Saturday, December 15, 2012

Stroke Em Condom Style-Cassidy Remixes "Gangnam Style"



Rapper Cassidy's Safe-sex PSA

Rappers often are criticized for promoting sex, drugs, and violence. However, Cassidy has used his talent to put out a remix to PSY's viral hit "Gangnam Style" that is funny and has a good message. Listen below:



I feel like every person who is at all social has been forced to watch "Gangnam Style" on an iPhone screen by now. Just in case you have not, the song Cassidy remixed is posted below:


Saturday, December 8, 2012

Cuba Bans Reggaeton Music



Was Cuba Right To Ban Violent/Sexually Explicit Music from Radio and Television?

Miami New Times reports that Cuba has banned Reggaeton, along with other violent and sexually explicit music from radio and television:


"Neither vulgarity or mediocrity may dent the richness of Cuban music," Cuban Institute of Music president Orlando Vistel Columbié told the state-owned press.
Vistel in particularly takes issue with the "aggressive, sexually explicit, obscene" reggaeton lyrics that portray Cuban women as "grotesque sexual objects."
Though, Vistel clarified that he's not only concerned with reggaeton, but considers the party genre a particular menace. 

Can you imagine genres of music being banned in America? Rap? Rock? Country?

What are your thoughts?





Tamar Braxton Gives You Your LIFE: Love and War



TAMAR BRAXTON-LOVE & WAR


Love her or hate her, Tamar Braxton has a nice track here. "Love and War" was released on December 6th, and went to #1 on iTunes within 24 hours.

Her lower register is eerily similar to that of her older sister, Toni Braxton. However, Tamar uses her vocal range and emotion to make this song her own.

Powerful delivery by Braxton, and equally great lyrics:


We stay on the frontlines, yeah but we're still here after the bomb drops
We go so hard, we lose control
The fire starts, then we explode
When the smoke clears, we dry our tears
Only in love and war

Check out Tamar's new single below:





It is good to see Tamar getting some recognition for her talent, she has worked at building her singing career for years.

Sidenote: Who remembers this song below? "So Many Ways" was released in 1996 by The Braxtons, a group made up of Tamar and her sisters Trina and Towanda. I was only 7 when this came out, but I remember liking this song. I wonder if my mother still has this CD.....


Wednesday, December 5, 2012

7 Things We'd Like To See In Beyonce's Documentary (But Won't)


7 Things We'd Like To See in Beyonce's HBO Documentary (But Won't)

Singer Beyonce Knowles-Carter has said in interviews that she is boring once off-stage, and she has kept her personal life private throughout her career. However, through blogs and social media sites like Twitter, many fans want to feel "connected" to their celebrity idols by gaining a look at their everyday lives. 

Bey has taken note.

 Beyonce  recently created a Tumblr account in an attempt to be more open with her followers, who she refers to as her "Beyhive."

"I always battle with, how much do I reveal about myself," said the singer in the 26 second long E! Online sneak-peek for her documentary that airs February 16th on HBO. 



Will we get to see another side of the megastar? Below are 7 things that would make this documentary interesting. 


1. Blue Ivy Carter



We've seen the photos the singer released of Blue Ivy months ago, and even heard her voice featured on her father, Jay-Z's, track "Glory."

 It would be nice to see the little one on video.

2. Her Belly during her Final Trimester


The most interesting thing shown in the trailer is Beyonce's small baby bump at around the 0:17 mark. However, her belly was not big enough to silence those who doubt that she was ever pregnant. 

Not saying Bey has to prove anything to anyone, but it would be nice to see the conspiracy theories put to an end!

3. Wedding/Reception Footage


Who all made the guest list for this top secret event? Did Frank Sinatra rise from the dead to serenade the couple? We need answers!

4. Reunion with Past Destiny's Child Members


One could only imagine what would be talked about at such a gathering. There were many allegations from all parties about what really went down. The discussion would surely get heated. 

Sidenote: I'd put my money on Farrah being the one who is escorted out by security. 

5.Fall-out with father/ex-manager, Matthew Knowles 



There are rumors that the child Matthew Knowles had outside of his marriage, and him being suspected of stealing money played a role in Beyonce firing him as her manager. 

It would be interesting to see what happened then, and how their relationship is now. 

6. Video of Beyonce & Solange with their half-brother


The story about Matthew Knowles' son has faded away, and we never hear about Beyonce's half-brother anymore. 

Does the little boy have a relationship with his big sisters?

7. What do Bey & Gwyneth Paltrow Talk About?


A look into the friendship of these Hollywood starlets could be interesting....


Will you be watching on February 16th? 

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

One Thing Rihanna SHOULD Be Apologetic For--Album Review




Rihanna "Unapologetic" Album Review

7/15= 46%

I have FINALLY listened to the entire "Unapologetic" album.

After not being impressed with song snippets that were released weeks ago, I wasn't in a rush to listen to this Rihanna CD like I have been for her past albums. 

What Rihanna's music lacks in lyrical substance is usually made up for in catchy production, however, this album falls flat. She pushes out a CD each year, but this is the first one that actually sounds like it was rushed. 

"Unapologetic" owes an apology for being disappointment overall, but there are a few gems (***). However, this will not be in constant rotation like the "Talk That Talk" and "Rated R" albums were. 

Maybe some of the other songs will grow on me?

1. ”Fresh Out The Runway”




Minus the cursing, which is a bit excessive, this is decent. We got a sample of Riri's rap ability in the "Birthday Cake" remix, and she explores that more in this song.  


Beat is good, lyrics are repetitive.


Overall, not crazy about this song, but I can see the chorus being played at fashion shows.

2. ”Diamonds”




I'm still wondering why this was the first single, and how this song made it to the album. 

Everything from the emotionless/strained vocals to the bland production just puts me to sleep.

 This track certainly does not shine bright, but somehow still shot to #1 on the Billboard 100 Chart. She is now tied with Madonna in number one songs. Only Michael Jackson, The Beatles, and Mariah Carey are ahead of her for the title of the most number ones. 

3. ”Numb” (featuring Eminem)***




"I'm the butt police, and I'm looking at your rear rear rear" really Em? lol #CORNY

Anywho, this spacey mid-tempo tune is perfect for a club setting when the effects of alcohol (and/or drugs?) are kicking in......


4. ”Pour It Up”




In this hip-hop track, Rihanna let's her haters know that she is not at all phased because she "still got mo money."

Comedian Kevin Hart seems to enjoy this one:






5. ”Loveeeeeee Song” (featuring Future)***





"I don't wanna give you the wrong impression. I need love and affection." This line from Future let's us know what this song is about in a nutshell. 

This smooth R&B track is one of my favorites on the album. Future was a good pick for a feature , and his unique sound meshed well with Rihanna's. 


I hear a little influence from singer Jeremih in Ri's vocal structure here (I-I-I). 


6. “Jump”***





This track starts off with Ri seductively telling a lover that he will never find another like her, and that she is the only one that he needs. The song changes pace in the chorus, with the beat changing to something Skrillex-like. 

The switch from the slower tempo to  the faster dubstep works well in this song. 


Sidenote: I was excited to hear the line from Ginuwine's "Pony" in this. Who doesn't love that song?

7. ”Right Now”





One of two David Guetta collabos on the album.  Sounds like any other dance song you hear on the radio, nothing makes this track unique or special. 

8. ”What Now”



Here, Rihanna sings about yearning for someone who is missing (I wonder who) and not having anyone to call on in her time of despair.
This slow song is just ok.


9. ”Stay” (featuring Mikky Ekko)



Up-and-coming singer/producer, Mikky Ekko, lends his vocals to the somber piano ballad.

This is a nice duet. Good, but not great.

10. ”Nobodies Business” (featuring Chris Brown)***





The Dream, who produced and co-wrote a number of tracks this album, jumps on another Rihanna/Chris Brown collabo (he wrote and produced "Birthday Cake").

Lyrics from Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel" were incorporated into this bold declaration of forbidden love. 

This is a solid R&B track. 

11. ”Love Without Tragedy / Mother Mary”***





Love Without Tragedy/Mother Mary samples the beat from "Message in a Bottle" by The Police, and while I wish these were two separate songs, the transition between the two was smooth. 
This track has a personal feel, with Ri singing to Mother Mary and Mister Jesus about wanting to change in the second half.

12. ”Get It Over With”***




Rihanna isn't the artist we look to for songs with depth and meaning, however, this slow track touches is about needing to "get it over with" and just cry instead of allowing a storm to build up inside of you. There are also metaphors about using Marijuana to alleviate stress (floating in the clouds). 

Lyrically, this is the best song on album.


P.S. Male voice in background sounds like Breezy. Maybe there was some work going on in the studio after all?


13. ”No Love Allowed” aka Man Down 2.0




Going back to her reggae roots, this is the "Man Down" for this album. She even refers to murder and guns in this song like in her previous track. 


14. ”Lost In Paradise”***




"It may be wrong, but it feels right. To be lost in paradise."


Songwriter Ester Dean helped put into words Rihanna's perceived sentiment in regards to her turbulent relationship with Chris Brown.

The vocals here are good. This is a stand out track on "Unapologetic."

15. “Half of Me” (Bonus track)




This is the piano ballad is the cliché "you don't know the REAL me" song, but it's appropriate, as Rihanna's personal life has really been overshadowing her music lately. 

Not something I'd immediately turn off if it were to come on the radio, but  this song wouldn't make it to my iPod. 


What do you think of Rihanna's latest work?

Monday, December 3, 2012

For Laughs: DMX Sings Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

Can Someone PLEASE Cast DMX on Love and Hip Hop?!



This guy is hilarious. I know him + Stevie J on a tv show would be mind-blowing. Just saying.

 This is almost as great as his feature on the Reading Rainbow remix:


Enjoy :)