May 2008 Archives

It's been announced that Toni Braxton's Las Vegas show at the Flamingo casino has been cancelled to allow her to focus on her health. Braxton's show was set to run until August of this year.

The president of the Flamingo released this statement, "Upon learning several weeks ago of Ms. Braxton’s health concerns, our first and foremost consideration was her well-being. We have truly enjoyed having her as our resident headliner and continue to wish her a full and quick recovery so that she may resume doing what she loves best, entertaining audiences.”

I'm praying she'll fully recover soon. Best wishes to Toni and her family.

After being booted out of D.C.'s Hyatt Regency, Ray J has issued the following response to allegations of PCP possession:

“The defamatory statements made by the staff at the Washington D.C. Hyatt accusing me of using the drug ‘boat’ or PCP are totally false and are an attempt by them to gain publicity for their hotel. These drugs are illegal and since the police were called, I would have been arrested if I had these drugs in my possession. The statements made by the hotel staff are extremely damaging, and I’m contemplating legal action."

What do you guys think? Is he lying? I don't understand for the life of me why anyone with anything going for them does PCP -- please esplain...

Jazmine Sullivan ft. Missy Elliott "I Need U Bad"

This week NeYo created a lil buzz by praising one of his most recent collaborators Lindsay Lohan:

"I've written for Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Celine Dion and ... Lindsay Lohan," he said. "But I will say this; we gave her a quality record and she did a ridiculously fabulous job. I was so shocked I had to call her and apologize for what I was thinking because she did so good. I think the world is gonna be surprised."

It's hump day (Wednesday for those of you who've never heard the term) so I thought we could make a theme of it.

Before you get up in arms about Justin being the first thing I post -- it's the song I heard on the radio yesterday that gave me the idea for this theme along with a story a friend of mine told me about how he proposed to his fiancee. Basically he made a playlist of songs that described how he felt about her. The music was playing when she came home from work and he'd already dimmed the lights, lit candles, prepared a meal and put flowers everywhere. Then he got down on one knee... So What do you Listen To When Trying to Set The Mood Right???

Last week when I posted my review of Usher's "Here I Stand" one of you commented he shouldn't have worked with StarGate because they contributed to the album sounding "done before". Apparently other folks agree because Billboard.com recently posted the following video from Philly's DJ Kole commenting on the similarity between Rihanna's "Take A Bow" and other StarGate-produced tracks. Check it out:

This weekend while reading the Huffington Post (what y'all know about that?) I came across Jermaine Dupri's blog about his newly signed artist Dondria Nicole (aka Phatfffat)

My homie TC @ The Smoking Section keeps riding me for enjoying the new Usher album to the point where I was questioning my own opinion -- so I put it on in the car Saturday night on the ride downtown to go party and happily bumped "This Ain't Sex" "Appetite" "What's Your Name" and "Best Thing" all the way down the FDR. It made for a pretty enjoyable ride. Anyway I'm posting Ush's EW cover -- hoping he'll break out the dance moves he did for the cover shoot soon because I remember the days (pre-Chris Brown) when Usher was the man as far as dancing singers go...

Move Over Amy Winehouse! After reports the Brit singer pulled out from recording the theme for the latest James Bond movie "Quantum of Solace", word is Beyonce will be doing the honors instead.

Producers for the film are reportedly in talks with B to have her sing the song which was written by Amanda Ghost. She would be collaborating with Bond composer John Barry for the theme.

It has been rumored that Back to Black producer, Mark Ronson said Winehouse was too out of control and it would be "a miracle of science" if she recorded the soundtrack.

A spokesman for Winehouse confirmed that she will no longer be doing the soundtrack.

Nothing to do this Memorial Weekend? Your boy Lloyd is having an interactive Live concert Sunday May 25th.

Lately I've been loving his joint with Weezy - "Girls All Around The World"

Lessons In Love hits stores July 15th

Santogold "Find A Way"

Mos Def "Climb" ft. Vinnia Mojica

Inspiration for today's post comes from three directions -- 1) Last night's Kidz In The Hall Album Release Party @ SOB's where Estelle closed out the night by doing her joint from Kidz' album as well as American Boy 2) My interview with The Game this April, where he told me Marsha Ambrosius is his favorite singer and she will be on all his albums... 3) Growing up listening to De La Soul & A Tribe Called Quest and often hearing the same vocalist time and time again - Miss Vinia Mojica

The video for Michelle Williams first single "We Break The Dawn" is here:

Not bad, but for some reason I found myself wishing Janet Jackson was in the video, I don't think Michelle nailed that dance scene like Janet would've. Michelle's album Unexpected is due out August 12.

A couple of you bugged out a lil bit last week when I posted Jesse McCartney's single "Leavin'" in the ECHO edition of 5 Songs I Can't Get Out of My Head, but the truth of the matter is not only won't it leave my head, but I actually like it. I'll be honest, despite a steady stream of emails about Jesse's upcoming album Departure(which drops today May 20) it took me awhile to even give the song a listen, but when I did I couldn't help singing along every time he says "flyin' on my G5, G5..." Which brings me to my other point -- while everyone seems to think Jesse has landed himself on this site from working with Tricky, The-Dream, The Clutch and Sean Garrett -- what actually impressed me most is that at 21, a G5 is probably exactly what Jesse is flying on -- thanks to the success of Leona Lewis single "Bleeding Love" which he co-wrote (alongside Ryan Tedder of One Republic).

Jennifer Hudson's self titled debut is scheduled for release in September. Her song "Spotlight" hit the net this Friday, the song was written by Ne-Yo and produced by Stargate.

Thanks to Kevin & Sam who both sent it to me -- I would have posted it over the weekend but I wanted to let the Dwele live a little bit.

Usher recently announced a "Love in This Club" contest -- he doesn't say what the prize is though.

Gyant just posted about Usher's new album leaking, but I actually attended a listening for Here I Stand Thursday. The album officially lands 5/27. Here's my song by song thoughts:

Dwele's new album "Sketches of A Man" hits stores June 24th

Direct from Dwele's camp & KOCH records I present to you Dwele "Sketches of A Man" album preview -- I have it in embeddable form

5 Songs I Can't Get Out My Head: The ECHO Edition (OHHHH HEYYYY AYYYY I-I-I-I)

The-Dream "I Love Your Girl"

I'm starting to notice something around here -- when I post white folks, things can get a little funny, if you know what a mean, but that's a completely different topic, which I will get to very soon. For now I wanted to bring up the Latinas. What do you guys think about the success of acts like Prima J, Nina Sky & J.Lo? Do they get enough love or are they pushing it by trying to get R&B to show love?

Sorry for yet another Ursher post, but I'm getting a lil excited about Here I Standalmost being here... Ush is cocky as f*ck but I still can't resist him (apparently neither could Naomi Campbell, Superhead, Chilli etc... although not in the same sense).

I guess I must've been onto something when I posted Aaliyah last week because The FADER Magazine is featuring the much beloved late singer in Issue 54, their Icon Issue.

SMH @ Cee-Lo "The Bride"...Considering how many comments I get on the regular complaining about the stagnant cookie cutter state of music I guess a Gnarls Barkley post is long overdue. They've been coming out of left field since their first album, but their latest joint didn't seem to be making quite the splash they're used to. Well I caught a glimpse of their video for "Goin' On" and after having their CD for over a month now -- it inspired me to go back and listen again. I'm loving the new video, which was shot in Jamaica by Wendy Morgan. You gotta take a look.

Loves It. Obviously you could never expect an average r&b video from Gnarls -- who I know stretch beyond the boundaries of r&b anyway -- though you can't deny their soulfulness. Who picked up The Odd Couple? Which joints are you feelin'?

Just for old times sake I gotta post my fave Cee-Lo Green joint.

Can't deny them Timbaland drums... Holla!

Aight y'all enjoy your weekend...

Here's the Soulful mix from DJ Ohsokool if you missed it Friday:

Tracklist
1.steph jones - mr ordinary
2.musiq soulchild - betterman
3.algebra - my pride
4.case - missing you
5.jaheim - what you think of that
6.keyshia cole ft anthony hamilton - losing you
7.muhsinah & jake one - you

download here: http://www.zshare.net/audio/117543124f5ab824/

I know I have some serious Michelle Williams fans up in here -- but I'll admit, I have a hard time giving homegirl her props -- she's just not my fave singer. But my homie Sam from ThatGrapeJuice.net recently posted a great interview with her and I wanted to share a few excerpts with you guys and discuss whether or not Ms. Williams is a seriously underrated talent.

Here's what she had to say on the constant comparisons to Beyonce and Kelly:

"We all have our own style and our own taste in music and how we want to express that; and people need to respect that. I may just want to express my music standing in front of a microphone. Beyonce, on the other hand, she likes to come in upside down (in reference to Beyonce’s 2003 MTV VMA performance). I mean, who knows, I might get the chance to get on a trapeze and spring across Radio City Music Hall. We like to express ourselves differently. I will never be Beyonce Knowles, Beyonce Knowles will never be Michelle Williams, Kelendria Rowland will never be Michelle Williams and I will never be Kelly. I’m Michelle Williams, my mama calls me T; I’m gonna be me. What some people fail to see is that, as three ladies coming out of such amazing group success, we are all (continuing to be) successful in our solo endeavours. Before now, that was unheard of. With every group, there’s no reason why each member can’t be out there doing their own thing."

5 SONGS I CAN'T GET OUT MY HEAD: The ECLECTIC Edition

Janelle Monae "Violet Stars Happy Hunting"

Rihanna (dressed in Donna Karan) covers the June issue of Elle Magazine. In her interview the Bajan beauty says of her relationship with Chris Brown, “We’ve always been friends, but we’re very close now.” According to Elle, RiRi wouldn't comment any further on her relationship with Brown but she did address the Jay-Z rumors, first saying “It’s crazy that you ask me that. People know that it’s not true” regarding whispers that the two have been intimately involved.

Rihanna went on to add “I think it’s a kinda cliche’ question, and people know it’s not true, so I don’t even know why it’s still addressed to this day. I don’t even like to address it anymore.”

Remember Craig David? Well he's coming back with a new album Trust Me on Warner Bros.Records. Check out the video for his new single "Hot Stuff" (Let's Dance)

Click for Real Player, Click for Windows Media Player, Click to watch in Quick Time
Am I the only one or is he looking like George Michael's love child to anybody else?

Hot Damn. Haven't bought Ebony in a minute, but this might just be the thing to make me pick it up. Might as well post "Forever" while I'm at it since the cover makes the excellent point of asking what is Black music.

Mariah does what she does best (takes off most of her clothes) for the June issue of VIBE. In addition to this steamy cover shot there are a few other shots of her in swimwear.

As I'm sure many of you heard by now Beyonce made a brief appearance at Friday's Madison Square Garden stop on the Jay-Z/Mary J. Blige "Heart of the City" Tour. Take a look...

I wonder if there will ever come a day when that dance gets as old as the phrase "Bootylicious". ..

photo via WireImage

I was in the house last night, at Detroit's Fox Theater, when Erykah Badu kicked off "The Vortex Tour,” her twelve-week, 49-city, 42-show tour which ends June 15th in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I urge you to get tickets if you haven't yet -- if you are an Erykah fan (which I am) it will make your night. If you only know her hits (like my cousin, who was my guest) you still won't be disappointed.

As I told you earlier I had the opportunity to speak to Stokely Williams, vocalist for Mint Condition, to talk about their new album E-Life which is out next Tuesday May 6th.

first single "Baby Boy, Baby Girl"

I recently had the chance to interview songwriter/producer Kerry "Krucial" Brothers, who most of you know from his work with Alicia Keys. He's currently stepping his game up, working on new music with a slew of other artists including Goapele, T.I., Res, Anthony Hamilton, Robert Randolph and Brandy. Here's what he had to say:

5 Songs I Can't Get Out My Head: The HOOD Edition

Dave Young ft. 50 Cent "Drinking Smoking" (Mary J.'s artist -- I been waiting on him for a minute!)

Produced by the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League!