Alicia Keys Launches YouTube Fan Promotion

Alicia's been reliving her iconic careerwith the intimate "Key'sMoments" posts. Now she wants YOU to join the "songs in A minor" 10thanniversary celebration! Alicia is asking fans to upload cover songs, dance routines, testimonials and more. Show Alicia what "songs in A minor" means to you!

Watch Alicia's video announcement below and post yourvideo response today!

Originally released in June 2001, songs in A minor sold more than 11million albums worldwide and earned Keys with her first five, of 14total, Grammy® Awards including Best New Artist, Best Song of theYear for "Fallin," and Best R&B Album.

Keys will commemorate the 10th Anniversary of her debut by performing anintimate concert for her fans at New York City's historic BeaconTheatre on June 30. The show, titled "Piano & I: A One Night Only Event With Alicia Keys," will feature Keys accompanied only by her piano.

Songs In A Minor - 10th Anniversary Edition (Deluxe Edition)

Songs In A Minor - 10th Anniversary Edition (Collectors Edition) (2CD/1DVD)

Michael Jackson - Two Years Have Passed...

Michael Jackson tragically died two years ago on Saturday due to a prescription drug overdose. Time has passed, but his untimely death still resonates in the hearts of his fans.

Beginning in his childhood with his brothers in the Jackson Five, Michael Jackson's talent stood out and quickly captured the ears and hearts of music lovers worldwide. Striking out on his own, he began a decade of unparalleled success, selling tens of millions of albums as he redefined what music and entertainment could be.

"Thriller" is THE album that most captures the beginning of the high arc of fame of Michael Jackson. Produced by the legendary Quincy Jones, the 1982 album would go on to become the greatest selling record of all time with a reported 65 to 110 million copies being sold. Michael Jackson still continued to work with his brothers – now named The Jacksons – and became a touring and recording machine. Big budget videos and lavish tours followed, thus growing Michael Jackson’s fame to unprecedented heights.

Many artists in the music industry have sampled Michael Jackson's music. These include Nas, De La Soul, Q-Tip and Snoop Dogg. Producers still chop vocal samples and grooves from the deep archives of Jackson’s recorded material. Singers such as Usher and Chris Brown count Jackson as a heavy influence and it certainly shows with their acrobatic dance moves and electrifying live performances. Michael also has recorded with Jay-Z and The Notorious B.I.G.

Today, let's celebrate Michael's life and remember all the amazing contributions he gave to the music industry!

 

Michael Jackson - Wanna Be Startin Something Live by mjsuperfan

The E-Family and Sheila E. Perform at The Hague Jazz!

There was lots to enjoy on the second day of The Hague Jazz, Sheila E, Angie Stone, Gino Vannelli, and Aloe Blacc were all there to perform!

The E-Family feat. Sheila E, Angie Stone, Aloe Blacc & The Grand Scheme were the most popular acts. As the tents filled up very quickly, fans quickly forgot about the bad weather outside with such a line-up of talented artists!

The E-Family gave a great show of latin jazz music and Sheila E stood behind the drums and timbales. The show became a great party and later on Sheila E performed "The Glamourous Life" and "Love Bizarre". The show lasted one and a half hour, a true delight for everyone who could make it!

Check out some of the show of The E-Family feat. Sheila E

Happy Birthday Tupac Shakur

Today marks Tupac Shakur's 40th birthday, to celebrate his life Erykah Badu and Mike Epps are are hosting a special evening in his honor in Atlanta.

2pac.com is celebrating with two major announcements.

First: The official 2pac youtube channel is (finally) starting to carry music videos! Today, they've launched with a classic: 2 of America’s Most Wanted featuring our boy Snoop. More will be added in the coming weeks. In addition, 2pac's mother also speaks about Tupac and how she misses him, and the plans 2pac had for the future.

Second: Universal Music will be bringing more 2pac music to itunes. On July 5th, five 2Pac albums (Interscope/UMe), including his first three solo albums, will be issued in the digital format for the first time:

2Pacalypse Now, his 1991 debut album which will mark its 20th anniversary on November 12, 2011, includes “Brenda’s Got A Baby,” “Trapped” and “If My Homie Calls.”

Strictly For My N.I.G.G.A.Z., his 1993 platinum album featuring “Holler If You Hear Me,” “I Get Around,” “Keep Ya Head Up” and “Papa’z Song.”

Thug Life – Volume 1, originally released in 1994 from his group that also included Big Syke, Macadoshis, Mopreme and The Rated R, with “Bury Me A G,” “Cradle To The Grave,” “Pour Out A Little Liquor,” “How Long Will They Mourn Me?” and “Str8 Ballin’.”

Me Against The World, the triple platinum 1995 smash that debuted #1 and was Grammy nominated for Best Rap Album, with “Dear Mama” (also Grammy nominated), “So Many Tears” and “Temptations.”

R U Still Down?, the posthumous, two-disc, quadruple platinum 1997 album (in its explicit version), featuring “Do For Love” and “I Wonder If Heaven Got A Ghetto.”

Stevie Wonder Inducted into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame

Stevie Wonder and friends including Melanie Fiona, Raphael Saadiq, Yolanda Adams, Take 6, Chic Corea, Paul Shaffer, Doug E. Fresh, Kim Burrell, Sherri Shephard, Tony Bennett and others appeared at this special evening. The legendary singer, songwriter and composer was inducted into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame. The Apollo also honored Revlon with the Corporate Award and Reginald Van Lee with the Percy E. Sutton Civic Leadership Award.

The Gala Benefit Concert and Awards Ceremony brought together the best and brightest in business and entertainment in support of the non-profit Theater’s remarkable legacy and its current initiatives for emerging artists and community and educational programs in New York City and beyond. The concert was followed by the Apollo Supper Club - a festive tent party with buffet and dancing. Stevie Wonder and Celebrity DJ: D-Nice treated their late night party goers with an impromptu jam-fest that lasted for 30 minutes!

The Apollo Legends Hall of Fame features renowned musicians, artists, and entertainers whose path to fame began at the Apollo. Stevie Wonder joins a distinguished roster of past inductees including Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, James Brown, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Little Richard, and Ella Fitzgerald. Each Apollo Legends Hall of Fame Inductee is honored with a plaque on the Apollo Walk of Fame, installed under the Theater’s iconic marquee.

 

 

 

Prince to play Montreal Jazz Fest June 24 and 25

10 years after doing a concert at Place des Arts’ Salle Wilfrid Pelletier, the one and only Prince will be back at the Montreal Jazz Fest for two midnight shows, June 24 and 25 at Metropolis.

From what we hear, these will be crazy sexy dance parties – all hits, no obscure jams.

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, June 14, at noon. They will be available from L’Astral (Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan, 305, Ste. Catherine Street W.), from Métropolis (59 Ste. Catherine St. E.), or from Admission and Ticketmaster (admission.com and ticketmaster.com, 1 855 790‑1245).

Alicia Keys - Extended Preview of 10th Anniversar​y "songs in A minor" Documentar​y

Alicia Keys recently revealed a preview of her 10th Anniversary "songs in AMinor" documentary.

Now onlyweeks away until the June 28th release of her special 10th Anniversary Deluxe and Collector’s edition of her groundbreaking debut album songs in A minor, the international superstar unveilsthe extended six minute trailer.

This documentary is an up-close and behind the scenes account on the making of Alicia Keys’ first album specifically created for this release with brand new interviews with Keys and other album collaborators.

Alicia is counting down the 10 years since "songs in A minor!"

Through June, visit www.aliciakeys.comevery weekday for videos and personal messages from Alicia. 2001-2003are now available!

Originally released in June 2001, songs in A minor sold more than11 million albums worldwide and earned Keys with her first five, of 14total, Grammy® Awards including Best New Artist, Best Song of the Year for "Fallin," and Best R&B Album.

Keys will commemorate the 10th Anniversary of her debut by performing an intimate concert for her fans at New York City's historic Beacon Theatre on June 30. The show, titled "Piano & I: A One Night Only Event With Alicia Keys," willfeature Keys accompanied only by her piano.

For more information, details and updates, visit
www.aliciakeys.com
www.facebook.com/aliciakeys
www.twitter.com/aliciakeys

Prince and the NPG Say Thank You

I'd like to say thank you to Prince and the NPG for their tremendous dedication to their music, incredible performances, and love. Happy 7th of June Prince, this will always be a special day to all the purple people out here!

Jill Scott Summer Block Party and Album YouTube Preview

Jill Scott will bring her forthcoming fourth album, "The Light of the Sun," on the road this summer with the Jill Scott Summer Block Party, which kicks off July 28 in New York.

The tour will feature Anthony Hamilton and Mint Condition as opening acts, while DJ Jazzy Jeff has signed on to provide beats and Doug E. Fresh will serve as the tour's official host.

 

Tickets to Jill Scott's Summer Block Party can be purchased along with a pre-order of "The Light of the Sun" on June 17 through both LiveNation.com and MissJillScott.com.

Speaking of "The Light of the Sun", listen to selections from the new Jill Scott album "The Light of the Sun." Preview "So In Love" and hear Jill and co-producer JR Hutson talk about the making of the track.

 

Jill Scott Summer Block Party Tour Dates:

July 28: New York, N.Y.
July 30: Detroit, Mich.
July 31: Chicago, Ill.
Aug. 3: Cleveland, Ohio
Aug. 4: St. Louis, Mo.
Aug. 6: Philadelphia, Pa.
Aug. 7: Washington, D.C.
Aug. 10: Los Angeles, Calif.
Aug. 14: Oakland, Calif.
Aug. 17: Memphis, Tenn.
Aug. 19: Atlanta, Ga.
Aug. 21: Virginia Beach, Va.
Aug. 23: Raleigh, N.C.
Aug. 24: Charlotte, N.C.
Aug. 27: Dallas, Tex.
Aug. 28: Houston, Tex.

Watch the 4th Annual Roots Picnic Live Online

This Saturday, June 4, is the fourth annual Roots Picnic at Festival Pier at Penn's Landing. WXPN, along with Okayplayer, will be streaming the main stage performances starting at 1 p.m. ET.

Performers include The Roots, Wiz Khalifa, Nas (backed by The Roots), Esperanza Spalding (backed by The Roots), Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, The Dismemberment Plan, and Little Dragon.

The broadcast will be hosted by  Bruce Warren and Mike Vasilikos, and will feature live performances from the main stage (as well as interviews with some of the bands who are performing on the second stage). Philly's own DJ Afrodjiak will join me and Bruce during the webcast to cover all of the festivities and chat with artists throughout the day. DJ Afrodjiak is the producer and music director of the popular event series.

Watch the Annual Roots Picnic LIVE

The Lineup (music starts at 1 p.m. ET, set times TBD):

Little Dragon

The Dismemberment Plan

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Esperanza Spalding w/ The Roots

Wiz Khalifa

Nas w/ The Roots