Unfortunately, Def Jam pushed back his highly anticipated CD - “The Year of the Gentleman” - to August, but luckily for us, “Trouble” (Produced by JR Rothem) appeared on the net. Ne-Yo stated that he was a little bored with the predictable R&B scene and “Trouble” follows the same path as “Closer” with a heavy international feel and Michael Jackson influenced song structure. I find it ironic that Ne-Yo claims to challenge himself with a more “diverse” sound when he is following in the footsteps of Rihanna’s “Good Girl Gone Bad” (which he played a heavy role). I like “Trouble” a lot, I just hope his fanbase thinks it’s a hit. Click here to listen
Posted by thehonorable
What do you think about Ne-Yo’s last release? Do you think he will generate the same results as Rihanna with his “new” sound?
Welcome to the return of the remix. The original song was a fun, energetic song that didn’t quite catch on as much as N.E.R.D wanted, but N.E.R.D’s cult following seemed happy with the song. Kanye starts off stating “Do you have any black inside you?/Would you like some?” LOL. Funny, in a immature high school way. The production is interesting as much as the lyrical content of the song with a dramatic, spacey beat, but the drums don’t knock as hard as they should. Of course, Lupe is a mood killer. and Pusha T continues to prove why he is the most overrated.. Click here to listen
Update:
What do you think of the remix? What was your favorite guest feature?
What happens when a college educated woman from the streets of Philadelphia studies Caribbean and West African drumming?
In 2002, Santogold produced, wrote, and arguably inspired the vision behind Res’s cult classic – “How I Do.” (Sidebar: Her concert last week was not impressive because the band played the same reggae ska beat on the 5 songs performed).
In 2008, Santogold’s release her self-titled debut, which is the arguably the perfect blend of new wave, electronica, rock, hip-hip drums, punk, and rhythm.
This is a partially biased review because I loved “How I Do.” “L.E.S. Artistes” (video above) is an example how she takes “How I Do” to the next level.
At times, it may have sound like Santogold took a page out of M.I.A.’s “Kala” album. For instance, her American single “The Creator”could have easily been performed by either artist.This isn’t a bad thing…I simply compare it to how R&B producers and writers work with the same artists (think The Dream, Ne-Yo, etc.) to spread their sound. It’s good to see the same trends are appearing in the evolving genre of mash-up world music. “The Creator” may be too much for American audiences, but her reggae influenced “Shove It”has the potential to catch a spark.
Popmatters.com stated that the production crews included “snowboarders, electronic and dub-based producers like Squeeze and Diplo and sounding like what happens when London, Jamaica, Brooklyn, Philly and an old school Hindi film soundtrack explode out of a Nintendo set, Santogold’s self-titled first album is ska resurrected, punk retooled, drum and base repossessed and pop reborn.”Please come with an open mind…Santogold receives thehonorable’s seal of approval.
How does the HM audience feel about this emerging genre of music? How does Santogold’s sound resonate with you? Do you appreciate something different from the saturated hip-hop/R&B world? What do you think of the songs posted above?
This has been floating around the internet for a couple of days, but I just it was interesting to see a music fanatic with an apple computer re-make Usher’s “Love in the Club” with pre-set/pre-made sounds in GarageBand - which is a FREE program.
Polow da Don states that:
“That’s not where I got them from, but they’re definitely in there,” Polow said of the sounds used in “Love in This Club,” telling SOHH he had yet to view the YouTube video. “There’s this keyboard I have that a lot of sounds come in.”
Polow noted that the song contains a live bassline and that Robin Thicke was enlisted to play piano on the record.
“If a ten-year-old can make ‘Love in This Club’ and save Usher’s career and make black women want to f*ck him again, after they was done with him for getting married, then sh*t he’s a genius just like me,” Polow said. “I also wrote the hook - that’s not a preset.”
Hey Polow - the writing is on the wall and you were exposed. But rather than being an asshole about his implication of saving Usher’s career (umm…wasn’t Confession is LAST album?), he should have just been cocky about his production skills. Dude - you made a hot beat for an already established artist - you did not save his career. All Polow had to do was quote Timbaland and say something like “it doesn’t make if you have the most expensive equipment in the world or the cheapest, I can make a hot beat, regardless because I’m a dope producer.”
What do you think of Polow da Don getting exposed? Should Usher get a refund for this 6 figure beat made with a FREE program? Would you be upset if you were Usher? Does this make you like the song less or more? I know we all think Polow is an asshole….
Remember the “Where is Thesis?” post? LOL. I guess it’s my turn to be put on blast.
Today, I went to the site for the first time in almost two weeks. I do not mean to be a neglectful blogger, but my life has been pretty crazy.
Right now, I am in the beautiful city of Ipanema in Brazil on vacation having the best time ever! I have limited email access right now, but I thought I will stop by HM to give a shout out. I’ll be in Ipanema for the rest of the week, then back to the States. I miss HM alot , esp. the readers and commenters!
Meanwhile, I’d like to thank Reecie for being an amazing blogger and thank her for holding down the site. I still think she is the best blogger on the net…
Months later, R. Kelly gives his side of the story of the Ne-Yo/R.Kelly “beef,” when Ne-Yo got kicked off the R. Kells tour. Well, Kells really doesn’t give his side of the story, he just talks shit about who he is and what he has done to all these “haters.” Let’s be real, Kells - you are a male diva and you did pee on a 14 year old girl while having sex with her. Also, you keep having sex with young, underage girls. I think people have a reason to hate.
BTW, R. Kelly raps this one to “get his point across.” I think this song sucks…I think R&B beef is gay…and I think I am officially over R. Kelly and his egotistical music. Isn’t he suppose to be on trial?
I would ask you to post your opinion, but this song is garbage! Please do not waste your time listening to this crap. But if you MUST listen to it, then please let me know what you think of it.
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!
Kanye West “Flashing Lights” video. Warning: Not Work Safe.
I snuck and watch tidbits of the video and Kanye - once again - touches his creative side to develop a video that’s entertaining, refreshing, and thought provoking. I find it interesting that Kanye conceptually approach of this song is rather extreme, especially with the recent death of his mother. While the video is “Goodfellas” meet “Can’t Tell Me Nothing,” it remains to be seen if the video will capture the BET/MTV audience as it may go over their head. Yes, I do love the video, but maybe a second video that is more typical may touch his entire fanbase.
What do you guys think of the video? Do you like the model (she Thicka than a Snicka!)? Did Kanye go too far conceptually? Or do you think Kanye perfectly captured the essence of the song?
Rich Boy - Ghetto (Remix) (ft. John Legend, Lil Wayne, and Nas) (Produced by Polow Da Don) (listen)
I know everyone is buzzing from Super Tuesday, but let’s listen to some music for the time being. I am overly confident that Reecie will provide an insightful political analysis of Super Tuesday and Barack Obama’s results tomorrow….
Rich Boy comes out of nowhere with an all-start remix to his soulful “Ghetto” that was featured on his surprising well-craft self-title debut. The production is the same and Rich Boy even kept his original verse (after a year, we can’t get a new verse?!), but Lil Wayne performs a typical Lil Wayne verse. I guess I am not impressed with Lil Wayne on this remix because I don’t agree with all his lyrical content, but I wouldn’t be surprised if people say that it is a “soulful” verse. NaS’s verse is a little off key, but he spits a Street Disciple meets Hip-Hop is Dead flow with very poetic flow.
Sean Garrett (aka The Pen) - Grippin On The Bed (Feat. Ludacris) (listen)
Ciara - Goodies? Destiny’s Fulfilled? Teirea Maria - Make a Girl Feel Good? Beyonce - Check on It? Chris Brown - Wall to Wall? Yes, you love Sean Garrett’s work. And like Ne-Yo and The Dream, Sean Garrett aka The Pen is the next producer-turned-singer to release an album. “Grippin On The Bed” is hot song with a great beat and a catchy beat and awesome songwriter. Drawbacks? The T-Pain influenced voice box for Sean’s voice and this song sounds similar to Jamie’s “Unpredictable” to me. Luda is the best guest feature in the game (better than Lil Wayne), but this flow is very “Unpredictable”-ish.
Anybody remember the hit “Where I Wanna Be?” That sound was a banger, but I remember alot of people breaking up. LOL. The R&B Gemini singer is back with your stereotypical, uptempo but lounge vibe track. There isn’t much to say about this track except that if you like Donell Jones, then this is your cup of tea.
Reecie
thehonorable
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