RnB Music News

They said it would go to Amy Winehouse, Leona Lewis or Duffy, but it turns out that Alicia Keys is the one that gets to do the vocals in the theme song for the next James Bond film, Quantam of Solace, which features Daniel Craig as 007 for the second time. Initially the song was to be recorded by Winehouse, but her producer announced that she wasn’t quite up to the task, so the task was given to Alicia Keys.

However she is not alone in this. Rocker Jack White of the White Stripes and The Raconteurs, wrote, produced and has played drums on the track, which makes this the first duet in Bond theme song history. Nonetheless, Keys had already expressed an interest in working with the White Stripes, Meg and Jack, and had recently said to the Rolling Stone that their raw, dry sound. (more…)

It’s been a while since I last heard a Whitney Houston song, but over the weekend we were all given a chance to get a sneak preview of her upcoming album. The song entitled “Like I Never Left” features Akon, a clever move if you take into account that he was last year’s top collaborator. It may be that Whitney is trying to break back into the youth market with this move and other collaborations that will appear on her album, but is that really necessary? She has now reached 44 years of age and her fanbase has aged with her. A move such as incorporating Akon will not attract any of her old fans back, and I didn’t find the song appealing enough to attract any younger fans. (more…)

Now I’ve heard of songs that made it big from TV commercials, but they were usually already out there and just received a lot of publicity from being played on mainstream television. But talk about the tables turning, here is Chris Brown, with Forever, which is number 15 in the UK chart. Nowe, there’s nothing wrong with writing music for advertisements, if you concede that there is nothing wrong with advertisements themselves, but it does feel kind or awkward, kind of wrong to use a jingle as a real song. (more…)

It seems that M.I.A. has subconsciously creeped back into my brain over the last couple of days. See, I’m big on movie trailers and PPRLNS ryeryeAB is featured on the trailer for Pineapple Express. Now I saw this trailer a few times as it was an advertisement on Comedy Central that you can’t skip, so in the end it must have rekindled my interest in the artist.

So after a little bit of research, here is the news. First of all, M.I.A. (Mathangi Arulpragasam) is engaged to marry the guitarist and singer of NY rock band Benjamin Brewer. Mr. Brewer is the son of Warner Music Group Chairman Edgar Bronfman Jr. That kind of broke my heart, I can’t really compete with a guitarist. (more…)

Although I personally prefer Switchboard, which I could dance to for hours on repeat, and Damn Girl, where you definitely need a partner to get up close and personal with, it was Pro Nails that got Kid Sister into this week’s top 20 RnB singles on Radio 1. Undoubtedly it has something to do with Kanye West featuring on the song and appearing in the video that put her in that position, but that is not to say that this is not a very talented woman.

This young lady is something of a conundrum. She tours with Kanye West, DJ A-Trak is her producer and boyfriend, she is signed to Downtown Records, and yet she still works at children’s clothes store. Kid Sister spits out rhymes at high speeds and combined with the wild beats popped in by her producer make you want to jump out of your seat and dance like a maniac but at the same time is a very down to earth and pleasant person, as far as I can tell from her interviews. (more…)

If you’re in London you must have seen the posters. They are everywhere. I wondered what Into the Hoods was all about and now I know. The show that has been getting rave reviews for a while now is a fairytale that has been adapted into a hip hop, b-boy dance extravaganza, with the moves inspired from songs by artists such as Missy Eliott, Chaka Khan, Dr. Dre and Dizzee Rascal, although the music throughout ranges from modern to 1970s disco classics. Hip hop and RnB are used to tell the story of the characters, just as you would have in any other musical. (more…)

I first became acquainted with the work of Tim Fite a couple of years ago when I downloaded his album directly from his website for free. A bold move made by a bold artist. Tim Fite’s style is unique and intelligent. The record I downloaded, and I still have on my mp3 player, is Over The Counter Culture, a moody folk hip hop critique of modern consumerist society. However, the album’s best songs have to be Camouflage which deals with the war in Iraq, and I’ve Been Shot, which is very clearly a reference to 50 Cent and his multiple gunshot wounds. (more…)

American Idol winner Jordin Sparks has even more to celebrate with her hit single No Air having reached number 1 in the Radio 1 official chart on RnB singles. This melancholy yet uplifting single is the perfect vehicle for Jordin to show off her vocal techniques and the melody is reminiscent of good 90s pop. Her collaboration with Chris Brown surely had something to do with the success of the single. (more…)

She dislikes being called the new Amy Winehouse and finds it flattering when she is compared to Dusty Springfield, but no matter who the media decide to compare her with, the fact remains that Duffy has a wonderful soulful voice and is a talented young woman with a lot ahead of her.

I do find some of music very reminiscent of Amy Winehouse, but that is simply because of the musical style. Duffy’s voice seems lighter and at the same time coarser, less polished than Amy Winehouse, at least on the record. So far I have not been disappointed by her live performances, but it is her record, Rockferry, that has put her at number 2 of the HMV albums’ chart.

What I also find very appealing is that Duffy may be playing music that is similar to Amy Winehouse in style, but her behaviour and appearances are a lot more toned down. She presents a much better role model, even though her job is to be a musician and not an example to young people; people will always be inspired by those in the public eye.

Rockferry is available at HMV, CDWOW, Play.com and for download from iTunes and I find it is ideal listening for the summer, whether it’s rainy or sunny.

Apart from taking the RnB world by storm, Rhianna now seems to be conquering the fashion industry as well. The young diva has been chosen as the spokesperson for Gucci’s first Unicef ad. The fashion house found that a beautiful singer would attract the right amount and kind of attention to their campaign, in order to emphasise their commitment to Unicef’s cause.

The “Tattoo Heart” campaign, as it has been named, will start in December 2008 and 25% of profits from the sales of the limited Gucci items sported by Rhianna, will go to the charity. Fans seem to love their favourite singer even more for this move, and although not everyone of them will be able to purchase the pricy designerwear, I’m sure many will try.

And to those who think that this is just a publicity stunt, lets not forget that Rihanna set up her own charitable foundation, The Believe Foundation, in 2006. The foundation helps children receive medical and educational support in order for them to have a better chance in the future. Lets hope that other celebrities of her calibre will use their influence to such good ends.