watch: Qream nyc Launch Red Carpet With Pharrell Williams, Russell Simmons Miss Info & More

At July 25, 2011
By NESHA
In features / miss info / music / new york / pharrell / qream / russell simmons / swizz beatz

A rapper launching a liquor brand is not surprise, but an artist launching a liquor for women is something we haven’t quite seen yet.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do, and I definitely didn’t want to be another dude coming out with some hard drink that’s flammable and tastes more like rocket fuel,” said Pharrell Williams half of the production duo the Neptunes and frontman of N.E.R.D. at the launch of his liqueur Qream. “I felt like Puff kills it with Ciroc so I definitely didn’t want to stand in that lane so I chose women because I felt like women were under served and indulgence is something hard for women to celebrate.”

Pharrell says he likes serving women and his latest venture is dedicated to hard working women who need to indulge in something just for them at the end of a long day.

Celebrity friends including Selita Ebanks, Swizz Beatz, Q-Tip, Russell Simmons, Jay-Z and more came out to support the New York launch at the Public Library in midtown Manhattan. With all the star energy in the room, there of course had to be some entertainment, and Williams had the newly signed viral duo Karmin perform.

“I’m always inspired when I see hip hop artists do entrepreneurial things, it inspires a whole community,” Russell Simmons expressed when asked why he came out despite being known not to drink alcohol. “I think that’s one thing that we’re lacking in our community is ingenuity and creativity and new ideas. Pharrell and hip hop in general they exude that kind of courage, to go out on new ventures and go out on a limb and make something different.”

VIDEO: Young Guru On Making It In The Industry & Working With Jay-Z

At July 11, 2011
By NESHA
In interviews / jay-z / lrg / music / ninth wonder / red bull academy / young guru

Young Guru showed his support at the Ninth Wonder screening in New York at the Red Bull Academy. Known as the main producer of many of Jay-Z’s hits, Guru tapped Ninth Wonder back in 2003 to work on The Black Album which resulted in Ninth Wonder’s first mainstream hit “Threat.” Guru spoke to us about what it’s like working with Jay-Z in the studio, and also how he feels about new artists. He also speaks on how he feels being known by fans, despite being someone who works behind the scenes.

Read more for another video including an interview with 9thWonder and the maker of the film Ninth Wonder.

Read a full write up over on NBCNewYork.com [written by me]

London’s ILUVLIVE Showcase

ILUVLIVE @ Cargo London from Rhonesha Byng on Vimeo.

The name for this event is fitting because I absolutely love everything about ILUVLIVE including the live performances. Usually every performance is spot on, or interesting in some way. In addition to getting a feel for some local talent and stars of the indie scene, you’ll get to meet the young people of London and break out of the tourist bubble.

When I first started going to these showcases last year they were held at Proud Camden, but since then they’ve changed venues and the one I went to a few weeks ago was at Cargo in East London. East London is an area comparable to the Lower East Side in Manhattan or Williamsburg in Brooklyn so actually the change of venue is more fitting. The crowd is a diverse group of young people composed of the movers and shakers of London’s music and fashion scene.

The two highlight performances of the night included Terri Waker who is making a return to music after a five year hiatus and working on her fourth studio album with production by Ski Beatz (credits: Jay-Z/Mos Def). And, a 17 year old girl named Sasha who is said to come out of the same camp that developed Tinie Tempah, the rapper who is now breaking into the American market after chart topping success in London.

Watch the video to get a visual recap of the night, and read more for information on the background of the ILUVLIVE showcases.

Information from ILUVLIVE:

Launched in London in June 2004, ILUVLIVE is a live event success story. With few live showcases open to home grown music, ILUVLIVE has helped numerous performers present their artistry with a full live band to music industry virtuosos, journalists and fans alike. Since its launch ILUVLIVE has showcased the likes of Jessie J, Kano, Taio Cruz, Bashy, Chipmunk, Tinchy Stryder, Katy B, Ndubz, Roll Deep, Donaeo, DJ Ironik, Crazy Cousinz, Ms Dynamite, Natty, Eliza Doolittle, Plan B, Sway and Tinie Tempah often years before they became famous.

Each night features six acts all playing with a live band plus the ILUVLIVE 60 second open mic which has now reached legendry status. Even established acts sometimes get involved, just for the hell of it, alongside newcomers. Anyone can sign up for the open mic but the 8-12 slots fill up fast and the competition is ferocious with the act most popular with the audience winning a coveted slot at our next show.

Cargo

83 Rivington Street

Shoreditch

London EC2A 3AY

twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/iluvlive

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/iluvlive

VIDEO: Kris Kasanova – Break Up

Kris Kasanova – Break Up (Directed by Ibe + PHiLLY K) from Homeskool on Vimeo.

Quickly approaching 5,000 views after living online for barely a week, Kris Kasanova‘s latest video is making the rounds on all the top hip hop blogs and sites. On the heels of my interview with him, Kris is delivering with solid visuals to match up to the intricate stories he tells on his EP The Long Way Home. He’s gearing up to release a new project titled “War Paint” soon. He talks about it in my interview with him, so if you haven’t watched that yet, and want to learn more about this emerging Brooklyn artist watch HERE.

VIDEO: Big Sean Talks School, Success & New Album

At April 13, 2011
By NESHA
In big sean / career / def jam / features / finally famous / good music / interviews / music

Check out the video of our interview where Sean speaks on a bit of everything from school, to relationships, and more, including the best advice he’s received about being a new artist. Be sure to “read more” for a couple of clips from his performance.

After earning a 3.7 GPA at an elite high school in Michigan, Sean Michael Leonard Anderson, better known as Big Sean, turned down an almost full scholarship to attend Michigan state pursue a career in the music industry. He literally pressed pause on the education route and pushed play on the music and fast forward 4 years later he is signed to GOOD music/Def Jam and set to have his debut album Finally Famous released June 21st.

Looking back the MC realizes he probably could have gone to school but admits it would have been hard. But his friend Mike Posner, who graduated last year from Duke University, proved attending college and signing a record deal is indeed possible.

Agenda Additions: Fashion Industry Mixer + Diesel In Store Event

Here’s an example of the type of events we support here at SocietyandStyle. A chance to have fun while networking with like minded people in various industries. Click “read more” for full details on how to socialize with young professionals working in all aspects of the fashion industry at Polar Lounge and how you can check out an in store performance by Jesse Boykins at Diesel.

The folks over at Diesel just plugged us in to this new weekly music series they’re doing and they want me to invite the readers of SocietyandStyle.com. The 5th avenue store always seems to attract attention through their in-store events and buzz worthy in house DJ’s. Now they are continuing it with Diesel is launching new music in-store music series called Teaser Tuesday.

On March 29, catch a special performance by Jesse Boykins III at Diesel Planet (5th Ave/Madison) in NYC. Free drinks from 6-8pm for 21+!

DIESEL’s Music Teaser Tuesday is a monthly music series featuring new and established artists to perform at Diesel Planet (5th Ave/Madison) in NYC.

Date: 3/30/2011
Venue: The Marcel at Gramercy (Polar Lounge)
201 East 24th Street (corner of Third Avenue, next to Inoteca)
New York, NY 10010
Take the 6, R or W to 23rd St
http://www.nycpolar.com
Time: 7:00-10:00 PM

One hour open Bar with Polar Lounge cocktails 7-8pm | Drink specials $ 11 specialty cocktails, $9 well cocktails, $7 red/white/sparkling, $6 beers
CLICK HERE to RSVP by Monday, March 28th

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