New Orleans-born crooner Luke James belts out higher notes beyond compare. Once his smooth vocals are heard, it’s difficult to deny his energy, his presence and the pleasure his sound brings to the senses. For individuals unfamiliar with his operate, his new single, ‘I Want You,’ is a excellent indication of his skills. On the song and in the accompanying video, which can be viewed under, the singer-songwriter croons with conviction, telling his lady love she’s the only one particular he desires.

As the solo newcomer — he was when signed to J Records as a duo — re-introduces himself to the masses, his new EP, titled ‘#Luke,’ will serve as the 1st handshake. From the mellow mid-tempo tune ‘Soldier’ to the transfixing ballad ‘Signs of Rain,’ the artist, who’s signed to lauded producer Danja’s New Age Rock Stars imprint by way of Def Jam, delivers a commendable project.

Uncover the mystery of this southern soul, as he explains his link to Frank Ocean, reveals a new song he has with Estelle and admits his past as a self-proclaimed “dirtbag.”

Who have you been in the studio with recently?

I’ve been in the studio with Jerry Wonda. I did a collaboration with [him] and Estelle. We did a duet with each other. It really is a song known as ‘Easy.’ I had needed to function with Jerry Wonda for a moment now. The label — Mercury Records, Island Def Jam, Def Jam — they produced it take place. We were just waiting on a time exactly where our schedules would let us to make music together. I’ve been realizing of Estelle through different individuals. Kadis and Sean, the producers of ‘I Want You,’ they developed some records for Estelle, so we kinda got connected that way. Randomly one particular evening I was coming in from a club and I was going Twitter crazy I guess. I got on Twitter and I [reached out to] her. I stated I wished two issues: either do a song with Estelle or be in a video. I’d significantly rather do a song with her but I’d take what I can get. She hit me back in 5 minutes. She said, “Let us make it happen.” We went into the studio and within 10 minutes we laid down the song.

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Some disappointed musicians are speaking up again about the elimination of 31 award categories.

Grousing about the Grammy nominations is a time-honored practice in the music industry, but those who felt overlooked, snubbed or robbed this year had new ammunition to bolster their complaints: a change in the rules that eliminated 31 award categories, assuring far fewer nominees than in recent years.

“Damn, this really hurts,” wrote R&B singer Miguel in a series of tweets Thursday after he failed to get a nomination despite getting some of the best critical notices of the year for his album “All I Want Is You.” “I don’t think I’m God’s gift to music, but I know the album or at least [the single] ‘Sure Thing’ should have been nominated.”

Nominations in the R&B categories, which were cut from eight to four by the new rules, seemed to favor tradition over Top 40. Despite major releases from Beyoncé, herself a longtime Grammy darling, Jill Scott, Ne-Yo, Jazmine Sullivan and Keri Hilson, nods went to quieter releases from Kelly Price, Ledisi and El DeBarge. There were complaints that the new rules left little or no distinction between contemporary and traditional R&B.

PHOTOS: 54th Grammy nominations concert

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Image Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Clear Channel

The annual VH1 Divas show has become something of a referendum on the biggest female singing stars in the music world. Last year featured ascendant stars like Katy Perry, Keri Hilson, and Nicki Minaj, and previous Divas include Beyoncé, Adele, Jordin Sparks, Miley Cyrus, and Whitney Houston.

This time around, the headliners are no exception: Kelly Clarkson, Florence Welch, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Jessie J, and Jill Scott are all scheduled to perform. It’s a return date for Clarkson, Blige, Hudson, and Scott, while Welch and Jessie J will be making their Divas debuts.

This year’s show will also feature the Roots (who will serve as the house band, presumably because of federal law that requires them to back up everybody) and will pay tribute to a number of influential musical cities, including Chicago, London, Detroit, Memphis, and Philadelphia. The show airs December 19.

So let’s go ahead and do some fantasy booking, shall we? Though most of the show will probably be devoted to the funk and soul tracks that came from those cities, there are a few things we’re hoping for while all those ladies are in the same room.

Since Jessie J loves a good cover, she should go toe-to-toe with Clarkson on a run through “Since U Been Gone.” Welch and Hudson should pay homage to Blige with a tribute, maybe “Real Love” or “Family Affair”? And is there any chance Scott can do a version of the Roots’ “You Got Me,” since she co-wrote that song?

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