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Throughout
history, Prophets have always been looked at as earthly people
that have a special talent for speaking the word that folks want,
or more appropriately, need to hear.
While
not overly spiritual, R&B group Prophet Jones, seeks to uplift
people in a similar way with its powerful, heartfelt vocals, reminiscent
of the soul music of old, but injected with modern hip-hop and
R&B flavors. What separates them from the average R&B
group? You might say that Prophet Jones raps with melody. "Our
vocals are old school R&B, but we're influenced by today's
hip-hop," Prophet Jones member Goldee explains.
The
name Prophet Jones describes a group of guys that have an extraordinary
gift for speaking to people through their music (Prophet). However,
they appear no different than the guy next door (Jones). Through
the use of their musical gift, the members of Prophet Jones shine
like the ice on their wrists while still keeping it grimy. "We
sing to the streets," Hollywood remarks.
"The
name Prophet Jones goes back to our image," group member
Goldee recalls. "When people see us in the mall, they look
at us as just some young thugs 'chilling on a corner.' We don't
look at ourselves like that and we don't feel like anyone else
should either." Prophet Jones also holds their fans in high
esteem. "We see all our fans and friends as royalty under
one divine king," P. Rowe says. "That's why we call
all of our supporters majesty."
Prophet
Jones uplifts on its shining self-titled freshman effort with
feel-good songs -- everything from club anthems to soothing ballads.
"Woof," the bouncy first single from the CD, was laced
by Chris "Tricky" Stewart, who has produced soundscapes
for Mya ("Case Of The Ex"), JT Money, and Sole. Other
tracks include the mellow, yet sensual, "Come Inside"
and the seamless wedding song, "Lifetime."
"We've
got a little something for everyone," Prophet Jones member
P. Rowe says, describing the group's music. "The single,
'Woof,' is for the younger audience, for the clubs and for the
little hip-hop heads. 'Doing Me' is a laid back, California, beautiful
women, clubbish kind of thing. We've also got a lot of ballads."
Prophet
Jones also tips their hats to the masters of soul with a cover
of the O'Jays' "Cry Together." "We just wanted
to give back to the great songwriters who came before us,"
K.D. says, "like Philly soul legends Gamble and Huff, the
original writers of 'Cry Together.'" According to Goldee,
that track not only shows the diversity of the group, but also
demonstrates a great range of vocal skills. "We like to surprise
people because when you look at us you wouldn't think that we
could sing that O'Jays song. Expect the unexpected from Prophet
Jones."
While
many newcomers don't have the opportunity to write and record
their own songs, the members of Prophet Jones receive songwriting
credits on 5 out of the 12 songs of their self-titled University
Records/Motown Records debut. "We had a lot of creative control,"
K.D. said. "A lot of people ask, 'Did someone write your
album?' Most new acts don't get to write their own material, but
I guess we're just blessed to have the talent and a label that
respects us."
"They
are the 21st Century Jodeci," assures Haqq Islam, President
of University Records, home of multi-platinum hit-makers Mya and
Dru Hill. "We're putting a new face on R&B because Prophet
Jones is in a class all by themselves. This is old school soul
with cross-generational appeal."
The
formation of any tight-knit, highly ambitious group has an intriguing
story. And Prophet Jones has theirs.
Washington,
D.C. natives Hollywood and Goldee met in high school on the talent
show circuit. After joining forces and making a name for themselves
locally, the two hooked up with producer, Kevin Jackson's Night
Flight Music. They scraped up enough money to record a 7-song
demo, which was sent to several record companies. University's
CEO/President Haqq Islam was searching for an R&B quartet
to sign to the label and responded immediately, inviting Hollywood
and Goldee to New York. "When Goldee and I got to New York,
the record company was expecting a foursome because of the way
we stacked our harmonies," explains Hollywood. "I was
shocked when only two guys showed up but I knew Hollywood and
Goldee were the beginnings of something great - Prophet Jones,"
Islam recalls.
Enter
K.D., a Baltimore, MD native, started his career as an entertainer
and entrepreneur at the early age of 2 and hasn't stopped since.
"Back in my hometown of Baltimore, I used to sing, tap dance,
do talent shows, all that stuff. I even used to make little demo
tapes of my stuff." All of K.D.'s persistence and hard work
paid off two years ago when mutual friends put he and Goldee back
in touch (they had met the year before at an industry event).
Hollywood and Goldee decided they had found Prophet Jones's third
member. "I'm the visual side of the group," K.D. says.
"I'm real dramatic but I'm also quiet and shy. I just transform
while I'm performing. I'll be the one dancing on the speakers
on stage."
Haqq
Islam brought the fourth and final member, P. Rowe, into the Prophet
Jones mix. P. Rowe was raised in the church and started his musical
journey at the age of 8 when he got a set of drums for Christmas.
The Ft. Pierce, Florida-born beat-maker's earliest experiences
include the church band, community choir and his high school group,
Four of a Kind. His big break came when he performed at Florida
Agricultural and Mechanical College's homecoming as opening act
for University Records acts, Mya and Terry Dexter. Here he ran
into Islam, who asked him to come to New York for a meeting.
It
was in Islam's office that Prophet Jones was born. "We're
like long-lost brothers," boasts K.D. "We're on the
same page spiritually, mentally, and musically." Islam agrees,
"The guys in Prophet Jones all have a reference for music
history. They know about Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, The Temptations
and the impact they had on black music. These guys are extraordinarily
talented." Islam breaks down each individual member: "P.
Rowe has that old, gritty soul sound like Al Green. There's no
one like him in the market. Hollywood is the Eddie Levert or Teddy
Pendergrass, a strong vocalist. K.D. is our falsetto, and Goldee,
he's like a young Jo Jo (from Jodeci)."
The
members of Prophet Jones have already enjoyed big-time exposure,
opening shows for the likes of Mya, Sisqo, the Ruff Ryders, and
Eve. "We would perform and grab the crowd's attention before
we had even released a record," K.D. recalls. "We did
one show where P. Rowe actually got chased off the stage by 15
girls and they had to call security." But the members of
Prophet Jones aren't letting anything go to their head. As Hollywood
explains, "As Prophet Jones, we are just blessed that we
can share our gifts and talents with the world."
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