The 411 - posted on December 22, 2012 by DJ Vybe

New Artist Hot-Vybe List: STORi

The Universe may not be able to contain her for long, but as Universal Motown’s latest signee, Stori’s talents as a singer/songwriter lend themselves to the powerhouse label. (“Stori has the ability to relate to the masses with her music.”) said Rex Rideout VP of Motown. The young New Jersey natives ability to paint a vivid picture with her edgy lyrics and rhythmic melodies instantly grab the attention of any first time listener. Stori studied the great artists who came before her like, Whitney Houston, Madonna, Lauryn Hill, Stevie Wonder and Johnny Cash giving a kaleidoscope style to her music.

Her recent commitments to the label gives the term “full circle” a whole new meaning, after having studied the Motown sound as a child. “It is so surreal,” says the still in shock Stori. The New Jersey native plans to let her life experiences be the driving force behind her music. Stori reflects, “Throughout the years I’ve bounced from situation to situation…. and every time a door closed, immediately, another one opened.” It was one of those doors that put Stori in front of Jae Hill the CEO of Nextday Entertainment. It was then that she started developing her current sound including rap verses to her melodies; with that new electric sound she penned “Just Another Day,” an ode to New Jersey and Queen Latifah. With a catalog of hits she plans on unleashing something game changing in the years to come. (Google “Storimusic” for more great music and beautiful visuals)

Working on her album is paramount in Stori’s life at the moment, while honing her stage presence Stori plans to leave no stone unturned on this journey. She has perfected her writing abilities penning complete songs like “Just Another Day.” Stori wants people to not only relate to her music but go through an experience as well. Stori has worked with Taj Jackson of Nextday Entertainment as well as going through what she called vocal boot camp with renowned vocal coach Craig Derry (Katy Perry, Alicia Keys, etc.). Stori has goals and milestones in the forefront of her thinking,including live performances, and exciting visuals in her near future Stori’s well laid plan is being actualized. Since putting ink to paper it has become more and more evident that her years of “the grind” was just the tip of the iceberg. Label life for this talented young artist in just a few short weeks has proven to be surmountable in comparison. “The work has just begun” says Stori “and I looks forward to every second of it.”

You can definitely look for one or two tracks on the next DJ Vybe Mixtape, and on my Friday night shows: 

• Still A Lady
• Jump Off To Lovers
• My Crown (Remix) featuring 50 Cent

In the meantime, follow STORi and myself (DJ Vybe) on Twitter — tell her I sentcha!

The 411 - posted on December 7, 2012 by DJ Vybe

Arika Kane: Connecticut’s Own R&B Sensation

Talented singer/model Arika Kane dances to the beat of no drum but her own. And that is a secret to her success. Coming from strong Italian roots and raised in small-town Connecticut, the photogenic BSE recording artist does not sing country, rock or classical. She sings what she feels; she sings from her heart and from her soul. Most people would call it R&B, although her influences include Dru Hill, Whitney Houston, and others. But she is more than a soul singer — she is a movement, an experience that has captured the hearts of music aficionados with an unbroken trail of musical accomplishments.

She has been invited to pose for magazine spreads and is a target for advertisers to shop commercial products, as she appears on the cover of an issue of Runway News magazine for 2013. However, Arika’s journey has not been without steady obstacles, as industry changes force most artists to be more versatile, more creative. Her latest album, featuring the infectious dance single “Let Go,” produced by the writing team of Lou Humphrey, Arika Kane, and Jasmon Joyner, is fittingly called Substance, as it consists of 14 voluptuous tracks, each download sporting a mood of its own. This musical fantasy and her other accomplishments speak volumes to the songstress’ distinctive vocal prowess and her captivating stage presence. Like the song “Waiting,” another hit from the same album, “Let Go” is poised to become a theme song, and Arika’s single “Make It” is the theme song for VH1’s TV hit Hollywood Exes.

With 150,000 followers on Twitter and a plethora on Facebook, sales for “Let Go” are expected to soar in coming weeks. And with 1,000,000 digital downloads sold from her self-entitled debut album, “Arika Kane,” released in August of 2010, Arika is a hit with the jet-set and teens. She reached #2 on Amazon for R&B downloads, and #18 on ITunes for R&B downloads. Her sophomore single, “4 the Lovers,” charted in Billboard # 7 Single Sales, # 19 R&B Airplay & # 80 on Billboard Hot 100. Her follow up soulful ballad “ Here With Me “ also charted on Billboard # 4 Single Sales, # 14 R&B Airplay & # 67 on Billboard Hot 100. The UAC Mediabase charts declared Arika Kane & BSE Recordings as the #1 Independent artist & label in the country for 20 weeks straight. Hip Hop Weekly wrote that “Arika’s debut album delivers a complete composition that will really resonate with true music fans.” Singer Chuck Jackson, after witnessing Arika on a national TV show, remarked: “She is a beautiful performer!” Arika Kane’s music has been placed & featured on several VH1 Reality shows and Sitcoms, such as “What Chili Wants,” “Basketball Wives,” “Single Ladies,” and “Love & Hip Hop.” Arika Kane enchanted the audience as she appeared on the “Monique Show” in March 2011. And before fans and friends, she captivated the audience at the famous Ashford & Simpsons’ Sugar Bar in NYC. Last November, Arika Kane was the only female to perform on the “One World Tour” with Frankie Beverly, Babyface, and Charlie Wilson in Southaven, Mississippi. Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you soon. See Arika Kane Videos: