Comments on: All Just a Game Lost: Will Downing & the Death of R&B.

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:42:31 +0000

Damn son.. Will Downing writting you back… From what I read, you was in support of that brothers music.

By: Christopher Keith Johnson

Christopher Keith Johnson — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 04:54:48 +0000

@Will Downing. If that is your real name! I am so not worthy! An honor indeed my brother to even have you read what was written by little ole me. Read the article again. I’ve convinced that woman of mine to come to her senses, lol. She even bought Love, Lust and Lies. And preferred it to Moods! More therapy needed on that one. Ha! Someone trying to play tricks on me. Unless Twitter really is controlled by the artist. FOLLOWED that Will Downing page last night. Baby, you signed on as Will Downing today on ThyBlackMan? Your SA House Music article on the way. And I plan to destroy DJ Cleo in it in response to your comment. LOL, but seriously.

By: WILL DOWNING

WILL DOWNING — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 04:16:28 +0000

WOW!!!! Not 100% sure how I became the recipient of such praise and venom. Music is subject to opinion one persons trash is another’s Treasure. Didn’t know I had the power to break up a Happy home!! Because your wife doesn’t like it you don’t like it? Really?? Guess I’ll be celebrating my 30th Music Anniversary without one or both of u!!

God Bless

By: Jay

Jay — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 16:29:39 +0000

Excellent read my brother. I am also a Will Downing fan on the low.. I love playing his music on long road trips with my wife. But your right. Will Downing as well as other adult contemporary artists are considered an aquired taste because the urban radio stations has neglected that genre. Back in the 90’s artist like Will Downing, Rashaan Patterson, Keith Washington, and Sade used to rule the 10am-2pm line up, to give professionals easy listen music during work hour. But times has changed. Corporate figures now feel that “True Artistry and Talent” are things of the past and take too long to develope into profit grossing artist. So know you have artists like Miguel, Lloyd, & whoever is the flavor of the month being promoted because its a short term fix then itson to the next artist to push their wack agenda.

By: Tarik Scott

Tarik Scott — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 12:48:45 +0000

Great read my dude. Only a really good writer could get me to read about an artist that would never make my rotation. There were a lot of generic dudes from that time besides WD like Freddy Jackson etc. Funny though because in school (we went to the same college) it was females that would have him in their rotation. I think what makes a great artist is not just their ability to sing or not sing but to come from a place within that touches you in that way. Obviously WD did that for you my brother and if you can touch one then your art has done something.

By: Christopher Keith Johnson

Christopher Keith Johnson — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 06:59:51 +0000

All y’all are just Will Downing haters! Lol. I agree that genres change and that music is a fluid art form. I strongly believe however R&B has been merged with hip-hop, and even rock to a point where it’s just…pop. I suppose we can call that progress but every time I hear Rihanna I know deep down she would get 2.5 stars on Star Search and that the Sandman would be tap dancing with cane in hand towards her on his show. It hurts a little bit. Video Killed the Radio Star—prophetic.

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 23:48:57 +0000

I almost wish we could discuss this verbally as it deserves a long deep conversation…thanks for sharing.

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 23:46:40 +0000

I’m not the biggest Will Downing fan but I admit the brother can sing. Will Downing is one in a laundry list of singers that are under appreciated and under supported. R&B isn’t dead as much as it’s redefined, just as hip-hop, professional wrestling, and television has been redefined. Our generation may have designed the blueprint but we didn’t execute it. My household had Parliament as much as the Four Tops. But as long as we keep the R&B we knew alive, it won’t die. Radio and TV can try to force feed Chris and Rihanna down our throats. Doesn’t mean we have to eat it…

By: Lynette

Lynette — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 23:35:41 +0000

I absolutely loved reading this post, and you’ve nailed depicting my first encounter with the man so well. Most folks at the concert felt that Mr Downing didn’t serenade us in the same way as Anthony Hamilton,John Legend and Kenny Latimore do. These crooners have SA’s stamp of approval as they continue to frequent Mzansi, which is more than I can say for Will, who hasn’t been back since. Perhaps he should consider re-inventing his brand to stay abreast and relevant in a time where R&B sounds fresh and cool and not “old”. Looking forward to that piece on SA house music, an on-going debate.

By: DL

DL — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 22:22:23 +0000

Yup, Will Downing is an acquired taste. I played him a lot when I was working in Jazz and Urban AC radio and I liked him, but never loved his music. Still I get the premise of your article, our generation did not support the music that we claim to hold in the highest esteem so we can’t complain that the next generation doesn’t hold it in esteem either 😀