Ask Reecie Advice Column: Letter from Why Me?

From: Why Me? 

I really like this guy, we “dated” in college but it was the wrong timing. Anyway we’ve been out of school for 5 years now and still keep in contact. I really like him and he has all the qualities that I would want in a future husband, but I don’t know how he feels about me. I always think about him and haven’t seen him in over 3 years. We talk about having kids together all the time and how we want our family relationship to be. Here’s the kicker, we live in two different states, thousands of miles separate us. How do I tell him how I really feel?

Why Me,

It sounds like your situation is a little more straightforward than you would like to believe. You don’t have a romantic relationship with the guy you like and it doesn’t seem like you are making steps towards that. One thing you and women everywhere should realize is that talking is just talking. Don’t get yourself gassed up, because someone is telling you that you would make a great mother one day…that is a compliment, not a come-on.

If you two dated in college which was over 5 years ago, you haven’t seen this guy in 3 years, and by your own admission you don’t even know how he feels about you…then it’s pretty clear that he doesn’t have strong or possibly any feelings for you. Trust me, if he was seriously interested, he would’ve visited you by now or at least extended an invitation for you to visit him by this point.

With that said, since you have already put so much thought and emotion into this pseudo relationship, then you should definitely talk to him. Honestly tell him how you feel about him. After 5+ years of knowing each other and having at the very least a friendship, sugar coating isn’t necessary and is counterproductive. When you talk to him, speak with confidence and remain calm and collected. The last thing you want to do is come off as a little looney by being overly emotional. There is a chance that he just wants you to tell him how you feel about him and express that you want a relationship before he pursues you on a serious level. When he tells you about his feelings, don’t settle for ambiguous statements or vague promises…make sure you are a 100% clear on where he stands so you can either move forward with him or move on with your life.

Hope that helps!
Reecie

What do you guys think about “Why Me?”s situation? Should she talk to this guy or just move on with her life? What’s the best way to explain your feelings for someone with whom you’ve had a long term platonic relationship?

Need advice? Send me your questions to askreecie@gmail.com or leave a comment with your question here. Anything posted on the site will be kept anonymous.

New Music: Kelly, Mya, R. Kelly, Fab, Carl Thomas, Pharoahe Monch

 

Kelly Rowland has a new song called “Work (Put It In)” featuring Fat Joe. This was originally supposed to be her first single, but for whatever reason they went with “Like This” instead. I really like Kelly’s voice, but I think it’s a little too mellow for club bangers. The beat is hot, and the lyrics are good…but there’s something about her voice that just doesn’t have enough intensity. This is a pretty good song…if she brings more energy in a video for this song than she did in “Like This” than it might make the song an upgrade. Click here to listen

Another Mya track called “Walka Not Talka” is out. The song is a different sound vocally than we’ve ever heard from her…and I’m on the fence about whether that’s a good thing or not. On the one hand, I kind of like the edge she’s coming with…but sometimes it borderlines on being corny. The beat is hot though, and with the catchy hook, it could be a real club banger. Snoop Dogg guest stars on the song. Click here to listen

Fabolous and Lloyd teamed up for new song called “Real Playa” which is surprisingly not about being a playa. Fabolous has a nice flow and Lloyd sounds cool…but what the hell is up with the beat? The production couldn’t be more mismatched. I don’t know about this one…the beat is just too distracting.  Click here to listen

R. Kelly and Twista collaborate on “Good Sex”. Although R. Kelly’s album Double Up makes me want to take a break from R. Kelly for at least a few weeks…I had to see if maybe this song would have something to redeem him. I have to say that this is a very explicit song….he leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination with his lyrics. This is defintely not a song that anyone could really play in public without blushing lol.   However, I like the beat and he sounds good vocally. He could’ve included this song on his album rather than one of the atrocious songs he had on there.  Click here to listen

Pharoahe Monch has a new track called “Hold On” featuring Erykah Badu. This song has a wonderful and inspiriational message that I think is really necessary with all of the negativity pervading society. Pharoahe and Erykah have great chemistry and create a great groove for the song. Click here to listen

Check out  the politically themed “Welcome to Terrordome” also by Pharoahe Monch.  Click here to listen

Remy Ma samples Kriss Kross on “Jump”. Wow, this song is awful. What a way to turn a perfectly innocent classic like “Jump Jump” into something so vulgar. I’m appalled! Click here to listen

Carl Thomas and E-40 (what an unexpected combo) collaborate on “Late Night Rendezvous. Although E-40 has a nice verse, this song would be soooo much better without him. This song has a sexy and sultry vibe…Carl sounds great, the lyrics are hot…so why put a rapper on the track? At any rate, this song is a winner. It’s too grown and sexy for massive appeal…but the grown & sexy folks can appreciate it. Click here to listen

What do you think about these new tracks? Is Kelly bringing the heat or falling flat? Is Mya’s edge cool or corny? How do you like Fab and Lloyd together on a track? Did Remy Ma taint the innocence of the Kriss Kross song? How do you like Pharoahe Monche’s music with a message? Can Carl Thomas wage a comeback?

Posted by Reecie

T-Pain on Ray-J’s D**k (pun intended)

Article/Video

Mr. “Buy You A Drink”was recently interviewed by SOHH where he discussed individuals he would want to strip for him and also brought up Kim Kardashian and Ray-J’s _ _ _ k size….(no Elton John)…..

I dont even know whaaat 2 say!!!

~Thesis

New Music From Lil Wayne

 

Some tracks from Lil Wayne have leaked to the net…so here they are for all the Weezy fans out there.

Click here to listen to Dyin

Click here to listen to Diamonds & Girls

What do you think about Lil Wayne’s spoken word on Dyin? Does Lil Wayne still have that hunger lyrically?

Posted by Reecie

Happy Birthday to the honorable!

 

We at HM want to  say Happy Birthday to the wonderful, the talented, the magnificent…the honorable! Feel free to leave a comment and show your love!

Artists That Need to Come Back:

Well, I will say that i didn’t think that my previous topic would draw so many responses.  I’m glad that a majority of folks agreed on my list.  So of course with the ying, there’s gotta be a yang.  So as I mentioned that certain cats need to retire, here’s my list on artists that need to straight up come back like a runaway kid:

1. Sade- Okay, so we all know Sade, my Nigerian beauty, drops once every decade.  We also know that every album she touches is magnificent…Go cop that Lovers Rock if you haven’t yet…That album is amazing.  While i’m not saying that she should be on some old Hov status and drop every summa, I am sayin that I would love to see another Sade album, at least within the next 2 years….Whaddaya say Ms. Adu, can we get you back? A cd sampler, perhaps…a mixtape? sommin? lmao.

2. Dave Hollister- You may remember some months back, I posted something about Hollister and how things in the game done changed to not allow an artist of his caliber to breathe…So Dave done went gospel but I’m sayin, Dave, we miss ya man….Drop another Chicago ‘85 on us…Drop anotha “Real Talk.” We need anotha “One Woman Man.”

3. Maxwell- Okay, now this muhsucka is playin wit our emotions..The dude said he was droppin some Love Suite trilogy deluxe startin in February…Dunny, its like December. where you at? “Embrya” will always be my album.  Yo Maxwell, come back soon son…the game needs you!

4. D’Angelo- Some of ya’ll may be confused to see D’Angelo on this list as I included him in the list of artists that needed to retire. As I mentioned, I was on the fence about it. As you can apparently see….”Brown Sugar” and “Voodoo“…nuff said….Get ya mind right D…we been seein’ glimpses of you on various tracks as of late….Can we get a whole album?

Cece Penniston……nah, jus playin. lmao.

5. Canibus- I have a feelin i may catch some flack fuh this one.  I dunno, he’s always been one of those dudes who just never got a fair chance or the right machine behind him….I think he’ll always be a lyrical and wordplay genius…Prolly the most underated ever….May be a lil too complex at times but damn, can some A&R give him anotha chance…Can a label put Kanye or Sa-Ra behind’em….at the very least some po low da don? lol…Canibus, we still feel you cuz.

6. Boyz II Men- So they lost one member, they still got the juice to make hits…I don’t care. I remember when they dropped “II.” I had to have been in what? 5th or 6th grade….that album was marvelous….”Evolution” wasn’t bad at all and “Full Circle” was a dope album…nice ballads, nice uptempo jawns….I don’t think they’re washed up….Yo Wanya, get ya crew together man….the game still got love for you!

Ella Fitzgerald- I wish…. :*( R.I.P

7. Shanice- I think with the right promotion, machine, and look, Shanice can make a nice comeback…She had the looks and the voice….There’s stiff competition in the game right now as far as female pop/R&B acts so a lot of work will have to be put in to manufacture some kind of output from Shanice. But i dont think it’s impossible… Memba “I like Your Smile?” lol….So yeah Shanice, i got you…

8. Cappadonna- Yooo Cap, I was bumpin your “Don’t Turn Around” some time ago. It was on heavy rotation.  Where’s ya product holmes? Don’t let me down…Seriously, i tink with the right focus and attention, you’re one hit away…Yo Ghost, holla at ya mans and stop driving those taxi cabs b.

9. Raekwon- While we’re on the topic of Wu, yo Chef, you really killin cats with when you droppin “OB4CL2.” The hood and the underground needs ya music man….but ya statute of limitations bout to run up thun…Im sure you cookin up sommin beautiful….just deliver it before you’re no longer thought of.

Memphis Bleek- Damn Bleek, can’t speak? lmao…j/k

Okay folks, you add to the list…who else needs to show their face again?

~Thesis

Album Review/Preview: R. Kelly- Double Up

Click here to listen to the Full Album Preview of “Double Up” on AOL 

R. Kelly starts off his new album with “The Champ” and it is clear that he has a lot of anger and aggression he is trying to get off his chest. He has been through a lot of drama and fallen in and out of grace over the past few years…but he seems to fail to realize that he brought all of it on himself. For someone to be on trial for child molestation charges…he should be more grateful that he is still getting to do what he wants to do and make tons of money at it; and have less contempt. At any rate…unless you’re in the mood for hearing Kells act like he’s a victim then skip it.

Next up is the song “Double Up” featuring Snoop Dogg. This is essentially the average rap song but with singing. Isn’t Kells 40 years old? Why is  he still talking about picking up women and being out at the club? Grow up man! Snoop adds a verse to the song and I can’t deny that the two have good chemistry…but he isn’t talking about jack either. The singing is very lazy, the production is ok; overall this song is maybe a 5/10.

On “Trying to Get a Number” R. Kelly collaborates with Nelly and manages to make an incredibly corny song. All I’m going to say about this…are they really serious? No seriously…seriously?

“Get Dirty” featuring Chamillionaire is along the same lines of the other songs…clubs, women, drinking, spending money, yadda, yadda, yadda. The production is blazin and it’s not often that we hear a dirty south sound from R. Kelly. I could see this being a real club banger.

R. Kelly channels T-Pain with some computerized vocals on “Leave Your Name”. The song is basically about his answering machine message where he says he will get back to you if he isn’t having sex, smoking weed, not faded, or making a baby. A new low in lyrical content Kells…way to go.

I really like the production and the singing on “Freaky in the Club”…but you know what? This would’ve been a great stepping song if he would’ve put an ounce of effort into making the song have an ounce of substance. Nonetheless, this is a really catchy song and isn’t as bad lyrically as the other songs. I actually like this one…it’s sad to say this on a song called “Freaky in the Club”…but does this mean there is hope for the album after all?

“The Zoo” proves that R. Kelly still has some creativity left. I’m on the fence about whether this song is totally ridiculous or pretty good. I like the production and his singing is cool…but making animal sounds and including sounds of elephants and birds is just f*&kin bizarre! lol.

We all know and love “I’m a Flirt” so…moving right along.

Up next is “Same Girl” with Usher…which gets back to the root of R. Kelly’s strong suit: telling interesting stories. On the song R. Kelly and Usher discover that they are both seeing the same woman. I like the back and forth of the song, the production is good, and they both sound great.

“Real Talk” shows that R. Kelly is a man that just looooves drama. In the song, R. Kelly is going off to his lady defending himself from allegations of cheating. If you ask me…he sounds like he is guilty but just making every excuse under the sun to cover up his actions. The problem with Kells is…he spends half the album talking about how he’s a flirt, player, partier, etc…and then turns around and does a song like this and expects the listener to be sympathetic. The f*&k outta here! Anyways…he sounds really trifling on the song with how he’s cussing the woman out, calling her out of her name…just ridiculous. All I can say is, “I wish a *&^(%$@ would!” lol.

On “Hook It Up”…R. Kelly talks about telling his homie’s girlfriend to hook him up with someone like her. The speaking intro of the song starts off a little suspect, but the song turns it around and comes off on a mildly positive tip. Huey guest stars on the song and he actually contributes a nice verse…I’m shocked! I think this is a song that a lot of people will like.

“Rock Star” features a blazin hot verse from Ludacris and guest appearance from Kid Rock. But damn…how many songs does Kells really need about smoking, drinking, and hooking up? Sh!t is getting beyond monotonous at this point. With that said…the rock vibe of the song is hot!

“Best Friend” features Polow da Don (who should never rap again) and Keyshia Cole. This song is a complete disgrace to R&B music! First of all…R. Kelly really shouldn’t have a song about a man talking to his girl and best friend from jail when he’s on trial for serious charges. Secondly…why in the hell would someone seriously want to sit around and listen to this kind of garbage? Has music deteriorated to the point to where we’re expected to be interested in the fact that the jail-bird’s toilet paper is “cutting his ass”? I mean seriously…earlier when I said “Leave Your Name” was a new low in lyrical content for Kells…I spoke too soon…THIS is officially a new low. 

I’m soooo sick of this album at this point, so I almost threw up a little when “Rollin” came on…because I just don’t know if I can take any more of this b.s. he is trying to pass off as R&B. This song is overkill since he already covered this same lyrical content in the intro of the album. The beat is hot…but this song is so unnecessary.

R. Kelly dedicates “Sweet Tooth” to every kind of woman there is. This song is borderline (and by borderline I’m being generous) perverted.

On “Having a Baby”, R. Kelly finds out that he is having a baby. This song sounds very amateurish and Kells sounds like he is struggling to sing. I’m not really feeling this…Jamie Foxx’s “You Still Got It” is a far superior “baby” song.

On “Sex Planet” R. Kelly gets astronomical lol. I like the groove of the song, and I’ll give R. Kelly a cool point for creativity…but the song gets a little weird in parts. I couldn’t really see myself listening to this song with a straight face…or anybody listening to this song to put them in the mood.

“Rise Up” a song dedicated to Virginia Tech ( I don’t remember R. Kelly doing a Hurricane Katrina song) closes the album. This song sounds incredibly out of place on an album that is primarily about sex, drugs, and partying…but I guess I can’t knock him for displaying some decency and substance. With that said…this is a greatly inspirational song.

Overall…this album is pure trash. R. Kelly is a 40 year old married (albeit separated) man with kids…so he has absolutely no business singing about these immature topics. For this to be his 13th LP…this should be musically genius. Instead…he took the easy way out and reduced himself to singing ridiculous songs that you would expect from rappers like Snoop Dogg. I’m officially revoking R. Kelly’s “King of R&B” crown until he comes out with some real R&B music. DO NOT BUY THIS ALBUM…I assure it is as terrible as I’ve described.

Have you heard “Double Up”? What do you think about the album? Shouldn’t a man of his age and his musical legacy be producing classics at this point in his career? Why don’t people want to grow up in their music anymore?

Posted by Reecie

Artists That Need To Retire:

Sup ya’ll…So I was thinkin’, it somewhat frustrates me when I see certain artists still put out cds when the public and the numbers express that they are no longer relevant. It befuddles me that someone is their camp or even their manager, or someone who loves them won’t tell’em to just stop and like, go get a degree or sommin! Do something…just stop recording….But time and time again, we get these artists who still feel they can make noise….So yes folks, list the names of artists who seriously need to just leave the game and go pick up another hobby….

1. LL “Stop Riding 50″ Cool J

2. DMX (well, he hasn’t dropped in a minute. does that mean he’s finally put two and two together?)

3. Rakim…..alright i’m a lil swayed on this topic…i think Ra has one more album left to really do sommin potent…He’s droppin “The 7th Seal” soon….which is also rumoured to be his last album…

4. Cam’ron….With all of his recent antics, it just seems that Cam has bodied himself. Before all of this, i gave him some love for droppin Confessions & SDE. After he started doin that gooney goo goo and ooley loo loo shyt, i ended my support contract for dude….Although, i will say there were some cuts on Purple Haze that weren’t bad at all….But Cam, it’s ova homie!

5. Tony Yayo, Young Buck- His career ended before it begun. I don’t even know why he put out an album…anyway, add him to the list too. Young Buck, i don’t even know where he fits in rap…what’s his persona? Part of me wanted to add Lloyd Banks but I think he has a lot of potential to get out of 50s shadow and really develop his content…i’m not a fan of dude…just think he needs more maturation…

6. Joe- I really say this with a lot of regret. I really gave Joe a shot with this last CD to redeem himself in the R&B game but it was a disappointment. While I did enjoy some cuts, overall, I felt it was a lackluster effort by an individual who has been in the game for like over a decade. Part of me wants to give him one more album….but it probably won’t matter anyway….Joe, you my dude, but son, it’s a wrap!

7. Ashanti- She had her day…We supported her while Murder Inc was poppin those poppy hits….Someone dared to call her the princess of R&B or whatever the hell it was….Sorry, neva was a fan of Ashanti…never will be….

8. Ja Rule- Ummm….i’m a lil on the fence with this….i’ll have to think about this sommore!

9. Lauryn Hill……I knoooooow I will get flack for this….I’m sorry, ima tell it like it is…Lauryn hasn’t been relevant in 5-7 cot damn years…..She WAS ill. We keep cuttin’ her slack cause on Miseducation and Fugees and what not….but she hasn’t put out nothin worth reminding me about……It’s either she’s gonna do something progressive about her career or she aint doin nothin….I love Lauryn…everyone does….but damn, she gotta drop sommin!

10. D’Angelo- Damn, if I added Lauryn to the list, would I have to add D’Angelo? I dunno….i’ll get back to you….D’Angelo my dude so i’ll prolly renig on this in a few minutes….yeah…..I’ll give the bul anotha chance….

11. Fat “Crack is Wack” Joe- Yeah, so in his lengthy career, the only song he’ll be remembered for is “Lean Back.” Sorry Joey, you gotta go!

Who else do you think needs to be on dis list?

~Thesis

*UPDATE*

P.S: R. Kelly- Per Reecie’s recent bodyin’ of R. Kelly, Kells is washed up. Kells, nice knowin ya!

I’m Baaaaack with Gifts: New Vids from Eve, Ne-Yo, & Mario

Hey HM! I’m back from my Bahamas trip and I had a fantastic time! To say that I needed a vacation would be an understatement of monumental proportions…however, I’m totally rejuvenated and happy to be back. So…here are some things that I missed covering while I was away:

Eve has a new video for her single ”Tambourine” and it is pure hotness! I love the energy and vibrancy of the video…it reminds me of something Gwen Stefani would do. Eve looks fantastic…having that UPN tv show majorly upgraded her fashion sense and how she carries herself. This video will take the popularity of the song to a new level.

Ne-Yo just released a video for his song “Do You” and I’m really digging it. Ne-Yo and his leading lady do a great job of conveying the emotion of the song and I like the artistry of the video. In the album review I wrote for his album, I said that the vocals on the song are just okay…but I have to upgrade my opinion to quite good. Anyway…this video will be a hit…this song will be a hit…and I’m happy that Ne-Yo has again come out with a video that actually enriches the storytelling of the song.

Mario has a brand new video for his song “How Do I Breathe”. Watching the video is the first time I’ve heard this song and I kinda like it. There’s something about it that’s a little too sappy for my taste, but I’m sure a lot of people will really like this song. With that said…Mario is really growing up. He sounds great…and I think he can be taken seriously as a more adult (granted young adult) artist. The video is very visually interesting and it definitely adds some character and emotion to the song.

One other item I wanted to address is 50 Cent’s new Vibe cover…what in the hell was he thinking? I think the cover is almost and maybe even more ridiculous than Cam’ron taping a video is his boxers! lol. First…the shot couldn’t be any more unflattering…and secondly…they successfully made him scary looking…but that isn’t the same thing as being scary. I think I can answer the question “Who’s afraid of 50 Cent” with…nobody! lol

What do you think about these new videos? Isn’t it refreshing seeing videos that are actually relevant to the song content rather than all these monotonous club videos?

Posted by Reecie

50 Sellin’ Dat “Hydro!!!”

Source

 According to the article, 50’s past Vitamin Water business venture with Glacéau just made him over $400 million as Coca-Cola, Inc. just bought Glacéau for over $4 billion.  As 50 owned 10% of Glaceau, the recent acquisition made 50 some extra gwap.  If that check clears and everything’s legit, we’re gonna be hearing a lot from 50’s mouth before the end of the year!

Get Money!

~Thesis