SZA Makes History as 'SOS' Sits at No. 1 For a Month
SZA Makes History as her album, SOS, sits On The Throne at No. 1 For a Month. The R&B singer also has the No.1 single globally! We discuss it here!
SZA
By: Adonis Armstrong
SZA is making history with her latest album, SOS. For the fourth consecutive week, it holds the crown atop of the Billboard 200 thanks to the 125,000 album-equivalent units sold in the U.S. in the week ending January 5th.
“4 weeks at number one is INSANE. Thank you God and thank you everyone for riding for me !!!”
4 weeks at number one is INSANE. Thank you God and thank you everyone for riding for me 🥹!!! 🫡🆘🤍
— SZA (@sza) January 8, 2023
According to Billboard, of the album-equivalent units earned; 121,500 were streaming-equivalent, totaling 162.42 million on-demand official streams, which also dropped four percent from the past week. Her album sales sit at 3,000, which may be a 289 percent increase and her track-equivalent album sales are at 500, which is a seven percent increase.
SOS sales shot up tremendously on January 5th after she dropped two new digital versions of the album solely on her Top Dawg Entertainment online store. The digital projects included two new bonus tracks: “PSA” and a solo version of the album’s “Open Arms.” Each track is available for $4.99, while one of the digitals comes with an alternative cover art.
SZA’s SOS is the first R&B album by a woman to achieve this feat since the great, Janet Jackson’s janet., which held the crown for its first six weeks from June 5th to July 10th in 1993. But, being at the top doesn’t come easy or without rumors. SOS had some tough competition with Taylor Swift’s song, “Midnights”, which is currently number 2 on the Billboard charts. SZA took some time to address rumors swirling on artists feuding on her twitter.
Uhh I feel silly that I even have to say this but i see supporters arguing and I hate that . I don’t have beef w ANYONE especially not Taylor lmao I genuinely loved her album and the writing!Everyone’s jus tryna do their BEST as we all should . LOVE TO EVERYONE. Gn 🤍
— SZA (@sza) January 6, 2023
The R&B singer is definitely having herself a wonderful month from the dedication SZA put into the album. She revealed on Twitter that her lead single, “Kill Bill” is number 1 on the Billboards Global 200.
Number one GLOBALLY is incredible!! 🥹 I’m so GRATEFUL! Thank you to everyone around the world listening to SOS and kill bill 🫡🆘 pic.twitter.com/9Z7xdANtDB
— SZA (@sza) January 10, 2023
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Alternative R&B: A Love Letter To Black Culture
Alternative R&B, which is at times referred to as Indie R&B, is a style of music that originated in the late 2000s, drawing inspiration from its sister-genre of contemporary R&B and serves as an abstract painting of our resilience and ability to transform. We discuss the rise of Alternative R&B here!
By: Cory Utsey
The genre of rhythm of blues, also known as R&B, has remained a staple in the Black community since it first took roots in the 1940s.
As a culmination of blues-inspired music, fast-paced rhythm, jazz, and light-hearted lyrical content, these songs hold the power to take listeners through a euphoric ride full of love, life, and redemption.
The term “rhythm and blues” was coined by music journalist Gerald “Jerry” Wexler in an attempt to replace the then-popular phrase “race music”, which was labeled offensive, while also marketing this new sound that had become popular in Black circles.
As the genre began to be associated with Black adolescence and late-night club scenes in the 1950s, it started to be seen as low-quality in comparison to Jazz music, which was regarded as a more refined form of Black expression. However, as R&B began to incorporate funk and soul, along with relatable lyrics about love, it was seen as more of an umbrella term for contemporary Black expression.
Nowadays, R&B and each of its sub-genres are easily accessible and highly revered-- especially alternative R&B.
Alternative R&B, which is at times referred to as Indie R&B, is a style of music that originated in the late 2000s, and it draws inspiration from its sister-genre of contemporary R&B.
Contemporary R&B combines elements of traditional R&B with lush, disco-like production and a distinct rhythm that is reminiscent of early hip-hop. It is best represented by artists such as Beyonce, Michael and Janet Jackson, and Usher.
Alternative R&B, on the other hand, takes some of those same attributes that are found in contemporary and traditional R&B, and fuses them with more prominent bass and vocals that almost feel like an echo.
As a versatile style of music, no two artists sound the same.
The airy, angel-like voices of singers like Brent Faiyaz or SZA can reel you in as they talk about toxic love and heartbreak, while Leven Kali and Syd might make you feel like you are seated on a cloud, so long as you tell them what you like. Solange might facilitate Black pride while providing a haven for different aspects of the Black experience, while Xavier Omar and Lucky Daye might have you aching for that “Old School” love.
The Internet - Girl (Official Video) ft. KAYTRANADA
Lucky Daye - How Much Can A Heart Take (Lyric Video) ft. Yebba
The subject matter varies from love and sex, to spiritual anecdotes and commentary on what is going on in the world.
If music has been a canvas for the expression of our pain, our joy, and our love, then alternative R&B is an abstract painting of our resilience and ability to transform.
Alternative R&B is the sister, the cousin and the love-child of the many different genres in which Black people have made a mark, and it is undoubtedly one of the most dynamic genres to top the charts in today’s day and age. It is a love letter to Black creativity and Black culture.
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Babyface and Teddy Riley Break Instagram Live Record In Iconic 'Versuz' Match-Up
Babyface and Teddy Riley broke the instagram live record in an iconic match-up on "Versuz". Recap the event here!
By: Omar Cook
The first couple tries didn’t go as planned do to sound issues, but when it finally got rolling, it was major. 2 iconic producers in Babyface and Teddy Riley went head to head for the best “Versuz” matchup to date on instagram live.
Swizz Beatz and Timbaland have teamed up to create an instagram series to take advantage of everyone sitting at home by pitting top notch artists and producers against each other in song for song match-ups. Some of the match-ups include RZA vs. DJ Premier, Ne-Yo vs. Johntá Austin, Mannie Fresh vs. Scott Storch, French Montana vs. Tory Lanez, The-Dream vs. Sean Garrett…but this was by far the best match-up.
Teddy Riley and Babyface teamed up to break the instragram live record by attracting over 500,000 viewers. The playlist was crazy between the 2 featuring artists such as SWV, Ready or Not, Tevin Campbell, Doug e Fresh, Janet Jackson, Toni Braxton, Blackstreet and many more!
Babyface recently battled the covid-19 and recovered which pushed the date back but it definitely did not disappoint. Babyface has a decorated resume writing and producing 26 #1 hits and earning 11 Grammys while Teddy Riley has 2 Grammys as well. This was a historic moment in music as 2 producers who are responsible for a lot of the songs we grew up on gave us an epic battle. If you missed it, check it out below!
Teddy Riley Verzuz Babyface - RnB Hits Broke IG Live [Full Version]
Meet Adonis Armstrong, Co-Founder & President of 247 Live Culture!
Email: Adonis@247LiveCulture.com