Pleasure P in "Could You Love Me"
News

Watch: Pleasure P Teams With Flo Rida For "Could You Love Me" | Video Premiere

Facebook Twitter Email
Get an exclusive look at the brand-new video for Pleasure P's new summery single featuring rapper Flo Rida, Black Saint and a cameo by "Love & Hip-Hop: Miami" star Amara La Negra
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Jun 1, 2018 - 11:17 am

Yes, June is here. Can you feel the summer vibes kicking in? If you need some new music for motivation, GRAMMY.com has the exclusive video premiere for Pleasure P's new summery single featuring rapper Flo Rida, dance trio Black Saint and Dominican singer/songwriter Amara La Negra, "Could You Love Me."

Pleasure P Video Premiere: "Could You Love Me"

Destined to be a love anthem for summer 2018, the pop-infused R&B burner features airy, sparse production that provides the perfect canvas for Pleasure P's smooth chorus falsetto and Flo Rida's rhymes.

The video for "Could You Love Me," which mixes dancers and choreography, scenes in the recording studio and atmospheric backdrops, finds Pleasure P doing anything he can to convince the object of his affection that his aim is true. "I would give you the world to make you my own girl," pledges Pleasure P before giving way to additional testimony from the blinged-out denim-clad Flo Rida and some slippery moves courtesy of La Negra.

"Could You Love Me" is the first video from GRAMMY nominee Pleasure P's new full-length album, Pain And Pleasure, dropping this summer. Featuring production by Lil Wonder, Rico Love and Tank, the LP is an ambitious two-part release — the first portion, Pain, was preceded by the single "You Changed," with the second part being Pleasure.

In the meantime, Pleasure P will join his bandmates in Pretty Ricky, the successful late '90s R&B/hip-hop group he reunited with in 2015, on the Scream tour in July, which will be followed by the release of new music by the group.

Additionally, season two of VH1's popular "Love & Hip Hop: Miami," which features Pleasure P, his girlfriend Shay Johnson and La Negra, is set to start production this summer.

Pleasure P is a three-time GRAMMY nominee. At the 52nd GRAMMY Awards, he earned nods for Best Contemporary R&B Album for his debut solo LP, The Introduction Of Marcus Cooper, as well as Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song for his hit "Under."

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

hip hop streaming_010319

Photo: Guillaume Payen/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

News

Report: Global Music Sales Climb To $19 Billion In 2018, Nearly Half From Streaming

Facebook Twitter Email
A 9.7 percent overall increase marks the highest annual bump in recent history and is led by notable rises in Latin America, Asia and Australia
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Apr 3, 2019 - 4:34 pm

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry has released the new Global Music Report 2019, showing an overall increase in sales of 9.7 percent in 2018. This jump is the highest rate since the IFPI began tracking the market in 1997.

“Last year represented the fourth consecutive year of growth, driven by great music from incredible artists in partnership with talented, passionate people in record companies around the world," said IFPI chief executive Frances Moore. “Record companies continue their investment in artists, people and innovation both in established markets and developing regions that are increasingly benefitting from being part of today’s global music landscape."

Streaming, which we know was ruled by rap and hip-hop in 2018, accounted for 47 percent of all income, according to IFPI. This reflects a 34 percent growth from 2017, illustrating there is no slowing in streaming's proliferation among consumers. The gap continues to widen between streaming and previous format titans such as physical music, which saw a 10.1 percent decline in revenue, and digital downloads, which dropped by 21.2 percent.

The fastest growing region, according to the report, is Latin America, which saw a big pickup especially in Brazil and Mexico. Asia and Australia came in as the second largest region for combined physical and digital revenue.

The K-pop explosion was also represented in the report, with an 18 percent rise in music sales in South Korea, which can be credited to breakout years from groups such as BTS and BLACKPINK. 

IFPI's full "State Of The Industry" report can be read here.

Closing The Gap: How Latina Artists Are Combating Gender Inequality In Urban Music

 

 

Music Festival AUS

Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

News

Australia's Pill Testing Debate Heats Up Following Music Festival Deaths

Facebook Twitter Email
Authorities have threatened to cancel future music fests in order to decrease accidental on-site deaths, but others say pill testing could do more
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jan 2, 2019 - 1:19 pm

The conversation over whether pills should be tested at Australian music festivals is intensifying after two recent deaths.

A man died on Dec. 30 of a suspected overdose at the Lost Paradise music festival in New South Wales, and another man died on Jan 1. of a suspected drug overdose after attending the Beyond The Valley festival in Victoria.

Pill testing is one possible solution to the overdose deaths continuing to happen at music festivals in Australia, according to medical experts. But the option has been met with resistance.

Although the Australian Bureau Of Statistics can provide date on the number of people who have died from drug-related cases, the data does not show how many occurred "at large scale public events," according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

In 2016, there were 1,808 drug induced deaths in the country, according to the Australian Bureau Of Statistics. Illicit drugs increased that year, with the death rate from Psychostimulants quadrupling since 1999.

Authorities have threatened to cancel music festival events; the New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she would do "everything we can" to shut down the Defqon.1 festival after two people died in Sept.

READ: Music Fans Traveled The World For Live Events In 2018

But some say shutting down festivals is not a realistic way of keeping people from taking illicit drugs and welcome pill testing as a way to decrease deaths.

In the past, Berejikian has had a zero tolerance stance on pill testing, stating: "Anyone who advocates pill testing is giving the green light to drugs. That is absolutely unacceptable."

But as other leaders in parts of Australia rule out pill testing at music festivals, following the recent deaths, the Premier is warming to the idea.

"If there was a way in which we could ensure that lives were saved through pill testing, we would consider it—but there is no evidence provided to the government on that," Berejiklian said, according to the Guardian.

READ: Hearing Clinics Help Make Summer Festivals Rock

The country held its first pill test trial at the Groovin the Moo festival in Canberra in April. Participants were able to provide a small sample of their pill(s) or powder to volunteers, who then analyzed the m in a mobile laboratory.

Former Australian Federal Police commissioner has said that the governments have to consider all available evidence to save people's lives, including pill testing.

"Pill testing is not a silver bullet, but it's a proven and positive way to help prevent this kind of tragedy, has majority support from Australians and must be at least trialed on a pilot basis —if it doesn't work, then stop it," Palmer told the Australian.

After the death of the man in New South Wales, Brisbane Water Police district commander Acting Superintendent Rod Peet said, "the best safety message is don't take drugs."

ABC Triple J conducted a survey of 11,000 young people that showed 55% have brought drugs to a festival and 83% would use pill testing, if available.

2019 Music Festival Preview: Noise Pop, Ultra & More

GRAMMYs

Little Richard

Photo: Sonia Moskowitz/IMAGES/Getty Images

News

Unexpected GRAMMY Moments: Little Richard, Evanescence & More

Facebook Twitter Email
You never know what’ll happen during Music’s Biggest Night
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Dec 28, 2018 - 8:42 am

Every year, noted music veterans, up-and-coming artists and everyone in between come together under one roof at the GRAMMY Awards to recognize some of the industry's most talented individuals. But with so many personalities in the room, you never know what could happen!

As 2018 draws to a close and we inch closer to the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards on Feb. 10, we're looking back at some of the most surprising moments that have taken place on the GRAMMYs stage.

7 Unexpected GRAMMY On-Stage Moments

For starters, at the 30th GRAMMY Awards in 1988, pop icon Little Richard didn't exactly stick to the script when he was announcing the Best New Artist Award alongside proto-punk king Buster Poindexter.

Clad in a tan suit and aviators, Little Richard cracked: "And the Best New Artist is… Me!" Fortunately, the crowd loved it and broke into uproarious laughter.

READ: Sinatra To The Chipmunks: 7 Things To Know About The 1st GRAMMY Awards

"I have never received nothing,” he continued. “Ya'll ain't never give me no GRAMMY. And I've been singing for years. I am the architect of rock and roll."

Another unexpected moment happened when Taylor Swift was not present to accept her Best Pop Vocal Album win for 1989 during the 58th GRAMMY Awards in 2016. Jack Antonoff, who wrote and produced a number of songs on the album, went onstage to accept the award and phoned Swift to let her know.

"She's gonna freak, hold on," Antonoff says as the phone rings.

"Hello," Taylor answers.

60th GRAMMYs: What You Didn't See On TV

"Taylor, it’s Jack. I'm not doing a bit. We just won Pop Vocal Album."

"What!?" she replies as the crowd cheers. "We won!!" Taylor can be heard over the cheering crowd.

What’ll happen at the 2019 show? Tune in to the 61st GRAMMY Awards on Feb. 10 to find out, and click on the video above to watch more unexpected GRAMMY moments from years past.

Dionne Warwick, Donny Hathaway & More To Receive Special Merit Awards

ASCAP Logo

Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

News

ASCAP Makes Disaster Relief Donation To MusiCares

Facebook Twitter Email
Donation will help music community members most affected by the fires
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Dec 27, 2018 - 11:59 am

Performing rights organization ASCAP announced on Dec. 18 that it is donating to MusiCares to support music's creators including those "affected by the recent wildfires in northern and southern California" needing help with food, shelter and replacement of instruments or equipment.

"We are truly grateful for the support and ongoing partnership of ASCAP," said Recording Academy and MusiCares President/CEO Neil Portnow. "Their work on behalf of music people is vital, and their generosity to the music community is equally strong. This donation demonstrates how the music industry works together to take care of their own."

"We have all been stunned by the devastation caused by the California fires and the heartache and loss suffered by our members who reside there," said ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams, winner of three GRAMMY awards as a songwriter. "ASCAP has always been an advocate for music creators, and faced with these terrible circumstances, we have their backs. We are pleased to work with MusiCares to get help to those who need it most."

Members may make disaster relief requests by contacting MusiCares toll-free at 1.800.687.4227.

For those wishing to donate, the "Gift Designation" choice at MusiCares' donation page offers "Disaster Relief" as a selection.

"The music community knows that it can turn to MusiCares in times of distress," said ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews. "They have the organization and the infrastructure necessary to respond to these horrible events and help members of the music community in times of need. We're glad to work with MusiCares once again to ensure that our funds reach the people most affected by the fires."

Learn Why "She Is The Music" & ASCAP's Female Songwriting Camp Felt "Essential"