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: 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

Watch: Chris Brown “Forever”, Lloyd “How We Do It In The A” feat. Ludacris, Lil Mama “Life”

Chris Brown has a new video for his song “Forever”. I guess someone in Chris Brown’s camp figured that the Pop route sells more records so he is upping the Pop ante in his music. This song isn’t my cup of tea, but the video is pretty good. He has great choreography as usual and the video is visually interesting.

Lloyd has a new video for his song “How We Do It” featuring Ludacris.I don’t know whether to call this video low budget or creative…I’m going to have to think about that one. Whatever the case, it’s an upbeat video for an upbeat song. This song sounds pretty teeny bopperish so I’m interested to see if this will be a hit in the clubs. I’m sure this song will be a hit with Lloyd’s fans though.   

Lil Mama has a new vid for her song “L.I.F.E.”. Lil Mama gets serious  and personal for this track, I’m just not sure if this is autobiographical or not (my guess is no). She raps in the first person, but in part of the video she is pregnant that threw me off. Perhaps I need to pay more attention to the song, but it’s too damn early in the morning and I really don’t feel like it. At any rate…I gotta give Lil Mama kudos for making this kind of video and song that has a pretty powerful message. She showed some pretty good acting chops and this kind of shows that she is more talented than a song like “Lip Gloss” would have you believe.

What do you guys think of these three videos? Are you looking forward to the Chris Brown re-release, Lloyd album, and/or Lil Mama’s new album?

Posted by Reecie

Watch: The Dream “I Luv Your Girl” Featuring Young Jeezy

The Dream has a new video for his song “I Luv Your Girl” with Young Jeezy thrown on there. I think Young Jeezy’s verse was totally unnecessary, but most R&B singers feel compelled to throw a rapper on for the sake of having one. I hate to admit it, but I love this song. I’ve been playing this joint since last year, so I’m glad to see it starting to get some pub. It looks like The Dream lost a little bit of weight and he is looking kinda cute. I expect to hear a lot more of this song in the next few weeks.

What do you guys think of the video? Do you think Young Jeezy makes the song hotter?

Posted by Reecie

Watch: Chris Brown- Take You Down

Chris Brown has a new-ish (yeah I’m 3 weeks late on this) video for his song “Take You Down” and all I have to say is wow. I hope his concerts have a PG-13 (minimum) rating, because all that shirtless gyrating is a bit much for a young crowd. At any rate…I’m sure this video will appeal to his younger fans. I’m a little too grown to find  this video sexy at all lol.

What do you guys think of the video? Is this a little overboard for his young audience?

Posted by Reecie