Ruff Sounds, Hot Diamonds (Justin Ruff Interview)

I was first introduced to Justin Ruff’s music a couple years ago when I heard his debut EP, The Ruff Draft. Ruff Draft still gets regular rotation. He’s a Cincinnati native, who now resides in Chicago. Now, he has just released his brand new single, “Diamonds (Nothing On You)”. Justin weaves in and out of this R&B slow jam, with high falsettos and low growls. This is honestly one of the best true R&B songs I’ve heard in a long time. I got a chance to catch up with him, in the midst of his busy promotional schedule. We talked about “Diamonds”, his creative process and even a sneak peak into his upcoming EP. Here are some of the highlights from our interview. 

“Diamonds” sounds really original, yet current. But it doesn’t sound like you’re trying to chase trends. What are your thoughts on the current trap music phenomenon and do you feel pressured to conform to it?

I don’t feel the pressure. Even though that sound (trap music) is at the forefront right now, people want to hear good music. They want to hear something they can relate to and connect with. Everybody can relate to love, whether you’re young or old. The trap music isn’t really for me. I enjoy that music, but I like to stay true to who I am as an artist. 

Tell us how “Diamonds (Nothing On You)” came about for you. 

I wanted to do something a little different this time and really find my sound. With my first project, The Ruff Draft, I was experimenting with different sounds. With this project, now that I’ve locked in my sound, I wanted to do more singing and focus on the lyrical aspect of the records. I love acoustic music too. You’ll hear that in my live shows. Even with “Diamonds”, it starts off with a guitar riff. I knew what I wanted the record to sound like. I got with my guitarist and we sent it off to a couple producers to hear what their ideas were for building around that. It just came to life from there. 

Is there anything that’s a must have or a ritual you do before every live show?

People laugh when I say this, but yes. Gummy bears. I even bring them out on stage with me sometimes. That and a bottle of water. Alicia Keys said in a recent interview that she melts them and puts them in hot water. Something in the gummy bears helps soothe the vocal chords. I don’t know how true that is, but it makes me feel good. It has to be the Haribo brand too. 

Tell us about your show coming up on July 5th in Chicago. 

I’m excited about July 5th. It’s the Taste of Chicago and one of the biggest shows in the city. I was selected to headline their Bud Light stage for the up and coming artists. I’m headlining the R&B/Hip Hop day. So, I’m super excited but nervous. There are a lot of people that come out. I’m excited though to expand and get this music out to the people. 

You mentioned you’re working on a new EP. Do you have a title for it yet and when can we expect to get it?

Yes, it’s titled Harvey Avenue. That’s where I grew up in Cincinnati. One thing I learned about this project, as we pushed the lyrical content, as I sang more and become more comfortable, it reminded me of growing up on Harvey Avenue. I was able to be vulnerable and open. It only felt right to name it Harvey Avenue. That will be released later this summer. 

Where can your fans find your music and your social media handles? 

It’s pretty easy. It’s Justin Ruff Music. The website is www.justinruffmusic.com. My Soundcloud is Justin Ruff Music. On social media, everything is @JustinRuffMusic. 

Check out Justin’s new single, “Diamonds (Nothing On You)” below, as well as a flash back performance of his song, “Faded Picture”. 

Goapele: The Secretive Dreamseeker

Goapele caught my attention back in 2001 with her hit single, “Closer”. I heard one of my friends playing the song and had to know who this mystery woman was. I have been a fan of her music ever since. Although 2014’s Strong As Glass sounded a bit more contrived than 2011’s Break Of Dawn, it still gets rotation on my iPod. Now, she’s back with a new EP, Dreamseeker. This project also marks her celebration as an independent artist. The 10 track set is Goapele at her finest and most confident.

She cleverly borrows from Aaliyah’s “Are You That Somebody?” on the seductive slow jam, “$ecret”. After just one listen, it’s easy to see this is one of Dreamseeker’s stand out tracks. Goapele taunts us to uncover her sexy secret. “As Bright As The Sun” is a lullaby of an interlude that smoothly ushers in “Power”. The latter song is an inspirational jungle party anthem. The song serves as an ode to loyalty and living in true freedom. Goapele shines brightest when she’s toying and teasing. “Take It Over” is a pop influenced plea for her lover to take the lead and prove he wants her. She sings, “Why fight it when it’s plain to see/Take me over.”

BJ The Chicago Kid lends his buttery vocals on “Stay”, the EP’s only song with a feature. “Stay” is a warm invitation for a lover to simply stay around a little while longer. This is definitely one of the most memorable tracks and will surely be a fan favorite. However, “Full Circle” (a short interlude) is one of the most introspective and honest tracks. Goapele openly asks herself what she wants out of life and love. “Stand” is more serious, with a mandatory charge for her listeners to stand up for themselves and their beliefs.

Goapele closes out Dreamseeker with the slinky, bluesy “Cool Breeze”. By the time the song ends, there’s a wind that trails off into the atmosphere. There’s a yearning for more. Goapele has poured out her soul and quietly slipped out of the back door. She’s more free, focused and intentional than ever.  Void of any skip worthy tracks, I’ll be hearing this one in my dreams for quite some time.

 

 

Snoop Dogg: Rap’s Pioneer Neva Left

When Snoop Dogg’s 1993 groundbreaking debut, Doggystyle, dropped, Kendrick Lamar and Drake were 6 years old. Many artists have come and gone in Snoop’s 25 year career run. However, he has remained relevant and picked up steam along the way. He is one of the pioneers who put the West Coast on the map and made rapping cool. What other rapper do you know is best buds with Martha Stewart? So, it’s no surprise that Snoop Dogg has some words for naysayers on his fifteenth studio album, Neva Left. While many veteran Hip Hop artists have tried similar feats of reminding everyone of their past successes, Snoop Dogg appropriately gets everyone in check here. 

He starts out strong right out of the gate, with the reminiscent coming of age tale and title track, “Neva Left”. He dubs himself the Miles Davis of gang banging. Snoop Dogg effortlessly glides into the infectiously addictive West Coast bass thumpers “Moment I Feared (featuring Rick Rock)” and “Bacc In Da Dayz (featuring Big Tray Deee)”. His cool, nonchalant flow is more intact than ever on the head bobbing anthem “Promise You This”. He even dives into current day trap music trends with the K CAMP assisted “Trash Bags”. Snoop Dogg takes would could have been an epic fail here and turns it into a great success. 

Although the album has a ton of features (only three tracks are void of guest appearances), he holds his own on each track. Take “Go On” featuring October London for instance. The song is a smooth, breezy summer track infused with a splash of R&B. “Big Mouth” finds Snoop Dogg ranting about people with….well, big mouths. He’s clearly angry here in the song’s intro. However, when the song gets into full swing, I can’t help but hear, “Tina got a big ole butt” in the background. He has always balanced the roles of gangsta and comedian well. “Big Mouth” is proof positive of that. 

“Toss It” features another rap veteran, Too Short, and Pharaoh. Yet again, Uncle Snoop Dogg shows his nephews of rap how it’s done. This one is sure to be a club favorite. I can’t say “420 (Blaze Up)” with Devin The Dude The Dude, Battlecat and Wiz Khalifa is one of my favorites. But it just wouldn’t be a Snoop album without a reference to, as he puts it, blazing up. KRS-One stops by for the cleverly crafted, trippy rock inspired “Let Us Begin”. Snoop Dogg takes his hand at remaking Biz Markie’s classic “Vapors” with the help of Charlie Wilson and the late Teena Marie. It feels like 1993 all over again. 

While there are no “Beautiful” or “Drop It Like It’s Hot” pop gems on Neva Left, he goes back to the essence that made him a star in the first place. Nevertheless, Snoop Dogg simultaneously serves up street and mainstream flavors in only a way that he can. Neva Left is appropriate, because Snoop has always been here. He will be around for as long as he chooses to keep making music. 

 

UK Band Everywhere Tells Us To ‘Man Up’

I initially became acquainted with Everywhere’s music in December of 2016 (The New Fiction Act Is ‘Everywhere’). Their fresh sound and edgy vocals instantly drew me in. So, when I heard about their upcoming single, “Man Up”, I had to check it out. The group’s latest single also features Swedish singer/songwriter Rebecca Nohr. The group takes directive jabs at the traditional idea of what manhood should be. The chorus chants, “You gotta man up/Or I will eat you whole.”

The whole song is the group recounting a conversation from the woman’s point of view. “Man Up” leaves room to the imagination of what the rebuttal will be. Perhaps we will get to hear that on the band’s next single. The production is dreamy, tribal infused and undeniably pop influenced. Ironically, there’s a piece of nostalgia baked in here. Like that familiar deja vu feeling of a comfortable place visited once before. Rebecca Nohr’s smooth vocals are also a worthy addition and contrast to lead singer Max Berga’s more rock driven tone. 

Listen to “Man Up” for yourself below. The track is available for streaming now on Soundcloud. However, the single will be released to all digital outlets next Friday, June 9th. Everywhere is currently working on a studio album, with plans to release it this fall. I’m definitely looking forward to the album, based on this new music the group has unveiled. 

What are your thoughts on Everywhere’s new single, “Man Up”?

What’s Wrong With Kissing Strangers?

I didn’t know who DNCE was, until a few months ago. Sure, I have heard several songs from their self titled debut album at the gym. “Toothbrush”, “Cake By The Ocean”, “Good Day”, and “Body Moves” all get frequent spins at LA Fitness. I must admit, I am a fan of the group after hearing their album in its entirety. Their music is feel good pop, with an edge. They are not quite as lyrically jagged as Maroon 5, but not as smooth bubblegum pop as the Jonas Brothers. Joe Jonas (formerly of the Jonas Brothers) is ironically the front man of the group.

Although I was late to the party in regards to their debut album (released in November 2016), they are already gearing up for new music. The group decided to enlist some assistance from Hip Hop’s reigning diva, Nicki Minaj. Their new single, “Kissing Strangers” is pure awesomeness. Filled with a catchy call and response hook and a witty rap verse from Nicki Minaj, this song is sure to be one of summer’s big hits.

“Kissing Strangers” speaks of finding the perfect love connection, with multiple trial and error moments along the way. It’s freshman year college spring break all over again. The song seamlessly embodies dance, sweat and seduction in just five minutes. Hear the song for yourself below. What are your thoughts on DNCE’s “Kissing Strangers”? Would you Bump It or Dump It?

Katy Perry On The Chopping Block

Katy Perry has always been a persuasive trendsetter. She changed the way we view cherry Chapstick forever. She released the visuals for her new single, “Bon Appetit”, this weekend. The song follows the surprisingly lackluster “Chained To Rhythm”. The song is just ok. However, it fails to move me like “Birthday” and “Dark Horse”, from 2013’s Prism. Thankfully, “Bon Appetit” is at least a step back in the right direction.  The music video really takes the song over the top. The Migos assisted track is a pop/Hip Hop mash up, which Katy Perry usually pulls off well.

The “Bon Appetit” visual clip features Katy Perry as the seductive main course dish. The singer goes through a series of meal preparations. First, she is kneaded in a bed of flour, with stretched limbs. Next, she is transferred from a cutting board to a boiling pot of soup. Finally, she ends up as the centerpiece of a fruit platter in a dimly lit night club. Migos delivers their verse, complete edible, sexual innuendo. I expect Katy Perry to take home a few MTV Video Music Awards for this innovative music video.

She also has been teasing fans with a simple billboard in Times Square. The graphic is an eye with heavy makeup and a May 15th date. Could this be related to a new album release announcement? We will have to wait and see. However, here is the “Bon Appetit” video for your viewing and listening pleasure. Sorry, there are no taste testers here.

What are your thoughts on “Bon Appetit”? Would you say Bump It or Dump It?