Listen: Usher- “Trading Places” & “This Ain’t Sex”

Usher has a new track called “Trading Places”. The song is about the woman taking on the role of the man for the day. I find this song kind of humorous, because me and my girls laugh about how some men nowadays want to be the woman in the relationship…they want you to call them and take them out…so to hear a song that romanticizes this sort of behavior is pretty funny. In the context of role switching for a day and not as a lifestyle, the song is pretty cool and I can imagine a pretty dope video for this. The beat is hot and Usher sounds great…so I’m kinda digging this. Click here to listen.

Usher has another new track called “This Ain’t Sex”. I’m kinda digging this song too…it has a nice groove to it. This song sounds a lot more Top-40 Adult Contemporary than “Love In the Club”. Perhaps being a married father has made his sound a lot more grown, but I think that he can find a way to keep his sound a little more fresh. Click here to listen.

What do you guys think of these tracks? Ladies have you dealt with guys who want you to wear the pants? lol. Do these tracks make you more excited for Usher’s new album?

Posted by Reecie

Watch: Cherish “Amnesia”

Cherishhas a new video for their song “Amnesia”. When I first posted the song I said it reminded me of N’Sync’s “Gone” and the video doubles up on that connection with some of the staging and the whole Black and white thing. It’s a little odd that they choose to make the entire video what must be a flashback to the guy that she is still in love with, since it doesn’t exactly match up with the lyrics. The song is about leaving her boyfriend, because she is still in love with another guy…and the video doesn’t communicate that aspect in the plot at all. However, I’m sure people aren’t really paying that much attention to the video to expect it to make sense. At any rate, it is a pretty cool video that I think their fans will enjoy.

What do you guys think of the video?

Posted by Reecie

Watch: Raheem DeVaughn “Try Again”

Raheem DeVaughn has a new video for his song “Try Again”. I’m a little surprised that he chose this song to do a video for since he has far better songs on his album. “Mo Better” would’ve been an excellent choice for a single instead. The video is a little on the low budget side, but since I’m a fan I have to give him a half a pass on that one. He did a good job capturing the emotion of the song for the most part…but there isn’t really anything compelling about the video.

What do you guys think of the video? Is this song a good choice for a single?

Posted by Reecie

Listen: Usher “Flash” featuring Pharrell Williams

Usher has a new track featuring Pharrell Williams called “Flash”. I really hope that this isn’t new material that will be on his upcoming album, because this isn’t hot. I don’t know where he is going with this at all…it sounds very dated and his vocal delivery is just awkward. I’m gonna give him the benefit of the doubt that maybe this is just a throwaway track. Click here to listen

What do you guys think of this track? Do you think this is a good direction for him to take his music?

Posted by Reecie

PS- Thanks E for the tip

Watch: Mariah Carey “Bye Bye” + Wedding Update

Mariah Carey’s new video for “Bye Bye” is out. Although the video was all over the place, I like some of the personal touches of the video. I get that the basic premise of the song is that she wishes her loved one was there to see the success she has become, so in that regard the scenes of the adoring fans and celebrity duties make sense…but it just felt a little impersonal. I think the video was the most touching when it showed pictures of people she knew that passed, like her father and Luther Vandross. The parts with Nick Cannon seemed a little random, but at least we got the chance to see that they make a cute couple.

What do you guys think of the video? Did Nick Cannon do a good job directing it?

Edit: I didn’t feel compelled to make a new post, but for those who are interested, Mariah Carey (Or should I say Mariah Cannon? lol) and Nick Cannon will be gracing the cover of People Magazine with their wedding pic and talking about their relationship and wedding.

Here is a taste of what they told People:

“We really do feel we are soulmates,” Carey tells PEOPLE, following their sunset ceremony at the pop star’s Bahamian estate. “I never felt a love like this was in the cards for me.”

Cannon adds: “She is beautiful on the outside and 10 times as beautiful on the inside.”

Well I guess that settles it…they are married. It looks like Mariah was a beautiful bride.
Congrats to the happy couple.

Posted by Reecie

Watch: Karina Pasian “16 at War” Plus Live Performance

Karina Pasian has a new video called “16 at War”. I really like that she is coming out with a song with a strong social message. It would undoubtedly be much easier for her to come out with a catchy song about a new dance or something brainless…but instead she is doing more meaningful music. So she gets many kudos for that.

If you’re interested to hearing more of the 16 year old phenom’s music…I came across a live performance video of her at a Detroit radio station. She has a great voice, and  I really appreciate that she is making age appropriate music. To be honest, people of every age could use the message of actually getting to know someone before hopping in bed with them. I look forward to seeing her music career take off.

What do you guys think of Karina’s music? Do you think there is a market for teen music with a positive message?

Posted by Reecie

PS- Thanks Bklyn Queen for the tip

Listen: Nelly- Bay

Nellyhas a new song called “Bay”. It’s pretty surprising to see a non-Cali artist pay tribute to the Bay Area. It is also pretty hilarious to hear him imitate the voices and flows of Spice 1, Too Short, and E-40. He did the best  job copying Too Short, but E-40 is too unique to be able to pull that one off. The one thing about this track is that it is a little watered down for Hyphy music…but it captures enough of the energy of the music to make it a semi-banger. Click here to listen

What do you guys think of the song? Does Nelly do the hyphy music any justice?

Posted by Reecie

Listen: Swizz Beatz “Where The Cash At”

Swizz Beatz has a new song called “Where the Cash At”. This song has a LOT going on…perhaps too much, but it’s still kinda cool. I wonder if he is every going to reinvent his sound or keep making basically the same beat over and over again with a twist. Click here to listen

What do you guys think of this track? Should Swizz just stick to producing?

Posted by Reecie

Listen: Janelle Monae- Many Moons

Janelle Monae has a song called “Many Moons”. I won’t even pretend to have a clue about how new or old it is. Anyway, this is an interesting song and the production reminds a little of “Bombs Over Baghdad”. I’m sick and it’s midnight, so right now I’m brain dead and the song is flying over my head. Nonetheless, I still like it. The honorable and I are going to be checking her out this Tuesday at a performance in LA, so I’ll have more insight to offer about her as an artist after that. Click here to listen

What do you guys think of the song?

Posted by Reecie

Listen: Maroon 5 “If I Never See Your Face Again” featuring Rihanna

Maroon 5 and Rihanna have a new song called “If I Never See Your Face Again”. I’m kinda digging this…Adam Levine and Rihanna both bring the bad ass attitude to the track and make a really interesting combo. I gotta give Rihanna credit for being able to do a Pop/Rock song without sounding contrived or forced. As I’ve said before, seeing her in concert gave me a new-found respect for her talent and I believe that this sound is better suited for her voice. They are shooting a video for this song so expect to see that soon. Click here to listen

What do you guys think of the track? Do Adam & Rihanna make a good combo?

Posted by Reecie