One Dance Cover: Alex Aiono

Happy Thursday! The artist I would like to present this week is Alex Aiono from Phoenix Arizona. Through Alex's amazing voice and musical talents, he has rallied over 45 million views to his YouTube channel this year. Having the opportunity to work with artist such as John Legend and Baby Face, Alex symbolizes a unique sound that he can only produce. Through his channel and live performance, it's needless to say that we are truly watching a star in the making. With his cover to One Dance by Drake, he showed the world what he has to offer and how incredible he truly is. I hope you enjoy this amazing cover and visit alexaiono.com to see what he's all about! 

Radio Drama!  Adventure! Suspense!  Telephones!

 Photo courtesy of www.rubberchickenaudio.com

On Thursday, October 27 at 2 pm tune in for a live, original radio play, "The Vicki and Jenna Show" Starring...
Alyssa Baker
Jacob Bow
Kelsey Bowman
Matt Brunelle
Ioseb Jorjliani
Natalie Keenan
Sarah Latzo
Emma Rose
with music and sound by Sonnieboy Blanco

Artist Spotlight: Ariana Grande

Courtesy of Genius.com

 Ariana Grande 

Ariana Grande has blown us all away with her vocals and timeless music! If nothing else she is given all us 90's and 80's baby a rendition of Mariah Carey. Ariana Grande definitely made a grand entrance into the industry with her freshman project "Yours Truly" and she proclaimed her R&B/Pop throne with her sophomore project "My Everything." Now she is simply topping herself with this most recent album "Dangerous Woman." Her music has become so popular that re-makes of her songs have started to create clout on YouTube. The remix "Side to Side"featuring Nicki Minaj was mixed with a song of Lil Kim and has been creating hit all over the blogs.

Artist Spotlight: ODESZA

Source: ODESZA

ODESZA is an American electronica duo consisting of members Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight from Seattle, Washington.  I was surprised to find that I had not yet written about the group because they have been one of my favorites for a long time now, and their music is what originally got me interested in the electronica genre.  The group was formed in 2012 and that same year they released their first album "Summers Gone." The EP "My Friends Never Die" quickly followed in 2013 and in 2014 the LP "In Return" debuted.  Some of my personal favorites from the albums are "Say My Name," "Bloom," "My Friend Never Die," and "IPlayYouListen," but I also think its safe to say that ODESZA has never released a song that I did not like.  The group stated back in March that a new album is in the works, but there has not been much other news on the new album.  The group typically plays a lot of summer music festivals, so be sure to keep an eye out on the upcoming lineups to get a chance to see ODESZA live.  Also be sure to tune in to WNJR if you want to hear more from ODESZA and other artists like them!

Posthumous Praise: Jimi Hendrix

Happy Monday everyone, I hope your day is going swell! Today we have for you to praise Jimi Hendrix!

 

Source: The RSVLTS

Hendrix was born in Seattle, Washington in 1942. He learned how to play guitar when he was a teenager later becoming one of the most famous guitarists in the world. But before rising to fame in the 1960s, Hendrix played backup for talent, such as Same Cooke and B. B. King. Hendrix passed away at the young age of 27, but left a permanent mark not just on music but on the world. For more information about him go here. Swing on over to here or 91.7FM to witness Hendrix's genius. Below is All Along The Watchtower.

Ticket Giveaway : Rae Sremmurd

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/flex-appeal-meet-hip-hops-hottest-duo-rae-sremmurd-20150107

The radio station would like to thank everyone for participating in our first ticket giveaway. The opportunity to win two free tickets to the Rae Sremmurd concert this Monday has been won by two well deserved people and hopefully they have blast. Tune into WNJR 91.7 FM to hear our amazing show hosts, and hopefully another ticket giveaway. Have a safe weekend and congratulations to our two winners! 

Ticket Giveaway: Rae Sremmurd Concert

The radio station is excited to announce our first ticket giveaway! The concert that you have an opportunity to win tickets to is Rae Sremmurd who will be performing with Lil Yatchy on October 24, 2016. The performance will take place at Stage AE in Pittsburgh, Pa at 7:00pm and if you're interested in this giveaway then all you have to do is submit an email to india@wnjr.org stating your name, number, and favorite song by Rae Sremmurd. The two lucky winners from the drawing will win two tickets each and be announced on WNJR then contacted by email on this Saturday at 12:00pm! While you submit your information, don't hesitate to listen to one of my favorites by Rae Sremmurd "Come Get Her" and listen to much more of their music! 

Glee: Cory Monteith

Hello everyone! I hope you all have a great fall break and are enjoying the first day back. The artist I chose for this week is Cory Monteith. Cory was an aspiring Canadian actor and musician that got his first big role with Glee, the TV series, in 2009. Suffering from substance abuse at the young age of 13, Cory was in and out of rehab and seeking help for it most of his life. Despite his addiction, Cory found love within the Glee cast and was going to marry fellow costar Lea Michele after dating since 2012. The early death of Cory at the age of 31 devastated his future wife, but also the cast and fans of Glee. With the loss of such an amazing actor, it was hard for Glee to move forward so in honor of the life of Finn, Cory Monteith, here is one of my favorite clips from the TV series. Rest in Peace Cory.

 

Watch Out Artist: The Internet

 

 The Internet 

This alternative R&B and Neo-Soul band started a few years ago. And if you ask me they are saving the art that is Afro-Punk and soul music. I think we need "The Internet"to connect us back to our soulful side like artist Jill Scott, D'angelo, and Anthony Hamilton. Most people would not even recognize these names but they shaped artist like Beyonce, Rihanna, and even rap artists. Without highlighting soul in music we lose sight in the art itself. Thank you, "The Internet"for saving soul! If you want to get in the gag that is "The Internet" please watch the video below you will not be disappointed! 

Artist Spotlight: Phantogram

http://pitchfork.com/news/68306-phantogram-share-new-song-same-old-blues-listen/

Phantogram is an American electronic duo from Greenwich, New York, formed in 2007 and consisting of Josh Carter (vocals, guitars) and Sarah Barthel (vocals, keyboards).  The band has been described as having airy vocals and spacey keyboards giving the feeling of dream pop and electronica music.  Hit songs like "Black Out Days" and "Fall in Love" are featured on the album "Voices" and have been heard on television and movie soundtracks like the TV show Shameless and the movie Hunger Games: Catching Fire.  The band just recently released their third full album properly titled "Three."  This album contains songs like "Cruel World" and "You're Mine" which continue with their electronica and dream pop vibes that were seen in their previous albums.  Phantogram has also been featured with many other artists ranging from Miley Cyrus to Big Boi.  When performing with Big Boi, who is one half of famed hip hop duo Outkast, the group became a trio called Big Grams where they experiment with combining hip hop and electronica together.  One of my favorites from Big Grams is called "Lights On" which is found on the self-title "Big Grams" EP.  If you are interesting in hearing some more from Phantogram then be sure to tune in to WNJR 91.7FM!

Listen to Eliana Cuevas on WNJR 91.7 FM

Venezuelan born Eliana Cuevas released her album ESPEJO in 2013. Through her performances you can notice how Eliana matured since her first album in 2002. Eliana was featured on the cover of Latinos magazine that brought her fame among her big North American and International audience. Eliana grew up in Venezuela, with the rhymes of salsa, joropo and Brazilian music and currently performs in Canada. She perfectly composes these rhymes in her new songs. Her engaging voice and songwriting on topics from adventure to forgiveness wowed the local music scene, hailing Cuevas as “Canada’s Latin Music Queen”. Listen to her new album ESPEJO on WNJR 91.7 FM.

Watch Out Artist: BJ the Chicago Kid

BJ the Chicago Kid

With the year almost closing in a few months, I think it is only fair to highlight a "watch out artist." A "watch out artist" is someone who has just began to peak the interest of the mainstream audience, and has the potential to remain in the spotlight depending on the anticipation of their sophomore album.  BJ the Chicago Kid has been on the radars of many listeners. He is from Chicago (go figure!) he is no amateur to stage performances. He was a backup vocalist for the gospel duo Mary Mary, Stevie Wonder, Lalah Hathaway and many more. His sound reminds me of D'angelo, with a R&B old school feel. When he features with artist such as Kendrick Lamar and Chance the Rapper he give the song "feel good"melody allowing to enjoy every part of the song. My favorite song by him is the "New Cupid"talking about the lose of love in the world because cupid is gone. I think if you want to get ahead of who's going to be new definitely get in the gag that is BJ the Chicago Kid. 

Posthumous Praise- Otis Redding

Hello everyone! Sorry for the lateness, but to make it up to you our spotlight shines on Otis Redding!

Otis Redding was born in Dawson, Georgia in 1941, leaving in 1946 for Macon, Georgia. In Macon Otis listened to Sam Cooke and Little Richard. He is famous for songs such as (Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay and I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now). To learn more go here. You can catch and jam to his songs here or at 91.7FM. Below is Otis Redding's Respect:

Artist Spotlight: Big Gigantic

Hey everyone, some awesome new electronica music has been coming out recently, so I hope you are all ready!  Big Gigantic recently released their new album title "Brighter Future" which features songs like "The Little Things" and "All of Me." Big Gigantic is able to combine the electronica genre with hip-hop and jazz influences.  The goup consists of members Dominic Lalli who plays the saxophone in the tracts and produces, and Jeremy Salken who plays the drums.  The group has played at many large scale music festivals including Firefly, Camp Bisco, and Coachella!  Big Gigantic is on tour right now and is coming to Stage AE in Pittsburgh on November 3rd!  If you are interested in hearing more of their music then be sure to check and see if there is a concert date near you! You can also tune in on Monday nights at 9PM to Bad Dance Moves to hear more from Big Gigantic and other similar artists!

Dondi's new album Give Me Your Love

Source: Dailypress.com

R&B soul singer Dondi released his new album “Give Me Your Love” earlier this year. Dondi makes music for true R&B lovers.
Dondi is an incredibly talented performer and experienced vocalist. Origin of Philadelphia,  legendary musician has an extremely strong stage presence, and the ability to entertain large crowds.
He writes and produces his songs as if they were going to be played by a live band tonight. Dondi has worked venues such as Madison Square Garden. Listen to Dondi's new Give Me Your Love album on WNJR 91.7 FM.

Invincible New Tracks

Hello and happy Tuesday! I've been listening to a lot of great new tracks released this weekend, and I'm here to share them with you all:

"Love On Me" by Galantis & Hook N Sling

"Click Clack" by LOUDPVCK & NGHTMRE

"Fire" by Louis the Child

"Invincible" by Big Wild

"Retrograde" by Vincent

"Believer" by Major Lazer & Showtek

Be sure to tune in to WNJR Mondays at 9 PM for Bad Dance Moves! We will be playing some of the tracks listed above in addition to other great songs.

Posthumous Praise- Frank Sinatra

Hello beautiful people! It's Monday, so without any further ado, our praise for today goes to the memorable and fantastic Frank Sinatra!

Frank was born in Hoboken, New Jersey. Sinatra knew he wanted to be a singer when, as a teenager, he saw Bing Crosby perform in the mid-1930's. In the 1940's and 50's he released many hits and appeared in dozens of movies, even winning an Oscar for Supporting Actor. For more information on Frank visit here. Don't forget to catch one of Sinatra's songs here or at 91.7FM. Below is the live version of hit, The Girl From Ipanema.

Solange: A Seat at the Table

 

Solange 

After this weekend, I definitely want "A Seat at the Table." Solange is a fashion icon, model, and revolutionary. Most of all she is unapologetic, everything she does/wears has a message and has meaning. Everyone was caught by surprise when she finally decided to drop her album after  four long years. I have been an admirer of Solange since her song "I decided"I heard it in elementary school and it was from then I knew she was special. Now with the release of her new album the whole world will know how amazing and talented she is. The reason this album speaks volumes is because of its tribute to social injustice and commitment to the authenticity of Solange's story. A prime example of this is in her video "Don't Touch My Hair"