SKIN LaMont Wheat feat. Faith Michaels - Be FREE to Love

Singer, Songwriter and co-founder of BBINT Magazine, LaMont Wheat’s sophomore album may not hit stores until August 2012, but he's giving fans a sneak peek at what to expect from the highly anticipated release with global collaboration on his newest single, “SKIN” which features drag dance recording artist Faith Michaels. Co-written by Rique Patire with production by DJ Almond Brown, Joe Crugliano and DJ Scorpio, SKIN is an anthem that celebrates diversity, unity and acceptance. Click below to be FREE to live & love the SKIN you're in with the talented LaMont Wheat.  

SKIN | Be FREE to Love.

SKIN is one of the outcomes of a community project where individuals and groups have come together to fulfill on a commitment of creating Unity, Acceptance and Love as a humanitarian impact. Those who have worked on and been contribution to the project are as diverse as they come and you can hear the passion that each person brings to the song.  SKIN by LaMont Wheat featuring Faith Michaels began as an act of acceptance in a community that is very much segmented by race, preference and attitude and now raises awareness for communities, groups and individuals that we are all in this together. SKIN promotes self awareness and personal acceptance.  It's all about loving who you are, which in turn allows you to love others.

The project's mission has been to bring awareness to social injustice such as, inequality, bullying, discrimination, and other issues that have an adverse impact on the world, and consequently transforms the lives of those involved in the project as well as impact those who are affected everyday by such issues.


LaMont and Faith came together in Los Angeles to put final touches on the song which had it's live performance debut by the duo during the 2012 Winter Music Conference in Wilton Manors, Fl. LaMont said, "it was such an amazing experience to share the stage with such an awesome person.  Faith and I have become close since starting this journey together with SKIN and I think that the unity that we express is a true testament that diverse artist and individuals can work together and create a product that is positively impactful to many."   

Faith Michaels is an east coast based drag recording artist  who performs routinely at Aqua Night Club in Key West.  Faith has two other projects out, "Neva" and "Fetish" which was nominated and won a 2011 music video award in Germany.

LaMont Wheat is a Los Angeles based songwriter and international recording artist.   SKIN is a follow up release to the smash hit single "I've Got It" and “Still Standing”, a song of inspiration and hope to bring awareness to causes like HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, world hunger, autism, peace and other life causes we’re still standing for.  Along with SKIN, "Still Standing" has been selected to be performed main stage at the XIX International Conference on AIDS July 25^th in Washington DC.  “Still Standing” debuted in the Top 100 new R&B releases on iTunes in December 2011 following its release on World AIDS Day.

These two artists are dynamic in their contribution to the world of entertainment, community and humanity.  We expect their rise to the top to be exciting and inspiring.

SKIN releases May 29 for worldwide download and is already being added  by jocks to Pride festivals, mix shows and clubs . Tour and performance dates with LaMont and Faith to be announced. Link up with them on Facebook and Twitter for free downloads, pictures and more.

Photo Credit: Irving Images

Music Link

SKIN: http://amzn.to/LPZeP4 

For interview inquires or any questions, please contact Iconic PR:

Tracie Nicole

E: tracie.publicrelations@gmail.com

Bookings: Image Architects

Dionne Boyd

E: imagearchitects.boyd@gmail.com

Lady Gaga a "messenger of the devil"

Lady Gaga canceled her sold-out show in Indonesia after Islamist hard-liners threatened violence, claiming her sexy clothes and provocative dance moves would corrupt the youth. The controversy was a blow to the predominantly Muslim country's reputation for combining free speech and democracy with a mostly moderate brand of the faith.

Fans were devastated, despite the promoter's offer of full refunds. Some accused police -- who refused to issue a permit over concerns about security -- of buckling to the will of a small group of thugs.

The planned "Born This Way Ball" concert has been on-again-off-again from the start. But on Sunday, it was final, said Minola Sebayang, a lawyer for Big Daddy, the promoter of the June 3 show.

Lady Gaga's Tour Controversy Spark Billboard Chart Gain

"It's unfortunate," he said. "But with threats if the concert goes ahead, Lady Gaga's side is calling it off. This is not only about Lady Gaga's security, but extends to those who will be watching her."

Indonesia, a secular nation of 240 million, is often held up by the U.S. and others an example of how democracy and Islam and can coexist. In many ways they are right. Since emerging from dictatorship just over a decade ago, sweeping reforms have resulted in direct elections, while vastly improving human rights and freeing up the media. But a small extremist fringe has become more vocal -- and violent -- in recent years, attacking Christians and members of other religious minorities, transvestites, atheists and anyone else deemed "immoral."

The most notorious group, Islamic Defenders Front, called Lady Gaga a "messenger of the devil" and vowed to turn out at the airport by the thousands if she tried to step off the plane. Others said they bought tickets so they could wreak havoc from inside the 52,000-seat stadium in the capital, Jakarta.

Police responded by denying the necessary permits. Then, after public outcry, they said they'd reconsider -- but only if Lady Gaga agreed to tone down her act. Instead, she pulled the plug on what was supposed to be the biggest stop on her Asian tour.

Michael Rusli, head of Big Daddy, promised "Little Monster" fans full refunds. But that provided little consolation to people like 25-year-old Johnny Purba. "This only shows to the world how weak security forces are in this country, how police are afraid of a bunch of hard-liners," he said. "Gaga's two-hour show will not hurt Indonesian Muslims. For God's sake, she is not a terrorist!"

Around 50 others, dressed up like the pop diva, performed a mob flash dance at a shopping mall in the capital, Jakarta, to some of her biggest hits. Hard-liners, however, were ecstatic. "This is a victory for Indonesian Muslims," said Salim Alatas, one of the leaders of the Islamic Defenders Front, or FPI. "Thanks to God for protecting us from a kind of devil."

Earlier, Murhali Barda, a spokesman for the group, said supporters had purchased more than 150 tickets to the concert. He'd posted a picture on his Facebook page of a man hiding his identity with a turban and sunglasses and holding a $50 ticket to the "Ball."

"We have gotten Lady Gaga tickets," the caption said. "Not to watch but for us to enter." "Our target is to stop the concert," he wrote, providing little more detail. "We would force them off the stage but not harm the audience."

Beyonce Blows Whitney Houston Live

Beyoncé recently gave her first performance in over a year given an emotional tribute to Whitney Houston .

The singer took to the stage on Friday to begin the first of four dates at the Luxury Revel Resort & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, her first performances since giving birth to daughter Blue Ivy in January.
Jay-Z, was in attendance  jetting from overseas on his only day off between his Switzerland Watch The Throne stop on Thursday and the Denmark stop on Saturday. And even he was stanning for his wife tweeting:
“I’m gonna say this and then I’m gonna end mine. BEYONCE is the best performer in the world. Period.”
“B” also saluted Lauryn Hill (whose birthday was yesterday), and Donna Summer.
Beyoncé performed to over 5,500 people, including best friend Kelly Rowland, husband Jay-Z and Selita Ebanks.

Towards the end of her two and a half hour set, Beyoncé sung the intro verse of Whitney’s classic ‘I Will Always Love You,’ before launching into her own hit single ‘Halo.’ Beyoncé recently landed SIX nominations for the 2012 BET Awards including Video of the Year and Best Female R&B Artist!

Usher Cries in Court

Usher broke down in tears today in an Atlanta court -- after his ex-wife's attorney insinuated he cares more about partying than he does about his children.

Usher was on the stand for hours today in his ongoing custody trial with his ex Tameka Foster -- and during questioning, Tameka's lawyer whipped out photos of the singer partying in Europe in February.

Usher's fighting for more custody with his kids -- but Tameka's lawyer was trying to prove he'd rather go wild at a nightclub than be a good dad.

Usher was also grilled about his alleged drug use. The singer admitted to smoking pot in the past, but when the subject turned to his alleged ecstasy use Usher's lawyer objected.

Usher insisted he never used drugs in front of the children -- an allegation Tameka made early in their custody fight -- but hedged on the subject of seeing his children while under the influence.

The trial will continue tomorrow.

Donna Summer as I look back over my life.

Deet Promotions Tribute
Donna Summer 

by Harry Frank Towers

To say that I am in shock over the passing Thursday of Donna Summer would be an understatement. Over and over again I heard people remark, “I didn’t even know she was sick.” Getting the news while I sat at my desk yesterday was like someone sneaking in my office behind me and hitting me in the head with a baseball bat, like where did that come from? Sadly it was true and the thought made my life flash back in front of me. I was a 15 year old kid sitting in the back of my Aunt Betsy’s Volkswagon beetle as she drove to Coney Island and “Love To Love You Baby” comes on the radio and she turned to my mother and said “This is that song I was telling you about that I heard at the Disco, she sounds like she’s…” and then realizing that myself and my two little cousins were in the backseat she quickly changed the station. I was 16 in the courtyard of Tottenville High School during lunch period and “Spring Affair” came on the radio. There was a big whoop heard from all the kids in the courtyard and we all broke into the Hustle. The next year I was buying 45’s at Our Music Center and Ray behind the counter comments as he opened a box, “Oh here is the new Donna Summer single.” I bought it without even hearing it. I took that 45 home and popped it on to my turntable as I couldn’t wait to hear it.

The song was called “Can’t We Just Sit Down and Talk It Over.” I was shocked it was a ballad! I liked it for sure but flipped it over just to hear the back and was blown away. I played that “B” side over and over for days as I had never heard anything like “I Feel Love” before. Soon that “B” side became the hit and changed music forever. I’m 19 waiting for my friend Tom to get dressed before heading out to the Ice Palace and Disco 92 played “Hot Stuff” and “Bad Girls” back to back and we were living! I’m 21 at Alex In Wonderland and “I Feel Love” comes on and halfway through the song the track goes off! The dance floor was living inside the track and we were all blown away by the Patrick Cowley “Megamix.” I’m 23 and spinning at Abracadabra and played “Our Love” and the whole crowd is singing every word and the chorus “Our love will last forever” captured a moment of innocent celebration by a family soon to lose that innocence as we start losing many members as A.I.D.S. swept through or community. I am at the Intermetro Record Pool picking up product and there are copies of “There Goes My Baby” cracked in half in the garbage. When I asked Dewayne Dixon what happened he said the Gay DJ’s were making a statement against Donna Summer by boycotting her music after she made a statement about A.I.D.S. being God’s way of taking care of Gay people! I was shocked and hurt and didn’t know what to think and I asked Dewayne, “Do you think she really said that?” He answered, “I met Donna Summer once and she was real nice and embraced her Gay fans whole heartedly and I want to believe it isn’t true. I’m giving her the benefit of the doubt.” I agreed with him and did the same and in the end we were right. She was misquoted and had never turned her back on the Gay community even when so many of us turned our back on her.

 
I’m 29 and spinning “This Time I Know It’s For Real” at the Spectrum in Brooklyn. This was the club where they filmed Saturday Night Fever at and I remember turning on the lighted floor and thinking all was right in the world. Donna’s voice was booming from the speakers, the floor was packed and I thought to myself, “Disco never died it just got a make-over and y’all don’t recognize it.” Disco may not have died but Donna Summer did.

 
Or did she? Everytime I hear one of her songs and I see the joy on the face of the people around me isn’t that what was life is about, isn’t that living. People will say her music will live on, but in her case it actually gives us life. Providing a soundtrack for us at so many important moments in our lives. How many important family functions have you been to where the night ended with “Last Dance”? Donna Summer was simply the most important female vocalist of the 70’s and her career lived on right up to now as her later recordings still thrilled dancefloors. Jimmy Smith asked me what song did I play after I got the news of her death that made me cry. For him it was “Someday.” I cried as soon as I heard the news. I recently did a Quantum Leap show that had “Spring Affair/ Summer Fever” on it and in fact that is playing right now as I right this. But for me the song that the mere thought of brought the most tears to my eyes was “I Will Go With You (Con Te Partiro).” You’re going to hear a lot of her songs I suspect this week, but for me these are a dozen that I never get tired of hearing…

 
1 - “Try Me I Know We Can Make It” – By far my favorite single by her. I interviewed Giorgio Moroder for DMA magazine and he told me that he spent time in a DJ booth and watched how the DJ worked the crowd through peaks and valleys and went in the studio to condense an entire disco night on one side of an album and he succeeded with flying colors.
2 - “I Feel Love” – This appears on the “I Remember Yesterday” album as the last cut. Since the album was a musical tour through time starting with the Big Band influenced title track I asked Giorgio if “I Feel Love” was his view of what the future of music would be and he answered yes. He was so right as in this tune and his own albums “From Her To Eternity” and “E=MC2” you hear the roots to all the electronic dance music we enjoy today and the Patrick Cowley “Megamix” took this to the next level.
3 - “Mac Arthur Park Suite” – Without a doubt this was the weirdest choice of a tune to cover but she did it brilliantly and for me I can close my eyes and I’m at Studio 54. This song is quite possibly the most perfect example of a disco record ever recorded.
4 - “With Your Love” – From the “Thank God It’s Friday” soundtrack, “With Your Love” is one of those singles many people forget about but shouldn’t. I had a party at Twist during the Winter Music Conference and Radionic through this on and the roof came off the club. Brilliant!
5 - “This Time I Know It’s For Real” – Textbook comeback single! Stock Aiken and Waterman were at their peak at this time and Donna never sounded better.
6 - “I Will Go With You (Con Te Partiro)” – Emotional, beautiful and sung to perfection. Again not the easiest choice of a cover but like “Mac Arthur Park” Donna worked her magic and made it totally hers.
7 - “Our Love” – This is such a perfect recording that you could play it today and it would still pack the floor even if the crowd is too young to remember it.
8 - “Rumor Has It” – Power, energy and a hell of a lot of fun is this tune off her “Once Upon A Time” album. Of all her Double LP’s this was my favorite.
9 - “On The Radio” – What a great song and Donna sounded so powerful singing it that her vocal seems to float in the air as her voice comes out of the speakers.
10 - “I Do Believe I Fell In Love” – This is a ballad and my favorite of her ballads. It’s from the “She Works Hard For The Money” album and I love how the track over 5 minutes continues to build in intensity to it’s climax.
11 - “All Systems Go” – This is a personal favorite of mine from the album with the same name. there was a promotional 12” released that was a tremendous hit for me and I never understood why it wasn’t released commercially. This should have been a much bigger hit than it was.
12 - “Could It Be The Magic” – When Donna covers a tune she claims it and her recording of this Barry Manilow single still sounds great today. Funky baselines and Donna’s sexy vocals take this track over the top. Where the original was over dramatic and self conscious, Donna makes it sexy, energetic and fun!

“Once Upon A Time” there was Donna Summer and all was right in the world!

 Harry F. Towers is the founder of DEET Promotions and Sirenia Records.