Thursday, January 31, 2013

Live Video of the Day: "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing" (Michael Bolton feat. Melanie Fiona)


Michael Bolton and Melanie Fiona stopped by NBC's "The Today Show"yesterday to perform a solid cover of the Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell 1968 classic "Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing." Written by the legendary duo Ashford & Simpson, Michael Bolton and Melanie Fiona might be an odd pairing, but the duo really work on "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing." Peep the duo's sublime performance of "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing" below and lookout for Bolton's forthcoming covers LP Ain’t No Mountain High Enough later this year.


Interview: Beyoncé on "Super Bowl Live"


After performing a phenomenal live rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and answering several questions during her official Super Bowl press conference of the Super Bowl, Beyoncé caught up with Rich Eisen and Deion Sanders on "Super Bowl Live" on the NFL Network to talk about why she chose to start off her press conference with a live a cappella rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner," what we can expect from her halftime performance, whose halftime performance she admires the most and so much more. Watch Beyoncé's interview below and Enjoy!


Song of the Day: "Quickie" (Miguel)


"Quickie" - Miguel
  • Writers: Miguel Pimentel, Mac Robinson & Brian Warfield
  • Producers: Fisticuffs
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Released in 2011 from All I Want Is You
  • Peaked at #62 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart

Live Audio: "Alfie" (Whitney Houston)


During Whitney Houston's "The Bodyguard World Tour," Houston often performed a sublime rendition of the standard "Alfie," made famous by Whitney's cousin Dionne Warwick. With that said, as we continue to mourn the loss of The Voice and honor her legacy, I though it would be right to offer up this live audio that was ripped during one of her 1994 concerts. Take a listen below to her sublime rendition of "Alfie" below and continue to remember Whitney for her talent and the gift she blessed us with throughout the years.


Amazing Cover: "Pony" (Ed Sheeran)


ThisIsRnB caught up with Ed Sheeran in NYC towards the middle of last year when the UK crooner was just breaking in the States and during his time, the famed UK sensation took some time out of his day to perform an acoustic cover of the Ginuwine classic "Pony." Peep his performance below and Enjoy!


A Cappella: "The Star-Spangled Banner" (Beyoncé)


Almost an hour ago, Beyoncé held a press conference ahead of her highly anticipated Super Bowl halftime performance and before she took any questions, Beyoncé used the moment to shut down the hate around her recent performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner." With that said, Beyoncé performed a sublime a cappella rendition to prove that even though she opted to perform a recorded rendition at the inauguration, due to time constraints, she is indeed a live performer. Watch her phenomenal performance of "The Star-Spangled Baner" below and Enjoy!





New Video: "Explosions" (Ellie Goulding)


Ellie Goulding is back with another video and this time it is for her joint "Explosions," which is lifted from her critically accalimed sophomore album Halcyon. While this video features live black-and-white performance clips of Ellie strung together to underscore the lyrics to "Explosions," it's a solid video that warrants a view below.


Second Liste: "More Bounce to the Ounce" (Zapp)


Back in 1980 Ohio-based P-Funk band Zapp released their self-titled debut album "Zapp" and the standout track from the set was the George Clinton co-produced joint "More Bounce to the Ounce." Eventually peaking at #2 on the Black singles chart, "More Bounce to the Ounce" is one of those classic P-Funk joints that never get old and you can take a second listen to it below!


New Video: "Two Black Cadillacs" (Carrie Underwood)


A few days late on Carrie Underwood's latest video, but the haunting official visual for her latest single "Two Black Cadillacs" is a twisted tale compiled effortlessly by Carrie and her team. Lifted as the third official single from her platinum-selling fourth album Blown Away, "Two Black Cadillacs" is a thumping big vocal number from Carrie Underwood and you can peep the official video for it below.


Behind the Scenes: "Countdown to Touchdown" (Beyoncé)


Just last night, Beyoncé posted an official behind-the-scenes visual on her personal YouTube page entitled "Countdown to Touchdown" of her and her dancers practicing for B's upcoming Super Bowl Halftime performance. While Beyoncé lets fans know that this is only day one of rehearsal, it seems as though her and her team are already cooking up one for the ages. Watch the brief footage below and hopefully more will hit the net ahead of her highly anticipated Super Bowl performance.



Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Live Video of the Day: "All I Want Is You" (Miguel)


While Miguel has been flying high since the end of last year when it was announced that he was nominated for five Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year for "Adorn," I thought it would be appropriate to take it back to his debut single "All I Want Is You" from his Jive Records debut LP All I Want Is You ahead of the 2013 Grammy Awards. With that said, below you will find Miguel crooning out the title-track to his debut album from the Hat Factory in Richmond, VA form back in 2011. Watch it go down below and Enjoy!


Live Clip: "Saving All My Love For You"/"And I Am Telling You" (Jennifer Hudson)


Last November, Jennifer Hudson performed at a Saturday night gala in Paradise Island, Bahamas and left the crowd on their feet towards the end of her set when she covered Whitney Houston's classic "Saving All My Love For You" and her iconic rendition of the Dreamgirls standard "And I Am Telling You." While I just came across this sublime clip today, it just further substantiates my claims that Jennifer Hudson is one of the best singers in the game hands down. Watch Jennifer's riveting performance that left Oprah and Sir Sidney Poitier offering up the Oscar and Grammy-winning songstress a standing ovation below and Enjoy!


Song of the Day: "Poison" (Bell Biv DeVoe)


"Poison" - Bell Biv DeVoe
  • Writer: Elliot Straite
  • Producer: Dr. Freeze
  • Record Label: MCA Records
  • Released in 1990 from "Poison"
  • Peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 & #1 on the Hot R&B Singles Chart

New Joint: "NLX" (Dawn Richard)


After releasing her critically and commercially successful debut solo album Goldenheart earlier this month, Dawn Richard has released a remix to her joint "Northern Light" thanks to the production styles of D'Mile. Lifted as one of the bonus cuts from Goldenheart, "NLX" slows the pace down a bit from the original "Northern Light" and is another banger in my opinion from Dawn Richard. Take a listen below to "NLX" and Enjoy!

New Video: "Girl on Fire (Japanese Version)" (Alicia Keys)


Alicia Keys' "Girl on Fire" single continues to be making moves on the charts and just recently the official Japanese version of "Girl on Fire" has hit the net. Finding keys in a floral background, this visual offers a different take to Keys' original colorful video for the single. Peep the Japanese version of "Girl on Fire" below and Enjoy!


Live Clip: "Keep Your Head to the Sky" (Earth, Wind & Fire)


Earth, Wind & Fire's classic 1973 hit "Keep Your Head to the Sky" is one of those oldies but goodies that is truly an evergreen hit in my book. Lifted from the group's "Head to the Sky," the Maurice White penned classic is a great uplifting joint and you can watch their 1974 California Jam rendition of "Keep Your Head to the Sky" below!


Amazing Cover: "Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want" (Liam Bailey)


It's been a minute since I've heard of some happenings with Liam Bailey and while I await to see if he will get the States push like a lot of his contemporaries are currently receiving, I am reminded of his "2am Rough Tracks" series which is how I first heard of him. With that said, take a listen below to his cover of "The Smiths' "Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want," from said musical series and Enjoy!


Rare Performance: "If This World Were Mine" (Luther Vandross & Cheryl Lynn)


Luther Vandross' sublime duet with Cheryl Lynn on the Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell classic "If This World Were Mine," is in my book the most overlooked duet in the past 30 years of music. While a sizable groups od individuals are aware of this brillant remake and classic, it seems as if its brilliance has been lost and more recent generations. With that said, peep their rare live performance of "If This World Were Mine," which is lifted from a performance at "Soul Train" back in the day and Enjoy!


Live Audio: "Endow Me" (LeAndria Johnson)


I've posted Season 3 winner of BET's "Sunday's Best" LeAndria Johnson's live renditions of "Endow Me" from a performance several years ago on here before and there is just something about her anointed voice that gets me on this classic. With that said, take a listen below to her phenomenal performance  of "Endow Me" and Enjoy!


Second Listen: "Stronger Than Me" (Amy Winehouse)


Back in 2003 Amy Winehouse released her debut single from her debut album "Frank" entitled "Stronger Than Me." Co-written by Winehouse and Salaam Remi, "Stronger Than Me" would go onto become her lowest appearance on the UK Singles Chart peaking at #71. With that said, "Stronger Than Me" would be the beginning of such a game changing career that has brought about what seems to be the latest British invasion with the likes of Duffy and Adele to name a few. Take a first or second listen to "Stronger Than Me," which would go onto ignite such a steller career below and Enjoy!


Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Live Video of the Day: "Next to Me" (Emeli Sandé)


Emeli Sandé hit up NBC's "The Today Show" earlier today to continue her promotional tour for her breakthrough debut LP Our Version of Events and during her time on the show, Emeli performed her thumping hit single "Next to Me" in addition to opening up about winning over new audiences to Matt Lauer. Watch Emeli Sandé's sublime performance of "Next to Me" below and Enjoy!


New Joint: "Second Chance" (Onra)


I recently came across producer Onra and this throwback joint "Second Chance." While I am not too familiar with Onra, his 90s inspired R&B joint is a solid throwback that warrants a listen or two below and the free download. Take a listen below to "Second Chance" and Enjoy!


Song of the Day: "Come and Talk to Me" (Jodeci)


"Come and Talk to Me" - Jodeci
  • Writers: Al B Sure & DeVante Swing
  • Producers: Al B Sure and DeVante Swing
  • Record Label: Uptown/MCA
  • Released in 1992 from "Forever My Lady"
  • Peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles

New Joint: "I Do" (Olivia feat. French Montana)


Olivia is currently hard at work on her Wonda Music debut album Show The World and ahead of its release later this year a new joint from Olivia has dropped in the form of the French Montana assisted joint "I Do." With that said, take a listen below to "I Do" and Enjoy!



Live Audio: "No More" (Dinah Washington)


Dinah Washington also refereed to as "The Queen of Blues" is one of the greatest voices in popular music history hands down. Her vocals are so crisp and tinged with the perfect amount of emotion. With that said, listen below to her sublime performance of the jazz standard "No More" below and Enjoy!


Second Listen: "Share My Life" (Kem)


On Kem's latest album "Intimacy," he featured a smooth cut entitled "Share My Life." Though it was released as his second single, in my opinion it is the strongest track from this effort. With that said, take a second listen to "Share My Life"  below and Enjoy!


Live Clip: "Nature Boy" (Celine Dion)


One of my all-time favorite songs has to be the standard Nature Boy. It really doesn't matter who performs it in my book as it is one of those evergreen songs that gains new meaning whenever a talented vocalist performs the emotive standard. With that said, Celine Dion has been known to perform "Nature Boy" on occasion and below you will find a stirring rendition of hers from back in 2002. Watch her riveting performance of "Nature Boy" below and Enjoy!


New Joint: "Enough" (Tweet)


Tweet is back yet again with another solid joint and this time it is in the form of the smooth "Enough." While her "TweetTuesdays" haven't occurred in a while, it is refreshing to hear this thumping new ballad from the famed songstress whose forthcoming EP "Simply Tweet" is due February 26th, ahead of an upcoming LP later this year.  Take a listen to "Enough" below and hopefully it will be enough to tide you over until "Simply Tweet" is released next month.


Amazing Cover: "Too Close" (Eric Benet)


Having released his latest studio LP The One last year, Eric Benet has just recently uploaded a cover of Alex Clare's breakout hit single "Too Close" to raise further awareness of his own new music. Armed with just his powerful voice and a pianist, Eric Benet really flips "Too Close" on its head and you can watch his soulful interpretation below!


Monday, January 28, 2013

Live Clip: "Full Moon" (Brandy)


During Honda's "Battle of the Bands" in Atlanta this past weekend, Brandy rocked out the crowd with a rousing set of current singles and throwback classics including her thumping classic "Full Moon." Brandy of course was in fine vocal form and you can watch her and her background dancers take you back to the early 2000s with this solid rendition of "Full Moon."


New Joint: "Only One" (PJ Morton feat. Stevie Wonder)


The legendary Stevie Wonder is one of the ultimate collaborative gets if you can get it and as a new artist, one would think that would be unheard of until PJ Morton's collaboration with Wonder hit the net. Entitled "Only One," Stevie Wonder's legendary musical skills aid in the sublime instrumentation of Morton's "Only One" and you can take a listen to it all go down below!


Song of the Day: "Sweet Love" (Anita Baker)


"Sweet Love"
  • Writers: Anita Baker, Gary Bias, Louis Johnson
  • Record Label: Elektra Records
  • "Sweet Love" was released in 1986 from Rapture.
  • It reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the Hot R&B Charts.

New Joint: "So What If It Is" (The Foreign Exchange)


"So What If It Is" is The Foreign Exchange's new single from their +FE Music: The Reworks remix compilation. Spanning two discs, the specially priced set features remixes from Nicolay, Zo! 4hero, ?uestlove & James Poyser, and serves as a primer for +FE Music's upcoming releases: ManMade by Zo! and The Foreign Exchange's long-awaited 4th LP, Love In Flying Colors. Take a listen below to the thumping "So What If It Is" below and Enjoy!


Second Listen: "Always" (Atlantic Starr)


Back in 1987 Atlantic Starr released their seventh studio album "All in the Name of Love" and the second single from their album was their #1 hit "Always." Peaking at #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Black Singles chart, "Always"would become the group's biggest hit to date. With that said, take a first or second listen below to "Always" by Atlantic Starr and Enjoy!


Live Audio: "Live in Dortmund 1988 (Whitney Houston)


During Whitney Houston's 1987- 1988 "Moment Of Truth" tour that was in support of her sophomore album Whitney, the famed songstress performed at the "Westfalenhallen" in Dortmund, Germany on June 4th, 1988. While we have audio from said concert below, it unfortunetly is only the first half of the concert which features "Didn't We Almost Have It All," "Love Will Save The Day," "You Give Good Love," "So Emotional," "Love Is A Contact Sport," "How Will I Know" and "Saving All My Love For You." While you can only listen to half of her setlist from Dortmund, this half concert audio is easily better than 95% of the "live" acts out there today. Listen below and Enjoy!


Amazing Cover: "Fire We Make" (Raheem DeVaughn)


Raheem DeVaughn is putting the finishing touches on his forthcoming album A Place Called Love Land and while he's still working hard on his highly anticipated LP, Raheem found some time to flip the Alicia Keys, Maxwell and Gary Clark Jr. quiet storm slow jam "Fire We Make." Putting his falsetto into overdrive, Raheem DeVaughn coos out a sublime rendition of "Fire We Make" that feels like it should've been a Raheem original. With that said, take a listen below to his phenomenal take of "Fire We Make" and Enjoy!


Mashup: "Say My Name/Cry Me A River" (The Neighbourhood)


While I was unfamiliar with California's own The Neighbourhood, they recently found themselves across the pond in Londontown performing on Radio 1's Late Live Lounge and during their stint, the group performed a rousing mashup of Destiny's Child's "Say My Name" and Justin Timberlake's "Cry Me A River." As you are aware, Destiny's Child and Justin Timberlake are both slated to release new music in the coming weeks and it only seems fitting that The Neighbourhood would release such a splendid mashup of two of the biggest songs of the 2000s. With that said, take a listen below to The Neighbourhood's "Say My Name/Cry Me A River" and Enjoy!


New Joint: "Lay Me Down" (Sam Smith)


Sam Smith is one of 2013's artists to watch and the famed singer/songwriter who first garnered attention via Disclosure's "Latch" has just released his official debut single in the form of the stunning "Lay Me Down." Penned by Sam himself, this smooth emotive ballad was produced by Disclosure and Jimmy Napes and is only a taste of hopefully what will be a full project from Sam later this year. Either way it might end up, "Lay Me Down" is the best new joint I've heard this month hands down and you can take a listen to it below.


Sunday, January 27, 2013

Live Video of the Day: "Brand New Me" (Alicia Keys)


This past Saturday night, Alicia Keys appeared on "The Jonathan Ross Show" and during her time on the UK late night show, Alicia Keys performed a rousing rendition of her Emeli Sandé co-penned current single "Brand New Me," which is lifted from her recent release Girl On Fire. Armed with just a piano and her powerful voice, Alicia Keys belted out a riveting rendition of "Brand New Me" and you can watch it all go down below.


Live Audio: Live in Taipei 1997 (Whitney Houston)


Back in 1997 during Whitney's Pacific Rim Tour to help support The Preacher's Wife soundtrack, Whitney performed at the Taipei Municipal Stadium in Taipei, Taiwan on May 25th of that year. During her rousing set in Taipei, Whitney of course performed her hits "I'm Every Woman," "So Emotional, "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)," "Saving All My Love for You," "Greatest Love of All," a special cover of Aretha Franklin's "Freeway of Love," my gospel favorite from Whitney "I Love the Lord" and of course her standard "I Will Always Love You." Take a listen below to her sublime performance and Enjoy!


Song of the Day: "Truly" (Lionel Richie)


"Truly" - Lionel Richie
  • Writer: Lionel Richie
  • Producers: Lionel Richie & James Anthony Carmichael
  • Record Label: Motown
  • Released in 1982 from "Lionel Richie"
  • Peaked at #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the Black Singles Chart

Interview: Alicia Keys on The Jonathan Ross Show


Alicia Keys has been making the rounds in Europe these past few days and during her time in the UK, Alicia stopped by The Jonathan Ross Show to help promote her current album Girl On Fire. During her time in the "hot seat," Alicia opened up about performing "Obama's on Fire" during the inauguration, performs a brief a cappella rendition of "Empire State of Mind," talks about her husband Swizz Beatz, her two-year-old son Egypt, and so much more. Peep her interview below and lookout for her on her forthcoming "Set the World on Fire" tour when she hits a city near you.


Amazing Cover: "Simply Beautiful" (Mara Hruby)


I definitely a fan of burgeoning artist Mara Hruby and her sublime cover of the Al Green classic "Simply Beautiful" is something so sweet and beautiful. With that said, check out this live amazing cover of Al Green's "Simply Beautiful from Hruby from Yoshi's below and Enjoy!


New Joint: "A Couple of Forevers" (Chrisette Michele)


Having released her mixtape project "Audrey Hepburn: An Audiovisual Presentation," last year, Chrisette Michele is now looking to her forthcoming April 30th album Better. While the title track has already hit the net, a new joint from the Grammy-winning songstress has hit the net in the form of the Pop & Oak produced joint "A Couple of Forevers." Written by Tiwa Savage & Wansel, this smooth soulful joint is just what fans and casual listeners of Chrisette Michele are looking for and you can take a listen to it below.





A Cappella: "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" (Kelly Price)


One of the most slept on singers in the frame right now in my opinion is Ms. Kelly Price. While we have seen spurts of her in the "lime light," her talents alone warrant much more attention than she has received in recent years. With that said, one of my favorite performances of Kelly Price's has to be her phenomenal a cappella rendition of the gospel hymn "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" and you can take a listen to it below.


Second Listen: "Take Me There" (Blackstreet & Mya feat. Ma$e and Blinky Blink)


Back in 1999, Blackstreet, Mya, and then Bad Boy rappers Ma$e and Blinky Blink were all featured on the lead single from "The Rugrats Movie: Music From The Motion Picture" soundtrack.  Entitled "Take Me There," the single proved to be a top ten hit for the collaborators and was one of the hottest joints from 1999 that still goes in my book. With that said, take a second listen below to "Take Me There" and Enjoy!