Recent Posts
- Album Review: DJ Unwind – Épais (Downtempo/Trip Hop)
- New Artist: Sevyn Streeter – “I Like It” (Video)
- You Should Know: Andreya Triana (Video Interview/Soul Bounce)
- Black Cab Sessions: Solange performing “Bad Girls”
- New Album Releases: May 7, 2013
- You Should Know: Onra (Video Interview/The Daily Motive)
- New Video: Janelle Monae & Erykah Badu – “Q.U.E.E.N.”
- New Album Release: April 23, 2013
- New Video: Leonard Friend – “Every Woman”
- New Album Releases: April 9, 2013
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New Artist: Sevyn Streeter – “I Like It” (Video)
Up-and-coming artist Sevyn Streeter is a kind of doing her thing. Signed to Atlantic Records via Chris Brown’s indie label CBE, I caught wind of her last week while listening to an old episode of R&B singer Raheem Devaughn’s internet radio show on BLIS FM. She reminds me of Aaliyah in a lot of ways: cute, sassy and confident in her singing approach. And it seems her buzz is getting louder after rocking BET’s Rip the Runway in March; and her hit single “I Like It” garnering more than two million views on YouTube in the last several months. Having penned tracks for big names such as Estelle, Brandy, Fantasia, Alicia Keys and her mentor, Chris Brown, the songwriters’s debut LP is set to release later this year.
Black Cab Sessions: Solange performing “Bad Girls”
Back in February, indie singer Solange visited London’s Black Cab Sessions, where musicians perform one song in one take in a big ol’ London cab. The Houston native sang an acoustic version of “Bad Girls,” a single from her True EP, a seven-track electro-pop R&B set released in November last year. The sometime DJ and model really impressed me with the cohesiveness that still makes True a good listen.
New Album Releases: May 7, 2013
Noteworthy releases for today:
Fitz and The Tantrums, MORE THAN JUST A DREAM (soul-influenced indie pop) [Elektra Records]
Little Boots, NOCTURNES (pop-disco-house) [On Repeat Records]
New Album Release: April 23, 2013
Noteworthy release for today.
BRIT Award winner and soul singer Emeli Sandé shares first-ever iTunes Session via Virgin Records. The eight-song EP was recorded live at the historic Capitol Studios in Hollywood, California. See track list below.
Track listing:
1. Heaven
2. Where I Sleep
3. Suitcase
4. I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel to Be Free)
5. My Kind of Love
6. Next to Me
7. Clown
8. Read All About It
New Video: Leonard Friend – “Every Woman”
Artist: Singer-songwriter Leonard Friend | Song: “Every Woman” | Album: LXLF (available for free download here) | Genre: Pop/R&B
New Music: The Hood Internet – “Suit and Commercial” (Justin Timberlake x Daft Punk)
Chicago-based production duo The Hood Internet mashes up two unlikely artists to create new sounds, which is sometimes better than the original tracks. Here they pair Justin Timberlake’s latest “Suite & Tie” with Daft Punk’s 2005 Gap commercial that featured actress Juliette Lewis.
NYC: Alt-soul singer Maiysha performs at The Living Room, Mar. 29
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Maiysha will hit the stage at The Living Room in New York City on Friday, March 29 at 9pm. She will share the spotlight with musician Matt Singer.
The Minneapolis-bred, Brooklyn-based artist mixes the genres of R&B, rock, blues and jazz to create a sound that garnered her a 2009 Grammy nomination for her first single “Wanna Be” in the Best Urban/Alternative Performance category. The song is from her debut LP, This Much Is True: (2008) released via Eusonia Records.
In 2010, Maiysha delivered her live album entitled UnderCover, which featured cover versions of songs that inspired the singer. Guided by her signature version of Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” on This Much Is True, tracks re-worked on Undercover included Nancy Sinantra’s “Bang Bang,” Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” and Chris Isaac’s “Wicked Game.” Undercover was recorded live at the legendary Blue Note Jazz Club in NYC.
Watch Justin Timberlake on Fallon performing “Strawberry Bubblegum”
Justin Timberlake continued his week-long run on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night (March 14), as the pop singer performed “Strawberry Bubblegum,” the newest live-previewed track from his upcoming LP, The 20/20 Experience (out March 19). Check it out!
[Via Spin]
New Music: Quadron – “Hey Love”
Hailing from Denmark, electro duo Quadron, consisting of producer and multi-instrumentalist Robin Hannibal and vocalist CoCo, releases new tune entitled “Hey Love.” The bouncy electro-pop single is from their yet untitled June 4th release, due out this summer.
Live Review: Bruno Mars at Reliant Stadium (3.7.13)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – Pop-soul singer Bruno Mars is the total package. He plays the guitar, drums and piano. He’s an accomplished songwriter, co-penning hits like Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire” to B.o.B’s “Nothing on You,” and he can dance, too. Last Thursday night he packed Reliant Stadium, bringing in 75,000 screaming fans — a record attendance, according to Rodeo Houston.
Mars carries a casual and comfortable stage persona and exudes self confidence. Dressed in a checkered flannel shirt, lime-green t-shirt, blue jeans and sneakers, the Hawaii-born singer immediately got down to the singles from his current LP Unorthodox Jukebox, released last December via Atlantic Records. He began with “Moonshine,” then moved to “Natalie” and “Treasure,” onto “Show Me,” mashing it with “Our First Time,” another R&B-reggae tune from his debut Doo-Wops & Hooligans.
Honestly, it was a short set. Thirteen songs in a bit over an hour. But ask me if it mattered? Mars danced and hammed it up the entire time. Fans ate it up (including me!). Performing “Billionaire,” mixing it with an oldie “Money (That’s What I Want),” the talented artist segued into “Marry You” from Doo-Wop and back to his recent with “If I Knew,” blending it with Boyz II Men’s 1992 hit “End of the Road.” Bringing the romance full circle, Mars, of course, sang “When I Was Your Man,” the vulnerable ballad that’s as beautiful live as it is on the radio. He closed out the night with chart-toppers “Grenade,” “Locked Out of Heaven” and “Just the Way You Are.” It was the fastest hour of great music I’ve ever witnessed at the rodeo. Total package indeed.
New Video: Charlie Winston – “Speak To Me”
Growing up with folk-musician parents in a musical theatre environment, English singer-songwriter Charlie Winston brings a dance-pop quirkiness ala Jamie Lidell to the visual of his latest song, “Speak to Me.” Included in the clip: beatboxing, drumming on a toilet and Winston in a straightjacket. Any questions? Genre: Electro-Pop-Soul | Album: Running Still (released in the U.S. on Jan. 28, 2013)
New Music: RoseMary Fiki – “It’s Official” [prod. Benny Blanco]
Philly-based singer-songwriter RoseMary Fiki delivers a sound that embraces Philly soul, but isn’t afraid to leap into other genres like rock and pop as well. “It’s Official,” a mid-tempo tune showcases her vocals, while “Ooh” gives the grittier side of the Nigerian artist. If you’re into Janelle Monae or Yahzarah or Alice Smith or VV Brown or Santigold, you’re on the right track to digging Rosemary Fiki. Both songs are from her self-titled RoseMary Fiki EP, released last summer and is available on iTunes. However, both tracks can be downloaded for free HERE via Soundcloud.
Prince on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon – “Screwdriver” & “Bambi” (3.1.13)
Last night music icon Prince visited Late Night with Jimmy Fallon to perform two songs: “Screwdriver” (his latest with new band, 3rd Eye Girl, and “Bambi,” a classic from his second studio LP, Prince released in 1979. 3rd Eye Girl consists of Donna Grantis on guitar, Hanna Ford Welton on drums and Ida Nielsen on bass. Peep the footage below.
[Via Okayplayer]
Day 28 of 28 Days: Donell Jones, WHERE I WANNA BE (1999)
Chicago-bred singer Donell Jones released his second LP Where I Wanna Be on June 15, 1999. And I think I played this entire album around the clock, everyday, all day, for the better part of a year. It was an interesting time in my life, no doubt. Either way, Where I Wanna Be is by far Jones’ most successful LP to date, going certified platinum; and spawning several top 10 tunes like “U Know What’s Up” featuring Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, “Shorty (Got Her Eyes on Me),” “This Luv” and the title track, “Where I Wanna Be.” [Untouchables/LaFace]
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).
BROOKLYN: Party with cultural critic Touré at Greenlight Bookstore, Mar. 29
![Pop culture critic Toure takes on Prince in new book, "I Would Did 4 U: Why Prince Became an Icon" [Atria]](http://www.uncloudedbyambition.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Pop-culture-critic-Toure-takes-on-Prince-in-new-tome-I-Would-Did-4-U_-Why-Prince-Became-an-Icon.jpg){kind=icon}
Though mastering the worlds of pop, soul, funk, R&B and rock music, Prince has always been an enigma. From overtly sexual lyrics in the 80′s and 90′s to pop-up concerts and a more toned down image in the new millennium, the producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has influenced artists and musicians alike in his near 35-year career.
Now author and pop culture critic Touré takes on the music legend in new tome, I Would Die 4 U: Why Prince Became an Icon (Atria, $14.00), out March 19.
Drawing upon “in-depth interviews with Prince’s band members, former girlfriends, musicologists, and even Bible scholars to deconstruct the artist’s life and work,” Touré weaves a tale of deep analysis and cultural perspective that has many ringing its praise.
“I’m a Prince scholar and this is the ultimate Prince book.” — Questlove
“Based on his Du Bois Lectures at Harvard, Touré has written a thoughtful and compelling book that is both a full and sensitive explication of the genius of Prince’s music, as well as his exemplary role as an seminal figure in contemporary American culture. It is must reading for any student of popular culture. – Henry Louis Gates
I, for one, cannot wait to read I Would Die 4 U.
That being said, if you are in Brooklyn, there will be a book signing as well as a dance party held on Friday, March 29 from 7 PM to 9 PM at Greenlight Bookstore (686 Fulton St.) in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn. Touré will sign copies of I Would Die 4 U and a guest DJ will spin popular Prince tunes. Below is a short bio of the author.
Touré is a co-host of MSNBC’s The Cycle and his writings have appeared in Rolling Stones, The New York Times Magazine, The Village Voice and Time.com. He is the author of four books: Who’s Afraid of Post-Blackness? (2011), Never Drank the Kool-Aid (2006), Soul City (2004) and The Portable Promised Land (2003). He lives in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn.
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.
Alabama Shakes Live on SNL
Following last week’s Grammy nod, alt-rockers Alabama Shakes stopped by Saturday Night Live this weekend to showcase their talents to the world. The band performed their bluesy number “Hold On” first, which is also the lead single and opening track off their debut album, Boys & Girls, released last year via ATO Records. For their second set, they gave us the new single, the rock-a-billy soul piece “Always Alright,” where lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard gets loose on that Gibson of hers. Check out both performances below …
“Always Alright”
