mtvU

Although they previously recorded demos and an EP, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes released their debut album Up From Below this past summer. Fly Gypsy is a hip hop duo comprised of Russian-born producer and songwriter Alexei Jendayi and the Jamaican-born emcee Kowboy Kom. Lo Smooth is an as-yet-unsigned artist looking to introduce his music to a wider audience. MySpace star Mateo has recently released a new EP Get to Know Me - Live at Swing House with an accompanying video. U.C.B. is rapping his way with mentor Wale into what is sure to be a hit single.

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It seems that in the holiday season we are all craving a little sweetness. Loomis & the Lust took this week’s Freshmen win by a landslide and their video will be added into the on-air rotation this coming Monday. I want to give kudos to all the other artists as well who all received support from their fan bases in the comments. Don’t forget to check back in for a new round of Freshmen next week. It’s a new chance to vote and support your group or discover some new ones! In the meantime, follow me and mtvU on Twitter for muscial updates.

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Fake Problems is back with their sophomore release It’s Great To Be Alive. The Jacka is a West Coast rap artist who runs his own label, The Artist Records, and has released his fourth solo album Tear Gas. Hand-picked by Urban Outfitters, Loomis & the Lust’s EP Nagasha was produced by Brandon Mason. The Phenomenal Handclap Band will overwhelm you with their 8-person presence. With a last minute replacement on the bass, 1997 completed their third studio album Notes from Underground.

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Another week, another Freshmen winner. This time around, The Swellers managed to just beat out The Aviation Orange in a very close race to get their video added to mtvU’s rotation. Congrats to them, and check back in two weeks (we’re giving The Freshmen Thanksgiving off) for the next round of Freshmen voting. In the meantime, check out mtvU on Twitter for all the latest college music happenings.

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The Aviation Orange recently emerged as one of the stars of CMJ; a hip band from Brooklyn whose self-titled debut album is out now. Hip-hop artist Terry Davis performs under the moniker Izza Kizza and recently released his second mixtape The Wizard of Iz. Quartet Lovehatehero is back with third album America Underwater. A guitar player from Australia who has played for the likes of Santana, Prince and Michael Jackson, Orianthi is out with her debut album Believe. Brothers Nick and Jonathan Diener are joined by Ryan Collins and Anto Boros to form The Swellers.

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Despite the loud protest from Colette Carr fans, Deep Rooted snuck by with a Freshmen win this week. I’d like to congratulate both artists for having such loyal fans and getting them to rally and show their support. There were so many comments this week, I was overwhelmed. Not that this hasn’t been addressed practically to death, but we appreciate all the votes and we make sure that the Freshmen is a fair system. Please keep that in mind. Check back next week for a new round and a new chance to vote, in the meantime you can follow both me and mtvU on Twitter for more musical updates.

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A founder of the grassroots organization Blackout Arts Collective and a youth organizer for the Brooklyn college community partnership, K. Bain has earned critical acclaim for his album City of God. A West Coast artist who lists genres from hip-hop to rock to pop amongst her influences, Colette Carr brings her debut single to the Freshmen. Well known for their high-energy live shows, Mr. Brady, Johaz, Brea, and DJ Artistic form the hip-hop group Deep Rooted. Just off a tour with Noah and the Whale, 22 year old Robert Francis released his latest album Before Nightfall this past October. Each member of The Vanguard came from a different corner of the world to converge in New York and form their quintet’s eclectic sound.

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With outstanding support in the comments section and a celeb-studded video, the boys from Elevation took a rousing lead towards the end of the week to win this round of the Freshmen. Their video will now be added into on-air rotation. I would like to thank everyone for keeping their thoughts so positive this week and showing support for the artists they loved, rather than unkind words for the ones they did not. It was lovely to see. Check back on Monday for a new chance to vote on a whole different set of tunes and follow me and mtvU on Twitter for more musical updates.

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A quintet from Georgia, the boys of Elevation are following up the release of their first LP Strangelove with a national tour. Originally from the West Coast, the quintet The Little Heroes are here at the Freshmen with their sophmore album Thank You. Sliimy is a French artist who garnered buzz for his first American single “Wake Up” and released his debut album Paint Your Face at the beginning of the fall. Formerly known as One Year Nothing, this quintet from upstate New York returns as The Sunstreak with their LP Once Upon A Lie. After being a member of numerous hip-hop groups, Toki Wright continues to be an avid promoter of social change and a solo musician with album A Different Side of the Mirror.

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The winner this week is Chalie Boy. His video will be placed into on-air rotation this week. I’m cutting straight to the point because I am a bit discouraged with the loads of disparaging comments that we received this week. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, there’s no reason not to be kind to one another. Lots of artists have lots of fans who all come to the site to vote fair and square. If your favorite artist is not pulling ahead than do more to show them support. Write a blog post, tweet the link, tell your friends. Simple as that. So double congrats to Chalie Boy for not only pulling off a win this week, but having fans who did him justice by doing so respectfully. Have a great weekend. Hope to see you back Monday for a new round of a Freshmen and a positive attitude.

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