Inside Hollywood there is an array of young actors that dare to be different, try to find their niche, and master their craft. You can definitely put 25-year-old Rick Gonzalez into that category. A native of New York, Bushwick to be exact, Rick definitely does his thing on the silver screen. From playing Timo Cruz,… Read more »
Alternatives
At a time when women are seen as objects and not companions, soul singer Lina has set out to prove that it’s what inside that truly makes you beautiful. Raised in Dallas-Ft.Worth, Texas, Lina grew up in a music-loving family with roots in Gospel and Jazz. She began singing in her local church at the… Read more »
You heard her on Eves Gotta Man and Jay-Zs Girls Best Friend, saw her in Cassidys Get No Better video, and you probably know shes married to former Ruff Ryders producer Swizz Beatz. But after blessing numerous hooks with her saintly vocals and songwriting skills, its finally time for Mashonda Tifrere to hold her own…. Read more »
The title of prophet is often a heavy cross to bear. In addition to dealing with the constant scrutiny of those who wait to see him or her fail in their righteous mission, a prophet also has to not only avoid the temptations of the world, but find a way to get his message out… Read more »
Since hitting the American scene in the early 1970’s, Reggae music has been very influential to all music as a whole. With classic artists like Bob Marley, Super Cat, Shabba Ranks, Sean Paul, Beenie Man and countless others influencing both the way American music sounds and moves, it was only a matter of time before… Read more »
Blowing up is one thing, staying up is another. Some of the most talented blends of street and R&B have been susceptible to the ills of the music industry. Mismanagement of all levels has caused the demise of many a group, and the industry graveyard continues to grow. Enter Fatty Koo, a group of young,… Read more »
Refreshingly authentic artists are always welcome on the R&B stage. While you probably wouldnt recognize her face, Maya Azucenas (pronounced AH-zoo-SAY-na) sugary voicea concoction of soul, Hip-Hop, and funk with a little bit of rockreverberates across television screens daily. The well-traveled Brooklynite first gained notice doing live shows with her aptly-titled Band at local New… Read more »
With only one season under his belt, Marlo Stanfield all but took over prime street corners in HBOs hit series The Wire. Brooklyn-born actor Jamie Hector plays the sadistically driven drug lord who quickly riveted Wire fans already captivated by the shows authentic portrayal of urban street affairs. But from Hectors amicable demeanor recently at… Read more »
AHHA: He killedhe set up DAngelos murder in prison. Jamie: Yeah, he set up one of his own to be murdered. I mean, he was grimy. On the streets if you really look atlets take away the name Stringer Bell and lets just put the name of some wild dude on the streets with some… Read more »
From Pretty Brown Eyes to You Send Me Swingin and What Kind Of Man Would I Be, Mint Condition has created some of the most memorable ballads in modern R&B music. While the success of their love songs has been satisfying for them, there are other sides to the band that have rarely been mentioned… Read more »
AHHA: So they did try to Hip Hop you out. Rick: Well yeah. It came out in the [news]paper what all record companies are trying to do is get a hit producer on each artist to help them sell. Stokley: The producer became the artist. AHHA: Do you feel that there are any themes or… Read more »
Do you know that Suge Knight is rumored to lift weights to Al Green everyday? Clearly, RZA, Kanye West, and even Ganja K have proven that Al Green is required in any producers listening exercises. In the privacy of cars and showers, we all mimic one of the greatest voices in musical history. With the… Read more »
Frankly, todays up-and-coming R&B divas seem to be cut from the same never-ending cloth. Their back-stories rarely differ from those of their peers, sticking mainly to either earning stripes as part of a group or through a co-sign from an industry heavyweight. Thankfully, newcomer Yara is far from typical. The 21-year-old singer/model sports a bio… Read more »
Ever since Mariah Careys first album dropped 15 years ago, her status in the public eye evolved from R&B Cinderella to Pop Princess as her career progressed. By 1999 she was the first artist to have a hit song in every single year of the 90s. She sold millions of records and won two Grammys,… Read more »
Martin Luther King Jr. once said that ignoring Gandhi was our own risk. There is nothing wrong with taking a trip to the Candy Shop with 50 Cent, but ignoring young, educated and inspirational artists such as Nafeesa Monroe might be our biggest mistake. Without taking any credibility from other, more pop-oriented artists out there,… Read more »
