This time Karina brings it to the new school, singing Destiny’s Child’s “Emotion” and Rihanna’s “Unfaithful” (with help from her little sister!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erzIRSnnXC8
Karina covers SWV & Mariah Carey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U08S5UkQoh0
Make sure you check out her official first single:
Karina Pasian - Sixteen At War
Even before 16-year-old Karina Pasian signed to Def Jam records, the stellar singer was already making a name for herself. From her winning performance on Star Search in 2003 to singing at the White House last June during Black Music Month, this New York City chanteuse has been paying her professional dues since she was a toddler.
“I’ve been singing and playing piano since I was three,” says Karina. “My babysitter had a piano, and she started teaching me how to play. It wasn’t until a year later that I began getting professional lessons.” While some have been quick to compare Karina Pasian to other performers including Aaliyah, Alicia Keys and Mariah Carey, one listen to her self-assured debut disc is evidence enough that she is destined for success.
Karina remembers the first time she sang in front of an audience. “I sang Céline Dion’s ‘My Heart Will Go On’ at a talent show. I was kind of nervous, but the audience loved it.”
From that point, there was no denying that music would be her life. A few years later, after using the Prince-penned ballad “How Come U Don’t Call” for an audition, Karina Pasian was cast on a revamped version of Star Search. “That was such a wonderful experience,” says Karina, who won the first round of the competition with a rousing version of the Jackson Five classic “I’ll Be There.”
Working with an array of songwriters, producers and artists that include The Dream, Tricky Stewart, Gordon Chambers, Chris Brown, Carlos McKinnney, Lil Mama and others, Karina proves to be a breath of fresh soul. “I’ve recorded over 70 songs in the last two years,” Karina says. “It was a period of real growth for me as I learned to focus and stay consistent.”
Karina Pasian’s godfather, famed producer and businessman Quincy Jones, has also been a guardian angel for the young singer. In addition to giving her advice, the maestro included her in the “We Are the Future” charity concert in 2006. Considering the talents Jones has worked with, from Frank Sinatra and Sarah Vaughan to Michael Jackson and Tamia, she is in good company. “I know I’m blessed to have someone like Quincy in my corner,” she says.
A fan who embraces all forms of music, from the stylish Black pop of Brandy to old school jazz greats, Karina performed the standard “Misty” when she was at the White House last year. “Emilio Estefan, who has been a friend of my family for years, helped to put the show together, and invited me to be a part of it,” says Karina. “Later, my brother told me that I was the first Dominican to play at the White House, and that made me very proud.”
Studying music and voice at High School for the Professional Performing Arts, the Washington Heights native was more than prepared for any challenges that arose in the studio. “I was blessed to have some pretty amazing teachers who prepared me well,” she says sweetly. Refusing to fall into any cliché, Karina Pasian has recorded an album that is a reflection of her age and independent point of view.
Karina Pasian’s song “Sixteen” is a song of independence and admiration. “Ain’t no daddy’s where I’m from, its just mad mothers…why am I disrespected by someone I should call brother,” she sings in a pristine voice. “I wanted to do a song about what teenager girls go through in urban areas. It’s not cool that boys think they’re being cute when they say nasty stuff to us on the street.” Written and produced by The Dream and Tricky Stewart, best known for their work with Rihanna’s “Umbrella” and Madonna’s “Me Against the Music,” the song “Sixteen” reminds one of vintage Brill Building girls like the Crystals or Little Eva with an electro-groove.
Another The Dream and Tricky Stewart track that will leave fans breathless is “Baby Baby,” an uptempo song that is destined to be a dancefloor scorcher. “Though this is a fun song, it’s not just a party song,” says Karina “It’s about guys who simply see young women as sex objects, but I refuse to be that girl.” Indeed, like Aretha Franklin, she simply wants some respect. Sharing the mic with rapper Lil Mama (“Lip Gloss” & “Shawty Get Loose”), the two young stars connected in the studio. “Lil Mama was so cool, but it was her confidence in the booth that was really exciting.”
Produced and written by Carlos McKinney, the sing-songy “Can’t Find the Words” embraces elements of jazz and pop while simultaneously creating a whimsical track that sounds like nothing else of the radio. Additionally, Karina’s favorite song “Winner,” which highlights her elegant piano (her light touch on the keyboard reminds one of Erroll Garner) playing, is laidback and uplifting.
A beautiful young woman with more musical moxy than most sixteen year olds, Karina Pasian has constructed one of the finest debut discs in years. Melancholic and truthful, funky and real, blissful and bold, Karina’s album is the sound of a better tomorrow.
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WatchMojo NewsletterThis weeks video is also in the running for Best Videos of All Time. There’s a great chance you’ve seen this video, but seeing it again it surprisingly rewarding. If you’ve never seen it then you’re in for a treat…. It features some of the earliest computer 3d animation ever seen on mainstream television and some of the most badass neon effects you’ve ever seen. Besides the song is fantastic and if you listen carefully you can pick out the voice of another very famous singer. Check it out:
Yung Ralph - Look Like Money (Video)
Yung Ralph - Look Like Money (Audio)
“Most Unexpected is the perfect name for my album.
Cause every move I make is completely unexpected.”
Atlanta is the center of the southern rap universe and due to the renaissance that has taken place, it has become harder for newcomers to get a toehold. It’s a cutthroat business that quickly separates the would-be rappers from the will-be artists.
Yung Ralph has already made a name for himself on the back of his wildly successful single, “Look Like Money.” A motivating track with a catchy hook and chorus, “Look Like Money” is not only a club banger but also a popular ring tone that is quickly becoming more than just a regional hit.
But don’t think Yung Ralph’s story will begin or end with “Look Like Money.”
“That’s the main thing I have to get across in this bio,” says Yung Ralph. “It’s about more than one hit single. “Look Like Money” is a great song for me and I appreciate all of the doors it’s been able to open. But I have much more to offer this industry.”
Yung Ralph’s story begins on Cleveland Avenue and Jonesboro Road in Atlanta. His family didn’t have much in the way of material things, but there was a lot of love and respect.
“I watched my mom work really hard,” says Yung Ralph. “She took good care of us. But of course, I always wanted more.”
Yung Ralph’s neighborhood was a rough one. And as a young man, he learned a lot just by watching the world outside his window.
“I saw a lot of folks get locked up. But I was still intrigued by what I saw in the streets,” he explains. “My mom would go to work and I’m sneaking out to see what’s going on. As much as there was drama in my ‘hood, we stuck together too.”
In high school, Yung Ralph had one foot in the streets and one foot in his books. He graduated from high school but freely admits that education wasn’t always his top priority.
“By high school, I had been exposed to a lot. I made it out. But there were a lot of other things going on around me that held my attention.”
One of those things was hip-hop music. His major influences were the legendary Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.
“Those two really struck me,” Ralph explains. “They said a lot of things I wanted to say and did it well. They both had a big effect on me.”
At the age of seventeen, the idea of rapping came to Yung Ralph rather abruptly.
“I’d always listened to hip-hop. Always. But one day, I was listening to music out on my front porch with my friend Sabias. And something just clicked. I told him I wanted to write a rap song.”
Ralph’s friend laughed him off. But Ralph still went inside and began crafting the lyrics to his first song—about a woman he was dating at the time.
After an hour, Ralph went back outside and shared his new song with his friend.
“He couldn’t believe I was serious. But something just clicked right there and I knew it was what I wanted to do.”
As Ralph continued to practice writing rhymes, he began to reach out to people he knew who were peripherally involved in the music business. One friend was in a local group that had filmed two videos. Another friend was starting a local label. Still another was managing acts. Ralph became determined to build relationships.
“I visited every radio station, called back every person I introduced myself to. I didn’t care if I was at the car wash or the grocery store, I made sure people knew my name and listened to my music.”
His sheer determination slowly began to pay off. He joined Stay Down Productions, a loose collaboration of artists, and eventually a few of the songs he began recording received airplay on stations like 95.5 The Beat. In time, he hooked up with Money Maker Records and began to seriously record and perform.
By the time his first single, “Look Like Money,” was released, Yung Ralph had created a name for himself and the song immediately took off.
But now it’s time to dig a bit deeper into Yung Ralph’s style—evidenced by the tracks on his album, Most Unexpected.
One of the album highlights is “I Work Hard,” an honest testament to his work ethic. Over a soulful old-school sample, Ralph’s gruff voice explains how he managed to keep his eye on the prize in a life of obstacles and goals.
“I kick it with the OGs and listen to the oldies/I work so hard I think I deserve a trophy,” he raps on the chorus. It’s a sentiment that many people can relate to, which is exactly what Ralph wants.
“I make music for everybody. I want everyone from grandmothers to the kids in the street to be able to relate to something in my music.”
Yung Ralph’s lyrics are not all about the rough times. On the hilarious “Charlie Brown,” he takes the muffled voices of the adults on the Peanuts cartoon and transforms it into an innovative backing track and chorus. The production is expert—with guitars and a tight baseline that complement Ralph’s lyrics.
“My Hood,” is a sonic trip through Yung Ralph’s Atlanta. It’s a place where mothers worry endlessly about their children, a place where single unwed teenagers struggle and adolescent boys often give in to the lure of the streets.
“I have to be honest about my ‘hood,” says Ralph. “Things happen sometimes that are real hard to deal with. I can’t sugarcoat it. I gotta tell it just the way I see it.”
His brutal honesty is refreshing. While many rappers focus on the materialistic aspects of hip-hop culture, Yung Ralph maintains balance.
“Of course I’m going to talk about money and the things I want in this world,” he explains. “But that’s not all I’m about. I’m bringing all the details of my world to my music.”
When asked for one word that defines who Yung Ralph is, he doesn’t hesitate for one second.
“I’m universal—just like the label I’m signed to.”
Leona Lewis takes America by storm with a possible debut at NUMBER ONE on Soundscan next week for her first US CD release Spirit! You can catch Leona performing her hit single “Bleeding Love” on American Idol on Wednesday, April 23. Some other possible release week milestones for Leona include:
-first British female to have an album debut #1 on the chart
-first British act to have their initial release debut #1 on the chart
-Biggest 1st week for a new female artist since Carrie Underwood in 2005
Leona Lewis, who catapulted to fame in her native U.K. after winning that country’s televised X Factor talent competition launched by Idol Cowell, will debut at #1 on next week’s HITS Album Sales chart with her debut Spirit, edging near 200k, though the final total will probably closer to 190k.
That’s based on one-day sales reports from our crack team of retail reporters around the country who are still standing.
Lewis’ album has already spawned the hit single, “Bleeding Love,” as Team RCA, led by Davis and EVP Richard Palmese, bring the song all the way home.
“Bleeding Love” Audio Streams:
GIGANTOUR WIDGET:
http://widgets.musestorm.com/=SMvfEXZOgy87/previewPage
“Classic, new, thrash, speed, prog or black, there was metal for all at Gigantour.”
- LA DAILY NEWS
“The mother of all shred fests.”
- REVOLVER
THE ULTIMATE HARD-ROCKING FORCE RETURNS! Join the legendary Megadeth as they return to unleash the second coming of GIGANTOUR on their 2006 world tour! Featuring a lineup of metal’s pioneers, prepare yourself for a night of sonic mayhem. You have been warned…
Gigantour 2 features today’s top metal bands: Megadeth, Lamb of God, Opeth, Arch Enemy, Over Kill, Into Eternity, The Smashup, and Sanctity! OVER TWO HOURS OF CONTENT! Over 58 minutes of bonus material!
Gigantour Audio Streams:
Megadeth - Washington is Next!:
http://interface.audiovideoweb.com/lnk/il81web25050/14+Washington+Is+Next.mp3/play
The Smash Up - Rachel’s Day:
http://interface.audiovideoweb.com/lnk/il81web25050/01+Rachels+Day.mp3/play
Over Kill - Long Time Dying:
http://interface.audiovideoweb.com/lnk/il81web25050/05+Long+Time+Dying.mp3/play
Official Gigantour Site:
www.gigantour.com
Official Megadeth Site:
www.megadeth.com
Pre-Order Link for the DVD
http://www.amazon.com/Gigantour-Vol-2-Various-Artists/dp/B0012EBV7O
Pre-Order Link for the CD:
http://www.amazon.com/Gigantour-Vol-2-Various-Artists/dp/B0012EBU70/ref=pd_bxgy_d_text_b
DVD:
1. THE SMASHUP Effigy
2. SANCTITY Beneath the Machine
3. INTO ETERNITY Severe Emotional Distress
4. OVERKILL Necroshine
5. OVERKILL Rotten to the Core
6. ARCH ENEMY We Will Rise
7. ARCH ENEMY Nemesis
8. OPETH The Leper Affinity
9. LAMB OF GOD Vigil
10. LAMB OF GOD Now You’ve Got Something to Die For
11. MEGADETH Take No Prisoners
12. MEGADETH The Scorpion
13. MEGADETH Washington is Next!
CD:
1. THE SMASH UP: Rachel’s Day
2. SANCTITY: Zeppo
3. INTO ETERNITY: Timeless Winter
4. OVERKILL: Thanks for Nothing
5. OVERKILL: Long Time Dying
6. ARCH ENEMY: Nemesis
7. ARCH ENEMY: We Will Rise
8. OPETH: Window Pane
9. LAMB OF GOD: Vigil
10. LAMB OF GOD: Red Neck
11. LAMB OF GOD: Something To Die For
12. MEGADETH: Take No Prisoners
13. MEGADETH: The Scorpion
14. MEGADETH: Washington
Los Angeles (April 15, 2008) – During a press conference held today in Los Angeles, Mötley Crüe, the world’s most notorious rock band, revealed that this summer, they will bring the next generation of rock’s superstars out on the road with them for what will undoubtedly be the hottest ticket of the year for rock fans: “Crüe Fest ‘08,” which will visit cities across the U.S. and Canada July through August.
Produced by Live Nation, Crüe Fest, a touring rock festival featuring the hottest names in rock and alternative, kicks off on July 1st, and will hit over 40 major North American cities by the end of August. As if fans getting to see a Mötley Crüe show were not enough, there is an impressive line-up for the first year of the tour which includes Buckcherry, Papa Roach, breakout rock artist Sixx:A.M., and alternative rock band Trapt. Tickets will go on sale via www.LiveNation.com beginning Friday or Saturday, depending on the market. Fans that can’t wait for the onsale can get their tickets immediately by going to TheRockvine.com.
Says Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe, ”We are SO excited not only to headline our own annual summer festival, but also to be able to share the stage with the next generation of great rock bands. There’s not a lot Mötley Crüe hasn’t done so to say this summer’s festival is going to be about rock ‘n roll excess is an understatement. A night of hit songs by great bands and a trail of panties coast to coast… Crüe Fest, hell yeah!”
During the press conference, Mötley Crüe also announced that they will release “Saints of Los Angeles,” their first new studio album recorded with all of the original band members in over a decade, on June 17th.
Today’s event featured the premiere of Mötley Crüe’s brand new single, “Saints Of Los Angeles,” which the band played live during a brief but raucous performance. The song, which also includes backing vocals by Josh Todd (Buckcherry), Jacoby Shaddix (Papa Roach), James Michael (Sixx:A.M.) and Chris Brown (Trapt) is the title track of the new album. Lyrically, the new album follows the story of the band’s NY Times best-selling memoir The Dirt, a no-holds-barred tell-all that features every gritty detail of the band’s exploits as one of the world’s biggest rock bands. The first single and video were serviced today to radio and television and the digital download was instantly made available for purchase at the iTunes Music Store. In an industry first, the song was also made available as a download for the Rock Band video game simultaneously with its single release.
In addition to being televised live on Fuse, the press conference was broadcast live online and syndicated on numerous websites including TheRockvine.com. Mötley Crüe chose to deliver the live stream using Microsoft Silverlight via iStreamPlanet, Co’s iStream Player. The iStream Player is built on Microsoft Silverlight technology which is a lightweight cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in that delivers the next generation of fully immersive media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web. Silverlight ensures consumers worldwide have a consistent experience while watching content in any browser and on any platform.
Official partners for Crüe Fest include JVC Mobile Audio, MTV’s Rock Band, Best Buy, Fuse TV, Lotus, and TheRockvine.com. On-site activities will include a 2nd “Stage” presented by Rock Band where fans attending the show can play the part of “rock star” while playing the game. A special Crüe Fest CD featuring tracks from all of the bands on the tour will be available exclusively at Best Buy beginning June 17th. JVC Mobile Audio premiered a viral video featuring Josh Todd of Buckcherry and Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach having an “experience” in a car surrounded by the latest JVC audio/visual technology, a cast of hot babes and a ton of soap bubbles.
Crüe Fest U.S./Canada Tour Dates:
July:
07.01.08 West Palm Beach, FL Cruzan Amphitheatre
07.03.08 Tampa, FL Ford Amphitheatre
07.05.08 Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte
07.06.08 Virginia Beach, VA Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater
07.08.08 Wantagh, NY Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
07.09.08 Buffalo, NY Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
07.10.08 Sarnia, ONT Bayfest
07.12.08 Philadelphia, PA Susquehanna Bank Center
07.13.08 Washington, DC Nissan Pavilion
07.15.08 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
07.16.08 Chicago, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
07.18.08 Indianapolis, IN Verizon Wireless Music Center Indianapolis
07.19.08 Milwaukee, WI Marcus Amphitheater
07.20.08 St. Louis, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheater St. Louis
07.22.08 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
07.23.08 San Antonio, TX Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
07.24.08 Dallas, TX Superpages.com Center
07.26.08 Albuquerque, NM Journal Pavilion
07.27.08 Denver, CO Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
07.29.08 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
07.31.08 Phoenix, AZ Cricket Wireless Pavilion
August:
08.01.08 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay Events Center
08.02.08 Los Angeles, CA Glen Helen Pavilion
08.05.08 Sacramento, CA Sleep Train Pavilion
08.06.08 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View
08.08.08 Seattle, WA White River Amphitheatre
08.09.08 Portland, OR Rose Garden
08.11.08 Vancouver, BC General Motors Place
08.13.08 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place
08.14.08 Calgary, AB Pengrowth Saddledome
08.15.08 Saskatoon, SK Credit Union Centre
08.17.08 Winnipeg, MB MTS Centre
08.19.08 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Amphitheatre
08.20.08 Cleveland, OH Blossom Music Center
08.22.08 Boston, MA Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts
08.23.08 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
08.24.08 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
08.28.08 Toronto, ONT Molson Amphitheatre
08.29.08 Albany, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center
08.30.08 Scranton, PA Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain
08.31.08 Pittsburgh, PA Post-Gazette Pavilion
For more information on Mötley Crüe, please visit: www.motley.com and www.myspace.com/motleycrue.
Buckcherry to be part of Crue Fest 2008 lineup
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