In celebration of the release of Bilal’s new album Airtight’s Revenge, check him out performing Bob Marley’s classic ‘Is this Love’ in Los Angeles. The video highlights familiar musicians backing Bilal, working with musical director Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, who worked with him for Mochilla’s Suite for Ma Dukes etc.
Ok, this is where I get to say: I told you so.
When Brandy’s album Human came out I got nothing but slack for saying it wasn’t up to scratch. While fans and (some) blogs were aimlessly stating it was her best work (since whenever), I remained constant in my opinion and continued to explain why I felt they were all wrong, basically. Well, now the lady herself, who you know I have mad love for, has discussed openly with out.com why she feels her last album didn’t do so well…
Let’s talk about your most recent album, Human.
To hell with that album!Why? You didn’t like it?
I believe a lot of the songs on that album have inspired some of the fans. In that respect it’s a blessing. But, where I felt creatively it could’ve gone and the space I was in creatively, I needed everybody around me to be in that same space.What would you have liked out of that album?
First of all, it would’ve been a different album, but with the same inspiration and same blessing for other people. It would’ve been hotter music and a hotter look. Number 1 on the charts! Platinum!Which brings up a good point. Your career has slowed down over the years in terms of chart success. How does it feel when you’re no longer number 1?
It feels terrible. I say this in the most humble way, but I’m a winner. So, when a winner feels failure, it doesn’t feel right or good. It’s a like a champion who gets knocked out. That’s why I’m so hungry on making this next project about what feels good to my gut. When I follow my intuition or my creative guidance, there’s success.
This is why I have so much love for Brandy. Which other artist out there do you know who would say this about their work? I love how real she’s being. The album was lackluster and more importantly was no where near what Brandy is capable of. Undoubtelty there are a couple tunes on there that I really like – but as an album – it just wasn’t cohesive.
Brandy’s next album needs to be fire. I’m expecting some Never Say Never-epic type ish. She can do it.
Shan dropped this while I was away, when I heard it my head nearly exploded. Will & Jada’s seeds have ‘the power’. Like, no joke. One has a box office smash career (despite ‘Karate Kid’ being quite shiteous, the best thing about it was that kid) and now this pickney is putting girls twice her age to shame. What the heck? Can you say swagger?
My yoot.
Strip this away of it’s poppy synths and cross-over gloss and you’re left with an undeniably well written, beautiful song.
Wonderful acoustic rendition by the gifted chap we’ve come to know as Labrinth. Wishing him success at this time but simultaneously hoping he doesn’t lose his soul to that bastard Cowell.
They should have released this during the Summer though. It would have been a festival hit. Like, where’s the sun right now in England fam?!
Shouts to SB.TV crew.
Thematically, Hawthorne’s got the right idea.
Bouncier, perkier track than usual from Stones Throw’s multi-talented throwback Soulster as he goes corporate to partner with Mazda (just kiddin’, get that paper homie). Produced by Classixx.
Feelin’ it.
Download: Mayer Hawthorne – No Strings
If you’re not up to speed with Lauren Pritchard, you really ought to be. She’s got a killer voice and as you’ll see from this video, she has a couple things up her sleeve still. I actually really like this tune (not sure everyone will), and am a fan of the type of music she’s putting out (that acoustic soul type ish). Her debut album Wasted in Jackson is released on October 26th.
The good folks over at Rap-Up just posted the artwork and tracklist for Lil’ Wayne’s forthcoming EP I Am Not a Human Being. The EP drops on his birthday, September 27th. The EP features Drake, Nicki Minaj, Jay Sean and Tyga. Erm, track 1 already has my interest, the dudes called a song ‘Gonorrhea’? LOL!
I’ve been bumpin’ his latest single ‘I Am Not a Human Being’ since the homie Shan posted it up the official video – it’s pure fire.
1. “Gonorrhea” feat. Drake
2. “Hold Up” feat. T-Streets
3. “With You” feat. Drake
4. “I Am Not a Human Being”
5. “I’m Single” feat. Drake
6. “What’s Wrong With Them” feat. Nicki Minaj
7. “Right Above It” feat. Drake
8. “Popular” feat. Lil Twist
9. “That Ain’t Me” feat. Jay Sean
10. “Bill Gates”
11. “YM Banger” feat. Jae Millz, Gudda Gudda, and Tyga
12. “YM Salute” feat. Lil Twist, Lil Chuckee, Gudda Gudda, Jae Millz, and Nicki Minaj
This tune has not come off my iPhone since we first posted it back in May. It’s massive. Massive for a number of reasons – first, because it perfectly demonstrates the power and talent behind Price’s (often underrated and slept on) voice and secondly because it may (I pray) signify the beginning of the return of real R&B. That’s a big statement, I know – but I live in hope at least. A couple tracks have dropped this year that also makes me feel that something in R&B is shifting – only time will tell. I’m sick to death with this Euro-dance trip these R&B artists seem to be on at the moment. On some next sell out sh*t.
ANYWAYS – back to the video at hand, Kelly Price does what she does – sings the heck out of the song. ‘Tired’ is a massive tune, her voice is so utterly ridiculous. If you didn’t believe it before, press play and hear for yourself. Wow. Wow. Wow!!!
Oh yes! Our homegirl Fatima drops a brand new video for ‘Warm Eyes’ a track produced by the mighty Dam-Funk. Would have loved this to have dropped during the summer, but it’s a great way to wrap up a great few months. This is pure vibes, we all know this lady is mad talented and has something real special. Dam-Funk needs no introduction, you guys know (by now) how great he is – the combination of the two – brilliant. Biggup the whole Eglo Records familia.
…This is one of my fav Fatima tunes. J’adore. Turn up your speakers for this one…!
According to TMZ Katherine Jackson, mother of the late King of Pop, is suing AEG (the company who was putting on Jackson’s come back tour), claiming the contact with Michael “created a legal duty for AEG to act reasonably toward the physical well-being of Michael Jackson”. In the document, Katherine also blames the tour company for hiring Dr. Murray without a proper background check, stating “AEG did not provide a doctor who was truly looking out for Jackson’s well-being and did not provide equipment”.
The suit also blames AEG for the “emotional distress” to Michael’s son Prince because he witnessed Michael suffering and dying and that “he was put in a position as bystander to these tragic events”.
‘This Is Is’ director Kenny Ortega is named as a defendant.
As much as I would love to say ‘why can’t every just allow this man to rest in peace’, I can’t help but think that if this was my family and my mother thought that my death could have been avoided – I know, without a shadow of a doubt, she would do the very same. It’s clear Katherine is not after money – Michael’s estate is healthier than it ever has been – she and MJ’s kids are well taken care of. This is about justice and a mother’s need/right to defend her son and family.
We’ll keep you updated.
One of my favourite singers, YahZarah, drops a video for her new video featuring the one and only Phonte. ‘Cry Over You’ is taken off YahZarah’s fantastic new album The Ballad of Purple St James which is out now – you need that LP in your life, especially if you consider yourself a soul fan. LOVE this song!
Sidenote: We’ve holding out on you, we’ve got our exclusive interview with YahZarah in the pipe line, we’ll be dropping this real, real soon – hol’ tight.
KanYe West covers XXL Magazine as he preps the release of his new album expected to drop at the end of the year.
Where my 80′s babies at? This one is so for you. Can’t lie, this is a little before my time (only a few years mind you) but thought it was pretty fresh and something you could have fun listening to. The Countdown is taken from “three sides of a couple 30-minute cassettes and mixed in early ’83, here are DJ’s Chris & Steve (aka Peanut Butter Wolf & Baron Zen) running down the top 50 jams of 1982″. The mix is in 3-parts and is available via Stones Throw’s Mixcloud, complete with track list and commercial interruptions.
We’re talking Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Prince, Jermaine Jackson, Indeep, The Gap Band, Marvin Gaye, Grand Master Flash, Earth Wind & Fire & more. Noice.
Up top is part 1, running down from #50-32), find parts 2 and 3 after the jump…
