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.

Nelly Furtado: Say it Right

Say It Right

Grammy award winner Nelly Furtado whom was raised in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada grew into the music scene after spending countless summers with her mother cleaning houses. She turned to R&B artist like Mariah Carey, TLC, and Bel Biv Devoe. She also was exposed to rock artist like Radiohead, Oasis, the Verve, and U2 by sneaking into her older brother’s music collection. She became intrigued by music and deviled in playing the guitar and ukulele.

After high school she moved to Canada and worked by day and played in a hip-hop duo Nelstar at night. She let loose and began to merge all her styles of music together including Brazilian to create a funky sound.

Nelly’s third record, Loose, is another applause for this Portuguese-Candadian singer. She worked with producer Timbaland who definitely put his foot in this album. He laid down more than 60% percent of the tracks including Promiscuous, Maneater, any many more. One of Nelly’s latest single, Say it Right, was also produced by the hit making genius. They defenitely have a music chemistry that is undeniable.

Say it right starts sort of eerie with bass and drums and the tribal sounding voice of Timbaland. This is definitely a free flowing club hit. With lyrics like, “You either stand or you fall, When your will is broken, When it slips from your hand, When there's no time for joking, There's a hole in the plan” you cant help but sit back and think while you listen to the rhythmic drums and the dancing sounds of Nelly’s voice.

The video is also very basic which makes it a pleasure to watch. Now that a lot of videos look like movies...just to focus on Nelly, Timbaland and few dancers makes it easier to watch the video and pay attention to the lyrics.

In conclusion, if you do not already own the album, Loose, and you like more than two of her singles... why do you not have it? I rate this song a B++ BUT I give the beat an A!

Beyonce and Shakira: Beautiful Liar

Beautiful Liar

Beyonce will be re-releasing her B’day album on April 3rd. The album will include five new songs and six songs in Spanish. She teamed up with Shakira on her latest single, “Beautiful Liar”, on the re-release of “B’Day.” With two signature style voices like Beyonce and Shakira you can’t expect anything but a unique song from these divas.

Chuck Taylor from Rolling Style describes this song as an enterprising threading of an R&B rhythmic pulse and Latin horns, alongside fiery Middle Easter instrumental hooks.

The video is really what sales this song for me. If I had heard the song before I saw the video than I might not haven given this unexpected duet a fair shot. The video shows a sexy side of Shakira and Beyonce dancing like they would almost be twins.


Due to Beyonce’s light complexion and Shakira’s dark complexion the pair pull of this illusion very well. Their hair is styled the same and they dance and wear the same outfit in the second half of the video for a sexy treat. Beyonce can move her hips like Shakira and Shakira can shake that butt like Beyonce.

I give the video an A- for its creative and two beautiful women who know how to work it. The song on the either hand is very unique in it’s own right. For it to be two divas singing together…. they sing together not like they are competing and for that I give it B.