I was a middle schooler, in 1998, when this throwback jam came out. I was a HUGE fan of Dru Hill, although at first I thought they were a wannabe Jodeci when they hit the scene. However, they won me over with their first album and I was a die-hard fan by the second one!
I really liked this video because of the whole Man In The Iron Mask concept taken from the book and movie that starred Leonardo Di Caprio during that time. I also loved it that Lark Voorhies, from one of my all-time favorite shows, Saved By The Bell, was the heroine. It was interesting, yet classy, and complemented the song well.
Most memorable line: "Tear you up in little pieces/Swallow you like Reese's Pieces/C'mon, girl you know I need you!"
R&B singer Karyn White sings about being "Unbreakable" in her latest video. This video was released in July, so I'm somewhat late. However, I'm glad to see her still doing her thang after all these years. She still looks and sounds great! If you haven't copped her new album, Carpe Diem, you're missing out!
There have been rumors and talks for years of R&B singers Tyrese, Ginuwine and Tank combining their talents and forming a supergroup. Unofficially started in 2007, the group was all talk until the re-announcement at the 2012 BET Awards this past summer. Although individually successful with millions of albums sold between them, the trio recently signed a deal with Atlantic Records and they are now performing as TGT. With influences like the O'Jays and LSG (Gerald Levert, Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill), these singers, who have nicknamed themselves the "R&B Avengers" plan to take R&B back to what it used to be. Check out the video of their official signing after the break...
Singer Chaka Khan along with Kelly Price, Eric Benet and more have released a tribute PSA "Super Life" in honor of the slain teenager,Trayvon Martin. Unless you've been living in a cave, you know all about Trayvon Martin--the black teenager who was killed by the gun of the white/hispanic racist and murderer George Zimmerman. Trayvon Martin, 17, was walking around his father's neighborhood, when Zimmerman (the acclaimed neighborhood watchman) followed and shot him dead with his 9mm pistol. Trayvon Martin was only carrying a bag of Skittles and a Arizona Iced Tea. Check out the video and more on my thoughts after the break...
Remember during the nineties when there were a plethora of R&B female groups? From En Vogue to Brownstone, Xscape to Total, and Zhane to Changing Faces? There was definitely girl power going on back in the day, but somehow a lot of these groups disappeared, like Jade for instance. Consisting of members Joi Marshall, Di Reed, and Tonya Kelly, they burst on the scene in 1992 with "I Wanna Love You" that became popular courtesy of the Class Act soundtrack. They followed up with their biggest hit "Don't Walk Away" from their debut album, Jade To The Max. The single reached #2 on the R&B charts and eventually went gold. They continued to put out a few more R&B jams and sold over 1.5 million albums, but like many other groups from the nineties, they eventually faded to black.
"Don't Walk Away" is still my jam! That first album, This video is sooo "90s" with everything from doo-doo braids, Jodeci boots, and plaid over-sized shirts. I loved these ladies because they could all sing. "Looking For Mr. Do Right" still gets heavy play from me as well. Songs like these make me miss the nineties. So much good R&B was being released back then. Don't you agree?
Grammy-Award winning singer, Melanie Fiona's album The MF Life drops tomorrow in stores and online. The album features the hit, "4 AM" in addition to her latest duet with John Legend, "L.O.V.E.". If you're unfamiliar with her music, she's most known for her singles, "It Kills Me", "Give It To Me Right" and her duet with Cee-Lo Green on the Grammy-winning song, "Fool For You." Her second LP has been pushed back numerous times, but the wait is over for her fans. Check out the behind the scenes documentary of The MF Life after the break.
Singers Brandy and Monica are continuing their promo trail for their latest single, "It Belongs To Me" and stopped by Power 105 FM's The Breakfast Club this morning. The ladies discussed their publicized past beef with one another, the impact of Whitney Houston's death, twitter drama, stalkers, Ray-J, Kim Kardashian and their upcoming albums. Watch parts 1 & 2 of their interviews below.
You can't be a fan of R&B if you don't remember this jam by R&B singer, Case. His career took off with this hot single from the Nutty Professor soundtrack and from his self-titled debut album release in 1996. This was definitely a club banger (I was only 10 at the time but my older cousins said it was) and is nestled safely on a lot of fans top lovemaking songs.
"Touch Me, Tease Me" features Mary J. Blige on the background vocals and rapper Foxy Brown. The single reached #4 on the R&B charts and #14 on the Hot 100. This was definitely from the last golden era of R&B and is helped usher in what is now called Hip Hip & R&B era. Enjoy
Singer Ashanti premiered the video to her latest single, "The Woman You Love", yesterday from her forthcoming album Braveheart. The "futuristic" video features Busta Rhymes and actor Marcus Patrick. Her new album drops April 17th. Watch the video after the break.
Zhane (pronouced Jay-Nay) is one of my favorite 90's female R&B duos. They burst on the scene in 1993 with their hit single, "Hey, Mr. DJ". They released their debut album, Pronouced Jay-Nay, the following year in '94 and other Top 40 hits such as "Groove Thang" and "Sending My Love". The group's last album, Saturday Night, was released in 1997 and we haven't heard from them since. I still play that first album like it just came out. Their ballads that went unreleased on the album are some of my favorites.
Zhane stood out because they were wearing their hair natural before the whole "go natural" wave that we see popular now came about. After the 70's and the blaxploitation era ended, women weren't wearing their hair in fros and surely not in low fades. The women of Zhane were trendsetters before Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, or India.Arie. They were rocking naturals before the who "Neo-Soul" classification came about. Their beauty and talent was before it's time, but it's great to see their influence today.
I was listening to Peabo Bryson's Greatest Hits earlier (don't ask me why) and came across this oldie but goodie. Probably because it's actually raining outside. But I love this song along with other hits such as "Feel The Fire", "If Ever You're In My Arms Again", and "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love" with Roberta Flack.
Although he hasn't released any music since 2007, many of his ballads are still considered RnB classics. Pure grown folks music! Listen and enjoy!
Man, I miss Lauryn Hill! After her award-winning debut album, Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, she totally left us hanging. This song was on the Love Jones soundtrack album is considered a neo-soul, love song classic. I've always know it as Lauryn Hill's song, but technically she was only featured. The Refugee Camp Allstars featured rappers Pras and John Forte who you hear in the background.
We've all been mourned and shed tears over the recent heartbreaking death of singer/actress/producer Whitney Houston. Millions of people around the world watched Houston's funeral on Sunday. However, there's a time to cry and time to mourn, but also a time to laugh and to be joyful. To help, I've posted this video of hilarious Whtiney moments that I found on the world's television aka YouTube. Check out rare footage of the singer laughing, making jokes, and being silly with friends and family after the break!
This one goes out to all the couples who will be celebrating their love tomorrow on Valentine's Day. The Grammy-nominated song remains a favorite among couples and is often used in weddings. This song is one of my all-time favorite duets. It was released towards the end of the 90s and was the last of the R&B classics that we remember from back when. Don't you miss love songs like this?
This is a classic song by rock & pop legend, Prince and the New Power Generation. Although this was the lowest charting song from the 1992 album, Love Symbol, it's one of my favorites. This is one of those songs that makes you go, damn! It's one of those rare slow jams that really showcases his diverse singing/performance styles. I actually had never seen the video until today, so I'm tripping off Prince's finger waves (gotta love the 90s). Prince is such a diva and I love it lol. Enjoy!
I wasn't going to post on this since every blog out there has been saturated with this concert footage of soul singer D'Angelo performing his signature hit, "How Does It Feel". But why not? Glad to see him back. Now if we can just get another album, I would be ECSTATIC!
I know many of you are still saddened by the news of Soul Train creator Don Cornelius. So to lighten the mood, here's a throwback video of the Jackson 5 performing their #1 hit "I Want You Back" on Soul Train in 1972. I don't see how you could be considered "uncool" fashion-wise back then. Everyone was sporting psychedelic colors back then. And to keep your hair simple, just fro it out lol. Enjoy!
