Now this is how you should come out as a new artist: HARD. In 1990 Mariah Carey came out swinging and giving everything vocally but the kitchen sink with “Vision of Love”.  She co-wrote the song too. “Vision of Love” was certified gold, nominated for three Grammy awards and topped the Billboard Hot 100, Adult Contemporary and R&B charts. It went to the top ten on the Canadian, Australian, Dutch, Irish, New Zealand and UK Singles charts. “Vision of Love”, produced by Narada Michael Walden and Rhett Lawrence for Mariah Carey’s self-titled debut album.

Check out “Do My Thing” by Estelle featuring Janelle Monae. It’s an upbeat jam with a little ’60s go-go flavor to it. Not sure if it’ll make any traction on the radio… but here’s to holding out hope. It’s a fun song and hopefully the ladies will make a great video to accompany it. A good video could give this song some movement.

Estelle’s new album All Of Me is out now. Get it at iTunes

Curt Chambers brings a rock-meets-soul flavor on his first single “Grass is Greener”. There is some great guitar work on the track–thus the rock flavor, but his vocals are smooth enough to appeal to the R&B audience as well. Let the truth be told, “Grass Is Greener” actually sounds like a great crossover song that would do well… if it could get put on. He’s rockin’ the guitar backed with an uptempo beat and paired with solid lyrics. It reminds me some of the songs Bruno Mars put out like “Grenade” and “Just The Way You Are”– not in sound necessarily–but in feel. It just qualitatively feels like a good record that could be successful on the radio. Perhaps the unofficial test of the song’s radio friendliness is the fact that my six-year-old immediately picked up on the catchy hook (although he does repeat it several times; giving you a chance to catch it) and proceeded to sing it even after the song went off.

Curt Chambers is a Grammy-nominated songwriter for his contribution to the song “Finding My Way Back” by Jaheim. He has also worked with Eminem and as music director for Eric Roberson. He was the lead singer/guitarist for the Philadelphia-based group Franklin Bridge. Franklin Bridge was a top-ten finalist on Simon Fuller’s Fox TV show The Next Great American Band.

Connect with Curt Chambers and download his new digital album One Way Ticket here

Get to know more about Curt Chambers–watch the video below

Levert released the title track from their third LP, “Just Coolin” in 1988. The R&B single featured the overweight lover Heavy D, doing his thing.

This song is still the jam. It’s timeless and it still sounds as good today as it did in 1987. “Don’t Disturb This Groove” by The System went to #1 on the R&B chart and #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

If you’re in or near San Francisco be sure to check out Ms. Jody Watley as she presents: A Return To Elegance–Motown, Jazz Pop & Me. Sure to be a treat, this special live show will take place three nights–March 15, 16 and 17 at The Rrazz Room at Hotel Niko. For tickets and information call: (415) 394-1189 or go to www.therrazzroom.com

El DeBarge is nominated this year for Best R&B Album for Second Chance. El DeBarge came onto the scene with his siblings as the group DeBarge. DeBarge put out memorable hits in the ’80s such as “Time Will Reveal”, “I Like It”, “Rhythm Of The Night”–which is one of the first hit songs for songwriter Diane Warren, and the heavily sampled, “Stay With Me”.  In 1986 El DeBarge put out his debut solo album which featured the successful single “Who’s Johnny”.  In 1990 El DeBarge sang on the instant classic– “Secret Garden” by Quincy Jones.

El DeBarge released three more solo albums and after a long hiatus released his fifth solo album, Second Chance, which received two 2010 Grammy nominations in the categories of Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song for the single “Second Chance”. Combined with this year’s nod, the album Second Chance has received a total of three Grammy nominations. To find out if El DeBarge will win, tune in to the Grammy Awards, February 12, 8/7c on CBS.

R. Kelly is nominated for two Grammy Awards this year– Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Radio Message” and Best R&B Album for Love Letter.

R. Kelly is one of the biggest artists in R&B. Now a veteran; he came onto the scene with the group Public Announcement in 1992 and released his first solo album 12 Play in 1993. Since that time he has been a beast. R. Kelly has released 10 studio albums. He has sold 35 million albums in the United States– 50 million albums worldwide– and 15 million singles. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) recognizes him as one of the best-selling artists in the United States and Billboard named R. Kelly the most successful R&B artist of the last 25 years.

In addition to his solo work, R. Kelly is also well known for his collaboration with and writing and production for other artists such as Aaliyah, Toni Braxton, Charlie Wilson, The Isley Brothers and Michael Jackson to name a few. He is also very well known for his remixes.

R. Kelly received his first two Grammy nominations in 1995 for writing, producing and composing “You Are Not Alone” for Michael Jackson. In 1997, he won three Grammy Awards for “I Believe I Can Fly”–the biggest hit of R. Kelly’s career. To find out if he will win this year, tune in to the Grammy Awards on February 12 at 8/7c on CBS.