Mary J. Blige‘s upcoming project Strength of a Woman is approaching and fans are completely ready for the musical elements that Blige is about to dish out.
To keep the anticipation sturdy, the R&B/Soul vet drops her new visual to the hit single “Thick Of It” penned by Jazmine Sullivan, which gives you a glimpse of Mary’s inspired 90’s style. In other words, she’s back! Especially, as she is now dealing with a current divorce with her longtime husband Martin “Kendu” Isaacs.
On the path of releasing her frustrations behind the abrupt ending of her 12-year marriage to Kendu Issacs, Mary J. Blige unleashes a new song entitled “Thick Of It.” The official single was co-penned by artist-songwriter Jazmine Sullivan.
In the song, Mary details her feelings saying:
And I be damned if all these years I let you diss me babe
I was there when no one wanted to stay with you baby
You know I deserve more than this
I do
Mary recently told WDAS 105.3 FM:
“If you know me, you know what I’m dealing with right now. The “Thick of It” is the divorce and all this stuff that’s going on right now. It’s the heaviness of it and the whole thing…that’s where I am. I’m in the middle of a divorce and it doesn’t feel good. It feels terrible, but I have strength to get through and I get through by any means necessary.”
Mary is now working on her upcoming album Strength of a Woman, which is the follow-up to the 2014 project London Sessions. Also, Blige has been reaching out into other ventures and now has a new Apple Music program titled The 411 where she recently interviewed Hillary Clinton.
Take a listen to “Thick Of It” below.
The Code Red Queen herself, Monica stopped by SFPL TV just a few days before her album dropped to spend some quality time with the Fly Team!
The “Just Right For Me” veteran singer talked about family, why she took some time off, her brand new album, restoring R&B music and it’s origins, Brandy, Aaliyah, Chris Brown, working with Rico Love & more.
Monica spoke on the consistent subject of “Emerging Artists Allegedly Stealing R&B From It’s Origins”:
I don’t feel like anyone can take something that’s mine. That’s just something i’ve always felt. And whomever is successful in R&B music, I wish them the absolute best — because at the end of the day, whatever is meant for us is going to be — and that’s just the way that I feel, that’s a personal choice for me to feel like any place that my feet should be firmly planted, he’ll [GOD] put them there. And I mean, he’s done that for me time and time again. From 1994 all the way to 2015, from 12 years old to 35. So, I don’t feel like anything can be taken from us as far as R&B music is concerned.
On Chris Brown:
You know, i’ve always loved Chris Brown. I think he is a tremendous talent. Whatever else he experiences comes with the territory because this is a lot. And you know, I always say: To whom much is given, much is required. But when you young it takes time to settle into exactly what’s required of you, and I think he will do a lot of that with time. Because there’s not another artist that’s able to sing so many different types of music, dance in so many different styles and ways, and everything is not choreographed with him. Like, i’ve seen him when he’s not just on stage; when music drops it’s just like it’s in his soul, it’s in his bones, it’s something that he was born to do. So, I love Chris.
Monica talked about Jazmine Sullivan and Fantasia as her favorites artists, along the lines of Chris.
On “Which Two Artists Should Remake ‘The Boy Is Mine”:
That record, it really changed both of our lives. And I say, “No One” from my perspective because this record was put together by Rodney Jerkins and Brandy, and if it’s somebody that the two of them believe in — that they feel like really could do the record — then I would cosign that idea immediately. Because they know it’s origin and they know everything they were thinking when they called me and said: “hey, we think this would be a great idea.” That was Brandy and my first time really even being in the same room, and meeting and you know at 16 & 17, it just was a special moment. The only record that both of us have Grammy’s for — like we really did a lot when it came to that record, and I wouldn’t feel comfortable even trying to pick a person to do that song without the two of them, Rodney & Brandy.
Take a look at the full interview below:
‘Code Red’ available now on iTunes HERE.
GRAMMY Nominated Singer / Songwriter Aaron Camper is ready to take the industry by storm this Fall with the upcoming release of his new EP, B.L.O.W. (Better Left on Wax).
After being a background vocalist and learning from some of the best in the music industry like Justin Timberlake, Diddy, Jill Scott, Eric Roberson and Chris Brown, Aaron is now determined to show his gift to the world with his own unique sound and charismatic stage presence.
The first single off the EP “Hypnotizing” was released this past June. It was well received by fans and R&B lovers with over 400k plays on Spotify, definitely giving him a good look on what’s to come.
“CHOOSE YOU” is the 2nd single off Camper’s upcoming EP which is set to be released this October. The new official track simply paints a picture about a man making a woman feel comforted, protected and loving her infectiously. The song features R&B Divas Star Brave Williams, a native of Baltimore, MD and former member of the girl group RichGirl.
Camper also collaborated with up-and-coming Delaware Songwriter Kevin Guyton to help co-write the song. Renowned Producers Killiam Shakespeare (Steve McKie & Corey Benhardt) of Philadelphia, PA. produced the song. They have recently worked with Jazmine Sullivan, Jill Scott, Estelle, Bilal, and many more. The song was also co-Produced by Aaron and music partner Adam Blackstone of BASSIC Black Entertainment, Music Director to the stars.
Check it out in full below:
“Choose You” is available for download on Amazon and be prepared to hear more from Aaron Camper during 4th quarter.
Last night, Samsung and Roc Nation hosted an exclusive concert with Meek Mill, Fabolous, Vic Mensa, Casey Veggies and DJ Mustard at the Samsung Studio LA across from the Grove.
The private event drew an A-list crowd including actor Jaden Smith, actor Boris Kodjoe, Angela Simmons, recording artist Justine Skye, actor Damien Dante Wayans, recording Jazmine Sullivan, recording artist Wale, TV personality Terrance J, model Sean Ross, and more.
Meek and Mustard graced the black carpet for a fews quick pics upon their arrival.
#GoodTimes
The collaboration of musical essence has appeared right in front of our eyes. In celebration of the upcoming Netflix original documentary about the life and times of Nina Simone, music covers have just landed from the official soundtrack sung by Lauryn Hill, Usher and Jazmine Sullivan.
The compilation album is slated to drop on July 10th, which features 16-tracks recorded by artists like Common, Mary J. Blige, Lalah Hathaway, Gregory Porter, Lisa Simone [the late singer’s daughter] and more. Robert Glasper and Lauryn Hill both serve as producers on the project.
Take a listen to Usher, Jazmine and Lauryn on the next few pages…
Some of y’all may have missed the FLY moments of the week, but no worries because we’ve got you covered! We are going to fill you in on all the juicy entertainment news and drama that you didn’t catch. Go ahead, get in there…
Hey Birthday Girl!!!
In today’s time, almost everyday is a Holiday! Well not literally but from Man Crush Monday’s to Woman Crush Wednesday’s, Throwback Thursday seems to have stuck with us the best. Now what if we could really go back in time and relive the moments that brought us to today? We run and rip through life so fast, very rarely do we get the opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come. Searching through the archives of the wonderful talent that is Jazmine Sullivan, The SFPL has stumbled upon a clip that is sure to give you the chills. Check it out after the jump.
Jazmine Sullivan is not only a powerhouse vocalist and our cover girl, but she is also an amazing songwriter! From a young age Jazmine has been honing her writing skills and eventually began writing for various artists from Monica and Tamia to Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige. So in case you forgot, Jazmine Sullivan is a musical beast vocally, melodically and lyrically!
Check out our FLY favorites of Jazmine’s songwriting work with other artists:
Happy birthday is in order for the incomparable Jazmine Sullivan!
From the moment we were first introduced to her amazing vocals at the age of 11, boldly on stage at the Apollo theater, we were obsessed. From her 3 studio albums, countless tours and live performances we can’t get enough of her raspy riffs, smokey harmonies, and passionate lyrics. There are countless reasons why we love her so, but for now check out our favorite Jazmine Sullivan performances that show and prove why she is the best vocalist of our time.
Jazmine Sullivan at the Apollo Theater singing “Accept What God Allows” at 11 years old
“Need You Bad”, her debut single in the summer of 2008
“Bust Your Windows” was the second single from her debut album, Fearless
Stuff Fly People Like | SFPL 