In 2001, a 23-year old Usher topped the Billboard charts with his Jermaine Dupri and Bryan Michael-Cox produced ballad, “U Got It Bad.” The second single off his multi-platinum third album 8701, the song garnered major attention—partially due to the song’s video that featured his former girlfriend Rozanda “Chili” Thomas of TLC—landing at #15 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Songs of the Decade.
“Sometimes, you get a feeling, and the feeling comes over you, and you know that you’re being used by God, your God-given talents are inspiring others with your love for creating music, ” said legendary singer/songwriter Valerie Simpson, one half of songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson, as she presented the Record of the Year award at this year’s Soul Train Awards. In the world of R&B and soul, strong lyrics are everything, and finding the right balance of creativity and technique is definitely the work of some higher power. In honor of the craft of songwriting, Centric has compiled our list of the greatest R&B and soul songwriters of all time (in no particular order).
1. Ashford and Simpson
Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson will forever be known as one of music’s greatest songwriting duos. Their knack for creating classic soul music helped catapult the husband and wife creative team into success in the late 60’s with a slew of hits written for artists on Motown Records— “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “Your Precious Love”, “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing”, and “You’re All I Need to Get By,” among them. Their success would continue throughout the 70’s and 80’s, as they wrote Chaka Khan’s 1978 hit “I’m Every Woman,” and released 16 albums as a duo, including four gold records—Send It, Is It Still Good To Ya, Stay Free, and Solid. Sadly, Ashford succumbed to throat cancer this year.
2. Smokey Robinson
When you think of the Motown sound, the name Smokey Robinson should instantly come to mind. The singer/songwriter and music executive helped shape what would become a musical revolution. In 1959, Robinson got his start as the lead singer and founding member of The Miracles. The group released several hits including, “Shop Around” (1960), “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” (1962), and “Ooh Baby Baby” (1965). During this time, Robinson also penned hits for other acts on the label, most notably 1964’s “My Girl” by The Temptations and ”My Guy” by Mary Wells. Robinson went solo in 1972 and continued producing a slew of R&B hits and releasing 24 albums, the last being 2009’s Time Flies When You’re Having Fun. Read the rest of this entry »
The name Ester Dean might not be a name you’re familiar with, but chances are you and/or your children have jammed out to something she wrote. The songwriter, who is also a talented vocalist in her own right, has written for Rihanna, Katy Perry, Usher, Kelly Rowland and even Justin Bieber. The highly humorous Dean sat with Centric’s “The Hot 10” host Chuck Nice to talk about her creative process.
Still don’t believe the hype? Check out our favorites from her long catalog of hits: Read the rest of this entry »
From Rihanna’s “What’s My Name” to Usher’s “Hot Tottie”, Ester Dean is a hit songwriting force to be reckon with. The singer who has “tippy-toed her way into success,” is also a singer. Dean’s “Something You Can’t Live Without” has surfaced, and while its not an awe-inspiring tune, its catchy hook and hard hitting bass beat is great club fare. Check out the tune and sound off: HIT or MISS?
Ester Dean “Something You Can’t Live Without”
Ester Dean recently dropped in on Centric’s “The Hot 10” with Chuck Nice to talk about her songwriting process and more. Check out the video HERE if you missed it.
The name Ester Dean might not be a name you’re familiar with, but chances are you and/or your children have jammed out to something she wrote. The songwriter, who is also a talented vocalist in her own right, has written for Rihanna, Katy Perry, Usher, Kelly Rowland and even Justin Bieber. The highly humorous Dean sat with Centric’s “The Hot 10” host Chuck Nice to talk about her creative process.
Still don’t believe the hype? Check out our favorites from her long catalog of hits: Read the rest of this entry »
After the flop that was “Basic Instinct,” it seems Ciara wants out of her contract with Jive Records. The “Ride” singer released an open letter (which you can read after the break) on Facebook on Valentine’s Day addressing her fans on the state of her relationship with the label.
Rap-Up caught up with Ciara in Los Angeles, to get more details about the letter, her upcoming movie projects and the status of her new video with Usher.
We’ve heard Usher talk of “revolutionary pop” but, but if you’re like me you are probably wondering: what the hell is it? and is it really something new and revolutionary? Well Usher talked to MTV to talk the “new” genre:
“I’ve done it before, I did it with ‘Yeah!’ ” he said, “taking a cultural experience, and also worldwide recognition of a feeling, and putting the soul in the middle of it. Not allowing it to shift heavily to R&B genre, or pop. I did it again with ‘OMG,’ once again putting the soul in the middle of it, which was an electric-pop experience, with the soul.”
Akon and French producer David Guetta are rumored to be involved with Usher’s musical revolution, but nothing has been confirmed. I guess the wait for the revolution starts now. His new album is slated for release later this year.
Granted Lady Gaga’s egg shaped contraption might have captured mainstream hoopla, but it was the heavy presence of some of soul and R&B music’s favorites that proved a highlight. Lalah Hathaway was ravishing in purple, Raheem Devaughn was dapper and Janelle Monae stayed true to her swag. Check out these pics from the red carpet.
The 53rd Grammy Awards capped off the 2010 musical year in a big way. There were a few surprises (Esperanza Spalding winning Best New Artist) and a couple of no brainers (Jay-Z snagging three awards). Check out Centric’s Grammy award winning highlights:
Best New Artist:
Esperanza Spalding
Best Male Pop Vocal Performance:
“Just The Way You Are” – Bruno Mars [Elektra]
Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals:
“Imagine” – Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No 1, Jeff Beck & Oumou Sangare [from The Imagine Project, Hancock Records]
Best Dance Recording:
“Only Girl (In The World)” – Rihanna [Island Def Jam]
Vodka has long been the go-to spirit for music heads trying to diversify their business. Dame Dash, Diddy and now there is Usher. The “OMG” singer has now partnered with Belvedere Vodka to be a spokesperson for their special Product Red edition bottle. The company will donate 50% of the proceeds to help fight the battle of HIV/AIDS in Africa.
The partnership will launch today at a pre-Grammy party in which Usher will perform at Avalon in Hollywood. I guess its okay to drink, if you’re doing it for a good cause? The Belvedere Project Red bottle will be released this summer.
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