Here goes the much hyped collabo between Alicia Keys and Beyonce…

Alicia Keys & Beyonce – “Put It In A Love Song”

Hmmmm. Now, this is a strange one. On one hand, I think it could have been a lot better and I’m sure many will hate it on first listen. But then, on the other, I really think it’ll grow on me. On my third listen and I’m liking it more and more. It’s not what I expected and all (don’t know what I was expecting actually, but hey) – but I kinda like what they’ve brought. Something unexpected can sometimes be a good thing, no?

Still really looking forward to Alicia’s new album The Element of Freedom.

What do YOU think?

Peace, Love, Alicia Keys & Beyonce

Speeakz

Shouts to JJ

I was just sent this new Toni Braxton track, check it out…

Toni Braxton – “Don’t Leave”

Unsure if this will appear on Toni’s upcoming album Pulse, but it bloody well should! This is really quite beautiful and actually, my favourite leak of hers thus far. “Don’t Leave” really reminds me of what I’ve loved about Braxton all these years. Her voice sounds stunning and suits the tone of the song perfectly. Really liking this one.

Peace, Love & Toni BraxtonS

Speeakz

Just wanted to wish Hova a Happy Birthday, the dude turns the big 4-0 today.

Peace, Love & Jay-Z

Speeakz

Here’s a brand new track off Em’s re-release of Relapse…

Eminem – “Elevator”

Ummm, not sure about this one. I’m definitely an Eminem fan, I think he’s one of the dopest emcee’s around (or has even been around for that matter), but this ‘parody’ music he keeps putting out is pissing me off. I don’t get why he doesn’t rap in his normal voice either?

Update: Eminem – “Buffalo”

Feeling this one a little more.

Peace, Love & Eminem

Speeakz

Shouts to Andrew

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDzjcet0T1M&feature=player_embedded]

Haven’t we heard all this a million times before? And didn’t he say he was no longer going to speak on it? I’m not hating on him, I’m just struggling to figure out what good continuing to talk about this is doing? I understand all publicity is good publicity, but not sure that that applies in this case.

The full interview tomorrow.

Peace, Love & Chris Brown

Speeakz

Shouts to Toya

Aretha Franklin & Alicia Keys performed at the annual ‘Christmas In Rockafella Center’ event last night, check them both doing their respective things below…

Aretha Franklin – “Joy To The World”

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Love Aretha, but cannot condone that hideous fur she’s adorning. And as much as a legend she is, she needs to learn to cover herself up. You know what I mean.

Alicia Keys - “Little Drummer Boy”

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Another elegant performance.

Peace, Love, Aretha & Alicia

Speeakz

[YOUTUBE=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLj_l5EJoJs&feature=player_embedded]

Check J-Lo performing her single “Louboutins” on Ellen, after that you can check her interview under the cut…

Peace, Love & Jennifer Lopez

Speeakz

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Can’t even front, that cover looks ill.

…Further more, in my attempt to separate artist from art – I have to say, Chris’ new album Graffiti is actually quite good. I’m still warming to it, but generally – he’s done pretty well.

Peace, Love & Chris Brown

Speeakz

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/7948409]

The PinBoard crew-dem was at this party, can’t lie – it was lavish…

Birdman was in London recently to officially set up shop in the UK. On the back of Jay Sean’s global success, Cash Money held a lavish launch party in a Bank. That’s right, a Bank in the middle of London’s financial district.

Birdman talks on:
*His next UK signing.
*Amsterdam vs London.
*The shape of Cash Money records
…and more

Cash Money after Sabrina Washington, huh? That could be a good look.

Peace, Love & Birdman

Speeakz

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Get Substance Abuse now…

Peace, Love & Smoke DZA

Speeakz

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Cannot wait to get my hands on this album or to hear this song.

Peace, Love & Alicia Keys

Speeakz

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDEMNLY4W58]

Last night during the Grammy Nominations Concert, Maxwell (who’s nominated  for 6 awards) honoured Michael Jackson by performing one of my favourite songs – “Lady In My Life”. Can’t think of anyone else who could have performed this better.

Check the full list of nominees here

Peace, Love & Maxwell

Speeakz

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Peace, Love & DJ Khaled

Speeakz

The 52nd annual Grammy Awards will take place on January 31st 2010 in Los Angeles at the Staples Center. Last night the 2010 nominations were announced during the Grammy Nominations Concert which was hosted by LL Cool J and featured performances from Maxwell, Black Eyed Peas and others. Check out (the most interesting) nominations below…

We’re posting live as the nominations are announced, so this list will be constantly updated

It’s 3.30am here in London right now. I need to get some sleep. I haven’t tallied up how many everyone got, but I know Beyonce got a massive 10 nods.

Let us know what YOU think about this years nominations!

Best New Artist

• Zac Brown Band
• Keri Hilson
• MGMT
• Silversun Pickups
• The Ting Tings

Song of the Year

• Lady GaGa – “Poker Face”
• Maxwell – “Pretty Wings”
• Beyonce – “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”
• Kings of Leon – “Use Somebody”
• Taylor Swift – “You Belong With Me”

Record of the Year

• Beyonce – “Halo”
• The Black Eyed Peas – “I Gotta Feeling”
• Kings of Leon – “Use Somebody”
• Lady GaGa – “Poker Face”
• Taylor Swift – “You Belong To Me”

Album of the Year

• Beyonce – “I Am…Sasha Fierce”
• The Black Eyed Peas – “The E.N.D”
• Lady GaGa – “The Fame”
• Dave Matthews Band – “Big Whiskey & the GrooGrux King”
• Taylor Swift – “Fearless”

Best Rap Album

• Common – “Universal Mind Control”
• Eminem – “Relapse”
• Flo  Rida – “R.O.O.T.S”
• Mos Def – “The Ecsastic”
• Q-Tip – “The Renaissance”

Hit the jump for the rest of the Grammy Nominations!

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Click cover to download

I just tweeted the fact that I/we have so many Mixtapes/EP’s to get through when I was pleasantly reminded by the good folks over at SoulBounce, that their project Men Love Mary: A Tribute to ‘My Life’ also dropped today.

15 years after Mary J. Blige released the now classic My Life album, SoulBounce.com have gathered “9 dynamic male artists to record re-imaginings of their favourite My Life songs for Men Love Mary: A Tribute to ‘My Life’”. Hosted by Chunky Thompson, one of Bad Boy’s most successful hit makers and a key producer on Mary’s My Life album, the EP features Eric Roberson, Jesse Boykins III, Slakah the Beatchild and many more! Check the full tracklist after the jump.

What a great way to honour the Queen of Hip Hop Soul! I’m about to download this now, I suggest you do too.

Peace, Love & Mary J. Blige

Speeakz

A big shoutout to SoulBounce for this – great stuff.

Continue reading this post…