The-Dream Returns to ‘Love Hate’ Days, Luke James, August Alsina and BJ the Chicago Kid Shine at Spotlight Live Showcase

The-Dream, Luke James, BJ the Chicago Kid and August Alsina brought their own flavors of soul to the stage for the Spotlight Live showcase hosted by Def Jam at Stage Forty8 in New York City Tuesday night.

As the self-proclaimed “Radio Killa,” The-Dream, who headlined the event, gave live renditions of ‘Falsetto,’ ‘I Luv Your Girl’ and ‘Rockin’ That S---,’ his most chart-topping songs to date. With a live band backing him, he also rocked through a few of his deep album cuts such as ‘Ditch That,’ ‘Fast Car’ and ‘Nikki,’ from his 2007 debut LP, ‘Love Hate.’

Even though the Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter’s fifth studio album, ‘IV Play,’ arrives May 28, he didn’t preview any new songs, leaving that project pretty much a mystery. The-Dream also left the stage rather quickly and didn’t add much around his performances. However, he did joke that he wasn’t getting paid for the event.

Also performing was August Alsina, known on YouTube for his many remixes to popular hip-hop songs such as Juicy J’s ‘Bandz a Make Her Dance.’ He jumped off stage and serenaded Power 105.1’s Angela Yee with the medley. The New Orleans native also played his first single ‘I Luv This S---’ featuring Trinidad James, who didn’t assist for the live version.

Luke James tore down the house and his clothes. He came onstage with layers of clothes under a denim jacket and eventually left with only a black wife beater over his carved-out muscles. Touching himself and shouting from his depths, he ended his set with his first single, ‘I Want You,’ and dropped the mic cockily. He didn’t even come back for his clothes.

BJ the Chicago Kid opened the show and brought his classic soul and church-tinged vocals. Backed by a guitarist, he breezed through James Brown's 'It's a Man's Man's Man's World' then his own ‘Make It Right’ and ‘Good Lovin’.’ BJ also successfully did righteous things to D’Angelo’s ‘Untitled.’

All the singers put their best foot forward with their sets, proving contemporary R&B is in good hands.

Natelege Whaley, TheDrop.fm