‘Skin’ is the latest of the new material to surface from R. Kelly’s forthcoming ’12 Play: 4th Quarter’ LP. Say what you want about him, but there’s no denying he knows how to churn out those box-fresh hits (albeit less frequently these days) – which is exactly what ‘Skin’ is IMO. The mid-tempo cut is, hands down the best offering I’ve heard thus far from the album. Good stuff.
In Solange’s interview in the Summer 2008 issue of Rap-Up magazine (on newsstands now), she speaks on the burden of being a ‘Knowles’. Check out the extract below:“At this point, it’s starting to hurt me more than help me because my family is sort of known as the new age Huxtables. We’re the clean-cut girls. But I got married at 17, had a kid at 17. Ever since I was younger, I always considered myself to be into more artistic things than [Beyoncé]. People just hear the [Knowles] name and they just put a stamp on it automatically.”
I’ve increasingly come to respect Solange’s genuineness over the last few months. It really is refreshing in an industry that sees much of its stars assume the media-savvy, plastic/wooden personalities. More power to her…
Any thoughts?
Burgeoning stars Solange, Keri Hilson and Teyana Taylor feature the double cover of Rap-Up magazine’s Summer 2008 issue (which is on newsstands now). They’re all looking funky fresh, I must say. Good stuff. With each offering a breath of fresh air to an increasingly ‘samey’ industry, I’m real hopeful that these three make it BIG time.
What do you think of the pics?
What do you think of the pics?
Young Jeezy features in the August (All-Rap) issue of VIBE magazine. As well discussing music, his presidential vote and his family life, the rapper spoke candidly about his rumoured relationship with R&B songstress Keyshia Cole:“To be honest, it was more what she wanted. She was cool and we had a cool friendship. The media made it out to be something crazy. We kicked it. We hung out. Thing is, you can’t be cool with somebody you wanna be cool with [without the media thinking it’s a relationship]…I was grown enough to tell her, Look baby, that isn’t what it is right now.”
Ouch…
Your thoughts?
Hmm. I’m kinda wishing I didn’t listen to this, as, up until now, every track I’d heard from Solange’s album was a winner. However, the same can’t be said for this largely so-so track….which, for the most part, can be summed up as being kinda ‘blah’. Still, with a array solid cuts under her belt for the record, ‘Sol-Angel & The Hadley Street Dreams’ is definitely still one of the few albums I’m anticipating this year.
In other Solange news, ‘I Decided’ debuted at #44 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart this past week. The charting is her highest to date.
Hit or Miss?
Filed Under: Cassie, Chris Brown, Jordin Sparks, Keri Hilson, Lil Kim, Lil' Mama, LL Cool J, Ne-Yo, Rihanna, Solange, Soulja Boy, Specials
The video for Jennifer Hudson’s debut single ‘Spotlight’ premiered on BET today, ahead of the Awards. I must say, I’m really liking the Chris Robinson directed clip. Though the concept has been done several times already, Jennifer’s undeniable swagger and presence on screen made for a real engaging video. ‘Spotlight’ has grown on me considerably since my initial listen, something the video will most definitely serve to continue.
What do you think of the video?
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Check out the red carpet arrivals. (Post will be updated continually)…
