Who's That Girl? SZA is Trending Now!

When one has Vogue giving them props and they've also been the opening act for Coldplay then it's only obvious that there is something special about that creature (crea: to create) . The orange haired, freckle faced beauty in the photo above is the well-known singer on the rise known as SZA. To put it simply, the doll has the voice of an angel and the spunk of a rocker. I wouldn't dare give her music a genre or category as that would likely offend her due to the uniqueness of her sound, but I challenge you to listen to some of her tunes while you're painting, driving, jogging, or even winding down before bed. It's a melodic mood with a frowzy twist, yet also very difficult to explain in words.

SZA's real name is Solana Rowe with even a birth title that sounds harmonious. She is also affectionately known as the first lady of Top Dawg Entertainment, which she shares with label mates: Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q. Her story is that of a rebel soul with a love for music as she grew up listening to artist such as Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, and Wu Tang Clan (per her Complex article in 2013).

Her music beseeches reverberations that are both admirable and firm in tune. The sounds are also fanciful, inviting, and comforting, which is unique during a time where most music sounds quite enigmatic. SZA is unapologetic in her assertiveness and that is ultimately a refreshing trait for someone that is so young and in the industry of music as both an artist and songwriter. Take a listen below and I'll be amazed if you don't love it. However, I'm almost sure you will.

Janet Jackson World Tour-2015

From the hit 1989 single Rhythm Nation, to the 1998 hit single Together Again; Janet Jackson has just announced her “Unbreakable World Tour”.  This will be the first tour since her “Number Ones Tour” in 2011. The 49-year old singer is preparing for her long overdue world tour, beginning at the end of August.

Janet Jackson is the youngest of her family, sister of The Jackson Five, and older brother, the late Michael Jackson.  The Jackson singer, songwriter, and actress, is known lyrically for her own innovative music to her sophisticated stage shows.  She has been a major figure in the pop culture for over 25 years having sold over 160 million records; she has proven that she is truly unbreakable.

Janet’s “Unbreakable World Tour” is set to begin in Vancouver, Canada and travel nationwide with more concert dates being added later. Along with the announcement of her up and coming world tour, she also is set to release a new album, the first in seven years this fall with her new single “No Sleep”.  Her anticipating album is available for pre-order and the “Unbreakable World Tour” tickets are on sale now.

Mela Machinko is More

What do you get when a beautifully brown girl born in the projects of Brooklyn grows up listening to soul greats like Al Green mashed up with hip hop legends, Wu-Tang Clan?  What do you get when these elements are impressing a young, very balanced Libra girl that began writing poetry at the age of nine years old?  Ladies and gentleman you are blessed with the soul gift named Mela Machinko.  A pirouetting, preening peacock in the midst of a bird sanctuary where almost every pheasant sings the same melody.  In the vast sea of black music noise where new music hits the airwaves and internet at warp speed, it can be extremely hard to navigate the waters to the safe harbor meant for your ears.  Mela Machinko is a soul lighthouse on solid ground in the midst of this storm.  

Mela Machinko, an amazing songwriter with a niche that is truly missing in contemporary soul music, yet inexplicably needed for those of us longing for real soul, from real people.  Mela has an ability to wield her pen directly into your hard-working woman, struggling, but love-filled soul like Minnie, Aretha and Phyllis.   Once you press play to listen to such standout gems as “Employment” to the second that you listen to her funk-dipped anthem “Get That Cash and Run”, you realize that your ears have been abused.  You have been fooled into thinking that the musical curtains do not have to match the drapes.  You cannot be beautiful and hurt at the same time.  Mela’s music is as stunning as her looks, yet as jarring as her soul.  She will convey this soul to any and everyone that dare defy it.  A true diva in a world where that term is used loosely and squandered on lesser subjects.  “Soul”Commoners. 

You do not have to take my word for it, you can take the words of other amazing artists that have called upon her soul expertise for collaborations and musical kinships.  Some of those names you may already know, such as:  Black Thought, Pharoahe Monch, Jean Grae, Talib Kweli, super-producer Just Blaze… I could go on but the list is long.  Her pen game is so strong that the one and only Jill Scott graciously sang the Mela penned hook for Pharoahe Monch’s phenomenal “Still Standing” off of his 2011, critically acclaimed W.A.R. album.  All one has to do is follow Mela Machinko on Twitter (@MeLaMachinko) and look at the amount of superstars that are totally in love with her persona and her no-holds barred approach to life and the creation of art.  
Mela expressed that her stunningly amazing EP ‘9 a.m. Blues’ came about after going through some depressive moments and complaining about life to her ‘9 a.m. Blues” producer, the legendary Mr. Len.   After lending an objective ear, he suggested that she put all of those feelings onto paper and commit to tape.  This kick in the proverbial pants would result in this phenomenal EP released in December of 2014.  Mela Machinko and Mr. Len recorded the entire project in a record nine days.  Mela would pick beats and write songs at night, while sleeping on an air mattress, record during the day and mix the music at night.  In the morning the process would start all over again.     

Mela Machinko is an artist to not only look and listen for, but a soul queen whose music will reach deep into your innermost feelings and yank your soul out with truth, honesty, raw emotion and most importantly love.  She is currently prepping her new project for release, so keep your eyes and ears peeled for what I am known to call #RecordingExcellence.
In the meantime, get brushed up on @Melamachinko via these links.  

Brooklyn Blues 
Still Standing 
Hostile Gospel
9am Blues – The EP 
 

Google Play:
https://play.google.com/music/listen#/artist/Ads644kvli2ligr3cti7ewmbpha/MeLa+Machinko
Itunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/mela-machinko/id252421112
Spotify
https://play.spotify.com/artist/6vQGsQ9qdcDLklKbxqk2wK?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open
Tidal:
http://listen.tidalhifi.com/album/38625518

 

Revolt Nation Hits Dallas

Revolt T.V. is a digital network that highlights and provides multi-genre, culture, music news, videos and artists interviews.  Revolt T.V., created by P. Diddy launched in October of 2013. It is used to create a platform for the best of the best in music and music television.  Already, Revolt T.V. has taken over the social music scene by gaining over 50 million young viewers all over the nation.  As the Revolt Nation team continues to take the road, their next stop is Dallas Texas, with guest host Kenny Burns and sounds by the sexy, up and rising hottest female Dj, DJ Duffey.

Revolt Nation is a nationwide tour looking for all new fresh artists with a hidden talent and a unique sound. Revolt Nation will be traveling city to city to introduce the brand as being the new number one name for music television, stopping specifically in Dallas to hear sounds by DJ Duffey and making a name for Revolt Nation.

DJ Duffey, a former D1 basketball player, took Dallas by storm in the course of 1 year. During that year, she became one of the most wanted DJs, known as “I Want Dj Duffey”. Expanding her career so rapidly, she has traveled as far as Turks and Caicos and to the 2015 All Star Weekend in NYC.  Duffey has created her own sound, along with her own brand, and creating her own success. “Some people sit back and wait for their dreams to come true and some people go out there and make their dreams come true… I’m sure you can tell what type of person I am,” says Duffey.

As the Revolt Nation tour continues, it makes a stop to Texas with guest host Kenny Burns at the kick off of  the new hot spot of the season, Travis Thursdays. Burns and Revolt nation kicked off the night at Travis, setting the atmosphere to the unique mix by Dj Duffey.  Burns rocked the mic, giving the crowd the true definition of Revolt Nation, telling Duffey, “You got next!”

For live appearances and sounds from DJ Duffey, visit her website at IwantDjDuffey.com.  Revolt T.V. is available on Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Verizon FiOS, CenturyLink and Suddenlink in 46 of the top 50 U.S. markets and Revolt.tv.