(C) 2013 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column may
be reprinted, re-posted or duplicated without written permission from
Rych McCain Media/Syndication. Violation is subject to applicable laws.
BET Music Matters Showcase TV/Music
By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist
BET NETWORK’S MUSIC MATTERS’ SHOWCASE
GRAMMY® EDITION
GRAMMY® EDITION
“LIPSTICK ON THE MIC”
FEATURING MARSHA AMBROSIUS, ELLE
VARNER, STACY BARTHE, LEAH LABELLE AND RaVAUGHN,
BET Celebrated Grammy Week with
their annual Music Matters showcase “Lipstick on the Mic,” at the Belasco
Theatre in downtown Los Angeles featuring the slow simmer of Stacy Barthe,
RaVaughn’s familiar R&B riffs, sultry pop diva Leah Labelle, the “Perfectly
Imperfect” Elle Varner who was a nominee
for a 2013 GRAMMY® Award for Best R&B Song and the always
amazing Marsha Ambrosius who headlined her own Music Matters tour in 2011.
Highlights of each performer:
Elle Varner
The first time the nation saw Elle Varner was on the BET AWARDS ’10 as a part of the all new Music Matters segment. She was then embraced on 106 & PARK, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! and the SOUL TRAIN AWARDS. One of the first artists selected to be a part of BET’s Music Matters, singer/songwriter Elle Varner has been steadily establishing herself as a new force in music. “Refill,” from her first album Perfectly Imperfect (MBK Entertainment/RCA Records), was nominated for R&B Song of the Year at this year’s GRAMMY® Awards.
Follow Music Matters on Twitter
@BETMusicMatters as well as Facebook at facebook.com/BETMusicMatters
 |
| Marsha Ambrosius |
Marsha Ambrosius
Already proven as a
talented, sought after songwriter and revered platinum-selling artist, Marsha
Ambrosius continues to
reinvent herself as a solo artist with her second J Records release disc “Friends
and Lovers,” the follow up to her critically-acclaimed “Late Nights & Early
Mornings.” Over the years, Marsha has built a name for
herself as a songwriter and producer, creating “Butterflies” for the late
Michael Jackson and other hits for artists such as Alicia Keys, Justin
Timberlake, Jamie Foxx and Nas. BET Music Matters is one of the first to
embrace Marsha’s solo career and she has performed on BLACK GIRLS ROCK!, the
BET AWARDS and the SOUL TRAIN AWARDS.
 |
| Elle Varner |
The first time the nation saw Elle Varner was on the BET AWARDS ’10 as a part of the all new Music Matters segment. She was then embraced on 106 & PARK, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! and the SOUL TRAIN AWARDS. One of the first artists selected to be a part of BET’s Music Matters, singer/songwriter Elle Varner has been steadily establishing herself as a new force in music. “Refill,” from her first album Perfectly Imperfect (MBK Entertainment/RCA Records), was nominated for R&B Song of the Year at this year’s GRAMMY® Awards.
 |
| Stacy Barthe |
Stacy
Barthe
Signed to a publishing deal with
Motown/Universal Music Publishing Group back in 2007, Stacy started her music
career penning songs for some of the industry’s biggest names including Britney
Spears, Katy Perry, Kelly Rowland, to name a few. Stacy also the penned the
track “Cheers (Drink to That)” for Rhianna which hit #7 on Billboards Top
100. In 2010, she decided to venture out on her own, and with help from
Surf Club, she released two EPs “Sincerely Yours” and “The Seven Days of
Christmas” in 2011. Stacy recently released the lead single, "Flawed
Beautiful Creatures," from her upcoming mix tape P.S. I Love You,
due out in February.
 |
| Leah Labelle |
Leah Labelle
Introduced
to the world as a finalist on the third season of “American Idol,” Leah Labelle
got her break as a solo act when she signed a joint deal with Epic Records,
Jermaine DuPri’s So So Def label and Pharrell William's I Am Other label in
2011. The Toronto-born, BET Music Matters artist, recently released “Lolita,” a
follow-up to "Sexify," the lead single from her forthcoming studio
debut album. Leah also received rave reviews for her tribute to the late
Teena Marie, singing the classic hit “Square Biz” at the 2012 SOUL TRAIN
AWARDS.
 |
| RaVaughn |
RaVaughn
Signed to
GRAMMY® Award-winning singer/songwriter/producer Ne-Yo’s Compound
University label, RaVaughn is making many in the industry stand-up and take
notice. Already an in-demand demo and backup singer, RaVaughn is currently
putting the finishing touches on her solo Columbia Records debut, “Love
Always.” Expect an amazing 2013 from BET Music Matters artist RaVaughn.
For more information on Music
Matters, visit www.BET.com/musicmatters.
© 2013 Rych
McCain Media/Syndication tm
(You DID
Hear It From Me!)
Twitter@rychmccain and Facebook
