Indie Review Radio

Jessica Jolia, widely known for her versatility and five octave vocal range, is an American recording artist, songwriter, producer and humanitarian. Her debut single "Sometimes" was independently released and featured in the critically acclaimed film Sister Code, later appearing on Spotify's "Fresh Finds: Fire Emoji" playlist which highlights some of the platform's biggest songs each year. She has since performed on The Ellen Show and The Late Late Show, and has been featured in The Source, This is RnB, The A&R Report, Rolling Soul Brazil and many other publications around the world. Jessica has had the pleasure of recording, performing and touring with many award-winning artists, including Dr. Dre, T.I., Rita Ora, Meghan Trainor, Iggy Azalea, The Chainsmokers, The Jonas Brothers, Johnny Gill, Eric Benet and many more. She is also the recipient of the 2020 SAMMIES Award for Best Singer/Songwriter, which recognizes Sacramento's biggest and brightest in music. As an advocate of music education, innovatio

We are joined by Camille Evans of Cinematic Music Group and Michael Rohan of Popular Demand who share their thoughts and memories of legendary music executive Andre Harrell.

Grammy nominated vocalist and writer Syleena Johnson is one of the greatest singers and performers of her generation. She has scored major R&B hits and been invited to collaborate with the likes of Kanye West, R. Kelly and Musiq Soulchild. Having fought the major label system to allow her true identity to shine forth, Syleena stepped forward with her most anticipated album to date Chapter 6: Couples Therapy, which was released on the Blackbyrd label. Syleena Johnson is also a popular television personality. She’s one of the original cast members the TV One hit reality series R&B Divas Atlanta and recently wrapped up season 3 with co-stars Keke Wyatt, Angie Stone, Monifah Carter, LaTavia Roberson and former 702 lead singer Kameelah Williams. Syleena also appeared with her sisters on OWN’s Iyanla: Fix My Life. In 2015 Syleena and her husband, Kiwane Garris (former professional basketball player), will appear on the new season of WE TV’s, Marriage Boot Camp Reality Stars. Chapter 6: Couples Therapy has b

Kindred the Family Soul, also referred to as Kindred, are a duo consisting of the married couple of Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon. Signed to Hidden Beach Recordings, Kindred emerged from the Philadelphia neo soul movement that also includes Jill Scott, who discovered them while the couple was performing at the Black Lily Film & Music Festival. After two years of work on the CD, Hidden Beach issued their debut album ''Surrender to Love'' in February 2003, which included, among others, the songs "Stars" and "Far Away". Their follow-up album was 2005's ''In This Life Together'' its title being a reference to Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee's 1998 book ''With Ossie & Ruby: In This Life Together'', spawning the single "Where Would I Be (The Question)". The duo were nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Album, Group Band or Duo for ''Surrender to Love'' in 2004 and a BET Award for the BET J Cool Like That Award in 2006. The group's third LP, ''The Arrival'', was released on October 21, 2008

We pay tribute to our friend Dee Dee Cocheta with a replay of her time on the show. Dee Dee Cocheta is known as one of the best PR and Marketing professionals specializing in music, non-profits and entrepreneurs since 1999. She’s been in the entertainment biz for over 20 years and the first known online digital, promotions email queen since 1995. Dee Dee founded A.B.C. Publicity & Marketing based in Atlanta and New York specializing in lifestyle, entertainment and multicultural dynamics. Offering public relations, integrated marketing & social media solutions, A.B.C. is a strategic partner to small businesses, non-profits and entertainment driven companies, brands, products and events.  The focus and foundation has been the reach with the youth, young trendsetters and key influencers who can promote and build a brand organically.  The mission is to assess, build and communicate an idea, image and brand favorably to the world. The company was birthed out of the notion to support the creative ideas and

The globally heralded singer/songwriter is putting the finishing touches on his upcoming album Moment of Truth (Ruffhouse/EMI), which will feature a track with fellow Canadian Melanie Fiona. Armed with abundant enthusiasm and prolific vocal abilities, Glenn Lewis endeavours to deliver heartfelt, melodic songs meshed with heart pounding beats that are certain to strike a cord in the hearts of men and women alike. When asked about his current musical mindset, Glenn’s response was: “It’s been quite a journey over the last several years….one that has enabled me to learn and grow. I’m so grateful to all of my fans and supporters for never wavering”. All that I do, I do for them. They will not be disappointed.” This time around, Glenn Lewis’s melodious focus is to fuse the very best elements of all of his musical influences (Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Charlie Wilson, Joni Mitchell and The Beatles), and develop an album that’s organic, contemporary and original, yet reminiscent all at the same time. During a rec

From the age of 4, Amma Whatt’s professional journey has been one of accomplishment, passion and variety.  As a dancer, under the tutelage of her parents she studied and performed the traditional music of West Africa and The Caribbean. As an actress and entertainer at 16, she participated in a hilarious one-on-one TV interview on Bill Cosby's "Kid's say the Darndest Things". As a vocalist, she left her mark in the Howard University Jazz Vocal Performance Program and as a soloist in the Howard Gospel Choir.  Amma then toured the US and internationally as a supporting vocalist with Glory of NY Gospel Singers, Ruben Studdard, Karen Clark-Sheard, Ki-Ki Sheard, Shirley Murdock, Howard Hewitt, Tulani Kinard, Byron Cage, Rob Murat, and Melba Moore. It was as a Hollywood Week Finalist on the 5th season of American Idol, that Amma’s talent drew the attention of film and television producers. She appeared in the 2007 film August Rush and sang on the film’s Academy Award-nominated song “Raise It Up”, highlighted by a li

Big Daddy Kane is a Brooklyn, New York M.C. who undisputedly defined the term “lyricist” in the world of hip-hop. Along with the lyrical ingenuity he brought to the genre, he also introduced innovative live performances as well. Kane was the first rapper to ever hold not one but two sold out shows at the world famous Apollo Theater for women only. Kane revolutionized hip-hop fashion and the way hip-hop shows were performed. Kane has endured a substantive music career. He has several gold albums, endless music accolades including a Grammy award. He also received a VH1 Hip Hop Honor in 2005. His catalogue of music consists of the LP “Long Live The Kane” that features the hit songs “Ain’t No Half Steppin’” and “Raw.” The LP “It’s A Big Daddy Thing” featured “Smooth Operator” “Warm It Up” and the Teddy Riley produced hit “I Get The Job Done.” The LP “Taste Of Chocolate” features “Hard Being The Kane” and “All Of Me” as well as a duet with the legendary Barry White. Additional albums were “Prince Of Darkness,” “Lo

The origins of Waterseed begin in New Orleans, the birthplace of multi-instrumentalists Lou Hill and J Sharp, the architects of Water Seed’s cool, elemental sound. Preternaturally aware of their paths fairly early, Hill began playing the alto sax in fourth grade while Sharp was developing his piano chops over the three-notes of “Hot Crossed Buns” at the tender age of five. Both learned as children to respect their crafts through studious dedication, rigorous practice schedules, and trying their hand at several different instruments before landing on their primary tools of musical expression, the percussion for Hill and the keys for Sharp, each finding their home. Sharp reared in a home of classical music, engaged in demanding training while nursing concerto circuit dreams. Hill was immersed in the radio R&B and funk of the day and the jazz culture of his storied surroundings. Both formally trained in esteemed music programs, Sharp through the famed NOCCA, the Jazz and Heritage School at Southern Universit

Monty Ross, Spike Lee's former producer and co-producer on such groundbreaking Made in NYC productions as School Daze, She's Gotta Have it, Do the Right Thing, Jungle Fever, Malcolm X and Crooklyn, started his career with the Atlanta Street Theatre, a small resident theatre company in Atlanta, Georgia. He moved to NYC to pursue his career in 1985, quickly partnering with Lee, as the Production Supervisor on the legendary 12 day shooting schedule of She's Gotta Have It. Ross credits the film with launching his career. Over the next 17 years, his roles at 40 Acres and a Mule Productions were multi-faceted, from Production Assistant to Vice President of Production; in 1991, Ross even starred in the Lee, student Academy Award winning film: Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop - We Cut Heads. While co-producing a film each year, he also produced ad campaigns for brands such as Nike's Air Jordans and Levi's 501 campaign, as well as music videos for artists such as Stevie Wonder and Prince. He worked on the NYC production Insi

Daniel “Danny” Simmons, Jr. is an abstract-expressionist painter. Older brother of hip-hop impressario Russell Simmons and rapper Joseph Simmons (“Reverend Run” of Run DMC), he is the founder and President of the Rush Arts Gallery. In addition, Simmons converted part of his loft in Brooklyn into the Corridor Gallery. Along with his brother Russell, Simmons established Def Poetry Jam, which has enjoyed long-running success on HBO. Simmons is also the founder and Vice-President of the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, a non-profit organization. In 2004, Simmons published Three Days As The Crow Flies, a fictional account of the 1980′s New York art scene. He has also written a book of artwork and poetry called I Dreamed My People Were Calling But I Couldn’t Find My Way Home. Simmons is the son of Daniel Simmons, Sr., a truant officer and black history professor who also wrote poetry, and Evelyn Simmons, a teacher who painted as a hobby. He earned a degree in social work from New York University and a master’s i

With the release of her third project, Juneteenth Revolution, Collette arrives, through intricate yet intimate songs of life, love, and liberation she solidifies her industry position as the talent to watch. Her first full-length pop, funk and soul album since her 2008 debut, Experience Collette, represents a high-watermark for a multi-instrumentalist singer who has worked tirelessly to achieve the evident growth in her craft, a polish to her live performances, and the rewards of hard-earned critical acclaim. It’s only fitting that the Juneteenth holiday, also known as Emancipation Day, is also Collette’s birthday. The title of Collette’s latest, greatest inspiration is born from the idea of people seizing the freedoms they already have, much like the American slaves of the antebellum South. Collette was born into a long bloodline of unconventional women trailblazing unique paths in music. After years of honing her own three-octave alto in the choir rafters and studying piano, baritone and alto saxophone, Col

  Maimouna “Mumu Fresh” Youssef is a seasoned Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, producer, and emcee. She received a Grammy nomination for her contribution on the 2007 Roots hit, “Don’t Feel Right”, in the category of best rap song. She has swapped musical licks with artists such as Angelique Kidjo, Common, Nas, Dead Prez, Wilco, Zap Mama, Cody Chesnutt, Martin Luther, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Mos Def, and Talib Kweli to name a few. As a collaborator and band member, Maimouna has rocked the stages of many renowned venues such as Denver Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater, Switzerland’s Montreux Jazz Festival, New York City’s Legendary Carnegie Hall, and Radio City Music Hall. Youssef’s musical endeavors with Grammy Award winning producer James Poyser were a springboard for her to make her big screen debut in Dave Chappelle’s hip hop documentary “Block Party.”After the birth of her son, she took a short hiatus from the music business. She released her 1st solo EP Black Magic Woman on March 1, 2011, which led

  Gordon Chambers is a Grammy winning singer-songwriter, record producer who has written songs for over 75 recording artists including Angie Stone, Yolanda Adams, The Isley Brothers, Brandy, Trey Songz, Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle, Usher, Marc Anthony, Jamie Foxx, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Beyoncé Knowles. His #1 hits as lyricist include Anita Baker's hit "I Apologize", Brownstone's Grammy nominated hit "If You Love Me", Angie Stone's "No More Rain (In This Cloud)", the Grammy nominated theme of Set It Off "Missing You" (performed by Brandy, Tamia, Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan) and Yolanda Adams "Someone Watching Over Me". He is the winner of 8 awards from ASCAP, has 4 Dove Award nominations, and has been nominated for 2 Grammy Awards, winning for the song "I Apologize" that he wrote for Anita Baker. His songs have been performed at the ESSENCE Awards, AMA's, The Goodwill Games and the White House. His prestigious appearances, in addition to acclaimed European and Japanese tours, have included The C

Kangol is being honored by the American Cancer Society on May 17th at their annual Pink and Black Tie Gala in Brooklyn for the work he has done raising funds and awareness for Breast Cancer with the Mama Luke Movement, which he co-founded with his friend and business partner Shaunda Lumpkin. In May 2010, Shaunda's mother Gay Frances Lucas aka Mama Luke lost her 3 year battle with breast cancer 2 weeks after enjoying a cruise of a lifetime when she joined Kangol and Shaunda on the Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage. Mama Luke had the pleasure of meeting many classic Hip Hop artists on this cruise and, in hearing of her passing, many of them have joined Kangol to be part of Team Mama Luke's fundraising efforts. "After years of watching the Jackson Five, Sylvers, Osmond Brothers and Tom Jones and deciding he wanted to be an entertainer, Kangol was asked to join rap group UTFO as a breakdancer. While "Roxanne, Roxanne", their phenomenal top 10 single screamed up the charts, U.T.F.O. were voted best rap group, at the Urb

Maimouna “Mumu Fresh” Youssef is a Grammy nominated seasoned singer, emcee, songwriter and poet. She received a Grammy nomination for her contribution on the Roots hit “Don’t Feel Right” in 2007 for best rap song. She has swapped musical licks with Angelique Kidjo, Brian Wilson’s band, Big Daddy Kane, Nas, Dead Prez, Wilco, Zap Mama, Cody Chestnut, Martin Luther, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Mos Def, and Talib Kweli. Maimouna has also rocked the stages of venues such as Denver Colorado ‘s Red Rocks Amphitheater, Radio City Music Hall, Switzerland’s Moniteau Jazz Festival, and The Carter Baron Amphitheater in Washington, DC. Her musical endeavors were a springboard to make her big screen debut in Dave Chapelle’s “Block Party.” Mumu released her first Solo EP entitled Black Magic Woman March 2011. A Baltimore native born into a family of exceptional artists, Mumu began performing traditional African and Native American songs on stage with her family at the age of 5. As a youth she joined the Baltimore/Washington ba

  Dee Dee Cocheta is known as one of the best PR and Marketing professionals specializing in music, non-profits and entrepreneurs since 1999. She’s been in the entertainment biz for over 20 years and the first known online digital, promotions email queen since 1995. Dee Dee founded A.B.C. Publicity & Marketing based in Atlanta and New York specializing in lifestyle, entertainment and multicultural dynamics. Offering public relations, integrated marketing & social media solutions, A.B.C. is a strategic partner to small businesses, non-profits and entertainment driven companies, brands, products and events.  The focus and foundation has been the reach with the youth, young trendsetters and key influencers who can promote and build a brand organically.  The mission is to assess, build and communicate an idea, image and brand favorably to the world. The company was birthed out of the notion to support the creative ideas and elements of artists, entrepreneurs and foundations that may not always get the at

  Collette is an R&B singer whose silky voice breezes over hard hitting beats... sometimes a gentle wind, at other times a hurricane of South Carolina soul. She lists among her influences her gospel-singing mother, as well as Ella Fitzgerald, Bill Withers, Jill Scott, Amel Larrieux and Mary J. Blige – a list as varied as her own musical experiences. She began as a pianist and saxophonist in early childhood in her native South Carolina, and wandered into singing as a teen. After spending four years in college at Howard University, singing and soaking up the raw energy of Washington D.C.’s go-go music scene, Collette was finally ready to expose the world to her unique brand of storytelling. Collette released her independent debut Experience Collette in 2008, earning notable radio airplay and attention in the U.S. and abroad. She snagged opening gigs with huge names in urban music, from Chrisette Michele to Talib Kweli, indie soul titan Eric Roberson and more.

The daughter of strict Baptist ministers in Dallas, Texas – only two kinds of music were allowed in N’dambi’s house, gospel and country. Church was the center of the family’s life in every way and there was no middle ground. Secular music was forbidden, but its irresistible allure eventually trickled into her life and began impacting the maturing young singer. Blessed with a deep contralto, N’dambi became especially enamored with the male singers from the ‘70s and ‘80s she’d heard and identified with while hanging out with cousins and friends. The funky soul of Bar-Kays’ Larry Dodson, the sophisticated syncopation of Earth, Wind & Fire’s Maurice White and the notorious abandon of the Ohio Players’ Sugafoot influenced her heavily. Later, the mysterious, uninhibited imagination of Nina Simone and Mahalia Jackson also became musical and cultural touchstones. Her independent streak led to college and a degree in English and creative writing from SMU. Her developing, expressive voice, the poetic irony of her s

After delivering nearly two decades of honest music, Angela Johnson has nothing left to prove. A newly liberated Johnson returns ready to party. Culling the funky sounds of that twilight period between the end of disco and the height of the funk era, Johnson’s production rediscovers the rhythmic grooves, propulsive basslines, and memorable chords that once poured from live instruments instead of technology. Johnson gifts her listeners with that rare music her fans can both step to and be moved by, the kind once commonplace “On The Radio.” With It’s Personal, Angela tears down the final wall between her perfected image for the stage and the real-life woman who works hard and sometimes stumbles in her effort to keep it sexy for her husband, be a shining example for her daughter, maintain the esteem of her industry, and deliver the kind of music and performances that contributes something real in the lives of her fans. No more illusion, just Angie. Born for music, Johnson enrolled in SUNY Purchase to further stu