COLUMN The Floacist, Spoken-Word powerhouse, releases ‘Rise of the Phoenix Mermaid’ March 18, 2014 By Eunice Moseley “This is the most prepared I’ve ever been for a project,’ said The Floacist, seven-time Grammy Award nominated (Floetry) Spoken Word artist, singer and songwriter, about her newest solo album release on Shanachie titled “Rise of the Phoenix Mermaid.” “I was extremely prepared.” The Floacist, who co-created the hits “Say yes” and “Getting Late,” excellently blends her vocal abilities and Spoken-Word skills with the back drop of great production by Chris “Big Dog” Davis. “I love to collaborate, which is why I never wanted to be a solo artist,” said the Germany born Jamaican heritage R&B artist about the project. “The art work (on the cover) is Phylicia Ghee the creative director on this project. We’re very blended in spirit. When I told her the title…she knew a location and had ideas. She designed the dress herself. “ The Floacist talked about the photo shoot for the album cover that Ghee also did along with designing the cover, and the fabulous red dress she wears. “I don’t create with expectations,” The Floacist said. “I create with intentions. Being 35 and...Read the full April 11, 2014 column ...> Stellar nominated JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise to release “I See Victory” August 5, 2014 What Contemporary Gospel Choir and its director have performed on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien?” The answer is Youthful Praise and its director JJ Hairston. On August 5, 2014 JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise will release a new album titled “I See Victory.” Its first single “It Pushes Me” is out now. “The message is the story of Joseph, what he went through to be a blessing to his family,” said Stellar Award nominee JJ Hairston about the theme of the first single “It Pushes Me” off of his new “I See Victory” project. “They tried to kill him…it pushes us to our destiny.” Hairston’s destiny has taken him to the pentacle of success in the Gospel industry. Aside from appearing on Conan O’Brien’s show, he has also performed at the Stellar Awards, and on the “Bobby Jones Gospel” show. Recently he performed in a tribute for Richard Smallwood at the BET Celebration of Gospel two-hour television special. “The last year has been something else for me,” JJ pointed out. “My mother was in and out of a coma, and three weeks ago she passed away. The songs came to me to help me through…miracles happen everyday.” I see Victory” has a long ...Read the full April 11, 2014 column...> NEXT DATE: Sat. April 19th Baltimore - (562) 424-3836 FOLLOW US!

NEWS   Def Leppard's Joe Elliott releases new solo album 'The Further Adventures of...' April 22, 2014   (Los Angeles, CA) -  Def Leppard's Joe Elliott is promoting another solo project with Down 'n Outz titled "The Further Adventures of..." to be released April 22, 2014.  The concept for the project started when Down 'n Outz performed at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2009. Their covers of Mott The Hoopie's songs led to their debut "My Re-Generation." The debut reached #1 replacing Eric Capton's single off the top of hte charts for two weeks. They released the live performance in a DVD titled "Live at Hammersmith Apollo. "The Further Adventiures of..." album is their first project in three decades. The first single is "Rock and Roll Queen."   Pharrell Williams to Release Fragrance with Comme des Garcons, in stores September, 2014   (New York, NY) - Japanese fashion company Comme des Garçons has announced that they will be releasing an exclusive fragrance with Pharrell Williams called G I R L. The scent will be for both men and women. Williams, who recently picked up his 7th Grammy Award and was nominated for an Academy Award for his #1 hit single "Happy" from the animated film Despicable Me 2, has been a fixture in the luxury fashion world for many years though this will be his first fragrance.     Harry Belafonte Awarded Honorary Doctorate at Berklee College of Music   (Boston, MA) - Harry Belafonte, iconic musician, songwriter, and activist was presented with a Berklee College of Msic honorary doctorate of music degree by the college's president Roger H. Brown Boston's Berklee Performance Center. The degree was awarded in recognition of Belafonte's inspiring musical and humanitarian achievements, exposing America to world music and challenging and overturning racial barriers across the globe. Fifty Berklee students and faculty performed his songs, directed by professor Larry Watson. Highlights, which included an audience sing-along of "Banana Boat Song (Day-O)," and rousing performances of "Lift Every Voice," "Matilda," and "Didn't It Rain."

VIDEO CLIP OF THE WEEK Paramount Pictures presents a Biblical epic film Noah, based on the Noah's Ark story starring Russell Crowe as Noah. Rated-PG Noah also stars Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson, Anthony Hopkins, Douglas Booth, Logan Lerman, and Ray Winstone. Released to theaters March 28, 2014 Noah is directed by Darron Aronofsky. See the trailer below! HOTTEST MUSIC VIDEOS CLICK HERE AND LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! Universal Pictures to release Lucy starring Scarlett Johansson and Morgan Freeman, arrives in theaters August 8, 2014 (New York, NY) - This summer on August 8, 2014 Universal Pictures will release Lucy, starring Scarlett Johansson. The action-thriller also stars Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman and is produced by Virginie Besson-Silla for EuropaCorp. Universal Pictures will distribute the movie worldwide, except for France, Benelux and China. From La Femme Nikita and The Professional to The Fifth Element, writer/director Luc Besson has created some of the toughest, most memorable female action heroes in cinematic history.  Now, Besson directs Scarlett Johansson in Lucy, an action-thriller that tracks a woman accidentally caught in a dark deal who turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.   Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN7ksFEVO9U Eunice Moseley Create Your Badge

SPOTLIGHT of THE WEEK "NAS" (Los Angeles, CA) - Nas has announced the release of “Life’s A Bitch (Arsenal Mix)” on his new album, "Illmatic XX," a compilation of rare remixes, unreleased demos and freestyles commemorating the anniversary of his seminal debut release "Illmatic." The collection will drop April 15, 2014 via SONY Legacy.  In conjunction with the new release, Nas will be touring the U.S. this spring and performing the groundbreaking album from front to back. The tour kicked off with a special performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Nas will also appear at this year’s Coachella Festival. In combination with the release, Time Is Illmatic – a feature length documentary film that examines the album – will open this year’s Tribeca Film Festival on April 16th. Nas emerged from the Queensbridge neighborhood of Long Island City, a hotbed of rap artists since the ’80s.  The son of jazz trumpeter Olu Dara, he has since gone on to sell over 20 million albums worldwide over the span of his legendary career, and has acted as an ambassador for hip-hop culture throughout the globe. Since the release of Illmatic, he has released 9 solo albums and 3 compilations all of which have been certified double-platinum, platinum and gold. His most recent release was 2012’s Life Is Good, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200, marking the sixth #1 album that Nas has produced in his career. The collection also received four GRAMMY nominations bringing the rap icon’s GRAMMY recognition count to 13 overall. For more information, please go to www.nasirjones.com.