Category: Whats Buzzing in the Streets

Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky & Mike, Ralph & Johnny Too!

Almost 2 weeks ago, the New Edition biopic movie premiered on BET for a three night special. So far it’s the best biopic to me personally. The entire movie was amazing and truly inspiring. The moment I became a New Edition fan was when I was 14 years old. It was their 25th anniversary at the time I believe, they were in Sister 2 Sister Magazine and there was an article about them in the magazine and they were all wearing suits and different color ties. VH1 Soul, at the time before it changed to BET Soul, were playing all of their videos, including their solo joints and I remember being glued to the television screen amazed with the amount of hits they had. Back to back videos of New Edition, Bell Biv DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill including their episode of “Behind the Music.” I was inspired by how much they been through as a group and how far they made it and of course, how legendary they are. During the same time, in the summer, Limewire was still a popular music download website and I made 2 mixed CD’s with nothing but New Edition, Bell Biv DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Ralph Trevant, and Johnny Gill joints. Speaking of the members, today is Bobby Brown’s birthday. Bobby by himself is my favorite as well as BBD. Bobby was a monster by himself on the stage. Lots of energy and he can dance his off. “On Our Own”, “Every Little Step”, “Roni” and “One More Night” are my top favorite Bobby Brown joints. Both Bobby and BBD had That energy and edge that I like so much. Bobby was the rock star but BBD was on the hip hop side of town and they were considered “mental”, which is everything that I personally represent today. To be “mental” means to be free to do whatever and wear whatever you want. Doesn’t always have to be planned but it’s still your style and original. Ralph and Johnny were the smooth R&B guys who had the bangers for the ladies but I learned how to love a girl by listening to those love songs. With all of their albums and music videos put together, that’s about 40 albums, including the remixes albums and about 60 music videos. Forever their legacy will live on.

SOB’s Jam Master Jay’s Birthday Celebration

Last night was another incredible hip hop moment in my life. Something else for the vault, something to definitely share way in the future when I’m old and grey. LOL! Downtown at the infamous SOB’s was the birthday celebration of Run-D.M.C.‘s very own Jam Master Jay. So many legends under one roof and so much love as well. Dope performances by Naughty by Nature, ONYX, Parish Smith of EPMD, and Mr. Cheeks, which was a surprise to me. I knew it was him on the stage but I needed to overhear someone say his name to verify it. Besides the performances, dope DJ’s like the legendary DJ Hollywood, Grand Wizard Theodore and none other like the “koolest” one himself, Kool DJ Red Alert and I was introduced to ScratchMasta Jazzy G, and JMJ son DJ. Jam Master JSon. That’s all I can remember but he definitely did his thing during sound check. I noticed a lot of people came there with a fresh pair of Adidas on or some kinda merchandise with Run-D.M.C. or Jam Master Jay and not to mention, I met both JMJ’s nephews and cousins, they’re cool too. Looking forward to more nights like this.

Aubrey Williams Is No Ordinary Joe

 

Meet Aubrey Williams. This man possesses so many talents. He is an actor, director, videographer and a chef. I had the opportunity to sit with Aubrey Williams and talk to him. First let me begin by telling you that Aubrey Williams stars as the character Pretty Tone In the hit web series #848 created by author Antoine Inch Thomas. Pretty Tone is the second in command of the Clean Up Crew, a drug organization out of the South Bronx. His character in the show was diagnosed with cancer and successfully beat the horrible disease. Not only did Aubrey Williams bring cancer awareness to the viewers through the show he also supports cancer awareness in real life. I inquired about his passion to bring cancer awareness. Sadly he informed me that he loss his mother to cancer. Aubrey Williams is a huge supporter of cancer awareness. In fact he participates in the cancer walk every year where you can catch him wearing cyst designed #848 gear. Yes he does that too! In fact Aubrey Williams along with his #848 cast members put on the first annual #848 Fashion Show at Barcelona Bites. At the fashion show mode ls show cased new #848 gear that is available for purchase. The fashion show was hosted by the cast of the #848 web series. The show also included guess performances by Songlist and Medallion Drew. To add to the list of accomplishments Aubrey Williams brought home the award for Best Visual Effects at the first annual Urban Web Series awards. Williams’ role in the web series is not just the character Pretty Tone. He is also the director and videographer for the hit show. Williams explained that he has the freedom to be creative with the series. I asked him what professionals he would like to work with in the future. He listed a host of phenomenal people in the entertainment industry including Denzel Washington and Steven Spielberg. Just when you thought he is done he is only getting started. Aubrey Williams is also a chef. A professional caterer that is easy to Google Food By Chef Aubrey is his local catering business for all occasions. Williams informed me that he made his very first Thanksgiving speed at the age of twenty years old. With all of this to add to his list of great qualities is his great personality and humble spirit.

 

Written by Regina Alston

 

 

Project Heat Presents The First Annual Urban Web Series Awards

The first annual urban web series awards will be held this Friday, January 20th. I had an opportunity to meet with Mr. Tiffan Dunn better known as Pop from the hit web series Project Heat. We spoke about the first annual web series awards and what’s up next for Project Heat.
For those do not know Project Heat is a web series about life in the projects in Brooklyn. As the show opens up while the theme song is playing a news article appears showing the article of the man shot by a rookie officer in Brooklyn’s Pink Houses. Dunn described the murdered man as a very great individual. Although Project Heat was already coming to be Dunn decided to add that article so that the young man’s legacy would not be forgotten. This story was used to open up the first season and first episode of the web series. In fact that is what Project Heat is all about. Dunn confirmed that Project Heat is stories from his life as well as others that he knows that will never get to tell their story. Dunn mentioned that the theme song to Project Heat is performed by Mona better known as Ma Barker who happens to be Kool G. Rap’s baby mama.
Dunn went on to create Project Heat Atlanta in 2016 with the first episode dropping on Thanksgiving Day. The Atlanta version of Project Heat is a collaboration between Pop and the gentleman that plays his cousin Stuff who is very well known in ATL. The stories in Project Heat Atlanta actually collaborates with the stories from Project Heat New York. Dunn confirmed that he will be doing Project Heat Houston and Los Angeles in the near future. Dunn also spoke about another series he will be working on called Back Page. Back Page will be focused on the issues women face in day to day life. He will also be putting out a movie titled A Dangerous Love Affair.
Dunn described his character Pop in Project Heat as the quiet guy that moves into the projects that gets caught up in all kinds of things that was not happening before he got there. Pop gets caught up and ends up taking over the caveman side in the absence of his partner who had been recently imprisoned. As leader of the caveman side Pop ends up in beef with the Selwyn boys out of the Bronx. He also has beef with the Hollywood side which is right on the other side of the projects.
As far as the Urban web series awards goes Project Heat has laid the foundation for this triumphant event that will celebrate the men and women who have worked so hard to bring a new form of entertainment to the world. Due to the fact that Dunn is the founder of the web series awards Project Heat was not eligible for a nomination in the award show. Instead, they will be receiving an acheivment award tobrecognize the hard work and dedication that they have put forth. This action was taken to avoid biases that could have possibly come about. The urban web series awards will be hosted by comedian Ray Dayjon and the awards will be presented by the ladies of Project Heat. There will be performances by Phresher, M.O.P and Smith N Wesson. There will also be a performance from a surprise artist that has a hit single out right now.
Written by Regina Alston

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JUICE: The 25th Anniversary

January 17th, 1992, the classic hip hop movie “JUICE” was released. 25 years later and the movie is still a timeless favorite from hip hop fans all over. The movie has plenty of hip hop cameos too. EPMD, Kool DJ Red Alert, Treach from Naughty By Nature, him and Tupac were really close friends and Fab 5 Freddy. The movie mostly takes place in Harlem and it’s about 4 friends who do what it takes to get respect or in other words get the “juice.” They skip school just to hang out in Steel’s house while his parents are at work all day. Bishop and Q have a fight about what it takes to get respect in their own neighborhood and why they gotta stop taking harassment from the cops everyday but in order to escape everyday harassment by the cops in their neighborhood, they all come up with an idea to rob the corner store in order to get the “juice.” Things start to change when Bishop gets control of the gun and decides to shoot Quiles dead in his store. He then gets a little too pistol happy and ends up killing Raheem in a fight because he refuses to let the gun go. Now only Q, Bishop and Steel left, Q tells Bishop that he is “crazy” and Bishop didn’t like that. Eventually, throughout the rest of the movie, Q and Steel team up together to avoid Bishop but he pops up everywhere trying to lure them into his schemes and so he can get back at them. Bishop catches Steel in the hallway of his building and ends up shooting him. Q finds out and decides that he’ll go buy a gun just in case Bishop comes for him and they end up fighting until the end of the movie when Q accidentally let’s Bishop fall to his death off the roof of the building. Everyone that was from the party inside the building saw the whole thing happened and then someone reminds Q that he’s got the “juice” but he shakes his head no and the movie ends. The movie stars Omar Epps, Khalil Kain, Jermaine Hopkins and the late great Tupac. Quincy aka Q or GQ (played by Omar Epps), is the good guy in the crew, aka The Wreckin’ Crew, who doesn’t really want to get involved in their stick up plans lead by Bishop (played by Tupac) and Raheem (played by Khalil Kain). Q is mostly focused on being a popular local DJ and winning contests at the DJ battles that are hosted by Ruffhouse MC (played by Queen Latifah). Raheem is Q’s closest friend of the crew. Raheem denies his responsibilities of being a father to his son by his ex girlfriend. He’s also the leader of the Wreckin’ Crew and it was also his idea along with Bishop to rob Quiles’ store. Steel is the guy in the crew whose always being laughed at by the crew and the one whose always late when they wanna go hang out and skip school. They go back to his place to hang out while his parents aren’t home and Bishop is the one in the crew that’s always ready for something. Always prepared to “throw down” when something happens. He gets harassed by the neighborhood bully Radames everyday and every time Radames gets a chance to. Radames always threatens to beat up or kill Bishop which adds fuel to why he eventually gone crazy throughout the movie but then Bishop comes back for Radames and kills him. The soundtrack to the movie is even just as dope. “Is It Good to You” by Tammy Lucas and “Don’t Be Afraid” by Aaron Hall are my top favorites on the soundtrack. Also can’t forget by Naughty By Nature’s “Uptown Anthem.” This movie will still be a hip hop favorite in another 10 years or more.

Ya Gotta Have the Right SKILLS!

A little more than a week ago, as usual I got a message from this dude about how dope he thinks my Instagram account is and how much he enjoys old school hip hop. Automatically, I knew this is someone I had to associate myself with. Anybody that’s into hip hop is cool with me but old school hip hop, you’re definitely cool in my eyes. Anyways, me and this guy had a few words with each other and he tells me about himself. This guy goes by the name Skills. He’s a 26 year old artist from New York who started a movement with another artist named Gifted, called NxtSkool, and also has a dope designer and has a clothing line but he only sells hats and tees. He personally sent me this really dope Biggie Smalls tee and I was really happy about that because I’m a huge Biggie Smalls fan. You can never go wrong with some Biggie. After checking out a few of his hats and tees, I definitely had to check out the music. After doing some research on the website, I finally came across the NxtSchool YouTube channel and hit play on this joint called “[Nxt]Style, Vol. 1.” This joint to me is an original. Doesn’t sound like what everybody else is doing, whether mainstream or underground, the flow is simple but it’s dope, you can hear the hunger and energy in Skills’ voice. Definitely, Skills can be the next dopest thing in hip hop. Even though there are already so many artists who do both music and fashion, Skills definitely has his own thing going on. It’s doesn’t remind me of anybody else, not that it’s a bad thing if it does but it’s original. Check out Skills on Instagram @Skills_Nxt, check out the gear @NxtSkoolStore and subscribe to the YouTube channel, Nxt Skool and check out their official website NxtSkool.com.

Ladies Love Cool James: The Legacy of LL Cool J

This hip hop legend’s story begins when he was making demos in his grandparents’ basement. The year was 1984 when he got signed to Def Jam. It wasn’t until late 1985 when he released his debut album called “Radio.” This hip hop legend was born James Todd Smith but we all know him as LL Cool J. “Radio” became the label’s first full length album. Singles like “I Can’t Live Without My Radio”, “You’ll Rock” and one of LL’s most infamous joints, “Rock the Bells.” What I personally love about the album is LL’s energy and DJ scratches, especially on the remix to “I Need a Beat.” LL’s second joint had the perfect name for a comeback, “Bigger and Deffer” or simply put “BAD.” On this joint, LL goes harder but also smoother. The adrenaline rush on “I’m Bad” proved LL to be the “baddest” at the time and “I Need Love” showed a more softer, sensitive and vulnerable side of LL but when LL decided to ride that wave of “sensitivity” and being more laid back and softer on 1989’s “Walking With a Panther”, hip hop fans weren’t impressed with LL being so “soft” and they accused him of “selling out” and gone “too Hollywood.” He wasn’t the same LL people were rocking with on the first two albums. Although this album had more hits than the first two, LL had more party joints too. “Jingling Baby” is a classic that gets the hip hop fans moving at a party always. LL returns with 1990’s “Mama Said Knock You Out.” It was a great comeback album from the disappointing persona that he had on the previous album. This album, LL proved to the fans and the people that he was the same and never did change. He proved that he was still the same James and didn’t let his success get to his head and he proved that on “Around the Way Girl.” In the beginning of the music video, LL turns to homeboy and says “I don’t want Ivana, I want Tawana!” The song is a hip hop classic with a catchy soulful hook and chorus. A classic ode to the girls in the hood with the extensions in their hair, bamboo earrings, at least 2 pair, a Fendi bag and a bad attitude. Usually, the only uppity and fancy women are being praised but LL took it there and showed the hood girls love. My personal favorite from the album is “6 Minutes of Pleasure” the Hey Girl Remix. It’s also my all time favorite LL joint and it’s super underrated to me. His next joint “14 Shots to the Dome” is LL’s most underrated joint and it had a more West Coast influenced sound but the singles are still dope. “Pink Cookies In a Plastic Bag Getting Crushed By Buildings” and the Teddy Riley remix to “Stand By Your Man” are my top favorites. 1995’s “Mr. Smith” is the only LL album I own physically. This album to me is the beginning of the more grown up, more mature LL. Besides the dope singles, the album title track is my favorite. 1997’s “Phenomenon” didn’t really do much for me. “4, 3, 2, 1” was the only hot joint I can remember, as well as the album title track. “G.O.A.T.” also had the same effect. “You and Me” and “Imagine That” are dope though. 2002’s “10” I felt like LL was back, the LL I liked. “Luv U Better” is dope but the Amerie track “Paradise” was super dope. It’s another one of my all time favorite LL joints. His last three albums “The DEFinition”, “Todd Smith” and “Exit 13” were all just something to me he just put out. He had nothing to prove anymore as an artist, he’s done it all already. His prime is way behind him now but LL still remains a hip hop legend, both on the mic and fashionably. LL is definitely one of the greats in hip hop. Can’t forget that he’s had a successful acting career as well but I like the artist more personally. More than 30 years later after his days as a 16 year old from Queens, LL is hands down the only hip hop artist of his time to stay consistent with the hits and continued to push it to the next level, on top of the fact that he changed with the times but still remained himself, just like Jay-Z. Always and forever he will be one of the greats of all time.

All Hail the Queen: The Legacy of Mary J. Blige

This woman’s music helped raised me. She’s the reason why I love music so much. She made me become a singer. I grew up watching her music videos, sitting in the front of the radio making tapes with all of her greatest hits, listening to her albums from start to finish, trying to get every word right in a verse, and with every song, every emotion, every note, high or flat, she continues to be herself and never gave up or changed who she was or where she comes from. She inspired so many people with her music. She’s not a spectacular singer but it’s that real emotion from her heart and soul that keeps the people in love with her. She’s the pioneer of bringing together both hip hop and R&B music in a way that wasn’t done before. She brought Anita Baker style singing, Big Daddy Kane attitude and the raw hip hop production together with a style that represented the around-the-way girls from the hood who grew up without a father in the home. Almost 25 Years since the release of her debut album, this woman continues to bring the hits. Album after album, music video after music video, she’s untouchable, unstoppable, and they definitely don’t call her the Queen for nothing. Her name is Mary J. Blige aka The Queen of Hip Hop Soul. Mary’s story begins back in Yonkers, 1988. She recorded a demo that was done in a shopping mall in Westchester. She sang Anita Baker’s “Caught Up In a Rapture.” Her stepfather at the time, over heard it and gave it to Jeff Redd. Jeff Redd was an artist on the Uptown Records label himself and he had the joint “You Called and Told Me”, which is one of my favorites. Jeff then gave the tape to Andre Harrell who was the chairman at Uptown. He was impressed with Mary’s voice and said she made the song her own. He then went to go visit Mary at her home in Yonkers. She lived in the Schlobahm Projects aka “Slow Bomb”, where she lived in Building 5 on the third floor. Andre met Mary at her home and heard her sing, she then officially became an official new artist on Uptown. Before her debut album, Mary sang backup for Father MC and even did a song with Christopher Williams and Super Cat. It was her very first single that caught the attention of street DJ’s who played it at block parties and even Kool DJ Red Alert and Kid Capri played it as well. “You Remind Me” was Mary’s very first single but it was an underground hit. Everybody was requesting the song but it was found on the 1991 soundtrack “Strictly Business” for the movie starring Tommy Davidson and Halle Berry. It wasn’t until July 28th, 1992 when Mary finally came out with “What’s the 411?” This album changed the sound of both hip hop and R&B forever. Before 411, hip hop was hip hop, R&B was R&B. Hip Hop had hooks but that was it and R&B was softer and smoother but Mary changed all that. R&B became more rough with hard beats and hip hop just had soulful singing the entire song through. Hits like “Real Love”, “Reminisce”, “Love No Limit”, “My Love” all were released between ’92 and ’93. My personal favorite on the album is “Changes I’ve Been Going Through.” It Was the same formula as “Real Love.” Mary singing over a hip hop beat from the 80’s. Biz Markie’s “Nobody Beats the Biz” and Audio Two’s “Top Billin’.” Then she came with the remix album, which was way more hip hop than the original. I ran that joint to death! I woke up listening to it and went to sleep listening to it. The illest remix joints to me are “You Don’t Have to Worry” and “Love No Limit.” “You Don’t Have to Worry” is my all time favorite Mary J. Blige song and the remix to “Love No Limit” over that Keni Burke sample loop to his joint “Risin’ to the Top” is my all time favorite Mary J. Blige remix. I can’t get over how she captured the b-girl look in the “You Don’t Have to Worry” video either. That video is the perfect video to describe her personality at the time. She was on the top of that stoop in front of a brownstone in Brooklyn with a fresh jersey, baggy jeans and a pair of boots with a baseball cap on backwards but singing so soulfully. I get goosebumps just talking about it. Mary was so original, she brought something to the game that couldn’t be touched. It’s definitely copied but it just doesn’t have the same effect. Mary was herself. Then in late 1994 she came back harder with the “My Life” album and “Be Happy” was the first single released. The video premiered on BET in October, the album released on November 29th, 1994. Now “My Life” was more dark, more intense, more sad, more real, more emotional, more vulnerable. Mary took it all the way there on this one. The album was like a movie that told the story of a battered and hurt woman who fought to get out of a bad relationship, tried to find peace and happiness and doing it in a way that people all over can relate to. “Be Happy” is my top favorite along with “Mary Jane (All Night Long)” and “You Bring Me Joy.” “All Night Long” had that Mary Jane Girls and Big Daddy Kane combination that brilliantly done. Nobody had a sound like that. Mary does it once again. Throughout ’95 and ’96, Mary Does soundtrack joints like “Not Gon’ Cry”, “Everyday It Rains” and a remake of Aretha Franklin’s “Natural Woman.” She also collaborated with more hip hop artists like Jay-Z and Ghostface Killah on “Can’t Knock the Hustle” and “All That I Got Is You” and we can’t forget the ultimate hood love anthem “You’re All I Need to Get By” with Method Man. Then on April 22nd, 1997, she comes back with “Share My World.” This album is my second favorite after 411 Remix. This album, Mary has a lot more confidence in herself to be a better person. She has a new attitude that was reminded me of Rocky after his workout. Standing on top of a mountain with her hands in the air and being thankful, in her case, it was on the roof of a building with a fur coat at the end of the “Love Is All We Need” music video. “I Can Love You”, “Keep Your Head”, “Round and Round”, “Can’t Get You Off My Mind” and my top favorite “Searching” are the best songs to me. I liked this album better than “My Life.” This album went harder to me and it was still had that New York hip hop vibe that I love so much. 1998 was a more calmer year for Mary, things are different now and then it transitions into 1999 when she released her self titled album on August 17th. When “Mary” came out, I was 5 years old in Virginia for the summer at my auntie’s house. “All That I Can Say” was on heavy rotation on MTV Hits all day. Every time the video came on, I was glued to the screen. It’s one of my favorite Mary videos too. This album is Mary’s most organic album. Meaning that she didn’t do the same formula like she did on the previous three. It’s a more soulful album than it is hip hop. It’s more on the Neo Soul side of town. This is the point in Mary’s career where she at the top and is getting the most promotion ever in her career. “Mary” was heavily promoted and her tour in 2000 was absolutely bananas. The infamous burgundy Farrah Fawcette hairstyle, white pants, white gloves, with a fresh pair of white kicks and a shimmery bra and matching belt. Mary keeps the ghetto fabulous look while strutting across the stage and giving daps to the fans in the audience. August 28th, 2001, Mary comes back with “No More Drama.” I remember my mom buying the bootleg version when this album came out and I also ran this album to death. This is my third favorite Mary J. Blige album. “Steal Away”, “2U”, “In the Meantime” and “Testimony” are my favorites. This album gives me the same vibe vocally as “Share My World” which is why I love this album. Mary re released the album in January 2002 and got rid of some songs to add “He Think I Don’t Know”, “Rainy Dayz” a newer version of “Dance For Me” featuring Common and the remix to “No More Drama” featuring Diddy but this album and era’s vibes continues on 2003’s “Love & Life.” This is the album that Mary fans claim to don’t like but I love the production. It’s Mary’s most hip hop joint since 411. “Love @ 1st Sight” she sang over A Tribe Called Quest’s “Hot Sex” and on “All My Love” she sang over Grand Puba’s “I Like It.” Now, Mary takes the biggest turn around of her career. This is where everything in her career was different for the rest of her career. As much I love Mary, things weren’t the same for me. On December 20th, 2005, Mary released “The Breakthrough.” This is the album that officially stamped Mary as a legend. She was the biggest than she ever was in her career before. Awards, more collaborations, more videos, her legacy continues. Fast forward to today. On January 11th, 2017, we celebrate the queen’s birthday. Fans all over are posting about her and celebrating her legacy. She’s responsible for what we hear on the radio today. A lot of R&B singers are claiming to be hip hop just because their beats are “hard”, it’s a carbon copy but what Mary did back in 1992 was real and that’s why we love her so much. She can sing with so much raw emotion and power and can still strut and drag across the street like she was your homie from the hood and dap your hand at the same time. Today she’s a woman whose overcome so much. She recently been through a divorce with her then husband Martin “Kendu” Isaacs. Mary is now telling the world that’s she been through the “Thick of It” which is her latest single. Her new album “Strength of a Woman” is said to be in stores in February. This will be her 14th or 15th album. Mary’s contribution to both hip hop and R&B has had a tremendous influence and impact on a lot of artists. Can’t wait until her new album drops. We may or may not get another “My Life” or a “Share My World”, either way she’s still just plain ol’ Mary.

The Life & Times of Robert Kelly: The Pied Piper of R&B

This man isn’t exactly hip hop but he does fit into the image and style of hip hop and sometimes the sound too. He’s worked with plenty of hip hop artists throughout his 25 year career and has an incredible discography and collection of hits that’s impossible to go through in just one day. He’s worked with The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, did two albums with Jay-Z, Cam’ron, Noreaga, Cassidy, the list goes on. Despite his troubles and controversy and having this reputation that’s not really a good one for a man his age when it comes to young women, this man is a musical genius nonetheless. His image in the beginning of his career was compared to and they accused him of biting his style from New jack swing/R&B legend Aaron Hall. He’s a Chicago native with a voice that represents the baby making style of music, his writing game is absolutely unstoppable, written for many artists and even did the entire LIFE soundtrack, the movie starring both Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy, this man’s talent makes him easily a great of his time and today he’s gained a lot of respect and love and also lost love too but still he shines through his talent. His name is Robert Sylvester Kelly aka R. Kelly, the Pied Piper of R&B. He started out in a group and as the lead too with R&B group Public Announcement. Their 1992 debut album “Born Into the 90’s” was a New jack swing smash that garnered the singles “She’s Got That Vibe”, “Honey Love”, “Slow Dance (Hey Mr. DJ)”, “Dedicated”, and “Hey Love (Can I Have a Word).” To me, the album was a combination of partying and love making. The album wasn’t too much but it was decent enough to put Kelly on the map but it was his standout solo debut 1993/1994 joint “12 Play” that officially put him on the map. The entire album was sexually themed and a bit over the top at some moments. Very shocking when he actually made a song dedicated to the woman’s body in a very specific manner too. This joint was another New jack swing/R&B smash and it had a little bit of hip hop influence when Kelly rapped on a few joints too. The remix to “Summer Bunnies” and “Your Body’s Callin'” introduced the new up and coming new singer named Aaliyah. Aaliyah was Kelly’s protégée. He helped her with her debut album “Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number” which released in May 1994. Aaliyah’s album was more hip hop than Kelly’s. Aaliyah came out in the mid-90’s with that hip hop soul trend that started with Mary J. Blige back in ’92. Aaliyah was just as down as Mary, TLC, Xscape, Usher, Jodeci, Faith Evans, this was a time when hip hop and R&B came together. The sound both represented the streets and gave R&B singers respect and a place in the hip hop community. Since we’re on the subject of hip hop soul, Kelly returned in 1995 with his self titled album, which is my top favorite R. Kelly album. That album was completely different from the first two albums. This album had a more hip hop influence and the songs were much more mature and deeper than the first two. This is the only R. Kelly album that I can play all the way through with no skips. This was the album that began the whole Mr. Biggs legacy, played by the one and only Ronald Isley. Mr. Biggs is a man who trusts Kelly around his women when he’s away on business and Kelly ends up sleeping with his women and then there’s trouble. It’s classic R&B shit. It’s hard to pick my exact favorites because this album is so fucking incredible to me. I’ll just say that “Step In My Room” and “Tempo Slow” are my top two favorites on the album. 1996 and 1997, Kelly releases “I Believe I Can Fly” for the Space Jam soundtrack. That song is Kelly’s greatest song to me. It’s the 90’s kid anthem for inspiration. Kelly appears on Mary’s 1997 “Share My World” album on the track “It’s On.” Then in ’98, he comes with an even stronger banger, a double disc called “R.” This is my second favorite R. Kelly album. This album was on another level. Way more darker topics, the hip hop influence is stronger especially on “We Ride.” A hip hop track featuring Cam’ron, Noreaga, Vegas Cats and Jay-Z. “Home Alone” featuring Keith Murray, “Did You Ever Think” and “Money Makes the World Go Round” featuring Nas are also great examples. I just didn’t understand why “I Believe I Can Fly” was added on the album. It fit but it was released 2 years prior. Kelly keeps the ball rolling, he’s super consistent throughout his career. The new millennium comes and he released “TP-2.com”, the sequel to “12 Play.” This album was definitely a perfect sequel because it’s more relaxed and “lovey dovey” than the previous two albums. Kelly goes back to that original 12 play vibe but on another level. It’s another hit for Kelly. He then enters a new point in his career where he gets into trouble with the scandals and it affects his sales on the “Best of Both Worlds” album with Jay-Z. After all that, he ushers in a new Kelly, a man whose more about being holy and spiritual, he’s all about the people and spreading love. The togetherness he spreads on this next album makes him legendary status. At then end of 2002, Kelly was supposed to release an album that was called “Loveland” but when it got leaked, the album had to be put on the shelf and was never released and in 2003, he came with “Chocolate Factory.” This album was a more happier Kelly, he also talked about marriage and of course “steppin’.” “Step In the Name of Love” is the perfect song to describe the vibe of the album. It puts people on the dance floor at any event, no matter the age. 2004’s “Happy People/U Saved Me” to me was a bit of a reach for Kelly. He takes it too far with the gospel vibes and extra happy songs. It’s my least favorite album from him. I’m not the type to bring up an artists’ personal issues but this album to me reflected someone whose almost hypocritical. He reminded me of that uncle at the family reunion who shows up and makes it awkward because everyone knows about his past and his issues and he’s acting like it never happened and instead being extra happy and over the top throwing God and Jesus in your face when you’re the one who messed up. The songs was cool though but it’s not his strongest work. 2005’s “TP.3-Reloaded” was an okay album too but it was better than the previous joint. It’s the third joint in the “12 Play” series. It doesn’t give me 12 Play vibes though. I get a mixture between “TP2” and “Chocolate Factory.” “Double Up” is where I started to not be interested in Kelly anymore. He still had the hits coming but that spark he used to have is no longer there to me. It seems like he was just putting out anything. He still kept his usual love making vibe there and getting married and stuff but it wasn’t the same. “Untitled”, “Love Letter”, “Write Me Back”, “Black Panties”, and “The Buffet” all give me the same vibe. This man is definitely one of the greats and he’s still going strong no matter what. He’s easily one of the greatest from the 90’s and there’s no one else snatching the crown from him. Forever and always the Pied Piper of R&B.

INTRODUCING AUTHOR/DIRECTOR ANTOINE “INCH” THOMAS

Antoine “Inch” Thomas began writing in the summer of 2003. The soon to be best selling author quit rapping to pen his first novel No Regrets. No Regrets is a work of fiction loosely based on the his own life.
Antoine “Inch” Thomas has written four full length novels titled Flower’s Bed, Black Rose’s, No Regrets and Unwilling To Suffer. He has also contributed to two anthologies That Gangsta Shit volumes 1 and 2. Thomas has also cowritten several novels and a few screen plays. He noted that some of his favorite authors are John Grisham, James Patterson, Donald Goines, Sister Souljah and Guy Johnson.
Mr. Thomas informed me that “The inspiration for my stories come from the inner citytrials and tribulations of everyday life”. He went on to explain “If a young man is selling drugs in the neighborhood, there’s a reason within his childhood why he’s engaged in such behavior. If a female is very promiscuous, it stems from somewhere in the household.
Antoine “Inch” Thomas is also the creator and writer of the hit web series #848. Thomas portrays the character Benny Bricks the head of the Klean Up Krew, a notorious drug organization in the Bronx. Thomas reports that his inspiration for the popular web series was generated by a combination of factors. Among those inspirations were his admiration for the television show Power. He noted “the excitement and anticipation that it brings. Empire and the rawness and grittiness as well as the platform that the web series Money & Violence made so popular.
In 2017 Antoine “Inch” Thomas will be releasing Flower’s Bed the movie. The movie is an adaption of the best selling novel of the same title. His plan is to get as close to the actual story as possible, but in a visual format. After Flower’s Bed hits the big screen, he and the cast will immediately be going back to work on the third season of #848.

Written By Regina Alston