Sound Check: The Roots, Trey Songz, J Holiday and...
Jam sessions are hitting the scene and New York is on the list for some of the most thought provoking lyricists and performers in the rap and music scene.
First up, some of R&B's most popular, young guns hit the stage for a performance at B.B. King's Blues club for a night of serenading the ladies. J. Holiday, Trey Songz, Bobby Valentino, Case and new comer Laura Ibizor get together for a night hosted by Power 105.1's DJ Clue. Laura may be the only female on the list, but she can roll with the big boys. Her first single "From my Heart to Yours" bounced on the radio scene like a hip-hop track. She has been compared to the likes of Lauryn Hill and Jill Scott for her soul and honesty in the lyrics.
This Dublin native is also a piano player who wrote and co-produced her debut album "Let the Truth Be Told." She will hold it down with the likes of J. Holiday who is on the heals of his 2nd Album, "Round 2", which is already climbing the charts with his first single "It's Yours." They're joined by Trey Songz who is also releasing his next album "Ready"-this summer, with his first single "I Need a Girl" jumping on the bandwagon of his mix tape single "Number in Your Phone." Who knew Trey Songz was making mixtapes?
The night promises to be an evening of comebacks, debuts and heart-throbs including Case, who stepped onto the scene in the late 90's. He's back with his fourth album, "The Rose Experience", on March 24-apropro with the night of the show. Case may be old-school, but he can rock wit' the new dudes. The Rose Experience is a release on his own imprint, Indigo Blue Records - a joint venture with Michael "Blue" Williams of Family Tree Entertainment. The Rose Experience includes the hit single, "Lovely," currently moving quickly up the Urban AC charts since it's January leak. We all remember Case for his most popular hit "Touch Me Tease Me" (featuring Foxy Brown). Pretty boy Bobby Valentino also joins the line up, put together by promoter Adam Lubin.
In April, The Roots get ready to drop a Jam Session at the Highline Ballroom, promoted by super underground promoter Jill Newman. The Roots began focusing on live instrumentation in recordings and concerts in 1987 when rapper Black Thought (Tariq Trotter) and drummer ?uestlove (Ahmir Khalib Thompson) met at the Philadelphia High School for Creative Performing Arts. The Roots' produced its first major-label album, "Do You Want More?!!!??!" (1995), and are currently the house band for Jimmy Fallon's new NBC late night talk show. Until next time, here's the show info. See you there!
Show Info: Tuesday, March 24: TREY SONGZ, BOBBY VALENTINO, J. HOLIDAY, CASE and LAURA IBIZOR with live band - Hosted by Power 105's DJ Clue and DJ Self. 21+ Fashionable Dress Code Enforced. Doors at 8:00pm, Show at 9:45. $25 (www.bbkingblues.com) April 5-April 14th: The Roots Present the Jam @ The Highline Ballroom: Produced by Jill Newman Productions; Doors at 11:00pm, Show at 11:30pm. $10 adv, $12 at door. (431 W 16th St.)
