Ashly E. Smith | The Urban Twist

News

Stand out performances dominate the 2019 BET Awards

The 2019 BET Awards opened with a bang! Live from the famed Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, this year’s blazing event was first ...

By Ashly E. Smith3 days ago0

Featured

On the Rise: MAULX

Hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, MAULX(pronounced MAUL-X) is on the quest to take the hip hop world by storm. Currently based in the Washington, ...

By Ashly E. SmithMay 9, 20190

Featured

A Creative Fortress: Innovation Station Music

The recording studio: A boisterous domain jam-packed with state of the art equipment to produce the best vocal, musical and instrumental content possible. ...

By Ashly E. SmithMay 7, 20190

Cover Story

Cinematic Icon: John Singleton 1968-2019

Director, screenwriter, and producer are just a mere three words to describe the prolific John Singleton. A native of South Los Angeles, Singleton ...

By Ashly E. SmithApril 29, 20190

Music

New Album Release: Kingdom Come by Schreiner!

What do you get after combining robust vocals, impulsive lyrics and exceptional musicianship? None other than rock/blues/acoustic band Schreiner! Led by vocalist/mulch-instrumentalist John ...

By Ashly E. SmithApril 19, 20190

Music

New Music Alert: Charlie Harris’ Moonbounce

Inspired by the eclectic sounds of Daft Punk, The Weeknd, and Muse, the North Carolina born, Brooklyn, New York based, Charlie Harris creates ...

By Ashly E. SmithFebruary 27, 20190

Cover Story

Spike Lee wins first Oscar at the 91st Annual Academy Awards

The streak is over! After 30 years in the business, and many other accolades including five Oscar nominations, Sheldon “Spike” Lee has finally ...

By Ashly E. SmithFebruary 25, 20190

Features

New video alert! Kamryn Marie’s “Baby Girl”

https://vimeo.com/315756830/59fb3e65a5 Love is in the air for EDM/pop artist Kamryn Marie! The Arizona born, Washington DC bred songstress has just answered “yes” to ...

By Ashly E. SmithFebruary 12, 20190

Music

Cardi B sizzles with 2019 Grammy performance and snags win for Best Rap Album

Flanked by 20 dancers clad in black, Cardi B served serious Josephine Baker vibes as she sashayed across LA’s Staples Center stage performing ...

By Ashly E. SmithFebruary 11, 20190

News

Silky voiced soul: James Ingram-1952-2019

A multiple Grammy Award-winner, the Akron Ohio born James Edward Ingram started his musical journey in 1973. Throughout his expansive career, the singer, ...

By Ashly E. SmithJanuary 29, 20190

Entertainment

Shining Brightly: AZTEC SUN

From the funk-soul grooves of “The District” and “Wild”, to the melodic hypnosis of “In the Name of Everyone” and “The Healing”, ...

By Ashly E. SmithDecember 2, 20180

Entertainment

Jason Masi captures hearts with new album

“I’m on a one way track, I’m living on faith, gonna get me some of what’s out there”. Jason Masi’s opening lyrics ...

By Ashly E. SmithNovember 30, 20180

Entertainment

Forever Our Superhero: Stan Lee 1922-2018

The Master of Marvel succumbs at 95.

By Ashly E. SmithNovember 12, 20180

Featured

The Dream That Became a Reality: Calvin Brown

Hailing from Richmond Virginia, singer, songwriter, and jazz-pianist, Calvin Brown was touched by musical prowess while his peers were still playing video games. ...

By Ashly E. SmithNovember 2, 20180

Entertainment

A Rose Among Us: Natalie Claro

Singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer are just a mere four words to describe 19-year-old Natalie Claro. With her latest alternative-pop album DISCONNECT, ...

By Ashly E. SmithOctober 25, 20180

Entertainment

Cardi B gives showstopping performance at the 2018 American Music Awards

Hosted by the mega talented Tracee Ellis Ross, Tuesday night’s 2018 American Music Awards was full of delightful surprises. LA’s Microsoft Theater was ...

By Ashly E. SmithOctober 10, 20180

Entertainment

Soaring Southern Charm: South Hill Banks

What do an upright bass, acoustic, mandolin, banjo, and electric guitar, have in common? They are more than just members of the prestigious ...

By Ashly E. SmithOctober 2, 20180

Entertainment

A tribute fit for a Queen: Stars pay proper homage to Aretha Franklin on Black Girls Rock 2018

Hosted by Queen Latifah, BET’s Black Girls Rock 2018 was nothing short of exhilarating. After fans were disappointed by MTV’s version, BET sought ...

By Ashly E. SmithSeptember 9, 20180

Entertainment

Rest Peacefully Aretha Franklin: 1942-2018

Singer, songwriter, mother, pioneer. These are just a mere few words to describe the incomparable Aretha Louise Franklin. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Franklin ...

By Ashly E. SmithAugust 16, 20180

Love & Romance

Folk Duo Colin and Caroline Let Love shine

August is romance awareness month! For those who thought that spreading love was only restricted to February 14, that sentence may raise your ...

By Ashly E. SmithAugust 10, 20180

Interviews

On the rise: Kamryn Marie

With her new album As Is, Kamryn Marie is poised to conquer the music scene. Anchored by its three singles, “Standing In The Way,” ...

By Ashly E. SmithJuly 30, 20180

LGBT

Season finale of Pose leaves viewers excited for new season

The Pose finale was full of happy tear jerking moments, which is why fans can’t wait for the next flurry of adventures. Created ...

By Ashly E. SmithJuly 23, 20180

Entertainment

On the rise: Drake’s Scorpion

Drizzy Drake seems have another hit on his hands! Since being released on June 29, 2018, Scorpion has already broken Spotify’s one-day global ...

By Ashly E. SmithJuly 3, 20180

Entertainment

Donald Glover steals the spotlight as Lando Calrissian in Solo: A Star Wars Story

From his mega successful FX series Atlanta, to his number one hit “This Is America”, one can agree that Donald Glover, also known ...

By Ashly E. SmithMay 28, 20180

Music

Janet Jackson Becomes the Recipient of the 2018 Billboard Icon Award

Her first name ain't "baby"...its Janet! Ms. Janet if ya nasty!

By Ashly E. SmithMay 21, 20180

Entertainment

Childish Gambino continues to turn heads and raise eyebrows with “This Is America”

Donald Glover's new video uses symbolism to chronicle a tumultuous society.

By Ashly E. SmithMay 9, 20180

Movies

Jordan Peele becomes the first black screenwriter to win an Oscar best original screenplay

Peele makes history!

By Ashly E. SmithMarch 5, 20180

Entertainment

The Black Panther breaks the box office on opening weekend

Released February 16, 2018, the Ryan Coogler directed film tells the story of T’Challa. (Chadwick Boseman) who returns to his native Wakanda after ...

By Ashly E. SmithFebruary 19, 20180