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

June 2025

1. "Cowgirl Trailride (Re-Entry)"-----Tonio Armani & S. Dott

S. Dott's "Cowgirl Trailride" was Daddy B. Nice's #1 Single in August 2023, ensconced comfortably enough in the past for it to be long forgotten. But "Cowgirl Trailride" is no ordinary song, and Tonio Armani---the main driver of its renewed popularity---is no ordinary singer. In one of the unlikeliest of events, "Cowgirl Trailride" has been reborn as the newest southern soul line-dancing sensation, with hundreds of Tik Tok dancing shorts capturing fans' avid homages to its sensual melody, mystifying lyrics ("Horses in the stable / I love the way you ride...ride...ride...ride it...") and passionate Armani vocal. For the entire story read Daddy B. Nice's new artist guide to budding star Armani, who enters the New Generation chart at #38.

Listen to Tonio Armani & S. Dott singing "Cowgirl Trailride" on YouTube.

2. "Imagination"-----Ice Doll feat. Marcellus The Singer

This marvelous redo of the Temps classic is right out of Marcellus's soulful oldies wheelhouse, and Ice Doll brings her own ample soulfulness.

Listen to Ice Doll & Marcellus the Singer singing "Imagination" on YouTube.

3. "Side By Side"-----Cecily Wilborn feat. King George

This country pairing of Cecily Wilborn and King George is right up there on southern soul heaven's Cloud 9, nestling in the soft fluffy beside King George and CharMeka Joquelle's "Grown Man". From Kang803's new sampler, New School Blues.

Listen to Cecily Wilborn & King George singing "Side By Side" on YouTube.

4. "Love Entanglement"-----Gasner The Artist

"Love Entanglement" is a stunning outing by an incredibly gifted young artist, not only double-tracking vocals as much as an octave apart but inserting hair-raising acapella phrases. And that doesn't even take into account the astounding songwriting and production.

Listen to Gasner The Artist singing "Love Entanglement" on YouTube.

5. "Trailride Sailing"-----Meechie

I know there's a prodigious amount of southern soul music coming out these days, but sometimes I ask myself, "How could I not be aware of this? Did it actually hit my mailbox? And was I scared off by its haunting jazz saxophone?" Meechie's originality trumps all. This is a fantastic single.

Listen to Meechie singing "Trailride Sailing" on YouTube.

6. "My Stetson (Remix)"-----Keith Brougham feat. Jones Monroe & ToyToy.

Keith Brougham's southern soul debut "My Stetson" charted at #16 in last month's Top 40. Now the charismatic, low-key novelty returns in an even more addictive remix with two more-than-adequate female companions.

Listen to Keith Brougham, Jones Monroe and ToyToy singing "My Stetson (Remix)". on YouTube.

7. "Good Guys"-----Bigg Robb feat. Big Woo & The Problem Solvas

Twenty years ago this sound was controversial and cutting-edge, Bigg Robb cloning Ohio funk with the blues. Now it's old-school southern soul, its flawless execution as relevant and satisfying-going-down as ever.

Listen to Bigg Robb & The Problem Solvas singing "Good Guys" on YouTube.

8. "My Type Of Carryin' On"-----Nephew Jones

On the surface---or first impression---this single appears as well-worn as tires with 50K miles on the tread, but the groove works its way into your subconscious with such a rush all you want to say is, "Where's the dance floor?"

Listen to Nephew Jones singing "My Type Of Carryin' On" on YouTube.

9. "Juke Joint"------FPJ

FPJ raids Marcellus The Singer's "Until We Meet Again" for this one. Same melody and chords, almost identical beginning. Do these younger-generation guys get as pissed off as competing musicians did in previous eras? Or is it all good in this new A-I age? He borrows heavily from Young Guy's "Take Heed" as well. In spite of all the borrowing, though, FPJ hits it out of the park. Gonna be another hit single. (Guess that's in the park.)

Listen to FPJ singing "Juke Joint" on YouTube.

10. "Line It Up"-----Da Director feat. Houston County Cowboy, Devonese & Chill Will

This one was hard to find on YouTube, but it's worth it. Wild, middle-of-the-night, juke-joint sounds with a three-beat, "Boots On The Ground" chaser punctuating each verse.

Listen to Da Director et. al. singing "Line It Up" on YouTube.




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

May 2025

1. "Cheat Code"-----Lacee

Lacee Reed, man. There are more opinions on this lady than Shedeur Sanders. Many respected commentators have lobbied me over the years on her behalf, yet with the exception of the early hits---"Lacee's Groove" and "I Ran A Good Man Away"---Lacee's career has been compromised by inconsistent recording and less than stellar song choice. One thing I've never doubted, however, is Lacee's vocal sophistication, and in "Cheat Code" she has discovered her masterpiece, a one-of-a-kind song impeccably delivered---sung, in fact, as if she's the Willie Clayton of southern soul divas. And every time Lacee segues into the bridge, the one-two punch of the lovely melody and dazzling vocal technique are so enjoyable it makes my face squinch up, as if a tear of genuine appreciation is about to roll down my cheek. "Cheat Code," by the way, was published by Malaco.

Listen to Lacee singing "Cheat Code" on YouTube.

2. "It's Alright (Just Do It, Do It)"-----Gwen Yvette

This is the next line-dancing rave in the mode of "Boots On The Ground" and "Keep On Stepping". Gwendolyn McKinnon is an R&B singer who, like so many others (especially her fellow South Carolina 803-ers), has been pulled into the southern soul line-dancing scene. No YouTube yet, but you can watch the new line dance and listen to a rough copy of the song on Facebook.

3. "Makin' Love Costs Money"-----Angel Faye Russell

The effervescent Angel Faye Russell (or is it now Angel Faye Williams) forges her best single to date with this simple, catchy, tuneful outing. Call her when you get some.

Listen to Angel Faye Russell singing "Makin' Love Costs Money" on YouTube.

4. "Something In The Air"-----West Love feat. J-Wonn

Another club-dancing can't-miss. It's being marketed as a West Love featuring J-Wonn song but it's really a J-Wonn featuring West Love project. J-Wonn wrote it, obviously produced it and sings the most (including choruses). Nor has West Love ever done anything this "pop"-sounding. But give J-Wonn credit---it rocks, or at least sways.

Listen to J-Wonn and West Love singing "Something In The Air Tonight" on YouTube.

5. "Tequila"-----Willie Clayton

Never thought we'd see it. But....Here it is! A first. Willie Clayton singing country. And he does the damn thing!

Listen to Willie Clayton singing "Tequila" on YouTube.

6. "Leave With You"-----Frank Johnson

A very amiable mid-tempo tune from the young artist whose "Hate On Me" has quietly accumulated an eye-popping eight million views. It gets better every time you hear it.

Listen to Frank Johnson singing "Leave With You" on YouTube.

7. "Tell Me What Will"----Will G. Soul

This is a new song by a fledgling southern soul singer who walked all the way in from the farthest left field fence. The instrumental track is something wonderful to hear, live and Caribbean- flavored, and the guy can sing.

Listen to Will G. Soul singing "Tell Me What Will" on YouTube.

8. "Knock It Out The Box"-----Cousin Dee

Another line-dancing jam that's been slowly but surely knocking its way up the charts.

Listen to Cousin Dee singing "Knock It Out The Box" on YouTube.

9. "Lit This Weekend"----Tia Catillia feat. Nino The Gentleman

A new song with a hooky chorus by the lady whose debut single "Just Friends" just missed being one of the Top 25 Singles of 2024.

Listen to Tia Catillia and Nino The Gentleman singing "We Lit This Weekend" on YouTube.

10. "Big Ol' Horse"----Big Bo

Big Bo (she's a woman) has been working her way up the charts and at last squeezes into the Top 10 with this minimalist paean to a "big horse". Now what is she talking about?

Listen to Big Bo singing "Big Ol Horse" on YouTube.



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.



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.




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.





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.






UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!!!


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

July 2025

1."Toe Up"----Myia B

I came to this song from Kang803, the behind-the-scenes maestro of the South Carolina, 803-area-code vanguard (King George, 803Fresh, Charmeka Joquelle, etc.) that's sent southern soul hurtling into the viral stratosphere. The pedal-steel guitar-playing producer had just dropped his first EP recording project, New School Blues, and while researching it I stumbled across Myia's "Toe Up," thinking this was the culmination of everything last year's "Stand On Business" promised. Not only was "Stand On Business" an Honorable Mention for Best Mid-Tempo Song of 2024. It was the winner of Daddy B. Nice's "Best Out-Of-Left-Field Song" of the year. How surprised I was, then, to discover that, like her substantial gospel and r&b work, "Toe Up" was actually produced and recorded before Myia B became famous with "Stand On Business". And bringing this soulful, steel guitar-laced anthem full circle, Charmeka Joquelle---none other than the CharMeka of King George's mythically elegant "Grown Man"---composed it and and sings accompaniment.

Listen to Myia B and Charmeka Joquelle singing "Toe Up" on YouTube.

2. "Dangerous / Wetter"----Shawn Walka Mash-Up feat. Morgan Wallen, Erika Shevon & Twista

The first couple of times I heard it, I didn't like it. By the third time, I was hopelessly addicted. The thousands of comments on its original YouTube video with 13 million views (there are more videos with additional millions) cry out with the the public's gratitude---not to mention wishes it could be bought retail. The "Wetter" segments were originally recorded with the rapping done by Twista. And it was when I began to see the insertion of country artist Morgan Wallen as a rapper that the lights went on and I went limp with regard for the mash-up's genius. Read more about Wallen, country/southern soul cross-over and more in Daddy B. Nice's Morgan Wallen guide.

Listen to Morgan Wallen, Erika Shivon and Twista singing "Dangerous / Wetter" on YouTube.

3. "285"-----Poka Jones

Poka Jones isn't getting the respect he's due for "285". This is one of those young guys who's learning how to add authenticity, texture and depth to his efforts. "285" is a great driving tune that showcases his strength---a charismatic, uniquely lower-scale voice.

Listen to Poka Jones singing "285" on YouTube.






UNDER CONSTRUCTION... UNDER CONSTANT REVISION....