Pugs Atomz is a son of an ex Panther turned Radio host from Pittsburgh PA. His love of Hip Hop developed when his family moved to Chicago; during grade school he would see the graffiti on the trains and in his neighborhood of Englewood. These trains also would have rap groups performing and singers doing their thing for spare change. The first rap he wrote was in 5th grade for a poetry assignment, so the next day when he recited his, everybody said “you’re rapping, he’s a rapper”. From that point it started to make more sense to him.

Numaads looks, sounds and thinks very different. Her soft sexy voice and soulful singing are carried lovely by the powerful beat and cool vibes, and talks to us of realignment with life, with our roots and with ourselves. Partner SENSE skilfully combines original use of sampling, interweaved with organic instrumentation, to sculpt a sound that carries an almost mystical atmosphere. Numaads will release their debut EP Now worldwide in mid June through  digital (iTunes). The record features four original songs and two remixes of the title song Now, by renowned producers Robot Koch and J Rawls.

With the recent passing of legendary singer, actress and activist, Lena Horne this past Mother’s Day, the entertainment world continues to mourn the loss of the beautiful, multi-faceted performer whose immeasurable contributions to the industry have influenced many of today’s artists. Singer/songwriter Ifé, a long time Horne fan, has released a tribute, aptly titled, “Lena’s Song,” as a free download exclusively on her website. The touching, melodic ode, produced and co-written by Mikuai Rai, was never intended for the public. But, for Ifé, who grew up admiring and studying Horne, her unexpected passing prompted the timely release. “Originally, I was just going to give it directly to Lena as a gift through a friend of her family,” Ifé recalls. “I never meant for anyone else to hear it, but she passed before I was able to send it. So, now I feel like this is the best way for her spirit to absorb it, and for the world to know how much of an impact her spirit had on me and continues to shape who I am as an artist.” The single is available for download at: www.IFEMUSIC.com

Spontaneously combusting under the careless scientific supervision of a group of Wesleyan University Alum , the band’s sound has been born and born again through daily revivals of its earthly ingredients. The result, like a ripe grapefruit, is that just-right combination of unlikely elements: tart funk, acidic groove, and nectar of ancient lullaby. In “Gangster”, mamarazzi’s new video single, lovers lie, grapefruits fly, and one universal mantra prevails : “Men are good to have around because they change the light bulb.” It has been said that behind every powerful man there is a good woman who’s getting it good from another woman on the sly. In a time of Prop 8 and Client 9, mamarazzi’s pro-love tale of woe celebrates the licentious governor in all of us.

Who is Tanya Morgan?  The name sounds something of a neo-soul songbird, the music is hip hop soul. Making matters even more complicated, this woman’s name is actually the pseudonym for a group of three male MCs. Not confused yet? Well try this on for size: Tanya Morgan is a group comprised of Von Pea and Ilwil (Ilyas and Donwill) – two totally separate acts. Tanya Morgan’s first video from their sophomore record BROOKLYNATI, directed by Roy Miles, Jr. Featuring a clean, mature edge and a wonderful use of technology featuring the MOUTHOFF app for iPhone.

Lazy Habits are MCs Mr Lazy & Skin Horse, The Lazy Brass Section consisting of Mr Silver and Mr Brown, Skin and Bones courtesy of Messers Abunab and MacDoual, Mr James on Bass and DJ Itchi on the 1s and 2s. Lazy Habits is of one the UK’s best live hip hop bands. Currently unsigned and with no management they have already played major venues, festivals and support tours. Recently supporting Mos Def at Shepherds Bush Empire, London. The Video Memory Banks is the debut single from Lazy Habits forthcoming LP. The single is released 31st May 2010.

A mixtape of this quality and scope has never even been attempted by an Australian artist, let alone executed successfully. Cee & Bekah are most certainly the first artists from Down Under to work with Mick Boogie and Terry Urban, and the first to release a mixtape on such an ambitious international scale with an independent budget. The Soul Movement Volume 3, their third and final mixtape before the EP and album, is undoubtedly their most cohesive and strongest body of work to date. Immediate download of 23-track album. Click link for free download http://ceeandbekah.bandcamp.com

From an early age it was clear which direction she would take. OCEANA’s whirlwind path could not be stopped. Her mother started taking her to concerts as a young child. She saw big name artists including Ziggy Marley, Burning Spear, James Brown and she felt drawn to the stage, where she wanted to sing and dance. Her initial and enduring experiences with jazz, funk and blues where taken with a family friend – legendary musician Maceo Parker. It was him who often asked OCEANA up on stage at his concerts and who got the ball of her musical career rolling with the sentence “You’re ready now; do your own thing!”.

Aaron Martin, aka Angry Woebot, usually is known for creating his vicious-looking pandas, little did he know how popular his work would become – he was even invited to paint a portrait of President Barack Obama in the Manifest Hope Gallery art exhibition at the Democratic National Convention. “That was a really big thing for me because a lot of people know me for painting the panda bears,” he says. For those of you who don’t really know what’s going on in Hawai’i hip hop soul culture, check out Dj Bumble Bee vs Angry Woebot video from Kelii Grace.

Caprice is Dutch soul scene’s pride. He is a soul singer well-known for his sultry sound and sublimely high-pitched voice. The born and raised citizen of Amsterdam takes soul, r&b and funk to a higher level. His charismatic appearance, stage performance and charming personality make him without a doubt the exception to the rule. Caprice enriches the music industry not solely with his soulful music. He also is a Dj/ host of “The Soul”, a weekly Dutch radio show on www.lijn5.com, is a popular Master of Ceremony of various dance events and he coaches young music talents.