Margot B.
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Margot B.

New York City, New York, United States | SELF

New York City, New York, United States | SELF
Band R&B Funk

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Press


"R & B singer Margot B. records live album at the New Hazlett Theater"

See lINK - Pittsburgh City Paper


"Pop Filter Hot Pick: Be A Part of Margot B's Live Taping & Concert"

See Link - Pop City


"Margot B. is finding her fit as singer, actor"

See Link - Pittsburgh Tribune Review


"Personality Test: Musician-actor Margot B."




Pittsburgh native Margot B., who now resides in New York City, is not one to sit back and relax. The 21-year-old graduate of Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts toured this summer with Grammy winner Jason Mraz while also finding time to act and sing in "My Destiny," a made-for-TV movie that just finished filming in Clairton. Margot B. also has a part in "Love & Other Drugs," a movie starring Jake Gyllenhaal that is being filmed in Pittsburgh.

That would seem to be enough for anyone -- but there's more. Margot B. recently released "Two Thousand Mine," her second full-length CD. She also is auditioning for Broadway shows -- she has had nine callbacks for "Spring Awakening" -- and is taking meetings with major record labels. Margot B.'s resume also includes best female vocalist at the 2009 Pittsburgh Hip Hop Awards, touring with Armed Forces Entertainment for U.S. troops stationed in Cuba and playing in Pittsburgh's benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The star who would play me in the movie version of my life and why:

Halle Berry, because that way everyone would go see the movie!

Childhood hero and why:

Aaliyah. She changed my outlook on life as a performer. She was the ultimate triple threat, and she did it with such class and ease.

Three people I'd love to have dinner with:

Ghandi, Cheech and Chong.

My quirkiest inherited trait:

My nationality! How many German Jamaican Jews do YOU know?!

My favorite sandwich, plus fixings:

Tuna fish, provolone cheese and turkey ... don't judge me.

One word your mother would use to describe you:

Silly


Celebrity crush:

Jake Gyllenhaal!!! UGH!

My required snack in a movie theater is:

M&M's

When I was 10, I wanted to be:

An astrophysicist ... love the stars!

Exercise I hate most:

Knee ups

Vegetable I won't eat:

Celery!

I'm deathly afraid of:

Centipedes

If I was auditioning for "American Idol," my song would be:

"Make You Feel My Love"

The first band I saw in concert (when and where):

Our Lady Peace with my best friend Amy at the Station Square Amphitheatre

TV marathon you could watch all day and why:

"True Blood" ... I was a vampire in my last life

The person I'm most often mistaken for:

Alicia Keys ... Doesn't that SUCK?! Hahaha

The worst advice I ever received:

"You're perfect, you don't need ANY more training!"

I own ____ pairs of shoes. My favorites are:

It would be super embarrassing if I told you how many shoes I own ... kinda obsessed. I don't pick favorites, it's just not nice.

Pick one:

Boxers

Briefs

Boxers. Because girls can rock 'em too and still look sexy.

In high school, I was:

A skater chick ... and everything in between.

The most famous person I ever became friends with:

Every single one of my friends are famous to me because they're all superstars in their own way.

Chose one:

John

Paul

George

Ringo

George. He was such a beautiful mystery.

My most recent eBay purchase:

I'm proud to say I've never been involved with eBay.

The movie that always makes me cry:

OK, this is never to be repeated: "A Walk to Remember" :-O


My most treasured fashion accessory is:

My armband

Pick one you love or hate:

Stripes

Polka dots

Plaid

Paisley

Polka dots ... I love them! They'll always be cute!

My most embarrassing junk food:

Icing

If I wasn't a musician/actor, I'd be:

A homicide profiler

The last book I read:

"Beautiful Boy" by David Sheff

It's not pizza without:

Chicken on top!

Pick one:

Original Hot Dog Shop fries

Primanti Brothers fries

Potato Patch fries

Pommes Frites

Umm, Primantiiiiiissss ... DUH!

My favorite Web site:

Last.fm

My most memorable fashion mistake:

I don't make those :-)

Pick a Bond:

Sean Connery

Timothy Dalton

Pierce Brosnan

Daniel Craig

Sean Connery. Because you can never just say his name regularly. You always have to clench your teeth when you say it ... that never gets old.

My childhood nickname was:

Halfy (ask my brother)

My favorite "bad" movie is:

"Epic Movie "

My best karaoke song:

"Push It" by Salt-n-Pepa

My first job:

Waitress at Jake's Beef and Barbeque

My favorite cable channel:

ABC Family!

The song that always gets me out on the dance floor:

Eve's "Tambourine."

Life would be better without:

Text messaging

If I could tour with any two bands, they would be:

No Doubt and Lil' Wayne

People would be surprised to know that I:

Prefer the simple things.
- The Tribune-Review Wednesday, September 23, 2009


"R&B singer Margot B to perform with Jason Mraz at the Amphitheatre at Station Square"

AUGUST 6, 2009

...Although just 21, R&B singer Margot B has already spent a few years as one of Pittsburgh's ready-to-break mainstream acts, and outlasted a number of other local hopefuls. Perhaps that's because she began building up her resume in her early teens, with volunteer work, modeling, dance, performing at benefits and fundraisers, and opening for acts like Kelly Clarkson -- a sort of combination class president and entertainer.

"You really have to be so well rounded that you're ready for anything, and can take on anything," says Margot, who recently relocated to New York City.

"I was so fortunate in Pittsburgh, that I got a lot of things to come my way," she says. "In New York it's a little different. It's definitely harder -- not only are you trying to make it as an artist," but everyone else is, too. "It's all about who you know, it's all about networking."

She says this matter-of-factly, without the bitterness you might hear from an older local musician on the next bar stool. She talks of working on her weaknesses, being hard on herself and paying dues, with an odd humility. I mean, imagine you're a hot, accomplished 21-year-old working in music in NYC, and your dad is former Steeler Craig Bingham. You are -- especially to a Pittsburgher -- the shit.

Margot saves that swagger for her music -- it's in ample supply in her new album, Two Thousand Mine, a full-length she developed over a year and a half with producer E Dan and others at ID Labs, a Lawrenceville studio known mostly for hip hop.

"I go into it knowing exactly what I want," Margot says. What she wanted, it seems, was snappy, harder-edged dance-floor tracks with electro-disco touches. "Engineering has always been an interest of mine, so they gave me a lot of freedom."

Lately she's been singing solo at showcases, and working on songs for other artists with her new co-writer Taylor B (no relation, she assures). (Pop-rock, country -- "we pretty much write anything anyone needs," Margot says.)

This weekend, she'll perform with Grooveline Horns, a pro trio she met through recording sessions with the Boogie Hustlers. And since Grooveline accompanies pop singer-songwriter Jason Mraz, that means sitting in for two of his performances, singing duets originally handled by Colbie Caillat.

One show is in New York, the other in Pittsburgh at the Amphitheatre at Station Square, on Tue., Aug. 11. The all-ages show, which starts at 7 p.m., also includes G. Love & Special Sauce and K'naan; Grooveline Horns, Margot B and the Boogie Hustlers will also perform at the after-parties.

- BY AARON JENTZEN-City Paper


"Margot's Magic"


So, I'm cruising with my car stereo cranked last Tuesday, when I hear a great urban pop song called "Havoc."
"Wow, that's going to be a huge hit" I thought, wondering which fresh new artist KISS-FM was at that point spinning, until the next song came on, and it sounded like the very same singer.
That's when I realized I accidentally had activated my CD player, and had been listening to the new album from Margot B, the 21-year-old former Scott Township resident who moved to New York this past April to boost her promising career.
Margot is well on her way judging by "Two Thousand Mine" her 10-song independently produced album that manages to be both sophisticated and sexy, with songs like "Jungle Fever" and "Intimacy" clamoring to be heard in clubs.
"It has actually gotten some really impressive reviews," Margot says in an e-mail from the Big Apple. "A Bulgarian artist is buying the right to one of the songs for her album."?
No homecoming dates are planned yet for Margot, who in February won "Female Vocalist of the Year"? at the third annual Pittsburgh Hip-Hop Awards.
- Beaver County Times '09


"Winners of Pittsburgh Hip-Hop Awards"

Hop Awards ceremony at the Pittsburgh Hilton:
 
BEST MALE ARTIST - BOAZ
BEST FEMALE ARTIST - KIZZY

BEST FEMALE SINGER - MARGOT B

BEST MALE SINGER - HAKIM RASHEED

BEST NEW ARTIST - PRESS

GROUP OF THE YEAR - COMMONWEALTH FAMILY

HIP HOP BAND OF THE YEAR - FORMULA 412

UNDERGROUND ARTIST OF THE YEAR - FURIOUS STYLES

CD OF THE YEAR - FORMULA 412  "THE DIFFERENCE"
SINGLE OF THE YEAR - S. MONEY "BREAD WINNER"

BEST INSPIRATIONAL ARTIST - JASIRI X

PROMOTER(S) OF THE YEAR - MATT DILLINGER AND B. MARSHALL
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR - MYSTERIOUS

RECORD LABEL OF THE YEAR - F-BLOCK
MIXTAPE OF THE YEAR - PLAYBIZZLE  "TRANSPORTER 2"
CLUB DJ OF THE YEAR - GQ
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR - COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT ASSOC.
BEST HIP HOP VIDEO   OWEY - "SHE WANTS A THUG"
WEBSITE OF THE YEAR - WWW.JENESISMAGAZINE.COM - Post Gazette


"Two Thousand Mine Review"

Margot B’s voice is similar to Janet Jackson’s, although she usually sings much more powerfully than does that queen of the rhythm nation during Two Thousand Mine. She’s at her best on “Candy”, which is a sweet, mid-tempo track that feels like a musical trip through the candy store. It features cooing fa-la-la’s, as well a chorus where the title is spelled out playfully. She may be singing in childlike terminology, by make no mistake about it, Margot B is all woman.
“Space Invader”, speaking of kid’s stuff, uses vintage video game sound effects, a little scratching, and Margot B’s semi-tough vocalizing to make its points. She makes you wonder if she’s a big gamer herself, especially since the CD’s last song is titled “New Game”. But instead of electronic sound effects, this closing track uses a synth groove that nicely replicates ‘80s dance acts, such as New Order, and when she commands, “swing batter, batter,” it’s obvious she’s referring to the outdoor competition we call baseball.
As with most of the inclusions on this ten-song CD, “Space Invader” and “New Game” are dance tracks. But with “Be Your Lady”, Margot B slows down the beats considerably and sings a ballad.
Although she comes off like a tough talking dance diva, “No Lights” finds her tossing and turning, unable to sleep. She has a soft side, after all, and while dance club music is her sonic of choice, “Jungle Fever” incorporates touches of reggaeton for variety’s sake.
For the most part, Margot B. is the center of attention throughout this work. However, Wiz Khalfa adds hip-hop spice to “Havoc” and Josh Everette assists with male vocals during “No Lights”. Elsewhere, the singer is backed by busy keyboard and percussion elements, while her lead vocals are mostly backed by her own background singing.
The dance world has a fickle, trendy atmosphere, which makes it hard to know which recordings will be successful, and which ones will fail. But if there’s any justice in the club world, Two Thousand Mine will be a hit. It’s filled with memorable melodies, intelligent lyrics, and enough variety to keep the listener hanging on from track to track. Songs like “Be Your Lady” suggest, perhaps, enough vocal talent to evolve beyond the dance genre. Best of all, this independent release already sounds radio-ready with its sharp production touches.
It would be fascinating to hear what Margot B would sound like on something not quite so dance-centric, such as jazz. She seems to have what it takes to be a world class vocalist but one cannot be entirely sure. But for a dance music album at least, Two Thousand Mine is mighty fine.




- -- Dan MacIntosh


Discography

Unframed (2006)
Inspired (2007) EP
Two Thousand Mine (2009)CD
Live at The Hazlett Theater (2010) EP

Photos

Bio

From the pageant stage to the soundstage, to center stage with a Grammy-nominated artist, triple-threat Margot B. makes a habit of working hard and moving forward. The Pittsburgh native began her career in front of the cameras at the age of nine, modeling for local and national talent agencies. It's been a steady, accomplished rise ever since. At 13, she wrote a tribute to the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called In My Dreams, which continues to be featured at MLK events nationwide. While her friends planned 'Sweet Sixteen' parties, Margot was winning the National Miss Black Teen title and spending the year visiting Veterans Hospitals, performing at charity fundraisers, and volunteering for Make-A-Wish and Children's Hospital.

2005 saw two major milestones: her first full-length CD Unframed was released to a sold-out crowd at the Hard Rock Cafe, and she was a main force behind Pittsburgh's Katrina Relief Benefit Concert (both planning and performing) at Mellon Arena. The city-wide event featured 10 acts, garnered major media attention, and raised $185,000 for the American Red Cross.

The Creative and Performing Arts High School student went on to perform the title role in AIDA during her senior year, and appeared in commercials for GNC, Dad's Dog Food, and the Black Family Channel. Margot continued her training through the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Civic Light Opera, studied with vocal coach Claudia Benack, at Carnegie Mellon University, and completed Dance/Musical Theatre classes in the nationally-ranked dance program at Point Park University. While sharing the stage with Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Clarkson, Nelly Furtado, and Lupe Fiasco, Margot released Inspired –an EP featuring covers of songs by five African-American artists who truly inspired her to live her own dream. Margot also performed the National Anthem for countless national sporting events and charity fundraisers, and lent her talents to many regional entertainment acts. Her relentless desire to give back found her touring with Armed Forces Entertainment, performing for troops stationed in Cuba.

2009 kicked off with Margot being named Best Female Vocalist at the Pittsburgh Hip Hop Awards, and hitting the recording studio to finish her second full-length CD Two Thousand Mine. The summer release coincided with her joining Jason Mrazon select tour dates. Margot performed the duet Lucky with Jason in venues such as Nikon at Jones Beach in New York, Minneapolis' Xcel Energy Center (on her 21st birthday), and in her hometown.
The 22-year old just wrapped filming of a video for the Oxygen TV Network, where she will be a “Featured Artist of the Month”, is showcased in a national Hoover Vacuum commercial currently airing, recorded her latest CD before an intimate studio audience at the New HazlettTheater in August 2010, and has started work on a European roll-out of her pop-inspired music.

Based out of New York City, Margot continues to write, take meetings with major labels, audition for roles, and wait or her moment. It wasn't the shelved Janet Jackson-backed "triple-threat" MTV reality show project, for which she beat out thousands of others for one of 10 spots. A nine-time call back finalist for Broadway's 'Spring Awakening', she knows her big break could be right around the corner...it's just a matter of keeping at it, staying focused, and working hard. Nobody does that better than Margot B! Also look for Margot inthe upcoming feature films "˜Love and Other Drug" (Jake Gyllenhaal/Anne Hathaway) and “Fugly” (John Leguziamo/Rosie Perez); the made-for-TV movie "My Destiny", and in what popular blog welovesoaps.com calls a highly anticipated entry into the growing world of web series and indie soaps, “In Between Men”.