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Guy, SWV, Keith Sweat, and more to be featured on Tom Joyner's Fantastic Voyage this Spring
January 18th, 2012
From 3/25 through 3/31, The Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage® will be sailing off from Fort Lauderdale, FL, and "Party With A Purpose®" throughout the Caribbeans. The following will be performing: GUY, Keith Sweat, SWV, Tony Terry, Queen Latifah, and more, with comedy by Sinbad.
We should note that proceeds from this cruise will benefits students attending America's Historically Black Colleges & Universities (think: of NBC's A Different World).
For more information visit fantasticvoyage.blackamericaweb.com
SWV Returns with "Co-Sign" - new album planned for 2012
December 29th, 2011
It sure looks like 2012 is going to be a year chock-ful of New Jack Swing returns. And one of the more promising projects is by SWV (Sisters With Voices) - that is Cheryl "Coko" Clemons, Tamara "Taj" Johnson-George, and Leanne "LeLee" Lyons!
They've signed to Koch Records, have a new website up, and a new single to boot!
Listen to it below:
2012: NJS4E's Biggest Year Yet?
December 8th, 2011
Well it has certainly been another busy year for Njs4ever.com, but 2012 is already shaping up to be NJS4E's biggest year ever. We've already got exclusive interviews lined up for January by our very own Shand!
Interview #1:
Featuring the GODFATHER and one of the undeniable founding father of NEW JACK SWING himself, Keith Sweat allows NJS4E into his soundcheck while on tour. Keith also talks to us about the importance of the New Jack Swing movement, his own music, as well as his mentorship of acts such as SILK and Kut Klose.
Interview #2:
"Mr. Consistent" himself, Joe talks candidly about his career, influences, and what the future holds for his music. And as a special treat, he gives us an exclusive performance of "I Wanna Know."
In the meantime, be sure to check out BOTH of their new albums currently OUT NOW!
In Memoriam: Dwight "Heavy D" Myers (1967 - 2011)
November 9th, 2011
As legend has it, Heavy D is the reason Andre Harrell created Uptown Records.
Andre, who was currently working at Def Jam wanted to sign Heavy D, however, there was resistance at the label because Def Jam was more committed to a "street/rebel" aesthetic. Heavy D was regarded by the label (Lyor Cohen?) as not street enough, and so Andre decided to create a label that celebrated an upwardly mobile, Black (and decidedly not "ghetto") mindset. And thus, Uptown Records was created.
Heavy D and the Boyz were the first act signed to the label - and Heavy D eventually became President of Uptown once Andre left; which shows how central of a figure Heavy D was in the history of the label, and consequently, New Jack Swing music in general.
Those who love New Jack Swing know Heavy D's music well. Of all the rap artists who created and/or participated in the New Jack Swing movement, Heavy D was the quintessential New Jack Swing hip-hop artist between the years 1988 and 1992.
Al B. Sure!, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Soul for Real, Monifah, and many other artists were at one point or another mentored by Heavy D. His influence on the culture of '80s and '90s urban music is incredibly noteworthy - whether as the featured guest artist on Michael Jackson's "Jam" or Janet Jackson's "Alright," or through classics such as "We Got Our Own Thing," "Somebody For Me," "Nuttin' But Love" or Guy's "Do Me Right."
Even though we got to see Heavy D act on NBC's "A Different World" when the group guest-starred (great episode and performance!), by the 2000s', Heavy D was embarking on a successful career in television, stage, and film. By 2008, he fully embraced his Jamaican roots on the Vibes album and was even nominated for a Grammy. And by 2011, not only was he featured in Eddie Murphy's latest film (Tower Heist), he had just performed on the BET Awards. Which is why at the young age of 44, it's shocking to acknowledge the passing of this legend. And through the lens of New Jack Swing, Heavy D was TRULY a heavyweight.
We'll say it again: without Heavy D, Uptown Records may have never happened. We won't forget that, and we hope that everyone reading this - especially if you are a fan of New Jack Swing, takes that to heart.
NJS4Ever's "Winter Jam" in London on the 26th of November (Saturday) will be dedicated to Heavy D - and we will dedicate an entire set of the night entirely to Heavy D and the Boyz.
Rest in Peace.
NJS4E'S NEW JACK WINTER JAM
November 5th, 2011
If you haven't RSVP-ed yet, you can email vijay[at]njs4ever.net OR click the flyer to RSVP at our Facebook page!
SILK Interview, NJS4E London Party, Jeff Redd
October 25th, 2011
New interviews featuring Joe are on the way, but in the meantime, catch our EXCLUSIVE interviews by Shand of NJS4Ever, with SILK and Teddy Riley!
Also, be sure to catch these two music videos by MUwet, a member of Keith Sweat's live band (keyboards):
Special shout-out to Alonzo Ferguson, manager of both Keith Sweat and Silk for making the interviews possible! Check out his latest project, Hip-Hop group MYSTYC FAMILY and their R&B-influenced single, "If I" here
Also, a flyer is coming up soon - BUT NJS4Ever will be throwing its last party of 2011 in London this coming November 26th! If you are on Facebook, you can RSVP here
Jeff Redd (executive producer of all three K-Ci & JoJo albums, discoverer of Mary J. Blige, AND the artist behind the New Jack classics "You Called And Told Me" and "I Found Lovin,") is coming out with a new album entitled Take You Higher.
For booking info, you can download the latest Jeff Redd press kit here
More updates to come. Stay tuned!
The 3J Concert Tour: Joe, Jagged Edge, and Jon B This October!
October 2nd, 2011
If you live anywhere near London or Birmingham, RIGHT NOW is the time to get your tickets to experience this night of fine '90s R&B and more in less than two weeks! Make it happen! Details below:
New Johnny Kemp, Teddy Riley Interview, NJS4E MUSIC Player *RELOADED*
May 24th, 2011
Yes. We know. It's been awhile. But that's OK. Because there's a lot of cool stuff happening these days - and we're proud to say that 10 years ago today, NONE of this was happening. But in the years that have passed since NJS4Ever.com started officially on February 13th, 2002 - we've seen New Jack Swing Tours, seen VH1's Hip-Hop Honors give props to New Jack Swing in 2007 (and celebrated New Jack Swing's 20th Anniversary with Johnny Kemp in New York), promoted and inspired countless New Jack Swing parties around the world, and new and upcoming albums by the likes of Al B. Sure!, Bobby Brown, Big Bub, Johnny Gill, New Edition, and more!
And so, let's get on with the updates - because it looks like New Jack Swing is TRULY forever - because lately, the news just keeps pouring in!
News Item #1: Johnny Kemp featuring Sade
You can check out Johnny Kemp's newest single, "Free" which features "Mermaid," a song by Sade. This track was inspired by Johnny's own mother, but he has expressly dedicated it to ALL women of color who have made sacrifices in life in order to see their children succeed. It's a beautiful track, and you can hear it at our newly RELOADED NJS4EVER MUSIC PLAYER at the upper right corner of this page.
Click, and listen away!
News Item #2: When Shand Met Teddy Riley
Shand of NJS4E sits down with Teddy Riley for a quick chat. Teddy discusses what New Jack Swing means to him, and also compares his supergroups GUY and BLACKstreet in an eye-opening and very enlightening interview. You can hear this interview at our RELOADED NJS4EVER MUSIC PLAYER at the upper right corner of this page.
News Item #3: The Return of Bobby Brown continues
Bobby Brown is everywhere these days, isn't he? While we anxiously await his new album, The Masterpiece which is rumored to include production by the one and only Babyface - who by the way was responsible for the B. Brown classics "Don't Be Cruel," "Roni," "Rock Wit'cha," "Every Little Step," "On Our Own," "Humpin' Around," and "Good Enough," you can check out an interview he recently did with Tavis Smiley on PBS here:
News Item #4: New Jack Swing Top 25 Songs of ALL TIME Countdown
Thanks to Mandeep of the Urban Music Showcase based in London, and our very own JOe Decidal and NJS4E "usual suspect" DJ Blade, an internet survey was compiled to put together this VERY SPECIAL countdown. Expect some surprises - because there are tracks on here you may have never heard, and some OMISSIONS that will have you scratching your head. You can hear this at our RELOADED music player on the upper right.
Stay tuned for more news, because as you might have heard....NEW EDITION has reunited with ALL SIX MEMBERS, and the new album from what we've heard, is being produced by none other than JIMMY JAM & TERRY LEWIS, the sonic magicians behind New Edition's classic 1988 Heart Break album ("If It Isn't Love," "Can You Stand The Rain,") and well as other N.E. classics "I'm Still In Love With You" and "Helplessly In Love."
Sincerest props to all the individuals around the world who have helped make what NJS4Ever started with the New Jack resurgence what it is today, including The Ministry of New Jack Swing, DJ Kev-Ski, London's THE COLLECTIVE LIVE, and all the other concert promoters who are making it happen.
It may be safe to say that our mission is accomplished. New Jack Swing is TRULY forever now, and it's time to celebrate.
When Shand Met Montell Jordan and Kut Klose
April 21st, 2011
Shand of NJS4E sits down to chat with both Montell Jordan and Kut Klose to talk about their contributions to the music world - especially as it pertains to Hip-Hop Soul and the impact of their music.
Click on the links below to check out the clips!
- When Shand Met Montell Jordan
- When Shand Met Kut Klose (First ever UK Interview!)
- When Shand Met Kut Klose (Shout Out)
Guy, Christopher Williams, Intro, and more in NYC This May!
April 4th, 2011
New Jack Swing legends Guy (featuring Aaron and Damion Hall), Christopher Williams, Intro, Monifah, Changing Faces, Allure, and Horace Brown will be hitting the Paradise Theater in NYC (The Bronx) for a night full of '90s R&B on Saturday, May 21st at 8pm!
For anyone living in or around New York City, shows like this are becoming more and more common. But for the rest of the world, this is definitely a treat for anyone who remembers songs such as "Stroke You Up" by Changing Faces, "One For The Money" by Horace Brown, "Let's Chill" by Guy or "Love Thang" by Intro.
There are three ways to snag tickets to this event. You can either call the box office at 718.220.1015, drop by the box office in person and get your tickets in advance, or you can click the flyer at left to purchase them online through Ticketmaster.
Thank You All For Coming To Our New Jack Spring Party!
April 4th, 2011
A big thank you goes out to all the party people who danced the night away this past Saturday night at NJS4E's umpteenth New Jack Swing party in London. By all accounts a good time was had by all and we were very happy to have you.
A special shout out goes to DJ Mickey D who kept the crowd focused, energized, and entertained on the mic throughout the night, as well as to our DJs Lady Gee, E Double Dee, and Van Damme. Universal Music Group was in the house as well, and we're glad you were able to make it!
We'll be posting video clips and pics from the night in the days to come.
See you at the next go! It's coming sooner than you think.
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