Second Listen Sunday: Ray J, “Raydiation”
When we look back to the spring and summer of 2005, Usher was still clearly the king for male singers under thirty in the R&B genre. While Trey Songz and Bobby Valentino had made names for themselves with their debut albums and Chris Brown’s name was starting, another singer, Ray J, decided it was time to release his third album, “Raydiation.”
Slow Jam Saturday : Craig David, “Take Em Off”/My Love Don’t Stop”
For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to travel across the pond and show some love to Craig David’s third album, “The Story Goes,” …..and the contributions from The Underdog’s “Take Em Off” and “My Love Don’t Stop.”
Second Listen Sunday : Men Of Vizion, “Personal”
The vocals are split among group members as they highlight themes of love, devotion, and the willingness to embrace domestic roles traditionally associated with women.
Second Listen Sunday: Monica, “Miss Thang”
Nineties R&B fans had an exciting moment last week when rumors began circulating that vocal powerhouses Brandy and Monica are reportedly embarking on “The Boy Is Mine Tour” this fall. While no official announcement has been made yet, with Monica’s debut album “Miss Thang” celebrating its 30th anniversary next month, I thought it would be the perfect pick for this week’s Second Listen Sunday.
Slow Jam Saturday: Chaka Khan, “Through the Fire”
As Black Music Month 2025 continues, I wanted to give flowers to “The Queen of Funk,” Ms. Chaka Khan, for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday. The song I decided to highlight is “Through the Fire.”
Second Listen Sunday: Cameo, “Single Life”
If there were ever a question on Jeopardy with a category about R&B bands and the question centered on Cameo, I’m sure it would be on one of their signature songs, “Candy” or “Word Up!”
Slow Jam Saturday : Melvin Riley Jr., “Whose Is It?”
For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to venture to the Wolverine State and show some love to “Whose Is It,” the lead single from Melvin Riley Jr.’s solo album “Ghetto Stories.”
Second Listen Sunday: Johnny Gill, “Chemistry”
From his early days in the family group Wings of Faith, Mr. Gill was born to make music. However, as R&B fans know, Johnny Gill’s initial release with Atlantic Records failed to make a significant impact when it first came out. The 1983 self-titled debut showed a strong voice struggling to adapt to a studio that couldn’t properly utilize its power.
Slow Jam Saturday: Myron, “Destiny”
My introduction to Myron was with the song “Sistas” on the “Eddie” soundtrack in the summer of 1996. Before setting up his solo album, Myron would write classics for Mya and Dru Hill. “Destiny” was written by Myron and Tyrice Jones, and the latter was also producing. Set to a sample of Herbie Hancock’s “Come Running to Me”, the song explores how fate governs the formation of connections between people meant to exist from the beginning.
Second Listen Sunday: Sean Garrett, “Turbo 919”
Music producers transitioning to a solo album is common in the music industry. For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I want to revisit Sean Garrett’s solo debut, “Turbo 919,” released in 2008.
Slow Jam Saturday: Lathun, “Fortunate”
If you were to ask most music fans about the R&B song “Fortunate”, they would say the name Maxwell. However, in 2001, another singer named Lathun released a Neo-Soul version of the same title, which serves as this week’s pick for Slow Jam Saturday.
Second Listen Sunday: Kem, “Album II”
Musician Kem and his sophomore project “Album II” is this week’s pick for Second Listen Sunday. Arriving in stores on May 17th, 2005, the album came when R&B was still shifting. For the most part, younger singers dominated the market, while older crooners like Anthony Hamilton and Brian McKnight were forced to the Urban A/C demographic.