Podcast: "The Torch" (The BackBeat)

This week on The BackBeat, we talk about Brandy claiming Whitney Houston passed her the torch. We cover the success of Cardi B's "Bodak Yellow" on the Hot 100. Next, we delve into Trina's beef with a local Miami rapper and we congratulate Cyn Santana and Joe Budden on their new baby. Also, we give a shout out to Kelly Rowland, who is in the studio working on her new album and much more.

Stay tuned to the end of the episode when we choose our songs of the moment. Marcus chooses tracks from Jazmine Sullivan and Whitney Houston. Kyera's favorite songs of the moment come from Kelela, Dreezy and Cassie.

Podcast: "Hip Hop Squares" (The BackBeat)

This week on The BackBeat, we take a moment to celebrate the life of rap legend, Prodigy from the group Mobb Deep. Excited for the BET Awards? We discuss the 2017 BET Nominees and give our projections on which artists will win awards on Sunday. Next, we get into Swizz Beatz calling
Balenciaga out on instagram for replicating a Ruff Ryder shirt in their upcoming line without giving proper credit to the record label or asking to use their logo. We end with our love for DJ Khaled’s new song “Wild Thoughts” featuring Rihanna & Bryson Tiller, which has debuted at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Stay tuned to the end of the episode where we give our favorite songs of the moment. Marcus picks tracks from Whitney Houston, DJ Khaled and Little Dragon. While Kyera chooses her favorite cuts from Lizzo, Hiatus Kaiyote and Vince Staples.

Podcast: "Change The System" (The BackBeat)

This week on The BackBeat, we get into the controversy surrounding the GRAMMY Awards and album of the year, Donald Glover getting cast as Simba in the new Lion King film remake, Russell Simmons hosting a Muslim rally, as well as Meek Mill using his social media platforms to discuss gun violence. We also get into The Roots having a new musical that is slated to be performed at the NBA All Star Game this weekend in New Orleans.

As always, tune into the end of the episode to hear our Songs of the Moment that include music from Remy Ma and Fat Joe, Future, Jidenna, Trey Songz, Davion Farris, Solange, and Whitney “The Voice” Houston.

Podcast: "For Us" (The BackBeat)

In this week’s episode, we discuss Nicki Minaj’s new interview with Marie Claire in which she talks about being an entrepreneur and the double standards for black women in the entertainment industry. We touch upon Kid Cudi’s new video “Frequency” and the awareness he is bringing to mental health. Next, we discuss Emeli Sande’s new song “Garden” ft. Jay Electronica and her upcoming album, which we can’t wait to hear. We run through the nominees for the 2016 American Music Awards--where Drake and Bryson Tiller scored huge nominations. Finally, we plug Michel’le’s movie “Surviving Compton,” which airs on Lifetime this Saturday (October 15th) at 8pm.

Don’t forget to stay tuned in until the end of the episode to hear our Songs of the Moment. Marcus chooses cuts from Aretha Franklin, Mary J Blige, Whitney Houston, and DVSN. Kyera gives us some of her favorite songs from Mahalia Jackson, Solange Knowles, and Vince Staples!

Enjoy!

Second Listen: "All at Once" (Whitney Houston)

Whitney Houston's self-titled debut album spurred numerous #1 hits, but one of my favorite songs from her discography, "All at Once," never received the official single's treatment here in the States.

While it was released in several countries in Europe and was even certified gold in Japan, the Michael Masser and Jeffrey Osborne written ballad never got its just due and you can (re)visit this classic song from Whitney's discography below!

Podcast: "Houston, We Have A Problem" (The BackBeat)

This week we get into Azealia Banks’ latest Twitter beefs, Whitney ‘Houston we have a problem’ hologram being cancelled from The Voice, Kesha getting banned and now reinstated to perform at the Billboard Music Awards, Ameriie’s comeback, Ghost Town DJ’s “My Boo” becoming a top 10 record two decades later, as well as a quick review of Ariana Grande’s Dangerous Woman.

Also stay tune until the end to hear our songs of the moment where Kyera raves about new music from Chance the Rapper's mixtape Coloring Book and Marcus revisits Ameriie, Whitney Houston, and Ariana Grande.

Podcast: "Dammn Baby" (The BackBeat)

This week we get into Janet’s “Dammn Baby” music video and her pregnancy announcement, KRS Dismissing claims of Afrika! Bambaata’s sexual molestation, dueling Whitney Houston documentaries, Kylie Jenner being featured on the track "Beautiful Day "by Burberry Perry, new music from Alicia Keys & Ariana Grande, as well as getting a bit into Drake’s Views from the 6.

Also stay tuned to the end where Marcus gets into his songs of the moment from Gallant, Beyonce and Groove Theory, while Kyera gets into songs from Drake, Yo Gotti, and Justin Timberlake.

Live Clip: "When You Believe" (Mariah Carey & Whiney Houston)

Mariah kicked off her European Sweet Fantasy Tour earlier this week and during her show in Glasgow, Mariah took the time to honor her late friend and former collaborator Ms. Whitney "The Voice" Houston.

Having performed "When You Believe" live twice with Houston, once during The Oprah Winfrey Show and the other at the Oscars, it was nice to hear Mariah singing with Houston again despite Whitney's absence. With that said, watch this touching clip below and Enjoy!

Second Listen: "You Give Good Love" (Whitney Houston)

Released on February 22, 1985, Whitney Houston's "You Give Good Love," would become her first official single, lifted from her self-titled debut album Whitney Houston. Eventually peaking at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the R&B charts, "You Give Good Love," would introduce the world to the world class talent that was Whitney Houston and the song would launch one of the biggest careers in pop music history.

With that said, take a second listen below to "You Give Good Love" and relish in the memory and talent of Whitney Houston as we continue to remember her sublime talent.

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 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: "I Will Always Love You" (Zapp & Shirley Murdock)

Back in 1996, Roger and Zapp released their compilation album The Compilation: Greatest Hits II & More which featured some of Zapp's lesser-known singles and album tracks  and some joints from Roger Troutman. With that said, the famed group featured Shirley Murdock ("As We Lay") on their rendition of the then mega-hit and future iconic "I Will Always Love You," which just a few years earlier was made into the biggest song of Whitney Houston's career.

Who would've thought a country song originally by Dolly Parton would go through so many soulful iterations and end up in this funky gospel-tinged Zapp cut. Either way you feel, take a listen below to Zapp & Shirley Murdock transform "I Will Always Love You" and Enjoy!

Cut: "Memories" (Whitney Houston)

What I love about Twitter are the musical conversations I get into with a lot of fellow music lovers and a few months ago while talking about jazz and Whitney Houston, I was reminded of her phenomenal 1982 lead vocal on the brilliant "Memories."

Featured on Bill Wasel's experimental jazz-funk band Material's album One Down, "Memories" was Whitney Houston's first recorded lead vocal before she would go onto make her groundbreaking self-titled debut album Whitney Houston in 1985.

With that said, take a listen below to Whitney Houston's 1982 cut "Memories" as honor her legacy on the anniversary of her passing.

Song of the Day: "Step by Step" (Whitney Houston)

"Step by Step" - Whitney Houston

• Writer: Annie Lennox
• Producer: Stephen Lipson
• Record Label: 
• Released in 1997 from "The Preacher's Wife" soundtrack
• Peaked at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 & #29 on the Hot R&B Singles chart

Amazing Cover: "I Will Always Love You" (Keke Wyatt)

Yesterday, Keke Wyatt took to YouTube to honor the late Ms. Whitney Elizabeth Houston also known as "The Voice" with her #KekeCovers series. Leaving the following message, Keke wanted to honor one of her inspirations and one of the greatest of all-time.

February 11, 2016 marks the four-year anniversary of the passing of one of the greatest voices of all times, Ms. Whitney Houston. She was my inspiration and a vocal force to be reckoned with. In honor of the musical legacy she left behind, I'm paying homage to Whitney with my next installment of #KekeCovers.

With that said, watch Keke's sublime cover of the Whitney Houston Bodyguard classic "I Will Always Love You" below as we continue to honor the late, great Ms. Whitney 'The Voice' Houston.

Live Video of the Day: "The Star-Spangled Banner" (Whitney Houston)

Today marks the 25th anniversary of Whitney Houston's iconic rendition of the "The Star-Spangled Banner," which in my book, no one can ever do it better than The Voice, Ms. Whitney Elizabeth Houston.

As we celebrate her groundbreaking moment in music history, The New Yorker has written an inspiring piece about Ms. Houston. Click here to read The New Yorker's sublime piece on Houston and the monumental impact she has had and watch her spirited rendition below!

Song of the Day: "Didn't We Almost Have It All" (Whitney Houston)

"Didn't We Almost Have It All" - Whitney Houston

• Writers: Michael Masser & Will Jennings
• Producer: Michael Masser
• Record Label: Arista
• Released in 1987 from Whitney 
• Peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100

Podcast: "#FactsOnly" (The BackBeat)

In this week’s episode of The BackBeat we get into some of 2016’s highly anticipated releases including Rihanna’s Anti, Ariana Grande’s Moonlight, Christina Aguilera’s follow-up to 2012’s Lotus, Kanye’s Swish, and Missy Elliott’s followup to 2005’s The Cookbook. In addition we speculate about new releases from D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Beyonce and Maxwell with a shoutout to Drake. We then tackle Complex’s list of the best rappers each year since 1979, which shamefully only features one woman, Ms. Nicki Minaj. We then rejoice at Beyonce joining Coldplay at this year’s Super Bowl in addition to rumors that Rihanna might join the festivities, get into some of the new music thus far in 2016 (Kanye West’s “Swish” and “Best Friend”; Brandy’s “Beggin and Pleadin”; Fantasia’s “No Time For It”), talk about Netflix’s highly anticipated series “The Get Down,” and interrogate RZA thinking Black youth should stop scaring police.

Make sure you stay tune to the end of the episode when Marcus and Kyera get into their songs of the moment from Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt, Whitney Houston, and Kelela.

Rare Performance: "I Love the Lord"/ "Joy To The World" (Whitney Houston)

In honor of the Christmas holiday, I thought it would be appropriate to watch this rare performance of Whitney Houston performing a medley of "I Love the Lord" and "Joy To The World" during Celebrate The Dream: 50 Years of EBONY from back in the 90s.

I don't know about you, but a viewing of The Preacher's Wife always rings in the holiday spirit for me and revisiting the music from the soundtrack also does the trick. With that said, watch Whitney belt it out below as we count down to the holiday!

Cut: "Joy" (Whitney Houston)

Back in 1996, Whitney Houston released the accompanying soundtrack to her film "The Preacher's Wife" and the gospel heavy album would go onto become one of the most highly successful gospel albums of all time.

With that said, one of the cuts from the album for me is her Kirk Franklin written joint "Joy," which Houston co-produced with Mervyn Warren. Therefore, take a listen below to Whitney Houston performing "Joy" along with The Georgia Mass Choir and Enjoy!

Live Audio: "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" (Whitney Houston)

During Whitney Houston's My Love Is Your Love World Tour back in 1999, she had a two night stint in Los Angeles at the Universal Amphitheater and of course during her set, Houston performed her #1 hit single "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)," which would sadly go onto be the legends last #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100.

On this special July night, Whitney was jointed on stage during her "shoop segment" by none other than her dear friend BeBe Winans who added his tenor vocals to Houston's Babyface penned chorus of "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)." With that said, take a listen after the jump to this live audio of Whitney's live rendition of "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" from her My Love Is Your Love World Tour and Enjoy!