GFM had the honor of speaking to the r&b group “The Rude Boys”. The group is best known for their hits “Written All Over Your Face” and “Are You Lonely For Me?”. Group members Joe N Little III and G. La Beaud spoke with us about everything from their official return to the music scene, their new single, their film projects, their influences, and their fond memories of our Artist of the Month Gerald Levert. Listen in to find out what G. and Joe have been up to and to hear little known facts about Gerald Levert.
The current single “Swagg On” is available at ITunes and Amazon.com. Also, be sure to be on the look out for their full-length cd release in Summer 2012. To keep up with updates on their project, check out their official website The Rude Boys Online and follow them on Twitter.
When we celebrate the great contributions of music artists, we always like to give a narrative picture from those who knew them well. In our tribute of the late, great Gerald Levert, we brought a dear friend of the Grown Folks Music family, Mrs. Sheri Riley. For those not familiar with Sheri’s name, you definitely know her work. She is the founder and president of the successful entertainment consulting company, Glue, Inc., former marketing executive with Atlantic and LaFace Records and the marketing hand behind artists like TLC, Donell Jones, Usher, Toni Braxton, OutKast and of course Mr. Gerald Levert. From her story, we hope you will thoroughly enjoy this interview and gain more insight into this R&B legend. Also, catch some of Sheri’s exclusive pics with Gerald, Sean and Eddie Levert, Isaac Hayes, Phyllis Hyman, Don Cornelius and many more!
Eddie Levert , Don Cornelius, Gerald Levert
Gerald Levert performing on Soul Train
Gerald Levert, Joe N Little and friend
Gerald Levert, Keith Washington and friend
Eddie Levert, Gerald Levert and his girl group, 1 Of The Girls
Gerald Levert & Sean Levert
Gerald Levert, Isaac Hayes, Sean Levert
Gerald Levert, Sheri Riley and friend
Gerald Levert, Sheri Riley and Usher
Eddie Levert , Phyllis Hyman, Don Cornelius, Gerald Levert
Gerald Levert & Sheri Riley's mother, Ms. Huguely
Gerald Levert, Members of Men At Large and the Rude Boys and Michael McCary of Boy II Men
Released after Gerald’s passing, it is almost eerie how fitting the lyrics of this song are. Gerald wishes to allow his songs to serve as the soundtrack to his life, but this unfortunately was not to be.
While Gerald usually showed us the smooth, confident side of his personality, with the release of “In My Songs” he delivers both vulnerability and transparency.
I’m tired of being alone when everyone else is lovey dovey
I’m so tired of all of ya’ll being happy but me
If I could only find the love that sing about, When I sing my songs
Thank goodness we have this beautiful collaboration to enjoy forever from two treasured R&B artists who left us unexpectedly and wanting for more. “A Rose By Any Other Name” by Teena Marie featuring our Artist Of The Month–Gerald Levert.
What’s so cool about this song is it draws the listener in with all of dramatic strings of a classic ’70s slow jam; similar to ones The O’Jays put out, but then it moves on to the bass-heavy groove that was common in ’90s slow jams. But, the best part is a remorseful Gerald wearing his heart on his sleeve and putting it all out there on “Angela’s” answering service. “Answering Service” by Gerald Levert from his sophomore solo album Groove On.
Our song of the day comes from our AOM’s 1991 solo debut Private Line. Laid back with a definite 90′s swing Gerald Levert takes his time with the delivery to make some mid-tempo magic.
How beautiful is the spirit of willingness in the words of this song… That a man would want to go to certain lengths to heal a wounded heart… Enjoy “Mr Too Damn Good” by Gerald Levert from his 2000 album G. Also, enjoy Gerald’s live performance of the song below.
