Category Archives: Music

Mar 23 2009
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Music

J. Holiday – Run Into My Arms

At one point in time R&B seemed to be suffering, gone were the classic days of BoyzIIMen, R. Kelly appeared to be spending more time in court than in the studio and the likes of acts such as the great Musiq Soulchild were categorized as neo-soul and distanced away from the mainstream. 2008 saw a revival thanks to artists such as The Dream and mainly I would say Ne-Yo(nobody has been so influential in modern R&B since R. Kelly, well..until that incident with his weak bladder and the underage girl). Now following this revival of R&B and the success of his debut is J. Holiday, with his new album ‘Round 2’. In particular, one track which has stood out for me is ‘Run Into My Arms‘, the production, the lyrics, the arrangement, it all fits as one of those classic old school feeling love songs.

I just think that the song possesses the no frills treatment that most songs today lack, there is no guest feature to promote sales, it is carefully created and where i feel that the song could be even better, i also believe that it stands out by far among many of today’s R&B hits.

Lyrically the song is so basic yet honest, no really clever wordplay is needed to express the feeling, a plus point even as it portrays the message far easier and clearer this way.

To me this is like his previous hit ‘Suffocate’, it has that honest and realistic feel to it, many can relate and understand the concept itself. Production wise it is not as finely executed but i feel that it gives it a more raw and soulful element, it adds to the feeling the song offers.

I’m looking forward to hearing the rest of the album and will no doubt review another track by him soon, until then..enjoy!!

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Mar 21 2009
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Music

GLC – Flight School ft. Kanye West & T-Pain

I posted the track earlier which was the leaked version minus GLC’s verse, but the track has been mastered and although GLC is not considered on the same level as Kanye or even T-Pain, he does stand his ground with this effort.

It’s the same hook from T-Pain and obviously the same verse from Kanye West and truthfully it is that good of a verse that I’m glad they have kept it. Overall i think GLC does pretty well, after hearing him on this track I want to hear even more from him as it seems he has a lot to offer as an artist.

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Mar 21 2009
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Music

Young LA – Ain’t I (Remix) ft. Young Dro & T.I.

‘Young LA’ has had Atlanta and pretty much most of America singing along to his single ‘Ain’t I’, now all he needs is an official co-sign from an established and internationally known artist, I guess it’s a good thing he’s signed to T.I.’s Grand Hustle label, as the King of the South jumps on along with Young Dro for the remix, the thing is, whilst helping Young La and Young Dro make a name for themselves, T.I. has only gone and stolen the show with his verse.

The beat sounds similar to Boyz N Da Hood – Dem Boyz, but that isn’t a bad thing, because that was a good song. Back to ‘Ain’t I’, When Young LA started rapping it reminded me of Shawty Lo, but that could just be the southern drawl, which brings us to Young Dro, always composed on the mic and his verse is quite good but I just feel the last verse brings the best out of the track and yes you’ve guessed it..T.I.

With lines like, “Ain’t I laughing at these haters tryna take a shot at me, They don’t know which way to go..i make it easy..follow me” (could this be the reply to a certain Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson?) either way, T.I. is on top of his game and although unfortunate for Young LA and the track, his cameo is certainly a fortunate for music and I look forward to hearing more when he returns from jail (Hopefully even better)

I actually feel bad that I don’t really have much to say about the first two verses, still, I hope you enjoy the track as much as I did if not more.

..and if that wasn’t good enough for you, here is Bow Wow’s version of it:

Mar 15 2009
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Music

Johnta Austin – If I Was (Your Boyfriend)

I’m a big fan of Johnta Austin, so I was glad to hear this:

In today’s over saturated industry it is always good to hear something fresh or something classic, Johnta delivers both with this one. A singer and songwriter, Johnta Austin is more famed for his songwriting capabilities (having penned the hit Sweet Lady for Tyrese as well as more recently writing two Grammy award winning tracks in the form of Mariah Carey’s We Belong Together and Be Without You for Mary J. Blige).

‘If I Was (Your Boyfriend)’ has the feel of a classic R&B single (think more Jagged Edge, makes sense as he works closely with Jermaine Dupri). The song has Johnta letting the girl know that she is with the wrong guy (like Trey Songz – Can’t Help But Wait..which funnily enough was written by Johnta Austin), but not just the wrong guy, more so that she doesn’t know what love is unless she got with him (Johnta).

It’s not confirmed if this will become an official single for not, or even if he will keep it for himself, either way it is a nice track and shows the consistency that he delivers which is why Johnta Austin is so sought after in the R&B world.

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Mar 15 2009
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Music

Dream Mclean – Experiment Gone Wrong

Who said the UK hasn’t got enough talent?

Among the sea of emcees, another rises to the tide, this time in the form of Dream Mclean, a young emcee with plenty potential.

His first single, ‘Experiment Gone Wrong’ is an answer to critics (Haters) whilst serving as an introduction to those who don’t know about him. Experiment Gone Wrong provides Dream with the perfect canvas for him to paint his picture. Produced by Skeamz and Tru Omega, the track possesses a hard-hitting beat and a cleverly cut sample tied up between a rhythmic synth and the emcee makes the most of it!

The first thing that stands out is Dream Mclean’s voice, it has a presence about it, something that alot of emcees lack and therefore get looked over, then there are those that have the voice but not the content, Dream Mclean however has both. Loaded with metaphors and punchlines (I couldn’t even decide which line to highlight), he controls the beat, confidence in his ability is evident and composure on the mic like a veteran, the level of potential is extremely high and can only go from strength to strength.
Dream Mclean should not be looked at as ‘just another rapper’, he might just be raising the level for future artists, he’s already made the competition harder for those already in the game.

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Mar 15 2009
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Music

Fat Joe – One ft. Akon

Joseph Cartegena better known as Fat Joe returns with the first single of his new album ‘Jealous Ones Still Envy 2 (J.O.S.E. 2)‘.

The new single ‘One‘ features Akon (a man who definitely knows a thing or two about hit records), ‘One’ to me is like the previous release ‘I Won’t Tell’ but on steroids, it’s another one for the ladies but the content has gone from showering a beauty with luxuries to Joe appreciating his only lady for holding him down throughout their struggles.

Produced by ‘The Inkredibles‘, who give the song that ‘street’ edge with Akon increasing it’s commercial status whilst sounding raw like only he can (as previously heard on Young Jeezy – Soul Survivor and 50 Cent – I Still Kill).

In all honesty when i first heard the track I kind of slept on it, it sounded like the typical street song and then threw Akon on the hook for it to be a hit, but after a few more listens it became clear that the song does possess substance. ‘One’ is a good look for Fat Joe and shows promise for his already long and successful career.

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Mar 13 2009
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Music

Tinie but in a big way!!

Sometimes an artist does not get the recognition they deserve, this time it is Tinie Tempah.

I remember a while back, watching a remix video for a ‘Bruza’ tune, it had some of his ‘Aftershock’ artists including a young Tinie Tempah, instantly i felt like this kid could be big in the coming years. Years later, Tinie Tempah is now considered as one of the best artists the country has to offer.

He first landed onto the scene with the hit Wifey, gaining constant play wherever it was available, be it radio, TV or your friend’s ipod! He then came back with the anthem Hood Economics, following the now growing buzz, Tinie kept the fans happy with an appearance on Agent X and Ultra’s Perfect Girl. He then went on to shatter the mainstream window with the release of Tears.

After successfully cementing his status as one of the premier emcees in the country, Tinie Tempah has not rested but instead increased the work ethic with the release of ‘Sexy Beast’. In addition to this, Tinie recently went on the Tim Westwood show and proved any critic he may have wrong as well as gain more fans, truly an excellent performance, content, style, delivery, swagger ..you name it, he was pouring it out, lines like, “British and Fly..Alexander McQueen, I’m a marketing dream” help push him as an artist into the elite category, somewhere he deserves to be.

Possessing lyrics, flow, confidence and overall a strong desire and ambition, Tinie Tempah has no reason to not be even more successful and not just in the UK!!

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Mar 13 2009
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Music

Pure Badness!!

2008 saw the release of Wretchrospective from Wretch 32, on that classic was a Diamond of a track by the name of ‘Ina Di Ghetto‘, it featured Grime veteran Ghetto aka Ghetts and Birmingham’s own ‘Badness‘

Although both the Wretchroboy and Ghetts were on point and delivered quality as expected over the Maniac produced monster track, Badness offered the most catchy part with his delivery of the chorus, since then Badness has been working hard pushing his name and quality music to the public’s ears. Now 2009, I personally did not know what to expect from Badness, a recent appearance on Radio 1’s Tim Westwood show helped establish Badness as a serious artist with a serious talent!

Tracks such as ‘I Know This Girl’, ‘Split Personality’ and ‘Take The Title’ (Available to hear at www.myspace.com/badnessmc) show his array of ability vocally as well as his lyrical skill.

Badness is an animated artist on the mic, blending strong culture, street life, making it enjoyable and without a doubt entertaining.

With the ‘PA/LAVA Eruption’ project out on the 16th of March (Go Cop that!!), Badness will cement his place as one to watch as he continues his rise to the top with his fusion based music, a pioneer even, I can see Badness help many similar artists get the attention and recognition that they need.

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Mar 13 2009
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Music

Ozzie B – Maybee Thing

Hopefully you’ve seen Ozzie B’s ‘About Time’ (and read the review obviously), well now Ozzie B aka Zed follows up that anthem with another one.

“These days it’s a Maybee thing, Everybody saying Maybee thing,
These days it’s a Maybee thing, To make P’s is a definite-definite- definite-definite thing!!”

Ozzie B displays his versatility with this one, after the strong sounding and lyrically driven ‘About Time’, he steps into the funky house room, trying to keep the sound as street and underground sounding as possible, yet possessing the required elements for it to be as big on the dance floor, It will no doubt help put the name Ozzie B into more people’s heads with the track’s catchy vibe, you can’t help but to get up and ‘skank’ to this one.

‘Maybee Thing‘ is a feel good, care free tune, you can’t be critical of something that does what it is supposed to, and Ozzie B has certainly met the requirements with this banger.

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Mar 11 2009
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Music

D-Fam – You’re My Baby

When the heart of the UK’s biggest urban collective introduces a group or artist, everyone has to take note. so when So Solid Crew’s Megaman introduced us to D-Fam, a collective of young talented rappers and singers, everyone’s ears were open and the addictive single that was Whatever You Want, really had their buzz growing.

09 and they have returned with ‘You’re My Baby‘, featuring a more mature ‘Taj’ and ‘Castro’ leading the vocals, new member ‘Junks’ and ‘Jemmel’ (who vocally reminds me of a young Babyface) serenading the ladies with the hook. The track itself is easy to listen to, it’s far from gritty and the explicit urban culture that the genre gets stereotyped with yet possesses that street element with the presence of Taj (I still think we have not heard the best of him yet) and a slick looking Castro. Castro is someone to watch not just in front of the camera, he reminds me of when Megaman was fresh on the scene, more than just one of the rappers, a young entrepreneur out to fulfill ambitions, hopefully he and his collective D-Fam can match and even surpass the success and create their own legacy, with the guys all in their early 20’s, time is definitely on their side.

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