Mariah Carey has a new video for her song “Touch My Body” and all I have to say is- wow that is really corny! I’m a huge Mariah fan, but this video is just wack. I’ll give her credit for trying to be creative but she honestly would’ve been better off keeping it simple and leaving out all the buffoonish characters. As far as the song, I’m still on the fence with it. Although her lyrics are kind of clever (”All up in my business like a Wendy interview”) they also come across a little awkward (”I will hunt you down”). I’m still looking forward to what else she is going to come out with though.
What do you guys think of her video? Isn’t this pretty damn corny even for Mariah (who has produced plenty of corny stuff over the years)?
Common updated his classic “The Light” with an ‘08 version “The Light-It’s Love”. I wonder if he has a new inspiration for the new track…but I’m loving this. I love Common the most when he slows down the flow and really gets into the soulful storytelling he does so much better than 99% of the artists out there. It’s not that this song is groundbreaking, because it isn’t, but it is coming along a time when soulful Hip hop is lacking on the mainstream level. If this is an indication of more of what is to come, I can’t wait. Click here to listen
As much as I love gossip, I’m not one to put stuff on the site without some credible evidence that the gossip is true. Well I’ve been hearing about Chris Brown and Rihanna being an item for a minute, but I decided to withhold my judgement until I saw a picture of them looking couple-y enough. Well last week he escorted her to Barbados to celebrate “Rihanna Day” which is pretty solid evidence…but now, Page Six got a hold of a pic of these two displaying a little pool pda. I don’t know about ya’ll, but I don’t frolic around the pool with random guys, so that is enough evidence for me. So now this begs the question…are Chris and Rihanna poised to be the new “it” couple this year?
Beyonce and Jay-Z are kind of played out since they rarely display any kind of affection for each other, I don’t know if anyone believes Ashanti and Nelly are really a couple, and Kanye and Alexis have understandably kept a low profile. I think Chris and Rihanna make a super adorable couple, but since they are so young I will wait and see how long they last. At the very least, I expect much more interesting tabloid pics from them than any other couple.
What do you guys think? Aren’t Rihanna and Chris a match made in teeny bopper heaven? Isn’t it about time for a new “it couple”? What other couples would you like to see more of this year?
UK singer Estelle has a new video for her song “American Boy” featuringKanye West. I actually really love this song! It’s so quirky and full of energy that I can’t help but groove to it. I would’ve liked to have seen her do something a bit more out the box with the video, but she just did one of those “artistic” (which might be a strong word) sound-stage videos. It doesn’t take away from the song, but it doesn’t necessarily enhance it either. At any rate, the video is cool and it is always good to see Kanye making a cameo. I’m interested to see if this catches on out here.
Talib Kweli has a new video (I know I’m like 2 weeks late with this one) for his song Hostile Gospel Part 1 (Deliver Us). I appreciate that he did a video with very strong imagery and stepped out of a studio. I like videos that have a more in the streets kind of feel, and this one definitely adds an extra layer of emotion and character to the lyrics. Obviously this isn’t a mainstream type of video, but I would expect his fans to like this.
What do you guys think of these videos? Does it make you more interested in hearing what Estelle is bringing to the table? What can Talib do get more mainstream recognition and airplay?
Rick Ross has a new video for his song “Boss” featuring T-Pain. I just want to know who lied and told Rick Ross he is a sex symbol? I’m not hating on the big dudes, but Rick Ross is not the hotness. The video is pretty simple and has the usual plot of Rick Ross as some sort of crime boss/ladies man. I’m not impressed.
Apparently Plies is doing a reality show to find his “Bust It Baby”, whatever the hell that is. I would be shocked if this actually made it onto tv. ***sighs*** Some Black people are hell bent on finding new ways to be disgraceful. Here is a thought, why not have a show called “The Next 4.0 Student” or “Debate Team Tryouts”, I mean ANYTHING remotely intelligent. Anyway, what amazes me is that some of these women actually know the words to this guy’s song and act like they are really interested in Plies. Am I missing something here? Plies is even less of a sex symbol than Rick Ross. Just a damn shame. Anyway, if you haven’t had your share of hot ghetto mess today then click here to watch the video. I should warn you that in true skank fashion some women lift up their skirts and other slutty things. So, watch at your own risk.
On a more light-hearted note, Janet Jackson did several hilarious spoofs for MTV to promote her new album. She clowned everything from My Super Sweet 16, A Shot at Love, Real World, and Making the Band in pretty great fashion. I won’t spoil the video by giving you all the details so just watch! Oh yeah and I guess it’s safe to say that MTV is done hating on Janet.
What do you guys think of these videos? Aren’t “celebrity” dating shows played out? Which Janet spoof was your favorite? (My vote goes to Real World)
Usher has a new song called “Movin Mountains”. Usher is sounding great vocally these days. He is singing with even more emotion than he has in the past…I guess you gotta credit his new marriage for his emotional depth. He paints a very vivid picture of the problems in his relationship and makes the song a very interesting listen. I can’t really say if this sound (production-wise) that is going to have the same mass appeal as his last album. On a side note, I gotta say that The Dream (I think it sounds like him) is the low-light of this song with his pretty bad background singing. Click here to listen
Bobby Valentino has a new track called “Sexy Girl”. I admit I’m automatically biased for Bobby V, so it is no surprise that I like this. It kind of sounds like a mash-up of old school Jodeci with a slight rock twist. Bobby sings more aggressively than usual on this track and I think he sounds pretty good. This one is a winner in my book. Click here to listen
Shareefa teamed up with Jadakiss for “On Fire”. I just realized that Jadakiss has been a little awol from the mainstream music scene for a minute and I forgot how he used to be another consistently good guest artist. Anyway, this song is surprisingly hot. I like the production and I like the upbeat groove. I’m kind of sick all of these “woe is me I’m so heartbroken” tracks so it’s nice to hear a woman come with a confident swagger. This is a nice club banger for the ladies. Click here to listen
Trina has a new song “U Ain’t Ready” featuring Paul Wall. Is it just me or doesn’t it sound like Trina has been making the same song over and over for the last 9 years? She is just wack. Click here to listen
What do you guys think of these tracks? Is Usher poised to make a huge comeback? Can Bobby V record any songs without them being leaked? lol. Shouldn’t Trina just hang up the towel?
Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown have a really cute new video for their song “No Air”. Although this song is very pop, there is a something a little soulful about their performances. When you think about how young these two are it’s pretty great they are able to channel their emotion so convincingly in their singing. Jordin and Chris have a lot of chemistry on the track and make for a great pairing. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a big hit.
What do you guys think of this video? Will Jordin enjoy more success with this single than with “Tattoo”? Isn’t Chris Brown starting to solidify himself as more than just a teeny bopper singer?
Hip-hop is itching for a change.I feel like its 1999 again when Mos Def and Talib Kweli released Black Star and Outkast released Aquemini.Some may say that was the time when hip-hop was segregated – underground vs. mainstream; east coast vs. west coast.The then-new found hip-hop nationalism with mainstream media propaganda for the (negative aspect of) hip-hop culture ultimately divided the hip-hop audience to choose a side. But for some reason, I didn’t believe the hype and decided to play for both teams. Why could I not love the depth of Black Star, but I liked to go to high school dances to see the girls dance to Jigga?
We can argue that the mainstream won with the emergence of “Puffy” influenced hip-hop taken over the airwaves for so many years.Yes – there were exceptions like Outkast, who were one of few hip-hop artists to remain highly successful despite being different in the hip-hop world. Despite the uber-success of Outkast, a lot of hip-hop – including the following generation of Atlanta hip-hop, worked the “money, hoes, and clothes” formula to generate success - the “catchy” dance music (D4L and Dem Francshise Boyz), the gangster/thug music (YoungBloodz, etc.), the drug dealing music (Young Jeezy), the “fun, yet serious” hip-hop (Ludacris), the Trap music (T.I.), and the Mixtape (DJ Drama).
In 2008, The 3rd generation of ATL music is bubbling for a change. Rather having the division between underground vs. mainstream or gangster vs. weird, etc; the new blood emerging (of course, some folks in the ATL will say that they are old blood) is creating a new style called “Ghettotech” – as labeled by Holly Weerd. This new music blends hip-hop beats, with techno flavor new wave elements, weird styles, funky lyrics, and dance moves.The answer the question of “why can’t we do it all?” by taking the best of what we love about Atlanta’s music and blending it all together
It was declared that the snap/trap movement in the ATL has died.“One writer at OZONE Magazine told me that this “new” music that some people are making in ATL is like the phoenix rising after the crash & burn of Snap/Trap music.”
Song: Have You Ever Made Love to a Weerdo? / Dance: The Official WeerdOne Dance Holly weerd brings a blend of “New Wave / Rap / Ghettotech” music that is the perfect blend of the best that came out of Atlanta hip-hop over the past 15 years.They have the heavy bass beats, with marching band drums, tangiable lyrics, and a sprinkle of a fun attitude.With a catchy name and a catchy dance (hey! it worked for D4L, Soulja Boy, etc), I think they will be the most successful of the “new wave” Atlanta hip-hop.
Proton is probably the most “techno” or Daft Punk influenced of the ATL new wave/new hip-hop/new whatever-you-want-to-call it. A couple of my ATL peeps have witnessed them in concert and said they put on a great show. Proton also produces alot of “ghost” tracks and tracks for other up-and-coming hip-hop artists. Extremely talented and I will check out their concert in LA next month.
I was introduced to B.o.B as if “Big Boi + Andre 3000 were one person.” WOW – this person was feelin’ B.o.B too much – that’s like calling LeBron James the next Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson as one player…Even though I think that was unrealistic expectations for a relatively unknown artist, it shows the connection B.o.B has to his fans through his mixtapes and shows. You may have also recognized B.o.B on a shared cover of XXL. B.o.B is nice – and true, he may be the closest thing to the classic Dungeon Family from the 1990s since the “Still Standing” album - but no rapper is “Big Boi + 3000 as one person.”
Grip Your Body (ft. Amy Winehouse) (listen) / Listen to his mixtape (here)
Post inspired by The Lesson on Okayplayer / Part 2 coming soon.
What do you think of the new ATL music scene? Do you like the direction of where alot of new hip-hop is going with Pacific Division, The Cool Kids, Holly Weerd, Proton, and B.o.B? Can you see them blowing up? Have you seen them in concert? Post your opinion!
AOL has the full album preview of the highly anticipated Michael Jackson “Thriller 25th Anniversary Edition”. It’s hard to believe it has been that long since this album came out! Regardless of how crazy Michael Jackson has morphed into looking over the past few decades, you gotta credit him for making timeless music.
Did you check out the album? Will you be copping this special edition? Is Michael Jackson still relevant (that isn’t a rhetorical question)?
Ashanti has a new video for her new single “The Way That I Love You” and she brings the heat! I love what she did with the video by bringing a fair dose of drama and suspense. This is just what she needs for a strong comeback and she is looking and sounding better than ever.
FINALLY Trey Songz has a new single out with a new video for “Last Time”. I was wondering how many times he was going to remix “Can’t Help But Wait” before he put me out of my misery and came out with another song. Anyway, he made a pretty good video for his new track complete with lots of drama and tension. I’m glad he did more of a dramatization for the song and made the video something worth watching. I’m going to beat a dead horse and say that I’m not a fan of the whole cheating theme, but I can’t help but like what he did with the video.
Wu-Tang has a new video for there song “Take It Back” and it is pretty damn low budget. Click here to watch
Jim Jones has a new video for his song “Love Me No More/Byrdgang Money” . This song is so annoying I can’t even get through the entire video…but there is nothing particularly interesting about the video anyway. Just Jim rapping in a large warehouse. He looks cleaner than usual though. Click here to watch.
Consequence has a new video “Feel This Way” featuring John Legend. I love John Legend on the track and I like the song. I’m not blown away by the video…very low budget looking, but at least they put some effort into giving it a plot.
Flo-Rida has a new video for “Elevator” featuring Timbaland. Not surprisingly the video mostly takes place on an elevator. The video is full of energy, but I think it is just a bit too hyper. But then again it is late and perhaps my tolerance level is lower than usual. At any rate, it’s a catchy club track so I can see this song repeating the success of “Low”.
Reecie
thehonorable
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