De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop group that was formed in 1988 in the village of Amityville on Long Island, New York. Known for their unique sampling, unconventional lyrics, and significant contributions to the jazz rap and alternative hip hop genres, the group consists of Kelvin “Posdnuos” Mercer, David “Trugoy the Dove” Jolicoeur, and Vincent “Maseo” Mason. They first gained recognition when producer Prince Paul heard their demo tape for the song “Plug Tunin'” during their high school days.
Their debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising (1989), is renowned for its clever wordplay, groundbreaking sampling techniques, and humorous skits, earning it the title of a hip hop masterpiece. Despite this initial success, De La Soul’s subsequent albums have also been well-received. The group holds the distinction of being the second-longest-standing Native Tongues group, following the Jungle Brothers. Noteworthy achievements include winning a Grammy in 2006 for their collaboration with Gorillaz on the hit single “Feel Good Inc.” In 2016, De La Soul released And the Anonymous Nobody…, an album funded via Kickstarter, featuring guest appearances from prominent artists like Damon Albarn, Little Dragon, David Byrne, 2 Chainz, and Snoop Dogg. Trugoy the Dove sadly passed away in 2023.
LeVelle
LeVelle, famously known as “LB”, is a powerhouse R&B/Neo-Soul artist and songwriter from Kansas City, Ks, whose electrifying personality and soulful voice have taken the music world by storm. LeVelle’s love affair with music began early, fueled by the undeniable thrill of watching how it could move, uplift, and inspire people. Drawing inspiration from legendary icons, LeVelle has crafted a sound that masterfully fuses timeless soul with modern flair. LeVelle’s relentless pursuit of excellence has paved the way for extraordinary opportunities, including touring as a background singer for the iconic Charlie Wilson and sharing the stage with industry titans like Frankie Beverly & Maze, Anthony Hamilton, and Robin Thicke. In 2019, LeVelle boldly stepped into the limelight with his debut solo album, My Journey Continues. The album was met with widespread acclaim, amassing over 7 million streams and delivering the chart-topping single “Fell in Love” featuring Anthony Hamilton, which soared to #11 on the Billboard R&B chart and captivated over 2.2 million viewers on YouTube. With the impending release of his highly anticipated project, Love Story, set to drop in the fall of 2024, the album’s lead single, “Right Here,” marks his first release without a featured artist, allowing LeVelle to shine at the forefront. “I wanted this project to be unapologetically about me,” “With “Right Here,” I’m proving to my audience that I can stand tall as a defining artist of this generation.
Read MoreWreckx-N-Effect
Harlem-bred rap group Wreckx-N-Effect gained prominence with their massive crossover hit single ‘Rump Shaker’ from the platinum-certified 1992 album ‘Hard or Smooth.’ Founded in 1988 by Markell Riley, the group included Aquil Davidson and Brandon Mitchell. Their debut album, ‘Wrecks-N-Effect,’ infused with new jack swing vibes, entered the US album chart in 1989. Tragically, Mitchell was fatally shot on August 8, 1990, after the album’s release. The group’s comeback was led by the chart-topping track ‘Rump Shaker,’ produced by Teddy Riley, which achieved international success and propelled their second album to platinum status.
In 1996, Wreckx-N-Effect released their third and final album, ‘Rap’s New Generation,’ which did not match the triumph of their previous work. Despite sporadic reunions, the group never released a fourth album, cementing their reputation as a one-hit wonder. Their legacy endures through their unforgettable hit and impact on the rap scene during the early ’90s. The group’s journey, marked by tragedy and triumph, remains a significant chapter in the history of hip-hop music, showcasing the fleeting nature of fame and the enduring power of musical influence.
Bobbi Storm
Artist X is a versatile and innovative musician known for pushing boundaries and creating unique sounds that resonate with audiences worldwide. With a career spanning over two decades, Artist X has continuously evolved and experimented with various genres, from electronic to rock to classical. Their music transcends traditional labels, offering a blend of passion, skill, and creativity that captivates listeners from all walks of life.
Beyond their musical talents, Artist X is also a dedicated philanthropist, using their platform to advocate for social causes and support charitable initiatives. Their commitment to making a positive impact extends beyond the stage, as they actively engage in community projects and collaborate with organizations that strive to make the world a better place. Artist X’s authenticity and integrity shine through in everything they do, earning them a reputation as not just an artist, but also as a role model and advocate for positive change.
Johnnie Taylor
It’s almost impossible to overstate Johnnie Taylor’s importance to southern soul music and for that matter popular music. His career, which extended back to the very birth of soul music and to gospel before that, exemplified both the music’s staying power and its stylistic flexibility. He spanned multiple genres and generations while never relinquishing the masterful vocal technique—passionate, deeply soulful, yet meticulously crafted—that was his calling card from the beginning.
Read MoreChrisette Michele
Grammy Award Winning, Recording Artist, Chrisette Michele is hitting the road with her new single ‘Home’, blending brand new music with classics like ‘A Couple of Forevers’, ‘Love Is You’, ‘If I Have My Way’, and ‘Blame it on Me’. Her music encompasses a mix of R&B, Soul, and Jazz, now infused with Inspirational lyrics reflecting resilience and perseverance. Chrisette Michele shares, “As an artist, I strive to find the perfect words and melodies to express the depth of my heart. Nothing compares to the moment when I find the lyrics to convey the lessons learned through challenges and the triumph of resilience. I now feel courageous enough to sing what words alone cannot express.” ‘Home’ marks the return of Chrisette Michele after 4 years, presenting a night of uplifting tunes, southern soul, jazz, and classic R&B from the veteran artist hailing from Long Island, New York.
The vibrant, soulful melodies of ‘Home’ are a testament to Chrisette Michele’s 18-year journey in music. Featuring a blend of joyous horns and heartfelt lyrics, the new release aims to spread positivity and evoke shared emotions. Chrisette Michele shares, “The lyrics of ‘Home’ are a divine gift that resonated deeply within me. My aspiration is for listeners to experience the same happiness and sing along with me. Let the music bring joy, as we’ve had enough sorrow. Pain is transient, not permanent. Finally, I feel a sense of belonging on stage, a feeling I’ve longed for.”
Bri Babineaux
Social media singing sensation, Bri (Briana Babineaux), has skyrocketed to the pinnacle of the gospel music industry within a remarkably short span of three years. Hailing from Lafayette, Louisiana, this talented artist gained widespread recognition when a spontaneous rendition of Tonex’s “Make Me Over” was uploaded by a friend on YouTube, quickly capturing the hearts of viewers and going viral in a matter of hours. This online buzz attracted the attention of Marquis Boone Enterprises and Tyscot Records, leading to a collaborative effort to produce Bri’s debut album, “Keys To My Heart” (Marquis Boone/Tyscot), which made an impressive debut at No. 1 on Billboard magazine’s Gospel Albums sales chart upon its release in the spring of 2016.
Throughout her journey, Bri has achieved numerous radio hits, including the chart-topping success of “I’ll Be The One.” Her soul-stirring worship ballad, “My Everything,” not only resonated with listeners but also climbed to the Top 25 on the Mediabase Smooth Jazz chart. Moreover, Bri’s repertoire includes a string of best-selling singles on the Billboard Gospel Digital Songs chart, such as “Holy Spirit,” “Jacob’s Song,” “My Hands Are Lifted Up,” and the sensational No. 1 hit, “Make Me Over.” Adding to her accolades, Bri was honored with the Stellar Gospel Music Award for New Artist of the Year earlier this year and is now venturing into the realm of acting. Not only did she recently wrap up filming as Mali Music’s co-star in Joel Kapity’s upcoming film “I Am Your Keeper,” but she is also set to appear in Rhyan LaMarr’s movie, “Canal Street.” Alongside her music and acting pursuits, Bri continues her education at McNeese State University with aspirations of obtaining a law degree in the future.
DJ Kool
John W. Bowman Jr., commonly recognized as DJ Kool, was born on March 20, 1958. He is a prominent American rapper renowned for his production of numerous hit rap singles during the late 1980s.
Read MoreWhen In Rome
When in Rome are an English synth-pop/new wave group, which originally consisted of vocalists Clive Farrington and Andrew Mann, and keyboardist Michael Floreale. They are best known for their 1988 single ‘The Promise’, which was their only top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. Michael Floreale and Andy O’Connell were recruited by Clive Farrington to replace departed members of his Manchester-based group Beau Leisure. Floreale and Farrington began to write songs together. Later, Farrington and Floreale saw Andrew Mann, a beat poet, and had him join their performances. O’Connell left the group; Farrington and Floreale came up with the band name after using the famous proverb to note the cultural differences between Manchester and London. The band was signed to Virgin UK subsidiary 10 Records, and their self-titled debut album was released on 3 May 1988. Producers Ben Rogan and Richard James Burgess took special interest in the trio’s song ‘The Promise’, issued first as a 12′ dance disc. When the song became popular, hitting the top of Billboard’s Dance Club Play chart, Virgin ordered an album. A remixed version of ‘The Promise’ was the album’s first single. It was an instant success, barely missing the top ten in the United States, peaking at No. 11. Months later, the trio reached Billboard’s pop charts with ‘Heaven Knows’. The band continues to play and release music in two incarnations around the world to this day.
Read MoreKaty Nichole
Centricity Music’s singer/songwriter and 2022 Billboard Chartbreaker Katy Nichole was singing in her church choir long before 150+ million people around the world heard her 2022 Dove Award-nominated, K-LOVE Fan Award-winning “In Jesus Name (God of Possible).” The track became the biggest hit this decade on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart, crowning the list for a record-breaking 20 weeks.
With her relationship to both music and God inextricably intertwined along her path through anxiety and depression to health and wholeness, Nichole’s breakout year has found her nominated for an American Music Award, co-hosting and performing on the GMA Dove Awards Pre-Telecast and realizing her second-straight No. 1 with “God Is In This Story.” Spending 44% of 2022 at No. 1 at radio and topping six Billboard Year in Music, the No. 1s issue radio and sales categories, she launched her full-length debut album, Jesus Changed My Life, Feb. 24. This 11-track odyssey is filled with the unabashed honesty and vocal clarity that have made the 22-year-old one of Christian music’s fastest-rising artists.
“Hold On,” a song that encapsulates that there’s a bigger picture beyond what you can see in the moment — beyond the pain, beyond the struggle, Nichole is sharing her songs live for tens of thousands while on tour.
Chanté Moore
During a long and illustrious career that began in the era of new jack swing, the talented vocalist Chanté Moore has achieved remarkable success by placing over a dozen songs on Billboard’s R&B chart. Raised in a musical household with gospel influences, Chanté Moore was inspired by artists like George Duke and Lee Ritenour in her early years. Her passion for music was ignited during a high-school performance of The Wiz, leading her to pursue a career as a singer. At the age of 22, she was discovered by the renowned producer Louil Silas, who signed her to Silas Records, a subsidiary of MCA. In 1992, Moore gained recognition for her collaboration with El DeBarge on the hit single “You Know What I Like”, and subsequently released her debut album Precious. The album achieved gold status driven by the success of singles like “Love’s Taken Over” and “It’s Alright”, setting the stage for her future success.
Despite a period without solo releases, Chanté Moore continued to flourish in the music industry through collaborative endeavors. Her partnership with R. Kelly on the Isley Brothers’ 2001 single “Contagious” earned critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. Moore’s artistic journey also included two albums, “Things That Lovers Do” in 2003 and “Uncovered/Covered” in 2006, created with her then-husband Kenny Lattimore. Following these projects, she released “Love the Woman” under the Peak label in 2008. After parting ways with Lattimore, Moore joined the Shanachie label and captivated audiences with “Moore Is More” in 2013. Her multifaceted talents extended to television with her appearance on R&B Divas LA and the release of “The Rise of the Phoenix” and the holiday album “Christmas Back to You” in 2017, showcasing her enduring influence in the music industry.
Jor’dan Armstrong
Jor’Dan Armstrong, a product of the Black Church, is a talented artist specializing in creating inspirational R&B and Urban Music. His primary goal is to motivate believers to embrace their victories and cherish their connections with others. Jor’Dan’s music captures the essence of life’s positive aspects, highlighting the triumphs amidst the challenges. With each passing day, he finds reasons to express gratitude and praise for the blessings of another day.
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