Pride Music: Jamie Hannah "Sound Of My Youth"

Boy George protege, Jamie Hannah

Since 2017, Jamie Hannah has been working with Benny D, an award winning producer who has worked with artists including Stormzy and Kylie Minogue, to produce his debut E.P which will be released this year.

Brought into the project by Benny D, Boy George has been consistently impressed with Jamie Hannah’s voice, even going as far as saying that he’s never heard a voice like his.

The first single, "Sound of My Youth," showcases his unforgettably smooth tone as the lyrics share the story of a past relationship that you just can't seem to forget about, and the memories that continue to haunt you.

Jamie Hannah’s pure and emotive voice perfectly encapsulates the nostalgia and melancholy of the song while the lyrics document the singer's feelings of ‘drowning’ and loss in a truly emotional way.

Hannah's classical training at the Royal College of Music is self-evident on the track demonstrating real complexity and sophistication.

The track begins simply with a collection of dreamy, laidback synths before it’s quickly kicked up a notch by the addition of a weighty and pulsating drum beat and Hannah’s commanding vocals.

The track recently hit Top 5 on Music Week's Commercial Pop chart.

Check it out below, and find more about Hannah on his Instagram here.

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TOP 5 in the Commercial Club Charts for the Sound of My Youth F9 Remix! 😱💜 @musicweekinsta

A post shared by Jamie Hannah (@justjamiehannah) on Jun 19, 2019 at 6:55am PDT

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Who’s pout game is stronger? @boygeorgeofficial 🌈💕✨ Great night at Scala watching @officialwearebrando . Happy Birthday Bowie!

A post shared by Jamie Hannah (@justjamiehannah) on Jan 9, 2019 at 3:55am PST

Boy George Storms Off The Set Of 'The Voice Australia'

Boy George

During the blind auditions for the Australian edition of The Voice, Boy George inquired if a contestant played guitar.

The young singer replied he can play guitar, but "no one really cares if I play guitar."

The comment caught BG a bit sideways as moments later, the pop star stormed off the set.

When a producer ran after him, the singer yelled back, "Don't follow me - I'm annoyed."

The look on the face of the young singer, who clearly didn't mean to offend anyone, was painful.

Watch below.

First New Music From Culture Club In Nearly 20 Years - "Let Somebody Love You"

Culture Club

Grammy Award-winning Culture Club has dropped its first new single in nearly 20 years in advance of a new album, Life, due for release October 26. Boy George announced the news via Facebook this morning.

The new track, “Let Somebody Love You,” written by singer Boy George, guitarist Roy Hay, bassist Mikey Craig and drummer Jon Moss, has been popular at the band’s recent live concerts. This is the first time its available as a studio track. The song continues the band’s tradition of embracing a classic reggae-infused sound.

"Love is revolution / War and famine too / If you’ve the hunger in your heart / Let somebody love you"

The last single released by the band was all the way back in 1999 with “Cold Shoulder.”

Boy George

Culture Club had planned to release new music in 2015, but the album was eventually shelved with no explanation.

Known for huge hits in the 1980s like “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me” and “Karma Chameleon,” Culture Club has racked up sales of over 150 million albums worldwide despite having released only 5 albums.

The band’s frontman, Boy George, gained worldwide attention for his asexual/androgynous appearance coupled with his gift with a quick quip. In addition to a successful solo career, George has also released successful albums as a DJ.

Listen to the new single, “Let Somebody Love You,” below.

Boy George Reinvents Village People Classic "YMCA" For Aussie Marriage Equality

Boy George, currently serving as a judge on The Voice Australia, has teamed up with YMCA Australia to reinvent the Village People hit, YMCA," in an effort to shine a spotlight on issues important to Australian youth like marriage equality, mental health and youth unemployment.

But George did pause, initially, in approaching the iconic disco hit.

Via The Daily Telegraph:

“I thought absolutely not. How could you cover that song?” he said. “The thing about covering songs, you have to get inside the song and see if it works and when I started to listen to the lyrics they were weirdly revealing.”

Now, after recording the song as part of the charity organisation’s new campaign, the 56-year-old loves the new, stripped back version. “I started to think, this is going to really work in my shows.”

I always find the idea of slowing down a classic hit in order to mine "new gold" an interesting premise. As we've all seen with other covers, not every song benefits from a thoughtful revisit. I agree with BG here, though. The lyrics do have something new to offer, and he's found something here.

I like :)

Watch the music video below.

@YMCA_Australia 'It's fun to stay at the YMCA! https://t.co/4Jrn7ZHCDR

— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) June 19, 2017

We've reclaimed our song and @BoyGeorge has reimagined it to introduce the YMCA to a new generation. #WhyNot https://t.co/itETzx4Hag

— YMCA Australia (@YMCA_Australia) June 19, 2017

Boy George Heading To Reality TV

Moving from London to Los Angeles, what's a Boy to do?

Well, if you're Boy George, you star in a reality TV show.

BG, his manager Paul Kemsley plan to team with Bunim/Murray Productions for a "doc-series" chronicling the big move across the pond.

“If Marge Simpson met Dolly Parton and went dancing with Ziggy Stardust, it wouldn’t come close to what you’ll see,” Boy George said in announcing the project.

“Why now — why not? Why me — who else?”

Shooting is slated to begin this summer.

Boy George Tells Larry King He'd Still Perform In Indiana

Iconic pop music star Boy George tells Larry King on an upcoming appearance that despite the institution of the 'Religious Freedom Restoration Act' in Indiana, he'd perform in the state to keep his gay and lesbian fans happy.

"I always believe it's important to bring your music to the people who love you," says George.

Look for Boy George on Larry King Now this Wednesday, April 8th at 2pm EST/11am PST on www.ora.tv/larrykingnow.

Culture Club Cancels UK & North American Tours Due To Boy George's "Serious" Vocal Issues

Boy George announced via Facebook that he is "devastated" over the news that "serious" vocal problems dictate that Culture Club's UK & North American tours must be cancelled, at least for now.

After months of issues with his voice - which he had assumed were related to fatigue - George discovered that he has developed a polyp on one of his chords which had hemorrhaged. When this happens, one chord is larger than the other and they vibrate at different speeds which can create a callous.

Clearly, this isn't healthy.  Boy George went on to write:

'I never thought to check my throat because I have spent a lifetime just getting on with it,' George writes. 'I have been advised by doctors that to continue singing with this polyp would further damage my voice and could cause irreparable damage. 'It's a risk I cannot take.'

'I feel gutted to be letting people down. Such support makes my decision so much harder. To say I am devastated barely touches how I feel.'

In the mid 90s I actually went through the exact same issue while performing on Broadway in HELLO, DOLLY! The good news is the condition is treatable, and with the proper treatment and vocal therapy can be good as new in a few months.

Thinking best thoughts to Boy George.

New Music: Culture Club "Like I Used To"

A sneak peak from Boy George of the upcoming Culture Club album - first new set of music to be released in America from the group in 26 years.

Another tease can be found here.

(h/t JMG)

Culture Club together for the first time in 15 years: "Karma Chameleon"

Via Boy George'a Facebook Page:

“In case you missed me and the guys dust off the cobwebs for the first Culture Club performance in 15 years at Edinburgh Castle last week”

Performed live at Edinburgh Castle on Saturday 19th July 2014.

More information and performances from the event at http://www.bbc.co.uk/edinburghcastle

Boy George introduces Kylie Minogue at the 2014 GLAAD Media Awards in NYC

Boy George introduces the legendary Kylie Minogue as she steps up to perform at the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City. 

For more information about GLAAD's work, please visit http://www.glaad.org.

Boy George releases full new album on YouTube

Boy George, in an interview with the Huffington Post on performers being judged on their perceived sexuality as opposed to their talent:

“I prefer to live in a world where you are judged on talent and sexuality is completely secondary,” he revealed. “There have been many successful openly gay artists — George Michael, Neil Tenant, Marc Almond — but the bravest was always Jimmy Somerville. I’m doubtful if we will ever live in a world where sexuality won’t be an issue for at least a small minority. Homophobia and racism are part of the human condition.”

Boy George released his new album "This Is What I Do" in it's entirety as a streaming audio post on YouTube today.  Take a listen - still has a great voice. 

And his own style.