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Deyaz Stuns With An Intimate Backyard Performance Of His Viral ‘Home’ Cover

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Rising indie artist, Deyaz, knows the importance of home. The London-born, self-taught artist and producer busked the streets of Camden as a teenager, often couchsurfing and earning his keep playing popular hits by ear for a few quid a day. Back then, home was a safe space he couldn’t always count on, which might be why his viral cover of a popular folk song from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros hit so hard with fans on social media. Beneath the soft crooning and acoustic guitar strings, there’s raw emotion and a sense of life lived in the singer’s voice, enough to connect with millions of people all over the world. Literally.

Deyaz’s cover of “Home” racked up nearly 10 million listens on Spotify and even more views on TikTok when he shared it just a few months ago. Since then, he’s been to LA and Austin, playing his original music at local venues and festival stages. But, his most nervewracking performance to date might have just happened in this Texas couple’s new backyard.

Partnering with Zillow and UPROXX, Deyaz surprised first-time homebuyers with an intimate rendition of his viral hit, serenading the couple and some of their closest friends who had gathered for one epic housewarming party. Joking that he was more anxious to perform for the small crowd than the huge numbers at his Austin City Limits set, Deyaz set the mood for the evening with a touching, almost nostalgic ode to home and the people that make it. It was a fitting end for the couple’s homebuying journey, soundtracked by a true creative who’s on the brink of defining the next stage in his own life and career.

Check out the full performance above.

Deyaz Brings A Couple To Tears With Surprise Backyard Performance

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Home means many things to many people. A new beginning. A safe space. A place to create, to take risks, to build a dream and even a family.

In this latest episode of UPROXX’s Housewarming series, Zillow is once again helping first-time homebuyers discover their own meaning of the word with one unforgettable housewarming party. This time the party is being headlined by rising indie artist, Deyaz.

Before that, though, the couple, Anton and Anna, sits down to share details of a home journey that started with some late-night scrolling on Zillow’s app and got real when they contacted a Zillow Premier Agent partner to help them in their journey to get home. Their vision of a space perfect for hosting friends and giving their biological and foster children a place to feel seen, loved, and cared for is their reward after months of searching and waiting. Well that, and an unforgettable intimate concert from one of music’s most promising artists.

For Deyaz, this is clearly more than just a gig. The idea of home is a powerful theme. “If I didn’t have a safe sort of space to create in I don’t think half the music that’s out I would’ve made,” Deyaz says. “I’ve lived in so many different homes, all for the sake of music.” For him, home has turned into the people that are in it.

Watch how homeowners Anton and Anna went from seeing the producer/songwriter headline his own set at one of Austin’s coolest music festivals to being surprised to find that his next performance is going to happen in their own backyard, and stay tuned for an exclusive performance from Deyaz.

Watch Just Blaze & Freeway Bring Huge Roc-A-Fella Energy To Howard’s 100th Homecoming Halftime

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After many hours of preparation it’s finally time to enjoy Howard University’s 100th Homecoming celebration featuring a collaboration between the school’s talented marching band and legendary hip-hop producer, Just Blaze.

We pick up the HBCU Homecoming series with only a day left before Director of Bands Chancellor Mills gets to prove himself in his first year in the position with the help of more than 100 band members and his staff. “It’s all in the planning, first and foremost,” Mills said in preparation for the event. “We don’t want to throw anything together and just put it out there; it’s huge this year.” As Mills said, the planning is critical, as the pressure of the occasion couldn’t be any higher, with current students and alumni all expecting a great show.

“This performance is just going to signify where this program is,” said Mills. “It’s going to dictate how we’re going to move for the next 3-5 years. It’s significant in terms of what we want to give back to our community.”

Fortunately, the hard work pays off as the band comes out at halftime to give the crowd their best with renditions of hip-hop classics produced by Just Blaze, including Joe Budden’s “Pump it Up” and “What We Do” by Freeway, who appeared to perform the song in-person. “I’ve had my songs played at a million sporting events,” Blaze said of the performance. “This is just kind of a great add-on to that part of the legacy. It sounded amazing.”

As Blaze says in the episode, the party was far from over after the performance. Check out additional footage from the band’s night performance and more to see how the performance was received.

Howard University Ushers In A New Era With A Just Blaze-Inspired Halftime Show

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As Howard University’s 100th Homecoming celebration gets closer, pressure to put on a spotlight-stealing show and live up to the legacy of legendary hip-hop producer, Just Blaze, begins to weigh on the “Showtime” Marching Band and Director Chancellor Mills.

“Make me look good,” Blaze pleads with the band, who look exhausted from rigorous practice in the second video of the Howard Halftime series above. But they are determined to make the mogul proud, one up their rivals, and bring the school’s band program into a new era. Though the reaction to the planned performance is mostly love, Mills has gotten a bit of trepidation from alums worried about “protecting certain traditions.” He’s not deterred though, “This yields an opportunity to say ‘Look, I got it.’”

Blaze, on the other hand, couldn’t be more excited about the collab. “I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life, and didn’t even realize it until now.” He’s not the only person thoroughly anticipating a great performance. Denise Saunders Thompson, Assistant Dean to the Chadwick Boseman College of Fine Arts, takes time out of her busy schedule to meet Mills, Blaze, and the band on the field to complement and encourage their progress. “Were gonna break the internet with this performance,” she tells the group, hoping to manifest this new standard-setting moment with her words.

Check out this and future installments of the series to see if the dream becomes reality.

Hip-Hop Icon Just Blaze Is Teaming With Howard’s Marching Band To Blow Out Their 100th Homecoming

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With Howard University celebrating its 100th Homecoming celebration in 2024, Director of Bands Chancellor Mills was searching for the perfect opportunity to impact the program in his first year on the job.

College bands are equal parts technical exhibition and pageantry and HBCUs like Howard are well known for consistently raising the bar with their “Showtime” Marching Band playing everything from Thanksgiving Day Parades to NFL games to Presidential inaugurations. But how high could they go for the 100th? Enter legendary hip-hop producer Just Blaze and UPROXX, who teamed with Mills to find out in a new series made possible by State Farm.

As you can see in the first episode which kicks off the series, Mills is feeling the pressure at the start of this mission. “You only get one chance to do the 100th,” he tells our cameras. But with Just Blaze supplying a brilliant blend of bombastic beats, the big band horns and chattering tenor drum sets ease any nervousness.

Even a seasoned icon like Just Blaze – who has worked with everyone from JAY Z to to Eminem to Beyonce – is pumped to see his hits reimagined in such a unique way, telling us that this collab was something his music was made for. See for yourself and keep an eye out for further installments in this series as Mills, Just Blaze, and the Howard band amaze and astonish.

T-Pain Drops A Soul-Stirring Backyard Performance Of ‘Dreaming’

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Finding the right home for you and the one you love is the ultimate dream. The icing on the cake is when T-Pain shows up to soundtrack your housewarming party, dropping an intimate performance in your own backyard with lyrics that feel perfect for the moment you’re sharing with your closest friends.

By now, you know UPROXX and Zillow hosted an out-of-this-world housewarming party for first-time homebuyers Lex and Hannah with R&B legend T-Pain stopping by to headline the night.

In our second episode, we shared footage of T-Pain electrifying the crowd with his hit song, “Bartender.” In the above video, we’re slowing things down with an inspiring performance of one of his newer tracks, “Dreaming” — a deeply touching anthem that taps into the meaning of family, purpose, and doing things that move your soul. The song showcases T-Pain’s powerful vocals and tells a story that reflects on the singer’s life and career, his chart-topping rise, and the personal hurdles he’s overcome to find peace and a new appreciation for his music. And the lyrics of this song ring true for Lex and Hannah as well, as they celebrate the culmination of a home-buying journey alongside their closest friends thanks to a dreamier process made possible by Zillow.

T-Pain’s Backyard ‘Bartender’ Performance Is The Ultimate Housewarming Gift

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When your new backyard turns into the neighborhood’s hottest club, of course, T-Pain’s going to stop by to show some love to the crowd and sing some of his hits!

Once Zillow helped Austin-based couple Lex and Hannah find their dream home, the only thing left to do was celebrate. And, because no one throws a party quite like UPROXX, we immediately got to work building an intimate performance venue and DIY dance floor in the newlyweds’ backyard. Decked out with a photobooth, DJ, lounge area, and local bites, the stage was set for hip-hop icon T-Pain to bring the energy, welcoming Lex and Hannah to their new home via some of his biggest hits. With “Bartender” blasting from the speakers, friends toasted the couple as they reveled in reaching another life milestone together.

Watch the full surprise performance above and stay tuned to Uproxx and our program hub for more of Lex and Hannah’s inspiring journey with Zillow.

UPROXX & Sparkling Ice Brought The Vibes To Austin With ‘Sparkling Sessions’

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UPROXX and Sparkling Ice kept the good times rollin’ with a stop in Austin, TX on our SPARKLING SESSIONS Festival Kickoff tour. After chilling by the pool ahead of Coachella and lighting up Chicago ahead of Lollapalooza, we touched down in the live music capital of the world to pre-game Austin City Limits. Setting up at the exclusive Inn Cahoots, we transformed the boutique hotel’s secret garden into the weekend’s hottest concert venue.

Soundtracking the unforgettable evening was rising country artist Dasha, who had attendees flocking to the dancefloor with her viral single, “Austin,” while R&B duo THEBROSFRESH crooned some of their biggest hits earlier in the evening. DJ Le Chev popped by to spin a set for guests too with electric beats that paired nicely with some fresh and flavorful fall cocktails courtesy of Sparkling Ice. Outfitted in metallic cowboy hats and fueled by local bites, partygoers bounced between hair-braiding and flash tattoo stations, a taco bar, lawn games, and an Instagram-worthy photo-booth complete with a rodeo saddle that felt right at home with Austin’s “Keep It Weird” vibes.

Check out the official recap video above and scroll through more photos from UPROXX’s latest collab with Sparkling Ice.

Sparkling Sessions Austin
Scotty Wise
Sparkling Sessions Austin
Scotty Wise
Sparkling Sessions Austin
Scotty Wise
TheBrosFresh Sparkling Sessions Performance
Scotty Wise
Dasha Sparkling Sessions Performance
Scotty Wise
Sparkling Sessions Austin
Scotty Wise
Sparkling Sessions Austin
Scotty Wise
Sparkling Sessions Austin
Scotty Wise
Dasha Sparkling Sessions Performance
Scotty Wise

UPROXX & Zillow Throw The Ultimate Housewarming Party With Help From T-Pain

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Imagine buying your perfect home with Zillow’s help and having hip-hop and R&B icon T-Pain stop by as your first houseguest. For first-time homebuyers Lex and Hannah, that dream scenario became a reality when UPROXX partnered with Zillow to throw the couple the ultimate housewarming party.

In the video above, the pair share their home-buying journey, one that began when Lex went on Zillow shortly after the couple got married. After browsing the market and finding the perfect place in their hometown of Austin, TX, Lex connected with a Zillow Premier Agent partner and a Zillow Home Loans Officer to help them get the home.

“Making it a one-stop shop the way Zillow has in their app just freed us up tremendously to live our lives in the interim,” Lex explains with Hannah adding, “Honestly, it was insane to me that we used Zillow from beginning to end.” But the excitement of buying their first home didn’t end once Lex and Hannah closed. The couple’s Zillow team showed up with an unexpected guest as a housewarming surprise, proving move-in days are even better when GRAMMY award-winning artist T-Pain drops by.

The artist headlined an intimate concert for Lex, Hannah, and their closest friends as guests enjoyed local fare and wore out the DIY dance floor on the happy couple’s backyard.

Watch the video above to learn more about the couple’s homebuying experience with Zillow and stay tuned for T-Pain’s performance Live From The Backyard in our upcoming second episode.