New R&B Music: Danity Kane, Mario/Akon, The Dream, Trey Songz

Danity Kane has a new song with Lil Wayne called “Phase”. This song is HOT! I don’t care what anybody says about reality tv show bands, these chicks have talent. I like the lyrics, the ladies sound great, and Lil Wayne on the track is an added bonus. Oh yeah Lil Wayne is a Libra like me? That’s hot! I only hear Dawn and D Woods on the track though…so I guess they are doing things differently on this album by not having everyone sing a verse on every song. Click here to listen
 

Mario has a new track featuring Akon called “City”. I don’t understand how a song about Africa is called “City”. I’m sure he is aware that Africa is a continent, and he never mentions a specific city in Africa so the chorus really makes no sense at all. Other than that the lyrics are good and I think it’s pretty cool that he did a song about going back to Africa. The only thing is…where is he going with his new material? The songs I’ve heard have been all over the place lyrically, yet totally redundant in the singing style and production. I like Mario and I think he’s very talented, but he needs some direction in his music and more creativity with his production. If his album ever manages to get released, I hope that he has much more variety. Click here to listen

The Dream is so ridiculous with his new song “I Luv Your Girl”. I can’t take a song seriously that has a title like that, so I’m just gonna chop this one up as a joke. At any rate…the production is crazy hot and this guy has an amazing voice, I just don’t get why he wastes it on such stupid a$$ lyrics. Somehow though…I have a feeling that this song will still be a hit on the strength of the fact that people aren’t as turned off by infidelity as I am, he does some crazy things with his voice, and the beat is hot. I feel so wrong saying that this song is hot…but what can I say. Click here to listen

Here is a bonus track from Trey Songz called “Fades Away”. I actually kinda like this. In my album review of “Trey Day”, I criticized his album for being 90% about sex and nothing else; so I’m glad to hear another song from him that isn’t so surface level. His voice sounds great and the production is perfect for the vibe and lyrical content of the song. Click here to listen 

What do you think of these new tracks? Are you excited to hear new music from Danity Kane? Do you think the new material from Mario has been monotonous? How ridiculous is The Dream? Do you think “Fades Away” should have been on Trey’s album?

Posted by Reecie

New Hip Hop Music: Lil Wayne, David Banner, Too Short/E-40, Ghostface Killah/Method Man/Raekwon

Lil Wayne has new banger called “Brand New”. The production is so hot…it’s kinda sounds like a throwback west coast hip hop track (like Eazy E Boyz In the Hood). His flow is hot and the lyrics are hilarious. Click here to listen. Oh yeah and while we are on the subject of Weezy…I heard on Power106 this morning that he is rumored to be engaged to actress Lauren London. They were spotted at a New Orleans bball game before Thanksgiving and they have supposedly been on and off again for several years. I don’t really take engagements from Lil Wayne too seriously, since he’s been engaged several times yet never made it to the altar.

David Banner has a new track called “I Want You”. The song is one big metaphor for his love of Hip Hop. He went in a totally opposite direction from Common’s much more reflective and clever classic “I Used To Love H.E.R.” and I’m just not feeling it. Sampling Prince’s “Beautiful One’s” could have been a slam dunk, but he just went overboard with the production and his flow. Some folks will probably like it simply because of the Prince sample, but I doubt that this will appeal to very many people. Click here to listen

Too Short is coming out with another album and he has a new song with E-40 called “This My One”. Now, this song is something that only west coast folks will understand…that Hyphy music. Since I’m from Cali and we get hyphy out here, I gotta love this. This will definitely be a club banger. Too-Short is too damn old to be rapping still (and still rapping about the same sh!t he was talking about 20 years ago lol), but I’ll give him a pass since this song is hot. Click here to listen

Ghostface Killah has a new track called “Yolanda’s House” featuring Method Man and Raekwon. The song is cool, but the singing in the background is overkill at times. The storytelling switch off between the rappers is hot and it keeps the listener engaged in the lyrics. Not too many people can vibe the way these guys do and pull of a song with such fluidity so this is definitely a winner and in a league of its own. Click here to listen
 

What do you guys think of these new tracks? Does Lil Wayne ever leave the recording studio? Did David Banner do the Prince sample any justice? What do you think of his spin on the love for Hip Hop metaphor? Do folks get hyphy in your city? Are you feeling the Ghostface, Meth, and Rae collab?

Posted by Reecie

New Videos: Cheri Dennis, Jaheim, Tamia + Alicia Keys’s Tyra Show Performance

Cheri Dennis finally has a new video for her single “Portrait of Love” featuring Yung Joc  and Gorilla Zoe. The video is pretty simple but she does a lot more with her styling than she did for her first video and even throws in a little choreography. I kinda like the song, but I’m not 100% sold on it and I don’t know if the video will be enough to put her over the top.

Jaheim has a new video for his new single “Never”. The intro dramatization is pretty dumb, since I don’t think any rational woman would react that way to hearing some random chick in the background when her dude is in a public place…but other than that the video is pretty great. I love the lyrics to this song and in a music market saturated by folks talking about one night stands, cheating, pimps up hoes down, etc…I’m always happy to hear a song a positive love tip. I see that Jaheim hit the gym before he made his comeback and he’s looking pretty good lol. The scene in the clothing store where he tells the clerks to keep his jersey was pretty cute and clever. I like the message this song is sending…definitely a winner in my book.

Tamia has a new video for her song “Almost”. The lyrics of the song are pretty interesting…I can’t recall ever hearing a song about someone missing something they’ve never had. The closest thing I can compare it to is the classic “Just My Imagination”. Anyway, the song is nice and Tamia looks great for having a baby a short while ago. My only gripe is that Tamia rarely has a male opposite in her videos or has any kind of real plot, so all of her videos look the same. Maybe she doesn’t want to spend a lot of money on a video, but putting some creativity into her video concepts will make more people interested in her music.

Alicia Keys performed her new single “Like You’ll Never See Me Again” on the Tyra Banks Show. She did a wonderful job with her performance and you can tell that she just gives it her all every time she hits the stage. It’s great to hear the same richness her live performance that it is so brilliant in the recording. Alicia is having a helluva year with the monster success of her album and I must say that it is much deserved and refreshing to see R&B on top for a change.

What do you think about these new videos? Do you like Cheri’s new more vamped up style? Isn’t it nice to hear a love song from Jaheim? Should Tamia step out the box more for her videos? Do you guys Alicia’s performance on Tyra a thumbs up or thumbs down?

Posted by Reecie

HOT New Music from Wyclef Jean & TI, Wyclef & Mary J Blige, Wu-Tang, Ne-Yo, Busta Rhymes

Wyclef Jean tapped T.I. for his song “Slow Down”. I appreciate that they took a socially and politically conscious direction with the song instead of just making another club banger. The production is fresh and different, and the back and forth between Wyclef and T.I. is really creative. T.I. addresses the legal ordeal he is going through in the song, so clearly he has done some reflecting. I’m glad to see that he is speaking out through a positive song and hopefully people will take the lyrics to heart and slow down. Click here to listen

 Wyclef Jean has a collabo with Mary J. Blige called “What About the Baby” and I must say that this song is amazing. The song is about two feuding parents trying to squash their immature beef for the sake of their child…good stuff. The lyrics are so on point, the production is hot, and both Wyclef and Mary give fantastic performances…these two together are a powerhouse. Click here to listen
 

Wu-Tang has a great new track featuring Sunny Valentine “Gun Will Go” One one of the best things about Wu is that they are amazing storytellers. The production is banging yet mellow enough to keep the focus on the lyrics of the song and the storytelling is quite intriguing. This is deinitely a winner. Click here to listen
 

Ne-Yo has a new song called “Together” that is supposed to appear on his next album. I can see that he is trying to step up his game vocally and for the most part it works. There are a few times where he is doing too much with the riffs and sounds kinda bad…but I give him credit for getting away from imitating the sounds of established artists (like Michael Jackson) and coming up with his own sound. The lyrics are really sweet and he pulls off a nice ballad. Click here to listen (link updated)

Busta Rhymes has a new track “Step Up” produced by the late great J Dilla. The production is hot and Busta’s flow sounds very throwback Native Tongues Posse-ish…kinda hot! He kinda lost me with a few of the lyrics, but overall this song is a banger. Click here to listen

Cop the rest of the mixtape “Mick Boogie Presents - Dillagence, Busta Rhymes + J Dilla 2007″ by clicking here

What do you think about these new tracks? Isn’t Wyclef’s new album gearing up to be another classic? Is Wu still in top form with their new music? Do you see any improvement in Ne-Yo’s voice or does he need more work? Did Busta do justice to the J Dilla produced track?

Posted by Reecie

HM Video: Snoop Dogg - Sensual Seduction

Eskay said it best - “You may think you’re ready for this video, but you’re not. You have been warned.”

BUT

Snoop made this video already.  Well, a video that is VERY similar.  Only with a different artist named LaToiya Williams for a song called “Fallen Star.” Yes, Sensual Seduction has more of a Rick James flavor sprinkled with Eddie Murphy, but I still accuse Snoop for biting his former artist for his latest video concept.

Despite the fact that Snoop sounds like T-Pain and he took the concept from his former artist, I think the song and the video is hot. I can’t wait to hear this one in the club!

Which video do you like better? Do you think Snoop should’ve created a more unique video for his latest single? Or is it fair game because every other rap video is virtually the same video? Whatcha think of the song? Does it sound too much like T-Pain or is it cool?

Props to Elevated for having the exclusive on the single a couple of months back.

More Music from the “This Christmas” Movie Soundtrack from Chris Brown and Lina

 We all know that Chris Brown is an amazing dancer, but a song like “Try a Little Tenderness” from the “This Christmas” movie sountrack reminds us that he also has a wonderful voice. I love his rendition of the classic song and he really shows off his vocal talent. This is still a little too adult for the teeny bopper crowd, but it’s a nice modern spin that many people will like. Click here to listen
 

Lina does a nice remake of Eartha Kitt’s classic “Santa Baby” for the “This Christmas” soundtrack. There is actually very little difference between the original and Lina’s version…so she couldn’t go wrong. I like it…it’s not too often that you hear a sexy or flirtatious Christmas song, so you gotta love it. Click here to listen
 

What do you think of these songs from the soundtrack? Will you be adding the soundtrack to your Christmas music catalog?

Posted by Reecie

“Ask Reecie” Advice Column: Who Should Foot the Bill on the First Date?

 So…instead of posting long letters of folks needing advice on very specific situations…I decided to go another route and just post my advice on simple situations that pretty much everyone can relate to. I always find myself in debates with folks over life issues, so I decided to bring some of those debates to this site. So…the first question I’m tackling is simply this: who should foot the bill on the first date?

This is an issue where I’ve kind of gone back and forth about…but the best conclusion I’ve come to is that the man should foot the bill on the first date. Recently, this debate has become a much bigger issue as some men are starting to feel extra salty about having to pay for the first date and some women feel uncomfortable with the idea that a man might think she is a gold digger if she doesn’t pay. One of the main complaints I’ve heard is, “I want to know that she isn’t going out with me just to get a free meal because she is hungry”. Out of all of the possible excuses, this is by far the most ridiculous one! Unless you picked a chick up from the corner or found her in a homeless shelter, chances are she has managed to find a way to find nourishment without having to trick for a meal. Any woman with a job can at LEAST provide herself with food and shelter…or at the very least you should have enough sense to make that a litmus test for even getting to a first date. So, if you’re one of the men that has used that excuse, stop being so paranoid.

On the flip side, some women feel a certain sense of power in picking up the tab (or at least going dutch) on the first date. In their eyes it sends the message, “I can handle my own and I don’t need you to pay for this meal”. Although that sounds good in theory, it doesn’t quite translate that way in reality. On average, what a guy sees (not that I think most men will admit it) is a woman who is defensive and/or a cheap date. This makes it more likely that when a guy is just looking for a good time and doesn’t want to spend any money he will call you up because you’re the cheapest option; not because he is actually interested in you. The truth is, the fact that you are independent and don’t “need” a man to feed you should be evident in the fact that you have a successful career or at least a decent/good job; and doesn’t need to be proven by picking up the check. If a guy thinks you’re a gold digger or can’t provide for yourself because he paid for your meal, then he is an idiot.

I’m sure a lot of men would appreciate you picking up the tab, but I doubt that any man who doesn’t have a chip on his shoulder will hold it against you if you didn’t. But…should women hold it against a man who refuses to pick up the tab? It really depends on the situation. I would encourage women and men on a date to discuss their views honestly and come to a compromise instead of just writing off the other person because they didn’t pay. This will reveal your level of compatibility and let you know how the other person views relationship dynamics.

In conclusion, I must point out that this is my opinion on the first date only. I think as time goes by, each person should contribute equally or at least in a manner that is acceptable to both people. Also, you should be sensitive to a person’s financial situation and not have unrealistic expectations about them paying.

What do you guys think? Who should pay on the first the date…the man, the woman, or split it evenly? Do you think it reflects poorly on the other person when they don’t pay or offer to pay? Would you go out on a date with someone who didn’t pay for your or their portion on the first date?

 

Who Should Foot The Bill On The First Date?  Click here to vote

 

Need advice or have a question you want answered? Email me at askreecie@gmail.com. I’ll dish the advice and maybe even post it on the site. All letters received will be kept anonymous.   
 

Posted by Reecie

Two New Usher Snips- Baby & Make Love In The Club

 

So folks…I searched high and low for 1) a high quality version of these snippets and 2) a full version, and it’s just not out there yet. I debated whether to even post them up…but since we always try to bring you the new new ish, here they are:

First up is “Baby”. I’m really digging this track. The production is hot and I love Usher’s vocal delivery. This song is gonna be a banger! I like how the new material I hear from him seems like the logical next step from “Confessions”. It’s not just a rehash of his earlier sound, but not so totally different that it just sounds wack. Confessions was my favorite Usher album, so I’m glad to see him keeping with that vibe. Click here to listen 

 *Speaking of babies, Usher and his wife Tameka welcomed a healthy baby boy into the world today so congrats to the happy couple!

Up next is “Make Love In The Car”. The production and even the delivery reminds me of J. Holiday’s “Bed”, but it is a little more uptempo and much more sexual/less subtle. This is another hot one. I’m REALLY starting to look forward to Usher’s new album…R&B needs a booster right now!Click here to listen (Shouts out to Usher-Raymond.org!)

What do you think of these new tracks? Will Usher’s new album breathe some new life into the struggling R&B scene? Are you looking forward to his new album?

Posted by Reecie

Tragic: Washington Redskins’ Sean Taylor Passes Away

CNN has the story:

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) — Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor has died a day after he was shot and wounded in his Miami home, Taylor’s former attorney Richard Sharpstein said Tuesday.

Sharpstein told CNN that the 24-year-old football player was shot Monday during a home invasion and died later at a hospital.

“The blood loss was too much. He didn’t make it,” Sharpstein told CNN. “He did supposedly squeeze a nurse’s hand. I wasn’t there,” said Sharpstein. “But obviously that was either some kind of response or muscle reaction and not any sign for the better.”

He never regained consciousness after the shooting, Sharpstein said. “It’s a senseless, tragic death that was so unnecessary, another example of the incessant violence in — not only our community — but the country now.” Watch Sharpstein describe Taylor’s death »

At 1:45 a.m. Monday, a woman identified as Taylor’s girlfriend called 911 and said someone had been shot. Taylor was airlifted to Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Sharpstein said the NFL safety’s girlfriend — who said she was hiding under bedcovers during the attack — has described the shooting to police.

“Sean was awakened with his girlfriend and 18-month old baby,” Sharpstein said. There were “noises, thumps in the living room.” Taylor “got up and locked the bedroom door. Before he could do anything, the door was kicked in and two shots were fired — one hit him in the leg, one went into the wall.”

Taylor “was on the floor, nonresponsive, bleeding out and chest heaving, eyes rolled back and he was pretty much gone from that point on,” Sharpstein said.

Taylor’s girlfriend “tried to call 911 and it’s unclear whether the phone lines were cut or the phone was broken or off or unplugged or turned off,” said Sharpstein. “She had to use her cell phone to eventually call 911.”

“Whether this was a purposeful action in taking Sean’s life or in shooting him or whether it was a burglary gone awry, the police are still investigating those circumstances,” Sharpstein said.

Lt. Nancy Perez with the Miami Dade Police Department said investigators were looking for an “unknown suspect.”

Taylor’s home also was reported broken into eight days earlier on November 18, according to Miami-Dade police.

Someone forced open a window and left a kitchen knife on a bed, according to the police report. Several drawers and a bedroom safe had been searched during the break-in, the report said. No one knows whether the first invasion is related to Monday’s attack, Sharpstein said.”

I’m not really up on football too much, but when I read about this I couldn’t help but be horrified by this senseless tragedy. To go after a man in his home with his girlfriend and young child is just repugnant. It’s so sad to hear about the untimely death of a promising young man. My deepest condolences go out to his family and I hope his killer is brought to justice.

Posted by Reecie

A Little Mellow R&B Music Just In Case You Need Some Inspiration

So…I heard this one song ONE time on the radio and I have been dying to find out who sings it for the past month. It seemed like it would be easy to find a song that repeats the same line 50 times, but of course that would be too much like right…so 4 weeks later, I finally discovered the song…Ledisi’s “It’s Alright”. I loooove this song! It kind of reminds me of the theme to “Good Times” with the irony of saying something jacked up and following it with a jubilant “good times” lol. Of course the song is much more light-hearted, but you get my drift. Anyway…if you’re ever in the mood to hear a song that just makes you zone out and not take things so seriously, this one is for you. Enjoy.

Live version- Amazing!

What do you think about the song/video? What’s your favorite song that just makes things seem alright?

Posted by Reecie