No stranger to delivering powerful messages through videos that occasionally go viral, motivational speaker Dr. Eric Thomas, aka ET the hip-hop preacher has found himself reaping the benefit of becoming a worldwide trending topic due to his heartfelt 'Nothing Funny,' clip shot at Vashon High School in St. Louis, Louisiana.
ET explains why he will not be disrespected, and challenges a group of underperforming students to reach their potential.
Although my month long free trial of Tidal just ended, I'm committed to maintaining a subscription to the premium music streaming service headed by industry favorites including Jay-Z, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Madonna and Kanye West. I will be the first to admit, I was very hesitant to literally buying into a streaming service knowing that there is so much music that's legally available online for free. Ultimately, it took the respect and love I have for the consistent genius artistry of Kanye West to give the highly publicized platform a shot once he announced that his new album, The Life of Pablo, would only be released via Tidal. Not only did TLOP live up to my expectations, I fell in love with all of the other great music I had been missing.
Being that it's been reported that Pablo's exclusive release helped double Tidal subscriptions, it's no surprise that right when the free trial period came to an end, Yeezy made multiple tweaks to his latest project including altered vocal arrangements on 'Famous', new vocals from Sia and Vic Mensa on 'Wolves', and a new track called 'Frank's Track' featuring Frank Ocean. Although other streaming services such as Apple Music, Spotify, Rhapsody, and Google Play are all doing well, and perform in many areas better, Tidal continues to show promise as a work in progress with many powerful artists with ownership stakes. That makes room for a lot of new exclusive music and video releases, where loyal subscribers can get first dibs on spontaneous releases.
Eric B. & Rakim are by far one of the greatest music groups of all time. There's not too many true hip-hop enthusiasts that will leave Rakim off of their top 5 dead or alive emcee list, but not enough is said about his legendary partner in crime.
A sold out crowd made their way to Patchwerk Studios to experience the latest I dO MUSIC Weekend Werkshop series with Grammy Award winning music producer DJ Toomp.
If attendees were paying attention at the I dO MUSIC Weekend Werkshop featuring Aldrin 'DJ Toomp' Davis, they would have noticed that the super producer showed a great since of pride when describing his come up in the music business. While breaking down, 'The Anatomy of a hit Record,' the Atlanta native broke down how much different it was to get put on 30 years ago. Although Davis had the advantage of being an early bloomer, getting DJ money locally in high school, after graduation, he realized that in order to really make some noise, he had to move to Miami, which had a much stronger music industry presence at the time.
Toomp ultimately explained that having great ears, an authentic obsession for music, a deep music collection, and creative skills, and knowledge of some of the latest production hardware and software, should put you on the path to hit records. Davis also stressed the importance of asking plenty of questions, learning the business aspect of the industry, and surrounding yourself with a solid team. Toomp's hitmaking discography includes smashes that he has created with Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, Kanye West, TI, Ludacris, Jeezy, Rick Ross, and many others.
Kick off 2016 by attending our informative werkshop series, Weekend Werkshop held exclusively at Patchwerk Recording Studios. Our topic is Music Licensing and Clearance instructed by Janet Wade. Find out how your music can make it to the television or the big screen January 23rd! Click link in bio for ticket info.
Ludacris featuring Shawnna
"What's Your Fantasy"
Back for the First Time
Label: Disturbing tha Peace/Def Jam
Produced by: Bangladesh
Directed by: Jeremy Rall
*Mixed at Patchwerk Recording Studios
B.o.B featuring Bruno Mars
"Nothin' On You"
B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray
Label: Rebel Rock/Grand Hustle/Atlantic
Produced by: The Smeezingtons
Directed by: Ethan Lader
*Recorded at Patchwerk Recording Studios
Luther Banks is a seasoned audio engineer that makes his living recording and mixing music. He's earned a Grammy nomination for recording several songs on the Faith Evans R&B Divas album.
His credits include:
Eric Thomas - Dr. Thomas
Joshilyn Jackson – "A Grown Up Kind Of Pretty"
Black Dynamite - Cartoon Network
Pop Up Video - VH1
Ambassador Andrew Young - 11 Alive News
Ivan Kelly "She Bout That"
LZ Tha Artist "At It Again"
LZ Tha Artist "Potential"
LZ Tha Artist "Lifestyle"
LZ Tha Artist "Picture Me"
LZ Tha Artist "Redbull & Ciroc"
Mike Izzo "No Reason"
Regina Belle "Atlanta Hawks Half Time Show"
Patchwerk Recording Studios’ chief mastering engineer Kenny Daniels, aka Kenny Mixx, has worked with artists including B.o.B, Yo Gotti, Scrappy, Pit Bull, Yung Joc, Flo Rida, Rick Ross, T.I. and many others.
Credits Include:
Faith Evans - R&B Divas
Grammy Nomination for Best R&B Album (2013)
2 Chainz - "Riot"
Gold
B.o.B. - "Grip Ya Body"
Gold
B.o.B. - "I'll Be In The Sky"
Gold
GS Boyz - "Stanky Leg"
Gold
Kanye West - "Jesus Walks" (remix)
Gold
Pitbull - "Hotel Room"
Platinum
Yung Joc - "It's Going Down"
3 x Platinum
Mike Wilson has earned more than a dozen Grammy nominations, including wins for Beyoncé’s Dangerously in Love and BeBe & CeCe Winans’ Still.
His credits include:
Grammy Nominated Engineer
Record of the Year 2010: B.o.B./ Bruno Mars – “Nothin on You”
Grammy Nominated Engineer
Best Rap/ Sung Collaboration 2010: B.o.B./ Bruno Mars – “Nothin on You”
Grammy Nominated Engineer
Best Rap Album 2010: B.o.B./ Bruno Mars – The Adventures of Bobby Ray
Grammy Nominated Engineer
Best Rap Song 2010: B.o.B./ Bruno Mars – “Nothin on You”
Grammy Winning Engineer
Best Contemporary Gospel Album 2010: BeBe and CeCe Winans – Still
Grammy Nominated Engineer
Best Contemporary Gospel Album 2010: VaShawn Mitchell – Triumphant
Grammy Nominated Engineer
Best Gospel Performance 2010: VaShawn Mitchell – “Nobody Greater”
GMA Dove Award Nominated Engineer
Best Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year 2010: VaShawn Mitchell – Triumphant
Grammy Nominated Engineer
Best Rap/ Sung Collaboration 2008: John Legend & Andre 3000- "Green Light"
Grammy Nominated Engineer
Best Rap Album 2008: Nas - "Nas"
Grammy Nominated Engineer
Best Rap Solo Performance 2008: Nas - "N.i.*.*.e.r. (The Slave and The Master)"
Grammy Nominated Engineer
Best Traditional Gospel Album 2006: Byron Cage - "An Invitation to Worship"
Grammy Nominated Engineer
Album of the Year 2003: Missy Elliott - "Under Construction"
Grammy Winning Engineer
Best Contemporary R&B Album 2003: Beyonce' - "Dangerously in Love"
3M Visionary Award
George Howard - Attitude Adjustment
3M Visionary Award
TLC - CrazySexyCool