Dear Ms. Lauryn Hill: A Letter to Lauryn Hill

"Deep in my heart the answer it was in me, and I've made up my mind to define my own destiny." A line from the song Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, off the album of the same title. That is probably the most beautiful heart felt songs I've ever heard in my life. So inspirational so positive. The Miseducation came out when I was in high school and it was my favorite album and the best album I had ever heard. But it wasn't until college that I found out what exactly you meant by the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. In the first interlude on the album you hear the teacher calling role. When he got to your name it was clear that you were not in class. The topic for that day in class was LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS..But you weren't there...GENIUS. "It could all be so simple, but you'd rather make it hard," the lyrics from that album were phenomenal. When the Fugees album, "The Score" came out it was the first real hip hop album that I bought. "Killing me Softly," a beautiful rendition of Ms. Roberta Flack's classic. But yours encompassed a part of Hip Hop that I hadn't been exposed to yet. So when did I fall in love with HIP HOP?? When I heard your version of Killing Me Softly, your version of THE TRUTH! The fact that soul and hip hop could survive in the same place was out of this world to me. But my eyes and ears were opened. Moving forward to your MTV Unplugged album. Very unexpected, many people complained that you sounded bad or out of tune. But what I heard was pain love and growth. Something that I was experiencing myself so I felt that album. It definitely taught me to GET OUT, (Of their boxes)...From Mr. Intentional to I find it hard to say I soon came to realize that you are and always will be a legend. (NO ARGUMENT NECESSARY) Bottom line, point blank, period. Please continue to bless us with your talent. Neo-Soul, Soul, R &B and Hip Hop need you!!!

-MP

Corinne Bailey Rae- Like A Star

I believe Corinne Bailey Rae was the first artist from the UK that caught my ear. VH1 helped put her on the map marking her as the next big star from the U.K. She's definitely very talented, and at the top of my list of favorites. Her music is very soulful and sad, which is something I'm partial to. "Trouble Sleeping" and "Like a Star" are vocally amazing with love-relevant lyrics. I've heard that she was in the studio earlier this year working on another album, so hopefully we will hear from her soon.

Corinne Bailey Rae's Myspace:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=40238419

Emily King- SUPER UNDERRATED!!!

Emily King, a New Yorker and the daughter of two singers one Italian and the other African American got her talent and soul honestly. While keeping my ear to the ground I came across the title of her last album "East Side Story". I found it interesting so I checked out her CD. I heard one song "U and I," and ran out to my local RECORD STORE, (Support your local record store) and bought it. Her voice is raspy but very strong, colorful to say the least. Her music in my opinion is very soulful with a Hip Hop Flavor. She is one of those underrated artist that have a tremendous amount of street cred but never get air play. Word on the street is she's working on her next album. Check out her album "EAST SIDE STORY", with songs like "Ride Me" and "It Was You," she doesn't disappoint.

EMILY KING's Myspace

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=76573750

JAZMINE SULLIVAN- "BUST YOUR WINDOWS"

Jazmine Sullivan, I love this girl! She is pure talent! When I first heard "Need You Bad" and then, found out she was from Missy's camp I new I'd found a winner. I had that song on repeat for a month straight. I'm a huge Tweet, Lil Mo and Nicole Wray fan, and I'm beginning to realize that you can't go wrong working with Missy, (I know I'm late). "Bust Your Windows'" should definitely be her next single. As I'm sure you can imagine this song takes me to a place that I'm sure all the ladies can relate to and maybe some men. But this one is definitely a song to play when you've been burned. If you don't do anything else in September buy this girls album!!! "Restless," comes out September 16, 2008- Keep your eyes open for my review as well. The title alone tells me I'm going to LOVE her album...

Check out a snippet of, "Bust Your Windows" on her Myspace...You don't even have to tell me if you like it because I already know you will!!!

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=66596654

J-Hud SPOTLIGHT

To be honest, when I first heard this song I wasn't all that into it. But after hearing it a couple of times I'm starting to really like it. Spotlight almost, key word "almost" reminds me of of my dear Whitney Houston circa 1984. I loved her song "Leaving Tonight"with Ne Yo on his last album Because of You. So I'm interested in seeing what she will bring to the table on this album. We shall see. Look for my review on her self titled first album coming out September 30.

Check out her Myspace page to hear her new single:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=22135156

How do you feel about her first single, "Spotlight?"

So Kool

I'm soooo glad to finally hear something from Teedra Moses. So Kool, a song from her much anticipated sophomore album, The Lioness, is definitely a hit in my book. I'm really feeling this song. "I bet you call me again." Is the best line in the song, so true! She makes music for the masses, both men and women can relate to her music which is what I love about her. Her first album Complex Simplicity was definitely and unexpected classic so I'm waiting on the edge of my seat for her next effort.

Check out So Kool on her Myspace page:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=12142483