Dwyane Wade, Madeleine Arison, Christine & Pat Riley, Micky Arison, & Gabrielle Union
The NBA World Champions have been celebrating all over Miami since their epic NBA Championship win on Thursday and last night was no different. Prestige Sundays at Bamboo Miami hosted the Official NBA Championship Party in conjunction with House of Wade and featured DJ Griot.
DJ Griot & Dwyane Wade
With Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Pat Riley, Micky Arison, Chris Bosh, Mario Chalmers, Ronnie Turiaf, Norris Cole, Terell Harris, Dexter Pittman, actress Gabrielle Union and more in attendance, Prestige Sundays at Bamboo Miami was the hottest ticket in town. DJ Griot kept the party going all night with special guest, DJ Irie. Pat Riley took part in a conga line, and Wade along with other players jumped on stage pumping up the fans in attendance. The vibe in the club was pure joy and celebration and the champagne was definitely flowing.
DJ Irie & Dwyane Wade
Pat Riley kicked off the celebration leading a conga line through Bamboo. The party lasted all night. For more footage of the evening’s festivities, check out the vids below.
Miami’s celebration of the NBA Champions continued at the city’s Championship Parade Monday through downtown Miami and culminated in a big bash at the American Airlines Arena.
Theo Pasa, Pat & Christine Riley, Madeleine, Micky, & Kelly Arison, Phil Buch
Jay-Z and Kanye West's "No Church in the Wild" from their collaborative album Watch the Throne may be the best hip-hop song to come out in the last year. Period.
The opulence of the 88-Keys and Kanye West produced track matched with Frank Ocean's ominous vocals, The-Dream's high bridge and the two emcees lyrical content are unmatched by any other recent release. From Jay's metaphorical attack on organized religion to Kanye's philosophy on sex and celebrity, this song just feels like a revolution, calling into question some of the cornerstones of our society's beliefs.
Enter the video. Directed by French director, Romaine Gravas, THIS has to be what iconic group, The Last Poets meant by "The Revolution will be televised." Although Jay & Kanye never make an appearance in the video, the images perfectly capture the unique experience of the song. Thought-provoking, exciting, upsetting, riotous, forward-thinking... ART... PERFECTION! There's no way you can watch this and not be moved and not feel the revolution that is HIP-HOP!
It's no secret that I'm a Nicki fan, but my affinity for all things Barbie doesn't compare to my complete admiration and love for Nas, which NM so awesomely casts as her love interest in the video for "Right By My Side." The duet wirh Chris Brown is an ode to a significant other where Nicki professes that despite the ups and downs in a relationship, nothing is quite right without that special person right by her side.
The NY rapper and pop star, dropped the vid earlier this week on 106 & Park and it's uber-sweet! Nicki looks great and her and Nas look so cute together. Love him! Love her! Love Breezy! LOVE IT ALL!!!! Check it out below:
TMZ is reporting that Donna Summers has lost her battle with cancer Thursday morning in Florida.
The Queen of Disco was 63 years old and reportedly trying to keep the extent of her illness "under wraps" while recording her new album.
Donna Summers, born LaDonna Adrian Gaines, was a 5-time Grammy Award winner and was known as the Queen of Disco for her success in the musical genre during the 70's. Her accolades also include 6 American Music Awards, 3 Multi-Platinum Albums and she had a HIT in Billboard's Top 40 every year from 1976 to 1984. Some of her biggest hits include, "Last Dance," "Hot Stuff" and "Bad Girls."
Here's saluting an iconic American artist that helped define an era. Check out "Last Dance" video below.
The man responsible for bringing Rock-N-Roll into American homes through his groundbreaking show, American Bandstand has died at the age of 82. Clark had a massive heart attack on Wednesday morning and died in Saint Johns Hospital in Santa Monica, CA.
Dick Clark's success on "American Bandstand" allowed him to create the uber-successful Dick Clark Productions that created some of the most recognizable series, game shows, movies, etc for TV including "The $25,000 Pyramid" and The American Music Awards to name a few. At one point, Clark had shows running in all 3 major networks and was named one of Forbes' richest Americans.
He even continued to work after a stroke in 2004 limited his speech. Clark was honored with an Emmy in 2006 where he stated, "I have accomplished my childhood dream, to be in show business. Everybody should be so lucky to have their dreams come true. I've been truly blessed."
Dick Clarked is survived by sons Richard and Duane, a daughter, Cindy and his wife Kari Wigton.
This past weekend during Snoop Dogg's performance at Coachella, Tupac performed. Well, a hologram of Tupac performed and the video of the performance is absolutely amazing. The hologram was Dr. Dre's vision, was done by AV Concepts and took 4 months and $400,000 to create. You HAVE to see this! This effect is breathtaking and proof that real legends never die. TUPAC FOREVER!!
Like many artists, Chris Brown has laid down his feelings about his entire situation on a track and aptly titled it "How I Feel" produced by Drumma Boy. Breezy seems to have had enough with everyone and talks about the Rihanna incident, his come-up and the price of celebrity.
Every now and then you hear a song from an artist and you end up feeling like, "wow, that one came from the soul. That emotion was genuine." This is one of those songs/freestyles. In the short 2 and a half minutes, Chris really conveys his true emotions and in a very grown-man way. Check it out below.
"It might take me a lifetime to take it back. And it might take you a lifetime to know the facts. Yeah, just cuz we different don't mean we distant. And if you kill a man, ain't no way to bring him back."
South Florida artist SOTO has released the new and sexy "Lay Your Body Down" track featuring Rude Boi who also produced the track for Studio Monkeys. Check it out below and go to iTunes or Google Play to download!
Support local music & Download "Lay Your Body Down" Today!
When first encountering Uzi with his dreads and trademark “Florida’s Finest” t-shirt, one might be inclined to brand him as just another “South Florida D-boy rapper” but one listen to his latest Keep Watchin mixtape and you will quickly learn that Uzi is not the typical.
Ivy League caught up with Dean's List artist Uzi a couple of weeks ago near a recording studio in Miami Gardens to talk about inspiration, music and the future of Uzi. Check out the interview directed by LS Spade of EZ Kut Films:
The Trayvon Martin killing by George Zimmerman in Sanford, FL is making national news and has turned into a civil rights cause with even President Obama commenting on the case. What we know is that neighborhood watch member, George Zimmerman, 28, shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin and was not arrested or charged using Florida's controversial "Stand Your Ground" law as cover. The case is now unfolding on a national stage with new information being released daily and many people outraged and calling out for justice organizing protests and vigils around the country. The case has brought up racial tensions amongst African-Americans and Caucasians with many citing the race of Trayvon as the reason for the lack of police investigation and action initially.
For more information on the Trayvon Martin case, CLICK HERE.
Many politicians, community leaders and celebrities have been reacting and commenting on the case and the Hip-Hop community is no different.
Take a beat, add fresh flow, an urban location with lots of graffiti and some cool camera work and you have a Uzi's latest visual for "Realest Livin Flow" off of his sophomore mixtape, Keep Watchin' (Download it HERE). This is Uzi's element, no frills just a beat and dope rhymes. Get familiar with this up-and-coming rapper from South Florida!
Miami rap artists, Razor and Grief team up to form Da Undabosses and the collaboration is so seamless you would think they've always been a group. Grief's hard-hitting vocals match well with Razor's gruff voice and word-play. Label-mate, Rena the Heart-thrizob adds her unmatched sound and flawless style to the track making "Cornerstore" a real trap-anthem. The musical film directed by Rich Bradley for Rich Bradley Films has a clear storyline where we're reminded that snitches don't make it too far in the streets.
Check out the video below and download Twin Towers, Da Undabosses mixtape HERE.
After their uber-successful, "The Boy is Mine" in 1998, Brandy and Monica have finally teamed up again for "It All Belongs to Me" a soulful and empowered break-up song that shows that the talented duo still have great musical chemistry. The song is hit-worthy and they look absolutely gorgeous in the video. Click HERE to watch the video!
Check out the Behind the Scenes vid after the jump!
South Florida rap artist Uzi brings to the table an incredibly infectious energy that you feel when you meet him and that permeates throughout his music, especially in his latest mixtape, Keep Watchin. When you meet Uzi, you can't help but get excited about his music and his career as an artist. His energy is palpable and his work ethic is incredible. At 23 years old, Uzi talks like a seasoned vet in the game and has a clear vision and plan for his future.
Frequent Flyer Los goes in on the Diplo-produced track, "Slight Work." Los has a smooth and clear delivery and brings his Southern flow to the Wale song giving it a whole new swag. The Alabama-born rapper is definitely putting in the work displaying his uncanny talent for storytelling mixed with punchlines. Los is definitely putting in that "overtime." Check out his "Work" below and let us know what you think!
"This right here designer flow. Got these bitches choosin me like eenie-mini-minie-mo!" -Frequent Flyer Los
Check out other Frequent Flyer Los songs featured on
The boys over at IOU Entertainment have been flooding the internet with banger after banger creating crazy buzz from Atlanta to Alabama to Florida. Frequent Flyer Los is that dude and his latest, "Hell of a Life" featuring J-Harden brings that heat! Harden's unconventional vocals mixed with Los' straightforward delivery on the Justin Padron produced track makes this a major song. Despite the song's big sound, Los' verses hit hard. Check out the song below and let us know what you think about Frequent Flyer Los!
Listen & Download:
"Hell of a Life" x Frequent Flyer Los ft. J-Harden
Check out other Frequent Flyer Los songs featured on Ivy League Mag:
"Like a Pimp" featuring Lil Flip was David Banner's first official single as a solo artist after leaving rap duo Crooked Lettaz. The single from his independently released album, The Firewater Boyz Vol. 1, landed him a deal with Universal Records and in 2003 he released his first major label album, Mississippi: The Album. "Like a Pimp" launched Banner's career peaking at #48 in the Billboard Hot 100 and at #10 in the Billboard Rap charts. Banner has had commercial success in the years since both as an artist and as a producer.
Go ahead and grab that red party cup & bounce to "Like a Pimp!"
According to the Huffington Post, Holler If You Hear Me, a musical inspired by the music of the late, great Tupac Shakur is in the works. Directed by Kenny Leon, the musical is not autobiographical but rather a story inspired by the lyrics and music of the legendary rapper. Todd Krickler is writing the book and Leon is looking forward to "changing the face of musical theater." Leon is currently casting African-American male and female rappers between 18 to 35 years old and one Caucasian actor/musician between the age of 20 and 25. Workshops for the actors will be held in NYC this summer and Leon is hopeful to be able to bring the show to Broadway in the next Broadway season. A poll on The Huffington Post shows that an overwhelming majority of people are interested in seeing the play, are you?
The Dream is back with "ROC" the official first single from his upcoming album, Love IV MMXII, which is due out around Memorial Day this year. The album was pushed back after some disputes with DefJam late last year prompting the Atlanta artist to release the very personal 1977 mixtape.
The video for "ROC" was shot in Miami and has a sensual yet feel-good 90's house-party vibe and the song is definitely sexy! The Dream will go on a 17-city tour starting March 7 called Kill the Lights to promote the single and the upcoming album.
Ivy League Artist of the Month GRIEF joins forces with Razor and they go in on Miguel's "Sure Thing" beat. Signed to Miami-based, Indie label Hustleline, these dudes have crazy talent. Check out the vid and download the song below.
Download it NOW!
Download the entire UNDABOSSES Mixtape: TWIN TOWERS on DatPiff!
Rih-Rih & C. Breezy together again.... musically! Rihanna released the remix to her "Birthday Cake" song featuring none other than Mr. Chris Brown himself and the song, just like their relationship is HOOOOTTTTTTT!!!!! Don't take my word for it, listen enjoy & download! HAPPY BIRTHDAY RIH-RIH!!
Click the link below to download the song. Click the blue "DOWNLAOD" button to download once on the site.
This past weekend we said our final good-byes to a musical legend, Whitney Houston, who captured audiences worldwide with her amazing voice and magnetic presence. Whitney Houston was the epitome of pure talent whose voice alone could leave a stadium of people in silent awe. The New Jersey native had a God-given talent that allowed her to be an artist in the purest form: no gimmicks, no crazy wardrobe, no smoke and mirrors… just music, soul, and THE VOICE.
Whitney Elizabeth Houston was born on August 9, 1963 in Newark, New Jersey to entertainment executive Russell Houston and gospel singer, Cissy Houston. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Whitney nourished her talent singing in New Hope Baptist Church in Newark. Music being the cornerstone of her family, Whitney received vocal training from her mother and was raised around musical greats Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin, which helped to develop her talent and by the age of 14 she was singing background vocals for artists like the Michael Zager Band and Chaka Khan and occasionally appearing on stage in her mother’s performances.
Whitney's Seventeen Magazine Cover
Ironically, Houston’s first step to stardom was through a short-lived modeling career and not through music, becoming the second African-American model to grace the cover of Seventeen Magazine at the age of 17. However, music was her passion and in 1983 she signed to Arista Records with Clive Davis and made her first appearance on the Merv Griffin Show. Her debut album, Whitney Houston, was released in 1985 and yielded 3 Number 1 Hits: “How Will I Know,” “Saving All My Love for You” and “Greatest Love of All;” a Grammy, 7 American Music Awards, an MTV Video Music Award and her Grammy performance of “Saving All My Love for You” won her an Emmy. The album is listed as one of the greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine and The Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame and Whitney’s entrance into the music industry is listed as one of USA Today’s Top 25 American musical milestones.
Her debut album marked the beginning of Ms. Houston’s international, incontestable super-stardom that spanned 27 years and 7 albums during which she has produced 33 Billboard Hot 100 hits (12 of them landing at #1), sold 170 million albums, singles and videos, garnered 415 awards (6 of them Grammys), starred in 5 movies including The Bodyguard; which grossed over $410 million worldwide and has been the only person turn the National Anthem into a Top 20 pop hit when she performed it at Super Bowl XXV in 1991.
While Whitney Houston’s numbers and superstardom are quite impressive the legacy left by her incomparable talent is far greater. Known as the “singer’s singer” she has inspired countless musical greats and has set a standard in music very few can achieve because of her vocal ability. As the first Black female pop artist to garner heavy rotation on MTV, she opened the door for other female acts such as Janet Jackson and Anita Baker. Her influence in popular music rivals that of Michael Jackson and Madonna and has been deemed as THE VOICE by music critics, musicians, industry heavy weights and fans alike.
Whitney Houston died on February 12th from causes still unknown, the day before the Grammys and hours before she was slated to attend Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy party in the same Beverly Hills hotel where she was found dead. The sudden death of one of American music’s greatest stars has left the world in shock. There are those that want to discredit Ms. Houston’s achievements and talents because of her battle with addiction in the latter part of her life but the fact remains that what she accomplished and the gift she bestowed upon us during her 48 years of life is undeniable and utterly immeasurable. Clive Davis continued with the festivities that evening, which quickly turned into a tribute to Whitney, stating,
“By now you have all learned of the unspeakably tragic news of our beloved Whitney's passing. I don't have to mask my emotion in front of a room full of so many dear friends. I am personally devastated by the loss of someone who has meant so much to me for so many years. Whitney was so full of life. She was so looking forward to tonight even though she wasn't scheduled to perform. Whitney was a beautiful person and a talent beyond compare. She graced this stage with her regal presence and gave so many memorable performances here over the years. Simply put, Whitney would have wanted the music to go on and her family asked that we carry on."
At the Grammy’s, LL Cool J began the show with a prayer in her honor and Jennifer Hudson performed a moving tribute singing, “I Will Always Love You.”
Program for Whitney's Funeral Service
Her funeral services were held this past weekend at the church where it all started, New Hope Baptist Church, where for 4 hours those closest to her rejoiced and celebrated her life and legacy and mourned her death. Stevie Wonder, Cece Winans, Kim Burrell, Alicia Keys and R. Kelly were among those who paid musical tribute to Whitney with her cousin, Dionne Warwick presiding over the service and Clive Davis, Kevin Costner, Ricky Minor and her long-time security guard Ray Watson giving eulogies. Bobby Brown, her ex-husband, made a brief appearance. Her body was laid to rest on Sunday, February 19 in Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, NJ next to her father, who died in 2003. She is survived by her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, her ex-husband Bobby Brown and her mother, Cissy Houston.
Amidst the controversy and the drama that seemed to plague Whitney’s last few years, there was hopes for a comeback with the movie Sparkle set to be released in the summer of 2012 and new music in the works. Instead, we have laid to rest one of the greatest artists of our time. Her life, legacy and contributions will never be forgotten and she will continue to be the standard by which good singers are measured. Her voice touched anyone who heard it and has left an impact in popular culture and the music industry. Whitney Houston will forever be a legend. She will forever be THE VOICE.
Rest In Peace:
Whitney Elizabeth Houston
1963 - 2012
Feel free to leave your comments and thoughts about Whitney below and for more of Whitney's videos please visit: Ivy League Videos page!
