112: Right Here, Pt 1
While Atlanta quartet 112 has yet to reach a decade in their recording career as a group, they are on the verge of a comeback of sorts with their fifth studio album, Pleasure And Pain. In the midst of the current trends of rap-crossover, crunk&b, and two-stepping, the group is revitalizing the club-friendly vibe that […]

112: Right Here, Pt 2
AHHA: Well, I think thats a good attitude to have. It sounds like you guys are well adjusted too. Mike: We did that on the fourth album. Theres nothing like mediocre success to bring all the problems out. It seems like when one problem happens all of em happen at the same time, so it […]

Brooke Valentine: Southern Hospitality
It seems today that so many artists want to claim that they are the royalty of everything from Hip-Hop to Rock, but fans do not always agree. Bursting onto the exciting new scene of Crunk&B is Houston-born and raised sweetheart Brooke Valentine. She is here to prove that she doesnt need the label of Queen […]

Marques Houston: Renaissance Man
In 1994 the youthful R&B trio Immature issued their debut album, Playtyme Is Over, when Marques Houston was only 11-years-old. Singing lead on many of the groups standout tracks, Marques star potential became evident. That same year he joined the cast of the television show Sister, Sister as the precocious Roger, displaying scene-stealing appeal up […]

Nina Sky: Keep It Moving
When Nicole and Natalie formed Nina Sky and dropped their hit single “Move Ya Body” in 2004, the world was not ready to give them the credit they deserved. The months that followed transformed the twins from an assumed one hit wonder to a worldwide household name. From collaborations with Alchemist and Prodigy on “Hold […]

Allure: Through The Fire
When you enter the music industry you take a chance. You work hard to perfect your craft, hope and pray to get discovered – and when you finally get that big break, you never know what tomorrow brings. The ladies of the group Allure – Alia Davis, Lalisha McLean, and Akissa Mendez – took a […]

Nia Long: Divine Diva
Since her initial appearance on the acting scene, Nia Long has captured the hearts of millions. Whether its playing the Catholic school girl next door, the fine sista down the street or a sassy poetic photographer, Ms. Long definitely plays the part to the fullest by adding a little of herself into each role. Over […]

Texas Battle: Don’t Mess With Texas
Youve just come from checking out the new Samuel L. Jackson flick Coach Carter and couldnt help but notice Michael Ealy, the corn-rowed, hazel-eyed cutie from the Barbershop movies. But before you run off to tell your girls about Ealys latest role, you may want to take a second look. Thats not Ealy hooping it […]

Tweet: Welcome Back
The road to stardom, fame and even personal happiness is filled with cobblestones and an obstacle at every turn. Nearly three years ago, songstress Tweet won mass acclaim with Southern Hummingbird an album filled with heartfelt songs of pain, joy, love, and sorrow that audiences everywhere could relate to. Her lead single Oops (Oh […]

Rahsaan Patterson: Full Circle
In 1997, before Musiq sang about being Just Friends, Jill Scott stopped chicken heads from Getting in the Way and Bilal found his Soul Sista, there was Rahsaan Patterson. With his red-tinged blown-out afro, earthy fashion sense and songs filled with sentiments of love, Rahsaan Patterson was neo-soul before we even knew what neo-soul was. […]

Lil Mo: Real Big
Petite, blue-haired vixen Lil Mo has returned to the block, this time as a member of the southern-dominated Cash Money stable. The Long Island native who has sanctified hooks for Missy Elliot, Jay-Z and Fabolous to name a few, also paired with Ja Rule on such hits as Put It On Me and I Cry […]

Mario: Time For Change
Like a proud parent watching his or her child successfully progress through maturity, R&B listeners have both seen and heard the effortless progression of velvet voiced Mario. Two years ago, the Baltimore native was crooning about such innocent affairs as hair braiding and the always dreaded “friend zone”, but these days adult feelings such as […]

Aaries: Only The Best
The idea of singing twins oozes of a contrived marketing gimmick, however the buzz surrounding identical twin singing group Aaries has not dissipated since their subtle emergence in 1999. You might remember hearing fellow Philadelphian artist Musiq speaking highly of Ayana and Ayinke whenever he found the opportunity. Aaries vocals can be heard all over […]

Chad L. Coleman: Through The Wire, Pt 1
Virginia native-turned-New Yorker Chad L. Coleman has made an impressive showing on season three of The Wire as Dennis Cutty Wise, a street smart yet under-educated man with a jaded past and an amazing hope for the future. After studying acting at both Virginia Commonwealth University and the Herbert Bergoff studio in New York, Chad […]

Chad L. Coleman: Through The Wire, Pt 2
AHHA: Its almost like between Avon and Cutty, theres this really deep level of respect that you dont see between a lot of the other characters. Chad: Exactly, and it speaks to I think on a lot of levels Avon feels trapped. Every time when [Cutty] said I cant be in the game anymore – If […]

Chaka Khan: Still Every Woman
The year was 1984, and the streets were ablaze with Chaka Khans hot single, I Feel For You. Although many of us happened across her albums while rifling through our parents stacks of vinyl, this Chaka definitely wasnt the same Chaka our parents bumped during their basement house parties. This Chaka took a chance with […]

Van Hunt: Next Level
Dionne Farris grabbed the attention of music fans in 1997 when her hit single Hopeless appeared on the Love Jones soundtrack. However, few took notice of the person behind the lyrics, a soft-spoken musician named Van Hunt. Rather than jump and scream for attention, he calmly waited in the wings before making his grand entrance […]

Keyshia Cole: It’s Like That
Oakland-raised songstress Keyshia Cole got her first big recording opportunity from MC Hammer while she was barely a teenager. Growing up in Oakland wasnt easy for her, but Keyshia managed to follow the right path to build a reputation in the Bay Area music scene. She was enlisted by the likes of Messy Marv and […]

Gerald Levert: Real Talk
Since the debut of the Cassanova trio Levert in 1985, Gerald Levert has carried on the tradition of soul music that his famous father, Eddie Levert of the OJays, passed on to him. Gerald embarked upon a successful solo career in 1991, and later teamed for two projects with Johnny Gill and Keith Sweat under […]

Demetrius Hook Mitchell: Vindication of a Basketball Legend
He was better than me, he was better than Jason [Kidd], he was better than everybody. —Gary Payton There is no comparison to Gary [Payton], myself or Brian Shaw. —Jason Kidd He is superior to all of us, me, Gary [Payton], and Jason [Kidd]. —Brian Shaw He would 360 dunk over a car. —Drew Gooden […]