By: TR Philips
From the frozen tundra of Canada comes an artist who burst onto the scene in 2002 and set the neo-soul landscape on fire. His name is Glenn Lewis, and his debut album, World Outside My Window, featured the mega-hit “Don’t You Forget It.” Since then, Lewis has been making smooth and soulful R&B that’s perfect for a chill night with your boo or when you’re in your feelings. If you’re a fan of classic soulful sounds like Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, or Marvin Gaye, then you need to add Glenn Lewis to your playlist. Let’s dive into his music and see what makes him such a standout artist in the neo-soul genre.
After the release of his 2013 album, Moment of Truth, Glenn Lewis took a hiatus from music to focus on his personal life and deal with some health issues. In interviews, he has hinted at the challenges of being an independent artist and the pressures of the music industry, which can take a toll on an artist’s mental health. However, Lewis remained active in the music industry during this time, collaborating with other artists and appearing on several soundtracks.
In 2003, Lewis collaborated with rapper Kardinal Offishall on the song “Backbone” for the soundtrack of the film Honey. The song features Lewis’s smooth vocals and is a standout track on the soundtrack. Lewis also contributed a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” to the soundtrack of the film Deliver Us from Eva. His version of the classic song showcases his vocal range and his ability to put his own spin on a classic tune.
In 2006, Lewis was featured on the song “Back for More” by Canadian R&B singer Keshia Chanté. The song features Lewis’s smooth vocals alongside Chanté’s and is a perfect example of Lewis’s ability to collaborate with other artists and create a beautiful blend of soulful sounds. He also collaborated with producer Babyface on the song “I Want You” for the soundtrack of the film The Fighting Temptations. The song is a soulful ballad that showcases Lewis’s vocals and his ability to create music that is both timeless and modern.
Lewis collaborated with legendary DJ and producer Jazzy Jeff on an album called “Chasing Goosebumps” in 2017. The album was created as part of Jazzy Jeff’s “Playlist Retreat,” where he invites a group of musicians and producers to collaborate on a project. “Chasing Goosebumps” features Lewis’s smooth vocals alongside Jazzy Jeff’s signature production style, resulting in a soulful and cohesive album that showcases Lewis’s talent as a vocalist and Jazzy Jeff’s talent as a producer. The album was critically acclaimed and received high praise for its fresh take on the neo-soul genre.
Lewis returned to music in 2015 with his album The Fun Rises, The Fun Sets, which showcased his signature smooth and soulful sound. The album features collaborations with other artists, including legendary producer Dallas Austin and rapper/singer/songwriter Mos Def. Lewis’s vocals are as smooth as ever, and the album is a testament to his ability to create music that is both timeless and modern.
Since the release of The Fun Rises, The Fun Sets, Lewis has remained active in the music industry, collaborating with other artists and continuing to make music. His latest single, “Good One,” dropped in 2021 and showcases his soulful vocals and his ability to create music that is both heartfelt and fun.
Glenn Lewis’s music is perfect for any neo-soul fan, with smooth vocals and thoughtful lyrics that will have you feeling all kinds of emotions. Here’s a playlist of Glenn Lewis’s top tracks to get you started:
“Don’t You Forget It” – World Outside My Window (2002)
“Fall Again” – World Outside My Window (2002)
“Take Me” – World Outside My Window (2002)
“Storm” – World Outside My Window (2002)
“This Love” – The Fun Rises, The Fun Sets (2015)
“One More Day” – The Fun Rises, The Fun Sets (2015)
“Back for More” – With Keshia Chanté (2006)
“What’s Come Over Me” – Moment of Truth (2013)
“Beautiful Eyes” – Moment of Truth (2013)
Glenn Lewis is a talented and influential figure in the neo-soul genre, with a discography that showcases his soulful vocals, thoughtful lyrics, and timeless sound. While he took a hiatus from music after the release of Moment of Truth, he remained active in the music industry, collaborating with other artists and contributing to several soundtracks. His return to music in 2015 with The Fun Rises, The Fun Sets was a welcome one, and his music continues to be a staple of the neo-soul genre. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering his music, Glenn Lewis’s soulful sounds are sure to impress.
