Artist Spotlight: Louis the Child

One of the biggest up-and-coming names in EDM, Louis the Child, is also one of my new favorites.  The duo is made up of Chicago natives Freddy Kennet and Robby Hauldren, who say that the goal of their music is simply to make people happy.  If you ask me, they've certainly achieved this goal - their songs are beautiful, upbeat, chill, and captivating.  Their song "It's Strange" featuring K. Flay has blown up on SoundCloud, inspiring remixes from many other artists.  The duo is set to play at Coachella, Firefly, BUKU, Bunbury, and Governor's Ball - these guys are in for a busy summer!  If you haven't heard a Louis the Child song yet, I highly recommend you check out their SoundCloud page here: https://soundcloud.com/louisthechild.  If you like ODESZA, Flume, or The Chainsmokers, Louis the Child is right up your alley.  Tune in to Bad Dance Moves Mondays at 10 PM to hear Jess and I play Louis the Child along with many of our other favorites!

Gaming Den

Hey, Hey, Hey, Everybody
Welcome to the Gaming Den

Today I would like to talk to you all about a game that I recently found for the Nintendo DS, which is the Megaman Zero Collection. This game is a set of 4 games released for the GBA under the titles Megaman Zero 1-4.

Source: Reviews2Go

The Megaman Zero's story comes 100 years after the events of Megaman X5, ignoring the games X6-X8 because they were made by a different company. At some point during the 100 years there was an energy crisis and the Reploids (essentially androids) were being hunted as they used up too much energy. Enter Zero, a currently hibernating Reploid, who is reawakened to fight off the oppression of the Reploids and hopefully bring peace the the area. The Collection Edition of the game contains an "easy scenario" mode, where one can play through all 4 of the games with all of the abilities activated, and it has a regular mode which lets you play the games as they were in the GBA release. Check out next week's blog where I talk more into the first game of the series.

Also, tune in Thursday's 9 to 10 for some Video game music by TheRavanator on WNJR 91.7fm

Artist Spotlight: K. Michelle

Source: Cocoa Fab

 The last African-American artist to be spotlighted during Black History Month is R&B rebel K. Michelle. Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, K. Michelle was always into music. As a child, she took music lessons from Bob Westbrook, who worked with artists such as Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears. K released her debut album Rebellious Soul on Atlantic records, which was a commercial success.  Her sound is not just one of R&B. K. Michelle loves to sing numerous other genres such as country, pop, electronica, and rock & roll. Tune into WNJR Radio for a listen.

Source: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/10-questions-we-still-have-about-the-kesha-legal-drama-20160224

Just a week ago Ke$ha, singer, songwriter and rapper, was denied by the judge when she asked if she could break off her contract with producer Dr. Luke. She accused him of sexual abuse and drugging her. Even though the allegations seemed reliable, she still needs to finish her 6 album contract with Kemosabe Records. Now she needs to await trial which will start mid-May. Let's hope the best for her. Make sure to stay tuned with WNJR 91.7FM every Sunday morning between 12:00AM and 5:00AM for the best Hip-Hop playlist every week.

Artist Spotlight: RÜFÜS DU SOL

 

 Hey everyone hope your week has been going well!  I recently became the electronica music director here at WNJR and I am very excited to share with you guys some of my favorite electronic artists!  RÜFÜS DU SOL has been a recent obsession of mine with songs like "Take Me," "You Were Right," and "Desert Night." The group recently released their first full-length album titled "Bloom" under ODESZA's Foreign Family Collective label.  The album features songs with upbeat rhythms that you'll want to get up and dance to.  The group has some upcoming tours in Australia, Europe, and North America so be sure to check and see if they're coming to a city near you!  If you want to take a listen to RÜFÜS DU SOL and other electronic artists similar to them then don't forget to tune in on Monday nights at 10PM to Bad Dance Moves!

Fresh Bread

It is quite refreshing to see the leaders in our community come and talk about the issues in our community and not only the issues but also solutions. An activist and minister appeared as an guest on Fresh Bread with Pastor Myron Jones. Dr. Darrell Cummings In 1997, was among those awarded “Man of the Year” by the Wheeling NAACP; and receiving the “Man of the Year” award from the African American Heritage of the Ohio Valley Program in 2009.  He was awarded Civil Rights Leader of the Year” by the West Virginia Educators Association, and was given the honor of serving as Chaplain for the West Virginia Legislature, in both the Senate and the House.   Rev. Cummings serves on several boards including Habitat for Humanity, the Wheeling Police Commission, Youth Services Board of Wheeling, and the West Virginia Northern Community College.  He is also a recipient of the “St. Francis Xavier Award” from the student government of Wheeling Jesuit University.  Pastor Cummings was appointed as a Commissioner for the WV Human Rights Commission in August of 2006, by former Governor Joe Manchin, III of West Virginia, and currently serves as Chairman. If you ever wanted to get enlightened and refreshed, it is highly recommended that you listen on Mondays 12-2. Happy Black History Month!   

Artist Spotlight: Tamar Braxton

Source: Soul Bounce

Who knew that R&B living legend Toni Braxton had a sister?! (Actually she has four). But who knew that this one could sing? Tamar Braxton, the third artist to be covered this month for Black History Month, is the youngest sister of the Braxton clan. However, the 4 octave singer is more than that. She released a Grammy nominated album entitled Love and War  in 2013. Fast forward to 2015, Tamar releases her newest album Calling All Lovers, which earned her her third Grammy nomination. Calling All Lovers mixes her not so typical R&B sound with reggae and 60's rhythm and blues. Make sure you check out some of her music on WNJR 91.7FM.

Source: The Boom Box

Black Blessings- Jack Johnson

Whoop Whoop, it's Thursday guys and we're so close to Friday. But I came to deliver the weekly Black Blessing that you've all been waiting for. Today it's all about Jack Johnson, and no not the singer, but the boxer!

 Jack Johnson is famous for becoming the first African-American to hold the world heavyweight champion in 1908 and kept the title until 1915. He was born in Galveston, Texas and was properly nicknamed "the Galveston Giant". For an even deeper look into Johnson's life and legacy, go here or watch the documentary Unforgivable Blackness directed by Ken Burns. Below is a recording of the match between Jack Johnson and Jim Jeffries.

Don't act Modest, Panic! about Brand New and Weezer

Need plans for your fourth of July weekend?  Well do not worry because some great bands are coming to Stage AE on July 3rd and 5th.  If you are from the Pittsburgh area then get excited for July 3rd because Panic! at the Disco and Weezer are performing for XFEST!  Panic! has recently released a new album titled "Death of a Bachelor" featuring hits like "Victorious," "Hallelujah," and "Emperor's New Clothes."  Weezer is  expected to release a new album in early April titled "Weezer (White Album)" and it features songs like "Thank God for Girls," "Do You Wanna Get High," and "L.A. Girlz." 

If you are unable to make the concert on July 3rd then maybe you could catch Modest Mouse and Brand New on July 5th.  Modest Mouse and Brand New will be touring the U.S. so if you are not from the Pittsburgh area you can check out their tour dates above and see if they are coming to a city near you!  You will be able to hear some hits from both bands including songs like "Float On" by Modest Mouse and "Jesus Christ" by Brand New.  This combination of bands is sure to make for a great fourth of July weekend, and I hope to see some of you at the concert!  Be sure to tune in on Mondays at 10PM to Bad Dance Moves to listen to some of these bands!

The Life of Pablo

 Source: https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/697872225404325896

Surprisingly, Kanye West has made a lot of appearances in social media despite the fact that he has a new album coming out, he was designing his very own Yeezy Season 3 collection, and his wife, Kim Kardashian, just gave birth to their new son a little over two months ago. A few weeks ago Kanye West released the title of his new album, 'SWISH', but two days ago, he tweeted the picture of his new album cover for 'The Life of Pablo'. His tweets have caused confusion within his followers. Is the name Pablo in his album referred to Pablo Escobar? Pablo Picasso? We never know what to expect from this man. Stay updated for changes and release dates on his twitter account, @KanyeWest, and make sure to stay tuned for new music during the New Music Hour at 2PM every Monday on 91.7fm WNJR College Radio.

Black Blessings- Dorothy Dandridge

Well hello beautiful souls! I am sure that most, if not all of you, know that it is Black History Month! Whoo! I know you guys are just as excited as I am. So it is an honor to give to you a new blogging theme that I'll be doing from here on every time I blog for the rest of my time as a blogger. As weekly as possible I will be posting stories about black people, no matter the sex/or gender, that have inspired us, whether they be the past, present or even tall tales that have amazed us all. So I give my first blogging of 'Black Blessings' for a very long time!

Dorothy Dandridge was famous for becoming the first Black woman to be nominated for an Academy Award. She was a singer, actress, and pin-up.  She was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1922. Halle Berry played her in Introducing Dorothy Dandridge. Her role in breaking boundaries for Blacks is compared to what baseball legend Jackie Robinson did. For an even more in depth look at her life, you can find it here.  Below is a video of Ms. Dandridge singing and dancing with Louis Armstrong at the Apollo Theatre.

Artist Spotlight: Eryn Allen Kane (again?)

Source: Saint Heron

Happy Black History month to all you listeners out there! I hope you all are spending this month becoming educated on the important, interesting, and fun facts regarding African American history! Like promised, I am providing blogs about creative and talented artists within the African American history. For some of you, this beautiful songbird may ring some bells (hopefully it does, if not you are unfortunately missing out). Eryn Allen Kane, who I previously blogged about, has released another mixtape entitled Aviary: Act 2 (BRB currently thanking the R&B gods). Who says that R&B singers can't have fun over some fast tempo beats?! Not Ms. Kane. Aviary: Act 2 may have listeners ready to dance in one moment and ready to cry by their lonesome in the next (but who doesn't love variety, right?). I know this sounds intriguing and at this moment you're wondering where you can listen to Ms. Kane. But don't fret, we have Aviary: Act 2 right here on WNJR Radio. Tune into 91.7FM for a listen.