Producer: Clinton Sparks - FULL, CDQ, CLEAN, Track off the upcoming album, Theater Of The Mind*Tibs Fav.™
Here’s a couple trax that just surfaced on the web; the first is what Luda says was one of his favorite trax on the upcoming album, Theater Of The Mind - the collaboration w/ The Game (and Willy Northpole). It is a nice, clever hip hop track and fulfills the expectations created from the combination of the two stars. Willy Northpole also comes thru on a solid 3rd verse. Down below is another unreleased track from Ne-Yo - definitely more of a slow jam, with more nice lyrics that you’d expect from the R&B star. Enjoy!
PSA Announcement f/ Usher, Will.I.Am., & a TON of Celebs (Jonah Hill is HILARIOUS)
Politics get the top spot in this post 2day as Obama graces the next cover of Vibe, but what’s really important is what follows: the Public Service Announcement from various major celebrities and musicians (Usher & Will.I.Am.) as they effectively convey how important this election is for our generation and how time is running out to register to vote! I recently jumped on board as well and will be voting in Minnesota so I can attest to the fact that it is real easy to register to vote. In fact, I did so while waiting on my roommate who was in the shower, haha. So watch the video, get more inspired, and if you are an Obama supporter, get more psyched by the STRONG words our boy Lupe Fiasco had to say about the election just the other night:
“A vote for Barack is a vote for the future, a vote for McCain is a vote for the past,” said Fiasco. He added, “Ladies and gentlemen, the most important vote is the vote for yourselves.” At this point, Lupe’s sunglasses came off and the performance became a bit more personal.
Near the end of the show, Fiasco performed what is arguably his most famous single, “Superstar.” He then entered into a lengthy dialogue with the crowd, imploring them up from the apathetic daydream that seems to be characteristic of much of our generation: “If we don’t wake up now, ladies and gentlemen, there might not be a tomorrow to wake up to. Wake up!”
That’s real passionate and just on point. Obama personifies change, and change is something this country needs for it to better itself and better our status around the world. Period.
Down below, some loose end trax and vids; not much else comments 2 add, but I’m sure u’ll find somethin’ that piques your interest. Enjoy!
So Chi-Town’s own, Verbal Kent, reached out to us with this timely exclusive - a hip hop version of the classic Chicago Cubs theme song “Go Cubs Go” that rings through Wrigley Field after every W (and let’s hope that will continue in October!). As a ridiculously huge Cubs fan, I’ll be glued to the TV or maybe at Wrigley for the playoffs this year and the city is straight up buzzing as this is the best chance in recent history that the Cubs will break their 100 year World Series drought (Oh, and I suppose the South Siders may be chatting a lil’ bit as well as they sneaked into the playoffs themselves less than an hour ago.. hmmph..) As for Verbal Kent, he is not just a no-namer from Chicago, as evidenced by his recent ink in the hip hop magazine, XXL, and you can peep his MySpace HERE! Much props 2 VK for the creative rhymes centered around the starters and pitching staff as well as the bench players, announcers, and more! Of course, Go Cubs Go!
Down below… FIFTEEN NEW TRACKS! You gotta find somethin’ u like, especially the R&B fans out there as the NEW trax from heavyweights Trey Songz, Ne-Yo, & Mario are ones that will be in my rotation for some time 2 come as well as some of the unknowns, specifically that Jason Derulo track that is striking a chord w/ me. Hip hop fans will see a couple Paper Trail bonus trax that are definitely good enough 2 be on the album (and I got the album 2day… it’s ridiculous.. expect a review soon!). Really feelin’ “I Know You Missed Me”! Sorry couldn’t get up on here earlier, but Tuesdays are my busy day. Off 2 the gym fools; Enjoy!
Better late than never as I bring you the long awaited promise of the GWHH review of Year Of The Gentleman! The album has now had a couple weeks to set in with me and it is certainly up there with Usher’s Here I Stand as the R&B album of 2008, and so far Year Of The Gentleman earns my ultimate pick for that status. To me, it is at least on par with his last classic - Because Of You. The big similarity between the two is that both classic albums contain an overlying common theme, or themes, throughout the album. Because Of You actually tells a story from track 1 to track 12 of a guy’s trip through infatuation, love, breakup, and moving on with a girl (which perhaps makes Because Of You stand out as my favorite R&B album EVER… but I’m still undecided about that). Year Of The Gentleman expresses two themes that are evident throughout the album:
1. Adoration of the physical and non-physical characteristics of women (EX: “Closer”, “Nobody”, “Miss Independent”, “Part Of The List”)
2. Being the classy gentleman and putting the woman’s happiness first, even if it is with another guy (EX: “Fade Into The Background’, “So You Can Cry”, “Back To What You Know”)
It is no surprise to many that Ne-Yo, arguably (and to me, certainly) the best writer in R&B, conveys the above themes in creative ways that go beyond cliché. It is rare today to see an R&B artist examine why he loves an underlying quality of a woman (”Miss Independent”) and also explore the depth to a situation where his current love interest should go back with her ex (”Back To What You Know”). Not just in those two tracks, but throughout the entire album, Ne-Yo precisely portrays a picture of a relationship situation with his masterful lyrics. Coincidentally, my three favorite songs on the album are songs that combine the masterful lyrics with a masterful beat. These top three songs (in no order… “Closer”, “Miss Independent”, & “Back To What You Know”) all have one thing in common: a beat from my favorite R&B producers, the highly reputable duo - StarGate. Together, Ne-Yo and StarGate are the peanut butter & jelly of R&B - a perfect match who compliment each other’s strengths to create a beautiful song. Overall, Ne-Yo’s latest album, Year Of The Gentleman, sets the bar for all upcoming R&B albums to match. It is certainly a MUST-BUY for any R&B fan or if you are simply a fan of music and appreciate meaningful lyrics and creativity. I will end the review with a quote from “Back To What You Know” that personifies the gentleman Ne-Yo illustrates throughout the entire album. If you do not have Year Of The Gentleman already, do not waste your time and look no further than the iTunes BUY link below! (I am up early in 5 hrs or so to pick up T.I.’s Paper Trail, also in stores NOW!)
“And if that’s really what you want
I will not stand in your way,
You wanna be free
I will let you be,
I’d rather you’re happy
Then miserable with me
Back to what you know”
FULL, CDQ, Track off upcoming album, The Renaissance*Tibs Fav.™
Some quick hit trax before I go 2 bed including the latest from ATCQ frontman Q-Tip! It’s def a chill, catchy track f/ the legendary D’Angelo that will be appearing on the upcoming album, The Renaissance! This one will likely continue 2 grow on me cuz good music always does. Twista comes thru w/ a nice version of “Swagga Like Us” and David Banner comes thru with a lyrical track himself that is a real solid listen. And finally, check out Fab discussing the immediate future w/ him, including more collaborations with Ne-Yo?! NIce. Enjoy!
FULL, CDQ, Track off upcoming album, Yes We Can: Voices Of A Grassroots Movement*Tibs Fav.™
Big update for ya Saturdays here, starting with 2 powerful, inspiring tracks on the album inspired by perhaps the most powerful and inspiring person in the U.S.A. today - Democratic candidate, Barack Obama! Starting it off with an original track created for the Obama album above, Malik Yusef goes spoken word and delievers nothing less than an inspiring message. Adam Levine comes through on the hook and Kanye West raps (sans autotune) with the same amount of passion as Obama has for changing our country. It is a great song with a booming beat, especially at the finale of the song. Also above is John Legend’s contribution to the album with a magnificent cover of the U2 smash-hit “Pride (In The Name Of Love)”, which certainly fits the theme of the album as well.
Down below, a bunch of very solid tracks with Mark Ronson putting a nice spin on Robin Thicke’s “Magic”, along with Wale spittin’ some clever lines as well. R&B singer Joe’s album comes out on Tuesday and another track from the CD can be had as well. Def lookin’ forward to that album. I’m also feelin’ that Murs track as it contains clear and inspiring lyrics as well - from the album, Murs For President, in stores September 30th! In the midst of the videos below, you will find the official video premiere to Ne-Yo’s “She Got Her Own (Miss Indepenent Pt. 2)” f/ Jamie Foxx & Fabolous. I’m kind of surprised he didn’t include that track on the album for Year Of The Gentleman, but my guess is they recently recorded it with not enough time for the track to make the final tracklisting. Regardless, the star power above carries the nice slow jam sequel to “Miss Independent” and the nice black & white video does the song justice. Enjoy!
Sorry for the long time between updates.. between all the work, being sick, and social events I was busy with yesterday, I was flat out exhausted to do anything until now. But it’ll all be made up next week because I also used that time to conduct a very interesting interview with a professional athlete that will be hitting GWHH sometime next week! Stay tuned!
Thx again 2 BOBO for sendin’ this track our way - a nice track that reminds me a lot of Plies “Bust It Baby Pt. 2″ f/ Ne-Yo. Haha. The parallels would be almost eerie if this track hit the top 10 on the Billboard charts. 2 me, Jadakiss is a mediocre rapper (like Plies) and grabs Ne-Yo for a hook and comes up w/ a radio-friendly love song. Jada actually rips pretty well on the verses and I like the lyrics in general, esp. Ne-Yo on the hook and the Eric Hudson beat. Below, a bunch of R&B, including 3 trax by my boy on the rise, Casely! He’s always got the hot, bangin’ club beats and his voice compliments them well. I like all 3 of the trax below and fans of the new age R&B will eat those up for sure. He’s really the only one who warrants mentioning… a solid track by One Chance and a pleasant hook by Trey Songz can be found down there as well. U know what 2 do. Enjoy!
Mad late w/ an update for ya.. busy all day/nite on Saturday, but luckily not a ton of trax that I missed. Starting it off w/ the well-known, freestyle/battle rapper, Jin flowin’ on Kanye West’s recent single “Love Lockdown”. Jin is one of the most talented off-the-dome rappers out there (YouTube him if u don’t believe me) and this track is another piece of evidence that showcases Jin’s wordplay and clear delivery. And he commands your attention with lines like, “Switch the beat up to another part of this song” and on cue, the beat indeed changes from the intro to the chorus of “Love Lockdown”. Down below, a various mix of hip hop and R&B featuring Flo Rida, Akon, Ne-Yo, & Ginuwine. I’m really feelin’ the sexually charged “Please You” as Ginuwine lays it all out there for the ladies. R&B fans will certainly love that track! Enjoy!
FULL, CDQ, Bonus track from the upcoming album, Year Of The Gentleman *Tibs Fav.™
I got tired of posting that Year Of The Gentleman cover, so I just found a pic of Ne-Yo lookin’ like a fly gentleman, haha. The trax themselves are pretty nice, even tho they didn’t make the album’s true tracklist. “What’s The Matter” is a slow jam that criticizes the money-chasing lady who leaves a good guy for a guy with all the money. Definitely a nice track that may touch your inner emotions even more if you can relate to the lyrics. Also, you may have seen “She Got Her Own (Miss Independent Pt. 2)” on GWHH throughout the last week, but this version is a good 1 min. + longer and the track is a classy slow jam that you deserve in best quality.. hmmm.. I guess best quality is the theme of the day. Enjoy!
Producer: Chuck Harmony - FULL, CDQ, Track off upcoming album, Year Of The Gentleman, in stores 09.16!*Tibs Fav.™
Ne-Yo just continues 2 blow me away. “Stop This World” is another beautiful slow jam from the R&B star where I think the lyrics avoid cliché and make the song an instant hit on 1st listen! “Stop This World” seems like it is the perfect closing track for Year Of The Gentleman, which hits stores next Tuesday! I’ve heard about half the album already and it is already a MUST-BUY for you R&B and music fans, and “Stop This World” just made me as excited as possible for the 16th. Also out on the 16th is new-comer R&B singer Colby O’Donis’ debut album, Colby O, and u can peep a solid, uptempo track from him that is certainly a unique one I enjoy. It also warrants mentioning that Trey Songz absolutely kills M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” and it really showcases the talents that make him special. I always thought he had a ridiculous voice, which is on display again, but his flow is somethin’ I even underrated and that’s what makes his “Paper Planes RMX” special. He flows like M.I.A. to kick it off and follows with a couple real nice and fast rap verses, with some singing in between. I’ve been in a Songz mood recently and always happy 2 hear more from the VA crooner. There’s some more trax below and the “Hi Hater RMX” video premiere so take a look at those. (The Game spits Lamar Odom’s stat line and is clueless about why he’s not an all-star.. haha, awesome. …He’s still not an all-star tho, Game, sry 2 say..) Enjoy!
Oh yeah, if u haven’t heard by now, Kanye West’s 4th album will be entitled, 808’s & Heartbreak and comin’ out on December 16th - right in time for the holiday season. The title and “Love Lockdown” as the 1st single are pretty indicative of an album dealing with the emotion of love, which I’m excited to see Kanye tackle as he hasn’t really gone that deep on the topic in the past. But who knows? I’m just speculating…
Ludacris “Call Up The Homies” f/ The Game & Willy Northpole - MORE
