Mbaji and BackHouse Nation-Injecting R&B Back into The Mainstream

Community News, Entertainment — By Buddy Sampson on November 21, 2022 at 8:10 pm

By Buddy Sampson

There’s nothing like old school R&B.

Music has undergone a transformation. Songs of love, relationships and romance have seemingly given way to songs laden with violence, turmoil, and sex. An injection of quality music, reminiscent of the glory days of R&B is sorely needed in a music industry for those that want to be able to listen to music that’s even appropriate for their children.

Mbaji, the CEO of BackHouse Nation, which is also the name he records with, has a catalog of impressive song material, delivering quality R&B, songs for the entire family and community; music that making a statement, an injection of music sorely needed. Old school R&B is not only appreciated by those over 50, but Gen Xers and millennials will also find the quality of Mbaji’s old school R&B irresistible.

Mbaji, a writer and producer born in Chicago, Illinois, formed BackHouse Nation, a production/songwriting conglomeration that is growing in size and scope. Mbaji’s music has been recorded by some of the biggest names in music, including the SOS Band, Donald Byrd, Eddie Kendricks, Erykha Badu and J Dilla. He composes music that could be considered a mixture of R&B, Jazz, Funk, and Pop, and also penned songs for Gene Harris, and has been sampled by such musical luminaries such as Ice Cube, Tribe Called Quest, Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff, De La Soul and Wycleff John.

Mbaji, who first started as a lyricist, had his first published song, “Let Yourself Go,” recorded on the Tamla label by former Temptations lead singer Eddie Kendricks. He wrote with Sigidi and Harold Clayton (who wrote the song “Take Your Time for The SOS Band), had their songs “Think Twice,” and mega hit “Fallin’ Like Dominoes” recorded by trumpeter and performer Donald Byrd. “Think Twice,” has been recorded by Erykha Badu, J Dilla, Ralph Myers, and The Detroit Experiment.  Those popular songs found their way into the hip hop community and are a part of sampling culture.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Mbaji’s family migrated to Los Angeles in the early 60s. He quickly adapted to Los Angeles and its diversity. He grew up in the North side of Chicago, which at the time was a mostly white community, so at first, adjusting to Los Angeles was a bit of a culture shock. “It was different,” said Mbaji. “It was the first time I sat in a classroom with a Hispanic on one side, a Japanize student on one side, a white student in front of me and a black student behind me. In Chicago, while in Catholic school, I was in classes that were either all white, or all black.”

A graduate of Los Angeles High school, a school well known for its sports and musical alumni, including Marilyn McCoo, Siedah Garrett and others, Mbaji cut much of his musical chops and experience while at the school. “There were a lot of musical people that went to LA High at the time,” he said. “That further acclimated me to music.” His classmates included Leaveil Degree of the Whispers, Al McKay, who later went on to play for Earth, Wind and Fire, and Harold Land Jr. among others. “There was a nice little musical community there,” said Mbaji.

However, he credits much of the inspiration that led him to music to his cousin, Sigidi, who performed often in Los Angeles doo wop ensembles and also musical groups Conjur and Total Picture. He was headed in another direction. “I never had an idea I was getting into music,” said Mbaji, who was an art major in high school.  “My cousin pulled me in. I was going to go into art. My mom was an artist and model, in fact I still have painting that she created. I kind of came from a creative family.”

His cousin was a huge influence in several ways. “Just hanging out with him, I thought I can make a little bit more money with the music than I can doing paintings,” he laughed. He first started as a lyricist, then progressed to be a songwriter, learning piano and bass. After landing a song with Eddie Kendricks, due to his cousin Sigidi working at Motown, his career skyrocketed as Sigidi was able to make placements with labels like Motown, which led to writing for Donald Byrd, The SOS Band, and others. His latest project, “Full Circle,” has music the entire family can listen to.  “It’s just feel-good kind of music, “said Mbaji. “It’s music that you can sit your five-year-old down to listen to, but adults can also enjoy.”

“Still,” produced by Mbaji’s company, Backhouse Nation, named after a back house at his family home, features incredible vocal prowess and styling by singer Jeff Robinson, who has a critically acclaimed album, “Any Shade of Blue,” on Wild West Records.  He credits much of his success to Sigidi, Larry and Fonce Mizell (The Mizell Brothers), Keg Johnson, Clarence Avant, Motown, Tabu and Blue Note Records among others.  The musicians on the project, “Full Circle,” include Robert Turner, who played most of the tracks on the project. “He’s got some chops,” laughed Mbaji. The other musicians and singers include Marva Smith, Lina Loi, Bobby Watson, Robert Turner, Don Boyette, Craig T. Cooper, Maya Shovon, Kendrick Johnson, Farah Mitha and Tate Simms, among others.  Also on the project was Darryl Crooks on guitar, who passed away shortly after the project was completed. Rest in peace.

The music that Mbaji and BackHouse Nation is injecting into the musical mainstream will hopefully help change the direction that music is headed in today. With songs like “Still,” available on Spotify and Apple/ITunes, old school R&B is still alive, well and kicking. MBaji and BackHouse Nation is at the center of an impressive, solidifying musical journey, reestablishing the essence of R&B.

Visit BackHouse Nation at https://www.bajimusic.com for information about Mbaji’s music and for a complete discography.

Find the R&B smash, “Still” on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/album/6BfRKooq63zTosLjJJQ2Xc

Or on Apple/ITunes:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/still-feat-jeff-robinson-single/1649423438

The newly released album, “Full Circle,” that features the R&B smash “Still,” can be found at:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/full-circle/1653928081.

Deezer

https://www.deezer.com/us/album/365735687