RnB Junkie’s Top 60 Songs of 2016 Countdown…

The year 2016 brought in several relative newcomers, comebacks and veterans on the R&B music scene and did not disappoint ranging from smooth grooves to love ballads. Some songs were released as singles while some were editor’s picks that I felt stood out the most on the parent albums. If you’re seeking quality songs that will eventually become timeless
favorites then look no further…

60 Mya - One Man Woman (Ol’ Skoo’ Joint)

59 SWV - On Tonight

58 KeKe Wyatt - Anything

57 Jaheim - If I Were You

56 Mya - Team You

55 Tweet - Priceless

54 Musiq Soulchild - Changed My Mind

53 Kyle Dion - Hold On to Me

52 Chrisette Michele feat. Rick Ross - Equal

51 Ne-Yo - Queen

50 Monica - Deep

49 Kevin Ross - Long Song Away

48 Babyface feat. After 7 - I Want You

47 Tweet feat. Missy Elliott - Somebody Else Will

46 Maxwell - 1990x

45 Monica - Alone In Your Heart

44 BJ the Chicago Kid - Love Inside

43 Eric Benet - Sunshine

42 SWV - MCE (Man Crush Everyday)

41 Solange feat. Q-Tip - Borderline

40 Corinne Bailey Rae - Green Aphrodisiac

39 Mack Wilds - Love in the 90z

38 John Legend feat. Chance the Rapper - Penthouse Floor

37 Usher - Missin U

36 K. Michelle - Time

35 Anderson .Paak feat. T.I. - Come Down

34 Corinne Bailey Rae - Been On the Moon

33 Bell Biv DeVoe - Run

32 Tinashe - Company

31 Joe - So I Can Have You Back

30 Keith Sweat - Good Love

29 Fantasia - No Time For It

28 Anthony Hamilton - Amen

27 Fantasia - Sleeping With the One I Love

26 Tank feat. Chris Brown, Siya & Sage the Gemini - #BDAY

25 Beyonce - 6 Inch

24 JoJo feat. Wiz Khalifa - Fuck Apologies

23 Janet Jackson - Dammn Baby

22 Bruno Mars - That’s What I Like

21 Solange - Don’t Touch My Hair

20 Yuna feat. Usher - Crush

19 Brandy - Beggin & Pleadin

18 Maxwell - Lake By the Ocean

17 Lloyd - Tru

16 Mary J. Blige - Thick of It

15 Miguel feat. Travis Scott - Waves (Remix)

14 Johnny Gill feat. New Edition - This One’s For Me and You

13 K. Michelle - Not a Little Bit

12 Musiq Soulchild - I Do

11 Alicia Keys - In Common

10 Bruno Mars - Versace On the Floor

09 Frank Ocean - Nikes

08 Solange - Cranes in the Sky

07 Chris Brown - Grass Ain’t Greener

06 Rihanna - Kiss It Better

05 Usher feat. Young Thug - No Limit

04 The Weeknd - I Feel It Coming

03 Beyonce - Sorry

02 Bruno Mars - 24K Magic

01 The Weeknd - Starboy

-Terrance Harris

Interview: Joe Discuss Album #MyNameIsJoeThomas, Longevity, State of R&B and More!

Grammy nominated R&B singer-songwriter and musician Joe Thomas, best known for hits such as “Stutter”, “I Wanna Know”, “All the Things (Your Man Won’t Do)” and “Don’t Wanna Be a Player”, returns with his 12th album, #MyNameIsJoeThomas, available everywhere music is purchased on digital and physical platforms.

TERRANCE: What has been the key component to your longevity in this ever changing music industry?

JOE: Being honest and true to myself. For me, my fans have sort of grown-up with me and I chose what I thought was best and that was to stay true to what I believe in and what I’m presenting to the world. When you want to do this or that or sound like this that’s when it become a problem, so in a nutshell staying on course has been the key.

TERRANCE: What’s the one song you feel defines your two decade career?

JOE: Probably “All the Things (Your Man Won’t Do)” for jump-starting my career and taking it to a level it had not been prior to. It definitely was a career making song for me and I’m grateful for the fans, radio, promoters and whoever else who took notice and rode with me every since. It’s been amazing man.

TERRANCE: Major vs. Independent: How does it differ?

JOE: I make ten dollars a record now compared to barely making a dollar a record with the major record labels [laughs]. You know I’m more confident now than I’ve ever been and to have that sense of independence to work with whoever I like without the red tape and extra stuff involved and to release the music I want my way 100% is incredible. It can be difficult to push independent music but I have a strong support team that I strongly believe in and we’re aiming to put R&B music back where it should be and that’s in the forefront.

TERRANCE: Which leads to the question, your thoughts on the state of R&B today.

JOE: I think R&B is at a catastrophe honestly and we need somebody to stand up and change that so it won’t continue to go that route and become an unheralded genre of music. For most parts I think with this generation it’s about the beat first and not meaningful lyrical content like it was in the Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Smokey Robinson era. My goal is to bring back that particular love for what R&B is.

TERRANCE: Bring us to date with the new album out now #MyNameIsJoeThomas.

JOE: My Name Is Joe Thomas is just music that’s relatable and connecting to everyday life about love and relationships for both sides men and women and basically a reintroduction so to speak to one of my biggest albums to date My Name Is Joe when people fell in love with music and actually bought music from record stores. I always reflect back to that 90’s era when people bought physical copies for the music, the artwork and to read the credits. It’s now a digital download world where I don’t think the whole package is enjoyed the way it should be.

TERRANCE: Talk about the new single “Happy Hour” which features Gucci Mane.

JOE: Happy Hour is a fun mid-tempo song and working with Gucci was incredible. I’m a fan, “Wasted” and those records and to know he’s a fan of mine as well, because you never know in this R&B game, it’s not as respected as it once was in the 90’s so to know those caliber of artists say they are a fan of mine and would work with me is amazing.

TERRANCE: People say you’re underrated. Do you agree?

JOE: I definitely think I should be further along in my career as far as recognition and that’s what I strive for. That’s what we all strive for whether it’s me, Ne-Yo, Trey Songz or Kanye West who would argue that he’s the best every time he comes out [laughs] and you know I share those exact sentiments and I respect him for his drive. I’m sure nobody wants to be runner-up when you can be at the top of your game.

TERRANCE: Who are some female voices today you thoroughly enjoy?

JOE: Jazmine Sullivan would have to be at the top of my list for the unique quality she possess and from one musician to another I think people are sleeping on her. I would even call her the Aretha Franklin of the generation today. That’s just how great she is. Brandy has always been a favorite of mine and somewhat overlooked. Lalah Hathaway, Chrisette Michele, they are all amazingly gifted vocalists.

TERRANCE: A while back you recorded the Gospel inspired song “Coming Back Home” with BeBe Winans and Brian McKnight, has recording a Gospel album in any way triggered your mind?

JOE: That’s an interesting question because both of my parents are pastors and I grew up in the Church, however; I feel you should be about that lifestyle and when you are people would respect it more. I’m doing secular music which is R&B and not considered God’s music I wouldn’t want to come off as a hypocrite.

TERRANCE: Is there anything additionally you’d like to add?

JOE: I just would like to thank the fans for the support and hope everyone enjoy the new album #MyNameIsJoeThomas. My new single and video “Happy Hour” with Gucci is out now. Follow me @JoeThomas4real on Twitter, MrJoeThomas563 on Facebook, therealjoethomas on Instagram. I’m also on tour so be on the lookout for dates. And thank you for continuing the efforts in keeping the R&B movement alive.

Heston Francis Interview

My interview with International Recording Artist, Heston, who recently released his fourth independent album, Transparency: https://www.amazon.com/Transparency-Heston/dp/B01LZNAUZQ / https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/transparency/id1159859887

Terrance - What essentially led you into this journey with music and furthermore what drives you to push it out to the public?

Heston - I have had a love for music since I was about 6 or 7. Helping my mom prepare for church performances and developed a love for it along with all my fathers vinyl. My desire to push it out publicly started after moving to Atlanta and dabbling in the underground scene, realizing I might have something to contribute.

Terrance - Who were the artists that evoked your influence growing up to do what you do?

Heston - Beres Hammond, Bob Marley, Otis Redding, The Bee Gee's, Michael Jackson and the list goes on.

Terrance - Talk to us about your fourth album, Transparency and what inspired the title?

Heston - Transparency is my life unedited. My influences and the experiences during a tough relationship with a few good moments sprinkled in it.

Terrance - Musically where is your mind with this release in comparison to previous projects?

Heston - My mind is on growth, betterment. Improving my sound, making this album better than the last...

Terrance - What’s the current single you’re working with from the album?

Heston - The current single is Mind, Body and Soul.

Terrance - Is there a particular non-single on the album that people should lookout for?

Heston - I would say Stay, my favorite on the album. The one that stands out is Major and the song Why I Love You.

Terrance - As an independent what would you say are the benefits and challenges of navigating your way as an artist?

Heston - The ability to be 100% creative musically is a plus for sure, full control of decision making as it relates to how I am presented and represented. The downside is mainly not having the machine to support the release and the struggle with that.

Terrance - If you could perform anywhere in the world that you haven’t before, where would it be and why?

Heston - I would love to be on stage at dusk for the live Aid concert in South Africa. That would be my dream of dreams performance.

Terrance - What are your thoughts on music piracy?

Heston - Today a CD is looked at as a résumé. There was a time when it bothered me if someone pirated my music but it's actually a compliment. People do it all the time.. if you are a fan of my music and share it with someone else then you are spreading and helping me to get the word out about it.

Terrance - Who are some artists you’re currently listening to or inspired by?

Heston - Right now Major. And especially his song Why I Love You is on repeat in my CD player.

Terrance - If the opportunity presented itself name one artist you would love to collaborate with.

Heston - Wyclef for sure. Because of our similar backgrounds as West Indians, his love for soul music and live instrumentation. I think it would be a perfect fit.

Terrance - Which is your preferred music listening pleasure? Vinyl, CDs or MP3.

Heston - Vinyl for sure. The crackling sound on vinyl is priceless.

Terrance - If there’s one misconception about yourself you think people may have what is it?

Heston - Misconception would be that I am further along in my music career. The work in my opinion is still at its infant stage with much more to accomplish.

Terrance - What’s your favorite part of your live show?

Heston - The close of my show where I perform Songbirds, a song paying homage to my musical influences, it takes the audience on a journey through their life through music.. Heartfelt.

Terrance - What’s the one personal life philosophy you live by?

Heston - The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.

Terrance - Ultimately what type of legacy would you like to leave?

Heston - A legacy of great songs and songwriting, like Lionel Richie. Quality all the way. It's what I hope and strive for.

Terrance - Any final words you would like to leave for our readers?

Heston - Thank you, to your audience for paying attention and allowing me the platform to further my dream...