The New Confidence

For a while it seemed we had lost our way. For men, everyone was corn-rolled, rocking wife-beaters to their knobby knees, and wearing jeans low enough to give new meaning to the phrase “The Big Apple.” The women were sporting minis high enough to see the Valley of Valhalla, jeans tight enough to guarantee a Monistat moment, and displaying enough of The Hills to sponsor a serious spin-off. The music from major labels was equally juvenile and puerile, but slowly, surely we walk away from self-serving, undeserving music and artists who refuse to grew up as we are growing up.

So, men like Maxwell, Avant, Jaheim, Craig David and Ryan Leslie follow John Legend’s lead into bespoke suits, conservative cuts, and mature music to match the new GQ persona. With “Raymond Vs. Raymond,” Usher distinguishes himself from his young army of clones by providing us with a different kind of “Confessions,” only this one is Marvin Gaye’s divorce opus, “Here My Dear,” for the new generation. The women are no longer popping bubblegum declaring ” I know it’s not too ghetto” and lamenting about how “They Should’ve Cheated” and jiggling milkshakes to bring the boys to the yard. New projects by Toni Braxton, Vivian Green and KeKe Wyatt follow the commercial tsunami lead of super-grown Sade by displaying visions of loveliness in couture gowns and making moving material that’s alternatively epic or languid, but always cathartic. With “The Sea,” Corinne Bailey Rae offers up her soul and pain over the death of her husband and yet the songs also reveal a hope about the future. Artists inspiring us to heal, to lead, to dream. Artists modeling what it means to have grace, dignity, and shine. Wherever you went, we’re glad you’re back. You’ve been missed.

TAGS: Avant, Corrine Bailey Rae, Craig David, Jaheim, John Legend, KeKe Wyatt, Maxwell, Ryan Leslie, Sade, Toni Braxton, Usher, Vivian Green