Coca-Cola Refresh Your Flow Show Episode 8 – Highlights

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Refresh Your Flow Show Episode 7 – DJ Drama and Nelly

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Nelly Set To Drop 5.0 In November

It’s not a roll-out for another double album, but Nelly is gearing up for the release of his next project via two separate singles: One is the party-friendly “Tippin’ in Da Club” and the other, a more laid-back number, is titled “Just a Dream.”

Both songs were recently serviced to radio and will appear on the St. Louis rapper’s forthcoming LP, 5.0, due to arrive November 16. Dropping dual singles is similar to the way Nelly introduced one of his past projects, 2004′s Sweat and Suit. The two albums were released on the same day, but with different themes — one aimed at the clubs and the other targeted toward the ladies.

Of course, 5.0 is just one album, the rapper’s fifth overall and his first since 2008′s Brass Knuckles. Late last year, Nelly told MTV News that he was eager to prove himself after the lukewarm reception to Brass Knuckles.

“The thing is, I work best with two strikes, two outs,” Nelly explained in November. “I really think I do. As an artist, you want to wake up every day and feel like you’re doing something people don’t think you can do. Now I feel like I’ve been put in that position again, where it’s more doubt than expectancy. The doubt is what fuels me, so to speak. I’ve been real fortunate where I have great people around me. Everybody wants to freakin’ work with me — not that everybody didn’t [before], but it’s different because I didn’t work with a lot of people. Coming into this situation, it’s beautiful.”

Producers Jim Jonsin and Rico Love worked on “Just A Dream,” while Dutch helmed “Tippin In Da Club.” Some of the collaborators slated for 5.0 include Play-N-Skillz, Sean Paul, Plies and Akon.

-MTV.com

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Ask any rap fan to name the most prominent DJ in his region right now, and the words DJ Drama are sure to spew out of his mouth. Introducing the rap world to platinum-selling Def Jam artist Young Jeezy and ATL sensation Young Dro as well as keeping fans satisfied with exclusive pre-albums from Lil Wayne, Young Buck, Bun-B of UGK, Eightball & MJG and Project Pat with his Gangsta Grillz mix tape series, Drama has supplied stirring street soundtracks to every block, back alley and trap house like a pirate radio station on disc.

For his next move, the Atlanta-based mix tape messiah brings this street music to the mainstream with the February release of his Grand Hustle/ Atlantic mix tape album Gangsta Grillz. Following the same formula that branded his trademark, the album flows with blended, mix tape transitions between songs and features many of the hottest names in rap music.

“This won’t be the first time that street music came to the table, but I’m going to show them what I got. I introduced a lot to the world, and now I’m gonna introduce it on a bigger plain,” Drama explains. “This album is going to bring the movement of southern rap culture, the mix tape game, quality hip hop to the masses where they no longer have to go to a street corner or a bodega or the Internet to know about Gangsta Grillz.”

Born and raised between West Philadelphia and the city’s Germantown sections, Drama became a fan of DJ culture since copping his very first mix tape- DJ S&S’s Old School Part 2- after a trip to New York City with his older sister. But it wasn’t until being captivated by Omar Epps’ character DJ Gee Q in classic hip hop film Juice would he step behind the ones and twos himself.

Early on, Drama created a local buzz selling mix tapes in his high school and deejaying at house parties. After graduation, he moved down south to attend college at Clark Atlanta University and brought his hustle game along with him. He began peddling mix tapes on campus with a catalog that included a reggae series, instrumental series and neo-soul series. But his bread and butter came when he dropped his first southern-based tape Jim Crow Laws, his fastest-selling tape to date.

Quickly recognizing the demand for southern mixes, he renamed the series to Gangsta Grillz and asked then-upcoming crunk king Lil Jon to host. It was an instant hit. Before long, Drama got a call from Grand Hustle co-CEO Jason Jeter, who wanted Drama to do something that had never been done before- compile an album-like mix tape with only artists from the label’s group Pimp $quad Click. And classic mix tapes from many of the rap game’s top players came back to back.

“The brand has been the success of many careers- myself included. It’s helped Young Jeezy’s career; it’s helped DJ Don Cannon’s career. It’s helped the Aphiliates’ career; it’s helped T.I.’s career. It’s helped the streets,” Drama insists.

And the Cannon-produced lead single “Cannon (remix),” featuring Lil Wayne, T.I., Freeway and Aphiliates Music Group artist Willie the Kid, is just a subtle warning until the album drops.

On the gritty, mid-tempo banger “187,” Project Pat’s choppy, chant-like rhymes contrast with Eightball’s calming verbal stabs, MJG’s quick tongue twists and B.G.’s nasally whine on the hook atop a dark bass line and eerie synthesizers. On “Definition of a Gangsta,” Memphis money maker Yo Gotti trades war stories with Baton Rogue bad boys Lil Boosie and Webbie over dynamic bass pounds, haunting pipes military-styled cadence. And on the stunt fest “Million Dollar Baby,” Lil Wayne swings his nuts like num chucks on top of Just Blaze’s muffled heavy metal guitar riffs while Drama gives motivational speeches on the hook like a boxing trainer.

And on the breezy, Khao-produced “Cheers,” the Clipse and Pharrel toast their drinks to prosperity and wealth aided by live drums, soft cymbals and a neo-soul vibe.

But just because Drama delivers the best that the Dirty South has to offer, don’t think that his limits are below the Mason Dixon line. Beanie Segal and Cassidy collaborate on the 80s-influenced “No Rules.” Testifying over a faint electric guitar and dramatic piano chords, Beans bears witness to his situation with Dame Dash while Cassidy advises about the cautions of central lock up.

Already ghetto gold from mix tape downloads, bootlegs and Ipods, Gangsta Grillz is packed with more hits than your favorite rapper’s Myspace page and certified platinum before it even hits the stands. “You roll down your window in any hood and you’ll hear a Gangsta Grillz drop,” says Drama. “You can go to any hood in any city and ask somebody if they got a Gangsta Grillz. They gone tell you yes. If you don’t know who DJ Drama is, you don’t know nothing about hip hop right now.

Youtube video’s

Day Dreaming official video-  http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=D9C52C520EEC517B&search_query=dj+drama+daydreamin

Dj Drama Dj Whoo Kid-I Know Rap People; said DJ Khalad is voted most annoying

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-9f4Ao5Rfc

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The Coca-Cola Refresh Your Flow Show Episode 6 – Jazmine Sullivan and Kandi Burress

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That’s a pretty remarkable thing when you consider it was some 18 years ago that we first heard KANDI’S deep, sensual voice leading “Just Kickin’ It” – the breakthrough single from Jermaine Dupri’s platinum-selling R&B quartet, Xscape.

Now here she is a Grammy winner. History-making songwriter. Selfmade millionaire. 7-year-old Riley’s mother and said to be the most popular cast member of the Atlanta Housewives. To top that all off, Kandi has a hot second solo CD coming November 23rd on Asylum/Warner Bros.

“I feel like I’m at a turning point in my career,” Kandi confides with obvious excitement. “I know that I’ve accomplished a lot in the entertainment business.  But I’m still a young woman. So I’ve got to set new goals and take things to a new level. I am proud to say that I’ve proven that I have staying power.”

As if that has ever been a problem.

KANDI started her career with three million-selling albums in a row with Xscape – including hit singles “Understanding,” “Tonight,” their cover of “Who
Can I Run To?” and “My Little Secret.”

Then the same year Xscape disbanded to pursue solo projects, KANDI earned her first #1 single as a songwriter, penning R&B trio TLC’s 1999 smash
“No Scrubs”. The incredibly catchy dismissal earned Kandi her first Grammy – best R&B song – and was the first of her three No.1 singles on Billboard pop
charts.

And it didn’t stop there. Soon pop superstar Justin Timberlake (of N*SYNC at the time) was praising her for what he called a new style of music he deemed
“map” (a hybrid of irresistible melody with a sharp, rap delivery) – and asked her to write for his record-breaking group. As did fellow multi-million-sellers Boyz II Men. And yet another female group Kandi would help propel to superstardom: Destiny’s Child, for whom she crafted “Bills, Bills, Bills.”

Performing Rights Organization, ASCAP, took notice of her winning way with a lyric, and in 2000 made the history-making choice to name her the first woman to take home its Rhythm and Soul Award for Songwriter of the Year.

Next came Hey Kandi, her internationally recognized solo debut, featuring the Billboard Hot 100 dance single, “Don’t Think I’m Not.”

But don’t think she was done hit making for herself. Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Pink, and Fantasia all wanted something from her
notepad. And when you add it all up, there has been some 56 million CDs sold to date with KANDI’s name attached to them – including 14
platinum, and 17 gold discs.

Counted in that number is ASCAP’s pick for Pop Music and Rhythm & Soul Awards: Legendary Bay Area rapper E-40’s “U and Dat,” featuring T-Pain and
KANDI GIRL. (Remember that hilarious Amp’d Mobile commercial it was featured in?)

“Oh that was a highlight right there,” recalls Kandi’s fellow Grammy winner, TPain.  “Not only because the hook and the voice is so hot,” he said of the artist
once featured in Glamour magazine, “but she’s so hot.”

“I still don’t think people really know what kind of force Kandi is,” adds LeToya Luckett, the solo recording artist who was once a member of Destiny’s Child.
“I’m talking as a songwriter; as a singer; and as a businesswoman. But I’m confident she’ll make them believe.”

These days it could be her behind-the-scenes work that does it, as the successful, enterprising businesswoman running her new boutique in her
hometown of Atlanta, T.A.G.S., and Kandi Koated Entertainment, her production company to which she signs and develops acts. Then there’s Kandacy Music Publishing, to which she signs other writers of merit. Plus she includes a number of real estate properties in her investment portfolio.

“For me, I think my continual success is due to my diversity,” Kandi explains. “I am driven to ensure my daughter’s future is secure.”

So she’s banking on her business savvy along with the new release of her upcoming CD which features production by Neyo, Brian Michael Cox, Black
Elvis, KP and Malay, Jazze Pha, Drumma Boy, and Nitti to name a few and features a guest appearance from her girl Tiny from Xscape. The CD features
the explosive female anthem, “Leave U,” hitting airwaves now.

“This is definitely going to be a more personal record, a record I’m proud to share,” Kandi says. “I mean, when I think about songs likes ‘Leroy Jones’ -
which is about my stepfather – that is really me putting my heart and my feelings out there on record. Of course some songs are on the CD are there because
they’re just jamming. But it’s all here because I want it here. This is my record.  This is me, now.”

KANDI – Singer. Songwriter. Producer. Actress. Entrepreneur. Actress. Star. Period.

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It’s hard to imagine a new artist who has had more love from the music world than this 23-year-old Philadelphia native. Her 2008 debut album Fearless bowed at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and spawned three Top 10 singles: “Need You Bad” (which topped Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop chart, the first time a debuting female artist had achieved this in nearly four years), “Bust Your Windows,” and “Lions, Tigers & Bears.” She has racked up seven Grammy Award nominations, including “Best New Artist,” “Best R&B Contemporary R&B Album,” and nods for each of the aforementioned singles, as well as for “In Love With Another Man.” In addition, Fearless, which Sullivan co-wrote and executive produced, earned Sullivan a heap of critical praise, including Elle magazine’s observation that Sullivan “swings deep and wide like Sarah Vaughn, tears it up like Mary J., and emanates the lady-preacher seriousness of Lauryn Hill.”

So it goes without saying that anticipation for a new album from this one-of-a-kind talent has been running high. Sullivan delivers beyond expectations on Love Me Back — a vibrant, musically diverse collection that sets soulful R&B melodies to inventive, hip-hop-inspired beats. The album is a rich showcase for Sullivan’s powerhouse vocals and unique storytelling gifts on songs like “10 Seconds,” “Redemption,” “Good Enough,” and “U Get On My Nerves,” a duet with her friend Ne-Yo. Once again, Sullivan co-wrote every song, collaborating with her early champions Missy Elliott and Salaam Remi, as well as Ne-Yo, Toby Gad, Chuck Harmony, No-ID, Anthony Bell, and Cainon Lamb, who bring out the best in this self-assured performer whom Vibe has called “every inch the soul star.”

Where Fearless boiled over with struggle and heartache, Love Me Back brims with joy and confidence. “I think you see a softer side of me,” she says. “When I wrote Fearless, I had just ended a really tough relationship, which set the tone because I was angry, so I wrote songs like ‘Bust Your Windows.’ This album is a lot lighter. Of course I still have trying times, but, for the most part, I’m happy and that’s reflected in the album.”

Sullivan’s positive mood is apparent on the exuberant love songs “Stuttering,” “Excuse Me,” “Love You Long Time,” and “Don’t Make Me Wait,” which boasts an ’80s-style rhythmic backdrop that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Prince album. “I wanted to show my sexy, fun side,” Sullivan says, “and I wanted to do something with that ’80s-type of sound.” Then there’s the album’s first two singles, the Missy Elliott-produced “Holding You Down (Goin’ In Circles)” (which climbed to No. 4 on the Urban Mainstream chart), and the “you-done-me-wrong”-themed “10 Seconds.” “I knew I wanted to do a song in the vein of ‘Bust Your Windows’ but I wasn’t in a ‘Bust Your Windows’ type of place,” she says of “10 Seconds.” “So I tried to think of what the older Jaz would do if that situation presented itself. I wouldn’t necessarily react as quickly as I did before. Now you’ve got 10 seconds to get the hell out,” she says with a laugh. “So I’ve grown up just a little bit!”

Other highlights are the thoughtful ballad “Famous,” which could be about Sullivan’s incredible success over the past two years, but which she says is relatable to everyone. “We all want to be recognized,” she says. “Everyone wants to be seen and heard, so I wanted to speak to that on the song.” Sullivan returns to the self-empowerment theme of Fearless with the arena-friendly “Good Enough,” which serves as a pep talk to a woman in a situation where she isn’t being appreciated. “I feel like people need those reminders and it’s my responsibility as an artist to give it to them,” she says. “If you know people are going to be listening to your music, you should put positive things in their ear that can help them out.”

One of the album’s most unforgettable tracks is “Redemption,” an epic tale of violence told from the point of view of two characters, a female drug addict and an abusive male, that Sullivan sings convincingly from both perspectives. “The music in that song was very dark,” she says, “and I knew I had to write something powerful. It couldn’t just be a love song; the words had to be as meaningful as the music. The story built as I was writing it. It’s almost like I wasn’t really in control, I was just being given words to create this story.”

Sullivan has always been inspired to create and share stories, whether through her songwriting or singing. Her soulful vocal style was nurtured by early years singing in church. At age five, she was singing in the children’s choir, a few years later with the adults. Sullivan’s exposure to secular music was initially limited, but she fell in love with it after her mother began schooling her in the classic R&B sounds of Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, and Phyllis Hyman. Clear about her love for music and singing, Sullivan looked for local places in Philadelphia to perform. One of her first stops was Black Lily, a musical collective started by The Jazzyfastnastees in the mid-to-late ‘90s when Philly was birthing a movement of new artists including Jill Scott, The Roots, Floetry, and Kindred. It was through performances at Black Lily that word of mouth about Sullivan’s amazing vocal talents quickly spread.  While in Miami recording her demo project for Jive Records, Sullivan ran into Missy Elliott and subsequently formed their recording relationship. After signing with J Records, Sullivan released Fearless in September 2008, and watched it hit “Best Of” lists by Rolling Stone, USA Today, and Associated Press.

Over the last two years, Sullivan has also guested on tracks by Fantasia, Snoop Dogg, Robin Thicke, and her idol, Mary J. Blige, and written songs for Christina Milian, Jennifer Hudson, and Monica. She has toured with Maxwell and Ne-Yo, and will hit the road with Blige for the 11-city “Music Saved My Life” Tour in October 2010. In addition to the seven Grammy nominations, Sullivan has been nominated for three BET Awards (taking home the BET Centric Award in 2009), an Image Award for “Outstanding New Artist,” and two Soul Train Awards, including one for “Best New Artist.”

Now she’s excited to move forward and launch a new chapter with Love Me Back. “I want people to hear what I have to say,” she says. “I feel like I’m a vessel and I have packages to deliver. Sometimes that load feels heavy and you want to drop off the package before it gets wrapped, but the things I have to say are meant to touch people. I have no choice but to do this.”

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J Records will release Love Me Back on November 30^th, 2010.

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Refresh Your Flow Show Episode #5 – Bobby V & Yung Joc

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