Billboard magazine recently announced that Ciara is set to host the 2019 American Music Awards. The gig comes a year after the singer took the stage at the 2018 ceremony to perform “Level Up” along with Missy Elliott. Ciara hosted the 2016 Billboard Music Awards with Ludacris. Additionally, Kesha, who will be joined by Freedia, will take the AMA stage for the first time in six years. The duo will more than likely perform their recently released single “Raising Hell.” They’ll join previously announced performers Shania Twain, Camila Cabello, Billie Eilish, Selena Gomez, Dupa Lipa, Lizzo, Thomas Rhett and Taylor Swift. The 2019 American Music Awards will air live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, CA on Nov. 24 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC. Voting is open until Nov. 20 for all categories at goo.gle/AMAsVote or by going to Google.com and using the search terms “AMAs Vote” or “{Nominees Name} AMAs Vote.”
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, known professionally as Burna Boy, is a Nigerian singer/songwriter. He rose to prominence in 2012 with the release of the single “Like to Party”, taken from his debut album “L.I.F.E.” In 2017, Burna Boy signed with Bad Habit/Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group internationally. His third studio effort “Outside” marked his major label debut. He has released the albums “L.I.F.E” (2013), “On A Spaceship” (2015), “Outside” (2018) and “African Giant” (2019).
Kehlani Ashley Parrish, known professionallly as Kehlani, is an American singer/songwriter/dancer from Oakland, CA. She began her music career as a member of the group PopLyfe. The band’s music was produced Tony, Tone, Toni, member Dwayne Wiggins. Within two years, the group performed throughout the Bay Area and other cities. In 2011, the group auditioned for the sixth season of “America’s Got Talent”, and eventually finished in fourth place. The group disbanded shortly thereafter. In 2014, she released her first mixtape “Cloud 19.” On April 18, 2015, she released her second mixtape “You Should Be Here.” On February 22, 2019, she released her third mixtape “While We Wait.” On November 26, 2016, she released her full length debut album “Sweet Sexy Savage.” She recently released “You Know Wussup”, a collaboration with rapper YG.
Following the release of her single “I Don’t Think I Love You Anymore”, 18-year-old Alaina Castillo unveils her debut EP “Antisocial Butterfly.” On the 6-song project, the Houston native combines her Latin roots with R&B, pop and hip hop to create a body of work that’s contemporary and confident. Shifting back and forth from English to Spanish, Alaina delivers an emotionally-rich and wholly unique soundtrack as she tackles the themes of first love, trust and family relationships. Within a year, Alaina Castillo developed a following of over 1 million online fans. With 750,000 You Tube subscribers, millions of views, and an engaged fan base across all platforms including 18 million Tik Tok plays in 3 weeks, her reach continues to grow significantly. She recently announced her first headlining American tour and will be touring the UK and Europe in 2020. After turning heads during her appearance in Teyana Taylor’s music video “”Morning”, West Coast songstress Kehlani returns with her latest single “You Know Wussup.” On the track, which was produced by The Rascals, Kehlani invites listeners into her personal life by revealing her relationship trials with rapper YG. She delves deep, sharing her vulnerability without naming names. Additionally, she shows love through her pain. A video surfaced of YG kissing a mysterious woman in his red Lamborghini after leaving Todd Gurley’s Halloween party in Los Angeles last month. He later dubbed the cheating allegations as a misstep, saying that he was drunk, but didn’t kiss the woman. The rapper and singer went public with their relationship during New York Fashion Week in September.
Following the release of “Just Keep Going” last month, Quando Rondo returns with the music video for the single “Double C’s.” The Georgia native shows his gang ties in the rugged visual, which quickly hit the trending chart on You Tube. The 20-year-old hangs out with his crew while pouring some lean and throwing up gang signs at the trap house. He then heads out for a drive around his neighborhood with friends in his vintage blue convertible. Watch “Double C’s” below.
The Cold Crush Brothers are an American hip hop group from New York City, New York. They are remembered for harmonies, melodies and stage-stomping performances. Formed in 1978, the original lineup included The Original DJ Tony Tone, Supreme Easy AD, DJ Charlie Chase, Whipper Whip, Mr. Tee, and Dot-A-Rock. The Cold Crush Brothers performed in all five boroughs of New York City and as far as Boston before commercially releasing records. Their first single, “The Weekend”, was released via Elite Records in 1982. It was a party record that addressed what everyday working people and families go through Monday-Friday. Their second single, “Punk Rock Rap”, was released via Epic Records in 1983. Their third single, “Fresh, Wild, Fly & Bold”, was released in 1984.
Con Funk Shun is an American funk/R&B band that rose to prominence during the 1970s. They site Earth, Wind & Fire, The Commodores, Chaka Khan and Sly & The Family Stone as influences. Originally known as Project Soul, the band was formed in 1969 by Louis A. McCall Sr. (drums/percussion/vocals) and Michael Cooper (rhythm guitar/lead vocals), both of whom were high school students in Vallejo, CA. By 1971, the band included bassist Cedric Martin, keyboardist Danny “Sweet Man” Thomas, trumpeter Karl Fuller and woodwinds player Paul “Maceo” Harrell. Shortly thereafter, the band’s classic lineup became complete when multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Felton Pilate joined. In 1971, the septet formed a new band, calling themselves Con Funk Shun, after a song recorded by the instrumental ensemble The Nite-Liters. In 1973, they relocated to Memphis, TN, where they were hired to back up Stax Records artists The Soul Children. There, they came to the attention of Estelle Axton, who signed them to her Fretone Records label. Their debut album, “Organized Con Funk Shun”, was released in 1973. The band members decided to change their name to “Con Funk Shun”, dropping the hyphens in 1974. In 1976, Con Funk Shun was signed to Mercury Records, and went on to release eleven albums over a span of ten years. Their debut album, “Secrets”, featured the single “Ffun”, which peaked at No. 1 on the R&B charts in 1978. They also charted with the singles “Chase Me”, “Ms. Got The Body”, “Shake And Dance With Me” and “Baby I’m Hooked” among others. After record sales began to wane, Mercury dropped the group from its roster. Tensions within the group began in the 1980s, causing Felton Pilate to leave, and the group disbanded in 1987. Con Funk Shun recorded the albums “Organized Con Funk Shun” (1973), “The Memphis Sessions” (1973), “Con Funk Shun” (1976), “Secrets” (1977), “Loveshine” (1978), “Candy” (1979), “Spirit Of Love” (1980), “Touch” (1980), “7” (1981), “To The Max” (1982), “Fever” (1983), “Electric Lady” (1985), “Burning Love” (1986) and “More Than Love” (2015).
Despite being on tour at the moment, rapper Danny Brown has unveiled a music video for his latest single, “Best Life”, taken from his fifth studio effort “UKnowwhatimsaying?.” In the clip directed by Augustin Vita, Brown ruminates about his murky childhood past and later blossoming into an ethereal MC who is beloved by his peers. From being entangled in family drama, to engaging in dangerous robberies, Brown doesn’t mince words regarding his roller-coaster beginnings. Watch “Best Life” below.
