“For me, the roots of R&B are gospel vocals. There’s a common story line—love, love, love, love, love. I try to shy away from that, ’cause everything is not love. I’m still R&B, but I want to go outside the boundaries.”
MARCELA CRUZ AND THE R&B GRIND OF A LOWELL NATIVE IN BOSTON
“I just want to sing,” Cruz says. “But I have come to realize that we don’t live in a world now where you can just focus on creating and be able to make a living off of that. The business side is just as important.”
TOMMY BOY: HYDE PARK NATIVE LISA BELLO GAVE UP TEACHING FOR TOURING
“Having the feeling of seeing other people affected by my music is what drives me and makes me feel so passionate. It’s what makes me not want to give up.”
ED BALLOON: FLOATING THROUGH ELECTRO-POP R&B
How the son of Nigerian immigrants is making his own path in Boston’s music scene with electronic, pop, and indie-bent R&B.
WHEEL OF TUNES: WYCLEF JEAN
For our recurring interview series, the iconic rapper talks Fela Kuti, stripper poles, and escaping death in the ’80s.
HAASAN BARCLAY: THE MAGICAL MYSTERY CONTOUR
Boston-bred artist Haasan Barclay brings his R&B hip-hop onto a psychedelic journey with his new mixtape, 800 Fantasy Lane.
TRACK REVIEW: SHEA ROSE – “D.T.M.A. (B-52’S COVER)”
It takes exceptional artistry to turn an ’80s groove track into an R&B social justice anthem. Luckily for us, we have Shea Rose.
LIVE AND LOCAL: FIVE BOSTON ACTS THAT NEED TO BE ON YOUR RADAR
From ’90s rap to math rock, new music is on the way from some of Massachusetts’ most underrated acts.
REVIEW: THE WEEKND @ DCU CENTER, THU 11/12
R&B crooner The Weeknd brought the heart-shaped groove to Worcester on Thursday.
EGO-FREE ODD FUTURE: THE INTERNET TALKS CONFIDENCE, LGBT PRIDE, AND #BLACKLIVESMATTER
Odd Future spinoff duo The Internet delve into Michael Brown, MySpace, and finding confidence when you’re shy.
