“I don’t prescribe to “the king of R&B”. You know, I’m a contributor, just like the great artists before me. A King, yes. A King of RnB I’m not sure if I would claim myself to be that. But definitely a one of a kind and a great contributor to RnB music. But a king for sure, even a God!”

RESPECT MAG: How is it going?
O: It’s going amazing. I’m in New York City we have The Millennium Tour tomorrow so I’m just out here making errands. Everything is great though.

Are you still the king of RnB? if not, who do you think holds that crown?
I don’t prescribe to “the king of RnB”. You know, I’m a contributor, just like the great artists before me. A king, yes. A King of R&B I’m not sure if I would claim myself to be that. But definitely a one of a kind and a great contributor to R&B music. But a king for sure, even a God!

Let’s talk about the Millennium Tour 2020. What are the expectations and does it feel good to be on stage performing again? Lots of hits lots of nostalgia what else is new?
Well we just dropped a new song a couple of weeks ago “Can You Hear Me” featuring T-Pain. So you know we got new music to go with the tour. I got so many amazing things currently going on, I also just announced also ill be dropping essential oil with Art Naturals called “Unbothered” by Omarion. Giving you the essence of what it really means to be unbothered. so many things going on. They all good things. so, I’m happy.

How do you balance between being a dad and touring?
well, I have a staff. I’m so blessed with an amazing staff who make sure that my schedule is cleared for the important times. You know like, my kids, they sometimes have morning assemblies. I’m a very very involved parent, so I make time for my kids. I understand how important it is to be there for them. Also, I’m on tour right and my daughter’s birthday is coming up on the 7th, she’ll be turning four. so ill be flying back the next week to celebrate her birthday, so daddy makes time.

Stars have moments, what’s your favorite moment in your career that’s unforgettable to you that you’d like to share.
Yes definitely, it’s 08 all of the performances on the BET Awards of “Oh”, “Touch” you know, “Ice Box”, “Post To Be”, you know, performing with Chris although they didn’t have all of my shots you know what I’m saying but it was a great moment. what else? currently, now I’m often living in moments, in the upcoming week I’m gonna be shooting “Can You Hear Me?” featuring T-Pain music so that should be fun. But you know, all of the Highlights come from the supportive fans. You know all those moments that are not I’m just contributing my energy and my creativity towards but you know when the fans respond when they love it and that it’s reciprocal. so yeah, those are few moments.

If there was something you could do over what would it be.
You know I’m not the one to take moments back. Because there is always some information and lessons you can learn from those moments that you might not be happy about at the time. So, I wouldn’t take anything back. You know, you live and you learn. That’s what life is all about.

What are some of the big body collabs your fans would be excited about happening right now?
Well, definitely this one with T-Pain. I have some other things in the work that I can’t really speak about. But yeah, some organic and like real-time collabos. No forced collabs. I find that when people talk about collabs, they say the same things like “well, who is it gonna be?” you know, and collabs come in many forms. A collab can come in the form of a producer as well as an artist. So, yeah it’s gonna be some amazing collabs. One amazing collab that I have is coming up at the end of the year announcing my forthcoming album Passport with James Fauntleroy. Me and James did a whole album together, you know, he’s an amazing creative so I cant for people to finally hear it. We’re dropping that in the forth quarter so yeah, I’m excited about that.

Are there any new artists you are currently into?
Not at the moment. I find that no disrespect to any of the artists that are contributing to music but there is not a lot of substance out there. There are not a lot of songs that are actually talking about the things that resonate with me. So I listen to my 3-hour mixes you know Thunderstorm Laps/Soulection. I be good in front of my decks. But you know there is some good ones out there but having a good song or creating a good, I don’t wanna say it’s easy but it appears to be easier nowadays. That also falls into the assessment, like I’m not just into hearing rhymes and beats, you know, rhythm and blues, there is a reason why those genres are called that. Blues being the representation of you speaking about your perspective in love and life. I feel that there is little bit of that. There is not a lot, but there are definitely some artists doing that. One that I can think of is Jacob Latimore. I like what he’s doing. He’s flexible as his art. Someone who’s been doing it for a long time. you know, he’s doing TV, he’s doing music, so that’s a young man that I believe will have a really bright future and will be around in the music for the future to come.

If you could collaborate with any of the new artists who would it be?
I think it would be dope to do something with Jaden Smith. I know Jaden has specific type of music that he creates. It would be dope to do something with him.

I met Jaden, he’s a very creative kid. He’s got alot going on especially with MSFTS brand. so yeah, that would be dope.
Yeah he’s lit. yeah that would be dope! yeah Jaden Smith.

Electro hop/Hip House was a big wave in the late 2000s do you see that wave ever coming back in its original form? with the way hip-hop is going these days? what do you think will be some of the obvious sound difference now with trap and emo rap heavily influencing hip-hop?
Facts. yeah, I think House music in its totality has been a separate genre from the mainstream. It’s one of the classes of music that has it’s sprits. You know, It’s been around for so long like you said and things have their re-emerging and like Kanye has a little bit of house in his new music. I love house, by the way, you know and I go dancing frequently so yeah, music always has its re-emergence. It always pops back up, especially when it’s these seeming subcultures, like even afrobeat, that’s been around for a while. So to answer your question, yes, we will all be joined at house music, and house music is great music, its great vibrations. So yeah I’m looking forward to that.

Wow, well coming from you that means alot because I make electronic and house music as well so it feels good to know. Because doesn’t matter the color of your skin, it brings people together. It’s universal.
Ok facts! yeah man, house is on the way.

Follow Omarion’s insta to keep up with his tour highlights and more music.

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BY: Gabrielle Lynn

Singer/Songwriter Gabrielle Lynn has officially released her highly anticipated EP Ethereal. Being heavily influenced by Sade, Erykah Badu, SZA, and Daniel Ceaser, her original sound is a direct reminder of how thriving R&B music is right now. Her Minnesota upbringing with loving and supportive parents has propelled her to take her talent to new heights. The songstress has created a masterpiece full of serene melodies, concrete lyrics, and raw emotion.

Within 6 tracks Gabrielle Lynn showcases why she is ready to take the music business by storm. To ensure the success of this project, she teamed up with 2 time Grammy Award winning producer Riotheyneedahit. Having worked with R&B tycoons Jill Scott, Ashanti and K. Michelle, his musical direction has given the singer a powerful edge over the other rising singers. Two things to listen for on  Ethereal is the purity and rawness Lynn’s vocals give off on each record. 

One song that really captures Lynn’s authenticity is a track titled “Reasons”. As this song has a more uptempo melody, you can hear how sonically pleasing her voice is over the instrument driven beat. Some notable lyrics include “what if I told you, you’re more than a friend, what if we never waste a moment again, let’s make it happen and see what comes next, what if I need you what would you do”. Her strong penmanship and desire to put out high quality music comes full circle on this release. 

Gabrielle Lynn has created a body of work that is destined to reach the masses! Tap in by clicking here to stream her newest EP Ethereal.

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By: ShotbyVee

Boston bred singer and songwriter R. Lyn, is using music to tell her story in a very unique. Through honest lyrics and a sensual, original sound, she has created a dope vibe that is undeniable.

As someone who has faced many hardships in their life, Lyn turns to music for healing. Upon attending Temple University at the age of 18, she found herself more connected to music than ever but wanted to take a shot at it professionally.

Singing to her son Royal at the time gave her the courage she needed, and in 2016 she began recording. In just a few months, she was chosen by Philadelphia’s AMP 96.5 Radio as one of the best local Philadelphia acts.

Shortly after she opened up for Tory Lanez, Maya, Genuwine, and Ashanti, which took her career to new heights.

Her debut album She’s Not Afraid is available for streaming below.

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By: Giva Kid Foundation

Kid Capri and Fat Joe have joined forces for an amazing benefit titled Fall Back, Give Back Backpack Tour & Benefit Concert Series. Through this initiative, these music moguls have organized several school tours in impoverished cities, such as New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, and Maryland.

These students will each receive a backpack full of apparel, school supplies, electronics, and other items to empower them to succeed.

In support of rebuilding Puerto Rico, the Benefit Concert Series will be held in New York and Florida with plans to bring it back home to Puerto Rico. Kid Capri and Joe are both veterans in the music industry and use their platforms to give back in a major way.

This tour also brings special celebrity appearances and friends.

Capri and Joe have enlisted many special guests to be a part this amazing musical excursion including E!’s Samantha Goldberg and Samantha Diane .

As it is so important to give back, Capri and Joe have found the perfect way to bridge together their talents and passion for helping others.

All proceeds will go back to rebuilding and helping the families and children of Puerto Rico.

Click the links below to Shop Now: 40% of all proceeds go back to the G.I.V.A. Kid Foundation, committed to rebuilding Puerto Rico.
www.hypocompany.com/PuertoRico
rallywin.com/3dme4puertorico.html

Follow-up on our site to stay up-to-date with this unique initiative and see what Kid Capri and Fat Joe are conquering next.

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We’ve all heard the stories of record labels and the ups and downs being contracted with one may cause.  Here and now BET network is taking us all behind the scenes of some of the greats.  Tonight, May 17th at 8:00 ET and 9:00 ET make sure to tune into the first part of the eight-episode-docs-series.  Uptown Records is the first up in the spotlight to dig into all the dirt, good and bad with a Part I and Part II episode of the journey.  Some of Hip Hop’s most iconic labels will be featured  in the eight-week series for one-hour long like, Grand Hustle, Loud Records, Slip-N-Slide, Terror Squad, Ruff Ryders, Disturbing Tha Peace (DTP), and Murder Inc.  

Founder, Andre Harrell will be among the industry insiders like, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, and Guy’s Teddy Riley and Damion Hall giving they’re unique takes on Uptown’s success, legacy, and so much more.  We can expect to see some never-before-seen footage in an up close, first-person narrative kinda way.  The series is executive produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions and DTP co-founders Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Bridges’ manager Chaka Zulu, and Jeff Dixon.

“The dreams and visions; the successes and failures … we want young aspiring entrepreneurs to have a blueprint as to what really goes on in this business and understand how much work it takes,” says DTP’s Dixon of the inspiration behind the series. “We [as African-Americans] also want to document our own history, especially in this industry. This is like our natural resource. No one can tell these stories like us.”

According to Billboard, these are some of the other power players that will be “playing” in each episode of Inside the Label:

Uptown Records: Andre Harrell, Diddy, Jay Z, Mary J. Blige, Babyface, Teddy Riley, Damion Hall, Brett Ratner, Laurieann Gibson, Robin Thicke, Sanaa Lathan, Doug E. Fresh, Al B. Sure, Eddie F, Kim Porter, Father MC, Jeff Redd and Monifah.

Grand Hustle: T.I., Jason Geter, Young Dro, Kevin Liles, Lil Duval, Killer Mike, DJ Toomp and B.O.B.

Loud Records: Steve Rifkind, RZA, Xzibit and E-Swift.

Slip-N-Slide Records: Ted Lucas, Rick Ross, Trick Daddy, Trina and DJ Khaled.

Terror Squad: Fat Joe, DJ Khaled, Noreaga, Cool & Dre and Jesse Terrero.

Ruff Ryders: Joaquin Dean, Darren Dean, Chivon Dean, Swizz Beatz, Eve, The Lox, Irv Gotti, Drag On, DJ Clue, DJ Kool Herc, Lyor Cohen and Jimmy Iovine.

Disturbing Tha Peace: Ludacris, Chaka Zulu, Jeff Dixon, Chingy, Bobby Valentino, Shareefa, Lil Scrappy, Bangladesh, Lil Fate, I-20 and Poon Daddy.

Murder Inc.: Irv Gotti, Ashanti, Ja Rule, Jay-Z, Charlie Baltimore, Kevin Liles and Lyor Cohen.

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