Complied by Shonassee Shaver, Contributing WriterMarch 31, 2016
It’s a Rap 3.31.16
“Back at One” singer Brian McKnight is better than ever with his 13th studio album ‘Better’ Veteran singer Brian McKnight is still standing since his debut album Brian McKnight in 1992, the vocalist has a new album ‘Better,’ released February 26. “I really feel like I am better than I’ve ever been,” he told hiphollywood.com. “What I’m writing and the way I feel and the way I’ve gotten myself together, it’s a philosophy.” The veteran singer states that his life is better now, thanks to his longtime love, Leilani Malia. “It’s the story of my life now with the woman that I’m with and every song is about our life. It took me 42 years to find the person that I know I’m supposed to be with.” As for the sound, Brian revealed that he wouldn’t classify it under any particular genre. “I write what I feel at the time. This record is completely live. There is very little computer driven music on this album.” According to McKnight, he and his band cut 14 songs the way “we used to cut them 20 years ago. … we just went for it.”
Brandy Soars with new music, tour and a Barbie Doll! Singer and actress Brandy’s show ‘Zoe Ever After’ debuted on BET in January. She unveiled a new song titled “Beggin & Pleadin” off her upcoming seventh studio album, which reached number two on Billboard’s Trending 140 chart. On February 23, Brandy announced her Slayana World Tour, beginning in the UK with four shows starting this June. The multi-talent has garnered a Barbie Doll named Barbie Brandy as well. Longtime fan Tyren Redd, who created a Barbie doll in the likeness of the 37-year-old singer. While not official, the doll chronicles the singer’s life with looks from her Seventeen cover to her Broadway debut in Chicago based on her long-running career’s evolving style. The doll’s Instagram (@4everbarbiebrandy), which has over 10,000 followers and counting, even caught the attention of Norwood, who was delighted by the creation and shared a few of the images on her verified account, reports etonline.com. “I’m so floored that my doll was reincarnated through the creative imagination of one of my most loyal stars, Tyren Redd,” Norwood told etonline.com. “All the love that is shown to my doll and her Instagram page is greatly appreciated, and at the same time, shocking.” I love Barbie Brandy,” she added. Redd’s Brandy creation even recalls the singer’s early days when she was topping the charts with “Baby” and starring in her own sitcom, Moesha. “I think for young black girls to grow up through her journey and through her eyes and to see a young black girl with braids in her hair, it leaves the legacy of possibility,” she said. Brandy joins Zendaya and Ava Duvernay who have Barbie Dolls created in their honor.
Bounce TV’s smash hit ‘Saints & Sinner’s debuts new album featuring a star studded lineup Bounce TV’s hit series ‘Saints & Sinner’s is soap opera that follows the conflicts among members of a Baptist church in a small-town Georgia. The series stars Vanessa Bell Calloway and Clifton Powell. Aside from the show’s popularity, the there’s also a new album Saints & Sinners: Original Soundtrack from season one. Released by Bounce Media, LLC/Entertainment One Music, the soundtrack accompanies the latest talent to date. The companion album to the network’s drama ‘Saints & Sinners’ is an eight-track collection featuring a diverse Guest stars on the show include, Deitrick Haddon, Erica Campbell, and Kelly Price. Each of them bring their stunning vocals to the soundtrack. Award-winning superstars Haddon and Campbell have two of the soundtrack’s biggest collaborations. Haddon teams up with Outkast’s Big Boi on the song and music video for “Sinners (Saved By Grace) Remix,” which serves as the show’s theme song. Campbell paired up with Saints & Sinners cast member Keith Robinson, on the song “Keep Holding On (Alright).” Robinson also performs on the song “Pain,” and Price performs the single “Everytime (Grateful).” Jeezy makes a splash on “Gotta Be A Man,” and Lecrae collaborates with Johnta Austin on the song “Lord Be With Me.” Rounding out the star-studded album are songs from The Voice finalist Koryn Hawthorne, and KlarKent (feat. Derek Minor). The new album Saints a& Sinners: Orginal Soundtrack is available on iTunes, Amazon, Goggle Play and Spotify.
Lalah Hathaway tops several charts at #1 with her hit single “Angel,” off her latest album ‘Lalah Hathaway Live’ Hathaway brings her signature rich voice to the Anita Baker love song, “Angel.” Hathaway’s performance of “Angel” remains at #1 on Urban AC radio for the fourth consecutive week, topping Billboard’s Adult R&B Songs Chart, and topping Mediabase’s Urban AC Chart. The critically-acclaimed ‘Lalah Hathaway Live’ also features Hathaway’s Grammy award-winning performance of “Little Ghetto Boy,” featuring Snoop Dogg, her father Donny Hathaway’s classic live song, as well as “Mirror,” “Lean On Me” (feat. Robert Glasper), “Forever, For Always, For Love” and more, delivering the warm, playful, and spirited signature live music experience beloved by her fans across the world. Hathaway continues to perform live across the country this spring and summer with an upcoming four-night run of dates in Maryland, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Illinois and beyond, reports eurweb.com. For more information and the latest updates on Lalah Hathaway visit: www.lalahhathaway.com.
