Newark, New Jersey was dubbed New Jerusalem for the unique Hip Hop sounds pioneered by the likes of Queen Latifah, Redman, Naughty By Nature, Lords Of The Underground and The Artifacts. El Da Sensei entered the scene as one half of The Artifacts with his partner Tame One in 1994 when their debut album, Between A Rock And A Hard Place, brought them worldwide attention. After over a decade of creating essential Hip Hop music for his loyal fans, El Da Sensei is preparing to release his sophomore solo album, The Unusual, on Fat Beats Records in February 2006.

As a graffiti artist, B-boy, beat boxer, and lyricist, El Da Sensei channeled his diverse talents through his music. In his teens he battled as a dancer, and later began entering emcee battles. He partnered with Tame One to form the group Thats Them, but later changed the group moniker to The Artifacts. In an era when Hip Hop was a mosh pit of over-the-top styles and flavors, The Artifacts offered fans the most organic presentation of beats and rhymes that true-school fans could ask for.

Their debut album produced the memorable songs "Wrong Side of the Tracks", "Dynamite Soul" and "C'mon Wit Da Get Down", setting the stage for the Best Of The Underground tour. The Artifacts hit the road with a then relatively unknown rapper from Chicago, Common Sense, along with Organized Konfusion and The Beatnuts. Not long after, The Artifacts returned home to drop their second album Thats Them, which included headphone masterpieces like "Art of Facts", "The Interview" and "The Ultimate".

Soon after the second release, El Da Sensei and Tame One decided upon an amicable break up. El continued his journey towards lyrical mastery on his own, traveling the world and appearing on numerous compilations in various countries including Japan, Norway and Germany. He dropped the white label singles "Frontline" and "Got That", and spent a little time working on his personal life. In 2002, El Da Sensei released his first solo album entitled Relax, Relate, Release. The collection of songs revisited El's lust for the bare-essence of Hip Hop music, and delighted critics who had been missing that classic sound. He spent the following three years touring overseas, visiting locations like Croatia and Amsterdam, and focusing his energy on his next great endeavor.

Now El Da Sensei is back in the saddle, gearing up for the February 2006 release of his second solo album, The Unusual. The project was picked up by the world-renowned Fat Beats Records, and will bring a new edge to the New Jersey emcee that fans know and love. "I definitely didnt want to come like the last album", explains El. "I felt like Relax, Relate, Release was a little bit personal for everybody. With this album I just wanted to go back to basics and bring a certain kind of fire back to myself."

The Unusual features guest spots from rap veterans O.C. on "Nothin' To Lose" and Boot Camp Click's Sean Price on "No Matter". Production is handled by a select group of respected beat crafters - Illmind, Jake One, Saukrates, DJ Revolution, K-Def and J Rawls. El's mindset in recording The Unusual was one of growth and focus. "I wanted to make a sound between mainstream and underground that I can go to any club and perform", he says. "If you don't think about the whole spectrum of everybody, youre only going to be in one count."

At this phase of his already prolific career, El Da Sensei is proving he has not gone anywhere. He also seeks to satisfy his core audience and keep his character fresh with today's times. "We merge with the mainstream to show them that artists like me still exist and can b.. e"relevant today. Im not afraid to challenge myself and experiment. I'm thinking about the fans - they can expect me to let loose a little

Watch the Trailer from The Money EP from El Da Sensei and The Returners

The songstress Mya is back in the studio again and her release of the second single "Blackout" is expected to climb the charts just like her #1 hit "Lady Marmalade". Mya stepped back and looked at the women in abusive relationships and decided that it was time for abuse women around the world to have a song that expressed everything they feel but can not verbally express. If you carefully listen to the lyrics of this new single you can visualize the triumph of women around the world standing up for themselves and refusing to accept the role of being a victim. "Blackout" is a verbal warning for abusers around the world that it is not acceptable to abuse the people in your life that love you the most because one day they will "Blackout" on you . This song is currently being service to DJs around the world so call your local station and request "Blackout" by Mya. The smooth vocals that Mya brings to this track only enhances the message and the track will cause you to place this single of repeat many times. Also, watch out for Mya and her dance partner Dmitry Chaplin on the ninth season "Dancing with the Stars" to air on ABC on September 21st 8/7 pm cst.

Mýa is currently working on her 6th studio album due this fall and to be released on her own independent label, entitled Planet 9. She recently inked a deal with J. Prince's Young Empire Music Group and will release a mixtape called Beauty & The Streets Vol.1 on September 29, 2009. First single, Show Me Somethin' featuring Houston-rapper Bun B has already leaked onto the Internet and service to the djs and radio stations. You can purchase the single from ITunes and you can download the ringtone by sending a text Mya2b to 30303 or her website www.myamya.com

In 2008, Mýa had a starring role in the direct-to-dvd romantic comedy film Love For Sale. Mýa played a college student named Kiely in a bad relationship. The film was released to DVD on October 21, 2008.

In 2010, Mýa will hit the big screen in the upcoming psychological thriller Disciple directed by the Clark Brothers. The film stars Taral Hicks as well. Production on the film starts September 2009


Check out Mya's Website

“Trayce” was born Maryam Aishah Hassan-Daniels on January 27, 1993 in Brooklyn, NY. However, make no mistakes about it, she loves where she comes from. “Growing up in Brooklyn helped make me the person that I am today,” she explains. “ I don’t know about anyone else but all I can recall are family, friends, fun times and music always playing. Like whenever the weekend or the summer came it was picnics, backyard barbeques, pinochle, softball and paddleball games; block parties, swimming pools, parks, and all the while there was music playing… it was crazy. I would always remember the hot songs like ‘For You I Will’ by Monica and ‘I Believe I Can Fly’ by R. Kelly. Then, I would try to sing them.“ By the time she was 4 Trayce was singing, songwriting and composing and has the cassette tape to prove it!!! (LOL) While in the 1st grade (6 yrs old) she auditioned and was given the lead role of Dorothy alongside 4th & 5th graders in her elementary school production of “The Wiz Comes To Bushwick.” “Those I guess were the results of learning to read at an early age,” she replied. When she was 7 yrs old she says that she remembers her mom & her brother convincing her to sing on the subway cars in NY just to see the response she would get from the subway audience. “If you can do it here, you won’t have stage fright anywhere;“ was her moms motto, and perhaps she was right. When she became 8, she was singing at churches, senior centers, health fairs, community functions or any other place that would allow her to sing. It appears that her persistence paid off because in 2002 via an open casting call she auditioned and was cast alongside Jack Black in the Paramount Picture “The School of Rock” as Tomika, the big girl with the even bigger voice. “This to me was amazing, and sometimes I still find it hard to believe. I got the opportunity for the world to hear my voice and be in a movie at the same time. I also got to travel to London, Paris & Germany, shoot a music video and performed on numerous talk shows, absolutely incredible!!!” Though she loves acting, singing is her passion. “I believe it was in 2004 when I sang in the NY Knicks Kids Talent Search during half-time at a Knicks game. It was a packed house and I sang “AT LAST” by Etta James. The house lights were supposed to go down & a spotlight should’ve been on each artist as we performed but something went wrong & the house lights stayed on. Looking at the thousands of people actually made me want to show out even more.” Trayce won that competition after an upset. A different act was named the winner but when the thousands in attendance showed their dismay and continued to do so, The Garden decided to go to the video tape and play back their applause meter which indicated that Trayce actually won. “That was fun and crazy at the same time. We (each act) were all back in the green room and as far as we were concerned the show was over. The person who assisted us while we were there came in and announced that a mistake had been made & that I was actually the winner. I was happy for myself but sad for the guy who was stripped. How I found out about the particulars was through an older kid who I didn’t even know who went to my middle school. He was at the game with his dad & he told me how it went down.” When asked about her goals for the future she replied, “ To be a world renowned entertainer, to be an accomplished singer, dancer & actress, a triple treat, not threat. I don’t think that an artist should feel threatened because of another artists talents. Just give the best of what you have to offer and that alone is a treat!!!” Trayce’s love for singing is evident by the ever growing amount of trophies & awards that she has in her home. (15 and counting) There is also a makeshift mini Grammy which she received as a gift. “That is most definitely one of my goals. To get to the Grammy‘s & maybe even win one would be an amazing feat. There’s something about a trophy that seems to make it all official.” With several shows lined up for the spring, Trayce hopes to entertain and captivate her audience with original material & precise choreography. “I don’t mind doing cover songs, it’s kind of a way to pay tribute to an artist, but I love seeing the audience jam to my songs because it makes me want to work even harder. Since I love to dance, I gotta make it right!” Another goal of Trayce’s is to get to work with choreographers such as Jamaica, Shane Sparks, Laurie Ann Gibson & Dave Scott just to mention a few. When asked which producer she would like to work with she replied, “ I can’t limit myself to just one because there are so many that I would love to work with… Brian Cox, Rodney Jenkins, Timbaland, Missy Elliott, The Runners, Battery 5, The Clutch, T-Pain, Corna Boyz, Dream, Star Trak Seven, and the list goes on!!!” Currently a Senior in High School, Trayce maintains a 3.5 grade point average all while making time for the step team, the concert choir, choreography & the studio. “I thank God for all of the talents that He has bestowed upon me,” Trayce exclaims, “So world watch out because ‘You Got Me.’”

Check out her Myspace Page

Black Broadcasting Network (BBN) will premiere its groundbreaking documentary series "Raising Boys - Tips for Single Moms" at Houston's Angelika Theater, Thursday, November 5th. The four part opus focuses on the plight of inner-city single mothers and stars Houston-based activist, Deric Muhammad, a product of an urban single parent household himself. The premier starts at 7pm CT.

"I believe that much of the youth violence that has spiraled out of control in America's major cities can be traced to the lack of guidance from strong fathers," said Muhammad. "The problems start in the home and spill over into the streets. We think we can help."

Muhammad takes you on a ride through the lives of women who are forced to pull "double duty," playing the strenuous role of mother and father. Statistics show that some 70% of the households in America's Black communities are headed by the female.

"Black Broadcasting Network is dedicated to enhancing the value of programming available to viewers today, and we are excited to present the premier of 'Raising Boys,'" said Attorney Ricky Anderson, CEO of Black Broadcasting Network. "We believe 'Raising Boys' exhibits the type of programming BBN has in store for our targeted audience."

This documentary is part of BBN's strong grass roots campaign to address issues affecting the underserved age 18-34 demographic that it is determined to serve. The network will offer reality-based, solution-oriented content that speaks to the heart of the real issues facing young people growing up in today's America. Thursday's premier is one example of how the network plans to showcase and identify rising independent producers. BBN will host premieres throughout the coming months in major urban cities including Washington, DC, Chicago, New York and Atlanta.

About Black Broadcasting Network

Black Broadcasting Network (BBN), America's newest 24-hour, cable channel, is created specifically for today's hip, urban viewer. We deliver a mix of movies, sports and original programming, providing our audience with the latest in black films, music, comedy, and positive urban lifestyle programming. Our viewers will get programming they can't find anywhere else, appealing to a hipper, younger audience while delivering current and modern entertainment they crave. www.blackbroadcasting.com

CONTACT:

The Black Broadcasting Network, press@blackbroadcasting.com - 888-423-4256 Ext. 4

SOURCE Black Broadcasting Network