WHAT'S PEANUT BUTTER WOLF WITHOUT JAMZ?

Peanut Butter Wolf is an underground legend in my book. Stones Throw is the label that all other underground labels should be aspiring to be like when they grow up. This label is one of my favorites because they literally have one of the deepest and dopest artists rosters in the game today! The Stone’s Throw family is definitely full of trendsetters, headed by their label President PB Wolf who always seems to be keeping them steadily moving forward. Just recently Stones Throw came together with 2K Sports to develop the music soundtrack for the latest basketball gaming phenomenon NBA 2K8. Owners of home gaming systems like Playstation 2 or XBOX definitely know about the 2K series from years of quality gaming moments. Well, if you love sports anyway. Outside of the Madden Football, I think the NBA 2K series is the most anticipated sports gaming experience each year just for the brilliance of the realism that it captures. The graphics are always amazing, but the soundtracks are even better! There’s nothing better than playing basketball with your favorite team while listening to some good ole’ hip-hop music. PB Wolf has compiled 20 dope tracks that will accompany the NBA 2K8 game entitled “B-Ball Zombie War” that both will be released on October 2nd!

B-Ball Zombie War features new collaborations by Talib Kweli, Q-Tip and MF DOOM over beats by J Dilla, as well as new tracks by Madlib, Guilty Simpson, Aloe Blacc, Koushik, MED and Guilty Simpson among others. New names are introduced, including Karriem Riggins and Madlib’s group Supreme Team. Production is being handled by everyone from J Dilla to Madlib and that's never a bad thing. There will also be two nationwide tours starting after this project is released featuring Common, Percee P & Q-Tip in November, and a Stones Throw showcase including J-Rocc, Madlib & PB Wolf starting in November 2007.

Check out this track listing:

01. SUPREME TEAM (MADLIB & KARRIEM RIGGINS) - See (Suite)

02. MED - Break It Down

03. GUILTY SIMPSON - Make It Fast

04. J DILLA feat. Q-TIP & TALIB KWELI - Lightworking

05. PERCEE P feat. J.ROCC - Legendary Lyricist Pt. 2

06. J.ROCC - Super Sound

07. MADLIB - The Wigflip

08. J DILLA feat. MF DOOM & GUILTY SIMPSON - Mash’s Revenge

09. OH NO - Action (Rap Version)10. BEAT KONDUCTA - Trouble

11. QUASIMOTO - Hydrant Game (Jaylib Remix)

12. ALOE BLACC - Find A Way

13. DAM-FUNK - Sidewayz

14. BARON ZEN - Electronic (Koushik Remix)

15. JAMES PANTS - Ka$h (Peanut Butter Wolf Remix)

16. NIKO & DJ BABU - Now You Know17. KOUSHIK - Basketball Beat

18. ARABIAN PRINCE - Professor X Saga

19. JONATHON BROWN - Bass Creator’s Groove

20. CX KIDTRONIK feat. TCHAKA DIALLO - Big Girl, Skinny Girl

More info on PB Wolf and Stones Throw:

www.stonesthrow.com

PB Wolf's Discography

ON THE EDGE OF BABY MAKIN'!
Remember back in the 1990s when their seemed be a different male R&B group born every minute? From Color Me Badd to All-4-One they all had songs about the mushy love they had for some chic they met at VD Clinic, or they were begging for another chance with a woman that dumped them. It was like male group overload back then. I hated that period because it was really difficult to tell what groups were good and who just plain sucked! Trying to make a wise CD purchase by using just the CD cover artwork didn't work either, because most of the groups were dressed like a fake New Edition. Basically, I wasted plenty of good money back in the 90s buying crappy R&B albums with nothing to show for it. Even though there were plenty of terrible groups the came out back then, there were a few good ones like Boys II Men, Jodeci, Portrait and one of my favorites Jagged Edge. JE had that smooth hamony that made you take notice, and with that catchy Jermaine Dupri production behind their voices it was definitely a perfect match. Unlike many other male groups of the 90s, Jagged Edge's sound was unmistakable.

Over the years they have blessed us with many, many classic joints, and now they are about to drop their new joint "Baby Makin' Project" on September 25, 2007. The best thing about this project is that Jermaine Dupri is back behind the production boards again. Now, that both JE and JD are on different labels they can legally work together once again. Personally, I think JE is at their best when working with Jermaine. I am not a big fan of JD's production overall, but he does work well with these katz. They already have a new single out "Put A Little Umph In It" that is making a little noise right now on the underground. If you haven't heard it yet, check out the video I have posted below:

Put A Little Umph In It

Also, peep 3 new songs from the new album as well...

PLANET ASIA'S JEWELRY BOX!
I'm back on my hip-hop ish again, so this post is right on time. My favorite Westcoaster emcee Planet Asia is back with a new joint for the hardcore underground headz! I have been a fan of the Planet Asia movement since the late 90s, and while many other rappers from the West seem to have lost their way, Planet Asia has kept it moving consistantly for many years. I have done several posts on this guy over my time blogging, so I won't go too deep into his background, but I will shed a little light on his new joint though. His new album is called "Jewelry Box Sessions" and I feel this is one of his better albums over the last 4 years or so. His lyricism usually makes any beat sound better, but there have been moments where his production has been less than satisfactory. He tends to work with a lot of new and underground producers, so his sound is normally different from his peers. This time around his has a few bangers on here that had me hitting rewind several times. I am a beat man, which means that I tend to like tracks that keep my head bobbin', so I am more than pleased with Planet's newest effort. If you've been unaware of Planet Asia up to this point, it's never too late to get familiar. Check for the Cali Agents (Planet Asia & Rasco) as well for more verses from this dude. If you consider yourself a real hip-hop head, you definitely need a little P. Asia in your collection!

Check out Planet Asia on Myspace:

www.myspace.com/planetasia

An before you exit, be sure to kopp the Planet Asia Megamixx (if you haven't already) that I did last year by clicking the link below:

PLANET ASIA MIXX

WHY IS LIL' MO NOT GETTING ANY LUV?
Before I get in deep with this Lil’ Mo post, I just want to point out a little observation that I have noticed. I actually think that Lil’ Mo and Fantasia have fallen from the same family tree? It’s something about those luscious soup-coolers that they both have that has me convinced of this almost fact. You be the Judge Judy. Okay, now let’s get serious for a minute. How come the urban music fans have totally abandoned my favorite ghetto superwoman Lil’ Mo? Everybody is so busy talking about Keyshia Cole and Beyonce that Lil’ Mo’s name doesn’t even come up anymore. Now, I know most of you don’t think of the word ghetto when hear Beyonce’s name, but don’t be fooled by the fancy videos, nice clothes and top notch hair weaves (some of them anyway). I still remember seeing Beyonce and the original Destiny’s Child members in the back seat of their limo devouring some Popeye’s Chicken and biscuits like some freed slaves. There was chicken juice all over their lips, biscuit crumbs all over the seat, plus Beyonce was talking right into the camera with a mouth full of food. At that moment, I knew they were ghetto for sure. So, just because Beyonce is eating her Popeye’s with a fork and knife now doesn’t change anything. She’s a great talent for sure, so I have to give her the recognition she deserves. The reality is that Beyonce and Lil’ Mo are in two different categories musically, so let’s move on.

I think Lil’ Mo and Ms. Cole are more comparable actually. Musically, I like Mo a lil’ better between the two singers. Keyshia is a solid vocalist, but it’s difficult for me as a male to relate to the subject matters of her music in most cases. She seems to stay on a downhill slide while musically going through life’s trials and tribulations. You know the typical bad relationships, why’s he beating you girl, I caught you cheatin’ again type shyt! Lil’ Mo makes those types of records too, but she also makes fun records as well to balance things out. I think her humble beginnings working with Missy Elliot and Timbaland has worked well for her overall sound. She’s performed songs with and written songs for several artists like Blackstreet, Jay-Z, Next, Fabolous, 3LW, ODB, Keith Sweat, Ja Rule, Nicole Wray (where the hell she at), etc. When she released her debut album “Based on a True Story” back in 2001 on the heels of that “Superwoman Pt. II” single, everybody was checking for Lil’ Mo! At that point it seemed like Mo-Mo couldn’t be stopped. Then in 2003 she dropped another hot duet single with Fabolous called “Can’t Let You Go” slated for Fabo’s “Street Dreams” joint! Then came the third duet “4 Ever” right behind that, which was the first single from Lil’ Mo’s second album “Meet the Girl Next Door.” Her second effort had a few note worthy tracks, but I expected more from her. The sophomore jinx was definitely in effect. I never gave up on my girl Mo though.

Now, she’s back with a new album in 2007 called “Pain & Paper.” Productions credits go to Chunky Thompson and Missy Elliott. This album is taking Lil’ Mo back to where she started vocally. Solid production and catchy lyrics has worked well for Lil’ Mo throughout her career and this album is no exception. Once again another good album that got no publicity, so the folks that need to hear this joint probably won’t. I’m back on my Lil’ Mo swag again, and you should be too…

Show Lil' Mo some luv and listen 2 some music here:


www.myspace.com/lilmomusic

HEZEKIAH IS BACK WITH A NEW JOINT!
While the rest of the internet is still debating over who's going to sell the most albums between Curtsy Jackson and Kanye Omari Western, I am remain dwelling in the underground scene. Whether you believe that the mainstream version of rap/hip-hop is in critical condition or not in 2007, the underground has always been alive and kicking! That's true because of artists like my dude Hezekiah reppin' Philly. He's an emcee/producer that is definitely making his way through this hip-hop jungle. Most folks slept on his debut "Hurry Up & Wait" back in 2005 because it got no publicity. It wasn't until I heard the track "Soul Music" in a local record store that I actually started checking for this kat. When I finally heard the whole album, I was impressed with his unique mixture of soul driven production and effective story telling. He has a nice way of adding the necessary messages to his music without sounding preachy. Now, Hezekiah is about to release his second album "I Predict a Riot" on September 18, 2007. The first single from the new album featuring Bilal called "Looking Up" is causing quite a buzz on the internet right now. Since, true Bilal fans were feenin' for some new material from that dude, this Hezekiah joint came out right on time! Hezekiah is working with some of my favorite artists this time around like Jaguar Wright, Muhsinah and Aaron Livingston. From what I've heard from the new album it sounds pretty dope, so I will definitely be picking this one up when it drops. Check the album track list.
I
01. The Beginning feat. Muhsinah
02. Wild & Wreckless
03. If One Falls feat. Eleon
04. That Filling feat. Freeway
05. Looking Up feat. Bilal
06. Single Now
07. Let's Get Involved feat. Jamal
08. Bombs Over Here
09. Definition Of A Bitch (Interlude)
10. I See Yaw feat. Jaguar Wright
11. I.P.A.R. (Interlude)
12. Moments In Sometime feat. Aaron Livingston
13. I Predict A Riot feat. Keziah, E. Shon Burgundy
14. Freak (Interlude)
15. Gotta Love It feat. Tarentz Moreese
16. Ghetto People feat. Richard Raw, Chief Kamachi, State Store
17. Afro (Interlude)
18. Muhsinah Outro

An just in case you missed these, here you go...

Soul Music (video)


Looking Up featuring Bilal (video)


GET MORE ON HEZEKIAH & HIS MUSIC HERE!

C.L. SMOOTH IS AN OUTSIDER!

There have been a lot of dope rap groups that have called it quits over the years for different undisclosed reasons (EPMD, A Tribe Called Quest, Little Brother) that left me wondering why? One of the most tragic hip-hop break-ups for me was the one involving Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth back in 1995. I didn’t see the break-up coming. Rumor has it that the two artists had grown apart musically, and felt they were traveling on different paths career wise. I was already an avid fan of Pete Rock’s production style from back in the day, and hearing C.L. Smooth drop verses over those hypnotic beats just felt right. No, C.L. Smooth is not the most gifted emcee to ever touch a microphone, but as a group they worked well together like Buffalo wings and ranch dressing. Since, Pete Rock had already been working with several artists over his career, I knew he would be straight after the separation, but I was a little worried about Mr. Smooth’s future though. I just didn’t know if he was good enough to make it on his own without Pete Rock by his side?

After the break-up, C.L. Smooth disappeared from the music scene. He seemed very distraught about the whole ordeal and refused to drop a verse on anyone else’s projects. However, he did make an exception for DJ Krush back in 1996 by rhyming on the track “Only the Strong Survive.” Several years later PR and C.L. put their differences behind them, which led them back into the studio together again to see if the chemistry was still there. Rumors surfaced that the duo was going to release a reunion album. That never happened, but they did end up making a few hot tracks together that were released on various projects. Hearing those songs just made me want more, but beggars can’t be choosers. Finally, in 2006 C.L. Smooth dropped his first solo album “American Me” for the world to hear. The album was overlooked by most rap fans because no one really knew it had even been released. For his first solo joint, the album was decent, but definitely not a classic. Some of the production just didn’t meet the standards however C.L. Smooth hadn’t lost a step lyrically.

Mr. Smooth is back in 2007 with a new mix CD project entitled “The Outsider,” which is a mixture of new material, remixes and live renditions of several of his classics from the early days. I think this new joint is the better of the two, because he got rid of some filler tracks, remixed many others and dropped a few new gems as well. If you are looking for that old Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth sound, you will only find a glimpse of it here. You’d probably be better off just digging some of their classics out of your archives to bring that old feeling back instead. If you get a chance to hear the new C.L. joint, check it out and hear what you think. You may just like it!

LISTEN TO SOME MR. SMOOTH JOINTS HERE

SOUL CLASSIC: SADE - HANG ON TO YOUR LOVE

KNEEGROW FUN FACTOID: The main character in this video playing the loser that's obviously in debt up to his receeding hairline is none other than Phil Collins' older brother Demetrius Collins. Since, Sade and Phil were good friends and Demetrius always wanted to be an actor on broadway, he was given this golden opportunity to get some shine. I thought Demetrius did a pretty dayum good job too, but with Sade singing those sweet-hypnotic melodies in the background, how could he not? I thought this video was kind of like 007's Casino Royal meets the circus on steroids, but saying anything bad about Sade is musical blasphemy in my book, so I won't even go there. Four or five head jokes are the exception of course...

Sade - Hang On To Your Love

DOUBLE-UP ON THE HOT MIXXES!
Who doesn't like things when they're two for the price of one? Even though to putting your ears on a SoundNexx Mixx doesn't cost you phuckin' slug (of course), two are still better than one. Today, I have posted two new mixxes that I thought I'd share at the same time. One is more rhythm & bluesish, while the other is hip-hop driven, but both are still very soulful. I brought back some of my favorite artists and joints from back in the day that I think are still pretty hot even today. Of course I threw in a few unreleased and exclusive tracks that definitely need to be heard as well. Since, the Memorial Day weekend is upon us, and I can't make you a plate of great food, I hope these two mixxes will be just as fulfilling? So, on that note...drink and eat all that you can this weekend because I believe in living life to the fullest whether it's in my wallet, my stomach or my gas tank...

Mixx time...

SOUNDNEXX KATCHTHAFEVA MIXX TRACK LIST:

01~heavy d feat. apryl & sheree - i'll do anything
02~de la soul feat. zhane' - more
03~darien brockington feat. little brother - night like this
04~prince markie dee - so very happy
05~queen latifah - turn you on
06~kanye west feat. dwele - flash light
07~common feat. pharell, q-tip & erykah badu - come close (dilla remix)
08~lupe fiasco feat. pharell - and he gets the girl
09~devin the dude feat. snoop dogg & andre 3000 - what a job
10~dudley perkins - love light
11~common feat. d'angelo - so far to go (remix)
12~fabolous feat. lil' mo - make me better (remix)
13~ugk feat. raheem devaughn & talib qweli - real women
14~phonte feat. oddisee - all because she's gone
15~mos def feat. raphael saadiq & bootsy collins - we get down
16~gemini feat. lupe fiasco - we on
17~busta rhymes feat. erykah badu - one
18~tupac feat. keyshia cole - don't trust me (remix)
19~purple st. james feat. phonte - real good
20~o.c. - story to tell (remix)
21~foreign exchange feat. darien brockington - call

CLICK TO LISTEN:


GET THA FEVA HERE


SOUNDNEXX MOCHASOULADIC MIXX TRACK LIST:

01~clara hill feat. tonee & slope - just let me know
02~ion feat. stephstaa - so serious
03~porche smith - crazy
04~lemar feat. styles p & mica paris - can't you see
05~donnell jones feat. rico love - baby it's you
06~dyanna fearon - butterflies
07~maw feat. q-tip - i am the black gold of the sun (remix)
08~stacy epps feat. panama black - rhyme circle
09~amel larrieux - i-n-i
10~tweek - change for me
11~adriana evans - undercover
12~faith evans - i just can't
13~dwele - the fact is
14~lathun - closer
15~ledisi - stop livin' in your head
16~bilal feat. common - sorrow tears
17~avant & kelly rowland - seperate (remix)
18~adina howard - freak like me (remix)
19~tweet - smoking cigarettes
20~rell - say it ain't so

CLICK TO LISTEN


GET MOCHASOUL HERE

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO MIRI??
It seems like it was just yesterday when the hip-hop world was so overwhelmed with violinist sensation Miri Ben Ari! I must say though, the first time I saw her on 106 & Park (back when it was worth watching) I was totally impressed with her skills. She killed that shyt! Watching her play the violin over Biggie's "One More Chance" instrumental was classic! She definitely kept the deejay on his toes too. Call me naive, but I thought Miri would make an album doing the same thing that made her a overnight celebrity, but I thought wrong. Somebody thought it would be cool for her to make original tracks instead, and judging by her over record sells the record was wrong as well! It's a shame though because I think Miri is a true talent. Maybe, one day she'll make an hip-hop violinist album worthy of her talents, but until that happens peep out this video clip of Miri doing the thang on the Apollo back in the day...

MIRI BEN ARI @ THE APOLLO


Now, that you've seen Miri in action, check out these other hip-hop violinists and see if they can even compare to her?

www.myspace.com/Miribenari

SOUL MUSIC FOR ADULTS!
Sometimes, I wonder if there is anything still being targeted for ADULTS that want some quality entertainment that's not a phuckin' reality tv show or porn? Is it me, or is everything starting to be targeted toward the teenagers in the new millennium. When I was a kid it was the other way around. Nothing was targeted for kids other than cartoons and kool aid. The rest of the world was for adults, so that meant kids had to take they azz to bed when the good adult shyt started to happen! This is just another reason why I know the world is coming to an end sooner than I would like. Maybe, it's also the reason why most people over the age of 16 thinks music sucks too? The urban music scene seems to have forgotten about what adults like to listen to as a whole. Where are the adult contemporary artists that resemble the greats of the past like Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, Sade, Will Downing, etc. The major record labels won't even touch an older established artist in most cases, but they'll sign a bubble-gum trio of sex crazed teenage boys without even hearing them sing first!

Well, I have two new albums that may just give you folks that urban adult soul music fix that you need. The first is by my one my favorite overlooked soul artists Ledisi. She just dropped her new joint "Lost & Found," which has a smooth jazzy sound, while keeping it oh so soulful. Good stuff! Actually, all of her albums are pretty solid. If you are diggin' the debut from Chrisette Michele, then Ledisi is right up your azz...I mean alley! I think that was a typo? Next up is Jilly a.k.a Jill Scott. Do I really need to remind ya'll how Ms. Scott is? Since, I am a music mutant, I got a chance to hear a few cuts off her new joint, and I actually think it's her best material since her debut. Jill seems to be focused, and she definitely has her swagger back as well. Hell, you can tell that by this sexy dope album cover, which is one of the two available. I actually like the cover the best because she has that look on her face that says..."Stop typing on that keyboard SoundNexx and come to Philly and do something bad to me!" So, on that note, I'll end this post here so I can get to the Metro Airport before my flight leaves....


Check these links for more info:


www.myspace.com/ledisi


www.myspace.com/whoisjillscott

SOUND SPOT: STACY EPPS
I'm a lucky bastid, so I get to hear so much music that it’s difficult for me to remember who’s who in many cases. As some artist’s names go in one ear and out the other, there are a few that catch my keep my attention like Stacy Epps. I know her name doesn’t sound a familiar to most of you, but some of you have heard her voice and probably didn’t even know it? If you consider yourself a true hip-hop fan, then you have definitely heard the Madvillain (M.F. Doom & Madlib) album “Madvillainy” I hope? That album is without a doubt classic underground material, and it features Ms. Epps on a track called “Eye.” The track is pretty short in length, but it was enough for me to take notice. It didn’t dawn on me at the time, but I had heard her vocals even earlier in her career when she was part of the underground soul duo Sol Uprising. The group released their only CD “Sol Power” back in 2003. The album was an independent release, so most folks never knew it existed. The vibe of the “Sol Power” project was soulfully raw and gritty with some hip-hop influences lurking in the background.

It’s been about 4 years since Stacy Epps has done anything major, but now she’s back as a solo indie artist. She just released her debut solo album titled “Ruff Draft,” which is available for purchase on her Myspace page. You might be thinking, why should I be interested in hearing this Stacy Epps album when I’ve never heard of her as an artist before? I would probably be thinking the same thing, but when you see who’s handling the production on her new joint you just may get very interested? The album producers include Madlib, M.F. Doom, J Dilla, Muhsinah, Jneiro Jarel, DJ PudgEmcee and Apex. Ms. Epps is pretty good with them beats too, so she laced a couple of tracks herself. Personally, I am already a fan of Stacy Epps, and maybe you will be too! So, show Ms. Epps some e-luv by checking out her Myspace page I have listed below and hear what you think.

Stacy Epps Links:

www.stacyepps.com

www.myspace.com/stacyepps

Listen to album snippets here

SOUND REWIND: THE BEATNUTS
In a quest to move forward musically, sometimes I have to look back and reflect. Even though I get plenty of new music on the regular, I still dig in the crates for some of that old classic material. One of my favorite hip-hop groups that began their music journey in the early 90s, but still hasn’t received the respect that they deserve is The Beatnuts! Original group members included Ju-Ju, Psycho Les and Kool Fashion a.k.a. Al’ Tariq. Kool Fashion left the group early on, but Ju-Ju and Les remained focused and never seemed to lose a step during the transition. As forgotten members of the Native Tongue’s movement the Beatnuts have laced rap fans with several hot joints over their years in the business. Outside of being the staple of early Latino based hip-hop back in the day they have also worked with dope artists like Common, Dead Prez, A.G., Freeway, Grand Puba, Tha Alkaholiks, etc. Back in the 90s if you wanted a sick beat the Beatnuts were on that top producers list along with other greats like Premo, Puff Daddy & Jermaine Dupri. I don’t know about you, but the Beatnuts have definitely influenced my love for hip-hop over the years with some of those crazy azz beats that they’ve produced.

Classic Beatnuts’ joints like “Intoxicated Demons EP,” “Street Level” and “Stone Crazy” still makes my music rotation from time to time even in 2007. Why the Beatnuts are never included in the average hip-hop fan’s Top 10 producer’s list is amazing to me, but then again I guess it is understandable. The truth is that most fans hardly ever remember what an artist did in the past, because they are so focused on what they are doing now. Sadly, when it comes to most of the fickle music fans of the new millennium, if you’re not doing anything at the moment your whole career seems to be irrelevant. Personally, I don’t give a damn if the Beatnuts never make another hot record ever again, they will always remain in the SoundNexx Hip-Hop Hall of Fame for eternity.

As we continue on…take a look at this Beatnuts video tribute that I put together by way of YouTubage…

The Beatnuts - Watch Out Now

The Beatnuts - Props Over Here


The Beatnuts ft. Big Pun - Off The Books


The Beatnuts - No Escaping This


Okay, that is all...

RHYMEFEST HAS THAT FEVER!

I won't even try to act like I am a huge Rhymefest fan, because I'm not. It's nothing against the Midwest emcee personally, but he just doesn't move me with his lyrics each and everytime he spits a rhyme. Truth be told though, he does have some definite bangers in his short discography, and this joint (video) I posted for you today is one of them! This "Fever" track is definitely blazing, so check it out!

SOUNDNEXX 4GOTTEN ARTISTZ RE-MIXX 2!

It’s all about that 90s R&B today ladies and gents! Forgotten songs and artists that were definitely doing their thing back in the day. Lets reminisce a little bit. My favorite R&B female freak would have to be Adina Howard. Not only for the simple fact that she’s from Motown, but it’s impossible to deny the presence she made in the music game when she first came out with her debut album. The album cover alone had most men feening, but overall her debut was freakishly satisfying to the ears as well. Adina is just straight up nasty with her lyrical content at times, but I like it! The lady has dropped several hot singles and remixes throughout the 90s, so I thought she’d be around for a while? Well, I was wrong. She left her fans high and dry. She did come out with an independent album in the new millennium, but the majority of the world didn’t even know it came out, so nobody bought it. As long as there are pictures of her floating around the internet, I will probably always be a closet fan of hers.

When it comes to female groups in the 90s one of my favorites was definitely Zhane’ (pronounced Jah-Nay for some reason). Tracks like “Hey Mr. DJ” and “Groove Thang” are still club classics in my book even in 2007. Actually, all of the songs on their debut album equaled classic material. Not only was their music addictive, but their look back then was pretty fresh as well. Other than Grace Jones there weren’t many women rocking the brush cut look, and I thought they looked pretty fly personally. They took on a different look with longer hair for their sophomore album “Saturday Night,” which unfortunately didn’t do so well. There were a couple of solid singles on the album, but it just didn’t have the same impact as their debut. Soon after that Zhane’ disappeared leaving their fans lost, waiting for a musical return that would never happen. Even though Zhane’ is no more, ex-group member Renee Neufville is doing her solo thing as an independent artist on the underground soul scene. I like what I’ve heard from her so far, so keep your eyes posted for more on her in the very near future.

Now, wait a minute! Is that Ray J’s sister? Yep, and her name is Brandy Norwood. You might be thinking…why is Brandy being put into the Forgotten Artists category? She still makes music and some may feel that she’s still relevant today. No matter how you feel about Brandy personally, the reality is that her musical career has suffered a slow and painful death over the last few years. The early years of her career were the best that it’s going to ever get in my opinion. Singles like “I Wanna Be Down,” “Best Friend,” “Baby,” “The Boy Is Mine,” etc. put Brandy at a superstar status. She was the little singing princess that everybody just loved to death, but as she got older things began to change. Her music career seemed to become an afterthought once she got pregnant and supposedly married some producer dude abruptly after only knowing him for a short time. Then come to find out after the baby was born that she lied about getting married after all, leaving her fans feeling bewildered and confused. Sadly, things just seemed to take an avalanche type slide into the toilet for Brandy during that drama filled period of her life. I am pessimistically-optimistic (if that’s possible) in my view of Brandy’s musical future right now. History has shown that it’s never too late to make a come back, but right now Brandy is a distant music memory of what she once was.

Ladies…are you ready to sweat? This next dude has been making the ladies weak in the knees since the late 80s, and his name is Keith Sweat a.k.a Keitherland Sweatington. Keith was the best at begging the women through song to give him another chance. In some of his records he begged so much that you almost felt sorry for the dude. Even though voice could get very annoying at times, the guy has made some stellar hit records during his career. Tracks like “Make It Last Forever” and “Something Just Ain’t Right” are still urban cabaret classics that are guaranteed to get some folks on the dance floor for some touchy-feely slow dancing. Even though Mr. Sweat still drops an album every so many years, the sad reality is that nobody really cares in 2007. I am happy to know that the dude is still working on his craft, but if I was pushed into listening to any of Keith Sweat’s music, it would definitely be stuff from his earlier years. Outside of crying and begging for another chance, he did discover some solid R&B groups like Kut Klose and Silk. Both groups did their thing for a minute back in the 90s, but they eventually vanished as well after a pretty short lived music career. If you didn’t know, Keith is has a syndicated evening radio show called “Sweat Hotel” where he seduces women to call in to confess the wrongs that they’ve done to someone special. Even though Mr. Sweat overdoes the sexy voice radio personality thing, I will give him props for keeping his name out there after all of these years.

Okay...enough typing! It's time to share some music...

After I posted part 1 of this re-mixx series a minute ago, I got so many emails requesting more mixes like that, so I decided to put another one together sooner than I originally planned. Part 2 has even more remixes from some of our forgotten, but favorite artists from the 90s. No matter how you slice it, the 90s era produced plenty of great artists and music as a whole, so enjoy this musical remixx journey back down memory lane.

FORGOTTEN ARTISTZ RE-MIXX 2 TRACK LISTING:

01*Asante ft. The Fugees - Look What You've Done (Remix)
02*Keith Sweat ft. Kut Klose - Twisted (Tumblin' Dice Remix)
03*Donnell Jones - Knocks Me Off My Feet (Remix)
04*Mokenstef - I Got Him All of The Time (He's Mine Remix)
05*Kino ft. Shinehead - Bring It On (Remix)
06*Silk ft. Foxy Brown - Hooked On You (Remix)
07*Sa-Deuce - Don't Waste My Time (Mecca Remix)
08*Kaycee ft. Ludacris - It's Alright (ATL Drop Remix)
09*Zhane' ft. Queen Latifah - Request Line (Remix)
10*Allure ft. Tone & A.Z. - Head Over Heels (Remix)
11*The Black Flames - Watching You (Katchy Remix)
12*911 - Cutie (Fingers Remix)
13*Brandy - Best Friend (Character Remix)
14*Changing Faces - Keep It Right There (Salaam Remix)
15*Kut Klose - Surrender (Drop Remix)
16*Adina Howard - My Up and Down (Ride 2 Remix)
17*Blu ft. Simple E - My Ol' Lady (Remix)

GET THE RE-MIXX 2 HERE!

IS IT HALLOWEEN ALREADY??

Poor, poor Lauryn Hill! What the phuckith has happened to you? You were the Sweetest Thing I've Ever Known, but now your the scariest thing I have ever seen! I can't type anymore, so I'll let these freakish photos speak for themselves...