Recent posts: rnb

Viewing the 2025 NAMM Show performance schedule, I devoted time each day to peep live amazing live acts from a myriad of music genres. Arriving on Wednesday, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to catch hip-hop and R&B/soul string quartet wholesoul at the cozy Westin Hotel which served as the perfect venue to showcase the group’s skills as their music floated in the air from afar. Featuring Julliard classically trained violist Drew Forde aka “ThatViolaKid” among the foursome, their short set flew by.

Entering The Grammy Museum’s latest ” Hip-Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit”, in the center of the room, an eye-catching case with studded jeweled nails worn by Bay Area rapper Saweetie, rests. Contributing this trendsetting piece of hip-hop art is celebrity artist and nail salon owner Temeka Jackson. Beginning her nail art journey as the first Black nail technician in New Haven, Connecticut, she’s appeared in reality shows like “Next Top Nail Artist” and “Nailed It”. Today, staying booked and busy, her custom creations reign on red carpets, music video sets and magazine covers on the reg.

While perusing through the stacked lineup for Bull City’s 5^thAnnual Art of Cool Fest earlier this fall, my eyes immediately stopped at one name. Dwele. Universally known for hailing from the historic Midwestern music metropolis of Detroit, he respectfully pays homage to the greats that came before but blazed his own action-packed melodic trail since his demo debut ‘The Rize’ in 2000. His career’s gone fascinating places, linking up with Raphael Saadiq, Eric Roberson, Slum Village, Common, Phife, Raheem Devaughn, DJ Quik and Kanye.