Beyonce: Bow Down (I Been On)

Beyonce demands you "Bow Down" in first new music since her 2011 album, 4.

I'll admit I was savoring in the record, but as I dedicated fan I'll admit I am bias in that regard.

Keyshia Cole displayed her inferiority to the global superstar when she shared her distaste for the new song and tweeted, "First 'Women need to Stick together' now b---hes better Bow. Smh. But it's all G! Chicks stay shooting the s--t. But when I speak my mind its a prob."

It's interesting though, from what I've been reading, Keyshia Cole isn't the only one who is displeased that "Bow Down" could easily be directed towards them, making it evident how uncomfortable some females (or males) can get when Beyonce makes noise. 

It's obvious Beyonce is prepping for something major, a new album, tour, etc and clearly she is just making sure everyone is listening, which they are. Now, bow down.

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Pop Star To Watch: Lindsay Lohan?

Lindsay Lohan's "Bossy" caught my attention way back in 2008 before EDM took over the American pop charts.

"Bossy" was produced by Ne-yo/Stargate and was meant to accompany Lohan's third studio but that project ended up being shelved indefinitely.

 The song managed to peak at number one on Billboard's Hot Dance Play chart, though receiving no promotion from Universal Motown or Lohan. It's unfortunate because the song is really good and would have put Lindsay at the forefront of the EDM (electronic dance music) craze happening in the U.S. right now.

The production was superb, catchy like Ke$ha and infectious like Katy Perry, even though no one knew those names at the time of the song's release. If Lindsay ever manages to get her professional life in order, the girl is going to be a problem for any of the reigning pop princesses.

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Artists to Major Record Lables: It's Just Not Fair

This is an old video but it is a really good explanation from Jazzy Jeff about how most major label artists will never see a dime in mechanical royalty payments. Major record labels spend an enormous amount of money on their artists. As Jazzy Jeff mentioned, that money is spent on music production costs (recording studio, producers, mixing, mastering, etc) and promoting (radio, music videos, tour support). 

Surely, you can understand that since the record label lays out all this cash upfront, the artist is not going to see financial reward until those monies have been recouped. 

What I don't understand is that all these so called real artists claim to record music for the love of it and not the money but major record labels ripping off artists is one of the oldest arguments in the industry. Major records labels make artists famous NOT rich. They've been doing this since their inception and are still pretty good at it today. Think Rihanna, Katy Perry, Beyonce, Justin Beiber, etc. 

I know everyone is rooting for the indies and the DIY artists (I am too) but it is very difficult for these type of artists to attain exponential commercial success without the machine. Even the ones who have managed to leverage social media end up signing with one of the majors, which has now dwindled to just 3. 

If musicians can master the art of getting famous without the help of major record labels, then and only then, will the majors die.

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New TLC Biopic Casting Young 90's Types

 Hey Guys! If you haven't heard by now, Vh1 has recently announced production of a new biopic about the the multi-platinum R&B group, TLC.

The biopic, appropriately titled, Crazy, Sexy, Cool: The TLC Story will feature rap artist Lil Mama, 23, as the late Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. You may remember Lil Mama from her 2007 hit, "Lip Gloss" or from crashing Jay Z and Alicia Keys' performance at the VMA's a couple years ago.

Keke Palmer, 19, (Madea's Family Reunion) will bring the sexy, playing the role of Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, while Drew Sidora, 27, (That's So Raven) has been tapped to play the role of Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins.

Now, if you're one of those people who are stuck in the 90's, here is your chance to shine. The biopic begins production next month in Atlanta, GA.

The film is looking to cast a slew of people who can recapture the 90's heyday R&B/Hip-hop music scene. Looking for the following:

• ANYONE that has a 1990’s Look
• Male Hip Hop Dancers, Ages 18-22 (Potential for speaking roles)
• Female Hip Hop Dancers, Ages 18-22
• ANYONE with 90’s hairstyles – Kid N Play Fades, “Rachel Cuts”..etc
• Roller Skaters Ages 18-25
• CARS, BUSES, LIMOS, FROM 1980’s – 2002 (Anyone that has a car from this time frame is welcome to submit their automobiles)
• 1991-1993 Pathfinders
• 1991-1993 Dodge Neons
• People that can do any 90’s dance styles (do not have to be a “dancer”)
• Bouncers, Bartenders, Cops
• Lisa’s Friends – Girls with a ROUGH look, this could be TOUGH-looking, Large “and in charge”, or just a general intensity or anger about them. Must be willing to change their hair if necessary.
• Looking for an African American woman with amblyopia for a featured role.
• Also looking for an African American woman with a disabled arm for a featured role.
• Sound/Music Technicians - Looking for males only - Caucasians, Asians, and African Americans with EXPERIENCE IN A MUSIC STUDIO.
• MACK 10 LOOK-ALIKE
• MC Hammer Impersonator (MC Hammer from the early 90’s)
• Experienced Doctor - 40's-50's Male or Female
• We are also looking for the following Stand in Positions: EXPERIENCE A PLUS
• Female 1: African American Female 5’6 – Weight proportionate/Fit
• Female 2: African American Female 5’3 - Weight proportionate/Fit
• Female 3: African American Female 5’4 - Weight proportionate/Fit

If you are interested, available, and fit any of the descriptions above, please submit 3 pictures, your height, weight, age and phone number toTLCTheMovieATL@gmail.com. For a subject line, please choose from the description above!

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Beyonce's HBO Documentary, Life Is But A Dream, WATCH IN FULL

I just finished watching Beyonce's new documentary, Life Is But A Dream, which premiered on HBO and I'll admit I didn't learn anything about the singer that I didn't already know. That was to be expected. Beyonce's global super-stardom has reached a level that only a hand full of celebrities reach. Everything Beyonce and her team wanted you to know about her has already been made known through a series of strategic methods.

Beyonce has made it very clear through numerous interviews that she is a reserved person. Beyonce fans and even non fans know this. Leaving the viewer feeling partly unfulfilled is the entire game plan. You knew when you sat down to watch the documentary what you were going to be getting and you still watched anxiously. You watched so you could complain and post your rants on Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter.

The best thing about Beyonce other than her insanely good looks and remarkable talent is the mystery that surrounds her. Beyonce is incomplete, and as much as you say you want to, you can't be done with her.

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Why Your Records Sound Like Crap

 If you are a self-recorded musician, particularly in a home recording studio, here are a few things you should know if your recording sounds like crap.

1. Pre Amp. You need to be using a professional quality pre amp. If you're trying to record vocals or any other instruments for that matter, without a pre amp, you're making a huge mistake and nothing else will turn out right without good audio levels.

2. Compressor. Compression is used on nearly every professional audio recording that exist. A compressor is almost always necessary to control the audio signal. Certain parts of a record may be too high, a compressor will make this less noticeable, a lot less noticeable is used properly.

3. EQ. This is where you get to play with the frequencies and overall tonality of your record. Good EQing will make your record sound like heaven.

So, if if you're looking for your recordings to be more sonically sound, work on mastering those three things before you start with Reverbs, Delays, and Autotune, they are the bread and butter of all professional audio recordings.

You're Welcome.

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Rapper Eve: Not Britney's Voice On "Scream & Shout"

Eve at Dsquared2 & Interview Magazine Party, 2013

Remember Eve, from songs like "Let Me Blow Your Mind" and "Love Is Blind"?

In any case, she hasn't released a studio album since 2002. The last I remember from her is the record, "Tambourine" back in 2007. She's been having label issues ever since and has been relatively quiet in the mainstream music scene.

Well, it's time for her to get her name circulating the general public again and what better way than to make an absurd claim about one of the biggest entertainers ever.

Eve recently sat down with Andy Cohen of Bravo's "Watch What Happens Live" and hinted that it may not be Britney Spears singing on "Scream & Shout" with will.i.am. Ridiculous, I know.

Before you start calling Eve a hater, let me explain that this is just good pr move, even though Britney's publicist, Jeff Raymond, didn't take kindly to the remarks, telling TMZ, "It's absolute BS".

Just in time for Eve's album, expected to be released this year...maybe.

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