Film and Broadway Star and now 57TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARD NOMINEE ANTONIQUE SMITH is celebrating her first GRAMMY NOMINATION in the Best Traditional R&B Performance category, in addition to the ascent of her debut single "Hold Up Wait A Minute (Woo Woo)". This is ANTONIQUE SMITH's first nomination. Antonique Smith, a native of East Orange, NJ, first garnered attention in her buzz-worthy leading role in "RENT" on Broadway as Mimi Marquez.
The accompanying video, directed by renown actor/director LARENZ TATE and co-starring actor
Lance Gross and Vine star King Bach made its debut on Tuesday, December 2, 2014. The single leads the much anticipated full length set "Love is Everything" on 9:23 Music Group is due early 2015. This critically acclaimed singer/songwriter is set to become one of the leading artists of our era.
"Hold Up Wait A Minute (Woo Woo)" is a retro meets futuristic, soul pleaser best described as a liberation song. The rousing anthem showcases
Antonique Smith's dynamic voice which channels the soulfulness of
Aretha Franklin with a pop sensibility à la
Celine Dion - two of her biggest influences alongside the legendary
Whitney Houston. While the song focuses on a tumultuous relationship the songstress is quick to point out the universal appeal of its message. "It's time to take the power back for all the injustices in our lives - from
Mike Brown to the kidnapping of innocent Nigerian girls and all the demoralizing issues in between. This is an anthem for people worldwide that demand respect. Hold Up Wait A Minute!"
Love Is Everything arrives in early 2015 via independent label 9:23 Music Group and boasts production from Toby Gad (Beyoncé,Fergie), Danja (
Justin Timberlake, Usher), Jukebox (
Willow Smith, Eve) and the elusive icon Dr. Dre. "It's an album that walks you through the full Love Experience." says Smith. "Hold Up Wait A Minute", is the "Love Empowerment Experience", it charges you to Love one's self, and put your foot down on your own injustices. While other songs show Love in different forms, Humility, Compromise and a bit of Tough Love too! I've experienced quite a few things and gained a little bit of wisdom. I'm trying to drop some jewels for both women and men as we navigate our way through Life and Love."
Antonique Smith will also be heard on the album HOME, a project presented by the Hip Hop Caucus to raise awareness about climate change and "expand the climate movement". Smith recorded a version of
Marvin Gaye's "Mercy Mercy Me", which serves as the album's lead single. The collection is currently up for pre-order and is available on iTunes today with additional contributions from Common, Ne-Yo and
Elle Varner.
She is most known for her portrayal of
Faith Evans in the hit film of the life of the Notorius B.I.G., "Notorious" where she received rave reviews and universal critical acclaim. Smith also starred in the 2011 indie drama "Yelling To The Sky" opposite
Zoe Kravitz and
Gabourey Sidibe and the action film "Abduction" opposite
Taylor Lautner and
Alfred Molina.
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