Interview: Fantasia

Check out this inspiring interview that Fantasia gave to 106 & Park... Enjoy!

Live Video of the Day: "Back Stabbers" (The O'Jays)

Check out this amazing live performance of The O'Jays'  hit  "Back Stabbers"... Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Adore" (Alicia Keys)

Check out this amazing cover of Prince's "Adore"  that Alicia Keys performed during BET's Prince tribute... Enjoy!

Song Of the Day: "Midnight Train To Georgia" (Gladys Knight and The Pips)

"Midnight Train To Georgia" - Gladys Knight and The Pips

• Writer: Jim Weatherly 
• Producers: Tony Camillo & Gladys Knight & the Pips
• Classification: Old-School Soul
  
• Record Label: Buddah Records
  
• "Midnight Train To Georgia" was released in 1973.
• It reached #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot Soul Singles chart.
• "Midnight Train to Georgia" won the 1974 Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus.

Interview: Lauryn Hill

Check out this NPR interview with Lauryn Hill. The interview starts around the 3 minute mark, but the backstory that NPR gives is great! Enjoy!

Live Video of the Day: "Everything To Me/Silly" (Monica and Deniece Williams)

Check out this amazing collabo of Monica and Deniece Williams performing their respected songs... Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "Adore" (Prince)

"Adore" - Prince

• Writer and Producer: Prince Nelson
• Classification: Smooth Soul, Slow Jam, Quiet Storm, Funk, and Psychedelic Soul
• Record Label: Paisley Park/Warner Bros.
• Featured on 1987's Sign o' the Times

Amazing Cover: "Where Peaceful Water Flows" (Jennifer Hudson)

Check out this amazing cover that Jennifer Hudson performed during promotion of Dreamgirls of Gladys Knight's "Where Peaceful Water Flows".... Enjoy!

Behind the Music: Jennifer Hudson

Check out Jennifer Hudson's Behind the Music special... Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "If This Isn't Love" (Jennifer Hudson)

"If This Isn't Love" - Jennifer Hudson

• Writers: Theron Thomas, Terry Thomas, and Brian Kennedy
• Producers: Brian Kennedy
  
• Classification: Slow Jam and Smooth Soul
  
• Record Label: Arista Records
• "If This Isn't Love"was released in 2009 from Jennifer Hudson.
• Peaked at #5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

Live Video of the Day: "BET Medley" (Alicia Keys)

Check out this amazing performance that Alicia Keys performed last night at the BET Awards... Enjoy!

Amazing Covers: Prince Tribute (Prince)

Check out this amazing Prince tribute that BET put on!

Amazing Cover: "Purple Rain" (Patti Labelle)

Check out this amazing cover of Prince's "Purple Rain" by Ms. Patti Labelle! She is killing it yall!

Song of the Day: "Born Again" (V featuring Jill Scott)

"Born Again"

• Classification: Philly Soul, Neo-Soul, Slow Jam, and Smooth Soul
  
• Record Label: BEE Records
  
• Released in 2005 from the album "The Revelation Is Now Televised."

Live Video of the Day: "Always and Forever" (Heatwave)

Check out this amazing performance of Heatwave's "Always and Forever" which has always been one of my favorite jams... Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "The Closer I Get to You" (Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway)

"The Closer I Get to You"

• Writers: Reggie Lucas and James Mtume
• Producer: Joe Ferla, Roberta Flack, and Eugene McDaniels
• Classification: Old-School Soul, Smooth Soul, and Quiet Storm
• Record Label: Atlantic Records
• "The Closer I Get to You" was released in 1978 from Blue Lights in the Basement.
• It reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles

Live Video of the Day: "Human Nature" (Michael Jackson)

Peep this amazing Performance of Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" back in 1987... Enjoy!

Song of the Day: Just Friends (Sunny) (Musiq Soulchild)

"Just Friends (Sunny)" - Musiq Soulchild

• From Musiq's debut album Aijuswanaseing
• Producers: Ivan "Orthodox" Barias & Carvin "Ransum" Haggins
• Classification: Philly Soul, Neo-Soul
  
• Record Label: Def Soul
  
• "Just Friends (Sunny)" was released in 2000
• The song peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. 

Live: Jools Holland

Video:

New Video: "Bittersweet" (Fantasia)

Check out Fantasia's latest video for "Bittersweet"... Enjoy!

Live Video of the Day: "Kissed It" (Macy Gray)

Check out Macy Gray performing her latest single "Kissed It" live on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon... Enjoy!

Live Video of the Day: "At This Time" (Algebra)

Check out this amazing performance of Algebra's "At This Time".... Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "T.O.N.Y." (Solange)

"T.O.N.Y."

• Writers:  Jack Splash and Thomas DeCarlo Callaway
• Producer: Jack Splash
• Classified: Neo-Soul, Old-School Soul, Hip-Hop Soul
• Record Label: Music World, Geffen
• Released in 2009 from"Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dream"
• Peaked at # 62 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

Song of the Day: "Take Off the Blues (Feat. Darien Brockington)" (The Foreign Exchange)

"Take Off the Blues"

• Producer: Nicolay
• Classified: Neo-Soul, Smooth Soul, Hip-Hop Soul, and Jazz-Soul
• Record Label: Foreign Exchange Music
• Released in 2009 from "Leave It All Behind"

Live Video of the Day: "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" (Al Green)

Check out this amazing performance of Al Green's "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart"... Enjoy!

Live Video of the Day: "Isn't It A Shame" (Patti Labelle)

Check out this emotionally charged performance of LaBelle's classic "Isn't It A Shame" performed as only Patti can deliver.... Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "Living For The City" (Stevie Wonder)

"Living For The City" - Stevie Wonder

• Writers: Stevie Wonder
  
• Producer: Stevie Wonder
• Classification: Old-School Soul and Motown
  
• Record Label: Tamla
  
• "Living For The City" was released in 1973 from the album Innervisions.
• It reached #1 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles.

Album Preview: "Back To Me" (Fantasia)

Check out this album preview of Fantasia's "Back To Me"... Enjoy!

New Video: Behind The Scenes Of The "Bittersweet" Video (Fantasia)

Check out the behind the scenes features of Fantasia's upcoming video... Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "I Want You" (Marvin Gaye)

"I Want You" - Marvin Gaye

• Writers: Leon Ware and Arthur "T-Boy" Ross
• Producers: Marvin Gaye and Leon Ware
  
• Classification: Motown, Detroit Soul, Smooth Soul, Slow Jam, Quiet Storm, and Old-School Soul
  
• Record Label: Tamla
• "I Want You" was released in 1976 from I Want You.
• It reached #15 on the U.S. Billboard Pop Singles and #1 on Hot Selling Soul Singles chart

New Video: "Monday Morning" (Melanie Fiona)

Check out Melanie Fiona's latest video for "Monday Morning".... Enjoy!

Interview: Melanie Fiona

Check out this recent interview Melanie Fiona gave over in the UK... Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Smile" (Janelle Monáe)

Check out Janelle Monáe's amazing cover of Charlie Chaplin's "Smile"... Enjoy!

Live Video of the Day: "Orange Moon" (Erykah Badu)

Check out this amazing performance of "Orange Moon", one of my favorite Badu songs... Enjoy!

Rare Performance: "Turn Your Light Down Low", "Doo Wop (That Thing)", & "Fugee-La-La" (Lauryn Hill)

Check out these three performances Lauryn Hill gave recently! Maybe the return is near! :)

Live Video of the Day: "Higher Than This" (Ledisi)

Check out this stirring rendition of Ledisi's latest single "Higher Than This" from A Music Experience.... Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "Dance With My Father" (Luther Vandross)

"Dance With My Father" - Luther Vandross

• Writers: Luther Vandross and Richard Marx
• Classification: Smooth Soul, Quiet Storm, and Slow Jam
• Record Label: J Records
• Released in 2003 from Luther's Dance With My Father Album
• Peaked at #38 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Charts and #28 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

Amazing Cover: "Believe" (Jennifer Hudson)

Check out this amazing tribute Jennifer Hudson gave  Brooks & Dunn with a performance of their  song "Believe"... Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "If This World Were Mine" (Luther Vandross and Cherl Lynn)

"If This World Were Mine"

• Writers: Marvin Gaye
• Producers: Luther Vandross
• Classification: Quiet Storm, Old-School Soul, Slow Jam, and Smooth Soul
  
• Record Label: Columbia Records
• Released in 1982 from "Instant Love"
• Peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
• Cover of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's hit song from their 1967 album United.

Live Video of the Day: "I Am" (Mary J. Blige)

Check out Mary performing "I Am" live on Lopez Tonight.... Enjoy!

Live Video of the Day: "Hometown Glory" (Adele)

Peep Adele's performance of "Hometown Glory" from VH1's Divas Live! This is partly why she is a Grammy winning Best New Artist.... her voice has so much depth... take a listen!

VH1 Divas | Divas Video

Song of the Day: "I Am" (Mary J. Blige)

"I Am" - Mary J. Blige

• Writers: Johntá Austin, Mary J. Blige, Ester Dean, and Stargate
• Producers: Stargate
• Classification: Hip-Hop Soul, Smooth Soul, Slow Jam, Quiet Storm
• Record Label: Geffen
• Featured on 2009's "Stronger With Each Tear"
• Peaked at #4 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart

Song of the Day: "Hate on Me" (Jill Scott)

"Hate on Me"

• Writers and Producers: Jill Scott, Adam Blackstone, and Steve McKie 
• Classification: Philly Soul, Psychedelic Soul, Neo-Soul
• Record Label: Hidden Beach Records
• Released in 2007 from "The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3 "
• Peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

Live Video of the Day: "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (Aretha Franklin)

Check out this amazing video of Aretha Franklin performing her version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water".... Enjoy!

Interview: Charice

Check out this Q&A with Charice... Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "Someday We'll All Be Free" (Donny Hathaway)

"Someday We'll All Be Free"

• Writers: Donny Hathaway and Edward Howard
• Producer: Arif Mardin
• Classification: Old-School Soul, Smooth Soul, Quiet Storm
• Record Label: Atco
• "Someday We'll All Be Free" was released in 1973 from Extension of a Man
• It reached #51 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Charts 

Live Video of the Day: "Hurt" (Christina Aguilera)

Check out this amazing performance of Christina's hit "Hurt". This woman's singing is in another league of today's pop stars... Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "Alright" (Ledisi)

"Alright" - Ledisi

• Writers: Ledisi Young & Rex Rideout
  
• Producers: Ledisi Young & Rex Rideout
• Classification: Jazz-Soul, Neo-Soul, Smooth Soul, Quiet Storm
  
• Record Label: Verve Records
  
• "Love Ballad" was released in 2007.
  
• The song peaked at #45 on the Billboard Hot R&B Charts.
  

Album in the Works: "Back to Me" (Fantasia)

Fantasia will release her newest album, "Back To Me" on July 27th! She states that Steve Harvey actually came up with the title! 

“Steve Harvey suggested the album title and it describes perfectly where I am in my life right now.... I’ve willingly let the world into my life through my book, the Lifetime television movie and now the VH1 reality show. Now, it’s time to go back to how things used to be when America first laid their eyes on me on American Idol.... I want to focus everyone’s attention back to me and back to music that everyone can relate to and enjoy."

New Video: "Real Woman" (Ledisi)

ESSENCE gathered 9 of their favorite actresses to talk about why they love being a Black woman. Ledisi loved the concept so much she dedicated an exclusive song "Real Woman" to the project...