The genre-busting Janelle Monae performs her hit, "Tightrope", off her amazing debut album. The ArchAndroid is available in stores now, and its definitely beatsandbooks.com approved. This album represents the type of sound, talent, and effort that should be in the forefront. Great work, Ms. Monae. The album is available at Itunes and Amazon . Please support good music!
For those who frequent the site and have not heard of DMV artist Wale, no worries. Thats why beatsandbooks.com exists. Hailing from the DMV area, Wale burst onto the local scene in 2005 dropping mixtapes (100 Miles and Running, A Mixtape About Nothing, Hate Is The New Love, Back To The Feature) and doing local shows. It was in 2007, where I got a chance to meet Wale through Jabari, and witnessed him perform for the first time. The brother brought the crowd down, and it wasn't long before he translated his mixtape success into being signed by Interscope. Discovered by Mark Ronson, Wale soon began to make appearances on studio albums of major artists such as The Roots. The Howard University community recognized his talent at the outset, and probably collectively represent one of his biggest followings. Parties routinely included his "Dig Dug" and "Breakdown". He has performed at the Yardfest concert the last three years, even filming his video for "Nike Boots" there. Today is the release of his first studio album, Attention Deficit and the beginning of what we hope is a long career. The project features legends (Bun B), the future (J.Cole and K'Naan), and some of the best vocalists out right now (Chrisette Michele, Marsha Ambrosius). Don't take our word for it however, we have provided the skeptics with a preview of this great project. The album is in stores now support our brother!
Wale "Mama Told Me"
Wale "TV In the Radio" featuring K'Naan
Wale "Beautiful Bliss" featuring Melanie Fiona and J.Cole
Got this new track in my inbox the other day. This is from Philly-based Afro-Soul singer Rafiya. The track is called 'Amazing'. Support her, you can find it at itunes. Shouts to Jimmy and 413 Management for the heads up.
Who is Rafiya?
Rafiya was born in Los Angeles to Congolese parents: a diplomat father and a sociologist mother. Due to her father’s career, she traveled extensively during her formative years: living in Congo (Democratic Republic), the Cape Verde Islands, Benin, Senegal, Guinea, Barbados and Ivory Coast. She moved to Philadelphia in 2001 to attend Temple University where she double majored in Sociology and Spanish, and graduated in 2006 with honors.
While attending school full-time in the aforementioned nations, Rafiya found time to work with local artists, absorbing their techniques and wisdom all the while enriching her sound. She has worked with Oscar Kidjo, recorded in Youssou N’Dour’s studio and toured France and North Africa with French rap star, Mokobe.
Every passing collaboration, studio session and performance strengthened her ever-present belief that she would be spending her life making music; making people smile, dance and think.
Rafiya writes and sings about the human experience in French and English but regardless of your native tongue, her passion translates itself in the melody. Parlez-vous Rafiya? www.facebook.com/rafiyamusic www.youtube.com/rafiyamusic www.myspace.com/rafiyamusic
After being swindled (mostly by Wale and UCB)into watching parts of MTV's gross mis-interpretation of music, art, and the African aestehtic, (the VMAs), the only good thing was seeing Janet Jackson's tribute. Fresh off that performance is this new track, "Make Me", off her upcoming project.
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