Podcast: "Change The System" (The BackBeat)

This week on The BackBeat, we get into the controversy surrounding the GRAMMY Awards and album of the year, Donald Glover getting cast as Simba in the new Lion King film remake, Russell Simmons hosting a Muslim rally, as well as Meek Mill using his social media platforms to discuss gun violence. We also get into The Roots having a new musical that is slated to be performed at the NBA All Star Game this weekend in New Orleans.

As always, tune into the end of the episode to hear our Songs of the Moment that include music from Remy Ma and Fat Joe, Future, Jidenna, Trey Songz, Davion Farris, Solange, and Whitney “The Voice” Houston.

Podcast: "For Us" (The BackBeat)

In this week’s episode, we discuss Nicki Minaj’s new interview with Marie Claire in which she talks about being an entrepreneur and the double standards for black women in the entertainment industry. We touch upon Kid Cudi’s new video “Frequency” and the awareness he is bringing to mental health. Next, we discuss Emeli Sande’s new song “Garden” ft. Jay Electronica and her upcoming album, which we can’t wait to hear. We run through the nominees for the 2016 American Music Awards--where Drake and Bryson Tiller scored huge nominations. Finally, we plug Michel’le’s movie “Surviving Compton,” which airs on Lifetime this Saturday (October 15th) at 8pm.

Don’t forget to stay tuned in until the end of the episode to hear our Songs of the Moment. Marcus chooses cuts from Aretha Franklin, Mary J Blige, Whitney Houston, and DVSN. Kyera gives us some of her favorite songs from Mahalia Jackson, Solange Knowles, and Vince Staples!

Enjoy!

Podcast: "Dey Know" (The BackBeat)

This week on The Backbeat, we get into Mary J Blige singing to Hillary Clinton, Solange dropping her new album A Seat At the Table, as well as new music from The Weeknd. We also talk about Tinashe exposing sexism within the music industry and give a shout out to Shawty Lo who recently passed away in ATL.

Be sure to tune into the end of the episode where Kyera gives us songs of the moment from Shawty Lo, Usher and Mac Miller. Marcus also gives us some jams from SZA, SG Lewis featuring Gallant and a collaboration between Yuna and Usher.

Enjoy!

Second Listen: "Cosmic Journey" (Solange ft. Bilal)

Back in 2008 Solange released her sophomore album Sol-Angel & the Hadley St. Dreams and it quickly became one of my top 5 favorite releases from 2008. Though it didn't received the type of commercial or critical acclaim that it deserved, Sol-Angel & the Hadley St. Dreams featured a distinct sonic quality that mixed 60s and 70s classic soul with techno and electric-synth pop of the 80s.

With that said, one of the standout joints from the set is Solange's soulful opus with Bilal "Cosmic Journey." Spanning over six minutes the joint deserves a listen or two and if you don't have it, you should pick up her sublime sophomore effort. With that said, take a second listen below to "Cosmic Journey" and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Viva La Vida" (Solange)

A few years ago, Solange performed a sublime cover of the Coldplay hit "Viva La Vida." Though Solange rarely receives the credit she is due for her vocals and amazing songwriting, this is one performance that no one can deny.

Solange straight up killed this performance and truly made it her own. With that said, watch it all go down below and hopefully Solange's highly anticipated third album will see its release later this year!

Second Listen: "T.O.N.Y." (Solange)

One of the numerous standouts from Solange's sublime sophomoric body of work Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams, has to be her infectious single "T.O.N.Y." Written and produced by Jack Splash and Cee-Lo Green, "T.O.N.Y." was released as the album's third and final single and "T.O.N.Y." is used as a metaphor and shortening of "The Other Night oh Y?", referring to a one night stand.

With that said, take a second listen below to Solange's "T.O.N.Y." and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Viva La Vida" (Solange)

A few years ago, Solange performed a sublime cover of the Coldplay hit "Viva La Vida." Though Solange rarely receives the credit she is due for her vocals and amazing songwriting, this is one performance that no one can deny.

Solange straight up killed this performance and truly made it her own. With that said, watch it all go down below and hopefully Solange's highly anticipated third album will see its release later this year!

Second Listen: "T.O.N.Y." (Solange)

One of the numerous standouts from Solange's sublime sophomoric body of work Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams, has to be her infectious single "T.O.N.Y." Written and produced by Jack Splash and Cee-Lo Green, "T.O.N.Y." was released as the album's third and final single and "T.O.N.Y." is used as a metaphor and shortening of "The Other Night oh Y?", referring to a one night stand.

With that said, take a second listen below to Solange's "T.O.N.Y." and Enjoy!

Second Listen: "Cosmic Journey" (Solange ft. Bilal)

Back in 2008 Solange released her sophomore album Sol-Angel & the Hadley St. Dreams and it quickly became one of my top 5 favorite releases from 2008. Though it didn't received the type of commercial or critical acclaim that it deserved, Sol-Angel & the Hadley St. Dreams featured a distinct sonic quality that mixed 60s and 70s classic soul with techno and electric-synth pop of the 80s.

With that said, one of the standout joints from the set is Solange's soulful opus with Bilal "Cosmic Journey." Spanning over six minutes the joint deserves a listen or two  and if you don't have it, you should pick up her sublime sophomore effort. With that said, take a second listen below to "Cosmic Journey" and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Viva La Vida" (Solange)

A few years ago, Solange performed a sublime cover of the Coldplay hit "Viva La Vida." Though Solange rarely receives the credit she is due for her vocals and amazing songwriting, this is one performance that no one can deny.

Solange straight up killed this performance and truly made it her own. With that said, watch it all go down below and hopefully Solange's highly anticipated third album will see its release later this year!

Second Listen: "Cosmic Journey" (Solange ft. Bilal)

Back in 2008 Solange released her sophomore album Sol-Angel & the Hadley St. Dreams and it quickly became one of my top 5 favorite releases from 2008. Though it didn't received the type of commercial or critical acclaim that it deserved, Sol-Angel & the Hadley St. Dreams featured a distinct sonic quality that mixed 60s and 70s classic soul with techno and electric-synth pop of the 80s.

With that said, one of the standout joints from the set is Solange's soulful opus with Bilal "Cosmic Journey." Spanning over six minutes the joint deserves a listen or two  and if you don't have it, you should pick up her sublime sophomore effort. With that said, take a second listen below to "Cosmic Journey" and Enjoy!

Second Listen: "T.O.N.Y." (Solange)

While this past week has been owned by media coverage of in infamous elevator fight, I just hope that if any good can come from the media attention is that more people checked out who Solange is musically as an artist and discovered her brilliant sophomore album Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams.

One of the numerous standouts from Solange's sublime sophomoric body of work has to be her infectious single "T.O.N.Y." Written and produced by Jack Splash and Cee-Lo Green, "T.O.N.Y." was released as the album's third and final single and "T.O.N.Y." is used as a metaphor and shortening of "The Other Night oh Y?", referring to a one night stand.

With that said, take a second listen below to Solange's "T.O.N.Y." and Enjoy!

Behind the Scenes: "ESSENCE Magazine Cover" (Solange)

For the May issue of ESSENCE Magazine, Solange in addition to Erykah Badu and Ledisi graced their respected covers of the beauty issue and of course, ESSENCE offered a behind-the-scenes feature of Solange shooting her cover.

With that said, during her behind-the-scenes feature entitled "behind the cover," Solange weighs in on the music industry, on what motherhood has taught her, and what it's done for her relationship with her own mother.

Peep Solange's 'behind the cover' feature below and if you haven't picked up your copy of ESSENCE Magazine, Solange's cover is on newsstands today!

Second Listen: "Cosmic Journey" (Solange ft. Bilal)

Back in 2008 Solange released her sophomore album Sol-Angel & the Hadley St. Dreams and it quickly became one of my top 5 favorite releases from 2008. Though it didn't received the type of commercial or critical acclaim that it deserved, Sol-Angel & the Hadley St. Dreams featured a distinct sonic quality that mixed 60s and 70s classic soul with techno and electric-synth pop of the 80s.

With that said, one of the standout joints from the set is Solange's soulful opus with Bilal "Cosmic Journey." Spanning over six minutes the joint deserves a listen or two  and if you don't have it, you should pick up her sublime sophomore effort. With that said, take a second listen below to "Cosmic Journey" and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Viva La Vida" (Solange)

A few years ago, Solange performed a sublime cover of the Coldplay hit "Viva La Vida." Though Solange rarely receives the credit she is due for her vocals and amazing songwriting, this is one performance that no one can deny.

Solange straight up killed this performance and truly made it her own. With that said, watch it all go down below and hopefully Solange's highly anticipated third album will see its release later this year!

New Joint: "Cash In" (Solange)

Solange released her first compilation album entitled Saint Heron earlier this week, which features appearances from some of her favorite artists including  Jhené Aiko, Cassie, and Sampha.

The album also features Solange herself, who closes out the set with her collaboration with Tim Anderson. Entitled "Cash In," Solange wrote and co-produced the joint alongside Time Anderson and you can take a listen to it below!

Interview: Solange

While on the promotional trail for  her latest video for "Lovers In The Parking Lot," Solange caught up  with Bianca Golden of NecoleBitchie.com and opened up about the inspiration behind her latest single, what she loves about songwriter, her inspiration behind writing her sister's hit single "Why Don't You Love Me," and having a ton of songs perfect for Mariah Carey to sing.

In addition to opening up about having songs in the vault for Mariah Carey, Solange opens up about her current relationship of 5 years, approaching her current boyfriend, and so much more. Peep Solange's interview after the jump and hopefully 2014 will find a full-length LP from Solange!

Second Listen: "Cosmic Journey" (Solange featuring Bilal)

Back in 2008 Solange released her sophomore album Sol-Angel & the Hadley St. Dreams and it quickly became one of my top 5 favorite releases from 2008. Though it didn't received the type of commercial or critical acclaim that it deserved, Sol-Angel & the Hadley St. Dreams featured a distinct sonic quality that mixed 60s and 70s classic soul with techno and electric-synth pop of the 80s.

With that said, one of the standout joints from the set is Solange's soulful opus with Bilal "Cosmic Journey." Spanning over six minutes the joint deserves a listen or two  and if you don't have it, you should pick up her sublime sophomore effort. With that said, take a second listen below to "Cosmic Journey" and Enjoy!

Interview: Solange

Solange made a stopped by Hot 97 this past Wednesday morning for an interview with Rosenberg and Ebro to help promote her recently released music video to her song "Lovers in the Parking Lot." During her interview, Solange talked about the inspiration and direction for the video and getting Bun B and Mannie Fresh to appear in the video.

In addition to talking about her new video, Solange opened up about getting suspended in school because of a Nas poster in her locker, maneuvered around who is a better MC, Jay-Z or Nas, becoming a DJ, standing up for Beyoncé when people are rude to her, trying to mess her sister up at her concerts, and so much more. With that said, peep Solange's interview from Hot 97 after the jump and Enjoy!

New Video: "Lovers in the Parking Lot" (Solange)

Solange is back with a new video for her joint "Lovers in the Parking Lot," which is the second official visual to be lifted from her 2012 EP "True." Directed by Solange and Peter J Brant, the video was filmed in her hometown of Houston, Texas and was created with The Creators Project.

Dancing in several empty spaces including a fluorescent-lit hallway, a basement cafeteria arcade, a pawn shop, and a Houston-area mall, Solange's vibrant visual for "Lovers in the Parking Lot" fits the vibe of the record perfectly and hopefully this will roll us into her forthcoming album, which is due on her own label Saint Records soon.

Peep the official visual for "Lovers in the Parking Lot" after the jump and Enjoy!