Archive » April 2008

This page contains 180 entries posted in April 2008

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#78: DeBarge 'Love Me In A Special Way'

If there's one thing that is a staple in soul music, it's the singing family act. From the Jacksons to the Sylvers to the Emotions to the Pointer Sisters, the family that sings together can make some beautiful music....

Butta | 04/30/2008 at 6:00 PM | Comments (7) | Permalink

First Spin, House of Soul

Come Into Glenn Lewis' House

Guess who's back, y'all? That silky-voiced Canadian/West Indian chocolate drop Glenn Lewis has returned to the scene with a new soulful house song. YES! Stevie Wonder comparisons aside (and Lewis straight channels him once again), "Stay With Me" showcases...

Butta | 04/30/2008 at 4:15 PM | Comments (12) | Permalink

Sh*t or Shinola?

John Legend Wants to Go 'Mainstream'. We Can Help.

Apparently, John Legend is more than willing to give away whatever soul he had left. Seriously. According to Billboard.com, the Grammy winner has been meeting with several advertising firms to discuss promotional strategies for his upcoming project, feeling the need...

Harlem | 04/30/2008 at 3:00 PM | Comments (10) | Permalink

SoulTube

Alicia Keys Was Smoking On 'Letterman' Last Night

Alicia Keys has been coming out of her sexy bag in a major way lately. Last night she appeared on Late Night with David Letterman to sing her new single "Teenage Love Affair" and she looked and sounded phenomenal. She...

Butta | 04/30/2008 at 2:04 PM | Comments (3) | Permalink

Jazzy Ways

Jazz Appreciation Month

April is officially Jazz Appreciation Month. We would be remiss if we did not mention it, even on this last day of April. Given this has been the seventh year of Jazz being officially celebrated, there has been much celebrating,...

ill Mami | 04/30/2008 at 1:30 PM | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

9th Wonder & Buckshot Have 'The Formula'

9th Wonder and Buckshot have already released two videos from The Formula, which dropped yesterday, so it seems fitting to have their next video be for their single also entitled (what else?) "The Formula." This video features 3D animation of...

ill Mami | 04/30/2008 at 12:50 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

The Interwebs

The Sincerest Form of Flattery (That Doesn't Get Us Any Hits)

vet (v): to appraise, verify, or check for accuracy, authenticity, validity, etc.: An expert vetted the manuscript before publication.-- dictionary.comWe got to give it up to our man Vikter Duplaix for unintentionally pointing us in the direction of some foolishness....

nOvaMatic | 04/30/2008 at 12:05 PM | Comments (10) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

Double Vision From Busta Rhymes

After lackluster sales of his last CD, which was a damn good album albeit darker than his usual fare, Busta Rhymes looks to be returning to his old tricks if this new video is any indication. "Don't Touch Me (Throw...

Butta | 04/30/2008 at 11:07 AM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: Your Sexual Chocolate Bar

The funky divas themselves, En Vogue, reunited at the Plymouth Jazz Festival. [BV]Whitney Houston sucked at the same event. [EJ]Was Jennifer Hudson going to workout at the airport or something? [AHM]Better get your ticket for Raheem DeVaughn and Chrisette...

Butta | 04/30/2008 at 10:00 AM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#79: Marvin Gaye 'Sexual Healing'

Marvin Gaye was first known as a sensitive singer, then a political singer, then a sexy singer. The progression from political to sexy was not as abrupt as it may initially seem, since Marvin had racked up many admirers since the...

ill Mami | 04/29/2008 at 6:00 PM | Comments (3) | Permalink

Name That Beat

Name That Beat: So Unique

Welcome back to Name That Beat, y'all! Last week's beat was courtesy of Bob James whose "Sponge" was used on Nas' track "Watch Dem Nigg*z" from his album It Was Written. The correct answer was submitted once again by Soul...

ill Mami | 04/29/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments (3) | Permalink

First Spin, Reggae Riddims

Jazmine Sullivan Needs You Bad

If you don't know who Jazmine Sullivan is, then it's not too late to learn. The 20-year-old former child prodigy, Showtime at the Apollo and Black Lily phenom, and songwriter behind Fantasia's "Free Yourself" and Christina Milian's "Say I" is...

Butta | 04/29/2008 at 3:15 PM | Comments (19) | Permalink

First Spin

'You're the Only One' For Eric Benét

Say what you want about Eric Benét, but this brotha is one of the most consistent singers in the game. The man can sing rings around the sons and daughters of Pro Tools proliferating urban radio right now, and...

Butta | 04/29/2008 at 2:25 PM | Comments (27) | Permalink

A Soulful Noise

Chauncey Black + Flipmode = Blackstreet 3.0

Not to be outdone by this bit of gossip, Chauncey Black, formerly of Teddy Riley's Blackstreet, has been signed to Busta Rhymes' Flipmode Records. Yes, Chauncey Black, the same dude with the whiny voice who replaced more the more...

ill Mami | 04/29/2008 at 1:20 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

A Soulful Noise

Slow Down, Alicia!

As if the warm milk-inspired vibe of As I Am wasn't enough, Alicia Keys is already pondering the course of her next project. She tells Billboard she wants to do something even more "soft" than what she's given us thus...

nOvaMatic | 04/29/2008 at 11:44 AM | Comments (4) | Permalink

Rap Snacks

At Least They Can't Blame Jay-Z

Why are The Roots even on Def Jam in the first place? L.A. Reid doesn't know what the hell is going on with an act signed to his label. Well, maybe just Mariah. SOHH breaks down ?uestlove's comments to Billboard...

nOvaMatic | 04/29/2008 at 11:00 AM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Releases

Chicken Soup For The Music Lover's Soul

9th Wonder & Buckshot The FormulaAngela Johnson A Woman's Touch, Vol. 1Barringon Levy Teach the Youth: 1980-1985Blue Sky Black Death Late Night CinemaBrian Culbertson Bringing Back the FunkChin Chin Chin ChinCynthia Jones Gotta SoulDizzee Rascal Maths + EnglishDJ Jazzy...

Butta | 04/29/2008 at 10:30 AM | Comments (3) | Permalink

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: More Butt Than Ashtrays

The Game is threatening to release a song in response to the Sean Bell verdict [MTV]But I'd rather hear what Nas, Mos Def and Kweli have to say. Okay, maybe just Mos Def and Kweli. [UU]What's this I hear...

nOvaMatic | 04/29/2008 at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#80: Stevie Wonder 'Superstition'

1972's "Superstition", from the Talking Book album, is one of the first songs written by Stevie Wonder that marked a change in the legendary music maker's sound -- from Motown pop to a more personal style. Here is when we...

Harlem | 04/28/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Rap Snacks

Pete Rock Delivers 'NY's Finest' Beats

It's been two months since super producer Pete Rock released his first album in years -- NY's Finest -- debuting on the Billboard Top 200, selling over 3,000 units during its first week. Now, on the heels of those very...

Harlem | 04/28/2008 at 3:00 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

Alice Smith Gives Us A 'New Religion' - Live!

We've talked about soul singer Alice Smith before here on SoulBounce. We even gave you the heads up when her debut album, For Lovers, Dreamers and Me, was officially re-released last October. With a voice that commands your attention, sending...

Harlem | 04/28/2008 at 1:00 PM | Comments (3) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

Video: Ne-Yo 'Closer'

When someone like Ne-Yo says he's bored with urban music and wants to shake things up, I get a little worried. In the short time he's been out, he's established himself as Urban Pop royalty, volleying between penning solid R&B/Soul...

nOvaMatic | 04/28/2008 at 12:00 PM | Comments (6) | Permalink

Rap Snacks

Has Jean Grae Kissed Her Career Goodbye?

Rumors are swirling about that Jean Grae, one of the last well-known and respected female emcees in the past 10 years, has retired from the rap game. Jean, signed to Talib Kweli's label Blacksmith Records, had a album, Jeanius, with...

ill Mami | 04/28/2008 at 11:00 AM | Comments (3) | Permalink

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: Meany Meany Meany Meany Meany

Check out Janet Jackson looking fresh at the GLAAD Media Awards. [JX] Are the paparazzi boycotting Mariah? [HG] Russell Simmons, Ice Cube and Al Sharpton take exception to the Sean Bell verdict, along with the rest of us. [MTV]...

nOvaMatic | 04/28/2008 at 9:55 AM | Comments (4) | Permalink

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#81: Roberta Flack 'Killing Me Softly With His Song'

The name Roberta Flack conjures up thoughts of her numerous classic duets with friend and frequent partner Donny Hathaway (and later Peabo Bryson), but the biggest songs of her career were actually her solo hits "The First Time Ever...

Butta | 04/25/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Events

'Black Lily' To Bloom In Philadelphia May 1-4

Next week this time I will be in the City of Brotherly Love in the midst of an empowering and groundbreaking event for women. That's right, folks, it's time for the second annual Black Lily Film & Music Festival, returning...

Butta | 04/25/2008 at 2:00 PM | Comments (4) | Permalink

Pause For A Cause

Alicia's Journey to the Motherland

Say what you want about Alicia Keys (and believe me, we have), but the work she's doing in an attempt to stem the AIDS crisis in Africa is not only commendable, it's downright inspirational. The hardworking R&B singer, in partnership...

Harlem | 04/25/2008 at 1:00 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Mixtape Roundup

Return of the Roundup

TRUE KNOWLEDGE RADIO: The Best of Prince Vs. The Best of Michael Jackson [TKR]SOUNDNEXX: Tranquil Sundays Mixx (Stevie Wonder, Vikter Duplaix, Zo!) [SN]HVW8: Music is My Art, Vol. 5 (Erykah Badu, Osunlade, Curtis Mayfield) [HVW8]GROOVYCLECTIC (Amel Larrieux, Rahsaan Patterson, Ledisi,...

nOvaMatic | 04/25/2008 at 12:26 PM | Comments (3) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

New Videos From Kidz In The Hall, S.O.U.L. Purpose And Girlicious

This week's new video roundup is bringing some more dope hip-hop hotness with a little pop sugar sprinkled on top for kicks and giggles. First up are those Kidz in the Hall with a comical video that borrows heavily from...

Butta | 04/25/2008 at 11:30 AM | Comments (3) | Permalink

SoulTube

Ne-Yo Meets Angie and Jesse

In the recent past One Life To Live has featured performances by Timbaland, Erykah Badu and Mary J. Blige (Snoop Dogg forthcoming). Not to be outdone, All My Children has recruited Ne-Yo to appear at Angie and Jesse's second wedding...

nOvaMatic | 04/25/2008 at 11:01 AM | Comments (6) | Permalink

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: Freedom For My Mind

Get ready for the return of bodybuilder soul crooner Calvin Richardson. [HS]Check out this footage of Raekwon, Wale and Murs at a Rock the Bells lineup party. [O2N]The Fader has a Q+A with The Pharcyde. [FADER]Spinner sits down with...

nOvaMatic | 04/25/2008 at 10:00 AM | Comments (5) | Permalink

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#82: Stevie Wonder 'Rocket Love'

Stevie Wonder, it seems, has always had a penchant for describing worlds that neither he nor any of us, ever truly have the opportunity to witness. His Journey Into The Secret Life of Plants personified the life of flora in...

ill Mami | 04/24/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments (8) | Permalink

Interviews

Behind the Groove with Anthony David

Anthony David may not be a household name yet, but that's all about to change if India.Arie has anything to say about it. When we got word that India would be getting her own label imprint and releasing Anthony...

Butta | 04/24/2008 at 4:00 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Rap Snacks

MC Serch Puts Khia in Her Place... Again

If anyone has been keeping up with VH1's Ego Trip's Miss Rap Supreme, you saw the way Khia, known for her hit "My Neck, My Back", got booted off the show. The competition calls for the femcees to spit original...

Q. Salazar | 04/24/2008 at 3:01 PM | Comments (7) | Permalink

First Spin

Wait. Why is The Game On This Song?

Here's the short version of KRS-One's new "Stop the Violence" track featuring Nelly (with whom Kris beefed back in the day), Talib Kweli, Busta Rhymes, Redman. Styles P, The Game, and Neyo on the hook. The full version is supposed...

nOvaMatic | 04/24/2008 at 1:25 PM | Comments (3) | Permalink

Relax in Paradise

Orish Grinstead (1980-2008)

Founding Member of 702 Passes Away [BET]Orish Grinstead, Founding 702 Member, Dies of Kidney Failure [TWN]...

Butta | 04/24/2008 at 12:20 PM | Comments (3) | Permalink

Hip-Hop at War

NYOIL: Nas is One of the Most Overrated MCs Ever

Whew. Are people allowed to say this? We've all expressed our views on Nas's whole "Nigger movement" and have raised questions such as: Is Nas is the ideal MC to stir this particular pot? Does he possess the courage of...

nOvaMatic | 04/24/2008 at 11:12 AM | Comments (6) | Permalink

Morning Soul

How Do We Look?

Alicia Keys cancels shows because of swollen vocals chords. She be sangin', ya'll. [REU]Wanna be in the Biggie movie? Here's your chance. Today. In New York. [AHH]NYOIL takes on Nas' "Be A Nigger Too". [HHDX]Treach of Naughty By Nature was...

nOvaMatic | 04/24/2008 at 10:02 AM | Comments (14) | Permalink

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#83: The O'Jays 'Cry Together'

In the 1970s The O'Jays were unstoppable. The trio, consisting of Eddie Levert, Walter Williams and William Powell who was later replaced by Sammy Strain after he was stricken with cancer, scored hits throughout the decade and had behinds bumping...

Butta | 04/23/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments (11) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

The Roots Keep 'Rising Up' In New Video

As we reported here last week, the new video for The Roots' song "Rising Up" featuring Wale and Chrisette Michele is finally done, and it is thankfully something that we can swallow and digest without fear of what might happen...

ill Mami | 04/23/2008 at 3:15 PM | Comments (5) | Permalink

Relax in Paradise

Al Wilson (1939 - 2008)

"Show and Tell" singer Al Wilson dies at 68 [ST]Obit and Tribute [LT] / Biography [AMG]...

nOvaMatic | 04/23/2008 at 2:45 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

Video: Alicia Keys 'Teenage Love Affair'

As I noted earlier, Alicia Keys' new video for "Teenage Love Affair" would be premiering today and well, here it is. It's a fun, romantic clip that turned out to be more School Daze-lite than I had hoped, but it's...

Butta | 04/23/2008 at 2:00 PM | Comments (12) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

Ledisi Shines 'In the Morning'

SoulBounce fave Ledisi is back with a new video for "In the Morning" from her 2007 release Lost and Found. The clip shows our girl looking simply radiant, reminiscing about the night before with her man, as she waits for...

Harlem | 04/23/2008 at 12:00 PM | Comments (6) | Permalink

Rap Snacks

The Legendary Roots Are Part of Billboard's 'Green 10'

Congrats to The Roots for making Billboard's list of the most green bands, "acts that, through their actions in the past year, are making a difference with environmental issues and inspiring their peers to do the same." Being musically progressive...

nOvaMatic | 04/23/2008 at 11:38 AM | Permalink

First Spin

R. Kelly Encourages Bulimia With 'Customer' Remix

R. Kelly has taken it upon himself to piss all over Raheem DeVaughn's latest single "Customer" with a tired remix. In the span of four minutes he's managed to defile DeVaughn's metaphoric masterpiece and reduce it to a skanky side...

Butta | 04/23/2008 at 11:25 AM | Comments (20) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

Alicia Keys Speaks On New Video

A couple weeks ago some stills from Alicia Keys' new video for her next single "Teenage Love Affair" popped up online, and I was quite excited to read that she would be paying homage to my all-time fave Spike Lee...

Butta | 04/23/2008 at 10:46 AM | Comments (3) | Permalink

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: There Can Be Miracles

De La Soul, Tribe and more are part of the Rock The Bells lineup [HHDX]Check out Estelle on the cover of Bleu. [CL]More info on that new Dwele project. [BB]A real life Thriller goes down tomorrow at the Tribeca...

nOvaMatic | 04/23/2008 at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#84: Marvin Gaye 'Inner City Blues'

Marvin Gaye had enjoyed a stellar career as a singer on Motown label for many years before he released What's Going On in 1971. This landmark album signaled a departure for Gaye, as he was more often associated with a smooth...

ill Mami | 04/22/2008 at 6:00 PM | Comments (6) | Permalink

Name That Beat

Name That Beat: Got It Good

Hey gang! Welcome back to Name That Beat where beat nerds can unite with pride! Last week's sample was Herbie Hancock's "Chameleon." To anyone who has ever heard this track in its entirety will know that many hip hop artists...

ill Mami | 04/22/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Industry & Culture

25 Things That Killed (and are Still Killing) Urban Music

In the midst of everyone's declarations that "Hip Hop is Dead" we somehow forgot the slow death that is spreading across all aspects of "urban" music, as the legacy of Soul and its close cousins has devolved into a writhing...

nOvaMatic | 04/22/2008 at 3:00 PM | Comments (40) | Permalink

First Spin

Slim Is 'So Fly' On His Own

Slim of 112 fame is branching out and trying his hand at the solo thing while the group takes a little breaky break. His official first single is "So Fly," and he's teamed up with fellow ATLien Yung Joc who...

Butta | 04/22/2008 at 2:30 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

A Soulful Noise

Seems Cee-Lo Has the 'Write' Touch These Days

In the face of mixed reviews of the latest Gnarls Barkley project, the mightly Cee-Lo is still apparently riding high these days, recently penning tracks for both Jennifer Hudson and Solange Knowles.The track written for Hudson, "All Dressed Up...

Harlem | 04/22/2008 at 1:35 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

We Hear

No Kidding: Ray's Family Feels 'Disrespected' by Manager

It seems none of our soul legends can ever afford to rest in peace. On the heels of a GQ blog detailing the travails of Godfather of Soul James Brown comes news that music legend Ray Charles' longtime manager,...

Harlem | 04/22/2008 at 12:35 PM | Permalink

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: Not Yours, But Mine

Alexis Phifer speaks on "the matter". [MTV]Robin Thicke's new single to debut in Samsung ad. [NEPS]Curtis finds a way to credit himself for a Naughty By Nature classic. [NR]Are Kanye's "Air Yeezys" just recycled rubber? [ADK]Check out Andre 3000...

nOvaMatic | 04/22/2008 at 10:00 AM | Comments (4) | Permalink

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#85: D'Angelo 'Brown Sugar'

Before the pornographic revealing music video, before the drug issues that led to the munchies and way before the extended wait for new music, Michael Eugene Archer, professionally known as D'Angelo, stepped onto the soul music scene and changed the...

Butta | 04/21/2008 at 6:00 PM | Comments (9) | Permalink

Free Music

Want To Hear 'The Odd Couple' In Reverse? Why Not.

Gnarls Barkley has released their latest release The Odd Couple in its backwards form, appropriately titled elpuoC ddO ehT, in its entirety for free. Why? We're not quite sure either, but Danger Mouse has a track record of releasing his projects...

ill Mami | 04/21/2008 at 4:00 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

So What Stevie Wonder Songs Should Eric Roberson Cover?

SoulBounce (and my personal) fave, Eric Roberson, is seeking some input from his fans on what songs to sing at his upcoming gig at the Jazz Cafe in London. But these aren't just any old songs Erro will be singing,...

Butta | 04/21/2008 at 3:15 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

First Spin

'Be A Nigger Too' Just Like Nas

You knew it was coming. Nigger's release date has not been officially released, but this won't stop Nas from stirring up the pot to remind us all that the most uncomfortable album title of the year will be coming soon....

ill Mami | 04/21/2008 at 2:30 PM | Comments (9) | Permalink

Media Watch

Jill Scott Nymphs it Up in Allure

"It took a lot to stand there naked in front of strangers and try to be comfortable and carefree. But I did it - and I'd do it again." -- Jill ScottSo now we have it. Back in January we...

nOvaMatic | 04/21/2008 at 1:26 PM | Comments (17) | Permalink

First Spin

Al Green & John Legend Beg For You To 'Stay With Me'

You know how slow jams are often described as "silky and smooth," especially when they are being introduced on a late night Quiet Storm-type program. The problem is that I can't think of one song released in the past decade...

ill Mami | 04/21/2008 at 12:40 PM | Comments (13) | Permalink

Soul On Film

'Soul Train: The Movie'

Snarky title not needed.If you're still reeling from the news of the Soul Train Awards being canceled this year (because of the WGA strike, suddenly), don't fret. The conductor himself Don Cornelius has revealed that he and Warner Brothers are...

nOvaMatic | 04/21/2008 at 11:00 AM | Comments (6) | Permalink

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: Heartbreak Hotel

An angry fan wounds KRS-1 [AHH]Curtis has a problem with Alicia Keys [NR]Ne-Yo is trying to take R&B to the next level [MSNBC]The 25 Worst Rappers of All Time? [Y!]Check out legends Pete Rock and DJ Premier one on...

nOvaMatic | 04/21/2008 at 10:00 AM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#86 Sheila E. 'The Glamorous Life'

One of the most interesting stories surrounding 1984's "The Glamorous Life" is the fact that the song Sheila E. made famous wasn't even intended for her. Prince wrote the song for the girl group Apollonia 6, but after learning that...

Harlem | 04/18/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments (4) | Permalink

A Soulful Noise, Video SoulBounce

Behind-The-Scenes of New Al Green & Questlove Project

Al Green's forthcoming album, Lay It Down, is due soon, and I don't think I'm the only person absolutely feening for it! I wasn't surprised to hear that Questlove would be producing the album, since he's served as musical director...

ill Mami | 04/18/2008 at 4:00 PM | Comments (5) | Permalink

Industry & Culture

Clive No Longer the HDIC (Head Davis in Charge?) of BMG

Clive Davis, we'll miss you. We'll miss your bi-yearly declarations that "This will be the year we put Whitney back on top!" We'll miss the unabashed Alicia Keysery with which you pepper your pontifications on American Idol. We'll also miss...

nOvaMatic | 04/18/2008 at 3:12 PM | Permalink

Events, We Hear

Kanye West Tour Was Glowing...Or Not

Kanye West's "Glow In The Dark Tour which kicked off in Seattle this past Wednesday was either a bright spot in your week or not depending on who you ask. According to Rolling Stone, Kanye's 90-minute set was "stellar,"...

ill Mami | 04/18/2008 at 12:30 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

New Videos From 6th Sense, Playaz Circle And Duo Live

This week we got more hip-hop comin' atcha in the new video roundup. First up we got NYC MC 6th Sense with a catchy little ditty endorsing Barack Obama. Yes we can! Next we have the Playaz Circle reppin' for...

Butta | 04/18/2008 at 11:45 AM | Permalink

Media Watch

Gnarls Barkley & NER*D Cover The Source

Who knew The Source was still up and publishing? Ever since their "100% Benzino-Free" declaration in 2006, we thought things would be getting back on track business-wise even if it was slightly less interesting. Then more people started getting sued....

nOvaMatic | 04/18/2008 at 11:00 AM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: You, The Bowlegged One

Proving that he's the hardest working pedophile in show business, the Peed Piper R. Kelly is planning to release a new album this summer. [BB]Is Alicia Keys getting married on the hush to her boyfriend Kerry "Krucial" Brothers sometime...

Butta | 04/18/2008 at 10:00 AM | Comments (3) | Permalink

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#87 Tevin Campbell 'Can We Talk'

There is a short list of artists that can boast having music mogul Quincy Jones as a mentor. Tevin Campbell is on that list. It was Q who brought little Tevin to the attention of the music masses back in...

Harlem | 04/17/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments (12) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

I'm Trying to 'Stay Down', Mary. I Truly Am.

Mary J. Blige is back in front of the camera with a clip for one of my least favorite songs from Growing Pains. "Stay Down" sees The Queen singing in the middle of isolated, snowy plains, rocking a different hairstyle...

nOvaMatic | 04/17/2008 at 4:26 PM | Comments (4) | Permalink

Bounce Back

Bounce Back: Dionne Farris

Today's Bounce Back artist is none other than Dionne Farris. In case you can't recall, Dionne was briefly a member of the alternative hip hop group Arrested Development, lending her sprawling vocals to the 1992 single, "Tennessee." Soon after that,...

Harlem | 04/17/2008 at 3:30 PM | Comments (10) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

9th Wonder, Buckshot, and Talib Kweli 'Hold It Down' In New Video

The new video for the 9th Wonder-produced track "Hold It Down" featuring Buckshot and Talib Kweli from his latest effort, The Formula, has surfaced, and it is very proper indeed. If you remember, the first video from The Formula featured...

ill Mami | 04/17/2008 at 2:00 PM | Permalink

First Spin

Anthony David Adds A Southern Touch To 'American Boy'

Atlanta soulman Anthony David has decided to add some down South flavor to Estelle's "American Boy" since she only showed love to NYC and LA fellas in the song. He recently posted this track on his MySpace blog to...

Butta | 04/17/2008 at 1:15 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Bounce-Worthy

Kudu Wants To Rock Out With You

Need a respite from all the hip hop/R&B/soul/jazz tracks that have been bombarding your eardrums lately? Feel like rocking out a bit more now that the weather's heating up? Kudu may have the answer your ears are feening for....

ill Mami | 04/17/2008 at 12:00 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

First Spin, Free Music

'Fly Away' With Sy Smith And Kay Of The Foundation

Indie-soul songstress Sy Smith has returned with a new CD that is hot like fire. If you know like I know, then you'll add her latest disc Conflict to your collection with the quickness (alongside her previous releases The...

Butta | 04/17/2008 at 11:30 AM | Comments (5) | Permalink

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: Don't Call It A Comeback

Leona Lewis is wrecking shop on the US charts. [BV]Everyone is catching on to Santogold. [CL]There'll be new Outkast in the new year. [MTV]Monica should drop something new by the summer. [Jonesin]Don't hold your breath for any of these...

Butta | 04/17/2008 at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#88 Toni Braxton 'How Many Ways'

"How Many Ways" was the sixth and final single released from Toni Braxton's self-titled debut CD. I loved the track because it really gave us a peek at tiny Toni's powerhouse voice. It's no surprise that Braxton herself co-wrote...

Harlem | 04/16/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments (5) | Permalink

A Soulful Noise

What You Talkin' Bout, Erykah?

Erykah Badu was recently interviewed for Blender magazine, and some of her insights were particularly interesting. Erykah made it known that she is drug and alcohol-free, she has a shoe fetish, once punched her pregnant sister for talking some mess...

ill Mami | 04/16/2008 at 3:00 PM | Comments (17) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

New Wu-Tang Video Has Our Hearts Gently Weeping

Despite the fact that Wu-Tang Clan have disappointed me over the years, like a true fan, I stay true to the Wu. So can someone please tell me why one of my favorite tracks, "The Heart Gently Weeps," off their...

ill Mami | 04/16/2008 at 2:20 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

First Spin

Karina Pasian May Be A Soul Star In The Making

With today's musical climate focused not only on finding the next new hot young thang, many are quick to label someone as stellar and worthy of praise off the strength of a mediocre single at best. Teyana Taylor's "Google Me"...

ill Mami | 04/16/2008 at 1:00 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

A Losing Game.

An act that is long overdue for a release is AAries, sisters Ayana and Ayinke Hipps who covered Patrice Rushen's "Settle For My Love" alongside Musiq Soulchild on Aijuswanaseing. They are also featured on his singles "Forthenight"and "Girl Next Door"....

nOvaMatic | 04/16/2008 at 12:15 PM | Comments (6) | Permalink

Industry & Culture

Oh No. The Soul Train Awards Have Been Cancelled. Bummer.

Looks like we won't be live-blogging this one. The 22nd Soul Train Music Awards are not happening this year, my people, for unspecified reasons. Now I have to spend the remainder of this entry trying to articulate my apathy at...

nOvaMatic | 04/16/2008 at 11:45 AM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Media Watch

As If Alicia Needed to Explain Herself

After my lengthy defense of Alicia Key's batsh*ttiness the other day comes the requisite clearation (via J Records) of what she said to Blender. I pat myself on the back for pointing out how suspect the verbiage was on the...

nOvaMatic | 04/16/2008 at 11:00 AM | Permalink

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: We All Want To Belong

Robin Thicke won't have any guest appearances on his new disc, and I'm so not mad at that. [BB]MC Shemar Moore could rap to me anytime, anyplace. [SH]So this Suge Knight reality show thing wasn't a joke, huh? [WH]What's...

Butta | 04/16/2008 at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#89: New Edition 'If It Isn't Love'

The year was 1987. Due to pressure from the record label, Bobby Brown had just been voted out of the group. Ralph Tresvant started mumbling about following Brown out the door and going solo. The group we all knew and...

Harlem | 04/15/2008 at 6:00 PM | Comments (13) | Permalink

Name That Beat

Name That Beat: Like Hot Butter On Popcorn

Hello everyone! Welcome back to one of your favorite escapes from workweek grudgery: Name That Beat. Last week's beat was solved and summed up quite nicely and quickly by Roddycat. The correct answer was Bob James' "Blue Lick" which...

ill Mami | 04/15/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments (4) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

Green Bench's Gangsta Love Vol. 2 Makes Misogynistic Urban Radio Tunes More Palatable

Remember Hey Love? It was the slow jam compilation similar to the Time-Life music boxsets, but the commercial aired late at night on BET, and "Greer Childs" from She's Gotta Have It said to his man, "My brother, you got...

ill Mami | 04/15/2008 at 4:30 PM | Comments (4) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

Videos From 'Rising Down' Keep Popping Up

Despite recent reports that the forthcoming videos for Rising Down would not have any members of The Roots in them, now comes news that the upcoming video for "Rising Up" featuring Wale and Chrisette Michele will have a definite appearance by...

ill Mami | 04/15/2008 at 3:10 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Media Watch

Bobby Vs. Ray J? Not Even A 'Little' Bit

So, apparently Ray J has a song on his recently dropped CD, All I Feel, called "Boyfriend" that calls out Bobby Brown for his inadequate love-making skills.Wait, you didn't know that Ray-J and the rehabbing Whitney Houston had an affair...

Harlem | 04/15/2008 at 2:00 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

First Spin

Erykah Badu's Pot of 'Honey' Continues To Spring Eternal

I'm not sure what the fascination is with remixing Erykah Badu's "Honey," but producers have been having a field day with it lately. It has been "interesting" to listen to some of the reinterpretations of the first single from Ms....

ill Mami | 04/15/2008 at 1:15 PM | Comments (12) | Permalink

We Hear

The Life and Times of Faith Evans

Rumors are circulating blog-wide about a forthcoming Faith Evans autobiography of her tenure at Bad Boy Records as well as her personal and professional relationships with The Notorious B.I.G. and Sean Combs. KEEP THE FAITH is Faith Evan's first person account...

nOvaMatic | 04/15/2008 at 12:07 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

A Soulful Noise

Amy Winehouse Pushes Back Own Album for Household Chores

Just when reports of Amy Winehouse's new material began coming in, the latest is that she's decided to lay off recording any of it because she's occupied with other things. Her label, Island, booked her a very expensive flight to the Bahamas to...

nOvaMatic | 04/15/2008 at 11:45 AM | Permalink

Industry & Culture

Old School Rappers Selling Out...In A Good Way

Remember back in the day when MC Hammer was chastised for building his own media empire, complete with a cartoon in his likeness, a Pepsi endorsement, and enough money to employ his entourage that employed half of Oakland? Or...

ill Mami | 04/15/2008 at 11:00 AM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Releases

New Beats For The Freaks

Bradley Leighton Soul CollectiveDianne Reeves When You KnowDorinda Clark Cole Take It BackFreddie Jackson The Best of Freddie JacksonJ-Nyce Life IssuesLou Rawls Love SongsMariah Carey E=MC2Morgan Heritage Mission In ProgressNat King Cole The Best of Nat King ColePPT Denglish: A...

Butta | 04/15/2008 at 10:30 AM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: Seeing Red

Toni Braxton is on sick leave for the rest of April. [People]Eminem is in negotiations to perform at Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday party. I don't get it either. [SSU]Foxy Brown will be a free woman come Friday. [MTV]Show of...

Butta | 04/15/2008 at 10:00 AM | Comments (3) | Permalink

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#90: Alicia Keys 'You Don't Know My Name'

Alicia Keys first caught my attention when I saw her performance on a BET Christmas special where she performed a reworked version of "Little Drummer Boy." It was obvious to anyone who saw that performance that this girl barely out...

ill Mami | 04/14/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments (11) | Permalink

SoulTube

Gnarls Barkley Made 'Saturday Night' A Lot More Live

Saturday night I was out and about giving my couch a much-needed break from my behind, and I totally forgot to set the DVR to record Saturday Night Live with special musical guests Gnarls Barkley. Who knew I coulda stayed...

Butta | 04/14/2008 at 2:42 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

Lupe Fiasco Takes Us To 'Paris, Tokyo'

Lupe Fiasco is really trying to work his way back into my good graces after that little incident last year. And, dammit, I think he's finally warmed up the icebox where my heart used to be with the new video...

Butta | 04/14/2008 at 1:10 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Media Watch

This is Alicia's World. We Just Live in It

The best thing about everyone's reactions to the Alicia Keys Blender article is that it doesn't so much reveal anything new about her as it does us. It's somewhat astounding to me (and when I say "me", I mean nOva, not...

nOvaMatic | 04/14/2008 at 12:04 PM | Comments (9) | Permalink

Events

'Paid Dues' Will Travel

For everyone looking for an independent hip-hop fix this spring (and really, aren't we all?!?!?), the founders of the successful Paid Dues Festival have great news. They just might be coming to a city near you.The festival, put together years...

Harlem | 04/14/2008 at 10:45 AM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: Feels So Good

Chilli still has love for Usher. Lawd, Tameka is going to flip her lacefront when she reads that. [NB]Jennifer Hudson will get some shine on the Sex and the City soundtrack, too. [MTV]Do you know Duffy? Well, you need...

Butta | 04/14/2008 at 10:00 AM | Comments (7) | Permalink

Looking Back

Wrapping This Week's Soul Candy

Oh look, Dawn got back with Dre. Congrats.Get ready for the return of Lalah Hathaway.Syleena Johnson takes a stab at Lauryn's "Ex-Factor".Robin Thicke impresses with his forthcoming release.Ray-J's latest stunt has us all rolling our eyes.Erykah Badu tells the ingenues...

nOvaMatic | 04/12/2008 at 2:58 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#91: Anita Baker 'Sweet Love'

Thank God for second chances, because without one we may have never been blessed with "Sweet Love" from the one and only Anita Baker. After getting her start with the group Chapter 8 in the late '70s and charting...

Butta | 04/11/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments (8) | Permalink

Rap Snacks

Talib Kweli Showing His Comedic Colors on Blacksmith TV

What is the link between Mos Def, Erykah Badu, and Talib Kweli? Besides all being featured in Dave Chappelle's Block Party movie, they have all shown their senses of humor outside of their musical talent. Mos was regularly featured on...

ill Mami | 04/11/2008 at 3:15 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Soul Fashioned

Lenny Kravitz to Rock Lots of Gucci on European Tour

Lenny Kravitz is a fashion icon, so it's no wonder that he will be styled by Gucci's Frida Giannini for his upcoming European tour. According to Vogue UK, Kravitz will debut 20 looks, including the requisite tight rocker denims with large belt buckles,...

nOvaMatic | 04/11/2008 at 2:31 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Rap Snacks

Hip Hop's Roots Being Challenged As Starting In Texas

Anthropology professor Frank Rochester is challenging the well-known notion that hip hop began not in South Bronx housing projects' outdoor parties, but in Texas as an extension of cowboy culture. Rochester contends that it was during a popular run of...

ill Mami | 04/11/2008 at 1:30 PM | Comments (4) | Permalink

Events

Big Boi + Ballet? But, Of Course

I don't know about you, but nothing the dudes from Outkast do surprises me. At all. I mean, their music has always crossed boundaries and forced people to take notice. They'll forever be progressive trend setters. You did see Idlewild,...

Harlem | 04/11/2008 at 12:30 PM | Comments (5) | Permalink

We Hear

Atlantic Records Wants Estelle To Upgrade Herself?

Word is that Atlantic Records isn't happy with Estelle's look and wants her to upgrade her appearance to appeal to US audiences. Apparently the label brass requested that she get her teeth fixed and ditch her short hairstyle for something...

Butta | 04/11/2008 at 11:45 AM | Comments (15) | Permalink

We Hear

Whitney Encroaches Upon Bobby's Paper

Sadly, the saga of the Houston-Browns didn't end with divorce. Probably in response to Bobby's claims that she pointed him in the direction of the good stuff, Whitney's not signing off on the DVD release of Being Bobby Brown, of which...

nOvaMatic | 04/11/2008 at 11:27 AM | Comments (3) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

New Videos From Black Milk & Guilty Simpson, Ryan Leslie And Morgan Heritage

This week's new video roundup takes us on another journey across the Black music landscape. For the heads we got Black Milk and Guilty Simpson reppin' hard for Detroit in their new video. On the R&B tip, we have producer-turned-performer...

Butta | 04/11/2008 at 11:00 AM | Permalink

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: Round And Round It Goes

Fresh outta the hospital, Toni Braxton will be taking a break until next week. [People]Get away to one of these Caribbean jazz festivals. [UL]Did Kelis fire her stylist or just get dressed in a dark closet? [C+D] The ladies...

Butta | 04/11/2008 at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#92: Bilal 'Soul Sista'

When Bilal first stepped on the scene with his debut single "Soul Sista," everyone just about lost their minds. Not only was the song a concoction of warm, velvety lusciousness, but the video was dripping with ooey, gooey love....

ill Mami | 04/10/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments (5) | Permalink

A Soulful Noise

Janelle Monae Eases Our Minds. We May or May Not Drop the Issue.

The uber-talented and so not Kelis-ish Janelle Monae has been extremely diplomatic on the matter of her partnership/deal/signing with Sean "P. Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Records which, if you ask most people, is the sort of thing that would normally cause...

nOvaMatic | 04/10/2008 at 3:34 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Soul On Film

Erykah Badu's Words of Wisdom Featured In New Music Industry Documentary

Despite the proclamations of some (okay, one) that SoulBounce needs to (and I'm paraphrasing here) stop swinging from the pair housed between Erykah Badu's legs, we have decided to pursue our tireless coverage of Ms. Analogue Girl in this...

ill Mami | 04/10/2008 at 3:00 PM | Comments (8) | Permalink

Reggae Riddims, Relax in Paradise

Cedella Marley Booker (1926-2008)

Bob Marley's mother dead at 81 [MH]Cedella Marley Booker [MySpace] [Wiki]...

Butta | 04/10/2008 at 2:20 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

A Soulful Noise

Ray J Continues Aggressive Campaign To Remain Relevant

Ray J has been having a good past couple of years. Not only have we been bombarded with his likeness on the sex tape he made with fellow struggling-to-stay-relevant celebutante Kim Kardashian, he dated Lil' Kim and Whitney, and also...

ill Mami | 04/10/2008 at 2:00 PM | Comments (13) | Permalink

First Spin, House of Soul

Seiji Sweetens Erykah's 'Honey' Just a Taste

So basically an alarm goes off whenever something Erykah Badu-related hits the interwebs, if that wasn't obvious. This is one of the remixes of "Honey" produced by Seiji of Bugz in the Attic, utilizing the broken beat style he's become...

nOvaMatic | 04/10/2008 at 1:25 PM | Comments (10) | Permalink

Rap Snacks

Prodigy Is On That Ish Again

Previously on SoulBounce, we hipped you to the madness that lives within the mind of arguably one half of the dopest rhyme duos, Mobb Deep, of the late '90s. Prodigy has been (un)fortunately keeping a blog in ALL CAPS...

ill Mami | 04/10/2008 at 12:15 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

First Spin, House of Soul

Trizonna McClendon: 'Sunshine and Lemonade (Make Me Feel Mix)'

When we first heard Trizonna McClendon's "Sunshine and Lemonade" we knew it was itching for a House version. The "Make Me Feel" mix is produced by Darren "DJ QUAD" Brandon & Joe "MO-JOE" Glover of InBlueBlackness, who've also remixed Natalie...

nOvaMatic | 04/10/2008 at 11:44 AM | Comments (5) | Permalink

The Interwebs

Side-Eye Alert: Brandy is Second to Ray-J Now?

What better way to start the morning than with a little good-natured ribbing aimed at our friends at Black Voices? We keep a good eye on our linking partners at SBHQ, so imagine my reaction when I saw this headline...

nOvaMatic | 04/10/2008 at 10:58 AM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: Don't Sweat It

Prince will appear at the Coachella music festival later this month. I guess his hip is back in working order. [BB]Alicia Keys channels The Rays in her next video. School Daze fans, where ya at? [CL]TVT going bankrupt may...

Butta | 04/10/2008 at 10:00 AM | Comments (4) | Permalink

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#93: Third World 'Now That We've Found Love'

As Butta and myself have made mention of on this site, remakes of American pop hits by international artists is nothing new, especially when it comes to reggae music. Third World's "Now That We've Found Love" was not only...

ill Mami | 04/09/2008 at 6:00 PM | Comments (7) | Permalink

Name That Beat

Name That Beat: Fresh To Death

Hello again, everybody! Welcome back to Name That Beat where hindsight really is 20/20, especially after someone guesses the correct beat and the artist(s) who sampled it. Last week had many winners, mainly because the beat of David Axelrod's...

ill Mami | 04/09/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Releases

Dino 5 Makes Hip Hop For A New Generation

If you are a parent like I am, there are times when listening to some of your favorite hip hop jams elicits a cringe-inducing shock as your attempt to censor inappropriate words seems like an act of futility. Enter Prince...

ill Mami | 04/09/2008 at 3:30 PM | Comments (6) | Permalink

A Soulful Noise

For Janelle, a 'Partnership'. For Diddy, a 'Signing'.

Perhaps the most interesting if not glaring thing about the Janelle Monae on Bad Boy "nontroversy" is her approach to the topic as opposed to Diddy's. As seen previously, Janelle often immediately refers to her Wonderland Arts Society when asked about...

nOvaMatic | 04/09/2008 at 3:10 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

A Soulful Noise, Art & Soul, Events

New Erykah Badu Tour Poster & More Tour Dates

Erykah Badu and EMEK have not failed to represent when it comes to the collaboration on her tour poster designs. Thus far, the tour posters for her Israel and Nigeria tour dates have been visually dope and left us...

ill Mami | 04/09/2008 at 1:00 PM | Comments (15) | Permalink

Rewind

When Gang Starr Let Everybody Know Their 'Steez'

As you all know by now, we're doing the damn thing, counting down our favorite soul/R&B songs over the next few months. But don't fret. That doesn't mean we've forgotten about the hip-hop that shaped our lives. In fact, over...

Harlem | 04/09/2008 at 12:00 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

A Soulful Noise

Is It Already Time for 'Something Else' from Thicke?

Love Robin Thicke like I love my luggage, but I can probably wait another year or so before he returns, unless his new stuff is so fantastic that it simply cannot be held back. According to SOHH, AOL and BET,...

nOvaMatic | 04/09/2008 at 11:27 AM | Comments (9) | Permalink

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: Dumps Like A Truck

Get well soon, Toni Braxton! [FOX5]Erykah Badu opens up to VIBE about 3 Stacks in their May 2008 issue. [BS]Oh really, Fab 5 Freddy? [MTV]Lil Kim + Brandy's little brother x a new song / a strip club tour...

Butta | 04/09/2008 at 10:00 AM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#94: Michael Jackson 'Thriller'

Something like this could only happen in the 80's. A song about things "lurking in the dark" and cold, evil breath on your neck. Sexy! "Thriller" is partly responsible for contributing to our perception of Michael Jackson's freakish nature, and...

nOvaMatic | 04/08/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments (5) | Permalink

Battle of the Beats

Battle of the Remakes: Hello It's Them

I will always credit The Isley Brothers for "Hello It's Me". No diss to Todd Rundgren, but if not for Ron and the fellas, this song wouldn't have landed on my radar. Okay, full disclosure: my dad may have had...

nOvaMatic | 04/08/2008 at 4:00 PM | Comments (25) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

From Jill Scott's Video Vault

I'm sure that most of us can remember the first time that we saw Jill Scott perform live (and for those who haven't seen Jilly live yet, please smack yourselves upside the head right quick for me). I've gone on...

Butta | 04/08/2008 at 2:55 PM | Comments (6) | Permalink

Releases

Satisfy Your New Music Jones

Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra Song For ChicoElephant Man Let's Get PhysicalHall & Oates War BabiesJohn Coltrane The Impulse Albums, Vol. 2 Leona Lewis SpiritLMNO & Kev Brown Selective HearingRay J All I FeelRick Astley Whenever You Need...

Butta | 04/08/2008 at 1:00 PM | Comments (5) | Permalink

Rap Snacks

Common: 'Believer' No More

Guess I didn't get the memo. In an interview with HipHopDX, Common says that his new album is titled Invincible Summer (his album titles are starting to sound like romance novels or candles) and will be released this June. There was...

nOvaMatic | 04/08/2008 at 11:52 AM | Comments (3) | Permalink

We Hear

Prince's Band Performs India's 'Brown Skin' at Exclusive Party

The easiest way to tell how basic you are in this world is never being invited to a Prince party. According to Dr. Funkenberry, Prince threw a private concert/party for no more than 100 guests over the weekend. Counted among...

nOvaMatic | 04/08/2008 at 11:19 AM | Comments (4) | Permalink

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: Shake Your Beautiful

Get a "Sneak Peek" at Robin Thicke's new album. [BET]Amy Winehouse is about to be a Bond (theme song singing) girl. [TS]James Brown's personal garbage effects will be sold to the highest bidder. [TMZ]Mariah Carey wants fans to design...

Butta | 04/08/2008 at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#95: SWV 'Weak'

What would our countdown be without one of SWV's best-loved if not known classics? "Weak" was sweet, melodic and no one knew the words! I can submit that most of us back then just made up the chorus as we...

nOvaMatic | 04/07/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments (8) | Permalink

First Spin

Syleena Johnson Does Lauryn Hill (Again)

Chi-town stand up! Your homegirl Syleena Johnson is returning this summer with her next album Chapter 4: Labor Pains to be released on her label Aneelys Records. The first single, "Is It True," has been bubbling on the net for...

Butta | 04/07/2008 at 2:15 PM | Comments (42) | Permalink

A Soulful Noise

Lalah Hathaway's 'Self-Portrait' To Be Unveiled This June

Fans of soul music, rejoice! After four years away, Lalah Hathaway is back on the scene this spring with a new CD on the revitalized Stax Records imprint entitled Self-Portrait. According to Bebo.com, the lead single from the new effort,...

Harlem | 04/07/2008 at 1:00 PM | Comments (9) | Permalink

Sh*t or Shinola?

Dawn & Dre Are Back Together! Stop The Presses!

In case you were like me and minding your own business on a rather non-descript Sunday, you might've missed the news: Dawn Robinson and her ex-husband Dre Allen are back together!*crickets*Their history is well-documented, with a reality-show-that-wasn't, and a marriage-that-couldn't....

Harlem | 04/07/2008 at 12:00 PM | Comments (8) | Permalink

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: The End Of Big Pimpin'

Jay-Z and Beyoncé will get to file a joint tax return next year. Congrats to the happy couple! [Yahoo] Whitney Houston looked rather well-rounded over the weekend. [BS] Enjoy some Nina Simone rarities on iTunes starting tomorrow. [PF]Lina on...

Butta | 04/07/2008 at 10:00 AM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Looking Back

Wrapping This Week's Soul Candy

Is Pharrell a biter? We revealed that which we'd rather not... Looks like the chasm between SoulBounce and Maxwell is gradually closing. We celebrated the great Marvin Gaye. We began our Top 100 Soul/R&B countdown. Were you fooled?...

nOvaMatic | 04/05/2008 at 12:48 PM | Permalink

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#96: The S.O.S. Band 'Take Your Time (Do It Right)'

The S.O.S. Band will not only go down as one of the few bands in history to be able to bring a family reunion gathering to its feet, but for producing some of the most beloved R&B songs from...

ill Mami | 04/04/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments (8) | Permalink

Bounce Over There

Mainstream of Consciousness

Diddy says the LA Times story really hurt his feelings. "It just really hurt... Just knowing how people in this day and age, what they read online and what they see in the papers, they just take it as...

nOvaMatic | 04/04/2008 at 3:55 PM | Comments (4) | Permalink

A Soulful Noise

Diddy Keeps 'Presenting' Janelle Monae; We Keep Trying to Wake Up From This

Last night in NY Dr. Klaw Diddy, once again, introduced Janelle Monae to some people, but this time, to record industry and media types. You know, those people that are usually about 10 steps behind blogs, the pulse of the...

nOvaMatic | 04/04/2008 at 3:04 PM | Comments (13) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

New Videos From Sy Smith & Wes Felton, Atmosphere And Michael Rose & Damian Marley

This week's new videos have a little something for everyone's musical tastes. For the soul lovers is Sy Smith with a video for a cut from her new CD, Conflict, directed by and starring Wes Felton and including some live...

Butta | 04/04/2008 at 1:45 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

A Soulful Noise

Choose Erykah's Next Single. (Soldier, Perhaps?)

Here ye, here ye, Erykah Badu fans. The analogue girl in a digital world is giving the power to the people and asking for help in picking her next single. Erykah recently posted a poll on the Okayplayer message...

Butta | 04/04/2008 at 12:30 PM | Comments (17) | Permalink

Sh*t or Shinola?

I Hope Usher Didn't Pay For This Out of His Own Pocket

Thanks to Mr. Lowe (who pointed to AHM) for bringing this up in the comments yesterday. The enterprising young man in the video that follows demonstrates that Polow Da Don's beat for Usher's "Love in This Club" (just typing that...

nOvaMatic | 04/04/2008 at 11:47 AM | Comments (5) | Permalink

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: Live Each Day In The Springtime

Method Man is now an author. [EW]Amy Winehouse will guest star on the new season of Dr. Who as an evil scientific genius rouge time lord. Talk about spot-on casting. [AYT]Kanye West continues to diversify his portfolio. [VH1] Nikki...

Butta | 04/04/2008 at 10:00 AM | Comments (4) | Permalink

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#97: Whitney Houston 'I Will Always Love You'

It's no exaggeration that Whitney Houston is one of the most beloved entertainers of her generation. Is it any wonder why so many people are pulling for the embattled singer to make a comeback? We want to see and...

Butta | 04/03/2008 at 6:00 PM | Comments (17) | Permalink

Diggin' in the Crates

When Jermaine Remixed Chante

Is this thing on? Is Polow Da Don so much like Jermaine Dupri that it's completely believable Chante Moore would allow him to paste a lost 2Pac verse on her new album? Maybe. But maybe not! While Polow and JD both cater to the...

nOvaMatic | 04/03/2008 at 4:35 PM | Comments (5) | Permalink

Bounce Over There

How to Get Lindsay Lohan Mentioned On SoulBounce in 3 Easy Steps!

Eskay says he got the oddest e-mail about Wale the other day. Turns out, Lindsay Lohan is a fan of Wale! Can you believe it? I can't. Hmm, let's see how "organic" this is. Wale is signed to...

nOvaMatic | 04/03/2008 at 3:05 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

VIDEO: Alicia Keys & Lenny Kravitz Perform in Paris

I'd like to preface this by saying one thing: Alicia Keys is talented. There, I acknowledged it. Now no one can accuse me of "hating" when I say the left side of this video is ten times more interesting than...

nOvaMatic | 04/03/2008 at 1:41 PM | Comments (12) | Permalink

Soul Fashioned

CRS is a T-Shirt, If Not an Album

Despite a hint or two dropped by Lupe Fiasco and a CRS "mixtape" (chock full of tracks we already own), it began to look like Lulu, Kanye and McThefty were playing with our emotions. The CRS album project is starting...

nOvaMatic | 04/03/2008 at 1:17 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

We Hear

Imaginary Catfight in My Head: Leona vs. Mariah

"They've been comparing people to me for longer than I can remember. I'm just like, 'Whatever.' If they're the new me can they come and do my interviews for me or get in the studio and write one of...

nOvaMatic | 04/03/2008 at 12:15 PM | Comments (6) | Permalink

We Hear

But Who is Bobby Going to Blame for the Drugs He's On at This Moment?

I think we're going to have to start a new category called "Side-Eye Alert!!!" or "The Crack Files", anything to accomodate the jankery spilling from the mouths of entertainers these days. A New York Post item titled "'Whitney Drove Me...

nOvaMatic | 04/03/2008 at 11:47 AM | Comments (5) | Permalink

Media Watch

Notes From the 'Heart of the City'

Although I consider myself a fan of Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z (not so much Jay-Z these days), I'm sitting this tour out. Personally, I don't do big shows; they cost entirely too much to spend the evening resisting the...

nOvaMatic | 04/03/2008 at 11:00 AM | Comments (8) | Permalink

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: We Need A Resolution

Check out Erykah Badu and her "friend" Jay Electronica. [C+D]More details about Al Green's new CD have surfaced. [AHH]Maybe Wale is King of the White Girls? [NR]Mariah Carey is coming after The Beatles for most #1's. [SR]John Legend is...

Butta | 04/03/2008 at 10:00 AM | Comments (3) | Permalink

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#98: Bobby Brown 'My Prerogative'

What would SoulBounce's Top 100 Soul/R&B countdown be without the King of R&B, Bobby Brown? Coming in at #98 is his highness with his number one hit "My Prerogative."After quitting the security of New Edition and releasing a mediocre...

Butta | 04/02/2008 at 6:00 PM | Comments (9) | Permalink

Battle of the Beats

Who Do You Want To 'Find A Way' With? A Tribe Called Quest Or Dwele?

The past two Battle of the Beats have produced some lopsided results, and the fun continues again this week with A Tribe Called Quest squaring off against Dwele with their identically-titled songs, "Find A Way." It's not right, but...

Butta | 04/02/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments (17) | Permalink

A Soulful Noise, Soul On Film

Leona Lewis Songs Wanted For Big Movies

The good news just keeps raining down on Leona Lewis. After topping the US charts last week with "Bleeding Love," the British bombshell's hit song is caught in the middle of a bidding war from various movie studios who...

Butta | 04/02/2008 at 4:35 PM | Comments (6) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

Erykah Badu Rocked WMC

Erykah Badu put in some work at the Winter Music Conference last week. She appeared at the Giant Step 12th Annual Sunset Soiree and moved the crowd with a few cuts from New Amerykah Part One. Seeing this footage of...

Butta | 04/02/2008 at 3:47 PM | Comments (9) | Permalink

First Spin, Video SoulBounce

Get In Wyclef's 'Fast Car'

Just last night I saw the new video for Wyclef Jean's next release, "Fast Car," on VH1 Soul and thought to myself that it would make a cool video game. Turns out that the video is actually based on...

Butta | 04/02/2008 at 2:28 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Letter From the Editor

You Know the Music Industry is In Trouble When...

...I post a wacky April Fool's Day entry entitled "Polow Da Don On Board for Chante Moore's Next Album" and everyone takes it at its word. Although the entry (as of now) only has three responses, that's probably one too many. Is it...

nOvaMatic | 04/02/2008 at 1:38 PM | Comments (5) | Permalink

A Soulful Noise, Admin Announcements

Maxwell Hearts SoulBounce

As much as we sweat stan talk about Maxwell on SoulBounce, we'd be remiss not to mention that he has shouted us out on his MySpace page. Yes, yes, y'all! We already had a sneaking suspicion that he read...

Butta | 04/02/2008 at 12:40 PM | Comments (9) | Permalink

Rewind

Happy Birthday, Marvin

If the definition of soul music is literal in that it comes directly from the soul, then the personification of that music has to be Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr., better known to the world as Marvin Gaye.It's never only...

Harlem | 04/02/2008 at 12:15 PM | Comments (11) | Permalink

Industry & Culture

Did Pharrell Bite Peven Everett?

In the clip below Peven Everett does a side-by-side comparison of his "Party of the Year" to Britney's "Sugarfall", produced by Pharrell. Yes, the compositional similarities are glaring, but pay close attention to Peven's voiceover along with the imagery used...

nOvaMatic | 04/02/2008 at 11:14 AM | Comments (8) | Permalink

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: Missing Gerald And Sean

Estelle calls out the British media and music industry for showing white UK soul singers more love than their darker sistren. [TG]Sean Levert's family wants the FBI to investigate his death. [MTV] So this is the man behind Jill...

Butta | 04/02/2008 at 10:00 AM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#99: Mariah Carey 'Vision of Love'

Since nOva pulled a fast one yesterday to kick off the Top 100 Soul/R&B countdown, it's only fair we play a slow one on Day 2 of what promises to be a list full of surprises. Before there were...

Harlem | 04/01/2008 at 6:00 PM | Comments (3) | Permalink

Name That Beat

Name That Beat: Doesn't Soulja Boy Have Like The Freshest Beats?

Happy April Fool's and welcome back to Name That Beat, y'all! As the title of this post shows, we like to have lots of fun over at SoulBounce HQ, but when it comes to the beats, we like to keep...

ill Mami | 04/01/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments (11) | Permalink

Crowd Participation

Guilty Pleasures

With the advent of our Top 100 countdown that will feature some of the best of the best Soul and R&B songs ever, your SoulBounce editors thought that we should also shine a little light on a few questionable...

Soul Bounce | 04/01/2008 at 4:30 PM | Comments (5) | Permalink

A Soulful Noise

Polow Da Don On Board for Chante Moore's Next Album

As previously reported here on SoulBounce, Chante Moore's Love the Woman will be released this month. Details of the project's direction have finally emerged via Chante's Myspace page. Joining Raphael Saadiq and Warryn Campbell is Polow da Don, the producer...

nOvaMatic | 04/01/2008 at 4:18 PM | Comments (4) | Permalink

SoulTube

Lil Kim Added To Cast Of 'Nip/Tuck'

After stellar performances in the hit movies Juwanna Mann, Nora's Hair Salon and Gang of Roses, Lil Kim's impressive acting resume will get even longer with her addition to the cast of the controversial F/X series Nip/Tuck. The pint-sized rapper...

Butta | 04/01/2008 at 3:00 PM | Comments (8) | Permalink

Admin Announcements

A Step in the Right Direction

We are proud to announce that Soulbounce.com will join the BET Network's stable of blogs in the coming weeks. This partnership will coincide with Soulbounce's new blog design and finally provide the team of editors with monetization opportunities. During it's short time online, Soulbounce...

BET Admin | 04/01/2008 at 2:15 PM | Comments (14) | Permalink

SoulTube

Stay Up For the 'Late Show' Featuring Mary and Jay

Tour mates Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z will take a quick break from their sold-out concerts this Friday to appear together on CBS' Late Show with David Letterman. Not only will their joint appearance mark the first time they've...

Harlem | 04/01/2008 at 12:30 PM | Comments (3) | Permalink

Industry & Culture, Media Watch, The Interwebs

Gap Band, Chi-Lites 'Inappropriate' After 9/11 Attacks

When it comes to enterprises like Clear Channel and Wikimedia, who do you trust the most? So far, the alledged List of songs deemed inappropriate by Clear Channel Post-9/11 has received over 1,300 diggs, catapulting it into our inbox. The existence of...

nOvaMatic | 04/01/2008 at 11:10 AM | Comments (3) | Permalink

Video SoulBounce

VIDEO: Kanye West ft. Chris Martin 'Homecoming'

I'm probably not the best person to editorialize this new Kanye West video, mainly because once I got past "Can't Tell Me Nothin'" and "Flashing Lights" I was done with The Graduation. More than that, "Homecoming" is totally inferior to...

nOvaMatic | 04/01/2008 at 10:45 AM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Releases

Be An April Fool For New Music

AZ UndeniableCeCe Winans Thy Kingdom ComeConya Doss Still...Devin the Dude Smoke Sessions, Vol. 1Dionne Warwick Why We SingGeorge Michael TwentyFiveJames Brown The Singles Volume Five: 1967-1969John Coltrane Settin' the Pace [Original Recording Remastered]Luther Ingram If Loving You Is Wrong, I...

Butta | 04/01/2008 at 10:30 AM | Permalink

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: Greatest. Rapper. Ever.

OMG! Nelly has a new album coming out soon! [HHDX] Russell Simmons' girlfriend is one hot babe. [MKR]There's no way that Chris Brown and Rihanna are dating; they just so happen to always be at the same places at...

Butta | 04/01/2008 at 10:00 AM | Permalink