I know I'm a little on the late freight with featuring this R&B newcomer, but I'm pretty sure many of you have not heard of him or maybe, you heard his music and didn't know his name, nor his face. Well, the wait is over! I was blown away by this guy when he performed on "Verses & Flow," a new show on TVOne that features talented spoken word artists a la Def Poetry Jam. James, originally from New Orleans, tore down the stage with his strong, yet silky smooth vocals and dynamic energy. Little did I know that he was responsible for one of my favorite R&B songs on the radio right now, "I Want You," where he declares his love for his dream girl.
Below is a video of "I Want You":
Here is a video of James' performance on "Verses & Flow":
In "Guilty Pleasure," James sings about a love that is so wrong, yet so right and I love the energy he brought to the stage. Luke James' pre-release album, "#Luke," will be released on Def Jam. Besides his musical dealings, he has been featured as the leading man in several videos, such as, Melanie Fiona's, "4 A.M.," Beyonce's, "Run The World," and has penned songs for the likes of Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Chris Brown and more. I'm excited to see what this vibrant newcomer will bring to the R&B scene.
I first wrote about Frank Ocean around this time last year after hearing his mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra that introduced us to an introspective, yet forthcoming new artist that was gifted with the skill of writing and evoking romantic emotion that is often unheard of from artists his age; He's only 25. The subject matter that he displays through his songs are not only thought provoking, but wildly uncommon in this day and age of music that seems to focus solely on party and bullshit.
Ocean recently came out of the closet (acknowledging his love for men) by featuring songs on his debut album Channel Orange (released online on July 10th and available in stores next week) that focus on love and loss between two men. This album comes highly anticipated based off his previous work with Jay-Z, Kanye, and Beyonce, as well as, his own mixtape releases, but has left his current and new fans confused on what to expect next out of the newcomer.
I caught his performance on Jimmy Fallon that aired this past Monday and he sang a love song that he wrote about a man called "Bad Religion". I wasn't too blown away by the performance, but I thought to myself, is R&B/Hip Hop ready for a gay or possibly, bisexual artist? I've posed this question before in a previous blog titled, "Is Hip Hop Ready For Homosexuality?!?!?!." Personally, I'm not sure if I'm ready to hear love songs about love shared between two men. I am by no means homophobic and I respect everyone's right to live free of persecution or judgement based off of their sexual preference, however, I'm just not sure if I'm ready to cross that bridge.
Below is video footage of Frank Ocean's performance on Jimmy Fallon:
I'd love to hear from my BornTooBlog readers on this one!!!!
What do you think about the performance? Are you a fan?
Did you know he was gay/bisexual? Does it matter?
Do you plan on copping the album?
Do you think his coming out will help or hurt his career?
We all recall that beautiful chocolate specimen singing on the bus on the Coca-Cola commercial many years ago. That beautiful black skin and those pearly whites exposing a raspy, yet strong vocal ability that no one had expected. Although Tyrese first came on the scene singing, he is now more well known for his acting gigs on Hollywood blockbuster sequels like Fast & Furious and Transformers. Fortunately, Tyrese is now getting back to his roots...R&B!
Tyrese has a few albums under his belt and some of his most noteworthy tracks like Sweet Lady and One have always been geared toward the ladies, whether it be apologizing for what he's done or saying he will do better. I wanted to feature Tyrese's Signs Of Love Making for the Throwback Tuesday video for because it is definitely one of my favs from his body of work...check it out:
He gives a special shoutout to Scorpio females at the 1:34 mark:
"I met a Scorpio. *PAUSE* Damn!
She had no limit to where she'd go.
And she was so damn sexual.
She said, "Tyrese, are you ready for me?"
I'll do anything to fulfill your needs.
Tell me what you want, and I got you baby.
Whisper in my ear, while I'm driving you crazy".
I'll smack it from the side.
While I'm grabbin' them thighs.
Now I know, what zodiac signs are all about"
Sorry...Its November, so you KNOW I had to do it!
Tyrese's new album Open Invitation hit stores and iTunes today and boasts some of his best work to date, according to the man himself. I already love his new track Stay, which automatically takes me back to the ol' school vibe of R&B when a man would beg his woman to stay with him after he had done her wrong. Tyrese has captured that ol' school feel and combined it with a new and fresh perspective, which I love. He and his favorite co-star, Taraji Henson, are featured in the video for Stay. Check it out below:
Here is the album cover and track listing for his new album Open Invitation:
1. I’m Home (feat. Jay Rock)
2. I Gotta Chick (feat. Rick Ross)
3. Stay
4. Best of Me
5. Nothing On You
6. One Night
7. It’s All On Me
8. Too Easy (feat. Ludacris)
9. Takeover
10. I Miss That Girl
11. Interlude
12. Make Love
13. Angel (feat. Candice)
14. Walk
15. What Took You So Long
16. Do It
TIME TO WEIGH IN
Are you a fan of Tyrese's?
Do you plan on purchasing the album?
How do you like the video for the first single Stay?
Do you think Tyrese can make a comeback?
I was just recently put on to this R&B newcomer from Baltimore, MD who notes his musical influences as Usher, R. Kelly, Stevie Wonder & Marvin Gaye. One listen to this song and you will see why. The song has an upbeat tempo with a nice groove and Hip Hop vibe. While R&B lovers are curious about the current state of R&B, you have newcomers like CJ Hilton, who is signed to J Records, answering the call. CJ is 21, but has already worked with the likes of Raphael Saadiq and Marsha Ambrosius and is a talented musician and writer, writing most of his own material. His voice is unique and I am excited to see/hear more from this cat.
Check out the video:
For the life of me I cannot place where I have seen the main chick in the video, but I will figure it out sooner or later. But until then, I want to know...Are you feeling this song? Can you hear his musical influences in the track? Do you think he can make a name for himself? Share your thoughts!
More pics of CJ Hilton so you all can get better acquainted:
Some of you may have heard of him. Some may be reading his name for the first time, but very shortly, I'm predicting he will be a household name. Frank Ocean is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, but later moved to LA once Katrina hit in 2005. While in LA, Frank pursued music and joined the Los Angeles based hip hop collective OFWGKTA. He is a writer and R&B artist that has worked with big names like Pharrell, Jay-Z, Kanye and Beyoncé, just to name a few and is also signed to Def Jam. He has collaborated with Odd Future's Tyler the Creator, who recently won the 2011 MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist and is also a member of OFWGKTA.
You might have also heard of the drama that ensued when Chris Brown mentioned Ocean on Twitter saying "I fucks with @Frank_Ocean. He reminds me of a young James Fauntleroy." While I'm not really sure if Breezy meant it as a diss, Ocean replied by saying "I fucks with @chrisbrown. He reminds me of a young Ike Turner. *side eye* I watched online as the drama ensued, and even spilled into the real world as both artists' camps began to engage in street beef. All has since calmed down and both men met and agreed to squash it, but I'm sure it helped Ocean's twitter following *wink*
Beef aside, Frank Ocean dropped his first single on iTunes, Novacane, on Def Jam Records on May 31, 2011, which was greeted with critical acclaim. On the surface, the song chronicles his journey after meeting a smart chick at Coachella, who is starring in porn movies to pay for school and has also turned him onto a new drug. Once the drug is in his system, his face becomes numb and he likes the feeling it gives him. I would venture to say that on the flip side, Ocean is speaking of the affects of drugs on music, entertainment and relationships. The facade of Hollywood and the inability to make real connections due to drugs, partying and bullshit. But don't take my word for it, check the lyrics yourself and watch the video below:
I think I started something
I got what I wanted
Did-didn't I
Can't feel nothing
Superhuman
Even when I'm fucking
Viagra popping
Every single record
Auto tuning
Zero emotion
Muted emotion
Pitch corrected
Computed emotion
I blame it on the
Model broad with the Hollywood smile
Stripper booty and a rack like wow
Brain like Berkeley
Met her at Coachella
I went to see Jigga
She went to see Z-trip
Perfect
I took a seat on the ice cold lawn
She handed me a ice blue bong
Whatever
She said she wanna be a dentist really badly
She's in school paying
For tuition doing porn in the valley
At least you working
But girl I can't feel my face
What are we smoking anyway
She said don't let the high go to waste
But can you taste a little taste of
Novacane
Baby baby
Novacane baby I want you
Fuck me good
Fuck me long
Fuck me numb
Love me now when I'm gone love me none
Love me none love me none
Numb numb numb numb
Sink full of dishes
Pacing in the kitchen
Cocaine for breakfast
Yikes
Bed full of women
Flip on a tripod
Little red light on shooting
I'm feeling like
Stanley kubrick
This is some visionary shit
Been tryna film pleasure with my eyes wide shut
But it keeps on moving
I blame it on the
Model broad with the Hollywood smile
Stripper booty with the rack like wow
I'll never forget ya
You put me on a feeling I never had
Never had never had
And ever since
I've been tryna get it back and pick it up and put it back
Now I'm something like the chemist on campus
But there's no drug around
I like what I found in you
I still can't feel my face
What am I smoking anyway
She said don't let the high go to waste
But can you taste a little taste of
Novacane
Baby baby
Novacane baby I want you
Fuck me good
Fuck me long
Fuck me numb
Love me now when I'm gone love me none
Love me none love me none
Numb numb numb numb
Novacane novacane novacane novacane novacane
For the pain for the pain for the pain for the pain for the pain
Novacane novacane novacane novacane novacane
For the pain for the pain
Novacane novacane
Pretty girls involved with me
Making pretty love to me pretty
Pity pity
All the pretty girls involved with me
Making pretty love to me pretty
Pity pity
I can't feel a thing
I can't feel
Can't feel a thing
I can't feel a thing
Can't feel feel feel feel her
I can't feel feel her
Novacane novacane novacane
I can't feel feel her
For the pain
For the pain
For the pain
I can't feel feel her
Feel her feel her oh
Novacane novacane-cane
Now, on to the new single entitled Swim Good. My sister put me on to this song and like Novacane, I fell in love instantly with the lyrics and the sound, which is different from anything I've ever heard. I appreciate Ocean's unique style and his ability to mash up genres and influences to make a sound all his own. Swim Good is another deep, multi-dimensional song that will probably elicit many interpretations from the listener. What I think all can agree on is the song is fresh and new and DOPE!
Here are some of my favorite lyrics from the song:
That's a pretty big trunk on my Lincoln Town Car Aint It?
Big enough to take these broken hearts and put 'em in it
Now I'm driving round on the boulevard trunk bleeding
And every time the cops pull me over
The don't ever see them
They never see them
I'm about to drive in the ocean
Imma try to swim from something bigger than me
Kick off my shoes
And swim good
And swim good
Take off this suit
And swim good
And swim good
Got some pretty good beats on this 808CC beatin'
Memory seats I'm sitting on stay heated
I would've put tints on my windows
But what's the difference
When I feel like a ghost, no Swayze
Ever since I lost my baby
Frank Ocean is speaking of broken hearts and swimming away from something bigger than he. Again, MY interpretation of the lyrics is he is speaking of swimming away from a broken heart and a love lost. He is wearing all black like he's going to a funeral because he is depressed, or the love is dead. Needless to say, you might want to think critically when trying to figure out what he is speaking of exactly, but that's the fun part, right? HipHopDX just posted the video to their site and I would love for you all to watch it and let me know what you think. Both of his videos are very artistic and leave much to the imagination, so take a look with your critical/artistic eye and enjoy!
I am excited to see what his new project will bring and how it will change the face of Hip Hop. His contribution to Jay-Z and Kanye's Watch The Throne album is ever present on Made In America and No Church In The Wild (I love both), as well as Beyoncé's track on 4 called I Miss You.
I was riding in my car the other day bumping my iPod on shuffle and one of my favorite Mario Winans songs came on. The song from his second album on Motown called "I Don't Wanna Know" was based on a sample of the Fugees' 1996 hit single, "Ready Or Not" and is probably one of the most memorable songs from the R&B singer and musician. Mario Winans comes from a talented musical family and he has worked behind the scenes for many years writing and producing, singing and composing music.
While listening to the song I thought about what the actual lyrics were saying. In the song, he receives word that his woman was cheating, but he won't talk to her about it because he can't endure the betrayal of the infidelity. So he proclaims that he doesn't wanna know if she's cheating, and if she is, she needs to keep it on the low, so he won't find out. I started wondering how many people actually feel this way about their significant others. We all know that cheating is one of the #1 deal breakers in relationships, but how many relationships actually survive because their lover was never caught or they turned a blind eye to the signs?
The old saying says "what you don't know, won't hurt you" so maybe its best for all involved, that if your spouse or lover cheats on you that you never find out. I would like to hear from my BornTooBlog readers. Have you ever turned a blind eye to the cheating activities of a significant other? Would you rather NOT know if your lover is cheating on you? If someone saw them with someone else, would you mention it?
I'm assuming the majority of people would confront their significant other, but I'm pretty sure there are some people that just Don't Wanna Know.
Sometimes we need that extra push to get over the HUMP. Here is a throwback video from Bobby Brown, the Original King of Hip Hop and R&B! Nuff respect! LOL
HUMPIN' AROUND
When I look at old Bobby Brown videos or hear his songs on the radio, I see/hear his influences on Usher, Chris Brown, and other R&B groups, etc. Can you see the inspiration? What is your favorite Bobby Brown video?
In typical fashion, Jay-Z and Kanye West managed to break the iTunes sells record for the most downloads in one week, ousting Coldplay's 2008 record with their album Viva La Vida Or Death and All His Friends which sold 282,000 in its first week. Kanye and Jay's physical release of the album on Friday, August 12th in stores and its electronic release online on August 8th had the Internets ablaze with talks of it either being dope or wack. Many people were complaining saying that in this time of economic downturn, Jay and 'Ye shouldn't be flaunting their wealth in the faces of the poor and marginalized Americans that purchase their albums.
Once I listened to the album and saw the video, it was much more clear that Jay-Z and Kanye were not throwing their money in our faces, but more so celebrating the lifestyle and riches that their hard work has afforded them. When I take a look at the new video for the Otis track, with the American flag prominently displayed in the background, I see two kids from the inner city, elated and relieved, celebrating making something out of nothing. I see the hard work, blood, sweat and tears; the let downs, denials and doors closed in their faces, which only propelled them to greater heights, why? Because they never gave up.
Thinking back to the day when Jay-Z was trying to get a major label deal. All of the then top music labels denied him. When Kanye was trying to sell more than just beats, in an effort to rhyme, he was shut down by his fair share of naysayers. Looking at them now, it seems like they have it all. But the best is yet to come. I am anxious for the Watch The Throne tour and who will be the surprise guests tagging along.
To get an idea of what I'm referring to, take a look at the video for Otis, the debut track off the Watch The Throne album:
Selling 290,000 units on iTunes is a admirable task. One which I am sure Jay-Z and Kanye are very proud of. But I want to get back to the negative comments I've heard people spew in reference to the tone and message on the album. Jay said it best when he inquired, "Do you fools listen to music or do you just skim through it?" I now understand what Mr. Carter meant when he uttered the aforementioned line on a previous song. How could someone listen to tracks like No Church In The Wild where Kanye and Jay address topics like God, priests, the church, etc. and think it has no depth? Or how could they hear them talk about their unborn children and how they would right their wrongs through the birth of their seeds on New Day and proclaim that they are merely shallow and self-absorbed?
Hov and Martin Louis The King, Jr. also blast off on a track called Welcome To The Jungle where they speak of sadness and loss. I don't know about ya'll, but that material sure sounds deep and thought-provoking to me. But I will let you be the judge.
ITS TIME TO WEIGH IN:
Did you buy the new Watch The Throne album?
If so, do you like the subject matter of the tracks?
Which track are you feeling the most?
Are you disappointed with Jay-Z's and Kanye's braggadocious rhymes?
How would you rate the album on a scale of 1-10?
The highly anticipated album Watch The Throne recorded by Hip Hop mega artists Jay-Z and Kanye West was dropped today, Tuesday, August 8th, the day the Watch The Throne concert tour tickets went on sale. The release has left the Internet, blogs, Facebook and Twitter all buzzing with talks of the new material, the tour, whether the two will get along and what the outcome will be of this mega-collaboration. We've already seen how quick the shit can hit the fan when Jay-Z collaborates with a music great (ie. R. Kelly and the Best of Both Worlds/Unfinished Business album/tour). So lets just hope the two can keep it together until December 12th when they perform in LA (and yes I got tickets!!!!)
Jay-Z and Kanye were able to hold off the release without any leaks, which in this day and age is damn near a mission impossible, but if anyone could do it, Jay and 'Ye could. Tickets for the Los Angeles concert are already sold out, but if you're in or around the LA area, you still might have a chance with Las Vegas so go to http://www.ticketmaster.com/watchthethrone asap before its too late. The first single to drop from the album, Otis, boasts a popular sample by Otis Redding, Try A Little Tenderness, which comes at the hands of soul-sample and talented musical producer, Kanye West.This song has such a strong popular cultural existence, it only makes sense that the two used it for the first single to spark the fire to the release of the album and the tour. The song recorded by Otis Redding was featured in Pretty in Pink with Molly Ringwald in 1986 in one of my favorite scenes from the whole movie (see the video below):
Watch The Throne Album cover & Track Listing
1. No Church in The Wild (Feat. Frank Ocean)
2. Lift Off (Feat. Beyoncé)
3. Niggas in Paris
4. Otis (Feat. Otis Redding)
5. Gotta Have It
6. New Day
7. Prime Time
8. Who Gon Stop Me
9. Murder to Excellence
10. Welcome to The Jungle
11. Sweet Baby Jesus (Feat. Frank Ocean)
12. Love You So (Feat. Mr Hudson)
Bonus13. Illest Motherfucker Alive
14. H*A*M
15. That’s My Bitch 16. The Joy (Feat. Curtis Mayfield)
As you can see, the album has guest appearances by R&B/Hip Hop newcomer Frank Ocean, on two tracks and Beyonce on one. As well as, repeat collaborator Mr. Hudson who was featured on Jay's "Forever Young" track. Below are a few pics from the studio where Jay and Kanye have been creating the masterpiece.
To my Jay-Z and Kanye fans:
Have you been anticipating this high profile album?
Would you like to see Jay-Z and Kanye on tour?
Do you think the album will perform to all of the hype?
I'm super proud of Kelly Rowland and her newfound confidence. The way she carries herself now with self esteem and sex appeal is a far cry from when she was living in Beyonce's shadow and promoting everything Bey; as she was a sometimes invisible member of Destiny's Child. I feel like a proud mama who has been silently urging Kelly to spread her wings, fire Matthew Knowles as her manager and fly. Most importantly, I insist that she try not to drop any singles around the same time as Beyonce! While the latter suggestion just may be a mission impossible, I still feel like God has answered my prayers.
I don't know about you, but I've always secretly routed for Kelly. She was definitely my fav in Destiny's Child. And she always seemed to support Beyonce in everything she ventured to do. That's why I wondered why Beyonce seemingly attempts to sabotage her career. The fact is that every time Kelly starts gearing up to drop a new album, here comes Beyonce and her team "leaking" new promo photos and tracks long before they are scheduled to be released, in some inadvertent way, detracting the buzz from Kelly's projects. Yeah I see you Queen Bey. Of course I could totally be wrong and Kelly could be the dumb one. Ultimately, Kelly finally showed how smart she is with her new single and video for Motivation.
Motivation is a slow and sensual track that features a sexy and seductive Kelly sauntering across the screen with the help of her sexy entourage of male dancers. Not only is the "group scene" hot and steamy, but Kelly looks choclatey smooth and better than ever as she reminds us all that she's still got it! The video is VERY edgy and explicit so if you're too prude, don't even bother watching lol. It's for the adventurous voyeur in you. So take a peak and enjoy. If this track is any indication of what's to come on the album, I'm motivated to hear more.
Check the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1XozsBN5Z4
