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Day 27 of 28 Days: Busta Rhymes feat. Janet Jackson – “What’s It Gonna Be?” (1998)
“What’s It Gonna Be?” was a single release from Brooklyn rapper Busta Rhymes’ third LP Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front (1998). Featuring Janet Jackson on a track that’s highly sexual is a bold move on some levels, but this is a guy with a larger-than-life personality and a wicked sense of humor, so it worked. Directed by Hype Williams, the visual reportedly cost upwards of $2million because of the insane special effects.
Day 26 of 28 Days: Aerosmith – “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” (1998)
Rock band Aerosmith struck gold with “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” the signature song from the soundtrack to the 1998 film Armageddon, starring Bruce Willis, Liv Tyler and Ben Affleck. It was the group’s first #1 song in their near 30-year career. Written by Grammy-winning songwriter Dianne Warren, who also penned Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me,” Toni Braxton’s “Un-Break My Heart,” LeAnn Rimes’ “How Do I Live” and Beyonce’s “I Was Here,” the song still makes me smile whenever I hear it.
Day 25 of 28 Days: Jennifer Paige – “Crush” (1998)
Jennifer Paige’s “Crush” released the summer of ’98, staying on the U.S. Billboard charts for nine consecutive weeks. It was an international hit, taking the number-one spot in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, peaking at number three in the U.S. The song is from her self-titled debut album via Hollywood Records. I lived in Japan at the time, and I swear I heard it every hour on the hour on the overhead speakers while at work.
Day 24 of 28 Days: Dido – “Thank You” (1999)
Officially released to radio in late 2000, “Thank You” appeared on British singer Dido’s debut LP No Angel in 1999. It also featured in two movie soundtracks: 1998′s Sliding Doors starring Gwyneth Paltrow, and the Emmy Award-winning HBO film If These Walls Could Talk 2 in 2000, co-starring Sharon Stone and Ellen Degeneres.
Dido returns with Girl Who Got Away on March 26, the long-awaited follow-up to 2008′s Safe Trip Home. I’ve long loved Dido because she’s so melodic and reflective in her songs. Plus, she writes a lot about love and lust and relationships; which are concurrent themes in my life, most of the time.
Day 23 of 28 Days: Jay-Z feat. BLACKstreet – “The City Is Mine” (1998)
![Jay Z feat. Blackstreet - "The City Is Mine" [Def Jam:1998]](http://www.uncloudedbyambition.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Jay-Z-feat-Blackstreet-The-City-Is-Mine-Def-Jam1998.jpg)
Featuring vocals from R&B group BLACKstreet, “The City Is Mine” was the third single released from Jay-Z’s second LP In My Lifetime, V.1. Teddy Riley produced the track, using a sample of “You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else” by R&B trio The Jones Girl, as well as the melody from “You Belong to The City” by rock singer Glenn Fry (of The Eagles).
Day 22 of 28 Days: Davina, BEST OF BOTH WORLDS (1998)
Blending classic soul with neo soul, Davina appeared on the music scene in 1998 with her debut LP Best of Both Worlds through Loud Records.
The songtress wrote and self-produced the entire project. But unfortunately, it peaked at 180 on the Billboard 200 charts, resulting in her being released from her label. Though ”So Good” and “Come Over to My Place” were the biggest hits on urban radio, several album cuts stand out as well, including “Give Me Love,” “Mercy,” “Getz No Where,” and “After the Rain.” Either way “Come Over To My Place” is a fan favorite.
Day 21 of 28 Days: Various Artists, EARGASMS: CRUCIAL POETICS, VOL. 1 (1997)
Eargasms: Crucial Poetics, Volume 1 released March of 1997, and included music in the vein of spoken word and conscious rap. The artists featured are a diverse list of poets, singers, actors, activists, playwrights, authors and I believe, one professor. It includes Saul Williams, Mos Def, Jessica Care Moore, Mike Ladd, Sarah Jones, Rha Goddess, Abiodun Oyewole of The Last Poets, Latasha Natasha Diggs and Kymbali Craig, to name a few.
Recommended spins: “My Pen,” “Twice The First Time,” “Metaphorplay,” “My Caged Bird Don’t Sing,” “Gunsmoke,” Last Days” and “Bladerunners.”
Sarah Jones – “Metaphorplay” [mp3]
Day 20 of 28 Days: Queen Pen – “Party Ain’t a Party” (1997)
“Party Ain’t a Party” was a single release from Brooklyn rapper Queen Pen’s solo effort, My Melody (1997). Featuring fellow emcees The Lost Boyz, Nutta Butta and singer Markel Riley, the album was produced by Grammy-winning musician Teddy Riley. It also included pop singles such as ”Man Behind the Music” and “All My Love,” as well as the same-sex track “Girlfriend” with Meshell Ndegeocello. [Lil’ Man/Interscope]
Queen Pen first appeared on BLACKstreet’s 1996 smash hit “No Diggity.”
Day 18 of 28 Days: 98° – “Don’t Stop The Love” (1997)
Never released as an official single, “Don’t Stop The Love” was a track on pop-soul quartet 98 Degrees’ eponymous debut that released in 1997. The contemporary R&B ballad was co-written by recording artist Robin Thicke, simply tagged back then as “Thicke.” Mostly known for their pop hit “Invisible Man,” the Ohio-bred quartet consisted of brothers Nick and Drew Lachey, Justin Jeffre and Jeff Timmons. They officially called it quits in 2002.
Day 17 of 28 Days: Savage Garden – “Truly Madly Deeply” (1997)
Australian pop rock duo Savage Garden (Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones) released “Truly Madly Deeply” from their self-titled LP in 1997, and it remained on the Billboard charts for the better part of the year. Though they had major U.S. and international success with first single “I Want You,” their signature song “Truly Madly Deeply,” selling upwards of 18 million records worldwide; as well as with “I Knew I Loved You” (from their second LP Affirmation), the group unfortunately disbanded in 2001. Lead singer Darren Hayes is still recording as a solo artist.
Recently I heard “Truly Madly Deeply” while at work and I was instantly transported back to Tucson, Arizona, where I lived at the time; and it brought up funny memories of me singing it in my car (completely off key, by the way) every time I’d hear it on the radio.
Day 16 of 28 Days: Sam Salter, IT’S ON TONIGHT (1997)
![Sam Salter, It's On Tonight [LaFace/1997]](http://www.uncloudedbyambition.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Sam-Salter-Its-On-Tonight-LaFace-1997.jpg)
Sam Salter had all the makings of a rising R&B star: Gospel background, major talent on the mic, signed to LaFace Records by hit-making producers L.A. Reid and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds — whose collective song credits include tracks for Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Madonna and Mariah Carey, to name a few. And yet, It’s On Tonight (1997) was the L.A.-bred singer’s only album released by LaFace. Either way, it did yield two popular ballads: “There You Are” and “After 12, Before 6.”
Day 15 of 28 Days: Rome, ROME (1997)
![Rome (singer), self-titled debut LP [1997]](http://www.uncloudedbyambition.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Rome-singer-self-titled-debut-LP-1997.jpg)
Michigan-native Jerome Woods (otherwise known as soul singer Rome) brought us his self-titled LP in 1997, with lead single “I Belong To You (Every Time I See Your Face)” reaching number seven on the R&B charts. The album also features a emotionally-charged cover of Bobby Womack’s 1970s classic, “That’s The Way I Feel About Cha.” [RCA]
Day 13 of 28 Days: Camp Lo – “Luchini (aka This Is It)” (1997)
Taken from their debut studio LP Uptown Saturday Night, “Luchini (aka This Is It)” was Bronx duo Camp Lo’s biggest pop hit to date. The album dropped in January of 1997, fusing the sounds of hip-hop, soul and jazz; as well as hitting number five on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop charts. Camp Lo consists of Sonny Cheeba (born Salahadeen Wilds) and Geechi Suede (born Saladine Wallace).
Day 12 of 28 Days: LOVE JONES Soundtrack (1997)
![Love Jones: The Music [Columbia/1997]](http://www.uncloudedbyambition.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Love-Jones_the-music.jpg)
Love Jones: The Music released in the spring of 1997, as the soundtrack to the romantic drama Love Jones starring Larenz Tate, Nia Long, Isaiah Washington, Lisa Nicole Carson and Bill Belamy. It is one of my most favorite R&B and neo-soul collections from the 90′s. With sweet and smooth songs such as Lauryn Hill’s “The Sweetest Thing,” Amel Larrieux’s “Never Enough” and Me’shell Ndegeocello and Marcus Miller’s “Rush Over,” it’s no wonder it hit the number-three spot on the Billboard charts for Top R&B/Hip-Hop album.
But it was “Hopeless” written by former Arrested Development singer Dionne Farris and artist-musician Van Hunt that’s still high on my playlist. I couldn’t agree more with Allmusic.com when they said: “Dionne Farris’ “Hopeless” is an intelligent, timeless gem of a ballad.”
Day 11 of 28 Days: Whitney Houston – “My Love Is Your Love” (1998)
What’s black [music]? I’ve been trying to figure this out since I’ve been in this business. I don’t know know how to sing black — and I don’t know how to sing white either. I know how to sing. Music is not a color to me. It’s an art.” – Whitney Houston
Today marks the one-year anniversary of Whitney Houston’s passing. With a career that spans over 20 years and includes many text-worthy tracks, “My Love Is Your Love” is one of my favorites for its reggae vibe. Wyclef Jean and Jerry Duplessis produced the song; it was the title track from the pop icon’s fourth studio album of the same name. Released in late 1998, the LP featured three top five Billboard songs, to include “Heartbreak Hotel” (with Faith Evans and Kelly Price), “It’s Not Right, But It’s Okay” and the title track “My Love Is Your Love,” which became her third biggest selling hit of all time.
Day 10 of 28 Days: Erykah Badu, BADUIZM (1997)
![Erykah Badu "Baduizm" [Kedar/Universal/1997]](http://www.uncloudedbyambition.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Erykah-Badu_Baduizm.jpg)
Erykah Badu released Baduizm, her phenomenal debut LP, on February 11, 1997. The Roots crew supported the album on tracks such as “Otherside of the Game” and both versions of “Sometimes.” According to AllMusic.com, Badu returned the favor by guesting on The Roots’ fourth studio album, Things Fall Apart (1999) for the hit single “You Got Me” (co-written by Jill Scott).
Baduizm was blues, it was soul, it was cool, it was love; it was emotional. It was poetic. From lead single “On & On” to the intriguingly beautiful “Next Lifetime” to remaking Atlantic Starr’s “Touch a Four Leaf Clover,” Dallas-bred Erica Wright held her own amongst fellow neo-soul artists D’Angelo and Maxwell.
Day 9 of 28 Days: Eric Benet, TRUE TO MYSELF (1996)
![Eric Benet "True to Myself" [Warner Bros/1996]](http://www.uncloudedbyambition.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Eric-Benet_True-to-Myself.jpg)
“Let’s Stay Together,” “Spiritual Thang” and “Femininity” were single releases from R&B singer Eric Benet’s debut studio album, True to Myself via Warner Brothers Records.
The original version of “Let’s Stay Together” appeared on the soundtrack to the 1996 film A Thin Line Between Love and Hate that released earlier in the year. Over the last 10+ years the Wisconsin native has produced six more LPs — including 1999′s A Day In The Life and his latest 2012′s The One – and each product is as consistent and sweet in R&B sounds as his first.
Below is my favorite on True to Myself: “Let’s Stay Together [Midnight Mix]”
Day 8 of 28 Days: Maxwell, URBAN HANG SUITE (1996)
![Maxwell, "Urban Hang Suite" [Columbia/1996]](http://www.uncloudedbyambition.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Maxwell_Urban-Hang-Suite.jpg)
Brooklyn native and Grammy-winning artist Maxwell released his debut studio LP, Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite in the spring of 1996. Blending the sounds of funk, jazz, contemporary R&B and quiet storm, Maxwell (among others) ushered in the new music genre of neo soul that was most popular during the mid-to-late 90′s. Produced almost entirely by the multi-instrumentalist, along with Stuart Matthewman (of Sade and Sweetback) as well as soul musician Leon Ware, Urban Hang Suite went on to sell over a million copies within a year of its release. [Columbia Records]
Admittedly, I only fell in love with Maxwell initially because he reminded me of Prince, whom I’m a huge fan of. But there’s no denying how lovely “…Til The Cops Come Knockin’” makes you feel when it’s played at the right moment… and with the right person.
Day 7 of 28 Days: Tina Moore – “Never Gonna Let You Go” (1995)
![Tina Moore "Never Gonna Let You Go" [single] [Scotti Bros./1995]](http://www.uncloudedbyambition.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Tina-Moore_Never-Gonna-Let-You-Go.jpg)
“Never Gonna Let You Go” was the first single from R&B artist Tina Moore’s 1995 debut, the self-titled Tina Moore. A sweet up-tempo ditty for the dance floor, but unfortunately, the Wisconsin-native never went beyond her sophomore LP, 2002′s Time Will Tell. [Scottie Bros.]
Day 5 of 28 Days: “WAITING TO EXHALE” Soundtrack (1995)
![Waiting to Exhale soundtrack [Arista/1995]](http://www.uncloudedbyambition.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Waiting-to-Exhale-soundtrack.jpg)
Whether you enjoyed the film or not, the soundtrack to Waiting to Exhale included some of the biggest names in pop, soul and gospel music, including Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle and CeCe Winans. With newcomers Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, SWV and Brandy bringing a younger flavor to the mix, well-known music producer Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds shaped the incredible sound, in turn churning out Top 10 Billboard singles such as “Exhale (Shoop Shoop),“ Sittin’ Up In My Room” and “Not Gon’ Cry.”
The 1995 film adaptation of Terry McMillian’s best-selling 1992 novel starred Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine and Lela Rochon; actor Forrest Whitaker made his directorial debut with the movie. According to Entertainment Weekly, the Waiting to Exhale sequel, Getting to Happy, is still in development.
Day 4 of 28 Days: Total, TOTAL (1996)
![R&B trio Total released their self-titled debut "Total" on January 30, 1996. [Bad Boy Ent.]](http://www.uncloudedbyambition.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Total_Total.jpg)
Girl trio Total first hit the urban charts with their single “Can’t You See” featuring Notorious B.I.G. — which originally appeared on the soundtrack of the 1995 film, New Jersey Drive. The group’s self-titled 1996 debut included two other successful tracks: “Kissin’ You” (co-written by Raphael Saadiq) and “No One Else” with Chicago-native Da Brat.
Known for singing hooks on “Juicy” and “One More Chance” by Biggie, Kima Raynor, Keisha Spivey and Pamela Long were discovered by Sean “Puff Daddy/P.Diddy” Combs. Over a two-year period, the group released another LP (1998′s Kima, Keisha & Pam) and appeared on numerous hip-hop and R&B hits such as LL Cool J’s “Loungin’ (Who Do U Love? (Remix),” Mase’s “What You Want,” Foxy Brown’s “I Can’t,” and Keisha sang back up on 112′s “Only You (Bad Boy Remix)“ featuring Biggie and Mase. [Bad Boy Entertainment]
Day 3 of 28 Days: Solo, SOLO (1995)
![Solo released their self-titled debut on September 12, 1995 [A&M]](http://www.uncloudedbyambition.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Solo_Solo.jpg)
Solo is a now a three-piece soul/R&B group made up of singers Darnell Chavis and Daniele Stokes, as well as upright bassist Rob Anderson (fourth member Eunique Mack left to pursue a separate career). The band worked with production geniuses Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on their Minneapolis-recorded 1995 debut, which by early 1996 was certified gold, according RIAA. The LP garnered huge hits with lead single “Heaven” and my absolute favorite, “Where Do You Want Me To Put It.” [Perspective/A&M]
Day 2 of 28 Days: 3T, BROTHERHOOD (1995)
3T is most known for their hit R&B single “Anything” from their debut studio LP Brotherhood. Tito Jackson is their dad; Michael Jackson is their uncle, as they were signed to his MJJ Music label. Brotherhood had a couple of tracks produced by recording artists and musicians Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds (“Why,” a duet with MJ) and Robin Thicke, then known as Thicke (“Sexual Attention”). Though not a radio hit; the seductive “Tease Me” was my personal fave. [MJJ Music]
