Black Stax Debuts “I Love My Life” Music Video, Celebrates Love, Life and Positivity Through Urban and Soul Influenced Track

Seattle, WA / February 15, 2011  - Black Stax, whose debut album, “Talking Buildings” was released last month on iTunes, today releases their first music video for the single, “I Love My Life,” which celebrates life, gives appreciation to heritage and demonstrates the positive, home-grown vibe of Black Stax and this urban and soul influenced song.

“We transformed a space use for welding and made it into a family BBQ.  Literally.  Added some cameras, lighting, good friends and some talented people and walked away with a music video,” says Jace of Black Stax.

The music video is directed and edited by Seattle’s Chris Parker and was shot in the industrial and artsy  Georgetown neighborhood.

“ ‘I Love My Life’ is about making the most of every day and recognizing those that came before you.  We are huge on family and were able to share the experience of recording our first music video with those who mean the most to us.  We hope everyone likes the result!,” added Felicia Loud of Black Stax who is the main feature of the video.

The video can be viewed on Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCHTAFjE3Sg

About Black Stax

As the avant-garde of Seattle hip-hop and “displaying soulful depth and thought-provoking messages like modern-day prophets,” according to the Jazz Music Examiner, Black Stax makes creative, challenging and emotional music with an injection of hip hop and 70s-era soul.  The group is comprised of MCs Silas Blak and Jace ECAj and vocalist Felicia Loud and they’ve been featured in The Stranger, The Examiner, Publicola.com and national publication DEFT Magazine for their recently released debut album Talking Buildings,  which is an eclectic, urban mix.  

A collaboration that works, Black Stax successfully blends musical genres and attracts a varied and supportive following.

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Media Contact:

Amalia Martino
BlueShoes Media
(425) 361-2754 office
amalia@blueshoesmedia.com

For Immediate Release: Black Stax Joins Hip Hop 4 The Homeless Benefit, Jan. 30 in Olympia, WA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Amalia Martino, BlueShoes Media
(425) 361-2754 / amalia@blueshoesmedia.com


Black Stax Supports Hip-Hop 4 the Homeless, January 30th in Olympia, WA

Donate Talent to Benefit the Less Fortunate Throughout the Puget Sound


Seattle, WA / January 26, 2010 - Black Stax will join other 25360 artists at the 2010 Hip-Hop 4 the Homeless benefit on Saturday, January 30, 4:00 – 10:00 p.m., at The Cherry Street Loft, located at:

508 Legion Street
Olympia, WA, 98504

This is a two-part event that begins with an all-ages food and clothing drive, 4:00 – 10:00 p.m. Tickets are $5 and a food or clothing donation is required. Winners of the 2009 Weekly Volcano 25360 Awards will be announced at 6:00 p.m.

A 21+ after party follows starting at 10:00 p.m., at The Sampan Lounge, located at 922 Hensley Street NE in Lacey.

All proceeds from this event will benefit missions, food banks, resources centers and charities throughout the Puget Sound and support recovery in Haiti; all artists and organizers are donating their services for this great cause.

Other performers include Wojack, Jay Barz (2008 25360 Hustler of The Year), Junkyard Gang, XP, Josh Rizeberg, Afrok, Asliani, Night Fox, along with DJ La Pointe (KAOS Radio), DJ Turtledove (206 Zulu), DJ Slimrock & DJ Drastic (2008 25360 DJ of The Year) and Luvva J will host the event.

Hip-Hop 4 The Homeless is an international organization founded in Vancouver, BC in 2002 and resumes business with Olympia, WA as its headquarters. Jose S. Gutierrez Jr. (aka Luvva J) co-foundered the program to benefit deserving organizations including the Tacoma Rescue Mission, at which his family took residence when they first moved to the area in 1980.

“Our philosophy of homelessness is NOT hopelessness. We believe in Power Over Poverty and Hip-Hop 4 the Homeless honors those who are living with challenges and difficulties by honoring and channeling the culture and heritage of Hip-Hop which comes from humble beginnings itself,” explains Co-Founder Jose Gutierrez

In 2008 Hip-Hop 4 The Homeless raised more than $3,000 in resources including clothing, food and funds that were distributed amongst Puget Sound shelters, community resource centers and food banks.

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Media Contact:
Amalia Martino
BlueShoes Media
(425) 361-2754 office
amalia@blueshoesmedia.com

For Immediate Release: Hip Hop Group T-Weaponz Launches “XO Girl of the Week” Campaign to Celebrate Women

Hip Hop Group T-Weaponz Launches “XO Girl of the Week” Campaign to Celebrate Women

XtraOrdinary Girl of the Week Campaign Promotes Positive Images for Women Who Love Hip Hop


New York, NY / December 4, 2008 – Brooklyn-based hip hop trio T-Weaponz has launched a promotional campaign to further positive images and role-models for the women who love hip hop. The “XO Girl of the Week” campaign invites T-Weaponz’s female fans to submit information about themselves and in a few sentences explain what makes them “XtraOrdinary,” as well as a clean photo. The group selects one girl a week that they feel exemplifies a role model for others. In addition to bragging rights, weekly winners also receive a singed copy of T-Weaponz’s album “Just Begun” as well as other prizes.

In a recent interview on MTV Tr3s’ Sucker Free Latino, Izreal of T-Weaponz explains how the campaign started. “There are a lot of hip hop women fans and it’s tough for intelligent women [to support], if they feel they’re being degraded in the music. We gotta show respect.”

“We define the XO Girl as self-respecting, with goals and aspirations. She can go from the lecture hall or the office to dinner and the club, then start all over again. She balances the day and night with flying colors,” explains Psalmz.

“The XO Girl can be an athlete, a teacher or a model, it's not about looks, its about style, grace and drive” adds Ark, the third and final member of T-Weaponz.

“XtraOrdinary” is the title of T-Weaponz’s new single features west coast female-MC Diamonique and is produced by hit-maker Fingazz of Streetlight Music. The music video, which is in rotation MTV Tr3s, NBC’s Mun2 and other networks, also has a cameo from lyricist and poet La Bruja.

An exclusive remix “The XO Anthem” is also available for a free download on MTVTr3s.com.





About T-Weaponz

Audiences have been impressed by T-Weaponz's intellectual lyrics, their ability to interweave street scenarios and anecdotes with historical and literary references. From Ark's precise flow to Iz's blunt lyrics and Psalmz's flair for metaphors and wordplay, the MCs have formed a perfect triangle, complementing one another and ushering in a new sound. T-Weaponz appeared on the scene in 2003, with the release of the Alchemist-produced "Raised in the Slums" and the BlackOut EP, followed by the radio smash "Mira Mira" in 2005, the Billboard Top Ten R&B/Hip-Hop single "Dem Boyz" in 2006 and The Underground Music Award for Most Dynamic Group or Duo in 2007.

Over the years, T-Weaponz's unique lyrical style, catchy beats and desire to bring truth, hope and justice to the streets has garnered the group many successes, among them:

2008: T-Weaponz released the "XtraOrdinary" music video. It was added to rotation at NBC Mun2 and MTV Tr3s, as well as many regional and Internet video shows. The group also appeared on MTV Tr3s' Sucker Free Latino, giving the show a tour of Brooklyn's East New York, where they got their start. T-Weaponz recently completed a tour of Colombia and have been in the studio working on album number two.

2007: T-Weaponz released their digital full-length debut entitled Just Begun.., which features production from hit-maker Fingazz of Streetlight Music. With this highly anticipated released, the group was featured in two consecutive issues of The Source Magazine: Off the Radar (Dec. 2007) and Tale of the Tape (Nov. 2007).

LATV segment following T-Weaponz to their album release aired to exceptional viewer ship. It beat out Mun2's "One Nation Under Hip Hop," MTV Tres's "Karlifornia," and came in slightly under MTV's "The Hills" in the Los Angeles Area.

2006: In December 2006, T-Weaponz released the bounce-laden single "Dem Boyz," featuring Houston rapper Trae, which debuted at No. 7 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, and where it remained for six consecutive weeks.

2005: T-Weaponz's audience skyrockets with the release of the catchy bilingual anthem "Mira Mira." The wildly popular "spanglish" track, which features Cuban rapper Pitbull and Notch, formerly lead singer of the Born Jamericans, bridges the gap between English- and Spanish-speaking people with its witty fusion of English and Spanish words. In a matter of months, the song became an international hit catapulting T-Weaponz into the mainstream. Mira Mira garnered over 15,000 radio spins nationally and surpassed 50,000 in digital download sales.

2004: T-Weaponz releases the first installment of the Survival Muzik MIXTAPE, which The Source Magazine featured in its "Best of the Best" mixtape review section.

2003: the Alchemist-produced Raised in the Slums, off T-Weaponz's independently released The BlackOut EP, which tackled the issue of being raised in the slums and by the sound of the gun, entered the New York City scene, and earned them acclaim in Europe and the West Coast driving the sales of BlackOut EP to over 10,000 units thereby solidified T-Weaponz's status as a group to watch.

Armed with an endless arsenal of rhymes and an enormous devoted fan base that transcends cultural barriers, T-Weaponz is poised to blaze into center stage. Check for a new album and for T-Weaponz at major festivals throughout 2009.




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Media Contact:


Amalia Martino
(425) 361-2754 office
(510) 435-7474 cell
amalia@blueshoesmedia.com

BlueShoes Media is a Seattle-based entertainment publicity firm with national clientele. http://www.blueshoesmedia.com

Thoughts From the Road: T-Weaponz Tours Colombia

Thoughts From the Road: T-Weaponz Tours

Colombia Offers Passion for Hip Hop, Renews Vision of Universal Language

It didn't Help that my government name and my place of birth are identical to a supposed terrorist who was captured and convicted years ago, for allegedly having ties to al qaeda. Although I'd been hassled before on basically every flight I've ever taken since 9/11, nothing had been equivocal to my first international flight. It was straight out of a James Bond movie. I was surrounded, insulted and harassed about my identity by airport police. After a call to Washington D.C. and a twenty minute wait, I was cleared by the NSA. Their insincere apology only exaggerated my want to fly as far as possible. It was only the beginning of what was soon to be a interesting trip.

We were culture shocked as the plane landed tightly on the strip. Slowing to a halt the picture from my lens focused on a country so rich and green yet so stained with the stigma of government propaganda, police brutality, military repression and to what American media has trained our minds to believe that Colombia was just a mountain of cocoa leaves, coffee beans and poppy seeds (of which we have been for decades the largest of all importers). I let the high altitude air affect my breathing patterns on its own. I didn't allow the rumors of kidnapping for ransom spoil my impression. I was here only to witness their concept of hip-hop in first person and then some. Meeting the promoters at the airport, I could see a welcoming smile cracking through their faces and in a genuine handshake, I felt how much of an impact we were leaving just in our arrival.

We quickly stuffed ourselves in a pint sized taxi towards the hotel. During the drive I was surprise to see more vegetation then concrete, still innocent to corporate colonization and a breeze free from impurities. The thought that, for three years these young, ambitious promoters from Bogota and Medellin sought to bring our music to Colombia, was humbling. As persuasive as the offer was we initially needed this trip for more then financial reasons, it was our moral obligation as emcees, fellow Latinos and fans, to support the same occupation that saved us from identical conditions we faced in America. I was educated on how the seed of Hip-hop was planted years ago by a few defectors and exiles from America, who had either enough of unaffordable living or whom did time in the Bing somewhere, and were forcefully deported back to Colombia. Born and raised in East New York, Brooklyn to Puerto Rican parents who allowed me to follow my dreams although, hip hop sacrificed my further studies, I couldn't be more grateful. Rapping kept us writing, beat boxing gave us rhythm, break dancing kept us in shape, graffiti kept us artistic; Hip-hop gave us character. It kept us busy from the distractions of drugs, home complications and a boatload of inactivity that would've destroyed our motivation.

English became the necessary language and Spanish my secondary language. Subsequently the company of Spanish words barely being thrown around, slowly staggered to their death, along with the lisp and the accent, and all the stereotypes a wisecrack could think of. Thank God I'd digested enough Spanish quotes in my adolescents to help me survive a trip of this magnitude. I never felt like a fish out of water during my time in Colombia. I learned from artists that came and went before my visit and saw and understood with the same obvious appreciation, that the uprising of hip-hop here was no different than the Bronx in the 70s and 80s. However, it seemed more meaningful here. Colombians don't take Hip-hop for granted. They understand it's a privilege like a four year scholarship, free health care or the freedom of speech, even in its current political turmoil. At times there were dialects, slang and mom and pop quotes that I could not make out, that occasionally made it a bit hard to communicate. But the friendships and experiences, and the realization that struggle, poverty, oppression and death have no national boarder, hip hop and humanity equaled us.

Eventually our mutual understandings will bridge the gap, even if it was only of coca cola, President Bush and hip-hop.

Steelo #3 on National College Radio Charts

Steelo #3 on National College Radio Charts
"Make Up My Mind" Raises One Spot After Four Consecutive Weeks at #4

R&B/Hip Hop duo Steelo's bouncy club track "Make Up My Mind," after four consecutive weeks at #4, now boasts the #3 position on the Rap Attack Lives College Radio Chart. It has also earned almost 200 national radio spins.

Steelo's first music video "Make Up My Mind" was also released to networks and Internet platforms last week.

"Make Up My Mind' is the second single off their forthcoming album Music (2009) which is produced by Fingazz for Streetlight Music.

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Media Contact:

Amalia Martino
(425) 361-2754 office
(510) 435-7474 cell
amalia@blueshoesmedia.com

BlueShoes Media is a Seattle-based music publicity firm with national clientele. http://www.blueshoesmedia.com

For Immediate Release: Hip Hop Duo Steelo Releases First Music Video “Make Up My Mind"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Amalia Martino, BlueShoes Media
(425) 361-2754 / amalia@blueshoesmedia.com

RnB/Hip Hop Duo Steelo Releases First Music Video “Make Up My Mind”
The Seattle-based Urban Group Continues to Gain National Radio Spins and Support With Release of First Music Video to Major Networks and Internet Platforms


Seattle, WA / August 26, 2008 – Seattle-based, RnB/Hip Hop duo Steelo released their first music video, “Make Up My Mind,” this week to both online video outlets and major networks. The video was filmed in New York City and directed by James "Latin" Clark, with photography direction by Matt Workman, whose reel includes Busta Rhymes and KRS ONE. The video also features cameos by DJ Master Millions, T-Weaponz, Magic Juan formerly of Proyecto Uno, DJ Delicious and female-rapper K.Tana. The video can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JolgqconMus&fmt=18

“Make Up My Mind” is a bouncy club track that boasts searing vocals and a party feel, it is currently #4 on the Rap Attack Lives College Radio Chart and has earned almost 200 national radio spins. It is the second single off their forthcoming album Music (Steelo Entertainment, 2009) which is produced by Fingazz for Streetlight Music, whose radio hits include Criminal feat. Fat Joe's "Drop It And Rock It" and Kilo/Down's "Lean Like A Cholo."

Steelo’s first single “Let It Roll” was released in 2007 and garnered over 450 national radio spins, as a result the group opened for Pitbull and Sean Kingston. “We hope that adding that all important visual through a music video will really help this single take off at radio and catch the attention of some major labels” says A.Uno of Steelo.

As the only RnB/Hip Hop duo in today’s popular music industry, Steelo blends pure R&B, slick rhymes and progressive beats, to create a unique and popular sound. The group is comprised of lyricist A.Uno, who brings thought provoking rhymes and a smooth delivery, captivating audiences in English, Spanish, and Farsi, and singer/songwriter Bobby K, whose melodies and harmonies come to life through an exquisite vocal range.

In the past year they have appeared at Northwest festivals and Universities and opened for Pitbull, Sean Kingston and Rich Boy. Steelo will close out the year traveling to Colombia in September 2008 for their first international show, as well as appearances in Los Angeles and Miami to support the video.

You can view the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JolgqconMus&fmt=18

T-Weaponz Joins R.I.C.A.N. Tour to Bring Urban Music and Community Awareness to Five National Puerto Rican Day Parades

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Amalia Martino/BlueShoes Media
(425) 361-2754 / amalia@blueshoesmedia.com

T-Weaponz Joins R.I.C.A.N. Tour to Bring Urban Music and Community Awareness to Five National Puerto Rican Day Parades

Rocking Inner City Awareness Now (R.I.C.A.N) Tour Will Start Sunday, June 9 in New York City and Also Cover Rochester, Chicago, Philadelphia & Bridgeport

New York, NY / May 15, 2008 - Rocking Inner City Awareness Now (R.I.C.A.N) Tour unites the Lambda Alpha Upsilon Fraternity and Billboard Top Ten Hip Hop group T-Weaponz and aims to spread messages of community empowerment and higher eduction, while at the same time entertain prospectors with college step and musical performances.

Sponsored by C Four Energy Drink, the R.I.C.A.N Tour kicks off at the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City on Sunday, June 9. As the largest ethnic parade in the county it claims over 12 million telecast viewers and over 2 million spectators; Bridgeport, Chicago, Rochester and Philadelphia parades have also grown in popularity and numbers as the Latino population has grown in each of these cities.

Lambda Alpha Upsilon Fraternity is a brotherhood of professional men whose mission is to promote the development of the Latino community throughout colleges and neighborhoods across the nation.

"We've been involved in the New York Puerto Rican Day Parade for years but this is the first time we've expanded our involvement to a tour. We've teamed up with some great people to make this happen and are looking forward to reaching more young men with information about our organization" says Juan Rios, National Executive Director of Lambda Alpha Upsilon Fraternity, Inc.


T-Weaponz is no stranger to the Puerto Rican Day Parade either; this will be the group's third appearance on a float.

"We're really excited to be part of this tour. Being from New York we always try to participate in the NYC parade because it keeps us connected to our community, but this tour offers us a chance to bring our music to other communities" says Izreal of T-Weaponz.

"I think our community is hungry for uplifting urban music and this tour gives us the perfect platform for our new single 'Xtra Ordinary' which is an ode to the women who love hip hop, we're raising them up, not holding them down and can't wait for feedback from the crowds" adds Pslamz of T-Weaponz.

Tour Dates/Locations:

New York City, NY – June 9, 2008
Chicago, IL – June 14, 2008
Bridgeport, CT – July 12, 2008
Rochester, NY – August 3, 2008
Philadelphia, PA – September 20, 2008



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About T-Weaponz

T-Weaponz is an explosive lyrical trifecta hailing from the streets of Brooklyn's East New York, composed of brothers IzReal and Arkitek and their neighborhood friend Psalmz. After meeting at an impromptu neighborhood 'CIPHER' (term used to describe a circle of emcees rhyming together) and later discovering how many similarities they shared both in terms of their life experiences and their ideals they soon came together under the moniker Tomorrow's Weaponz, which they later shortened to T-Weaponz, representative of how the trio lives for today and hopes for a tomorrow using their own weapons-thoughts and wits.

Over the years, T-Weaponz's unique lyrical style, catchy beats and desire to bring truth, hope and justice to the streets has garnered the group many successes, among them:

2007: T-Weaponz released their digital full-length debut entitled Just Begun.., which features production from hit-maker Fingazz of Streetlight Music. With this highly anticipated released, the group was featured in two consecutive issues of The Source Magazine: Off the Radar (Dec. 2007) and Tale of the Tape (Nov. 2007).

LATV segment following T-Weaponz to their album release aired to exceptional viewer ship. It beat out Mun2's "One Nation Under Hip Hop," MTV Tres's "Karlifornia," and came in slightly under MTV's "The Hills" in the Los Angeles Area.

2006: In December 2006, T-Weaponz released the bounce-laden single Dem Boyz, featuring Houston rapper Trae, which debuted at No. 7 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, and where it remained for six consecutive weeks.

2005: T-Weaponz's audience skyrockets with the release of the catchy bilingual anthem Mira Mira. The wildly popular "spanglish" track, which features Cuban rapper Pitbull and Notch, formerly lead singer of the Born Jamericans, bridges the gap between English- and Spanish-speaking people with its witty fusion of English and Spanish words. In a matter of months, the song became an international hit catapulting T-Weaponz into the mainstream. Mira Mira garnered over 15,000 radio spins nationally and surpassed 50,000 in digital download sales.

This summer, the group will release a new single and video "XtraOrdinary" a dedication to the ladies who love hip hop.

www.myspace.com/tweaponz