Rap a Notch Higher with Yo Gotti

The music genres of rap and hip-hop never ceased to amaze the general music scene since the day it surfaced on the radar. There have been hordes of musicians who have tested the waters of this genre, came out successful and inspired other budding stars to try their luck in making it big in this industry.

Rap requires a very specific skill set, the innate capacity for wordplay and the boldness that would turn heads like what rappers in the past possess. In this age when rap is considered as an integral part of the complex music scene, there are some stars just waiting to explode and one of which is Yo Gotti.

Born Mario Mims, American rapper Yo Gotti has been around since he started doing music stints in 1996. The experiences he accumulated from his career have strengthened his foothold on success in his craft, and it is expected that many million-dollar firms have noticed this.

Equipped with the undying passion to perform and share his talent to the world, this 34-year old Memphis child has weaved through a series of rejections and little victories, leading him to the fame that he deserves. It was in the glorious year of 2000 when Yo Gotti established a strong position in mainstream music and since then, he has never faltered to amaze fans and haters alike.

During his beginnings as a full-pledged rapper, Yo Gotti managed to put forth three albums which he produced independently. The studio album Da Dope Game 2 Da Rap Game gave rap and hip-hop lovers and hint on why they should listen to Yo Gotti. The reception of his debut album was not as quite big as other rappers at that time, but it served him well enough to be seen as the one with potential.

He prolifically cemented his rap skills by venturing into three more albums, Self-Explanatory (2001), Life (2002) and Back 2 Da Basics (2006). With these albums on hand, Yo Gotti made much noise while being a newbie in the business, and his ceaseless efforts paved the way to a brighter career ahead.

Yo Gotti received his first ever major stint when he released the album entitled Live from The Kitchen in 2012. With the powerful tracks comprising this studio album such as Women Lie, Men Lie, Look in the Mirror and 5 Star, this hoisted up Yo Gotti as one of the anticipated rap supernovas of the current generation. This talented artist has been a frequent mainstay of the prestigious US Billboards, switching among lists of US R&B, US Rap and the Hot 100.

Two follow-up albums have been crafted by the esoteric mind of Yo Gotti, entitled I Am (released in 2013) and The Art of Hustle (released this year). His latest album immediately careened smoothly to the top 4 spot on the US Billboard 200, and is continuously gaining accolades and applause from those who have heard of how strong this album is.

http://laurenceourac.com/rap-a-notch-higher-with-yo-gotti/

Taking It Up A Notch Higher, Christian Music with Lauren Daigle

Many will suggest that church songs should be contained within the halls of your place of worship. Since this world is inclined to patronize what’s trendy, musical genres such as gospel have been left with little to no room in one’s daily playlist.

We have all been attracted into believing that the music that we must listen to in order for us to tagged as savvy are those which revolve on pop, rock, R&B, hip hop and country. Any other genre than the aforementioned will either tag you as weird or unconventional.

Mainstream music seemed to ignore the existence of a music faction called as contemporary Christian music, and as we disregard this further, we lose our chance to know about an artist named Lauren Daigle. A musician who directs her talent to serve her religion, she’ll blow you away with her utter musical talent and passion to perform.

Lauren Ashley Daigle is a 24-year old artist who focused on promulgating a lesser known genre, which is contemporary Christian music. Signed up solely by the eponymous firm Centricity Music, Daigle is making noise with the work that she does as a full-pledged gospel artist.

Hailing from the humble city of Lafayette in Louisiana, it is not a surprise that Lauren Daigle grew up earnest and close to God, hence her choice of using her vocal talent to spread the Word and touch more lives. During her younger years, Lauren Daigle was exposed to an ambience of lesser known musical genres such as Cajun, the Blues and Zydeco, contributing to her distinct yet reminiscent approach to music.

Daigle is not really new to the spotlight as she ventured out into participating in nationwide singing competitions such as the prestigious American Idol. She started her focus on music by becoming a choir member in the Louisiana State University, further honing her skills to perform in front of a huge audience and getting in touch with her inner voice.

Her American Idol stint put her through the semifinals and never got the chance to make it big on the show. Since then, she’s been invited to a couple of performances as a background vocalist, with the most familiar being her work with a band named The Assemblie in their extended play which soared to the top spot in iTunes.

Centricity Music recognized Lauren Daigle’s innate abilities and signed her up as a recording artist right after she performed Nothing is Wasted with Jason Gray in a workshop that they themselves organized. Since then, the passionate young star has been exposed to bigger responsibilities and new challenges to test if she’d last in the business.

In December 2013, her track Light of the World was included in the Christian album entitled Joy to the World, which was received well by the US Billboard Hot 100. Furthermore, Daigle was given the chance to release her own extended play entitled How Can It Be in 2014, which soared to the 3rd spot on the US Heatseekers and 18th on the US Christian list.

This extended play received quite a number of accolades, which made Centricity produce a studio album of the same title in 2015. How Can It Be, the studio album, luckily grabbed a nomination for the Grammy’s in 2016 for the Best Contemporary Christian Music Album category.

http://laurenceourac.com/taking-it-up-a-notch-higher-christian-music-with-lauren-daigle/

Ariana Grande unleashes feisty side on Dangerous Woman

From child star to successful music siren, Ariana Grande proved that crossing borders between her used to be wholesome image to her now alluring facade can be as flawless and seamless as can be. There is no doubt that she created enough buzz that made her become one of the most bankable stars of today.

The perfect mixture of the innocence found in the singer’s doe eyes and her teasing outfits made her gather interest from people around the world. Let us not forget the fact that this girl can really belt high notes, which proves that she is a legit musician. There is no stopping for this 22-year old singer as she returns with another single after her successful song entitled ‘Focus’.

Guesting on a night show is clearly one of the most effective ways for an artist to promote everything new that is going on with her career. While this might seem to be a win-win situation between the show and the artist, Grande’s guesting in Saturday Night Live was totally an A as she proved that she is a performer that delivers and she has absolutely no plans of disappointing her audience.

The singer gave the viewing crowd a taste of her third album as she shared two of its songs. The LP entitled Dangerous Woman carries a title track that gives us somewhat of an R&B flavor – something new from the usual style we used to hear from her past songs. Hearing the song for the first time kind of reminded me of Alicia Keys or Destiny’s Child. The tempo is slower compared to the singer’s previous songs, like the upbeat Bang Bang and Problem.

It is as though we are hearing a mature version of this stunning singer as the lyrics of the song coincides with the title itself.

The overall feel specifically provides empowerment to women with subtle advice of being an independent and self-sufficient individual.

http://laurenceourac.com/ariana-grande-unleashes-feisty-side-on-dangerous-woman/

Andy Grammer Started His Love for Music at Home

Nothing beats the influence brought about by home. It is the foundation of almost everything that we have as we grow up, from the things that we took up in college, or the food that our palate can easily remember. Some homes would promote things such as the fondness for a certain sport, a hobby, or even the slippery concept of adoring music.

We have heard a lot of singers who jumped into the industry having their strong musical background as their assets as they learned it from their very own households. Sometimes, it is possible that their parents are recording artists, or their siblings are very talented singers.

Whoever it is that inspired them, most of the time their ventures on their own musical paths are deemed successful. As a matter of fact, Andy Grammer keeps bombarding our ears with good music to prove it.

Focusing on mainstream genres such as pop, country pop, soul and pop rock, many music fans have come to adore Andy Grammer’s bravado in competing with the existing stars of these realms.

Growing up, it can be said that Grammer has the music genes flowing in his veins as he is a child of a former recording artist, Robert Crane Grammer. As such, this talented pop singer has come into contact with musical instruments such as the trumpet, piano and guitar at an early age, and started out writing songs at the age of 15.

True enough, Andy Grammer pursued his musical intent by finishing a degree in the California State University on Music Industry Studies. Furthermore, Andy Grammer ended up with another musician, recording artist Aijia.

After finishing his studies, Andy Grammer appeared on various musical performances in Santa Monica and the so-called Viper Room. The cogs of fate moved and in April 2010, he was signed-up with S-Curve records with promises of a bright career in the mainstream music industry. His track, Keep Your Head Up, successfully pleased the masses as it even topped other songs in iTunes upon its release in 2010.

The year 2011 can be considered as Andy Grammer’s biggest exposure upon the release of his first self-titled studio album. It immediately topped the US Heat Charts and placed 105th in the illustrious US Billboard Album Charts. It was then succeeded in 2014 by his follow-up album entitled Magazine or Novels, which surpassed the first album’s chart success and landed on the 19th spot a few weeks after it was made public.

Some of the other EPs popularized by this wondrous pop gem include The World is Yours (2007), Soft Lights Bright on Colors (2009), Live from L.A. (2012) and Crazy Beautiful (2013).

Andy Grammer’s hit list is getting longer as he delves deeper into the music industry. The song Honey, I’m Good is said to be his grandest as it gained triple Platinum status from the RIAA.

Keep Your Head Up also reached Platinum status while the track Fine by Me earned a Gold label. Some of the other songs that made Grammer a hot item at the American pop music scene include Miss Me, Back Home and Good to Be Alive.

http://laurenceourac.com/andy-grammer-started-his-love-for-music-at-home/

A Supernova in the Making – Bebe Rexha

In the slippery mainstream music industry, the combination of passion, looks, songwriting skills and vocal prowess is certainly a very lethal combination; lethal in a sense that one may overpower every existing singer on the same path with precision and ease.

It is never ordinary to come across an individual with all the glaring features of a future supernova, and the people of today are considered fortunate to cross paths with two or three femme fatales who dominate the music field. Certainly rare gems, these kinds of singers wouldn’t have known how powerful their talents are until they are exposed to the scene, innocent of what they are capable of. Take budding artist Bebe Rexha, for example.

One vital thing that this rising artist has is the fact that she’s of pure ethnic Albanian descent. With a very rich historical rearing introduced to Bebe Rexha at home, fused with the culture of living in the urbanized city of Brooklyn, it is no surprise that she blossomed into someone who’s creative, confident and full of motivation to attain her musical dream.

Named in real life as Bleta Rexha, she is one of the most known frequents to the illustrious US Billboards due to her notable stints as a singer slash songwriter since she started out in 2010. She began embracing her talent in this field as early as her 4th grade and has been exposed to musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar, the legendary Fiddler on the Roof and Hello, Dolly!

Since her younger years, this very talented musician has garnered inspiration from famous names in the industry like The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and Tori Amos.

Focusing on musical genres such as pop and EDM, Bebe Rexha is also noted for being adept in playing the guitar and the piano with dexterity. Due to her slow but sure climb on the musical ladder, Bebe Rexha signed up and worked with different music labels such as Decaydance, Island Def Jam Music Group and Warner Bros.

Now aged 26, the experiences evident in her seemingly short career fueled the passion in her to move forward and collaborate with different artists and musicians. We can remember that Bebe Rexha was featured on tracks such as Cash Cash’s Take Me Home, David Guetta’s Hey Mama and the LSS-hit Me, Myself and I with G-Eazy.

Bebe Rexha is also a member of a now-defunct band Black Cards which was founded by another famous singer Pete Wentz back in the day. Bebe Rexha’s contribution to the song The Monster by Eminem and Rihanna opened doors for her to be established as a serious songwriter during her starting years in the industry.

With her songwriting skills treated as a notable asset, Bebe Rexha can be remembered through a plethora of songs, some of which are Lucifer by Shinee, Like a Champion by Selena Gomez, All Hands on Deck by Tinashe, One More Night by Bella Thorne, All The Way by Reykon and Battle Cry by Havana Brown.

Due to her unmistakable talent in singing and writing, Bebe Rexha has also received accolades from the Teen Choice Awards and the MTV Europe Music Awards last 2015 for Hey Mama, and garnered a nomination from the 2016 iHeart Radio Music Awards for the same track.

http://laurenceourac.com/a-supernova-in-the-making-bebe-rexha/

A Refreshing Band for Country Music – Old Dominion

We all have been acquainted with country music as led by solo acts of Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood and Shania Twain. Little do we know that the always flourishing country genre also has some group acts to boast, and when a couple of country artists come together, expect nothing but amazing music.

While the number of bands focusing on country music is quite small compared to juggernauts such as pop and contemporary, the noticeable rise of artists clumped together as single acts makes the genre more exciting. Just recently, the band Old Dominion is making rounds in the fame arena, and they are sailing smoothly into becoming one of the most celebrated country bands in history.

What makes Old Dominion more evident than bands within their league is the bold approach that they injected into country music. While country is a great genre to play as it is, many people have appreciated Old Dominion’s risk of putting in touches of rock, hip hop and even pop which translated into something unconventional and enjoyable.

Old Dominion leaned on the concept of transcending country and making it more appealing to the public, all along preserving the things that they gained by focusing on this genre. Nevertheless, this creative and crafty country group is setting a new standard for artists who are hesitant to try new things, and their example is a good path to follow.

Old Dominion consists of the creative quintet of Matthew Ramsey on vocals, Whit Sellers on drums, Trevor Rosen on guitars and keyboards, Brad Tursi on main guitars and Geoff Sprung on bass. The combination of their talents and experience as solo acts before are their perfect potion to be more famous outside of their chosen genre.

Old Dominion is currently signed up with one of the leading purveyors of country music which is RCA Nashville and the band also got a chance to work with budding music firm ReeSmack Records during their early years. Old Dominion actually started in 2007, and their long yet worthy climb to success has been witnessed by their most loyal followers.

The group started to test the waters when they offered their first, self-titled extended play which is under ReeSmack. Old Dominion’s extended play has reached far and outside the country charts, placing ninth in US Heat and 139th on the overall US Album Charts. In the United States alone, the band was able to gain a whopping total of $32,000 which is quite a marvelous feat for such a small project.

In November 2015, the band expanded their vision and put forth their first studio album entitled Meat and Candy, governed by RCA Nashville and was able to bank in a total of $82,400 in sales. Meat and Candy, as expected, placed at the third spot in the US Country Charts, 16th place on the US Album Charts and 30th in the Canadian Hit Charts.

Old Dominion can be remembered with some of their biggest tracks such as Shut Me Up, Snapback and Break Up with Him.

http://laurenceourac.com/a-refreshing-band-for-country-music-old-dominion/

X Factor winner Ben Haenow features Kelly Clarkson in his new video

It is an AI meets X-Factor kind of thing as the 11th season X Factor winner Ben Haenow teams up with first ever American Idol Kelly Clarkson in the former’s single entitled ‘Second Hand Heart’.
The song is Haenow’s first single in his self-entitled debut album. Fresh from the win last year, the singer admitted that he is extremely honored to collaborate with Clarkson with his first track, describing her voice as ‘insane’(of course, he meant it in a positive way).

The music has this certain dab of country in it, which was further emphasized by the grasslands and stable settings shown in the video that was shot in Nashville. Hearing Kelly’s part of the song brings us back to the time when she was still starting and her sound had a country vibe.

Also, let us recognize how good Haenow’s voice is as it sounded beautiful with the phenomenal singing prowess of Kelly. It is true that he is just starting after bagging the title from last year’s X Factor, but there is no denying that with what he showed in this song, he is already on his way to success.

The upbeat rhythm is captivating enough, but if you listen to the lyrics, you will realize that it has promise in itself. The words stringed together are about a lover that just came from an unfortunate circumstance. The chorus itself is like a plea for the other half of the relationship to just stay because healing is on its way and that there’s an attempt coming from the wounded party to repair things.

Hear the song once or twice and have these lines stuck on your mind as you hum the track’s catchy rhythm:

If you let me show you, I could love you the same / And I can’t steal you the stars, but I can try every day / Oh, you know they’ll never tear us apart / And I’m just a fool, but I swear I can change / I can’t steal you the stars, but I can try every day / And you know, you’ve got my second hand heart.

http://laurenceourac.com/x-factor-winner-ben-haenow-features-kelly-clarkson-in-his-new-video/

Whowho is not your usual KPOP band

Listeners of KPOP may be used to the eccentric facade of the said genre but digging a bit deeper may prove that there is more to this music classification than the illusions that capture the eyes. While mainstream media shows a greater truth about the extravagant vibe that surrounds KPOP, there are some that would veer away from the common concept and resort to a sound that’s completely different from the familiar.

Meet Whowho – a South Korean band that chose to line up with electric-sounding music that’s somewhat synonymous to the western tone of Daft Punk. Unlike the arresting looks and very polished style of most KPOP singers, this three-man band resorted to a more laid-back style and indifferent look that is quite relative, especially for band lovers from the street.

At first glance, these guys can pass as performers who do stints on major music gatherings like Coachella and Glastonbury. The easy going aura mixed with a fun mix of guitars would really be a hit on international music fests.

Another reason why this band has the potential of being an international star is because they sing English lyrics in their songs, allowing them to reach a broader audience. With the fun and upbeat tempo in their sound, it will not be surprising that these boys will captivate the interests of the younger crowd.

One of the most remarkable songs they have by far is the track entitled ‘Her’. Reminiscent of the good western flavor that is dominating the international scene, the band was able to gain attention due to the contrast of their music versus typical KPOP.

The indie band that plays pop rock with a hint of funk is very endearing to watch live. Some of their songs also include Love, Dance in the Rain and Bye Bye. Thanks to their videos uploaded in YouTube, many are able to recognize the talent of this emerging group.

http://laurenceourac.com/whowho-is-not-your-usual-kpop-band/

Tori Kelly off for series of tours this 2016

This promising rookie seems to have everything going for her as she opens the New Year with a busy schedule and an appearance in this year’s Grammys. The 1992-born singer continued to gain a bigger audience after she released her successful single entitled ‘Hollow.’

2015 was a jumpstart to brighter days for the young singer as her second LP entitled ‘Unbreakable Smile’ continues to garner success. Thanks to her single ‘Nobody Love’ that stimulated all the hype, Kelly is now set to have a series of tours not only within the United States but in the UK as well. Truly, the former 14 year old YouTube sensation has come a long way as she is now expected to be one of the budding artists to break through this year.

The tour will start in February in selected cities in the United Kingdom including London, Glasgow, Birmingham and Manchester. American fans will get a chance to see her perform live in April and May.

Seen to be one of the promising divas to grace the millennial music industry, Kelly has long proven that her talent is as raw and as real as it can get.

As a matter of fact, her vocal prowess is best distinguished when she won Best New Artist during the 58th Grammys.

Again, the singer will get a chance to attend the Grammy’s, but this time around, as a performer. Alongside other newcomers like Sam Hunt, James Bay and Ellie Goulding, the siren will sing before the eyes of the famous award giving body.

Kelly admitted that this by far is the biggest milestone of her career. See her belt duets with the aforementioned artists, as well as another famous country singer Carrie Underwood.

http://laurenceourac.com/tori-kelly-off-for-series-of-tours-this-2016/

A Legend Meant to Be Remembered For All Eternity: Michael Jackson

Marcel Proust once said, “People do not die for us immediately, but remain bathed in a sort of aura of life which bears no relation to true immortality but through which they continue to occupy our thoughts in the same way as when they were alive. It is as though they were travelling abroad.” (Cited: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/31680-people-do-not-die-for-us-immediately-but-remain-bathed)

We all hoped that we’re as apathetic as Proust upon saying the latter, but in reality we’re not. All of us know that they’re not in a steamboat or a plane. They’re gone, but their presence will linger forever.

Pop culture is all about being famous, being talented and being aware. Pop culture is Michael Jackson, and Michael Jackson is the King of Pop. With his cause of death still uncertain, Michael Jackson passed on June 25th of 2009 leaving huge question marks and pails of tears to the countless fans he had all over the planet.

MJ, as media fondly call him, started his singing career as the cherubim member of the Jackson Five. With his impeccable talent and charismatic aura, Jackson treaded the international music scene all the way to the peak, topping charts and selling myriads of albums worldwide.

From the catchy track Man in the Mirror to the supernatural-based song Thriller, Jackson indeed captured hearts of mainstream fans, making their heads bop to his voice which is highly incomparable.

His influence reached Generation Y and his talent matured all throughout his existence. Jackson, being the human being that he is, also faced a lot of intrigue with regards to child molestation and drug abuse. Being famous goes hand in hand with envy and Michael, unfortunately, was a blatant victim of it.

Michael, life put you to rest. Elation equaled death. All forms of life want to thank you for making this world a better place.

In life, we lose and we gain. We gained a lot from Michael but we lost him. Why do we need to mourn for one of the greatest men who walked the planet? Isn’t it fair to be happy for how they he lived? Forgetting is out of the question as this wondrous music icon deserves to be remembered every day.

Tomorrow, we will lose another one, and the day after, we will surely bid goodbye again. Life is a cycle of hellos and goodbyes. Maybe it is a parting for now, but who knows what the future has in store?

http://laurenceourac.com/a-legend-meant-to-be-remembered-for-all-eternity-michael-jackson/

A Country Legend in All Forms – Dierks Bentley

Keeping it all cool in the very demanding genre of country music requires adamant skill and incomparable passion. Not all country musicians have the guts to be resilient, causing some of them to fall off the trail and never regain what they started with.

Some have succumbed to the notion that being known for a short period of time will suit them well, while others plan to stay as long as their audience needs them. For the latter, loving the craft and being addicted to fame are key points for success.

We have known famous names such as Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Alison Krauss and Shania Twain to dominate the country music scene, and yet, there are other great artists just waiting for us to unravel. Take for example the admirable Dierks Bentley, a man who has country music flowing through his veins.

Born Frederick Dierks Bentley and raised in Tempe, Arizona, this 40-year old American singer slash songwriter has been around since 2003, supplying the industry with heartfelt country songs. Known to be tightly associated with the managing conglomerate Capitol Nashville, Bentley has long proven his worth as a singer and is now careening the path to becoming one of the known pillars of the contemporary country faction.

Aside from proliferating in his genre of origin, Bentley is also known to play bluegrass music, with light touches of jazz and mellow on the side. Truly a man full of wonders, Dierks Bentley is now recognized as one of the most famous country musicians of the current generation.

Initially, Bentley tested the waters of patronage when he released his first major self-titled studio album in 2003. Expectedly, this offering was received favorably by the majority, granting it platinum status by the respectable RIAA. Some of the tracks included on this very successful endeavor include What Was I Thinkin’, My Last Name and How Am I Doin’, all of which ranked well on the coveted US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Another platinum album was crafted a year later, entitled Modern Day Drifter. Dierks Bentley put forth all of his vocal calisthenics and infectious vibe in this sophomore album, garnering more and more fans to swear by his name. Smash tracks such as Settle for a Slowdown, Come a Little Closer and Lot of Leavin’ Left To Do cemented Modern Day Drifter’s placement as a must-grab album, earning him a membership at the coveted Grand Ole Opry in October that year.

Bentley headlined a couple of huge concerts such as the Free and Easy Summer Tour (2007), Country and Cold Cans (2012), the Jagermeister Tour (2011), the Riser Tour (2014) and Sounds of Summer Tour (2015). In total, this prolific country musician has released ten studio albums, with Black being the latest.

He also earned a couple of nominations from the Grammy Awards including Best Country Album for Long Trip Alone in 2008, Best Country Solo Performance for the song Home in 2015, Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for the song Bad Angel with Miranda Lambert and Jamey Johnson and Best Country Duo/Group Performance for the song The Driver with Charles Kelley and Eric Paslay this year.

http://laurenceourac.com/a-country-legend-in-all-forms-dierks-bentley/

Watch Out for Hollywood Vampires, Never Be Afraid

They call themselves Hollywood Vampires and no one’s complaining. You might turn into an instant fan upon knowing that this new band includes some of the biggest names in the music industry like Alice Cooper and Johnny Depp and many more of their friends.

They are definitely an all-star group, and they are not stopping with just keeping their talents to themselves. Recently, the group collectively regarded as Hollywood Vampires hinted on their very first official attempt in making their music collaborations mainstream via a self-titled debut album. Hollywood Vampires also released the news that their first attempt at radio will be more accessible because it can be streamed online.

One of the highlights on this endeavor is the promotion of their home-grown track entitled ‘My Generation’ which features Alice Cooper’s harsh yet pleasing vocals and Johnny Depp’s hidden talent in playing the guitar.

The song My Generation, originally sung by the equally famous band Who, will be hitting online sites showcasing other talents including that of guitarist Tommy Henriksen, bass supernova Bruce Witkin and the drumming skills displayed by Zak Starkey.

The said track is to be included on their self-titled debut album which has been parading music stands since September 11th. Hollywood Vampires, the album, will be highly-motivated with the leaps of faith from Cooper, Depp and Joe Perry.

As if the inclusion of some famous names into the band itself is not enough, the album is said to be a fusion of other equally-talented artists in the music industry. Some of those expected to be heard include Dave Grohl, Joe Walsh, Paul McCartney, Brian Johnson, Christopher Lee, Robby Krieger and Brian Johnson.

Hollywood Vampires ensures the success of their musical venture by taking part in some gigs within the United States and is rumored to be included in the Rock in Rio Festival set out in September 24th as well.

http://laurenceourac.com/watch-out-for-hollywood-vampires-never-be-afraid/

Sam Smith’s Writing’s on the Wall out

The anticipated song written by Sam Smith for the latest installment of the James Bond film Spectre is now out and the song climbed all its way to the top spot just days after its release. Thanks to the heightened anticipation and hype mostly from the social media and Smith’s flawless ability in composing tracks with soulful rhythm, this song is the first ever to top the charts among other Bond theme songs. Just when we thought Adele’s ‘Sky Fall’ is the best a Bond movie has to offer, the succeeding single was even better.

With sales of 70,000 and counting since the first week after its release, we can say that this new James Bond song has fueled the excitement for the upcoming movie that’s scheduled to be unveiled on November 6th in the United States.

It seems like the music industry’s gem didn’t expect such reception from listeners. “It was such an honor to be asked to write and record ‘Writing’s on the Wall’, and it’s incredible that it’s become the first Number 1 Bond theme song,” Smith mentioned during his interview with Official Charts. (Cited: http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/sam-smith-makes-history-with-first-ever-official-number-1-james-bond-theme-this-is-a-special-moment-i-ll-never-forget-__10891/).

The 23-year old singer was able to brush off Justin Bieber’s lead leaving his 13,000 sales in the dust. The stars of the English singer are very much aligned as it is not the first time he was able to reach the top spot for the Official Charts.

Not only does he capture audiences from his birth place but also international listeners. There is charm and sincerity in his lyrics and his voice conveys an appropriate message from the song he is singing. Let us emphasize that the versatility is there. Good heavens, the singer can reach high notes and can also work well with low keys.

http://laurenceourac.com/sam-smiths-writings-on-the-wall-out/

Zooming to Your Playlist – Rudimental

If you think that you’ve heard all the music genres ever played, then feast your ears on rare names such as jungle, breakbeat, liquid funk or drum and bass. It’s not every day that we are able to witness singers that defy the conventional, and it’s just as surprising that we get to adore them after a track has been played.

Truthfully, the new age of music has dawned on mankind and people who live in these current times can be considered lucky.

Hailing from the musically-inclined nation of Great Britain, the band Rudimental is slowly gaining appreciation from music lovers and experts. Starting out as a makeshift musical ensemble in 2010, the members of Rudimental have never thought of being as famous as they are now.

Technically, this very skilled group is a neophyte in the music scene due to their short tenure, but it’s apparent that their passion to perform would take them to better heights.

The esteemed members of Rudimental include Leon Rolle, Kesi Dryden, Piers Agget and Amir Amor, all willing to please their listeners and hordes of fans at all times. Aside from the aforementioned genres, the band is also well-known for their confident approach to the established music category of soul.

As for the fortunate music labels that handled them, firms like Asylum, Atlantic and Black Butter aided them to penetrate the seemingly crowded music industry. Their journey to stardom has been dotted with numerous accolades such as copping a coveted nomination at the Mercury Awards in 2013, and a growing list of recognitions from the likes of the much-awaited Mobo Awards and Brit Awards.

The respected MTV Music Awards has also shown their love for the band as they gave them nominations for Best New Act and Best New UK and Ireland Act.

It can be remembered that Rudimental became famous when they released a track entitled ‘Feel the Love’ in 2012. Shared with an equally talented singer John Newman, Feel the Love topped the UK Singles Hit Chart, gaining approval from the masses at that time.

Some of the other releases from Rudimental have been utterly successful, cementing their name as one of the most popular Brit bands of 2016. Tracks like Waiting All Night, Right Here, Free, Powerless and Not Giving In are so solid that music critics have dubbed them to be a relevant pop band that would innovate the way that we see or hear music in the future.

In total, Rudimental was able to release two albums, namely Home (2013) and We the Generation (2015), both of which placed well on music charts the across United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia and hopefully, worldwide.

http://laurenceourac.com/zooming-to-your-playlist-rudimental/

The Spunk of Pop Represented by Natasha Bedingfield

Twelve years ago, a girl named Natasha Bedingfield took the music industry by storm with her bold approach to pop and R&B. Though it was actually his brother Daniel Bedingfield who got into the lure of fame first, she followed unintentionally, yet it was worth the risk.

Natasha was quickly scouted by a well-known production and songwriting duo in mainstream music, Nathan Winkler and Michael Tafaro, to share her talent through an offer Bedingfield would surely be unable to resist: a ticket to stardom.

Born Natasha Anne Bedingfield, this British pop and R&B diva has been showering her fans with nothing but the best of her skill. Now aged 34, Natasha is pretty much still on the radar by means of TV guesting, being present in huge music events and songs dropped every now and then containing her golden, rough vocals.

Her spiky look and the voice accompanying this facade put her name on high pedestals, which was expected given how her career blossomed through time.

With some haggling and presenting to several music outfits, Natasha Bedingfield’s potential to become a great singer of her generation came into fruition when she released her first studio album entitled ‘Unwritten’ in September 2004.

This initial offering resounded through the halls of Hollywood and worldwide music, making it all the more special as artists like Nick Lachey, Guy Chambers, Wayne Wilkins, Danielle Brisebois and producer Kara DioGuardi collaborated to turn this dream album into reality. Not surprisingly, this upbeat pop album was appreciated for the freshness it delivered, topping several music lists such as the UK Singles Chart.

Some of the memorable singles that have established Natasha Bedingfield’s prowess as an artist include major tracks like ‘Single’ and the empowering song ‘Unwritten’. The album opened many doors to Bedingfield, getting her nominated on both the 2005 Brit Awards and the 2007 Grammy Awards for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Natasha Bedingfield stretched her career beyond what his brother reached and continued to excite her fans with 2 more albums, Pocketful of Sunshine (2008) and Strip Me Away (2011). Bedingfield found home in two musical outfits, namely Phonogenic and her recent association with Epic.

After a couple of production ventures, Bedingfield recently announced that she’s about to release her fourth album entitled ‘The Next Chapter’, which is currently in the works. Natasha has also been an active supporter of non-music organizations, making her acquainted with several people. Natasha’s first album reached the three million mark in sales, with her second and third albums just trailing behind.

Throughout her career, Natasha has won several accolades from different groups including BT Awards 2007’s Best Pop Artist, Glamour Awards’ UK Solo Artist of the Year in 2005, TMF Awards’ Best International New Artist in 2005 and two Capital FM Awards for her high-hitting tracks.

http://laurenceourac.com/the-spunk-of-pop-represented-by-natasha-bedingfield/

Six girls in F-VE Dolls

The glitz and the bling that surround KPOP make this genre very appealing especially for the younger generation. With this kind of music, the fashionable and eccentric clothes we usually get from dolls come to life. It’s like a fantasy creating form within the bounds of reality. Aside from that, the modelesque physiques and talent that arm KPOP performers make the genre glisten even more brightly.

KPOP girl group F-VE Dolls is one of the most famous acts in the genre. The band that was originally formed in 2011 was a subgroup of another band called Coed School. Contrary to their name, F-VE Dolls is composed of six members namely Hyoyoung, Seunghee, Yeonkyung, Hyewon, Eunkyo and Nayeon. Their girly fashion sense inspired by the preppy style of school dolls is one of the reasons why this girl group became noticeable above all other KPOP girl groups.

F-VE Dolls released their first singles entitled Lips Stains and I Mean You the same year they left from their mother group. Just like other celebrities, the group wasn’t able to get away from controversies as they were accused of the worst ‘crime’ any singer can commit – lip synching.

The band was able to go past this when they released their lead single Like This or That from their mini album called Time To Play. The song became an instant hit. This even made them 2011’s rookie of the year because of the success and sales volume their album generated.

The promising trail of their career continued years after as the band religiously released singles to feed their fans’ clamor. Their First Love mini album released in 2013 served as their comeback piece and an attempt to pacify rumors about parting ways.

Considered to be very premature given the years they’ve worked together, the band’s agency then confirmed that the circulating gossip was true when it was announced that the members will pursue different paths.

http://laurenceourac.com/six-girls-in-f-ve-dolls/

Primavera Sound 2016 Will Put You in a Musical Whirlwind

Spain is a country made famous by festivities and celebrations with loud, bursting music. The Spanish are known to be very accommodating people, and countless tales in Spain have been documented by first-hand experiences over the last couple of years. In every Spanish celebration comes a wide array of musical selections that are pleasing to the ears. Their rich culture, strong following and sheer piles of talent made music in Spain worth knowing.

The people of this country have treated music as if it flows directly from their veins, and in every activity that happens, the influence of sound and lyrics is a must. The mix of genres played and the wide plethora of artists who want to perform in the glory of this country can now be experienced under one celebration known as ‘Primavera Sound’.

Started in 2001, Primavera Sound is now an annual event taking place in the captivating city of Barcelona, attracting hordes of musical fanatics from all over the globe. Usually, this musical extravaganza is held between the months of May and June, conforming to the schedules of artists they will invite over.

Dubbed to be one of the largest music festivals in Spain, Primavera Sound is an event awaited by music lovers all over the planet due to its impressive set of artists and musicians together with the ambience of Barcelona. Primavera Sound is always specifically in the Parc Del Forum leisure site, a wide expanse of land meant for huge congregations.

Worldwide business mogul San Miguel is fortunate to be the festival’s official sponsor. The festival’s ability to gather foreign and local artists has been highlighted by analysts and tagged as the greatest asset behind its success for so many years.

Some of the music genres people can enjoy in Primavera Sound include alternative, rock, indie, dance, electronic and hip-hop. Primavera Sound also gives way to smaller genres such as folk, jazz and experimental music, giving festgoers a very memorable experience. The unbridled success of Primavera Sound has generated a visiting capacity of 100,000 since 2010.

If you can’t get enough of Primavera Sound in Barcelona, music lovers can immerse themselves in an instalment to be held in Porto, Portugal entitled ‘NOS Primavera Sound’. This has been a concept since Primavera Sound 2012, meant to reach a wider audience while using the same set of performers.

Some of the most notable performances that graced Primavera/NOS Primavera Sound include Sonic Youth, The National, Smashing Pumpkins, Neil Young, The Cure, Blur, Arcade Fire, Lou Reed, The White Stripes, Primal Scream and many more.

For 2016’s instalment, Primavera Sound will take place on June 1 to 5, with an amazing list of artists expected to perform. This year, organizers have been preparing for a larger number of attendees due to its hype from 2015.

Artists like Action Bronson, Young Husband, Chairlift, Wild Nothing, Explosions in the Sky, Freddie Gibbs, Siberian Wolves, Cabaret Voltaire, Alessandro Cortini, Baywaves, Angel Witch, Julia Holter, Optimo and Inspira are expected to set the stage on fire for this year’s edition.

http://laurenceourac.com/primavera-sound-2016-will-put-you-in-a-musical-whirlwind/