Tag Archive for 'r&b'

CATTLE CALL

Taking the title from John McCain: Lady Maverick

Stealing the title from John McCain: Lady Maverick

The term “maverick” gets thrown a lot these days, but only a fraction of the people who use it truly earn the title. The word dates back to Samuel A. Maverick, an American pioneer who refused to brand his calves. Lady Maverick, based out of Arizona, falls somewhere between a trailblazing rancher and just another member of the herd.

Blessed with a killer set of pipes, Lady Maverick can sing, for sure. But her songs aren’t exactly groundbreaking. Belting out an entire song a cappella, such as “A Prayer” is a bold move, but even the rich timbre of Lady Maverick’s voice isn’t enough to distract from the fact that the actual melody is a little feeble. She kicks things into groove mode with “Lines” a tune about female empowerment a la TLC’s “Scrubs.” “I’m tired of these brothers spitting lines at me it’s getting old / I’m looking for that one who’s genuine with me, ladies say Oh.” It’s a catchy refrain, but one that’s weakened by omnipresent chimes and overly synthetic strings.

With a tighter focus on melody and composition, Lady Maverick’s got the chops to break free from the herd and be the maverick she wants to be. We’ll be rooting her on from the other side of the fence.

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BEAUTY AND THE BEAT

Three Times a Lady: Triple Threat Maiysha

Three Times a Lady: Triple Threat Maiysha

A model, a singer and a scholar walk into a bar … Might sound like a joke, but in fact it’s one serious triple threat—Brooklyn’s Maiysha. The singer is a graduate of the prestigious Sarah Lawrence College, where she studied vocal performance and creative writing. She puts both disciplines to good use in her post-collegiate life, crafting contemporary R&B/soul with lyrical bite. A self-confessed devotee of Donna Summer and Chaka Khan, Maiysha shows she can smolder with the best of them with the seductive “You Don’t Know.” Her torchy delivery of lines like “I’m not trying to complicate you” sets the R&B groove on low heat. Reconcile that with the powerhouse chorus of “Wanna Be,” a fierce rocker that recalls En Vogue’s “Free Your Mind.” Against grinding guitars funked up with a wah-wah pedal, the singer takes herself to task, saying “I’m young enough to have a lot to learn / I’m old enough to know better.” Good-looking, talented and wise. If we didn’t like her, we’d hate her.


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MY FORMULA. MY CHANCE. – ARE YOU READY TO WIN A COLLABO WITH TREY SONGZ?

Coca-Cola and Radio One are back with another once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for emerging hip hop and R&B artists in the My Formula. My Chance. Talent Search Series. This time around, artists will compete using their best original, radio-friendly track for a chance to create a collabo with Trey Songz! Trey’s latest single “Successful” off Ready is a hot collabo featuring Drake. Don’t miss your chance to mix your own formula with one of the best!

Fans: Want to meet Trey Songz? Every time you judge in the contest channel you’ll be automatically entered into a drawing to win a trip for two to see Trey perform in concert and meet him after the show, courtesy of Atlantic Records!

For more information on entering visit www.ourstage.com/go/myformulamychance

SOUL SISTER

jess

Ladies, have you had your fill of dubious dudes who ask for your number then never call? Or pursue you relentlessly, and then when you finally start to respond, lose interest and move on? Jess Godwin feels your pain. More than that, she’s put it to music. And not just any music—big, soulful R&B that comes out swinging and demands your attention, if not your love and respect.

This is not to say that men won’t appreciate Godwin’s fiery piano invectives; many will. But Godwin has a way of succinctly summing up the single lady experience with wit, intelligence and brass that will have a lot of women putting their hands up even higher than they did for Beyonce. In her potent soul single, “Three Weeks Shy,” she takes a negligent love interest to task by asking, “If I had worn the blue dress, if I had a burger, if I had been blonde / Would you have tried to reach me sooner?” Her expressive vocals swing from lilting jabs to heart-wrenching explosions, putting her somewhere in between Regina Spektor and Alicia Keys. After the seismic soul chorus of “Three Weeks Shy,” Godwin cools things down, singing sweetly and simply, “Let’s call it what it is / Just that not in to me.

Maybe he’s not, but the rest of us most definitely are.

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COCA-COLA, RADIO ONE, AND OURSTAGE PRESENT THE “MY FORMULA. MY CHANCE” TALENT SERIES – BE PRODUCED BY POLOW DA DON!

Polow da Don with Fergie

Polow da Don with Fergie

Ever dream of working with a powerhouse record producer? Coca-Cola, Radio One and OurStage are teaming up to give aspiring R&B and Hip Hop artists the chance of a lifetime in the “My Formula. My Chance.” talent series. Starting Today, artists can submit their best original, radio-friendly music for a chance to work with super producer Polow da Don. Polow has produced for Keri Hilson, Rich Boy, Chris Brown, Fergie, Usher, Nelly and most recently with Mary J. Blige on her smash single “Stronger” from the More Than a Game movie soundtrack. This talent series is your opportunity to make your music “Stronger” with proven hit maker Polow da Don! And don’t forget to judge! Fans who help the best talent rise to the top by judging the entries will be entered to win a trip for two to attend the More Than a Game premiere in Los Angeles courtesy of Interscope Records!

For more information on entering visit www.ourstage.com/go/myformulamychance