NEW YORK, NY (Top40 Charts/ Atlantic Records) Atlantic Records has announced the US release of "THE DEFAMATION OF STRICKLAND BANKS," the blockbuster new album from Plan B. The album - which includes the singles, "
Stay Too Long" and "
She Said" - arrives in stores and at all US DSPs on April 19th.
"THE DEFAMATION OF STRICKLAND BANKS" proved a milestone upon its initial release last year in the United Kingdom, entering the charts at No 1 and ultimately earning triple platinum certification. The follow-up to Plan B's 2006 debut, "WHO NEEDS ACTION WHEN YOU GOT WORDS," found the gifted rapper adapting a more R&B-based vocal style on such singles as "Stay Too Long," "She Said," and "Prayin'."
Here in the US, "Stay Too Long" and "She Said" are currently scoring at radio outlets nationwide, with "Stay Too Long" debuting at No 39 on the Modern Rock charts this week and its companion video clip now in rotation at mtvU and Logo's NewNowNext PopLab.
Having made his US live debut last month with sold-out shows in New York and Los Angeles, Plan B is currently set to embark on his first ever North American trek, joining Elektra recording artist Bruno Mars and Wondaland Arts Society/Bad Boy/Atlantic recording artist Janelle Monae on their hugely anticipated "Hooligans In Wondaland Tour." The dates begin May 4th at New York's Roseland Ballroom and then continue through a May 27th stop at Chicago's Aragon Ballroom (see itinerary below). In addition, Plan B will be among the stars performing at the upcoming Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, with his set slated for Sunday, April 17th. Following Coachella, Plan B will also play a string of west coast headlining dates, beginning on April 19th at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, CA.
Plan B also recently made his first ever US TV appearance, performing earlier this month on NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly. He is now slated to herald the release of "THE DEFAMATION OF STRICKLAND BANKS" with a visit to TBS' Conan, scheduled for Tuesday, April 19th.
Told from the perspective of the fictional title character, "THE DEFAMATION OF STRICKLAND BANKS" drew widespread critical praise for its uncompromising lyricism and soulful musical approach. "(Plan B's) reinvention suits him," wrote The Guardian. "(His voice) comes into its own here: a high, aching croon that adds an appealing touch of self-doubt to the hardest-hitting lyrics... In a neat touch, the bleaker Strickland Banks's story becomes, the lovelier the melodies." "Accessible, polished and brimming with verve," declared The Telegraph. "The emphasis here is on (Plan B's) sweet soul voice and a thumping Motown groove, an intriguing change of direction that's both passionate and populist."
"THE DEFAMATION OF STRICKLAND BANKS" proved a breakthrough release for Plan B (a.k.a. Ben Drew) in both his native UK and around the world, hitting the Top 10 in France, Germany, and Ireland while also currently ascending the charts in Australia. In addition to the widespread critical and commercial success, he received a wide array of award nominations, including the BT Digital Music Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, the MOBO Awards, and most prestigiously, the 2011 Brit Awards, which honored him with the "Best British Male Solo Artist" trophy earlier this week.
Plan B has also become a certified online phenomenon, drawing nearly 11.5 million views for the "She Said" video alone at his official YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/user/planbuk.
For more information, please visit: www.planbmusic.com.
(TOUR ITINERARY BELOW)
PLAN B - North American Tour 2011
April 17th Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
April 19 - 26 & May 5th - Headline Tour
May 4-27 w/Bruno Mars & Janelle Monae's "Hooligans In Wondaland Tour"
APRIL
17 - Indio, CA - Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival*
19 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre
21 - San Francisco, CA - Popscene at Rickshaw Stop
23 - Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
24 - Portland, OR - Lola's
26 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
MAY
4 - New York, NY - Roseland Ballroom
5 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
7 - Boston, MA - Agganis Arena
8 - Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Bank Ctr.
10 - Atlanta, GA - Fox Theatre
11 - Miami Beach, FL - Fillmore Miami Beach
17 - Grand Prairie, TX - Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
18 - Houston, TX - Reliant Arena
20 - Montgomery, AL - Jubilee CityFest
22 - Windsor, ON - Caesars Windsor
24 - Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom
25 - St. Paul, MN - Roy Wilkins Auditorium
27 - Chicago, IL - Aragon Ballroom
