KeKe Wyatt
KeKe Wyatt is a renowned singer and songwriter in the realm of mature contemporary R&B music, distinguished for infusing her work with elements of romance, positivity, and wisdom. Her musical journey began in 2001, marked by the breakout success of her collaboration with Avant on hits like “My First Love” and “Nothing in This World.” Despite facing obstacles in her career, including delays in album releases due to label issues, Wyatt persevered and continued to evolve her sound with projects like Who Knew? and Rated Love. Her musical upbringing in Indianapolis, surrounded by R&B and gospel influences, shaped her distinctive style and passion for soulful music.
Born as Ke’Tara Shavon Wyatt, the R&B sensation discovered her love for music at a young age, supported by her musically inclined family. Encouraged by her parents to pursue a career in secular music, Wyatt honed her skills by performing in various groups during her teenage years. Recognized for her talent, she caught the attention of industry veteran Steve “Stone” Huff, who played a pivotal role in her early career development. Wyatt’s debut album, Soul Sista, catapulted her into the spotlight, setting the stage for a series of collaborations and chart-topping singles. Through perseverance and dedication, Wyatt overcame challenges to establish herself as a respected artist in the realm of modern soul music.
Amerie
Pop-oriented R&B singer and songwriter Amerie, born Amerie Mi Marie Rogers in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, to a Korean mother and an African-American father, had a unique upbringing on military bases across different countries. She cultivated a love for classical arts from her mother and music from her father, alongside early dance training and talent contests participation. Following her graduation, her family settled in Virginia as she pursued a degree in English and Fine Arts from Georgetown University. Amerie crossed paths with producer Rich Harrison in Washington, D.C., known for his work with artists like Mary J. Blige, leading to the development of demos and eventually a record deal with Rise Entertainment and Columbia.
In 2002, Amerie’s debut single ‘Why Don’t We Fall in Love’ was released by Rise/Columbia, quickly making its mark on the R&B/hip-hop and Billboard Hot 100 charts. Her second album, Touch, unleashed the hit single ‘1 Thing,’ propelling her to number one on the charts. Subsequent albums showcased Amerie’s growth as an artist, especially with her songwriting contributions. Despite facing challenges in the U.S. market, Amerie continued her musical journey, signing with Def Jam and releasing albums like In Love & War. Transitioning to the name Ameriie, she dropped singles like ‘What I Want’ and ‘Mustang,’ and a EP titled Drive through her Feenix Rising label, illustrating her ongoing creative evolution.
Willie Clayton
Willie Clayton is a soulful vocalist hailing from Mississippi, renowned for his emotive delivery blending the intensity of the blues with a melodic style inspired by vintage soul and rhythm & blues. Over the years, Clayton’s music evolved to embrace soul and blues traditions, with a focus on themes of love, romance, and seduction. His career milestones include the success of tracks like the New Jack Swing-styled ‘Never Too Late’ in 1989, the soulful and funky sound of ‘The Last Man Standing’ in 2002, and the homage to his influences with ‘Sings the Number Ones’ in 2011.
Born on March 29, 1955, in Indianola, Mississippi, Willie Clayton’s musical journey began in church and matured as he collaborated with the R&B group, the Soul Blenders, in his early teens. His move to Chicago in 1971 marked the start of his professional career, leading to encounters with music legends like Al Green and Barry White. Despite initial challenges, Clayton found success in the soul genre in the mid-80s, eventually signing with major labels like Polydor and releasing hit singles. Clayton’s dedication to his craft saw him establish his own label, Endzone Entertainment, and collaborate with renowned artists to create timeless classics that solidify his position in the music industry.
Karyn White
Karyn White, a prominent contemporary R&B singer from Los Angeles, California, was exposed to music from a young age as her father played trumpet and her mother directed a church choir. Her musical journey began with singing in choirs, participating in local talent shows, and beauty pageants. In 1984, she joined forces with the local band Legacy and later toured with renowned R&B artists like O’Bryan and Jeff Lorber. Her breakthrough came with a lead vocal on Jeff Lorber’s ‘Facts of Life,’ which paved the way for her recording contract with Warner Bros. Her self-titled debut album in 1988, primarily produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface, achieved remarkable success with over two million copies sold and three number one R&B singles, including ‘The Way You Love Me,’ ‘Superwoman,’ and ‘Love Saw It.’ Her second album, Ritual of Love (1991), produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, continued her streak with another number one R&B single, ‘Romantic.’ Karyn’s personal life also made headlines when she married Terry Lewis, but the couple later divorced after seven years. Despite facing challenges with her third release, Make Him Do Right, in 1994, Karyn took a break from music to focus on family and her real estate and interior design ventures. In 2012, she marked her return with the album Carpe Diem, distributed by EMI under the Lightyear label.
Read MoreGROOVY
Born and raised in Union, New Jersey, GROOVY is an independent artist based in New Jersey. GROOVY’s musical expression transcends genres, influenced by growing up in a household where the father was a renowned global touring house DJ. Immersed in house music and hip-hop from an early age, the 25-year-old artist witnessed creativity in full bloom as artists worldwide converged at his childhood home to collaborate with his father. In 2023, GROOVY embarks fearlessly on a new musical journey, departing from his roots in alternative hip-hop to explore a fresh, eclectic sound. This new direction seamlessly merges R&B, Neo-Pop, and House genres, delivering irresistible music perfect for late-night dance floors.
Read MoreL.T.D.
L.T.D. is an acclaimed American R&B production team renowned for their mastery of New Jack Swing, Neo Soul, and disco funk. Established in Nashville in 1998, this dynamic collective has become a cornerstone of modern R&B, infusing their signature sound into tracks that have defined the genre. Their impressive portfolio includes iconic remixes for superstars like Blackstreet, Sisqo, and Boyz II Men, showcasing their unique ability to blend classic rhythms with contemporary flair.
With a passion for musical innovation, L.T.D. has not only contributed to chart-topping hits but has also been instrumental in shaping the evolution of R&B over the decades. Their creative process often involves fusing vintage funk grooves with cutting-edge production techniques, resulting in a sound that’s both nostalgic and fresh. Beyond their remix work, L.T.D. has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, from rising stars to established legends, always pushing the boundaries of genre and style. Their influence extends beyond the studio, with their tracks frequently featured in film and television, further cementing their place in the cultural zeitgeist.
Rapsody
After a four-year hiatus from releasing her own solo music, Rapsody resurfaces for her fourth studio album \
Read MoreShalamar
Shalamar originated from the US TV show “Soul Train” where Don Cornelius and SOLAR Records chief Dick Griffey, put together a group that went on to became synonymous with catchy feel-good dance music. Howard Hewett’s first record “The Second Time Around” was a million seller. As well as being number one on the US R&B chart it went on to reach number eight in the main Billboard pop chart with an edgy sound incorporating funk, disco, R&B and pop.
The “classic” line-up of Shalamar (Howard Hewett, Jody Watley, and Jeffrey Daniel) scored a total of four Gold albums in the US with Big Fun (1979), Three for Love (1980) – platinum – Friends (1982) – platinum and The Look (1983). At the height of their fame, Watley and Daniel left Shalamar to pursue successful solo careers. With a new line-up, Shalamar returned to the US Top 20 with “Dancing in the Sheets” (1984) from the Footloose soundtrack.
In 1985, Hewett departed to begin his own successful solo career. In 1999, Howard Hewett and Jeffrey Daniel reformed Shalamar and began touring. In 2001, they were joined by Carolyn Griffey. In 2005 Shalamar appeared on the UK TV show “Hit Me Baby One More Time” and have been performing some forty concerts and festival dates each year. In 2017 Howard, Jeffrey and Carolyn released a new Shalamar track “The Real Thing” which has streamed over one million plays across all platforms. The song was written and produced by Leon Sylvers – the genius behind many of the Shalamar classic hits.
Tony Terry
Washington, D.C’s Terry was a backing vocalist for groups such as Sweet Sensation and the Boogie Boys before embarking on a solo career in the soul/funk/dance genre. He has achieved success with a few minor hits, notably the 1991 track “With You.” Steve Huey
Read MoreMary Jane Girls
Just as Vanity 6 and Apollonia 6 wouldn’t have existed without Prince, the Mary Jane Girls were created by Rick James and were very much a product of the funkster’s imagination. The group’s name was coined in the late ’70s, when James hired them as background singers for his Stone City Band. The Mary Jane Girls (whose name underscored James’ fondness for marijuana) soon became an actual group, and in the early ’80s were signed to Motown (the R&B powerhouse for which James and his protégée Teena Marie had been recording). With a lineup consisting of Joanne “Jojo” McDuffie (the main singer), Candice “Candi” Ghant, Kim “Maxi” Wuletich, and Ann “Cheri” Bailey, the Mary Jane Girls portrayed various characters James had developed — while JoJo was the tough street chick and Candi was the glamorous supermodel, Cheri was the cutesy Valley Girl and Maxi was the whip-toting, handcuff-carrying dominatrix in black leather. In 1985, Ann “Cheri” Bailey was replaced by Yvette “Corvette” Marine.
James did all of the writing and producing on the Mary Jane Girls’ self-titled debut album of 1983 (which boasted such hits as the infectious “Candy Man” and the sexy, irresistible “All Night Long”) as well as on the group’s sophomore effort of 1985, Only Four You. That album contained the number three R&B hit “In My House” and the number ten R&B hit “Wild and Crazy Love.” The only song James didn’t write for the group was a 1986 cover of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons’ “Walk Like a Man,” which was included in the comedy film A Fine Mess.
Regrettably, the Mary Jane Girls never recorded a third album. James had a major falling out with Motown in the mid-’80s, and this would lead to the group’s breakup. When Ghant was working at the music-industry trade magazine Black Radio Exclusive in 1986, she told On the Scene magazine that she hoped to see the Mary Jane Girls continue and work with hit producers/songwriters Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. But that never came about. By 1987, the group had officially broken up.
Tucka
Louisiana’s Tucka, influenced by R. Kelly and Barry White, is an R&B singer known for his captivating “pillow talk” songs reminiscent of the ’70s, ’80s, and 2010s. Starting his career in 2007 with Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band, Tucka ventured into his solo journey in 2008, earning the moniker “the King of Swing.” Garnering regional acclaim, he graced Louisiana stages alongside Mystikal and Lenny Williams. His debut album, Love Rehab, in 2009 featured hits like “Sex on My Mind” and “MySpace Love,” followed by Forever King in 2011 and Love Rehab 2 in 2015. Tucka’s unique blend of influences and soulful performances has solidified his position as a standout artist in the R&B scene.
Read MoreJUVENILE
Having come up in the Hot Boys group alongside superstar Lil Wayne, New Orleans rapper Juvenile is a Southern hip-hop veteran, and a chart-topping one as well, having climbed the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 with his 2004 single “Slow Motion.” Born Terius Gray, Juvenile was one of the initial figures involved in New Orleans’ “bounce” craze of the early ’90s, an uptempo style of hip-hop that combined gangster rap and party music. Besides an affiliation with the bounce group U.N.L.V., Juvenile was featured on two tracks from bounce artist DJ Jimi, 1991’s “It’s Jimi” and 1993’s “Bounce (For the Juvenile).” The Warlock record label released his debut album, Being Myself, in 1994, but the bounce craze failed to spread past New Orleans so the rapper’s quest for national success was back at square one. Cash Money label owners Ronald “Suga Slim” Williams and Brian “Baby” Williams brought the post-bounce Juvenile on board in 1997, releasing his noticeably more gangster album Solja Rags that same year.
Juvenile joined fellow Cash Money rappers Lil Wayne, B.G., and Turk in the Hot Boys, who also released their debut album, Get It How U Live!, in 1997. Both debuts were produced in total by Mannie Fresh, who was back for Juvenile’s 1998 solo release 400 Degreez, his platinum-selling, breakthrough effort thanks in part to the successful singles “Ha” and “Back That Azz Up.” Two more platinum awards came Juvenile’s way in 1999 with the successful solo album Tha G-Code and the Hot Boys’ sophomore release, Guerrilla Warfare. Warlock jumped on the bandwagon that year as well with a remixed version of Being Myself. His 2001 album Project English went gold but the rapper would leave the Cash Money label soon after its release, claiming financial mismanagement and forming his own label and management team, UTP. UTP promised an album titled 600 Degreez but it failed to arrive, and soon, Juvenile’s management had brokered a deal where his next album would be a Cash Money/UTP co-release. Juve the Great carried both imprints when it landed in 2003.
When its single “Slow Motion” featuring Soulja Slim climbed to the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, Juvenile had his third platinum album award. A clean break with Cash Money came in 2004 when he released the single “Nolia Clap” with his new group UTP on the Rap-A-Lot label. A year later, Juvenile was signing a new solo career contract with Asylum when his Slidell, Louisiana, home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane and its grim aftermath were hot topics on his chart-topping 2006 effort Reality Check, an album that featured production from Scott Storch, Cool & Dre, and Lil Jon with one lone cut coming from Mannie Fresh. Fresh would be absent from his 2009 Atlantic release Cocky & Confident, but Juvenile would take a co-production credit for the first time in his career. Beast Mode from 2010 found him moving UTP to the E1 family of labels, but it was a short-lived relationship. Fontana became UTP’s new home in 2012 when the label released Rejuvenation, a Cash Money reunion of sorts with Mannie Fresh handling many of the beats. ~ David Jeffries, Rovi