Bud Light Stage

During a career that has spanned over three decades, R&B singer and actor Eric Benét has become a living legend within the world of contemporary soul with his deeply romantic music. While smash hits such as “Spend My Life With You” and “Sometimes I Cry” made him a music star, Benet also became a star […]

From international superstars like Al Green to local legends like Elizabeth King, Memphians have been ingeniously fusing soul music and gospel together for decades. Today, brothers Chris and Courtney Barnes are carrying on that legacy by paying homage to the past while still charting new territory. Before forming the Sensational Barnes Brothers, both siblings were […]

Even in an era renown for its outlandish outfits, crazy on-stage antics, and deeply funky grooves, Cameo stood out from their contemporaries by turning up the theatrics to an 11. Led by codpiece-wearing eccentric Larry Blackmon, Cameo emerged in the late 1970s as the obvious successors to legendary funk groups like Parliament and the Ohio […]

While being born into reggae royalty certainly hasn’t been a hindrance to Ziggy Marley’s career, nobody would have blamed him if he had buckled under the immense pressure that comes with being the eldest son of Bob and Rita Marley. Thankfully, the polar opposite has proven true, as Marley has deftly filled the void left […]

From Dusty Springfield to Amy Winehouse, there is a long and proud tradition of British singers reinterpreting American soul music to wondrous results. The latest artist in this lineage is Yola (née Yolanda Quartey), a Bristol-based singer/songwriter whose vintage sound would have been right at home at Memphis’ legendary Stax Records. Yola began her career […]

Tyrone Stroble, better known as Tyke T, has differentiated himself within Memphis’ crowded hip-hop scene by expertly combining classic Southern rap with elements of New Jack Swing. In 2013 he released his debut EP “The Overlooked” through his own imprint Driven By Music. The momentum continued with his sophomore effort, The Prelude, which debuted in […]

Not only do Philadelphia’s The Roots stand as one of the most influential groups in hip-hop history, they are also among the most important musicians of their generation, regardless of genre. Perhaps most notable for being the first major hip-hop group to utilize live instrumentation, the Roots first launched into the public consciousness with their […]

 During Memphis’ soul music heyday of the ‘60s and ‘70s, few artists were as consequential as the Bar-Kays, one of the world’s preeminent instrumental groups and an enduring example of strength in the face of tragedy.  The Bar-Kays first formed in 1964 as a studio session group, backing major artists at Stax Records before striking […]

Regardless of their group name, there is absolutely nothing fraudulent or inauthentic about Brooklyn’s Phony Ppl. In fact, the stylistically daring R&B/hip-hop group has built their stellar reputation on the foundation of artistic freedom. Composed of five classically trained members, Phony Ppl first garnered mainstream attention with the release of their official full-length debut Yesterday’s […]

There is an undeniable pleasure that comes from discovering an artist early in their career, right before their big break makes them a household name. For anyone chasing that particular feeling, let us introduce you to Memphis’ own budding young star, Mille Manny, an R&B singer who is well positioned to be the city’s next […]