Music With A Message Songwriting Contest
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Submit your song and your words could tour with Music With A Message this summer 2011! The Grand Prize winner will receive $1,000, and their song will be performed as part of the MWAM 2011 tour.
Eligibility
- You must be under 21
- We are only accepting lyrics submissions; NO musical arrangements please
- All lyrics submitted must be your own original work
- Deadline: May 31st, 2011.
Holla @ Harris
We also invite you to join us through Holla @ Harris, and share your thoughts to inspire Mr. Harris to write songs for this year's MWAM Tour!
2011 Contest Judges
Jeff Redd: As a youth growing up in Mount Vernon, New York, I had a clear vision of my passion of music and performing. As a young man, all I had at times were the dreams and visions of performing for others to make them feel special. Thus, I decided to establish myself as a solo artist. Performing standards in various supper clubs every night within the Tri-State area (New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia), I would meet Influential people in the music industry, including Andre Harrell, the President of Uptown Records, who signed me on to a recording deal. At that time, I was working at General Motors in Tarrytown, New York.
Once signed, I received a cassette tape from a co-worker by the name of Lil Jimmy. The demo tape was recorded at a local shopping mall and it featured the voice of a young lady singing Anita Bakers, "Angel." That young lady is now the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige. Following a discussion with Mr. Harrell, I signed Mary J. Blige to Uptown Records. She traveled with me and performed as background vocalist so that she could learn the performance aspect of the business.
In 1990, Uptown Records released my debut album, “A Quiet Storm,” which contained two top ten smash singles, "I Found Lovin' " and "Love High." I was simultaneously featured on the soundtrack for Strictly Business with the certified gold single, "You Called and Told Me," which after 18 years is still a top recurring single on WBLS and WRKS-FM in New York. A rapidly and progressively successful recording and performing journey propelled me to consider the executive side of the music industry. Using this success, I submitted a proposal to both MCA and RCA Records, fully confident that I had what it takes to produce and write for artists on their label." These artists would include; SWV, Bobby Brown, Regina Belle, Allure, Field Mob and K-Ci & JoJo.
With successful projects under my belt, I took on the corporate aspects of the music industry. MCA Records offered me the UP of A&R position. I was later nominated for and became the proud winner of such awards as Grammys, American Music Awards, Soul Train Awards and Billboard Awards for distinguished Work for the soundtracks: How Stella Got Her Groove Back, The Hurricane, Eve's Bayou and artists, Kci and JoJo, Regina Belle, Mary J. Blige, et. Al. Currently, I have my own independent record label, Sol Real Records, LLC, which has released a compilation entitled "The Essence of Soul" that is available on iTunes.
With the success I have achieved within the music industry, my and childhood passion have come full circle. That vision is "to make people feel special.” Future plans include the release of a series of CD's, all with different themes. The 1st CD will be titled, "Take you Higher," which will be dedicated to the DJ's of the world. "I always wanted to do a CD where I would sing over breakbeats that I love from the past. My dream now is to take us all higher and make more music that will stand the test of time.
For further information to book Jeff Redd for engagements, please contact George Harrell @ (646) 707-4085, or via email at: g.promotionalpro@gmail.com
Sol Real Records, LLC solrealrecords@gmail.com
www.myspace.com/jeffreddsounds
www.cdbaby.com/jeffredd
New single, "Take You Higher" available now!
Hedley Turk is a writer and author of the book Why Intelligent People Are Overweight. He received his Bachelor of Science from the State University of New York at Albany School of Business and currently lives in Great Neck, NY where he is passionate about helping others overcome their food addictions and lead healthier lives.
Natalie Barrington aka Lil Nat the overnight queen of weekdays , has been a member of the Emmis Radio family for years. Lil Nat has worked behind the scenes at 98.7 KISS FM as well as the Commercial Production Director for 8 years, as well as an on air personality for sister station HOT 97.
In addition to radio, Lil Nat has her own feature in DJ Kay Slay’s Straight Stunnin’ Magazine, Vibin with Da Lil 1. She hosts several industry parties, showcases and fashion shows as well as finding time to give back to her community. She has worked with “Father Knows Best Organization” in Irvington New Jersey, during Breast Cancer Month and hosted a breakfast for the American Cancer Society. She also worked with the New York City Department of Health to help spread the word on healthy living. Natalie has been honored by Inspired Magazine for her work in the community. Lil Nat will be on the silver screen with a roll in the Movie, Still a Teen. She is currently the executive producer, writer and host of her very own cooking show entitled “On the Back Burner”. She is also the Co-Owner of N.B. Productions Inc. Tune in and catch Lil Nat holding down the overnights 12am – 5am weekdays on 987 Kiss Fm.
Mohandas Dewese, better known as Kool Mo Dee, is an American Hip Hop pioneer who was prominent in the 1980s and early '90s. He was born in Manhattan, New York.
In the late 1970s, Kool Mo Dee joined with other rappers Special K and L.A. Sunshine as well as DJ Easy Lee to form the influential Old School hip hop group the Treacherous Three. It was with The Treacherous Three that Kool Mo Dee innovated and created the fast rapping rhyme style, that led to the group’s first rap single "THE NEW RAP LANGUAGE".
Mo Dee was also known as one of the first true battle emcee's. In 1981 he performed his battle rhyme freestyle, live on stage in a rap contest against Old School party rapper Busy Bee. His winning performance is frequently cited as a pivotal moment in the development of the battle rap.
He appeared in the breakdance cult-movie Beat Street in 1984. In 1986, Kool Mo Dee went solo, releasing a self-titled album. Most of his solo work was produced by New Jack Swing sound founder, Teddy Riley.
He is also well-known for his long-running rivalry with LL Cool J; whom he claimed stole his rapping style. The cover of Kool Moe Dee's 1987 album How Ya Like Me Now features a red Kangol hat (LL Cool J's trademark) being crushed under the wheel of a Jeep. The album included his biggest single to date, the Grammy nominated, platinum selling "WILD WILD WEST".
In 1989, His song "I Go to Work" from the album Knowledge Is King is considered by some to be the pinnacle of his work. The a high speed tempo, and the high energy, combined with the intricate lyrical content, is masterfully mixed in to the stacatto sounds of a marching band.
Kool Moe Dee also appeared on Will Smith's #1 pop hit "Wild Wild West" from Smith's 1999 motion picture, on which he re-performs the chorus to his 1988 single of the same name.
In the mid 90's, he appeared in the films, "PANTHER”, “GANG RELATED” among others. Later he appeared in the film "THE NEW GUY", and made a cameo appearances in both Takeshi Kitano’s “BROTHER” and the Britney Spears movie, "CROSSROADS".
In 2003 he authored a book titled "There's a God on the Mic". The book breaks down his 50 greatest MCs in terms of originality, concepts, versatility, vocabulary, substance, flow, flavor, freestyle, vocal presence, live performance, poetic value, body of work, industry impact, social impact, longevity, lyrics and battle skills.
Also in 2003, he wrote a screenplay, titled "THE PHAT PACK" scheduled for production in the fall of 2008.
In 2007, Kool Mo Dee added the title, TALK SHOW HOST, to his extensive resume. He is now the host of his own show, titled "SPITFIRE", soon to be airing on I AM HIP HOP.COM.
Kool Moe Dee was the first RAP recipient of the NAACP Image award, and the first rapper nominated for a Grammy. He won the Grammy his second time out, for the critically acclaimed "BACK ON THE BLOCK" produced by QUINCY JONES, and accompanied by fellow rappers MELLE MEL, ICE T, and BIG DADDY KANE. KOOL MO DEE plans on adding an EMMY, and an OSCAR to his hardware.
2010 Judges
