With all the heads tilting backwards, shrieking, and palpitations
that went on at SOB’s last night, it’s a surprise Luke James and Kevin Cossom
aren’t also known as “LL Cool J” and “Kevin Sweat.” Bringing the heat (and the
ladies), the two proved that NYC was the place to get an early taste of
summer’s perspiration.
Transporting the masses to the greatest of 90’s R&B was
singer-songwriter Kevin Cossom. With onlookers like Danja and Keri Hilson
watching, Kevin drew in the masses with “Waiting On You.” After “Latenight” he broke a sweat, and with the room giving full attention he sang “Motivated By The Body,”
with a bridge of R.
Kelly’s “Your Body’s Calling.” With
“Anticipation” and “Overflow,” he ended with a banging track from his Hood vs. Bridge mixtape, “Make Love Thru The Speaker.”
The anticipated Luke James ran onto the stage next in black
pants, suspenders and a white tee. ”Wassup?” was his simple greeting that
elicited cheers from the masses. Addressing all of the highs and lows of the
scale, Luke crooned a “Guilty Pleasure” with aggression, sans strain. He
revealed, “If you don’t give me your number, I just might die,” crooning, “Call
me a little weak, as long as you’re calling me” to forceful pivots and jerks,
doing the music justice as the girls attempted to catch their breath. After a
Mint Condition tribute of “Pretty Brown Eyes,” he then serenaded an audience
member with a sultry “Let Me Love You Down (originally by Ready for the World).”
As Luke trickled up to her, approaching her from the side and signing right in
her ear, holding her hand, and slowly grabbing her neck, every girl in the room
felt the wave of sensation.
“Soulja” showed off a determined Luke, who sang, “Your body
is a battlefield/And I came here to fight.” He followed with a short homage to the late great
Whitney Houston, where he denied his existence in the industry with out her, ending
with “Where Did She Go (My Angel;)” the show-stopping “I Want You,” with his
famous falsetto; and a new tune, “One Of a Kind.” The class act handed each
lady in the front a rose before walking off the stage. Needless to say,
everyone was left needing a pocket fan. Groundhog, quit your day job.
Luke James is currently on the BET "Music Matters" Tour with Estelle and Elle Varner. His latest mixtape, #Luke, is out now.
Luke James is currently on the BET "Music Matters" Tour with Estelle and Elle Varner. His latest mixtape, #Luke, is out now.
