Born in South Africa, the 32-year-old producer and songwriter has long had a love for music and began playing the piano at a young age. With the support of his parents, Rotem set out to pursue a career as a musician, studying classical music until junior high school. After hearing Run DMC’s Raising Hell album, he became enthralled by hip-hop and would later begin his career in the studio instead of on stage.

While majoring in piano performance at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Rotem aspired to be a film composer. His goals later shifted towards music production after being inspired by Dr. Dre’s The Chronic and Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle albums.

When his music got into the hands of producer Dwayne Wiggins of Tony, Toni, Tone fame, his buzz in the industry began to grow. Initially, one of Rotem’s beats was reserved for an En Vogue album, but was later used for the songs “Fancy” and “My Song” off of Destiny’s Child’s Survivor album. From there, the ball started rolling and never stopped. Dr. Dre, one of his musical idols, heard a Rotem production and wanted a song, jump-starting his career.

Along the way, “Beautiful Girls” by Beluga Heights artist Sean Kingston, reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, helping Rotem further establish himself.
Since those big breaks, Rotem’s resume has continued to grow, reading like a who’s who of hits, with his finely tuned musical ear making him a standout as a producer. He’s come a long way from practicing the piano as a child.

But New York native Lanz isn’t one to be fenced in by expectations. Signed to Interscope Records, which will be releasing her debut album, Young $ Restless, on Feb. 12, 2008, Lanz is currently on tour opening for no less a hip-hop icon than Snoop Dogg, winning converts and proving her mettle night after night.

Born Alana Michelle Josephs, the only child shuffled between her parents for a few years, eventually ending up with her mother. Despite what Lanz calls a “blissful” relationship, the reunion was soon shattered by her mother’s boyfriend’s unstable, drug-fuelled behavior. Combined with the absence of her father, Lanz increasingly turned to such straight-ahead, occasionally rage-fueled acts as Tupac, DMX and Eminem, and, in the process, began developing her own skills.

“As a young kid, instead of having my mind guarded, it wasn’t really shielded at all,” she says. “So real life at an early age was a real thing for me.”

Lanz started recording demos and rapping on the underground scene, eventually gathering a team of industry professionals and ultimately becoming the subject of label interest, leading to a meeting at Interscope honcho Jimmy Iovine’s home. The pair clicked, and Lanz is now finishing up her album with such well-established producers as Three 6 Mafia, Stargate, and Organized Noize.

“When you’re creating waves in uncharted waters, there’s always going to be haters who try to sink your float,” she says. “No matter how many times they try to stop me, I’ve kept right on my beautiful struggle. I’ve felt both the pain and the love so I speak for the kid always pushed on. I show them how to shove back. I'm not just trying to make it, I’m trying to be one of the best to ever do it.”

Nely’s nickname is “El Arma Secreta” (The Secret Weapon) and for good reason. Even though Nely (born Josias de la Cruz) is only 19, he has already proven himself a one-man reggaeton machine. The producer was behind the soundboard for major hits such as Wisin & Yandel’s “Noche de Sexo” and “Rakata,” Tito “El Bambino’s” “Mia,” Hector “El Father”’s “Noche De Travesura,” Don Omar’s “Salvaje” and Zion Y Lennox’s “Cuando.”

Most recently, Nely, who was nominated for producer of the year at the 2007 Billboard Latin Music Awards, produced a number of tracks on Daddy Yankee’s new album, El Cartel: The Big Boss. Released in June, the album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart and No. 9 on the Billboard 200. He’s previously worked with Daddy Yankee on his duet with Snoop Dogg, “Gangster Zone.” His latest effort with Don Omar is the infectious “Calm My Nerves,” from Omar’s El Pentagono, a collection of tunes from top reggaeton artists that came out in March.

Nely, who was raised in Puerto Rico, is signed to Universal Music Publishing Group Latin America. He began playing drums when he was only five and was producing before he was old enough to drive. Among his influences, according to his myspace page, are Dr. Dre, Scott Storch, Neptunes and Timbaland. He now splits his time between Puerto Rico and Miami.

A college degree in electronic music, membership in Nine Inch Nails and a résumé remixing rockers like White Zombie and Marilyn Manson brought Clouser to horror. He brightens his sonic palette as the composer for two TV series, Numb3rs, and Las Vegas. “Numb3rs is thematic, but Las Vegas is a musical smorgasbord where one minute I may have to sound like a Snoop Dogg track and the next come up with a country and western twang jam.”

Next up is a Universal feature with Saw creator James Wan, titled (at press time) Dead Silence. “I did the whole score, top to bottom in four weeks. I composed, performed, recorded, engineered and mixed it. I didn’t go to a studio and I didn’t have any help. I did everything in Logic on a Macintosh G5.”

Even for this technological maestro, simpler is better. “A lot of what I do has been an effort to avoid anything that seems like work,” he notes. “I enjoy making music; I enjoy manipulating sounds. Trying to get five PCs to talk to each other is work.”]]> 2006-10-15T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334965 Blunt, James, Brown, Chris, Bryant, Del, Carey, Mariah, Foxx, Jamie, Garrett, Sean, Jersey Boys, Juanes, Keith, Toby, Kelly, R., Korn, Lil Jon, Linkin Park, Ne-Yo, Neptunes, The, Nickelback, Pink, Reyli, Rihanna, Shakira, Snoop Dogg, Urban, Keith, Venegas, Julieta, West, Kanye, Wyner, Yehudi, International, Licensing, New Media, Hitmaker BMI this week posted revenues (excluding Landmark Digital Services, LLC) of more than $779 million for its fiscal year 2005-2006, which ended June 30. The figure represents an increase of 7 percent over the previous year, it was announced by Del Bryant, President & CEO of BMI. The revenues resulted in royalties for distribution to BMI-affiliated songwriters, composers and publishers of $676 million, an increase of 8.2 percent over last year. These results represent the largest performing right income of any copyright organization in the industry.

"I am particularly pleased that our tradition of technology leadership and consistent attention to cost control have permitted us to deliver an ever-larger proportion of our licensing income to the songwriters, composers and copyright owners we represent," Bryant said in making the announcement. Operational expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased from 14.2 percent to 13.2 percent, the lowest in BMI's history and among the lowest of the world's major copyright organizations.

Although total license fees from traditional analog media continued to increase, revenues from cable, satellite, the Internet and other digital media surged ahead. Cable and satellite revenue grew by $24 million and now represents more than 17 percent of the company's total. New media revenues grew to more than $16 million, an increase of 35 percent over the prior year. International revenues also hit a new high at $204 million, and general licensing income, from tens of thousands of bars and restaurants, retail, and service establishments, increased 12 percent over the prior year to more than $86 million.

BMI's revenues are attributable to the diversity, scope and popularity of the music created by the more than 300,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers that the company represents. These songwriters transcend global boundaries and have broad international appeal, and include such acts as Mariah Carey, the Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Shakira, Toby Keith, R. Kelly, Linkin Park, Juanes, Keith Urban, Gnarls Barkley, Korn, Don Omar and Pink, as well as top urban songwriters/producers including Lil Jon, the Neptunes, Snoop Dogg, Sean Garrett, multi-Grammy Award winner Kanye West, T.I., Jamie Foxx, and newcomers Ne-Yo and Chris Brown.

Through reciprocal agreements with foreign societies, BMI also represents such international chart-toppers as British breakout artist James Blunt (PRS) ["You're Beautiful"], Canadian rock group Nickelback (SOCAN), and Latin sensations Julieta Venegas (SGAE) and Reyli (SACM).

BMI film and television composers enjoyed impressive success, contributing music to 78 percent of all network primetime television shows and 24 of the 25 top-grossing films released during the fiscal year. BMI songwriters were awarded the majority of the Grammy and CMA awards, the Blues Awards and the Downbeat Jazz Poll. BMI classical composer Yehudi Wyner won the Pulitzer Prize in music, and Broadway celebrated the music of BMI songwriters with the multiple Tony-winning hit, Jersey Boys.

Pictured at the Recording Academy Honors gala are (seated): Recording Academy West Regional Director Lizzy Moore, actor Chris Tucker, honoree Snoop Dogg, honoree Chris DeWolfe, honoree Tom Anderson, honoree Lalo Schifrin, performer Dave Stewart of Platinum Weird; (top row): Recording Academy President Neil Portnow, rapper Warren G, L.A. Chapter Governor Ray Chew, L.A. Chapter Governor Shelly Berg, Recording Academy Vice Chairman Jimmy Jam, performer Natalie Cole, L.A. Chapter Governor and Recording Academy Honors musical director Greg Phillinganes, L.A. Chapter Governor Tom Sturges, producer Lawrence Bender, L.A. Chapter President Maureen Crowe, L.A. Chapter Governor Barbara Shelley, L.A. Chapter Governor Dan Navarro, L.A. Chapter Governor and BMI's Barbara Cane. Photo by Arnold Turner

Schifrin, a six-time Academy Award nominee and four-time Grammy winner, was the evening's first honoree, with film director Brett Ratner and actor/comedian Chris Tucker presenting his award. Both Ratner and Tucker have worked with Schifrin on Rush Hour, Rush Hour 2, and the upcoming Rush Hour 3. Eight-time Grammy Award-winning legend Natalie Cole, who Schifrin considers to be one of our greatest living jazz singers, then sang a dazzling rendition of the Ella Fitzgerald classic "A Tisket A Tasket," before Schifrin himself jumped on the keyboard to play his Mission: Impossible theme with members of the USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra.

Afterwards, rap icon Dr. Dre took the stage to present his close friend and colleague, Snoop Dogg, with his award. A humbled Snoop accepted the award with a group of boys he coaches and sponsors in football. Hip-hop artist Bow Wow, Snoop's protégé and "little brother," closed the night and brought the crowd to its feet with his rendition of Snoop's "Who Am I."

The Los Angeles Academy Honors also featured a silent auction, with a portion of the proceeds going to scholarships for students hoping to attend Grammy Camp.

Having now celebrated 47 years of musical excellence through the Grammy Awards, NARAS continues its rich legacy and ongoing growth as the premier outlet for honoring achievements in the recording arts and supporting the music community.
]]> 2006-06-25T18:00:00-05:00 http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/334852 Artists, Fernando, Negro, L., Snoop Dogg, Sonido Secreto, Sr. Escobar & M. Corcho, U-NIQ, Una Via, Musical Styles, Latin L. Negro, U-NIQ, Sr. Escobar & M. Corcho, Una Via, Sonido Secreto and Insomnia.

BMI's Porfirio Piña and Insomnia's Pablo Garcia

Dominican Republic native and New York transplant L. Negro combines his childhood admiration of New York-style rap and his mother country's Spanish for a groundbreaking sound that has helped push Latin hip-hop/soul to the forefront of the rap music community.

Eric Medina, Candela Soul's Luis Burgos, BMI's Porfirio Piña, and Candela Soul's Lisa and Marlon

Trio U-NIQ was formed by brothers Migz and Tonio Vasquez, along with good friend and musical cohort Alex Salabarria. As their name suggests, the group produces a unique, soul-driven concoction derived from instinctively smooth harmonies.

Frankie Cutless

Brothers Sr. Escobar and M. Corcho were born and raised in Guatemala City and made the trek to the United States while they were still young men. The two cite influences including Snoop Dogg, Tupac and Jay-Z, and plan to deliver Latin hip-hop to mainstream audiences through their moody, deliberate lyrics.

Insomnia's Pablo Garcia

Una Via aims to combine classic rock sounds with Latin music's signature beats. Formed by guitarist brothers Johnny and Leonel Cayamcela, Una Via also relies on bassist George Vivanco, drummer Juan Pablo Calvo and charismatic lead singer Mauricio Cardenas.

KMW's Kevin K, BMI's Porfirio Piña and Sonido Secreto's Gaia

Sonido Secreto combines visual and auditory art for an inimitable live experience. The rock quartet displays images conceived by band members Pozo, Gaia, Oveck and Sol as a backdrop, and now classify themselves as blues and art rock.

L. Negro and Insomnia's Pablo Garcia

Longtime friends Pablo Garcia, Eli Menezes, Ricardo "Rico" Ramos, Waldo Chavez and Jotan Afanador form rock band Insomnia. The members have enjoyed success individually with major names such as Lauren Hill and Obbie Bermudez, and together create raucous, fast-paced Latin rock.

Loki, L. Negro and LP

The BMI Latin Urban Alternative Showcase was sponsored by Gibson, nochelatina.com, lamusica.com, Latination, American Latino TV, Nivel Musical, El Especial and El Especialito.

Sano, Sr. Escobar, BMI's Porfirio Piña, M. Corcho, Capicu and Mr. Miggs

Sonido Secreto's Oveck

Sonido Secreto's Sol

Sr. Escobar and M. Corcho

The Clear Picture's Deanna & Audrey and BMI's Porfirio Piña

Una Via

Una Via's Mauricio Cardenas

U-NIQ's Alex and Tonio, BMI's Porfirio Piña, and U-NIQ's Miquelito

photos: Fernando Leon

L. Negro	U-NIQ	Sr. Escobar and M. Corcho

S.O.B.'s doors will open at 6:30 p.m. the night of the show, with festivities kicking off at 7:30 p.m. Sponsors of the event include Gibson, nochelatina.com, lamusica.com, Latination, American Latino TV, Nivel Musical, El Especial and El Especialito.

Una Via	Sonido Secreto	Insomnia

Dominican Republic native and New York transplant L. Negro combines his childhood admiration of New York-style rap and his mother country's Spanish for a groundbreaking sound that has helped push Latin hip-hop/soul to the forefront of the rap music community.

Trio U-NIQ was formed by brothers Migz and Tonio Vasquez, along with good friend and musical cohort Alex Salabarria. As their name suggests, the group produces a unique, soul-driven concoction derived from instinctively smooth harmonies.

Brothers Sr. Escobar and M. Corcho were born and raised in Guatemala City and made the trek to the United States while they were still young men. The two cite influences including Snoop Dogg, Tupac and Jay-Z, and plan to deliver Latin hip-hop to mainstream audiences through their moody, deliberate lyrics.

Una Via aims to combine classic rock sounds with Latin music's signature beats. Formed by guitarist brothers Johnny and Leonel Cayamcela, Una Via also relies on bassist George Vivanco, drummer Juan Pablo Calvo and charismatic lead singer Mauricio Cardenas.

Sonido Secreto combines visual and auditory art for an inimitable live experience. The rock quartet displays images conceived by band members Pozo, Gaia, Oveck and Sol as a backdrop, and now classify themselves as blues and art rock.

Longtime friends Pablo Garcia, Eli Menezes, Ricardo "Rico" Ramos, Waldo Chavez and Jotan Afanador form rock band Insomnia. The members have enjoyed success individually with major names such as Lauren Hill and Obbie Bermudez, and together create raucous, fast-paced Latin rock.