Soul 11 Music: January 2014

Friday, January 31, 2014

Artist News: "The 2014 Grammy’s: Open Letter from @IndiaArie" (India.Arie)

India.Arie is no stranger to a Grammy shutout having been shutout at the 2002 GRAMMY Awards where she was nominated for seven awards including all four of the major awards (Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist). Just like Kendrick Lamar who was robbed during this past Sunday's telecast of the 2014 GRAMMY Awards, India.Arie understands the feeling that he was inevitably going through throughout and after the ceremony finished at the Staples Center.

With that said, she penned an open letter on her Tumblr a few days ago and while Kendrick's shutout is still a hot topic of discussion, I thought it would be appropriate to read over her thoughtful words below.

@Kendricklamar WAS robbed, BUT he was not the only one who was robbed. Personally, I was pleased he was able to perform and they KILLED! IT! One of the FEW moving moments of the night for ME.

Though it’s called “Music industries biggest night” the #Grammys are NOT about the music, it’s a popularity contest. The voting process allows people, to vote on name recognition alone - the music industry politics is a whole NUTHER conversation. Too much to go into here.

The American Music Awards is a show that awards sales and popularity - the #Grammys are SAID to be about the music.

If the hip hop community voted on hip hop - r&b COMMUNITY the same - same for each category - we’d see winners that reflect the MUSIC ITSELF. We all know that’s just not the way it goes.

NOW the BIGGER losers, are ALL of black music. Where was the black music community represented in last nights #Grammy show? Performers and Winners (or not) … Where were the black artists?

And this isn’t the first time the #Grammy’s has had a show all but excluding young black America and black artists in general, although we set the worlds musical trends. Why NOT televise the lifetime achievement awards of the Isley Brothers? SURELY they deserved to be on televised stage LAST NIGHT! While other artists were on stage TWICE?

The truth is in a perfect world diversity would matter, and respect would be rampant, but the TRUTH is, The #Grammys is a television show, and in THAT world ratings reign supreme. So, in general, bigger names take the stage, and sadly the biggest names often times ARE BIGGER drawn along racial lines from the release of an album. i.e. marketing dollars, and just general support. It’s unfortunate.

I don’t even get surprised any more, but, it still hits my sense of fairness, because I KNOW many of the artists who are overlooked. I LIVE in that world. We keep showing up and subjecting ourselves to the game, hoping MAYBE we’ll win. I was so HAPPY to see @Kendricklamar take that stage - because it is a FORM of winning, at LEAST, he was SEEN.

Speaking of diversity, congratulations to my PERSONAL favorite albums of the year - @I_GregoryPorter #LiquidSpirit @Realsnarkypuppy and @lalahhathaway on your win and THANK YOU! @pharrell for acting RIGHT in the presence of the greatness that is @Nilerodgers and #StevieWonder

Love to all #SoulBirdsWorldWide
@IndiaArie

P.S. No mention of Nelson Mandela at ALL? … and THIS is why we NEED the Image Awards AND the BET awards.

While I India ends on an uplifting note about why we need the NAACP Image Awards and the BET Awards, I hope that she and other artists will push for these award shows to be better than they have been in the past. I for one am still shocked at the nominations of Robin Thicke (song about rape and litigation over cultural appropriation with the Gaye estate) and Justin Timberlake to an extent in the NAACP Image Awards ranks in music and can't believe that this show still refuses to consider rap music in its musical categories.

New Joint: "Far Away Girl" (Eric Roberson ft. Aaron Camper)

A new day, a new joint from Eric Roberson and following his solid new/ unreleased joint "Anymore," Eric is back with a new joint "Far Away Girl."

Featuring Aaron Camper, "Far Away Girl"is lifted from Eric Roberson's forthcoming February 4th album B-Sides, Features, & Heartaches. With that said, take a listen below to "Far Away Girl" from Eric Roberson and Aaron Camper and Enjoy!

"Anna's Song" - Marvin Gaye

Writer: Marvin Gaye
Producer: Marvin Gaye
Record Label: Tamla
Featured on 1978's Here, My Dear

Behind the Scenes: "I Can't Describe (The Way I Feel) " (Jennifer Hudson)

Earlier today, Jennifer Hudson dropped a behind-the-scenes feature for her newly released video for "I Can't Describe (The Way I Feel)." Directed by Anthony Mandler and featuring some choreography from Jennifer's former Dreamgirls choreographer Fatima Robinson, fans of Jennifer get a glimpse behind what went into making Jennifer's sleek video.

With that said, take a few minutes to watch the official music video for "I Can't Describe (The Way I Feel)" as it continues to rise up the charts.

Back in 2010, Monica released her second single "Love All Over Me" off of her sixth studio album Still Standing. While "Love All Over Me" would go onto peak at #2 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, it stalled somewhat on the Hot 100 peaking at a respectable 58.

With that said, "Love All Over Me" is hands down my favorite Monica joint to be released in the past several years and I think we should all revisit this sublime ballad from Monica as we await news of her forthcoming eighth studio album.

Back in 2005, J Records released a tribute album in honor of the late Luther Vandross entitled So Amazing...An All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross.

One of the gems off of the album was the Stevie Wonder and Beyoncé duet "So Amazing," which would eventually earn the duo a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. With that said, listen below to their amazing cover of Luther Vandross' classic hit "So Amazing" and Enjoy!

Last night, We TV aired the third episode of the first season of their breakout hit reality show SWV: Reunited, which focuses on the rebuilding of the iconic 90s groups SWV. Following a minor comeback with I Missed Us, SWV are back in the driver's seat and armed with a new manager.

With that said, peep the latest episode of SWV: Reunited below where the drama and music continue to collide with the ladies including a powerful therapy session that starts to reveal the scars and issues deep within the group.

Lauryn Hill is still on her Homecoming Series tour through February with forthcoming shows in Red Bank, Charlotte, Atlanta and Miami and during her performance at New York's Bowery Ballroom, Lauryn put a updated take on "Final Hour," one of the cuts from her iconic debut album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

While this show took place back in November, Ms. Hill released some professionally-shot footage of her performance and you can watch her performance of "Final Hour" below.

TV Rewind: "Braxton Family Values" Season 3 Ep. 23

Earlier tonight on We TV, the twenty-third episode of Braxton Family Values season three aired and as always, the show was filled with some musical highs and some personal lows.

While some of the Braxtons are making career movies, one might be headed to jail as she gets pulled over by the cops. Watch all of that and more transpire on the latest episode of Braxton Family Values below and Enjoy!

"I Want You" - Marvin Gaye

Writers: Leon Ware and Arthur "T-Boy" Ross
Producers: Marvin Gaye and Leon Ware
Record Label: Tamla
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

Amazing Cover: "Inseparable" (Candice Glover & Jennifer Hudson)

With her debut album Music Speaks slated for release on February 18th, I thought it would be nice to revisit one of my favorite performances from Candice during her time on last season's American Idol.

With that said, during the season finale of season twelve of American Idol, Candice Glover and Jennifer Hudson duetted to the tune of Natalie Cole's "Inseparable" and they literally blew the roof off of the Nokia Theater at LA Live.

Sharing the stage on this powerful duet, the American Idol winner Glover and Oscar-and-Grammy winner Hudson really need to record a duet together as their voices together = mind-blowing. Peep it below and Enjoy!

A few days ago, The Foreign Exchange released their latest video for their Eric Roberon and Shana Tucker assisted single "Better." Shot in black-and-white via the direction of director Kenneth Price, "Better" is the latest single lifted from The Foreign Exchange's latest album Love In Flying Colors.

With that said, peep the black-and-white visual that accompanies "Better," which features Eric, Shana and The Foreign Exchange vibing out and jamming as they perform "Better."

Back in 1980, Roberta Flack and Peabo Bryson released a collaborative album Live & More, which included some of Roberta and Peabo's greatest hits.

Recorded in part at The Holiday Star Theater in Merrillville, Indiana, Roberta and Peabo offered up a solid live performance of the Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack classic "Back Together Again" and you can take a listen to it below!

A few days late on Emily King's latest musical offering, but better late than never as they always say. While Emily parted from J Records a few years ago, this hasn't stopped her momentum as a singer/songwriter and over the past few years she's really been working on some interesting sonic offerings in my opinion.

With that said, her latest song "Distance" tells a powerful love story about distance and her folksy R&B melodies further underscore the touching lyrics. Therefore, take a listen below to "Distance" and if you like what you hear, cop the download while supplies last.

New Video: "Incredible" (J. Holiday)

Last year, J. Holiday announced that he was returning from an almost four year hiatus with his then forthcoming LP Guilty Conscience. With the album in stores now, J. Holiday has released a new video for his latest single "Incredible," which follows the set's led single "After We."

With that said, peep the new video for J. Holiday's latest single "Incredible" below and if you like what you hear, go check out J. Holiday's new album Guilty Conscience, which is in-stores now.

I was going through some of Beyoncé's live performance on YouTube earlier today and revisited her powerhouse rendition of "I Care," the Frank Ocean penned ballad which is lifted from Beyoncé's phenomenal 4 album.

Armed with the power of her voice and her band, this performance from Roseland of "I Care" is one of my favorites from Beyoncé's 4 era and as we being to enter into the BEYONCÉ era, I can't wait to see live performances of some of her cuts including my personal favorite "Rocket."

With that said, watch Beyoncé's performance of "I Care" below and Enjoy!

Back in 1982, Luther Vandross released his sophomore LP Forever, For Always, For Love via Epic Records and while he found hits in his singles such as "Bad Boy"/"Having a Party," his cover of "Since I Lost My Baby," and "Promise Me," the tittle-track to his second solo album is a real standout.

Though never officially released as a single, "Forever, For Always, For Love" is one of those cuts in Luther's vast discography and you can take a listen to it below!

"Don't Leave Me" - Blackstreet

Writers: Teddy Riley, Chauncey Hannibal, Roosevelt Harrell, Karen Anderson, & Bunny DeBarge
Producer: Teddy Riley
Record Label: Interscope
Released in 1997 from Another Level
Peaked at #1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Chart

Live Clip: "In The Middle" (Candice Glover)

In just a few weeks, American Idol Season 12 winner Candice Glover will finally unearth her highly anticipated debut album Music Speaks an to build further buzz for her upcoming set, she recently stopped by HelloBeautiful to perform a fun new joint, "In The Middle," for HelloBeautiful's Interludes segment.

With that said, watch Candice's upbeat performance of "In The Middle" below and if you like what you hear, lookout for Music Speaks when it's released February 18th.

Last year ahead of Disclosure's debut Settle's release, Disclosure's then latest single the Eliza Doolittle featured single "You & Me" received a dope remix treatment.

Coming in the form of "You & Me (Toro y Moi remix)," which was masterminded by South Carlonia's Chaz Bundwick, aka Toro y Moi, this take of "You & Me" is phenomenal and you can take a listen to it go down after the jump!

Last year, NBC's musical drama Smash returned for its second and sadly final season with special guest star Jennifer Hudson. With that said, Jennifer Hudson shared the "stage" with fellow former American Idol contestant Katharine McPhee on the George Benson classic "On Broadway."

Proving to be one of the numerous musical highlights from Smash, I don't know about you, but I miss the show a bit for its musical moments alone. Therefore, listen to the two work it out on "On Broadway" below and Enjoy!

Back in 2008 Solange released her sophomore album Sol-Angel & the Hadley St. Dreams and it quickly became one of my top 5 favorite releases from 2008. Though it didn't received the type of commercial or critical acclaim that it deserved, Sol-Angel & the Hadley St. Dreams featured a distinct sonic quality that mixed 60s and 70s classic soul with techno and electric-synth pop of the 80s.

With that said, one of the standout joints from the set is Solange's soulful opus with Bilal "Cosmic Journey." Spanning over six minutes the joint deserves a listen or two and if you don't have it, you should pick up her sublime sophomore effort. With that said, take a second listen below to "Cosmic Journey" and Enjoy!

Set: "Super Bowl Blitz Concert" (Janelle Monáe)

Earlier tonight, Janelle Monáe performed a sublime set in NYC to help continue/kick-off the momentum for the Super Bowl during VH1's Super Bowl Blitz Concert.

Featuring such songs as "Dance Apocalyptic," "Q.U.E.E.N.," "Electric Lady," her breakout hit single "Tightrope," and her sublime ballad "PrimeTime," the Electric Lady proves why she is one of the most underrated artists out today and is a legend in the making.

Watch Janelle Monáe's sublime set from VH1's Super Bowl Blitz Concert below and Enjoy!

"Use Me" - Bill Withers

Writer: Bill Withers
Producer: Bill Withers
Record Label: Sussex Records
Released in 1972 from Still Bill
Peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100

Cut: "My People" (Angie Stone featuring James Ingram)

My good friend Tarresha told me that she was getting into Angie Stone last week and I thought we would take it back to Angie Stone's fourth album The Art of Love & War to revisit one of my favorite cuts from Angie Stone.

Entitled "My People," this thumping anthem from Stone and James Ingram is the perfect jam grove to as we get ready to celebrate Black History Month here in the states come February, even though my parents raised me to celebrate Black History everyday.

Either way you feel or celebrate, take a listen below to Angie Stone and James Ingram's sublime collaboration on my anthem "My People" and Enjoy!

All Access recently caught up with Beyoncé to discuss how she fell in love with the song "Drunk In Love" when she first heard it and how she freestyled quite a bit of the lyrics.

After, Beyoncé briefly discusses how insane and chaotic it was doing the video shoot for "XO" on Coney Island. Take a listen to B's interview below and Enjoy!

While K. Michelle gets ready to release the official music video for her new single "Can't Raise a Man," which is lifted form her sublime debut album Rebellious Soul, she was paid a visit by Preacher Mir Mir who was dropping some knowledge.

With that said, peep the funny clip below as we all await the music video release of K. Michelle's second single "Can't Raise a Man."

Back in 2008, Usher released his highly anticipated followup to 2004's Confessions in the form of Here I Stand. While Usher took a hiatus following the monster of success that was Confessions, his fifth studio album Here I Stand offered up some solid joints including the fifth and final single "Trading Places."

Co-written by Usher, Carlos "Los Da Mystro" McKinney, and The-Dream, "Trading Places" peaked at a solid #4 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. With that said, take a second listen after the jump to his solid bedroom jam "Trading Places" and Enjoy!

Back in 2010, Ms. Chaka Khan's performed a sublime rendition of her classic "Through The Fire" from the Edison Awards held late that year.

Accompanied by the Metropole Orchestra, Chaka offers up an amazing vocal performance with her legendary high notes and famous wails. Therefore, take a listen below to this sublime live audio from Chaka Khan below and Enjoy!

Live Video of the Day: "If It Wasn't For Your Love" (Heather Headley)

Back in 2006 Heather Headley went on a co-headlining tour with Anthony Hamilton and one of the highlight moments during her set was her emotionally poignant performance of Gordon Chamber's "If It Wasn't For Your Love."

With that said, watch her sublime performance of the touching ballad to "If It Wasn't For Your Love" below and Enjoy!

Underrated artist in my book José James has often performed an amazing smooth cover of the Marvin Gaye classic "I Want You" throughout his career and below you will find one such performance lifted from an appearance at la Bellevilloise in Paris back on March 28, 2010.

While no one can match the height of Gaye's original rendition in my opinion, José James has the second best rendition hands down in my book!

With that said, check out the smooth cover that James and his band put together in honor of Marvin below and Enjoy!

"You" - Raheem DeVaughn

Writers and Producers: DeVaughn & Hunt
Record Label: 1228/Jive/Zomba
Released in 2006 from The Love Experience
Peaked at #18 on the Hot Adult R&B charts

Live Clip: "Grammy Aretha Tribute" (Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Florence Welch, Martina McBride, Yolanda Adams)

Last night was "music's biggest night" and I thought it would be nice to rewatch 2011's amazing GRAMMY tribute to the Queen of Soul.

Featuring Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Florence Welch, Martina McBride, and Yolanda Adams, the quintet shared the stage to honor the Grammy legend with her hits "Natural Woman", "Ain't No Way", "Respect", "Think", "Until You Come Back To Me", and "Spirit In The Dark."

Each woman turns in an amazing performance and in my opinion, it was the best performance of the 2011 GRAMMYs in my opinion. With that said, watch it below and Enjoy!

Lalah Hathaway, much like her father is such an underrated talent and vocalist whose vocal prowess is just out of this world. Maybe it's in the DNA, but Lalah Hathaway's vocals are just out of control amazing and always wow me when I watch a live performance of hers.

With that said, Lalah Hathaway recent collaborated with Snarky Puppy on the joint "Something" from their Family Dinner, Vol. 1 collection earned her and Snarky Puppy both their first GRAMMY last night for Best R&B Performance.

The highlight of the album for me, luckily for us, they recorded the live session recording of the performance of "Something" that was captured for the album.

Therefore, take a few minutes and get into Lalah's sublime vocals where she even harmonizes with herself at the same time, yeah I know CRAZY, on top of Snarky Puppy's dope instrumentation and Enjoy!

During D'Angelo mini European tour back in 2012, he performed several new joints that might make the cut for his forthcoming LP.

With that said, luckily for fans of the crooner, a fan recorded D'Angelo performed his new joint "Another Life," during his Paris concert. While it is unclear when D'Angelo's highly anticipated third album will see its release, hopefully 2014 will be the year.

Therefore, take a listen below to this live audio of D'Anglo performing "Another Life" and Enjoy!

Yesterday was Anita Baker's birthday, which happened to land on "music's biggest night" and while they didn't acknowledge her birthday, I wanted to keep honoring the iconic songstress.

Though never released as a single from Anita Baker's third album Giving You The Best That I Got, "You Belong To Me" is one of my favorite songs in her discography. Though probably only known by fans of the songstress, this smooth jazzy joint is for the grown and sexy and really showcases Anita at her vocal finest.

With that said, take a second listen below to the gem "You Belong To Me" and Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "Power of Love/Love Power" (Luther Vandross)

"Power of Love/ Love Power" - Luther Vandross

Writers: Luther Vandross, Marcus Miller, Teddy Vann
Producers: Luther Vandross & Marcus Miller
Record Label: Epic
Released in 1991 from Power of Love
Peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 & #1 on the Hot R&B Singles

Live Clip: "GRAMMYs Medley" (Kendrick Lamar & Imagine Dragons)

Moments ago, Kendrick Lamar and Imagine Dragons, two of the best new artists of 2013 in my book collaborated with one another live on the 56th Annual GRAMMY Award stage offering up the best performance of the night in my opinion.

Starting off with Imagine Dragon's breakout hit "Radioactive" and then moving into Kendrick's "M.A.A.D City," the mashup was the perfect blend of rap, rock and pop into something that in my opinion definitely needs to be released officially for further consumption.

Watch Imagine Dragon and Kendrick Lamar's sublime performance from the GRAMMYs earlier tonight and Enjoy!

John Legend appeared on the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards earlier tonight and armed with just a piano and one of the best songs of 2013 in my opinion, John proved that true talent always outshines theatricals that we've already seen tonight.

With that said, watch John's powerful performance of his stunning ballad "All Of Me" below and hopefully at next year's GRAMMYs it will be nominated for a few awards because it really is a touching torch ballad.

Beyoncé kicked off the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards earlier tonight at the Staples Center here in Los Angeles and of course she opted to perform her hit single "Drunk In Love" along with her husband Jay-Z.

Proving no fucks were given by either of them and why they are peaked at the top of Billboard's Power 100, King B and Jay-Z did the damn thing on stage that demanded and warranted a standing ovation midway.

Cursing and proving that all she needed was a microphone and some lights, Beyoncé continues to slay the game and prove why she is tooted as a living legend at her tender age.

Watch their sublime performance of "Drunk In Love" below and Enjoy!

While the GRAMMY telecast starts at 8pm EST, a lot of the awards are announced during the pre-telecast and you can see who's won below. The winners will be highlighted in red and you should check back as I will continually update throughout the night.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Random Access Memories – Daft Punk

The Blessed Unrest – Sara Bareilles
good kid, m.A.A.d city – Kendrick Lamar
The Heist – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Red – Taylor Swift

RECORD OF THE YEAR

"Get Lucky" – Daft Punk

"Radioactive" – Imagine Dragons
"Royals" – Lorde
"Locked Out of Heaven” – Bruno Mars
"Blurred Lines"- Robin Thicke feat. Pharrell and T.I.

SONG OF THE YEAR

"Royals" – Lorde

"Just Give Me a Reason" – Pink feat. Nate Ruess
"Locked Out of Heaven" – Bruno Mars
"Roar" – Katy Perry
"Same Love" – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Mary Lambert

BEST NEW ARTIST

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

James Blake
Ed Sheeran
Kendrick Lamar
Kacey Musgraves

BEST R&B PERFORMANCE

Something

Snarky Puppy With Lalah Hathaway

Track from: Family Dinner Volume One

Label: Ropeadope Records

Love And War
Tamar Braxton
Track from: Love And War
Label: Epic Records/Streamline Records

Best Of Me
Anthony Hamilton
Track from: Back To Love
Label: RCA Records

Nakamarra
Hiatus Kaiyote Featuring Q-Tip
Track from: Tawk Tomahawk
Label: Sony Music Ent./Flying Buddha

How Many Drinks?
Miguel Featuring Kendrick Lamar
Label: RCA Records / Bystorm Entertainment

BEST TRADITIONAL R&B PERFORMANCE

"Please Come Home"

Gary Clark Jr.

Track from: Blak And Blu

Label: Warner Bros Records

"Get It Right"
Fantasia
Track from: Side Effects Of You
Label: RCA Records/19 Recordings Limited

"Quiet Fire"
Maysa
Label: Shanachie Entertainment

"Hey Laura"
Gregory Porter
Track from: Liquid Spirit
Label: Blue Note Records

"Yesterday"
Ryan Shaw
Track from: Real Love
Label: Dynotone Records

BEST R&B SONG

"Pusher Love Girl"

James Fauntleroy, Jerome Harmon, Timothy Mosley & Justin Timberlake, songwriters (Justin Timberlake)

Track from: The 20/20 Experience - The Complete Experience

Label: RCA Records

Publishers: Tennman Tunes/Universal Music- Z - Tunes/Virginia Beach Music/WB Music Corp./Jerome Harmon Publishing/Warner-Chappell Music, Inc./James Fauntleroy Music/Almo Music

Best Of Me
Anthony Hamilton & Jairus Mozee, songwriters (Anthony Hamilton)
Track from: Back To Love
Label: RCA Records
Publishers: Tappy Whyte's Music LLC/Songs Of Universal, Inc./Spuggy Bug Music

Love And War
Tamar Braxton, Darhyl Camper, Jr., LaShawn Daniels & Makeba Riddick, songwriters (Tamar Braxton)
Track from: Love And War
Label: Epic Records/Streamline Records
Publishers: EMI April Music Inc./Miserable Girl Inc./Campstar Music/The Book Productions/EMI Blackwood Music Inc./Janice Combs Publishing/Yoga Flames Music

"Only One"
PJ Morton, songwriter (PJ Morton Featuring Stevie Wonder)
Label: Cash Money/Universal Republic
Publisher: Fly Nerd Music

"Without Me"
Fantasia Barrino, Missy Elliott, Al Sherrod Lambert, Harmony Samuels & Kyle Stewart, songwriters (Fantasia Featuring Kelly Rowland & Missy Elliot)
Track from: Side Effects Of You
Label: RCA Records/19 Recordings Limited
Publishers: H-Money Music/RJ Productions/EMI April Music, Inc./Aristocratic Destiny Music/Penmanship Publishing/Songs Of Universal, Inc./Jogloe Music Publishing/Mass Confusion Productions, Inc.

BEST URBAN CONTEMPORARY ALBUM

Unapologetic

Rihanna

Label: Def Jam Records

Love And War
Tamar Braxton
Label: Epic Records/Streamline Records

Side Effects Of You
Fantasia
Label: RCA Records /19 Recordings Limited

One: In The Chamber
Salaam Remi
Label: Flying Buddha / Masterworks

New York: A Love Story
Mack Wilds
Label: Louder Than Life / Sony Music

BEST R&B ALBUM

Girl On Fire

Alicia Keys

Label: RCA Records

R&B Divas
Faith Evans
Label: Prolific Music Group/Eone Music

Love In The Future
John Legend
Label: Columbia Records

Better
Chrisette Michele
Label: Motown Records

Three Kings
TGT
Label: Atlantic Records

BEST RAP PERFORMANCE

"Thrift Shop"
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Wanz

Track from: The Heist

Label: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis LLC

"Started From The Bottom"
Drake
Label: Young Money/Cash Money

"Berzerk"
Eminem
Label: Aftermath/Interscope/Shady Records

"Tom Ford"
Jay Z
Track from: Magna Carta...Holy Grail
Label: Roc Nation

"Swimming Pools (Drank)"
Kendrick Lamar
Track from: Good Kid, M.A.A.D City
Label: TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records

BEST RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION

"Holy Grail"

Jay Z Featuring Justin Timberlake

Track from: Magna Carta...Holy Grail

Label: Roc Nation

"Power Trip"
J. Cole Featuring Miguel
Track from: Born Sinner
Label: Roc Nation/Columbia Records

"Part II (On The Run)"
Jay Z Featuring Beyoncé
Track from: Magna Carta...Holy Grail
Label: Roc Nation

"Now Or Never"
Kendrick Lamar Featuring Mary J. Blige
Track from: Good Kid, M.A.A.D City
Label: Aftermath Records

"Remember You"
Wiz Khalifa Featuring The Weeknd
Track from: O.N.I.F.C.
Label: Rostrum/Atlantic

BEST RAP SONG

"Thrift Shop"

Ben Haggerty & Ryan Lewis, songwriters

Track from: The Heist

Label: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis LLC

Publishers: Macklemore Publishing/Ryan Lewis Publishing

"F***in' Problems"
Tauheed Epps, Aubrey Graham, Kendrick Lamar, Rakim Mayers & Noah Shebib, songwriters (ASAP Rocky Featuring Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar)
Track from: Long.Live.ASAP
Label: RCA Records / Polo Grounds Music
Publishers: ASAP Rocky Music Publishing LLC/Sony/ATV Songs LLC/Mavor & Moses LLC/Kobalt Songs Music Publishing, Inc./Herbilicious Music/Black Fountain Music/Livewrite/EMI Blackwood Music, Inc./Ty Epps Music/Top Dawg Music/Hard Working Black Folks, Inc./WB Music Corp

"Holy Grail"
Shawn Carter, Terius Nash, J. Harmon, Timothy Mosley, Justin Timberlake & Ernest Wilson, songwriters (Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl & Krist Novoselic, songwriters) (Jay Z Featuring Justin Timberlake)
Track from: Magna Carta...Holy Grail
Label: Roc Nation
Publishers: Carter Boys/Warner Chappell/WB Music Corp./2082 Music Publishing/Tennmann Tunes/Universal Music Z Tunes/VB Rising/ole/Jerome Harmon Publishing/Chrysalis Music/Let The Story Begin Publishing/EMI Virgin Songs Inc./Primary Wave Tunes/The End Of Music/MJ Twelve M

"New Slaves"
Christopher Breaux, Ben Bronfman, Mike Dean, Louis Johnson, Malik Jones, Elon Rutberg, Sakiya Sandifer, Che Smith, Kanye West & Cydell Young, songwriters (Anna Adamis & Gabor Presser, songwriters) (Kanye West)
Track from: Yeezus
Label: Def Jam

"Started From The Bottom"
W. Coleman, Aubrey Graham & Noah Shebib, songwriters (Bruno Sanfilippo, songwriter) (Drake)
Label: Young Money/Cash Money
Publishers: Sandra Gale/EMI Music Publishing/Mavor & Moses Inc./Kobalt

BEST RAP ALBUM

The Heist

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Label: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis LLC

Nothing Was The Same
Drake
Label: Young Money/Cash Money

Magna Carta...Holy Grail
Jay Z
Label: Roc Nation

Good Kid, M.A.A.D City
Kendrick Lamar
Label: TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records

Yeezus
Kanye West
Label: Def Jam

BEST ROCK SONG

"Cut Me Some Slack"

Dave Grohl, Paul McCartney, Krist Novoselic & Pat Smear, songwriters (Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, Pat Smear)

Track from: Sound City - Real To Reel

Label: RCA Records / Roswell Records

Publishers: MPL Communications, Inc./M.J.-Twelve Music/Murky Slough Music/Kobalt Music/Ruthensmear Music/Bug Music

"Ain't Messin 'Round"
Gary Clark Jr., songwriter (Gary Clark Jr.)
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Publisher: Hotwire Unlimited LLC

"Doom And Gloom"
Mick Jagger & Keith Richards, songwriters (The Rolling Stones)
Label: Universal Music Enterprises
Publisher: Promopub B.V.

"God Is Dead?"
Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi & Ozzy Osbourne, songwriters (Black Sabbath)
Track from: 13
Label: Vertigo/Republic
Publishers: Aston Music/Blizzard Music Limited/Valallen Music

"Panic Station"
Matthew Bellamy, songwriter (Muse)
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Publisher: Warner Chappell

BEST SONG WRITTEN FOR VISUAL MEDIA

"Skyfall"

Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth, songwriters (Adele)

Track from: Skyfall

Label: Columbia Records/ XL Recordings

Publishers: Universal Music Publishing Ltd./EMI Music Publishing Ltd.

"Atlas"
Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion & Chris Martin, songwriters (Coldplay)
Track from: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Label: Universal Republic
Publisher: Universal Music Publishing MGB Ltd.

"Silver Lining"
Diane Warren, songwriter (Jessie J)
Track from: Silver Linings Playbook
Label: Sony Classical
Publisher: Realsongs

"We Both Know"
Colbie Caillat & Gavin DeGraw, songwriters (Colbie Caillat Featuring Gavin DeGraw)
Track from: Safe Haven
Label: Relativity Music Group/RCA/Universal Republic
Publishers: G Degraw Music Inc./Plummy Lou Music

"Young And Beautiful"
Lana Del Rey & Rick Nowels, songwriters (Lana Del Rey)
Track from: The Great Gatsby (Deluxe Edition)
Label: WaterTower Music/Interscope
Publishers: EMI Music Publishing Ltd./R-Rated Music/EMI April Music, Inc.

"You've Got Time"
Regina Spektor, songwriter (Regina Spektor)
Track from: Orange Is The New Black
Label: Sire
Publishers: Soviet Kitsch Music/EMI Blackwood Music Inc.

BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE
"Royals"

Lorde

Track from: Pure Heroine

Label: Universal Republic

"Brave"
Sara Bareilles
Track from: The Blessed Unrest
Label: Epic Records

"When I Was Your Man"
Bruno Mars
Track from: Unorthodox Jukebox
Label: Atlantic

"Roar"
Katy Perry
Label: Capitol

"Mirrors"
Justin Timberlake
Track from: The 20/20 Experience - The Complete Experience
Label: RCA Records

BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE

"Get Lucky"

Daft Punk & Pharrell Williams

Track from: Random Access Memories

Label: Columbia Records

"Just Give Me A Reason"
Pink Featuring Nate Ruess
Track from: The Truth About Love
Label: RCA Records

"Stay"
Rihanna Featuring Mikky Ekko
Track from: Unapologetic
Label: Def Jam Records

"Blurred Lines"
Robin Thicke Featuring T.I. & Pharrell
Track from: Blurred Lines
Label: Star Trak/ Interscope

"Suit & Tie"
Justin Timberlake & Jay Z
Track from: The 20/20 Experience - The Complete Experience
Label: RCA Records

BEST POP INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM

Steppin' Out

Herb Alpert

Label: Shout! Factory

The Beat
Boney James
Label: Concord Records

Handpicked
Earl Klugh
Label: Heads Up International

Summer Horns
Dave Koz, Gerald Albright, Mindi Abair & Richard Elliot
Label: Concord Records

Hacienda
Jeff Lorber Fusion
Label: Heads Up International

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM

Unorthodox Jukebox

Bruno Mars

Label: Atlantic

Paradise
Lana Del Rey

Label: Polydor UK / Interscope

Pure Heroine
Lorde
Label: Universal Republic

Blurred Lines
Robin Thicke
Label: Star Trak / Interscope

The 20/20 Experience - The Complete Experience
Justin Timberlake
Label: RCA Records

BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM

To Be Loved

Michael Bublé

Label: 143/Reprise

Viva Duets
Tony Bennett & Various Artists
Label: Columbia Records

The Standards
Gloria Estefan
Label: Masterworks

Cee Lo's Magic Moment
Cee Lo Green
Label: Elektra

Now
Dionne Warwick
Label: Blue Horizon

BEST GOSPEL/CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC PERFORMANCE

"Break Every Chain [Live]"

Tasha Cobbs

Track from: Grace [Live]

Label: EMI Gospel/ Motown Gospel

"Hurricane"
Natalie Grant
Label: Curb Records

"Lord, I Need You"
Matt Maher
Track from: All The People Said Amen (Live)
Label: Essential Records

"Overcomer"
Mandisa
Track from: Overcomer
Label: Sparrow Records

"If He Did It Before... Same God [Live]"
Tye Tribbett
Track from: Greater Than [Live]
Label: Motown Gospel

BEST GOSPEL SONG

"If He Did It Before... Same God [Live]"

Tye Tribbett, songwriter (Tye Tribbett)

Track from: Greater Than [Live]

Label: Motown Gospel

Publisher: Everything Fresh Entertainment LLC

"Have Your Way"
Calvin Frazier & Deitrick Haddon, songwriters (Deitrick Haddon)
Label: RCA Inspiration
Publishers: Deitrick Vaughn Haddon Publishing/Calvin Frazier Publishing

"If I Believe"
Wirlie Morris, Michael Paran, Charlie Wilson & Mahin Wilson, songwriters (Charlie Wilson)
Track from: Love, Charlie
Label: RCA Records / P Music Group Inc.
Publishers: Nephew Wirlie Music/EMI Music Publishing/Pacific Coast Pirate Publishing/Mamas Pebbly Publishing

"A Little More Jesus"
Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell & Warryn Campbell, songwriters (Erica Campbell)
Label: My Block Inc / Eone Music
Publishers: That's Plum Song-EMI April/It's Tea Tyme-EMI April/Campbell Kids

"Still"
Percy Bady, songwriter (Percy Bady Featuring Lowell Pye)
Track from: Kingdom Inspirations
Label: Maranatha! Music/K-Bizz Ent.
Publisher: Kingdom Bizz Songs BMI

BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC SONG

"Overcomer"

David Garcia, Ben Glover & Christopher Stevens, songwriters (Mandisa)

Track from: Overcomer

Label: Sparrow Records

Publishers: Ariose Music/9T One Songs/Meaux Mercy/LarryDavid Music/Capitol CMG Publishing/Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing/D Soul Music

"Hurricane"
Matt Bronleewe, Natalie Grant & Cindy Morgan, songwriters (Natalie Grant)
Label: Curb Records
Publisher: Razor & Tie Music Publishing

"Love Take Me Over"
Steven Curtis Chapman, songwriter (Steven Curtis Chapman)
Track from: The Glorious Unfolding
Label: Reunion Records

"Speak Life"
Toby McKeehan, Jamie Moore & Ryan Stevenson, songwriters (Tobymac)
Track from: Eye On It
Label: Forefront Records
Publishers: Achtober Songs/EMI CMG Publishing/Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing/Songs Of Emack/Jamnu Music/Hole-Steen Music

"Whom Shall I Fear (God Of Angel Armies)"
Ed Cash, Scott Cash & Chris Tomlin, songwriters (Chris Tomlin)
Track from: Burning Lights
Label: sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records
Publishers: Sixsteps Songs/Worship Together Music/A Thousand Generations Publishing/EMI CMG Publishing/Alletrop Music/McTyeire Music

BEST GOSPEL ALBUM

Greater Than [Live]

Tye Tribbett

Label: Motown Gospel

Grace [Live]
Tasha Cobbs
Label: EMI Gospel/ Motown Gospel

Best For Last: 20 Year Celebration Vol. 1 [Live]
Donald Lawrence
Label: Quietwater Entertainment/EOne

Best Days Yet
Bishop Paul S. Morton
Label: Tehillah Music Group/EOne

God Chaser [Live]
William Murphy
Label: RCA Inspiration/ Verity Gospel Music Group

BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC ALBUM

Overcomer

Mandisa

Label: Sparrow Records

We Won't Be Shaken
Building 429
Label: Essential Records

All The People Said Amen [Live]
Matt Maher
Label: Essential Records

Your Grace Finds Me (Live)
Matt Redman
Label: sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records

Burning Lights
Chris Tomlin
Label: sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records

Rare Performance: "I Apologize" (Anita Baker)

One of my favorite songs from Anita Baker has to be her single "I Apologize," which was lifted 1994's Rhythm of Love. Though it was a successful single from Baker's fifth album, it is a rare feet to find a live recording of Ms. Anita Baker performing this classic.

With that said, I thought it would be appropriate as we celebrate her birthday today to revisit one of those rare live performances of "I Apologize.

Lifted from Video Soul from back in 1994, you can watch Ms. Baker's sublime live rendition of "I Apologize" below and Enjoy!

Back in 2003, Kem released his debut album Kemistry on Motown Records and the first single lifted from the project was the smooth sensual joint "Love Calls."

Though it only peaked at #25 on the R&B charts, the song opened up a phenomenal career and "Love Calls" still remains one of my favorites from Kem's discography. Take a second listen to the smooth song below and Enjoy!

During the 1997 Grammy Awards, the "Waiting to Exhale" soundtrack received a total of 11 nominations for the hit singles "Sittin' Up in My Room," "Not Gon' Cry," ""Exhale (Shoop Shoop)," "Count on Me," and "It Hurts Like Hell."

With that said, the Grammy-winning vocalists Brandy, Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, CeCe Winans, Chaka Khan, and Aretha Franklin took to the stage for a rousing medley that showcases off the Babyface compositions.

Therefore, peep these ladies sublime medley below and Enjoy!

Friday, January 31, 2014

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Monday, January 27, 2014

Sunday, January 26, 2014