by Savage Garden: This song popped into my head today and I can’t stop singing the chorus! This song takes me back to the late 90s on MTV. You know, when The Real World was actually good…somewhere around RR Seattle and RR Hawaii. Since then, the show has gone downhill. Not surprisingly, pop music has paralleled. 

by T.I.: Today is the official release date of Paper Trail, T.I.’s 6th studio album. I will tell you this man has come a long way from I’m Serious! People have made comparisons of Weezy’s album to this one, and in my opinion you can’t compare the two albums. T.I. is on his grown man while Lil’ Wayne can continue to record for the kids. Not to mention, T.I. is hood with swagger. He continues to stay true to his roots and can rock a 3-piece suit with it all staying true to himself. Or, maybe that can be attributed to his split personalities, T.I. vs. T.I.P. This album is a good one and my approval was determined by the lyrics and guest appearances. Never am I a die hard Ludacris fan, but the track, On Top of the World, that features the artist is bomb! My Life, Your Entertainment reminds you how much we as fans turn into fanatics and follow people’s lives and idealize them, yet forget they are regular people who want privacy. Porn Star is the only sexually inspired song and rather good in my opinion. If I could only figure out who’s on the chorus!?! Anywayz, What Up, What’s Haapnin is his tribute to the haters (i.e. Shawty Lo) and is currently my riding music. I can’t review every song without ruining the package. Just get the album Happy Listening! 

by DJ Khaled ft. Kanye West & T-Pain: This weekend, someone super duper special asked if I heard this song. Surprisingly, I never heard it and you all KNOW I love almost every song that Kanye is on. Alternatively, I do not like DJ Khaled! Why? Take this song for example – it’s his track and you automatically know by him screaming his name at the beginning – as though his annoying voice wouldn’t give it away. However, if you miss the first 30 seconds of the song, you would think it was a Kanye track featuring T-Pain because DJ Khaled does not say anything besides the intro. Although Kanye’s lyrics are alright, I’m labeling this track as whack because the artist who owns it can’t even complete a full verse!

by Boyz II Men: Today, I was checking my source for new releases, and NOTHING looked as though it would be appealing to my ears. Although, I did see this new song called 100% by Boyz II Men and it has been rumored that the group will release a new album in 2009. I listened to the track and it doesn’t really sound like them, but the guys have gotten older so their sound may have changed. Doesn’t seem that likely, but you never really know. Motown Philly was their first single and surprisingly it was produced by Dallas Austin. This successful R&B male vocal group has won four Grammys and has had 5 #1 R&B hits! It is guaranteed that if Boyz II Men releases a new single, the track will be a hit! 

by Ray Lavender ft. T-Pain: Everyone, including myself, roasts T-Pain for being on just about every song that is released. I agree that his voice/the robot sound is played out, but it is undeniable that the man can make a hit. I’m not calling it quality music, but rather a “hit” – being a track that is catchy, given radio play, and will cause people to dance in the club. I have to give T-Pain credit this track would not be the same if he was not a featured artist. Not too impressed with Ray L, but we’ll see what’s is store for his next single…

by T.I. ft. Justin Timberlake: I hear a lot of people comparing T.I.’s Paper Trail to Weezy’s The Carter III. In my opinion, it will take a banging album to top TC3. T.I. has made an impact in the South, but he has never been considered the best rapper alive! Why I do feel that Lil’ Wayne is more commercial, that does not necessarily mean that he is a better rapper. This comparison is a tough one. I need to take the time and listen to Mr. Clifford Harris’ album and make my own conclusion. This appears to be the next track that has leaked, and I love it! I have always been a Justin Timberlake fan and my support for him will undeniably always be there. T.I’s verses are sick too! If anything, lyrics will be the determining factor of who has the better album. T.I. has grown as an artist and lyrically over the last few years and as a result he has expanded his fan base. I’m sure his first week’s sales will be watched closely and everyone will be comparing his sales to Mr. Dwayne Carter’s.

by D’Angelo: This classic, smooth track is an unforgettable one! The R&B community has a void that needs to be filled with artists similar to D’Angelo. Back in the mid 90s, this brother would sing from his heart and make music he enjoyed. Today rather, individuals make what they think is music from the heart but are instead mainstream “hits” that were produced to make money. It is rumored that D’Angelo will release an album in 2009. Let’s hope this rumor is true and his return can include a movement towards what I believe is good music! Below are the lyrics to the bridge. I KNOW I can’t be the only one who had trouble deciphering these words years ago! 

Is it just that you’re the finest little thing that I ever saw
Or is my imagination runnin’ too far
Or is it that my eyes are tellin’ me something you could never see
Somethin’ like me being with you and you being with me

by Chairlift: In their iPod commercials, Apple always has catchy songs that will leave you singing the chorus days later. Viva la Vida by Coldplay used to have me jamming, and now Chairlift has me randomly singing Fooorrrrrr Yooouuuuuu all day!

by John Legend ft. Kanye West: I tag it a hit! John Legend’s new tracks are classic and I really like this one! Kanye kills as it as predicted, but I’m going to need him to put that robot-T-Pain-sounding equipment back in the attic! This sound is way played out! I’m glad John uses his own voice and this track is right on message. Why do people not realize that if you don’t call them “It’s Over”??? Real Talk – I’ve always had a three day rule. If I’m dating someone and they have not called me in three days – It’s Over! Similarly, if you continuously call and I ignore…stop calling! Remember, John Legend’s new album, Evolver, is scheduled to release 10.28.08.

by DJ KO ft. Talib Kweli, Tiffany Paige, Torae & John Robinson: I didn’t really listen to Talib Kweli until he released Eardrum in 2007. Being that one of my best friends is from Philly, seems as though I was predisposed to like his sound. I LOVE rappers from up north. Rappers from up top have a unique lyrical flow, sound, and overall grimeyness to them. They seem to rhyme about situations and struggles rather than girls, money, and clothes. Apparent in this song, I like how DJs are now bringing different artists together for “their” tracks. DJ Khaled was one of the first to bank off other artists but he is cocky with his success. I am not very knowledgeable of DJ KO, but I anticipate more tracks from him if they are similar to this single.