R&B
Estelle – “Break My Heart” (BenjaStyles Remix) feat. Freeway
August 2, 2011
Freeway links up with talented producer, DJ, & remixer Benja Styles to deliver a fresh new take on the UK songstress Estelle’s “Break My Heart” joint. This joint is so bangin’ it makes me want to pull out my ‘Smif-N-Wessun’ on a ‘Black Moon’ lit night…..
R&B: Emmany – I’m Out (F U B*tch)
August 1, 2011
R&B vocalist Emmany has worked with many hip hop artists in his rise within the music industry from Jadakiss, Styles P, Joe Budden & others, but this is one of the first R&B joints I’ve heard solely from him that I had on repeat. I really dig this song right here & it feels like the it’s coming from some real heartbreak, but I must be getting old or something because I don’t think the cursing was necessary in this R&B jawn right here. There’s been too many R&B records as of late that are great songs, but I feel they get ruined with the unnecessary cursing. I understand that some artists feel like it’s necessary in expressing a true emotion, but the majority of R&B records these days feel like artists are cursing more frequently & unnecessarily. It’s like they are refusing to allow the record to have a chance to become a great hit record BEYOND the hood. It’s still a dope song nonetheless & I’ve had it on repeat a few times. (Shrugs Shoulders) “F*ck It”
Mavado – “I Know You Want Me” Remix feat. Ne-Yo
August 1, 2011
Mavado links up with Ne-Yo for the the remix to ‘I Know You Want Me’ which sounds pretty dope. Found myself replaying it several times after the first listen. Apparently Ne-Yo is wasting no time in working with many established talented artists like Mavado in the reggae/dancehall community, but he’s also getting his new reggae label Compound Island off the ground & into a great start in discovering new Jamaican artists. I’ve said it before that Ne-Yo’s decision to assist in discovering & nurturing great Jamaican talent is a smart move because reggae music really is a global music genre.
Posted in Dancehall, R&B | 
Tags: I know you want me, I know you want me remix, mavado, Ne-YO, NeYo | 
No Comments »
Frank Ocean – Thinking About You
July 28, 2011
Not sure where this latest Frank Ocean leak will appear or if it will land on his upcoming re-release of the Nostalgia, Ultra album since there wasn’t any additional information in the email I received. Yet & still I’m really high on this kid’s music. This new track ‘Thinking Of You’ is cool & doesn’t quite hit me as much as his other material he’s released, but overall Frank Ocean keeps delivering quality R&B that moves away from some of the corny R&B that’s been permeating the radio in recent years.
FRANK OCEAN – THINKING ABOUT YOU | ALTERNATE LINK
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Amy Winehouse Covers Latest Issue Of Vibe Magazine For Aug/Sept
July 28, 2011
Vibe Magazine wasted no time in their decision to place Amy Winehouse on the cover of their 16th Annual “Juice” issue following the soulful songstresses death. It’s expected that in the upcoming issue they will dive more in depth on the life, career, & various people in Amy Winehouse’s life. One of those people was producer Salaam Remi who had this to say in the following excerpt:
“I’m in London now. I’m out here because [Amy and I] were supposed to go to a wedding today. And before I could get to her yesterday she passed. We were going to the wedding of Nick Symansky, who is the person who really found her. He found her when he was a scout at 19. And he was the manager before they got the Universal deal.
They went ahead with the wedding. All I could do was sit there and imagine how many jokes she would have been cracking with me. We were in the middle of working on the album. She finished writing the record. We just hadn’t recorded.
For the last couple of weeks we were video chatting regularly. I was just talking to Nas. Both her and Nas were born on September 14, so we were going to Barbados with all of them for her birthday. She really doesn’t look forward to her birthday, you know what I’m saying?”
Raphael Saadiq – Movin’ Down The Line (Don’t Go Away) [Video]
July 27, 2011
New video from Raphael Saadiq off of his dope Stone Rollin’ album that’s available now……
Andy Allo x Prince – “Love Is A Losing Game” (Tribute To Amy Winehouse)
July 26, 2011
The ‘Purple One’ & the equally talented & beautiful Andy Allo performed this special tribute for Amy Winehouse while on their European tour. The timing couldn’t have been more poignant as Amy Winehouse was officially laid to rest today. Real recognize real talent. Rest in Power Amy Winehouse….
ANDY ALLO x PRINCEÂ -Â LOVE IS A LOSING GAME (TRIBUTE TO AMY WINEHOUSE)
Posted in Alternative, Music, R&B | Tags: Amy Winehouse, AMY WINEHOUSE TRIBUTE, ANDY ALLO, ANDY ALLO X PRINCE, LOVE IS A LOSING GAME, Prince, Soul | No Comments »
Melanie Fiona – Like I Love You
July 19, 2011
While I was in Philly over the weekend Melanie Fiona was performing near the waterfront at Penn’s Landing. We had just walked up to the event unexpectedly on a whim & immediately I remembered this new song that just leaked on the web from her upcoming project The MF Life mixtape that I thought was really dope. Don’t know if she performed it before we arrived for us to hear her rock it live, but it’s still a nice song with a perfect island flavor for the summer.
D’Angelo Working on New Album
July 15, 2011
Billboard.com is reporting that D’Angelo is back working on new material with ?estlove of The Roots. Apparently ?est tweeted during the a session the two had last night.
“Most people use midnight as a time to sleep. others are working on their 11 year followup. this of course being hour number one,” ?estlove said via his twitter.
Details on the project are sketchy with names like Prince, Raphael Saadiq, John Mayer, and Cee Lo Green rumored to have worked on the project through is long development. The project is going to be released on J Records late 2011 or early 2012.
D’Angelo has been on through a lot since his last release in 2000 entitled Voodoo, with a serious car wreck, an arrest, an reported substance abuse issues. It’ll be great to see him back doing his thing.
Posted in Cover Story, R&B | Tags: ?estlove, Cee-Lo Green, D'ANGELO, John Mayer, Prince, Questlove, RAPHAEL Saadiq | No Comments »
R&B/Soul: Zo! – Just Visiting Three (EP)
July 14, 2011
Zo! is a back with a new project or cover tracks of some his favorite tunes. Anthony David, Phonte, Sy Smith, and Eric Roberson lend their talents on the vocal side. This is my favorite track from the project.
DOWNLOAD: ZO! – “…JUST VISITING THREE” (MIXTAPE)
ZO! – JUST VISITING THREE TRACKLISTING
01. Black Cow feat. Phonte and Sy Smith
02. Let It Go feat. Nicholas Ryan Gant
03. Driving feat. Sy Smith
04. Marzipan feat. Eric Roberson and Phonte
05. Everything She Wants feat. Phonte
06. Same Ole Love feat. Jeanne Jolly
07. Playing Your Game, Baby feat. Anthony David
Produced by Zo! and Phonte for Chapter 3hree Verse 5ive Music/The Foreign Exchange Music, LLC
Posted in Mixtapes, Music, R&B | Tags: Anthony David, Eric Roberson, Jeanne Jolly, Phonte, Sy Smith, Zo! | No Comments »
R&B / Soul: DJ Jazzy Jeff x Ayah – Back For More (Mixtape)
July 13, 2011
I’ve been struggling with how we label mixtapes & albums these days especially when running across quality projects like this Back For More album from DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Toronto songstress Ayah. This soulful R&B joint is so tight it feels unfair to label it a “mixtape” in anyway shape or form. It’s basically a free 13 track album that’s better than the majority of products in the marketplace for sale. Key songs I’ve been digging include “Back For More”, “Press Play”, “Notorious“, “One Life feat. Tona”, “Telephone“, & taking us to church with the gospel influenced sound of “Be Right“. I’ve been letting it play in my office several times & I’ve been thoroughly enjoying it. This is quality soul right here. Looking forward to seeing Ayah & the world famous DJ Jazzy Jeff tour just off this project alone….. Click the link below to for the complete tracklisting & to listen and/or to download the album….
LISTEN/DOWNLOAD: DJ JAZZY JEFF x AYAH – BACK FOR MORE (FREE ALBUM)
New R&B: Yobi – ‘Set In Stone’ feat. Jadakiss & Styles P
July 13, 2011
I’m not too familiar with the NYC songstress Yobi, but this joint right here sounds pretty dope. She’s rocking over a flip of Nas’s classic Represent track produced by DJ Premier. Plus you can’t go wrong when you have Jadakiss & Styles P to spit a few verses for you. Sounds like it’s time for me to put together a new R&B/Hip Hop mix together with some of the good stuff we’ve been finding recently. It’s coming, but no official date has been ‘Set In Stone’ with me yet….
Posted in Hip-Hop, Music, R&B | Tags: DJ Premier, JADAKISS, Nas, Represent, Set In Stone, Styles P, Yobi | No Comments »
Nikki Jean – ‘Millon Star Hotel’ feat. Lupe & Black Thought
July 13, 2011
Nikki Jean has been dropping gems here & there over the last few years that really caught my attention enough to keep checking for her. Her new album ‘Pennies In A Jar’ just dropped on Tuesday the 12th. One of the key songs from her album is this joint right here called ‘Million Star Hotel’ featuring Lupe & The Roots frontman Black Thought. Don’t get it twisted though. Her album isn’t a R&B/Hip Hop album with a multitude of guest appearances, but guest appearances from quality conscious artists like Lupe & Black Thought make sense for Nikki Jean whose sound ranges from classic Motown, classic pop, & on back to Philly soul. Check out the track & preview the album from itunes.
Posted in Alternative, Hip-Hop, R&B | Tags: 5 Alarm, Black Thought, DJ Deckstream, MILLION STAR HOTEL, NIKKI JEAN, PENNIES IN A JAR | No Comments »
Jhene Aiko – Do Better Blues Part II (Marvin’s Room Remix)
July 13, 2011
Jhene Aiko supplys her take on Drake’s Marvin’s Room joint that a gang of other have R&B artists have taken a crack at. Jhene Aiko says she recorded this song while in the hospital for a few days. Not bad for a joint recorded in while you’re in the hospital recovering. Music is medicine for the soul & therapy for artists….
Posted in Alternative, Music, R&B | Tags: DO BETTER BLUES PART 2, DO BETTER BLUES PART II, Freestyle, Jhene Aiko, MARVIN'S ROOM | No Comments »
Teedra Moses ‘Faces The Music’ with producer Trackademics (Video)
July 11, 2011
The beautiful & talented Teedra Moses is the subject of producer Trackademics ‘Face The Music’ web series & speaks on upon their collaborations together with him on the boards.
Lloyd – Naked Part II (Video)
July 11, 2011
Lloyd drops another video from my favorite song from his album ‘King Of Hearts’. This song goes well if your driving through the streets with the top down on the whip or for a late night session with a special woman. Speaking of special ladies, this particular video features model Kelsey at a photoshoot with famed Atlanta photographer Derek Blanks behind the lense in the clip.
Posted in R&B, Videos | Tags: Derek Blanks, Kelsey, King Of Hearts, LLOYD, Naked, Part 2, Part II, Part two | 1 Comment »
Jhene Aiko – ‘Stranger’ (Video)
July 9, 2011
One of my favorite songs from Jhene Aiko gets the video treatment. Good choice. Seems a little late but I’m not mad. Breathing new life into that dope Sailing Soul(s) album that dropped for free on the web back in March. In case your behind you can download the Sailing Soul(s) album below…
Lloyd – ‘Naked’ (Video)
July 9, 2011
My favorite song from Lloyd’s new album King of Hearts gets a video featuring tatted up model Kamille Leai aka “Hot Wings” from the VH1 show ‘Real Chance At Love’. Yeah I know…..I never saw that show either. The song & visuals are good though. May not be safe for work with this video….
Posted in R&B, Videos | Tags: Kamille Leai, King Of Hearts, Llloyd, Naked, Real Chance At Love, VH1 | No Comments »
DJ Rasta Root – ‘Face Off Friday’ July Promo Mix
July 8, 2011
If you live in Atlanta & are active in the city’s club scene then you already know that every 2nd Friday of the month is Face Off Fridays with DJ Rasta Root & Jah Prince at MJQ. This week the homie Ras Goldie is holding down the mic duties & DJ Solomon is doing a special opening set. Every month before Atlanta’s most popular monthly event takes place, DJ Rasta Root puts together a special promo mix that you can pick up at the club, but you don’t have to wait for tonight or fly to Atlanta to pick up a copy. Download or listen to the mix here. Roots doesn’t disappoint with this mix right here by supplying us with a dope mix of joints from Frank Ocean, Nas, Ledisi, Gods’illa, Jaheim, Phife Dawg, & more. Complete tracklisting under the hood….
Posted in Hip-Hop, Mixtapes, Music, R&B | Tags: DJ RASTA ROOT, Face Off Friday, July Promo Mix, Mix, MIXTAPE, Mixtapes, Soul | No Comments »
