Eve – Tambourine

 

Fresh off her collaboration with Kelly Rowland on ‘Like This’, rapper Eve is back with a new single of her own. The track, ‘Tambourine’ was produced by Swizz Beats (Busta’s ‘Touch It, Beyonce’s ‘Check On It’ etc) and it’s expected to be the first single from E-V-E’s new album ‘Here I Am’ due later this year. It’s an upbeat/club kinda track and should do well. I’m liking it, although it’s kinda repetitive.
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———————————–Johnta Austin – Video (ft. Unk)

This new track from talented singer/songwriter Johnta Austin isn’t really doing it for me; it’s not bad, it’s just not that good either. Considering this is the man who played a major part in the career-reviving ‘Emancipation of Mimi’ album, I expected better. The subject matter in ‘Video’ has been done so many times before and the beat is kinda generic, so the song comes across ‘dated’. I’ve heard better tracks from him, such as ‘Turn It Up’ and ‘Hood Love’, so hopefully he delivers on his next offerings.

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Bone Thugs N’ Harmony (ft. Mariah Carey & Bow Wow) – L.O.V.E (SNIPPET)

The clip is kinda short, so I can’t give a full review. However, from what I can hear, the track sounds like its gonna be good. I’m sure it’s a Jermaine Durpi production; the beat sounds real ‘JDish‘ and I can hear him shouting in the background lol. Mariah’s flow on the hook sounds great, dunno why Bow Wow is on the track though.

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*As they’re leaking so fast, any new Beyonce vid will be posted in this post*

Still In Love (Kissing You)

Not sure how I’m feeling about this one. It’s very simplistic, set on a beach. The song is definitely one of the better additions to the B’Day Deluxe album and I would have liked to have seen a ‘proper’ video for it. Then again, the song is the B’Day equivalent of Dangerously In Love, so maybe they wanted to let the vocals take centre stage – which they do.


Flaws & All


This video is real simple, so it matches the theme of the song. She lets her guards down and shows some of her true personality, which we often don’t see.

Get Me Bodied

WOAH. This video is FIYAH! I’m liking the whole concept…everything. She ain’t ever brought it like this in terms of a video before. Beyonce’s former band mates Kelly and Michelle feature in the video too. She should have saved herself the time and just released this and ‘Green Light’, as they are clearly two of her best videos. PERIOD.

Green Light


Now this is what I’m talking about. Everything about this video is ON-POINT! I’m liking the ‘different’ vibe/choreography she went for on this one. I applaud the fact that she’s doing something kinda different here too. Hands down one her best video’s yet…

Suga Mama

This one’s a straight dance/concept video. I’m liking it for what it is but some of the other vids are much better. She was working the choreography though.

Rapper/actress Eve graces the cover of the April/May edition of GIANT magazine. E-V-E does does not hold back either; addressing everything from her sextape, to her caucasian ex-boyfriend, why her sitcom really ended and her thoughts on the current state of Hip-Hop.
On Her Leaked Sex-Tape:

I was hurt by it, but what kept me calm is the fact that it was my boyfriend. Not that I wanted people to see me having sex, but it wasn’t like I was getting gangbanged – that would have been crazy!

On her relationship with Guinean dictator, Teodorin Nguema Obiang & dating other races:

I’d rather not talk about it. We met through mutual friends, and we were together for three years. It was a good relationship…I’m going to love who loves me, and if I’m attracted to a person I’m attracted to them. I’ve had black men, especially industry types say to me, ‘Oh, I heard you were dating someone white? No, but if I was, it would be my choice, so stay out of my business. They don’t like when I say that to them though.

On why her sitcom, ‘Eve’, was taken axed:

There was a lot of politics going on at UPN with the black sitcoms and with Will Smith’s show [All of Us], so I had a feeling we weren’t coming back. There are no guarantees in television, and they don’t even give you a heads up. The show ended two seasons shy of syndication eligibility and was sold to TV One.

On the current state of Hip Hop and her future plans in the industry:

For me it all started with [D4L’s] ‘Laffy Taffy.’ When I first heard that song on the radio, I just knew it was a joke, but then I kept hearing it. Every artist has the right to do what they want, but I don’t believe in making that kind of music. It’s disposable.”

“Hip-hop is in cardiac arrest, but I think it’s revivable. it’s not that I’m so profound, rhyming about when Jesus came down or anything, but I take the time to sit down and make sure my words come together so they sound right and flow with the track. I think a lot of that is missing

Eventually, I want to completely move into moviemaking because it is a pretty stable life. Music is unfortunately, getting crazy. I mean, rock stars don’t even have longevity and music is just – hip-hop, especially – so…superficial.”

“There’s nothing special.
There’s not one hip-hop artist that I can say is special…There are some that are definitely better than others, and that’s my personal opinion, you know? But if I had a child, I wouldn’t let them watch TV, and I would not let them listen to the radio. As far as the videos go, and all that.. I just can’t.

Interesting. Good to see her keeping her name out there, in prep for her new album.

Source: WHUDAT

Beyonce’s version of her latest duet with Jay-Z has leaked. The track, ‘Hollywood’ (as it was called on Jay’s ‘Kingdom Come’ album has been renamed ‘Welcome to Hollywood’ and will feature the B’Day Deluxe re-release (due April 3rd). There is no real difference between this and the original other than Beyonce singing an extra verse. Great track.

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In other Beyonce news, a THIRD video for ‘Listen’ has surfaced; it will also apparently be on the the CD/DVD re-release of B’Day. While the video is better than the other versions, it makes me wonder if she’s harming her own career by too much over-exposure. People are tiring of her constantly being in the limelight; just look a the backlash she received from the whole Dreamgirls/Jennifer Hudson situaton.

Anyway…what you do think about the vid?
The video for Kelly Rowland’s new single ‘Like This’ will premier on MTV’s TRL this upcoming Monday (26th). Rowland will be there to showcase the vid herself. Insiders claim that the video is cyber-heavy and will feature a shower scene. Interesting. Be sure to check back here for the video.
It’s official: Foxy Brown has lost her damn mind. A warrant was issued for the arrest of the rapper after she failed to attend a court hearing regarding an assault charge.
Foxy is so ignorant. It’s one thing after the other with her. You’d think after the whole deafness situation that she would have mellowed out…obviously not. She’s done.
Bobby Brown has plans to become the next Flava Flav. The soon-to-be divorced singer is apparently shopping around a reality show that pits contestants against each other for his affections. This comes after his first reality show ‘Being Bobby Brown’ was cancelled upon the news of his divorce from his superstar- ex Whitney Houston.
Brown must be getting desperate to keep his name out there. It wasn’t long ago that he was photographed dining out with a mystery female; he has even spoken about currently dating someone, so why the show?
Def Jam recording artist Rihanna is gearing up for the release of her third album. The first single from the currently untitled project is set to be sent to radio on March 28th. It is reportedly to be a track called ‘Umbrella’ featuring Jay Z (hmm…); the song was produced by Terius “The Dream” Nash (Nivea’s husband). I personally think Rihanna as an artist is just one big rush-job. The girl only hit the scene in summer 05 with ‘Pon De Replay’, they rushed out another album a few months later and now shes about to drop her 3rd album already. Guess they’re trying to milk her for all the money they can.
Speaking of Rihanna, a video of the Bajan beauty singing at aged 16 has surfaced. The performance, at a local talent show, is of Mariah’s ‘Hero’. Why why why do so many girls convince themselves that they can carry a Mariah track? This is terrible…really. She apparently won as well! LOL. The judges must have been tone-deaf….

A new track from Ne-Yo’s upcoming sophomore album ‘Know Me’ (due April 24th) has leaked. The song, called ‘Call Me Crazy’, is scheduled to be the 2nd single from the project. Ne-Yo’s label boss Jay-Z features on the track too. I’m kinda on the fence about this one, it doesn’t really do anything for me. It could be a grower though, as I wasn’t liking ‘Because of You’ (his current single) initially, but love it now. Anyway check it out for yourself….

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This is one of the new promo shots for Kelly Rowland’s ‘Ms Kelly’ album (due June 26th). I am really liking the style; she looks stunning and its cool to see her stepping out of her conventional look.
In other Kelly news, her first single from the new album ‘Like This’ is climbing the charts at a rate no one expected. The Polow Da Don (Promise, Glamourous etc) produced track is currently sitting at #63 on Billboards Hot R&B/Hip Hop tracks without having officially gone for adds on radio. Entertainment Weekly has the track listed at #2 on their ‘MUST List’.
With this project being so hotly anticipated, maybe Kelly will finally have some major success.
Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson has discussed some of the negative rumours that have surfaced since she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. The post, which is featured on her MySpace page, seems real sincere and makes you wonder if people only build you up to bring you down:

hey guys. once again i think its time to address these rumors thats been going on about me. there are 3 main ones that has been floating around and i want to address them personally so you guys can know the truth

1.) i turned down a movie role for 3 million dollars because of a nude scene and i wasnt the person getting nude. nothing about that is true. i want to do my album. and my fans have waited so patiently for me to put out an album and i appreciate everyone of you and thats why im focused on putting out my first project. and yes i will continue to still do movies.

2.) all of the american idol stuff and burger king comments. i never said anything about if i was better at burger king i would not be there either. and yes i did say american idol was a stepping stone. which it is! i didnt mean it in a bad way. and as i said in my previous interviews american idol is a stepping stone because had it not been for them no one would of knew of a jennifer hudson to call to audition for dreamgirls! its like everything i say referring to the show gets twisted around and makes me look like im being arrogant and a “diva” since alot of people seems to have that opinion about me and that is not me at all. im not bothered by these rumors because im use to it but i do read the boards and i see my fans are upset by some of the negative rumors concerning me and that is what hurts me the most is to see people who care about me being impacted by all of this.

3.) the soul train awards show and me trying to sabotoge it by not showing up. only thing i can say to this is that i was there! and i appreciate being honored there just as much as i appreciated being honored at the all the award shows i attended. but once again im just writing this for my fans, supporters, and friends who want to know the truth. i am a person with feelings and although i have been warned that things like this would happen to me, and since i am new to this let me be the first to tell you that i have sat back not to long ago just like you guys and read things about my favorite artist and let me tell you since im experiencing this first hand you guys cant believe everything you read because its not true. o one more thing. im grateful for all my blessings and i thank God for it everyday and no amount of fame will ever go to my head and make me think that im better than anyone because we are all equal. and as quickly as God gave everything he has given me he can take it away!

LeToya – Nothing For Me

This unreleased Toya track was produced by Mike City (Brandy, Jamie Foxx). I can see why this was left off her album; the beat is crazy but the track just isn’t anything special. Still worth a download though.{Link Removed As Requested}

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Brandy – Just Like Tommy

With all that is going on with Brandy, I wasn’t expecting any new material from her for a while. Nonetheless, Just Like Tommy is a great track…not album material but still good. It has a neo-soul vibe to it, something she hasn’t done in the past.

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Omarion – Icebox (ft. Usher)

This remix of Icebox premiered on Hot 97 a few days ago and features none other than Usher. I was kinda surprised by the Usher feature as many see Omarion as one of many Usher imitators. Like the original, this version is HOT.

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Paris Bennet – I Will

Former American Idol contestant Paris Bennet is to release her debut album ‘Princess P’ in April and this track will be featured on the set. The inspirational song includes a mass choir and Paris really delivers on the vocals.

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Jennifer Hudson – And I Am Telling You (ONLY Live Performance) (AUDIO)

I know I posted the link to the video a last week, but here is the audio of this one-off live performance of the track. Jennifer nailed it.

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R. Kelly – I’m A Flirt (Remix)(ft. T.I & T-Pain)

I’m really feeling the track alot. It’s one of his best singles in a while. This is a remix version of a track, of the same name, Kels was featured on with Bow Wow; Bow Wow ain’t no where to be seen/heard on this version though (a good thing). The video is pretty much what you’ve come to expect from him, so no complaints there.

What do you think?

Rapper Akon appears on the April edition of popular magazine VIBE (due to hit the stands 20th March). According to Bossip he says in the interview:

There was a big rumour about me having many wives. It started off as a joke and it got serious. And then I was just running with it to see how far it’d go. In a way, I was causing controversy, ’cause I knew certain people that wouldn’t normally attend to me, that will make them go, ‘What?’ So, in a way, it was a publicity stunt.

What was the point? It didn’t really do anything for him. I really don’t see what the hype is with this guy anyway. One minute everyone is complaining about his annoying voice and now everyone loves him. African voodoo?

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