If you thought a mix between RnB and Hard Rock was unlikely, then think again. Both genres share a love for percussive and groovy verses, larger-than-life choruses, and demanding vocals. Although each of those elements means something a bit different to each respective genre, they don’t speak entirely different languages and they have, in fact, crossed paths before. The prime example of this crossover that happened in the past would be Cristina Aguilera’s famous hit “Fighter” from her 2002 Album “Stripped”.
Berklee College of Music TM graduate LaQuinta Prince (AKA Bad Ass Beauty) just released her debut single titled “Me”, which is a seamless blend of RnB and 70s style rock n roll. I thought this was some kind of collaboration or one-time thing at first until I discovered that LaQuinta cites major rock bands as influences and has played with bands herself before. This feels like a whole new movement or direction to lead such powerful guitar-based rock music with RnB/Soul vocals in this sassy and in-your-face fashion.
The track begins with a spoken word intro – such an early 2000s staple if you ask me. Soon the distorted guitars and raspy vocals join in. It blew my mind how she can maintain such rasp and grit while having a clean tone and accurate pitch throughout the entire verse. LaQuinta made the best of her academic background to create powerful and punchy vocal lines like these. As soon as the chorus begins, you hear layered vocals holding certain notes longer than the duration of the main track, and that’s where your RnB flavours are. I imagine these parts will have dedicated backup singers to perform them at live shows.
The guitars, on the other hand, are straightforward 70s-style rock, with palm-muting, power chords, and maximum distortion. There is a guitar solo after the second chorus, which gave the song more attitude. The bass lines are thumpy and the drums are as loud and aggressive as the lyrics. Speaking of the lyrics, the song is about LaQuinta idolizing and admiring herself in a world that looks to marginalize and sideline her.
From the way she looks on the single’s cover, wearing a coloured dress and sparkly jewelry while raising both middle fingers, you can tell why this lady dubs herself Bad Ass Beauty. The song’s powerful and anthemic lyrics along with their masterful instrumentation complete that image of unapologetically being your loud and badass self. I was so happy when I came across this song because it reminded me of when I first discovered Xtina’s “Fighter” and the empowering vibes it had. I highly recommend this tune to fans of Rock and RnB alike, as both will find elements that appeal to them. I’m glad LaQuinta chose to present her powerhouse vocals to the world through Rock N Roll instead of other tame styles of music that wouldn’t have felt as fitting or impactful as this. With a debut that is so groundbreaking, you instantly know that Bad Ass Beauty is set to have a unique career with which she will take the world by storm.
 just released her debut single titled “Me”, which){kind=link}