Cryptic Clue: Slim from 112

Earlier today, I had an exclusive interview with Slim from 112 whilst I was waiting to interview Omarion at their plush hotel!

After playing me four unfinished tracks from his new solo project he posed a cryptic clue that I need your help with!

Although he’s still in 112, he mentioned that he’s got a solo label deal with a major record label! He didn’t specifically say who it was with but he did say the following:

“I’m at a label where damn near everybody is off the Richter scale and I don’t have no competition. If you go to the roster of each and every one in the label; whatever label you’ll find that doesn’t have another male RnB artist but me, you’ll find out what label I’m on.”

Now at first I would have said Def Jam but NeYo, The Isley Brothers (via Def Soul) Bobby Valentino (via DTP) and Sterling Simms are all male RnB vocalist so I’m baffled!

As I’m on my way to the Omarion, 112, Sisqo, Marques Houston (although he’s yet to turn up in the country from what I’ve been told) concert tonight so I’ll keep you updated! But if you have any clues or ideas then holla!

Check out Slim's MySpace also www.myspace.com/shywonder

Exclusive by BoyWonder

Has Jennifer Hudson Peaked Too Soon?

Right now I’m deciding to restart my dead blog with a little post on Jennifer Hudson. I’ve got transcribing, interview questions and a million other things to do other then my blog but hey I figure I might aswell multi task while I’m semi-watching ER… Words by BoyWonder

Jennifer Hudson has put the cherry on top of what has been an extraordinary 12 months for the American Idol reject. Virtually unheard of this time last year, Jen is now a household name thanks to her role as Effie in Dreamgirls; which was yesterday awarded an Oscar for ‘Best Supporting Actress’. The Academy plaudit comes after Jennifer collected gongs at all the major film ceremonies including the Golden Globes, BAFTA’s and Screen Actors Guild awards.

Her success in the musical – a thinly veiled Supreme’s biopic – has also lauded her a place in the record books as she became the first black woman singer to grace the front cover of Vogue!!!
That’s right!, this plus size newcomer has preceded the likes of Beyonce (who had to settle for a Sports Illustrated cover instead), Mary J Blige and even Whitney Houston who despite arguably being more deserving - due to their longevity, record sales and general contribution to the music industry alone (Jen even states Whitney as her idol) - have never achieved such endorsement.

But fashion covers aside, in a fickle music biz that is notorious for languishing fame on someone one minute only to remove it the next; I can’t help but feel uneasy about what this spells out for the Chi Town born songstress and one-time Burger King employee (she quit after two days).

At only 25, has J. Hudson peaked too soon?

Well if we consider the facts, her career so far has been through peaks and troughs. In 2004, after being booted of Season Three of American Idol (trough), she was bought back as a wildcard (peak) and ended up coming seventh in the comp. Having been beaten by Fantasia Barrino who went on to win the show (trough) Jen soon had the last laugh when she won the coveted role of Effie against hundreds of hopefuls including Fantasia (peak!)

Overlooking such ironies; the major consequence of the 25 year olds vocal tremors unleashed in songs such as 'And I’m Telling You' has led rather unsurprisingly to her signing a multi million record deal with Clive Davis; the legendary A&R impresario responsible for founding Aretha and Whitney!

Now its seems that a Grammy is the last award missing from her cluttered mantle piece but with as much pressure as an elephant in stiletto’s weighing down on her – how will she cope?

I guess only time will tell