Category Archives: R&B

Q Parker of 112 Gives Preview of New Video Show You How

Grammy and ASCAP award-winning NeWFAM Ent./MALACO Records artist and 112 co-founding member, Q Parker, is making a strong return to the music scene with his new single, “Show You How,” from his upcoming album, The MANual.

Recently Q filmed the video for his hot new buzzworthy single. To vividly bring the “love-triangle” storyline to life, Q enlisted help from VH1’s “Love And Hip Hop” co-star/Dollaz Unlimited recording artist, Olivia, and former Bad Boy Recording artist (now Atlantic Records artist) Willie Taylor of the MTV “Making The Band” group, Day 26.

Representing the respected Fat Cats multi-media production team, the video for “Show You How” was directed and produced by G. Visuals and Randy Marshall respectively. The video “Show You How” will not disappoint with the display of on-screen eye-candy and chemistry between the co-stars. The video which is slated to debut in early April, will surely spawn plenty of conversation and debate as to why people often remain in unhappy and/or unhealthy relationships.

Highly touted rapper, Stalley, of Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group, Bravo TV’s Personality Chef Roble, and Q’s former Bad Boy Recording label-mate, Pam of the group Total, stopped by the Brooklyn set to show love.

Q Parker’s debut single, “Show You How,” is now available via iTunes and Amazon for download.

Macy Gray Returns with “COVERED”

Macy Gray, newly signed with 429 Records, is preparing for the release of her stunning new album “COVERED”—a collection of all new recordings of handpicked songs she’s chosen to reinterpret in her own inimitable fashion.  Produced by Hal Willner (Lou Reed, Metallica), “COVERED” tackles material largely drawn from indie rock songs from the last decade—interpretations her fans will be familiar with as she’s been performing them live over the years. 

The album contains biting, dark signature tracks such as Arcade Fire’s “Wake Up” or My Chemical Romance’s “Teenagers” which Gray subversively overhauls into something wholly her own.  Also included are short skits featuring J.B. Smoove, Nicole Scherzinger and a guest appearance by Idris Elba. “COVERED” will be released worldwide on 429 Records March 27th.  In addition, Macy is planning a worldwide tour and has wrapped filming with director Lee Daniels (Precious) for his forthcoming film ‘The Paperboy” which also stars John Cusack, Zach Effron, Nicole Kidman and Matthew McConaughey. The film will debut @ Cannes in May with confirmed worldwide distribution in October.

Since her dazzling debut introduced this singular talent to the masses, Macy has forged an uncompromising musical path beholden to her own vision and garnering accolades at every juncture.  With “COVERED” Macy has turned the cover album concept on its ear choosing edgy contemporary choices and approaching them in an innovative and uncompromising way. Not surprising considering she’s spent her career defying expectations and stretching musical boundaries.   

Says Macy on being inspired by Nina Simone’s cover songs: “She didn’t worry about what people would think or how they would compare it to anybody else. I saw how she just took that song and every song she ever did and made them her own.  So I went in with the confidence that we could do whatever we wanted.”

“COVERED” Track Listing:

1) Here Comes The Rain Again (Eurythmics)

2) Creep (Radiohead)

3) You Want Them Nervous (skit featuring J.B. Smoove)

4) Smoke 2 Joints (The Toyes)

5) La La La (Teaching The Kids) (featuring Layann Al Saud, Avery Albert, Happy Hinds & Siena Stelber)

6) Teenagers (My Chemical Romance)

7) The Power of Love (featuring Hugh Salk)

8) Nothing Else Matters (Metallica)

9) Sail (AWOL Nation)

10) I Try Is Cool And All But…(skit featuring Nicole Scherzinger)

11) Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)

12) Love Lockdown/Buck (Kanye West/Nina Simone)

13) Mel Rap (featuring Mel Hinds)

14) Bubbly (featuring Idris Elba) (Colbie Caillat)

15) Wake Up (Arcade Fire)

16) Really? (skit featuring MC Lyte)

For more information visit: www.429records.com and www.macygray.com

Get to know New Artist Luke James

The highly anticipated debut solo work from one of today’s most talked about artists who has yet to release an album is sure not to disappoint fans and critics alike. Luke’s FREE pre-album release of #LUKE will be followed by the full-length release of Luke James’ debut solo album, Made to Love, in 2012.

Packed with interesting breaks and tempo shifts, lead single, “I Want You,” beautifully showcases Luke James’ pure, arresting falsetto. But it is tracks like the haunting “Signs of Rain,” dance influenced “Powerless,” and vocally-layered “Made To Love” on #LUKE that truly illustrate hisdiversity and mastery of the R&B genre.#LUKE pulsates with infectious, hip-hop-influenced beats that perfectly complement Luke James’ outstanding R&B-grounded vocals, and it is this foundation in technique, creativity and god-given talent that is poised to situate this rising star as the one to watch on the R&B / Pop scene.

Having already charmed critics from coast to coast, like being named Hip Hollywood’s October 2011 “Artist of the Month,” one of AOL’s The Boombox’s “Top 15 Artists to Watch” and being asked to headline Give Back Hollywood / VH1 Save The Music Foundation’s Pre MTV VMA benefit, Luke James wrapped up his multi-city opening gig on Robin Thicke’s “Love After War” tour in Philadelphia on December 29, 2011. Luke James’ growing celebrity fan base includes Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Estelle and none other than Beyoncé, who selected him for a featured role in her “Run the World” video, and Melanie Fiona, who featured him as her boyfriend in her “4 A.M.” music video. Luke James is also the co-writer of Chris Brown’s “Crawl” and has penned songs for Justin Bieber (“That Should Be Me”), Michael Bolton, and Britney Spears (“Kill The Lights”), among others. #LUKE pre-album available now
http://www.datpiff.com/Luke-James-luke-mixtape.296101.html 

Connect with Luke James at:  www.whoislukejames.com, www.facebook.com/whoislukejames and www.twitter.com/whoislukejames.

Tyrese Celebrates New CD With Hit Single “Stay” and #1 R&B Album on iTunes

November 1, 2011 marks the return of the soulful tenor’s fifth studio recording with Open Invitation.  A 14 song set of classic Tyrese featuring the top 5 single “Stay.”  “After stepping away from recording to nurture and develop my film career, I am super excited to return to my first love of music, which ignited my amazing journey,” says Tyrese.
Tyrese has a unique reinvigoration of passionate, classic R&B which stirs the hearts and souls of audiences.  With a voice so forceful it can roll back time, Tyrese sets out to reignite passion into the genre with his magnetic persona and soulful songs reminiscent of days past.   Open Invitation offers a melodic collective of infectious R&B ballads that will be sparked by the sensational lead single “Too Easy” featuring Hip Hop aficionado Ludacris, and “I Gotta Chick” featuring R&B heavyweight R. Kelly and the red-hot, in-demand emcee Tyga along with the smash hit “Stay.” In addition the exclusive iTunes version of the disc features two bonus tracks.

Making its debut on iTunes as the number one R&B album, Open Invitation takes its place among other Tyrese platinum releases which include his RCA Records debut, TYRESE and Watts 2000 and his Grammy Nominated disc I Wanna Go There which features the monster hit single, “How You Gonna Act Like That” along with the R&B classic “Signs of Lovemaking.”  Open Invitation showcases the growth of Tyrese as a musician and an artist. “I poured my heart and soul into this record.  I honestly believe that this is my best musical effort to date, and I am so anxious to share it with my fans that have patiently waited for my return to music,” says Tyrese.  

This has been an incredible year in Tyrese’s storied career.  In addition to developing his own imprint, Voltron Recordz and an inspirational memoir How to Get Out of Your Own Way which has catapulted onto the New York Times best-seller list.  As an actor, he has starred in two of the year’s most explosive films, Fast Five and Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon both currently available on Blu-Ray and DVD.  With so much momentum it is only natural for Tyrese to return his first love, music. For further information on Tyrese please visit http://www.tyreseonline.com.

New Videos: Jill Scott “So Gone” & Mary J. Blige “25/8”

Jill Scott is showing a little sex appeal in her new video for the song So Gone from her latest CD The Light of the Sun. Check out the video below


And….the Queen of Hip Hop Soul, MJB aka Mary J. Blige just released the video for her new single 25/8 from her upcoming CD My Life II: The Journey Continues (Act I) arriving in stores Nov. 21st.

Rahsaan Patterson Latest Project bleuphoria & Single Crazy (Baby)

Soul innovator Rahsaan Patterson continues to push the boundaries of soul music with the release of his latest project, bleuphoria (July 19), that will coincide with intimate, cross-country promotional performances this summer.   After receiving the 2008 BETJ Virtual Award and being honored as  Soul Tracks Artist of the Year, Rahsaan’s musical talents have touched more than 10 million CDs sold to date and continues to capture a whole new legion of fans with his electrifying, soul-stirring ballads. 

His latest effort, bleuphoria, takes listeners on a sonic ride showcasing Rahsaan’s diversity in music genres from gospel to classic R&B soul to new age funk but also dissects the transcendence of an artist who conquers personal fears and artistic growth unfolding-beautifully through every song. Filled with signature Rahsaan infinite octave-ranging ballads (Goodbyeand Miss You), hypnotic mid-tempo tracks (Stay With Me, 6 AM and first single Easier Said Than Done), funk-drenched club grooves (Ghost featuring Jody Watley) and genre-bending studio experiments (Crazy [Baby] and Mountain Top), bleuphoria is yet another testament of why Rahsaan decided to move in front of the microphone after years of being a successful songwriter.

“This album is a summation of my worldly experiences and really offers musical insight into my journey and what has influenced and inspired me over the years,” says Rahsaan. “Of course I’m rooted in classic R&B soul but I’m so much more than one category and this album is the proof.”

An equally talented songwriter, Rahsaan has written hit songs for and collaborated with Brandy, Van Hunt, Ledisi and Lalah Hathaway.  bleuphoria follows the New York-bred, Los Angeles-based singer’s 2008 The Ultimate Gift, 2007 Wine and Spirits, 2005 After Hours, 1999 Love in Stereo and 1997 self-titled, acclaimed debut, Rahsaan Patterson.  A respected musician within the industry, an array of renowned recording artists lend their talents on bleuphoria including Jody Watley, the legendary Tata Vega, gospel great Andrae Crouch and his choir, Shanice Wilson, Lalah Hathaway and Faith Evans, further solidifying its importance in the ever evolving genre of soul 

Just in time for summer, Rahsaan will be visiting various cities in the U.S. including Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, San Francisco  and Baltimore performing songs from bleuphoria for intimate venues and various music festivals.

 
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Fantasia’s Back to Me Tour

By Tamara Jenkins

2010 was a tumultuous year for Fantasia Barrino.  Allegations of an affair with a married man and a subsequent suicide attempt left many wondering if this would be the end for the singer. But she’s proving them wrong and come back strong which was evident during her  semi-shoeless performance on the Chicago stop of her Back To Me tour December 30th at the Auditorium Theater.

Barrino took her fans on a voyage through time with a myriad of costume changes from big band conductor in all white to 70’s soul sista in a afro and black catsuit while singing hits like Collard Greens and Cornbread, Free Yourself, I’m Doing Me, Bittersweet, Teach Me, When I See You and Even Angels.

Things got emotion at the end of her set, dressed in a purple gown Barrino addressed the crowd informing them that she’s now living for her (self), no longer living for others and performed Diana Ross’s Do You Know Where You’re Going To.  

R&B singers Kandi Buruss (former member of the 80”s R&B girl group Xscape and currently starring on the reality show The Real Housewives of Atlanta) and Eric Benet were the opening acts and gave impressive performances.

Buruss, opened with the angry women anthem How Could You….Feel My Pain then showed her lighter side with Me and You(written by Ne-Yo and samples OutKast’s Cadillac Doors). She later took it acapella performing versions of Xscape hits Just Kickin It and My Little Secret as well as her current ballads Haven’t Loved Right and I Just Know.

Dressed to impress in a 3 piece suit and sunglasses, Eric Benet belted out hits Love Don’t Love Me, Hunger and Chocolate Legs, wedding anthem Spend My Life With You and Sometimes I Cry.  Midway through he relinquished his armor (jacket and sunglasses) causing a mini riot and finished with Never Want To Live Without You, You’re The Only One and Georgy Porgy during his encore.

Photo by Dan Locke

Amel Larrieux LIVE @ The Shrine Chicago‏

Chicago’s Shrine nightclub welcomed R&B songstress Amel Larrieux to perform at its first GOOD Fridays’ set of 2011.  Larrieux opened her show with new songs from her upcoming Ice Cream Every Day album. Larrieux also treated Chicago fans sang old favorites For Real and Tell Me from her days with the group Groove Theory.

Backstage, Larrieux discussed details about the much-buzzed Groove Theory reunion staging  she and band-mate Bryce Wilson are working on syncing schedules. Larrieux’s new album Ice Cream Every Day will arrive in stores in May and the first single will released in March.  

Photo by Rich P

Kandi Koated Chicago

By Tamara Jenkins

Grammy award winning singer and song writer Kandi Burruss got her first taste of success in the music world as a member of the 90’s R&B girl group Xscape. She later prove her skills behind the scenes by writing hits for Destiny’s Child (“Bills, Bills, Bills” and “Bug A Boo“), Pink, Usher, Boyz II Men and Whitney Houston to name a few.

Recently, Burruss has reemerged into the spotlight as a cast member of the Bravo channel’s hit reality show Real Housewives of Atlanta and just released her sophomore CD, Kandi Koated.

To celebrate the release of Kandi Koated, a CD release party was held on December 16th at District in Chicago and UnRated Urban Magazine got a chance to talk to Burruss about the CD and her current and future plans.

UUM: This CD is filled with mid-tempo songs and ballads; no club songs. Why did you decide to go this route?

Kandi: I was trying to do an album that reminded me of the Xscape albums and we were really known for a lot of slow and mid-tempo records, we didn’t really have a lot of fast songs and repeating that era because that was my favorite time in R&B.

I wanted a real classy album, songs you could play 15 years from now, and sometimes up-tempo records can be trendy and I really wanted songs that would be classic.

UUM: How did you hook up with Ne-Yo and what was it like to work with him on “Me and You”?

Kandi: The guy who A&R’ed my project was like I want you to get with Ne-Yo and I was like huh? Because in my mind I’m thinking, Ne-Yo does what I do so how is that going to work? I didn’t know how two strong writers would collaborate but it turned out to be an excellent thing.

When I got to the session Ne-Yo was real cool, it was a mutual respect. So I enjoyed it. First we wrote one song together and then when we decided to do another song I was like ummm….you know what, if I’m going to pay for a Ne-Yo record, let me just let Ne-Yo do his thing.

So I kind of just sat back and let him take control on” Me and You” and I just gave my input here and there but it was all him really.

UUM: The song “Leroy Jones”, was inspired and written for your stepfather, how did it come about, when did you write it and why did you feel like it was such an important song to put out there? What does your mom think about it?

Kandi: I wrote it like a year and a half ago. She (my mom) loved it. Surprisingly, because my mom is very territorial so she’ll be like how come you didn’t write a song about me? That’s what I thought she was going say. But I guess “Super Woman” is a big up to all the single moms out there and I do talk about my mom in “Super Woman” so “Leroy Jones” you know you gotta do something for those men out there because I believe a man or even a woman, you know I’ve done it too that can take on somebody else’s child and love them like their your own. I think that takes a lot of love and I feel like those people need to be lifted up and be praised.

UUM: Your daughter, Riley, is on the CD. Whose idea was that? Do you think she will pursue a career in music? If she does, will you encourage it? Does Willow Smith have some competition?

Kandi: She kept bugging me. She was like mom please let me be on the album, and I was like ok. So as I kept recording she was like I thought you said I was going to be on your album?

So I was like ok I gotta find something to do with my daughter and I thought it would be great to do an interlude before “Leroy Jones”, so we came up with it and she recorded her part really fast, it didn’t take any time, it was like two seconds.

I definitely think my daughter is going following in my footsteps; I mean, that’s just my opinion. She’s already writing songs and I don’t make her, she does it on her own. She comes up with kids songs. She has a definite melody and the hook is defined so I hear her potential and she can sing to be an 8 year old. I want her to be better than me, I want her to play instruments and do all that so I want to try to give her all the tools to be the best if that’s what she wants to do. I’m not going to force her but if she wants to, I’m going to support her.

UUM: On the show, you are working with Lawrence Washington, is there anyone else you’re working with right now?

Kandi: My background singers, there’s four of them and I really want to see girl groups come back. So I think I’m going to talk them (background singers) into letting me do an album with them. I would love to. They are very talented so I could see them being hot. And I always wanted to write country songs so I would love to collaborate with a country artist.

UUM: So you’re not just solely dedicated to your own personal projects?

Kandi: I was this year because I had a timeline and between doing the show (Real Housewives of Atlanta) it was making it hard for me to just totally focus so when I did have time, I had to just focus on me, I couldn’t focus on everyone else.

UUM: You’re currently on tour with Fantasia and Eric Benet

Kandi: We’re on break right now until December 27th and then we go back on the road.

UUM: How’s the tour going?

Kandi: Great. Now, to be honest with you, I feel like a new artist all over again. I’m in grind mode and you know how you feel when you really, really want something really, really bad…so it’s like you’re just going extra hard. So I have that new artist mentality. But when I get on the stage people show me love like I never left.

UUM: After the Tour with Fantasia ends, are you going on a solo tour?

Kandi: I would like to, my manager is working on some things. So we will see I don’t think it will be by myself I would still be with some other people.

UUM: Will Kim Zolciak be one of those people?

Kandi: Naw, me and her did a tour, you’ll see it on TV and that’s all we need to do. We good.