Some names in r&b music bring back a lot of memories and open up a bulk of nostalgia. Soul For Real is one of those names. They were so quickly on the rise with hits like “Candy Rain” and “Every Little Thing I Do”. I think many 90s r&b fans remember this group as well. Under the guidance of Heavy D, they worked with the best of the best and seemed destined for great things. However, things quickly went downhill and I haven’t heard any one mention anything new surrounding them for a huge number of years, until Case posted a shout out to them on his Instagram page.
The group have actually released a new single, in July, and have been performing a little bit. The new single is called “Love Again” and it’s actually pretty good. A video for the song has been released though their official Vevo account, which should mean there’s a major label involved in one way or another, but what affected their career the first time around, seems to be happening again. There’s very little promotion happening to push this group, so they have a very, very small following on the popular social media platforms. Pretty shocking, considering how popular they were back in the 90s.
What has been even more shocking, though, is finding out everything that happened with them in between the 90s and now. I know, especially right now (referring to Usher and R. Kelly, for instance), it’s not all that shocking anymore to find out how all these r&b artists, blessed with the greatest talent and an equal amount of opportunity, seem to make such an incredible mess of things. But reading up on Soul For Real has been, in particular, shocking.
The group has actually never really stopped trying to make it as a group, but all members have been doing other things on the side, and these side gigs have not only been music related. Three members of the group really got themselves into major trouble after stealing $1 million from over 200 people committing identity fraud. Wow! I didn’t see that coming at all. I always thought they were pretty upstanding guys, because they were so young and seemed so clean-cut in their “Candy Rain” days.
However, when people hit rock bottom, the only way they can go is usually up. Brian, the one who took sole responsibility and did his time for the crimes, is now a proud restaurant owner that’s been receiving great reviews online. The rest has remained mostly active in music and now, they are trying it again together as Soul For Real.
“Love Again” brings back that classic vibe and is a great re-introduction to the group if you, just like me, have been out of the loop since the 90s. It is just what you would expect this group would’ve evolved to. I hope they find a way to reach a larger audience then they have so far and get a new chance to get music fans to love them again.
