'Hip-Hop Soul' Bands // p 1 of 1

Blue Lab Beats

Following their appearance on the acclaimed 2020 project Blue Note Re:imagined and the release their 2021 EP We Will Rise, the London duo Blue Lab Beats—producer NK-OK and multi-instrumentalist Mr DM—make their full-length Blue Note Records debut with Motherland Journey.

The vibes are strong on everything this pair cook up inside Blue Lab HQ, including their sublime take on vibist Bobby Hutcherson’s 1975 classic “Montara” which appeared on the 2020 collection Blue Note Re:imagined. “To be affiliated with Blue Note, whose artists we’ve grown up with, and whose music and politics have influenced us, was exciting,” says Mr DM.

One of the fastest-rising production duos in the world right now, with a Grammy nomination for their work on the Angelique Kidjo album Mother Nature, and a MOBO nomination for ‘Best Jazz Act’ in 2021 testament to their rise, Blue Lab Beats craft a supple, wide-ranging sound that blends boom-bap grooves and jazz-funk hooks are wide-ranging influences inspired by the pioneers of hip-hop and the music of the African diaspora; a sound that tells of London, of today, while hinting at the future.

^{Source Bluenote.com}

Jed Keipp

Jed Keipp was the songwriter and frontman of JEBU.

"I've experimented with many different genres over the years and have learned from some amazing teachers. I mostly enjoy the process of songwriting and producing. The tracks you are hearing are songs I've put together over time and in most cases, performed all the instruments. I do on occasion use a couple choice samples that are near and dear to me on a nostalgic and creative level. And I most certainly give much credit and all my gratitude to the musicians who have contributed. Thanks for listening. Enjoy!"

^{Source SoundCloud.com}

Lady Wray

Nicole Monique Wray (born May 2, 1979), also known as simply Nicole, is an American R&B and hip hop singer. Her 1998 debut single "Make It Hot" was certified gold.

Musical career

Wray was born in Salinas, California and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia. After being introduced to Missy Elliott, Wray was featured on Missy's platinum certified debut Supa Dupa Fly. When Elliott started her own label, The Goldmind, the then 17-year-old Wray was the first artist signed. She impressed Elliot with her singing skills.

In 1998, her debut album Make It Hot was released. Heavily criticized for Elliott's heavy-handed involvement (she produced, wrote, and performed on much of the album) the first single, "Make It Hot", peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified gold. Her second single, "I Can't See", reached number 36 on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart. Her debut album Make It Hot peaked at number nineteen on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart (number 42 on The Billboard 200) and dropped off by the end of the year. The third single, "Eyes Better Not Wander", peaked at number 71 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Later that year, Wray would sing the hook to "All n My Grill" on Missy Elliott's platinum certified second album, Da Real World.

In July 2001, Wray released "I'm Lookin'", the first single from her planned second album Elektric Blue. "I'm Lookin'" peaked at number 66 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but the album would eventually be shelved.

After amicably parting with The Goldmind, Wray was sought after to feature vocals on various albums and soundtracks. She would go on to sign a new album deal and under the guidance of Damon Dash was featured on Cam'ron's gold certified 2004 release, Purple Haze.

Later that year she released the single, "If I Was Your Girlfriend" from her scheduled Roc-A-Fella Records debut and sophomore studio set LoveChild. Though garnering some buzz, there ultimately was not enough push to release the album. After the temporary halt of Roc-A-Fella, LoveChild would suffer the same fate as its predecessor.

Wray moved through the Dame Dash Music Group, and also Channel 7 Records, garnering several guest vocal appearances.

Still maintaining her work relationship with Damon Dash, Wray joined The Black Keys rock/hip-hop collective Blakroc, and was a major vocal contributor to the group's self-titled November 2009 debut. Wray was then enlisted to add her background vocals on The Black Keys' seventh studio LP, Brothers, which was released in May 2010.

In 2010, she appeared on Kid Cudi's second album Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager on the song "The End", alongside Chip tha Ripper and GLC.

In 2012, Wray teamed up with fellow soulstress Terri Walker to form retro-soul duo Lady. They were signed to Truth and Soul Records and their self-titled debut album was released on March 5, 2013.

In 2016, she announced a new single "Do It Again" and a new album "Queen Alone" set for a September 23, 2016 release date, under her new stage name Lady Wray.

^{Source Wikipedia}

NxWorries

NxWorries (pronounced "No Worries") is an American music duo from Los Angeles, California that consists of record producer Knxwledge and singer/rapper Anderson Paak. They are currently signed to Stones Throw Records and have released their debut studio album Yes Lawd! on October 21, 2016.

2015–present: Link Up & Suede and Yes Lawd!
Knxwledge's and Anderson Paak's debut under the name NxWorries, "Suede", was released as the lead single of their EP, Link Up & Suede. The song premiered on February 10, 2015, on Stones Throw Records' SoundCloud page. The song contains a sample of "The Bottle" as written and performed by Gil Scott-Heron. The song became a viral hit, with more than a million SoundCloud listens and nearly as many YouTube plays. From August 21 to September 17, 2015, NxWorries toured with Earl Sweatshirt and Remy Banks. On August 25, 2015, the music video for "Suede" was released on the official Stones Throw YouTube channel. The second single, "Link Up", was broadcast on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 radio show on December 1, 2015. Link Up & Suede was released on December 4, 2015 under Stones Throw Records.

On March 3, 2016, a music video for "Link Up" was released on the official Stones Throw YouTube channel. It featured guest appearances from Eric André and Earl Sweatshirt. On June 19, 2016, Paak confirmed that NxWorries' debut studio album is finished and set for release. On July 25, 2016, it was confirmed that the album was to be titled Yes Lawd. On September 19, 2016, Yes Lawd! was confirmed for a release date of October 21, 2016, in addition to releasing a single, 'Lyk Dis' off the album, but was released on October 14, 2016.

^{Source Wikipedia}