Yes! It's been almost two years since Maxwell posted a snippet of "Pretty Wings." From teasing us with vague blog posts to a national tour, Maxwell has been tickling our ears with broken promises for a long time. But now Maxwell has finally given us the video for his latest single "Pretty Wings." In the video, Maxwell brings class back into the R&B game. The video supports Maxwell's lyrical prowess, which is a far cry from "doing a little sumthin sumthin." And I dont' know about you, but I'm in high anticipation for his trilogy Black, Summer's and Night. Thank you Maxwell for bringing chivalry back into the game.
4/19/2009
R&B Dudes Need To Get It Together
Talent is hard to find within the R&B game right now--especially from male R&B singers. But every now and then there is an R&B male singer who has the chops to be associated with the best. However, their talent is drowned out by wack music. They have the vocal talent, but the material they sing is completely booorrring.
My first subject is Brian Andrews of Day26. Really, Brian is the vocal glue that holds Day26 together. Listen to their latest single, "Put It On Her." Brian takes that song to another level. However, most of the production on their latest release don't fully demonstrate Brian as a vocalist, which is a sad mistake for Day26. Brian can very well shape a more profound musical identity for the group. I don't even think Brian knows his talent.
Trey Songz is another phenomenal singer. In fact, Ms. Aretha Franklin, herself, deemed Songz as a vocal force to be reckoned with. However, Songz has reduced himself to mostly a "sing-songy" rapper. It's never cool for an R&B singer to sing over a hard hip hop track as though he is a rapper. Leave that up to Lil Weezy and Kanye. Songz should stick with the smoove R&B similar to his Grammy-nominated "Can't Help But Wait." If he doesn't, he'll stay a mediocore artist.
Last but not least is Mario. Mario has to be the best R&B vocalist out now, hands down. He's also the closest to maintaining a certain level of musical integrity. He has a vocal range out of this world, which is hard to find these days. But the material he sings is bordeline corny. If he can drain all that mushy sap out the songs he sing, Mario can monopolize the R&B game. Just listen to Mario reach heavenly soprano hights on "Promise Land."
Now that I've pin-pointed the faults in contemporary R&B male vocalists, let me introduce you to an R&B artist who is on top of his game. Miguel. He is the most well-rounded R&B artists I've seen in a while. He can dance. He has stage presence. He can write. And most of all, he understands what versitilaty means. Visit his myspace page, download his mixtape The Mischeif, and watch him perform below.
My first subject is Brian Andrews of Day26. Really, Brian is the vocal glue that holds Day26 together. Listen to their latest single, "Put It On Her." Brian takes that song to another level. However, most of the production on their latest release don't fully demonstrate Brian as a vocalist, which is a sad mistake for Day26. Brian can very well shape a more profound musical identity for the group. I don't even think Brian knows his talent.
Trey Songz is another phenomenal singer. In fact, Ms. Aretha Franklin, herself, deemed Songz as a vocal force to be reckoned with. However, Songz has reduced himself to mostly a "sing-songy" rapper. It's never cool for an R&B singer to sing over a hard hip hop track as though he is a rapper. Leave that up to Lil Weezy and Kanye. Songz should stick with the smoove R&B similar to his Grammy-nominated "Can't Help But Wait." If he doesn't, he'll stay a mediocore artist.
Last but not least is Mario. Mario has to be the best R&B vocalist out now, hands down. He's also the closest to maintaining a certain level of musical integrity. He has a vocal range out of this world, which is hard to find these days. But the material he sings is bordeline corny. If he can drain all that mushy sap out the songs he sing, Mario can monopolize the R&B game. Just listen to Mario reach heavenly soprano hights on "Promise Land."
Now that I've pin-pointed the faults in contemporary R&B male vocalists, let me introduce you to an R&B artist who is on top of his game. Miguel. He is the most well-rounded R&B artists I've seen in a while. He can dance. He has stage presence. He can write. And most of all, he understands what versitilaty means. Visit his myspace page, download his mixtape The Mischeif, and watch him perform below.
Day26: A Microwave Success?
Don't pretend like you don't watch Making The Band. As Dave Chappelle once noted, "OOOHHH, IT'S A BEAST!" And this season has been the most drama-filled season since Diddy first tried his luck at making Da Band. Come on, Diddy gave us classic episodes like when he made the cast of season 2 fetch him some cheesecake. There were some characters on that show, which made it easier to watch rather than purchasing their music. And if you haven't noticed, the only band that's left off this series is Day26. Why? The main reason is the lack of artist development, which makes them a mirowave success. Yes, they're hot for minute. But after their minute and 30 seconds are up, they're still not better than a stove-cooked meal. Let's be honest. Danity Kane's musical chemistry as a group didn't fully develop as a group until their second album, and Day26 still performs like they just met. There's no doubt that some of these groups have talent (I see you D. Woods), but is Diddy taking his time to get to know them as artists? No. Initially, he probably just saw how personaility clashes make great TV.
Funkmaster Flex Don't Understand 'Internet Rappers'
This has to be the most "interesting" and bizarre interview I've ever seen. Kid Cudi was interviewed by veteran DJ, Funkmaster Flex recently. In the clip below, Flex questions Cudi on what he calls "internet rappers." Watching the clip is like watching a kid explain the computer to his disgruntled grandfather, who dreams about the golden days when the computer was just a hand-held calculator. But the most hilarious part was when Cudi explained how he used MySpace to decided his next single. Flex looked at him like he never heard of such a thing occurring in history. This clip proves how salty aging-hip hop DJs are towards the game changing. Here's some advice Flex. CATCH UP! If you're a DJ and you're no longer giving up-and-coming artists a chance, then those same artists will create their own buzz through the Internet. But at least Flex's "learning to embrace the movement."
4/04/2009
Teedra Moses Is 'LIONHEARTED'
Teedra Moses is the truth. Her is music is the truth. And her personality is the truth. Unfortunately, not many know this.
I've been bumping her latest mixtape, Young Hustla Vol. III: Lionhearted, to the fullest. To be honest, her mixtapes are better than 95% of R&B albums currently released. I truly believe she has what it takes to bring R&B to the next level. Want proof? Check out her song "Love Devine" produced by 9th Wonder. NSFW.
I've been bumping her latest mixtape, Young Hustla Vol. III: Lionhearted, to the fullest. To be honest, her mixtapes are better than 95% of R&B albums currently released. I truly believe she has what it takes to bring R&B to the next level. Want proof? Check out her song "Love Devine" produced by 9th Wonder. NSFW.
Learning Obama
The music industry can learn a lot from President Barack Obama's candidacy. Besides the notion of change, the ultimate lesson to be learned should be titled "How to Reach the People." President Obama's platform basically reiterates and reestablishes the Gettysburg Address: "...by the people, for the people...." This same concept can be and should be applied to the music industry.
Recently, President Obama introduced a new feature on WHITEHOUSE.GOV, which gives the public the opportunity to submit questions and vote on questions to be answered during an online town hall. This new effort by the White House to give the government back to the people is something the music industry has been struggling with for the past 10 years. Instead, the people are taking the music industry back by force. Maybe, these big record companies should give the industry back to the people simply by making their artists more reachable similar to the way President Obama is doing in his presidential office. This would be a great marketing angle. [CL]
Recently, President Obama introduced a new feature on WHITEHOUSE.GOV, which gives the public the opportunity to submit questions and vote on questions to be answered during an online town hall. This new effort by the White House to give the government back to the people is something the music industry has been struggling with for the past 10 years. Instead, the people are taking the music industry back by force. Maybe, these big record companies should give the industry back to the people simply by making their artists more reachable similar to the way President Obama is doing in his presidential office. This would be a great marketing angle. [CL]
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