Jay-Z – Magna Carta Holy Grail

Jay-Z’s twelfth album was released on July 4th – Independence Day to much fanfare and discussion. The Brooklyn emcee is responsible for taking Hip Hop culture to heights unimaginable throughout his career. Using an innovative approach with this release, the celebration of success and a higher standard of living described on the LP is a result of hard work, focus and pure talent. At this point, his only competition may be the man in the mirror.

In a era where time moves so much faster, when last year seems like five years ago and yesterday can feel like last week, it’s much harder to keep relevance in a society where information is always available and changes by the second. Especially with the internet. The last solo Jay-Z album “Blueprint 3″ was in 2009, but that could be considered a throwback in these times. There is more music being released now than ever before. It’s hard to even keep someone’s mix-tape in rotation for longer than a week because ten more are slated to drop the next day. Fans in the genre of Hip Hop argue day in and day out about who is the best ever. Back when a reigning “king” would be on top for a year or so, now they may last a month before the majority decides differently and anoints someone new. With Jay-Z it’s never a question of his status – he remains the top pick on most people’s lists. Fans do wonder however, if Jay still has the hunger to challenge the new breed and old while remaining the trendsetter he’s always been with impeccable skill. On “Magna Carta Holy Grail”, he is certainly in outstanding form. Whether it’s denouncing competitors on “Tom Ford”, exposing slavery on “Oceans” or opening up about fatherhood on “Jay-Z Blue”, Hov delivers the goods with honesty and urgency.

Jay-Z – Magna Carta Holy Grail

Jay-Z’s twelfth album was released on July 4th – Independence Day to much fanfare and discussion. The Brooklyn emcee is responsible for taking Hip Hop culture to heights unimaginable throughout his career. Using an innovative approach with this release, the celebration of success and a higher standard of living described on the LP is a result of hard work, focus and pure talent. At this point, his only competition may be the man in the mirror.

In a era where time moves so much faster, when last year seems like five years ago and yesterday can feel like last week, it’s much harder to keep relevance in a society where information is always available and changes by the second. Especially with the internet. The last solo Jay-Z album “Blueprint 3″ was in 2009, but that could be considered a throwback in these times. There is more music being released now than ever before. It’s hard to even keep someone’s mix-tape in rotation for longer than a week because ten more are slated to drop the next day. Fans in the genre of Hip Hop argue day in and day out about who is the best ever. Back when a reigning “king” would be on top for a year or so, now they may last a month before the majority decides differently and anoints someone new. With Jay-Z it’s never a question of his status – he remains the top pick on most people’s lists. Fans do wonder however, if Jay still has the hunger to challenge the new breed and old while remaining the trendsetter he’s always been with impeccable skill. On “Magna Carta Holy Grail”, he is certainly in outstanding form. Whether it’s denouncing competitors on “Tom Ford”, exposing slavery on “Oceans” or opening up about fatherhood on “Jay-Z Blue”, Hov delivers the goods with honesty and urgency.

Chris Brown Hints At Retirement: "I'm Tired Of Being Famous"

R&B singer Chris Brown is giving haters a day to rejoice after announcing plans to possibly step away from the music spotlight in the near future.

 Chris Breezy hopped onto his Twitter page today (August 6) to dish on issues of people still judging him from a past mistake and reveal his upcoming X album could be it.

"Don't worry mainstream America.After this X album, it'll probably be my last album.," he tweeted August 6."Being famous is amazing when it's for ur music and talent. I'm tired of being famous for a mistake I made when i was 18. I'm cool & over it!" (Chris Brown's Twitter)

Brown became public enemy number one back in February 2009 after he attacked ex-girlfriend Rihanna during Grammy weekend.

The "mistake" mentioned in that tweet is, presumably, his arrest for domestic assault after attacking then-girlfriend Rihanna the night before the Grammy Awards in 2009. (It should be noted, of course, that Brown was actually 19 when that incident occurred, but math is hard. (Entertainment Weekly)

Some media outlets have speculated this as possibly being a publicity stunt.

Clearly, he doesn't think the rest of the world has, if his recent tweets are any indication. So is this a publicity stunt for his upcoming album, X, or is Brown just another in a long line of musicians who've said that they're quitting music but never actually do? Guess we'll find out when sales numbers come in for X, which has a new projected release date of Aug. 26. (USA Today)

Just yesterday, Chris Breezy showed up at a Los Angeles jail to turn himself in for a hit-and-run case.

Chris Brown pulled a fast one Monday ... turning himself in at an L.A. jail for his hit-and-run case -- a day ahead of schedule. TMZ has learned ... Brown showed up at the Van Nuys jail at around 2 PM. We're told his lawyer, Mark Geragos, engineered it all and the purpose was to make it happen without any photogs present. Brown was booked and released on his own recognizance -- no bail. We're told the whole thing took around 45 minutes. Now here's what's interesting ... Just a few hours earlier, there was a gaggle of photogs at the courthouse which is connected to the jail, because 50 Cent made a court appearance. When the cameras were gone, Chris appeared. Sneaky, Geragos. (TMZ)

Soulja Boy – Life after Fame

By way of Chicago and Mississippi and now officially an ATLien, young Soulja Boy is on his grown man grind with a new project. Continuing on his busy season streak after releasing Cuban Link (EP), King Soulja, Foreign 1 & 2 all within months of each other this year, the SODMG boss don is back for the summer with an exclusive drop. With official beats courtesy of himself, SB carries his own weight on this offering to the streets.

Life After Fame was originally scheduled to be an album. Soulja released a single titled “Ridin’ Round” in preparation for the LP release, but at some point he decided to unleash LAF as a mixtape instead. Since it’s come out it has been downloaded over 25,000 times, gaining bronze status on popular mixtape site DatPiff.com. Soulja has a way of keeping relevancy in this iffy market by feeding the streets with constant releases. No longer reliant upon a major label schedule or demands, SB can give his fanbase music almost whenever he feels the need to. “Ridin’ Round” ended up not being included on this tape but can be purchased on iTunes.

Soulja Boy is the CEO of his own company Stacks On Deck Entertainment. Once upon a time he gave his co-sign to artists like Chief Keef, Riff Raff and Lil’ B who all have made waves throughout the industry. Lately SB has been successful in the production lane, getting beats to some big names like Kanye West and Lil’ Wayne. Global Grind spoke with SB last month to get his thoughts in working with Yeezy. “It was good working with Kanye. He asked me to make some beats for him. I had been doing my own thing with my beats and sh*t like that. He just reached out ya know – it was real cool. He was like ‘Yo Soulja I need some hard beats – I’m in Hawaii.’ SB also talked about expanding his fanbase by doing things outside the box, like his appearance on hit reality show The Bachelorette on ABC. “That’s a whole different crowd that don’t know about Soulja Boy. I’m just trying turn up. I had fun though. Everybody is different. You got stuff you do with Hip Hop and urban culture, then you have stuff you do when you just wanna have fun and turn up with pop culture.”

"Cosby Show" Star Comes Out As Lesbian, Rallies For Full-Fledged Gay Marriage Legalization

Cosby Show" child star Raven-Symone has come out as a lesbian and is using her voice to encourage states across the nation to legalize gay marriage.

The 27-year-old hottie broke the news publicly a few days ago when she referenced gay marriage on Twitter. Raven-Symone, darling of "The Cosby Show" and "That's So Raven," stirred things up a bit Friday with a tweet about gay marriage that's being interpreted as her official coming out as a lesbian. "I can finally get married! Yay government! So proud of you," the actress wrote. The 27-year-old also retweeted a follower who said, "She been out, momma just didn't have time for [nonsense]" (a reply to another's statement, "You better come out sis"). But no, the first tweet didn't mean Raven-Symone's getting married now.

She also issued a formal statement to clear up rumors about her tying the knot in light of more states legalizing gay marriage. Symone told E! News in an exclusive statement: "I am very happy that gay marriage is opening up around the country and is being accepted. I was excited to hear today that more states legalized gay marriage. I, however am not currently getting married, but it is great to know I can now, should I wish to." So don't pop the bubbly yet. A rep for the actress said in an exclusive statement to E! News, "Raven is not getting married. She was just supporting the fact that she heard on NPR that more states legalized gay marriage today." (E! Online)

While she may have hinted at it in the past, Symone never officially came out about her sexuality until now. In the past, she has said her sexual orientation was a private matter. "My sexual orientation is mine, and the person I'm datings to know. I'm not one for a public display of my life," she wrote on her Twitter page in May 2012. After "The Cosby Show," Symone was featured with Eddie Murphy in his "Dr. Dolittle" films and starred in Disney Channel's "That's So Raven." (CNN)

"L.A. Nights" Turns It Up

Los Angeles - "L.A. Nights..." is back and is turning up the volume, Saturday, August 10, 2013, at the Hollywood Park Casino with legendary R&B crooner Christopher Williams, comedic host Ricky Harris, songbird Marva King and guest artist Tracey Adam. Happy hour and fine dining begins at 8:00 p.m. with dancing ending at 2:00 a.m. The Hollywood Park Casino is located at 3883 W. Century Blvd. in Inglewood, CA. KJLH Radio's Nautica De La Cruz will co-host and Sidney Thompson and MC Big Al will deejay the evening. Tickets are available at the Hollywood Park Casino Cage and online at http://www.theloop411.com/eblast/lanights0810.html .

Williams will perform songs from his upcoming new album aong with a collection of his greatest hits, including "I'm Dreamin'" from the classic hip hop film, "New Jack City." Marva King will rock the house with her new hit single, "Steppin," and Tracey Adam will perform from his soon to be released self titled debut, "Tracey Adam."

"L.A. Nights..." founder Kevin Rouse, alongside Deshawn Cabeza and their LA Nights Collective Group have hosted the "L.A. Nights..." series for over three years now throughout the greater Los Angeles area. With entertainment designed to attract upscale and progressive professionals, "L.A. Nights..." has graced venues in downtown Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Sherman Oaks and the historic Crenshaw district, successfully blending comedic talent, fine dining, live music and dancing for the perfect night out on the town.

"This will be the largest 'LA Nights...' event ever!" states Rouse. "We are going to transform the Hollywood Park Casino. Christopher Williams is planning to electrify the room with that voice of his and the seductive Marva King will mesmerize with her sultriness. Maya Tequila is also on board as a new sponsor. Our 'L.A. Nights...' brand is known for hosting top entertainment and this evening will be no different. In fact, it will be better!"

Acoustic Artists of the Month

The featured acoustic music artists of the month are The Unseen Strangers, Harpeth Rising  and Juke Joint Jonny.

The Unseen Strangers is a modern Bluegrass band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He won Best Folk Award for his song "Dance Around My Atom Fire". they won Best Country/Bluegrass at the 9th Annual IAMA with their song "Ramber's Plea".

Harpeth Rising is a quartet that blends Folk, Bluegrass and Traditional Classical music.

Juke Joint Jonny is a traditional Blues man, Band Leader,Singer, Songwriter and Historian. This artist is a modern day Robert Johnson.

Established in 2004, IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards) promotes the art and excellence in acoustic music performance and artistry. Judging is based on excellence in music performance, songwriting/composition and originality. Winners are selected by a panel of established artists and industry professionals. Other past winners include: AJ Croce (2013 Winner), Maddy Rodriguez (2012 Winner), David Francey (2011 Winner), Liz Longley (2010 Winner), The Refugees (2009 Winner), UK singer-songwriter Charlie Dore (2008 winner). Charlie Dore is most famous in the United States for her 1980 pop single, "Pilot of the Airwaves," which hit Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts and shot to international worldwide fame. For more information and to listen to the featured artists of IAMA, go to:

http://www.inacoustic.com/artists2.html

LGBT Hip Hop Label Dreamchaserz Records Signs Que The Rapper

After approval from Dreamchaserz President Josef Dreamz, Cocky da Homo MC has signed the self-proclaimed "Prince of the South" Que the Rapper to the Dreamchaserz imprint, under a joint venture with Que's own Vicious Quality Productions.

Born in Florida and raised in Tennessee, Que the Rapper got his start like most Southerners singing in church, but he later began to rap and battle his siblings, who were so impressed that they encouraged him to hone his rapping skills. The OUT rapper, who just last week graduated from college this week also dropped his latest mixtape cleverly titled, "Cue the Rapper." Que is known for mellow, yet raspy flow and his lyrics, which range from the subject of love, to themes of overcoming obstacles and reaching goals.

Cocky da Homo MC has welcomed Que into the Dreamchaserz camp with the following statement: "Que the Rapper is a young, vibrant, and all around stunning artist, with edge and a powerful personality that shines in his music. His latest mixtape impressed me to no end and I am overwhelmingly excited to have him join our label."

Que the Rapper can be followed on Twitter @QuetheRapper, and be sure to download his mixtape at http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/que-the-rapper-cue-the-rapper-mixtape.91013.html

Vincent Casamatta Chooses Waves SoundGrid® For High-Profile FOH Gigs

Waves Audio is seeing a growing number of young cutting-edge live engineers turn to WavesLive tools, including front-of-house engineer Vincent Casamatta (OK GO, They Might Be Giants) currently on the road with AWOLNATION.

He notes, “Using WavesLive tools is a central part of what it takes to provide studio-quality mixes with consistency every night. I look at digital mixing environments, like DiGiCo, as a blank slate, and using Waves adds the color and punch to my mixes. The workflow is as simple as it gets. I spend nearly the whole show tweaking the Waves rack on my screen. Most importantly, it has the exact same feel and sound of Waves that we use in the studio, so it blurs the line with respect to what you can achieve in the studio versus live.” By employing WavesLive tools, Casamatta helps these artists achieve the level of polish attained in the recording studio.

His go-to plugins are C4 Multiband on guitar, which provides him a “super-simple way to mellow out too much bite”; SSL G-Channel into L1 and L2 Ultramaximizers and shaped with a PuigTec EQP-1A for the drum buss; LoAir on synth low-end for sub-harmonics to “tighten up the whole mix”; DeEsser on main vocals; CLA-2A on backing vocals; and H-Comp on the snare buss.

Vincent Casamatta is part of the growing trend among live sound professionals who are making the move to the next-generation workflow with Waves plugins and WavesLive SoundGrid®. Visit http://www.waves.com and www.waveslive.com for more information.

America's Finest Guitar Custom Manufacturers Present: The Charlotte Guitar Festival

Featuring:

Jack Dent Custom Guitars, Pitcher Amps, Inventor Paul Vo, Port City Amplification, Keisman Pedals, Oldfield Amplifiers, Ari Lehtela-Luthier, and Tom Henry - Guitar Repair

With day clinics and evening performances from: The Deluge, Steve Rothery (Marillion), Paul Vo, Ari Lehtela, Daniel Seriff (The Deluge), Michael "B" Bennett and many more.

Some of the South's and indeed the world's finest custom companies dedicated to the world of guitar playing are coming together for just one day on July 27, 2013 at the Kanvas Gallery (www.kanvasgallery.com) in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina to present their newest creative and technical tools for the discerning guitar player.

With an entire day and night dedicated to all things twangy, the event is split into three sections: A full day of meet and great with great, personal and up-close demos, followed by a guitar clinic with Steve Rothery, Daniel Seriff and Paul Vo and then an evening concert featuring local hot-shot band The Deluge (including Daniel Seriff) superb local blues guitarist and owner of "B" String Guitars Guitar Store - Michael "B" Bennett and Steve Rothery from one of the world's biggest independent recording and touring bands – Marillion.

Tickets are available for the entire day and night of this incredible event, or for just the day or evening events and concert at:http://britishguitaracademy.eventbrite.com/

Number of Global Music Streaming Subscribers Will Grow Almost Threefold From 2012 To 2017

New digital audio research from Parks Associates predicts the number of music streaming subscribers worldwide will reach 15 million by 2017, and the number of connected audio products will nearly double between 2013 and 2017. Analysts report a strong correlation between the growing penetration of networked audio products, including wireless speakers, speaker docks, multiroom digital music systems, and A/V receivers, and music service subscriptions to Rhapsody, Pandora, Rdio, Spotify, and others.

"Business models and the prospects for profitability in Internet-based music services have changed substantially. The market for connected audio devices is also changing. Parks Associates first reported on the linkages between music services and connected audio products in 2011," said Brett Sappington, director, research, Parks Associates. "Since then, the number of users of major streaming music services has increased over 200%, while growth in paying users has exceeded 80%."

The report Evolution of Digital Music on Connected Devices finds worldwide unit sales of audio products with networking capability have increased more than 170% to exceed 24 million in 2012. U.S. owners of music systems and devices that connect to the Internet are more than twice as likely as average broadband households to subscribe to music services. In a May 2013 U.S. survey, fourteen percent of households with connected music systems paid for music services, compared to six percent of households without connected music systems.

"Industry attention has focused on conflicts between music services such as Spotify and artists like Thom Yorke from Radiohead, yet the partnerships between streaming music companies and connected CE manufacturers or content providers are fundamental to driving consumer usage," Sappington said. "Partnerships such as Pandora with Google's Chromecast or the Rdio deal with Live Nation will put their services in front of more people, and that accessibility is translating to more users."

Parks Associates analysts say streaming music companies are aggressively tying their services to connected CE products. For example, Pandora is available on more than 900 CE devices, including a TV-based feature available on the Xbox 360 gaming console.