Sunday, July 6th 2008

From The Vault: Britney Spears – ‘Slave 4 U

This week’s From The Vault clip is Pop star Britney Spears’ first foray in the Urban music world – ‘Slave For You’. The sexed-up vid for the Neptures produced song is widely considered by many as Spears’ official transition from teenage Pop sensation to edgy Pop princess. Who would have ever thought it, Britney riding a Neptunes beat? Good stuff…check it out:

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

18 Comments

Sunday, June 22nd 2008

From The Vault: Beyonce – ‘Baby Boy / Crazy In Love’ At 2003 VMAs

This week’s From The Vault journeys back to Beyonce’s showing at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. Featuring the now infamous ‘upside down’ entrance, this performance of ‘Baby Boy’ and ‘Crazy In Love’ IMO was Beyonce’s ‘Motown 25′ moment – officially cementing her place as, hate it or love it, ‘The Hottest Chick In The Game’:

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

32 Comments

Sunday, June 15th 2008

From The Vault: Mary J. Blige – ‘Everything’

This week’s From The Vault video dates back more than 10 years ago, Mary J. Blige’s ‘Everything’. Lifted from the Mary’s most commercially successful LP to date 1997′s ‘Share My World’, ‘Everything’ has long stood as one of my favourite MJB tracks:

Still going strong today, Mary’s story really is a testament to the notion that true talent will always shine. Good stuff.

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

5 Comments

Sunday, June 8th 2008

From The Vault: Brandy & Monica – ‘The Boy Is Mine’

R&B vocalists Brandy and Monica’s 1998 now-classic collabo ‘The Boy Is Mine’ serves as this week’s From the Vault video. Prior to the single’s release, the immensely talented teen stars had been pitted against one another, something the song’s concept no doubt played on. However, the Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins produced track unites the pair’s undeniable talent on one, of what I feel to be, contemporary R&B’s best collaborative offerings:

Watching this really has me remembering how dominant (deservedly) the ladies were back in the day. In an industry filled with singers whose list of talents don’t include actually being able to sing, both Brandy and Monica still stand as welcomed rarities in the R&B field. I’m really anticipating both of their forthcoming LP’s.

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

10 Comments

Sunday, June 1st 2008

From The Vault: Tyrese – ‘How You Gonna Act Like That’

R&B crooner Tyrese’ 2002 smash ‘How You Gonna Act Like That’ serves as this week’s From The Vault video. Till date the single stands as the 29 year old’s biggest hit (having peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100) and for good reason too. Vocally raw and emotive and lyrically engaging too, the song stands as one of this decade’s best (pure) R&B cuts IMO:

Having delivered such a stellar effort with this, it’s kinda baffling as to why Tyrese has since been unable to release anything worth listening to (shudders at the thought of his last LP ‘Alter Ego’. Word has it he’s currently on a break from music (and is still signed to J Records). Here’s hoping he finds his musical mojo during his downtime and hits us with great cuts like this upon his return.

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

4 Comments

Sunday, May 25th 2008

From The Vault: Jodeci – ‘Love U 4 Life’

This week’s From The Vault video comes in form of Jodeci’s 1995 smash ‘Love U 4 Life’. Arguably one of the greatest R&B groups to emerge in the 90′s, Jodeci delivered what many believed to be their career defining LP (their last) with ‘The Show, The After Party, The Hotel’ – from which ‘Love U 4 Life’ – a personal favourite of mine – was lifted. Check out the video, which features cameos from TLC’s T-Boz as well as Rev Run below:

Watching this back and reminiscing on some of their other hits such as ‘Freak N You’ ‘Lately’ and ‘Cry For You’, really makes the group’s current predicament (cash strapped and drugged out) all the more unfortunate. Still, the legacy they left behind, as evidenced by the string of hits they racked up, will ensure that they will forever have a place in R&B history.

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

5 Comments

Sunday, May 18th 2008

From The Vault: Destiny’s Child – ‘Survivor’

After being rested on the bench briefly, From The Vault returns this week with Destiny’s Child’s 2001 crossover smash ‘Survivor’. Fresh off the controversy of what seemed to be a revolving door of group members, the ladies re-asserted that they were ‘here to stay’ not only with this single and video but also with their album of the same name – their biggest selling (worldwide) effort to date:

Survivors indeed; their worldwide success with the record helped catapult them to the status they enjoy today – the biggest selling female group of all-time.

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

24 Comments

Sunday, April 27th 2008

From The Vault: Janet Jackson Performs ‘I Get Lonely’ On Rosie Show

This week’s From The Vault clip comes in form of Janet Jackson’s 1997 performance of ‘I Get Lonely’ on the Rosie O’ Donald Show. Though renown for her status as an all-round performer, this stripped-down rendition of the song, lifted from the critically praised ‘Velvet Rope LP’, serves as perhaps the rarest showing of Janet’s oft-underrated vocal ability. By no means the best vocalist, however Ms. Jackson can certainly hold her own LIVE. Check it out:

Great performance. It certainly wouldn’t be a bad thing if Janet were to put the headset down every now and then, to show the naysayers what she can really do.

Your thoughts?

Posted By: Sam

28 Comments

Sunday, April 20th 2008

From The Vault: Missy Elliott – ‘Work It’

Lifted from Missy Elliott’s 2002 LP ‘Under Construction’, this week’s From The Vault video is her worldwide smash ‘Work It’. A true pioneer of modern music video, Missy really brought her A-Game with this – arguably her best effort to date. Great song, even better vid. Check it out: