January 03, 2019
By Gary Gerald Hamilton
Associated Press
Getting Dr. Dre to produce his entire album had Anderson .Paak feeling like “the prodigal son,” as he put it, since it's rare that you'll find Dre overseeing an entire music project these days.
“To see him so inspired and genuinely having fun with a project is really dope, because I don’t feel like he’s been this involved with a project probably since Eminem’s first stuff,” said Paak, now signed to Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment.
That project is “Oxnard,” named after Paak’s California hometown. Released last month, it’s the third volume in his “beach series,” following 2014’s “Venice” and 2016’s Grammy-nominated “Malibu.”
Paak, an eclectic musician who blends funk, hip-hop and R&B, was featured on six songs from Dre’s latest album, 2016’s “Compton.” In recent years, Dre has become more famous for pushing the Beats by Dre brand though his resume includes producing hits for Eminem, 50 Cent, Tupac, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, and Eve, as well as launching his own multi-platinum albums.
“I remember when we wrapped up (Dre) was like, ‘Thank you, man. I know this is helping you, but it’s also helping me a lot,’” Paak said. “I feel like it gave him a spark again.”
Dre isn’t the only famous name to appear on “Oxnard,” Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, J. Cole, Q-Tip and Pusha T also are on the album.
“I feel like there a lot of features, but it didn’t feel like a lot of features. It was almost like, ‘Oh, shoot – surprise,’” said Paak, adding that he was “humbled to be able to be in the same room with some of these people.”
Paak, a church-grown percussionist, describes his latest work as “fun,” but “same man, new car.” The vibe on “Onxard” is different compared to “Malibu,” a shift that was purposeful.
“We’re just never trying to do the same thing twice – it’s not interesting for us. We just want to keep growing as artists,” said Paak. “We did a lot of rapping on this album. It was a lot of fun songs, a lot of songs to dance to, a lot of big, hard-hitting production.”
The musician's unique sound has been spreading throughout the industry, and he's well aware of it: “I’m looking at some of these dudes like, ‘Mo-fo, that sounds like me! What the hell?’”
He said though he’s “flattered,” he hopes it creates a resurgence of musicianship in rap.
“I would love to open up a lane for more musician-rappers in hip-hop, more people playing an instrument and performing in hip-hop, which is something you really don’t see too often,” he said.
Paak, 32, will get to show off what he can do onstage when he launches his “Andy’s Beach Club World Tour’ next year. It kicks off Feb. 11 in San Francisco – one day after the Grammy Awards, where Paak’s song “Bubblin” is nominated for best rap performance.
Winning a Grammy is one of Paak’s goals, among other things.
“We cracked (the) Billboard (chart) this time around, and I never really knew what that was like, so it’d be nice to stay within, you know, keep cracking that, getting higher and higher up. Snatch some awards, some Grammys. I would like to continue to build a top-notch show. I want to be able to be one of those bands, like legacy bands, that can tour forever,” he said.
January 03, 2019
By Cora Jackson-Fossett
Contributing Writer
Rumors of the demise of R&B will never come true as long as Peabo Bryson is around.
That’s because the legendary artist is perhaps the genre’s biggest advocate and constantly delivers soulful tracks to keep it alive.
Long known for enduring hits such as “Feel the Fire” and “I’m So Into You,” Bryson is back with a re-release of his popular album, “Stand For Love,” which featured two chart-topping songs – “All She Wants to do is Me” and “Love Like Yours and Mine.”
The new deluxe CD promises to attain equal heights. Already, “Looking for Sade,” the single with special guest Boney James, is number one on the Jazz list and the other eight songs on the album are garnering lots of attention.
But, Bryson is aiming for more than attention. His true mission is to keep R&B relevant and attractive to all generations – younger and older.
“There’s something for everyone on this particular CD,” said Bryson, who collaborated with iconic producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on the project. “I don’t make music for myself anymore. I make music for those who will endear themselves to it, take something from it and pass that something on.”
He also believes “Stand For Love” will help rekindle the importance of relationships as opposed to hook-ups. In his opinion, establishing heartfelt connections with others transcends all age groups.
“You’re not always going to be 20, 30 or even 40-years-old. Nobody’s going to be young forever. You’ll need a real relationship and that’s what R&B is traditionally meant for – for the artist to say out loud what something really is that you relate to people. All of it is based on real relationships,” insisted Bryson.
His catalogue underscores his commitment to that philosophy, which includes timeless R&B hits such as “Can You Stop the Rain” and “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” recorded with Roberta Flack. Further evidence of his devotion to love appear in his musical renditions of “Beauty and the Beast,” sang with Celine Dion, and “A Whole New World” with Regina Belle for the movie “Aladdin.”
“That’s all ‘Stand For Love’ really is – it’s a reminder that we are human beings,” explained Bryson, who credited producers Lewis and Jam with aiding him in making music to reflect that theme.
“You have Jimmy and Terry – who are two of the finest human beings, let alone two of the greatest music producers of all times – they understand exactly what life is and what life isn’t. It’s an odd thing to be in a relationship, musically, or in a music fellowship with two iconic human beings,” noted Bryson.
“The thing I noticed about them is the absence of ego and importance. They actually listen and so collaboration with them is exactly that. You can contribute as much as your skill set will take you. They are only interested in you being all that you can be that represents you. They’re all about making your reality come true. They are geniuses at it!”
Another quality Jam and Lewis possessed, said Bryson, was the ability to make him “relevant in any music conversation going on today” without comprising the integrity of his career, which he built over multiple decades. But audiences agree that his concerns were needless because “Stand For Love” only enhances Bryson’s long history of classic hits.
In addition, the album’s success reassured him that he must remain true to his R&B roots. That message was honed in him by two of his best friends.
“Aretha (Franklin) is one person that kept me true to my course. She always encouraged me to hold out because she knew what I was holding out for – the same thing she had been holding out for her entire life. We tried to make that work, tried to find that thing that suits us and what suits us is very, very unique,” recalled Bryson.
“Also, Nancy Wilson – the single greatest jazz vocalist ever - always encouraged me to not give up about finding that thing for me. Aretha and Nancy are the two most iconic vocalists ever to me. In their genre, they reign supreme!”
Considering their advice, Bryson said his devotion to R&B will remain secure as well as relevant. “Is there hope for R&B? Sure and it’s going to get better,” he declared. “Love will always be relevant. It’s an ever-changing, all-encompassing phenomenon that is constantly evolving.”
“Stand For Love” is available in stores and online at iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music and Google Play. To learn more, visit TheRealPeaboBryson.com.
December 27, 2018
By Kam Williams
Contributing Writer
Best Big Budget Black Films
1. “If Beale Street Could Talk”
2. “Black Panther”
3. “Green Book”
4. “The Hate U Give”
5. “The Equalizer 2”
6. “Uncle Drew”
7. “BlacKkKlansman”
8. “Superfly”
9. “Nobody’s Fool”
10. “A Wrinkle in Time”
Best Independent Black Films
1. “Sorry to Bother You”
2. “Blindspotting”
3. “Monsters and Men”
4. “Nappily Ever After”
5. “Traffik”
6. “Kings”
7. “Gemini”
8. “Roxanne Roxanne”
9. “Tyrel”
10. “The Citizen”
Best Black Documentaries
1. “Quincy”
2. “The Final Year”
3. “Where’s Daddy?”
4. “Making The Five Heartbeats”
5. “The Lost Tapes: Malcolm X”
Best Actor (Lead Role)
1. Stephan James (“If Beale Street Could Talk”)
2. Chadwick Boseman (“Black Panther”)
3. John David Washington (“BlacKkKlansman” and “Monsters and Men”)
4. Lakeith Stanfield (“Sorry to Bother You”)
5. Daveed Diggs (“Blindspotting”)
6. Denzel Washington (“The Equalizer 2”)
7. Kyrie Irving (“Uncle Drew”)
8. Trevor Jackson (“Superfly”)
9. David Oyelowo (“Gringo”)
10. Jeffrey Wright (“Hold the Dark”)
Best Actor (Supporting Role)
1. Mahershala Ali (“Green Book”)
2. Michael B. Jordan (“Black Panther”)
3. Daniel Kaluuya (“Widows” and “Black Panther”)
4. Russell Hornsby (“The Hate U Give”)
5. Courtney B. Vance (“Ben Is Back”)
6. Ving Rhames (“Mission Impossible: Fallout”)
7. Anthony Mackie (“The Hate U Give”)
8. Jorge Lendeborg, Jr. (“Love, Simon”)
9. Shaquille O’Neal (“Uncle Drew”)
10. Common (“The Hate U Give”)
Best Actress (Lead Role)
1. Viola Davis (“Widows”)
2. Kiki Layne (“If Beale Street Could Talk”)
3. Amandla Stenberg (“The Hate U Give”)
4. Zoe Kravitz (“Gemini”)
5. Sanaa Lathan (“Nappily Ever After”)
6. Paula Patton (“Traffik”)
7. Regina Hall (“Support the Girls”)
8. Storm Reid (“A Wrinkle in Time”)
9. Halle Bery (“Kings”)
10. Tiffany Haddish (“Night School” and “Nobody’s Fool”)
Best Actress (Supporting Role)
1. Regina King (“If Beale Street Could Talk”)
2. Letitia Wright (“Black Panther”)
3. Tessa Thompson (“Sorry to Bother You”)
4. Lena Waithe (“Ready Player One”)
5. Regina Hall (“The Hate U Give”)
6. Aunjanue Ellis (“If Beale Street Could Talk”)
7. Lupita Nyong’o (“Black Panther”)
8. Tiffany Haddish (“Uncle Drew”)
9. Oprah Winfrey (“A Wrinkle in Time”)
10. Danai Gurira (“Black Panther”)
Best Big Budget Directors
1. Barry Jenkins (“If Beale Street Could Talk”)
2. Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther”)
3. George Tillman, Jr. (“The Hate U Give”)
4. Spike Lee (“BlacKkKlansman”)
5. Charles Stone III (“Uncle Drew”)
6. Director X. (“Superfly”)
7. Antoine Fuqua (“The Equalizer 2”)
8. Ava DuVernay (“A Wrinkle in Time”)
9. Deon Taylor (“Traffik”)
10. Tyler Perry (“Nobody’s Fool”)
Best Independent and Documentary Directors
1. Boots Riley (“Sorry to Bother You”)
2. Reinaldo Marcus Green (“Monsters and Men”)
3. Rashida Jones (“Quincy”)
4. Rel Dowdell (“Where’s Daddy”)
5. Robert Townsend (“Making The Five Heartbeats”)
December 27, 2018
Aries
MAR 21 - APR 19
Are you selling out or selling yourself short, Aries? Let's keep it real and call your attention to the fact that maybe, just maybe, there is a situation in your love life where you are so blown away by the intensity of your connection with someone that you are compromising your personal integrity in the process. The details can take many forms, but there is one clear commonality in the theme for you this week: You are lying to yourself. Sure, it's complicated. The love is real. But ask yourself, is love enough?
Taurus
APR 20 - MAY 20
Your love for someone is so intense, so transcendental, and so powerful that nothing else seems to matter these days ... except that life keeps moving and you do have other responsibilities to pay attention to. This week it is quite possible that you're going to drop the ball in your social life because you're so caught up in your love life. A friend who needs you might be sorely disappointed at your lack of communication. It's also possible that an organization you volunteer for will feel you're not fully present in your commitment to them. Taurus, love is grand but there IS more to life. Pay attention!
Gemini
MAY 21 - JUN 20
You might feel extra disappointed in your partner this week. A conversation that you were so excited to have with him or her about your career goals may go south. Suddenly, you might realize that your sweetheart isn't as supportive of you and your goals in the way you originally thought. Still, there is a major work opportunity ahead and you need to make sure that you seize the moment if you want it. Don't let anyone dull your sparkle, Gemini -- not even your mate.
Cancer
JUN 21 - JUL 22
If you're single, it's possible you'll meet someone at a holiday party or other fun event. If you're spending the holidays with your clan, a relative might invite a friend to have dinner with all of you. This friend could turn into your new romantic connection! If you're already in a relationship, then you and your partner will have a jolly time spoiling each other -- and your kids if you have any -- with gifts during the holiday festivities this week. Your heart will be full, and you'll be grateful to have this much love in your life.
Leo
JUL 23 - AUG 22
You and your lover might not be sending each other clear intentions or messages when it comes to your sex life. If you recently started to date someone, this may not be the best week to initiate a conversation about sex. There might be a misunderstanding or one of you might change your mind, leaving the other person totally baffled. If you're already in a physical relationship, then you might find it more difficult to tell your partner what you enjoy or don't enjoy. The positive side of this energy is that your fantasy life will be off the charts. Bringing it to reality is a different story entirely.
Virgo
AUG 23 - SEP 22
Communicating the depths of your emotion for your partner usually isn't your style, but you're likely to experience a whole new level of intensity behind your feelings this week. You'll also find it easy to communicate secrets (if you have any) to your partner or other information that you know will leave you more vulnerable than usual. This ability to soften your guard enough to truly allow love into your life is an important growing experience for you now. Congratulations! You are learning a major soul lesson.
Libra
SEP 23 - OCT 22
A conversation with an elderly relative about your love life will do you good this week. This family member has quite a bit of wisdom to share. Personal wisdom about life, love, loss, and the ability to keep one's heart open despite traumatic heartbreak and disappointment. The stories that you'll hear will help you put your own personal love life scenario into perspective and will remind you just how valuable and lovable you are. Ask this person for advice about what's really troubling you, Libra. You won't regret it.
Scorpio
OCT 23 - NOV 21
There might be some confusing conversations between you and your sweetheart about money this week. You're able to see through any lies better than most people are, and if you catch your lover in one, you'll be gravely disappointed. It might not even be a terrible fib, but the fact that he or she chose to mislead you or omit information will certainly not sit well with you. Your partner seems to be having more trouble managing finances than you'd like to see. Try to help but do so without making him or her feel controlled. That's the key.
Sagittarius
NOV 22 - DEC 21
You've got plenty to say this week, but you need to be careful as your words are not exactly coming out clearly. In fact, you might be changing your mind about a situation from moment to moment, which will only come across as fickle at best and outright deception at worst. If this is happening in your love life, it will have more to do with a domestic matter connected to you and your sweetheart. For example, you might not want to move in with your partner, while he or she is ready to take the plunge. Instead of being direct, you may circle around the matter, which will only confuse and frustrate your mate. Honesty is always the best policy. But first, you need to be honest with yourself.
Capricorn
DEC 22 - JAN 19
The best advice you can hear about your love life this week from one of your friends is that it's time to stop chasing ghosts. You seem to be living in the past or are stuck in a stagnant situation that is clearly not serving you. Perhaps you're hung up on an ex and you aren't allowing yourself the gift of healing in order to finally set yourself free and move forward. You might be clinging to false hope when the truth is, the door is truly closed on this situation. Allow your friend to help you see once and for all that you might be lying to yourself. You deserve so much more.
Aquarius
JAN 20 - FEB 18
A friend of yours might have an agenda that is truly not in your best interest this week. Unfortunately, it might somehow involve your love life. This person might have a crush on the very same person you've got your eyes on. Even worse, it could be the person you're already dating. There might even be some secretive communication already happening between them, so if you suspect something is off, then you'll want to trust your gut and follow up. Another possibility is that it's your lover who is trying to sabotage one of your friendships. He or she might believe this person is not healthy for you to be around. Only you can decide if this is true.
Pisces
FEB 19 - MAR 20
You have two choices this week, Pisces: keep the blinders on or start asking questions that might open up a Pandora's box you're not quite ready for. You are the eternal idealist of the zodiac and much prefer to see the very best in others. As a result, you tend to choose to pull the wool over your own eyes, even when there are glaring red flags smacking you in the face. Maybe your partner is keeping a secret from you and maybe he or she isn't. Perhaps it's more about a confusing conversation. Either way, at some point you have to ask yourself if the fantasy is worth the price you're paying.