Dawson's Ink

It’s DAY TWO of the MARCH MADNESS FINAL FOUR, with two great matchups taking place that will determine who will be crowned as the best female artist in the world.

Yesterday, Jill Scott and Ledisi showed up and showed out in one bracket (EAST Vs. SOUTH). Today we get what some would think could be the final: LISA STANSFIELD INTERNATIONAL DIVISION winner and #1 seed Sade Vs. ARETHA/ETTA MID/WEST DIVISION champion and #2 seed Erykah Badu. Throw into the mix that both young ladies have new music that’s front and center right now, and we have the potential for a battle royale.

You can still vote for yesterday’s matchup and see how you can have a chance at winning your favorite artist’s CD HERE. Right now, let’s get to the music, as the FINAL FOUR rolls on, with the final taking place this Thursday and a CHAMPION being unveiled on Friday.

Ready? Set… GO!
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Ranking: #1, INTERNATIONAL DIVISION CHAMPION
Of Note: Soldier of Love is the sixth studio album for Sade. The disc was released on February 9, 2010 and debuted at #1 on the US Billboard 200 charts upon its release.

“The Moon And The Sky” Sade
Soldier of Love
(2010, RCA/Epic Records)

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VS.

Ranking: #2, MID/WEST CHAMPION
Of Note: New Amerykah Part 2: Return of the Ankh is the fifth studio album for Erykah Badu. The album drops today (March 30, 2010). Producers include J Dilla, Madlib, James Poyser, Karieem Riggins and Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson.

“Window Seat” Erykah Badu
New Amerykah Part 2: Return of the Ankh
(2010, Universal Motown)

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Popularity: 33% [?]

It’s FINAL FOUR WEEK here at Dawson’s Ink, where the winners of the four divisions face off in a battle to claim the top spot in the tournament. The winners of the four regions are as follows:

Congrats to all of them on their hard-fought and well-earned victories. Now comes the fun part. This week will be spent determining the #1 R&B female artist in the world. First up will be the EAST Vs. SOUTH today, with Jill Scott and Ledisi and their powerhouse vocals going note for note.

And tomorrow, we focus on the MID/WEST Vs. INTERNATIONAL matchup, with Erykah Badu and Sade going at it in a free-for-all.

Your votes will determine who will be in the FINALS on Thursday, with the ultimate winner being crowned on FRIDAY, APRIL 2nd.

If it gets any better than this, I don’t want to know about it. MARCH MADNESS has been a blast, and it’s all because of your votes. So, to say thank you, we’ll be running FOUR separate contests–on Facebook, Twitter, Dawson’s Ink and via email–that could bring you your favorite CD from one of the FINAL FOUR artists!

Here’s how it’ll work:

Facebook: If you’re part of the “DAWSON’S INK PRESENTS MARCH MADNESS” event page, all you have to do is send a message (to the inbox, not on the page itself) with your prediction of who’s going to win the entire tournament. (Hint: You’ve got four choices. One of ‘em has to be right. Heh.) We will then draw randomly from those correct responses, and that winner will receive the CD of their choice from that artist’s discography (read: major albums only. We’re not scouring the earth looking for rare versions of anything. At all).

Twitter: If you follow @dawsonink on Twitter, all you need to do is direct message me with your prediction, and again, a random drawing of the correct predictions will score you the same, a CD of your choice from the winning artist (see above for disclaimer).

E-mail: Send me your predictions at will@dawsonink.com and a random drawing of the correct predictions will be conducted, with the winner receiving a CD of your choice from the winning artist (see “Facebook” rules for disclaimer).

Dawsonink.com: We have something very special in store for this one. Yes, someone who frequents the site will also be randomly selected to win a CD of their choice. Those details will be explained as the week moves on.

Please note that you only have a chance of winning once, so select your method of submission carefully.

So there it is: FOUR WAYS TO WIN during FINAL FOUR WEEK! Just to say THANK YOU for making MARCH MADNESS an overwhelming success!

Listen to the tracks, VOTE (!!!) and get your predictions in! Today, East Vs. South. Tomorrow, Mid/West Vs. International. Thursday, the FINALS. Friday, a WINNER. It’s how we do for Women’s History Month here at Dawson’s Ink.

LET’S GO!
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Ranking: #1, EAST DIVISION CHAMPION
Of Note: Jill will be starring in the new film Tyler Perry Presents Why Did I Get Married Too this coming Friday, April 2nd. Will she also be crowned March Madness winner on that day? Time will tell.

“The Way” Jill Scott
Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds, Vol. 1
(2000, Hidden Beach Recordings)

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VS.

Ranking: #2, SOUTH DIVISION CHAMPION
Of Note: Ledisi strongly dislikes photos being taken during her performances. Will she allow photographs if she wins March Madness? I’m guessing yes. You know, if she was actually going to take any. Heh.

“Think Of You” Ledisi
Lost and Found
(2007, Verve Forecast Records)

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Popularity: 26% [?]

It’s been a long, yet productive week. You’re acing your FINALS, in the midst of MARCH MADNESS, and yet there’s one more test to take. This time, in the LISA STANSFIELD INTERNATIONAL DIVISIONAL FINAL, with #1 Sade taking on #2 Tamia.

On the surface, Sade is a prohibitive favorite. She has the longevity, the discography and the pedigree. Some say they need to be in the mood for her, however. Which means…

…that the door is open for Tamia, the songbird, the freckled, feisty fox from up North. The one who charmed us with her debut, and blew us away with incredible vocals over the years.

Who’s it gonna be?

Listen to the tracks, and VOTE!!! The winner faces the winner of the MID/WEST DIVISIONAL FINAL next week, while the EAST and SOUTH winners match up on the other side.

It’s the road to the FINAL FOUR! MARCH MADNESS! Women’s History Month. Only here!

GET READY!
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Home: Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Ranking: #1, INTERNATIONAL
Road to the Finals: Defeated #8 Nneka; #4 Corinne Bailey Rae

“Kiss of Life” Sade
Love Deluxe
(1992, Epic Records)

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VS.

Home: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Ranking: #2, INTERNATIONAL
Road to the Finals: Defeated #7 Melanie Fiona; #3 Marsha Ambrosius

“I’m So Into You” Tamia
Tamia
(1998, Qwest/Warner Records)

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Popularity: 24% [?]

So I hope we all took a breather yesterday from all the MADNESS. We’re still in the thick of FINALS WEEK, and today’s matchup may just be the most difficult one to-date. Don’t believe me? OK. Welcome to the ARETHA FRANKLIN/ETTA JAMES MID/WEST DIVISIONAL FINAL, where #1 Lalah Hathaway goes up against #2 Erykah Badu.

See, told you. Heh.

Who’s it gonna be? Lalah, whose voice so smooth, so strong, so sensuous that it’s been registered as a secret weapon for both interrogations and honeymoons alike?

Or, will it be Erykah, who’s cornered the market on a type of funk that most people experiment with and fail, whose voice is so unique, and whose songs are so insanely soulful, you just wanna do whatever she says?

It’s up to you. And it’s what makes this month special. These types of battles. Friendly competition, all in honor of Women’s History Month! It’s FINALS WEEK! Only here. Listen, and then VOTE!!!

Let’s get it!
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Home: Chicago, Illinois
Ranking: #1, MID/WEST
Road to the Finals: Defeated #8 Choklate; #5 Maiysha

“I’m Coming Back” Lalah Hathaway
Lalah Hathaway
(1990, Virgin Records)

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VS.

Home: Dallas, Texas
Ranking: #2, MID/WEST
Road to the Finals: Defeated #7 Janelle Monae; #6 N’dambi

“Next Lifetime” Erykah Badu
Baduizm
(1997, Kedar Music)

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Popularity: 31% [?]

So, here we stand. After three weeks of great music and friendly competition by some of the most incredible female artists of our time, it’s come down to this: Next week, there will be a FINAL FOUR.

A representative from the WHITNEY HOUSTON DIVISION (EAST), NINA SIMONE DIVISION (SOUTH), ARETHA/ETTA DIVISION (MID/WEST) and LISA STANSFIELD DIVISION (INTERNATIONAL) will compete to decide who the best female singer in the world would presumably be. If we were able to choose.

First things first, though… Polls are STILL OPEN for the EAST and SOUTH FINALS, with both races still too close to call. You have until midnight tonight! MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT!

Tomorrow we’ll kick open the MID/WEST door, and Friday’s INTERNATIONAL race will round out the finalists.

Take a look at the brackets above. See where we’ve come from, and what’s still in store. I know you’ll agree that it’s been a fun month. And one unique way to celebrate Women’s History Month. Next year, or hell, maybe even next month we’ll see how we can make it bigger and better.

Oh, and by the way, stay tuned during next week’s FINAL FOUR for your chance to win something just for casting your vote. Yeah, it’s not a game. It’s fun, though. MADNESS, even.

Only here!

Popularity: 14% [?]

We are rolling through FINALS WEEK, with the votes still rolling in to decide the winner of the EAST DIVISIONAL.

Today, we’re in the dirty SOUTH, and the NINA SIMONE DIVISION as yet another divisional winner will be decided by your votes.

It’s been an easy march to this point for both #1 seed India.Arie and #2 see Ledisi. Now’s where it gets tough. And we start seeing them sweat a little bit. I don’t envy you all one bit.

Grammy Award-winner India.Arie is the natural wonder, the one who’s voice puts you at ease, and her lyrics get you centered.

Ledisi is all power and passion. Her voice gives you goosebumps. Her songs give you purpose. Her smile gives you everything.

Who’s it gonna be? India or Ledisi? #1 or #2? The SOUTH is up for grabs. It’s MARCH MADNESS!!! All in honor of Women’s History Month. Right here.

Let’s do it!
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Home: Denver, Colorado/Atlanta, Georgia
Ranking: #1, SOUTH
Road to the Finals: Defeated #8 Maysa; #4 Angie Stone

“Brown Skin” India.Arie
Acoustic Soul
(2001, Motown Records)

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VS.

Home: New Orleans, Louisiana
Ranking: #2, SOUTH
Road to the Finals: Defeated #7 Fantasia; #3 Monica

“Going Thru Changes” Ledisi
Turn Me Loose
(2009, Verve Records)

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Popularity: 27% [?]