PJ Morton

Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images

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PJ Morton Announces New Album 'PAUL'

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The album is "the most honest expression of myself and my art that I've ever made," the GRAMMY winner said in a statement
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jul 23, 2019 - 5:55 pm

GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter PJ Morton is not done releasing solo music just yet. He has announced that his next album PAUL is set to be released Aug. 9. 

The album, which follows 2017's Gumbo Unplugged, will be "the most honest expression of myself and my art that I've ever made," he said in a statement. "Everybody calls me PJ, but I came into this world as Paul. That struck me as the perfect title for this album because Paul is the purest form of who I am."

The singer teased new music when he spoke to the Recording Academy at ESSENCE Fest earlier this month. "I'm working on other new music, working on some TV shows," he said at the time. "We're keeping busy."

Recorded in his hometown of New Orleans, the album has several features, including Rapsody and JoJo. Gumbo was orginally set to be his last album, but his move back to his hometown re-inspired him.

"I was struggling to figure out who I wanted to be and where I could fit in as a solo artist, and it honestly left me feeling pretty defeated," he said. "Coming back to New Orleans inspired a lot of new growth and perspective, though, and it helped me realize that the best thing I could be was myself."

His latest single from the 10-track album, "Ready," is a retro-inspired love song. Watch below:

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Justin Vernon of Bon Iver

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Bon Iver Announce Fourth Album 'I,I,' Release Two New Songs

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The band, led by Justin Vernon, released two new songs, "Faith" and "Jelmore," along with the album announcement
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jul 11, 2019 - 4:06 pm

GRAMMY-nominated indie-folk band Bon Iver has announced their first album in three years. Titled i,i., the fourth album follows 2016's 22, A Million and will be out on Aug. 30.

The band, led by Justin Vernon, also released two new songs, "Faith" and "Jelmore," with the announcement. The songs feature collaborations from Buddy Ross, Francis Starlite, the Brooklyn Youth Chorus with Bryce Dessner, Camilla Staveley-Taylor, Jenn Wasner, Rob Moose, and others, the band said in statement on their website. The 13-track record also features collabs with James Blake, Aaron Dessner, Bruce Hornsby, and Velvet Negroni, according to Pitchfork.

The band previously released "Hey, Ma" and "U (Man Like)" in June.The group recorded the album in Wisconsin's April Base and Texas' Sonic Ranch. "It allowed us to feel confident, comfortable, and completely free of distraction," the band said about their choice to record in two locations. 

They continued: "The sense of community around the record grew through honest, generous inspiration within the group of artists involved in the creative process of the record. The 13 new songs on i,i complete a cycle: from the winter of For Emma, Forever Ago came the frenetic spring of Bon Iver, Bon Iver, and the unhinged summer of 22, A Million. Now, fall arrives early with i,i. "

Pre-oder the album here. 

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Bad Bunny and J Balvin 

Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for YouTube

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J Balvin & Bad Bunny Drop Surprise Album 'Oasis,' Release Sensual Single "Que Pretendes"

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Collaborations have been a driving factor in reggaeton's global success, and 'Oasis' has been something that has been long in the works, Bad Bunny said in a statement
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jun 28, 2019 - 12:51 pm

J Balvin and Bad Bunny, two of the biggest forces of next-generation reggaeton, have released a surprise album together that promises to dominate the summer. Their first single, "Que Pretendes," is a sensual opener revealing what we already know about these two global stars: They know how to deliver a catchy pop song that will get you swaying.

Oasis is an eight-track album featuring collaborations with Nigerian singer Mr Eazi and Enanitos Verdes' Marciano Cantero. The album dropped with a video for "Que Pretendes," a song about an ex who just can't let go.

"What are you doing calling me this late," sings J Balvin at the beginning of the video, which is set in a tropical dance oasis. "You know exactly what to do to get me tangled up/ But this time it's too late."

Bad Bunny opens up with a verse that speaks to today's digital dating culture: "Erased you from Snapchat, erased you from Facebook, erased you from Instagram, erased you from my life," he says. 

Collaborations have been a driving factor in reggaeton's global success and Oasis has been something that has been long in the works, Bad Bunny said in a statement.

"Oasis is a transcendant and refreshing album. It comes to rescue you, to give you some relief," the Puerto Rican rapper said. "Working with J Balvin has been without a doubt an experience like no other, I've always admired and respected him and we've had an excellent vibe throughout this process."

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The love is mutual, according to Balvin: "I'm proud to say I love Bad Bunny, we always seem to be on the same wave length."

The Colombian artist added that the album was more than mutual love; it is meant to celebrate their culture while staying "humble." 

"I've been traveling all over the world these last few months and every time I feel it starts to get overwheling, I've been able to listen to the songs we've created and instantly transport myself 'home,' to our personal small musical paradise."

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Yuna 

Photo: Timothy Norris/Getty Images

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Yuna Announces U.S. Headlining Tour In Support Of 'Rouge'

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The Malaysian singer-songwriter's seventh album is out July 12 and its latest single features rapper G-Eazy
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
May 23, 2019 - 11:35 am

Malaysian pop star Yuna has announced a U.S. tour launching in the Midwest this summer in support of her forthcoming seventh album, Rouge.

The tour will launch in Chicago on July 14 and head to Washington, New York City, Boston and Los Angeles before its last stop in Oakland on Aug. 2. The follow-up to 2016's Chapters drops July 12. 

Her latest single, "Blank Marquee," features rapper G-Eazy. "Blank Marquee was inspired by late '80s, early '90s pop music that I grew up listening to in my dad’s old car…we wanted to write something kinda sassy, but also a song about standing up for yourself," Yuna said in a statement.  

For more information on the tour, visit Yuna's website. 

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Lila Downs 

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Lila Downs Announces New Album Paying Tribute To The Chile Pepper, Releases Tour Info

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The announcement was made with the release of the first single, a cover of the Peruvian cumbia classic "Cariñito"
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Apr 10, 2019 - 5:42 pm

GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter Lila Downs, known for her eclectic mixture sounds from Mexico and beyond, has announced that her latest album, Al Chile, will pay tribute to the chile pepper and will drop May 3. The news came with the release of the first single, "Cariñito."

Al Chile, produced by the GRAMMY-nominated DJ and producer Camilo Lara (Mexican Institute of Sound) and mixed by Mario Caldato Jr., who has worked with the Beastie Boys and Jack Johnson, is not a joke; it sincerely shows love for the fruit. 

"Yes, the music is a tribute to the fruit that causes us so much craving and suffering, but that we really love!" Downs said in a statement. "We fry the chile, add beats from the city, then saxophones, trumpets and drums from the Mexican coast to keep the dance going. The village and the city are united by the same beat. With a mezcal in hand, we dream of a place with a palm tree where one falls in love and reflects."

The first single is Down's take on a Peruvian cumbia classic. The singer also released dates for the album's supporting tour that will take her to Los Angeles' Walt Disney Concert Hall, New York City, Seattle and other cities across the U.S.

For more information on the tour, visit Downs' website. 

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