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This is the record where my music truly reflects who I am,” proclaims Tamar Braxton about her long-awaited new album Love and War (Streamline/Epic, Sept. 3). “It’s sassy, opinionated, insightful, smart and high energy. It’s everything that defines me as an individual. It’s finally time for me to be me.”

In fact, it’s finally time for this multi-talent to take her deserved place in the spotlight. Ever since she was a young girl, Braxton dreamed of being a singer, songwriter, producer and television star. Fanning the flames of her musical vision was a backstage encounter with Whitney Houston. At the time, a 14-year-old Braxton was singing background vocals for her sister Toni. “Whitney said to me, ‘Your voice is amazing! You’re going to be a star,’” recalls Braxton.

Now Houston’s prediction is coming true—as is Braxton’s long-held dream. Having already scored two back-to-back hits off the forthcoming Love and War (the title track and “The One”), Braxton is riding the perfect multimedia storm. Reality TV star (WE tv’s “Braxton Family Values,” “Tamar and Vince”). Engaging talk show host for Fox-TV’s “The Real.” Savvy business entrepreneur (“Get Your Life” fashion line). Illuminating author (upcoming book “Love and War.”)

And while the realization of Braxton’s musical dream might have taken longer than planned, she says it’s still right on time. “I’m a perfect example of God having another plan for me than what I had in mind,” she says with a laugh. “No matter how good the situation, it just seemed like nothing would never ever happen. Now with everything starting to happen, I realize it all boils down to timing. But singing has always remained everything for me.”

Love and War, Braxton’s album, offers a diverse mix of impassioned and impactful songs threaded together with pure soul. Heartfelt and honest, the set brims with deep emotion and searing honesty painted against a modern R&B backdrop.

One of the first songs she cut was the title track and debut single. She co-wrote the ballad’s lyrics with legendary writer LaShawn Daniels, whose credits fittingly include Whitney Houston (Michael Jackson, Usher), and Makeba Riddick (Beyoncé, Rihanna). The no-holds-barred song explores the push and pull of a relationship as well as how real love can weather any storm. Over a slow sultry beat, Braxton's soulful soprano simply captivates.

 "I'd experienced love, but I never experienced passion until I met my husband," reveals Braxton. "This song is the soundtrack to our relationship. We fight hard, but we love even harder. We get through everything, and we keep going strong.”

 As did the single. It spent ten weeks at No. 1 on Urban AC and reached No. 13 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, racked up more than 7 million views on YouTube and gave Braxton her first Centric Award at the 2013 BET Awards. "The award let me know," says Braxton, "that I was on the right path." Saucy follow-up single, “The One,” is following the same trajectory.

A veteran performer who began singing backup vocals for her older sister Toni at age 12, Braxton was also a founding member of R&B group The Braxtons with Toni and their siblings Traci, Towanda and Trina.

"I found the sound I'd been looking for within myself for years,” recalls Braxton. “I’d never had the chance to go as deep as I did. The vocals just poured out of me. I also let the music pick itself. You can't make or force a personality or feeling onto an artist. It never works."

Music isn't the only way the creative Braxton expresses herself. She executive produces and stars in the WE tv reality hit "Braxton Family Values," which comes back for a new season in November. Originally created and spearheaded by Braxton and sisters, the show soared as the cable network’s highest-rated television show. Braxton also co-stars alongside her music manager husband Vince Herbert on WE tv's spinoff Tamar & Vince. Its second season premieres on Sept. 5. 

Elsewhere on the TV front, Braxton co-hosts and produces FOX-TV’s “The Real” which recently rated #1 as the highest rated test-run in talk show history. Braxton reveals, "'The Real' is one of the best things to ever happen to me. I get to chat with a group of women and its feels like happy hour in the middle of the day.
 
A fashion force as well, the multi-tasking Braxton launched her own fashion line, “Get Your Life,” through Bravado in 2012.  Dedicated to "real chicks"—as its creator eloquently puts it— and inspired by Braxton's catchy, colorful hashtag phrases (#getyourlife, .com) on "Braxton Family Values.”

In the meantime, Braxton’s frank and sassy writer alter ego will surface again in Fall 2013 with the release of her first book, “Love and War.” Co-penned with husband Herbert, the tome examines both sides of the relationship equation. Readers will “get a detailed and honest look at the yin and yang,” pledges Braxton.

But first things first. In what continues to be a banner year, a tireless Braxton is getting ready to bring her music to her “Tamartian” fans live across the country. In conjunction with Love and War, the singer will open for Grammy Award winner John Legend during a national six-week tour that kicks off in October.

“Everything I’m doing is liberating my different sides: sister, wife, girlfriend and entrepreneur,” declares the glowing new mom. “Now, with Love and War, it seems SHE has it all.”


Afro house pioneer and globally sought-after DJ/producer Stan Zeff has been instrumental in shaping the trajectory of the genre on both sides of the Atlantic. After gaining a reputation as the trailblazing visionary behind the Shock Sound System at London’s iconic Notting Hill carnival in his native UK, Stan moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 2000, swiftly establishing himself as an influential force on the US soulful and Afro house scene. In 2009, he launched the highly respected and long-running Tambor Party, a monthly residency considered one of the best deep, Afro house club experiences. Establishing himself as a curator and tastemaker with a keen instinct for bringing together creative kindred spirits, Stan has introduced the North America and Europe scenes to many underground artists who’ve gone on to wider recognition via his legendary Atlanta-based party. Artists include Black Coffee, Manoo, Afro Warriors and Brendon Praise. 

A worthy ambassador for the soulful sounds of Africa, Stan has played numerous renown venues, such as Copacabana, Chelsea Music Hall and Cielo in New York, Revival Toronto, Smart Bar Chicago and Wildpitch Underground and Domaine both of Atlanta. Stan has also been a fixture at festivals around the globe, including the Afro Soul Festival in Costa Rica, Moving Deep in Amsterdam and Chosen Few in Chicago, where he has played to crowds exceeding 40,000. Other notable events include a collaboration with the Brooklyn-founded collective Daybreaker, where Stan was the headline for several features, including to an audience of 78,000 for the first-ever performance at The Man installation at Burning Man in the Nevada desert.

As a producer, Stan has shared his ethereal, soulful aesthetic spanning seminal record labels such as King Street, Nervous and Yoruba Records, as well as Stan’s own label, Tambor Music. Founded in 2012, the label has become a prominent imprint on the deep scene, with releases from homegrown US talent, African artists and, of course, Stan himself, whose eponymous releases have transformed him into a consistently top-selling producer and regular fixture on Traxsource’s Essential Afro House Charts. The London-born artist has collaborated with many influential names in deep house, including Terry Hunter, Osunlade and South Africa’s Toshi.

Stan has dedicated time to curating musical excursions that run the gamut from week-long sea-faring parties, namely the annual Tambor Cruise to holistic dance celebrations. Memorable events include Sacred Sons Convergence men’s retreats, and wellness events like Daybreaker and curating sonic accompaniments for plant medicine ceremonies. All of these festivities seamlessly fuse the healing power of music with physical and spiritual self-care. Stan continues to curate events and foster creative collaborations with fellow artists.

Stan has created seismic shifts, keeping the African-influenced genres of dance, fresh, spiritually-provoking, and, above all, fun. On his mission to spread the Afro house philosophy, Stan isn’t just about the pursuit of the dance, he stands at the intersection of African-influenced music, that incorporates spirituality and movement as a healing ritual, creating a safe space for self-expression and introspection.

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