Music Video: Carl Henry “Dim The Lights”

This video just in to popolio.   Check it out!

 

MY TOP 10: 90s/00s Pop/R&B Divo Music Video Jump-Offs – 4. Usher “You Make Me Wanna…”

So, it’s been a year since I started popolio.com and kicked it of with my first MY TOP 10 Countdown in September 2008.  Since popolio.com was jumping off, I kicked it off with MY TOP 10: 90s/00s Pop/R&B Diva Music Video Jump-Offs.  Well, this is the twelfth month, so I thought it would create nice symmetry if I presented the men as a bookend to that very first countdown before Year 2 officially begins.  This time around the Div-Os, or Divos, will get the spotlight.

4. Usher “You Make Me Wanna…”
Usher or JT?  Who’s is the Prince of R&B/Dance/Pop?  Did they really have a dance-off some years ago?  Well, Usher one ups JT — on this countdown, anyway.  Like many of the Divos on this countdown, this was not Usher’s first recording, but this is the one that broke through.  This is the first single from his sophomore release, My Way.  The BONUS is “U Remind Me,” the first single from his junior album, 8701.  I really liked this song when it came out.  Looks  like they purposely casted Mya, Brandy, and Tamia look-alikes (in that order) throughout the video and the real Chilli (from fave group, TLC) is featured at the end.  We all know how their story ended up, but we’re not going there.  Enjoy the videos.

***BONUS*** Usher “U Remind Me”

 

MY TOP 10: 90s/00s Pop/R&B Divo Music Video Jump-Offs – 5. Justin Timberlake “Cry Me a River”

So, it’s been a year since I started popolio.com and kicked it of with my first MY TOP 10 Countdown in September 2008.  Since popolio.com was jumping off, I kicked it off with MY TOP 10: 90s/00s Pop/R&B Diva Music Video Jump-Offs.  Well, this is the twelfth month, so I thought it would create nice symmetry if I presented the men as a bookend to that very first countdown before Year 2 officially begins.  This time around the Div-Os, or Divos, will get the spotlight.

5. Justin Timberlake “Cry Me a River”
So, though this was JT’s second single (the first was BONUS video “Like I Love You”) from his solo debut, Justified, I take it as his official jump-off  because it made quite the splash. It tackily interpolated his relationship with Brit-Brit, though.  Hey, this is just one editor’s opinion, but, I can’t deny the success of this video.  He was smart to enlist Timbaland to give his N’ Sync clean-cut boy sound a grittier urban upgrade. 

***BONUS*** Justin Timberlake featuring Clipse “Like I Love You”

 

Get on Lisa Lisa’s Personal Guest List by entering her ’80s Fashion Flare Photo Contest — San Antonio

Lisa Lisa just released her first album since 1994′s LL 77.  It’s called Life N Love.  And, she’s been touring non-stop for years.  Now, her shows will include not only the ’80s hits, but this new stuff, too.

San Antonio, you’re in luck (sorry, Austin   ; though, it’s not like we’re miles and miles away) — Lisa Lisa is hitting your town on Thursday, September 6, 2009, at The Industry Nightclub and you have a chance to get on her personal guest list. 

Now, Lisa Lisa’s ’80s Fashion Flare Photo Contest  is open to other cities, too, but air fare is not included in the prize. You’ll have to get your own booty there if you win and don’t live in San Anto.

Check the flyer for the details and click it to go to Lisa Lisa’s Official MySpace Page Blog about the contest.  The contest ends next Tuesday, September 1, 2009, and the winner will be announced the following day, Wednesday, September 2, 2009.

 

MY TOP 10: 90s/00s Pop/R&B Divo Music Video Jump-Offs – 8. Enrique Iglesias “Bailamos”

So, it’s been a year since I started popolio.com and kicked it of with my first MY TOP 10 Countdown in September 2008.  Since popolio.com was jumping off, I kicked it off with MY TOP 10: 90s/00s Pop/R&B Diva Music Video Jump-Offs.  Well, this is the twelfth month, so I thought it would create nice symmetry if I presented the men as a bookend to that very first countdown before Year 2 officially begins.  This time around the Div-Os, or Divos, will get the spotlight.

With this video we should be back on track starting tomorrow.

8. Enrique Iglesias “Bailamos”
This song was included in the Will Smith vehicle, Wild Wild West. It was also Mr. Iglesias first foray into the English market and it was a huge success, though the film wasn’t.  It’s sung in Spanglish and set the stage for Enrique’s debut English CD, Enrique.  This was amidst what was dubbed the Latin explosion of Latin-tinged English pop mostly by artists of Latin descent in the 1990s.  The BONUS video is “Rhythm Divine,” the first proper single from his English debut.  It was a moderate success, but not as successful as “Bailamos.” 

***BONUS*** Enrique Iglesias “Rhythm Divine”

 

MY TOP 10: 90s/00s Pop/R&B Divo Music Video Jump-Offs – 9. D’Angelo “Brown Sugar”

So, it’s been a year since I started popolio.com and kicked it of with my first MY TOP 10 Countdown in September 2008.  Since popolio.com was jumping off, I kicked it off with MY TOP 10: 90s/00s Pop/R&B Diva Music Video Jump-Offs.  Well, this is the twelfth month, so I thought it would create nice symmetry if I presented the men as a bookend to that very first countdown before Year 2 officially begins.  This time around the Div-Os, or Divos, will get the spotlight.

This is the second of today’s three-fer video special.

9. D’Angelo “Brown Sugar”
D’Angelo is that brother who officially kicked off the neo-soul revolution of the 1990s.  Sure, there were pioneers doing it before him when it was nameless and the originators created the blueprints in the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, but this is what started the storm and laid the groundwork for his contemporaries and those who would come after.  “Brown Sugar” made enough noise to make D’Angelo’s presence known, but it was the second (and BONUS video here) video, “Lady,” from his debut aka Brown Sugar that took him over the top.

***BONUS*** D’Angelo “Lady”

 

 

MY TOP 10: 90s/00s Pop/R&B Divo Music Video Jump-Offs – 10. Tyrese “Sweet Lady”

So, it’s been a year since I started popolio.com and kicked it of with my first MY TOP 10 Countdown in September 2008.  Since popolio.com was jumping off, I kicked it off with MY TOP 10: 90s/00s Pop/R&B Diva Music Video Jump-Offs.  Well, this is the twelfth month, so I thought it would create nice symmetry if I presented the men as a bookend to that very first countdown before Year 2 officially begins.  This time around the Div-Os, or Divos, will get the spotlight.

This should have kicked off on Saturday, so, I’m trying to get you a three-fer today.  Bare with me and enjoy.

10. Tyrese  “Sweet Lady”

He was the nice kid with the sweet voice in the memorable Coca-Cola commercial.  So memorable that it launched his singing career.  Now known more as an actor, believe it or not, he was trying to do his singing thang’ WBITD (that’s Way Back In The Day for those who don’t know).   This is actually the second single from his  self-titled debut.   The first was “Nobody Else.”  But, this is the one that set it off and cleverly used his Coca-Cola commercial as a jump-off.  Something they should have done from the gitty up.  So, officially, I take this video to be Tyrese’s jump-off.  Check it out.

***BONUS*** 1994 Coca-Cola Commercial featuring Tyrese

 

SALVO pop quiz — ATX All Handmade Artist

As a mini-countdown to the All Austin All Handmade Bash Next Friday, July 31, 2009 (see the flyer and get more info here), we’re featuring 2 of the 3 featured musical acts in pop quizzes this week.  Seems DJ Blend*e was a little blog shy, so we hope to get our popolio fingers on her in the not too distant future.  That said, first up is hip-hop-popper SALVO and on Thursday we’ll feature experimental soloist Monster Girl from the glam rock The White White Lights.  Check it out and check her out at The All Austin All Handmade Bash!

July 21, 2009

Name:  Stephanie SALVO
Genre:  Hip Hop/Pop
Forthcoming Release:  Contradiction (Self-Released; production by Lord Ronin for Oni Empire)
Release Date:  TBD

This, That, or the Other
1. Underground OR Mainstream? Underground working towards Mainstream
2. Maintain Artistic Integrity and Vision OR Make a lot of Money? (or both)?? Both.  As long as I can do what I love and live comfortably.
3. Studio or Stage? BOTH
4. Spirituality or Hedonism? Spiritualized Hedonism
5. Make Love, Have Sex, OR %$*!? Make Love

Fill in the Blank
6. Music is My soul My love My life.
7. I’m musically inspired by life.

8. My favorite old school joint is “The Choice is Yours” by Black Sheep.
9. If I was a super hero I’d be saving the world from self-destruction.

10. Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll should change to ……. 

Short Answer
11. I make music because:  It is in my soul and I can.
12. I want my fans to:  Multiply.
13. If I could share one thing about myself it would be:  Something really great.
14. Wild Card!  SALVO
15. I want my musical legacy to be:  Inspiring.

Listen to SALVO’s “Contradiction” from her upcoming debut release of the same name.  Go to her MySpace Page for more.

SALVO’s favorite old school joint!

 

MY TOP 10: Fictional Bands — 2. Sister and The Sisters “Something He Can Feel”

So, this countdown is about MY TOP 10:  Fictional Bands and what songs best represent those bands.  I’m going to throw in about 5 BONUSES throughout this countdown as well.  It’s a fun one in a different kind a way (MY TOP 10s are always fun, aren’t they?), so I’m going to be a little looser with it.  I’m going to go girl-boy-girl-boy as much as I can, so this time around the men will be on top.  I’ve  let the women lead more than a few times, so turnabout is fair play.

2. Sister and The Sisters “Something He Can Feel”

The group from the 1976 period film, Sparkle, based in the 1950, was inspired by The Supremes and in turn inspired Dreamgirls (Number 6) .  It features the Williams Sisters — Sister (Lonette McKee), Dolores (Dwan Smith), and Sparkle (Irene Cara) — and focuses on Sparkle’s journey from backup singer to headliner.  Their mother is Effie (Mary Alice), which is a name that found its way into Dreamgirls.  The actresses  performed their own vocals for the film.  The soundtrack of the same name was produced by Curtis Mayfield and featured Aretha Franklin replacing the lead vocals from the film with her own.  The album was a Top 20 hit for Franklin with a Number 1 R&B single with this song.  En Vogue covered it in1992 for their sophomore set, Funky Divas, renaming it ”Giving Him Something He Can Feel” and reintrepreting the scene from the film into an updated, glossy, and sexy video that was quite a hit for them as well.

 

***BONUS*** En Vogue “Giving Him Something He Can Feel”

Here’s the En Vogue version.

 

MY TOP 10: Songs about Songs — 3. Jennifer Lopez “Play”

You get a 3-for-1 special today!  Here’s the first.  Enjoy.

* * *
I’ve been wanting to do a countdown featuring songs about songs (you know, songs about music, dancing, and/or a certain genre).  I have my 10 songs, but even as I posted Number 10, I wasn’t sure about the order.  So, this one will form as I go.  I normally have my list ready to go before I start.  MY TOP 10 is a music video countdown, but with some songs (maybe two in  particular) occuring before the MTV era, I will  have to improvise and pull something from Dailymotion or YouTube.  Here goes.

3. Jennifer Lopez “Play”

This is the jam that you want to “play” over and over.  And what person who loves to dance (like me!) cannot relate to the line about making your request to the DJ over and over before s/he finally decides to play it?   That’s the line I like to talk along to at the top of my lungs.  This is the highlight of the J.Lo album.   It does have other delights, but this is definitely a standout.  “Play” becomes that song that “Play” is about.