R&B came to a tipping point. Auto-Tune madness is in full effect and with the new advancements in technology; the music industry supergiant has become a dinosaur lost in the rubble of passing comets. The clouds have lifted and there is no quiet storm. Slam poets no longer cling to the neo-soul hype. We’re in a recession, so we’ve lowered the volume on baby-making radio jams. But ever so often, there’s a voice that rings out from the bell towers that forces us to listen. With clever hooks, catchy foot stomping melodies and some contagious crooning, it’s hard for us to ignore upstart John Brown. He’s like an earwig, and we mean that in the best way possible.

While some speculate that the urban rhythm and blues scene looks to be in its dog days as it is full of braggadocio hype men, Brown is a charming anomaly of suave-and-sophisticated Lothario playboy and blue collar street folk. On a stifling late July summer afternoon, Brown chit-chats with GIANT and lets his freak flag fly a bit, talking about his humble beginnings, staying positive, his boyband heyday, a certain Day 26 friend, his solo debut and of course, women. Ladies, get ready to dismantle your current Tiger Beat crush. John Brown has arrived.

Giant: How are you doing, John?

John: You know man; I’m just enjoying this hot hot heat!

Giant: That’s why we’re indoors…

Giant: So, you’re on our list for Guys To Watch for 2010-2011.

John: Good. Sweet.

Giant: You’re from the Motor City right?

John: Yep. Motown.

Giant: So, what do you think you can bring to the R&B game that other artists from other cities like Atlanta, New York or Los Angeles aren’t bringing to the table. Because, let’s be honest no one’s repping Detroit nowadays.

John: Honestly its just feel good music, man. Something that people can really enjoy and actually has meaning to the words as opposed to some random degrading stuff that is not appropriate for kids. I wanted to do something that people can actually learn something from, take it and kind of incorporate it into their lives and you know, make something positive out of it. As opposed to the negative, so that’s my primary focus whenever I make music it’s just to put out something positive and something fun, but ultimately positive. Not saying that no else is putting out something positive, but you know, you hear some songs where some people are degrading women and all kind of craziness, I just don’t want to go in that direction. You know what I’m saying?

Giant: Your mom was actually a singer herself…

John: Yes. Yes, she was a singer. She was actually signed to Motown when she was 15 or 16 years old.

Giant: So, did she teach you how to sing

John: Yes, she taught me how to sing. She really stayed on me with the singing. Always! My mom definitely helped me out with that.

Giant: With her teaching you how to ding, did you have to go to other people and learn from a choir teacher or some kind of music outlet?

John: Oh, yeah. I went to several vocal coaches, because my mom was a full-time mom. You know, she really didn’t have the time to really sit down and give me lessons. But I went to several music theaters and vocal coaches throughout Detroit, so that helped me out as well. [It helped me] advance my vocals and teach me how to use my instrument properly.

Giant: Now, you mentioned instruments. So, are you an instrumentalist?

John: Yeah, in some sense. I can play the piano, the drums and [tune] the guitar. My parents [couldn’t give me it all].

Giant: A lot of singers nowadays rarely write their own songs or play their own instruments. Did you write your own lyrics or play your own instruments on your debut?

John: Yes, definitely. On the writing aspect of it, I’ve been writing a lot! Like, a lot lot. I haven’t actually played any tracks [to sample] or any instruments yet, but I am definitely going put that on my album. I am definitely going to do a song dedicated to someone special in my life, probably my son or my fans. You know, someone that is really really close me. I am going do something really special for them, where I am playing the piano. You know, kind of a smooth mellow track.

Giant: You got into the business very early in the game and actually knew Robert Curry of Day 26 growing up, correct?

John: Yes, that’s my best friend! I actually talked to him an hour ago. He’s in Atlanta right now. We’ve been knowing each other since we were like 8-years-old, you know? That’s been my boy for the longest.

Giant: So, will you be collaborating with him on future projects?

John: You know, honestly, we’ve actually recorded several songs together. Like even throughout his Day 26 thing. We’re go into a studio and just record songs. He’ll come to my house; I’ll go to his house and just record songs. So, I have several songs, probably 40 songs that we’ve recorded recently. Hopefully, I might try to incorporate my boy on the album. We got to do something different. Its got to be tight.

Giant: You actually connected with Wyclef Jean, through him, right?

John: Well, actually someone contacted my boy Robert and asked if he knew some guys that would like to join a group. After that, he contacted me. We went to New York, auditioned for ‘Clef and ‘Clef loved us instantly. He took us under his wing and we signed under ‘Clef. It was a great experience. I’ll never regret any of it.

Giant: What was it like auditioning for him?

John: Honestly, I scared. I’m not even going to lie to you. It was one those moments. It’s like when you get up in school, in front the class and you got to do a presentation and you got them butterflies and you feel like you’re going to have a heart attack and die. It was one of the feelings. But, as we went on with the performance he started moving his head, tapping his feet and stuff. We knew we got him. And he went ahead and signed us. That was dope, working with ‘Clef.

Giant: You were actually a part of a band E2G?

John: Yeah. That was the name of the group that Robert and I were in when we signed to ‘Clef.

Giant: So what happened? Was there any eternal conflict? Was there any drama? Why did end?

John: The thing is, in this industry… there wasn’t any drama, thing was people’s work ethics. Me and Robert, we’ve been doing this so long, we grew up together. That’s practically my brother. We grew up doing this so long, and some people in the group didn’t really have that drive like we had the drive. So, it slowly started to diminish… that love that they had for the group they didn’t have it anymore. Me and Rob, we had it. We were still signed to ‘Clef, were auditioning two other members. But ultimately, we started to focus on other things. Like, I wanted to go school. They wanted to do other things. But Robert and I are still friends to this day. It was one of those experiences where it was a learning experience, where some people can’t handle it and other people can. Robert and I can handle it, but for some other people in the group, they weren’t ready and couldn’t handle it. You got to be ready.

Giant: You just noted that there was an issue with work ethic, but it also sounds like there was a vision for the group, and that you saw a vision that others may not have seen for the group. As a solo artist, what is the vision that you see for yourself?

John: Fortunately, as a new solo artist you don’t have to worry about all that extra stuff. Only thing you got to worry about is you, you know? I definitely see longevity in my career. I’m happy and content right now with my labor, my management, everybody. I’m just excited. I’m blessed being in the situation I’m in. I wouldn’t give it up for the world.

Giant: We mentioned Wyclef. As a solo artist, are you against working with him or would you consider working with him?

John: Oh, definitely. I still speak to ‘Clef. That’s my home boy. His cousin, Jerry “Wonder” [Duplessis] and Wyclef want to cut some tracks. My homeboy Jay Kudy… We were on the phone the other day to meet back in New York to cut a few records with Platinum Sound, that’s ‘Clef’s studio. That’s still my boy, the whole ‘Clef camp.

Giant: Will any of that on your debut?

John: I pray to God. It’s going to be super challenging but we’re going to do some tracks, and if it’s hot—which I’m sure it will be—I’m sure ‘Clef will definitely be on my album.

Giant: You were barely out of high school when you originally signed with Wyclef.

John: Yes, I was barely out of high school. I was in my senior year in high school in Jersey and I transferred schools when we signed on to Wyclef. Like, all over Detroit. I was only one in school.

Giant: You actually enrolled into a college on a choir scholarship, and that you spent your time as a nomad going school-to-school. Were the programs awful or where you looking for something more than the programs had to offer?

John: No, the programs were awesome. I just had other responsibilities. I had to handle to other stuff, so I just transferred schools. It was more convenient for me.

Giant: [We] were looking your MySpace and several other profiles on you and you describe your sound as a hodgepodge of hip-hop, R&B and rock influences. Is there anyone that you admire, would like to liken yourself to and model yourself after?

John: Honestly, You may think this is weird, but I think this dude is incredible—Phil Collins. I love that dude. He is stupid dope.

Giant: There is nothing weird about that! Phil Collins is awesome!

John: People ask me, “Are you serious?” And I’m like “Yeah, I’m serious!” Celine Dion, Phil Collins… I wish Luther Vandross was still alive. People like Tyrese, Usher… those kind of people really motivate me, especially in the music industry. They are just incredible fucking artists.

Giant: Other than Phil Collins, you once mentioned in the past that you were inspired by Sting, Nas… Just being curious… what is it about Celine Dion that you admire?

After geeking out about her artist merits and “My Heart Will Go On”…

Giant: So, I’m guessing on the pantheon of divas like Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey…

John: Oh definitely. That woman man… People say Beyoncé is the greatest singer in the world. Celine is my Beyoncé. And not in like a sexual way, I’m t talking about music.

Giant: Now your song, “Imma Love You Right” is starting to get a lot of airplay, a lot of hit on Youtube and iTunes at the moment, and it’s pretty big on the radio. What is the first thing you want people to know about your craft when they sit down to listen to your record?

John: Honestly, I’m a young guy putting out some positive music. Normally, you’ll see or hear a young guy put out something, just to put it out, just get that response in the club. But, my thing is in particular [with] “Imma Love You Right,” it’s kind of like “Oh, that was creative” because I female friends who have been dogged by men, or my sisters. I just felt like it was time for someone to put something out there like that. Its sad the way you see the way you see how some young men carry themselves and treat these women. I honestly felt like, “Hey, if I can write this song…” especially from a young god’s perspective, it’s not really common.

Giant: Upon first listen, it can be likened to several artist like T Pain or 70s experimental Marvin Gaye. The song, that talks about the many way you love a woman, is it a reflection of the album as far as themes go? Is love the over encompassing theme of the album?

John: No, its not. We’re definitely going to touch out to many different avenues. We’re going to put a variety of different things on my album. We’re going to focus on things that happen in everyday life, we’re not going to focus on love… its going to be a variety of different things.

Giant: Alright…

John: That’s funny the way you just came in with that. Alright…

We share a laugh.

Giant: Is there any current artists on your radar right now that you are just impressed with and would like to work with?

John: Alicia Keys, definitely. Tank and Tyrese, I worked with them already. That was one of my idols. I’d love to work with him. I also said Phil Collins.

Giant: Earlier you mentioned Celine Dion. Women in music are killing it right now, do you think there will be a renaissance with men in R&B and pop?

John: I think so. I definitely think so. You got Mario about to drop something. The-Dream is out here killing it. Tyrese and Tank’s records just dropped records. Got Usher out here killing it. Then you got John Brown, the new up and coming star. You’re going hear stuff about me, man.

Giant: Alright…

John: There’s that alright again.

We share another laugh.

John: That’s funny. I’m going to start saying that. “Alright.”

Giant: Lastly, what do you a GIANT?

John: Honestly, what makes me a GIANT… I have the potential to become a GIANT. I am not a GIANT yet. I’m different, I’m hardworking, I’m humble, again I’m different and I am not afraid to try new things. I’m not afraid to do good things in my career. I think when you do that and you are not afraid to stay in this box, and you think outside the box, then you just grow and grow and grow. And that’s my thing and I just want to keep doing different things that will catapult my career. If I stay on that path, I’ll definitely because a GIANT.

This Georgia peach, is no one to mess with when it comes to style. She has evolved  from the 90′s “anti-fashion”, into a modern fashionista. She has shown us she is still standing strong and is coming back better then ever.

- Jasmine Hampton

ATL rapper B.O.B pretty much sums up the wackness that comes with overuse of Auto-Tune in the hilarious spoof video below.

Invite-only parties can be a determination of popularity depending on what side of the offer you’re on. Alexis Maybank and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, founders of Gilt Groupe, the private online community that grants member-only access to 36-hour online sample sales, joined forces with Bevy Smith—style maven, TV personality, freelance writer, and host of eponymous exclusionary dinner parties—to introduce their site to the fashion world of ATL. Last Wednesday, at the Spice Market in the Midtown W Hotel, the three queens of exclusivity brought out the best while paying homage to the city’s style and flair.

Born in Somalia, raised in Toronto, sisters Iman and Siham Hashi now reside in Atlanta. And as Sweet Rush (Flash, Dec/Jan ’09) the two flip their love of the Spice Girls into Sweet and Spicy (Universal Motown), featuring a “Fergilicious”-echoing lead single “Hot Sauce.” Here the sisters speak about their Somalian roots, defying their father’s wishes and why they want to make an African version of Lord of the Rings.

GIANT: Did you two grow up with music?

Iman: When we were younger, we were born in Somalia, and we moved to Canada. Our dad did not like music at all. He never listened to it. My mom was kind of like the easy-going one. She’d blast the radio when she’d drive us to school. But with my dad, it would be dead silent when he’d take us to school. He’d catch us sometimes, and we’d be in so much trouble. In Canada we used to listen to Celine Dion and Mariah Carey. That’s what we grew up on.

Why would you get in trouble?

Iman: He knew we could sing, but I don’t think he wanted to encourage it. So there was no music allowed. I guess it’s a cultural thing. I guess what we’re doing is kind of taboo. We’re the first Somalian singers ever. In the beginning of high school, we started going to studios in Canada, and that’s when we really started trying to do it. Our mom was on the side cheering us on, but my dad didn’t really know yet. Then two years ago we moved to Atlanta. My dad didn’t know I was moved there. Now he totally supports us and sees that we’re dedicated and that it’s not just partying and going crazy.

Can you track the ABCs of your journey to where you are now?

Siham: We were born in Somalia. My mom worked for the Somali embassy, so we moved around a lot. We lived in Saudi Arabia, and then we moved to Germany, and while we were in Germany…

Iman: War [in Somalia] didn’t officially break out until ’93, but it was bad before ’93.

Siham: Yeah, so I guess they gave us a warning. And we moved to Canada and lived there for most of our lives. I went to Atlanta first. I told them I was visiting my aunt and never went back. Iman said, “Oh, I want to get her back.” And then she came and stayed. I’m the middle child. No one pays attention to me.

They didn’t notice you were gone?

Siham: Yeah, when [Iman] came, they were, like, calling every day.

Iman: They were giving us deadlines then, like, “If you don’t get a record deal next week, you’re coming home.” It’s not easy getting a record deal!

Do you think your Somalian roots have affected who you are as artists today?

Siham: Definitely. From a cultural perspective, we don’t necessarily talk about certain things in our songs.

Like what?

Siham: Drinking. In-your-face sexual stuff. It’s kind of a cultural thing. We’re not very open about things like that.

Do you ever feel pressured to do that? Sex does sell.

Iman: I think definitely from working with other writers and producers, they want us to loosen up. But as far as our label, they like the way we are and they want to keep that image.

How do you two get along?

Iman: I’m very impulsive.

Siham: I’m always thinking. My head is always in the clouds. I tend to over-think sometimes. It’s kind of a blessing and a curse I guess.

Iman: She always thinks she’s right. And if she’s not and I prove her wrong, all hell breaks loose. It’s crazy.

Do you have any sibling rivalries?

Siham: Not really. We just know each other so well, we know what we’re good at. I know her strengths, and she knows what makes me mad. We just know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

Iman: A lot of people don’t think we’re sisters. They’re like, “Oh, you’re just friends. You two hang out all the time.” I’m like, “No, she’s my sister.” One time we were at the studio, and one of our producers was like, “Do you live together?” And we were like, “Yeah, what do mean, do we live together? Is that even a question?” We’re gonna live together until we get married and have kids. And maybe even then, we’ll have a huge mansion and, like, split it.

Where did the name of the group come from?

Siham: Actually, at first it was Suga Rush. And then we found out that there’s a band in Finland with the same name. So we had to change it. We changed it to Sweet Rush.

What do you like about the name?

Iman: When we first came to Atlanta, we had this other name. It was Faith and Arrow. It sounds like a gospel group, I know.

Siham: Her name, Iman, means Faith. And Siham means Arrow. Actually, I was watching TV and a Young Dro video came on, and he was making Kool-Aid and putting a pack of sugar in it. I thought, “Sugar. Sugar Rush.” And then Sweet Rush.

I read you have some difficulty getting settled and feeling comfortable in the industry when you first started. How so?

Siham: When we came to Atlanta, everybody was trying to do snap music or crunk, more urban. At that time, a lot of black artists weren’t really doing pop music. So everybody said, “You can’t be pop. You’re black.” Every producer that we met, it never really clicked.

Iman: Also, a lot of people we met were working with other people or bigger things. They don’t have a lot of time for unsigned artists who don’t have budgets. Also, we got, “There are two of you. How’s that going to work? Where’s the third?”

["Hot Sauce"]

Why is someone going to listen to Sweet Rush as opposed to something else?

Siham: We love the Spice Girls so much. And I’ve never gotten that feeling about another group ever again. They were so fun and energetic and just did whatever. Nobody’s fun anymore. Everybody’s worried about being sexy.

Iman: We write some real songs about relationships. We have songs about our country. When you’re yourself, people embrace that. I don’t ever feel like I have to be anyone else.

Tell me about your record.

Siham: The first single is called “Hot Sauce.” We loved the song. We sing, but the song is kind of like a rap-singing thing. When people hear our other songs, it’ll definitely stand out.

Iman: The working title is Sweet and Spicy. Because we’re sweet, but we also have a song like “Hot Sauce,” some really fun, edgy, spicy songs.

Do you have a favorite song on the album?

Iman: “Missed the Boat.” It’s about this guy who kinda messed up. He missed the boat.

Is there anything that you’re excited about doing in the future?

Iman: Movies.

Siham: We want to do an African fantasy movie, like Lord of the Rings.

What would that be like?

Iman: It would be set in a magical, fictional land in Africa, and we would be the princesses of this kingdom and then our parents got killed and somehow…

Siham: I mean, we don’t really have the story line together yet. But whenever we watch these fantasy movies, it’s always in England, and it’s always like, “Sorry, no black people.”

GIANT is once again teaming with JC Cognac VSOP to bring the Silver Top Tour to Atlanta.

After a star-studded show a few weeks ago in Houston, GIANT, Atlanta’s Hot 107.9 and JC Cognac VSOP are headed to the ATL for an equally stellar line-up of performances from The Dream, Lloyd and Electrik Red. Want to go? Of course you do, so IF YOU’RE 21 OR OVER, click here to RSVP!

Ludacris knows how to have a good time. Don’t believe us. Check out the video from his release party for his Theater Of The Mind album at Atlanta’s Velvet Room below (NSFW):

Ludacris Album Release Party from DTP TV on Vimeo.

Some people may prefer Georgia peaches to Philly cheesesteaks, but that’s not why Musiq Soulchild left his native Northeast hometown for the Down South music mecca that is Atlanta. GIANTmag.com recently caught up with Musiq at the “Soul Power” photo shoot to talk about his move to the ATL, his new album and more.

GIANT: Tell me about the new album.

Musiq Soulchild: The new album is supposed to come out November 25th. Actually, it was supposed to come out in September but I made some changes, brought some cameos… so I just want to make sure everything is correct. So, it should be out in November and it is titled OnMyRadio. The first single off of that album is entitled “Radio.” It kind of shocked a few people because of the sound. I guess people are not used it coming from me, but its nothing different from what T.I. or anyone else from the South has been doing for the last past five, six or seven years – that Atlanta, Southern 808s and high hats sound.

GIANT: What inspired you to delve into that sound?

MS: A number of things. Well, for one, I just moved to Atlanta. So, it’s like a big “what’s good” to Atlanta. It’s what I hear a lot on the radio. I have been listening a lot to the radio a lot and I hear a lot of that on the radio. And I feel as though since I am in this industry and I am in this industry to entertain people its best if you entertain people according to what they like to listen to. And if that’s considered at least part of what’s popular in music then I want to do what’s popular-what everybody is listening to or at least what’s being played a lot. Another reason is because I get it a lot from mix-show DJs and club DJs about how they dig my music a lot but they can’t find anywhere to put it in their playlists so I figured I would do something for them that hopefully they dig. That song has a better chance of getting into their playlist than a “dontchange” or a “halfcrazy” unless it’s AC [adult contemporary]. Another reason is just that. I didn’t want to be perceived as just an adult contemporary artist. I love making ballads. I love making R&B music but there is more to making music than just R&B music. There are a lot of other reasons but those are just a few.

GIANT: You were such a fixture on the Philadelphia R&B music scene. What prompted the move to Atlanta?

MS: I just wanted to move. There’s really no deep reason. There are reasons… There’s a lot going on in Atlanta. The music scene is pretty busy out there. The weather is nice. The cost of living is cool. There’s a lot reasons but no significant reason like this is the reason why I moved to Atlanta.

GIANT: So, you mentioned cameos earlier. Who are some of the guests on the album?

MS: I actually would rather not. I would actually rather wait till the album comes out and let people get it for themselves. I don’t want to create no big hype around it. I just want it to come out and be appreciated.

GIANT: What was the inspiration lyrically for the project?

MS: Change. So many people try to stick to the same thing… and there’s nothing wrong with that. There’s nothing wrong with consistency but I just started seeing a pattern and in that pattern I was just being placed in one perspective when it comes to music. I have never been genre specific, but in this industry you sort of end of up that way because of how things are set up. Everyone needs to be shipped inside of a box, on a shelf, or labeled or in some kind of slot or one lane. I don’t want to be that kind of artist, so on this project I am doing a lot of things that may not be for everybody, you know, however I pray that at some point people will be able to respect the work or at least the intent that was put behind it. The intention is to broaden people’s perspective of what to expect from black music, or at least what people call “black music.” Anytime you hear “black music” you always think either R&B or rap, there’s more to [our] music than R&B and rap. I want entertain those things. I want to be able to entertain those things and hopefully people will be entertained by that. But it will be a challenging thing to accomplish if people see you as a certain way all the time. So I am taking my steps with it. I didn’t go too extreme with it – whatever that means. Just keeping in minds and being considerate of people’s expectations.

Check out the video for Musiq’s new duet with Mary J. Blige, “IfULeave” below:

For more Musiq and the rest of the singers featured in “Soul Power,” click here to see the photo gallery!

And for even more “Soul Power,” click here to see the exclusive behind-the-scenes video!

Young Jeezy swears he’s not a rapper, let alone a rap star. With the release of his sophmore album, the self-professed motivational speaker moves closer to being a bona fide lyricist. Just don’t ask him to relax.

Young Jeezy is a simple man. He has no diamond fronts in his mouth, wears no flashy, colorful T–shirts, and his sneakers look like they might actually have been worn more than once. His face is slim; his body is slight. (He’s lost 30 pounds in the past two years.) But the unassuming look does not mean he has the time or the inclination to sit for an interview.

“How long is this story supposed to be?” Jeezy barks at me.

About 2,000 words.

He strokes his chin and turns his eyes to the ceiling.

“How many pages is that?” Jeezy asks.

About four…

Jeezy sits up straight at a mixing board at Manhattan’s Sony Music Studios and folds his hands together.

“I got shit to do,” he says softly. “Let’s just do a one–page story. How long you need to talk to me for that?”

It’s a bit unusual for an entertainer to shun the press, but after just hosting a listening session for The Inspiration, Jay “Young Jeezy” Jenkins’s highly anticipated sophomore major–label album, it’s perfectly understandable why he is not interested in speaking with someone from GIANT. If you’re reading this magazine, the 29–year–old Jeezy doesn’t make music for you. His straight–from–the–gut perspective on street life is fine–tuned and earmarked for one constituency and one constituency only: drug dealers. If you’re not on the block (or in Jeezy’s parlance, “the trap”), then your enjoyment of his music is merely a by–product of his commercial success.