The Old School Hip Hop festival was held at Pier Six Pavilion by the lovely Baltimore Inner Harbor. The festival featured hip hop legends Chubb Rock, Big Daddy Kane, Whodini, Slick Rick, Juvenile and Mystical.
On Thursday, July 27, R&B music aficionados were treated to a night of auto tune free singing when Anthony David & opening act Gordon Chambers graced the stage at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. David & Chambers, who have released a combined ten albums throughout their careers, provided fans with smooth harmonies, lush vocals, and elegant musicianship. I first saw Anthony David live back in 2008 and since then I’ve followed his career. While I’ve always been a fan of Chambers due to his writing for others artists, this was my first time seeing him live.
After releasing the very nice “JE Heartbreak II” in 2014, one of the last standing active groups in R&B, Jagged Edge, returns to the scene with their 9th album, “The Layover”. I’ve been a fan of Jagged Edge since their debut “A Jagged Era” was released during my sophomore year of high school. While the breakout single from the album was “I Gotta Be”, the album also featured plenty of strong album tracks. Over the years, Jagged Edge continued to release good albums including the still classic “JE Heartbreak”. However with “The Layover”, Jagged Edge seems to have lost the magic they once had.
England born soul singer, Daley, has returned to the scene with his sophomore release “The Spectrum”. Following the successful formula of his previous EP’s and his 2014 debut release, “Days+Nights”, Daley continues to make a name for himself with his brand of Alternative R&B. From the “Interlude” to the closing track, The Spectrum is an ambitious project which mixes up multiple genres to great effect.
On Saturday July 15th, Eric Roberson brought his signature style to a sold out crowd at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. Next to New Edition, Eric Roberson is the only other artist I make sure to see whenever he’s in town. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Roberson live ten times in the last nine years and he never disappoints.
Despite a late start and a broken AC unit, Roberson graced the stage as a true professional. Opening with the fan favorite “Been in Love”, Roberson transitioned into a R&B freestyle, where he sung about the heat in the building to let the audience know he could feel their pain. Throughout the night, Roberson, who has written for the likes of Will Smith, Jill Scott, 112 and Charlie Wilson, performed songs from his ten album catalog with a set list that included “Borrow You”, “Dealing”, “Mark On Me” and his signature cover of The Notorious B.I.G. classic “Big Poppa”.
The Incubus 8 Tour with guests Jimmy Eat World and Judah and the Lion electrified the stage at Jiffy Lube Live Wednesday night. Incubus is fresh off having released their eighth studio album appropriately titled “8.” It’s a summer concert at Jiffy Lube!
It was a steamy evening in Bristow, Virginia. As the crowd cultivated every demographic was covered from Millennials to Gen Xers reliving the nostalgia of the late nighties and early 2000’s. It was a sea of graphic tee’s, tattered shorts and shoes with no socks. It was the perfect atmosphere for a big time rock show!
No matter what the music genre is, when it comes to a group or band, there’s always a lead vocalist who stands out, and whom the record company dreams of making into a solo superstar. After serving on lead vocals, drums & percussion with Mint Condition for twenty-eight years, Stokley Williams finally gives R&B fans his debut solo album “Introducing Stokely”.
It was a nostalgic old school party, when hip-hop legend Big Daddy Kane graced the stage of the Howard Theater on Friday, June 16th. Kane, who has always been one of my top five lyricists, showcased a charisma on the stage and a connection with his audience, which is currently lacking in rappers half his age. Backed by his live band “Las Supper,” Kane rocked the stage, showcasing hits from his catalog through a ninety-minute set.
Brooklyn band Rips has taken New York by storm with their live shows that can be best described as “energetic”. With the June 16th release of their self-titled debut album, Rips introduces us to their own brand of rock and roll and brings us all to our feet. Now would be a good time to turn the music up to the highest decibel.
El Gran Combo is a Puerto Rican Salsa music orchestra that is considered “the most popular Salsa group that has ever existed”. The group is currently enjoying their 55th Anniversary and chose to celebrate their milestone during New York City’s Puerto Rican celebration weekend.
