Today marks the 5th anniversary of the death of TLC member Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes. The much loved performer died in a sudden car crash in Honduras in 2002. I don’t know why, but I still find it hard to believe that she has gone. When a TLC video comes on TV, for some reason, I don’t look at it any different. It’s only when I really thought about it that I realised why it doesn’t feel like Lisa has gone: she hasn’t. Her vibrant spirit and the gift of music she shared with us all will live on; they cannot be extinguished.
I really didn’t understand all the hype about the original version of Diddy’s ‘Last Night’ – I felt that it was just O.K. It seems I’m in the minority as most people are feeling the track, one his best performing singles from the album. This official remix features Lil Kim, Busta Rhymes and of course Keyshia Cole. I’m really liking it. Some of these remixes end up turning better than the originals, like this and Busta’s ‘Touch It’. Check it out…
MTV News is reporting that Beyonce and her label are pulling the plug on the ‘B’Day Deluxe’ album/DVD; stores will now have to stop selling it. This is all due to a lawsuit filed by UK singer Des’ree over her track ‘I’m Kissing You’, which Beyonce -allegedly- sampled without permission on the ‘B’ Day’ re-release. Click here to read the full report.
Truth be told, I didn’t think it would come to this. I mean, the album has only been out for like 3 weeks and it’s already been shelved. You got to believe that Papa Knowles is somewhere fuming over this. The label, apparently, didn’t fund the additional videos, Beyonce did – meaning she is losing a lot of money from the ‘B’Day’ DVD not being sold. If the lawsuit is true, I can’t say she didn’t deserve this.
Pop superstar Janet Jackson is set to return to the music scene later on this year. According to her boyfriend, Jermaine Dupri, Janet will release a new single in the summer – which will be featured on the Rush Hour 3 soundtrack. The single is set to be released and promoted by Island Def Jam, where Dupri is head of the Urban division.
After the flop that was ’20 Y.O’ (I really liked that album though), this can only be a good thing for her. Many blamed Virgin’s lack of promotion for the bad sales of ’20 Y.O’. However Def Jam are known to promote pretty well e.g. Mariah, Ne-Yo & Rihanna. As long as she comes correct, I see no reason why she can’t be a chart-topper again.
Former Destiny’s Child member, Michelle Williams covers of the current issue of Time Out Chicago magazine. Her appearance in the magazine was to promote her stint as Shrug Avery in the Chicago theatre version of ‘The Colour Purple’ (not the New York version of the show that Fantasia is starring in).
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The interview is a real interesting read. It’s good to see Michelle is keeping her name out there and that she isn’t sitting at home collecting those Destiny’s Child royalty cheques. I’ve always felt she was an underrated performer and I never understood people’s problem with her. Having said that, her 106th & Park ‘Fall’ is a classic; I had it on constant replay. For real though, I like Michelle and hope she does well.
R&B singer Mya is finally set to release her new album ‘Liberation’. The CD, which drops on the same day as Kelly Rowland’s ‘Ms Kelly’ album (June 26th) – features production from Bryan-Michael Cox, JR Rotem, Kwame and Scott Storch. Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg both make guest-appearances. ‘Liberation’ has been delayed several times; Mya tells Billboard that the ‘transitioning’ from label to label was one of the main reasons for the wait (word has it that Interscope dropped her after her last album, ‘Moodring’ flopped). She is now signed to Motown.
I’m really liking Mya’s first single from the album, the Scott Storch produced ‘Lock U Down’. However, I heard that track months ago and there is still no video. I hear the vid will debut next week, but isn’t it kinda late? The scheduled second single ‘Walka Not A Talka’ sounds like it’s gonna be interesting – it’s a futuristic club track. I’m not holding my breath with this album though, seeing as there is a high chance it will get delayed again or be mediocre (with only a few good tracks) like her last two albums.
New Sisqo Video – Who’s Ur Daddy
Why? That’s the first thing I thought when I watched this. This has to be the cheapest video I’ve seen in a long while. For real though, how much did they spend on this, cus’ it looks like I could have done this one myself. The song is wack as well; I heard it ages ago but forgot about it…I now know why. He’s still singing about ‘unleashing the dragon’ etc. I don’t doubt that the guy is talented, great songs like ‘Incomplete’ and his work with Dru Hill prove that, but this is a mess.
I’m really liking this remix. Ciara’s vocals are basically the same as the original version, however Trey Songz raps and sings about the song’s topic from a male perspective. I’ve always felt ‘Like A Boy’ was one of the better tracks on Ciara’s ‘Evolution’ album. I’m not sure if this is an official remix, either way Trey Songz is really getting himself out there in preparation for his own upcoming album ‘Trey Day’ – due May 8th.
LISTEN: Like A Boy (Remix) (ft. Trey Songz)
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Fabolous – First Time (ft. Rihanna)
This one has been floating around the net for a while; it’s yet another Fabolous collaboration (he should just put out a collaboration album already). ‘First Time’ is scheduled to be one the singles from his new album ‘From Nothing To Something’ (due June 12th). I’m kinda feeling the track; the beat knocks and Rihanna does her thing singing the hook.
LISTEN: First Time (ft. Rihanna)
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Usher – Oooh Shawty (ft. Sean Paul of Youngbloodz) (Remix)
As Usher preps his new album ‘The Masterpiece’ (due for a November release), this remix version of one of the earlier leaked tracks has hit the net. Produced by DJ Unique, the ‘Oooh Shawty’ remix is hot; I’m actually liking it a lot more than the original. The beat is on-point, it’s definitely a banger. I’m anxious to see what Usher comes with on this new album, as I don’t think he can top ‘Confessions’ in sales or quality. You never know, though.
LISTEN: Oooh Shawty (ft. Sean Paul of Youngbloodz) (Remix)
As some of you already know, American Idol winner Fantasia is currently starring in Oprah Winfrey’s Broadway production of ‘The Colour Purple’. Fantasia plays the leading role of Celie and the reviews, so far, have been great. Check out the MP3 of her singing the show’s main song ‘I’m Here’ live on stage. It’s the same song she performed on Oprah last month that had Fantasia, herself, and the audience in tears. She did even better this time. Flawless. The audience went crazy for her too {listen at 4.31 – “Sing it Fantasia” LOL}.
Below are pics of Rihanna on the set of her new video ‘Umbrella’. The video was shot last Friday in Los Angeles. Def Jam are real serious about this girl; the video looks like it’s gonna be her best yet. Can’t say I’m liking the song much, but I’m anxious to see the video now.
It’s being rumoured that Ashanti has parted ways with The Inc Records- the label that catapulted her to stardom in 2002. The ‘Only U’ singer has apparently been in negotiations with Jive Records (home to Justin Timberlake, R. Kelly and Ciara) for ‘some time now’. Reps for Jive state that ‘if the deal is finalized, Jive can offer her up to $15-20 Million for a four-year contract’.
I say she should take the money and run! As much as I liked Murder Inc (yeh and what?…lol), they are basically over. The fact that she is working completely outside of the INC for her new album kinda made me suspect that something was wrong. Also, INC owner, Irv Gotti, has been recently quoted as saying ‘Ashanti is doing her own thing’ in response to questions about her status with the label. What does this mean for her new album, ‘Incredible’? Will it ever see the light of day?
Teen R&B star, Chris Brown has shed some light on his upcoming sophomore album, ‘Exclusive’ (due September). Producers on the album are set to include Bryan-Michael Cox, Scott Storch and will.i.am. Brown, who co-wrote some of the cuts on the album, describes the CD as having a ‘more mature/edgier sound’- including songs of a sexual nature. ‘I’m not trying to go overboard and lose my (younger) fans though’ Brown told Billboard.
Considering he is almost 18, I always expected his 2nd CD to be more ‘adult’. Even though I find his voice kinda nasal, I’ve always liked that his music manages to stay age-appropriate while still appealing to the older listener. It’s good to see he’s doing the same thing this time around.
Judging by these new promo shots, Kelly really seems to have stepped up her image; she’s looking ON-POINT. She’s upped the sex-appeal on that first pic and I’m guessing the second is supposed to symbolise her coming out of her shell? Either way, the pics are great. ‘Ms Kelly’ drops June 26th.
I’m kinda liking this remix version of Green Light more than the original. The production is more grittier and it has an old-skool feel to it. Young Buck’s verse is decent and it meshes well with this more Hip-Hop sounding remix. Definitely one of the better Beyonce remixes I’ve heard.
LISTEN: Green Light (Remix) (ft. Young Buck)
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B5 – Hydrolic (ft. Bow Wow & Diddy)
It’s been a while since I heard anything from B5 and I assumed they just disappeared (like many of Diddy’s artists). However it seems they are pressing ahead with a sophomore album (due June 19th) and ‘Hydrolic‘ is one of the featured tracks. While the track is pretty good and the production is on-point, the vocals sound kinda ‘little boys-tryna be grown’. Something about the harmonies and vocal arrangement reminds me of 112, though (a good thing).
LISTEN: Hydrolic (ft. Bow Wow)
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Pretty Ricky – Push It Baby (Remix) (ft. Sean Paul)
Nowadays any track Sean Paul features on turns out hot; this one is no different. The original version of ‘Push It Baby’ (minus Sean Paul) was included on Pretty Ricky’s current album ‘Late Night Special’; this version is much better. Each of the group’s members drops a verse and Sean Paul sings on the hook. Definitely the right choice for the 2nd single. Great track.
