Sunday, July 20, 2008
From The Vault: Toni Braxton - 'He Wasn't Man Enough'
posted by Sam at 8:45 AM
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After filing for Bankruptcy in 1998, songstress Toni Braxton had largely been counted out by many the industry. However her year 2000 comeback with 'The Heat' silenced the critics and naysayers alike by spawning several hits and selling more than 6 million copies worldwide. The biggest hit to be lifted from the record was 'He Wasn't Man Enough' - which spent several weeks at the top of both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop charts. A well deserved feat, as the both the song and vid are top notch:

Watching this back kinda has me thirsty for more real talent such as Toni on today's charts. One can only dream, I guess...

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19 comments
Sunday, July 6, 2008
From The Vault: Britney Spears - 'Slave 4 U
posted by Sam at 12:33 AM
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This week’s From The Vault clip is Pop star Britney Spears’ first foray in the Urban music world - ‘Slave For You’. The sexed-up vid for the Neptures produced song is widely considered by many as Spears’ official transition from teenage Pop sensation to edgy Pop princess. Who would have ever thought it, Britney riding a Neptunes beat? Good stuff…check it out:

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18 comments
Sunday, June 22, 2008
From The Vault: Beyonce - 'Baby Boy / Crazy In Love' At 2003 VMAs
posted by Sam at 11:06 AM
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This week's From The Vault journeys back to Beyonce's showing at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. Featuring the now infamous 'upside down' entrance, this performance of 'Baby Boy' and 'Crazy In Love' IMO was Beyonce's 'Motown 25' moment - officially cementing her place as, hate it or love it, 'The Hottest Chick In The Game':

Your thoughts?

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38 comments
Sunday, June 15, 2008
From The Vault: Mary J. Blige - 'Everything'
posted by Sam at 12:00 AM
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This week's From The Vault video dates back more than 10 years ago, Mary J. Blige's 'Everything'. Lifted from the Mary's most commercially successful LP to date 1997's 'Share My World', 'Everything' has long stood as one of my favourite MJB tracks:

Still going strong today, Mary's story really is a testament to the notion that true talent will always shine. Good stuff.

Your thoughts?

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5 comments
Sunday, June 8, 2008
From The Vault: Brandy & Monica - 'The Boy Is Mine'
posted by Sam at 8:56 AM
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R&B vocalists Brandy and Monica's 1998 now-classic collabo 'The Boy Is Mine' serves as this week's From the Vault video. Prior to the single's release, the immensely talented teen stars had been pitted against one another, something the song's concept no doubt played on. However, the Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins produced track unites the pair's undeniable talent on one, of what I feel to be, contemporary R&B's best collaborative offerings:

Watching this really has me remembering how dominant (deservedly) the ladies were back in the day. In an industry filled with singers whose list of talents don't include actually being able to sing, both Brandy and Monica still stand as welcomed rarities in the R&B field. I'm really anticipating both of their forthcoming LP's.

Your thoughts?

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12 comments
Sunday, June 1, 2008
From The Vault: Tyrese - 'How You Gonna Act Like That'
posted by Sam at 9:13 AM
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R&B crooner Tyrese' 2002 smash 'How You Gonna Act Like That' serves as this week's From The Vault video. Till date the single stands as the 29 year old's biggest hit (having peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100) and for good reason too. Vocally raw and emotive and lyrically engaging too, the song stands as one of this decade's best (pure) R&B cuts IMO:

Having delivered such a stellar effort with this, it's kinda baffling as to why Tyrese has since been unable to release anything worth listening to (shudders at the thought of his last LP 'Alter Ego'. Word has it he's currently on a break from music (and is still signed to J Records). Here's hoping he finds his musical mojo during his downtime and hits us with great cuts like this upon his return.

Your thoughts?

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4 comments
Sunday, May 25, 2008
From The Vault: Jodeci - 'Love U 4 Life'
posted by Sam at 1:49 PM
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This week's From The Vault video comes in form of Jodeci's 1995 smash 'Love U 4 Life'. Arguably one of the greatest R&B groups to emerge in the 90's, Jodeci delivered what many believed to be their career defining LP (their last) with 'The Show, The After Party, The Hotel' - from which 'Love U 4 Life' - a personal favourite of mine - was lifted. Check out the video, which features cameos from TLC's T-Boz as well as Rev Run below:

Watching this back and reminiscing on some of their other hits such as 'Freak N You' 'Lately' and 'Cry For You', really makes the group's current predicament (cash strapped and drugged out) all the more unfortunate. Still, the legacy they left behind, as evidenced by the string of hits they racked up, will ensure that they will forever have a place in R&B history.

Your thoughts?

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5 comments
Sunday, May 18, 2008
From The Vault: Destiny's Child - 'Survivor'
posted by Sam at 1:40 PM
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After being rested on the bench briefly, From The Vault returns this week with Destiny's Child's 2001 crossover smash 'Survivor'. Fresh off the controversy of what seemed to be a revolving door of group members, the ladies re-asserted that they were 'here to stay' not only with this single and video but also with their album of the same name - their biggest selling (worldwide) effort to date:

Survivors indeed; their worldwide success with the record helped catapult them to the status they enjoy today - the biggest selling female group of all-time.

Your thoughts?

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25 comments
Sunday, April 27, 2008
From The Vault: Janet Jackson Performs 'I Get Lonely' On Rosie Show
posted by Sam at 4:47 AM
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This week's From The Vault clip comes in form of Janet Jackson's 1997 performance of 'I Get Lonely' on the Rosie O' Donald Show. Though renown for her status as an all-round performer, this stripped-down rendition of the song, lifted from the critically praised 'Velvet Rope LP', serves as perhaps the rarest showing of Janet's oft-underrated vocal ability. By no means the best vocalist, however Ms. Jackson can certainly hold her own LIVE. Check it out:

Great performance. It certainly wouldn't be a bad thing if Janet were to put the headset down every now and then, to show the naysayers what she can really do.

Your thoughts?

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28 comments
Sunday, April 20, 2008
From The Vault: Missy Elliott - 'Work It'
posted by Sam at 11:11 AM
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Lifted from Missy Elliott's 2002 LP 'Under Construction', this week's From The Vault video is her worldwide smash 'Work It'. A true pioneer of modern music video, Missy really brought her A-Game with this - arguably her best effort to date. Great song, even better vid. Check it out:

In an industry that seems bent on rehashing the same video/song formulas over and over, Missy continues to stand as a creative rarity.

Your thoughts?

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5 comments
Sunday, April 6, 2008
From The Vault: Jennifer Hudson Performs 'I Am Changing' Live On The Late Show
posted by Sam at 6:54 AM
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As Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson continues to prep her much anticipated debut album, her jaw-dropping performance of 'I Am Changing' on The Late Show With David Letterman back in December 2006 serves as this week's 'From The Vault' video:

The performance speaks for itself. Amazing. With the industry increasingly pushing musically-challenged artists to the forefront, Jennifer is a testament to the fact that genuine vocalists still exist and shine like no other when given the chance. Good stuff.

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7 comments
Sunday, March 30, 2008
From The Vault: Foxy Brown - Got Me Home' (ft. Blackstreet)
posted by Sam at 1:05 PM
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Following a brief hiatus, this week sees the return of our 'From The Vault' feature. Foxy Brown's 1996 collabo with R&B crooners Blackstreet 'Get Me Home' is this week's video. Taken from the 'Ill Na Na' album, also released in 96, the song/video is often cited as being one of Foxy's standout efforts:

Definitely one of the 90's best R&B/Hip-Hop collaborations IMO. Watching this back kinda makes Foxy's current predicament (still incarcerated) all the more annoying; such a talent wasting away. Here's hoping she sorts herself out and gets back to what made her who she is: the music.

Your thoughts?

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1 comments
Sunday, March 9, 2008
From The Vault: LL Cool J - 'Doin' It'
posted by Sam at 12:07 AM
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LL Cool J's 1996 smash 'Doin' It' serves as this week's From The Vault video. Though the song needs little introduction (come on now!), it's worth highlighting that it's lifted from L's 'Mr Smith' album, which also spawned major hits such as 'Loungin' and 'Hey Lover (ft. Boyz II Men):

A classic, if there ever was one. LL was definitely at his peak here and for that reason 'Doin It' will forever remain one of the 90's defining Hip-Hop releases. It's a shame contemporary Hip-Hop has nothing on Hip-Hop of the past. Still, I guess that's why we have Youtube.

Your thoughts?

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1 comments
Sunday, February 17, 2008
From The Vault: Keith Sweat - 'Twisted'
posted by Sam at 5:51 AM
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This week's From the Vault video is R&B crooner Keith Sweat's 1996 classic 'Twisted' (ft. Kut Klose). Undeniably one of the 90's defining Slow Jams, the song and the video have remained one of my favourites since being released. Check it out:

Ahh the 90's, when R&B was almost-universally good.

Your thoughts?

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5 comments
Sunday, February 3, 2008
From the Vault: TLC - 'No Scrubs'
posted by Sam at 3:39 AM
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We head back to 1999 for this week's 'From The Vault' video, TLC's mega-smash 'No Scrubs.' One of the group's biggest hits, there was no escaping this track back in the day. The song has gone down as one of the biggest ladies anthems of all-time:

Definitely a song-of-the-times, fellas around the world knew they had to fix up after this one lol. With TLC having paved the way for the barrage of girl-groups that would follow their blueprint, the ladies and their achievements will go down in history. They really don't 'make' them like this anymore. R.I.P Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopez.

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5 comments
Sunday, January 20, 2008
From the Vault: ATL - 'Make It Up With Love'
posted by Sam at 11:32 AM
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It's been a short while since the last 'From The Vault' posting, but it's back this week in the form of ATL's 'Make It Up With Love' video. Released back in 2004, I remember playing this song over and over. In a time when B2K were ruling (I'm using the term very loosely) the charts with their cookie-cutter songs, it was real refreshing seeing a group of same-aged teens, who were all vocally talented, putting out great music. Check out the video - see if you can spot a certain 'Goodies' singer:

Following the release of this song, the 2nd single from their LP 'The ATL Project', the group disbanded, were dropped or something...they basically disappeared lol. Still, with such good material, it's a shame they never lasted the distance.

Your thoughts?

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7 comments
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
From The Vault: Aaliyah - 'Rock The Boat'
posted by Sam at 2:29 PM
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Going back to 2001, this week's 'From The Vault' video is the late Aaliyah's 'Rock The Boat'. As I'm sure you know, the video was filmed just hours before the R&B star tragically died in a airplane crash, along with several in her entourage. Arguably one of her best efforts, this video gave us all a glimpse at the makings of a superstar.

Gone, but never forgotten, Aaliyah's legacy lives on through the great music her undeniable talent graced us with over the years.

Your thoughts?

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14 comments
Monday, December 10, 2007
From The Vault: Sister Act 2 - 'Joyful Joyful'
posted by Sam at 1:49 PM
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As said when 'From The Vault' was first introduced, it's not only classic music videos that will be featured. Hence, this week's video comes from Whoppi Goldberg's 1993 hit movie 'Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit'. A young Lauryn Hill and Ryan Toby (formerly of R&B collective City High) shine in this now-classic finale performance of 'Joyful Joyful'. Enjoy:

Great movie and an even better soundtrack. 'Joyful Joyful' was just one of many standouts for me from the film. It's kinda funny how after so many years the film's impact still stands strong; I know I'm not the only one whose church choir, high-school choir etc tried their hand at this version of the song lol.

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2 comments
Sunday, December 2, 2007
From The Vault: Joe - 'All The Things (Your Man Won't Do)'
posted by Sam at 12:22 PM
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The 'From The Vault' video chosen for this week's installment is Joe's 'All The Things (Your Man Won't Do)'. Lifted from the singer's 1997 album 'All That I Am' (which also featured the hits 'Good Girls' and 'Don't Wanna Be A Player') , the song has long stood as one of my all-time favourite R&B tracks. Check it out:

"Ooh, I got a jones in my bones for you..." Love this track. It's hard to believe that after so long in the industry, Joe is still so underrated. Still, for those who are 'in the know' about his immense talent, his music has and continues to leave its mark.

Your thoughts?

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4 comments
Sunday, November 25, 2007
From The Vault: En Vogue - 'Don't Let Go'
posted by Sam at 2:24 PM
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This week's 'From The Vault' video is En Vogue's 1996 mega-hit 'Dont' Let Go'. Arguably one of group's career defining songs, the video also marked the last time the girls would appear as a quartet. Lead singer Dawn Robinson left shortly after the track was released in 1997 due to negotiations to keep her place as a member - whilst embarking on a solo career - falling through:

Timeless. The track's powerful lyrics and even better delivery made this a classic for me. It's a shame Dawn left when she did, as neither she or the group managed to reach the same level of success (or anywhere near) again. Who knows how much further their legacy would have carried on to?

Bonus: 'Don't Let Go' (w/o Dawn) (Live On Saturday Night Live)

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11 comments