A wise woman once said that if an artist releases an extended play with any filler, that artist failed. Beyond an instrumental introduction that serves little purpose more than an impediment, Joe Budden’s official return as a solo act arrives in one of his strongest efforts to date. Some Love Lost thrives, both due to […]
As part of a guest spot with The Koalition, I recently contributed my thoughts on T.I.’s Paperwork album, under the “First Impressions” guideline of penning thoughts off the strength of one listen, highlighting standouts and flaws alike. Check out my First Impression thoughts below and those of Ed Mason and Joe Hova here. R.I.P. T.I. […]
Taken from the tree of a Mary J. Blige, Keyshia Cole’s strongest material comes from the pain and suffering she has experienced in her lifetime via loving and learning. Following 2008’s A Different Me, she fell in love and went on to marry NBA player Boobie Gibson and her music reflected her newfound happiness. It […]
*This review is for the standard version. Being selected to open for Beyonce’s Mrs. Carter Show World Tour is as big a cosign as it gets, but anyone can name drop. The artist still has to deliver musically and when Luke James released as earnest a single as it gets in 2013’s “I.O.U.”, he showed […]
As an upcoming artist, looking to build credibility in the music industry, Elora Jade and her intentions to capture and hypnotize the ears of many is evident on Fearless from the onset. “Successful” stems from the mind of a young individual, lost in the world and constantly in search of true purpose. Accompanied by fellow […]
*This is a review of the standard edition. Legal woes and album delays aside, Chris Brown has managed to maintain strong interest in his sixth studio album, X, thanks to a brilliant lead single in “Fine China”. With the album finally hitting stores, it comes as a surprise that “China” is nowhere to be found […]
*This is a review of the standard edition. Five albums deep in the rap game, Young Jeezy’s act is skating on thin ice. His once consistent, fiery motivational raps are losing the impact they once left. Jeezy is a voice for the streets, first and foremost, and his music has consistently represented that. No record […]
All change is not growth, as all movement is not forward. — Ellen Glasgow R&B is a very, VERY tricky genre in black music. The younger singers tend to swim comfortably in the twin lakes of love and sex, where older singers tend to wade in the waters of love and relationships. All three territories […]
Six albums deep and countless songwriting credits to his name, Tank is as established as they come in rhythm and blues. He may, however, be experiencing the musical example of a mid-life crisis with his latest effort, Stronger. Leading off the album is “You’re My Star”, which acted as the album’s first single. Driven by […]
What is it about Japan that brings out the best in a musician? I remember Little Brother merely making a song about their dealings with Japan and it was great. Netherlands-based producer Nicolay took his City Lights series to Shibuya Terminal with the second edition and it was as sonically beautiful as cherry blossoms blowing […]
Weight in Words: Redux 