Cover of El DeBargeI was watching the BET Awards in June 2010 El DeBarge was on there singing “All This Love”, “I Like It”, “Time Will Reveal” and “The Rhythm Of The Night.” It was so good to hear and see El DeBarge; he has been away for far too long. El DeBarge has had a drug problem for the last 25 year of his life. El was arrested for cocaine possession and given probation in 2001. In 2006 he was arrested again for possession of a controlled substance and again he was given probation. El DeBarge was on a serious downward spiral, in 2007 he was arrested for domestic dispute but the charges were later dropped. That same year he was arrested for possession of cocaine and once again he was put on probation. In 2008 El DeBarge was arrested for possession of crack and drug paraphernalia. This last possession charge, he was sent to federal prison for two year. This is what he needed to get his life back on track and give his fans his beautiful music. El DeBarge was released in October 2009 and he is back. El DeBarge came out with a new album out called “Second Chance” in 2010. This album was nominated for two Grammy awards for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song. El DeBarge still has the voice; we all fell in love with when he was with DeBarge. I am praying for you El DeBarge and I know all your other fans are too. Tune in to Streetwise Radio and listen to Second Chance by El DeBarge.
Image via WikipediaThe first time I heard of Anita Baker, “No More Tear” was playing on KBLX 102.9 FM Radio in the early 80‘s. I thought wow this girl can sing and how unique her voice was. I seen her in concert with George Benson in 1983, that was a great concert.
Anita Baker grew up in Detroit, Anita Baker almost gave up singing, because of the record labels executives negative reviews. Thank goodness she didn’t, we wouldn’t have the beautiful songs like “No More Tears” and “Angel” from The Songstress album. “Sweet Love” which won Anita a Grammy Award for best R an B Female Vocalist and Best R&B Song. After that first Grammy Anita Baker was on a roll. Anita did a duet with the Winans “Ain’t No Need to Worry” this won her another Grammy. There was no stopping Anita Baker, “Giving You The Best That I Got” was on the top of the Soul and Pop charts. Baker won three more Grammies, this established Anita Baker as the number one Lady of Soul.
In 1990 Anita Baker released Compositions this album she wrote seven of the nine songs. The Compositions was cut live musicians played while Anita sang. Anita had some good great musicians which include Greg Phillinganes, Natan East, Paulinho da Costa Vernon Fails, Ricky Lawson and Stephen Ferrone. Touring for five years straight Anita took a break. She enter the studio in 1993 to do a duet with Frank Sinatra “Witch Craft”. Anita released “Rhythm of Love” in 1994. She recorded this album at home because she was pregnant. Anita Baker won another Grammy for “I Apologize” in 1996 for Best Female R an B Vocal Performance for a single. Rhino Records released The Best of Anita Baker known as Sweet Love in 2002. In 2004 Anita signed with Blue Note Records, that same year she released “My Everything”. The album was number four on Billboard 200 and number one on the Top R an B/Hip Hop Albums. Anita released a Christmas album in October 2005 “Moonlight Sleigh ride”, “Family of Man”, and “Christmas Fantasy” received a Grammy nomination in in 2007 for Best Traditional R an B Vocal Performance. Anita Baker went on a concert tour in 2008, entitled An Evening with Anita Baker. I missed that tour. Anita Baker is coming out with a new album, it’s supposed to be the fall 2010.
I must say Anita Baker is truly a Songstress. I am glad she didn’t quite when she first started, because we would not have the beautiful songs she as sang over the decades. Songs that have a will be around for ever.
As the world focuses on the 21st Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada, its a good time to pay homage to one of that country's aspiring R&B singer-songwriters. Melanie Fiona was born Melanie Hallim 26-years ago in Toronto, Canada to immigrant parents from Guyana.
Living in a music filled household, Fiona always knew music was her passion, from the time her guitarist father let her sit on stage and practice with his band. Her mother would also constantly play music around the house, everything from 'The Ronettes' to 'Whitney Houston. It was Houston's hit single "The Greatest Love of All' that became Fiona's childhood anthem, inspiring her to become a singer.
Active in the industry since 2002, Fiona was briefly in the Toronto R&B girl group 'X-Quisite', but left before their first album....although she did earn songwriting credits. In the fall of 2008, 'Kanye West' hand picked her to open his European tour, where she befriended 'Jay-Z', who's 'Roc Nation' group now manages Fiona.
She was also featured on 'Reggae Gold 2008' with the 'Supa Dups'-produced "Somebody Come Get Me". In February 2009 Fiona released her first single "Give it to Me Right", which was writtin by Andrea Martin....who praised Fiona as "finally a voice that is not only soulful, but ear-friendly". The song peaked at #20 on "Billboard's Canadian Hot-100".
Her debut album 'The Bridge' was released last summer, where Fiona worked alongside 'Future Cut', 'Vada Nobles', 'Stereotypes', 'J. Phoenix', 'Peter Wade' and 'Salaam Remi'. It was the album's second single "It Kills Me" that became Fiona's breakout song cracking the Top 50 and hitting #1 on the 'Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs' chart.
It also earned Fiona a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, while 'The Bridge' received a 'NAACP Image Award' nomination for Outstanding New Artist.
When first learning of the Grammy nomination Fiona commented, "It's like the best news I've ever received, oh my gosh....I instantly had flashbacks of singing as a little girl into my hairbrush in front of the bathroom mirror". "Could I have ever imagined that singing around the house or just loving to sing would someday put me into this position now? It's just unbelievable", she exclaimed.
What is believable is that Fiona's best times are still ahead of her, with a distinctive voice, great range, and keen adeptness at expressing vulnerability, strength, and....the right look! Currently, Fiona is set to go on tour with Alicia Keyes
Cover of El DeBargeI was watching the BET Awards in June 2010 El DeBarge was on there singing “All This Love”, “I Like It”, “Time Will Reveal” and “The Rhythm Of The Night.” It was so good to hear and see El DeBarge; he has been away for far too long. El DeBarge has had a drug problem for the last 25 year of his life. El was arrested for cocaine possession and given probation in 2001. In 2006 he was arrested again for possession of a controlled substance and again he was given probation. El DeBarge was on a serious downward spiral, in 2007 he was arrested for domestic dispute but the charges were later dropped. That same year he was arrested for possession of cocaine and once again he was put on probation. In 2008 El DeBarge was arrested for possession of crack and drug paraphernalia. This last possession charge, he was sent to federal prison for two year. This is what he needed to get his life back on track and give his fans his beautiful music. El DeBarge was released in October 2009 and he is back.
Image via WikipediaThe first time I heard of Anita Baker, “No More Tear” was playing on KBLX 102.9 FM Radio in the early 80‘s. I thought wow this girl can sing and how unique her voice was. I seen her in concert with George Benson in 1983, that was a great concert.
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