Another quick update for ya, w/ the feature track of the post featuring the lovely Keri Hilson taking the place of Cassie on “Addiction”! I just straight up love the R-Les track; his vocals and production are all on point and his running mate, Fabolous kills it as well. Keri & Cassie both sound great with the addictive chorus and I think I actually like Keri’s version slightly better. So if you’re all up on “Addiction” like I am, you’ll def check out the new version. Down below, some more trax f/ GLC & Bobby Valentino as well as a couple requests and the latest video premiere from Usher! I love the special effects on the piano and the sexy ladies provide for a really steamy video. Still not that high on the actual song, but the video is another nice one for Usher. Enjoy!
Producer: Kanye West? - FULL, CDQ?, 1st single off upcoming album, 808’s & Heartbreak *Tibs Fav.™
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‘Ye just released the CDQ version on his blog and on 1st listen… I think I’m feelin’ the live performance more. There’s times where Kanye doesn’t hit the notes right.. but anyway, DL it now! (Extended review 2 come..)
Updated Extended Review:
“Love Lockdown” delivers what all Kanye West fans should expect - a fresh, boundary-pushing 1st single, a la “Stronger” last year, in terms of impact. Production wise, there are elements in “Love Lockdown” that I feel have not been heard like this before, which really makes the song unique. The ominous “dum dum dum, dum” bass line 2 begin and end the track really sets the mood for the song and it is simple, yet effective throughout. Add in the high-pitched clicks and bangs of the bongos and other percussion instruments in the chorus and it is a very well-produced track that changes throughout its entirety and especially toward the end. Lyrically, Kanye is on point about describing his internal struggles with love and sings them with emotion. Gotta give him credit as the passion is certainly on paper and on the mic, yet I do feel that the quality of his singing is really exposed on this track, specifically in the chorus. Right when he starts, “So keep your love lockdown..”, the quality of his voice really plummets, especially when he hits the “love lockdown”. I think he had a desired effect in mind, but it didn’t really work for me as I feel it was not executed to its fullest. As suggested by “Non” in Jabbify (get chatting people! :D), the chorus could really be cleaned up (the main reason why I like the LIVE version better than the studio), which caused Max G. to think that this was not even the CDQ version when I talked to him. And who knows? Maybe it is a rough version. Non also suggested that someone else jump on the chorus and I will throw out a name who I think would kill this - John Legend! Yes, he is one of my favorites, but this is the type of beat, with piano on the chorus as well, that his soulful voice would enhance. Not to mention the topic of love as well; a topic that is certainly not a stranger to the R&B genre that John Legend represents. Overall, I like the track, but it could definitely be better and I do not think it will ever come close to my top ten Kanye West songs. I really respect that Kanye is branching out and growing as an artist - trying out new styles and production, but this track is not all the way there for me. I wish he rapped - his two best musical strengths are production and rapping. Singing is a distant 3rd. It will certainly blow up on the radio, but I really hope that the rest of the album does not have this much autotune. Check out my editorial from earlier this week for more thoughts on that!
I’ll put up some more content and update it here within the hour.. keep it locked! I’ll actually need some more time on that
Here it is (bout 10PM CT)… NEW Trax-N-Vids.. just peep them below (especially the comic book sayings in the Luda premiere.. my favorite funny one is @ 4:12..). Also… it’s Naledge’s birthday 2day (hence the track) and our M.I.A. 3rd blogger, gowhere?’s bday 2day as well! Happy bday all around! Enjoy!
Wow, all day I was expecting the CDQ version of “Love Lockdown” but it didn’t surface on iTunes or anywhere. I’m optimistic it’ll be out 2morrow (Tuesday) as Tuesdays are usually new release day anyway. So we’ll see, but in the meantime, there’s plenty of music in this post 2 keep ya busy, starting w/ a couple hot NEW trax from The Cool Kids. “Dreamin’” stands out especially b/c it’s a fresh beat, even for the hip hop duo who always come w/ a unique sound, but also b/c of the lyrics. They come thru w/ a story, especially on the masterful 2nd verse, and I love songs that do that (Lupe’s “Hip Hop Saved My Life” is my all-time favorite storytelling song). Add a captivating sample for a hook that matches the song’s beat and content perfectly and it equals a song that I’ll be playin’ on my iTunes for some time 2 come. Big ups 2 The Morning Tilt & Trolley Stop Entertainment!
There’s another big update below as trax from big names like Ne-Yo, Estelle, & Mrs. Carter can be had as well as a bunch of R&B. Good 2 see Casely w/ a 2nd straight track w/ a well-known producer (Danja the other one), but I’m not totally feelin’ it just yet. There’s also some vids 2 peep including the latest from Cons, Lupe’s very limited air time @ the MTV VMAs last nite, and a lil’ interview w/ Young Jeezy! Enjoy!
I was searching for inspiration for this installment of Old School Sundays and simply thought of one thing I’m looking forward 2 - the first video from CRS for the “Everyone Nose RMX” and it’s directed by none other then the subject of 2day’s Old School Sundays - famed music video director Hype Williams. I did a little digging at his official website - hypewilliams.com - 2 look at his long list of music videos he has directed since the early 90s. Hype’s videos are always so artistic and unique that many hip hop and R&B artists pay big money 2 get him 2 direct the video for their latest single. So below, I found just a few of the many examples, including a couple old videos for classics by Nas and Puff Daddy (at the time) and one of Hype’s more recent videos for Lupe Fiasco’s “Superstar” (also lost in our archives). So take some time out and get hyped for what Hype has in store for CRS’ “Everyone Nose RMX!” Hah, I know.. hilarious. Enjoy!
Nas “If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)” f/ Lauryn Hill
I’m likin’ the black & white, but I was expecting something unique and fresh like the song itself. Still a solid video, featuring some nice live performance angles, but like I said, I was expecting something a lil’ more artsy.
Gym Class Heroes “Peace Sign/Index Down” f/ Busta Rhymes
VIDEO PREMIERE!
A fresh video with a lot of face time w/ the artists. The plain background works as well and the song has such a gripping message on first listen, u’ll likely watch this one all the way thru and maybe even more!
The Outlawz “Everything Happenz 4 A Reason”
VIDEO PREMIERE!
Perhaps my favorite video of the premieres in this post… done in a semi-documentary style, showing live tour performances mixed in with some video from 2Pac’s last nite (as u can imagine, tying in with the song title). Def a MUST-SEE for 2Pac & Outlawz fans alike!
Keri Hilson “Energy”
VIDEO PREMIERE!
LOVE Keri Hilson! The video only enhances her sexiness as she still maintains that with the boxing and working out theme… she still looks great breakin’ a sweat. The song is nice also and the vid inspires me 2 like it even more. The ladies will definitely love her strong image in both the video and the lyrics.
Nas Performs @ ALIFE
A little amateur video of Nas performing in a small, packed house. Hard 2 fully understand unless ur listening/watching closely, but as u can imagine, Nas kills it (and I’ll see for myself soon enough!). Untitled in stores 2day.. can’t wait 2 pick up my copy!
Lupe Fiasco “Streets On Fire” f/ Matthew Santos & Sarah Green
LIVE @ Somerset House
Props 2 LupEND for passing this thru our email as u can head over there 2 DL the full concert in audio and video. The video above is an great, super, excellent, awesome performance of one of my all-time fav. Lupe trax, “Streets On Fire”, as all 3 perform wonderfully. Aite, I’m running out of generic adjectives, but either way, both Santos (especially with the beginning intro) and Sarah Green (on the chorus, and throughout… didn’t I say that once before?) shine as Lupe graciously gives them the spotlight and then shines in his own as he rips through every word passionately in his 2 verses. Just an overall awesome performance that makes me wish that I was there. MUST-SEE (only 6 minutes long..!)
Kanye West - In An Absolut World (Commercial)
It’s gettin’ late.. might take another viewing 2 understand this commercial fully, but its Kanye, he looks fly in this commercial and well, take it for what it is! Enjoy!
So first, I’ll hit ya with a brand NEW live performance featuring Lupe Fiasco above! It is the FULL, 27 minute set he did in Glastonbury the other day, but trust me, it is worth the time because Lupe turns in yet another amazing performance. And not only Lupe as well because his guest stars shine just as bright with Matthew Santos and especially Sarah Green lending their talents 2 the set. I gotta say, the more I see and hear Sarah Green, especially in this video and up close, in person at the Glow In The Dark Tour, the more I am impressed by her. The way she enhances the live performances of some songs is incredible. Case in point, “Streets On Fire” - my favorite song from the live set, quite possibly because I didn’t see it at Glow In The Dark, but it is ridiculous nonetheless with Sarah Green echoing the chorus! Other favs include, “Hip Hop Saved My Life” and “Little Weapon” where he goes a capella. I was further impressed with the outdoor venue and HUGE crowd and how Lupe had the crowd going! “Hip Hop Saved My Life” AND “Superstar” especially, when DJ Simonsayz drops the beat and Lupe lets the crowd sing, that’s just chilling! It reminded me of an old school performance that I included below for Old School Sundays, featuring fellow Chicago rapper, Kanye West. When I watched Lupe’s performance, I was reminded about Kanye’s electric performance in front of an even bigger outdoor crowd from last year. All I remembered was that it was somewhere in England and he performed “Stronger” live for the first time. After a series of Google searches, I re-located this video and included the medley below! Performing in front of a crowd that large has got 2 be a thrill for the artist and such an experience for the fans that it makes me want 2 experience that atmosphere as well. This was another sweet performance by Mr. West and like I said, the debut of “Stronger” live, but also the ‘Stronger Shades’, haha! Peep the videos above and below and enjoy!
Kanye West LIVE Medley @ Concert For Diana
(OLD SCHOOL, ENTIRE LIVE SET FROM 2007 f/ “Gold Digger”, “Touch The Sky”, “Stronger”, & “Diamonds From Sierra Leone”)
***UPDATED LINK, FORMATTED FOR YOUR iTunes!!!*** (8:03PM)
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Daaamnn, great timing! Bout 2 head out but this literally popped in our e-mail (and others’) a few minutes ago (shouts again 2 KayCee) and I included her DL link.. I’ll update it with the GWHH format for ur iTunes (as usual) but it’ll take some time, time that I don’t have. It’s all about the music so DL it above! Again, updated format for ur iTunes AND my thoughts after I give it a listen will be added 2 this post, so keep checking! Enjoy!
***UPDATED LINK, FORMATTED FOR YOUR iTunes!!!*** (8:03PM)
Ok, so I’ve been listenin’ 2 this in the car and at the comp all nite… SICK! Gem brings it on every track and u can tell the transformation from Gemini 2 GemStones on the very first track with a couple verses over the ridiculous “Free Chilly” beat from Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool. Every track has something meaningful behind it, covering a various amount of topics - life’s experiences, social analysis, relationship issues, etc. You can’t ask for much more if you want to be enlightened through music and the mixtape, mind you this is only the MIXTAPE, really touches the listener and provokes their own analysis… and on the first listen also! GemStones is one of the few artists who grabs me with his lyrics on the very first listen and that’s what I was trying to look for 2nite. His passion and talent is undeniable and before you know it, you’ll be hearing GemStones’ name a lot more in the public, further progressing the FNF movement and impact of the city of Chicago on the world! There’s too many Tibs Favs to list on here, but some of the trax that were never previously posted, that u have GOT to have… “I Love Her”, “A Song To You”, “Free Chilly”, “Fly Away”, “When I Get On”, “Superstar” (his version w/ Matthew Santos) and well, I can keep going. Bottom line: awesome mixtape 2 the Fahrenheit series and if this is how hot the mixtape is, I can’t wait 2 see how Troubles Of The World - GemStones’ debut album coming this year? - will turn out! PLEASE do urself a favor and DL above! Enjoy!
In case u haven’t seen Gowhere Hip Hop’s lengthy, EXCLUSIVE interview with GemStones…
Slow Sunday for some hot trax, but I saw this unofficial compilation of a ton of artists over “Flashing Lights” featuring old verses from all of the above (For ex: Lupe & Santos’ “Superstar” is over the “Flashing Lights” beat.) Nonetheless, it makes for a nice listen if u can’t get enough of “Flashing Lights” (which I can’t, haha.) Down below are some big names like The Game, Akon, Pharrell, but I’m not really feelin’ any of those trax. No bigger names tho than USHER & MICHAEL JACKSON, who are apparently collaborating (with T-Pain tho… ugh) and the snippet is out on their song. We’ll see how the full version turns out but so far it sounds pretty sick! The song is credited w/ the artists listed below and shouted out by T-Pain on the track, but again, we’ll see when the full version leaks! Enjoy!
My apologies for rollin’ thru late 2day… was traveling w/o cpu access for nearly half the day, but a ton of updates for 2day with the “Moving Mountains” premiere above! It is supposed 2 be a continuation of the “Love In This Club” video where Usher is standing in the wreckage from the club burning down around him from the previous video. Definitely a more powerful video with all the imagery and special effects that u should see for urself. Down below is a bunch of NEW trax f/ Usher again (Here I Stand bonus track), a John Legend/Andre 3000 snippet - the first single of JL’s new album that I’ve been anticipating for quite sometime now. Also check out some more unreleased Cool Kids trax, a couple Saigon trax, an Akon feature, and an acoustic version of the Jordin Sparks/Chris Brown hit “No Air”! Enjoy!
***For all our Chicago fans, Matthew Santos is going 2 be doin’ his own thing while he’s in town for the Glow In The Dark Tour 2morrow night! All the info is on the flyer and while I can’t make it, ya’ll should go if u can and have a good time!***
Producer: Polow Da Don - FULL, CDQ, HOT ATL RMX! *Tibs Fav.
Above is the HOT RMX f/ the fast flowing T.I. 2 Usher’s latest hit “Love In This Club”. Combined with the video, the RMX is gettin me hooked on the song (bout time right?) and it’s def a must-DL! Aite, I’m out for the nite cuz I didnt sleep with all this work I had… not much else 2 say - some cool updates. Ya’ll should DL them or watch them. I’ll be back and more coherent early Wednesday afternoon… with requests Enjoy!
Ryan Leslie “Addiction RMX” f/ Keri Hilson & Fabolous - MORE
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