For the 3rd day running Cocaine 80s have released a new song. First we got ‘Queen To Be’, then yesterday ‘Take My Keys’ and today ‘This Can’t Be a Crime’. All 3 R&B songs have been fronted by James Fauntleroy – who has been showcasing a style some have said is borrowed heavily from a certain Odd Future singer – or perhaps it was the other way around, who knows. The reception of the first two singles have been strong thus far – sure this summer Pop number will go down a treat with fans also.
The Bawse throws down a verse on the gritty clapped out Cake beat with some visuals to match. A little insight into what a two week tour throughout Europe entails when you’re apart of the Maybach family. Red bottoms, plenty drannk and of course cake. Watch up top.
After the airing of her VH1 Behind the Music episode comes a new single from Grammy award winning singer Brandy featuring label-mate Chris Brown. The mid-tempo, taken off her upcoming Two Eleven album, was written by Sean Garrett and produced by Bangladesh. Breezy adds a well placed verse – donning his rapper hat once again.
Personally and on a musical level – I’m not too sure about this but understanding what Brandy must achieve this time around (commercially) helps aid my uncertainty. The beat is pretty basic, thus very accessible and as standard Norwood’s vocals and harmonies are completely on point. Is it the greatest return? Possibly not – but radio should react positively to this one, as should a new, younger fan base (Brown will help with that). Hope the album boasts stronger material though.
Vinny Cha$e started in this music game, making documentaries and music videos for the likes of Lil Wayne, Juelz Santana, Cam’ron, and Chris Brown, before he turned his hand to rapping.
With the release of a mixtape entitled The Plaza, Cha$e hailing from New York puts his fashion foot forward and highlights his love for fresh garms, both on himself and a lady. Not entirely feeling the video, but the track which was produced by Lex Luger, gives me enough trill and bad ass bass to enjoy.
Poo Bear is a certified, 4 times Grammy award winning singer, songwriter and producer established enough to work with the likes of Wiz Khalifa, Fat Joe, Method Man, Chris Brown, Jill Scott and Usher.
Reaping success for others for a good amount of time now, Jason Boyd is focused on stepping out on his own. With a forthcoming EP (#Beats2BreakUp2) to introduce us all to Poo Bear (formerly known as MDMA), he presents this falsetto sprinkled R’n'B track. Safely planted in the genre, he prances his silky vocal capabilities effortlessly along the mid tempo bounce.
Two new Chris Brown tracks dropped today – ‘Oh Yeah’ and ‘See Through’, both produced by Drumma Boy.
‘See Through’ is a slow-jam that focuses on what Brown does well – R&B. With enough ig’nance in the beat to keep things lightly trill, the melody and his vocal does the rest pretty nicely. The second song – ‘Oh Yeah?’ – is a little more hard-knocking and sees Brown assuming his rapper steeze again; Dude has improved in that department, can’t lie. Listen to both tracks below…
No idea what Breezy’s new album Fortune will sound like – confused, I’d imagine. It’s due out May 8th.
Furthering away from his euro pop antics, Chris Brown drops this insightful track. Breezy favours his recent rapping style over a minimal beat produced by Drumma Boy. He discuss the perils of fame, explaining it doesn’t always lead to freedom and of course touched on the continuing saga between himself and Rihanna.
I may not always be a fan of the music, but do appreciate when Breezy is honest and acknowledges/talks about his mistakes. Not sure if this cut will be on the album Fortune, but for now listen up top.
Ditching his painful (but commercially successful) foray into Euro-pop, Christopher explores a harder hitting, more agitated Hip Hop sound with this new track ‘Gettin’ Money’. While not the classiest or most original track it does admittedly have bassy, hype-hype Trap appeal. This is no ‘Look At Me Now’ though. And as someone who has previously criticised Brown’s ‘rapping’ ability, he’s still by no means the world’s greatest mic technician – but has improved.
No word on whether or not this will make Breezy’s forthcoming album Fortune.
Currently facing even more legal problems, Brown is beginning to run the risk of having his personal life mesh irreversibly into his career (see: Bobby Brown). It remains an unfortunate fact that for whatever reason this young man has still failed to reach his potential – artistically speaking at least. He’s young though, so lets hope with time he’s able maximize on his genuine talent.
The reports rang true, the years “most controversial” collaboration has arrived. Ex-lovers/fighters Rihanna & Chris Brown reunite after a tumultuous couple years by jumping on each others tracks in “rebellion”/PR buffoonery.
My thoughts on this collaboration were shared last week, so I’ll reserve further comment on this fuckery and instead focus on the main point here – the music. And honestly speaking – ‘Birthday Cake’ isn’t a bad song; perhaps 1 of only 3 songs I deem “bearable” on Rhi-Rhi’s Talk That Talk LP. It’s difficult to deny it bumps as a great club record. The addition of Breezy doesn’t hinder this fact either – their risque exchange will of course raise a few eyebrows but on record, it kind of works. Listen below.
On the other hand, Chris Brown’s song ‘Turn Up the Music’ in which Rihanna returns the favour and appears on is so offensive it makes the Vengaboys sound butch #nopost. Should you want to insult your senses however – do so here.
According to Miss Info, Rihanna’s new single ‘Birthday Cake’ will feature a guest appearance from none other than her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown. As you’ll remember Brown was convicted of assaulting the ‘We Found Love’ star back in 2009, after an violent incident on Grammy night. This year marked Chris’ return / reacceptance to the industries biggest night where he performed twice and walked away with the “Best R&B Album” award (an irony unto itself).
Speaking of it’s remix producers Da Internz told MTV that “the feature [on the remix] is gonna shock the world” – I must say I’m less shocked than I am disappointed. It takes a lot to genuinely shock people in 2012, in fact, I reckon most people saw this coming (eventually) – however, that doesn’t take away from the point that maybe it shouldn’t happen. Relationships like most aspects of ones personal life can be complicated and in many cases not understandable to outsiders. And while it’s not right to judge, it’s near impossible to not criticize this reunion.
If true, not only is this sending an utterly deplorable message to young men and women, but it’s also a slap in the face to all those who have encouraged and supported Rihanna through it all, while many were seemingly (and stupidly) blaming her for what happened. During Brown’s Grammy appearance hundreds of young girls from around the world took to twitter to proclaim nonsensical statements like “I’d let Chris Brown beat me any day” and “Chris can beat me, call me boo” (read this for more shocking absurdities) – what a way to reinforce a message.
I don’t often entertain the idea of artists being ‘role models’ and in actual fact it’s Rihanna’s ‘don’t give a f*ck’ attitude that is most appealing to me (very few artists in Pop have been afforded the freedom she plays with) but at the same time – she should feel some sense of responsibility here. If not to her fans, than at least to herself.
Controversy and gimmicks sells. Rihanna’s built a career on it. And while I hope morality wins here, I can already see this going down a storm. We’ll see how it plays out. All I do know is though, I never saw Ike remixing a Tina Turner song.
