The Chicago Rapper Will Embark on National Tour With Support From DJ/Drummer Cofresi

Critical Praise:

“ProbCause nimbly rides fusion-friendly hip-hop tracks; there’s the DJ Screwed-up dubstep buzzer ‘Ego Trip’ and the ecstatic rap-rock track ‘Neon Dreams.’” – SPIN“He’s a great rapper who you can imagine killing it at open mics, cyphers and old-school styled club nights.” – PotholesInMyBlog

“You’ll find WAVES incorporates several different genres within it’s overall hip-hop vibe– electronic, rock, and blues are some of the other elements tapped…” – HotNewHipHop

“The rising rapper […] has continued to dominate his own lane… Prob will have you locked in.” – XXL

“…just one conversation with ProbCause is enough to make you realize that he’s deeper than even his most serious lyrics suggest.” – Chicagoist.com

“The lanky MC’s vocal gymnastics have an elastic flow… he raps like a fan in the crowd hollering at the DJ to pump up the volume.” – Chicago Reader

“It’s diverse, veering from slower flows erring in the sub-genre of jazz-rap to hard-hitting, hard-spitting electro-rap. It’s a perfect summer project…” – HillyDilly

“In Chicago and beyond, ProbCause is one to watch. His skills, creativity and persona are refreshing and unlike much else. There is a spin on everything that sounds and feels distinctly his. In both the rap game and the art world he is changing the rules.” – FakeShoreDrive.com

The Tour:

With his eclectic sound that jumps from hip-hop, to electronic, to RnB, and then back to a classic boom-bap gritty rap, Chicago rapper ProbCause is embarking on a national tour with rapper/comedian Lil Dicky this summer. The prolific MC will be joined by DJ/drummer Cofresi on all dates, including shows at SummerCamp Music Festival and Wakarusa Music Festival. “Cofresi is my drummer/producer and a huge part of what we are building. He plays on a hybrid drum/DJ setup which I haven’t seen any other group play, so we’ve built a really unique live setup together,” says ProbCause.”Fans can definitely expect a lot of new music from my upcoming album which we will be dropping this summer as well as music from my WAVES EP. Anyone who has come to my shows in the past knows that I play a lot of music that I exclusively share at the live shows!”
Earlier this year, the Chicago rapper released an EP with Hologram Kizzie, fka Psalm One, as ZRO FOX. The project displays a range of hip-hop, trap, and wavy electro-spirited cuts, showing a musical chemistry that reaches new creative heights. “The EP offers plenty of thought-provoking rhymes and intense production for fans of alt-leaning hip-hop,” said Consequence of Sound in their premiere post. ProbCause is also gearing up for the release of new projects set to drop later this summer.

The Background:

ProbCause is a prolific rapper and a painter too. Between performing at SXSW, North Coast, Costa Rica, and tour dates nation-wide, ProbCause is keeping busy and inspiring fellow students at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. His sound, which jumps from hip-hop, to electronic, to RnB, and then back to a classic boom-bap gritty rap, helped get him signed to high-profile booking agency Paradigm. With stories that make you reminisce and a percussive delivery that highlights his versatile production skills, ProbCause is at the head of the pack of promising new Chicago artists.

Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj Lead with Six Nominations Followed by Beyoncé and Lil Wayne with Four

Sam Smith Receives Two Nods, and Newcomer FKA Twigs is Nominated for Best International Artist: UK

“BET Awards” to Air Live on Sunday, June 28 from Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles, CA at 8 P.M. ET

#BETAWARDS

BET Networks, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ:VIAB, VIA), announced the nominations for the “BET Awards” 2015. Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj lead with an impressive six nominations. Chris Brown is nominated for ‘Best Male R&B/Pop Artist,’ two separate nods in the ‘Best Collaboration’ category, two nominations in the ‘Video of the Year’ category and the ‘Coca-Cola® Viewers’ Choice Award.’ Nicki Minaj is nominated ‘Best Collaboration,’ ‘Best Female Hip Hop Artist,’ ‘Video of the Year,’ two nominations for ‘Coca-Cola® Viewers’ Choice Award’ and ‘Best Group’ as a member of Young Money. Beyoncé and Lil Wayne round it out with four nominations each. Beyoncé is nominated for ‘Best Female R&B / Pop Artist,’ ‘Video of the Year,’ ‘Video Director of the Year,’ and the coveted ‘Coca-Cola® Viewers’ Choice Award.’ Lil Wayne is nominated for ‘Best Collaboration,’ ‘Video of the Year,’ ‘Coca-Cola® Viewers’ Choice Award,’ and ‘Best Group’ as a member of Young Money. This year also marks a special milestone for the “BET Awards” as it celebrates its 15th anniversary live from the Nokia Theatre, Sunday, June 28, 2015.

BET Networks recognizes artists, entertainers, and athletes across 20 categories with the “BET Awards” 2015 nominations. The nominations are selected by BET’s Voting Academy, which is comprised of fans and an esteemed group of entertainment professionals in the fields of television, film, music, social media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, and the creative arts.

“This year’s nominees showcase a diverse group of talent that includes longstanding entertainers, breakout performers, and outstanding athletes,” said Stephen Hill, BET’s President of Programming. “We congratulate all of the talent on their remarkable contributions to the world of entertainment and look forward to them joining us in celebrating 15 years of the BET Awards.”

Here is the complete list of 2015 BET Awards nominees:

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
Ciara
Janelle Monae
K. Michelle
Rihanna
Jhené Aiko

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
August Alsina
Chris Brown
John Legend
The Weeknd
Usher
Trey Songz

Best Group
A$AP Mob
Rich Gang
Rae Sremmurd
Migos
Jodeci
Young Money

Best Collaboration
August Alsina f/ Nicki Minaj – “No Love” (Remix)
Big Sean f/ E-40 – “IDFWU”
Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne and Tyga – “Loyal”
Chris Brown f/ Usher and Rick Ross – “New Flame”
Common and John Legend – “Glory”

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Drake
Common
J. Cole
Big Sean
Wale
Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Azealia Banks
Dej Loaf
Tink
Iggy Azalea
Nicki Minaj
Trina

Video of the Year
Beyoncé – “7/11” Big Sean f/ E-40 – “IDFWU”
Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne and Tyga – “Loyal”
Chris Brown f/ Usher and Rick Ross – “New Flame”
Common and John Legend – “Glory”
Nicki Minaj – “Anaconda”

Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Chris Robinson
Fatima Robinson
Hype Williams
Beyoncé, Ed Burke and Todd Tourso

Best New Artist
Bobby Shmurda
Dej Loaf
Fetty Wap
Rae Sremmurd
Tinashe
Sam Smith

Best Gospel Artist
Donnie McClurkin
Erica Campbell
Hezekiah Walker
Tye Tribbett
Tamela Mann

Best Actress
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Taraji P. Henson
Tracee Ellis Ross
Viola Davis

Best Actor
Anthony Anderson
Idris Elba
Kevin Hart
Jussie Smollett
Terrence Howard

YoungStars Award
Mo’ne Davis
Quvenzhané Wallis
Jacob Latimore
Jaden Smith
Zendaya

Best Movie
Annie
Beyond the Lights
Selma
Top Five
Think Like a Man Too

Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Skylar Diggins
Venus Williams

Subway Sportsman of the Year
Chris Paul
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Stephen Curry
Marshawn Lynch
LeBron James

Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
Beyoncé – “7/11”
Dej Loaf – “Try Me”
Kendrick Lamar – “i”
Nicki Minaj f/ Drake and Lil Wayne – “Only”
Rae Sremmurd f/ Nicki Minaj and Young Thug – “Throw Sum Mo”
The Weeknd – “Earned It”

Centric Award
Avery Sunshine – “Call My Name”
Jazmine Sullivan f/ Meek Mill – “Dumb”
Mark Ronson f/ Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”
Sam Smith f/ Mary J. Blige – “Stay With Me”
The Weeknd – “Earned It”

Best International Act: Africa
AKA (South Africa)
Fally Ipupa (Dr Congo)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Sauti Sol (Kenya)
Stonebwoy (Ghana)
The Soil (South Africa)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)

Best International Act: UK
FKA twigs
Fuse ODG
Lethal Bizzle
Little Simz
Mnek Stormzy

Frenchie, Brick Squad Monopoly Artist and label owner of Protekted Records, has been working hard in the paint. He is set to release his blazing new single “Project X”, an EDM meets Hip Hop track. It features YMCMB signee Chanel West Coast and is produced by 19-year-old Detroit producer Skyler “SKYrise” Kallabat. Frenchie previously worked with Chanel on his smash hit “Ain’t Goin Nowhere” featuring B.O.B and the YMCMB princess. “Project X” has a strong Detroit sound, Frenchie holds nothing back as her murders the track.

Frenchie spits:

Imma get this party so live, I’m so high,

You need to come smoke with ya, Boy,

Mad love, girl sleeping in a bathtub

Too drunk can’t make the sink,

who’s cleaning this damn rug

Frenchie and Chanel filmed the visuals for “Project X” last Wednesday at Pontiac’s Elektricity nightclub. The video was directed by Gerard Victor, who has helmed videos for Black Milk and Fabolous, among others. Frenchie and Chanel also held a Meet and Greet at Pogo in Birmingham. “Project X” is scheduled to be released on Chanel’s debut album “The Life,” which has been in the works for some time and is tentatively due out this summer.

Look out for Frenchie’s untitled freshman set which is projected to drop this fall via his Protekted Records imprint and will include “Project X”.

Recent Press

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/music/2015/05/07/rapper-singer-chanel-west-coast-keeps-party-going/70937224/

To keep up with Frenchie on social media check out the links below:

Twitter: @FrenchieBSM https://twitter.com/FrenchieBSM

Instagram: @FrenchieBSM http://instagram.com/p/ubLgMGhKFk/

Souncloud: https://soundcloud.com/frenchiebsm

To keep up with Chanel West Coast on social media check out the links below:

Twitter: @chanelwestcoast https://twitter.com/chanelwestcoast

Instagram: @chanelwestcoast https://instagram.com/chanelwestcoast/

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ChanelWestCoast

About Frenchie

From the gritty streets of South Jamaica Queens, to his critically acclaimed mixtapes like “Long Overdue”, “The Concrete Jungle” and his recently released EP “Fukk Fame”, Greg “Frenchie” Hogan, an original member of Brick Squad Monopoly, Hip Hop Artist and label owner of the recently launched Protekted Records is a visionary who implements his amazing capacity for music in each and every masterpiece that he works on. A Queens native, and Atlanta transplant Frenchie, was exposed to the many hardships of his environment but was determined to succeed and not become a product of it.

“To be honest, I grew up around a lot of ignorance. The older people that I looked up to, they were jackers; robbers. I was a part of it, too; but I always wanted more.” Frenchie displays a brutal honesty in describing his come up.

Using music as a path to achievement, fourth-grade ciphers graduated to sixth-grade battles, and circumstantial yet pre-destined familial ties led to music as the only career option. “My family runs deep – my cousin Bimmy used to be an A&R at Def Jam, and DJ Hurricane – my uncle – was the Beastie Boys’ DJ.” Add that to the fact that Debra Antney is his aunt, and Waka Flocka is his blood cousin you see how Frenchie wasn’t left with much of a choice – succeed in music, or stay in the hood.

A constant tour de force of videos, work, and tours, Frenchie’s Internet presence is a sight to behold: a quick WorldStarsearch brings forth over forty self-produced music videos, and his YouTube presence includes videos spanning back several years, and millions of collective views.

Showing no signs of slowing up, Frenchie’s onslaught will continue with the release of his debut album, scheduled to drop this summer. The album will feature B.O.B, Gucci Mane, Waka Flocka, Jerry Wonda, Migos, Yo Gotti and more. Having done features with a broad range of Southern stars (Juicy J, Project Pat, Yung Joc, Gorilla Zoe, Soulja Boy), family members (Gucci Mane, Waka Flocka, Wooh Da Kid), and East Coast up-and-comers (French Montana, John Depp, Webstar, and the late G. Baby), Frenchie’s groundwork has laid a solid, universal foundation. Success is only a step away.

About Chanel West Coast

Chanel West Coast is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, actress, model and television personality. She came to prominence for her roles in MTV’s Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory and Ridiculousness. Chanel is signed to Lil Wayne’slabel Young Money Entertainment. She released her critically acclaimed mixtape “Now You Know” in 2013.The mixtape featured Evan Ross, French Montana, Snoop Dogg and Robin Thicke. Riley Sky of Dropkick Divas Media gave the mixtape a grade of B-, saying “Now You Know accomplishes the mission of selling West Coast as an independent woman, its’ hip-hop-inspired vibe makes “Now You Know” fiercely individual”. Chanel promoted her mixtape by going on two headlining tours; the Punch Drunk Love Tour and the Now You Know Tour. She also released a music video for“Been On“, featuring French Montana.

Chanel’s collaboration with Shanell “Hittin Like” won a BET Music Award in 2014.

About KLPR Group

KLPR Group, LLC is a New York – based boutique public relations, marketing and communications consulting firm catering to a broad based clientele in the worlds of entertainment, lifestyle, fashion and music. KLPR Group was founded 6 years ago by publicist and brand architect Kathy Liautaud who built her resume working with Wyclef Jean, Jerry Wonda, Rich Dollaz, BET, MTV, Angela and Vanessa Simmons and working as a freelance consultant with AKOO, Parish Nation and Triple Fat Goose and Born Fly. A seasoned and accomplished branding guru and publicist. Ms. Liautaud started her firm when she saw there was a void in the public relations, marketing and branding realm that catered to the urban market. KLPR Group offers a more personalized, innovative and cohesive brand solution.

KLPR Group are experts in executing strategic and compelling marketing, publicity and branding campaigns that are distinctive, powerful, and caters to their clients needs. KLPR Group specializes in brand management, lifestyle marketing, media/celebrity events, public relations, product placement, fashion styling, image consultant, promotions, special events and brand development. Management skill set includes strategic partnership development, client relationship building, product launches, product seeding, market analysis, promotional opportunity evaluation, strategic planning, procuring sponsors, and program budgeting. Extensive contacts among celebrities and media/press with in-depth experience in creating and managing celebrity/media events for new product brand identification and public recognition.

BOOSIE BADAZZ ANNOUNCES FIRST SHOW EVER IN NYC

FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF “TOUCH DOWN 2 CAUSE HELL”;

LEGENDARY RAPPER HERALDS FIRST FULL-LENGTH RELEASE IN FOUR YEARS

WITH NEW TRACKS, “HANDS UP” AND “RETALITATION”;

“TOUCH DOWN 2 CAUSE HELL” OFFICIALLY DROPS MAY 26TH

Trill Entertainment and Atlantic Records recording artist Boosie BadAzz has announced his first show ever in NYC on May 26th at Webster hall. Tickets will be available for purchase tomorrow at http://bit.ly/BoosieNYC. The show will celebrate the delivery of his long awaited new album “TOUCH DOWN 2 CAUSE HELL,” which is available for pre-order here http://smarturl.it/TD2CH.

“TOUCH DOWN 2 CAUSE HELL” is preceded by the new tracks, “Hands Up” https://youtu.be/8FzEY7pvU-s and “Retaliation” https://youtu.be/K86fdjt8fns. The massively anticipated album – which also includes the street single, “On That Level (Feat. Webbie)” – is further heralded by Boosie’s “TOUCH DOWN 2 CAUSE HELL” documentary trailer, now streaming at https://youtu.be/4kBTEi2PD_0. Episodes 1 and 2 have already been released and can be viewed via his official YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPVfeAUR89G53sbucOsv6lg.

Boosie BadAzz – until recently known worldwide as Lil’ Boosie – is among the most celebrated rappers of his generation. The Baton Rouge native first lit up the hip hop underground at just 17 and soon teamed with the renowned label Trill Entertainment to unleash a series of undisputed classics, including 2003’s “GHETTO STORIES” and 2004’s “GANGSTA MUSIK” (both with longtime collaborator Webbie), and 2009’s top 10 breakthrough, “SUPERBAD: THE RETURN OF BOOSIE BADAZZ.” His fifth and most recent solo album, 2010’s “INCARCERATED,” was recorded and released while serving a 96-month prison sentence at Angola Louisiana State Penitentiary. The album earned widespread acclaim, with SPIN hailing it as “an enormously heartfelt album that makes his legal plight even more of a feel-bad story.”

Released in March 2014 after serving a reduced sentence of 52 months, Boosie made his first public statements at the #BOOSIESPEAKS press conference, streamed live from New Orleans to his global fan following. The event proved one of the largest urban streams in Atlantic Records history with 40K people logged on and 177K overall viewers.

Since then, Boosie has been among this year’s most active and in demand rappers, with appearances on such tracks as 2 Chainz “Wuda Cuda Shuda (Feat. Lil Boosie),” Dorrough Music’s “Beat Up The Block (Feat. Lil Boosie),” DJ Mustard’s “Face Down (Feat. Lil Wayne, Big Sean, YG & Lil Boosie),” Jeezy’s “Beez Like (Feat. Lil Boosie),” and T.I.’s “Jet Fuel (Feat. Boosie Badazz).”

For more information, please log on to http://www.officialboosie.com/, twitter.com/lilboosie_ (@lilboosie_), www.trillent.com, and www.atlanticrecords.com.

BOOSIE BADAZZ

“TOUCH DOWN 2 CAUSE HELL”

(Trill Entertainment/Atlantic)

Release Date: May 26th

In ESSENCE’s groundbreaking February 2015 ‘Black Lives Matter’ issue, ESSENCE editors and a myriad of esteemed contributors focused attention on the daring modern-day civil rights movement unfolding across the nation and set the agenda for ‘What We Must Do Now’ with a bold dialogue in the pages of the magazine. Today, Essence is announcing a slate of empowerment programming and a ‘Peace, Prayer & Purpose Rally’ to bring that conversation to life during the daytime Empowerment Experience at the 2015 ESSENCE Festival, July 2-5 in New Orleans.

“Communities across the country are rallying for justice, as Black Americans face systemic inequalities and troubling disparities with respect to police brutality, employment, education, earning power, health and upward socio-economic mobility,” said Essence President Michelle Ebanks. “In an effort to shed light on the issues, address the pain, explore solutions and advance the movement in these critical times, Essence is unveiling a series of powerful keynotes and in-depth conversations that will culminate in the ‘Peace, Prayer & Purpose Rally’.”

The ESSENCE Empowerment Experience programming will extend the conversation on race relations; addressing where we are now and where we go from here with a wide range of the nation’s foremost leaders, activists and influencers—including Deepak Chopra, Rev. Al Sharpton, Steve Harvey, Iyanla Vanzant, Donna Brazile and many more.

In addition, prominent mayors, including Karen Freeman-Wilson (Gary, IN) and Mitch Landrieu (New Orleans, LA), will join a Mayor’s Panel for a deep-dive conversation on the critical issues and best-practices in communities around the country; Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, will deliver a keynote address entitled Moms on a Mission: Mothers Turning Tragedy Into Triumphant Change; and leading experts, including Senator Karen Carter Peterson, Dr. Steve Perry, Nicole Paultre Bell and more will weigh in on the educational, policy and social issues impacting our communities for a discussion on Where Do We Go From Here: Black Lives Matter. The Empowerment Experience Sunday Prayer Vigil and All-Star Gospel Tribute round out the weekend programs with poignant moments of reflection, rededication and inspiration.

For more information about schedules, ticket sales, accommodations and the latest news about the ESSENCE Festival, visit ESSENCE Festival www.essencefestival.com, join the Festival community: follow us on Twitter @essencefest #EssenceFest and become a fan of 2015 ESSENCE Festival on Facebook.

The 2015 ESSENCE Festival™ is executive produced by ESSENCE Festivals LLC, a division of ESSENCE Communications Inc. (ECI), and produced by Solomon Group. GeChar is the executive producer of the 2015 ESSENCE Empowerment Experience and Empower U.

Sponsors of the 2015 ESSENCE Festival include presenting sponsor Coca-Cola and major sponsors Ford, McDonald’s, My Black Is Beautiful, Samsung Galaxy, State Farm, Verizon, Walmart and official media partner MSNBC. Superlounge sponsors include Coca-Cola, Ford, Verizon and Walmart. The All-Star Gospel Tribute is sponsored by Walmart.

ABOUT ESSENCE COMMUNICATIONS INC.:
ESSENCE Communications Inc. (ECI) is the number one media company dedicated to African-American women, with a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events and online. The company’s flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; generating brand extensions such as the ESSENCE Festival, ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood and Black Women in Music, Window on Our Women and Smart Beauty consumer insights series, the ESSENCE Book Club, ESSENCE.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 45 years, ESSENCE, which has a brand reach of 13.4 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information and specific solutions relating to every area of African-American women’s lives. Additional information about ECI and ESSENCE is available at www.essence.com.

SOURCE ESSENCE magazine

RELATED LINKS
http://www.essence.com

LEONA LEWIS JOINS ISLAND RECORDS UK AND DEF JAM RECORDINGS U.S.

NEW TRACK AND VIDEO, “FIRE UNDER MY FEET,” DEBUTS WORLDWIDE ON VEVO

SPECIAL SHOWCASE AT THE HOSPITAL CLUB IN LONDON PREVIEWS SONGS FROM FORTHCOMING ALBUM I AM TO RAVE REVIEWS

Multi-platinum, award-winning, world-class British singer Leona Lewis becomes the newest artist to join the Def Jam Recordings roster in the U.S. – via Island Records in the UK. Island released her new track and video, “Fire Under My Feet.” http://www.vevo.com/watch/leona-lewis/Fire-Under-My-Feet/GBUV71500226

“Fire Under My Feet,” co-written by Leona and Toby Gad is the first advance single from I AM, Leona’s eagerly anticipated fifth album, set for a fall release worldwide. The album was produced by hit­maker Toby Gad (credits: John Legend, One Direction, Fergie, Alicia Keys). Leona recently released an exclusive trailer for her Facebook and Twitter followers: http://po.st/FIRETeaserFB

At a special late-April showcase at the Hospital Club in London, Leona previewed five songs from I AM to ecstatic reviews. In addition to “Fire Under My Feet,” she sang “I Got You,” “Ladders,” “Thank You,” and the album title track, “I Am.” “At last, Leona Lewis is who she wants to be – and it is truly wonderful to behold,” raved the Daily Express. “’Ladders’ and ‘I Am’ are instant crowd-pleasers with thumping basslines and euphoric choruses, which see Lewis grabbing a tambourine and pounding out a hook on the piano.” Echoed MTV.com, “The singer has made her highly anticipated comeback and we can’t wait for more.”

“This is clearly going to be Leona’s statement album,” declared The Independent. “From what we’ve heard so far it’s full of passion, heartache and struggle, but it’s lined with hope and a general sense that this is the happiest she has ever been with what she is performing. Every man and his dog knows that Leona has an incredibly strong vocal, but now she finally has an equally strong voice to go with it.”

Leona Lewis exploded onto the scene in 2007, when she won the UK’s prestigious Ivor Novello Award, and her RIAA platinum debut album Spirit (10x-platinum in the UK) hit #1 on charts around the world, including the U.S., UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. The album, which sold over 8 million copies worldwide, was buoyed by a quintet of hit singles, including the RIAA quadruple-platinum “Bleeding Love” (#1 in over 35 countries, with 7 weeks at #1 on the UK chart), followed by “Better In Time,” “Footprints in the Sand,” “Forgive Me,” and “Run.” This set a new record for a British female artist with the highest number of singles reaching Top 5.

In the U.S., “Bleeding Love” was #1 for 4 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, the biggest-selling single of 2008, which earned Leona the Billboard Music Award for Top New Artist of the Year. She received three Grammy Award® nominations, and went on to record “I See You (theme from Avatar)” at producer-director James Cameron’s personal request.

Spirit made UK history as the top-selling debut album by a female artist; and Leona became the first UK solo artist to hit #1-bullet on the Hot 100 in the U.S. (with “Bleeding Love”) since 1982, and the first UK solo artist to hit #1 with a debut album. Her double-platinum Echo followed in 2009 (featuring “Happy”), then Glassheart in 2012 (with “Trouble” featuring Childish Gambino), and Christmas, With Love in 2013.

In addition to the Ivor Novello Award and the MTV VMA for Best UK Video (for “Bleeding Love”), Leona has won two MOBO Awards in the UK, and more than 20 music awards in countries around the world.

http://leonalewismusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/leonalewis

https://twitter.com/leonalewis

https://instagram.com/leonalewis/

HBO announces the May 18th premiere of Southern Rites, an insightful and thought-provoking documentary that tells the story of two neighboring towns in Southeast Georgia entrenched in racial tension. Directed by acclaimed photographer Gillian Laub and executive produced by musician John Legend, Troy Carter and Mike Jackson, the 90-minute film examines race relations, a segregated prom, politics and the killing of an unarmed young black man that will forever bind the residents of these two small towns together.

On May 11^th, John Legend and Gillian Laub will host an invite-only event screening in New York City. The screening will be followed by an interactive panel discussion, where participants will share their thoughts and perspectives on the story and the film itself.

“With a film as provocative as Southern Rites, creating a platform that inspires dialogue is integral to our promotion of the film,” said Lucinda Martinez, SVP of Multicultural Marketing. “The film is not only the story of the residents in Southeast Georgia but in many towns all over the country. Laub is a compelling storyteller and we’re proud to support her work.”

Montgomery County, GA first gained notoriety when Laub visited the small town of 9,000 residents in 2009 to document its proms, which remained segregated despite the integration of schools in 1971. Laub’s story went on to run in the New York Times, garnering national attention (ref: A Prom Divided, New York Times). A year later, Laub returned after the town combined its proms, to document the shift and also highlight an historic election campaign that may lead to its first African-American sheriff.

While Laub was in town filming, a white resident was charged with the murder of a young black man in Montgomery County’s neighboring town, Toombs County. As the case wears on, it divides locals in both towns along their well-worn racial lines, while the ensuing plea bargain and sentencing uncover complex truths and produce emotional revelations.

“This is a story that needs to be told,” said Director Gillian Laub. “This film is about giving a voice to the people of Montgomery and Toombs counties. This is their narrative. I’m grateful to HBO for their support and the opportunity.”

The film debuts the week of the Supreme Court’s landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision 61 years ago.

Southern Rites airs on HBO on May 18 at 9 PM. For additional information about Southern Rites, visit: http://www.hbo.com/documentaries/southern-rites#/.

About Home Box Office®
Home Box Office, Inc. is the premium television programming subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. and the world’s most successful pay TV service, providing two television services – HBO® and Cinemax® – to approximately 127 million subscribers worldwide. HBO Documentary Films offers a full spectrum of stellar, non-fiction programming by acclaimed documentary filmmakers. The network’s steadfast commitment to timely and engaging documentary filmmaking has earned it virtually every major programming award, including dozens of Primetime Emmys®, News & Documentary Emmys®, and Peabody® and Academy Awards®.

Storming onto the music scene with over 1.5 Million Youtube views on her “Brooklyn (Chiraq Freestyle)”, Young M.A, the 23-year old MC from Brooklyn, NY has announced a marketing and distribution partnership with Duck Down Music. The deal will be set in motion with the release of Young M.A’s upcoming Mixtape, ‘Sleepwalking’ (Summer, 2015), followed by her debut project ‘Herstory.’

10-time Billboard Music Award winner 50 Cent will be among the presenters for the award show…

The 2015 Billboard Music Awards returns to ABC on Sunday, May 17, at 8 p.m. ET and will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas…

Ludacris will co-host with supermodel (and Legend’s wife) Chrissy Teigen…

STREAM SNOOP DOGG’S ALBUM BUSH ON ITUNES ONE WEEK BEFORE MAY 12^TH DATE

SNOOP & PHARRELL WILLIAMS SHARE EXCLUSIVE INSIGHT TO ALBUM CREATION IN NEW VIDEO

NEW SINGLE ‘CALIFORNIA ROLL’ PLAYED HOURLY ON iHEARTRADIO; PRE-ORDER ALBUM NOW AND RECEIVE NEW SONG ‘CALIFORNIA ROLL’ FEATURING STEVIE WONDER IMMEDIATELY

Entertainment icon Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams have shared exclusive insight into the creation of select tracks, including “California Roll” featuring Stevie Wonder, off of Snoop Dogg’s new album BUSH in advance of the May 12^th release date. Fans can get an intimate look of the creative process between the two online here: http://smarturl.it/BUSHtracksSnoop Dogg shared a pre-release stream of his highly anticipated album BUSH on iTunes radio, a full week prior to its official release on May 12^th. The album’s new single “California Roll” was rolled out in style for Snoop followers, with iHeartRadio having played the new track hourly on their Urban and Urban AC stations and at various times throughout the day at select Urban AC Stations.