The Weekly Column

The Pulse of Entertainment: Rapper Lil' Hyste Releases New Single, ‘Pandemic'

(May 4, 2021) - "I hyped my way into your music," said San Diego rapper Lil' Hyste as to the meaning of his stage name.

Born Hasan McDuffie, Lil' Hyste just released a new single titled "Pandemic." He performed the offering recently at the 22nd annual Baltimore "ULMII" Entertainment Conference, with a flow of a seasoned MC, a delivery like a seasoned entertainer and a sound system backing him that gave a clear and booming experience for all. So impressive was his new single and performance that he walked away with the conferences' "ULMII Best Songwriter" Award for the "Pandemic" single. The San Diego rapper has lived almost everywhere in the U.S. as he takes his journey to the top of the music industry, but he currently resides in Minnesota.

"I'm staying in your way until you like my music," he laughed about his stage persona.

About his current project Lil' Hyste said that the "Pandemic" single came out the uncertainties of the country's pandemic hype and restrictions. He said, "I was kind of nervous....so I decided to switch it up." The result, is the "Pandemic" single.

He did switched it up so much that I am sure you will want to be a Lil' Hyste hype-man. He started rapping at the tender age of 10 in San Diego. As a young rapper he performed on stages in Arizona, New York, Georgia, Las Vegas and Chicago. As he got older his stage included a performance for BET's "Wild Out Wednesday" try-outs and he won! Throughout his 16 year career as a rapper he has been opening act for Lil' Flip, Kurupt, Trina and Juicy J.

"I want to just be successful. I want to have longevity and money," he said of his future in the music business when I asked. He giggled a little, but was very serious, when he said, "Because I hate walking around and can't give money to the homeless." www.youtube.com/LilHyste1 www.VanceNYCC.com

The Pulse of Entertainment: Marion Meadows Releases ‘Twice as Nice' on Shanachie, Featuring Jeff Lorber, Paul Brown, Chris ‘Big Dog'

By Eunice Moseley

(April 30, 2021) - "They are all friends of mine," said Contemporary Jazz saxophonist Dr. Marion Meadows about the featured artists on his latest solo project titled "Twice as Nice" (Shanachie), who include Grammy winning guitarist Paul Brown and keyboardists Jeff Lorber and Chris "Big Dog" Davis - to name a few. "Jeff Lorber, he and I have been exchanging ideas for many years...it was close at times...never really happened. It so happens to be one of the hottest tunes on the record. Paul Brown, I hadn't worked with him, but had known of him. He has the bulk of the songs on the record. Chris ‘Big Dog', we've done many songs. He's like an electric car, you get in there and it goes. It's a win win situation for me."

The veteran sax-man earned a Doctorate in Arts and Humanities in 2016 and earned a Masters in Music from Berklee. Marion was playing his sax in Grand Central Station when someone who heard him changed his life. He ended up touring with Norman Brown for 30 years. During that time he has done his solo thing. He just released his 16th solo album in April, 2021 on the Shanachie Entertainment imprint, home to saxophonist/flutist Najee; lead guitarist/singer Norman Brown; Grammy nominated saxophonist Richard Elliott; saxophonist Kim Waters; Pieces if a Dream band; singer/songwriter Rahsaan Patterson; trumpeter/vocalist Rick Braun, and Gospel singer/songwriter Isaac Carree.

"I grew up listening to Norman Conners, Jean Carne, and Aretha Franklin... I won't put a song on my record...just to put a song on it. I will not compromise. I want it to be listened to years later," Meadows said sincerely.

Born in West Virginia, raised in Connecticut and now residing in several places that include Nashville and Maui, Marion Meadows is known as one of the "architectures" of Contemporary Jazz. He plays the tenor and soprano sax.

"I was raised in a family that was so loving," he said about his personal life. "My parents are gone but I still have my brother and sister...‘twice as nice' means I do have it twice as nice. They have been my rocks...throughout my career."

"I have been living in Hawaii...in Maui...raising my daughter," Mario added. "She grew up here. There is no crime...no guns."

The "Twice as Nice" Shanachie project also features Dave Mann, Steve Oliver and Joey Sommervile. www.MarionMeadows.com www.Shanachie.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, MS, MBA, MPhil has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENTS: "Uplifting Minds II" Entertainment Conference (ULMII), founded by Eunice in 1999, is into its 22nd year. Next events are coming Baltimore Saturday April 17, 2021 at Security Square Mall via Zoom and Los Angeles Saturday November 6, 2021 at via Zoom. The ULMII event is a free entertainment conference offering an Business Management Panel Q&A Session, a Talent Showcase and Talent Competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) where aspiring artists have a chance to receive over $15,000 valued in prizes/product/services. Log onto www.UpliftingMinds2.com for more information or to RSVP.