This week’s Slow Jam Saturday pick takes us back to 2008 to show some love to Chauncey Hannibal, a member of Blackstreet, and his solo track “Everyday Is Your Birthday.” Chauncey’s vocals were featured prominently on the group’s first four albums until he began his solo career in 2005. He initially signed with Flipmode Entertainment, and “Everyday Is Your Birthday” was the first single from his project titled “Church Boy,” although the actual album was never released.
The song is a short ballad that could have easily served as an interlude if Chauncey had released the album in the 90s. Produced by an uncredited Teddy Riley, the track showcases Hannibal singing in his falsetto range, expressing his desire to take his lady on a shopping spree at the mall, to the salon to get her hair done, and even offering to buy her a new car with no strings attached.
Towards the end of the song, Hannibal hints at going back to his place to spend some intimate time together. However, he wisely avoids resorting to R&B clichés or using crass lyrics and autotune. The song occasionally pops up when I have Apple Music on random, but I understand why it didn’t gain traction at the time, as the R&B genre was shifting and there wasn’t much room for legacy acts and new music.
Nevertheless, “Everyday Is Your Birthday” is a solid debut single that should have launched an Urban AC career for Hannibal.
Final Grade: B
“Everyday Is Your Birthday” is available on all streaming platforms.
I’ll admit that I wasn’t familiar with Joko Anwar’s previous work before watching “Ghost in the Cell.” However, I’m always open to an action flick or horror movie, so the combination of prison drama, supernatural horror, and dark comedy caught my attention.
Emerging writer-director Bassam Tariq teams up with two-time Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali for his latest feature, “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother,” from Orion Pictures and Amazon MGM Studios. Ali portrays Latif, a devoutly religious hitman who struggles to balance work, faith, and fatherhood. Following the death of his wife, he becomes the sole protector and provider for his newborn daughter, Fathia (Adia), and son, Qadir (Jahleel Kamara).
Before he reprises his Academy Award-winning role as Cliff Booth later this year, Brad Pitt reunites with his “Fury” director, David Ayer, for the friendship tale “Heart of the Beast” from Paramount Pictures.
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