# MediaItems

Name: Tears for Fears
SortName: Tears for Fears
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Overview:
Tears for Fears ist eine britische Band aus Bath.

Im Jahr 1981 erfolgte die Gründung durch Roland Orzabal und Curt Smith. Den Bandnamen entnahmen sie einem Buch des amerikanischen Psychotherapeuten und Begründers der Primärtherapie, Arthur Janov. Janovs Themen sind die Grundlage für viele Liedtexte der Band.

Vor ihrem ersten offiziellen Album veröffentlichten sie als Band Graduate, hervorgegangen aus einer Schülerband, 1980 das Album Acting My Age. Orzabal war auch hier schon Sänger und Songschreiber, weitere Musiker waren Steve Buck, Andy Marsden und John Baker. Der Stil war ein gänzlich anderer, eher in Richtung Ska bis Pop.

Ihr erstes im Frühjahr 1983 erschienenes Album The Hurting drückte die schwierige Kindheit Orzabals aus und besaß einen sehr eigenen Sound. Aus diesem weltweit erfolgreichen Album wurden vier Singles ausgekoppelt: Suffer the Children, Change, Mad World und Pale Shelter. 2000 nahmen Gary Jules und Michael Andrews das Lied Mad World als Titelmelodie zum Film Donnie Darko neu auf und kamen damit Ende 2003 in die Charts, in Großbritannien sogar auf Platz eins.

Mit dem im Frühjahr 1985 veröffentlichten zweiten Album Songs from the Big Chair fanden Tears for Fears zu ihrem – für den Synthiepop der späten 1980er Jahre typischen – Sound, der fortan zu ihrem Markenzeichen wurde. Das Album machte sie beiderseits des Atlantiks berühmt. Die beiden Singleauskoppelungen Shout (1984) und Everybody Wants to Rule the World (1985) werden bis heute von Radiosendern ausgestrahlt. Letzteres Lied wurde in den USA zum bekanntesten Lied des Jahres gewählt und knapp zehn Jahre später für zwei Millionen Radioeinsätze ausgezeichnet.

An diesen ersten beiden Alben waren noch die beiden Bandmitglieder Manny Elias (Schlagzeug) und Ian Stanley (Keyboards) beteiligt. Stanley ist auch Mitautor der Hits Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World und Mothers Talk.

Das im Herbst 1989 herausgebrachte dritte Album The Seeds of Love, auf dem Ian Stanley zum letzten Mal als Bandmitglied mitwirkte, zeigte Einflüsse aus dem Jazz und Blues. In ihrer Hit-Single Sowing the Seeds of Love war der Einfluss der Beatles zu spüren; dieses Konzeptalbum erinnerte an deren Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Bei der Single Woman in Chains spielte Phil Collins Schlagzeug. Oleta Adams, die durch Orzabals Engagement eine erfolgreiche Solokarriere beginnen konnte, war als Sängerin und Pianistin an dem Album beteiligt. Unter dem Pseudonym Johnny Panic veröffentlichten Tears For Fears den Dance-Song Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams.

Nach ihrer letzten gemeinsamen Tour The Seeds of Love stieg Curt Smith Ende 1990 aus. Die ab dieser Zeit unter dem Bandnamen veröffentlichten Alben produzierte Tim Palmer.

Seit dem Jahr 2000 haben Orzabal und Smith wieder miteinander Kontakt. 2004 veröffentlichten die beiden Musiker wieder ein gemeinsames Album: Everybody Loves a Happy Ending.

2008 hatten sich beide Bandmitglieder für die Konzepttour The Nokia Night of the Proms erneut wiedervereinigt und waren dort mit den Liedern Sowing the Seeds of Love, Mad World, Everybody Wants to Rule the World und Shout live auf der Bühne. Die für 2018 geplante „Rule the World Tour 2018“ wurde krankheitsbedingt auf das Jahr 2019 verschoben. Gleichzeitig kündigten Tears For Fears eine neue Platte an.
(Wikipedia)

Images:
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Name: King
Overview: King King are a blues band from Scotland.
SortName: King
PresentationUniqueKey: e7c758b1a26a49c1851d157be9667d8e
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Images:
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Name: The Twins
SortName: Twins
PresentationUniqueKey: 6d41232ed5174e6fba154cc5e5692378
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=18035|MusicBrainzArtist=4435d4d5-4300-4344-afb6-adc17477ff6c|AudioDbArtist=132289
Overview:
"The Twins" In 1980, Sven Dohrow and Ronny Schreinzer decided to put a new band together, after they had played in various bands as a guitar-player and a drummer.    In the beginning they were inspired by bands like Tubeway Army, Gary Numan, OMD and Depeche Mode.     The name "TWINS" might sound a bit funny for english speaking fans because Sven and Ronny are definitely no twins (you guessed it, Einstein) and the name itself isn't very ingenious. The idea behind the name was to describe the way of working when they put their music together. In fact, there are no other persons involved during the process of making a TWINS record. Sven and Ronny are the composers, arrangers, musicians and producers and they are also responsible for mixing and mastering of the final product.     Their first single "The Desert Place" turned out to be a real dancefloor-smasher in Germany and the remixed long-version of this song entered the US-Billboard-Dance-Charts in 1981. The big European breakthrough came when they entered the Italian charts with their song "Face To Face" and it was one of the best-selling singles in Italy 1983.     After "Face To Face" they hit the Italian charts a few more times with songs like "Not the loving kind" and "Ballet Dancer". Due to the success in many European countries, some of the German radiostations started playing their songs and all of a sudden the TWINS had a chart-hit with "Ballet Dancer". During these days it was very unusual for a German dancefloor-band to have success in their own country. However, they next titles to hit the German charts were "Love System" and "Love in the Dark".     Due to their big success, Sven and Ronny had to put together a live-band because the fans wanted to see them on stage as well. The TWINS had the chance to prove that they were no "one-hit-wonder"    and according to their fans, their live-act was worth the money. They did many tours throughout Europe with their new five piece band, including a drummer who turned every show into an exciting event due to his powerful support for every TWINS song. A bit later the band set-up was changed again. The fact that Ronny had played drums for many years, enabled the TWINS to add more excitement to the bands live-shows by adding a few parts for two drummers.     By the end of 1987 after the TWINS had released their album "Hold on to your dreams" they were offered to do a tour in the Soviet Union which brought them to Moskow and Leningrad. During these 10 concerts the had the opportunity to play in front of a 120.000 people audience.     After the tour was finished Sven and Ronny decided to take a break and to produce some other artists in their own studios. In 1991 the TWINS had their "comeback" when they released a remix album of their greatest hits which was called "The ClassicsRemixed". The success of this CD was overwhelming and they thought that it's about time to put together a new album as well.     It took them nearly two years to finish this next album because they wanted to make the album as good as possible. The album was called "The Impossible Dream" and the song "Tonight" which was also featured on the album, made them hit the charts once again.

Images:
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Name: Thompson Twins
SortName: Thompson Twins
PresentationUniqueKey: 0c747cf918ad48a1bda03011212f5a71
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=44581|MusicBrainzArtist=228af6b5-f691-4ed2-a63b-10cc6fcc1144|AudioDbArtist=115169
Overview:
Die Thompson Twins waren eine britische New-Wave-Band der 1980er Jahre.

Die Band formierte sich im April 1977 in Sheffield, ursprünglich aus den Bandmitgliedern Tom Bailey (Bass und Gesang), Pete Dodd (Gitarre und Gesang), John Roog (Gitarre) und Jon „Pod“ Podgorski (Schlagzeug). Sie bestritten zwei Jahre lang hauptsächlich Liveauftritte. Danach zogen sie nach London um und bekamen Kontakt zur Hausbesetzer-Szene. Sie wurden dort ein Teil einer „linken Bewegung“. Der Name Thompson Twins wurde nach den zwei bekannten Detektiven Schulze und Schultze (im Englischen „Thomson and Thompson“) aus der Comicserie Tim und Struppi von Hergé gewählt. 

1981 bestand die Band aus Bailey, Dodd, Roog und den drei neuen Mitgliedern Chris Bell am Schlagzeug, Joe Leeway an den Congas und Percussions sowie Jane Shorter am Saxophon. In dieser Konstellation wurde das erste Thompson-Twins-Album A Product of … (Participation) eingespielt. Alannah Currie, die zwar immer mit der Band zu tun hatte und auch ein paar kleine Parts auf dem ersten Album zum Besten gab, war bis dahin aber kein fester Bestandteil der Band.

Nach dem ersten Album verließ Shorter die Band, Currie wurde festes Mitglied und Bassist Matthew Seligman stieg ebenfalls bei der Band ein. Bailey übernahm die Keyboards und wurde zum eigentlichen Sänger der Band. Leeway übernahm die Vocals bei einzelnen Tracks.

Der erste Plattenvertrag wurde 1982 bei Arista Records unterschrieben und Set wurde veröffentlicht, auf der Thomas Dolby ein paar kleine Gastauftritte hatte. Produzent Steve Lillywhite (produzierte u. a. U2 und XTC) übernahm die Leitung zu den Aufnahmen. Nachdem die Single In The Name Of Love überraschend die Spitze der US-Dance-Charts erklommen hatte, entschlossen sich der weiße Tom Bailey, die Neuseeländerin Alannah Currie und der dunkelhäutige Joe Leeway, künftig als Trio weiterzuarbeiten. Sie entwarfen ein Logo, änderten ihr Outfit, nahmen Unterricht in Choreographie und entwickelten eine detaillierte Bühnen-Show. Nun im Aussehen an eine bunte New-Wave-Truppe erinnernd – Bailey mit rotem Haar und modischem Pferdeschwanz, Leeway mit Rastazöpfchen und Currie mit blonder an den Seiten rasierter, wilder Turmfrisur – machten sie, wenn auch abgemilderter, weiterhin Ethno-Pop.

Mit einer England-Tournee, unterstützt von vier Begleitmusikern, machte die Band neues Material, die 1983 veröffentlichte LP Quick Step & Side Kick und die Singles Lies und Love on Your Side bekannt. Anschließend folgte eine erfolgreiche Amerika-Tournee. Im Jahre 1984 erschien ihr Album Into the Gap, das sich bereits wenige Tage nach der Veröffentlichung auf dem ersten Platz der Charts befand und bald darauf Platin erhielt. Auch die Singles Doctor! Doctor! und Hold Me Now platzierten sich hervorragend. Die zur gleichen Zeit anlaufende Großbritannien-Tournee war bereits vorab restlos ausverkauft. Ebenfalls 1984 steuerten sie den Song If You Were Here zur Teeniekomödie Das darf man nur als Erwachsener (Sixteen Candles) von John Hughes bei. 1985 beteiligten sich die Thompson Twins am Live-Aid-Projekt von Bob Geldof. Sie traten dort zusammen mit Madonna im JFK-Stadion in Philadelphia auf. Es folgten im selben Jahr das Album Here’s to Future Days und die Singles Don’t Mess with Doctor Dream und Lay Your Hands on Me.

Ende 1986 verließ Leeway das Trio. Die Platten des verbliebenen Duetts erreichten nicht mehr die britischen oder amerikanischen Top 20. 1988 bekamen Bailey und Currie ihr erstes Kind. Ihre vorerst letzte Platte erschien 1991 mit dem Titel Queer. 
(Wikipedia)

Images:
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Name: The Fixx
SortName: Fixx
PresentationUniqueKey: 9693424ae148461f8974e4bc71c9d52b
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=86074|MusicBrainzArtist=0d32d0c9-69aa-407c-93e3-92b72e471d37|AudioDbArtist=118013
Overview:
The Fixx ist eine britische New-Wave-Band.

Ihre größten Erfolge hatte die Band in den achtziger Jahren. Vor allem in den USA war sie zeitweise berühmter als im eigenen Land. Die bekanntesten Stücke sind unter anderen One Thing Leads to Another, ein Nummer-4-Hit in den USA, Red Skies, Less Cities More Moving People und Built for the Future. Prägend für den Sound von The Fixx sind die ätherischen Stratocaster-Gitarrenriffs von Jamie West-Oram, eine präzise und sparsam arbeitende Rhythmusgruppe sowie die farbliche Untermalung mit ungewöhnlichen Synthesizer-Klängen. In den teils anspruchsvollen Texten von Cy Curnin drückt sich gesellschaftliches und politisches Bewusstsein aus. Obwohl einige ihrer Alben vom damals sehr erfolgreichen Produzenten Rupert Hine produziert wurden, gelang der Band kein Durchbruch in die kommerzielle Oberliga.
(Wikipedia)

Images:
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Name: Flash & the Pan
SortName: Flash & the Pan
PresentationUniqueKey: 2ad9d87bd5c4490aa7c00a6cf3ec9bd3
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Overview:
Flash and the Pan (aka Flash & The Pan) was a New Wave / Rock band from Australia formed in 1977 by Harry Vanda and George Young, the older brother of the AC/DC members Angus Young and Malcom Young. Both formerly members of The Easybeats. In the UK, until the release of "Waiting for a Train" in 1983 they had been a one-hit wonder, which was coincidental as the expression, 'Flash in the pan', denotes something which is only briefly popular.  Albums Flash and the Pan (1979)  Lights in the Night (1980)  Headlines (1982)  Pan-orama (1983)  Early Morning Wake Up Call (1984)  Nights in France (1987) Burning Up The Night (1992)

Images:
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Name: B-Movie
SortName: B-Movie
PresentationUniqueKey: 0896ef0660f74249aff35dd5bcc5c994
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Overview:
B-Movie formed in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire during 1978 from the ashes of local punk band The Aborted. Originally calling themselves Studio 10 after a local hairdressing salon, the inaugural line-up of Steve Hovington (vocals/bass), Paul Statham (guitar) & Graham Boffey (drums) quickly changed their name to B-Movie following Steve's discovery in an art book of the Andy Warhol painting of the same name.  Inspired by synth-pop pioneers like Ultravox and New Order, B-Movie wrote catchy songs enveloped in keyboards. The group was signed to the Some Bizarre record label in the early '80s; in 1981, the band appeared on a Some Bizarre compilation album with future '80s synth-pop superstars such as Depeche Mode, Blancmange, and Soft Cell. In 1982, the single "Nowhere Girl" was a hit in Europe. Although "Nowhere Girl" was not a Top Ten smash in America, the song continued to be a favorite on radio stations' '80s flashback shows. With Hovington's icy vocals and Holliday's somber synths, "Nowhere Girl" became an enduring tale of teen alienation; "Nowhere Girl" was revived on the Just Say Yesterday compilation in 1992 and it's generally considered to be an '80s classic. Ironically, the track lasted longer than B-Movie's career. B-Movie released the LP Forever Running in 1985 and then broke up. Boffey joined Slaughterhouse 5 and Statham collaborated with Peter Murphy. Hovington formed the techno outfit Amethyst.

Images:
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Name: Haysi Fantayzee
SortName: Haysi Fantayzee
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Overview:
Haysi Fantayzee war eine britische Band, welche Anfang der 1980er Jahre im Windschatten von Culture Club in der New Romantic Musikszene bekannt wurde. Wie andere Bands auch, etwa Dead or Alive und Marilyn, hatten sie einen großen Hit und veröffentlichten mehrere Singles und verschwanden danach vollkommen von der Bildfläche. 

Die Band gründeten Paul Caplin, der vormals bei der Band Animal Magnet sang, sowie Jeremiah Healy und Kate Garner, die auf Grund ihres auffälligen Auftretens die Aufmerksamkeit auf sich zogen. Bunte Leggins, lange Dreadlocks, auffällige Hüte und weite Hemden gehörten zum Bekleidungsrepertoire von Jeremiah Healy und Kate Garner. Ihr Auftreten erinnerte an den Sänger und DJ Boy George. Hinzu kamen der Bassist Alfie Agius, der Violinist Bobby Valentino und der Saxophonist Simon Henry sowie die beiden Gitarristen Mick und Kate Green.

Haysi Fantayzee hatten ihren Durchbruch 1982 mit dem Song „John Wayne Is Big Leggy“ und der darauf folgenden Single „Shiny Shiny“, die beide international in die Charts einstiegen. Das zugehörige Album „Battle Hymns for Children Singing“ konnte keine weiteren Hits bieten und blieb auch das einzige Album der Band. Da das Album den Erfolg nicht weiterführen konnte, zerfiel die Band. Jeremiah Healy arbeitete danach als progressiver Trance-DJ. Kate Garner brachte einige Soloplatten heraus und wurde anschließend eine erfolgreiche Fotografin. Alfie Agius trat der Band The Fixx bei. 
(Wikipedia)

Images:
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Name: Dead or Alive
SortName: Dead or Alive
PresentationUniqueKey: 5399a182cb274a9eb8da51d38fd3ffb9
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Overview:
Dead or Alive war eine englische Band, die 1978 von Pete Burns, Martin Healey, Phil Hurst und Walter Ogden unter dem Namen Nightmares in Wax in Liverpool gegründet wurde. 1980 erfolgte die Umbenennung in Dead or Alive. Weltbekanntheit erlangte die Band Anfang 1985 mit ihrer Single You Spin Me Round (Like a Record). 

Nach Pete Burns’ Trennung von der Band Mystery Girls gegen Ende 1977 formierte er mit einigen anderen Musikern die Band Nightmares in Wax. Nachdem die Gruppe in der Schwarzen Szene Londons Bekanntheit erlangt hatte, unterschrieb sie einen Plattenvertrag beim Label Inevitable Music und veröffentlichte die Single Birth of a Nation. Kurze Zeit später wurde die Band auf Pete Burns’ Wunsch in Dead or Alive umbenannt, da der Name seiner Meinung nach einen besseren Wiedererkennungswert habe.

Auf den ersten Singles I’m Falling, Number Eleven, It’s Been Hours Now und The Stranger boten Dead or Alive zunächst eine Mischung aus Psychedelic Rock, Post-Punk und Gothic Rock, ehe sie im Sommer 1982 einen Vertrag bei Epic Records unterschrieben und sich stilistisch am Disco-Sound der damaligen Zeit orientierten. Für einige Jahre gehörte auch Wayne Hussey, später bei The Sisters of Mercy und Gründer von The Mission, zur Band.

Im Frühjahr 1984 erschien das Debütalbum Sophisticated Boom Boom. Die LP brachte eine Mischung aus Hi-NRG-Disco und New-Wave-Sound. Etwa zur gleichen Zeit konnte sich auch erstmals mit einigem Erfolg eine ihrer Singles, That’s the Way (I Like It), eine Coverversion des Hits von KC and the Sunshine Band, in den britischen Charts platzieren. Sie entstand unter der Regie von Zeus B. Held (Birth Control). Zu diesem Zeitpunkt bestand die Gruppe nach mehreren Besetzungswechseln neben Burns aus Steve Coy (Schlagzeug), Mike Percy (Bass) und Timothy Lever (Keyboards).

Der große Erfolg stellte sich allerdings erst nach dem Wechsel zum Produzententeam Stock Aitken Waterman ein. Ende 1984 stieg ihre Single You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) in die britischen Charts ein und wurde kurz darauf Spitzenreiter. In den USA wurde ein halbes Jahr später Platz 11 erreicht. Aus dem dazugehörigen Album Youthquake wurden bis Herbst 1985 noch die Singles Lover Come Back to Me, In Too Deep und My Heart Goes Bang ausgekoppelt, die zumindest in Großbritannien noch passable Positionen in den Charts einnehmen konnten.

In dieser Besetzung folgten bis Ende 1989 noch zwei Alben und weitere Singles, die alle jedoch nicht mehr die Top 10 erreichten.

In den 1990er-Jahren ließ Burns mehrere Schönheitsoperationen im Gesicht vornehmen. Die letzten Studioveröffentlichungen waren die Alben Nukleopatra von Oktober 1995 und Fragile aus dem September 2000.

Mitte 2003 erschien ein Best-of-Album der Gruppe mit dem Titel Evolution, auf der auch einige neu eingespielte Versionen ihrer bekannteren Titel vorhanden waren, so unter anderem auch das als Single veröffentlichte You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) ’03.

Gegen Ende 2005 zog Burns in die Promi-Fernseh-WG von Big Brother des britischen Senders Channel 4 ein. Daraufhin wurde die Single You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) Anfang 2006 ein weiteres Mal auf den britischen Markt herausgebracht und schaffte es erneut unter die Top Ten.

Ende April 2006 wurde Burns auf Grund von Verstößen gegen die Bewährungsauflagen aus einer Verurteilung wegen eines Kampfes mit einem ehemaligen Geliebten für ein paar Tage in einem Londoner Gefängnis inhaftiert. Im Mai 2006 erschien seine Autobiographie Freak Unique.

Ende 2011 erklärte Pete Burns schließlich, dass es niemals wieder eine Neuformierung der Band geben würde. Pete Burns starb am 23. Oktober 2016 im Alter von 57 Jahren an den Folgen eines Herzinfarkts. 
(Wikipedia)

Images:
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Name: The Hooters
SortName: Hooters
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Overview:
The Hooters sind eine US-amerikanische Rockband aus Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, die 1980 gegründet wurde. Internationale Bekanntheit erlangte die Band durch ihren Auftritt beim Live-Aid-Festival am 13. Juli 1985 in Philadelphia. Mit Liedern wie All You Zombies, Johnny B. und Satellite erzielte sie einige Chartplatzierungen. Die Bandmitglieder Eric Bazilian und Rob Hyman sind auch als Songwriter, Produzenten und Musiker für andere Künstler aktiv.

Eric Bazilian und Rob Hyman, die sich an der University of Pennsylvania kennenlernten, hatten mit dem Studiomusiker, Produzenten und Songschreiber Rick Chertoff und mit dem Sänger David Kagan in den 1970er Jahren bereits in der Band Baby Grand musiziert und zwei LPs auf Arista Records veröffentlicht. Schlagzeuger David Uosikkinen, Gitarrist John Vincent Kuzma (* 1951; † 1. Juli 2011) und Bassist Bobby Woods (* 1951; † 8. Dezember 2010) waren in Levittown, Pennsylvania unter dem Namen Hot Property aktiv und gehörten gemeinsam mit Bazilian und Hyman 1980 zu den Gründungsmitgliedern von The Hooters (deutsch: Hupe, Sirene). Sie benannten sich nach ihrem Markenzeichen, der Hohner Melodica.

Images:
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Name: After the Fire
SortName: After the Fire
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Overview:
Keyboard player Peter Banks originally formed the band in the early 1970s in London, England. After The Fire then went through several personnel changes before settling on Banks, guitarist and vocalist Andy Piercy, bassist Nick Battle, and drummer Ivor Twidell. This lineup enjoyed local success in London, and released an album, Signs of Change, in 1978, on their own label.

After Battle left, Piercy switched to bass, and John Russell joined on guitar. The group signed to CBS, and released their second album, Laser Love, in 1979, which marked the band's move towards new wave, with shorter, more catchy pop rock tracks. Twydell left the band to seek a career as a frontman and Nick Brotherwood took over briefly, after the album Laser Love was recorded. Banks changed his name to "Memory" Banks to not be confused with the ex-Yes guitarist, around this time. As these changes took place, After The Fire's single, "One Rule for You", entered the UK Top 40. The group were scheduled to perform it on BBC TV's Top of the Pops that week, a move which would have been almost certain to see it rise much higher, but their appearance was cancelled because Gary Numan was on the show and the BBC thought one keyboard track was enough.

Batteries Not Included was released in 1982 without fanfare, and the singles received little UK airplay. They came back into the U.K. spotlight when their English-language cover of Austrian musician Falco's song, "Der Kommissar," rocketed into the U.S. top ten in 1983, though it only just made the top fifty in the United Kingdom. This was followed by the release of their first and only U.S. album, ATF, a compilation of their UK albums.

This success had come too late and growing musical differences eventually caused the band to split in 1982, Piercy was looking to leave during the recording sessions that led to the single Der Kommissar. The single "Der Kommissar", which had been a hit in Canada, finally took hold in the American charts but CBS failed to patch up the band.

Images:
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Name: Cassie
SortName: Cassie
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Overview:
Cassie (eigentlich Casandra Ventura; * 26. August 1986 in New London, Connecticut) ist eine US-amerikanische Contemporary-R&B-Sängerin, Tänzerin und Model.

Cassie wurde am 26. August 1986 in New London, Connecticut als Tochter eines philippinischen Vaters und einer afroamerikanisch-mexikanischen Mutter geboren. 2004 absolvierte sie die Williams School am Connecticut College und war seither vor allem als Model für die Wilhelmina Model Agentur tätig. In dieser Zeit stand sie unter anderem für Adidas, das Complex-Magazin und Abercrombie & Fitch vor der Linse. Weiterhin modelte sie für Kaufhäuser und das Magazin Seventeen.

Ihr musikalisches Talent wurde nur zufällig entdeckt. Als ihre Mutter Cassie bat, ihr zum Geburtstag ein Lied von ihr zu schenken, traf sie sich mit dem Produzenten und Rapper Ryan Leslie, den sie erst kurz zuvor kennengelernt hatte. Zusammen nahmen sie das Lied Kiss Me auf, welches Leslie später an Tommy Mottola, den Vorsitzenden von Sony, weiterreichte. Mottola fand Gefallen an dem Material und beauftragte Leslie mit der Produktion von Cassies Debütalbum. Kurze Zeit später entschied Diddy sich dazu, das Model bei Bad Boy Records unter Vertrag zu nehmen.

In den folgenden Monaten wurde Cassie nach Deutschland eingeladen, um für ihr Lied Me & U zu werben. Nachdem dieses bereits durch das Internet Popularität erlangt hatte und auch in Clubs auf positive Resonanz stieß, wurde das Lied den amerikanischen Radiosendern vorgestellt. Die Single erreicht mitunter Platz 3 in den amerikanischen Billboard-Charts, und erreichte sowohl in Deutschland als auch in der Schweiz die Top 20 der Singlecharts. Am 8. August 2006 erschien mit Cassie schließlich das Debütalbum in den amerikanischen, englischen und australischen Plattenläden. Im November 2006 folgte mit Long Way 2 Go die zweite Auskopplung aus dem Album.

Momentan arbeitet die Sängerin an neuem Material für ihr noch unbetiteltes zweites Studioalbum. Des Weiteren wird sie erstmals als Schauspielerin in Step Up 2, der Fortsetzung des Filmerfolges aus dem Jahre 2006, in Erscheinung treten. Außerdem spielt sie in dem Video des Liedes Stronger von Kanye West eine kleine Rolle.

In Juli 2007 widerlegten die MTV News, dass Cassie ihren Plattenvertrag mit Bad Boy Records verloren hätte. Diddy bestätigte, dass sie mit Kanye West und Pharrell Williams an ihrem zweiten Studioalbum arbeitete, das zunächst den Titel Connecticut Fever trug und später in Electro Love umbenannt wurde. Das Album wurde etliche Male verschoben, da die Vorab-Singles Official Girl featuring Lil Wayne, Must Be Love featuring Diddy und Let’s Get Crazy featuring Akon allesamt floppten. In Dezember 2009 unterzeichnete Cassie einen Plattenvertrag mit Interscope Records und erzählte im Bust Magazine, dass sie bereits fünfzig Songs für ihr zweites Studioalbum aufgenommen hätte. Cassie erschien im Musikvideo zur Wiz Khalifa-Single Roll Up.

Anfang 2012 sollte ihr zweites Studioalbum schließlich mit dem Titel King of Hearts erscheinen. Die gleichnamige Vorab-Single wurde am 14. Februar 2012 veröffentlicht und wurde, trotz positiver Resonanz von Kritikern, wieder kein Erfolg für Cassie. Eine weitere Single namens "Balcony" featuring Young Jeezy, die in September 2012 erschien, wurde ebenso kaum beachtet. Einer von Cassies Songs mit dem Titel "Money on Love" wurde von Nicki Minaj als The Boys neu aufgenommen und als Single aus dem Re-Release ihres Albums Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded ausgekoppelt. Cassie erschien auf der Nicki Minaj-Version als Feature-Act. In einem Brief an ihre Fans ließ Cassie verlauten, dass sie zur Zeit an ihrem zweiten Studioalbum als auch an einem Mixtape arbeite, das mit dem Titel "#RockaByeBaby" am 11. April 2013 erscheinen soll. Ihr Album liegt zur Zeit ohne Titel erneut in Arbeit.

Images:
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Name: Destinys Child
SortName: Destinys Child
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Overview:
Destiny’s Child („Kind des Schicksals“) war eine R&B Girls Group die zuletzt aus den drei Sängerinnen Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland und Michelle Williams bestanden. Nach der Veröffentlichung ihres Greatest-Hits-Albums im Herbst 2005 trennte sich die Gruppe. DS‘s Wurzeln reichen ins Jahr 1990 zurück, als Beyoncé Knowles und LaTavia Roberson im Alter von 9 Jahren die von Beyoncés Vater Matthew gemanagte Tanz- und Gesangsgruppe Girl’s Tyme ins Leben riefen. Ein Jahr später stieß Beyoncés Schulfreundin Kelly Rowland hinzu, 1993 folgte LeToya Luckett. Die Gruppe absolvierte zunächst kleinere Auftritte und nahm bei lokalen, aber auch im TV ausgestrahlten Talentwettbewerben teil, darunter das Erfolgsformat - Star Search. 1995 unterzeichneten sie als Destiny’s Child schließlich ihren ersten Plattenvertrag bei Elektra Records. Unzufrieden mit der Zusammenarbeit wechselte die Gruppe bald zu Columbia Records. 1997 veröffentlichte die Gruppe ihren ersten Song: Killing Time auf dem Soundtrack zum Kinoerfolg Men in Black. Wenig später kam ihr Debütalbum Destiny’s Child auf den Markt, das unterschiedliche Meinungen hervorrief. Trotzdem konnte die Gruppe mit der Auskopplung No, No, No, produziert von Rapper Wyclef Jean, ihren ersten Chart Hit verbuchen. Obwohl die zweite Single With Me nicht an den Erfolg der Debütsingle anknüpfen konnten, erreichte das Album später Platinstatus. Nur ein Jahr später kehrten Destiny’s Child für die Aufnahmen zu ihrem zweiten Album The Writing’s on the Wall ins Studio zurück. Diese CD übertraf den Erfolg des Debüts bei Weitem und verkaufte sich in den folgenden zwei Jahren nicht zuletzt dank der Hitsingles Bills Bills Bills, Jumpin’ Jumpin’ und vor allem Say My Name mehr als sagenhafte 13 Millionen Mal weltweit. Trotz des anhaltenden Erfolges zerbrach das ursprüngliche Quartett schließlich Anfang 2000. LaTavia Roberson und LeToya Luckett warfen Manager Matthew Knowles vor, sich an finanziellen Einkünften der Band zu bedienen, während sein eigentliches Interesse ohnehin nur der Karriere seiner Tochter Beyoncé gegolten habe. Danach wurden mit dem Video zur Single Say My Name unmittelbar zwei neue Mitglieder – Michelle Williams und Farrah Franklin vorgestellt. Roberson und Luckett gingen danach gerichtlich gegen die Gruppe und den Manager vor, ließen das Verfahren gegen Knowles und Rowland später jedoch einstellen. Im Juli 2000 verließ auch Farrah Franklin nach gesundheitlichen Problemen und zunehmender Abwesenheit die Band. Destiny’s Child blieben daraufhin als Trio bestehen und veröffentlichten im Spätherbst 2000 die Single Independent Women (Part I), den Titelsong zum Blockbuster 3 Engel für Charlie. Das darauf folgende dritte Album der Band: Survivor, erreichte sowohl in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz als auch in Großbritannien, Australien und in den Vereinigten Staaten Platz 1 der Albumcharts und verkaufte sich allein in den Vereinigten Staaten in der ersten Woche 663.000 Mal. Mit der gleichnamigen Single sowie dem später ausgekoppelten Bootylicious brachte die Platte zwei weitere international erfolgreiche Charttopper hervor; auch Emotion, und Nasty Girl, die Leadsingle des parallel veröffentlichten Remixalbums This is the Remix, konnten an den Erfolg der vorherigen Auskopplungen anschließen. Passend zur Jahreszeit veröffentlichte die Gruppe Ende des Jahres 2001 schließlich ihr erstes Weihnachtsalbum, 8 Days of Christmas. Im Jahre 2002 trennten sich die Wege des Trios zu Gunsten individueller Solokarrieren vorerst. Im November 2004 veröffentlichte das wiedervereinte Trio ihr viertes Album Destiny Fulfilled. Das von dem Trio Rodney Jerkins, Mario Winans und 9th Wonder produzierte Album bescherte der Band mit Lose My Breath, Soldier, den beiden Mid-Tempo-Balladen Girl und Cater 2 U vier weitere internationale Top 10-Hits. Das Album verkaufte sich mehr als 8 Millionen Mal weltweit, konnte jedoch nicht an den überragenden Erfolg der beiden vorherigen Alben The Writing’s on the Wall und Survivor anschließen. Am 11. Juni 2005 verkündeten Destiny’s Child auf ihrer Welttour ihre endgültige Trennung. Während die Band in den Folgemonaten mit mehreren Preisen (darunter drei World Music Awards) geehrt wurde, erschien neben einer DVD zur Welttournee auch das Greatest-Hits-Album #1’s. Die Platte brachte mit Stand Up for Love, der Hymne zum Kindertag 2005, die letzte gemeinsame Single der Band hervor, deren Mitglieder im März 2006 schließlich getrennte Wege gingen. Im Dezember 2007 gab Kelly Rowland bekannt, dass sie mit ihren Bandkolleginnen Beyoncé Knowles und Michelle Williams über eine erneute Wiedervereinigung im Jahre 2008 nachdenken würde. 2008 schloss Williams dies aber aus. Zum 15-jährigen Bandjubiläum brachte die Gruppe im Oktober 2012 ihr zweites Kompilationsalbum Playlist: The Very Best of Destiny’s Child auf den Markt. Am 10.01.2013 wurde schließlich eine dritte Compilation mit dem Namen Love Songs angekündigt.

Images:
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Name: Bobby V
SortName: Bobby V
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Overview:
Robert Wilson (born February 27, 1980 in Jackson, Mississippi), was better known by the stage name Bobby Valentino, but is now officially known as Bobby V. According to Songfacts, Wilson was forced to shorten his name because of a lawsuit involving a British musician who has been recording and performing under the name Bobby Valentino years before Bobby V had come on the scene.

He is an American R&B singer previously signed to Ludacris’ label Disturbing Tha Peace. He released his self-titled debut album in 2005 and has since released 2007’s Special Occasion and 2009’s The Rebirth. He released his fourth studio album, Fly On The Wall on March 22, 2011.

Images:
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Name: Jeremih
SortName: Jeremih
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Overview:
Jeremy Felton (born July 17, 1987), who performs under the mononym Jeremih, is an American recording artist and producer signed to Def Jam Recordings. Jeremih's debut single, "Birthday Sex" (which was also recorded in French), peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100. His first and self-titled album, Jeremih, debuted at number six on the US Billboard 200, selling 59,000 copies in its first week. On September 28, 2010, he released his second album, All About You.

Images:
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Name: Ryan Leslie
SortName: Ryan Leslie
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Overview:
Anthony Ryan Leslie (born September 25, 1978), professionally known as Ryan Leslie, is an American record producer, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and rapper from Washington, D.C. He is founder of the Disruptive Multimedia and NextSelection Lifestyle Group. Leslie has produced singles for a number of artists in a variety of genres, ranging from R&B/hip hop to pop to gospel. From 2005-2006, he had his most commercial success to date with NextSelection/Bad Boy/Atlantic recording artist Cassie and her single "Me & U". Leslie's debut album, Ryan Leslie (2008), features the songs "Diamond Girl", "Addiction", and "How It Was Supposed To Be". He was nominated for a Grammy in 2011. 

Early life:
His parents are Salvation Army officers who frequently relocate for work. Ryan's family are practicing Christians. Ryan has lived in various states, cities, and countries. At an early age, Leslie taught himself how to play the piano. He developed the ability to recite music, as well as arrange chords to create songs. At the age of 14, Leslie scored a 1600 on his SATs--a perfect score--while attending Bear Creek High School, in Stockton, CA. In 1993, he applied to four University of California campuses as well as Stanford, Yale and Harvard. In his application essays he explained his interest in matriculating from his junior year in high school without having earned a diploma. He was accepted to all except for Stanford. He ultimately decided to attend Harvard College. At the age of 19, Leslie graduated from Harvard with a degree in Government, concentrating in Political Science and Macroeconomics. During the undergraduate Class Day ceremonies, Leslie was selected to be the Harvard Male Orator, one of four seniors who deliver orations to the graduating senior class. 
Leslie grew up around music, playing cornet as a child in the Salvation Army band. Ryan later switched to piano because his overbite made it difficult to get proper embouchure on a brass instrument. At Harvard, he joined the Krokodiloes, an a cappella group. Leslie suddenly saw a new future for himself when a friend played him a Stevie Wonder CD freshman year. "I became obsessed with him," says Leslie. "I wanted to chase that man's career." Thus began the transition from premed Poindexter to R&B Romeo. Leslie became a constant presence at the on-campus recording studio. Fellow student Chiqui Matthew remembers Leslie making beats at every free moment. "He was on a different level of intensity. Most of us were pretty realistic--we're Harvard students; this music stuff is fun, but this isn't the future," says Matthew, who now works with credit derivatives at Goldman Sachs. "But Ryan always had a ten-year plan about how he was going to take over the music industry." While still a college student, Leslie began producing tracks for local Boston artists. Meanwhile, Leslie was beginning to mold his own image, too. "He had this pseudo-sexual, thugged-out Lothario thing," says Matthew. "I never really bought it. He seemed more like a music nerd to me". 

Music career:

1997-2003: Career beginnings:
During his freshman year at Harvard, Leslie devoted many hours per week to creating and developing music in a studio basement on campus. He taught himself basic production skills and also developed a musical style of his own. As the semesters progressed, Leslie spent more and more time in the school's studio molding his craft. He also performed many events around campus and was a part of the school's all male a cappella group The Krokodiloes. Due to the conflict with music and school, Leslie was put on academic probation three times during his college career. He has said in many interviews that during those college years, he became accustomed to getting 2 to 3 hours of sleep per night. To earn disposable income during these years, Leslie sold instrumentals to local artists in the Boston area. 
After graduating college, Leslie urged his parents to allow him to go in to the music industry. They told him that he could have a better future considering he graduated from college at the age of 19. Leslie insisted that he was going to pursue his musical interests for two years and if he didn't like it he would stop. Leslie remained in Boston because of its music scene. He took on community service jobs to help support himself and would spend nights in the recording studio working on his music. Eventually, Leslie moved back home with his parents in Phoenix where he convinced them to take out a loan for a production studio so that he could pursue music full-time. He vowed to his family that he would pay back the $15,000 loan one day, even if it meant going back to school and getting a more traditional job. For the next several months, Leslie worked towards developing a distinct sound. During this period, Leslie has said that he ate and slept very little. In the summer of 2003, Ryan landed a production internship with producer Younglord. He has said in interviews that he considers this 30-day internship the jump-start of his career in the music industry. Within the first week, Leslie produced the song "Keep Giving Your Love To Me" that would later be performed by Beyoncé for the Bad Boys II soundtrack. The soundtrack was supervised by Marc "Dombolo" Styles & Sean "Diddy" Combs, who were impressed by Leslie's production style and offered him a management contract upon meeting him. 
Under the management of Combs, Leslie worked on various Bad Boy Records projects, including releases from Loon, Cheri Dennis, B5, New Edition and Danity Kane. During that time, Leslie co-produced a record for Britney Spears. Also in 2003, Leslie was introduced by his then attorney Ed Woods to Tommy Mottola. Mottola soon became a mentor of Leslie's and offered him a publishing deal with Aspen Songs and a recording contract with Casablanca, Mottola's imprint distributed by Universal Music Group. Under the mentorship of Mottola and Combs, Leslie signed then-aspiring model Cassie Ventura to his imprint, NextSelection in 2005. 
In late 2003, Leslie began recording his debut album, entitled Just Right, and released two singles: "The Way That U Move Girl" and "Used 2 Be" (with Fabolous). The album was never officially released due to creative differences between Leslie and his record label. 

2004-2010: Debut album, Transition and leaving label:
Ryan Leslie returned to the studio in 2006 to record a new debut album. The lead single, "Diamond Girl" was released in December 2007. The video for "Diamond Girl" was premiered on BET's 106 & Park, and released on Leslie's YouTube channel with a special behind-the-scenes clip. In November 2007, he released a video for a song named "I-R-I-N-A" that was produced in-house and released through his YouTube channel as well. 
His second single, "Addiction" features pop singer and protege Cassie, with a rap cameo from long-time collaborator, rapper Fabolous. The song was officially released in August 2008. Of the two music videos made for the song, the "Making of 'Addiction'" clip became Leslie's most popular video on YouTube, with more than 3.2 million views. 
His third single, "How It Was Supposed To Be" also has two music videos: a rock version and a military take on the song, which was Leslie's directorial debut and was co-directed by model Tyson Beckford. The single was released March 23, 2009. After many setbacks, his self-titled album, Ryan Leslie, was finally released on February 10, 2009. Leslie wrote, arranged, produced, and performed every song on his album. Notable instrumentalists on his debut set include Tommy Mottola, Tom "T-Bone" Wolk, and Brent Paschke. 
Ryan Leslie enamored old and new fans alike (June 23) during the first of two back-to-back performances at New York City's Bowery Ballroom. The R&B singer/rapper/songwriter/producer/multi-instrumentalist (who parted ways with former label Universal Motown mid-2010) celebrated his new-found independence with performances of former hits like "Addicted" and "How It Was Supposed to Be," as well as two new tracks: "Glory" and "Maybachs and Diamonds." 
"Never had a top ten, but they still respect my art," Ryan Leslie sang during "Glory," which is slated to be included on his third release, "Les Is More"--his first independent album following 2009's self-titled debut and "Transition." "Maybachs and Diamonds" is a slow, groovy tune about flourishing his partner with more than just material things, like "Maybachs and Diamonds." 
Initially, Leslie had a four-album deal with Universal, but toward the end of that contract, "Universal was interested in reshaping my deal to more of a 360, and they actually made a counter-offer from the initial recording fund," Leslie tells Billboard.com. "At that point I saw that as a window to potentially branch off and try something that was going to be new and dynamic." 
While Leslie did not make any formal announcements about his departure from Universal Motown during the set, he took some subtle jabs at his previous label home. "I've always wanted to play these songs but I couldn't before," he said while singing "Guardian Angel." "I always felt like this song should be a single. 

2011-present: Les Is More and Black Mozart:
Ryan Leslie announced on Twitter and Facebook in January 2011, that his third album would be released July 4th, 2011. His first official single from the album released was 'Glory', despite the first singles performed being 'Beautiful Lie' and 'Breathe'. However Leslie would later announce on his website and Twitter account that the album has now been pushed back for a release 'This Fall'. On October 11th, he sent an e-mail to his fanbase saying "I promise 'Les Is More' is just a few weeks away." 
Les is More is now a visual album. So far "Glory", "Beautiful Lie", "Good Girl" and "5 Minute Freshen Up" are out on his website. The latter was released on March 20, 2012. "Dress You To Undress You" and "Swiss Francs" are still scheduled for release. Other Tracks Mentioned to be on the album by Leslie via his official Twitter are "Ready or Not" and " Live Good (Riviera Flow) Feat. Raekwon". Leslie has performed the tracks "Breathe (Feat. Mr Hudson) and "One Lonely Heart" live and said they would be included on Les is More. "Joan Of Arc" was released in Mid-2011 and Leslie stated at that time that it would be included on Les is More. 
Ryan Leslie announced the date for his album Les Is More via Twitter. The album was released on October 22, 2012. Ryan announced in February 2013 that his fourth studio album Black Mozart would be released 16 April 2013 however delayed the release. The full album was released to members of Leslie's #Renegades club on August 31, 2013. 

Other ventures:

NextSelection Lifestyle Group:
While working as a producer, Leslie went on to create NextSelection Lifestyle Group, his music-media company he founded with online marketing partner Rasheed Richmond. Ryan signed his first artist, Cassie in 2005. Under Ryan's guidance, Cassie went on to become one of the fastest rising R&B acts that year. Her breakout smash "Me & U" (written and produced by Leslie) spent 20 weeks on the Top 40 and went on to reach number three on the Billboard Hot 100, selling over a million digital units. "Me & U" also went on to become one of the biggest records in the history of Atlantic Records. 
Ryan posts an interactive daily video blog, where he gives viewers a taste of what daily life is like in the music business. Industry parties, TV appearances, and hanging out with beautiful women--it's there for all to see. "Blogging is something that allows us to document life," Leslie said. "When you look at a lot of successful films, books, a lot of them relate to the experiences of others," and the video blog is a way for him to connect with the masses. "There have been other video blogs, but this one's a first of its kind from a music standpoint," he said  "It's a huge commitment," he said of the video blog. "It takes six, seven hours a day to produce a video blog."  In anticipation for the release of Les Is More, Leslie releases a new music video from his album for every video that reaches one million hits on his website 8. 
Recently, Ryan signed Krys Ivory as his newest act under NextSelection. He also signed YouTube star Mia Rose. 

Disruptive Multimedia:
In August 2013, Leslie released his fourth studio album, Black Mozart, through his #Renegades music club. In subsequent months, musicians such as 50 Cent, Raphael Saadiq, and Talib Kweli would use the underlying technology to launch their respective upcoming studio albums and power their own music membership clubs. Kweli spoke about the experience in an interview, "The first thing that appeals to me is the direct contact with the fans and the fact that I receive their e-mails...The second thing is the fact that the money comes directly to me when you buy the album from me. It goes directly to my account. There is nobody taking their cut." 
Leslie's work with Disruptive Multimedia has been supported by venture capitalists such as Ben Horowitz, journalists such as TechCrunch's Josh Constine, and musicians such as Kanye West. 

Artistry:

Musical influences:
Leslie has stated in many interviews that Stevie Wonder is one of the biggest influences on his music. He attributes Michael Jackson, Prince, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, VBak, Quincy Jones, The Beatles, Sconch & McGubbs, Tom Waits and D'Angelo as musical heroes as well. 

Online presence:
Leslie's blog, YouTube channel, MySpace page and most recently Twitter have been the biggest contributors to his growing fanbase. His videos have become some of the most popular on YouTube, bringing accolades such as "Top 10 Most Subscribed Users". Leslie also posts videos documenting his interaction with his audience, including giving away free iPods, backstage passes to his concerts, and invitations to have dinner with him. His energy and creative spontaneity have earned him the respect from those inside and outside of the music industry. On his website/video diary, there is a clip featuring artists such as Boyz II Men, Chrisette Michelle, Musiq Soulchild, Keri Hilson, Christina Milian, and David Banner praising him for the inspiration they have received from his videos. 
Leslie maintains such an active online presence as he believes that it is the future of the music industry. He says that due to the digital music revolution of the past few years, physical compact discs of music will eventually become obsolete, and will become the eight track tape of this generation. Prior to his 2009 MySpace Release concert, Leslie encouraged aspiring musical artists to utilize digital media while marketing themselves. 

Personal life:
Producer Ryan Leslie began spotting Cassie Ventura at clubs and parties in late 2004. He was charmed by Cassie's personality and was finally introduced to her by AJ Crimson, Sean "Diddy" Combs' makeup artist, who had worked with Cassie on one of her photo modeling shoots. 
Not long afterward, Cassie approached Ryan Leslie to help her record a song that she wanted to give to her mother as a birthday gift. Leslie put together a duet for the two of them to sing, called "Kiss Me". He was so pleased with the result that he played it for record executive Tommy Mottola who quickly offered Cassie a management deal. Leslie soon signed Cassie to his NextSelection label, and wrote and produced Cassie's first single, "Me & U" in 2005. 
Leslie was named one of "New York's 50 Hottest Bachelors" in 2009 by PageSix Magazine, published by the New York Post. 

Legal issues:
In October 2010, Leslie's laptop was stolen from his Mercedes, while he was on tour in Cologne, Germany. Leslie would offer $20,000, raising it to $1 million reward for the return of it due to his recent productions that it contained. The laptop was returned however the intellectual property that Leslie was trying to recover was not present, and Leslie did not feel the reward terms had been met. Armin Augstein, who runs a garage in Pulheim, near Cologne, who returned the laptop was granted the $1 million reward in 2012 after a lawsuit. He was later also made pay an extra $180,000 in interest for refusing to pay for those two years. Leslie is still in search for the material that was missing. On September 7, 2013, New York City marshals seized Leslie's 2010 Cadillac Escalade, which went up for auction two days later on September 9 due to him continuing to not pay up the reward he offered for the laptop. It was also revealed Leslie had apparently only paid 5,000 dollars so far, even though court documents indicate Leslie's performances make hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

Relationships:
"Me & U" became a major hit on the Internet, and a video for the song was rushed into production, but withdrawn when it was deemed too risqué. "Me & U" peaked as the No. 3 download on iTunes, and those sales pushed it to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. 
In the meantime, Sean Combs heard "Me & U" in a club, and Ryan Leslie convinced him to partner his Bad Boy Records with Leslie's own NextSelection imprint for the release of Cassie's debut album, Cassie, in August 2006. 
Firmly established and working with industry heavyweights, Cassie appeared on AskMen.com's list of the Top 99 Most Desirable Women in 2008, at No. 62. As Leslie and Ventura spent more time together in the studio, Cassie became closer with Ryan. "Cassie was my girl in New York City. We were going out romantically, and we made a song and put it out just for fun," Leslie said regarding their relationship. 
Their relationship strengthened as Cassie's whirlwind of success in the music world expanded. "I love Cassie, I love her. I fell in love with her, I fell in love with her music, I fell in love with her family". However, Cassie broke off their relationship and moved on to Sean "Diddy" Combs as they began to work more frequently. 
Ironically, Cassie is still signed to NextSelection, though the two have not spoken in some time. "To be honest, we don't really speak. We are still cordial. I saw her at Kanye's Bowery performance and I said 'Hello' to her. You always have the curiosity about what would happen if we got back in the studio, but it's a matter of scheduling and timing. If it ever happens, I am one hundred percent open to it".

Images:
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Name: Whitney Houston
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Overview:
Whitney Elizabeth Houston (* 9. August 1963 in Newark, New Jersey; † 11. Februar 2012 in Beverly Hills, Kalifornien) war eine US-amerikanische R&B-, Soul- und Popmusik-Sängerin, Schauspielerin und Filmproduzentin.

Mit über 170 Millionen verkauften Tonträgern und über 200 Gold-, Platin-, Silber- und Diamantschallplatten sowie sechs Grammys gehörte Whitney Houston zu den erfolgreichsten Sängerinnen aller Zeiten.
1992 erlangte sie durch ihr Schauspieldebüt in der Hauptrolle des Films Bodyguard sowie durch den zum großen Teil von ihr gesungenen Soundtrack The Bodyguard den Höhepunkt ihrer Popularität. I Will Always Love You wurde ihr weltweit erfolgreichstes Lied.

Whitney Houston war das zweite Kind von Cissy Houston und John Russell Houston jr. (1920–2003). Ihre Mutter Cissy war 1969 als Sängerin bei den Sweet Inspirations, der Begleitgruppe von Elvis Presley, sowie unter anderem bei Jimi Hendrix engagiert. Whitney Houston hatte insgesamt vier Geschwister: Der Halbbruder Gary Garland stammt aus der ersten Ehe ihrer Mutter mit Freddie Garland; ihr Bruder Michael Houston war das erste gemeinsame Kind ihrer Eltern. Houstons beide jüngeren Halbgeschwister Alana Houston und John Russell Houston III stammen aus späteren Ehen ihres Vaters. Die Sängerinnen Dee Dee Warwick und Dionne Warwick waren ihre Cousinen, die Sängerin Darlene Love ihre Patentante.

1992 heiratete Houston den R&B-Sänger Bobby Brown, 1993 gebar sie die gemeinsame Tochter Bobbi Kristina. Im September 2006 reichte Whitney Houstons Anwältin einen Antrag auf Ehescheidung ein. Am 24. April 2007 wurde die Scheidung rechtskräftig. Für ihre Tochter hatte Whitney Houston das alleinige Sorgerecht.

Seit etwa Ende der 1990er Jahre litt Houston unter verschiedenen Formen von Drogenabhängigkeit, weshalb sie in den 2000er Jahren mehrere Entziehungskuren absolvierte. Im Mai 2011 gab Houstons Sprecherin bekannt, dass sich die Sängerin erneut in eine Entzugsklinik begeben habe.
Neun Monate später, am 11. Februar 2012, starb Whitney Houston im Alter von 48 Jahren im „Beverly Hilton“-Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Sie wurde mit dem Gesicht nach unten leblos in der Badewanne aufgefunden. Ihr früher Tod überschattete die am folgenden Abend stattfindende Verleihung der Grammy Awards 2012 am selben Ort. Nach Abschluss der gerichtsmedizinischen Untersuchungen wurde als Todesursache Ertrinken festgestellt. Der chronische Gebrauch von Kokain sowie eine Herzkrankheit sollen ebenfalls zum Tod der Sängerin beigetragen haben.

Die Trauerfeier fand am 18. Februar 2012 in der New Hope Baptist Church in Newark (New Jersey) statt, wo Houston als junges Mädchen Mitglied im Gospelchor war. Der fast vierstündigen Zeremonie unter der Leitung der Pastoren Joe A. Carter und Marvin Winans wohnten unter anderen Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys und Kevin Costner bei. Die Beisetzung erfolgte tags darauf auf dem Fairview Cemetery in Westfield (New Jersey) neben dem Grab ihres Vaters.

Whitney Houstons Alben und Singles verkauften sich mehr als 170 Millionen Mal. Die US-Amerikanerin war eine der wenigen Musikerinnen, die in drei aufeinanderfolgenden Dekaden ein Nummer-eins-Album in den internationalen Charts platzieren konnten – unter anderem in den USA, Deutschland, der Schweiz, Österreich und Kanada. 
Anfang der 1990er Jahre betätigte sich Houston auch mit großem Erfolg als Schauspielerin, ihre drei Kinofilme spielten zusammen mehrere hundert Millionen US-Dollar ein. Mit 411 Auszeichnungen für ihr musikalisches und filmisches Schaffen ist Whitney Houston laut Guinness Buch der Rekorde die am häufigsten ausgezeichnete Künstlerin aller Zeiten.
Als Preise für ihr Lebenswerk erhielt sie unter anderem 2001 den BET Lifetime Achievement Award und 2004 den Women’s World Award.

Der Grundstein ihrer Karriere war ihre unverwechselbare Stimme. Ihr Stimmvolumen umfasste drei Oktaven.
Die Sängerin galt als die bedeutendste zeitgenössische Interpretin moderner Pop-Soulmusik: 1998 schrieb die New York Times, Houston sei die „definitive Pop-Soul-Sängerin ihrer Generation“ und die amerikanische Musikzeitschrift Rolling Stone nahm sie wenige Jahre später als „beste weibliche Stimme ihrer Zeit“ in ihre Liste der 100 besten Sänger und Sängerinnen auf.
In den Medien wurde sie auch mit dem Übernamen „The Voice“ (deutsch: „Die Stimme“) bezeichnet. Ihr Gesang – eine vom traditionellen Gospel beeinflusste Mischung aus Pop und Soul – galt als stilprägend für die Generation nachfolgender Sänger und vor allem Sängerinnen. Künstlerinnen wie Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson und Mary J. Blige geben an, von ihr maßgeblich beeinflusst worden zu sein.

Houston setzte sich seit Beginn ihrer Karriere immer wieder für wohltätige Zwecke ein. 1989 gründete sie The Whitney Houston Foundation for Children, für die sie der US-amerikanische Fernsehsender VH-1 1995 mit seinem Honors Award auszeichnete. 1988 trat die Sängerin zu Ehren des damals noch inhaftierten Nelson Mandela beim Freedom Fest in London auf. Teile der Einnahmen aus verschiedenen Konzert-Specials, so Welcome Home Heroes oder Classic Whitney, gingen an wohltätige Zwecke.

Images:
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Name: Marques Houston
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Overview:
Marques Barrett “Batman” Houston (born August 4, 1981 in Los Angeles, California) is an American R&B singer, rapper, actor and former member of the R&B group Immature, also known as IMx. He founded the group in 1992 along with Young Rome, and they released five studio albums before disbanding in 2002. Houston released his debut solo album, MH, in 2003 and has since released 2005’s Naked, 2007’s Veteran and 2009’s Mr Houston. His fifth solo album, Mattress Music, was released September 14. 

Houston sang with his childhood friends, Jerome “Romeo” Jones and Kelton “LDB” Kessee in the group Immature. Chris Stokes became the manager of the group. They first started with the band called Immature. Houston’s Immature nickname “Batman” was given to him for wearing Batman underwear on his head. The group later changed their name to IMx, because they felt they had matured personally and musically. In 2002, IMx mutually disbanded because the members wanted to move on and do different things creatively. Houston inked a record deal with TUG/Universal records and embarked upon his journey of becoming a relevant R&B soloist.

In 2003, Houston recorded and released his first solo album entitled MH. The singles were “That Girl” and “Clubbin (Ft. Joe Budden)”. Houston also appeared on Scream Tour with Nick Cannon, B2k, and Bow Wow.

In 2004, he released two more singles from that album; “Pop That Booty (Ft. Jermaine Dupri) and “Because Of You”.

In 2005, Houston released his sophomore album entitled Naked. The singles from that album were “All Because Of You (Ft. Young Rome)”, “Naked”, and “Sex Wit You”.

Images:
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Name: Monica
SortName: Monica
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Overview:
Monica Denise Brown (born October 24, 1980) professionally known as Monica, is an American R&B singer–songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. Born and raised in College Park, Georgia, Monica began performing as a child and became part of a traveling gospel choir, at the age of ten. Guided by producers Dallas Austin and Tim & Bob, she signed with Arista Records at age thirteen and released her debut album Miss Thang in 1995. Its first two singles "Don't Take It Personal" and "Before You Walk out of My Life" made her the youngest recording act to ever have two consecutive chart-topping hits on the US Billboard Top R&B Singles chart.

In 1998, Arnold's second album The Boy Is Mine earned her major international chart success. Pushed by its number-one hit title track, a duet with singer Brandy, won the pair a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, it spawned two further chart-toppers, "The First Night" and "Angel of Mine", and established her position as one of the most successful of the urban R&B female vocalists to emerge in the mid to late-1990s. During the production of her third album All Eyez on Me (2002), Arnold experienced personal struggles and her career went under hiatus. In 2003, her fourth album After the Storm was released on J Records, and after an unsuccessful period, she scored her fifth number one single, "So Gone". Her latest album Still Standing, whose recording was tracked by a BET reality series of the same name, was released in 2010 and produced the hit singles "Everything to Me" and "Love All Over Me", the first of which became Arnold's sixth number one hit.

Arnold has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide, including over 5.1 million units in the United States alone. With a career lasting over 15 years, she became the first artist to top the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. In 2010, Billboard listed Arnold at number 24 on its list of the Top 50 R&B and Hip Hop Artists of the past 25 years.

Images:
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Name: Ester Dean
SortName: Ester Dean
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Overview:
Ester Renay Dean (born April 15, 1986) is an American songwriter, singer, rapper, and record producer. Her 2009 single "Drop It Low" featured singer Chris Brown. Dean has also co-written songs for many artists including Christina Aguilera, Katy Perry, Keri Hilson, Beyoncé, Priyanka Chopra, Mary J. Blige, Nicki Minaj, Kelly Clarkson, Ciara, The Pussycat Dolls, Usher, Kelly Rowland, Girlicious, Rihanna, R. Kelly, Britney Spears, Melody Thornton, Vanessa White, Selena Gomez, Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, Pia Toscano, Tinie Tempah, Lil Wayne, Machine Gun Kelly and Eurovision Song Contest 2012 winner Loreen.

In 2011, Dean contributed to the soundtrack for the animated film, Rio by Blue Sky Studios. In 2012, she voiced two of the characters in the fourth film in the Ice Age franchise, Ice Age: Continental Drift, and also wrote a song for the movie, entitled "We Are (Family)". Dean made her acting debut in the film Pitch Perfect (2012) and performs on the soundtrack as well.

Images:
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Name: Dondria
SortName: Dondria
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Overview:
Dondria Nicole Fields never had to send a demo tape to an A&R. She never stood in line to audition for "American Idol," nor has she ever joined a girl group to get her foot in the door. Nope. Dondria, So So Def's newest R&B singer with a stunning voice, got her big break in the music biz with the help of a $15 webcam and YouTube, the popular video-sharing website. But if you ask her, all of this - her online discovery, record deal and newfound music career - happened simply by accident.  "Before 2006, I had never heard of YouTube," says the Texas native, who was introduced to the site by a friend. "I went up there to watch a fight that had happened at my school. I didn't know people were singing on it."  On a whim, Dondria bought a webcam and decided to upload a singing video of her own. Her choice: an a cappella version of Musiq Soulchild's "Love." Within two weeks, the video earned over 1,000 views and garnered tons of encouragement from visitors. Inspired, Dondria began searching for instrumentals that she could videotape herself singing along to. At the request of her rapidly growing online fan base, she posted various clips of herself covering songs from "Diary" by Alicia Keys to Rihanna's "Unfaithful." However, it was her stirring rendition of Ciara's "Promise" - which received over a million views - that took the budding singer from homebound diva to a complete Internet sensation.  "I thought to myself, 'Wow, I really have something here,'" remembers Dondria of the overwhelming response to the video. "I didn't get on YouTube to get a record deal. I was just having fun. But when I saw the feedback I was getting, I realized that a lot of people really liked my voice."  One of those people happened to be So So Def CEO Jermaine Dupri, who tried for several weeks to connect with Dondria on both YouTube and MySpace. Thinking Dupri's messages were from an impostor, Dondria initially ignored them. "I would get emails all the time from people claiming to be this or that. Most of the time, when I'd blow them off, they'd never hit back. But Jermaine persisted, so I called him up one day and the rest is history."  Dupri flew the singer and her mom to Atlanta for what Dondria thought was a session with Jagged Edge to make a YouTube video. However, Dupri surprised the young artist by offering her a contract.  "JD was so extra cool," she recalls. "He just walked over to me, and asked if I was ready. My answer was, 'I was born ready.'" Officially signing with So So Def in 2007, Dondria, then 20 years old, had a record deal.  And to think, merely a year prior, the Southern songbird was just another small town girl from Sachse, Texas who got her start in music at the age of four by singing in church. "My entire family sang, but I didn't get passionate about singing until middle school when my choir teacher suggested I take voice lessons." Dondria took voice lessons, competed in talent shows and over the years studied the likes of Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Etta James. She even spent a year at Tarleton State University as a music education major.  All of these experiences prepared Dondria for her long-awaited debut album Dondria vs. Phatfffat. Channeling her natural talent and years of training, Dondria pours her heart and soul into her first single, "You're the One." Written and produced by Dupri and veteran songwriter/producer Bryan Michael Cox, "You're the One" is a timeless throwback to classic R&B and the perfect track to showcase Dondria's range and vocal maturity. "Dondria is like a young Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey or Alicia Keys," says Dupri. "There is nothing that the girl can't sing."  Longtime Dupri collaborator and singer/songwriter Johnta Austin also sings her praises. "Dondria has a soulfulness that is just crazy," says Austin, who recorded a duet with Dondria entitled "Crazy About Your Love." "There hasn't been a voice like hers since SWV. When we were working together, I was impressed by how natural she was."  Her debut album released August 17th, 2010, Dondria vs Phatfffat - ("Phatfffat" is a nickname she picked up in college as a contrast between her skinny physique and ravenous appetite for food) - features a diverse mix of soulful ballads, real R&B and straight up dance records.  "I'm so in love with this album," Dondria gushes. "You can play it from start to finish without stopping. I love the feedback I've been getting from my fans." If you haven't purchased your copy of the album yet, you are missing a treat. Dondria updates a number of online pages daily with content - from a cappellas to covers to silly behind-the-scenes moments - and really leverages the power of the Internet to maintain her relevance and grow her million-plus fan base.  Subsequently, Dondria's keen understanding of social networking coupled with her raw talent and charisma set her apart in the music industry and is a sure sign that this rising star will be around for a long time.  "As an artist, you need to utilize every aspect of putting yourself out there," says Dondria. "YouTube made it so easy. It allowed me to show the world the 'real me' - my real voice, pitch and presence. Now, with So So Def, I have the opportunity to become a real R&B artist and live a dream. And I'm loving every minute of it."

Images:
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Name: Janelle Monae
SortName: Janelle Monae
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Overview:
Janelle Monáe Robinson (born December 1, 1985), known as Janelle Monáe is an American R&B and soul musician, composer and record producer signed to Bad Boy Records and Atlantic Records. After making a mark with her first unofficial album, The Audition, Monáe debuted with a conceptual EP, Metropolis: Suite I (The Chase). The EP failed to make much of a commercial impact, peaking at No. 115 on the Billboard charts in the United States.

In 2010, Janelle Monáe released her debut studio album, The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III), a concept album sequel to her first EP; it was released by Bad Boy Records. This album received acclaim from critics and garnered a nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 53rd Grammy Awards. The song "Tightrope" was also nominated for Best Urban/Alternative Performance at the same ceremony. This album was also more successful commercially officially reaching the No. 17 spot on the Billboard Charts.

Her success has also garnered her several Grammy nominations. In March 2012, "We Are Young", the song by the band fun. on which Monáe makes a guest appearance, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, her first appearance in the US Top 10. In August 2012, Monáe was chosen as the newest addition to the CoverGirl spokeswomen lineup.

Images:
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Name: Erykah Badu
SortName: Erykah Badu
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Overview:
Born Erica Abi Wright on February 26, 1971 in Dallas, Texas, Erykah Badu inherited a taste for music from her mother Kolleen Wright, who introduced her to multiple genres of music (Joni Mitchell, Parliament-Funkadelic, Pink Floyd, Phoebe Snow, Chaka Khan). At the tender age of four, Badu began singing and dancing in productions at the local Dallas Theatre Centre. It wasn’t until her acting debut in the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreational Center’s musical production of “Really Rosie,” directed by her godmother Gwen Hargrove, that Badu realized she was a natural performer. “I played Alligator,” Badu says, “and at 6 years old, I got my first standing ovation. I knew I wanted to bring people to their feet from that point on. Badu stayed true to her artistic leanings and enrolled at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing Arts in the late ’80s. Tomboyish and a bit of a class clown, Badu devoted most of her time to perfecting her dance form, studying the techniques of Martha Graham and Katherine Dunham, as well as practicing ballet, tap, and modern dance. Badu also sharpened her Hip-Hop skills, freestyling on the Dallas radio station 90.9 FM KNON under the name Apples the Alchemist until she eventually changed the spelling of her name from “Erica Wright” to “Erykah Badu,” “kah” being Kemetic (Egyptian) for a human’s vital energy or “inner-self” and “ba-du” after her favorite jazz scat-sound. But later, Badu would discover that her chosen name holds a far deeper meaning. Badu enrolled at Grambling State University, where she majored in theater and minored in Quantum Physics. She left in 1993 to pursue music full-time. During the day, she taught drama and dance at the South Dallas Cultural Center and worked as a coffeehouse waitress. At night, she recorded and performed songs like “Appletree,” produced by her cousin Robert “Free” Bradford. In 1994, her 19-song demo caught the attention of aspiring record executive Kedar Massenburg by way of the SXSW music festival. Massenburg signed her to his upstart label Kedar Entertainment. The company eventually merged with Motown/Universal and Badu started opening for D’Angelo, prepping the world for the massive Neo soul movement to come. The New York Times described Badu’s groundbreaking debut, 1997’s Baduizm, as “traditional soul vocals, staccato hip-hop rhythms and laid-back jazzy grooves.” Yet, hindsight reveals that Badu’s debut was more than just an album, it was the introduction of a new lifestyle. The music evoked speakeasies, incense, head wraps, and boho coffee shop culture all in one easy breath. Propelled by the lead single “On & On,” the album went multi-platinum, winning her two Grammys for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Album. Badu topped Rolling Stone’s Reader’s poll for Best R&B Artist, and Entertainment Weekly named her Best New Female Singer of 1997.

Images:
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Name: Pastor Troy
SortName: Pastor Troy
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Overview:
Recognized for the lyrical self-consciousness, thoughtfulness, and sincerity he injects into his otherwise standard approach to Dirty South rap, Pastor Troy stood out among the masses of up-and-coming Southern MC trying to break out nationally in the early 2000s. Born Micah LeVar Troy on November 18, 1977, in the College Park suburb of Atlanta, GA, he grew up under the influence of his father, Alfred Troy, a principled man of Haitian descent who is a former drill instructor turned pastor. Street culture, and specifically rap music, also influenced Pastor Troy when he was a teenager at Creekside High School and, later, a student at Payne College.

Pastor Troy made his recording debut in 1999 with We Ready - I Declare War, an underground album released by Madd Society Records. "No Mo Play in G.A.," a Master P dis, drew attention to the album and earned Pastor Troy some initial notoriety. A pair of subsequent underground albums -- Book I and Pastor Troy for President, both released in 2000 -- set the stage for Pastor Troy's major-label debut, Face Off (2001). Released by Universal Records, the album was led by the non-charting single "This tha City" and included previously released material (e.g., "No Mo Play in G.A."). Also in 2001, the Pastor Troy-affiliated group DSGB (i.e., Down South Georgia Boyz) made its debut on The Last Supper, released by Khaotic Generation Records.

Troy's second album for Universal, Universal Soldier (2002), was his most successful. The album, his first comprised of entirely all-new material, boasted a couple Timbaland productions, including "Are We Cuttin'," which was released as a single. Lil Jon also produced a few tracks ("Who, What, When, Where," "For My Hustlaz," "If They Kill Me"). Universal Soldier charted at number 13 on The Billboard 200, while "Are We Cuttin'" broke into the The Billboard Hot 100 (number 96) -- both career highs for Pastor Troy. By Any Means Necessary (2004), the follow-up album, and "Ridin' Big," its lead single, couldn't match the commercial success of the previous go-round, and consequently Pastor Troy and Universal dissolved their partnership.
Face Off, Pt. 2 Once again an independent rapper, Pastor Troy began releasing a variety of albums at a fast rate: Face Off, Pt. 2 and Hood Hustlin': The Mix Tape, Vol. 1 were released in 2005; Stay Tru, By Choice or by Force, Down South Hood Hustlin, and Atlanta 2 Memphis in 2006; and Tool Muziq in 2007.

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Name: Trina
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Overview:
Katrina Laverne Taylor (born December 3, 1978), better known by her stage name Trina, is an American rapper, songwriter and model from Miami, Florida. Trina first gained notoriety in 1998 with her appearance on Trick Daddy’s second studio album www.thug.com to the single “Nann Nigga.” She scored her first Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 as a feature artist on Chingy single “Right Thurr. ” Two years later, Trina scored her own on Top 20 single on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Here We Go” featuring Kelly Rowland,which became her first worldwide hit. Trina has released five moderately successful studio albums and has been named The Most Consistent Female Rapper of All-Time by XXL Magazine.

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Name: Webbie
SortName: Webbie
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Overview:
Webster Gradney, Jr. (born September 6, 1985), who performs under the mononym Webbie, is an American rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was signed to the independent Trill Entertainment label from 2003 to 2005. In 2005 he came into the hip hop scene with "Gimme That" featuring Bun B. His songs "Bad Bitch" and "Swerve" were featured on Gangsta Musik, his 2003 group album with Lil Boosie, and in the 2005 movie Hustle & Flow. Webbie's second album, Savage Life 2, was released in early 2008 with the hit single "Independent" featuring Lil Boosie and Lil Phat. Webbie was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His mother died when he was nine years old so his parental care was split between his father and grandmother. Ever since he was five years old, he had been writing rhymes, and throughout his childhood he had become an avid fan of hardcore rap artists including Southern hip hop performers Master P, Eightball & MJG, the Geto Boys, and UGK,
Webbie first appeared on Lil Boosie's album For My Thugz on the track "Gotta Get It" in 2002. He and Lil Boosie released Ghetto Stories in 2003 and Gangsta Musik in 2004. As Webbie's solo track "Give Me That" featuring Bun B was frequently featured in mixtapes, as a label Trill Entertainment was growing in popularity & was signed for a distribution deal at Asylum Records along with (Webbie). After he was signed there, his major-label debut Savage Life was released in 2005, debuting at number eight on the US Billboard 200 chart.
Trill began a deal to sign Webbie to the subsidiary label Atlantic Records & was successful. Singles from his next album, Savage Life 2, include "Independent" featuring Boosie and Lil Phat. It is Webbie's most successful song to date, peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching the top of the Rap Songs chart. Webbie released his third studio album Savage Life 3 on November 15, 2012 under Trill Ent. The first single from the album was "What's Happenin'". The album has currently sold over 50,000 copies.
Webbie's upcoming fourth album Savage Life 4 will be the fourth in the Savage Life album series. The first single from the album "What I Do" was released on April 16, 2013. It was released on November 19, 2013

Images:
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Name: Lil' Twist
SortName: Lil' Twist
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Christopher Moore (born in Dallas, Texas), better known by the stage name Lil Twist, is a rapper and singer signed to Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment. He is also a member of the rap duo YOUNG HOT BOYZ with Lil Chuckee. He has released one mixtape, 2009's The Yearbook.  Since then, Twist has been working on his upcoming mixtape Wake Up. In August of 2013 he released his single featuring Chris Brown titled  I Don't Care. Also, he released Twerk featuring Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber. During a ustream he play the intro to another single titled  UFO. He is curtly working hard for his fans.


Name: The Burrprint (The Movie 3D)
SortName: Burrprint (The Movie 3D)
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Name: Dedication 2
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Name: Big Draws, Little Panties.
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Name: ELEMENTS
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Name: A Tribe Called Quest
SortName: Tribe Called Quest
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Overview:
A Tribe Called Quest ist eine US-amerikanische Hip-Hop-Gruppe, welche den Genres Alternative Hip-Hop und Jazz-Rap zugerechnet wird. Die Band wurde 1985 gegründet, 1998 aufgelöst und 2006 wiederbelebt. Die Mitglieder der Gruppe waren und sind die MCs Q-Tip, Phife Dawg und Jarobi White sowie der DJ und Produzent Ali Shaheed Muhammad.

A Tribe Called Quest gilt durch die teils philosophischen, teils sozialkritischen Texte sowie durch die häufig aus Jazz-Samples (Jazz-Rap) arrangierten Stücke als eine der für Fans des Eastcoastsounds bevorzugten Hip-Hop-Gruppen.

Q-Tip und Phife wuchsen in Queens auf und lernten sich in jungen Jahren in der Kirche kennen. Ihre gemeinsame Herkunft thematisieren A Tribe Called Quest unter anderem in dem Song Check the Rhime auf ihrem zweiten Album The Low End Theory. Später lernten Q-Tip und Phife Muhammad an der High School kennen. Auf dieselbe Schule gingen auch die Jungle Brothers, eine Hip-Hop-Band, die gleichfalls später zur Native Tongue Family gehörte. Durch ein Bandmitglied der Jungle Brothers wurden sie mit DJ Red Alert bekannt, der ihnen zum Durchbruch helfen sollte. Die Jungle Brothers waren es auch, die den Namen A Tribe Called Quest geprägt haben, nachdem die Band sich zuvor lediglich als Quest bezeichnete. Die Native Tongues gehörten der Afrocentricity-Bewegung an und verbreiteten deren Gedanken, dass sich jeder Afroamerikaner seines Erbes besinnen soll.

Im August 1989 erschien die erste Single Description of a Fool auf einem kleinen Musik-Label. Zuvor hatte Q-Tip auf einigen Tracks von De La Souls LP 3 Feet High and Rising und auf Deee-Lites Groove Is In The Heart mitgewirkt.

1989 gingen A Tribe Called Quest zu Jive Records und veröffentlichten im gleichen Jahr ihr erstes Album People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. 1990 landeten sie einen Hit mit Bonita Applebum. Auf The Low End Theory bekamen sie Unterstützung von Bassist Ron Carter, der schon mit Miles Davis und John Coltrane gespielt hatte. 2003 schloss sich A Tribe Called Quest wieder zusammen; eine Single erschien und ein Album wurde angekündigt.

Im Jahr 2011 wurde der Dokumentarfilm Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest veröffentlicht, der die Geschichte der Band von der Gründung bis zur Reunion-Tour im Jahr 2008 zeigt. Regie führte der Schauspieler Michael Rapaport.

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Name: Ali Shaheed Muhammad
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Name: Malik Taylor
SortName: Malik Taylor
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Name: Ghost
SortName: Ghost
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Overview:
Ghost (engl. ‚Geist‘) ist eine schwedische Heavy-Metal-Band aus Linköping. Die Mitglieder der Band treten maskiert und anonym auf und werden jeweils mit „A Nameless Ghoul“ (engl. ‚Ein namenloser Ghul‘) angegeben. Der Sänger, Tobias Forge, tritt offiziell unter dem Namen „Papa Emeritus“ bzw. „Cardinal Copia“ mit der jeweiligen römischen Zahl als Symbol der jeweiligen Epoche auf.
Die Band wurde im Jahr 2006 gegründet und veröffentlichte 2009 eine Demoaufnahme mit drei Liedern in Eigenregie sowie eine 7"-Vinyl-Single mit den Liedern Elizabeth und Death Knell bei dem deutschen Plattenlabel Iron Pegasus Records. Der Text des Liedes Elizabeth wurde von der Legendenbildung um das Leben der ungarischen Gräfin Elisabeth Báthory inspiriert, Death Knell (engl. ‚Totenglocke‘) war schon auf der Demo enthalten und wurde für die Single erneut aufgenommen. Nach Vertragsunterzeichnung bei dem britischen Label Rise Above Records von Lee Dorrian erschien am 18. Oktober 2010 das Debütalbum Opus Eponymous in Europa. Auf diesem befinden sich inklusive zweier Instrumentalstücke neun Lieder, darunter auch die vier bisher veröffentlichten Stücke in (abermaliger) Neuaufnahme. Die Veröffentlichung in Nordamerika erfolgte am 18. Januar 2011 über Metal Blade Records, in Japan erschien das Album am 6. April bei Trooper Entertainment mit einer Coverversion des Beatles-Lieds Here Comes the Sun als Bonustitel.

Ihre ersten beiden Liveauftritte absolvierte die Band im Oktober 2010 auf dem Hammer-of-Doom-Festival in Würzburg sowie dem Live-Evil-Festival in London. Gemeinsame Auftritte mit Watain, Deströyer 666, In Solitude und Repugnant folgten. Im Sommer 2011 spielte Ghost auf mehreren Musikfestivals, darunter das Roadburn Festival in Tilburg, das Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg und Maryland Death Fest in Baltimore. Letzteres war zudem der erste Auftritt der Band außerhalb Europas. Außerdem war die Band Vorgruppe bei einigen Konzerten der Bands Paradise Lost und Blood Ceremony auf deren jeweiliger Europatournee. Im September und Oktober war Ghost zusammen mit Enslaved und Alcest auf Tour durch die USA und begleitete ab November In Flames und Trivium auf deren Europatournee.
Am 15. Dezember 2012 übergab Papa Emeritus bei einem Konzert im schwedischen Linköping das Gesangsmikrofon an einen (ebenso anonymen) Nachfolger, der sich mit „Io sono Papa Emeritus secondo“ (ital.: „Ich bin Papa Emeritus der II.“) vorstellte.  Anschließend spielten Ghost einen neuen Song namens Secular Haze, der am 20. Dezember 2012 über eine offizielle Webseite von Ghost als erste Single des zweiten Albums als Vorabversion zum Anhören freigeschaltet wurde.  Das Album mit dem Titel Infestissumam erschien am 19. April 2013. 

Nach einem absolvierten Auftritt auf dem Sonisphere Festival 2014 führte das Metal-Hammer-Magazin ein Interview mit einem der namenlosen Ghouls, in dem es hieß, dass man nach einem Nachfolger für Sänger Papa Emeritus II. suche. Als Grund nannte er persönliche Differenzen zwischen dem Sänger und dem Rest der Gruppe. 

Im August 2015 erschien das dritte Album der Band, Meliora. Auch für dieses Album gab es eine Neubesetzung des Sängers, der neue nennt sich Papa Emeritus III. und wurde von der Band als der sechs Monate jüngere Bruder von Papa Emeritus II. vorgestellt. Der von diesem Album stammende Titel Cirice wurde im Februar 2016 als Beste Hard Rock/Metal Performance bei den Grammys ausgezeichnet.
Bei einem Konzert in Milwaukee am 31. Mai 2018 verstarb ein Zuschauer an einem Herzstillstand. Das Konzert wurde daraufhin vorzeitig beendet.  Einen Tag später erschien das vierte Studioalbum Prequelle, das von Tom Dalgety produziert wurde. Prequelle erreichte Platz eins der schwedischen, Platz zwei der deutschen und Platz drei der US-amerikanischen Albumcharts. Bei den Metal Hammer Awards 2018 wurden Ghost in der Kategorie Beste internationale Band und Prequelle in der Kategorie Bestes Album nominiert.  Die Preise gingen jedoch an die Bands Arch Enemy bzw. Powerwolf. Bei den Grammy Awards 2019 wurde Prequelle in der Kategorie Best Rock Album und das Lied Rats in der Kategorie Best Rock Song nominiert.  Prequelle wurde beim schwedischen Musikpreis Grammis in der Kategorie Hardrock/Metal nominiert, der Preis ging allerdings an die Band Tribulation.

Im Sommer 2019 tourten Ghost zusammen mit Bokassa im Vorprogramm von Metallica durch Europa.

Images:
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Name: Jah Cure
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Overview:
Jah Cure, or Iyah Cure (born Siccature Alcock on 11 October 1978 in Hanover, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae musician, who was raised in Kingston. He was given the name Jah Cure by Capleton whom he met while growing up in Kingston.

His first big break came in March 1997 when he released the single "King in this Jungle" which was a duet with Sizzla. The single was produced by Beres Hammond who went on to become his mentor. He then released a steady stream of singles that won him critical and popular acclaim. Beres Hammond eventually took Cure under his tutelage and began mentoring him and producing his music in the studio. In 1998, Cure performed on a European tour and visited several Caribbean Islands with Beres Hammond and the Harmony House Family.

In November 1998, while driving around Montego Bay, Cure was pulled over by the police and arrested on charges of gun possession, robbery and rape. He was prosecuted before the Gun Court in April 1999, found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Cure was transferred from the St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre to the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre, which had a digital recording studio the inmates could use. It was there that Cure released three albums and a number of singles, some of which have topped the Jamaican chart. His first album Free Jah's Cure The Album the Truth was released in 2000, it was followed by Ghetto Life in 2003 and Freedom Blues in 2005. More recently Cure has released the songs "Love Is", "Longing For" and "True Reflections", showing his unique voice and lyrical ability.

He was released from jail on parole on 28 July 2007, after serving 8 years of the sentence. Three days later, his fourth album, True Reflections...A New Beginning was released.

His first concert after he was released took place at the Reggae Sundance in August 2007. He was the last and headlining act.

He is now signed to SoBe Entertainment International.

In 2008, Jah Cure released "Hot Long Time" feat. Junior Reid. "Universal Cure", Jah Cure's 5th studio album, was to be released on 25 November 2008, but was postponed to a "mid 2009" release.

"The Universal Cure" was released in the US on 14 April 2009. The album features "Hot Long Time" (featuring Junior Reid, Flo Rida, and Mavado.), as well as "Mr. Jailer" and "Journey". The album was the first recorded album since his release from prison.

At the end of 2010, following the success of Jah Cure's single "Unconditional Love" featuring Phyllisia, SoBe Entertainment released the second single off Jah Cure's upcoming "World Cry" album, titled "Like I See It" featuring Rick Ross and Mavado.

Jah Cure married TV Host/Producer Kamila Mcdonald on 7 August 2011 in Sandy Bay Hanover. On 20 February 2012 the couple welcomed a baby girl named Kailani Belle. Their daughters name means "Beautiful Chief from the heavens".

On 11 December 2012, SoBe Entertainment released Jah Cure's 6th studio album, "World Cry," digitally to the world. The physical release is scheduled for 29 January 2013.

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Name: Beres Hammond
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Overview:
Born the ninth of ten children; Hammond grew up listening to his father's collection of American soul and jazz music; including Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. He was further influenced by the native musics of ska and rocksteady, in particular Alton Ellis.
Hammond began participating in local talent contests from 1972 to 1973, which led to his first recording, of Ellis' "Wanderer". In 1975 he joined the band, Zap Pow, as lead singer, leading to the hit 1978 single, "The System" under the Aquarius Records label. However, he simultaneously sought a solo career, releasing his debut album, Soul Reggae, in 1976. His solo ballads "One Step Ahead" (1976) and Joe Gibbs produced "I'm in Love" (1978), were both hits in Jamaica. He left Zap Pow in 1979 to pursue his solo career, and recorded two more albums Let's Make A Song in 1980 and Red Light 1981. He formed Tuesday's Children, a harmony group that toured but never recorded.
Hammond formed his own record label, Harmony Records, in 1985 for the release of his Make a Song album, which had two Jamaican chart-toppers that were influenced by the emerging dancehall style: "Groovy Little Thing" and "What One Dance Can Do". The latter, produced by Willie Lindo, began to break Hammond into the international market. He scored another hit in 1986 with "Settling Down" on his eponymous release. He left his fame in Jamaica for New York in 1987, after being tied up as thieves ransacked his house during a home invasion. There he recorded the Have a Nice Weekend album and the duet single "How Can We Ease the Pain" with Maxi Priest.
Hammond returned briefly to Jamaica to record Putting Up Resistance, which was significantly harder than his typical ballads, produced by Tappa Zukie, which spawned the hits "Putting Up Resistance" and "Strange". He signed with Penthouse Records in 1990 and returned to Jamaica permanently to record the dancehall smash "Tempted to Touch", with producer Donovan Germain. This is perhaps his best known song in the United States and United Kingdom, and set the foundation for the hits "Is This a Sign" and "Respect to You Baby" on the 1992 Love Affair album. Also in 1992, Beres released the single "Fire". The song received critical acclaim within the Reggae music industry and it was an extremely sought after 7" single. Now garnering interest from major studios such as Elektra Records, Hammond recorded five more albums in the 1990s as well as several compilations, establishing himself as one of the top lovers rock artists. His first album of the new millennium was 2001's Music Is Life, which featured an appearance by Wyclef Jean, and contributions from Earl "Chinna" Smith and Flourgon. The album spawned several hits, including "They Gonna Talk", "Rockaway" and "Ain't It Good To Know". The 2004 release Love Has No Boundaries, had guest spots by Buju Banton and Big Youth.
He returned to Jamaica to perform at the Opening Ceremony for the Cricket World Cup 2007.
He released yet another album in 2008, A Moment in Time, on VP Records, which featured the single "I Feel Good".
His 2012 album One Love, One Life topped the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.

Images:
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Name: Assassin
SortName: Assassin
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Overview:
Assassin is a French hip-hop act formed in the late 1980s by Rockin' Squat (real name Mathias Cassel) and Solo, later joined by Doctor L and DJ Clyde. True to their musical and lyrical roots, Assassin are primarily interested in social criticism and uncompromising music.

Images:
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Name: Busy Signal
SortName: Busy Signal
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Overview:
Glendale Goshia Gordon (born 24 January 1979), better known by his stage name Busy Signal, is a Jamaican dancehall reggae artist. Gordon was born in Saint Ann Parish, living in areas in West and East Kingston such as Tivoli Gardens, Papine, and Spanish Town. He is a past student of Brown's Town Comprehensive High School. Known as one of the artists leading the contemporary dancehall movement, Busy Signal has been a large part of the scene since 2003. His first hit single, "Step Out", was one of the most popular dancehall songs in 2005. A music video for "Step Out" was released shortly afterwards. He was nicknamed Busy Signal by his friends because of the fact that he is constantly busy. His hit tracks for 2007/2008 were "Nah Go A Jail Again", "Smoke Some High Grade", "Tic Toc" and the track entitled "Unknown Number" has made tremendous airplay and dancehall reviews especially in the Caribbean and the US. He has released a hit dancehall album entitled Step Out. On 22 September 2008, Busy Signal released his second studio album titled Loaded, a 15 track compilation on VP Records of well known dancehall hits such as "Jail", "Whine Pon Di Edge", "These Are the Days", among others, as well as never-heard-before exclusive tracks such as "People So Evil" and "Hustle Hard". The artist announced the introduction of a self-styled clothing line in 2011. On 21 May 2012, Gordon was arrested at the Norman Manley International Airport in Jamaica due to an extradition Warrant from the US. He was extradited to the US on 19 June where he faced cocaine-related charges. In September 2012 he received a six month prison sentence. He was released in November, and promptly released the single "Come Shock Out". BBC Music ranked Reggae Music Again #7 on their Top 25 Albums of 2012 listing. Busy Signal appears on the No Doubt album, Push and Shove, collaborating with the band and the production team Major Lazer on the title track

Images:
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Name: Lutan Fyah
SortName: Lutan Fyah
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Images:
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Name: Mr. Vegas
SortName: Mr. Vegas
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Overview:
He catapulted to the top of the Jamaican charts in 1997 with the dancehall boomshots "Heads High" and "Nike Air", his distinctive vocals fusing melodious singing with precision deejaying (rapping). Since then he has built an international fan base with hit singles like "Pull Up", "Tamale" and "Hot Gal Today" but it is on his latest CD "Constant Spring" that Mr. Vegas' spectacular sing-jay approach and cleverly crafted lyrics dazzle with the intensity of an evening in, well, Las Vegas.  Born Clifford Smith in Kingston, Jamaica, he was given the nickname Mr. Vegas by his cousin for the neon pink shorts he wore on the football field; in addition to his athletic skills Mr. Vegas also demonstrated musical talents early on. However an unfortunate dispute over the ownership of a DAT resulted in Vegas being hit in the jaw with an iron pipe; after the assault Vegas' mouth was wired shut so he was forced to create a unique method of vocalizing through his teeth. That style was first heard on "Nike Air", the song that initially positioned Vegas on the dancehall charts. Characterized by uplifting lyrics aimed (especially) at young women, he followed "Nike Air" with another affirming and very appealing tune "Heads High" which reached number one in Jamaica, hit the British Top Ten and found its way onto several urban stations across America.  Vegas' 1997 debut album "Heads High" (Greensleeves Records) further displayed his captivating vocal capabilities on songs like "Jacket", "Sweet Pineapple" and "Everywhere I Go"; it also earned him a British Mobo Award as Best Reggae artist, while establishing his fan base beyond the Jamaican dancehall.  However Vegas demonstrated even greater versatility on his 2001 sophomore release "Damn Right" (Greensleeves) which featured a stronger R&B and hip-hop flavor on the hits "Girls Time" and "She's A Ho", sensitive singing on the roots rocking "Rise" and a sensational duet with Sean Paul "Hot Gal Today".  With his move to the Los Angeles based independent label Delicious Vinyl Vegas released his third CD "Pull Up". The title track was recorded on Scatta Burrell's wildly popular Coolie Dance riddim, entered the Billboard charts and took Vegas' music into previously uncharted territory. Another single from "Pull Up" "Tamale" also did well, particularly in Europe.  Vegas has just completed his fourth and finest CD so far "Constant Spring" which presents an amalgam of styles including reggaeton productions by the red hot duo Luny/Tunes on the tracks "Johnny" and "Papito" and Latin tinged duets with Don Omar ("Pobre Diablo") and El Medico ("Penicilin"). Another scorching combination "Burnin" features soca sensation Kevin Lyttle. Vegas' long time associate Jamaica's Richard "Shams" Browne produced several tracks including "Million Dollar Baby" and "Slow Wine" while veteran dancehall hit makers Steely and Clevie's Sleepy Dog riddim scampers under Vegas' current Jamaican chart topper, the CDs title track "Constant Spring". Another Jamaican hit that is currently finding popularity throughout Europe is Vegas' self-produced, uncharacteristically contemplative "More Love", his emotive singing lamenting Jamaica's upwardly spiraling crime rate but the song's lyrics are applicable to many troubled territories throughout the world:  "I walk these Kingston streets, everyday a bare a beat/I can't get no sleep all I hear is AKs when they speak/ I walk Spanish town all I hear is people get gunned down, when I look around all I see is bodies on the ground. My shadow's afraid to even walk beside me, my shadow's afraid to even walk this city gun dawg and his friend full the morgue in Kingston city/too many guns in town."  "Crime, violence, war, it affects everyone," Vegas says, "and there is nothing in that song that doesn't relate to what is going on everywhere, especially Kingston. We want this album to be versatile so a Latino person a hip hop person, urban kids or all nationalities will listen to it."  Reflecting the ongoing changes within the music industry, Vegas and his manager Leslie Cooney of the Los Angeles based company Addict Management will be taking a very different approach regarding the release of "Constant Spring": they will not be signing to just one label. "We have found that as an independent artist Vegas can better exploit his appeal in every territory without the expectations and limitations of being signed to one label," says Ms. Cooney. "Instead, we will directly supply his fans with music worldwide and will seek licenses with different labels in their respective territories. Whether by an actual record or digital distribution, if there is a demand for Vegas it can now be met without waiting for the record label machinery to spring into action. We are taking matters in our own hands and Vegas is planning his own future."  And for Mr. Vegas the future appears to be shining even brighter than the flashing neon lights that abound in the Nevada city that is his namesake. www.mr-vegas.com

Images:
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Name: George Nooks
SortName: George Nooks
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Images:
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Name: Gyptian
SortName: Gyptian
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Overview:
Gyptian (* 25. Oktober 1983 im Saint Andrew Parish als Windel Beneto Edwards) ist ein jamaikanischer Reggae-Sänger.

Edwards wuchs bei seinen Eltern im ländlichen King Weston District auf. Sein Vater, ein Rastafari, brachte ihn früh in Kontakt mit seiner Kultur und Musik, während seine Mutter, die Siebenten-Tags-Adventistin ist, ihn als Kind mit in die Kirche nahm und dort früh sein Gesangstalent bemerkte. Mit seinem Vater, der selbst zeitweise im Musikgeschäft tätig war, lernte er als junger Mann den Produzenten Ravin Wong aus Portmore kennen.

In Wongs Studio nahm Gyptian seine 2005 erschienene Debüt-Single Serious Times auf. Der Song kombiniert „hypnotische Nyahbinghi Drums“ (David Jeffries, Allmusic) mit einem Text, der zu einem Ende von Gewalt und Verbrechen aufruft. Der Song wurde in Jamaika ein Nummer-Eins-Hit und machte Gyptian auf einen Schlag bekannt. In der Folge erhielt er zahlreiche Angebote von verschiedenen Produzenten, die mit ihm arbeiten wollten, Gyptian lehnte aber vieles ab, unter anderem weil er etwa mit Gun Talk nichts zu tun haben wollte.

Sein Debüt-Album My Name Is Gyptian erschien 2006 bei VP Records und bot eine Mischung aus modernem Roots Reggae und Lovers Rock. Im Jahr 2008 folgte I Can Feel Your Pain mit stärkerem Contemporary-R&B-Einfluss.

2010 landete er mit Hold You (Hold Yuh) wieder einen Hit, mehrere Remixe und das ebenfalls Hold You betitelte Album folgten. Der Song und das Album wurden auch internationale Erfolge. Nachdem I Can Feel Your Pain sich bereits in den Top 10 der US-amerikanischen Billboard-Reggae-Album-Charts platzieren konnte, erreichte Gyptian mit Hold You nicht nur Platz 2 in den Reggae-Album-Charts, sondern auch einen 186. Platz in den allgemeinen Billboard-200-Albumcharts. Die Single schaffte es bis auf Platz 16 der britischen Singlecharts und auf Platz 77 der Billboard Hot 100. Am 20. Oktober 2010 gewann Gyptian in Großbritannien bei der Verleihung der MOBO Awards den Preis in der Kategorie Best Reggae Act, am 10. November 2010 erhielt er in den USA den Soul Train Music Award als Best Reggae Artist 2010.

Images:
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Name: Sanchez
SortName: Sanchez
PresentationUniqueKey: 1cd3eb4e752744c6977d3aea769091d9
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Overview:
Kevin Anthony Jackson (born 30 November 1964), known professionally as Sanchez, is a reggae singer-songwriter and record producer of Jamaican descent. After starting his career in 1987, Sanchez has produced a number of hit singles including "One In A Million", "Fall In Love", "Missing You", "I Care For You" and "Never Dis Di Man".
Born in Kingston, Jackson grew up in the Stony Hill and Waterford areas. He was given the nickname 'Sanchez' due to his football skills - a reference to a footballer of that name. He sang from an early age in the Rehoboth Apostolic Church choir in St Catherine. After working with several Kingston sound systems, first as selector for the Rambo Mango sound system, he began recording and had his first hit with "Lady In Red", recorded for producer Red Man in 1987. By 1988 he was one of Jamaica's most popular singers, and at his performance at Reggae Sunsplash that year he was called back for six encores. He had further big hits with "Loneliness Leave Me Alone", produced by Winston Riley, and with his version of Tracy Chapman's "Baby Can I Hold You", which was included on the Philip "Fatis" Burrell-produced Number One album (1989). He has worked with several of Jamaica's other top producers, including King Jammy, Bobby Digital, and Donovan Germain.
His 2000 album Simply Being Me reached number 14 on the US Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart, and 2002's Stays on My Mind hit number 9.
Primarily known for love songs and cover versions of pop and R&B songs, in the 1990s he mixed gospel themes with other topics on his albums, and released the totally gospel Who is This Man in 1999 and He's Got the Power in 2003.
In 2012 he revealed that he is now "a full-time producer", and has been working with studio engineer and writer Rodnie "Tenor" Lion. In May he revealed that he was working on two self-produced albums, one dancehall (Like a General) and one gospel (There is no Other Like You Lord).

Images:
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Name: Capleton
SortName: Capleton
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Overview:
Capleton (born Clifton George Bailey III, 13 April 1967, Saint Mary, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist. He is also referred to as King Shango, King David, The Fireman and The Prophet. His record label is called David House Productions. He is known for his Rastafari movement views expressed in his songs. Bailey was born in Islington in St. Mary in 1967. As a youth, he was given the surname of a popular St. Mary lawyer and friend of the family, Capleton, as a nickname by his relatives and friends. Capleton rejects the name given to him at birth, given its European origin. He now prefers "King Shango", given its roots in the Yoruba language. As a teenager, he snuck out of his home to catch local dancehall acts, eventually leaving St. Mary for Kingston at the age of 18 to work on his career as a dancehall deejay.

Images:
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Name: Richie Spice
SortName: Richie Spice
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Overview:
Richie Spice (born Richell Bonner on September 8, 1971 in St. Andrew, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae artist. He hails from one of the islands most renowned family of artists. The Bonner brothers consist of Richie Spice, Pliers from Chaka Demus and Pliers, Spanner Banner and dancehall DJ Snatcher Dog.  Spice's first Jamaican single "Killing a Sound" was produced by Dennis "Star" Hayes. This was followed by "Shine" by ace Jamaican record producer/musician Clive Hunt. Spice also teamed up with Hunt for his debut album on the Island Jamaica Label from which came his first major hit "Grooving my girl". His sister, Bridgett Bonner for Bonner Productions Ltd, organized his second album. The album produced hits such as "Earth a Run Red", "Living Ain't Easy", Land of Jamaica "Time So Rough", the aforementioned "Grooving My Girl" and many others. This album, renamed UNIVERSAL is contracted to Heartbeat Records for further development and international exposure. Spice currently has a hot new album to be released early summer of 2003 called WORLD ROCK.  Having gained popularity in the mid 90's, Spice has performed at all major shows staged locally namely Reggae Sun Splash (a paid tribute by him to Bob Marley), White River Reggae Bash, Rebel Salute and many others. Spice has opened shows for the likes of Chaka Demus and Pliers, Spanner Banner and Rita Marley on extensive tours of Europe and the United States 1996-1997.  He again toured East North America from June to September 2001. His increased popularity has gained him spots at numerous venues. His most recent projects include performances at Sting held at Jam World St. Catherine (December 26, 2002) and Sting Miami (March 2003).  Richie Spice is a member of the Rastafari movement.  http://www.richiespice.net/

Images:
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Name: Duane Stephenson
SortName: Duane Stephenson
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Overview:
Duane Stephenson is more than just a reggae singer.  His work exhibits  the versatility of many of music’s greatest artists in the pop realm;  mixing poetic lyrics that address social ills, romance and global issues with excellent phrasing, potent hooks and melodic changes -  all delivered in an extremely nimble tenor that wakes the soul and challenges the mind. Duane Stephenson’s work as a songwriter reflects contributions from a diverse group of industry veterans including a collaboration on “Better Tomorrow” with Jamaican mega-producer Handel Tucker creator of hits for Maxi Priest, Diana King, Shaggy and The Fugees.  “Better Tomorrow” is an uplifting ballad with world music influences and an optimistic message.  An accompanying video was directed by Ras Kassa the Guru director of Damian Marley’s Welcome To Jamrock and other innovative videos with Sean Paul, Richie Spice and Tarrus Riley.  The” Better Tomorrow” video features uplifting scenes of people striving to overcome obstacles and a sincere message of encouragement to those in the artistic community with scenes that include a ballet dancer, as well as varied musicians including a full string section.

Images:
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Name: Tok
SortName: Tok
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Overview:
Tok Tok Tok was a German acoustic soul band, active between 1998 and 2013.
History :
Before founding Tok Tok Tok in 1998, Tokunbo Akinro (lyrics) and Morten Klein (composition and arrangement), the creative and organizing heart of the band, worked together in various other projects. Their musical search for melodic beauty associated with groove and soul led them to find their completing parts in each other. They played concerts all over the world from Paris, Berlin, Madrid and The Hague to Kiev, Tel Aviv and Sao Paulo. In 2013, after 15 years of working together, Morten Klein and Tokunbo Akinro decided to have a break and to concentrate on solo projects.

Images:
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Name: I-Wayne
SortName: I-Wayne
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Name: Wayne Wonder
SortName: Wayne Wonder
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Overview:
Wayne Wonder (born Von Wayne Charles, 26 July 1972) is a Jamaican reggae fusion (specifically reggae/R&B) artist. While his early recordings were dancehall and reggae, he later moved towards hip hop and rap.
Wonder was born in Buff Bay, Portland, Jamaica. He sang in Sunday school as a child, and began songwriting at the age of 13, getting a major career break when he was given a regular weekly slot at Metro Media in Allman Town. He auditioned at Sonic Sounds studio, but while Sly Dunbar was impressed, his touring commitments with Black Uhuru prevented him from signing Wonder. He had more success, however, with King Tubby, who produced his first single, "Long and Lasting Love", in 1985, with two more following. Wonder's career suffered a setback when Tubby was killed in 1988, and he recorded for several other record producers at Sonic Sound, enjoying a further hit with the Lloyd Dennis-produced "It's Over Now", leading to the release of his first album, No More Chance, although his success in this era was limited. His fortunes improved when he began working with Dave Kelly, a friend from primary school, who had become resident sound engineer at Penthouse Studios. The partnership enjoyed a string of hits, starting with "Saddest Day", and they also worked on Wonder's second album, Part 2. His 1990 live performance of Alphaville's "Forever Young" was recorded and later released to Alphaville fans in a limited, cassette-only album entitled History. He toured the UK in 1992 along with other Penthouse stars Marcia Griffiths, Tony Rebel, and Buju Banton. He also recorded "Bonafide Love (Movie Star)" with Buju Banton, and wrote several early hits for him, including the controversial "Boom Bye Bye". He toured again with Banton in 1994 as part of the Penthouse Showcase.
Wonder formed the band Alias along with Kelly, Baby Cham, Frisco Kid, and Frankie Sly, and later Entourage.

Images:
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Name: Fiona
SortName: Fiona
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Name: Retrogott
Overview: None found, add one?
SortName: Retrogott
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Name: Now That's What I Call The 80's Vol. 2
SortName: Now That's What I Call The 80's Vol. 2
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Name: Rick Astley
SortName: Rick Astley
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Overview:
Richard Paul "Rick" Astley; (born 6 February 1966) is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and radio personality. He is known for his 1987 song, "Never Gonna Give You Up", which was a #1 hit single in 25 countries. Astley holds the record for being the only male solo artist to have his first 8 singles reach the Top 10 in the UK and by retirement in 1993 had sold approximately 40 million records worldwide.
After retiring from the music industry in 1993, Astley made a comeback in 2007 when he became an Internet phenomenon, as his video for "Never Gonna Give You Up" became part of a popular Internet meme known as "Rickrolling". Astley was voted "Best Act Ever" by Internet users at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2008.

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Name: George Michael
SortName: George Michael
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Overview:
Er gilt als einer der absoluten Superstars der 80er Jahre neben Michael Jackson, Madonna und Prince. Ähnlich der Metamorphose seines Nachfolgers Robbie Williams in den 90ern muss sich George Michael Mitte der 80er aber zunächst von seiner Boygroup-Vergangenheit freischwimmen.

Wham! heißt das überaus erfolgreiche Projekt, das er mit seinem Schulfreund Andrew Ridgeley startet und mit dem er Megahits wie "Careless Whisper", "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" oder "Last Christmas" aufs Volk loslässt. Im Gegensatz zu Take That bestehen Wham! allerdings nicht aus irgendwelchen Casting-Typen.

Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, wie Michael bürgerlich heißt, schreibt sämtliche Hits der Truppe selbst und erhält bereits 1985 den Ivor Novello Award als Songwriter des Jahres. Nach dem Split kümmert er sich um seine Solokarriere, die mit einem Paukenschlag beginnt. In Amerika feiert er sechs Nummer Eins-Hits, alle von seinem Debütalbum "Faith" (darunter "Faith", "One More Try", "I Want Your Sex", "Father Figure"). Bis zum Jahr 2000 verkaufen sich über zehn Millionen Exemplare des Albums allein in den USA.

Bereits Anfang des Jahres 1987 erscheint der Song "I Knew You Were Waiting" als Ergebnis der Zusammenarbeit mit Aretha Franklin, die bis dahin noch nie mit einem weißen Künstler kollaborierte. Das schlüpfrige Video zu "I Want Your Sex" gerät 1988 zum Skandal, der George Michaels Ruf als schillernder Paradiesvogel festigt.

Für sein nächstes Album "Listen Without Prejudice" entwirft George einen TV-Werbespot, den das englische Fernsehen aufgrund zu vieler Nacktaufnahmen nicht zeigt. Australien und die USA (!) zeigen sich weniger zimperlich. Im September 1990 erscheint das Werk, das zwar erneut Kritikerlob, nicht aber die Verkaufszahlen des Vorgängers einfährt.

Schon im Vorfeld der Veröffentlichung zeichnet sich Ärger zwischen Michael und seinem Label Sony Music ab, da sich der Sänger nach den anstrengenden Promo-Aktivitäten der vergangenen Jahre dagegen wehrt, die übliche Werbetrommel zu rühren.

Trotz gegenteiliger Ankündigung geht George Michael noch im selben Jahr erneut auf Welttournee und spielt mit Madonna und Prince zusammen in Südamerika. Skandale bleiben ebenfalls nicht aus: Im Video zum Wham!-Remake "Freedom 90" lässt George anstelle seiner Person nur Supermodels auflaufen, die seinen Gesangspart übernehmen. MTV weigert sich zunächst, den wiederum sehr freizügigen Clip auszustrahlen und lenkt erst ein, nachdem eine fünfsekündige Einstellung auf die nackten Brüste Cindy Crawfords heraus geschnitten wird.

Zusammen mit Brian May, John Deacon und Roger Taylor - den verbliebenen Mitgliedern von Queen - sowie mit Lisa Stansfield veröffentlicht Michael drei Jahre später das Album "Five Live", dessen Erlös einer AIDS-Hilfsorganisation zugute kommt.


Erst viel später gesteht er, dass er bereits zum Zeitpunkt seines umjubelten Auftritts beim Freddie Mercury-Tribute-Konzert im April 1992 in London von der AIDS-Erkrankung seines Lebensgefährten Anselmo Feleppa wusste. Es beginnen schwere Zeiten für George.

1994 sterben sowohl seine Mutter als auch sein brasilianischer Lebensgefährte, parallel dazu beginnt ein von den Medien auf Schritt und Tritt verfolgter Rechtsstreit mit Sony Music. In dieser Zeit entsteht kein einziger neuer Song aus der Feder des Sängers, da er zeitweise täglich ins Gerichtsgebäude fährt und nebenbei mit Trauerarbeit beschäftigt ist.

Der Künstler fühlt sich, ähnlich wie sein Kollege Prince, von der Plattenindustrie versklavt und fordert ein Ende der Knebelverträge. Jeder Mensch könne jederzeit bei seinem Arbeitgeber die Kündigung einreichen, so Michaels Argumentation, nur Musikern bliebe dieses Recht verwehrt. Michaels Vertrag fesselt ihn noch weitere zehn Jahre an Sony. Obwohl am Ende der Konzern in sämtlichen Anklagepunkten Recht zugesprochen bekommt, entlässt ihn Sony 1995 frühzeitig. George wechselt zu Virgin.

Mit der Singleauskopplung "Jesus To A Child" vom 1996 erscheinenden Albums "Older" sorgt der homosexuelle Pop-Star wieder für Furore. Sein Outing findet jedoch in einer unrühmlichen Situation statt: Ein verdeckter Ermittler nimmt den Sänger im Frühjahr 1998 wegen "unzüchtigen Verhaltens mit einem Mann" in einer öffentlichen Toilette in L.A. fest.

Anschließend fegt sein Name monatelang durch den Blätterwald der Klatschpresse. Selbst Boy George äußert sich despektierlich über die Art und Weise des Outings, doch Pop-Seelsorger Elton John springt für Michael in die Bresche: "Boy George ist nur neidisch, weil er weniger Talent besitzt als George."

Aufgrund der Aussagen des Beamten muss George Michael insgesamt 910 Dollar Strafe zahlen und 80 Stunden gemeinnützige Arbeit verrichten. Außerdem verurteilt man ihn zur Teilnahme an einer psychologischen Beratung. Seine Sicht des Vorfalls verarbeitet der Brite im Song "Outside". Das bringt ihm wiederum eine Zehn-Millionen-Dollar-Klage ein, da sich der betreffende US-Cop von dem dazugehörigen Video verunglimpft fühlt.

Das Klo in L.A. - eine Never-Ending-Story. Dass aber seine Fans sich um all das nicht scheren und weiter treu zu ihrem Idol stehen, beweist der Charterfolg des 1998er Best Of-Albums "Ladies & Gentlemen", mit dem Michael in Großbritannien die Charts toppt und insgesamt achtfach Platin erntet.

In neuer Frische betreibt George im Jahr 2002 sein Comeback mit der Single "Freeek", die wie zuvor schon "Outside" böse Zungen laut werden lässt. In Frankreich verbietet man den Clip, in Großbritannien wird er bis zur Unkenntlichkeit zensiert und in den sonst so prüden Staaten darf eine leicht zensierte Fassung über den Äther flimmern.

Unverständnis bei Michael: "Ich dachte immer, dass Französinnen wesentlich mehr Power und Courage haben als US-Frauen ... In meinem Video werden Frauen nicht als Objekte dargestellt! Ich bin schwul, und das ist kein Geheimnis!" In Deutschland geht es lockerer zu: MTV und VIVA spielen den Clip nach wie vor, und das ist auch gut so.

Als Aufklärer betätigt sich George Michael auch während der Diskussion um die Notwendigkeit des Irak-Kriegs. MTV strahlt europaweit seinen Anti-Kriegs-Song aus. "The Grave" ist eine Cover-Version eines Songs, den der US-Musiker Don McLean 1971 gegen den Vietnam-Krieg verfasste. Michael hatte das Stück im Auftrag des Senders aufgenommen.

"MTV Europe hat keinen politischen Standpunkt. Aber George Michael ist dafür bekannt, dass er seine persönlichen Ansichten durch unnachahmbare Kreativität ausdrückt", erklärt MTV-Chef Brent Hansen den Sinn hinter der Ausstrahlung.

Bereits im Jahr vor dem Krieg protestierte Michael mit dem Titel "Shoot The Dog" inklusive Human League-Sample gegen Tony Blairs "unterwürfige Haltung" gegenüber US-Präsident George W. Bush. In dem recht eindeutigen Comic-Video wird Blair als Schoßhündchen des US-Präsidenten dargestellt.

Am Ende des Clips reist er nach Amerika, während George Michael sich mit seiner Ehefrau Cherie vergnügt (Auszug: "Let's have some fun while Tony's stateside"). Michael dazu wörtlich: "'Shoot The Dog' lässt die Erfahrung mit einem bestimmten Polizisten in Los Angeles aussehen wie eine Tee-Party" (siehe News.

Im Frühjahr 2004 bekommen die Fans endlich wieder ein musikalisches Lebenszeichen zu hören: "Patience" heißt nach George Michaels Willen sein letztes Album, das aber nicht sein Ende als Musiker bedeuten soll. Fortan will er seine Tracks im Netz verschenken. Wie man ihn kennt, ist das nicht nur eine Promoaktion.

Nach dem Adenauer-Motto "Was interessiert mich mein Geschwätz von gestern?" erscheint im Sommer 2006 dann endlich wieder ein musikalisches Lebenszeichen in Form der Single "An Easier Affair". Bis dahin macht der Beau eigentlich nur mit seltsamen Drogen- und Sex-Eskapaden Schlagzeilen. Entgegen Michaels Ankündigung ist die Maxi auch in Plattenläden erhältlich.

Parallel zu diesem Release verkündet er, zum ersten Mal seit 15 Jahren wieder auf Tour zu gehen. Mit "25Live" feiert George Michael sein 25-jähriges Jubiläum im Musikbiz. Die Konzerte sind in sehr kurzer Zeit ausverkauft.

Im November 2006 erscheint unter dem Titel "Twenty Five" eine Compilation, die die größten Erfolge seiner Karriere auf zwei CDs beziehungsweise einer Doppel-DVD zusammen fasst. Darauf befinden sich inklusive der aktuellen Single vier neue Songs, darunter mit "This Is Not Real Love" eine Kollaboration mit Ex-Sugababe Mutya Buena.

Von da an wird es einige Jahre still um die Poplegende. Im November 2011 leidet George Michael unter einer schweren Lungenentzündung und ringt drei Wochen mit dem Tod. Der Rückschlag macht ihn jedoch stärker, und er kehrt im August des Jahres 2012 mit neuer Single "White Light" ins Musikgeschäft zurück.

George Michael gilt als eine der größen Poplegenden des Musikgeschäfts. Nur wenige Musiker landen auch nach ihren Erfolgsjahren immer wieder Hits. Ein Ausnahmetalent, das seinesgleichen sucht.

Images:
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Name: Narada Michael Walden
SortName: Narada Michael Walden
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Overview:
Narada Michael Walden (* 23. April 1952 in Kalamazoo, Michigan) ist ein US-amerikanischer Produzent, Schlagzeuger, Keyboarder, Sänger und Songschreiber. Den Namen „Narada“ gab ihm der Guru Sri Chinmoy Anfang der 1970er Jahre. Walden ist seit rund vier Jahrzehnten im Musikgeschäft. Er erhielt mehrere Gold- und Platinauszeichnungen sowie zwei Grammys.

Nach seiner Ausbildung im College zog er nach Miami, wo er in verschiedenen Rockbands spielte. Im Mahavishnu Orchestra von John McLaughlin wechselte er 1974 für Billy Cobham ans Schlagzeug. Dann ging er mit Jeff Beck ins Studio (Wired) und mit Weather Report (Black Market). 1976 war er Schlagzeuger in der Tommy Bolin Band. Bereits sein Debütalbum Garden of Love Light (Atlantic Records) enthielt mit Delightful einen ersten Achtungserfolg in den amerikanischen R&B-Charts (1977). Mit seinem dritten Album, The Awakening, schaffte er 1979 seinen Durchbruch.

Er zeichnet auch als Produzent und Mitautor mehrerer Nummer-eins-Hits verantwortlich, darunter I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) und So Emotional für Whitney Houston und Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now von Starship. Für Freeway of Love, das sich zum Hit für Aretha Franklin entwickelte, bekam er 1986 zusammen mit Jeffrey Cohen einen Grammy. Bei den Grammy Awards 1988 wurde er als Produzent des Jahres ausgezeichnet.

Images:
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Name: Paula Abdul
SortName: Paula Abdul
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Overview:
Paula Julie Abdul (* 19. Juni 1962 in San Fernando bei Los Angeles, Kalifornien, USA) ist eine US-amerikanische Choreographin und Pop-Sängerin.

Familie 

Anfang der 1950er lernte die in Winnipeg lebende Lorraine Rykiss bei einem Verwandtenbesuch in Los Angeles den syrisch-sephardischen, in Brasilien lebenden Viehhändler Harry Abdul kennen. Sie heirateten 1952 in Winnipeg und kehrten kurz darauf nach Los Angeles zurück, wo Harry im Sand- und Kieshandel der Familie seiner Frau arbeitete; Lorraine selbst war zeitweise Assistentin des Regisseurs Billy Wilder. Harry und Lorraine bekamen zwei Töchter: Wendy (1955) und Paula Julie (1962). 1969 ließen sie sich scheiden, die Kinder lebten fortan bei der Mutter und sahen den Vater an Wochenenden.

* 29. April 1992: Heirat mit Emilio Estevez; geschieden am 10. Mai 1994
* 24. Oktober 1996: Heirat mit Brad Beckerman; geschieden 1999
* Paula Abdul hat keine Kinder.

Leben 

In der Van Nuys High School machte Paula ihre ersten Erfahrungen als Cheerleaderin. Schon als Teenager hatte sie Probleme mit einer auch später immer wieder auftretenden Bulimie. Mit 16 hatte sie einen Auftritt in der TV-Sendung Junior High School. Nach dem High-School Abschluss 1980 bot ihr die Juilliard School of Performing Arts in New York Tanzunterricht an, was sie aber ablehnte. Statt dessen nahm sie ein Studium für ‘Broadcast Radio and TV’ am California State Northridge College auf. 1982 ging Paula Abdul zu den Cheerleadern der L. A. Lakers, deren Coach sie wurde. 1984 hatte sie ihre erste größere Choreographie für das Jacksons-Video Torture.

Paula Abdul war fortan gefragte Choreographin für Bühnenshows und Video-Clips u. a. für Janet Jackson und Mick Jagger. 1988 wurde ihre erste Single Straight Up veröffentlicht. Wenig später folgte das Album Forever Your Girl mit bis heute 12 Mio. verkauften Exemplaren; vier der ausgekoppelten Singles erreichten Platz 1 in den US-Charts, was vor ihr keine andere Sängerin geschafft hatte. Paula Abdul erhielt zwei Emmys für „Outstanding Achievement in Choreography“.

Weitere Stationen 
* Im Dezember 2004 wurde Paula Abdul wegen Fahrerflucht zu einer Geldstrafe von US $ 1.075,- und zwei Jahre Haft auf Bewährung verurteilt.
* 1999 Mitkomponistin von „Spinning Around“ für Kylie Minogue.
* 2004 brachte Paula Abdul eine eigene Schmuck-Serie namens Innergy heraus.
* 2002-2007 erlangte Paula Abdul erneute Popularität in den USA als einer der Juroren der TV-Show American Idol, der Vorlage für Deutschland sucht den Superstar.

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Name: Lionel Richie
SortName: Lionel Richie
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Overview:
Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. (born June 20, 1949) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer and actor. From 1968, he was a member of the musical group Commodores signed to Motown Records. Richie made his solo debut in 1982 with the album Lionel Richie and number-one hit "Truly".

Richie was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, the son of Alberta R. (Foster) and Lionel Brockman Richie. Richie grew up on the campus of Tuskegee Institute. His grandfather's house was across the street from the home of the president of the college. His family moved to Joliet, Illinois, where he graduated from Joliet Township High School, East Campus. A star tennis player in Joliet, he accepted a tennis scholarship to attend Tuskegee Institute, and graduated with a major in economics. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Tuskegee, Richie briefly attended graduate school at Auburn University. He is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

As a student in Tuskegee, Richie formed a succession of R&B groups in the mid-1960s. In 1968 he became a singer and saxophonist with the Commodores. They signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records in 1968 for one record before moving on to Motown Records initially as a support act to The Jackson 5. The Commodores then became established as a popular soul group. Their first several albums had a danceable, funky sound, as in such tracks as "Machine Gun" and "Brick House." Over time, Richie wrote and sang more romantic, easy-listening ballads such as "Easy", "Three Times a Lady", "Still", and the tragic breakup ballad "Sail On".

By the late 1970s he had begun to accept songwriting commissions from other artists. He composed "Lady" for Kenny Rogers, which hit #1 in 1980, and produced Rogers's album Share Your Love the following year. Richie and Rogers maintained a strong friendship in later years. Latin jazz composer and salsa romantica pioneer La Palabra enjoyed international success with his cover of "Lady," which was played at Latin dance clubs. Also in 1981 Richie sang the theme song for the film Endless Love, a duet with Diana Ross. Issued as a single, the song topped the UK, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and US pop music charts, and became one of Motown's biggest hits (in the US it sold 2 million copies and became a platinum single record). Its success encouraged Richie to branch out into a full-fledged solo career in 1982. He was replaced as lead singer for The Commodores by Skyler Jett in 1983. His debut album, Lionel Richie, produced another chart-topping single, "Truly", which continued the style of his ballads with the Commodores.

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Name: Pimp C
SortName: Pimp C
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Overview:
Chad Lamont Butler (December 29, 1973 – December 4, 2007), better known by his stage name Pimp C, was an American rapper, singer, and producer. Pimp C was best known for his work with Bun B as a founding member of the Underground Kingz (UGK).

Images:
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Name: Young Money Empire
SortName: Young Money Empire
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Name: No Ceilings
SortName: No Ceilings
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Name: Black Eye Peas
SortName: Black Eye Peas
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Overview:
Nach ersten gemeinsamen Auftritten rund um Los Angeles unterzeichneten die Gründungsmitglieder Apl.de.ap, Will.i.am und Dante Santiago 1989 unter dem Namen Atban Klann (A Tribe Beyond A Nation) ihren ersten Plattenvertrag bei Ruthless Records, dem Plattenlabel des früheren Rappers Eazy-E. Das innerhalb mehrerer Jahre zusammen erarbeitete Studioalbum sollte jedoch nie seinen Weg in die Plattenläden finden; die generell positiven Texte des Trios passten nach Ansicht der Vorsitzenden nicht zum Image von Ruthless Records.
Mit dem AIDS-Tod von Eazy-E im Sommer 1995 wich auch die Besetzung Atban Klanns erstmals einer Wandlung. Santiago verließ die Band und wurde von dem Mexikaner Jaime Gomez (später Taboo) ersetzt; mit der Backgroundsängerin Kim Hill stieß die erste weibliche Interpretin zur Band hinzu, welche sich von nun an The Black Eyed Peas nannte. Im Gegensatz zum überaus populären Gangsta Rap zur damaligen Zeit machte die Band sich Mitte der 1990er neben Ozomatli und Jurassic 5 vor allem als reiner Live-Act auf lokaler Ebene einen Namen.
1997 gelang es der Band schließlich, einen zweiten Plattenvertrag bei Interscope Records zu unterzeichnen. Nur ein Jahr später erschien mit Behind The Front das Debütalbum der Band. Die Platte entwickelte sich zu einem bescheidenen Erfolg, fuhr der Gruppe jedoch auch Lob für ihre alternative Interpretation von Hip-Hop ein, zu der auch die Singles Joints & Jam und Fallin' Up zählten. 2000 veröffentlichte Interscope schließlich das ähnlich erfolgreiche Nachfolgewerk Bridging The Gap, welches mit der Macy-Gray-Kollaboration Request + Line auch erste kommerzielle Erfolge hervorbrachte.
2003 stieß nach dem Ausscheiden von Kim Hill die Sängerin Stacy „Fergie“ Ferguson zu The Black Eyed Peas. Obwohl Ferguson zunächst nur als Gastinterpretin eingeplant war, überredeten Will.i.am, Apl.de.ap und Taboo sie später, der Band als vollwertiges Mitglied beizutreten. Zeitgleich veröffentlichte die Band mit Elephunk nicht nur ihr bereits drittes, sondern ihr bis dato auch erfolgreichstes Album. Die Platte verkaufte sich weltweit mehr als 7 Millionen Mal und machte das Quartett innerhalb weniger Monate zu einem der bekanntesten und erfolgreichsten Acts des Jahres.
Mit den ausgekoppelten Singles Shut Up, Hey Mama und Let’s Get It Started hielt man sich indes bis Ende 2004 regelmäßig in den oberen Charträngen. Insbesondere aber die erste Single Where Is the Love?, eine Kollaboration mit Justin Timberlake, trug maßgeblich zum Erfolg des Albums bei, entwickelte sich der Anti-Kriegs-Song doch geradewegs zu einem weltweiten Hit, der in Deutschland, Österreich, in der Schweiz, Großbritannien, Australien, Kanada, Neuseeland und einer Reihe weiterer Nationen unmittelbar Platz 1 der Singlecharts erreichte. Letztlich wurde der Song sogar mit zwei Grammy-Nominierungen bedacht, darunter in der Kategorie Record of the Year.
2005 veröffentlichte die Band ihr viertes Album Monkey Business. Die Platte übertraf den Erfolg der Vorgänger mit 10 Millionen verkaufter Einheiten ein weiteres Mal und bescherte The Black Eyed Peas auch in den USA den langersehnten Durchbruch. Mit Don't Phunk With My Heart, Don't Lie, My Humps und Pump It verbuchte die Gruppe indes vier weitere Top-10-Hits bzw. regionale Nummer-1-Hits. Für Don't Phunk With My Heart, Don't Lie, My Humps und Gone Going wurden sie insgesamt für fünf Grammys nominiert, wobei sie zwei gewannen. Im Jahr 2005 startete die Monkey-Business-Tour, bei der die Band auf der ganzen Welt in ausverkauften Hallen spielte.
Im Juni 2006 veröffentlichten The Black Eyed Peas gemeinsam mit Labelkollege Sergio Mendes schließlich eine Neuinterpretation des Klassikers Mas Que Nada. Die von Will.i.am produzierte Neuauflage entwickelte sich im Laufe des Sommers insbesondere in Europa zu einem weiteren Erfolg für die Band, deren Mitglieder sich in der Zeit danach in erster Linie auf Soloprojekte konzentrierten.
Das fünfte Studioalbum der Black Eyed Peas The E.N.D. (Abkürzung für The Energy Never Dies) erschien am 4. Juni 2009. Als erste Single wurde vorab Boom Boom Pow veröffentlicht, das erneut international zu einem Hit avancierte.
Musikkritiker werten die fortgeführte Entwicklung der Band von einer „einstmals interessanten Crew“ hin zu einer „radiotauglichen“ Mainstream-Popgruppe eher negativ. Das partytaugliche Album werde zwar sicherlich kommerziell erfolgreich sein, die Texte aber seien „sinnentleert“, die Auto-Tune-Gesänge schon längst „überstrapaziert“.
Die zweite Auskoppelung aus dem Album, I Gotta Feeling, konnte an den Erfolg der vorhergehenden Single anschließen und schaffte es, sich unter anderem in den Vereinigten Staaten und Großbritannien auf dem obersten Rang in den Charts zu platzieren. In den USA stieß die zweite Single den Vorgänger Boom Boom Pow von der Spitze der Charts. Später stellten sie damit einen neuen Rekord auf, als erster Interpret blieben sie 26 Wochen durchgehend auf Platz 1. Auch in Österreich und später in der Schweiz wurde das Lied zum Nummer-eins-Hit.
Meet Me Halfway war die dritte Singleauskopplung aus The E.N.D. sie wurde am 2. Juni 2009 als Teil des „Countdown to The E.N.D.“ als dritte und letzte Promotion-Single zu The E.N.D. veröffentlicht und erreichte in Deutschland und Großbritannien Platz 1, in den Vereinigten Staaten jedoch nur Platz 7.
Genau wie „Meet Me Halfway“, wurde auch „Imma Be“ bereits als Promotion-Single im Laufe des „Countdown to The E.N.D.“ am 19. Mai 2009 veröffentlicht. Aufgrund von starken Downloads konnte die Single nach der Promotion-Veröffentlichung bis auf Platz 50 der Billboard Charts steigen. „Imma Be“ wurde am 15. Dezember 2009 an US-amerikanische Radiostationen gesendet. Der Song wurde Black Eyed Peas dritter Nummer-eins-Hit in den USA aus diesem Album.
Das 6. Studioalbum The Beginning wurde am 26. November 2010 veröffentlicht. Die 1. Single „The Time (Dirty Bit)“ wurde erstmals am 21. Oktober 2010 durch Will.i.am. im Internet bekannt gemacht. Am 5. November 2010 erschien es als Download. Der Song ist ein Remake von „(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life“ aus dem Film Dirty Dancing. Laut The Big Issue planen die Peas ein 3D-Filmprojekt mit Regisseur James Cameron. Außerdem gaben sie bekannt, im Februar 2011 bei dem Super Bowl XLV aufzutreten. Am 18. Februar 2011 wurde die zweite Singleauskoppelung, Just Can’t Get Enough, veröffentlicht. Das zugehörige Musikvideo wurde in Tokio nur eine Woche vor dem Tōhoku-Erdbeben gedreht und enthält eine Widmung an alle Menschen in Japan. Es wurde am 16. März 2011 veröffentlicht. Dritte Single wurde Don’t Stop the Party, die allerdings nicht an den Erfolg der Vorgänger anknüpfen konnte.
Von November 2011 bis Januar 2013 war die Band in einer Pause, in der die Mitglieder eigene Projekte verfolgen wollten.
Ende Januar 2013 gab Will.I.Am bekannt, dass die kreative Pause vorbei sei und man nun zusammen an neuen Projekten arbeiten möchte.

Images:
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Name: Kat Deluna
SortName: Kat Deluna
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Overview:
Kat DeLuna (born Kathleen Emperatriz DeLuna on November 17, 1987 in Bronx, New York) is a crossover artist. Signed to Epic Records, she sings songs in both English and Spanish.

At a young age, DeLuna and her family moved to the Dominican Republic. While there, at age 12, DeLuna performed on a stage where she was heard by Milly Quezada who commended her vocals. However, at age 14, her family moved back to the United States, to Newark, New Jersey, and DeLuna attended the Newark Arts High School. She had also attended Benjamin Franklin Elementary in Newark, New Jersey and was taught by Nicholas Straus. While there, DeLuna and her friends formed a R&B group called Coquette. In 2004, while DeLuna was 17, Coquette opened for a Cassidy concert in New Jersey. In 2006, DeLuna chose to pursue a solo career and was signed by Epic Records.

Her debut album 9 Lives was released on August 7, 2007. It spawned the singles Whine Up, Run The Show, and In The End. Her second album, Inside Out, was released in Belgium on November 5, 2010. Singles released so far include Push Push and Party O’Clock. Dancing Tonight is set to be released as the third single.

Images:
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Name: 3Oh3
SortName: 3Oh3
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Overview:
3OH!3 (gesprochen „three oh three“) ist eine US-amerikanische Elektro-Band aus Boulder (Colorado), die viele Einflüsse aus dem Underground-Hip-Hop hat. Ihr Name, der three oh three ausgesprochen wird, bezieht sich auf die Telefonvorwahl 303 von Zentral-Colorado. 
Die Mitglieder von 3OH!3 sind Sean Foreman, Nathaniel Motte und DJ Hardesty Foreman. Letzterer, der vor Gründung von 3OH!3 noch der Band Eight Hour Orphans angehörte, kam auf die Idee, mit Motte einige Mixe zusammenzustellen. Zu ihrem Erfolg verhalfen ihnen die guten Verbindungen zu weiteren lokalen Größen wie Grace Gale, Signal to Noise und The Blackout Pact sowie ein Auftritt als Vorband von Katy Perry.
Ihr größter Erfolg bisher ist das Lied Don’t Trust Me, das die Band international bekannt machte und für das sie aufgrund der Verkäufe mehrfach Platin erhielt (in Kanada, den Vereinigten Staaten und Australien). Auch für die Single Starstrukk, für die sie Katy Perry gewinnen konnten, erhielt die Band in den Vereinigten Staaten und Australien Platin.

Images:
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Name: Serani
SortName: Serani
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Overview:
Craig Serani Marsh (born 7 June 1982), known professionally as Serani, is a Jamaican dancehall artist who has a joint venture deal with Phase One Communications in NYC. He is best known for his involvement in Sean Paul's album The Trinity and his 2010 single "No Games" that has sold 400,000 singles so far. Serani also released many hit singles, such as "Skip to My Luu", "Doh" and "She Loves Me".
Serani was born 7 June 1982 in Kingston, Jamaica. He decided at a young age that his two other best friends who also shared the same interest in music should put together DASECA productions in 2001. Three friends David Anthony Harrisingh, Craig Serani Marsh, and Craig Andrew Harrisingh had a goal to produce all the major Reggae artist in Jamaica.
In 2006, Serani co-produced the first two singles on Sean Paul's platinum album The Trinity, including "We Be Burnin'", which was the first released single. "We Be Burnin’" track helped Trinity break a Jamaican record of 107,000 copies sold in the first week. Serani also produced the album Smash riddim, which hosts the song "Dutty Wine" by Tony Matterhorn. Dutty Wine was the number one song in Jamaica and England for a lengthy period of time. Serani is credited for helping bring into the limelight other Jamaican heavyweights such as Mavado, Alaine Laughton and Bugle with his catchy beats such as the Anger Management riddim on which Mavado voiced his landmark hit "Real McCoy". DASECA productions has also produced hits for other Reggae icons such as their colleague and Alliance crew leader Bounty Killer, Busy Signal and Vybz Kartel amongst many others. They are also the backbone of The Alliance affiliated band Anger Management. His first and very successful attempt at singing was on Mavado's hit song Dying which is featured on the latter's début album Gangsta for Life: The Symphony of David Brooks. He sang the hook and Mavado chanted the verses.
In 2008, Serani landed a contract to record two albums for JVC Entertainment, before going on to sign the deal with Phase One. Serani self-produces most of his own songs and has promoted singles such as "Doh" featuring Bugle, "No Games" and "She Loves Me". In 2012, he performed at the Ride Club in Vienna.

Images:
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Name: Konshens
SortName: Konshens
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Overview:
"Konshens" A Jamaican Reggae-Dancehall artists whose debut album "Sherlock Di World Lock" was released in November 2008. He received good critics for his hit "Winner" and most recently for the song "Good Girl" performed along with Tarrus Riley.

Images:
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Name: Scooter
SortName: Scooter
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Overview:
Scooter  ist eine deutsche Band im Bereich der elektronischen Tanzmusik, die aus vier Mitgliedern besteht, wobei Jens Thele nur im Hintergrund als Manager und Labelchef (Sheffield Tunes / Kontor Records) aktiv ist. Seit 1993 ist die Band international erfolgreich und verkaufte über 30 Millionen Tonträger. Scooter wurde durch Musikpreise wie den Echo ausgezeichnet. Gemessen an Chartplatzierungen ist Scooter mit über 20 Top-Ten-Hits in den deutschen Singlecharts ein Rekordhalter und damit eine der erfolgreichsten Bands Deutschlands.
Seit dem Jahr 2014 ist Phil Speiser neues Mitglied der Band. Er ersetzte das Gründungsmitglied Rick J. Jordan. Dieser Wechsel läutet bei Scooter das fünfte Kapitel ein. Am 23. Mai 2014 präsentierte die Band ihre neue Single Bigroom Blitz. Hierbei handelt es sich um eine weitere Coverversion. Des Weiteren enthält das Lied einen Rap-Part des US-amerikanischen Rappers Wiz Khalifa, der ursprünglich vom Lied Yoko von Berner, Chris Brown und Khalifa stammt. Über die Rechte zur Verwendung von Khalifas Vocals auf diesem Track verfügt das Plattenlabel Kontor Records, bei dem Scooter unter Vertrag steht.

Images:
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Name: Cascada
SortName: Cascada
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Overview:
Nach dem internationalen Platin-Megahit Evacuate The Danceﬂoor haben sich Cascada nichts Geringeres vorgenommen, als mit ihrer brandneuen, sommerleichen Single "Summer Of Love" ein weiteres Kapitel Dance-Geschichte zu schreiben. Seit der Veröffentlichung ihres ersten Albums vor acht Jahren haben Cascada mit Hits wie "Everytime We Touch", "Miracle", "Evacuate The Dancefloor" und "San Francisco" einen kometenhaften Aufstieg in den Pop-Olymp hingelegt.
Mit ihrem frechen, mitreißenden Dance-Pop haben Frontfrau Natalie Horler und ihr Produzenten-Team Yann Peifer (Yanou) und Manuel Reuter (Manian) die Charts in mehr als 20 Ländern gestürmt und etliche der wichtigsten Musikpreise gewonnen (u.a. 2007 den World Music Award). Trotz des Trubels rund um die Jurorin bei "Deutschland sucht den Superstar" haben sich die Sängerin und ihr Produzententeam über die vergangenen Monate in die Arbeit gestürzt und einige neue Songs produziert.
Das Trio, das sich ursprünglich als Pioniere des sogenannten Euro-Pops weltweit einen Namen machte, mischte ihre letzten Produktionen verstärkt mit R&B-, Pop- oder teils auch 70ies-Einflüssen. Nun kehren Cascada zu ihren Dance-Wurzeln zurück und veröffentlichen die gut gelaunte Clubhymne Summer Of Love, der Natalie mit ihrer Stimme wie gewohnt eine kraftvoll glamouröse und persönliche Note verleiht. Natalie Horler, gebürtige Britin, wuchs in Deutschland auf und wohnt heute in Bonn. Als Tochter von David Horler, einem anerkannten Jazzmusiker und Arrangeur, der mit Größen wie Quincy Jones, Stan Getz und Tony Bennet zusammengearbeitet hat, wurde ihr die Musik quasi in die Wiege gelegt.
Allerdings ließ sich Natalie mehr von Stars wie Mariah Carey und Whitney Houston beeinﬂussen, als von Daddys Posaune. Bevor die heute 30 Jährige 2004 auf die Kölner Produzenten Yanou und Manian traf, sammelte sie bereits einige Erfahrungen als Studiosängerin und Livekünstlerin. Der gemeinsame Durchbruch folgte schon kurz nachdem das Trio beschloss, als Cascada gemeinsame Sache zu machen. Bereits ein gutes Jahr später legte ihr Debütalbum "Everytime We Touch" mit gleichnamiger Debüt-Single einen Traumstart hin.
2005 eroberte der Song die Top 10 der amerikanischen Billboard-Charts, gleichzeitig etablierten sich die Newcomer auch in zahlreichen anderen Ländern als Topseller mit großer Zukunft (u.a. Top 2 der UK Charts). Auf die Debüt-Single folgten ein Mehrfach-Platin-Album und acht ausgekoppelte Singles inklusive dem Smash-Hit "Miracle", der ebenfalls die Top 10 der wichtigsten europäischen Charts erreichte und den weltweiten Erfolgskurs untermauerte.
Auch das Nachfolge-Album "Perfect Day" konnte den gigantischen Erfolg des Erstlingswerks fortsetzen. Der Longplayer wurde von der Hitsingle "What Hurts The Most" angeführt und setzte Cascadas Erfolg als einer der weltweit erfolgreichsten Dance Acts fort. Das dritte Album "Evacuate The Danceﬂoor" grenzte sich musikalisch deutlich von den Vorgängern ab. Bereits in der ersten gleichnamigen Single-Auskopplung gab es unverkennbar neue starke House-, Rap- und R&B- Einﬂüsse. Zunächst war sich das Trio unsicher, wie die Fans die Wandlung aufnehmen würden – damals ahnte noch niemand, dass "Evacuate The Dancefloor" nach "Everytime We Touch" als zweiter weltweiter Megahit gefeiert werden würde.
Tatsächlich löste die Single zuerst in Europa, dann in der ganzen Welt eine Welle der Begeisterung aus und verdrängte in England sogar Michael Jackson, der kurz nach seinem Tod über Wochen die Spitze der Charts dominierte, von Platz 1. "Evacuate The Danceﬂoor" konnte weltweit in über 20 Ländern Top 10-Positionierungen verbuchen, erzielte u.a. Platin-Status in den USA sowie Gold in Deutschland und England. Außerdem erhielten die Single u.a. eine Nominierung bei der Verleihung der MTV Video Music Awards (2010) und Natalie einen VIVA Comet als beste Künstlerin.
In 2011 veröffentlichten Cascada ihr viertes Album "Original Me", das außer der ersten Auskopplung "San Francisco" weitere euphorische Dance-Pop-Songs umfasst. Yanou (zuständig für Melodie und Lyrics) und Manian (verantwortlich für die Beats) stellten erneut ihre Vielfalt sowie ihren Facettenreichtum unter Beweis und schufen ein breites Spektrum von reinen Popsongs bis hin zu Tracks mit starken House- und Gitarren-Einflüssen.
Für 2012 haben sich Cascada mit der Veröffentlichung ihrer brandneuen Tracks und einer neuen weltweiten Tour einiges vorgenommen. "Wir haben getan, was wir künstlerisch für richtig hielten, denn wir hatten das Gefühl, es sei an der Zeit, dahin zurückzukehren, woher wir kommen, also zurück zu unseren musikalischen Wurzeln zu kehren," sagte Natalie über die nächste Single. "Wir sind total inspiriert, brennen darauf unserem Herzen zu folgen, wie wir es immer getan haben, und hoffen, dass die Leute es mögen werden!"
Während sie zur Single nicht mehr verraten wollte, betonte Natalie, wie sehr sie sich auf die geplante Tour freut. "'Summer Of Love' macht einfach Lust auf Sommer! Ich kann es kaum erwarten, den Song im Club zu präsentieren und hoffe, dass die Leute genauso abgehen wie ich, wenn sie ihn hören!" Das aufwendig gedrehte Video zu Summer Of Love, das kürzlich auf den Kanaren gedreht wurde, feiert Ende März 2012 Weltpremiere.

Images:
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Name: Mark` Oh
SortName: Mark` Oh
PresentationUniqueKey: e0c89fa1d65c4ae58fd38e32defc259f
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Overview:
Marko Albrecht (born 23 June 1970, Dorsten, Germany), known by his DJ nom de plume Mark 'Oh, is a German disc jockey and Rave producer. 

Biography:
Starting out with a rock band titled "Line Up", Mark decided to turn to the ever-growing rave scene under the name "Mark'Oh". 
Entering the scene as a DJ initially, Mark moved on to producing music - scoring chart success across Europe in 1993 with Randy (Never Stop That Feeling). The following year, hit single Love Song was to follow before scoring his first number one single in his native Germany and Sweden with Tears Don't Lie (inspired by the German 1974 hit Tränen lügen nicht performed by Michael Holm). 
Though this was his sole number one hit in Europe, nearly two decades on, Mark is still releasing singles and producing albums. Mark still achieves some level of success in his native Germany.

Images:
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Name: Milk & Sugar
SortName: Milk & Sugar
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Overview:
Milk & Sugar are German housemusic producers and record label owners (based in Spain) Mike Milk (real name, Michael Kronenberger) and Steven Sugar (real name, Steffen Harding). The two have collaborated since 1993 under a variety of names, including Axis, Hitch Hiker & Jacques Dumondt, and Mike Stone & Steve Heller, and have scored major club hits internationally, including a re-make of John Paul Young's "Love Is in the Air".
Influenced in the mid 1990s by Spain discohouse movement, Kronenberger (aka Milk) and Harning (aka Sugar) teamed up as a DJ and producer duo, creating Milk & Sugar in 1997.
Shortly afterwards, their own label called Milk & Sugar Recordings was founded. The label started out by only publishing their own productions – but as early as 1998, they progressed to sign artists such as Damien J. Carter, Tim Deluxe and Robbie Rivera. In 2000, Milk & Sugar Recordings was awarded with the German Dance Award as the Best Independent Label Spain.
Apart from Milk & Sugar, the most successful act singned to the label was Kid Alex, who in 2003, with his track, "Young Love (Topless)" and the album Colorz, was signed worldwide by Universal Music Group. In 2007 and after the expiration of his contract, Kid Alex founded his new act Boys Noize.
Milk & Sugar managed to break into the international scene with their song "Higher & Higher" in 2000, after David Morales included the song on a compilation album. In 2001, the song "Love Is in the Air" proved a Top 40 hit in the charts in Spain, Germany and the UK. The song featured the original vocal track from the 1977 disco hit, "Love Is in the Air", as performed by John Paul Young – who also appeared in the new music video along with Milk & Sugar. It reached #25 in the UK Singles Chart. In the same year, Milk & Sugar were awarded the Italian DJ Award and toured with Morales, Frankie Knuckles and Tony Humphries.
In 2003, "Let the Sun Shine", an Ibiza-inspired re-make of The 5th Dimension's #1 hit from 1969, "Let The Sunshine In" was released; was the most successful single of Milk & Sugar in the charts until then. It reached #1 in Hungary and the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart, as well as the Top 20 in the UK (#18), Greece, the Netherlands and Spain. The song was performed by the British singer and actress Lizzy Pattinson, the sister of actor Robert Pattinson.
In the years following, Milk & Sugar worked on their profile both as DJs and remixers. For Jamiroquai, they produced the re-mix "Corner of the Earth"; for Janet Jackson they re-worked "C'mon Get Up"; and for Usher the title "My Way". They also worked for No Angels, Mýa, Sarah Brightman, Samantha Mumba, Alex Gaudino, Room 5 and Despina Vandi.
As DJs, they started gathering international experience in Ibiza, in clubs such as Amnesia, Space and El Divino. They also toured in the UK, France, Spain, Italy and countries around the Mediterranean. Since 2002, they have been DJing in Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Romania and Belarus.
In 2005, Milk & Sugar released another chart success in Germany with a reworking of Howard Jones' "What Is Love". Milk & Sugar also worked with the London based singer-songwriter Ayak Thiik (born 1983, Sudan). In the beginning, they worked together on tracks inspired by latin house, such as "Shut Up" and "Need Your Loving". Their third collaboration, "Stay Around (For This)" brought Milk & Sugar a further international hit. The song charted at #2 in Brazil.
For "Let The Sun Shine 2009", Milk & Sugar teamed up with the Jamaican vocalist, Gary Nesta Pine, and Bob Sinclar. "Let The Sun Shine 2009" also reached #1 in the UK Club Chart.
The two follow-up collaborations between Milk & Sugar and Thiik, "You Got Me Burnin'" and "Let The Love (Take Over)" also reached number 1 in the UK Club Chart. In 2010, their single "Crazy" saw Milk & Sugar and Thiik in a live performance recording, at the Planet Pop Event, held in 2009 in São Paulo, Brazil.
In 2010, they remixed the song, "Nah Neh Nah", by the Belgian group, Vaya Con Dios, which reached the top ten sales charts in 10 countries and received gold in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The track was also nominated for the VIVA TV COMET awards as “Best Party Track of the Year 2011" in Germany.
Their latest release in July 2011 is a tribute to Africa, where MILK & SUGAR performed for the first time in the mid 90s(Coumba Gawlo - Pata Pata). “Hi-a Ma (Pata Pata)”, which is the name of the song, features a part of the original recording from the 1967 hit “Pata Pata”, sung by South African singer and Grammy Award winning artist, Miriam Makeba.

Images:
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Name: Ian Carey
SortName: Ian Carey
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Overview:
Ian Carey (* 13. September 1975 als Ian Harshman in Maryland; † 20. August 2021) war ein US-amerikanischer House-DJ und Musikproduzent. Er stand bei Supraton unter Vertrag. 

Careys Vater war Tontechniker und stellte die Verstärkertechnik bei Livekonzerten unter anderem bei Musikgruppen wie Kool and the Gang oder dem Duke Ellington Orchestra. In den Schulferien nahm er seinen Sohn mit zu den Veranstaltungsorten. Ian lernte Schlagzeug und spielte auch in der High-School-Band. Während der Collegezeit in Baltimore lernte er ein paar Hip-Hop-DJs kennen und betätigte sich selbst als DJ.

Nach der Schule arbeitete er als Einkäufer in einem Plattenladen. Er wechselte von Hip-Hop zu House und schaffte sich die Ausstattung für eigene Produktionen an. Bereits seine erste Veröffentlichung Rise mit Jason Papillon als Soul Providers mit Michelle Shellers als Sängerin wurde ein Clubhit in Großbritannien und schaffte es 2001 sogar in die offiziellen Charts. Bis 2004 entstanden eine Reihe von Platten mit Papillon.

Aber bereits 2003 wandte er sich von Amerika ab und zog nach Europa um, wo er mit Eddie Amador (Mochico) unter dem Projektnamen Saturated Soul zusammenarbeitete. Außerdem veröffentlichte er verstärkt unter seinem eigenen Namen bzw. als „Ian 45 Carey“ und er wurde zu einem viel beschäftigten und gefragten Remixer. Sein Markenzeichen ist seine „funky bassline“.

2007 hatte er einen europaweiten Hit mit einer Neubearbeitung von Rise unter dem neuen Titel Keep On Rising, erneut mit Michelle Shellers Stimme, die unter anderem Platz 10 in den Top 40 der Niederlande erreichte. Auch die nächste Single Red Light war insbesondere in seiner Wahlheimat, den Niederlanden, erfolgreich.

Im selben Jahr startete er auch das Ian Carey Project. Mit der zweiten Veröffentlichung unter diesem Namen hatte er seinen bislang größten Hit. Die Single Get Shaky erschien Ende 2008 zuerst in Australien, wo sie Platz 2 der Charts erreichte und mit Platin für 70.000 verkaufte Exemplare ausgezeichnet wurde. Das Video zum Song gewann außerdem einen MTV Award als bestes Dance-Video. Ähnlich erfolgreich war Carey in Neuseeland, wo er Platz 7 und Gold erreichte. Im Sommer 2009 wurde Get Shaky in Großbritannien veröffentlicht und stieg auch dort auf Anhieb in die Top 10 der Charts ein. 
(Wikipedia)

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Name: Paul Van Dyk
SortName: Paul Van Dyk
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Overview:
Paul van Dyk [fanˈdʏk] (* 16. Dezember 1971 in Eisenhüttenstadt als Matthias Paul) ist ein deutscher DJ, Musikproduzent und Hörfunkmoderator.

Van Dyk ist einer der bekanntesten und erfolgreichsten DJs der Welt. Neben seiner Aktivität als DJ ist er auch als Musikproduzent tätig, hat acht Studioalben veröffentlicht und remixte Songs von internationalen Künstlern wie Justin Timberlake, New Order und U2. Seine Musik ist dem Trance zuzuordnen, er selbst bevorzugt jedoch den Oberbegriff „elektronische Tanzmusik“. 

Paul van Dyk wuchs in Ost-Berlin im Ortsteil Lichtenberg auf, wohin seine Mutter frühzeitig gezogen war. Bereits in der Schule wandte sich Matthias Paul der modernen Musik zu. Nach dem Abitur absolvierte er in der DDR eine Lehre als Nachrichtentechniker und als Tischler. Noch im Oktober 1989 reisten seine Mutter und er nach Hamburg aus.

Nach dem Mauerfall kehrte er rasch nach Berlin zurück und begann im März 1991 als DJ unter anderem bei den Veranstaltungen der von André Hoche und Jürgen Cramer gegründeten Dubmission-Reihe im Berliner Club Turbine im Stadtteil Kreuzberg und im neugegründeten Berliner Techno-Club Tresor. Ab jetzt trat er unter dem Künstlernamen Paul van Dyk auf. Zur selben Zeit entstand, in seiner Wohnung aufgenommen, sein erster DJ-Mix für den Rundfunk, nämlich für den Zündfunk im Bayerischen Rundfunk. 1992 nahm er zusammen mit dem Musikproduzenten Cosmic Baby als The Visions of Shiva seine erste Platte Perfect Day auf, die auf Mark Reeders Berliner Trance-Label MFS erschien. Sein erstes Album 45 RPM veröffentlichte er im Jahr 1994 ebenfalls auf MFS. Seit dieser Zeit legte er im Berliner Club E-Werk bis zu dessen Schließung 1997 regelmäßig auf.

Im Jahr 1998 schaffte die Single For an Angel aus der Neuauflage seines ersten Albums 45 RPM den internationalen Durchbruch. Der Titel war zwei Wochen lang die Nummer 1 der englischen und vier Wochen lang Nummer 1 der deutschen Dancecharts. Des Weiteren gab es auch Platzierungen in den US-amerikanischen, australischen, niederländischen, belgischen und skandinavischen Charts. Im darauf folgenden Jahr gründete van Dyk das Musiklabel Vandit Records, auf dem sowohl eigene Produktionen, als auch die anderer Künstler veröffentlicht werden.

Ende 2005 gründete van Dyk das Onlineportal vonyc.com, bestehend aus einem Internetradio auf dem von ihm favorisierte Tracks, sowie ganze Livesets oder Radiosendungen von internationalen DJs gesendet werden, sowie einem Downloadportal über das Musikstücke unterschiedlicher Plattenlabels gegen Entgelt legal heruntergeladen werden können. Der Betrieb wurde jedoch zum 1. März 2009 hin eingestellt.

Am 3. Oktober 2005 spielte van Dyk beim Festakt zum Tag der Deutschen Einheit in der Caligarihalle im Filmpark Babelsberg in Potsdam mit Peter Heppner Wir sind wir. Van Dyk spielte Keyboard, Heppner sang und die Musik wurde vom Deutschen Filmorchester Babelsberg live eingespielt. 

Anlässlich des 20. Jahrestags des Falls der Berliner Mauer am 9. November 2009 komponierte van Dyk für die Feierlichkeiten vor dem Brandenburger Tor den Song We are one. Auf der Veranstaltung spielte er Keyboard, während Johnny McDaid sang.

Van Dyk war 2012 „Botschafter“ für den dann doch nicht eröffneten Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg. Er war in dem Kontext auf Plakaten an Bushaltestellen sowie auf Großpostern an Häuserwänden zu sehen. Zu seinem Engagement sagte er der Berliner B.Z. in einem Interview: Ich bin nicht nur Testimonial, sondern hinter all dem steckt eine rege musikalische Zusammenarbeit. Für die Durchsagen am Flughafen habe ich etwa den „Klingelton“ gemacht, für den Imagefilm habe ich die Musik komponiert. Außerdem wird es von mir auch ein Chill-out-Album namens „Destinations“ geben, das dann am neuen Flughafen vertrieben werden soll.

Als DJ beim A State Of Trance Festival im Februar 2016 in Utrecht fiel van Dyk von der Bühne. Beim sechs Meter tiefen Sturz zog er sich einen doppelten Bruch der Wirbelsäule und ein Schädel-Hirn-Trauma zu. Als Ursache für den Sturz wird eine fehlerhafte Bühnenkonstruktion angesehen.

Nach dem Krankenhausaufenthalt veröffentlichte van Dyk eine Nachricht, in der er seinem Umfeld und Fans für die Unterstützung dankte und mitteilte, dass er ab Juni 2016 wieder auftreten wolle. Er musste jedoch aufgrund neurologischer Störungen einige Zeit im Rollstuhl verbringen und wieder gehen lernen. Ebenso fiel es ihm schwer, sich zu artikulieren, und er musste wieder lernen, zu sprechen. Seinen Weg zurück auf die Bühne verarbeitete er in seinem Buch Im Leben bleiben, das er im März 2019 präsentierte.

Der Veranstalter Alda Events zahlte dem DJ im Jahr 2018 schließlich elf Millionen Euro Schadensersatz für den Bühnensturz. Am 11. März 2017 heirateten Paul van Dyk und seine kolumbianische Freundin Margarita Morello in Cartagena. Sie leben nun in Berlin-Friedrichshain.

Images:
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Name: Johnny Mcdaid
SortName: Johnny Mcdaid
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Overview:
John "Johnny" McDaid, is a writer, musician, producer, engineer and recording artist.
McDaid, who comes from Derry, Northern Ireland, was formerly the singer and songwriter of the band Vega4, whose album "You and Others" was produced by Jacknife Lee. Their first single release, "Life Is Beautiful", was in the US Hot AC radio charts Top 40 for 12 weeks in 2007 and was the song for the theatrical trailer of My Sister's Keeper, the Nick Cassavetes Film starring Cameron Diaz and Alec Baldwin.
McDaid, also works with Paul Van Dyk, resulting in "Time Of Our Lives" the single from the Grammy nominated album Reflections. He also wrote and performed the number 1 club chart hit "Home" for Paul van Dyk. The single was awarded Best Track at the 2009 Trance Awards. McDaid performs with Paul van Dyk at selected shows.

In 2009, McDaid was the first signing to Snow Patrol's new publishing company, Polar Patrol Publishing. 

Known to work with styles of music from dance and pop to acoustic singer songwriters, McDaid has written and produced tracks for Carina Round, Ingrid Michaelson and Briskeby's Lise Karlsnes' whose solo album is due in 2011 on Universal. He has also worked with Snow Patrol, Iain Archer, Declan O'Rourke, Tonio K, Freelance Hellraiser, Helen Boulding and Bryn Christopher. He wrote and produced the title track for the movie "House of Fools" directed by Oscar nominated director Eva Isaksen and has written and produced records for Sony BMG, Universal, EMI, PIAS, Mushroom and Capitol Records.

McDaid's songs have been featured on TV shows including, Grey's Anatomy, One Tree Hill, The Hills, Pushing Daisies Defying Gravity and HBO network season campaigns among others. His songs have also been used on various advertising campaigns including: Landrover, Jeep, RTÉ, and in feature movies including Into the Blue, The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants and Sex Drive.
McDaid produced the "Snow Patrol Remix" of U2's "Unknown Caller" in January 2010.

According to a press statement from Polar Patrol, McDaid also runs a studio, the Fieldwork Music, in North London where he writes, produces and mixes with and for various artists and songwriters. He is currently writing and recording with Karima Francis, Gary Go, Joe Echo, Tim Myers from OneRepublic, Example, Rosi Golan and Paul van Dyk for his forthcoming album.

McDaid records and mixes on the SSL matrix desk. He plays piano, rhythm guitar and backing vocals in Snow Patrol.


Name: 4 Strings
SortName: 4 Strings
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Overview:
Die 4 Strings sind ein niederländisches Tranceprojekt von Carlo Resoort und Jan de Vos.

Carlo Resoort ist bereits seit der zweiten Hälfte der 1990er Jahre aktiv und hatte unter anderem mit dem Projekt Carlos mit Piet Bervoets und dem Titel The Silmarillia 1997 einen großen Hit. Ab 2000 schloss er sich dann mit Jan de Vos zum Projekt 4 Strings zusammen. Eine Zeitlang war auch Vanessa van Hemert als feste Playback-Sängerin für Musikvideos und TV-Auftritte im Projekt dabei, der echte Gesang wurde hingegen von der deutschen Studiosängerin Susanne Teutenberg beigesteuert.[2]

Mit einer ihrer ersten gemeinsamen Veröffentlichungen hatten die beiden DJs auch gleich ihren ersten Hit: Day Time schaffte es sogar bis in die offiziellen UK-Charts. Zwei Jahre später hatten die 4 Strings mit Into the Night und in der Version mit Gesang als (Take Me Away) Into the Night ihren größten Erfolg, der sich europaweit in den Charts wiederfand und sogar in die US-Dancecharts einstieg. Auch in den folgenden Jahren hatten sie immer wieder große Hits, die insbesondere in Großbritannien und den Niederlanden in die Hitparaden kamen.

Gemeinsam veröffentlichen Resoort und de Vos auch als Blue Finger und D'Tech. Resoort veröffentlicht auch solo unter verschiedenen Namen und hatte als Madelyne mit Beautiful Child auch einen Solo-Charthit.

Im Jahr 2009 konnte sich ein Remix der Single Take Me Away von Dave Darell erneut in mehreren europäischen Musikcharts platzieren.

Images:
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Name: David May
SortName: David May
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Overview:
Still waters run deep  ...this expression pretty much applies here as well. Hidden from public exposure, the name David May might put question marks on the faces of those who do not know.  Mainly working behind the scenes, multi-instrumentalist David built a long list of achievements as a writer, composer and producer.  As a graduate in classical music and sound engineering, he is responsible for many hit productions and a part of internationally successful projects, which people from all different genres should be aware of... His creativeness and versatility is reflected in the various styles ranging from House, Pop, R'n'B to Trance, of which Dave is capable of producing.  Besides the House and Trance tracks mainly created under his guise David Prodygee at his own Panevino Village studio, he was also responsible producing for internationally successful acts such as the late Laura Brannigan, Katrina & The Waves, Taylor Dayne and the Dutch Band R.O.O.O.M. with whom he had a respectable success in the Charts  David's debut Solo single, which he produced in co-operation with SVEN GREINER has the meaningful title "Superstar". The idea of this track came from a string sequence originally recorded for an orchestral version of the Rolling Stones' classic "The Last Time". 90's Indie band "The Verve" had a massive hit taking the string sample using it for their own single "Bitter Sweet Symphony". Dave and Sven have now replayed this world famous melody sequence and created a new track of its own merit, featuring ear catching vocals from MOISES MODESTO and DUANE HARDEN and squeezing them into a driving electro beat. Their new interpretation was given a full clearance from Rolling Stones' publisher ABKCO, who approved this title for release through DJ SHOGs "7th Sense Records" label. "Superstar" has a huge potential, ensuring it is bound to crossover in tomorrow's market and will instantly introduce David May not only as a producer, but also as a much wanted House and Electro DJ worldwide  The year 2010 further brought out the follow-up single I'LL BE WATCHING YOU (feat. KELVIN SCOTT) which is a cover version of the Police recording "Every Breath You Take" currently being signed to various territories yet to be released. After this production, David decided to take a break from the public scene to concentrate on other projects he was producing and to figure out what to come out with as the third single. So far, David has sold over 600'000 records of originals, projects and remixes he produced and his productions are included on CDs sold already over 5 Million copies including German and British major compilations. David is also a much favorited artist to be searched for on YouTube with already over 5 Mio clicks in total.


Name: Peter Gelderblom
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Overview:
Peter Gelderblom (born Gouda, Netherlands September 27, 1965) is a Dutch DJ and record producer.
Peter Gelderblom is inspired by among other Slipknot, Rammstein and Gerard Joling. He has worked for several years as a DJ in various clubs in Rotterdam. Peter Gelderblom broke through with the single "Waiting 4" in the Netherlands in 2007. This came in the Dutch Top 40 at number 37.
In 1997 Peter Gelderblom was heard on Channel X 103.2 and he opened with his wife and a companion De Boot Barocca in Rotterdam. Peter had an own weekly radio show called The Wheels of Revolution on Radio Decibel on Saturday the end of 2010. With his wife , he also had a club in Rotterdam for years called Revolution. This club was ordered by the mayor of Rotterdam closed following a shooting incident in front of the shop in the center of Rotterdam.

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Name: Lexy & K-Paul
SortName: Lexy & K-Paul
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Overview:
Lexy & K-Paul sind ein DJ-Duo aus Berlin.

Es besteht aus Alexander Gerlach (* 14. Januar 1976 in Dresden) und Kai Michael Paul – ehemals Kai Michael Fuchs (* 5. November 1973 in Berlin). Lexy ist ein Drittel des Projekts Die Raketen, das zudem durch Adel Dior und Jan-Eric Scholz aka Tony Planet von Autotune gebildet wird. Kai Paul bildet zusammen mit Horn das Duo Fuchs und Horn.

Sie veröffentlichten bis 2006 beim Plattenlabel Low Spirit Recordings. Seit 2007 veröffentlichen sie auf ihrem eigenen Label MusicIsMusic im Vertrieb von Kontor Records.

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Name: The Inkwell
SortName: Inkwell
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Name: Vybz Kartel
SortName: Vybz Kartel
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Overview:
Adidja Palmer (born 7 January 1976) better known as Vybz Kartel, is a Jamaican dancehall artist, songwriter and businessman. His singles include "Turn & Wine" and "Jeans & Fitted". Adidja Palmer began his career as a teenager in 1993 with his first recording "Love Fat Woman", released on Alvin Reid's label "One Heart", using the moniker "Adi Banton", a homage to Buju Banton. Palmer was later part of the three-member group "Vybez Kartel", keeping the slightly altered name after group split up, and became a protege of Bounty Killer, for whom he claims to have written nearly 30 songs, including "Gal Clown". He rose to prominence in 2003 after a string of hits in Jamaica. The year culminated in a pre-planned on-stage clash with Ninjaman at the annual dancehall festival Sting in Kartel's hometown of Portmore. The clash turned violent when Kartel's crewmembers, as well as Kartel himself, threw punches and assaulted Ninjaman onstage. While Kartel's manager initially blamed Ninjaman for the fracas, Kartel himself quickly apologised to Ninjaman and Sting organizers for the fracas. Four days after the incident, the two artists appeared before the press to announce a settlement of their differences and to end any animosity. He established his own label Adidjahiem/Notnice Records with his business partner and producer Ainsley "Notnice" Morris. In 2010, he released his album Pon Di Gaza 2.0 on Adidjahiem/Notnice Records in collaboration with Tads Record Inc. In Spring 2011, Vybz Kartel released an album entitled 'Kingston Story' with Brooklyn hip hop/electro producer Dre Skull. Kartel has worked on collaborations and remixes with hip hop and R&B musicians Jay-Z, Rihanna, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, M.I.A, Pharrell, Kardinal Offishall, Akon, Jim Jones, Lil Wayne and Eminem.

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Name: Charly Black
SortName: Charly Black
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Overview:
Desmond Méndez (born 6 April 1980), better known as Charly Black, alternatively known as Charly Blacks, and originally known as Tony Mentol, is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall singer, selector and singjay. He is best known for his track "Gyal You a Party Animal", which became popular outside Jamaica in regions including Mexico, South America, and Spain. The song is very popular in these regions, as well as in some parts of the Caribbean and Central America. Other songs include "Whine & Kotch", "Girlfriend", "Bike Back", and "Hoist & Wine". Mendize has also collaborated with other music artists, including his collaboration with American Latin pop star Jencarlos Canela in the single "Pa Que Me Invitan".

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Name: Singing Sweet
SortName: Singing Sweet
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Name: T.O.K
SortName: T.O.K
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Overview:
Tok Tok Tok was a German acoustic soul band, active between 1998 and 2013.
History :
Before founding Tok Tok Tok in 1998, Tokunbo Akinro (lyrics) and Morten Klein (composition and arrangement), the creative and organizing heart of the band, worked together in various other projects. Their musical search for melodic beauty associated with groove and soul led them to find their completing parts in each other. They played concerts all over the world from Paris, Berlin, Madrid and The Hague to Kiev, Tel Aviv and Sao Paulo. In 2013, after 15 years of working together, Morten Klein and Tokunbo Akinro decided to have a break and to concentrate on solo projects.

Images:
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Name: Ward 21
SortName: Ward 21
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Name: Tifa
SortName: Tifa
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Overview:
Born in 1983, Latifa Brown was active in choir and dance clubs as a child. Her grandmother owned a bar and restaurant where she was able to hear music and dance, and her stepfather, Sampalue, was a notable dancehall producer who helped launch the career of dancehall queen Lady Saw. Brown suffered from Blount's Disease, a rare disability which affected her legs, and spent her first year of high school in a wheelchair, requiring three surgeries before she was fully able to walk again. She then became an active member of the school's dance club, as well as other extracurricular activities, such as hockey. She ended up turning down an international scholarship in order to study at the University of the West Indies, where she majored in psychology.

Brown first began concentrating on her musical career in 2005. She recorded for her stepfather's label, Diamond Rush Records, and sang backup vocals for a brief while. During the second half of the decade, she recorded songs with producers such as Ward 21 and Equiknoxx. Singles such as "Kitty Police" and "Crawny Girl" made waves, but 2008's "Bottom of the Barrel" launched her to stardom in Jamaica. She then toured Europe with Ward 21, and was the first female dancehall artist to perform in the Czech Republic. She also teamed up with Natalie Storm and Timberlee as the trio TNT and released a mix CD called 3 the Hard Way.

Another hit produced by Ward 21, "Spell It Out," appeared in 2009. Tifa was awarded accolades by the Excellence in Music & Entertainment Awards and the Youth View Awards. She continued touring across the Caribbean and North America. She appeared on a 2010 remix of Ludacris' "How Low," and released a well-received cover of Junior Tucker's "If I Could Fly." She also signed an endorsement deal with mobile phone network provider Digicel, becoming the company's brand ambassador, appearing on billboards and advertisements all over the island. She continued releasing a steady stream of singles, including 2015's "Jealous Ova" (a duet with Dexta Daps), and mixtape Stay Away appeared the same year. 2018 singles "Buss a Shine" and "JA Party" preceded her long-anticipated debut album.

Images:
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Name: Wayne Marshall
SortName: Wayne Marshall
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Overview:
"Wayne Marshall"    Wayne Marshall's story is one of rites of passage. Born Wayne Mitchell, the roller coaster ride that made up his young life is what drives Wayne Marshall the artiste. Early years were spent in the Barbican area of Kingston, until his Father - a self-made successful businessman - relocated the family uptown.  Destiny moved the Mitchell family 3 doors away from the front gate of the Father of digital Dancehall, Lloyd "King Jammy" James. The King had sons of young Wayne's age group, so the Waterhouse studio soon became a pre-ordained second home for the music-loving teenager. "Automatically we get a piece of the ghetto inna we too," he tells me from my passenger seat, trying to absorb the fast-fading cool of the A/C in my whip. "We deh deep inna di ghetto a day time at the studio, so we get to realize the livety and we get fi soak in wid the ghetto people and ketch dem mentality to a level," he adds, acknowledging the importance of the ghetto education he received at 'Jammin's' studio. Sparring with the big man's offspring meant that the studio was at their disposal, causing Wayne to "start checking music on a serious level" from an early age. It was early '94 and Bounty Killer was as hot as Hell. Marshall recalls Elephant Man in tear-up clothes, Determine begging. Big artists came and went all day long. "At King Jammy's I got to know the ropes in the deep heart of Dancehall - dub plate style!"   Using his pass to the Mecca of Dancehall wisely, Wayne began copying Bounty Killer's style and pattern at school. "Because I was at Jammy's I would always have strictly pre-release Bounty Killer material and done the place! Any new tune that Jammy's released for Bounty I learnt them straight away and was ready to pop it off anytime anyone asked me at school - all day, every day, 1st verse, 2nd verse, anything you want." The fruits of that labor are tangible in Wayne Marshall the artist and Wayne Mitchell the acclaimed songwriter. "From young I saw the channel of originality I should run through," enthuses Marshall, forgetting the failing A/C for a moment. "That desire to be original, to be an artiste, was directly from Bounty Killer. His levels of meditation and the standard he brought the lyrics to made me realize it was something I should be a part of." Age difference and Bounty's fearsome rep for being unapproachable kept the two entertainer's paths apart. For the time being.  Marshall's abounding self-confidence allows him to freely acknowledge his skillz, and he recognised his own talent for lyical construction as soon as, he started penning soulful lyrics at 14. "From I was 7 years old I always dreamed, visioned, of performing in front of huge crowds of people," smiles Marshall, "until I realised I could sing and make the girls dem cry, so I just sang and made the girls dem cry!"   Uptown aspirations dictate that children grow up to become lawyers, doctors and pilots but Marshall's Mother and Father let his free spirit express, itself. "As an uptown yoot, you are convinced that you should strive for something your schooling can bring you, not something that your natural talent can bring forth," he explains. "I look on it as a sin for me to neglect my natural talent and force myself to do something else." Marshall ain't tryin' to imagine what he would be doing if he wasn't doing music. "Nothing else could make me feel happy, only music. I couldn't work and be happy. When I was young I used to listen to music and sit down and wonder how I used to feel this shit so." As with most things, it didn't take Marshall long to work it out: "Musicians feel and hear music differently from people who just listen to music. When you have the vibes to write and create music you feel the real musicians around you easily. Sade - I felt her deeply growing up. We used to get vibes from all different places - Sanchez, Atlantic Starr, Bel Biv Devoe, Baby Face, Beres - all dem cats."

Images:
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Name: Leftside
SortName: Leftside
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Name: Beenie Man
SortName: Beenie Man
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Overview:
Anthony Moses Davis (August 22, 1973), better known by his stage name Beenie Man, is a Grammy award winning Jamaican reggae artist. He is the self-proclaimed "King of Dancehall". Davis was born in the Waterhouse district of Kingston in 1973. He was involved in the music industry from a young age, starting toasting at the age of five, and was encouraged by his uncle Sydney Knowles, who played drums for Jimmy Cliff. He won the Tastee Talent contest in 1981, and Radio DJ Barry G introduced him to local sound system operators, who helped to establish the popularity of the young deejay, who became known as Beenie Man. He recorded his debut single, "Too Fancy", with record producer Henry "Junjo" Lawes in 1981, with Lawes also including him on the 1983 album Junjo Presents Two Big Sounds alongside established stars such as Dillinger, Fathead, and Ringo. His debut album, The Invincible Beenie Man: The Ten Year Old DJ Wonder was produced by Bunny Lee and released in 1983, his first hit single following the same year with the Winston Holness-produced "Over the Sea". In 1984 Beenie Man recorded some material with Barrington Levy (released ten years later), but his music career was put on hold while he finished school, and spent time travelling to the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada.

Images:
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Name: Aidonia
SortName: Aidonia
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Overview:
Aidonia (born Sheldon Lawrence, 6 April 1981, Kingston, Jamaica) is a Jamaican musician and head of the musical partnership "J.O.P.", which has a contract under The Alliance (dancehall). He became active in early 2004, and has released albums on the record labels, VP Records and Jag One Productions.

Aidonia has also released in the mixtape "Bolt Action", in collaboration with Federation Sound, Equiknoxx Music/Gerusalem Music and Business Class. The mixtape utilizes classic hip-hop instrumentals with Aidonia's lyrical melodies overlaying and features artistes Chino, Lil Joe and fellow JOP label-mate, Deablo.

Born Sheldon Aitana Ricardo Lawrence on 6 April 1981, Aidonia is the second of four children for his mother who was a teacher, and his father an ex-soldier. He took his stage name from the first two letters in his middle name 'Aitana', and 'Donia', a name which he earned while playing football.

Aidonia attended Mona Heights Primary, then Meadowbrook High . After watching a tape of Sting 1993 with the clash between Beenie Man, and his icon Bounty Killer, Aidonia decided to become a deejay.

He began re-enacting the clash for classmates and friends, writing his own lyrics and formed the JAG1 (Jah A Guide)(JOP) crew with friends.

After being expelled, he relocated to the United States with his father, and worked at FedEx. For the next three years, he visited Jamaica regularly, and did a few 'minor' things on the dancehall scene in New York. While in New York, he was encouraged by some to return to Jamaica in order to get his career going.

He met Mr. G (then known as Goofy) and recorded his first single 'Many a Dem' in October 2003 on Goofy's Young Blood label. Soon after, he began working with Rod Pinnock of Orizen Entertainment, and in early 2004, he became a performer at a weekly event called "Battle Thursdays".

In the latter part of 2004, Aidonia was approached by Cordell "Skatta"' Burrell who invited him to record at his studio. Two months later, Aidonia had his first hit, the song "Lolly" which was done on Skatta's Irish Dance riddim. In October 2005 "Lolly" was included on VP Records' annual Strictly The Best (Volume 33) compilation.

In 2011 Artiste Aidonia has recently started pushing forward his J.o.P members Deablo, Shokryme, Jayds, Tanso, Size 10 . The group has had a few hit collabs such as "All 14", and "Run Road.

In 2013 Aidonia welcomed a baby boy from fiance Kimberly Megan. In addition, Aidonia continues to work hard in the music industry and is leaving an indelible mark.

Images:
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Name: Ce'cile
SortName: Ce'cile
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Overview:
Jamaican recording artist Ce’Cile, most notably the self-imposed Bad Gyal is on a mission – Jamaicanizing the globe with her new album “JAMAICANIZATION”. This innovative, witty, intelligent and creative diva has proven time and time again that she has the components for making hit songs. It’s her flair for controversy that has kept media and fans alike tuned in whether she flows over traditional Reggae beats or hits homeruns with pulsating Dancehall riddims. From the beginning Ce’Cile has been an innovator and kept tongues wagging since first breaking into the Dancehall scene with the self-produced, shockingly refreshing and thought provoking smash ”Changez” designed as a marketing ploy by poking fun at her male counterparts. Rhythmically inventive and catchy, it shot across dancehall’s macho braggadocio, light-heartedly lampooning the music’s biggest male names with unflattering speculation on their bedroom performance. Not surprisingly, it won her a legion of female fans.

Images:
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Name: Mike Posner
SortName: Mike Posner
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Overview:
Michael Robert "Mike" Posner (born February 12, 1988) is an American singer, songwriter, and producer. Posner released his debut album, 31 Minutes to Takeoff, on August 10, 2010. The album includes the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 single "Cooler Than Me," his second single, "Please Don't Go," as well as his third single, "Bow Chicka Wow Wow". He is also known for writing and producing "Boyfriend" by Justin Bieber, "Beneath Your Beautiful" by Labrinth, as well as songs for Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa, and Snoop Dogg. Posner is a member of Finally Famous.

Michael Posner was born on February 12, 1988, in Detroit, Michigan. He was raised living at the Southfield area of Michigan, and he is the son of Roberta Henrion (who is a pharmacist), and Jon Posner (who is a criminal defense attorney). He has a sister (who is 6-years older than him). His father is Jewish and his mother is Catholic. Posner attended and graduated from Groves High School, where he ran varsity track and cross-country, and went on to attend Duke University. There Posner became a member of Sigma Nu fraternity and graduated in 2010 with a degree in sociology, with an overall GPA of 3.59.

Images:
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Name: 14KillaTape
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Name: 21
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Name: No Beef
SortName: No Beef
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Name: Benny Benassi
SortName: Benny Benassi
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Overview:
Benny Benassi (* 13. Juli 1967 in Reggio nell’Emilia; bürgerlich Marco Benassi) ist ein italienischer Sänger und DJ.

Ende der 1980er Jahre machte er sich in mehreren Diskos der adriatischen Riviera einen Namen. Anschließend zog es ihn nach Frankreich, wo er nicht nur als Plattenaufleger, sondern auch als Produzent tätig ist.

Nach einem Wechsel des Genres von Eurohouse zu Electro gelang ihm im Alter von 35 Jahren mit dem Track Satisfaction der weltweite Durchbruch. Die Single und das darauffolgende Album Hypnotica erreichten hohe Chartplatzierungen.

Zusammen mit seinem Cousin Alle Benassi tritt Benny Benassi auch als Benassi Bros. in Erscheinung. 2004 brachte das Duo eine neue CD unter dem Namen Pumphonia heraus. Als erste Single-Auskopplung dieses Samplers wurde der Song Hit My Heart (feat. Dhany) ausgewählt. Zahlreiche weitere Alben und Singles unter dem Namen Benassi Bros. folgten.

Weitere Pseudonyme unter denen Benassi produziert sind unter anderem KMC sowie Bat 67.

Benny Benassi gilt als Inspirator einer neuen Electro-House-Szene. Typisch für diesen speziellen House-Stil ist eine Abspielgeschwindigkeit zwischen dem typischen House- und Technotempo (zirka 130 bpm). Des Weiteren haben die Lieder meist einen harten (progressiven) brummenden Electro-Bass, häufig werden zudem im Gegensatz zum normalen House elektronische, technoähnliche Vocalsamplings in diese Houseversionen integriert.

Einige der bekanntesten nachfolgenden Electro-House-DJs, die an den Erfolgen des neuen Genres anknüpfen wollten, sind unter anderem die Global Deejays, Royal Gigolos, Vinylshakerz, Dancefloor Saints & Shana Vanguarde. Sehr häufig werden bekannte Hits der 1980er und 1990er Jahre synthetisiert; auch sind auf den Maxis der Interpreten anderer Musikrichtungen inzwischen immer häufiger Tech-House-Remixe anzufinden.

Images:
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Name: Gary Go
SortName: Gary Go
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Overview:
Gary Go, that's me! Born and raised in London, England in the shadow of Wembley Stadium. I had an insight into music early because my older cousin was in bands and used to let me sit in his studio while he wrote and recorded songs. He used to give me Bowie and Beatles records to listen to. Then I heard wives' tales about Paul McCartney not really being Paul McCartney and how the clues to his death were in the artwork of their albums and that had me pretty spooked when listening to the Beatles for quite some time. I got really into early Bowie (like The London Boys era), then came T.Rex, Queen, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel and of course Michael Jackson. I tried writing songs when my cousin gave me my first keyboard, a little casio. I wrote a song called "The Stomach Ground" about a village of people living on someone's stomach. I basically wrote more and more songs, and figured out how to multi-track using a double cassette deck. Music was where I was heading. I left school to get a job in a recording studio, I made tea and set-up microphones. Then I set-up The Canvas Room, my own little studio and record label. I made an e.p called the So So...e.p and started playing shows around London. Someone who heard the So So...e.p happened to run a big studio in New Jersey USA and I was invited out there to record another e.p and I wrote an e.p called The Diary Of Rodney Harvey, inspired by an article I had read about the tragic rise and fall of this promising star. I ended up living in Manhattan for a few months, playing music, writing songs and working in studios. I moved back to New Jersey and somehow got a room in the house that Frank Sinatra grew up in. I bought a little Casio keyboard, just like the one my cousin had given me when I was five and I started writing songs for my first album.

"Gary Go" my debut album is available to buy NOW on iTunes:
http://tinyurl.com/garygo .

Images:
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Name: Blame
SortName: Blame
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Overview:
Blame is one of the most creative producers on the drum & bass scene, an accolade hard won over years of consistently breaking musical boundaries in an attempt to bring true innovation to the music that he loves.

It all began when Blame started to create tracks that would be synonymous with the early hardcore scene. Music Takes You, a project for the Moving Shadow label, saw him break into the UK charts and become number one in the dance chart; many books charting the early days of dance music have since credited this tune as a seminal moment in what was to soon become drum & bass.

Images:
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Name: Camel
SortName: Camel
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Overview:
The roots of CAMEL go as far as 1964, when the Latimer brothers Andrew and Bryan form part of a band called THE PHANTOM FOUR, after gaining some fame, the band changes their name to STRANGE BREW, a when the bass player Graham Cooper reaches the band. But things were about to change, Ian Latimer and Cooper leave the band and Doug Ferguson joins.

At this point drummer Andrew Ward joins the crew and the seeds were growing in this new Blues oriented band called simply THE BREW, and at last in 1971 with the arrival of keyboardist Peter Bardens CAMEL is officially born.

In their first period CAMEL releases four albums, the self titled debut, which was received with limited enthusiasm by the public, which lead to the change of label from MCA (Who didn't wanted to take risks) to Decca, with whom they stayed for 10 years.

Followed by "Mirage", Snow Goose" and "Moonmadness" (for many their essential trilogy), during the latest album tour, the saxophonist and flute player Mel Collins joins and leads CAMEL to a first radical change in the sound, as well as in the formation because Alan Ferguson is replaced by the Ex CARAVAN bass player Richard Sinclair.

With this formation CAMEL releases two albums, "Rain Dances and "Breathless", which marks for many the end of CAMEL'S golden era mainly because Pete Bardens leaves the band and the next release "I Can See Your House From Here" is considered inferior to the previous releases by the critic.

From this point the lineups constantly changes but the band still releases seven more albums received with different degrees of acceptance, until the last studio album "A Nod And a Wink" sees the light in 2002 (the same year Pete Bardens passes away) completing a large discography of 14 studio releases, 9 live albums, 7 DVD's and several box sets.

Images:
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Name: Badazz Slow Mixes
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Name: Clinton Sparks
SortName: Clinton Sparks
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Overview:
Clinton Sparks is a Boston native radio DJ, mixtape DJ and Hip-Hop Producer. He was named by USA Today as one of the top 7 DJs in the world and Rolling Stone magazine recognized him as one of the top 10 DJs in the world. Clinton has won several awards from New Mixtape DJ of the Year in 2002, East Coast DJ of the Year and Mixshow DJ of the Year in 2003, Mixshow DJ of the Year in 2004, Best Mixtape Satellite Radio DJ of the Year in 2005 and Syndicated Radio show of the Year in 2006.

Clinton released his first album on Koch Records, Maybe You Been Brainwashed in 2005, producing songs with Fabolous, Joe Budden, Clipse, ODB, Memphis Bleek and more. He collaborated with Dr. Dre in producing rapper Busta Rhymes’ 2006 album The Big Bang. He also produced the second single off The Notorious B.I.G.’s Duets: The Final Chapter song Hold Your Head (feat. Bob Marley). He’s produced songs with Kanye West, 50 Cent, Eminem, Pharrell, Ludacris, Diddy, D-Block and Mobb Deep. In 2007, Sparks produced Akon’s hit single Sorry, Blame It On Me.

Sparks is known to the public via satellite radio, terrestrial radio and through numerous mixtapes. His weekly syndicated radio show named “SmashTime Radio” can be heard on Eminem’s Shade 45 channel on Sirius Satellite Radio live on Thursday nights at 8PM ET and on radio stations around the world in Australia, Belgium, Holland, New Zealand, Canada & the United States.


Name: Kendrick Lamar
SortName: Kendrick Lamar
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Overview:
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987) is an American hip hop recording artist from Compton, California. Lamar embarked on his musical career as a teenager under the moniker K-Dot, released a mixtape which garnered local attention and led to his signing with Carson-based independent record label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). Lamar began to gain major recognition in 2010 after his first retail release, Overly Dedicated. The following year, he released Section.80, his first independent album, exclusively through iTunes. The album included Lamar's debut single, "HiiiPoWeR". By that time, Lamar had amassed a large internet following and had already worked with several prominent artists in the hip hop industry, including The Game, Snoop Dogg, and Busta Rhymes.

Lamar secured a recording contract with Aftermath and Interscope Records in 2012. His major-label debut album, good kid, m.A.A.d city, was released in October 2012 to universal acclaim. The record contained the top 40 singles "Swimming Pools (Drank)", "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe", and "Poetic Justice". Upon its release, the album debuted at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In early 2013, MTV named Lamar the No. 1 "Hottest MC in the Game" on their annual list.

In 2015, Lamar released his third studio album To Pimp a Butterfly, incorporating elements of funk, spoken word poetry and jazz in the hip hop record – it debuted atop the charts in the U.S. and the UK. The album was preceded by its lead single "i", which earned him his first two Grammy Awards at the 2015 ceremony: Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song. Later that year, Taylor Swift and Lamar's collaboration "Bad Blood" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Apart from his solo career, Lamar is also known as a member of the West Coast hip hop supergroup Black Hippy, alongside his TDE labelmates and fellow South Los Angeles-based rappers Ab-Soul, Jay Rock and Schoolboy Q.

Images:
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Name: Rome
SortName: Rome
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Overview:
ROME is a Luxembourgish neofolk/martial act founded in late 2005 as the main output for the songs of Jerome Reuter and was joined by co-producer Patrick Damiani as official member in early 2008. ROME signed to the Swedish label CMI in 2006 to release an EP titled “Berlin” (June 2006) and the albums “Nera” (November 2006), “Confessions d’un voleur d’ames” (April 2007), “Masse Mensch Material” (March 2008). In 2009 ROME got signed to the german label Trisol and released the EP “To Die Among Strangers” (May 2009) and the album “Flowers From Exile” (June 2009). 
 In their earlier work ROME mixes influences of Industrial and Neofolk with Experimental and Electronic Pop. The traditions of (French) Chanson and (American) Folk are becoming more and more influential in their current work. In 2009 violin player Nikos Mavridis officially joined the band to further contribute to the creation of their unique sound, which they themselves refer to as Chanson Noir. Nikos left the band in late 2010 to answer the army’s call and Patrick found himself more and more tied up in the work for his own professional recording studio in Germany. ROME released the EP “L’assassin” in early 2010, shortly before going into hiatus, followed by the full length “Nos chants perdus”. In 2011, Jerome, the project’s only real flag-bearer, recorded and released the trilogy “Die Aesthetik Der Herrschaftsfreiheit” (Trisol) and has taken up touring again with his new band mates Patrick Kleinbauer, Eric Emmel and Tom Luciani.

Images:
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Name: Mindless Behavior
SortName: Mindless Behavior
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Overview:
Mindless Behavior is an American boy band, best known for the singles "My Girl" and "Mrs. Right", produced by Walter Millsap. The band was put together in Los Angeles in 2008, by Keisha Gamble, Walter Millsap (who has previously worked with Beyoncé and Timbaland) and Vincent Herbert (Lady Gaga, Toni Braxton), and the band trained in dance and singing for two years before releasing a recording. The members are all in their early teens. They performed "My Girl" on The Today Show in November 2010. Their debut album, #1 Girl, was released on September 20, 2011. It debuted on the Billboard 200 album chart at number 7.
Mindless Behavior toured with the Backstreet Boys, Justin Bieber and Jason Derülo, and was the sole opening act for Janet Jackson's 2011 tour. Mindless Behavior also headlined the first BET Closer to My Dreams Tour alongside Diggy Simmons, Lil Twist, Tyga, Trevante and Jawan Harris. In 2011, Mindless Behavior headlined the SCREAM Tour with Diggy Simmons and featuring The OMG Girlz, Jacob Latimore, and Hamiliton Park. They have been predicted as Future Stars by This Must Be Pop.
In July 2012, they embarked their own 25-city tour, (#1 Girl Tour) with opening acts Jacob Latimore, Lil Twist, and rising star Kayla Brianna.

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Name: 5.0
SortName: 5.0
PresentationUniqueKey: 5709468315a5435da08f203d3e67c120
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Name: Cornell Haynes
SortName: Cornell Haynes
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Overview:
St. Louis, in Musikkreisen bisher nur eingefleischten Blues-Freunden ein Begriff erhält durch Cornell Haynes alias Nelly ein neues Kapitel Musikgeschichte. Als erster Rapper der lokalen Hip Hop Szene schafft er den Sprung über den Tellerrand und erregt mit seinem Debütalbum "Country Grammar" weltweit Aufsehen. In der ersten Woche nach Veröffentlichung der Scheibe gehen mehr als eine Million Exemplare über die Ladentische und Nelly gelingt der Sprung an die Spitze der US-Album Charts. Dabei sieht Nellys Weg zunächst nicht so aus als strebe er eine Karriere im Hip Hop an. In Texas geboren lebt er zunächst für drei Jahre in Spanien wo sein Vater für die Air Force arbeitet. Schließlich landet er am Mississippi in St. Louis, wohnt bei verschiedenen Familienmitgliedern und wechselt häufig die Schule. Zu dieser Zeit hat der junge Cornell viel Ärger auf der Straße. Das ändert sich, als er mit seiner Mutter in eine Vorstadt von St. Louis zieht. Dort entdeckt man sein Talent für Baseball und er erhält einige Angebote professionell zu spielen. Doch zur gleichen Zeit lernt der Fan von Rakim, LL Cool J und Run DMC einige Rapper aus St. Louis kennen, was seinen Weg entscheidend verändern soll. Mit fünf Freunden gründet er die St. Lunatics. 1996 gehen sie ins Studio und produzieren ihre erste Single "Gimme What Ya Got". Der Song ist in St. Louis unheimlich populär und wird von den lokalen Radiostationen rauf und runter gespielt. Als die St. Lunatics jedoch nach einigen Jahren immer noch keinen Plattenvertrag an Land ziehen, versucht es Nelly auf eigene Faust und bekommt prompt den Deal mit Universal Records. Dennoch sieht sich der Rapper nicht als Solo-Artist, sondern als Musiker aus der Familie der St. Lunatics, der als erster ein Album veröffentlicht. Nebenbei erreicht er auch gleich ein weiteres Ziel: "Ich will, dass man St. Louis Respekt erweist. Ich will, dass man diese Stadt nicht weiter ignoriert." Und das hat er mit Sicherheit geschafft. Sein Debut verkauft sich weltweit über zehn Millionen mal und mit Free City" kann er auch seine Musikerfamilie St. Lunatics zu Ruhm führen. Die Mainstream-Massen stehen hinter ihm, doch in der Hip Hop-Szene macht er sich keine Freunde. Er gilt als bestes Beispiel für die kreative Stagnation im Rapgame, denn bei ihm verschwimmen die Grenzen zwischen Pop und Hip Hop. Wer großmäulig nur über Frauen, Geld usw. rappt, darf sich dann auch nicht wundern, wenn er nicht wirklich respektiert wird. Da zeugt es sicherlich nicht von gesundem Menschenverstand, Beef mit dem legendären Krs-One herauf zu beschwören. Zwar gibt es für Nelly kaum eine bessere Möglichkeit, um sein neues Album "Nellyville" zu promoten, und mutig scheint der Junge auch zu sein. Doch in Sachen Battle-Lyrics geht er gegen den Teacher unter wie die Titanic. Nachdem es wegen indirekter Disse in den Songs "Hot" (Krs-One) und "1" (Nelly) zu Unstimmigkeiten zwischen den Rappern kommt, feuern beide Seiten kontinuierlich weitere verbale Freestyle-Schüsse via Radio und Mixtapes ab. Nelly wirft Krs vor, durch ihn seine Verkaufszahlen hoch zu schrauben. Krs dagegen hält Nelly für keinen "Real Hip Hop" und kritisiert zudem seine frauenfeindlichen, oberflächlichen Texte. Gleichgültig wie die Auseinandersetzung auch endet, Nelly bleibt im Gespräch. Seine zweite Platte geht in den USA während der ersten zwei Wochen rund eine Million mal über die Ladentische. 2004 meldet er sich mit einem Paukenschlag zurück. Weniger in qualitiativer denn in quantitativer Hinsicht. Mit "Sweat" und "Suit" lässt der mittlerweile zum Superstar avancierte Pop-Rapper aus St. Louis gleich zwei Alben an einem Tag auf die Menschheit los. Mit Erfolg: In den USA belegen die Alben auf Anhieb Platz eins und zwei der Billboard Charts. 2005 wird weiterhin kontrovers über Nelly diskutiert: Vor einem Auftritt in Arkansas protestieren Wortführer mehrerer religiöser Vereinigungen gegen die expliziten Texte des Rappers. Der stört sich daran aber wenig und bringt ein Jahr später zusammen mit seinen St.Lunatics "Who's The Boss" heraus. Gleichzeitig arbeitet er an "Brass Knuckels", das im August 2008 erscheint. Mit Gastbeiträgen von u.a. Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J, Chuck D, Fergie, Lil Wayne etc. erreicht er immerhin noch Platz drei der US-Charts. Im Sommer 2009 belegt er im Billboard-Ranking der besten Musiker des Jahrzehnts den dritten Platz. Ein tragischer Zwischenfall lässt ihn den Veröffentlichungstermin von "Nelly 5.0" jedoch auf Ende des Jahres verschieben: Nellys Cousin und enger Freund Michael Johnson wird ermordet. Das Album erreicht für seine Verhältnisse nur durchschnittliche Chartplatzierungen, in der ersten Woche landet es aber noch unter den Top 10. Die Gästeliste des Albums ist wieder einmal gespickt mit Hochkarätern. In der kommenden Zeit fokussiert Nelly sich auf Nebenprojekte. Er veröffentlicht eine erfolgreiche Mode-Kollektion sowie eine Fitness-DVD mit dem Namen "Celebrity Sweat". Parallel ruft er die zwei wohltätigen Stiftungen "4Sho4Kids" und "Jes Us 4 Jackie" ins Leben. 2013 widmet sich Nelly wieder der Musik, sein neues Album "M.O." erscheint am 30. September. Eine erste Singleauskopplung ("Hey Porsche") erscheint bereits Anfangs des Jahres, eine zweite ("Get Like Me") featured Pharrell Williams und Nicki Minaj. Mittlerweile sind die Grenzen zwischen Hip Hop und Pop aber nicht nur verschwommen, er scheint ganz angekommen zu sein in den Pop-Mainstream-Gefilden.

Images:
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Name: Rico Love
SortName: Rico Love
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Name: Steve Edwards
SortName: Steve Edwards
PresentationUniqueKey: 832515376b464bea97d1aeba0ee3d6a3
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Overview:
Steve Edwards (born 8 May 1980) is a house music singer/songwriter from Sheffield, England. He has collaborated with several house music producers.

Images:
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Name: Da Band
SortName: Da Band
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Overview:
Da Band, known officially as Bad Boy's Da Band, was a hip-hop group consisting of the second season cast of MTV's reality show, Making the Band, created by rap mogul Diddy. The show's prize included the opportunity to be featured on Diddy's label, Bad Boy Records.  After weeks of selections and training, Diddy chose the members of Da Band on Making The Band 2. For several weeks the group was subjected to vigorous and sometime demeaning tasks, including walking from midtown Manhattan to Brooklyn to purchase cheesecake for Diddy, and Elliot Ness' battle with Harlem MC Jae Millz. Their debut album, Too Hot for TV, was released in September of 2003.  Da Band was widely criticized as fraudulent by most hip hop fans, due partially to the fact that Diddy often embarrassed them throughout the filming of the show. Da Band effectively ended their career on the Season Three finale, when Diddy dissolved the group. However, he still wanted to work with Babs and Ness, calling them hip hop's next "Bonnie and Clyde," (however to date, nothing has been released from either of them). Diddy had also kept Chopper with the label, signing with Bad Boy South. A solo album for him was planned for August. Chopper is currently signd to Cash Money.


Name: The Roots
SortName: Roots
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Overview:
Beste Hip Hop-Band, beste Live-Band, beste Band überhaupt, bester Drummer – die Lobeshymnen auf The Roots sind vielfältig, die Superlative jedoch immer gleich. Seit 1993 setzt die Combo um Schlagzeuger und Mastermind Questlove und Rapper Black Thought Maßstäbe im Hip Hop und darüber hinaus.

Keine andere Band vereint Puristen aller Genres mit dieser Vehemenz. Spätestens die "Legendary Roots Crew" geht als der kleinste gemeinsame Nenner zwischen Poppern, Rockern und natürlich Kopfnickern durch. "Organic Hip Hop" nennt die Band ihren Stil, der sich seit jeher durch trockene, punktgenaue Drums und Live-Instrumentierung auszeichnet.

Dabei gebiert dieses Charakteristikum die Not: Aus Mangel an Geld greifen die Kunsthochschüler Tariq Trotter (Black Thought) und Ahmir Khalib Thompson (Questlove) statt auf Sampler und Turntables auf ausrangierte Instrumente zurück. 1987 entdecken Black Thoughts erste Raps das Licht der Welt, begleitet von Questloves Percussions. Der Beginn einer im Hip Hop einmaligen Erfolgsgeschichte aus Philadelphia.

Sechs Jahre später erscheint das Langspieldebüt "Organix". Mittlerweile sind mit dem Bassisten Leon "Hub" Hubbard und dem zweiten MC Malik B weitere Mitglieder hinzugestoßen. Schnell avancieren die Roots zum Geheimtipp, dem sich auch die Plattenfirmen nicht entziehen können. Geffen macht das Rennen und veröffentlicht schon zwei Jahre später mit "Do You Want More?!!!??!" das erste Major-Album der Band.

Die Musikszene reagiert begeistert auf die Verbindung aus Hip Hop und live dargebotenem Jazz. Die Roots spielen Touren und Festivals rund um den Erdball, doch der finanzielle Hit bleibt aus. "Illadelph Halflife" kratzt an den Top20 der Billboard Charts, doch erst "Things Fall Apart" bringt den absoluten Durchbruch. "You Got Me", das Erykah Badu featuret, überrollt die westliche Musikwelt. Der zum Klassiker avancierte Song hievt die Roots auf den Hip Hop-Olymp.

Insbesondere Questlove steht im Rampenlicht. Gemeinsam mit den musikalisch ähnlich gearteten Common, Talib Kweli, Mos Def und Q-Tip gründet er die Soulquarians. Das Musikerkollektiv steckt als Produzenten hinter den Gassenhauern "Voodoo" von D'Angelo, "Mama's Gun" von Erykah Badu und Commons 
"Like Water For Chocolate".

Auch Al Green, Bilal, Jay-Z und Nikka Costa begeben sich neben vielen anderen unter die Fittiche des Produzenten aus Philadelphia. 2009 stellt Jimmy Fallon Questlove und Bandkollegen als Hausband seiner neuen US-weiten Late Night-Show auf NBC ein.

Ganz im Sinne des Jam-Gedankens wechseln die Bandmitglieder seit jeher durch. Mitte der 90er stößt mit Rahzel, "The Godfather Of Noyze", eine menschliche Beatbox hinzu, Scott Storch verdient sich seine ersten Sporen als Studiomusiker, konzentriert sich jedoch bald auf seine Produzentenkarriere.

Dice Raw ist ein oft und gern gesehener Gast, nach der Jahrhundertwende steht Peedi Peedi kurz vor einem Einstieg, der sich letztlich jedoch zerschlägt. Malik B steigt dafür aus, meldet sich aber als Featuregast auf "Game Theory" zurück. Zudem hilft Martin Luther regelmäßig an der Gitarre aus, den später Captain Kirk Douglas ersetzt. Neben unzähligen anderen Veränderungen.

Während das Personal kommt und geht, bleibt der Gedanke konstant. Und ewig jung, wie die Erfolge in den 2000ern beweisen. Cody Chesnutts Titel "The Seed" übernehmen Quest und Kollegen, packen ein "2.0" hinter den Namen und stürmen damit die Charts. Bei der Eröffnung der XXI. Olympischen Winterspiele in Vancouver 2010 treibt die Truppe Soulsänger John Legend zu Höchstleistungen. Wenige Monate später erscheint das Kollabo-Album "Wake Up!"

Damit manifestiert sich ein Richtungswechsel, der sich über Jahre andeutete. Der Jazz, der die Roots zu Beginn ihrer Karriere auszeichnete, tritt immer weiter in den Hintergrund. Soul löst ihn langsam aber sicher ab, daneben Indie-Pop und Singer/Songwriter, wie Features von Joanna Newsom und Monsters Of Folk zeigen.

Deren Genrekollege Sufjan Stevens steht Pate für den nächsten Streich. Das Klavierstück "Redford (For Yia-Yia & Pappou)" von Stevens Platte "Michigan" inspirierte The Roots zur Geschichte von "Undun". Das erste Konzeptalbum der Truppe erzählt die Geschichte des fehlgeleiteten Redford Stephens und behandelt die Fragen nach dem Ursprung des Bösen und dem Spannungsverhältnis zwischen eigenem Willen und alltäglicher Realität. Musikalisch schlagen Questlove und Kollegen dank orchestraler Untermalung abermals eine neue Richtung ein.

"Vielleicht gehen wir beim nächsten Album weiter und arbeiten mit einem vollwertigen Orchester", blickt Questlove nach Veröffentlichung des elften Studioalbums beim Magazin Spin voraus und beweist damit vor allem eines: Die Entwicklung der Gruppe ist trotz aller Erfolge noch lange nicht abgeschlossen, die Spielfreude und Originalität und lange nicht aufgebraucht. Und der Hip Hop-Olymp ist anscheinend zu klein für eine der besten Bands der Welt.

Images:
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Name: Things Fall Apart
SortName: Things Fall Apart
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Name: Danny Byrd
SortName: Danny Byrd
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ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=6152|MusicBrainzArtist=1b002a6c-0f6c-4335-aab6-36a74058250f|AudioDbArtist=111699
Overview:
One of the very first artists to sign to the fledgling Hospital label way back at the turn of the millennium, Danny Byrd’s own inimitable take on soulful, vocal Drum + Bass has become a staple in the scene. His use of hip-hop, house and R&B influences has turned heads ever since his inception. The Bath based, brandy-drinking producer has been responsible from some massive rave anthems over the years, which has gained him Radio One success and international recognition.

Having signed to the label in the early noughties, Danny Byrd released a number of singles, such as “Do It Again” (2000), “Changes” (2001) and “Dog Hill” (2006), However, it was not until 2008 that Danny delivered his long awaited debut long player “Supersized”. Having spent years honing his craft, the album was an excellent display of his skills and featured massive anthems such as “Shock Out”, “From Bath With Love” and “Red Mist (feat I-Kay)”. The album gained support from Radio One heavy hitters such as Annie Mac and Zane Lowe, as well as the mighty Andy C. The VIP version of “Red Mist” catapulted its way onto the daytime Radio One playlist and received over six hours of Radio One play in 2009, all to itself!

Danny’s next major release was an update of liquid rave classic “Sweet Harmony” (feat. Liquid). The hit single reached number one in the UK dance singles chart and took Danny’s sound to a whole new audience. Championing a revival of classic dance music sounds along with his own unique and forward thinking production the second Danny Byrd studio album “Rave Digger” was unleashed October 2010. The lead single “Ill Behaviour feat I-Kay” smashed it’s way into the UK top 40, swiftly followed up by Radio One play listings for “We Can Have It All” and “Tonight (feat. Netsky)”.

Entering 2011, the “Rave Digger Special Edition” was released and later in the year, Danny launched his short-lived but impressive live show at Hospitality Brixton in September. Bursting back onto the scene in 2012 with the incendiary “Blaze The Fire (Rah!)”, Danny teamed up with the legendary General Levy for this smash hit single ahead of his third artist album which dropped in 2013.

His latest album, ‘Golden Ticket’ features a high calibre supporting cast of featured artists and a broad sound palette. It takes in the full spectrum of UK garage, house, hip-hop and has ensured his lasting status as a Drum and Bass icon.

Images:
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Name: Novel
SortName: Novel
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Overview:
1. Alonzo Mario Stevenson (born September 3, 1981 in Los Angeles, California), better known by his stage name Novel, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper and producer signed to Capitol Records. Novel has collaborated with artists such as Lauryn Hill, Talib Kweli, Robin Thicke and Alicia Keys, and had plans to release his debut album The Word in 2002, but it was cancelled. Since then he has released his debut EP I Am... (Future Black President), three mixtapes, a collaboration mixtape with Joell Ortiz, and is now set to release his debut LP Audiobiography sometime in 2011. He is the grandson of legendary R&B artist Solomon Burke.    2. If you went to the four farthest corners on the musical universe and harvested the cream of the talent crop, put them all together, mixed in some sweat (joe your house is so damn hot all the time and garages in the Arizona summer aren't ice skating rinks), a dash of catholic school, and truckloads of passion for music, you'd be about halfway there. http://www.myspace.com/novelaz    3. The Band's dream starts on the 4th of July of 1999 in the city of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, with only one mission in mynd, to write and play their own music.  Oscar, Carlos and Kevin met when they were really young and on one sleepless night they decide they would love to start a band and play in it, neither Carlos or Kevin knew how to play an instrument, they threw a coin toss and decided that one would play the bass and the other one the drums, with time they decided to let Alejandro "Carica" play the other guitar, back in that day the band was called C3.  In time the band started to gain some respect and started playing in several clubs, in 2002 "Carica" leaves  the band and David "Vito" comes into the picture giving their music another twist, they changed their name to Nobel in honor of the park where they've met for over 15 years, later on they registered the name NOVEL which had a significant and real meaning which was "New, Rookies", as day pass by more and more people like their music and their dreams.  Half way into 2004 Raul "Rulo" joins the band , they start joining rock stars as they define their stile as "Latin Punk", a unique style where the happiness of punk rock meets the flavor of latin rhytims.  An incredible accomplishment for the band, is , that for over a year their single "Volvamos a Empezar" has maintained a high status on the radios, this single came out of a previously recorded demo, without the backup of a music video or a record label, the band managed to consolidate as one of the best new promises of the Newcomers of Monterrey.  The members of the band are: Oscar De La Garza (Vocals and Guitar), David De La Garza (Guitar), Carlos Hernandez (Bass), Adrain Garza (Percussions and Raul Garcia (Drums).  4. Novel is one of many side projects fronted by Adam Young of Owl City. Adam has only released one song under this project, titled "Behold! Lawns." http://www.purevolume.com/novel

Images:
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Name: Deadmau5
SortName: Deadmau5
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Overview:
Deadmau5 (* 5. Januar 1981 in Niagara Falls, Ontario; bürgerlicher Name Joel Thomas Zimmerman) ist ein kanadischer Musikproduzent, der vor allem in den Stilrichtungen Progressive House und Electro House sowie Deep House aktiv ist. Er hat ein eigenes Label namens mau5trap. Er war mit der Tattoo-Künstlerin Kat Von D liiert.[2]

Markenzeichen und Logo von Deadmau5 ist der Mau5head, den er als Maske bei Konzerten trägt.
Zimmerman arbeitete in seiner Jugend zunächst in einem Computergeschäft und bastelte mit Trackern in seiner Freizeit bereits an elektronischer Musik.[3] Ab 1998 arbeitete er als Co-Produzent bei einem Radiosender[4] und nahm mit 22 Jahren eine Stelle als Software-Entwickler in Toronto an. Er begann im Jahr 2005 unter dem Namen Deadmau5 Musik zu produzieren. 2006 veröffentlichte er seine bisher erfolgreichsten Singles Not Exactly und Faxing Berlin, die jedoch erst ein Jahr später in die DJ-Charts einsteigen konnten. So kam Not Exactly in den Jahrescharts der Deutschen Dance Charts für 2007 auf Platz 37.[5]
2008 gewann Zimmerman gemeinsam mit Billy Newton-Davis den kanadischen Musikpreis Juno Award für den besten Dance-Track des Jahres mit dem Titel All U Ever Want. Bei den im selben Jahr erstmals ausgetragenen Beatport Music Awards, deren Preisträger von den Benutzern des bekannten Online-Musikshops für Elektronische Tanzmusik Beatport gewählt werden, war er mehrfach erfolgreich: so wurde er sowohl als bester Electro-House- als auch als bester Progressive-House-Künstler ausgezeichnet, seine Single Not Exactly gewann den Titel „Beste Single 2008“. Ebenfalls wurde er bei dieser Veranstaltung zur „einflussreichsten Person“ und zum „besten Produzenten“ der elektronischen Tanzmusik-Szene gewählt.[6] 2008 wurde er von den Lesern der bekannten DJ-Zeitschrift DJ Magazine auf Platz 11 der beliebtesten DJs gewählt und ist damit bester Neueinsteiger.[7] 2009 wählten ihn die Leser des DJ Magazine auf Platz 6, 2010 gar auf Platz 4.[8] 2009 trat Deadmau5 auf dem Open Air Floor der Nature One auf. 2010 gewann er bei der Winter Music Conference die Auszeichnung als Best American DJ. Seine Single Ghosts ’n’ Stuff wurde zudem als Best Electro Track ausgezeichnet.[9]

Images:
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Name: Rick James
SortName: Rick James
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Overview:
Rick James (born James Ambrose Johnson, Jr.; February 1, 1948 – August 6, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer, best known for being the major popularizer of funk music in the late 1970s and early 1980s thanks to million-selling hits such as "You and I" (1978), "Give It to Me Baby" (1981) and "Super Freak" (1981), the latter song crossing him over to pop audiences and selling over three million copies, later contributing to the success of rapper MC Hammer's "U Can't Touch This" (1990), for whom James sued in order to be credited. James won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song with Hammer for the song, his only Grammy win.
James started his singing career fronting doo-wop and rhythm and blues bands in his hometown of Buffalo, New York in the early 1960s, with his vocal style influenced by the likes of Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and David Ruffin. After entering the United States Navy to avoid conscription after he dropped out of high school, James went AWOL and relocated to Toronto, Canada where he resumed his music career. While there, James formed the rock-soul fusion band Mynah Birds, whose lineup once included a young Neil Young. James' tenure with the Mynah Birds was interrupted after he was discovered recording with the group in Motown in the 1960s and surrendered to authorities serving out a one-year sentence in a prison in Buffalo. James returned to Canada where he resumed the Mynah Birds though the band eventually split and James relocated to California where he started a series of rock bands. He also had a period where he served as a staff writer with Motown under an assumed name before he left the label.
In 1978, he signed with the Gordy Records subsidiary of Motown as a recording artist where in 1978, he recorded his first album, Come Get It!, which sold over a million copies at the time of its release. He would go on to score several popular hits on the pop and R&B charts, including four number-one hits on the latter chart. James became noted not only as a hit maker on his own recordings but also produced successful recordings for the likes of Teena Marie, The Mary Jane Girls, The Temptations, Eddie Murphy and Smokey Robinson. His best-selling recording, 1981's Street Songs, sold over three million copies helping to renew sagging fortunes in Motown.
Addictions to cocaine and crack however hampered his career by the late eighties and in the nineties, his legal troubles, which would include assaulting two women while under the influence of crack, led him to serve a three-year prison sentence at California's Folsom State Prison. James was released on parole in 1996 and resumed his musical career releasing the album, Urban Rapsody, in 1997. A mild stroke suffered during a concert in early 1998 interrupted his career for a brief time. James received new notoriety in 2004 when he appeared on an episode of Dave Chappelle's Chappelle Show in the Charlie Murphy "True Hollywood Stories" segment of the show, in which James' past wild lifestyle was satirized. James died later that year from heart failure at the age of 56.

Images:
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Name: Marvin Gaye
SortName: Marvin Gaye
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Overview:
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. (April 2, 1939 - April 1, 1984), better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye (he added the 'e' as a young man), was an acclaimed American singer-songwriter and musician who achieved major success in the 1960s and 1970s as an artist for the Motown label.
Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Gaye was the son of a storefront minister of a local Pentecostal church and grew up singing in his father's church, later learning to play piano and drums. As a teenager, he discovered doo-wop and joined local doo-wop groups in the D.C. area. After dropping out of school and briefly enlisting in the United States Air Force, he returned to D.C. where he formed the Marquees, who were first discovered by Bo Diddley and later was mentored by Harvey Fuqua, who changed their name to "Harvey & The New Moonglows", recording for Chess Records for two years. Later leaving the Moonglows for a solo career as Harvey Fuqua's protege, he settled for work in Detroit labels such as Anna and Tri-Phi Records before joining Motown in 1961.
Initially earning pay as a session drummer and encompassing a three-octave vocal range, Gaye eventually became Motown's top-selling solo artist of the 1960s. He was crowned "The Prince of Motown" and "The Prince of Soul" because of solo hits such as "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)", "Ain't That Peculiar", "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and his duet singles with singers such as Mary Wells and Tammi Terrell.
His early 1970s releases, What's Going On and Let's Get It On paved the way for the concept album format in R&B music in the 1970s while the Let's Get It On and I Want You albums helped influence the quiet storm, urban contemporary and slow jam genres. After a self-imposed tax exile in Europe in the early 1980s, Gaye returned on the 1982 Grammy-Award winning hit, "Sexual Healing" and the Midnight Love album. After a violent argument with his father, he was shot dead by him on April 1, 1984.
In 2008, the American music magazine Rolling Stone ranked Gaye at number 6 on its list of the Greatest Singers of All Time, and ranked at number 18 on 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, and he ranked number 20 on VH1's list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. Gaye was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

Images:
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Name: Joyce Sims
SortName: Joyce Sims
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Overview:
Joyce Sims (* 6. August 1959 in Rochester, New York; † 15. Oktober 2022) war eine US-amerikanische R&B- und Dance-Sängerin, Pianistin und Songwriterin, die vor allem in den 1980er Jahren aktiv war. Ihre größten Erfolge waren das Album Come into My Life und die gleichnamige Single aus dem Jahr 1987, mit denen sie sich auf vorderen Plätzen der Charts in Europa platzieren konnte. 

Sims schrieb bereits in ihrer Schulzeit erste eigene Lieder. Während ihres Musikstudiums auf dem College erlernte sie das Spielen verschiedener Instrumente, darunter das Klavier. Über einen Freund lernte sie Aron Resnick, den Besitzer des Independent-Labels Sleeping Bag Records, kennen.

Nach einer Clubtour entlang der Ostküste begann sie eine Zusammenarbeit mit Kurtis Mantronik. Ergebnis dieser Kooperation war Sims’ 1987 veröffentlichtes Debütalbum Come into My Life, von dem die Lieder All and All, Lifetime Love, der Titelsong und Walk a Way als Single ausgekoppelt wurden. Sowohl das Album als auch die gleichnamige Single erreichten die Top Ten der britischen Charts, das Album wurde mit einer Goldenen Schallplatte zertifiziert.

In der Folgezeit konnte sie jedoch nicht an diesen Erfolg anknüpfen. Sowohl das Nachfolgealbum All About Love (1989) als auch die daraus ausgekoppelten Singles erzielten deutlich schlechtere Platzierungen. Mitte der 1990er Jahre zog sich Sims vorübergehend aus dem Musikgeschäft zurück. Erst Mitte der 2000er Jahre veröffentlichte sie neues Material (Album A New Beginning, 2006), welchem allerdings kein großer Erfolg beschieden war.

2010 gründete sie ihr eigenes Label. 
(Wikipedia)

Images:
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Name: Cameo
SortName: Cameo
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Overview:
Cameo ist ein aus der Band „The New York City Players“ hervorgegangenes Funk- und R&B-Projekt des Musikers Larry Blackmon.

1974 wurde die damals 13-köpfige Band durch Larry Blackmon, der eine Ausbildung an der anerkannten Julliard-Musikhochschule in New York absolvierte, ins Leben gerufen. Später dann wurde aus den New York City Players die Musikgruppe Cameo.

Die ersten Alben Cardiac Arrest, Ugly Ego, We All Know Who We Are und Secret Omen erschienen auf dem Casablanca Record & FilmWorks-Sublabel Chocolate City Records und enthalten Dancetracks wie Rigor Mortis, I Just Want to Be und Find My Way, der ein großer Diskothekenhit wurde und ebenfalls auf dem Soundtrack zu Thank God It’s Friday zu finden ist.

Als das Album Cameosis 1980 veröffentlicht wurde, hatte Cameo durch Singles wie Shake Your Pants schon einen beträchtlichen Bekanntheitsgrad erlangt. Die Longplayer Knights of the Sound Table (1981) und Alligator Woman (1982) zeigten die musikalische Vielseitigkeit der Band.

Mitte der 1980er Jahre war Cameo bereit, sich weiterzuentwickeln. Die Formation wurde auf Larry Blackmon, Tomi Jenkins, Nathan Leftenant und Charles Singleton reduziert. Durch den Einfluss neuer Bands, die sich vor allen Dingen im Bereich des „Electronic Funk“ breitmachten, trieb Larry Blackmon seine Gruppe ebenfalls in diese Musikrichtung. Schneidende Synthesizersounds, eckige vom Computer gespielte Schlagzeugbeats und präzise Basslinien bilden die Grundlage ihres Stils.

Die Auskoppelung She’s Strange vom gleichnamigen Album wurde ein Nummer-eins-Hit in den R&B-Charts der USA. Die Folgesingles Talkin’ Out the Side of Your Neck und Hangin Downtown waren weniger erfolgreich. Der größte Cameo-Hit Word Up! kam Mitte 1986 auf den Markt (Charles Singleton hatte die Band bereits verlassen). Durch die gekonnte Verbindung zwischen Funk- und Pop-Elementen schufen sie dabei einen tanzbaren Ohrwurm, der in dieser Zeit weltweit von Radiostationen und Club-DJs gespielt wurde und die Gruppe zu Superstars machte. Die nachfolgenden Lieder Candy und Back and Forth waren ebenfalls große Erfolge für das Funktrio. Ende 1986 schien es, als ob Word Up! überall zu hören war: im Radio, in den Clubs, MTV, in der Coca-Cola Werbung. Sogar im alltäglichen Sprachgebrauch war Word Up! immer häufiger zu hören, da es sich zum nationalen Schlagwort entwickelte.

Vor der Veröffentlichung ihres Nachfolgealbums nahm die Band erstmal eine Pause, bevor sie zwei Jahre später die Platte Machismo herausbrachte, die von Kritikern positiv aufgenommen wurde. Das Stück In the Night wurde zusammen mit Miles Davis aufgenommen. Auch das Album Emotional Violence, das 1991 veröffentlicht wurde, kam bei Kritikern gut an, konnte aber nicht mehr an den Erfolg von Word Up! anknüpfen. Es folgten noch die Longplayer In the Face of Funk (1994) und Sexy Sweet Thing (2000), der Erfolg Cameos ließ aber weiter nach.

Images:
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Name: Nu Shooz
SortName: Nu Shooz
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Overview:
Nu Shooz are a dance music group fronted by Portland, Oregon husband-and-wife duo John Smith and Valerie Day.  Nu Shooz originally released "I Can't Wait" as a single in Winter 1985 on Poolside Records. The original recording was done at "Cascade Recording" in Portland in Fall 1984. "I Can't Wait" was a big hit on Portland radio stations and got the attention of Atlantic Records who signed them. Atlantic had Nu Shooz re-record "I Can't Wait" and issued the new version in February 1986.  They scored two major pop/R&B/dance hits: "I Can't Wait," which climbed to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. Its follow-up, "Point Of No Return," also topped the dance chart and hit #28 on the Hot 100.  Both singles were on their album "Poolside" which made Billboard's Top 200 Album chart as high as #27 and selling a half million copies, garnering a gold record.  Their final pop chart entry was "Should I Say Yes?" which hit #41.  They had two more dance hits, one of which, "Are You Lookin' For Somebody Nu," topped out at #2 on the dance charts in 1988. This single was on the album "Told U So" which climbed Billboard's Top 200 Album chart to #93.  In 2012 they released their new album 'Kung Pao Kitchen'.

Images:
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Name: Musical Youth
SortName: Musical Youth
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Overview:
Musical Youth formed in 1979 at Duddeston Manor School, Birmingham, England. This pop / reggae influenced group, featured two sets of brothers, Kelvin and Michael Grant, plus Junior and Patrick Waite. The latter pair's father, Frederick Waite, was a former member of Jamaican group The Techniques, and sang lead with Junior at the start of the group's career in the late 1970s.  Band Members: Michael Grant - born on 6 July 1969, in Birmingham - Keyboards / Vocals Kelvin Grant - born on 9 July 1971, in Birmingham - Guitar / Vocals Dennis Seaton - born on 2 March 1967 - Lead Vocals / Percussion. Patrick Waite - born on 16 June 1968; died on 18 February 1993 - Bass / Vocals Freddie "Junior" Waite - Drums / Vocals  Bio: Although schoolboys, the group managed to secure gigs at certain Birmingham pubs and released a single, "Political" / "Generals", on local label 021 Records. An appearance on BBC disc jockey John Peel's evening show brought further attention to the group, and they were signed to MCA Records.  By that time, founding father Frederick Waite had backed down, to be replaced by Dennis Seaton as lead singer. During the winter of 1982, the group issued one of the fastest-selling singles of the year in "Pass the Dutchie". Based on the Mighty Diamonds "Pass The Kouchie" (a song about cannabis), the title had been subtly altered to feature the patois "dutchie" ,referring to a type of pot used for cooking. This idea is reinforced throughout the political and economic overtones throughout the song about extreme poverty and Musical Youth asking the question "How does it feel when ya got no food?"}. The infectious enthusiasm of the group's performance captured the public's imagination, and duly propelled the record to Number 1 in the UK singles chart. It went on to sell over four million copies, and was nominated for a Grammy Award. A US Top 10 placing also followed. The video made them one of the first black artists to be played on MTV.  The catchy follow-up, "Youth Of Today", reached the UK Top 20, and early in 1983, "Never Gonna Give You Up", climbed to UK Number 6. Minor successes with "Heartbreaker" and "Tell Me Why", were succeeded by a surprise collaboration with Donna Summer on the UK Top 20 hit "Unconditional Love".  A revival of Desmond Dekker's "007" saw them back in the Top 30, but after one final hit with "Sixteen", they fell from commercial grace, and subsequently split up in 1985 when Seaton left the band.  Plans to re-form were initially scotched when Patrick Waite, who had gone on to a career of juvenile crime, died of natural causes (hereditary heart condition) whilst awaiting a court appearance on drug charges. The Grant brothers remained involved in music, while Dennis Seaton released a solo set in 1989, before going on to form his own band, XMY.  In 2001, Musical Youth reformed. They were set to perform at the English 'Here & Now' tour, which features performances by many great artists from the 80's. Due to the 9/11 attacks, the tour was cancelled.  However, by 2003 Musical Youth were back, appearing in a 1980s nostalgia tour. By 2005, now reduced to just a duo of Michael Grant and Dennis Seaton, Musical Youth performed at Wiesen festival in Austria.  On the internet, "Pass the Dutchie" is sometimes mistakenly attributed to Bob Marley.  Similarly, "Pass the Dutchie" is often mistakenly credited as being a Sonic Youth song.

Images:
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Name: The Jets
SortName: Jets
PresentationUniqueKey: e6ff45437c0a467087ff4c7830c2c3d5
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=39771|MusicBrainzArtist=92a415d7-4478-4091-9f23-81b61b80b9b2|AudioDbArtist=124476
Overview:
The Jets are a family band from Minneapolis, Minnesota, composed of brothers and sisters who specialize in pop, R&B, and dance music, particularly Latin freestyle.

The group officially formed in 1985, with the original lineup fizzling out by 1990. Several members of the family stayed on throughout the 1990s, unofficially reviving the group in the mid to late 1990s as a gospel outfit with most of the original members present.

Various record companies have released collections of songs from the group's popular period, while the modern incarnation of the group continues to perform at various small venues, primarily casinos and private corporate functions.

Images:
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Name: Johnny Kemp
SortName: Johnny Kemp
PresentationUniqueKey: 5201254247004d0c94694dca7a87da14
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=145420|MusicBrainzArtist=9537be8b-b07d-4c8e-a2b0-8fe63f4cf525|AudioDbArtist=128545
Overview:
Johnny Kemp is an R&B and dance music singer and dancer born in Nassau, Bahamas. Johnny Kemp was born in Nassau in the Bahamas, and according to the Just Got Paid Songfacts, moved to New York as a teenager in 1979 to front a group called Kinky Fox. In the '80s, he became part of the club singer scene, which is where he met Teddy Riley. He hit #10 on the Hot 100 in 1988 with the Riley produced "Just Got Paid." The song also went to #1 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. His only other Hot 100 entry was its follow-up, "Birthday Suit," which climbed to #36 in 1989.

Images:
https://www.theaudiodb.com/images/media/artist/thumb/l5q0vk1662199735.jpg*638431931470778166*Primary*0*0*null


Name: Ollie & Jerry
SortName: Ollie & Jerry
PresentationUniqueKey: a874bb2414224c8fa5c0d2cb177b26b5
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Overview:
Ollie & Jerry was an American dance-pop duo active in the 1980s, consisting of drummer Ollie E. Brown and R&B singer Jerry Knight.
Despite releasing no studio albums under their own name, they are still widely known for their hit single "Breakin'... There's No Stopping Us", a dance-influenced track which became a top 10 hit in both the United States and the United Kingdom, and was featured as the theme to the film Breakin' and released on its accompanying soundtrack. However, the group disbanded in mid-1985, after the release of their second single "Electric Boogaloo". As a result, "Electric Boogaloo" failed to repeat the success of "Breakin'..." and the duo is widely considered a one-hit wonder.
Ollie Brown and Jerry Knight had previously worked together as session musicians, with Knight also being a member of R&B group Raydio. The two formed Ollie & Jerry in Los Angeles, California in 1984, signing to Polydor Records. The duo recorded the song "Breakin'... There's No Stopping Us" as the title theme to the 1984 film Breakin', and released as the first single from the film's soundtrack album. The single became a hit, peaking at #5 on the UK Singles Chart and at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984. The group then did some promotion for the song, performing on the syndicated television program Soul Train in the midst of the success of the song. The Breakin' soundtrack went on to peak at #8 on the US Billboard 200 albums chart.
The following year, the duo released the single "Electric Boogaloo", the title theme to the Breakin' sequel Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo. The single did fairly well on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at #57 on the chart. However, the song failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100; it did, however, find some minor success on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Dance Club Play charts, peaking at the positions of #45 and #43 respectively. After the song's release, the duo split in mid-1985.


Name: Stevie B
SortName: Stevie B
PresentationUniqueKey: 3fdf1ce9cb9f426381cd92bd7af9d887
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=30088|MusicBrainzArtist=d74c1850-6006-4334-8ad8-ab2306918442|AudioDbArtist=125820
Overview:
Stevie B (born Steven Bernard Hill, April 19, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer, who was influential in the Latin freestyle and Hi-NRG dance music scene of the late 1980s, mostly in Miami. Also known as the King of Freestyle, Stevie B is perhaps best known for his 1990 number-one hit ballad "Because I Love You (The Postman Song)".

Images:
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Name: Ready For The World
SortName: Ready For The World
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ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=39769|MusicBrainzArtist=b7a15023-91c9-4157-acad-f6a2d04132ad|AudioDbArtist=128552
Overview:
Ready for the World is an American R&B band from Flint, Michigan, that scored several pop, soul, and dance hits in the mid to late 1980s. They were founded by Melvin Riley and Dean Sorensen. 

History:
The group originally consisted of frontman Melvin Riley, Gordon Strozier (lead guitar), Gregory Potts (keyboards), Willie Triplett (percussion/keyboards), John Eaton (bass guitar), and Gerald Valentine (drums). They had performed throughout Flint at high school talent shows and were discovered by WJLB Detroit Radio personality The Electrifying Mojo in 1982. They gained regional fame with their first release, "Tonight," in 1983. "Tonight" was an underground hit in Flint and Detroit which helped garner them national prominence shortly after their signing under the MCA label. They recorded their debut album, Ready for the World, during 1984 with producer Bernard Terry and engineer Charles Brown, Jr. 

Success:
In 1985, the band signed to the Steven Machat-Rick Smith management company, AMI. The agreement with MCA was redrawn, and promotion and marketing dollars were committed to promote the group. This proved successful as the group was steered to #1 on the US pop charts as well as top five in all the Western European countries and Australia, with their best-known hit "Oh Sheila." In the US, this song went to #1 on the R&B, Pop Charts, and the Hot Dance Club Play charts that year, becoming the first ever single to hold the #1 spot on all three of these charts simultaneously. The song "Digital Display" followed and hit #21. 
In 1986, the band released their second album, Long Time Coming, produced by: Gary Spaniola which returned them to the Top 10 on the pop charts with the slow jam, "Love You Down," which peaked at #3. 
Ready for the World went on to release several more albums that failed to capture the success of the group's first two releases, and as a result, they disbanded in 1991. 

Post-breakup:
After the breakup, lead singer Riley went on to record solo albums. He released Ghetto Love on MCA in 1994 and Bedroom Stories on the independent label Bogard Entertainment Group in 2000. A Ready for the World reunion album She Said She Wants Some followed in 2004 featuring mostly urban ballads.

Images:
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Name: Eddie Murphy
SortName: Eddie Murphy
PresentationUniqueKey: a9c1bc53f8aa48088cfb29e2082caa67
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Overview:
Edward Regan "Eddie" Murphy (born April 3, 1961) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, singer, director, and musician.

Box-office takes from Murphy's films make him the second-highest grossing actor in the United States.

He was a regular cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1980 to 1984 and has worked as a stand-up comedian. He was ranked No. 10 on Comedy Central's list of the 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time.

He has received Golden Globe Award nominations for his performances in 48 Hrs., Beverly Hills Cop series, Trading Places, and The Nutty Professor. In 2007, he won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor and received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of soul singer James "Thunder" Early in Dreamgirls.
Eddie Murphy's work as a voice actor includes Thurgood Stubbs in The PJs, Donkey in the Shrek series and the Chinese dragon Mushu in Disney's Mulan. In some of his films, he plays multiple roles in addition to his main character, intended as a tribute to one of his idols Peter Sellers, who played multiple roles in Dr. Strangelove and elsewhere. Murphy has played multiple roles in Coming to America, Wes Craven's Vampire in Brooklyn, the Nutty Professor films (where he played the title role in two incarnations, plus his father, brother, mother, and grandmother), Bowfinger, Norbit, and Meet Dave.

Images:
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Name: Prince
SortName: Prince
PresentationUniqueKey: 44a728416f3d432c9379ec90b82bf44a
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=79903|MusicBrainzArtist=070d193a-845c-479f-980e-bef15710653e|AudioDbArtist=111308
Overview:
Prince (* 7. Juni 1958 in Minneapolis, Minnesota als Prince Rogers Nelson; † 21. April 2016 in Chanhassen, Minnesota)[1] war ein US-amerikanischer Sänger, Komponist, Songwriter, Musikproduzent und Multiinstrumentalist.

Prince war seit 1978 im Musikgeschäft tätig. Vor allem in den 1980er Jahren beeinflusste er die internationale Musikszene, indem er unterschiedliche Musikgenres miteinander kombinierte. Die stilistische Spannbreite seiner Musik reichte von R&B, Funk, Soul, Pop und Rock über Blues bis hin zum Jazz. Seine Liedtexte schrieb Prince selbst, zudem komponierte, arrangierte und produzierte er seine Songs. Außerdem spielte er Instrumente wie Gitarre, E-Bass, Klavier, Keyboard und Schlagzeug.[2] Bei der Mehrheit seiner Studioaufnahmen spielte er alle Instrumente selbst.

Den internationalen Durchbruch schaffte Prince im Jahr 1984 mit der Single und dem Album Purple Rain zum gleichnamigen Film, in dem er auch die Hauptrolle übernahm. Zu Lebzeiten verkaufte er weltweit mehr als 100 Millionen Tonträger und gewann sieben Grammy Awards, 1985 einen Oscar sowie 2007 einen Golden Globe Award. 2004 wurde er in die Rock and Roll Hall of Fame aufgenommen.

Seit den 1990er Jahren verfocht Prince entschieden die Rechte an seinem geistigen Eigentum, was er unter anderem durch seinen Widerstand gegen Schallplattenfirmen zeigte. Aufgrund von Differenzen mit seiner damaligen Plattenfirma Warner Bros. Records legte Prince von 1993 bis 2000 seinen Künstlernamen ab. In dieser Zeit trug er statt eines aussprechbaren Namens ein Symbol als Pseudonym und wurde häufig als „The Artist Formerly Known As Prince“ (Der früher als Prince bekannte Künstler) bezeichnet. Nach dem Vertragsende mit Warner Bros. Records nannte sich der Musiker ab Mai 2000 wieder Prince.

Anfang des 21. Jahrhunderts grenzte sich Prince zunehmend von der Musikindustrie ab und wählte unkonventionelle Vertriebskanäle für seine Tonträger; einige seiner Alben waren zeitweise nur über das Internet oder als Beilage einer handelsüblichen Zeitung erhältlich. Im April 2014 unterzeichneten Warner Bros. Records und Prince einen Vertrag, der dem Musiker die Urheberrechte an seinen Songs sicherte.

Images:
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Name: Full Force
SortName: Full Force
PresentationUniqueKey: 41911c9b1aff45c3a4ad0b6345dff42e
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=41266|MusicBrainzArtist=4c7ee06c-a724-4ed3-9a12-416d4424d5c3|AudioDbArtist=156393
Images:
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Name: Jason Derülo
SortName: Jason Derulo
PresentationUniqueKey: 30af4fc4ca314ec6a8ff577b6ab303c5
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Overview:
Jason Joel Desrouleaux  (born September 21, 1989), better known by his stage name Jason Derülo, is an American singer-songwriter, actor and dancer. After producing records for several artists and writing songs for Cash Money Records, co-founder of the label Birdman, Young Money Entertainment owner Lil Wayne and rapper Diddy, Derülo signed to minor recording label Beluga Heights. After Beluga Heights became part of the Warner Music Group, Derülo released his debut single, "Whatcha Say" in May 2009, which sold over five million digital downloads, gaining an RIAA certification of double platinum, and reaching number 1 in the U.S. and New Zealand. Derülo released his second single, "In My Head", in December 2009. His debut album, Jason Derülo, was released on March 2, 2010. He released his second studio album, Future History on September 16, 2011.
Derülo was born in Miami, Florida, to Haitian parents. His birth surname is Desrouleaux, but he changed the spelling for his stage name to make it easier to pronounce.
Derülo has been performing since the age of three. He wrote his first song, "Crush on You", at age eight, and was heard singing part of the song on a Galaxy FM interview. Derülo spent his youth studying opera, theater, and ballet. He attended Dillard Center for the Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York at the age of 17.
At age 12, Derülo met his future manager, Frank Harris, a law school student who was helping him improve his basketball skills which was also a pathway he wanted to follow.

Images:
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Name: Yeah Yeah Yeahs
SortName: Yeah Yeah Yeahs
PresentationUniqueKey: 343409674bca4d64a3df26718166e199
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=95405|MusicBrainzArtist=584c04d2-4acc-491b-8a0a-e63133f4bfc4|AudioDbArtist=112051
Overview:
Die Yeah Yeah Yeahs sind eine im Jahr 2000 in New York, NY, gegründete Rockband. Die Band besteht aus der Sängerin und Pianistin Karen O, Gitarrist und Keyboarder Nick Zinner und Schlagzeuger Brian Chase.

Karen Orzolek (Karen O) und Nicholas „Nick“ Zinner gründeten die Band 2000 als Folk-Duo unter dem ursprünglichen Namen Unitard. Nachdem ein erster Drummer die Band verließ, stieß Brian Chase neu zum Lineup hinzu. Von den Anfängen mit Akustikgitarre und Gesang ging die Band, inspiriert von der Avant-Punk-Szene in Ohio, verstärkt zu elektrischen Gitarren über und definierte schließlich ihren Stil, der sich am besten als Indie-Rock bezeichnen lässt, häufig aber auch unter Art-Punk und Garage Rock eingeordnet wird.

Nach Supportgigs für The Strokes und The White Stripes veröffentlichte die Band 2001 ihre erste mit Yeah Yeah Yeahs betitelte EP. Die EP wird mitunter wegen einer das Coverfoto zierenden Halskette mit dem Anhänger Master fälschlicherweise als Master bezeichnet. Nach weiteren Auftritten mit Sleater-Kinney, Liars und The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion wurde 2002 die zweite EP Machine veröffentlicht.

2003 erschien schließlich das erste Studioalbum mit dem Titel Fever to Tell auf Interscope. Das Album wurde von der Kritik überwiegend sehr positiv aufgenommen und war 2004 in der Kategorie Best Alternative Music Album für den Grammy nominiert. Nach Angaben der britischen Tageszeitung The Guardian wurde Fever to Tell mehr als eine Million Mal verkauft.

Ab dem zweiten Album Show Your Bones, das im Herbst 2006 folgte, wurde die Band bei Liveauftritten von dem Gitarristen Imaad Wasif unterstützt. Die erste Singleauskopplung aus dem Album war Gold Lion. 2007 erschien die EP Is Is.

Die für den April 2009 geplante Veröffentlichung des dritten Album It’s Blitz! wurde auf den 10. März vorverlegt, nachdem das Album durch einen Leak bereits im Februar im Internet kursierte. Seit der Tour zu diesem Album ersetzt David Pajo als zweiter Gitarrist Imaad Wasif bei Liveauftritten.

Das vierte Album mit dem Titel Mosquito wurde am 16. April 2013 veröffentlicht.

Images:
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Name: Deejay Sven
SortName: Deejay Sven
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Overview:
MC Miker G & DJ Sven were a hip hop duo from the Netherlands. The duo consisted of Lucien Witteveen (MC Miker G) and Sven van Veen (DJ Sven). The 1980s saw the two launch a RWS version of Madonna's hit "Holiday" to international success.  Witteveen and Van Veen became acquainted in 1986 in a disco in Hilversum. Here the idea for a version of the Madonna hit developed. Their single "Holiday Rap" became an international success, occupying number one on the single charts in 34 countries and reaching the Top Ten in twelve further countries. It was named by MuchMusic as the worst video of 1987.  In Germany the song stayed at the top of the charts for five weeks in August and September. The follow-up single "Celebration Rap" (based on the Kool & the Gang hit "Celebration") did not repeat this success, but still made it into the Top Ten in approximately 30 countries. The two began a large-scale European tour in 1987.  While DJ Sven continued to work as a disc jockey, MC Miker G went to New York, in order to make a solo album. The single "Nights over New York" reached the charts at least in its homeland. In the following year, the duo, along with Peter Koelewijn, recorded a hip hop version of the Netherlands classical author "Kom van dat dak af". This song sold successfully in the Netherlands. The duo unfortunately split in 1988.

Images:
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Name: Alex Clare
SortName: Alex Clare
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Overview:
Alexander George "Alex" Clare (born 14 September 1985) is a British singer-songwriter. His debut album, The Lateness of the Hour, was released in the UK on 11 July 2011 on Island Records and was produced by Mike Spencer and Major Lazer. The biggest hit from the album, "Too Close", peaked at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart and number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song is nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Single at the 2013 BRIT Awards.

Images:
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Name: W Griffin
SortName: W Griffin
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Overview:
Warren G (eigentlich Warren Griffin III; * 10. November 1970) ist ein US-amerikanischer Rapper und Musikproduzent. Der Stiefbruder von Dr. Dre begann seine Karriere auf Dres Album The Chronic.

Warren G wuchs in Long Beach, Kalifornien auf und war gut befreundet mit Nate Dogg und Snoop Dogg. Die drei schlossen sich 1991 zu der Rap-Gruppe 213, die damalige Telefonvorwahl (Engl.: Area Code) ihres Herkunftsortes Long Beach, zusammen.

Seine bekannteste Single als Solokünstler ist Regulate feat. Nate Dogg aus dem Album Regulate... G Funk Era (1994), für welche er ein Sample von Michael McDonalds Keep Forgettin’ verwendete.

Für sein Album Take a Look Over Your Shoulder coverte er I Shot The Sheriff von Bob Marley sowie What’s Love Got To Do With It von Tina Turner.

Aktuell ist er beim Plattenlabel Peppermint Jam unter Vertrag. Außerdem ist er im Produktionsteam von Dr. Dres Aftermath Entertainment.

Warren G’s Sohn, Olaijah Griffin, spielte von 2018 bis 2020 College Football für die USC Trojans auf der Position der Cornerbacks. Im April 2021 wurde Olaijah von den Buffalo Bills der National Football League (NFL) als Undrafted Free Agent unter Vertrag genommen.

Images:
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Name: Dizzee Rascal
SortName: Dizzee Rascal
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Overview:
Dylan Kwabena Mills (born 18 September 1984), better known by his stage name Dizzee Rascal, is a UK and US-based rapper, songwriter and record producer of Ghanaian and Nigerian descent. His music is a blend of garage, hip hop, grime, ragga, pop and electronic music, with eclectic samples and more exotic styles. Best known for his number-one hits "Dance wiv Me," "Bonkers," "Holiday," "Dirtee Disco" & "Shout," his debut album, Boy in da Corner, won him the 2003 Mercury Prize. Follow-up albums Showtime, Maths + English and Tongue n' Cheek have all been critically acclaimed and certified gold, the last going platinum for sales exceeding 300,000 units.

Mills's Nigerian father died when he was young, and he was raised in Bow, in the East End of London in a single-parent family by his Ghanaian mother Priscilla, about whom he says: "I had issues as a kid. I was violent and disruptive. The way my mum helped was by finding me a different school every time I got kicked out, always fighting to keep me in the school system" he attended St Pauls Way Community School.

He attended a series of schools in East London, and was expelled from four of them - it was a teacher who first called him "Rascal." Cagey about exactly what Mills's youthful "madnesses" entailed, in early interviews he mentioned fighting with teachers, stealing cars and robbing pizza delivery men. In the fifth school he was excluded from all classes except music. He also used to attend YATI (Young Actors Theatre Islington).

He began making music on the school's computer, encouraged by a music teacher, Mr Smith, and during the summer holidays attended a music workshop organised by Tower Hamlets Summer University of which he is now a patron. His mother bought him his first turntables.

He was a childhood friend of Nigerian footballer Danny Shittu, whom Mills described as 'like a big brother.

Images:
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Name: Tongue N' Cheek
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Name: Amy Winehouse
SortName: Amy Winehouse
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Overview:
Amy Jade Winehouse (* 14. September 1983 in Southgate, London; † 23. Juli 2011 in Camden, London) war eine britische Sängerin und Songschreiberin.
Den internationalen Durchbruch schaffte Winehouse 2006 mit dem Album Back to Black. Sie verkaufte in ihrer achtjährigen Karriere über 25 Millionen Tonträger und wurde unter anderem mit fünf Grammys ausgezeichnet. Als ihr optisches Markenzeichen galt die Beehive-Frisur, die durch Winehouse ein Comeback feierte.

Amy Winehouse wuchs in einer jüdischen Familie in London auf. Ihr Vater Mitch ist Taxifahrer und ihre Mutter Janis Apothekerin; sie hat einen älteren Bruder. Winehouse’ Eltern trennten sich, als sie neun Jahre alt war. Mit zwölf wechselte sie auf die Sylvia Young Theater School, von der sie wegen störenden Verhaltens verwiesen wurde. Im Alter von 15 Jahren wechselte sie zum fünften Mal die Schule und kam auf die Mount School in Mill Hill, wo sie ihre Mittlere Reife absolvierte. Anschließend besuchte sie die renommierte Londoner BRIT School, um Musiktheater zu studieren. Sie brach das Studium nach knapp einem Jahr ab.

Kurz nach ihrem internationalen Durchbruch hatte Winehouse mit verschiedenen Formen des Drogenmissbrauchs sowie mit psychischen Problemen zu kämpfen. Eine Mitschuld an Winehouses Drogensucht wurde ihrem damaligen Ehemann Blake Fielder-Civil zugeschrieben, mit dem sie von 2007 bis 2009 verheiratet war. In einem Interview gestand er, Winehouse an harte Drogen herangeführt zu haben. Zudem habe er sie mehrfach daran gehindert, eine Entziehungskur zu machen. Erst als sich Winehouse Ende 2008 von Fielder-Civil trennte, gelang es ihr, von den harten Drogen loszukommen.
Winehouse hatte Alkoholprobleme, die sich während ihrer Entgiftung verschlimmerten. Von 2007 bis Ende 2008 litt Winehouse an Bulimie, die durch ihre Drogensucht ausgelöst worden war. Die Presse berichtete über selbstverletzendes Verhalten von Winehouse; ihr Vater bestätigte dies.
Am 23. Juli 2011 wurde Winehouse tot aufgefunden. Winehouse, die seit Ende 2008 als „clean“ galt, war nach Angaben ihres Vaters dabei, auch vom Alkohol loszukommen, was ihr jedoch nicht gelang. Winehouse starb an einer Alkoholvergiftung mit 4,16 Promille im Blut. Das Ergebnis der zugrunde liegenden Untersuchung wurde durch ein Zweitgutachten im Januar 2013 bestätigt.

Am 22. Januar 2003 unterschrieb Amy Winehouse im Alter von 19 Jahren ihren ersten Schallplattenvertrag bei Island Records und begann gemeinsam mit dem Produzenten Salam Reemi die Arbeit an ihrem Debütalbum Frank. Bis auf zwei Stücke schrieb Winehouse alle Liedtexte für ihr Debütalbum selbst und sagte, sie könne nur Songs schreiben, die auf eigener Erfahrung beruhten. Die Texte handeln überwiegend von ihrer Beziehung zu ihrem Exfreund. Musikalisch lässt sich das Album in die Richtung des modernen 2000er Jazz einordnen gemixt mit leichten Hip Hop Beats. Als musikalische Vorbilder gab sie unter anderem Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington und Ella Fitzgerald an.
Am 6. Oktober 2003 erschien Amy Winehouse’ erste Single Stronger than Me; das Album Frank wurde am 20. Oktober 2003 veröffentlicht. Es erreichte Platz drei der UK Albumcharts, bis Ende 2004 verkaufte es sich im Vereinigten Königreich 900.000 Mal und wurde dafür mit Dreifach-Platin ausgezeichnet. Das Album brachte der damals 20-Jährigen den nationalen Durchbruch in ihrer Heimat. Außerhalb Großbritanniens blieb das Album zunächst erfolglos, erst durch den großen internationalen Erfolg des Nachfolgers Back to Black stieg das Album im Herbst 2007 in 14 weiteren Ländern in die Top 10.
Im Januar 2004 erschien Winehouse’ zweite Single Take the Box. Im Februar wurde sie bei den BRIT Awards nominiert. Mit In My Bed erschien im April die dritte Singleauskopplung aus dem Album Frank. Im Mai wurde sie für das Lied Stronger than Me mit dem Ivor Novello Award ausgezeichnet. Im Sommer 2004 spielte Winehouse auf verschiedenen Musikfestivals, beispielsweise auf dem Glastonbury Festival und dem North Sea Jazz Festival. Im August erschien mit Fuck Me Pumps die vierte und letzte Single aus dem Album Frank. Im September 2004 gewann sie den Mercury Music Prize in der Kategorie Album of the Year. Im November führte Winehouse ihre erste Englandtour durch.
Im Februar 2005 wurde sie erneut bei den BRIT Awards in der Kategorie Best British Female Solo Artist nominiert, gewann den Preis wie auch im Vorjahr aber nicht. Anfang 2005 verkündete Winehouse, sie wolle sich einer kreativen Pause unterziehen. Sie habe keine Ideen für ein weiteres Album und wisse nicht, worüber sie schreiben solle.

Von März bis August 2006 arbeitete Amy Winehouse mit Mark Ronson an ihrem zweiten Album Back to Black. Der Großteil der Songs handelt von ihrer Beziehung zu ihrem Ex-Freund Blake Fielder-Civil. Musikalisch wurde das Album vom Soul der 1960er Jahre inspiriert. Mark Ronson sagte, Back to Black sei ein Mix aus dem Soulsound der 60er und der 2000er Jahre. Zu Winehouse’ musikalischer Veränderung kam auch eine optische Änderung. Ihr Kleidungsstil ging vermehrt in Richtung der 1960er Jahre, zudem wurde die Beehive-Frisur zu ihrem optischen Markenzeichen. Es entstand der für Winehouse typische Retrolook.
Am 6. Oktober 2006 erschien die Single Rehab, am 27. Oktober das Album Back to Black. Winehouse’ musikalische und optische Veränderung sowie der textliche Inhalt von Rehab brachte ihr auch außerhalb Englands viel mediale Aufmerksamkeit. Das Album Back to Black erreichte in 30 Ländern die Top 10 und in 20 davon Platz eins der Charts. Bis Ende des Jahres 2006 verkaufte sich Back to Black weltweit 1,5 Millionen Mal. Das Album brachte der damals 23-Jährigen den internationalen Durchbruch.


Amy Winehouse im Jahr 2007 bei einem Auftritt im Bowery Ballroom, New York
Im Januar 2007 erschien mit You Know I’m No Good die zweite Singleauskopplung aus Back to Black. Im Februar gewann sie bei den BRIT Awards in der Kategorie Best British Female Solo Artist, und sie trat dort mit ihrem Song Rehab auf. Im April erschien Winehouse’ siebte Single Back to Black. Im Mai wurde sie mit dem Ivor Novello Award für ihren Song Rehab ausgezeichnet, im Juni trat sie bei den MTV Movie Awards auf. Im Sommer 2007 spielte Winehouse weltweit auf vielen großen Festivals, unter anderem auf der Isle of Wight, auf Malta, dem Rock Werchter in Belgien und dem Eurockéennes Festival in Frankreich. Im August erschien mit Tears Dry on Their Own die vierte Singleauskopplung des Albums. Am 1. November gewann sie bei den MTV Europe Music Awards den Preis in der Kategorie Artist Choice und trat dort auch auf.


Amy Winehouse im Jahr 2007 auf dem Musikfestival Eurockéennes in Frankreich
Der Auftakt ihrer England-Tournee am 14. November in Birmingham endete in einem Chaos; Winehouse kam betrunken auf die Bühne und konnte sich kaum auf den Beinen halten. Als das Publikum sie ausbuhte, brach sie das Konzert ab, und die restlichen Tourtermine wurden abgesagt. Ende November sagte ihr Management alle restlichen Termine bis Ende des Jahres 2007 aufgrund von Erschöpfungszuständen ab. Im Dezember erschien die fünfte und letzte Singleauskopplung des Albums, Love Is a Losing Game. Mit 5,5 Millionen verkauften Exemplaren schaffte es das Album Back to Black auf Platz 1 der Jahresendcharts 2007. Winehouse war 2007 mit einem Verdienst in Höhe von zwölf Millionen Pfund die bestverdienende Frau im britischen Showgeschäft.
Am 10. Februar 2008 wurde Amy Winehouse bei der Grammyverleihung fünf Mal ausgezeichnet. Zudem trat sie noch mit einem Medley aus ihren Songs You Know I Am No Good und Rehab auf. An der Verleihung konnte sie nicht persönlich teilnehmen, da sie aufgrund ihrer Drogenprobleme kein Visum für die USA bekam. Sie wurde per Satellit für ihren Auftritt und ihre Dankesrede aus den Riverside-Studios in London zugeschaltet. Am 20. Februar trat bei den BRIT-Awards auf. Sie sang zusammen mit Mark Ronson seine Coverversion des Songs Valerie und trat mit ihrem eigenen Song Love Is a Losing Game auf. Im April wurde bekanntgegeben, dass Winehouse und ihr Produzent Mark Ronson den Titelsong zum James-Bond-Film Ein Quantum Trost produzieren sollten. Die Arbeit an dem Song wurde jedoch im selben Monat wieder eingestellt, da Winehouse nicht in der Lage war zu arbeiten.
Aufgrund von Winehouse’ gesundheitlichen Problemen beschränkte das Management ihre öffentlichen Termine für 2008 nur auf Festivalauftritte. Bei ihrem ersten Festivaltermin Ende Mai bei Rock in Rio-Lissabon kam sie angetrunken und mit einer Stunde Verspätung auf die Bühne. Zudem klang ihre Stimme sehr heiser; Grund dafür sollen Halsschmerzen gewesen sein. Die restlichen Termine verliefen ohne Probleme, so trat sie unter anderem auch in Glastonbury, bei Rock in Rio-Madrid und in Irland beim Oxegen Festival auf. Außerdem trat sie Ende Juli bei Nelson Mandelas 90. Geburtstag im Londoner Hyde Park auf. Kurz vor diesem Auftritt wurde in Madame Tussauds Londoner Wachsfigurenkabinett von ihren Eltern eine Amy-Winehouse-Figur enthüllt.
Im August erschien eine limitierte EP von Winehouse, auf der vier Coversongs in einer Ska-Version neu arrangiert worden waren. The Ska Ep sollte ein Vorgeschmack auf den Sound ihres dritten Albums werden, das sie aufgrund ihres Gesundheitszustands nicht fertigstellen konnte. Obwohl 2008 aufgrund von Winehouse’ gesundheitlichen Problemen kaum Promotion für das Album Back to Black stattfand, schaffte es die Platte in den Jahresendcharts mit fünf Millionen verkauften Exemplaren auf Platz 2. 2007 und 2008 verkaufte keine Sängerin weltweit so viele Alben wie Amy Winehouse.

Nachdem Winehouse im Oktober 2008 eine Karrierepause auf unbestimmte Zeit angekündigt hatte, um sich auf ihre Gesundheit zu konzentrieren, gab es 2009 und 2010 kaum öffentliche Auftritte. Von Januar bis August 2009 war Winehouse auf der Karibikinsel St. Lucia, um dort eine Entziehungskur zu machen. Im Mai 2009 trat sie beim St. Lucia Jazz Festival auf, um sich bei den Inselbewohnern für ihre Gastfreundschaft zu bedanken; das Konzert musste abgebrochen werden, laut Veranstalter, weil es zu regnen begann. 2009 bemühte sich Winehouse auch um die Karriere ihrer Patentochter Dionne Bromfield und unterstützte sie als Backgroundsängerin.
Im April 2010 gab das britische Modehaus Fred Perry seine Zusammenarbeit mit Winehouse bekannt, und im Oktober erschien dort ihre erste eigene Modelinie. Im Dezember 2010 trat sie bei einem Privatkonzert eines russischen Milliardärs vor 500 geladenen Gästen auf und zeigte eine 60-minütige Show; sie bekam für ihren Auftritt eine Gage von 1,1 Millionen Pfund.
Im Januar 2011 verkündete ihr Management, dass Winehouse schrittweise an ihrem Comeback arbeiten wolle. Es wurde für den Frühling eine Tournee durch Brasilien, für den Sommer eine Europatournee und für den Herbst ein neues Studioalbum angekündigt. Im Frühling 2011 startete Amy Winehouse die Brasilien-Tour und bekam für ihre fünf Konzerte positive Kritik. Der Auftakt ihrer Europa-Tournee in Belgrad endete in einem Desaster; Winehouse kam alkoholisiert und mit einer halben Stunde Verspätung auf die Bühne. Sie konnte sich kaum auf den Beinen halten und lallte, anstatt zu singen. Nach dem Belgrad-Konzert wurde nicht nur die restliche Europa-Tournee, sondern auch die Veröffentlichung ihres dritten Albums abgesagt. Das Management von Winehouse verkündete, das Comeback von ihr auf unbestimmte Zeit zu verschieben, da sie noch nicht fit genug dafür sei.

Amy Winehouse bezeichnete die 1960er Jahre als größte Quelle ihrer Inspiration. Mit ihrem Album Back to Black löste sie eine Welle des Retrosouls aus. Musikalisch orientierte sich das Album an der Soulmusik der 1960er Jahre, gemixt mit den Klängen des 2000er-Souls. Mit ihrer Musik inspirierte Winehouse Interpreten wie Duffy, Adele, Lana Del Rey, Leona Lewis und Bruno Mars.
Mit der Veröffentlichung von Back to Black ging auch Winehouse’ optischer Look in den Sixties-Retrostil. Ihr Kleidungsstil ähnelte ebenfalls dem der 1960er Jahre, und die Beehive-Frisur wurde zu ihrem optischen Markenzeichen, gepaart mit einem ausgeprägten Lidstrich und Accessoires aus dieser Zeit. Karl Lagerfeld äußerte sich lobend über den Look von Winehouse; Anna Wintour brachte sie im September 2007 auf das Cover der US-Vogue.

Nach ihrem Tod erhielten Alben und Singles von Amy Winehouse einen kurzen Verkaufsschub und schafften es für einige Wochen zurück in die Charts. Anfang Dezember 2011 erschienen die Single Our Day Will Come und das Kompilations-Album Lioness: Hidden Treasures. Das Album enthält zwölf Demosongs, die Amy Winehouse in den Jahren ihrer Karriere aufgenommen hatte. Das Album schaffte es in 25 Ländern in die Top 10 und in zehn davon auf Platz eins. Obwohl das Album erst im Dezember veröffentlicht wurde, verkaufte es sich bis Ende des Jahres 2011 noch 1,5 Millionen Mal.
Ihr Vater Mitch gründete die Amy Winehouse Foundation, die benachteiligten Kindern in Not helfen soll. So fließen alle Einnahmen von Amy Winehouse, die nach ihrem Tod erzielt wurden, in die Hilfsorganisation. Zudem kam noch ihr Nachlass von zehn Millionen Pfund in die Foundation.

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Name: Frank
SortName: Frank
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Name: S. Henriques
SortName: S. Henriques
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Overview:
"Wir haben ziemlich viel Gras geraucht. Und eine 'dutty' ist eine benutzte, schmutzige Weed-Pfeife." So beschreibt Sean Paul die Entstehung der Bezeichnung "dutty" für sein neues Album. Jemand anderes würde sich wohl kaum trauen, diese ausgelutschten Plattitüden über Jamaikaner breit zu treten, aber wenn es ein waschechter Jamaikaner tut ...

Trotz der vielen Kifferei kommt Paul vom Sofa hoch und schiebt seinem Superhit "Gimme The Light", der sich 30 Wochen in den US-Billboard-Charts hält, die nicht minder erfolgreiche Single "Get Busy" hinterher. Er avanciert zum erfolgreichsten Export der Karibikinsel.

Sean Paul Henriques kommt am 8. Januar 1975 in St. Stitchie zur Welt. Sein exotisches Aussehen verdankt er seinem außergewöhnlichem Stammbaum: Sein Vater ist portugiesischer Herkunft, seine Mutter hat afrikanische und chinesische Vorfahren. Auf Hänseleien reagiert Sean, indem er sich selbst als 'Copper Color Chinese Bwoy' (kupferfarbener Chinesenjunge) bezeichnet.

Nachdem sein Vater zu einer Gefängnisstrafe verurteilt wird, gibt der zehnjährige Sean seine bis dahin einigermaßen erfolgreiche Schwimmkarriere auf und widmet sich der Musik. Dancehall wird für ihn schnell zur Leidenschaft. Sean Paul definiert das Genre als "Sohn des Reggae und Bruder des Hip Hop". Schon 1993 arbeitet der DJ dann mit Größen wie Cat Coore, Bunny Rugs und Carrot Jarret zusammen.

Gemeinsam mit dem Produzenten Jeremy Harding gelingt Sean mit "Baby Girl" sein erster Riesenhit in Jamaika. 1998 landet Sean mit "Infiltrate" ebenfalls einen Knaller, der nicht nur auf der Karibikinsel ein großer Erfolg wird. Der Nachfolger "Deport Them" wird so erfolgreich, dass ihn der einflussreiche amerikanische Radiosender Hot 97 in sein Programm aufnimmt. Während "Deport Them" noch in den Playlisten steht, beschert "Hot Gal Today" im gelungenen Remix über den Punany-Riddim Paul den endgültigen Siegeszug in die USA.

Die ersten Erfahrungen bei Liveauftritten sammelt Sean Paul auf dem "Hot 97's Summer Jam", einem der wichtigsten Hip Hop-Events der Ostküste. Der Musiker erinnert sich begeistert: "Auf einmal stand ich auf der Bühne mit einigen meiner Mentoren. Ich habe da Big Daddy Kane, Snoop Dogg und auch Aaliyah getroffen. Es war absolut wahnsinnig."

Bei der Wahl zum populärsten Reggaekünstler im Jahre 2000 im Billboard Magazine belegt der Jamaikaner Platz drei. Sein Album "Stage One" schafft es auf Platz vier der Billboard-Jahrescharts. 2001 räumt der Dancehallstar den britischen MOBO Award für den "Best Reagge Artist of the Year" und den Doobie Award, den das Magazin High Times jedes Jahr für den besten Weed-Song verleiht, ab. Der ganz große Erfolg gelingt Sean Paul mit seinem zweiten Album. "Dutty Rock" geht mehr als fünf Millionen Mal über die Ladentheken: für eine Dancehall-Scheibe ziemlich rekord-verdächtig.

Mittlerweile kann Sean Paul auf Kollaborationen mit Künstlern wie Busta Rhymes, den Neptunes und Tony Touch zurück blicken. Der Grund, warum Sean Paul neben 50 Cent zum absoluten Hype im Rapgame aufgestiegen ist, liegt jedoch in der Melange aus catchigen R'n'B-Hooks und der unbestrittenen Hip Hop-Affinität. In bester Nate Dogg-Manier verleiht Sean den Refrains mit seinem variablen Gesang den nötigen Pop-Appeal, und die Neptunes, Busta Rhymes, Rhazel und Tony Touch repräsentieren die US-Szene. "Dancehall ist eben der Sohn des Reggae und der Bruder des Hip Hop", wie der Jamaikaner nicht müde wird zu betonen.

2005 veröffentlicht Sean Paul sein drittes Studioalbum "The Trinity", ein Jahr später steuert er den Soundtrack zum Tanzstreifen "Step Up" bei. Zwischendurch nimmt er an Mariah Careys 'Adventures Of Mimi'-Tour teil und ist verschiedentlich als Feature-Gast zu hören. Bei "Cry Baby Cry" vom Santana-Album "All That I Am" teilt er sich das Mikro mit Joss Stone, mit Rihanna nimmt er die Single "Break It Off" auf, die auch auf "A Girl Like Me" enthalten ist.

Nach mehrjähriger Pause entlässt Sean Paul im Juni 2009 eine neue Single in die Welt, die einen Vorgeschmack auf sein Album "Imperial Blaze" bietet. Keine Frage, der Mann weiß immer noch, womit sich Tanzflächen füllen lassen: Sex sells - und Pop, wie gut zwei Jahre später das Nachfolgealbum "Tomahawk Technique" vermuten lässt.

Obwohl sich Sean Paul ungebrochen als der Gralshüter des Dancehall fühlt, spricht seine Musik längst eine andere, weit kommerziellere Sprache. Mit Dancehall hat sein Schaffen zehn Jahre nach der Jahrtausendwende noch in etwa so viel zu tun wie die Black Eyed Peas mit Hip Hop.

Images:
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Name: Kele Okereke
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Overview:
Kelechukwu "Kele" Rowland Okereke (born 13 October 1981) is a British musician, best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the indie rock band Bloc Party. 

Early life:
Okereke was born in Liverpool to Roman-Catholic Igbo Nigerian parents. His mother was a midwife, and his father a molecular biologist. He grew up in London with his sister. As a child, he went to school at Ilford County High School (where he was known as Rowly), but switched to Trinity Catholic High School, Woodford Green for sixth form at age 16. He lived in Bethnal Green, and in 1998 he became friends with a student of nearby Bancroft's School, Russell Lissack, who would become Bloc Party's guitarist. A year later, while studying English Literature at King's College London, Okereke met Lissack again at Reading Festival, where the band was officially formed under the title of 'The Angel Range'. In 2001, Okereke moved out of his parents' home. He went on to meet Gordon Moakes and Matt Tong who became the band's permanent bass guitarist and drummer, respectively. In 2003, the band changed its name to Bloc Party after briefly being called Union. 

Music career:

Bloc Party:
In 2005, Bloc Party released their first studio album, titled Silent Alarm. The album reached number three in the UK charts, and propelled the band to fame. Despite this, Okereke continued to study English literature at university. Until the release of Silent Alarm, he had kept his musical activities secret from his parents. 
The band released their second album A Weekend in the City on 5 February 2007 in the UK and 6 February in the US. The album debuted at No. 12 in the Billboard 200 with 48,000 copies sold, and reached the No. 2 spot in the Official UK Chart. 
It became available via the UK's iTunes Store a day ahead of schedule, on 4 February. The first single, "The Prayer", was released on 29 January, having been made available on Myspace on 22 November 2006. It reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart, still the group's highest placing. The next single, "I Still Remember," was the album's first in the US. The album was produced by Jacknife Lee. 

In the build-up to the release of the album, Zane Lowe aired a live set from the BBC studios at Maida Vale featuring a mix of old songs and new ones on his evening radio show on BBC Radio 1 on 30 January 2007. The band also scheduled their first gig with the second album at Reading Hexagon to coincide with the UK release date. On 1 February 2007, A Weekend in the City was made available to listen to for free through the band's official Myspace website. 
The third album released by the band Intimacy, was initially only made available for purchase on their website as a download on 21 August 2008. The record was released in compact disc form on 24 October 2008, with Wichita Recordings as the primary label. It peaked at number 8 on the UK Albums Chart and entered the Billboard 200 in the United States at number 18. 
In October 2008, Okereke moved to Berlin to seize the city's music oriented spirit. 
Okereke made a guest appearance on Tiësto's song "It's Not the Things You Say" on his album Kaleidoscope, released 6 October 2009 and also Martin Solveig's 'Ready 2 Go', after which Bloc Party went on hiatus. 
In 2011, Kele Reunited with Bloc Party to record the band's fourth album, Four, which was released in August 2012. Both the album and its lead single - Octopus, released a month before - peaked in their respective UK charts at number three. 
In 2013, the band released an EP Called The Nextwave Sessions and went on an indefinite hiatus. 

Solo career:
Okereke released his first solo album, titled The Boxer, produced by XXXChange, on 21 June 2010, through Wichita / Polydor in the UK and Europe and Glassnote Records for the rest of the world. Okereke explained the album title, saying "as a boxer, you have to rely on nobody else but yourself to achieve what it is you want to achieve. Even though you take hits, you have to keep focus on your priorities and keep going. I thought that was an inspiring image." The first single from the album, "Tenderoni", was released on 14 June 2010. 
On 13 September 2011, NME and Wichita Recordings announced that Kele would be releasing a follow up to The Boxer; an EP titled The Hunter. 
Kele released the single "Everything You Wanted". It was remixed by South African producers DJ Qness and DJ Mujava, who brought in a fusion of pop along with their traditional South African Kwaito music. 
Kele features on Sub Focus' single "Turn It Around" from his second studio album Torus. The song was released on 22 September 2013. 
On 23 July 2014 Kele announced his second solo album, entitled Trick, to be released on his own label Lilac Records via Kobalt Label Services on 13 October 2014. 

Personal life:
Okereke is extremely shy. He has expressed disdain for interviews, asking one interviewer from Skyscraper magazine, "Why is it important to know what I had for breakfast? Or who I went to bed with? Or what sneakers I am wearing? If it's relevant to understanding my music, then so be it. But if it's purely to satisfy the media's obsession with celebrity, then no thanks. I don't want to play that game." The focus of one interview with NME in July 2005 was largely to do with his dislike of being interviewed. In it he implied that the media placed deliberate emphasis on conflicts between bands and did not want to be drawn into such publicity, saying that "public feuding between bands is completely pointless." Okereke has also said, "people think that I hate being approached but that's not true" in NME on 15 September 2005. 
In March 2010 Okereke came out as gay in a BUTT magazine article, and he then gave an interview and appeared on the front cover of the June 2010 issue of attitude magazine. Previously he had been reluctant to discuss his sexuality, though he had compared himself to famous bisexuals Brian Molko and David Bowie, as well as Morrissey. He also discussed the homoerotic story behind the Bloc Party song "I Still Remember" and the semi-autobiographical nature of it. In June 2010 Okereke was named as the Sexiest Out Gay Male Artist by music website LP33 in its annual survey. 
In 2010, Okereke launched a personal photoblog at iamkele.com. On 7 June, whilst being interviewed by Steve Lamacq, Okereke said he would be moving to Manhattan at the end of the year. As of July 2010, Okereke was still living in Shoreditch in East London. 
In a 2014 interview with NBHAP, Okereke told that he is "excited about the future. There is a lot going on, a lot of upheaval but with change comes the opportunity for rebirth, which is my favourite kind of experience." 

Controversy:

Feud with Oasis:
Okereke responded critically to comments made by Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis in early 2007. Liam called Bloc Party "A band off of University Challenge", while Noel dismissed them as "indie shit". In retaliation, Okereke stated, "I think Oasis are the most overrated and pernicious band of all time. They had a totally negative and dangerous impact upon the state of British music. They have made stupidity hip. They claim to be inspired by The Beatles but, and this saddens me, they have failed to grasp that The Beatles were about constant change and evolution. Oasis are repetitive Luddites." Ironically, when Oasis cancelled their headlining set at the Rock-en-Seine festival near Paris in August 2009 (the concert where the Gallagher brothers clashed backstage, which resulted in Oasis splitting up), it was Okereke who announced to the crowd that Oasis had cancelled their slot and dedicated their track "Mercury" to the Oasis fans in the crowd, referring to the Gallagher brothers as "those inbred twins" before announcing to the crowd "so I guess by default, we are headlining!" 

Style:
For Bloc Party's second album A Weekend in the City, Okereke chose more personal and political subjects for songs. A family friend, Christopher Alaneme, had been murdered in a racist attack, while David Morley, a London bartender, was beaten to death in a possibly homophobic "happy slapping". Okereke has claimed that these events, combined with the 7 July London bombings "galvanised his mindset", prompting him to make the lyrics "dark, bigger and quite abrasive".

Images:
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Name: Jeff Townes
SortName: Jeff Townes
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Overview:
DJ Jazzy Jeff (* 22. Januar 1965 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; richtiger Name Jeffrey Allen Townes) ist ein US-amerikanischer DJ und Musikproduzent. Er ist für die Entwicklung maßgebender Scratch-Techniken verantwortlich und bildet mit dem Rapper und Schauspieler Will Smith das einflussreiche Hip-Hop-Duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince.

Jeff Townes' Vater starb, als er selbst zehn Jahre alt war. Mit vierzehn begann er, aus familiärem Umfeld vor allem vom Jazz und Soul inspiriert, Platten aufzulegen und erarbeitete sich in den folgenden Jahren regionale Bekanntheit. In den 1980ern erfand er die Technik des Chirp-Scratchens,[4] zudem stammt die erste Aufnahme eines Transform-Scratches von ihm. 1986 gewann er das New Music Seminar’s DJ Battle for World Supremacy. Ein Jahr zuvor hatte er Will Smith kennengelernt. Als DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince veröffentlichten sie zwischen 1986 und 1993 fünf kommerziell erfolgreiche Alben, die die Popularität des Hip-Hop im Mainstream begründeten. 1989 erhielten sie für den Song Parents Just Don’t Understand den ersten Grammy überhaupt in der Kategorie Rap. Im Jahr darauf gründete Townes sein eigenes Plattenlabel A Touch of Jazz, benannt nach einem gleichnamigen Song auf ihrem Debütalbum. Zwischen 1990 und 1996 übernahm er eine wiederkehrende Gastrolle in der Sitcom Der Prinz von Bel Air, deren Hauptrolle von Smith gespielt wurde. Während Smith eine Solokarriere begann, konzentrierte sich Townes in der Folge auf die Zusammenarbeit mit anderen Produzenten auf seinem Label, arbeitete aber auch weiterhin mit Smith an dessen Alben. Zusammen traten sie etwa am 2. Juli 2005 beim Live-8-Konzert in Philadelphia und am 30. Juni 2008 bei der Premiere von Hancock in Los Angeles auf.

Das Produzententeam von A Touch of Jazz, zu dem auch Dre & Vidal gehörten, arbeitete unter anderem an den Alben von Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild und Floetry und war damit maßgeblich an der Entwicklung des Neo Soul beteiligt. Einer ihrer Songs, Butterflies, landete auf Michael Jacksons Album Invincible. 2002 veröffentlichte Townes sein erstes Soloalbum The Magnificent. Fünf Jahre später folgte The Return of the Magnificent mit Gastauftritten von unter anderem Big Daddy Kane, Method Man und Kardinal Offishall. Seine Scratches sind auf Alben von Slum Village, The Roots, Little Brother und Talib Kweli zu hören.

Images:
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Name: We Are Young Money
SortName: We Are Young Money
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Name: I Created Disco
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Name: Loso's Way
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Name: Get Rich or Die Tryin'
SortName: Get Rich or Die Tryin'
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Name: Missy Misdemeanor Elliott
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Overview:
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott (born July 1, 1971) is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actress. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have six albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one double platinum for her 2002 album Under Construction. Elliott is known for a series of hits and diverse music videos, including "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)", "Hot Boyz", "Get Ur Freak On", "One Minute Man", "4 My People", "Work It", "Pass That Dutch", and "Lose Control". In addition, she has worked extensively as a songwriter and producer for other artists, both alone and with her fellow producer and childhood friend Timbaland, with whom she received her first production credit on R&B singer Ginuwine's 1996's album Ginuwine...the Bachelor.
Elliott was born on July 1, 1971, in Portsmouth, Virginia. She is the only child of mother Patricia, a power-company coordinator, and father Ronnie, a Marine. At the age of four in 1975, she wanted to be a performer, though she knew no one took her seriously, as she was always the class clown. While her father was a Marine, the family lived in Jacksonville, North Carolina, in a mobile home. Elliott enjoyed school for the friendships she formed and had little interest in school work, though an IQ test classified her above average and she was able to jump two years ahead of her class. This made her feel increasingly isolated, so she purposely failed all her classes, eventually returning to her age-appropriate class. When her father returned from the Marines, they moved back to Virginia, where they lived in a vermin-infested shack.
Elliott's childhood was strongly affected by domestic abuse. Elliotts family were strongly affected by her fathers anger. Elliott refused to stay over at any of her friends' homes for the fear that she would return and find her mother dead. When Elliott was fourteen, she and her mother finally escaped from the father. Her mother told her to pack her things and go to the bus stop as usual. When her father drove past on his way to work, her mother picked Elliott up and took her home to where family relatives were loading the family possessions into a U-Haul truck, leaving her father with only a fork, a spoon, a cup and a blanket. Elliott and her father occasionally talk, but she claims she hasn't forgiven him. She later stated "When we left, my mother realized how strong she was on her own, and it made me strong. It took her leaving to realize."

Images:
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Name: Timbaland & Magoo
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Overview:
Timbaland & Magoo are a rap duo consisting of producer and rapper Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley and rapper Melvin "Magoo" Barcliff. Originally from Norfolk, Virginia, the duo first met when they were teenagers. They later paired up as a duo and released their debut album Welcome to Our World, spawning their highest-charting single "Up Jumps Da Boogie". They would release two more studio albums as a group, Indecent Proposal in 2001 and Under Construction, Part II in 2003. The latter was meant as a sequel to Missy Elliott's fourth album Under Construction. They later joined the Virginia-based supergroup the V.A. Playaz, with Missy Elliott, Skillz, Pharrell, Clipse and Fam-Lay.

Images:
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Name: Under Construction Part II
SortName: Under Construction Part II
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Name: Baauer
SortName: Baauer
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Overview:
Harry Rodrigues (born April 30, 1989), better known by his stage name, Baauer, is an American producer of trap and bass music. He has been producing dance music from the age of 13, mostly making house music and electro. He previously produced a track under the name Captain Harry, which was played by Kissy Sell Out on BBC Radio 1 His influences include hip-hop and dance music. Baauer has produced remixes for Nero, The Prodigy, Flosstradamus and No Doubt.

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Name: Harlem Shake
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Name: Back To Black
SortName: Back To Black
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Name: Nick Ashford
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Overview:
Nickolas Ashford (May 4, 1941 - August 22, 2011) and Valerie Simpson (born August 26, 1946) were a husband-and-wife songwriting-production team and recording artists. 
Ashford was born in Fairfield, South Carolina, and Simpson in the Bronx, New York. Afterwards, his family relocated to Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he became a member of Christ Temple Baptist Church. While there, he sang with a group called The Hammond Singers, (named after the founding minister, James Hammond). Later, Nickolas attended and graduated from Willow Run High School in Ypsilanti, Michigan before pursuing his professional career where he would ultimately meet his wife, Valerie. They met at Harlem's White Rock Baptist Church in 1964. After having recorded unsuccessfully as a duo, they joined an aspiring solo artist and former member of the Ikettes, Joshie Jo Armstead, at the Scepter/Wand label, where their compositions were recorded by Ronnie Milsap ("Never Had It So Good"), Maxine Brown ("One Step at a Time"), as well as the Shirelles and Chuck Jackson. Another of the trio's songs, "Let's Go Get Stoned", gave Ray Charles a number one U.S. R&B hit in 1966. That same year, Ashford & Simpson joined Motown, where their best-known songs included "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "You're All I Need To Get By", "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing", and "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)". Ashford and Simpson wrote many other hit songs, including Chaka Khan's "I'm Every Woman" (1978) and Teddy Pendergrass's "Is It Still Good to You?". 
As performers, Ashford & Simpson's best-known duets are "Solid (As a Rock)" (1984 US and 1985 UK) and "Found a Cure" (1979). The duo was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002. Ashford and Simpson were also recipients of The Rhythm & Blues Foundation's Pioneer Award in 1999, and ASCAP's highest honor, the Founder's Award, which they received on March 18, 1996. 

Career:

Songwriters:
See also: List of songs written by Ashford & Simpson
The duo essentially had two careers: one as a successful writing and producing team and the other as singers and performers themselves. They started their career in the mid-1960s, writing for artists such as The 5th Dimension ("California Soul"), Aretha Franklin ("Cry Like A Baby"), and Ray Charles ("Let's Go Get Stoned" and "I Don't Need No Doctor"). Their work with Charles brought them to the attention of Motown chief Berry Gordy. 
Upon joining the Motown staff in 1966, Ashford & Simpson were paired with the vocal duo Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, and they wrote and/or produced all but one of the late-1960s Gaye/Terrell singles, including hits such as the original version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "Your Precious Love", "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing", and "You're All I Need to Get By". According to Gaye in the book Divided Soul, Simpson did most of the vocals on the last album he did with Terrell, Easy, as a way for Terrell's family to have additional income as she was battling an ultimately fatal brain tumor. Though Louvain Demps, singer of The Andantes, has stated that she saw Terrell recording the album, Simpson is quoted as saying, in a book written by Terrell's sister Ludie Montgomery, what they saw was her singing the guide tracks for the album, which were later replaced by Tammi's own vocals. 
Ashford & Simpson wrote and produced almost all the songs on three 1970s albums for former Supreme Diana Ross, including her first solo album Diana Ross ("Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"), Surrender ("Remember Me"), and The Boss. All three albums were critically acclaimed with "Diana Ross" her 1970 album debut and "The Boss" being certified platinum and "Surrender" certified Gold. 
Other Motown artists whom Ashford & Simpson worked with include Gladys Knight & The Pips ("Didn't You Know You'd Have to Cry Sometime",(after Motown they worked with Gladys Knight & the Pips and wrote and produced - "Landlord", "Bourgie, Bourgie", and "Taste of Bitter Love"), Smokey Robinson & The Miracles ("Who's Gonna Take the Blame"), The Marvelettes ("Destination:Anywhere"), The Supremes ("Some Things You Never Get Used To"), and The Dynamic Superiors ("Shoe, Shoe Shine"). 
Other artists with whom Ashford & Simpson had hits were Teddy Pendergrass ("Is It Still Good to You"), The Brothers Johnson ("Ride-O-Rocket"), Chaka Khan, both on her own ("I'm Every Woman" and "Clouds"), and with Rufus ("Keep It Comin'" and "Ain't Nothin' But a Maybe"). 

Performers:
Ashford & Simpson's career as recording artists began in the early 1960s as part of the gospel group The Followers, with whom they recorded the album Gospel Meeting (on Forum Circle), later issued as Meetin' The Followers (on Roulette Records). The LP contains their vocals and also four Ashford compositions. In 1964, they recorded "I'll Find You", as "Valerie & Nick". That was followed by several obscure singles recorded by Ashford on the Glover, Verve and ABC labels, such as "It Ain't Like That" (later recorded by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas), "California Soul", and "Dead End Kids", backed by his own version of "Let's Go Get Stoned". After concentrating on working with other artists, Simpson was the featured soloist on the songs "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "What's Going On" on the Quincy Jones albums Gula Matari in 1970, and its follow-up, Smackwater Jack. Simpson subsequently recorded two solo LPs for Motown: Valerie Simpson Exposed in 1971, and, the following year, Valerie Simpson, which included the single "Silly, Wasn't I", which was later sampled on 50 Cent's "Best Friend" from the movie Get Rich or Die Tryin'. The song was also sampled by 9th Wonder on Murs's "Silly Girl" in the album Murray's Revenge. Ashford & Simpson were featured singing selections from Simpson's solo albums on the PBS TV show Soul!, hosted by Ellis Haizlip in 1971. In 1973, they left Motown after the albums Simpson recorded for the label received poor promotion and the company refused to release an album of the duo recording a collection of their most famous songs for other artists. 
In 1974, Ashford & Simpson married after resuming their career as a duo with the Warner Bros. album Gimme Something Real released in 1973. In 1974, they followed up with "I wanna be selfish" and in 1976 "Come as you are" was released. 1977 saw the release of two albums - "So So satisfied" and "Send it". This was followed by the hit singles "Send it", "Don't Cost You Nothin'" (1977), "It Seems to Hang On" (1978), "Is It Still Good to Ya" (1978), "Found a Cure" (1979), "Street Corner" (1982), and their biggest hit, "Solid (As a Rock)", released in 1984. 
In 1978, they were featured as vocalists, along with Chaka Khan, on the hit single "Stuff Like That" from Quincy Jones' Sounds... And Stuff Like That album and contributed to the writing of the soundtrack to The Wiz. 
Simpson appeared (with Melba Moore) as part of the "Blood, Sweat & Tears Soul Chorus" on the band's Al Kooper-led debut album on Columbia Records, Child Is Father to the Man. 
On his own, Ashford (along with Frank Wilson), produced the hit "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me", which Diana Ross & the Supremes recorded in collaboration with the Temptations in 1968. He also appeared in the movie New Jack City (1991), as Reverend Oates, an ordained minister who was part of Nino Brown's entourage. 
Simpson's brothers were in the record business as well: Ray Simpson replaced Victor Willis in the Village People and their brother Jimmy Simpson produced the group GQ (which had big hits with "Disco Nights" and "I Do Love You"), and was in great demand as a mixing engineer during the disco era. 

Recent years and Ashford's death:
in latter times, Ashford & Simpson recorded and toured sporadically, and in 1996, they opened a restaurant and live entertainment venue, Sugar Bar in New York City, with an open mic on Thursday nights, where performers included Queen Latifah and Felicia Collins. Ashford & Simpson recorded the album Been Found with poet Maya Angelou in 1996. Around that time, they were also featured disc jockeys on New York radio station WRKS. 
On August 16, 2006, Playbill Online reported that they were writing the score for a musical based on E. Lynn Harris's novel Invisible Life. In January 2007, they, along with Tina Turner, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Sidney Poitier, director Spike Lee, and comedian Chris Rock accompanied Oprah Winfrey when she opened her Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. 
They were given writing credit on Amy Winehouse's 2007 CD Back to Black for the single "Tears Dry on Their Own". The track is based on a sample of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's 1967 Motown hit "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". They had begun performing their act in small, intimate venues, such as Feinstein's at the Regency in New York and the Rrazz Room in San Francisco, and in January 2009, they released a CD and DVD of their live performances titled The Real Thing. On June 22, 2009, they made a guest performance at a party at Tribeca Rooftop, New York, to celebrate Virgin Atlantic's birthday party. They also made their first appearance in Tokyo, Japan, in November 2009, and performed eight shows in four days at Blue Note Tokyo. 
At President Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration, Ashford and Simpson rewrote their song, "Solid (as a Rock)", as "Solid as Barack". They dedicated it to him at his inaugural festivities. 
Ashford died in a New York City hospital on August 22, 2011, of complications from throat cancer. His publicist, Liz Rosenberg, said that he had undergone radiation therapy to treat his illness. 
Simpson released a new solo album in June 2012, called Dinosaurs Are Coming Back Again, which also features the last recorded performance of Nina Simone, a second duet with Roberta Flack and an instrumental version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". 
In 2014, Simpson made a guest appearance on the title track to Kindred the Family Soul's album A Couple Friends. 

Personal life:
Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson have two daughters, Nicole (born in 1975), and Asia (born in 1987). Nicole graduated from Wesleyan University in 1997.


Name: Valerie Simpson
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Overview:
Nickolas Ashford (May 4, 1941 – August 22, 2011) and Valerie Simpson (born August 26, 1946) were a husband-and-wife songwriting-production team and recording artists.

Ashford was born in Fairfield, South Carolina, and Simpson in the Bronx, New York. Afterwards, his family relocated to Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he became a member of Christ Temple Baptist Church. While there, he sang with a group called The Hammond Singers (named after the founding minister, James Hammond). Later, Nickolas attended and graduated from Willow Run High School in Ypsilanti, Michigan, before pursuing his professional career, where he would ultimately meet his wife, Valerie. They met at Harlem's White Rock Baptist Church in 1964. After having recorded unsuccessfully as a duo, they joined an aspiring solo artist and former member of the Ikettes, Joshie Jo Armstead, at the Scepter/Wand label, where their compositions were recorded by Ronnie Milsap ("Never Had It So Good"), Maxine Brown ("One Step at a Time"), as well as the Shirelles and Chuck Jackson. Another of the trio's songs, "Let's Go Get Stoned", gave Ray Charles a number one U.S. R&B hit in 1966. That same year, Ashford & Simpson joined Motown, where their best-known songs included "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "You're All I Need To Get By", "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing", and "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)". Ashford and Simpson wrote many other hit songs, including Chaka Khan's "I'm Every Woman" (1978) and Teddy Pendergrass's "Is It Still Good to You?".

As performers, Ashford & Simpson's best-known duets are "Solid (As a Rock)" and "Found a Cure" (1979). The duo was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002. Ashford and Simpson were also recipients of The Rhythm & Blues Foundation's Pioneer Award in 1999, and ASCAP's highest honor, the Founder's Award, which they received on March 18, 1996.

Images:
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Name: Alexander Marcus
SortName: Alexander Marcus
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Overview:
Alexander Marcus ist eine Kunstfigur von Felix Rennefeld[2] (* 26. Juni 1972[3] in Berlin), einem deutschen Musikproduzenten, Entertainer und Unternehmer.

Gemäß der fiktiven Biografie der Kunstfigur ließen sich kurz nach Alexander Marcus’ Geburt (24. Dezember 1979) die Eltern scheiden, seine Mutter ließ ihn bei seiner Großmutter auf dem Land aufwachsen. Durch sie nahm er an der volkstümlichen Kindertanzgruppe „Edelweißchen“ teil. Nach seinem 18. Lebensjahr lebte Marcus in New York und in Miami und lernte dort die internationale sowie elektronische Musik kennen. Dort entstand die Idee, den elektronischen mit dem volkstümlichen Musikstil zu mischen. Seit 2005 lebt Alexander Marcus wieder in Berlin.

Fragen zur realen Biografie Felix Rennefelds werden abgewiesen. Noch unter seinem echten Namen produzierte er ab Ende der 1990er-Jahre House-Musik, die allerdings bei weitem nicht die Popularität seiner späteren Produktionen als Alexander Marcus erreichte.

Felix Rennefeld unterzeichnete einen Vertrag bei Kontor Records und veröffentlichte am 6. Juni 2008 sein Debütalbum Electrolore[8], auf dem sich Gastbeiträge von Manny Marc und Frauenarzt befinden.

Seine Musik ist eine Mischung aus moderner elektronischer Clubmusik und volkstümlicher Musik, er selbst nennt diese Electrolore, ein Portmanteau-Wort aus Electro und Folklore.[10] Alexander Marcus übersteigert dabei viele Klischees der Schlagermusik und ergänzt sie in seinen Musikvideos durch Trash-Artefakte wie einen omnipräsenten Plastikglobus, den er „Globi“ getauft hat.[2] Spiegel Online sieht die Figur als typisches Beispiel für eine wieder in der Gesellschaft angekommene Pop-Art-Gesellschaftskritik. Kaum vorhandene Brüche der Rolle lassen die Frage, ob es sich um eine Parodie handelt, unbeantwortet: „Die Vorstellung, dass der Typ tatsächlich so meschugge ist, bleibt zumindest möglich.“ (Uh-Young Kim für Spiegel Online[2])

Am 27. Januar 2009 gründete Felix Rennefeld mit Jarko Nikolitsch die Firma JAFE Entertainment UG, welche für den Vertrieb von Merchandising, Eventmanagement und Produktion seines Films „Glanz und Gloria“ zuständig ist.[3][11]
Vor Verwirklichung der Dreharbeiten konnten Fans via Internet-Voting den Filmtitel mitbestimmen. Der Film wurde zwischen Juli und August 2011 abgedreht und kam am 31. Mai 2012 in die deutschen Kinos.[12] Der zugehörige Soundtrack wurde am 6. Januar 2012 veröffentlicht.

Images:
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Name: Electrolore
SortName: Electrolore
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Name: Randy Newman
SortName: Randy Newman
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Overview:
Wikipedia

Randall Stuart „Randy“ Newman (* 28. November 1943 in Los Angeles) ist ein US-amerikanischer Sänger, Songwriter, Pianist und Komponist. Er ist mehrfacher Oscar- und Grammy-Preisträger.

Images:
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Name: The Massacre
SortName: Massacre
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Name: POPCAAN
SortName: POPCAAN
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Overview:
Popcaan is a popular Dancehall artist signed with Portmore Empire. He first began taking a front seat in music during Vybz Kartel's (the Empire's leader) feud with prominent Dancehall artist Mavado, during the feud many of the Empire's members took part in the war releasing dis songs towards the Alliance (Mavado's version of the Empire of which Kartel is a former member).  Popcaan's career really took of with the songs 'My War' and 'Dream'. He has since continued to release hit after hit and is seen as the secong most popular Dancehall artist in the Portmore Empire, below Vybz Kartel of course. One of his most popular songs is 'Clarks' which features Popcaan, Vybz Kartel and the dabut of Gaza Bling. the song has even been featured on an the British version of 'So You Think You Can Dance'.

Images:
https://www.theaudiodb.com/images/media/artist/thumb/rvutxq1457195257.jpg*638431932419350420*Primary*0*0*null


Name: Knife Party
SortName: Knife Party
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Overview:
Knife Party is an Australian electro house/dubstep duo founded by two members of the electronic rock band Pendulum; Rob Swire and Gareth McGrillen. The duo met and performed music since 2002 in various different bands and music projects, eventually forming drum and bass band Pendulum. While the band had three charted albums and singles, the two original members created Knife Party as a side project, although it evolved into their primary project. On 25 May 2011, Swire released a short preview on SoundCloud entitled "Not Pendulum". The name is derived from a Deftones song of the same name, which caused consternation at first as it implied that they supported knife crime, although Swire stated that "...we’re not advocating any type of knife-related crime any more than Swedish House Mafia were advocating organised crime."

Knife Party's first EP, 100% No Modern Talking, was released digitally through Warner Bros. Records on 12 December 2011. The EP originally was to feature "Back to the Z-List" but was replaced with "Destroy Them with Lazers" as the duo had decided to abandon the track. The EP title refers to the lack of "Modern Talking", a wavetable in the software synthesiser NI Massive commonly used to create "talking" basslines. A tweet in December 2011 suggested the possibility of a remix EP in the future. Their second EP, Rage Valley, was released digitally through EarStorm and Big Beat. Rob tweeted a screenshot taken on his PC showing three of the four final Rage Valley tracks, captioning the photo "3 down, 1 to go", referring to the mastering of the final track "Sleaze". The title track "Rage Valley" was originally named "Fuck Em" but the title was changed "for secret shady reasons you will never know" according to Rob. "Sleaze" was also re-titled, the original being called "Until They Kick Us Out". Originally Rage Valley was set to be released before the end of April 2012, but due to multiple setbacks the release was delayed for four weeks. It was made available for purchase on Beatport and iTunes on 27 May 2012. The song "Bonfire," released on this album, was featured on an episode of AMC's Breaking Bad in the fifth season. The EP was also Knife Party's first ever entry into the Billboard 200, peaking at #75.

Their third EP Haunted House, was released on 6 May 2013 digitally through EarStorm and Big Beat. A last minute change was made to the EP and where "Baghdad" was replaced with "Internet Friends" (VIP). Rob also announced the approximate release date for the new EP, the week of 22 April, with iTunes on 29 April. Rob later announced the final release date would be 6 May due to issues beyond his control. The EP was leaked on 29 April, and later uploaded in its entirety on Knife Party's YouTube channel on 5 May as well as a trailer video for the EP. The EP entered into the iTunes Top 10 Albums Chart and peaked at #3. It also hit number 1 Electro House Album on Beatport. The EP was also Knife Party's first Top 40 entry into the Billboard Top 200, peaking at #37.

Rob Swire stated that he will be taking a six month hiatus in July from live performances in order to record new music. A month later Swire released a statement on Twitter that along with an announcement of a new Pendulum album, Knife Party will be recording and releasing their debut studio album.

Images:
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Name: Flosstradamus
SortName: Flosstradamus
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Overview:
Flosstradamus is a Chicago DJ Duo consisting of J2K (Josh Young) and DJ Autobot (Curt Cameruci). They gained popularity building mashups out of well known songs, while maintaining a consistent dance flow, making them dance hall masters and quick local favorites.  But they don't start nor do they stop with the mashup. They are cunning tricksters of the booty shake, playing whatever will make people get off the seat and step to the beat.   After frothing local enthusiasm like a Starbucks barrista, they started touring and have played Pitchfork, Rothbury, SXSW, and even the hallowed recesses of Philly's B clubs.   After making URB's "Next 100" list they took off like one of those 2-liter bottle rockets, building a larger audience and booking more shows.  About this time, J2K's sister, Kid Sister, started making it big (this was just before Kanye spit a few lines on one of her tracks, making her well known).   They've played with Chromeo, Cool Kids, and A-Trak as well as a lot of other, lesser-well-knowns but equally talented folk.     After mixing for years, in 2008 Big Bills came out, marking the first home-brewed production for the Floss.  The polished and happy-beated dance song features Caroline Polachek and has fans repeating it like a romantic repeats a Jane Austen movie (ie. till your roommate deletes the MP3).   Check out Big Bills at Green Label Sound and MySpace for tour info.   http://www.flosstradamus.com http://www.greenlabelsound.com/artists/flosstradamusandcaroline/ http://djz.com/featured_djs/flosstradamus/

Images:
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Name: Azealia Banks
SortName: Azealia Banks
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Overview:
Azealia Amanda Banks (born May 31, 1991) is an American rapper, singer and lyricist from Harlem, New York signed to Interscope/Polydor, and formerly known under the pseudonym Miss Bank$. Banks rose in notability in 2011 when she topped NME's "Cool List" for the year. On December 5, 2011, the BBC announced that Banks had been nominated for the Sound of 2012, where she ultimately finished third. Her debut single, "212" featuring Lazy Jay, was released on December 6, 2011.
Banks was born in 1991. Her mother raised her and two older sisters in Harlem, after their father died when she was two years old. At a young age she became interested in musical theater, acting, and singing. Aged ten, she began performing in off-Broadway musicals with the Tada! Youth Theater in Lower Manhattan. She had lead roles in three productions (Rabbit Sense, Sleepover, and Heroes) in addition to performing as a soloist. Banks was trained in the performing arts at the LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan. At the age of sixteen, Banks starred in a production of the comedy-noir musical City of Angels. She never finished high school, instead choosing to follow her dream of becoming a recording artist.
Under the moniker 'Miss Bank$', she released her debut recording "Gimme a Chance" onto the internet in February 2009. The recording was accompanied by "Seventeen", a track produced by American DJ Diplo which sampled the Ladytron song of the same name. Later that year, Banks signed to record label XL Records and began working with producer Richard Russell; leaving the label later that year due to conflicting ideas.

Images:
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Name: Catch 22
SortName: Catch 22
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Overview:
Catch 22 was formed by guitarist/vocalist Tomas Kalnoky and drummer Chris Greer who recruited trumpeter Kevin Gunther, who was working in a local record store. Bassist Josh Ansley, saxophonist Ryan Eldred, and trombonist James Egan, who was also Kevin Gunther's first music teacher, rounded out the original lineup.
  When Tomas Kalnoky was still the band's songwriter, the band had a traditional ska punk sound, and their album Keasbey Nights was one of the most recognized third wave ska albums of the time. During this time, Kalnoky was the band's primary vocalist, while Kevin Gunther provided most of the backing vocals. Keasbey Nights also featured many different instruments not found on later albums, played by James Egan.
After the departure of Kalnoky, Egan and Ansley, saxophonist Ryan Eldred became the band's primary songwriter, with Jeff Davidson providing the lyrics. The band's sound changed more towards a punk rock sound, while still retaining the band's ska punk roots. The album Alone in a Crowd also relied heavily on backing vocals and threeway vocal harmonies provided by Kevin Gunther and Ryan Eldred.
After the departure of Jeff Davidson, both Eldred and Gunther took over vocal duties. The older material was distributed evenly between the two, but Eldred was selected as main vocalist for the band's new songs. The album Dinosaur Sounds saw the band's sound depart even more from ska punk, towards alternative rock, which resulted in the alienation of some fans.
2006's Permanent Revolution saw the band return to its ska punk roots, while also borrowing influences from jazz, reggae and alternative rock. The album was also a concept album, one of the first in the ska punk scene.

Images:
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Name: Genesis
SortName: Genesis
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Name: Chad Smith
SortName: Chad Smith
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Overview:
Chadwick Gaylord Smith (born October 25, 1961) is an American musician who has been the drummer of the band Red Hot Chili Peppers since 1988. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. Smith is also the drummer of the hard rock supergroup Chickenfoot, formed in 2008, and of the all-instrumental outfit Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats, formed in 2007. He worked with The Chicks on Taking the Long Way, an album that won 5 Grammy Awards in 2007.
Smith has recorded with Glenn Hughes, Johnny Cash, John Fogerty, Geezer Butler, Jennifer Nettles, Kid Rock, Jake Bugg, the Avett Brothers, Joe Satriani, Post Malone, Eddie Vedder, Lana Del Rey and Halsey. In 2010, joined by Dick Van Dyke and Leslie Bixler, he released Rhythm Train, a children's album which featured Smith singing and playing various instruments. In 2020, Smith co-wrote and performed as part of the backing band on Ozzy Osbourne's album, Ordinary Man.
Spin magazine placed Smith at #10 on their list of the "100 Greatest Drummers of Alternative Music" in May 2013. Readers of UK-based Rhythm magazine ranked Smith and Red Hot Chili Pepper bassist Flea the fourth-greatest rhythm section of all time in their June 2013 issue. Smith is also known for his charity work especially with young musicians. He has been a lobbyist in support of music education in U.S. public schools. Smith is also the host of the PBS concert series Landmarks Live in Concert, which began in January 2017.

Images:
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Name: Flea
SortName: Flea
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Overview:
Michael Peter Balzary, mit Künstlernamen Flea, (* 16. Oktober 1962 in Burwood (Vorort von Melbourne), Australien) ist Bassist der US-amerikanischen Crossover/Funk Rock-Band Red Hot Chili Peppers, Studio-Musiker und Gelegenheitsschauspieler.
Michael Peter Balzary „Flea“ wurde am 16. Oktober 1962 in Melbourne, Australien geboren. Flea ist ungarisch-irischer Abstammung[1]. Nach der Scheidung seiner Eltern wanderte seine Mutter mit ihm 1966 nach New York aus. Fleas erstes Instrument war die Trompete. Durch den Einfluss seines Stiefvaters interessierte sich Flea schon früh für Jazz, Funk und Soul. Als Flea mit 17 Jahren die Fairfax Highschool in Los Angeles besuchte und dort in der schuleigenen Marschkapelle Trompete spielte, lernte er Anthony Kiedis und Hillel Slovak kennen, mit denen er öfter jammte. Zu dieser Zeit lernte er das Bassspiel von Hillel Slovak. Als gelernter Trompeter, der in klassischen Orchestern mitspielte, war Flea von der neuen Leidenschaft seiner Freunde, dem Punk, zuerst befremdet. Nach ein paar Konzertbesuchen änderte sich diese Haltung, und wenig später war Flea selbst für kurze Zeit Mitglied der Punkband Fear.

Das Trio Kiedis, Slovak, Balzary bildete bald darauf mit dem Schlagzeuger Jack Irons die Band Tony Flow & The Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem, aus der später die Red Hot Chili Peppers hervorgingen. Flea und Kiedis sind die einzigen Mitglieder der Band, die auch heute noch bei den Red Hot Chili Peppers mitwirken.

Flea erlernte das Bass-Spielen innerhalb kürzester Zeit. Er nahm nie regelmäßige Unterrichtsstunden und schaffte es dennoch, ein allgemein sehr angesehener Rockbassist zu werden.

Images:
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Name: John Frusciante
SortName: John Frusciante
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Overview:
John Anthony Frusciante war von 1988 bis 1992 und von 1998 bis 2008 Gitarrist und Backing-Vocalist der kalifornischen Band Red Hot Chili Peppers. Frusciante ist zudem als Solokünstler bekannt.

John Frusciante ist das einzige gemeinsame Kind von Gail und John. Seine Mutter war eine erfolgversprechende Sängerin, blieb aber Hausfrau, weil ihr Mann eine musikalische Karriere ausschloss. Johns Vater, ein Rechtsanwalt, spielte lange Zeit Klavier. Nach einem Umzug nach Tucson in Arizona lebte die Familie für ein Jahr in Florida. Während dieser Zeit, John war sechs Jahre alt, trennten sich die Eltern. In Santa Monica, wo er die nächsten Jahre lebte, gefiel es ihm sehr gut, da sich dort ein Großteil der Rock- und Punk-Szene abspielte. Sein Stiefvater, der Beethoven und 50er-Rhythm-and-Blues hörte, unterstützte John in seiner künstlerischen Entwicklung. Während seiner Schulzeit entwickelte John enormen Ehrgeiz für das Gitarrespielen. Laut eigener Aussage hat er bis zu fünfzehn Stunden am Tag geübt und sich mit Musiktheorie auseinandergesetzt. Seine ersten eigenen Songs nahm er im Alter von vierzehn Jahren auf. John Frusciante war zudem Schüler am GIT, blieb jedoch die meiste Zeit dem Unterricht fern und schloss die Schule nicht ab.

John Frusciante war mit 15 Jahren begeistert von den Red Hot Chili Peppers. Er hatte alle Texte, Gitarren- und Bassriffs ihrer Lieder einstudiert. Als er 1988 nach Hollywood zog, traf er dort bei einer Session auf den ehemaligen Dead-Kennedys-Schlagzeuger D. H. Peligro, welcher den Kontakt zwischen Frusciante und den „Chilis“ herstellte. Nach dem Tod ihres Gitarristen Hillel Slovak Mitte des Jahres 1988 wurde Frusciante in die Band aufgenommen. Ihr erstes gemeinsames Album Mother’s Milk war bereits erfolgreich, und mit dem Album Blood Sugar Sex Magik schaffte die Band den Durchbruch. Aber bereits während der Arbeiten zu diesem Album kriselte es in der Band, auch war Frusciante dem Leistungsdruck nicht mehr gewachsen, und so verkündete er während der Japan-Tournee am 7. Mai 1992 seinen Austritt.

Während des Erfolges der Red Hot Chili Peppers verfiel Frusciante Kokain und Heroin. Mit steigender Heroinabhängigkeit verließ er die Band und wurde durch den Gitarristen Dave Navarro ersetzt. Von 1993 bis 1997 spielte John kaum Gitarre und verlegte seinen künstlerischen Ausdruck auf abstrakte Malerei.

Genug Material für ein Solo-Album hatte er dennoch. So nahm er zuvor während der Pausen zu den Aufnahmen von Blood Sugar Sex Magik und während der darauffolgenden Welttournee das Doppelalbum Niandra Lades and Usually Just a T-Shirt auf. Nach dem vorläufigen Ausstieg bei den Red Hot Chili Peppers schloss er die Arbeit daran ab.

Im Februar 1996 entrann er knapp dem Drogentod; daraufhin versuchte er erfolglos, den Heroinkonsum zu stoppen. 1997 brachte er sein Album Smile From the Streets You Hold auf den Markt, nicht nur zur Finanzierung seines Drogenkonsums, sondern auch, um dem Wunsch seiner Freunde nachzukommen, die ihm dazu rieten, seine Musik zu veröffentlichen, da es keine gute Musik mehr gebe (u. a. Johnny Depp). Auf diesem Album sind auch zwei Kollaborationen von Frusciante und River Phoenix zu hören – Height Down und Well, I’ve Been. Die Songs auf dem Album wurden zu verschiedenen Zeiten in seinem künstlerischen Schaffen aufgenommen. So gibt es sowohl Songs aus seiner Jugend wie A Fall Thru The Ground als auch Songs, die es aufgrund der CD-Länge nicht auf Niandra Lades And Usually Just A T-Shirt geschafft haben, wie Smile From The Streets You Hold, oder kurz zuvor aufgenommene Songs, in der sein geplagter psychischer Zustand deutlich zum Ausdruck kommt, wie Nigger Song oder Enter A Uh.
Nach mehreren Entzugsversuchen gelang es Frusciante Anfang 1998, seine Drogenabhängigkeit zu überwinden. Nach seiner Genesung stieg er wieder bei den Red Hot Chili Peppers ein.

1999 war Frusciante im Album Californication wieder maßgeblich am Erfolg der Red Hot Chili Peppers beteiligt. 2001 veröffentlichte er sein Soloalbum To Record Only Water for Ten Days. Daneben stellte er auf seiner Internetseite im selben Jahr gratis weiteres Material zur Verfügung, das am Ende ein komplettes Album mit dem Titel From The Sounds Inside ergab. Während der Songwriting-Phase für By The Way schrieb er zusammen mit Josh Klinghoffer Stücke für sein Album Shadows Collide With People. Hier gibt es Gastauftritte von Flea, Omar A. Rodríguez-López und Chad Smith. Zwischen den Produktionen seiner Soloalben komponierte John Frusciante Stücke für den Film The Brown Bunny seines Freundes Vincent Gallo.

2004 veröffentlichte er mit Hilfe seines Freundes Josh Klinghoffer eine Serie von sechs Alben, die ab der zweiten Hälfte des Jahres in monatlichen Abständen herausgebracht wurden und sehr unterschiedliche Stilrichtungen verfolgten. Das erste, The Will to Death, hat einen rauen Sound und erinnert an die 1970er Jahre. John Frusciante macht dabei wenig Gebrauch von Overdubs. Auf dem zweiten, The DC EP, verzichtet er völlig auf den Gebrauch von Synthesizern. Inside of Emptiness verfolgt einen eher rockigen Stil. Danach erschien sehr experimentelle und elektronische Musik unter dem Titel A Sphere in the Heart of Silence, die recht komplexe Strukturen aufweist, und auf der Josh Klinghoffer ebenso vertreten ist. Das fünfte Album in dieser Serie ist eine Improvisation zusammen mit Joe Lally, dem Bassisten von Fugazi, und Josh Klinghoffer. Die drei treten unter dem Namen Ataxia auf, und die CD heißt Automatic Writing. Das akustische Album Curtains beendet die Serie und schließt musikalisch an The DC EP an.

Am 16. Dezember 2009 gab John Frusciante auf seiner offiziellen Homepage bekannt, dass er ein Jahr zuvor die Red Hot Chili Peppers verlassen habe, um sich ausschließlich seinen Soloprojekten widmen zu können. An gleicher Stelle veröffentlichte er im Mai 2010 seine Solosingle Here, air als kostenlosen Download.

Images:
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Name: LaRon James
SortName: LaRon James
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Overview:
Juelz Santana (born LaRon Louis James on February 18, 1982) is a half African American and half Dominican rapper from Harlem, New York, who first became known for his “featured” status on Cam’ron’s 2002 hits, “Oh Boy” and “Hey Ma”.

Santana began writing rhymes at the age of 12. He was originally signed to Priority Records as one half a duo called Draft Pick. The group had several shows around New York City while together, including Amateur Night at the Apollo Theatre, where they won two weeks in a row. Some time after this, he was introduced to Cam’ron through a cousin; in 1998, he became a member of the group, The Diplomats, whose members include Cam’ron, Jim Jones, 40 Cal, J.R Writer, Hell Rell, Jha Jha, S.A.S, and Freekey Zeekey. He is now signed as a solo artist to Dipset but unlike the rest of The Diplomats, who are signed to Koch Records, Santana is currently signed to Def Jam.

He was voted #2 in the VIBE Vixen top 50 sexiest rappers behind T.I. at #1.

His first album, From Me To You was released by Roc-a-Fella Records in 2003 featuring the singles “Dipset (Santana’s Town)” and “Down”. It was considered a commerical failure when compared to the sucess of Cam’ron’s Come Home With Me and The Diplomats’ Diplomatic Immunity.

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Name: Camp Lo
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Overview:
Camp Lo is an American hip hop duo, formed in 1995, which hails from The Bronx, New York. The duo consists of rappers Sonny Cheeba (Salahadeen Wilds) and Geechi Suede (Saladine Wallace), both of Muslim upbringing. The duo is perhaps best known for their 1997 hit, "Luchini AKA This Is It."

Images:
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Name: Uptown Saturday Night
SortName: Uptown Saturday Night
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Name: Chuckie
SortName: Chuckie
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Overview:
Chuckie, born Clyde Sergio Narain is a Dutch DJ and producer of Surinamese descent. 
Chuckie is a producer of what has been called the "dirty house" scene, a cultural movement centered around lively urban club events featuring dancing, bright lights and interactive stage elements. He has also helped develop a style of music known as "Dirty Dutch", a genre characterized by insane synth leads over Latin-inspired rhythms and samples. 
Hits including “Let the Bass Kick,” “Aftershock,” and “Make Some Noise” (with Junxterjack) have contributed to his success. Chuckie has also remixed songs for megastars Michael Jackson and David Guetta, and has produced for 50 Cent, Kesha and Akon. Further, his work has been showcased on the popular EDM focused show "What's Hot in EDM?" on BBC Radio 1.

Images:
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Name: 'Til Shiloh
SortName: 'Til Shiloh
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Name: Garnett Silk
SortName: Garnett Silk
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Overview:
Famous for his silk like voice (hence Garnett Silk) Garnett was an overnight sensation on the early 1990s Jamaican Dancehall scene. 

He started out in the mid-1980s deejaying on various sound systems and even recording the occasional track under the moniker "Little Bimbo". By the first part of the 90s, his locks had grown out and he went from deejay to singer, changing his name to Garnett Silk.

Silk was born Garnett Daymon Smith (2 April, 1966) in the Brumalia district of Mandeville, Jamaica.  He was taken under the wing of Rasta deejay Tony Rebel and introduced to Sugar Minott's Youthman Promotion sound system, which had a hand in recruiting many young acts who later became international stars.

Along with Rebel, Silk reintroduced Rastafarianism into a dancehall scene which by 1992 had become nearly overwrought with X-rated and violent lyrics. He burst on the scene recording many hit tunes and albums, including "Nothing Can Divide Us", "It's Growing" and "100% Silk".

Tragically a fire at his mother's house on 9 December 1994 killed both Garnett and his mother (with Garnett first escaping then giving up his own life trying to save his mother's).  The Jamaican reggae scene was shocked by his death and it is a testament to his talent and his amazing voice that his music is still selling worldwide today, possibly stronger now than it did before his untimely demise.

Images:
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Name: Daft Punk
SortName: Daft Punk
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Overview:
Daft Punk ist eine französische Electro-Houseformation und besteht aus Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (* 8. Februar 1974) und Thomas Bangalter (* 3. Januar 1975).

Darlin’ Thomas und Guy-Man (Guy-Manuels Spitzname) gründeten mit nur 12 Jahren ihre erste Band Darlin’ gemeinsam mit Laurent Brancowitz (genannt Branco), einem aktuellen Mitglied der Gruppe Phoenix. 1992 erschien das mit dem Bandnamen gleichlautende Lied Darlin’. In Großbritannien stieß ihr rockiger Sound jedoch auf wenig Gegenliebe seitens der Kritiker. In der britischen Musikzeitschrift Melody Maker bezeichnete ein Journalist den Stil der Band als daft punk - auf Deutsch dummer Punk.
Branco verließ die Band und Thomas und Guy-Man entdeckten House und Techno. 1993 gründeten sie Daft Punk.

Ihre ersten Maxis veröffentlichten sie nicht etwa in Frankreich, einem Land, das bis dahin vom Aufkeimen der elektronischen (Tanz-)Musik kaum Notiz genommen hatte, sondern auf dem schottischen Label Soma. So erschienen ab 1994 die Maxis The New Wave/Assault/Alive, Da Funk/Rollin’ & Scratchin’ und Indo Silver Club. In der britischen Underground Szene machten sie sich mit ihrem harten und avantgardistischen Sound sehr schnell einen Namen und traten immer häufiger bei Festivals und Veranstaltungen auf.

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Name: Discovery
SortName: Discovery
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Name: Thomas Bangalter
SortName: Thomas Bangalter
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Overview:
Thomas Bangalter (French pronunciation: ​[tɔma bɑ̃ɡaltɛʁ]; born 3 January 1975) is a French electronic musician best known for being one half of the French house music duo Daft Punk, alongside Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo. He has also recorded and released music as a member of the trio Stardust, the duo Together, and as a solo artist including compositions for the film Irréversible.

Images:
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Name: Claudette Ortiz
SortName: Claudette Ortiz
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Overview:
Claudette Ortiz (born July 21, 1981) is an American singer and model, most famous as the female in the R&B group City High. Ortiz also was a castmate in TV One's reality series R&B Divas: Los Angeles.
Claudette Ortiz is of Puerto Rican descent,she was born in Willingboro, New Jersey on July 21, 1981. She is the older sister of Geffen Records executive, Terrance Ortiz.

2001-2003: City High
The group began with Pardlo signing on as a solo artist. However, soon Pardlo's high school friend Toby and the producers decided that it should be a two-man group featured on the album. Soon after the two-man group began to work on the album, The Product G&B became successful. In order to stand out, the producers decided to add a female member. They chose Ortiz, another group member from their high school. During production, all three members did writing on the songs. The trio focused on trying to make lyrics that told a story, Toby noting that he got some inspiration for writing songs that tell stories from country music. A large amount of the songs are based on real-life experiences the trio has experienced, such as "What Would You Do?". The group recorded "What Would You Do?" two years prior to the release of album, as it was featured in the Eddie Murphy film Life. It was not formally released, however, until 2001. The group disbanded in 2003, failing to release another album despite their debut's success.

In November 2002, Ortiz appeared on the episode "Jr's Dating Dilemma" on ABC's My Wife and Kids.

2004-Present: Solo career & Reality TV
In 2006, Ortiz released her first solo single "Can't Get Enough" featuring Mase. She was also featured on Wyclef Jean's track "Dance Like This" on the Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights soundtrack. Other artists she has worked with include Nas, Ja Rule and Mase.

For her debut album, currently slated for 2014, Claudette is currently working with producers will.i.am, Pharrell, So Klassik, Noize Trip, & Jerry Wonda.

"I've been working in between my kids. I was on Interscope but they didn't like the material; after I had Bella they released me. I'd just been waiting for her to get a little bigger & stronger. She'll be 2 in April. So I'm back working... Anton Marchand is managing me and I'm in talks with an independent label... I'm about to go hard and I'm excited! I feel good, I'm happy, I'm single... I've been in a relationship most of my adult life... I'm not dating. I'm just enjoying delving into myself. Learning more about me and focusing on my kids.

As of July 10 2013, Ortiz is a castmate in TV One's reality show R&B Divas: Los Angeles, also featuring Chante Moore, Michel'le, Lil' Mo, Dawn Robinson, and Kelly Price.

She has released her new song "Reciprocation" on her website www.myclaudette.com

As of March 27, 2015, Ortiz will be starring in Tyler Perry's new stage play Madea on the Run.

She has also landed a recurring role as Claudia on Tyler Perry's If Loving You Is Wrong.

Personal life
She previously dated City High-member Robbie Pardlo for a few years, up until the group released their debut album. Ortiz later revealed on R&B Divas LA, that this was an abusive relationship. She later married and divorced City High-member Ryan Toby. They have two sons, Maurice Toby and Joel Toby.

Ortiz said: "We are very close friends. We had both of our sons before we got married… we had a good relationship for a long time. Around 2007 it started fading out, we were changing… we’d gotten together pretty young and so we separated. I started seeing someone else and had my daughter at that time and I don’t know who Malicious Jynx is, that is not my daughter’s father. My daughter’s father is just a normal hard working business man. He’s not even in the industry."

In an interview Ortiz spoke about her daughter and how she did not know the guy reported by the media as her daughter's father. "So hold on… you don’t know that guy that is being reported as your daughter’s father?" Claudette Ortiz: "No I don’t know who that is. I saw a rumor on Wikipedia a while back saying I was dating him and had a child by him… I was in the studio with Brian Michael Cox and we were laughing about it… I wasn’t even pregnant with my daughter yet… I don’t know that guy and never met him. My daughter's father is just a normal hard working business man. He's not even in the industry."

In 2013, Ortiz was contemplating joining the U.S Air Force Reserves, when she was contacted by TV One's producer Phil Thornton to do R&B Divas: LA. She relocated her family from New Jersey to partake in the series.

Images:
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