On a long drive from Montreal to Boston we threw ideas in the air for the band we were just starting. Headlines just came up while talking about something else.

As Headlines we have played on several occasions on the east coast. That one time in Boston where some girls were looking seductively at us while fondling themselves during our set was definitely a highlight! lol

People download good songs instead of buying crappy albums!

Yes if the artistic integrity was respected and they really understood what we're about

What are headlines? An eye catcher, attention grabber that draws you in closer then shows you the bigger picture. In this case, the lines are comprised of experimental crooner Marios ‘Divin’ Lteif and producer Sonny Black. As partners operating Dreamland Studios, arguably the most successful hip hop recording facility in Mount Real, the duo has had a hand on the success of countless acts in the city. Divin, 22, has been ringing bells in urban circles for over 4 years, while Black’s groundbreaking crafting, which has been increasingly sought after for half a decade now has producers shook from Montreal to France.
Headlines are definitely front page material, which is why they’re stepping to the forefront with their own self titled debut LP, which has now hit the independent circuit. With influences ranging from Prince to Swedish disco group Abba, the pair’s music comes off as a hybridized steez sure to tap into wide varieties of taste. “Musically and artistically, we want to mesh black and white music and make it a little different but still accessible because I thought it was missing” said Black of the group’s agenda.
One only has to listen to hydraulic funk of “Gangsta” or the wailing defiance of “Fearless” to see that the pair has reached its musical objectives. Meanwhile, Divin always matches Black’s tracks, providing the perfect hook coupled with sincere deliveries.
When he’s not in the studio, Divin is making moves for Play-a-playa, a company currently backing the lines’ project. On the other hand, Black is on the grind setting up his newly formed Plot Records, a label set to put out local acts.
Though their hands are on too many projects to keep track, their forthcoming album will most likely cement their deepest mark in the game.

Prince, The Doors, Sly and The Family Stone, The Neptunes, Nelly, Missy Elliott...

Montreal

Roland JV-880, JV-2080, XV-5080, VP-9000, M-DC1, Korg Triton, MicroKorg, Yamaha Motif8 and live instruments (Guitars, Bass, Strings, Flute and Drums)

Headlines cover spectrum

Words By Carl Chery - Managing Editor of The Kingsman, Brooklyn College Newspaper.


Picture Curt Cobain in his heyday, credibly being vocal on issues relevant to the urban landscape. Although hard to fathom, it is felt upon listening to Headlines, a status quo defying duo comprised of Sonny Black, arguably Montreal's most sought after producer (underground and mainstream) and Divin, a staple in the Hip Hop community who has featured on several big name projects.
Divin serves as mouthpiece for the entire opus while Black, always recognized for his musicianship handles the boards throughout. However, instead of crafting another typical collection of urban hymns, the tandem opts to break barriers and blur the lines that separate genres, making it hard to put the requisite tag on their musical offspring. While their penchant for unconventionality and a listen to "We Be Doesin Our Thang" will quickly draw comparisons to N.E.R.D, a deeper listen will grant that Headlines are carving their own niche. Yes, Divin's vocal texture is at times reminiscent of Pharrel's, yet the way he pieces his wordplay together clearly isn't. On "Gangsta", a title and concept perpetually abused by creatively challenged studio thugs, Divin manages to find a stone unturned. Over Black's hydraulic, blunt smoking G-Funk track that even Dre would spend chips for, the Lebanese crooner declares: "Funky is how we groove/ Gangstas clean your shoes/shotgun ain't no use/cause music is our medicine." On the flip side, the following "Sex Drugs & Rock N Roll" rudely interrupts the vibe by coming off as a "Heard It All Before" cut rather than a fresh twist like its predecessor. Clichés aside, what makes Headlines shine is the chemistry of the pair. Black's sonic architecture constantly stalks Divin's mood's in an idealistic way, whether speaking of postal girlfriends, law enforcement or parties. The singer also gracefully rides Black's beats across the spectrum, at times honestly sharing his vulnerability and his input before showcasing bravado and boasts parallel to emcee's. On "Fearless", possibly the LP's best track Divin glares with the eye of the tiger, spewing with determination fueled by obstacles. Black blesses the track with bass riffs fused with futuristic video game like sounds as his partner reveals: "My sympathy has faded/guess I found out that you hated/minimum wage is not what I'm plannin/If you need a job/I'll be providin/thank you for the role that you played/you've paved the way for me to get paid." "Mission Impossible" also exudes the same defiance and drive that pushes the pair not to be pigeon holed.
In sum, Black and Divin have concocted an opus worthy of their reputation. While attempting to broaden horizons, a task usually daunting for artists, Headlines' debut is packed with enough rhythmic appeal and substance to garner the proper attention. Yet, to their advantage, their sounds and ideologies do not target a specific demographic. Open-minded shorties in the hood might bump it as hard as skaters or preppy suburban kids. "Mission Impossible", yeah right, mission accomplished.