15 May Looking For Myself: Jared Evan talks industry politics, discovering Hip-Hop, Boom Bap & Blues
21 Mar Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience | Album Review
It’s been seven long years since Justin Timberlake last wowed us with his futuristic sounds, awe inspiring visuals and captivating storytelling. Returning to the musical spotlight after his movie star hiatus, now the golden boy of popular culture claims quite simply that he's ready. Ready for what you might ask? If you don’t find your answer upon listening to his latest offering The 20/20 Experience, there’s a distinct possibility that your ears might be something to just hang your sunglasses on.
24 Sep JoJo talks label politics + a new direction; “I was told it wasn’t ok to like the music I liked”
For those living in a bubble, or those who just enjoy staying ignorant, the record industry can be a cold and unkind place to reside at the best of times. The dog eat dog mentality has seen some of the most promising careers fall by the wayside.
However, there are those who continue to fight the power, ride it out, and make the best of a bad situation. Sitting down with SoulCulture, Joanna Noelle Blagden Lavesque, better known as pop starlet JoJo, is one of said people.
Starting her musical journey at the age of 12, signing with Blackground Records - made famous by the likes of Aaliyah and Timbaland, her self-titled debut album was released back in 2004. Selling millions of records worldwide, JoJo went on to become a pretty big deal.
The thing is, her last official release was 2006’s The High Road.
16 Jun Jodeci’s Diary Of A Mad Band LP revisited with Prince Charles Alexander
Diary Of A Mad Band was released on December 21, 1993 by Uptown/MCA Records. After achieving triple platinum status with their first release, Forever My Lady, Jodeci announced their return in resounding fashion with their sophomore album. Continuing their trademark sound centered on soulful balladry, Jodeci landed legions of adoring fans from both sexes alike for their real life lyrics and incredible musicianship contained inside of each song. This album would see the group expanding their sound on the second half of the album by experimenting more with Hip Hop music infused with traditional R&B. The writing and production talents of Devante Swing were on full display once again with contributions from Mr. Dalvin, Timbaland and Missy Elliot. K-Ci’s vocal prowess was reminiscent of early 1970s soul singers such as Bobby Womack and his brother Jojo’s upper register delivered indelible notes that gave a distinguishable feel to each song, which set them aside from their contemporaries. Jodeci consisted of the perfect amalgamation between the production and songwriting talents of the DeGrate brothers, Donald “Devante Swing” DeGrate and Dalvin “Mr. Dalvin” DeGrate and the incomparable vocals of the Hailey Brothers, Cedric “K-Ci” Hailey and Joel “JoJo” Hailey. This album would propel the brothers into a new realm of superstardom and cement their legacy as one of the best R&B groups of not only the 1990s, but in the history of the genre. The DeGrate and Hailey brothers came from families steeped in the gospel music tradition for years. Both sets of brothers traveled extensively on the gospel music circuit and were well accomplished performers and musicians. The DeGrate brothers served as pianist and drummer for their father, Rev. Donald Degrate’s gospel group, The DeGrate Delegation. The Hailey Brothers were performers in their father’s gospel group, Little Cedric and The Hailey Singers. The pair of brothers met in the late 1980s and formed the group Jodeci in 1990. They eventually received their big break in the fall of the same year. Their debut album Forever My Lady only foreshadowed what was to come from the group. Between January 1993- August 1993 Diary Of A Mad Band was recorded in the Hit Factory Studios in Manhattan, New York. SoulCulture recently sat down with Prince Charles Alexander, the audio engineer, mixer and studio musician for the album to give some insight on how the album became a success.15 May Jon B. reflects on his 1997 album, Cool Relax
Cool Relax was released on September 16, 1997 by Epic Records. Coming off a successful debut album, Bonafide in 1995, Jon B. returned to the heavily crowded R&B landscape by leaving an indelible mark with his sophomore album. He drew comparisons to his mentor, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds due to the fact Babyface was the executive producer of his first project. The singles that were released from the “Bonafide” album contained many of Babyface’s trademark production elements. It wasn’t public knowledge that Jon B. wrote and produced the majority of the songs on his debut release. Cool Relax revealed the production and writing talents of Jon B. and established him as an artist to be reckoned with for years to come. For decades, the R&B genre has been dominated by African-American artists, but Jon B. became one of the few White artists to succeed and have staying power with a predominantly Black listening audience. Alongside the production talents of producers, Tim & Bob, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Marc Nelson, Babyface and Diane Warren he crafted a distinct sound, which ultimately led to the highest selling album of his career. A native of Pasadena California, Jon B. grew up in a musical household. Both of his parents were music teachers and his siblings were also musicians. At the tender age of five, he began learning how to play the piano and gradually moving toward keyboard, drums and bass guitar. By the age of nine he wrote his first full composition. As a teenager, he sold his first album during lunchtime at his middle and once he attended high school he started his own rock band with neighborhood friends, called The Switch. This is where Buck started to gain a following and continued to hone his skills as a songwriter. His big break would occur in 1992 when Tracey Edmonds, then President and CEO of Yab-Yum Records, heard his demo and immediately contracted him to write songs for After 7, Gina Thompson, Color Me Badd, Toni Braxton among countless others. Shortly thereafter, he would be signed as an artist to Epic Records and release his solo debut album. Between September 1996-May 1997 the majority of Cool Relax was recorded in DARP Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, AIR Studios in London, England and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds studio in Los Angeles, California. SoulCulture recently sat down with Jonathan “Jon B.” Buck to talk about the album and some of its creative influences.14 Dec Timbaland – Shock Value 2 [Album Review]
Forget Hip Hop alone – Timothy Mosley can finally add his name to the list of the greatest producers music will ever behold. Arriving onto the scene a decade ago with brilliant scores for his close knit family of Missy Elliott, Ginuwine and the late Aaliyah, he has since elevated through the rankings up to the status of Producer Extraordinaire.
04 Dec Wyclef Jean: From The Hut, To The Projects, To The Mansion [Album Review]
Singer/songwriter/producer/rapper Wyclef Jean is back with his new 13-track EP From The Hut To The Projects To The Mansion, assuming the alias Toussaint St Jean (inspired by the historical Haitian slave-to-revolutionary leader, Toussaint L’Overture, which you can see in essence with the warrior spirit of the album). Supporting this assertive album are some females who know how to hold their own: Lil Kim, Eve and an unexpected but effective collaboration with Cyndi Lauper; as well as a definite club banger with Timbaland, which has the super producer's signature all over it.