Lauded CHH heavyweight,Tedashii, and celebrated Pop CCM artist, Jordan Feliz, join forces for their latest single, “Gotta Live.” Available today (May 23) for purchase and streaming across all DSPs via Reach Records, “Gotta Live” is also set to impact CHR Radio on June 8.
“Life is a gift from God that most never fully open. So I write this song,” Tedashii explains, “to encourage everyone to go beyond the surface to experience the gift of an abundant life you ‘Gotta Live.’”
“Gotta Live” follows the release of Tedashii’s “Smile,” making it the latest track to fall under the new ethos he has adopted in 2018, Never Fold. Inspired by Luke 9:62 which states, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and turns back is fit for the kingdom of God,” Never Fold is a construct upon which believers everywhere can build their lives. Tedashii, who understands pain firsthand, goes on to say “For me, Never Fold is about celebrating life in the midst of adversity. It’s a reminder to not succumb to the pressures of life when in the end, it’s what makes diamonds of us all.”
Tedashii has been separating himself from the pack for the better part of a decade. With a slew of revered studio albums and EP’s to his name—including the masterful Below Paradise which debuted at No. 17 on the Billboard 200 albums chart—the Texas-born and bred rapper has remained a force. Known for his exuberant delivery on the mic and robust stature, Tedashii has graced the stages of the GMA Dove Awards, KLOVE Awards and performed on the top-selling Winter Jam Spectacular Tour. His hit track “Dum Dum” also appeared on the Fox TV Series So You Think You Can Dance.
HIP HOP ARTIST’S LATEST ALBUM PROVES WHY YOU DON’T NEED A DOPE RHYME OVER A TIGHT BEAT
A futuristic stroll through, The Garden, with Substantial and his latest, a mood music offering.
Social Justice, Family, Education, and good vibes are just a few of the topics covered by prolific emcee, artist, and educator, Substantial, hailing from the Washington, D.C. area. For nearly 20 years, he’s given you stellar production paired with phenomenal lyrical commentary, working with legendary producers such as Odisee and Nujabes, though many times finding himself at the helm of his production and that of others.
With his latest release, The Garden, we see him highlight those skills providing a soundtrack to our social lives to be talked about for years to come. It’s an audible experience transcending sound by inspiring visual experiences via the album art and physical experiences through dance and movement the music naturally encourages. The melodies and instrumentation have a home in any setting. The bare tracks are fertile ground for the birth of classic soundtracks, radio hits, or scores. It is a timeless experience with a modern approach. On May 18th audiences will finally receive what they’ve been asking for. The full debut of The Garden, available everywhere.
Due to an overwhelming demand for an earlier release of the full album, a single, Beyond The Stage, an airy, virtual voyage into the nightlife beyond mics, stage lights, and soundboards, was released in late April courtesy of YouTube powerhouse music channel Chillhop Music. Substantial states that BTS “is an organic, melodic interpretation of the heartbeat of the nightlife. The things that motivate the players, socialites and everyone else in the scene, scouring hole in the wall lounges and bars in search of the perfect vibe.” Listeners are taken to another place.
That place and its accompanying vibe, will be crafted for guests at the Prince Georges African American Museum and Cultural Center on June 22nd as Substantial and special guests, Awon, DJ: DJ ETN, and DJ JAV, present, The Garden, a family-friendly sensory experience listening party.
BIO: Prince George’s County Maryland born MC, Producer and Educator, Substantial, first made his debut in 2000 while working with the late Japanese producer, Nujabes. Since then, his soulful and introspective brand of Hip Hop music has received critical acclaim from EBONY & HipHopDX, his videos have appeared on MTV, VH1 and BET, he has performed around the world and collaborated with artists like Kool Herc, Oddisee & CunninLynguists while working with major brands such as Ford Motor Company, Amazon and UBER all while remaining a best kept secret.
With a slew of accomplishment under his belt in the music industry, what Substantial is most proud of is his youth advocacy work with children, teens and young adults. He has and still, in some cases, facilitates Hip Hop based programs for organizations such as Covenant House, Baltimore City & Prince George’s County Public Schools, The Omega Studios’ School of Applied Recording Arts & Sciences & Maryland-National Park & Planning Commission in Washington, DC & Maryland.
The tour included 17 dates across the Southeast and Midwest and multiple sold out shows
Social Club Misfits Perform at The Liberty Center in Elizabeth, New Jersey
About Social Club MisfitsThe Christian hip-hop duo, Social Club Misfits, recently wrapped up their spring Into The Night Tour. Their tour included 17 dates across the Southeast and Midwest, multiple sold out venues and the duo garnered thousands of new “Misfits.”
The tour was in promotion of Social Club Misfits’ album Into The Night, released Feb. 9, and made stops in cities such as Nashville, Pittsburgh and Charlotte. The tour sold out in multiple cities, including Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Pontiac, Michigan. The duo, comprised of Marty and Fern say, “We absolutely loved bringing this music to life in the presence of fans across the country. It’s awesome to make music for a living, but it’s even more rewarding when you bring it to audiences across the country.”
The tour wrap up falls on the heels of Social Club Misfits’ largest radio success ever with their song “War Cry featuring Tauren Wells.” It’s currently reaching Top 3 on Hot AC and Top 30 on the National Christian Audience chart. Brad O’Donnell, Chief Creative Officer for Capitol CMG, says, “We’re so encouraged by the response to Into The Night both from the industry and especially from the fans. Marty and Fern have taken things to the next level with their music, their touring, and their live show and we’re seeing the results in sales and engagement.” Check out the video for “War Cry feauring Tauren Wells,” here.
CCM Magazine opines, “On their latest LP, Into The Night, Social Club Misfits have expanded their already diverse sound to include more than enough flavors for anyone to enjoy along with a guest list sure to impress pop and hip-hop fans alike—including Tauren Wells, Danny Gokey, Jordin Sparks, Chris Batson and more. If you appreciated Fern and Marty’s last go-around, this latest is a must-have.”
People often talk about the future of hip-hop music like it isn’t right now. As if the future were some far off paint splotch occupying our collective imagination. On the contrary, the future is now, and some aren’t afraid to take it where it’s going. Enter Social Club Misfits, the Miami duo who’s built a cult following on the strength of their provocative oeuvre and singular, quick-witted approach. Comprised of Marty and Fern, Social Club is the after-effect of two distinctive personalities meshing to create an invigorating sound. The self-monikered “Misfits” are disruptors in every sense, challenging norms and bringing other misfits along for the ride. With a host of projects and EPs under their proverbial belt, including the Billboard charting full lengths The Misadventures, Misfits 2 and US, Social Club Misfits has made a sport of pushing boundaries and redefining the possibilities of what faith-based music can accomplish. From headlining sold out tours across the country to spawning imitators the world over, it’s clear the duo has struck a chord with listeners from all walks of life. They have bypassed perceived gatekeepers in favor of carving their own lane and fueling their purpose. While some are content with moving wherever the current leads, Social Club Misfits has embraced their calling as leaders of a more intentional school of thought. The misfits are now. Their latest project, INTO THE NIGHT is available now!
Nick Sywyj of Kent, Ohio, Receives $10,000 to Pay Off Sallie Mae Student Loan As Part of #MissionFinish Contest
Sallie Mae, the nation’s saving, planning, and paying for college company – in partnership with educator-turned hip-hop artist Dee-1 – today paid off $10,000 in student loans for Nick Sywyj, 23, of Kent, Ohio, the winner of the 2017 #MissionFinish contest.
The #MissionFinish contest asked Sallie Mae customers to creatively share how paying off student loans would change their lives for the better. Entries were judged based on concept and originality, style, creativity, and grammar. Sywyj was selected from a pool of more than 3,500 online submissions for his creative rhyme titled, “Work to Live vs. Love Your Work,” about how personal adversity helped inform his decision to pursue a career that gives him purpose.
“I am overjoyed and extremely thankful to Sallie Mae to be selected as the 2017 #MissionFinish winner,” said Sywyj. “For me, this is bigger than paying off my student loans; it will give me the freedom to pursue my passion to improve peoples’ lives and help them become their most confident selves.”
A native of Pittsburgh, Sywyj earned a bachelor of science in chemical and biomolecular engineering from the University of Notre Dame and currently works as a chemical process engineer. This summer, however, Nick plans to follow his dream to become an orthodontist.
“The joy and sense of accomplishment you feel when paying off your student loan is an experience everyone should have,” said Dee-1. “Through my partnership with Sallie Mae and the #MissionFinish contest, we are able to pay it forward and help individuals like Nick experience that same joy I did when I paid off my loans.”
The #MissionFinish contest continues Sallie Mae’s collaboration with Dee-1, the hip-hop artist behind the viral hit song, “Sallie Mae Back.” Dee-1 and Sallie Mae also recently completed the second “Dee-1’s Knowledge for College” tour, which visited high schools across the country to discuss financial literacy and planning for college. Dee-1 and Sallie Mae also released the “Pay Off Your Student Loans Playlist,” a set of tips, tools, and resources to help students understand and manage student loan payments.
“Our partnership with Dee-1 raises awareness and educates students and families about planning for college and the benefits and importance of responsible student loan management,” said Martha Holler, senior vice president, Sallie Mae. “In addition to awarding more than $190,000 in scholarships and loan repayment assistance, we are supporting dreams, instilling hope, and inspiring students and current customers from across the country to follow their passions.”
For more information about saving, planning, and paying for college, visit SallieMae.com.
Sallie Mae (NASDAQ: SLM) is the nation’s saving, planning, and paying for college company. Whether college is a long way off or just around the corner, Sallie Mae offers products that promote responsible personal finance, including private education loans, Upromise rewards, scholarship search, college financial planning tools, and online retail banking. Learn more at SallieMae.com. Commonly known as Sallie Mae, SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.
How Do We Build a Real Wakanda? is the title of the new book by hip hop activist Sean XLG Mitchell. The book advances the social dialog that was sparked by the major motion film Black Panther. The success of the movie has generated numerous conversations in the African American community from hair salons and barber shops to water cooler talk at the work place. It has spawned discussion on the empowerment of black women and the effects of positive images on African American children. The prominence of African culture highlighted in the film is the center of focus in Sean XLG’s seminal work that uses the mythical “Wakanda” as a metaphor for how we can build and empower the Black community.
Based on the platform of Sean’s book Seven, the importance of culture is highlighted throughout the work. Sean argues that cultural awareness is at the root and center of every successful people in the world. He states, “I had the privilege of teaching a class at Bowie State University during Black History month and after touching on our past achievements from the civil rights era to ancient Egypt, it created an overwhelming interest from the students to learn more about our history from a positive standpoint. Now the social commentary generated from the movie presents the perfect opportunity to keep the dialog moving.”
Sean sums up the book with this statement: “Wakanda is every city where its’ people are united and working towards positive outcomes. The fact that we are referencing Africa and African people takes on a special meaning because the movie symbolizes our triumphs and reflects our unlimited potential.” The book points out that for us to build a real Wakanda we must first build up the people because it is the people who will build the city. The African-centered approach opens the door for self and group reflection and analysis and poses the challenge for us to rise and embrace the best of who we are and by doing so we will claim victory.
About the Author:
Sean XLG Mitchell is the ultimate Hip Hop Scholar, artist and activist. Sean has worked extensively in the African American community, organizing and leading community based study groups, volunteering in schools, as well as a youth mentor. Sean XLG is the author of Hip Hop Hooray: Celebrating 30 Years of Rap Music and Introduction to Ka-Maat.
About The Book: How Do We Build A Real Wakanda?: Edited Version of Seven Inspired by the Motion Picture Black Panther by Sean XLG Mitchell is available on Amazon.com (ISBN-13: 978-1986146340) (ISBN-10:1986146340).
Lauded CHH heavyweight,Tedashii, and celebrated Pop CCM artist, Jordan Feliz, join forces for their latest single, “Gotta Live.” Available today (May 23) for purchase and streaming across all DSPs via Reach Records, “Gotta Live” is also set to impact CHR Radio on June 8.
