Just My Thoughts People

If TI falls off, who will be the new King?

Well, the album hasn’t been officially released, but it has been officially leaked.  Will it be a platinum seller? Hmmm, not sure about that.  Gold? Hmmm not sure about that one either.  When I predicted 300k to someone earlier today, they laughed. Hard.  The streets are very divided when it comes to TIP’s latest release – either they’re with him or they plan to ditch him.  We can really only compare TI vs. TIP to King since that was his most popular and most well-received album to date.  But if you go with his true fans, you might be comparing to I’m Serious, Trap Muzik or Urban Legend.  But we should get it straight from here on out – King was not his best work.  It was the best selling off the strength of “What You Know” and his starring role in ATL. Every single that was released was an instant crossover hit, then you add the feature on Justin Timberlake’s “My Love” and you have the perfect mixture for a platinum selling piece of work.  But if you think about his best artistic and lyrical work, then you should look towards those other 3.  So for the past year, we have automatically considered TI to be the King that he has claimed to be since day one.  And not that he doesn’t deserve the title, but the competition is a little fierce out there and you never know when that runner up will come and knock him off the throne.  Jay-Z is not really rapping anymore, Nas comes and goes and so the biggest contenders are Lil Wayne and Jeezy.  That being said, who will become the top dog if TI goes wood???

You can compare Jeezy’s career to the earlier career of TI, before TI was discovered worldwide.  The only difference is that Jeezy came out into the world already known and already with a following.  He’s only 2 albums deep but they’re two solid albums and he is able to maintain relevancy without hopping onto the endless remix train.  And he’s also accepted by both pop and urban cultures while still managing to keep his hood status. 

Weezy is ten years deep into this and it has been a slow climb to his current position.  Unlike Jeezy, he stays in the spotlight, stays on mixtapes, stays on every. single. remix. possible.  While there is some small debate about his actual lyrical prowess, he has had followers since the 90’s and could easily go toe to toe with TIP.

So I would bank on Jeezy for the simple fact that he hasn’t over exposed himself and I wonder if maybe TI can be faulted for doing this.  Jay came back after a couple years and hit us with an album that didn’t leak.  TIP has been in our faces non stop for the past year so this album is not quite as monumental as his marketing team would believe. There was the scuffle with rival Chaka Zulu, the leak of his album and the apology of said scuffle.  I just think maybe he should have waited until next year.  He has another movie coming out (American Gangster) and we would have to wait all that time for his triumphant return.  But ya’ll already know that I will be the first in line to buy TI vs TIP even if I don’t listen to it as much as I’m Serious or Trap Muzik.  Predictions anyone????

Be sure to check me and my crew out at The XO Lounge everyday from 2pm - 3pm and if you miss a show, don't worry.  Just hit up the archives!

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Utter Shock and Disbelief

Every year I say that I will NOT watch the BET Awards and every year I do and I’m usually pretty disappointed.  BET’s production is never on point and the performances are always sub par.  So as the clock inched closer and closer to 8:00 pm, I found myself a little anxious to see it, mainly to see what awards TIP was going to win and how the situation between him and Luda/Chaka Zulu would pan out.  Much to my amazement, it was actually a pretty good show.  The performances had to be the standout of the entire event.  Every artist put on a real show as opposed to the usual “one artist and 20-men on stage flossin as if they have a career in entertainment” entourage.  Aside from that, here’s what peaked my interest on the 2007 BET Awards…

---The men’s choice of attire, most notably Lloyd with his V-NECK purple tight cap-sleeved shirt and turquoise and purple satin jacket.  NO. SIR.

 

---The Destiny’s Child “reunion” in which Beyonce introduces a shaky-voiced Kelly Rowland.  Did anyone else notice that Michelle was dancing backup for B and at the end, all she did was strike a pose?  Bless her heart, but everytime I see Michelle, it brings me back to this.

---Seeing Erykah Badu perform after eons.  Had to break out Worldwide Underground on that one.

---Beyonce shouting out Neyo for writing “Irreplaceable” after she reportedly said that she was the one who wrote it. 

---TI for apologizing on behalf of TIP.  Can’t say I didn’t see it coming. He had to do something after Chaka issued his statement. 

---Monique’s constant infatuation with Beyonce.

---Pretty Ricky is always a disappointment no matter what. ‘nuff said.

---After seeing everyone copy Rihanna’s signature bob, Ciara’s take on the short hairdo was refreshing, although I loved Keyshia Cole’s short asymmetrical bob.  And speaking of Keyshia Cole, she always sounds good live (well almost) (YBF) and I never get sick of hearing “Last Night.”  Diddy was lip synching, right?

---Ciara.  That chick can dance her AZZ off.

---Lil Kim on stage even if she sounded out of breath.

---Beyonce’s transformer outfit.

---50’s performance (yawn).

---Patti Labelle throwing DOWN during the salute to Gerald Levert.  Did you peep how Yolanda Adams just gave up and let her command the stage? HA

---Finally seeing all of Diana Ross’s kids.  I knew she had a lot of them, had never seen most of them.

---Both TI and Luda winning awards.

---Don Cheadle finally being recognized for something and to win a Humanitarian Award is top notch.  His acceptance speech was beautifully written and spoken.    He’s been putting in work for at least 15 years (remember him being Will’s best friend on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air)?

---Robin Thicke doing his little dance number.  It looks like he practiced really hard. Really. Hard.

---Jennifer Hudson taking over – 3 noms and two wins.   She ripped her performance to the point that Jennifer Holiday was trying to keep up with her.

---Surprised that Akon didn’t win any awards for “I Wanna Love You.”

---BET ripping off every single show on MTV’s lineup. (Baldwin Hills, SOB…) and why are they selling the last season of College Hill??

All in all, it was a solid show and I'm grateful that three hours of my life weren't completely wasted.

My iPod Needs Some Love Ya’ll

I can remember quite clearly the last few cd’s I actually went out and spent money on…

Fergie – The Dutchess – makes me think of a younger, funkier version of Gwen Stefani.

Justin Timberlake – FutureSex/Love Sounds

Gangsta Grillz - The Dedication 2

Diddy – Press Play (and for all those who didn’t go out and buy it, it’s a solid album straight through)

I haven’t been much inclined to go out and buy or even take the time out to burn anyone’s musical offerings. This is not to say that I haven’t been rockin out to anything lately but not enough to drop some dough on it.  That being said, here’s what I’m looking forward to this year, hoping that I will not be disappointed…

TI

You already know how I feel about him.  I’m a little nervous about what he’ll be bringing to us but I have confidence that he’ll pull it off.  It’s as if people think that “What You Know” was the best song of his career (which it’s not, just the most popular) and he is not capable of pulling off another hit like it.  But I do somewhat fall victim to this myself.  While I can appreciate his first two singles, they don’t move me like the debuts from his previous albums.  I haven’t even listened to any songs that have leaked from T.I. VS. TIP.  I would much rather wait til it drops so that I can hear it all in its entirety.  Anxiously awaiting July 3rd

J. Holiday

My new rnb love.  Being a writer, I listen carefully to what people say and how they say it and so far I’m impressed.  From what I’ve heard so far, he’s nice with the pen, IMO.  A lot of rnb cats go for the over masculine somewhat rap thug type image and verbiage (though I do like when Trey Songz showcases these characteristics) but J. Holiday seems to bring it back to the actual love of it all.  I’m sad to say that I only heard of him after his second single “Bed” but I did my research and heard his previous release “Be With Me” and I like it just as much.  It just seems to me that a lot of people with authentic talent wait a much longer time to get their shine.  Go figure…Album drops Sept 25^th

Trey Songz

Speaking of Trey Songz, I was under the impression that his album was dropping on June 12^th or something like that.  I checked his site again and lo and behold, it now says “Coming Out This Summer” which we all know means that his single didn’t do too well on the charts.  What I like first and foremost is his strong voice.  He goes hard on every verse and song that he does.  His debut joint was excellent, sexy, soulful and enjoyable all the way through.  Why he didn’t catch on, I have no clue.  I guess everybody was busy trying to learn Chris Brown’s newest dance moves, Idunno.  But he’s definitely underrated and needs to get his shine...

Alicia Keys

We all know that she’s been in the studio so I suppose we can expect something before year’s end.  She has been away for awhile now which really works for her because we have been longing for her return.  Alicia never disappoints and she is an artist that I have always and will always support…

Big Boi

Waiting to see how Big Boi is going to hold his own as a solo artist.  My hope is that he gets as much love as Andre does.  One thing I like about Big
Boi is that he never really changed his swagger up.  He’s still that same dude who reps the A to the fullest.  He is definitely the laid back cat of the duo.  Sir Lucious Leftfoot due out this fall…

Keyshia Cole

My rnb homegirl.  Nobody can really eff with Keyshia as far as I’m concerned.  Not that there’s not a lot of bad chicks out there, but she’s in a category all her own.  She’s so hood, so emotional and it shows in everything that she writes.  It has been too long since we’ve had a full album from her.  I love “Let It Go” and I’m ready for the cd RIGHT. NOW.

Lil Kim

I haven’t heard anything about a release date but she’s been hopping on remixes left and right and she sounds good as ever.  Not sure if she’ll ever compete with the Hardcore Lil Kim but she’s been as close as it gets.  She’s another artist that I always support so I’ll deifnitly be coppin this one as well…

Keri Hilson

I’ve been following her career for awhile now, or at least until I heard her and Diddy’s song “Afterlove” on Press Play.  Besides her voice, I appreciate her as a writer.  She has been behind many hits for The Pussycat Dolls, Mary J. Blige, Bobby Valentino and Omarion.  She’s all over Timbaland’s newest album and her debut, In A Perfect World is due out this summer…

Kanye West

Kanyeze is another artist that never disappoints.  I’m loving his first single and at the very least we can expect some really nice production.

So here’s hoping that my iPod will be enchanted with a little more than hits from the early 2000’s….

New Video: Yung Joc feat Gorilla Zoe- Coffee Shop

I said before that I haven't always been the biggest fan of Joc, but since hearing "Coffee Shop" a few months ago, I may have to reconsider.  He has stepped it up a few notches and provided us with a catchy and creative hook and an even more brilliant video.  This is what I like to see artists doing - relating the visuals to the lyrics in a colorful way, not posing in front of cars surrounded by dancing chicks.  He's even slimmed down a bit and adopted a Rihanna like 80's style.  Kudos!

Is Daddy Fat Sacks = Andre 3000

   

Flipping through Vibe Vixen magazine the other day, I came across an article about Big Boi and unsure of what it could possibly be about, I began to read.  Unsurprisingly, it was a small article about Big Boi’s sex appeal and whatnot.  What was notable, however was that he revealed plans of his upcoming solo album, Sir Luscious Left Foot (due this fall).  While I wished they would go into more depth about the album and what has been going on with him the fast few years, it was more about his love for his wife.  But this is Vibe Vixen, not XXL so I understand.  But the opening paragraph did ring true – “Big Boi ain’t Andre 3000. Folks like to compare the two.”  Big Boi’s stance – “The thing about me…I lay low.”

But people do compare all the time, whether or not they should.  They are a solid group, who has provided us with the first look into the Dirty South and did so with unequivocal lyrical genius – both of them.  But I have to admit that I, too am a little more drawn to ‘Dre.  There’s something about his voice and delivery that makes you rewind and sit down with pen and pad to make sure you caught every dripping that leapt from his lips.  Even when he switched it up on us, showing us his real side and releasing his part of the dual disc The Love Below, we stayed with him and applauded him for stepping out of the box and still showing us his skills are nothing to play with.  And again, I can honestly say that I listened to The Love Below more than I listened to Speakerboxxx.  But amidst the flury of their recent remixes, I am not so quick to only side with ‘Dre.  I give the same undivided attention to Big Boi as well because he brings us the smoothness and the knowledge just as well as his counterpart, just in different packaging.  And I hope that when he does release his solo album that he will not only get his respect as one half of one of the best hip-hop groups, but also as a certified lyricist in his own right.

Outkast - Millenium

Outkast - Hollywood Divorce

Outkast - Two Dope Boyz

Outkast - SpottieOttieDopalicious

New Music: Freeway feat. Jay-Z - Big Spender

I heard this on the radio the other day and initially thought it was a Jay-Z song, or some remix or hell, even some commercial (ya'll know how his grown azz gets down now) but it's actually Freeway feat. Jay-Z and not too much to say about it.  It'll probably knock in the club for awhile but It sounds exactly like "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" off of the Black Album, flow and all.  I wonder if Jay is going to have to hop on all his artists songs just to give it a kick...

Freeway feat. Jay-Z - Big Spender

Justin Timberlake: Justified

As promised, I finally have the full Justified album.  I just wanted you all to hear his consistency.  I'm not sure how many of you have been following his solo career from the beginning.  This album is quite different from FutureSex/LoveSounds but it's still very consistent as far as production, vocal arrangement and lyrical content.  This is a good album to listen to front to back.  Hope you enjoy...

Senorita

Like I Love You feat. The Clipse

(Oh No) What You Got

Take It From Here

Cry Me A River

Rock Your Body

Nothin' Else

Last Night

Still On My Brain

(And She Said) Take Me Now feat. Janet Jackson

Right For Me

Let's Take A Ride

Never Again

To All the CD's I've Loved and Lost

Sorry for the delay with the posts ya'll, I was a little under the weather...

I know I promised to post the Justin Timberlake cd's and I will have those up later.  While searching for Justified, I panicked because I couldn't find it and I thought 'damn, another cd that I might have to go out and get again (or burn).'  Then I started thinking about all the cd's I've lost over the years, mostly due to having a sh8tload of roommates.  During college, I had a total of 7 roommates (for a brief stint, there were 6 of us at a time) and I'm sure you know how it goes..."Hey, let me get that new Juvenile cd, I'll get it back to you after class..." and of course it gets lost in their shuffle, then when you all part ways, you will never see that cd again.  But I myself am guilty of it as well.  So that being said, let's take a moment to ponder over the cd's I wish I still had at my disposal...

TRU - TRU 2 Da Game

Ruff Ryders - Ryde or Die Vol. I

Fiend - There's One in Every Family

Too Short - Get In Where You Fit In

Lil Wayne - 500 Degreez

Lil Wayne - The Block Is Hot

Juvenile - 400 Degreez

Goodie Mob - Soul Food..haha stole this one from my roomie and got it stolen by another roomie

Youngbloodz - Against Da Grain

I could go on and on, but these are the ones that hurt the most.  Sadly, it looks as though I wasn't buying much R&B back then, or at least I can't think of any at the moment.  Go figure...

New Video: Justin Timberlake - LoveStoned

Another great video by J.T.  For all of you who jumped on the bandwagon after T.I. appeared on "My Love," I strongly urge you to listen to this entire album (FutureSex/LoveSounds) as well as his solo debut, Justified.  I will upload them both later on tonight if you wish...

Back Shots are Not the Gateway to Hollywood

I was reading a clip about Melyssa Ford the other day and how she was considering turning down a role in a film by Wendy Williams because she feared being typecast as a slut.  What role was she to play, you might ask?  A mistress who stole Wendy Williams husband.  Although I understood her stance, I had to laugh a little.  For the upcoming movie, "Three Can Play That Game," the sequel to "Two Can Play That Game," I heard that she plays almost the exact same role (this may be a rumor as I am unable to find any information on it).  I’m not saying that she doesn’t deserve a good well-rounded role, but for all her screen-life, she has been known as one of the chicks with a big azz.  That’s it.  Nothing more.  I will say that out all of the big booty models that she has made it the farthest in terms of stepping away from the one-sided modeling gigs, but she hasn’t quite stepped her foot into mainstream Hollywood.

One of the few magazines I subscribe to is XXL and it is my favorite magazine of all time.  I read almost all the articles, including the Eye Candy’s.   It amazes me that 95% of them all want to be actresses or anything besides strippers or back-shot models.  Everyone seems to have forgotten that old saying – “First Impressions are Lasting Impressions.”  You can’t begin your life swinging naked from a pole then pop into someone’s corporate office and expect them to see you as an intellectual.  I’m sorry, that’s just the way it is.  And no, this is not a slam against Melyssa at all.  Like I said, I read the clip about her and it made me think of all the model chicks who strive for this same goal.  It’s more of a warning to women I guess. One eye candy tells of her frustrations in turning from a stripper to a model.  She said all the photographers just wanted to take rolls of shots of her butt.  Duhhhh.  It’s hard to see the road that lies ahead but every decision that you make ultimately affects the big goal.  And I’m mainly speaking of black models because this rule does not apply to white models, as a lot of them got their start with Playboy spreads.  But I’ve already stated that Playboy is considered to be a respected magazine and the rules do not apply here.  And this is not a slam against women who pose nude either.  I wish that for these girls there was a publication that was thought of on the same level as Playboy but until then, ladies, before you decide to jump in the latest rapper’s video, consider your life goals and how that may alter your plans…

Just for laughs…

http://king-mag.com/online/?p=3027