Bump & Grind

🔥 Bump & Grind Newsletter - March 12th, 2025

Welcome to our new (and current) subscribers! You’re now locked in for your weekly dose of all things R&B—music, and culture.

In today’s edition:

🔥 Lauryn Hill, Wyclef, and Stevie Wonder pay tribute to Roberta Flack with a powerful performance of Killing Me Softly.

📆 A surprising On This Day moment you might not have known about.

🎤 R. Kelly claims he’s written 25 albums behind bars.

🎶 Plus, a classic Morning R&B playlist to get you through the week.

We’re officially under two weeks away from the next Bump & Grind R&B Night! 

VIP & Early Bird tickets are all gone. General Admission is moving fast, and there will be no tickets at the door. By this time next week, we could be sold out. If you haven’t secured your tickets yet, this is your sign. Don’t miss out!

Now, this week’s R&B vibes…

🌅 Morning R&B - Old School Edition

Whether you’re up with the sunrise or hitting snooze for the third time (we won’t judge), this week’s Morning R&B playlist is all about the classics.

We’re taking it back—something for the OGs and what their playlists probably had on repeat. Some cuts from Keith Sweat, The Deele, Quincy Jones (RIP), Tony! Toni! Toné! (D’Wayne Wiggins) (RIP), Roy Ayers (RIP), and Mtume—the kind of soul that gets you through the rest of the week.

• 1. It Never Rains (In Southern California) - Tony! Toni! Tone!

• 2. Love You Down - Ready For The World

• 3. Make It Last Forever - Keith Sweat

• 4. Two Occasions - The Deele

• 5. The Secret Garden - Quincy Jones

• 6. Don’t Make Me Over - Sybil

• 7. Always & Forever - Heatwave

• 8. You Are My Lady - Freddie Jackson

• 9. Juicy Fruit - Mtume

• 10. Everybody Loves The Sunshine - Roy Ayers

  Listen Now On Spotify!

📡 R&B Radar - A Legendary Tribute

We came across a powerful moment this week—Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Stevie Wonder (on harmonica) performing Killing Me Softly at Roberta Flack’s funeral. A great tribute.

For those who don’t know, Roberta Flack originally wrote Killing Me Softly before The Fugees gave it their iconic 1996 spin. Her impact on R&B and soul is undeniable, and this performance was a reminder of the timelessness of her music.

👇️ Click Here Or The Image Below To Watch The Full Performance 👇️ 

Got a song, artist, or performance we should feature in the newsletter? Just reply to this email and let us know!

🗓️ On This Day: March 12th, 2002

B2K released their debut studio album, B2K, on March 12, 2002.

The album featured singles like “Uh Huh” and “Gots Ta Be,” and debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart.

Fun Fact: This album also features Jhene Aiko who was marketed as a cousin of Lil’ Fizz despite not being actually related. Wild what record companies used to drum up to push album sales.

🔥 R&B Hot Take - 25 Albums In Jail?

Didn’t think we’d be mentioning R. Kelly in this newsletter, but here we are. Apparently, he’s claiming to have written 25 albums worth of material since being locked up!?!?

Now, is this something we actually believe? Given his history as a prolific songwriter, it’s not entirely impossible…

Who’s ready for Trapped in the Closet (or Cell) Part 57?

What do y’all think—cap or nah? Let us know in the comments.

🗓️ Save The Date - Less That Two Weeks To Go!

🚨 Tickets Are Moving Fast!

Shoutout to everyone who secured VIP early access—those were gone in 48 hours! Now, with less than two weeks to go, General Admission is selling quickly.

Reminder: No tickets will be sold at the door. This is an exclusive, ticketed event—once they’re gone, that’s it. Don’t miss out!

Thanks For Reading! 🙏 

If you have any comments or feedback, just respond to this email!

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