It seems like Beyoncé loves to keep fans on their toes, which is why you never know when the iconic pop star will bless the music world with some new material. But one thing is for sure: the Bey Hive swarms on anything Beyoncé related, new or old.
The Hive can rejoice as Queen Bey hit iTunes and Tidal Wednesday night (Feb. 21) to surprise-drop a pleasant remix to the I Am... Sasha Fierce smash hit "Sweet Dreams." While this year marks a decade since the album's release, the official anniversary won't come until November. Whatever the reason for the release may be, there's not much fans can do but theorize while bopping to the new hip-hop tinged mix of the elctro-synth smash. Bey has been in and out of the spotlight lately, but has enjoyed a strong 2017, topping the Billboard Hot 100 alongside Ed Sheeran with their duet of Sheeran's "Perfect," which is still comfortably sitting at No. 2 (chart dated Feb. 24). Listen to the "Sweet Dreams" remix below.
0 Comments
Whether you're a bedroom producer or a mainstage DJ and producer, more than likely you're already familiar with remix competitions. Remix competitions are great ways for upcoming artists to gain attention and put themselves in the spotlight while allowing more well-known artists to get new content to release for this hit singles.
For newer producers, there aren't many downsides to entering remix competitions. While you may not win, there aren't going to be any real negative repercussions. With so many different websites out there for remix competition, we've compiled 5 places to submit your remixes to online. What To Submit To Remix Competitions?Remix competitions are either put on by the artist or a record label. Most remix competitions will accept all genres of remixers, but it really depends on the label's prior tastes and influences as to whether or not you'll win. Whether or not you win, use the feedback that the judges give you for your specific remix. 1. WavoWavo is best known for its native ad platform for music producers around the world. As their ad platform has the ability to reach millions of fans around the world, Wavo also sponsors remix competitions from some of today's biggest artists. In the past, Wavo has held remix competitions for artists such as Petit Biscuit, Slow Magic, Galantis, Martin Solveig, Tritonal, Dillon Francis, Manila Killa, and a handful of other artists. 2. SpliceSplice is a music producer's best friend. The cloud platform has enabled music producers around the world the ability to create, collaborate and share music with Splice. In addition to the cloud platform, Splice has held remix competitions from time to time. In the past, Splice has held remix competitions for artists such as Krane, Nicky Romero, Morgan Page, Unlike Pluto, tydi, Infected Mushroom, Rain Man, and Laidback Luke. 3. MetapopMetaPop is best known for its remix competitions that offer free stems. It's well-known for music producers as a place for remix competitions, producer challenges, receiving feedback and encouragement on tracks. In the past, Metapop has held remix competitions for Scotty Boy, Culture Code, Astrale, Cosmic Gate, and Markus Schulz. 4. SKIOSKIO is a marketplace for producers to create new songs together and remix the songs they love. With their collection of Mentor Mondays and the ability to connect with other artists, SKIO has a been a staple for music producers around the world. In the past, SKIO has hosted remix competitions for Westwood Recordings, Buygore Records, Borgeous, ill Gates, and Heroic Records. 5. Indaba MusicIndaba Music encourages its users to make music every day. Indada provides their musicians with the resources and opportunities in order to make the songs that people love. In addition to their listening party and community, Indaba hosts a handful of remix competitions. Indaba has hosted remix competitions for artists such as Big Boi, The Him, Rebulution, and The Chainsmokers. RIP
Tributes have been paid to grime MC Stormin, who has passed away after a battle with skin cancer. The MC was a member of DnB crew SASASAS, but also occasionally branched out to work with grime producers along with his solo work. He was also an original member of N.A.S.T.Y Crew – alongside artists such as Kano and BBK’s Jammer. He was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2016, and discussed his battle with the illness as a “fight I will win”. Paying tribute, Rag N Bone Man said: “Very sad news! RIP Stormin”. Other tributes came from BBC Radio 1Xtra, who previously showcased his music on their station. “I can admit I have done some bad things in my time but I’ve also done some major good so I ask myself why have I been given this card in life, skin cancer”, he said at the time of his diagnosis. “Is it a test? No it’s a fight I will win”. In November 2016, he revealed that he was seemingly cancer free and described the feeling as “unreal”. But on January 24, he shared an Instagram photo of himself in hospital, confirming that he was unable to swallow or breathe properly. His last post came 10 days ago and showed him in a hospice bed. ByNick Reilly You probably haven’t heard of H.E.R. and that’s just how she likes it. The US star may be a favourite of Rihanna and be preparing for a sold-out UK run – but her identity has been kept deliberately under wraps. Her real name – Gabi Wilson – was reluctantly revealed in an interview last year, over a year since her debut EP ‘H.E.R. Volume 1’ came out. Every picture of her on Instagram is paired with dark sunglasses and a hand over her face. The music, quite literally, is doing the talking.
But with the success she’s starting to have – like the millions of streams on recent single ‘My Song’ – she’s starting to open up. “Eventually it had to start happening. Everything is impossible to avoid as far as privacy and information being out there, but I live a very private life,” the 20-year-old says over the phone from her Brooklyn pad. Privacy may be the primary reason for this withdrawal, but the name and idea behind it point to something far bigger than her. “I feel empowered in a way. I can be a voice and a message as opposed to poster child or a face,” she says. H.E.R. isn’t just interested in empowering herself though. “It made sense to me to name my project H.E.R. and be a voice for women, but learn to be honest with myself and be comfortable with my vulnerability.” It’s not just the vulnerability her music tackles, but also understanding and being proud of self-worth, as demonstrated on twinkling ballad ‘Losing’, on which she sings: “my ambition is attractive/my aggression isn’t passive”. Keeping things on the downlow is nothing new for H.E.R. Growing up in Vallejo, California she says that this private “loner” mentality has been with her all her life. “I would play outside and everyone would go out but I would rather be inside watching the Prince concert DVD and learning how to play guitar.” Her homework proved worthwhile. A record deal with RCA came aged 14, but H.E.R. has deliberately been taking things at her own pace. “I needed the freedom to find myself and figure out who I was and grow up” she says. “I’m 20 now and I’ve grown so much even in the past five years but from the beginning it was always about figuring out exactly who it is I wanted to be, how I was going to tell my story, but I had to live life first. I like to tell my story, be really honest and not be a character or anything.” And told it well she has. Her two EPs ‘H.E.R. Volumes 1 & 2’ make for a heartbreaking listen – one on which H.E.R. pours every emotion into powerful ballads and slinking R&B numbers. As a result she’s picked up fans in Bryson Tiller, Pusha T and the mighty Rihanna – who posted a clip to Instagram of her listening to H.E.R.’s song ‘Focus’ last year. “Honestly I was blown away because it was more than just a simple ‘I like this song post’ – it was the ultimate video for ‘Focus’,” she explains. “Her hair was blowing in the wind, it was just this really majestic video. It’s crazy that this huge, iconic female artist is giving me props and showing love in that way. “I just felt like ‘wow, I’ve done something special’.” Now, she’s dreaming of collaborations with Miguel, Stevie Wonder and even Coldplay’s Chris Martin, and an album is in the works. But for now, H.E.R. is just happy to help articulate some of the emotions and experiences women her age have. “I felt like I was the only person that was going through these things and that felt this way and it was almost comforting for me to know that people could identify with the words I was saying, especially woman of all ages and all people.” Manchester, o2 Ritz (March 8) London, Koko (March 9 & 20) Birmingham, O2 Academy (March 10) London, Shepherds Bush (March 21) By Thomas Smith Bassist Sam Douglas will take over vocal duties Vocalist Mikey Chapman has parted ways with Mallory Knox, the band have confirmed. The singer, who has been part of Mallory Knox since their inception in 2009, put out three records with the group – 2013 debut ‘Signals’, 2014’s ‘Asymmetry’ and ‘Wired’, released last year. “After nearly 9 years together, today we announce that Mikey has decided to part ways with Mallory Knox,” the band said in a statement. “As a band we respect his decision and wish him well for the future.” Rather than replace Chapman, assist Sam Douglas will take up vocal duties moving forward – check out the band’s new look line-up below. In addition to the big news, the band have revealed a bunch of intimate tour dates – check out those below.
Mon April 16 2018 – BRIGHTON Haunt Tue April 17 2018 – CARDIFF Globe Wed April 18 2018 – EXETER Cavern Fri April 20 2018 – STOKE Sugarmill Sun April 22 2018 – GLASGOW King Tuts Wah Wah Hut Mon April 23 2018 – MANCHESTER Rebellion Tue April 24 2018 – BIRMINGHAM Mama Rouxs Thu April 26 2018 – NOTTINGHAM Bodega Last year, Chapman discussed the changing face of mental health discourse with NME. The band deal with their own struggles with depression and anti-depressants on their recent single ‘Better Off Without You’. “People have said that we’ve expressed their feelings amazingly well, or opened them up to thinking in a different way. They’ve thanked us for even just highlighting it,” the singer told NME. “There’s just this undertow of ‘lets not talk about it because we don’t understand it’ in our society at the moment, and it still feels like the elephant in the room. A lot of people don’t understand because mental health is a very subjective thing and it’s a very difficult thing to understand if you haven’t been through it yourself. People find it very difficult to talk about. “I know a lot of people like Stormzy and Professor Green have spoken out about it quite prevalently. It’s allowing mental health to become a comfortable conversation about because people they look up to are being open about it. Our music helping with the understanding and promotion of mental health awareness is an incredible thing, and a wonderful bi-product of something we wrote to help ourselves.” By Tom Connick |
Karlito YaYoBringing You the Best Global Music Gossip. Archives
January 2024
Categories |