Being born at the end of the 90s is both a blessing and a curse as I often feel like I'm stuck between two generations. I feel like most of my thought processes and beliefs align with those of the millennial generation while my age, some beliefs, and actions more closely align with those of generation Z. Nonetheless, sports, tv shows, movies, and music from the 90s were a fundamental part of my childhood.

I listened to so much 80s and 90s R&B and hip hop when I was growing up that it often surprises people older than me. Having knowledge about the lifestyle that my parents and many other people lived before I was born is instrumental in making me who I am. I believe that listening to soulful music that depicted the feelings the urban community has been through and still faces is invaluable. With that being said, some of the best music came out during this time and my playlist is full of it.

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During the 1990s there was an explosion of R&B groups that were all male, all female, or even co-ed, but they were easily dominating the music industry as they came out with hit after hit. Groups like Salt-N-Pepa, Boys II Men, The Isley Brothers, Jagged Edge, New Edition, The Jackson 5 and many more were giving the world unforgettable hits.

There was another group that popped onto the scene was an instant hit as they took advantage of the musical climate and slid in while the genre was hot. This group was known as En Vogue and consisted of Terry Ellis, Dawn Robinson, Cindy Herron, and Maxine Jones and was formed in California in 1989. Their debut album "Born To Sing" dropped in 1990 and their best single from the album, "Hold On", peaked at #2 on the US Hot 100 list.

En Vogue would go on to make R&B music for almost 10 years before they began to split and go about their separate ways in search of an individual career. In 2009, they reunited again for their "En Vogue: 20th Anniversary", today they are back together a don tour. The more exciting news is that those of us in the Southwest Michigan area will get a chance to see them in concert.

I'm very excited for En Vogue to be coming to Southwest Michigan as they will be at the Firekeeper's Casino in Battle Creek on Saturday October 19th. The show will begin at 8pm with the doors opening at 7pm. Tickets are now available and are ranging from $26 to $60 depending on where you would like to sit. So, get ready to Hold On and Free Your Mind for My Lovin or you're never gonna get it!

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As someone who was too young to attend many of the other concerts they had in the past, I am clamoring to get a chance to be at Firekeeper's to enjoy this one.

The Queens of R&B

The Queens of R&B concert pulled into Darien Lake Amphitheater in Darien Center, New York, a suburb of Buffalo, and brought with them the soulful sounds of 90s R&B with a twist of new. Headlined by Xscape & SWV, the concert featured DJ AOne, PsiRyn, OMG Girlz, 702, DJ Suga Shay, Total, and Mya.

Gallery Credit: Ed Nice

Outstanding Female R&B Singers from A to Z from Back In The Day

Gallery Credit: Mary K

Top 10 Best R&B Songs To Smoke To

Whether it's 4-20 or not, there are folks out there who like to...let's say "partake" once in a while. For those midnight tokers, here's a list of R&B classics you should add to your playlist.

Gallery Credit: Piggie Harris, Townsquare Media

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