Released: 1978 Label: TK Records To an entire generation of hip-hop fans, the groove behind this record will always be associated with Tupac’s 1998 classic, Do For Love. But 20 years earlier, a blue-eyed multi-instrumentalist recorded the fautless original, which would go on to become the signature song of his career. Unbelievably, on this live … Continue reading
Released: 1997 Label: Loud Smokey-eyed singer Davina, who’s Best of Both Worlds album was the only one of career, was part of a highly talented stable of hip-hop soul singers on Loud records in the mid-nineties, including Adriana Evans. This was one of the true R&B anthems of its time, with a beat that most rappers would … Continue reading
E.L.E, (Extinction Level Event) 2: End of the World, the new album from Busta Rhymes, due around March time, is guaranteed to be one of the biggies in the hip-hop release schedule this year. Here Hype Williams goes crazy in the video for the first single, Why Stop Now, a brand new collaboration with everyone’s favourite guest vocalist, … Continue reading
Released: 1993 Label: Virgin From the album, Janet, this ranks as one of my top Ms. Jackson tunes of all time. With an incredible eight weeks at the top of the US charts, it’s officially the most successful chart single performance by a Jackson family member - the single also secured her the Grammy for ’Best R&B Single’. Incredible to think that this tune came … Continue reading
Released: 2002 Label: Epic Call it blasphemy to suggest it, but I’ll go ahead and say it anyway: Canadian neo-soul singer (that’s what they called them in the early noughties) <strong>Glenn Lewis</strong>, had probably the closest vocals to Stevie Wonder that you’ll ever hear. It doesn’t feel right to call him a one-hit wonder, especially as his album, … Continue reading
Get your mindset right for the weekend, with highlights from my first DJ gig of the year, at One Glove in Camden’s Lockside, last week (January 6th). 50 minutes, 24 tunes and a whole load of jokes. Here’s how it sounded on the night… – Mr Drew DOWNLOAD MR DREW LIVE DJ MIX FROM ONE GLOVE MR DREW @ ONE … Continue reading
With more than 60 million albums sold worldwide, R&B has never produced a more successful collective than Boyz II Men. Last week, they made their mark once again by recieving the 2,456th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I caught up with member Nathan Morris. Here’s what he had to say on 20 years in the game, why he wouldn’t … Continue reading
I remember being in Cologne to watch Missy perform back in 1999. I also recall hanging out with Nicole Wray (who features on the record) at the hotel aftterwards and even she was surprised at how this one shut the club down. And it’s still a crowd pleaser to this day. Missy may have been quiet of … Continue reading
In December I spoke to Bristol singer-songwriter, Tanya Lacey. You may recall her as the vocalist behind Loick Essien’s How We Roll, from last summer- she’s a fresh talent well worth watching out for in 2012. How would you describe your musical approach? It varies. I’m very melodically driven, so during a lot of sessions I will just get on … Continue reading
2011 was a great year for urban music. I don’t just mean in terms of the number of hits to make an impact on the charts – although there were a fair few of those. Unlike in recent years, there was a very healthy selection of top class albums to drop over the past 12 months … Continue reading
