Paul Wall and Lil Keke were kind enough to sit down with Barion McQueen of Digital Buzz Now, for a quick chat.

They talked about everything from the single itself, the creative process behind it, as well as weighed in on the difficult situation we’re all going through right now with the lockdown.

BM: So what’s your process in collaborating and coming out with this project? Do you bounce ideas off each other? What’s your process in the studio?

PW: Sometimes we start off with an idea and we work around that, sometimes we start off with a beat. It’s been a little bit of everything.

BM: Our platform focuses both on entrepreneurship and artists. Paul, I know you’re doing a lot, trying to find balance between spreading your wings both as an entrepreneur and finding time to do your music.

PW: Yeah, it’s just part of the hustle, you know? I saw lots of people around me grow from not having a business, to having an extremely successful one. So I saw the proof that it was possible for me to do it, if you put in the work.

BM: Keke, I know you’ve got the Screwed Up Click, what are your future plans with that?

LK: Well, the Screwed Up Click isn’t something that I individually own, you know. As far as the next Screwed Up Click thing I’ve got lined up, I’ve got something going with the movies they’re doing, I’ve got my merchandise line going, I’m tapped into other things too. See, being an entrepreneur came natural to us. As far as my personal brand’s concerned, I’m spreading my wings toward quite a few things.

BM: Nice, I like that aspect of it, because I think that’s one of the things a lot of young artists don’t understand. That music is a business. What kind of advice would you give to a talent right now looking to break into the business?

PW: I would say you gotta think long and hard about what’s important to you. There’s an intersection between art and commerce and a lot of people don’t understand where the money comes from. The money don’t necessarily come from the art, it comes from the business side of it. Now, that can affect the way you do the art. ‘Cause certain songs and types of art will sell more than others. But that don’t mean that’s your best art. You need to find the common ground between making art and making money. Just understand what you want from this. This isn’t like a talent show, like once you’ve made it, you’ve made it. It’s a constant grind. Just like in sports, there’s only so many spots on the team.

BM: That’s exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. How have you guys remained relevant for so long in the music business?

LK: From my stand point, I just never had a problem with trying to reinvent myself as well as I could. Doing things with the younger artists, just not get out of touch, you know?

BM: As a fan, I wanted to talk to you about how the Texas Music influenced the car culture? How do both of those connect?

PW: Well, Houston is really spread out, so transportation is a big deal. Having a car is a big part of day to day life in Houston. We take a lot of pride in our cars, it’s a big part of yourself. What wheels, you put on, what music you listen to, how your motor is. The whole output of the car is a reflection of yourself. But in terms of influencing the car culture, I don’t know. In hip hop, we aim to make music specifically for cars. In Texas, we definitely make music for cars, ‘cause we listen to a lot of our music in our cars. So there’d be a lot of heavy bass, a lot of drops in the music where you can hear the lyrics.

BM: Right. So I know you guys are heavily into sports, so how are you guys handling everything that’s going on right now? This no-sports situation?

LK: Well, I see a lot of teams are going back to practice on May 1^st, beginning of May. So, you know, I’m praying for that, praying we at least get football. (laughs) I’m tired of watching movies.

BM: So what’s your favorite, football, basketball…?

LK: Man, I love a variety of teams from a variety of sports. I love the Lakers, the Packers, the Rockets, the Cowboys. I love a lot of teams for all sorts of reasons. Sentimental reasons, growing-up, good players.

BM : I get that. Well, I appreciate you guys taking the time to talk to me. Any last words or anything other than the album on June 6^th that you want our readers to be aware of? An official video for ‘So Trill’, maybe?

LK: I would hope so, it’d mean things have got better. ‘So Trill’ is out on all platforms now, Paul Wall and Lil Keke, our first project together. The unofficial video is out with it, the album drops June 6^th. And just for everybody, stay healthy, peace and bliss to everyone through this coronavirus thing.

BM: Thank you guys. We’ll definitely be looking forward to it.

Overall, we had so much fun doing this interview. Both Paul Wall and Lil Keke are class acts and a delight to talk to, so we’d like to thank them again for taking the time, and remind you all to be on the lookout for their new album “Slab Talk” (Pre-Order Here) in June!

Make sure you get their new single “So Trill” featuring Slim Thug available on all platforms.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD “SO TRILL” 

Follow Socially:

Instagram: @donke713 @paulwallbaby

The post A talk with Lil Keke and Paul Wall about their new single “So Trill” appeared first on Digital Buzz Now.

One year after the release of the single and animated short film release “Earth,” Dave Burd aka Lil Dicky is donating over $800,000 to help combat climate change and contribute to COVID-19 support.

“Earth,” which has now surpassed 750 million streams globally, features cameos from music’s biggest artists all joined together to celebrate Earth Day. Upon release a year ago and over the last 12 months the effort has continued to bring much needed attention to the climate change crisis.

“I’m very honored and humbled that we’re able to give this money to these organizations, and super thankful of all of the artists on this song who made this possible. And of course, thank you to every Earthling out there for listening and spreading the word. Unfortunately, the fight to save this planet isn’t even close to over, and we’re going to have to amplify our efforts way more to turn this thing around. Because pretty soon, it’ll be too late,” says Burd.

He adds, “And even though times have never been scarier with the COVID-19 pandemic, it has shown me something: that we can modify our day-to-day behavior to adapt to a crisis when it’s right in front of us. Even if you don’t feel the climate crisis at every moment, it is truthfully right in front of us. And all across the world, humanity has banded together to combat the spread of COVID-19, putting convenience aside for the greater good. If we keep that same energy and apply it towards the environment, we can probably save the Earth. We should definitely do that.”

The following six organizations will each receive a $100,000 grant. These grantees are all on the frontlines fighting the climate crisis in three major categories: renewable energy, protecting nature and sustainable food.

Amazon Frontlines—Building power with indigenous peoples to protect the Amazon rainforest and our climate.

Carbon Cycle Institute—Advancing carbon farming and regenerative agricultural land management to build soil carbon as a central climate strategy on ranches and farms throughout the U.S.

Global Greengrants Fund—Funding grassroots level regenerative agriculture efforts, a method of farming that restores the health and biodiversity of farmland and draws carbon back into the soil.

Quick Response Fund for Nature—Funding rapid response land acquisition, a proven conservation strategy to protect properties crucial to conserving threatened and endangered species.

Shark Conservation Fund—Protecting shark and ray species which are critical to the health of our oceans.

The Solutions Project—Accelerating the transition to 100% clean energy by providing real-time support to pivotal frontline leaders and organizations in the U.S.

In addition to the $600,000 to these organizations, given the current situation with COVID-19, Burd will also allocate $215,000 to launch a COVID-19 x Climate Response Fund in partnership with the Solutions Project. This will fund organizations coordinating response efforts in areas deeply impacted by COVID-19 where climate injustice is already rampant—grants will be made to New York City (UPROSE, The Point), Los Angeles (East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, SCOPE), Philadelphia (Philly Thrive, A Just Philadelphia), and Indigenous populations throughout the United States (Native Renewables, Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation).

“Earth” was produced by Benny Blanco and Cashmere Cat and the short film was co-directed by Nigel Tierney of Emmy Award®-winning content studio RYOT, Federico Heller of 3Dar and Iconic Engine and executive produced by Scooter Braun, SB Projects, Mike Hertz and Zeda Stone of RYOT. Watch the official music video HERE and the clean version HERE.

The list of featured collaborators includes Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Halsey, Zac Brown, Brendon Urie, Hailee Steinfeld, Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg, Kevin Hart, Adam Levine, Shawn Mendes, Charlie Puth, Sia, Miley Cyrus, Lil Jon, Rita Ora, Miguel, Katy Perry, Lil Yachty, Ed Sheeran, Meghan Trainor, Joel Embiid, John Legend, Psy, Bad Bunny, Kris Wu, Backstreet Boys and Leonardo DiCaprio.

David Andrew Burd, also known by his stage name Lil Dicky, is an American rapper, comedian and actor. In March, Burd debuted his new FXX show, “Dave,” to widespread success and much critical acclaim. Based on his own life, he stars in the show and also takes writing and producing credits. The show centers on a neurotic man in his late twenties who has convinced himself that he’s destined to be one of the best rappers of all time. “Dave” airs Wednesdays at 10PM ET/PT on FXX and the next day on Hulu.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT CARLA SACKS
AT SACKS & CO., 212.741.1000, CARLA@SACKSCO.COM.

The post Dave Burd AKA Lil Dicky Raised Over $800K For COVID-19 Relief & Climate Change appeared first on Digital Buzz Now.

The TO FEEL ALIVE EP follows 2019’s “Solita,” Uchis’ first bilingual track, and is her first new music of 2020. Raised between Virginia and her parents’ native Colombia, Kali Uchis rose to prominence with her project Por Vida in 2015. Uchis’ debut album, Isolation, received widespread critical acclaim and was featured on Best of 2018 lists by Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, NPR, Vulture and many more. Uchis has collaborated and shared stages with Gorillaz, Jorja Smith, Juanes, Diplo, Major Lazer, Tyler, The Creator, Daniel Caesar, Bootsy Collins, Snoop Dogg, Kaytranada, Leon Bridges and more and has toured the world over, with much-lauded sets headlining Tropicalia and at Coachella, Governors Ball, Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza and many others.

The post Kali Uchis Shares “To Feel Alive” EP Made in Quarantine appeared first on Digital Buzz Now.

In 2019, Vos released the Watch and Wait EP, an exploration of her 2018 diagnosis with cancer through a deeply personal lens. The project received critical acclaim from The New York Times, Uproxx, who called it “cathartic and confessional,” Earmilk, who remarked, “[Vos] pours her life and soul into this latest, and it’s breathtaking,” and more. Vos, now in recovery, went on to play a series of music festivals and embarked on a full headline tour.

The post Ella Vos Debuts “Burning Bridges” Video appeared first on Digital Buzz Now.

Driven by a unique vision and a clear understanding of what she wanted to do with her life, Bowman, a published Forbes writer and social media expert, began making a name for herself at only 18 years old.

Looking back, the thing that gives her the most pleasure is being able to help local businesses with her extensive marketing knowledge. She enjoys giving smaller business owners tips on surviving these crazy times we live in and is often doing her bit to raise awareness and try to make them more popular.

Only last year, a video campaign she shot with a local hair salon (with practically no budget) went viral and got her nominated for two MarCom Awards.

In 2012, she founded her online business, Brand Branding PR LLC, which she wanted to manage remotely, to avoid becoming a slave to the grind, as so many in this field unfortunately do. And surely enough, she managed to do just that.

With a head for branding and deep understanding of our social media-led world, Bowman quickly rose to the top, working with big names in the business, such as diamond giant LeVian, as well as many A-list celebrities. All of this while traveling the world, with a 2-year long stop in Morocco, a trek across Australia, before finally settling in Miami a few years ago.

“Every move I made led to more doors opening which kept me on this amazing path I was supposed to be on. I don’t regret anything, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

When asked to name one businessman who has always inspired her, Bowman credits Richard Branson, perhaps unsurprisingly. A man known for his keen sense of entrepreneurship, as well as his love for adventure, Branson’s solidified his reputation in the business industry from early on, and no doubt, Bowman looks to be on the way to doing the same thing.

Interestingly enough, Sophie’s first business was actually showcased on Branson’s “Back of an Envelope” campaign years back.

Clearly a woman who’s set on reaching new heights of success, Bowman says social media is her calling card and largely credits that for her success. With a 48K following on Instagram, it’s clear to see where she’s coming from. Though when asked about her lifestyle, Bowman insists she’d much rather be on a plane than in a club, and because of her smart business making, she no doubt can.

We enjoy showcasing such success stories, because they serve to inspire and lead by example. Asked if she had any words of advice for young entrepreneurs, Bowman replies:

“Follow your path, your way. My career took off when I started being myself. People see through the BS. Let it go and embrace your authentic self.”

Along with her continued success as an entrepreneur, Sophie is also the newest cast member of Dining Divas, a TV show that showcases local bars and restaurants, alongside five other female entrepreneurs who are as charismatic as they are business-savvy.

The post Rising to the Top of the Marketing Game: Sophie Bowman appeared first on Digital Buzz Now.

Check out the visual below:

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnCExcqBl7I&t=21s

The post Ghostlafa unveils new visual for track “Trump America” appeared first on Digital Buzz Now.

Create A One of a Kind Selling Point

If you want to stand out from the crowd, create a unique selling proposition that stresses the benefits the customers will receive from doing business with you. Will they get faster service? Go ahead and dramatize it, but keep the customer at the focus…”Get free overnight delivery!” Hey, it tells the customer…you get quick service and a discount on shipping. Two definite benefits in one statement.

Why should someone buy from you and not your competitor? I hate to deal a blow to your ego, but it really has nothing to do with you , your product, or your service. Yeah, its a little self-centered, but customers are attracted by offers that point out the things that benefit THEM.

Don’t go out on a limb to create new products and services to get attention. Just, add a special benefit to the ones you already have… maybe it’s quicker service. The most effective things to emphasize are benefits that your competition cannot or is not willing to give.

Use Testimonials

Hey, we all know that business owners think their product or services are the best thing going, but it’s what the current customers think about it that really matters to your prospective customers. They’re the ones who see things from their point of view… what they have to say about the business has an impact.

Testimonials play an important part in advertising – especially for small businesses. Yeah, big businesses with well-known names don’t have to worry about it, but small companies can use testimonials as marketing tools to build credibility.

Think about it…how else can we gain credibility than by creating a group of satisfied customers and shouting what they have to say? Let’s look at some ways we can make testimonials an effective part of our marketing campaigns.

Upsell

Upselling is one of the most successful marketing trends today. Everywhere you go, someone is trying to get you to buy more. From McDonald’s with its supersize options to clothing stores that try to sell you shoes to match your outfit, everyone’s jumping on the band wagon. Why? It works!

Your customers already know that you have great products and provide satisfactory service. They trust you to come through for them. Think about it… it’s much easier to make sales to someone you already have a relationship with.

Use every opportunity to increase your sales volume within the customer audience you already have. Do you have a product that goes with the one they are purchasing? Offer it to them at the register. It’s a proven and effective method for increasing sales. You may be shocked at the additional sales you can generate from those who are already buying from you.

Make Your Price Seem Smaller

Divide and conquer… The old war tactic works in marketing too! When the price seems too steep, break it down into “buyable” size bites. An $120 item is only 12 low monthly payments of $10. A $365 purchase would only cost $1 per day. Now that sounds affordable!

Paint The Benefits Pretty

Customers buy because they want to enjoy the benefits of the purchase. A lady might buy a dress because she wants to feel sexy, or a man will buy a book because he finds pleasure in reading. Emotions are the key element that drives purchases.

Use word pictures to stir up the emotions that will instigate the sale. Let them “feel” the benefits, and they’ll be more apt to head for the cash register. Put them where you want them.

Create Attention Getting Headlines

Are you ready to capture your reader’s attention with great copy? The headline is the place to start. How often do you scan the newspaper’s headlines before you decide whether or not to read the article? Yeah, that’s where we lose or gain the reader’s interest, so it’s a pretty important part of the advertisement.

A good headline should telegraph its message in twelve words or less. Double check those headlines. Do they make a promise of a positive benefit, or ask a provocative question? Don’t settle for less than attention grabbing statements.

Provide An Offer They Can’t Resist

Is your deal too good to pass up? If not, you need to improve it. Hey, I’m not talking about cutting prices even more…you’ve still got to make a profit. You can make the deal sweeter just by increasing the readers knowledge of the value of the product, or adding bonuses that are perceived as valuable, but cost you little.

Motivate buyers with expirations. Yeah, an open ended offer encourages procrastination…which leads …yep, nowhere. When the customer knows he has until Saturday to purchase an item he’ll pay more for on Sunday, he’ll make it a priority to head for your shop.

The post Small Business Owners Are You Applying These Tips? appeared first on Digital Buzz Now.

When you are buying a franchise your are also buying an established customer base or brand name. Most franchises are already recognizable to consumers. The brand awareness provides security and trust to the customer who expects uniform quality to be provided. Therefore a customer base is already established.

You can also benefit from any advertising or promotion that the franchiser (owner of the franchise) does at the national or local level, without absorbing the cost. The franchiser can also provide input to the franchisee on a local marketing plan.

If you buy a franchise you also receive ongoing support. Training and support is usually always part of the deal. Since the franchise company has a vested interest in how well you do, ongoing training, system upgrades, product enhancements, and question and answer resources are provided. The franchiser offers experience to franchisee in such areas as accounting procedures, personnel and facility management, and business planning.

Also, many times obtaining financing for buying a franchise is easier since the franchise name and reputation are usually recognized by the lenders. Therefore, banks are more likely to fund the franchisee. In addition, relationships with suppliers are already established; affording the opportunity to buy in bulk, enabling a great deal of savings for the business.

The first step when buying a franchise is choosing an industry you are interested in or have prior experience in. There are many great franchises out there to choose from. Auto franchises and coffee franchises are very popular franchises but it is important to research the each opportunity before investing. It is recommended you sit down with a Franchise Consultant and decide if buying a franchise is right for you.

The post Have You Ever Wanted to Buy A Franchise? appeared first on Digital Buzz Now.

And even those who do understand marketing, the old pros, tend to have a rusty approach to it. They mistakenly assume that what used to work ten years ago will work now, which is not really true. Marketing is ever changing, which is why it can be so difficult to keep up with it.

One person who’s doing a remarkable job of this, however, is New York-based Marketing Consultant Hannah Nieves. With years of experience at her back, Nieves has recently set out on a mentoring journey, hoping to help and inspire those who are just starting out in the business world.

“It’s easy to compare yourself to others in space and question your experience and skill set, but as long as you create more than you consume, you’ll be in a good place.” says hannah

This is one thing Hannah wishes she’d known when she started out in the business world, and it’s definitely one of the main pieces of advice she gives young marketers today.

From the way she speaks, there is something compelling about Hannah, and it’s not just her nice voice. It’s the ambition and drive that is obvious in her every word. While she makes a point of underlining how difficult the marketing world is to navigate, she also makes it abundantly clear how much she enjoys what she does. And that’s truly the best inspiration one can offer a young marketer.

But when coaching young marketers and entrepreneurs, Hannah isn’t just about the mindset. On the contrary, she tries to combine general suggestions and encouragement with hands-on advice.

“Social media is such a powerful tool to build your community and audience. It’s a powerful tool to build long lasting relationships and a way to serve your audience with your knowledge and expertise — it’s a pivotal piece of my business.” says hannah

The reason why this quote stood out to us is that social media tends to be such an underrated marketing tool, even in today’s digital world. While many people in the business know a social media presence is a must-have, few truly understand what a make-or-break asset social media can be.

A good and enticing Twitter account can be worth its’ weight in gold, and Hannah makes sure to stress that both when working with luxury entrepreneurs and brands, and when mentoring young novices.

Ultimately, Hannah inspires through her levelheadedness and clear mind. She’s a businesswoman and a visionary herself, which perhaps is what makes it so easy for her to relate with her clients.

“Trust your gut and intuition, it will lead you in the right direction. And keep your eyes on the long term vision, and ask yourself does this decision or action move me closer to that vision?” says Hannah

… is both her advice and her life motto. And the reason it stuck with us is that it can be applied universally.

Follow Hannah Nieves Socially on Instagram @hannahmnieves

The post A Lesson in Marketing with Pro Hannah Nieves appeared first on Digital Buzz Now.

The New Abnormal, the sixth studio album from The Strokes, is out today via Cult/RCA—stream HERE.

Tonight, the band will be doing a Reddit AMA on the r/music channel at 6:30p.m. EST. Tune in and ask them a question HERE.

Of the album, Associated Press raves, “a superb slice of indie rock, varied, exciting and complex, with elements of glam, straight-down-the-line rock and dreamy pop,” while Under the Radar praises, “the most vital and consistent the band has sounded in over a decade.”

The band recently debuted a new, ongoing pirate radio series, featuring the five-piece in conversation. Watch HERE.

The New Abnormal features previously shared tracks “Brooklyn Bridge To Chorus,” “Bad Decisions” and “At The Door.” The music video for “At The Door” premiered during the band’s performance at Senator Bernie Sanders’ University of New Hampshire rally. The album is The Strokes’ first in seven years and was recorded at Shangri-La Studios in Malibu and produced by Rick Rubin. The album’s cover artwork is a painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Bird on Money.

THE NEW ABNORMAL TRACK LIST 1. The Adults Are Talking 2. Selfless 3. Brooklyn Bridge To Chorus 4. Bad Decisions 5. Eternal Summer 6. At The Door 7. Why Are Sundays So Depressing 8. Not The Same Anymore 9. Ode To The Mets

The Strokes are singer Julian Casablancas, guitarists Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr, bassist Nikolai Fraiture and drummer Fabrizio Moretti.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT CARLA SACKS

AT SACKS & CO., 212.741.1000, CARLA@SACKSCO.COM.

OR SARAH WEINSTEIN DENNISON
AT RCA RECORDS PUBLICITY, 212.833.5593,
SARAH.WEINSTEIN@RCARECORDS.COM

The post The Strokes’ The New Abnormal Out Now – First New Album In Seven Years appeared first on Digital Buzz Now.