For most of my life I've considered myself an underdog. Someone that is always beating out the odds despite the obstacles that are placed in my way. Most people don't see me coming until I arrive in full view. Therefore I love and thoroughly enjoy celebrating others that are on their way to greatness. I had the honor and privilege of listening to some artists that you may not be familiar with musically. Enjoy some snippets of their voices below and learn a little more about their journey. Lion Babe
I first learned of the duo Lion Babe via a music streaming service two years ago. Their unique sound captivated my ears and persuaded me to learn more about their artistry. Singer Jillian Hervey and producer Lucas Goodman create a neo soul appeal that is difficult to ignore. As the daughter of Vanessa Williams, the first African-American Miss America and accomplished singer and actress, Jillian Hervey's talent doesn't fall too far from the musical tree. It's also interesting to learn that Jillian uses her background in contemporary and modern dance to build upon the choreography in their music videos. Needless to say, I am in love with Jillian's lioness mane. Her hair is absolutely gorgeous. My son is a fan of this duo and loves the song, "Treat Me Like Fire" which is also one of my favorites from their 2014 EP titled, Lion Babe. Visit lionbabe.com for more details on their upcoming projects. Eric Bellinger Eric Bellinger is an R&B singer/songwriter that has written songs for artists such as Usher, Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Trey Songz and Selena Gomez. Eric is now taking the leap into building his own artistry and I applaud him for that. As an independent venture, he has been grinding for six years to create a fan base for his voice. The latest project he completed is titled Eventually and includes 12 songs. His last single, "Valet" reached the Top 40 and the single "I Don't Wanna" helped him spark a buzz among radio listeners. A fun fact I learned is that he is married to the sister of actress Meagan Goode. I look forward to hearing more from Eric as an artist. Visit him on social media @EricBellinger. Grace Gibson Grace Gibson is all that to me. Not only is she the daughter of the incomparable Lynn Whitfield, this woman has a certain je ne sais quoit about her that is quite intriguing. She is a singer and an actress that is making herself known in the entertainment business. After just wrapping the feature film, All Eyez On Me, a documentary/biopic of rapper Tupac, Grace came to the Essence Music Festival to celebrate the festivities and her music. She is an artist that is serious about her craft and I love it! I noticed this drive and energy as she was preparing to give us an impromptu performance of Nina Simone's "Be My Husband." Grace is one to watch. Visit her on social media @thegracegibson. Maya Azucena Maya Azucena describes herself as a full time artist and an advocate for art as power. As an award winning international artist, Maya loves traveling around the world and using music to inspire and empower others. In 2007, her collaboration with Stephen Marley on the record Mind Control, helped him garner a 2008 Grammy for Best Reggae Album. There are other countless collaborations with artists she has been involved with to signify the fact, Maya possesses the gift of turning albums into gold mines. One thing you also can't deny is that she is using her platform to bring about change. Her spirit is captivating and she is a force to be reckoned with. Unleash Me is an upcoming project LP that will be released later this year. For more information about Maya visit her site www.mayaazucena.com or social media @mayaazucena. Tank and The Bangas Tank and the Bangas represent an authentic recipe for musical gumbo. Their style, vibe and sound remind me of a group culture that is undeniably good. Being that they are all preacher's kids or grandkids helps to solidify the gospel foundation that you will hear in the music. The lead vocalist, Tank, reminds me of a Erica Badu/Jill Scott mixture. Therefore this band is the truth! Look out for them at the AfroPunk Finals: Battle of the Bands in New York City on July 8. For more information visit their site www.tankandthebangas.com. Drew Vision Drew Vision explains that his new album, The Balance is a collection of the complexities we have and the contradictions between us, while learning to accept ourselves when the good and bad enters our lives. Drew performed the song Fire for us and I love the lyrics. Listen to the full song below and visit www.drewvision.com for more information about this artist. Avery Wilson Avery Wilson's voice is reminiscent of a silk fabric when he sings. So soft, yet powerful and melodic. You may remember Avery as a 2012 Season 3 contestant on the singing television show titled, The Voice. Since then, he has worked tremendously on being groomed as an artist. Super mega producer Sean Garrett, recognized the genius in Avery as a human being and helped him get an audition with the legendary music industry executive, Clive Davis. From there, he was signed to a deal with Sony and RCA records. The album is in the works and coming soon. This will be a treat for the masses and I can't wait to hear the final product.
