‘CIARA’ TO BE RELEASED July 9th

Album Available for Pre-order on iTunes

It’s a testament to Ciara’s fearlessness. As anticipation for her new album continues to build, she’s changed its name. The album formerly known as One Woman Army is now Ciara, which is available for pre-order on iTunes now.

“I started working on this record more than a year ago, and since then, I have found my creative clarity on the direction I wanted to go in”. It was almost a whole surge of fresh energy, and I pushed myself to be even more creative,” Ciara explains. “I’m more open to change. I’m learning so much of about myself, and I’ve become really comfortable and free. This album goes beyond my music. “This time it’s about taking a new journey with me”

“In the past, I’ve masked my emotions,” she continues. “Now I’m embracing them. I’m running towards my fears and the things that would usually make me uncomfortable — I’m in tune with what’s happening to me, and I’m not afraid of expressing myself.”

Ciara’s most recent single, “Body Party,” is a celebration of who Ciara’s become. She’s confident – and clearly, she’s having fun. “‘Body Party’ is about being sensual in any way you want to be, whether you’re kicking it with your friends, dancing and having a good time or getting personal with your boo,” Ciara says.

Ciara co-wrote “Body Party” with artist and songwriter, Future and produced by Mike WiLL Made-It. The song was an immediate success — the media praised the track as “seductive,” “sultry” and a “slow jam banger,” and Ciara’s fans responded. On the day of release, the song went Top 5 on the R&B Itunes chart, before the song and video even hit radio airwaves.

“Body Party” was directed by Director X (Jay Z, Usher, David Guetta) and shot in Atlanta, Ciara’s hometown. “It’s been so many years since I’ve done a video in Atlanta,” Ciara says. “That alone was refreshing, but went beyond that. We captured the spirit of the song and the feeling of having a body party. It’s the perfect combination of fun and sensuality.”

27-year-old Ciara became an international superstar with the release of her first album, Goodies, in 2004, and, in less than ten years, she’s landed 10 top ten singles on Billboard’s Hot 100, sold more than 7,000,000 albums, won a Grammy, three BET Awards and three MTV Awards. Ciara, her fifth album, will be released on July 9th.

Earlier this month, The Huffington Post wrote that Ciara’s new music is “classic Ciara,” and, while that’s true, it’s something of an understatement. Ciara’s come into her own, and she’s more classic than ever.

‘Ciara’ tracklisting
1. I’m Out feat. Nicki Minaj
2. Sophomore
3. Body Party
4. Keep on Lookin’
5. Read My Lips
6. Where You Go feat. Future
7. Super Turnt Up feat. Ciara
8. DUI
9. Livin’ It Up
10. Overdose
11. BONUS TRACK

As we all know, when it comes to horror films, the black person is usually the first to be killed off. But does that mean black people don’t like horror flicks or is that part of the lie Hollywood likes to tell the world?

Last night, UPL was invited to an advance screening of Holla II, the first black horror movie to appear in theaters in 13 years! Director H.M. Coakley was in the house along with many of the stars such as Vanessa Bell Calloway, Teairra Mari and Liana Mendoza. Music producer Drumma Boy (who has worked with Lil Wayne, Ludacris, Kanye West, among many others) made an appearance since he actually executed the entire film score.

Left to right: Teairra Mari, Dollphace, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Jas Fly, H.M. Coakley, Drumma Boy, Camille Irons Coakley, Trae Ireland, Liana Mendoza

Holla II, which is the sequel to its 2006 original, tells the story of a mother and daughter with a complicated relationship. The daughter, played by Kiely Williams (3LW, Cheetah Girls), is getting married to her new man and her mother, played by Vanessa Bell Calloway, has somewhat of an ax to grind. There’s lots of blood, gore and flesh that will remind you of some of the Scream films.

At the end of the day, Holla II will go down in history as one of many hood cult classics so that makes it an automatic must-see. Round up your friends and prepare to be entertained!

Holla II premieres April 19th in New York City, Atlanta, Washington DC, Detroit, Baltimore and Houston!

@Uhkeem on Twitter
@stuckpages on Instagram

I can’t lie. Music broke my heart some time ago when mainstream recording artists by and large chose to follow the trends rather than creating music from their souls. Sure, there are a number of exceptions (e.g. Adele, Kanye, or even Rihanna as far as I’m concerned). But will there ever be more serious icons like Michael Jackson or Prince or to some degree The Notorious B.I.G.? I don’t know. However, I do know they will be hard to come by in this crazy world where everyone has an opinion and that one opinion can shift the opinions of thousands, if not millions of people in the blink of an eye.

This is why I’m posting this new will.i.am joint “The World Is Crazy” from his fourth studio album #willpower dropping April 23. will.i.am may not be the next great icon of this generation, but this song lyrically deserves the world’s attention.

#prayforboston

@Uhkeem on Twitter
@stuckpages on Instagram

“I’m just a fool baby, playing it mr. cool baby”

That guitar riff under that melody along with his voice, that hook and the lyrics – it’s ALL I need in a song I fall in love with.
While passing through a couple of stores during my commute into NYC today, I heard Dave Matthews Band‘s “If Only” playing in the sound system. I took notice each time, had fun doing so and wanted to blog about it.

It was released last year on their Away From the World album.

Come on, rock with me on this one!

“Good music is good music, and everything else can go to hell” – Dave Matthews

@Uhkeem on Twitter
@stuckpages on Instagram

Black Ivy Events Inc. and MIST Harlem have partnered with BET Music Matters artist Jessica Betts to present you with Rhythm vs. Soul, an evening of cocktails and live music. Accompanied by a full band, back-up singers, visual presentations and one of the livest DJs around, Jessica Betts’ incredible show takes her audience on an amazing musical journey blending genres and generations.

The question for the evening: Rhythm vs. Soul…which matters more?

7:00p to 8:00p – Cocktail Hour
8:00p to 11:00p – Live Concert
11:00p to 1:00a – After Party

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Jessica Betts – www.jessicabettsmusic.com
Originally from Chicago,Jessica was crowned the winner of the “Road to Stardom” reality television show in 2005, beating out thousand of contestants and winning the hearts and admiration of judges such as Jermaine Dupri, Missy Elliot and Madonna. After taking a hiatus from the industry,Jessica is back in the studio working on her next project. Experience her new and innovative sound and direction as she brings back true soul with a contemporary and edgy twist.

Steve Lovell – www.stevelovellmusic.com
Steve Lovell is a dynamic singer as well as an aspiring songwriter. Steve has an amazing ability to combine the vocal stylings and sounds of the greats Luther Vandross, Donny Hathaway and Whitney Houston with that of Soul singer Bilal into an incredibly smooth and unmatchable soul stirring sound of his own.

@RickyDay

UPL Tumblr

Mickalene with Santigold

Michael Paul Britto spinning some of fave 80's joints and some artist/photographer dude named Ricky Day

Jayson Keeling on the wheels!

Mickalene with Nicola Vassell

Last night visual artist Mickalene Thomas hosted a good ole fashioned house party in continued celebration of her dope pop up shop décopolis: the talent of others installed at The Proposition gallery!

Last night was a great time with great people in a relaxed house party environment. Derrick Adams, Michael Paul Britto, Jayson Keeling and others served as guest DJ’s for the event spinning classics from the 70′s and 80′s. The guests in attendance was a who’s who of art, music and fashion creatives including: recording artist, Santigold, curator and gallerist extraordinaire, Nicola Vassell, international model Lawrence Annunziata to name a few.

For the pop up shop/exhibit Thomas transports the various elements of her tableaux installations – the customized furniture, the 70s-inspired decorative objects, the shag rugs and wood paneling – and reinstalls them in the gallery as a stage for the artist-curated exhibition, the talent of others.

The installation allows Thomas to select and showcase artists that she has personally discovered through her many collaborative projects — décopolis is the actualization of this community whose practice(s) encompass multiple genres and styles to create the essence of a fantastical pop-up.

The group of intriguing artists working in various mediums includes:

David Antonio Cruz presents two paintings from his Chocolate series in addition to a collection of small drawings merging the infamous Roger Casement’s body and the subjects of his long time photo documentations, which were taken during his stay in the Congo and Brazil

Roddy Fitzgerald combines realism and classicism to create stories that represent the contemporary human experience.

Jayson Keeling creates artwork that provokes and dismantles pop iconography and the accepted politics of sex, gender, race, and religion by pitting them against the aggressiveness of youth culture.

Elisabeth Gaffaney photographs her surrounding environment focusing on texture, composition and the opulent natural colors that occur in the everyday.

Vincent Oquendo extracts and pieces together makeup looks from different iconic women and reinvents them in a modern way on his muse.

Brother Vellies present Velskoen, pronounced “fell-skoon” and known colloquially as “vellies,” — the ancestor of the modern-day desert boot. Their velskoen are made in the coastal town of Swakopmund, Namibia, where a small group of eight Damara gentlemen assemble every shoe by hand, turning out just 20 pairs an afternoon.

Nina Ziefvert (NINA Z) reintroduces the iconic Swedish clog to the metropolitan market. Her raw yet feminine and functional designs are inspired by her Swedish heritage, global travels and life in Brooklyn.

The Proposition
2 EXTRA PLACE NEW YORK, NY 10003 212.242.0035

The Proposition
@RickyDay

You can hate, you say they have no talent, blah, blah, blah, but what you can’t say is that the Kardashian/Jenner are not beautiful young women. Check out Miss Vogue #3 Kendall Jenner as photographed by Russell James and styled by Romy Frydman.

Vogue

@RickyDay

This Friday night UrbanPOPLife.net and Ricky Day present The Dan LIVE at Billie’s Black Gourmet Soul in Harlem. The Dan will be performing a sensuous mix of covers and new material from her forthcoming release. It’s gonna be an intimate evening of good music, good people and good food!It doesn’t hurt that it’s an affordable good time as well. Advance tickets are on sale for only $10 and Billie’s offers a great selection of entrees and appetizers and the best drinks in Harlem.

Showtime is at 9pm sharp and tables go quickly so don’t be on that “CP” stuff. Come join us for an evening of great entertainment you wont soon forget!

For advanced tickets

http://meetthedan.tumblr.com/

www.IamTheDan.com

http://twitter.com/rickyday

The hosts of Everyday People NYC - DJ Moma, Saada and Roble

Model Victoria Lee of Ford Models and stylist Ty Hunter

Ty Hunter and recording artist Nikko Sherard (NikkoSherard.com)

Saturday was the latest installment of the popular Everyday People NYC Brunch hosted by Saada & Chef Roble with special guests Darlene and Lizzy of William Okpo. Music was provided by dope DJ’s DJ MOMA and LIONDUB.

The brunch/party as usual was a visual feast of attractive and “cool” people from a diverse cross section of the New York creative scene. Artists, models, entertainment professionals, fashionistas, DJ’s and other people with creative souls and a passion for life gathered for our once per month celebration of life, good food, good music and good people!

The brunch which lasts from Noon til 4pm features incredible food prepared by Chef Roble and crew. The fashionable brunch always flows directly into an off the chain party which lasts until 7 or 8pm featuring great 90′s R&B music mixed some of today’s dopest music as spun by DJ Moma and LIONDUB! Photos as always are provided by yours truly (Ricky Day) and the energy in the room is provided by the eclectic crowd of “cool kids” who come to have a good time and leave the pretense at the door.

Check out the gallery of images below. If you’d like a link to download full sized versions of the images sign up for our newsletter and then drop me a note a therealupl@gmail.com

If you want your event covered in Random POP either submit images and a press release to therealUPL@gmail.com or submit a request for us to attend your event to the same address!

Make sure to follow UPL on tumblr (http://urbanpoplife.tumblr.com) and instagram .

I’m personally available to shoot your event or portraits or fashion images. For bookings RickyLDay@gmail.com. The great thing about booking me to shoot your event is I bring a chilled out & friendly vibe and there’s always the possibility you’ll be covered in Random Pop here on UrbanPOPLife.net as well.

@RickyDay
Instagram
RickyLDay@gmail.com

JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT Untitled, 1981 Acrylic, oil stick and pencil on canvas 72 x 60 inches (182.9 x 152.4 cm) © The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat/ADAGP, Paris, ARS, New York 2013

JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT Untitled (Two Heads on Gold), 1982 Acrylic and oil paintstick on canvas 80 x 125 inches (203.2 x 317.5 cm) © The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat/ADAGP, Paris, ARS, New York 2013

Gagosian Gallery presents a major exhibition of works by Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Jean-Michele Basquiat is quite literally one of my favorite artists! His brief career impacted a generation of artists in a very meaningful way and his legacy continues to this day. Gagosian Gallery this major exhibition of his works in their massive 24th Street location in Chelsea.

Featuring over fifty works from public and private collections, the exhibition spans Basquiat’s brief but meteoric career, which ended with his death at the age of twenty-seven. Thirty years after Larry Gagosian first presented his work in Los Angeles, twenty years after the first posthumous survey at the Whitney Museum of American Art (1992–93), and eight years after the Brooklyn Museum of Art retrospective (2005), viewers will have a fresh opportunity to consider Basquiat’s central role in his artistic generation as a lightning rod and a bridge between cultures.

FEBRUARY 7 – APRIL 6, 2013

555 West 24th Street
New York, NY 10011
T. 212.741.1111 F. 212.741.9611
newyork@gagosian.com
Hours: Tue-Sat 10-6

Gagosian online

@RickyDay