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ALEC BENJAMIN IS BACK WITH “MIND IS A PRISON”

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Platinum-certified singer songwriter Alec Benjamin, who recently surpassed 1 billion streams, is back with an extremely personal new single, “Mind Is A Prison” — available now via Atlantic Records at all DSPs and streaming services. Alongside the emotionally raw track is a companion lyric video.

Today’s arrival of “Mind Is A Prison” follows Benjamin’s release of the critically acclaimed ”Jesus in L.A.” and “Must Have Been The Wind.” These tracks marked Benjamin’s first new releases since his internationally acclaimed debut mixtape, “NARRATED FOR YOU,” highlighted by the RIAA platinum certified smash single, “Let Me Down Slowly.” The smash hit proved Benjamin’s planetary breakthrough, reaching the top 5 radio airplay in France, Germany, Finland, Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal, Romania, and Czech Republic whilst earning the #8 spot on overall European airplay. Alec also earned 2x platinum certification in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Ireland, Netherlands and Switzerland, platinum certification in Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, China and Korea as well as gold certification in Austria, France, Germany, Indonesia and Italy. His international and widespread appeal has helped Alec’s videos amass over 125 million views on YouTube.

Recently, Alec has been traveling the world on tour and writing new music that he excited to begin sharing with his fans. The celebrated live performer just returned home from touring Europe and selling out his biggest venues to date including massive headline shows in London, New York and Los Angeles. These shows followed Alec’s recently wrapped Caught In The Middle World Tour, which took him throughout Asia including his first-ever stop in Seoul, Korea, where Jimin of BTS attended Alec’s show sparking a worldwide trending moment on Twitter. This past October, the 25-year-old embarked on his biggest North American headlining shows to date. For a glimpse at Alec’s incredible live show watch him perform “Water Fountain” and “Let Me Down Slowly” LIVE from New York.

2019 has proven to be an incredible year for the young artist who has amassed over 1 billion global streams. He kicked off the year with his North American late night television debut on CBS’ The Late Late Show with James Corden, performing his now RIAA platinum certified single “Let Me Down Slowly.” That same day he released a version of “Let Me Down Slowly” featuring Alessia Cara, which received rave reviews from ROLLING STONE who praised “Benjamin and Cara’s voices meld together on the hypnotic pop tune as they reflect on vulnerability and the fear of losing a good relationship.” Benjamin went on to enter the Billboard Hot 100 with “Let Me Down Slowly (Feat. Alessia Cara)” and graced the cover of Spotify’s esteemed Pop Rising playlist. Alec continued this momentum with his single “Jesus In LA” which was accompanied by a companion visual that has racked up over 7 million views. Alec performed the spellbinding and biographical track for the first time on national television on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Alec’s Spotify Singles are also now available and feature stripped renditions of “Let Me Down Slowly” as well as his fan-favorite, emotionally gripping cover of Eminem’s “Stan.”

NARRATED FOR YOU, Benjamin’s extraordinary debut mixtape has received praise from fans and critics alike, with both The New York Times and TIME applauding fan favorite “The Water Fountain” on release day. Alec’s compelling companion visuals for mixtape tracks “Let Me Down Slowly,” “If We Have Each Other,” and “Boy In The Bubble” have amassed over 125 million collective views on YouTube. In addition to love from fans and critics, Benjamin has garnered an immense amount of support from other acclaimed musicians, including Billie Eilish, Bryson Tiller, Kevin Abstract, one of his biggest idols John Mayer and more.

AVA MAX OFFICIALLY RELEASES FAN-FAVORITE “SALT”

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After teasing fans on social media for weeks, global pop sensation Ava Max has gifted listeners with the official launch of her fan-favorite song, “Salt.” The high-energy track – which has already earned over 4 million plays via YouTube.

Ava will round out her extraordinary 2019 with an eagerly anticipated performance on ABC’s upcoming Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2020, airing live on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST (check local listings). Last weekend saw Ava sharing the stage with fellow superstars including Harry Styles, Rita Ora, Stormzy and more at the sold-out Capital FM Jingle Bell Ball with SEAT at London’s iconic O2 Arena.

In October, Ava celebrated Halloween with the surprise release of her hauntingly beautiful music video for “Freaking Me Out,” which MTV News called “a spooky, romantic Halloween Treat.” Directed by Edgar Daniel, the video surpassed 1 million views in the first 24 hours.

A truly international artist, Ava also recently teamed up with Spanish superstar Pablo Alborán for their collaborative single, “Tabú.” Meanwhile, Ava’s acclaimed summer single, “Torn,” which VOGUE named one of the “Best Songs of 2019,” continues to enjoy success around the world, including Top 10 airplay in Europe. The disco-tinged track is joined by an instantly iconic, superhero-themed companion video, created in collaboration with Fiat and shot on location in Milan, IT by superstar director Joseph Kahn (Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood”).

Ava – who was recently featured on the cover of Galore Magazine, which declared “Ava Max is Here to Save Pop Music” – has proven one of the year’s most honored performers, including “Best New Artist” nominations at both the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards and the 2019 MTV Europe Music Awards. The latter was highlighted by both Ava’s first-ever win for “Best Push Artist” and show-stopping live performances of both “Torn” and “Sweet But Psycho.”

2019 saw Ava officially seal her pop star status with the blockbuster success of her RIAA 2x-platinum certified hit, “Sweet but Psycho.” Now with over 1.2 billion global streams and counting, the track spent three weeks in the top 10 of Billboard’s “Hot 100,” peaking at #3 at USA Pop Radio. The breakthrough single, which earned Max her first-ever Teen Choice Awards nomination for “Choice Pop Song,” is joined by an official video which has garnered over 475 million views. Produced by GRAMMY® Award-nominated super-producer Cirkut (Maroon 5, Miley Cyrus, The Weeknd) and co-written with Madison Love (Camila Cabello), the single hit #1 on both Spotify’s “United States Viral 50” and Billboard’s “Dance Club Songs” while becoming one of “The Top Most-Shazamed Songs of 2019.” The song’s stateside success followed the track’s remarkable popularity abroad, including four consecutive weeks atop the UK Singles Chart and #1 rankings on charts in nearly 20 countries.

Dubbed the “Princess of Pop” by V Magazine and an “Artist You Need to Know” by Rolling Stone, Ava has been feted with a wide range of media attention throughout the year, including high profile features in Vanity Fair, Billboard, FORBES, PAPER, and more. Earlier this year, the rapidly rising star took over TV with performances of “Sweet but Psycho” on CBS’s The Late Late Show with James Corden, NBC’s TODAY, and the Ellen DeGeneres Show, as well as a summer performance of her irresistible empowerment anthem, “So Am I,” on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live.

MACKLEMORE RELEASES FIRST-EVER HOLIDAY SONG

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Today, Macklemore releases his first-ever holiday song, an original entitled “It’s Christmas Time.” The song features UK soul singer Dan Caplen doing his best Bing Crosby-worthy croon, as well as Macklemore’s eldest daughter Sloane. “It’s Christmas Time” is co-produced by Tyler Dopps and Josh “Budo” Karp. Macklemore will perform the song on Ellen Wednesday, December 18.

Macklemore says of the song,

“Every year around Christmas time I think to myself ‘Just do it Ben. Make the song. You can be the new Mariah Carey’. Well, this year I finally am.”

YOUNGBOY NEVER BROKE AGAIN PUTS AN ICONIC SPIN ON MICHAEL JACKSON CLASSIC WITH “DIRTY IYANNA”

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Baton Rouge, LA rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again continues his streak of delivering standout singles with the release of his latest record, “Dirty Iyanna.” The unique melody features the rap superstar’s hard lyrics over the legendary Michael Jackson’s classic “Dirty Diana” beat. The track is available now via all digital retailers and streaming platforms HERE. In addition, the new release is accompanied by an official visual based on a series of trying life events for the multi-platinum rapper.

“AI YOUNGBOY 2,” was recently announced as the #1 project in the United States, topping Billboard 200 with over 110,000 sales within its first week. The newly released tape, which is the artist’s first ever number one project, is a lyrical masterpiece; it was immediately placed at no. 1 on Apple Music’s Overall Album and Hip-Hop/Rap Album charts upon its release.

He recently gifted fans with another classic visual for “Carter Son,” a standout record from his #1 mixtape. “AI YOUNGBOY 2” – which marks the long awaited follow-up to 2017’s RIAA gold certified “AI YOUNGBOY” – includes the hit singles, “Self Control” and “Make No Sense.” “Self Control” is originally found alongside “Slime Mentality” on YoungBoy’s recently released single-bundle, “THE CONTINUANCE,” with the two tracks each earning critical acclaim upon their release, with HYPEBEAST praising the former for “(showcasing) the rapper’s more introspective and reflective side.”

Steve Martin on how to look at abstract art

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In this episode of “The Way I See It,” actor and comedian Steve Martin looks at paintings by two early pioneers of American abstraction and takes us on a journey of seeing—shape and color transform into mountains, sky, and water.

Photo Gallery: Old Dominion at Niagara Falls’ Fallview Casino

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All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com

Old Dominion
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Paul McCartney’s Isolated Vocals For The Beatles’ “Let It Be”

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At the time, The Beatles’ Let It Be had the highest debut on the Billboard Hot 100, beginning its chart run at No. 6. Paul McCartney first began to play around with “Let It Be” in the recording studio in between takes of “Piggies” in September 1968. Some months later, the song would be rehearsed at Twickenham Film Studios on 3 January 1969, where the group had, the previous day, begun what would become the Let It Be film. It was their final single before Paul McCartney announced his departure from the band.

Maestro Fresh Wes Slated for Halftime Show as the Toronto Raptors Face Off with Kawhi Leonard, L.A. Clippers

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— Canadian hip hop icon Maestro Fresh Wes is set to perform at the most highly anticipated Toronto Raptors game of the season this Wednesday, December 11th, as the reigning NBA champions face-off against former teammate Kawhi Leonard for the first time since he left for Los Angeles.

“I’m definitely looking forward for Kawhi’s return and to see how he will be received,” says Wes of the mid-week game against the L.A. Clippers.

Ahead of the game, the multi-JUNO Award-winning artist has released his premiere edition of THIS IS EPIC, a curated playlist on Spotify featuring songs from The Weeknd, PARTYNEXTDOOR feat. Drake, Tory Lanez, Killy, and of course, the Maestro himself.

He’ll be bringing that fire to half court this Wednesday in an electrifying, fan-favourite show.

“I’ve performed at Raptors halftime games before,” he says, “but this is the biggest one yet.

“We’re now the world champions, and I’m honoured to be added to the lineup of entertainment.”

Speaking of champions, for starters, Maestro Fresh Wes (Wes Williams) is fresh off his 2019 induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

He’s a multi-award winning recording artist, and the first Canadian Hip Hop artist to have a single — “Let Your Backbone Slide” — hit Gold status on the charts. His iconic 1989 album Symphony In Effect was the first to receive a JUNO Award for Best Rap Recording of the Year, as well as the first Canadian Hip Hop album to go Platinum. A true pioneer, he was also the first Canadian hip hop artist to have a song rank on Billboard’s Top 20 Rap Singles chart.

Maestro’s songs “Reach For The Sky (feat. Classified and Blue Rodeo)” and “The Distance (feat. Saukrates)” were featured throughout the Olympics, 2014 Winter and 2016 Summer, respectively.

As an actor, Williams has appeared on numerous film and television projects, including The Line — for which he was nominated for a Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Series — and as the character of Paul Dwyer in the CBC hit sitcom, Mr. D.

He has been inducted into the Scarborough Walk of Fame, received the 2003 Reel World Film Festival Trailblazer Award, and was a guest speaker for the Governor General of Canada’s Summit on Urban Arts.

Williams’ paths as both an author and motivational speaker merged with the release of his motivational book, Stick To Your Vision. With its foreword written by Public Enemy’s Chuck D, and content long-credited for inspiring fellow Canadian hip hop star Drake, the book has been incorporated by multiple school curriculums as required reading. His 2017 TED Talks on the subject of Self – Revision has been inspiring to many who have watched him evolve for over three decades.

2019 commemorates the 30 year anniversary of his first album and it’s a great time to celebrate as well as to motivate young minds. Recently, Wes performed and was a presenter at the 2019 JUNO Awards, performed at the final home game for the Vancouver Canucks’ 2019 NHL season, and supported the Kidney Foundation of BC.

Champagne Campaign is available now.

Mashup of Mariah Manson’s “All I Want For Christmas is the Beautiful People”

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Bill McClintock has just released a soon-to-be classic Christmas collaboration that combines Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” with the heavy metal Marilyn Manson vocals from “The Beautiful People”.

Award-Winning Canadian Singer/Songwriter Alex Whorms Skates into the Holiday Season, Covering Joni Mitchell’s 1971 Classic “River”

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With a voice CBC calls “incredibly earnest” with an “honest purity,” Canadian singer/songwriter Alex Whorms continues to shine in her favourite holiday song, releasing a video covering Joni Mitchell’s “River” as the season swings into full-gear.

“Joni Mitchell’s ‘River’ has been my favourite Christmas song for years,” says the Ajax-born, Hamilton-based artist of her affections for the track, originally released in 1971. “I heard it for the first time when I was about 13… My family was watching an old rerun of ‘Ally McBeal’ — it was the episode where Robert Downey Jr’s character sang it, and I couldn’t believe how beautiful the song was.

“I immediately looked up the lyrics and taught myself how to play it on the piano.

“I’ve pulled it out again and again every year.”

“It’s cool for me that the lyrics mention ‘skating away’ because I was a competitive figure skater for most of my life,” she marvels. “Skating is extremely therapeutic for me… It feels like flying.

“With so many concerts to perform and events to attend, the holidays can start to feel pretty overwhelming for me, so the line ‘I wish I had a river I could skate away on’ holds real meaning to me.”

The video was recorded in one take live with Konrad Swierczek producing the audio and Zach Symak directing the video, and comes at the close of an equally busy year — not just season — for Whorms; she released her second EP, Burgundy, in September, and its premiere single “Sunset” was featured on CBC Radio One’s ‘In The Key of C.’

Previously, her debut album — 2017’s Our Lives — landed space on CFMU 93.3’s Top 20, I Heart Hamilton’s Top 5, and WRUW 93.1, and Whorms also received the 2019 Hamilton Arts Award for Emerging Artist in Music, and performed at Canadian Music Week, Hamilton’s Festival of Friends, and completed Canada’s Music Incubator’s Artist Entrepreneur Program.

Whorms’ take on “River” is available now.