Musiq Soulchild
Photo: Sheryl Nields |
N'Music
Hot June Music Nights At The Venue
By Farrah Turenne
June is Black Music Month and in the coming weeks, The Venue at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond is offering some of the better Black concerts of the year.
Musiq Soulchild (June 18, 2011 show - 7:30 PM, Price: $35-$95)
"The aim for this record," says Musiq Soulchild about LUVANMUSIQ, his first album for Atlantic Records, "is basically to reintroduce myself."
As if he really needs an introduction. After debuting in 2000 with the brilliant AIJUSWANASEING, and following that up with JUSLISEN (2002) and SOULSTAR (2003), Musiq Soulchild became known for creating some of the most compelling soul of the new millennium.
Crafting ear-caressing tracks that blended old-school soul fervor with new-school hip hop rhythms, he went on to sell three million albums in the U.S. alone, gathering a string of major awards in the process.
It is Musiq's quiet devotion to his sonic impact as a musician that drives the man to want to re-introduce himself, to set up his return to the airwaves and the clubs as a new beginning of sorts, and not take for granted his status in the music industry.
"I've been away for a little while," he says. "The industry's changed and so have I -- personally, mentally, psychologically. I look at my previous three albums as grade school, middle school, and high school. Now with this new album, LUVANMUSIQ, it's like I'm going off to college."
It is a collection full of the musings of a man who appreciates the perks of maturity, and doesn't have time for the child-like games and sounds that seem to define so much modern music. It sounds like the music of a man trying to maintain, a man not driven by the more youthful priorities that seem to dominate music today. Which is exactly what Musiq was aiming for.
"I like to write and perform songs that have a more realistic perspective on things," says Musiq. "A lot of people use songs for escapism and poetic aesthetics, but I would like to think that humanity has evolved. I would like to inspire people to start thinking that way. Look," he adds with a laugh, "I'm not 21 anymore, so I'm not talking about that same stuff."
That's also the origin of his name. "Musiq Soulchild is technically two ideas," he explains. "'Musiq' is the front man and 'Soulchild' is the idea behind it. It's basically me as an artist in this generation, representing the traditions and the legacies of the past soul stars."
LL Cool J (June 23, 2011 show - 8:00 PM, Price: $39.50-$95.00)
"I never could have predicted that I'd still be rocking the mic more than two decades after my debut, but here I am," LL Cool J says with a smile.
Nearly 25 years since he first burst onto the scene, LL Cool J continues his vibrant, trailblazing career with the release of EXIT 13, his appropriately titled 13th album for the only label he has called home, Def Jam Recordings.
EXIT 13 is a study in contrast. "Depending on my mood, I can be aggressive, explosive and in-your-face, or alternately suave, smooth and sensual. It's no secret that I like making love songs as much as I like to lay down rhymes," says LL.
The new album is packed with collaborators as diverse as 50 Cent, Wyclef Jean, Richie Sambora and The Dream, and producers such as Suits, DJ Scratch, Ilfonics and Raw Uncut.
"When it came time for me to go into the studio, I tried to make this project as relevant as my first, and having that sense of my career coming full circle. Believe me, it was a blessing to be able to go back into the studio and create this album," LL said.
Since the newly developing rap and hip hop scene of the 80's LL Cool J has remained a musical and cultural force, a living icon and a significant, relevant artist still churning out the hits.
First introduced to the world in 1984 as a Def Jam Records flagship artist, LL is the first rap artist to amass 10 consecutive platinum-plus selling albums. His 2004's THE DEFinition and 2006's Todd Smith both went gold, and he is currently tied for third place for most Billboard chart debuts by a rapper.
Maze featuring Frankie Beverly (June 24, 2011 show - 8:00 PM, Price: $35 - $125)
The sound is distinctive -- passionate, creative, original, soulful, honest and powerful. For nearly 30 years, Frankie Beverly and Maze has created a unique sound and become one of the most influential groups in modern history.
"We've made it this far because we love and respect ourselves and our fans. But, most importantly, we believe in what we do," says Beverly.
The journey began when Frankie relocated from his hometown of Philadelphia to San Francisco and formed Maze. In 1976, he released his first album, Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly, which yielded a string of hit singles, including "Lady of Magic" and "Workin' Together." The '80s brought the release of the best-selling albums, Golden Time of Day, Inspiration, Joy and Pain, Live in New Orleans, and We Are One.
Recently Maze released a 20-track double-CD Anthology of the most popular and successful songs by Frankie Beverly's smooth soul/R&B group. Frankie Beverly and Maze may be the ultimate urban contemporary group, though they're much more soulful and funky than many of their counterparts.
(The Venue at Horseshoe Casino is located at 777 Casino Center Drive in Hammond, Indiana. 46320. You must be at least 21 to attend shows, no exceptions. For information or tickets, call The Venue box office at 219/473-6060 or visit www.thevenue-chicago.com.)
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