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Big K.R.I.T. will launch the release of his new album, Dedicated To Caladee Biarritz, with his annual benefit concert, Big KRITmas, at Terminal West in Atlanta. The rapper and producer celebrates 20 years in music and the partnership with ONErpm is the next part of his journey. He says, “This album is a new chapter for me, and partnering with ONErpm lets us tell this story the way it’s meant to be heard—on our terms, for the people who’ve been ridin’ with me since day one.” Orlando McGhee, Head of Urban for ONErpm, shared his excitement about the partnership in a press release. “We are honored to welcome Big K.R.I.T. to ONErpm. K.R.I.T. represents authenticity, storytelling, and evolution in rap. This partnership amplifies his vision, and we’re excited to support this next chapter.”
Dedicated To Cadalee Biarritz was released on December 5th and the benefit show takes place December 17th, 7–11 PM, at Terminal West, 887 West Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318. Fans can still buy tickets.
Watch Ari Lennox perform “Under The Moon” live at the Eaton Hotel. Her performance has the same smoky nostalgia as the studio version. The single is one of three that have premiered before the release of her next album, Vacancy. She recently collaborated with Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox on the title track and she shared “Soft Girl Era” back in April. Vacancy marks a new era for Lennox, as it is her first album for Interscope after a frictionless departure from J. Cole’s Dreamville imprint. Vacancy drops on January 23rd.
A rare Mariah Carey demo tape owned by Arthur Baker sold for more than 50,000 at an auction held by Wax Poetics. The tape that was given to Baker the night Carey was discovered at a 1989 Christmas party was offered in partnership with Brenda K. Starr, who invited Carey to the party and introduced her to Tommy Mottola. Starr, a singer in her own right, had planned on bringing her mother to the event but took Carey instead in hopes of helping her get a record deal. The tape has seven recordings from 1988 including five songs that wound up on Carey’s debut album and two unreleased songs that have been mythologized for years. The early versions of “Someday,” “Alone In Love,” and “All In My Mind” were produced by Chris Toland and Chris Margulies. Toland remembers,” The songs were more primitive in demo form, but all the elements that led to the final record are there—the hooks, the background vocals, the kicks, the chords. Mariah already had it.”
Wax Poetics CEO Alex Bruh was delighted to see the tape go public. He says, “This tape is history – a real one-of-a-kind piece that has been long sought-after by Mariah fans. The impact this tape has had on music is unprecedented and we are incredibly proud to have been a part of its story. It captures the exact moment a generational voice was taking shape, and stands as a testament to her self-made beginnings and the creative foundations that defined her ascent.”
The unidentified buyer received:
The Mariah Carey tape is the latest piece of music history to be sold in Wax Poetics’ auction series that previously presented items from Bootsy Collins, Arthur Baker, Louie Vega, Nightmares On Wax, and Don Blackman.