Hyundai is back with an amazing entertainment lineup with their “We Are One” Experience at Bakewell Media’s Taste of Soul. Going on four years as a sponsor at the family festival, Hyundai has been one of stages to visit.
Zafar Brooks is the director of corporate social responsibility and of diversity & inclusion for Hyundai Motor America, and he says the Hyundai Soundstage is going to be the place to be this year!
“We are so excited to return to the Taste of Soul with the Hyundai Soundstage,” said Brooks. “This year’s event will be our biggest yet, including a new location at MLK and Crenshaw.
“And we have an exciting line up to include some of the hottest musical artists who will join us hosted by the legendary Doug E Fresh and headliner, Johnny Gill and others, visitors will be treated to a great time.”
The Hyundai stage will be larger than previous years and will be located at Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd & Crenshaw Blvd.
Hyundai recently released their lineup of popular and iconic artists that are sure to get the crowd up on their feet. The Hyundai Soundstage 2019 artists lineup includes EU f/ Sugar Bear, Dru Hill, Keri Hilson, DJ Mal-Ski & Friends, host Doug E Fresh, and headliner, Johnny Gill.
Go-go is a popular music subgenre associated with funk originating in the Washington, D.C., area during the mid-60s to late-70s. E.U., also known as Experience Unlimited, formed in the 70s inspired by musical groups Earth, Wind & Fire, Santana, and War. They became Washington, D.C.’s original and longest lasting go-go artists. Led by bassist and vocalist, Gregory “Sugar Bear” Elliott, the band experienced local success with albums like “Free Yourself” (1977) and “Future Funk” (1982). In 1988, they hit the Top 40 pop hit and number one R&B hit with “Da’Butt,” which was featured in Spike Lee’s “School Daze.” E.U. signed with Virgin scoring more hits with “Buck Wild” and “Taste of Your Love,” both reached the Top Ten of the R&B chart.
R&B singer, vocal arranger, and songwriter Keri Hilson has written songs for well-known artists such as Mary J. Blige’s “Take Me as I Am,” Omarion’s “Ice Box,” the Pussycat Dolls’ “Wait a Minute,” and Britney Spears’ “Gimme More.” She was also featured prominently on “Timbaland Presents Shock Value.” In addition to being a songwriter, Hilson has been a background vocalist, working with artists such as Usher, Ludacris, Kelly Rowland, Ciara, and Southern rap producer, Polow da Don. Polow introduced her to producer, Timbaland, who signed her to his Mosley Music imprint in 2006. Hilson released “In a Perfect World” in March 2009, with “Turnin’ Me On,” reaching the Top 20 of the Hot 100. The album reached gold status and earned Hilson Grammy nominations. In late 2010, she released a second album, “No Boys Allowed,” which included the platinum single, “Pretty Girl Rock.”
Originally known as 14K Harmony, the group was founded in 1992 and discovered by manager, Kevin Peck. In 1996, they changed their name to Dru Hill and went on to become one the most beloved R&B groups in the industry. Dru Hill is known for hits like “Tell Me,” “In My Bed,” “Never Make a Promise,” and “How Deep Is Your Love,” the group has given the world music for the ages.
DJ Mal-Ski is a DJ and producer, who crosses musical and cultural genres. He has worked with many artists that include Kanye West, Mary Mary, and Stevie Wonder to name a few and has been one of the featured DJs on 102.3 KJLH FM. DJ Mal-Ski has performed at a variety of venues being the official DJ at the L.A. Coliseum for the L.A. Rams, USC Trojans and at The Staples Center for the L.A. Sparks. He has also been a DJ at The Grammy Award Luncheon, The NAACP Award Breakfast to name a few venues. DJ Mal-Ski’s current residencies include Morongo Casino in Palm Springs, and H.O.M.E. in Beverly Hills. As a producer, Mal-Ski has worked with R&B artist, Kenny Lattimore on his album “Anatomy Of A Love Song,” and singer and actress, Jill Scott’s #1 R&B album, “Light of The Sun.” Mal-Ski released an EP, “Light Show” in March 2017, which he aimed to set a new standard in music. He has also composed and written theme songs for television shows for several networks, composed and written original scores for award-winning independent films such as “In Disbelief”and for award-winning theatrical productions such as “From The Edge.”
The first human beatbox in the rap world, Doug E. Fresh amazed audiences with his mouthed imitations of drum machines, effects, and samples of hip-hop classics. He made his first appearance as an artist in 1983 on a single for Spotlight called “Pass the Budda,” with Spoonie Gee and DJ Spivey. His introduction to most hip-hop fans was with his performance in Beat Street behind the Treacherous Three. His first solo feature came in 1984, with “Just Having Fun,” waxed for Enjoy, and “Original Human Beatbox” for Vinentertainment. In 1985, he was one of the biggest names in rap music, and his first single for Reality, “The Show/La Di Da Di,” became a hip-hop classic. His first LP, 1987’s “Oh, My God!” featured most of his showpieces, like “Play This Only at Night” and “All the Way to Heaven,” along with nods to reggae and even gospel. In 1988, he released his second album, “The World’s Greatest Entertainer,” which reached the Billboard thanks to single, “Keep Risin’ to the Top.”
Johnny Gill is a singer, songwriter, producer and Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum artist. Discovered at the age of 16, he released two albums through Atlantic Records. He later joined iconic boy band, New Edition and they released timeless classics such as “If It Isn’t Love” and “Can You Stand the Rain.” In the 90s, Gill launched a solo career and created major hits working with producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis like “Rub You the Right Way” and with L.A. Reid & Babyface on “My, My, My.” Alongside Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat, Gill established L.S.G., the powerful R&B supergroup behind the sexy smash “My Body.” He also formed another supergroup, Heads of State, with New Edition peers, Bobby Brown and Ralph Tresvant. After a 15-year solo hiatus, Gill returned with 2011’s “Still Winning,” which peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard 200 and No. 4 on the magazine’s R&B album chart. In 2014, Gill’s “Game Changer” with record label, J Skillz, received much acclaim. Gill recently released “Game Changer II” also with J Skillz Records/Kalvary. Like its predecessor, 2014’s “Game Changer,” Gill’s eighth solo studio album arrives packed with an avalanche of hits.
“This year’s Hyundai Performance Stage will be one of the most powerful stages we’ve had in the 14 years of Taste of Soul. I cannot say enough about Hyundai and there extraordinary and continued dedication to the community. Hyundai continually demonstrates a real commitment to OUR community. They constantly demonstrate what a true partnership between corporate America and the consumers who buy their products should and does look like. In bringing to Crenshaw Blvd this star studded line up which features artist like EU (Experience Unlimited) f/ Sugar Bear, Dru Hill, Keri Hilson, DJ Mal-Ski & Friends, wand Johnny Gill as this year’s headliner and a show hosted by none other than Doug E Fresh shows that they not only are committed to being a part of Taste of Soul but constantly are raising the bar and making Taste of Soul the premiere community event in all of California right in the heart of our community.”—Danny J Bakewell, Sr. – Founder/Creator of Taste of Soul & Chairman of Bakewell Media
You don’t want to miss the Hyundai Sound Stage at this year’s Taste of Soul. It is sure to be a day of fun, nostalgia and great music from some of the best artists around.
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