Liv Warfield, “Why Do You Lie” [Video]

It makes perfect sense that Liv Warfield is Prince-affiliated, after listening to a few of her songs. The Peoria, Illinois native grew her music career after settling in Portland, Oregon and gigging around, which eventually lead to performances alongside artists like B. B. King, The Roots, Dave Matthews Band, Al Green and the Purple One himself.

Warfield is currently a member of the New Power Generation (Prince’s band), but she also found time to record her own music, with Prince’s blessing as executive producer. Her forthcoming album The Unexpected is a blend of rock and soulful stank-face, inducing music that could only be inspired by Warfield’s musical idols like Etta James, Tina Turner, Nina Simone and Mary J. Blige.

The Unexpected was originally scheduled to drop last year but got pushed back. This year’s release date is unknown at the moment, but enjoy her latest single and video, “Why Do You Lie”—which is part of her forthcoming LP. This otherwise sad song—where Warfield begs her lover to explain his barrage of lies and shady doings like stealing money from her purse—is offset by her sass, Warfield’s big voice and the band’s awesome musicianship (especially drums and guitar).

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Give the People What They Want

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings really do give the people what they want—no pun intended—with the release of their fifth album, out today. After a rough 2013 with album pushbacks, cancelled tours and a cancer diagnosis for Jones, it seemed as if this album would never come out. But they pushed through, and even recorded a video for their latest single, “Stranger to My Happiness,” with a baldheaded Jones confidently sporting her post-chemo look. It was all worth the wait, as the Dap Kings, have crafted another soul classic that once again channels the classic iconic sounds of Motown and Stax Records.

It’s available on iTunes.   

Rihanna and Shakira, “Can’t Remember to Forget You”

“Can’t Remember to Forget You” is the by-product of Rihanna and Shakira’s creative collision. The ska-influenced sultry song is about not being able to keep that sexy lover off your mind.

“I cant remember to forget you/I keep forgetting I should let you go/But when you’re making me/The only memory is us kissing in the moonlight” is the gist of the song, and both divas trade verses back and forth.

Eric Roberson, “Anymore”

One of R&B’s favorite, underrated singer/songwriters got inspired to release some new music. “Anymore” is about a failing relationship where the spark is just no longer there. Roberson sings, “We don’t talk anymore/Hold hands when we walk anymore/Make love in the dark anymore/We don’t, I don’t see the spark anymore/I wonder if we know who we are anymore” on the hook of this surprisingly mid-tempo yet still melancholy tune. This is the first single from Roberson’s upcoming release, B-Sides, Features and Heartaches, scheduled to drop on February 4.  

Starrene Rhett Rocque is a pop culture junky who often fantasizes about becoming a shotgun toting B-movie heroine, and aspires to save the world from the impending #ZombieApocolypse… In reality she’s a freelance entertainment journalist/blogger who muses about music, TV, movies and love. Follow her on Twitter @GangStarrGirl or at GangStarrGirl.com.