Working On Her Next Chapter: Syleena Johnson

Last year Syleena released her latest album, which was easily one of the best albums of the year for me and showcased to the world exactly how talented this artist truly is, the year before I interviewed the very talented lady and the interview was posted online for all to see just before her latest album dropped.

It is said that Syleena is currently working hard in the studio (working with Lil’ Mo, who is said to be working on her own project also) on what will be Chapter 5 in her album series and going by the albums she has previously released, we are in for a real treat. Syleena certainly knows how to deliver a great album, so there should be no worries on whether the upcoming project will match up to her amazing last album. It’s just a shame she continues to remain so underrated within music.

Memory Lane: Shola Ama

Shola Ama is an artist who burst onto the British music scene back in the middle of the 1990’s after being discovered whilst singing on the platform at a London tube station. One of her releases was a cover of ‘You Might Need Somebody’, taking the charts by storm and picking up many a fan along the way. At the tender age of eighteen years old Shola released her debut album, ‘Much Love’, which continue to highlight that she was a real talent within music and it was the success of her debut that gave Shola her a selection of awards, which included a Brit award and two MOBO awards. In 1999, she came back onto the music scene with her second album, ‘In Return’, which didn’t prove as much as a success as Shola’s debut, a great shame, especially as she is so talented. This delivered its own problems in Shola’s life as she went through a variety of her own struggles, which were widely reported and Shola eventually took a well needed break from recording. In 2002 she released ‘Supersonic’ and although it didn’t ride high in the charts here in the UK, Shola still continued to shine.

I’m not quite sure when a new album from Shola will surface, but when one does it’ll definitely be something well worth checking out, especially as Shola is so talented. She is also said to be mentoring her younger sister, Sadie. Who is currently working on her own music career.

If you have somehow never heard of Shola Ama, then you can watch a music video from the very talented lady below. Enjoy!

Shola Ama – Someday I’ll Find You (with Craig Armstrong)

Her Time To Shine: Leela James

I’ve been a huge fan of Leela James since I first heard her debut album, which I bought plainly because the album cover looked interesting. Before that, I hadn’t heard of her and I was not left regretting that impulse decision to buy something purely on the fact it looked interesting. I very much enjoyed Leela’s debut, which left me a fan of this artist and ever since I’ve been paying close attention to anything this artist releases, so the fact she has a new album out this year, I am very excited. It should be well worth checking out; Leela usually brings the goods within music.

Here is Leela’s latest music video for you to take a look at, which is the fisrt single to be taken from her upcoming album, ‘My Soul’, due out in May of this year. Enjoy!

Leela James – Tell Me You Love Me

More Than Ready For Erykah’s Musical Invasion

Erykah Badu is gearing up for the release of her eagerly awaited new album, ‘New Amerykah Pt. 2 Return of the Ankh’, which is sounding amazing so far from what I’ve heard. But then we knew it wouldn’t be anything other than incredible, this is the amazingly talented and creative Erykah Badu we are talking of and she never fails to amaze when it comes to her music. I am more than ready for this new album.

Now it seems the music video for the rather incredible ‘Window Seat’ has surfaced, which was filmed in one take and showcases exactly why Erykah remains on top of her game and why she has done so for numerous years. This is such a powerful video.

Erykah Badu – Window Seat

Representing: Kyra Simone

Previously I introduced you to this amazing talent to come from the UK and Kyra Simone is definitely an artist worth checking out, she just seems to ooze soul and originality, something a lot of music nowadays tends to lack. After years of perfecting her gift for music, she stepped out into the limelight with her work and is now ready to shine.

With an upcoming album on the horizon, it certainly seems there are much better things to come from this very talented artist. You can also buy her debut album, ‘The Scent’, which is currently available and should keep you happy until Kyra’s new album is released.

Until then, here is her music video for you to check out. Enjoy!

Kyra Simone – Let’s Just Be Friends

Legend: Donna Summer

Legend is a word used too much within music, even for artists who haven’t been around within the industry for very long, but you just know that someone of Donna Summer’s status deserves that title, especially as she has been in music for such a long time and created some of the best disco anthems over the years. I don’t really have to go into too much detail, as I’m sure many of you are already aware at some of the songs this amazing artist has released over the years. This is an artist who delivers music that anyone of any age can truly enjoy.

Anyway, I thought I’d feature the video to one of my favourite Donna Summer songs.

Donna Summer – Dinner With Gershwin

Future Star: Sharon Rose

Sharon Rose is a singer/songwriter who definitely has what it takes to be a huge star within music, who from a young age sang along to the likes of Whitney Houston; Mariah Carey; Brandy; etc and now you will find her listening heavily to the likes of Jill Scott; Lauryn Hill; Coldplay and Aaliyah. Having been encouraged by her parents to pursue her obvious talent and love of music, she has done just that and it seems now it may just be her time to shine.

To give you more of an insight into the incredibly talented Sharon Rose, you can hear her take on the classic Coldplay hit, ‘Yellow’, below. She doesn’t do a bad job, infact, I wouldn’t mind seeing this version recorded and released.

Sharon Rose – Yellow (Live)

Keeping You Sweet Until The Album: Jill Scott

It’s no secret that I am absolutely looking forward to the new album from Jill Scott; no doubt there are many others out there as well who are also looking forward to the new album. So until then, the kind people over at SoulBounce and DJ Phaze have blessed us with a mix of music that Jill has done or featured on in the past, which should keep everyone sweet until ‘The Light Of The Sun: Words and Sounds, Vol. 4’ actually makes its way into our hands.

I’ll keep this feature short and sweet; you can download the mix via the link below the tracklist. Enjoy!

Tracklist

Jilltro
Be Ready
Whenever You’re Around
Talk To Me
Slowly
Funky For You (feat. Common and Bilal)
Golden
The Roots Interlude
Crown
Spring Summer Feeling
The Way
Show Me
Gettin’ In The Way
Do You Remember
My Petition
All I
Not Like Crazy
Not Like Crazy (Kenny Dope Remix)
Cross My Mind (Ananse Remix)
Wanna Be Loved (Tony Nuccio’s Lovely Mix)
Street Life (Scott Wozniak Remix)
Whatever (Scott Wozniak Mix)
One Time (feat. Eric Roberson)
8 Minutes To Sunrise (feat. Common)
Brotha
Rasool
It’s Love
Let Me (feat. Sergio Mendes and will.i.am)

DOWNLOAD

On The Rise: Amy Serrata

Amy Serrata is a name you should be familiar of upon this site, especially as I have interviewed the very talented previously, which you can view by clicking here.

Having nurtured her talent from a very young age, Amy has moved onto getting her work out there and so far she’s had a lot of positive feedback on her material, which is great. If you haven’t heard anything on this artist before, then here is a little introduction to the very talented, Amy Serrata.

Singer + Songwriter, Amy Serrata creates music intended to heal and bring people together. Amy’s interest in singing arose at an early age listening to the sounds of Nat King Cole; Ella Fitzgerald; Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong, to name a few. She sung in choir and started singing lessons at the age of 10 years old when she attended Nido De Aguilas, an international school in Santiago, Chile. As she got older she sung in several gospel choirs and through that experience continued to develop her vocal improvisational skills. Through college she studied Illustration with an emphasis in Fine Arts. During this time she took a break from singing, little did she know how much she would come to miss it. In 2006, Amy started singing with the Stanford University Gospel Choir. A couple years later a friend of hers encouraged her to create her own music. She let that thought simmer and shortly after began to improvise using poetry that she had previously written. The melodies started to naturally form and she then worked with producers: Hyp, HMD & Nyambezi, Willie Norwood to collaborate with for her first self titled album, ‘Amy Serrata’. Amy is currently focused on performing, working on her next album and writing songs for other artists.

Amy has very kindly allowed me to feature her latest album on the site, which is currently available to download for free. You can download the album via clicking here, just enter your email address in and you’ll be allowed her latest project for free. If you would also like to chat to Amy directly, then you can do so via Twitter and to top the feature off, if you would like to read a review on Amy’s new project, then you can do so by clicking here. Enjoy!

Tracklist

Monday Morning
Hello World
Skin
Lets
My Baby My Child
Teach Me
Soul Food
Rooted
In My Garden
Yes To Life
Feel For Me
Love Another
This Is Me

Setting Standards: Raheem DeVaughn

This morning was pretty cool, mainly because I along with many other Raheem fans watched him record a new song and it was great getting an insight in the studio with one of music’s brightest stars. It definitely makes you appreciate all that goes into recording a project, as some of the most dedicated fans sat and watched via ustream for what felt like five hours. It was worth it, when we heard a peek of what could be the easily have been the finished product, without Raheem’s team have to tweak it to perfection. Terence Trent D’Arby’s amazing song, ‘Sign Your Name’, was the finished result and boy we were all sat on the edge of our seat wondering when we will get our hands on this beauty. It was well worth staying up extra late to watch Raheem do his magic in the studio.

Raheem is one of the artists within music today that I absolutely adore, he could sing the Yellow Pages and it’d sound amazing and soulful, he just has that certain something an artist needs to keep reeling people into his sound.

In the meantime, if you haven’t heard or purchased Raheem’s latest album, ‘The Love & War MasterPeace’, then you are certainly missing out. It has to be one of the best albums so far this year, along with a few others. Below is a song from the project you can listen to, which should definitely give you a little insight into the album, if you haven’t yet heard it. Enjoy!

Raheem DeVaughn – Calling Me

If Any Group Were To Get Back Together, Let It Be Eternal

I’ve always mentioned somewhere or another that I absolutely adore the music of Eternal, even back in the 1990’s when they were still doing their thing in music, so it baffles me why they were so underrated within the music industry, especially when they obviously had what it takes to be huge and delivered some of the best songs within their time in music. I’ve always thought that if any group were to get back together, create a new album and tour – then I would want it to be Eternal. When so many female R&B groups were coming from the USA, the UK had one group going for them in the form of Eternal.

They introduced us to so many great songs over the years, some of which include the following few videos. Enjoy!

Eternal – Stay




Eternal – Just A Step From Heaven




Eternal – Don’t You Love Me




Eternal – Someday




Eternal – Save Our Love




Eternal – Angel Of Mine

Rocking Originality: Janelle Monáe

If anyone is rocking originality, it has to be the amazingly talent Janelle Monáe, who is one of my favourite artists within music and has been for quite some time now. Her upcoming project is said to be dropping sometime soon and I am definitely very excited, especially as we have witnessed some rather amazing things from this rather unique and wonderfully gifted artist.

I won’t go into too much detail, as I’m sure you’re previously read the amazing things I have to say on this artist, so I will let the music do the talking. Here is a performance which aired recently on BET. Enjoy!

Janelle Monáe – Tightrope (Live On BET’s Rip The Runway)

All Eyes Are Focused On YahZarah

All eyes are definitely focused on the amazingly talented YahZarah, who very recently delivered the first single to be taken from her eagerly anticipated album, ‘The Ballad of Purple Saint James’, which by all accounts will be in stores on May 4th of this year, ink that date in on your calendars, as it will definitely be worth checking out if the first song from the incredibly gifted YahZarah is anything to go by.

The first single to be taken from the exciting upcoming project is aptly titled ‘Why Dontcha Call Me No More’ and definitely shows why people should be paying attention to this very talented lady, as she relays what her ex put her through within their relationship and how he broke her heart, not wishing him well after all that’s happened. This is an amazing song, I’m definitely looking forward to YahZarah’s upcoming project and if you like the sound of this song, you should be too.

You can check out the song (which is being given away for free here) below. Enjoy!

YahZarah - Why Dontcha Call Me No More

High Hopes: Vivian Green

Most of the people who know me will know that I absolutely adore Vivian Green’s music and I have been a fan of her for numerous years. Since her last release – which was a few years ago now, I have been waiting with high hopes for something new from the very talented lady from Philadelphia, a place that also gave us the likes of Boyz II Men; Jill Scott; Kindred The Family Soul; Musiq Soulchild; etc. There definitely seems to be something in the water when it comes to Philadelphia delivering some of the most amazing talent in music, that’s for sure.

I have been eagerly awaiting the release of something new from Vivian, so when I heard there was an album to be released this year, April 6th, to be exact. I jumped for joy, I am definitely ready for something new from Vivian and with all we have heard so far, it definitely seems that we are in for a real treat. This year is shaping up pretty nicely so far for album releases.

Here is the latest music video from the very talented Vivian Green for you to check out. Enjoy!

Vivian Green – Beautiful

Looking Great: Sade

Sade has been away from music for quite some time now and when she recently released her latest album, ‘Soldier Of Love’, fans of her work jumped for joy as it has been a very long wait since the project before the latest and they have not been left disappointed as Sade showcases exactly why she remains one of the best talents within music.

Sade definitely looks good for her age, as shown recently on the cover of Ebony, where Sade literally let her hair down and she looks very young indeed, a lot younger than her 51 years. Women get a lot of stick over how they look, so it’s nice to see a fellow woman showcasing that just because you are a certain age, it doesn’t mean you’re past it. Before anyone says, she’s been airbrushed, ok she may have slightly, but we all know that Sade oozes beauty both inside and out and you cannot airbrush that, so not much was really needed and that shows from this cover. Sade looks amazing.

I have posted the Ebony cover for you to take a look at below. Enjoy!

Future Stars: DivaGeek

I have been a fan of Vula for what seems like forever, so when I heard the newly surfaced song from one of her projects, DivaGeek, who I’m also a huge fan of, I was very excited. Vula just oozes that soul that music needs and she’s been doing her thing within the industry for numerous years now, so it’s about time her talent was finally recognised on this project, which sees her teaming up with the equally talent Ben Jones (who has worked with the likes of Nate James; etc).

I also heard there is more on the way, I’m definitely excited and if you like the following song, you should be too. There are some rather amazing things to come from Vula and DivaGeek. Enjoy!

DivaGeek – Sunday

Collaborative Genius: Bonobo

Now I have to be pretty honest here, I do not know much about Bonobo other than the fact he works with some rather interesting and incredibly talented artists in music. The song I’m about to post the video for sees Bonobo team up with the rather talented, Andreya Triana, an artist I have previously featured here and someone you should definitely be keeping your radar focused on. You can also pre-order Bonobo’s upcoming album, ‘Black Sands’, by clicking here.

In the meantime, here is the rather amazing video I mentioned above. Enjoy!

Bonobo - Eyesdown (feat. Andreya Triana)

INTERVIEW SPECIAL: Asia Bryant

Asia Bryant is an artist I introduced you guys to earlier this week and she has been very kind in letting me feature her further in an interview, exclusive to Sexy Never Left. So here we get to know a little more on the talent behind the amazingly catchy song, ‘Can’t Help It’.

As highlighted in the words from Asia’s biography introducing her talent, it states:

“Now, armed with this new single, a new look, a new direction, a new team, and a seemingly unlimited supply of fantastic new music, Asia is ready to conquer the charts and the world!!!”

They are not wrong, as ‘Can’t Help It’ has definitely propelled this amazingly down to earth and talented young lady into the musical world and now whether she is writing for other artists or her own music career, you just know that Asia Bryant will be a name you hear more of.

What can people who haven’t heard of you expect from your music?

You can expect to hear something fresh, airy, yet real and relatable. It’s a nice mix of catchy, sophisticated lyrics over production that embodies musical influences from all parts of the globe. It’s “a breath of fresh air”, at least that’s what I’m being told.

How did you get into music?

From what my parents told me, I’ve always been singing, since before I could talk. When I was younger, it was just a bunch of “goo-goo ga-ga’s” in a pretty melody. I wrote my first full song aged 8. It sucked, but that’s when it all started. I started doing competitions and full shows at age 9. The first time I sang the national anthem at a basketball game, I knew this was all I wanted to do.

The song you featured on your website for free download is said to have had a wonderful response from music listeners, how does that make you feel?

The response to “Can’t Help It” makes me feel very accomplished and proud. It’s a confirmation to me because I stuck to what I believe is great music, I was completely myself and people liked it. I’ve gotten responses about the song from people all over the world, telling me that it described exactly how they feel or felt in that moment. Others saying that it’s exactly the way they want to feel. It’s quite humbling.

What plans do you have for the future with your music?

I want to make colourless music for the world. I want to create music that everyone can relate to, music everyone can listen to and feel like, “yeah, this is good stuff”. So my plan is to just be me and make great music and hope that greatness will follow.

What approach do you take when writing material?

It’s very weird actually. I don’t have a set approach to writing. I can see a light flash in the studio and I’ll go off that. Sometimes I’ll write before I’ve even heard the track or as soon as I hear it. Sometimes I dislike a track one week and the next I love it. Generally speaking, it’s completely insane to not have a plan or format, but it works for me. Not having a plan keeps your mind open and ready for any situation. It keeps it fun.

What do you feel has been the response to your music as a whole?

As a whole, I think that people respect it. They sit down and listen to song after song and at the end say, “I’m truly a fan”. Even when I venture into various genres, people seem to appreciate it. It leaves me cloudy sometimes but I always go back and study more music, to make sure that I show appreciation and respect to those who’ve done it before me. I guess that’s why people say they respect it so much, because it pays homage but it’s still new, still real.
If you had the opportunity to tour, where would be your first tour destination?

I’d love to go anywhere overseas really. I love to experience different cultures and languages. I love to be inspired. Plus, I actually speak French; Portuguese; Japanese; a little bit of Spanish and German and I’m dying to get it out.

What are your thoughts and feelings towards artists of today?

Fortunately, I’ve been in my own little Asia bubble and the only time I really hear other artists is when someone is telling me they’re awesome, so I’ve been steered away from all the not so good stuff.

Sexy Never Left believes in bringing real talent forward and giving them a chance to shine. Do you think talent gets a fair deal in music today?

Not all the time. In my opinion, very few great talents actually slip through the cracks and make it mainstream. But, a lot of the real artists are underground and overlooked in my opinion. I wish sometimes it was more about the performance and not the politics. The only way you seem to get a fair deal is if you do all the work yourself, sell a few records and build your own fanbase, then they might give you the true opportunity that you deserve.

Did you ever want to do anything else when you were younger?

No. While everyone else wanted to be a princess; a ballerina or firefighters, I wanted to be a star, like one in the sky. I always associated stars in the sky to people who were on TV. Singers who got to perform In front of the world are something like the stars that get to shine on it. So funny enough, I wanted to literally be an actual star.

In ten years time, where do you hope to see yourself with your music?

In ten years, I just want to be successful. I’d like to have several very successful albums under my belt and my music touching and helping people everywhere. Hopefully, my success will allow me to help others who are less fortunate; sick or have the same dreams I once had without the outlets and opportunities to get it out there. I hope to have touched films; Broadway musicals and choral music. I have big dreams and in ten years, I have faith that I’ll have reached those goals and created new ones.

Are there any artists in the industry today you would love to work with?

I would love to work with Kings of Leon; Beyonce; Imogen Heap; Lady Gaga; Black Eyed Peas; Rascal Flatts; Drake; Sade; Orianthi; John Mayer; Corrine Bailey Rae; Jay-Z; Avril Lavigne; Pink; Taylor Swift; Justin Timberlake - I could go on and on. I’m inspired by so many.

What do you believe you bring to music that is different from many other artists?

I would have to say and I know this sounds cliché, a different sound; something that isn’t fabricated or just extremely out there. I think you can listen to it and relate with the feeling of it being new.

How do you feel your music is being accepted as a whole?

I think it’s being accepted pretty well. People seem to enjoy it, they wanna hear more and that’s all any artist can really ask for.

Is there anything you’d like to achieve which you haven’t already?

A Grammy would be great or a World Music Award for Best New Artist or Best New Album/Song would be nice too. I’d like to jumpstart the charity foundations I’m interested in. It’d be nice to have a platinum selling album and be able to perform in front of a stadium full of people. I have so much that I want to accomplish, so I’m just pacing myself, working hard and praying.

Finally, is there anything else you’d like to say to the people reading this interview?

First, thank you to Sexy Never Left for taking the time to actually listen to my music. I want to thank your readers for taking the time out to read this article. I hope this article propels you to go out and find out more about me and my music. If you enjoy my music, please spread the word! Feel free to follow me on Twitter and ask me anything you like or just simply say, “hi”!

I would like to thank Asia for taking the time to answer the questions I set her and taking the time to answer them so honestly, I wish her all the success in the world and I’m sure you guys do as well. If you would like to find out more on Asia, then you can visit her website, where you will be able to hear and download her song, ‘Can’t Help It’, which I have previously featured here on Sexy Never Left. You can also chat to the lady herself by visiting her Twitter page.

Underappreciated: Damage

For those who do not know who Damage were, well, they were a British R&B group who hit the music scene back in the 1990’s and proved that talent really does exist within British music, now they were very underrated as a group, so when they parted ways, it came as no surprise, although I did want them to continue and we were only blessed to have two albums from them. They are a group that parted ways and left many a fan wanting to hear more, it was surprising how underappreciated they actually were back then, when they were easily one of our best R&B groups at the time.

Here are a couple of videos of theirs for you to check out. Enjoy!

Damage – Still Be Lovin’ You




Damage – Ghetto Romance

Bringin’ The Funk: Mamas Gun

I’ve been a fan of this group for what seems like forever and last year saw them finally release their eagerly awaited debut album, ‘Routes To Riches’, which was definitely one of my favourite releases from last year. Well, this year saw the re-release of their amazing debut with a whole host of bonus songs on there and I wouldn’t usually purchase a re-release, unless it was from an artist I truly respect and Mamas Gun are definitely a group I adore within music, so it was well worth buying. It’s such a shame these guys aren’t known a lot more within music, although I do keep hearing their latest single on the radio up here, we need more music like this in the charts.

Here is one of their latest videos, which should give you a better insight into this rather incredible group.

Mamas Gun – Finger On It

Iconic: Peter Gabriel

I grew up listening to a whole host of music, from the likes of John Lennon; The Beatles; Queen through to the likes of Peter Gabriel; Kate Bush; amongst many others. There was always something different playing in the background while I was growing up, some of it amazing, some of it not so good. I was introduced to many artists who were way before my time, some who didn’t leave much of an impression on me, others who did and Peter Gabriel was one of them, along with others I mentioned above. Peter always did something completely different in music, whether it was the catchy music he delivered or the amazingly creative videos throughout his career, you just knew you were in for a treat when something of his came on.

With all of that said, here are a couple of rather creative videos of his for to check out below. Enjoy!

Peter Gabriel – Steam




Peter Gabriel – Sledgehammer

Michael Jackson Remakes? Quincy Jones Is Off His Trolley!

So it’s been reported that Quincy Jones is looking to re-hash one of the classics from the legendary Michael Jackson’s career, we’ve already seen a bunch of people butcher ‘We Are The World’ and now it seems they’re going to do exactly the same with another Michael classic and the first collaboration I heard of was none other than the annoying T-Pain and Robin Thicke (whose latest album is cack, yeah I said it) taking to the microphone on ‘P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)’. You just know that T-Pain will bring that awful Auto-Tune with him and destroy the song completely. You also know there’s going to probably be a million and one other silly names on the project who are big commercially in music, but offer nothing to the industry as a whole regarding talent and would never come close to what Michael is within music, a legend.

I do not know what Quincy is on, but he’s obviously on something if he thinks he can pull this off. No one can come anywhere near the original versions of what he has in mind, no one can touch the amazing Michael Jackson and Quincy should know that, especially as he’s worked with him and knew Michael for such a long time, right now he’s just disrespecting Michael’s memory and the many fans that Michael has in the world. News of this project has created a bit of a stink on Twitter and quite rightly so, with the recent butchering of ‘We Are The World’, it now looks like some of peoples favourite songs of Michael’s will be going down in history too, but for all of the wrong reasons.

I’m sick and tired of seeing all of these people and corporations who ‘supposedly’ knew and worked with Michael cashing in at his expense, claiming it’s somehow what he would have wanted. The fact is, no one knows what Michael would have wanted on this subject, but we know he would never disrespect his fans and just pray that his legacy lives on within his music, which it does. Quincy and all of those who are somehow involved in this project need to know that it’s not necessary to create dozens of remakes of classics within Michael’s discography, he is respected far too much. No one will ever come close to the original version. With all of that said; I will be sticking two fingers up to these remakes and blasting the originals loud and proud. Quincy can stick this idea; he’s off his trolley for even thinking it and showing disrespect to Michael’s memory.

You can enjoy the original of the song that is being said will be covered on this ridiculous project below.

Michael Jackson - P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)

Over The Years: Timbaland

Timbaland has always been one of my favourite producers, if not my favourite. He always delivered something incredibly different and creative within music and has worked with some of my favourite artists (Ginuwine; Tweet; Aaliyah; etc), but as I mentioned on Twitter the other week, his latest material doesn’t come anywhere near his older music, infact he’s lost certain elements that allowed him to stand out within music before. He doesn’t roll with the same clique in music that he used to (Missy Elliott; Tweet; Ginuwine; Aaliyah; Magoo; Playa; etc). Now I know that a couple of the mentioned artists are no longer with us (ie: Aaliyah and Static from Playa) and I know that losing Aaliyah affected Timbaland and his work deeply, he previously mentioned somewhere that he lost part of his muse, his creativity, when he lost one of his best friends and that has bound to have affected him in some way or another, but I find it quite sad that he’s now churning out music with anyone who’s anyone, when he used to appear quite selective on who he worked with in music and his beats just don’t sound the same, he’s changed a lot, which is quite understandable considering what he’s been through, I just miss his older material, the unique sound that Tim used to have within music.

I still adore Timbaland and there were a few bits and pieces he produced after Aaliyah was tragically taken from music, but over the past couple or so years we’ve seen him take a different route within music and I much prefer his older material. I hold out hope that he will one day prove me wrong and deliver something incredibly amazing and creative again, we know he has it.

Until then, here is a selection of Tim’s work from over the years which should give you an insight as to why I adored him so much within music.

Aaliyah – Try Again




Missy Elliott – The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)




Ginuwine – I’ll Do Anything/I’m Sorry




Tweet – Call Me

Future Star: Asia Bryant

I was recently contacted by someone regarding the very talented upcoming star, Asia Bryant, who has all the qualities needed in order to be a star within music, writing for many other artists, alongside her own work in the industry as an upcoming solo act. Infact, Asia recently released her song ‘Can’t Help It’ via her official website for free download and apparently it has so far received a great response from a variety of music listeners, myself included, I’ve found myself wanting to listen to it over and over again, it’s just so incredibly catchy, this is an artist who seems to know how to churn out a great song and she was recently honoured for her hard work by ASCAP as one of the most exciting up and coming songwriters of 2010. It looks like Asia Bryant will be a name we’ll hear more of in the future.

Below is the song Asia featured on her website for free download, so you can download it yourself by clicking here. In the meantime, you can listen to it below and no doubt there will be more to come from this artist in the future.

Asia Bryant – Can’t Help It

The Wonderfully Talented: Jill Scott

I am very excited for the new Jill Scott album that is said to be surfacing this year, infact, I think it’s possible it will be all that I’m playing the week it finds its way into my hands. I think I have mentioned somewhere, whether it be on here or elsewhere, that I am a huge Jill Scott fan, I adore anything that woman does in music’ films; etc. She just oozes talent and has inspired me so much, especially as a writer. I was writing before she came onto the scene in music, but you probably get that I mean she helped me progress further as a writer of poetry, etc.

With all of that said, I don’t think I need to go into much when I mention that she recently premiered a new song of hers on the 41st Annual NACCP Image Awards, with a song that definitely made my day and left me wanting to hear more of this wonderful upcoming project. You just know that Jill will deliver the goods with this next album; she certainly knows how to produce amazing music and leave all of the commercial artists taking centre focus in the shade.

If you wish to get this song for yourself, then you are in luck as the kind hearted Jill Scott has allowed it to be purchased here and all the proceeds will be going to charity. This song is just beautiful, worth every penny; please purchase it from the link I provided above and all of the money will be going to help a truly great cause.

In the meantime, here is Jill singing the song itself. Enjoy!

Jill Scott – Hear My Call (41st Annual NACCP Image Awards)

Legendary: Sade

Sade has been around in music for a heck of a long time and is appreciated for the talent she is within music, it’s been a while since she last released something substantial in music, but this year saw the return of one of the UK’s best talents in music and needless to say, Sade was welcomed with open arms across the Atlantic in the USA, where they seem to adore her and quite rightly so.

I know I’m a little late posting this video, but as the site has been on a temporary break for a couple of weeks I guess I’m picking up on things that I haven’t yet posted on and this feature that Sade did on ‘The Wanda Sykes Show’ (who I think is absolutely hilarious), it’s definitely worth watching and will no doubt make you laugh, it’s hard to believe that Sade is over 50 years old, she looks great. Welcome back, Sade, you have been missed.

Sade Visits The Wanda Sykes Show