Johntá Austin is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, vocalist and rapper, signed to Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings. He is known for collaborating with producers Bryan-Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri and the production duo StarGate. He was awarded two Grammy Awards for his work on the songs "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey and "Be Without You" by Mary J. Blige.
Gerald Maxwell Rivera, known mononymously as Maxwell, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Along with fellow musicians D'Angelo and Erykah Badu, Maxwell has been credited as an originator of the "neo soul" movement that rose to prominence during the late 1990s. He released his debut studio album Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite in 1996 to widespread critical acclaim and commercial success. The album was certified 2x Platinum and it was the first of four consecutive Platinum-selling studio albums. Maxwell released Embrya in 1998, Now in 2001 and BLACKsummers'night in 2009. BLACKsummers'night was nominated for 6 Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year for "Pretty Wings". Maxwell released his fifth studio album blackSUMMERS'night in 2016. He has won 3 Grammy Awards out of 13 nominations, 6 Soul Train Music Awards and 2 NAACP Image Awards. Maxwell was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for "his innovative contributions to the music industry as a singer, songwriter, and producer" by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and Congressional Black Caucus in 2019.
Robin Alan Thicke is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer.
"Free Yourself" is a song by American singer Fantasia. It was written by rapper Missy Elliott, Craig Brockman, and Nisan Stewart for her debut album of the same name (2004), while production was helmed by Elliott, with Brockman credited as co-producer. The song was released as the album's fourth single on June 1, 2005 in United States where it peaked at number forty-one on the Billboard Hot 100, number three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number one on the Adult R&B Airplay chart. "Free Yourself" was nominated for two Grammy Awards, and is the winner of an ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Award.
"You're Makin' Me High" is the lead single from American singer Toni Braxton's second studio album, Secrets (1996). This mid-tempo song represents a joint collaboration between the Grammy Award-winning producer Babyface and Bryce Wilson, and was issued in the United States as a double A-side with "Let It Flow", the airplay hit from the 1995 film Waiting to Exhale. The beat of the song was originally for singer-songwriter Brandy, with Dallas Austin pegged to write a lyric to override, however Braxton had Babyface pin lyrics to the song and history was made.
"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" is a torch song from the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, with lyrics by Tom Eyen and music by Henry Krieger. In the context of the musical, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" is sung by the character Effie White, a singer with the girl group The Dreams, to her manager, Curtis Taylor Jr., whose romantic and professional relationship with Effie is ending. The lyrics to "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going", often considered the show's signature tune, describe Effie's love for Curtis, both strongly devoted and defiant. She refuses to let Curtis leave her behind, and boldly proclaims to him, "I'm staying and you ... you're gonna love me."
"Can We Talk" is a song recorded by American R&B singer Tevin Campbell and composed and produced by Babyface. It was the first single to be released from his double platinum second release I'm Ready. The song hit top ten on the pop charts peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent a total of three weeks at number one on the US R&B chart. It sold 500,000 copies and earned a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. The song was also Nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Male. It was also nominated and later won the Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single - Male.
"Feel Like Makin' Love" is a song composed by singer-songwriter Eugene McDaniels, and recorded originally by soul singer-songwriter Roberta Flack. The song has been covered by several R&B and jazz artists.
"Spotlight" is an R&B song by Jennifer Hudson, written and produced by Ne-Yo, and Norwegian production duo Stargate for Hudson's self-titled debut album. It was released digitally on June 10, 2008, as the album's first single and reached the top 30 of the US Billboard Hot 100. Outside the US, the track reached the top 20 in Hungary, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
American singer and actress Jennifer Hudson has released three studio albums, sixteen singles, five promotional singles and ten music videos. She has also made various contributions to other artist's albums and has appeared on the soundtrack for the 2006 musical film, Dreamgirls.
Tyrese Darnell Gibson is an American singer and actor. He released his self-titled debut studio album in 1998, which featured the single "Sweet Lady", peaking at number twelve on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. His second and third albums, 2000 Watts and I Wanna Go There, were released in 2001 and 2002; respectively, the latter contained the lead single "How You Gonna Act Like That", which became Tyrese's highest-charting single, reaching number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. His fourth album, Alter Ego, explored hip hop, while he was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album for his fifth album Open Invitation (2011). Tyrese's sixth album, Black Rose (2015), debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200, becoming his highest-charting album. He has sold over 4 million records in the United States.
"A Rose Is Still a Rose" is a song recorded by American singer Aretha Franklin. It was written and produced by singer Lauryn Hill for Franklin's album of the same name (1998). The song focused on a motherly figure giving advice to a younger woman who keeps getting into bad relationships. Throughout "A Rose Is Still a Rose", Franklin advises that in spite of everything and despite the woman's "scorned roses and thorn crowns," the woman is "still a rose". Elements of the song "What I Am" by Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians were sung throughout the song by Hill herself.
Lately is a song by American singer Tyrese Gibson. It was written by Gibson and Derek Allen for his self-titled debut studio album (1998), while production was overseen by Allen. "Lately" was released as the third and final single from Tyrese. it featured actress Maia Campbell for the second time after her previous appearance from the single Sweet Lady.It released reached number 56 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 12 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Tyrese performed the song at Music Mania in 1999.
Open Invitation is the fifth studio album by American singer Tyrese. It was released on November 1, 2011, by his label Voltron Recordz and was distributed by EMI. This became Tyrese's first album released on his label Voltron Recordz since his departure from J Records. The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including David Banner, B.A.M., R. Kelly, Lil' Ronnie, and Swiff D among others. The album also features guest appearances by Rick Ross, Ludacris, T.I., Jay Rock, Big Sean, R. Kelly, Busta Rhymes and Faith Evans.
JHUD is the third studio album by American singer and actress Jennifer Hudson. It was released on September 23, 2014 by RCA Records as the follow-up to I Remember Me (2011). The album marks Hudson's first and only release through RCA following the closure of Arista and J Records.
"It's Your World" is a song by American recording artist Jennifer Hudson featuring fellow singer R. Kelly, recorded for her third studio album JHUD (2014). It was written by Kelly and produced by DJ Terry Hunter. Released worldwide on July 8, 2014 as the album's third single, Hudson sang it for the first time at BET Awards 2014 on June 29, 2014. No music video was made for the single. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance. In 2019, Hudson removed "It's Your World" from all streaming platforms and stopped performing it in support of women who had come forward with stories of abuse from Kelly.
"Just a Baby Boy" is a song by American rapper Snoop Dogg featuring guest vocals from American R&B singer and actor Tyrese and rapper Mr. Tan, taken from the soundtrack Baby Boy. The song was written by Snoop Dogg, Tyrese and Kevin "DJ Battlecat" Gilliam, who also handled production. The song was also included in the second Tyrese studio album, 2000 Watts.
"Trouble" is a song by Australian rapper Iggy Azalea featuring American recording artist Jennifer Hudson, taken from Reclassified, the former's 2014 reissue of her debut studio album The New Classic. The song was produced by The Invisible Men and Salt Wives.
Black Rose is the sixth studio album by American singer Tyrese. It was released independently on July 10, 2015 through his label Voltron Recordz, while distribution was handled by Caroline Records. The production on the album was handled by Warryn Campbell, Seige Monstracity, Eric Hudson, B.A.M., Tim Kelley, Marcus Hodge and Rockwilder. The album also features guest appearances by Chrisette Michele, Snoop Dogg, Brandy and Tank.
"Signs of Love Makin'" is a song by American singer Tyrese from his third studio album I Wanna Go There (2002). It was written by Gibson, Harvey Mason Jr. and Damon Thomas, while production was helmed by Mason and Thomas under their production moniker The Underdogs. Released as the album's second single following his hit single "How You Gonna Act Like That", the song peaked at number 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 18 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
