Play This As Frequently As Possible...

While driving into work this morning, I heard one of the best songs from my childhood on the radio today (appropriately titled "Feels Good") and couldn't help but be put in a good mood. Back in the golden age of R&B and rap (90's), there was a trio of musicians hailing from Oakland California called Tony! Toni! Tone!. Comprised of Raphael Saadiq (lead vocals and bass), his brother Dwayne Wiggins (lead vocals and guitar), and their cousin Timothy Christian Riley (drums), Tony! Toni! Tone! stood out as a new soul/R&B trio with a unique sound in a sea of music groups of the late 80's to mid 90's. The group reached their first Top 10 single with "Feels Good" off their second LP The Revival and continued to rise with their double platinum album Son of Souls. Most known for hit "Anniversary" off of their double platinum Sons of Soul album still remains their biggest hit and most successful. With a string of songs topping the R&B and billboard charts, their was a point where you could not turn onto a radio station or go to a family gathering without recognizing Raphael Saadiq's iconic voice and the trios uplifting jazz sound.After disbanding in 1997, the original three have yet to work together again in a hope of a reunion album. Saadiq pursued other endeavors in producing and forming the platinum selling group Lucy Pearl, which also disbanded after one album, then later embarking on a successful solo career. Although the group only released 4 studio albums and has yet to reunite with all three original members, their hits are reminiscent of a time when R&B was more about making great music rather than just a "hit."

"The Blues"

"FEELS GOOD"!!!

"It Never Rains (in Southern California)"

"Whatever You Want"

"Lay your Head on my Pillow"

"If i Had No Loot"

"Anniversary"

"Lets Get Down"

"Boys and Girls"

The Many Faces of Tracey Lee

"It's party tiiiime. Ooooh it's paaaarty tiime. Havin' paaarty. Com'n!" For those who haven't heard that line, chances are you haven't heard of rapper Tracey Lee. Born in October of 1970, Philadelphia's own Tracey Lee found his success with his hit single 'The Theme (It's Party Time)' followed by the release of his first album Many Facez on March 27, 1997. This album also included guest appearances from Busta Rhymes and none other than Notorious B.I.G. on the track titled 'Keep Your Hands High.' And yes, it really was Biggy on the song, not a re-recorded verse. Back in the day, I actually stumbled upon this album by accident when I took a chance and ordered this cd out of the BMG music catalog (remember those?). So just based off a leap of faith of seeing a little picture of the Many Facez album cover in the catalog, I was pleasantly surprised at how good this album was at the time. And I still bump this album today. I consider it a classic and I'm suprised more people don't.

So, where did Tracey Lee disappear to after all that success? A great success story if you ask me. Following his album's success, Lee moved onto pursuing a law degree at Southern University Law Center in Los Angeles, California, and received his degree in 2004. He claims part of his motive for pursuing law was to help represent the interests of future artists respectively coming up in the music industry. That move alone for a graduate degree put this emcee in a class of his own. And the best part: he STILL raps on the side! Future artists take note: brains AND bravado together can bring you future success. Check below for additional content on the past and present of this great artist. Tray Lee, we solute you.

 

• Click here to check the IamCoco.com interview with Tracey Lee, Esq.

• To download Tracey Lee's newest mixtape called 

Free Consultation: The Mixtape V.1, click here