Dru Hill
High-school friends Larry “Jazz” Anthony, Mark “Sisqó” Andrews, Tamir “Nokio” Ruffin, and James “Woody Rock” Green formed Dru Hill in 1992, named in honor of their Baltimore neighborhood, Druid Hill Park. The vocalists performed at the music industry convention Impact ’96 and were signed by Island not long after. By late 1996, Dru Hill had released their self-titled debut album, produced by Keith Sweat, Stanley Brown, and Tim “Dawg” Patterson. The single “Tell Me” — culled from the soundtrack to the film Eddie — became a Top Five R&B hit and later went gold. Enter the Dru followed in 1998, peaking at number two on the Billboard album chart. Despite Sisqó’s solo success with “Thong Song,” the group continued intact — along with new member Scola — and issued Dru World Order in 2002, two years after it was initially slated for release. Hits followed in 2005, eventually reaching three million in sales. Scola was later replaced by Antwuan “Tao” Simpson, and the group released its fourth studio album, Indrupendence Day, in 2010. Their return was the subject of Keith Sweat’s Platinum House, a reality series broadcast on the Centric channel. ~ John Bush, Rovi
Read MoreErykah Badu
Erykah Badu, born Erica Wright in Dallas in 1971, is a groundbreaking artist who broke into the music scene in 1997 with her debut album, Baduizm. Drawing inspiration from ’70s soul and ’80s hip-hop, Badu’s unique style and sound set her apart from other R&B singers. Her first single, ‘On & On,’ quickly became a hit, propelling the album to number two on the charts. Badu’s vocals, often described as languorous and occasionally tortured, resonated with audiences worldwide.
Managed by Kedar Massenburg and signed to Kedar Entertainment label, Badu collaborated with notable artists like D’Angelo and the Roots on her music. Her discography includes successful albums like Mama’s Gun, New Amerykah, and Worldwide Underground. Throughout her career, Badu’s music has evolved, blending elements of R&B, hip-hop, and soul, earning her critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base. With a distinct voice and powerful lyrics, Erykah Badu continues to influence and inspire generations of music lovers worldwide.
Leela James
Leela James carries on the tradition of classic soul while putting a contemporary spin on the idiom with her combination of rich, gritty vocals and highly personal songwriting. Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, and Tina Turner were among the vocalists to whom the Los Angeles native was likened early in her career, which was established with A Change Is Gonna Come (2005), her assured full-length debut. James has since set herself apart with a succession of unpredictable albums. After the Stax-issued My Soul (2010) and Shanachie recording Loving You More…In the Spirit of Etta James (2012), James went independent with her own label. Among her self-issued recordings are Fall for You (2014), See Me (2021), and Thought U Knew (2023), albums that have seen James reference numerous eras of R&B with modern finesse.
Born Alechia Janeice Campbell in Los Angeles, Leela James first appeared on a handful of ’90s rap recordings as a background vocalist. Under the name Alechia James, she placed songs on a pair of soundtracks released in 2000. First was “Holding Back the Years,” a Simply Red cover for Whatever It Takes, followed by James’ own composition, “Work,” which paired her with the Roots and appeared on the soundtrack for Bait. After she was showcased on an uplifting track off Pete Rock’s Soul Survivor II, “No Tears,” she made her proper debut on Warner Bros. in 2005 with A Change Is Gonna Come. Featuring a cover of Sam Cooke’s song of the same title, as well as one of No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak,” the throwback-oriented set involved assistance from major figures including Kanye West, Raphael Saadiq, James Poyser, and Chucky Thompson. It entered the Billboard 200 at number 148 and was followed with an appearance on Ray Charles’ posthumous Genius & Friends, as well as nominations for Soul Train Music and NAACP Image awards.
After splitting from Warner Bros., the singer landed on the roster of Shanachie and recorded one of the label’s more inspired all-covers sets, Let’s Do It Again, released in 2009. The same year, she contributed to “Walk with Me,” a highlight on Moby’s Wait for Me album. The singer switched to the storied Stax label for My Soul, a 2010 release that featured some of her own songwriting and peaked in Billboard’s R&B/hip-hop Top Ten. A return to Shanachie yielded 2012’s Loving You More…In the Spirit of Etta James, a release more adventurous than the title indicated. James launched her BMG-distributed Shesangz label for her fifth album, 2014’s Fall for You, home to her three highest-charting Hot Adult R&B tracks, such as the Anthony Hamilton duet “Say That.” Around the same time, James began a two-season stint on the reality television series R&B Divas: Los Angeles. Did It for Love, James’ sixth album, offered her most refined mix of vintage and contemporary sounds to that point. Its first single, “Don’t Want You Back,” became a number one hit on the adult R&B chart in 2017. See Me, produced by James and Rex Rideout, was released four years later and returned the singer to the top of that chart with “Complicated.” James was back in 2023 with Thought U Knew, heralded with a title song deeply rooted in mid-’70s funk.
Keyshia Cole
Keyshia Myeshia Cole, also known as Keisha Cole, is a multi-talented American artist excelling in the fields of singing, songwriting, acting, and television production. Hailing from Oakland, California, her remarkable journey in the entertainment industry took off at a young age of 12 when she crossed paths with MC Hammer, followed by a significant encounter with the renowned rapper Tupac Shakur. Transitioning to Los Angeles at 15, Cole’s career trajectory saw a pivotal moment with her introduction to A&M Records. Her groundbreaking debut album, ‘The Way It Is’ (2005), showcased her extraordinary talent through hit singles like ‘Never’, ‘I Changed My Mind’, ‘(I Just Want It) To Be Over’, ‘I Should Have Cheated’, and ‘Love’. The album’s immense success was evident as it achieved gold certification in just 17 weeks, swiftly followed by platinum status a mere eight weeks later. ‘The Way It Is’ remained a chart-topper for over a year, capturing the hearts of fans worldwide with over 1.6 million copies sold.
Read MoreKeith Sweat
Keith Sweat, a Harlem-born R&B singer/songwriter known for his distinctive ‘whining’ vocal style, co-produced 1984/1985 singles by GQ and Roberta Gilliam and issued independent singles of his own (‘Lucky Seven’ and ‘My Mind Is Made Up’), but he didn’t release his debut full-length for Elektra, Make It Last Forever, until November 1987. The album sold over three million copies, spawning the hits ‘I Want Her’ (number one R&B, number five pop), ‘Something Just Ain’t Right’ (number three R&B), ‘Make It Last Forever’ (number two R&B), and ‘Don’t Stop Your Love’ (number nine R&B). It was followed in 1990 by I’ll Give All My Love to You, another million-seller, which featured the hits ‘Make You Sweat’ (number one R&B, number 14 pop), ‘Merry Go Round’ (number two R&B), ‘I’ll Give All My Love to You’ (number one R&B, number seven pop), and ‘Your Love, Pt. 2′ (number four R&B). Sweat’s third album was Keep It Comin’, an R&B chart-topper at the end of 1991 whose title track was another number one R&B hit.
Through the end of the ’90s, Sweat’s mainstream profile wasn’t quite as high, but he remained a major force in R&B as he recorded the occasional contemporary set, including Get Up on It (1994), Keith Sweat (1996), and Still in the Game (1998). Additionally, the first of two albums recorded with Gerald LeVert and Johnny Gill, billed as LSG, was considerably successful, and he also produced a handful of prominent ’90s acts, such as Silk, Kut Klose, and Dru Hill. The following decade began with Didn’t See Me Coming (2000) and Rebirth (2002), his final releases for Elektra. He moved to Atco for Just Me (an R&B chart-topper in 2008), then to Kedar for Ridin’ Solo (2010). ‘Til the Morning (2011) was the first release on his KDS label. Sweat starred in the Centric channel’s reality program Keith Sweat’s Platinum House, in which he facilitated a turbulent Dru Hill reunion. Dress to Impress (2016) featured that group, as well as Silk, as guest collaborators. At the time of its release, The Sweat Hotel, his long-running syndicated radio program dedicated to R&B from the ’70s to the present, was nearing its tenth anniversary. In 2018, with a dozen albums behind him, Sweat issued Playing for Keeps, featuring guests K-Ci, Akon, Teddy Riley, and Tank. ~ William Ruhlmann & Andy Kellman, Rovi
Dermot Kennedy
Dermot Kennedy has achieved a remarkable milestone of 4 billion streams across various platforms, solidifying his position as one of the most successful artists in the music industry. His debut album, ‘Without Fear,’ stands out as the best-selling debut album in Ireland for this millennium, capturing the hearts of fans worldwide. With his sophomore album, ‘Sonder,’ released to critical acclaim in 2022, Dermot established himself as a platinum-selling artist in more than 12 countries. The excitement surrounding his music was evident as he graced the stage at the All Points East Festival in London and embarked on his highly anticipated 2023 ‘Sonder Tour,’ headlining legendary venues such as Madison Square Garden and the O2 Arena in New York City and London respectively.
In recent appearances, Dermot Kennedy showcased his talent alongside fellow artists Niall Horan, Noah Kahan, and Zach Bryan, highlighting his versatility and musical prowess. From humble beginnings of busking on the streets of Ireland to mesmerizing audiences in stadiums across the globe, Dermot’s musical journey is both inspiring and awe-inspiring. His authentic and poetic approach to artistry has struck a chord with fans worldwide, garnering admiration from icons like Taylor Swift and Shawn Mendes. The release of his latest EP, ‘I’ve told the trees everything,’ signifies a new chapter in Dermot’s artistic evolution, reflecting on the profound connection he shares with nature and his audience. This emotional and introspective work invites listeners to join him on a soul-stirring musical voyage, guided by the wisdom and magic of the trees that have been his silent witnesses throughout his life.
Ruth B.
With over 5.5 billion cumulative streams (including 2 billion on “Dandelions”), Rolling Stone proclaiming that “She’s THE one to watch,” and millions upon millions of followers, views, and likes across all social platforms, Ruth B. is one of the most listened to artists worldwide. Recently she returned with a collaboration with viral music star Dean Lewis, releasing the hauntingly beautiful song “28”.
After her debut song “Lost Boy,” which was an instant viral global chart-topping hit in 2015 that propelled her debut EP The Intro into a gold-certification, she released two more critically acclaimed full projects that earned her three Juno nominations, including Album of the Year and Artist of the Year. In 2022, Ruth B.’s beautiful composition “Paper Airplanes,” was used as the end title song for Tyler Perry’s feature film A Jazzman’s Blues. To follow it all up came “Jupiter Rising” from R&B young superstar Rod Wave, who used Ruth’s recent song, “Paper Airplanes”, as the musical bed for his R&B hit single. This year brought more hits with “Always You”, the theme song from the major motion picture Maybe I Do, to the young singer Lyn Lapid’s hot new Republic Records track “Do You Really” composed by and featuring Ruth B. on vocals. Both Ruth B. and Dean Lewis are members of the 4 billion streams club, and their collaboration on “28” is just a signal of more to come from Ruth B.
Kevin Lyttle
Watching the local Calypsonians marching by from his mother’s shoulders and then going home and watching Michael Jackson perform ‘Billie Jean’ on television was an influential mix for the seven-year-old Kevin Lyttle, a mix that stuck with him. Soca was the predominant music in Lyttle’s native island of St. Vincent, but it was the R&B ballad ‘Shower Me With Your Love’ by Surface that was the first song Lyttle sang on-stage at the age of 14. With his family surviving on modest means, Lyttle worked a variety of day jobs, saved some money, and cut demos when he could afford it. Some music fanatic co-workers were singing the praises of St. Vincent producer Adrian Bailey, whose slick style was causing some excitement in the soca world. When Lyttle got a demo to Bailey, the producer was stunned by the voice, one he compared to the dreamy, soulful croon of reggae’s Beres Hammond. In 2001 the duo — in two takes and in less than an hour — had recorded the sexy ‘Turn Me On.’ The R&B-flavored soca ballad was all the rage at the 2001 St. Vincent Carnival and quickly spread to neighboring islands by radio. Soon Lyttle was signed to a management company who shipped copies of ‘Turn Me On’ to DJs in the U.S. and Europe, only to find bootlegs were already storming up the playlist. Atlantic picked the record up in 2003, and a legitimate release put the single in the U.K.’s Top Ten for over ten weeks. In March of 2004, Atlantic pushed it to American radio while international sales were approaching a million. The label released Lyttle’s self-titled debut worldwide in July of 2004. – David Jeffries, Rovi
Read MoreLa Bouche
Lane McCray, the Founder, Singer, Songwriter, and Trademark Owner of La Bouche, is recognized as a legend in the music business. With over 12 Million records sold worldwide, La Bouche boasts multi-platinum hits such as Be My Lover, Sweet Dreams, SOS, I Love To Love, Falling In Love, You Won’t Forget Me, In Your Life, and Sweet Dreams Remixed 2017. After 23 years, Lane McCray Jr. revives La Bouche with the new single ‘Night After Night,’ featuring the talented Hungarian vocalist Sophie Cairo. The dynamic duo has captivated audiences worldwide, performing in more than 400 shows since 2016, driven by fans’ demands for new music. This led McCray to collaborate with Cairo on fresh material, culminating in the release of their first original single in sixteen years, ‘Night After Night.’ Produced by Mirko Milan Milosevits & Lane McCray Jr., and written by Sophie Cairo & Lane McCray, this new hit is set to conquer the global music scene. The single, released globally via Nene Musik and in Canada via Rammit Records, includes remixes by renowned producers and DJs such as StoneBridge, Damien Hall, Jerry Ropero, SCK BOY, Mr. Mig & Gino Caporale, Chrizz Morisson, Joshua Weisman & Zhou.
Read MoreSNAP!
German electronic dance music production duo, Michael Münzing and Luca Anzilotti, gained worldwide fame in 1990 with their international hit “The Power.” Fronted by a rotating group of singers and rappers, the duo collaborated with London-based rapper Turbo B. and his cousin Jackie Harris on the chart-topping track. Snap!’s lineup saw changes over the years, with Penny Ford replacing Jackie Harris and Nikki Harris taking over from Turbo B. The group achieved another major success in 1992 with the popular single “Rhythm Is a Dancer,” followed by the release of their trance-influenced album, Welcome to Tomorrow, in 1994. Despite disbanding in 1996, Snap! made a comeback in 2000 led by Turbo B., releasing the single “Gimme a Thrill” and entertaining fans with performances and new releases of their classic hits.
Read MoreAqua
Storming onto the global music scene with the debut album ‘Aquarium’ in 1997, Aqua became an instant pop sensation. The phenomenal singles ‘Roses are Red’, ‘My Oh My’, ‘Barbie Girl’, ‘Doctor Jones’ and ‘Turn Back Time’ showcased the Danish-Norwegian band as gifted artists with a firm grip on instantly catchy melodies. Following performances to ecstatic crowds all around the world, Aqua established themselves further with the second album ‘Aquarius’ and the hit singles ‘Cartoon Heroes’ and ‘Around the World’ in 2000. Even though they broke up in 2001, they couldn’t let go of the music and the magic, and in 2008 Aqua got back together, releasing a ‘Greatest Hits’ album and two new singles, ‘Back to the 80s’ and ‘My Mamma Said, the following year. The third studio album ‘Megalomania, released in 2011, saw Aqua gravitate towards a modern electropop sound. With more than 30 mio. albums and singles sold worldwide, Aqua is the greatest pop band Denmark has ever seen and they have remained on top of the game throughout a career that continues to excite and thrill fans all around the world.
Read MoreThe Wanted
The Wanted are a British-Irish boy band formed in 2009, consisting of group members Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, Nathan Sykes, and the late Tom Parker. They signed with Universal Music, Island Records, and Mercury Records, managed by Scooter Braun. Their debut album, ‘The Wanted,’ released in 2010, peaked at number four on the UK Albums Chart.
The album spawned three UK top 20 singles including ‘All Time Low,’ ‘Heart Vacancy,’ and ‘Lose My Mind.’ Their follow-up album, ‘Battleground,’ released in 2011, reached number five in the UK and number four in Ireland. The band achieved success in the U.S. and Canada with the single ‘Glad You Came’ in 2012, and later announced a hiatus in 2014. The band’s achievements include multiple awards and certifications, and they reunited in 2021 for a charity concert in honor of band member Tom Parker, who passed away in 2022.