Since the release of her debut album in 2006, Cassie has become a bit of a mythological creature in the world of R&B. Her journey has been far from easy and she remains one of the most divisive characters in the game. Some deify her as some type of cult-princess, (many) others vilify her for her somewhat awkward relationship with Diddy and that relentless “f*cks for tracks” reputation she’s acquired over the years. I’m still hung up on the way she mugged off R-Les back in the day, but whatever – I got love for Cassie.

Having failed to release any sort of full length follow up to her self-titled debut six years ago, Cassie finally returns this week with a new 13-track mixtape titled Rocka By Baby. Featuring guest appearances from Rick Ross, Pusha T, Too $hort and Jeremih and produced by Young Chop and Mike Will Made It - her latest may surprise a fair few naysayers. Surprisingly (and thankfully) she avoids any reference to the euro-dance/EDM epidemic many expected her to come with and instead serves up a mixtape full of fiercely produced R&B bangers. The trap-inspired beats that make up most of Rocka Bye Baby sees Cassie making the most of her limited vocal range by turning up that cold-but-sexy-breathy thing she’s become a master of. It even has her spitting bars.

Listen up, she goes in on this.

Download: Cassie – Rocka By Baby

Last night the DJ at Kendrick Lamar’s gig in London played a Cassie tune – it instantly triggered (a random, but) heated debate about her whole existence. We all pretty much made the similar point – that despite not necessarily being the best singer or performer, her first album and lead singles were cold as f*ck. And despite royally crapping on her career by ditching R-Les for Diddy and failing to follow up with anything worth while, her voice and songs continue to get sampled (evidence that despite what anyone may say, is proof that she’s made some type of impact). This probably has something to do with the lack of complexity in her vocal arrangements and tone but either way – it’s always good to hear another producers take on her material.

Enter Sweater Beats. A producer from New York, who by his own accounts makes “music to make your booty bounce”. Listen to his undeniably fragrant take on Cassie’s ‘You & U’, re-titled ‘Make a Move’ – refurbished with 80′s synths, sexy drum patterns and twinkling keys. A vibe.

Expect an EP later this year.

(via Indie R&B)

The Queen of Soul is on her way back – apparently.

After recovering from her gastric bypass mysterious illness earlier this year, Aretha Franklin is back on form and readying the release of her 38th (!) album entitled Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of the Love.

The album is reportedly being produced by her and her son, with no collaborations featured – despite rumours she was working with R.Kelly at one point.

“It’s definitely going to take the boomers back… But it’s also contemporary” says the 69-year old.

Not one to be too modest, she adds: “Ladies, take a good look at the photo of me on this album…This is how you’re supposed to look when you’re a woman falling out of love. Don’t sit by the phone waiting for him to call you, girlfriend; I want you to listen very closely to the lyrics of the songs on this album and you’ll hear a few good tips. Go out and have a ball!” (Source)

Historical legacy aside, I can’t say I’m too excited about this one. The news she is producing the album with her son isn’t the most promising. Don’t get me wrong, Franklin knows her way around the studio, but what she ought to have done is produce a new album with a select group of young, contemporary artists; think: Ne-Yo, Alicia Keys, Bruno Mars, Raphael Saadiq, even Kanye West etc.

Take for example the forward thinking stance Gil-Scott Heron took with his recent Jamie XX collaboration. Or Al Green’s 2008 Lay It Down long player, produced entirely by ?uestlove and James Poyser. These are the moves which establish the artists of yesteryear, as genuine graduates of music.

Though this is all speculation, in not doing so, I fear this new LP runs the risk of under delivering. When Franklin collaborated with Lauryn Hill back in ’98 on ‘A Rose is Still a Rose’ – we listened. In fact, we continue to listen. It’s no fluke that that album (of same name) was her most critically acclaimed in years – production credits included Dallas Austin, Jermaine Dupri, Diddy and of course, Miss Hill. That’s exactly what she should be doing here. Bringing her legacy into the new century. Producing something completely fresh, which not only appeals to her loyal fans, but also peak the interest of her younger subjects.

… And plus, I’d personally love to see an Aretha Franklin track featuring Lil’ B. Wouldn’t you? Lol.

Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of the Love is due out May 3rd exclusively via Walmart, and will receive a digital release a month later on June 3rd – that alone speaks volumes.

Echoing my own personal sentiments exactly, Wolf Haley hits the front page of the Express with his finest Slick Rick wigpiece.

So, is everyone ready for OFWGKTA mania next week in our hometown’s Camden Crawl? You’ll be able to locate the PinBoard staff in the mosh pit, shanking wimps around us with broken Corona bottles. Standard.

Also read strong rumours that the gang may have been on paperwork power moves with a Red Distribution/Sony deal that could enable them the creative freedom they’ve been anchored on, with all members signing under one umbrella. Their manager Chris Clancey’s stated:

“It’s based on getting the distribution deal we’ve always envisioned that allows the group to “sign  themselves” to their own company and keep their masters. They will have 100% creative control of all aspects of their music, art, and release schedule with no 3rd party participation in outside business. Freedom and ownership was the whole point. Red and Sony know that its in everyone’s best interest to maintain the group’s authenticity and control. They built it, they deserve it. There’s no cheesy hooks or fluorescent liquor product placements in the works..  It’s about to be fun.. and different.. “

Tyler later tweeted, “Odd Future…Records? Maybe.”

Prefer hearing this over hearsay of Roc Nation, Interscope and Diddy deals – all sounded so cliche and this group is their own stable, we as fans expect them to set their own standard with a distribution deal. The announcement of a flexible one album deal with XL Records was a genius move in itself given their liberal, power-to-the-artist stance. Let’s see how this unfolds.

Goblin is still set for May 10th release, on XL.

Mary J. Blige is the baddest. Know this.

This is one of the best tracks Mary has dropped in a hot minute, and if she stays true to her word – her next album, My Life II: The Journey Continues, a sequel to her most accomplished LP to date, My Life – will prove just as strong. The production list is promising too – Kanye West, Swizz Beatz, Stargate, Danga and more. The new album is set to drop September 20th.

Rising star Ed Sheeran delivers a unique freestyle over Jamie Woon’s ‘Night Air’ on CJ Beatz’ 1Xtra show. Not only that, but he also goes in over Diddy’s ‘Mo Money, Mo Problems’ too.

Flexing his emcee skills (although he says he’s “not a rapper”), Sheeran proves his artistic versatility by delivering a rather strong flow and clever lyrics.

We featured Ed way back in June 2010, when he took part in the pilot episode of ‘Rehearsal Rooms’. Since then he has signed a deal with Atlantic Records and is currently working on his debut album.

…Don’t say we didn’t tell you!

Click cover to download

I can’t lie, I haven’t heard a single record off this mixtape despite seeing a few scattered all over the blogosphere. But I thought I’d give this a download to check out what Dawn Richards is offering up. We know her from Danity Kane, we now know her from Diddy-Dirty Money but we don’t know her as solo artist, so I thought I’d be interesting to check it out. She says the mixtape is a “compilation of emotions and feelings that you if you were to fall into my heard, this is what my would sould like”.

Hit the download up top and have a listen…

Previous: PinBoard Exclusive: Diddy-Dirty Money Interview (“Last Ride from London”)

Best viewed in 720dpi

PinBoardFilm were requested by Diddy to shoot a quick viral for Dirty Money during their visit to London. In this intimate piece, we backseat voyage through the city as the Dirty Money ladies speak candidly about their relationship with Diddy and give an alternative, unexpected insight on the man; what they are as an artistic component on new album Last Train To Paris; Dawn and Kaleena’s relationship; and Dawn reflects frankly on Danity Kane.

With special thanks to Matilda Egere-Cooper of The Cultural Expose for conducting the interview and to Felicia Okoye for arranging everything.

Mary J. Blige & Weezy F Baby join Diddy on the official remix of ‘Someone To Love Me’, which can be found on Diddy-Dirty Money’s new album Last Train to Paris. I’m down for whenever Mary sings over a Hip Hop beat, so for this reason – I am on this remix. Yep. And of course, Lil’ Wayne steps up and shows em’ how it’s done.

Download: Diddy Feat Mary J. Blige & Lil’ Wayne – ‘Someone To Love Me’ (Remix)

P.s Mary’s next album better be the My Life throwback she’s promising. I need more of this.

Chelsea Lately goes in on Diddy for being late for her show. But Diddy handles himself pretty well. A funny interview, I must say.