R&Bay: Awaiting Ms. Jennifer Johns

Aside from Clyde Carson's Theatre Music (Oakland's Detox), the album I have been most anticipating is Jennifer Johns' sophomore effort, Painting on Wax. While her first album was melancholic and bass heavy, PoW is sounding worldly, upbeat and FRESH! Below is a stream of a diverse Bay Area posse cut from the new album. Peep her myspace for a few more tracks. Please bless us with that newness Jenn! We'll be waiting. . .

Below is an excerpt from her myspace for yall who haven't done your J Johns homework.

Vacillating between Hip-Hop, Soul, Electronica, Reggae, World and every kind of rhythm in between, sultry voiced Jennifer Johns crafts stirring tunes that are both heart-rending and head-bobbing. The Oakland, California music powerhouse proved herself as a potent interpreter of taboo desires with a passion for creating “Electric Hip-Soul,” on her critically-hailed debut, heavyelectromagneticsoularpoeticjunglehop, showing up & coming singers/songwriters/lyricists/producers how it’s done.

An exceptionally graceful artist, Johns got her start by hitting high notes in the church and school choirs, but it was her experience performing with the multi-culti Oakland Youth Chorus, where she received her comprehensive training. “I started with OYC from age 14 to 19 and we did some truly amazing stuff. We played with Roberta Flack Peabo Bryson, Melissa Manchester, Nancy Wilson to name a few. I also performed in their professional acapella ensemble, where we sang in a million different languages. The Bay Area is so rich in culture; it’s also the birthplace of so many (r)evolutionary and arts movements. That diversity is reflected in my music. Being from such a places forces you to make good music, not genre-specific music.”

Mistah FAB Speaks on Oscar Grant's Murder

Mistah FAB Speaks to MTV News about Oscar Grant's police execution and the upheaval that followed. Click here for the full article. See below for excerpted quotes from FAB.

"I'm on the front lines, homey, because I am a member of this community and we are not going to stand for these assassinations anymore," F.A.B. told us. "I wish (today's protest) was more consistent, though — there's only, like, a couple of dozen people here right now and dwindling. But I can understand, given what happened Wednesday night."

"We have a history of being a city and community known for organizing and for our activism," F.A.B. said. "So it was disheartening that a few people used the protest to get out their frustrations. A lot of those people [causing the damage] didn't know what the rally was for, and had nothing to do with the original protest and had no interest in Oscar Grant's situation. It takes away from what we're battling and the justice we want done.

"But they're frustrated. People are frustrated. I don't condone the burning down of minority businesses or destroying city property — that makes Oakland look bad. But Oscar Grant was not the first young man to be shot and killed by a police officer in Oakland in the last year. The Oakland police do not have a good relationship with the community — especially the young people of this community — so I understand some of that frustration."

Above: Mistah FAB & Zumbi of Zion I speak on the Oakland Police at the Oscar Grant Rally. Click here to see more of Mistah FAB's comments

Mistah FAB has also released a track with Oakland's Jennifer Johns and Amp Live that speaks on Oscar Grant and the past and present state of Oakland. FAB's words are heart felt and pull no punches. One correction however: He states that the police killed Black Panther Bobby Seale, but was probably referring to Lil Bobby Hutton. Props to nahright.

"My Life (Oscar Grant Tribute)"- Mistah FAB feat. Jennifer Johns (prod by Amp Live)

Bonus: "Mad World (Oscar Grant Tribute)"- Novel