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Derrick Dunn

Slow Jam Saturday: B2K, “Out The Hood”

B2K recently generated considerable excitement among their millennial fan base by announcing a reunion tour following a successful performance at this year’s BET Awards, reaffirming their status as a leading R&B boy band.

Although I may belong to an older demographic than their primary audience, I must acknowledge the appeal of several of their tracks. In particular, their second official single, “Gota Ta Be,” resonated with me, and I was particularly drawn to their ballads.

With the recent announcement that the Black Promoters Collective would be handling the 2026 tour, it made perfect sense to spotlight the group this week for Slow Jam Saturday with the song “Out the Hood” from the “You Got Served” soundtrack. This piece was written and produced by Adonis Shropshire, with vocal arrangements by Makeba Riddick.

This rich ballad showcases that, although Omarion may not be a powerhouse vocalist, a skilled producer can highlight the best aspects of his singing. The song’s narrative tells the story of a young man who notices a young woman dealing with significant challenges and wishes to be her rescuer.

However, rather than expressing pity for the woman, Omarion emphasizes a desire for her to experience joy, safety, and liberation from her difficulties. At that time, I was twenty-two going on twenty-three, which allowed me to relate closely to the themes expressed in the song. Additionally, I would like to recognize group member J-Boog, who contributed his vocals to the chorus.

As well-known among fans, the group experienced their first disbandment around the time of the soundtrack and film release, preventing the song from receiving an official release. Nonetheless, recent interviews with the group indicate their intention to explore their extensive catalog during the tour, and it is hoped that this song will be included in the setlist, as it serves as an ideal selection for a fan serenade for a lucky woman.

Final Grade: A-

“Out The Hood” is available on all streaming platforms.

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

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”

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

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.

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