1Goal is an initiative run by Global Campaign for Education to mobilise support to hold world leaders to the promosises made in the year 2000.

These promosises were :

• To ensure that all boys and girls complete primary schooling by 2015.
• To ensure that girls have the opportunity for education at all levels by 2015.

1Goal is part of a large global education initiative: the Class of 2015, http://www.classof2015.org.

The Class of 2015 was launched at the UN summit in New York in September 2008. Class of 2015 launch signatories include Queen Rania of Jordan, Bono, Bob Geldof, Gordon Brown, The full list available on their website.

FIFA joined the Class of 2015, with a pledge from Sepp Blatter for the 2010 World Cup to leave a lasting legacy of education in Africa and the rest of the world. It is intended to engage and mobilise the World Cup audience through films, digital & print channels globally, involving some of the biggest broadcasters, sponsors, players, teams and nations in the world.

For the full press release visit http://newbeatsmedia.com/blog

Barefoot Foundation will build new school for displaced children

Following her performance on the Hope for Haiti Now Telethon, Shakira has announced an initiative to build a new school in Haiti through her Barefoot Foundation. The Foundation will work in partnership with Architecture for Humanity to build the school and NGO partners to provide education, school feeding, clean water and sanitation services. Foundation board member Howard Buffett, World Food Program Ambassador Against Hunger and chairman of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, will fund the school feeding component of the initiative and other related services.

“There is a great need for immediate aid in Haiti, but also for longer-term reconstruction” said Shakira. “For that reason, we are doing our small part to help Haiti rebuild and give the children affected by this disaster the chance to learn and thrive. I hope we can use some of what we’ve learned working in Colombia to help Haiti’s children recover. When we educate children we empower societies, and right now Haiti needs all of our help. ”

The Barefoot Haiti School will be modeled after the work of the Fundación Pies Descalzos, the Colombia-based Foundation Shakira founded which provides education, nutrition and psychological support to over six thousand Colombian children displaced by violence.

“School feeding will be a critically important tool to ensuring the health of Haiti’s children—and their attendance at school” said Buffett. “Our foundation is proud to partner with Shakira on this incredibly important effort.”

The Barefoot Foundation will partner with Architecture for Humanity, a nonprofit design services firm dedicated to building a more sustainable future through the power of professional design. “It is vital to rebuild the educational infrastructure of Haiti. We urgently need to restore a sense of normalcy in these young hearts and minds and not allow this tragedy to dictate how they see their future. With this coalition of support we can build a holistic school that will inspire and encourage Haiti’s next generation of leaders” said Cameron Sinclair, executive director of Architecture for Humanity.

Are you a singer, maybe a band, solo performer perhaps. Looking for your next stage, that big break?

Journalists too, we have some neat plans for you in here.

Maybe you own or operate a stage, could be the Albert Hall or maybe it’s a bar, club or hotel – Trust me, you need in on this.

And Fans, who can forget the fans? Well an awful lot of people it seems. Think about it. Where do you know that really engages you the Fan, actively letting you participate on a daily basis not just by paying at the next gig or match or whatever?

Well ladies and gentle persons all that is about to change.

New Beats Media will launch this summer: Facebook, band blogs, venue websites, ticket agencies, offline and online media: In fact just about every way you currently think and work will change – Better, Faster, Cooler.

Get notified of news and progress as well as a chance to be included in the beta testing (and earn a free lifetime membership) by visiting http://www.newbeatsmedia.com and entering your email.

Come with us, it’ll be a wild ride into Legend.
Keep safe, smile, live.
Team NBM.

Written by Hannah Hassack

Micheal Kilbey- lead vocals, guitar & Oboe
Craig Brown- Guitar and Vocals
Adriel Thomas- Bass
Joel McBride- Drum & Vocals

Born from the aftermath of the split up of The Franks- Q Magazine’s 2008 New Talent finalists- Harrison Hope, a four-piece band from North London, are led by their passionate, persistent and unquestionably talented lead singer/song-writer Michael Kilbey. Michael’s resolute involvement with Harrison Hope, which he affectionately abbreviates to “Hope”, is potent and his intense resolve for the band and its future has founded the basis of the group’s collective musical potential. The group’s already compelling history adds acute depth to the heartbreakingly poignant and brilliantly indulgent sounds created by this brilliant quartet.

In The Troubadour, in West London last Friday, I enjoyed an acoustic version of the band, as Michael was representing them supported only by Craig on guitar and vocals. Though this meant I didn’t get to hear the full scale powerful sound of Harrison Hope live, it did allow me to appreciate Michael’s vocal range and the acoustic talents of the band in their original state. I suspected the lack of percussion would be an indulgence rather than a loss, and Michael & Craig didn’t disappoint, but rather surpassed my hopes.

The duo began the set with Mr Fall from the Sky, which consisted of an engaging introduction of lyrical repetition that swiftly launched into a full-on, buoyant and punctuated sound. The upbeat percussion throughout the track was intermittently broken up by moments of slower melodies, and though the lyrical foreground of the tune was somewhat solemn, the full flight of the sad song contrarily manifested itself in an upbeat manner. Perhaps one of the more “poppy” songs played on the night; Mr Fall from the Sky was everything the boys needed to capture initial interest amongst the audience, as the fast pace and lyrical reverberation left no room for distraction, but made for a very engaging track. Michael’s strong, anthemic voice demonstrated a lot of scope and comprehensively blanketed the room with every note of this first song.

Throughout the gig, the boys made compelling viewing and Michael in particular immersed himself in his music- the “entertainment” aspect of the performance worked out as a natural bi-product of his unyielding passion and affection for all he was singing for. Songs like So much Love In This Room added a more rocky edge to the set and kept the performance boisterous, while the penultimate performance of I Told You I Was Crazy Sweetheart- a slow, sad, balletic number- alleviated the intense energy of the preceding tracks, in time for the finale. Now available to buy on iTunes, the morose I Told You I was Crazy Sweetheart is sung with a poignant, heartbreaking ardour and Michael’s southern accent filtrating unaffectedly into the song complimented the honest and meek tone of the song.

The band surpassed themselves with each track, but in my opinion saved the best until last. Finishing up with a quirky number called The Wild; the song began in a nostalgic, earthy style and insinuated melancholy, similar to the distinctively baroque sound of groups like The Fleet Foxes. Moving into deeper melodies, beneath lyrics sang in a syrupy howl, the song became heavier in sound; the profound percussion and reverberating bass encouraged the semantic aspect of the song, but the vocals did not lose their shape, as Michael revealed again his extensive vocal range. The melancholic overtones of the lyrics and crescendos in his voice combined to generate a sense of crying, reflective of the heart-rending love theme.

Harrison Hope show profuse flair in their ability to generate poignant, yet charming sounds and they have already put together a prominent portfolio of emotionally charged tunes. The band’s energetic combination of pensive and soulful tracks fall somewhere between melodic rock and authentic indie, and create a sound that ultimately makes for fervent and relatable listening. Their collection has already proven popular amongst the crowds who have been lucky enough to stumble across them, having earned instant airplay on BBC radio as well as one-off support slots with The Futureheads & Ladyhawke. Yet Harrison Hope’s musical command merits much wider appreciation and this is something they seem destined to achieve.

Harrison Hope are next playing as a full band on January 27th at 333 Motherbar, Old Street, London

And for a preview, their sound can be heard at http://www.myspace.com/harrisonhope

Single I Told You I Was Crazy Sweetheart can now be purchased on iTunes http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/i-told-you-i-was-crazy-sweetheart/id348379986?i=348379997

EMPIRE STATE OF MIND (PART II) BROKEN DOWN

FEBRUARY 22ND

12 x Grammy Award winner, Alicia Keys releases ‘Empire State of Mind Part II’ on February 22nd. ‘Empire State Of Mind Part I’ with Jay Z was one of the biggest hits of 2009, and now she will release her own version of the song, taken from her brand new album ‘The Element Of Freedom’.

‘The Element Of Freedom’ is Alicia’s fastest selling album ever in the UK, and is still in the top ten after 4 weeks. The top ten single, ‘Doesn’t Mean Anything’, is still in the top 30 after four weeks, and is still a top 20 airplay hit. Alicia will be performing on the Jonathan Ross TV show on January 22nd and ‘1Xtra and Radio 1 Present Alicia Keys Live At Maida Vale’ airs on January 23rd.

Alicia describes ‘The Element Of Freedom’ as a dichotomy of strength and vulnerability: “The music is really strong, and the drums are really aggressive, but my voice is vulnerable and delicate,” states Keys.

Since Alicia first exploded onto the music scene she has proved that she is more than talented - she is gifted. Alicia Keys is now as much of a global superstar as she is a musician’s musician. She is not only a singer, songwriter, musician and producer, but also a credible actor. Unlike many figures in the public eye who appear to be politically aware and engaged, Alicia has proved that she doesn’t just talk, she acts, her work with Keep a Child Alive is testimony to this.

‘The Element Of Freedom’ is the follow up to Keys’ multi-platinum selling 2007 album As I Am, which featured the Grammy Award winning tune ‘No One’ as well as hit singles ‘Like You’ll Never See Me Again’ ‘Teenage Love Affair’ and ‘Superwoman’.

Alicia Keys will be touring the UK in May including two dates at the O2 arena.

SHAKIRA WILL SPEAK ABOUT UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO EDUCATION

International superstar Shakira will speak about Universal access to education today at Oxford University at 4pm.

Shakira’s foundation, ‘Barefoot’s work increases access to quality education and removes barriers to learning that keep many poor and disadvantaged children from achieving their true potential. Education is the key to fighting poverty and violence, but learning does not occur in a vacuum. The ‘Barefoot’ model is committed to responding to local needs and unique because it opens schools to the community, addressing obstacles to learning. ‘Barefoot’ schools become centers of their communities and catalysts for social change.

The Oxford Union is a debating, educational, and social society, membership of which is open to all matriculated members of Oxford University (and many other notable educational establishments). Over the years countless actors, writers, film stars, musicians, celebrities and politicians. These past guests of The Oxford Union include, the Dalai Lama, Winston Churchill, Mother Teresa, Presidents Nixon, Carter and Reagan, Stephen Hawking, Richard Dawkins, Michael Jackson, Jon Bon Jovi and Albert Einstein to name just a few.

As well as speaking at Oxford, Shakira will be promoting her brand new single ‘Did It Again’ and performing on Capital’s ‘Jingle Bell Ball’. Shakira performed ‘Did It Again’ on X factor last week and it will be released physically on December 14th, it follows in the footsteps of her massive hit ‘She Wolf’, which remained in the U.K. top 5 for 5 weeks. The album, also titled ‘She Wolf’, entered the album chart at number 4 making it Shakira’s fastest selling album to date in the U.K. The video for Did It Again was directed by Jake Nava. Needless to say, it is just as hot, innovative and mind-blowing as the much talked about video for She Wolf.

The Clipse are rap’s reigning poet laureates, the mercurial pair are unorthodox, and so too is their story. Their enviable legion of fans constantly works itself into an online froth, anointing the Clipse the greatest duo ever to touch microphones. However, the casual listener may only recall the now-faint reverberations of 2002 anthem “Grindin” when the brothers, arm-in-arm with fellow Virginians-The Neptunes, signalled a new day in rap. Indeed, the Clipse have shown not only innovation, but tenacity. With their third label release Til The Casket Drops released on March 29th, the Clipse stand as the proverbial oasis on rap’s arid landscape.

After “Grindin” catapulted the Clipse and their debut album Lord Willin’ into the Top Ten on both the R&B/Hip-Hop and Billboard 200 charts, the duo’s destiny seemed assured. High-profile collaborations such as Justin Timberlake’s chart topper “Like I Love You,” only quickened their pace. Easily shifting from grizzled street sages to pop savants, the duo found its twin calling cards. Never has rap seen a group so beloved by its endemic audience but also so ripe for mass consumption. In truth, the Clipse are equal parts icon and iconoclast.

The common thread between albums, Lord Willin’ and the darker and angrier Hell Hath No Fury, is that the creativity has never been compromised. The quality of the music has never faltered. And that consistency comes with working with one or a handful of producers. The first two albums were totally in sync because production was courtesy of the Neptunes; as with their latest offering.

Malice & Pusha T break it down: The (new) album is light-hearted in some aspects, and then we take you to the gutter on other tracks. The synergy and optimism materialise on “I’m Good” featuring Pharrell, the first official single off Til the Casket Drops. Buzz track “Kinda Like a Big Deal” is produced by DJ Khalil and features kingpin and linchpin Kanye West. For the hip hop purists you have ‘Popular Demand’ a collaboration with Cam’ron. “We are all fierce artists coming off hiatus. You have classic Cam’ron—witty and unorthodox. He’s carved and created his own lane in rap. He’s a standout. On our side, it’s that quotable type lyricism”. ‘Never Will it Stop’ is a song for the mixtape fan, it carries that sort of rebelliousness. It was produced by Sean C & LV, who also did the intro. They brought that gritty, undeniable boom-bap to the album. Then there are records of inspiration like ‘Champion.’ Sonically it has that bigness. ‘All Eyes on Me’ with Keri Hilson is uptempo; Malice envisions Hollywood, in the spotlight or going out to the club. “There we venture out with a different kind of flow”. ‘Doorman’ gives you the deep, dark, and dirty: it’s the celebration for the street guy. It embodies that swagger—everything he wants you to know when he puts on his chain and pulls out his car. “You want people to want to relate to music so much that they actually feel a part of it.”

Til The Casket Drops is much more than merely an ambitious mouthful; it’s a problem. A problem for any rap act thinking of releasing an album in 2010 and beyond. Malice’s description cuts right to the bone: “It’s expanding and experimental but at the same time it can’t be faulted. It’s risky but it ain’t because we mastered it. Everything has been a learning experience and what kept us around is the art and the passion for it. Most people in our position would’ve let the forces that ‘be’ ruin them. People ask how we stay around so long. Because it’s easy!” Sounds like he’s good. So too, so two, are the Clipse!

Tracklisting

1. Freedom

2. Popular Demand (Popeyes) (featuring Cam’ron and Pharrell)

3. Kinda Like A Big Deal (featuring Kanye West)

4. Showing Out (featuring Yo Gotti)

5. I’m Good (featuring Pharrell)

6. There Was A Murder

7. Door Man

8. Never Will It Stop (featuring Ab Liva)

9. All Eyes On Me (featuring Keri Hilson)

10. Counseling (featuring Nicole Hurst)

11. Champion

12. Footsteps

13. Life Change

MULTI-GRAMMY AWARD WINNER ALICIA KEYS SET TO EXPRESS HER FREEDOM WITH NEW ALBUM ON DECEMBER 14

BEYONCÉ AND DRAKE JOIN ALICIA ON THE ELEMENT OF FREEDOM

Fresh off her incredible performance on the X Factor, 12-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys will return to the UK next week in support of her fifth album The Element of Freedom out December 14.

In addition to “Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart” and “Doesn’t Mean Anything,” The Element of Freedom features Keys soulfully soaring solo version of “Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down,” a beat-driven duet with Beyoncé on “Put It In A Love Song,” “Un-thinkable (I’m Ready)” with background vocals provided by Drake, the reggae-tinged “Love is My Disease,” a 80’s funk jam “This Bed” and more sonic gems. The album features production by Alicia Keys, her longtime collaborator Kerry “Krucial” Brothers, Jeff Bhasker, Swizz Beatz, and Noah “40” Shebib. Complete track listing below.

Alicia will be launching the album in London on December 9th.

The Element of Freedom track listing:

01 Element Of Freedom (Intro)
02 Love Is Blind
03 Doesn’t Mean Anything
04 Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart
05 Wait Til You See My Smile
06 That’s How Strong My Love Is
07 Un-thinkable (I’m Ready)
08 Love Is My Disease
09 Like The Sea
10 Put It In A Love Song (featuring Beyoncé)
11 This Bed
12 Distance And Time
13 How It Feels To Fly
14 Empire State Of Mind (Part II) Broken Down

MAY 2010: BIRMINGHAM, GLASGOW, LONDON, MANCHESTER

TICKETS GO ON SALE Monday 30th NOVEMBER

12 x Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys will be touring the UK in May 2010 as part of her pan European Tour. These shows will be the multi-award winning singer, songwriter, musician, actress and philanthropist’s first in the UK since her critically acclaimed As I Am Tour in 2007.

Alicia Keys’ 2010 UK and Europe tour will follow the release of her highly anticipated fourth studio album, ‘THE ELEMENT OF FREEDOM’, (out on December 14th 2009) and first single, ‘DOESN’T MEAN ANYTHING’, (out on November 30th 2009)

‘THE ELEMENT OF FREEDOM’ is the follow up to Keys’ multi-platinum selling 2007 album ‘As I Am’, which featured the Grammy Award winning global smash ‘No One’ as well as hit singles ‘Like You’ll Never See Me Again’, ‘Teenage Love Affair’ and ‘Superwoman’. Alicia describes ‘THE ELEMENT OF FREEDOM’ as a dichotomy of strength and vulnerability: “The music is really strong, and the drums are really aggressive, but my voice is vulnerable and delicate.”. In addition to her long time producer Kerry “Krucial” Brothers, Keys enlists the production talents of Jeff Brasker (Kanye West, Keri Wilson) amongst others on her forthcoming fourth studio album.

Since songwriter, pianist, singer and producer Alicia Keys first exploded onto the music scene in 2001 she has proved that she is more than talented - she is gifted. Alicia Keys is now as much of a global superstar as she is a musician’s musician. She has collaborated with the world’s biggest rapper Jay-Z, written hits for Whitney Houston’s recent comeback album, held her own on stage duetting with everyone from Lou Reed and David Bowie to Chris Martin and Annie Lennox; and has even been dubbed ‘the girl who made Bob Dylan weep’ after being immortalized by him in the title track of his 2007 released album ‘Modern Times’.

Live, Alicia, quite simply stands alone. In the words of The Times: “a combination of razor-sharp musical instincts and consummate showmanship… A supreme musical talent and a personality as bold as the best. Keys has got the lot. (5/5 stars)”

Alicia Tickets for the UK Tour are priced at £35 and £40 (excluding booking fee) and go on general sale on Monday 30th November from www.ticketmaster.co.uk / 08444 775 775 / www.aeglive.co.uk

MAY 2010 UK TOUR DATES:

19th BIRMINGHAM NIA

23rd GLASGOW SECC

25th LONDON THE O2

29th MANCHESTER MEN ARENA

SINGLE ‘DOESN’T MEAN ANYTHING’ RELEASED NOVEMBER 30TH 2009

ALBUM ‘THE ELEMENT OF FREEDOM’ RELEASED DECEMBER 14TH 2009

SOLDIER OF LOVE MARKS SADE’S FIRST NEW STUDIO ALBUM SINCE THE MULTI-PLATINUM LOVERS ROCK

The wait is now over. RCA Label Group are pleased to announce the release of SOLDIER OF LOVE, the highly anticipated new body of work from SADE. SOLDIER OF LOVE – which will be released worldwide on February 8, 2010 - is Sade’s first official studio album since the multi-platinum release of Lovers Rock in 2000.

Known for their one of a kind, timeless sound, Sade has enjoyed phenomenal success both internationally and stateside throughout the span of their twenty-five year career. Since the release of their debut album, Diamond Life in 1984 the band have seen all five of their studio albums land in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album Chart selling a total of more than 50 million albums worldwide to date. They’ve been nominated for American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and have won a Brit Award for Best Album for Diamond Life, three Grammy Awards – first in 1986 for Best New Artist, then in 1994 for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group for “No Ordinary Love”, and again in 2002 for Best Pop Vocal Album with Lovers Rock.

SOLIDER OF LOVE was recorded in England and produced by the band and their longtime collaborator Mike Pela.

WWW.SADE.COM