Music: Jay-Z (Stan Alert)

Best Rapper Alive, Period…the End.

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of witnessing greatness on stage. The crowd was electric. The show was perfection. The flow so serious. The hits continous.  With no intermission, only 1 hypeman Memphis Bleek (and people question Jay’s loyalty knowing that Memph ain’t had a hit since never, but Jay still riding with him) and a band, Jay gave me the best concert I have ever been to and I’ve seen them all! From MJ to Prince to Beyonce…The next morning my wife and I purchase tickets for his show in Atlanta. It was just that good.

The dude just get better with time like Opus One.

 

 

Music: The Dream

 

This is a NO. The Dream, in my opinion, is what is wrong with music today—it is too formula driven. With this latest release he lives up to his moniker, The Radio Killa. He has definitely KILLED the radio. Thanks Dream.

I’m annoyed when I listen to an album and all the songs sound alike. I’m even more annoyed when the sound is just bad. There are one or two songs that I can listen to but not without screaming or me getting annoyed with his “radio killa” name drops. Dude, I get it already. Geez!

I hope this is Dream’s last attempt at being in front of the camera and on stage. Some people just belong behind the scenes. He wrote great hits like “Umbrella” for Rihanna, “Bed” for J. Holiday, and produced “Single Ladies” for Beyonce. Go check out his work and collaborations. The kid has some good work under his belt. Somehow he missed the boat on his own stuff.

Chris Brown disgusts me

I have never been a fan of Chris Brown but I respected the young star for what he had accomplished. Any fool could see he was quite talented. He could sing, dance his ass off and he even surprised me as in actor in This Christmas. Some thought he’d be the next Michael Jackson. A bit ambitious even before he assaulted his girlfriend but hey who could really say what would have happened. When the story broke last month I’ll be the first to admit that I was a bit jaded by the overcoverage. I felt that it was some lover’s spat blown out of proportion but I started paying more attention to it after TMZ released a picture of his girlfriend, pop singer Rihanna’s beaten face. I was angered that someone could do that to someone else. Regardless of who they are this type of abuse angers me. I am a survivor of an abusive home and it was our family secret.  My father was abusive towards my mother and eventually as I got older we would get into physically fights as I tried to protect her. So this hits home to me. Physical abuse is never acceptable and should never be tolerated.

Music: Bobby Valentino

 

I know, I know! Bobby Valentino? Yes, Bobby Valentino. A few years ago he released Slow Down and I really liked it on the low low. It was the only BV song on my pod and from time to time I’d pull it out and jam it. So a few weeks ago I heard he released a new cd. I heard all the proverbial artist talk about how they are going to come out different with a new sound–a more mature sound that speaks to who they are and their growth. Blah blah blah. I downloaded his cd honestly to just make fun of him and his new sound. I chuckled at his assumption of his own personal revelance to the music world. I figured it’d be grade A piece of garbage. Sorry, but my expectations were lower than low.  One day while working at my favorite coffee shop I found myself listening to it by accident. Surprisingly, I liked a few songs. I shut it down quickly thinking it was because I was tired and desperately trying to drown out the loud coffee shop music in the background.

Well, I was wrong. Bobby V put out a banger this time. My wife said it best when she said it [his album] reminded her of high school music. It’s classic R&B. Similar to Jodeci or Dru Hill. That bump and grind I love you girl kind of music. She clowned me for WEEKS because I kept talking about Bobby Valetino. I mean CLOWNED me, you hear me? But now she’s stealing my ipod and guess who she is listenting to? Uh-huh, Bobby V. The song that got me was his remix of Tony Toni Tone’s Just Me & You joint. I will say it is one of the best remixes I have heard in a long time. He even invited Rapheal Saddiq to play guitar in the background. That is one of my favorite tracks for sure.

So go give Bobby V a chance yall. Yes, the dude is 4 feet tall. Yes, he’s a bit obnoxious. Yes, he looks 12 and is really 30. Yes, he has a song referring to sex as beating a girl’s you know what. But the album (can we call it cd’s anymore?)  is nice. Lyrics are decent in regards to quality. Production solid. You can definitely clean your house without skipping songs with this one. Not too many albums you can say that about this day and age. One thing: Skip the intro please. He invited gospel singer Dottie People’s to sing on it for some reason. She sounds like a cat getting skinned alive. It will definitely turn you off. Just move to the track 2. Thanks!

Luckyjoint’s tracks: Just Me & You, Beep, 3 is the new 2 and My Girl

New Music: Ryan Leslie

Who is this cat?

That’s what I said when I heard Diamond Girl for the first time. I thought why dont I hear this on my radio station. Probably because I don’t listen to it unless I leave the IPOD at the house by mistake. Anyway, I did a little research via Google.com (God’s gift). I have been craving NEW music. Yes, every Tuesday new music drops, but it has been a long time since I’ve copped something I can listen to all the way through. Usually someone drops a hot single and then they’re done or I’m done at least. I stumbled across this extremely talented cat who has his own style. He’s been around producing hits for various artists, but now he’s doing his own thing and it has satiated my need and desire for something just damn good.

Again, who is this cat?

Ryan Leslie, the music producer, writer and singer extraordinaire! The dude is a consummate musician with multiple instruments under his belt. You can hear his respect for the language of music in every track. I love when he allows the music to just ride out on some of his joints. Lyrics–on point. Production–quality and innovative. Style & direction—Solid, no gimmicks or tricks. Just good pure music. This release reminds me of N.E.R.D’s first release In Search of… It has that same melodic, r&b, rock, fun, experimental sound. I used to kill that album back in the day. Ryan’s debut album is a solid piece of work. GO cop it!  (In stores February 10th!!!!!)

Favorite tracks: Diamond Girl, Gibberish, Valentine, I-R-I-N-A…I could go on. Not one track deserves a skip.

Download if you must but please go BUY this one. It’s worth the cash. Trust me!

Music: Wayne Brady

 

I know. Wayne Brady? I used to think he was the corniest brother since *thinking….still thinking.* OK, maybe he WAS the corniest brother ever. However, we all knew he was quite talented. I used to watch that improv show he was on and laugh every now and then. I was cruising thru music this week and I ran across his debut album. I think I laughed out loud when I saw it expecting MAD corniness. I was so expecting show tunes or silly cover songs. Man, was I pleasantly surprised. Wayne Bizzy did his thing with A Long Time Coming. I really enjoy this album. It is a nice and grown up body of work. The writing is pretty good and the production is on point.

Stand out cuts: F.W.B. (Friends with Benefits), All Naturally (my favorite bc it reminds me of my bay), Sweetest Berry and Ordinary.

Good job Wayne Bizzy…

Music: Noel Gourdin

 

 

This kid is from B-Mass but he sounds like a southern boy that’s been singing in somebody’s church. I heard his song The River a while ago and I thought it was cute. It did not really move me, but I ran across his whole album and it made me take a closer look. His album After My Time,  is an embodiment of what is missing in R&B these days. His lyrics are not so overtly sexual but not soft and lame. Lil’ Wayne is not on one track (IMAGINE THAT!). As a matter of a fact there are no guest appearances other than a wonderful production team, good writers and an amazing voice.

Cut standouts: One Love, Open, P.Y.T. and Make the Most…

Cop this one.

Music: Swagger Like Us

This song has infiltrated my head.

Swagger like us…T.I. featuring Kanye, Weezy & Jayz…

…Can’t wear skinny jeans because my knot wont fit.

Music: Spotlight–Jennifer Hudson

I LOVE this song!!! I get real GIRLY when it comes on. It reminds me of It’s Not Right by Whitney Houston.  It’s all sassy and -ish. I find myself wanting to twirl or sing as I walk down Peachtree. Yeah, I know. Girly! LOL Anyway, I play it over and over again like it is going out of style YO!

Jennifer Hudson is doing her thing. (Gosh, I love brown girls in yellow. Muy bonita!) I cannot wait until her album drops. Her voice is just so cripsy souful. Yeah, I just made that up but it fits. She has the voice like Aretha but it’s cripsy enough to make it pop and crossover.

For some reason she makes me proud. Not sure why? It’s not like I know her but I feel like she’s making her own lane and it’s so riiight. Video under the cut…

Music: Janelle Monae

I copped this today!

Metropolis: Chase Suite (Special Edition)…The music…the horns…the arrangement…her voice…her lyrics…

IF you don’t already know go check out her performance under the cut…