the NEW now: Gage (featured artist)

The NEW Now is a post that will feature writers, producers and artist on the rise. For the first post Allure brings to you Gage……

 

As one of the preeminent up and coming artist from the Washington D.C/ MD area, Gage embodies a casual grace and truth that is reflected in the music he makes. His remarkable talent has led to a successful indie career with shows in the UK(London) and locally. His music and shows bring his art to life. Gage also  received recognition from HHH Magazine and won the award for selling the most tracks at the HHH Magazine awards held on may 30th 2012 and also got tracks played on 93.9 WKYS(D.C) BBC 1 XTRA(UK). Hewas also asked to collaborate with local DMV Rock Bands adding to his overall appeal and sound. Show after show Gage put on electrifying performances around local venues in his area like Jammin Java, The Coat of Arms, Best Buy, Pure Lounge(DC), Saphire, The End Zone and more. Gage sites Big Daddy Kane, Run DMC, Slick Rick, Biggie, 2 Pac, Nas & Jay-Z as some of his biggest influences and says the 90’s era of Hip-Hop is his favorite.

Check out “Heir To The Throne” on iTunes and the new album “Victory Lap”  on Itunes and all digital media outlets.

visit http://www.reverbnation.com/gagedc to hear his music!! And also follow him on twitter @GageDC

 

My Top 10 Albums of 2012 (Part 1)

2012 has been one of my favorite years for music. We had a few vets in the game show us they still got what it takes and also a few shockers. From Nas to Solange to Kevin Micheal here are my Top 10 albums of 2012 🙂

10. I Missed Us- SWV (released April 2012) The 90’s R&B Trio released their first traditional album is 15 years and showed us all they still got what it takes. This album actually shocked me, I mean their last effort in 1997(Release Some Tension) was dope and I must admit I didn’t expect this one to be as good as it is. Honestly this album sounds like they picked up where they left off and proves that true R&B isn’t dead at all.

9.  Unapologetic- Rihanna (released November 2012) Rihanna’s 7th studio album in just 7 years, her 1st Number 1 album and her most urban album to date. Unapologetic happens to be my 2nd favorite effort from Rih (Rated R my #1) this album being very similar to it. The album features Eminem(Numb), Future(Loveeeee Song) and Chris Brown(Nobody’s Business) and production from David Guetta, Mike Will and The Dream. Vocally I think its her best work yet. Rihanna reinvents herself everytime she releases new music much like Madonna does…..smart move and I think it works for her.

8. Life is Good- Nas (released July 2012) Mr. Jones wrote this album after his divorce from Kelis and you can hear it throughout the record. This album features lots of personal subject matter from his experience in the music industry to being a dad. It reminds me of a young Nas, much like his very first album. His raps are very laid back and the production on this album is very instrumental and also includes some old school beats. Nas once again has shown us why he is one of the greatest in the game.

7. Cruel Summer- G.O.O.D. Music (released September 2012) Mos Def my favorite “CLIQUE” at the moment…..each and every member is different in there own way…from Teyanna to 2 Chainz to John Legend to Big Sean. This album to me is not your normal compilation, most of the time they tend to be all over the place considering its SOOOOOO many different artist. The thing I love about CS is that  all the artist on the album shined. Major props to Pusha T who really shocked me on the record. Kanye West did his thing with this one.

6. Two Eleven- Brandy (released October 2012) Another huge surprise for me was the release of Brandy’s album. In my opinion her last album was horrible, the one before that was a good one but didn’t get the credit it deserved and wasn’t really even promoted. I really thought it was over for her, I said several times that if this new album isn’t good its a wrap, well it wasn’t good, it was GREAT. Staying true to her style Brandy gave us one of the best R&B albums of the year, its solid front to back, nothing but good music. Like Nas, Brandy showed us that she ain’t going no where.

 

5-1 Coming soon….STAY TUNED

Frank Ocean, Jay-Z & Kanye West Lead Grammy Nominations

 

Frank Ocean has had a tremendous year and 2013 is looking even better. The Odd Future singer-songwriter leads the pack with six nominations at the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

In addition to Ocean, Jay-Z and Kanye West also scored six nods, it was announced on Wednesday night.

The “Thinkin Bout You” singer picks up nominations in the coveted categories of Record of the Year, Best New Artist, and Album of the Year for his critically-acclaimed debut ‘Channel Orange’.

He reacted to the news by simply tweeting, “wow,” while his mother added, “Six Grammy nominations tonight! I’m still shaking. What can I say y’all? So proud of my baby!!!”

Miguel earns five, while Nas lands four nominations.

The awards will be handed out during the live ceremony on Sunday, February 10, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Frank Ocean is most definitely my favorite of 2012 and deserves all that’s coming to him. I said that ‘Orange’ was a classic from the moment I heard it. He has had an awesome year, lets hope it continues into the new year.

Did your favorite artist score a nomination? See the list of nominees below.

 

Album of the Year
El Camino – The Black Keys
Some Nights – fun.
Babel – Mumford & Sons
Channel Orange – Frank Ocean
Blunderbuss – Jack White

Record of the Year
“Lonely Boy” – The Black Keys
“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”- Kelly Clarkson
“We Are Young” – fun. featuring Janelle Monáe
“Somebody That I Used to Know” – Gotye featuring Kimbra
“Thinkin Bout You” – Frank Ocean
“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” – Taylor Swift

Song of the Year
“The A Team” – Ed Sheeran
“Adorn” – Miguel
“Call Me Maybe” – Carly Rae Jepsen
“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” – Kelly Clarkson
“We Are Young” – fun. featuring Janelle Monáe

Best New Artist
Hunter Hayes
Frank Ocean
Alabama Shakes
The Lumineers
fun.

Best R&B Performance
“Thank You” – Estelle
“Gonna Be Alright (F.T.B.)” – Robert Glasper Experiment featuring Ledisi
“I Want You” – Luke James
“Adorn” – Miguel
“Climax” – Usher

Best Traditional R&B Performance
“Lately” – Anita Baker
“Love On Top” – Beyoncé
“Wrong Side Of A Love Song” – Melanie Fiona
“Real Good Hands” – Gregory Porter
“If Only You Knew” – SWV

Best R&B Song
“Adorn” – Miguel
“Beautiful Surprise” – Tamia
“Heart Attack” – Trey Songz
“Pray For Me” – Anthony Hamilton
“Refill” – Elle Varner

Best Urban Contemporary Album
Fortune – Chris Brown
Kaleidoscope Dream – Miguel
Channel Orange – Frank Ocean

Best R&B Album
Black Radio – Robert Glasper Experiment
Back To Love – Anthony Hamilton
Write Me Back – R. Kelly
Beautiful Surprise – Tamia
Open Invitation – Tyrese

Best Rap Performance
“HYFR (Hell Ya F***ing Right)” – Drake featuring Lil Wayne
“N****s In Paris” – Jay-Z & Kanye West
“Daughters” – Nas
“Mercy” – Kanye West featuring Big Sean, Pusha T & 2 Chainz
“I Do” – Young Jeezy featuring Jay-Z & André 3000

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
“Wild Ones” – Flo Rida Featuring Sia
“No Church In The Wild” – Jay-Z & Kanye West featuring Frank Ocean & The-Dream
“Tonight (Best You Ever Had)” – John Legend featuring Ludacris
“Cherry Wine” – Nas featuring Amy Winehouse
“Talk That Talk” – Rihanna featuring Jay-Z

Best Rap Song
“Daughters” – Nas
“Lotus Flower Bomb” – Wale featuring Miguel
“Mercy” – Kanye West featuring Big Sean, Pusha T & 2 Chainz
“The Motto” – Drake featuring Lil Wayne
“N****s In Paris” – Jay-Z & Kanye West
“Young, Wild & Free” – Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa featuring Bruno Mars

Best Rap Album
Take Care – Drake
Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, Pt. 1 – Lupe Fiasco
Life Is Good – Nas
Undun – The Roots
God Forgives, I Don’t – Rick Ross
Based On A T.R.U. Story – 2 Chainz

Best Pop Solo Performance
“Set Fire To The Rain [Live]” – Adele
“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” – Kelly Clarkson
“Call Me Maybe” – Carly Rae Jepsen
“Wide Awake” – Katy Perry
“Where Have You Been” – Rihanna

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Shake It Out” – Florence + the Machine
“We Are Young” – fun. featuring Janelle Monáe
“Somebody That I Used To Know” – Gotye featuring Kimbra
“Sexy And I Know It” – LMFAO
“Payphone” – Maroon 5 & Wiz Khalifa

Best Pop Vocal Album
Stronger – Kelly Clarkson
Ceremonials – Florence + the Machine
Some Nights – fun.
Overexposed – Maroon 5
The Truth About Love – Pink

Best Dance Recording
“Levels” – Avicii
“Let’s Go” – Calvin Harris featuring Ne-Yo
“Bangarang” – Skrillex featuring Sirah
“Don’t You Worry Child” – Swedish House Mafia featuring John Martin
“I Can’t Live Without You” – Al Walser

Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical
Dan Auerbach
Jeff Bhasker
Diplo
Markus Dravs
Salaam Remi

Best Short Form Music Video
“Houdini” – Foster The People
“No Church In The Wild” – Jay-Z & Kanye West featuring Frank Ocean & The-Dream
“Bad Girls” – M.I.A.
“We Found Love” – Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris
“Run Boy Run” – Woodkid

For a full list of nominees, click here.

 

Music Video: Nas- Cherry Wine (fea. Amy Winehouse)

 

Check out the newest video from rapper Nas off of his “Life Is Good” album. The song “Cherry Wine” features the late Amy Winehouse! The 2 rumored to have a fling back in 2006, “Me and Mr. Jones” off of Amy’s album “Back 2 Black” lead people to believe so. Check the video out below…

 

My Top 5…..

Want to find out what my favorite songs of the moment are or what I recommend? Tune in twice a month as I give you my top 5, also feel free to share your favorite songs with me as well….its all about the music, ya know!!

 

1. Water No Get Enemy- Fela Kuti

2. Sweet Life- Frank Ocean

3. Cherry Wine- Nas fea. Amy Winehouse

4. Adorn- Miguel

5. Those Were The Days- Aaliyah