In the world of music, female double-threat artists are nothing new. Queen Latifah was already successfully juggled an acting and Hip Hop career when we discovered she could sing in the 1998 film Living Out Loud. Icon Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott took it to another level for female artists who could rap and sing in the nineties when she released her classic debut Supa Dupa Fly in 1997. However, for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to give flowers to an artist you may have forgotten about, Smooth, and her 1998 hit, “Strawberries.”
The younger sister of music producer Chris Stokes, Smooth burst onto the scene in 1990 with her debut album Smooth & Legit. You Been Played and the self-titled Smooth hit stores respectfully in 1993 and 1995. I started noticing Smooth in the spring of 1995 when I heard “Mind Blowin” and the laid-back remix to “Blowin’ Up My Pager featuring Romeo of Immature.
Three years later, in the spring of 1998, I was a sophomore in high school when “Strawberries,” from her fourth and final album to date, Reality, hit the airwaves. Smooth linked up with Lance Alexander and Tony “Prof T.” Tolbert of Lo-Key? for the song’s writing and production. A sensual slow jam, the song opens up with a solid intro from Smooth before she lets her vocals shine. What I enjoy about the song is that it has a lush bridge and a catchy chorus. Toward the end of the track, Smooth gets a chance to drop a Hot 16.
“Strawberries” would chart at #49 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 17 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. I can also remember the video being a staple on BET. In addition, many young ladies would dedicate the song to a young man they were interested in during the request and dedication hours on my local radio stations, WKYS 93.9 and WPGC 95.5.
While Smooth was part of the Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis’s Perspective Records roster for her final album, it didn’t make a dent in the charts. Nevertheless, “Strawberries” is a solid slow jam that should have prolonged her career.
Final Grade: B+
“Strawberries” is available on all streaming platforms
This past Friday marked the 40th anniversary of “The Voice,” a.k.a. Whiney Houston’s self-titled debut album hitting stores. So, in that regard, it was only right to give Nippy her flowers for this week’s Second Listen Sunday.
For this weekend’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to take a trip to Motor City and show some love to soul singer Dwele. It was 2005, and I was living in the UK as part of my Air Force enlistment. Dwele had just released his second album, “Some Kinda,” enjoying some chart success with the lead single “I Think I Love U,” by Mike City.
The remainder of the album maintains a classic R&B vibe, showcasing the group’s signature sound. One of the standout tracks is “Maybe Tomorrow,” featuring the iconic Phyllis Hyman. It transforms difficult circumstances into positive outcomes—essentially making lemonade from lemons.