The best thing since sliced bread..

So I was studying for my upcoming Peds exam and this video comes on VH1 Soul.. and the sound was crazy.. I had to stop and watch the vid of this cat called Keite Young (pronounced Keet). Anyway, I was so refreshed by his sound I had to look up more about him... turns out this guy is from Texas and signed to Hidden Beach records (the home of Jill Scott) for his upcoming debut, "The Rise and Fall of Keite Young." After taking a listen to more of his stuff, I don't see how this guy could fall. Mr. Young is refreshing, eclectic, organic, sonorous, and eargasmic. I'm speechless, and August 28th (when he debuts) can't come soon enough. He reminds us how great Soul/R&B/Funk music can be, and how much the industry misses people like him. Good job. I'm a fan.

Check out the vid posted, and you can view his myspace at www.myspace.com/keiteyoung

Lata Y'all....

Put you to bed...

So don't have much updates, but I do have some new vids on the sidebar for a singer that y'all need to look out for. His name is J. Holiday - hailing from the great city of DC, this twenty something year old has been out for a minute. I heard his first single, "Be With Me" like last year on VH1 Soul, and I def liked the joint. Well the single fizzled but his second single, "Bed" has picked up more steam and may be his big break - may be the quiet storm song of the summer. His CD, Back of my lac comes out this September..might be something worth copping.. since 3/4 songs on his myspace are pretty good. Check it out yourself...http://www.myspace.com/jholiday

Lata Y'all...

Uninspired...

So I haven't had many posts lately, but really there has been nothing to write about. Waiting to cop that new Common, but besides that, music seems like an amalgam(sp) of poorly produced $h!+. In fact, the [above] cartoon says it all.. when something good comes out I'll hit y'all up though.


Lata Y'all...

Big things poppin..

Yeah so your girl kinda lied.. tried to do it big for Black Music Month but wasn't able to come through.. just been mad busy with things but I got a lot of updates for this month..

Anyway, my boy Q-Tip Is finally supposed to be coming out with his album, Live at the Renaissance in October. The long awaited album for Tip devotees features some bangers, one of which can be previewed at myspace...

Common has another alb dropping this year, don't know the title, but he has a couple of videos out.. have to say that I prefer "The People" but it's all good.. I'm just glad to have real hip hop coming out....

And finally, a good mix CD that every underground hip hop fan should cop is the Om, Hip Hop cd. Released in 2007, this CD features a compilation of work from Zion I and the Grouch.. one of the most underrepresented groups, The Strange Fruit Project, and others... I listen to it all the time.. GET IT!!!

Lata Y'all..

B.E.T. - Bull-ish Every Time

So I meant to watch the BET awards last night only to see my boy Robin Thicke perform & possibly win, but in the midst of doing whatever I did, I completely forgot. Anyway, I eagerly checked the news to see who won for Best Male R&B Artist.. and they picked... NE-YO. I would have been more upset but then I remembered, this is BET. But really though, Robin should have won, they robbed him actually probably because he's white, but that white boy had the best R&B album of 2006/07 (if you count the re-release). But its ok, I supported his alb way back in Oct 06 when no one knew about him, and I still support him now. All I say is he better get a Grammy...I've included his performance if y'all didn't see it btw..

Lata Y'all...

Shoulders, Chest, Pants Shoes...

So I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but after months of hearing this song, I have to admit that I actually like that Foxx song (ft. Lil boosi & Webbie), "Wipe me down" Although the lyrics are uninspired and garbage, I can't help but dance to this song.. it hasn't gotten big on radio, but I do think it will be another banger for the summer. Since the video was so unoriginal, I decided to post youtube vids of people dancing to the joint, I thought they were even more interesting..Anyway

Lata Y'all...

And if I had a month to pick it'd be June...

June is Black Music Month (its also the month of the birth of yours truly) so we have to do somethin special. Expect big things to come...

In other news.. UGK and Outkast have a new video for their single, International Players Anthem, which is straight fire. I first heard this song when I was in DC a couple of weeks ago on the radio, most people didn't like it, but this joint is crazy. This may be the best hip hop song of the summer... Such a soulful sound (sample is Willie Hutch's I Choose You), and crazy lyrics. Andre is back rappin.. his verse is bananas, and UGK and Big Boi are doing their thang.. and guess who its produced by.. three - 6, now that blew my mind. They are steppin up their game.. definitely a good thing for hip hop. Hope y'all enjoy the video..

BTW points to the person who can name the quote in the header..

Lata Y'all...

Step yo fresh up...

So I turned on MTV Jams and it looks like Kia Shine has a video...for my song, "So Krispy" It's uninspired, but is the first step in my key to success ( video + catchy beat + payola (+/- ringtone) = billboard hit), and Kia surpassed expectations, as his single actually demonstrates that Nakia actually has some lyrical ability. So Kia Shine looks like he's on his way.. Again, check the "So Krispy" icon on the side for the single. Stay tuned for more..

Corinne Bailey Rae... Just like a drag..

So this is an old topic, but I'm addressing it anyway. I never understood why people flocked to Corrine Bailey Rae. A singer from Leeds, England, Corrine took over the R&B/soul/folk airways in 2006/07 with her self titled debut album. Music critics hailed her album as a fresh departure from the current state of R&B/soul, comparing her style to the likes of Billie Holiday. Now I agree that Ms. Rae is a unique individual in one of the most homogenous genres right now and I appreciate her presence, but that does not mean her music is good. She is ok - but in a sea of untalented singers and conventional to sub-par production, ok becomes outstanding. Personally, when I listen to Corrinne Bailey Rae I become drained - it's like the songs or her voice drain my energy. I love folk/soul/R&B music - Tracy Chapman, John Mayer (at least the recent alb), Paul Simon, James Taylor, etc but they never leave me feeling like that. Plus when anybody compares a musician to Billie Holiday I take offense. So I'ma have to be different from most of y'all and take a pass on Corrine...

It's not a dis.. just telling it like it tis

Lata Y'all...

So Krispy...

So I don't think that many current pop rap tracks deserve my time, but Kinfolk Kia Shine has a single out there that is definitely worth a listen or three. Hailing from Memphis Tenn, Kinfolk Kia Shine has been in the game for a while, working with the likes of Jim Jones, the worst thing to happen to the rap game, and others. He has been bubbling under the surface of pop rap for awhile, but may have his chance to make his mark, as he as currently inked a deal with Universal for a late 2007 release. His current single is "So Krispy" which I believe is one of the hotter pop hip hop songs out there. If he gets a video for the single and a little payola on his side, I don't see why this couldn't be a billboard hit. He has a myspace page, which doesn't seem to show the same promise for the album. But at least I have a song for the summer.. Check out "So Krispy" by clicking on the icon on the sidebar.

Lata Y'all...

The biggest flop...

I admit, I have the first 50 cent album (although it was given to me, I wouldn't have bought it) but 50's new album, "Curtis" is not worth even obtaining through non payment methods.

Nobody can deny that the singles off "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" were catchy, and if you do, you're foolin yourself. But even in the era of pop hip hop, his songs have become monotonous elevator music. But you don't have to believe me, check out his myspace at: www.myspace.com/50cent

His two leading singles, Straight to the Bank, and Amusement park speak for themselves. Typically, record companies try to release the most commercially successful singles to fool people into eagerly buying the CD. But these songs are garbage. Straight to the Bank sounds like some C side single with an annoying background chorus of 50 laughing through the whole track. And Amusement park, while definately a better leading single, will have nowhere near the success of his previous odes to sexual activity. If it becomes a #1 single, I will be surprised.. I say #18 (of course payola would not have to intervene). Either way, 50 definately will not enjoy the previous success if these are his best songs... Robin Thicke can't save your ass even if he's on it.

Get Rich or Die Tryin sold 12 mil....The Massacre sold 5 mil...Curtis, because dumb fans will always support him through his mediocraty, will sell around 1 mil if he's lucky. The popular waves for Curtis James Jackson III are over. The public(& current radio) has moved away from his musical format. Since his record execs are content with reproducing a similar product with zero creativity, people will not flock to Curtis.

I'm not trying to dis, just telling it as it is. I'm sure Cam'ron's album will suck as well.

Lata Y'all...

The beginning..

Music.. my favorite line of discussion, is the topic of this blog. Hopefully you will enjoy my musings (& sometimes ramblings) of all things funky...

For today we have a recommendation for all you underground/blackpack/alternative/whatever you want to call it hip hop fans....

Black Milk, producer extrordinaire has come out the game with a true gem, Popular Demand. Picking up where J Dilla left, Milk has reintroduced the hip hop game to soul music, with his own style and flair. With some of the most infectious beats and flows, Black Milk has definitely earned one of the spots for the Best in Hip Hop for 2007... If you don't believe me check out his video on the sidebar & myspace http://www.myspace.com/blackmk

Lata Y'all...