Slow Jam Saturday: Profyle, Whispers in the Dark
Male R&B groups ruled the airwaves in the early to mid-nineties, but as the 20th century started to close out, while groups were still around, they no longer dominated the charts. While we still had mainstays like Dru Hill, 112, Jagged Edge, and four guys from Philly, newer groups would come and go.
Robot Dreams is a beautiful film about the power of friendship
The 96th Academy Awards ceremony, a highly anticipated event, has garnered significant attention across the globe. In this context, I would like to highlight a lesser-known film titled “Robot Dreams,” which was nominated for the Best Animated Feature category. The film, written and directed by Pablo Berger, is an adaptation of Sara Varon’s 2007 comic of the same name. Despite its nomination, this film may have yet to receive widespread recognition among mainstream film enthusiasts, as it has only been released in France and Spain. However, NEON Film Studio acquired the distribution rights to release the film in North America during the summer.
Second Listen Sunday: Gerald LeVert, Love & Consequences
R&B singer Gerald LeVert released his third solo album, “Love & Consequences,” in the summer of 1998, following his super group project LSG. In addition to collaborating with his longtime associate, Edwin “Tony” Nicholas, LeVert also engaged in fruitful partnerships with a broader array of writers and producers. These include notable individuals such as R. Kelly, Joe Little III from The Rude Boys, and Darrell “Delite” Allamby.
Slow Jam Saturday: Usher, Naked
R&B sensation Usher is on a roll, having had a successful Super bowl halftime show, a sold-out tour, and just released his ninth album. While the album has received a decent response overall, some of Usher’s longtime fans were hoping for more contemporary R&B in the style of the songs he previewed on Instagram before the album’s release date.
Knowledge is power in the engaging documentary Sacred Soil: The Piney Woods School Story
Director JJ Anderson is making a name for herself as a documentary filmmaker with her second feature, “Sacred Soil: The Piney Woods School Story.” The film takes place at one of America’s oldest Black boarding schools and highlights the experiences of several students and staff members. Anderson offers viewers a unique look into the school and its students, showcasing the complex layers of their lives. “Sacred Soil: The Piney Woods School Story” captures young Black students’ emotional, physical, and mental challenges while pursuing an education in America. The film honors the students’ perspectives, providing a vivid and beautiful portrayal of their journeys.
Despite Adam Sandler’s best efforts, Spaceman doesn’t lift off
Adam Sandler reunites with Netflix for the Science Fiction drama, “Spaceman.” The movie is directed by Johan Renck and written by Colby Day, who adapted the novel “Spaceman of Bohemia” for the screen. The story revolves around Jakub (Adam Sandler), an astronaut who embarks on a solitary research mission to the solar system’s edge. After six months of isolation, Jakub realizes that his marriage with Lenka (Carey Mulligan) may be in jeopardy and not be waiting for him when he returns to Earth.
Second Listen Sunday: RL, RL: Elements
In the spring of 2001, the R&B singer RL was experiencing the success of his group Next’s hit single “Wifey” from their sophomore album. He began to generate ramblings of a solo album. Three years earlier, RL set himself apart from Next with the hit song “We Can’t Be Friends” alongside Deborah Cox. The success of that song had a domino effect. It led to other features, including “The Best Man I Can Be” with Ginuwine, Case, and Tyrese, and singing the hook to Tupac’s ‘Until the End of Time’.
Slow Jam Saturday: Eric Bellinger, Valentine
As we bid farewell to the month of love, the last song I picked for Slow Jam Saturday with the word “Valentine” is from the talented singer and songwriter Eric Bellinger. Fans of R&B music are well aware of Bellinger’s exceptional vocal skills and his ability to create soulful hits. He has earned a reputation as a sought-after songwriter, writing for industry giants such as Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, and Usher.
Ordinary Angels is a heartwarming gem
Two Academy Award winner Hilary Swank leads the inspirational drama Ordinary Angeles from Lionsgate. Jon Gunn directed the film, while Meg Tilly and Kelly Fremon Craig wrote the screenplay. Sharon, portrayed by Swank, is a hairdresser from a small town in Kentucky. She is a strong-willed individual but struggles with alcohol addiction. Her boss, also her best friend Rose, played by Tamala Jones, wants Sharon to live up to her full potential. However, she grows tired of Sharon’s constant misbehavior.
Concert Review : R&B Super Jam @ Eagle Bank Arena
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.
The chuckles are minimal in Mike Epps: Ready to Sell Out
Comedian Mike Epps has partnered with streaming giant Netflix again in his latest stand-up special titled “Mike Epps: Ready To Sell Out.” The special was directed by fellow comedian Royale Watkins and was filmed at the Gila Resorts & Casino in Phoenix, Arizona. Despite being in the comedy industry for three decades, Epps has had his fair share of ups and downs. While he has shown promise in films like “You People” and “Dolemite Is My Name,” his highly anticipated Richard Pryor biopic directed by Lee Daniels has been in development hell for years.
Second Listen Sunday : The Rude Boys, Rude House
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I decided to visit the Buckeye State and pay homage to The Rude Boys. The Cleveland-based quartet consisted of Larry Marcus, Melvin Sephus, Edward Lee “Buddy” Banks, and Joe Little III. Initially breaking onto the scene in 1990 with the hits “Written All Over Your Face” and “Are You Lonely For Me” from their debut, they wasted no time returning to the studio.