R&B Haven Three Year Anniversary, One Millionth Visit

And so that brings us to today. R&B Haven now receives over 2,000 visitors every day and over 60,000 visitors each month. To give you a by the numbers look at R&B Haven’s offerings:

By the Numbers:

• Artists – 331
• Lyrics – 3,250
• Music Videos – 2,315
• Albums - 951
• Monthly Visitors - 60,000

The Who’s Who of R&B Haven

With R&B Haven’s growth, one of the most memorable additions to the site has been the community surrounding it. Here’s a fun look at the active users on our site, with a likening of who they are in the music industry. As a token of appreciation for your contributions to R&B Haven, everyone on the list is welcomed to a free R&B album of their choice (under 18$ please, under 14$ if you could be nice – I recommend Ephraim Lewis – Skin, Kevon Edmonds – 24/7, After 7 – Reflections, Solo – Solo, Joe - Signature if you don't own these!) Note: Unfortunately, I can only give you the cd if you’re in the US/Canada, otherwise, it will just cost way too much.

Son of Soul

Artist Most Like Gerald LeVert

Why: SonOfSoul had a huge impact on R&B Haven for a long time, but unfortunately, got too busy to continue visiting (so he claims). Still, his impact was pretty big and he had a huge influence while he was around.

First Post Date: 2/20/2008

First Post: Can people on this site give love to Brian McKnight?!?!? I know the guru won't give him what he deserves. I j/k...but c'mon. He is my personal favorite artist, 90's or not. So I'm prolly a little biased...but he's got to be top 3 male R&B artist...ever. That's right, up there w/ Vandross, higher than Babyface, even higher Boyz II Men (but only because he's still putting out GOOD music, unlike The Remedy, which is awful)

ILikeIt

Artist Most Like: Tony Rich

Why: Ilikeit receives the prize as Tony Rich. He’s been around for a long time and was one of the major catalysts that caused me to expand the forum (reminiscent of Tony Rich’s influence on the site). Everything he puts out is quality, and what’s more, he goes silent a lot and I never know for sure if he’s actually coming back.

First Post Date: 7/7/2008

First Post: I think the next poll should be the battle of the Low register girls.
Toni Braxton vs Anita Baker. What do you think. ilikeit

JuneBug

Artist Most Like: Mint Condition

Why: Initially, I was going to call JuneBug Jodeci because his avatar has been that for so long. But then I read his first post and I HAD to go Mint Condition. It’s a hilarious read as he calls out R&B Haven. /dd>

First Post Date: 7/6/2008/dd>

First Post: Hey whats up y'all I'm new.

Mint Condition, who are the last standing 90's r&b group (along with Boyz II Men) have put out an album in early May called 'E-Life'. I have been constantly coming to this site since as far as i can remember (I used to be a lurker) and still to this day I have not seen this site show no love to Mint Condition at all with their latest release. It had two R&B charting singles, debuted at #8 on the Billboard R&B charts, and was received well (All Music Guide gave it a 4/5 stars). They are still touring (Essence festival, world tours etc.) but I expected a site like this to have at least shown some love to one of the greatest R&B bands that is still doing it til this day.

Also I do not see why their profile has not been updated since 2005 and their sophomore album (From The Mint Factory) does not have any detailed information such as successful R&B songs like 'U Send Me Swingin' or 'Someone To Love'. Can these brothers get any love?

Bunky

Artist Most Like: Today

Why: So you might find this a strange rationale (and challenge it since a number of others are similar, but Bunky's the oldest in this context), but Bunky reminds me of Today because despite being around so long, he STILL has the default avatar. Meanwhile, Today’s debut album is IMPOSSIBLE to find and I get asked about it almost every day. Again, kind of a stretch, but that’s my favorite likening between the two.

First Post Date: 7/18/2008

First Post: wasn't there a white guy in the group all 4 one? i don't think he was a lead singer, but i remember seeing him in one of those videos.

D0rk

Artist Most Like: Ahmir

Why: d0rk’s artist choice comes largely from this thread: http://www.rnbhaven.com/90s-music/community/music-forums/Music-Lounge/topic/59. In it, d0rk basically identified his favorite 2000s artists as a massive list of myspace independent artists I’d never heard of. So d0rk is Ahmir for his appreciation of the independent world.

First Post Date: 7/25/2008

First Post: Babyface, J. Jam & T. Lewis, Bryan Michael Cox, and L.A Reid

Soul Supreme

Artist Most Like: Joe

Why: SoulSupreme was a VERY active member for a few months. However, what makes him most like Joe is that he had a ton of posts that made me shake my head asking WHY he would say such things. Much like almost all of Joe’s ad libs.

First Post Date: 8/1/2008

First Post: I dont like ne yo!he's not musically intelligent as a singer and composer!.......

DMcMahon

Artist Most Like: Ephraim Lewis

Why: Hailing from the UK, DMcMahon and Ephraim Lewis were major contributors to R&B (Haven) that seemed to leave before their time was ready. While DMcmahon isn’t dead (I hope), his presence on the site is long gone.

First Post Date: 8/9/2008

First Post: I think Brian is definitely in the top 3 R&B artists of the 90's.. but then again he isn't better than Boyz II Men in my opinion.. Brian is still putting out good music to the day which a bonus for him but then look at "Motown" the new BIIM album.. just amazing.. Kells is also a legend, but nothing compared to Brian.

Moofu

Artist Most Like: Boyz II Men

Why: Moofu has a strong appreciation for the old school, drawing back to the doo wop era, but also keeps up to date with the new artists in the industry. As such, who would be a better fit than Boyz II ‘Throwback’ Men.

First Post Date: 8/17/2008

First Post: K-Ci's "Woman Gotta Have It" (Bobby Womack)

Brian Mcknight "Crazy Love" (Bob Dylan)

Babyface "You Make Me Feel Brand New" (The Stylistics)

Dru Hill "The Love We Had (Stays On My Mind)" (The Dells)

H Town "A Thin Line Between Love & Hate" (The Persuaders)

Keith Sweat "In The Rain" (The Dramatics)

Mariah Carey "I'll Be There" (Jackson Five)

All 4 One "So In Love" (The Tymes)

Boyz II Men "Its So Hard TO Say Goodbye To Yestreday" (G.C. Cameron)

That's all I can think of right now.

JohnnyAwesome

Artist Most Like: K-Ci Hailey

Why: Let’s face it, JohnnyAwesome is THE most outspoken person on the site. If you don’t believe me, ask Jermaine. Not to mention, he’s been around the game for basically ever, and hates women. What’s more, he’s also the one who would probably win “most likely to whip his penis out on stage.”

First Post Date: 8/20/2008

First Post: I haven't been to the site in about a month due to being busy and being on vacation. I came back and I am looking at a completely redecorated site. I am very pleased with the progess that has been made!

Guru, I am interested in your thoughts on Raheem Devaughn. Input would be appreciated.

Havok

Artist Most Like: Tevin Campbell

Why: This one’s a stretch but Havok’s post that stands out most to me is his post in the uncommon opinions thread where he basically said TONS of things I agree with. For reference, here’s his post:

Dru Hill is better than Jodeci
Boyz II Men's Evolution is NOT a bad album.
Ginuwine is borderline wack
"Pony" is a horrible song
R.Kelly is vastly OVER rated and sometimes downright wack
Aaliyah is overated(i think people pulled a "2Pac" with her)
^^^^I dont think Aaliyah is "bad" just overrated after death(R.I.P.)
Usher is overrated(has waaaay too many bad songs)

I can bet that a lot of people would disagree with this stuff, much like a lot of people disagree with my love of Tevin Campbell. Haha, so that’s why he reminds me of Tevin.

First Post Date: 9/1/2008

First Post: Boyz II Men by far. Now dont get me wrong, I love Jodeci and all, but Boyz II Men are vocally more talented. ALL OF THEM SING lead(except for the bass rarely. But then again he is a bass.) Boyz II Men have so many 10/10 tracks is ridiculous. I just feel like their best songs are better than Jodeci's best songs.
Not to mention class. B2M got alot of it while Jodeci had to rely too much on sex to sell their CDs.

Lpc

Artist Most Like: Toni Braxton

Why: One of the few regular females, lpc puts out solid posts but seems to disappear fairly regularly.

First Post Date: 10/11/2008

First Post: I haven't been buy much CDs this year which isn't like me. So far the only ones I brought this year are:

1. Boyz II Men - "hitsville through Motown"
2. JoJo- "The high road"
3. Marques Houston- "veteran"
4. Jodeci- Greastest hits
5. Rome- "rome"

I do plan on buying Mariah's new one, Robin Thicke, Usher new one, and Raheem Devaughn.

Buddha

Artist Most Like: Ne-Yo

Why: Do you have to ask? The king of leaks, Buddha seems to post new songs on the forum almost as often as Ne-Yo leaks tracks to the nets.

First Post Date: 12/30/2008

First Post: What does everybody think of the album (or the song I guess? lol)

I think it's one of those albums that just grow on you after a while and you end up loving it...that's what happened for me anyways.

Shorty85, ALovingV, soulfulsweetie

Artist Most Like: Wayne Brady

Why: All three are awesome but their tenure on the site was short in each case. As such, I can’t give you guys cds but you’re contributions to the site are appreciated and I hope we hear more from you.

Song Requesters

Artist Most Like: The-Dream, Chris Brown, T-Pain

Why: You are the bane of the forums. When you just show up for one post to ask for a song and then never return, I get that feeling in my ears that I get when I listen to the aforementioned artists.

Find out the future plans for R&B Haven on page 3!

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