Music Archives - Page 37 of 56

Chris Dobry, the Mind Behind Promising Power Player Stryker Records

Music Observer Staff on March 7, 2022

The music industry is home to countless powerhouses whose success results from talent, hard work, passion, strategic utilization of marketing tools, and more. Many of these artists managed to secure a coveted spot in the limelight through their own efforts, fueled by the vision of a future where their names are written on top of the charts. But while their journey proves a testament to the feasibility of carving a path toward the forefront of the music scene without the help of industry giants, the fact remains that it pays off to seek the guidance of those who are well-versed in the comings and goings of a field known for its cut-throat nature. Stryker Records, a label launched by Chris Dobry, is among today’s go-to enablers of success.

A self-starter on a mission to propel those under his wing to great heights, Chris Dobry is becoming a widely familiar name in the music scene not only for the top-notch services that his well-rounded company provides but also for the inspiring story behind his rise. In 1997, the go-getter started Stryker Records without a dime to his name. “I had an idea to put on a battle of the bands in my hometown,” he recalled. “After a series of press releases, I was able to secure an interview on the local CBS station the same night as the Grammy Awards, which led to the event gaining a lot of attention and drawing the initial funds needed to create the label.”

In the decades since then, Chris Dobry has spearheaded Stryker Records’ purpose-driven initiatives and its transformation into an industry authority, making bold moves to solidify the company’s standing in the music scene. Apart from managing talented artists, he has promoted live events involving a long list of personalities, from Saving Abel and Trapt to Tantric and Rick Monroe.

Chris Dobry has also poured his heart into elevating the career of those signed under Stryker Records, opening doors of opportunity and pushing them toward the spotlight. In 2020, he teamed up with Holly Hutchison, a former VP at Capitol Records, and her company to pave the way for one of the record’s former rock groups to the #20 spot on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Indicator and #7 on the Concrete/Foundations chart.

Currently, Stryker Records is home to numerous promising musicians, one of which is Drew Lines. The hip-hop artist is the voice behind the single “Rise,” which landed on the 18th spot of the NACC chart and hit #1 on the hip-hop category of the M3 Radio chart. On March 11, Chris Dobry’s venture is set to continue its successful streak with the release of “15 Minutes of Fame,” a hip-hop remix of the hard-hitting but lesser-known Saving Abel track.

More can be expected from Stryker Records as it keeps cementing its reputation as a trusted label and event organizer in the years to come. On top of promoting and producing live music events around the country, it will go all-out in providing its artists with the chance to make a name for themselves in the music industry. In the meantime, listeners and music enthusiasts can look forward to March 10 and the kick-off of “The Borrowed Time,” a tour headlined by Drew Lines and will feature Space Kase, Caesar Reddington, and JPS Production’s recording artist Trotter Water.

Inspiring Artist and Entrepreneur DMTS Shares Thought-Provoking Message Through His Song “The System”

Music Observer Staff on March 3, 2022

Turning one’s life around is perhaps one of the most fulfilling things for anyone to accomplish; however, it does not come easy. And this is something that Deivone Tanksley knows from experience. As such, he has devoted his life to helping others, especially the youth, follow a path of integrity.

More commonly known as DMTS, the inspiring man hails from New Britain, Connecticut. He is an entrepreneur, mentor, author, musical artist, and activist. What motivated him to pursue this path was his childhood.

Growing up, he experienced all sorts of adversity, from poverty to violence. As a result, he went in and out of jail from the tender age of 11.

Fortunately, he was able to break the vicious cycle of a typical young black kid coming from the bottom. What helped him bounce back was making a conscious decision to change his life for the better. Now that he has become successful, he is fully dedicated to giving back to his community.

As a musician, DMTS uses his craft to bring awareness and inspiration to the masses. He creates captivating tunes and writes lyrics with powerful messages. His latest EP, From Poverty To Prodigy, contains seven tracks such as “Pardon Me, A Mothers Pain,” and “Can Be Anything.”

On top of that, he has written and performed the single, “THE SYSTEM.” He highlights the prevalent issues the black community still faces through the song, including police killings, mass incarceration, and having very little economic power.

As the artist perfectly explained about the song, “It is talking to the hearts of people black and white. My kids, my wife, and mother are on that list, and I want to make history by creating real change.”

More than earning the appreciation of his audience, DMTS intends for his music to be heard and understood. He wants people to listen to every word as they reflect his values and principles. But, most importantly, it helps others see the world from his perspective.

Aside from being an artist, the extraordinary individual champions his advocacies through other inspiring ventures. For example, he started a basketball mentoring program for the youth called New Britain Legacies, which was incorporated in youth jails around Connecticut.

Additionally, he is an outstanding entrepreneur and owns the impressive restaurant My Wife Didn’t Cook. Furthermore, he is the founder of the DMTS Network, an entertainment platform for artists and creators.

In everything he does, Deivone Tanksley ensures that he remains faithful to his vision. When asked what motivates him, he profoundly replied, “My purpose is to help shift the energy and mindset in the hearts of others to help them believe in a world of opportunities, ownership, and building economic development in communities all over the country!”

Moving forward, the insightful entrepreneur and thought leader sees himself changing the mindset of young boys and girls, black and white worldwide. He plans to make a significant impact with his causes and earn accolades from prestigious award-giving bodies.

But above all, DMTS aims to scale his success so he can donate millions of dollars to bettering the lives of others, help end hunger, and invest in a new world of young entrepreneurs.

Jamal Edwards, a British Musician Who Championed Grime, Dies at 31

Music Observer Staff on February 28, 2022

Photo: WireImage

Jamal Edwards, the British entrepreneur and DJ who founded SBTV, has died at age 31, Edwards’ company confirms via BBC News. The cause of his death is unknown as of writing. Edwards was influential for his efforts with music and championed grime, an eclectic style of British rap. He became a 2014 MBE awardee for his contributions to music.

Born in Luton and raised in Acton, Edwards launched SBTV on YouTube when he was a teenager, which gave young and established rappers their own space for creativity. He launched F64, which had rappers performing 64 bars of new lyrics. The acoustic spin-off, A64, helped launch Ed Sheeran’s career, among others. Other artists featured on SBTV include Dave, Stormzy, Jessie J, Skepta, and Wiley.

Edwards also became an ambassador for The Prince’s Trust, a youth charity run by Charles, Prince of Wales. Edwards also published the self-help book Self-Belief: The Vision: How to Be a Success on Your Own Terms in 2013. He also worked on documentaries, and one of them featured conversations with musicians on breaking the stigma of mental health in the music industry.

Artists everywhere have paid tribute to Edwards on social media, such as Jaykae and Lady Leshurr.

“Thank you for everything,” Dave wrote. “Words can’t explain.”

“Jamal Edwards was such a generous and inspiring person. Always gracious, he was a true pioneer,” said Zane Lowe.

Singer Chris Brown Accused of Drugging and Sexually Harassing a Woman in California

Music Observer Staff on February 28, 2022

Photo: People

Singer Chris Brown has been accused of rape by a woman in California. The victim claims that he drugged and raped her at the rapper’s Florida home on a yacht.

The woman, Jane Doe as identified in the court papers, demands a $20 million compensation in damages from Brown.

The lawsuit filed Thursday claims that the R&B star invited the woman—characterized as a choreographer, dancer, model and musical artist—to his yacht following her arrival in Miami on December 30, 2020.

The drink he handed her made her feel “disoriented (and) physically unstable,” she says.

The filing claims that Brown led her into the bedroom where he raped her, even with her objections.

“The traumatic events that Plaintiff Jane Doe experienced shock the conscience and should horrify all of us,” says the suit, filed in Los Angeles. “The time has come to send a message to Defendant Chris Brown that enough is enough.”

“Accordingly, Plaintiff Jane Doe brings this complaint seeking justice for herself (and also with the hope it may serve as an example for others) who may now or have in the past found themselves at the mercy of Defendant Chris Brown.”

Lawyers Ariel Mitchell and George Vrabeck revealed that their client was too embarrassed to seek legal help at first.

The AFP asked the firm whether a civil case would later spark a criminal complaint; however, there was no instant response.

Brown wrote what he thinks about the issue on an Instagram post after the release of the filing.

“I HOPE YALL SEE THIS PATTERN OF [blue cap emoji],” he said. The blue cap emoji is used to indicate false statements. “Whenever im releasing music or projects ‘THEY’ try to pull some real bullshit.”

However, the Grammy Award-winning singer did not elaborate on who he meant by “they.”

Back in 2009, Brown was convicted of assault for beating fellow artist Rihanna, his then-girlfriend, who didn’t attend the Grammy Awards due to her injuries.

He has been accused of rape before, but he declined to admit the charges and was not charged for it.

Red (Taylor’s Version) Goes Viral, Opens Conversations About Artists’ Freedom in Music Industry

Music Observer Staff on February 28, 2022

Taylor Swift blew up the world with her re-recorded album Red (Taylor’s Version). The album dominated major streaming platforms, including Spotify and YouTube, garnering millions of views and streams when it hit audiences on November 12. Red (Taylor’s Version) has officially broken records, landing as one of the most-streamed albums in a day by a female artist. Spotify recently confirmed with Billboard that the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter had reached over 122.9 million streams globally, beating her own record for 2020’s Folklore at 80.6 million.

Red (Taylor’s Version) features updated recording of all of Taylor Swift’s songs on her 2012 album called Red, including the highly-anticipated 10-minute version of her song “All Too Well,” which was released with a masterfully created short film that premiered on Friday, starring Sadie Sink, Dylan O’Brien, and the singer herself.

Similar to her re-recording of Fearless (Taylor’s Version), Taylor Swift offered fans with raw and unfiltered versions of her songs, seemingly offering fans with rediscovered renditions of some of her greatest hits. The album also featured duets from prominent artists, such as Ed Sheeran, Phoebe Bridgers, and Chris Stapleton. Furthermore, the singer-songwriter released renditions of two songs recorded in the intervening years by Little Big Town and Sugarland, “Better Man” and “Babe.”

Taylor Swift began re-recording her songs in the previous year after her early catalog was sold twice behind her back, first to celebrity talent manager Scooter Braun and then to Shamrock Capital Advisors in Los Angeles.

“I know this will diminish the value of my old masters, but I hope you will understand that this is my only way of regaining the sense of pride I once had when hearing songs from my first six albums and also allowing my fans to listen to those albums without feelings of guilt for benefiting Scooter,” said Taylor Swift in a statement addressed to an investment firm last October.

Beyond rediscovering her songs, Taylor Swift paved the way for conversations to take place on how artists’ freedom is often limited in the music industry. For some music experts, Red (Taylor’s Version) highlights how the music industry filters what artists are allowed to launch and which versions don’t necessarily make the cut. This is determined, of course, by what music executives think sells.

With Taylor Swift outperforming her original songs with her re-recorded versions, going viral on major social media platforms and even landing lucrative licensing deals, the artist has proactively influenced the power dynamics in the music business.

As Susan Genco, board member of artists’ rights music group Music Artists Coalition and co-president of the Azoff Company, said, “What Taylor did is a game-changer, not just for her fans but for other artists. She is inspiring artists to re-record their songs and control their music.”

From the release of Fearless (Taylor’s Version) to the launching of Red (Taylor’s Version), Taylor Swift has sparked the determination of many artists to seek ownership of their original recordings and also make them heard. The shift in power and control has empowered many music creators to take control over their music, decide how they are used, and ultimately have a say in the revenue their works generate.

According to Angela Weiss of Getty, music artists only get 20% of their streaming revenue while 80% goes to their record label. With this, music lawyers have been emphasizing that artists who own their master recordings could keep around 80% to 95% of that revenue. Whatever the case may be, Taylor Swift’s re-recordings have definitely impacted the music industry. According to The Wall Street Journal, Universal, the largest record label in the world, has reportedly doubled the time it bars artists from re-recording their music in recent contracts. Read more about the story here.

Adele to Release Two-Hour TV Special Five Days Before Her Upcoming Album

Music Observer Staff on February 28, 2022

Source: Billboard

The music scene is home to some of the world’s brightest stars and most talented individuals. With how saturated the industry is with brilliant artists and outstanding musicians, it comes as no surprise that fans from across the globe are always up on their toes with the latest news about their favorite idols. Since the release of her latest single, “Easy On Me,” last October 15, Adele has been creating a significant buzz all over the world.

Aside from her long-awaited album 30, Adele will be presenting Adele: One Night Only, a primetime special welcoming back the industry powerhouse as she graces back into the music scene. The TV special will feature an extraordinary concert performance that includes the earliest opportunity to hear her first new material in six years. With so much to look forward to, fans worldwide could not stay still as they let out their excitement across different social media platforms.

The TV special Adele: One Night Only will be aired by CBS on November 14, 2021, exactly five days before the release of her fourth album, 30. It will also showcase renditions of Adele’s classics, as well as an interview conducted by Oprah Winfrey from her rose garden. It airs from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Eastern and is available for live streaming on Paramount+. To be filmed in Los Angeles, the special will include several of Adele’s hits as well as several new songs.

On top of that, Adele: One Night Only will also feature an exclusive interview with Adele by Oprah Winfrey from her rose garden. According to an announcement, the superstar’s first televised wide-ranging conversation will tackle discussions about her new album, the stories behind the songs, life after divorce, weight loss, and raising her son.

The show is produced by Fulwell 73 Productions and Onward Productions in association with Harpo Productions, whose executive producers are Late Late Show With James Corden producer Ben Winston, who also shepherded the 2021 Grammy Awards; Adele; her manager Jonathan Dickins; and Raj Kapoor.

In announcing the album last week, Adele compared the album to something like having a friend during “the most turbulent period of my life,” a time in which she married, divorced, and raised her now nine-year-old son.

“When I was writing it, it was my friend who came over with a bottle of wine and a takeaway to cheer me up,” Adele wrote. “My wise friend who always gives the best advice. Not to forget the one who’s wild and says, ‘It’s your Saturn return, babes fuck it, you only live once.’ The friend who’d stay up all night and just hold my hand while I’d sob relentlessly, not knowing why. The get-up-and-go friend who would pick me up and take me somewhere I said I didn’t want to go but just wanted to get me out the house for some vitamin D,” the singer added.

“That friend who snuck in and left a magazine with a face mask and some bath salts to make me feel loved while inadvertently reminding me not only what month it actually was but that I should probably exercise some self-care! And then that friend who, no matter what, checked in on me even though I’d stopped checking in with them because I’d become so consumed by my own grief. I’ve painstakingly rebuilt my house and my heart since then, and this album narrates it,” Adele further disclosed.

Adele’s 30 is out the Friday after the TV special and will feature unparalleled writing and production from the likes of Greg Kurstin, Inflo, Max Martin, Shellback, Ludwig Göransson, and Tobias Jesso Jr.

Billboard and Samsung Collaborates for Three Successive Days of Concert in the 2022 SXSW

Music Observer Staff on February 28, 2022

Photo: SXSW

On Friday, February 18, Billboard and Samsung announced that they have partnered up for a breathtaking roster of concerts throughout 2022 SXSW.

The “Samsung + Billboard Present The Stage at SXSW” event will occur from March 17 to 19. This three-night series of headlining performances is set in Austin, Texas’ Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park and promises an unforgettable experience for music fans.

This year, the venue will host a three-day music festival with some big names headlining. Gunna and Young Thug will be playing on Thursday, March 17; Palm Tree Crew brings Kygo backed by Frank Walker and Forester for their show that day too. Then, on Saturday, March 19, Shawn Mendes and Sebastian Yatra finish up what has been a fantastic weekend at this event.

Over three nights, the audience will party with DJ Rosegold and DJ VRYWVY.

Samsung Galaxy is sponsoring the event and exclusively hosting the shows on Friday and Saturday. In addition, the SXSW Samsung | Billboard Galaxy House will provide guests the chance to encounter fascinating panel content and interconnect with Samsung products on-site.

It features the brand-new Samsung Galaxy S22 and the brand row activation, pop-up moments, gifting artists and customer touchpoints throughout the concerts.

The Waterloo Greenway Conservancy will receive a donation from the concert (handed by Billboard) to help develop an urban park system in collaboration with Austin city.

The first aspect (out of three) of the organization’s aim, Waterloo Park, has been established in 2021 to offer 11 acres of downtown green space, community programming and performing arts and entertainment at the Moody Amphitheater.

With exclusive access to reserved tickets, badge holders and wristband owners can enjoy this year’s SXSW Music Festival. Unfortunately, it means that only a limited number of publicly available spots will be available beginning on Friday.

Kanye West’s Donda and the Controversies Surrounding the Music Icon’s Latest Album

Music Observer Staff on February 28, 2022

Source: The Guardian

News broke out across music channels and circles about Kanye West’s latest album after Universal released the record last Sunday. But the long-anticipated release has been met with controversy and a whole pile of messy reactions, most notably some from the artist behind the album himself after West claimed that the record company launched the album without his approval.

Fans will remember that Donda was supposed to hit the market back in July 2021 but would face several delays for reasons undisclosed. So before launching the rap and hip hop icon’s latest album, organizers and promoters mounted several events to create anticipation for the new release, including a listening event that would see several stadiums booked where Donda’s songs would blare out at full volume. In addition, Kanye appeared suspended in mid-air in one venue and would get set on fire before restaging his wedding with ex-wife Kim Kardashian. The spectacle was no less than outrageous.

Donda is Kanye West’s tenth record to come to market, although the artist claims that he didn’t have a say in the recent release. Reviews have come in response to West’s latest creation, but criticism has come in surplus. One reporter writes in the Financial Times saying, “Like its maker’s ego, the album is a vast, unruly, rapacious affair.”

Some expressions of disappointment have also come from co-music creators like Soulja Boy and Chris Brown, who have expressed their dislike for the new album. The two artists disclosed that they had parts in two separate tracks axed from the final mix without communication. “If he didn’t like the verse, he should have said that don’t text me acting like u f—— wit it then secretly take it off. What kind of s—— is that I was working on my album too I don’t got time for this s——,” tweeted Deandre Cortez Way, also better known by his stage name Soulja Boy. Brown would also later take his frustrations to social media after sharing how his part in the song, “New Again,” was heard in the early release but would later be edited out and replaced with a version without him in it.

The album is named after Kanye’s late mother, Donda, who died on November 10, 2007, after undergoing extensive cosmetic surgery. Though the report was inconclusive, the family pointed at the medical professionals involved in the procedure. Kanye’s new album is one of the artist’s ways of moving forward as he seeks peace after the tragedy.

The album, Donda, features twenty-seven tracks with several collaborations, including some with controversial figures DaBaby and Marilyn Manson, among many others. During the album’s development, news had also spread about unsettled matters between Kanye and Drake, which further complicated the album’s production and promotion.

“Jesus Lord,” one of the record’s more notable tracks, links mental instability and grief he has experienced after Donda’s death with current issues around racism and gun violence that has claimed the dignity and lives of many African American men and women in the country.

Despite all the turmoil surrounding West’s tenth release, it would go on to break records, garnering over 60 million streams on its first day in Apple Music. Listen to all twenty-seven tracks on Spotify here.

New Alicia Keys Album to Feature Two Sides of Her Musical Artistry

Music Observer Staff on February 28, 2022

Source: Alicia Keys’ Instagram

New York City-born music artist Alicia Keys recently announced the details of her upcoming album titled KEYS, which is set to be released on December 10. The artists highlighted the two kinds of songs that she would be releasing. Side A will showcase her laidback piano vibes, while Side B will be unlocking her other side that is upbeat, full of drums, and level-up vibes. Knowing her brand of music, she is setting out to showcase a new set of potential hits that will continue to inspire her countless fans worldwide.

In her recent Instagram post, Alicia called one side of her album Originals and the second one Unlocked. She describes the first version of the album as her classic side and the Alicia Keys everyone wants. It is a form of homecoming. The other version of the album is all about the new things she is exploring at the moment amidst the pandemic, and she described them as magic.

Alicia is producing the laidback side of her upcoming album. For the upbeat side, she will be co-producing it with Mike Will Made-It. Last September, she released the single “LALA” featuring Swae Lee. If anything, the single gave music fans a peek into the newness they can expect from her new album.

The last album that Alicia released was titled Alicia in 2020. KEYS is expected to be another awe-inspiring project that will highlight her versatility and powerful vocal range. It is worth mentioning that her song “Underdog,” which was released in January 2020, was a phenomenal hit, generating more than 47 million views on YouTube alone. Her last biggest hit was the single “Girl on Fire,” which also won the R&B Album Grammy Award in 2010. That definitive album showcased her newfound confidence as she struggled to find herself after marriage and experiencing motherhood.

“I think it’s mostly just stepping into your womanhood,” Alicia revealed to The Times in a 2012 interview about the album. “‘Girl on Fire’ is really about finding your own passion, finding your own flow and standing in your own space. And just being fully and completely yourself,” she added.

In 2002, Alicia Keys made a phenomenal impact in the music industry when she took home the Grammy Award for Song of the Year for the Single “Fallin.” As if she was destined to rule the industry that year, she also won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. She also won the R&B/ Hip Hop Song for “Fallin” and the Songwriter of the Year award. The song was part of her debut album, Songs in A Minor, which topped the Billboard 200.

In 2008, she won two Grammy Awards for the single “Empire State of Mind.” The year before that, she won the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 50th Annual GrammyAwards for the song “Superwoman.”

This 2021, Alicia shared a 20th anniversary edition of her phenomenal debut album, Songs in A Minor. It featured two special previously unreleased bonus tracks that were supposed to be part of the original album: “Crazy (Mi Corazon)” and “Foolish Heart.”

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Adele’s ‘21’: The First Record by a Woman to Linger in the Billboard 200 for 10 Years

Music Observer Staff on February 27, 2022

Source: Albumism

Adele has been dominating the music world for years and she is still going strong. There is no stopping Adele from breaking yet another record and smashing gender stereotypes as her 10-year old album is still chilling in the Billboard 200.

“21” is still rolling in the depths of the Billboard 200. The songstress is no doubt still on music bliss as her latest album “30” topped the Billboard 200 charts four weeks in a row and is now an all time favorite among fans, and yet there’s another achievement to celebrate for.

The singer’s highly-acclaimed 2011 sophomore release, “21″ has ultimately set foot on its 120th month in Billboard 200 making it 10 years since its debut.

While “21” is not the first ever to hit this hard-to-accomplish mark, Adele has made another achievement that has not yet been seen to be achieved by another female act. Presently, she has had an album persisting on the list of the most-consumed EPs and full-lengths for a whole decade.

“21” was an undeniable hit. To name a few of its accomplishments: it is the best-selling album of 2011 and the best-selling album two years in a row. It received a lot of love from people around the globe, you can hear songs from this album all over the place.

It is rare for a record to sell more than 4 million copies in two years in a row. The last time this happened was when Michael Jackson released his album “Thriller” which sold an estimated 860 thousand units within its first week of release and millions from 1983 to 1984.

It isn’t hard to see why “21” is one of the best-selling albums in history and the best-selling album of the 21st century. It has sold over 31 million copies worldwide.

The album’s success helped Adele break a male-heavy record and become a female solo artist to hold three number 1 albums on Billboard 100.