Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin, born on March 25, 1942, and passing away on August 16, 2018, was an iconic American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Recognized as the ‘Queen of Soul,’ she was renowned as one of the greatest singers of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. Franklin’s musical journey began with her gospel singing at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, under the guidance of her father, C. L. Franklin, a minister. Her career took a significant turn at the age of 18 when she signed with Columbia Records as a recording artist.
Although initially facing challenges, Franklin’s path to success blossomed after joining Atlantic Records in 1966. She released several remarkable albums, including ‘I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You,’ ‘Lady Soul,’ ‘Spirit in the Dark,’ ‘Young, Gifted and Black,’ ‘Amazing Grace,’ and ‘Sparkle.’ Despite encountering difficulties with the record company, Franklin’s talent shone through, leading her to leave Atlantic in 1979 to sign with Arista Records. Her musical legacy includes chart-topping singles such as ‘Respect,’ ‘(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,’ ‘Think,’ ‘Freeway of Love,’ and many more, solidifying her as one of the best-selling music artists with over 75 million records sold globally.
Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock
Best known for the multi-platinum 1988 hip-hop classic “It Takes Two,” Rob Base and partner DJ E-Z Rock rode the hit into dance clubs and, eventually, the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, providing a touchstone for the style known as hip-house. After Rob Base leapt several hurdles — including vicious rumors about his personal life, and a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by Maze’s Frankie Beverly regarding the duo’s third single, “Joy and Pain” — he responded in 1989 with a solo album, The Incredible Base. None of the singles on that album had the force of “It Takes Two,” however, and the duo’s career subsequently went through more downs than ups. Born Robert Ginyard in Harlem, Rob Base began performing with a group called the Sureshot Seven while in fifth grade. By the time of high school graduation, the only members left were him and DJ E-Z Rock (b. Rodney Bryce, Harlem), so the duo began recording on their own. Their first track, “DJ Interview” — credited to only Rob Base as the artist, with co-production credits for E-Z Rock and Chill Will — appeared on World to World’s Fast Money compilation in 1986. Debut single “Make It Hot” was released on the same label in 1987, after which the duo signed with the larger Profile. The first Profile release, the title-track single from their debut album, It Takes Two, became a street sensation upon its release in mid-1988. Though the single barely reached the R&B Top 20 and the Hot 100 Top 40, massive club airplay enhanced its impact considerably. Both the single and album eventually went platinum, and Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock were awarded Single of the Year by Spin. The second single, “Get on the Dance Floor,” continued the duo’s dance appeal, though his excellent rapping helped him retain his street credentials.
By the end of 1989, however, Rob Base was on his own. His only explanation for the disappearance of DJ E-Z Rock was “personal problems.” The release of The Incredible Base in 1989 was a bit of a comedown; despite several interesting tracks, including a reworking of Edwin Starr’s “War,” neither the album nor any singles connected with listeners. Rob Base and E-Z Rock reunited for the 1994 album Break of Dawn, which didn’t make much of an impact. Rob Base continued to perform through the 2010s but didn’t record another album, while E-Z Rock remained active as a DJ. E-Z Rock died of a diabetic seizure in 2014 and was honored later that year at the Hip Hop Hall of Fame ceremony. ~ John Bush, Rovi
Color Me Badd
Color Me Badd is an American contemporary R&B group that was formed in 1985 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma by Mark Calderon, Bryan Abrams, Sam Watters, and Kevin Thornton. Best known for their singles ‘I Wanna Sex You Up’, ‘I Adore Mi Amor’ and ‘All 4 Love’, the group has sold over 12 million records worldwide, had two number 1 hit singles, nine Top 40 hits and a triple-platinum album. They were nominated for two Grammy Awards, won two Soul Train Music Awards and one American Music Award, and were nominated for five others. Their songs have been featured in movies and on television programs including New Jack City, Mo Money, No Strings Attached and Glee. They made a cameo appearance as themselves on a 1992 episode of Beverly Hills, 90210.
After 1998, the group reformed in 2010 and has been touring on several notable tours such as ‘I Love The 90’s Tour’, and supporting other hit acts like Salt N Pepa, Vanilla Ice, Bell Biv Devoe, and many more. A founding member, Mark Calderon, is the only original member now leading the group. Watters never rejoined the group, and since 2017 the group has seen the exit of Kevin Thornton and Bryan Abrams through various legal quarrels with the band.
India.Arie
India.Arie is a distinguished presence among contemporary R&B artists, drawing inspiration from legends like Bill Withers and Roberta Flack. Her debut album, ‘Acoustic Soul’ in 2001, signaled her arrival as a soulful singer-songwriter with a unique introspective style. The album was a massive success, earning multiple Grammy nominations and establishing Arie as a top artist in the industry. Known for her album-centric approach, Arie has continued to release critically acclaimed works, such as ‘Voyage to India’ and ‘Testimony, Vol. 1: Life & Relationship,’ showcasing her evolving songwriting and diverse musical influences.
Born in Denver and raised in Atlanta, India Arie Simpson’s musical journey began early in life. Her independent spirit and artistic vision led her to form an artist collective and sign with Motown, where she gained creative control over her music. Arie’s early hits like ‘Video’ and ‘Little Things’ from ‘Acoustic Soul’ and ‘Voyage to India’ respectively, received widespread acclaim and Grammy recognition, solidifying her position as a unique voice in R&B. With each album, Arie delves deeper into personal and social themes, collaborating with a range of artists and exploring diverse musical genres, such as country and world music.
India Arie’s commitment to artistic integrity and cultural diversity is evident in her later works like ‘Worthy’ and ‘SongVersation: Medicine EP,’ which showcase her growth as a musician and her engagement with contemporary issues. Her versatile talent has been recognized with multiple Grammy wins and nominations, underscoring her impact on the music industry. From her early days in Atlanta to her global collaborations, India Arie continues to inspire audiences with her soulful music and thought-provoking lyrics, cementing her legacy as a true artist in the realm of modern R&B.
Aiyana-Lee
With her powerhouse vocals and contemporary take on classic soul and R&B, British vocalist Aiyana-Lee instantly made an impact with her collaboration “KSI” before releasing her 2022 EP, Wednesday’s Child (Side A). Born and raised in London, Aiyana-Lee was always destined to find her place in the music industry: her mother was a multi-platinum singer/songwriter, her uncle was David Ruffin of the Temptations, and her grandfather was the legendary American soul singer Jimmy Ruffin. Struggling through school due to constant bullying, Aiyana-Lee was eventually home-schooled, which allowed her to focus on her music career sooner. In 2015, she moved to Los Angeles with her mother to pursue her career, working her way up in the industry while showcasing her powerhouse vocals. Although she released her debut single, “In My Sin,” in 2020, it was her collaboration with KSI on his track “Killa Killa” that propelled her into the spotlight. Snapped up by L.A. Reid and signed to his HITCO label, Aiyana-Lee issued three singles in 2021, before dropping her first EP, Wednesday’s Child (Side A), in early 2022. ~ Rich Wilson, Rovi
Read MorePJ Morton
Upon release, the record crashed the Top 10 of the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart in addition to attracting acclaim from The Washington Post, The Advocate, and more. With Morton averaging over 553K monthly listeners on Spotify, “First Began” and “Go Thru Your Phone” both cracked the 2-million-mark as “Claustrophobic” [feat. Pell] broke 1 million and “How Deep Is Your Love” followed on its heels. It’s just the latest chapter in an unbelievable career though. In addition to boasting collaborations with Adam Levine, Lil Wayne, and Busta Rhymes, his critically acclaimed 2013 offering, New Orleans, earned a 2014 GRAMMY® Award nomination in the category of “Best R&B Song” for “Only One” [feat. Stevie Wonder]. Pitchfork called it, “a smooth and soulful pop/R&B hybrid,” and the record dramatically expanded his influence. In addition to figuring prominently on Maroon 5’s multiplatinum Overexposed and V, Morton has written and produced for everybody from BJ The Chicago Kid, Jermaine Dupri, and Jazmine Sullivan to Monica and India.Arie, winning a GRAMMY® for collaborating with the latter in 2008. His music has also popped up in films such as Couples Retreat and more.
Among many other accolades, he has received Dove® and Stellar® Awards, published his literary debut Why Can’t I Sing About Love? in 2009, and become music director for Solange following the release of her critically acclaimed opus A Seat At The Table.
Kevin Ross
An accomplished singer, songwriter, producer, and performer, Kevin Ross determines his course on his own terms. The Washington, D.C.-born artist elevates R&B through eloquent songcraft, rich sonic architecture, and downright traffic-stopping vocals. Since launching his career in 2016, he has quietly risen to the forefront of the culture with over 300 million streams and counting, #1 Billboard entries on the R&B Songs Chart, and countless sold-out shows. As a solo artist, he wrote, recorded, and produced “Long Song Away” in 2016, toppling both the R&B Songs Chart and the Urban Adult Contemporary Chart at #1. In between collaborations with Kevin Hart, Ne-Yo, and T.I., he built a bulletproof solo discography highlighted by The Awakening [2017], Drive EP [2017], and Audacity Vol. 1-2 [2020]. Along the way, he’s picked up nominations at the Soul Train Music Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and iHeart Radio Music Awards. In 2019, he founded Art Society Music Group as the home for all of his releases. With Kevin at the helm, 2021’s Drive 2 [ASMG/Empire] represented another achievement. It bowed at #1 on the iTunes Top R&B/Soul Albums Chart, while “Looking For Love” and “Sweet Release” vaulted onto the Top 10 of the Billboard Adult R&B Radio Play Chart. His most recent releases, Midnight Microdose Vol. 1 & 2 [2023] has garnered him yet another Top 10 with “Look My Way” at R&B Radio. Now, he continues to forge ahead with more music in 2024 under Art Society Music Group (ASMG)
Read MoreLloyd
Lloyd Polite Jr., born on January 3, 1986, is a talented American R&B singer hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana, and raised in Decatur, Georgia. His musical journey began as a member of the preteen-boy band N-Toon, established by Joyce Irby in 1996. Transitioning to a solo career, Lloyd signed with Irv Gotti’s Murder Inc. Records, affiliated with Def Jam Recordings in 2003. His debut single ‘Southside’ featuring Ashanti, released in 2004, achieved notable success, entering the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 and setting the stage for his first album, ‘Southside’. Subsequent albums like ‘Street Love’ in 2007 and ‘Lessons in Love’ in 2008 showcased his versatility and artistry, with hits like ‘You’ featuring Lil Wayne and ‘Get It Shawty’. Embarking on a new chapter, Lloyd joined Zone 4, a record label under Interscope Records, delivering the acclaimed ‘King of Hearts’ in 2011, highlighted by tracks like ‘Lay It Down’ and ‘Dedication to My Ex (Miss That)’ featuring André 3000 and Lil Wayne. After a hiatus, he released the platinum-certified single ‘Tru’ in 2016, leading up to his independent album ‘Tru’. In 2019, Lloyd participated in The Millennium Tour, uniting with other early-2000s R&B artists for a memorable musical experience. Beyond music, Lloyd showcased his acting skills in TV series and made a remarkable film debut, portraying Gregory Williams in The Bobby Debarge Story.
Read MoreAtlantic Starr
Atlantic Starr is a legendary R&B band that rose to prominence in the late 1970s and 1980s, known for their smooth blend of soulful melodies, tight harmonies, and romantic ballads. Originally formed in 1976 in White Plains, New York, the group was founded by brothers Wayne, David, and Jonathan Lewis, and their dynamic sound was defined by the powerful vocals of Sharon Bryant and later Barbara Weathers. Their early albums, like Radiant (1981) and Brilliance (1982), established them as a force in the R&B world, with hits such as “When Love Calls” and “Circles” showcasing their ability to create both danceable grooves and heartfelt love songs.
Atlantic Starr’s mainstream breakthrough came with the release of their 1985 album As the Band Turns, featuring the smash hit “Secret Lovers,” a timeless classic that reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. They continued their success with the 1987 album All in the Name of Love, which included the chart-topping single “Always,” a romantic anthem that remains a staple at weddings and celebrations to this day. Over the decades, Atlantic Starr has undergone several lineup changes but has continued to create music that resonates with fans worldwide. Their legacy as one of the premier bands of the 80s is cemented by their timeless hits and their ability to blend smooth R&B with pop sensibilities, leaving an indelible mark on the genre.
Patrice Rushen
Patrice Rushen is an award-winning musician and composer who is also one of the most sought after artists in the music industry. She is a classically trained pianist who originally found success in the 70’s and 80’s with her signature fusion of jazz, pop and R&B. During this era, she composed and recorded the hit song, “Forget Me Nots,” which has been frequently covered and sampled by other artists.
Rushen is also a four-time, Grammy nominee who has composed scores for movies and television. She has been the first female musical director for many of the entertainment industry’s top award shows, which include the Grammy Awards, the Emmy Awards, the People’s Choice Awards, the NAACP Image Awards and HBO’s “Comic Relief V.” Considered one of the world’s top jazz pianists, she has performed with many artists such as Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Prince, Carlos Santana, Christian McBride, and Lee Ritenour. She is a record producer and an award-winning composer of symphonic music, some of which was commissioned by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Rushen is the ‘Ambassador of Artistry In Education’ at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, and is the Chair of the Popular Music Program at USC’s Thornton School of Music.
Rushen also spends time working with the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, NARAS ‘Grammy In The Schools’ program, and other organizations dedicated to establishing music education and mentorship programs for underprivileged youth.
Lil’ Kim
With her bold persona and provocative lyricism, rapper Lil’ Kim has been a trailblazer for empowered female MCs since the ’90s. Her debut album ‘Hard Core’ in 1996 marked the beginning of a successful career, including three platinum-certified albums. In 2001, she achieved global success with the number one hit ‘Lady Marmalade’ alongside Christina Aguilera, P!nk, and Mya. Despite facing setbacks like a year-long prison sentence in 2005, Lil’ Kim remained resilient, transitioning to independence and exploring new ventures in television such as ‘Dancing with the Stars’ in 2009. After a prolonged hiatus, she made a comeback in 2019 with her fifth studio album ‘9’.
Born and raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, Lil’ Kim’s early life was marked by challenges. Raised by her parents until their separation when she was nine, she faced homelessness as a teenager after being expelled by her father. Her talent caught the attention of Biggie Smalls, leading to her involvement with Junior M.A.F.I.A. and notable contributions to the group’s debut album. With a unique blend of hardcore rap and explicit sexuality, Lil’ Kim’s debut album ‘Hard Core’ stood out in a male-dominated industry, earning critical acclaim and commercial success. Throughout her career, she collaborated with renowned artists and producers, solidifying her position as a pioneering figure in hip-hop.
Despite legal battles and controversies, Lil’ Kim’s resilience and musical innovation have defined her career. From chart-topping singles like ‘No Time’ to platinum albums like ‘La Bella Mafia,’ she has continuously pushed boundaries and defied expectations. Her experiences, including incarceration and public scrutiny, have been documented in various media formats, showcasing her journey as a multifaceted artist. With a string of mixtapes, collaborations, and her latest studio album ‘9,’ Lil’ Kim continues to inspire and influence a new generation of artists with her unapologetic style and unwavering passion for music.
The Deele
The Deele, best-known as the group that brought Babyface (b. Kenny Edmonds) and L.A. Reid (b. Mark Rooney) to prominence, was formed in Cincinnati, Ohio. Bobby G. Summers and L.A. Reid formed the Deele in the early ’80s with lead vocalist Carlos “Satin” Greene, Darnell “Dee” Bristol, Stanley Burke, and Kevin Roberson. Babyface, who had been a member of Manchild, joined the Deele after a minor R&B hit with “Especially for You” in 1977. The Deele signed to Dick Griffey’s Solar label and had their first hit in late 1983 with “Body Talk,” entering Billboard’s Black Singles chart. Although the song reached number 77 on the Hot 100, it peaked at number three on Black Singles, boosting the group’s debut album Street Beat to crack the upper half of the Billboard 200. Subsequent singles from the album, “Just My Luck” and “Surrender,” also made an impact on the Black Singles chart. However, their second album, Material Thangz in 1985, only produced one hit R&B single with the number 14 title track.
Between the release of Material Thangz and 1987’s Eyes of a Stranger, Babyface and L.A. Reid began gaining recognition as producers and songwriters. Their work for Pebbles (“Girlfriend”) and the Whispers (“Rock Steady”) became hits. With the success of Babyface and Reid’s production work, Eyes of a Stranger was a hit, achieved a gold certification, and featured the Top Ten pop and R&B hit, “Two Occasions,” along with the number ten R&B hit, “Shoot ‘Em Up Movies.” Following the album’s release, the group took a hiatus while Babyface and L.A. Reid continued their successful careers in production and songwriting. In 1993, the group reunited without Babyface, Reid, and Roberson, releasing Invitation to Love, which did not chart. Over a decade later, the original members Greene, Bristol, Roberson, and Burke regrouped and released the singles “The Only 1” and “All I Want for Christmas” in 2007. Performances continued through the 2010s.