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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hometown Heroes and Cross-Genre Icons: Seven Takeaways from Roots Picnic 2025
Another Roots Picnic is in the books. For two days, thousands of music lovers descended upon Philadelphia's Fairmount Park to check out a wide array of acts, from R&B and pop stars such as Maxwell, Miguel, and Tems to rappers like Meek Mill, GloRilla, Latto, and everything in between. Though the rain on May 31 threw a massive monkey wrench into the festivities, drawing an apology from Questlove to fans, things got better on June 1 (for the most part). Here are seven of the biggest takeaways from the weekend. It's no surprise that a festival with a lineup at least partially based on Questlove's taste reflects the wide spectrum of Black music. Lenny Kravitz, Kaytranada, and Meek Mill — three very different artists — were the three closing sets on Sunday, and it all made sense. There were in-demand rappers like GloRilla and Latto. Acts such as Cece Peniston and Crystal Waters (both hosted by Rich Medina) and Kaytranada demonstrated the long history of house music. Multi-instrumentalist Adam Blackstone was joined by Total and Jagged Edge, giving their early-'00s pop/R&B hits the live treatment. R&B was well accounted for throughout the weekend, with stellar sets from the likes of Maxwell, Tems, and Miguel. Concertgoers could even give praise at Kirk Franklin's Sunday School. There are many festivals that offer a particular vibe for a particular audience, but increasingly, the Roots Picnic is becoming one of the music world's better 'something for everyone' events. More from Rolling Stone Questlove Apologizes for Extreme Delays at Roots Picnic: 'Today Wasn't Ideal' Clipse Set Summer Release Date for New Album, 'Let God Sort Em Out' D'Angelo Cancels Roots Picnic Performance Over Medical Issue Maxwell headlined the Fairmount Park stage on Saturday night as a last-minute replacement for D'Angelo, who pulled out the week before the show because of health concerns. He wished his R&B brother a speedy recovery from the stage, but expressed gratitude for the opportunity to perform in front of thousands of concertgoers. Saturday's rain cleared up right in time for him to give an unimpeded showcase of his extensive catalog, including 'Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder),' 'This Woman's Work,' and 'Fortunate.' The fans who braved the unseasonable June chill got a reminder of Maxwell's greatness, though one fan spoke for many when she lamented, 'He didn't play 'Pretty Wings'!' Maxwell was joined onstage by comedian Dave Chappelle, who commended the singer and told the crowd that they first met years ago, when Maxwell was a bartender. Hometown hero Meek Mill closed out the festival on night two, running through an almost hourlong set of his hits. He came to the stage in dramatic fashion, with a video montage of himself and friends seemingly pulling onto festival grounds on bikes as Phil Collins' 'In the Air Tonight' played. Once he took the stage, he delved into the Collins-sampling intro to his heralded Championships album, and other hits such as 'Uptown Vibes' and 'All Eyes On You.' He also brought out a couple of up-and-coming rappers from the Philly area, Skrilla and Fridayy. Meek performed 'Proud of Me' with the latter artist, though backing vocals unfortunately distorted Meek's incredible verse. After almost every song, Meek offered motivational advice to the crowd, referencing his rags-to-riches come-up and imploring the crowd to remember that they're capable of the same, despite the naysayers. It's pretty well-known that Meek has a polarizing relationship with social media, and his annoyance with skeptics was apparent throughout the night, as the screen behind him showed several clips of adages such as 'Don't Believe Everything You See,' and an image of sheep with glowing eyes (a shot at the 'internet sheep') who spark his ire. Toward the end of the set, Meek was about to go into his 'Dreams And Nightmares' intro, but stopped twice when he felt the crowd wasn't giving him the necessary energy. There were definitely moments where the crowd felt disconnected from Meek. Sensing the malaise, he then asked for someone to come onstage to give a 'Philly speech.' Rapper Gillie and media personality Wallo (from podcast Million Dollaz Worth Of Game) walked centerstage to rouse the crowd. Wallo told Meek he should remind the crowd who he is by running through his early hits before closing out with the intro. The crowd rapped every word to early-2010s tracks such as 'Rosé Red' and 'Levels,' in a moment that matched his prior rendition of 'I'm a Boss,' which also turned the crowd up. That run of Philly classics primed the crowd for his festival-closing 'Intro.' GloRilla was the first big star to grace the Fairmount Park stage on Saturday. Boasting long teal hair and bedazzled jeans, she looked every bit the star she's become over the past several years. She went through her steadily growing catalog, with four dancers in tow augmenting renditions of 'Yeah Glo,' 'FNF,' and 'Hollon.' GloRilla and DJ Digital Dynasty frequently addressed the crowd, dropping the music so concertgoers could finish her lines. But unfortunately, she wasn't getting much reciprocation. Maybe the lack of call-and-response was about the number of older people in the crowd, or the dreary weather sapping everyone's energy. But the moment reminded me of seeing Sexyy Red's performance at last year's Roots Picnic. Though Sexyy, like Glo, was an unconventional fit for a traditional bill at this festival, her set succeeded it part because it occurred in the park's TD Pavilion amphitheater, a closed-off environment in the far corner of the grounds. For Sexyy, that venue-within-the-venue served as a space strictly for young fans who wanted to get ratchet. Instead of getting the same placement, Glo played the mainstage, which, with the Saturday schedule being a mystery, was stocked with attendees who didn't seem to resonate with her high-octane sound. It's cool that Roots Picnic is widening their selection of artists, but perhaps the more younger-skewing acts should play the amphitheater. The walk toward its stage is steep — you'd only take it if you know exactly who you're coming to see. As someone who loves to hear MCs bar up, producer DJ annual Live Mixtape was my highlight of the weekend. Esteemed rap journalist Sway opened the set and introduced Black Thought, calling him 'bar-for-bar the illest MC on the planet.' The Roots MC delved into a couple of freestyles before Pusha T took the stage. He played singles like 'If You Know You Know' and 'Games We Play,' before inviting his brother Malice out, marking the Clipse's Roots Picnic debut. They performed hits like 'What Happened to That Boy,' and 'Cotdamn' (with their longtime Philly associate Ab-Liva), with Black Thought occasionally jumping in at the end of the beat to get off some bars. Clipse didn't play their just-released 'Ace Trumpets' single, but they gave the crowd a dose of nostalgia to prime them for their upcoming, long-awaited album Let God Sort Em Out. Next, Black Thought had rappers D West and Lena L, a pair of students from his School of Thought master classes, spit some bars over 'Grindin.' Then, things went to Atlanta as 2 Chainz came onstage and performed hits like 'No Lie,' 'Rich As Fuck,' and the eponymous track from his Life Is Beautiful album with Alchemist and Larry June. Black Thought, who stayed onstage the entire time (and had a full set with the Roots just an hour later), offered some bars to 2 Chainz' classics as well. 2 Chainz spoke for many when he called Black Thought a 'magician' and a 'rappin'-ass nigga,' but he deserves props as well. Seeing Philly's Thought and Atlanta's 2 Chainz trade bars over the beat from Camp Lo's quintessential uptown New York hit 'Luchini' (right after Virginia's Clipse tore down the stage) is the kind of thing that shatters any regional or aesthetic demarcations people place on rap. For if you can spit, you can jump onstage for the Live Mixtape. In 2000, Philly musician Musiq Soulchild released his debut album, Aijuswanaseing, on Def Jam. The project made waves, so much so that 25 years later he filled the amphitheater with fans looking to celebrate its silver anniversary with him. He started the hometown set by letting his band play, getting the crowd ready to two-step before he jumped into a top-to-bottom rendition of his debut. He also took a beat to humbly thank the crowd for 'supporting your own.' Later that day, Jeezy celebrated the 20th anniversary of his own major-label debut, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 — the rap classic that elevated him from a mixtape maestro into a bonafide rap star. He tore through hits such as 'Soul Survivor,' but he also gave a full reminder of the rest of his iconic catalog, performing his 'Dey Know' remix before closing out with 'Put On.' Kendrick Lamar, currently on his Grand National tour, wasn't at the Roots Picnic, but his presence was felt. Several DJs played GNX hits such as 'Squabble Up,' 'TV Off' — and yes, 'Not Like Us' — during their sets. The momentous Drake diss also garnered what may be a hip-hop first: Philly soul band SNACKTIME performed a cover of 'Not Like Us,' with lead singer Nico Bryant belting Kendrick's venomous first verse over their raucous live instrumentation. Aside from occasional bar and hook references, cover songs don't often make it to rap, so their choice to cover a diss song might have made history. The day before, Musiq Soulchild went viral for transitioning out of his 'Just Friends (Sunny)' hit into the chorus of Kendrick Lamar's 'TV Off.' An artist being covered by contemporaries is the true sign of an instant classic. On Saturday, Philly had to contend with Mother Nature, and thousands of attendees dealt with the unknown. After on-and-off rain for the previous 24 hours, festival organizers had to mulch parts of the festival's grassy area to make things more walkable. But they weren't very communicative about the process with attendees, many of whom took to social media to share their dismay with their lengthy wait. The festival opened its gates at 2 p.m. (instead of the previously announced noon opening), leaving some people waiting in line for as many as four hours with no indication of what was going on. Commenters on the Roots Picnic's IG recounted medics having to assist people who had been waiting for too long with no water (eventually the account closed its comments). All of the Saturday sets were pushed back, and no one knew when to expect which act. The festival issued an apology on its Instagram page on Sunday morning, noting 'today is a new day and we will do better'; Questlove later added a personal note of his own, thanking fans for their 'understanding and patience through this adversity.' I spoke to multiple people who said they had a smoother entry Sunday, but there was still an hour delay at the Mann Stage, which left it unclear which acts were playing at what time. SNACKTIME were set to play at 2 p.m., but didn't get into their set until after 3 p.m.; the Roots started near 7:30 instead of the scheduled 6:30. Going forward, the festival has to be more forthcoming with attendees, whether that's relaying messages to between-set DJs, hiring hosts who can keep attendees abreast in between acts, or simply offering change-of-plan notices on their Instagram page. Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Winnie Harlow Engaged To NBA Baller Kyle Kuzma, Model Flaunts Ring In Proposal Snaps
NBA baller Kyle Kuzma proposed to girlfriend, model Winnie Harlow, over Valentine's Weekend, with both taking to social media to share snaps and video of their engagement night. Both Kuzma and Harlow's Instagram accounts shared a carousel of snaps from their engagement Tuesday (Feb. 18), including several on what appears to be a private plane heavily decorated with roses. Winnie matched the decor in a red blouse and pants, topped with a red trench coat. All photos feature the runway pro showing off her ring before a video plays of the beauty walking into a private event and being surprised by loved ones as Jagged Edge's 'Let's Get Married (Remix)' plays in the background. Take a look at the snaps and clip below. The couple received congratulations from several of their industry pals, including LaLa Anthony, Draya Michele, BIA, Sevyn Streeter, Nazanin Mandi, Safaree Samuels, and others. Harlow and Kuzma have been dating since early 2020, when the athlete slid into the America's Next Top Model alum's DMs. While they moved to be closer to each other in April, they wouldn't confirm their romance until June 2020 when the pair went 'Instagram official.' The couple have been riding high ever since, with Harlow famously avoiding singer Usher's flirtatious serenade during his Las Vegas residency out of respect for the Milwaukee Buck back in 2023. News of Harlow and Kuzma's engagement follows the same for DeVon Franklin and celebrity trainer Maria Castillo, who announced their engagement one day before Valentine's Day. More from Cardi B And Stefon Diggs Spark Romance Rumors With Valentine's Day Sighting DeJ Loaf Denies Issue With Deiondra Sanders Over Jacquees: "I Respect People's Relationships" Ye And Bianca Censori's Rep Refutes Divorce Rumors Following Grammy Appearance
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shaé Universe, THEY., kwn, Kehlani And More New R&B For Your Worst Behavior
This week in R&B, the serial lovers kicked everyone else out of the way because they all collectively had something to say. Whether they're on their worst behavior, living in the heat of the moment, vying for one's affection and attention or simply want to cut up, slow grind, and sip champagne at The Louvre, R&B is oozing with themes of love and lust. Shaé Universe released her scorchingly passionate visual for her single, 'OOTW,' while THEY. sing of a love jones that's all-consuming. Kehlani and kwn are making the girls, gays, and theys feel everything. Meanwhile, Jagged Edge return to the spotlight with their new album as does Seal with his first single in over a decade. With other new music offerings from Muni Long, Dende, SAILORR, LÉA THE LEOX, Seal, Cautious Clay, Kyle Dion, Mereba, and more, R&B is beyond stacked this week. Check out our top favorites below. British songbird Shaé Universe isn't playing around when it comes to the long-awaited visual for her sultry ballad, 'OOTW.' Meaning 'order on the way,' the record itself is for the real yearners who are unapologetic about romance and submission—basically a recipe for a perfect Valentine's Day. As far as the visual goes, it's spicy; viewer discretion is advised. Shaé told VIBE, 'This music video is by far the sexiest version of Shaé I've ever been. It's a new but adventurous time for me and I found myself feeling so empowered whilst filming this video. I got to put my acting skills to work and delve deeper into the intimate art of storytelling through my music. I hope this Valentine's day, everyone who watches this video feels just as liberated and powerful as I did shooting it.' After spending the past decade honing in on their distinct sound, THEY. —comprised of songwriter Drew Love and producer Dante Jones— released their newest album, LOVE. JONES. Forgoing the need for collaborations and ridding themselves of label expectations, the men trusted their talent and collaborative efforts to create a masterpiece. 'Forget the features, forget bringing in the big producers and writers. It's really just a return to our original dynamic,' Jones noted of the LP that likens itself to the 'straight-fire, love-making' soundtrack of the 1997 film that inspired their own project. 'I just keep movies on while we're working and 'Love Jones' kind of sparked something and had me thinking about our very, very early days,' Jones shared while reflecting on the time when they were strangers, but still experiencing a parallel in their respective lives. With LOVE. JONES, you get a bit of jazz, neo-soul, and their spin on Hip-Hop soul. 'We really just wanted it to feel like from the moment that you press play like you're entering into something new,' Jones stated and we can agree. kwn and Kehlani are on their 'worst behaviour' and we're so here for it. The seductive remix of kwn's record is a match-made in heaven as Keh's dreamy vocals merge with kwn's steamy nature. 'What's mad about all of this is, we didn't even plan a remix like that…Kehlani was the one who said, 'we should do a remix' and I said, 'ok do you wanna be on it?' and that's how it happened,' kwn noted of the duet. Coming off the heels of their other collab, 'Clothes Off' from Kehlani's While We Wait 2, this is a chilling setup for what kwn has up her sleeve. Jagged Edge's 11th album, All Original Parts Volume 1, is finally here. It's the first installment of a trilogy and is their celebration of love, life, and their almost 30-year journey. '[This] is more than an album— the title of the album plays off of our group history with having all original members and staying together for almost 30 years. We are one of the rare finds in R&B music,' the quartet shared regarding the LP. As you may recall, the album promo began with the arrival of the lead single, 'Just Might Get It,' and not long after, the group announced their upcoming anniversary tour. From the moment we pressed play on LÉA THE LEOX's 'IFY,' it was an instant yes. Standing for 'I found you,' the sensual single effortlessly captures the thrill and butterflies that pop up when you know you met the right person. It paints a picture in mind of what those enticing moments are like, remind you that romance is about the possibility, and those possibilities are endless. We're still not over SAILORR's 'POOKIE'S REQUIEM' remix with Summer Walker, but the hits keep coming. 'CUT UP' serves as both a witty warning and a confessional for a potential lover as she sings, 'Loving usually make me sick/ But, bae, I think I'll make you mine/ I'm cutting up real bad though/ Might cut up all these photos of us.' Her unique vocals paired with infectious melodies keep us coming back for more all while teasing her debut, full-length project that's set for release later this year. Dende's first release under Def Jam is a soulful ode to his lover and his desire to immortalize her as art in the Louvre. 'You're a masterpiece/ Basquiat would try to make you from a dream/ Finally came along and changed the scene,' he sings in the chorus. He considers the record to be one of his favorites and noted, 'A muse is a word used to describe someone who brings inspiration to an artist. Our single 'The Louvre' is about feeling like you don't have any inspiration at all, creativity, or just going through your day happily and then finding that in someone else.' Dedicate this one to the masterpiece in your life. Valentine's Day were longer than a day, it'd be known as Muni Long season. The illustrious Grammy winner is back with her new ballad, 'Slow Grind,' and it's as enchanting and sexy as it implies. 'This song may lead to unforgettable nights. Listen accordingly,' she warns about the single. With 'Slow Grind,' she makes her desires known and confidently lays out the path for a night you'll want to remember. Seal's 'All I Know Is Now' is his first single in over a decade. The bold anthem is one that spotlights the strength found in life's uncertainty. 'If our time is spent focused on a hypothetical future, then by definition we cannot be present. The only thing we know is now. Right now!,' the crooner explained in a statement. Welcome back, Seal! You've been missed. Cautious Clay's first single of 2025 marks a new chapter in the singer-songwriter's life. Produced by himself and Valley Girl, 'No Champagne (6am)' is described as a 'heartfelt meditation on love's quiet intensity.' We'd like to add that it's also soul-stirring and relatable. As he defines the difference between expectation and reality, he also explores the juxtaposition of what someone wants from a relationship versus what they actually get. If you were looking for the soundtrack to help heal your inner child, you now have Mereba to thank. Her new album, The Breeze Grew a Fire, was written entirely by her and almost produced in a similar manner, but she had some help from Sam Hoffman and Kibrom Birhan. 'For this [album], it went back to me being on my own for the creation of a lot of the songs, and it was really important for me at this time of life because I was a little disconnected from the world, and from who I was. So I was trying to find my way back to myself first. What do I like? What do I want to hear? What do I want to say to people now?,' she questioned. Mereba went back to her fundamental experiences from life in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and beyond to find the answers to her introspective questions. What she uncovered was nothing short of mesmerizing music and a honest reflection of one's self. Kyle Dion's second release of the year is a hypnotizing fusion of romance and energy. 'Astro Afterglow' embraces themes of confidence and sensuality while also highlighting the intense connection between kindred souls. ''Astro Afterglow' is all about that electric connection— the kind of love that feels effortless and magnetic, where you and someone special are moving in perfect sync. Releasing this song on Valentine's Day makes it even more meaningful because it embodies passion, intimacy, and the thrill of being lost in the moment. With this track, I'm diving back into my R&B roots, blending sensuality with confidence, and giving fans a taste of the emotional journey my upcoming album explores,' he noted of the record. There's more to come from the beloved crooner and trust us, you don't want to miss out. More from Jazmine Sullivan, Normani Set To Perform At EmpowHER Music Fest GloRilla, Tyla, Muni Long, Erykah Badu Announced As Billboard Women In Music 2025 Honorees Jagged Edge Announces Anniversary Tour To Commemorate 25 Years Of 'J.E. Heartbreak'
Washington Post
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Q&A: Jagged Edge's new album celebrates love, longevity and brotherhood
NEW YORK — When Jagged Edge first formed in their teens , they realized the sum of their group would be greater than its individual parts — an understanding that's been the main ingredient of their success for nearly three decades. One of the most iconic groups of modern R&B, Jagged Edge — Richard Wingo, Kyle Norman, lead singers (and identical twins) Brian and Brandon Casey — is back Friday with their 11th studio album, 'All Original Parts: Vol. 1.' The title of the 15-track project points to the group's solidarity: They've never broken up or switched original members. 'The love is actually genuinely real. We really care about each other's well-being,' Wingo said. 'I guess a lot of groups, they really didn't have that. Love will keep you together.' The 'Where the Party At' artists say 'Vol. 1' is the first of three they plan to release this year. But the men behind classic songs like 'Promise' and 'He Can't Love You' say while the sonics and even subject matter of R&B have changed since their first hit single in 1997, they're still committed to telling stories about romance and relationships. 'It's almost like love ain't cool no more. Well, I don't believe that. We don't feel like that,' said Brian Casey. 'Love is always going to be cool.' Their 1999 song 'Let's Get Married,' after all, is still nearly impossible to avoid at weddings — the original, a ceremony mainstay, and the remix packing dance floors during receptions. Launching a tour in March celebrating the 25th anniversary of their double platinum 'J.E. Heartbreak' album, the legendary group spoke with The Associated Press about sacrifice, creating timeless hits, and their musical impact. The conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity. BRIAN CASEY: That's the benefit of us being actually four guys who really mess with each other. … We'll split a couple dollars here and there when we got to, to keep this together. We'll take the hits to keep giving the fans what they said they fell in love with. … What we're able to do in turn is worth that split. It's worth that sacrifice. BRANDON CASEY: Number one: staying true to Jagged Edge. That's the first thing because that's the vehicle, right? So, we never want to go too far from what our fans love us from. But we're actually musicians, so it's hard to just stay in one little place. … Our sound is as eclectic as it's ever been. BRIAN CASEY: We came up in an era of 'Bump n' Grind,' 'Freek'n You' and 'Freak Me,' those are the biggest songs of all time at that time, it seemed like. So, we knew it would be a conscious decision for us to be the age that we were making songs talking about things like getting married. But we've never been afraid of that challenge, number one. So, I think of that. But I also think of how taking that route allowed us to be in the same room with some of our heroes who now looked at us as peers. And that was meeting Luther Vandross, meeting Prince, and them having positive things to say about our music. BRANDON CASEY: We get asked things like that a lot. So, I guess it starts to make us think, 'Do we?' It's been such a layered experience, right? It's so many things to be proud of. We don't have nothing that we've built without our fans. And for us, that's the most important, most heartwarming, gratifying thing, that it's somebody who loves you for what you do. … We're one of the few groups who get onstage and them girls scream like we're taking our clothes off, and we never take no clothes off. They scream like we got routines — we don't do none of that, right? We always come in the arena like, 'This is just us. This is who we are.' And they love us for that. And it's no feeling that is even close. BRIAN CASEY: I don't know that you can ever understand it while you're still in the middle of it. … But I will say, when you meet certain people, it's heartwarming and it gives you a sense of what that impact is, you know what I mean? And it's not until you get to talk to people who are looking at it from the outside-in that you realize, 'Man, we did an all right job.' ___ Follow Associated Press entertainment journalist Gary Gerard Hamilton at @GaryGHamilton on all his social media platforms.
The Independent
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Q&A: Jagged Edge's new album celebrates love, longevity and brotherhood
When Jagged Edge first formed in their teens, they realized the sum of their group would be greater than its individual parts — an understanding that's been the main ingredient of their success for nearly three decades. One of the most iconic groups of modern R&B, Jagged Edge — Richard Wingo, Kyle Norman, lead singers (and identical twins) Brian and Brandon Casey — is back Friday with their 11th studio album, 'All Original Parts: Vol. 1.' The title of the 15-track project points to the group's solidarity: They've never broken up or switched original members. 'The love is actually genuinely real. We really care about each other's well-being,' Wingo said. 'I guess a lot of groups, they really didn't have that. Love will keep you together.' The 'Where the Party At' artists say 'Vol. 1' is the first of three they plan to release this year. But the men behind classic songs like 'Promise' and 'He Can't Love You' say while the sonics and even subject matter of R&B have changed since their first hit single in 1997, they're still committed to telling stories about romance and relationships. 'It's almost like love ain't cool no more. Well, I don't believe that. We don't feel like that,' said Brian Casey. 'Love is always going to be cool.' Their 1999 song 'Let's Get Married,' after all, is still nearly impossible to avoid at weddings — the original, a ceremony mainstay, and the remix packing dance floors during receptions. Launching a tour in March celebrating the 25th anniversary of their double platinum 'J.E. Heartbreak' album, the legendary group spoke with The Associated Press about sacrifice, creating timeless hits, and their musical impact. The conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity. AP: Most groups seem to break up at some point. What's allowed you to stay together? BRIAN CASEY: That's the benefit of us being actually four guys who really mess with each other. … We'll split a couple dollars here and there when we got to, to keep this together. We'll take the hits to keep giving the fans what they said they fell in love with. … What we're able to do in turn is worth that split. It's worth that sacrifice. AP: R&B has drastically changed since you came on the scene with 'I Gotta Be.' How have you navigated the changes? BRANDON CASEY: Number one: staying true to Jagged Edge. That's the first thing because that's the vehicle, right? So, we never want to go too far from what our fans love us from. But we're actually musicians, so it's hard to just stay in one little place. … Our sound is as eclectic as it's ever been. AP: When you look over the longevity of your career, your love songs are timeless. What do you remember about first entering the industry? BRIAN CASEY: We came up in an era of 'Bump n' Grind,' 'Freek'n You' and 'Freak Me,' those are the biggest songs of all time at that time, it seemed like. So, we knew it would be a conscious decision for us to be the age that we were making songs talking about things like getting married. But we've never been afraid of that challenge, number one. So, I think of that. But I also think of how taking that route allowed us to be in the same room with some of our heroes who now looked at us as peers. And that was meeting Luther Vandross, meeting Prince, and them having positive things to say about our music. AP: Do you all feel you get the credit and recognition you deserve? BRANDON CASEY: We get asked things like that a lot. So, I guess it starts to make us think, 'Do we?' It's been such a layered experience, right? It's so many things to be proud of. We don't have nothing that we've built without our fans. And for us, that's the most important, most heartwarming, gratifying thing, that it's somebody who loves you for what you do. … We're one of the few groups who get onstage and them girls scream like we're taking our clothes off, and we never take no clothes off. They scream like we got routines — we don't do none of that, right? We always come in the arena like, 'This is just us. This is who we are.' And they love us for that. And it's no feeling that is even close. AP: Do you understand the impact your songs have had on fans and music? BRIAN CASEY: I don't know that you can ever understand it while you're still in the middle of it. … But I will say, when you meet certain people, it's heartwarming and it gives you a sense of what that impact is, you know what I mean? And it's not until you get to talk to people who are looking at it from the outside-in that you realize, 'Man, we did an all right job.' ___ Follow Associated Press entertainment journalist Gary Gerard Hamilton at @GaryGHamilton on all his social media platforms.
