Scribbler's Throwback of the Week: The Nutty Professor Quartet, Part 3

So now that we've covered Lillo Thomas and Peabo Bryson, it's time for the third member of "The Nutty Professor Quartet": the late, great Lou Rawls.  As a kid, I remember his annual "Parade of Stars" (started back in 1980) in which proceeds from the telethon went to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).  Unfortunately, I didn't--and still don't--hear that many of his songs on the radio.  He's one of those artists that unless you grew up during his era, you probably one only know like one or two songs of his.  While he's not quite as unsung as Lillo, he's probably not as widely recognized or celebrated as a singer like Teddy P or Peabo in the R&B world--although he has such a uniquely silky smooth voice.

Scribbler's Native Tongue Mixtape Pick (Local Edition): SmCity, "Dream Cemetery"

Since my introduction to DMV hip-hop artist SmCity's music via The Indie Life LP and as one of the few local artists that I've actually seen live and shook hands with, he has become one of my favorite artists from this area, but not for the obvious reasons.  Yeah, he has a nice flow.  True, he's got presence on the mic.  Of course he has a good ear for music.  However, even these laudable qualities can't trump my overarching point: SmCity is a master at speaking from the perspective of the [grossly unheralded] independent artist and/or entrepreneur by providing the blueprint for continuing one's path toward greatness and success--in spite of the often-frustrating difficulties that anyone worth his or her weight in gold endures.  Whether it's through his Indie Life Concert Series with Twenty20 Music & Films that provides local and national artists a live platform to connect with their supporters or by way of his own music, the dude embodies what he raps.  He continues that unique ability as well as getting a bit more personal with his latest project, Dream Cemetery.  (For the record, Sm has released both a free version, which you can download via DatPiff, and a deluxe version with three extra tracks available via iTunes.  This review will be of the free version, but PLEASE support this brother.)

Scribbler's Native Tongue Mixtape Pick: Raz Simone, "Solomon Samuel Simone"

Sifting through what seemed like an endless sea of EPs and mixtapes from March for this first review--yeah, I'm late, but I promise I'll get better in future reviews--Seattle hip-hop artist Raz Simone stood out among several tough competitors with his debut EP, Solomon Samuel Simone.  Presented by Black Umbrella and Dream & Produce (download here), Simone's five-track, 22-minute project is a raspy, raw effort that showcases the emcee's ability to "find the silver lining in the clouds".  He has no problem talking about the occasional dreariness of the clouds themselves, but he balances it out by bringing attention to each and every blessing in disguise.

"Boo This Man" Moment of the Week: Dan Snyder

So if you read my February 28th post (if you haven't read it, then click here), then you already know how I feel about the nickname of what used to be my favorite sports team of all time, Washington's NFL team.   I've come to grips with the fact that their name will never change and that my outward support of the team will never again mirror the fervor of old.  In my heart of hearts, I can't be a hardcore fan of another team and won't cheer against Washington's team if another team plays them because burgundy and gold is still in my blood.  Aight, that's enough of that sentimental ish...

Scribbler's Throwback of the Week: The Nutty Professor Quartet, Part 2

Continuing in my four-part "Throwback of the Week" installment as a tribute to Sherman Klump's kitchen singing scene in the The Nutty Professor (1996), we come to the second person in what I've dubbed "The Nutty Professor Quartet": Peabo Bryson.  During a successful run on Capitol Records between 1977 and 1982, the Greenville, South Carolina native gave us R&B lovers Quiet Storm classics like "Feel the Fire", "I'm So Into You" and the beautiful duet with Roberta Flack, "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love".  To think that those can be considered humble beginnings for a singer that has always known how to strike the balance between silky smooth and powerhouse vocals.