Tag: R&B

Don’t Be Cruel: The 30th Anniversary

Continuing on the subject of New Edition’s 30th anniversary of “Heart Break”, Bobby Brown, who at the time was no longer a part of the group, released his sophomore breakout album the same day. “Don’t Be Cruel” was not only a mega hit for Bobby, but the album was stamped as one of the staples for the New Jack Swing movement at the time in R&B music. Also stamped as one of the greatest albums in R&B history, Bobby was on top of the world. Winning awards, killing stages, music videos, and doing interviews, it was a great time in R&B music to witness something that big. To be a huge success outside of your group while they’re also getting bigger with a new member, it’s hard to ignore the slight competition that was going on and placed on the fellas by the industry. This was all just a master plan to see who would flop and who wouldn’t. Pure R&B brilliance. “Don’t Be Cruel” was done by the man himself, Teddy Riley. The man who at the time was with Guy and their album was just out weeks ago. The album also gave birth to and open doors for future R&B acts like Usher, Omarion, and Chris Brown. 30 years of pure greatness and it’s still untouched. An album that signifies a revolution in a young man’s rise to the top. Reminding the world also that it’s his way, it’s his prerogative and that’s the way he just wanna live. Not giving a care about what others say but unapologetically just being Bobby Brown, the original bad boy of R&B. 

Heart Break: The 30th Anniversary

The group that we all were used to in the beginning were the bubblegum pop little boys from Boston, Massachusetts. They were from the ghetto but the music never reflected that. Their first four albums were all teeny boppish/R&B music until one member was replaced and they were much older. With a new member in the group and a new sound and image, the masterpiece was their fifth album. On June 20th, 1988, New Edition released their highly anticipated fifth album “Heart Break.” With an already steady and heavy fanbase, the fellas really came back more mature and polished with a sound to reflect that and it was far away from what their fans were used to. With Johnny Gill on board now, it was bound to be a smash, a hit. The fellas could do absolutely no wrong this time around. Between 1988 and 1990, the album had six singles and it went double platinum by RIAA. The masters behind the sound of the album were none other than the super producer team Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The same guys who were responsible for giving Janet Jackson “Control” and helping Janet become a breakout superstar. The team had the magic touch to give the same energy to New Edition. On this album, Johnny does most of the lead vocals besides Ralph, another thing that fans weren’t used to. The group was not only a success with this album but now their careers were much bigger and headed down a different direction. Crazy enough, the same day this album dropped, Bobby Brown also releases his breakout sophomore album called “Don’t Be Cruel.” A master plan to garner the success and attention the same time as your group to see whether or not who would flop. In the end, this was a memorable day for New Edition fans. A memorable day in R&B history. It’s just like when A Tribe Called Quest dropped “Midnight Marauders” the same day Wu-Tang Clan’s debut album “Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)” but for R&B. 

30 Years: The Story of GUY

Coming from Harlem, NY, two childhood friends joined forces with a third member who they recruited to create a group. Not only were they great singers but they were great songwriters as well. So great that they also written for others such as Bobby Brown and Johnny Kemp, just to name a few. Teddy Riley, Timmy Gatling, and Aaron Hall were the trio known as Guy. Teddy was already a known producer for joints like “Go See The Doctor” by Kool Moe Dee, “The Show” by Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick, “I Want Her” by Keith Sweat, “Just Got Paid” by Johnny Kemp, and “My Prerogative” by Bobby Brown. In 1987, a year before their debut album released, Guy became a group and was managed by Gene Griffin and on June 13th, 1988, their self titled debut album was released. The group became the pioneers for the “New Jack Swing” style and era of R&B during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. With four singles released on a 10 track album, none of the singles reached Billboard 100 but it sold two million copies and the singles were still great hits. The album was filled with only both party and love songs. You can enjoy a night out at a party rocking and grooving and then go back to your lover’s place for a romantic evening afterwards. That’s the vibe you get when you listen to this R&B classic. After the release of the album, Timmy Gatling left the group to go solo and continue writing for other acts and was later replaced by Aaron’s younger brother Damian. They continued on with the success of the album with a soundtrack joint for Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing in 1989 with “My Fantasy”, which was another hit for the group. The group then split after their second album and the Hall brothers continued on with solo careers while Teddy continued writing and producing for other artists and even formed a new group called Blackstreet. 30 years later, there’s no denying the impact of this group and what they’ve brought to the group. New Jack Swing became a movement in R&B music up until 1993 or 1994. So many artists worked with Teddy Riley to have a similar sound to reflect the times. The times were about partying and having a good time and indeed, there’s no party without New Jack Swing to get it going. 30 years later, “Guy” is still a timeless R&B album that people still enjoy and play til this day. Big Sean even sampled “Piece of My Love” on his single “Play No Games” featuring Chris Brown. Mary J. Blige used “Goodbye Love” on a track she did on her “My Life” album called “Don’t Go” and even “I Like” appeared on the “Love & Basketball” soundtrack starring both Sanaa Lathan And Omar Epps. One of the greatest R&B albums of all time. 

30 Years: The Legacy of Al B. Sure!

Once upon a time, he was a star football player. Denied a scholarship to pursue a music career. Today he is known for being one of R&B’s biggest stars during the late 80’s new jack swing era. He started when he won a talent showcase and was hand picked by Quincy Jones as the winner and then got offered a deal with Warner Bros. Records by Benny Medina. He worked with Quincy Jones on “The Secret Garden”, he sang background for Heavy D. & The Boyz and then finally started working on his debut album, which took only 6 months to do. With a little bit of direction and production from Teddy Riley, his debut album was finally completed. With the first single called “Nite And Day”, his popularity quickly rose and on May 3rd, 1988, Al B. Sure! released his debut album called “In Effect Mode.” Besides “Nite And Day”, “If I’m Not Your Lover” and “Off On Your Own (Girl)” were also the singles released from the album. The album sold more than 2 million copies and it was Top Billboard smash hit. Winning Grammy’s, American Music Awards, and a Best New Artist award, Al was the fresh new guy on the R&B scene that drove the ladies wild. With an album that only had 8 songs, Al had a soft, high pitch, smooth voice that drove the ladies insane. An 8 track album that was filled with love and party/dance songs and a Spanish version of “Nite And Day” included. Al B. Sure! is also responsible for writing and producing for others and even helped the careers of Faith Evans, Usher, Dave Hollister, Jodeci, Tevin Campbell, and Case. 30 years later, “In Effect Mode” is still appreciated and loved by true R&B/New Jack Swing fans around the world. Timeless music that still makes people feel so good about love and life.

Ashanti: Hip Hop’s Hook Girl

She was once the pretty unknown girl with the angelic voice that you heard singing the hooks on songs by Ja Rule and Fat Joe. She was the underdog who people wondered all the time who she was. She was the pretty girl from around the way who hung out with the thugs and hardest dudes ever. She held her own ground, wrote her own material, became the “hook girl” in the early 2000’s, and even appeared in the music videos with the curvaceous body, smooth brown skin, shiny silky black hair, and a small little sway and beauty in her eyes as she sang the hook in the camera. On April 2nd, 2002, that “hook girl” released her debut album. With a self titled album and three singles, Ashanti took over the game in the early 2000’s. “Foolish”, “Happy” and “Baby” were all on heavy rotation on TV and radio. Ashanti Douglas was the new “it” girl who could blow you away with her charm, beauty, and soothing voice. After 15 years, Ashanti still looks just as amazing and her latest single “Say Less” featuring Ty $ is a banger that fits with the times. Forever she’ll be one of the golden girls of R&B. Hip hop’s “hook girl.”

Adhama “Pretty Lyon” Cruel

Adhama “Pretty Lyon” Cruel is Brooklyn, NY native as well as overall entertainer. As a recording artist, dancer, model, and actress “Pretty Lyon” as she is known professionally has put together quite an impressive resume of work in New York City and the surrounding areas. A trained dancer and vocalist, PrettyLyon released her project, Princess Of Brooklyn Mixtape and participated in The Black Light Chronicles, which serves as a compilation album featuring established contemporaries.

Wanting nothing more than to be a model for hard work, and quality Pretty Lyon is a spokeswoman for the unity of women in Hip Hop and the entertainment industry as a whole. Living, and breathing the arts both inside and out of the booth Pretty Lyon is at home as a creator. The ever personable upstart is on the scene frequently shaking hands and creating relationships that will last, while promoting her brand. Turning her childhood passion for writing poems into full compositions of music that share her thoughts, experiences and speak for those who are voiceless in a sense. The release of her debut Good Girl Bad Habits introduced this Princess to the world and her moves henceforth have solidified the reason for her being on a lot of people’s radar. With more to come, Pretty Lyonis certainly an artist who will come to blossom in today’s entertainment business creating a catalog of great work.

– IMDb Mini Bio

Written by Charisse Smith

Rodent episode 2

If you had an opportunity to watch Rodent, Episode 1 than you would know that the show is packed with drama. Episode 2 is no different. In the absence of Hammer Thornton Vanessa Hollingsworth has been making some corporate decisions. She has been hiring anyone that came into White Lines Media. Felix and Niles are not feeling the decisions that Vanessa is making. Her excuse is that Hammer can’t be there because he is tied up at the moment! When she said he was tied up at the moment she did not just mean that figuratively. She meant it literally. She had the man tied up in her bedroom and was drugging him up. Thank God for his wife and two closest friends. They saved him from Vanessa but that was after Niles made a pass at Gladys. I wonder what will become of that! Felix has a problem of his own. Farrah came off of the elevator of White Lines Media and caught him lip locking with the new talent who is also  his new girlfriend. She gave oh boy back his ring and told him that she will see him in court after dismissing ole girl. At least Farrah was woman enough to know that it was not the girl’s fault.

I guess you want to know what is going on with Drew and his drama! His sister Khris called Pops over to the house. She had some really disturbing news. She is pregnant. Pop swore to kill Drew’s friend only thing is his friend denied ever having sex with Khris. I guess it’s time for a DNA test. That is not all that is going on with the Douglass family. Drew is over at his children’s mother’s apartment when Pops walk in with a key. Before Drew even has an opportunity to find out why his dad has the key to the apartment Pops goes off on Drew about him being irresponsible and not having a job. Wait that’s not the end. Drew is in the room about to be intimate with the mother of his children while Pops is behind the door with his shirt off.

In Episode 1 Ebony told Porsha to find her own hive. Porsha turns to her mother’s long- time boyfriend Greg for a place to stay. Greg watched Porsha grow up all of her life but that doesn’t make him resist when Porsha uses her black girl magic to entice her mother’s boyfriend into sleeping with her. While they are making it do what it do, in walks Ebony with a key that Greg gave her. Imagine his surprise when Ebony informs him that Porsha is her daughter.

Meanwhile Krystal decides to go out clubbing with her straight friends Farrah and Michelle. They are hungover and asleep when Krystal hears her girlfriend Dime walking out. She wakes her girls up and tries to get them out of the apartment before Dime can get an attitude. All hell broke loose when Dime finds Krystal’s bra laying on the sofa. This is when Dime decides to smack daylights out of Krystal!!!!

I am telling you episode 2 was definitely something to be watched. Between the fight scene with Vanessa and Gladys, Felix getting caught by his wife, Pop’s in Drew’s Baby momma’s apartment I was on the edge of my seat. Khris being pregnant and the sex scene between the father and daughter was over the top. I sure cannot wait for Episode 3. This is definitely All my Children In The Hood.

Written By: Regina Alston

It’s About Time: The 25th Anniversary

25 years ago, three friends from The Bronx and Brooklyn came together to form as a singing group and then released their debut album. The three girls names are Cheryl, Leanne, and Tamara also known as Coko, Lelee and Taj, better known as SWV or Sisters With Voices. On October 27th, 1992, the group released their album “It’s About Time.” A 15 track album that’s filled with new jack swing, raw hip hop and R&B tracks. Every song from start to finish is a banger. Songs about relationships, love, and two playful but rapping tracks that perfectly gave the world a glimpse of what these around-the-way girls were all about. SWV was the first girl group in the 90’s to come out with the around-the-way girl image and still able to achieve mainstream success, while others had an image that was more colorful and baggy or the typical high heels and dresses and makeup, SWV kept it hood. Coko’s extremely long fingernails, to 5411 Reeboks and Doc Marten boots to oversized baseball jerseys and jeans, they had an image that regular girls back in the hood of the NYC had. I wasn’t even born when this classic was released but it’s an album that I’m super familiar with and love so much. It’s my favorite album from SWV. This album also had the most hits released. As I sit up at 3 in the morning, looking at and holding the album in my hand, I see the girls on the cover just chillin’ in their element. The SWV logo in a lime green diamond with the letters SWV in dark pink on the top right side on the corner. This means that this is the original 1992 release. This release doesn’t have the “Human Nature” remix version of “Right Here”, instead it’s the Vibe Mix but an instrumental. The April 1993 release has the logo on the opposite side on the cover and has the “Human Nature” remix. It’s 3:14am and for the past almost half an hour, I had “Anything” on a loop. It’s the perfect opening for an album like this. Something soulful, smooth, and gets you ready for the upbeat tracks that follow after. The next song “I’m So Into You” is one of the singles released from the album and then followed by “Right Here.” “Right Here” is SWV’s debut single. The song that put them on in the first place. The song with the video our parents saw back in the summer of 1992. They were bopping and pointing and dancing all over the place. Taj’s rap is unforgettable. Love hearing her rap. Then it’s their signature hit “Weak.” This is the SWV song that everybody knows. Even our little cousins heard it and they don’t know nothing about no SWV. LOL! This is the song you hear girls singing in talent shows all the time. “You’re Always On My Mind” was another smooth joint and “Downtown” was on another level. “You’re Always On My Mind”‘was the phone call to your lover and you told them how much you thought about them but “Downtown” was the invite over to theirs or your place to what we call nowadays a little “Netflix and chill.” The lyrics were very clear about what they meant by “downtown.” Real grown folk music at the moment. “Coming Home” took it back upbeat after you come back “uptown”, “Give It to Me” was also another upbeat banger. This is the new jack swing/hip hop part of the album. “Blak Pudd’n” is my second favorite after “Anything.” The track basically could’ve been a remix to “Downtown” but with a beat. The rapping of course is dope and it hits hard with the beat. Taj holds her own as a MC. The title track itself is just as beautiful as “Anything” to me. The song gives me that classic girl group vibe and Coko reminds me of Stephanie Mills on this song. The harmonies, the hook, the chorus, everything about it makes it such a perfect song. “Think You’re Gonna Like It” is the heaviest new jack joint on the album and “That’s What I Need” is a mix of both new jack and soul. The album ends off with “SWV (In The House)”, my third favorite, an a Capella version of “Weak” and then the Vibe Mix of “Right Here.” Definitely a no wrong doer album. A classic. Very nostalgic for me. Another joint I grew up listening to without my mom’s permission but she played this in that Sony 5 disc changer radio that I loved so much as a kid. The good old days. SWV will be celebrated for their reaching 25 years in the game at the Soul Train Awards in November. It’s the perfect time. It’s about time.

My Way: The 20th Anniversary

For an album that’s so short, it’s heavy legacy is what makes it hard to forget. After his 1994 self titled debut album, Usher returns three years later with a sophomore album that’s way more mature and helped sky rocket Usher’s career to another level. On September 16th, 1997, Usher his second album “My Way.” With only three singles released, the album was a commercial success for Usher. The album starts off with a bit of a dancy but R&B joint, which also happens to be the first single off the album, “You Make Me Wanna…” The song is about a girl who says and does all the right things to him that convinces him to want to leave his girlfriend who he is in a relationship with and start something new with her instead. The music video is just as classic. Usher and the other guy dancers with the chairs and different rooms with the shiny metallic outfits and Usher being himself in front of the camera and singing. The next song “Just Like Me” is the one of the only hip hop/R&B track on the album with a guest appearance from Lil’ Kim. The next song “Nice And Slow” is the first slow song on the album and the second single released on the album. A song about slow loving with his love interest and Kimora Lee Simmons plays as the love interest in the video. She gets kidnapped and held in hostage until Usher comes swooping in and saving her. The fourth song, “Slow Jam” features Monica and I personally felt like it should’ve been a single like the other three. “Come Back” is more uptempo hip hop groove kind of song. The album title track itself “My Way” is easily one of the best songs on the album. It’s the final single from the album and the music video is easily a top 5 greatest Usher music video. The whole carnival theme, the dancing, even Tyrese guest stars in the video. The next song “I Will” is my top favorite on the album. It’s no surprise that Teddy Riley did that joint because it has the same style of vocals as the remix to Mary J. Blige’s “My Love.” So smooth but the beat has a heavy bass that thumps when it plays. The next song transitions in at the end with “Bedtime.” Another slow love song. A Babyface joint this time and finally, the album ends with “One Day You’ll Be Mine.” It’s the most slept on song on the album. Don’t hear people really bringing this song up in Usher conversations that much. All in all the album is classic from start to finish. Usher is definitely one of my favorite singers. Never a flat note or a off key moment in a Usher song. Never. Completely flawless and clear, slick, there’s a sort of a shine in Usher’s voice like a squeaky clean wood floor after waxing it. With a waxy clean wood floor, you can definitely slide and glide just like Usher does in his videos listening to him.

Bobby: The 25th Anniversary

After the release of his breakout hit smash second album “Don’t Be Cruel”, Bobby comes back four years later with an album that’s on another level of uptempo, dance and new jack swing tracks that can definitely get a party started. 25 years ago on August 25th, 1992, Bobby Brown released his third self titled album “Bobby.” With six singles released from this fourteen track album, the songs are all topics mostly about relationships and love but with a groove that keeps you on the dance floor nonstop. A much older and wiser Bobby musically and shows a much more softer, emotional and a lover boy side mixed with that same hype and crazy energy that has a bit of a hip hop influenced attitude with backup dancers in alleys and basketball courts. Snapbacks with gore tex boots and baggy jeans, this was the image that was far from his shiny suits and gumby days as the young rockstar from Boston and breaking away from his group New Edition. This album is my personal favorite from Bobby. This album gives you that nonstop fun and good feeling with an even longer track listing than “Don’t Be Cruel” and the success of the album is continues with a remix album that was released a year later with a heavier hip hop sound than new jack swing. It was more raw, more street, more dancing and more grittier than the original tracks but it’s also a great body of work. This album is also Bobby’s most underrated. It’s his best work to date. No doubt. After all these years, there is no denying that Bobby was the Chris Brown, the Usher, he is what we see in these recent R&B cats before they came along. His impact and influence is like no other.