This week’s From The Vault comes courtesy of an artist who hasn’t released new music in six years. ‘Turnin Me On’ by Keri Hilson is our latest selection.
After penning songs for your favorite artists and enjoying worldwide success with Timbaland thanks to monster hit ‘The Way I Are’ in 2007, the tide was oh so high for Hilson when time came to prove herself as a bonafide solo act.
Following two false starts (see: ‘Return The Favor’ and ‘Energy’), she finally struck gold with edgy cut ‘Turnin Me On.’ If ‘Energy’ saw the beauty keeping it classily clean, ‘Turnin’ saw her play dangerously dirty.
Produced by Polow Da Don with additional production from Danja, the slice of gritty R&B featured Lil’ Wayne and finally garnered Keri her first solo hit after peaking at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the Hot Hip-Hop/R&B.
Erik White was chosen to direct the track’s visual and came up with a simple yet effective performance video which showed Ms. Hilson serving attitude, sass and commendable choreography.
With cameos from Rich Boy, Polow and Leah Labelle, the clip drew comparisons to Aaliyah’s work as well as Destiny’s Child’s ‘Soldier’.
***************
It’s hard to believe that it’s already six years since Ms. Keri Baby was doing the ‘Pretty Girl Rock.’ A tad too long ago if you ask us. In order to keep the masses “turned on,” one shouldn’t step away from the spotlight for too long.
With a new project in the pipeline to be released this year, let’s hope Keri can remind the world – and by the world we mean her fanbase, radio and iTunes – why they chose to ride with her in the first place.
Still riding high on the wave cuts penned for Jennifer Lopez, Tamar Braxton and the Backstreet Boys whipped up for him is Tiyon Christian.
Now, he continues to step into his own light with the release of fresh solo material he hopes will perform just as well as the bops he’s built for his contemporaries.
Ready to see what this gifted maestro has to offer the world?
Since word of Zoe Saldana‘s inclusion as the lead of the Cynthia Mort-directed biopic on the legendary singer/songwriter Nina Simone, the film has been cloaked in controversy.
From esteemed movie critics to fellow singers and actors alike, the movie’s been berated by many who feel Saldana’s casting is not only inappropriate, but also speaks to a larger issue of colorism and racism within the entertainment industry.
After the likes of Queen Latifah and Paula Patton came to Zoe’s defense, the ‘Colombiana’ star is finally clapping back at critics herself and slamming those not in favor of her portrayal of Simone. Get into her words from ‘Allure’ magazine below:
Welcome to another edition of Retro Rewind, the original TGJ feature launched to celebrate TV and Film’s glorious and educational past.
Today, our journey takes us to 2011,the year in which ‘Me Facing Life: Cyntoia’s Story‘ was released.
Directed by Daniel Birman, the documentary follows the life of sixteen-year-old Cyntoia Brown after she is imprisoned for the murder of a 43-year-old real estate agent named Johnny Allen.
What Birman discovers while on his journey to Brown’s past shines a troubling light on the judicial system’s unfair handling of African-American minors and the harrowing realities faced by young girls forced into the sex trade.
This time it’s a remix of Drake‘s ‘4PM in Calabasas’, recorded and released to serve as a building block for the next stage of the rapper’s promising career.
I’m ‘Big Pimpin’,’ baby, minus the ****/ And you can be LeBron, Steph Curry, or Kob’ / I’m still numero uno, D. Rose.
Ready to hear what the ‘Lipgloss’ distributor cooked up?
Mila J fans got quite the summertime surprise today when the singer/songwriter dropped her newest EP, ‘213.’
Named after an area code in her hometown of Los Angeles, the short, but sweet six-song set is already earning many-a-thumbs up from critics – especially for ‘Kickin Back’ (its “lead single” that went to radio today).
Also featuring an interesting remake of Sade‘s classic tune ‘Sweetest Taboo,’ tuck in below for your first listen to Mila’s latest and give us your feedback: