R&B music fans and couples packed Eagle Bank Arena in Fairfax, VA, on Sunday, February 18th, for the R&B Super Jam. Urban Vibe Entertainment hosted the event, which featured nineties R&B acts. The artists on the bill were Shai, Mya, Ginuwine, Dru Hill, and headliner Monica.
Having seen all the artists on the bill except for Shai, I was excited to see them all again. As they entered the venue, attendees were treated to DJ Sixth Sense’s turntable skills. To my surprise, the show began on time, with the R&B quartet Shai kicking things off. The group, led by Garfield Bright, took us on a nostalgic journey back to the early 1990s with their famous hits such as “The Place Where You Belong,” “Comforter,” and “Baby I’m Yours.” They concluded their performance with their iconic hit, “If I Ever Fall in Love,” with the audience singing along to every word.
Next up was the talented Mýa, who wowed the crowd with her signature pop and R&B music blend. She performed hit songs like “Movin On,” “Case of the Ex,” “Best of Me,” “My Love is Like…Wo,” and, of course, “Lady Marmalade.” Fellow DC native Ginuwine followed, and although age may have slowed down his smooth moves, he still possessed an undeniable stage presence. He started his set with “Hell Yeah” and “Same Ol G,” then went on to captivate the ladies in the audience with “None of Ur Friends Business,” “So Anxious,” “Differences,” and “In Those Jeans.” Ginuwine’s set concluded with his popular hit song “Pony.”
The R&B sextet from Charm City, Dru Hill, received thunderous applause as they took the stage. The group brought the energy up with their powerhouse vocals and infectious grooves, performing hits like the “In My Bed” remix, “Tell Me,” “I Should Be,” and “Beauty.” The group also featured other acts whose contributions were highlighted. Smoke & Black of Playa performed “Cheers 2 U” while Sisqo revisited his vocal assists from the Hip Hop collaborations “How Many Licks” and “What These Chicks Want.” Dru Hill’s set ended with Sisqo’s “Thong Song.”
The Atlanta-based singer Monica was the last performer of the night. Although I had seen her perform before, she did not seem best that night. Monica’s powerful vocals were not on full display, but the audience was still captivated by her set. She took us on a journey through her discography, performing classic hits like “Don’t Take It Personal,” “Love All over Me,” “Angel of Mine,” and “So Gone.”
The R&B Super jam was an enjoyable night out, with each artist bringing their unique style to the stage. Hopefully, the promoters will make this an annual event in the DMV.
Final Grade: B
This weekend is about celebrating the King of Pop, Mr. Michael Jackson, and his legacy. For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I wanted to highlight his debut solo album, “Got To Be There,” which was released on January 24th, 1972.
Fifteen years after his untimely passing, the King of Pop’s music continues to resonate with us, a testament to its timeless appeal. As we honor his heavenly birthday this past Thursday, I wanted to pay tribute to him with ‘Loving You’ for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday.
When we reminisce about the potential of lead singers who could have been iconic solo acts, the name Sisqó immediately springs to mind. The front man for R&B quartet Dru Hill, Sisqó, stormed onto the scene in 1999 with his solo debut ‘Unleash the Dragon.’ The success of the singles ‘Incomplete’ and ‘Thong Song’ propelled Sisqó’s solo debut to sell a staggering five million copies in the US alone, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry.