eMusic Features

Scene: Atlanta Hip Hop, 1990s

By Christina Lee, eMusic Contributor

Atlanta hosts at least one rap show or open mic each week, at cozy locales like Apache Cafe and dives like the Five Spot. The artists at these gigs, however, aren't interested in becoming the next Soulja Boy, much less sipping on some codeine. They're begging for the "good ol' days" of hip-hop to return. When LaFace Records was still in town, a small and close-knit community — mainly, members of Goodie Mob and the… more »

06.18.10 Collection 0

Top Soul and R&B

By eMusic Editorial Staff, eMusic Contributor

R&B is such an overwhelming genre. It lies at the heart of rock 'n 'roll and is somehow separate. It burns brighter, but can go dark. It shimmers and whinnies and roars. It's the sound of struggle and revolution, but also love and charity. Here is more than half a decade of an ever-changing and original American art form. Investigate for yourself. more »

They Say All Music Guide

On their second album, TLC downplay their overt rap connections, recording a smooth, seductive collection of contemporary soul reminiscent of both Philly soul and Prince, powered by new jack and hip-hop beats. Lisa Lopes contributes the occasional rap, but the majority of CrazySexyCool belongs to Tionne Watkins and Rozonda Thomas. While they aren’t the most accomplished vocalists — they have a tendency to be just slightly off-key — the material they sing is consistently strong. As the cover of Prince’s “If I Was Your Girlfriend” indicates, TLC favor erotic, mid-tempo funk. Yet the group removes any of the psychosexual complexities of Prince’s songs, leaving a batch of sexy material that just sounds good, especially the hit singles. Both “Creep” and “Red Light Special” have a deep groove that accentuates the slinky hooks, but it’s “Waterfalls,” with its gently insistent horns and guitar lines and instantly memorable chorus, that ranks as one of the classic R&B songs of the ’90s. – Stephen Thomas Erlewine