Lenny Kravitz LIVE on MSN Now!

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!

Mariah Carey- 'Touch My Body': Video

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



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New Music Tuesday Goes to The Ladies

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

New Video for 'Honey'

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."

Tiffany Evans Is Grown

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

Janet Jackson- Feedback Video

Love it!

Erykah Talks about Honey & New Album titled Titled "Nu AmErykah"

Watch Erykah introduce herself, 'Honey', and the new album......




New Album "Nu AmErykah" In stores February 26th

New From Raheem DeVaughn- 'Customer'

Raheem Devaughn's new album 'Love Behind the Melody' is due in stores January 15th. Listen to his second release Customer

More Raheem

Mary J. Blige- 'Growing Pains' Listening Party NYC

Watch EXCLUSIVE footage of Mary J. Blidge at her listening party for 'Growing Pains' in NYC. Listen for snippets of the new album!



More Mary

J. Holiday Videos- 'Suffocate'; 'Be With You'- In Case U Missed It

Watch J. Holiday's third video- 'Suffocate'

This song is cool, but it can't touch my Spotlight Pic: 'Be With You', produced by DarkChild. This was the first single, apparently, it did not set the world on Fire like 'Bed' but it is still my fav.

ERYKAH BADU Returns with New Single, "HONEY"

"HONEY" Audio
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."
"The music is the star," says Erykah, "I just laid down my vocals and let the music breathe while the melodies tell the stories."
Erykah Badu, a Dallas native emerged in 1997 with her masterpiece debut album Baduizm as a primal force of nature connecting old school soul with contemporary R&B. The album garnered her numerous award nominations, pulling 2 coveted Grammys (Best Female R&B Vocal, Best R&B Album) and multiple Top spots on critics' Best-Of-The-Year Lists. In 2000 she followed up with the critically acclaimed platinum selling album, Mama's Gun. In 2003, the EP World Wide Underground was awarded Gold certification.
Erykah most recently performed a Diana Ross Tribute on the BET Awards and the hit show Girlfriends and received rave reviews. The highly regarded upcoming project will be Badu's first full length album in 7 years.

UMG

Check Out Keyshia Cole's VSpot

Keyshia Cole has been chosen for the prestigious honor of having her very own VH1 Unplugged Session. Watch as Keyshia performs hits from her platinum selling debut as well as soon to be classics from Just Like You in stores now!

Keyshia Cole’s Unplugged Performance On Vh1.com!!!

'Pop Pop'- New Single from Angie Stone

Listen to 'Pop Pop' from Angie Stone's latest album "The Art of Love & War"
In Stores NOW!

Click HERE for "Baby" feat Betty Wright -VIDEO

Jill Scott- Real Thing: ENTER & WIN!

Enter Here for Your Chance to WIN a copy of Real Thing!
Tell Us your Favorite Jill Scott Song.

The Isley Brothers 'I'll Be Home for Christmas'- IN STORES OCTOBER 9

I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, the first holiday album ever recorded by the Isley Brothers featuring Ronald Isley, will arrive in stores October 9th on Def Soul Classics, a division of the Island Def Jam Music Group. The new album was executive produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis for Flyte Tyme Productions, Inc., with all tracks recorded and mixed at Flyte Tyme Studios in Santa Monica.

Listen to: Winter Wonderland

Miss Patti's Christmas IN STORES OCTOBER 9

’Tis the season to be – tossing another yule log into the fireplace, and getting cozy with MISS PATTI’S CHRISTMAS. The brand new holiday album by Patti LaBelle will arrive in stores October 9th on Def Soul Classics, a division of the Island Def Jam Music Group. The new album was executive produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis for Flyte Tyme Productions, Inc., with all tracks recorded and mixed at Flyte Tyme Studios in Santa Monica.

Listen to new music from "Miss Patti's Christmas" is in stores now!


'What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas'

J. Holiday Shares His Story

By: Latifah Muhammad


The road to stardom for R&B singer J. Holiday is quickly becoming a steady journey. His debut single ‘Bed’ has hit the top of the Billboard Hip-Hop/R&B charts. He has regions of fans both old and young chanting along with him during his sultry performances. And that’s just the beginning.

The D.C. born and bred R&B singer has done his homework. He grew up listening to artists like Donny Hathaway, Sam Cooke, and Marvin Gaye. He knows real music and is more than eager to bring a piece of his soul to what he feels is an industry lacking real R&B.

Now on the cusps of releasing his debut album Back of My Lac (Music Line/Capitol) he is making his signature saying “Everyday is a J. Holiday” a reality. He took time to talk with Spotlight Grooves about who he is and what he has to bring to the table.



Spotlight Grooves: I first saw you perform on the roof of Capitol Records and I know things have been taking off since then, what have you been up to?

J.Holiday: Right now I’m on this Keyshia Cole tour. Just out here selling ‘Bed’ man. I’ve been on the grind getting ready for the album to release.


SG: How has it been on the Keyshia Cole tour?

J.H.: It’s been good. This is my first time opening up for somebody. Well, I opened up for Tyrese but this is my first time on an actual tour with consecutive dates. It feels good. It’s fun. I’m learning the ropes.


SG: I heard that you have a love affair with music. When did you fall in love?

J.H.: I’ve always loved music. You know, first it was just kind of something that I did. You have kids that grew up playing sports, I grew up singing. That was just what I was good at. I really was like ‘this is something that I want to do’ when I was 14.

SG: And what was it that made you want to commit to doing it as a career?

J.H.: I did a talent show and just the response that I got from the crowd. At that time I was going to a predominately black high school so it was just the response that I got that was crazy. I was like ‘this is what I’m going to do!’

SG: You’re one of a few artists on the music radar from D.C., how was life growing up there?

J.H.: It’s different. It’s a real political city. You have the tri-city area (around D.C. and VA) it’s almost a melting pot in itself. You have suburbia, you have the hood and you have the in between. I got a little bit of everything, especially with my mom being a preacher.

SG: How often do you get to go back?

J.H.: I’ve frequently been going maybe once a month, or once every other month. But it’s always for work. I haven’t gone back just for vacation in a while, since like Christmas.


SG: What do you miss about home the most?

J.H.: The seafood. Crabs and shrimp! They have carry-outs (restaurants). That’s usually the first spot that me and my manager hit when we go home. We go get us a steak and cheese from the carry -out.


SG: You said that your mom is a preacher. How does she feel about the single and your live performance?

J.H.: She’s cool, I think she’s enjoying this a little more than I am. She’s seen me go through everything. She’s been there from when I started, when I decided not to go to school. She’s my number one fan. As long as I keep it positive she’s cool with it. She backs me up 100 percent.

SG: It sounds like you and your mother are really close. Since your father died when you were very young; how did he inspire you to become the man that you are today?

J.H.: Not having him made me want to be a better man. I had my homies in the street, they looked out for me. It was hard but most of the things that I learned, I learned on my own.

SLG: How do those life lessons translate into your music?

J.H.: All of my songs if I didn’t write them they’re still about situations that I may have seen or that I may have been through. I have a couple of songs on my album where I’m really trying to make sure that if cats don’t have a role model or a father figure they can always listen to the music. I have a song on the album called “Thug Commitment” that’s strictly for the African American male community. It talks about a couple of things that we’ve got to do better.

SG: Being in the R&B game it’s very easy to get sucked into the superficial sexual content, so it’s very commendable that you’ve gone into something deeper than that.

J.H.: Well I grew up listening to Marvin (Gaye). So you have songs like “What’s Going On” and “Trouble Man.” To me music more than just about love or sex it’s a lot of things that you can talk about with music.

SG: You’re inspired by artist like Sam Cooke and you do an ode to Jodeci in your live performance. What is it about these artists that inspire you as a performer?

J.H.: I think it was the passion that they had in their music. That’s a big problem that I have with music right now. When it comes to artist it’s just about the songs. It’s not really about the passion. You don’t really hear people talking about live shows too much anymore. I’m trying to bring back R&B; to bring back real singing. That’s what those cats did. They sung for real. They were real artist. They were writers, they were singers and performers. The total package.

SG: Your single ‘Bed’ has been climbing the charts. The song is sung with so much passion, what inspired that?

J.H.: I grew up in a house full of women. I have two older sisters and my mom, so I’m very in-tuned with women. I know what they want to hear. There hasn’t been a song like that that really just focused on a woman. It’s always been a two-way street; or fellas talking about what they want to get out of the situation. I think that was the inspiration, making sure that the women felt like women again.

SG: So I’m guessing you’re not in a relationship?

J.H.: Single and ready to mingle!


SG: What is it that you want the world to know about J. Holiday and why is he different from other R&B performers?

J.H.: I’m different because a lot of people try to fabricate stories to sell their music. My stories are real stories. I lost my father when I was young, my mom’s a preacher. I didn’t have it easy going up. And even now with “Bed” I still don’t have it easy. I’m out here grinding. I just want them to know I’m a real cat. I don’t get caught up in my own hype. It’s not about the fame. It’s not about the money, all that is going to come as long as you do your job.


SG: With that said, is it weird for you when female fans are screaming for you?

J.H.: Yes. It’s weird for me because I’m really a private person. I lay back in the cut; I don’t like a lot of attention. It’s like a catch 22 for me.


SG: Judging by your drive and commitment to music we’re sure that you’re here to stay. Spotlight Grooves would like to thank your for speaking with us.

J.H.: Thank you for interviewing me! Like I said, I’m not caught up in this hype. Anything ya’ll want to know ya’ll can ask me. For the most part I’m an open book.

Rahsaan Patterson Interview

Rahsaan Patterson

Standing in His Greatness
by SDM
Photo by: Rahsaan Patterson!

Rahsann Patterson opened up to me about his personal journey from childhood celebrity, to where he is today, with the release of his fourth album Wines & Spirits. During our interview Rahsaan discussed how he dealt with becoming an independent artist after the closing of MCA Records and the progression of the music industry since then. He talks about how the internet helped him to come out of a dark place in order to create this fantastic new album and the major talent that he found there. Rahsaan has emerged an awakened spirit full of possibilities and interesting opportunities. If you haven't seen this man perform, be sure to catch him live in the zone. Hear the full Rahsaan Patterson interview on Spotlight Grooves.com

Prince's New Deal- SG.com Exclusive!

Sources confirmed that legendary music icon Prince who recently joinined forces with Verizon Wireless to sell "Guitar", the first single from his upcoming album, has since landed a deal with Columbia Records to release the album entitled "Planet Earth" this summer. Columbia also distributed Prince's 2005 takeover comeback Musicology, which won 3 Grammys in 2005. This man is a master hustler and a template for independent music success. If you haven't see him in concert, you better catch the next one!

Fans can get the free single "Guitar", by trying the song I.D demo, which will be available on Verizon's website as well as YouTube, Revver, and Myspace.

Amel Larrieux- Live at BB Kings NYC

A crowd gathers in casual Springtime elegance although the temperature
outside clearly indicates a sweltering summer to come. The club is
lined heavily with Amel's most loyal fans as they saturate the space
from the tips of the stage to the back of the bar. It's now standing
room only and the slightly airy dimly-lit surroundings continue to
invite R&b soul enthusiasts.
The lights are shut off and what appears to be two tiny Amel Larrieuxs
emerge from stage left, microphone in hand. The taller one is a
spitting image of the songbird.
They begin with the first words of "For Real" when Amel finally
appears beaming with pride, a smile painted sweetly across her cheeks.
The two mini singers are her daughters and the crowd applauses in
excitement and gratitude for the special treat.
Dressed in a comfortably-fitting blue bohemian style dress over an
off-the-shoulder purple 3/4 sleeve top, she sports a shoulder length
version of her wavy hair and very little makeup.
Amel continues with the song, paying close attention to every part of
the stage; every section of the crowd, occassionally directing the mic
to the audience. She moves like water to the music almost as if the
notes pull her in different directions. Amel emits humbleness and
beauty. An infectious wave of cool serenity is apparant, despite the
heat. She sings a handful of fan favorites including "Infinite
Possibilities" and her excitement is contagious. She plays a
unrehearsed vocal hopscotch with her background singers and jokes with
her band as well as the crowd. She is funny and loving, stepping off
the stage at one point to give a hug and making time to acknowledge
shoutouts. (singing them of course)
When it comes time for "Make Me Whole", tears flow from her eyes as
the crowd sings every single word back to her. What can only be
explained as a peaceful and emotional experience, this was a pivotal
point in the performance.
Overall the show was unlike anything I've ever seen before. Live shows
are often just a fraction of what is heard on a cd but when it comes
to Amel Larrieux, you'll be finding it hard to compare the two. It is
a blessing just to hear her sing. It's even more of a blessing to be
in her presence.

Simone Carlene Porter


Excerpts from the show: "Unanswered Questions" from "Morning"