Brian Notice, Show Stephens and Stephon Hendricks connect to form Toronto’s newest R&B group, Notice. Here’s their debut single, “Sex Tape” produced by David Neale. Proper bedroom-ready R&B chune that also pays homage to the likes of Keith Sweat, Joe and…Mad Cobra, lol.
Stream only for now. Joint’s available on iTunes though too. Video on the way…
One to Watch: Rochelle Jordan Find out why media the world over are hailing this UK-born, Toronto-based singer “the future of R&B.” BY:DENISE BENSON
Who: Rochelle Jordan a.k.a. ROJO is far more than just the latest R&B sensation to emerge from Toronto amid a chorus of comparisons to Drake. The U.K.-born singer-songwriter has been heralded as a voice that’s key to the genre’s comeback as she forges strong links between contemporary R&B’s last great period—that is, the 1990s—and its future.
Singing steadily since her teens, Jordan has spent the past five years focused on her songwriting chops. She found her signature sound—buttery-smooth vocals paired with stuttering, spacey beats—after beginning to work with future-minded Los Angeles producer Kelvin “Klash” Montgomery in 2009. Montgomery found Jordan on YouTube, pestered her to check his MySpace and convinced her to collaborate. Their Alien Phase EP, released independently in July of 2010, was the resulting calling card.
A year later, the two turned heads with Jordan’s “remix” of Drake’s “Marvin’s Room,” in which the songstress took on the persona of a seasoned, spurned lover with a thing or two to say. Last August, Jordan impressed with the 15-track digital album dubbed ROJO. Performing as the sweet-voiced, but heavy-hitting ROJO, Jordan brought an electronic edge to a laid-back set of songs that also showcased her ability to rap on occasion. ROJO included an interpretation of Radiohead (“Sleep”), the spartan standout “How to Feel” and radio-friendly smoothies like “Feel the Same Way.” ROJO, the performer, has range.
“I’ve been creating like this for three years, and since then I’ve really been trying to figure out who I am and how I want to be perceived both vocally and musically,” explains Jordan. “The writing is getting better as I mature, and everything you’ve heard so far has been recorded and vocally produced by myself. I’ve gotten time to know my vocals, to push myself and do what I want. Naturally, I’ve grown more confident in what I do so everything started sounding better. I’ve definitely got more space to grow, though.”
Following the success of the singles “Wake Up”, “Arizona Bay” and “For The Change” the Freedom Writers are back at it again with their latest installment “The Goal.” The spotlight here is on Toronto, veteran emcee Frankie Payne formally known as Jugganot as he lays down precise flows, street knowledge and a melodic hook which he describes as “Revolutionary Soul” creating the perfect blend of wisdom and grittiness.. In “The Goal” Frankie takes you on a lyrical journey backed by a two in one powerful, hypnotic composition courtesy of Freedom Writers comrade Big Sproxx who also directed and edited the video.
Whether you’re working a 9 to 5 or the block, trying to get out debt or jail, WE ALL WANT FREEDOM. In a perfect world we are all free from physical, finical, mental and spiritual oppression, but in this world freedomis “The Goal”.
