Tag Archives: Grammy

Apr 17 2025
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Ye Ali – Ye Ali & Chill 4

There’s no stopping the budding hitmaker, since last year’s Private Suite 5 release, he’s dropped the collaborative THJ Radio Vol.1, the explanatory titled Rap Sanga, even a dance project, WYA? I’m not mad any more and another R&B offering with the fourth instalment to his Ye Ali & Chill Series.

The grammy winner continues to elevate R&B with this 8 track project, leading with the catchy Leave The Party, where he blends his soulful prowess and ability to rap, into the harmonious Catch Feelings. As he continues to evolve as an artist, he’s definitely looking to glide through genres, displaying some more raps on Her Side, but like the singing, he’s able to effortlessly experiment with flows and cadences, as evident on Hopefully, a smooth merge of the two. Track 5, Concept, though feels like an interlude being the shorter of songs, with it’s uplifted chords and nostalgic synths, contrasts the sexy IV Way, a darker and more sultry sound in comparison to Track 7, (another fan favourite) Come Inside, though similar, it feels more weighted, and is another display of modern R&B with those old school elements. Further drawing on those elements, he closes out the project with the percolative outro Secret Oasis, concluding another solid offering with Ye Ali & Chill 4.

At this point, it’s too easy for him, but what’s pure about his artistry is that where most are focusing on their branding, his is being built of his attention to the music across the board, something that makes Ye Ali not just prominent but provides longevity.

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Sep 06 2009
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Music

Whitney Houston – Call You Tonight

Written and originally recorded by Grammy award winning Johnta Austin, I previously reviewed the Johnta Austin version and have waited for this since I found out that it was going to be re-recorded by Whitney for her come-back album.

Unfortunately I am a little dissapointed, I felt that maybe it is because it is easier to find relevance in a male voice, but that is not the case, I am more dissapointed because it is such a good song and could have been a hit for Whitney Houston, but it lacks something, it does not feel as emphatic as I would have hoped, especially from an artist of Whitney Houston’s caliber, however I will have to wait and see if it grows on me or not.

Here is Johnta Austin’s version:

Which one do you prefer?

Personally, I prefer Johnta’s version, simply for the feel and soul in the song.

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Jul 27 2009
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Music

OneFáris Throwback Track!!

Today’s throwback track is a personal favourite, you know those songs that you just know word for word? this is one of them for me!

Babyface – There She Goes featuring Pharrell Williams

Featuring a pre-N*E*R*D Pharrell Williams, There She Goes is taken from the Babyface’s album Face2Face (Released 2001), this track represented the album as it was a more experimental effort from the soul singer, The Neptunes contributed with another track ‘Stressed Out‘ providing the album with it’s overall direction.

It is a rare sound from Babyface which is why it had such an impact, however, some embraced and others were not sure what to say, it was so unexpected, Pharrell at the time was not the Superstar he is today and so it was a brave move, but in the name of music they pulled it off well. Compiled of multiple synths layered onto the signature Neptunes’ beat, the beat really holds the tempo as the assorted sounds help add some variation and really brings the track out. Babyface who had not approached such a track before, really croons over the edgy synth with ease, his voice helps balance Pharrell’s raw falsetto which as a whole helps give the track plenty depth.

There She Goes still sounds as good as it did 8 years ago, as Pharrell (and Chad Hugo) continued to re-define the sound of hip-hop, Babyface reached out to them, the link up with such a highly regarded Grammy winning artist allowed The Neptunes to dominate R&B with their breakthrough sound.

Fáris Rating:
9/10

Babyface - Face2Face album cover artwork

Babyface - Face2Face album cover artwork

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Mar 15 2009
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Music

Johnta Austin – If I Was (Your Boyfriend)

I’m a big fan of Johnta Austin, so I was glad to hear this:

In today’s over saturated industry it is always good to hear something fresh or something classic, Johnta delivers both with this one. A singer and songwriter, Johnta Austin is more famed for his songwriting capabilities (having penned the hit Sweet Lady for Tyrese as well as more recently writing two Grammy award winning tracks in the form of Mariah Carey’s We Belong Together and Be Without You for Mary J. Blige).

‘If I Was (Your Boyfriend)’ has the feel of a classic R&B single (think more Jagged Edge, makes sense as he works closely with Jermaine Dupri). The song has Johnta letting the girl know that she is with the wrong guy (like Trey Songz – Can’t Help But Wait..which funnily enough was written by Johnta Austin), but not just the wrong guy, more so that she doesn’t know what love is unless she got with him (Johnta).

It’s not confirmed if this will become an official single for not, or even if he will keep it for himself, either way it is a nice track and shows the consistency that he delivers which is why Johnta Austin is so sought after in the R&B world.

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