With the release date of Mario’s serially delayed album ‘Go!’ now set for October 9th, ‘Crying Out For Me’ has been confirmed as the CD’s next single. The song is going for ads on Urban radio at the top of next week. Some of you may have already heard the Polow Da Don produced track, as it’s been floating around for a sometime now. I’ve had the song in constant rotation for months and have been rooting for it to be released as a single – so this is definitely welcome news. ‘How Do I Breathe’ – the album’s lead single – pretty much tanked (peaking at #46 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart); however if pushed right, ‘Crying Out For Me’ has the potential to be a smash for Mario. Check out the final (mastered) mix of the song below…

Hit or Miss?

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While 50 Cent continues to run his mouth all over the place, his ‘September 11th’ rival Kanye West is doing the press rounds legitimately; this time being the main featuring in XXL magazine’s October issue. Cool cover…

What do you think of the cover?
Having been on hiatus since 2005, St. Louis native Nelly is back on the musical scene. Set for release later this year, the rapper’s new album ‘Brace Knuckles’ boasts production from the likes of Jermaine Dupri and Pharrell Williams. This great new mid-tempo track ‘Wadsyaname’ is slated to be the album’s first single. The track is typical Nelly, hence it’s real radio friendly. However at the same time the beat knocks -I’m really loving the production on this one. Listen out for elements of K-Ci and Jo Jo’s ‘All My Life’, which the song samples.

Hit or Miss?

 

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This is apparently the official cover for Keyshia Cole’s sophomore effort ‘Just Like You’ (due September 25th). I’m liking this; Keyshia looks great. I’m really anticipating her this album as the first was solid.

What do you think of the cover?

In news that will no doubt please her fans (and infuriate everyone else), Beyonce is set to release another full-length album next summer. Speaking at the New York launch of the Armani ‘Diamonds’ fragrance (which she is endorsing), the singer revealed her plans to release a new CD, as well as another movie next year – which she hopes will be ‘something a little darker, but still musical’. {Source}
Lord have mercy! Although, it would have been two years since the release of ‘B’ Day’ by the time the new album drops, this is beyond overexposure. She been promoting ‘B’Day’ for the better part of a year – not forgetting the re-release and it’s 10,000 videos; so why the rush out another CD so soon? Yes, she’s on her way to greatness, but it’s like she we’re being force-fed her. Even the greats, such Michael Jackson, take time with their projects. Are Matthew and co scared she’ll be forgotten or what? She could make another CD in two weeks again (ala ‘B’Day’) for all I care, but she really needs to disappear for a minute…damn.

Your thoughts?
Damn! It’s like Nicole is everywhere this week. Yet another track from her album ‘Her Name Is Nicole’ has surfaced. Produced by Will.i.am, ‘Baby Love’ has been confirmed as the official 2nd single and not ‘Super Villain’ – as first reported. The pop-friendly track is reminiscent of the Pussycat Dolls ‘Stickwitchu’ – only difference is that this is a lot worse. With it’s infantile lyrics and overall ‘too sweet, it’s sickening’ vibe, the track just isn’t doing it for me. Judging from the tracks I’ve heard so far, Nicole is really looking to emulate the Pussycat Dolls mould with radio friendly Pop/R&B tracks -but so far she’s fallen short – way short.

Hit or Miss?

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With their collabo album ‘Face Off’ due for a December 4th release, this new track from Bow Wow and Omarion is set to feature on the CD. Upon hearing ‘Designated Driver’, I was kinda surprised. Though it doesn’t offer anything new lyrically, the production is really on-point. I’m not sold on the concept of their joint album just yet, but this track indicates that it may be promising.

 

Hit or Miss?

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50 Cent and Kelly Rowland have teamed up with rocker Perry Farrell (along with his group Satellite Party) to record the theme tune to ESPN’s NCAA (college football) game-night coverage. The trio recorded a remixed version of Satellite Party’s ‘Only Love, Let’s celebrate’. A video clip for the track-which will serve as part of the show’s opening – was shot recently in New York. {Source}

Not a fan of 50 and don’t know who the Farrell guy is, but this a really good look for Kelly. Is it me or it it kinda weird that Kelly is getting these opportunities (this, numerous magazine spreads etc) after her album has dropped – and dropped and dropped? No complaints here, though. Kelly is getting her name out there and that can only be a good thing.

In other Kelly news, Lil’ Wayne has apparently recorded five different remixes for a Kelly track…’Ghetto’, perhaps?


Your thoughts?

During a recent concert at the House of Blues, Chris Brown, along with T-Pain, performed their latest single ‘Kiss Kiss’. Not that I was expecting much, but the performance was so-so. The random guys jumping up and down the stage served no purpose at all – which kinda confused me as to why they were there. Still not feeling the song – definitely not as a single – but it seems everyone is jumping on the T-Pain bandwagon nowadays, so Chris may have a hit on his hands.

What do you think of the performance?

Following the premiere of Nicole’s ‘Whatever You Like’ video yesterday (August 16th), the Pussycat Doll front-woman performed the song live on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’. The performance was ‘ok’ – nothing more or nothing less. I’m not being harsh on her, it’s just that I’m underwhelmed with everything Nicole has offered as a solo star so far.

This is apparently the official cover art for the ‘Her Name Is Nicole’ album.

Nice. Word has it that the album has been pushed back again. What’s up this year with album push-backs? Anyway, the CD’s release has been moved from October 16th to November 6th. I’m guessing the plan will be to release more than one single before the album drops. Nicole will now have to compete with Alicia Keys’ which comes out on the same day.

What do you think of the performance/album cover?

The husband of the woman who died in a car accident, which involved Brandy, believes the singer shouldn’t be out enjoying herself while he is still mourning. Marquane Hdidou’s lawyer voiced his clients anger in a statement to TMZ outside a court hearing.

Meanwhile, a judge has allowed for Hdidou, his wife’s two kids from a previous marriage, her parents and a woman also involved in the car accident to combine their lawsuits into one. All are seeking cash from Brandy. A court hearing has been set for sometime in January. No criminal charges have been filed against the singer…

As bad as I feel for the family, I’m can’t help but think that they’re trying to extort money from Brandy. The fact that criminal charges have not been brought against her reaffirms the fact that it was a tragic accident – nothing more. So why all the lawsuits? Harsh as it may sound, they need to go sit down somewhere.

Yiur thoughts?

According to Forbes latest list of Hip Hop’s wealthiest, Jay-Z is the industry’s biggest earner – with an estimated $34 million amassed in 2006. The Def Jam president was followed by 50 Cent and Diddy (who has been slowly dropping down the list each year). Check out the complete list below:

1. Jay-Z $34 million
2. 50 Cent $32 million
3. Diddy $28 million
4. Timbaland $21 million
5. Dr. Dre $20 million
6. Eminem $18 million
7. Snoop Dogg $17 million
8. Kanye West $17 million
9. Pharrell Williams $17 million
10. Scott Storch $17 million

I still see Jay as more of a ‘name president’ than handling anything for real over at Def Jam. With that said, I can’t hate – the man is doing it big. Some of the others are kinda questionable…


What do you think of the list?
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