WONGIE SOUL SONG OF THE WEEK: sza - garden

sza - garden (say it like dat)
how cool that sza and donald glover (aka childish gambino) have a friendship that allows for them to pop up in each other's videos (did you see her in the cameo for 'this is america'?). now he returns the favor by frolicking in the forest with the soul singer as she expresses her insecurities in the vulnerable 'garden'.

janelle monae - dirty computer (emotion picture)

janelle monae - dirty computer (emotion picture)
as part of the release of her album dirty computer, the incredible janelle monae has given us a 48 mins companion film filled with sci-fi references and political statements about identity (in this case a poly one, featuring janelle and actress tessa thompson, that's slowly being erased from her memory). it's alot to pack in so i'm just going to let you enjoy this experience now!

WONGIE SOUL SONG OF THE WEEK: janelle monae - i like that

janelle monae - i like that
it's single #4 from janelle monae's album 'dirty computer' and from all the previous releases, this album might be one of the best of the year (we find out this weekend!). the good news for fans is that janelle is releasing a 44 minute short film that janelle is calling an "emotion picture" that will premiere on mtv and bet. love this jam!

NEW ZARA LARSSON!: zara larsson - ain't my fault

zara larsson - ain't my fault
swedish pop star zara larsson is FINALLY poised to break international waters as she releases this uber catchy jam (co-written by mnek) that kicks off her worldwide debut album. we've been tracking this talent for years! love her!

WONGIE SOUL SONG OF THE WEEK: corinne bailey rae - been to the moon

corinne bailey rae - been to the moon
the return of corinne bailey rae is both joyous and mysterious as she has taken the discreet road over the years as an artist to only reveal herself when new material is ready. with the new album 'the heart speaks in whispers', corinne offers up a beautiful jazzy number accompanied by this gorgeous video by directors favorite colour black. we have missed you, but you're back so happy news for all!

VIDEO PREMIERE: beyonce - formation

beyonce - formation
[UPDATE 2/7: damn! beyonce DID perform this female empowerment anthem at the superbowl! told you she could do anything!!]
i highly doubt beyonce will perform this politically charged surprise song at her superbowl 50 appearance tomorrow, but it's beyonce, she can do anything!

love the images by director melina matsoukas? well all day today there was a bit of a credit scandal (which has been resolved) by the influence of images taken from the awesome bounce doc by chris black & abteen bagheri below. all is fixed, new orleans sissy bounce gets a nice namecheck, still no queens (but bey) in sight. all is blessed.
that b.e.a.t. doc [WATCH THIS!!]

SOUL GAL: kehlani feat coucheron - alive / feat charlie puth - hotline bling (drake cover)

kehlani feat coucheron - alive
you know you've hit breaking point appreciation when taylor swift name checks your song as one of her current favorites. for the multi-cultural kehlani, the bay area singer/songwriter is breaking into the mainstream after her popular mixtape 'you should be here' generated a million streams in a day. celebrating 90's r&b kehlani is readying for her debut album with the official release of this breezy island love jam. she's on our radar and should be on yours too!


kehlani x charlie puth - hotline bling (drake cover)
hot damn! stripping down drake's single to the bare minimum, charlie & kehlani sound perfect on their duet cover of this hot jam. LOVE THIS!!

SOUL GAL: sinead harnett - do it anyway

sinead harnett - do it anyway
uk soul gal sinead harnett comes back with another fun new track fusing electro pop and even a smidgen of drum n bass. the new single just begs to be blasted with the car windows down so get ready for some stank face driving when this song plays from your speakers!

SOUL GAL: melissa steel feat wretch 32 - you love me?

melissa steel feat wretch 32 - you love me?
co-written by romans and produced by rodney jerkins, this new single by UK soul gal melissa steel is gonna be huge! with a perfect summer groove and catchy hooks, this might even be the track to crossover to the US with. i sure hope so, cause there's something very intriguing about melissa that seems to be missing in the soul scene in the states these days.

WONGIE DISCOVERY: alessia cara - here

alessia cara - here
discovered via her youtube channel, toronto based singer/songwriter alessia is getting some serious buzz with her wallflower anthem "here" where she is seemingly vocal freestyling over the classic isaac hayes 'ike's rap II'. signed just a year ago to def jam, this is a very auspicious start for the young talent. radar alert!

WONGIE DISCOVERY: andra day - forever mine

andra day - forever mine
oh that timeless soulful voice! newcomer andra day sounds like a blast from the past, but she is fully entrenched in the now garnering fans as diverse as stevie wonder to spike lee (who directed this video) by offering her takes on current hits via her youtube channel. with her debut album 'forever mine' due for release, check out her current single "forever mine" (and DEFINITELY that crazy note she slides into at the 3'15" mark) and you'll understand why this soul gal is seriously on our radar.

WONGIE SOUL SONG OF THE WEEK: lianne la havas - what you don't do

lianne la havas - what you don't do
this is just joy! lianne la havas has offered up one of the most commercial friendly soul songs of her career and it's just full of pure smiles. the album 'blood' is shaping up to be an interesting release and this awesome track proves that the UK chanteuse is definitely one of the best soul gals around!

SOUL GAL: sinead harnett - she ain't me

sinead harnett - she ain't me
UK singer/songwriter sinead harnett has been working towards bringing her soulful vocals to the masses for a good few years. featured in tracks with wiley, disclosure and rudimental, sinead is now front and center with her latest single that is easy on the ears and sets sinead up for what could be a solid debut album. she's on our radar!

btw, if you wanna check out sinead sing this catchy number live take a look at her wonderful acoustic performance below:

sinead harnett - she ain't me (live @ vevo dscvr)

WONGIE POP SONG OF THE WEEK: melissa steel feat popcaan - kisses for breakfast

melissa steel feat popcaan - kisses for breakfast
maybe cause the weather has been miserable here in the east coast, but this slice of reggae lite pop is the perfect escapist jam for the week! already featured in one of our fave dance songs by kove out at the moment, melissa is definitely having a BIG moment with all the attention surrounding this north london singer songwriter. definitely on our radar for female soul debut of the year!
wanna hear more from this talented soul singer? check out her A64 session for sbtv covering bob marley. it's lovely!:

melissa steel - turn your lights down low (bob marley cover @ a64:sbtv)

WONGIE DRAMA SONG OF THE WEEK: vv brown - the apple

vv brown - the apple
UPDATE: a day after my audio posting of this awesome song, vv goes and offers up a video to match! hence the repost! enjoy!

oh my goodness what is this total fabulous overhaul by vv brown? i was worried that the sassy soul gal was heading down a meh path since i wasn't feeling her mood piece 1st single 'samson' enough, but THIS track produced by pascal gabriel (ladyhawke, miss kitten) offers up some serious grace jones servings with a side of dramatics (swirling with bleeps and bass) as it's foundation. NOW i'm excited about the upcoming album!

SOUL GAL: sevyn streeter - it won't stop / i like it

sevyn streeter - it won't stop
oh this is nice! co-produced by diplo, there is something so wonderful aaliyah-esque here that i've kind of listened to this track a few times already. hypnotic!

want more, check out her debut single 'i like it' released earlier this year below:

sevyn streeter - i like it

SOUL GAL: jessie ware - sweet talk

jessie ware - sweet talk
with her debut album 'devotion' pretty much in every music lovers collection for 2012, jessie ware is setting her sights on the US as she prepares to tour with her classy soul soundtrack next year. with a special EP coming out early next year (featuring this single and a revised version of 110%) 2013 is looking to be an expansion of what was already a great debut. oh and this video is hella cute!!!