INTRODUCTION: THE ART OF A DREAMER

A friend of mine has started her very own site on her art, she is a painter and a very talented one at that. So it comes as no surprise really that a site should be started to showcase her talents that I have come to know and respect over the years, she is an incredibly talented individual whose work should be noticed a little bit more. I’ll let her words draw you in a bit further with her amazing introduction to her work:

"Tripping over my feet at an early age, I believe, is when I stumbled over my first writing utensil. As a child, bright eyed and peeking over my fathers shoulders, I would watch him work on wonderful sketches. Through his instruction I was able to grow and become the eclectic graffiti, still life, abstract, cartooning, unique, and individual artist that I am today. Here I will pay tribute to influential icons of the past, present, and future. The journey may be windswept and my footprints have yet to sink in but the “art as a dreamer” continues to unfold while along this road."

You can find out more about this amazingly talented individual by visiting her site. In the meantime, she knows that I wish her the best of luck, her work is so inspiring.

Underrated: Nate James

Nate James is a talent who has been mentioned on this site a few times, he is most definitely a British artist who should be a lot more appreciated within music, with two amazing studio albums under his belt and his latest offering out on this coming Monday. He’s definitely an artist worth checking out. His latest offering see’s Nate paying tribute with some of the finest songs written over the years, it is a covers album, but it’s definitely worth checking out. Nate always delivers the goods.

Here is a behind the scenes look at him recording a song from his new album, you can also view the music video by clicking here.

Nate James – Because I Love You (Recording Session)

Future Star: Nathan Watson

British talent Nathan Watson is definitely a talent to watch within music, he might not be a big name within the industry, but he is definitely making some great music that is worth paying attention to. It seems a great shame that a lot of really talented artists go virtually unrecognized with their talent, maybe there will be bigger things to come from this talent. Be sure to pay attention.

In the meantime, here is a previous music video of his to give you a little more insight into another amazing talent to step from the UK.

Nathan Watson – I Like U

Underrated: Leela James

After her impressive debut release a few years back, Leela James is back with a new album where she showcases some of the finest songs ever written within Soul music, Leela who is on a brand new label has been a talent to watch for quite some time now and still it beggars belief how incredibly underrated this artist is. But then again, some of the finest talents within music usually do come with an underrated tag as they stay true to the music that gives them their loyal fanbase. Leela James is most definitely an artist to watch out for, if you don’t already know her music.

Here is her video which should give you more of an insight into this incredible talent.

Leela James – It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World

Star: Chrisette Michele

Chrisette Michele is a talent that everyone should know of within music, her debut album went virtually unrecognized and was definitely one of the best albums released in that year. With that said, she’s back with a new album which is due to hit stores in this coming May and is definitely worth checking out.

Meanwhile, here is an interview that she did recently.

Chrisette Michele Interview With Billboard Magazine

Queen Of British Soul: Beverley Knight

Beverley Knight is a talent that everyone should know about, not only has she been in the industry for such a long time, but she is also incredibly talented to go with it. Over the years she has released amazing album after amazing album, this year she is said to be coming back with her latest effort (which she is currently working on now) on her own label, which means she has more creative freedom to do her own thing within her career now. Also, if you register to her new website, you will receive a free demo of one of her newest tracks.

In the meantime, here is a video that has surfaced recently of Beverley in the studio working on her latest album, followed by a live video of a performance she did in London.

Beverley Knight In The Studio



Beverley Knight – Ain’t That A Lot Of Love (Live At Royal Albert Hall)

Underrated: Ginuwine

I’ve said many a time that Ginuwine continues to be one of the underrated talents within music, he might not have the same success as some other names within music, but he can still put out a hot tune or two. His last album was amazing, so his upcoming project will definitely be worth checking out.

In the meantime, here is a behind the scenes video of the man himself.

Ginuwine Behind The Scenes

Future Star: Chester Gregory

Award winning singer/songwriter Chester Gregory is a very talented individual indeed and is exactly the talent the music industry needs right now, especially as there are so many bland artists floating around music right now. It’s great to see an artist with music worth spending your hard earned cash on. An artist who has received many a rave review from the likes of Phil Collins, etc.

Alongside his music, Chester is receiving great reviews for his role in Broadway’s hit musical, ‘Cry Baby’. With influences such as Prince, Donny Hathaway, etc. Listening to a selection of his material on his Myspace page this is an artist that couldn’t possibly do anything wrong and is definitely worth checking out, if you appreciate music with a little substance to it.

Here is one of his music videos for you to check out.

Chester Gregory – Questions

Future Star: Alain Clark

Alain Clark is a singer/songwriter from the Netherlands and a very talented one too, the music that I have heard so far shows this guy as an artist definitely to watch out for in the future. His album is apparently called ‘Live It Out’ and is definitely worth checking out when it’s released over here next month. This is certainly an artist to watch out for.

Here are a few of his videos to give you a little more insight into this incredible talent.

Alain Clark – This Ain’t Gonna Work



Alain Clark – Father & Friend (with Dane Clark)



Alain Clark – Blow Me Away

Underrated: Joe

Joe is an artist who consistently showcases himself to be an amazing talent within music, delivering hot album after hot album. He has decided to re-record the amazing song, ‘If I Was Your Man’, which was released on a previous album.

It has been talked of that Joe will be releasing a new project this year and no doubt this will be something to check out, as Joe is an artist who has consistently delivered the goods over the years.

Here is the new version of a previous song for you to check out.

Joe – If I Was Your Man

Underrated: Chrisette Michele

Chrisette Michele’s debut album a couple of years back was seriously overlooked and was definitely one of the best albums released during that year, now a couple of years later she is back and ready to release her eagerly awaited follow up album, which will no doubt be amazing. This is an artist who consistently showcases just how amazingly talented she is, the new album which is said to have been pushed back until May will be worth checking out.

In the meantime, here is the video for the first single to be taken from her eagerly awaited second album.

Chrisette Michele – Epiphany

Star: LeToya Luckett

Former Destiny’s Child member, LeToya Luckett, is due to release her second album pretty soon. The upcoming project will be LeToya’s follow up to her debut release a couple of years or so ago, no doubt this album should be interesting.

Here is her latest video for you to check out.

LeToya Luckett – Not Anymore

Future Star: Nayo

Nayo is a Nigerian singer/songwriter who is doing some pretty amazing things within music right now, her album is definitely worth checking out if you like music with a bit of substance to it. Nayo is an artist who was influenced by the likes of Annie Lennox, Madonna, Seal, etc. She inked her own development deal with Sony Music, since then she has progressed onto many other things and in 2007 she released her very first single, ‘African Girl’, which hit number eleven in the UK Club Chart. The Independent labelled her as the next ‘Sade’, but she is pretty much doing her own thing within music. This artist certainly has something to offer and if you are going to buy one album this year, Nayo’s debut is highly recommended.

In the meantime, here is a song of hers to listen to which should give you a little more insight into this incredible talent.

Nayo – African Girl

Star: Jazmine Sullivan

Jazmine Sullivan is someone that everybody should know of within music, an artist who has been consistently showcasing herself as an amazing talent. Her debut album hit stores last year, taking her to a wider audience. But for those who knew of her well before the release of her debut album, you will also know how she was continuously showcasing herself as an amazing talent within music back then with various songs from way before her debut album.

On another note though, it seems another video of a song from the album has surfaced. Now this song is just magical, check it out.

Jazmine Sullivan – In Love With Another Man

Amazing Talent: Adele

Adele is an artist who certainly has a very promising future ahead of her in music, with her incredible debut release ‘19’ last year, she has gone onto amazing things, proving that the UK really does have some amazing talent within music. She has since scooped many an award for her amazing talent, including winning at the Grammy Awards in the USA. Adele is certainly an artist to keep your attention on, no doubt her second album (when it does get released) will be just as good.

In the meantime, here is a great remix of one of the best songs from Adele’s incredible debut. Check it out below.

Adele – Hometown Glory (Chewy Chocolate Cookies Remix)

Legendary: Nat King Cole

This album features collaborations from the likes of Natalie Cole, Cee-Lo, Amp Fiddler, Nas, The Roots, amongst many others. The new album, 'Re: Generations', is released today here in the UK and should be worth checking out, as it will no doubt take this amazing talent to a much wider audience and show Nat King Cole for what he truly was within music, amazing.

Here is a new video to be taken from the upcoming album.

Nat King Cole – Lush Life

Incredible: India.Arie

India.Arie is one of those few artists that could really sing anything, so when I came across this song a while ago; I just knew that India could deliver an incredible version of such a classic piece of poetry. Of course no one can touch the original, it’s truly in a league of his own, but India.Arie has done this song some justice, maybe even bringing a few new fans to recognise this song. A song that was written in a time when times were hard; when there were barriers between races and so much focus was spent on the colour of someone’s skin. This song is such a descriptive piece of writing that really shows you what people went through back then.

Here is the very song that I was talking of above.

India.Arie – Strange Fruit (Live)

Gifted: Musiq Soulchild

Musiq Soulchild is an incredibly gifted singer/songwriter who has been around in music for numerous years now. So his latest offering was no different, it proved just as great as his previous efforts. One song stuck out like a sore thumb though and that was, ‘Radio’, it was a song that just doesn’t fit in with what Musiq usually does best.

Here is his latest video for you to check out, followed by a performance that he recently did.

Musiq Soulchild – SoBeautiful



Musiq Soulchild – SoBeautiful (Live On Good Day Atlanta)

Incredible: Jazmine Sullivan

Jazmine Sullivan has had a pretty amazing few years in music, picking up a loyal following with her material. Last year saw the release of her eagerly awaited debut album, which was actually pretty good and definitely worth checking out, if you haven’t already. Her latest video was on a music channel here in the UK, like a countdown of hot videos right now or something. Anyway, I think it came in around number eight or something like that, which is actually pretty good. They even played the song on one of the chart shows here in the UK over the past weekend and it got a pretty good response, so hopefully there are bigger things to come for this incredible talent.

Here is her latest music video, which is doing the rounds here in the UK.

Jazmine Sullivan – Dream Big

Incredible Talent: Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson is an artist who continues to go from strength to strength within her career, consistently showcasing herself as a talent not to be messed with. With that said, Jennifer recently made an appearance on Oprah’s show where she took part in an interview and performed her latest song to be taken from her amazing debut.

Here is the interview and performance that she recently did on Oprah.

Jennifer Hudson Interview On Oprah



Jennifer Hudson – If This Isn’t Love (Live On Oprah)

Bright Future: Adele

Adele has had a pretty eventful career so far, releasing one of the best albums of last year, branching out overseas to try her luck there, winning a Grammy Award. It couldn’t get much better.

British music has really been making a name for itself recently and Adele happens to be one of the elite artists who is fortunate enough to receive love in the USA.

Here is a video of a performance that she recently did.

Adele – Right As Rain (Live On The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson)

Talented & Underrated: Syleena Johnson

Syleena Johnson has not long since released her latest album, ‘Chapter 4: Labor Pains’. It is on this very album that she has a track titled, ‘Maury Povich’, which is about the show of the same name. For those who haven’t yet familiarised themselves with this show, it can be compared to Jerry Springer where people confront loved ones, associates, etc. Syleena summed up the show nicely with this track; it was great that she was invited on the show to perform this song. Not only will it take such an underrated and talented artist to a wider audience, it also gave her the opportunity to showcase what she does best.

Here is that very performance that was mentioned above.

Syleena Johnson – Maury Povich (Live On Maury Povich) (feat. Cold Hard of Crucial Conflict)

Amazing Talent: Tawiah

British artist Tawiah is certainly an artist that everybody should know about; she should be a name on every music fans lips out there. If you’re the kind of person that really appreciates real music, with real lyrics, real issues and a certain substance to it, then this is definitely an artist you should be checking out. Her incredible EP, ‘In Jodi’s Bedroom’, dropped here a while back and holds the key to what this artist is all about. Now all we need a full length album, it has been mentioned previously and is eagerly awaited by fans of this artist that are building by the second.

Here are a selection of live video’s that are definitely worth checking out.

Tawiah – Gone (Live At Big Chill Bar, London)



Tawiah – Another One (Live At Big Chill Bar, London)



Tawiah – Broken Heart (Live At Big Chill Bar, London)



Tawiah – Boy From The Endz (Live At Big Chill Bar, London)



Taiwah – Watch Out (Live At Big Chill Bar, London)



Tawiah – Everystep (Live At Big Chill Bar, London)