Veteran Music Executive Ken Wilson Talks About The Akademia and the Changing Musical Landscape.

From senior posts at Arista Records, Columbia and MCA to J Records and Warner Brothers, veteran record executive Ken Wilson has shaped the careers of legendary artists such as Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Seal, Sade, George Michael and many more, leading to record sales in excess of $2 Billion.

 

Ken Wilson started his career in music at Arista Records. There he worked with acclaimed artists Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Billy Ocean, Taylor Dayne and Kenny G. Ken continued his journey on to Columbia Records where he served as Senior Vice President of Radio Promotions. He became responsible for the success of artists such as Mariah Carey, Maxwell, LL Cool J, George Michael, Kriss Kross, DaBrat, Slick Rick and more. He then went on to MCA Records as President of Urban Music where he oversaw operations in the urban music division, signing KC & JoJo of Jodeci, Rahsaan Patterson, Anthony Hamilton, coordinated the success of Mary J Blige’s ‘Share My World’ album and New Edition’s ‘Home Again’.

Ken Wilson’s reputation then brought him to J Records where he reported directly to Clive Davis as Senior Vice President of Urban Music. Once again, Ken played a key role in the success of artists such as Alicia Keys, Luther Vandross, Monica,  Busta Rhymes, Mario, Fantasia, Jamie Foxx and Ruben Studdard, to name a few. After a long tenure at J Records, Ken moved to the west coast to serve as Senior Vice President of Urban Music at Warner Brothers Records. There, he was responsible for urban radio airplay and marketing efforts while managing budgets and overseeing field staff. Here he has been instrumental in the careers of Seal, Eric Benet, Mike Jones and V.I.C. of ‘Wobble’ fame.  Ken is continuing to guide successful artists, such as Beyonce, Johnny Gill, Eric Benet, J. Cole, Juicy J and Cee-Lo, through effective marketing and promotions.

“The traditional music business model has changed dramatically over the past twenty years. But while many doors have closed to new artists, many new doors have opened as well. The Akademia brings together the expertise of top record executives and producers to help guide the careers of new up-and-coming artists and groom them for success,” states Ken. "I look forward to The Akademia becoming a major force in the near future."

The Akademia Music Awards is based in Los Angeles, California and supports musicians interested in receiving a higher degree of market exposure and recognition in the new music business era. As one of the six Akademia board members, Ken concentrates his efforts on the Hip-Hop, R&B and Gospel categories, guiding artists from the earliest stages to commercial success.

You may contact Ken with questions or requests for assistance at ken@theakademia.com

Read more at: http://www.theakademia.com/ken_wilson

Ladies, You Wanna Roll In My Eco-Friendly, 124-Mile Range Electric Mercedes?

By Benjamin Rowley        

On their website, www.WhoIsMillennium.com, pop rock group Millennium projects an image that is futuristic, edgy and difficult to classify. Now, it seems we must add 'socially conscious' to that list. With the recent release of their music video 'Wide Thing', the group flaunts its obsession with all things big. Yet, to more than the casual observer, the exact opposite message becomes apparent. The video is, in fact, a well-conceived artistic commentary on the super-size era. An era that, frankly, warrants a critical look.

Step outside your door this summer and you're likely to experience some of the hottest and most unbearable weather in recorded history. That's global warming- the issue that was ignored by millions of people purchasing large luxury SUV's and cruising around the past few decades. The 'Wide Thing' video begins with Millennium stepping out of a giant, gas guzzling Mercedes Benz to deliver the first chorus before cruising around aimlessly through fast food hell. They may as well be portraying millions of people innocently going about their daily routine for years, unwittingly bringing about the end of the world. 

Curious to know the truth behind their video and where the group really stands on environmental issues, I decided to contact them. 'You're right about the meaning of the video. You might be the first person to get it.', jokes Stryker, singer and bassist for the group. 'We actually bought that same Mercedes model when our baby was born, concerned about safety and the need for cargo space (being musicians). I remember watching the fuel gauge visibly decrease while driving along. Two years later, in a momentary bout of sanity, we sold the car. We would think seriously about buying an electric car for everyday driving now.'

So what are some of the exciting new electric car options available for the environmentally-savvy? Here is the top ten list that I could gather from various company press releases. Knowing Millennium's penchant for big things, I made sure there was a healthy range of over-sized options:

Tesla Model X
Likely to have similar numbers to the Tesla Model S and some wicked falcon-wing doors, the Model X is likely to sell well. Elon Musk, who is making $4.3 million on his contributions to Model X development, has said that it is going to be even better than previously announced. That might make up for the fact that its production was pushed back from the end of 2013 to the end of 2014 back in March 2013, something that must have disappointed the hundreds of people who reserved the crossover within just a few days of its reservation availability. Initial numbers for the Model X was 0–60 MPH in 4.4 seconds. That’s faster than the BMW i8 for less than half the price. The Model X will also have all-wheel drive, which the Model S doesn’t have. Price: $60,000    

BMW i3
I know it’s no Tesla, but it’s still a freakin’ nice car. Here are few stats on the BMW i3: 0–60 MPH in around 7 seconds; very tight turning radius (under 11 yards / 10 meters); range of 81–100 miles (130–161 kilometers); a 10 on my smoothness rating. Technically, the i3 already launched in Europe at the end of 2013. Price: $41,350

Mercedes B Class
This beauty from Mercedes will come with a range of 124 miles (200 km) on a single charge. That’s a lot more than the average EV. It goes from 0 to 62 MPH (0 to 100 km/h) in a respectable 7.9 seconds. The car is supposed to hit the German market at the end of 2014. No word yet on when it will hit the US market. Price: TBA
   
Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid
The Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid actually replaces the the Porsche Panamera Hybrid. It is supposed to have an all-electric range of about 22 miles, not too bad for a PHEV. The car is supposed to have an estimated fuel economy rating of 53 MPG, despite a combined output of 416 horsepower, 435 ft-lbs of torque, and a 0–60 of 5.2 seconds. And it looks cool. Over the Porsche’s lifetime, the company intends to sell  about 10,000 vehicles. Price: $99,000     

Cadillac ELR
Technically, the first Cadillac ELRs started delivery in December, but we may as well say that the car is brand new in 2014. The Cadillac ELR comes with a hefty price tag, and many have said that it’s unwarranted given that the vehicle doesn’t compare to the less expensive Tesla Model S. But, for Cadillac lovers who want a luxurious plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the Cadillac ELR looks nice. It has a respectable 35 miles of electric-only range, and, well, it’s a shiny Cadillac. Price: $75,000

Mitsubishi Outlander
Mitsubishi is in the doldrums in the U.S. market, with low sales and a range of vehicles that do little to capture the imagination. Perhaps the Outlander Plug-In Hybrid will change that, with more modern looks and a significantly greener powertrain than previous Outlanders. Under the hood there's a 2.0-liter gasoline engine, but twin 60-kilowatt electric motors--one for each axle--provide a healthy 245 pounds-feet of torque in electric-only mode. Electric range in EPA testing is unconfirmed, but based on the Japanese 35-mile estimate, we're expecting a more realistic 20-25 mile range. Once that's depleted, you still have the engine providing backup power--though the Outlander can operate in series or parallel hybrid modes too. Price: TBA    

Nissan e-NV200
With trials going on in the UK, Barcelona (where it is also being manufactured), New York City, and Japan, this van is just getting going, but assuming no surprises in the trial programs, I think we’ll see a lot more of the e-NV200 being sold & delivered in 2014. It will definitely be sold in Japan in 2014, Nissan has announced. We’ll see about elsewhere. Price: TBA    

Kia Soul EV
Reportedly 120+ miles per charge and just $35,000, this could be a real EV competitor. We’ll see what the final numbers turn out to be. Some reports are that the Kia Soul EV will hit the US market in 2014, while others are that it won’t hit the market until 2015, but deliveries in its home country of Korea are definitely scheduled for this year. And don’t expect that deliveries to other countries will take too long - Kia has an aim of making this the “the first electric vehicle for the global market.”  Price: TBA (perhaps around $35,000)    

Volkswagen e-Golf
The Volkswagen e-Golf should be coming to the US market in 2014 (4th quarter). It made its North American debut at the LA Auto Show in November. Some early numbers for the e-Golf are: “25 mph from rest in 4.2 seconds and to get to 62 mph in approximately 10.4 seconds;” 70–90 average miles of range on a full charge; 115-horsepower electric motor; 199 pound-feet of torque. Price: TBA    

Chevy Spark EV
Initially, I suspected the Chevy Spark EV to be one of the small but growing range of "compliance cars"- electric vehicles designed and built solely to meet California's requirements for electric vehicle sales. Thankfully, that isn't the case - Chevrolet is actually rather serious about the Spark EV, and as well as making it available beyond just west coast markets, they've thoroughly re-engineered the gasoline Spark for its new electric powertrain. The styling differences are subtle - some blue paint here, a Volt-style grille there - but under the skin it's a real wolf in sheep's clothing. A 110 kW (130 horsepower) electric motor gives it far more shove than the gasoline model, and its 400 pounds-feet torque output matches that of a Ferrari 458 Italia supercar. The Spark EV will go on sale in several U.S. markets, as well as Canada, South Korea and Europe. Price: $32,500        Millennium's 'Wide Thing' music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX0ZxbvVDPA

Read the article at: http://www.whoismillennium.com/press_room/ladies_you_wanna_roll_in_my_eco_friendly_124_mile_range_electric_mercedes

A Big Fat Lie

By Casey Hawthorne

In the 1950s, Americans encountered a fast-growing epidemic that seemed to have emerged from nowhere but had quickly become the number one cause of deaths in the country:  heart disease.  Partly spurred by President Eisenhower’s heart attack in 1955, the nation fervently sought an explanation for the disease.  The man with the answer was Dr. Ancel Keys, an imperious physiologist clutching his now infamous Seven Countries Study. In his research, the finger pointed to fat as the cause of heart disease, more specifically, the saturated fats in red meat, eggs and dairy products.  It was speculated that the saturated fats found in such food should be avoided because they would raise cholesterol, clog arteries, and as a result, cause heart attacks.  In 1961, Keys strongly insisted that the American Heart Association advise Americans to cut down on saturated fat.  By 1980, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued their dietary guidelines to avoid foods with fat of all sorts and replace them with calories from fruits, vegetables and with carbohydrates in general.  After five decades, the idea that fat is bad for you has now been so ingrained in our culture that it is almost taboo to enjoy a steak, pick up a gallon of whole milk or use butter instead of margarine.  And yet, decades later, cardiovascular disease continues to be the nation’s number one killer.  And since 1980, Type 2 diabetes has increased 166% affecting nearly 1 in 10 Americans.

Are you ready to have the blindfolds removed?  A 2010 meta-analysis concluded there was no significant evidence that saturated fat is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.  In addition, those results were echoed by another meta-analysis published in March in the Annals of Internal Medicine that drew on nearly 80 studies involving more than half a million subjects.  It turns out that fat was never the enemy, but because it was admonished so resolutely, Americans turned to excessive carbohydrate consumption.  The response to the issuance of the 1980 USDA guidelines was a complete upheaval in grocery stores resulting  in a proliferation of low-fat and non-fat alternatives, skim milk, nonfat yogurts, yolk substitutes, low-fat frozen dinners and low-fat cookies and crackers.  Americans’ diet now consists of more potatoes, pasta, grains and carb-ridden junk food, which incidentally contain a lot of fillers and artificial ingredients to replace the fat but still taste palatable.  And because non-fat foods are not as satiating as foods with animal fat, Americans have increased their caloric intake of these low-fat and non-fat foods.  The problem is that carbohydrates break down into glucose, which causes the body to release insulin-a hormone that is very efficient at storing fat.  Excessive carbohydrates lead not only to obesity but also to Type 2 diabetes and, as mounting evidence suggests heart disease.  Dr. Keys' Seven Countries Study was severely flawed, ignoring data from countries and segments of the population that did not support his hypothesis.

It’s time to accept the facts that fat is an essential part of a healthy diet and that the effective path to reducing obesity and the risk of heart attack is through regular exercise and balanced nutrition.  This means the whole concept of dieting, and the resulting radical changes to macronutrient ratios in the diet, is essentially flawed. In fact, as the disease statistics point out, it is downright dangerous. So eat what your body naturally craves and incorporate regular exercise into your routine. You’ll see the positive effects almost immediately.

‘Our latest single Wide Thing touches on the obesity epidemic and the sort of warped view of attractiveness that emerged about fifteen to twenty years ago. At the same time people were obsessively avoiding fat, obesity rates were still rising. As a result, the media was split down the middle with some glorifying the full-figured woman and others glorifying the emaciated, anorexic model. This polarized view confused people even more and obscured the path of moderation to good health,’ postulates Millennium.   ‘In the music video, by taking Sapphire, who’s fit and healthy, on a fast food binge in a quest to obtain a larger posterior, we sort of took the logic of that era and turned it on its head.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX0ZxbvVDPA#sthash.QfhnGG3N.dpuf

Read the article at: http://www.whoismillennium.com/press_room/a_big_fat_lie/

CEO of Radio Conglomerate Makes A Power Move

By Adrian Freeman

 

June 6, 2014

Most athletes, trainers, boxers and even martial artists will say that most of your power is concentrated at the core. Grant Percy, Chairman and CEO of the international Power FM radio conglomerate will probably tell you different.  Earlier this February, Percy announced that several of his affiliated radio stations will break away from the traditional radio broadcasting to spearhead the new Power FM online division.  The Power FM stations involved in this initiative include San Francisco, Boston, Rome, Paris, Manila and potentially others. If all goes well, Percy will also announce several collaborations with key music content providers by the fourth quarter 2014. These collaborations are designed to infuse the network with fresh new music.

‘There are innumerable benefits to Internet radio over traditional terrestrial radio broadcasting,’ states Percy.  Through the web, we can provide a greater variety of music, better sound quality and reach listeners all across the globe.  And now that mobile technology allows listeners to bring their favorite stations with them into their cars, gyms, homes, coffee houses or anywhere, I believe it is only a matter of time before all of the terrestrial radio broadcasters make the logical leap to the web. I am both excited and eager to make this transition happen.’ 

Stay tuned for more news on the expanding Power FM online network at www.powerfm-radio.com