New track from Omarion feat. Lil Wayne - Comfort
Mary J. Blige and Ne-yo - What Love Is
Video: Jamie Foxx - Blame It
Now THAT'S how you do a music video!!! Jamie pulled a "callin-all-cars" on this one!! Oscar winners, Grammy winners, girls that kiss girls and plenty of alcohol flowin' around. Appearances include Quincy Jones, Forrest Whitaker, Samuel L Jackson, Jake Gyllenhaal, Morris Chestnut and Jermaine Dupri, among others to round out the star-studded cast. Blame It is the second single from Jamie's latest album, Intuition. Not only is this one of the hottest tracks on the album, it's a Sound-Savvy certified club banger! Don't believe me? Check your local club this weekend when this song comes on...
Album Review: Joe Budden - Padded Room
Album: Padded Room
Release Date: 2.24.09
Padded Room is an extension of Budden’s dark and brooding personality introduced on his Mood Muzik mixtapes released during his time away from the spotlight. He joins forces with The Game on the album’s lead single Future, with an appropriately ultra-modern beat contributed by a producer bearing the track’s name. In My Sleep is the expected follow-up single, a mental trip for both Budden and the listener, lyrically illustrated with scenes from Budden’s dreamscape. When sex becomes a drug, you end up with Exxes, a tale of sexual entrapment; an endless cycle built on lust and powered by physical attraction. As its title suggests, Adrenaline is a pure rush of excitement, characterized by rock guitars and vocals over a killer instrumental. The closing track, Pray For Me is a brazen display of vulnerability bordering on blasphemy, on which Budden illustrates a mid-life meeting with his maker. Undoubtedly the most personal song on the album, Joe opens up about his own imperfections, self-doubts, and questions about life.
Lyrically speaking, Joe Budden could put your favorite rapper to shame on his worst day. In many ways, this is not your typical hip-hop album; there’s a different type of realness here and it’s a very personal project. It’s downright emotional in some parts, but it’s that level of emotion that forms a connection with his audience. It’s impossible to not feel his struggle and pain from his well-crafted lyrics that form a perfect union with the beat contributions from The Klasix, Blastah Beatz, Fyu-Chur, and Dub B. Joe Budden may be underrated, but don’t mistake lack of promotion for lack of skill – he’s on fire!
Sound-Savvy officially rates Padded Room with 4.5 out of 5 platinum headphones.
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New Joint: Joe Budden feat. The Game and Dominic - The Future
Joe Budden TV (FOR MY FELLAS!!)
Video: Akon feat. Colby O'Donis and Kardinal Offishall - Beautiful
I'm lovin' the way the song has that euro-pop appeal to it and is accompanied by a video that's very stylish and fashion forward. I'm sure there are some fashion bloggers out there that could spit designers backwards and forward for this video but I'm just really feelin the way it all comes together for this clip. It's rather refreshing for someone to take a classy detour with their videos these days. When I wrote the review for Freedom, the album on which this song appears, I mentioned its versatility - Akon really goes beyond hip-hop's limitations for an international feel with this album and although his voice isn't the easiest to tolerate, you can't knock him for striving to be different. Click here to read the album review, and check out the vid...
Video: Flo-Rida feat. Pleasure P - Shone
I don't know what a 'Shone' is... frankly I don't care. But there is a whole lotta sexiness up in this video! The song's kinda weak to me but the video is way strong. Flo-Rida isn't the strongest new artist to step into the game, but he does have some catchy tunes tailor-made for the clubs. That's about the only time I can really vibe to anything he does (after about 4 shots of somethin nice!). Shone is the second single from his forthcoming sophomore album, entitled R.O.O.T.S. - Route of Overcoming The Struggle(Atlantic) set to be released on 3.31.09.
Video: Mike Jones - Next To You
Okay, okay... I promise, no ninja turtle jokes with this one... but seriously, where did the rest of Mike Jones go? The Houston-based rapper released his debut nearly 4 years ago and is now back with his sophomore effort Voice of the Streets (Asylum) scheduled for release on April 14. As for the song... I'm not impressed. I actually preferred Cutty Buddy a lot better. Whoever Nae Nae is on the hook, her voice is more annoying than an Ashanti music video. This video clip doesn't really serve a purpose except to show that diet and exercise really do work...even for Michaelangelo (COWABUNGA!!!)
TIYMLI: Melanie Fiona Showcase
Been a while since I did a TIYMLI post (Try It You Might Like It), but she's someone that definitely deserves it. All I can say is WOW... Melanie Fiona is one of the hottest new vocalists coming up in the industry and has already been endorsed by Kanye, Jay-Z and ?uestlove. Check out this showcase clip of her performing at the Canal Room in NYC. She performs with an amazing 12-member band and her sound is amazing! I'm glad to see an artist so adamant about performing with her band, and not just taking the easy route with studio tracks. If you don't know who Melanie Fiona is, you will soon. I'm totally diggin' a lot of her stuff, especially the track 'Monday Morning' which she performs in this clip...
Cam'ron - I Used To Get It In Ohio
Beyonce's Performance at the Academy Awards
I've been seeing a lot of bashing regarding her performance last night, and while I agree that Beyonce needs to take some time off and give us a break, I rather enjoyed this performance last night. She managed to put a little of her own flavor into each number and still deliver a broadway-caliber performance, which is different from her normal stage show. I stand by my previous comments that she was channeling Jessica Rabbit with that dress (the woman in the red dress from "Who Framed Roger Rabbit"!) But she looked and sounded amazing, and I'm sure that routine was no easy task. So yeah I enjoyed it, but uh... Beyonce, you can sit down now.
Video: Bow Wow ft. Johnta Austin - You Can Get It All
This song is starting to slightly grow on me, but I think it's only because of the TLC sample. It's aight, but nothing amazing. For some reason, Bow Wow's flow over the beat reminds me a lot of Young Jeezy. I'm just hoping this video gives Johnta Austin the exposure he needs to finally release his album. The video is aight for this song, but that's a fly leading lady he's got there! Now SHE could get it all...
New Artist: Melanie Fiona - Give It To Me Right
Jagged Edge - Fling
Monday's Motivation Muzik: Brandy ft. Ray J. - Another Day In Paradise
It's no secret that we're living in tough times. We complain a lot about the things we don't have, never realizing that there's someone out there with even less. The economy is bad, but even before the recession there were people who were struggling with medical conditions, finances, and general lack of ability to provide for themselves and their families. This weekend, I had a conversation with one of my best friends about volunteerism, and giving back to others who aren't quite as fortunate. I consider it a moral obligation to help someone else in need, one that I've always been happy to fulfill. If we all did our part to help at least one other person along the way, we would quickly find an end to hunger, homelessness and depression. Brandy and Ray J. came together to record a cover of a Phil Collins classic, Another Day In Paradise and it speaks to the fact that many of us take our blessings for granted and overlook those in need. This week, I challenge everyone to find some way to make life just a little bit better for at least one other person. Happy Monday and enjoy your week.
The Dream feat. Kanye West - Walkin' On The Moon
Dr. Dre feat T.I. and Nas - Topless
Ciara feat. Justin Timberlake - Love, Sex and Magic
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Justin Timberlake vs. Robin Thicke - Who's Really Got That 'Magic'?
Mixtape Download: Lyriciss Flowz - The Day Job
Sound-Savvy officially rates The Day Job mixtape with 4 out of 5 platinum headphones.
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(Interview) Savvy Spotlight: Meet Lyriciss Flowz
Savvy Spotlight: Meet Lyriciss Flowz!
Sound-Savvy: What’s good Lyriciss?
Lyriciss Flowz: Man I’m feelin wonderful man. Stayin on this grind man.
SS: So represent one time, tell the Sound-Savvy audience where u from and where you reppin!
Lyriciss: Yeah, man you know me. I’m reppin the DMV - DC, Maryland Virginia. I been all over so I can’t come out here and say I’m from one area, I’ve been all over man. Anybody that’s in the city, PG County, to Northern Virginia, I’m out chea!!
SS: Aight. So how long have you been doing hip-hop?
Lyriciss: I been rappin’ since I was 9. So I guess that’s 12 years since I just turned 21. Been rappin’ since 9, been in the booth since 16. So it’s been a lot of years put into this.
SS: So what made you start rapping? Was there a major music influence and what made you pick up a mic?
Lyriciss: I’ve always loved hip-hop since I was a baby. I distinctly remember in my brain, plus my mother reassured me that I used to rock in the crib to It Takes Two by Rob Base. So I had the hip-hop influence around me all the time. My mother raised me with hip-hop because she loved it as much, if not more than I do. I remember the first song I ever did; when I was in elementary school, I would take people’s songs and put my own words to ‘em. First song I did that with was Money, Power, Respect by the Lox, DMX and Lil’ Kim. That beat was just crazy to me. I just started doin it like that and from there I would hop in the ciphers when I giot in middle school, hopped into the battles. High school I kept that going and I finally got the chance to record when I ran into my man Ace Chips. He had his whole FCG thing goin on. I got down with the squad, we started recordin’ at his crib in the closet at 16 years old. He was 15 at the time and we just kept it going from there.
SS: Listening to your new mixtape, I noticed a lot of old school samples, who are some the artists, rappers or singers that you draw inspiration from?
Lyriciss: Definitely Big L plays a big inspiration, rest in peace to him; the 10th anniversary of his death just passed on the 15th. Rakim, Kool G Rap, Jay-Z, AZ, Nas; Joe Budden nowadays has a lot of influence; I’m a big Joe Budden fan. Wale played a big part ‘cause that was the first time I heard somebody from the area that was really lyrical with the rhymes but still sounded like somebody from this area… with the accent and everything!
SS: Shouts to Wale!
Lyriciss: Yeah so they all had an influence in what I do today
SS: Being from the DMV, how much of an influence does go-go play in your style?
Lyriciss: As far as my style in my songs, you don’t hear much go-go. The biggest song that I had before anything I got right now is probably They Fakin’ which had a Backyard sample on it. But just being somebody from the area, go-go has always been a big part of my life and you come up as a child and a teenager rappin’ over go-go beats. It helps you get your flow in the pocket so that’s something you’re always gonna have from a DMV rapper – a lot of the flows are very on point because if you can rock over a go-go beat then you can rock over any hip-hop beat. So that always played an influence on my flow, but not so much into the actual songs I do nowadays.
SS: So let’s talk about the new mix tape, The Day Job. What inspired the title?
Lyriciss: Well the truth of it is rap is my day job. I don’t have any other jobs right now. The economy is messed up! I had a part time working at Lids for a while, but I had to leave there. If you hear Blue Collar Chronicles, you know I worked at grocery stores, video game stores, all that. I worked at UPS, all of it. But right now rap is my day job: I wake up, I write songs, I record and I send the music out to the people and they just happen to like it.
SS: That’s wassup, that’s an inspiration. Blue Collar Chronicles is definitely one of m y favorites, there was a lot of imagery in the lyrics, it took me back to Spaceship from Kanye’s first album, similar concept but I like your spin on it.
Lyriciss: Yeah I had to talk about that and put some humor into it, didn’t want it to be completely serious.
SS: One of the tracks I’m really feelin’ is Misunderstood… there’s a lot of passion in the way the whole track was put together and it’s one I can really relate to. Where did that track come from?
Lyriciss: The first verse is basically speaking on how the rap game tries to make it seem that the mainstream does not have a place for an artist like me that would cover a bunch of topics and be lyrical. Even from this area, they try to make it seem like we’re not made to be rappers if you’re not talking about snappin’, drinkin’, makin’ it rain or whatever, you don’t really have a place in this rap game right now. The second verse was more so explaining a situation I had with a former management team/record label if they wanna call themselves that; just letting it be known that a lot of things they were saying about me after the fallout was very slanderous, it just wasn’t true. So I gave my side on it, and put my heart into it and let it be known that I still don’t have a problem with them, but this is the truth. They gon’ understand. No more misunderstanding what my side is on it.
SS: I hear that, put the truth out! Your first joint on the mix tape is called The Voice of the Metro. What is it about you as an artist that makes you able to claim that title over other artists from the DMV? Or is that something you would consider a shared title.
Lyriciss: Oh definitely, I’d definitely share that title. I’m just the one that will say it; I’ll say that I’m the voice of the metro but there’s plenty of other people that I feel are the voice of the metro. I feel that if you come out of this area and you’re dope, then you are a voice of the metro. If you talk about what goes on in our area and you do it without soundin’ like a damn fool, then you’re the voice of the metro. I would never claim to be the top dog of this or the king of DC or anything like that ‘cause that’s not my place to do. I feel like we should all be able to pull up and make it in this game together anyway.
SS: And I want to take a second to discuss the Willie Lynch Chip. The concept was different and it has a very unique perspective. How did you come up with that?
Lyriciss: A lot of people may have heard about the Willie Lynch letters. Basically there was a slave master named Willie Lynch from Virginia. He went out and made a speech to other slave owners about how to control the slaves – just the tactics to break the slaves and African families apart so they could control them better. I heard about this when I had a show in New York last year, I was staying with a cousin and he had a DVD with a preacher explaining how every black person is born with the Willie Lynch chip inside of them. It’s instilled in us that we’re not worth anything so we gotta hold ourselves back – we’re holding our own people back. So what I did was with the first verse, I expressed that with how the slave felt toward his slave master and put him above anything else. Then in the second verse, the dark-skinned African American is feelin strife toward the light-skinned African American because he felt like the light-skinned African American was being put ahead of him just because he was light-skinned. Then the 3rd verse, I took it from a woman’s perspective and her problems with the black male and how she’s been dogged out and how she feels she has to cover everything on her own.
SS: Yeah I’m really digging that track, a great way to close out the album. So I know you probably love them all, but do you have a particular favorite or one you would recommend to the Lyriciss fans?
Lyriciss: That’s hard for me to do because the way I put the tape together, I wanted to put songs on there that if one person doesn’t like one song, another song will grab them. There’s something there that everybody’s gonna be able to relate to, whether it’s the Willie Lynch Chip, Blue Collar Chronicles, or if it’s even something like Wild where somebody just wants to hear straight lyrical punchlines, flows, like The Rapture. Something’s gonna grab any type of hip hop fan in there. I can’t call it, I love the whole tape, everybody that got it in advance said that they loved the tape so if you hearin’ the tape, reach in there and see what grabs you.
SS: Yeah I got my advance copy and I’ve been bangin it all week down here in North Carolina!
Lyriciss: I usually don’t even listen to my own music, but I’ve been playing my own tape and if I play my own tape, I think I did something right!
SS: That’s wassup, now who did you work with as far as producers and other artists?
Lyriciss: Well as far as production I have my team, Equinox Professionals – Lord Vada and Tobari. They put me in a position to actually put this tape together so they’re involved in the presentation of it. I got the legendary J-Scrilla of Guns and Butta and In the Loop Records, he threw me a track on there. My man G-Wade from Boston, he threw me a track thanks to the homie Melody from DCtoBC.com. I got some production from my man David E. Beats, he’s from the area. I don’t really think there’s anyone else; if it is, I apologize. Like I said I don’t really listen to my music too much so sometimes I forget; its 22 tracks on there. But yeah I got a lot of love from people on this tape as far as production. For artists, I got Pro’Verb, Cayan, Lando McFly, Mouse aka The Waldorf Posterboy, RA the MC shouts out to her, Strange Music, Theo from Rhode Island – he’s definitely one of the next up and comers in this hip-hop that’s basically gonna takeover. That’s it right there.
SS: Lookin at the rap game now, what do you feel is the biggest problem with the music industry, specifically speaking to the rap genre?
Lyriciss: I feel like the mainstream aspect of hip-hop doesn’t have enough options for people – it’s pretty much one lane. They make it seem like you have to be a party dude in order to make it and that’s not hip hop to me. Not to say that that’s not part of hip-hop, but to have that be your only option – that’s not hip hop. Back in the day, if you were listening to the radio, you’d hear anything from Rakim’s Know The Ledge and then it switch in to It Takes Two, which is a party track. You get (T.R.O.Y.) They Reminisce Over You by Pete Rock and CL Smooth and just switch through a whole bunch of types of tracks and you pick what you feel. They don’t have that option nowadays. It’s basically do your Bird Walk, Jumpin out the Window, Pop Champagne a bunch of party tracks. There’s no options for anyone and they make you feel like there are no more nice rappers. That’s why everybody’s either disgruntled with hip-hop or they’re caught up in the BS. So I feel like we need to bring back the options.
SS: So would you say that one of your goals would be to change the view of the mainstream or just to broaden
Lyriciss: If I could change it, I’d be a very powerful person. In order for me to change hip-hop in that aspect, that means I’d really have to grab a lot of people and the masses would have to love it. If that happens, then I’m blessed, but my goal is just to make good music and have the people enjoy it. That’s all I can really do at this point. I see what the industry is right now. The most I can do is just make good music and have as many people respect it as possible and be respected for what I do
SS: And that’s all the fans can ask for.
Lyriciss: Exactly, and I love my fans so I gotta do that.
SS: So just to switch up for a second. I hear that you’re no stranger to the stage and you’re continuously rockin shows?
Lyriciss: Yeah I do a few shows. I do shows, open mics. I’ll come and rock at a cookout if possible. I just love performing that’s what I love to do. Get me on the mic, let me wild out, do what I do, give the mic back and it’s a wrap from there. Pass me a drink and we can party.
SS: That’s what’s good. As you’re out here on your day job, your daily grind, any words you live by or any inspiration to some of the other cats out there on the grind?
Lyriciss: Always progress and always stay remained in yourself. And know this business. This game is way more business than it is music. If you don’t know the business, don’t deal with it. It’s a shady game out here, you’re most likely to get got!
Rick Ross: What Goes Around Comes Around
Video: Young Jeezy - Welcome Back
Here's the latest, promo clip for Young Jeezy, which appears to be in support of his latest album (The Recession) and his tour with T.I., currently hitting major cities across the country. Not really much to see here, just the usual from a tour video: performance clips, groupies, alcohol... tour stuff. Again, it doesn't look like an official clip and I doubt that this track is a single, it's more of a promo for the tour and the album...
GET SAVVY: Ishues -Problems (Issues)
New Music: D. Woods (formerly of Danity Kane) - On My Side
Video: Mims - Move
Just when I began to wonder what happened to Mims... here he is! Fly concept for the video and the flow is just aight to me. Doesn't sound too much different from his previous work, but it's okay. This is the first single from Mims' sophomore album, entitled Guilt due in stores April 7. Check it out...
Video: Kanye West feat. Kid Cudi - Welcome to Heartbreak
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO READJUST YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN! This video is a Kanye West production so you already know to expect something different and highly metaphoric, right? Good. Now that all that's outta the way. I'm trying to figure out what to make of the meaning behind the video... As the song progressed, the video becomes more and more abstract, almost like it's a brilliant (in terms of color) representation of Kanye's life - mixed, messed up and seeing some semblance of recollection at the end. Bonus points for creativity Mr. West, I digs...
Video: T.I. and Justin Timberlake - Dead and Gone
Something about this video just creates a 'whoa' moment and engages the heart and mind. T.I. has a way of putting out songs and videos that reflect real life, which is what makes him such a great artist - we can all relate to him. Dead and Gone is the latest single from Paper Trail and really speaks to T.I.'s reflection on his past mistakes and how he learns from them to improve the quality of life for his family. With his impending jail sentence, it's appropriate that he releases this, the most somber song on the album as the likely final single before his incarceration. The scripture at the beginning says it all...it's about growing up.
Video: Kelly Clarkson - My Life Would Suck Without You
It's sooooo great to see Kelly Clarkson return with such a sunny disposition in this video. Her last two albums had some pretty heavy content, which indicated that the skies weren't always so sunny in her world. I like the playfulness of this video and the lightheartedness of the song, although it is very reminiscent of Since You've Been Gone. This is the first single from the American Idol winner's forthcoming album All I Ever Wanted, set to hit stores on March 10th.
Asher Roth - I Love College
I couldn't agree more... MAN I LOVED COLLEGE!! Partyin all night, goin to classes half tipsy/half hungover, doing things you know you shouldn't do with people you know you shouldn't... aight you get the point. So who is Asher Roth? He's not a thug, he's not a wanksta or a gangsta, just a dope whiteboy rapper with some serious wit and wordplay... His Greenhouse Effect mixtape with DJ Cannon and DJ Drama is pretty serious too. This video is pretty hilarious too, some of the clips evoked memories of college days swiftly passed away. Check it out...
Album Review: Bobby Valentino - The Rebirth
Release Date: 2.10.09
I’m accustomed to the “grow-on-me” effect of a Bobby Valentino album, which is why I took my time with this project, and it’s a good thing for him that I did. Initially, I would have completely trashed this album; on first listen I wasn’t feelin’ it at all and I still feel like it sounds a lot like his earlier content. After a few listens, my views have changed, but only slightly. The Rebirth is decent, but does nothing to surpass his sophomore release, Special Occasion.
The main problem with this album is that despite its name, there isn’t really a rebirth in Bobby’s sound. Tim & Bob contributed almost half of the tracks to the album, as they did with his previous albums and the style they use for Bobby V. has become stale. In fact, most of the highlights of the album are the songs they’re not on, like Butterfly Tattoo, and the lead single Beep featuring Yung Joc; both tracks keep a nice uptempo pace and work some sexual metaphors, ideal for the club scene. Vocally, he shines the most on the slower jams like Stay With Me, and my personal favorite Be My Love. I’m especially feeling the play-on-words with 3 Is The New 2, freaky and imaginative with a scenario set to cater to the carnal fantasies of his lady… and her lady. One thing Bobby does quite well is covers (heard Soon As I Get Home?). On this album, he teams up with Raphael Saadiq for a cover of the Tony! Toni! TonĂ©! classic Just Me and You with Bobby on vocals and Saadiq offering a soulful rift from the guitar.
Out of 16 tracks, only about 6 are really worth the listen, everything else sounds like something that’s been done already and nothing stands out. It’s an album of soft grooves but nothing memorable. Overall, I’m just not feeling the creative energy on here. I think Bobby could really use a total re-vamping of his style and sound; he’s on a new label now, his own Blue Kolla Dreams imprint but it seems he’s scared to deviate and try new things. Nothin’ beats a failure but a try; for me this is a failure, so next time, TRY!!
Sound-Savvy officially rates The Rebirth with 2 out of 5 platinum headphones.
Monday's Motivation Muzik: Yolanda Adams and Joss Stone - Just A Prayer Away
After watching this on the BET Honors special, I was convinced that I needed to share this with my Sound-Savvy fam. Two of the most power female vocalists joined forces to deliver this stunning performance. Let this song be a reminder to us all, the source of our help and strength is just a prayer away, and with Him there's nothing we can't do. As you begin to face your week, remember that the power to overcome is in your prayer. It's like instant messaging the creator of the Universe!
Adrienne Bailon feat. Jay-z - Only You
My, how we've grown... Adrienne Bailon, a former member of girl groups 3LW and The Cheetah Girls is launching her solo career (come on, don't act surprised...) Here's her first single featuring none other than Jay-Z, Only You. I'm diggin' her vocals on this song, her sound has really matured and she sounds like she can do some damage on a full album. I may have to check for her solo debut, due out later this year.