Lastrada's expansion of the uses of its catalog continues with the licensing of "Time 4 Sum Aksion" by Redman in the 2nd season of the Sci-Fi thriller POWER BOOK III: RAISING KANAN.  The twin rap hits by Redman and Ice Cube show the versality of the Lastrada catalog to work their way into a variety of television genres.  "Time 4 Sum Aksion" was a Top Rap hit for Redman in 1994, and are featured prominently in the POWER BOOK III: RAISING KANAN.

   

With an audience of nearly 1 billion people annually, the PEPSI SUPERBOWL HALFTIME SHOW has become the hallmark of successful marketing campaigns in the music industry.  This year's 2022 Superbowl will be one of the first-ever halftime shows dedicated to the Rap scene of Los Angeles, where the Superbowl is being played, and 2Pac's "California Love" is the hands-down featured favorite.  With live performances by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Mary J. Blige, the cover of "California Love" is sure to be this year's PEPSI SUPERBOWL HALFTIME SHOW hightlight!

   

The meteoric expansion of the Lastrada catalog in television shows continues on with the licensing of the Ronnie Hudson song "East Coast Poplock" in the hit cable series BILLIONS.  Until now, Lastrada's catalog has boasted an interest in Ronnie Hudson's "West Coast Poplock" which gained fame as one of the early 80's rap hits.  "East Coast Poplock", the coastal sister of the original 1982 song, has now also gained acclaim with this recent use in BILLIONS.

   

"More Bounce To The Ounce", the seminal hit by the Funk artist Zapp, can now be seen in the hit, cutting-edge televsion series NARCOS airing on Netflix.  "More Bounce To The Ounce" was a #2 R&B hit in 1980 and was Zapp's signature song.  In addition to being one of the most sampled songs in music history, "More Bounce To The Ounce" has been licensed for commercial campaigns (Papa John's Pizza, Calvin Klein, Hyundai Motors), motion pictures (Pixels, Boyz 'N The Hood, Straight Outta Compton), and television shows (New Girl, South Park, Snowfall, The Bernie Mac Show).  The south-of-the-border context use for "More Bounce To The Ounce" in NARCOS follows a pattern of wider use of the Funk classic across all genres.

   

As part of their relocation to the United States, the HARRY & MEGAN ESCAPING THE PALACE television show has tapped "West Coast Poplock" as part of the California-themed special.  "West Coast Poplock" performed by Ronnie Hudson is most noteworthy for its sample use in 2Pac's "California Love".  Nevertheless, "West Coast Poplock" stands on its own with uses in The Social Network, Chef, Snowfall and South Central, as well as being part of the ever-popular Grand Theft Auto video game series.

   

In the continued expansion of Lastrada's catalog in commercial advertising, BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD OF MASSACHUSETTS has licensed "Hold On (Change Is Comin')" for its new marketing campaign in the wake of COVID.  "Hold On (Change Is Comin')" was a Top 10 Gospel hit for Sounds Of Blackness in 1997.  With its Gospel roots, "Hold On (Change Is Comin')" has been licensed for Cece Winans Live, River Of Song and Something To Sing About, but has also shown its crossover appeal with Major League Baseball's Sunday Conversation.  The use by BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD is yet another example of that popular appeal for the song. 

   

"California Love", 2Pac's mega hit from 1996, was once again licensed by Lastrada this time for use in the television series DAY SHIFT.  "California Love" is one of the crown jewels in the Lastrada catalog with regular uses for commercials (Beats By Dre., Farmer John's), motion pictures (Scoob, Valentine's Day) and television uses (Parks & Recreation, South Park), solidifying its treasured place in 90's Hip Hop lore.

   

"Hold On (Change Is Comin')", the 1997 Gospel hit by Sounds of Blackness, is one of the underlying theme songs for this off-season in Major League Baseball as part of the MLB TONIGHT: A CONVERSATION series.  The use of "Hold On (Change Is Comin')", which interpolates the 1982 Top 10 R&B hit "Doo Wa Ditty (Blow That Thing)" by Zapp, highlights both the diversity of the Lastrada catalog and the ability of genre-specific songs to serve as crossover bridges to current popular culture.

   

HIP HOP UNCOVERED, the original FX documentary series detailing the behind-the-scenes stories of Hip Hop music, will feature Roger Troutman's "So Ruff, So Tuff" in its 2nd episode.  The 1981 "So Ruff, So Tuff" is considered one of the more influential songs in Hip Hop culture, giving rise to hits by The Beastie Boys, 2Pac, N.W.A., Ronnie Hudson, M.C. Hammer and Ice Cube.  The use also underscores the breadth of influence among Lastrada's 1980's R&B hits, which also include "More Bounce To The Ounce", "Fantastic Voyage", "And The Beat Goes On", "Computer Love", "As We Lay" and "I Want To Be Your Man".

   

Amazon Prime tapped the 1993 #1 rap hit "Time 4 Sum Aksion" for its special for THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL APOLLO THEATRE EVENT, which aired in August 2020.  The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has received acclaim for its look into the comedic scene of the 1950's through the lens of a female lead fighting against societal gender norms.  "Time 4 Sum Aksion", performed by Redman from his 'Platinum'-selling album Whut? Thee Album, was previously licensed in the motion picture You Got Served and for the animated television series The Simpsons, and has remained one of the lasting songs from the Hip Hop/Rap movement of the early 1990's.

   

PAPA JOHN'S PIZZA debuts its latest new product, the Cheeseburger Papadia, using "More Bounce To The Ounce" as its signature promotional song.  "More Bounce To The Ounce", the 1980 #2 R&B hit for Zapp, has gained acclaim for its broad promotional adverstising power in recent commercials for Calvin Klein and Hyundai Automative.  With complementary appeal in motion pictures (Pixels, Straight Outta Compton) and television shows (Snowfall, South Park, New Girl), "More Bounce To The Ounce" has predictably become a signature song of the 80's Funk/R&B era.

   

The latest addition to Lastrada's Hip Hop catalog of songs is USHER's "Bad Habits", the first release from USHER's forthcoming album due out this Fall.  Lastrada's interest in "Bad Habits" is derived from the artist's use of "Computer Love", the #8 R&B hit for Zapp in 1985, that has become a staple for Hip Hop and R&B artists since the early 90's, including 2Pac's "I Get Around", Brian McKnight's "Hold Me", Wiz Khalifa's "Something New" and Jodeci's "What About Us".  "Bad Habits" has already reached #9 on the R&B charts and could soon find its way to the top of the singles charts.

   

"California Love", one of the greatest Hip Hop hits of all time has been tapped once again for use in the animated motion picture SCOOB.  The appeal of the #1 worldwide hit "California Love" performed by the legendary 2Pac has spanned across a variety of motion picture genres, from Marmaduke, Straight Outta Compton and C.H.I.P.S. to Iron Man 2, Valentine's Day and A Million Ways To Die In The West, as well as commercial advertising placements for Budweiser Beer and Farmer John's.  Accordingly, the use in SCOOB offers one more indication of the preeminence of "California Love".

   

CALVIN KLEIN brands has tapped "More Bounce To The Ounce" to highlight its Anniversary advertising promotional campaign.  "More Bounce To The Ounce" was a #2 R&B hit for Zapp in 1980 and is recognized as one of the seminal Funk works of the time.  In addition to a commercial use for Hyundai Automative, and countless television and motion picture uses including Straight Outta Compton, Pixels, Soul Food, South Park and Nip Tuck, "More Boune To The Ounce" has been one of the most sampled works in history with uses by Notorious B.I.G., Puff Daddy, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and Eminem.

   

HYUNDAI MOTORS is making use of "More Bounce To The Ounce" in a national television commercial for its "Lowrider" series.  "More Bounce To The Ounce" was a #2 R&B hit for Zapp in 1980 and is considered one of the great Funk works of all time, earning recognition in television and motion pictures alike, including Nip Tuck, South Park, Snowfall, Everybody Hates Chris and Pixels.  "More Bounce To The Ounce" has also also received increased interest for its commercial potential (Calvin Klein, Papa John's), with HYUNDAI MOTORS being the latest to tap the potential of the R&B song market for its promotional advertising.

   

Lastrada's catalog has been repeatedly mined for its riches in 80's R&B genre in connection with the television series POSE. From "Dance Floor", the #1 R&B hit for Zapp in 1982, to EPMD's seminal 1988 Rap hit "You Gots To Chill", POSE has illustrated the broad-based appeal of Lastrada's catalog in 80's-based music.

   

The Coca-Cola Company has tapped the lyrics from 2Pac's classic work "Keep Ya Head Up" to be emblazoned on SPRITE soda bottles and cans as part of its Legends of Hip Hop marketing campaign.  "Keep Ya Head Up" was a #7 R&B hit for 2Pac in 1993 and has been one of the most licensed songs from 2Pac's catalog, including uses in The Hate U Give, Freedom Writers, as well as in the 2Pac biopic All Eyez On Me.  "Keep Ya Head Up" counts itself among other Hip Hop songs that have employed Zapp's "Be Alright" as its musical baseline, including H-Town's "Knockin' Da Boots" and MoKenStef's "He's Mine".

   

Lin-Manuel Miranda's "My Shot", the hit song from the worldwide Pultizer Prize-winning Broadway musical Hamilton, is being used as part of an AMERICAN EXPRESS commercial.  For many, "My Shot" is synonymous with Hamilton's success, frequently heard as the quasi-theme song for the musical's Tony Award-winning worldwide syndication.  "My Shot" has afforded Lastrada the ability to stand in the shadows of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical and theatrical genius.  The commercial use by AMERICAN EXPRESS is but one further way Lastrada has benefitted from this once-in-a-lifetime copyright.

   

Lastrada's catalog has served as a reservoir for songs licensed in the reboot of the 80's cold crime-investigating television series UNSOLVED.  Uses of "So Ruff, So Tuff" by Roger, "More Bounce To The Ounce" and "Dance Floor" by Zapp, and "Method Man" by Wu-Tang Clan attest to the wide-ranging appeal of Lastrada's 80's/90's R&B and Rap hits. Indeed, with songs licensed that cover a nearly 20-year span in music, UNSOLVED offers a clear glimpse into the musical treasures in the Lastrada catalog.

   

The long-running animated television series SOUTH PARK has reached back to the early 80's to tap one of Lastrada's most notable songs - "More Bounce To The Ounce". Lastrada has previously licensed songs from its catalog for use on SOUTH PARK, most notably Notorious B.I.G.'s "Going Back To Cali". However, with the licensing of Zapp's 1980 #2 R&B hit "More Bounce To The Ounce", the animated series offers a look into early R&B hits that are hallmarks of Lastrada's catalog.

   

One of the newest Marvel superhero coming onto the motion picture scene is Thomas Hardy's portray of VENOM.  With the title track "Venom" being performed by Rap megastar Eminem, Lastrada has added another significant song to its ever-growing catalog based on the sample use of Zapp's "More Bounce To The Ounce", which has been used by other giants in their new songs, including Notorious B.I.G., Puff Daddy, Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg.  Eminem's performance for VENOM yields another chart-breaking success.

   

Lebron James' arrival in an L.A. Laker uniform soon came with a new commercial tie-in to BEATS BY DRE featuring 2Pac's "California Love".  Of the vast hip hop hits in Lastrada's catalog, "California Love" stands as the most impactful song with uses across the board in commercials, motion pictures and television shows.  From Farmer John's to Budweiser Beer, from Iron Man 2 to Marmaduke, from South Park to Parks And Recreations, "California Love" remains one of the greatest hip hop hits from the 90's and sure to be repeatedly licensed in years to come.

   

The HBO television series BALLERS, story Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, has licensed songs from the Lastrada catalog, "Be Thankful For What You Got" and "Going Back To Cali", in two separate episodes.  "Be Thankful For What You Got" was a #1 R&B hit for William DeVaughn in 1973, and has been used in an array of television and motion picture uses, including Clear History, The Wire, The Bernie Mac Show and Radio.  "Going Back To Cali" was a Top 30 hit for Notorious B.I.G. in 1997, and has been licensed in connection with South Park, Fresh Off The Boat and The Defiant Ones.

   

Two songs from Lastrada's early 80's R&B catalog, "More Bounce To The Ounce" and "West Coast Poplock", have been licensed for the Fox television show SNOWFALL.  "More Bounce To The Ounce", which was a #2 R&B hit for Zapp in 1980, has been one of the more heralded songs in Lastrada's catalog, with recent uses in South Park and Unsolved, and commercial uses for Calvin Klein and Chrysler.  "West Coast Poplock" by Ronnie Hudson experienced a renaissance period with a use in the motion picture South Central before being sampled by 2Pac for his worldwide smash hit "California Love".

   

Lastrada is enjoying the success of the Broadway musical phenomenon HAMILTON from the front row with an interest in the musical's hit song "My Shot", which is was 1 of 3 songs peformed by the full cast for President Barak Obama in the White House in March 2016.  "MY SHOT" samples the song "Going Back To Cali", which was one of Notorious B.I.G.'s hits from his multi-Platinum album Life After Death.  Between the success of the Pulitzer Prize/Tony-winning musical and the play's Platinum soundtrack album, Lastrada's affiliation with HAMILTON has only afforded SRO-acclaim.

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Lastrada entered into a worldwide license with APPLE for the use of Jim Croce's "Time In A Bottle" in a year-long television commercial featuring the new Siri hands-free that also features Sesame Street's Cookie Monster.  "Time In A Bottle", a #1 Pop hit in 1971, has been used in a variety of commercials and television shows, including The West Wing, Nip/Tuck, MacGuyver and The Hangover Part II, but none more prominently than the current APPLE ad campaign.

   

RIDE ALONG 2, the much-anticipated sequel to the hit comedy starring Ice Cube and Kevin Hart, is being promoted with the help of "Ain't No Future In Yo' Frontin'" by M.C. Breen.  "Ain't No Future In Yo' Frontin'" was one of the earliest crossover Rap hits, peaking at #12 on the Rap charts in 1991 as well as charting on the R&B and Pop charts.  "Ain't No Future In Yo' Frontin'" continues to have legs nearly 25 years after its success, including a use in the motion picture Harsh Times and a recent use in the video game MLB 2014.  The RIDE ALONG 2 trailer using "Ain't No Future In Yo' Frontin'" is currently airing with the movie's release scheduled for early 2016.

   

"More Bounce To The Ounce", the 1980 #2 R&B hit by Zapp and one of the most prominent hits from the Funk Era, appears in the latest Adam Sandler motion picture PIXELS.  "More Bounce To The Ounce", which was also recently tapped for the motion picture Straight Outta Compton, has been used in a slew of motion picture and television uses, including Boyz 'N The Hood, Everybody Hates Chris, Losing Isaiah and Bernie Mac, as well as in video games and over 50 compilation albums.  "More Bounce To The Ounce" has also been sampled in over 100 new works, including by artists such as Snoop Dogg, Puffy, Ice Cube, M.C. Breed and EPMD.

   

This year's hottest motion picture STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON features 3 songs from the Lastrada catalog,  including 2Pac's "California Love", and Zapp's "More Bounce To The Ounce" and "Be Alright".  STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON has been atop the motion picture box office receipts since its release in August 2015. With its catalog rich in early Rap music and 80's works that were the inspiration for such works, Lastrada's catalog is a mainstay of the motion picture soundtrack.

   

FRESH OFF THE BOAT, the new hit NBC Television comedy series, has used two of Lastrada's songs from the early 90's in the show's first season on air:  "Ain't No Future In Yo' Frontin'" and "Knockin' Da Boots".  "Ain't No Future In Yo' Frontin'" was a top Rap hit for M.C. Breed in 1991, and "Knockin' Da Boots" was a #1 R&B hit for H-Town in 1992.  Both songs are part of Lastrada's repertoire of early 90's Rap and Hip-Hop songs that were hits of their times.  Both songs have been used in recent years:  "Ain't No Future In Yo' Frontin'" in the movie Harsh Times and on the video game MLB 14; "Knockin' Da Boots" on American Idol and In Living Color.  The two episodes of FRESH OFF THE BOAT aired in January 2015.

   

PARKS AND RECREATION, the hit television series starring Amy Poehler, Dean Holland, Michael Shur and Nick Offerman, used "California Love" in its  episode entitled Save JJ's which aired on January 27, 2015.  "California Love" remains 2Pac's single-most used work spanning commercials (Budweiser Beer, Farmer John's), motion pictures (Iron Man, Battle: Los Angeles), television (South Park, Law & Order), and video games (MLB 2014).  After claiming the #1 Pop and R&B spots in 1996, "California Love" remains one of the biggest Hip-Hop hits from the 90's era.

   

Kobalt Music Group, the world's 5th largest music publisher, has engaged Lastrada Entertainment to handle the administration of Kobalt's extensive sample and interpolation activities.  Lastrada has been at the forefront of sampling since the late 1980's, representing Sony/ATV Music Publishing, EMI Recorded Music, and a host of independent record companies and music publishers.  Currently, Lastrada also represents BMG Chrysalis Music, the world's 4th largest music publisher, as well as several European-based masters owners.  Kobalt, which previously did not have an in-house samples operation, will oversee all aspects of Lastrada's operation and thus give its clients the benefit of a new-found source of administrative services.   

Broadway will never be the same with the introduction of HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, an R&B/Hip-Hop answer to Abba, Carole King, The Four Seasons and Lieber & Stoller, that sets its musical libretto to the works of TUPAC SHAKUR.  Lastrada has interests in 4 of the show's 18 musical numbers, including the hits "Keep Ya Head Up", "I Get Around", "If I Die 2Nite" and, of course, 2Pac's seminal hit "California Love".  HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME began its Broadway run in the first week of June 2014.  An accompanying Broadway soundtrack album is due for release shortly thereafter.  In all, this represents a challenge for the producers of the show as well as for the typical Broadway audience, which may or may not be familiar with the legendary R&B/Hip-Hop artist.   

In what is described as one of the great action scenes, Jim Croce's "Time In A Bottle" is used in the latest version of the X-Men motion picture series.  "Time In A Bottle" is a natural selection for the time theme prevalent in X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST.  "Time In A Bottle" was a #1 Pop hit for Jim Croce in 1971 and has been used in a number of motion pictures, including The Hangover Part II and Clockstoppers.  The use in X-Men will, by far, provide the greatest exposure for the hit song with box office receipts that are expected to exceed $1 billion worldwide.

   

Trailers for the latest comedy sensation from Seth McFarlane, A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST, starring McFarlane, Charlize Theron and Liam Neeson, will feature 2Pac's "California Love".  "California Love", widely considered 2Pac's seminal song, was a #1 Pop/R&B hit in 1996.  Over the last 20 years, "California Love" has been used in connection with motion pictures including Marmaduke, Valentine's Day, Iron Man 2, Battle: Los Angeles, Born To Be A Star, Underclassman and Middle Men.  The song continues to be one of the most licensed songs in the Lastrada catalog across all media forms - television, commercials, video games and motion pictures.

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Lastrada has obtained exclusive worldwide rights in the WILLIAM DeVAUGHN masters catalog, which includes the 1973 #1 R&B/#3 Pop hit "Be Thankful For What You Got", as well as the tracks "Blood Is Thicker Than Water" and "Kiss And Make Up".  Although WILLIAM DeVAUGHN's career lasted for only 1 studio album, the masters included on the early 70's Roxbury Records album, Be Thankful For What You Got, represents the classic Philadelphia sound of that era.  "Be Thankful For What You Got" has previously appeared in the motion pictures Be Cool, Radio and Bounce, the television shows Martin, Bernie Mac and Jaime Foxx, and, most recently, in Larry David's Clear History.   

Lastrada once again is part of the RockStar Games international hit video game GRAND THEFT AUTO V, which was released throughout the world in October 2013. Within the first week of its release, the latest video game in the series registered worldwide sales of nearly 10 million units.  This time around, Lastrada's catalog was tapped for "Heartbreaker" by Zapp, making Lastrada's catalog now part of each of the GRAND THEFT AUTO games.

   

Gabriel Iglesias' STAND UP REVOLUTION will feature a version of the 1982 R&B hit song "Doo Wa Ditty (Blow That Thing)".  Gabriel Iglesias has become one of the premier comedians in the United States.  "Doo Wa Ditty" was originally recorded by Zapp and reached the Top 10 on the R&B singles charts.  The version of "Doo Wa Ditty" in connection with the STAND UP REVOLUTION show will be performed by Ozmati.

   

CLEAR HISTORY, the new HBO television series created by Larry David and starring Jonathan Hamm, will feature the use of William DeVaughn's 1973 #1 R&B/#3 Pop hit "Be Thankful For What You Got" in its first episode.  "Be Thankful For What You Got" has been previously tapped by a number of well known television shows and movies, including Radio, The Wire, La Mission, Martin and The Bernie Mac Show.  The use in CLEAR HISTORY will also feature a television soundtrack album, including hits by Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Doobie Brothers and The Allman Brothers as well as "Be Thankful For What You Got".

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Jodeci's Top 20 R&B single "Feenin'" appears in an episode of the hit Fox Television series NEW GIRL, starring Zooey Deschanel, which aired on January 29, 2013.  "Feenin'" was originally included on the 1994 album Diary Of A Mad Band and was sampled by Lil' Wayne in the song "Leather So Soft".  The use of "Feenin'" in NEW GIRL precedes an additional use in the forthcoming motion picture Baggage Claim, which is scheduled for release on 20th Century Fox Pictures in the Fall of 2013.

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The new hit Quentin Tarrantino movie DJANGO UNCHAINED, starring Leonardo DeCaprio, Jaime Foxx and Samuel Jackson, features a clip of Jim Croce's Top 10 Pop hit "I Got A Name".  This is the second significant motion picture use of "I Got A Name", which was used in the film The Ice Storm, but comes on the heels of a significant commercial use of "I Got A Name" for Re/Max real estate.  "I Got A Name" is the only non-Jim Croce penned hit from the legendary 70's artist's career, which also included "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown", "Time In A Bottle", "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" and "I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song".

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Jim Croce's 1971 Top 10 recording "I Got A Name" is part of a 2012 national television advertising campaign for the realty company RE/MAX, the conglomerate realtor company.  "I Got A Name" is one of the seminal hits from Jim Croce's recording career, which also included the hits "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown", "Time In A Bottle" and "You Don't Mess Around With Jim".  "I Got A Name" has been used in a number of recent motion pictures including The Ice Storm and Invincible.  This is the first commercial use of "I Got A Name" in the 40-year history of the song.

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Jim Croce's 1971 #1 Pop hit "Time In A Bottle" is part of THE HANGOVER PART II craze with an in-context use of the song in the film as well as an acclaimed trailer featuring the stars of the sequel movie.  "Time In A Bottle" has been associated with a number of movies, television shows and commercial related products, including The West Wing, Nip/Tuck, Kroger's markets and HyVee stores.

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"California Love", the hit smash by 2Pac & Dr. Dre, was licensed for use in a commercial for FARMER JOHN stores in the Los Angeles, California market.  "California Love" has used in a slew of recent motion pictures, including Valentine's Day, Marmaduke, Iron Man 2 and Battle: Los Angeles, and in a number of television shows geared to a California-theme, including Law & Order: Los Angeles.

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