the chal banz blog

Tonight's "Throwback Video" is from Shanice Wilson-Alexander(aka Shanice). "Turn Down The Lights" is the video and single from Shanice's 1994 Motown album release, "21..Ways To Grow". "Turn Down The Lights" just missed the top 20 on the R&B charts peaking at #21. Get into this classic video and song!

Any news is better than no news.  SINGLE AGAIN: J-Lo is reportedly single again. Yes! You read it right. But it is being reported that its not because of the rumors going around about her boyfriend Casper. If you missed it there were rumors going around that Casper had dealings with a trans girl. Yeah right! In other J-Lo news I read that the Bronx labeled her a "sell out" after her hometown performance. Why? I don't really care to know but I can pretty much imagine why they would say that. Personally people should be over J-Lo and the whole "Jenny From The Block" thing anyway. NAKED AMBITION: Rihanna is not one to be messed with and I feel we learn that at least every two weeks. When asked about Rihanna's latest fashion choices in reference to her see through gown at the CDFA, TLC had choice words for Rihanna. Chili and T-Boz both agreed they never had to take off their clothes to sell records. Hey! It's been the same thing Brandy has said before a...

I think I've said this before, once you've done a blog as long as I have, you think you've run out of things to talk about. I think I may of rehashed some topics on here over the years but there's nothing like a fresh update. Over the last few years we have seen several of our Black R&B artists shift from major record labels to indie record labels. Some of the moves have been shocking at best. Some artists have greatly been impacted by moving to an indie label while other artists have suffered and struggle to keep their careers afloat. I have compiled a list of R&B artists who have famously left(or been dropped) from their major labels and now are indie artists. Check it out! Faith Evans Faith's first five albums were released through such record labels as Bad Boy, Arista, and Capitol Records. It was after her brief stint with L.A. based Capitol Records that Faith Evans chose to release her next recording, Something About Faith on eOne Records. The album was...

The American Music Award nominations will be announced on October 10. The telecast will air on ABC on November 24. Who do you think will be nominated this year? I typically watch most music award shows and AMAs is one that I typically enjoy unlike the Grammys. No shade just the truth! Remember Shanice? She is responsible for the hit single I Love Your Smile and Saving Forever For You . Now the singer is speaking candidly about how she was originally asked to star in TV One's R&B Divas . Though we did not see her on this season, the singer insists she has other projects in the works including her own reality show with her husband actor Flex Anderson( One On One ).

These album titles are all unique due to the fact that they all contain numbers or some form of numbers including numerals. Check them out! 4, Beyonce Beyonce cited that her fans were the inspiration behind the title of her fourth album due in stores and online June 28(at presstime); release date may change. Beyonce also went on to say the number "4" represents many special days and occurrences in her life such as birthdays and weddings. 21, Omarion Omarion was "21" at the time of the recording of this album. I think by the time the album was released though; he was 22. 21...Ways To Grow, Shanice Similar to Omarion's album title; Shanice was coming of age hence the title "21...Ways To Grow". II, Boyz II Men The "II" represented album number two from the famed supergroup. The Carter II, III, IV; Lil' Wayne The Carter albums are a long running series of album's from the famed rapper. 8701, Usher The album's title signals the release...

| Shanice returned back to the music scene in 2006 with "Every Woman Dreams" and the title track was the lead single. "Take Care Of U" was released as the album's second single. This was Shanice's first album released through an independent label. The album did well by independent standards. There was heavy Internet campaign for this album by way of Shanice's personal website and MySpace. Years ago Shanice cover Minnie Riperton's classic; "Loving You" and she covers again it on this album and I think I like this cover version on this album better. Another personal highlight of mine is the song; "Forever Like A Rose" which makes me think of a song Shanice could of easily recorded in the 90s. Nowadays Shanice is currently working on a new album which will likely be released in 2011. ---------------- Now playing: Nicki Minaj - romans revenge feat eminem via FoxyTunes

Shanice's "21...Ways To Grow" is an album that I've always liked and since its release has remained a relatively obscure album. The biggest single from this album was the second single, "Turn Down The Lights" which reached #21 on the R&B charts and features background vocals from Babyface. At the time of the album's release in 1994, Shanice was 21 hence the album title. The album's first single was the funky, jazzy, "Somewhere". Other singles included, "I Wish" and the others are on the tip of my tongue but I just can't remember. Some of my favorite songs are "Don't Break My Heart", "I Wish", "I Like", "Somewhere", and "Turn Down The Lights". ---------------- Now playing: Amy Winehouse - Amy Winehouse - Wake Up Alone via FoxyTunes

I remember when my sister had this cassette single and my mother was always playing this. I ended up liking this song myself from hearing it so much. Listening to it brings back a lot of memories growing up at home. 'Turn Down The Lights' was a R&B hit peaking at #21 on the R&B charts if I'm not mistaken. The song features background vocals from Babyface and executive produced by him. I ended up getting the '21 Ways To Grow' album from Shanice which features this song. The album is really good and very underrated if you ask me. ---------------- Now playing: Mariah Carey - Side Effects (featuring Young Jeezy) via FoxyTunes

At MTV's Movie Awards which aired May 31, Eminem gets an assful of ass courtesy of Bruno! Funny stuff! I couldn't think of a person more deserving. lol ---------------- Now playing: Shanice - It's For You via FoxyTunes

Hello all! Thank you for your continued support each day! These first two videos featured contain special guests. So even if you don't care to exactly watch maybe the special guests will be enough to convince you otherwise. Video: Game Performs With his new release "L.A.X." in stores now, Game has been hitting the tour circuit and this time he buries the hatchet with an old nemesis. Check out the clip to see who it is! *Hint* It's not 50 Cent! Video: Young Jeezy Performs Watch to see what special guest Jeezy brings out. Jeezy's upcoming album, "The Recession" will be in stores September 2. I also heard the album recently leaked. Video: B Scott Interviews Shanice Known for hits such as "I Love Your Smile" and "Saving Forever For You", Shanice sits down with the one and only B Scott. Check it out! I have always liked Shanice. Her "21 Ways To Grow" album is one of my favorites from her catalog.