In this blog I'd like to discuss some of my favorite R&B and Hip-Hop songs played by some very well known artists such as Drake, Usher, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Destiny's Child, etc and also some up and coming artists who I am discovering once in a while.
"I'm twisted cause one side of me is telling me that I need to move on, on the other side I wanna break down and cry"
Alright, so I know I hadn't written in my blog since forever ago...pretty much when last semester ended and I wasn't required to do it for a grade anymore. Anywaysss, well I got out of class 2 hrs early today and had some time to kill so here I am! I was listening to music, chilling in my room and Usher's "Burn" came on and now it's stuck on repeatttt! The song comes off of Usher's Confessions album that was released in 2004. The song is about a break up. It's actually a sad song. Talking about how it's hard to leave someone but you do it anyways because you know that this is what needs to happen because feelings have just changed. Pretty much, it's a situation where you love someone but aren't IN LOVE with them. Later on in the song, he starts talking about when he's with someone else, he's missing his ex and now "burning" cause he wants her back. I love the song but it's kinda stupid if you think about it. Pretty much why I believe that "Love" is only temporary..call me cold-hearted but I have my reasons! Not gonna lie, I kinda still want it, even if it's only for a little while:) I just realized Usher released another single like 2 weeks ago so I'm off to check it out...byeee!
Honestly, did not care for Common at all until I saw him in the movie "Just Wright" released last year where he played the role of an injured basketball player who ends up getting injured, and eventually falling in love with his therapist on the road to recovery. All I thought at the time was, danggg he's sexy! BUT recently I've been listening to more of his music and reading up on him a lot more and I must say, I like what I see and hear. Rapper/actor Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr. otherwise known as 'Common' is someone who has been in the game for just about two decades already but hadn't released an album since 2008 when he released, Universal Mind Control. This new song titled "The Believer" which will be featured on his new album, The Dreamer/The Believer was released earlier this week. The song features extremely successful artist John Legend and is said to be the only track on the upcoming album that will have any guest singer as well. The song, in my opinion, talks about the faith that Common, as a rapper, has in God himself and the belief that He is always watching over humankind and has great plans for us. He seems to point out bad things/relationships in the world between people but turns the mood into a positive one by telling of how God will see us through it. My favorite part of the song is when he says,
"I know that God watches, From one Kings dream He was able to Barack us, the Prophets, nothing can stop us, Believe!"
Common is an artist who is always bringing religious meanings to his music so this is no surprise. Anyways...overall, I really like the song. I think the lyrics are just so deep and make you really think about how arrogant human beings are and make me want to change for the better. The Dreamer/The Believer hits stores on December 20th so you should listen to the song and if u like it, go out and buy the album! Pretty sure there'll be some good stuff on there!
"Swim Good" is a song off of Frank Oceans mixtape, Nostalgia, Ultra. The song was released back in February of 2011 but it's a song I was just recently introduced to by a friend of mine. From what I can see, the song is a sort of personal thought from Ocean himself, talking about how he is ready to "swim into the ocean" and basically cleanse himself of his past heartbreaks, both those that he has gone through and those he has caused to other people, in order to hopefully find piece of mind and eventually find happiness again. The lyrics and music video to the song make it seem like he is having suicidal thoughts about basically driving himself into the ocean and in doing so, ending his life. However, I think this is just a way of him saying he wants to get rid of his past and start a new life free of all the pain and suffering which is making him feel guilty about things he's done in his past and bad choices he has made. Overall, I'm not too crazy about the song and I definitely don't like the music video made for the song...what's up with the guy with that weird mask eating popcorn at the beginning??? Weirdddddd....
I personally like this version better than the original =)
Ever feel like you like a song a lot but yet have no idea what the song is about??? Ya, that's pretty much how I feel about this. Good song, don't get the lyrics, and think all the stuff going on in the video is kinda dumb... "Cause everyday we oughta have 'pesos'..." Boy Please!!!
"Grapes on a vine, don't always make sweet wine..."
This song, "Grapes on A Vine" by Betty Wright featuring rapper Lil' Wayne was released just a few days ago. The song will be featured on Wright's upcoming album titled, Betty Wright: The Movie which will be released on November 15th. The song is different from a lot of what we've been hearing from Wayne because it shows him working together with Wright who is a Soul and R&B singer. I love hearing music like this where singers from different genres and completely different ages come together to make music that is sure to appeal to a much larger audience. The song basically talks about relationships that exist between people and how they aren't always perfect at first but we should keep our faith and keep believing that things will get better over time.
Phlo Finister is someone I had never heard of until this past weekend and now this song has been on replay all weekend! The 19 year old from Oakland, California is really making a name for herself these days. In this song, "Shades", released earlier this month Finister blends genres together geniously! Most of her work is done by blending genres together. Pop and Hiss: LA Times Music Blog, refers to Finister as a "Youthquaker", which is something I had never even heard of so I had to look it up. I don't know how trustworthy this definition is gonna be but here it is...
According to Wikipedia, "Youthquake was a 1960s fashion, musical and cultural movement." They also mention that "London was the center of this movement" and that "The fashion of youthquake was fun, spirited and youthful-miniskirts and jumpsuits".
I guess the reason for refering to her as a Youthquaker is basically to explain her style in clothing. If I had to compare her to an artist I actually know more about it would probably have to be....well no one. She is really something new to me but I know we'll be seeing a lot more from her in the future.
Alright, so as you can see I'm becoming a huge Beyonce fan! I have always loved her when she would since as a part of the group Destiny's Child but was never able to fully appreciate her for the music she began to perform as a solo artist (mostly because I was mad at her for not singing with Destiny's Child anymore). It wasn't until I saw the live performance of her song, 1+1 on American Idol in 2011 that I began to give in to her. I have to say that her latest album titled '4' is my favorite so far. Her voice is just so passionate; strong when it needs to be, and soft and soothing when it needs to be as well. In this new remix of her song, "Party", which is taken off of her latest album '4', and features rapper Andre 3000 from Outcast, the pop diva teams up with flourishing rapper, J. Cole who replaces Andre's verse with his own in the remix. J. Cole, who recently released his own album, 'The Sideline Story' even goes as far as to change up the lyrics to the song a bit, which was an interesting choice. This song is a fun listen for someone looking to pick up the mood for the day but ironically does not make you want to "party". I happen to be someone who loves the soulful feel to music so if you are too then you'd definitely love the song. In a way, Beyonce's part actually makes me reminisce over the kind of music she would make with Destiny's Child because of it's smooth and soothing feel. I love the way that J. Cole decided to change up the song a little bit and add in his 2 cents worth as well. Great work by the two artists if you ask me. The video for "Party" is said to premiere tomorrow, October 25th on BET's "106 & Park".
Pregnant Beyonce showing off her growing tummy!
These guys made a cover for the original "Party" which featured Andre 3000
