Jill Scott, 'Hidden Beach Presents: The Original Jill Scott From the Vault Vol. 1'

When Jill Scott emerged on the scene in 2000 with Who Is Jill Scott? Words + Sounds, Vol. 1, a heavy sigh swept across the country. It was the collective exhaling of thousands of women who'd found a kindred spirit; a home girl who understood the depths of their passion, pain, self-determination and other life challenges, housed within a refreshing sanctuary of R&B/soul, hip-hop, gospel and jazz. Scott still has the touch: The Light of the Sun, her first album for Blues Babe/Warner Bros., debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in June. But fans are in for an added treat with this collection from her former label. Comprising new tracks, alternate versions and bonus material recorded during her tenure with the label, the project (available in standard and deluxe editions) transcends the thrown-together, unfinished feeling frequently associated with from-the-vault projects. Hand-picked by Scott and Hidden Beach, standouts include the moving "Wake Up Baby," the empowering "I'm Prettier" and Scott's revamp of the Bill Withers classic "Lovely Day." The raw emotion and range of Scott's voice and her remarkable gift for wordplay are consistent throughout. It's the evolution of a career artist in the making.

International Artist Kelis and her NEW Project

Here’s a first look at Kelis‘ hot new Rankin photo shoot from her upcoming “Fleshtones” CD.

Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Kelis will release her next album through will.i.am Music Group / Interscope Records. Kelis has just given everyone a taste of what’s to come with the David Guetta-produced “Acapella,” which is now available on her website www.iamkelis.com. The new album features production work by some of today’s most influential producers, including will.i.am, David Guetta (Black Eyed Peas), Free School, Boys Noize, Burns and DJ Ammo.

Says Kelis, “I love that I am now a new part of the Interscope family. 2010 is around the corner and I can’t wait to put out new music and spend time with real music fans on tour again.” Adds will.i.am, “Kelis represents the kind of edge that pushes all of us not just musically but stylistically as well. She has always opened new doors for her audience and we’re ready to walk through this next one with her.” Jimmy Iovine, Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records concurs, adding, “Kelis is a true artist and we’re so excited to start this new chapter in her musical life.”

Will.I.Am told

Vibe Magazine that Kelis has the potential to be a huge international success…
"Kelis has always been a best kept secret. The cool people know Kelis. But the majority of people just know ‘Milkshake.’ If Kelis were fashion she would be a girl’s favorite pair of shoes or a coat…high fashion. I would like Kelis to show she’s an international sensation. She can be big. A lot of people think big is being on the radio or that being big is having a show in London, France and sometimes Japan. But that ain’t international…that’s just three countries. The Black Eyed Peas are big; the Black Eyed Peas are international. I think Kelis can be that big. As big as the Peas. Fergie is huge. When Fergie blew up she was bigger than me! I believe Kelis can do the same."

She was the first girl to scream on a track!!!

Monica's "Still Standing" TV Is A Must-See; Album Is A Must-Have

R&B starlet Monica gave cable network BET one of its best original programming shows ever.  Monica's reality-TV "Still Standing" chronicles the life of this one-time top-charting diva making a comeback in the R&B/pop game.  Along with her quest to return to urban music dominance, she juggles life as a mother and a partner to popular Atlanta rapper Rocko.  

What sets "Standing" against other BET reality shows such as [fellow singer] Keyshia Cole's "The Way It Is" and "College Hill" is that the other shows exploit the negative characteristics of the cast members rather than addressing and solving them as responsible adults who care about their reputations would.  As viewers see that Monica tackles health problems within her immediate family, relationship issues within her inner circle and the pressures of making a great comeback album, they notice a young woman who owns her life and handles her pressure with sophistication while keeping things real with her fans as she performs her hits and tells stories about her journeys.

Watch this recent episode below.  Monica adds the finishing touches to her upcoming album Still Standing.  Hopefully, the song "Betcha," which heavily samples Evelyn King's 1982 R&B classic "Betcha She Don't Love You," becomes the album's first single.  Produced by rapper Missy Elliott, the song has the potentially to become Monica's first crossover hit since 1998's "Angel Of Mine."  Other songs played in the episode, "One In A Lifetime" and "Stay Or Go," may suggest that Ms. Arnold may engage in one of the greatest comeback in R&B music history. 

Are you anticipating the Still Standing album?