#pepsi pulse

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Sebastian Mikael "Made For Me" ft. Teyana Taylor (VIdeo)

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This Week on Pepsi Pulse _ "5 Ways Queen Latifah Changed the Game"

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Complex Wins _ "Part of a repositioning of the Pepsi brand around a "Live for Now" theme, the content focus involves partnerships with the likes of Complex, and content by editorial staff, as well as tie-ins with celebrities like Beyonce and football star Victor Cruz."

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This Week on Pepsi Pulse _ Janelle Monae: "Heroes" The First Filmtrack From Beats of the Beautiful Game

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Today on Pepsi Pulse _ Artist of the Week: Zendaya

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Two-time Grammy nominated progressive and electro house DJ Morgan Page creates and remixes tracks that make your favorite songs, your favorite again.  The American artist does so by pushing himself as a performer and musician and advancing the notion of what DJing should be about. One step in his progression that blew the roof off […]

[andrewghickey]

The Ten Best Songs to Skydive to

The Ten Best Songs to Skydive to

(Pepsi Pulse, December 2013)

What would it take to get you to go skydiving? There probably aren't a ton of things that could convince a person to jump out of a plane. Music has the power to make us courageous, take chances, and do crazy things with gusto!  It might sound wild, but by the end of the right soundtrack we think anyone can get over their fear of heights. Here are ten songs that would be the perfect soundtrack to jumping out of a plane.

1 RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, HIGHER GROUND

From the moment the slinky bassline and driving guitar kicks in you’ll be inspired to get up and move. No strangers to blood-pumping anthems, the Chili Peppers put their own spin on the Stevie Wonder classic, complete with rousing choir vocals on the chorus. Extra points go to you if you know which ‘90s superhero-based movie this song was featured in.

2 AVICII, LEVELS

Avicii’s signature hit is like a shot of adrenaline to your senses, no matter what the occasion may be. There’s something about a pulsing synthesizer line that just hits you. This dancefloor filler will make you want to trade in your boring office desk and outdated business suit for a jumpsuit and a gust of wind to the face.

3 A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS, I RAN (SO FAR)

One of the catchiest, and more bizarre pop hits of all time, “I Ran” is an example of a song being inspiring, even when you don’t know what the message is. Its driving beat and science fiction-style lyrics are the perfect accompaniment to your leap! Be warned, however, your hair may end up looking like lead singer Mike Score once you reach the ground.

4 IMAGINE DRAGONS, RADIOACTIVE

This Las Vegas quartet makes living in a post-apocalyptic future world sound pretty damn enticing with their now-ubiquitous anthem. Combining pop sensibilities with a dubstep touch, “Radioactive” will get you pumped while leaving enough breathing space for the impending experience to truly dawn on you.

5 VAN HALEN, JUMP

From the name itself to that legendary keyboard sound, Van Halen’s classic single is simply inspiring. Since it’s release in 1984 it has been getting people from all walks of life psyched up for everything from going to the gym to acing that final school exam. Note: Skintight red leather jumpsuit is optional.

6 MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS, CAN’T HOLD US

Even before Macklemore comes in with his blue-collar rhymes you feel like you are ready to conquer anything. The song perfectly captures the joys of accomplishment and freedom, while the marching-band-meets-gospel-choir backing gives you that feeling like you’ve got an 808 in your heartbeat.

7 NEW RADICALS, YOU GET WHAT YOU GIVE

Few songs create a feeling of optimism like this slice of late ‘90s gold. Even if are having the baddest of bad hair days, or maybe something a little more dramatic, you would be hard-pressed to not be moved by the message and pure positivity this pop oddity exudes.

8 EMINEM, BERZERK

Dating back to when Run-DMC first kicked doors down with Aerosmith, the union of hip-hop and rock has brought us many adrenaline-pumping anthems. In the modern rap-rock collaboration to end all others, Slim Shady hooks up with the godfather himself, Rick Rubin, to get your party started. While his cheeky wordplay remains as sharp as ever, you can tell Em is having the most fun of his career, which leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling.

9 KANYE WEST AND LUPE FIASCO, TOUCH THE SKY

“On top of the world baby,” says Kanyeezy on his triumphant 2006 hit. You can’t help but feel exactly the same when putting this one on. Taking Curtis Mayfield’s inspirational original “Move on Up” and updating it for the hip-hop generation, the superstar talks about his humble beginnings and makes you feel like you can go sky high if you work hard enough.

10 ICONA POP, I LOVE IT

Have you ever felt like just saying goodbye to negativity and embracing life to the fullest? Good thing this lovable Swedish duo is here to help, with one of the more unique and empowering pop anthems in recent times. Check it out here.

[andrewghickey]

Ten Classic Songs New Artists Should Remake

Ten Classic Songs New Artists Should Remake (Pepsi Pulse, November 2013)

Whether about a night of hooliganism or being up in da club, an anthem can transcend age, culture and geographic barriers. While genre labels make it easier to categorize music you simply can’t pinpoint why a song resonates with people on a deep emotional level. Suburban-ites who get down at karaoke night to Tupac’s “California Love” can’t necessarily identify with being a West Coast baller but that doesn’t take away from their attraction to the song’s infectious chorus and funky beat. Now just imagine Kendrick Lamar reinventing it--generations collide. It’s a combination of many ingredients that all come together to make a classic anthem. With that in mind we have decided to get all back-to-the-future by pairing up some of today’s finest hit-makers with classic anthems that deserve to be rediscovered and reimagined. We bring to you Ten Classic Songs New Artists Should Remake.

1. FUN. DOES BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN’S “DANCING IN THE DARK” Few artists represent the American common man like Brucey boy. His relatable tales of love, angst and growing up have served as the soundtrack for people for over four decades. For today’s fast-living generation, NYC-based trio Fun. sums up their experiences with stirring anthems like “Some Nights.” Frontman Nate Ruess could reinterpret the lyrics with his emotionally charged vocal chops as his cohorts put a modern minimalist spin on the ‘80s heavy composition.

2. THE ROOTS DO DJ JAZZY JEFF & THE FRESH PRINCE “SUMMERTIME” Summer is a season tailored made for anthems. In 1991 future movie superstar Will Smith and his underappreciated partner laced many a BBQ with this timeless hit. With their unparalleled musicianship fellow Philadelphia natives The Roots are the perfect candidates to bring out the cruisy vibes of the Kool & The Gang-sampling beat, while Black Thought could exude effortless cool on the mic.

3. PHARRELL WILLIAMS DOES STEVIE WONDER’S “MY CHERIE AMOUR” The music of Stevie Wonder stirs up many emotions and continues to be beloved the world over. Much like his one-man-band forefather, who has written, produced and performed his own material from a young age, Pharrell Williams is a musical virtuoso. The producer-singer has the falsetto to pull off the emotional tone of the song while tapping into a new level of musicality and melody with an uptempo rendition.

4. JAY Z, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE & JIMMY FALLON DO THE BEASTIE BOYS, “NO SLEEP TIL BROOKLYN” Cited in the mid-to-late-’80s as the bad boys of hip-hop and rock music, the Beastie Boys were always about having fun. The unofficial ambassador of Brooklyn, Jay Z has proven his vocal ability to be both playful and authoritative. Meanwhile, his showbiz pals JT and Jimmy Fallon have demonstrated their skill for reinterpreting old school rap classics and could truly bring the party vibe. Add Rick Rubin behind the boards and you’ve got yourself an anthem.

5. FLORENCE WELCH DOES CYNDI LAUPER’S “TRUE COLORS” The world of music has been home to many bombastic personalities and true individuals. In the neo-tinted ‘80s Cyndi Lauper was the pied piper. A fellow fiery redhead, Florence Welch has carved out her own place as a one-of-a-kind artist. Welch has both the artistic sensibility and outstanding vocal skills to give this ballad the epic feel it deserves.

6. BRUNO MARS DOES THE POLICE’S “DON'T STAND SO CLOSE TO ME” The sensitive bad boy has long been a staple of pop music dating back to the days of Elvis. In his day Sting could very well be recognized as the poster boy, while Bruno Mars certainly has many of the qualities to be today’s equivalent. One of The Police’s signature anthems, this song’s ebbs and flows could really play to Mars and his love of emotional, stylised vocal delivery and reggae-tinged beats.

7. PINK & ADAM LEVINE DO EDDIE MONEY & RONNIE SPECTOR’S “TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT” Many music purists might scoff at power ballads for being too syrupy. These same hard-shelled people can probably be found playing “Total Eclipse of the Heart” on repeat. In the decade of emo anthems, Eddie Money teamed up with girl-group legend Ronnie Spector to produce the undeniably catchy “Take Me Home Tonight.” Putting a gender-bending twist on the song, duet queen Pink would be ideal to fill in for the husky voiced Money, while Levine could help sweeten the chorus with his slinky voice.

8. EMELI SANDÉ DOES AEROSMITH’S “CRAZY” At first listen you wouldn't associate arena rock gods like Aerosmith with a young female British crooner. However, listening closely to emotive efforts such as “Next to Me” and “Suitcase” you could be singing a different tune. The genre-fusing Sandé undeniably has the vocal breadth to really cut to the heart of Aerosmith’s bluesist ballad.

9. ROBIN THICKE DOES MICHAEL JACKSON’S “DON'T STOP TIL YOU GET ENOUGH”

No strangers to filling the dance floor and being under the media glare, MJ and Robin Thicke draw from a similar energy and inspiration. Responsible for his own brand of soul-infused pop anthems, Thicke could add a coat of hot candle wax to this hit with his seductive vocal style. Calling on his buddy Pharrell for production duties would be the icing on the rhythmic cake. 10. ADELE DOES ELTON JOHN’S “DON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME”

The UK is responsible for blessing the world with countless gifts, with musical talent being possibly its greatest contribution. We’ll give them a pass for Hugh Grant. Dating back to the ‘70s, Elton John has arguably been the king of anthems. An epic anthem such as this calls for an epic talent, so enter the monumentally gifted Adele. If anyone can do the original justice while adding their own presence it’s this heralded singer-songwriter. Even the famously hard-to-please Sir Elton would surely extend his endorsement for this rendition.