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Derrick Dunn

Slow Jam Saturday: Beyoncé & Bilal, “Everything I Do”

As Beyoncé continues to break records and entertain fans with her Cowboy Carter Tour, I wanted to give “Queen B” some recognition for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday. Since she has been in the music industry for nearly three decades, I had many songs to choose from. However, I decided to go back to 2003 and highlight her duet with Bilal, “Everything I Do,” from the soundtrack of “The Fighting Temptations.”

Written and produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis along with their frequent collaborator Big Jim Wright, “Everything I Do” is a ballad that perfectly blends Beyoncé’s mezzo-soprano with Bilal’s ethereal falsetto. As music fans already know, Jam & Lewis know how to get the best out of artists when it comes to romantic duets.

“Everything I Do” transcends a mere request between individuals; it more closely resembles an exchange of vows. This song encapsulates the mutual commitment of two people promising to be there for one another. They convey their readiness to listen and make sacrifices for their loved ones. In essence, “Everything I Do” exemplifies a profound understanding of love and devotion, highlighting the maturity inherent in such relationships.

The vocal interplay between Beyoncé and Bilal is truly captivating, as each artist infuses their distinct styles into the collaboration, creating a seamless blend. Instead of vying for the spotlight, they complement each other’s sound gracefully. Beyoncé’s tone shines with a polished clarity, exuding confidence and sophistication, while Bilal introduces a rich, gritty texture that evokes the depths of spiritual gospel music.

Although it seems unlikely that we will ever experience this song performed live or witness another collaboration between these two remarkable artists, twenty-two years later, “Everything I Do” remains a hidden gem that continues to resonate. This intimate and soulful dialogue reveals the profound connection between two artistic hearts.

Final Grade: B+

“Everything I Do” 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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