A little late, but we here. Here goes Swizzy’s latest #monstermonday offering, this time featuring Kevin McCall, Diesel and Chris Brown. It’s ok, nothing to write home about but it’ll entertain your ears for approx. 3 minutes and 48 seconds.

Download: Swizz Beatz & Kevin McCall Feat Diesel & Chris Brown – ‘Freaky I Iz’

2010 for Chris Brown ending on a sour note after the ‘twitter beef’ with Raz B – yeah, that lol – but he starts off 2011 well by bringing some new LP music finally. Taken from his forthcoming album F.A.M.E, this jam features Busta & Lil’ Wayne and sees Breezy rapping on some next flex. He doesn’t do too bad either, I can’t lie. Not the greatest song I’ve ever heard, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction – it’s not Euro-Dance.

Download: Chris Brown Feat Lil’ Wayne and Busta Rhymes – ‘Look At Me Now’

Ps: That Pitbull and Breezy track – I can’t.

I need to remember that this is not a 20,000 word dissertation. As tempted as I am, this is not a thesis on the complex and magnificent inner workings of this piece of art. This is by all intent and purposes, a review as to why I (we) believe Janelle Monae’s debut album The ArchAndroid deserves it’s place atop our illustrious ‘Best Album of 2010’ list.

Most artists’ strive for years to make an album as critically successful, conceptually distinguished and as musically diverse as Monae has done on her first long player. Without any hesitation, I have and will continue to cite The ArchAndroid as one of the most impressive debuts of recent years or even, dare I say our Generation Y (this really has been THAT year for us).

Dipping in and out of genres and delving deep into illusory worlds as The ArchAndroid does is no easy feat. It’s difficult to grasp how this young mind was able to not only form such ambitious ideas, but to execute them all in such a unified and impressive manner.

An “emotion picture”, a term we had never heard before (in the context of an album) is the basis of what makes this LP different from everything else. Penned and copywritten by Janelle and her Wonderland Arts Society, it is this very idea which from the offset makes The ArchAndroid culturally very significant.

Divided into two suites, separated by lavish ‘Overtures’, the LP begins as any self-respecting epic should – with a flamboyant orchestra; Strings, brass, percussion etc. A lot can be said about an artist signed to a label like Bad Boy (lol) exposing a new generation to Classical music, but bearing in mind my opening statement I’ll have to incept that idea (Chris Nolan style) into your peripheral  for your digestion at a later date.

This though is just the beginning.

After it’s glitzy introduction we are transported into a world of colour, imagination, styles and ideals. A world which on first listen is admittedly, a little overwhelming but once familiar with it, could change your life.

In Metropolis (the fictional world where the album is based), there are no borders, no genre limitations, and no end to where the musical scope begins or retreats. This audio assault transcends through Funk (‘Dance or Die’, ‘Tightrope’), R&B (‘Locked Inside’), Punk Rock (‘Come Alive (The War of the Roses), Folk (‘Oh Maker’), Acid-something (‘Mushrooms & Roses) all drenched in the perfume of Monae’s Afrofuturism.

Within these beautifully crafted songs, is the pivotal story of Cindy Mayweather (introduced to us on Monae’s debut EP Metrpolis: Suite 1 (The Chase)): the uncorrupt savior of the android community. Her bridging the gap between the “haves and the have nots” is actually a complex, maze-like insight into the socio-moral compass of Janelle’s mind. Look and listen closely and you’ll see/hear emotional conviction, sometimes abstracted by the busy-nature of the sonic forefront. See: ‘Cold War’.

The most sensational thing about Monae though, even after everything discussed– is the fact that above it all she is an exquisite singer. Vocally, she is remarkable. Power, clarity, range, style – her vocal chords are blessed. In delivering such a labyrinthine project, she would be forgiven if her voice wasn’t as great as it is, but by some miracle she is as gifted a chanteuse as she is an architect.

Oh, and to deify her even more – she performs like the spirit of James Brown has infiltrated her mechanics. Hands down one of the most electrifying live performers I have ever seen (and this is from someone who has seen both Michael Jackson & Prince in concert).

The ArchAndroid is awe-inspiring. It is genius. At times it seems almost too big to digest, but with a little fortitude, some concentration and an open mind – you will come to accept that this 70-minute blockbuster is something that you will one day pass on to your children, as my parents did Songs in the Key of Life, What’s Going On and Off the Wall. Never forget that this is Janelle Monae’s debut album. Her first attempt at putting together an interrelated body of work; what the future holds from this point on I really do not know (and trust me, Shan and I have discussed this at length), all I know is – if this is what she can achieve first go round, whatever comes next is sure to be colossal.

P.S. That album artwork.

Chris Brown just dropped a new ‘webisode’ entitled ‘This Is Me’, in it the R&B star talks about how he’s feeling right now, the work that he’s putting in and about his career. I quite like this idea, it’s good to see Breezy like this.

I really don’t think Chris Brown and his team have been making the right moves as of late. This guy is stupid talented, we all know that, it’s a fact. And despite whatever has happened in his life, I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t be a top selling artist again. However, if he continues to churn out mixtapes (regardless of whether their hot or not) and songs that don’t really reflect his musical taste or ability (i.e. euro-pop) I feel he’ll never really be taken seriously (again). I understand the ‘market’, I get the whole chart chasing thing, but at the same time – we all know that Chris Brown is best when he’s making songs like ‘Kiss Kiss’, ‘Wall to Wall’ and ‘Transform Ya’. And the great thing about that is – I think he’s the one who can make that [R&B] cross over again. He’s demographic is quite widespread (young girls, young adults etc), so he has the potential to make the music he loves and have it be a commerical success.

Another new collabo from Diddy-Dirty Money and C-Breezy. We posted their (other) new track ‘Yesterday’, erm, yesterday – but now it’s time for another new one called ‘I Know. Comes off DDM’s new album Last Train to Paris…

Can’t listen to this right now, but will do once I get a hot second…

Download: Diddy-Dirty Money Feat Chris Brown – ‘I Know’

New track from Diddy-Dirty Money featuring Chris Brown called ‘Yesterday’. The track comes off the groups upcoming album Last Train to Paris which drops next week.

I’m indifferent. It’s not terrible, but it’s not something I love either. C-Breezy does his thing, lyrics are on point too. Production is nice. Nothing outstanding though.

Download: Diddy-Dirty Money Feat Chris Brown – ‘Yesterday’

Before reading a rather pitiful, poorly reflective list of that which deserves to be shinin’ (same as every year), note that eligibility period was Sept. 1, 2009 – Sept. 30, 2010.

The 53rd Grammy nominations are out and Eminem looks set for a couple at least, after being nominated for 10 awards! They say don’t call it a comeback, but that is definitely going to make him a bit happy.

He received a nomination for “Best Album” for Recovery and also “Record of the Year” for ‘Love The Way You Lie’ . This song should win something, being the biggest emo number this year, hands down. Although he is up against stiff competition with Cee-Lo’s ‘F**k You’, B.O.B ft Bruno Mars ‘Nothin’ on You’ and ‘Empire State of Mind’ by Jigga and Alicia Keys. It’s gonna be interesting.

Other categories include “Best R’n'B” which seems a bit lack lustre with Fantasia, Jaheim, Monica and Raheem DeVaughn against John Legend and The Roots “Wake Up”….ummm yeah!

Aside from that Bruno Mars get seven nominations, Jay- Z received six and so did the GaGa. Peep the some of the rest after the jump.

Click Here for Full Nominations List

I’m either having a quarter-century life crisis, or I’ve hit my head but for some reason, I like this. Lol. That beat is grimy first of all and there’s something about the video that I like too. Lol. Forgive thee.

Click cover to download

Chris Brown’s latest mixtape. Haven’t downloaded this yet, dropped last night – have a butchers…

Never saw this one coming. Did you? Chipmunk teams up with Chris Brown on this new track called ‘Champion’, which presumably will feature on his new album. While this isn’t my type of thing per-say, I don’t think it’s that bad. Both guys bring something to the table here – I can imagine the yoots being all over this. Good look for Chipmunk still. #nostream

Download: Chipmunk Feat Chris Brown – ‘Champion’

Shouts to Danielson