Spotlight Grooves

Lenny Kravitz LIVE on MSN Now!

2008-02-28T11:59:00.000-08:00

Lenny Kravitz recently played a show at Chicago's Riviera Theatre.
MSN music is broadcasting the performance online starting at 2pm EST!

Watch it HERE:

I'll Be Waiting- VIDEO

It Is Time For A Love Revolution- In Stores Now!

Mos Def the Movie Star & Sings: "Your Feets Too Big"-

2008-02-28T11:52:00.000-08:00

Lakeshore Records has released the original motion picture soundtrack for BE KIND REWIND. The album features classic Fats Waller cuts performed by the film's star Mos Def, writer/director Michel Gondry and composer Jean-Michel Bernard, plus classic tracks by Booker T and the MGs, Fats Waller, Billy Preston, original music by Bernard, and a performance by Jack Black.

Mos Def "Your Feets Too Big"

Mariah Carey- 'Touch My Body': Video

2008-02-28T08:59:00.001-08:00

Click Here to Read VH1's Early Review of E=MC² In Stores APRIL 15!!

Mariah Carey- "Touch My Body" written and produced by Mariah Carey & C. “Tricky” Stewart/ Directed by Brett Ratner

More Mariah

"Lyfe Change" in stores April 29th

2008-02-27T19:42:00.000-08:00

Lyfe Jennings returns with his third release 'Lyfe Change'on April 29th. The album features Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, and Wyclef Jean; and a new production team including Jean and The Underdogs. “The album is called Lyfe Change because I’m changing it up a bit,” explains Lyfe when discussing his choice of new lineup.
Read More

Listen to First Single Midnight Train

New Music Tuesday Goes to The Ladies

2008-02-25T08:16:00.000-08:00

The R&B Divas will battle this one out, each representing their own style and affiliations. This week will unveil two of the most long awaited R&B debuts, while a Legend and a Legend-in-Training will reclaim their coveted thrones. Let the Battle Begin!

More Janet

More Erykah

More Cheri

More Algebra

More Lizz

J. Holiday in ATT Blue Room, On Tour w/ Trey Songz

2008-02-22T10:29:00.000-08:00

J. Holiday in the AT&T Blue Room

Check out an exclusive J. Holiday interview and behind the scenes footage in the AT&T blue room!.....Check it out here

Also, J. Holiday and Trey Songz hit the road for a multi-city tour. See the dates below:

Feb.25th Chicago, IL -- House of Blues
Feb.26th St. Louis, MO -- Pagent
Feb.29th Baltimore, MD -- Rams Head
March 2nd New York, NY -- Nokia Theatre
March 4th Philadelphia, PA -- TLA
March 6th Richmond, VA -- The National
March 7th Hampton, VA -- Hampton Coliseum
March 9th Lake Buena Vista, FL -- House of Blues
March 12th North Myrtle Beach, SC -- House of Blues
March 13th Atlanta, GA -- Dreamz
March 14th New Orleans, LA -- House of Blues

NewAmerykah NYC Listening Session & Pre- Launch Party

2008-02-21T07:56:00.000-08:00

Ms. Badu hosted her NYC Pre-launch party for New Amerykah Part 1 (Mental) due out next Tuesday. We were treated to artwork from the album with Erykah's explanations and hand written notes, a private listening session, and a Q&A. While the album played, we watched a film made of short abstractly edited clips of ordinary life, that speed up or focused with the music.

New AmErykah takes us on another journey, this time of how Ms. Badu interprets the world since her last album, 2003's 'World Wide Underground'. The album tracks, delve deeper into Erykah's spiritual/psychedelic overloads. Each of them funky, sensual; definitely I would say "Sensory Mood Music". One exceptional piece featured Georgia Anne Muldrew; and and "Honey" is definitely the Whackest (sorry) 'Bonus Track' on the album. I am sooo glad, I was scared for half a second...

The album is truly Erykah, meaning phoenix & life, her own spelling of her given name 'Erica. As she discussed the album, she recalled how she wrote the emotional "Telephone", the day Dilla died. She spoke with Dilla's mother who discussed him often having conversations with friends like Old Dirty Bastard, while in intensely painful states due to the Lupus disease that ended his young life. One day while he was 'talking' to ODB, he told him that when you die, choose the 'white bus', not the 'red bus', as the 'white bus' will take you to heaven. This is just one of the personal reflections she shared. She also talked about how her son, 10 year old Seven (with Andre 3000) taught her how to record this entire album on her MAC laptop.

Set at the Earl Grey Museum in NYC, the artist's 5th dimension detail of bodies and surreal elements was a perfect back drop to listen to the album on cushions and pillows on the floor of the museum. This was truly a memorable listening experience.
Aside from being the new face for Tom Ford's fragrance 'White Petunia', this year Erykah will release New Amerykah Part 2 (Spiritual) in July, and 'Low Down Loretta Brown in November. As she continues her lifelong self evolution, fans will continue to enjoy the ride with her.

WATCH Erykah's intro for NewAmerykah

New Janet- 'Luv'

2008-02-19T17:00:00.000-08:00

Luv, Luv, Luving this song!

(Chorus)

I shoulda' stopped at the red light
cause
Now I'm like a deer caught in headlights
ughh!
He hit me with his love, love, love, love, love
He hit me with his love, and now I'm in
love, love, love
Got me caught in a wreck, I'm a mess
Got me caught in a wreck, I'm a mess
Got me caught in a wreck
Somebody call the paramedics cause
He hit me with his love, love, love, love, love

'Discipline' In Stores February 26, 2008

Erykah Continued

2008-02-19T16:46:00.000-08:00

Erykah Badu - The Healer

Watch the next installment of Badu where she talks about her song "The Healer" produced with Madlib

"This one is for Dilla." - Erykah Badu, "The Healer"
New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM NOW!!!

New Usher Single: 'Love In This Club'

2008-02-19T16:33:00.000-08:00

Check out Usher's new single 'Love In This Club'.

Looks like everyone is leaving R&B alone and going strictly POP...
This definitely did not ring any bells for me...
I have heard MUCH better tracks from his upcoming, yet to be titled album...

Love In This Club

Mariah Announces E=MC²

2008-02-13T10:38:00.000-08:00

MARIAH CAREY ANNOUNCES E=MC²!!

NEW ALBUM IN STORES APRIL 15th - FOLLOWS-UP WORLDWIDE 10 MILLION-SELLING, MULTI-GRAMMY WINNING THE EMANCIPATION OF MIMI

“Touch My Body” first single hits radio February 12th, written and produced by Mariah Carey, C. “Tricky” Stewart and The-Dream- video directed by Brett Ratner, premiere to be announced!

Read More

Lizz Wright- 'The Orchard' In Stores 2/26

2008-02-13T10:06:00.000-08:00

Soul singer Lizz Wright returns to the scene with her husky voice and heavy jazz /gospel/latin inspired 3rd release 'The Orchard'

"She stirs jazz, gospel and rhythm and blues into a reflective, flowing style that elongates songs into prayerful meditations that never wander into vagueness" - Stephen Holden, The New York Times

Take a listen to her new single 'My Love'

More Lizz

New Video for 'Honey'

2008-02-13T09:59:00.000-08:00

Erykah and her team are promoting the hell out of this single. Take a look at this animated video for 'Honey'

Universal Motown's multi-platinum-selling, Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter/actress Erykah Badu returns to the music limelight with her debut single "Honey." Laced with Erykah's bluesy grit and MC style vocals, the song is bolstered by producer's 9th Wonder's razor sharp hip hop beats. Badu describes the song as "an old school track with some funk on it."

Praise for the single is already rolling in, with tastemaker DJs in NY, Chicago, Dallas and other cities already declaring their love for the innovative song.

The recent release of "Honey" on November 20th also marks Badu's 10th year in the music industry. To celebrate, the gifted trendsetter prepares the release of her much anticipated new album on her birthday, February 26th. Badu has enlisted some of the most talented, groundbreaking underground producers and engineers in the hip-hop game to support her breakthrough return, including Grammy Award winning producer 9th Wonder (Jay-Z, Nas, Mary J. Blige), Madlib, Mike "Chav" Chavarria and R&B singer Bilal. A special, 12-inch pink wax edition will be available only to DJ's next month and will feature album tracks, "The Healer" and "Real Thing."

will.i.am- The Yes We Can Song

2008-02-05T19:52:00.000-08:00

Take a look at this inspiring piece pulled together by will.i.am. In it the producer sets Senator Barak Obama's New Hampshire debate speach to music and invites a few friends like John Legend, Common and Tatiana Ali to help breath life into a hope for change.

When you are truly inspired..
magic happens...
incredible things happen...
love happens..
(and with that combination)

"love, and inspiration"

change happens...

"change for the better"
Inspiration breeds change...

"Positive change"...

will.i.am

www.dipdive.com
www.YesWeCanSong.com

Ms. Patti Loves Uggs

2008-02-05T19:39:00.000-08:00

Ms. Patti indulges in her new tan crochet Uggs at the "Official" Super Bowl XLII Celebrity Gift Lounge in Arizona this weekend. Also on Oprah's favorite things!

Jill Scott Live in Paris- DVD

2008-01-31T12:31:00.000-08:00

Jill Scott Live in Paris
In Stores February 5th!

JANET Is Back- PROMO PIX, Feedback VIDEO

2008-01-31T11:28:00.001-08:00

The longevity of a career in music is something to be admired. And Ms. Jackson leaves nothing to be desired. After jumping over to Island Records, Jackson amassed a new album, 'Discipline', set to release February 26th. 'Feedback', her first single is putting her back in her respected space and topping charts. Elizabeth Pruit

Mary Returns To 'Life", Hurt Again

2008-01-30T12:06:00.000-08:00

VIBE Cover

SIX-TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNER MARY J. BLIGE RETURNS TO ABC DAYTIME’S “ONE LIFE TO LIVE” ON FEBRUARY 15 & 18

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New Single: Hurt Again AUDIO

Pete Rock Back On The Tables

2008-01-30T12:01:00.000-08:00

New York, NY - Hip-hop producer/DJ/MC Pete Rock is set to release his first album in four years. Titled NY's Finest, the album will be released in February 2008 in a joint venture between Soul Survivor Records and NY based indie label Nature Sounds.

The record features a roster of cult hip hop artists that includes Wu-Tang's Raekwon and Masta Killa, Dipset's Jim Jones, Papoose, D-Block and Redman amongst others. The first single "We Roll" features Jim Jones and Max B. The track shipped to radio in mid-October and it's already getting spins at mix-shows throughout the Northeast. Other tracks currently available are "914" featuring Styles P and Sheek Louch, "The PJ's" featuring Raekwon and Masta Killa and "Til I Retire" featuring Pete Rock himself.

Born in the Bronx, NY by Jamaican parents, a teenage Pete Rock first hit the scene in the late 80's when he joined legendary DJ/producer Marley Marl on NY station WBLS' show "In Control With Marley Marl." The popularity of the radio show soon led Pete Rock to experiment with production. In 1991, he was joined by up-and-coming rapper CL Smooth and released the debut EP, All Souled Out. In 1992, the duo dropped Mecca And The Soul Brother, one of the most critically acclaimed hip-hop albums of all time. Pete and CL eventually released The Main Ingredient in 1994. Although the album was very well received by critics and fans alike, the project marked the last effort for the duo.

Since then, Pete Rock has lent his production skills to some of the greatest MC's. He crafted and remixed hits for Nas, Biggie, Jeru The Damaja, and, more recently, Jim Jones, Talib Kweli's Ear Drum, Redman's Red's Gone Wild and Ghostface, for whom he produced tracks for Fishscale, one of music critics' favorite hip hop albums of 2006.

Pete Rock is considered by most to be one of the greatest hip-hop producers. Following the split with CL Smooth, Pete has released a number of solo projects. In 1998, Loud Records released Soul Survivor; that was followed in 2001 by a collection of instrumental tracks aptly titled , PeteStrumentals. In 2004, he released Soul Survivor II on his own imprint Soul Brother Recordings.

Nature Sounds is quickly becoming the indie home for classic hip-hop. During the last couple of years the label has released critically acclaimed projects by artists that include MF DOOM, Wu-Tang's Masta Killa (Made In Brooklyn), and most recently, Mobb Deep's Havoc (The Kush).

NY's Finest EPK

Tiffany Evans Is Grown

2008-01-25T19:03:00.001-08:00

14 year old Tiffany Evans who won her spot on Star Search at the age of 10, is now ready to release her Columbia Records self titled debut.The new disk includes 'Promise Ring feat Ciara, production by Ne-Yo and her signature cover of Stacy Lattisaw's 'Let Me Be Your Angel' More Tiffany Evans

Im' Grown

New Amerykah Album Cover and Erykah Video

2008-01-25T09:14:00.000-08:00

Check Out Erykah Badu's album cover for New Amerykah and new footage of her discussing the Challenges with creating the album.

Jonh Legend- Grammy Flight, Show Me

2008-01-22T11:28:00.000-08:00

John Legend- Show Me

Droppin' Science | Greatest Samples From The Blue Note Label- 2.12

2008-01-22T11:07:00.000-08:00

Blue Note's Droppin' Science CD, showcases the music of Blue Note legends whose music has been transformed into Hip-Hop classics.

Check out "The Edge" by David Axelrod / David McCullum. Album In stores 2/12.

Sampled by Dr. Dre on his hit single "Tha Next Episode" of The Chronic 2001 album.

That Chick: Mariah Carey-Due April 1

2008-01-22T10:09:00.000-08:00

Mariah Carey has set April 1st for the release date of 'That Chick' Her follow up to 2005's monster, "Emancipation of Mimi". The album is said to keep Carey on the high of her last release, featuring production by Jermaine Dupri, Rodney Jerkins, and will.i.am, with guests and plus Damian Marley and T-Pain.
Dupri told Billboard: "It's kind of strange but I heard a lot of her records and it sound like the album is better than the last album."

Spotlight Indie Soul-Rogiérs Life & Music: All Of It Available Online

2008-01-14T13:43:00.000-08:00

Spotlight Indie Artist Rogiérs (pronounced Ro-Gee-Ay)
Life and Music: All Of It Available Online!

More Rogiérs
www.FibbyMusic.net

"Life and Music: All Of It is an invigorating album, rich in all aspects of Soul." -SDM SPOTLIGHTGROOVES.COM

"A TORCH SONG SIZZLER WITH WONDERFUL VOCALS”
-VELANCHE, GIANT STEP

“SEXY SOUL AT ITS MOST INTIMIDATING”
-GERRY HECTIC, FLY GLOBAL MUSIC CULTURE, UK

“A BETTER R&B SONG THAN I’VE HEARD IN YEARS ON ANY COMMERCIAL OUTLET…”
-J-23, HIP HOP DX

Don't Sleep on the Indies!

On Friday January 10th, Rogiérs was featured in a live Radio Battle on "Fantastic Fridays" with 'Cleveland', on WPFW 89.3 FM in Washington DC. Rogiérs' 'Life & Music: All Of It' was matched up against Jill Scott's critically acclaimed 'Real Thing'.
The listeners called in, and Rogiérs was declared the winner! Winning 2 out of 3 rounds, tieing for the third!

Watch and Learn @: Rogiérs

Click to Listen:

Life Or Music
Fo Sho