Arjan Writes is an Atlanta-based pop blogger that keeps ME up to date with all the good European and American music that doesn't involve "the hook"(if you know what I mean).
In ten days Canadian pop group (with a sexy female insert might I add) Dragonette will be stopping in Atlanta for Arjan's inaugural Atlanta Superfraiche pop concert series, which has been held in NY and LA. Lucky ATL to be the next stop and really take advantage of good music.
Dragonette is straight funky with a fun-loving sound and heart-breaking rhythms. Marina and crew talently add smooth lyrics and attractive vocals.
"Mr. ElectroGlampop" Barry Brandon will be opening for the trio and if you're lucky, ONLY IF YOU'RE LUCKY, he'll invite you to one of his sexy parties.
Unfortunately Shy Child can't make it, but Arjan has great ears. I'm sure he'll find another fabolous to make the crowd go wild.
Get you tickets now! Keep your eyes stressed for some ticket giveaways next week!
89.3 that plays some damn good music from all ethnicities and cultures: jazz, hip hop, latin, indian. This weekend they are celebrating every one's subconscious love for rap.
Yeah you know you love rap, even if all you listen to is holy hip hop.
The Show's Ms. Dia and ChicagoTrilla will be hosting. Ms. Dia is quite the fool might I add. I was first introduced to her at Hip Hop Appreciation Week's Women in Rap event. Cool people.
NAIRA, dat boi Grip, Ness Lee, and more are performing. Tickets are $10 at the door. Check for me to post interviews later this week.
And you know it all goes down at Apache Cafe at 9pm. Hit me if you need more info.
(L to R: Stago Lee, Dreamer, Tuki Carter, the LoveCrusader)
This is Atlanta, Ga. and there are not too many men you can find that are fly at all times, educated in many fields, versatile from every aspect, and driven to get what’s theirs. It’s hard to believe that the crazy and imaginative foursome has all these traits covered but lost love on a two way street, according to their recent release Edible Phat 2.0. It may be the grocery cart....
Stago Lee, Tuki Carter, Dreamer, and the LoveCrusader form Hollyweerd. As they are transitioning out of a progression period that has changed their sound and management, fortunately their music and other talents in arts have continued to keep them standing out all over.
Tuki is part owner in a nationally known tattoo shop, City of Ink. “Tuki tattoos and makes music all day,” the LoveCrusader says of him. “We both design and stuff. That’s the artist lifestyle,” his continued. Stago Lee helps keep music in the schools by teaching at a local charter school while Dreamer is in partnership with Brian Stone as apart of Operation ADD. Separately they get it in throughout the state but together they take over the country.
Since the past three releases, including last year’s Edible Phat, they have matured continuing to learn more about each other and grow in their sound. It's been positive reception their newest mixtape and its' proved to increase their set of supporters. “The first three projects were concept driven. Edible Phat 2.0 was mixed and more in tune with our music,” Dreamer starts. “Our sound is more mature. We’re still in the progression stages of our career. The sound pinpoints where we are now in our career.”
The change in management contributed to Hollyweerd’s growth. They acknowledge it’s time to get down to business, do what’s good for everyone involved, and get focused. “Everything happens for a reason. We made a business decision for the greater good of the group. It’s all about progression and we felt like the move we was for that and better opportunities. Right now ya’ll need to be focused on Edible Phat 2.0.,” the LoveCrusader explains.
At this time in the music industry, going independent is the move for anyone trying to get on. These cats love the idea and it sounds good but they are just trying to give everyone an experience when it comes to their music, hence the repetitive “pumping this music to get you into it” of “SupaEazy”.
“There’s gonna be jaws droppin’! It’s a lot of fun and we try to bring something new and different,” The Love Crusader describes. In these upcoming shows with new Def jam signee Big K.R.I.T. and the 2010 Atlanta Indie Fest, Hollyweerd will continue to bring newness to the stage. They’ve learned from the best. “We’ve done shows with entertainers that have really put on a show. We’ve learned from the Constellations to Falcon Lords. We take what we’ve been around and apply it,” Dreamer says.
“Shows. Shows. Shows. All I wanna do is shows,” Dreamer reiterates. One-half of the group may have magical Scorpio powers with the ladies, but when it comes down to what they really want for the group, only performing can really satisfy their steez. Those same powers won’t get them where every other artist thinks they should be: signed to a major label.
Getting signed isn’t their main goal and the LoveCrusader believes that it’s not as important. “If we get signed, it’d be by doing shows.” Tuki somewhat agrees. “If we get signed, it’d be by doing shows.”
Excited about everything that’s to come: a new EP, music videos, and shows on all coasts, the LoveCrusader expresses how they stay positive and moving forward. “The album is coming. It’s gonna come when it comes cause we working, but it’s a family situation. We’re blessed.”
Mauldin Brand Agency (MBA) has joined forces with the Peoples Station V-103 and the Urban Speed Association to present an explosive new series of Motorsports inspired events this summer at Atlanta Motor Speedway, appropriately titled; “FastLife Fridays.”
Friday July 9th, you can purchase $7 tickets to hang out with Greg Street, JD's Daddy, and the rest of Atlanta's youngins. It should be more fun than I'm making it. Enjoy!
Atlanta's production aliens, SMKA, are bringing good music LIVE to Atliens everywhere throughout the summer.
Tonight they are kicking it off at Eastside Lounge at 9pm. The tix are $5 and you can get them here.
If you missed Tuesday night's show at 529 w/ Richelle L. Brown and my "sexy chocolate", then you can catch them again here at half price. My homey Niko Villamor and FKI will be hitting the stage as well.
Shouts to Desmond. I see you working hard and getting it in over there.
I will be reviewing the show at my summer place of freelance residence: A3C, so catch the recap there.
Check out this new Aleon Craft to start your night off.
Happy birthday to a man that was the epitome of art and music. Tonight we are celebrating his birthday with Pill, Bun B, Roscoe Dash, and more. Be in the building for a night dedicated to one of the best lyricists ever placed upon us hip hop heads! The celebration will be held at Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts on Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain (Da Mound for my eastsiders). Doors open at 7pm. Show starts at 8pm. Buy your tickets here. I leave you with my favorite song from 2pac and Biggie. I hold it very dear to my heart.
Nigerian born and German made vocalist Nneka will be blazing Tabernacle's stage on Saturday night.
My editor at CL put me on to her and this girl is good! Africa is the future and I hate to bring it up but the 419 scam was obviously way before anyone's time.
Her music is phenomenal and her voice is a treasure. Support good music ya'll and get there early so you don't miss what she had in store for Atlanta.
Doors open at 8pm. Show starts at 9pm. The show is at the Tabernacle. Get your tickets here (beware the $15 additional fee).
Over the weekend, I went to a private listening party for Neyo's forthcoming album Libra Scales. One could suspect it may be titled that because he is attempting to create a balance of different sounds on the album. The album is diverse in sounds and genres, but it lacks alot of creativity. I begged the question throughout the listening, "Where's the creativity?!" Let me add, I would not be surprised if he says in the future that a lot of the music was MJ-inspired. Dolow you can find a mini rundown of the tracks. They were strict so I can't remember every specific, but I still had a good idea of everything that was presented to us.
Champagne Life: Second single off of the album. Definitely a banger. Upbeat, collar-poppin song. "Let's toast it up!" Produced by dude from 112(he did alot on the album).
Making A Movie: Song is about hollering at a girl and telling her that "we can make a movie". Made me feel good. Really smooth instrumental. Song concept was decent.
Telekinesis: Straight up sexing song. "Let me touch you without touching you." It's not a ballad, it has a moderate melody that will get people into the bedroom. The song concept is very imaginative.
One In A Million: He didn't cover Aaliyah (Thank God cause I heard The Dream did) but this song is very pop and dance driven. It was a very basic and boring song.
Beautiful Monster: This song is very pop and dance driven as well. The lyrics hold alot of weight and the song concept is definitely different, but it's not for the urban fan.
She Is: Heartbreak ballad. Great lyrics, great concept. The beat is pretty simple, but the singing covers all that up.
Miss Right: Song is basically discussing Mr. Right from a guy's perspective. It's like "Miss Independent" part 2 but it is even more sexy. The beat is nice and the lyrics are attractive when he sings "Hello, Good evening".
Cause I Said So: Very sharp dance song that is geared towards the urban crowd. Beat and lyrics very straight forward and singing is aggressive.
What Have I Done: This was my favorite. If you loved "Lie To Me" from Year of the Gentleman, then you will love this song. It's the same melody somewhat but totally different concept. The arrangement is well done.
Crazy Love: This was produced by Ryan Leslie. Extremely radio-friendly. Fabolous is on the track and it has an 80's soul feel to it. Like straight Kiss 104.1.
Genuine Only: This is a cute song and a bonus track. Very catchy but really has no substance. Beat is basic, concept is wack, and lyrics and whatever.
Know Your Name: The boring songs just started to get redundant. This was another bonus track, hopefully they just leave it off the album all together.
Songs About You: It's like the opposite of "So Sick". Instead of listening to all the sad songs, now he is writing them about her. It's attractive concept and slick beat and words. Slow melody and easy listen.
The problem with this album is there is no balance, which I guess is the point of the libra scale thing. It's either the beat is carrying the song or the vocals are carrying the song or the lyrics are carrying the song. Also there is no flow to the album. I understand that he has the ability to be diverse because of his past success with pop-driven songs and dance music, but he should have approached it with more of a story or create some type of flow so the album can be consistent in concepts, sounds, etc. The creativity he did have just put him in a box of 'confused musician'.
I know the album will sell, hell I will buy it, but it does not at the least top the last two albums. Check two of the tracks dolow.
Soulstress, and I stress soul, will be opening tonight for Eric Roberson. Here's what she had to say about what you expect:
"Expect a good time and absolutely anything from me. Expect the stage to be insane and all the way turned up because I love to be on stage. It's like you're in my living room, listening to good music. You should fee like you can kick off your shoes!"
This show is gonna be live ya'll. Get your tickets at the door for $25. Click here for more information.
Pinin'
Doors open at 8pm. Show starts at 9pm. Enjoy. Full interview coming up. =)
