Apollo Education’s Crossfade Music Panel, An Exploration of Beat-Making and Music Production Careers

MEDIA ADVISORY

Apollo Education’s Crossfade Music Panel, An Exploration ofBeat-Making and Music Production Careers

Available On-Demand Starting June 30Featuring J. Black, F.L.O.G.I.C, Nick Simone, Bleu Wavs, andAntwan “Amadeus” Thompson

‍

‍

WHAT: Apollo Education’s Crossfade music panel will be available to view digitally, on-demand on the Apollo’s Digital Stage at www.ApolloTheater.org

‍

Bringing together prolific beatmakers and music producers, Crossfade features an exploratory discussion on careers in music production. Audiences hear from industry professionals J. Black, Nick Simone, F.L.O.G.I.C and Bleu Waves in a conversation moderated by one of the most sought-after producers in the recording industry today, Antwan “Amadeus” Thompson.

‍

Part panel discussion, part live demonstration, this lively career panel demonstrates music production techniques, share tips on identifying a signature sound, and gives tangible lessons to empower the next generation of creative minds.

‍

The program was taped on the Apollo Soundstage on June 21, 2022, and will be streaming on demand.

‍

‍RSVP: Free with RSVP. For more information visit www.ApolloTheater.org.

‍

‍

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

‍

ANTWAN ‘AMADEUS THOMPSON is CEO of Platinum Boy Music Inc. Multi-Platinum BadBoy/Hitmen Record Producer, & Trey Song's Musical Director/Tour Drummer, Brand Ambassador for Belaire, Bumbu Rum, McQueen and the Violet Fog & Villon, Drais NightClub Resident, Educator & Motivational Speaker, Amadeus has produced for over 100 artists thus far, ranging from Jennifer Lopez, French Montana, Trey Songz, Chris Brown, 50 Cent, Justin Bieber, Fabolous, T.I, Young Jeezy, Tyga, Keyshia Cole, Wale, Busta Rhymes, just to name a few. He has produced & scores music for BET, VH1, Burger King, Sprite, EA Sports & ESPN, created the last 2 theme songs for ESPN's First Take show alongside Maybach Music Group Artists Wale & Stalley. His relentless work ethic has set him apart from his many other peers within the music industry. In addition to being considered a "Super Producer", Amadeus is also a professional drummer & music director to Atlantic Records Multi-Platinum recording artist Trey Song. Amadeus is truly passionate about giving back, motivating & inspiring people to believe in themselves & their dreams and doing whatever it takes in a positive manner to see their dreams become a reality.

‍

F.L.O.G.I.C is a New York-based Christian duo composed of sisters Breanna and Taylour Dickerson. Born and raised on Long Island, New York, the sisters grew up singing and praise dancing in church, and their Pentecostal C.O.G.I.C roots is the foundation for what they have coined as "Worship Hip-Hop." When asked what they want people to take away from their music, they say, “We want our music to transcend generational and cultural barriers. People should finish listening to our music knowing in their hearts that God is real and His word is true after they got lit and vibed out the whole time.” A hard feat that these dynamic young ladies accomplish effortlessly. F.L.O.G.I.C, whose sound has been likened to a cross between Wilson Phillips and Kendrick Lamar, is on the fast track to success. With a background in musical theater, both sisters are electrifying on stage! They put on a show and deliver the word at the same time, an experience that must be had to truly understand. F.L.O.G.I.C has performed at some of the most iconic venues such as Sounds of Brazil in NYC, the Paramount Theater, and the Pasadena Auditorium to name a few.

‍

‍

NICK SIMONE is an NYC based Audio/Mix Engineer. His recording and mixing credits include working with artists such as TI, Method Man, RaeKwon, Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, Jamie Foxx, Lorde and ColdPlay. Nick has also been a performing arts educator in NYC for the past 18 years. Also a musician, Nick plays multiple instruments and has performed at the renowned Carnegie Hall and at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center. Nick has worked as Sound Designer and as an A1 Engineer for many production, including: US: A Progressive Love Story, The Norwegians, North To Maine, IYOM, Wild Children, Time Travelers Trip To Niagara, The Diorama, Shakespeare's Hamlet at Bryant Park, Don’t Dress For Dinner, Villainous Company, Capone, Romantic Trapezoid, and Disney’s The Happiest Millionaire. As an A2, Nick has worked with MTV VMA’s and their Artist to Watch series. He has also worked on the Apollo Theater Mainstage for the Soul Train Awards and other live performances. He is currently the chief audio engineer for Fenix Studios in Staten Island, NY and has credits on multiple albums, films, broadcasts, streaming, music videos and mobile apps. He has worked with up and coming talent and platinum selling artists in different genres.

‍

JIMMY ‘BEATSBYJBLACK” STANFORD is an Atlanta, Georgia-based producer/beatmaker has been producing/making beats for 12 years, working with artists such as 2Chains, The Game, Timbaland, Wanye, Brandy, and others. He has created and starred in commercials for GAP, McDonald's, Akai, Redbull, etc. Jimmy’s passion lies in teaching; because of this, he founded the Finger Drumming Academy, a program that provides instruction in beatmaking via finger drumming training.

‍

‍

BLEU WAVES, born Jhenet Tait, is an American record producer, recording/mix engineer, and Audio-Visual guru. She is regarded as one of the next up-and-coming producers ready to shift the paradigm of the current music industry. Where most producers have a signature style (as far as sound), Bleu’s affect is directly to the soul. If you had to describe Bleu Wav’s music, you couldn’t. Bleu has no specific sound or audio signature but, more of an emotional feel. When you hear it, you feel it. Her sounds are an affirmation to the soul. Born and raised in The Bronx, NY with Southern roots in South Carolina, and West Indian roots in Monserrat and Barbados, Bleu has gained a name for herself with no formal training, and she is now the owner of her production and publishing company, Xranium Beatz LLC. Bleu studied Electrical Engineering at CUNY’s City Tech, which only further helped her realize her true and natural gift - music. She soon found an internship at a local recording studio, H.I.T.M (History in the Making), where she was mentored by Oscar Acevedo and started her professional music journey. Since then, Bleu has worked in over 50 different recording studios and has run audio for hundreds of events. In 2019, Bleu Wavs gained recognition after being crowned 1st place winner of the NYC iStandard Beat Battle, beating out some of the year’s hottest new producers and winning her a spot at iStandard’s Beat Battle Nationals. Her music has been streamed thousands of times, all over the world across different platforms. She has produced, recorded, and mixed her own projects with various artists (The VDay Mix & Wavs Don’t Die: Vol. 1) thus, creating a space for her to work with other local acts. Bleu is featured on stations such as Power 102.1 in Toronto, 102.8 Los Angeles, and Da Blaze 88.7xm (iHeartRadio) where she is a music curator and podcast host.

‍

SUPPORT‍

Crossfade is generously supported by BNY Mellon, Fund II, the Hearst Foundations, the Jerome L. Greene Arts Access Fund in the New York Community Trust, The Pinkerton Foundation, and public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, and from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with New York Council Members Ben Kallos and Bill Perkins.

‍

ABOUT THE APOLLO CAREER PANEL SERIES

The Apollo’s Career Panel series provides a behind-the-scenes look at lesser-known careers in the arts and entertainment and shines a spotlight on people of color working in creative industries. Part panel discussion, part live demonstration, these informative events provide tangible takeaways and insightful resources to empower the next generation of creative minds in these fields.

‍

‍

ABOUT THE APOLLO THEATER‍

The legendary Apollo Theater—the soul of American culture—plays a vital role in cultivating emerging artists and launching legends. Since its founding, the Apollo has served as a center of innovation and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world. With music at its core, the Apollo’s programming extends to dance, theater, spoken word, and more. This includes the world premiere of the theatrical adaptation of Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me and the New York premiere of the opera We Shall Not Be Moved; special programs such as the blockbuster concert Bruno Mars Live at the Apollo; 100: The Apollo Celebrates Ella; and the annual Africa Now! Festival. The non-profit Apollo Theater is a performing arts presenter, commissioner, and collaborator that also produces festivals, large-scale dance and musical works organized around a set of core initiatives that celebrate and extend the Apollo’s legacy through a contemporary lens, including the Women of the World (WOW) Festival as well as other multidisciplinary collaborations with partner organizations. Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo has served as a testing ground for new artists working across a variety of art forms and has ushered in the emergence of many new musical genres—including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. Among the countless legendary performers who launched their careers at the Apollo are Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, H.E.R., D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Machine Gun Kelly, and Miri Ben Ari; and the Apollo’s forward-looking artistic vision continues to build on this legacy. For more information about the Apollo, visit www.ApolloTheater.org.

For more information, please contact:   Fatima Jones & Sydney Edwards  press@apollotheater.org