Mos Def http://www.bmi.com/affiliate/rss/C552 This BMI RSS feed contains news articles, events, and musicworld articles for a specific affiliate or group. en affiliates@bmi.com Copyright 2008 2008-11-19T19:24:00-05:00 BMI “How I Wrote That Song” Panel: Los Angeles http://www.bmi.com/events/entry/536027 Polow Da Don, Daughtry, Evanescence, Jerkins, Rodney, Mos Def, Pop, R&B, Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Urban, Los Angeles, Songwriter, Workshop BMI will pair with the Los Angeles Times to present the second annual “How I Wrote the Song” panel from 1:00-3:00 p.m., at the Key Club (9039 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles).

Mirroring the format of 2007’s sold-out forum, another elite cross-section of established hitmakers, including Rodney Jerkins, Chris Daughtry, Mos Def, Ben Moody of Evanescence, Polow Da Don and others, will discuss their work, the raw ideas and the occasionally idiosyncratic processes pooled into composing songs that resonate with a broad spectrum of listeners.

Moderated by BMI’s Vice President, Writer Publisher Relations Catherine Brewton and Los Angeles Times Music Critic Ann Powers, the event is open to the public.

Advance tickets are available for $10 through Ticketmaster at www.keyclub.com or the Key Club box office. Admission at the door will be $20.

]]> 2008-02-09T18:22:01-05:00 BMI & Los Angeles Times Announce 2nd Annual ‘How I Wrote The Song’ Panel http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/536034 Public Enemy, Hinder, Polow Da Don, Angelo, Howes, Brian, Avant, Bice, Bo, Brandy, De La Soul, DioGuardi, Kara, Evanescence, Foxx, Jamie, Hamilton, Anthony, Jackson, Janet, Jackson, Michael, Jerkins, Rodney, Kid Rock, Kweli, Talib, Lopez, Jennifer, Mos Def, Skillet, Spears, Britney, Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Urban Marquee Lineup Includes Rodney Jerkins, Chris Daughtry, Mos Def, Ben Moody, Polow Da Don, Anthony Hamilton and Brian Howes

BMI will pair with the Los Angeles Times to present the second annual “How I Wrote the Song” panel Saturday, February 9, from 1p.m. until 3p.m., at the Key Club in L.A. Mirroring the format of 2007’s sold-out forum, another elite cross-section of established hitmakers, including Rodney Jerkins, Chris Daughtry, Mos Def, Ben Moody of Evanescence, Polow Da Don, Anthony Hamilton and Brian Howes will discuss their work, the raw ideas and the occasionally idiosyncratic processes pooled into composing songs that resonate with a broad spectrum of listeners. Moderated by BMI’s Vice President, Writer Publisher Relations Catherine Brewton and Los Angeles Times Music Critic Ann Powers, the event is open to the public. Advance tickets are available now for $10 through Ticketmaster at www.keyclub.com or the Key Club box office; day-of admission at the door will be $20.

Grammy Award-winner Rodney Jerkins’s creative dexterity materializes in distinct but diverse musical triumphs. The pen behind take-charge smashes including Destiny Child’s “Say My Name,” Brandy & Monica’s duet “The Boy is Mine” and Beyoncé’s “Déjà Vu,” Jerkins has also produced work by contemporary superstars including Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and Destiny’s Child. His unerring ear led to a vice president of a&r position with Island Def Jam, while Janet Jackson’s forthcoming project Discipline features his signature production.

American Idol alum Chris Daughtry has brazenly staked a record-breaking place in contemporary music, confidently fronting the aptly titled rock band Daughtry. The Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter signed with RCA and management powerhouse 19 Entertainment after his fan-propelled success on American Idol, and his band’s eponymous debut sold more than 1 million copies in only five weeks. The projectile success of the album, featuring songs “It’s Not Over,” “Home” and “Over You,” resulted in the fastest-selling debut in the history of SoundScan.

Rapper, actor, musician and activist, Mos Def’s sheer versatility places him amongst contemporary pop culture’s premier creators. Musically, his work includes blithe collaborations with legendary group De La Soul and artist Talib Kweli. Def’s partnership with Kweli, the duet album Black Star, resulted in underground frenzy and glowing critical praise. His subsequent solo album, Black on Both Sides, produced more of the same. Nominated for two Grammys, Def also boasts Golden Globe, Emmy and Source award nods.

Serial hitmaker Ben Moody first gained recognition as guitarist and co-founder of the Grammy Award-winning group Evanescence. His output during and after the band has further exposed an adroit singer/songwriter capable of powerful hooks and lush layers; songs including Evanescence’s “Bring Me To Life” and “My Immortal,” along with Kelly Clarkson’s “Because of You,” sprang from Moody’s id. Collaborations as a producer with Clarkson, Celine Dion, Bo Bice and Lindsey Lohan further emphasize his seemingly limitless versatility.

Super producer and innovative songwriter Polow Da Don’s quintessential hip factor springs from authentic skill. His innate musical savvy has finessed infectious hits including Fergie’s “Glamorous,” the Pussy Cat Dolls’ “Buttons,” Ciara’s “Promise” and Jamie Foxx’s “DJ Play a Love Song.” Fergie’s enthusiastic shout out, “Polow!” on her smash “London Bridge,” made Da Don’s fluid alias a pop culture catch phrase, adding household recognition to the power player’s growing reputation.

Singer/songwriter Anthony Hamilton’s blend of old-school soul and cool contemporary grit is artist’s art in the best sense of the phrase: Members of the neo-soul and poetic hip hop elite including D’Angelo, Tupac Shakur and Eve have looked to Hamilton for backup harmonies, while the North Carolina native’s critically-acclaimed solo work has landed on arguably avant-garde projects including the American Gangster film soundtrack. His 2007 effort, Southern Comfort, features eleven new songs all written by Hamilton.

Brian Howes' life in music did not come as a surprise with a great-great grandfather who was a baritone opera singer, a grandmother who was a songwriter, and a grandfather who played alto sax for swing band greats Benny Goodman and Louis Prima, his career choice was practically predetermined. As part of punk-ska-rap band DDT early on in his career, Brian toured with bands such as Public Enemy, Kid Rock, Alice Cooper, The Scorpion and DOA. Post DDT, he penned hits and earned placements in several movies all while maintaining number 1 and top 10 international hits. Brian then added production to is arsenal and has had success by writing and producing with Grammy-nominated Atlantic band Skillet amongst others. Brian’s recent success has included collaborations with Kara Dioguardi, Shelly Piken, Chad Kroeger, Hinder and Chris Daughtry of American Idol fame for his RCA Records Album.

]]> 2008-02-04T02:52:00-05:00 Chili Peppers Lead BMI’s Red Hot Grammy Nominees http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/533927 Barkley, Gnarls, Bailey Rae, Corinne, Aguilera, Christina, Angel, The, Black Eyed Peas, Blunt, James, Brown, Chris, Cash, Rosanne, Death Cab For Cutie, Dixie Chicks, Foxx, Jamie, Gregson-Williams, Harry, Houghton, Israel, Lawrence, Donald, McNeely, Jim, Mos Def, Rascal Flatts, Underwood, Carrie, Venegas, Julieta, Williams, John, Country, Gospel, Rock, Urban, Grammy Awards The Red Hot Chili Peppers continue their red hot streak, picking up an impressive six nominations for the 49th Annual Grammy Awards. Nominations were announced Dec. 7 at a press conference held at the Music Box @ Fonda in Hollywood; Grammys will be handed out Feb. 11, 2007, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and broadcast live on CBS from 8-11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

Red Hot Chili Peppers James Blunt Chris Brown

Nods for the California-based foursome include Album of the Year and Best Rock Album for their Stadium Arcadium set, along with Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance for the single "Dani California."

Corinne Bailey Rae Carrie Underwood Dixie Chicks

Also topping the BMI nominee list was James Blunt (PRS), who is up for five Grammys including Record and Song of the Year for his smash "You're Beautiful." The angel-voiced singer also hopes to add a Best New Artist Grammy to his growing list of awards and faces other BMI newcomers Chris Brown, Corinne Bailey Rae and Carrie Underwood.

will.i.am John Williams Gnarls Barkley

Israel Houghton T.I.

Country trio the Dixie Chicks and Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am also took home five nominations each, with mentions in the Best Country Album and Producer of the Year categories, respectively. The in-demand producer's handful of potential Grammys includes two for himself and two with BEP, as well as one as part of the Jawbreaker production team that worked on Justin Timberlake's Album of Year entry, FutureSex/LoveSounds.

Gnarls Barkley, whose hit "Crazy" will battle for the coveted Record of the Year title, earned a total of four mentions, as did gospel giant Israel Houghton and Atlanta rapper T.I., who will vie for the Best Rap Song ("What You Know") and Best Rap Album (King) trophies. Celebrated film composer John Williams was also a four-time nominee and will compete against himself in both the movie score and instrumental composition categories.

Other big BMI names on the Grammy nominees list were Christina Aguilera, The Racontuers, Jamie Foxx, Calle 13, Jim McNeely, Death Cab for Cutie, Mos Def, Rascal Flatts, Donald Lawrence, Julieta Venegas (SGAE), Harry Gregson-Williams and Rosanne Cash.

Click here for a complete list of BMI Grammy nominees.

]]> 2006-12-07T23:53:00-05:00 Suzan-Lori Parks and Paul Oscher http://www.bmi.com/musicworld/entry/335031 Clapton, Eric, Hooker, John Lee, Mo, Keb, Mos Def, Muddy Waters, Oscher, Paul, Parks, Suzan-Lori, Thornton, Big Mama, Walker, T-Bone, Blues, Hitmaker The Odd Couple?

Her mentor was James Baldwin; he learned the fine points of guitar playing looking over Muddy Waters's shoulder. As a teen in the '80s, she gave up guitar playing soon after she started because it was such a white-guy thing; he encouraged her to go back to playing. She encouraged him to write about his years playing harmonica in Waters band.

She is playwright fellow Suzan-Lori Parks; he is bluesman Paul Oscher, who joined Waters in 1967 and also spent a fair amount the next five years looking over piano player Otis Spann's shoulder. Their mantle boasts her two Obies, a Pulitzer and a MacArthur "Genius" grant alongside his two 2006 Blues Music Awards (previously the W.C. Handy Awards) for Down in the Delta. He was also featured on Hubert Sumlin's 2006 Blues Music Awards' winning album About Them Shoes along with Keith Richards, Eric Clapton and Levon Helm.

"When I was a young man, I played other peoples blues. Now that I'm older, I write and play my own and when I play a blues classic, I put my own stamp on it," Oscher explains about his journey through the deep blues.

His recollections of four decades spent playing with such artists as John Lee Hooker, Earl Hooker, Son House, Fred McDowell, Lightning Hopkins, T-Bone Walker, Albert King, Magic Sam, Johnny Copeland, Victoria Spivey, Big Mama Thornton, Keb Mo' and Mos Def were published in the book that accompanied Martin Scorcese's PBS series, The Blues.

Parks worked with Oprah on Their Eye's Were Watching God, with Spike on Girl 6, with Disney for a project on the Harlem Globe Trotters, and with the producers of Ray for a Broadway version. Her book tour for Getting Mother's Body has been equal parts writing seminar, career counseling and blues performance — she jokes about adding snake-handling.

"I had the brains to marry a guitar player, so he's a big inspiration," Parks explains. "When I wrote the songs to Getting Mother's Body, and I was going on a book tour, he was like, 'Take your guitar, bring the music to the people!' So I started doing it in public."

The perfect couple.]]> 2006-10-17T19:00:01-05:00 It’s Eight Grammy Nods for Mariah, Kanye and Legend http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334631 Artists, Adams, William, Adams, Yolanda, Aguilera, Christina, Audio Adrenaline, Audioslave, Austin, Dallas, Ayala, Ramon, Ball, Marcia, Barretto, Ray, Big & Rich, Black Eyed Peas, Blanchard, Terence, Blue Highway, Bolcom, William, Boyer, Peter, Brooks & Dunn, Bush, Sam, Carey, Mariah, Carr, Kurt, Casting Crowns, Cerf, Christopher, Chapman, Steven Curtis, Cherryholmes, Childs, Billy, Chirino, Willy, Clapton, Eric, Clark-Cole, Dorinda, Common, Cooder, Ry, Copeland, Stewart, Crow, Sheryl, Cunliffe, Bill, D'Rivera, Paquito, Daft Punk, Daniels, Charlie, De La Soul, Death Cab For Cutie, Del McCoury Band, The, DiFranco, Ani, Dixie Chicks, Douglas, Dave, Douglas, Jerry, Du Prez, John, Elfman, Danny, Eminem, Fall Out Boy, Floetry, Foo Fighters, Foster, David, Foxx, Jamie, Franklin, Aretha, Franklin, Kirk, Game, The, Gatlin, Larry, Gil, Gilberto, Gill, Vince, Golijov, Osvaldo, Gorillaz, Guy, Buddy, Haggard, Merle, Hancock, Herbie, Hanna, Jeff, Hill, Faith, Holland, Dave, Houghton, Israel, Hummon, Marcus, Hunt, Van, Idle, Eric, Intocable, Jamiroquai, Jars of Clay, Jerkins, Rodney, Jones, Norah, Keane, Kee, John P., Keith, Toby, Kelly, R., King, B.B., Krauss, Alison, La Tropa F, LaBelle, Patti, Lawrence, Donald, Legend, John, Linkin Park, Los Lonely Boys, Maroon 5, McBride, Martina, McClinton, Delbert, McClurkin, Donnie, McGehee, Vicky, McGraw, Tim, McLachlan, Sarah, Metheny, Pat, Miguel, Luis, Mo, Keb, Molotov, Mos Def, Munizzi, Martha, Murphy, Walter, Nelson, Willie, Neptunes, The, Nickelback, Orishas, Palmieri, Eddie, Prine, John, Queens of the Stone Age, Rascal Flatts, Redman, Joshua, Rollins, Sonny, Seal, Shakira, Shorter, Wayne, Souza, Luciana, Sturr, Jimmy, Sugarland, System of a Down, Turtle Island String Quartet, Urban, Keith, Vega, Louie, Vincent, Rhonda, West, Kanye, White Stripes, The, Williams, John, Wilson, Brian, Winans, Bebe, Winans, CeCe, Winter, Paul, Yazbek, David, Ying Yang Twins 48th Annual Grammy Awards with eight nods each when contenders were announced at a star-studded press conference held December 8 at Gotham Hall in New York City. Their three-way tie pushed the total number of BMI-nominated songwriters and artists to an astounding 70% in the general fields.

Mariah CareyKanye WestJohn Legend

Mariah Carey's multi-platinum comeback album, The Emancipation of Mimi, and its smash single "We Belong Together," helped the pop singer score three of the most coveted Grammy nominations: Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year. The hit ballad also picked up mentions for Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, while Mimi added Best Contemporary R&B Album to Carey's haul.

Presenters for the 48th Annual Grammy Awards nominations included BMI songwriter/artists John Legend, CeCe Winans, Mariah Carey, Nickelback's Chad Kroeger and Patti LaBelle. Photo by S. Lovekin/WireImage

Rapper Kanye West continued his red hot streak, also earning nominations in the Album and Record of the Year categories with his sophomore release Late Registration and the hit "Gold Digger," respectively. He will compete against himself for the Album of the Year title as a producer on Carey's disc. As a songwriter, West will battle for the Best Rap Song crown with his "Diamonds from Sierra Leone," as well as Best R&B Song as a co-writer on the Alicia Keys track "Unbreakable."

Black Eyed Peas Brooks & Dunn

Soul singer John Legend is up for Best New Artist, Best R&B Album for his debut Get Lifted, and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Song of the Year for "Ordinary People," which he also co-wrote. Legend joins his mentor Kanye West and rapper Common on the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ticket with "They Say."

Casting Crowns Common

Coming in with six nominations was Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas who, as a songwriter, has a shot at Song of the Year and Best R&B Song as co-writer of Legend's "Ordinary People" and Best Rap Song for the Peas' hit "Don't Phunk with My Heart." The band is also up for Best Rap and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

Death Cab for Cutie Foo Fighters

In addition to Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, Common earned three other mentions, including Best Rap Album for Be. Four nods also went to Foo Fighters, Gorillaz, Billy Childs and BMI producer/songwriters the Neptunes, who have production credits on two Album of the Year nominees -- Carey's The Emancipation of Mimi and Gwen Stefani's Love. Angel. Music. Baby.

The Game GorillazJohn Williams

Earning three nominations apiece were Sheryl Crow, with Best Female Pop Vocal Performance ("Good is Good"), Best Pop Vocal Album (Wildflower) and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for the single "Building Bridges," featuring Brooks & Dunn and Vince Gill; Eminem (Best Rap Solo Performance, Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group and Best Rap Album); and film composer John Williams, up for Best Score for Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, as well as for Best Instrumental Composition for both "Anakin's Betrayal" (from Revenge of the Sith) and "The Ferry Scene" (from the War of the Worlds soundtrack).

Maroon 5 Norah Jones Sheryl Crow

Double nominees included rappers The Game and T.I., songwriter Marcus Hummon, singer Norah Jones and gospel diva CeCe Winans.

Other BMI songwriters and artists collecting Grammy nominations were Christina Aguilera, Dallas Austin, Casting Crowns, Eric Clapton (PRS), Death Cab for Cutie, Paquito D'Rivera, Danny Elfman, Fall Out Boy, Osvaldo Golijov, Dave Holland Big Band, Intocable, Keane (PRS), Maroon 5, Sugarland, Ying Yang Twins, and BMI Icons Charlie Daniels and Brian Wilson.

SugarlandT.I.

The 48th Annual Grammy Awards will be held in Los Angeles on February 8.

BMI's 2006 Grammy Award Nominees:

8 NOMINATIONS
Mariah Carey
John Legend
Kanye West

6 NOMINATIONS
William Adams

4 NOMINATIONS
Billy Childs
Common
Foo Fighters
Gorillaz (PRS)
The Neptunes

3 NOMINATIONS
Yolanda Adams
The Black Eyed Peas
Sheryl Crow
De La Soul
Eminem
Herbie Hancock
Faith Hill
Alison Krauss & Union Station
John Williams

2 NOMINATIONS
Bobby Boyd
Brooks & Dunn
Andrew Coleman
Andrew Dawson
Dixie Chicks
The Game
Michael Giacchino
Jeff Hanna
Marcus Hummon
Norah Jones
Delbert McClinton
Donnie McClurkin
Joel Moss
Willie Nelson
Al Schmitt
Fat Man Scoop
T.I.
The White Stripes
CeCe Winans

MORE NOMINEES
Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra with Arturo O'Farrill
Christina Aguilera
Trey Anastasio
Audio Adrenaline
Audioslave
John August
Dallas Austin
Ramon Ayala y Sus Bravos Del Norte
Marcia Ball
Ray Barretto
Steve Berkowitz
Big & Rich
Terence Blanchard
Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones
Blue Highway
Printz Board
William Bolcom
Peter Boyer
Solomon Burke
Burning Spear (PRS)
Sam Bush
Gary Calamar
Caribbean Jazz Project featuring Dave Samuels Orishas (SACEM)
Kurt Carr
Casting Crowns
Christopher Cerf
Steven Curtis Chapman
Cherryholmes
The Chieftains (IMRO)
Willy Chirino
Eric Clapton (PRS)
Dorinda Clark-Cole
Conjunto Progreso
Ry Cooder
Stewart Copeland
The Crabb Family
Robert Cray
Bill Cunliffe
Rivers Cuomo
Daft Punk (PRS)
Charlie Daniels
Day of Fire
Death Cab for Cutie
Deep Dish
Mos Def
Jack De Johnette
The Del McCoury Band
Ani DiFranco
Jerry Douglas
Dave Douglas
Paquito D'Rivera
John Du Prez (PRS)
Jerry Duplessis
Nokie Edwards
Danny Elfman
Ahmet Ertegun
Bill Evans
Fall Out Boy
Sammy Figueroa
Béla Fleck
Floetry
David Foster
Jamie Foxx
Aretha Franklin
Kirk Franklin
Carlos Franzetti
Larry Gatlin
Joachim Garraud (SACEM)
Gilberto Gil
Vince Gill
Jimmie Dale Gilmore
Osvaldo Golijov
The Grascals
Grits
Buddy Guy
Merle Haggard
John Hammond
Raiatea Helm
Dave Holland Big Band
Israel Houghton
Van Hunt
Eric Idle (PRS)
Intocable
Jamiroquai (PRS)
Jars of Clay
The Jazz Chamber Trio
Rodney Jerkins
Eric Johnson
George Jones
The Jordanaires
Ledward Ka'apana
Keane (PRS)
John P. Kee
Garison Keillor
Toby Keith
R. Kelly
B.B. King
Kitaro
Kraftwerk (GEMA)
Ladysmith Black Mambazo (SAMRO)
Las 3 Divas
La Secta Allstar
The Last Poets
La Tropa F
Donald Lawrence
Ricky Lewis
The Light Crust Doughboys
Lil Wayne
Harold Lily
Aaron Lindsey
Linkin Park
Little Joe
Los Lonely Boys
Los Pleneros de la 21
Andre Lyon
Maroon 5
Joeworn Martin
Martina McBride
Delbert McClinton
Vicky McGehee
Tim McGraw
Sarah McLachlan (SOCAN)
Meat Beat Manifesto
Pat Metheny Group
Luis Miguel
Mingus Big Band
Ministry
Keb Mo
Molotov
Rick Moranis (SOCAN)
Mudvayne
Martha Munizzi
Walter Murphy
Meshell Ndegeocello
North Mississippi Allstars
The Oak Ridge Boys
Claus Ogerman (GEMA)
Walter Ostanek (SOCAN)
George Pajon, Jr.
Eddie Palmieri
John Prine
Queens of the Stone Age
Rascal Flatts
Joshua Redman Elastic Band
Sonny Rollins
The Royal Jesters
Eddie Santiago
Marvin Sapp
Seal (PRS)
José Serebrier
Shakira
Wayne Shorter Quartet
Ron Sluga
Omar Sosa
Luciana Souza
Jimmy Sturr
Sugarland
Tierney Sutton
System of a Down
Ali Farka Touré (BUMDA)
Tiempo Libre
Turtle Island String Quartet
Keith Urban
Bebo Valdés
Marcello Valenzano
Louie Vega
Rhonda Vincent & the Rage
Brian Wilson
BeBe Winans
George Winston
Paul Winter Consort
Hugh Wolff
David Yazbek
Ying Yang Twins

]]> 2005-12-11T17:00:01-05:00 BMI Stars Shine at BET Awards http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233765 Artists, Adams, Yolanda, Brown, James, Eminem, Floetry, Franklin, Kirk, Jackson, Michael, Kelly, R., McClurkin, Donnie, Mos Def, Roots, The, Snoop Dogg, Williams, Pharrell, Musical Styles, R&B, Urban BET) Awards were held last night (6/24) at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, honoring the year's best hip-hop and R&B artists, as well as some of the biggest names in entertainment and sports. Hosted by artist Mo'nique, the BET Awards also bestowed the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award to BMI artist James Brown. Fellow BMI artist Michael Jackson presented the surprised "Godfather of Soul" with the award and remained on stage while assisting him with his signature cape. Brown was also honored as an ICON at last year's BMI Urban Awards.

Other winners included BMI's Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams, who captured the Best Collaboration award for their hit "Beautiful," while R. Kelly tied for Best Male R&B Artist. Yolanda Adams won Best Gospel Artist in a category dominated by BMI artists.

BMI also congratulates our 3rd Annual BET Award nominees:

Best Group
The Roots
Floetry

Best Female R&B Artist
Heather Headley

Best Collaboration
" Love of My Life" featuring Common

Video of the Year
Eminem
"Lose Yourself"

Best Actor
Mos Def

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
Eminem
Snoop Dogg

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Lil' Kim

Best New Artist
Floetry
Heather Headley

Best Gospel Artist
Donnie McClurkin
Kirk Franklin
Smokie Norful]]> 2003-06-25T18:00:01-05:00 Talib Kweli http://www.bmi.com/musicworld/entry/233752 Artists, Hi-Tek, Kweli, Talib, Mos Def, Roots, The, Musical Styles, Urban, Musicworld, Hitmaker Talib Kweli is the thinking man’s hip-hop star. He views his music as literature in the most traditional sense: as a completely engaging way of communicating ideas. In the wrong hands, that cerebral take on hip-hop could be heavy handed and dull, but Kweli’s music is clever, astute, challenging and completely entertaining — everything good art should be.

The son of educators, Kweli (with his school buddy Mos Def) began perfecting his style in the legendary rhyming battles of Washington Square Park. The pair started releasing tracks as the brilliant Dark Star, and, later, Talib teamed with DJ Hi-Tek, also with outstanding results.

Along the way Talib became known for blending a rainbow of musical styles and analytical lyrics. The depth of his music touched a nerve among hip-hop fans, and he found himself touring with other serious artists such as The Roots, Dilated Peoples and Erykah Badu.

Kweli’s first solo project, Quality, showcases his dedication to observing and participating in the entire spectrum of life. His rhymes celebrate the birth of his children (“Joy”) and take on the often-ugly politics of being black in America (“The Proud,” “Where Do We Go”), doing it all with style and a rare subtlety.

“ Hip-hop became a way for me to write and be cool; it gave me a language to speak to my peers,” he says. “As a resource, hip-hop has been greater than any music we have. The possibilities for what we can do in our communities, for people’s self-esteem or their economic situation is what is so exciting. It’s beautiful that I can use this resource, sell records and still just be Talib Kweli.”]]> 2003-06-17T18:00:00-05:00 Mos Def: Most Definitely A Two-Pronged Talent http://www.bmi.com/musicworld/entry/233286 Artists, De La Soul, Kweli, Talib, Mos Def, Thornton, Billy Bob, Musical Styles, Jazz, Rock, Urban, Musicworld, Feature Acclaimed for his compelling hip-hop recordings, film performances and stage work, rapper/actor Mos Def apparently won't be satisfied until he has won an Oscar, a Grammy, an Emmy and a Tony.

Indeed, though he only emerged recently from the streets of his native Brooklyn, Mos Def has already demonstrated the style, integrity and relentless drive of a true artist. His irrepressible creativity can be attributed to his desire to alter social perceptions. "As a black man, I don't want to live in any of the boxes they've arranged for me, no matter how comfortable or tidy those boxes are," Mos Def told Essence magazine. "So, I resist all of the labels."

For Mos Def, resisting all the labels has resulted in his most audacious triumph yet. The rapper recently made his stage debut in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway play, Topdog/Underdog. Assuming the role of Booth - a part initially performed by the much more experienced Don Cheadle - Mos Def has won unanimous praise for his stage debut. Describing the "marvelous" performances of Mos Def and co-star Jeffrey Wright, the New York Daily News wrote: "[they give] this material the vitality and sheen of elegant jazz riffs."

Born Dante Beze, Mos Def surfaced in 1994 as a guest rapper on recordings by UTD and De La Soul. In 1998, he joined Talib Kweli to become a founding member of the rap duo Black Star. Striking out on his own in 1999, Def's debut solo album, Black on Both Sides, melded activist rhymes with old-school funk rhythms and worldbeat melodies. Drawing favorable comparisons to rap pioneers like Public Enemy, KRS-1 and Rakim, Black on Both Sides is considered by many pundits to be a contemporary hip-hop classic.

In 2000, Def took a temporary respite from music to explore other areas of entertainment. As host of HBO's Def Poetry Jam, he established himself as an influential force on the spoken word scene. Around the same time, the rapper made a typically splashy acting debut. Demonstrating the same slow-burning charm he exhibited on his rap recordings, Def won praise for his role in Spike Lee's controversial film Bamboozled. The rapper then appeared in MTV's Carmen: A Hip-Hopera, opposite Beyoncé Knowles of Destiny's Child. Capping off a spectacularly productive year, Def was acclaimed for his acting role in Monster's Ball, a role that found him acting opposite Halle Berry, Billy Bob Thornton, and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs.

Now, with the recent success of "Top Dog/Underdog," Mos Def has successfully transformed himself into a rapping/acting double threat. But just when it seemed he had accomplished enough, along comes news of Black Jack Johnson, the debut album featuring Mos Def and an all-star rock lineup. Featuring former members of Parliament/Funkadelic, Living Colour and Bad Brains, the band promises to set a new rap-rock standard.

]]> 2002-06-30T18:00:01-05:00 At BMI, Black Music Month Is Celebrated All Year Long http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233357 Artists, Aaliyah, Adams, Yolanda, Austin, Dallas, Babyface, Banton, Buju, Benet, Eric, Berry, Chuck, Bilal, Bishop, Teddy, Black Eyed Peas, Blanchard, Terence, Boyz II Men, Brandy, Braxton, Toni, Brown, James, Busta Rhymes, Carey, Mariah, Charles, Ray, Coltrane, John, Davis, Miles, Domino, Fats, Dozier, Lamont, Eminem, Eubanks, Kevin, Evans, Faith, Franklin, Aretha, Franklin, Kirk, Gamble, Kenneth, Gray, Macy, Hampton, Lionel, Hancock, Herbie, Hargrove, Roy, Hawkins, Coleman, Hi-Tek, Holiday, Billie, Holland, Brian, Huff, Leon, Ingram, James, J-Shin, Ja Rule, Jackson, Janet, Jackson, Michael, James, Etta, JT Money, Kelly, R., King, B.B., Kurupt, Kweli, Talib, Leadbelly, Little Richard, Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz, Master P, McBride, Christian, McPhatter, Clyde, Monk, Thelonious, Moore, Sam, Mos Def, Muddy Waters, Mya, Neptunes, The, Neville, Aaron, Organized Noise, Parker, Charlie, Redding, Otis, Redman, Joshua, Rooney, Roots, The, Ross, Diana, Snoop Dogg, SoulShock & Karlin, Stone, Angie, Summer, Donna, Supremes, The, Thomas, Carla, Thomas, Irma, Tim & Bob, Track Masters, The, Trick Daddy, Trin-I-Tee 5:7, Walker, T-Bone, Washington, Dinah, Williams, Pharrell, Winans Phase 2, Winans, The, Musical Styles, Blues, Jazz, R&B, Rock, Urban, Musicworld, Feature At BMI, Black Music Month Is Celebrated All Year Long

By Rob Patterson

From the dawning days of rhythm & blues through today's multifaceted urban music scene, BMI has been at the forefront of music from the African American tradition, styles and community. A continuity of teamwork between BMI and Black music-makers extends from Aretha Franklin to Janet Jackson, from Motown hitmakers Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier & Brian Holland to R. Kelly, and from Miles Davis to Terence Blanchard.


B.B. King
Busta Rhymes
Janet Jackson
Eminem

When r&b, in its formative years, was the province of budding independent labels, small publishers, and adventurous radio stations, BMI opened its ranks to the musical movement when the existing performing rights organization failed to recognize the legitimacy and potential brewing in Black American music. The considerable fact that 90 percent of the R&B Foundation's Pioneer Awards have been bestowed on BMI artists attests to BMI's historical commitment to Black music.


Eric Benet
Macy Gray
Mariah Carey
Michael Jackson

The BMI Black music rosters reads like a musical honor role: Jazz giants such as Billie Holiday, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Dinah Washington and John Coltrane; blues icons like Leadbelly, Muddy Waters, B.B. King and T-Bone Walker; r&b pacesetters such as Ray Charles, Fats Domino and James Brown; soul sisters Etta James, Irma Thomas and Diana Ross; rock pioneers like Chuck Berry and Little Richard.


Mya
R. Kelly
Snoop Dogg
Toni Braxton

The BMI bloodlines can be traced from then to now, from Carla Thomas to Donna Summer to Vanessa Williams, from Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff to LA Reid and Babyface, from Otis Redding to Michael Jackson. And if you check this space 20 or 30 years from now, the odds say its likely that BMI's contemporary urban music artists will be just as legendary and influential as those BMI has represented throughout the history of Black popular music in America.

In a sense, the pages have already been written by today's BMI star talents. Mariah Carey has proven herself a formidable and enduring presence in popular music, while Macy Gray is arising to help bring soul back to its rightful place of presence in urban music. Kevin Eubanks delivers sublime new variations of the jazz guitar heritage to millions on The Tonight Show, and Joshua Redman redefines the notion of young jazz giant for a new millennium. Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Lil' Kim continue to push the hip-hop envelope, while Kirk Franklin and Winans Phase 2 keep the gospel spirit alive.

But it's not just the marquee names that make these exciting times for BMI's urban music roster. And even some of BMI's team whose work happens primarily behind the scenes are earning public note on the level of the artists they work with. Producer, songwriter, keyboardist and remixer Dallas Austin launched Monica and TLC, and counts Michael Jackson, Madonna, Boyz II Men and Aretha Franklin among his credits. Such musical versatility and vision continues with such recording and writing powerhouses as Jerry 'Wonder' Duplessis, Master P, Tim & Bob, SoulShock & Karlin, Jean Claude 'Poke' Olivier of The Track Masters, Organized Noise, Teddy Bishop and Cory Rooney - all drawing from a differing wealth of musical wells and creating new and innovative musical moments.

Hip-hop remains a powerfully progressive and sometimes provocative movement in modern popular music. Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes and Goodie Mob keep it real, and the beats and themes will surely remain hard in the hands of such acts as Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz, Ja Rule, Mos Def, Trick Daddy, Silkk the Shocker, JT Money, Kurupt and J-Shin. At the same time, acts like The Roots, Black Eyed Peas, Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek and Spooks infuse a rich mixture of styles into the hip-hop genre. Once the sound of the street, just as r&b had been, hip-hop is now an integral part of contemporary culture. And its Caribbean cousin dancehall is also claiming the attention of the public ear thanks to Buju Banton.

R&B has always boasted its powerful cadre of female singers. And just as Carla Thomas, Martha Reeves and Jodi Whatley established their voices as trademarks, so have the women like Brandy, Toni Braxton and Faith Evans. Rising to join them are such soul sisters as Angie Stone, Mya, Sunshine Anderson and Aaliyah, while R&B brothers such as Eric Benet and Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes stir up new soul traditions for today's urban music fans as Clyde McPhatter, Sam Moore and Aaron Neville have before them. The girl group traditions forged by The Shirelles and The Supremes find modern expression in the "new jill flava" of Total.

As the recent Ken Burns documentary demonstrated, jazz is one of the richest skeins in the American cultural tapestry. BMI has been a consistent presence in jazz, from Lionel Hampton to Coleman Hawkins to Herbie Hancock to Roy Hargrove. Today, Terence Blanchard, Christian McBride, Kevin Eubanks and Bilal maintain the instrumental and compositional greatness of jazz music for the genre's future.

Spirituals have always been an essential element in Black music and BMI's mission, thanks to everyone from James Ingram to The Fairfield Four. And perhaps nobody has had a more profound impact on contemporary music and the popularity of spiritual sounds than minister, songwriter, producer and visionary Kirk Franklin. In the past, one could make similar claims for The Winans, and the family tradition forged there is carried on by Winans Phase 2. The ears reached by these artists are now opening as well to such rising talents as Yolanda Adams and Trin-i-tee 5:7.

Such diversity, commercial impact, innovation and encouragement of burgeoning styles and new artists has been a hallmark of BMI's commitment to Black music from the time that "race music" became rhythm & blues, and on through soul, funk and disco right up to rap and new jack swing. As BMI salutes tradition through its longtime support of the R&B Foundation, it also helps create the future that is urban music in all its breadth and creativity. Because at BMI, Black Music Month is celebrated 12 months a year.

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