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12 Nov

Posted at 14:14h in Music, Reviews
Consistency is definitely key when it comes to Shaffer Smith, aka Ne-Yo. Whether it’s his thought-provoking songwriting capabilities, comfortable harmonies, or his effortless ability to make hit record after hit record, his success rate is one that not too many in the music industry can contend with. Switching labels, the Arkansas-born singer/songwriter has finally jumped the Def Jam ship and has now found a new home in the form of the legendary Motown label. Releasing his fifth studio album R.E.D., which is an acronym for Realizing Every Dream, things seem to have come a long way for Ne-Yo since the disappointing commercial reception he received for 2010’s Libra Scale. Already with a UK number one single featured on the album - "Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)" - R.E.D. is an album full of promise. With lots of highs and a few lows, most of all it sees a return to the type of songwriting his fans know he’s capable of.

02 Jan

Posted at 04:32h in Interviews, Music, Return To The Classics
Coming off a successful string of debut releases from Hip Hop artists Craig Mack and the Notorious BIG, Bad Boy Records released Faith on August 29, 1995. Upon the release of Faith Evans' debut album, she was quickly dubbed as the heir apparent to the throne of the brand new genre Hip Hop/Soul. During this juncture, there were a plethora of women looking to make their mark on the industry as solo acts and breakthrough. She capitalized on the momentum laid down by her Bad Boy brethren and seized the moment. The young, upstart label was ushering in fresh talent to cultivate in its own image. Evans became the first lady of Bad Boy after being signed by Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs in early 1994. He clearly saw something in the young songstress and his gamble paid off decisively. Her debut offering delivered an unprecedented amount of success to the artist and label alike.

07 Nov

Posted at 21:10h in Music, Reviews
Since placing his signature on a GOOD Music contract in 2010 the stock has indeed risen for the Clipse's Pusha T, in addition to the 'interest' garnered from particular rappers. If maintaining his online buzz with throwaway dopeness plus (bizarrely) featuring on a track with UK pop singer Pixie Lott, the VA juggernaut has also taken aim at Hip Hop's golden boy Drake on several occasions. If all of the above fail to impress those who doubt the rapper's musical merits, his Fear of God freebie which was released earlier this year garnered much praise for its raw, diamond in the dirt potential. Returning to audio pulpit, Fear of God II hopes to push the Clipse member up to the levels of a main player in the GOOD Music familia.

15 Jun

Posted at 17:28h in Lit, Music
In May 2010 we asked superproducer Just Blaze "What Happened To The Remix?" - who would have thought that that answer would make it's way into the pages of the colossal 420-page coffee table book Hip Hop: A Cultural Odyssey Book? Bound in black leather and described as "the definitive literary and photographic celebration of the groundbreaking culture," the luxury book features unseen photos by Hip Hop photographer Jonathan Mannion, interviews, essays and profiles on a range of Hip Hop pioneers, legends and players key in the growth and global impact of Hip Hop of Hip-Hop, including Jay-Z, Kanye West, Eminem, Run-DMC, Queen Latifah, Will.I.Am, Diddy, 50 Cent and Will Smith. Afrika Bambaataa penned the book's intro with a further 150 or so artists contributing commentary, including Cee Lo, Chuck D, Faith Evans, Ice-T, Kool Keith, Method Man, Nelly, ?uestlove and Spinderella. Watch our interview with Just Blaze below, along with more details on Hip Hop: A Cultural Odyssey and how to get your hand on it.

09 Apr

Posted at 08:10h in Interviews, Music, Return To The Classics
My Life was released on November 28, 1994 and it lived up to expectations set by fans of Mary J. Blige and the larger music community. Coming off the triple platinum success of her debut album, What's the 411? Blige retained her crown as the reigning Queen of Hip Hop-Soul with the release of her follow up album and reestablished her dominance on the R&B landscape. Upon the album's release, Blige was coming off a hectic two years promoting her debut album and remixes album, which became highly successful as well. This album became an introspective masterpiece due to the many complications Blige was dealing with personally. During this juncture, she was battling clinical depression, alcohol and drug related problems and a tenuous, abusive relationship with K-Ci Hailey of Jodeci. All of these factors combined with the production gifts of Carl “Chucky” Thompson and Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs laid the foundation for one of the most legendary albums of the 1990s and in R&B/Soul music history. Mary J. Blige's career began in 1989 when she was signed to Uptown Records by then CEO, Andre Harrell after he listened to her demo of Anita Baker's classic, “Caught Up in the Rapture.” She became the youngest and first female act signed to Uptown Records. Once signed to the label, an up and coming producer named Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs began working with Blige to craft her image and sound for the viewing audience. Her first recording was singing the hook for then popular rapper and label mate Father MC on his song, “I'll Do 4 U,” in the fall of 1990. She sang background vocals for much of the talent on the Uptown Records roster until the recording of her debut album took place in the winter of 1991. Her singing style was refreshing reminder of past R&B songstresses such as her influences Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan and Anita Baker, but she brought something new to the discussion with her hard girl persona and descriptive lyrical content. These two things made her stand out amongst her R&B/Soul counterparts. Her vocal prowess reigned supreme over Hip Hop infused tracks with sprinkles of hard drum beat patterns and synths. The combination proved to be explosive for the What's the 411? album. My Life would catapult Blige into another realm and showcase her writing and vocal abilities. Thompson and Combs provided the soundtrack of recapturing the essence of 1970s Soul and early 1990s Hip Hop music while Blige wrote soul stirring lyrics and displayed stellar vocals on all 17 songs on the offering. Between the winter of 1993 through August of 1994 the majority of My Life was recorded in The Hit Factory studios in New York, New York. SoulCulture recently sat down with Carl “Chucky” Thompson, co-producer of fifteen songs on Mary J. Blige's second album, My Life to talk about the methodology behind creating such an iconic album.

23 Aug

Posted at 19:15h in Features, Interviews
R&B music in the mid-to-late '90s was heavily dominated by make-up to break-up songs with soft beats and smooth melodies by the likes of Babyface, Aaron Hall, Blackstreet and Dru Hill, with Keith Sweat, R. Kelly and Mariah Carey dominating the airwaves. Mention the name Kelly Price and expect to recall a string of hits and chart-topping singles. "Friend Of Mine" (ft. Ronald Isley and R. Kelly), "You Should Have Told Me" and of course the R&B classic "Heartbreak Hotel," with singing legend Whitney Houston and Faith Evans, are to name only a few of the great work done by the multi-talented mother. With a new self-titled album on the way in 2010, Soul Culture recently spoke with Kelly on her four-year break from the charts, weight loss, her new album and her admiration for Diddy.

21 May

Posted at 18:16h in Features

It's the 21st of May 2010 and this morning I found myself sat watching Dirty Money's "Hello Good Morning" video on TV. It was a bit early for me to be watching a video with such glitz, pizzazz and all the bells and whistles which...

21 May

Posted at 22:17h in Interviews, Music
day_26 BREAKING THE BAD BOY CURSE Interview with Que of Day26 By Tahirah Edwards Byfield The fourth of MTV's Making The Band was the most controversial season yet. As well as publicly solidifying the end of girl-group Danity Kane, the season also documented a turbulent three months for Qwanell "Que" Mosley, Robert Curry, Mikey McCluney, Brian Andrews and Willie Taylor of Day26. With fighting between band members and the looming threat of disbandment, the future of Day26 also seemed to be ambiguous. However, instead of facing a fate similar to their female counterparts, the R&B quintet released a chart-topping sophomore album Forever In A Day and are seemingly closer than ever before. Whilst on the road touring with The Dream, Que from Day26 spoke to SoulCulture about music, the Bad Boy curse and the 'reality' of reality TV.