Music, photos, and news straight out of Harlem
Posts tagged Soul
Photo Gallery: Marsha Ambrosius’ Album Release Party 3/1/11
Mar 3rd
Marsha Ambrosius, one half of the now defunct baby-making neo-soul duo Floetry, hosted her album release party in Midtown Manhattan and I was lucky enough to get to attend. The event was held in the Samsung Store Columbus Circle and feature a swank atmosphere, an excellent and gratis Hennessey cocktails that made everything seem better.
Ambrosius wore a body-hugging magenta and purple-colored sequined number that showed off her newly svelte physique. Thankfully, the book was just as good as its cover. Marsha the invite-only crowd through four songs from her freshly released album “Late Nights & Early Mornings.”
She began the show with a brief introduction and launched into her revengeful urban hit “I Hope She Cheats on You (With A Basketball Player)” followed by her single “Far Away” – her ode to members of the GLBT community who have committed suicide “Far Away. She ended the set with the title track “Late Nights & Early Mornings.” I’ve got video of each song and will be posting them for you to enjoy later today. As an encore, she played her baby-making coo-fest “With You”. All in all, it was a great evening with a talented vocalist. Fans of Floetry should definitely be excited for Marsha’s solo debut.
Check out my photo gallery of the event after the jump. More >
Andre 3000 Drops New Single – “I Do”
Aug 11th
Flamboyantly eccentric Outkast emcee Andre 3000 (“…Benjamin Andre to be exact…”) just did us all a big fucking favor when he dropped his latest single “I Do” on the Internets. Hopefully this means a solo album will be here soon. The track is a midtempo soulful jam smooth as honey with its Lenny Williams sample and serves as a great contrast to Big Boi’s more upbeat fair from his recent release.
This is one of those tracks you should just pause whatever else you’re listening to that’s not THIS and DIVE IN! You can find the track right after the jump.
Watch: Janelle Monae Walks “Tightrope” With Big Boi
Apr 6th
Janelle Monae’s dropped a new video on us. This time the meticulously coiffed singer and Big Boi welcome us to The Palace of The Dogs, an asylum whose residents have been forbidden to dance for its subversive effects. That is, until Janelle Monae came through with her unique brand of old-school inspired funk complete with classy brass.
I love the video for it’s inventive choreography. The “Tight Rope” dance that she does is inspired by equal parts of James Brown and Micheal Jackson. I can’t wait to bust it out the next time I hear this song somewhere that isn’t my bedroom.
This is true entertainment folks. Monae doesn’t need to distract us by being half naked. In fact the singer wears a tux for the entire video. The only skin you see beyond her face, is that of her ankles, peeking beneath the hem of her high-cropped Tuxedo pants.
The single is very good, featuring lots of live instruments with notable bass and brass contributions. Add to that a verse from Big Boi and you’ve got yourself a hot song.
Monae’s first album The Arch Android is set to be released May 18th on Atlantic Records.
Check out the video after the jump. More >
Watch: Erykah Badu’s “Window Seat” on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Apr 1st
The Ankh has returned! Erykah Badu celebrated Tuesday’s release of her latest album, New Amerykah Part Two: The Return of the Ankh, by performing “Window Seat” on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live.’ At this point, I’ve seen her perform this song three different times, and I can honestly say that performance is my favorite of the three.
For those of you who were stunned by the nudity in her artistically masterful “Window Seat” video, take comfort in the fact the singer remains fully clothed.
Check out Erykah on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ after the jump. More >
Watch: Erykah Badu Takes It All Off In “Window Seat” Video
Mar 29th
[Editor's Note: This may be considered NSFW by some of our tight-assed employers. -Jermaine]
The Erykah Badu hype machine is in full effect! The singer has just released the video for her first single, “Window Seat” from the upcoming LP, New Amerykah Part Two: The Return of the Ankh, which comes out TOMORROW! Best believe I’ll be buying it LEGALLY on iTunes as soon as the clock strikes midnight. “Window Seat” is arguably one of Badu’s best videos, certainly one of her most creative.
Filmed in one take in Dallas’ Dealy Plaza (site of the JFK assassination), “Window Seat” features Badu walking through the streets while removing every single article of her clothing, climaxing with a great statement on conformity at the end. Whether you’re an Erykah fan or not, I strongly suggest you watch this video and draw some inspiration from it.
If you’ve been asleep these last few weeks, know that Erykah Badu is definitely about her grind. On Thursday the singer was on The Wendy Williams Show. Earlier this month the singer performed on Jimmy Fallon. And who can forget her video with a pre-incarcerated Lil Wayne, her own leak of “Strawberry Incense” or the subsequent leak of “Get Munny “by the Internets.
Check out the video for “Window Seat” after the jump. More >
Watch: Erykah Badu Performs “Window Seat” on Wendy Williams
Mar 26th
The Erykah Badu hype machine is in full effect. Her latest album New Amerykah Park Two: The Return of the Ankh hits stores on Tuesday. The singer recently dropped a video with Lil Wayne, appeared on Jimmy Fallon, and even leaked her own track on her website. The singer has even taken time out of her busy schedule to show some love to your favorite blogger.
Yesterday I posted a link to a new song which I’m almost entirely certain is on the new album. Today I bring you footage of the singer’s live appearance on The Wendy Williams show, a performance in which, Badu later admitted on her Twitter, she forgot the words to the first verse. I don’t think anyone minds.
If you’re in the New York area, be sure to catch Erykah on Good Day New York, later today. Next week, the singer will jam with Jimmy Kimmel (March 30), Wanda Sykes (April 3) and Chelsea Lately (April 5). Check your local listings for exact times, etc.
Check out Erykah Badu channeling the late Rick James on Wendy Williams after the jump. More >
Leak: Erykah Badu “Turn Me Away (Get Munny)”
Mar 25th
With less than a week to go before Erykah Badu’s latest album New Amerykah Pt. 2: The Return of The Ankh, hits the streets, it’s no surprise that tracks are beginning to leak. Check out this remix-like creation of Junior M.A.F.I.A.’s 90′s posse jam, Get Money.
As this is a leak, I cannot confirm if this is the actual track on the album that bears the name “Get Money.” For all I know it could be a b-side or something meant to be left on the cutting room floor. For that reason, I have left the track name as Take Me Away, if/when I receive information otherwise, I will update this post. Enjoy!
Erykah Badu – Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)
via nah right.
Hear New R. Kelly Track – “Speaking My Language”
Mar 17th
Say what you will about R. Kelly, but the man is certainly not lazy. The singer just released his ninth solo album, Untitled, in November of last year and he’s dropped a new single already! I’ve been a fan of R. Kelly in the past during his tp2.com and Chocolate Factory releases and, despite all the drama, would return if the crooner hit some sort of post-pedophilic urinary creative zeitgeist. Take a listen and tell me if I’m wrong, but I’m not getting the “creative peak” vibe from this track. Take a listen and let me know what you think.
Watch Erykah Badu Perform New Single
Mar 4th
Erykah Badu was on Jimmy Fallon Live, last night. I was so caught up in yesterday’s Sleigh Bells commotion I missed it. Luckily I’ve found a clip of her performing “Window Seat,” her first single from her upcoming album, New Amerykah Park II: Return of the Ankh, out later this month.
If you’re wondering why Erykah looks so comfortable in her swim cap and (p)leather leotard/top-hat ensemble, it might have something to do with the fact that Fallon’s house band is The Roots – a band she has performed with many times. ?uestlove, the band’s drummer, beats beats on the studio version of the song.
As always, Badu gives a flawless performance. Enjoy!