This powerful panel will exchange the fundamentals and challenges to aspiring producers and songwriters
Chicago (May 12, 2009) – On May 19th, 2009, Collabo revisits the popular and informative panel discussion – The Art of Production and Songwriting. In the club, on the radio and over the Internet, classics to contemporary songs constantly ring within our memories. As an artist uses their creativity generating lyrics and cutting -edge production, usually a hit record is born.
Collabo is a music industry mixer for all aspiring and established artists, which is the brainchild of Mary Datcher, President of On The Streets Promotions and Marketing. Collabo comes from the word collaborate, which means, "to work jointly with others especially in an intellectual endeavor".
This monthly event features industry professional that are part of Chicago's music scene as well as informative seminars conducted by a team of panelists. This installment of Collabo will be hosted this Tuesday May 19th at The Victor Hotel from 7pm-1030pm at 311 N Sangamon Ave. Maurice Joshua – Grammy-Award winning Producer and Remixer will be the moderator for May's Collabo. **PLEASE NOTE** Panel Begins promptly @ 8pm sharp!
"I am excited to get such an abundance of talent as well as creative visionaries to participate for this extraordinary panel. This is truly a must-attend event," says Mary Datcher founder of Collabo.
Panelists for The Art of Production and Songwriting:
• Syleena Johnson– National Recording R&B artist/Entrepreneur/Owner of Aneelys Records
• Chico DeBarge – National Recording R&B artist
• Earl Powell – Producer/Eptone Productions (Jennifer Hudson, Slique, Ben-One)
• Malik Yusef – Malik Yusef(Artist/Songwriter-GOOD Music & MY Music)
• Krystal & Caress of Syrenn – National Recording Group & Songwriting duo
• Jeff Dillard – President of Janeff Entertainment and Reigning Pictures (a motion picture company) and partner in the law firm of Dillard & Noel where he specializes in entertainment law.
• Mil Tickit – Producer/Track Kings Entertainment (Malik Yusef, Chingy, Ludacris)
After the panel, everyone can enjoy the live performances from some of today's hottest talent including AlDay Blue, A.D. and Big IL.
Additional Information: Must be 21 to enter. $5 Donation (COLLABŌ Members) $10 Non-Members. Music courtesy of DJ Bigg. Early Arrival Highly Recommended!!!
Sponsorship and label inquires chicagocollabo@gmail.com.
For more on Collabo please visit www.myspace.com/chicagocollabo
Early registration for the 5th annual Global Mixx Music Retreat begins in mid-June. Please visit www.globalmixxmusic.com or www.globalmixx.net for more info and updates!
Support a college bound student this summer! Sponsor a trunk full of on-campus essentials for the Better Love Yourself 3rd Annual Collegiate Trunk Event Summer Tour! www.betterloveyourself.com
ABOUT THE MODERATOR AND PANELISTS:
Maurice Joshua – In the 1980's, Maurice played a very prominent role as one of the members of Chicago's famed triumphant trio, I.D. Productions with Steve "Silk" Hurley and Eric "E-Smoove" Miller. He later redefined the remix concept and he has had remixed many songs played in the clubs domestically and overseas by some of today's hottest artists including Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, John Legend, Omarian, Michael Jackson, Faith Evans and Amerie. He became the exclusive resident remixer for the best selling female group of all-time Destiny's Child.
He has conquered the dance club play charts and his remix for "Crazy in Love" scored his first Grammy Award. As one of the world's top DJ's, Maurice has played in famous clubs like Ministry of Sound (London), Cream (Liverpool), Sound Factory (NYC) and MZA (Tokyo).
Syleena Johnson – National Recording R&B artist/Entrepreneur/Owner of Aneelys Records With three critically acclaimed, this 2005 Grammy-nominated artist has worked with some today's biggest recording artists and producers including R. Kelly, Kanye West, Busta Rhymes, Common, Twista, Jermaine Dupri just to name a few. Released digitally, Chapter 4: Labor Pains is set to be the best R&B album of 2009.
Departing from Jive Records in 2006, Syleena was determined to win after critics said she would fail doing it all on her own. After several broken promises from industry friends and music insiders, she vowed to leave the music business alone forever.
However, one year ago, with help from her sister and Universal Republic executive Avery Lipman, she decided to take her ten years of industry experience; fronting her own money and putting in
-More-
long hours to launch her own label, Aneelys Records (Syleena spelled backwards), while recording Chapter 4: Labor Pains. Syleena is an established artist, entrepreneur, wife and mother who utilizes her God-given gift of vocals and strength to make her a force to still be reckoned with in the industry.
Chico DeBarge – Jonathan Arthur "Chico" DeBarge is a smooth introspective neo-soul vocalist and the younger brother of the Motown family act DeBarge.
He began a musical career of his own with Motown in the mid-1980s, but was imprisoned for drug charges and served time in prison for drug trafficking. After his release in the mid-1990s, DeBarge returned to Motown to continue his musical career. In 1997, his album Long Time No See chronicled his past experiences in love and life. The project was a commercial success and critics' favorite.
He later moved to Koch Records, where he released his last LP, 2003's Free. DeBarge also had a single on the recent Beauty Shop movie soundtrack, courtesy of Alove Entertainment.
Chico is set to drop his latest project Addiction in July. Plus he plans a summer mini tour with soul crooner Joe across the US performing his catalog of hits and new material.
Malik Yusef –- Malik Yusef Spoken Word Artist, Composer, Writer, Entertainer was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Malik Yusef (professionally known as "The WordSmyth") the country's premier spoken word musician.
Malik has been featured in several national and international publications including but not limited to Ebony Magazine, XXL, The Source, Vibe and Rolling Out Magazine. He has won honors as Truth Awards "Best Poet" 2001 through 2005 consecutively. He was named "Best Poet" at the Chicago Music Awards 2002 through 2006 consecutively.
Malik's critically acclaimed debut album "Malik Yusef presents The Great Chicago Fire Cold Day In Hell" (Zoawe/Universal) released January 2003 was a great success. Currently, Malik is working with G.O.O.D. Music as well as collaborating with a slew of artists in preparation for the release of his next album, Malik Yusef and Kanye West Presents – Good Morning/ Good Night, in June of 2009.
Earl Powell – Earl Powell of Eptone Productions is no stranger to the music scene. With an original style that he is known & loved for, his production talents have landed him in the mainstream. Most notably recently, you will find his work featured on Jennifer Hudson's Grammy Award-Winning debut project. Fan favorite song "Stand Up" is featured on the Target Bonus Edition. Also, Eptone single "Your Body" performed by R&B vocalist Slique has been blazing' on Billboards Top 100 R&B Charts since the latter portion of 2008. Earl also scored a scene in the feature film "Nothing Like the Holidays" (released December 2008) starring Ms. Debra Messing (Will and Grace, The Starter Wife).
Earl has an extensive inventory of material that displays his exceptional talent in the areas of R&B/Soul and Pop, displaying how he can do it all, and do it all very well! In addition to those mentioned, Earl's career has given him the pleasure of working with many major & independent record labels and recording artists nationwide, including Ben One, Public Announcement, Syleena Johnson, LaTocha Scott (of Xscape), Cherish, Majic, Chamillionaire, Strong, and Alfonzo Hunter.
Syrenn – Krystle Servick and Caress S. Williams hail from Chicago's western suburbs Maywood and Bellwood Illinois respectively. Their natural gift of voice was first heard in the church and they both note some of music's greatest vocalists as influences for them pursuing their passion including Patti LaBelle, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Toni Braxton and Mariah Carey.
Syrenn has been compared to another Chicago female group The Emotions with their gifted songwriting abilities and tenacious spirit. The duo has received accolades from international Hip-Hop superstar Kanye West and R&B crooner Dwele.
They have performed at various showcases and venues across the Chicagoland area and created a buzz within the industry as the next female duo to make a major impact in the music business. Syrenn plans to bring back the essence of soul music.
Jeff Dillard – From sports to music to motion pictures, Jeff has made an impact in the entertainment world. In sports, he has represented clients such as the NBA's Shawn Kemp, and has served as general council for the Chicago Twisters Women's Basketball Team. His music experience has led him to negotiate on behalf of several recording artists with major record companies such as Sony/Columbia, Jive and TVT, to name a few. In addition to producing videos and public service announcements, Jeff was the Executive Producer for the feature length motion picture "Lana's Rain" (available in all major video outlets nationwide), which received 3 stars from film critic Roger Ebert, as well as producing the upcoming documentary Business As Usual, The Exploitation of Hip Hop, narrated by Mekhi Phifer.
Mil Tickit - This versatile multi-faceted performer started his career at the age 0f 13 with MC Hammer's crew as a dancer. He became a fixture over the years and gained notoriety by performing on the classic tours – The Hard knock Life Tour, Ruff Ryder's, Cash Money. He also performed with music luminaries: R. Kelly, Nelly, Chingy, Redman, Pink, Destiny's Child and Eve just to name a few.
In 2003, Mil Tickit launched Track Kingz Inc and has produced the following hits "Georgia" by Ludacris featuring Field Mob, "St. Louis" by Chingy and "Magic Chick" by Do or Die featuring R. Kelly. His signing with Bad Boy Entertainment, has accelerated his value within the industry as he did the official remix for "Last Night" by Diddy featuring Keyshia Cole. Mil Tickit is also a Grammy award winner for being on Ludacris' critically acclaimed Release TheRapy.
Currently, Mil Tickit is working on various upcoming projects for Plies, Mario Winans, Juvenile, Pitbull and Missy Elliot.
Press and Media please RSVP to nobel.david@gmail.com if you plan on attending to cover Collabo
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Contacts: DLN Marketing Communications & Consulting
David Nobel nobel.david@gmail.com
312.420.2274 (m)
