By: LeVelle

R&B/Neo Soul singer LeVelle aka LB, has officially released his new single titled “Why“. Hailing from the historic city of Kansas City, this musician is ready to show the world how gifted and musically talented he is. On this new release LeVelle does an excellent job of taping in with his audience as he remains authentic and real in his lyrical digest. He quickly reminds listeners of “Why” the R&b genre is more relevant than ever, as soul music is food for the soul.

 On this release, you will hear the songster melodically singing his heart out pleading and asking
“Why” the woman who adores won’t leave her toxic relationship for him. In a serene and serenading voice the Kansas City native says things like “Why you keep putting up with these lames, why you keep letting him play these games, I see a predicament and I ask myself why?” These raw and honest bars, appear in the catchy chorus that sets the tone for the whole song. Every rift and word sung, is full of passion, intention and love. That is probably due to the fact that he is heavily influenced by Sam Cooke, Al Green, Gerald Levert, Avant, Musiq Soulchild, Anthony Hamilton and David Hollister. These R&B/Soul legends sound’s are weaved into LeVelle’s melodies, runs, and beat choices.

Pushing passed hardship, naysayers and the ways of the industry, LB has created a record that both men and women can grow to appreciate. The most impressive part of “Why” is the harmonious bliss that travels throughout your body from beginning to end. This by far his strongest material to date as he is only getting better and better over time. When you work hard you will reap the benefits of that hard work. That is the case for this rising superstar.

Having had the opportunity to grace the same stage as R&B crooner Charlie Wilson, Anthony Hamilton, Dave Hollister, Avant, El Debarge, TheBarkay’s, The Dazz Band, Al Green, The Temptations, Robin Thicke, After 7, TonyTerry, Trey Songz, En Vogue, SWV, Shanice, Tank, Silk, Dru Hill, K-Ci & Jojo, Frankie Beverly, Fantasia, Big Bub, Howard Hewett, Calvin Richardson, Eric Benet, Ginuwine, Marcus Houston, Cedric The Entertainer, he is more than ready to break into the mainstream music circuit.

LB has just completed his debut album called Le Velle My Journey. This album portrays his strong appreciation for women in general and the women who have greatly influenced his life. As he continues to be a prime contender in the R&B game, press play below to stream his “Why” single.

The post Soul Singer LeVelle Releases New “Why” Single appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

By:
A-Lex

Grammy nominated Singer/Songwriter and Producer A-Lex, has officially released his hot new single titled Already Rich. Having found success pinning hits for the likes of Trippie Redd, Keke Palmer, T-Pain, Musiq Soulchild, and Kodie Shane, he is ready for the world to hear just how talented of a singer he is, outside of just writing. Being heavily influenced by Andre 3000, Pharrell Williams and Frank Ocean, A-Lex has been able to create his own sounds that resembles each of these artists’ music styles.

On Already Rich, A-Lex shows us how ill his rap flows are over the booming Hip Hop beat. Destined to set your ears on fire, this single is exactly what the Atlanta native needs to establish himself as an artist in the music business. Some lyrics that stand out on this release include “I still remember the times when n****s ain’t lookout, I move in silence I’m good without them they shook”. These lyrics convey his raw confidence as he takes his prolific bars to new heights.

One notable element of “Already Rich” that is note worthy is the catchy chorus. The chorus is where this emcee reminds listeners that he was “Already Rich” despite the naysayers. With an original sound, new music, and backing from some of music’s biggest stars he is headed straight to stardom. He does a great job of showcasing his gifts as a songwriter, creative, and artist on his latest release.

Be sure to tap in with him below and stream his new single “Already Rich”.

The post Grammy Nominated Singer/Songwriter A-Lex Releases New Single “Already Rich” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: eOne Music

Musiq Soulchild has been one of the outstanding attention grabbers in hip hop and R&B for many years now. While last year marked the first project he’s released in over five years, it’s hard to say that the solo music he does create isn’t worth the wait. With that being said, his new record “Sooner Than Later” is most certainly a prime example of being worth the wait.

The single sounds like a jazz band came up with it while jamming, and it has a loose, yet funky vibe that makes the cut feel good. The song highlights not giving up on love and finding it in mysterious places, as it’s usually found. Musiq Soulchild is definitely on with this song that’ll get you bumping and grooving throughout the night. It goes through waves, with the first part of the song getting on a super upbeat funk vibe before the song gets a little slow before picking back up.

With his new album Feel The Real on the way, following up his Life on Earth album, it’s hopefully going to be as a good as this single and his previous album at that. Give it a listen below and sound off in the comments.

https://soundcloud.com/eone-music/musiq-soulchild-sooner-or-later

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The post Musiq Soulchild Drops Off “Sooner Than Later” [LISTEN] appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Glenn Lewis appeared on Scoop B Radio Overtime with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Courtesy of: PT Cruiser USA

Man, I remember during my time in college in the Philadelphia-area at Eastern University. My Windows Media Player on my laptop was stuck on everything neo-soul. Jill Scott, Allen Anthony, Floetry,  Musiq Soulchild.

Yup, that was the early 2000s! Cool as the other side of the pillow, it was.

I also missed one name: Glenn Lewis. He repped Philly to the fullest EXCEPT he wasn’t from Philly!

Dude is Canadian! A Juno award winning and Grammy nominated singer, Lewis had some hits!

Beautiful Eyes, Lonely, Closer, This Love and Better With Time easily come to mind. BUT, his coup de gras will always be: Don’t You Forget It.

But wait, back to this from Philly thing! Glenn Lewis how the heck do we have folks like you and Floetry confused with Philadelphia neo soul singers? “It’s kinda hard to put it into words, but I think it’s just one of them things,” Glenn Lewis told me on a recent episode of Scoop B Radio.

Check out Glenn Lewis and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson via Scoop B Radio Overtime

“I personally grew up loving the Philly international sound from my parents playing certain music around the house, like a lot of classic R&B. So I think just sorta having that influence and the same thing with like Marsha Ambrosius, Natalie Stewart, and Floetry I think we all just grew up with great R&B music being played around the house. And even developing our own taste and coming up in like high school listening to like Guy, Boyz 2 Men and Joe. I think you  just, just kind of getting into the whole energy, synergy of Philly.”

Glenn Lewis speaks more on the jawn that is Philadelphia:

“It was natural and you know everybody out there, just the vibe that was bubbling, you know. Everybody just embraced us. It was really family oriented, man it was a great time for music and all the artists that was coming out of, they were still competitive. We all pushed each other.”

Glenn Lewis fondly remembers why R&B as a whole was so dope coming out of Philly. He also speaks reverently of a time working in the same studio as Musiq Soulchild:

“I remember nights being in the studio with Musiq being in the other room,” Glenn Lewis said. “Matter of fact, even when I was recording “Don’t You Forget It,” him coming in the next room and looking into the booth, And I’m like standing there like: ‘dude I’m tryna get in my zone, I’m trynna you know cut this record.’ You know, he’s standing there just looking into the booth, it was cool though. It was a good thing. It was kinda like that reminder like: ‘Yo you gotta come with it.’  So it was always a good energy like down in touch of jazz. It was a really momentous time for me, I feel like just in music, just the impact you know; D’Angelo and Erykah [Badu] and everybody that was coming through Philly. It was a great time for music.”

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The post Scoop B: Glenn Lewis Reminisces About Philly Neo-Soul Era With Musiq Soulchild, Erykah Badu & Marsha Ambrosius appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Is Musiq ready to meet someone at the alter and exchange vows?

The R&B star is back with new music since his 2011 album MusiqInTheMagiq “I Do” is the leading single off his forthcoming album Life on Earth slated for a April 8th 2016 release.

This time around the independent artist linked up with producer Warryn Campbell, who also serves as executive produced the project for Life on Earth. Soulchild will be releasing the album via Campbell’s My Block Inc.

https://soundcloud.com/eone-music/musiq-soulchild-i-do

The post Listen to Musiq Soulchild’s “I Do” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

If you’re a fan of the R&B, Neo-Soul genre then you’ve been hip to Musiq Soulchild ever since he hit the scene nearly 15 years ago. After releasing numerous projects and, for the most part, solidifying his spot in the game, Musiq decided it was time to branch out, and the result of that decision was the creation of his alter-ego, The Husel. I caught up with The Husel for a phone interview and this is how it went.

Explain the onset of The Husel. Like, what made you wake up one day and say “This is the move. This is the direction I wanna go in?”

Well, it’s not really me going in a different direction. I’m just doing multiple things at once. I also felt like I wasn’t tapping enough into my creative abilities as an artist. I couldn’t get the label to support me incorporating The Husel into Musiq Soulchild, so I just did something separate.

I read once where you said you felt R&B is struggling. Why do you feel that way?

It is! Look at the numbers. They ain’t like they used to be. Soul, Neo-Soul, R&B? That shit is not winnin’! I know because I see the checks! People ain’t buyin’ the music. We can’t buy our own albums. That’s why I’m doing this now. This is what y’all like.

Music is so different now. There’s so much creativity and experimentation that it’s hard to really place a genre on anything. Who does The Husel make music for?

Anybody who wants to listen, really. The whole idea behind The Husel is to soundtrack the concept of gettin’ up and gettin’ it. Making something of yourself. But again, and I can’t stress this enough, I took the music y’all like and used it to talk about what I wanna talk about. I can’t talk about what I don’t live. I don’t wanna be fraudulent.

If you could, explain your creative process. What’s essential for you to go in and make your best music?

I don’t need a lot. Just a studio, music and time. I’m always ready to go, so I don’t need to do all this extra stuff to get ready.

Your debut, Husel Music drops May 5th, right? What was it like working on that?

Yeah, May 5th. It was a lot easier working on that, than a Musiq Soulchild album, I’ll tell you that. I was able to go in and do whatever I felt, and be as creative as I wanted.

I read somewhere where you’re actually working on other personas, outside of The Husel. You care to shed any light on that?

Yeah, there’s a few more things coming that aren’t exactly ready to talk about yet, but I do have a joint concept album that I’m working on with Bone Crusher. Again, I’m just trying to be as creative as I can.

There are a lot of dope new artists out, right now. Who are you listening to?

I actually don’t listen to a lot while I’m in the process of creating. I don’t wanna hear something and be accidentally inspired by it, then somebody tries to say I stole their sound. I do like DeJ Loaf, though. I feel like me and her are talking about the same thing. How if you get up and grind, you can make things happen. I would love to work with her.

Anybody else?

I’ve been listening to the new Kendrick Lamar. What he’s doing is inspiring and intimidating. You wanna be able to have the kind of creative freedom that he has, while having a huge impact on the culture at the same time.

As I’ve already mentioned, there’s a lot going on in music today. With that said, I ask, why you? Why should people listen to The Husel?

You don’t have to listen to it! It’s not gonna be for everybody. If you don’t like it, cool. Just find the exit. But don’t run off and talk shit about it. I try to focus on the people who get it. So if you don’t like the music, it probably ain’t for you. I make music for the ones who are hungry. If you’re greedy, got it all, but still want more, you probably won’t like The Husel. And that’s cool. I’m not here to force people to like me. That’s corny. If you don’t like it now, maybe you will down the line. Or maybe you never will.

Contrary to what people may think, you’ve made it clear on numerous occasions that Musiq Soulchild isn’t going anywhere. So does that mean we can expect new music soon?

I’m still making music as Musiq Souldchild. It’s just on autopilot, for now. I’m trying to find a way to be Musiq Soulchild and still make the music I wanna make, without all the fluff. I’m not interested in making music to satisfy the label. I think that’s corny. So until I can find a way to do it the way I want to, you’ll get music from me like you’re getting now. But I’m hoping I can have a new Musiq album out by the end of the year.

The post Interview: Can’t Knock The Husel appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

If you’re familiar with the Neo-Soul music genre then you know all about Philadelphia crooner Musiq Soulchild. What you might not know, however, is that for the past year, he has been very actively making music under the alias The Husel, which he doesn’t describe as a person, but as a state of mind.

With a darker, heavily infused by auto-tune sound, The Husel’s music demonstrates a slight contrast from the melodies we may all remember.

The Husel’s most recent offering, “Yeauh,” emphasizes the importance of the “no days off” mentality and how you can achieve whatever you set out to do, as long as you work hard towards it.

Take a listen to “Yeauh” below and be on the lookout for his debut, titled Husel Music, due out on May 5th. Also feel free to leave your thoughts on his transition.

The post New Music: The Husel – “Yeauh” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.