(i am) isis is releasing their Since Forever EP on September 8th and “Take It Back” is the first hear of it. The single from the Brooklyn rock/R&B band will be available on iTunes August 1st.
Electric Wire Hustle-Look In The Sky
New Zealand R&B duo, Electric Wire Hustle is getting ready for the emergence of their second album, Love Can Prevail on September 8th. “Look In The Sky” is a preview of the album that will see its release on Okayplayer Records.
Janelle Monae-The Electric Lady (Official Video)
Janelle Monae’s video for “The Electric Lady” pays tribute to the HBCU and there are appearances from T.I., Estelle, Esperanza Spalding, Kimbra, Monica and T-Boz.
Avery Sunshine-Time To Shine
Avery Sunshine wants you to get lifted and claim your “Time To Shine.” Sunshine is joined by family, friends, fans and her choir to help you chase away the blues. And there is a great reminder to buy music locally when she and the crew have a a party at Atlanta’s Moods Music. The Sun Room is out now.
Johnny Polygon-The Weather Report
Johnny Polygon recently went into the studio and recorded “The Weather Report.” You can download the song on his Bandcamp page.
Fatima-Rest In Peace
“Rest In Peace” is from Fatima’s debut album, Yellow Memories that was released in the Spring of this year.
Macy Gray-Bang Bang
Macy Gray’s video for “Bang Bang” is a gambler’s nightmare as Gray and her accomplice use the most lethal means to win at the end of the night. Diana Nyad, who became the first person to swim nonstop from Cuba to Miami last year, plays one of the gamblers who loses early in the night. Gray’s respect for Nyad as a symbol of feminine strength made her a necessary casting for the video. “Bang Bang” is from Gray’s 8th studio album, The Way which is scheduled for release on October 7th.
tabi Bonney-Poom Poom
tabi Bonney is back with a single focused on a club atmosphere and having a good time. Fellow D.C. brethren, Best Kept Secret produced the techno-influenced “Poom Poom.”
Lenny Kravitz-Sex
“Sex” is the first leak from Lenny Kravitz’s 10th studio album, Strut. It will be the first album to come out on his Roxie Records and if you pre-order it before the September release you can instantly receive “Strut” and “The Chamber.”
Throwback: “Weird Al” Yankovic-Fat
“Weird Al” Yankovic has been a master parodist of pop culture for almost 40 years. He caught his professional break in 1979 when California-based novelty DJ Dr. Demento played Yankovic’s spoof of The Knack’s “My Sharona” renamed “My Bologna.” Doug Fieger of The Knack loved the song and connected Yankovic with Capitol Records which lead to a short-term recording contract. By the early ’80′s Yankovic was a mainstream star because of his first Michael Jackson spoof, “Eat It.” Audiences were able to connect with Yankovic’s parodies because of his well made videos and lighthearted manner that were fun instead of being a mean-spirited attack on the subject. Michael Jackson, like many artists who gave Yankovic permission to use their work, found his work to be an honorable homage and confirmation of their pop status. Jackson even allowed Yankovic to use the subway set from Moonwalker to film the video for “Fat.” The visuals won Yankovic a Grammy Award for Best Concept Music Video and Jackson loved the album. Through the years Yankovic has spoofed several pop stars most notably Madonna, Queen, Nirvana, Chamillionaire, Coolio and Lady Gaga. He scored his first number one album with 2014′s Mandatory Fun that’s become very popular because of his take on Pharrell’s “Happy” (“Tacky”) and Lorde’s “Royal” (“FOIL”).