Chas Bronxson took independent artistry by storm. The Bronx (New York) native is known for his pragmatic entrance into the music scene. He composed numerous ear worms, and radio promotions. It’s noted that he produced his own music video, which won the nationwide John Lennon Songwriting Contest.
Bronxson emancipated the “Group H.U.G.S” (Honoring Unforgettable Groups of Soul) project for Black Music Month. The project is a gallant initiative, educating listeners with videos dedicated to artist past and present, as well as short synopsis of their brilliant contributions to the R&B Culture.
According to Bronxson, it took 3 years to complete the expressive compilation.
Group H.U.G.S inaugurated June 1st, and will continue beyond, with a superb collection of inspired visuals that Bronxson will publish weekly.
“It celebrates all of the black R&B singing groups that has come out with music in America since the 1940’s. I pay homage to over seventy groups with little five-second snippets, where I see that they made something popular during a period before our time,” said Bronxson. “I’m trying to familiarize this generation with that music and those contributions.
The other songs coming off the album that will have video accompanying it, is a song called “RIP,” which stands for (Radio Incomparable Personalities), which is a dead art form. I got the idea for RIP because there are no black radio personalities like there used to be.
P.R.E.T.E.X.T
I’m releasing another video the last week of June, which is the anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death. It’s a throwback video that I produced back when he passed away. We never released it in it’s entirety the way that we wanted it to be sung. It’s going to be released the last week of June. It’s called, “When they’re gone.” On the album, there’s a revised version of the song that’s doing pretty well.”
When They're Gone (A throwback version of 'When They're Gone' originally recorded one week after Michael Jackson passed away in 2009. Video directed by Ricardo Datts; Edited by Ricardo Datts & Chas Bronxson. Song samples 'Eulogy' by Gang Starr from album 'The Ownerz'. (Writers: C. Bronxson, C. Martin & K. Elam). Revised version available on album 'Group H.U.G.S.' by Chas Bronxson available everywhere. https://www.amazon.com/When-Theyre-Go...)
It’s no secret that Bronxson is displeased with the music scene—he said that he would love to see blacks owning stations instead of being the announcer or disc jockey for someone else’s business. He would like to observe black artist being celebrated for their music in the appropriate genres. Yes, Chris Brown and Rhi Rhi (Rihanna) are certainly crossover artists. Usher Raymond, he’s one too; but, Bronxson isn't talking about the few who made it, he’s talking about the lot that didn’t.
“I would like more credit and opportunities given to black artist that perform in that genre of music. I would like to stop seeing white artist given immense praise when they tap into that genre of R&B music. They don’t give that kind of attention and praise to the culture that started it. I have nothing against a white singer, choosing to sing R&B because they love it. I have everything against the American media’s tendency to make such a big deal out of it, when a white person sings a song or genre that we typically sing in. They don’t want to credit us and they don’t want to play us on their pop radio stations. They’ll make it possible for the white artist who could genuinely love R&B music, but just as the black person loves it, the black person isn’t given that kind of opportunity. They will give that opportunity to a white artist and make millions of copies off products of music. The black artist, in the same position, is still struggling to be heard.”
Bronxson founded MOUN Records so that he could have all-embracing control over his material. “I feel like I was pushed into being my own record label because this was the only way I could ensure releasing the music that I produced, the way I wanted to release it, opposed to being under the umbrella of another label where they would call the shots because of their monetary investments.”
He released I Miss My Daddy (by Hailey Smith)” under the same label in 2017; however, the song didn’t get radio spins until 2018. The song is at 67 on the global top 200 charts, while being 14 on the top 150 independent charts.
At the time he worked with Smith, Bronxson said that he stretched the young singer as an artist. Bronxson wouldn’t allow her to be anything less than brilliant.
“She didn’t have the confidence or belief that she could do certain notes or say certain notes. I would suggest things to her that took her out of her vocal comfort, and she didn’t fight it. I brought out of her, things that she didn’t think she could do. Perhaps, I could work with someone that could inspire me to say something or do something.
“I Miss My Daddy is a passion project for sure. Any project that I immerse myself into, it becomes a passion. If I can’t feel it, I can’t write it. It’s like a track. Sometimes, a producer will ask you to put lyrics to a track that they produced. They may offer four or five tracks. Sometimes, you feel one or two. Often times, you don’t feel any of them. If you don’t feel it, it’s not going to compel you to walk around listening to the harmonies all day long. When I have a track, and if I like it, I listen to it all day long. While Im listening to it, I’m coming up with ideas and riffs, as well as lyrics. Before you know it, it’s done. It’s just like that DJ Premier track that I walked around with entitled “Eulogy.”
It’s always a thing of passion—It’s a subject matter that I may not be familiar with. I will become familiar with it. I’ll add feeling to the tune, for the person who’s executing it.”
Bronxson said that he responded to Haley's drive and direction, which allowed them to connect as musical geniuses.
The versatile wordsmith considers himself both a hip hop and R&B artist. “I write hip hop as well as R&B,” he said.
His favorite artist is Lauryn Hill, and her rendition of Killing Me Softly; however, Childish Gambino tickles his fancy just a little bit. “The song, This is America, that song is extremely creative. I’m feeling that.”
Bronxson operates with the unparalleled conviction of an abolitionist for Black Music—he’s the Spike Lee of Rhythm & Blues. He doesn’t see himself doing anything but entertainment. So, in other words, get ready for more heat in the lab that he’s itching to release.
The artist wants to remind our readers: “Never say that you can’t do something. If you really want to do something, you’ll make a way to do it. If you really don’t want to do something, you’ll make an excuse to not do it.”
And on that accord, our session closed out with a bang.
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