Music

Jessie Tylre Williams Drops Two New Singles and Both Chart to iTunes

It’s to no surprise that national recording artist and chart-topper, Jessie Tylre Williams was going to bring the world yet another hit to start the new year out with a bang. But she surprised us all with two! The first one was her original single titled, “Don’t Let Me Down” whereupon its release soared the iTunes Country chart landing at number 88.

From powerfully felt lyrics to the delivery of surrealness in every word, this song is relatable in more ways than one that you’ll just have to click play to understand.

The REMIX of “Don’t Let Me Down” comes with the same message, but more of an up-tempo to the production, and with its rise to Top 100 on the iTunes Pop chart, landing at number 52, it’s safe to say that her fans loved this version as well.

Click the Spotify link below to dive in.

Now, through an honest attempt to connect to her fans via her own vulnerability from a massively intimate space, Jessie recently did an interview on Vigilantes Radio, where she speaks on her purpose and reasoning behind writing the song. She explains how her desperation and despair forced her to nearly crawl her way out of the pits of hell in order to survive the turmoil her life had resorted to. From being homeless to drug addiction, her life was nearly leaning on its last straw. She then goes on to share how through her helplessness and strength combined, eventually, she found the will to survive and today stands strong as a recovering, ongoing success story. Tune in to hear more via iHeart Radio.

Follow Jessie Tylre Williams on her social profiles below

Official Website https://jessie-williams.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jessietylre/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JessieTylreWilliams/

Twitter https://mobile.twitter.com/jessietylre

Tips For Building a Successful Music Program

Recruitment Tip

It’s never too late to get students involved in music so engage your more advanced students and make them as visible as possible in your school building so that others can see how much they enjoy performing. Can they perform during lunchtime on Fridays; play a fun version of “Happy Birthday” for the teachers in your building on their special day by bursting into one of their classes with a branded balloon or ink pen; or serenade the office staff (including counselors) during Thanksgiving or Valentine’s Day to thank them for their hard work? And don’t forget the elementary or middle school music teachers! Is there a way to arrange to have a few of your experienced students show up at their former music teachers' classrooms to serenade them as well during their largest classes? All of this takes some extra coordination, but remember, recruiting is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year process, and the more that non-music students and future potential students see how much fun your current students are having, the more they will want to be a part of it. 

Retention Tip

If you haven’t booked the first concert for your newbies yet, now is the time! Download the FREE First Performance National Day of Celebration Toolkit and get ready to share the joy of the very first music-making experience with your beginners, their parents, and your administration. This 20-25 minute, scripted concert event generates a lot of excitement for everyone and leads to increased retention overall. 

Success Tip

It goes without saying that being a music educator requires a multitude of various tasks and having assistance makes all the difference. Now is the time to recruit and engage the parents of your new students who may be able to lend a hand and just need a little guidance on what they can do. Not only does it help to increase your efficiency, but it is also the first step toward building relationships with those who care the most about your students — their parents! NAfME has provided a wealth of information on how parents can support a music program and the Music Travel blog provides guidance through suggested key steps on getting parents involved. Be sure to involve the parents of current students who may be your best resource on engaging new parents.

Read more here.

Pusha Preme and Jay Browne Are Coming for the Throne with "Never Thought" - Listen

Billboard official Pusha Preme was born and raised in New York, he is an artist that wants to be recognized firstly for his musical art and we can see why.

Inspired by the likes of Kanye West, the artist has been releasing a consistent number of great projects as of late.

His latest single entitled “Never Thought” is intensity personified. Featuring Jay Browne the song is the result of the natural and undeniable chemistry between both artists. Captivating listeners with a hard trap-style beat. The song is inspired by the late MF Doom. The artists float over the beat with lyrics about overcoming the struggle that he came from. “I get what I want, I get what I need” is the catchy hook that fits perfectly into the production. Pusha’s style is direct and wonderfully unfiltered. The artist has really stepped up on his latest release, his hunger for industry success on clear display as he continues on his exciting musical journey.

Dat Gurl Netta - A Musical Powerhouse Worth Checking Out

Jeanetta Brantley, aka Dat Gurl Netta, is a rapper, songwriter, producer, and engineer whose harmonic vocal arrangements, rich beats, fire delivery, extensive musical knowledge, and impeccable cadence has propelled her to create some of the best music that’s performed by her and other legends that we admire today. 

Her latest album, “Mercury Retrograde” released in January of 2021, is taking listeners on major streaming platforms by surprise. Her music draws listeners in because her lyrical content is raw and focuses on things such as hate, envy, deceit, and toxic relationships that many experiences and can relate to.

Every song on this album bangs, but one that many love is “Enough is Enough” featuring Trace Kennedey. This song is a contemporary R&B/Hip hop ballad with a classic 90’s touch, unlike anything you’ve heard before. The melodious instrumentation produced by Netta, and Trace’s modern twist on an old-school favorite within his verse makes the track captivating from beginning to end. Within her verse, Netta speaks and represents every woman who has had enough of their partner’s disloyalty and cheating. Within the song, she leaves Trace leaving him to wonder where she’d gone, and begging her to come back to him. Netta’s witty lyrical response makes this song a lady’s anthem and a track that you must hear! Visit www.datgurlnetta.com or check it out on all major platforms. 

To follow her on social media, click links below

https://www.facebook.com/datgurlnetta

https://twitter.com/datgurlnetta

https://www.instagram.com/datgurlnetta/

https://www.tiktok.com/@datgurlnetta?

Billboard Lists The 13 Best Things That Happened in Music This Week

This week, the good vibes actually began on Saturday evening (April 18), as the massive Lady Gaga-curated One World: Together at Home special took over the four major broadcast networks. Mother Monster continued to dominate the week when she unveiled the track list for her upcoming album Chromatica, featuring some exciting A-listers.

Plus, a few other big events took place -- following the Let's Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince on Tuesday (April 21), the Jersey 4 Jersey benefit for the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund (featuring Halsey, Bruce Springsteen and more) and BET's Saving Our Selves: A BET COVID-19 Relief Effort special (with John Legend and others) both aired on Wednesday (April 22).

And the entertainment keeps coming, as Warner Music Group announced a virtual music festival featuring past performances from Cardi B, Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Panic! At The Disco, Paramore and more stars.

Take a look at some of the week’s biggest music happenings below.

Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, Beyonce, Lizzo and more entertained (for a good cause) during One World: Together at Home

So many amazing moments took place during the Lady Gaga-curated event on April 18 -- which raised more than $50 million to combat the coronavirus pandemic -- that it was hard to narrow it down, but Billboard managed to pick the 10 must-see highlights. 

If you missed out on Saturday, there's still time to rewatch the special online -- be sure to revisit Lady Gaga's "Smile" cover, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello's cozy duet, and The Rolling Stones' rocking Zoom collaboration.

Babyface and Teddy Riley's "Verzuz" battle finally happened

The battle between writer-producers Teddy Riley and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds was originally supposed to take place three Sundays prior, but technical issues and Babyface testing positive for COVID-19, among other factors, led to delays. The latest “Verzuz” eventually went down on Monday night (April 20), and Billboard scored the duel here. The final results? 13-10-2, Babyface.

Miley Cyrus, Snoop Dogg and more celebrated 4/20

"I won't be smokin' but the rest of my fam sure will be tokin'...Happy 4/20 y'all," Cyrus wrote on Instagram Monday (April 20). Other experts in the field, such as Snoop Dogg, Kacey Musgraves and Wiz Khalifa, also got in on the cannabis-oriented celebrations.

The Weeknd returned to No. 1 on the Hot 100

The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" continued to shine, as the single rebounded back to No. 1 to log a third total week in the penthouse. Plus, his album After Hours has now spent a month in the top spot on the Billboard 200. 
The combined accomplishments prompted a grateful tweet from Abel: “Wow! back on top + number 1 album for a whole month? Going to really cherish this moment. Big shout out to the fans. Can’t wait to see you all once we get through these bizarre times.”

Warner Music announced the star-studded PlayOn Fest

Live shows are off, but there's still a chance to PlayOn with WMG's new virtual music festival. The three-day event is happening this weekend (April 24-26) for 72 hours straight, and will showcase past performances from more than 65 of the label group's superstars. Cardi B, Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Panic! At The Disco, Green Day, Coldplay, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Roddy Ricch, Lil Uzi Vert, Paramore, Death Cab for Cutie, Twenty One Pilots, Weezer, David Guetta, Charlie Puth, and Wiz Khalifa are all on the lineup.

Let's Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince honored the late legend

CBS's Let's Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince was filmed all the way back in January, and so we were reminded of The Land Before the Time of Social Distancing when it aired on Tuesday (April 21). If you didn’t tune in, be sure to check out Billboard’s list of best moments, which conveniently highlights can’t-miss performances by Gary Clark Jr. & H.E.R., Miguel, Usher, Sheila E. and FKA Twigs, and Mavis Staples with The Revolution.

The DJ Grid Sells Out of Their Latest Album (Currently Available In Walmart, KMart, Sears, etc.)

Read full article on Billboard.com.

Electric Violinist Asher Laub Captures our "Attention"

Electric violinist, Asher Laub, spent the last 2 decades entrenched in the new york tristate club date music scene, although you wouldn’t know it from his youthful looks. He obtained three degrees in the sciences from top tier universities and pretty much ditched them all as he started gaining international exposure as an electric violinist. This ultra-intellectual artist is pretty versatile to say the least. This also captures our attention in more ways than one. It's ironic that his new single is a take on Charlie Puth's "Attention". It seems this man's backstory is something that would already garner people's attention as well.

 So how does a bright young nursing professional with so many degrees end up in music? According to Laub himself, it's because the violin is his passion. He started out on it so early. In an interview, he states that he chose the violin during his formative years. And he was deeply involved in the Suzuki method by the tender age of 3.

 With a craving for music, Laub studied classical, growing up. However, he loves to integrate the violin into modern pop, electronic and hip hop music. Take for example his song "Neon Dreams". Laub has just finished his music video for it as well. It features a pretty complex break-dancing routine. If you think that the violin does not pair with upbeat electronica, this song would prove you wrong.

 The New York based artist loves incorporating edgy music into his repertoire. His party-animal side seems to peak out from under the covers, as do the original tunes he produces. The marriage of such musical dichotomies as classical and dance is exactly what makes Laub so unique. His high energy productions set him apart from virtually anyone out there. And forging a unique path seems to be exactly the niche that Laub is so comfortable in. He is reticent, it seems, to produce anything that appears slightly conventional.

asher theatre.jpg

 The feedback from audiences around the world regarding "Neon Dreams" seems to prove that people really dig what Asher Laub is doing. His previous accolades might pale in comparison to the admiration he may garner from putting a fresh take on Charlie Puth's hit "Attention". The music video has some surprises, including the technology that comprises of special effects. Through even his covers, Laub utilizes the element of surprise that seems to be working for him so well.

 Those who have little exposure to either genres of music may have difficulty understanding what Asher Laub is trying to do. Radiohead faced the same confusion when they forged their unique path as a band. But experimental music does not have to sound clangy. It doesn't even need to be dissonant. In fact, it can be down right pop music friendly.

 Laub is on his mission to break into sacred musical spaces. He co-headlines at Carnegie Hall on June 29th to help raise funds and humanitarian awareness. Not only is it sure to be an eye-catching performance, but proceeds are going to Haitian-Americans in Action. The charity aims to end child slavery in Haiti. Also, the charity helps needy Haitians world-wide, including the United States.

Ultimately, you will miss out if you don't at least try to see what all the hype is about. You will at the very least be impressed by Laub's dexterity.

Download Asher’s music via iTunes, stream it on Spotify or click here. Find & follow Asher Laub on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.