United Music Scene

by Andrew Hamlin The “Prince From Minneapolis,” exhibit, running now at the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop) at Seattle Center, details the diminutive, mercurial, outspoken, yet often elusive superstar and fashion icon through the lenses of four photographers who worked up close with him: Allen Beaulieu, Nancy Bundt, Terry Gydesen, and Robert Whitman. The exhibit began at the University of Minnesota’s Weisman Art Museum (WAM). The original curator, WAM Senior Curator Diane Mullin, was kind enough to take a few questions. Read Full Interview

In a time where there is so much division among people due to politics, deep rooted hate, and social injustice, Tensei choose to 'Constellate', drawing on the power of postive vibrations to provide an uplifting collection of modern soul fusion. Tensei (meaning "Heaven Star" in Japanese) is the Chicago based producer tandem of Midas Wells and Chris Kramer. Spearheading a soulful, electronic and hip hop infused perspective to Chicago's growing spiritual jazz movement, the tandem has enlisted the likes of Makaya McCraven, Greg Spero and Junius Paul among others for these compositions. Fela Kuti-mentored Najite Agindotan joins in with Yaw from “Where Will You Be” acclaim on the grooves, followed by Liv Warfield from Prince's New Power Generation, A. Billi Free, Sam Trump, Sulaiman, Jimetta Rose and long-time collaborator ADaD. Highlights include the harp-infused 'Liquid Tongues', the soul pop of 'Never Alone', the Fela meets Curtis vibes on 'As...

Our 1st Weekly Issue! + Q&A w/ Joe Lockett + Phil Gates + Prince + Aretha Franklin + Therman Munsin + & so much more!

By Chris Cooke Following the recent deal between the Prince estate and Sony Music, which followed the disastrous deal between the Prince estate and Universal Music, 23 Prince albums have just gone online. Some are available via legitimate digital channels for the first time. The Prince estate, of course, originally did three deals with Universal Music covering the late musician's recordings, songs and merchandise. But the recordings deal fell apart because of confusion over what albums and singles the arrangement actually covered, Prince having entered into a new deal with his original label Warner Music two years before his death. With Universal's recordings deal abandoned, the estate announced a new partnership with Sony Music in June this year . This is the first project under that deal, with 23 catalogue titles going live on the digital platforms alongside a new 'Prince Anthology: 1995-2010' collection. The newly available to stream records are as follows: The Gold ...

Mistah Wilson: Hello, K-Syran! Honored to have you here with us for this exclusive interview with ThaWilsonBlock Magazine. How ya' been? K-Syran: Awesome! Never been so busy with single releases and new album coming out. Very exciting year!!! Mistah Wilson:  For our audience reading this, could you give us a quick background on yourself? K-Syran:  I'm an actress, I have my own play; Breaking The Silence that has been shown in London/NY/The Hague and Geneva, I'm also shooting a movie where I'm playing the lead, and I am a Singer songwriter. The last couple of years have been amazing with topping #38 Billboard Chart and playlisted both in the US and UK. So happy:) Mistah Wilson:  What led you to become a musician? K-Syran:  The move from London to Geneva. No West End and big movies in Switzerland so I got into the singing and songwriting. Music is big with amazing festivals, opera house and jazz festivals. It has really brought me places I had never dreamt of! Mistah...

Rap titan Jay Z could become the owner of Prince’s unreleased music if a hefty offer receives the proper sign-offs. TMZ reports that the TIDAL owner has already put in an offer of about $40 million for the late musician’s catalog of unreleased tunes. Jay Z reportedly even went so far as to meet with Prince’s sister, Tyka Nelson and her husband, flying them out to New York City to discuss the multi-million dollar offer. For the offer to be approved, the Brooklyn lyricist would need more than just a sign-off from Nelson. Although Nelson is Prince’s only full sibling, the late singer’s half-siblings would also be required to sign-off on the $40 million offer. Currently, TIDAL serves as the only streaming service Prince’s music is available on. Months before his death, Prince expressed his confidence in TIDAL and Jay Z during an interview with Ebony . “TIDAL is a new company, it’s brand new,” Prince said. “They’re just getting their footing, and I think when there’s a company like that...