Meet Cleveland’s ‘Material Girl’… Mariah!

Yes! You heard it right! Rising singer & songwriter MARIAH is that girl, and she’s on fire with her new banger, ‘Material Girl’…

"MATERIAL GIRL" was written by Mariah D. Hester and produced by Tony Nicholas. "Material Girl is written from the viewpoint of a woman at a crossroads. Should she remain in a relationship that caters to the material and superficial while neglecting what is truly important? In the process of finding herself again, she outlines what is missing: Loyalty. Time. Love. Patience. Teamwork. The things that money cannot buy," mentions Mariah. "I refused to let my voice be muffled by gifts or material things. Flowers, bags, and clothes can’t fill cracks and holes created by words and actions. Once I realized this, I found my strength. I found myself again," she adds.

Click HERE to check out the new single…

…and stay tuned! We’ll have an artist page up soon here at UGD for even more content from Mariah!

BET ANNOUNCES SOUL TRAIN AWARDS AT APOLLO THEATER…

NEW YORK, NY – BET announced the return of the 2021 “Soul Train Awards” from a new location, the World Famous Apollo in New York. For the first time in its 33-year history, the annual celebration will tape in New York City, joining forces with the non-profit Apollo, now in its 88th year and widely considered the soul of American Culture, for one of its first in-person events in 2021. Celebrating the best in soul music and the television show’s 50th anniversary, the "Soul Train Awards” recognizes the best in Soul, R&B, and Hip Hop from both established industry legends and the next generation of promising artists. The 2021 “Soul Train Awards” premieres Sunday, November 28 at 8 pm ET/PT on BET and BET Her.

“Don Cornelius’ brilliant vision created a revolutionary show that became a cornerstone in American culture. Fifty years later, the Soul Train Awards continues to amplify his powerful message of Love, Peace & Soul to a global audience,” said Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy. “We are honored to be a part of the Soul Train legacy and partner with the national treasure that is the Apollo to celebrate Black excellence and culture with one unforgettable night of can’t miss moments.”

“The Apollo has long been a center of Black cultural and creative innovation for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world. It has provided a platform for Black artists at all stages of their careers, and a gathering place for audiences to express themselves freely,” said Apollo Executive Producer Kamilah Forbes. “The Apollo is thrilled to partner with BET to host the Soul Train Awards, bringing together three iconic brands that represent Black culture and excellence under one roof. This is an occasion to celebrate, and we look forward to the incredible performances that will light up our stage during the Soul Train Awards."

Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy will oversee the annual show, with Jamal Noisette to Co-Executive Produce for BET. Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment, to serve as Executive Producer of the 2021 “Soul Train Awards” along with Jesse Collins Entertainment’s Jeannae Rouzan–Clay.

Multi-Award Winning Singer-Songwriter Kenny Lattimore Readies The Release of Upcoming "HERE TO STAY" Album and Releases New Single, "Lose You"

As Kenny Lattimore prepares the release of his new effort, Here To Stay”, the album’s second single, “Lose You” has hit streaming sites today!

"LOSE YOU" was written by Drak-Kar Wesley, Aaron W. Lindsey, Kennedy A. Lindsey, Juan Najera and Ivan Lattimoreand produced by Drak-Kar "Madicin" Wesley, Aaron W. Lindsey, Kennedy A. Lindsey and Natural. "This song stretched me as an artist to perform in a contemporary style that I had not before," mentions Kenny. "I am very proud of the outcome," he adds.

”Here To Stay” is available for presages NOW, and will be available globally December 3, 2021

Multi-Award Winning Singer-Songwriter-Producer, Eric Roberson Releases Emotional "Lessons" (Remix) featuring Anthony Hamilton, Raheem DeVaughn, and Kevin Ross…

Eric Roberson is back with the remix of his smash single, "LESSONS" from featuring ANTHONY HAMILTON, RAHEEM DEVAUGHN and KEVIN ROSS.

"LESSONS" (REMIX) was written by Eric Roberson, Anthony Hamilton, Raheem DeVaughn and Kevin Ross and produced by Anikan & Vader and Jairus Mozee. (Quote - Inspiration behind the song). "LESSONS" is lifted from Eric Roberson's anticipated forthcoming 14th studio album, entitled "LESSONS". The album will be released in January, 2022, via the B.L.U.E. ERRO SOUL label imprint.

"LESSONS" (REMIX) received its exclusive First Listen on RollingOut.com. "With over 20 years in the game as an independent artist, Roberson is rightfully celebrating a worthy milestone and his new release, “Lessons,” is a fitting entry for a resume worth its weight in platinum," mentions N. Ali Early, Senior Editor of RollingOut.com.

The inspiration and concept for “Lessons” came to Eric around 3am on the morning of his 13th wedding anniversary. Eric was sitting in his studio feeling rather creative and as he was reflecting over his life, he started working on an idea that would soon become the song, "Lessons.” He posted 60 seconds of the song online and then went to bed. What Eric woke up to, was the biggest reaction he has received from his music in years: thousands of his fans downloaded the snippet of the song. “God has a funny way of showing you lessons. Often times, we feel good about a release, but rarely do we have the luxury of knowing ahead of time that it works,” says Eric.

"With the remix, I didn’t want to just get three of my favorite singers, I also wanted three of my favorite writers. I’m honored to get their perspectives on the ups and downs of love and how it all leads us to where we are supposed to be," mentions Roberson.

Raheem DeVaughn adds, “For sometime it’s been on my vision board to be in a Soulful R&B super-group with both Anthony, Eric and Dwele, the only thing missing after this remix is a follow-up album, LOL! Hearing Kevin Ross on the remix is breathe of fresh air he’s definitely one of the new millennium King’s killing the game for the future of soul & r&b“.

"I'm honored to be on the Lesson Remix with such seasoned vets in the game. Each artist's perspective and approach on this record is different, which makes it exciting to listen to. Eric is a mastermind in how he put this together," shares Kevin.

Multi-Platinum Singer & Songwriter Brian McKnight Release New Ballad, “Faithfully”…

Singer & Songwriter Brian McKnight continues to wow his fans, this time with his new ballad, “Faithfully”!

"FAITHFULLY" serves as Brian's first piece of original recorded music since releasing his last studio album, "Exodus", in 2020.

"FAITHFULLY", was written by Brian McKnight and produced by Earl Cohen, Andrew Thomas and Claude Villani. "My new single, faithfully is the personification of my enduring love between my wife, Leilani and I", mentions Brian.

"FAITHFULLY", is available on all streaming platforms now, via the SRG/ILS label imprint.

LISTEN HERE

ABOUT BRIAN MCKNIGHT 
Brian McKnight has earned a place in music history selling over 25 million albums worldwide and charting numerous hits across many genres. In addition to being a singer, songwriter and producer, McKnight is a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments including piano, guitar, bass, drums, percussion, trombone, tuba, french horn and trumpet.

In an industry known for its constant revolving door, McKnight has established himself with an enviable record of chart and touring consistency for over two decades. During that span Brian has collaborated with superstar artists including Quincy Jones, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Diddy, Christina Aguilera, Rascal Flatts, Nelly, Vanessa Williams, Willie Nelson and Kenny G.

On top of selling millions of records and performing in front of millions of fans, Brian McKnight has been nominated for and has won dozens of awards including the Grammy, American Music Awards, Soul Train Awards, NAACP Image Awards, Blockbuster Awards, and the prestigious Billboard Songwriter of The Year.

Alongside his skills as a gifted singer, songwriter, and performer, Brian has hosted and appeared on dozens of radio and television programs. Most notably in 2009 Brian hosted the eponymously titled “The Brian McKnight Morning Show” radio program which aired in over 60 markets through the ABC Radio Network. The show then became a nationally syndicated television program. In 2007 McKnight stepped onto Broadway with a successful run as Billy Flynn, the slick lawyer, in the legendary musical Chicago.

In 2020, Brian released his 20th studio album, "Exodus", to rave reviews. Brian has stated that this will be his final album of all original material. Exodus includes hit singles “When I’m Gone”, “Neva Get Enuf Of U”, and “Nobody”, just to name a few.

CONNECT WITH BRIAN MCKNIGHT:
Instagram: @BrianMcKnight23
Twitter: @ItsBMcKnight
Facebook: /BrianMcKnight

CARDI B AND MEGAN THEE STALLION RULE THE 2021 “BET HIP HOP AWARDS” WITH 3 WINS FOLLOWED BY TYLER, THE CREATOR, JAY Z, AND LIL BABY WITH 2 WINS EACH....

New York, NY – October 5, 2021 – This year the 2021 BET “HIP HOP AWARDS” brought the hottest names in Hip Hop back to Atlanta, GA for the annual taping. Comedy supergroup 85 South (Karlous Miller, DC Young Fly, and Chico Bean) hosted this year’s awards from The Cobb Energy Centre which premiered on Tuesday, October 5 on BET, BET Her, MTV2 and VH1. Watch an encore airing of the award show Thursday, October 7 at 9 PM ET/PT on BET.

Cardi B and  Megan Thee Stallion ruled the night by jointly snagging three wins each including ‘Song of the Year,’ ‘Best Hip Hop Video’ and ‘Best Collaboration’ for their smash hit “WAP.”  Tyler, The Creator took home two wins for ‘Hip Hop Album of the Year’ and ‘Best Live Performer’ in addition to his “Rock the Bells Cultural Influence Award”presented by LL Cool J.  Jay Z scored double wins in the “Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse”and “Impact Track” for his Nipsey Hussle collaboration “What It Feels Like.” NewcomerYung Bleu was crowned ‘Best New Hip Hop Artist’ while rap sensation Saweetie took home ‘Hustler of the Year.” Music icon Missy Elliott  was voted ‘Video Director of the Year’ and ‘Lyricist of the Year’ went to J. Cole. UK rapper Little Simz took home the ‘Best International Flow’ award.

Young Thug kicked off the night with an explosive performance of “Tick Tock” followed by Gunna with “Too Easy” before coming together with their hit collaboration “Ski.”  Hot new rapper Bia performed her smash single “Whole Lotta Money,” then brought out Atlanta icon Lil Jon for “Bia Bia” to close it out. Baby Keem made his award show debut with “Family Ties.”  Hip Hop sensation Latto brought the house down with a sparkling, high energy performance of “SoufSide” and new song “Big Energy” while Tobe Nwigwe made it a family affair with Fat & Nell on their song “Fye Fye.” Isaiah Rashad performed alongside Doechii & Kal Banx for “Wat U Sed” before ending the set with his solo single “From the Garden.”

The hotly anticipated cyphers were hosted by DJ Hed and featured a bevy of emcees dropping hot sixteens including Grip, D Smoke, Smino, Tierra Whack, Rico Nasty, Sleepy Hallow, Erica Banks, Fivio Foreign, Toosii, Lakeyah, Kidd Kenn and Symba.

Presenters for the evening included a trio of Hip Hop powerhouses Trina, Remy Ma, andRapsody. “I Am Hip Hop Award” recipient Nelly closed out the show with a performance of his greatest hits including “Country Grammar,” “Hot In Herre,” “Air Force Ones,” “Dilemma,” “Grillz” with an appearance by Paul Wall and more. 

The complete list of 2021 “BET Hip Hop Awards” winners are:

HIP HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR

"CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST" - TYLER, THE CREATOR

SONG OF THE YEAR

CARDI B FEAT. MEGAN THEE STALLION - WAP

HIP HOP ARTIST OF THE YEAR

LIL BABY

BEST HIP HOP VIDEO

CARDI B FEAT. MEGAN THEE STALLION - WAP

BEST NEW HIP HOP ARTIST

YUNG BLEU

BEST COLLABORATION

CARDI B FEAT. MEGAN THEE STALLION - WAP

BEST DUO OR GROUP

LIL BABY & LIL DURK

BEST LIVE PERFORMER

TYLER, THE CREATOR

LYRICIST OF THE YEAR

J. COLE

BEST INTERNATIONAL FLOW

LITTLE SIMZ (UK)

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

MISSY ELLIOTT

DJ OF THE YEAR

DJ SCHEME

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

HIT-BOY

HUSTLER OF THE YEAR

SAWEETIE

BEST HIP HOP PLATFORM

GENIUS

SWEET 16: BEST FEATURED VERSE

JAY-Z - "WHAT IT FEELS LIKE" (NIPSEY HUSSLE FEAT. JAY-Z)

IMPACT TRACK

NIPSEY HUSSLE FEAT. JAY-Z - "WHAT IT FEELS LIKE"

Rising Singer-Songwriter-Producer, ELIJAH THOMAS Releases New Single, "TOOT IT" Featuring KOVE'…

Rising singer, songwriter, and producer Elijah Thomas has released his banging single, “Toot It”, featuring Kove”.

"TOOT IT", is the official second single from Elijah's upcoming debut album, to be released later this fall. "TOOT IT" was written by Elijah Thomas, Courtlin Jabrae, Sheldon Body Jr. and produced by Tasha Cotour. "It was great vibes and energy from the recording process to the shooting of the video. Eli is super talented and I'm glad we got a chance to merge our creativity," mentions Kove'. The high-energy music video was directed by Slick TwoThree.

"TOOT IT" by Elijah Thomas featuring Kove' is globally available now on all streaming platforms via the SRG ILS/Bully Park Records label imprint.

Listen

AUDIO: NAS featuring MS. LAURYN HILL

Rapper NAS has dropped his thirteenth studio titled, a follow-up to last year’s King’s Disease, titled King’s Disease II.

Among the many featured guests throughout the new LP, Ms. Lauryn Hill appears on the track, “Nobody”. Take a listen to the banger below…

Be sure to grab your copy of King’s Disease II, now available with ALL music streaming services.