SWV

XSCAPE and SWV Reunite for ‘Queens of R&B Tour’ Featuring MÝA, Total, and 702

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XSCAPE and SWV Reunite for 'Queens of R&B Tour' Featuring MÝA, Total, and 702

Legendary groups XSCAPE and SWV have excited fans by announcing their joint tour, The Queens of R&B Tour, supported by MÝA, Total, and 702. This reunion tour celebrates women’s undeniable talent and camaraderie in the music industry, showcasing passion, power, and resilience.

Produced by Monami Entertainment and Live Nation, and represented by Seth Shomes of Day After Day Productions (DADP), the tour kicks off on June 27th at the Toyota Pavilion at Concord in Concord, CA. It will grace prestigious venues like Madison Square Garden in New York City and the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, offering a night of unforgettable R&B performances across 30 cities nationwide.

Tickets for this monumental event go on sale starting with a Citi presale on Tuesday, March 26, followed by additional presales throughout the week. General ticket sales commence on Friday, March 29, at 10:00 AM local time on Ticketmaster.com. Don’t miss the chance to experience this historic reunion of R&B royalty.

THE QUEENS OF R&B TOUR DATES:

Thu Jun 27 – Concord, CA – Toyota Pavilion at Concord 

Sat Jun 29 – Las Vegas, NV – Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino 

Tue Jul 02 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre 

Wed Jul 03 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater 

Fri Jul 05 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion 

Sat Jul 06 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman 

Tue Jul 09 – North Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena 

Wed Jul 10 – Birmingham, AL – Legacy Arena at The BJCC 

Fri Jul 12 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place 

Sat Jul 13 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre 

Sun Jul 14 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre 

Tue Jul 16 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre 

Wed Jul 17 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion 

Fri Jul 19 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena* 

Sat Jul 20 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek 

Sun Jul 21 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach 

Wed Jul 24 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden 

Thu Jul 25 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center 

Fri Jul 26 – Boston, MA – TD Garden 

Sat Jul 27 – Atlantic City, NJ – Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall

Fri Aug 02 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater 

Sat Aug 03 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview 

Sun Aug 04 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena 

Tue Aug 06 – Buffalo, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater 

Fri Aug 09 – Detroit, MI – LIttle Caesar’s Arena 

Sat Aug 10 – Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center 

Sun Aug 11 – Chicago, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre 

Tue Aug 13 – St. Louis, MO – Chaifetz Arena 

Wed Aug 14 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center 

Sun Aug 18 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum 

*Without Mýa

The post XSCAPE and SWV Reunite for ‘Queens of R&B Tour’ Featuring MÝA, Total, and 702 first appeared on The Source.

The post XSCAPE and SWV Reunite for ‘Queens of R&B Tour’ Featuring MÝA, Total, and 702 appeared first on The Source.

The Best Girl Groups Of The 90s

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Plenty of music fans are huge admirers of musicians in the 1990s. This is especially true for girl groups, as more than enough of them were clamoring to be the best on the charts. In addition, there was diversity among the popular girl groups of the time. Some were strictly R&B, while others combined their music with a more mainstream pop sound. Either way, these iconic groups from the ’90s have songs we still sing along to today.

Luckily, many of the best girl groups from the ’90s are still around today. Some are still touring and even appearing on reality TV, while others may not be together. However, social media allows fans to keep up with their favorite members. Of course, most groups don’t last forever. Thankfully, we have their catalogs to revisit anytime we want. Here are four groups of the 1990s that were set apart from their contemporaries.

TLC

By and large, TLC is considered one of the best girl groups of the 1990s. Made up of T-Boz, Chilli, and Left Eye, the group released its first album in 1992. Delivered by La Face Records, Oooooooh… on the TLC Tip spawned the hit singles “What About Your Friends” and “Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg.” It became certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA after selling four million copies by 1996. The group followed up its debut album with 1994’s CrazySexyCool, which contained the hit “Waterfalls” and became their biggest-selling LP.

Despite the success, TLC was bound to continue to climb the charts but also experience personal and professional turmoil. Their second biggest album, Fanmail, came out in 1999. It contained the career-defining “No Scrubs,” which Kandi Burruss wrote. To date, the album has sold over 10 million copies worldwide. Unfortunately, Left Eye passed away on April 25, 2002, due to a vehicle accident in Honduras. Since then, TLC has released two albums, 3D in 2002, which Left Eye was a part of, and a self-titled album in 2017. Chilli and T-Boz still perform as TLC today.

Xscape

Xscape is easily one of the best ’90s girl groups. Made up of Tiny, Kandi, Tamika, and LaTocha, Xscape released its first album, Hummin’ Comin’ At ‘Cha, in 1993 on Columbia Records. The album featured the hits “Just Kickin’ It” and “Understanding.” Xscape differed from the other girl groups of the ’90s because they had a more grounded aesthetic. Additionally, all four group members sang lead, which was not usually the case. They followed up the album two years later with Off The Hook. It featured the hit “Who Can I Run To.”

Today, Xscape is still an active group. Not only does the group still tour, but they are heavily involved with reality television. They recently did a show on Bravo called Queens of R&B with fellow 90s girl group SWV. However, the group has also experienced quite a bit of drama recently, leading to LaTocha’s release of a solo gospel album and not being part of the group. It should be noted that she still considers herself a member of Xscape. The other three members have discussed making new music in the near future.

SWV

You can’t discuss girl groups from the 90s without talking about SWV. The group’s first album, It’s About Time, was released by RCA Records in 1992. It featured the hits “Right Here/Human Nature” and “Weak.” SWV, comprised of Coko, Tamara, and Lelee, later revealed that Michael Jackson gave them clearance to sample him on “Right Here.” This shows his respect for their artistry early in their career.

To date, SWV released six albums, including a Christmas LP in 1997. It should be noted that the group didn’t release its proper second album until 1996 with New Beginning. This famous ’90s girl group has sold over 25 million units worldwide, with 11 million being album sales. Currently, SWV has over 3 million monthly listeners on Spotify. As mentioned, SWV is no stranger to reality TV, and they still tour today. Further, they released new albums in 2012 and 2016.

Destiny’s Child

You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone saying Destiny’s Child isn’t among the best girl groups from the ’90s. Though the group shifted members, the lasting members were Beyoncé, Kelly, and Michelle. To date, Destiny’s Child has sold over 60 million units worldwide. Some of the group’s biggest singles are “Bills, Bills, Bills,” “Survivor,” “Say My Name,” and “Independent Women, Pt. 1.”

After Destiny’s Child went on hiatus, they pursued successful solo careers. Kelly Rowland released her first album in 2002 with Simply Deep. Though not a huge seller, it featured the hit “Dilemma” with Nelly. Then, Beyoncé released her first solo album in 2003 with Dangerously in Love. She has become one of the most influential artists of all time. Michelle has succeeded in gospel, pop, and acting. In addition, the ladies performed together at the Super Bowl Halftime show in 2013.

The Best of SWV’s Songs

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SWV, short for Sisters With Voices, is an R&B group that rose to fame in the 1990s. With hits like “Weak” and “Right Here,” the group became a staple in R&B music. Their imprint on the genre is unmatched all these years later. The ladies are currently making headlines for their reality series (and tension) with Xscape, but they’re more than just pop culture drama. Coko, Taj, and LeeLee crooned their way into our hearts and playlists decades ago, so let’s look at those songs that have become the soundtrack to our lives.

“Weak” (1992)

“Weak” is perhaps SWV’s most well-known song. Released in 1992 as the lead single from their debut album, It’s About Time, the song became an instant hit. Produced by Brian Alexander Morgan, the track features a sample from The O’Jays’ “Cry Together.” It showcases the group’s harmonies and lead vocalist Coko’s standout vocals. As a result, “Weak” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and remains a classic R&B track.

“Right Here/Human Nature” (1992)

“Right Here/Human Nature” is a song that features a sample from Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature.” The hit track was released in 1992 as the second single from their debut album. It easily became another hit for the group. Again produced by Brian Alexander Morgan, the track reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“Rain” (1998)

“Rain” is a slow jam released in 1998 as the lead single from SWV’s third album, Release Some Tension. Produced by the group’s longtime collaborator, Allen “Allstar” Gordon, the track features the group’s signature harmonies and showcases their ability to create a sensual, romantic atmosphere with their music. “Rain” peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“Use Your Heart”

“Use Your Heart” is a ballad released in 1996 as the second single from SWV’s second album, New Beginning. Produced by Teddy Riley, the track features the group’s signature harmonies and showcases their ability to deliver emotional performances. The song’s message about the importance of using one’s heart in relationships resonated with fans and helped make it a hit. “Use Your Heart” reached the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“You’re Always On My Mind” (1992)

“You’re Always On My Mind” is a romantic ballad released in 1993 as the third single from SWV’s debut album. The song’s message about the power of love and how it can consume one’s thoughts resonated with fans and helped make it a hit. “You’re Always On My Mind” reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“Anything” (1992)

Brian Alexander Morgan produced “Anything,” track SWV released in 1994 as the third single from their debut album. The track features a sample from Johnnie Taylor’s song “Who’s Making Love” and showcases the group’s ability to blend classic R&B sounds with contemporary elements. The song was about being willing to do anything for love, which helped make it a hit. As a result, “Anything” reached the top twenty on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“I’m So Into You” (1992)

Brian Alexander Morgan produced “I’m So Into You,” one of the most upbeat SWV songs released in 1993 as the second single from their debut album. This one is a jam that remains on radio stations and DJ playlists worldwide. Fans were particularly drawn to the song’s message about being completely enamored with someone, which helped make it a hit. “I’m So Into You” reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“Downtown” (1992)

Brian Alexander Morgan also produced “Downtown,” an R&B track that SWV released in 1993 as the fourth single from their debut album. The track features a sample from the song “Impeach the President” by The Honey Drippers and showcases the group’s ability to blend classic R&B sounds with contemporary elements. The song’s message about enjoying a night out on the town resonated with fans and helped make it a hit. As a result, “Downtown” reached the top forty on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“Can We” (1997)

Allen ‘Allstar’ Gordon produced “Can We,” a slow jam that features SWV’s unique sound. They released it in 1997 as the second single from their third album. It showcases their music’s ability to create a sensual, romantic atmosphere. The song’s message is about wanting to take a relationship to the next level. “Can We” reached the top twenty on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“Lose My Cool” (1997)

They released “Lose My Cool” featuring Redman in 1997. The song was included on their Release Some Tension album. Although SWV partnered with New Jersey’s Finest for this track, they kept in their slow-groove lane. This isn’t their most popular song on the list, and it struggled to get on the charts, but the collaboration is still a favorite among the R&B fanbase. Which SWV song is the best, in your opinion?

[WATCH] Exclusive Clip: ‘SWV & XSCAPE: THE QUEENS OF R&B’ Sneak Peek

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swv

Check out this exclusive clip from Bravo’s hit series SWV & XSCAPE: THE QUEENS OF R&B. In this clip, the ladies continue their explosive conversation about who should close out their upcoming tour. From backstage requests to choice of outfits, the cattiness ensues in the next episode. Lelee breaks it down with her Bronx style, while Tiny’s passive-aggressive southern shade stings to the bones. Will the girls be able to put their differences aside so we can get the greatest 90’s r&B show of the year?

Watch the sneak peek below!

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Xscape & SWV Clash In “Queens Of R&B” Trailer: Watch

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They are two groups that dominated their era of R&B, and Xscape and SWV are uniting for a new reality show. Neither crew is a stranger to unscripted television, but fans will get an inside look at how they unite to rehearse for a one-night concert. The ladies know each other well and have performed together in the past, but Queens of R&B will give an inside look that not many are privy to.

Today (January 31), the Bravo network closed the month by sharing the first trailer for its new show. As expected, with so many famous voices, there is bound to be a bit of tension.

SWV, Xscape, R&B
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 11: Singers Leanne “Lelee” Lyons, Tamara Johnson-George and Coko from SWV attend the 2016 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)
Read More: Xscape & SWV Battle It Out In Exciting “Verzuz” Showdown

The trailer shows that much of the contention concerns who will be named the headliner. Additionally, unresolved issues from the past also creep into the present day, boiling over into uncomfortable conversations.

Still, fans of both Xscape and SWV know that the women have a longstanding respect for one another. We also celebrated them on the Verzuz stage in 2021 as they brought some of our favorite R&B jams to life in real time.

ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 05: Tamika Scott, Kandi Burruss, LaTocha Scott, and Tameka “Tiny” Harris of Xscape attend 2019 Black Music Honors – Arrivals at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center on September 5, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.(Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
Read More: Xscape Singer Tamika Scott Wants An SWV Or TLC “Verzuz” Battle

Make sure to tune in to watch these harmonizing icons on Queens of R&B, premiering March 5 on Bravo. Also, check out the trailer below.

[via]

Mary J Blige and Diddy Discuss How Pop Music Tried to”Kill” R&B on IG Live

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Mary J Blige

She may be the queen of R&B, but Mary J Blige expressed some concerns about the current state of her kingdom (queendom?) on a spirited discussion with Diddy on IG live in which she claims that pop music killed the R&B genre.

Diddy took to IG live on this week via Hollywood Unlocked after he had asked his followers: “Who killed R&B?” Mary J Blige joined him for a live session (which is archived here) to discuss her thoughts on the genre’s current state and how it got there.

Of R&B being “killed,” she said that “You can’t kill something that’s in our DNA. It’s going to keep transitioning from generation to generation to generation,” noting how many people her age have passed down a love of the genre to their children.

She did however, note that many mainstream radio stations have tried to kill R&B, or at least change the genre to be more in line with mainstream taste.

She first thanked the radio stations around the country that play and support R&B music before explaining that radio stations tend to jump on the bandwagon and play whatever is popular.

She said that the radio stations call it “popular music” when artists like Justin Timberlake and Adele get ahold of it, before explaining that “it [R&B] has been popular music.”

She stated that R&B can’t be killed, explaining that “we have to keep ourselves alive. You can’t kill us because we’re already in the system, in the bloodline, the DNA.”

She cited many popular R&B artists including Chris Brown, Chaka Khan, Etta James, Usher, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Jazmine Sullivan, and SWV that have not been “killed” and are keeping the genre alive.

She also encouraged R&B fans not to be “sheep” and get angry at the radio stations, but rather be shepherds and promote the genre and request more R&B on mainstream radio.

Mary J Blige’s “Good Morning Gorgeous Tour” starts September 17.

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The Most Memorable Beauty Moments in Hip-Hop

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Image via Complex Original
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    Salt-N-Pepa’s Hair

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    Rihanna’s Bob

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    Cassie’s Shaved Head

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    Amber Rose’s Buzzcut

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    Coko of SWV’s Nails

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    Keyshia Ka’oir’s Blue Lipstick

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    Lil’ Kim’s Logo Wig

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    Mary J. Blige’s Nude Glamour

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    Aaliyah’s “No Makeup” Makeup

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    ASAP Rocky’s Nails

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    André 3000’s Wigs

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    Kid ‘n Play’s Hair

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    Nicki Minaj’s Barbie Aesthetic

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    Foxy Brown’s Eyebrows

The Roots Picnic 2022 Takes Philly By Storm: Top 5 Roots Picnic Moments

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Roots Picnic

After a very long two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the annual Roots Picnic curated by festival co-founders Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson is back and better than ever. This past weekend, The Mann in Philadelphia was filled with beautiful Black people, Black music, Black excellence – a powerful representation in […]

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SWV VERZUZ XSCAPE Really Happened In Epic Fashion

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The latest VERZUZ mash-up went down even better than expected. After weeks of mounted anticipation, R&B group SWV faced off in a memorable match-up of classics against XSCAPE. SWV VERZUZ XSCAPE Really Happened The Saturday night festivities included a flurry of unforgettable tunes by both groups. From SWV’s “I’m So Into You” to “You’re The […]

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