What better way to enjoy California’s gorgeous Pacific Coast Highway than to cruise down the scenic route in a brand new 2016 Chevy Malibu Hybrid, while on the way to a media influencer roundtable to discuss music for Revolt TV? No better way I tell you. On June 7th and 8th, Revolt and Chevrolet teamed up for an unforgettable trip.
After a two-hour drive in the high tech Malibu Hybrid from Santa Barbara to Malibu (which was playlist powered by Sowmya Krishnamurthy’s 90s era East Coast Hip-Hop and R&B), we arrived at the plush Malibu Beach House hotel, where every room has an ocean view. My media colleagues and I changed into more dinner appropriate attire for the Revolt TV roundtable discussion titled “A Journey Into Sound,” on all things music business at Future’s favorite sushi restaurant, NOBU.
With the conversation hitting on hot and heavy topics like the importance of social media in today’s music world, the current climate of live shows, artist inspiration and the relevance of critics, the recorded segment will be sure to raise some eyebrows and spark debate. The panelists: radio hosts Devi Brown aka Devi Dev; Hot97’s Laura Stylez; digital content creators Nick Huff of HardKnockTV; Kimberly Hines of SoulBounce; Pandora’s Hip-Hop channel controller Justin Boland; Zoila Darton of Mayimba Music; journalists Stephen Bardo and Sowmya K; moderators Armit of Revolt; media host Vanessa James; and the man of the hour, producer of Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly Terrace Martin brought heat to the table.
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The next morning, the crew enjoyed a great brunch conversation and learned more about the Chevy Malibu Hybrid, which boasts an impressive 47mpg on the highway and 46mpg in the city. The low emissions are evident with the ride, as you’ll think the car isn’t on when you push the ignition button. Super quiet and virtually no shake on start up, the Malibu was sure and steady as we drove mic’d up in the GoPro-outfitted Hybrids from Malibu to Revolt’s Los Angeles studio.
During the hour trip, the assigned partners were paired up in the rides (that’s my squad above) to continue the love of music talk and try out the many new additions to the redesigned vehicle.
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Once at the slickly designed Revolt studios, where original art pieces of soul, hip-hop and rock legends adorn the walls, the brigade was thoroughly entertained by the enormous jazz infused talents of the multi-instrumentalist Terrace Martin and his energetic band. “We are just going with the moments right now. That’s how jazz is, you have to take time to let those moments live musically.” Between variations on Kendrick Lamar’s “These Walls” and “I’m Real” (where a young songstress Rose Gold did the chorus lovely), Martin schooled the audience on the fact that soul doesn’t have a color or region, that music is boundless and we need to let the youth explore music with no barriers…a true journey into sound.
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Be on the look out for the program on Revolt TV, as VIBE was honored to be a part of the project. Better yet, we’ll keep you posted on the air dates, we got you.