae” became an anthem at Detroit’s Club Heaven under the fingers of late legendary DJ Ken Collier. His catalog was also received on an international level and Drake recently sampled his “Live At Cutloose 2nd Birthday Party” on “Passionfruit.”
Tickets for Moodymann’s set at Paisley Park can be purchased from Red Bull’s site.
