Cocoa Sarai - 'The Black & White'

Cocoa Sarai is a rock star. Bold. Fearless. Not just a recording artist but a true performing artist.

I couldn't quite put my finger on that up until a few weeks ago when Cocoa's manager made that distinction for me. I co-sponsored her album release party with Rocawear and Vibe Vixen and the night was aptly titled "The Cocoa Sarai Experience." You see, to know Cocoa is to experience Cocoa is to fall madly in love with Cocoa.

Her sophomore release 'The Black & White' is her middle finger to naysayers. Now more mature, more experienced and more creative, she has proven with this album that she can do anything she wants to do.

This album is nothing short of incredible! From the in-your-face intro, "The Black & White", to the power ballad "Live" at the album's close, Cocoa Sarai masterfully displays her fantastic songwriting abilities and jaw dropping vocal ability. Her tone and timbre will give you goosebumps.

The first single "Raining in my Room" was only scratching the surface of the depth and bredth of Cocoa's artistry. I won't get into a track by track synopsis of the album but works like"Memories 4 Suckers" and "One Second 2 Love" featuring triple threat Rich Lowe (rapper/singer/producer) will absolutely blow you away. "Live" and "Raining in my Room" tug at your heartstrings. The reworking of SWV's "Anything" featuring Fred the Godson, "Delete You" and "Criminal" cover the radio ready set. I thoroughly expect "Black & Blue" to be the breakout single though.

Cocoa and her production team did a phenomenal job on this project. They really captured the dynamics of Cocoa Sarai's talent and delivered a product that rivals anything in Pop and R&B right now. DEFINITELY spend the money for this album! You won't regret it. I expect this album to clean up at the next Underground Music Awards.

Download "The Black & White"

Cocoa Sarai Album Release Party

It goes down this coming Thursday, January 26th, 2012! Cocoa Sarai will be releasing her new album 'Black & White' at Dominion NY. This will be the independent album release party of the year. Come through for some incredible music and some power networking. Sponsored by RoxFontaine.com & Rocawear. DJ Spynfo holding down the wheels of steel and Ev Ryan hosting. There will be some surprise guests and people from all corners of the entertainment industry. BE THERE!

RSVP HERE:

TheExperience@LegendFactoryRecords.com 

Late Pass: Cocoa Sarai - "Raining in my Room" Audio

I hereby declare Cocoa Sarai the Queen of Indie R&B.  That is, until she gets a record deal. Then she'll be the heir to the throne. You can decide for yourself who's sitting on it now? Mary J. Blige? Alicia Keys? Chrisette Michele? It doesn't really matter because Cocoa is different from them, or anyone else for that matter. She's got her own thing.

With her latest release, "Raining in my Room", she again impresses with her incredible ear, range and lyricism. She's a total package. I've seen her perform on more than one occasion and she is a really dynamic performer. Her tiny frame can barely contain her huge stage presence and self awareness.

When I tell you this song is a HIT, I mean that if this song was sold to a major label artist, it would debut at #1. Cocoa is not a major label artist yet, but this song still debuted at #1. Number 1 in the hearts of her fans and supporters. She's such a gifted talent and it's just a matter of time before she gets her just due. Check the audio below. Enjoy! Your playlist just got a whole lot fresher...

Cocoa Sarai on Twitter

01 Cocoa Sarai- Raining In My Room (Prod. Jayd) by legendfactceo

LA - "The Presentation"

 

Newcomer "femcee" LA just released her first mixtape titled "The Presentation". I can't even really explain it to you, so do yourself a favor and just download it. Your iPod will thank you for it.

Click here to download.

Gist the Essence feat. Cocoa Sarai - "Roller Coaster" Video

Great visuals. Great song. Enjoy!

Get the Gist here: www.gistmusic.com

On Twitter: @gistmusic

LA at Crash Mansion

A short while ago I had the opportunity to check out the 3rd installment of Legend Factory Live. This event is by far one of the best industry showcases I have ever had the pleasure of attending.  Each of the two shows I attended were absolutely brimming with talent from all genres of music. It's is genuinely a total experience.

One particular artist stood out to me at the last show and rather than gush over her talent and energy, I'll let you just experience it the way I did. Check out LA's indie video recently posted from her Twitter page.  This is Hip-Hop!


The L.A. Show- LegendFactory Live from Amanda Chavis on Vimeo.

Legend Factory Live at Crash Mansion

Legend Factory, in association with SESAC, Reverb Nation and other sponsors put on a wonderful showcase yesterday for upcoming artists.  I haven't been so pleasantly surprised in a long time.  I would have missed the event were it not for Mr. Devine posting it on Twitter.  He was excited about seeing Cocoa Sarai, so I decided to go down and check it out and take some shots.

Host: Trey Morgan of Z100

 The night was put in gear by Dimestore and Donovan.  This band from Washington, D.C. has a great blend of funk, pop and rock and roll.  Their sound is probably best likened to that of Maroon 5.  Their stage presence was a little awkward at times for me, but overall the band is very solid. 

Dimestore and Donovan

Nita Chawla's sound I can only describe as clean.  There wasn't anything that really stood out to me but I think that was largely due to her confidence on stage.  I don't expect much movement with vocal and acoustic guitar but the energy was stiff.  Her voice is lovely though and she has chops on the guitar.  I'm excited to listen to her EP "Fall Again".

Nita Chawla

Next to hit the stage was rapper Soope the Roadrunner from Indiana.  Soope has a great musical ear and his beat choices knock HARD.  I saw quite a few people making the "stank" face with me when Soope's beats kicked in.  The sound was so ridiculously loud for such a relatively small space that I couldn't even focus on Soope's lyrics.  I enjoyed his performance though and will be giving his mixtape "Welcome to Indiana" a thorough listen.

Soope

From this point on, the night was on full tilt!  Singer/songwriter TL Cross and his band hit the stage and turned the event from a showcase into a party.  You probably know TL from his hook with Jadakiss on "All Falls Down".  TL and his team Da Gutta Fam have an impressive resume of collaborative efforts with some of the biggest names in music, including Usher, Diddy and 50 Cent.

Cross and his band took us 80s babies back with covers of BBD's "Poison" Tony! Toni! Tone!'s "It Never Rains (in Southern California)" and others.  The room was packed with industry personnel and media and TL got everyone to come to the front of the stage and cut loose.  I was half expecting someone to start a Soul Train line.

TL Cross

TL Cross was a hard act to follow but Cocoa Sarai was more than up to the challenge.  She's very petite but commands a stage like she's 7 feet tall.  Her sultry and soulful sound is full of energy and bounce.  She went from standing on the stage, to lying on it, to the floor, to sitting in the crowd to dancing past the bar and back around during her set.  There was never a dull moment.  She's a dynamite performer who's traveled the world sharing her talent. 

She's definitely an artist to keep on your radar and I will certainly be looking out for her upcoming work.  Ms. Sarai is a great singer/songwriter and an even better performer.  I expect that she'll have a healthy career.  She's more than ready for the big time. 

Cocoa Sarai