Before Justin Bieber's "Journals," there was Ariana Grande's "Yours Truly."
It was Aug. 30, 2013, and Grande - who rose to fame on Nickelodeon's "Victorious" and "Sam & Cat" - suddenly emerged as a musical superstar with her debut album. Thanks to her dreamy voice and impressive range, the budding phenom, who was then 20 years old, proved she was so much more than just a teen star.
The album was a testament of how '90s R&b, hip-hop, pop, and doo-wop can complement one another. Paired with production by Babyface, The Rascals (Leon Thomas III and Khris Riddick-Tynes), Antonio Dixon, Harmony Samuels, Tommy Brown (aka TBHits), as well as cowriting credits from the aforementioned and Victoria Monét, Sevyn Streeter, Jordin Sparks, and Priscilla Renea (now Muni Long), "Yours Truly" was an instant victory. This dream team fused Grande's instinctual talent and musical theater background to formulate an untapped side of her artistry,...
It was Aug. 30, 2013, and Grande - who rose to fame on Nickelodeon's "Victorious" and "Sam & Cat" - suddenly emerged as a musical superstar with her debut album. Thanks to her dreamy voice and impressive range, the budding phenom, who was then 20 years old, proved she was so much more than just a teen star.
The album was a testament of how '90s R&b, hip-hop, pop, and doo-wop can complement one another. Paired with production by Babyface, The Rascals (Leon Thomas III and Khris Riddick-Tynes), Antonio Dixon, Harmony Samuels, Tommy Brown (aka TBHits), as well as cowriting credits from the aforementioned and Victoria Monét, Sevyn Streeter, Jordin Sparks, and Priscilla Renea (now Muni Long), "Yours Truly" was an instant victory. This dream team fused Grande's instinctual talent and musical theater background to formulate an untapped side of her artistry,...
- 8/30/2023
- by Mya Abraham
- Popsugar.com
It is a musician’s dream to win a Grammy, but it can be elusive. Not everyone knows what it’s like to be recognized by your music industry peers in this way. You might’ve read countless pieces on legends like Abba and Diana Ross possibly taking home their long overdue first trophies, but here are four younger artists you should look out for who might celebrate their debut victories as well.
SEEViola Davis opens up about needing Grammy to complete Egot: ‘I wanna win!’ Steve Lacy
One of the biggest artists of the past year is, without a doubt, Steve Lacy. The alternative R&b star has been on the rise for years, starting out as part of the acclaimed band The Internet before going solo. Since doing so, Lacy has amassed a large online following, but 2022 was the year when that audience extended into the masses.
With...
SEEViola Davis opens up about needing Grammy to complete Egot: ‘I wanna win!’ Steve Lacy
One of the biggest artists of the past year is, without a doubt, Steve Lacy. The alternative R&b star has been on the rise for years, starting out as part of the acclaimed band The Internet before going solo. Since doing so, Lacy has amassed a large online following, but 2022 was the year when that audience extended into the masses.
With...
- 1/21/2023
- by Jaime Rodriguez
- Gold Derby
2022 has been a somewhat slow year for new artists so far. While last year we got breakthroughs from acts like The Kid Laroi, Olivia Rodrigo, and Baby Keem, this year has mostly been distinguished by comebacks from big artists like Adele, Harry Styles, and Kendrick Lamar. So with a less obvious slate of top contenders this year, the race for the 2023 Best New Artist Grammy is wide open.
The presumed front-runner right now might be Latto. Her single “Big Energy” has proven to be a smash hit, peaking inside the top-three of the Billboard Hot 100. Latto has also been around for a while now, lurking under the radar with a few mixtapes and EPs, and is now catching her big mainstream break into the pop-sphere. And despite the Grammys’ frequent bias against hip-hop, rappers have taken this award a few times already. Most recently, Megan Thee Stallion won in 2021, a...
The presumed front-runner right now might be Latto. Her single “Big Energy” has proven to be a smash hit, peaking inside the top-three of the Billboard Hot 100. Latto has also been around for a while now, lurking under the radar with a few mixtapes and EPs, and is now catching her big mainstream break into the pop-sphere. And despite the Grammys’ frequent bias against hip-hop, rappers have taken this award a few times already. Most recently, Megan Thee Stallion won in 2021, a...
- 6/15/2022
- by Jaime Rodriguez
- Gold Derby
Singer-songwriter Muni Long made her TV debut on The Tonight Show Monday, performing her viral single “Hrs and Hrs.” Accompanied by a band and several back-up singers, Long — whose real name is Priscilla Renea — gave a soulful rendition of the R&b song while decked out in a glimmering gold ensemble.
The sultry ballad, featured on the singer’s latest EP, Public Displays of Affection, is an ode to a lover filled with double entendres and suggestive language. “You sit me up on the counter/Instantly, it’s thunder showers,...
The sultry ballad, featured on the singer’s latest EP, Public Displays of Affection, is an ode to a lover filled with double entendres and suggestive language. “You sit me up on the counter/Instantly, it’s thunder showers,...
- 2/22/2022
- by Emily Zemler
- Rollingstone.com
“I’ve been around for about two years now and I have yet to put out an album,” says Breland, calling from a tour stop in Boston on a 7 degree morning. “My momentum is a direct result of people discovering the music on their own time, checking out playlists, and diving in on all these different streaming platforms.”
The DSPs have noticed. AppleMusic gave Breland his own radio show, Spotify used him to help launch a Nineties country campaign, YouTube named him an Artist on the Rise in 2021 and, on Monday,...
The DSPs have noticed. AppleMusic gave Breland his own radio show, Spotify used him to help launch a Nineties country campaign, YouTube named him an Artist on the Rise in 2021 and, on Monday,...
- 2/14/2022
- by Joseph Hudak
- Rollingstone.com
Image Source: Tony Bee
Muni Long, aka the artist formerly known as Priscilla Renea, knew she had a hit on her hands when her song "Hrs and Hrs" hit the top 10 on iTunes. After becoming a viral success on TikTok - all thanks to the loving R&b ballad - she's now focused on taking the track No. 1.
"Sometimes you just don't want to do something anymore."
Contrary to her recent success, Long has been in the music industry for over a decade now. The R&b singer landed a record deal with Capitol Records in 2008 after getting discovered on YouTube. But her future at the label stalled cold after she released her debut project and a few singles, prompting her to take up a new skill: songwriting. From 2010 to 2019, Long wrote songs for big-name artists like Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Demi Lovato, Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, and more. But...
Muni Long, aka the artist formerly known as Priscilla Renea, knew she had a hit on her hands when her song "Hrs and Hrs" hit the top 10 on iTunes. After becoming a viral success on TikTok - all thanks to the loving R&b ballad - she's now focused on taking the track No. 1.
"Sometimes you just don't want to do something anymore."
Contrary to her recent success, Long has been in the music industry for over a decade now. The R&b singer landed a record deal with Capitol Records in 2008 after getting discovered on YouTube. But her future at the label stalled cold after she released her debut project and a few singles, prompting her to take up a new skill: songwriting. From 2010 to 2019, Long wrote songs for big-name artists like Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Demi Lovato, Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, and more. But...
- 2/10/2022
- by Njera Perkins
- Popsugar.com
Florida Georgia Line have released the song “New Truck” as the latest offering from their upcoming album Life Rolls On.
Written with five additional co-writers including Priscilla Renea and Corey Crowder, the track finds the duo in familiar territory: singing about the deluxe features (“peanut butter leather kangaroo hide grip”) on their new Chevy Silverado. “Got some alligator skin on my Silverado interior/And TV’s on the headrest,” Hubbard sings during the song’s very Pimp My Ride first verse.
“With ‘New Truck’ we were like, ‘Man, this feels good.
Written with five additional co-writers including Priscilla Renea and Corey Crowder, the track finds the duo in familiar territory: singing about the deluxe features (“peanut butter leather kangaroo hide grip”) on their new Chevy Silverado. “Got some alligator skin on my Silverado interior/And TV’s on the headrest,” Hubbard sings during the song’s very Pimp My Ride first verse.
“With ‘New Truck’ we were like, ‘Man, this feels good.
- 1/8/2021
- by Jonathan Bernstein
- Rollingstone.com
Our lives would suck without Kelly Clarkson. The pop singer known for her powerful pipes was introduced to us in the first season of “American Idol” on Fox in 2002, launching a career that spans the 21st century. She won that competition, but what are the best songs she has recorded since then? Scroll down to see how we rank her greatest hits. Do you agree with our pick for her number-one song of all time?
In the years since Clarkson’s “Idol” coronation, the show has been inconsistent in delivering artists with lasting music careers, though standouts like Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Hudson have also stood the test of time. Clarkson was actually the first “Idol” alum to win a Grammy, claiming Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (“Since U Been Gone”) and Best Pop Album (“Breakaway”) in 2006. She also claimed Best Pop Album for “Stronger” in 2013. And that album’s...
In the years since Clarkson’s “Idol” coronation, the show has been inconsistent in delivering artists with lasting music careers, though standouts like Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Hudson have also stood the test of time. Clarkson was actually the first “Idol” alum to win a Grammy, claiming Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (“Since U Been Gone”) and Best Pop Album (“Breakaway”) in 2006. She also claimed Best Pop Album for “Stronger” in 2013. And that album’s...
- 12/14/2020
- by Kevin Jacobsen and Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
After being dogged by both a Covid diagnosis and break-up rumors in November, Florida Georgia Line have announced their fifth studio album. Life Rolls On, stacked full with 16 tracks, arrives February 12th. The duo of Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley produced the album with Corey Crowder, making it their first full-length album without longtime producer Joey Moi.
Life Rolls On compiles the six songs from Fgl’s 6-Pack EP, released in May, and lead single “Long Live” with new tracks like “Life Looks Good,” written with Crowder and Jaren Johnston,...
Life Rolls On compiles the six songs from Fgl’s 6-Pack EP, released in May, and lead single “Long Live” with new tracks like “Life Looks Good,” written with Crowder and Jaren Johnston,...
- 12/4/2020
- by Joseph Hudak
- Rollingstone.com
Ascap today announced the first wave of music creators who will appear at the 2020 Ascap Experience (which was formerly called the Ascap “I Create Music” Expo), taking place April 1 – 3 at the InterContinental Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. Ascap Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams leads a lineup of more than 40 different panels stacked with industry talent (89% of whom are working songwriters and composers). Aimed at songwriters, composers, artists and producers, the conference offers three days of panels, workshops, master classes, keynotes, performances and one-on-one sessions with the industry’s top hitmakers. Now in its 15th year, the event has evolved into a platform for industry leaders to give back to the next generation of music creators.
Grammy-winning artist, songwriter and producer Dan Wilson is teaming up with singer-songwriter Jason Mraz, producer-songwriter Stefan Johnson and singer-songwriter Steph Jones to bring his “Words & Music in Six Seconds” Instagram series to life for Experience attendees.
Grammy-winning artist, songwriter and producer Dan Wilson is teaming up with singer-songwriter Jason Mraz, producer-songwriter Stefan Johnson and singer-songwriter Steph Jones to bring his “Words & Music in Six Seconds” Instagram series to life for Experience attendees.
- 2/6/2020
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
In December 2017, Willie Jones was in a recording studio in Los Angeles, freestyling about his family. Jones had just spent his holidays at home in his native Shreveport, Louisiana, and at a family reunion in Tulsa and had been touched by the occasions — by how much his cousins from childhood had grown up, how close he’d felt to relatives he hadn’t seen in years.
Jones and his producer Sean Cook had been toying around with a beat when the singer decided to go into the vocal booth and...
Jones and his producer Sean Cook had been toying around with a beat when the singer decided to go into the vocal booth and...
- 6/11/2019
- by Jonathan Bernstein
- Rollingstone.com
With four major streaming services appealing a 2018 ruling from the Copyright Royalty Board that would increase publishers’ and songwriters’ revenue, the plight of the songwriter has been thrust into the spotlight. Kip Moore has not only been watching the music industry’s treatment of the songwriter, but also acting. In a new episode of the podcast And the Writer Is…, the country singer offers his own partial solution to host and fellow songwriter Ross Golan: Moore pays bonuses to the writers whose songs appear on his albums.
It’s an especially important practice,...
It’s an especially important practice,...
- 4/22/2019
- by Joseph Hudak
- Rollingstone.com
In 2005, Mariah Carey released the biggest hit of that decade, an indelible piano ballad titled “We Belong Together.” At the time, a young Ray Romulus was serving as personal assistant to the writer-producer Jermaine Dupri, who had a hand in four songs on Carey’s best-seller The Emancipation of Mimi, including “We Belong Together.” “I would be around Mariah all the time,” Romulus remembers. “We would fly to Mexico to her house and kick it.”
So “it was definitely full circle” when he met Carey again recently, this time as...
So “it was definitely full circle” when he met Carey again recently, this time as...
- 11/21/2018
- by Elias Leight
- Rollingstone.com
On the evening of October 16th, Ascap hosted an opening reception for its She Is the Music Song Camp, a three-day songwriting event for female-identifying songwriters, artists, engineers and producers. Ascap and industry initiative She Is the Music, which counts Alicia Keys as a founding member, conceived the event, which brought together a host of women creators to write new music in a collaborative environment at the Nashville recording studio of veteran producer Ron Fair.
The headline artist for the inaugural She Is the Music Song Camp was Mary J. Blige,...
The headline artist for the inaugural She Is the Music Song Camp was Mary J. Blige,...
- 10/23/2018
- by Brittney McKenna
- Rollingstone.com
Several generations of female musicians were center stage on day two of the Ascap I Create Music Expo at Loews Hollywood Hotel, with a mix of relative veterans like JoJo, Lindsey Stirling, the Go-Go’s Charlotte Caffey and that dog’s Anna Waronker as well as fresh newcomers like Billie Eilish and Gizzle.
While questioners asked whether they should post their music on YouTube, Spotify and Soundcloud or wait for someone who’ll pay to release it, there wasn’t much question where the panelists stood: The Diy mentality held sway, and most said the ease of streaming and the lack of record label interference allows them the freedom to pursue their creativity in any number of ways.
On the morning’s Renaissance Women in Music panel, Priscilla Renea, who has been an outspoken enthusiast during several discussions, talked openly to Ascap Svp Membership Nicole George-Middleton about being dropped by...
While questioners asked whether they should post their music on YouTube, Spotify and Soundcloud or wait for someone who’ll pay to release it, there wasn’t much question where the panelists stood: The Diy mentality held sway, and most said the ease of streaming and the lack of record label interference allows them the freedom to pursue their creativity in any number of ways.
On the morning’s Renaissance Women in Music panel, Priscilla Renea, who has been an outspoken enthusiast during several discussions, talked openly to Ascap Svp Membership Nicole George-Middleton about being dropped by...
- 5/9/2018
- by Roy Trakin
- Variety Film + TV
Paradigm has just added eight new agents across multiple offices by promoting off desks. They are: Zac Bluestone and Madi Daigle in New York, Brewster Lee in Los Angeles, Kylie Doyle, Zach Hartley and Jeremy Shpizner in Nashville, and tour marketing agents Dani Barrett in Los Angeles and Andrew Whitaker in New York.
Paradigm also announced that veteran music agent Phil Egenthal has joined the agency, bringing clients including The Revivalists, George Porter Jr., Dumpstaphunk and Foundation of Funk. Egenthal is currently based in Boulder, Colorado, but will move to Chicago to join Paradigm’s West Superior Street office in the coming weeks.
“Phil is a great agent and a terrific addition to our organization, and we’re looking forward to his many contributions,” said Paradigm music executive Marty Diamond.
Regarding the promotion of multiple employees to agents, Paradigm Chairman/CEO Sam Gores noted: “Paradigm is a place where people can grow,...
Paradigm also announced that veteran music agent Phil Egenthal has joined the agency, bringing clients including The Revivalists, George Porter Jr., Dumpstaphunk and Foundation of Funk. Egenthal is currently based in Boulder, Colorado, but will move to Chicago to join Paradigm’s West Superior Street office in the coming weeks.
“Phil is a great agent and a terrific addition to our organization, and we’re looking forward to his many contributions,” said Paradigm music executive Marty Diamond.
Regarding the promotion of multiple employees to agents, Paradigm Chairman/CEO Sam Gores noted: “Paradigm is a place where people can grow,...
- 4/13/2018
- by Anita Busch
- Deadline Film + TV
We’ve got questions, and you’ve (maybe) got answers! With another week of TV gone by, we’re lobbing queries left and right about shows including Hawaii Five-0, This Is Us, The Flash and Gotham!
1 | As entertainingly mismatched as Inhumans‘ Medusa and Louise are, is the obvious Thelma and Louise homage a bit too on the nose, down to the convertible they’re tooling around in?
2 | Isn’t it long past time that Jane the Virgin retired the Sin Rosetro storyline?
RelatedAsk Ausiello: Spoilers on The X-Files, The Walking Dead, The Flash, Once, Lucifer, New Girl, Big Bang, Supernatural...
1 | As entertainingly mismatched as Inhumans‘ Medusa and Louise are, is the obvious Thelma and Louise homage a bit too on the nose, down to the convertible they’re tooling around in?
2 | Isn’t it long past time that Jane the Virgin retired the Sin Rosetro storyline?
RelatedAsk Ausiello: Spoilers on The X-Files, The Walking Dead, The Flash, Once, Lucifer, New Girl, Big Bang, Supernatural...
- 10/20/2017
- TVLine.com
Amber Rose kicked off her birthday celebrations on Thursday evening with Bff Blac Chyna!
The model and former Dancing with the Stars contestant rang in her 33rd birthday at the Flirt Cosmetics’ launch party at Break Room 86 in Los Angeles â. complete with makeup and sweets!
Hosted by Rose, Donald Robertson and Priscilla Ono, the event showcased products from the Flirt Cosmetics line.
“Oh my god, I’m so excited for my birthday! I feel like I really killed it this past year, so hopefully I can do even better this next one!” Rose, who turned 33 on Friday, exclusively tells People.
The model and former Dancing with the Stars contestant rang in her 33rd birthday at the Flirt Cosmetics’ launch party at Break Room 86 in Los Angeles â. complete with makeup and sweets!
Hosted by Rose, Donald Robertson and Priscilla Ono, the event showcased products from the Flirt Cosmetics line.
“Oh my god, I’m so excited for my birthday! I feel like I really killed it this past year, so hopefully I can do even better this next one!” Rose, who turned 33 on Friday, exclusively tells People.
- 10/21/2016
- by nstonepeople
- PEOPLE.com
So last night the Deadpool movie marketing folks tricked me into watching The Bachelor’s season premiere by teasing a Deadpool TV spot during the time slot. And the first thing I want to say about it is… twenty seasons, you guys? This show has been on for twenty seasons? Man, our culture’s addiction to reality TV really is sad. As is the lack of dignity inherent in the show’s premise.
That said, it is kind of addictive. I mean, even after the Deadpool slot aired, I couldn’t stop watching. Why? Because, seriously, these Bachelor contestants are quite possibly crazier than Deadpool ever was. I mean, in just one episode as the contestants were introduced we had a dentist wearing a red rose hat that was bigger than her head who then proceeded to actually give the Bachelor (Ben) a mini dental exam right there; a woman...
That said, it is kind of addictive. I mean, even after the Deadpool slot aired, I couldn’t stop watching. Why? Because, seriously, these Bachelor contestants are quite possibly crazier than Deadpool ever was. I mean, in just one episode as the contestants were introduced we had a dentist wearing a red rose hat that was bigger than her head who then proceeded to actually give the Bachelor (Ben) a mini dental exam right there; a woman...
- 1/5/2016
- by Emily S. Whitten
- Comicmix.com
Star Wars: The Force Awakens has easily broken the Australian all time top grossing weekend record taking more than $27 million at the box office.
The Disney/Lucas Films epic beat previous record holder, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 ($18.3 million) by almost $10 million off the .back of record breaking pre-sales after an enormous build up, according to Rentrak estimates.
Shown on 313 screens, the film took 9.4 million on its opening day. On Friday it raked in $5.1 million, while Saturday and Sunday both delivered upwards of $6 million at the box office.
A Hoyts' spokesperson told If the film had surpassed the previous opening day record, held by the final instalment of Harry Potter, by 33 per cent.
However, the all time box office record of $115 million, held by James Cameron's Avatar, is still a long way off.
The impact of Disney's monolithic release on competing tentpole films Hunger Games: Mockingjay...
The Disney/Lucas Films epic beat previous record holder, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 ($18.3 million) by almost $10 million off the .back of record breaking pre-sales after an enormous build up, according to Rentrak estimates.
Shown on 313 screens, the film took 9.4 million on its opening day. On Friday it raked in $5.1 million, while Saturday and Sunday both delivered upwards of $6 million at the box office.
A Hoyts' spokesperson told If the film had surpassed the previous opening day record, held by the final instalment of Harry Potter, by 33 per cent.
However, the all time box office record of $115 million, held by James Cameron's Avatar, is still a long way off.
The impact of Disney's monolithic release on competing tentpole films Hunger Games: Mockingjay...
- 12/21/2015
- by Brian Karlovsky
- IF.com.au
The Dressmaker has continued its ascension up the all time Australian box office rankings passing $17 million in its seventh week.
Jocelyn Moorhouse's dramedy took $559,823 (according to Rentrak's estimates) on 248 screens, taking its accumulative box office to $17.1 million.
This takes it past Roadshow's 1994 films Muriel's Wedding ($15.765 million) and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert ($16.459 million).
According to Screen Australia figures, The Dressmaker is set to leapfrog 1982 film The Man From Snowy River (17.228 million) and 2000 film The Dish (17.999 million).
But it has a way to go to crack the top ten, with Red Dog at $21.467 million and Mad Max: Fury Road at 21.675 million.
In its fourth week, Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 raked in $1.9 million, giving it top spot, albeit with a 30 per cent decline on its previous week.
This brings its tally to $25.445 million in its last week before the monster release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens...
Jocelyn Moorhouse's dramedy took $559,823 (according to Rentrak's estimates) on 248 screens, taking its accumulative box office to $17.1 million.
This takes it past Roadshow's 1994 films Muriel's Wedding ($15.765 million) and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert ($16.459 million).
According to Screen Australia figures, The Dressmaker is set to leapfrog 1982 film The Man From Snowy River (17.228 million) and 2000 film The Dish (17.999 million).
But it has a way to go to crack the top ten, with Red Dog at $21.467 million and Mad Max: Fury Road at 21.675 million.
In its fourth week, Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 raked in $1.9 million, giving it top spot, albeit with a 30 per cent decline on its previous week.
This brings its tally to $25.445 million in its last week before the monster release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens...
- 12/13/2015
- by Brian Karlovsky
- IF.com.au
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