Kelly Rowland‘s ‘Chasing Destiny’ climaxed in fine form this week on BET.
The hit talent-search, which saw the singer and creative director Frank Gatson create a new girl group, gripped viewers week in week out; and with the five-piece formed, attention has turned to their future.
To whet appetites, the ladies (who landed a deal over at Epic Records) released buzz cut ‘All Of Us’ – which was met with praise upon its release.
And there’s much more excitingness on the horizon.
As Contemporary R&B artists take to the internet to push and promote their releases, artist’s from the genre’s earlier years born and bred in the major label system continue to seek ways to push it to the heights it once soared over.
One of these artists is Mya, one of the scene’s leading ladies during her time Interscope.
Born to an African-American mother and Italian father, the entertainer’s discography has moved over a reported 3.2 million albums in the United States.
Modest, when compared to units moved by the likes of her contemporaries Brandy, Britney Spears and Usher.
However, in an interview with DJ Vlad, the ‘Moodring‘ maker has shared her thoughts on why artists like herself are finding it difficult to access the audiences (and their support) on radio.
The Best You Never Heard is back! Each instalment will once again see That Grape Juice spotlight an array of little known gems. Featuring picks from the TGJ editorial team, we want to know…who chose the best song! Let us know below…
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Lady Gaga – ‘Fashion!’
For yours truly, the idea of popularity being a valid measure of quality has always grated. Especially when it comes to Lady Gaga.
Though on the comeback trail now, the mass rejection of her 2013 effort ‘ARTPOP’ saw many miss out on a number of gems. Case in point ‘Fashion!’
Not to be confused with a song of the same name (housed on her 2008 debut ‘The Fame’), this will.i.am production packed an altogether more potent punch. Melodically it favours Madonna’s ‘Holiday,’ and yet for all its retro still managed to sound fiercely fresh.
Lush production, lyrically light, and laced with hooks, this could have served as a fine wine follow-up to ‘Applause.’ Still, it’ll always earn a standing ovation from me. [SAM]
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Madonna – ‘Love Tried to Welcome Me’
When assessing Madonna‘s impact on Pop culture it’s easy to credit her penchant for shock value as its driving force.
It wasn’t. For, the real force behind the “force” was the entertainer’s bona fide forays into different genres and tap into new audience bases / radio platforms with her sound.
The best example of this can be found in 1994 with the LP ‘Bedtime Stories‘, the studio album which solidified her place in R&B’s history books.
Inspired by Toni Braxton and keen to offer fans a softer and sensual side of herself following ‘Erotica‘, the star sought out Braxton’s producer Babyface and TLC hitmaker Dallas Austin and enlisted them to tell her ‘Stories.’
What they created? A poignant and plaintive Contemporary R&B album soaring through the themes of rejection, abandonment, perpetual sorrow and the price of promiscuity.
One of the album’s greatest triumphs, for me, is ‘Love Tried to Welcome Me.’ Produced by Dave Hall, the song told the tale of a painful secret a sex worker shared with Madonna during a conversation in a strip club.
She’d developed a fetish for rejection. A compelling listen. [DAVID]
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Madonna – ‘S.E.X.’
Despite a disappointing promotional campaign to support it, ‘Rebel Heart’ was easily hailed by critics as Queen of Pop Madonna’s best album since her ‘Hung Up’-led 2005 comeback project ‘Confessions On a Dancefloor.’
Yet, while proof of why could be argued via ‘Heart’ cuts ‘Holy Water,’ ‘GhostTown,’ and ‘Inside Out,’ the unexpectedly bumping bop, ‘S.E.X.,’ shines as one of the project’s clear standouts.
Covering subject matter far from shocking at this point from the middle aged vixen, the tune – decorated with a trap-inspired bass line and some very direct sexual instructions – is the purest definition of what Madge is combatting at this stage of her career – ageism.
Think it’s impossible for a woman pushing 60 to be sexy?
Listen to ‘S.E.X.’ and you may reconsider. [RASHAD]
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JoJo – ‘Like That’
Following the release of JoJo’s debut in 2004 (which was praised for its maturity, as well as the then 13 year old’s mind-blowing voice), 2006 saw her unleash her sophomore effort ‘The High Road’.
Though ‘Too Little Too Late’ was that album’s shinning diamond, it was filled with many other gems, ‘Like That’ was one of them.
Helmed by Ryan Leslie and Corey Williams (the team behind Cassie’s ‘Me & U’), the track saw the starlet showcase her “grown.” Through minimalistic production and soft delivery, the mood is set for Ms Levesque to let her love interest that she is ready to take that next step with him.
Recent times have seen the songbird resuscitate the song during her live shows. Fitting, as it’s exactly the flavour of music she releases nowadays (see: ‘Demonstrate’) as opposed to the R&B-tinged Pop numbers from her first LPs.
Re-visiting this (as I do frequently) has me oh so excited for her new album. [JOE]
For Brit-bred singer/songwriter MNEK, his success narrative is adding new chapters at a rapid rate.
Indeed, having already penned hits for the likes of Madonna and Kylie Minogue in his teens, this year saw the 21-year-old add Beyonce to his list of collaborators after co-penning ‘Lemonade’ favourite ‘Hold Up.’ He also scored a global hit with Zara Lawson (‘Never Forget You’).
Armoured with said momentum, the Londoner has released a new single of his own – ‘At Night (I Think Of You’).
Boasting global sound, that pulls from Pop, Dance, and Soul, the track is being tipped for big things.
Check out its accompanying video, lensed by Patrick Killingbeck, below and let us know if you agree…
Hip-Hop pioneer Snoop Dogg has scored many a hit on many an imprint.
Now, the West Coast legend is going it alone with the release of his new album ‘CoolAid’ – which is due in July via his own label Doggy Style Records.
For the set’s lead single ‘Kush Ups’, the rapper recruits “nephew” Wiz Khalifa who he’ll be trekking the States with on ‘The High Road Tour’ this summer.
The catchy cut was produced by KJ Conteh and saw its official video (directed by Dan Folger) unleashed.
We’re sure Chrisette Michele fans can barely contain their excitement as the June 10th release date for her new album, ‘Milestone,’ nears. Now, with just days separating them from the project – the singer’s fifth official outing – she is trying to amp buzz by releasing the colorful video for the new single ‘Unbreakable.’
Calling upon a troupe of dancers to help her bounce over the “trap soul” song, the visual’s release comes as the latest lifted from the Doug “Biggs” Ellison-produced project and precedes the supporting “Milestone Tour” (which launches July 2 at New Orleans’ House of Blues).
But, before you catch her on the road at a venue near you, tuck in below to peek at the ‘Unbreakable’ video:
