"We The People"

Multi-platinum recording artist and former Men at Work front-man Colin Hay has released his new single, "We The People," on Compass Records. Co-written with rapper Derrick "Solpowa" Rice, the new song serves as an anthem and call to action, encouraging citizens to exercise their right to vote and make their voices heard. With its stirring combination of Hay’s soulful vocals and Rice’s impactful rap verses, the track resonates as a timely reminder of the power vested in each citizen.

Hay speaks to the process behind the song and the serendipitous collaboration with Derrick "Solpowa" Rice: "When I wrote the music and verse/chorus lyrics of ‘We The People,’ I imagined someone rhyming on it, but I wasn’t sure who that could be," he shares. "Then I heard Derrick ‘Sol’ Rice rap on one of my wife Cecilia Noël’s tracks, and I loved his words and sound. So he dropped in to the studio and wrote and recorded his rhymes in the B sections of ‘We The People’ in an hour or so. Fantastic work."

The song is paired with a compelling music video featuring Hay and Solpowa, which visually captures the spirit of the track. Both artists deliver impassioned performances against a backdrop of evocative imagery, adding another layer of depth to the song’s message.

Watch the official video for "We The People" here.

A founding member and the unmistakable voice of the iconic Australian band Men at Work, Colin Hay has made his mark on music history with hits like "Down Under" and "Overkill." His distinctive voice, songwriting craft, and stage charisma have not only fueled a successful solo career but also earned him a loyal fan base across generations. Now, with "We The People," Hay adds a vital message to his body of work, calling on listeners to reflect on their civic duty and consider the importance of participating in a democratic society.

"We The People" is available on all major streaming and download platforms now.

Click HERE to listen.

FOLLOW COLIN HAY

"Bad Bitch Alert"

 National Heather Service Issues “Bad Bitch Alert” 

A New Anthem by Glam Rappers PrettiBoiRoq and Chanel Jole

 

Gay Rapper PrettiBoiRoq will celebrate his birthday on March 31 with the release of his scandalous new single and music video, “Bad Bitch Alert (featuring Chanel Jole)”.    Its message is simple: “Bad Bitch is a mindset,” PrettiBoiRoq explains.  “Everyone has the energy inside of them.”  In the song, he and Chanel Jole encourage listeners to live life unapologetically and without reserve.   ““For the longest time, I was uncomfortable living in my skin. Even as late as in my songs from Haus of Ken, when I was rapping about feeling sexy and unapologetic, there was always this underlying insecurity that came through. I’ve evolved a lot since then and it reflects in the new music.”  PrettiBoiRoq’s “Bad Bitch Alert (featuring Chanel Jole)” releases to all digital platforms including iTunes and Spotify on March 31.  Its video will be on YouTube.

 

“’Bad Bitch Alert’ is an anthem of self-love,” PrettiBoiRoq continues from his Los Angeles recording studio.  “I want the song to be blasting from the speaker while kids are in the bathroom getting ready for the club or in the car on their way to work.  I hope it instantly boosts their egos and reminds them that they got this.  Whatever obstacles block their way, they will overcome because they, too, are bad bitches.” 

 

PrettiBoiRoq wrote the song with Chanel Jole.  The two had been trying to work together for some time.  “We went through hundreds of beats trying to find the right sound for our track. When I came out with the beat that would become ‘Bad Bitch Alert’, I knew right away ‘this is it’!  I sent a demo to Chanel and she began writing the lyrics right away.”  They wrote the third verse together in the studio.   

 

“Bad Bitch Alert” is PrettiBoiRoq’s first official new single since his 2018 sophomore album, Haus of Ken.    “Haus of Ken has and will always be my baby, but I have spent the last few years exploring sounds and working on new creative processes.”  “Bad Bitch Alert” is who PrettiBoiRoq is today, both vocally and lyrically, and where he is in his sexual exploration and body positivity journey.

 

The “Bad Bitch Alert” music video is an empowering visual that was produced, filmed and edited by Nicholas Eastman.  It stars PrettiBoiRoq and Chanel Jole in a cotton candy coated Barbie and Ken playhouse and both show lots of skin in the music video.   “I have learned to love my body and I am not afraid to show it off, ” PrettiBoiRoq says.   “My style and fashion choices are riskier and risqué-er than ever before and pink has become my trademark color. Every Ken doll needs a little pink.” 

 

PrettiBoiRoq grew up in a tiny town in North Carolina called Pamlico County.  After his mother succumbed to addiction, his parents divorced and he was raised by his religious dad and step mother.  

 

He recalls being picked on a lot for the clothes that he wore and for being gay.  “I moved out of the house as soon as I turned 18 because I was desperate to leave my hometown behind.”  

 

He moved to Los Angeles where he started working in films.  “My LA dreams weren’t on modeling or acting, it was always on the music,” he explains.   “I got hooked on hip hop, the lyricism, the lifestyle from 2Pac and Dr. Dre’s ‘California Love.’ I think hip hop resonates with people who face adversity and with everything I had struggled through with my mom and weight and living in poverty, the aggressive nature of the music allows me to express myself.” 

 

He released his first single, “PrettiBoi Anthym” in December 2015.  His first EP  PrettiBoiRoq, a pop hop record,  was released in June 2016, along with his second single, “New  Sh!t.” “You Don’t Own Me,” PrettiBoiRoq’s most successful single to date, was released in April 2017.  The music video, featuring porn star Arad Winwin, received over 65,000 views on Youtube.

 

In his second album, Haus of Ken, PrettiBoiRoq honed in on his hip hop roots.  The single “‘Wanna Be Me,’ had a slightly darker, Trap sound to it along with a traditional hip hop beat.

 

He aims to produce more introspective works in the future.  “I think the queer community needs songs with substance that represent all facets of our stories.  I’ve been writing about issues in my personal life, including how I’ve overcome past relationships and the struggles I dealt with growing up.”

 

“My hope is that I can inspire someone the way so many artists inspired me. I hope kids listening realize that they don’t have to live by gender standards. Gender doesn’t matter.  Nor does race or sexuality.  Love yourself for the bad bitch that you are.”

 

#   #   #

 

Visit:  https://www.prettiboiroq.com

 

Follow PrettiBoiRoq on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @ prettiboiroq

Celebrate Pride With "Freedom"

Happy Monday Minions! (say that three times fast) - I thought we would honor Pride Month with one of my favorite Pride Anthems today. 

George Michal's "Freedom! '90." Shortly before officially coming out as gay in 1998, George Michael recorded "Freedom! '90", a track that explores his struggles with his personal identity. With lyrics like, “There’s something deep inside of me / There’s someone else I’ve got to be," this classic song endures as a powerful ode to embracing your honest self.

I'll leave you with the song and video below...Enjoy your week with Pride everyone!

"Smile"

"Smile"
Katy Perry

"Yeah, I'm thankful
Scratch that, baby, I'm grateful
Gotta say it's really been a whileBut now I got back that smile (Smile)" - Smile, Katy Perry

Katy Perry released a new single this week titled "Smile" about the power of perseverance. It seems like the anthem we could all use at present.

Not to mention the whimsical photo above with Katy dressed as a clown for our amusement.

Thus today, think of something that makes you smile, and focus on it. Trust me it is something that will make your day a little more brighter.

Remember tough times don't last, tough people do...

Katy on IG -
https://www.instagram.com/katyperry/?hl=en  

"All That Matters"

Lights Out

VOCAL QUARTET LIGHTS OUT RELEASES ‘ALL THAT MATTERS’ SINGLE AND VIDEO TO BUOY SPIRITS AND THANK AMERICA’S HEROES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Philly-Based Group Combines Heartfelt Lyrics with Soaring Harmonies to Create an Anthem for Our Times

Proceeds from Single & Video Benefit First Responders Children’s Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund

New Facebook Live Variety Series, “Escape the Virus with a Lights Out-ing,” Airs Saturdays @ 4 p.m. EST

 Call it fate, call it coincidence, call it happenstance, but every so often there occurs a magic moment − unplanned and unforeseen − when a song arrives just at the point it is needed most. Such is the case with “All That Matters,” by LIGHTS OUT, which is poised to become an anthem for these troubling and frightening times.

The first single/video and title track from the vocal quartet’s new album, All That Matters – just released April 17 − is a moving, uplifting and inspirational piece that imbues the listener with what is most needed as the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic: Optimism that a better day is on the horizon and the unshakeable belief that the human spirit is always stronger than the most fearsome foe.

Proceeds from the “All That Matters” music video and song download go to First Responders Children’s Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. Donations are being accepted now at www.lightsoutvocals.com.

In line with the group’s pandemic efforts, LIGHTS OUT has launched a weekly Facebook Live variety series, “Escape the Virus with a Lights Out-ing,” webcasting every Saturday at 4 p.m. EST. Weekly themes range from archival concert videos, to live Zoom performances, fan recipe cooking segments, story-swapping, topical discussions, and most importantly throughout, regular fan interaction. It’s all about maintaining the individual and group intimacy with their fans that the group holds in such high regard despite the tenuous climate the pandemic has created. Indeed, social distancing has inspired LIGHTS OUT to further find ways of staying close to its fans through social media.

Composed by members Chris James and Danny Goscicki, “All That Matters” is a work of classic blue-eyed soul marked by an indelible, instantly familiar melody and the breathtaking vocal harmonies that are the sonic signature of LIGHTS OUT. Despite its of-the-moment urgency, it was written and recorded before the world had ever heard the phrase “COVID-19.”

According to Rob Fleishman, fellow group member Chad Moroz suggested the track be released as a single. “That,” Fleishman explains, “kind of sparked an idea in my head to create the video. So I created the video and it kind of took on a life of its own.

“At first, it was going to go down the road of friendship and how the group is together,” he continues. “But the ‘A-ha!’ moment came while I was watching the news. It kinda hit me that the lyrics are just so inspirational for this moment. It spoke to me as, ‘Why not thank the people who are on the front lines?’ Which is why at the end of the video, we thank everyone − doctors, nurses, cashiers, farmers, truck drivers, teachers, the military− for working as hard as they are to save our lives right now.”

The phrase "working hard" also applies to the Philadelphia-based unit that was formed by its members when they were students at the University of Delaware. Starting as an a capella group inspired primarily by Rockapella and Boyz II Men, LIGHTS OUT has simultaneously traveled several musical paths, including being a popular attraction at many of the nation's top venues,2 performing their own blend of originals and covers, and as a highly successful Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons tribute act as well as their original show, The Jersey Beach Boys.

Through the years, the troupe’s thrilling vocal harmonies, polished stage shows and songwriting prowess have provided LIGHTS OUT with the opportunities to work with Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, Philadelphia’s chart-topping vocal group Boyz II Men, and Barry Carl of Rockapella. Boyz II Men co-founder Mike McCary was so impressed by the foursome that he actually served as its manager. Although today, the group’s career is overseen by another Philly music legend, Jerry Gross of the revered 1960s vocal act, The Dovells, the relationship with McCary continues to pay dividends.

“We were all, at one point, going to school for music at the University of Delaware,” offers Chris James. “Being a music major is amazing, because you learn so much, but you also can kind of get pigeonholed a little bit, even in your own mind. You can get kind of closed-in and not realize that even though the rules say you shouldn't do something, there are ways to do it that might sound good. Mike started opening our eyes to different harmonies and different voicings and different movements within the four of our voices that we would not have had otherwise. It's not just that we wouldn't have thought of them. But we probably would have said, ‘That note's not in the chord, that won’t work.’ But he opened our ears and our minds into a completely new way of harmony. And to this day we take that with us everywhere we go.”

The evidence the band members have taken such lessons to heart can be heard on the All That Matters album, which boasts, in addition to the title cut, 12 tracks steeped in the quartet’s shimmering, usually breathtaking harmonies. Aside from nine originals, the album boasts four covers: The Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” The 4 Seasons’ “December 1963 (Oh, What a Night),” Mr. Big’s “To Be With You,” and most notably, a sharp and energetic “hip-pop” reinvention of “Stand By Me” featuring a guest appearance by show business titan Ben Vereen.

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Kelly Mantle: "Your Keystrokes Won't Destroy Me"

Kelly Mantle Releases “Keyboard Courage”, The Debut Single From Her Upcoming “Duality” Album

Cyber-Bullying is a terrible thing, I myself as a public person have been on the receiving end of it. Like Kelly Mantle, I too am able to brush it off. However when you are young and have yet to develop coping skills, it can lead to devastating results - Here is the 411 on Kelly's single Keyboard Courage.  

First, Prince William and wife Kate Middleton announced plans to tackle cyber-bullying; now, a queen is joining the fight.  RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Kelly Mantle’s new pop track, “Keyboard Courage”, is intended to be an anthem for anyone who has been harassed or stalked online.  “I’ve been called every name in the book,” she reveals.  “One person tweeted ‘Kelly Mantle is so ugly.  She looks like a burn victim going through chemo.’  Luckily, Kelly’s strong sense of humor allows her to brush off many of the personal attacks, but she wrote the song after meeting young fans being victimized online by kids in their schools. “Not everyone can laugh it off. It’s a scary thought that someone’s heartless, mindless words could drive another person to take their life.”  Kelly Mantle’s  “Keyboard Courage” is available on iTunes now at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/keyboard-courage-single/id1052893996.

                                                              Keyboard Courage

“My hope is that Keyboard Courage can be that song kids listen to and be reminded to not get discouraged by online bullies,” continues Kelly Mantle from her Hollywood home. Produced by Steven Phillips, who also produced Mantle’s last album Satellite Baby,  “Keyboard Courage” is a high energy, 80’s inspired pop track.  It’s fun but with a powerful message.  The lyrics include actual negative comments that Kelly Mantle has received.

It isn’t the first time Kelly Mantle has reflected on real life in her music.  She followed her elimination from RuPaul’s Drag Race with a song called (what else?), “Eliminated”.  

“One of my favorite things to do is to sit down with my guitar or at my piano and create a song about something that just happened to me,” she explains. “I get off on turning life experience into lyrics.  Ya know, figuring out how the rhythm behind the words can convey what happened.  I’m all about turning life into art.”  

Kelly Mantle’s  “Keyboard Courage” is available on iTunes now at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/keyboard-courage-single/id1052893996.   For more information, visit  KellyMantle.com.