Amma Whatt Debuts New Music Video For "You" via Singersroom.com

As the current times call for more affirmations of love, kindness, and being "in love" with all aspects of life, Brooklyn's indie Jazz/Soul chanteuse, Amma Whatt, answers with the heartwarming visuals for "You." 

Directed by Hemamset Angaza, Amma's very first music video is a testament to life's sweet moments, depicting scenes of true love and bonding  between mother and child, husband and wife, musicians and music, family, etc. A labor of love, the video was shot over the course of two years, so we get to see footage of Amma working in the studio, and then two years later as the brand new mother of a new adorable baby girl, along with four generations of her family. 

““The song was originally written while I was between relationships a few years ago. I wanted to write a song that encapsulated the feeling of new love and strong infatuation. After Nnedi’s birth, it definitely took on a whole new meaning. My story in the video is all about her.””

— Amma Whatt

Thank you to our friends at Singersroom.com for the world premiere of Amma's first music video of her career! Watch up top.

Isaac Castor & Arjun Singh Release "High Art" LP

With a lofty co-sign from Statik Selektah, and a guest verse that made waves alongside Chris Webby on the producer/DJ's 2011 album Population Control at the young age of 15, the kid from Ann Arbor, Michigan, then known as Gameboi, had more to show for his rap career than many of his veteran colleagues of his home region. Flash forward about four years, and the young emcee has amassed notable collaborations with Rapper Big Pooh, Jon Connor, Clear Soul Forces, among many others, and now declares the start of a new chapter of his career with his brand new project, "High Art."     

Produced entirely by frequent TBO collaborator Arjun Singh, "High Art" is the world's introduction to the artist Isaac Castor (fka Gameboi) and is available today to stream and download in its entirety for free via Soundcloud. 

Guest features include Boldy James (on the acclaimed single "Arizona"), Static the MC (Jaz-O's son), Antwaun Stanley, and more.

This album, to me, is all about coming in to my own as an artist. Over a 23 month span, I felt very jaded and was going through a creative dry spell of sorts. Next thing I know, I connected with the incredible producer Arjun Singh and the creative spark I was longing for had returned. We created an album that is very wide spread in terms of different styles and sounds, and despite drawing a good chunk influence from the direction that rap music is trending in 2015, it is one that I believe will stand the test of time. - Isaac Castor

Revolt TV: Illa J On Making Music, J.Dilla's Influence And Earning Respect

REVOLT TV caught up with Illa J while on set at Brooklyn Bowl for his video shoot for his new single "Perfect Game" ahead of his first headlining show in New York City on October 7th, where he'll celebrate the release of his self-titled solo album. 

Watch the interview up top and read the full story here via REVOLT. 

Warren Kurtiss feat. Nikko Sherard - "Spin It" [Official Music Video]

After years of working behind the scenes as a producer and songwriter for superstars such as Ne-Yo, Estelle, French Montana, Wale, Boyz II Men, Janelle Monae, Blackstreet, Snoop Dogg and countless others, international, platinum-selling producer/singer/songwriter, Warren Kurtiss, steps into the spotlight with the music video for his own new single, "Spin It."

Enlisting the exceptional talents of rising American, NYC-based singer/songwriter Nikko Sherard, Warren brings fans a video and single that crosses language barriers.

Directed by Usef Nait, the video captures the duo trading both English and French verses and hooks in a sprawling complex of lavish, Spanish-styled buildings with shots of the beautiful San Diego skyline as the backdrop. The energy is palpable and the vibes are soaked in positivity, which are all totally infectious and will have you singing and grooving along in no time. 

The video has been making waves internationally and recently landed a spot in the rotation at MCM TV (the equivalent of MTV in France). Set for an official U.S. release on iTunes under Warren's own Dawty Music Group imprint on October 9th, 2015, "Spin It" promises that Warren will soon be lighting up charts and screens under his own name worldwide. 

Rising Rap Star Kamau Kenyatte To Perform Debut SOB's Show in NYC This Thursday 9/17!

Kamau Kenyatte will perform his debut SOB's show for New York City's brand new live music experience, Blended. 

After releasing sensational singles like "Gangsta Lean," "1800," and "Phantom" to a fervent cult following, Kamau is set to bring his unforgettably kinetic and high-energy live performance to the legendary SOB's stage. His approach to his craft onstage is to provide his audience with more than just a performance, but a complete creative experience that can galvanize any unsuspecting crowd. 

Combining the best elements of all music to create a unique concert experience, New York City's newest hotbed for new and unique talent, Blended, kicks off this Thursday, September 17 and will feature sets from promising upstarts such as, Spectren (EDM DJ), Kamau Kenyatte (Rapper), Alex Mali (Singer), Cory Cambridge (Rapper), and DJ Sanity (EDM/House/Hip Hop DJ).

Doors for this event are at 7PM, and the show will begin promptly at 8PM. For more info please visit www.blendedtours.com. Flyer attached. Pre-sale tickets available here. 

Illa J To Perform First Ever Headlining NYC Show For Album Release At Cameo Gallery on Wednesday, October 7!

GET TICKETS HERE.

Illa J, the talented younger brother of legendary hip hop producer J Dilla and former Slum Village member, will perform his first ever headlining show in NYC for his album release event at Cameo Gallery on Wednesday, October 7.

The event will celebrate the release of Illa J’s forthcoming self-tilted solo album, which will be his first full-length solo effort in nearly seven years and his debut project with internationally renowned Brooklyn label Bastard Jazz Recordings.

The show will also feature the live NYC debut performance from rising electronic production duo Potatohead People. The world famous DJ Spinna will be keeping the party moving all night and into the morning hours after the show. 

Doors for this event are at 8PM. This is an event you don't want to miss, so be sure to buy your tickets here before they're gone!

MORE ABOUT THE ALBUM:
Set for release October 2nd, Illa J's forthcoming, multifaceted self-titled solo album is a personal milestone for the talented rapper/singer/songwriter. The album presents an entirely fresh sound, inspired by two initial collaborations between Illa and Canadian producers Nick Wisdom & AstroLogical (aka Potatohead People). Alongside a few groundbreaking co-producers, Potatohead People crafted the new project in its entirety without the use of any samples. 

From electronic grooves (“Universe”), Acid Jazz (“Sunflower”), trunk rattling G-Funk (the Kaytranada co-produced “Strippers”), to the classic Detroit boom-bap sound (“French Kiss” and rap's ode to the game of bowling “Perfect Game”), Illa flexes his muscles through both song and rhyme over one of the most diverse soundscapes of his career.  

Vancouver mainstay MC Moka Only contributes invaluably to the cohesive sound of the album as well, providing signature smoothed-out vocal choruses to tracks like “She Burned My Art”, “All Good Pt. 2” and “Who Got It” (co-produced by Mosaic). 

Pre-order the album here. 

Léla Sophia & OlMac Dah Debut "Serenity/Love's Prayer" on AfroPunk.com

When two recent graduates of The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music team up, the result is pure magic. Today, alumni Léla Sophia and OlMacDah (the contemporary alter ego of emerging jazz artist Dahi Divine) debut their new collaborative single "Serenity/Love's Prayer." The beautiful two-in-one offering opens with Sophia's ambient and meditative song "Serenity," which blends into OlMac Dah's powerful, dynamic pop ballad "Love's Prayer." The music eventually swells into grunge-tinged electronic/alt-rock, layered with vintage synthesizers, live drums and auto-tuned vocals by Olmac Dah.  

The two separate parts of the song compliment each other perfectly, wherein one serves as a response to the other.  

“‘I need you I swear, this love is ours to share’ came out of me saying, ‘I can feel your energy and I can feel when you need me’; one is an extension of the other in a beautiful never ending prayer for love. ”

— Léla Sophia

Thank you to our friends at AfroPunk for premiering "Srenity/Love's Prayer."  Listen to the track below.

Jamall Bufford & Kensaye Debut New Single From New Album "Freedom Is"

After dedicating much of 2014 and early 2015 to touring and releasing music as part of The Black Opera, the collective's co-founding member Jamall Bufford teams up with London producer Kensaye for the release of  'Freedom Is' (out today).  The project serves as Buff's fifth solo album, and the official introduction of new TBO member  Kensaye.

The premiere of the album's lead single "Today" (featuring Magestik Legend) comes courtesy of The Source Magazine.

"A lot of people have an opinion on the state of rap music and the justice system in 2015. Some things have changed for the better, some for the worse, and some not at all. 'Today' discusses those topics." - Jamall Bufford

Listen to "Today" on Bandcamp .

Stream and download the new album 'Freedom Is' below: 

Watch part 1 of "Freedom Is" mini documentary on YouTube for a look at how this collaboration came about.:

Jack Preston Debuts Music Video For "Future's End"

Fresh off the heels of the release of his long-awaited, sonically ubiquitous album "End of The Future," the triple threat out of the ATL, Jack Preston, lets loose the visuals for the project's opening track, "Future's End." 

"The Visual for Future's End reflects on the relationship between ourselves and others in present moments; Moments that are at times not appreciated to the fullest extent. Tools sometimes become distractions, and our focus shifts. Though if we pay attention, we are never far from some of the most important moments that we have ever experienced."  - Jack Preston

Léla Sophia Live at Silvana July 24th

After debuting two new singles, "NeoB" and "Ordinary High," the rising soul singer/songwriter Léla Sophia is ready to take the stage at Silvana in New York City Friday, July 24th for a FREE show at 6PM. Her unique style of neo-soul/ jazz entrances listeners with angelic vocals and heartfelt lyrics.  

While Sophia was classically trained, her jazz vocal stylings were honed while attending the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, where she was taught and mentored by singer Chris Turner and classmates with singer James Tillman. Now a recent graduate from the university, Sophia joins the ranks of fellow alumni Robert Glasper and Jesse Boykins III, and is ready to set in motion a very promising music career.  

With recent comparisons to Lianne La Havas, Emily King, Yukimi Nagano of Little Dragon, and Coco of Quadron, you won't want to miss this young jazz upstart live in action next Friday.

Silvana is located at 300 W. 116th Street, New York, NY 10026.