R&B is dead, and 21-year-old crooner Clinton Maul, better known as Diversity, is determined to bring it back.
On a recent Thursday, aspiring models and ambitious musicians converged to showcase their unique style of music at a nearly packed Legacy Books & Cafe on Delmar Avenue.
That night it was not about competition. It was about love for the audience, love for the singers and love for real R&B music.
“A lot of people put out these sex songs because they think that is what it’s all about,” Maul said. “But my music is way different. Anytime I’m talking about a female in my songs, I’m treating her like a lady.”
Maul hosted the event titled “Bringing Back to Life while Saving a Life” (with Mary Moore of Disclosure Newszine as promoter) to change the negative images commonly associated with hip-hop music and to raise money for local charities.
All proceeds for the event went to the American Cancer Society and Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center – an organization that holds a special place in Maul’s heart.
Maul’s aunt, whom he calls his mother, raised him and his two sisters since Maul was a 1-year-old. He said his real mom had a nervous breakdown and in result handed the support of her children to her sister, who had two kids of her own.
Although Maul did not live at Annie Malone Children’s Home, he benefited greatly from its after-school programs, food and clothing donations and positive examples for children.
“That helped shape me a lot because it kept me out of trouble,” Maul recalled. “I grew up in a rough neighborhood but, at the same time, I still strived for what I wanted.”
Maul first got tuned into old-school R&B music as a youngster watching his aunt sing and dance to The Temptations, Al Green and Johnny Taylor. Those experiences stuck with him, and he knew that he wanted to be a singer.
“My mom would go around the house dancing and smiling when a certain song came on,” Maul recalled. “She worked hard and to see her smile that was cool, so I wanted to make music that would make people happy.”
Maul’s music is doing just that, and he’s supporting other musicians who do the same. Thursday’s fundraiser served as great exposure for some of St. Louis’ rising talent.
The night opened with a fashion show led by young petite model Tasha Tiggs. Tiggs, 22, has been modeling since the age of 15 and aspires to open a clothing line for petite women, like herself.
Sharrell Jacobs kicked the singing portion off with her rendition of Jill Scott’s “Love Rain,” a song about the beautiful melodies of love between a man and a woman.
“I’ve been singing in front of a crowd for six years,” said Jacobs, who started off singing karaoke at local bars. “Before, honestly, I was a little too self-conscious to sing in public.”
New Pop and R&B artist Torre Sanders gave a dedication to strong women with “Ghetto Girl,” a song from his latest EP “Next Man.”
Male group Motrè and bass player/singer Wildman, a mainstay in the nightclub scene, also performed.
The night was topped off with a performance from Maul singing a duet with neo-soul artist Samantha Posley, who was the only first-time performer.
“I was nervous for the first couple of words and then I was fine after that,” she said. “It’s been a dream of mine ever since I was young to be a neo-soul artist.”
And Maul’s fundraiser might give her the extra boost she needs to make her dreams come true.
The next “Bringing Back to Life while Saving a Life” fundraiser is October. For details call Clinton Maul at 314-599-0413.
