I'm prolly very late on this but I don't care. I don't watch much TV, and I don't listen to the radio very often so I just heard Beyonce's song "Halo" like a month ago. A few days later, I saw this video of Ms. Karina Pasian covering the song. You know how this goes, around here at The Urban Advocate we promote good music! This young lady is a true artist and has my respect. Watch as the Grammy-nominated artist delivers a very impressive performance; Forgive me B, but I think I like this version better.

Back in 1993, right after I left class ( I was taking drum lessons), I went to this store and bought my first rap tape. Yes I said tape, as in cassette tapes. Anyway, the first rap album I ever bought was Naughty By Nature's 19 Naughty III. This album contained had one of the most memorable hits in hip-hop history, "Hip-Hop Hooray". So I'm gonna take you guys back to my favorite decade in hip-hop, the 90s!

Whether this guy is doing hip-hop or R&B, he is one of the best producers out right now! Watch this footage of Mr. Ryan Leslie in the studio with Fabolous, Desert Storm and the one Ms. Keri Hilson. This track is going to be on the up-coming release from Fabolous, entitled Loso's Way. Be on the look-out!

Ryan, Fab & Keri Studio Session from Ryan Leslie on Vimeo.

Are We Being Played By Barack Obama?

Wow one of the earliest and biggest supporters of President Obama is trying to answer a very serious question. Doesn't sound like he's hating to me...just sounds like he's speaking the truth. I'll let you be the judge.

Like I said our mission at The Urban Advocate is to bring back real music to Hip-Hop and R&B. The mainstream is more interested in promoting singers using auto-tune and singers who dance about 5 times better than they sing. In the process artists with real talent get held down. In other genres' of music, artists are celebrated for being different and taking artistic chances. In urban music, those type of artists are forced to take a backseat to gimmicks and formulated rappers and singers. Take Karina Pasian for example...this young Dominican prodigy has a gift. Though she is signed to Island Def Jam Music Group, she does not get the credit or attention she deserves. I'm sold that this girl is the truth! If you're not, take a look at this!

The Urban Advocate is on a mission to help bring back the art in urban music! One way we plan on going about that, by bringing you artists who have earned our respect as true artists! One of which, Universal Motown recording artist and producer, Ryan Leslie. Leslie has been floating under the radar of mainstream music for some time now. Most people I speak to have never even heard the name before. In my opinion, it's because of the label not doing a very good job of marketing him as an artist. He is one of the most talented artists I've seen in a long time...it's a crime that he doesn't get the attention or the respect he deserves. Don't believe me check this out!

"Music Month" at The Urban Advocate

This month we have a rapper who has risen to prominence out of Oak Cliff, TX; I'm talking about "The Mayor of Oak Cliff", Big Suave. There's also a feature on a young man who is being looked upon by many as the "future of holy hip-hop"... his name is G.T.K. There is also a very special feature on a third generation star in the making, Island Def Jam artist, Kristinia DeBarge. This month we have a rapper who has risen to prominence out of Oak Cliff, TX; I'm talking about "The Mayor of Oak Cliff", Big Suave. There's also a feature on a young man who is being looked upon by many as the "future of holy hip-hop"... his name is G.T.K. There is also a very special feature on a third generation star in the making, Island Def Jam artist, Kristinia DeBarge.