December 2008 Archives

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Okay so I finally yielded to the pressure and decided to to post a Top 8 in '08 before 2009 officially begins.  I'd hate to be conventional so it's not in any particular order and I'm not even sticking to any particular category -- songs, albums, artists and videos will all be on the same list of 8. 
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When "A Milli" and "Diva" producer Bangladesh told me in October that Beyonce's song would be an even bigger hit than Weezy's I had serious doubts -- especially once I actually heard the song,

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So I guess it's only fitting that Rihanna has been tapped to headline the NFL's Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Bash.  She'll be the most urban act of the two night event, which also features Fall Out Boy, Lifehouse, and Enrique Iglesias.  Super Bown Bash is set to take place at the  Ford Amphitheatre in Tampa, Florida on Jan. 29 to kick off Super Bowl XLIII, which takes place on February 1st.


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Leave it to my girl Angela Yee at Sirius/XM's "Shade 45 in the Morning" to get Ray-J and Brandy's alleged half brother and aspiring rapper C-Dove on the phone. C-Dove called in to the morning show yesterday and dropped several bombs, including news of a half-sister!
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With 2009 literally around the corner, I'm all amped for the new releases the New Year is set to bring.  While I'm curious to see what practiced songwriters like Keri Hilson and Novel will do as new artists, I've also got my eye on old favorites like Bobby Valentino and Case, who both make their returns via February releases. Check out my recent chat with Case who spilled the beans on how he feels about T-Pain, Barack Obama's victory and his own meeting with Beyonce at the altar.
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Iconic entertainer Eartha Kitt died Thursday of colon cancer. She was 81 years old. Kitt starred as the original Catwoman on the "Batman" television series.

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Check out the promo pic that came with Keri Hilson's remix of "Turnin Me On" ft. Busta Rhymes. It kinda reminds me of that ad with Beyonce that caused all that stir about her complexion being lightened. I mean Keri is light, but she's not THAT light. So what's with the pic?
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A newly released Ne-Yo song just hit my inbox called "Publicity" and the joint is seriously sexy.
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Beyonce unveils her videos for "Halo" and "Diva" today but before I unveil them, I have to say this double single release thing is getting a bit tired. Are we really going to do this for every single Bey? Does Sasha get upset if she doesn't have a video out too or something?

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Jamie Foxx just can't help it, he really can't lose right now.  He's funny as hell, charming and he made a damn good album with Intuition. He's knocked every promo interview out of the box and his recent visit to my homegirl Angela Yee at "Shade 45 in the Morning" was no different.
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My girl India.Arie is preparing to release her fourth album Testimony: Vol.2, Love & Politics. You may or may not have heard her first single "Chocolate High" ft. Musiq Soulchild which is currently all over the radio -- and of course I have a streaming link for you to take a listen.

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That "nice" Beyonce is finished.  If you haven't already seen the trailer for Bey's film Obsessed due out this April, just know homegirl is kickin butt and taking names.  She plays the wife of a man (Idris Elba)  whose temp co-worker goes nuts over him.
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Since I'm already counting down the days to my own winter holiday retreat, I figured it might be best for me to do a year edition of 5 Songs I Can't Get Out My Head today... I tried to keep it to R&B/pop which has been a struggle in a year of so many mashups and collabos, but that's why you'll see no "Hi Hater" "Lollipop" or "Swagga Like Us". I also tried to keep it real -- as much as I loved this years albums from Erykah Badu, Anthony Hamilton, Robin Thicke, Keyshia Cole, Solange, Brandy and Musiq Soulchild, the truth of the matter is that "5 Songs" has always been about those catchy jams that I couldn't shake even when I wanted to.
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The Intuition promo train is still trucking. Jamie Foxx recently had a hot interview with Jay Leno where he discussed his relationship with his daughter, his new album and even did a Barack Obama impression. You gotta watch.
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Years after her tragic death, Left Eye's legacy continues to live on through her music -- and now her final project will have its chance to be heard. Left Eye's last solo project EYE-Legacy is finally being released.
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So much for being nice, R&B is all about being naughty this week.  First Brandy got all bitchy with my friends at "Shade 45 in the Morning" then The-Dream obviously had too much drank in his cup and we know we can never count on Jamie Foxx to behave himself, so of course he was cracking on folks -- Terrence Howard to be precise.
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When Kanye West came out with College Dropout, there was a whole slew of folks talking about how he saved hip-hop, but now homie has picked up AutoTune and has jumped the fence to, well, honestly I don't know what to call it but it probably plays on a lot of DIFFERENT radio formats. Now Ne-Yo's not only doing the pop thing, but rumored to be working with Marilyn Manson? Is all this genre-blending a good thing or a bad one?

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I feel extra dirty typing this with that pre-pubescent promo photo posted above, but can somebody please tell me when Sammie grew up??? I guess I am starting to channel my inner cougar because lately I've been noticing artists who used to appeal to my little sister are looking and sounding pretty damn good to me.
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Even though I'm starting to get really impatient waiting on their new album The Musical, I am pretty excited about Nina Sky releasing another single; the Salaam Remi-produced "On Some Bullsh*t"
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Having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit this year? Fortunately some of our favorite artists are willing to provide the solution. I already got my hands on a copy of Brian McKnight's I'll Be Home for Christmas and to say my spirit's been merry would be an understatement.
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It's been a great month for R&B already, but it's about to get even better.  Anthony Hamilton releases his third album The Point of It All on December 16th via Jive Records and you already know I had to get my Q&A on to get the scoop. Keep reading to find out how Anthony found inspiration in Kanye West, neckbones and the movie business... 
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Our girl Beyonce is over in Paris right now taping the musical reality show "Star Academy". Don't expect her to be there long, but folks across Europe will get their opportunity to see her give her best Sasha Fierce live in concert this Spring.


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It's that time again! Let's talk about what we can't stop listening to, can't get enough of hearing or are simply just stuck in our heads...
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After her Vegas show was cancelled due to heart problems Toni Braxton faced the possibility of another serious illness. The singer spoke to US Weekly recently about overcoming a breast cancer scare.
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Akon went on "Chelsea Lately" and the two had lots of fun. He must've seen her flirting with T.I. and got some ideas because he literally got Chelsea to bend over and let him smack that.
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Houston fans of Beyonce and Solange Knowles may be more than a little disappointed in their hometown heroes as the sisters have reportedly cancelled their 'Beyonce and Solange: Hope for the Holidays' benefit.
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The NY Post's Page Six continues to put Mariah Carey on Baby Watch blast, the infamous gossip rag published reports that they believe Carey was recently delivered news that she's expecting.
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Don't you love it when an artist's camp squashes a rumor before it really has a chance to spread? Well apparently somebody has been claiming D'Angelo switched over to the Diddy darkside and signed with Bad Boy but D's manager says nah y'all...
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I guess everything Beyonce touches doesn't necessarily turn to platinum or go number one.  Apparently Sasha wasn't Fierce enough to pack theatres this weekend because Cadillac Records made 3.5 million this weekend, coming in ninth, way behind Four Christmases, Twilight and Bolt.
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Are you feeling Ryan Leslie? He showed up on "Shade 45 in the Morning" today and it's sounding like he's having some issues with Universal Motown.
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Beyonce brought her split personality to Elle's January '09 issue with two very different looking covers. I guess Sasha Fierce is showing up to photoshoots now.
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Even if you like it, don't bother putting a ring on Keyshia Cole, cuz she will pawn that beotch when she gets ready to. My homie DJ Vlad sent me the following radio interview with Cole where she discusses getting over her ex, turning down his recent marriage proposal and pawning her engagement ring.
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It's another installment of 5 Songs I Can't Get Out My Head. This is another Collabo Edition featuring joints from Jay-Z, Keri Hilson, Anthony Hamilton and more. Check 'em out.
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With the fate of 112 up in the air, Slim is stepping out solo with his recently released debut Love's Crazy.  Check out my interview with Slim where he discusses issues with the group, going independent and following in Diddy's footsteps. 
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Motown is turning the big 5-0 and celebrating with some big releases, just in time for the holidays... Fans of Diana Ross & the Supremes, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson & the Jackson 5, Lionel Richie & the Commodores, the Marvelettes, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Gladys Knight & the Pips are in for a big treat.
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Bobby Valentino visited the "Sirius Shade 45 in the Morning" show last week and you know my girl Angela Yee got all the juicy tidbits for ya! For those of you still at work, you might want to keep the volume low because he gets a little explicit.
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After a lot of anticipation, Brandy is finally ready to show off her new video for "Long Distance". Check it out!
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Jamie Foxx is winning me over bit by bit with this new album of his. The video for his first single "Just Like Me" features actress Taraji P. Henson pitted against Foxx in serious competition. It looks like they had so much fun making it!
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Guess what? Two of my favoritest Brooklyn artists have gotten together to create the song that will be the first single off the upcoming Notorious film soundtrack. "Brooklyn Go Hard" is Jay-Z's contribution to the biopic about his old friend and fellow hip-hop icon Notorious B.I.G. and he called on Brooklyn by way of Philly phenom Santogold -- who as you know tops my list...

About this Archive

This page is an archive of entries from December 2008 listed from newest to oldest.

November 2008 is the previous archive.

January 2009 is the next archive.

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