simply MUSIC

Eminem Leads 53rd GRAMMY Nominations!

2010-12-02T01:22:00.000-05:00

Eminem earns 10 nods; Bruno Mars scores seven; and Jay-Z, Lady Antebellum and Lady Gaga each garner six. You can review the full list of nominees by clicking the following link: http://www.grammy365.com/sites/default/files/53rd%20PressList%2011-30-10.pdf

Soul Train Awards - Superstar Janelle Monae!

2010-11-29T01:04:00.000-05:00

Highlight of the BET Soul Train Awards for me was Cee-Lo Green, Bruno Mars and Janelle Monae's acceptance speech (I think she got the Centrix award). She is keeping it classy and proving that you don't need to appear in public half naked to garner any attention. Love her whole vibe. Check our her video "Tightrope" and get to know this very talented artist if you're not hip to her already. She is a superstar! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwnefUaKCbc

Sandra St Victor - Master vocalist

2010-11-27T18:36:00.000-05:00

I'll keep shouting this until I can't talk anymore. Favorite female vocalist remains to this day Sandra St. Victor. She has one of the richest vocal textures out today. I was fortunate enough to see her perform this August at the Blue Note in NY and she rocked the crowd. She has a rock edge that she blends with soul that works perfectly in the same manner as Tina Turner use to rock it. If she performs in your area, go check her out. Her new album Sinner Child is out on iTunes. And it's also refreshing to see someone perform live without autotune and who knows how to engage the crowd. A lost art by a lot of today's artist. Sandra St. Victor: "Since You've Been Gone"

Welcome Back El DeBarge!

2010-11-27T11:15:00.000-05:00

Can't think of a better artist right now that I'm happy to see back out on the music scene than Mr. El DeBarge. With his signature falsetto he glides back in effortlessly. Look for his new album and also check out the video made with Faith Evans "Lay With You" - marvelous!

Teach your parents how to text message!

2010-11-27T09:52:00.000-05:00

I know, I know.....our parents can barely use their cell phone and now we're telling them to learn how to text. But check out this story posted on ABC Eyewitness news about a teenager who used his cell phone to text a message that their canoe had turned over and they were in the lake (in freezing cold water). His cell phone wasn't working but his quick thinking and decision to send an S.O.S text saved him and his grandfather. So, if your folks do not know how to text message, teach them and give them this story as a reason why they should learn how to.

Exclusive First Listen of Eric Benet's "Lost In Time" at Essence.com

2010-11-27T09:45:00.000-05:00

You can check out the album in it's entirety before it hits the stores on Tuesday the 30th at Essence.com. Eric's album takes me back to those days when the Stylistics and Chi Lites sounds were blasting on the radio - a time when guys talked about "My Girl" and "Can't Help Myself" and the woman sang about "Baby Love" and "Stop in the Name of Love." Different from many of today's R&B artist who talk way too much about drinking and sex. Way to go Mr. Benet! I'm hoping his record starts a trend where we can get back to singing songs in this manner. A big thumbs up!

KANYE WEST: New Album "My Dark Twisted Fantasy" in stores now

2010-11-24T20:14:00.000-05:00

The very controversial Kanye West 's new album is out this week. Read his 5 star review at Rolling Stone Magazine.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/reviews/album/45342/232350