The PUB Report

By David Nobel & Matthew Lloyd

Everyone knows Faith Evans as the urban hip-hop diva, accomplished vocalist and poignant soothing songwriter. However, what everyone doesn’t know is the humanistic side of Faith. She is a tremendous talent that has made her claim to fame in this fickle music industry by being very versatile artistically but still keeping it real. Yes, the past Faith was intriguing, mysterious and to some an aggressive, determined chanteuse. But the present Faith Evans is soft and soothing yet self-assured with a brand new attitude. A love doctor who prescribes different dosages of love through her lyrics that are therapeutic as well as convincing in their theory that love is existent. As a devoted mother and wife, Faith has a resilience to all that has been thrown her way.

In 1994, Faith was in a state of bliss. Not only was she perfecting her art; singing and songwriting, but she was also the “First Lady” of Sean “P. Diddy” Combs newly formed Bad Boy Entertainment conglomerate. She was also in a whirlwind romance with, and eventually married, the late great Christopher Wallace a.k.a. Notorious B.I.G. The greatest romances don’t always have the greatest outcomes , which became a reality for Faith after the release of her self-titled debut. Rumors, trouble and scandal were on the horizon. From marital estrangement, battles with rap vamps Lil’ Kim and Charli Baltimore to being stuck in the middle of heated East Coast/West Coast rivalry between Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G, things became painful and emotional. Amidst all of the drama, Faith emerged virtually unscathed. She earned critical acclaim for the “Faith” album which produced three bonafide hits; ‘You Used To Love Me’, ‘Soon As I Get Home’ and ‘Ain’t Nobody’. These songs superbly illustrated Faith’s singing and songwriting ability, securing her place in R&B music.

However, all the pain would re-emerge on March 7th, 1997 six months after the murder of Tupac Shakur, Faith became a widow. The Notorious B.I.G. was murdered inLos Angeles after the Soul Train Music Awards. Although Faith and Biggie were sepa-rated at this time, she was obviously devastated at the loss. Her heart was poured immensely into the Grammy award winning tribute to Biggie, “I’ll be missing you” Featuring Puff Daddy and label mates 112. Her painful lyrics created a canvas of an unconditional love for a soul mate, lover, spouse and friend. Faith now only reminisces of her “happy times” with Biggie, in their son Christopher Wallace Jr. better known as CJ.

Brighter days came in 1998 when Faith married Motown veteran music executive ToddRussaw and gave birth to her third child Joshua. Her newfound love along with happiness were executed in her sophomore album “Keep The Faith” a collection of joy, breakthrough love and desired bliss. The lead single ” Love Like This” was inspired by her second chance at love with Todd. The single burned up the airwaves, rocked the clubs and the hook was even sampled by New York hype man Fat Man Scoop in the monstrous Party anthem “Be Faithful”. A song that can be played ten years from now and still keep the party jump-ing. “All Night Long” featuring Puff Daddy and her first solo number one single ” Never Gonna Let You Go” were also hit singles. The diversity of the singles made “Keep The Faith” a solid album for her fans and critics.

After a short hiatus to concentrate on self, out of the new millennium transcended a new and rejuvenated Faith Evans. A relocation from New York to the affluent Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta Georgia; her production company Pedigree MGI (an artist management company partnership with her husband Todd) and a fifty pound weight loss, Faith Evans was reborn. The move to Atlanta made life simpler for Faith and her family, away from the craziness of big city life. Pedigree MGI currently manages the former lead singer of 702, Kameelah Williams along with a host of up and coming artists and entertainers. The reinvention was over and the musical blueprint for “Faithfully”, her most anticipat-ed album of her career, was finally put into motion. Although she did keep herself exposed during her interim performing duets with Eric Benet (Georgy Porgy), Jon B. (Overjoyed) and label mate soul crooner Carl Thomas (Can’t Believe) Her fans still waited on her third album diligently.

Constant studying of legends Ella Fitzgerald, Betty Carter and Sarah Vaughn along with her musical peers, who are vocalists and songwriters showed a kaleidoscope of musical energy about to burst completely open to the masses. Influences from all genres of jazz (Do Your Your Time), R&B (Where We Stand) and hip-hop (Alone In This World) are evident. The first single “You Gets No Love” undoubtedly is one 2001’s best laid tracks. “West Coast Funk was the concept for the song and the video”. Faith explains. “The story line fits the title ‘You Gets No Love’ for whatever reason it embellishes the situation”. she adds. Creative manipulations of hip-hop was demonstrated through the very soulful ‘Don’t Cry’ that borrows from Outkast’s ‘Mainstream’, ‘Heaven Only Knows’ which samples Mobb Deep’s, ‘Give Up The Goods’ and most notably, ‘Alone In This World’ used her husband the late Notorious B.I.G.’s ‘Who Shot Ya’ from his first album “Ready To Die.” “It was great way to pay homage to Big without actually singing about him” Faith says.

Faithfully is Faith Evans most introspective personal album to date with all of life’s experiences musically tailored to fit all the emotions and situations we incur. Devotion, love and hope are key ingredients that make the present great and the future much brighter. Through all the jet setting and commitments, demands are never priority to being just a normal human being; a mother. Because through all the irregular there is the routine of a wife and mother. “People don’t realize that I lead a regular life beyond the energy of the music business there is a lot of activity because I have three kids, Chyna, CJ and Joshua. I get up in the morning and take them to school and go to Target for shopping like everyone else”. Faith says very proudly. To feel the power of love that radiates in every relationship in our lives truly shows its strength. And through the many trials and tribulations we may experience, the healing of truth, honesty and determination will prevail in every way. Faith Evans by example shows that love and your personal spirituality can conquer and achieve your goals whatever they may be.

By R.K. Jackson

In recent years, some of the most innovative and risk-taking artists have made Gospel accessible not only to churches, but to the street and clubs as well. So, if the name of Kim Burrell doesn’t instantly strike a chord, then you better get off the slow train and join the rest of us. To put it simply, Kim is one of the most sought after Gospel artists today. Kim has recorded or shared the stage with artists such as Ricky Dillard, Rev. James Cleveland, Marvin Winans, and was even tapped for the upcoming releases by Sean “P. Diddy” Combs and Missy Elliot.”Puff called my office and asked me to sing on a gospel album he had been working on for two years, and Missy Elliot called me and said a friend of hers had died and that I was her favorite artist and that God had really been good to her (Missy) and that she felt Missy should really give back to God.”

It’s easy to understand why so many people share a love for her music. Kim gives off a warm, sincere persona, but her focus and dedication is in spreading the word of Jesus Christ. It doesn’t bother her that some Gospel artists feel that the genre is becoming “too worldly sounding”. It is Kim’s belief that music is a universal language and that the spirit of a person determines what their music sounds like. “I don’t care who the artists are, as long they are spreading the message of God” Kim says.

Born in Houston, Texas, also home to two of Gospel’s chart-breaking artists (Kirk Franklin and Yolanda Adams), Kim looked to her pastor/musician father and evangelist/singer mother for influences and inspiration. “We really didn’t listen to a lot of music around my home, we spent a lot of time just creating.” Eventually Kim began to listen to radio and appreciating other kinds of music. Kim never made a conscience decision to pursue a career in recording, she simply went where there was an interest in her music. Eventually, she had an opportunity to record a Gospel album on an independent label. But due to inadequate distribution, she felt it didn’t really get the exposure it should. So, when she spoke to the executives at Tommy Boy Gospel about recording a live album, they jumped at the opportunity.

On her latest Tommy Boy Gospel CD and video, Live in Concert, the Stellar Award winner goes back to previously recorded songs such as “I’ll Keep Holding On”, “Try Me Again”, and “Calvary” but its the energy and the fusion of a live band that breathes new life into these favorites. Taped at the Bountiful Blessing COGIC church in Memphis, Burrell’s interaction with the band and her jazzy- gospel flavored riffs are something to behold. Kim’s nine song set shows that she has the gift of song and ministry all wrapped up into one. One gets the feeling that there is more in store for her.

“I look forward to the next project and there are several producers that I would like to work with, but most surprisingly, I would like to work with Beyonce Knowles”. Kim says. When Burrell made a trip back home to Houston during the holiday break, she had a chance to sit down and enjoy the company of Destiny’s Child members Beyonce, Kelly and Michelle. Two things she observed were the drive and determination of Beyonce. “God put something inside of that girl because she has the tenacity of a bull dog.” Burrell states. While it would be interesting to entertain the thought of a Destiny’s Child/Kim Burrell collaboration, we must first be able to digest the beauty and talent of the anointed Kim Burrell.