Marques Houston

Marques Houston started off as a young actor n many films and television shows. One he is mostly known for was "Sister Sister" as one of the main characters, Roger. That's where he finally let his singing abilities show when he sung on the show. From then he formed a group with other actors he knew from child hood. He is now a solo singer, and is singing his way into the hearts of many young women. He sings about real life love experiences, and dealing with relationships, what there is to expect and how do just deal. To me he is what I would call the young love doctor of R&B.

Ledisi

She has a wonderful voice of soul and Jazz. I love the way she takes a poem or any kind of poetry and turns it into the softest, sweetest, and most diligent song you can think of, only by adding music and rhythms that match so well with the words. When I first heard her voice I was watching a movie in the theater and a song named "Alright" was playing. I fell so in love with this song, and immediately ran home to find out who the artist was. That's when I became familiar with Ledisi. She is a very talented and young woman that I am sure will make a large impact to the R&B world.

Trey Songz

Okay so of course I'm going to say this, he is so cute! Just had to put that out there, but honestly this southern boy has a style with his music unlike anyone else. Besides making his own songs, he also takes songs made by other rappers, and singers, adds his own twist to them, and bases them around himself and his career. He started out at a young age, but has grown to become one of the most talented, and capivating singers of his century. I don't just like him for his looks, I like him for the way he came out into the music world, and the very first message he sent to the world. That message was, "I just got to make it". Like most people, he might not wear a suit, and he my not have a lot to smile about, but no matter what he has to and will strive to make it.

Mariah Carrey

Her name alone says it all. Ms. Carrey is a very beautiful and talented individual. Each time she hits her highest notes I just get blown away, because I wish so bad I could hit them myself. Not only is she a singer, but she a good actress as well. One thing I can relate to with her, is her struggle, before she became a singer. Her life wasn't easy and she did go through a lot including with her parents, and I feel that I know exactly how she might have felt during those times. That's what makes her an inspiration to me. I wouldn't say she is at the top of my life of greatest singers ever, but she is on the list.

Luther Vandross

This man had one of the most talented voices I have ever heard. His range was remarkable. He couldn't go as deep as Barry White but he was pretty close. To me it wasn't and isn't just about music with Mr. Vandross. It was about heart. He had more heart than most singers I know. Yes, he was a big guy, but in the mist of everything, he made steps to correcting it not only for his health, but for his passion and his dream. His appearance wasn't what people thought of when they heard his voice, the images it created is what they say. Any person that can make a song about a chair and a room, capaviate the hearts of its listeners, and put so much soul into it is a "bad" person. Even though he passed a while back, I still listen to his music as if it is brand new.

India Arie

One of the most gifted soul singers I have ever heard of in my life. Not only is her voice wonderful, but the message in her songs seem to relate to everyday life. Many artist try to do that, but few do it. India on the other hand seems to do just that. I remember her very first single "video". That song to me reached so many women and girls that seemed to be under pressure to become what everyone wanted them to. It set a standard in my life to not worry so much about what others think or expect of me. To not worry so much about what I don't have and appreciate what I do have. She is the type of artist I want to become, one that sings about moderate situation, and sends a message that can change others all at the same time.

Patti Labelle

This lady is the best ever! Her voice is so amazing, and her stage presence is unbelievable. She has a charisma about her that many wish to have. Her music expresses feelings most people have commonly. Even though she is an older artist, I enjoy her to the fullest. I remember my first time listening to her I couldn't believe her vocals. It was so cool the way she hit certain notes, and held out others. I have grown to follow her music and she has become a huge inspiration in my life. Seeing her in concert was so mind blowing. She is no where near your average artist in concert. She is real and hold nothing back. I remember when my mother and I attended the Essence Festival and she was there performing, soon as she came out every single person in the auditorium rose to their feet. She didn't even have to say a word, but when she did it was the most graceful not I have ever heard. She was entertaining not only on a musical level, but she made a friendly connection with her artist. I know I almost laughed my lungs out when she stopped in the middle of a song and said, "...you all please forgive me, but these hills are killing my feet, and I refuse to hop around this stage in them..." That moment let me know exactly why was it people loved, and could relate to her so much. To this day, I will always remember that concert, my hopes and dreams are to one day be able to meet and talk to her in person, because I know she would have wise knowledge to impart upon me, and sell as outstanding words of wisdom and encouragement.

WARNING: This Is A Blog Change

So I have decided to change the concept of the blog, only a little. Instead of ust providing information about specific artist that you can just find anywhere on the internet or in a book, but I have also thought to add why I chose the specific artist for the week, and how they are important to me. Give a little bit of my own thoughts and personaly information on how i feel towards that person.
Hope you enjoy the new change!

Mary J. Blige

Mary Jane Blige was born January 11, 1971.In New York City- Bronx. Her father left when she was at the age of 4 and her family moved to a more social projects. Her world changed when her mother's boyfriend played a cassette of Blige singing "Caught Up In the Rapture" and played it for Jeff Redd who is a recording artist, A&R, and runner for Uptown Records. Redd sent the cassette to the preident and CEO of the label. Harrell, the president, met with with Mary in 1989 and signed her to lable making her they youngest and first female artist.
In 1990, she began singing background for Jeff Redd. She also sang on a songe with Father MC. Then in 1991, she was seen singing at the Apollo as Redd's background singer. In 1992, she did a song with Grand Puba. Later that summer she mad an appearence on MTV's Yo! MTV Raps.
In 2000, Blige began a relationship with Martin Isaacs, now her manager, whom was the one to help her with her drug and alcohol addictions, and were married December 24, 2003. In 2006 she appeared on Oprah, giving away the secret that at age 5 she was molested.
After all that went on with her, she is back and making great music, selling at the top of charts, and accomplishing what she started out to do.

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles was born September 4, 1981 in Houston Texas to Tina Beyince and Mathew Knowles. She attened St. Mary's Elementary School in Texas taking dance classes. Since being heard by her instuctor singing and hitting high pitched notes, she started doing school talent shows. She entered her first talent show when she was seven and won!

At eight she met LaTavia Roberson in an audition for a girl group. By the end of the audition both girls and Beyonces' friend Kelly Rowland all made it into the group known as Girl's Tyme. Arne Frager flew to Houston to see the group, and brought them back to his studio in Northern Californa. The group performed on Star Search, but lost because it was said that their song was "not good". Her father then resigned from his job in 1995 to become the group's manager creating for them what he called a "boot camp". Due to all of the pressure and loss of money her parents eventually divorced. In 1993, Beyonce's father changed the group number to four adding new member LeToya Luckett. The group continued to rehearse in Tina's salon and backyards, and performed as open acts for other girl groups. Tina designed and made the costumes for the girls which she continued to do throughout the eintire Destiny's Child era. With the help of Beyonce's father the group was signed to Elektra Records, but dropped only months before they could release and album. Beyonce is now a solo singer proving to the world that she has many talents, while change the worlds of both music and acting, she has never had a dull performance.

R. Kelly

Robert Sylvester Kelly was born January 8, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. His mother was a singer in the group known as Six Pack. He started performing as a teenager under the Chicago 'L' trains, then formed a group with his friend Marc McWilliams. The two became a group under the name of MGM, (Musically Gifted Men), in 1989. Mr. Kelly performed solo on a show called Big Break and won the $100,000 prize. After MGM's first single the group broke apart due to disputes between the members. Barry Hankerson helped Kelly to break away from his contract wiht MHM and sign with Jive Records in 1991.
After the deal, Kelly and Andre Boykins and a couple of back up singers and dancers formed the group R. Kelly & Public Announcement. Kelly left the group in 1993 and went solo. Since then he has been a successful artist.

Erykah Badu

Erica Abi Johnson also known as Erykah Badu was born in South Dallas, Texas, on February 26, 1971. Her mother raised her and her brother and sisters alone. Her grandmother often helped in looking after them while Erykah's mother, Kollen Maria Gipson (Wright), performed as an actress in theatrical productions. When she was 4 she sang and danced with her mother at the Dallas Theatre Centre. At 14 she was free-styling for a local radio station. While a teenager she decided to change her name from Erica to Erykah, she believed her original name to be her 'slave' name. The term 'kah' signifies the inner self, which, when translated from Arabic, means 'can do no wrong'. Badu is also an African name for the 10th born child. Badu in Arabic means truth and light...good choice kid.

She attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and studied theater at Grambling State University. She didn't graduate but had many jobs, teaching drama and dance to children, and working and touring with her cousin. While with her cousin she recorded a demo whis was discovered by Kedar Massenburg who helped her do a duet with singer D'Angelo, which lead to her signing with Universial Records.

Aaliyah

Aaliyah Dana Haughton born in Brooklyn, New York. Her maternal grandmother, Mintis L. Hicks Hankerson, gave her the middle name Dana. Her first name, Aaliyah means "Highest, Most Exalted, The Best" in Arabic. Raised as a Roman Catholic with her brother,her mother encouraged her carrer as a singer. She moved to Detroit Michigan at 5, appeared in the play Annie at 6, was on the show Star Search at 10 singing "My Funny Valentine". Shed didn't win but kept singing anyways. She attended the Detroit School of Arts, graduating in 1997 with a GPA of a 4.0. Her life was taken at an early age, due to a plane crash on her way back to the states from a video shoot. She was a wonderful singer, and talented Actress.

112

112 is an American R&B quartet from Atlanta, Georgia. Founded by Mr. Sean "Diddy" Combs (owner of Bad Boy Records). The group left Bad Boy and signed with Def Soul in 2002. The members of the group are, Marvin Scandrick, Michael Keith, Quinnes Parker and Daron Jones. 112 was the first urban group from the Bad Boy label. The group started in high school performing at talent shows, church, and school. During one of their performances they were discovered by Courtney Sils and Kevin Wales, who later introduced them to Mr. Combs. They were quickly signed in front of a club in Atlanta named 112, which is where they get their name from. Their first album was released in 1996 which went double platinum. Since then the group has been doing numerous tours and as of today as sold over 16 million records world wide.

Rhythm and Blues (R&B) Mini History

R&B also known as Rhythm and Blues is the name of a large genre of popular music, created by African Americans in around 1940-1950. The word was originally used by record companies to stand for the records bought mostly by blacks around the time of urban, rocking, jazz, and rock and roll. Around 1960 R&B then became popular with the White Americans standing for the music developed from electric blues, gospel, and soul music. Later in the 1970's the term Rhythm and Blues was being used to describe sould and funk music. Today we use Contemporary R&B to refer to our modern version of sould and fuck influenced music other wise known as pop music.