Soul
James Brown Documentary from Mick Jagger and Questlove in the Works
A new James Brown documentary, produced by fellow musical legends Mick Jagger and Questlove, is set to premiere on A&E. Dubbed James Brown: Say It Loud, Jagger and Questlove will be joined by Black Thought in making the four-part documentary, which is directed by Deborah Riley Draper. The project is set to arrive in 2023 and will explore Brown’s legacy through never-before-seen archival footage and interviews with friends, family, and collaborators. Jagger said he was “thrilled” to produce the documentary in a statement, calling Brown “a brilliant performer who inspired me from the beginning and was deeply committed to the Civil Rights movement. I have always admired James and learned so much from him.” Advertisement Related Video “The life of James Brown is significant not only t...
Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak Kick Off Silk Sonic Las Vegas Residency: Recap + Setlist
Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak) began their Las Vegas residency on Friday (February 25th), transforming the Dolby Live theater at Park MGM into a seventies disco. The superduo — whose live appearances have thus far been limited to awards shows — threw what might just be the sexiest dance party Sin City has ever seen. The mood for “An Evening With Silk Sonic” was set from the get-go, as wisps of fog spilled out from under a red velvet curtain while guests settled into their seats. When the venue went dark, signaling the start of the show, the crowd roared in unison. Two screens on opposite sides of the stage flashed images of Silk Sonic sipping cocktails in a tropical setting with flowery button-up shirts, while a giant disco ball hung high above the seats. As the curtain lifted,...
Silk Sonic Share Smooth Cover of “Love’s Train” for Valentine’s Day: Stream
Not content with releasing an album’s worth of Valentine’s Day jams last year, Silk Sonic have returned with their new single “Love’s Train.” Stream it below. Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak’s latest soundtrack for… ahem, adult activities is the dynamic duo’s rendition of a 1983 classic by R&B and funk band Con Funk Shun. “We love this song so much we wanted to sing it for y’all,” they wrote on Twitter. Staying true to the original version, Mars and .Paak easily slip into their seductive roles. “I’m down on my knee, I wanna please you, baby,” Mars sings. “Ooh, I’ll be your righteous lover.” Interestingly, “Love’s Train” was inspired by a situation in which two members of Con Funk Shun were unknowingly chasing the same woman. Advertisement Related Video “A tall pretty young lady...
Ibeyi Announce New Album Spell 31, Share “Sister 2 Sister”: Stream
Ibeyi have announced the coming release of their latest album Spell 31, out May 6th via XL Recordings. The duo also shared the new single “Sister 2 Sister” as a preview. The studio set will be the third album from the soul-R&B act, made up of Afro-French Cuban twins Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Diaz, following their 2015 self-titled debut and 2017 follow-up Ash. The 10-track LP features collaborations with the likes of Jorja Smith (“Lavender & Red Roses”) and BERWYN (“Rise Above”), as well as Pa Salieu on the previously-released lead single “Made of Gold.” On the joyful “Sister 2 Sister,” the fraternal twins celebrate their bond, name-dropping Shakira and spelling out the pronunciation of their stage name (which means “twins” in Yoruba, the language of the siblings’ West African ancestors...
Chicago Soul Singer Syl Johnson Dead At 85, Hit Song “Different Stroke” Legendary In Hip-Hop Sampling
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Timothy Hiatt / Getty Syl Johnson, a soul and blues singer out of Chicago, has reportedly died. Johnson’s 1967 hit “Different Strokes” was used by a number of Hip-Hop notables via sampling. Local outlet CBS Chicago reports that the family of Johnson issued a public statement regarding the passing, which occurred this past Sunday (Feb. 6). From CBS Chicago: Hall of Fame Legend, Syl Johnson (born Sylvester Thompson in Holly Springs, MS). Dad, Brother, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Uncle, Friend & Artist, he lived his life as a singer, musician, and entrepreneur who loved black music,” the family said in a statement. As the outlet notes, Johnson’s brother, Blues guitarist and singer Jimmy Johnson passed away six days prior at the age of 93. Johnson was...
Syl Johnson, Chicago Soul and Blues Singer, Dies at 85
Syl Johnson, a Chicago soul singer and blues artist whose work was sampled by top hip-hop artists, has died at age 85, his family said Sunday (Feb. 6). “A fiery, fierce, fighter, always standing for the pursuit of justice as it related to his music and sound, he will truly be missed by all who crossed his path. His catalog and legacy will be remembered as impeccable and a historical blueprint to all who experience it,” said a statement from his family, including Johnson’s daughter, Syleena Johnson, a Grammy-nominated singer. Explore See latest videos, charts and news Family members did not give further details on his death, including the cause. His death comes days after his brother, fellow blues artist Jimmy Johnson, died at 93. Syl Johnson was known for 1960s hits including “Come On Sock...
Sly and the Family Stone’s Musical Riot Still Rages Through Decades of Sampling
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Radio Public | Pocket Casts | RSS As Season 17 Consequence Podcast Network and Sony’s The Opus, continues, we’re exploring how the legacy of Sly and the Family Stone’s masterpiece There’s a Riot Goin On can still be heard today. Related Video Sly and the Family Stone are one of the most covered and sampled artists in all of soul music. Everyone from Jurassic 5 to Janet Jackson, *NSYNC to members of the Wu-Tang Clan have drawn inspiration from the songs on Riot to make classics of their own. The musical revolution that the band started in 1971 is still going on to this very day. Advertisement In Episode 2 of The Opus: There’s a Riot Goin On, host Jill ...
Obongjayar Announces Debut Album Some Nights I Dream of Doors, Shares “Try”: Stream
Nigerian-British musician Obongjayar has announced his debut album, Some Nights I Dream of Doors, out May 13th via September Recordings. As the latest preview, he’s shared the motivational new single, “Try.” Some Nights I Dream of Doors spans 12 tracks and blends traditional Nigerian sounds with jazz, R&B, alternative, and pop music. Along with the diverse sonic palette, the album also addresses a number of personal and political topics. Preorders are ongoing. The rousing “Try” was produced by Barney Lister and serves as a wake-up call from Obongjayar. “You always thought you knew/ Just the thing to do,” he sings. “Always thought this world would change its course for you/ Don’t be discouraged my dear if the doors don’t swing/ Hold on, keep on pushing.” Watch the accompanying video bel...
Salle ft TI Blaze – Soul (Snippet)
Check out this brand new song from Salle she calls “Soul” featuring T.I Blaze. Nigerian fast-rising singer, Salle, drops her new single titled “Soul“. She is a young teenage artist with great versatility in music. The songbird musical prowess paved the way and the platform where her music career officially began. The new record “Soul” is an excellent piece of music that she teams up with T.I Blaze and it serves as a follow-up to her previously released song “Let Me See“. Listen, enjoy and share Salle – “Soul” ft T.I Blaze below. [embedded content]
Win a Sly and the Family Stone and Summer of Soul Vinyl Prize Pack with a Sony Sound System
The Opus podcast returns this month with a new season focusing on Sly and the Family Stones’ classic There’s a Riot Goin On. The series’ January 27th debut on the Consequence Podcast Network coincides with the release of the Summer of Soul documentary soundtrack the following day, so we’re celebrating both by giving you a chance to win a prize pack sure to elevate your soul. We’re including one (1) copy of both There’s a Riot Goin On and the Summer of Soul Official Soundtrack on vinyl, in addition to a brand new Sony sound system so you can really turn up the funk. Included are a PS-LX310BT Bluetooth turntable, a pair of CS5 bookshelf speakers, and the DH190 stereo receiver. There’s no better way to relive some of the biggest musical moments of a gen...
Summer of Soul Soundtrack to Feature B.B. King, Gladys Knight, Nina Simone, and More
Legacy Recordings has announced the companion soundtrack to Questlove’s acclaimed documentary Summer of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised), due out January 28th, 2022. The 17-track collection is set to feature live recordings of classic songs by the likes of B.B. King (“Why I Sing the Blues”), The Staple Singers (“It’s Been a Change”), Gladys Knight & the Pips (“I Heard It Through the Grapevine”), Sly & the Family Stone (“Everyday People”), and more. The documentary about the Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969 is currently available to stream on Hulu. All of the songs were curated by Questlove, who made his filmmaking debut with the documentary. “It goes beyond saying that you can’t have a monster music journey on film without an equally awesome soundtrack,” he sa...
20 Best Philly Sound Songs of All Time
50 years ago, the sound of Philly Soul was born out of the legendary Philadelphia International Records. With the talents of The O’Jays, Patti LaBelle, Teddy Pendergrass, The Three Degrees, McFadden & Whitehead, and others, the label rewrote the standards of soul music. To celebrate all P.I.R. contributed to the world of music, we’re publishing a number of soul features this month, and giving away The Story of Philadelphia International Records prize pack, which includes vinyl, a turntable, and speakers. How do you pick 20 songs that define an era — that represent a sound that means so much to so many people? It’s not easy, but the first thing that comes to mind is “emotion.” The Philadelphia Sound, made famous by Thom Bell, Kenny Gamble, and Leon Huff, endures decades after ...
