“There is absolutely no truth to those rumors that we’re investigating her or getting ready to indict her,” Special Agent Eric Gonzalez said in a phone interview Saturday. “It’s just not true.” He added that there was “no wiggle room” in his comments for any kind of inquiry.

Alaska Politics Gender News Sarah Palin Patriarchy Media Ghetto Journalism

Building off the mounting momentum of its already celebrated artist roster, burgeoning new media outfit Amalgam Digital has reached a deal with previously unsigned artist Young Riot in what marks the rapidly growing independent company’s first new artist signing since its conception in 2005. Amalgam is excited to introduce the 20-year-old Young Riot to the mainstream hip hop world, especially given his versatility as an artist capable of catering to both underground and major label markets. The blossoming rapper, whose new track has already been selected to be featured in the upcoming national feature film presentation “Don’t Fade Away” staring Ja Rule, Mischa Barton, and Beau Bridges, explains his excitement regarding his first music deal as follows:

“Everything is YES now! It’s self explanatory. Riot is as mash up of diverse styles, lyrics, and concepts. That’s where I’m So Yes came from. That’s what I bring. My whole style is an Amalgam in itself and my music is like the theme music to what the company represents. It makes sense being their first new artist. It’s obvious they know good music. They already got a tremendous roster of talented artist. And you already know… Amalgam Digital as a company is rising to the top in the industry and I always believed that’s where I was going to go. I feel blessed we could make it a reality together. I been studying them for a minute and watched how they accomplished a lot in a short time. There is a power in that and I’m happy to have it backing me. One big thing is that we a family over here and that’s a relationship we have that other companies don’t. These guys already got me out the hood and they believe in me and what I’m doing and I was already a fan of what they was doing. And now, I’m part of that team. Amalgam Digitaaaal.” – Young Riot

Despite his youth, the Boston-based artist brings with him a vast understanding of not just music but also business and brand management that is hard to come by in the hip hop community, as proven by the success of his self-started Y.O.M.P. (Yes On My Planet) clothing line and his trademark “YES” movement. Young Riot’s entrepreneurial savvy as a CEO makes his union with Amalgam Digital remarkably fitting, especially given the label’s innovative expansion from reinventing already well-established acts to now developing rising new artists as well.

Going hand in hand with Young Riot’s signing, Amalgam has additionally teamed up with Max B’s Gain Greene imprint and Curren$y’s Jets/Fly Society to promote other aspiring artists through various sub-label outfits. As part of what Amalgam aims too catalyze its generation of pioneering young rappers, the company has also signed its own exclusive flagship in-house producer to further help craft the distinct new sound that listeners have increasingly started to associate with the Amalgam Digital brand.

Amalgam Digital is hip-hop’s first digital retail store and independent record label. The company offers digital distribution services as well as a new User Generated Content module, which now allows consumers to directly upload tracks in the store.

Hype Press Update

Eddie Murphy and young Yara Shahidi star in the Paramount/Nickelodeon comedy release, ‘Imagine That’

Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies released “Imagine That,” a comedy film for the family. The movie stars Eddie Murphy and eight year-old actress Yara Shahidi (father and daughter) and centers around their developing relationship. Evan Danielson (Murphy) whose life is centered around deadlines, obtaining new clients, pleasing the clients you have and his computer gadgets is forced to deal with his daughter Olivia Danielson’s fixation with her blanket. Estranged wife (Trish) played by Nicole Ari Parker, refuses to come to his rescue when Olivia’s blanket fixation has the school calling him every five minutes.

“Imagine That” is so cute because of the outstanding acting from Yara Shahidi and it is so funny thanks to the comedic timing, funny faces and voices that only Eddie Murphy can bring. “Imagine That” will also have the audience rethinking the times that they didn’t indulge in a child’s “imaginary” world, thinking that maybe, as in “Imagine That,” it will bring them that hidden motivation to do the extraordinary.

“I been wanting to write a movie my kids and I can go to, together,” film screenwriter/co-producer Ed Solomon said. “This idea came from a personal moment.”

“I want people to go out and have a nice afternoon where they can bring the whole family, have a good laugh and get that fussy feeling,” Eddie Murphy said to me about what he wants us to get from the film.

Directed by Karey Kirkpatrick and also produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura, “Imagine That” also stars Thomas Naden Church as Johnny Whitefeather, Evan Danielson’s rival co-worker; Ronnie Cox as Evan’s boss; Vannesa Williams as Lori Strother, wife of Evan’s best friend Johns Strother played by DeRay Davis, and Charlie Koznick as Rick, current boyfriend to Trish Danielson.

“We were talking,” Thomas Church laughs about when he was shooting the breeze with Eddie Murphy on set. “and he said, ‘I auditioned once for about 5 minutes.’ I realized then what a big ‘god’ he was in the industry!”

Eddie Murphy was the glue that got everyone together for this film. Even the director, Karey Kirkpatrick, said Eddie picked “him” to direct the film.

“Eddie don’t need a whole lot of directing,” Karey laughs. “I got a call from Eddie two weeks before we wrapped up, he wanted to see the film clips. I said, ‘Uh oh.’”

Not to fear, Eddie liked what he saw from Kirkpatrick and you will too. You too will travel into the “imaginary” world of Olivia Danielson.

“My mom is an actress,” Yara tells me about how she got into acting. “We are all doing something either behind the camera or in front”

On challenges to this movie Shahidi said, “I had to learn how to skate and sing (The Beatles).”

Speaking of the Beatles, the soundtrack to “Imagine That” is full of Beatles tunes. Colbie Caillat (“Bubbly”) and Mikal Blue do a duet of The Beatles’ “Here comes the sun.” You can learn more on the Paramount/Nickelodeon film and the soundtrack at www.ImagineThatMovie.com.

Eunice (www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com)

Hype Press Update

Governor Palin suggested in her resignation speech that she is quitting in order to better defend herself and her family. It looks like the woman is serious.

The day after her resignation, Palin’s legal counsel issued a very strong warning to media outlets on the subject of the 24/7 defamation of Sarah Palin.

Attorneys named the Huffington Post, MSNBC, the New York Times and The Washington Post. If a lawsuit is what it takes, I’m all for it. Huffington Post, MSNBC, the New York Times and The Washington Post are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to media outlets that are in too big of a hurry to publish to bother with little things like fact-checking. That’s why it’s called the Misinformation Age. The interesting thing about this kind of lawsuit is that the evidence of lies and gossip passing for journalism is everywhere.

From Palin’s attorney:

[S]everal unscrupulous people have asserted false and defamatory allegations that the “real” reasons for Governor Palin’s resignation stem from an alleged criminal investigation pertaining to the construction of the Wasilla Sports Complex. . Just as power abhors a vacuum, modern journalism apparently abhors any type of due diligence and fact checking before scurrilous allegations are repeated as fact. . .

To the extent several websites, most notably liberal Alaska blogger Shannyn Moore, are now claiming as “fact” that Governor Palin resigned because she is “under federal investigation” for embezzlement or other criminal wrongdoing, we will be exploring legal options this week to address such defamation. This is to provide notice to Ms. Moore, and those who re-publish the defamation, such as Huffington Post, MSNBC, the New York Times and The Washington Post, that the Palins will not allow them to propagate defamatory material without answering to this in a court of law. The Alaska Constitution protects the right of free speech, while simultaneously holding those “responsible for the abuse of that right.” Alaska Constitution Art. I, Sec. 5. http://ltgov.state.ak.us/constitution.php?section=1. These falsehoods abuse the right to free speech; continuing to publish these falsehoods of criminal activity is reckless, done without any regard for the truth, and is actionable.

Feminist Politics Gender News Sarah Palin Patriarchy Media Ghetto Journalism

LUCKY 7 RECORDS & LIGHTENING ENTERTAINMENT INC. PRESENTS N E MEANS WITH HIS DEBUT SINGLE “LUCKY TONIGHT”

Washington DC artist N E Means celebrates the release of his debut single “Lucky Tonight”. The up-tempo song is dedicated to the Wilson Family, the likes of Lowell Fulson, Ronnie Wilson, Robert Wilson and Charlie Wilson. The song pays tribute to the legendary family.

The Wilson family has been established in the music industry for 70 years. The Wilson Brothers aka The Gap Band: Charlie, Ronnie, and Robert Wilson have been performing together since the late 60’s, and have received or been nominated for numerous awards and is considered by industry standards as a multi-platinum group from Oklahoma. Moreover, 20 years prior their cousin Lowell Fulson (Wilson) also from Tulsa, was making waves in the blues arena with Lowell Fulson and The Lowell Fulson Band . The Lowell Fulson Band afforded the opportunity for the late-great Ray Charles, and Stanley Turrentine to get their start in the music industry. Lowell was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1993 for ” Best Traditional Blues Album.” His song titled “Reconsider Baby ” was chosen by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the top 500 songs that shaped Rock and Roll. In 2004 film titled, “Ray” featuring Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles, Uncle Lowell was portrayed by blues musician Chris Thomas King.

N E MEANS Hailing from the nation’s capital, the young Hip Hop rapper/song writer, “N E Means,” is armed with all of the tools necessary to supply the music business with a fresh & unique sound. Starting off as a “battle-rapper,” N E Means captivated early listeners with his dominant vocal delivery. Later, he expanded his original repertoire by performing “spoken word” pieces at major functions and national Universities, thus sharing his lyrical creativity with hundreds of listeners. However, it wasn’t until N E Means first entered into a music studio that he discovered his true passion for creating songs and musical composition.

By either collaborating with legendary hip hop artists, composing and performing advertisements for multi-million dollar companies or dazzling the masses on stage, N E Means carries a thorough and accomplished resume of song making and performance. With a deep and powerful voice as the driving force behind all of his songs, N E Means is also a master at developing electrifying and melodic choruses. Although early in his career, he has also served as a mentor to an arsenal of vocalists from all over the country, writing their lyrics and guiding them through the production process.

With musical influences such as LL COOL J, Heavy D, Jay Z, Kanye West and Timbaland, it is easy to see his musical appeal. And while being aired on soundscan rated stations, and published in nationally pressed magazines, N E Means is only just gaining the attention that he deserves. His diverse experiences provide the perfect balance between commercial sound and lyrical content. And with a sleek & dapper look he brings a flavourful dimension into hip hop reminiscent of early LL Cool J and Biggie Smalls (Christopher Wallace). He writes, produces and performs the vast majority of all of his music and always holds himself and his art form to the highest standards of sound quality and innovation.

With a determined focus and unstoppable work ethic, N E Means has a very promising future in this industry.

For more info on N E MEANS please visit: www.myspace.com/nemeans

Hype Press Update

Insanity: Palin’s Spokeswoman Can’t Even Make Up Reasons Why Crazy Sarah Palin Just Bailed On Her Elected Position As Governor
(Wonkette)
—
What a bizarre story! Obviously, no one has any idea of what Palin is up to - apparently, even Palin - and they can’t even make up anything.
This is certainly one way to stay in the media - just babble incoherently for as long as people will listen to you.

After Calling Hillary Clinton a Whiner, Palin Blasts Media’s “Different Standard”

One day after her rambling resignation speech in Wasilla, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was a no-show for July 4th events in her state. But that didn’t stop her from issuing yet another statement on Facebook, attacking the media for the “different standard [it] applies for the decisions I make.” As it turns out, it is Sarah Palin who is holding herself to a different standard; in March 2008, she slammed Hillary Clinton for whining about her own treatment at the hands of the press.

To be sure, the only inkling Palin gave about her new “higher calling” was that it will doubtless continue to feature her now trademark proclamations of victimization by the political media. In her statement, she labeled the press reaction to her cutting and running “predictable,” adding:

“How sad that Washington and the media will never understand; it’s about country. And though it’s honorable for countless others to leave their positions for a higher calling and without finishing a term, of course we know by now, for some reason a different standard applies for the decisions I make.”

During a Women and Leadership event back in March 2008, Governor Palin was asked about Senator Clinton’s response to media scrutiny - and criticism - she received on the campaign trail during the Democratic primaries. Palin made it clear to moderator Karen Breslau of Newsweek that she considered Clinton’s conduct unbecoming. Hillary, she insisted, needed to just “plow through”:

“Fair or unfair, I think she does herself a disservice to even mention it…When I hear a statement like that coming from a woman candidate with any kind of perceived whine about that excess criticism or, you know, maybe a sharper microscope put on her, I think, man, that doesn’t do us any good. Women in politics, women in general wanting to progress this country. I don’t think it’s, it bodes well for her — a statement like that…It bothers me a little bit hearing her bring that attention to herself on that level.”

Here’s the full Newsweek video of Palin complete response. For more on Palin’s post-election take on the media “stinkers” who caused “disappointment in my heart about the world of journalism today,” visit Perrspectives.

(Crooks and Liars)

—

Thank goodness that the American people were smart enough to realize that this moron would have been a horrific vice president. If it was too hard for her to be governor of Alaska, for goodness sake, can you imagine how terrified she’d be as VP with the problems we have today? She’d be catatonic!

I can’t imagine anyone voting for her for any office ever again - there’s no way to know whether she would finish her term or run away crying again because someone hurt her feelings.

This quitter is who the repugs were counting on to save them?! And who are these “countless others” who have cut & run from their responsibilities because the going got too tough for them? I have never heard a public official whine anywhere near as much as this baby - but, of course, that’s the only way to keep her name in front of the public.

Trife Diesel, aka Trife Da God, releases new mixtape, The Project Pope. The mixtape features hip hop heavyweights Ghostface Killah, B.O.B., and Termanology. See below for track listing and download link to The Project Pope.

Trife Diesel – The Project Pope (Full Mixtape)
http://www.sendspace.com/file/zw5sdp

01. I’m Saying It Now
02. War Scarz
03. 85 Hip Hop
04. Biscuits feat. Ghostface killah
05. War
06. Hustle Hard
07. The World Is A Ghetto
08. Blockstars feat. Lounga Lo
09. Grew Up Hard
10. Think It Over feat. Termanology
11. Beefing For Nothing
12. Fyuz feat. Termanology and Sun God
13. Speed of Light feat. B.O.B. and Inspectah Deck
14. State To State
15. The Game Don’t Change
16. Miguel Sanchez

Trife Diesel – Speed Of Life feat. B.O.B & Inspectah Deck
http://www.dailyrindblog.com/audio/trifediesel_speedoflife.mp3

Trife Diesel – War Scarz

http://www.dailyrindblog.com/audio/trifediesel_warscarz.mp3

FOLLOW TRIFE ON TWITTER
http://twitter.com/trifealmighty
ADD TRIFE AS A FRIEND ON MYSPACE
http://www.myspace.com/trifediesel

Hype Press Update

“People put labels on music. But good music is good music,” Press Play group member Paige Adkins said about their music which has been labeled Rock/Pop/R&B. “I use to wish I was a Rock star. I have my own stuff before the group, it’s R&B. Being in Press Play taps into the Rock artist in me.”

Other member of Press Play include Dave Hanley (the songwriter), Tyler Ray Logan, Anthony Rick and Paige (who is the daughter of comedian/actor Sinbad). Press Play members met at the Los Angeles Dream Center, a non-profit outreach center founded by Matthew Barnett, dedicated to helping inner-cities across the country, where they volunteer.

“The guys would say sing this, sing that and then ‘hey want to be on the album,’” Adkins laughs about how she went from solo artist to group member.

Press Play was formed by Matthew Barnett for his Dream Center, all the proceeds to the CD go back into the centers. He started with one Dream Center in Los Angeles and today he has 150 all over the world. The centers are open 24/7 and house homeless/mis-placed youth. The 15 year old center in Los Angeles currently houses 700 youth and is currently building a structure that will house 2,000.

The self-titled CD, “Press Play,” has 13 tracks and guest appearances by Darlene Zschech (Hillsong), IROCC and Tyler Williams (Everybody Hates Chris).

“One of the biggest reasons for doing this album is to help The Dream Centers,” Paige admitted.

Well, it will be worth the buy for not only will you be supporting this unbelievable organization but you will receive a variety of great music. My favorites on the “Press Play” CD include “I love who you are,” with Paige as lead singer, it has a Latin guitar feel it the beginning and ends as a hot Pop number; “Say say,” which combines Rock/Hip-Hop and R&B, and “Break It Out” something to so some buck wild dancing to.

For more on Press Play or The Dream Center log onto www.ThisIsPressPlay.com.

Hype Press Update