Local Scene Setters Open Up Jazz Fest's Sync Up Conference

The sixth annual Sync Up conference is being held Friday and Saturday of both weekends of Jazz Fest 2013. The conference brings together heavy hitters in music, film, television, and media. We had the pleasure of sitting in on the panel discussion with Scene Setters: People Making a Difference. The group of local entrepreneurs who are making cool things happen in music and digital media included: 

• Patrick Crilly, Digital Tip Jar (New Orleans, LA)
• Travis Laurendine, CEO, Volnado and New Orleans Hackathon (New Orleans, LA)
• Lawrence Parker, SupremeStreet/NOLA Hip Hop Awards (New Orleans, LA)
• Lionel Milton, Mardi Brah iPhone game (New Orleans, LA)
• Nesby Phipps, Mardi Brah iPhone game (New Orleans, LA)
• Darren Hoffman, Tutti Dynamics (New Orleans, LA)
• Kristen McIntyre, Tutti Dynamics (New Orelans, LA)
• Reeves Price, Winter Circle Productions (New Orleans, LA)

Take a look at some of the photos from the conference's opening day:

The Spill: August Alsina Live at House of Blues (PHOTOS)

New Orleans' own August Alsina gave his hometown a super dose of his talent in The Parish at the House of Blues. August crooned to the ladies and brought a few of them on stage to give them a personal show. The house was packed and the crowd loved him. Raptress 3D Na'Tee opened up for the NOLA native and tore the stage up! She definitely set the tone right for the headliner. Check out a few photos from the concert.

Super Producers Monsta Beatz

Poet Smutdapoet

Entertainment Manager, Grind Relentless and Blogger Ashlee Nicole

Ashlee Nicole and Curren$y's Manager, Mousa

Tha Real Deal Radio Show's Boss Dillinger

Host of The Cookie Jar, Cookie and Promoter CurtStar

Cookie interviewing August Alsina

August Alsina and Ashlee Nicole

Ashlee Nicole and Cookie 

Ashlee Nicole and Cookie

Promoters Bam Fisher, Wayne Scott and Price of Popularity Clothing Owner, Senedra

Dee-1 Releases In-Studio Visuals For "Only God Can Judge Me"

"What's a hater to a hero, only God could judge me!"

via Press Release

[Video Link] "Only God Can Judge Me": http://youtu.be/wzYq-y69Odk 

Producer: J-Kits

Video Edited & Directed: OneNine

[Project Link] Psalms of David: http://bit.ly/WaW6Ak

  

Yesterday, Dee-1 released his latest video for the single, "Only God Can Judge Me," off of his recent mixtape, Psalms of David. The video shows Dee-1 in the studio while shining light on his untethered swag in response to "haters" who criticize his message and his mission. "Only God Can Judge Me" shows off Dee-1's versatility in flow and delivery, as he continues to blend the sounds of dirty south street anthems with his razor sharp lyricism and chanted hooks. No matter what the haters say about Dee-1, he continues to have fun making new music for his ever expanding fan base.

Dee-1 just finished up his "Higher Learning" tour with Lecrae, to promote his new mixtape Psalms of David. According to Dee-1, Psalms of David (http://bit.ly/WaW6Ak) is a compilation of new songs, recent selections, and some previously unreleased tracks that, “all have the same purpose; entertain, motivate, inspire and serve.”

Dee-1's Background:

Born and raised in the heart of New Orleans, Dee-1 shared the same struggles as the legendary artists that put the 504 on the map, but he represents the city with a different viewpoint. After graduating from Louisiana State University with a bachelor's degree, Dee-1 began teaching middle school in Baton Rouge, but as his buzz as an artist continued to grow, he finally decided that his passion for hip hop was too much to ignore and that being "Dee-1" gave him a much larger platform to be heard than being "Mr. Augustine." After establishing a solid street buzz with his mixtapes Still We Rise and I Am Who I Am, Dee-1 founded his own entertainment company, OMAR Ent. (One Man Army Entertainment,) and released his critically acclaimed album David & Goliath, leading hometown hero Mannie Fresh and esteemed producer 9th Wonder to reach out to him personally with praise. Dee-1's next projects, I Hope They Hear Me Vol. 2, #TheFocusTape, andPsalms of David continued Dee's ascent, receiving thousands of downloads worldwide, while a number of singles from the projects received radio play and airplay on MTV Jams. Now, Dee-1 is currently prepping his next mixtape, Psalms of David II, which does not have a set release date just yet.

 

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Dee1music

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/dee1music

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/Dee1music

Website:

http://dee1music.com/

Sync Up Conference 2013

April 26-27 and May 3-4, 2013 Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Admission: FREE The Sync Up conference is New Orleans' top entertainment industry gathering. It covers music, film and technology - including touring, licensing, digital marketing and distribution - all from the perspective of independent artists. The conference is presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, the nonprofit that owns Jazz Fest. FRIDAY, APRIL 26 9:00 a.m. - Registration Opens 10:00 a.m. - Panel Discussion Scene Setters: People Making a Difference Patrick Crilly, Digital Tip Jar (New Orleans, LA) Travis Laurendine, CEO, Volnado and New Orleans Hackathon (New Orleans, LA) Lawrence Parker, SupremeStreet/NOLA Hip Hop Awards (New Orleans, LA) Lionel Milton, Mardi Brah iPhone game (New Orleans, LA) Nesby Phipps, Mardi Brah iPhone game (New Orleans, LA) Darren Hoffman, Tutti Dynamics (New Orleans, LA) Kristen McIntyre, Tutti Dynamics (New Orelans, LA) Reeves Price, Winter Circle Productions (New Orleans, LA) 11:00 a.m. Keynote Interview: Jim Griffin of One House Music (Plains, VA) Cash & Credit: Getting Paid for Online Content 11:50 a.m. - Panel Discussion Music Publishing in the Spotify Era Michael J. Sammis, CFO, Universal Music Publishing (Los Angeles, CA) Brent McCrossen, CEO, Audiosocket (New Orleans, LA) Jedd Katrancha, Downtown Music Publishing (New York, NY) Joe Conyers, Songtrust (New York, NY) Moderator: Neeta Ragoowansi (New York, NY) SATURDAY, APRIL 27 9:00 a.m. - Registration Opens 10:00 a.m. - Panel Discussion Direct-To-Fan: Which Service Should You Use? Benji Rogers, CEO & Founder, Pledge Music (New York, NY) David Dufresne, CEO, Bandzoogle (Montreal, Canada) Patrick Faucher, Co-founder and CEO, Nimbit (Framingham, MA) Michael Schneider, Artist Relations, Band Page (San Francisco, CA) Elyse McKenna, Senior Client Relations & Development ,Topspin Media (Nashville, TN) Wayne Leeloy, Warner Music Nashville, moderator (Nashville, TN) 10:30 a.m. Keynote Interview: Jeff Castelaz, President, Elektra Records (Los Angeles, CA) 11:30 a.m. Web Site Demolition Derby Benji Rogers, CEO & Founder, Pledge Music (New York, NY) David Dufresne, CEO, Bandzoogle (Montreal, Canada) Patrick Faucher, Co-founder and CEO, Nimbit (Framingham, MA) Michael Schneider, Artist Relations, Band Page (San Francisco, CA) Elyse McKenna, Senior Client Relations & Development ,Topspin Media (Nashville, TN) Wayne Leeloy, Warner Music Nashville, moderator (Nashville, TN) FRIDAY, MAY 3 9:00 a.m. - Registration Opens 10:00 a.m. - Panel Discussion Presenting New Artists: How Concert Promoters Balance the Desire to Showcase Fresh Talent and the Need to Fill Seats Jack Walsh, Executive Producer, Celebrate Brooklyn (New York, NY) Jill Sternheimer, Producer, Public Programming, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (New York, NY) Diana Ezerins, Programming Coordinator, Millennium Stage, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, DC) Erika Elliott, Artistic Director, Central Park Summerstage (New York, NY) Martin Fleischmann, CEO, Rum and Humble Concerts (Los Angeles, CA) 11:00 a.m. Keynote Interview: Danny Melnick of Absolutely Live (New York, NY) Moderator: Geoffrey Himes, The Washington Post (Washington, DC) 11:45 a.m. How I Built My Touring Business David Margulies, Co-producer, High Sierra Music Festival, moderator (Quincy, CA) John Michael Rouchelle (New Orleans, LA) Marc Allan, Red Light Management (Charlottesville, VA) Sammie Williams, Big Sam's Funky Nation (New Orleans, LA) Tony Ciaccio, Hypersoul (New Orleans, LA) Curren$y (New Orleans, LA) Mousa Hamdan, Street Customs Management (New Orleans, LA) Ivan Neville, Dumpstaphunk (New Orleans, LA) Jon Phillips, Silverback Music (Los Angeles, CA) SATURDAY, MAY 4 9:00 a.m. - Registration Opens 10:00 a.m. - Panel Discussion Dick Huey, toolshed.biz (Warwick, NY) Alex White, Next Big Sound (New York, NY) David Hazan, CMO, Mobile Backstage (New York, NY) Jonathan McHugh, Song Stew Entertainment, moderator (Los Angeles, CA) 11:00 a.m. Keynote Interview: Zach Quillen, manager of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (Seattle, WA) 11:30 a.m. Keynote Interview: Anya Grundmann, Director of NPR Music (Washington, DC) Interviewed by Scott Goldman, Vice President, The GRAMMY Foundation (Santa Monica, CA) 12:00 p.m. Keynote Interview: Terry McDermott (New Orleans, LA) The New Orleans Museum of Art One Collins C. Diboll Circle, New Orleans, Louisiana 70119

Kuumba Freeque Live

KUUMBA FREEQUE LIVE!

DATE: SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2013
TIME: 10:30 PM
VENUE: CAFE INSTANBUL - 2372 ST. CLAUDE AVE - NEW ORLEANS, LA

TICKETS: $12 ADVANCE / $15 DOOR

Purchase Discount Tix Now, TixWEB

ENTRY & DOOR TICKETS AVAILABLE: 9:30P
- Funk Rock band from Houston, TX
- 1st Ever New Orleans Show

Purchase Discount Tix Now: http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=3479984

- Artist Info & Music: http://www.reverbnation.com/kuumbafreeque

-Watch Music Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXtRAXNWIlM&feature=share&list=FLFkUgbkVa8lNmMtQ1B3HMkA

- Debut Album, REZUREKSHUN, available on iTunes, CD Baby, & at show

Beyoncé Chooses Luke James for Opening Act on European Tour

New Orleans' own, Luke James, will be joining Queen Bey April 24 thru May 29 as the opening for her upcoming European tour. Luke opened up for Beyoncé for her comeback concerts at Revel in Atlantic City and also appeared in Bey's "Run the World (Girls)" video. 

On her decision to include Luke on her tour, Bey admits, "Luke James is a gifted singer and songwriter and what he does on stage with his pure falsetto is incredible...I am excited to have him join the tour and to introduce this soulful singer to an audience in Europe that will be discovering a true star."

Lupe Brings Surprise Guest, Dee-1 On Stage (Video)

via Press Release

New Orleans Hip-Hop artist and Louisiana State University alumnus, Dee-1 got the call and joined Lupe Fiasco on stage at LSU's annual Spring festival, "Groovin' on the Grounds" this past Saturday. Dee came out and electrified the crowd by performing his popular single "3's Up." Lupe told the crowd about how he and Dee-1 are homeboys and had since grown closer after sharing a meal at Dee-1's house during a recent promotional tour Lupe did for his single "Bad B*tch." It probably didn't hurt that former No Limit rapper, Mia X, cooked dinner for everyone - she is known to be a phenomenal cook. 

Watch video here 

According to Dee-1, his most recent mixtape Psalms of David (http://bit.ly/WaW6Ak) is a compilation of new songs, recent selections, and some previously unreleased tracks that, “all have the same purpose; entertain, motivate, inspire and serve.” 

Dee-1's Background:

Born and raised in the heart of New Orleans, Dee-1 shared the same struggles as the legendary artists that put the 504 on the map, but he represents the city with a different viewpoint. After graduating from Louisiana State University with a bachelor's degree, Dee-1 began teaching middle school in Baton Rouge, but as his buzz as an artist continued to grow, he finally decided that his passion for hip hop was too much to ignore and that being "Dee-1" gave him a much larger platform to be heard than being "Mr. Augustine." After establishing a solid street buzz with his mixtapes Still We Rise and I Am Who I Am, Dee-1 founded his own entertainment company, OMAR Ent. (One Man Army Entertainment,) and released his critically acclaimed album David & Goliath, leading hometown hero Mannie Fresh and esteemed producer 9th Wonder to reach out to him personally with praise. Dee-1's next projects, I Hope They Hear Me Vol. 2, #TheFocusTape, andPsalms of David continued Dee's ascent, receiving thousands of downloads worldwide, while a number of singles from the projects received radio play and airplay on MTV Jams. Now, Dee-1 is currently prepping his next mixtape, Psalms of David II, which does not have a set release date just yet.

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Dee1music

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/dee1music

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/Dee1music

Website:

http://dee1music.com/