Music Choice Celebrated Essence Festival with NOSACONN
Nico & Vinz, Rico Love, Brave Williams & Candice B to spoke to L.B. Landry-O.P. Walker High School Students
Rico Love and Candice B. of BET’s About the Business address New Orleans High School students (Photo Credit: Vincent Sylvain).
NEW ORLEANS (July 5, 2015) – Music Choice & NOSACONN teamed up to provide L.B. Landry-O.P. Walker High School Students in New Orleans a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet artists who have made it big in the music business.
Nico and Vinz, and Rico Love spoke to the students and their families on this past Friday, July 3, 2015 at an event hosted by Brave Williams (from TV One’s R&B Divas:LA) and Candice B (from BET’s About the Business). Each artist took part in Music Choice’s Behind the Lines Live tapping where they discussed lyrics from their music videos and answer questions about their music careers. The performers also excited the students with a mini-performance.
Students were able to test out the new Music Choice App and had the opportunity to ask questions of each artist and obtain firsthand knowledge about what it takes to pursue a career in the music industry.
Rico Love, who has written and produced hit records which include Usher’s “There Goes My Baby,” Nelly’s “Just a Dream,” Trey Songz “Heart Attack,” Kelly Rowland’s “Motivation” feat Lil’ Wayne and Beyoncé’s “Sweet Dreams,” and has contributed to Grammy Award winning works such as Beyoncé’s 2009 Best Contemporary R&B album delivered a message of positive love within the Black community. He cautioned the students to open their eyes to the messages in both the lyrics and visual images of popular tunes. “Keeping it Real” should not be about singing about killing each other but rather about those who give back to the community. He reflected that the LP “Turn The Lights On” is a look at life when the lights are turned on and understanding how all of the choices and experiences are reflected in the present and can influence the future.”
The afternoon ended with NOSACONN making a commitment to produce a recording for three of the young student participants with a full band at no cost to the students. Each youth participant was lead in an unrehearsed performance by the legendary David Batiste of the famed David Batiste & The Gladiators.
New Orleans City Councilmember Nadine Ramsey said that the event was an excellent opportunity for New Orleans youth to experience first-hand how entities such a s Music Choice help to support the growth and exposure for those working as performers in the music industry, “NOSACONN and Music Choice” are to be commended for their efforts.”
Eric Cager, executive director and producer of the Cutting Edge CE Music Business Conference which takes place this fromAugust 27 – 29 in New Orleans under the theme “The Post Katrina Years: Ten Years of Music Survival and Progress;” praised NOSACONN’s leader Damon Batiste for his steadfast approach to youth development. Cager also extended an invitation to NOSACONN to participate in this year’s conference. The New Orleans’ Agenda’s Vincent Sylvain and GNO Communication’s Cliff Robinson echoed those comments.
This project was in partnership with NOSACONN Arts Music Pm Afterschool program funded by 21stCentury to enhance literacy, numeracy and cultural enrichment (www.nosaconn.com). NOSACONN’s mission is in sync with Mayor’s Office’s NOLA for Life goal of creating opportunity for youth as means of decreasing crime.
Candice B., Rico Love, Brave Williams, and Damon Batiste with L.B. Landry-O.P. Walker High School Students at the Music Choice and NOSACONN event. (Photo Credit: Vincent Sylvain).