Focus Music Notes. "Out of the Blues". Popular music through the decades

GRAMMY®, EMMY®, and Tony® Award-winning actor, singer, director, composer, playwright, and author Billy Porter unveils a brand new single entitled “Children” today. The single marks Billy’s debut under his newly minted joint partnership with Island UK and Republic Records. NEW YORK, NY (October 15, 2021) TAP>LISTEN TO “CHILDREN” HERE “Children” is a high-energy dancefloor anthem co-written with GRAMMY® Award-nominated songwriter MNEK [H.E.R., Dua Lipa] and Little Mix’s Jade Thirwell. Speaking about the inspiration behind the track Billy says, “It’s a song that is inspired by my life and everything I’ve gone through to get here.” The song begins wistfully, with Porter empathizing: See I know times are hard, Yeah I mean it from the heart You’re not losing the fight, love will make it alright Cos i’ve been there, done that, worn that dress, so you know mama knows it best A beat drop follows, kicking into a propulsive disco groove as Porter triumphantly promises: a change starts today

Algerian born, Tottenham raised, Miraa May one of the fiercest, most prodigiously talented and highly rated artists in UK music teams up with best friend RAYE on the unmissable R&B anthem “Go Girl”. The song celebrates female excellence and the unbreakable bond Miraa shares with her female friends and gives us the first taste of what’s to come on her eagerly awaited TBA debut album. Speaking about Go Girl Miraa says: “I’m so excited for my first release in a whole year! More crazy that it’s the first drop off my debut album, and to top that off I got to write it with the incredible RAYE, couldn’t have asked for more” ‘Go Girl’ launcheD on 6 th October at 7.30pm with a ‘Targo Embargo’ on 1Xtra’s DJ Target show, as well as a ‘Just Dropped’ play on Radio 1’s Clara Amfo show. Listen here :  The accompanying video, creatively directed by Miraa May alongside Ghanaian-British director Sheena Brobbey, drops at 8pm on 6 th October. It’s a non-stop party that features M

Throughout 2021, the world has been celebrating the life and legacy of R&B pioneer Marvin Gaye to honor the 50th anniversary of the release of his groundbreaking record What’s Going On . After half a century, the wisdom behind R&B’s first seamless concept album, What’s Going On , continues to ring true: a poignant plea that we might organize to address often-overlooked issues of inequality and ecological distress. Closing out the year, Motown and UMe are continuing the celebration with the release of What’s Going On: 50th Anniversary 2LP Edition on December 3, 2021 . This premium vinyl release features direct-to-analog mastering from the original primary album tape reels by acclaimed engineer Kevin Gray , one of the first times this has been done since 1971, offering an undeniably authentic listening experience. What’s Going On: 50th Anniversary 2LP Edition bonus LP opens up the album’s writing and production palette. Featured are four rare cuts making their vinyl