DJ Khaled: We Taken Over

We Taken Over

This Terror Squad member is very proud to be Palestinian-American. Khaled Khaled, which is Arabic for eternal, better known as DJ Kahled, is a DJ and radio personality in South Florida at WEDR 99 Jamz where he controls the airwaves from 6pm to 11pm in the TakeOver with K. Foxx.

His semi-successful first album, Listenn…The Album, was released the summer of 2006. The album featured an array of artist such as Chamillionare, Twista, John Legend, and many more and “Holla At Me” premiered on MTV’s “Making the Video.

Now, DJ Kahled has finally made his breakthrough hit off his sophomore album, We The Best, and his first single, “We Taken Over” features a powerhouse of rap artist. The line up includes T.I., Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Baby, and Lil’ Wayne and the man that brings all these men together in the hook, the R&B top charter, Akon.

This song explains how DJ Kahled and these hip-hop men are going to take the world by storm. Akon belts out, “If you want to we can supply you. Got enough work to feed the hold town…Come around and try to stomp on our ground ‘cause we taken over… one city at a time!” On top of these don’t mess with me type of feel you get a great hip-hop produced by no other than DJ Kahled and 5 rappers adding their fire to the track.

This is not one of those songs that grows on you because if you are a hip-hop fan it will draw you in from the first note and keep you tuned till Lil’ Wayne says his last line. Check out the song and video here courtesy of You Tube and you watch all these top-named featured artist rescue DJ Kahled.

Avril Lavigne: Girlfriend

Girlfriend

Avril Lavigne is being who ever she wants to be. After being interested in music and learning how to play the guitar as a child, she performed everywhere she got the chance. At 16 she was probably one of the luckiest kids in America. The L.A. Reid heard her sing and he was amazed by her voice. Once he discovered she wrote her own material he signed her to Arista Records. She then hit it big with her debut song “Complicated” in the summer of 2002.

Now she is back to finally release her third album, The Best Damn Thing Ever, and it cannot be anything other than a pop-rock album. She did not hold back at all after she married Deryck Whibley, member of Sum41. This album is more teen spirited than ever and her first single is definitely making a statement saying... I’m still young and want to have fun.

“Girlfriend” made its debut on the Hot 100 Billboard at number 5. It was the highest debut single Avril has ever had. This is one of those songs that makes you want to get on a bed and jump around while singing into a brush. Avril sings, “I don’t like your girlfriend… I think you need a new one…I could be your girlfriend.” This is a very light-hearted play around song and if that is what Lavigne was going for… she did it. The only complaint with this song: Avril, if you want a kiddie song than suggest you don’t use words like muth*f*ck*. Thanks. I give this song a C.

Rihanna feat Jay-Z: Umbrella

Umbrella feat. Jay-Z

Rihanna is back with her third album Good Girls Gone Bad, set to be released June 5, 2007. The last time we heard from this 19 year old Cover Girl was her last smash hit S.O.S. released in 2004. I am hear to tell you, she has switched up her sound once again. According to her official website, she said, “I feel like I want to do a lot of uptempo songs. I want to keep people dancing but still be soulful at the same time."

The lead single, “Umbrella” has a feature by no other than Jay-Z, the man who signed her to Def Jam records. The song was produced by Christopher “Tricky Stewart and Terius “The Dream” Nash who produced Britney Spears and Madonna’s hit “Me against the music.”This song is very rock hip-hop which seems to be the current style in urban music. A lot of artist are ready to “Party like a Rock Star”. Umbrella has a catchy hook that reminds a lot of Ashely Simpson’s “L.O.V.E’.

There is not a video for this song yet but listen to it, hear…thanks to you tube. It is a good song if you need some uplifting from a friend. With lyrics like, “Said I'll always be a friend ,Took an oath I'ma stick it out till the end ,Now that it's raining more than ever Know that we'll still have each other, You can stand under my umbrella…”, how can you not want to be there for someone in their time of need. Good Job Rihanna! You changed up your sound and succeeded.

I give this song a B+!

Musiq: Buddy

Buddy

Luvanmusiq, Musiq’s first album from Atlantic Records is definite reminder that no matter where he goes he will not change. He said he used this album to reintroduce himself to the world. Not that he needs any reintroduction. His debut album, Ijustwanasing (2000), was good enough to know that he will be back.

Musiq Soulchild, born as Taalib Johnson, grew up in Philadelphia. Even though he never finished high school he did have one thing, music. He was inspired by the voices of Billie Holiday, James Brown, Patti Labelle, and Sly and the Family Stone. As an early teen, he performed at open mic spots around Philly.

Mama’s Boys, his management team, brought him to the attention of Def Jam and due to his talent he was immediately signed. He recorded his first three albums there. The second, Juslisen, debuted at number one on the Billboard RnB/hip-hop charts. His third album, Soulstar, became global.

Now, at Atlantic the release of his new album has a major single, BUDDY. Musiq, known for spelling a few words has not lost his touch. This song is a feel good old school song that Detroit and Chicago steppers could groove too. Musiq sings as a man trying to get a girl to be a so-called buddy by spitting game to her. This song could be a girl’s nightmare if men try to use pick-up lines from this tune, but it is definitely catchy. With lyrics like, “Sorry if I come off disrespectful, But my convo is a little bit too sexual, But, d*mn, it's incredible, Be more flexible, ‘cause the contents of this text is special” Speaking as a woman… I might talk to a guy if he was that smooth. 


The video is also fun… Buddy, the video, is Musiq walking down the city street trying to get a beautiful young lady. Check it out on You Tube! Musiq has been a fine of mine for years and I can give nothing less than a “A” to this man of “music.”

Linkin Park: What I've Done

News Spin: What I've Done

Today, Monday 16th, the biggest school shooting in U.S. History took place on Virginia Tech’s campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. Thirty-two people have been killed and there are also many with injuries. The shooter then killed his self after shooting those at the second location.

The first shooting was roughly at 7:30 this morning in the schools dormitory and apparently he made his way across campus into a school building shooting students and teachers in their classroom…That’s another investigation in itself.

This is a sad day for us as American. We either are in college, been in college, or know someone in college… and this is just a reminder that those you love can die of senseless violence. Since this sight is about music I will let a music group explain it better.

It’s been since 2004 since Linkin Park has released an album and it is good to have them back. After a bold move to mix their array of hits with the Jay-Z’s hits, a rap pioneer, they have been missed. This group is an old school hip hop mixed with new age electric rock sound and they to me…. are one of a kind.

Linkin Park’s latest video, “What I’ve Done”, from their up and coming album, Minutes to Midnight, is a call out to America’s foreign and domestic policies by getting a montage of clips describing today’s war tone world. The lyrics to this rocked out song are a little murky. I’m not sure whom he is talking about or if he is apologizing for someone. For some reason though, the lyrics and this video work. Check it out… and get involved! A new president is coming in 2008 so know whom you are voting for.

This post is dedicated to those who lost their lives today at Virginia Tech and my thoughts and prayers are with their families.

Gym Class Heroes: Cupid's Chokehold

Cupids Chokehold

Gym Class Heroes is a alternative hip hop band from Geneva, New York. The group uses live instuments intstead of a beat machine and it gives them a street edge like the hip hop group The Roots. The group original formed in 1997 when lead singer Travis McCoy and drummer Matt McGinley become friends in their high school gym class. They teamed up with guitarist Milo Bonacci and bassist Ryan Geise.

As Cruel as School Children is Gym Class Heroes latest album. Their latest single, “Cupids Chokehold” featuring Patrick Stump from Fall Out Boy, is the number 8 single on the Billboard’s Hot 100. “Cupids Chokehold” is a Breakfast in America remake written by Roger Hodgson and Rick Davis and the band pulls it off to be a new hit.

This twisted love song explains how good love can be and how fast it can be taken away. “I know I'm young but if I had to choose her or the sun, I'd be one nocturnal son of a gun” These lyrics might be cheesy but it works with Gym Class Heroes corky since of style.



The music video is not to shabby either. The lyrics are brought to life on this cheap shot at cupid himself. A little boy is dresses up as cupid break dancing his way into making Travis fall in love. This is a cute must see. Since this band is new to the scenes…. Check out their website and get to know this up and coming group of young men. They are currently touring the world on Gwen Stefani’s tour The Sweet Escape. So, watch out.

Amy Winehouse: Rehab

Rehab

Amy Winehouse , 23, is an an award winning British soul singer. She may be unknown to a lot of Americans but she is now performing a sold out tour overseas. This jazz style vocalist is a voice to reckoned with. With chops compared to Aretha Franklin and the late Etta James how can you not want to at least see what this young lady from London has to offer.

Her sophomore album, Back to Black, is buzzing in the music world. It embraces the oversized production techniques employed by Phil Spector, the pop of Berry Gordy’s Motown Records.

Her latest single Rehab and the must-hear song that opens the second album from Winehouse, is a Motown-style winner with a banging beat and a lovesick bad girl testifying the words, “They tried to make me got to rehab but I said no no no…” there’s a high chance that you would want to hear what comes next from this soulful voice. Universal records explains her as taken solace in the music of Ray Charles and Donny Hathaway.

I give this song a C, but there are a few songs on the album that are A worthy. If you are still wondering who this new name might be check out the video on You tube. It will give you a real look into whom Ms. Winehouse truly is.

Lloyd: Get it Shawty

Get It Shawty

For R&B singer Lloyd Polite, success is not taken lightly. Singing has always been natural for this New Orleans native because he comes from a musical background. His mother played piano and sang in the church choir, while his father directed the choir and played saxophone. His parent’s was the inpiration for him to pursue music. As a pre-teen he was signed with a group and got to experience the spot light but by the age of 14, the R&B trio, Ntoon, was disband and he moved to Decatur, GA where he finished high school.

Now, this 20- year old singer and songwriter is debuting his sophomore album, Street Love. The new album is a healthy blend of old school flavor, flawless vocals and stellar production by Big Reese J-Lack, and none other than Jazze Phizzle himself.

I must say this album shocked me. I didn’t expect it to be this good and his latest single “Get it Shawty” is more than good. The song makes you want to bob your head from the first note and dance by the time the hook hits. Even though the hook is pretty basic by just saying “Get it Shawty” …it works. The bass and the echo techno sound make this a club hit!


The video is not that shabby either. The shoot consists of only three scenes but it backs up what this song is…something to dance to. I give Mr. Polite a big B.