Canadian Artist Bless Releases His Latest EP The Night Before With a Fresh New Electro-Urban Sound
Montreal native Bless is set to release his latest EP The Night Before on June 22, 2010, an advance preview of his third full-length album entitled The Day After, due out in late 2010. Taking a sharp turn from his original hip-hop roots, Bless brings a new electro sound to his fans. The first single from the EP, Keep It Gully, is a collaboration with Manolo (SoundMachine Productions) and marries hip-hop rhythms and electro beats that is a unique and refreshing change in the landscape of urban music today.
“I love making music and taking the next step into the world of electronica is a natural progression as I evolve as an artist,” states Bless.
At 26, Bless has now become one of the most respected artists in today’s Canadian hip-hop scene. His new EP The Night Before and album The Day After are very different from what Bless has delivered with past projects. Feeling creatively restricted by the current state of hip-hop, a new fusion of electro, rock and hip-hop is heard on the second single from the EP, Monster Girl. Bless also teamed up with Toronto electro sensation Mansion on the upcoming single Break Back, a track with infectious melodies and hard hitting rhymes.
Bless has spent the majority of his life surrounded by music, whether it was break dancing or demoing songs in studio, all before he was 12. Bless has also worked on collaborations with Limp Bizkit and Rahiem (Grandmaster Flash) as well as being a part of the famed Gangstarr foundation traveling the world as Gurus hype man.
Bless is not only an artist but also the owner of his own label; Platinumberg Entertainment and production company SoundMachine Productions. The label’s first release was Platinumberg: The Movement, a compilation featuring Afu-Ra, Mr. Wiggles (Rock Steady Crew), Guru, and label artists T.F.S. and Dexter D. The album gained critical acclaim with its first three singles charting on MuchMusic’s RapCity Top 5. “This is the most important Rap CD to emerge from Canada”, the Montreal Gazette exclaimed. In 2005, Bless released his second album The Book of Bless which featured Rah Digga of Flipmode, Cappadonna of Wu-Tang, JR Writer of Dipset, Planet Asia and Tony Touch. The album successfully toured and played to sold-out venues across North America with Obie Trice, Beatnuts, De La Soul, Gangstarr and Lloyd Banks (G unit).
Bless also made history in 2004 as the first Canadian artist to have his own character in a Def Jam video game. Def Jam Fight for New York has sold 3,000,000 copies worldwide and features Bless alongside hip-hop’s biggest stars. The interactive game also features two of Bless’ songs on the soundtrack.
With unconventional and electrifying new beats, The Night Before is only the first step for Bless as he forges his new musical direction.
THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU SPROUT THAT STUBBLE
Schick Hydro™ Skindex Finds Men Who Shave Regularly More Likely to Get the Girl
The more frequently a man shaves his face, the more likely he is to get the girl– at least according to a new study from the makers of the new Schick Hydro™ products. The majority of Canadian women polled are more likely to pay attention to, flirt with and kiss a man who is cleanly shaven, than one who is not. The Skindex study polled men and women across the country to learn more about shaving habits and the perceptions that facial appearance incites.
The findings, released today as part of the Schick Hydro™ Skindex, a national study of perceptions and behaviors associated with shaving conducted by StrategyOne, show a clear link between material, emotional and romantic satisfaction and the frequency of men’s shaves. The study also finds that 91% of men who shave regularly are more satisfied with their lives. Additionally cleanly shaven men are likely to have college degrees, hold jobs and earn higher incomes than men who do not shave on a regular basis.
“It’s taken men a while to get on board with personal grooming,” says Rick Ricci, renowned shaving expert and owner of Truefitt and Hill men’s spa in Toronto. ”A good shave goes well beyond hair removal and can have implications for how men are perceived. First impressions are everything!”
Shave Avoidance Broken Down
Nearly half of Canadian men say that skin irritation is a barrier to shaving more frequently. Cuts, nicks, skin burn and loss of moisture often keep them from a regular shave ritual. According to the Schick Skindex, it’s not just men who take issue with irritation – the survey found that among their biggest turn offs, Canadian women ranked irritated skin third at 41%, right behind body odour and dandruff.
“We spoke to thousands of men about their shave experience and found that for many, shaving had become a chore because of irritation,” said James MacIntosh, General Manager, Energizer Personal Care. “We listened to that feedback to develop the Schick Hydro™ Razor; our closest consumer collaboration yet. It’s designed to provide a completely new experience, combining skin care with a great, close shave.”
Understanding the mechanics of a great shave, the latest innovation from Schick, was designed to revolutionize the way men shave their faces. The Schick Hydro™ 5 razor offers the latest in razor technology, including a never-before-seen flip trimmer. Therazor features a Hydrating Gel Reservoir with soothing aloe vera and vitamin E to reduce irritation and help ensure that skin remains moist throughout the shaving experience.
The Schick Hydro™ razor also features revolutionary Skin Guards — innovative skin protectors that act to smooth out the skin between blades, protecting it during shaving. Unlike anything currently available, these patented Skin Guards are designed to control skin flow and provide a satisfying, comfortable shave.
Shaving Habits across Canada
- Canadian women said they are more likely to kiss a cleanly shaven man than one who is unshaven. Similarly, in the U.S., the 84% of women say it’s sexy when a man’s face is smooth and touchable and 64% admitted they would rather have sex with a cleanly shaven man than a scruffy one.
- Men from East and West Coasts of Canada differ greatly in their shaving habits. 59% of men in the Atlantic Provinces agree they would shave more if there were a way to keep their skin from getting so irritated, while men from British Columbia are less inclined to shave at all, regardless of a less irritating option (39%).
- Quebec and Ontario are the provinces with the highest men’s shaving rates: 48% in each province shaves on a regular basis, or 5 days or more a week.
MP3: Necro – “DIE!”
Nearing May 18th Release Date, Necro Lets Loose Title Track From New Album, DIE!
As the world waits in fearful anticipation for the May 18th release of his forthcoming album, DIE!, Necro is now letting loose of the title track from the dungeons of rap. The artist admits crafting the song was a struggle behind the scenes as he battled severe laryngitis in the wake of a grueling tour schedule, and what he describes as “kicking brutal verses day after day.” Possibly these hardships helped cement another underground classic from hip-hop’s own Prince of Darkness. The track doesn’t stray far from Necro’s lyrical reign of terror, another morsel in an impressive catalog of gritty New York rap the artist compares to a “gourmet dish.” Self-produced as is every track on the album, “DIE!” begins with an ominous monologue about being brought back from the beyond, right before expertly chopped kicks and snares bolster a bouncing funk bass line. A ghostly sampled chorus sails to the forefront urging all Necro’s haters to… well… die. “The most enjoyable part is seeing it come to life: the beats, the rhymes… I love it,” the reigning producer, who also contriubuted a beat toRaekwon’s highly acclaimed Only Built For Cuban Linx II, beams. But don’t be fooled by these tiny glimmers of joy. With lines like “The holiest place/ on earth/ an exit wound/ through your head… No matter what/ remain sadistic/ maintain persistence/ Break every chain of resistance,” its clear the Psycho+Logical-Records vandal is back stalking the city.
Check out the title track of Necro’s DIE! here: http://media.audibletreats.com/Necro-DIE.mp3
The JUNO Effect: CTV’s 2010 JUNO AWARDS Broadcast Boosts Album and Digital Sales for Performers
Biggest gains made by Blue Rodeo and Great Lake Swimmers with more than 200% increase in digital track sales; Metric continues to surge forward –
2.01 million tune-in to CTV channels for THE 2010 JUNO Awards broadcasts –
A musical ripple that began in St. John’s, NL has emanated across the country boosting sales for performers on THE 2010 JUNO AWARDS following CTV’s broadcast on Sunday, April 18. Known as “The JUNO Effect”, this wave of enthusiasm increased album sales and digital downloads for THE JUNO AWARDS performers by as much as 444%.
Watched in all or in part by 6.5 million Canadians, this year’s CTV broadcast featured spectacular performances by Drake, Justin Bieber, K’NAAN, Metric, Michael Bublé and more, resulting in a final average audience of 1.6 million viewers. Following encore broadcasts of the two-hour, concert-style Awards on CTV, /A\, Much Music, Star! and Bravo!, that number increases to 2.01 million viewers in total.*
“The JUNO Effect” occurs each year in the hours and days immediately following THE JUNO AWARDS broadcast when fans rush to online outlets and music stores to support their favourite Canadian artists. Data from Nielsen SoundScan confirms significant sales spikes just weeks after the broadcast for the following headlining performers:
Album Sales:
· Blue Rodeo – up 31%
· Drake – up 58%
· Great Lake Swimmers – up 63%
· Johnny Reid – up 27%
· K’NAAN – up 50%
· Metric – up 41%
· Michael Bublé – up 49%
Digital Track Sales:
· Billy Talent - “Saint Veronica” – 77% increase
· Blue Rodeo - “One Light Left In Heaven” – 444% increase
· Classified – “Oh Canada”- 36% increase
· Drake – “Over” – 91% increase
· Great Lake Swimmers – “Pulling On A Line”- 245% increase
· Johnny Reid – “Dance With Me” – 177% increase
· Justin Bieber – “Baby” – 15% increase
· K’NAAN – “Wavin’ Flag” – 61% increase
· Metric - “Gimme Sympathy” – 176% increase
· Michael Bublé – ” Haven’t Met You Yet” – 26% increase
The 40th annual JUNO Awards will take place March 21-27, 2011 in Toronto, ON, culminating in the CTV broadcast of THE 2011 JUNO AWARDS on Sunday, March 27 from the Air Canada Centre.
Web Links:
Official JUNO Awards website: www.junoawards.ca
CTV’s JUNO Awards website: www.junos.ctv.ca
CARAS website: www.carasonline.ca
CTV website: www.ctv.ca
DJ OB-1 SUP FU? MIX
We have our 1st Sup Fu? ‘live’ mix Love Fortune Sound courtesy of DJ OB-1 (Las Vegas). It’s 2.5 hrs of amazing quality music. Download it for FREE
http://fortunesoundclub.blogspot.com/2010/03/dj-ob-1-live-mix.html
Instigator Music Group & GCP Recording Corp. Present…The Anime Boyz ft Emerson Brooks “What You Wana Do”
Attention earthlings! Please join me in welcoming the Anime Boyz to our planet. Individually known as Neo Tempus and Ricky Rude, this duo promises to bring you fresh music that is literally out of this world. With there new single What You Wanna Do?” featuring Toronto R&B singer Emerson Brooks about to drop world wide on itunes and radio, the group is working like crazy to ensure their debut EP “Cupid, Clouds, and Cartoons” will be ready by summer 2010. I know you must be tired of rappers claiming to come with something “real” or different, but you no longer have to search for lost authenticity.
The group consisting of Neo Tempus and Ricky Rude bring a distinctly unique sound and an intergalactic twist on hip hop. Take conventional rap, throw in some electronica, mix it with a little pop or rock, blend in a wee bit of R&B with the odd trace of techno and you have the sound of the Anime Boyz. Neo Tempus has a production catalogue of over 500 instrumentals as well as production credits on projects by fellow artists like St.Laz, Nem-s-siss, Es Jay, Trinity Chris and Jonny Roxx. Ricky Rude is that in your face rapper with a raw approach to everything he does, on top of the Anime Boyz own two mixtape he has been featured on tracks with some of Toronto’s up and coming stars like his big brother Jonny Roxx.
With a special love for Anime/Manga, the two musically strive to create a whole new way of looking at reality. Tempus says, “In anime anything can happen, characters have swag, enemies are dangerous, women are drawn gorgeous, and most of the time the storyline is about a struggle,” hence the name of the group, Anime Boyz! So there you have it, hip-hop’s newest superheroes, destined to bring some originality and life back into the game.
The club-banging new single is produced by Neo Tempus and is already hitting airwaves around the world. The track is a fan favorite off of their latest mixtape release “The Crash Landing”. “What You Wana Do” ft Emerson Brooks will be available world wide on itunes and other online retailers very soon through GCP / Fontana / Universal.
Downloads:
DJ Pack (WAV): http://www.sendspace.com/file/5qgeo4
DJ Pack (MP3): http://www.sendspace.com/file/x9i45g
The Crash Landing Mixtape: http://www.datpiff.com/Anime_Boyz_The_Crash_Landing.m65691.html
Famous – I Get It In Freestyle
Here’s the next installment of Famous’ “Eat You On Your Own Sh*t” freestyle series. He’s been busy writing/recording joints for his next project so in the meantime wanted to hit you off with some verses recorded over the past few months. 
Freeway Releases New Video “She Makes Me Feel Alright”
Hey, check out this video for the new Freeway & Jake One Single “She Makes Me Feel Alright” off of The Stimulus Package on Rhymesayers Entertainment. It’s directed by Rik Cordero.
HARD ADDS N*E*R*D*, DIE ANTWOORD, SLEIGH BELLS, FLYING LOTUS, JOKER, SWITCH, BOREGORE & JASON BENTLEY TO HARD LA / M.I.A.!
DIE ANTWOORD JOINS HARD NYC / M.I.A.!
HARD LAUNCHES VIDEO CONTEST & GIVES FANS A CHANCE TO WIN VIP TICKETS TO HARD LA / M.I.A
HARD is pleased to announce the addition of N*E*R*D*, Die Antwoord, Sleigh Bells, Flying Lotus, Joker, Switch, Boregore & Jason Bentley to the already incredible HARD LA / M.I.A. July 17th date at Los Angeles State Historic Park. HARD is notorious for bringing the biggest names of electronic, dance, hip-hop and rock scenes together for one amazing show and this impressive lineup will be one of the most talked about events of the summer. By adding some of the hottest live acts to an already amazing line up including M.I.A., Rye Rye, Theophilus London, 12th Planet, Borgore, The Gaslamp Killer, Destructo, Ninjasonik andNGUZUNGUZU, HARD is continuing its legacy of putting the hottest bands together on the same stage. General admission tickets for HARD LA / M.I.A. at Los Angeles State Historic Park are still available for only $60 or the low price of $100 when you purchase tickets for HARD Summer and HARD LA / M.I.A. Online here
Coming out of Coachella 2010 as one of the most talked about acts, South African rap duo, Die Antwoord also join the HARD NYC / M.I.A. Show on July 24th atGovernors Island! Die Antwoord joins the likes of M.I.A., Skream, Benga, Rye Rye, Sleigh Bells, Theophilus London, Borgore, Destructo, NGUZUNGUZU, Ninjasonki, 12th Planet, Destructo & more to the two-stage, one day festival. Tickets can be purchased here
HARD is giving fans an opportunity that can’t be bought -a chance to win VIP tickets to this amazing show! M.I.A. caused quite a stir with her new video for’Born Free’ last week and this week HARD is challenging fans to do the same by launching the HARD Video Contest. Fans are challenged to create their own HARD video and five winners will be chosen and awarded VIP tickets to what is sure to be one of the biggest musical events of the year! Check the HARD website for rules, regulations and information on the contest. Deadline to submit is May 25th 2010.
HARD VIDEO CONTEST
http://www.hardfest.com/#feed/mia-la-video-contest
PURCHASE TICKETS TO HARD LA / M.I.A. LA & HARD SUMMER
http://www.hardfest.com/#shows/hard-la-mia
PURCHASE TICKETS TO HARD NYC / M.I.A.
http://www.hardfest.com/#shows/hard-nyc-mia
Jay Electronica ft. Diddy- “Ghost of Christopher Wallace”
I don’t know what I like more, Jay Electronica murdering another track or Diddy going off…