Soul
Win The Best of Philadelphia International Records Prize Pack with Vinyl, Turntable, Headphones
50 years ago, the sound of Philly Soul was born out of the legendary Philadelphia International Records. With the talents of The O’Jays, Patti LaBelle, Teddy Pendergrass, The Three Degrees, McFadden & Whitehead, and others, the label rewrote the standards of soul music by blending in R&B, funk, and doo-wop with massive orchestral arrangements. To celebrate all P.I.R. contributed to the world of music, we’re giving away a Best of Philadelphia International Records prize pack. One (1) winner will receive the new The Best of Philadelphia International Records compilation on vinyl, not set for release until May 2021. The greatest hits collection features classic tracks from all the above musicians plus Lou Rawls, The Intruders, Billy Paul, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, and P.I.R....
Redman, Method Man, and H.E.R. Join D’Angelo’s Verzuz in a Celebration of Live Music: Review
For music lovers, the COVID-19 pandemic effectively put an end to live performances for the foreseeable future. Many venues across the country have temporally (or permanently) closed or now operate with capacity restrictions. Never again will we take for granted the sweet simplicity of being able to catch our favorite artist/band in concert. But one of the few positive things to happen for live music during all the insanity that has taken place over the last year and counting is the emergence of the Verzuz series. Curated by super producers Timbaland and Swizz Beatz, who dueled in the first battle last March, Verzuz gave fans a lifeline as we sat at home watching our favorite producers and singers reminisce about the creation of their classic songs, many of which have defined hip-hop and R...
serpentwithfeet Releases New Single “Same Size Shoe”: Stream
serpentwithfeet has today released a new track called “Same Size Show”. The latest single off his forthcoming DEACON LP, the song can be streamed ahead. The running thesis of the follow-up to last year’s Apparition EP examines the nature of love and tenderness for a Black gay man. We heard a platonic take on that with the lead single “Fellowship”, and now “Same Size Shoe” delivers a lush exploration of what it’s like to have a romance with someone who can truly relate to you. “Me and my boo wear the same size shoe/ Boy you got my trust ’cause I’m like you,” sings serpentwithfeet. The celebration of that fondness comes to a beautiful, convivial bridge where he calls out for a trumpet only to provide the horn notes with his own vocals. Speaking with Zane Lowe on Apple Music about the track, ...
Syd Returns with First Solo Song in Nearly Four Years “Missing Out”: Stream
Over three years following her Always Never Home EP, Syd has returned with a new solo song called “Missing Out”. With a dark wave of synths and a slowly crunching beat, The Internet member delivers the perfect self-actualizing anti-Valentine’s Day ballad. “As far as I can see, you and me could never be/ ‘Cause we didn’t spend the proper time tryna work it out,” Syd sings. “Hope you findin’ what you need or what you seek ’cause now I’m free.” Stream “Missing Out” below. In addition to it being nearly four years since Always Never Home and its preceding LP Fin, it’s been two and a half since The Internet dropped Hive Mind. That doesn’t mean Syd’s been silent until “Missing Out”, though; over the last year or so, she’s collaborated with The Free Nationals, Disclosure, Zayn, Lil Uzi Vert, and ...
Summer of Soul Is Questlove’s Thrumming Ode to Black Music and Culture: Sundance 2021 Review
This review is part of our Sundance 2021 coverage. The Pitch: In 1969, the same summer as Woodstock, a different music festival played just 100 miles away in Harlem. It was the third annual Harlem Culture Festival, a weeks-long celebration of soul, Motown, blues, and gospel where nearly 300,000 people gathered and celebrated the sounds of Stevie Wonder, Mavis Staples, Nina Simone, and a host of other Black artists at the time. But the festival was more than, as it would be haphazardly marketed, the “Black Woodstock”. It was a nexus around which so many facets of Black life at the time would intersect, from Afrocentrism to the Black Panthers (who would provide security for the event) to the renewed reclaiming of the word “Black” to identify themselves in print and in person. The music ...
Janis Joplin’s Pearl Remains a Stunning Gem 50 Years Later: Classic Review
Consequence Podcast Network and Sony’s The Opus is back for Season 12, which examines the enduring legacy of Janis Joplin’s posthumous final album, Pearl. Also, after you read this article, scroll below to enter our exclusive Janis Joplin giveaway or score some original Opus swag. — Pearl never stood a chance at being just an album. That was assured when Janis Joplin was found dead in her hotel room of an accidental heroin overdose during the sessions that would lead to her second and final solo record. At that point, Pearl, which came out a little over three months later, could never simply be the latest measure of the brilliant blues singer as a recording artist. It became part of the myth of Janis Joplin — an idea that’s only grown bolder and more complex over the decades. To many fans,...
Adele’s 21 Brought Sincerity to Pop Music When It Needed It Most
Editor’s Note: Consequence has been around long enough that so many of the new albums that originally turned us on to music are now celebrating their first milestone anniversaries. As we begin to reflect on these records, you can catch our updated assessments here. It’s September 2011, and London’s breathtaking Royal Albert Hall is filled with over 5,000 music fans. (Oh, how I miss live music.) On stage, a 23-year-old Adele has the undivided attention of every eye, every ear, every soul, as she tells the story of “Someone Like You,” the overwhelmingly successful second single from her sophomore album, 21. “I didn’t have that one song that I believed myself on…that one song that moved me,” she explains to the crowd. “And it’s important that I do feel like that … so I have the confidence to ...
Ex-Nigerian ambassador Bolere Ketebu passes on
Dr. Bolere Elizabeth Ketebu, former Nigerian Ambassador to Ireland is dead. She was 66 years old. Her death was made known by President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday. In a statement, Buhari condoled with the Ketebu family, the Bayelsa State government, as well as friends and professional colleagues of Dr Bolere Ketebu, The President said the former ambassador served her country creditably in several capacities. She was at one time President National Council of Women Societies, Secretary to Bayelsa State government and a member House of Representatives between 1992 and 1993. In September 2001, she was elected Advisor, Habitat to the International Council of Women (ICW). She was elected in 2003 as International Board Member to ICW, position she held till 2009. As a board member, she coordinated...
Ex-Benue MILAD Isa Kontagora passes on at 65
A former military administrator of Benue, Retired Col. Aminu Isa Kontagora, has passed on. Gov. Samuel Ortom, while announcing his death on Monday in Makurdi, said the retired colonel died on Sunday, Jan. 10, at the age of 65. Ortom declared Tuesday, Jan. 12 as work-free day in the state to enable the people mourn the former military administrator. He further directed that all flags be flown at half mast in honour of the deceased. Ortom in his tribute, described the death of Kontagora as a great loss to Nigeria and Benue in particular, adding that his footprints in the state remained indelible. The governor described Benue as second home of the deceased, having remained in touch with the state during happy and trying moments. He sympathised with the government and people of Niger over the ...
The Magic of David Bowie in 10 Collaborations
Editor’s Note: We continue our celebration of the life and art of David Bowie with a look at 10 magical collaborations. Keep checking back all week for more new and reshared content reflecting on our favorite Starman. And, if you’ve missed anything, you can experience it all again here. David Bowie was a singular force, blurring gender and genre lines in a career that spanned over half a century. Along the way, he gifted listeners with a slew of memorable, solitary personas: Ziggy Stardust, the Thin White Duke, the Man Who Fell to Earth, the Goblin King, and, in his stunning final act, the Blind Prophet. While Bowie will rightly be remembered as a brilliant solo artist who consistently pursued new inspiration, he would be the first to tell you that his musical odyssey was never conducted a...
Fair or Cap?: Some Folks On Twitter Were Not Feeling Tina Fey’s Casting In ‘Soul’
Source: Walt Disney Studios / Pixar Soul Of course, some folks have found something to complain about when it comes to Disney’s Pixar’s latest animated film, Soul. The phenomenal Disney+ exclusive that features an African American protagonist, a first for the Disney-owned studio, follows the story of middle school jazz teacher Joe Gardner voiced by Jamie Foxx. The movie revolves around Gardner’s soul trying to make its way back to his body. Along the way, he encounters a wayward spirit named 22, played by Tina Fey. After they are paired together, 22 decides to help Gardner get back to his body in time before he misses out on the gig of a lifetime. While on their mission, Gardner helps 22 discover her purpose in life, and at the same time, learns a new understanding of what it truly means t...
CNPP urges President Buhari to sack minister, spokesperson
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Information Minister, Lai Mohammed and the presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu. CNPP accused the duo of continuously misinforming Nigerians and turning the country into a laughing stock. Secretary-General, CNPP, Willy Ezugwu, made the call in a statement on Sunday in reaction to the duo’s comments on Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index report. Ezugwu described Mohammed and Shehu as major liabilities that have contributed to the poor image of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government. He noted that the Buhari administration would have been perceived in a better light without the two. “To most Nigerians, the Minister of Information represents a face of misinformatio...