Second Listen Sunday : Mario Winans, “Hurt No More”
Thirty years ago, in 1995, Bad Boy Records was a top-notch record label, but over a decade later, it had begun to lose its luster. While the “Bad Boys II” soundtrack and the debut album from Da Band did numbers, no real superstars were left on the label.
Slow Jam Saturday : Mariah Carey, “Fly Like A Bird”
Whether it’s the loss of a celebrity you grew up with or a daily dumb remark from our current commander-in-chief, three months in 2025 are already getting crazy. So, for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I decided to change it up and offer something inspirational like Mariah Carey and her 2006 hit “Fly Like A Bird.”
“Locked” is an engaging remake
Music video director David Yarovesky brings together Bill Skarsgård and two-time Academy winner Anthony Hopkins for his third feature film, “Locked” from the Avenue. Horror icon Sam Raimi produces the film, while Michael Arlen Ross pens the film’s screenplay.
Second Listen Sunday : Teyana Taylor, “The Cassette Tape 1994,”
Multi-talented entertainer Teyana Taylor recently made some headlines when photos of her and possible new boo thang Aaron “That’s Mufasa” Pierre began making headlines. I was deciding what to feature this week for Second Listen Sunday. Recently, Ms. Taylor has been stacking up her credentials from an acting standpoint, but I decided to feature her 2015 EP, “The Cassette Tape 1994,” this week.
Slow Jam Saturday : Tony! Toni! Toné!, “Slow Wine”
Legendary composer Irving Berlin once composed a piece titled “The Song Is Ended (but the Melody Lingers On),” which seems to be the mood for the current year. As R&B fans know, 2025 has added numerous names to its heavenly choir, with the latest addition being D’Wayne Wiggins of Tony! Toni! Toné! Mr. Wiggins, who was called home on Friday, March 7th.
Second Listen Sunday : Angie Stone, “Black Diamond”
As music fans mourn the loss of the iconic Angie Stone, we will continue paying tribute to the songstress. After getting her start in Hip-Hop with the group The Sequence, she transitioned into R&B with her second group, Vertical Hold. However, her 1999 debut, “Black Diamond,” and this week’s Second Listen Sunday pick allowed Stone to break through to the masses.
Slow Jam Saturday : Angie Stone, “Brotha”
Music fans were shocked when we learned last week that the legendary Angie Stone had been called home to join the heavenly choir. I had planned to feature Ms. Stone on Slow Jam Saturday for a while and hoped to interview her. I went back and forth about which song to feature, but when I thought about the state of the world, the only choice was “Brotha.”
Slow Jam Saturday : Roberta Flack & Maxi Priest, “Set the Night to Music”
Heaven gained another angelic voice last weekend when the iconic Roberta Flack made her transition. I kept Ms. Flack’s music in regular rotation, particularly her cover of Stephen Bishop’s “It Might Be You.” However, for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to highlight another one of her covers, “Set the Night to Music.”
Second Listen Sunday : Q Parker, “The Manual”
R&B singer Q Parker is enjoying success with his new single, “Beg.” However, I wanted to travel back to 2012 for this week’s Second Listen Sunday and show some love for his underrated debut solo album, “The Manual.”
Second Listen Sunday : Major Harris, “My Way”
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, we will venture to the city of Brotherly Love and give some flowers to Major Harris and his solo debut, My Way. Harris had already made a name for himself, performing with groups such as the Charmers, The Teenagers, the Jarmels, and Nat Turner Rebellion. Later, he would find success as a member of The Delfonics.
Slow Jam Saturday : TLC, “Red Light Special”
For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, we’re returning to 1995 to show some love to TLC with their song “Red Light Special,” the second single from their massively popular sophomore album, CrazySexyCool.
Album Review : Drake & Party Next Door , “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U”
On Drake’s most recent album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U which hit store last Friday he joined forces with his labelmate Party Next Door for this collaborative project. The album attempts to address themes related to intimacy and allure but does not reach the high standard established by the artist’s earlier music. Listeners search for the depth and innovation that have been the signature elements of Drake’s musical trajectory.