Derrick Dunn

Second Listen Sunday : Lorenzo

Growing up in the nineties, I had the chance to experience a plethora of R&B singers. The market had such a colossal saturation that often, a singer would get lost in the shuffle. Lorenzo Smith, this week’s pick for Second Listen Sunday, is one such artist.

Lorenzo initially hit the scene in 1990 with his debut titled Let Me Show You featuring the low charting singles “Tic Tok” and the album’s titular track. While his debut didn’t make too much noise, Lorenzo had a chance to redeem himself with his sophomore album.

Arriving in stores in 1992 and carrying the moniker Lorenzo the album opens up with the lead single, “Real Love.” A catchy New Jack swing number, the song was a great introduction for those who may have missed his debut album.

Lorenzo keeps the new jack swing vibes flowing on the album’s second song, “Saving My Love,” which gave him a chance to show off his songwriting ability. Since Lorenzo is only 19, the song lyrics have a bit of a bubble gum sound. However, the singer delivers them honestly. As for the rest of the up-tempo numbers, they are not particularly memorable. In my opinion, they come across as juvenile and filler material.

As most music heads will attest to many times in nineties R&B, the ballads or slow jams were usually weaker if a singer had robust up-tempo material. On the flip side, if the slow jams were fire, the up-tempo material was mediocre. For Lorenzo’s second project, he showcased a more substantial side with slower material.

The album’s second (“Make Love 2 Me”) and third (“I Can’t Stand The Pain)” singles didn’t chart as high as the debut single. The former reached No. 21 on the R&B charts, while the latter hit No. 22. However, they validated the route Lorenzo should’ve taken with his music, which was slow jams. Producers Fitzgerald Scott & Joe Jefferson provided Lorenzo with the music for “Make Love 2 Me,” and the singer croons the lyrics in typical nineties style but sells it so well.

While Lorenzo explored sensuality in the second single, then heartbreak was the mood for the third single. “I Can’t Stand The Pain” features a relatable message with its sincere lyrics. The remainder of the ballads showcase Lorenzo’s vocal stylings; honestly, if the writers gave some of the songs to a more established singer, they would become hits. In particular, “Tic Tok (which previously appeared on his debut album) validates that Lorenzo was an old soul stuck in a teen idol’s body.

Final Grade: B

Lorenzo is available on all streaming platforms

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Slow Jam Saturday : Chauncey Black, “Everyday Is Your Birthday”

July 26, 2026

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.

Second Listen Sunday: Brooke Valentine, “Chain Letter”

July 26, 2026

As my loyal readers know, one of my passions during my Air Force enlistment was being a DJ. Since I was stationed in the UK, it was sometimes hard to keep up with the music scene, as there was no satellite radio, the club scene rarely showcased new music, and I missed out on shows like 106 & Park. Often, I would buy new CDs based solely on their covers and find a way to incorporate the music into my sets, particularly if the artist caught my attention. One such artist was Brooke Valentine, who is this week’s pick for Second Listen Sunday.

Second Listen Sunday : Akon, Konvicted

July 19, 2026

Since my wife’s favorite solo artist, Ne-Yo, is currently on tour, I decided to show some love to Akon this week for Second Listen Sunday by focusing on his second album, “Konvicted.” I first discovered Akon in the fall of 2004 when I made my DJ debut while stationed in the UK. During my warm-up set, I played “Locked Up,” and one of the bouncers came over, handed me a pound, and said it was about time someone played that song.