Kidz In The Hall, Bun B and Talib Kweli Team Up for Change

 

New York, NY – As the first group in the Hip-Hop community to publicly endorse presidential hopeful Barack Obama back in late 2007, Kidz In The Hall will continue their unwavering support for the Chicago native this evening (Monday, March 31^st) with the help of some friends. Kidz In The Hall’s whose soulful ode to Barack Obama is entitled, “Work To Do,” will be world premiering their “Change Remix” tonight on two mediums; one on Hip-Hop mega-site, Allhiphop.com, as well as on super DJ/Producer Green Lantern’s Sirius Satellite “Hip-Hop Nation” radio show—and both premiers will happen simultaneously. The “Change” remix is produced by Kidz In The Hall member Double-0 and features heavyweights Bun B and Talib Kweli, who like many in the hip hop community, are proud to show their support for Obama. The song’s content focuses its attention on many of the issues facing both the artists as individuals, as well as the country as a whole. Having three emcees, all from different cities in the US – Chicago, Brooklyn and Houston respectively – shows the unification within the Hip-Hop community that will hopefully encourage young people to take a long look at the issues affecting them in this country.

 

The “Change” remix will also be the first release that will be featured on the much talked about DJ Green Lantern & Russell Simmons’ “Yes We Can” – Obama mixtape due out next month.

 

Kidz In The Hall will embark on a 16 city college campus tour this week with Gym Class Heroes to support the May 13 release of their sophomore LP The In Crowd. Talib Kweli has just released the MCEO mixtape with Mick Boogie and his CD, Eardrum, is in stores now. Bun B will be releasing his much anticipated II Trill solo project April 29^th.

DIDDY SIGNS JANELLE MONÁE TO BAD BOY;ACCLAIMED ARTIST DEBUTS WITH GROUNDBREAKING “METROPOLIS” PROJECT!!

DIDDY SIGNS JANELLE MONÁE TO BAD BOY;

ACCLAIMED ARTIST DEBUTS WITH GROUNDBREAKING “METROPOLIS” PROJECT;

BIG BOI SERVES AS CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER;

EP SLATED FOR JUNE RELEASE; ALBUM DUE IN SEPTEMBER

 

Sean “Diddy” Combs has announced the signing of acclaimed new artist Janelle Monáe to Bad Boy Records, via a pact with Monáe’s Atlanta-based record label, the Wondaland Arts Society.   Monáe is an experience:  a charismatic singer, songwriter, producer, and performer whose innovative style crosses musical genres in a captivating postmodern merger of R&B, funk, and rock ‘n’ roll.   

Janelle Monáe makes her solo recording debut with the groundbreaking “METROPOLIS” project, with Antwan “Big Boi” Patton serving as Co-Executive Producer.  An epic musical journey into the future, the project will be unveiled with the release this June of the “METROPOLIS SUITE” EP – which introduces Janelle’s android alter ego, Cindi Mayweather, as she lures the listener into her sci-fi inspired world of cybersoul.  “Metropolis is the place I’ve been dreaming about all these years – a city inside your head,” says Janelle.  “It’s an adventure the music brings to life.”  Monáe’s debut full-length album will follow in September. 

“Janelle Monáe is one of the most important signings of my career,” said Diddy.  “Over the years, I’ve been blessed to work with some of the most influential artists in modern music – from Jodeci to Mary J. to Biggie – and there is no doubt in my mind that Janelle is the kind of artist that changes the game.  She is a true visionary, with an original sound and a mesmerizing presence.  I can’t wait to watch the future unfold for Janelle.”

“What I love about Janelle is that she has a magical ability to bring folks together,” stated Big Boi.  “And she’s one of most inspiring performers ever.  I’m proud to be partnering with Puff and the Wondaland Arts Society to introduce her to the world.”

“As one of the founders of the Wondaland Arts Society, my goal is to inspire and help alter history by bringing people together,” said Janelle Monáe.  “In many respects, this unique partnership is a reflection of my belief that this is a new day, a new entertainment industry, and a world where the notion of what is independent and what is mainstream changes every day.  In this new, rapidly changing environment, I am thrilled that Antwan ‘Big Boi’ Patton and Sean Combs have partnered with me and the Wondaland Arts Society to promote my music and art around the world.”

            Born in Kansas City, Kansas, Janelle Monáe moved to New York City after high school to attend The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, the prestigious music and theatre conservatory.  Deciding to extend her range beyond classical and Broadway, she moved to Atlanta to explore the possibility of becoming a recording artist.  Upon arrival, she garnered a huge cult following by performing for college students at the Atlanta University Center (AUC).  It was during one of these performances that Monáe met Nate “Rocket” Wonder and Chuck Lightning of Wondaland Productions and began work on the concept and music that would form “METROPOLIS.” 

Having experienced the magic of Wondaland first-hand, Diddy calls the group “very innovative” and “an incredible group of people – not just producers, they’re idealists… definitely the future of music.”

            While working on her own music, Janelle collaborated with Big Boi on the tracks “Call The Law” and “In Your Dreams” on OutKast’s “IDLEWILD” soundtrack, and was featured in the video for the single, “Morris Brown.”  It was through Big Boi that Monáe came to the attention of Sean Combs, leading to her new pact with Bad Boy.

            Monáe has quickly grown from new artist to budding phenomenon, earning widespread acclaim for her compelling, transformative approach.  “Monáe creates this futuristic world of hers by synthesizing past inspirations:  the operatic pop and hornlike sharpness of Shirley Bassey, the energetic funk of James Brown, and the breezy rock and soul of OutKast,” said Creative Loafing. 

“Metropolis is a soulful, sassy, sci-fi themed debut that busts genres – not to mention stereotypes,” proclaimed Interview, while Vibe magazine noted that “Monáe’s upcoming album is poised to bring an eclectic, urbane feel to today’s R&B.”  “Janelle Monáe is honing her completely individual skills as a very exciting solo artist, not only in sound but very much in style,” said the UK’s Blag magazine.

            Monáe is also drawing raves from fellow artists across the musical spectrum:  from “André 3000” Benjamin, who says that “Ms. Monáe has one of the most enchanting voices of our generation.  She’s a living, singing babydoll.  Darling… just darling.  Ha.” – to Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz, who describes her as being “like a female version of Prince.”  Even visionary Missy Elliott is convinced of Janelle’s potential:  “Janelle is fire!  Puffy, Big Boi… I don’t care if it’s Obama!  Whoever got this girl… she is going to blow up!”

For additional information, please visit www.janellemonae.com and www.myspace.com/janellemonae.

TEYANA TAYLOR

**TEYANA TAYLOR **
It’s hard to recognize the pretty 16 year-old poised in first position at the ballet barre. Her usually wild mane is pulled back into a scarf as she takes her final port de bras and retreats to the locker room with a tug of her leotard. “I’m not a girly girl,” she confesses with a shrug. “I don’t like wearing a spandex bodysuit.” When she returns, she’s rocking a fitted cap cocked over her gorgeous crop of corkscrew curls, a subtle sag in her Ice Cream jeans, and a pair of technicolor Air Force Ones. Yup, Teyana Taylor’s got her swagger back.

You may already know Pharrell’s latest protégé from her extravagant, 80’s-themed coming out party on MTV’s Sweet 16 or as the petite pop locker in Jay Z’s “Blue Magic” video, but her V.I.P. status was established even before the cameos and big name industry endorsements. Lady Beyoncé herself was so impressed with the Harlem bred triple threat’s moves that she asked her to teach her the Chicken Noodle Soup — the popular dance Teyana helped innovate — for her performance at the 2007 VMA’s. “That kind of love coming from Jay and Beyonce, was crazy, recalls Teyana. “When he said, ‘Yo, you’re a superstar. I’ll see you at the top,’ I was humbled, like wow!“

With the release of her debut album, From A Planet Called Harlem (Star Trak/Intersope), Teyana finally gets to show off her killer pipes and full-bodied flow to the rest of the universe. The album is a macrocosm of R&B, pop rock, and rap and deliciously rich with sticky hooks and campy lyrical play. “From the songs to the production — the whole direction of the album is insane,” explains the Star Trak maverick. “It’s a story about having fun.”

Of course, the stylish femcee reps NYC to the fullest but it’s her offbeat, ‘afronaut’ edge that makes her such an undeniable rockstar — she’s a seamless blend of hip hop hipster and skater chick. Her hybrid musical style is as rebellious and eclectic as her personality and that’s not the result of a brilliant marketing squad. Just peep her iTunes playlist and you’ll find her rocking out to My Chemical Romance, Green Day, Fall Out Boy, Lauryn Hill, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson.

With production from sonic architects like Jazze Pha, Pharrell, Mad Scientist, Frost, Shondre and Hit Boy, Teyana’s first solo offering has the rumblings of a party-pumping earthquake. The mix of throwback break beats, futuristic boom bap, and melodic renderings is the perfect backdrop for the starlet’s musical mayhem.

“Complicated” is a beautifully airy ballad about a crush that she’s not quite prepared to pursue. I can’t say I’m not impressed by you /I’m not ready to invest/ I can’t say I’m not the girl for you/ I just might not be her yet. She sings with the tender honesty of a young girl with strong sense of self-awareness and wisdom.

“‘Color Me Pink’ is my favorite song,” she says about another coming-of-age single. “It’s about a boy who makes me want to put on a skirt or wear a tutu to ballet class. It’s something every girl can relate to.”

But From A Planet Called Harlem isn’t all flowery femme gems and soulful lullabies. On “Translation,” Teyana gets clever with her wordplay. She spits a few bars of hood patois and then translates it for her less slang-savvy fans. “Switch It Up” is another track that capitalizes on her flow. She adopts her mentor’s cocky cadence and rips the mic over an infectious go-go beat, lacing it with his familiar yezir’s. Then the sassy shopaholic goes ego-trippin on “Traffic Stop,” a head bopping jam that will have everyone singing ” Sittin’ at a bus stop/ Suckin’ on a lollipop/ In my Ice Cream top/ I can make the Traffic Stop“.

“The first time I stepped into a booth I was seven,” says Teyana. “I started singing on the train to make money, just hustling. No matter how much money I get, I still gotta grind. I still gotta work hard to get where I want to be.”

While the average 16-year-old’s burning ambition is passing their road test, Teyana is busy pursuing loftier goals. For now, the industry ingénue would rather focus on kicking her career into overdrive.