Published: 07:01 AM, Fri Jul 24, 2009
Musicians young and old unite for Soul fest
By Jessica De Vault
Staff Writer
Some of R&B’s veterans and rising artists will come together on one stage for the 2009 Soul Music Festival at Festival Park on Saturday.
The event is being hosted by The Soul 104.5 FM and Bentley’s nightclub.
Neosoul notables such as Calvin Richardson, Case, Urban Mystic and Sunshine Anderson will perform, along with newer acts Sentury, Final Draft and Natasha Jane. Local acts are also scheduled to perform.
Kalim Hasan, the station’s program director, said the free festival is a way “to give back to the listeners.”
“That’s why we’re doing this,” Hasan said. “We’re going to be the station that’s back in the community.”
Zina Bennett, the station’s promotions director, anticipates about 2,500 people will attend the show.
“When I came up with the vision of doing this, it started as a community thing,” Bennett said. “We just want everyone to come out and not feel like they have to go outside the area to have a good time. They can stay right here and enjoy their soul and R&B. We’re looking forward to making this a yearly event for our area.”
The artists were chosen with the station’s listeners in mind.
“Listeners can expect that traditional R&B that they remember, what they miss from back in the day, that true genuine soul,” Hasan said.
For neosoul singer Urban Mystic, the show will be like a reunion of all of his industry colleagues.
“Case and Calvin Richardson, we all kick it,” he said in a phone interview. “We all do the same thing, croon and talk to the ladies. It’s going to really be fun. There’s no telling what might happen. I might run on Calvin’s stage, or he might run on my stage.”
Food will be available for purchase on site from businesses such as Big Shots Entertainment Sports Bar and Rita’s Water Ice. There also will be car and bike exhibits at the park.
Staff Writer Jessica De Vault can be reached at devaultj@fayobserver.com or 609-0649.
The Lineup
Here are a few of the acts slated to perform at the 2009 Soul Music Festival:
Case was a rising force in the R&B world during the ’90s. His collaboration with rapper Foxy Brown, entitled “Touch Me, Tease Me,” was featured on the soundtrack to “The Nutty Professor” soundtrack in 1996. In 1999, his song “Happily Ever After” and its music video — featuring Beyoncé Knowles — became a major single and peaked at No. 3 on the R&B and hip-hop Billboard chart. His current album, “The Rose Experience,” is his first full-length effort since 2001.
Calvin Richardson is the soul singer behind the albums “Country Boy” and “2:35 P.M.” The North Carolina native spent a great deal of time on the local gospel circuit with his mother, who led the group The Willing Wonders. He met the famed duo K-Ci & JoJo during this time and was inspired to enter the music industry for himself. He is now promoting his album “When Love Comes.”
Nappy Roots splashed onto the hip-hop scene with their single “Awnaw” from their “Watermelon, Chicken and Gritz” album in 2002. There last LP, “The Humdinger,” peaked at No. 11 on the Top Independent Albums chart in 2008.
9th Wonder is commonly known for his work as a producer for the hip-hop act Little Brother. He’s produced tracks for Destiny’s Child, Erykah Badu, Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige.
Sunshine Anderson is a Charlotte native who is most known for her song “Heard It All Before.” That single and debut album “Your Woman” came to fruition with the help of singer Macy Gray. Her second album, “Sunshine at Moonlight,” followed in 2007.
Darien Brockington is a North Carolina native whose voice is most commonly heard on the songs of the hip-hop outfit Little Brother. His 2006 album, “Somebody to Love,” was produced by Khrysis and Little Brother’s 9th Wonder.
Shadina is a Baltimore native who has been getting radio play in her hometown with songs such as “Radio” and “Good Girls.”
Sentury is one of the newest R&B boy groups to hit the scene. The quartet compares their sound to the likes of Jodeci, Silk and Jagged Edge. Their current single is “If It Was Me.”
Natasha Jane is an R&B songstress whose album, “Natasha Jane Unveiled,” is set to be released this year.
2009 Soul Music Festival
When: Saturday. Gates open at 3 p.m. Event starts at 4 p.m.
Where: Festival Park
Admission: Free
Other details: Lawn chairs are allowed, but pets and coolers are prohibited.