Album Review: Method Man and Redman - Blackout! 2
It’s been 10 years since the dynamic duo of hip-hop put out an album together. In the meantime, they’ve hosted a sitcom, starred in movies, and worked on considerably successful solo projects. But even a decade-long break couldn’t destroy the chemistry created when two of hip hop’s untouchable MC’s hit the mic together. In their time off, dozens of new artists have emerged, snagging elements of the Red & Meth flavor to concoct their own identities but none are as adept on the mic as Johnny Blaze and Funk Doctor Spock. Blackout! 2 is the album no hip-hop fan should be without. So blaze up, sit down, and let’s get to it!
Blackout! 2 takes a more mellow tone than the previous Blackout album, but it still covers a good range with something for any Red & Meth fan: party bangers, smoker’s anthems, and the usual witty rhymes over thumping beat masterpieces – perfect for the ride. A-Yo brings a smooth start as the lead single, adding Saukrates to the hook to set the song off in just the right way. True to their herbal roots, the fellas both spit some heat on Dis is 4 All My Smokers and Wu-Tang affiliates Raekwon and Ghostface lend their firepower on Four Minutes To Lockdown. The party gets started on Errbody Scream featuring wild-child Keith Murray. One of the hardest hitting street bangers on the album, City Lights matches UGK member Bun B with Doc and Meth, adding some
By and large this project is very true to the Method Man and Redman fans, as evidenced by the content. There’s something here that any fan of the duo (or hip-hop for that matter) can enjoy. Even after 10 years, the childhood friends still have what it takes to put out a great album without selling out to the gimmicks and nonsense that plague today’s music. I’m proud to proclaim, hip-hop’s dynamic duo has (finally) done it again!
Sound-Savvy officially rates Blackout! 2 with 4 out of 5 platinum headphones.
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Method Man and Redman - Ayo (feat. Saukrates)
Method Man and Redman - City Lights (feat. Bun B.)
Wale Wrecks Shop on Carson Daly Show
The homie Wale put it down for the DMV area last night with his first national TV performance. Together with go-go band UCB, Wale took the stage and brought the crowds in LA to a roaring chant with the performance of his debut single Chillin. The band totally completes this performance, and I must say whoever's on guitar is rockin this song!! Wale brings it all together for a killer performance. A note to all hip-hop artists out there: here's proof that a great live band is ALWAYS better than a track!
Video: Jeremih - Birthday Sex
Effrem Adams - The Ultimate Janet Jackson Megamix 1986-2008
Album Review: Ruben Studdard - Love Is
Album: Love Is
Release Date: 5.19.2009
It’s a supreme understatement to say Ruben Studdard hasn’t fared quite as well as some of his fellow American Idol winners. With meager reception, he has released his 4th album, the smooth contemporary R&B project Love Is. Here’s my thing about Ruben: he’s a great singer but his artistry leaves much to be desired. If Simon Cowell were reviewing this album, he’d say it’s “a bit karaoke” or “a bit lounge singerish”. There’s an overall lack of energy in this album, as if Ruben doesn’t connect with the music in a way that moves him. Thus, I wasn’t moved…
Out of the album’s 12 tracks, 4 are covers, including an above average rendition of Michael Jackson’s I Can’t Help It. Studdard also takes on old school hits like More Than Words (Extreme), The Long And Winding Road (The Beatles) and For The Good Times, made popular in the genre by Al Green. Don’t Make ‘Em Like You No More caught my attention with its more modern pop appeal, and the album closes with the power ballad Footprints In The Sand.
Even with the previously mentioned noteworthy songs, the overall selection is rather boring. This is the album our parents and older generations would probably enjoy more for its smoothness and simplicity, but it fails to fizzle for me and there’s nothing memorable on this album. The issue here is the lack of energy, and for that reason I wouldn’t consider it soul music, more like glossy R&B. So if you’re looking for soft, smooth background music, this album has what you need, but nothing more…
UPDATED: Ocean's 7 Mixtape - 3000 And 9 Shit
Who Did It Best? Chrisette Michele or Leela James on 'Don't Speak'
Shouts to the lovely ladies doin it big over at MyMoodIsMusic, which is where I first saw this video. I hope they don't kill me for what I'm about to say... First, I love Chrisette Michele, she's an amazing vocalist but I don't feel like she did the song justice. For me, the best rendition of Don't Speak would have to go to Ms. Leela James (listen below), from her debut album A Change Is Gonna Come. She laid the song completely out. Still, I've got MUCH love for Chrisette Michele and hers was a good cover.
Video: Fabolous - It's My Time
Wow... I don't really know what else to say, but Fabolous is doing it BIG for his new album! This is another hot track and fly video! Jeremih on the hook makes It's My Time some more heat Fab is droppin for the summer. The beat gives the track a militant yet triumphant type feel and I'm really diggin it. What I've heard so far, Loso's Way is shaping up to be a hell of an album. I wouldn't get caught sleepin' on Fabolous this summer...
Video: Fabolous feat. The Dream - Throw It In The Bag
You can hate if you want on the kid Fabolous, but he knows how to deliver a hit! Go ahead and put this on your summertime mixes, it's definitely a banger. FAB gets extra flashy in this super-fly video for Throw It In The Bag, off his forthcoming 5th studio album entitled Loso's Way set for release on June 30. He and The Dream make an excellent combo for this track, I'm stamping this one for the summertime heat!
Video: Day 26 - Stadium Music
This is actually one of my favorite songs from the fellas' latest album, Forever In A Day. I knew a video was on it's way, but I must say this is rather disappointing. Can we say budget cuts? I'm not sure if this is the final version of the video or a rough cut, but this green-screen-heavy clip doesn't measure up to the power of the song. There were so many concepts that could have been utilized to make this a better video but hey, the shelf life for Day 26 is nearing its expiration - and no, that's not hate: past actions predict future outcomes. I don't think I need to explain the downfall of the Bad Boy dynasty. Let's hope they're smart investors because the sun may be setting soon on the community service project known as Day 26...
And can someone at Bad Boy PLEASE retire 112's leather outfits??
IAmOneTen Interviews Kev Tha Hustla!!
This is an EXCLUSIVE interview, nicely done by fellow blogger I Am One Ten. Kev Tha Hustla has been making waves on the hip-hop circuit with his Taylor Gang imprint, most notably with his frontman Wiz Khalifa. In this interview, Kev speaks on the Taylor Gang/Heavy Hustle movement, coming out of Pittsburgh, PA, what's it like to work with Wiz Khalifa and his success, and much more. Shouts to the homie IAmOneTen, if you haven't checked his spot, Sound-Savvy definitely recommends it!
Follow Kev Tha Hustla on Twitter and get his music and mixtapes directly from his Myspace
London feat. Lil Wayne - B4 U Go
Video: The Dream feat. Kanye West - Walkin' On The Moon
The Dream kicks it into warp speed with the video for his latest single Walkin' On The Moon featuring Kanye West. This space-aged futuristic styled clip finds The Dream in an intergalactic love affair, chasing the object of his affection beyond the moon and between the stars. The song is a great new sound for Mr. Nash and a highlight from his Love vs. Money album, in stores now (review here).
And by the way, I'm diggin the styles in this video!!
Episode 1: On The Road With Wale
Thanks to our wonderful relationship with Digiwaxx, Sound-Savvy presents to you On The Road With Wale, a 10-week video podcast series chronicling the life and times of WALE on tour, as he rocks shows across the country (listen to his single Chillin featuring Lady Gaga here) to promote his soon to be released debut album (Attention Deficit) while trying not to go insane cooped up on the tour bus. From show highlights, to interviews and guest appearances, to an epic X-Box battle with Young Chris, On The Road with Wale is a colorful montage of the rising star’s experiences while on his first major headlining tour. You can check back here, each week for the latest episode or download them at www.zune.net/wale. Enjoy, and support the artist!
Video: Christian Rich - Famous Girl
If you diggin this video and song as much as I am, click here to vote for the fellas on The Freshman and have their video added to the MTV U Video rotation.
Album Review: Eminem - Relapse
Album: Relapse
Release Date: 5.19.09
Returning from a 5-year musical hiatus, Eminem offers his sixth studio album, Relapse. At this point in his career, Em’s an old dog that isn’t learning any new tricks, so with this album he does the only thing left to do: he does his old tricks in new ways. There really isn’t much within the mind of Marshall Mathers much we don’t already know. Every album has been a revelation of some page in his misshapen life, this one slightly more traumatically divulging than the first five, as he explores his issues with drug abuse while, in typical Eminem fashion, poking fun at an unsuspecting (and uncaring) targets. While Relapse sees no shortness in puns and punchlines, it breaks no new ground in the Shady story, making this return from his hiatus seem like more of a grandstand stunt in an effort to reassure his fans (and himself) that he’s still got it, and to prove himself worthy of a slot on everyone’s ‘Best Rapper’ list.
The best way to promote an Eminem album is to, of course, pick a fight. The victim this time: Mariah Carey and, by association of marriage, Nick Cannon. His weapon of choice, Bagpipes From Baghdad, a raunchy recount of his short fling with Mariah while taunting America’s favorite cornball Cannon over a bagpipe-accompanied track. Shady chronicles his recent drug addiction on Déjà vu, a sadly honest yet weirdly entertaining description of his fall into substance abuse and dependence. Beautiful is the standout track of the album, sampling Queen’s somber hit Reaching Out. It’s mildly inspirational, and Mathers stakes his claim as “one tough act to follow”. I’d also recommend the songs Medicine Ball, , 3 A.M., and Underground. The rest of the album is more of his tongue-in-cheek rants, and tales of fictional murder, mayhem and eery sex. In fact, the numerous skits throughout the project prove to be more entertaining.
I’m unashamed to say I was a fan of Eminem’s music, he’s an extremely talented lyricist and knows how to make attention-grabbing singles, but I can only take Eminem in small doses. This album, though humorous in part, is excessively depressing and overdone on the graphic imagery. The truth of the matter is that Dr. Dre outshines his pupil on this album, contributing all but one track. Overall, it’s a decent album, but not great by any standards. There's more to hip-hop than punchlines and shock value.
Sound-Savvy officially rates Relapse with 3 out of 5 platinum headphones.
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Video: Eminem - 3 A.M.
Video: Eminem - We Made You
Eminem feat. 50 Cent and Dr. Dre - Crack A Bottle
The Cast of Glee vs. RL of Next - Don't Stop Believin'
I'm not a huge fan of the band Journey but Don't Stop Believin' is, without a doubt, one of my favorite songs of all time, definitely a must-have on the soundtrack of my life. I indulged my curiosity last week and gave in to the pressure from TJ of Neon Limelight to watch Fox's premiere of its new show Glee. Pleasantly surprised was I with the mix of humor, music, and overall corny-ness. Shouts to TJ from Neon Limelight, if it wasn't for her, I probably wouldn't have watched. The cast closed out it's pilot episode with a cover of this classic Journey tune which I found pretty impressive. I'd also heard RL from Next cover this song on his R&B mixtape which hit the net back in March. I liked his version, but I think theirs won me over. Which do you prefer?
David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland - When Love Takes Over
V.A.R. - Que? x This Deuce
You know over here on Sound-Savvy.com, we make it a PRIORITY to keep you up to date on everything music related. Today's nothing different. DJ Swift, from our affiliate site, djswiftOFFICIAL.com introduces you to his family. Hailing from Columbus, Georgia, V.A.R. (Granz, Self-One & Bryant) have been making some noise for sometime, but now they are ready to break some speakers. If you've been following our affiliate site, then you already know how they bring it. But just in case, click HERE to catch up on some VAR tracks that DJ Swift put up. Anywho, fast forward to today. Trust me, this shits knocking. When you combine Granz' gritty wordplay, Bryant's smooth flow & Self-One's wicked lines, the trio breaks the whole, "southern crunk" stereotype and show's us that there's more than just hard hitting bass and trap talk in the South. Their newest mixtape, Plan A, will be coming out very soon and will be a Sound-Savvy/DJSwiftOFFICIAL/epicSense EXCLUSIVE. As an extra bonus, here's another track off the mixtape to keep y'all locked in. Produced by Reasonable.
DOWNLOAD: V.A.R. - Que?
BONUS: Granz - This Deuce (Produced By Reasonable)
Black Eyed Peas - I'mma Be
Amerie - Tell Me U Love Me
Music from Transformers 2: Linkin Park - New Divide
Letoya Luckett - She Ain't Got Sh!t On Me
Daughtry - No Surprise
I am unabashedly and without shame a fan of Daughtry! After his run on American Idol, frontman Chris Daughtry took his band on to sell more records than any debut album from an American Idol contestant. The band has finished recording their second album Leave This Town and are gearing up for a July 14 release. No Surprise is the first single from that project, another hit in my book from the Daughtry camp. Daughtry is a great vocalist, and his band is a powerful force that completes this masterpiece. These dudes rock... literally!!
Raheem Devaughn - Wing And A Prayer
Jeremih - Everywhere We Are
Jordin Sparks - Battlefield
Video: Beyonce - Ego
Beyonce's non-stop these days, and who can blame her? After all, she's "got every reason to feel like I'm that bitch!" Sasha Fierce maintains the black and white theme and flashy attire in this video for Ego from the I Am...Sasha Fierce album. Sexy as it may be, this concept is getting a bit repetitive in her videos: big hair, flanking dancers, flashy dresses... And this song is catchy but it's not her best, not even in the top five. Although it's not an official remix, the version with Kanye would have been more entertaining, in video form at least...
Video: Ocean's 7 feat. Bow Wow - So Much Swag
The title holds true - there's a whole lotta swag in this video!! Jermaine Dupri has formed Voltron with some heavy hitters and some rising stars in the game to introduce this combination threat known as Ocean's 7. Singer/songwriter Johnta Austin, rapper Nelly, R&B stars Trey Songz and Usher, Producer extraordinaire B. Cox, a new comer named InTYnational (Tyrone Davis) and Mr. Dupri himself have formed this supergroup, with a highly anticipated mixtape entitled 3008 on the way.Contrary to popular opinion, it seems Bow Wow is NOT a member of the group, but is featured on this song. In this video clip, a few of the fellas turn their swag on with the help of some sexy ladies and get quite clean and dapper. This is a good look for all the fellas and the only builds hype for the mixtape as well as their individual projects.
Album Review: Daniel Merriweather - Love And War
Artist: Daniel Merriweather
Album: Love and War
Release Date: 6.1.09 (U.S. Release Date)
Check out the media player after the jump to hear songs from the album, and to check out the video for Change featuring Wale.
Earlier this week, I was turned on to the sounds of Australian soul/R&B singer Daniel Merriweather by a fellow blogger, Martini of Martini and Scotch. Merriweather approaches his debut album Love and War with a bluesy disposition. Discovered by Mark Ronson, Merriweather’s style seems to combine elements of hitmakers like John Mayer and Sam Cooke to create his own style. His voice captures love and pain in a way that moves the soul. Pay attention, this guy’s got a lot to say and he says it well.
Joell Ortiz - Covers The Classics (Mixtape)
01. IntroHosted by DJ Green Lantern. Shouts to OnSMASH.
02. Rappers Delight (feat. DJ Enuff)
03. Know The BK Ledge
04. Somethin for Hot 97 (feat. DJ Camilo)
05. Strictly the Bizness
06. Treat Me Right
07. Industry Enemy #1
08. Brooklyn Children’s Story
09. I Can’t Go Broke
10. Live At Cooper Day BBQ
11. Uptown Anthem
12. U.N.I.T.Y.
13. T.R.O.Y.
14. Primo Tribute
15. Just To Get A Check
16. Mass Appeal
17. Act Like They Don’t Know
18. The Whut (Animal Shit)
19. BK Get Money
20. Got My Mind Made Up
21. Drop A Gem On ‘Em
22. Intercourse
23. Cell Therapies
24. High Roller
25. Brooklyn Ghetto Child
26. What They Do (Root’s Tribute)
27. Renee’s Revenge
28. Goin To Miami (feat. DJ Khaled)
29. What Happened To Hip Hop
30. 4,3,2,1
31. Recognize
32. 24HRS
33. Rican Ebonics 09
DOWNLOAD: Joell Ortiz - Covers The Classics (Mixtape) *UPDATED LINK
She's Back! Amerie - Why R U?
New Joint from Lyriciss Flowz - Successful
Album Review: Elliott Yamin - Fight For Love
Album: Fight For Love
Release Date: 5.5.09
American Idol has proven time and time again that winning isn’t everything and losing isn't always the end, especially when you’re as good as Elliott Yamin. After finishing the fifth season in third place (behind Hicks and McPhee), Yamin has continued, like many of his fellow Idol alum, to make great music as an underdog in the industry. Those who remember Yamin from his time on the big stage may recall his moving renditions of classic soul hits like Knocks Me Off My Feet, A Song For You, and Open Arms. If that’s the Elliott you loved, then you’ll fall in love again when you hear his sophomore album Fight For Love. With this second set, Yamin reintroduces the soul singer we first met on Idol with a collection of vulnerable and emotive balladry. The lyrics are pure poetry and Yamin’s vocals put a serious emphasis on the melodies, making this much more than just another pop album.
The album’s title track also serves as its lead single, a pop-styled R&B tune penned by Johnta Austin. The project opens with the groovy Let Love Be, characterized by it’s simplicity. Know Better explores the feelings of regret after being blinded by love and ignoring your instincts. Being lovesick is never fun (“like tryin to breathe with one lung, or tryin to live without no water…”) but it makes for great music on Apart From Me. Not to be restricted to just slow jams, the pace picks up on songs like Don’t Be Afraid (a personal favorite), Cold Heart and the follow-up single You Say. But even on the uptempo songs, the vocals are equally powerful, and the strong melodies don’t take a backseat to the production – a quality that I love! While tracks like How Do I Know and This Step Alone are also noteworthy standouts, I’d have to go with You as the best song on the album. Everything seems to come together on this track, and much like the rest of the album, it’s vocally amazing without being overdone. The closing song track is one of memorial; Someday was written in the memory of Yamin’s mother, who passed in March 2008. Though somber in content, the steady beat adds an air of hope and life to the song.
Start to finish, Fight For Love is a solid sophomore album. Though it didn’t break the Billboard Top 10 in its first week, it rises in quality above many of its industry counterparts. Like most of the Idols, his first album was a bit hard to follow, but this project maintains some diversity while really stamping Yamin into his lane as a soul artist. Sonically, the project is very melodic – a risk to take in an industry dominated by pop formulas that focus more on beats and hooks rather than the real elements of music. Without reservation, I’d recommend this album to anyone in search of good music, specifically good soul music. Vocally, Elliott does some things on this album that just quite frankly gave me chills! To describe it in one word, all I can say is amazing…
Sound-Savvy officially rates Fight For Love with 4.5 out of 5 headphones.
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Video: Elliott Yamin - Fight For Love