Crazier, Sexier and Cooler Than Ever

You’ve heard all the bad news about Left Eye doing jail time for burning down her then boyfriend, Atlanta Falcon’s football star Andre Rison’s home, you’ve heard about TLC filing for bankruptcy in 1995. You know all about the feud between the group, their management Pebbitone and the record label LaFace and worst, T-Boz’s battle with Sickle Cell Anemia. Well, this is not that story. This feature is all about the successes of TLC. The Grammies, MTV Awards and multi-platinum record sales. read more …

Russell Simmons – So Def

The year was 1979 when 19 year old visionary Russell Simmons launched himself into the music business. While attending City College of New York with his friend, Rick Rubin, the part-time manager and promoter was positioning himself and his new breed of talent to become a powerful force in the fledgling hip-hop industry. It was 1985 when Simmons and Rubin founded Def Jam Recordings, their roster boasting such seminal Rap artists as Kurtis Blow, (the first rap artist to achieve gold single status), Run-DMC, (the first rap act to achieve platinum status), LL Cool J, (two time Grammy winner & the first rap star to sell 4 consecutive platinum records) and Whodini. A handful of months later Def Jam was to sign hip-hop pioneers Public Enemy, and the Beastie Boys, (whose 1986 multi-platinum debut “Licensed to Ill” was the first rap album to reach number one on the Billboard pop music charts). read more …

Monica: Diva in Training

Graceful. Sultry and wise beyond her years. It’s almost hard to believe that Monica “Don’t Take It Personal” Arnold is only 18 years old. She has the pose and personality of a veteran artist. When rumors started flying around last year about an alleged catfight backstage at one of the award shows between herself and Brandy, Monica silenced her detractors with aplomb. read more …

K-CI & JoJo All In The Family

As founding members of the multi-platinum group Jodeci, K-Ci & JoJo have experienced success before and will undoubtedly experience it again and again. Born Cedric and Joel Hailey in Charlotte, NC, K-Ci & JoJo grew up amongst music, family and a lot of love. While the two were still in their teens, they got together with DeVante and Dalvin Swing and up and coming new artist Calvin Richardson (wait till you hear this man’s album, can we say all that!) to form a gospel group. The five-member group soon became a quartet, leaving behind Richardson…. and the quartet became known as Jodeci. read more …

Deep Inside of Mary J. Blige

Throughout her relatively short career, Mary has refused to play by anyone else’s rules. And with each of her albums fans have watched this ghetto flower blossom. From the notoriously moody, baseball hat and combat boots, round the way phase she went through during What’s the 411? to the more glamorous, softer and gentler side reflected by Share My World, Blige has never been afraid to show that she is a woman of many moods. read more …

A Profyle – of Motown’s Newest Fellas

That’s exactly what biological brothers Hershey and Face with the help of cousins Ljai (pronounced LJ) and Baby Boy are serving up on their debut disk Whispers In The Dark. Collectively and professionally known as Profyle these four Shreveport, Louisiana natives are here to bring back some down home soul into the R&B game.

You may have already gotten a taste of their vocal prowess, from the Marvin Is 60 Tribute CD. Profyle took on the task of recreating “What’s Going On” which I don’t have to tell you is no easy task, especially for an unknown, unproven, unheard of band. But the foursome went for broke, with smooth crooner Joe (who co-executive produced Whispers..”) on the production end and the group concentrating on vocals, they put forth a stimulating display. read more …

Missy Elliott – She’s So Supa Dupa Fly

Cover of Missy Elliott

Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott has set the R&B and Hip-hop world on edge with her innovative style and flamboyant videos. The Supa Dupa Fly one has pushed the envelope for new creations from her fellow Hip-Hop and R&B counterparts.

Missy, born Melissa Arnette Elliott in Portsmouth, Va. on July 1st 1971. She is the only child born to Patricia and Ronald Elliott. As a child Missy was very imaginative, she spent much of her time singing to her dolls and to people on the street. While in school Missy was thought to have a learning disability because she received so many F’s. She is quoted as saying “I’d rather sing and make jokes than do work.” Her school gave her an IQ test, which would reveal that she is a genius, yes, you read right a genius. read more …

Eve: Who’s the Ruff Ryders’ First Lady

Cover of Ruff Ryders’ First Lady

Who else could be called a pit bull in a skirt and not want to put their dukes up to fight, none other than the Ruff Ryders’ First Lady, Eve also known as (to the people who knew her way back when) Eve of Destruction. Pit bull in a skirt, what a description right? But when you hear this woman’s rapping skills, and I know you’ve heard her rhyme, you’ll agree with the description. She rips!

Hailing from Philadelphia, Eve Jihan Jeffers started making her desire to be a singer a reality as a teenager when she was a part of a 5 girl R&B singing group. They covered songs by En Vogue and the like. Through the suggestion of her then manager, she began rapping to keep up with the changing music scene. read more …

BRANDY Sitting On Top Of The World

Cover of Brandy

It’s very clear that the 90’s was the decade of women in music. From Madonna to Lauryn Hill, from Mary J. Blige to Celine Dion, and everyone in between. In between was the emergence of a hot young superstar, whose brightness is just really starting to shine. Brandy is paving the way for all the young ladies in the world of entertainment, with her singing and acting diversity. read more …