OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Stuttgart, Germany, Apr 14, 2011
Mercedes-Benz supports a unique Music project from BLAG: BLAG invites Estelle, David Banner and Daley to create a brand new Song – inspired by Janis Joplin
“Oh Lord, won’t you buy me…” – with these lyrics, Janis Joplin made history. Taking inspiration from her classic 1971 song, singer/songwriter Estelle along with rapper/producer David Banner and the hotly tipped artist Daley were brought together – by British based international style magazine BLAG – to create a brand new song in honour of the inventor of the automobile. The track “Benz”, by Grammy award winning producer David Banner, is an upbeat, celebratory track inspired by his Mississippi roots. The three artists composed a brand new melody and lyrics. Their different musical styles flowed together resulting in an impactful and harmonious crossover, recorded at Record Plant, Los Angeles. Thrilled about the idea, Mercedes-Benz supports the project.
On 18th April, BLAG will release the brand new track and video ‘Benz’ via iTunes internationally. Additionally the debut BLAG Deluxe App for iPad and coffee table magazine will also be released, both will feature the making-of, photos and interviews with Estelle, David Banner and Daley.
On hearing about the idea, Mercedes-Benz was thrilled by the concept and decided to support BLAG and the three artists involved with this project. The world debut live performance will take place during the Mercedes-Benz press conference at the Shanghai Auto Show on 19th April 2011.
"Even though it was created before we were all born, the original Janis Joplin track resonates with all of us. We all came together on the meaning for the new version and thought it should be about ambition and triumph. The fact it's the 125th Anniversary of the car is a perfect tie-in too," said Sally A. Edwards, who co-owns BLAG together with her twin Sarah J. Edwards. The BLAG founders love bringing people together and decided to invite Estelle, David Banner and Daley, specifically picking them for their different styles and musical backgrounds.
The artists are real fans of the original track and were genuinely excited by the idea of working together, and Mercedes-Benz is equally as thrilled. “When BLAG introduced us to the idea for the song and the artists, we immediately decided to lend our support to the project. We are especially honoured that these young artists have chosen to record a song about the brand Mercedes-Benz,” said Christoph Horn, Director Global Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars.
About BLAG and the participating artists
BLAG is a high-end British music, fashion, art, film, culture and design magazine and iPad App with global distribution, created entirely by founders Sally A. Edwards and Sarah J. Edwards. They possess excellent contacts in the cultural, music and art scenes.
David Bannera Grammy Award winning producer, rapper, actor and philanthropist achieved his musical breakthrough with the 2003 single “Like a Pimp” and the album “Mississippi – The Album”. He has since released 5 albums including “The Greatest Story Ever Told” in 2008 which featured several guest appearances by the likes of Yung Joc, Snoop Dogg, Akon and Chris Brown. His most recent album “Death Of A Popstar” is a joint effort with 9th Wonder, and in stores now. His past production credits include: Lil Wayne, Kanye West, T.I., Nelly, Maroon 5, Snoop Dogg, Quincy Jones, Jamie Foxx, Anthony Hamilton, Chris Brown, Busta Rhymes and Zac Brown.
Grammy award winning singer-songwriter Estelle released her first studio album “The 18th Day” in 2004 from which three singles (“1980”, “Free” and “Go Gone”), made the UK Top 40 charts. In 2008 Estelle landed at the top of the UK and US charts with ‘American Boy’ featuring Kanye West. The single took a Grammy Award for Best collaboration and was Song of the Year nominee. ‘American Boy’ received a huge amount of airplay in Europe, the US and Canada and made history as the third ever number one UK single to be certified platinum by the RIAA for digital sales alone exceeding one million. The single was taken from Estelle’s second album ‘Shine’ where she also collaborated with Cee-Lo Green, Will.I.Am, Kardinal Offishall and John Legend. Estelle has since worked with David Guetta on ‘Freak’ for her third album, ‘All of Me’ which will be released in 2011. Besides music, Estelle is heavily involved in philanthropy and set up the ‘All of Me Foundation’ with a mission to educate, enlighten and expand the horizons of young people.
British soul singer Daley is considered an exceptional talent. His unique and extraordinarily expressive voice led to his discovery by the BBC in 2009 and in 2010 he was named in the “BBC’s Sound of 2011”. He collaborated with the British band Gorillaz as lead vocalist on their latest single “Doncamatic” in November 2010.
Information and facts on production of the video and song “Benz”
- Initiator and Publisher: BLAG Magazine, Sally A. Edwards & Sarah J. Edwards
- Music: David Banner
- Lyrics and Vocals: David Banner, Estelle and Daley
- Producer: David Banner
- Executive Producers Song: Sally A. Edwards, Sarah J. Edwards and Corey Smyth
- Video Directors and Producers: Sally A. Edwards & Sarah J. Edwards
- Video Producers: Matt Goldberg and Brandon Carroll, Herzog and Company, Los Angeles
- DP: David Robert Jones
- Production Designer: Melanie Jones
- Video Editor: Jared Varava
- Car in Video: Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Convertible (Model W111, built in 1971)
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