By Sara Speigner

Karaoke

PURPLE PICK: This months pick is singer songwriter Mateo. I have been following him since the days of when MySpace was my favorite past time. He is an AMAZING artist that with a growing fan base all over the map. Very seldom do I get excited about new artist but i admit that I was blown away by  Mateo the minute I heard him sing. He has toured with Chris Brown, Trey Songz and Mario. The crooner describes his music as “piano based” and “all about love”, writes all of his songs and plays the piano.  His mixed tape “Under the Sky ” is set to be released later this year, but for know he has blessed our ears with his live album entitled “Get to Know Me” Live from the Swing House. Many may try to pair him with the likes of Alicia Keys or John Legend, simply because he plays the piano (which is not a bad league to be related to!) – But Mateo is definitely in a class of his own. He’s been under the radar for a while, but the Mateo train is in full locomotion, and quickly moving full speed ahead to the top.  His music is available on iTunes and Amazon. Visit Mateo on www.Mateoonline.com for more stories, videos and music.

MATEO -LIVE AT THE SWING HOUSE

Purple Exclusive: Since his violent February altercation with then “shawty,” Rihanna, Chris Brown has been carrying a 9-month-old profusion of ugly, public-dubbed monikers. But though it’s likely that Chris will have to duck sharp-soaring insults for the bulk of his young career, one positive thing can be said by even the most adamant of haters — Breezy is a striking entertainer. No pun intended.

In the music video for his first single off of Graffiti, “I Can Transform Ya,” featuring a rather strapping Swizz Beats and Lil Wayne, Breezy doesn’t look even two steps behind the success of 2007’s Exclusive. Directed by Joseph Kahn (who’s helmed the majority of Chris’ visuals), the video functions on fun, nubile and futuristic metamorphosis, with bounds of impressive choreography the b-boy kid is known for. While the vid is free of argument, one question does remain — can it serve as a publicity blessing good enough to transform Breezy’s tainted image? You be the judge.

PLPR gives Kid Cudi’s album 4 stars hands down. Could our opinion be a bit biased because he is from Ohio? Nah, not at all ! As all purveyors of taste and G.O.O.D. music know, today’s the day Cudi’s album dropped. Man on the Moon has been critically heralded as a classic album of this generation already and from what I’ve heard so far, I would be inclined to agree. I finally got to hear the full version of that song “ALIVE” I was going crazy over a few weeks ago and man it did not disappoint but is probably one of my favorite joints on the album. So make sure to find yourself on the moon sometime this week to get his soundscan poppin’ and while you’re putting on your moonboots be sure to check out that “Alive” track.

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The Super Producer has arrived ladies and gents. PLPR knabbed an interview with Producer Fatboi, to talk about what it takes to get your beats heard. For us, Fatboi was the ideal person to ask such a question since his most recent hit “Wasted” by Gucci Mane Feat Plies, is one of the top 10 hits on the Rap/Hip Hop Billboard Charts. Some of the artists that he has produced for include  Young Jeezy, Rocko, Shawty Redd, Flo Rida, Bow Wow, Yung Ralph, Juvenile, Yung Joc, Gorilla Zoe, Camoflauge, and OJ Da Juice Man. Every producer has that one break out hit that puts them on the map, and “Wasted” has done just that.  Fatboi also spoke about the difference between making beats, and being a real producer. After seeing and hearing what he does creatively by playing the keyboard, writing and arranging songs – definately solidifies Fatboi’s place in the industry as a true producer.

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The PLPR video pick of the week is actually not a  music video at all, it’s a commercial that caught our attention simply because in our opinion, it’s one of the dopest one minute ads we’ve laid our eyes on in a while. Just nine days away from “The Blueprint 3″ release date, Jay-Z does promotion for the album on giant digital retail, Rhapsody. In the promotional ad, “Hov” is seen undergoing several clothes changes from donning a formal suit to sporting a casual t-shirt and cap.

“The Blueprint 3″ is scheduled to be released in U.S. on September 11. Several singles from the album have made their way out. My favorite of the few is “A Star Is Born” featuring J.Cole. His most recent songs which hit the web are “Empire State of Mind” featuring Alicia Keys, “Hate” featuring Kanye West .
“I may be the most bootlegged artist in history,” Jay-Z commented on the leaks to MTV. “It’s a preview. I’m excited for people to hear the album. I’m very proud of the work I’ve done, so enjoy it.”

On the day the effort arrives in stores, Jay-Z will perform at a concert dubbed “Fuse Presents JAY-Z Live from Madison Square Garden. Answer the Call” on September 11. Accompanied by his wife Beyonce Knowles, he recently held a press conference announcing the gig.

The concert is aimed to raise money for New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund, a charity created to support the families of police officers and firefighters who have died in the line of duty. Tickets for the show will go on sale starting on September 8 for $50.

“I turned the TV on September 12 [a day after 11/9 World Trade Center incident] and I saw footage of these heroic actions, people running to buildings and saving each other and I saw the strength of New York,” Jay-Z told the press. “It made me proud. So, as I was embarking on putting out ‘Blueprint 3,’ it was only right that we revisit that day. This is my chance to do something to help out.” On who will perform at the gig as special guests, he stated, “I’m trying to put that together.”

therapy_mixdown-1

“Crumbling Therapy”

Our Purple Label Pick of the month comes from natives of Inglewood California. (West-Sieeede!!) Comprised of three twenty-somethings guys by the names of Sleezy, Kent, and Tube, together they form a trio called OverDoz. As cliche’ as it may sound, these guys really have a sound all their own. They have an Outkast-meets-electric circus kind of vibe, that you can dance to, rock to, or just ride out to. The main thing that I really dig about OverDoz is, not only do they have a good lyrical standout  with eclectic beats, get this – they can sing to!  With a mixtape in circulation, and a recent video shoot under their belt for their single ‘Crumbling Therapy” these guys are totally on our radar as one of the next artists to watch.

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Purple Label PR caught up with recording artist Verse Simmonds to find out his thoughts on how to make a hot 16.  His first single ” Buy you a Round” Featuring Yung Joc has been getting a lot of spins on the radio. According to Verse, it takes more than just a fly beat and a catchy hook to make a hit. So, for all of you up and comers who are in pursuit of some good ideas on how to make your music better, get a pen and paper ready to take a few notes.

Pretty Girls f. Gucci Mane

Is Wale the greatest new rapper since Shawn Carter? We’ll know in September. That’s when Wale’s eagerly awaited debut LP, Attention Deficit, is scheduled to arrive. The album includes his collaboration with Lady GaGa, “Chillin’, and a recently leaked summer jawn titled “Pretty Girls.”

Wale (pronounced “wa-LAY”) was born Olubowale Akintimehin, the son of Nigerian immigrants who raised him in Washington and exposed him to everything from Fela Kuti to Phil CollinsI understand why everyone is high on Wale right now. He’s arguably the No.1 draft pick of 2009. However, it’s laughable to crown as him “the greatest rapper since Jay-Z.” Though Wale hasn’t had a chance to fully prove his mettle, he’s shown flashes of brilliance on his mixtapes and guest verses. 2008’s A Mixtape About Nothing was more compelling than most people’s albums, and he almost stole the show from veteran Black Thought on “Rising Up.” Still, I’m not drunk enough on the Wale buzz to crown him the “next great” anything. I’m withholding my judgment until we see how much of his mixtape skills and guest features translate to an album worth shelling out 15 bucks in these hard times for.

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Creativity at it’s finest. PLPR was able to get some footage of singer Ryan Leslie in the studio working on some new tracks. He recently went on tour with Atlanta native Kerry Hilson, and from our experience and word on the street Ryan Leslie brought the house down without fail every time. Check out this video and get a behind the scenes peek of one of the next biggest artist to steam up the charts.