Singleton Entertainment Corp.

Etta James … a woman of Class, Power, Soul and Dignity!

Singleton Entertainment — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:46:26 +0000

The world has lost one of the most powerful forces in music history. “Etta James!” If you do not know this woman you need to research her. We will forever be blessed by her amazing jewels of music and voice. A woman of class, power, soul and dignity, we all really lost a music and entertainment family member that moved the world.

I was just reminded of a DJ “The Black Pope” from a New Orleans radio station where I got my passion for this industry. The Pope would play a new Etta James song back to back to back.

And everyone listened to this jock religiously. He was unlike any of the rest of the DJ’s. That’s where I fell in love with Etta James music. The Pre Grammy Toast To Urban Music Executives on Feb. 8^th will be celebrating Black History Month by Honoring Outstanding Entertainment Industry Executives. Stay tuned for this year’s honorees and more information.

Musically Yours,

Ernie Singleton

Red Tails flying….

Singleton Entertainment — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:37:10 +0000

Many of us have come to understand more and more about the significant contributions of the 332nd fighter and 447th bombardment groups better known as the Tuskegee Airmen. The new post-modern appreciation resembles that of a similar trend with Negro League Baseball back in the nineties but this is a subject of a more serious nature because lives were being put on the line.

Star Wars master George Lucas recalls that the long, hard road to climatically celebrate the Tuskegee Airmen was 23 years in the making telling Jimmy Fallon in a recent interview. Lucas stated that he was quite sure that the reason being for having such difficulty finding the cash to produce the project was due to the composition of the cast…nuff said.

After overcoming all of the classic racial barriers of a Jim Crow south, these black pilots statistically proved that they were more than worthy to man aircraft in a wartime situation; yet not worthy of the honor and respect that a veteran deserves.

Fortunately Lucas recognized this and had the artistic vision and foresight to tell their story. We often define “black film” by those who make it and its target market audience. In the case of Red Tails, the story alone makes this a film to transcend all movie markets. Check out the link to the trailer below and please support this important film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YjUUT7G55c

Starring Cuba Gooding and Terrance Howard

One of the original Tuskegee Airmen units

Heavy on our hearts…

Singleton Entertainment — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:28:09 +0000

I had the pleasure and honor of working with Dwight Meyers, more affectionately known as Heavy D, at a time when it was the norm for rap artists to hold their crotch when they performed. That was not the case with Heavy D. Heavy was agile and energized with dance moves that thrilled his audiences and earned respect from other artists.

When I was at MCA Records, Heavy D was the single most influential artist who prompted us to sign a joint venture deal with Uptown Records. Heavy D the artist was totally original: charismatic and groundbreaking in his style, his dress and his showmanship. As a man, he was sincere and possessed great enthusiasm, was extremely articulate and an amazing personality that everyone loved.

Who could have imagined that this Over Weight Lover, as he called himself, would have dance moves that most seasoned dancers would find difficult to imitate? This prompted the memory of the sad loss of one of his dancers, “Trouble” T Roy, who died in a stage accident on tour with Heavy over 2 decades ago. At least they’re together now.

Heavy always had songs that everyone could relate to whether it was his rendition of “Mr. Big Stuff” or the thought provoking “Now That We’ve Found Love” (originally done by his fellow Jamaican countrymen reggae legends Third World). One could always relate to the message in his songs. Of course let’s not forget one of his greatest blockbuster jams, “We Got Our Own Thang”.

Even if one just heard one of his songs playing, one can visualize where he was coming from. No doubt he was a legend with a lot of class and when it came to being an entertainer, he had his own style. Heavy D made rapping and dancing cool when most other artist would-be ridiculed if they would have tried it his way thus setting a trend.

His stage performances were energetic and engaging. Although we will miss him, his family will miss him even more. Our condolences and prayers go to his family and Xea his lovely daughter.

A True Fan Shares Her Passion for Mindless Behavior

Singleton Entertainment — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 21:01:02 +0000

There’s like 10 billion gazillion people in the whole wide world. But only one group of four 14-year old sweethearts called Mindless Behavior. They go by the names of Prodigy, Roc Royal, Ray Ray and Princeton. Prodigy is from Philadelphia and Roc Royal, Ray Ray Princeton are from LA.

Their first single was “My Girl” which came out last August. The video has gotten over 13 million views since its release last September. Then in April they released the “My Girl (Remix)” which received 5 million views. The song features artist such as Ciara, Lil Twist and Tyga. Their most recent single is “Mrs. Right” featuring Diggy Simmons. This video has cameos from LL Cool J as a geography teacher and Mike Epps as a janitor. The video has over 6 million views. It’s a song about them looking all over the world for their Mrs. Right. They don’t discriminate when it comes to girls. The boys love them all.

All three of these videos have been #1 on BET’s 106 and Park for more than 2 weeks. They have an amazing fan base. With over 250,000 Twitter followers and over 750,000 likes on FaceBook their fans call themselves “Team Mindless”. The boys have been on tour with Justin Bieber, Jason Derulo, Backstreet Boys and Janet Jackson. But recently they just finished co-headlining the BET 106 and Park Closer To My Dreams Tour. The tour starred Tyga, Lil Twist, Diggy Simmons, Trevante and Jawan Harris. Now they are about to go and headline the Scream Tour NXG. It features Diggy Simmons, New Boyz, Jacob Lattimore, OMG Girlz and Hamilton Park.

On September 20th their debut album #1 Girl will be released. Mindless Behavior has come far in the last year. From the outfits, to the hair, the looks, the dance moves, the lyrics and songs. People ask me all the time if I have a favorite. But I say no because they all have a different style and personality and that’s what I love about them. I will always be Team Mindless. But I’m more then Mindless or so my mom says. I listen to Mindless Behavior on repeat all day, every day. I know ALL the moves and ALL the lyrics. It’s even rubbed off on my mom. She knows some moves and some of the lyrics. So they have a new member of Team Mindless I guess!

Now MB is no Justin Bieber, Jackson 5, or the Beatles *not yet at least* but they are just as incredible, talented and adorable and can’t anybody tell me different. How do I know all these things? I’m just MINDLESS like that. Go and get a copy of #1 Girl on September 20th! Trust me if you buy it you’ll be extremely happy when you when you do.

Princess Jade Reign

Rest In Musical Paradise Nick Ashford

Singleton Entertainment — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:27:44 +0000

The urban music industry has lost one of its greats. Musicians and friends mourned for the lost of Nickolas Ashford at his bar, Sugar Bar, last night in New York. Many came to just play in remembrance of Nick, while others took to the mic to express their love for him. Nickolas Ashford of Motown’s Ashford and Simpson died Monday afternoon. The singer- songwriter had been battling throat cancer and according to his publicist Liz Ronsenberg his death was sudden.

He began his career as a songwriter in 1964 and later transitioned to performer in the 70s. His wife Valerie SImpson and him wrote hits like Diana Ross “Aint No Mountain High Enough” and Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman.” One of Ashford and Simpson’s greatest hits was “Solid(as a rock).” In recent years Ashford and his wife were inducted to the songwriters hall of fame. Singleton Entertainment Corp. sends our condolences to Nick Ashford’s family and friends.

Nicki Breaks Records

Singleton Entertainment — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 19:11:07 +0000

Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass” is putting her in the elite class of female emcees. Super Bass is the first track by a solo female emcee that has hit #3 on Billboards top 100 in about a decade. The last track to have this type of success was Missy’s “Work it” in 2002 which hit #2. Despite “Super Bass” success it still cannot top Lauryn Hill’s single “Doo Wop.” Hill’s single is the only single from a solo female emcee to hit #1 . Surprisingly “Super Bass” was only a bonus track on the explicit deluxe version of Nicki’s Pink Friday.

SUMMER MADNESS FOR TRUE MUSIC LOVERS!

Singleton Entertainment — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 20:28:51 +0000

Mindless Behavior is my all time favorite group. They are a 14-year old group of four talented boys. Three of the boys are from LA and one is from Philly. The group recently finished up the BET Closer To My Dreams Tour. Along with Trevante, Diggy Simmons, Lil Twist, Tyga, and Jawan Harris. I had the pleasure of hanging out with MB the whole day in Atlanta. The day began with an in-store signing for Mindless Behavior and Diggy. After the signing we had lunch and went to sound check. While at sound check one of the members and I put up posters around the venue. After sound check I went back to my hotel to get ready for the concert. I had a great time with them. Every time I see them they act the same way…sweet. Their debut album #1 Girl comes out September 20th. Rumor has it that the show was to die for and Diggy had the best overall performance. By far this is a show you will want to experience if you can and if you are old add it to your bucket list.

“International”

Singleton Entertainment — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:18:38 +0000

Singer, songwriter, and producer B. Peace is bringing music that will move people to come together. His single “International” is currently available on itunes. This soulful groove track is about a girl that is not monogamous but “international” with her love.

This Los Angeles native is a Loyola Marymount graduate, who spent a year in law school when he discovered music was his future. As the “noisemaker” of his family he learned to play music by ear, but eventually perfected his craft by learning to read and write music. His inspirations range from current artist like Ryan Leslie to the legends like Quincy Jones. B. Peace style separates him from the rest because he is able to make a heartfelt, soulful track that combines the old and the new. B.Peace is the bridge that will bring old R&B and new R&B together.

TIME TO TOAST

Singleton Entertainment — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 22:18:54 +0000

Another fine industry tastemaker presented by

JAI REED DROPS A PRAISEWORTHY NEW RELEASE

Singleton Entertainment — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 22:04:15 +0000

This New Orleans pastor is receiving heavy accolades for a new soulful swagger that he brings to contemporary gospel allowing his groundbreaking project to take musical praise to the next level.