Thought by many to be the Grammy graveyard for old-school R&B artists, this year the arena gains a spotlight as Beyonce goes toe to toe with artists whose true vocal prowess is driving a resurgence in classic R&B.
Multiple Grammy nominees Ann Nesby, Calvin Richardson, and Anthony Hamilton have been creating new fans for classic R&B sounds over the last decade with the critical acclaim, if not the mega-sales to back it up.
Beyonce jumps into the Traditional R&B ring with a rendition of “At Last” from her appearance as Blues singer Etta James in the movie Cadillac Records. While fans of Bey will cheer if “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)“ gets the statue that Kanye West and others feel she rightly deserves – it’s her bout with artists known for their traditional R&B sound that will indicate for many if she’s got true stamina in the ring.
Ann Nesby, who won two Grammy awards with Sounds of Blackness, returns to the ring as a nominee with a performance of “Sow Love” from her inspirational CD ‘The Lula Lee Project (It’s Time Child/Tyscott)’. Nesby, a chart topping R&B and gospel powerhouse who appeared alongside Beyonce in the film The Fighting Temptations, has been nominated six times during her solo career including a duet with Al Green.
