Rock The Bells 2010 Guerilla Union Press Conference

This is a portion of Monday's press conference courtesy of Nerdlike. As it was announced, Rock The Bells 2010 will have a 'classic album' format.

Eric B. & Rakim performing Paid In Full
Slick Rick performing The Great Adventures of Slick Rick
KRS-One performing Criminal Minded
Wu-Tang Clan performing Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers

...and for those who are lucky enough to attend this will be a once in a lifetime event for sure.

Artists confirmed for the ROCK THE BELLS 2010 FESTIVAL SERIES as follows:
Wu-Tang Clan
Rakim
KRS-One
Slick Rick
Street Sweeper Social Club
Murs and 9th Wonder
Wiz Khalifa
Clipse
Immortal Technique
Jedi Mind Tricks
Brother Ali
DJ Muggs and Ill Bill
Big Sean
Yelawolf

Hosted by
Supernatural
DJ Rocky Rock

For more info about Rock The Bells 2010:
Rock The Bells 2010

Big Boi At The 'Sir Lucious Leftfoot' Paris, France Press Conference

Big Boi Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty on Island/Def Jam arrives July 6.

Konvict Music Signs First African Artist To Music Label

via Ameyaw Debrah

Hiplife artist Sarkodie has been making a lot of headlines in recent times concerning his signing of a deal that would see him join world class artists on one of the fastest growing music labels in the world, Konvict Music. On Saturday January 6, Konvict Music Africa made it official by outdooring the fastest rapper in Ghana as the proud new signee on a label that seeks to tap into the rich and diverse music talent that Africa has, and projecting or promoting these talents to an international audience.

Answering questions from the press, Babs the President of Konvict International assured Ghanaians that the deal is real and together with the Konvict Music brand, he would make an international artist out of Sarkodie without changing too much about the artist. Babs cited the challenges of doing music in Africa and promoting it in the international market; with particular mention of the lack of support from fellow Ghanaians.

Sarkodie on his part said he was excited about the potentials of the record deal and hoped that everything would turn out right. He said that he has no doubts about Babs, and all he can do is to wait patiently believing that Konvict Music Africa would help him to achieve his dreams. It is however not clear whether Konvict Music Africa was or would be involved in the production of Sarkodie’s sophomore album, ‘Rapaholic’, which is set for release soon.

According Babs, who is a US-based Ghanaian entrepreneur responsible for the success story of Fubu Jeans and other businesses across Europe and America, Duncwills Entertainment, headed by ace radio presenter Dr Duncan remains as the managing label for Sarkodie. Babs was however quick to add that if the business of Duncwillls Entertainment hinders the business of Konvict Music Africa in any way with respects to Sarkodie, he would not hesitate to stop working with the label. According to Babs, Konvict Music Africa would operate in South Africa and Nigeria where their music industry is better structured.

Julius Ossom, A&R for Konvict Music Africa and also the publisher of Ghanamixtapes.com, hinted of an upcoming music seminar that would educate musicians and industry players about how to make the sector grow. The seminar would also serve as an opportunity to discover more talents for Konvict Music Africa.

Photos from the press conference here:
Konvict Music: Sarkodie signing press conference

Jay-Z Debuts DJ Hero At NYC Press Conference

Jay-Z press conference for the DJ Hero video game product launch at the Plaza Hotel in NYC Monday, October 26.

via the press release

National, USA (PRWEB) October 26, 2009 -- Expanding upon the revolutionary easy to pick up/challenging to master gameplay mechanics developed and refined in Guitar Hero, DJ Hero delivers an all-new interactive music experience that allows players to start the party and not only experience, but to hear music in an all-new way. With over 100 individual songs, highlighted in 93 unique never-before-released mixes that blend genres of music, including hip-hop, pop, rock and dance, DJ Hero delivers the most diverse and international collection of music ever assembled in a music game by incorporating anthems from legendary artists.

And who better to kick off this groundbreaking game than with the king of hip-hop, Jay-Z. DJ Hero Renegade Edition not only Features Jay-Z but also rap legend Eminem. In addition to the DJ Hero game, the Renegade Edition includes a premium Renegade turntable controller, hardshell turntable carrying case that converts to a performance-ready DJ stand, and an exclusive Jay-Z and Eminem 2-CD pack featuring both best-of and new, unreleased tracks.

Created exclusively for DJ Hero, the turntable controller immerses fans into the DJ culture and a sea of music as they utilize and master various DJ techniques including scratching, crossfading and sampling, while leaving room for creative expression with a variety of effects and player chosen samples and scratches, transforming a face in the crowd into the life of the party.

DJ Hero also features songs from 50 Cent, Beastie Boys, Black Eyed Peas, Marvin Gaye, Rihana, The Killers, Foo Fighters, Queen and many more.

Footage includes Jay-Z playing DJ Hero, Soundbites with Jay-Z and DJ Hero Game Footage.
source

More photos here:
Wire Image
Getty Images

Learn more about DJ Hero here:
DJ Hero

DJ Hero in stores October 27 visit your Activision game dealer.

Bone Thugs N Harmony Announces 'Uni5: The Worlds Enemy' Release At Press Conference

via the Examiner by Hamlet Pericles

While the group’s 1995 hit song “1st of Tha Month” played in the background, each member showed up and took his seat. Flesh-n-Bone showed up first, followed by Layzie Bone, Wish Bone, Krayzie Bone, and Bizzy Bone.

The press conference started off pretty well, because the questions were coming from the attendees present (i.e., the press). That all changed when the questions from fans started streaming in from online. This is when the press conference shifted and had an uncanny and amateurish ambiance.

Later in the press conference...

The third strange question concerned donuts; yes donuts: “Where do y’all go for donuts?”

By far, this question was horrible and received some laughs, not to mention some strange faces by the members. The members that responded, however, had the presence of mind to keep their responses short and moved on, for they knew the question was meaningless and only presented by a fan to generate laughter. Unfortunately, the moderator felt the need to present the question.

In essence, the press conference began with fans not knowing much about the album and ended with fans not knowing much about the album. The only important information that came from this press conference was the release date of Uni5: The World’s Enemy, December 15, 2009.

For what Bone Thugs-N-Harmony has done in the music industry for 15 years and counting, they deserved a press conference better than what they were given – and the group’s Brand Engine management team did not present that utmost professionalism at all. Rather, an amateurish press conference was organized, which makes perfect sense why the members looked uninterested and uncomfortable at times.

Seeing the members side by side was an impressive sight, however. Each member handled himself well with the situation that he was put into, and did an amazing job with the questions that he was presented.

Read the full article here:
Examiner - Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's reunion press conference, moderator debacle

See PHOTOS from the press conference here:
Getty Images

Wyclef Uses Branding, Partnerships and Music For Charitable Organization

Wyclef Jean unveiled a new charitable partnership with clothing and footwear company Timberland today (Sept. 24) during an Advertising Week Q&A session conducted by Billboard editorial director Bill Werde at the Times Center in New York.

For every pair of Timberland boots sold, $2 will be donated to Jean's Yele Haiti Foundation, which will help aid reforestation in that country. "I really think that we're going to sell a whole lot of boots and I really think we're going plant a whole lot of trees in Haiti," Jean said during the afternoon session.

Jean touched on a number of other topics during the Q&A, including his next planned releases, upcoming deals with other mega-brands and the work he's doing to help Haitian students through his foundation.

A day earlier, the artist attended the Clinton Global Initiative in New York -- spearheaded by former President Bill Clinton -- to discuss college scholarships for Haitian students in need.

Additionally, Jean will be the new face of Western Union for the next 16 months. The partnership launches Nov. 2 at an event in Times Square. Tomorrow (Sept. 25), he will join Avril Lavigne and Brad Paisley for a commercial shoot for upcoming T-Mobile television spots. "A deal like T-Mobile brings the brand of Wyclef Jean and makes it relevant," Jean said.

Despite his busy schedule with branding opportunities and charity work, Jean is releasing a mix tape on Nov. 12, and he premiered two tracks at the panel. One of the tracks, "Suicide Love," features Eve, who joined Jean onstage at Billboard's Amp'D Up Advertising Week kickoff event on Monday (Sept. 21) at the Nokia Theater, which Jean headlined. Jean will release a self-titled album in March.

Photos from the press conference/Q&A:
Getty Images

Article:
billboard.biz

A&R Power Summit Urban Artist and Repertoire 2009

Our final installment of the A&R Power Summit panel on A&R recently held in NYC May 2nd & 3rd.
These are the guys who find talent and sign artists to their respective labels.

part 1


part 2


part 3


part 4


part 5

A&R Power Summit Urban Marketing Panel 2009

More footage from the A&R Power Summit May 2nd & 3rd 2009. Some valuable music industry information dispensed right here.

part 1


part 2


part 3


part 4


part 5

Akon in South Africa (video)

Press conference in Johaneseburg speaking about shooting his new music video in Soweto and promoting his Konvict clothing line.



Akon meets South African President Jacob Zuma on his recent trip.