features
-
Black History Month
UB Black History Spotlight: Celebrating Pioneer Sheryl Lee Ralph
UB continues to celebrate Black History Month, with a spotlight on one of our favorites Sheryl Lee Ralph! Emmy winner, Original “DREAMGIRL,” Sheryl Lee Ralph is an acclaimed veteran of film, television and the Broadway stage. Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, the daughter of a college professor and Jamaican fashion designer, Ralph was raised between Mandeville, Jamaica and Long Island, New…
Read More » -
Anniversary
UB Celebrates Janet Jackson’s ‘Control’ 40th Anniversary
Today 40 years ago, the little girl struggling to throw off the shackles of parental manipulation Janet Jackson, finally did with the release of her third album “Control.” Originally released February 4th, 1986 via A&M Records. Janet Jackson‘s “Control” was the first album I (Aries) fell in love with. It was the first time, outside of “Thriller” that as a…
Read More » -
R&B Bridgez
R&B Bridgez: Celebrating the Maestro Barry White
Today on this Throwback Thursday, we celebrate the late great Barry White with an R&B Bridgez. Barry White, born Barry Eugene Carter on September 12th, 1944, was born in Galveston during a family visit to Texas in the fall of 1944. His mother Sadie had gone to stay with her Texan relatives. It was not altogether smooth as Melvin White,…
Read More » -
UB Features
UB Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. + ‘King Holiday’ Tribute Single
Today January 19th, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In November 1983, with a vote of 78 to 22, Ronald Reagan signed Congressman John Conyers’ bill to declare Martin Luther King, Jr.‘s birthday a national holiday-a date that was not officially observed until the third Monday of January, 1986, and then not by all states. South Carolina, in fact,…
Read More » -
UB Features
UB Celebrates: Oran “Juice” Jones ‘The Rain’ 40th Anniversary
Today on this Throwback Thursday, UB celebrates an artist, who was an original Def Jam artist and a rare, one of a kind artist, Oran “Juice” Jones. Oran “Juice” Jones was born in Houston, Texas and raised in Harlem, New York. He was the first musician signed to OBR Records, a subsidiary of Def Jam and thus the very first…
Read More » -
R&B Bridgez
R&B Bridgez: Celebrating the Multifaceted James Mtume + UB Interview
Today we celebrate the late great James Mtume, who passed away today four years ago on January 9th, 2022. UB spoke to the legend about his catalog and so much more! Born and raised in Philadelphia, James Mtume earned musical fame, starting in jazz with greats such as Miles Davis during the early 1970’s as well as with father, saxophonist…
Read More » -
R&B Bridgez
R&B Bridgez: Celebrating the Unparalleled Teena Marie + The UB Interview
One of the best to ever write a soulful lyric and sing a note was the late great Teena Marie! We celebrate her today, as she passed away 15 years ago on December 26th, 2010. This feature includes The UB Interview with the legend. There have been so many artists I’ve seen in my lifetime but no one like Teena…
Read More » -
UB Soul Friday
UB Soul Friday: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Chris Brown
This weeks “UB Soul Friday” celebrates a versatile singer, songwriter and dancer celebrating his 20th year in the industry, Chris Brown. Tomorrow November 29th, will mark the 20th Anniversary of his self-titled debut album release. “UB Soul Friday,” spotlighting artists, albums, singles and videos that left a mark in R&B and Soul music! Born in Tappahannock, Virginia, Chris Brown has…
Read More » -
UB Soul Friday
UB Soul Friday: Celebrating NKOTB’s ‘Face The Music’
This weeks “UB Soul Friday” celebrates an album by a legendary group, often overlooked. New Kids on the Block‘s “Face The Music” album, released under NKOTB. The album was released in 1994 and is a great body of work! “UB Soul Friday,” spotlighting artists, albums, singles and videos that left a mark in R&B and Soul music! New Kids on…
Read More » -
UB Soul Friday
UB Soul Friday: Celebrating the R&B/UK Collective Loose Ends
This weeks “UB Soul Friday” celebrates a band who had a “string” of hits and cemented their spot in R&B history, Loose Ends. This year the UK band celebrates the 40th Anniversary of their sophomore album “So Where Are You?,” which features the classic “Hangin’ on a String (Contemplating).” That achievement, made Loose Ends the first British band ever to…
Read More »