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Bilal

My description of Bilal is artistic and sensual. Bilal is always getting compared to D'Angelo. To me Bilal’s vocals and skill level far surpasses D'Angelo. In the late 1990s and early 2000s I was introduced to Bilal. He was in the neo soul and alternative hip hop group Soulquarians. The members consist of some awesome talent, Talib Kweli, Common (kneeling), Mos Def, James Poyser, Erykah Badu, Questlove, D'Angelo, Q-Tip, Bilal and the late great J Dilla. Wow! This was an amazing group of talented musicians. When Bilal came out with his debut album “1st Born Second” in 2001 I think it was the right thing for his music career. I loved the songs “Soul Sista”, “Fast Lane”, "Sometimes", “Love It” and “Love Poem. The song “Soul Sista” was on the movie soundtrack “Love And Basketball”. This Philadelphia, Pennsylvania born talent has been doing his thing since the late 1990s. Bilal is still going strong. He has a new album that was leaked on YouTube it is called” Love for Sale”. I think this album is amazing my favorite songs off this album are “Hollywood”, “All For Love”, “Lord don't let it”, “Get Out of My Hair”, “You're All I Need (Feels Like Heaven)” and “White Turns To Gray”. Bilal is an underrated artist with talent that needs to be played more. You can listen to new and unexposed artists like Bilal on Streetwise Radio. You can all so listen to Streetwise Radio on Pandora, Athena365, MyGen365, Live365 and iTunes.

LM

http://www.last.fm/music/Bilal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdM-myLlcjs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOYk8mnhbog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw9HIjVxDls

Douye`-Golden Days

It has not been a Jazz, Pop, Contemporary artist that has stood out since Sade, Anita Baker. Well, Douye` in my opinion is right up there. Michael Ealey the DJ of Streetwise radio said to check her out. I’m listening to her music while I’m writing this blog and I must say she has smooth and sultry sound. Douye` is Nigerian born, lives in Los Angeles and is a real talent. She first started singing in church at the age of seven. In her mid-teens she traveled to Europe to pursue her growing musical dreams. Douye` came back to the USA where she studied voice at the acclaimed Musicians Institute in Hollywood California. After graduating, Douye performed in clubs throughout Los Angeles. I can’t believe I have never heard of her before. This goes to show you that there are so many great artists out there that have not been played on mainstream radio. Douye` debut album “Journey” came out in 2008. Four years later she has a new album out called “Golden Days”.  The songs on the album “Golden Days” and “Life Is Good” have me thinking about days when I’m kicked back on a Sunday afternoon with my honey. Douye` is an artist that beautiful! With a lot of sweetness! I’m a fan! Streetwise Radio is playing “Golden Days”.  You can listen to Streetwise Radio on MyGen365, Athena365, Live365 and ITunes.

LM

http://douyetheartist.com/

Keith Washington “Thinking Bout You”

I remember seeing Keith Washington on a couple of television shows and a movie in the 80’s and 90’s. He was on the sitcom Martin, the soap opera General Hospital and in the movie Poetic Justice. I was wondering why this R&B crooner was not singing any more. Keith Washington had some success in the 90’s with "Kissing You", which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance Male and won a 1992 Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B and Soul Single – Male. "Kissing You" also topped the Billboard Hot R&B and Hip-Hop songs chart for week. Keith is another artist that was so underrated. I think he can out sing some of these so called R&B singers of today. Well, Keith Washington is back with a new single “Thinking Bout You”. It is about time Keith Washington is singing again. If this song is any indication of what his new album is about I can’t wait to hear the whole album. You can listen to “Thinking Bout You” on Streetwise Radio. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on MyGen365, Athena365, Live365 and iTunes.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Washington

Bobby V-“Dusk Till Dawn”

Bobby V’s 5^th album “Dusk Till Dawn” is acceptable work from this R&B artist. Bobby V was born Robert Wilson on February 27, 1980, in Jackson, Mississippi. Bobby V grew up listening to the R&B greats, Michael Jackson, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Marvin Gaye, Jodeci, and The Isley Brothers. They were the artists that inspired him to become an R&B singer. Bobby V is another R&B artist that has been underrated in the music industry. In 2002 he was on season one of American Idol but did not make it. Bobby V was determined to pursue his music career. His three demo’s albums reached Puff Daddy who then forwarded them onto Ludacris and Disturbing Tha Peace president Chaka Zulu. Bobby V was the first R&B artist, on Disturbing Tha Peace Records.  Bobby V’s hit single "Pimpin' All Over the World", from Ludacris' multi-platinum selling album The Red Light District in 2004 was what made Bobby V the artist he is today.

I like some of the songs on Bobby V’s album “Dusk Till Dawn”. These are my favorite songs because of the lyrics. “Before You Break My Heart”, “First Class Love”, “Dusk Till Dawn”, “Nothing On You”, “Are You Ready” and “1st Class Love”. If a song does not have great lyrics, I can’t get with it. I think Bobby V should stick to singing on his songs. He does not need to have guest rappers featured on songs. I think it takes away from his R&B style. If anything have some guest R&B singers. I’m going to give this album 4 stars out of 5. Listen to songs from Bobby V’s album on Streetwise Radio. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on MyGen365, Athena365, Live365 and ITunes.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_V

Naturally 7

Naturally 7 is a this astonishing, talented, funky, amazing male singing group that specializes in ‘Vocal Play’. Vocal Play is when each member uses their voice in unison to recreate a different musical instrument, from drums to brass instruments and guitars. The group members consist of Roger Thomas (musical director, arranger, 1^st Baritone, Rap), Warren Thomas (percussion, guitar, clarinet, and 3^rd tenor), Rod Eldridge (1^st tenor, scratching, trumpet), Napoleon “Polo” Cummings (4^th Tenor, guitar), Dwight Stewart (2^nd baritone, vocals, and trumpet), Garfield Buckley (2^nd Tenor, Harmonica) and Armand “Hops” Hutton (Bass), all this uniqueness mergers into the sound of Naturally 7. The group was started by Roger Thomas and his brother Warren in New York City in 1999. Five other talented singers were added to the group over the years, while they were singing around the city. In the fall of 2007 they had success over in Europe and were forced onto the world with their extraordinary talent. Naturally 7 have recorded a number of albums over the years and with every album, just kept getting more amazing. Naturally 7’s debut album “Non Fiction” was recorded in 2000, “What Is It” (2003), “Christmas …It’s A Love Story” (2004), “Ready II Fly” (2006), ‘Wall Of Sound’ (2009) and “Vocal Play” (2010). I don’t see why it took so long for this group to get recognized for their phenomenal talent. Naturally 7 have a lot of fans over in Europe. It baffles me that I have never heard of them, since they originated in New York. I must say it is hard to pick a favorite song of Naturally 7 but I think I like Feel It (In the Air Tonight)”, “Broken Wings”, “768”, “RESCUE - God's Eyes” and “Blessed Assurance”. Naturally 7 have a new album is due to be released in the winter of 2012 called, “All Natural Live”. Naturally 7 will be touring worldwide in 2012 and 2013. I know we are going to be hearing a lot from these 7 talented brothers, who truly have a gift from God! If you have never heard of Naturally 7 you can hear them on Streetwise Radio. Listen to Streetwise Radio on MyGen365, ITunes, Live365 and Athena365.

LM

http://www.naturallyseven.com/biographies