Wanted to post up a little of the interview with Dawen from AARisings:
What R&B song best describes who you are?Read it in full here.
Erykah Badu’s “On & On” and Maxwell’s “Sumthin’ Sumthin’.” “On & On” for its philosophical poetry and “Sumthin’ Sumthin’” for its sensual romanticism. The year was 1997 and I saw both of the music videos for these tracks on MTV. People were calling it neo-soul and I found it unlike anything else I had ever heard. Those two songs were the start of everything for me; they were my portal into old school soul and R&B. They also capture two distinct sides of my personality: one that finds inspiration in social issues, and one that relishes in the sensual realm.
What’s your favorite old school and current R&B artist?
There are so many amazing old school artists to choose from! If I had to choose one it would be Marvin Gaye. During his career he really developed from a singer of pop accessibility to a social activist who used music to question the problems of his time.
My favorite current R&B artist is without a doubt, Maxwell. He’s old school, too, in the sense that he refuses to jump on what’s trendy, appreciates live instruments and writes music that is well crafted.
