This statement has just been released involving Q-Tip highly anticipated Kamaal the Abstract. I am huge fan of A Tribe Called Quest and this album is going to be insane.

Battery Records to release long-awaited Q-Tip album Kamaal the Abstract

Innovative recording cements Tip’s rep as greatest MC/producer of all time

New York, NY- In these hard times, we can all stand a ray of hope. Hope in hip-hop now comes from the legendary Q-Tip, he of A Tribe Called Quest fame. His long-delayed album Kamaal the Abstract, slated originally for release in 2001, is finally dropping September 15^th on Battery Records. A musical hybrid, Kamaal was commendably avant-garde at the time of its creation. Amazingly, it’s even more apropos in 2009; given the dearth of musical merit and capable MCs in today’s hip-hop, the time is ever-so-right for Tip.

Kamaal the Abstract is an intensely idiosyncratic and revealing record. To that end, Q-Tip produced the entire album himself, even playing several instruments. What comes from Kamaal is a daring mélange of soul, supa-cool jazz, headnodding hip-hop, and organic pop magic in the vein of Stevie Wonder or Prince. Check for the superlative figures of saxophonist Kenny Garrett, a one-time member of Miles Davis’ ensemble, on the breathy “Abstractionisms.” Or the fluid flute lines of Gary Thomas, another Davis sideman, on “Do U Dig U.” Elsewhere, note Tip’s ambitious production, arrangements, and even sung stylings.

But make no mistake: Kamaal the Abstract still boasts all the earmarks of Q-Tip’s inimitable mic control. Listen to him blaze through a spiced narrative on “Even If It Is So.” Or paint vivid images on “Blue Girl.” The album has been re-mixed and re-mastered for sonic impact, though it retains the original album artwork.  Neil Levine SVP/GM of Battery Records is proud to release this buried treasure from Q-Tip:  “Kamaal the Abstract/Q-Tip is a true visionary and ahead of his time. These songs sound more contemporary now than when they were first recorded”. Kamaal the Abstract drops September 15^th. Better late than never.

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Last night (July 2nd), FLOW 93.5 held a showcase for Melanie Fiona who performed for over 600 people at the MOD Club in Toronto. Many of her fans, industry peeps and family came out to see Melanie perform various tracks from her debut album The Bridge. Along with a live band, Melanie rocked the house with tracks like “Ayo,” “Sad Songs” and her single “Give It To Me Right”.  She even did The Fugees cover “Killin’ Me Softly” and a tribute to Michael Jackson “I Can’t Help It” (Favourite MJ track). Melanie naturally possess a beautiful voice that kept the crowd moving and wanting more. Overall, the show had an amazing presence and everything was on point. I am extremely eager to see what will wil follow after this release.

If you are in Canada, go to the nearest HMV and purchase The Bridge for only $10. If you are in the States, The Bridge will be available August 18th. Be sure to catch Melanie Fiona if she is in your city. Check out photos and video from the event.

Give It To Me Right

Bang Bang

Ayo

CONTINUE READING>>>

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Kelly Rowland was in Toronto this weekend to perform at the Annual Pride Week Festival on Sunday June 28 at The Wellesley Stage. Ms. Kelly was expected to take the stage at 7pm but ended up coming on at 8:25pm. However, this didn’t upset the crowd too much because they kept chanting “Kelly! Kelly! Kelly!” non stop and were ecstatic once she took the stage. Although, the crowd did express their anger when Kelly ended her performance after a 10 minute set.

Kelly began her set performing her part of Dilemma (duet with Nelly). Then, Kelly performed a Destiny’s Child medley: Say My Name, Independent Women, Bootylicious, Survivor and then ended the set with her new single, “When Love Takes Over”, off of David Guetta’s upcoming release. Literally, a 10 minute performance on stage. Kelly immediately jumped in a vehicle and left the event. Fans were shocked and disappointed that the diva only gave a 10 minute set. However, it was the best 10 minutes of the entire night. Check out a video clip of the performance. She’s a diva – what can we say???

Kelly Rowland @ Pride Week in Toronto – Performing Hits from Destiny’s Child from Young, Fresh & New on Vimeo.

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This Sunday  July 5th, 2009, the annual Rock The Bells Tour will be making a stop at the Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto.  Special thanks to Melissa at Offshoot Communications, the Young, Fresh & New team wants you to win a pair of tickets to see the show. To enter the contest -please email your name and full mailing address to contests@theyoungfreshnew.com. The contest will end Friday July 3rd (12:00 pm EST). The winner will be contacted immediately tomorrow.

Here are all the details for Sunday:
Rock The Bells 09
Sunday July 5th @ The Molson Amphitheatre
Doors Open 1pm
Show Starts 2p
Buy Tickets at LiveNation.com

See you there & Good Luck!

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Melanie Fiona has released her debut album The Bridge in Canada on June 30th. The album features her debut single “Give It To Me Right” along with 11 solid tracks consist of r&b/ soul defining a deeper meaning of the “The Bridge”. She worked with various producers and executives including Steve Rifkind, Future Cut, Vada Nobles, J. Phoenix, Affiliate, Peter Wade, Salaam Remi and Supa Dups. Just like every other artists, Melanie has come a long way from battling with labels to change her sound to dealing with a “certain image”. I can not express how happy I am for Melanie and I have been a huge supporter of hers since I was six years old.

In 2008, Melanie who didn’t have a single or an album, opened for Kanye West during his European Tour. She gained a lot of attention in Europe making her first single “Give It To Me Right” earned a spot on the Top 10 charts in Italy, Croatia, Greece and Slovenia. That’s an amazing accomplishment. She is currently working on with Questlove of the Roots on a mixtape The Bridge – Remixed Live which should be released soon.

Be make sure to support Melanie Fiona!!!! Go to the nearest HMV and grab the CD. The album is amazing and it’s only $10. Peep another track which may potentially be her next single – Bang Bang.

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Track Listing:

1. Give It To Me Right
2. Bang Bang
3. Monday Morning
4. Please Don’t Go (Cry Baby)
5. Ay Yo
6. Walk On By
7. You Stop My Heart
8. Johnny
9. Sad Songs
10. Priceless
11. It Kills Me
12. Teach Him

Also – FLOW 93.5 will be hosting an exclusive showcase and release party for Miss Melanie Fiona at the Mod Club on Today – July 2nd. This will be her first performance with a LIVE band in Toronto following the release of her album The Bridge. The U.S. will be releasing The Bridge on August 18th.

Peep the details below.

FLOW SHOW & RELEASE PARTY with MELANIE FIONA

Date: Thursday July 2, 2009

Time: Doors open at 7:00pm/Performance 9:00pm

Location: MOD Club (722 College St)

*Free event, open to the public
*19+ event

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Here is the most anticipated video for the summer – Drake “Best I Ever Had”. The video is directed by Kanye West. When I heard that Kanye was directing the video, I knew this would further boost Drake’s career. I peeped the video last night and was very disappointed how the video turned out. Is Kanye trying to sabotage Drake’s career? The answer is No. Complex Blog recently interviewed Drake and he describes the concept of the video. Peep the excerpt below.

Complex: Everyone’s been waiting on this video. Can you take us through the making of it?

Drake: Yeah. The video is directed by Kanye West. Basically we decided, as opposed to taking ourselves super serious, we just wanted to have some fun with it. Myself, being a young man, a young single man at that, I kind of wanted to be real about the way I function with women at this current point in my life. Which is, I don’t have one woman that I call my girl. There’s different girls in my life that play different roles and I see at different times, but collectively they kind of make up the roster of happiness for me [Laughs].

Complex: Understandable. So what’s the concept?

Drake: The concept of the video is, I’m a coach at a high school and the girls of my life are all on my high school basketball team. Throughout the video you see us prepping for this big championship game, and my team ends up losing. You see the looks on their faces at the end of the video, but the moral of the story, I guess, is win or lose, you can still be the best to somebody. When women see the video and see all the breast and ass, hopefully they don’t take offense. Hopefully they see the real meaning.

Read the rest here

Drake “Best I Ever Had” from kwest on Vimeo.

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Beyonce brought the I Am.. Tour to Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, PA on June 26th. Just like many artists of today, Beyonce was inspired by Michael Jackson. Judging from photos and videos, the I Am Tour is shows a lot of inspiration from Michael Jackson with the extravagant costumes and performances. In Philadelphia, she paid her own tribute to Michael Jackson by singing one of her favourite MJ songs “I Can’t Help It” which is also MY all time favourite MJ track.

Seeing Beyonce perform this track brings instant tears because it’s such a beautiful song. I just can’t help it Michael. Rest In Peace.

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