Týr

Rooted in the epic past

weaving powerful melodic inspiration

for the modern Viking spirit

Nelly

Name at birth: Cornell Haynes, Jr.

Nelly became a hip-hop and pop superstar after the success of his solo 2000 release, Country Grammar. The album spawned three big hits (including "Ride Wit Me") and three Grammy awards and Nelly became an MTV favorite, recognized by a stylish band-aid on one cheek in the memory of his good friend City Spud, who he collaborated with on "Ride Wit Me". His second effort, Nellyville, (2002) was equally successful. It included the hits "Dilemma" and "Hot in Herre" and was nominated for five Grammy awards, including Album of the Year. In 2004 Nelly released two albums at the same time, Sweat and Suit, and in September they briefly held the two top spots on the charts. Nelly has been equally active as a businessman; among other ventures, in 2003 he released his own energy drink called "Pimp Juice," and in 2004 he became a minority owner of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats basketball team. He is also the CEO of Derrty Entertainment, his own company formed in 2003.

Extra credit: Nelly has been publicly coy about his year of birth, and does not list it in his official biography; however, in 2003 a story in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper reported that he would celebrate his 25th birthday that year.

Ledisi

Welcome to the Official Fan Page of "Ledisi" Like the page to stay up to date on the latest news from Ledisi.

Charlie Wilson

13 time Grammy nominee. Showman extraordinaire. Hit-making singer/songwriter whose second act is trumping his legendary first run. Not many contemporary artists can lay claim to such superlatives. Charlie Wilson can.

And now he can add Best Selling Author to his list of credits. His memoir, “I Am Charlie Wilson,” released on June 30, 2015 is a New York Times Best Seller and Washington Post Best Seller as well as receiving an honorary mention for non-fiction from the Black Caucus of American Library Associations, Inc.

And Wilson, co-founder of iconic funk trio the Gap Band, has no intentions of slowing down. He kicked off 2015 with a new album, Forever Charlie released January 27, and his eight-week sold out Forever Charlie national arena tour, which kicked off on February 12. With audiences still clamoring for more of “Uncle Charlie,” he hit the road again on May 28 adding a second leg of the tour and again performing to sold-out houses.

Forever Charlie, Wilson’s sixth solo album, locked in yet another top ten hit single for Wilson “Goodnight Kisses.” This record rings up a grand total of 18 hits thus far on a tally that also includes eight No. 1s, among them “My Love Is All I Have,” “You Are,” “There Goes My Baby,” “Charlie Last Name Wilson,” and “Without You.”

Charlie kicked off 2016 with two Grammy nominations—Best Traditional R&B Performance for “My Favorite Part of You,” and Best R&B Album for “Forever Charlie.” He has also received three 2016 NAACP Image Awards nominations, Outstanding Male Artist, Outstanding Song for “Goodnight Kisses,” and Outstanding Album for “Forever Charlie.”

In addition to his solo accolades Wilson has been a much sought after mentor with numerous top singer/songwriter/producers who he considers his “nephews” including Justin Timberlake, Pharrell, Snoop Dogg and Jamie Foxx. He has added a new name to that all star list, UK soul singer John Newman. Wilson is featured on Newman’s new single and music video for “Tiring Game” from Newman’s second album, Revolve, released in the UK on October 16, 2015.

Of course, you can’t talk about Wilson’s staying power without referencing his explosive live show. Averaging 50-60 concerts a year, the indefatigable performer has become a must-see, can’t-top staple at the annual Essence Festival. He counts a total of eight performances there so far with his seventh consecutive performance this summer. And that’s not counting repeat headlining stints at other major urban festivals: Macy’s Music Festival, Hampton Jazz, San Diego Music Festival, Las Vegas Music Festival and the Arizona Jazz Festival.

And who can forget the roof-raising lifetime achievement tribute to Wilson at the BET Awards in 2013. The star-studded performance, featuring Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams, Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx and India Arie, remains one of the annual award show’s singular, top-rated moments.

The monumental respect that Wilson garners from peers and fans alike is a testament to the creative, performing and survival skills he honed during his initial career heyday with the Gap Band. Raised by a minister father and mother, the Tulsa, Oklahoma native was a founding member of the pivotal R&B/funk trio, which hit the charts running in the late ‘70s and ‘80s with a string of hits including “Outstanding, “ “You Dropped A Bomb On Me,” “Yearning For Your Love,” Early In The Morning” and All of My Love.” The Group retired in 2010.

Working through the lows of drug and alcohol addiction – and sober now for 21 years – a formerly homeless Wilson signed to Jive (folded into RCA in 2012) in 2004 after landing his first No. 1 BILLBOARD Urban AC hit in 2000, “Without You.” His gold-certified Jive debut, 2005’s Charlie Last Name Wilson, yielded a top 15 R&B single via the title track. Uncle Charlie arrived in 2009, securing two Grammy nominations: Best R&B Album and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for the hit single “There Goes My Baby.” A year later, Wilson stepped back up to the plate with Just Charlie and his biggest hit to date, “You Are.” Spending 13 consecutive weeks at No. 1, the song scored Grammy nods for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance. That was followed in 2013 by Love, Charlie, which spun off the hit “My Love Is All I Have.”

“Looking back, I wouldn’t have believed I’d be where I am right now,” says Wilson. “That’s why I shout every night at my concerts because I thank God for allowing me to be here.”

Wilson gives back just as hard offstage. Now in remission following a bout with prostate cancer, he became a spokesperson for the Prostate Cancer Foundation in 2008 to promote awareness and educate the male community about a disease that afflicts one in six American men and one in three African-American men. Most recently, Wilson participated in the Stand Up 2 Cancer telethon in 2014.

Throughout his long running career, Wilson has stayed true to who he is musically and creatively while simultaneously raising the bar each time. In addition to his eleven Grammy nominations, the 2009 Soul Train Icon Award and the BET Awards’ 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award, Wilson is a 2005 BMI Icon Award honoree, was named Billboard’s No. 1 Adult Artist in 2009 and received the Trumpet Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.

Connect with Charlie Wilson:

Official Website: www.charliewilsonmusic.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/charliewilson

Twitter: www.twitter.com/charliewilson / @charliewilson

Instagram: www.instagram.com/imcharliewilson / @imcharliewilson

YouTube: www.youtube.com/charliewilson

803Fresh

Tyrese

TYRESE GIBSON Since the fateful day a high-wattage kid charmed the world singing “Always Coca-Cola” in a now famous ad campaign for the soft drink giant, Tyrese Gibson has evolved into a coveted entertainment juggernaut, creating some of the most compelling and exalted artistic works of his generation. The public’s discovery of this young South Central native’s arresting natural talent fueled the fiery determination to excel that would soon catapult him from the treacherous streets of Watts to the top of music charts & movie marquees across the globe. Gibson artfully transformed the opportunities wrought from this commercial success into an explosive career, deftly balancing his roles within the genres of music, modeling, film, television, comic books, philanthropy, and publishing, amassing an acclaimed body of work and several of the industry’s most cherished accolades. Never complacent, Tyrese is an artist whose unwavering work ethic and boundless drive continues to illuminate his creative vision, leading him to unearth new capabilities from the deep well of his seemingly limitless potential. Signing a record deal with RCA, in 2000 Tyrese made his indelible entry onto the landscape of music with his celebrated self-titled debut album. Mesmerizing audiences with soulful tunes, a magnetic persona, and dangerously striking chiseled features, sales soared and the album quickly achieved platinum status. A victorious Gibson garnered the American Music Award for Best New R&B Artist and was officially crowned as a burgeoning musical force with the prestigious Grammy nomination of the sultry smash hit “Sweet Lady.” Noting his timeless appeal and formidable physical presence, Gibson was handpicked by Tommy Hilfiger as the face of his era-defining eponymous clothing line, which became one of the most successful landmark campaigns in fashion history and launched this unforgettable kid as an unexpected American style icon. Modeling proved a natural gateway to television when Tyrese became the wildly popular host of MTV Jams. Applying his natural charisma and infectious personality on camera, he effectively reached the show’s young audience and quickly made it the network’s highest rated program of that year. 2001 brought the release of Tyrese’s highly anticipated sophomore effort, “2000 Watts”, as well as his triumphant silver screen debut. Gibson received thunderous critical acclaim for his piercing portrayal of “Jody,” in John Singletons’ groundbreaking film “Baby Boy.” Linking the significant character parallels to his own life’s experiences, Tyrese infused his electric performance with a raw natural intensity and heartfelt honesty that endeared him to filmmakers and film-goers, forging what would become a deep and lasting affinity. “Just a Baby Boy,” a song featuring Snoop Dogg, was simultaneously released on the film’s soundtrack and Tyrese’s third album “I Wanna Go There,” marking his inaugural collaboration with the legendary Clive Davis and J Records. This incendiary album went platinum at record speed, thanks in part to the contagious & provocative hit singles “How U Gonna Act Like That” and “Signs of Love Makin.” The smooth bravado, rhythmic undertones and unforgettably distinctive vocal style displayed on this cohesive collection of ballads prompted Davis to champion Gibson as the most promising R&B act of the decade and garnered him a second Grammy nomination. Refusing to remain stagnant, the much-lauded performer received a third Grammy nod for 2006’s “Pullin’ Me Back,” collaboration with Chingy that reigned for 10 weeks at #1 and further solidified his position among the ranks of the music industry vanguard. On the heels of his gripping performance in “Baby Boy,” Tyrese shifted his formidable charisma and professional prowess from music to the creative canvas of film. Seamlessly transitioning between mainstream and independent, action and drama, starring and supporting roles, this towering entertainment pillar has amassed an expansive and eclectic body of work and legions of fiercely loyal devotees. Landing a lead role in the 2003 blockbuster “2 Fast 2 Furious” with Paul Walker and Eva Mendez, Gibson brought fresh energy to the film, taking this franchise in an exhilarating and profitable new direction. The next year, Gibson introduced his talents to a more mature film-goer starring in 20th Century Fox’s “Flight of the Phoenix,” alongside heavy-hitters Dennis Quaid and Giovanni Ribisi. He then revisited his fortuitous artistic partnership with heralded writer/director John Singleton in the gritty revenge drama “Four Brothers,” co-starring Mark Wahlberg and Andre 3000. Gibson's stellar performance received excellent reviews, helping propel the film to gross over 80 million dollars. His next film project, Universal Rogue’s “Waist Deep,” remains one of the company’s best-selling DVD titles, a testament to his enduring popularity with urban audiences. The summer of 2007 launched a fertile period in Gibson’s career, beginning with DreamWorks/Paramount Pictures’ box office smash hit “Transformers”, starring alongside Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel and Megan Fox. In playing the role of Master Sgt. Epps, Gibson significantly expanded audiences for bold and bankable director Michael Bay’s epic creation, which would earn a staggering $700 million worldwide. Later that year, Tyrese delivered a compelling performance opposite John Leguizamo and Rosie Perez in the independent film “The Take”, a crime drama directed by emerging filmmaker Brad Furhman. In his next undertaking, Paul W.S. Anderson’s Sci-Fi thriller “Death Race,” with Jason Statham, Joan Allen and Ian McShane, Gibson successfully expended his creative boundaries with the dark portrayal of an angry, dangerous prison inmate. Reprising his trademark role in “Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen” in 2009, Tyrese was reunited with producers Steven Spielberg and Lorenzo Di Bonaventura. Together they annihilated box office records when the film grossed an astonishing $200 million domestically in its 5-day opening weekend. Tyrese remained in the mainstream arena with his follow-up role in Sony Screen Gem’s “Legion,” delivering a sharp performance next to acting virtuosos Paul Bettany and Charles S. Dutton in this action film with heavy religious and spiritual undertones. Back to back roles in two of 2011’s most anticipated films make this an explosive year in Tyrese’s career. The actor will first reprise the role he made popular with the April release of “Fast 5,” the latest installment in the multi-million dollar series, after which he will light up the screen in this summer’s “Transformers 3.” Opening June 29th, this film promises to be the darkest and most sinister evolution of the franchise and is expected to once again demolish existing box office records. Upcoming projects include the starring role in an adaptation of the cult-favorite Marvel comic book “Luke Cage”. Perpetually seeking new challenges and determined to shape all phases of creative development for his projects, the ebullient Gibson serves as the nexus for his own multi-media empire, HQ- HeadQuarter Entertainment. As founder and CEO, Tyrese sits at the helm of its film and TV production company, as well as a music studio and independent record label. HQ is also home to Gibson's XiT ComiX, a comic book division through which he, and publishing partner Image Comics, releases his own bestselling title MAYHEM. Gibson writes and produces several HQ pictures studio projects, including BET Networks 10-part docu-drama and reality show “First In,” celebrating the courage of Compton’s firefighters. The April launch of the literary work “How to Get out of Your Own Way,” published by Grand Central, marks the culmination of a lifelong dream for Tyrese. This treasured narrative offers readers keen wisdom and guidance through an artful recounting of the lessons that molded and motivated Gibson. Released in April, its landmark sales catapulted this work onto the prestigious New York Times Best Seller List, cementing Tyrese as the new face of inspirational literature. While the roles of writer, actor and singer are ubiquitous to Tyrese, his well-earned position as a trusted voice in the realm of philanthropy is the most meaningful. He is a nationally recognized advocate for America’s at-risk youth, sought-after for his credible, solution-based critical insight born from his own successful triumph over the demons of hopelessness and apathy bred by life in the hood. Gibson is the official Ambassador for Operation Hope: 5MK, a program to help reduce the rate of high school drop-outs and educate children on financial literacy. He is also a key member of the DC-based foundation, Communities in Schools( CIS ), his pivotal work earning him a 2010 invitation to the White House to act as an advisor on the improvement of public schools. Tyrese also launched The Watts Foundation with a vision to build a state of the art youth center in his hometown, building a haven for kids and teens to safely gather and pursue positive activities, encouraging self- worth and improvement. Tyrese Gibson wears many hats, musician, author, actor, and now music executive. With the formation of Voltron Recordz, a full service record label distributed thought EMI Music Services, Tyrese takes control of his musical destiny. “I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to share this music with the world through my own label Voltron, and I’m blessed with a supportive partnership in EMI Music Services to release an album that I have poured my heart and soul into. Voltron Recordz is the harmonious blending of all the skill and wisdom Tyrese has amassed through a range of successful endeavors within the entertainment industry. Voltron was establish as a home for Tyrese’s own unique brand in this ever-evolving landscape of music as well as providing a fertile breeding ground for new artists, producers, and songwriters that share a likeminded focus, passion, and approach. Music remains embedded in Gibson’s DNA. After a five-year hiatus from the music scene, the multifaceted crooner will be returning to his musical roots with his highly anticipated 5th solo studio album Open Invitation . Album will join the ranks among other Tyrese platinum releases which include his RCA Records debut, TYRESE and Watts 2000 and his Grammy Nominated disc I Wanna Go There which features the monster hit single, “How You Gonna Act Like That” along with the R&B classic “Signs of Lovemaking”. Open Invitation showcases the growth of Tyrese as a musician and an artist. “I poured my heart and soul into it. I believe that this is my best musical effort to date, and I’m anxious to share it with my fans that have patiently waited for my return.” says Tyrese. The melodic collective, Open Invitation will be Tyrese fifth studio recording and will be released on Voltron Recordz/EMI Label Services on November 1, 2011. , will feature the sensational lead single “Too Easy” featuring Hip Hop aficionado and Fast Five co-star Ludacris, “Stay,” and “I Gotta Chick” featuring R&B heavyweight R. Kelly and Rick Ross. Claiming ownership of his destiny, Tyrese’s unrelenting drive and talent have gained him accomplishments and honors generally reserved for venerated entertainment icons twice his age. Not content as just another famed‘ Hollywood triple threat,’ Gibson reinvented the entire concept, yielding a strong presence in over six separate genres. This coming year, he will indelibly cement his industry domination with two blockbuster films, release a heart touching literary gem, and return to his fame-breaking first love, music; delivering his signature R&B anthems with the early fall release of his highly anticipated 5th album “Open Invitation.” After 15 years in entertainment, Tyrese is an acclaimed Hollywood force with unequivocal mainstream appeal. Blessed with hypnotic charisma, limitless curiosity, and an unwavering determination, Tyrese Gibson will continue to shatter glass ceilings and break new ground, emerging a true entertainment visionary claiming his celebrated place in the pantheon of American artists.

Tyrese Gibson

Performers