Video: Nelly Furtado - Mas (More)
Video: Corinne Bailey Rae - I'd Do It All Again
Video: Rihanna ft. Young Jeezy - Hard
Gotta be one of my favorite joints off the album. The beat knocks, the hook is simple but means so much and Jeezy's verse seals the deal. Hard is the latest single off Rihanna's fourth album Rated R. In this high-fashion meets military clip, Rihanna struts her stuff touting the song's infectious line "I'm so HARD!!".
LIVE: Mary J. Blige Performs 'I AM' on SYTYCD Finale!
Leona Lewis Performs 'I See You' Live
Jennifer Lopez Performs 'Louboutins' LIVE!
Alicia Keys ft. Raekwon and CNN - Empire State of Mind Pt. 2 (Remix)
Young Money - Where's Wayne?
Video: Iyaz - Replay
Game - Breakin' Rules (Feat. Busta Rhymes)
I'm back folks! It's been a while but I'm (Swift) back on Sound-Savvy! On this newest R.E.D. Album drop, Game brings another ex-Aftermath artist, Busta Rhymes along for the ride. Produced by Scott Storch. Stay tuned, Game's R.E.D. Album is scheduled for a February 16th release, with Dr. Dre AND Pharrell executive producer credits enabled.
DOWNLOAD: Game - Breakin' Rules (Feat. Busta Rhymes)
Has The Blackballing of Chris Brown Gone Too Far?
I'm making NO excuses for Chris Brown's behavior in his personal dispute with Rihanna, but what we have to remember is that it was a PERSONAL matter and does not change the quality of his music. It seems as if a lot of reviewers had made up their mind to kill this album with their critiques based on the dispute and subsequent breakup between Chris and Rihanna instead of listening to the music, the content, the vocals and making an objective rating. If a reviewer judges personality, shouldn’t it reflect how much (or how little) of the artist’s personality shines through in the actual work?
When it comes to music and albums, is it okay for a critic to judge the art based on the actions of the artist in his/her personal life? Or do you feel the music should be reviewed on its quality and merits alone? How far is too far?
Lil Wayne ft. Eminem - Drop The World
Cassie - Right Time
VIDEO: Tabi Bonney - Duhh
Sammie - Forever
Audio: Sammie - Forever
NEW: Mary J. Blige - Tonight
Audio: Tonight
Royce Da' 5'9" - No Coming Back From That
Audio: No Coming Back From That
Jagged Edge ft. Trina and Gucci Mane - Tip of My Tongue
Audio: Tip of My Tongue
Album Review: Snoop Dogg - Malice N' Wonderland
Artist name: Snoop Dogg
Album title: Malice N Wonderland
Release date: 12.08.09
By now, Snoop Dogg needs absolutely no introduction in hip-hop music, as his name is synonymous with the West Coast gangsta rap movement of the early 1990s. In fact, it’s hard to believe that it’s been 17 years since the brash, young Long Beach emcee debuted on Dr. Dre’s “Nuthin’ But A G Thang” and took the game by storm. On Malice N Wonderland, Snoop’s tenth album, he proves that his laid-back, yet confident lyrical cadence can still shake ground and influence his peers. The person who stands before us now is definitely a mature adult, but not so stuffy that he can’t rhyme about sex, women and clubbing.
Over the years, Snoop has provided a plethora of sounds for our respective soundtracks, some of which are certified classics in hip-hop history. Who can forget the infectious call-and-response of “Gin and Juice,” or the feeling they got after listening to “What’s My Name?” for the first time in 1993. And don’t tell me you forgot about the shock and awe that was Murder Was The Case, an album Snoop released during his fight to stay out of prison. That sound is back on Malice N Wonderland and does not sound like a carbon copy of Snoop’s classic debut, Doggystyle.
On this recording, Snoop has done something that few veteran artists can do. He provides a record that is both fresh and relevant while respecting what brought him to the industry. Malice N Wonderland is modern, but doesn’t stray far away from Snoop’s home. Songs like “I Wanna Rock” and “Secrets” are quintessential Snoop, reminiscent of his early days in which his tracks were heavily punctuated by the deep basslines and snapping drums, which are staples of the West Coast sound. Other songs like “1800,” featuring Lil’ Jon, “Pimpin’ Ain’t EZ,” featuring R. Kelly, and “Pronto,” featuring Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em, are ready-made for the club. However, “Different Languages,” featuring Jazmine Sullivan, stands out as Snoop shows affection for his wife Shante Taylor, whom he playfully calls “Ms. Bow Wow” throughout the song. But while that song is about loving his wife, “Gangsta Luv,” featuring The Dream, is more hardcore and details what it’s like to be with a gangsta.
With Malice N Wonderland, Snoop Dogg has created yet another blueprint for West Coast rappers to follow. From beginning to end, Snoop’s album is choked full of singles and club bangers, which are all done with quality in mind. Twenty years is a long time to be in one place, but Snoop proves yet again that he’s right where he belongs — right at the top of the hip-hop game.
— Marcus J. Moore
Sound-Savvy rates Malice N' Wonderland with 4 out of 5 platinum headphones
Mario ft. Kelly Rowland - Thinkin About You Remix
Audio: Thinkin About You (Remix)
Young Jeezy ft. Lil Wayne - You Scared (Money)
Audio: You Scared (Money)
Video: Sean Paul - Hold My Hand
Alicia Keys - Through It All x Pray For Forgiveness
Audio: Through It All
Audio: Pray For Forgiveness
Video: Mary J. Blige - I Am
Jamie Foxx ft. Justin Timberlake - Winner
Audio: Winner
Video: Mariah Carey - H.A.T.E.U.
Karina Pasian - Perfectly Different
Audio: Karina Pasian - Perfectly Different
VIDEO: Timbaland and Drake - Say Something
Ester Dean - Baddest In The Club
Audio: Ester Dean - Baddest In The Club
Video: Kid Cudi - Pursuit of Happiness
Don Juan Performs "Lookie Looky" LIVE!
Album Review: Chris Brown - Graffiti
Album: Graffiti
Release Date: 12.8.09
Four years ago, the world met Chris Brown: a golden boy with a squeaky clean image, amazing stage presence and dance moves that few of his entertainment counterparts could match, much less rival. His growth as a man and an artist has seen significant highs and this year, it saw significant lows. This evolutionary journey is chronicled on his new album Graffiti with songs of loss, love, and the pressures of fame. The title is all too fitting – when an object is defaced with graffiti, it’s no longer clean, the innocence is lost and the world has left an indelible mark. Such is the case with Chris Brown, re-emerging from a tumultuous year with a new image, no longer bearing the child-like innocence we once knew. But as you will note on the album, some of his graffiti is self-induced…
Alicia Keys ft. Pol-B - Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart (Remix)
Audio: Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart (Remix)