New Music: Justin Timberlake and Beyonce- Until The End of Time Remix, Trina- Single Again

Beyonce was added to a remix of Justin Timberlake’s “Until The End of Time”. They actually make a really great pairing on the song. Beyonce really takes the song to another level by bringing a much broader vocal range and really capturing the emotion of the song. If this is released as a single, it will definitely be a huge smash. Click here to listen

Trina continues to spread her wackness on her new single “Single Again”. Her lyrics are just so damn ignorant ALL the time…she has zero class and from the song it’s clear she is lacking in the dignity department. I’m all for a woman celebrating her single status after ending a relationship, but she sounds more salty than happy. If her lyrics weren’t so hoodrat-ish, this could’ve been somewhat of ladies anthem. I gotta give her a thumbs down! Click here to listen

What do you think of these new tracks? How are you feeling Beyonce and JT as a duo? Will Trina ever step out of her hoodrat mindset and make a song that the average woman can actually relate to?

Posted by Reecie

New Music: Talib Kweli/Q-Tip, Jaheim, Lupe Fiasco, Foxy Brown

 

Talib Kweli and Q-Tip collaborate on the J. Dilla produced track “Lightworking”. The production is pretty out there…kinda groovy, which automatically makes the song interesting to listen to. Talib’s verse was hot…Q-Tip took a few bars to warm up, but once he got going he delivered a nice verse too. This song is definitely totally different from EVERYTHING else, but that’s a good thing. Click here to listen

Jaheim has a nice love balled called “Never”. I really like the lyrics to this song a lot and Jaheim sounds great vocally. It’s always nice to hear a love song, since most songs these days are about cheating, flings and such. If his music stays in this direction lyrically, I’ll have to check out more of his music. Click here to listen

Lupe Fiasco has a new joint “Can You Let Me Know” featuring Verbal and Sarah Green. I actually really like this song. Even though Lupe has always been solid lyrically, his music just always came off a little bland to me…but this song is more lively than usual. Click here to listen

Foxy Brown has a new song with Barrington Levy called “Mister DJ”. I like the reggae flavor of the song, but her voice sounds too masculine. I guess she’s trying to sound extra hard on the track. Barrington Levy’s adlibs never get old and without him the song wouldn’t be as good. Overall the song is cool…I think Foxy needs to update her sound though or else she won’t be moving any units. Click here to listen.

What do you guys think of these tracks?

Posted by Reecie

New Videos: Alicia Keys- No One, Rihanna & Ne-Yo- Hate That I Love You, Nicole S.- Baby Love

Alicia Keys returns to the music scene with a new video for her song “No One”.For the most part the video just shows her singing with great emotion. I am not really feeling this song, but there’s no doubt that she is passionate about it. In the video and in her MTV VMA performance she poured her heart out into the song, so I gotta give her credit for that. At the very least, I think we can expect some great soulful tracks from her upcoming album.

Rihanna vamps it up for her new video “Hate That I Love You” featuring Ne-Yo. I really like the lyrics of the song and Ne-Yo and Rihanna have great chemistry together. I have a feeling that the fellas will enjoy the video much more than the ladies. I think some people will say that Rihanna is swagger jacking Beyonce with this one, but I’d have to counter that Beyonce doesn’t have a copyright on sitting around a room with a bra and skirt on lol.

Nicole Scherzinger has a new video for her song “Baby Love”. I’m not feeling this song either…it’s a little pop/twangy for my taste. There really isn’t much to the video at all, but it does have great scenery. I think this song will connect much more with her Pussycat Dolls pop fan base, but I don’t expect to see this on BET.

What do you guys think of these new videos? Does Alicia Keys have a hit on her hand with “No One” or  does she need to come better to get people excited about her new release? Are Ne-Yo and Rihanna a good duo? Will “Hate The I Love You” make a bigger splash than her last two singles?

Posted by Reecie

Havoc- “Kanye Can Eat a Di**”

ooooooookaaaaaay??????

~Thesis

*first seen on nahright

New Trax: Raekwon- “Cocaine World” & Rick Ross- “Prove Me Wrong”, “B.L.O.W”

Raekwon- “Cocaine World” (listen)

Usual drug story-tellin’ by Raekwon…I wonder if he has any other topics to speak about.  His flow, as always, is on some stream of consciousness type ish and definitely is his signature.  He remains, in my opinion, one of the rawest lyricists and story-tellers alive.  At the end of the song, he tells us to be eazy on our request for “OB4CL2″ and that it’ll come when it comes. Aight Chef! whateva you say….

*Rick Ross ft. Devin The Dude- “Prove Me Wrong” (listen)

Ross seemed to have matured the flow just a tad on this track.  Nice lean-type song.  The beat’s propa and will definitely serve well with ya seat pushed back with tinted windows and a nice cloud of essence escapin’ thru the sun roof! Not bad Ricky!!!

*Rick Ross ft. The Clipse- “B.L.O.W” (Block is Our Way) (listen)

Ross really surprised me on this one.  He slowed the tempo up and flipped what I thought was the meaning for that china china to talk about street life.  His flow on this was very infectious. The Clipse added a unique synergy and story-tellin’ on the track as well. Pusha’s verse was crazy and definitely caught me off guard…. “Flippa, no, whale-scale tippa. I’m from a line of ex king pins who turned sniffas, pray the Lord forgive us while the maricons feel us“  daaaaamn…

 Ross’ album, “Rise To Power” drops today….review comin soon!!!

~Thesis

*props to Spinemagazine

“Leave Britney Alone”- Cris Crocker

This dude’s on some shyt!

My boy did this spoof….lol…He’s crazy!!!

~Thesis

Jay-Z “Blue Magic” Trailer

~Thesis

Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down: Amy Winehouse Performs at the MOBO Awards

Amy Winehouse performed “Tears Dry On Their Own” and “Me and Mr. Jones” at the London MOBO Awards. Let’s just say that her performance was interesting. I hate to kick a girl while’s she down…because clearly she is going through some things, but damn  Amy…what the hell happened? This is exactly why people should refrain from declaring any artist the “Dangerous New Queen of Soul” after only two albums and without regard for how an artist is in every aspect and not just recording an album.

How do you rate her performance- thumbs up or thumbs down? Should she be cut some slack she is clearly not sober or is it her bad for not pulling herself together long enough to perform?

Posted by Reecie

New Video: Ne-Yo- Can We Chill

Ne-Yo has a new video for his next single “Can We Chill”. He chose an island location which makes for some great scenery…but he lacks chemistry with every woman in the video. I don’t think there is enough going on to make it interesting to watch and the song is pretty bland. Perhaps Ne-Yo fans will really like this one, but I’m not impressed. The most logical choice for a 3rd hit single is “Crazy” not this song.

What do you think about the video? Should Ne-Yo have released this as a single? If not, what song would’ve been a better choice?

Posted by Reecie

New Music: Jay-Z featuring Pharrell- Blue Magic (First Single from American Gangster)

Jay-Z couldn’t stay out of the spotlight too long and now he’s back with the new single “Blue Magic” from his upcoming cd. The beat is banger! I expected this song to be a little more dramatic sounding (production wise) but lyrically he definitely delivers on the whole drug lord theme. I like the hook with Pharrell singing the lyrics from En Vogue’s song “Hold On” and the sample…who knew that could be worked into a hot Hip Hop track. Denzel’s voice comes on at the end which explains how the song got the title “Blue Magic”. It has an interesting double entendre with Jay-Z’s favorite color being blue (i.e. The Jay-Z Blue Denali) and bringing a certain magic to his music/Hip Hop. I could be reading more into it, but that’s what crossed my mind. Click here to listen

What do you guys think of Jay-Z’s first single? Is this what you were expecting knowing the theme of the album? Is he on top form on this song or still coasting on cruise control? Are you excited/interested to hear more from Hov?
Posted by Reecie