The Red Carpet Treatment: LUKE JAMES feat. RICK ROSS 'Options' (Music Review)

 

Mega-talented and award-winning singer/songwriter/producer Luke James is back on the scene and in a major way with the release of his powerful new Alternative R&B single and video for 'Options' featuring Def Jam labelmate and Platinum-selling Rap artist Rick Ross. This lead single from his upcoming self-titled album - which is slated to be released in late September 2K14 has 'smash hit' and 'Grammy nomination' written all over it. James' potent lyrical deepness and sonically dark interpretation of a complicated love relationship has solidified his standing as one of the premier and most versatile songsmiths in the game, and with the witty wordplay of Ricky Rozay upping the ante, 'Options' is by far the New Orleans, Louisiana native's biggest track to date in my opinion. Yes, most fans would say his 2K12 sexy, soulful hit 'Make Love To Me,' his 2K11 debut smash 'I Want You' and 2K13's 'I.O.U.' were those songs, but the overall production of 'Options' is on some brand new 'next level' s**t!

The 'Options' music video was directed by James as well.

www.OfficialLukeJames.com

The Red Carpet Treatment: CASSANDRA LUCAS 'Damn'

After a decade from stepping away from the game, Cassandra Lucas - the multi-talented and gorgeous singer/songwriter and one-half of Platinum-selling R&B female vocal duo 'Changing Faces' is back on the scene in a major way with her emotionally-charged new single - a smooth, sexy ballad aptly titled 'Damn,' which displays her vulnerable side in a relationship that went sour due solely to her faults and insecurities, and not her man, which is a rare topic conveyed in today's musical landscape by female artists. 'Damn' is the lead track off her debut solo album 'Lifetime' on the CRC Musik imprint, a label formed by Lucas, her hubby/music collaborator Noel 'Chris' Absolam and her biz partner Richard Smith, and by the sound of things, a abundance of creative greatness is to come! As of this post, 'Damn' is on Heavy Rotation on Music Choice TV (RnB/Soul), and if you've loved Lucas' past work with her Changing Faces PNC Charisse Rose in the mid-1990s and early 2000s with classic hits such as 'Stroke You Up,' 'G.H.E.T.T.O.U.T.,' and 'That Other Woman,' her solo act and 'stand-alone' sound vibe WILL NOT DISAPPOINT!

Check out DAMN either on Cassandra's website or her YouTube page.

'Damn' music video was directed by Mills Miller. (www.twitter.com/MillsMiller)

www.CassandraMusicWorld.com
www.youtube.com/CassandraOfCF
www.twitter.com/CassandraOfCF

Red Carpet Music Feature: NoClue

The vast majority of Hip-Hop fans around the globe are familiar with the legendary rapid-fire deliveries of iconic veterans such as Jaz-O, Twista and Busta Rhymes. But it's Indie music recording artist Ricky 'NoClue' Brown who's held the crown as being THE fastest rapper on Planet Earth since 2K5 according to the Guinness Book of World Records - spitting verses at a mind-blowing 14.1 syllables per second! With a strong internet buzz, plus the superb talent to back it up, NoClue is hard on his grind, ready to conquer the Rap game and strongly rep the Emerald City in the same way that legendary Platinum-selling artists Sir-Mix-A-Lot and Macklemore have done in their respective careers. I recently chopped it up with Brown about his big musical connection with the Seattle Seahawks and more.

RG: Define the 'NoClue' brand of  Rap musicality in your words.

My brand of Rap musicality is primarily 'independence.' I strive to be the best that I can be....I don't give in to whatever is 'trending'....I stay true to what I want to represent - FLOWING, MOTIVATING and PROGRESSING.

RG: Express your feelings on your successful contribution of the Super Bowl XLVIII (48) champion Seattle Seahawks' powerfully-inspiring anthem '12th Man?'

I'm surprised I didn't make the anthem sooner. (Laughs)....Naturally, they've been my favorite team since I was a child, and I'm proud of my Seahawks. I love it when doubters are silenced, and we definitely silenced those who didn't believe they could win The Big Game....Since I'm from Seattle, I wanted to make a song for the entire city....It's been a long-time coming, and I'm looking forward to the Seahawks dominating this upcoming season as well.

RG: What projects do you currently have in the works that we can anticipate here in 2K14?

My major focus this year is perfecting my rap style in order to break my own Guinness world record on national TV. A lot more work goes into the process than people think. I'm actually better prepared this time around, and I plan on smashing my own record. Also look out for my self-titled album to be released later this year, as well as me contributing a song for the soon-to-be-released Tomorrow Pictures film titled 'Boxing Chicks.' STAY TUNED!

RG:  You've been doing your thing independently for a while now. What are the most important things that you've learned about the music biz/

The key to becoming a successful independent music artist is to have a solid team that you can trust. I couldn't have done it all on my own....Being persistent and having tough skin has gotten me past the rough patches also....It's not only a passion, but at the end of the day, it's WORK!....I'm constantly brainstorming, writing, in the studio mixing and mastering, promoting, representing products and brands and fulfilling companies' expectations - all while maintaining the 'NoClue' style. Lastly, you have to BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. If you don't, then why would anyone else believe in you? Successful people DON'T GIVE UP!

RG: In five-to-ten years from now with the LORD's blessing, Ricky 'NoClue' Brown will be -

Touring the world and being a household name. The more people I connect with musically, THE BETTER. I don't want to just make a dent in the industry - I want to have a MAJOR IMPACT!



www.NoClueOfficial.com
www.twitter.com/NoClueOfficial


*Big kudos go out to publicist AMY GREEN (www.twitter.com/AmyGreenPR) for blessing me with the interviewew opportunity!