HOSTING ADRIAN CRUTCHFIELD AND CEELO GREEN
Prince
STOKLEY “RARE (NO, NO, NO)”
GRAMMY-NOMINATED ARTIST STOKLEY RETURNS WITH INFECTIOUS NEW SINGLE “RARE (NO, NO, NO)”
ANNOUNCES FORTHCOMING ALBUM “iAmTheCulture,” SET FOR RELEASE LATER THIS YEAR
Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, producer, and sonic architect Stokley makes a dynamic return with his latest single, “RARE (No, No, No),” via Bluraffe Entertainment. Written and produced by Stokley, the track is already garnering strong support from iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, MusicChoice, and stations around the country in cities including DC, Detroit, Charlotte, Louisville, Raleigh, Greensboro (see below) and is poised to make noise across airwaves nationwide, serving as the first release from his forthcoming album, iAmTheCulture, due out later this year.
Blending Caribbean influences, addictive rhythms, and Stokley’s signature genre-blending brilliance, “RARE (No, No, No)” is a vibrant anthem of self-worth, identity, and bold expression. The track opens the door to a deeper conversation that will flow throughout the new album.
CLICK HERE TO STREAM “RARE (NO, NO, NO)
Introducing “iAmTheCulture”
Stokley’s forthcoming album, iAmTheCulture, is more than a title — it’s a statement. It reflects a powerful truth about his personal journey, his contributions to music, and the broader cultural impact of Black people throughout American & world history.
“This isn’t just about me, it’s about all of us,” says Stokley. “We make up so much of the American culture. We’re an essential part of the foundation, the soul, the soil. Black culture is the most influential on the planet it seems. Whether it’s art, food, language, style, sports, rhythm, resistance, or innovation, Black culture IS the culture. Infinitely everywhere, even if the world tries to erase it.”
As the voice of the iconic R&B band Mint Condition, Stokley has long been recognized by fans and industry insiders alike as one of music’s most respected vocalists and musicians. His influence has touched generations — he’s toured with legends like Prince and Whitney Houston, recorded with icons including Elton John, Janet Jackson, Luther Vandross, and New Edition, and collaborated with a new wave of stars from the likes of Wale to Usher. His artistic reach is far and wide, with a legacy that continues to resonate across genres and eras.
iAmTheCulture pays homage to that legacy — not just Stokley’s, but the legacy of Black creators who have molded American culture from the ground up. From the journey of Harriett Tubman leading Black people to freedom to Barack Obama becoming the first Black President, to the birth of Rock & Roll, Jazz, & Hip-Hop. Black people have created, innovated, and built the foundation of this country, often without recognition.
“We’ve contributed everything and we still have to fight for our space. But this album is about reclaiming it. Our joy, our genius, our rhythm, our brilliance. That’s the culture. That’s me, That’s us,” Stokley adds.
Continuing the “Sankofa” Legacy
iAmTheCulture follows the success of Stokley’s 2021 album Sankofa, which delivered five Billboard Adult R&B Top 10 singles, including the Snoop Dogg-assisted tracks “Vibrant” and “Casscade” featuring The Bonfyre, hit love letter “WOMAN” featuring Ghanian superstar KiDi, and collaborations with H.E.R., Wale, and more. The album’s standout single “She” hit #1 on the Billboard Adult R&B chart, solidifying Stokley’s reintroduction as a solo force while honoring the sounds and stories of the past.
Fresh Off Tour – Back to the Studio
Stokley recently wrapped the first leg of his 2025 tour, which began in January and brought his electrifying live show to cities nationwide. He’s now back in the studio finalizing iAmTheCulture, with the second leg of his tour picking back up in August.
Experience Stokley live and witness a master of music in motion:
🎶 Upcoming Show Dates
- August 8, 2025 – Reynoldsburg, OH
- August 10, 2025 – Willingboro, NJ
- August 23, 2025 – Cleveland, OH
- August 29, 2025 – Dallas, TX
- August 30, 2025 – Sterling Heights, MI
- August 31, 2025 – Napa, CA
- September 12, 2025 – Baltimore, MD
- September 13, 2025 – Indianapolis, IN
- October 18, 2025 – Las Vegas, NV
- November 7, 2025 – Hampton, VA
- November 8, 2025 – New Orleans, LA
- November 9, 2025 – Glendale, AZ
- November 26, 2025 – Montgomery, AL
Additional dates to be announced soon.
Follow Stokley:
Instagram | Twitter/X | Facebook | TikTok | Website
THE PLACE WHERE “STYLE MEETS SUBSTANCE”
As a child growing up, Marcus Anderson would hear his father tell him repeatedly, “protect your hands, that’s going to be your ticket.” Those words kept Marcus from having to do too much heavy work growing up, and they also were instinctively true. Marcus became a skilled saxophone player throughout his younger years and continued growing as a musician, thus inevitably becoming a multi-instrumentalist; not to mention that he is also a producer, songwriter, vocalist, and thrilling entertainer. Anderson works with some of the best artists in music. With too many to name, however, I’ll just name a few: Alex Bugnon, Brian Simpson, Nicholas Cole, and PRINCE. Although he is in a fortunate situation, Marcus embraces the opportunity to learn and grow from the wisdom of his fellow musicians. He will be releasing his fifth album titled “Style Meets Substance” on March 25th–appropriately titled as he shows that he not has “style” but also “substance.” And both style and substance are definitely recognizable on this sexy, smooth, and funky album. Marcus exhibits versatility along with his creative instincts and ability to collaborate with just the right musicians to bring his music to life.
THE INNOVATIVE NAJEE
Najee once again very poignantly delivers a collection of songs that we can all connect with on his latest album, “The Morning After.” It encompasses stories of love and journeys well traveled, and it debuted #1 Contemporary Jazz album on the Billboard charts. With a career that spans over several years, Najee continues to captivate audiences without fail. Over the years, he has collaborated with everyone from George Duke to Jeff Lorber to Phil Perry. Najee has the ability to create songs that everyone loves and that reach across multiple genres. As is displayed with the release of the single titled “In The Mood To Take It Slow,” featuring his long time friend Meli’sa Morgan, he does this by making music that is accessible and relevant. She was the perfect person for this sensual slow groove. Smooth Jazz radio stations as well as R & B stations have been giving the single a lot of airplay, and fans are starting to request it more. Najee will be on tour throughout the upcoming year, promoting “The Morning After” and continuing to share his new music.
Najee and I discuss it all via Skype.
Jonathan Butler
Soul of Summer a multicultural affair
U.S. concert tour featuring Jonathan Butler, Sheila E. and Elan Trotman launches May 25th in San Diego
Los Angeles, CA (14 May 2013): The spirit of spring is followed by the Soul of Summer, which this year will take on an international flair. The third edition of South African singer-songwriter-guitarist Jonathan Butler’s summer concert trek will feature multi-talented Latina Sheila E. and Barbadian saxophonist Elan Trotman. Backed by a 3-piece band and Butler’s daughter Jodie Butler on background vocals, the set list will showcase the artists’ hits along with a few cover tunes. The Soul of Summer 2013 will debut at the San Diego Jazz Festival on May 25th with dates booked across the U.S. into August.
“I’m excited to get on the road with Soul of Summer 2013. This year, we have the Latin flavor of Sheila E., the Caribbean flavor of Elan Trotman, and with my South African roots, it creates a great world music experience. Music can be a unifying force and unity is the spirit of Soul of Summer,” said Butler after the outfit’s first rehearsal at which they created the 14-song set list.
Butler’s Soul of Summer excursions are collaborative by nature. Each artist will have time during the show to perform individually, but the magic comes from the pairings when Butler, E. and Trotman will share the stage in various combinations to play their chart-toppers, fan favorites and Grammy-nominated singles, including Butler’s “Sara Sara” and “Lies” and E.’s “Glamorous Life.”
A two-time Grammy nominee, Butler became a child star while growing up under Apartheid and was the first black artist to be played on radio stations in South Africa. His 17-deep album catalogue is a study in diversity as Butler refuses to limit the scope of his musical vision that spans contemporary jazz instrumentals, soulful R&B, sophisticated pop and stirring gospel. Blessed with an impassioned voice that cries for justice, romantic pleas for love, and worshipful praise, Butler is dually noted for his nifty guitar-play on both nylon string and electric. Whether in a full band setting or stripped down to his roots as a spellbinding singer-songwriter, Butler pours his heart and soul into his live shows that uplift, enlighten and inspire. His latest recording, the gospel offering “Grace and Mercy,” was released last fall and continues to spread the word at radio. Butler will release a Christmas album this fall.
The daughter of Latin jazz patriarch Pete Escovedo, E. is a dynamic drummer, percussionist and vocalist who had her commercial breakthrough as a protégé of Prince with whom she still occasionally collaborates. Proudly braiding elements of her Hispanic heritage to funk, jazz, soul, fusion and gospel, she captivates with her high-energy performances and rhythmically-astute beats that have enabled her to play with some of the biggest names in popular music while collecting her own #1 Billboard hits and multiple Grammy and American Music Awards nominations along with an MTV Best Video Award win. The stunning beauty, a multimedia star that has graced the silver screen and small screen, released a concert DVD, “Sheila E. Summer Tour 2012 – LIVE in Lugano, Switzerland” last December.
Trotman is a feted newcomer winning fans and plaudits for the good-natured spirit of the Caribbean that he brings to R&B and contemporary jazz grooves. The saxman who attended the Berklee College of Music on a scholarship from the government of Barbados released his sixth album, “Tropicality,” earlier this year, which he wrote and produced with guitar star Peter White. The disc containing performances by an array of accomplished musicians is a celebration of island life that also chronicles Trotman’s journey from Barbados to Boston.
The Soul of Summer 2013 band is comprised of bassist and musical director Dan Lutz, drummer Jay Williams, and keyboardist Dennis Hamm.
The 2013 itinerary for Soul of Summer featuring Butler, E. and Trotman is:
May 25 Carlsbad, CA San Diego Jazz Festival
July 10 Detroit, MI Chene Park
July 17 New York, NY Spirit Cruise Ship
July 20 Norfolk, VA Norfolk Jazz Festival
July 27 Temecula, CA Thornton Winery
August 2 Austin, TX One World Theatre
August 3 Houston, TX Houston International Jazz Festival
August 10 Kettering, OH Festival of the Vine
August 11 Richmond, VA Richmond Jazz Festival
Additional dates will be added, which will be posted at http://www.jonathanbutler.com.
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