There is a new kid on the block stirring up the reggae scene and he is hot! Managed by the man who brought Shabba Ranks to the wide world, this young man is giving the sunshine beats to the USA at the moment with the rate that makes any reggae lovers heart beat extra bounces.
His real name is Omar Samuel Pasley and he was born in Jamaica Clarendon and he is the last of four children of Kenroy and Rachel Pasley. OMI has been singing all his life, performing in the community gatherings, school concerts and church, any opportunity to show off his talent was welcomed to this rising star. OMI was always close to his father and would follow his footsteps to be an artist, many of us would know him as Jah Ken. When OMI was only 9 years old, his dad unfortunately passed away. OMI made a promise, that he would keep his family together with his talent, and is now on the mission to do just that.
His voice is very distinctive and the melodies are catchy and very versatile. He gets his inspiration from the singers like Nat King Cole, John Legend and Tanya Stephens. His songs bounce from the cultural, social and spiritual issues and he is a talented song writer, who without a doubt will be known as one of the greatest.
OMI is currently working on his debut album in the studio. Including the released singles Standing on all threes, Cheerleader, Take it easy and Fireworks, the album will be huge. With the music channels like MTV asking for his interview, we know that the star is born.
A new video is also at works, Fireworks is being captured on the video tape and without a doubt this young man is going to do some serious dents on the hit lists with this one! Watch this space!
Everyone has a cell phone now. The invention that took people by the storm in 80's, has grown into a necessity people need and want. It's either valuable business tool or it's just nice to be in reach.
When guys are typically labelled as techno freaks, girls want theirs to be pretty and unique, a fashion accessory. Latest models get the huge promotions and people queue up for them hours in advance. But... everyone's looks the same! So what do you do to make your phone the thing that tells about you? You get a new phone case!
As the industry is flooded with the shops and options, I have had a chance to meet one brave woman, who has decided to take on a challenge and bring her female touch on the case, literally.
Options for custom made cases go side by side with the standard models. Annie has decided that the cell cases are her passion and she is more determined than ever to show what the girls can do!
Me: So, who are you and where do you come from?
Annie: My name is Ann Marie, aka Annie, born and raised in Boston Massachusets. I moved to Florida in -83 and I love it here, every day is paradise outside my door
Me: Tell me about your business and what would you like to achieve? Annie: I started this phone case business for a few reasons; I have an obsession. I would literally find myself buying cases like crazy for myself, my niece would come over and shop for her phone in my personal collection and it got me thinking, why not buy in bulk and see where this takes me? Some cases i leave as they come, to the others i add my own touch to them. I always loved doing crafts, so this is a hobby of mine. I would like to build up my inventory and make my very own website some day. Slowly but surely I am trying to achieve that but as they say, " it takes money to make money".
Me: So tell me your story, how did you fall in love with the phone cases?
Annie: Ive been out of work for a while, in 2010 i started to care for my sick grandma. She was unable to walk or feed herself, she had dementia and I cared for her around the clock until she passed away in January of 2011. This was the far most hardest job EVER. This then made me want to help others, I went to school to be a nurses aid, passed my state exam and was certified in my state, but a year later i was still looking for work in my field. At this point I was ready settle for anything.
I am married, been married for 15 years, my husband got very sick 5 years ago and left him unable to work because of his spine. I am now the bread winner in my family. I have a 17 yr old son and a 15 yr old nephew that has been with me since he was 4. We lost and went through very rough times, I lost my home so I am now living with my parents and I thank God for them or we would be homeless. This phone business is an escape for me and something to call all mine.
Me: What makes you different from all the other phone case providers?
Annie: I sell my phone cases at very affordable prices, any where from 15-25$ and personalized ones for 30$. I also offer free shipping. I own an iphone 4 that is my life. I love this phone and do every thing from it and i like to keep her dressed pretty. If u ever see me without my phone on me and looking fabulous, then something is seriously wrong!
Me: how can people reach you and see your selection?
Annie: Very hard to do but u can find me on fb at phone candie by annie and please check in regularly for i will be adding more inventory and def gonna offer more than just cases for the iphone.
Me: What is the hardest thing of having a business?
Annie: The hardest thing about running a business or should i say starting one is finding people who want to buy. Advertising. But I enjoy the challenge!
Nicki Minaj on the ball of American Idol series 12
It has finally started again, the battle of good, bad and not so on the note. One of the most followed TV shows in the world kicked off yesterday with auditions in New York City and the new judge Nicki Minaj did make her presence known very effectively.
She claimed that she would not stand for any diva acts from the fellow judge Mariah Carey.
"I have to strangle one of the divas on the panel, but I won't tell you who."
In the promotional interview prior to the show, Nicki Minaj said:" The best thing a contestant can do to impress me is flash me. That would make me remember the person. One boy in particular took off his shirt and was trying to be all sexy." So much for the singing competition then....
Dirty looks, side eyes and rolling eyes were thrown across the table whilst Nicki was seemingly annoyed by RnB star Mariah.
The boys are keeping well away from the girls, which maybe is the wisest move they can have considering the circumstances.
"You know that there is going to be a little bit of potential personality conflict", explained Ryan Seacrest, who is hosting the show, " Our superstars were super passionate from the get-go."
Mariah Carey has lifted her self up from the level and despite the differences of opinions, Nicki Minaj stated:" I feel like we gel well, in a weird, crazy way."
Just before her debut in American Idol, Nicki Minaj is polishing her halo. After her beef with Mariah Carey, Nicki feels that she has been made to look as a bad girl in the panel or as she puts it a "crazy psycho".
The rapper gave an interview in Ellen DeGeneres show and said:" I don't know, it was just two big old divas, I guess. I was just like sitting there, and I guess before I went in there I heard all the stuff that was been said, but I didn't believe it. I heard them saying Mariah doesn't want you on the panel, but I was like, no I'm friends with Mariah. I was arguing people down."
The rumors were shown to be true and Nicki felt being over shadowed. She defended her behaviour by defending her self, since she felt uneasy, and told that to her it is just a defence mechanism.
Nicki carried on telling that her and Mariah are fine and she has looked up to Mariah for years.
She also said that if there are any future incidents, she may not be able to edit her self in the heat of the moment.
The next series of American Idol premiers January 16th.
Marsha Ambrosius, Jazmine Sullivan and Kindred looking for a missing child
The stars have put their forces together to locate a missing child Nailla Robinson yesterday, when an amber alert was issued in Philadelphia, when she was abducted from the school.
The artists raised the awareness of over 650,000 people on line.
Later on Nailla was found in the jungle gym wearing only a T-shirt. Jazmine Sullivan wrote when she heard that Nailla was rescued:" Nailla Robinson was found safely! Thank GOD! "
With their act the stars have yet raised awareness of how effective Amber Alert can be when used properly!
Jazmine Sullivan has also been busy of changing her style over the period of recording her new album. She has revealed her new sexy body and is happy with the results.
The release details of the new album have not been released yet.
When the whole world is waiting for the mighty Superbowl this year, Beyonce is doing her own marketing on the subject and has released some steamy cover shots for QC magazine. When Rihanna's covers are still in the stands, Beyonce's shots have already been released. RnB queen still got it and on the top of her game she is not shy to show it. Performing live at the half time of Superbowl 2013, what better marketing would any event have than the star of the show looking amazing like this?
Rihanna has published her practically naked body with a very little to cover it with Complex magazine.
"When I was making this record I had no intention except the truth. So what ever is there is real", she comments on her latest LP, "That's why the album is called Unapologetic."
Rihanna certainly isn't holding back.
Justin Timberlake and Jay Z release "Suit & Tie"
The song about tuxedos and suits? Well, it is here! Justin has sang out loud about his love for the posh male dressing and Jay Z shares his views as a guest star in the song. The single was debuted in Justin's website along side with the open letter to the fans revealing the title of a new album The 20/20 Experience, which will be released sometime this year.
Suit & Tie is now available on iTunes.
Nas hospitalised over Vertigo
The rapper was sent into the hospital rest in NYC last Friday (January 11th) after feeling sick on his way to an interview. He was taken to the hospital immediately after the plane landed and he was diagnosed with a severe vertigo. The star has now been discharged from the hospital but he is still recovering from the illness.
Music is always changing and molding into what people want and need. Being a producer means that you have to recognise those changes and be a trend setter rather than a follower. I've had a chance to follow one man, who is setting the trends.
Me: Who are you and where are you from?
Pusha: My name is Shawn Mullings. I go by The Pusha (Beatz). I'm also known by my rap moniker Micah Don. I was born in Jamaica and raised in The Bronx, New York & South Florida.
Me: How did you get into the music business?
Pusha: I grew up in The Bronx and as a kid my older brother was involved with the rap group Fresh Mc's. They had a song called "F.R.E.S.H." that took off. As a kid from the neighborhood seeing limousines come through with acts like Run- Dmc to pick your people up to perform that feeling resonated with me. From that point on I think I've been involved with music to some degree. I started out as a rapper. Then it got to the point I started making my own beats.
Me: Tell me who inspires you?
Pusha: I'm really inspired by artists and producers as well as businessmen. Top of that list would be Jay-Z for his mastery of the art and his consistency. Nas for keeping hip-hop grounded with some sort of message and 50 Cent for his business savvy and sense to do it that much better. Producer pioneers like Dr. Dre, Dj Premier, Dj Scratch, Eric Sermon, Timbaland and the list goes on. Other than Teddy Riley those would be my top five producers. As far as executives I would say Lyor Cohen and Jimmy Iovine.
Me: What does Pliny Artists do?
Pusha:Pliny Society Foundation (Pliny Marketing) is basically a marketing company and branding agency a couple of my colleagues and I created to help push artists and ventures we're affiliated with. We pretty much start with a artist through the first phase of their career and together we develop a overview and then the product. PLINY gets its name from a song called "Party Like It's New Year" from an artist we brand and do marketing for, Chitty Bang. Make sure you hit us up on facebook/plinyartist on soundcloud/pliny-marketing and youtube/plinymarketing
Me: Who have you been working with (big names) and what is coming on in the future?
Pusha: I've did production for LL Cool J on the track "NY Gangsta'z" that ran as a single and got substantial airplay on Hot 97, Kiss FM, Sirius/XM radio and dozens of other radio stations across the globe. I did production on the Rick Ross feat. Sleepy Brown "Neverland Ranch". My camp did the Jay-Z feat. Lil Wayne "Hello Brooklyn". I'm currently shopping music to Wiz Khalifa, Wale and some other surprises. Right now check out Mike Dub, Chitty Bang, Jinx Cruz and Micah Don for consistent bangers from me..
Me: So many people want to be a part of the music business now a days, what advise would you give to them?
Pusha: My advice would be pick something about the game you're most passionate with. Once you find out what that is, like every storm you have to ride it out. If you have a regular job you might have to keep that for a while to help you finance that studio time to make quality music.
Me: Where do you see the industry going? There is a lot of talk about the morality of the music industry, and how does it influence on the youth. what are your thoughts about it?
Pusha: I think that everything has it's time. I believe rap music and in particular the hip-hop culture itself has a good pulse on what's going on in that current day to day environment. Artists I believe are kind of programed by that environment and to me that's how a song or particular artist can resonate with so many people at the same time. As for the content. It's easy to push aside real issues and have some fun. But with all the drinks you put down, tomorrow you're sure to wake up with a hangover.
Me: What in your opinion does a good artist have?
Pusha: I would say Wordplay, Delivery, Stage Performance and Consistency make a great artist. Now a days its a plus to work with someone with a little business sense or willingness to learn,
Me: Tell me about the high light of your carer so far?
Pusha: To me every opportunity to work with different people is my highlight. When a artist embraces your work and adds their poetry to it it feels like the universe put that together. I do this for that feeling.
Me: How do you relax? music is all around you, all the time, how do you take the time off?
Pusha: I never really took time off. I'm consumed by music. I'm fortunate to be doing what I love to do all the time.
Me: So you seem to be very busy, why don't you tell me about your regular day?
Pusha: I sleep for maybe four hours. I'm usually up like 4:30- 5... Some days I go jogging then get a little reading and meditation in. Then I'm on line following up on posts, checking analytics and stats. Usually someone I work with is finishing up a session so I head to the studio to help sort out the mixes. (Smoke break). Make sure all my equipment and hard-drives make it to studio on time if I have a session that day. If not I'm networking. Matter of fact, I'm always networking!!
Star In The Hood Ent offers artist developing and managing, beats and is a full house package to any artist to consider. If you have a professional interest to their work, you can reach from these links:- facebook/plinyartist soundcloud/pliny-marketing youtube/plinymarketing
We all know the story of the RnB beauty icon Beyonce, but on her shadow another Knowles sister has been making music. Now that Beyonce is an established house hold name, it's time for the little sister to shine.
Solange Knowles was born and raised in Houston Texas along side with her older sister. At the age of 16 she broke into the music industry. There are two studio albums Solo Star (2003) and Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams (2008).
Solange is all around girl, she does not just sing, she also dances, is a song writer, DJ and has signed a modelling contract with the model agency Next Model Management. She has earned several nominations in the music industry. Solange has been compared to her sister in the media, but she denies the comparison as she says they are artistically different.
Solange gets her influence from the Motown girl groups as The Supremes, The Marvelettes and she also has been influenced by Dusty Springfield.
The third studio album True is due to be released on January 8, 2013.
Solange says that her first passion is to write music. She can also be seen in the adverts of House of Dereon.
So, both sisters are doing it big... Here's a little taste of the True album, track Losing you, which was released at September 2012, video was shot at the Cape Town South Africa and I do must say, this track is modest and keeps to the roots. Good listening to any time of the day.
