Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Dream Girls Chicago coming to the Harold Washington Cultural Center
Today in Black History: Michael Jackson wins a record breaking eight Grammy Awards
On February 28, 1984, legendary singer and performer Michael Jackson won an outstanding eight Grammy Awards for his album Thriller. Jackson worked with producer Quincy Jones and penned four out of the nine songs on the album. Thriller has been recognized as the world's best-selling album by the Guiness Book of World Records. It is one of only three albums to remain in the top ten of the Billboard 200
for a full year, and spent 37 weeks at number one out of the
80 consecutive weeks it was in the top ten. The album was also the first
of three to have seven Billboard Hot 100 top ten singles, and was the only album to be the best-seller of two years (1983–1984) in the US. Jackson also broke racial barriers becoming the first black artist to air a video on MTV with his song Billie Jean.
Source: Wikipedia
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Under The Spotlight : Taylor Mallory
Taylor
Mallory is making a name for himself in the Chicago area with his
soulful vocals. A native of Decatur, Illinois, Mallory started
singing professionally at the age of five. Mallory traveled with a
contemporary gospel boy-band performing locally and around the
country for eight years. At age 13, Mallory began writing and composing
his own music. However, it wasn’t until Mallory turned 18 that he
moved to Chicago and decided to pursue an education in music business
at Columbia University. Now Mallory is signed with Level Next
recording label and making his music known. He states that he is
“living the passion.” Some of his accomplishments are penning
hits with the production team Dupée Productions and having them
placed in shows, like the Style Network’s “How Do I Look”. He
has also been featured in several commercials. Mallory shared with SKP his thoughts on music today and what we can expect from him in the
future.
What is it about music in general that appeals to you?
Music
is a coping mechanism for me. I could have a very bad day and listen
to a great melody or instrumentation and suddenly I’ll forget what
was bothering me. I love that it has the power to not only create
change in a person, but also unite people as a whole.
What are your thoughts about popular music today?
I
like most of the soulful popular music today. I find some of the
concepts to be more conceptually creative than the regular bubblegum
popular music. I appreciate artists like Kanye West, Bruno Mars,
Cee-Lo Green, Jessie J, and Adele for pushing the limits on their
music and making a popular sound unique.
Lots of people get into music because of the fame/fortune. What are your reasons for getting into this field and if you never made it big would you still keep performing?
I
would like to provide for a family someday, I would like to have a
comfortable lifestyle, I would like to be known for my craft, and
however, there is a bigger picture for me. My reason for pursuing a
career in music is because I feel that I have a responsibility as an
artist to touch lives and make music that moves people. To be honest
with you, my level is next so all I do is think BIG. Therefore,
aiming for the top is my only option.
What
and who inspires your music?
The
majority of my music is inspired from my day-to-day life situations,
past experiences, other recording artists, and family. I have a great
support system from not only my parents, but my team Level Next as
well. I am inspired daily because we are in the trenches together
fighting for what we believe to make difference in our lives and the
lives around us. I also am inspired by other artists around me.
When they work hard and achieve great things it inspires me want to
do the same, but even better.
Did you always know that this is what you wanted to do or did it come to you as an epiphany of sort?
From
the day I started singing I knew that this is what I wanted to do. I
never second-guessed it! I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.
What
is the message that you want to portray through your music?
Each
song that I write has its own message, however the overall message I
want to convey as an artist is that being different is okay and that
you have the power to purposely live your life through passion. I
wear shoe strings around my wrist to remind myself as an artist that
there are people out there who don't feel that way and live in
unfortunate situations. Little do they know
what they love and what they want to do is who they are - We all have
the power to be different and make a difference.
What
sets you apart from other artists of today?
I
believe there are 5
things that set me
apart from other artists today. First
and foremost, I am not a one-dimensional artist.
I am a singer, composer, entertainer, and actor. Currently, I am a
recording artist and writer under Level Next Records, I have my own
music cooking show called Music Burger, and I am the VJ for the music
television show, AKOO.
Secondly,
I am a businessman. I
never put it in my head that being successful will just come to me
solely based on my talents. I am working on a day-to-day basis with
my team finding new outlets for our music to be placed in TV, Film,
commercials, and other multimedia formats.
Thirdly,
I incorporate performance art in my live performances.
When I perform live I always incorporate a little spoken word and
visuals to concretely get my message across - You will find me
holding up signs that say "I refuse to work a dead-end job"
or "My passion is my profession."
Fourthly,
every one of my
songs stems from honesty and the truth. I
like to touch on my past experiences with not only love, but
unfortunate situations.
Lastly,
my last name Mallory means "warrior" in German - POW!
What
artists do you have on your iPod and why?
You
know this is going to be a long list right? At the top of my list I
have Kanye West, Janelle Monae, Mayer Hawthorne, Stevie Wonder, Hall
& Oates, Cee-Lo Green, Bruno Mars, Beyoncé,
Outkast, and Skrillex - there music makes me jump out of my skin. I
love how all these artists have the ability to paint a picture,
musically.
What
advice would you give to someone who would like to pursue a music
career?
Never
make money the focal point of your career. When you focus
on materialistic and self-indulged things like fame and fortune you
dilute the gift that God has given you and you lose sight of what's
really important. Most importantly, I would encourage upcoming
musicians to constantly work on being the best in their craft and
stay true to their vision and who they are. All these tools, will
give you staying power in the game.
What
goals are you working towards and what should we be looking forward
to from you in the future?
Currently,
my main goal is to get more placements in TV and Film and elevating
my live performance game. In the near future, my team Level Next will
be putting out a compilation in early 2012 that will feature our
other artists ENDISKIZE, Willow Wells, Jami Singer, and Paris.
However, I am working on a personal EP titled "Tie Your Shoes"
that will be an eclectic
pop-soul EP.
How
can people find you online and listen to your music?
They
can find my current single "Sunni's Outside" on iTunes and
levelnextmusic.com. I am also available on all social networks. They
are as follows:
Label:
www.levelnextmusic.com
Facebook:
facebook.com/TaylorMalloryFanPage
Twitter:
twitter.com/taylormallory
YouTube:
youtube.com/taylormallory
youtube.com/levelnexttv
Common's appearance at DuSable Museum falls flat for some
With Black History Month winding down, the surge of events celebrating African American History continues. Today, Chicago rapper Common and other performers appeared at the DuSable Museum of African American history for a concert. Many were eager to attend the $20 show which promised such acts, as Carl Thomas, Melonie Fiona, and Kim Stratton. However, attendees entered the theater slightly disappointed when notice of Carl Thomas being ill and not performing was announced. The show started off nicely with a moving performance by the Oakdale Children's Choir. Common, the host for the night, then took the stage to introduce gospel vocalist Kim Stratton. Stratton sung two inspiring gospel songs accented perfectly by her strong vocals. Following her was R&B up and comer Melanie Fiona, who gave a riveting performance of four of her songs, including her new hit single 4AM, besides being plagued with microphone problems. She left the crowd feeling excited and eager for another artist to take the stage, but all were shocked when a single radio personality thanked the sponsors, for the fourth time that night, and quickly said the show was over after a little more than an hour. Many thought the announcement was a joke, but when the houselights came on the audience began to unwilling disperse. Some yelled out about Common performing and the radio personality quickly corrected stating, "Common was the host." As people filed out of the theater, many began to voice dissatisfaction with the event. It would seem that a replacement artist or even Common perhaps could have performed to appease the crowd. However, being the event was only $20, had the likes of two Grammy winners like Common and Fiona, as well as a powerhouse vocalist like Stratton, it would also seem that the audience got their money's worth.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Movies To Checkout Part II
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo: There is so much hype around this movie, but any movie with Daniel Craig in it is a go for me. The movie is a remake of a foreign movie which is based on a book. No offense to American cinema, but sometimes we fail miserably at remakes of foreign films. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping this is one of the rare times this not true.
Release Date: December 20, 2011
Safe House: Denzel is back! And what do we love more than Denzel?....Bad Denzel! I am quite excited for Safe House. I know this will be good, because I have never seen a disappointing movie with Denzel Washington in it.....Period. I can say that I have seen bad Ryan Reynolds movies, but Denzel cancels that out, so I'm not worried.
Release Date: February 10, 2012
Red Tails: This movie is based on the historic and inspiring Tuskegee Airmen. George Lucas had to fund this movie himself and I am so thankful he did because these men broke racial barriers and other adversities, and they need to be celebrated. Terrance Howard and Ne-yo are a part of the cast.
Release Date: January 20, 2012
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Movies you should check out!
There are a lot movies coming out, so I thought I would share with you some of the ones I am particularly excited to see. First up.....
The Three Stooges: There's going to be some good slap-stick humor. So if you love that, this is the one for you.
Release Date: April 13, 2012
Mission Impossible 4- Ghost Protocol: I personally love Tom Cruise, so that alone will make me see this movie. Plus the Mission Impossible franchise has not let us down yet, and I hear that this one won't either. The action is supposed to be the "Bomb." Pun intended.
Release Date: December 21, 2011
A Thousand Words: I love Eddie Murphy as well, but I will admit that he has been in a funk lately. Tower Heist did fairly well so I think it's good that he is piggy backing on it's success. He was funny in it, which made me happy because I was worried that he wouldn't be. He needs something else since he isn't hosting the Oscars...rolls eyes. I am hopeful for this movie. I'm hoping Eddie comes through with this one.
Release Date: March 23, 2012
Taylor Mallory | New Song! “Boo Season”
Local Chicago Artist, Taylor Mallory, has a new song. I had the pleasure of interviewing him last Spring and he is a great person, and of course he has a great voice. Check out this new holiday song that he has recorded. I suggest you download it while you can. It literally makes you want to cuddle up with your Boo!
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