Raheem DeVaughn, Jaheim, Anthony Hamilton Headline Budweiser Superfest at American Airlines Arena, August 19

Raheem DeVaughn did not, in fact, win the award for Best Male R&B artist at the BET Awards last night. Also up for the nod was fellow soulful singer Maxwell -- but in our heart of hearts, as much as we hoped, we knew neither would win. Each category always...

By Arielle Castillo

June 28, 2010

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Raheem DeVaughn did not, in fact, win the award for Best Male R&B artist at the BET Awards last night. Also up for the nod was fellow soulful singer Maxwell -- but in our heart of hearts, as much as we hoped, we knew neither would win. Each category always nominates a few more "underground" type artists as tokens, and maybe one day justice will be served, but the actual win usually goes to a more commercial artist. In this case, it was Trey Songz.

No matter, though, because fans of more grown-up R&B -- the kind that usually hinges on actual music, as opposed to synthesized computer beats, and real singing soul -- can catch DeVaughn in Miami this August at the American Airlines Arena's Waterfront Theater.

You may recognize his buttery voice from numerous hooks on last year's excellent but sadly somewhat slept-on Ghostface solo album. On that record, he stole the show from Ghostdini himself on a few tracks, like this Crossfade favorite, "Do Over." (That was also his voice on that album's lead single, "Baby."

On his own, though, he's done just fine. His 2005 debut album, The Love Experience, hit number 46 on the Billboard 200, and the 2008 follow-up, Love Behind the Melody, went all the way to number five (and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart). Now, he's supporting The Love & War MasterPeace, and he's hitting the road as a headliner on the recharged new edition of the Budweiser Superfest.

The Budweiser Superfest was an annual urban-music staple from the late '70s up until the very early '90s, and in its renewed form is, in an applaud-worthy move, still focusing on quality R&B instead of the latest trends.

Besides Raheem Devaughn, the other performers, as well, are young, but boast timeless voices; sharing the stage with him are Jaheim, Anthony Hamilton, and Kem. These

Jaheim's been around for more than a decade now and is approaching classic status. Many know him from his appearance on Jadakiss tracks, but he does just fine without 'kiss. His latest album, Another Round, already peaked in the top five of a number of charts.

Kem, meanwhile, is jazzier than any of his tourmates. Expect a live band with serious chops backing him.

Anthony Hamilton, at age 39, is the oldest, but definitely not the least talented, of this bunch. Still, ti's been a couple years since his last proper album, so maybe this tour will reveal some new material.

Tickets for the Miami date of the Budweiser Superfest went on sale this morning at 10 a.m., but there are still plenty of tickets left through livenation.com and all Ticketmaster outlets.

Budweiser Superfest, featuring Kem, Anthony Hamilton, Jaheim, and Raheem Devaughn. Thursday, August 19. American Airlines Arena Waterfront Theater, 601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Tickets cost $39.75, $59.75, and $79.75. livenation.com

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