Recent posts: soul

Throughout the 2010’s, nestled in North Carolina’s Bull City stood one of the premier jazz and R&B festivals. Assembling historic lineups with ease, where one could view legendary and rising talent favs at several venues across Durham, the Art of Cool Fest became a yearly highlight. During its second year, it drew bandleader, film and TV composer Kris Bowers. Connecting with him then in 2015, he spoke of working on Showtime’s Kobe Bryant ‘Muse’ documentary and the booked and busy musical road ahead of him.

As images of elaborate floats descend down historic New Orleans streets and mid-air bead tossing continue into the late night hours, one can’t help but get swept up in the mardi gras madness. An album that perfectly encapsulates this distinct time of year and its special festive atmosphere is Delfeayo Marsalis and The Uptown Jazz Orchestra’s “Uptown On Mardi Gras Day”. Whether it’s the “Mardi Gras Mambo” or the “Uptown Boogie”, this 2023 12-song offering takes the listener down to Bourbon St right quick.

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.

As I bid farewell to the first half of 2017 and seek music to replenish our soul summer song playlists, one album automatically getting the add is Cody’s ChesnuTT’s latest effort ‘My Love Divine Degree’. Continuing in his introspective and social commentary combination trademark style, Cody’s new full-length focuses on conscious culture and the Black family structure. Collaborating with Raphael Saadiq on a few tracks, broad influences meld like a spiritual union at the intersection of soul and folk, while occasionally dabbling in electronica and reggae.

I chatted with Cody at SXSW a while ago about this new album, working with The Roots, attending The MTV VMAs, a chance encounter with Pharrell and being in Dave Chappelle’s Block Party movie. Surprisingly, we also touched upon his time at working at Death Row Records, the legendary label founded by Dr. Dre, The D.O.C. and Suge Knight. Peep the interview soundclips below and get the album HERE!

For anyone with eyes, compassion for humankind and a heart, it’s obvious 2016’s been a roller-coaster year for many. There’s been darkness and death mixed with happy moments along the way. These extreme moments naturally bring forth introspection and pondering the meaning of life, with Selah Sue’s sophomore album ‘Reason’ arriving at the perfect time.

Captivated by the soulful sorrow of her self-titled debut which featured songs like “Fade Away”, “Break” and “Fyah Fyah”, I initially connected with her in 2012 right before she would take the US by storm. Four years later, she’s now released her second record, just as heartbreakingly personal, discussing relationships with a more mature sound but inner melancholy and self-acceptance struggles linger. Since its release on June 3rd, the album’s stacked with tracks on repeat.

I chatted with Selah Sue as she prepared for her June US release about going platinum in multiple countries, self-turmoil while balancing responsibilities, the personal and musical community loss of Prince, her CeeLo Green and Childish Gambino collaborations, WTF moments getting stuck in a fun house, weird and dope fan experiences and her love for cooking and cuddling. Peep the soundclips BELOW and get the album and tour dates HERE! !