HRS News

New music this week includes Def Jam’s youngest artist Mic Little (13 years old) whom some folks think sounds like vintage Michael Jackson (before the whiteness and weirdness). We agree. This is classic stuff. The track, “Put It In A Letter” was written by Ne-Yo. We’ll definitely be hearing more of this young artist.
AUDIO: Mic Little – “Put It In A Letter” Windows|Real
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And speaking of raw, new talent, here’s Johnta Austin with the remix of  of “Turn It Up” featuring Jada Kiss:

AUDIO: Johnta Austin “Turn It Up” featuring Jada Kiss Windows|Real

And in case you still haven’t heard or seen the original, here’s the video featuring Jermaine Dupri.

VIDEO: Johnta Austin “Turn It Up” featuring Jermaine Dupri Windows|Real
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Sleepy Brown‘s Mr. Brown dropped this week and you can check out the new single from it called “Till (Your Legs Start Shaking).” You can also hear the whole set from the retro crooner here.

AUDIO: Sleepy Brown – “Till (Your Legs Start Shaking)” Windows|Real
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From his upcoming El Mariel, the outspoken Pitbull drops “Ay, Chico,” the follow up to “Bojangles.” The album, inspired by politics and social issues in both the U.S. and Cuba (although you would never know that from this licky-licky club track) will drop October 31 (Halloween).

AUDIO: Pitbull “Ay, Chico” Windows|Quicktime
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Due November 7, Cadillac Don and J-Money‘s upcoming album, Look At Me, boasts the track “Peanut Butter & Jelly” featuring Paul Wall and Bun B. It offers the obligatory Casio-sounding keyboard clink and serves as great example of how your guests can steal your own song:

AUDIO: Windows|Quicktime

http://www.myspace.com/miclittle.com

http://www.myspace.com/johntaaustin

http://www.sleepybrown.com

Although he’s one of the newest artists signed to T.I.’s Grand Hustle label, there’s nothing new about R&B/soul prophet Governor (hear his shoutout) or his spine-tingling vocals.

After having endured the fires of family tragedy and numerous career set-backs, the self-proclaimed “country boy” emerges, undefeated and swaggering, wielding his mainstream debut Son Of Pain, an ecclesiastical opus evoking the soul legends of the past while embracing the streetwise grit of the now.

Aptly titled, the set’s massively blues-drenched lead single “Blood, Sweat & Tears” speaks to indescribable despair and transcendent redemption. With the lyric “In ’74 mama pulled the trigger,” the songwriter paints a world of hurt referring to when his mother committed suicide while he was still a baby. He spoke candidly about how this heartrending experience shaped and inspired his life.

“It instilled in me a desire to never quit,” an emotional Governor revealed to HRS. “No matter hard hard things get.”

Check our exclusive audio interview with Governor and peep a review of his album.

Audio interview

Son Of Pain review

Official Governor site

Governor’s myspace

Pop legend Dionne Warwick is gearing up for a special performance at Manhattan’s famed Lincoln Center that will benefit US children.

Featuring special guest Peabo Bryson, the show will take place Sunday, November 19, at 7:30 PM, with proceeds going to Love Our Children USA, an organization dedicated to preventing violence against children and strengthening families.

That same evening Warwick will receive the NABFEME Shero award from the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment (NABFEME). The award is the organization’s highest honor and historically awarded to professional women “whose career achievements have opened doors, set new standards and built the foundation for the careers women in music and entertainment enjoy today.” Past honorees include Suzanne de Passe, Patti LaBelle, Valerie Simpson, Slyvia Rhone, Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole and more.

The concert will see Warwick perform classic hits such as “That’s What Friends Are For,” “Don’t Make Me Over,” “Do You Know The Way To San Jose,” “Walk On By,” and “I Say A Little Prayer.” It will also be the first time Bryson and Warwick have appeared on the same bill.

Tickets range from $45 to $135. The $135 ticket price includes the post concert reception. Tickets can be purchased through CenterCharge at 212-721-6500; online at www.whiteweldconcerts.org; or at the Avery Fisher Hall box office.

In related news, Warwick’s upcoming set, My Friends and Me, is scheduled to drop in November and features a gaggle of guests including Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Gloria Estefan, Toni Braxton, Cyndi Lauper, Celia Cruz, and her granddaughter Cheyenne Elliot. Warwick also appeared on the singing show Celebrity Duets and her life’s work was recently the focus of a hit musical, “Don’t Make Me Over: In Tribute to Dionne Warwick,” by Chicago’s Black Ensemble Theater.

http://www.dionnewarwick.info/

www.loveourchildrenusa.org

http://www.nabfeme.org/