Brian McKnight, Dru Hill feel the love at Live & Direc
Brian McKnight, the singer who has been thrilling fans with love songs for close to four decades, told fans at the Constant Spring Golf Club on Saturday night that it's only since finding his current wife that he truly knew what love was.
While a video of his December 2017 wedding played on the big screen, the internationally acclaimed singer was moved to tears as he spoke about his wife and the birth of their child. At the end of one of his songs, he blew a kiss to her, as she sat side stage, out of the view of the audience. The R&B singer was one of two international headline acts for Live & Direc, and fans turned out in their numbers to watch him and Dru Hill, along with opening acts Mozein, Joby Jay and Christopher Ellis. The evening's closing act, the Back at One singer took the audience along with him as he delivered a slew of love songs. He spoke only the truth, however, when he said that no matter what songs he sings at concerts, there are always persons who tell him that he didn't sing their favourite.
His cool, calm pace contrasted sharply with the razzmatazz that was Dru Hill. Slick, with lots of fancy footwork, coordinated outfits, sound effects, videos playing in the background and churning out hits like a machine, Dru Hill hardly gave fans time to catch their collective breaths. And, after performing for an hour, they willingly accommodated interview.
They were in a great mood and told THE STAR that they certainly enjoyed performing in Jamaica "and plan to keep enjoying Jamaica". Dru Hill was formed in Baltimore, Maryland, and has been singing since 1992, when they first appeared on the R&B scene. Since then, R&B has changed but they have managed to maintain their relevance.
"R&B is rap now.. and it's my fault," group leader Sisqo said. "I think it's my fault. I think I might have broke R&B when I started singing and rapping on songs like Gotta Get It. But, you know music is alive ... it's always changing."
He added, "When we first came out, we were jumping around ... my hair was blond ... my apologies for everybody dyeing their hair blond. I had hair, I don't know what happened."
While Dru Hill was doing interviews backstage, the Lady of the Dancehall, D'Angel, stopped by to introduce herself and get a photo with the group.
"When I was coming in they were actually performing and I was singing along. This was a moment for me. I got a chance to tell them how I feel and take pictures and that made my night. I grew up listening to Dru Hill so I know all their songs," D'Angel said.
Promoter of Live & Direc Cheryl Peart said the concert was "a great experience".
"I love how the audience got lost in the songs. It was more than the artistes performing, it was the whole atmosphere. People said they loved the venue. By all indications, it was financially viable. In fairness, the turnout tonight was great and I am very appreciative of all who came out. I am happy."