Michael Jackson Tribute ft. The-Game, Chris Brown, Diddy, Polow Da Don, Mario Winans, Usher & Boyz II Men - Better On The Other Side (prod. by DJ Khalil)
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Our rnb diva Mariah Carey trumps Eminem’s sad ‘Bagpipes From Baghdad’ song with a hard elbow responce. Her single ‘Obsessed’ is a direct answer to his new album track where he spits lyrics as:
“Mariah, whatever happened to us? Why did we have to break up? … Nick Cannon better back the fuck up. I’m not playin, … I mean I really want ya bad, you cunt.”
Mariah, who has always denied his claim about them being in a six month relationship a few years back, plays it cool, responding - backed up by a laid-back beat produced by Tricky Stewart:
“All over the block, saying we met on a bar, when I don’t know who you are … Why you so obsessed with me? Lying that you’re sexing me? … Last man on earth, still couldn’t get this… You’re delusional. Boy, you’re losing your mind … You’re a mom & pop, I’m a corporation. I’m a press conference, you’re a conversation”
Mariah Carey - Obsessed (written by Mariah Carey & The-Dream, prod. by Tricky Stewart)
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Maybe this song will be K-Young’s comeback as a songwriter?
K-Young - Broken
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More Fauntleroy, no singer/songwriter is better right now.
James Fauntleroy - Te Amo
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Born in New York but raised in Miami, newcomer X.L. brings Plain Gold his high quality ballad ‘Back Into It’. It’s not often you stumble on talent like this without a bigger hype backing it up. If you want more of him, be sure to check out his homepage.
X.L. - Back Into It
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Every time a rnb single becomes a big hit, you can most certainly expect R Kelly to jump on a remix, official or unofficial. He’s been doing this with Ciara, T-Pain, Beyonce, Kanye West etc etc and just over the last seven days, he has leaked his own versions of ‘The Best I Ever Had’ and ‘Birthday Sex’, two of the biggest songs out there at the moment.
These both remixes are supposed to be on a mixtape that R Kelly has been making with the amazing DJ Drama and DJ Skee. It’s called The Demo Tape and will be released on the internet within a couple of days or so.
Like this wasn’t enough, R Kelly also has some brand new music of his own on the upcoming mixtape. ‘Tip The Waiter’ is just the type of song you’d expect from this man, nothing amazing but still better than most of his opponents out there. This is the kind of music I like to hear when his next album comes out, and not a bunch of songs with guest rappers and “The R” trying to be a gangster instead of the rnb genius he really is.
Speaking of his next album; In the end of ‘The Best I Ever Had’ remix, R Kelly announces that his next album will be out in September and that we can expect “some real rnb R Kelly shit” so let’s keep our fingers crossed on that one.
Drake Ft R Kelly - The Best I Ever Had Remix
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Jeremih Ft R Kelly - Birthday Sex
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R Kelly - Tip The Waiter
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This year rnb is at it’s best in form of slow jams, at least thus far. Here’s another of Tank’s contributions to 2009’s small but splendid ballad collection.
Tank - Lost In You (prod. by Tim & Bob)
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Fauntleroy keeps showing proof of his fantastic skills as an singer/songwriter. It’s that voice, it makes me crave for more, a full album. Too bad he’s busy serving other stars with lyrics, he should approach an own career as an singer, do a “The-Dream”!
James Fauntleroy - Stadium Love
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If you’ve been following the daily stream of new rnb joints these last couple of years you might accossiate the name K-Young with so-so demo tracks. ‘What People Say’ and ‘Dance With Me’ from 2007 was fantastic songs, but most of his tracks since then have been plain unexciting. Either he doesn’t share his gems with us, or he’s loosing grip of his talent.
As eleven he became the lead singer of the boy band 3rd Storee (he was the boy with the young MJ-voice called Lil Man), and in 2005 he released his debut album as an solo artist, Learn How To Love. His solo career failed to reach success, but as a songwriter he made a big impact with hit singles for acts as Brandy (’Afrodisiac’ & ‘Sadiddy’) and B2K (’Do That Thing’). Sure, that was years ago now, and this track may not be a hint of him closing in on a new hit in the same spirit as ‘Afrodisiac’. But it’s a cute and calm mid tempo track, backed up by producer J.R. Rotem who might have realized that the use of samples in rnb songs is the way to go. The old ingredient already feels fresh again.
It’s too early to count out Kenneth Patt aka K-Young, even if he hasn’t delivered big hits in a while. ‘Curious’ is proof of that. And be aware of shout outs in this one.
K-Young - Curious
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Trey’s still one of our favorite studs. Here’s his own version of Jeremiah’s ‘Birthday Sex’. Like he says, August the 4th is the slated date for his upcoming album Ready. A new date to yearn for.
Trey Songz - First Date Sex
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Here’s someone who’s listened to Nichola’s wish by putting together a cover on the classic Jodeci hit single ‘Come & Talk To Me’ from 1992. Mario’s truly one of the few artists who’s unceasingly brilliant.
Mario - Come & Talk To Me (Jodeci Cover)
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We’re not exactly spoiled by great songs right now, in other words, I should be ashamed by being late presenting a track like this. It’s Tank and The Underdogs, this discouraged ballad from last month doesn’t need an introduction. Whoever heard Tank at his best knows the sound and what to expect. It’s high class quality, over and out.
Tank - Fatal
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The new Def Jam star Jeremih’s hit ‘Birthday Sex’ from last year is growing and now being followed up by remixes. Status Quo, Red Cafe, Pretty Ricky and Fabolous are some of the names who’ve joined in with verses, but none can compete with the new talented singer/songwriter Ester Dean’s version (she’s signed to the Polow Da Don created Zone 4 label). She transforms the sex jam to one of the hottest duets of the year.
And yes, we know we’re not first with this one.
Jeremih ft. Ester Dean - Birthday Sex [Remix] (prod. by Mick Schultz)
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D. Brown started leaking demotracks like crazy last month, and sings this gloomy but boastful mid tempo track with a ounce of shame in his voice.
D. Brown - Gone With The Wind
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The debutant Tynisha Keli made me go exuberant with the unique voice of hers and her ‘Rockstar’ song. Too bad her album The Cronicles Of TK had few other highlights to offer.
Tynisha Keli - Rockstar
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This killer ballad is written and performed by J. Melody, a up and coming rnb singer/songwriter from Toronto.
J. Melody - Midnight Luv
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New song by Nivea! And nope, she doesn’t disappoint us, far from. Hopefully we’ll get a new album soon.
Nivea - Zodiac (prod. by Tricky Stewart)
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In just a few weeks, Ciara will return with her third album, Fantasy Ride. ‘Lovers Thing’ will be on the album and is a sweet little duet with none other than The-Dream. The song isn’t really up to par with what we’re used to when it comes to The-Dream and his frequent collaborator L.O.S, but it’s a decent track and my hopes are high for Fantasy Ride. It seems like Ciara has worked with some excellent people this time around and the songs that have leaked this far have all been nice.
Ciara ft. The-Dream - Lover’s Thing (prod. by L.O.S.)
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Riz new song ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ reminds us of his single ‘Rock The Bed’. The production got the same smooth sound and dark mood to it, but this time the lyrics fits the athmosphere of the production a bit too well. Is this a subtle follow up to Ray J’s sadistic horror song ‘Snakes In The Grass’? It’s hard to know what Riz in exact terms is referring to when singing about turning into a vicious monster in the car, with the girl, but I hope it’s something more innocent than what first comes to mind. Apart from the questionmark about a sadistically theme or not, I love the song, and think we can expect much from this new Konvict star.
Riz - Jekyll & Hyde
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Trey hasn’t turned silent. Just like always he’s been putting out new songs every week or so, but lately they’ve been lacking the umph that’s needed do him and his voice justice. ‘Be Where You Are’ is an exception though. This is a nice piece of pop song, with a formula unlike anything else we’ve heard this year. If not as good as last year’s ‘Murder She Wrote’, at least one of his best tracks since then.
His third album Ready is said to be released in June this year.
Trey Songz - Be Where You Are (prod. by Deep)
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A ballad with a timeless sound, and a incredible performance by Day 26 reminding us of an early 112 at their best. Couldn’t be more refreshing.
Day 26 - Perfectly Blind
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This Hilson track didn’t make the cut for the album but is a real dancefloor monster.
And beware the poor quality, so far it’s only to be found as a mixtape rip.
Keri Hilson ft. T-Pain & Lil Jon - Hey Girl
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Lil Eddie hasn’t had a hit in quite a while now. Will his team up with Ryan Leslie change that? It should, ‘Harlem Boy’ promise a lot from their collaboration.
Lil Eddie - Harlem Boy (prod. by Ryan Leslie)
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Our good friends at 2 Fresh Music wants feedback on their man Emilio’s new track featuring Bobby V. You’ll find the link below, what do you think?
With his last album Go, Mario proved he had grown to be one of the best and most interesting artists out there, giving us an entire album without flaws. With the new tender ballad ‘Afraid To Cry (Hardest Moment)’ he awakes my admire and makes me long even more for his fourth album And Then There Was Me, set to be released in June. What a impressive singer he has become.
Mario - Afraid To Cry (Hardest Moment)
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Joe’s last album Joe Thomas, New Man was one of my favorite albums last year. But at the same time, the five snippets at the end of the album left me longing even more for his next CD, Signature. Signature was supposed to drop earlier this year but has been delayed. Now it seems as if the new release date will be June 30th and if Joe sticks to his original plan, the album will be filled with ballads written and produced by himself. In my opinion this is the right move to make for a singer who’s also one of the most underrated songwriters in the business.
Joe made three great albums between ’97 and ’01 where he wrote most of the songs himself. Since then, he has been letting a lot of other people do most of the work for him and though Joe never really fails, he certainly hasn’t made a really great album for almost a decade now.
I’m not going to say that ‘Magic’ is anywhere near being magical, but it’s surely a step in the right direction, and as an album track it’s great. Hopefully Joe will put out something more like ‘I Wanna Know’ or ‘All The Things (Your Man Won’t Do)’ to get a little more hype for the new album. I guess we just have to wait and see.
Joe - Magic
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Keri Hilson’s anticipated debut album In A Perfect World will finally be released on March 24th. Above is the preview video for the Timbo & Polow produced ‘Make Love’ featuring Kanye West. The unusual refrain, does it use the chord from 4 None Blond’s 90’s hit ‘What’s Up’? A nice ballad anyway.
I also post her cover on Soulja Boy’s ‘Turn My Swag On’. It’s insane, just aware the shout outs.
Keri Hilson - Turn My Swag On (Soulja Boy Cover)
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The wonder songwriter Claude Kelly works with a hardcore house beat on this relaxed hitter. As I pointed out earlier today, gotta love him.
Use the link below instead of the audioplayer.
Claude Kelly - Us
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In 2006 the young boy group 2 Much came through strong with their single ‘Fire’, gave us much to hope for. Since then they’ve been pretty quiet, forgotten by their label.
Now they might be back on track again, even though three of the guys got solo projects going on. Their new track ‘Explosive’ remind us of their potential.
2 Much - Explosive
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It’s not only Pooh Bear sounding like Lionel Richie, Lionel himself hasn’t forgotten his sound and still knows how to embrace other songwriters tracks to make them his and his alone. With ‘Im Not Okay’ (which some of you might have heard already) he outshines The-Dream’s tediouse demotrack and makes it a strong sentimental ballad of the quality we can expect from one of the masters of adult contemporary balladry.
Be sure to look out for his new album, slated to release May 19.
Lionel Richie - I’m Not Okay (written by The-Dream, prod. by Tricky Stewart)
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It’s sad, The-Dream fooled me with his last album. He ain’t a alien after all, he is capable of writing mediocre songs. Love vs. Money will be nothing like Love/Hate. Less then a month before the release we’ve heard six of it’s songs, and only a pair are somewhere near the high quality of his last album. Except from ‘Rockin That Thang’ - that’s growing on me, I’m refering to ’Walking On The Moon’, my favourite track so far, which stands out as a the new album’s ‘Fast Car’. Not as good, but still a great song. And the peculiar L.O.S.-beat, it fits The-Dream perfectly. It seems like only he can do L.O.S. real justice.
The-Dream ft. Kanye West - Walking On The Moon (prod. by L.O.S.)
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Sean Garrett’s debut as an artist last year was such a flop he’s now giving away the album’s best tracks to other artists. Why let them go to waste together with a album no one have heard? Mishon agrees and accepts to make ‘Girlfriend’s Ringtone’ his own, which he pulls of better than Garrett on the original track.
Mishon ft. Lil Wayne & Sean Garrett - Girlfriends Ringtone
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Charlie Wilson challenges a third opponent, Mario. His two last fights was - in my opinion - failures (Charlie vs. Calvin and Charlie vs. Joe), but with ‘I Can’t Live Without You’ he strikes his rival to the ground. No doubt about it.
Charlie Wilson - I Can’t Live Without You
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Mario - I Can’t Live Without You
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Just a year ago Claude Kelly was a up’n'coming songwriter, who’s biggest success was Frankie J’s beutiful ‘Daddy’s Little Girl’. Since then he’s written hits as ‘Hold My Hand’ (Akon ft. Michael Jackson), ‘Circus’ (Britney Spears), ‘My Life Would Suck Without You’ (Kelly Clarkson), and other album tracks for artists as Brandy, Jesse McCartney, Lloyd and New Kids On The Block. Quite unbelievable. Here’s his latest demo track, which shouldn’t have a problem finding itself a new owner.
Use the link below to stream the song. The audioplayer doesn’t work on this one.
Claude Kelly - The Definition (prod. by Dre & Vidal)
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The newcomer Pooh Bear is lying when he says that Jagged Edge and R Kelly is his biggest influences. According to ‘Good Morning’ Lionel Richie is his man. This is pure quality, of potential excellence.
Pooh Bear - Good Morning (prod. by Trackmasters)
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This is just what we need right now, Ginuwine doing slick ballads with B. Cox! ‘My Last Chance’ from last year was amazing and said to be the first single from his comeback album A Man’s Thoughts (planned to be released this year). The new song ‘Can’t Blame You’ is just as good. It couldn’t sound more promising.
Ginuwine - Can’t Blame You (prod. by B. Cox)
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Last week a new Fauntleroy banger leaked. As someone commented at his myspace: “James dont write songs he writes anthems!!!”. ‘Jumper’ is not just a anthem, it’s one in which James sings like a accordion… And the typical Fauntleroy lyrics, it almost makes me cry.
Standing on a cliff edge
Reaching out with my hands
Feeling like I can jump right to you
I won’t act like I’m not scared
And I don’t expect from you to catch me when I fall
But I’m expecting you to wanna free fall
James Fauntleroy - Jumper (prod. by Brian Kennedy)
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Mario should soon be finished with his new album And Then There Was Me. ‘Starlight’ isn’t confirmed to be included but is one of finest tracks leaked so far.
Mario - Starlight (written by The-Dream)
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Here’s another reason to long for YS’s debut. Hot hot!
Young Steff - Feeling Myself
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All through 2008 I waited for this, a new sign of life from Natasha, the promising Darkchild find who presented herself with the charming single ‘Hey Hey Hey’ in 2006 and the cocky ‘So Sick’ in 2007. When she finally showed up with a new single in December I missed it, and I guess most of you did too. There hasn´t been much hype surrounding the “comeback” of this now 20 year old New Yersey singer. Hopefully that´s about to change, the new single ‘Sidekick’ is a potential dancefloor monster and it looks like Natasha’s debut album Natasha Is Here finally is about to be released in 2009. Besides from Darkchild she has been working with Stargate, Bryan Michael Cox and many more so the album will surely be something to look out for this year.
Natasha - Sidekick
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Check out the video below!
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We’ve waited three years for Hilson’s debut. Has it been worth it?
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