New Music: Jay-Z, Tyrese/Ludacris, Talib Kweli

 Jay-Z has a new banger “Ain’t I”. I’m digging this track, the production is hot and I’m feeling Jay-Z’s swagger on the track. A lot of his singles lately have had a very laid back flow, but on this track he comes with a bit more intensity. The only unfortunate thing is DJ Clue screaming over the track every 15 seconds, but at least he is not as annoying as DJ Khaled. I know this is going to be on DJ Clue’s new mixtape “I Am Legend”, but all that screaming is not necessary on a track with someone on Jay-Z’s level. Click here to listen

Tyrese has a new track called “Comin To See You” featuring Ludacris. This song is kinda cool…it has a nice vibe to it. It starts off a little shaky but once it gets into a groove it gets much better. One thing I’m trying to figure out though is how saying “girl you’re just what I’m looking for a freaky little private wh0re” is supposed to be a turn-on or a compliment? lol. Ludacris was hot on the track, but of course that is to be expected. I’m still waiting for Tyrese to come out with a song that is not about sex, but I won’t hold my breath.  Click here to listen

Talib Kweli has a track produced by Kanye West called “Mama Can You Hear Me”. I really like the lyrical content of the song, it’s like a Hip Hop version of Boyz II Men’s “Mama”. I think it’s sweet to express that appreciation for his mom…so kudos for showing a softer side. Click here to listen

What do you guys think of these tracks? Is Jay-Z still bringing the heat? Would you rather hear more music Tyrese or his group TGT? Isn’t it always nice when guys make a mama tribute song?

Posted by Reecie

Who is Watching Making the Band 4? Plus New Music: MTB4, Trey Songz, Brandy/Ray J & More

 Last week or so I posted a snippet of Making the Band 4’s “Together”, but now here is the full version of the track. It actually sounds a lot better as a whole. They sound a little bit like they are still in competition and need to work on blending together more instead of trying to stand out from each other. BUT…I actually like this.  Click here to listen

UPDATE: The guys revealed the name of their group- “Day 26“. I thought Danity Kane was pretty random, but at least it was different. But ”Day 26″ is a super wack name. What were they all born on the 26th of the month or something? lol. I don’t understand how Diddy has been so tough on contestants for 3 seasons worth of bands, yet totally drops the ball when it comes to naming the groups. But then again, almost every single band name ever has been corny in some way.

Donnie from Making the Band 4 did a cover of Chris Brown’s song “With You” and I hate to say it, but I gotta give him two thumbs down. I know it sounds weird, but the barely legal Chris Brown displays so much more emotional depth and vocal capabilities in his performance of the song than Donnie does. This song comes across very corny and entirely too digitized. I know that Donnie is capable of something better than this, so we’ll see what he does next. Click here to listen

Sidebar: Who is watching the new season of Making the Band? The season premiere was a little lackluster to me, but I think there will be lots of drama in the season as a whole. Although I’m sure the hook ups and break ups will be train-wreck tv…Part of me wonders if Aubrey is going after Donnie for more camera time…there was something about her antics that almost looked staged. The most interesting part has always been watching the recording process and seeing how the groups respond to Diddy’s high standards. Anyway…who do you think will ultimately win the sales battle?

Back to the music…

Did I miss something or does Trey Songz only have two songs on his last album? I think it is totally retarded to continue remixing two songs, so I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that this remix of Wonder Woman is just a really late leak. He switches up the beat which draws more attention to the lyrics and his vocal performance, but I can’t exactly call this an upgrade. There was something very different and fresh about the sound of the original song and this just sounds like a beat that could’ve easily been on a Ginuwine or Playa album circa 1999. Click here to listen

I have a hard time posting Charli Baltimore’s new song “Lose It”, because I’m about 99% sure that nobody cares. However, since so few female rappers ever get radio play, I’ll post it anyway. I kind of liked her back in her Murder Inc days, but she just never managed to step out of Ja Rule’s shadows. This song is alright, but a female rapper talking about her sexual prowess is so cliche…although no more cliche than male rappers and singers like Trey Songz. Can’t say that I’m impressed by this song, but I can see it being played in a club around 10:30 as people are just starting to arrive and it’s not exactly time to get the party in full swing. Click here to listen

While we are on the subject of “sex”, “cliche” and “rapper”, Hot Dollar has a new track called “Get Naked” that so blatantly channels Snoop’s “Sensual Seduction”. Lightning does not strike twice though, as this knockoff is very second-rate. He doesn’t have the personality or swagger of Snoop to pull this off so he sounds amateur. Oh yeah and when is the last time you heard someone say “no scrubs”? lol. Click here to listen. 

Brandy and her brother Ray-J have teamed up for “Another Day In Paradise”. It’s kind of interesting to hear these two link up after all these years, but the song sounds like something that could’ve been on “Never Say Never” back in 98. This song might work as an album track, but I don’t really see this working as a single. Ray J even with his lack of any real talent has been able to produce a few bangers in his day, so I think they would’ve been better off doing a club joint together instead. I’m still waiting to hear something a little more edgy and forward from Brandy. Her last album Afrodisiac was feisty and different, but this new stuff is just very safe. Click here to listen. 

Edit:So apparently the Brandy/Ray-J song is really old (thanks Ryan for pointing that out)…but hey…I did this post at midnight so I’ll chop that up to being tired lol.

What do you guys think of these tracks? Can someone please tell Trey Songz to come out with a NEW song? Can Charli Baltimore make a comeback? Shouldn’t Hot Dollar have at least given Snoop another month before he totally copied his song? Is Brandy’s new material sparking your interest?

Posted by Reecie

New Music: Gnarls Barkley - Run; G-Unit - I’m Leaving / Bottom Girl; Teedra Moses - Who Knows

Gnarls Barkley - Run (Listen)

Gnarls Barkley (Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse) returns to the scene with a highly energetic and rock laced track that is different from their “Crazy” success. This track isn’t a hip-hop club banger, but I can see people going crazy over this track. Also, you listen to this while working out to get your blood flowing. The production has a very organic sound - as if Motown decided to speed up their music by 100% - with a layered approach, each sec there is a different sound or element - Danger Mouse has grown so much as a producer since his Jemini days. I like this…alot.

G-Unit - I’m Leaving (listen) / G-Unit - Bottom Girl (listen)

I’m Listening - *Yawn* Is this 2000? Okay, 2001 or 2002? Because this sounds like a leftover track from the then-classic G-Unit mixtapes (in retrospect, they were hot mixtapes at the time, but now - I can’t get through one track). *Yawn* Why are they dissing Fat Joe? Do they still have beef? WTH - can we grow up 50 Cent? At least he gives J. Holiday props on “I’m Leaving.”

Bottom Girl - This is a little better. I can see this song getting radio play, despite the fact it is reminiscent of G-Unit’s first album, Beg for Mercy. What’s up with 50 singing? He used to diss Ja Rule hard for singing, now I feel like I hear him sing more than an R&B singer. Lyrically, I think this song is for the ladies…in a respectful way? I don’t know - you can never tell with these guys. One song they are talking about “I love you like a fat kid loves cake,” next song they don’t give a “shit about a bitch.” I wouldn’t be surprised if the album version of this song is “Bottom Bitch.”

Teedra Moses - Who Knows (Musiq Cover) (Live from Blakeslee Studio) (listen)

Every time I listen to Teedra’s voice, I just feel every word she sings. I intrepet her vibe as so sweet and geniune that I don’t think she is singing, I think it’s a testimony of what she’s been through, despite the fact that this is a cover, it sounds like her heart went into every word sang. Amazing cover, amazing song, just amazing….

Post your Review of these tracks!  Will “Run” bring “Crazy” success?  Does the G-Unit tracks confirm that G-Unit’s reign on top is now over?  Please show my girl Teedra some love! 

Yes We Can!!! Obama Wins SC Primary & Lands Kennedy Endorsements

 Unless you are under a rock then you know that Barack Obama scored a decisive victory in South Carolina beating Hillary Clinton 2 to 1. As much as people try to paint it as nothing more than Black folks voting for Obama, I can’t help but be tremendously proud of this accomplishment. First, it goes to show that once again you can’t trust the election polling which had his lead going into the vote at a much lower 9% margin not the 27% victory margin he ended up with. He received greater support from every demographic than what pundits were projecting and proved that his candidacy is not a fairy tale. His candidacy is about bringing change and unity to this country and taking a stand against the status-quo.

I was very disgusted with the lengths the Clinton campaign took, especially the former president, to smear, attack, and race bait. Bill Clinton went to an even lower low by comparing Barack Obama’s run to that of Jesse Jackson. Now I’m no Jackson hater (I actually respect his work), but I know what Clinton was trying to do when he drew the comparison. For all the people out there still retarded enough to think that Bill Clinton was the first Black president…wake up and smell the coffee. With the divisive campaign the Clintons are running, Black folks are first in line to be thrown under the bus. Watch his arrogant/smug comments below.

But enough on that, Obama gave one of the most inspiring speeches (watch below) I have seen of his entire campaign that left me feeling optimistic and immensely proud of what he is accomplishing in this race and what he is setting out to do. I’m so proud of the fact that he has been able to build such a “diverse coalition” of supporters, because despite what a lot of racist people might think…there are only very superficial differences that separate us all. Essentially we all want same things for ourselves, our families and our friends…good jobs, health care, good schools, safe communities, etc. For someone for a CHANGE to appeal to the things we have in common instead of pandering to pockets of people is such a refreshing change and what is needed to unify this country.

Right on the heels of his victory in SC, Caroline Kennedy (daughter of former president John F. Kennedy) wrote an endorsement of Obama in the NY Times entitled “A President Like My Father” (Click here to read). I found her Op/Ed piece extremely moving and Obama spoke about how honored he was to receive such high praise. Also, Senator Ted Kennedy has reportedly decided to break his neutrality and endorse Obama despite his long friendship with Clinton. That is another coup for Obama and it just goes to show the kind of impact he is having.

There is no doubt that majority of us in this country are looking for a change in our leadership, and I hope that the country will choose someone who will stand up for it instead of being content with the gridlock that the Congress has been crippled by over the past 8 years.

What do you guys think of his SC win? What does Obama’s candidacy mean to you? What does his support say about the direction this country is moving in?

Posted by Reecie

New: Erykah Badu - Honey video, Mary J Blige - Just Fine Swizz Remix, Lloyd - Devin in a Dress

Erykah Badu - Honey (video)

Erykah Badu produced an amazing video that is conceptually reminiscent of “Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop).” It’s a funky, fun music video with great production and a tribute to her favorite musical artists. Badu never fails to add a sprinkle of comedy throughout the video, and to my fellas - Ms. Badu is pure thickums looking amazing as ever during the Andre 3000 “Hey Ya” tribute portion of the video. What song is that during the tribute? It’s hot! and I’m sure it’ll be on Nu AmErykah vol. 1, scheduled to be released Feb. 26th. The video and the song are both amazing and it inspires me to go to a record store a la Love Jones style.

Mary J. Blige - Just Fine (Remix by Swizz Beats) (listen)/ Remix ft. Lil Wayne (listen)

Despite the remix being released a little late, Swizz Beats cooks up a CLUB BANGER with his remix to Mary’s Just Fine. The Chubb Rock - Treat Em Right sample is PERFECT over MJB’s vibe and singing. “Chubb Rock jumps up on the scene with a lean…” Damn, I need to hit the club up!

Lloyd - Devil in a Dress (ft. Ja Rule and Harry O) (listen)

Since Lloyd dropped the critically acclaimed “Street Love” last year, I have been curious to hear new music from him. While Lloyd is tagged as the main artist on this song, it sounds like a Ja Rule song with Lloyd as the supporting cast. Lloyd definitely steals the spotlight over mediocre production and Ja Rule’s Lil Wayne “Duffle Bag Boy” inspired hook. Ja Rule raps doesn’t leave an impression and Harry O (the self proclaimed Rookie of the Year) drops a yawner of a verse. This would have been much better if it were just a Lloyd song.

Update: N.E.R.D - Everybody Nose (Mixed) (listen)

We reviewed this, but this version is mixed with drums by Timbaland.

What do you think of the “Honey” video? Does it remind you of “Love of My Life”? Is MJB’s remix a club banger or is it a club banger? What do you think of the Lloyd and Ja Rule song? Post your review!

New Music: Trey Songz/Lil Wayne, Making the Band 4 Fellas, Foxy Brown

 

When I saw that there was another remix of Trey Songz’s “Can’t Help But Wait”, I said to myself “I REFUSE to post another pointless/bland regurgitation of the original”. However…since Lil Wayne was on the track I decided to at least give it a listen. To my shock, he actually totally flipped the song with new production and Lil Wayne upgraded the song. The production doesn’t exactly match the lyrical content, but at least it gives the song much more energy. I actually kind of like this. Click here to listen

The Making the Band 4 Guys have a new track “Got Me Going”. This song is ok, but I’m not really blown away at all. They sound a little too pop and watered down…they have good voices, but they just aren’t very soulful. The production doesn’t sound very forward…it sounds like a beat that could have been rejected from Diddy’s last album. On the bright side the guys mesh well…so they have a lot of promise as a group. I’m still looking forward to what else they have up their sleeve. Click here to listen
 

Foxy Brown has a new track “Star Cry”. Making a song about the pitfalls of being a celebrity is soooooooooooo cliche. When these stars are making money, getting free swag, in the spotlight getting love, that’s all they talk about and everything is all good. However as soon as their career starts to falter, then all of a sudden being celebrity sucks so bad and we’re supposed to feel sorry for them. Give me a break! Anyway…I find it kind of ironic that in the song she raps about staying on her best behavior since her parole people are out to get her, when she clearly didn’t do that and is sitting up in jail right now as a result. At any rate, the song is a decent album track, but if she expects to release an album from behind bars and spark interest, she is going to need to step her game up. Click here to listen
 

What do you guys think of these tracks? Although this the best remix of “Can’t Help But Wait” so far, when is he going to let it go and release another single? Isn’t the new MTB4 song a little underwhelming? Is Anyone still checking for Foxy Brown?

Posted by Reecie

Ask Reecie Advice Column: “Why Don’t Women Appreciate Nice Guys?”

 A question that has been posed so many times to me and has been the spark of many debates is simply: “why don’t women appreciate nice guys?” I’m going to try my best to break down my answer in a way that men can truly understand without sounding like a total b!tch lol.

For starters, there is only one TRUE type of “nice guy” when it comes to romantic relationships with women: the “I’m a nice guy looking for a committed relationship” guy. That statement alone probably eliminates a good 60% of the people griping about a lack of appreciation. Of course there are many qualifying factors in addition to wanting a relationship, but that is the foundation for how you will be received and treated by women. Also, being a nice guy doesn’t guarantee you success 100% of the time, but more on that later for the 40% of the guys still remaining. 

The problem is that a lot of men don’t realize that they aren’t really “nice guys”. Most often when you ask a man what makes him a nice guy he will respond with, “I never disrespect a woman, I don’t hit women, I always pick up the tab” etc. etc. First of all…some things, like being respectful and nonviolent, are BASIC traits that any decent human being would possess. Secondly, there is a difference between doing nice things and BEING a nice guy. Paying for a date is a nice thing to do, but that alone is not enough. You can pay for all the meals, drinks, movies, etc. that your wallet can stand, but if you are not looking for a relationship and the woman you are dealing with is, it means absolutely nothing. Chances are when all is said and done, she is going to think you’re an a$$hole…because like I stated earlier, if you’re not the “nice guy looking for a committed relationship guy” then you probably fall under the category of “he could be a nice guy if he wasn’t so full of sh!t”. Sounds a little harsh? Let me explain…

New Music: Erykah Badu, Sean Paul, Pleasure P (Pretty Ricky)/Lil Wayne, B2K, Original “Dey Know Remix”

 Another new Erykah Badu track is floating around called “The Healer”. I think it’s pretty safe to say that this is one of those chill type tracks that you zone out to when listening to her album. I like how Ms. Badu always comes with something different and interesting than everybody else out. I’m not gonna front like I’m blown away, but I’m always on her team so I can’t wait to hear more. Click here to listen

I criticized one of Sean Paul’s leaks as being a bit too watered down, but much to my delight he has a new song called “Model” that brings the heat we are used to. This song is definitely a banger and I can see this one being a pretty solid hit with a video that brings the heat on the choreography tip. Nobody is really reppin hard for the Reggae artists on the mainstream scene, so hopefully Sean Paul can make a strong comeback. It might not be so easy though considering how his song “Watch Di Gal Dem Roll” was super slept on. Click here to listen

Here is another dancehall banger from Sean Paul “Bad Man” Click here to listen (Shouts out to MzHipHop.com)

Pleasure P of the debunked Pretty Ricky has a new track called “Rock Bottom” featuring Lil Wayne. Don’t ask me which one he is from the group, because I wouldn’t have even the slightest clue. But, I’m surprised at how decent his voice is…I guess all of the buffoonish antics of Pretty Ricky overshadowed his vocal talents. Granted, he isn’t an amazing singer, but he can sing well enough for me to keep thinking it is someone else actually singing. Lil Wayne didn’t quite steal the show like he usually does, but he flows nicely with the track. I don’t think this song has that crazy energy that Pretty Ricky songs had, but that might be a good thing to cast him in a more serious light. Click here to listen

B2K is trying to piece together their career with a new song “Body”. Hmmm….not gonna happen. But..have you seen the trailer for their new reality show? (See Below) It’s going to be a hot mess! Click here to listen

(Sidebar: Isn’t Raz-B a f*&king basket-case?)

Yesterday I posted the New York Remix to Shawty Lo’s “Dey Know” (I guess it’s not “They Know” so excuse my correct grammar lol)…but apparently another remix came out over a month ago that I never posted. Thehaytidream brought the song to my attention so I’m posting it for everyone even though nobody seemed to really care about the New York version. This version features Ludacris, Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, and Plies. Songs like this always make me wonder…2 things: 1) why people put rappers that far more talented than they are on their record, and 2) why people do a sub-par remix to a song that has already been upgraded. Click here to listen

What do you guys think of these tracks? Are you looking for to Erykah Badu’s new album? Can Sean Paul bring Reggae back to the mainstream this year? Can Pleasure P enjoy success without Pretty Ricky? Shouldn’t B2K just beg Omarion to rejoin the group? Which remix was hotter, the original or the New York version?

Posted by Reecie

Story Bits: RIP Heath Ledger, Soulja Boy Believes He’s the Hottest, Raekwon disses Jay-Z/Kanye

 Yesterday Heath Ledger suddenly passed away in his New York apartment of an apparent (accidental) prescription drug overdose. Even though this blog covers mostly urban entertainment, I would be remiss in not mentioning his passing. I actually really liked Heath’s work as an actor and was looking forward to his performance in the upcoming Batman movie. It is so shocking and tragic that someone who is so young (2 passed away with so much life left to live. HM sends our condolences out to his family. Story

On a lighter note….I like Soulja Boy…he is a relatively harmless kid aside from dumbing down Hip Hop to an even lower low…but I usually give him a pass since he is just a kid. But after reading his remarks to MTV, I think he doesn’t understand that his success is not attributed to him being the hottest rapper or a tight MC, but to coming up with a ridiculous dance that is fun and catchy. Here is a little more background:

“I’m Grammy-nominated,” he continued, citing his credentials. “If I look at the new list and I compare myself to all 10 of the artists and some don’t add up, I’ll be like, ‘Wow. I should be #1 if it’s right now. I’m #1.”

Soulja Boy was more candid when asked how he ranks specifically against alumni of the first Hottest MCs list, like Weezy, ‘Ye and Jay-Z.

“Right now, yes [I'm hotter than them],” he answered as their names were read to him one by one.

He said he is the best-selling online, highest-ranking on the Web and the most publicized rapper worldwide right now.

“Today, January — whatever the date this is — 2008, yes [I am the hottest],” SB emphasized.

CLEARLY…Soulja Boy has been spending too much around 50 Cent’s camp. It is one thing for someone like Kanye to argue that he is in the top 3 after 3 classic albums…but Soulja Boy? lmao….heeeeeell naw. I got a good laugh out of that one though.

Raekwon decided to jump on the stupid comment train in an interview with NY Daily News. Here is the story:

Wu-Tang member Raekwon has launched a shocking attack on two of Hip Hop’s most prized assets, Jay-Z and Kanye West.

Speaking to the New York Daily News, the Killer Bee criticised the pair, saying that they were not ‘street’ enough, “A lot of street people don’t put stock in them anymore because they aren’t doing enough to excite anyone.”

Raekwon went on to say that the pair had lost touch with their roots and in order to restore their credibility the two superstars should return to the “hood” and donate $100,000 (£512,000).

When asked if he would be donating too, he stated that he didn’t have the finances to do this.

Yeah, because the only thing Black men should ever strive to do in life is be “street enough”. Give me a got damn break! It’s also funny about how people have so many ideas about what OTHER people should be doing with THEIR money. Some people say stupid sh!t just to be saying something even though it makes no sense.

Are you a fan of Heath Ledger’s work? Does Soulja Boy really deserve to be #1? When will people get past this mentality that Black men have to be street or hood to be redeemable?

Posted by Reecie

Amy Winehouse Caught Out There: You Be The Judge

I think 2008 is seriously turning into the battle of the train-wrecks. So far Britney Spears has been at the top of the list with being consistently disgusting and finding more creative ways to look and act crazy. Sure Amy Winehouse looks like a hot mess, but her looking cracked out isn’t really anything new. But now Sun has a video of her “allegedly” smoking crack. In the tape she admits to taking 6 Valium to “calm” her down and proceeds to light up a pipe. Now before all you Amy Winehouse fans get all self-righteous on me and get mad at me for posting the video…first, be mad at Amy, and second…it would be a bit hypocritical of me to post a link to someone’s sex tape yet turn my nose up at someone hitting the pipe. So for the sake of equal opportunity gossip reporting…here is the tape…draw your own conclusions.

Damn shame.

Is she hitting the pipe in the tape or is she just misunderstood? When will these people get their acts together?

Posted by Reecie