Saturday, April 30, 2016

Kyle Christopher – “1Night” (Cover)





Kyle Christopher takes rapper/singer Lil Yachty's viral hit "1Night" and flips it into his own in this new cover.

AlunaGeorge feat. Zhu - My Blood (Visualette) [Official Music Video]



UK songstress AlunaGeorge enlists electronic artist Zhu for her latest electro infused track/video, entitled "My Blood".

Sascha Xiomara - Not The Same [Official Music Video]



Singer/songwriter Sascha Xiomara, from The Netherlands, releases the video for newest single "Not The Same".

Chris Brown & OHB - Before The Trap: Nights In Tarzana (Mixtape)





Chris Brown comes through with his promised collaborative mixtape with OHB, featuring many of your favorite stars including Jeezy, Young Thug, Tyga, Quavo of Migos, Section B and more.

Samm Henshaw - "Our Love"





Get some old soul in your system by listening to Columbia Records signee Samm Henshaw's new single "Our Love".

Friday, April 29, 2016

Friday Night Throwback: Leon Haywood - "I Want'a Do Something Freaky to You"



This week's Friday Night Theowback is dedicated to Leon Haywood, the silky smooth R&B singer-songwriter and producer who passed away in his sleep at 74 earlier this month. The Houston-born Haywood began his career as a blues musician before achieving success in the '60s, '70s and '80s in the soul, R&B and funk genres. During his long career Haywood charted 20 hits on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Song chart, including the No. 2 hit "Don't Push It Don't Force It," "Keep It In the Family" (which peaked at No. 11) and "I Want'a Do Something Freaky To You" (No. 7). Haywood also wrote Carl Carlton's "She's a Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked)," which reached No. 2 on the chart and earned his only Grammy Award nomination for writing the tune, garnering a nod in the 1981 Best Rhythm & Blues song category. His 1975 single "I Want'a Do Something Freaky to You", which is featured here, served as the groovy hook on the Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg duet "Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang." The song was also featured in 50 Cent's "Corner Bodega" and Aaliyah's "I Gotcha Back."

Antonique Smith - All We Really Have Is Now [Official Video]



Grammy-nominated songstress and actress Antonique Smith seizes the day in new "All We Really Have Is Now" video. Download Antonique's debut EP Love is Everything on iTunes.

Miesa - Too Bad For You [Official Video]



Watch the visuals for rising R&B/pop star Miesa's “Too Bad For You” single, from her forthcoming debut album.

Dave Hollister - “Definition of a Woman”





R&B vet Dave Hollister returns with a brand new single “Definition of a Woman".

Ferow - Falling High EP





Not long after dropping her "Runnin" single, Eritrean singer Ferow drops her Falling High EP.

Vivian Green - Grown Folks Music (Work) [Official Video]



Vivian Green gets colorful in new "Grown Folks Music" video.

Erykah Badu – "I Been Goin Thru It All"





Erykah Badu shares a new song, actually a remix of Wintertime's 2015 track "Thru It All" that's dedicated to all the smokers out there.

Popcaan - "Ova Dweet"





Listen to "Ova Dweet", the newest single from reggae star Popcaan.

Various Artist feat. Vybz Kartel, Tarrus Riely, Konshens & More - "Crown Love RIddim"





Produced by Rvssian, here is the latest Crown Love Riddim compilation guest-starring Vybz Kartel, Tarrus Riely, Konshens & more.

Malachiae Warren - Minute Made [Official Video]



Official video for “Minute Made” from Malachiae Warren’s EP Heard U Was In My City out now.

Kevin McCall - "Drive Me Crazy"





Another new banger from Kevin McCall, entitled "Drive Me Crazy".

Rihanna - "So Shine" (Rhodymajor mix)





Listen to the Rhodymajor remix to Rihanna's "So Shine".

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Yuna feat. Usher - Crush [Official Video]



After the release of her recent single "Places to Go," L.A.-based singer Yuna followed up with a video for her ballad "Crush" featuring Usher.

Chrisette Michele - "To The Moon"



Chrisette Michele drops new song "To The Moon" with Milestone album pre-order.

Monday, April 25, 2016

T-Pain feat. Young Cash- "Panda" TMIX





T-Pain enlists his Nappy Boy Entertainment rapper Young Cash for this "Panda" remix.

Chris Brown Feat. Young Thug & Jeezy - “Wrist (Remix)”





Breezy continues to push last year’s No. 1 album Royalty, dropping off an official remix to the song “Wrist" with guest stars Young Thug and Jeezy.

Tory Lanez - Came 4 Me [Official Video]



Here are syrupy visuals to Tory Lanez's most recent single "Came 4 Me".

Chris Brown - "Side Piece"





Check out the banging single from Chris Brown, entitled "Side Piece".

Beyoncé Releases New Album ‘LEMONADE’


The follow-up to Beyonce's HBO special from Saturday night is her 6th studio album Lemonade.


LEMONADE

12 tracks (45:49)

0:00 / 3:16
PRAY YOU CATCH ME Beyoncé 3:16
HOLD UP Beyoncé 3:41
DON’T HURT YOURSELF Beyoncé, Jack White 3:54
SORRY Beyoncé 3:53
6 INCH Beyoncé, The Weeknd 4:20
DADDY LESSONS Beyoncé 4:48
LOVE DROUGHT Beyoncé 3:57
SANDCASTLES Beyoncé 3:03
FORWARD Beyoncé, James Blake 1:19
FREEDOM Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar 4:50
ALL NIGHT Beyoncé 5:22
FORMATION Beyoncé 3:26

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Strictly R&B: In The News 4/24/16


How Prince stayed so private in the age of celebrity

Prince's former drug dealer tells how the legend spent $40,000 at a time...

Prince cremated; family, friends honor him at ceremony in Minnesota

Prince’s Best Movie Isn’t Purple Rain—It’s One That’s Almost Impossible to See

What it’s like inside the music factory where Prince lived and died

Inside Prince's Life in the Jehovah's Witness Congregation Where He Was Called Simply 'Brother Nelson'

The Fascinating Origin Story of Prince’s Iconic Symbol

The women Prince loved

“To me, time folds back on itself”: Prince squirreled away 26 albums’ worth of unreleased music

25 Essential Prince Songs

Prince Performs Giutar Solo on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"



Watch as Prince takes over the 2004 Rock Hall superjam with an epic solo on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps".

Prince - Kiss [Official Video]



"Kiss" is from Prince's 1986 album Under the Cherry Moon.

Prince - "Cream" (Official Video)



"Cream" is from the 1991 album Diamonds and Pearls.

Prince on Tavis Smiley





As any Prince fan knows, when it came to interviews he was pretty elusive. That's why it was always a tremendous treat when he opened up and talked about his childhood, current events, politics, spirituality, his inspirations and of course his music with longtime journalist Tavis Smiley back in 2009.

Prince R. I. P. ~ Performs "Purple Rain" Live 2007 Superbowl Halftime



In appreciation of the passing of an icon, it's all Prince this weekend for me. See Prince perform "Purple Rain" during a downpour at the 2007 Super Bowl.

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Prince Dies at Age 57



The loss of Prince hit me like a ton of bricks today. I knew that he was briefly hospitalized for flu-like symptoms the other day, but considering that he was released the same day and back to doing shows the day after, I like millions of fans worldwide, thought he'd be fine. Granted, I wasn't always a Prince fan. Growing up in Brooklyn, I was such a huge Michael Jackson fan that I very naively had it set in my head that either you liked MJ or Prince. You couldn't possibly like both. But after meeting with and becoming friends with some huge Prince fans in college, not only did I slowly begin to open my ears to Prince's massive discography, but over the years started debating who had the better catalogue, Prince or MJ. For me, Prince was more than a great musician. He redefined R&B/soul music. He was arguably the most versatile artist ever in conquering at least 4 different genres of music. He was a social activist who loved his people. He was a role model. He was an epic performer. He was a sex magnet. He fought for his art. He stood up against powerful record companies. He inspired many of the artists we love today, from Beyonce to D'Angelo to Lenny Kravitz to The Weeknd and many others. He was a pioneer. He was and will always be a legend. #RIPPrince #Prince

Elijah Blake - Whatever Happened [Official Video]



Watch Elijah Blake's visuals for latest single "Whatever Happened".

Kevin McCall feat. Notorious B.I.G. - "The Love of Money"





Kevin McCall enlists late rapper Notorious B.I.G. to question love versus money on new single"The Love of Money".

Ead3n – "Solo"





Here's a new single from singer/songwriter Ead3n, entitled "Solo".

Chasing Cities – “Lost In The City”





New artist Chasing Cities drops a track, produced by Shonuff, entitled “Lost In The City”.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Rihanna - Needed Me [Official Video]



Rihanna gets twerky and a little violent again in new video for "Needed Me", from her eighth studio album ANTI, available now.

RØMANS feat. Mary J. Blige - “Overthinking”





Mary J. Blige links up with singer/songwriter/producer RØMANS for a new version of his single “Overthinking”. The original version of the song was included on the Roc Nation artist’s debut EP Overthining, Pt. 1 which released last year.

TWENTY88 - Out Of Love [Official Video]



In support of their recent surprise collaboration, TWENTY88, rapper Big Sean and Jhene Aiko connected on their short film, “Out of Love".

Popcaan - "So Lie"





Reggae star Popcaan keeps the hits coming with new single "So Lie".

JMSN - "Hypnotized"





JMSN dropsa reggae-infused track called "Hypnotized", off upcoming LP It Is.

Davido feat. Runtown & Akon - "Chillin"





Rising dancehall star Davido enlists Akon and Runtown for new single "Chillin".

THEY. - "Back It Up"





Here is "Back It Up", a single from L.A. based songwriters Dante and Drew, together known as THEY., 2015 EP Nu Religion.

Monday, April 18, 2016

DΞΔN x GAEKO "D (Half Moon)" (Official Video)


Korean R&B singer Dean drops the visuals for "D 9half moon)" featuring rapper Gaeko, off his debut 130 Mood: TRBL LP>

Abrina - Missing My Baby (Lyric Video) [Selena Cover]



Take your first listen to R&B singer Abrina's cover of Tejano Queen Selena Quintanilla's English-language single, "Missing My Baby".

Derek King – "Better"





"Better" is the name of the new single from Bay Area vocalist Derek King, produced by T. Kelley.

Leaf - "Money"





Rising newcomer Leaf spouts an anthem for all the ladies out there chasing that paper on new single "Money".

Marteen Estevez – “Pull Up”





Produced by JR Rotem, here is 15yo Bay Area sensation Marteen Estevez's newest single "Pull Up".

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Strictly R&B: In The News - 4/17/16


Living Legend: Mavis Staples Is The Flyest 76-Year Old At Coachella 2016

John Legend And Chrissy Teigen Welcome Their Baby Girl

The Rise & Fall of Jamie Foxx, One Time R&B Superstar

Meet THEY.: Mysterious R&B Duo

On Loneliness and Finding Creative Freedom With Rising R&B Star Gallant

Interview: Akon Talks His Revamped Konvict Kartel Label, Why Today’s R&B Works & Plans For His ‘Stadium’ Project

Dean Brings Korean R&B to World, Heatseekers Album Charts With Debut EP

[EXCLUSIVE] Chameleon Label CEO, Breyon Prescott, Addresses Brandy’s Lawsuit

Lauryn Hill Launches Her Own Music Festival, Diaspora Calling!

Saturday, April 16, 2016

KlarKent - Oh My God [Official Music Video]



Five of the top producers behind your favorite recording artists step to the forefront to bring you the new group KlarKent and the visuals of their debut single "Oh My God".

JUWN - Told You So [Official Music Video]



Canadian singer/songwriter JUWN drops the visuals to her recent single "Told You So".

Brandy - "Beggin & Pleadin" [Official Music Video]



A few months after dropping the single, Brandy releases the visuals for “Beggin & Pleadin”.

T-Pain - Look At Me [Official Music Video]



To back up his recently released single, T-Pain returns with the selfie-style video for “Look At Me".

Tiara Thomas – "Mary Jane" (DJ Marley Waters Remix)’





Tiara Thomas dropped the remix for DJ Marley Waters entitled “Mary Jane,” produced by Ryan Ryghteous, off the EP Up In Smoke.

Friday, April 15, 2016

Friday Night Throwback: Aretha Franklin - "A Rose Is Still a Rose"



Having recently celebrated her 74th birthday and with a long-planned biopic finally near ready, this week's Friday Night Throwback is dedicated to multiple Grammy winner and the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. In 1998, Franklin collaborated with Lauryn Hill (who produced and wrote the record) for "A Rose Is Still A Rose," a heartfelt ode that saw Franklin dispensing advice to an unsuspecting young woman who's had her first round of unrequited love, having made out with a scheming dude who, as Franklin sings, spouts a "sticky game." Off the album of the same name, "A Rose Is Still a Rose" became a instant hit for Franklin, 40-plus years into her legendary career, reaching number twenty-six on the Billboard Hot 100, Billboard Hot 100 and number-five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart while also reaching the UK top forty. The song also helped its parent album reach gold status and remains one of Franklin's most played songs from her later years.

Popcaan - Never Sober [Official Video]



Jamaican dancehall crooner Popcaan is certainly enjoying life in new video for "Never Sober".

Jade De Lafleur - "Come And See Me" (PartyNextDoor Cover)





Jade de LaFleur offers a seductive twist to PartyNextDoor’s “Come And See Me”.

Mai Lee - "Low Key"





St. Louis singer Mai Lee calls out all the "Low Key" slick cheaters on new single.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Jaheim - Struggle Love [Official Video]



Jaheim & guest star Demetria McKinney embody the good, married life in "Struggle Love" video.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Justina Valentine – “Blue” [Official Video]



Singer Justina Valentine premieres the visuals for “Blue”, from her new Scarlet Letter album.

Tanika - Rude Boi [Offcial Video]



London-based singer/songwriter, Tanika releases the visual to her new single "Rude Boi".

Russ - "Waste My Time"





Prolific ATL singer Russ drops another single, entitled "Waste My Time".

PJay Johnson - Sticks & Stones [Official Video]



PJay Johnson raises awareness for National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness with visuals for "Sticks & Stones".

Henrietta - Broken By Love [Official Video]



Newcomer Henrietta drops new single and visual to "Broken By Love".

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Bibi Bourelly - Sally [Official Music Video]



Rising singer/songwriter Bibi Bourelly releases the official visuals for her single "Sally".

Aidonia - "Hey Yo [Raw]





Jamaican dancehall artist Aidonia lets us in on his newest single "Hey Yo".

Various Artist - The Champ Riddim LP





Check out The Champ Riddim compilation LP starring Vybz Kartel, Aidonia, Sean Paul & more of your favorite reggae artists.

Monday, April 11, 2016

Maxwell - "Lake By the Ocean" (Lyric Video)



Maxwell's new single "Lake By The Ocean" from his second album from the BLACKSUMMERS'NIGHT trilogy is available now!

Tory Lanez feat. STK Rax & AyFif - "Ride"





Listen to Tory Lanez's single "Ride" featuring STK Rax & AyFif.

Chris Brown feat. R. Kelly, Tank & Anthony Hamilton - "Back To Sleep" (Remix)





Chris Brown recruits R&B OG's Tank, R. Kelly and Anthony Hamilton for “Back To Sleep” remix.

Abri - "Tie Me Down"





Listen to UK artist Abri's eclectic debut single, “Tie Me Down,” from her upcoming EP, Wonderlust.

River Tiber and Kaytranada - "Gravity"





Toronto artist River Tiber and Montreal producer Kaytranada make wistful R&B Together on “Gravity”

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Strictly R&B: In The News - Week of 4/10/16


K. Michelle Earns Second No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, While Anthony Hamilton Scores His Highest-Charting Effort Ever

R&B Singer Leon Haywood Dead at 74

ESSENCE Festival Asks 'When Did You Fall in Love with R&B?

On The Rise: R&B Trio DMK Talk The Necessity Of Girl Groups, New Music & Which Superstar Moved Them To Tears

Meet Gallant, The R&B Singer Who Just Wants To Learn

Tinashe Postpones Joyride World Tour Due to 'Unexpected Recording Commitments'

Janet Jackson’s “Unbreakable” Tour Will Resume Its Regularly Scheduled Dates In 2017

Mariah Carey Reportedly Insured Her Voice For A Whopping Sum Of Money

‘American Idol’ Runner Up LaPorsha Renae Signs To Motown

Gyptian - "With Me"





Jamaican reggae star Gyptian hits you off with his latest single "With Me".

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Rihanna - "Needed Me" (Liam Keegan Remix)





Take a listen to this Liam Keegan remix of Rihanna's "Needed Me".

Keke Palmer feat. Jeremih & Rich Homie Quan - "Enemiez" (Rhythm Remix)





Keke Palmer enlists Jeremih & Rich Homie Quan for the remix to her single "Enemiez".

Chris Brown feat. August Alsina, Miguel & Trey Songz - "F*ck You Back To Sleep" (Remix)





It's an all-star lineup for the remix to Chris Brown's "F*ck You Back To Sleep" with August Alsina, Miguel & Trey Songz providing reinforcements.

Kevin Ross feat. Chaz French – Be Great [Official Video]



Motown signee Kevin Ross looks to inspire greatness with the release of his latest video for “Be Great”, featuring rapper Chaz French.

Friday, April 8, 2016

Friday Night Throwback: Maxwell - "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)"



In lieu of Maxwell dropping "Lake By The Ocean", the 1st single from his highly anticipated new album 'blackSUMMERS'night' today, this week's Friday Night Throwback is dedicated to the legendary crooner. "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)", the first single from his classic debut album Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite, set the stage for his genre-defining sound with heartfelt lyrics backed by the singer's flawless and silky smooth tones. Produced and written by Maxwell along with Itaal Shur, "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)" debuted on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks in August 1996 at number 11, eventually peaking number eight and spending 29 weeks on the chart. It spent eighteen weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 36 on September 28, 1996 and eventually won a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single, Male.

Kenny Lattimore - You're My Girl [Official Video]



Here are the visuals to “You’re My Girl” off of Kenny Lattimore’s new album Anatomy of a Love Song.

Sonna Rele – Wildhearts [EP]





London based singer/songwriter and Ne-Yo protege Sonna Rele releases her new EP called Wildhearts.

Devin Tracy – GoodAfternoon (EP)





Jacksonville born artist Devin Tracy expresses his artistry on new 5-song EP called GoodAfternoon.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

T-Pain - "Look At Me"





Here's a new single by T-Pain, entitled "Look At Me".

Keith Jacobs - W.B.A.B. [Official Video]



Houston native Keith Jacobs covers rapper Lil Troy's late 90's Down South hit, "Wanna Be A Baller".

Fantasia - "Ugly" (Audio)



Listen to this new 'rock-soul' single from Fantasia, called "Ugly" which is set to appear on her upcoming fifth album The Definition Of….

Jayla Darden - Think About Us [Official Video]



Atlanta-based, 18yo singer Jayla Darden, who recently releases the video for her latest single “Think About Us”.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

The Weeknd - "The Hills" (Dropwizz '22' Remix)





Here's a Dropwizz '22' remix of The Weeknd's "The Hills".

Izzy Bizu - Mad Behaviour [Official Video]



British singer/songwriter Izzy Bizu drops the visuals for the latest single "Mad Behaviour".

Adrian Daniel - Disillusions LP




Rising Brooklyn, NY artist Adrian Daniel releases his alt/R&B debut LP, Disillusions.