New Music: Calvin Richardson - Treat Her Right (Remix) ft. K-Ci of Jodeci

R&B vocalist Calvin Richardson who recently released his latest album All or Nothing which features the lead single “Treat Her Right” just dropped the remixed version of his single that features K-Ci (and his niece Faith Hailey).

Listen: HERE

News: Solange Knowles - Glamour’s Women of the Year Honor

Grammy-winner Solange Knowles was selected as one of  Glamour magazine’s “Women of the Year” honorees, and her selection is being celebrated with an eclectic cover.

Solange’s groundbreaking album, “A Seat at the Table,” catapulted her from the shadows of her superstar sister, Beyonce. The project, released late last year, tackles some critical issues including racism, cultural appropriation, activism, and empowerment.

“She’s such a fantastic and inspiring example of somebody who has always chosen not to do things the easy way,” states Cindi Leive, Glamour’s editor-in-chief. “Her sister is Beyonce. She could have become a pop star in any number of ways but she decided to really focus on her own personal vision of art.”

Knowles told the magazine that she worked on “A Seat at the Table” on and off for three years, at one point spending three months writing songs in tiny Patoutville, Louisiana, soaking up the pride, resilience, and traditions of the regional culture. She worked in a house on a sugar plantation, feeling a closeness to her ancestors and feeling a “constant state of reflection.”

Part of her goal was to reclaim and change her own narrative, she said, “whether it was people challenging who wrote what on my album, whether it was about some editor commenting on my hair in a story or someone feeling like they were entitled to space in my life. I needed to unfold, reveal and discover my truth.

Solange also says she leaned on her sister and mother Tina Knowles: “When I finally turned in A Seat at the Table, I had a pit in my stomach. It was just 72 hours before my release date. There was a lot of fear and emotion, pain and hurt and rage. My sister was there in New Orleans filming ‘Formation,’ my mom was there, the whole squad, and it was such a blessing. I truly believe that was the universe, because I was such a mess during the mastering process.”

Other honorees include Gigi Hadid, Nicole Kidman, late night host Samantha Bee, astronaut Peggy Whitson, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Syrian refugee and education activist Muzoon Almellehan, fashion revolutionary Maria Grazia Chiuri, and Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins. The women will be honored at an event on November 13 in Brooklyn, NY.

Flashback: Whitney Houston – “One of Those Days”

On this day 15 years ago Grammy Award-winning vocalist Whitney Houston released “One of Those Days” which served as the second single from her fifth studio LP Just Whitney via Arista. The “Between the Sheets” sampled cut was written and produced by Kevin Briggs and speak about escaping the worry and stress of daily life.

An underrated track from an underrated album.

News: Patti LaBelle Enlist Vivian Green, Ruben Studdard & More for Holiday Album

Grammy Award-winning R&B/Soul legend Patti LaBelle has announced the release of her third Holiday album in her illustrious career titled Patti LaBelle and Friends – Home for the Holidays available November 24th. The 14-song collection features original and Holiday standards from LaBelle, Vivian Green, Ruben Studdard, Tamala Mann and introducing Jamar Jones.

Patti LaBelle and Friends - Home for the Holidays:

Tracklisting

1. My Favorite Things – Jamar Jones featuring Vivian Green

2. Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day – Patti LaBelle

3. Presence With Me – Ruben Studdard

4. Maybe Next Year – Vivian Green

5. Mary Did You Know? – Patti LaBelle

6. Let It Snow – Ruben Studdard

7. Brazilian Sleigh Bells – Jamar Jones

8. The Christmas Song – Vivian Green

9. O What A Night – Jamar Jones

10. Christmas Time Is Here – Jamar Jones, Patti LaBelle & Friends

11. Grown Up Christmas List – Patti LaBelle

12. Jesus King! – Patti LaBelle and Tamela Mann

13. Avé Maria – Ruben Studdard

14. Brahms Lullaby – Patti LaBelle

Pre-order HERE

Interview: The Walls Group - New Album ‘The Other Side’ | How They’ve Evolved

Grammy-nominated and 2x Stellar Award-winning Gospel sensations The Walls Group are back with “My Life” which serves as the lead single from their upcoming third album The Other Side via Fo Yo Soul/RCA. I caught up with the siblings group to discuss how they’ve evolved over the years, the new music and much more.

Terrance: How has The Walls Group evolved in the past 5 years?

Ahjah: I will say that in terms of our journey and the things we’ve seen individually and been through in the past 5 years have kind of shaped our foundation for this new music and our outlook on things and going through what we’ve gone through. We’ve grown vocally, spiritually and just having our own individual journeys as well as our collective journey has shaped us now as a whole and I think our eyes are open more now than they’ve ever been before.

Terrance: Cool. So getting into the upcoming album The Other Side, talk about “My Life” and what led you guys to pick it as the first single.

Darrel: It was general consensus. When everybody heard it, they were like, that’s the one. “My Life” encourages those who are called to do something which we all are called to do something in life and it might not be the same as the next person but we are called to do something so it encourages us regardless of what people think, say or like. If it means to be fly, fresh and do your thing then that’s what it should look like, so be great and tell em, listen let me live my life.

Terrance: Creatively what sets The Other Side apart from the previous album Fast Forward?

Darrel: The difference between The Other Side and Fast Forward is the fact, #1 we wrote everything along with Eric Dawkins but we wrote most of everything. I think we’ve experienced a lot of things in life between then and now and we have a lot of stuff that God has given us and we just want to share how we see God and how we see life through our perspectives. Another thing is we’re very diverse in music. We love Country, we love Hip Hop, R&B, Classical. We love it all and we decided to embody everything we’ve done or been a part of on this record and I think that everyone will be super duper excited to hear it.

Terrance: How does the Brother-Sister dynamic work?

Paco: The Brother sister dynamic work a lot better than a lot of non-family unit and it’s easier because for one you know your family and you know yourself. It teaches us to coexist and co-create together rather than with a friend or a total stranger. The harmonies and cohesiveness is just there and we’re more willing to work together and work issues out because of family and I think that leads to a lot of success.

Terrance: Talk about the CD release concert and what we’re expecting.

Darrel: The Other Side release concert is going to be absolutely incredible. What we’re doing is we’re doing three cities and they are all East coast starting in New York on the 3rd of November at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Then we’re going to move on over to the next day on the 4th in Baltimore, Maryland at Pastor Jason Nelson’s Church Greater Bethlehem Temple. The third day on the 5th we will be back in New Jersey at Bishop Searight’s Church Abundant Life Family Worship. It will be absolutely amazing man because we’ve been rehearsing and this is the first time we get a chance to sing the other half of the record. We sung like the first half on our Latitude Tour. We’re excited and we’ve put a lot of energy, a lot of musicality and of course a whole lot of guys.

Terrance: What do you hope listeners take from their experience with The Other Side?

Ahjah: I think all of our hope is to let people understand where we’re coming from and I really hope that people take away that Gospel music is not dead, you know? Jesus is alive and well. There are people out here who serve God and want people to know that there is a message out here that’s still the same no matter how you wrap it up and no matter how you present it to people. We want people to know just because we don’t look like the traditional Christian or dress like the traditional Christian, don’t count people out because of what they look like and if you’re a young person and you want to follow God don’t let the misperception of what Christianity should look like stop you. Don’t be ashamed of who God called you to be.

Terrance: And lastly, with all that’s been accomplished so far, how do you define success?

Darrel: I think success is defined by what it is you want in life. A lot of people see success as money and all these different things but I think for us it is prosperity which is peace. So if it is to reach for a goal you set for yourself whether it is to put out an album, have your business thriving or just to have a healthy family, that is success. I think for us whatever we put our mind to or whatever goal we set is success.

Pre-order The Other Side HERE

New Video: Chanté Moore - “Cover Me In Snow”

Grammy nominated R&B vocalist Chanté Moore who just recently released her seventh studio album The Rise of the Phoenix last month which includes the Billboard smash “Real One”, wasted no time with her first ever holiday album Christmas Back to You available everywhere November 3rd. Pre-order HERE. The first offering from Christmas Back to You is the single/video “Cover Me In Snow”.

Read our interview HERE where Chanté discuss Christmas Back to You and The Rise of the Phoenix.

New Music: Chrisette Michele - “Strong Black Woman”

Grammy Award-winning R&B songstress Chrisette Michele has dropped a new female-empowerment single “Strong Black Woman” which pays tribute to black women.

The song touches on their flaws and imperfections but also their great triumphs.

On the song, Chrisette states, “How do we not know by now what a strong black woman is? Why do we still have a difficult time recognizing greatness when we see it? Who’s oblivious to the greatness of Michelle Obama, Roxane Gay, Issa Rae, Maxine Waters and countless others? I hate that I have to shout so loud to drill the point home, but the truth is that if we don’t lift each other up, nobody else will.”

“Strong Black Woman” is the lead single from Chrisette’s upcoming sixth album Out of Control due April 13, 2018 as the follow-up to Milestone via her own label Rich Hipster.

Keyshia Cole’s Top 10 Unreleased Songs

With R&B artist Keyshia Cole having just dropped her seventh album, 11:11 Reset, it’s a great time to look back on her career and some of her best unreleased songs from her past six albums. Without further ado, here are the Top 10 Unreleased songs by Keyshia Cole.

10. “Who’s Gonna Hold Me Down” (2012)

“Who’s Gonna Hold Me Down” finds Cole channeling her inner Isaac Hayes on the sample of Theme from Shaft which is found on the deluxe edition of Woman to Woman.

09. “So Impossible” (2010)

On this Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis produced track, Cole expresses the strain of broken love.

08. “Brand New” (2008)

Perhaps one of the most affectionate and sensual songs Cole had recorded up to this point from the critically-acclaimed third album A Different Me, which is by far her most cohesive body of work to date.

07. Thought You Should Know (2008)

On the laid-back groovy cut “Thought You Should Know”, Cole let’s it be known that she’s not a gold-digger and can buy her own liquor. The subtlety in Cole’s vocals makes this one of the finer songs in her catalog.

06. “Losing You” ft. Anthony Hamilton (2007)

The piano driven cut “Losing You” finds Cole and Hamilton duetting on how a good relationship falls apart.

05. “Wonder” (2012)

Produced by Hit-Boy and found on the Target edition of Woman to Woman. “Wonder” is one of the more stronger songs musically from this offering.

04. “Love, I Thought You Had My Back” (2005)

“Love, I Thought You Had My Back” is what I call a hit single that never was although it’s been performed several times, most notably at VH1 Unplugged and Live from The Village.

03. “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (2012)

Written by the legendary Betty Wright and Cole’s hitmaker Greg Curtis (“Love”, “I Remember”), “I Can’t Make You Love Me”, is a smooth groove and one of the most honest deliveries lyrically on record in the past 5 years.

02. “Woman to Woman” ft. Ashanti (2012)

In 2012, Cole teamed up with fellow R&B singer Ashanti on what is described as a female anthem “woman to woman” about the same man they are both involved with. Critics and fans have dubbed it the grown-up version of Brandy and Monica’s 1998 hit, “The Boy Is Mine”.

01. “Fallin’ Out” (2007)

Produced by Soulshock & Karlin for the sophomore album Just Like You, “Fallin’ Out” finds Cole trying to save a difficult relationship. This is by far the best non-single on the album.

New Video: Lalah Hathaway - “Honestly” | Announces Headlining Tour

5x Grammy-winning songstress Lalah Hathaway has released a new powerful and social injustice video “Honestly” which serves as the second single from her upcoming album of the same-name due November 3rd.

Also Lalah will be embarking on the HONESTLY tour 2018:

Jan. 16 – The Pageant – St. Louis, Missouri

Jan. 18 – House of Blues – Chicago, Illinois

Jan. 19 – Egyptian Room – Indianapolis, Indiana

Jan. 20 – Mercury Ballroom – Louisville, Kentucky

Jan. 21 – House of Blues – Cleveland, Ohio

Jan. 23 – The National – Richmond, Virginia

Jan. 25 – The Keswick – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Jan. 26 – The Warner Theatre – Washington, D.C.

Jan. 30 – Feb. 3 – Blue Note at Sea Cruise – Various Locations

Feb. 07 – City Winery – Nashville, Tennessee

Feb. 08 – Knight Theater – Charlotte, North Carolina

Feb. 09 – The Cone Denim Entertainment Center – Greensboro, North Carolina

Feb. 11 – Center Stage – Atlanta, Georgia

*More dates to be added*

Pre-order Honestly HERE

CONCERT: Tyrese, Monica to Headline the R&B Super Jam Coming to Atlanta

R&B superstars Tyrese and Monica along with Joe Thomas, Donell Jones and Total are set to bring the R&B Super Jam to Atlanta at the Philips Arena on the 28th of October.

Monica who is an Atlanta native had this to say:

“We always keep our main home here. My mom is here, family is here. You just can’t leave Atlanta.”

Tickets are on sale at

www.ticketmaster.com

New Video: Faith Evans & The Notorious B.I.G. - “Ten Wife Commandments”

R&B vocalist Faith Evans has released a new music video “Ten Wife Commandments” which features cameo appearances from her late husband and rapper The Notorious B.I.G. and fellow R&B singer Shanice Wilson.

“Ten Wife Commandments” is courtesy of The King & I. A collaborative album between Evans and The Notorious B.I.G. released earlier this year that features the singles “When We Party” featuring Snoop Dogg, “NYC” featuring Jadakiss and “Legacy”.

I caught up with Faith Evans to discuss The King & I project. Read our interview HERE

“Ten Wife Commandments” (Video)

Antoine JaQuard Interview: Emerging Artist | New Single "Crazy Love" | Upcoming Live Show

Rising independent recording artist Antoine JaQuard released his new single this year entitled, “Crazy Love” where he discuss how the song came together and it’s meaning. Antoine also share details about his upcoming show here in Atlanta that you don’t want to miss.

Terrance: At what age did you realize you were ready to share your gift of music to the world?

Antoine JaQuard: Oh man, I was literally about four (laughs)! My mom, who was a jazz singer, says she always knew I'd be musical because I was moving in rhythm in the womb. The moment she heard real potential in my singing (which was around three, imagine that lol) she started putting me on little stage productions that the local college, Hampton University, would put on. There was ALWAYS music around me. I knew from my earliest memories this was what I was meant to be doing.

Terrance: Awesome. Who were your musical influencers coming along?

Antoine JaQuard: Interesting thing about me, I actually don't tell people my musical influences (laughs)! I like for people to kind of decide that for themselves. Some of the things I hear are very interesting. Annnnnd I like to think it keeps a certain mystique about me (laughs). BUT since you're so cool I will say that one of my all time favorite influences is the inimitable Nina Simone. She taught me so much. I still get chills listening to her sometimes.

Terrance: How would you best describe your sound to first time listeners?

Antoine JaQuard: Rock-N-Soul! On a foundational level my music borrows heavily from three different genres; Rock, Electronic and Pop/R&B. That's actually four. I promise I can count (laughs). But yeah, Rock-N-Soul is how I describe myself.

Terrance: Musically who would you consider your target audience?  

Antoine JaQuard: Generally the music is targeted towards the young adult audience. Mainstream so to speak. And I won't lie and say that a lot of the music I'm working on doesn't intentionally keep that in mind. However, I sing for anyone who wants to listen and can find something they can relate in my music and story.

Terrance: What is the industry lacking today you think your brand of music can fulfill?

Antoine JaQuard: Hmmm you know what? I wouldn't say that anything is lacking necessarily. People are getting what they need musically from what is out now. It would appear there is a lot out there. But I also know that there are people out there who need what I have to offer as well. What I hope to fulfill with people is realness. What you see is what you get with me. No pretensions. I want to fill people's spirits. This is my "ministry" and I'm going out and singing about all the things that speak to the hearts of people. Love, relationships, breakups, feeling good, feeling not so great, just the whole range of the human experience. We're all in this together.

Terrance: Speaking of love. Talk about the meaning behind your current single “Crazy Love”.

Antoine JaQuard: Okay I promise I'm going to answer this directly, but let me take the long way around (laughs). “Crazy Love”, in it's original (and unheard) form was actually written about 3 years ago. And then I just kind of sat on it for various reasons (That whole story is in my forthcoming book. Just kidding I have no book, but it's enough drama to be one lol!). Long story short I moved to Atlanta and ended up reconnecting with a good friend of mine who lived in Nashville named Stephen Puckett. I sent him the idea I had for “Crazy Love”. He passed it along to a few other guys (Austin Heller and Jake Neumar who co-wrote and co-produced) and they took it in a whole new direction which was completely different. We re-wrote the song in about 20 minutes tops. We wanted this song to reflect what just about everyone goes through in relationships because love can be crazy as hell sometimes. The yin/yang kind of thing was intentionally put in there to reflect the balance of relationships and the different characteristics each person brings to it. “Crazy Love” at it's core is saying "I love you and neither one of us are perfect but we are perfect for each other".

Terrance: Got it. So what can we expect from your upcoming live show?

Antoine JaQuard: Anyone who comes can come ready to get lifted! We are all there to have a good time. I'm doing some currently unreleased material (one of which will be my next single!). I'm also doing a little tribute to the legendary Tom Petty who passed not long ago. It's going to really be a great night and I promise no one will regret coming.

Terrance: Where can the readers reach out and follow you?

Antoine JaQuard: Please come join me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram at @worldofantoine! My own personal website is www.worldofantoine.com and you can join the email list to stay updated with what's going on with me. Feel free to say hello. I love talking with everyone.

Terrance: Are there any final words you would like to tell your fans and the people who are reading this interview?

Antoine JaQuard: Wait....I got fans?! (laughs), no but I want to just say thank you. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me. I so appreciate it. Thank you to anyone reading who takes an interest in my madness...I mean music ;). I look forward to taking this journey with you. Most importantly though take care of yourselves, and take  care of each other!

"Crazy Love" Lyric Video