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Junior M.A.F.I.A.

Junior Masters at Finding Intelligent Attitudes, or Junior M.A.F.I.A., gained rapid recognition with the success of their hit singles, “Get Money” and “Player’s Anthem,” primarily due to their close associate and producer, the Notorious B.I.G. Their debut album, Conspiracy (Undeas/Big Beat), which achieved gold certification, was also launched under Biggie’s Undeas label in 1995. Originating from Bedford-Stuyvesant, NY, the group consisted of four distinct acts: the 6s (Little Caesar, Chico, and Nino Brown), the Snakes (cousins Larceny and Trife), MC Klepto, and 47 MC Little Kim. Their lyrics often depicted narratives revolving around firearms, wealth, and relationships. The track “Get Money” garnered significant popularity, leading one of the group members to embark on a solo career.
Lil’ Kim, known as “the lieutenant” of Junior M.A.F.I.A., introduced her unique style and provocative image, which stirred controversy among some public figures. Nevertheless, her fans admired her rap prowess. In 1996, Lil’ Kim released her album Hard Core, featuring hit singles like “Crush on You,” “Queen B@#$H,” and “No Time” (which topped the rap charts). Biggie, Sean “Puffy” Combs, and Little Caesar were also involved in the album’s production. Subsequently, Kim’s rising popularity led to collaborations with renowned artists such as Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott, Mary J. Blige, and Sean “Puffy” Combs, along with appearances on movie soundtracks like Money Talks and High School High.

Brian Courtney Wilson

The modern Gospel messenger is an evolved one. He is informed and sophisticated in thought, continually negotiating between humanity’s immanence and the behest of eternity. He realizes the recognition of either does not negate the other. Instead, doing so helps to form the depth and complexity of the message needed to reach and aid the masses. Brian Courtney Wilson is a chief example of the former, and his latest musical offering, Still, is a sound embodiment of the latter. Wilson is a multiple Stellar Award-winner, a GMA Dove Award-winner, ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Award winner. Wilson has received nominations for several Grammy Awards, an NAACP Image Award, and a Billboard Music Award. Since his debut release (2009’s Just Love), Wilson has delivered some of the most beloved songs of the past decade and has established himself as one of our time’s premier male inspirational voices. His signature and impassioned vocals are an homage to the myriad of his musical influences, which include Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Marvin L. Winans, and Fred Hammond, to name a few. Wilson is a critical thinker whose approach and presentation of Gospel ministry is equal parts anointed and erudite.
Still, Wilson’s fifth studio album is perfectly suited for release amidst some of the most uncertain and questionable modern times. Wholly, Still is purposeful and timely. It expands our view of Wilson’s heart and demonstrates his desire to uplift and uphold his fellow man.

The Art Of Noise

Art Of Noise first appeared in 1983 with a unique vision and determination to stand out from contemporary music trends. Influenced by punk, post-punk, and new wave, they aimed to bridge the gap between different musical styles and eras, drawing inspiration from various artists including The Monkees, Talking Heads, Abba, Kraftwerk, Frank Zappa, and The Archies. The group derived their name from a book on Italian futurism, showcasing their interest in futuristic concepts and technology. Inspired by iconic musicians like Kraftwerk, John Cage, and Marvin Gaye, Art Of Noise positioned themselves as futurists creating music for a better tomorrow.
Their musical journey was shaped by a diverse range of influences, from experimental composers like Terry Riley to jazz legend Miles Davis. Embracing innovation and forward-thinking approaches, they strived to sound ahead of their time and create a sonic landscape that resonated with the future. Just like their predecessors Soft Machine and The Velvet Underground, Art Of Noise aimed to push boundaries and challenge conventional norms, paving the way for a new wave of artistic expression and musical experimentation.

Ravyn Lenae

Ravyn Lenae is a talented artist who creates dreamy, atmospheric R&B music with honey-sweet vocals and psychedelic-tinged production. Her music journey began in the latter half of the 2010s when she introduced a series of EPs exploring various styles like house and synth-funk. In 2018, her ‘Crush EP’ and its standout track ‘Sticky’ caught the attention of many, establishing her as a notable artist. Her critically acclaimed debut full-length album, ‘HYPNOS,’ was launched in 2022 through Atlantic Records, featuring production by renowned artists such as Steve Lacy, monte booker, and KAYTRANADA.
Coming from Chicago, Ravyn Lenae is now stepping into a new phase of her career with the forthcoming release of her second studio album, ‘Bird’s Eye.’ This anticipated album is being executive produced by GRAMMY-winning producer Dahi and has already created buzz with the release of two new captivating tracks, ‘Love Me Not’ and ‘Love Is Blind.’ Embracing artistic growth and musical exploration, Ravyn Lenae continues to enchant audiences with her unique sound and creative collaborations, solidifying her position as a promising artist in the music industry.

Da Brat

Da Brat, born Shawntae Harris in Chicago in 1974, emerged as a pioneering force in the ’90s hip-hop scene. While her image included aspects of sexuality, Da Brat differentiated herself by focusing on her tough, profane lyrical style, solidifying her reputation as a hardcore female MC. At just 11 years old, she began showcasing her rap skills, leading to her discovery by producer Jermaine Dupri in 1992 after winning an amateur rap contest. Dupri’s endorsement paved the way for Da Brat’s debut album, Funkdafied, released in 1994, which featured hit singles like ‘Fa All Y’All’ and ‘Give It 2 You,’ propelling her to become the first female rapper with a platinum-selling album.
For her second album, Anuthatantrum, released in 1996, Da Brat asserted greater control over her music, achieving commercial success with tracks like ‘Sittin’ on Top of the World’ and ‘Ghetto Love.’ Despite facing legal troubles in 2000 related to assault charges, Da Brat continued to make waves in the music industry with her album ‘Unrestricted’ and notable singles like ‘That’s What I’m Looking For’ and ‘What’Chu Like.’ Over the years, she delved into acting, appearing in films like Kazaam and Glitter, alongside maintaining her music career with collaborations and solo releases. Da Brat’s resilience and talent were further highlighted in recent years with her return to music through singles like ‘Is It Chu’ and her venture into radio as a co-host of The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, showcasing her enduring passion for entertainment.

Lucy Pearl

Hip-hop/urban soul supergroup Lucy Pearl was formed in the summer of 1999 as the brainchild of Tony! Toni! Toné multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Raphael Saadiq (formerly known as Raphael Wiggins), who left the band he co-founded with his brother D’Wayne in 1998. Saadiq first contacted DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest, which had disbanded after their 1998 LP The Love Movement, and then ex-En Vogue member Dawn Robinson, who had originally departed that group for a solo career in 1997 but jumped at the chance to work with Saadiq and Muhammad. Relying a great deal on live instrumentation in addition to samples and turntable work (Muhammad even plays bass and guitar), Lucy Pearl issued its self-titled debut album in the spring of 2000. Steve Huey, Rovi

Christopher Williams

Christopher Williams followed in the tradition of robust soul vocalists such as Teddy Pendergrass, Jeffrey Osborne, and James “D Train” Williams. The Virginia native, not only a singer but an arranger and producer as well, surfaced during the tail-end of the ’80s, around the middle of the new jack swing era. “Talk to Myself” and “Promises, Promises,” a pair of Billboard Top Ten R&B singles made with Timmy Gatling and Alton Wokie Stewart, marked his arrival. Those hits drove parent album Adventures in Paradise (1989), Williams’ full-length debut for Geffen, to number 23 on the R&B album chart. His acting career began with New Jack City (1991), for which he was cast as an assistant to Wesley Snipes’ lead character. Just as notably, Williams contributed “I’m Dreamin’,” a number one R&B hit, to the film’s certified platinum soundtrack. The singer moved to the Uptown label for Changes (1992), an album that generated another Top Ten R&B hit in “Every Little Thing U Do.” Despite collaborations with DeVante Swing and Puff Daddy, the set didn’t fully capitalize upon the success that preceded it. Williams changed labels once again for Not a Perfect Man (Giant, 1995). No major hits came from it, and Williams responded by concentrating on stage and small screen acting roles for the long term. On occasion, he recorded as an independent artist, as heard on Real Men Do (2001) and “Too Late” (2015). ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi

Sisqo

Mark Althavan Andrews, professionally known as Sisqó, was born on November 9, 1978. He rose to fame as an American R&B singer, initially gaining recognition as the lead performer of the R&B group Dru Hill. Sisqó made a successful transition to a solo artist with the launch of his debut studio album ‘Unleash the Dragon’ in 1999. The album achieved significant success, reaching number two on the Billboard 200 chart. Notable singles from the album like ‘Incomplete’ and ‘Thong Song’ topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts at numbers one and three, respectively. Despite the commercial success of his debut, his second album ‘Return of Dragon’ in 2001 and subsequent releases did not achieve the same level of popularity. Sisqó showcased his talents beyond music by participating in the eleventh season of The Masked Singer, where he took on the persona of Lizard and secured the 12th position.

Mario Winans

The talented artist Mario Winans, a prominent member of the renowned Winans family, showcased his musical prowess from a young age by mastering percussion and piano. Graduating from high school, he delved into a successful production career, contributing to various gospel recordings for artists like Fred Hammond, the Anointed, and the Clark Sisters, among others. Mario Winans, known for his skills as a drum programmer, percussionist, producer, and composer, ventured into secular music, collaborating with notable artists like R. Kelly and Pebbles. Despite his initial focus on behind-the-scenes work, Mario Winans transitioned to a solo artist, signing with Motown and releasing his debut album ‘Story of My Heart’ in 1997, although it did not achieve significant commercial success. Continuously delivering exceptional instrumental, programming, and production work, Mario Winans gained recognition through his collaboration with P. Diddy’s Bad Boy Records, leading to a solo contract and the launch of his second album ‘Hurt No More’ in 2004. The album’s lead single ‘I Don’t Wanna Know’ soared to the Top Five of Billboard’s Hot 100, cementing Mario Winans’ position as a versatile and accomplished artist in the music industry.

Zacardi Cortez

One of the most talked about voices in gospel music today belongs to 36-year-old singer and Award-winning songwriter, Zacardi Cortez. Born in Houston, TX, Cortez hails from a singing family of faith. At age 8, John P. Kee, adopted him as a spiritual son and began mentoring him. For a while, Cortez sang with Kee’s V.I.P. Mass Choir and sang a solo on the CD, Live at the Fellowship, in 2001. He later made guest appearances on recordings by Kurt Carr, Bishop Paul S. Morton and Pastor Gregg Patrick & the Bridge Project. During the early years of his career, Cortez’ big voice and spine-tingling vocal gymnastics distinguished James Fortune & FIYA’s radio smashes “Let Your Power Fall,” “I Believe” and “The Blood.” Cortez’s recent waves in Gospel Music include current single “You’ve Been Good to Me” and the #1 Billboard Gospel Airplay single “You Don’t Know,” written by Cortez and James Fortune; produced by long-time friend and MD Marcus Calyen and super-producer AyRon Lewis. Zacardi had a previous 12 week run at #1 on the same chart for the song “God Held Me (Together).” Other Top 10 solo radio hits include “YDIA,” “1-On-1,” and “One More Time,” featuring Pastor John P. Kee. Zacardi Cortez has enjoyed appearances on major platforms including The Stellar Awards, Black Music Honors, P. Diddy’s Bad Boy Reunion Tour and BET’s “Sunday Best;” along with releasing two Top 10 albums, The Introduction (2012) and Reloaded (2014). Cortez is slated to release a third album in 2022.

Chubb Rock

Chubb Rock, a prominent rap artist of the late ’80s and early ’90s, hails from Kingston, Jamaica, and was raised in Brooklyn, New York. Despite starting his education in pre-med at Brown University, he chose to pursue a music career with the support of DJ Howie Tee, his first cousin. Signing with the Select label, home to U.T.F.O. and Whistle, Chubb Rock released his debut album, ‘Chubb Rock Featuring Hitman Howie Tee,’ in 1988. The remix of ‘Caught Up’ from the album left a significant impact, even though it didn’t chart. His second album, ‘And the Winner Is…,’ in collaboration with Howie Tee, climbed to the Top 30 of Billboard’s R&B Albums chart, featuring the hit single ‘Ya Bad Chubbs’ that reached number 15 on the Rap Singles chart.
Continuing his musical journey in the ’90s, Chubb Rock dropped two more albums under Select: ‘The One’ in 1991 and ‘I Gotta Get Mine Yo!’ in 1992. The standout track from ‘The One,’ ‘Treat ‘Em Right,’ became his biggest hit, topping the rap singles chart and becoming a staple on MTV. While less active in the latter part of the ’90s, Chubb Rock remained part of significant collaborations, including Crooklyn Dodgers ’95 with Jeru the Damaja and O.C. His contributions to various projects like the DJ Premier-produced ‘Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers’ for the Clockers soundtrack and the ‘Red Hot Organization’ compilation showcased his versatile talent. His fifth album, ‘The Mind,’ released in 1997, marked his last album under the Select label. Beyond the ’90s, Chubb Rock made sporadic appearances, including features on albums like ‘Politics of the Business’ (2003) by Prince Paul, ‘Bridging the Gap’ (2009), and a guest verse on Eric Roberson’s ‘Summertime Anthem’ (2011).

Ludacris

Ludacris, a prominent figure in rap’s Dirty South movement of the late ’90s and early 2000s, rose to immense popularity during that era, establishing himself as one of the most successful Southern rappers at the time. His dominance in the music scene was evident through a string of chart-topping hits and platinum-selling albums like Word of Mouf (2001) and Chicken -N- Beer (2003). Moreover, Ludacris ventured into the realm of acting, appearing in various films and television shows, all while maintaining a strong presence in the music industry with guest features on fellow artists’ tracks and his own solo projects such as Ludaversal (2015). Born Christopher Bridges on September 11, 1977, in Champaign, Illinois, Ludacris later moved to Atlanta where he continued his education at Banneker High School and Georgia State University. His entry into the rap world stemmed from his work as a radio disc jockey at Atlanta’s Hot 97.5, where he was known as DJ Chris Lova Lova. It was during this time that Ludacris crossed paths with renowned producer Timbaland, who featured Ludacris on the track “Fat Rabbit” from his album Tim’s Bio (1998), setting the stage for Ludacris’ future success in the industry.