You’ll be seeing a lot of “rewind selectors” here in the coming weeks as I’ve discovered a ton of concert videos that I never uploaded to the You Tube channel and shared with you.
As you know, I spent Valentine’s night stanning for Bilal. He rolled solo that night, sans his back up singers. Raheem Devaughnwas in the house and all too happy to rock with “one of the most talented muhfuckers in the game.”
He helped Bilalout on backing vocals for a few songs and then took the stage and freestyled over “White Turns to Grey,” the panty-dropper on his lost album, Love for Sale.
Rah, you’re doing it right here. Cut the crap and get back on task. And did I hear mention of he and Bilal on tour? Well, we would need to get an album from Bilal first of course. Imagine that. 0_O
I wasn’t in the mood to play Mata Hari that night so I actually obeyed the no recording rule for the most part. Besides, I’m a lover not a fighter at heart. Other than capturing Raheem, I only pulled the camera out to get the end of what turned out to be the last song. Sound problems on the venue’s janky system brought about an abrupt end to “Make Me Over,” which Bilal soulfully mixed with “Planet Rock.”
Stay tuned for a mini-review with video of Omar in concert. If you’re in DC and missed this one for no good reason, I don’t really get you.
Also get ready to go inside the artist’s studio with Erik Rico. You don’t want to miss this cat preaching the gospel of industry rule number 4080.
This is cross-posted over on my Urban Thought Collective column. Thought I would share it here too, particularly for links to the podcasts at the bottom.
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Are you ready for the Grammy Awards this coming Sunday? Are some of your favorite artists and songs nominated?
We are particularly excited here in DC as there are a couple of underrated local artists among the nominees and I’m shining the spotlight on them this week.
Wayna is an Ethiopian-born singer/songwriter artist who released her first album, Moments of Clarity, in 2004. She has opened for artists like Common, Fantasia, Amerie, Bobby Valentino, Jaguar Wright, Kindred, and Chuck Brown. Wayna honed her sweet soulful sound by studying the music of the greats like Billie Holiday, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway and Minnie Riperton. It was a cover of Riperton’s “Lovin You” on her sophomore release, Higher Ground, which has garnered a Grammy Nomination for Best Alternative/Urban Performance.
Check out Wayna’s performance of “Lovin You” at a show here in DC last year.
Another of my favorite songs from Higher Ground is “Close 2 U” Check out the performance at the same show.
On the album version of “Lovin You,” Wayna is joined by fellow DC hip hop artist, Kokayi who also produced the track. Kokayi has been grinding in the business professionally since 1994 and has performed with and produced for numerous artists. He has also toured extensively around the globe, as far away as the Middle East. He is truly a multi-talented emcee who plays piano and drums, freestyles, sings, writes poetry, and creates visual art.
Although I have lived in the DC area for eleven years, I only had the opportunity to see him perform live for the first time last year when he opened for KRS-One. Koyaki is one of the true emcees that make me remember the days I used to love h.e.r.
Check out Kokayi performing a couple of tracks from his lastest album, Mass Instructions.
The Lick
DCB (DC Baby)
I’m sure most of you are familiar with the third artist from DC who is nominated in the Best R&B Song category for “Customer” off of his sophomore album, Love Behind the Melody. Raheem Devaughn has some stiff competition from artists like Jazmine Sullivan, Neyo, Keyshia Cole, and Jennifer Hudson. We’re pulling hard for our native son.
This doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of the talent we are fortunate to have right here in DC. I’ll be spotlighting more of these artists here in future columns. Meantime, please support current and future projects by Wayna, Kokayi and Raheem Devaughn. If they should come to your area, be sure to see them live.
I also have to mention that there are many other underrated male and female artists nominated in various categories. I have been checking hard for Janelle Monae, Maiysha, Anthony David, and Sam Sparro and I’m glad to see they got some recognition. View the complete list of nominations here and watch for those categories on Sunday. Whether they win or not, you will certainly be hearing more about them here.
I appreciate the support you’ve shown the music thus far so I wanted to share a treat. Some of my favorite podcasters were asked to put together mixes featuring Grammy nominated artists in various genres. Visit each of their sites and download the free mixes. While you’re there, check out some of their previous mixes which you can also download for free. It’s one of the primary ways I discover new artists.
I’m still alive and kicking folks. Time has just not been on my side. I am still working out how to get myself on a regular posting schedule this summer especially since my stats are actually on the upswing. I attribute that to this and my debut here though. Gotta produce content to keep people coming through. It’s not going to be easy with my schedule in the months ahead – business and pleasure. As I always say, you make time for what’s important to you. The show will go on.
This past weekend, I enjoyed two great shows which I plan to review in the coming days – or as soon as I can get the video uploaded. Saturday night, I braved the brutal temperatures again to see Rahsaan Patterson, Kindred, and a local smooth jazz band called Phaze II at an outdoor venue in DC. I always enjoy Kindred. Ya’ll know how I feel about that Philly soul. I’ve seen Rahsaan several times, but this may be the first time I remember really enjoying the show. His voice is always amazing, but his whole disposition has changed. It didn’t seem as if he felt like he was doing us a favor by performing. He thanked us profusely for coming out, even cracked a few jokey jokes. It was just an all-around good time.
Sunday, was the Raheem Devaughn and Chrisette Michele show. Oh, Dwele was there too. You already know how I feel about “CM” as I like to call her. That girl can do no wrong in my book. I was very impressed by “Radio Raheem’s” set. I’ll do a full review at another time, but that dude didn’t want to get off the stage – and I didn’t want him to. I’ve mentioned before that even after several listens, I wasn’t in love with his second album. However, he has me wanting to give it another chance. Now that’s when you know an artist has put on a hell of a show.
This weekend, in the midst of a flurry of planned activities, I hope to get up to Philly to see Boyz II Men perform for free – followed by some fireworks. Can’t get any better than that.
I’m also excited about seeing my favorite band ever, Earth Wind & Fire, in a couple of weeks. I was hesitant because it’s on a Wednesday night, but I can’t miss them. They just make you feel good.
Actually, with all the things I got rattling around my brain, I need to be lying on a beach somewhere or at least underneath a professional masseuse’s capable hands. However, I have to sacrifice for the love of the music. I’ll be purchasing a new laptop this weekend – with a CD drive that actually works. So I’ll be able to load some new music onto the ‘pod. Music therapy, here I come!
Want to know a few of the albums at the top of my wish list? Barely scratches the surface yet I’m already salivating.
Share with me what’s on your wish list. If you have any of these albums, let me know whether they should remain at the top of my list.
This will likely be my one and only post this week as my holiday begins at about 2pm. Days like this, I love my j.o.
Last Wednesday, I was reminded that I never got around to compiling a list of my favorite underrated male soul singers after the female singer post got so much love. The Soul Bounce crew and I had dinner with Anthony David, a highly underrated soul singer whose music I’ve been enjoying since his debut solo album, Three Chords and The Truth was released four years ago. (Thanks to DJ YZO over at Industry Soul for making it happen).
After dinner, we headed up the street to see him perform songs from his latest release, Acey Ducey, which is in stores today. It’s a “best of” CD of sorts, compiling songs that appeared on his first two releases. Now he’s signed to India.Arie’s Soulbird label and I expect he will be getting down to the business of bringing us some new hotness very soon. Meanwhile, Soul Bounce got the exclusive on a new track to tide us over until then.
I have to say I’ve never met a cooler cat. Felt like I was hanging with one of my boys when he teased me about nursing my drink. I mean, I was trying to be on my best behavior and all. Under normal circumstances…
I’ve seen him live four or five times and I have to say he was at the top of his game with this performance. Not sure if he is more comfortable in intimate venues or if being newly signed to a major label has caused him to step his game up! However, I was torn between recording the whole show and wanting to get up there and rock with him and the band. Seriously.
Check him out:
Spittin Game
Krooked Cop
More of his concert video over on my You Tube channel, which is up to over 300 videos now! Ya’ll have no idea of the blood, sweat and tears I’ve put into that thing. Be sure to check it out and subscribe. I’m working on a page on this site that will have all the video listed and categorized. Stay tuned!
So did you enjoy those performances? Well here are some of his other soul brethren I think you should know that don’t be getting no airplay. Again, this list is by nomeans exhaustive. Like you did on the underrated female soul singers post, I need you to hip me to artists I may have overlooked.
It’s been almost a month since this concert, but life comes at you fast. Besides, I had a little ranting and edumucating to do before I could get back to the music. Never fear. I’ll always come back to the music.
I have to credit Butta with first introducing me to Teedra some two years ago. On a couple of occasions, I was consulting the expert on must-have albums I needed to have in my collection. She always put Teedra’s 2004 release, Complex Simplicity on her list of favorite albums. I downloaded some songs and gave them a listen, but was more excited about seeing her perform live . That’s when an artist truly cements their place in my heart. Leave the stage in flames and you’ll have a fan here for life.
I missed her when she came to the area last year. So when I heard she was coming back and that Eric Roberson was opening, I was all over it.
Ya’ll already know how I feel about the Erro concert experience. He never disappoints. He rocked with us for well over an hour, well beyond what you would expect from an opening act! The man loves the music and performing for the fans. I believe with a case of Gatorade up there, he could stay all night.
Of course I got some video.
New music from an upcoming album that I hope we’ll see sometime this year:
Head To Toe
At most shows, Erro takes random words thrown out by the crowd and freestyles on the spot…and the song actually makes sense! Plain and simple, that is pure talent because most times the words are extremely random.
Freestyle
By the time Teedra took the stage, the natives were restless, to say the least. One thing I can say is that Teedra has a strong fan base. They adore her and I think a fight would break out if anybody said anything bad about Miss Moses!
For her female fans, her songs have that relatable quality. You can identify with what she’s going through because you’ve been there and done that ghetto love thang.
It’s sassy and in your face, while still being classy. On You Better Tell Her, she lets her man know, “You better get that bitch told tonight!” After all, she’s wifey and it’s her name on the accounts.
For the men, you got this pretty, ride-or-die chick that keeps it gangsta but can easily flip it and get sultry and sexy, letting the man know she just wants to be with him.
Be Your Girl
Backstroke
As you’ll notice, the crowd knows each and every word to all of her songs. At times, you could barely hear her. I can imagine that’s got to feel good to an artist to have fans that have let their tapes rock til their tapes popped – and know all the words to your songs.
Despite how big she may one day become, she is always going to have that homegirl quality about her. I think you’ll always be able to imagine kicking it with her like regular folks. Check out her blog entry from last July when she announced that her album wouldn’t be out until this year.
Hey yall. Just letting you know that my album is not coming out this year. It has been push to the top of next year. Not my decision but I ain’t mad. It is what it is. I really am ready for yall to hear it though!!! I wish I could invite all of yall to my house. We’d have cocktails. I would cook yall some really good down home cajun dish. (You know New Orleans redbones are raised to show talent in the bedroom and the kitchen…. yada mean!) Me and The Black Moses Group (my band) could rock out in the backyard. Afterward we could get on some layed back sexy shit in my living room and listen to the The Young Lioness roar. Its funny, industry people think every artist hates their label, but in my case their wrong. I don’t hate nobody. I just don’t quite understand their logic. But don’t cry for me Argentina. I’m soooo Goood!! I don’t put my faith in a label my faith is in God, who reminds to have faith in myself and my team. God has a plan for me so no weapons formed against me will ever prosper. Its taken me a while to humbly accept it, but I am truly blessed with a talent from God. The world didn’t give it and damn sho can’t take it away. Thank yall for staying down so long, waiting so patiently and supporting so consistant and diligently.Showing up to everyshow packing the house singing loud and having fun with me. Telling all ya folks about me and always making me feel relevant in a musical climate that has forgotten the value of an artist that still makes music out of a love for it. I love yall for soooo many reasons. 1 reason is for the way you relate to me and just accept me for being myself and so many other reasons. Just so yall know, in 2008 I’m gunning for world recognition. Yall know i ain’t no superstar and never will be but Hot Dammit! I’m a natural born ROCKSTAR!!!!! and simply put I think the world should have a chance to witness a Young Lioness.
I think so too, Teedra.
The only criticism I have is that her headliner sets are way too short. It paled in comparison to Erro, who was opening for her! Seems like it should have been switched. I understand the same thing happened the last time she performed in DC. I heard several fans complaining about the price of the tickets in comparison to the show they got. They were there to rock with Teedra til the break of dawn! There were several songs she didn’t do and I felt she could have done some material from her upcomingmaybe never coming release, The Young Lioness. Her fans are chomping at the bit and she left them wanting. That’s not always good.
Fortunately for her, someone was there to save the day. The crowd she attracts is similar to Raheem Devaughn’s and so it was no surprise that he showed up and did a number at the end of the show.
Prototype
What I appreciate about artists like Teedra, besides her talent and stage presence, is the fact that she is so appreciative of her fans. She was very humble and sincere in thanking us for supporting her and loving her music.
On another note, although Teedra is not an independent artist, her humble spirit reminds me of why I will always support independent music. These artists are still hungry and are grateful for the people that are buying the tickets to the shows and dropping the money for their albums.
Despite the brevity of her performances, Teedra has something special and I’ll always support her music and her live performances.
For more information, visit her website or her Myspace pages:
SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE 