Have you noticed that black folk are quick to tell you who can and cannot sing? Many of us, who’ve never taken a vocal lesson, will swiftly let you know when someone can’t blow. We are an unauthorized authority on the subject. And any vocal connoisseur will tell you that there are people who are completely tone deaf, people who can hold a note, people who can sing and then there are people who can sang. For those who don’t know the word “sang” used in this context is not poor grammar; instead it’s a word used to emphasize the width and breadth of a person’s vocal ability. We all know who the sangers are, they’re the people with soul. The people who can take you from the Slore house to the church house and back again. You know them: Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle & Luther Vandross of the old school and Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia of the new. (That’s just to name a few.) But just because a person can’t sang like some of the greats, doesn’t mean they don’t have talent and can’t make good music. Don’t believe me? Find out who I’m talking about.

Seriously, how can you not love Sade Adu? The woman’s voice, even to this day, is like butter. “Paradise” is definitely one of her certified classics, what with the catchy chorus and the salsa-worthy beat. Plus, the video is mad colorful and creative. I can’t believe that it was released so long ago in 1988, as it has been more than 20 years since she let us know that she would give a special someone the world if it were hers to give, but it’s actually a timeless song that even when played today, it gets people grooving. Personally, it’s a jam that gets my head bobbin’ and my hips moving, and when you’re having a hard time warming up to the work day, it’s sure to get you more motivated. Check it out and see for yourself!

Source: fugeesonline.proboards.com

First things first: THIS IS NOT A WHERE ARE THEY NOW? if you were wondering. Check back at the end of the week.

Anywho, while most actors, singers and more have chosen to let folks in on every single aspect of their lives thanks to their affiliations with social media sites like Twitter, Tumblr pages, reality television shows, and their quest to make errands a chance for a paparazzi photo op, there are a slew of big name artists who would balk at all that exposure. Some of the biggest names in entertainment over the years dropped albums, TV shows, had huge roles in movies and more over the years, only to disappear off of the face of the earth when the press and the people were calling for them. Why? Well, after reading the most recent issue of GQ, which profiled the rise, fall and re-emergence of D’Angelo, folks like Questlove eloquently explained it as “a crazy psychological kind of stoppage that prevents them from following through. A sort of self-saboteur disorder.”

Or maybe they just weren’t feeling folks all up and through their business and wanted to live like normal folks. Whatever motivates these artists to dip in and out of public view only they know, but we’re always happy when they come back. Here are a few, aside from the obvious Lauryn Hill and D’Angelo, who decided to step out of the spotlight when they were huge, but decided to come back later (before disappearing for a bit again).

Source: BlackVoices.cm

From BlackVoices.com

Following in the footsteps of Whitney Houston, Sam Cooke, Bob Marley, Sade, and Lauryn Hill is something that Melanie Fiona has always admired throughout her career. In support of Black Music Month, the Canadian-bred Grammy Award-winner opened up to the Huffington Post exclusively on the five black music icons and how they have inspired her to embark on a recording career.

“I think each one of those artists brings something very unique to their story and what their story is and what their passion is,” the 28-year-old explained. “And I think that you know it stems from great song writing and great voices really. I just think that that’s definitely what I’m inspired by.

“You know Sam Cooke and Whitney Houston I’d probably say are my two ultimate favorite favorites for voices. Bob Marley is just so…so powerful in showing that music can have a message and how that can effect and change the world. Sade; grace and class, beauty…you know, just amazing.”

Check out what Melanie Fiona had to say about Lauryn Hill as well as an exclusive performance of five tracks from her new album, “The MF Life,” on BlackVoices.com

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allhiphop.com

For an artist at their peak, the shine is brighter than the rays of summer. But the sun always sets. That hasn’t stopped some of our favorite R&B stars from attempting encores to put them back in the spotlight. Let’s take a look at some recent comebacks to the game by those who step to the mic and say that they never really left.

by Marissa Ellis

We know that “selling out” is part of the entertainment game. We do. But in light of the recent Mary J. Blige chicken-peddling fiasco, we appreciate those celebrities who are simply about their art that much more. Who are we talking about? Oh, you know, the ones that are successful enough to command the requests of advertisers seeking to hawk their products but classy enough to turn down offers to sing the praises of soda, chicken or DirectTV.

There’s nothing wrong with hawking products. This is America after all. But something about seeing Erykah Badu plugging The Gap just reduces her mystique and authenticity…ya know? Here are a few artists who have refused to water down their brand (and essentially turn down lucrative offers) for the sake of their main gig: being an artist.

Many entertainers look to and respect Sade. Beyonce just recently gave her a shout out on her new Tumblr page. But one thing that many of these popular artists don’t have on Sade is her focused love of the music – it’s so focused that she doesn’t engage in PR or care about red carpet engagements and certainly doesn’t care for endorsements. If there is one powerful global influencer out there when it comes to music, it’s Sade. We’re sure that Coke and Pepsi and countless others have begged for her plugs.

On my father’s side, my family is Nigerian. So many times, you can find me trying to claim a lot of other people as Nigerian, because in my mind, I like to pretend I’m an expert in these things (totally not). But it always trips me out when I find out that certain celebrities are Nigerian. Nowadays, it seems we’re everywhere! It’s usually obvious when you hear that someone’s name starts with a Ade-, Olu- or Temi-, but the following individuals, running around going by stage names and what not, have at some time or another, illuded my Nigerian senses. But now that I know, I thought I’d share. No worries, I’m probably going to come up with a list of Ghanaians, Jamaicans and a whole lot more soon enough. Enjoy!

In everyone’s list of  black women that helped define fashion throughout history, there are the persistent regulars. Let’s see: Grace Jones, Dorothy Dandridge, Halle Berry, Lena Horne, Diana Ross and on and on. They’re known best because they were bombshells or they were fashion freaks–I mean that in a good way, Grace Jones. But behind all these big names and the people that count them as their fashion icons, there have been women like you and me, who aren’t all about the over-the-top glitz but about wearing what works for them and them only. They make their own trends. They are the unsung icons of fashion. So here’s a toast to the women who changed your wardrobe, your hair, your makeup and overall style, even though you didn’t realize it.

By Khadija Allen

The biggest names in hip-hop and R&B music will be headlining the Black Ball NY charity event this year to raise awareness for families inflicted with HIV/AIDS. The event which will take place at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on September 30, will garner a host of surprise entertainers such as Jay-Z, Sade, and Alicia Keys to render a hand in the communal efforts in India, Africa and beyond to eradicate the disease or better yet, find a cure.

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