Shibuya is the new project from the creative mind of NICOLAY, better known as one half of THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE. The group (which includes rapper/singer Phonte) and their sophomore album “Leave It All Behind,” continues to gain momentum as the duo and their extended family of singers and musicians are currently touring the United States and Canada. Nicolay and Phonte’s countless performances together have added a new level of sophistication to their musical output, resulting in what they consider to be one of their most ambitious projects yet.

The idea for Shibuya, the second installment in Nicolay’s City Lights series, was conceived after Nicolay’s first visit to Tokyo in November 2006. The experience proved to be life changing for Nicolay, who has studied Japanese culture for most of his adult life. “This amazing place and all of its sounds and colors immediately filled up my senses,” he says. “I felt reinvigorated.”

Peace

Jill Scott’s “The Way” Covered By Carlitta Durand

Carlitta Durand, born November 19, 1984 in Minneapolis, MN into a multi-racial family, has always been destined for diversity and change. Introduced to music at a very young age, in her mother’s belly, Carlitta has always had a deep love for music. Prince’s Purple Rain is one of Carlitta’s first memories of music, falling in love with every piano riff, percussion beat, and Prince’s indescribable talent and voice. Carlitta started singing in pre-school, her teacher would catch her all by herself singing opera, she caught on very quick to any type of music. Having been influenced by the greats, Chaka khan, Marvin Gaye, Tina Turner, TLC, SWV, The Gap band, Earth wind and fire, missy eliot, de la soul, tribe called quest, Carlitta has incorporated hip hop, funk, soul and r&b in her music. Carlitta remembers singing all the words to Keith Sweat’s “I want her”. “Music has always been my own little getaway”, Carlitta never thought music would take her this far, and “it’s just something I love to do”. Carlitta moved to North Carolina at the age of 14, her family: her mother, brother, father and sister, made up the choir at the church they attended. Never once did she think she’ll have the opportunities that she’s had in the past couple years of her life. Carlitta attends North Carolina Central University, the university that changed her life. She’s been able to network at NCCU and have the wonderful opportunity of working with international recording artists Little Brother. Also working with the Grammy award winning 9th Wonder has had an impact on Carlitta’s life in such a great way, she’s been able to work with artists she’s never imagined working with. Carlitta intends to continue to make music and inspire people all over the world with every experience she goes through that turn into self-written songs. Carlitta writes all her own songs, her timeless jazzy, smooth vocals, will soon be heard worldwide.

A Shining Star since the very beginning

Produced by 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Nottz, Oddisee, RJD2, Focus, Babu, & Midi Mafia
Words by Phonte & Rapper Pooh

Now you can enjoy Ms. Durand and her vocals as she flies outside of Little Brother, Foreign Exchange and Zo! and Tigallo with Carlitta’s Way. The mood is set rightly with hints and whiffs of Hip-Hop, Soul, Funk and R&B melding and mixing throughout to begin a firm stamping of a career path for Carlitta. Standout tracks “Galaxy 19″ , “Her” , and “What If”  hint at the potential of a sound and system in the industry distinct from all others, and branded beyond as “Carlitta’s Way.”

Download…….Carlitta’s Way