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Keith Sweat's 53rd Birthday Celebration: An Epic Night In R&B

By: Rea Davis @IamReaDavisCategory: Alternatives

Photo credit: Joi Pearson Please enable Javascript to watch this video R&B Legend Keith Sweat and Jamahl King /Steps Events made it a night to remember for Sweat’s recent birthday celebration at his nightclub, Fuego, in Duluth, Georgia (an Atlanta suburb). It was an epic night in R&B as Joe, Case, Tank, 112, Silk, Dru Hill, Lyfe Jennings, J Holiday, Christopher Williams, and more hit the stage to perform their hits in celebration of the R&B icon’s birthday. V103’s Ryan Cameron reminded the crowd that there were R&B legends on the stage and joked that many of those in the audience had in fact gotten pregnant off of their songs. Comedian and actor Carl Payne took the mic starting his speech with his infamous bird call from the classic sitcom Martin. He went on to say he felt like he nailed the R&B look, even though he was the only “non-singing” male on stage. He said, “now you may not have gotten pregnant off of me but I got you through a lot of hard times (alluding to Martin).” Comedian Bruce Bruce sang a Keith Sweat “There You Go Telling Me No Again” snippet on the red carpet for us. It was a magical night in R&B music. AllHipHop’s Rea Melissa Davis was on the red carpet speaking with the singers about the impact Sweat made on their careers, what it felt like being there to celebrate his birthday, the current state of R&B, as well as what they’re currently working on. Check out our video recap above.

The 20th Anniversary 2014 Essence Festival Brings Out The Stars! Prince and More Headline

By: Rea Davis @IamReaDavisCategory: Alternatives

Photo Credit: Maya Washington Essence hit it big again this year for their 20th anniversary. The Essence Festival’s 20th anniversary set a record for annual attendance, with more than 550,000 participants celebrating four days of R&B music, community, and black culture between the New Orleans’ convention center and the Mercedes Benz Superdome. The festival attracted 10,000 more people than the 2013 festival that was closed out by a sold out Beyonce encore performance. Essence Communications Inc. president Michelle Ebanks said she woke up to a great sense of pride following the 2014 Essence Festival celebration. Over 80 musical performances highlighted by Prince, Lionel Richie, Charlie Wilson, Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Janelle Monae, The Roots and more highlighted the festival. The convention center also hosted more than 150 speakers addressing everything from solutions to crime and violence to growing entrepreneurs. Some of our AllHipHop team volunteered with 200 young girls and boys that participated in the #YesWeCode initiative that Prince partnered with over the weekend. The initiative targets low opportunity children and teaches them how to code and create their own apps that can change the community. Essence executives thanked Mayor Mitch Landrieu for the city’s ongoing partnership. Both the city and Essence stated that they are committed to locking the festival into a new deal. Thursday night Trey Songz, Nas, Jazmine Sullivan and more kicked off the Essence Festival weekend! Photo credit: Josh Brasted/Getty Images Photo credit: Erika Goldring/Getty Images R&B crooner Trey wooed the ladies as usual with his vocals, solid band, and handsome looks. His lead guitarist led some amazing solos as well. Songz, eager to please, came out of his t-shirt at last for his female fans. Rapper Nas, Thursday’s headliner, performed an entertaining set as fans helped him celebrate the 20th anniversary of his debut album Illmatic. He remarked that he loved ESSENCE for recognizing the influence of Hip Hop. Jazmine Sullivan sang her entire heart out running through a couple of her hits that reminded fans why they fell in love with the Philly native in the first place. Friday night belonged to LEGEND PRINCE! Prince brought the house down as he performed hit after hit after hit during his 24 song set. Halfway into his set he stated, “That was just he sound check.” and “Do you know how many hits I have?” Prince delivered an electrifying performance then left the stage abruptly. Just as fans wondered and worried it could be over, they joined forces to chant “Purple Rain, Purple Rain.” The singer then returned to the stage to close out with his 1984 hit “Purple Rain.” The main stage also turned into a funk royalty jam when Prince and Nile Rodgers teamed up to cover David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance.” 90s R&B legends SWV held down the Superlounge on Friday performing hits like “Right Here (Human Nature). SWV is one the world’s top selling female R&B groups of all time, and over the weekend they reminded fans why! [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhjRO_cFiFE&w=600&h=315] Photo credit: Josh Brasted/Getty Images The Queen of R&B and Hip Hop soul, Mary J. Blige brought down the house from main stage on Saturday, performing all of her classic hits including “Real Love”, “You Remind Me”, “Not Gon’ Cry”, “I’m Going Down” and more. Blige rocked the dome with effortless precision. Fans were out of their seats dancing and singing during the entire set. Blige represented nearly all of her 12 albums found in her discography this night. The powerfully raw singer closed with her hit “Family Affair.” Fans rocked and jammed all the way out of the Superdome. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy7QxrXN-bM&w=600&h=315] 90′s R&B crooner Tevin Campbell hit the stage of the Superlounge performing his hits “Can We Talk”, “Always in My Heart”, and “SHHH (Break It Down).” Campbell proved that he “still has it” in two ways: vocals, and the fact that he packed out the entire room of the Superlounge. When he began singing crowd favorite, “Can We Talk” he asked the audience to let him sing his song, and for them to come in on the hook. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQNY0vpVd5s&w=600&h=315] [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aesK3dz_UzY&w=600&h=315] 90s favorite, R&B quartet 112, held down the Superlounge Saturday bringing the heat as they performed some of their most classic dance tracks like “It’s Over Now.” [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbML76GZWY8&w=600&h=315] Photo credit: Josh Brasted/Getty Images Marsha Ambrosius killed the Ford Super Lounge performing her hit song “Late Nights/Early Mornings” while mashing it up with a cover of Prince’s “Sex On Fire” as well as her new song “Friends and Lovers.” [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEIjYulaz7o&w=600&h=315] Photo credit: Josh Brasted/Getty Images Philly’s own Jill Scott opened her set with her song “Gimme”. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKPngKVumyU&w=600&h=315] Photo credit: Josh Brasted/FilmMagic Sunday Uncle Charlie Wilson and Lionel Richie held down the main stage in classic legend form. Uncle Charlie showed fans once again that he is a true performer. The music industry’s famous uncle is 61 but you wouldn’t know it from the way he shows up and shows out every time he hits the Essence main stage. At one point Wilson and crew hit the stage to perform in suits embellished with LED lights. Wilson’s energy level had fans in awe. It seemed as if the dancers had to keep up with him. 61 is the new 20. Uncle Charlie brought the crowd to the dance floor, to the bedroom, and to church. Photo credit: Josh Brasted/FilmMagic Lionel Richie had a nice set, although it was tough to follow Charlie Wilson. His band gave some pretty solid guitar solos. Richie proceeded to give a nice run of Commodores favorites that were ultimately the highlight of the show. Richie pleased the crowd with “Zoom,” “Brick House” and “Hello” as well. Photo credit: Erika Goldring/Getty Images Erykah Badu also helped Essence Festival celebrate their 20th anniversary by performing her hits like “On & On” and “Next Life Time.” The neo-soul chanteuse boomed with the backing of her live band and even kicked a freestyle for fans. After jokingly saying goodnight to her fans, the soul […]

112, Jagged Edge, Silk, and More Perform at "Atlanta Home Team" R&B Concert

By: Rea Davis @IamReaDavisCategory: Alternatives

Jeremy “JD” Hill did it again! This time with an “Atlanta R&B home team” concert featuring 112, Jagged Edge, and Silk. The sold out R&B concert took place this past Saturday at Wolf Creek Amphitheater in Atlanta, Georgia. Whoever thinks R&B doesn’t sell or people don’t still love classic R&B think again! The concert sold out weeks before the actual date. With regular parking and overflow parking filled to capacity, some R&B fans even walked miles to the amphitheater to see their favorite groups perform. Silk, Jagged Edge, and 112 brought down the house performing their hits like “Meeting In My Bedroom, “Gotta Be”, and “Anywhere”. Silk brought fans on the stage to serenade. Jagged Edge performed their classics as well as classics from the R&B artists before them that inspired them! 112 brought a few surprises as fans were surprised to see Lil’ Zane hit the stage to perform his verse on “Anywhere” and Yung Joc perform his verse on Slim’s “So Fly”. Check out the video recap below! Photos by Briana Crudup for Freddyo ! and Rodney Adams. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLxdR2slJao&w=600&h=315]

Affirmative Action: Q Parker Says “Yes” With Official New Video

By: @KareemTaylorCategory: Alternatives

Grammy-award winning singer and songwriter Q Parker (formerly of 112) has just released a video for his debut album’s second single, “Yes”. The visual finds a bare-bodied Q Parker with the video’s main vixen, sharing the way love is “supposed to be.” Peep: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4HODZRrCic&w=640&h=360] Q Parker’s debut solo album, The MANual, drops tomorrow (October 30).

Q-Parker Does Something Unusual for Today’s R&B – He Sings!

By: @KareemTaylorCategory: Alternatives

R&B singer and former 112-member Q Parker is back in the studio creating new music, like the new “Yes”, a ’90s-inspired track that smoothly showcases the crooner’s vocals. In our most recent interview with Q Parker, he reveals he’s releasing his Southern hospitality this time around: “I’m an ATL-born, bred, Southern gentlemen. I’m a romantic at heart, and I make my music for women, and I believe that women need a go-to-guy. They need a guy, a male artist, that’s making music for them. Forget trying to be in the club, forget trying to pop bottles, but just really sing and croon, for the women. They’re lacking that.” [soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/57901664″ params=”auto_play=false&show_artwork=true&color=ff7700″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] “Too many times, as R&B artists, our main focus is what’s going on the other side within the Hip-Hop industry. We have to go get this rapper and be in the club, put them up in the VIP and all that kind of stuff, whereas, we’re leaving these women still wanting more from male artists. I took all that into consideration and I said, ‘You know what? I’m going to be their go-to-guy.’ When they hear my records, they know it’s going to be designed specifically for them,” Q Parker added. With the single “Yes” picking up steam, that could secure a soon release for Q Parker’s The MANual. We need it. R&B needs it. Music needs it.

"It's (Not) Over Now": R&B Group 112 Reunites This Summer on "For the Fans" Tour

By: @KareemTaylorCategory: Alternatives

Though members Slim and Q Parker have been attempting solo careers, the entire group, including Daron and Mike, have come back together in the “For The Fans” tour. The group enjoyed ’90s hits including “Only You (Bad Boy Remix)” and “Cupid”. Their popularity skyrocketed in the early 2000s with “It’s Over Now” and the ever-popular “Peaches & Cream”. The tour is open and is still adding dates. Confirmed dates are: June 23 – House of Blues with Faith Evans, Atlantic City, NJ July 14 – Chene Park Amphitheater with Jagged Edge, Dru Hill and Da Brat, Detroit, MI September 8 – ShoWare Center with Blackstreet and Faith Evans, Kent, WA September 15 – Koka Booth Amphitheater, Cary, NC [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynMnPGmhsG0&w=853&h=480]

Q Parker from 112 Debuts “Show You How” Video Featuring Olivia

By: @KareemTaylorCategory: Alternatives

Former 112 member, Q Parker, has released the video for “Show You How”, the first single from his debut album, The MANual, dropping this year. The video features singer and “Love & Hip Hop” star, Olivia, and Day 26 leading man, Willie Taylor. In our recent interview, Q reveals that filming this video in New York City brought back memories of the “Puffy” days. Watch the video for “Show You How” below:  [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLFSHxVGU2A]

112 Reaches Out to Fans, Voting Begins For Battle Of The Boy Bands on MTV

By: @KareemTaylorCategory: Alternatives

Today, voting went live for MTV’s “Battle of the Bands”, and influential R&B group 112 are among 31crews competing for the coveted title of “Best Boy Band.” Not just R&B, the competition features groups like Backstreet Boys and N’Sync. Similar to NCAA’s March Madness, the competition pairs off the bands, and as they win, you move on to pair off with another winning group, until there is one final winner. We spoke to Slim from 112 earlier today (April 23), and here’s what he had to say: “Right now, they’ve got us paired up with LFO. To pair us off with LFO, no disrespect to them, I’m pretty sure they’re a talented group, but, Naw man, naw! [laughter] So, I’m reaching out to our fans. We’ve put too much hard work into this. Right now, this is crazy. It’s 78% to 21%. How? All of our 112 fans, I’m pretty sure you like one of us in the group. I think we should beat these guys.” In 1997, Bad Boy’s112 won a Grammy for “Best Rap Performance by A Duo Or Group,” for featuring in the song “I’ll Be Missing You” with Puff Daddy and Faith Evans. They have released five albums, with their final being 2005’s Pleasure & Pain, and its Billboard charting single, “U Already Know.” Round-one voting closes on this Thursday at noon ET. Vote now at MTV.com. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynMnPGmhsG0&w=640&h=360]