Daddy B. Nice's

Corner 2025

March 17, 2025:

Daddy B. Nice's

News & Notes:

Welcome back to "News & Notes" as we bid a fond farewell to the 2024 music award nominees and winners and welcome an abundance of new southern soul music for 2025.

New Music:


Of course, if you've been watching the music scene closely, you know Sir Charles Jones and Jeter Jones published new albums over the holidays. Both Charles' The Elite King and Jeter's My Fans Only gain high praise from Daddy B. Nice in New Album Reviews, as does T.K. Soul's Timeless, which arrived in late January.

Top 10 charting singles from that trio of releases in the first three months of 2025 include "Nail In The Middle," "Can't Run From Love," "Another Round" (Jeter Jones), "Flow Like A River," "Where I Belong" (Sir Charles Jones) and "Put A Freak On Me" (T.K. Soul). In addition, Calvin Richardson charted in the Top 10 with his single "Changed Man" from his new album, Five Years Later.

The first quarter of '25 also brought some fresh departures from the country-dominated southern soul of 24's singles charts. Hip-hop re-emerged with King George's "Unbelievable" featuring Snoop Dogg. And a wave of up-tempo dance jams led by 803Fresh's viral line-dancing smash "Boots On The Ground" gave the new year a jolt of high energy. Mike Clark's hypnotic "Keep On Steppin'" and Simply Wayne's a re-release of "Juke Joint Love" continued the club-dancing mania. Even more surprising after a year of scant CD activity was an unexpected influx of long-play albums.

New Album Releases:


A silky and refined-looking Ms. Jody re-emerged with Cougar On The Prowl on her long-time label Ecko Records with recommended tracks "Cougar On The Prowl," "I'll Be Your Lollipop" and "I'm In That Mood Again".

Her former label-mate, Sheba Potts' Wright, packaged her Best Southern Soul Song By A Longtime Veteran, award-winning single "Ain't Got Time" into a five song EP titled Ain't Got Time, The New Beginning.

Meanwhile, southern soul's vocal maestro Willie Clayton dropped a new twelve-song album entitled Double Play Soul & R&B. The set begins with Willie's current #4 single "Lose My Cool" and closes with a remix of his slow classic "Boom Boom Boom".

Not to be outdone, the ever-prolific Tyree Neal published a seventeen-track LP called Love Intervention. Among the generous selections is a track named "I Left Home" featuring the smoky keyboard/organ of Highway Heavy and a duet with Veronica Ra'elle entitled "Do Me".


Meanwhile, southern soul rapper Joe Nice has self-published an LP called The King Of Southern Soul Hip-Hop, available in only a twelve-inch vinyl format. The set features multiple appearances by fan-favorite Nelson Curry and also a rare guest stint by "Roll It Roll It" star Mr. Sam.

But that's not all. Rodnae aka Rodnae Da Boss ("I Just Came To Party," "You Must Be Smokin'") released his third full-length album Strictly For The Ladies, a seventeen-track set peppered with guest artists including Jeter Jones, Avail Hollywood, Coldrank, Kiko Pryor, Calvin Taylor, Ray Lavender, Omar Cunningham, Volton Wright and Cupid.

Rising southern soul artist Tiffany Rachal put out her second full-length album, Southern Soul Country Girl, on the Jones Boyz label. The set includes a dance jam titled "Southern Soul Shuffle" and her latest single, "Grass Ain't Greener".

Another upwardly-trending, young southern soul artist, Memphis Jackson, published his first collection, It's All About You. The album brings together singles he's released over the last year, including "It's Been A Long Time," "I Gotta Have You" and "I Can't Live Without You".

And in case you missed it, Ronnie Bell ("I'll Pay The Shipping Cost") released Moments in Time, Pt. 1: Cookout Classics late last year. The 10-track set includes the single "Grown Man" and "I Ain't Going Nowhere" featuring guest artist Pokey Bear.

Two Interviews Of Note:




A couple of extremely enjoyable interviews are currently available on YouTube.

Marcellus TheSinger On His New Music & More---Interviewed by Jazz E Jeff And The Crew

Jeter Jones Da Kang of Trailride Blues on Southern Soul, Life Lessons, Trail Rides, & Marine Life---Interviewed by Nestor the Don and Pac-Man

The Jeter Jones interview in particular is a doozey. Two hours long. I was digging it but only got through an hour. It begins with Jeter singing his cover of "My Mind Is Playing Tricks Of Me," which I want to remind folks your Daddy B. Nice was the first to give its rightful accolades, and the interview just gets better and better. Marcellus is great too, opening up on his very own opinions of his music. Enjoy!


R.I.P.: Angie Stone, Jerry Butler, Roberta Flack, Gwen McCrae, Chris Jasper of the Isleys



---Daddy B. Nice

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March 8, 2025:

TOP 40 SOUTHERN SOUL SINGLES: MARCH

An expanded list of the songs vying for "Top Ten Singles" in MARCH 2025.

1. "Boots On The Ground"---803Fresh
2. "Keep On Steppin'"---Mike Clark Jr.
3. "Turn Me Loose"---Carolyn Staten
4. "Lose My Cool"---Willie Clayton
5. "Hoedown Showdown"---Cecily Wilborn
6. "Country Man"---West Love
7. "Put A Freak On Me"---T.K. Soul
8. "Whole Lotta Country"---Sonny Boi feat. Jeter Jones
9. "Love My Southern Soul"---Catt Daddy feat. Jeter Jones
10. "Soul Train Line"---Tee Doe Brown


11. "Nobody But You"---Cecily Wilborn
12. "Mississippi Woman"---Carolyn Staten
13. "Baby Got Us Jamming"---T.K. Soul
14. "Pillow Talk"---West Love
15. "I Need It From You"---Necie feat. Mr. Smoke
16. "Baby If I"---King George
17. "Turn Me Loose"---Tucka
18. "Waste Your Time"---Marcellus The Singer
19. "Mr. Right"---Kyia B (Kyia Buckingham)
20. "Paying My Baby's Bills"---Sir Charles Jones

21. "One More Day"---Vick Allen
22. "Dance All Night"---B.J. Moodswing feat. J-Wonn
23. "In Love With You"---Mr. Sipp
24. "I'm In That Mood Again"---Ms. Jody
25. "F.Y.B. (I'll Fuck You Better)"---Squirt Kelly feat. F.P.J.
26. "Ain't Goin' Nowhere"---Shae Nicole
27. "Ride"---Solomon Thompson
28. "Pop That"---Mike Clark Jr.
29. "Hooked On Me"---Mr. Nelson
30. "Fine Man"---Adaeze O.

31. "5 Mo' Minutes"---Myia B
32. "Go Ahead And Do Yo Thang"---Unkle Phunk feat. Big Yayo
33. "Sexy And You Know It"---Avail Hollywood feat. DJ Trac
34. "Southern Soul Forever"---Joe Nice feat. Nelson Curry
35. "Blow Your Whistle"---Ali-Jamal feat. Jeter Jones
36. "It's Yours"---Lenny Williams
37. "Pressure"---Big Pokey Bear feat. Boosie
38. "Like A Lady"---Sonny Boi feat. Volton Wright
39. "Young Folks Blues"---Squirt Kelly
40. "Trigger Blues"---Marvin "Boogie" Brown

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February 8, 2025:

TOP 40 SOUTHERN SOUL SINGLES: FEBRUARY

An expanded list of the songs vying for "Top Ten Singles" in FEBRUARY 2025.

1. "Unbelievable"---King George feat. Snoop Dogg
2. "Where I Belong"---Sir Charles Jones
3. "Juke Joint Love"---Simply Wayne
4. "Can't Run From Love"---Jeter Jones feat. Myia B
5. "Boots On The Ground"---803 Fresh
6. "Flow Like A River"---Sir Charles Jones
7. "If You Love Southern Soul"---Teeza (Antonio Coney)
8. "Rodeo Style"---Avail Hollywood
9. "Girl I Like Your Booty"---O.C. Soul feat. Boogaloo Jones
10. "Gotta Have You"---Memphis Jackson


11. "Keep On Steppin'"---Mike Clark Jr.
12. "Lose My Cool"---Willie Clayton
13. "Come Dance With Me"---CharMeka Joquelle feat. Cupid
14. "I Need It From You"---Necie feat. Mr. Smoke
15. "It's The Weekend"---Jhordyn Datcher
16. "Whole Lotta Country"---Sonny Boi feat. Jeter Jones
17. "Be Myself (Remix)"---Cecily Wilborn feat. Sir Charles Jones
18. "Rock Me (Remix)"---Mista Kane feat. Jeter Jones
19. "Country Girl"---Tonio Armani
20. "Dance All Night"---B.J. Moodswing feat. J-Wonn

21. "Turn Me Loose"---Carolyn Staten
22. "Southern Soul Shuffle"---Tiffany Rachal
23. "If U Don't"---Avail Hollywood
24. "Country Wind"---Shantavia Nicole
25. "Caboose"---Mr. Campbell
26. "About A Horse"---Mr. Mister feat. Jeter Jones
27. "On Time Lover"---Tina P
28. "Mississippi Woman"---Carolyn Staten
29. "That Thang Thangin'"---Big Money Fame
30. "Play It Off So Cool"---Mr. Hot Topic

31. "P.T.S.O."---FPJ
32. "Can't Replace My Love"---Sweet Lysa
33. "Paying My Baby's Bills"---Sir Charles Jones
34. "These Arms Of Mine"---Tucka
35. "All White"---Jus Epik feat. Gylo & Money Waters
36. "I Saw You Looking"---DJ A.J. Capone feat. Willie P
37. "My Fans Only"---Jeter Jones
38. "Boss Lady"---Young Guy
39. "Get Down"---Big Yayo feat. J-Wonn
40. "Country Man"---West Love

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January 7, 2025:

TOP 40 SOUTHERN SOUL SINGLES: JANUARY

An expanded list of the songs vying for "Top Ten Singles" in JANUARY 2025.

1. "Feels So Good"---O.B. Buchana
2. "Nail In The Middle"---Jeter Jones
3. "Thin Line (Remix)"---Marcellus The Singer
4. "Changed Man"---Calvin Richardson
5. "Stay At Home"---Jay Morris Group
6. "Keep My Man"---Ashley Ave
7. "Another Round"---Jeter Jones
8. "Hell On My Hands"---J'Cenae
9. "Shake Your Rump"---Jumpin' Joe
10. "Shoot My Shot"---J-Wonn


11. "Cougar On The Prowl"---Ms. Jody
12. "There She Go"---T.K. Soul
13. "Party On A Dually"---Ashley Ave
14. "This One Is For You"---Erica Henderson
15. "Take Me To The Trailride"---V. SunShyn
16. "Mississippi"---Ace4K
17. "Rooster"---Sir Charles Jones
18. "Can't Run From Love"---Jeter Jones feat. Myia B.
19. "Country Love"---West Love
20. "I Came To Party"---Troy Henry

21. "Turn Me Loose"---Carolyn Staten
22. "Cornbread"---Married Couple of Southern Soul
23. "Don't Waste My Time"---DJ Trans feat. Cheff Da Entertainer & Zee Man
24. "I Feel Good"---Mister Cotton
25. "Kind Of Woman"---Sampson Boyz
26. "Two Steps"---Mr. Don't Leave
27. "Good Cookin'"---Jake Carter
28. "Pop That Fan"---Cupid feat. M.C. World
29. "What You Gone Do"---Miss Lady Soul feat. J-Wonn
30. "Party On"---Keneisha

31. "Good Vibes Only"---Fat Daddy
32. "Try Loving Me The Southern Soul Way"---Anthony Q. feat. Cecily Wilborn
33. "Girl I Like Your Booty"---O.C. Soul
34. "A Change Gonna Come"---West Love feat. Boosie
35. "Good Wood"---K.D. Dawson
36. "Can't Walk Over Me"---Keith Brougham
37. "What You See Is What You Get"---Stephanie McDee feat. Shaun Allen
38. "Good Lovin'"---Adaeze O.
39. "Watch Auntie Ride"---Cheff Da Entertainer feat. Zman & DJ Trans
40. "Just One Night"---Carl Sims

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December 28, 2024:

Southern Soul 2024: The Year In Review


It was a year of parity.

At last, after two years of unforeseen takeover and absolute domination of the southern soul music scene, the mighty King George came down to earth, recording songs ("It's Over," "Can't Judge Nobody") that seemed almost ordinary in comparison with his incandescent hits of 2022 through 2023. In a distinct but little-noticed mutation, the new tunes arrived not so differently in artistic stature than the new work of his distinguished peers. One of those eminent rivals, Big Pokey Bear, didn't even bother to record anything, which---at least in the short term---did nothing to hinder his popularity, as Pokey's acclaimed stage show made him a virtual lock on southern soul's most acclaimed national circuit, the Blues Is Alright Tour. Another esteemed member of southern soul's elite and another mainstay of the tour, Tucka recorded steadily throughout the year but favored more introspective, low-key ballads ("Take It Slow," "Night On That Tequila," "Give It Up") that fell well short of his multi-million-viewed classic singles.

The careers of other members of southern soul's top echelon of artists---Sir Charles Jones, Nellie "Tiger" Travis, J-Wonn---maintained a holding pattern based as much on their storied histories as their current recording output, as well could be said of the still-living, baby-boomer legends---Theodis Ealey, Bobby Rush, Lenny Williams & Latimore.

J-Wonn
was the most prolific but also the most monochromatic, his post-Big Yayo work being consistently romantic, slick and more suggestive of the mainstream R&B of Calvin Richardson than the rougher, bass-heavy and gospel-grounded sound of southern soul and the blues. Sir Charles bulled his way through the year, sometimes singly and successfully ("Pour Me A Drank") and sometimes (and less successfully) duetting, while Nellie Travis's declining studio work (with no Floyd Hamberlin material or production) was indicative of a troubling trend in which trips to the creative well by southern soul's top female performers---including Ms. Jody, Lacee and Karen Wolfe---were less frequent and productive.

Headlined by Jeter Jones, Avail Hollywood, L.J. Echols, The Jay Morris Group, T.K. Soul, Bigg Robb & Big Yayo, the tier of southern soul artists just below these nationally-famous luminaries could best be defined by their abilities to sell out stadiums and outdoor festivals across the black Deep South---the traditional "chitlin' circuit"---and that they did in record numbers (at least until the intolerably hot weather of late July and August). In addition, they were the major engines of the southern soul recording industry. Wendell B's passing (2023) continued to be as huge a loss as Bishop Bullwinkle's a few years prior, but despite hinting he would be otherwise, Jeter Jones was jaw-droppingly prolific, and in spite of the doubters L.J. Echols continued to prove his durability, while the Jay Morris Group persisted in confounding their critics by maintaining and enlarging their fan base. It was the hard-working productivity of this second-highest tier of top southern soul artists who primarily generated the most common lament of southern soul deejays in 2024: the "gap" between the haves and have-nots.

It was a year of changing of the guard.

But wait.... If there was a breach between the haves and have-nots in 2024, why the talk of parity? Well...While the "blue-bloods" dominated the big-money venues, it was the emerging younger generation who captured the hearts of the fans as memorialized on the monthly charts and YouTube streams. And if you consider the history of popular music, this has always been the case: the wheel turning with new artists and new sounds replacing the old and familiar. The most prominent "new-blood" was West Love, who---propelled by her recent hit singles---surpassed Ms. Travis, Ms. Jody et.al. to claim the southern soul diva's throne. She even became the female fixture on the perennially male-dominated Blues Is Alright Tour, a major indicator of strong national interest.

The dominant new male performer was arguably balladeer Marcellus The Singer, whose every single and live performance drew interest and even top billing above stars with historically more cachet. Marcellus was seemingly everywhere, bolstering other young talents like Curt The Country Man with guest-artist stints. Moreover, other young artists like F.P.J., Young Guy & Mike Clark Jr. catapulted to southern soul stardom, performing songs that collected millions of YouTube views and leaving day jobs for their own headlining tours. Notched close behind were other up-and coming stars: Arthur Young, Ciddy Boi P, M. Cally, Coldrank, Lady Redtopp, Stacii Adams, J'Cenae, Derek "The Change Man" Smith, Summer Wolfe, P2K DaDiddy, Stan Butler, Magic One, Big Mel, Tonio Armani & B.J. Moodswing, among others.

And yet there was one other artist who went from no-name to the glittering glare of fame. Her name was Cecily Wilborn and her ground-breaking rise was synonymous with the most momentous and noteworthy change in the southern soul genre in 2024: the merger and incorporation of country music into the southern soul genre, including unabashedly country-style vocalizing, pedal-steel guitar and all the county-western tropes.

It was the year "country" integrated into southern soul.


Southern soul singers---which is to say African-American singers---had historically dabbled, gone back-and-forth, and even migrated like the great Ray Charles to world-wide fame via country music. But in spite of their roots in rural America, the two genres' stylistic differences had remained seemingly incompatible. Either you heard it on a country station or a rhythm & blues station, and if you were a black singer singing country, you had to make it in the (white) country market. That all changed in 2024, albeit not without the confusion and outcry that accompanies any tectonic musical shift, and the main reason was a young black singer named Cecily Wilborn.

Wilborn had crashed the southern soul scene in 2023 with her hit song, "Southern Man," reprised later that year in a duet with West Love that further burnished its reputation. In 2024 Cecily took the country vibes that worked to perfection in "Southern Man" to a level never before seen in southern soul in the take-no-prisoners, country-styled, quasi-acapella anthem "Red Cup Blues," in effect daring southern soul deejays to either accept or reject it. Later in the year, she returned with yet another country/southern soul hybrid hit single, "Living For The Weekend," blending country instrumental motifs with lyrical references that only avid southern soul music fans could truly appreciate:

"Play me some Johnnie Taylor
Or some Marvin Sease...
If I play that Tina Turner
He know I'm about to fight,
If I play that Barry White
He know he get lucky tonight."

Meanwhile, a much lesser-known, less industry-sophisticated singer named Curt The Country Man came to the attention of Daddy B. Nice via a YouTube video from late 2023. The song was "Back Roads," originally published under the name GMB Li Curt with assistance from the rapper ShawtyMac. Although infused with the soul and spirit of a southern soul singer, the vocal was stylistically pure, unadulterated country. The video, replete with horses and the kind of country scene that characterized dozens of popular, Jeter Jones, trailride-influenced song videos throughout the year, featured the cowboy-hatted Curt doing a perfect back flip out of the bed of a pickup truck onto a Mississippi-green pasture.

Marcellus The Singer, the wunderkind of southern soul mentioned above, recognized the song's worth and partnered with Curt (now called Curt The Country Man) on a remix called "Back Road" (deleting the "s"), inserting a southern soul verse in place of the rap stanza. Due to Curt's lack of marketing savvy, the tune never achieved the success of Wilborn's material, but "Back Roads" struck like lightning amongst southern soul insiders, with Daddy B. Nice comparing it favorably in historical significance to J-Wonn's "I Got This Record". And Ciddy Boi P ("This Is Texas: Beyonce Reply," "One More Day"), Tucka ("Take It Slow") and other artists paid it subtle homage by imitation.

It Was The Year Southern Soul "Came Out"

Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't report 2024 was the year southern soul expanded its sexual boundaries for the first time since Peggy Scott-Adams' nationally-acclaimed, nineties' hit single "Bill" and its brief spate of imitators. As in "Bill," there was no political motive, no progressive theme, no "woke" agenda. And once again like the Jimmy Lewis-written "Bill," it came about purely organically---real life colliding with love.

Gifted with a rich, gospel-influenced vocal timbre, the recording artist was Myia B. The beautifully-melodic, mid-tempo gem was "Stand On Business," a phrase, coincidentally, that had replaced "Keep It 100" in hip black culture. The tune recounted Myia's pursuit of a "pretty young thing" who just happened to also be a woman, had two young kids, and was listening "to that Johnnie Taylor" (to come full circle) "before she put that snapper on my face". The late, beloved and always ornery Jimmy Lewis would have loved it!

Reporting from the headquarters of southern soul...

Daddy B. Nice

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December 15, 2024:

Daddy B. Nice's News & Notes
Holiday Edition

Pictured: Donnie Ray

Website Changes

Hopefully, most of you never even noticed we revamped the Daddy B. Nice website this month. This website is OLD. Gracing this month's "News & Notes" is Donnie Ray Aldredge, just one of the many artists whose careers I've been promoting for close to a quarter-century. It's a span of years that's seen the advent of YouTube, cell phones and social media, a time that's seen my archives (older pages) riddled with busted hyperlinks to record-sellers who no longer exist, but what's a person to do?

Don't look for any changes there. There's only so much time in the day. But around a decade ago I started a second website (southernsoulrnbnew.com) to more readily accommodate cell phone users. Oh, what a money pit that has been. With my time being finite, I've had to pay someone to essentially copy and paste everything I write from this, the original website, to the new phone-friendly website. And the irony is the great majority of you, my readers, have remained partial to the original website.

At last, I've found a sophisticated "coder" who has been able to make this, the original website, dynamic. That is, the screen expands or shrinks according to the device you're using: laptop, tablet, phone or whatever they come up with next. For example, when you access Daddy B. Nice's southern soul by phone, the side columns vanish and move to the bottom of the center column, making just one column easily read on the cell.

So the only readers who may be confused are those souls who did regularly use southernsoulrnbnew.com, which is now inactive. Please spread the word to those people. Daddy B. Nice isn't gone. I'm still here, doing my thing.

An Abundance Of New Southern Soul

Just in time for the holidays, southern soul fans can rejoice in an eruption of new music such as we haven't seen all year. Just as he did during the year-end holidays in 2023, Sir Charles Jones has dropped a new LP of twelve new songs called The Elite King.

And Calvin Richardson, who has come in for his fair share of criticism from your Daddy B. Nice, has a new album of eleven songs out. And, surprise, the aptly-named Five Years Later does contain more of a southern soul influence.

Summer Wolfe, who scored her first #1 single on Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 for December 2024, has a new EP, Get It Right, containing the decorated single, "Step By Step" and four other tunes.

J'Cenae, who came to prominence at the late and beloved Wendell B's label, is scheduled to release a new LP, The Evolution Of J'Cenae, tomorrow, December 16th.

Lady Redtopp, whose "Trail Ride" and other tunes catapulted her to wins in multiple categories of Daddy B. Nice's Best of 2023 awards, is working up an album tentatively titled "Lady Redtopp Sings The Blues".

M.Cally, another decorated debut recording artist in 2023, has a new EP named 40 & UP for sale. The set garnered a 5-star review from Daddy B. Nice last month.

Kandy Janai, who crashed the southern soul gates with Das My Kitty in 2022, not to forget "Too Soon" earlier this year, has a new set of songs in the works with the projected title, Sex In The City.

And last but certainly not least, watch for the new album from the man himself, T.K. Soul. The working title is "Timeless".

Best Wishes For The Holidays


First, a....

Shout-Out To All The DJ-Dominated Southern Soul Festivals & Club Scenes

And that includes our beloved dancing performers...Pokey? Jeter?....Are you listening?

Yeah, live music is great, but true southern soul paradise is a dance floor with an ace deejay. As a one-time club dancer, the kind of dancing nut who waded out solo (but not for long) onto the dance floors in thick wool socks and Chinese sandals, dancing with strangers, there's no feeling more glorious than dancing to dj-spun tracks, different artists every time, just as there's no spectator activity more mesmerizing than watching cool dancers doing their thing. The only thing better? Dancing with them!

Second, a grateful nod to....

Best Live Performance of The Month Memorialized on YouTube

And that would be....

Watch Shae Nycole Performing “Do Right” Live in Zebulon NC on YouTube.

And, finally....

A Big Holiday Thank You to Coach Prime, Shedeur Sanders, and Travis Hunter, Who Just Won The Heisman Last Night, For Bringing Southern Black Culture To Boulder, Colorado!!


You made my year. You made me watch as many Colorado podcasts as Southern Soul music videos. I love you guys! And if anyone in Jackson, Mississippi knows Uncle Neely, the big, bearded bear of a man who follows Deion around the football field, send me his email (daddybnice@southernsoulrnb.com), because I want to shower Neely with southern soul mp3's in gratitude. He doesn't know Daddy B. Nice lives in Boulder.

They play a lot of rap up there in the CU football facilities, but I know their moms and pops must play that southern soul at home in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas. And as much as Uncle Neely loves Jackson, Mississippi, he must know DJ Ragman, DJ Handyman, WMPR and southern soul music.

With my vision loss I can't get out anymore, but Coach Prime and the boys have brought the culture to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

And to all my readers...

Have a happy and trail-ride-blazing new year!

Watch a laughter-filled interview with Coach Prime on YouTube.

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UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!




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Top 10 Singles
Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles For. . .

April 2025


1. "Keep On Steppin' Remix"----Mike Clark Jr. feat. The Ying Yang Twins

"Keep On Steppin'" is special in so many ways. For one, it's got three or four music videos running simultaneously because it's so beloved by the dancers. For another, it's by a performer who published his first hit single ("Auntie Outside Tonight") a year ago at the age of eighteen! "Keep On Steppin'" has percussive effects that are nothing short of hypnotic---like a gigantic musical magnet pulling club-goers onto the dance floor. Add a simple but rousing melody delivered in humming verses over the boot-stomping rhythm section and the irrepressible Clark Jr. shouting directions ("We're going to church here y'all!") and you have a young talent on the conveyor belt to stardom.

Listen to Mike Clark Jr. & The Ying Yang Twins singing "Keep On Steppin' Remix" on YouTube.

2. "Pressure"------Big Pokey Bear feat. Boosie

In 2024's "Year In Review I mentioned Pokey hadn't recorded anything last year. Pressure? The song establishes an edgy, in-your-face groove, giving Pokey the perfect space in which to wail and rail, and hooking up with Boosie gives Pokey his best collaborative project since 2017, when he partnered with the late Bishop Bullwinkle on "I Can't Be Faithful". The response from the southern soul faithful has been enthusiastic.

Listen to Pokey Bear and Boosie singing "Pressure" on YouTube.

3. "5 Mo' Minutes"-----Myia B

Myia B has used the success of last year's classic "Stand On Business" to "keep on steppin'" toward the throne of #1 female vocalist in southern soul. "5 Mo' Minutes" does not disappoint.

Listen to Myia B singing "5 Mo' Minutes" on YouTube.

4. "Waste Your Time"----Marcellus The Singer

Exquisite love ballad from the young balladeer whom everyone wants to see in concert. "I might waste your time...But..."Fuck it, take a chance on me."

Listen to Marcellus The Singer singing "Waste Your Time" on YouTube.

5. "I'll Be Your Lollipop"-----Ms. Jody

So slick and so smooth---suspect adjectives in southern soul---but "Lollipop" works to perfection. Chalk it up to the genius of Ms. Jody. Marvin Sease is looking down and smiling from southern soul heaven. See Daddy B. Nice's review of Ms. Jody's new COUGAR ON THE PROWL album.

Listen to Ms. Jody singing "I'll Be Your Lollipop" on YouTube.

6. "Paying My Baby's Bills"----Sir Charles Jones

Yet another superb ballad from Sir Charles Jones' new ELITE KING album. See Daddy B. Nice's five-star album review.

Listen to Sir Charles Jones singing "Paying My Baby's Bills" on YouTube.

7. "Blow The Whistle"-----Big Mel

"Blow The Whistle" has that "Boots On The Ground"/"Keep On Steppin'" energy. From the young gun who brought you "Ain't Got Time.

Listen to Big Mel singing "Blow The Whistle" on YouTube.

8. "Pop That Thang"-----Mike Clark Jr.

Another one from the upwardly-trending Mike Clark Jr. Deejays can play it back to back with #1 single "Keep On Steppin'".

Listen to Mike Clark Jr. singing "Pop That Thang" on YouTube.

9. "Big Bone Girl Party"----Ced Wade feat. Queen Thickums

Ced Wade is the unicorn who did "Ms. Jody" with Ciddy Boi P. This new one is just as odd as the former, and only grows on you. Love that name "Queen Thickums".

Listen to Ced Wade & Queen Thickups singing "Ain't Nobody" on YouTube.

10. "Ain't Nobody"----Old Man MP

No Chaka Khan here, and Old Man MP is a young man. "Ain't nobody thinking 'bout my ex...ain't nobody thinking 'bout my next..."

Listen to Old Man MP singing "Ain't Nobody" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide

Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles For. . .

March 2025


1. "Boots On The Ground"----803Fresh

"Boots On The Ground" is the biggest phenomenon to hit southern soul music since King George's "Keep On Rollin'". TikTok is swimming in video shorts of fan-waving line dancers. The YouTube page has notched five million views in the blink of an eye. The artist's upcoming bookings are enviable. A lot of planning---concentrating on brevity, danceability, the roll-out with the new line-dance) obviously went into this record, but you can't calculate this kind of success. I was reading only this morning that King George's financial worth is estimated at 19 million dollars. Fresh isn't there yet, but he's catapulted into that stratosphere, and he must be pinching himself. And even if you've heard "Boots On The Ground" dozens of times and watched clips of people dancing for more hours than you ever bargained, you have to love its barely three-minute, bass-heavy, jug-band simplicity. It makes people happy, and current southern soul is bathing in its effervescent glow.

Listen to 803Fresh singing "Boots On The Ground" on YouTube.


2. "Keep On Steppin'"-----Mike Clark Jr.

Speaking of "boots on the ground," Mike Clark's "Keep On Steppin'" sounds like an entire army on the march. The vaguely military percussive effects---stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp---and hypnotic beat will stun you, and if you've got a dancing bone in your body you'll find it impossible not to jump on the dance floor and keep on steppin'. The fast tempo is a rarity for southern soul, but Mike Clark brings it off with his typically manic high energy.

Listen to Mike Clark Jr. singing "Keep On Steppin'" on YouTube.


3. "Turn Me A Loose"-----Carolyn Staten

Apologies to Tucka, who just released a new single called "Turn Me Loose," but I'm going with this under-promoted and unjustly-overlooked single with the weird "turn-me-a-loose" title by southern soul unicorn Carolyn Staten. At last, the "Nukie Pie" woman finds another song worthy of her very special and unique vocal talent.

Listen to Carolyn Staten singing "Turn Me A Loose" on YouTube.


4. "Lose My Cool"-----Willie Clayton

Fans who are ignoring Willie Clayton because he's getting old or isn't flashy or dropped a few too many cover compilations the last few years are missing out. Willie's in a full-fledged career renaissance of late, dropping good new songs in his inimitable style, and "Lose My Cool's" meshing of violin and lead vocal is a thing of astonishing beauty.

Listen to Willie Clayton singing "Lose My Cool" on YouTube.


5. "Hoedown Showdown"-----Cecily Wilborn

Best Southern Soul Female Vocalist of 2024 Cecily Wilborn continues her magic carpet ride of recording success with this inviting, country-style romp.

Listen to Cecily Wilburn singing "Hoedown Showdown" on YouTube.


6. "Country Man"-----West Love

Another West Love hit single, this one in the vein of Cecily Wilborn's "Southern Man". Entirely original and executed with admirable passion.

Listen to West Love singing "Country Man" on YouTube.


7. "Put A Freak On Me"------T.K. Soul

With a dash of button accordion and a vintage-worthy vocal, T.K. aces the lead-off single from his new TIMELESS album. See Daddy B. Nice's four-star album review.

Listen to T.K. Soul singing "Put A Freak On Me" on YouTube.


8. "Whole Lotta Country"------Sonny Boi feat. Jeter Jones

"Whole Lotta Country" takes a few listens to establish it's legit, then clings to your soul like morning pancakes in your stomach. Jeter's verse has a good line: (she said) "Put that country boy in me." No YouTube yet.


9. "Love My Southern Soul"-----Cat Daddy feat. Jeter Jones

One of those lifting-up-southern-soul legacy tunes with nods to all the southern soul greats past and current. Just the thing we southern-soulers crave.

Listen to Catt Daddy and Jeter Jones singing "Love My Southern Soul" on YouTube.


10. "Soul Train Line"-----Tee Doe Brown

New artist in the Mike Clark Jr. vein takes on an old topic I didn't think anyone even remembered (Soul Train) and executes really well. Slip on those super high heels and bell bottoms and get out on the floor.

Listen to Tee Doe Brown singing "Soul Train Line" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide


Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles For. . .

February 2025


1. "Unbelievable"----King George feat. Snoop Dogg

There were rumors two years ago of King George signing a deal with Death Row Records. Now we know what it was all about. "Unbelievable" is featured on the Snoop Dogg-hosted Death Row Revue, a sampler of R&B, hip-hop and southern soul including "Sooner Or Later" by Tonio Armani. King George's "Unbelievable," however, is the only track showcasing a collaboration with the world's most iconic rapper. The mix is overly busy by southern soul standards but onetime hip-hopper George carries the melody line with his usual self-assurance, sounding fresh and rejuvenated throughout the instrumental headwinds and Snoop Dogg monologues. For southern soul, this is some kind of milestone.

Listen to King George and Snoop Dogg singing "Unbelievable" on YouTube.


2. "Where I Belong"------Sir Charles Jones

Just when you think Charles may not be able to go deep anymore, he goes deeper. Musically gorgeous and intellectually sincere---right up there with "Friday," "Guilty" and "Anybody Lonely?" in heart and depth---"Where I Belong" will not only capture new fans but remind long-timers of why Charles is called "the King of Southern Soul" .

Listen to Sir Charles Jones singing "Where I Belong" on YouTube.


3. "Juke Joint Love"-----Simply Wayne

"Juke Joint Love" was recorded two years ago, yet its release wasn't like the proverbial tree falling in the middle of a dense forest. Two million people have viewed it on YouTube. Nevertheless, Simply Wayne is promoting it anew, and thank goodness for that. An unremitting club jam with a vocal intensity as blistering as a day laborer's hands, "Juke Joint Love" deserves to be on deejay's southern soul charts.

Listen to Simply Wayne singing "Juke Joint Love" on YouTube.



4. "Can't Run From Love"-----Jeter Jones feat. Myia B

2024 Best Male Vocalist Jeter Jones teams up with "Stand On Business" sensation Myia B on a mid-tempo stand-out from his new My Fans Only album. See Daddy B. Nice's 5-Star Album Review.

Listen to Jeter Jones & Myia B singing "Can't Run From Love" on YouTube.


5. "Boots On The Ground"-----803Fresh

If you're a TikTokker or YouTuber, you already know this fun-loving, fan-waving jam arrives as a deliriously successful, line-dancing sensation. Everybody's dancing to it and posting videos. What other genre makes even its toddlers feel so good?

Listen to 803Fresh singing "Boots On The Ground" on YouTube.


6. "Flow Like A River"-----Sir Charles Jones

Another great track from Sir Charles' new The Elite King album. Read Daddy B. Nice's 5-Star Album Review.

Listen to Sir Charles singing "Flow Like A River" on YouTube.


7. "If You Love Southern Soul"-----Teeza

One of those novelty songs that chronicles our favorite southern soul heroes and heroines.

Listen to Teeza singing "If You Love Southern Soul" on YouTube.


8. "Rodeo Style"-----Avail Hollywood

Listen to Avail Hollywood singing "Rodeo Style" on YouTube.


9. "Girl I Like Your Booty"-----O.C. Soul feat. Boogaloo Jones

This artist is getting better with every outing.

Listen to O.C. Soul singing "Girl I Like Your Booty" on YouTube.


10. "Gotta Have You"-----Memphis Jackson

No YouTube yet.


SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide


Daddy B. Nice's Top 10 "BREAKING" Southern Soul Singles For. . .

January 2025


1. "Feel So Good"----O.B. Buchana

The supreme irony of this #1-ranked, O.B. anthem with its anchor-strong chorus is that it will instantly remind the ten million fans of the old-man-in-the-bar-conversation in "Take Heed" by young southern soul star Young Guy when in fact, if there had been no past quarter-century of southern soul singing by O.B. Buchana, there would be no Young Guy! Then again, with the indignities that growing older cast upon us all, it's just as possible O.B. did imitate the format of "Take Heed" as the winning path to a hit single. In any case, the legend---the great O.B. Buchana---has his first and well-deserved #1 record in years.

Listen to O.B. Buchana singing "Feel So Good" on YouTube.

2. "Nail In The Middle"----Jeter Jones

"Song" is too pedestrian a term for this Jeter Jones melodic jewel. Call it an "aria"---an aria from "deep in the woods" where all you see is "bushes and squirrels," with a shotgun house out of "Black Snake Moan" or "The Color Purple". From Jeter's new MY FANS ONLY album. See Daddy B. Nice's 5-Star Album Review.

Listen to Jeter Jones singing "Nail In The Middle (Of a Block Of Wood)" on YouTube.

3. "Thin Line Remix"----Marcellus The Singer

Not only does Marcellus hit this cover version of The Persuader's classic ballad out of the proverbial park. It dovetails perfectly with his nineteen-million-viewed, signature song, "Toxic Love," lyrical segments of which he pieces into it.

Listen to Marcellus The Singer singing "Thin Line Remix" on YouTube.

4. "Changed Man"----Calvin Richardson

Calvin Richardson in Daddy B. Nice's Top 10? They said it couldn't happen! But the differences have always boiled down to a matter of artistic emphasis. Does the song and its culture come first (as in southern soul)? Or does the performance and technique of the artist come first (urban r&b, not to mention jazz, white blues and many other "national" genres)? Here Calvin bridges the gap in spectacular fashion, rendering the song with the passion and believability of a southern soul singer.

Listen to Calvin Richardson singing "Changed Man" on YouTube.

5. "Stay At Home"----Jay Morris Group

More Jay Morris Group musing on the incidentals of life, in this case someone who wants to come but also wants to bring everyone down.

Listen to the Jay Morris Group singing "Stay At Home" on YouTube.

6. "Keep My Man"----Ashley Ave

Touching and hooky, with a cradle-rocking tempo and lyrics that dispense more wisdom than anyone this young is normally entitled to.

Listen to Ashley Ave singing "I Ran A Good Man Away" on YouTube.

7. "Another Round"----Jeter Jones

"Hold up your cup," Jeter's "bought another round." Somber in tone, soldierly (keep on truckin') in bearing. Another robust track from Jones' new collection, My Fans Only.

Listen to Jeter Jones singing "Another Round" on YouTube.

8. "Hell On My Hands"----J'Cenae

"When he gets through with me / I can't even walk..." A new and tasty appetizer from J'Cenae's upcoming album, "The Evolution of J'Cenae".

Listen to J'Cenae singing "Hell On My Hands" on YouTube.

9. "Shake Your Rump"----Jumpin' Joe

Hey, old-schoolers, this is Joe Phillips from The Winstons. Light, humorous, humble---what's not to like?

Listen to Jumpin' Joe singing "Shake Your Rump" on YouTube.

10. "Shoot My Shot"----J-Wonn

You know J-Wonn, he's always out there trolling for those ladies. This one's as dairy-queen smooth as they come.

Listen to J-Wonn singing "Shoot My Shot" on YouTube.

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide


Top 25 Singles '24


1."Back Roads"-----Curt The Country Man (aka GMB Li Curt) feat. ShawtyMac

"I was sitting with the guys on the back road,
We was singing, fishing, letting the time go..."

Alternate version:

1. "Back Road"-----Curt The Country Man feat. Marcellus The Singer

"And I never knew I could make this song,
And my heart been broke for so so long..."

2. "One More Day"-----Ciddy Boi P

"It can be wind and a hurricane,
It can be snowing and I can't see a thing,
What I need is you..."

3. "Living For The Weekend"-----Cecily Wilborn

"Take me to the country, where we love slow living..."

4. "I'll Beg"-----Stacii Adams

"Girl I know you're independent, and you got your own cash,
And you could walk right out the door and never look back..."

5. "Whatcha Know"-----F.P.J.

"Whatcha know about this, growing up in the sticks,
We be sipping that shine, we be dropping our shit..."

6. "Can't Judge Nobody"-----King George

"Always talking down on other people,
You ain't no better than nobody, we all equal..."

7. "Love Will"-----Lenny Williams feat. West Love

"Because I remember the days and the sleepless nights,
Thinking love was only real when it came with a fight..."

8. "Stand On Business"-----Myia B.

"She invited me over, had a nice little place,
Her kids were fast asleep, she was bumping that Johnnie Taylor..."

9. "Take It Slow"-----Tucka

"Watch the fire burn so bright,
Make love by candlelight,
Take it slow..."

10. "This Is Texas (Beyonce Reply)"-----Ciddy Boi P

"Taking the shortcut through the creek woods,
Around here you know you're good,
Best place on earth I've ever lived..."

11. "Wasn't None Of You (Remix)"-----LLJuna feat. Tavarus

"Are you leaving me, let me know,
Is it over, are you sho'?..."

12. "Crazy About You"-----Derek "The Change Man" Smith

"I know you've moved on, you got a new family,
I heard you got three kids,
And they say your oldest boy looks like me..."

13. "Red Cup Blues"-----Cecily Wilborn

"I tried a bottle of wine but I'm just wasting my time,
And that whiskey wasn't strong enough,
I told the bartender man I don't mean no offense,
I need tequila in my big red cup..."

14. "Dirt Road"-----Jeter Jones

"Come on baby let's go,
To our favorite spot where no one knows,
I can't wait 'till I hit that dirt road..."

15. "Until We Meet"-----Marcellus The Singer

"He was right there on one knee,
And he asked her, 'Would you marry me?
'Cause I can't see myself with no other woman'..."

16. "Step By Step"-----Summer Wolfe

"Step by step, we move as one,
In the dance of love we've already won..."

17. "2 20's"-----F.P.J.

"Slow roll it in the bed, then I put her on the floor,
I turned that girl every way but loose..."

18. "She Say I Make Her Cheat"-----M. Cally

"What you working with, she a cowgirl,
Daisy dukes on, she in her own world..."

19. "Pour Me A Drink"-----Sir Charles Jones

"My supervisor was hard this week,
Gave me a rough time,
Jeering and yelling,
I don't pay him no mind..."

20. "Low Down Soul"-----Prince DeLeon feat. Tre' Williams & LaMorris Williams

"I may not be the smartest guy but I ain't no fool,
I know you been out there breaking all the rules..."

21. "The Game"-----Nila Milan

"Stop fucking up the game, giving it all away,
Then you want to turn around and complain that all he want to do is play..."

22. "Cheating On The Weekend"-----O.B. Buchana

"Monday through Friday, a good man for sure,
She give me good loving but I just gotta have some more..."

23. "On Ya Feet"-----Big Mel feat. DJ A

"So I grab my hat and put on my boots,
Got to make sure I'm country boy fly..."

24. "Just Friends"-----Tia Catillia

"I'm not your woman, you're not my man,
We just enjoy one another, we're just friends..."

25. "Please Forgive Me"-----Jay "Da Franchize" Watts feat. Devonese

"I know I was wrong for turning off my phone,
And hanging out all night while you were all alone..."

SouthernSoulRnB.com - Chitlin' Circuit Southern Soul Music Guide




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