I AM R&B
 
Determined to be the New King of R&B, Singer Rey Royale Makes His Ascent to the Throne
 
In a time when R&B music is more sex than soul, more swag than sincerity, there are few artists who can create the perfect marriage of sound and substance. But Rey Royale can and does. Call him the musical matchmaker.
 
The singer/songwriter has been practicing and perfecting his bona fide brand of rhythm and blues for the last fifteen years, fully focused on bringing emotion, talent, and timeless music back to R&B by pairing sultry vocals and heartfelt lyrics with soulful old school stylings and steamy new school sensuality. With the impending release of his debut album journey to ecstasy Royale is coming for the crown, intent on taking his rightful place as the new king of R&B. And if his distinctive voice, unwavering dedication, and music industry experience are any indication, his ascent to the throne is evident and imminent.
 
Before becoming Rey Royale, a young Reynaldo Gilmore would listen to the 45s spinning on his grandmother’s record player — music by R&B icons like Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, David Ruffin, and Michael Jackson — and become inspired to bring his heart and soul to the stage through song. Throughout middle school, he strengthened his vocal capabilities and enhanced his performance skills by participating in local talent shows in and around his hometown of Boston, MA. At the same time, he watched and listened as a new breed of R&B artists began injecting the genre with an edgier, more hip-hop-oriented sound. Boyz II Men, Dru Hill, H-Town, and Jodeci would prove influential in Gilmore’s growth as a singer, and the impact those groups had on his burdgeoning music career became even more apparent when he teamed up with a childhood friend to form the group 617 while in high school. A few years later, the duo morphed into a quartet and quickly gained respect and renown for its impressive harmonizing and cool, contemporary sound.
 
After opening for The Temptations, Donell Jones, Boyz II Men, and many more, A&M Records president Ron Fair recognized 617 as a diamond in the rough and signed the group to a record deal. Along with the new deal came a new name — Metro City, a moniker that more fully embodied the group’s urban appeal. An artist development deal with 55 Entertainment, a production company headed by NFL linebacker Willie McGinest and business partner Bob Francis, helped the group smooth out its rough edges, and in a matter of a few short years, they began to get some serious shine.
 
After befriending fellow R&B upstart Keyshia Cole, Metro City was featured on the song “Superstar” from Cole’s platinum-selling debut album The Way It Is. The group also served as the opening act for Cole’s 2006 “Love Tour,” performing in more than 30 cities and introducing R&B fans across the country to their unique sound and style. In preparation for the release of their debut, they wrote and recorded alongside some of the music industry’s most accomplished artists, including Kanye West, Keri Hilson, Polow da Don, The-Dream, Sean Garrett, Chink Santana, RL (from R&B group Next), and Shawn Stockman (Boyz II Men). Though Gilmore and Metro City would part ways in early ’08, the seven-odd years he spent molding his talent and honing his craft readied him to step into the spotlight to get some shine of his own.
 
With the self-assurance and awareness that comes from personal and professional maturity, Royale is making the most of his seasoned voice, powerful prowess for stage performance, and stronger songwriting skills. On songs like the seductive “SEX DRIVE,” “IN MY BED ,” and lusty club hit “SCREENSHOTS,” his robust tenor resonates with raw emotion, channeling his feelings into music that speaks to and for his fans, especially the fellas: “I’m the voice for men who don’t know how to tell their woman their true feelings,” he declares. 


This is the record where my music truly reflects who I am,” proclaims Tamar Braxton about her long-awaited new album Love and War (Streamline/Epic, Sept. 3). “It’s sassy, opinionated, insightful, smart and high energy. It’s everything that defines me as an individual. It’s finally time for me to be me.”

In fact, it’s finally time for this multi-talent to take her deserved place in the spotlight. Ever since she was a young girl, Braxton dreamed of being a singer, songwriter, producer and television star. Fanning the flames of her musical vision was a backstage encounter with Whitney Houston. At the time, a 14-year-old Braxton was singing background vocals for her sister Toni. “Whitney said to me, ‘Your voice is amazing! You’re going to be a star,’” recalls Braxton.

Now Houston’s prediction is coming true—as is Braxton’s long-held dream. Having already scored two back-to-back hits off the forthcoming Love and War (the title track and “The One”), Braxton is riding the perfect multimedia storm. Reality TV star (WE tv’s “Braxton Family Values,” “Tamar and Vince”). Engaging talk show host for Fox-TV’s “The Real.” Savvy business entrepreneur (“Get Your Life” fashion line). Illuminating author (upcoming book “Love and War.”)

And while the realization of Braxton’s musical dream might have taken longer than planned, she says it’s still right on time. “I’m a perfect example of God having another plan for me than what I had in mind,” she says with a laugh. “No matter how good the situation, it just seemed like nothing would never ever happen. Now with everything starting to happen, I realize it all boils down to timing. But singing has always remained everything for me.”

Love and War, Braxton’s album, offers a diverse mix of impassioned and impactful songs threaded together with pure soul. Heartfelt and honest, the set brims with deep emotion and searing honesty painted against a modern R&B backdrop.

One of the first songs she cut was the title track and debut single. She co-wrote the ballad’s lyrics with legendary writer LaShawn Daniels, whose credits fittingly include Whitney Houston (Michael Jackson, Usher), and Makeba Riddick (Beyoncé, Rihanna). The no-holds-barred song explores the push and pull of a relationship as well as how real love can weather any storm. Over a slow sultry beat, Braxton's soulful soprano simply captivates.

 "I'd experienced love, but I never experienced passion until I met my husband," reveals Braxton. "This song is the soundtrack to our relationship. We fight hard, but we love even harder. We get through everything, and we keep going strong.”

 As did the single. It spent ten weeks at No. 1 on Urban AC and reached No. 13 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, racked up more than 7 million views on YouTube and gave Braxton her first Centric Award at the 2013 BET Awards. "The award let me know," says Braxton, "that I was on the right path." Saucy follow-up single, “The One,” is following the same trajectory.

A veteran performer who began singing backup vocals for her older sister Toni at age 12, Braxton was also a founding member of R&B group The Braxtons with Toni and their siblings Traci, Towanda and Trina.

"I found the sound I'd been looking for within myself for years,” recalls Braxton. “I’d never had the chance to go as deep as I did. The vocals just poured out of me. I also let the music pick itself. You can't make or force a personality or feeling onto an artist. It never works."

Music isn't the only way the creative Braxton expresses herself. She executive produces and stars in the WE tv reality hit "Braxton Family Values," which comes back for a new season in November. Originally created and spearheaded by Braxton and sisters, the show soared as the cable network’s highest-rated television show. Braxton also co-stars alongside her music manager husband Vince Herbert on WE tv's spinoff Tamar & Vince. Its second season premieres on Sept. 5. 

Elsewhere on the TV front, Braxton co-hosts and produces FOX-TV’s “The Real” which recently rated #1 as the highest rated test-run in talk show history. Braxton reveals, "'The Real' is one of the best things to ever happen to me. I get to chat with a group of women and its feels like happy hour in the middle of the day.
 
A fashion force as well, the multi-tasking Braxton launched her own fashion line, “Get Your Life,” through Bravado in 2012.  Dedicated to "real chicks"—as its creator eloquently puts it— and inspired by Braxton's catchy, colorful hashtag phrases (#getyourlife, .com) on "Braxton Family Values.”

In the meantime, Braxton’s frank and sassy writer alter ego will surface again in Fall 2013 with the release of her first book, “Love and War.” Co-penned with husband Herbert, the tome examines both sides of the relationship equation. Readers will “get a detailed and honest look at the yin and yang,” pledges Braxton.

But first things first. In what continues to be a banner year, a tireless Braxton is getting ready to bring her music to her “Tamartian” fans live across the country. In conjunction with Love and War, the singer will open for Grammy Award winner John Legend during a national six-week tour that kicks off in October.

“Everything I’m doing is liberating my different sides: sister, wife, girlfriend and entrepreneur,” declares the glowing new mom. “Now, with Love and War, it seems SHE has it all.”


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