Author: Cory McClanahan
Universal Moves to Save Ailing Motown and Def Jam
As early as next week Universal Music Group, Motown’s parent, will tap Ethiopia Habtemariam to head the label, people close to the matter confirm to TheWrap. A top executive from Universal’s music-publishing arm, Habtemariam (photo below) in early 2010 was responsible for wooing Justin Bieber into a global publishing deal. Similarly, the appointment of an uber-artistic leader is looming at Def Jam, also owned by Universal Music Group, though no final candidate has yet been chosen. The world’s largest music company is said to be narrowing a list of veteran hip-hop talent scouts, managers and label execs that include Chris Hicks, currently Def Jam’s executive VP, as well as outsiders Kevin Liles, Irv Gotti, “Kyambo “Hip Hop” Joshua and Chris Lighty. “The ultimate goal is to get the labels working again,” a top Universal insider told TheWrap. Also read: Sylvia Rhone Seen Headed for the Exit at Universal Motown At both Motown and Def Jam, the changes come amid wrenching deliberations. How to do so was a matter of extensive debate over artistic direction among the incoming Habtemariam and Universal’s top corporate and divisional executives, according to knowledgeable insiders and outsiders. For Def Jam the questions were different: Should the new leadership be focused solely on developing artists and hits, or should it be a multitasker in line with the emerging 360-label model that encompasses all facets of an artist’s career — including merchandising, Madison Avenue and movies? To be sure, both labels need new leases on life after historic success has turned to hears of doldrums. Under pioneering impresario Berry Gordy Jr., the “Motown Sound” became a dominant and glossy soundtrack of the tumultuous ’60s. Born in 1959, the label introduced legendary acts ranging from the Temptations and Stevie Wonder to the Jackson Five and the Supremes. Most important, it bridged music’s historic racial divide, with whites joining black fans in openly and enthusiastically embracing its mass-appeal style of rhythm and blues. Similarly, a quarter-century later, college friends Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin began establishing Def Jam as a force in American culture, introducing “loud, abrasive, anti-R&B, anti-commercial hip-hop,” as Simmons recalled to TheWrap. Def Jam remained vital into the early years of this century. But both labels began to falter after their initial leadership teams sold and departed or — in Gordy’s case — shifted their attention. Motown, for example, has never again amassed a bevy of superstar artists or regularly cracked the top end of the charts.
Dev(@DEVisHot) feat Flo Rida(@official_flo ) -In The Dark
[audio:https://global14.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Dev-feat-Flo-Rida-In-The-Dark-Remix-www.Marvin-Vibez.to_.mp3|titles=Dev feat Flo Rida – In The Dark (Remix) ] Dev the rapidly rising singer is in pole position for success with her new single “In The Dark” that has hit primetime rotation on major radio stations around the country. And if that wasn’t enough, the video for “In The Dark” has received almost 7 million views in less than four weeks time. Those are impressive accomplishments for the Cali singer (and emerging fashion icon) who first hit the scene almost a year ago with “Like A G6” together with Far East Movement. To add some extra firepower to the promotion of “In The Dark,” Universal Republic just released a punchy new version of “In The Dark” that features rapper Flo Rida.
THE DREAM – LOVE SLAVE
[audio:https://global14.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/The-Dream-Love-Slave-No-Tags_DigitalDripped.com_.mp3|titles=The Dream – Love Slave ] The Dream is preparing to release his fourth studio album, The Love, IV (Diary of a Mad Man). In preparation of the album, he is releasing a free album online entitled Terius Nash, Est. 1977. No telling whether or not the new Tricky Stewart-produced track, “Love Slave” will appear on the album or his free project, however The Dream took to his Twitter to discuss the controversy he is causing at Def Jam over releasing the free album this month.
Tracee Ellis Ross(@TraceeEllisRoss) Graces the Cover of ESSENCE
One of your favorite “Girlfriends” is back! Actress Tracee Ellis Ross returns to television after three years in her new lead role in the upcoming BET sitcom Read Between the Lines. Tracee chats it up with writer Kierna Mayo in the September 2011 issue of ESSENCE magazine where she shares her love for all things fashion and lessons she learned from her superstar mom, Diana Ross. “…On ‘Girlfriends’ I had become a woman, but it wasn’t until three or four years later that I really began to embody who I had become.”–Tracee Ellis Ross, ESSENCE
Hamilton Park(@HAMILTON_PARK) – Thing Called Us
A single from the Atlanta group Hamilton Park which consists of Mr. Marcus Lee, Royce P., Chris Voice, and Anthony. This single is off the R&B quartet’s Atlantic Records debut. Emotions run high in the video for Hamilton Park’s “Thing Called Us. Emotions run high as the coming-of-age story plays out. Anthony learns that his girlfriend is pregnant, but will the life-changing news tear the lovers apart?
Nicole Scherzinger(@NicoleScherzy) – Wet
Nicole Scherzinger gets soaking “Wet” in the sexy video for the fourth U.K. single off her solo debut Killer Love. The former Pussycat Doll sneaks into an indoor pool with her dancers and teases the cameras with her smokin’ body in the steamy visuals. Nicole shot the clip during a day off from taping Simon Cowell’s “X Factor.” http://youtu.be/affOLiHtZ1Q
Szjerdene – Lead The Way
[audio:https://global14.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Szjerdene-Lead-The-Way-by-Plug-Research.mp3|titles=Szjerdene – Lead The Way by Plug Research] Szjerdene is a 22-year-old Szjerdene (pronounced JhurDEEN) has quietly commanded the attention of music lovers, journalists and artists.Citing Mariah Carey as her sole childhood inspiration, Szjerdene credits the superstar with introducing her to a life-long love of music.But as Szjerdene’s musical taste evolved past pop, she found herself immersed into the world of jazz. Equally important were her fellow UK songstresses like Corrine Bailey Rae and Amy Winehouse. This mix of modern pop influences combined with yesteryear blues/jazz illustrates Szjerdene’s eclectic sound. “It’s old, but fresh… Very pure vocals and honest lyrical content”.
Estelle feat Freeway – Break My Heart (Remix)
Free and producer Benja Styles flip Estelle’s current single Break My Heart with a Black Moon’s “How Many MCs” remix. [audio:https://global14.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Estelle-break-my-heart-remix-feat.-freeway.mp3|titles=Estelle – break my heart remix feat. freeway]