Tag Archives: R&B

On ‘Do Whatchu Gotta,’ Jarrod Lawson Meets Heartbreak with Acceptance

When love reaches its expiration date, we must begin the painful process of accepting the cold, hard truth.

Just because it’s the right thing doesn’t mean it’s easy. There will be sleepless nights and second guessing. Our hearts will break (probably more than once).

With that said… who knew heartbreak could sound so good?

Jarrod Lawson delivers an emotionally captivating performance on “Do Whatchu Gotta.” The Nashville-based singer and multi-instrumentalist sends us into the stratosphere with a cosmic neo-soul ballad featuring an expert blend of jazz and R&B, providing the perfect environment for his otherworldly vocal abilities to shine.

“Do Whatchu Gotta” is a song about letting go in appreciation of the love that was, while acknowledging what it is not and can no longer be. With lines like…

“Girl, I hate to see you go.
Somehow, I’ve always known
Deep down, you needed more than me.
So, I guess it’s time to set you free.”

Lawson demonstrates a healthy and mature capacity for love — one that is secure in its understanding, and not possessive or controlling. In the process, Lawson invites room for reflection and self-discovery as post-breakup life unfolds.

Perhaps we’ll witness more of that unfolding on Lawson’s forthcoming album, Just Let It, which is set for release on May 1. In the meantime, “Do Whatchu Gotta” to make time to vibe to this one!

REPLAY: UnderDogs Across Borders, Vol. 3

Donate to UnderDogs Across Borders here!

This month’s UnderDogs Across Borders concert is perhaps our most genre-diverse offering to date, featuring performances from across the musical spectrum and beyond.

Tonight and through October, your support of UnderDogs Across Borders helps us bring the UnderDogs to New Orleans for NOLA MusiCon 2025, taking place Oct. 28-30. More details about our plans are coming very soon!

Our September 16 lineup includes:

  • Impactful spoken word artist Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess
  • Nashville hip hop legend E.T.
  • Revolutionary hip hop artist T.R.A.N.E. Spitta
  • Multi-genre, multi-instrumental wizard Brother Dusty
  • Dynamic ‘ROCK&B’ artist Tony Carpenter

Sept. 20: UnderDogs Across Borders at the Nashville African Street Festival

As though next week wasn’t already exciting enough, it turns out that our UnderDogs will be taking the stage not once, but twice in Music City!

We are proud to partner with the Nashville African Street Festival — now in its 43rd year — to present an UnderDogs Across Borders showcase on the Beats & Rhymes stage. The festival takes place all weekend long at Hadley Lillard Park (1038 28th Ave. N., Nashville), with the UnderDogs Across Borders showcase taking place Saturday, September 20 from 4-5:30 p.m.

Hosted by Kelsey Muse and Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess, this showcase will emphasize performers from across the hip hop and R&B spectrum, including:

  • Kelsey Muse
  • SADGURL
  • DJX
  • Nicolas Soul
  • Yonna Jones

The event is free to attend. As always, those looking to support the cause are encouraged to donate to our UnderDogs Across Borders campaign, which fuels live music experiences and activations for our UnderDogs in Nashville and beyond!

TONIGHT, 7 CT: UnderDogs Across Borders, Vol. 2

TONIGHT! We’re going live from 7-9 p.m. for UnderDogs Across Borders Vol. 2. Tonight, we place a spotlight on pop, hip hop, and R&B artists from within the Underground Music Collective community.

By supporting UnderDogs Across Borders, you are empowering UMC to open the gateway to even greater collaboration. Your support bolsters UMC’s presence at major conferences and festivals in North America and Europe, while helping us build a stronger, more sustainable music industry that is ripe with fresh opportunities for our artists.

The lineup (in order of appearance):
Ryan Christopher
Yonna Jones
Kelsey Muse
SADGURL
Da’ Healerz

How to attend:

  • In person: Helping Our Music Evolve, 615 Main St., Suite G1, Nashville, TN 37206 (Doors 6:30 p.m.)
  • Virtually (from ANYWHERE!): Our YouTube channel (embed below)

How to support:

REPLAY: UnderDogs Across Borders, Vol. 1

TONIGHT! We’re going live from 7-9 p.m. for the first-ever UnderDogs Across Borders benefit concert. Join us as we present a genre-diverse interstate lineup featuring independent artists from within the Underground Music Collective community.

By supporting UnderDogs Across Borders, you are empowering UMC to open the gateway to even greater collaboration. Your support bolsters UMC’s presence at major conferences and festivals in North America and Europe, while helping us build a stronger, more sustainable music industry that is ripe with fresh opportunities for our artists.

The lineup (in order of appearance):
Virtues
Nicolas Soul
Matt Schmoyer of Powder Valley Bang
Southside MAB
Kfhox

How to attend:

  • In person: Helping Our Music Evolve, 615 Main St., Suite G1, Nashville, TN 37206 (Doors 6:30 p.m.)
  • Virtually (from ANYWHERE!): Our YouTube channel (embed below)

How to support:

From the Soul: This Playlist is Fire!

Winter chill got you down? Our freshly-updated From the Soul playlist has the fire to keep us warm!

Vibrant textures, passionate vocals, and dynamic soundscapes are the order of the month here. We’ve added a bunch of new selections — including some from legends and Grammy nominees — that have come our way through various means, and we think you’re sure to find something that moves you as soon as you hit “Play.” Don’t let us keep you any longer!

Track listing:
Charles Wigg Walker – This Love is Gonna Last
Laura Nanou – I Try
Nadia Turner – Missing You (Live)
Nashmia – Butterfly
Cymande ft. Celeste – Only One Way
Otis Zheng – Wake Up
Yola – Symphony
Casey Russell – Patience
Cliff Beach – The Work
Mobley – Y’r Ghost
The Wood – Let it Loose
Beth White – Pretty Baby
Kelly Finnigan – Count Me Out
Luke Jenison – Heartbreaker
Watermelon Funk – AFRODESIAC
Fox Jackson – Like That
Shawney Rainne – Cry Me A River
mister pablo – Enough
Miranda Powell ft. Ryan Prewett – HIGH SCHOOL
MADNIK – These are the days

Beats & Verses: December 2024

We’ve followed the trail to new music discovery, and we’ve once again found a bounty.

One project we’re excited about is Heru Heru‘s new album, Heruglyphics, which dropped in mid-November. The Nashville-based trio is a shining example of what it means to keep lyrical hip hop alive — but it’s far from the only example on this playlist.

From nerdcore to hardcore, from pop-rap to R&B, from new tracks to enduring favorites, there’s a full harvest of Beats & Verses for you to enjoy this month. Tap in!

Track listing:
Heru Heru ft. Nakessa & Negro Justice – Barry
Syclonus ft. KDotJay – Me, Myself and I
Gr3ys0n – Times Up
Jamar Rose – OUT THE DARK
Spence Brown – By My Lonely
Emory Jaymz ft. O.N.E. – UNOdat
Harris Hills – Cops and Strippers
RiTcH – Emotional
Lord Goldie ft. Q Shaunte – Lick
Lyrick Musiq – Winter Rainfall
Symbasyd ft. Kelly2face & Adonis – Heyyy
Brett Will – Dominoes
E.T. ft. Therese – You’re A Star
Numoon – I Hate The Sun
BEZ – Lie Detector
Intellect ft. Dave East – Too Many Losses
Usual Suspektz ft. Asun Eastwood – Tower
pher, – moon
Miles Squiers – 24 Hours
Ekelle ft. Ervin Mitchell – Games

LISTEN: Sid Seth Invites Us to Ride a Different ‘Wave’

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Spooky Season, it’s that it can be fun to put on a mask and pretend to be somebody else.

That makes this the perfect opportunity to share “Wave,” the latest single from accomplished New York-based songsmith Sid Seth. Produced by the renowned Al Carlson (Lady Gaga, Slaters, Roy Blair, Jessica Pratt), this breezy pop tune features clean guitars, a Caribbean-inspired beat, and silky-smooth vocals, as Seth sings of joys of finding temporary refuge from who we’re “supposed to be.”

“(‘Wave’) is about putting on an alter ego for a night and letting that persona take over,” Seth said.

“Wave” is making waves across multiple media outlets in the U.S. and abroad, including Galore Magazine, Ones to Watch, ASCAP NMF, Future Hits Radio UK, and WFUV 90.7fm. Meanwhile, Seth is currently in the midst of a coast-to-coast U.S. tour, with planned stops in San Francisco, Chicago, Boston and New York.

Go on — let yourself ride a different “Wave” for a change. Listen below!

LISTEN: On ‘Pretty Baby,’ Beth White Navigates Love’s Tricky Waters

Finding true love means not giving up when times are tough; it means weathering the storms and resolving to find the brighter days ahead.

Nashville-based soul singer Beth White takes us through these ups and downs with her new single, “Pretty Baby,” a dreamy R&B offering that smooths out love’s rougher edges.

“‘Pretty Baby’ is a dichotomous song about the peaks and pits of love,” White said. “The verses navigate negative intrusive thoughts regarding one’s relationship and its future, while the choruses are the resolution to questioning, and reflect understanding and calmness in the one you love.”

“Pretty Baby” was recorded at Skinny Elephant Recording in East Nashville, and was co-produced by White alongside Ryan Connors. White performed all vocal duties on the track, while Connor serves as its sole instrumentalist.

NashLive! Sonic Kaleidoscope Tickets On Sale Now!

NashLive Sonic Kaleidoscope

On Monday, we announced the lineup for our July 20 NashLive! Sonic Kaleidoscope experience at Helping Our Music Evolve in Nashville. Presented in conjunction with Rainne Entertainment, this uniquely vivid event will feature the talents of Shawney Rainne, Fiona Maura, and Hew G.

Tickets are now on sale — and they come in two different flavors!

  • Basic Babe ($15): Ready to experience an epic night? Grab a general admission ticket and you’re good to go!
  • Party Like a Rock Star ($45): General Admission PLUS unlimited access to our specialty cocktail bar! You read that right! An extra 30 bucks gets you access to the open bar! You won’t find a deal like this anywhere else in Nashville.

Be sure to grab those tickets ASAP, because they will sell out! Hit the button below.

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