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By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com
After years of struggling with the confines of a major label structure and the battle to maintain the integrity of his art, soul singer Rahsaan Patterson decided to do things his way and he hasn't looked back.
Patterson, who released two critically acclaimed CD's (1997's 'Rahsaan Patterson' and 1999's 'Love in Stereo') on MCA Records, formed his own label in 2004 and has enjoyed the freedom of taking charge of his own musical destiny.
"What excites me now is the potential for independent artists to gain exposure, more mainstream exposure. I feel like the industry is catching up to the art of it. The commerce aspect will always be there, but the purpose of music is starting to come more to the forefront. The artists that do it independently do it because they have to. It's their art, it's their craft," he told me.
His latest offering, 'Wines and Spirits,' was released last fall and its second single 'Feels Good' is making a significant impact at Urban Adult Contemporary radio stations.
The former 'Kids Incorporated' star said that his fourth album is a compilation of a range of emotions he's felt over the last decade.
"These are sounds that reflected the stages of my life over the last 10 years. I wanted to be able to push the limits of what the supposed idea of soul is, particularly neo-soul and take myself out of that bracket," the singer explained. "I am a complex individual and I always have been. But at this state of my adulthood and creativity and artistry, all three of those combined. The level of comfort that I have with what I think, how I feel, what I believe; I've grown to really be able to articulate that."
The 34-year-old
His music video for the single 'Feels Good' was recently premiered on VH1 Soul and BETJ.
VIDEO: Watch Rahsaan Patterson's music video for 'Feels Good.'
Comments: (8)
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By: Cedric on 5/15/2008 2:00PM
This is so good to hear. This man has been putting out hits for awhile now. I LUV all his albums and always look forward to hear him singing or leaning a hand on other artists songs. I think that JAZZ will be his next venture since NEO SOUL is a fusion of it.
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By: ksun on 5/15/2008 2:22PM
He is wonderful. I saw him perform in a show with Lalah Hathaway and Angie Stone a few months ago; and it was the best show I've seen in some time. He was so gracious and giving to his fans - - a real down-to-earth brother. We need more performers like him - - so creative and true to his artistic vision.
I've had close friends in the music business who chafed under the rigid control of their record labels and felt that they were never allowed to do this best work on record - - due to the interference of the label executives. I hope being an independent works out for Rahsaan - - he deserves every success that he dreams of!
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By: JAZZMAN11 on 5/17/2008 9:19AM
Rahsaan is a shining example of the trend for truly gifted artists to go independent. Of note, this list of talented independent artists also includes Frank McComb, Angela Johnson, Eric Roberson, Gordon Chambers, Julie Dexter, Mint Condition,Steve Wallace,Marlon Saunders(he sang the big production, Oscar nominated song in the Disney film, "Enchanted")and a host of underground, independent artists around the country who are taking their career into their own hands. These are the artists that the general public should know at the drop of a hat but does not. Instead, for the most part, they have been served mediocre talent at best. Only less than a handful of the top secular artists present in this industry, that win the top awards in this industry can match the talent Rahsaan Patterson let alone any of the other artists that I mentioned above. Rahsaan said that the commerce will be there. What is different, especially compared to the TOP award winning artists out there now, is that the art, the true talent,the REAL voices of folks that "SANG" will be taking center stage in their lives.
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By: JAZZMAN11 on 5/17/2008 9:44AM
Rahsaan is a shining example of the trend for truly gifted artists to go independent. Of note, this list of talented independent artists also includes Frank McComb, Angela Johnson, Eric Roberson, Gordon Chambers, Julie Dexter, Mint Condition, Steve Wallace,Marlon Saunders(he sang the big production, Oscar nominated song in the Disney film, "Enchanted")and a host of underground, independent artists around the country and around the world who are taking their career into their own hands. These are the artists that the general public should know at the drop of a hat but don't. Instead, for the most part,and for at least the past 10 years at least,the public has been served scores of mediocre talent at best. Only less than a handful of this top creme de la creme,Pop,R&B and R&B/Hip Hop artists present in this industry, that win the top awards in this industry, can maybe match the talent of just Rahsaan Patterson let alone matching the artistry of the other fine singers that I mentioned above. Rahsaan said that the commerce will be there because it is a business. What is different, especially compared to the TOP award winning artists out there now, is that the art, the true talent,the REAL voices and REAL songs of folks that "SANG"(remember Phyllis Hyman, Luther Vandross, Glenn Jones, Melissa Morgan, Peabo Bryson, Regina Belle, Phil Perry, Patti LaBelle, Lisa Fischer, Cheryl Lynn, etc, etc) are taking center stage and hopefully will receive and enjoy the widespread success artistically and financially that they so truly deserve.
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By: elsie on 5/17/2008 9:46PM
there is a lot of other good artist that we may never hear because of the industry. i am glad that rasaan relized this. i am waiting for incognito to do the same. i have some of his older cd's hopefully he can go back and put some of thise back in play. they still sounds good
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By: sloane on 5/18/2008 3:54PM
Rahsaan "Bad AZ" Patterson is and has been my favorite, ever since I first heard him sing in April 1997! I have had the pleasure of seeing him perform and I have not had any other experience to date that even compares! His talent was best stated my Jonathan Butler, who simply said: Rahsaan is the most "singin'est" brother that I know! Rahsaan you know that you are the bomb! Continuing having fun with your craft...it spills over and is very contagious! So thanks...I sincerely hope that you will take up the offer to perform in South Africa this summer! I have been screaming about you to them for years...I finally convinced Festival Productions that you needed to be at Essence...it took them a while, but I was there to see you cut up! Hopefully I will get to see you in South Africa! Loving what you do...Sloane
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By: KEvin on 5/27/2008 5:22PM
Luvs me some Rahsaan!!!!
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By: DR on 7/19/2008 3:28PM
I went to a show in S.F. of rahsaan peterson july 17 and 18th. I was thinking i was going to see a professional singer, i was wrong. 3rd song, he took the microphone off the stand and almost dropped it. There was a loud squeal noise. very unprofessional. He was telling the sound person he wanted to hear the drums in the monitor while the show was happening, VERY unprofessional.
The second night, during the first show, the whole band, was snorting cocaine. I know cause i use to snort that shit too!!!!
Picking at his nose and snorting, shaking his head at the drummer,"like u gave me too much bro"
He then told the audience he could hear anything!!!
omg what a joke.
Finally the 2nd show was good. He actually got up to the microphone and sang into it. goes to show - once a ghetto boy ALWAYS a ghetto boy.
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