R&B-Soul and Dreamville recording artist Ari Lennox delivers her new smooth groove "Chocolate Pomegranate".
Produced by Elite and written by Dijon Stylez, "Chocolate Pomegranate", follows after Lennox's Anthony Ramos-assisted single "If You Want Me to Stay" and is available on all digital music platforms.
R&B's sensational quintet June's Diary which consists of members Shyann Roberts, Kristal Smith, Gabrielle Carreiro, Brienna DeVlugt & Ashly Williams has released their new single entitled "Way Off".
Co-written by the group, the mid-tempo groove touches on knowing your worth and is available on all digital music streaming platforms.
Grammy nominated Singer, songwriter and producer Gwen Bunn has teamed up with R&B Legend Faith Evans on her latest single "Between the Lines", available on all digital music platforms.
The seductive track which samples Evans' 1995 classic "Soon As I Get Home" includes background vocals, adlibs and a new verse written and performed by Evans.
"Between the Lines" follows after Bunn's singles "No Days Off" & "Don't Go" and is set to appear on her upcoming project Mood Swings later in the year.
Grammy Award-winning R&B group 112 which currently consist of founding members Slim & Mike delivers the visual to their latest Afro-beat inspired single "Looking For Love".
"Looking For Love" follows after their singles and accompanying visuals "For Us" and "Spend It All" and appears on their recently released album 112 Forever (Slim & Mike).
R&B Singer-songwriter Lloyd lends his voice to a great cause on the conscious song "They Don't Care", about racism and police brutality.
The track is featured on the compilation project Voices For Change which also include guest appearances from PJ Morton, Kevin Ross, Jacob Lattimore, Sammie, Rotmi & more via EMPIRE.
About the song, Lloyd adds: "Our differences make us beautiful, not unequal. I use my voice to spread love, to inspire enlightening conversations and as a father, to make this world a more compassionate place for my son and daughter".
Singer-songwriter and actress Brave Williams got her first break in the industry as co-founder of the female R&B/Pop group RichGirl ("He Ain't wit Me Now Tho", "Swagger Right") along with fellow singer-songwriter Sevyn Streeter. Since then the Baltimore native ventured out solo releasing her debut project Fearless which featured the buzztrack "Oooh Luv" and follow-up "Road Trippin'" in 2015. I caught up with Williams to discuss her new inspirational ballad "Don't Tell Me No" available across all digital music platforms via the SRG ILS Group label imprint, her upcoming self-titled debut album and much more.
TERRANCE HARRIS: Talk about your earliest musical beginning and when did it all start.
BRAVE WILLIAMS: I was at an open mic in Baltimore performing and somebody who was in the audience introduced me to a producer, who then took me to the label and each step just kinda went forward at that point.
TERRANCE: Walk us through the concept behind your new single "Don't Tell Me No".
BRAVE WILLIAMS: Ultimately I just felt like everything that's going on in the world from the Political Climate, Social Injustice to the noise, I just wanted people to be reminded that love still conquers. I just wanted to really interject love and I felt like this record really does that. Also I wanted to tell a perspective from a man's view. A lot of times we look at men like, you guys have to be super strong and have this strong face all the time, but I wanted this song to represent for my men out there that it's okay to be vulnerable, it's okay if you've had experiences with heartache before. Don't let those situations harden your heart to say no to love and that's why I called it, "Don't Tell Me No".
TERRANCE: Can we expect a visual for the song anytime soon?
BRAVE WILLIAMS: Absolutely. I just released a Lyric Video and I'll be shooting the video in the next few weeks.
TERRANCE: What can you tell us about your upcoming self-titled debut album?
BRAVE WILLIAMS: It's something on there for everybody. I really wanted to inspire people. It's relationship driven. It's Hip Hop, it's R&B, it's a vibe. There are certain songs on there that you can just pour a glass of wine, light some candles and just vibe out. Other songs might get you prompt to go to the club. There's definitely something on there for everybody.
TERRANCE: Are we to expect any special guest features or is it just all Brave Williams?
BRAVE WILLIAMS: There might be some features. We're still in the works, so stay tuned.
TERRANCE: Where does your writing process stem from? Is it usually experiences of your own or close family and friends?
BRAVE WILLIAMS: All the above. A lot of the songs are personal experiences or from conversations with my best friends or my sister or even my followers. I interact with my following and just hearing certain stories. I allow to inspire to inspire.
TERRANCE: So when you're not working musically, what are your go-to things?
BRAVE WILLIAMS: I like to read and watch movies. I'm a homebody when I can be. I really enjoy the solidary of just peace and relaxing. I turn my phone off. Just a good book, a nice glass of wine and relax.
TERRANCE: Who are some artists you're listening to that you would recommend?
BRAVE WILLIAMS: I listen to everybody. I love Stevie Wonder, Patrice Rushen, The Gap Band, Michael Jackson... I mean, my playlist can go from one range to the next.
TERRANCE: Talk about your transition from music to acting.
BRAVE WILLIAMS: The music and acting always kinda work simultaneously with each other. I just literally wrapped up a movie that we've been filming for three weeks and I'm really looking forward to everyone seeing that open up in the next coming weeks. I have a movie on Netflix right now called Love Dot Com that you can go check out. I'm actually dabbling more into the behind the scenes of creating my own films, the castings and all that good stuff because I just finished a script.
TERRANCE: Any final words you would like to share with your fans, followers and the readers?
BRAVE WILLIAMS: Ultimately I just want everyone to know that their dreams, their purpose or whatever it is their chasing after, it matters. It's so important for them to not quit on themselves. Anything you set your mind to, you can absolutely do if you're willing to do the work that it takes to get it done. You're going to have a lot of outside distractions and opinions from other people, but never let that dictate your journey. You have to do what's best for you and surround yourself around good people that also believe in your dream. Also don't be scared to ask for help. You have to be specific on the type of help you need, because closed mouths don't get fed.
Follow Brave Williams on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook @bmorebrave
Legendary R&B crooners Christopher Williams and Alexander O’Neal, join singer-songwriter Gregg Jackson to execute a legendary slow jam entitled “Roses”, produced by British R&B singer Mark Morrison, and available now via MackLife Records.
Gregg Jackson has brought the joy and intensity of the Motown/R&B nightclub experience to dancefloors all over the United States, and has performed lead and background vocals with artists such as James Brown, Ike & Tina Turner, Otis Redding, Herb Reed and The Platters. Christopher Williams is an R&B singer/actor from the Bronx, who emerged during the late 1980s with a New Jack sound. After the success of his first album, and hit singles, "Promises, Promises", and "Talk to Myself", his popularity was further cemented with a starring role in the movie, “New Jack City ,” and the No.1 R&B hit single “I’m Dreamin”, from the movie soundtrack. Alexander O'Neal is one of R&B’s most iconic names, with a multi-platinum catalogue, including international hit singles such as “Criticize”, “If You Were Here Tonight”, “Saturday Love”, “Never Knew Love Like This” and “Fake”.
“Roses”, is produced by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Mark Morrison, whose catalogue includes “Crazy”, “Innocent Man” and one of the most well-known hit singles of all time “Return of the Mack”. “Roses” is also released through Morrison’s independent imprint, MackLife Records.
Gregg Jackson, Christopher Williams, Alexander O’Neal, “Roses”, out now on all platforms.
Grammy Award-winning Singer, songwriter and musician Alicia Keys has released the visual for her uplifting new single "Love Looks Better".
The upbeat track appears on Keys' recently released seventh studio LP Alicia which includes the Gold certified singles "Show Me Love" feat. Miguel & "Underdog".
Multi-Grammy Award-winning Superstar Mariah Carey has released a previously unreleased track "Out Here On My Own", a cover of Irene Cara's 1980's Fame selection.
The track which was recorded in 2000, will appear on Carey's upcoming compilation album The Rarities, a two-disc project of unreleased songs and gems recorded over the span of her 30 year illustrious musical career due October 2 via Sony Music.
On the track, Carey reveals: "The fact that I believed I could become a successful artist is one of my greatest strengths. Around the same time, my mother entered me in a talent competition in the city and I sang one of my favorite songs: "Out Here on My Own" by Irene Cara."
Two-time Grammy nominated Trap-Soul Singer-songwriter Bryson Tiller has released his new single entitled "Always Forever" from his upcoming long-awaited third studio LP Serenity.
"Always Forever" follows after Tiller's SWV and Mary J. Blige-sampled song "Inhale" and is available on all digital music platforms.
Multi-Award Winning and Grammy nominated Singer-songwriter Koryn Hawthorne has released her sophomore LP entitled I Am via RCA Inspiration.
With production from Dahryl "DJ" Camper, Troy Taylor, Johntá Austin, Steffany Gretzinger & Jeremy "TryBishop" Hicks, the 10-track project includes the singles "Pray" & "Speak to Me" and features an appearance from Gospel phenom Jonathan McReynolds on the song "Peace".
I Am follows after Hawthorne's acclaimed debut album Unstoppable and is available on all digital music platform services.
R&G (Rhythm N Gospel) recording artist Terrell T-Rex Simon returns with his new inspirational mid-tempo single "Shine" which features indie rapper T. Sydir via Daddy Rich Entertainment.
Produced & Written by Burnie Stevenson, the track is sure to bring light to whatever dark place you're in.
T-Rex adds:
"We celebrate every trial because we know it comes to make us stronger. In the meantime don't let them see you sweat".
"Shine" which serves as the lead single from T-Rex's upcoming project Just Incase You Missed It (available Nov 18th 2020), is available on iTunes and all digital and streaming outlets.
Fifteen-time Grammy Award-winning Singer, songwriter and musician Alicia Keys has released her seventh overall album Alicia via RCA Records. The 15-track project features the Gold-certified singles "Show Me Love" feat. Miguel & "Underdog" as well as additional guest appearances from Jill Scott, Snoh Aalegra, Tierra Whack, Sampha, Diamond Platnumz & Khalid who appears on the latest single "So Done".
Fifteen-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys is the spotlight artist in our latest edition of Top 10 Best Songs. The multi-talented Songstress has been one of the most prominent and masterful voices of our time for the past two decades, releasing seven studio albums. We've compiled her top 10 best songs along with honorable mentions, so without further ado, we present... Alicia Key's Top 10 Best Songs.
10 Blended Family (What You Do for Love) ft. A$AP Rocky
From the Album: Here
Keys' most autobiographical moment in which she celebrates her stepson and family life in their 'blended' family. The song became a top 10 Billboard Adult R&B hit.
09 Like You'll Never See Me Again
From the Album: As I Am
Kerry Brothers Jr. co-produced this song about 'living every moment as if it's your last'. The standout song topped the R&B Singles chart.
08 Show Me Love ft. Miguel
From the Album: Alicia
This Miguel-assisted song topped the Adult R&B Songs chart and went on to be Gold-certified.
07 You Don't Know My Name
From the Album: The Diary of Alicia Keys
Co-Produced by Kanye West. This Gold-selling single peaked at No. 3 on the Hot 100's and topped the R&B chart and samples The Main Ingredients' classic "Let Me Prove My Love to You".
06 No One
From the Album: As I Am
Released as the lead single from Keys' third album. This Grammy Award-winning song topped both the Billboard's Hot 100's and R&B charts.
One of the standout songs from Keys' sophomore album. This Grammy nominated single peaked at No. 8 and No. 2 on the Hot 100's and R&B charts respectively.
04 Fire We Make ft. Maxwell
From the Album: Girl On Fire
Keys' collaborated with fellow artist Maxwell on this well received neo-soul ballad which topped Billboard's Adult R&B Songs chart.
03 Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)
From the Album: The Element of Freedom
Produced by Kerry Brothers Jr. & Keys', this standout mid-tempo track topped the R&B Singles chart.
02 Fallin'
From the Album: Songs in A Minor
Considered Keys' signature song. This three-time Grammy Award-winning song topped both the Hot 100's and R&B charts and cemented her place as one the leading voices in Contemporary music.
01 If I Ain't Got You
From the Album: The Diary of Alicia Keys
Keys' secured a Grammy win with this standout Contemporary ballad which peaked at No. 4 on the Hot 100's & topped the R&B Singles chart.
Honorable Mention:
"My Boo" ft. Usher
"Empire State of Mind (Part II)"
"Unbreakable"
"Karma"
"Teenage Love Affair"
"A Woman's Worth"
"Underdog"
"Superwoman"
"Holy War"
Honorable Mention Album Cuts: "Goodbye" "Butterflyz" "That's How Strong My Love Is" "Wreckless Love" "Heartburn" "Love Is Blind" "Illusion of Bliss" "Pawn It All"
Nine-time Grammy nominated Powerhouse vocalist Kelly Price has unveiled the visual to her inspirational new single "What I Need" which was produced amidst the global pandemic. Directed by 3DNatee, "What I Need" is a prayer and message of hope translated through the use of video chronicling many of the horrors and pain the world endured beginning in the year 2020.
"What I Need" follows after Price's 2016 single "Everytime (Grateful)" and is available on all digital music platforms.
Grammy nominated Singer, songwriter and actress Janelle Monáe has released her new Social Injustice song and it's accompanying visual "Turntables" which features iconic figures such as Muhammad Ali, Maxine Waters, Angela Davis, LGBTQ+ rights champions and more.
"Turntables" appears in the Amazon Original Movie All In: The Fight for Democracy, a documentary on voter suppression that features Stacy Abrams arriving on Amazon Prime Video on September 18.
"Turntables" follows after Monae's critically acclaimed 2018 album Dirty Computer and is available on all digital music platforms.
Grammy Award-winning Superstar Alicia Keys has released her new empowering single "Love Looks Better" which she performed on Thursday (September 10) at the 2020 NFL Kick-Off.
"Love Looks Better" follows after Keys' Khalid-assisted single "So Done" and is expected to appear on her upcoming album Alicia.
"Love Looks Better" is available on all digital music streaming platforms.
Emerging R&B recording artist Blakk Soul has released the official video for his latest single entitled "Free".
On the song, Blakk Soul adds: "'Free' for me was therapy. An expression in song form for the independent grinder. A gentle reminder that we don't see the fruit the same day we plant the seed." "Free" follows after previous singles "Help" & "Smoke N Chill" from Blakk Soul's acclaimed debut album Take Your Time via Mello Music Groupavailable on all digital music streaming platforms.
Grammy Award-winning Superstar Usher has released his new single and accompanying video entitled "Bad Habits" which showcases his choreography skills throughout the Chris Robinson-directed visuals.
"Bad Habits" follows after Usher's Billboard No. 1 Adult R&B hit "Don't Waste My Time" which features Ella Mai and will be appearing on his upcoming tenth overall album Confessions 2. Usher has also announced his forthcoming Las Vegas Residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace which kicks off July 16, 2021. Tickets are available now.
Singer-songwriter RLreturns with his new 4-track EP entitled The Letter J, inspired by Jodeci, Jon B. & Janet Jackson, who all happen to have names that start with the letter J.
On the EP, RL adds:
"For me I just really wanted to showcase my growth and evolution. When people ask me about putting out a free EP, I tell them it's almost like going to the grocery store on a Saturday. They know you're coming. They know you have your kids in the cart, and if you come down that aisle and they give you a sample of something and you like it, you're not leaving that store without going and getting the whole meal. For me this is that sample to show people like, hey, I'm still here better than ever continuing to put out great music. I'm proud of it. I don't know if I would've even put this project out if it wasn't for being pushed by my team, Doc, and of course my production partner B Flat. I'm not going to lie because it's a daunting task to continue to try to grow and evolve and you really haven't released an official project since 2013, I believe. But, I just continue to try to work at my craft and get better, and I really think that 'The Letter J' is a product of that. I'm super proud, and super excited, and this is just pretty much an interlude into something much bigger which is going to be 'RTV' which will probably be coming late October. So for me, that's what it means. Also the inspiration behind the project is.... you know we always talk about giving flowers and how all of these great artists from my era were out, and yet we wait until the funeral or something catastrophic happens to kinda show them love. Not only did I want to make great music, but as I was doing it, I wanted to represent and give flowers to some great acts that I really grew up loving like Jon B, Janet Jackson, and of course one of my bigger inspirations, Jodeci. Not only did I want to make great songs, but I wanted to take music that people loved and put my spin on it to show people the "RL Way."
Grammy Award-winning Superstar Mariah Carey is issuing her double disc compilation album The Rarities on October 2, 2020 via Sony Music.
The Songbird Supreme recently took to social media to reveal the tracklist for the collection of unreleased songs and gems over the span of her 30 year illustrious musical career as well as live performances from Tokyo Dome, Japan 1996. The project is led by the single "Save the Day" which features the iconic Ms. Lauryn Hill and produced by Jermaine Dupri.
About the project, Carey adds:
"This one is for you, my fans. It's to celebrate us, and to celebrate 🤫 years of pure love and support. I am so grateful to you."
The Rarities Tracklist
Disc 1: The Rarities
1 Here We Go Again (1990)
2 Can You Hear Me (1991)
3 Do You Think of Me (1993)
4 Everything Fades Away (1993)
5 All I Live For (1993)
6 One Night (1995)
7 Slipping Away (1996)
8 Out Here On My Own (2000)
9 Loverboy (Firecracker - Original Version) (2001)
Jamaican-born recording artist Skip Marley (son of Cedella Marley) has released his anticipated debut EP Higher Place on all digital music streaming platforms via Tuff Gong/Island Records. The 7-track project features guest appearances from his late Grandfather Bob Marley, Ari Lennox, Rick Ross, Damian Marley Jr. & Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter H.E.R. who appears on the No. 1 Billboard Adult R&B hit single "Slow Down".
On the project, Marley adds:
"It is a joy and a blessing for me to share this music with the world. When we say 'Higher Place', we mean good vibrations. Positivity. Conscious influence of the heart and the mind and the soul. Music with a message is the music we love."
R&B sensations VanJess which consists of Nigerian sisters Ivana & Jessica Nwokike returns with their laid-back, smooth, feel-good single and accompanying video "Come Over".
On the visuals, VanJess adds: "For this video, we really wanted to capture vintage glamour but still feel like the future and represent who we are. Early in quarantine we were really inspired looking at old photos of our parents in Nigeria and thought about what being at home living the lyrics of this record would look like in their world. We hope this song makes everyone feel good and dance, we believe energy and soul and tempo still has a place in R&B!" "Come Over" follows after VanJess' highly anticipated debut album Silk Canvas and their subsequent remix project.
Grammy Award-winning Singer, songwriter and record producer Anthony Hamilton delivers a stripped down version to his original Billboard Adult R&B Top 15 hit "Back Together" which featured a posthumous appearance from the iconic Rick James.
Produced by Kelvin Wooten, "Back Together" (Quiet Storm Mix) is available on all streaming platforms.
Grammy nominated R&B Singer-songwriter SZA returns with her Ty Dolla $ign-assisted single and it's accompanying video "Hit Different".
Produced by The Neptunes, "Hit Different" follows after SZA's collaboration with Justin Timberlake "The Other Side" which was released earlier in the year.
Singer, songwriter and actress Brave Williams formerly of the female R&B group RichGirl has released her new single entitled "Don't Tell Me No" on all streaming platforms. Listen HERE! Produced by Ivan "Orthodox" Barias and co-written by Brave Williams, Brittany Barber & Kristal Tytewriter Oliver, "Don't Tell Me No" is set to appear on Williams upcoming self-titled debut album via her label imprint Brave New World/SRG-ILS/Universal in 2020.
