[ARTIST] Anthony David

In a time where genres and categories bleed into one another and morph into new hybrids, there will always be a space for the pure singer/songwriter who can address real life emotions in real time. Men will always need someone to express their emotive side, and women will always need to hear it. Humans will always need to feel, and artists are here to identify those feelings and paint pictures of sound with them. Since the release of his first album in 2004, Anthony David has consistently been the man for that job, and has continually pushed forward and expanded.

Raised in Savannah GA, Anthony made the move to ATL, and hit the ground running in the local music scene. He found a long time friend and music collaborator in a then unknown India Arie, and became a part of her success. Writing and producing on her first 3 albums yielded grammies and numerous other awards, while he also toured singing backup for her. Arie pushed him to the front by her 2nd tour, having Anthony open up for her across the country, which led to a deal with Local Independent label, BRASH MUSIC.

At BRASH, David wrote and co produced 2 critically acclaimed albums, “3 chords and the truth” and “Red Clay Chronicles”, which also secured deals in Europe (Dome Records) and Japan (Village Again), leading Anthony to tour worldwide several times over, making new fans along the way. The acclaim prompted Universal Republic record to get involved, compiling the best songs from the two indie albums,  repackaging them as ACEY DUECY.  The added exposure took the single “Words”, a duet with Arie to chart placement, and nomination for a GRAMMY in ’08.  It was also the album that exposed the First lady, Michelle Obama, to Anthony’s talent, who then brought him to the attention of the President himself, Barack Obama, who name checked Anthony as a constant on his iPod.

For the next album, “As above, so below” David inked a deal with E1/Purpose records and travelled to Nashville to work with producer Shannon Sanders. They produced Anthony’s best record to date, pushing the boundaries, and expanding on what people have come to expect from R&B. Taking on political topics (Reach Ya), Religious (God Said), with his trademark storytelling (Backstreet) still in tow, and razor sharp. The leading single, “4evermore” stormed the radio and gave Anthony his first #1 record, while the reggae/latin tinged “Body Language” tore up dance floors all across the UK. A tour to Kenya,  inspired Anthony to become a part of the “Give Africa Hope” campaign that brought awareness to the East Africa famine. During that period, David wrote and released3 new songs along with remixes from “As Above, so below”, shooting the video in Kenya for the title track “#Locationlocationlocation”. The tune was a homage to Carl Sagan’s “pale blue dot” and also a plea to share the resources of the planet. He also got intimately involved with AWOL (All Walks of life) an arts program for children back in his hometown of Savannah, pushing to get it established in Atlanta by 2013.

Currently in production for his fourth studio album, titled “Love Out Loud”Anthony David constantly pushes the boundaries, and broadens peoples expectation from both him, and the community he represents. “I’ve never been one to shy away from titles, boxes, whatever you wanna call em, but I will EXPAND those boxes” is a quote that Anthony lives by. From day one it’s always been about consistency for David, and he continues to provide what people expect from him in as many ways as he is able. Raw, honest, pure, music from and for the soul.

[ARTIST] Algebra Blessett

On Recovery, her Purpose Music Group/eOne Music debut and second full- length album, the soulful songstress known as Algebra Blessett delivers a consistently sublime set that showcases the remarkable vocal and songwriting gifts that have already established the versatile, charismatic artist as one of R&B's hottest rising performers.


Born Algebra Felicia Blessett and hailing from the R&B hotbed of Atlanta, Algebra has already earned a reputation as one of her hometown's most exciting new talents. Having already won widespread acclaim with her solo debut Purpose, and for her work as collaborator with the likes of Monica, Bilal, India.Arie, Esperanza Spalding and Anthony David, Algebra offers a fresh, expansive creative vision on Recovery, on which she worked with three of today's hottest urban producers: Bryan-Michael Cox, Kwamé Holland and Shannon Sanders.


Such indelible new self-penned tunes as "Nobody But You," "Right Next to You" and the pointed "Writer's Block" demonstrate Algebra's uncanny ability to spin insightful scenarios that are rooted in personal experience and crafted to convey maximum musical and emotional impact. Whether she's delivering infectious pop, swaggering funk or sensitive balladry, there are no gimmicks here, just timelessly soulful, effortlessly accessible music that draws upon the varied musical skills that Blessett has developed through a lifetime of creative curiosity.


"My first album was a group of songs that I'd collected along the way, and it was me saying 'This is what I do,'" Blessett explains. "But I wanted this one to be the next level musically. I called it Recovery because I'm a sucker for heartache and pain, but I also believe in going through the process to get to where you need to be. I don't want to make anybody jump off a bridge, but I also understand that there's more to life than gallivanting around like butterflies. So I feel some responsibility to put my experiences out there in a way that's relatable to people's lives."


Algebra grew up steeped in music, in a religious family with multi-generational roots in gospel music; her mother was a minister and gospel singer who also played bass and guitar. Yet she initially resisted the urge to pursue music herself, despite singing in a gospel choir while still in elementary school. Although she had originally wanted to attend the prestigious Atlanta School of the Performing Arts to become a professional dancer, she was accepted after auditioning with a song.

[ARTIST] Teedra Moses

Teedra Moses was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana to a gospel singer mother, Shirley Moses. She later moved to Los Angeles, California with her mother and three siblings after her parents' separation. 

Prior to becoming a recording artist, Moses worked with her best friend Nonja McKenzie as an assistant wardrobe stylist for artists such as Will Smith, Kelis, R. Kelly, and No Doubt. It was after breaking her leg on a video set that Moses decided to follow her heart and begin making music.

Following this epiphany, Moses teamed up with producer, Paul Poli and signed with the Number 1 Indie Record Label, TVT Records to release her debut album Complex Simplicity in August 2004. Complex Simplicity included fourteen tracks all self-penned by Moses with dominant production by Poli; which lead to the well deserved executive production credit by both Moses & Poli. The album underperformed on the U.S. chart, debuting and peaking at number one hundred and sixty-eight on the Billboard 200. However, the album was “Critically Acclaimed” and otherwise found success on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, the Top Independent Albums, and the Top Heatseekers, reaching number twenty, number eleven, and number ten, respectively. 

In addition to executive producing and penning all the lyrics on her own project, Moses has written songs for other artists including Nivea, Christina Milian, Mary J. Blige and a host of others. She was featured on and co-wrote two songs from Raphael Saadiq's 2004 album Ray Ray, "Chic" and "I Want You Back". Her songs have been showcased in the Logo series Noah's Arc as well as in the HBO hit show Entourage, movies such as Never Die Alone, Beauty Shop, and Be Cool. 

 

Teedra Moses Links:

[Facebook] [Official Site] [Twitter] [Instagram]

UGDigital Issues featuring Teedra Moses:

[ARTIST] DJ Mustard

Los Angeles native, DJ Mustard, is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after producers in the business. He has produced chart-topping hits for 2 Chainz ("I'm Different"), Young Jeezy ("R.I.P.") and Tyga ("Rack City"). Complex has also taken note, naming DJ Mustard one of their "25 New Producers To Watch Out For." While some have dubbed his signature sound as "ratchet," Mustard describes his beats as "undefinable." Says Mustard, "I just want people to hear my music and feel good; go to the club, dance, have fun, and get home safe…none of that gang-banging stuff." 

The New York Times has praised Mustard's sound, stating "it's made for some of the starkest and most vibrant hip-hop of the last year or two…booming and square, like well-sequenced jabs with no need for combinations." Mustard has not only been been inspired by his native L.A., but also looks up to producers such as Dr. Dre, Swizz Beatz, and Timbaland. He is currently working on YG's upcoming album, as well as singles for Ludacris and B.o.B.

 

MORE INFORMATION

www.djmustardonthebeat.com