Happy to announce that you are now able to stream my Making SkyBreak documentary via Kweli.TV!!
CLICK HERE TO WATCH
Category Archives: News
Zo! – FourFront (2019)
Zo! – FourFront
Released August 9, 2019
Lyrics and Liner Notes
PURCHASE VINYL
01. On The Four (feat. Carmen Rodgers)
02. Smile (feat. Devin Morrison)
03. Neither One Of Us (feat. Madison McFerrin & Phonte)
04. For Moms (feat. Deborah Bond)
05. Bet You Wonder (feat. Madison McFerrin)
06. Love Up (feat. Carmen Rodgers & Eric Roberson)
07. Crash (feat. Sy Smith)
08. Sweat (feat. Stokley)
09. Step Up Front (feat. Deborah Bond)
Photo by Antoine Lyers
Design and Layout by Chris Charles
Mixed and Mastered by Chris Boerner
FourFront is available on
Amazon
Apple iTunes
Apple Music
Beatport
Deezer
Google Play
Spotify
Tidal
Sherman’s Showcase Music Breakdown
Meet Sherman (Season 1, Episode 1)
Meet Sherman introduces Sherman McDaniels, host of Sherman’s Showcase. John Legend walks us through a history of The Showcase – from Sherman’s parentage, to the origin of the show, with highlights throughout the show’s run from 1972-present day.
Theme From Sherman’s Showcase (70’s/80’s Version) (1:19 – 2:57)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
All Instruments by Zo!
All Vocals by Phonte
“That Ain’t Right” (3:59 – 5:12)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
All Instruments by Zo!
All Vocals by Phonte
“Drop It Low (For Jesus)” (18:47 – 19:44)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
Written by Phonte Coleman, Diallo Riddle & Zuri Salahuddin
All Instruments by Zo!
Vocals by Zuri Salahuddin
“That Ain’t Right Again” (20:12 – 20:50)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
All Instruments by Zo!
All Vocals by Phonte
The Showcase Dancers (Season 1, Episode 2)
Host, Nigel Lythgoe introduces the dancers of Sherman’s Showcase and shares significant moments in the series, including marriages between dancers, dancer-based controversies, and the show’s only robotic dancer, the Funk-A-Tron 2000.
Theme From Sherman’s Showcase (70’s/80’s Version) (1:19 – 2:57)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
All Instruments by Zo!
All Vocals by Phonte
“Time Loop” (14:23 – 16:51)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
Written by Phonte Coleman, Diallo Riddle
All Instruments by Zo!
Vocals by Ne-Yo
Behind The Charade (Season 1, Episode 3)
Host Morris Day, documents the rise, fall and rise of iconic pop star, Charade, from his discovery on Sherman’s Showcase through his historic 2007 comeback.
Theme From Sherman’s Showcase (70’s/80’s Version) (0:50 – 1:44)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
All Instruments by Zo!
All Vocals by Phonte
“Vicki, Is The Water Warm Enough” (5:34 – 6:56) & (21:14 – 21:36)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
All Instruments by Zo!
Vocals by Vic Mensa
Enemies (Season 1, Episode 4)
Sherman reflects on his many haters over the decades as we dig into the rivalries and feuds of The Showcase. Turns out, genuine friendship is a rare commodity in showbiz, especially if you’re talking about frenemies John Legend and Common.
Theme From Sherman’s Showcase (2013 Version) (0:38 – 1:35)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
All Instruments by Zo!
All Vocals by Phonte
The Ladies Of The Showcase (Season 1, Episode 5)
Host Mary J. Blige introduces just some of the female artists who used Sherman’s Showcase as a launchpad for their careers. Performances include an unusual rap battle, a black girl magic act, and a performance by Mary herself.
Theme From Sherman’s Showcase (2013 Version) (0:36 – 1:41)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
All Instruments by Zo!
All Vocals by Phonte
“Raise The Roof” (18:26 – 19:15)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
All Instruments by Zo!
All Vocals by Bresha Webb
“Louder Than Lies” (20:17 – 20:52) & (21:18 – 21:38)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
All Instruments by Zo!
All Vocals by Bresha Webb
July 8, 1995 (Season 1, Episode 6)
A very ’90s episode of “Sherman’s Showcase from July 8, 1995. Sherman’s producer called it “the single best episode in the history of the show.” Performers include Big Freddy Payne, a go-go band and a trailer for a movie about Montell Jordan.
Theme From Sherman’s Showcase (90’s Version) (1:06 – 1:52)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
All Instruments by Zo!
All Vocals by Phonte
“Runnin'” (3:52 – 5:20)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
All Instruments by Zo!
Lead Vocals by Bashir Salahuddin
“The Black Kids in the White School (College Go-Go Song)” (8:59 – 10:18) & (21:18 – 21:36)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
Bass & Guitar by Zo!
Drums by Chris “Biscuit” Bynum
Percussion by Leroy “Boogie” Greer
Lead Mic by Phonte
“This Is My Fantasy” (18:44 – 20:58)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
All Instruments by Zo!
All Vocals by Bresha Webb
White Music (Season 1, Episode 7)
An aging punk singer explores the many different white artists who have performed on “Sherman’s Showcase.” Sherman used his show as a platform to try and bridge the racial gap. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it was awkward.
Theme From Sherman’s Showcase (70’s/80’s Version) (0:50 – 1:32)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
All Instruments by Zo!
All Vocals by Phonte
Ray J’s Showcase (Season 1, Episode 8)
In the season finale, Sherman is shocked to find himself in a world turned upside down, where Ray J is the host of his Showcase. Sherman races to uncover what triggered this alternate universe and finds himself face-to-face with an unexpected foe.
Theme From Sherman’s Showcase (70’s/80’s Version) (0:41 – 0:51)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
All Instruments by Zo!
All Vocals by Phonte
“Gauntlet Song” (1:26 – 2:28)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
All Instruments by Zo!
All Vocals by Phonte
“Time Loop” (11:59 – 15:26)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
Written by Phonte Coleman, Diallo Riddle, Bashir Salahuddin
All Instruments by Zo!
Vocals by Ne-Yo
Theme From Sherman’s Showcase (2013 Version) (19:48 – 20:25)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
All Instruments by Zo!
All Vocals by Phonte
“That Ain’t Right” (20:46 – 21:06)
Produced by Zo! & Phonte
All Instruments by Zo!
All Vocals by Phonte
‘Making SkyBreak’ is available NOW!!!
Man.
It’s here… It’s HERE!!
The Making SkyBreak Documentary is now available.
A personal album deserves a very personal film, right? I LOVE the way Digifé was able to capture behind-the-scenes work for #SkyBreak, accurately depict the personalities of my folks who contributed to the album… We even got Momma Zo! and my sister (Sister Zo!? lol) to sit down for interviews. I really can’t begin to go into how extremely PROUD I am of this project. I’m absolutely appreciative of the work put in by Donnie, Eric, Raphael and Avery… I’m even MORE excited that everyone now has an opportunity to watch the finished product.
Making SkyBreak includes appearances from Phonte, Carmen Rodgers, Sy Smith, Joi, Waajeed, Shana Tucker, Tamisha Waden, Duane Powell, LaDarrel “Saxappeal” Johnson, Kristopher Crosby, Kamau Inaede, Aaron Abernathy, RoddyRod and Zana Smith (of Spectacles Detroit)
WATCH MAKING SKYBREAK HERE!
NEW Zo! Online Store Rewards Program
I am introducing a Zo! Rewards Program for my online store!!
Effective IMMEDIATELY
Each time you shop and accumulate $100 at the store online…
You will be sent a personalized coupon code to receive $10 OFF of your next order!!
After each order placed, you will be emailed an update on your current reward status.
For example, if you place an order for $30…
“You are up to 30 points! Currently 70 away from your $10 off Reward!”
Spend $100
Get $10 OFF
Pretty simple, but I wanted to show appreciation to my people who are and have been loyal customers this way.
Much love to you!!
Cheers to the start of an excellent new year!!
CLICK HERE TO START EARNING REWARDS!
“The Takeover” – Film by Digifé | Score by Zo!
In the summer of 2017 while in California hosting screenings for our recently completed documentary (Making SkyBreak) on the creation of my album, SkyBreak… Digifé (then Digital Café) approached me about a brand new project they had just been commissioned by Northwestern University to do… They wanted to know if I would be willing to score it. To be honest, I don’t even remember if I even knew what the doc was gonna be about when I first interrupted Donnie Seals (of Digifé) to blurt out, “Maaaaan, HELL yeah!!” Fast forward to Sept 2018, here we are with a helluva finished product that I’m super proud to be a part of.
“What was most impressive was the speed and depth this dude works. One day he’d send some funk that sounded like James Brown, the next day epic music like John Williams.” – Donnie Seals of Digifé
The Takeover (2018)
Film by Digifé
Score by Zo!
Check the film’s OFFICIAL trailer…
With the Digifé crew: Eric Seals, Donnie Seals, Brittany Applegate & Cassandra Papillon-Page
Post-screening panel
Quick picture with The Takeover’s narrator, NU alum, Harry Lennix.
Got to chat briefly with Harris Lennix
Film Credit – “Original Score: Zo!”
With Tim and Daphne Maxwell-Reid who as Northwestern’s first Black Homecoming Queen in 1968, told her story in The Takeover
“Intention. + Purpose.” AND “Star Of The Story” Tees Available for a FINAL Time
‘Intention. + Purpose.’ Tee (Available in Men’s & Women’s Sizes) – Pictured: Sy Smith
‘Star Of The Story’ Tee (Available in Women’s Sizes) – Pictured: Sy Smith
‘Intention. + Purpose.’ Tee (Available in Men’s & Women’s Sizes) – Pictured: Sy Smith
‘Star Of The Story’ Tee (Available in Women’s Sizes) – Pictured: Sy Smith
BOTH of these shirts are currently in stock and available for the LAST time.
Once these batches sells out…
They are gone for good.
“Intention. + Purpose.”
Available in Men’s and Women’s sizes
“Star Of The Story”
Available in Women’s sizes
A Zo! Original Tees
“Intention. + Purpose” Designed by Steve Santos for esinessDESIGN
“Star Of The Story” Designed by Robert Roberson
Modeled by Sy Smith
Making SkyBreak Nominated in TWO categories at The Black Reel Awards!
Making SkyBreak has been nominated in two categories at The Black Reel Awards!
• Outstanding Independent Documentary •
Making SkyBreak Directed by Donnie Seals Jr.
• Outstanding Song •
“Starlight” by Zo! featuring Phonte
Feels great to be nominated and hopefully we can also pull out a victory! We’ll see!
FULL LIST OF NOMINEES
25% Off Of EVERYTHING – End Of the Year SALE
Starting today, I’m running a 25% off sale!
Everything in the store is fair game
This includes:
• T-Shirts •
• Hoodies •
• CDs •
• Posters •
GO TO THE ZO! STORE
Use the code: ZOSALE17
AND
The Zo! Hoodies have been completely RESTOCKED!!
Zo! – ‘SkyBreak’ (2016)
The third +FE Music release from producer, multi-instrumentalist, and musical director of The Foreign Exchange, Zo!.
The 10 song collection features guest appearances from Eric Roberson, Phonte, Muhsinah, innovative UK soul wonder Dornik, and longtime Dungeon Family affiliate and funk/rock veteran Joi.
01. Lake Erie feat. Sy Smith
02. Starlight feat. Phonte
03. Packing For Chicago feat. Muhsinah
04. I Don’t Mind feat. Shana Tucker
05. Wishing You Well feat. Carmen Rodgers
06. A Season feat. Eric Roberson
07. Just Whatcha Like feat. Joi
08. Lifelines feat. Dornik
09. For Pops
10. Steal My Joy feat. Tamisha Waden
Purchase SkyBreak
Listen to SkyBreak
