When everyone was claiming that hip-hop was dead, or dying, on life support or suffering in some way about three years ago I was watching R&B slip away. What happened in R&B that took the soul out the beat? It was as if the pop explosion of the late 90’s rolled over and began to suck in the R&B artist… there just seemed to be a lack of soul, passion, love songs, ballads, and real singers (I mean people that can BLOW not Ciara or Chris Brown). I love Christina Aguilera but it struck me as odd that “Back to Basics” was one of the best R&B albums of 2006 (no knock though, it was an amazing album). Do not get me wrong there are artists who hold strong to their R&B roots but little attention or not enough exposure until they come out with “cross-over” or pop hit. Now let’s say you’re thinking about the question that I’m posing regarding the state of R&B and you don’t agree that Chrisette Michele, Ryan Leslie, Melonie Fiona, Solange Knowles, Robin Thicke, Ne-Yo, Trey Songz, Jennifer Husdon and a few other relatively new comers are reviving a genre that fell upon hard times… then tell me who was holding it down for R&B in let’s 2006 and the three preceeding years.
I’m happy to say that R&B is coming back and Alicia Keys, John Legend, and Musiq aren’t the only ones making love songs nowadays. Amongst the mundaness that has taken over the artist in the industry today I’m realizing that the new trend is to be different which unfurtunately results in everyone being the same… There are a lot of new talents coming up and I’m hoping that ten years from now I’ll still be excited about the music industry as I am now.
BUT for the time being I’ll put up a few new R&B songs I heard today.
Ryan Leslie – You’re Not My Girl
Melonie Fiona – You Stop My Heart
Melonie Fiona – Walk On By
Melonie Fiona – Magic
Mario – More Than Friends
NiaFree
It’s been a while since I’ve shown love to my folks down south so this is way overdue. Reported track from Paul Wall’s forthcoming album Fast Lane (Asylum) features Diddy’s boyz Yung Joc and Gorilla Zoe. “I’m so high I believe I can fly!” That’s how I feel right now (no illegal substance involved) so it’s rocking in my headphones…
I don’t usually rocks with Gucci Mane (AT ALL and this is exactly why) BUT on his latest “Wasted” featuring Plies (the one I hate to admit I like) he accomplishes what seems to be the norm these days. It’s hook is catchy and the lyrics aren’t memorable in the least bit… BUT it will soon be on a radio near you…
Mos Def covers one of my favorite tracks from 808’s & Heartbreak, “Say You Will” and I must say that I Effin Love It!!!! The live band and the lack of autotune does the song much justice… gives it a very jazzy feel and lessens the dark mood that Kanye set with the original.
After a few disappointing leaks from his upcoming album Relapse (May 2009) Eminem gives us “3AM”which reminds why we all love Em even when we don’t want to. I’ll call this a lyrical exercise at its best.
Now this shit IS RIDICULOUS… now anyone who knows me kn0ws that I love all hip-hop from all regions… Good muic is good music. A good song is a good song and a hood anthem is a hood anthem… BUT this track from the upcoming Gangsta Gillz album (and I loveDJ Drama, he went to my high school) is not my favorite or even to my liking… that’s all I’ll say. SMH
