The PUB Report

Nicole George, Vice President, Membership Group - Rhythm & Soul of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) announced today that Sam Taylor has been appointed Director of Membership, Rhythm & Soul. Based in New York, Taylor will be responsible for the recruitment and maintenance of new songwriters and producers, in addition to providing support for existing artist development programs.

Commenting on Taylor’s appointment, George said: “Sam’s dynamic and forward-thinking style will prove an immediate asset to our already strong team. I look forward to his contributions to the Rhythm & Soul department’s initiatives, and am very pleased to welcome him into the ASCAP family.”

A native of Newport News, Virginia, Sam Taylor began his music career at Elektra Records in 2001 under the guidance of Merlin Bobb, EVP of A&R. In 2004, he became an A&R executive at Atlantic Records, working on a variety of projects for both emerging and high-profile artists. He joined Warner/Chappell Music Publishing in 2007 as Manager, A&R Urban, where he worked with Kevin Cossom, Danja and Don Cannon, among others.

About ASCAP
Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization (PRO) representing the world’s largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 360,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. ASCAP has representation arrangements with similar foreign organizations so that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world where copyright law exists. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only American PRO owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com

1. Soulja Boy - Intro (1:03)
2. Soulja Boy - Hot Shit (2:56)
3. Soulja Boy - Hard in the Paint (2:09)
4. Soulja Boy - I’m Ballin (4:05)
5. Soulja Boy feat Birdman - Swag Flu (2:57)
6. Soulja Boy - Soulja Boy Speaks (0:19)
7. Soulja Boy feat Trey Songz & Lil Wayne - Successful (5:08)
8. Soulja Boy - Black on Black on Black (2:31)
9. Soulja Boy - Nikki Minaj Speaks (0:12)
10. Soulja Boy - I Done Came Up (3:28)
11. Soulja Boy feat JBar, Lil Playboii & 350 - Gucci Louie (3:37)
12. Soulja Boy - Welcome to the Party (2:55)
13. Soulja Boy - Soulja Boy Speaks 2 (0:37)
14. Soulja Boy - Rollin Like a Coaster (2:04)
15. Soulja Boy feat Yung LA & Lil Twist - Wheredeydodat (2:52)
16. Soulja Boy - Money Gang Rock (SOD Money Gang) (4:44)
17. Soulja Boy feat Wiz Khalifa - Inked & Tatted (3:02)
18. Soulja Boy - Drank That (3:13)
19. Soulja Boy feat Lil Twist - Blowin Rocks (3:31)
20. Soulja Boy feat So Icey 1017 Brick Squad - Gangsta Muzik (3:26)
21. Soulja Boy feat JBar - Gettin Money (4:17)
22. Soulja Boy - Sour (3:13)
23. Soulja Boy - Outro (1:38)
24. Soulja Boy - Bandz (Bonus Track) (1:33)
25. Soulja Boy - Outterspace Flow (Bonus Track) (3:54)

In the world of entertainment few people have the pedigree needed to be a multi-media artist like Draft. Born in Chicago, Draft was raised by a family of music aficionados and nurtured on the sweet sounds of the city. Born Alfredrick King Slater Jr., Draft was raised primarily by his dad, aunt and late grandmother. Surrounded by cousins, aunts and friends, Draft began to develop his love for music. Exposed to everything from blues, jazz, rhythm & blues and all forms of rap, Draft began to try his hand at writing. By studying artists such as: Rakim, Jay-Z, The Notorious B.I.G. and Nas, Draft began to tighten up his game. He also began to read as much as he possibly could. Remembering the lessons taught to him by his uncle (a successful entertainment entrepreneur) Draft knew the more knowledge he had, the more he could write about. Having gotten his writing game tight Draft felt there was still something missing in his technique. Little did he know he was about to find out.

Finding a new edge to his writing Draft was able to put his pain, joy and love into his words. As he began to grow as a superb lyricist, he now faced the most life-altering experience to date. On October 13, 2006, Draft’s mother, Venus Jones, passed away.

At this point, Draft felt completely lost and abandoned; his focus on music totally diminished. Inspired by a close family members Christmas card which expressed the term of endearment, “Don’t Ever Give up on Your Dreams”, was the motivational force that Draft needed to regain focus. Draft the artist was now officially born. Emerging back on the scene Draft began devouring the competition on every stage he stepped on. Turning heads in the music industry and having perfected his game, he was now ready to make his mark in Hip Hop. Always on the sidelines, supporting and inspiring Draft with music to rock on, in 2008 with F Records fully equipped, F.R.E.A.K immediately signed Draft as his Breakthrough Hip Hop Artist.

ABOUT F.R.E.A.K.

Dean “F.R.E.A.K” Farmer (RIAA® Certified Multi Platinum Producer) is an American record producer/multi-instrumentalist/artist born in Chicago, Illinois and currently lives in New York. He has sold over 37 million albums as a producer. He is well known for producing 50 Cent’s smash single “Amusement Park” with Dangerous LLC and Silence from the “Curtis” album. Recently, he contributed his guitar talents on Jay Z’s song “Say Hello, produced by DJ Toomp for the Billboard #1 album “American Gangster.” F.R.E.A.K which means Forever Reaching Excellence Attaining Knowledge is known for his unique guitar and bass tracks layered with lush Fender Rhodes electric pianos, moog synths, live percussion and horns. He recently launched his new record label, F Records and signed his first artist, Chicago hip hop artist, Draft.

The current music scene is never destitute or in need of a new hip-hop dance, cliché or music movement, however the entertainment industry would be nonexistent if new and innovative, possibilities, languages, and challenges were not developed through new musical talent. Hip-hop is always in search of that new sound and form of distinction and most importantly a female songstress who is not afraid to step outside your traditional “R&B” box and sing lyrics that represent not only the streets, but the ongoing struggle of women around the world. This distinction is found in Slip n Slide Records’ newcomer Shonie.

Life for a woman is anything but easy, that’s why South Bronx, NY native Shonie got an early start in her music career. At the tender age of nine years old, the young singer and her family moved to Miami, Florida and forged ahead towards a new scenery and outlook on life. During Shonie and her families shift to South Florida; her mother recognized her daughters budding vocal talent.

“My mom was heavily involved in the church, so it was only right that I join the church choir. It was at that time that my mom noticed my ability to carry a note. She then began to have me sing in front of different people to see if they would get the same reaction as she had after listening to me sing at church and around the house, and they all had the same response by saying, ‘That girl can SANG!!!’ I had written my first song when I was 9 years old and finally got the chance to record it when my mom arranged for me to go into a real studio.”

Immediately after moving to Miami, the young doe-eyed songstress began her longtime journey as a singer. At the age of 17, Shonie was offered a recording deal with an independent record label in Miami named South Beat Records. It was there she met her manager James Jackson of Slick Salt Entertainment, who released her nationally distributed mixtape hosted by DJ Khaled.

Shonie originally came onto the music scene as a rapper. “I have the gift to be versatile, so I plan on showing both sides.” As any aspiring vocalist/songwriter/rapper would do, Shonie kept her musical goals at hand. To date she has worked with Trina, Flo Rida, B5, Trick Daddy, Cool & Dre and more.

The inventive singer does not mind sharing her thoughts, secrets, or emotions to the world through her music. “I want to touch people all over the world with not only my vocal abilities, but my truth which is birthed through my lyrics. I want to be known as the popular songstress that is respected and successful for my sincerity that is displayed through my music.”

In the journey of this long road we call life, everyone has to have an alternative motive, or great theory. Shonie’s great theories consist of nothing more than making great music or better yet as she identifies it as “bringing the heat non-stop!”