Showing posts with label Lauryn Hill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lauryn Hill. Show all posts

Friday, March 29, 2019

#IndieArtistSpotlight - Kershey Interview



Our latest #IndieArtistSpotlight is a singer, songwriter, and producer who goes by the name of Kershey. Raised in Brooklyn, New York Kershey developed a passion for music at a young age. ‘RnB Junkie Official’ had the opportunity of to interview Kershey, where we discussed her background, passion for music, her latest single #IKWTDWI, and more. Check out our interview with Kershey below. 



Can you tell us a little about your musical background and where you’re from?

I’m a singer-songwriter born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. I have always loved writing and even won poetry competitions as a child. I started putting my rhymes to music and the rest is history. All of my friends from childhood can probably remember me remixing some popular song or performing in some talent show. I was and still am somewhat reserved but writing and performing has always brought out an alter ego.

How would you describe your sound?

My sound is influenced by what I grew up listening to. R&B is my first love. I grew up learning to sing songs like, “Weak” by SWV and “Killing Me Softly” by Lauryn Hill.

I love all genres of music but the new music I’m working on is definitely going to connect with R&B and soul lovers.

When did you realize you wanted to sing? 

Once I started writing to music at the age of 8 and discovered that I had a voice, I knew I wanted to be a singer. I would get beats and write or remix popular songs. I would even rap and battle people online because I loved coming up with punchlines. I did well in school and people would say I’m very “book smart” but I always knew I would enjoy working in entertainment and business much more than anything else. I love to create.

Who are some of the artists that inspire you? 

Musically and professionally, I look up to commercially successful female artists that have set the bar high like Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Mary J Blige, Rihanna and Alicia Keys. I am also inspired by so many other artists for different reasons. I love Coldplay and John Mayer as songwriters and I look up to Jay Z, Kanye West and Nicki Minaj as an amazing artists and entrepreneurs.

All of those people for all of those reasons have shaped who influenced my style and music.

Who are some artists and producers you would like to collaborate with? 

Good question! I would love to the opportunity to work with any of my favorite artists mentioned above and so many others. As for producers, I would love to work with the greats like Kanye West, Pharrell and The Dream. But name is not everything. As long as someone is talented, our styles mesh well and it makes sense business-wise, I’m on board. There are a few up-and-coming talents and lesser known songwriters that I have my eyes on.

Can you tell us about your latest single #IKWTDWI and how you came up with the concept for the song? 

The #IKWTDWI song is just a fun song I wrote sitting in bed one day. (laughs) I knew I wanted something sexy and bouncy, found the perfect beat and the words just started flowing easily. Once that happens, I finish the song quickly and record it for release. I have a good idea when something is going to be well received and I’m grateful for all the new fans #IKWTDWI helped me gain.

What can we expect from you in the future? (New music, video, show dates, etc)

More music is definitely on the way. I’m working on my first official project so things will be taken to another level with more visuals and performances.

Where can our followers find your music as well as reach you on social media?

Don’t ever shy away from sending a message to me. I try my best to respond to everyone. Follow me on Instagram and that should lead you to everything else: @iamkershey My music is up on iamkershey.com

Thank you for such a great interview!


Saturday, November 17, 2018

Ranked: Whitney Houston’s My Love Is Your Love Album 20 Years Later


On this day, 20 years ago Grammy Award-winning International Superstar WHITNEY HOUSTON released her fourth studio LP My Love Is Your Love via Arista Records. The album peaked at No. 13 in the US and produced three top 5 Billboard hits: Heartbreak Hotel, It’s Not Right But It’s Okay and the title track My Love Is Your Love, selling 4 million copies domestically and 10 million copies internationally. @RnBJunkieOfficial do the honor of ranking My Love Is Your Love 20 years later...


13 IN MY BUSINESS


Houston once again paired with Missy Elliott on this autobiographical jam which tells the story constantly scrutinizing and judging her and her man.


12 I WAS MADE TO LOVE HIM


This Stevie Wonder cover and Lauryn Hill produced jam was added as a bonus cut. This remarkable and brilliant remake closes the My Love Is Your Love album perfectly.


11 YOU’LL NEVER STAND ALONE


One of Diane Warren’s typical ballads, however; Houston carried the lyric pleasantly well.


10 UNTIL YOU COME BACK


From the opening of this song it puts you in the mind of “vintage” Houston i.e. “I Have Nothing” / “Why Does It Hurt So Bad”. Produced by Babyface and Daryl Simmons.


09 IF I TOLD YOU THAT


This piano driven urban dance track finds Houston’s desire to evolve something more into a friendship. Subsequently, this Rodney Jerkins produced song was later released as a duet with George Michael for Houston’s Whitney: The Greatest Hits where it peaked in the top 10 in the UK.


08 GET IT BACK


An edgy jam produced by Rodney Jerkins which finds Houston refreshing and carefree vocally.


07 I BOW OUT


Another standout gem. Written by Diane Warren and produced by Babyface and Rodney Jerkins.


06 OH YES


The longest song on the album which also happens to be one of the standout non-singles which should have been a single. Produced by Missy Elliott and showcases Houston in rare form with her sultry, seductive and sexual side.


05 I LEARNED FROM THE BEST


Written and produced by hit-making team Diane Warren and David Foster, this remarkable ballad was released as the fifth and final single.


04 WHEN YOU BELIEVE (DUET W/ MARIAH CAREY)


Houston collaborated with Mariah Carey for this Grammy-nominated song originally for The Prince of Egypt Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Subsequently it was released as the lead single and would go on to win Best Song at the 1999 Academy Awards.


03 MY LOVE IS YOUR LOVE


This Platinum-selling single was produced by Wyclef Jean and showcased a different side for Houston sonically fusing Reggae, R&B and Hip Hop Soul which sets the tone for the album. Peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100’s and No. 2 on the R&B chart making it another one of Houston’s top 20 biggest hits.


02 HEARTBREAK HOTEL (FEAT. FAITH EVANS & KELLY PRICE)


Houston teamed up with fellow powerhouse vocalists Faith Evans and Kelly Price for this Platinum-selling and Grammy-nominated song which was released as the second single. Another one of Houston’s top 20 biggest hits. Peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100’s and No. 1 on the R&B chart.


01 IT’S NOT RIGHT, BUT IT’S OKAY


Released as the overall third single and produced by Rodney Jerkins, this Grammy Award-winning song peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100’s and No. 1 on the R&B chart becoming one of Houston’s top 20 biggest singles of her illustrious career.

Saturday, September 29, 2018

#NewMusic: Devon Culture 'Off The Ground' & 'For The Culture (MASH UPs)' Available Now



Earlier this year we interviewed emerging artist Devon, who now goes by Devon Culture. Devon has recently re-released his ‘Tug of War’ EP to all digital and streaming platforms under the title “Off The Ground.’



Also as a treat for fans, Devon Culture put up his For The Culture (Mash Ups) collection in their entirety on his SoundCloud. 

Saturday, August 4, 2018

#NewMusic: H.E.R. "I Used To Know Her: The Prelude" - EP Review


The genre of R&B has witnessed a resurgence in the mainstream with the likes of Ella Mai,  SZA, Daniel Caesar, and H.E.R. On Friday, H.E.R. released I Used To Know Her: The Prelude EP to her highly anticipated debut album. The EP consists of six songs and is twenty minutes in length. The opening track "Lost Souls" features the legendary DJ Scratch of EPMD, which pays homage to Lauryn Hill's "Lost Ones," where H.E.R. is rapping socially conscious lyrics over a gritty beat with subtle singing in the backgrounds, adlibs, and chorus. 

H.E.R. definitely stayed true to her signature sound of R&B with elements of neo-soul on "Against Me." The last minute and forty-five seconds of "Against Me" gives Floetry-esque vibes with H.E.R. reciting her lyrics in a spoken-word poetry style. We can always count on H.E.R to give us a dope interlude that sets the vibe of her project, like what she does with "Be On My (Interlude). The fourth track on the EP "Could've Been" features singer-songwriter, Bryson Tiller, and is definitely in the runnings to be a fan favorite. 


"Feel A Way" is the following track where H.E.R. is begging and pleading in her current relationship where she opens the track singing: 
"I'm up, late, night, my phone so dry, No goodnight, I'm tight 'cause I'm paranoid, I can't sleep you're still mad at me, It's not that deep, we been here before, Oh, I hate when you do that sh*t, (oh, oh) Please stop bringin' up the past sh*t (oh, oh), tell me I'm being irrational (know, know), you're in your feelings, but all I know is -- Don't make me feel a way..."
The sixth and final track on the EP is "As I Am," which is a smooth ending to a greatly crafted vibing session.  H.E.R's new EP is available here on all digital platforms. Take a listen to H.E.R.'s EP  I Used To Know Her: The Prelude below! 



Sunday, April 22, 2018

Lauryn Hill Announces The 'Miseducation' 20th Anniversary Tour!


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.