Hip-Hop's New Wiz Kid: Wiz Khalifa Taking Over the Game

Even before he collected the Best New Artist trophy at the BET Awards last night (June 26), Wiz Khalifa had already pretty much cemented his place in the hip hop community.

It must have been a surreal moment for an artist to be named the best “new” artist when he has been steadily in the game for around six years now! His first real single, “Say Yeah”, was released way back in 2007, and he already had two albums under his belt before this year’s Rolling Papers. But the numbers (not to mention a major label studio album) can sometimes make all the difference – Rolling Papers hit Number 1 in both the R&B and Rap charts, and it peaked at Number Two on the overall Billboard 200.

And the fact that Wiz’s first two singles from Rolling Papers, the infectious “Black and Yellow” and the Euro-synthy “Roll Up”, both went platinum no doubt had a big influence on his victory at last night’s awards ceremony. 

Aligning himself with a nearly endless list of other award-winning artists doesn’t hurt either! The Pittsburgh-born Chuck Taylor enthusiast has been featured on a ton of other great tracks with equally gifted artists, such as Cee Lo Green, Far East Movement, Soulja Boy, Wale, Rick Ross, Chris Brown, Lil’ Kim, Tinie Tempah, Chiddy Bang, and… well, I could go on all day! Mix that kind of experience with nine mixtape releases, not to mention appearing in no less than 35 music videos, it was only a matter of time before the 23-year-old started collecting some serious hardware and recognition for his contributions to the industry. And how can you not love this guy’s easy-going attitude and contagious grin? He reminds me of Snoop in his prime.

I can’t wait to see what else this kid has in store for the genre. Now that he’s broken out of the background and into the spotlight, the sky’s the limit!

Check out his latest single, “On My Level” ft. Too Short (NSFW!).

Skylar Grey Steps Into the Spotlight

The late Nate Dogg might have been the King of Hooks, but a new Queen seems to be only just beginning her reign.

Whether you're familiar with her name or not, there's a very good chance that, whenever you turn on the radio, you are hearing her crystal clear pipes coming through your speakers. Skylar Grey is the name (remember it!), and she has been a key player in hit after hit, and, believe it or not, it’s been going on for years!

Growing up in a folk duo with her mother in Wisconsin, music has been a part of Grey’s life for a long time. When she first hit the L.A. music scene, she went by the name Holly Brook. She was signed to Linkin Park’s label, Machine Shop Recordings, and once opportunity began to rise, so did her recognition. You might  remember her from one of the most unforgettable songs of 2006: Fort Minors’s “Where’d You Go”. She's also toured as an opening act for Jamie Cullum, k.d. lang, Daniel Powter, Teddy Geiger, and Duncan Shiek.

After releasing her album Like Blood Like Honey in 2006, Brook took on the new alias by which we know her today: Skylar Grey. Producer Alex da Kid gave Grey a production deal which led to her participation as a contributing writer for Eminem’s chart-topping hit featuring Rihanna, “Love the Way You Lie”, and even received a Grammy Nomination for it. She co-wrote Diddy-Dirty Money’s “Coming Home” hook and “Castle Wall” by T.I. and Christina Aguilera. Grey's distinctive voice (reminiscent of The Cranberries's Dolores O'Riordan) also appears on Lupe Fiasco’s second single “Words I Never Said” from his latest album Lasers. Quite an impressive resume! We all got our first real look at Skylar when she performed live alongside Em and Dre at this year's Grammy Awards, singing the chorus to the smash hit "I Need a Doctor."

Since her arrival on the West Coast, Skylar Grey's contribution to the music we love has been invaluable. I'm psyched to see her finally breaking out on her own, premiering her own music at Lollapalooza this summer and giving mainstream audiences a proper introduction to this soon-to-be superstar!

Check out our interview with Skylar at the Studio, below:

A Bright Future for Odd Future

With a beyond impressive list of performers at Coachella, the buzz everywhere I went was aimed at hip-hop collective Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, or as you might have heard of them, simply Odd Future.

This pack of young either still in or fresh out of high school skateboarders hailing from Los Angeles are making huge waves in the music industry and are holding down the title of hip-hop’s latest phenomenon while gracing the cover of Billboard Magazine, being one of the most sought-after groups at SXSW, and even being recommended by ?uest Love to perform on "Jimmy Fallon".

At any given time, Odd Future is made up of about 11 members: the leader, Tyler the Creator and his little brother Earl Sweatshirt (who apparently cannot be in the group until he is of age and back from boarding school -- Mom's orders!) are two dominant voices; Syd tha Kyd is currently the only female member; then there are Hodgy Beats, Mike G, Domo Genesis, Left Brain, Frank Ocean, The Super 3, Jasper Dolphin, and Taco Bennett.

Although often being lumped under the genre of "horrorcore" for their dark, vivid, and disturbing lyrics, the group denies it, describing their music as cinematic, saying they make “soundtrack music”, and if you listen to any of their songs, it will sound like a movie from front to back. “It’s f***’in art,” says Tyler The Creator.

For a group that's been compared to the likes of Wu Tang Clan, Odd Future was underground for far too long, and now as they grow into super-stardom, we hope (but know) that we will continue to hear and see more from OFWGKTA as they each for greatness!

Odd Future will be touring the East Coast starting May 12 -- check out oddfuture.com if you want to join them on a night of moshing and tearing things up! And to get a peek at the goings-on in their heads, visit their blog: oddfuture.tumblr.com.

Get Your Hands (and Pinkies) in the Air for Brit sensation Tinie Tempah!

There must be something in the water on the other side of the Atlantic, because the rate at which talented musicians are coming out of the U.K. is mind-blowing, and I can't see that changing any time soon.

22-year-old Tinie Tempah is the latest British phenom, hailing from South London, and he is a force with a microphone. It is not easy to picture him without one, although he is known to hold a mean cup of tea too (pinkies up, of course)! Tempah has definitely come out on top to secure his hold on the world of hip-hop music.

Since the premiere of his debut album Disc-Overy, and his first two singles “Pass Out” and “Frisky”, Tinie has collected multiple music awards, including two MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin), four Urban Music Awards, and two Brit Awards (for Best Breakthrough Act and Best Single), which is not a bad start at all. Tinie is quickly becoming a familiar name, with a musical strategy to write in a familiar and relatable context. Tinie is determined to keep it at the next level, making sure his music stays relevant with the current generation and the world we're living in. He doesn’t even use a pen to write his lyrics -- according to him, “That is so '90s.” I guess it is true; people these days seem to text faster than they write anyway.

Tinie is on his way to fulfill his mission of making timeless music and aspiring to be “the voice of our culture." If he is talented enough to bring Prince William out to his shows, then he is fully capable of making his desired impact on the industry. After Tinie filled the Studio with his British charm and words of inspiration to live the dream, the thought of his inevitable success in the U.S. and around the world left me confident that I won't be seeing the last of him. He is poised to be a superstar and a well-known name here in America.

Check out my interview with Tinie in the Studio to find out who his fellow musically-inclined friends of the U.K. are and how to properly make a "cuppa" tea, Tinie Tempah style:

Michael Franti Harnesses the "Sound of Sunshine"

I hear so many people these days talking about the power of positive thinking - that having a good attitude is what will help you to be the healthiest and most successful person you can be, especially if you're having a rough time. Bret Michaels talked about it when we interviewed him recently, and considering all that guy's been through, there may definitely be something to this philosophy!

Michael Franti believes in positive thinking too, and he's made it his mission to infuse it into his music. That name might not be familiar to you, but his music is instantly recognizable. With a style that combines reggae, hip hop, rock, funk, and happiness, Franti has has made a positive impact on the music scene in the 25 years that he's been a part of it, and there is no sign of his light fading out anytime soon.

Being raised in this multicultural household, Michael learned at an early age what it means to be compassionate and accepting, all the while maintaining a cool, calm, and collected attitude toward life. He formed Michael Franti & Spearhead in the '90s, and with titles like “Positive,” “Everyone Deserves Music,” and his biggest hit “Say Hey (I Love You)”, Franti proves just how dedicated he is to bringing people together in a positive light.

It was during a rather unpleasant stint in the hospital for a ruptured appendix that Franti wrote songs of optimism and hope which would become Michael Franti & Spearhead’s latest album, The Sound of Sunshine, an album which he hopes could be a guiding light for others in dark places. Check out the newest single, "The Sound of Sunshine", below and just TRY to frown:

And he doesn't just talk the talk; better believe he walks the walk too! Michael donates time and money to organizations like Soles 4 Souls and CARE (for which he's an ambassador), all in the name of trying to make the world a happier place. Check out his Website for tour dates and to find out more about the organizations he supports. 

Nicki Minaj is a Debut Delight

Nicki Minaj's solo album, Pink Friday, peaked at #2 on the charts and has sold more than 375,000 copies, making her the highest-selling female hip-hop artist since Lauryn Hill (when she “miseducated” us way back in the ‘90s). Now, Nicki (who turned 26 yesterday) has got Young Money in her corner and a lyrical flow that's just as flashy as her "Harajuku" style, which she models off of Tokyo’s punk fantasy subculture. She’s even got her own “Nictionary” which helps define words she makes up on the subway for fun. Who would have guessed this young Trinidadian girl from Queens would have risen from a troubled childhood and grown up to take the stage and rap with the likes of Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and Drake? 

Nicki grew up wanting to be an actress and graduated from a performing arts high school. Her theatrical roots could possibly explain her fiery alter ego she calls "Roman Zolanski", who, she says, is a boy that lives inside of her, comes out behind the microphone, and lets her get out all the fight that's so tightly wrapped up in that feisty little 5’4” frame. 

Whether it is acting, singing, or rapping, we are all entranced by Nicki Minaj. I'm definitely hooked. So what’s in store next for Nicki? Her first goal is to become the first major female rap mogul. I don't doubt she'll achieve it -- she's got the drive and the talent, so there's no limit to the great heights at which she will reach.

Check out her MTV doc, "My Time Now", to hear more about her ambitions and her awesome New Yawk accent.

Pink Friday is now available.

Nelly Knows How To Keep It Fresh

I recently had the privilege of welcoming self-proclaimed St. Lunatic, Mr. “It’s Getting Hot In Herre” himself, into the YH Studio. There is a lot to be said about the man who made the phrase “shimmy, shimmy cocoa what,” sound cool, and that is why rapper Nelly gets kudos for putting St. Louis on the map.

Feeling incredibly blessed to just be in the music business, Nelly’s continued success after ten years puts a huge smile on his face. Whenever his hits come on the radio, the volume goes up; when Nelly plays in the clubs, the dance floor gets packed. As it should be! Coming a long way from dreaming about being a garbage man or a baseball player to having his hit single “Just a Dream” hang out at the top of the charts and another hot album, Nelly 5.0, under his belt, Nelly has influenced fans all over the world into stomping around in Air Force Ones, wearing facial band-aids, and bringing “pimp juice” into our vocabulary.  He continues to work hard on his music and his empire, including giving women a reason to show off their apple bottoms (no complaints here!).

Over the past ten years, Nelly has done a lot of growing within the industry and yet has stayed true to his sound and loyal to his fans. He has made quite the name for himself and is more than living up to his favorite word -- versatile.

Check my interview with Nelly in the Studio: 

And catch his latest music video, ft. Akon and T-Pain, “Move that Body."

The Dr. is Back!

For ten years, we have been patiently waiting for “the one and only D-R-E” to make his solo return back to the forefront of the music scene. Though, he has being doing good by his fans and looking out for us by pairing up with Jimmy Iovine and, more recently, Lady Gaga, not to mention giving us music lovers a better way to listen to music through his high performance headphones and sound transmission company, Beats by Dr. Dre  (because “people aren’t hearing all the music”). But we still missed the creative lyricist that is Dr. Dre. Now the long wait is over.



The first single from his highly anticipated album, Detox, is a pulsating jam called "Kush", which gives us a taste of what to expect once the full album is released in early 2011. This track is destined to be a hit, not the least of which because it features long time friend and collaborator, Snoop Dogg, and singing sensation, Akon. Doing it up right with his legendary producing skills, this album will be anything but a detox and more like an addiction, and "Kush" is the gateway drug!



If you haven’t already, listen to “Kush” and see for yourself on Dre's Website.

“Love the Way” Eminem Brings the Music Video Intensity

I've been a fan of Eminem since his Slim Shady days, and the older gets the better he gets.

His new music video for "Love the Way You Lie" featuring Rihanna is his best one yet. The video is like a mini-movie, and it chronicles Eminem's rocky and well-documented relationship with ex-wife, Kim. This is not a new subject for Em’s videos, as we all know, but this one seems to have a lot more heart and emotion, instead of just blind hatred. Rihanna’s involvement ups the emotional factor for sure (as we all know her story as well…).

"Lost" star Dominic Monaghan and Transformers hottie Megan Fox portray the volatile couple whose relationship literally goes up in flames. If you love Eminem as much as I do, don't miss the "Love the Way You Lie" video (below) – it’s Slim Shady all grown up!

 

The Monarchi Reigns Again with “Twisted"

The Monarchi just came out with an incredible new song, and I've been playing it so much that I'm wearing out the "repeat" button on my iPod.

As you might remember from our last profile on them, they wrote our "Young Hollywood" theme song last year, and their new track "Twisted" proves that these guys are no one-hit wonder.

The Monarchi's sound is a combo of modern and classic rock, hip-hop, and all the soul you can handle, and it made me a fan from the start. It's no surprise that these guys know how to bring in the funk; rapper Hakim Bell is the son of Kool and the Gang's Robert Kool Bell. Hakim joined with Bryan Scott, Mark Dollar, and Patrick Angeloni to form The Monarchi and spread their message of peace and love to the masses. And they're succeeding – "Twisted" is a great modern love song that will have you forwarding it on to your friends, just like I'm sharing it with you. Take a listen below:

Be sure to check out The Monarchi’s Facebook page!