90s R&B Archives - New Hip Hop News

Best R&B Covers Of Mary J. Blige’s “Real Love” Classic

February 29, 2024 by newhiphopnews

On August 25, 1992, Mary J. Blige released “Real Love,” the second single from her debut album, What’s the 411? Over three decades since it dropped, the song is now widely regarded as an R&B classic. During a recent tribute performance by Summer Walker, “Real Love” is one of the songs the singer covers. Unfortunately, the performance has caught mixed reactions since it reached the internet. Although Walker is a great singer herself, fans argue that better covers of “Real Love” exist.

Certainly, many covers of “Real Love” have been made by several artists across different genres. However, many of the best ones we’ve seen keep the song true to its R&B roots. There are a multitude of gifted vocalists around the world, and some truly blessed singers have covered this track. Here’s a list of some of the best covers of “Real Love” that exist.

Ciana Pelekai

Singer and YouTuber Ciana Pelekai uploaded her cover of “Real Love” to YouTube on May 21, 2020. It is a really simple video and shows Pelekai performing the song karaoke-style from the comfort of her home. However, a good vocalist is recognizable with or without big production, and Pelekai delivers a great performance. She infuses just the right amount of emotion into her singing and effortlessly glides through the entire song. Many other covers are available on her channel, but the “Real Love” video is a must-watch.

Coco Jones

In celebration of Black Music Month 2023, REVOLT and Xfinity invited Coco Jones to perform “Real Love” on an episode of The Link Up. The episode was uploaded to REVOLT’s YouTube channel on June 19, and they describe Jones’s cover as a “modern twist” of the classic. Admittedly so, considering the interesting choices that are made with the performance. It features an ensemble of musicians playing several instruments, ranging from a cello to a vocoder. Everything is held together by Coco Jones, whose voice glides through it all like butter.

Alicia Keys

It’s no coincidence that Alicia Keys is on this list. Despite the drama concerning her performance at the Super Bowl, Keys is a great vocalist, and that’s a fact. During a One Night Only event in 2011, the singer performed Blige’s classic. Although she only briefly covers “Real Love,” Alicia Keys’s performance of the song leaves a lasting impression. While many would argue that nobody else can sing it quite like Mary J. Blige, Keys’ voice is also a really good fit. Her cover, only accompanied by a piano which she plays, is simple but profound.

Dia Malai

For her blind audition at NBC’s The Voice in October 2022, Dia Malai performed this smash hit. Despite the nerves, she undoubtedly feels Malai covers “Real Love” like a pro. Merely seconds after she started singing, she received a turn from John Legend, and rightly so. While the rest of the performance went by without any more turns, the singer undoubtedly brought the heat on stage. Her vocals and stage presence were right on point.

Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson is the queen of covers, and she absolutely devoured “Real Love” when she performed it on her show. In the middle of every episode of the Kelly Clarkson Show, the singer covers a song that is a hit every single time. Fans now lovingly refer to this segment of the show as “Kellyoke.” Without a doubt, it is one of the highlights of the entire. Time after time, it showcases what an incredible singer Clarkson is. She has a reputation for eating up every song she sings, and she certainly left no crumbs on “Real Love.”

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Jagged Edge: Where Are They Now?

December 22, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Jagged Edge was one of the R&B groups that dominated in the 90s. Consisting of identical twin brothers Brian and Brandon Casey, and Kyle Norman and Richard Wingo, the group initially blew up in 1999 with their second album, J.E. Heartbreak. The album churned out singles such as ”Let’s Get Married” and “He Can’t Love You.” Unlike many other groups formed in the 90s, Jagged Edge never separated or went on breaks. They are still going strong to date.

Jagged Edge Remains Inseparable

As aforementioned, Jagged Edge is still making music as a group. While they’re not replicating their early numbers, they are still enjoying moderate success. The follow-up to JE Heartbreak, their classic album, was titled JE Heartbreak II, and released in 2014. Moreover, their impressive album, Layover, dropped in 2017, showcasing their devotion to R&B.

Jagged Edge’s most recent release was 2020’s A Jagged Love Story, which was also their 10th studio album. The highly anticipated album contained a whopping 31 songs, and kept listeners warm all through the height of the lockdown. Since then, they’ve released a few more singles, particularly 2022’s ”Inseparable,” which was a moderate hit. Moreover, Jagged Edge has also been doing some light touring around the United States for most of 2023, and will be performing more shows in 2024. Besides their work as a group, here’s what each of the members of the group is up to now.

Brian & Brandon Casey

Identical twins Brian and Brandon Casey are the primary songwriters behind Jagged Edge. Furthermore, in recent years, they have also taken on producing for the group. This is especially true for their last two albums, Layover and A Jagged Love Story. The twins have always been known for their songwriting prowess, even penning hits for others.

The Casey brothers are very quiet about their private lives. However, Brandon has shared that he has three children: two daughters and a son. He was also involved in a ghastly car accident. Thankfully, it was not fatal. Both brothers have also previously dated Destiny’s Child’s members. While Brandon dated LaTavia Roberson, and Brian dated LeToya Luckett.

Richard Wingo

Richard Wingo is one of Jagged Edge’s vocalists. Known professionally as just Wingo, he has been with the group from the start, although he was the last member to join. Wingo released his first solo mixtape, Life Of The Party, in 2012. He has been married to Jadore Summer for 16 years.

Kyle Norman

The final member of Jagged Edge is Kyle Norman. Norman fell under some fire in 2015 after assaulting his then fiancé Marikka Maria. The incident led to him getting a fifteen-month probation. The two appeared on Steve Harvey to discuss the incident. They later got married and divorced. He has since been remarried. He later got into more legal trouble when he was reportedly accused of trying to stab his son. Today, he remains an active member of Jagged Edge and launched his own line of beard oils.

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7 Of The Best 90s R&B Groups

November 20, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Even though the 80s were a landmark time for R&B groups, the 90s were an even more interesting period. This decade saw the rise of various groups that revitalized and defined the genre. Between the harmonies of Boyz II Men and the versatility of Xscape, 90s R&B is often regarded as a pinnacle of the genre. Several groups became widely impactful due to their aesthetics and mass appeal to fans. However, of the bulk of R&B groups that soared in the 90s, these seven were indomitable.

Read More: The Best Girl Groups Of The 90s

Boyz II Men

When it comes to R&B powerhouses, look no further than Boyz II Men. The group initially got their big break at the start of the ’90s, thanks to their singles “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday,” and “Mowtownphilly.” However, at the peak of their career in the mid-90s, they were untouchable. In fact, they have spent a cumulative of 50 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. Now a trio, Boyz II Men’s lineup includes Nathan Morris, Wanyá Morris, and Shawn Stockman.

Jodeci

Another iconic quartet that dominated the 90s R&B scene was Jodeci. Made up of two pairs of brothers, the men of Jodeci realized that their talents were well suited to each other. What resulted was one of the most musically diverse groups of the 90s. They also had a steady streak of platinum-certified R&B albums during the 90s, beginning with their debut, Forever My Lady.

TLC

T-Boz, Left Eye, and Chilli made up TLC, the best-selling American girl group in the world. Their unique blend of hip-hop and R&B, paired with their tomboyish aesthetic set them apart from their contemporaries. The group was formed in 1990 but it was not until the release of their Diamond-certified second album, CrazySexyCool in 1994 that they were catapulted to stardom. Their third album, Fanmail was released in 1999 and assisted in cementing their spot in R&B history.

Dru Hill

Dru Hill dabbled in various genres of music, drawing inspiration from groups that came before them. Their number one hits, “How Deep Is Your Love,” and “In My Bed” are some of their best-known works. Their first two albums, Dru Hill, and Enter The Dru gained them four American Music Awards nominations, and two Soul Train Music Awards wins. Dru Hill has become widely known for aiding the rise of contemporary R&B in the 90s.

SWV

Sisters With Voices lived up to their name, armed with their harmonic and melodious voices. This quickly made them one of the best R&B groups of the 90s. Cheryl Gamble, Tamara George, and Leanne Lyons started their group as a gospel trio, but soon pivoted to R&B. Some of their standout hits include “Weak,” “I’m So Into You,” and “You’re the One.” Moreover, they are among the best-selling girl groups of all time, with more than 25 million records sold.

Xscape

Xscape was one of the first groups signed on to So So Def, the record label owned by Hip Hop juggernaut Jermaine Dupri. They had a unique, ear-grabbing style, and their gospel infusion was notable. Furthermore, their debut album, Hummin’ Comin’ At Cha, delivered the hits that gained them mainstream success. Their next two albums were also commercial successes, and the group sold over 9 million records globally.

Destiny’s Child

Although they reached even greater heights by the 2000s, Destiny’s Child is still an immovable presence in the 90s R&B scene. Singles like “Bills, Bills, Bills” and “Say My Name,” and several multi-platinum albums are a testament to their early success. Even though the trio of Beyoncé, Kelly, and Michele is the most popular, LaTavia Roberson and Letoya Luckett greatly contributed to the rise of Destiny’s Child. Their sophomore album, The Writing’s on the Wall, was certified 8x platinum as far back as 2001.

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