Diddy, Jay Z, Mary, Beyonce, Kevin Liles-Team Obama Campaign Trail. Yes We Did!

Musiq Soulchild – IfULeave video featuring Mary J. Blige from his new album On My Radio

Musiq Soulchild’s new album ON MY RADIO in stores December 9th

Big Boi – Sumthin’ Gotta Give video featuring Mary J. Blige from his new album Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty

Sundance Channel Presents:
Live From Abbey Road
Thursdays at 10:00pm EST

Episode 1 Premiers Thursday, June 19th

To kick off the second season of the Sundance Channel’s acclaimed original music series Live From Abbey Road, Mary J Blige, the “Queen of Hip Hop Soul”, will discuss her extraordinary way of combining hip-hop and soul, and perform hit songs such as lead single “Just Fine” off her latest album Growing Pains.

In addition, interviews from alternative rock band Dashboard Confessional talk about their experience at the legendary Abbey Road studio, and perform “Hands Down” from album A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar.

Last, but certainly not least, English singer-song writer James Blunt shines through with his mix of pop, rock and folk with “1973″, first single off All the Lost Souls, which reached number one on the World Singles Top 40.

Check out interview & performance clips -
*embed links available upon request
Mary J. Blige -
Interview: http://www.sundancechannel.com/videos/230323085
Performance: http://www.sundancechannel.com/videos/230323073

SUNDANCE CHANNEL TO PREMIERE SECOND SEASON OF ACCLAIMED MUSIC SERIES “LIVE FROM ABBEY ROAD” IN JUNE 12-Part Series Filmed At Legendary London Abbey Road Studios Acts Include Mary J. Blige, Sheryl Crow, Panic at the Disco, Def Leppard, Matchbox Twenty and Herbie Hancock

Premieres Thursday June 19th At 10:00pm ET/PT

New York, NY- Sundance Channel will premiere the second season of the acclaimed original music series “Live From Abbey Road” in June. The 12-part series features performances and interviews with musicians filmed at London’s legendary Abbey Road Studios. Season two of “Live From Abbey Road” airs on Thursdays at 10:00pm et/pt beginning June 19th.

“Live from Abbey Road” features performances by new and established A-list artists, with each one-hour episode offering three acts and a unique insight into the process of making music as they rehearse, discuss their work, and build towards the final exclusive performance. Artists on tap for Season 2 include: Mary J. Blige; Def Leppard; Matchbox Twenty; Dashboard Confessional; James Blunt; Rascal Flatts; Kate Nash; Herbie Hancock with Corinne Bailey Rae and Melody Gardot; Diana Krall; Stereophonics; Sheryl Crow; The Black Keys; David Gray, Suzanne Vega, Colbie Caillat, Joan Armatrading, Panic at the Disco; and Manu Chao. The series is produced by Michael Gleason and Peter van Hooke, directed by AJ Jankel and distributed worldwide by FremantleMedia Enterprises.

Reviewing the first season of “Live From Abbey Road” for The New York Daily News in June 2007, David Bianculli wrote, “If you love music, you’ll love this Sundance Channel show.”

For exclusive interviews and performances check out:
http://www.sundancechannel.com/studio

Line up for the first 8 episodes:
June 19 at 10:00pm et/pt
Mary J. Blige, Dashboard Confessional and James Blunt

June 26 at 10:00pm et/pt
Rascal Flatts, Kate Nash and Herbie Hancock with Corinne Bailey Rae and Melody Gardot

July 3 at 10:00pm et/pt
Panic at the Disco, David Gray and Suzanne Vega

July 10 at 10:00pm et/pt
Stereophonics, Colbie Caillat and Joan Armatrading

July 17 at 10:00pm et/pt
Sheryl Crow, Hard-Fi and Diana Krall

July 24 at 10:00pm et/pt
The Hoosiers, The Black Keys, Manu Chao

July 31 at 10:00pm et/pt
Matchbox Twenty, The Script, Def Leppard

August 7 at 10:00pm et/pt
Elbow, MGMT, Alanis Morissette

Atlanta, Georgia singer/ songwriter Keri Hilson is gearing up for her Mosely Music Group/ Zone 4/ Interscope Records debut, In A Perfect World…. In preparation of her long-awaited album, Keri has just released her official single, “Energy”. Currently the song is available on iTunes and has garnered a song placement on a nationwide Verizon V CAST commercial.

Before working on her debut, Hilson penned a string of hits for Britney Spears (”Gimme More”), Chris Brown (”Young Love”), Ciara (”Ooh Baby”), Danity Kane (”Want It”), Mary J. Blige (”Take Me As I Am”), Usher (”Red Light”), Omarion (”Ice Box”) and numerous others. Most notably, Keri is well-known for her work on Timbaland’s current release, Shock Value (”Miscommunication”, “Scream”, “The Way I Are”).

With her current song-writing success, Hilson promises to live up as an artist with her very own release, In A Perfect World…. Check out the official first single from the album, “Energy”.

LISTEN to Keri Hilson’s first single “Energy“

ATL beat maker Drumma Boy skillfully adds hard-hitting 808 bass lines explaining his impressive roster of South Eastern hip hop acts Jeezy, T.I. Young Joc, Rick Ross, Paul Wall, Plies, Rocko & Lil’ Jon as well as current hit singles “Put On” for Jeezy & Kanye West and beats for T.I.’s highly anticipated Paper Trail as the classically trained musical prodigy also spends studio time with Akon, Monica, Nelly, Brandy, Keyshia Cole, Mary J. Blige, Raheem Devaughn, Dionne Farris, Keri Hilson and more

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Talent can be defined in a myriad of ways. It can be an innate gift or a learned proficiency but occasionally, it’s a potent mixture of both, which happens to be the case with Christopher Gholson, the southern-reared producer and visionary who goes by the pseudonym Drumma Boy. Born and bred in Memphis, Tennessee, Drumma Boy’s destiny was solidified as a young child with a father who was a professional clarinetist, music professor at the University of Memphis and the first African-American man to hold the 1st chair position in the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. “My dad taught me everything I know about traditional music and had me playing the clarinet at age 5 but it was my mom that introduced me to Curtis Mayfield and 70’s oldie, so my style now is a reflection of all of that, classical, soul and street music.”

By college Drumma Boy had solidified a name for himself and was quickly becoming the most sought-after beat banger in Tennessee. Following in the footsteps of Memphis native and super-producer Jazze Pha (Ciara, Nelly, Ludacris, T.I), Drumma Boy relocated to Atlanta a few years ago after having worked with every major name and independent artist in his hometown. Now the 24 year-old musical prodigy skillfully adds crispy, hard-hitting 808 bass lines with gentle touches of rhythmic change and chord progression to each beat he passionately crafts. He composes thick and textured sounds that take some producers years to perfect. It takes a special kind of artist to rock with him, which explains his impressive roster of hip hop acts that include Young Jeezy, T.I., Kanye West, Nelly, Scarface, Yo Gotti, Eightball & MJG, Young Joc, Slim Thug, Rick Ross, E-40, Rocko, Paul Wall and Lil’ Jon. Drumma Boy is fresh, as in innovative and expressive but more importantly, he’s admirably great at pushing boundaries; taking the art form into new realms of abstraction.

His musicianship is incredible, having the ability to pour passion and conviction into whatever he does. His combination of multi-talent is one of many factors that separate him from the mainstream. His soul is soaked in the eccentricity of vintage Rhythm and Blues and P-Funk. He plays with this dichotomy of yesteryear classics and current trends to concoct sophisticated arrangements that fuse the arrogance of hip-hop with the slickness of R&B. The talented musician has not only fostered relationships with top notch artists such as Outkast, Trick Daddy, Cash Money, Pastor Troy and Killer Mike, but he also understands the importance of connecting with equally gifted writers, instrumentalists and producers like Johnta Austin and Jazze Pha. In 2003, Drumma Boy founded Drum Squad, an umbrella company that encompasses Drum Squad Records & Productions. This businessman on the rise is serious about his craft and professional alliances, forming a powerful movement that is sure to force other producers to step up their game.

The highly sought after rhythm architect is currently enjoying credit for new singles by Young Jeezy’s “Put On” featuring Kanye West which has proven to be one of the summer’s hottest anthems while other recent tracks include “Juice Box” from Gorilla Zoe (Atlantic Records), “Tomorrow” from Rocko (So So Def/Island Records) and “Here I Am” from Rick Ross f/ Nelly (Def Jam Records). This Fall 2008 Drumma will be known as the man responsible for several songs off T.I.’s highly anticipated Paper Trail (Grand Hustle/Atlantic) as well as tracks from Def Jam and multi-platinum recording artist Young Jeezy’s forthcoming album. With a gift to manufacture inimitable sounds the young virtuoso has been recruited into the studio this month with a wide range of artists including Monica, Brandy, Keyshia Cole, Mary J. Blige, Akon, Raheem Devaughn, Slim Thug, Rick Ross, Rich Boy, Keri Hilson, Plies, Dionne Farris and Jagged Edge.

Drumma Boy is famous for making diverse beats that range from rap, rock, classical and pop to soulful R&B ballads and gospel-inspired jams. He is as authentic as a creative artist can be, reading music with an educated ear while possessing the ability to instantly recognize the correct key. In addition to a learned knowledge, there is that burning desire he inherently possesses to win and maintain respect.

“Drumma Boy has a signature sound that can make an average artist sound great…truly he has grown into a “real producer” while some just “make beats” he has taken his sounds from the Hood 2 the Executive Suites and that’s the Bizniss” Jazze Pha

“Drumma Boy is up next!” T.I.

“Drumma Boy is the correct spelling for producer” Young Joc

“It’s clear Drumma has risen quickly to distinguish himself among the upper echelon of hip hop producers. His distinction lays with his classically trained ear along with his signature drum rolls and staggering 808’s.” The Source Magazine

“When you hear one of Drumma Boy’s beats, you don’t just listen. You feel the 808 street bass, symphonic influences, horns and stirring string section. Hard knocking tracks like Young Jeezy’s “I Am the Realist” and “Standing Ovation” and Gangsta Boo’s stammering “Stacks on Deck’ and “Queen of the South” are prime examples of Drumma Boy’s limitless musical originality. Drumma’s present and future are as bright as the sun.” Grip Magazine

“With a penchant for chest-beating percussion and attitude-drenched synths, Drumma and his Drum Squad production unit have built a hefty catalog, including Scarface’s “Recognize,” Boyz N Da Hood’s “Trap Niggaz,” Paul Wall’s “Gimmie Dat,” and most recently, Plies & T-Pain’s “Shawty.” But it was really his work on Jeezy’s first album, “Thug Motivation 101”, that got the industry’s attention.” Scratch Magazine

“Atlanta producer Drumma Boy got his start as a producer and beat writer in his early teens. His mother and father both worked in music and gave him a solid grounding in the fundamentals. A few years go he made the move from Memphis to Atlanta where he began to network with the likes of Outkast and Trick Daddy.” Music Connection Magazine

“”Put On” is the first single from the forthcoming Jeezy album, and it’s a Jeezy track through and through up until the end with epically gothic Drumma Boy synth-twinkles.” Village Voice

“Drumma Boy is an exceptional young talent. Rarely is one able to identify producers who are not only able to create a unique sound with Hip Hop, but R&B as well. Drumma represents the grind. He represents the now. He represents…the future!” Johnta Austin

“Drumma Boy has his ear to the street because his sound is just that!! A very versatile producer and business man, he is hip hop’s “go to” man for a gritty visualistic sound. A producer can only dream of a resume like his.” DJ Drama

“Drumma Boy is one of the most driven producers out of Atlanta, with uniquely different beats.” LeToya Luckett

Jay-Z & Mary J. Blige – You’re All Welcome video

Another soon-to-be classic album from the Queen of Hip Hop and R&B, Mary J. Blige, will hit stores in less than one week on December 18! This album is incredible, don’t sleep on it! Producers on the album include Bryan-Micheal Cox, Jazze Pha, Tricky Stewart, The Dream and The Neptunes. Check out the tracklist below….

“Growing Pains” Tracklist
1. Work That
2. Grown Woman Featuring Ludacris
3. Just Fine
4. Feel Like A Woman
5. Stay Down
6. Hurt Again
7. Shake Down Featuring Usher
8. Till The Morning
9. Roses
10. Fade Away
11. What Love Is
12. Work In Progress (Growing Pains)
13. Talk To Me
14. If You Love Me?
15. Smoke
16. Come To Me (Peace)

Scroll down for all album credits…

MARY J. BLIGE
GROWING PAINS
IN STORES DECEMBER 18
GEFFEN RECORDS
ORDER HERE

“Growing Pains” Album Credits:

Work That
Produced by Theron Otis Feemster for Feemstar Music, Inc
Co produced by Sean “The Pen” Garrett for The Practice: Team S. Dot
Written by Mary J. Blige, Theron Otis Feemster & Sean Garrett
Publishers: Mary J. Blige Music/ Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP); Zomba-Universal- Music Publishing/ Feemstro (ASCAP); Team S. Dot Publishing (BMI)/ Hitco Music (BMI)

Grown Woman featuring Ludacris
Produced by “Dejoin”
Written by Mary J. Blige, Terius Nash, Dejoin Madison & Christopher Bridges
Publishers: Mary J. Blige Music/ Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP); 2082 Music Publishing (ASCAP); Dejoin Music (ASCAP); Ludacris Worldwide Publishing/ EMI April Music Inc. (ASCAP)

Just Fine
Produced by C. Tricky Stewart for RedZone Entertainment & Jazze Pha for Futuristic Entertainment
Lyrics and melody by Mary J. Blige & The Dream
Music by C. “Tricky” Stewart & Jazze Pha
Publishers: Mary J. Blige Music/ Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP); Songs of Peer/March 9th Publishing (ASCAP); Bubba Gee Music/Warner Chappell Music Publishing (BMI); 2082 Music/WB Music Publishing (ASCAP)

Feel Like A Woman
Produced by Theron Otis Feemster
Written by Mary J. Blige, Theron Otis Feemster & Terius Nash
Publishers: Mary J. Blige Music/ Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP); Zomba-Universal- Music Publishing/ Feemstro (ASCAP); 2082 Music/WB Music Publishing (ASCAP)

Stay Down
Produced by Bryan-Michael Cox for Blackbaby Entertainment, Inc.
Written by Mary J. Blige, Bryan-Michael Cox, & Johnta Austin
Publishers: Mary J. Blige Music/ Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP); WBM Music Corp. o./b/o itself and Songs In The Key Of B Blat Inc. Noontime South (SESAC); Naked Under My Clothes/ Chrysalis Music Publishing (ASCAP)

Hurt Again
Produced by Andre Harris and Vidal Harris for Vidal/Dre Productions
Written by Mary J. Blige, Andre Harris, Vidal Davis, Brian Sledge
Publishers: Mary J. Blige Music/ Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP): Dirty Dre Music/Universal (ASCAP); Lil Vidal Music/Universal (ASCAP); Brian Sledge Publishing Designee

Shake Down featuring Usher
Produced by C. Tricky Stewart for RedZone Entertainment & Jazze Pha for Futuristic Entertainment
Lyrics and melody by Mary J. Blige, The Dream & U. Raymond
Music by C. “Tricky” Stewart & Jazze Pha
Publishers: Mary J. Blige Music/ Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP); Songs of Peer/March 9th Publishing (ASCAP); Bubba Gee Music/Warner Chappell Music Publishing (BMI); 2082 Music/WB Music Publishing (ASCAP); Melodic Music (ASCAP) /EMI

Till The Morning
Produced by The Neptunes
Written by Pharrell Williams
Publishers: Waters of Nazareth Publishing/EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI)

Roses
Produced by C. Tricky Stewart for RedZone Entertainment
Lyrics and melody by Mary J. Blige & The Dream
Music by C. “Tricky” Stewart
Publishers: Mary J. Blige Music/ Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP); Songs of Peer/March 9th Publishing (ASCAP); 2082 Music/WB Music Publishing (ASCAP)

Fade Away
Produced by SatrGate for Delirious Blacksmith Management, Ltd
Co Produced by Ne-Yo for Compound Entertainment, LLC
Written by Mary J. Blige, T.E. Hermansen & M.S. Eriksen
Lyrics written by Ne-Yo
Publishers: Mary J. Blige Music/Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP); Pen In The Ground Publishing (ASCAP) adm. by Universal Songs -Z Songs; Sony ATV Music Publishing (ASCAP); EMI Music Publishing (ASCAP)

What Love Is
Produced by StarGate for Delirious Blacksmith Management Ltd.
Co Produced by Ne-Yo for Compound Entertainment, LLC
Written by Mary J. Blige, T.E. Hermansen & M.S. Eriksen
Lyrics written by Ne-Yo
Publishers: Mary J. Blige Music/Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP); Pen In The Ground Publishing (ASCAP) adm. by Universal Songs -Z Songs; Sony ATV Music Publishing (ASCAP); EMI Music Publishing (ASCAP)

Work In Progress (Growing Pains)
Produced by Chuck Harmony for Compound Entertainment, LLC
Co-Produced by Ne-Yo for Compound Entertainment, LLC
Written by Chuck Harmony
Lyrics by Ne-Yo
Publishers: Pen In The Ground Publishing (ASCAP) adm. by Universal Songs -Z Songs; Chuck harmony’s House Publishing (ASCAP)/ Strauss Co., Inc. (ASCAP) adm. by EMI April Music Inc.

Talk To Me
Produced by Eric Hudson for Just E. Productions Group, LLC
Written by Mary J. Blige, Eric Hudson, Johnta Austin, Verdine & Robert Wright
Publisher: Mary J. Blige Music/Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP); E. Hudson Music, LLC, admin. by Warner Tamerlane (BMI); Naked Under My Clothes/ Chrysalis Music Publishing (ASCAP); Verdine White Music (BMI); Verdine White Songs (ASCAP)

If You Love Me?
Produced by Bryan-Michael Cox for Blackbaby Entertainment, Inc.
Written by Bryan-Michael Cox & Johnta Austin
Publishers: WBM Music Corp. o./b/o itself and Songs In The Key Of B Blat Inc. Noontime South (SESAC); Naked Under My Clothes/ Chrysalis Music Publishing (ASCAP)

Smoke
Produced by Syience for Stayfresh Music, Inc./Rokk World Music Group/ Compound entertainment
Co-Produced by Ne-Yo for Compound Entertainment LLC
Written by Reggie Perry
Lyrics written by Ne-Yo
Publishers: Reggie Perry Music (ASCAP); Pen In The Ground Publishing (ASCAP) adm. by Universal Songs- Z Songs

Come To Me (Peace)
Produced by C. “Tricky” Stewart for RedZone Entertainment
Lyrics and melody by Mary J. Blige & The Dream
Music by “C. “Tricky” Stewart & Kuk Harrell

MARY J. BLIGE NEW ALBUM GROWING PAINS IN STORES DECEMBER 18TH APPLE I-POD AND CHEVROLET AD CAMPAIGNS ROCK WITH MARY AT THE FOREFRONT CHECK OUT PERFORMANCES BY MARY THIS WEEK, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6TH ON “CNN HEROES: ALL-STAR TRIBUTE” AND FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7TH ON “MOVIES ROCK” ON CBS

Geffen Records superstar and hit-making songwriter Mary J. Blige, is set to follow-up the most successful album of her career, the triple platinum The Breakthrough, with her eighth (8th) studio CD Growing Pains on Tuesday, December 18th, one week before Christmas.

Growing Pains includes her top ten single “Just Fine” which has become an instant favorite on radio enjoyed by over 20 million listeners. “Just Fine” is in heavy rotation on MTV, BET and VH-1, and Mary recently shot the video for her second single, “Work That,” which is currently featured in an Apple iPod commercial.

After selling over 40 million CDs and garnering six Grammy Awards during her phenomenal 15-year career, Mary is confident that her fans will not be disappointed with Growing Pains. “They’re going to get a sense of what my state of mind is and how I view the world,” she says. “And hopefully, most of all, they’re going to hear just the sincere honesty and love that I have for them.” She adds, “Growing Pains represents accepting that there’s pain that goes along with growing and change. No pain, no gain.”

Growing Pains, with Mary co-writing most of the songs on the album, features guest appearances by Ludacris and Usher and production by The Neptunes, Jazze Pha, Johnta Austin, Neyo, Stargate, Bryan-Michael Cox, Dre and Vidal, Tricky, Dream, and Sean Garrett.

Mary makes her message loud, clear and seriously funky on the first release “Just Fine” produced by Jazze Pha and Tricky and co-written by Mary and Dream. A celebration of life, “Just Fine” gives you Mary fierce, and as the video shows, glamorous. The song’s vibe? “Sometimes it feels like you’re having this miserable time, like all 365 days of the year are tough. But then, you get one of those days; maybe when your hair is great, or you’re not stuck in traffic; where it’s a ‘just fine’ day. At some point,” Mary laughs, “You’ve got have one or two of those.”

The party and positivity keeps on keeping on with the rump shaking second single “Work That.” Mary comments, “When I meet a woman who doesn’t know what to do about her weight or her hair I always say – ‘whatever it is that you have, make that work for you, Work what you got.’”

After releasing her bestselling anthology Reflections last year, Growing Pains is Mary’s first CD of new material since The Breakthrough debuted at #1 in 2005, selling over 700,000 copies its first week — the best opening week for a solo R&B female artist in SoundScan history. The album’s first single, “Be Without You,” also made chart history by holding down the #1 spot on the Billboard R&B charts for a record breaking 16 straight weeks; making it the longest-running No. 1 song on the R&B chart in over 40 years. Mary led all artists with eight 2007 Grammy nominations for the landmark album, and she took home honors for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song (both for “Be Without You”), and Best R&B Album. After earning three Grammy Awards, she continued her award show domination by winning nine Billboard Music Awards, two American Music Awards, two BET Awards, two NAACP Image Awards, and a Soul Train Award. The Breakthrough lived up to its name selling over seven million copies worldwide.

You can witness the incredible magic of Mary J. Blige on television this week as she performs on “CNN Heroes: All All-Star Tribute” on December 6th and “Movies Rock!” on CBS on December 7th (both at 9 PM Eastern time).

Mary will also bring in 2008 on New Year’s Eve on MTV.