Grammy nominated R&B songstress Tamia surprises us with her latest offering “Leave It Smokin”. A 90’s flavored vibe produced by none other than Salaam Remi.
There’s no word when Tamia is expected to release a follow-up album to 2015’s Love Life, but in the meantime support the single and stay tuned for more info.
Grammy-nominated band The Internet is back with their first single since their 2015 album Ego Death. The Internet has simultaneously released a visual for their new single 'Roll (Burbank Funk).' Check out the music video for The Internet's psychedelic 'Roll (Burbank Funk)' with guest appearances from Tyler The Creator, Dev Hayes, and Mac DeMarco below.
The wait is officially over, today singer-songwriter Bridget Kelly released her long-awaited debut album 'Reality Bites.' Fans have been anticipating this moment since 2008 when she signed with Roc Nation. Kelly parted ways with Roc Nation back in 2014 and has released several EP's over the past few years. However, there's nothing that can top the freedom that Kelly now has as an independent artist and the releasing of her 13-track debut album. On 'Reality Bites' listeners can find guest appearances from Ro James, Chazz French, and Jordan Bratton
Calling all R&B lovers! Ro James and BJ The Chicago Kid, recently announced that they will be teaming up this summer for 'The R&B Tour.' So far, 'The R&B Tour' has 10 dates and starts May 15th in Atlanta, Georgia. Be sure you get your tickets today while VIP and exclusive meet & greet packages are still available.
As we patiently wait for the start of the tour, Ro James and BJ The Chicago Kid has blessed us with a little treat. Check out Ro James and BJ The Chicago Kid's cover of Jodeci's 'Come And Talk To Me' below.
On April 18, 2018, BET announced upcoming programming for their 2018-2019 fiscal year. BET vowed to raise the bar for the coming years by adding 21% of original content, which one show, in particular, is a docu-series 'Ladies Night' featuring music veterans En Vogue, Salt-N-Pepa, Spinderella, and SWV.
According to BET, the docu-series will consist of 10-episodes following the iconic girl groups as they embark on a national tour.
"The 10-episode docuseries follows the personal and professional drama of the iconic 1990s girl groups En Vogue, Salt-n-Pepa, Spinderella and SWV as they embark on a national tour. With a run of shows across the U.S., these iconic artists must create, choreograph and execute a night featuring all of their famous hits. With major money on the line, the OGs will need to put their pride to the side in order to launch something truly memorable. Produced by Entertainment One’s Tara Long; Mark Herwick and Madison Merritt serve as executive producers."
This past week, Lauryn Hill announced in celebration of the 20th anniversary of her iconic debut solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill that she will be embarking on a 2018 world tour. Tickets for the North American portion of 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill World Tour 2018' went on sale April 20th.
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill has sold over 17 million copies worldwide, garnered 10 Grammy nominations with Hill winning 5, making her the first female to receive that amount of awards and nominations in a single night.
A portion of ticket sales will go to the MLH Foundation, "which directly contributes support for education, health, agriculture, technology, and community-based business development initiatives throughout the Diaspora." The tour kicks off June 5th, in Virginia Beach.
Legendary R&B/Soul crooners Freddie Jackson, Jeffrey Osborne & Peabo Bryson respectively have announced new music for 2018 to remind us that R&B definitely isn’t dead. The men of classic soul are sure to deliver future classics to their extensive repertoire.
FREDDIE JACKSON: One of the premier R&B vocalist of our time Freddie Jackson has released the smooth and sensual jam “Without You” which serves as the follow-up single to 2017’s “One Night”. There’s no word when an album will drop.
JEFFREY OSBORNE: On May 25th Grammy-nominated singer Jeffrey Osborne will release his 12th overall solo album Worth It All via Artistry Music. This is Osborne’s first new music in five years. Hear the title track below:
PEABO BRYSON: Grammy Award-winning R&B balladeer Peabo Bryson has released his latest single, “Love Like Yours & Mine” produced by legendary hit-makers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. The throwback slow jam inspired song has debuted at #24 this week on Adult R&B radio.
Grammy-Award winning singer and actress Mya has released her 8th full-length studio album T.K.O. (The Knock Out) via her own independent label Planet9, which serves as the follow-up to 2016’s Grammy-nominated album Smoove Jones.
The 12-track album features production from Lamar “MyGuyMars” Edwards, R. Kelly, Khirye Tyler, Philip “Hardwork” Constable and Los Da Mystro who produced her latest single “Damage”.
T.K.O. also features the singles “Ready for Whatever” and “You Got Me” and is available everywhere music is purchased online.
Alfa Anderson formerly of the iconic funk soul band Chic who brought the music world legendary hits such as “Le Freak”, “Good Times”, “Everybody Dance” to name a few, has returned with new music “When Luther Sings” in tribute to longtime friend Luther Vandross. I caught up with Alfa Anderson to discuss the music, Luther, her earlier years with Chic. Her album From My Heart is out now.
Terrance - First can you share with me a little backstory on how you got involved with Chic?
Alfa Anderson - Luther Vandross is the reason I became involved with Chic. He was a much sought after New York session singer and would call me to do some of those sessions with him. I'll never forget the day I received the call to do a session for a new group his friend Nile Rodgers had formed with partner Bernard Edwards. I was excited about the possibility until he said, "It's disco music." I thought I was losing my hearing. "Disco! Are you for real? We aren't disco artists, we are R&B artists." Come on, he urged. It'll be fun. Not only was it fun, it was the turning point in my career. I went to the studio expecting to hear a very formulaic four on the floor track. What I heard was Dance, Dance, Dance and it was perfection. I was not the only person who shared doubts that day. Before the session began, Bernard Edwards pulled Nile to the side and asked "are you sure these are the singers we want on these tracks." Nile reassured him that it would be fine. Was it ever! Luther, Norma Jean Wright, David Lasley, Robin Clark, Diva Gray, Nile Rodgers, Bernard Edwards and I sang background on that first album. When it came time for Chic to go on tour, they asked Luther and me to go out and provide tour support. When Norma Jean left the group to pursue a solo career, they asked me to stay on and join Luci Martin. It was the best decision I could have made. And it all happened because of my friend Luther Vandross.
Terrance - What has been the biggest highlight thus far in your 40 year career?
Alfa Anderson - The biggest highlight for me thus far is that many of the classic songs on which I sang are still being played somewhere in the world everyday. Who knew that Le Freak or Good Times would stand the test of time? These songs continue to be introduced to a new generation of fans in movie soundtracks and television commercials. That's pretty awesome!
Terrance - You mention the classic songs being introduced to a new generation of fans, what’s your honest take on Chic sampled heavily in the Hip Hop, R&B and Pop world?
Alfa Anderson - I love that the younger generation is embracing the work that we did. They are taking what we did and interpreting it their way. I love it all from Sugarhill Gang's use of the track from Good Times for Rapper's Delight (1979) to Luther Vandross' sample of My Forbidden Lover on Shine (2006) to LA by The Game feat. Snoop Dogg, will.i.am and Fergie (2015).
Terrance - What were going through you guys minds during the creation of the critically acclaimed Risqué album?
Alfa Anderson - Everything about Risqué; the music, the lyrics, the arrangements, the vocals make this one of my favorite Chic albums. We were really in the zone vocally. Fonzi Thornton, Michelle Cobbs, Luci Martin and I perfected the Chic vocal style on Good Times and My Forbidden Lover. The phrasing of those syncopated rhythms worked so well with the music. Above all, we had fun and you can hear that. A Warm Summer Night was sensuous. The strings and the tap dancing on My Feet Keep Dancing were cutting edge. The ballads suited Luci and me perfectly. And oh, that cover!
Terrance - It’s interesting Chic has been nominated for induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame eleven times why do you think the band haven’t been nominated yet?
Alfa Anderson - That's hard to say. This year they inducted Nile Rodgers for his work as a producer. Maybe one day the group will be inducted. It will happen if it's meant to be.
Terrance - Getting back to Luther, you released a new single “When Luther Sings” talk about that.
Alfa Anderson - I wanted to offer a public thank you to the man who started it all for me. The song is autobiographical and it came to me so clearly I just had to share it with the world.
Terrance - People have their opinion or theory about Luther what’s one misperception you could clear up?
Alfa Anderson - Some people might have called him difficult. He wasn't. Luther was a perfectionist. He knew what he wanted and would accept nothing less. At the end of the day, it was his name on the marquee, his reputation, his career and his fans. He loved and respected his fans. He always wanted to make sure that when you bought a ticket to see him, you got your money's worth. He would say on stage, "we don't mess with your ticket money." And we didn't.
Terrance - What’s the most fond memory or advice from Luther you will always cherish?
Alfa Anderson - Believe in yourself. If you like what you're doing, others will like it too because the honesty will come through and connect with people. This sentiment is expressed in a lyric from the song When Luther Sings.
Terrance - Talk to me about your solo debut album From My Heart and what sparked that interest.
Alfa Anderson - I have received so much love, support and encouragement from family, friends and fans that I wanted to show my appreciation. At first, I was hesitant but last year I started writing. I didn't realize how much I had bottled up inside of me until I did that. The melodies and lyrics flowed effortlessly. It's as if this project was meant to be because I finally followed my heart.
Terrance - From the beginning to now how has the process changed being a recording artist?
Alfa Anderson - The process has changed significantly. Some of it for the better. The technological advances are incredible and make it a lot easier. You can sing something and then fly it into other places. You can add all kinds of effects. I did some of that, but I am an analog girl at heart. I started writing songs the old fashioned way by just singing the melodies and lyrics into a recorder. Then I took my songs to arranger/producer Bert Price, who helped me turn them into demos. Finally, we produced the tracks. A lot of what you'll hear on From My Heart are vocals that I sang straight through like we used to do. No stopping and starting again. We went for the feel. If a performance felt good, we kept it.
Terrance - Is there anything you’d like to add not discussed?
Alfa Anderson - For the past two years, I have been working with former Chic vocalists Luci Martin and Norma Jean Wright. “Perfectly Chic” is another tribute song on the From My Heart album and it rocks!
R&B songstress Trina Broussard first burst onto the music scene with her critically-acclaimed cover of Minnie Riperton’s classic “Inside My Love” in 1997 for the Love Jones: The Music Soundtrack. Since then she has released two full-length studio albums Inside My Love & Same Girl, followed by several singles including her latest “Where I’m Supposed to Be” which has been holding the #1 spot on the Official Indie Soul Charts for two consecutive weeks. I caught up with Broussard to discuss the courageous song, musical beginning, being an independent artist, forthcoming album and much more...
Terrance: First off, congratulations on your single “Where I’m Supposed to Be” second week run at #1 on the Official Indie Soul Charts.
Trina Broussard: What a blessing. Thank God for Chris Clay and many other DJ’s that came through and had a personal conversation with me and told me they loved it and definitely were going to push it. Rnbmoguls which consist of Corey Miller and Anthony Richards for finding that particular song for me. The song is honest, it’s truthful and I’m proud of it and I’m grateful.
Terrance: Talk about how it all came together.
Trina Broussard: Anthony had sent a couple of tracks to me and out of the six tracks, that was the one I picked and they were kind of shocked I would pick that one because they say I’m more of a jazz or mid-tempo or slow ballad person, but I really liked it and liked what I heard. I was in Houston at the time visiting my family and I had just recorded another song for them called “Forever” and the process in our working relationship went so well they ended up sending me another track which was “Adieu” and they ended up sending this one last.
Terrance: Were you surprised at how well it took off and was received?
Trina Broussard: I was really surprised because I have to be honest with you, I was a little nervous. I kind of went back to the guys at rnbmoguls and kind of stalled them a little bit. They were a little upset with me because I was like I didn’t want to make it seem like I was trying too hard or trying to do a trap song and they were like, listen at the end of the day you claim a song, it’s an honest song and it’s a honest story and people can relate to the lyrics. I’m just really surprised and grateful at the same given time.
Terrance: Take us back a little to your debut song to the world, “Inside My Love” from the now iconic Love Jones Soundtrack.
Trina Broussard: That credit goes to Jermaine Dupri. At the time I had signed to So So Def. Trey Lorenz and I were roommates at the time and he helped me with a demo and gave the demo to Jermaine. I got a call from Jermaine around two o’clock in the morning and Jermaine said, don’t give this demo to anybody else I want you to come to my office for us to sit down and talk about doing a deal and we did the deal probably a month or two later. I got a call from Jermaine one night maybe twelve or one midnight and he said, hey I want to talk to you about doing a song for this soundtrack and it’s a Minnie Riperton song and I said which song is it? He said it’s “Inside My Love” and I was really nervous and I told him I would call him back. So I go across the hall knocking on Trey’s door and told him that Jermaine wants me to do Minnie Riperton’s “Inside My Love” for a soundtrack and I told him I don’t know if I could really hit those notes and Trey said, you need to get back in there right now and call him and tell him you’re going to do it. At the time I was a little green, just stepping into the industry as a recording artist. I had been doing gigs and background work but I’ve never done solo one’s for myself. This was my first chance to be featured on anything, so Trey said, you need to call him back and let him know you’re going to do it. At the time soundtracks were really big and so as I mentioned I was a little green when it came to certain things and so I called Jermaine back and he said, okay cool but there’s one catch to this, this is the last song for the soundtrack and we have to have this song in by midnight and I said, Wow. So I have to thank Jermaine for extending that offer to me to do the song. I have to thank Trey, he was the one who called up the musicians that night and put the whole session together. That’s pretty much history, it was Jermaine Dupri and Trey Lorenz, I have to give them credit for it and of course the young guys who came in and played on the record by the names of Trey Gilbert who played bass and Kelvin Broughton who helped with a lot things, Lil’ John Roberts who is an excellent drummer and is one of my favorite drummers in the industry. It was a wonderful thing.
Terrance: Can you share a little about your earliest musical beginning. When you realized singing was your calling.
Trina Broussard: Well, I come from a musically-inclined family. My mother is a singer, my father plays guitar, my mother’s mother was a minister of music at a Church for many, many years. My mother’s father was a blues singer, my father’s father played guitar as well and my mother’s sisters grew up singing in a group together. My brother is a musician and producer as well as my younger brother. I pretty much been around it all my life. It was inevitable watching my parents rehearse in our garage with a ten plus piece band. There were congas and bongos and horns and B3 Hammonds and pianos and just a whole plateau of people coming together making a joyful noise.
Terrance: What artists have continued to inspire you through the years?
Trina Broussard: I’m an old school head, I absolutely love Aretha Franklin and Ashford & Simpson, Oleta Adams, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Holliday and anybody who knows me and knows me well knows that my childhood favorites are The Emotions. The Emotions absolutely kind of get in my ear for listening to different textures and tones when it comes to background vocals and blending, they are my absolute favorites. I love the new school, I love Fantasia, I think Jazmine Sullivan is excellent. Mica Paris is probably one of my favorite singers. Of course my brother Rahsaan Patterson who is a great singer-songwriter and family to me. There’s a lot of untapped indie artists I appreciate as well. There’s Russell Taylor, Sy Smith, Avery Sunshine. I think Jill Scott is brilliant. I grew up listening to Earth, Wind & Fire. On the gospel side, as I mentioned my mother’s mother was a minister of music in Church for many years so I grew up listening to The Hawkins Family, The Clark Sisters and Yolanda Adams, who used to go to a Church down the street from my house at the time when she was part of The Southeast Inspirational Choir, so I mean there’s a host of people and I might be leaving some people out. I’m pretty much inspired by everybody. If it’s good then I’m in.
Terrance: You spoke of appreciating indie artists, so tell me what do you love most about being an independent artist yourself?
Trina Broussard: For me, and this is what I’ve been telling a lot of my indie artist colleagues, with this there are no boundaries and that’s not to say major artists don’t have boundaries either, but there are no boundaries. I just tell them to take it and throw it up against the wall and see if it’s going to stick or slide, that’s all you can do. It’s a great thing without the restrictions or someone over your head saying we don’t like that and not to say indie artists aren’t opened to constructive criticism and listening to someone who can bring some things in and enhance whatever you’re trying to do, I’m always opened to that, but I’m able to be comfortable in what Trina is doing. I have to be honest a lot of the stuff I did outside of “Inside My Love”, I was just doing it to be doing it on the Inside My Love and Same Girl albums and I just didn’t feel I was singing and convincing people, but this time around I was able to really sing it and mean it if that makes sense to you.
Terrance: Can we expect a follow-up third album to 2004’s Same Girl in the near future?
Trina Broussard: Absolutely. We are pushing to have an album to you all by early or late fall of 2018. I’m finishing up songs now, so yes.
Terrance: What makes Trina Broussard, the person the happiest?
Trina Broussard: Just seeing other people happy. I love to see the underdogs become victorious. I love redemption. I love seeing my family and friends happy and I love laughter. Most of my friends are really weird and crazy and I always say if you don’t have a touch of crazy with you then we can’t be friends. I believe in self-forgiveness, a lot of people beat themselves up, but I like to see people come through the fire with victory all over them. I just like to see people win, period.
Terrance: Outside of music what are your hidden talents?
Trina Broussard: What people don’t know is I was my high school’s best actress. I really went to school for acting. I went to State every year and won competitions, so I really want to get back into acting very soon and I have a few scripts I’m working on, so that’s a hidden gem that I’m ready to share with the world.
Terrance: Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers about yourself?
Trina Broussard: What I’ve been getting into lately as of February 21st is setting my alarm clock for 3:45 every morning from Monday through Friday for an early morning boot camp class. I’m not ashamed of my age I’m 48 and will be 49 in October. I’m really becoming settled into the woman that I am and I’m loving that, the flaws and everything. There was a time when everything had to be picture perfect, but I’m like, you know what? There’s something about when you get grown, you let things just roll off your back like water. The things that matter are the people in your life that you care about and when you want to see them happy and making sure you’re encouraging them and making people in your life accountable and I want people to make me accountable for things. I’m just in a new place now where the song “Where I’m Supposed to Be” talks about having a peace of mind and I truly have that and it’s priceless.
2x Grammy-nominated R&B star Daniel Caeser shares the music video for his latest single, “Best Part” featuring fellow emerging R&B singer H.E.R.
A gorgeous beachside affair, the captivating split-screen clip depicts each respective vocalist walking along the water. The sun glistens off the sand as the voices entwine despite the distance. Dreamy acoustic guitar resounds as Caeser’s voice carries off into the horizon and H.E.R. simply hypnotizes as she maintains her signature mystery throughout the clip. It’s a cinematic exposition worthy of the song’s luscious and lovelorn emotionality.
“Best Part” stands out as the latest favorite from the artist’s Grammy nominated full-length epic, Freudian. Another phenomenon, it’s already racked up over 66 million Spotify streams and counting.
Last night, the duo joined forces for the first late night performance of the track on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel LIVE!
After recently completing his sold out Freudian World Tour, Caeser descends on Coachella this weekend and next.
Caeser quietly built a platform to reach the top of R&B and soul in 2018. He’s performed everywhere from The Late Late Show with James Corden to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert alongside Chance the Rapper, no less, and Late Night with Seth Meyers. Notably, he even attracted the highest endorsement possible, with “Get You” appearing on President Barack Obama’s “Year-End Best Songs list” alongside another Caeser favorite “First World Problems.”
Grammy Award-winning R&B superstar Ne-Yo has unveiled the visual for his latest single “Push Back” from his forthcoming seventh album Good Man which is slated for a June 8th release date. Produced by frequent collaborators StarGate and features guest appearances from BeBe Rexha & Stefflon Don over a seductive dancehall vibe.
On the song Ne-Yo adds:
“I love a woman who knows how to move. I love a woman that has her own self, her own heart and mind. She’s comfortable with her body. And when her song comes on, she’s gonna get up and move. She’s gonna show you just how confident and comfortable she is. ‘Push Back’ is about these women.
“Push Back” follows after Ne-Yo’s recently released single “Good Man” which has peaked in the top 10 on the Adult R&B Airplay Charts.
Grammy-nominated R&B/Soul artist Janelle Monae has released the third single/visual “Pynk” from her forthcoming third full length album Dirty Computer due April 27.
“Pynk” follows after the singles “Make Me Feel” and “Django Jane”. Dirty Computer is set to be released on Monae’s own label Wondaland Records which she has been building over the past few years.
Monae classifies Dirty Computer as an emotional picture, “a narrative film and accompanying the musical album”.
25 years ago, Grammy-nominated R&B supergroup SWV released their third single “Weak” from their multi-platinum debut album It’s About Time. Written and produced by Brian Alexander Morgan, the platinum-selling single would go on to peak at #1 on both the Pop and R&B charts and become the albums signature ballad.
The legendary song has since been covered by an array of artists such as JoJo, Sevyn Streeter, Fiona Apple, Jazmine Sullivan, Dondria and Abbey Smith.
3x Grammy Award-winning R&B songstress Jill Scott has announced plans for a brand new Summer tour ‘Live In the Moment’ from June through July.
Her last studio album WOMAN was released three years ago and debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts, making it her second to do so after The Light of the Sun.
Scott says of the tour, “Hitting the road, being vulnerable and sharing my music with fans is the most fulfilling part about being an artist. I look forward to love, light and living in the moment with everyone this summer.”
The 14-city tour make stops through Chicago, New Orleans, Atlanta, Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and more.
JILL SCOTT “LIVE IN THE MOMENT” TOUR DATES
Jun. 21 – Minneapolis, MN @ Mystic Lake
Jun. 22 – Chicago, IL @ Ravinia
Jun. 24 – Detroit, MI @ Fox Theater
Jun. 26 – Toronto, Canada @ Sony Center
Jun. 28 – Newark, NJ @ NJ PAC
Jun. 29 – Rochester, NY @ Kodak Hall at Eastman Theater
Jul. 03 – Charlotte, NC @ Ovens Auditorium
Jul. 06 – New Orleans, LA @ Essence Festival
Jul. 07 – Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theater
Jul. 10 – Raleigh, NC @ DPAC
Jul. 12 – Baltimore, MD @ Lyric Theater
Jul. 14 – Washington, DC @ MGM
Jul. 15 – Washington, DC @ MGM
Jul. 28 – Cinncinatti, OH @ Cinncinatti Jazz Festival
Tickets are available for purchase @ www.ticketmaster.com
