INDEPENDENTURBAN
EMERGING
APRIL 2009 Issue #1
REWIND: Meet Jo Blaq P1
Backstage Pass P1
Good Brand Gone Bad P2
Did You Know? P2
Backstage Pass: Inside Beatzilla Unplugged Magazine &
Listening Parties
We want to thank all of you for your encouragement of and
support for our former online newsletter, the Griffin Gazette. We
proudly introduce you to our new publication, Beatzilla Unplugged
Magazine. Beatzilla Unplugged Magazine is a unique online
publication that reaches thousands of music lovers throughout
Kansas City and the country. Each issue includes a cover story of
the listening partys featured act, streaming videos, down- loadable
music, in depth industry articles, and tip sheets for emerging
artists. The Beatzilla Unplugged Listen- ing Party Series is a
unique live performance experience that gives music lovers the
oppor- tunity to engage with local emerging singers, songwriters
and musicians. Part listening party and part Q & A session;
attendees have the chance to get up close and personal with artists
as they not only share original material but as they share about
themselves and their creative process. All performances are
accompanied by Beatzillas house band, Unplugged. Ashley Smith,
Editor-in-Chief
REWIND: Meet Jo Blaq
On the evening of Sunday, March 22, 2009, the Beatzilla
Unplugged Listening Party Series got off to an incredible start.
During this premiere event themed, Meet Jo Blaq an enthusiastic and
packed house was introduced to a group of Kansas Citys finest
independent artists at Harpers on 18th Vine. The future of music
was well represented indeed.
To get the crowd warmed up, singer Langston whose group performs
every Friday during Happy Hour at Harpers serenaded the crowd with
his soothing vocal stylings. Officially kicking-off the show were
opening acts which included singer, songwriter and guitarist Alo
Key and vocalist and American Idol Hollywood week finalist Asa
Barnes. The backdrop to these incredible performances was the
Beatzilla house band, Unplugged, which filled the space with a
caliber of artistry that demonstrates just how alive the Kansas
City music scene is today.
Alo Key, who most recently performed as an opening act for J.
Holliday and Tank served up his mellow acoustic soul with his
original song, Lady Like You to the delight of the crowd. Next, Asa
Barnes who is fresh off his second trip to Hollywood with American
Idol, won over the audience with his song, Kings and Queens a
passionate tribute to real and lasting love.
The featured act of the night was producer, singer and
songwriter Jo Blaq (aka Joseph Macklin) who made his Kansas City
performance debut. Macklin has been making a name for himself in
Los Angeles where he has signed a publishing deal with BUG Music.
He is working with some of the music industrys hottest artists,
producers and writers, including The Writing Campand Leona
Lewis.
Macklin took the stage as his performance alter-ego, Jo Blaq,
while the band played his up-tempo yet sultry, Fly Away that sweeps
you up with its accessible beat and classic groove. He followed
with Hollywood, another sure-to-be-hit that delves into the
underbelly of fame and the issue of image without substance. Next,
were two pop ballads I Dont and Make it Right that captured the
hearts and imaginations of the audience. His finale was the
compelling song, I Dont Wanna See The Whole World Cry, which is a
modern day call to action to be of service to a world in turmoil.
By the end of this song, Blaq enticed the crowd into singing along,
arms lifted and waving in the air in unison.
All were completely drawn into the heartfelt truth of the songs
message which resonates with
[continued on next page]
M A G A Z I N E
KCs Music Renaissance in Full Swing A Review of the Highly
Successful Beatzilla Unplugged Listening Party
UNPLUGGED
1601 E. 18th Street, Suite 160 Kansas City, Missouri 64108 (816)
569-BEAT [email protected]
Copyright 2009 Purple Cow Omnimedia, LLC. All Rights
Reserved.
Jo Blaq Gives Special Thanks Beatzilla Unplugged featured artist
Jo Blaq thanks all of his lifetime supporters and new fans. Click
picture for video. For more Beatzilla TV clips:
http://www.youtube.com/user/IamBeatzillaTV
[continued from page one]
the power of hits such as, Man in the Mirror by superstar
Michael Jackson and We Are the World, by the legendary Quincy
Jones. One thing is for sure: the Kansas City music renaissance has
arrived and Beatzilla is proud to usher it in as a resource and
support system for aspiring and emerging independent artists. The
Beatzilla Unplugged Listening Party Series is just one of the ways
Beatzilla is engaging local artists in opportunities to develop and
showcase their talent. We recognize that live performance is the
place where fans and artists meet in an unforgettable way that can
never be repeated. The standing room-only crowd shows just how many
music lovers there are in Kansas City who crave new, original
music. Beatzilla intends to introduce as many independent artists
as possible to new audiences in this city, the Midwestern region
and the rest of this world with our local and global vision. For
more information on how you can become involved, click here.
Click on the picture below to view the photo gallery.
))))))YYOOUURR AADD HHEERREE((((((
Each issue reaches 100s of artists and 1000s of readers. Find
out how you can advertise to this attractive demographic.
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SOUL OF SUCCESS By D. Rashaan Gilmore
GOOD BRAND GONE BAD By Hope Hyder
DID YOU KNOW? Fashion, New Artists, Trends
STREAMING VIDEOS
FULL ARTICLE DOWNLOADS
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STREAMING MUSIC
You just might be if you sing, write or produce!For more
information, contact us at [email protected]
(816) 569-
BEAT
))))))YYOOUURR AADD HHEERREE((((((
Each issue reaches 100s of artists and 1000s of readers. Find
out how you can advertise to this attractive demographic.
III NNN QQQ UUU III RRR EEE TTT OOO DDD AAA YYY !!!
