Livin Out Loud | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
Genres | R&B, soul, hip hop, pop |
Labels | Kin Productions |
Members | Reuben MacCalla Sylvia MacCalla |
Past members | Dminor J. Martini Lisa LaShawn |
Website | livinoutloud |
Livin Out Loud is an R&B music group consisting of brother and sister, Reuben and Sylvia MacCalla. Reuben MacCalla, also known professionally as Reuben Alexander, is the creative producer for the group and its label, Kin Productions. He is also a performer, songwriter, and producer. Sylvia MacCalla is an actor (Rent, Hairspray, etc.), singer, songwriter, and co-executive producer. The group also formerly included Lisa LaShawn, Dminor, and J. Martini. J Martini is a singer, songwriter, and actor ( Jersey Boys , General Hospital , etc.). Lisa LaShawn is a singer and songwriter (written for Mandy Moore and others). Though no longer in the foreground, J. Martini and Dminor both maintain involvement with the group, the former as a guitarist and songwriter, the latter as a music video director. The group is known for its tracks "More Than a Fantasy," "Where's the Love," "You Make Me Smile," "What About Us" and "All That Really Matters."
Livin Out Loud was launched when Reuben and Sylvia collaborated with their brother, Thomas MacCalla, to form Kin Productions as a vehicle to combine their respective artistic and business talents. According to Reuben, "We've all been very blessed with the opportunity to work in an industry that we love... and the name, 'Livin Out Loud,' is all about sharing that love."
Livin Out Loud has received praise from numerous publications on both sides of the Atlantic. UK press has called them "America's best-kept secret." [1] The group was a featured artist in Billboard Magazine (4 October 2009), which said:
In the United Kingdom, Soul and Jazz and Funk magazine (27 April 2010) said:
In London, Livin Out Loud achieved chart success with the single, "All That Really Matters," which went to #1 on the DJ Play list. This led to a deal with Fontana Distribution, a Universal Music Group company. Two other singles, "Lately" and "I Can’t Stop," made it onto Billboard’s Hot Adult R&B Airplay chart. "Lately" made it to #1 in several markets, including Little Rock and New Orleans. "Lately" and "I Can't Stop" charted at #31 and #34 respectively on the Urban Adult Contemporary Chart. [1] "So Amazing" was the featured track on Bob Mardis' award-winning documentary, Keeping The Faith, about rebuilding efforts by faith-based organizations after Hurricane Katrina.
Livin Out Loud's music can be found on music download sites such as iTunes, Amazon, etc. In 2010, the music video, "Brokeazz (Radio Edit)," received over 300,000 YouTube views in the first few months of its release. [2] In the UK, Urban Essentials released the single, "Cuz I Gotta Know (Souled Out Mix)," in anticipation of the group's new album later in the year.
On 10 April 2015, Livin Out Loud released their first album as a duo since their debut. This UK-exclusive release, entitled Take It Easy and subtitled "A Musical Timecapsule," includes ten new songs and four re-mastered songs. The album's title track has received radio attention in London, and the group has performed in support of the album in the UK. [3]
The O'Jays are an American R&B group from Canton, Ohio, formed in summer 1958 and originally consisting of Eddie Levert, Walter Lee Williams, William Powell, Bobby Massey, and Bill Isles. The O'Jays made their first chart appearance with the minor hit "Lonely Drifter" in 1963, but reached their greatest level of success once the producers Gamble & Huff signed them to their Philadelphia International label in 1972. With Gamble & Huff, the O'Jays emerged at the forefront of Philadelphia soul with Back Stabbers (1972), and topped the US Billboard Hot 100 the following year with "Love Train". Several other US R&B hits followed, and the O'Jays were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2013.
You Gotta Go There to Come Back is the fourth studio album by alternative rock band Stereophonics. Produced by Kelly Jones and released on V2 in 2003, this LP became their third consecutive album to top the UK chart, selling 101,946 copies in its first week alone. It is the final Stereophonics album to feature long-time original drummer Stuart Cable before he was fired in September 2003. The album’s title comes from the eighth track "I'm Alright ".
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