Dance thru it is Mr Hudson’s comeback track

Mr Hudson is back from years of resting on his laurels in the music scene. After collaborating and making songs for some of today’s famous singers, the time has come for him to make the listening crowd remember that he too has a sound of his own.

The two year hiatus of the singer, songwriter and producer wasn’t a break from the industry where he was first becoming known. The pause in his career was the effect of his collaboration with Duran Duran’s latest released album entitled ‘Paper Gods.’ “I put my own music on hold. I just wanted to focus on Duran Duran and give it 100 percent…The process inspired me deeply. The attention to detail and particularly Simon Le Bon’s approach to the microphone,” he confessed during one of his interviews. (Cited: http://www.nme.com/news/mr-hudson/88945)

After two years of working closely with the legendary band, Benjamin Hudson Mclldowie, as named in real life, is getting back to his roots and discography. While he didn’t really disappear into thin air and was still seen doing numbers with artists such as Kanye West, Jay Z and Janelle Monae, the distinct flavor of his own music is something that the fans really missed. The drought is over because his comeback track entitled ‘Dance Thru It’ has just been released and is served through the very convenience of your earphones.

The song is inspired by a hint of the 80’s vibe, a distinct style that is known to be Mr Hudson’s. The melancholic vocals are very much stressed as they blended well with the rich bass and electronic mood that embraced the rhythm of the song. The video is another sight to behold. The black and white mood that stars the blonde singer-producer gives out a simple yet sleek depiction of movement that also paired well with the song.

http://laurenceourac.com/dance-thru-it-is-mr-hudsons-comeback-track/

Be in the right vibe by listening to Easy Love

Experience the sheer enjoyment while watching and listening to the video of Sigala’s Easy Love. The summer may be over, but it doesn’t mean we will no longer feel the uplifting mood of the sunshine even through the course of music. Go back to being young and dance to the beat of this song while in the middle of doing random things.

The song isn’t original at all, but what makes it appealing is the presence of the Jackson 5’s ‘ABC’. We are talking about a certified classic here that still holds the hearts of listeners from all generations. Pair this all-time favorite with a stunning video and what you’ll get is a total blowout that deserves endless replays on your playlist.

The video features war – but in a happy and fun way. The short depiction stars dancers in teenage years having a face off against one another. There is energy and youthful ambiance all throughout. The sunny setting with painted walls seen in the first few minutes of the video is just a preview of the promise that the succeeding scenes will be nothing but positive feelings.

Sigala, whose real name is Bruce Fielder, isn’t shown in the video, but it doesn’t mean that it is incomplete because it is already captivating in its own way. It is true that childish vibes will never go out of style. Be impressed with the moves of these young talents as they strut, groove and hop in line with the happy sound of the song.

The appeal of the song and its video was even recognized by several radio stations such as Radio 1 and Capital FM. The track is already doing well on the UK charts, but its charm doesn’t end there. This Los Angeles made video is also gaining popularity in the US and other countries, making it one of the hottest tracks of the season.

http://laurenceourac.com/be-in-the-right-vibe-by-listening-to-easy-love/

Budding Country Star Thomas Rhett Will Make Your Heart Swoon

The usual age of artists nowadays can be surmised as very young compared to what was popularized in the mid-80s to the early-90s. We all have been amazed by the impressive talents of musicians as young as 14 until the mid-adult age of 25. It is quite an elating feeling to know that those who are dubbed as The Millenials have this awe-inspiring trait of being confident, despite their seeming inexperience.

What they lean on is their talent being developed at an early age, and the challenge they have to undergo is truly valid to enter the general music scene. We can never deny that the more we become music addicts, the more we’re exposed to knowing singers or groups 10 years younger than us. Take Thomas Rhett as an example; with the ‘premature’ exposure he got at the age of 20, he’s still one male singer who’s conquering the competition of fame and popularity.

Born Thomas Rhett Akins Jr, the 25-year old singer-slash-songwriter is known today as the budding prince of country and country pop music. Hailing from the humble town of Valdosta, Georgia, the young singer has been making rounds on radio airwaves since 2001 and is currently under the wings of a famous country music outfit called Valory Music Group.

Thomas Rhett’s musical influence came from his direct association with another well-known country icon, and it is not surprising at all if his talent is difficult to miss. Aside from his unmistakable vocal calisthenics, he is also a known player of guitars and drums, adding more value to his just starting name. Thomas Rhett has been prolific in his music as he went on tours with mainstream artists such as Lady Antebellum for the Own The Night Tour last 2012 and two music stints in 2015 for the Anything Goes Tour with Florida Georgia Line and the Suits and Boots Tour with Brett Eldredge.

One of the many things that are adorable with Thomas Rhett is his husky, country boy physique that’s loved by his slowly growing fan base. His aura can be associated with another relevant country music pillar Tim McGraw, and his odds of being more famous are improving over time. As of today, Thomas Rhett was able to release two studio albums which garnered applause from the country music scene entitled ‘It Goes Like This’ (2013) and ‘Tangled Up’ just released this year. 

Some of the tracks that show Thomas Rhett’s music ingenuity include Make Me Wanna, Crash and Burn, 1994, Parking Lot Party and Round Here, all of which garnered accolades from music critics.

http://laurenceourac.com/budding-country-star-thomas-rhett-will-make-your-heart-swoon/

Dennis Brown is your reggae prince

For the followers of reggae, the name Dennis Brown will always remain a fondly uttered name that symbolizes the success and well defined style of one of the music world’s most appreciated genres – reggae. Take a seat and listen to this master’s voice, and you’ll get to understand why he is called the crowned prince of reggae.

As defined by Damian, the son of legendary Bob Marley, the singer has a soothing sound that is relaxing, especially because it is paired with subdued rhythms that confess the singer’s love for the craft he has chosen. They say passion is definitive, and this is effortlessly shown through the artistry a person has selected.

If this is true, then Dennis Brown is the best example, because of the unbelievable relationship between his talent and his line of work. “He was one of those persons who made it cool to smile in reggae music. When I listen to his music, I can hear that he really loved singing. It almost sounds like he smiles while he’s singing,” Damian said. (Cited: http://www.biography.com/people/dennis-brown-20904379#later-years)

The singer started showing great potentials even during his early years. At the age of 11, many determined that the boy singing in front of them had the makings of a superstar. Coming from a family of artists, it is no wonder why Brown is comfortable performing before the eyes of people.

His father was an actor while his uncle was a comedian. Born in 1957, his first hit “No Man is an Island” garnered praises that started his music career. Due to his success, the industry took this 11-year old boy seriously. Three decades after, Brown was able to build a deep foundation that even the great Bob Marley paid respect to.

The soul and unique style that Brown was able to retain all throughout his career was the reason why many flocked to his concerts. With his relative real-life story, the singer attracted followers and fans effortlessly.

The 1970s was the phase when the singer was at his prime. His 75 albums armed with hits released throughout his career were a testimony to the success that the singer had reached. There were even times when he would make 7 or 8 albums in a year, all generating substantial revenues when it came to record sales.

The singer died in 1999 at the age of 42 but his legacy lived on even after.

http://laurenceourac.com/dennis-brown-is-your-reggae-prince/

Sam Feldt on “Show Me Love” and his rise as the new promising artist of deep house

Each year, each decade and each era is marked with certain sounds promulgating and spreading far and wide during those times.

This dynamic of what would be the favored form of music is perhaps the only constant thing in changing times. For the present, the tides in the music industry have never been so diverse.

While pop is still dominating the charts, other genres, which were previously churning under the water, are now breaking through the surface – slowly introduced into the masses of mainstream listeners.

One such example is ‘deep house’, a branch of house music and a sister of EDM, progressive house, and its other variations. Deep house has a sound influenced by jazz music mixed with Chicago house and techno sounds of Detroit.

House music has its veterans such as Duke Dumont and EDM royalties such as Calvin Harris. In deep house, there is a particular artist rising to be known as the pride of the sound.

Sam Feldt of the Netherlands happens to be that artist. Declared to be one of two artists the tropical and chill music expert Ben Houston is looking forward to this year, according to Magnetic Magazine, the deep house artist is paving a promising path for his career.

Sam Feldt has already been recording and remixing songs for a while now, and what has garnered him attention is his latest track, “Show Me Love.”

The track highlights the vocals of Sam Feldt that seem to build up for an explosive climax and then holding back, slinking down and melding with the background of the piano. It has a simple production that has a laid back and chilling sync.

A rendition of a 90s classic from the American recording artist Robin S, this song of love wanting to be felt more than heard is one of the best deep house songs to emerge this year.

To prove the point, listen to the song and check out Sam Feldt’s other tracks as well.

http://laurenceourac.com/sam-feldt-on-show-me-love-and-his-rise-as-the-new-promising-artist-of-deep-house/

Taylor Swift goes old Hollywood in Wildest Dreams

Watch Taylor Swift transforms in her newest video Wildest Dream. With all the wild and a safari vibe mixed with the air of 1940’s era, see the music industry’s woman of the hour in a different light, from her dark hair down to number of kissing scenes that are found in this video.

This is the fifth single from Taylor’s 1989 album. Since its release, the music superstar has never failed the viewing public when it comes to giving out fresh concepts all laid through the telling of her music videos. Each video has been different from one another and needless to mention all unforgettable in a very fashionable way.

Complementary to its title, the video has shown Taylor mingling with the giants of safari life. In here we can see the songstress being with lions, zebras, giraffes and elephants. Now, the video can be as raw and real as it can be because some parts were actually taken from Africa. An astounding falls even served as a background one of Taylor’s kissing scene with leading man Scott Eastwood. See a sexier Taylor on bedroom cuts where she was seen wearing a sexy lingerie while having moments with her lead actor.

Wildest Dream is a video within a video. A story of an illicit affair that was formed during the making of the fake film. This is another telling of how a heart break goes. The end part of the video stayed true to the theme with its Hollywood premiere setting coming to play. The red carpet and cameras flashing mixed with the expecting crowd were all channeled in a very glamorous Hollywood way. The denouement was suggested in the scene where Taylor saw his on cam leading man having holding hand with another woman during the premiere night.

See her dramatic exit with the ever classic window scene from the car followed by the rear view reflection of the leading man who came after her after realizing she walked away from the auditorium. The video is expected to add another ray on 1989’s already studded belt. Will the Swifties ensure that this will also create same noise as earlier videos did from the mentioned album? Let us wait as the hit charts do the telling.

http://laurenceourac.com/taylor-swift-goes-old-hollywood-in-wildest-dreams/

A Notable Lookback at Ashlee Simpson’s Discography

We all have to admit that the first time we laid our eyes on her in the reality TV shows Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, we knew that there’s something in there that was worth watching. Aside from her unmistakable resemblance to her pop-star-singer sister Jessica Simpson, the talent is quite evident and it’s brewing under that angelic-face and feminine facade. Though her career is somewhat on the low compared to what her sister has achieved over the years, there’s no way we would be able to forget how playful and fun Ashlee Simpson’s approach to music was.

Now aged 30, Ashlee Simpson is not as prolific and visible to the music scene nowadays, but the songs she left in her wake would definitely be indelible to our 2000s recollection of top hits and influential tracks. We can always reminisce Ashlee as that singer who went over-the-top with her chosen genres of pop, pop punk, pop rock and power pop, and her being linked and married to other music icons such as Pete Wentz and Evan Ross.

Ashlee’s discography kicked off with her first debut album entitled ‘Autobiography’, wherein some of the tracks included in this masterpiece pretty much describe her as a person. Ashlee solely signed a contract with just one music outfit under Geffen and we can all surmise that she made the right decision of staying under one wing. Not owing her talent to her then very famous sister, Ashlee Simpson’s first take in making her music career official via her first album simply took off.

It was quite unexpected as Autobiography easily harnessed a whopping 400,000 copies sold in just a span of one week. It was in July 2004 when it peaked at number 1 on the US Billboard Charts and when September kicked in, it was a certified triple-platinum. Autobiography was such a good start to unraveling her career, and it was all the more applauded when she admitted to having co-written the entire album’s included tracks. Autobiography can be remembered through the tracks entitled Pieces of Me, La La and Shadow.

Released in October of 2005, Ashlee Simpson’s follow-up album ‘I Am Me’ is all about incorporating the feel-good vibe of the iconic 80s sound and the loving focus on writing songs about herself. Same as Autobiography, I Am Me garnered immediate success by getting 220,000 copies purchased worldwide, and three years after it first hit the market, sales continued to shoot up until it reached a 944,000 copies sold. Some of the songs that made this album quite a success, include lead single Boyfriend with supporting tracks such as L.O.V.E and Invisible. Awards have been tagged to Ashlee’s performances in this album, which include merits by the MTV Australia Video Music Award for Best Female Artist.

Her last album known to date is ‘Bittersweet World’ which was produced by some famous names the likes of Chad Hugo, Kenna and Timbaland. The album’s main genres are rock and pop while staying on the conventional Ashlee Simpson approach of being self-reliant and indulgent. Songs such as Auto My Head and Little Miss Obsessive carried the album to 126,000 copies sold and reached the number 96 spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts.

http://laurenceourac.com/a-notable-lookback-at-ashlee-simpsons-discography/

Onto new sound: Ellie Goulding comes back as a proper pop star with “On My Mind”

Elena Jane Goulding. We all came to know her better as Ellie Goulding, the woman who is a singer, a songwriter, and a multi-instrumentalist from the United Kingdom. Yet apart from her basic information and life story, which fans easily devoured upon being enchanted by the singer’s golden voice, we also came to know Ellie Goulding as the woman who has her own singing style and is not afraid to let the public hear it.

And this is the start of her ascent to proper pop star royalty. Debuting in 2010, she’s an electronic folk pop artist. For her Halcyon days and its release, she’s verging as a legitimate pop star with the album big on productions and sounds, and this time for her third album, we hear her conversion is about to become completed.

In a press release issued by Ellie Goulding with regards to the details of her upcoming album entitled Delirium, the British singer confirms to have completely submerged herself into pop stardom. “A part of me views this album as an experiment – to make a big pop album,” Ellie says that the point was further driven home with the debut of “On My Mind” in the morning of September 17. As it first hit the radio, we were greeted with the new sound of Ellie prompting varied responses among listeners.

“On My Mind” is definitely catchy, with its R&B rhythm style and fast-paced melody keeping you up on your toes or at the very least tapping your finger to its big pop track sound. Add to Ellie’s ever breathy and ethereal vocals singing in quick verses about the chance of love lost before it even started, and we have another force to reckon with in the pop industry, particularly in the persona of this British singer.

However, despite doing it in a loop on one’s playlist, the repetitive choruses after so many times of playing the track again and again can easily lose its appeal, and the build-up from the verses are not enough to support the song’s decreasing luster.

This is, perhaps, one of the most common problems with pop artists and their songs, and for someone like Ellie, who people across the globe have come to love for the indie-injection to her songs, some may not be forgiving.

Yet there is always the consolation prize. Her candor for lyrics is about to make a comeback. 

Furthermore, there is still a whole batch of songs coming our way from Ellie to look out for.

http://laurenceourac.com/onto-new-sound-ellie-goulding-comes-back-as-a-proper-pop-star-with-on-my-mind/

Kravitz to Release Live Concert Album to Wow Fans

You might have remembered him as the funky-looking stylist of Katniss Everdeen on the trilogy Hunger Games and have forgotten how great of an artist Lenny Kravitz is. With her edgy hairstyles, the occasional facial piercings and the soulful tracks he had released during his entire career, we can all surmise that he’s one extraordinary soloist. Brought to mainstream fame during the 1990s after his iconic and relatable track Again, Kravitz has been very active in the music industry but on a low-key.

We haven’t witnessed worldwide tours or humongous concerts with his name plastered on it since it is pretty much evident that he doesn’t need the noise to be heard. With a few gigs and appearances every now and then, Lenny Kravitz is one of the few musicians who invested in enriching his craft that booming his fame. Truly one of the best things that happened to the pop-rock genre, Lenny Kravitz is on the move again with pleasing his loyal fan base with a live concert converted into a film entitled Just Let Go.

Due to be on the music stands on October 23rd, Just Let Go is a compilation of Lenny Kravitz’ shenanigans during his much-celebrated European leg tour last 2014. It can be remembered that Lenny Kravitz ventured out in expanding his musical horizons by going out of his comfort zone and play for various nations and music lovers all across the European continent. Just Let Go is being sponsored by Kravitz’ music outfit Eagle Rock Entertainment and is sure to make fans clamor on him going big again as an artist.

Lenny Kravitz’ new truth would be released in a DVD format, featuring a whopping 12-set performance that is remastered and interact to give its audience a full-blown concert experience. Just Let Go is also rumored to include some innocuous behind-the-scenes footage, Mish mash of interviews and even up-close rehearsal sets captured on film. The film’s main aim is to show the world what a musician’s vantage point is when it comes to pulling-off a more creative, more specific and more liberal ways of establishing good music for the immediate audience. Just Let Go also would pull you in closer on as to how Kravitz work with his band and staff set upon a raw, unrehearsed and truthful manner.

The list of tracks to be expected on Lenny Kravitz’ much-awaited film includes Let Love Rule, Dancin’ Til Dawn, Fly Away, It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over, New York City, The Chamber, Dig In, Sister, American Woman, Dirty White Boots, Strut and Are You Gonna Go My Way. One bonus treat that fans can harness from this live concert flipped to film is the set of full-unedited versions of some of the aforementioned songs.

There are also some hints dropped on as to how Lenny’s 10th studio album would go about and how it is pegged on the 1970s groovy era. Kravitz also have been quoted during an interview that tackled the origin and main focus of the album, ‘I am a solo artist but Just Let Go reflects on the relationship with my band and the camaraderie that develops between us while out on the road. The film takes a deeper look into what it’s like to be on tour and also gives an intimate perspective into my life with my band, both on and off the stage.’

http://laurenceourac.com/kravitz-to-release-live-concert-album-to-wow-fans/

One OK Rock back to touring at the opening of 2016

Famous Japanese band ‘One OK Rock’ is yet again on the verge of putting the Asian concert scene through a series of stellar acts, as they are about to commence a five-destination tour that will surely give bliss and high to their fans from different parts of Asia.

The band is known to have sold out performances not only in the Asian region, but also in the US and Europe as well. The four-man team that was originally formed in 2005 has been in the industry with their long-playing successful acts and outstandingly popular albums.

With seven albums under their belt that have been well received by fans from all over the world, there is no doubt that the said band is on track to becoming one of the legendary music groups in the Asian continent.

Their latest tour named ONE OK ROCK 2016 “35xxxv” ASIA TOUR! is the first from their two-year hiatus after their remarkable stint at the VANS WARPED TOUR back in 2014. Audience wise, the said performance proved the band’s wide reach as they sang in front of diverse cultures that belong to 18 North American cities included in the tour.

Schedule of their 2016 tour are as follows:

January 14th – Asia World Expo, Hong Kong
January 16th – Taipei Arena, Taiwan
January 19th – Mall of Asia Arena, Philippines
January 21st – Thunder Dome, Thailand
January 23rd – Fort Canning Park, Singapore

For ticketing information, log on to http://www.oneokrock.com/en/news/1104

The band is a melting pot of numerous influences including Good Charlotte, Ellengarden, Simple Plan, Nirvana, Green Day, The Smashing Pumpkins and others. Known for their alternative rock sound, there were comments about how the band’s music changed a bit to an Americanized hit after they signed up with Warner Brothers Records for their US and Europe album release.

This feedback was defended by the band saying that their dynamic is toward the pursuit of improvement, tailored with to the tastes of a broader audience.

With the promise of an international career that breaches borders between continents, there is no denying that the band has reached a milestone in entering a worldwide stardom.

http://laurenceourac.com/one-ok-rock-back-to-touring-at-the-opening-of-2016/

The gifted musicality and the blatant weirdness of Rita

Collectively, we saw her at the 87th Academy Awards after she belted out and performed her Academy-Award nominated song Grateful, which was about four months ago. She still possesses that quirky soprano range, the edge on her physical appearance and the brimming musical sense as she set foot on stage. Rita Ora, with all her “good kind of weird,” is an artist that the general listening community missed, and she’s back with a bang on her latest single.

Born in Kosovo and had first established her popularity as a relevant musical prodigy in the United Kingdom with hit songs How We Do (Party) and R.I.P., Rita Ora has proven to be an extremely sought-after singer, songwriter, actress and TV personality in this generation. Her stint with the erotica-inclined movie Fifty Shades of Gray as Mia might have been quite short and underrated, but we have lauded her never-faltering love not only for music, but the performing arts in general.

Rita Ora had her self- titled album released in August 2012, with radio stations and producers grappling to get this sassy singer’s attention. Ora received a lot of positive reviews and plenty of recognition in this musical venture, earning her nominations at the 2012 MTV Europe Music Awards for Best UK/Ireland Act, Best New Artist and Push Artist.

Just recently, Rita made a huge comeback with her brainchild song ‘Poison,’ which is said to be the first cut on her upcoming second album. It’s been a while since this singer made marks on her musical career, and patrons from all over the world are nothing but excitedly awaiting the musical genius that will surely be displayed by Rita Ora.

Poison is said to be Rita’s song for her bad luck in love, which has been sensationalized after known affairs with gargantuan names in the music industry such as Bruno Mars and DJ Calvin Harris. 

Thousands of posts on Twitter by her fan base dominated the said social networking site with hashtags and proclamations of frenetic feelings about Ora’s follow-up to her musical career. Way back in March this year, Rita Ora announced publicly that she would be releasing her second album with a song adeptly titled ‘Testosterone,’ and it’s quite a shock that Poison was released earlier. The said second album is said to be released in the last quarter of this year.

Catchy lyrics from Rita Ora’s Poison include “I could’ve had beer for breakfast, my sanity for lunch, tryin’ to get over how bad I want you so much” and something that goes “I love the bittersweet ecstasy that you got me in, fallin’ deep I can sleep tonight, and you make me feel like I’m out of my mind, but it’s alright.” Poison is definitely a must-hear song to cap the summer off, and if it’s from a singer like Rita Ora, you’re left to expect greatness and beyond.

http://laurenceourac.com/the-gifted-musicality-and-the-blatant-weirdness-of-rita/

Pentatonix covers OMI’s Cheerleader

Hear another version of the summer song ‘Cheerleader’ as the a Capella band Pentatonix gave another flavor to the original reggae-pop track that made us dance on our feet with its subtle, yet vibrant rhythm.

The song was an original from Jamaican rising star Omi. There is no downhill from this single as it is still among the top tracks on the Billboard hit chart. It is even considered as one of the best summer songs of the year, and with the five-piece band like a Capella doing their own rendition, this justifies the reach and influence that Omi’s track has made.

Expect lots of beat boxing, sound twisting and a bunch of the harmonious blending in this version of Pentatonix. This is what the Sing Off champs are really good at, and it’s no doubt how obvious their distinct style gave a whole new perspective to the track without removing its core note.

Pentatonix first sang the track in Kelly Clarkson’s road tour. They used the said track as an opening song for the Piece-by-Piece road show that eventually was put on record and now, translated into a music video.

Contrary to its first video that stars Omi, Pentatonix’ talk was different. Set on a gymnasium with their varsity jackets on, the group took the title literally and had the empty place as the venue for their newest cover.

No fancy stuff or anything, the video is nothing but a presentation of the group’s own style. With steps and routines on some parts of the song, the video gives a vibe like watching a competition of school choirs. See swag and nothing but effortless singing. Yes, the same swag that made some of the members land a part on the hit movie Pitch Perfect 2.

http://laurenceourac.com/pentatonix-covers-omis-cheerleader/

Easy Fusion of Origins through Ahmed Chawki’s Musical Ingenuity

Most people are actually guilty of being too avid in following whatever’s in the mainstream music scene and tend to forget what the rest of the world has to offer.

We often rely on our fanaticism about things that are loved by most and comforted by the idea that following the norm would definitely give us the passport to participate in lunch break chats about a newly-released album.

Despite this, many people are still searching for who to venerate and the best artist to fill the void of their fanatical alter egos.

Though still co-existing with the mainstream, the world of music is a bountiful plateau of artists and acts content with the space given to them. Also in the world of music, pop is still around, and if this genre blooms during a normal conversation, the name Ahmed Chawki would definitely be brought up.

Born as Ahmed Chawki and more familiar today as just Chawki, this Moroccan artist has pretty much established himself as a talented singer since 2008.

Despite the fact that there hasn’t been much exposure for international fads, Chawki is still idolized on the stage that he’s been performing. Ahmed Chawki can be remembered best when he collaborated with Cuban-American rapper Pitbull for the very successful track entitled Habibi, I Love You.

Due to its catchy lyrics, the jumpy tones and lively general tune, this song easily climbed several music charts in the Middle East and Europe. ‘Habibi, I Love You’ was a summer anthem for teenagers and beach lovers during that season in 2013, and Ahmed Chawki is just starting to plot his strategies to garner a bigger and louder following.

This pop Moroccan icon can also be associated to the recently concluded 2014 World Cup when he performed with an equally-talented act Magic System for the song Magic In The Air which has been reverberating in the Belgian and the French music community.

Ahmed Chawki is also a known songwriter due to his early exposure to poem composing and poem recitals when he was young. He further expanded his vision into becoming a true blue music prodigy when he took several subjects in schools such as the National School of Theater and Singing and the Institute of Fine Arts.

It is with these kinds of exposure that Chawki was delegated as the Arab Music Festival’s grand winner in 2000, which opened the doors for him to perform with La Paloma.

Ahmed Chawki has participated in several musical events and music fests until the scrutinizing eyes and ears of RedOne finally caught the singer and saw him as a huge fish to be groomed to stardom. 

Infusing Arabic and western cues, Ahmed Chawki is a cold douse of water to the seemingly weak Middle Eastern music scene at that time.

Some of the other tracks that made Ahmed Chawki’s name resounding are the likes of Time of Our Lives (which, same as Habibi I Love You, was given different versions depending on where it’s going to be played), Come Alive, It’s My Life and some locally produced songs such as Inta Iiya, Ya Nasini Ya Habibi, Ghaly and Ana Bahwak. Ahmed Chawki’s rise to fame somehow reached countries such as Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden’s respective music hit charts.

http://laurenceourac.com/easy-fusion-of-origins-through-ahmed-chawkis-musical-ingenuity/

Will Smith returns, not on the silver screen but with a new track release

Just when the silhouette of Will Smith has established the definition of an actor in our subconscious minds, comes another surprise from him releasing a new single. This had us snapping our fingers and remembering that Mr. MIB was actually a rapper before he started acting on screen.

His stepping back from the music industry is now over, as he releases collaboration with the Colombian dance group ‘Bomba Estero’. The remix single entitled ‘Fiesta’ brings us to the early days of Smith’s career when he was still doing hip hop stints.

Not many may recall, but this man right here was formerly part of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. 

His very last single was the hit ‘Switch’ released in 2005. And now, after a decade of putting his music career aside, Smith is back and it brings the fans very much delight.

Smith got the idea of collaboration with the Colombian group when he first heard their song during one of his trips to Colombia. He then pulled some strings and communicated with the band. The news is something unexpected. Simon Mejia, part of the quartet expressed: “When I was told that Will Smith wanted to collaborate on a remix with Bomba, I couldn’t believe it…This opportunity to work with Will was beyond anything we have dreamed of. … It’s just magic.” (Cited:http://www.goerie.com/will-smith-performs-on-fiesta-song#)

The track, which was electronically released in the first week of October, will soon be followed by a music video shot in Los Angeles. As for writing, its energetic audio serves as a tease. With upbeat sound and of course Will Smith rapping on the side, it will not be impossible that fans will pick up this new production from Smith positively.

Interviews before this surprise collaboration hinted that Smith would be working with Kanye West. While this is not confirmed yet and might even be considered as a joke, the fact that Smith is slightly returning from his singing career means that working with Kanye can also be a possibility.

http://laurenceourac.com/will-smith-returns-not-on-the-silver-screen-but-with-a-new-track-release/

Experience Music All-Out with Rachid Taha

Age does not really matter when a person’s best interest is to entertain and make other people happy.

The aforementioned notion is the key mantra of Rachid Taha, a multi-talented artist carving his name onto Europe’s healthy music scene, and he doesn’t have any plans of ending his career despite turning 57 this September.

Rachid Taha is one of many European artists who delved and thrived into giving their audience the best of every known music genre, and so far, he has established his influence in a plethora of music-crazed fans since 1980.

With the wide array of styles that he has shown the public and mastered over time, Rachid Taha is considered as one of the pillars of Europe’s music industry.

Originating from the imposing city of Sig, Algeria, Rachid Taha is a well-known human activist, aside from the fact that he can really make music.

Focusing on various genres such as rock, the local genre called rai and Algerian chaabi, rumba-pop, techno, dance and punk rock, Rachid truly has amazing showmanship to witness every single time he steps on stage.

Many music experts tagged Rachid Taha’s music as quite unnerving and enjoyable all at the same time.

His refreshing take on every genre he chooses to play speaks of flair and tenure, and his presence is not so easy to ignore.

The place where Rachid Taha was born is also his first inspiration for liking and cultivating his inner talent through the music genre called rai.

The influence of the Maghreb Region from where he spend most of his teenage life is also a major factor behind how he came to love different genres of music.

He started the spark by being a DJ at night as a sideline, and from there, the tracks of his success were greased into an unstoppable flight.

Before long, Rachid Taha got into fusing huge names in the industry into his Arabic DJ mash-ups with the likes of Led Zeppelin, Kraftwerk and Bo Diddley.

His inclination towards combining familiar musical styles with the modern is of his greatest strengths.

Many music critics have praised Taha’s brave take into using local and native instruments, which produced sounds on different wavelengths pleasing not only the ear but making the entire listening experience all the more enjoyable.

Through the course of his career, Rachid Taha has successfully drawn four major studio albums from his sleeves entitled Carte de Sejour (1983), Rhorhomanie (1984), 2 ½ (Deux et Demi in 1986) and Ramsa (1987).

When it comes to promotional and studio tracks, many fans who have adored Rachid Taha from the very beginning would definitely remember songs such as Voila, Voila, Abdel Kader, Ya Rayah, Ida, Wesh, Now or Never, Bleu Dr Marseille, Douce France and Ramsa.

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The queer perfomer in Jamiroquai

If there were one talented artist that exudes weirdness in an interesting way, it would be Jamiroquai. The era of early 2000 was once dominated by his music and unusual sound that grasped the attention of fans from all over the world.

Jamiroquai, read as “juh-meer-o-kwy,” is actually an English band formed in the ’90s led by Jason Kay. The quartet was part of the acid movement in London together with other groups like those of Incognito, Brand New Heavies, Galliano and Curduroy. The acid jazz movement is a a genre that combines funk, hip-hop and jazz.

The band went through many changes and revisions until the current lineup became Derrick McKenzie, Sola Akingbola, Rob Harris, matt Johnson, Paul Turner, Lorraine McIntosh, Hazel Fernandez and Sam Smith alongside the original vocalist Jason Kay. Like what happens to most bands, the spotlight was focused more on the vocalist. It is not impossible since Kay exudes a queer sense emanating from his weird hats and luxurious lifestyle.

The band’s first single entitled When You Gonna Learn was released in 1992. Since then, the band continued to top both the UK and US Billboard charts. Their third album ‘Traveling Without Moving’ set the bar high, as it was responsible for them conquering even the US market. In 1997, the band won four awards in that year’s MTV Music Awards including Video of the Year, Best Breakthrough Artist, Best Visual Effects and Best Cinematography. A Duo or Group with Vocals at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards also awarded as Best Pop Performance the band in 1998.

While the rhythm conveyed by the bands songs are upbeat, the lyrics make a lot of sense since it translates expressions about mankind, personal experiences and the world in general. Kay, who is personally involved, along with other band members when it comes to song writing, has been vocal when it comes to their opinions with general points like climate change, bent politics and poverty. 

This is palpable and first realized on their debut album named ‘Emergency Planet’ produced in 1993.The success of the band is plain and evident as they are recorded to have sold over 40 million albums worldwide.

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The Undeniable Influence of El General in Reggaeton

Whilst most of us have been introduced to Reggaeton during the early 2000s, many avid fans have known that the one of the pillars of this music genre would have to be El General. Reggaeton started as an underground music genre and grew into a full-blown musical frenzy currently being adored by many music lovers from all over the world.

But Reggaeton wouldn’t have been conceptualized, nor even be thought of, without the help of El General. You might find his name rather funny, but it speaks so much of his passion to expound the reach that Reggaeton has and could have, with a strong belief that it should be heard by all forms of people.

Born Edgardo Franco, the now 51-year old talented reggaeton artist made his mark during the early 1990s, where he initiated a quirky Spanish dance hall that paved the way to the conception of reggaeton.

Entering the world of sounds and lyrics at the early age of 12, he found his calling through the roots of their humble home. Like any other man who hoped for a better life, El General endowed his teenage years studying and crafting songs that he will soon spread through his music. He fully committed to his undying love for music at the age of 19, where he exposed himself to more avenues and channels.

It was in 1994 when El General finally penetrated the music scene by being a guest singer to C+C Music Factory’s album entitled ‘Anything Goes’. During this time, El General worked closely with Chino Rodriguez, a well-known music impresario in the Latin music scene.

El General’s initial offering to the world was a sals-inspired track entitled ‘Boriqua Anthem Part 2’, which was performed at the Madison Square Garden in front of a gargantuan audience. This specific performance established El General’s potential and charisma as most of the people who watched the show gave nothing but the loveliest feedback.

During the entire course of his career, El General made a huge impact in reggaeton as one of the longest staying artists from the beginning of the genre. He was able to establish a strong foothold in album making, as he was skilled enough to produce a total of seventeen albums which all have a merit of their own. He started making his career official with the release of ‘No Me Va a Matar’ in 1990 which had its fair share of accolades from music critics.

This major album gave El General the attention that he deserves, and the album reached Gold status in a matter of months. El General signed up with different music firms that strengthened his career over the years such as RCA International, BMG and Sony Music Latin. Aside from being a full-pledged singer, El Genelral is also known to be adept at playing some Reggaeton instruments such as the drums and keyboards.

Some of the most famous albums that El General put on the table include Muevelo Con el General (1991), Es Mundial (1994), Rapa Pan Pan (1997), Move It Up (1998), Coleccion Original (1998), Serie 2000 (2000), Back to the Original (2001), General De Fiesta (2002), compilation album El General: The Hits (2003) and the latest one before he resigned for retirement, La Ficha Clave (2004). Despite his regrettable decision to retire early, El General is still involved in several things that will make people happy, such as keeping his foundation, namely ‘Poor Children Without Borders’, alive in Panama City, and being a dedicated host to a certain show in Radio Kids.

http://laurenceourac.com/the-undeniable-influence-of-el-general-in-reggaeton/