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Photo Nelly: reeb0k2008 CC BY 2.0 Photo Jaheim: Mattiizzz CC BY 3.0 Intro Music & Voices by: Gail Nobles Story by: Gail Nobles Good evening, I’m Gail Nobles. Tonight, we dive into the musical genius of Nelly, a rapper who always knew how to blend different sounds to create something fresh and inviting. Nelly had a mastermind of ideas. Back in 2004, Nelly teamed up with fellow artist Jaheim to bring us the song "My Place." This track became the lead single from Nelly’s fourth album titled *Suit*. One of the most memorable lines from the chorus, “Come on over to my place,” not only sets a welcoming tone but also pays tribute  to the classic 1979 R&B hit "Come Go With Me" by Teddy Pendergrass, a song co-written by the famous duo Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff. But Nelly didn’t stop there. He infused "My Place" with samples from several iconic tracks, including LaBelle's 1976 favorite "Isn't It A Shame" and DeBarge’s smooth classic "I Like It." This clever mix gives "My Place" its signature sound—smooth and soulful, perfect for those laid-back moments. With this blend of old and new, Nelly showed how music can bridge generations, bringing us a tune that’s both memorable and fresh. A true reflection of his mastermind ideas, "My Place" remains a beloved hit that connects with many. That’s the power of music: it connects us all, no matter when we first heard it. You’re listening to Lounge Hype. I’m Gail Nobles. Tune in again next time for more Nelly, Kelly, & Jaheim. Lounge events, clubs performances, and more.

Photo Kelly: Amy Sussman CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo Nelly: reeb0k2008 CC BY 2.0 Usage of photos: Wikipedia Music by Keyboardist: Gail Nobles Story by: Gail Nobles Good evening, everyone! Tonight, we're diving into the world of music, where legends illuminate the charts! Let’s take a moment to shine a spotlight on a sensational classic: the iconic collaboration between rap superstar Nelly and R&B diva Kelly Rowland—yes, I’m talking about their unforgettable 2002 hit, “Dilemma”! Now, what makes this song truly special? It’s not just its catchy chorus or the chemistry between these two stars; it’s also connected to the incredible Patti LaBelle! That’s right—“Dilemma” stars a dazzling gem from the early '80s, sampling the radiant vocal power of Patti LaBelle’s 1983 hit, “Love, Need and Want You.” Can you believe it? That soaring high note you hear in the chorus of “Dilemma” comes straight from Patti’s original magic! But that’s not all! In a fabulous twist of fate, Patti LaBelle herself appears in the official music video, playing the role of Kelly Rowland's mother! Talk about a family connection in the world of music! When artists like Nelly use a “sample,” they’re taking a piece of a classic tune and weaving it into something fresh and new. In this case, the team behind “Dilemma” opted for an “interpolation,” which means they re-recorded that iconic vocal line instead of using the original audio. It’s like they gave us a brand-new gift! And we have to recognize the brilliant minds behind the original 1983 track—Kenneth Gamble and Bunny Sigler, who are cre dited as writers on Nelly’s smash hit, making sure their genius lives on. So, there you have it—a compelling connection between music generations, where Nelly and Kelly took the brilliance of Patti LaBelle and transformed it into a pop and R&B sensation! “Dilemma” continues to resonate with fans, showing us just how timeless great music truly can be. And that, dear viewers, is the magic of the music world! I’m Gail Nobles. Thank you for listening to Lounge Hype. Lounge events, clubs performances, and more.

Photo: Marilynn K. Yee, Los Angeles Times Usage: Wikipedia CC BY 4.0 Music intro by: Gail Nobles Story by: Gail Nobles Hey there, music and movie lovers! Let’s talk about the legendary Pam Grier, the star who brought Foxy Brown to life. She’s not just any actress. She’s a trailblazer in the blaxploitation genre, and she’s got style and sass like no other. Just recently, the Bethesda Theater held a special event back in Sept. where fans could see the classic film *Foxy Brown* on the big screen and meet the one-and-only Pam Grier herself! It was an exclusive meet and greet, celebrating this iconic movie from 1974. Now, let’s dive into the film. *Foxy Brown* is all about a fierce lady who’s out for vengeance after her boyfriend is taken from her by a gang of drug dealers. Pam Grier, with her fierce presence, shows us that she is a force to be reckoned with, taking down the bad guys with style and grace. The film is packed with action, drama, and a whole lot of attitude! And let’s not forget the music! The soundtrack that fuels the fire in *Foxy Brown* was created by Willie Hutch, adding that funky vibe that makes the film so special. This movie is a classic that’s not just about the plot; it’s an experience! If you want to know more about events like this and to catch some more great films, check out the Bethesda Theater at [bethesdatheater.com](https://bethesdatheater.com). It’s the perfect place for movie buffs to relive those golden days of cinema! So, keep groovin’ and watch out for more fabulous events! I'm Gail Nobles. Thank you for listening. Lounge events, clubs performances, and more.

Promo Card: Spotify Intro: Gail Nobles Story by: Gail Nobles Today’s Topic: Lorie Moore and her single Proud Auntie. We’re talking about her infectious single, “Proud Auntie (I Did That)”. You might not know the backstory, but this lady has been grinding harder than ever. With those upbeat vibes, Lorie sweeps us into her world, singing, “I’m so elated today, and I know you might not know…”—and isn’t that the truth? She’s been laying low, but while she was under the radar, she was putting in the WORK! Hard Werk, as she puts it! Time flies, but she’s been leveling up in every step of her journey. And let me tell you about that girl’s mentor, Tisha Campbell—what a powerhouse! When Tisha offered her a residency at the Xen Lounge, you could feel the electrifying energy in the air. It was probably like a call to arms for Lorie. In 2014, she struts onto the stage of “The X Factor”—and she didn’t just participate; grooved, and swung her way to the top 10! That’s right, folks; she made it to the big leagues, and you best believe she left a mark! Lorie released her first single/EP. “Proud Auntie (I Did That)” released in 2024 is a celebration of accomplishments, big and small. It’s about owning every note, every high note, and every low note that has brought her to this celebratory moment! Lorie is here to remind all of us that hard work pays off and that being proud of where you come from is a beautiful thing, especially when you have folks cheering in your corner! So, tunes like this elevate us, lifting our spirits and reminding us to wear our achievements like badges of honor. As Lorie steps into the spotlight, let’s all get ready to groove with her! So check out her single Proud Auntie ( I Did That) at Spotify. I’m GN and you’re listening to Lounge Hype. Lounge events, clubs performances, and more.

Story by: Gail Nobles Music by: Gail Nobles Photo:  Wikipedia  Usage: CC BY-SA 3.0 Welcome back to Lounge Hype. Today's topic is Jay Z at The Tunnel. I don't know who was the king at that New York City nightclub, but I know Jay Z was one of the main attractions. He brought excitement due to his performance.  There is a documentary on the tunnel, and I've seen and heard most people say (from the documentary) that Jay Z was the king there. I've seen more video clips on Jay Z at the tunnel more than I have anyone. Maybe they haven't released the rest of them yet.  You can see Jay Z live at the tunnel in 1999 on YouTube. Sometimes you'll see clips that will just say Jay Z live at the tunnel.  Whenever Jay Z would perform at the nightclub, it would be a crowded place. There would be loud cheers from the crowd. The music would be turned up, and Jay Z and his crew would be on the mic rapping with crowd participation. The crowd would rap too. It most certainly sounded as if Jay Z were king. He made the crowd active. He made the crowd move. The behavior of the crowd was more than words for Jay Z.  I'm Gail Nobles this is Lounge Hype. Today's topic: Jay Z. I'll be back with more about who performed at the nightclub. Stay tuned. Be sure to check out Jay Z's 1999 album volume three .. Life and times of Shawn Carter; certified triple platinum by the RIAA. Lounge events, clubs performances, and more.

Story by: Gail Nobles Keyboard and voice affects by: Gail Nobles Large crowd: Pixabay.com Welcome back to Lounge Hype. It was 1998 when Aaliyah performed at the tunnel with Timbaland. She performed Are You That Somebody upon its release. The song received critical acclaim from music critics with them praising its offbeat innovative production. In 1999, Aaliyah earned a Grammy award nomination for best female R&B vocal performance for the song. Initially, it was ineligible to chart on the billboard hot 100 mainly because it was an airplay single not commercially reloaded to retail stores. In December 1998, Billboard change it's policy to allow airplay only songs to chart on the Hot 100 and the song eventually peak at number 21. Another performer that performed at the hip-hop club was rapper Eve. She was live at the Tunnel 2000. Eve performed her single Let's Talk Abouta It featuring Drag On. Some say Eve was hot and smoking at the Tunnel. Some say she was the queen. The single let's talk about it came from the album Let There Be Eve … Ruff Riders First Lady. Eve had a lot to say in that title. The album was released in 1999. All the songs on the album were written by Eve herself. It sold over 200,000 copies in the first week. The album has sold over 2 million copies and was certified double platinum by the RIAA. Eve became the third female hip-hop artist to have her album peak and number one on the Billboard 200. When Eve perform Let's Talk About It at the tunnel with Drag On, the crowd was waving their hands and rapping with them. I’m Gail Nobles. I’ll be back with more about the night club The Tunnel in NYC. Lounge events, clubs performances, and more.

Photo: Mika-photography - Own work Usage: Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0 Story by: Gail Nobles The tunnel was a hip-hop nightclub in New York City from 1994 to 2001. Aaliyah was raised in Detroit, but she was born a New York City girl. I don't know how she performed at the tunnel with all the stuff that was going on there, but she did it. When Aaliyah performed there with Timbaland, the crowd bounced. She performed her hit Are You That Somebody. From the video clip that I saw of her, I didn't see any trouble. At clubs, sometimes fights break out and gunshots are fired. I don't know of anyone going to the clubs now that used to go in my hometown, but anyway, at The Tunnel in New York, sometimes there was trouble from what I understand. When Aaliyah performed at The Tunnel live, nobody seem disappointed. It looked like a moment for enjoyment for the crowd. All I can say is Aaliyah was a brave girl to perform there. Thank you for listening. I'll be back with more about the tunnel. Tune in again next time. Goodbye for now. Lounge events, clubs performances, and more.

Story by: Gail Nobles Photo by: John Mathew Smith Usage: Wikipedia CC BY-SA 2.0 There was an episode of Johnny Gill that aired in 2013 on TVONE. There was also a Johnny Gill “Unsung” Watch Party Premiere at the Savoy Entertainment Center. Singer songwriter Eric Benet was there, actor comedian earthquake was there, singer songwriter Kenny Lattimore was there, there was Program Director Aundrae Russell, and of course Johnny Gill himself was there. Johnny sang one of his most popular songs titled My, My, My. It was a number one R&B single. It was a hit song with backing vocals performed by After 7 as well as a jazz solo performed by saxophonist Kenny G. The single was the second single from Gill’s second self-titled album which spent two weeks at number one on the US R&B chart and made the number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. In 1991 the song one a Soul Train Award for best R&B Soul Single Male. It's also known to be Johnny Gill signature song. Johnny Gill sang My, My, My at the Savoy, and the ladies were reaching out for him. One lady said: Oh My God! You're a sexy thing!" The ladies were excited, and they were singing My, My, My with Johnny Gill. Thank you for listening to Lounge Hype. I’m Gail Nobles. Lounge events, clubs performances, and more.

Intro music by: Gail Nobles 2nd Bass and Synth Keyboardist: Gail Nobles Features music created using Groovepad. Available on the App Store, https://apps.apple.com/app/id1454398991 Photo: Dom Brady Usage: Wikipedia CC BY 2.0 Today's topic: Foreign Exchange Zoe, bemyfiasco, Ponte, & Nicolay. An R&B electronica hip-hop duo. I found out about them and their album of 2015 titled Tales From the Land of Milk and Honey. Hello, I am Gail Nobles! Welcome to Lounge Hype. I'm going to talk to you today about the group Foriegn Exchange. The group was formed in 2002 after Nicolay based in the Netherlands and Phonte in North Carolina connected online through okayplayer.com and begin collaborating on music. Their album Connected was released in 2004 and was a showcase for Nicolay’s musical talents as well as an introduction to like-minded little brother affiliates who contributed to the album. The album received strong views and the single Sincere was released with a music video. The group has several albums 2008 Leave It All Behind, 2010 Authenticity, 2013 Love In Flying Colors, 2015 Tales From the Land of Milk & Honey, 2017 Hide & Seek. There was a single I enjoyed listening to from Tales From the Land of Milk and Honey album. The single is title Work It ToThe Top. Tales From the Land of Milk and Honey is the fifth studio album by The Foreign Exchange. NPR listed it as one of the top 10 slept-on R&B albums of 2015. Lounge events, clubs performances, and more.

Photo credit: Gina Walker https://twitter.com/ginawalkerphoto?s=21&t=HeW80JTzLEmDTiFj76Cthg Hi! I’m Gail Nobles. You’re listening to Lounge Hype. I’m thinking about Howard Hewett from the group Shalamar who had a birthday party one day at Xen Lounge. Howard Hewett had a birthday party one day at Xen Lounge. The photograph that you see was taken by Gina Walker. Howard was about 60 then. Today he’s 67. I still love to hear him sing. I love how he starts a song. That’s when you know something’s coming up. You know you’re about to hear something good. He’ll switch around and hit a high note, and the girls love that. Y’all know how he do. He’s really good live because he can sing. Howard rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the group Shalamar. The group started in the 70’s. In 1985, Howard left the group to pursue his solo career, but he later returned to the group in 2001. You can learn more about Howard and what he’s up to at howardhewettmusic.com. Lounge events, clubs performances, and more.

Music & Film effect: Samplefocus.com Art by: Gail Nobles Story by: Gail Nobles Today’s topic: Indie Night - Dave Brown People will tell you that it’s not about your talent. Then what is it about? Dave Brown is inviting people all over the world to join Indie Night. He wants to see your talent. According to Dave’s bio, he made his way to Hollywood after receiving a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College. I call him Indie Night - Dave Brown because of the Indie Night Film Festival: Indie Night. It is a weekly film festival that gives artists an opportunity to showcase their films and other new and established filmmakers from all over the globe. It is founded by Dave Brown. I remember when I first saw a video clip of Dave Brown at Duane Martin’s Xen Lounge. The Lounge was packed with people that night. When I saw Dave & all of the people around him, I thought: Uh Oh! This man has started something.” Then he moved the film festival to the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood, CA. Entrepreneur Indie Night - Dave Brown is still going strong. You can submit your films to Indie Night Film Festival. Indie Night Film Festival accepts submissions year around to screen in Hollywood at the TCL Chinese Theater. To learn more about the Film Festival submissions, go to indienightfilmfestival.com. I’m Gail Nobles. Thank you for listening. Lounge events, clubs performances, and more.

Song: Float On With Us (F.F. Ladies Mix) Song By: Full Force Drums by: Gail Nobles Podcast vocals: Gail Nobles I’m Gail Nobles & you’re listening to Lounge Hype. Today’s topic is Float On With Us ( F.F. Ladies Mix). At the beginning of the song, Bowlegged Lou from Full Force introduces himself & tries to tell his Zodiac sign but Vivica Fox buts in. She tells him that he talks too much & ask could the women talk to tell their Zodiac sign. Bowlegged Lou wants to know who Vivica is. She tells him her sign and lets him know that she’s Vivica A Fox, & Bowlegged Lou said he didn’t care if she was Red Fox. Vivica and all the ladies, Melisa Morgan & Regina Belle & Vesta let’s Bowlegged Lou know that it’s a woman’s world. Then there’s love singing between Melisa Morgan & Isaac Hayes near the end. You can hear them all singing Float On. Isaac Hayes & Vesta, Rest In Peace. Lounge events, clubs performances, and more.

Jingle by: Gail Nobles Info from: https://www.lotis-jackson.com/ Lotis Jackson is an R&B singer/songwriter/producer with a history in hip-hop according to his bio. He is also a host for Cavi Vision entertainment. Cavi Vision highlights music artists, red carpets events, and entertainment news. Cavi Vision parent company is Caviar Gold Records. Lotis is in collaboration with producer Bobby Hope (Boys II Men). His music often draws on his childhood, coming from a broken home. Lotis lives in Los Angeles but he is from the Seattle area. He is the focus of a documentary, “ Lotis Jackson: A Young Man Living His Dream.” On his website Lotis-Jackson.com, he has a long list of songs in music. My favorite song by Lotis is “Candy Land”. You can hear all of his music on his website from SoundCloud. To learn more about Lotis Jackson, go to Lotis-Jackson.com. That’s Lotis-Jackson.com. I’m Gail Nobles, and you’re listening to Lounge Hype. Tune in next time for more. Thank you for listening. Lounge events, clubs performances, and more.

Intro Song by: Gail Nobles © 2022 Song: The Womack Sisters Are Here Music by: Gail Nobles Podcast cover by: Gail Nobles Today’s topic: The Womack Sisters Sisters of Soul! The Womack Sisters! The Womack Sisters were first known as Ejyptian Queen spelled Ejy instead of Egy. They gave Xen Lounge an outstanding performance once if I’m not mistaken. The Womack Sisters are also the granddaughters of Sam Cooke. The sisters are real true singers.They have great singing talent. They are singing the kind of songs that many of us are missing today. These girls are like their grandfather. They can sing , and it’s three of them. I’ve heard them sing Amazing Grace Acapella. They have that soul sound just like their grandfather. The Womack Sisters have a song titled “Darling”. (Singing) And now they have a new single titled, “Lost For Words”. (Singing). Y’all got to hear these girls sing if you haven’t heard them. You can find them on Spotify.com. I love their songs, and I think you will too. I think you’ll love their singing. Especially, if you’re old school, and they have a mixture of new school too. The Womack Sisters are also the nieces of Bobby Womack. You’re listening to Lounge Hype. I’m your host, Gail Nobles. Today’s topic: The Womack Sisters, and if you’re longing for a great new sound. .. (Singing) Lounge events, clubs performances, and more.

Gangsta’s Paradise: by Coolio Keyboardist: Gail Nobles Today’s topic, Karen Briggs. In the beginning, I saw a video clip of a woman playing the violin at Xen Lounge and asked, “Who is this woman playing the violin? She’s playing Gangsta’s Paradise any way she wants to. I mean, she could make the violin sound almost like a guitar. I was stunned. Everything you heard of the original rap song and then some as far as music. I said, “Wow!” With the violin, she was adding more to the music as if it were her own. Her name is Karen Briggs. In the beginning, after watching her perform at Xen Lounge, her name was not known to me. I thought, “I got to find out who that woman is.” I saw the video about seven years ago, and today I just found out what her name is. How did I find out? I just typed in Google Search engine “ female violin player plays Gansta’s Paradise”. I went to Google Images to see if I could recognize her face, and I did. Xen Lounge is said to be closed now, but there was so much talent in that place. So much that I’m just beginning to find out more about the people I’ve seen perform there. Karen Briggs is one of those people. I was blown away about how she played Gangsta’s Paradise by the rapper Coolio. So blown away, I had to find out more about Karen. She was born in Manhattan to a family of musicians, Karen Briggs took up the violin at age 12 and committed to playing professionally at age 15. Briggs joined the Virginia Symphony Orchestra while still in college, but grew discontented with performing classical music and left the orchestra after four years. Since then, she has performed predominantly in the jazz and contemporary instrumental genres. When I first heard Karen Briggs play the violin, I thought, “She plays like a professional”, not knowing she had experience. When I decided to do a podcast about Karen, I wanted to play a little intro and give an example of how Karen plays the violin. I have the violin in keyboard, but I don’t have the bow to give the sound effect that a violinist has when drawing a bow across the strings. Like I said before, Karen played Gangsta’s Paradise as if the music was her own. I tried to give an example of that by adding something more to the music. I had to create a number of tracks to make up my sound. It was very challenging. I had to listen to the instruments that were played in order to play the music, Gangsta’s Paradise. Then I was able to add a little more of my own tune to the music. Karen Briggs is an extraordinary violinist. If you haven’t heard Karen, you’ve got to hear her for yourself on YouTube.com. I’m Gail Nobles & you’re listening to Lounge Hype.Thank you for listening. Lounge events, clubs performances, and more.