Here He Stands

I certainly overlooked Usher's latest album although I did have select songs from it, I neglected to listen to it all the way through. Part of that may have been it doesn't seem as much hype followed the release of Here I Stand. I loved loved his 2004 release of Confessions. Every song off of it was fresh, talked about real life issues in love, deception, and lust. I was impressed that he had grown up from the days of 8701 and before that when he was only touching the iceberg of relationships.

However, as far as grown man status goes Confessions has nothing on Here I Stand. I still like Confessions probably better, but there's a new sense of maturity in his latest release. Usher's grown as a man in general, he put away his player card and got married and had a son. That definitely shows in his music ; not that he doesn't have a few songs that are made for a dance floor. "Love in this Club"is certainly no ballad or anything deep. However, "Trading Places", "Here I Stand", "Moving Mountains", and the like have shown he's here to make some grown man music carrying on a position that Babyface once had when he expressed vulnerability, passion, and understanding of relationships in music.

I hate when I've slept on an album for a month or almost a year only to discover it's really on point, but better late than never.

Jazmine Sullivan Busting Out your Speakers

Jazmine Sullivan is a vocal beast. I saw her perform last night, along with Maxwell. There's always a chance seeing a singer live you find their vocals are doctored up by production, and they don't sound as powerful. Maxwell, the headliner of course won with his performance, but in voice power Jazmine genuinely impressed me, but shoot, I was already a fan.

Although, it's hard for a new artist to really capture my attention these days, I definitely feel her style, voice, and the subject matter in her songs. It's mature, real, vulnerable, and has a touch of old-fashioned soul, (let's hope she stays that way). Of course I could try to compare her to some other singers (past and present) like we have a tendency to do with new artists new artists, but I won't.

While we were just shooting the breeze about music, a male friend of mine pointed out the obvious regarding Jazmine's single "Bust Your Windows". The obvious? Well, that as emotional and as good of a song as it may be, it's kinda crazy. He said women need to stop being delusional and blasting the song like it's cool (to be busting people's windows out).

Forget the alluring soulful voice, the catchy hook, and the angst in the song many of us chicas can probably relate to - let's delve deeper. Sure, we may have felt the urge to get revenge before. And wrecking something as adored by men as their whip may seem to be the perfect punishment for being betrayed or mistreated. However, let's be real. It's an object and while we can fantasize or actually think of busting windows, slashing tires, or whatever the trendy thing for a psycho girl to do is; that car can get repaired, while you're feelings or heart won't heal or be fixed as easily. Jazmine even admits that in her song, but still revels in that busting those windows felt so good.

My friend mentioned above said one of his female friends actually wanted him to take her to her boyfriend or ex-boyfrend's car to do some damage. I doubt she was soley inspired by Jazmine, but just inspired by crazy. Now, I've seen enough Judge Mathis episodes with jilted girlfriends and scumbag boyfriends to know things like this do happen everyday. Emotions are a mother....But again, while temporarily you feel satisfied at the shattered pieces of glass, it won't put back together your heart. However, when you can't hurt someone back the way they hurt you, you feel powerless, so you do something negative to something of their's you have access to.

It is a double standard because women can sing songs about getting revenge on a man and get away with it. What would it look like if a man was singing about cruising by his ex-lady's house and slashing her tires or carving the word bitch into her driver's side door. Pretty lame. Obviously, although Jazmine admitted to (really) busting a dude's windows out once, we know this has been sung before whether in a hook a verse or just implied.

But I guess we have to pay homage to the original scorned woman's club, such as Terry McMillan's book to movie, Waiting to Exhale where Angela Bassett's character torches Michael Beach's clothes in Waiting to Exhale (that movie made man hating cool again), or the real life story of Mary Woodson throwing hot grits on Al Green (although the ending of that story is terribly tragic). There's a million more examples I don't care to drudge up.


All in all, whethere she's busting windows or bust speakers Jazmine is the future of R&B. I love the Beyonces and Ciaras, but right now she's definitely one of my favorites in the game.

Do You Remember the Time?

Do You Remember the Time? 07/23/2008
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Following the course of Hip-Hop is no easy task, yet completely necessary to see where we've been and where we're headed. Looking back two things were evident even though I'm an 80s' baby it was a lot easier for me to retieve certain events or classic rap albums that came out in the early to mid 90s than the 00s' oddly enough. Not to say I wasn't up on what's happened in the past couple of years or I didn't do a lot of extensive research, but there was just something about the 90s'.


Be prepared to get nostalgic or have to dust off a CD or two.


http://allhiphop.com/stories/features/archive/2008/06/12/20087901.aspx
http://allhiphop.com/stories/features/archive/2008/06/16/20127331.aspx
http://allhiphop.com/stories/features/archive/2008/06/25/20208086.aspx
http://allhiphop.com/stories/features/archive/2008/06/30/20244298.aspx

Kanye Saves Hip Hop?

Yesterday, arrival at the Susequehanna Center for the Glow in the Dark Tour lead to the instant usual suspects. An overwhelming, slightly annoying myriad of young high schoolers at a concert(sometimes I think these venues should be 18 and older) tailgating in the parking lot and enthused fans buying $30 Kanye sunglasses. Now I must proceed with caution because I know that Kanye was miffed that Entertainment Weekly gave him a B+ which is impossible because when he tries he either passes or fails, lol.

Anyways I saw this video of Diddy bigging up the Glow in the Dark Tour and Kanye giving him back his appreciation of hip hop. Some may question that term as a poster on AllHipHop.com did showing Kanye acknowledgement but claiming he's much more "backpacker/other genre" than hip hop, but many would beg to differ, who's to say what's hip hop anymore.

Now next time I'll splurge for better seats, but the distance didn't take away from the dynamics of the impressive concert. Now, Lupe performed first with new talent muse, Nikki Jean who appeared on his "Hip Hop Saved Me" song(she also lended background vocals and filled in for Jill Scott on "Daydream" during the concert). Although I wish he would of performed more, unlike some rap acts his voice is clear, strong and amped up when he rhymes over the mic. There was no loss of movement as he hyped up the crowd with his gems like, "Superstar", "Paris Tokyo", etc. But the grand finale was his suprising performance of "Daydream" where he gave more life to the song than was ever present in the radio/album version, complete with strutting across stage and all. If you were daydreaming at that point that performance sure woke you up.

Next up was N.E.R.D, of course they know how to rock a concert doing their throwbacks, "She Likes to Move", "Lapdance", and the song that never fails, "Rockstar". And those little "hipsters" definitely can invoke energy with their sound full of swagger and genuine love for the music, it was great. And they did some of their new songs like, "Everybody Nose" and "Spaz".

I admit I didn't go to the concert for Rihanna, but I enjoyed her performance when she belted out hits like, "Pon de replay", "S.O.S", "Breakin' Dishes","Umbrella",and more. Although unfortunately, Kanye West claims Chris Brown was at the show, however unlike the Madison Square Garden performance where he went on stage the crowd at Camden got no glimpse of C. Breezy.

Last but better not be least! Was Kanye's act as hip hop thriving as Diddy claims? Well, it was pretty darn good besides featuring a great roster of acts that fit in with Kanye he brought his energy to the stage. The visuals, the scenery that took more than 30 minutes to set up was all work it. His act was a virtual/robotic/cinematic type of arrangement when his "robotic companion" cleverly setting up the mood for his next song performance with dialogue from the Chicago rapper. He did his recent songs off Graduation, and tons of throwbacks as well. His effort, his genuine desire to give the fans what they want was a refreshing diversion from the usual concerts rappers perform. Of course no Kanye concert would be one without several references to his greatness but he definitely inspired the audience with his success at giving everyone the show they paid for. He gave thanks, mad love to the crowd and leaves a lingering question of "Can Kanye ever top this tour".

Chris Brown Takes It Down

Remember Chris Brown when the most bold line in his first single "Run It!" was, "I know you heard about me but guess what's goin down if we leave"? But could it be that the 18 yr old R&B prince has finally been inducted into the baby making music category with his first adult slow jam, "Take You Down"? It's safe to say while we could relate to his other singles they still had a hint of puppy love to them. "Take you Down" puts C. Breezy in the same realm as R&B slow jam kings like R. Kelly, Bobby Brown, Usher, Ginuwine and the like.

In the music video he proves not only is he serious - but that he can play the part as he seductively uses Bobby Brown-esque circa 1989 moves on stage. He uses a familar scene for the slow jam video song which includes singing to a crowd of screaming female fans while making suggestive moves on stage (think, Usher "Bedtime", Bobby Brown, "Tenderoni" or any of Jodeci's early '90s videos). And of course in the video the inevitable shirtless cuts only excite the audience even more.

The Way That I Love You

R&B's Ashanti is no stranger to drama. Since debuting with her first single, "Foolish" in 2002 she's been linked romantically from the likes of her her boss, Irv Gotti to having a publicly clandestine relationship(if there is such a thing) with rapper Nelly, and in recent interviews both Ja Rule and Irv Gotti express their thoughts that the former Princess of the Inc. did not maintain loyalty when the label suffered hard times.

With a past infused with drama, it's no surprise Ashanti's latest music video, "The Way That I Love You", draws off a plot of deception, devastation and vengeance by a scorned woman. What makes the video stand out is certainly not the concept which has been done before (think "Ring the Alarm" without Beyoncé and incessant sirens in the background), but Ashanti's vocals on this song. Irv Gotti has criticized Ashanti's decision to work with mainly producers outside The Inc. but if this song is any preview of what's to come I wanted to hear more.

Does the woman scorned by a no good man story every get old? Some would say yes, but it sure makes for one hell of a song. Painfully singing about the love of her life who she has been faithful to stepping out on their relationship Ashanti masters a common topic with authenticity. In an industry littered with pretty young things Ashanti steps it up a notch and knocks on maturity's door. The singer always did have a tolerable smooth voice, but her vocals really stand out on this track. With so much passion on this song you definitely know they're singing from personal experience.

Ashanti's album The Declaration is scheduled to be released June 3rd.

What's My Name?

Unfiltered ignorance. While we are in the midst of seeing history coming alive before our eyes where a black man has ran a successful political campaign in hopes of capturing the Democratic nomination, one of hip hop's "fallen" rappers, DMX has no idea he was running for president!

In a recent interview with XXL magazine, the rapper who saw popularity with his rugged sound and trademark barking in the late 90s/ early '00s admits not only is he not following the presidential race - but that he had no idea black man was running! It may come of no surprise as we know DMX has been battling the demons of drug abuse and legal troubles, but come on! I guess we can guess DMX won't be casting a vote come Election Day.

Here is an excerpt from the interview.

XXL: Are you following the presidential race?
DMX: Not at all.

XXL: You’re not? You know there’s a Black guy running, Barack Obama and then there’s Hillary Clinton.
DMX: His name is Barack?!

XXL: Barack Obama, yeah.
DMX: Barack?!

XXL: Barack.
DMX: What the fuck is a Barack?! Barack Obama. Where he from, Africa?

XXL: Yeah, his dad is from Kenya.
DMX: Barack Obama?

XXL: Yeah.
DMX: What the fuck?! That ain’t no fuckin’ name, yo. That ain’t that nigga’s name. You can’t be serious. Barack Obama. Get the fuck outta here.

XXL: You’re telling me you haven’t heard about him before.
DMX: I ain’t really paying much attention.

XXL: I mean, it’s pretty big if a Black…
DMX: Wow, Barack! The nigga’s name is Barack. Barack? Nigga named Barack Obama. What the fuck, man?! Is he serious? That ain’t his fuckin’ name. Ima tell this nigga when I see him, “Stop that bullshit. Stop that bullshit” [laughs] “That ain’t your fuckin’ name.” Your momma ain’t name you no damn Barack.


You don't have to "follow" the elections to know who is running, it's all over the place! At this time in the country so many important issues need to be considered, everyone should be following the elections and the candidates in some way. I just feel it's a shame that someone who is still somewhat influential in the public eye had the platform to speak out about politics(something most people rarely associate with hip hop) and he was more concerned at poking fun at Senator Barack's name than at least giving the man credit. (Sigh)
Well here's a DMX throwback video, "What's my Name" when he was still relevant and at least still making some sense.

FADER PAINTS A PICTURE OF AFRICA

The always innovative, exploitive, and culture-friendly magazine, Fader presents it's #52 Africa The Africa Issue--A Look At African Music And Culture Across The Planet. While most music magazines ignore the influence of the music industry of Africa, this issue which features international African artist Esau Mwamwaya and BLK JKS a group who hails from South Africa and has unique afropunk metal music style. In the issue you'll also find news of other artists making their mark on the music scene on the continent.

Mariah Wants You To Touch Her

Musical femme fatale Mariah Carey is back with her single, "Touch My Body". Her new album E=MC2 is slated to be released in the U.S on April 15th. Following the formula for most of her first singles "Touch My Body" is filled with playful, flirty lyrics laced with a sensual tone and a beat that keeps your attention. As a Mariah fan I'm sure I'll grow a liking to some of the other tracks on the new album. While critics have reveled in challenging the pop/r&b diva to hang up the mic unless she's singing ballads I still love Mariah Carey and basically anything she puts out. Her ability hit high notes and strum songs in her airy voice could convince me to like a song about icecream and lemon drops if she sung about it.

"Touch My Body" is co-written by R&B longtime hitmaker and new R&B soloist, The-Dream and produced by M.C herself and Tricky Stewart. The video concept featuring a Geek Squad nerd coming to fix Mariah Carey's computer who watches as she roams around in lingerie and revealing outfits is a little cheezy it's still worth viewing.

It Feels So Wrong But The Lyrics Are So Tight

With hip hop we must take the bitter with the sweet. Hip hop is a paradox of the good, the bad, the real ugly, bluntness, and audacity. Here are a few songs that we wanted to say, "it feels wrong, but the "lyrics" are so tight!" Even so-called conscious rap ONLY hip hop fans caught themselves singing along and nodding their head to these obnoxious lyrics. These songs made you cringe at the words and phrases sung, but you couldn't help but either like or it leave it in the back of your mind as a "guilty pleasure".

"Dead Wrong" Notorious B.I.G feat. Eminiem
One of the most sinister hip hop tracks ever made filled with lyrics of rape, murder, and robbery. Get Em on the track and it's even more wicked. We couldn't stop head nodding to this song's memorizing beat and haunting hook with "the weak or the strong who got it goin' on?" It was clear that even after his death Biggie definitely had it going on.The song included so many off the wall rhymes that the last line in the song had to be cut from the already violent song.

Fact: Chucky Thompson produced the song.

"Prostitute Flange" - Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne puts down the loud banter of his usually hustler boy lyrics and slows it down a bit with a half rap, half raspy whisper as he seranades his lspecial ady. He says he doesn't care if she used to be a prostitute because all that matters is that she's with him now. Enough to make you say what? We weren't sure if we were more surprised by this different style of song for Weezy or that we actually kind of liked this ode to a former jezebel.

Fact: R&B lovers will know he borrows his hook from Musiq's song "Me and You" where he sang, "I wouldn't care if you were a prostitute and hit everyman that you ever new it wouldn't make a difference if that was way before me and you girl".

"Shoot Em Up" - Nas
This vengeful tale of getting back at rival crew boasts a haunting melody which sounds similar to Christmas bells. Although I'm sure most of us don't want to just drive to a house and shoot 'em up, "shoot em up just just shoot em up what? kill, kill kill murder, murder murder" just has to escape anyone's mouth who hears this song.
Fact:Havoc from Prodigy produced this song.



"Hit "em Up" -TuPac
No list of hot lyrics mixed with a bad attitude could be complete without the late Tupac Shakur. A perfect hybrid of a sympathetic victim of poverty who had a vendetta to the world that oppressed his people - and the people who pissed him off. "Hit em Up" was the Tupac diss against Biggie, Junior Mafia and Puffy(now Diddy) where he threatens physical harm and to destroy their careers. His reasoning was he thought that Biggie and Puffy knew information about his 1994 robbing and shooting that they would not tell.

Even though we were feelin' Biggie at the time we couldn't help but sing along to, "Grab ya glocks when you see Tupac call the cops when you see Tupac /who shot me but you punks didn't finish you're about to feel the wrath of a menace....."Even we were scared of Tupac after this song.

"Crank That (Souljah Boy)"-Soulja Boy

This song by the rap newcomer started a whole dance craze around the country and people hopped up and down in clubs and house parties alike doing "the superman". Even though it had a catchy singsong feel to it we knew something had to be up when the phrase"superman hoe" was in the mix. While he jdenied it alluding to any sexual innuendos on BET, his slight smile made us think otherwise.

Fact: Looks like Soulja Boy should of done his research before choosing his name. In December he was sued by Willie Lyons, an unknown rap artist who claims he is the original Soulja Boy and has been for 12 years.

M.J Moonwalks His Way Back on the Charts?

M.J "Moonwalks" His Way Back on the Charts?

02/24/2008

Only sales will tell the ultimate success of Michael Jackson's Thriller 25 but either way it comes out as the Album of the Month.

Many people I know gave the King of Pop remixing ANY of his classics with the likes of modern day pop-hit makers like Akon and Fergie etc, a big thumbs down. While it is weird to hear Fergie crooning along to fight-or-flight 80s' classic "Beat It" his remixes don't lose the Michael Jackson essence which made them hits over 20 years ago. He only remixes a few of the songs: "Beat It" (with Fergie), Billie Jean(Kanye West), "The Girl is Mine"(will.i.am), "P.Y.T(Pretty Young Thing)"will.i.am)and "Wanna Be Startin Something"(with Akon).



Any Michael Jackson song made between the early 80s' to early 90s' can most likely easily be labeled a pop classic. While some of those songs are bona fide stamps of his talent, he's also had amazingly creative music video concepts which always told us a short story. Here are my favorite Michael Jackson videos.



Thriller(1983) - "Thriller" still has never be topped as far as popularity, humor, and overall entertainment. I mean who can beat a vintage Michael Jackson in his prime sporting a red jacket, piping an addictive chorus with a jolt of fear as ghouls strut along with him? This is the number one video.


Remember The Time(1992) - Featured an all-star cast of Iman, Eddie Murphy and Magic Johnson. The ancient Egyptian inspired royalty concept combined with special effects is what makes this one of his best music videos of all time. Michael serandes Iman as he mysteriosly disappears from the guards who want to get him away from the beautiful Queen. He turns into dust and shows off some of his best dance moves since "Thriller".


Scream(1995) - No one expected the pleasant surprise in 1995 of Michael teaming up with his baby sister Janet for the energy infused musical explosion that was "Scream". Expressing their outrage of being constantly in the news and hunted by the press and paparazzi they came together for this instant smash single. Both happened to be in the midst of their pop icon peak when "Scream" broke through to the top 5 on r&b, pop and dance charts.

Earth Song(1995) - The video depicting the human destruction of the environment, poverty and war is one of Michael's most underrated music videos. Obviously more serious than his usual dance hits it featured good visuals and made more of an action statement than some of his other videos.

Billie Jean - Simple video but still caught your attention. Jackson proclaims innocence in a song where he repeats "but the kid not being my son" The mysterious former love interest "Billie Jean" makes no appearance in the video as Michael avoids a reporter hot on his trail. He shows off signature moves as he steps from place to place with each spot lighting up.

This video also exposed the world to the "moonwalk" , a dance that wasn't entirely his but one that he altered to make his own. Despite proven fame in the music business the CBS president at the time, still had to threaten MTV with prohibiting some of their popular rock(white acts) from being played on MTV unless they showed "Billie Jean". He became the first black artist played on MTV.

Flavor Of Love Or Bad Taste?

Like thousands of Americans last season, I tuned in weekly to watch the dramatics of the demanding "Miss New York", on I Love New York Season 2. New York, was awarded season 1 after being heartbroken twice by our favorite (pun intended) Public Enemy member, Flavor Flav. When her search for love went south again and she was dumped by Tango Vh1 gave her one more show. This time she chose the devoted rich guy, Tailor Made. Tailor Made was best known for being the house rat who got into a physical altercation with New York's other main interest, Buddha. You know what they say, "snitches get stitches".

So, now in the battle of the lowest, Flavor Flav is back with his Season 3. 48 year old Flavor Flav says he wants another chance at love. (A.K.A more air-time). He will have more scantily dressed young women throwing down, calling each other whores and battling for his love and affection. Yes, I will most likely be watching because to me these shows are comedy. It's comedy when we spend every week watching a man who should quietly growing older with the knowledge he was a part of a great rap duo, challenging women to prove their "love for him". I guess this all ties in with his goal of having 10 children.

With the presidential elections brewing I sure hope there won't be higher ratings for a given episode of Flavor of Love than a presidential candidate debate.

Tune in shortly before Valentine's Day on February 11th to see the premiere of Season 3 Flavor of Love at 9pm EST.



Somewhere in the back of my mind I'm still wondering what Chuck D thinks of this. lol

Niggy What? Niggy Who?

I know, I know, I’m three months late and a dollar short. But still Saul Williams is back! My favorite emcee who wraps his rhymes in clever poetry supported by a hard rock/hip hop beats presents the “Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust.” I’m a sucker for good, complex titles. If I could sing, or rap, I have a million album titles stories in my head(Confessions of an Overactive Mind is my first album title). Saul Williams has starred in films, written albums, performed spoken word, and released books and still stayed true to himself – and the craft. He’s got a bigger understanding of hip hop than some of these artists lumped into hip hop categories today, but still uses producers who use rock sounds, drum beats, and guitar rhythms.

Clever, a bit eccentric, but always with a good verse or two, Saul Williams is one of the biggest underrated cats in the music industry (which may be a good thing). He's no stranger to the spotlight and is known for his role in the acclaimed movie, Slam, playing the celibate boyfriend of sex crazed bohemian-esq Lynn of Girlfriends, jamming alongside industry names like the Fugees, KRS-One, and De La Soul to name a few, and reoccurring appearances on HBO's Def Poetry Jam. Oh and did I forget, he's a published writer as well having articles appear African Voices, and the New York Times to name a few? No, he's no stranger to recognition, but still remains low key touring the nation and world to put on some good old fashioned spoken word to college campuses. Nice.

Who is Niggy Tardust? And sure I may be curious as to why he is going by a name which obviously has a hint of the dreaded ‘N’ word? Obviously, it’s symbolic and seems to offer a glimmer of explanation on the niggytardust promotion site where he writes, “Most people aren't aware of the world of art and commerce where exploitation strips each artist down to nigger. Each label, like apartheid, multiplies us by our divide and whips us 'til we conform to lesser figures. What falls between the cracks is a pile of records stacked to the heights of talents hidden from the sun.” I’m assuming he does tackle some racial topics with tracks like “(Tr)(n)igger”, and “Black History Month”. And perhaps with Track 6 “Niggy Tardust” we’ll actually get to find out who this alter-ego is.

After a few years playing his last album to death, I took a little break from Saul waiting for some new material. Let's say I have come a long way from a few years ago, where I was like, who is this guy? He is THAT guy who is unapologetically bit unpredictable, but always on point. I have no idea what to expect on his latest release – except innovative genius. The album is produced by Trent Reznor and mixed by Alan Moulder. My review of the album will be posted in a few days.