No your eyes are not playing tricks on you, you are reading this correctly. Trey Songz will be in the 3D remake of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. As if the singer, rapper, crooner, model, spokesman, and ladies man didn’t have enough to add to his list of titles actor is another that the R&B star is proud to add to his growing business empire.
Those of you that know me personally know what a Trey Songz fan I am, but to be honest I can’t help but to think that this role if gonna be straight comedy for me when I see this in the theaters! Why you might ask? Well, first off the movie is in 3D, i’m expecting a lot of bloodyness and gore being tossed at the camera… Second Trey has one of the LEAD ROLES and his name is RYAN (like why Ryan out of all of the names, It so does not fit him lol)… I know we have seen him on a few walk-on roles on the small screen but #cmonson are his skills that up there to be in a lead role?! I guess we’ll see next year…and third, its a horror movie, and because its Trey in the movie… I don’t think I’m gonna be too scared, and his facial expressions in the movie are gonna be priceless! LMAO… me and my girls couldn’t take his facial expressions serious in the “Yo Side of the Bed” video when he found out Keri wasn’t coming home… watch the video for yourself and you’ll see what I mean!!! – http://youtu.be/xPd4Qp-Pdew I love him best when he flashes that winning smile!! Lets keep that for a while 😀 Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D is scheduled for release October 5, 2012.
Sidebar: I wonder if he’ll die first in the movie…. (you all know the black people in horror movie facts, lol, don’t act like you weren’t thinking it!!!)
But on another note, Mr. Songz has announced the release of his upcoming album which will be released around the same time as the movie, Chapter 5. I’m so curious as to where he is gonna take us with this album. From “Just Gotta Make It” to “Passion Pain Pleasure” you can see how he as grown musically and how many times he has switched up his musical style, but reinventing his brand each time. From my observation of Trey from beginning until now he’s come to understand his business. From the music, to the endorsements, to the deals and collabos with companies and other top brands, I think he realized that there is very little money in music nowadays and in order to keep it going financially and musically, you have to pair your music with other aspects of business and in turn both will grow…
Just my opinion tho…
Check out what he had to say for himself about it all as he talks with Black Enterprise Magazine:
Rap Rocks is the premiere destination to celebrate everything Hip Hop, Rock and Rap-Rock bands; with the mission to create a huge movement that unifies people of all walks of life to enjoy a night of great music. Located at the Studio at Webster Hall, 125 East 11st, NY doors will open at 8:30 pm.
It’s funny how social media can put you in contact with people you would least expect to meet. The connections that you can make, the things that you can get done in business and in life can all come about within the instance of a tweet or a Facebook comment on a post. That’s exactly how it came about that I met Mr. Over Time Grind, Mr. OTG if you will. When I came across his Twitter account I checked out his website and saw that he was a producer and fell in love with the grind and the business model of his site http://www.idoublel.com/. (Check it out you’ll see what I’m talking about) I thought why aren’t all producers/artists doing something like this and being about the business of music instead of expecting everything to be for free? I reached out to him and asked if I would pick his brain with an interview for the site and he agreed and below is a synopsis of what we talked about as, he had a lot of knowledge and experience to give. I decided to share with you all of the note worthy information, especially what is most useful for all of us who are looking to get up and get out there and make it.
For this interview, I started it out a little differently. Instead of diving into my questions I decided to start out with questions that I had asked my Facebook friends to give me for Mr. OTG and this was his response.
Steph W. Asks the following questions:
What are the top 3 adversities that you have had to face in order to get to where you are today?
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Well the top 3, I’d have to say would be Confidence, you know getting my confidence up in order to take some of the feedback that the industry can bring your way. As an artist you wear your creativity and your heart on your sleeve and you have to be strong to be able to accept that people may not like everything that you put out. With that I’d say that my second one is learning how to take criticism. I’ve had to come to understand that the things that people say aren’t because they don’t like what you do, it’s because they have their opinion and they just want to help to make what you are doing better. The last thing that I’ve had to overcome is learning not to dis-count anyone. I’ve learned that just because someone doesn’t have the money or connections that you are looking for doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t give then a listen or a chance to hear what they have got to say. I’ve looked over a lot of quality people in the beginning who are not doing it big in the industry and realized that I’ve missed out on making a connection with them when I had the chance. So if there is anything that I really want people to know is that I’m open to talking with people and hearing what they have, you never know where it may go.
The saying goes, “It’s not what you know it’s who you know.” Does that account for the minority or majority of your success in the industry?
Crown +Dro
I would say it’s definitely what you know. There are things that I didn’t know and in the industry a lot of people aren’t willing to share information about how to protect themselves and how to really make money and to continue to be a success in this industry. When I first started, I didn’t know too much about copyrighting my music, and joining ASCAP and all of that stuff on how to protect yourself and really profit from your music. There are still things I’m still learning about the business like the promotional photos, and things like that, that artists and producers need to promote themselves.
After all you have achieved…What is your primary inspiration that allows you to continue what you do and come up with fresh concepts?
Postman (Dirty)
My primary inspiration comes from life. I’m a regular blue collar dude, I work with my hands and working with my music for me it’s a release. I draw inspiration from things that are going on in life around me. Like the other day I was walking towards South St. and I saw the bums on the street and I went home and worked on a song about that and how they looked to me and the struggles and the life they must go through. I’m not the type of artist that raps about the 8 cars or the huge mansion that I don’t have, that’s not who I am and that’s not what I aspire to be, I just want a good car, place to live and the things that I need to take care of, to be taken care of, and I don’t have problem working in order to get that.
What was your most rewarding experience as a producer?
I 2 L’s
My most rewarding experience would have to be when my girlfriend at the time told me that she just heard one of my beats on TV, on a promo for the Tiny and Toya 2 show. I didn’t believe her when she said it then I told her to rewind it, and then I heard it! I was like WOW, and I wasn’t excited because it was playing on TV I was happy because the feedback I got from my friends and family was so positive and it was rewarding to me that people would be able to share in my music.
Luis Y. asks:
If the eight year old version of him was to walk up to you today, what would the eight year old version of you have to say to you today?
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Well the 8 year old me, would probably be like, why didn’t I end up like the dudes in Hoop Dreams lol! But based on how I grew up it was kinda like that, except I got hurt and it ended my ball playing. As it turned out I had to find something else that I was good at to occupy my time and eventually it brings me to where I am today. But I think the 8 year old me would be proud of me.
After we finished the Facebook questions I asked a few of my own, mainly about the business of his music. I started off asking how he got the name Mr. Over Time Grind.
SO when I checked out your website, I was thoroughly impressed how you have your beats up and ready to go either for sale or for lease and you even give bundle details on the beats! When I saw that I was like he truly is Mr. OTG, this dude is not playin! [laughs] Where does that name come from and where did you get the concept for that site?!
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Well I used to work my job all day and spend all night at home working on my website and my music to the point where when I would come into work I would have bags under my eyes and be super tired and people stated calling me Mr. Over Time Grind and the name just stuck and if been focused ever since. For the site the site came about as a way for me to promote my music and have it available for anyone who was interested. Similar to the blogs that I have, that is more about the promotional aspect and networking for my music and to give others a way to have their work out there and get attention to their music.
What kind of success have you seen with your music being on those sites?
Well I have been fortunate enough to now be working with Philly artist Tone Trump, I’ve had my site talked about on the Star and Buckwild show and with my own music I’ve had over 55,000 downloads of my mixtape.
I think that I have covered everything; I know that we have covered a lot! Is there anything that you would like to mention that I may have missed?
Ok so, I was up late last night trying to get some work done when I veered off track (as usual) and I came across this artist. Apparently she is working with well known producer B. Major and has a project out called THE BROKE BITCH SLAYER (yaaaaaas to that title! I LIVE). So being that the title of the mixtape peaked my interest and I like what I heard! (only way it was going to make it on my blog any way lol) Through a little more of my digging, this woman has the backing of the industry behind her and seems like the next female rapper to blow. Even Lil Kim says so (check the video below).
Listen to the mixtape here and let me know what you think below:
In my search of music to share with you all that doesn’t compare to what the other blogs are sharing I finally found some NEW music. I had to reach across “the pond” to get it but none the less its here! I would like to introduce to you the music of Andrew Cunningham!
Photo Credit: James Kilcoin – www.northnorfolkphotography.co.uk
Andrew was gracious enough to do a brief interview with AleanElston.com and I am soo grateful! Check out what he had to say about his music:
Where are you from and what is your music background?
I was born in South Shields which is a small town in the north-east of England up near the border. I’ve moved around a lot though, so wherever I happen to be at that moment is my home I guess. At the moment it’s London. I started playing guitar when I was 12 though I had been singing and tapping on school desks from an early age. It often resulted in me getting sent out of the classroom, which I was happy with as it meant there were no distractions from the music in my head lol
What are your songs about?
My songs cover a variety of different themes. Some are the old classic themes such as love lost, love gained, feeling alone or whatever. Some are about life, some are political and some have other meanings. Over and Over’s instrumental intro is a dedication to two people who killed themselves a few years ago (they didn’t know each other, but the second happened not long after the first and it was pretty upsetting). Another of my songs is about me getting struck by lightning when I was 17 and as a result suffering from Epilepsy which has been the cause of many injuries (some quite severe) for me. So, lots of topics. I write about what I know.
Do you write your own songs?
I write all of my own songs. I don’t tend to write with others, but I have done so a couple of times in previous bands. Process? There is none. Sometimes I will write an entire song in my head and it will be just a case of working it out on guitar and finalising lyrics. Other times it might be me playing guitar and I have a melody but no words, so I’ll bumble some inane drivel down the mic until I come up with something better. Then there are the times when I get a plethora of lyrics bombarded from my brain to notepad and I have to try and make sense of them to sculpt a song. It depends on what I’m doing I guess! In bands I find that jamming is a good way to start the writing process though.
Who are your musical influences?
My musical influences are so broad that I could literally be here all day! I guess my earliest influences come from my parents. They listened to The Beatles, Motown, Bob Dylan, Smallfaces, Cat Stevens, Neil Young, Marmalade, Steeler’s Wheel, Bowie and that sort of thing. When I got to about the age of 8-9 I started to discover heavy metal and rock through my older brother. So I got into Iron Maiden (the first album I ever bought was ‘Live After Death’. I was also really into Marillion who were a local band back then for us. From there I’ve just tried to listen to everything I can. Some I will dismiss as tripe, but most I take on board in some form or another. Recently I’ve really been enjoying playing afrobeat!
What image do you think your music conveys?
I’d like to think that my music ignores image to a certain extent. Music is too deep to be easily portrayed as a fixed image. I guess there is a certain amount of independence and solidarity in it though. Call me pretentious, but it really doesn’t mean that much to me, though I do recognise it’s importance with certain styles of music and in certain walks of life.
Name 3 artists you’d like to be compared to.
I wouldn’t really want to be compared to anyone as I’m not them. I guess if there are three writers/bands that I would have loved to have been or been part of it would be The Beatles, Bowie and Bon Jovi (yes I know! – like I said… I got into rock when I was young lol)
What are your immediate music career goals?
Worldwide domination of the music market? Nah. I’d like to be touring the globe, and able to earn a decent enough living that I can buy a house and all that palava. So long as I’m doing what I love doing I will be happy!
Photo Credit: James Kilcoin – www.northnorfolkphotography.co.uk
How would you define the word “success”?
Doing what you want to do, and doing it well.
Are you looking for an independent label deal or a major label deal?
I’m self-releasing my first album because I don’t feel the need for any backing at this moment. If it does well enough I will license it out to the best bidder. I’ve had lots of offers coming through recently so we shall see what happens. I’m not ruling out anything, nor am I kidding myself that I will become an overnight star. Either way I’m prepared to work my arse off to achieve what I want to achieve.
Facebook is currently the best place to keep up tabs on what I’m upto. Once the main site goes live that will be the best source of information and snippets etc.
Thank you so much Andrew for your time, I wish you much success! ~Alean
The final bids are due for Warner Music Group today, and the company could reportedly be sold by week’s end. Sources tell Reuters WMG is expected to go for at least $3 billion to one of two competing groups: Len Blavatnik‘s Access Industry and a joint bid by Tom and Alec Gores‘Platinum Equity and Gores Group.
One source tells Reuters that Ron Burkle‘s Yucaipa Co dropped out of the bidding late last week, while bids from two major competing music industry companies “fell short of what Warner’s board was looking for in the second round.” Digital Music News notes that Yucaipa was the group that included Napster co-founder Sean Parker.There is still the chance that music companies such as BMG could be involved down the road by purchasing some of WMG’s assets from its new owner. Even though bids are due this week, there is no guarantee a deal will close in the coming days, according to one of Reuters‘ sources.Additionally, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday night that Blavantnik is frustrated by the decision process and has threatened to drop out of the bidding if WMG’s board takes too long to make up its mind.
In casue you don’t understand what this means… WMG is the world’s third-largest record label behind Universal and Sony. In recent years, the company has overhauled its business model and made significant inroads in the digital music market. Digital revenue represented 40% of its recorded music revenue in the U.S., WMG said in its most recent earnings call. I wonder how this will change the way they do business after it’s sold…
This week’s selection comes from a phrase that myself and associates, friends, and cowokers live by. Not to mention that FRONTLINE did their thing on this track and it doesn’t hurt that I have a bit of a South Jersey bias! lol Check out the video below and leave your feedback in the comments!
Christina Perez, professionally known as Ms. Tina Perez, is an independent underground recording artist hailing from New Jersey.
Fresh off the release of her first mix tape, Skitzo, Ms. Tina Perez presents her latest project, The Throwback. A new sound from this Hip-Hop/R&B/Pop artist, The Throwback represents a combination of music genres she grew up listening to that inspires and has shaped her style. The Throwback features NJ Hip-Hop artists, Nino, Miz Mudi and Damian Johnson, who lends his lyrical presence on the remake of J. Cole’s, In The Mornin’.
“Freak Music“, is the mixtape’s first single released exclusively to YouTube on April 12, 2011.
The Throwback is available for download by clicking here.
For more info check follow the talented artist at @MsTinaPerez on Twitter!
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Want to be the next artist featured on AleanElston.com? Send us your music submission to submissions@aleanelston.com for consideration!
Looks like the Love and Hip Hop Star is has perfect timing. Just as her buzz starts to grow with the popular VH1 Hit, Olivia releases this song, “December” taking advantage of her time back in the spotlight.
I’m glad to see her getting back to the music and doing it aside from being linked from G-Unit. I think she wasn’t able to shine with them as she does with this track. We get to hear what Olivia can really do, a taste of her vocal range and she gives us a glimpse into a woman’s emotion as she sings about a relationship situation I’m sure we have all been through at one point in our lives.
So how do I feel about Olivia’s “December”? I like it, Love that she is showing us “Olivia” with her voice and attempting a come back with a song that people can relate to which I’m sure is going to appeal to the people in the Mary J, Keyshia Cole Fan Demographic. While this isn’t a song that I’m crazy about, I can rock with it.
Check out the song below!!!
Go Olivia, can’t wait to hear what’s next!
How do you feel about the new song December? Leave your thoughts on the song below!
