by The Weeknd: Just when I thought music could get no better with Frank Ocean, The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, challenged me and won. The first album of what is expected to be a trilogy has completely changed my music game. The Weeknd completed 9 tracks, some lasting more than 7 minutes, that remind me of the sexuality that Rick James and Marvin Gaye shared through music in the 70s and 80s. This is not popular music. This music is dark and sensual. If you ever have a “memory” while playing a song off the album, TRUST me – the memory will last forever and you will so kindly be reminded every time you hear the track. Every song on the album is a winner. Each track presents a different mood and vibe, but is still sexy to the core.

I’m always in support of my youngins. The Weeknd is 20 and he gets it. He released House of Balloons on his website a couple weeks ago. He gave away this beautifully crafted masterpiece for free, allowing it to spread organically. The Weeknd has taken word of mouth marketing to a different level. People are talking about his music via social networks but no one knows what the man looks like! He could resemble a monster and I don’t think anyone would care at this point. If you were to do a Google search for “The Weeknd” a month ago, you would have gotten the result: >Did you mean: The Weekend. Now, the page is filled with results of the artist’s mentions including his website, Twitter page, Wikipedia entry (YES! He has a Wiki entry now…He’s Official!), blog posts and mainstream news. If The Weeknd is getting this much love off his first mixtape, I can only imagine what the two follow-up albums will bring. Also coming from Ontario, The Weeknd may just be the R&B version of Drake. If so, the future of R&B will forever be changed. Download and listen to the album that will change your life

This is my favorite song on the album…today that is:

by Frank Ocean: R&B has had an interesting turn the last few weeks. My cd player fell in love with Frank Ocean. The singer, song-writer, producer has delivered exactly what the music scene is missing. The words to one of his tracks, We All Try, got me hooked the first time I listened. More than the normal song topics of dating girls, going to the club, and popping bottles, Nostalgia, Ultra covers the controversial topics of abortion, sinning, and the not-so real fairytale American Wedding.

The super-creative type goes beyond traditional R&B chords to sampling songs by The Eagles, Coldplay and MGMT. The best sample, in my opinion, is B*tches Talkin which features Radiohead’s Optimistic. Although only a interlude, the track should have been a complete single.

The beauty of this album is that you can play it from beginning to end and feel something new everytime you listen. There are songs that you may only like and end up loving. Then, there are the songs that you think are a little weird and you find yourself singing allllll day. With a mixture of sounds and talent that reminds me of Ryan Leslie, Frank Ocean has a long future ahead of him. Check out one of my favorite tracks, Songs for Women, below and you can download the full album here.

P.S. Frank Ocan can never become first name status. “Frank” sounds whack. It sound’s like the name of somebody’s uncle. Frank Ocean is better. Frank O is dope

by Adele: There has been a recent craze over Adele and I must admit, that I’m a member of her growing fan base! Although, I can say I have been an avid listener of 19, Adele’s debut album, since 2008! I love EVERYTHING about Adele and I don’t think there are any artists out like her. She has such a unique sound, creating a blend of jazz, soul, folk, and a little blues. Every time I hear her voice, she makes me overcome with emotion and a happy calmness, regardless of the good or bad memories that are on my mind. I even love that Adele is from the UK and not the US – bringing to light that such great talent hardly comes from the US.

Adele’s most recent album, 21, officially released yesterday in the US. I’ve had the album for about a week, but to be honest I have played #10 on RE-peat. That’s Rolling in the Deep for all of you without the cd. The album is a portrayal of the same soulful Adele, but with a richer sound and a matured voice. You can hear her heartbreak and troubles with love in every track. Shame to the man who did her wrong! But, I can say that he contributed to the creation of some of the best music that will forever be timeless.

I am encouraging everyone I know to get 21…and 19 while you are at it. Every note brings hope that there is a future in music. Real music that is. Check out the video for track #10 below…

by Kanye West ft. Jay-Z: Ever since I could remember my definition of H.A.M. was used to describe girls who tried too hard: Hot Ass Mess. Kanye has reinvented the term and has collaborated with Jay Z to make the hottest song of 2011 so far. We are only 11 days in, but I’ve been H.A.M. ever since I heard the track. H.A.M. – which stands for Hard a Muthafucka –  is about to be a club banger. The beat is hard and although it doesn’t sound like typical Kanye, it’s just what his fans want. It’s never a secret that I’m a humng-O Kanye fan and I’m stoked this is the first single from a collaborative album with Jay-Z. The album, Watch the Throne, is reportedly set to be released on March 1. I’m starting my countdown now.

Listen to the single on the Watch the Throne Facebook page. Be prepared to go H.A.M.

by Kanye West: I’m so happy there is FINALLY a new track from Mr. West! Knowing there is a new track from Kanyeezy has completely made my week! The track sounds like the old Kanye…you know – the Kanye that rose the charts with albums College Dropout, Late Registration and Graduation. Not so much the recent, gone crazy Kanye with 808s and Heartbreak.

The single is somewhat verbose and you can tell Kanye had a lot to say because at times, it seems like he could just keep going and going and going….But, with him being gone for so long he can really do anything he wants. He really has that much Power! The meaning behind this song is somewhat ambiguous. Some are speculating that Kanye is referencing his own power and arrogance, while others state he is referencing white power that is still prevalent in this country. Only time will tell what the true meaning of the song is or if people will stick to discussing the beat and melodic flow vs. the lyrics.

Me? I’m keeping this joint in heavy rotation. The track is definitely a club banger and I’m marking it as a ‘hit’. More importantly, one track means there are more to come. Good Ass Job is rumored to be the title of Kanye’s fourth album, set to release in September 2010. I’m counting down!

by Chris Brown: I first saw someone post a link to this video yesterday and before I clicked the link I thought ummmmm what is Chris Breezy trying to do now? He just needs to stop trying to make a comeback and call it a day. Yet, when I saw the video my position quickly changed! I am ashamed that I like the song AND the video. The production of the video is on point! I love the dark scenes where the only visual you see in the result of a light shining. There are a few comical dance scenes where you can tell too much is going on, but Chris Brown just may have a chance at gaining his fan base back with this one. Don’t get me wrong…we all remember that he beat Rihanna’s head to the white meat but he has the potential to fill a void that is missing in the music industry. A void that Usher, Ne-Yo, Lloyd, Omarion, Mario and many others no longer fill. The only reason Trey Songz has become so popular and gained recent success is because Chris Breezy was staying lowkey. Trey definitely can’t dance – not saying he can really “sing” either. But, he has sex appeal and can draw fans in with his sexually explicit videos. This Chris Breezy video has some *really* sketchy scenes but they happen so fast you have to watch the video 3, 4, or 5 times just to get a glimpse. If you blink you might miss something. Knowing his history and past relationship, Chris tried to create that sex appeal while attempting to play it safe. Can you blame C. Breezy for his attempt at creating what proved to be successful for Trey?

Sidenote: I’m willing to put money on this video/track that it will be a turning point in the aftermath of what happened Grammy’s ‘09.

by Lupe Fiasco ft. Alicia Keys: I figured out what happened with my first I’m Beamin post. Well, more like my boyfriend reminded me vs. me figuring it out. He told me that I accidentally deleted the post and I said f*ck it lol. I just laughed and thought to myself hmmmm that sounds like something I would say. I felt like I had to remind yall of I’m Beamin because this new track from Lupe is banging too! His Lasers album is going to be straight fire based upon these couple of leaked tracks. And I’m assuming these tracks are on the album but he hasn’t released his official track listing yet… This track with Alicia Keys is a great song that will make you get up and move and highlights each artist outside of their “predictable” zone. It’s rare to hear Alicia on an uptempo joint but this is hot. This is one of my favorite songs at the moment and it will definitely be on my summer playlist! P.S. Who knows who this guy is with Lupe in the pic below?!? He made me chuckle.

by Lupe Fiasco: I’m so mad at myself right now. I REALLY thought I posted this video a couple weeks ago. Matter of fact, I’m positive I did but I don’t know what happened to it It’s as though the post went poof! – and disappeared into thin air. I was about to post another Lupe track, but didn’t feel right with this one missing. So, yall know my ordered brain has to post this again.
Since I posted the video the first time, the official video has been released. It’s a good look with a lot of creativity and features some cute lil kids. The track itself is a slightly different mix at the beginning and when that beat drops its ON! That ish get me so hype before he starts with “I get my energy from my inner g…”

by Dirty Money: This video premiered when I was in Philly last week and I didn’t get a chance to watch until I got back. Yall know I love me some Diddy, but I’m still confused on Dirty Money as a whole. If Diddy and Dawn from Danity Kane wanted to make a group, that’s all that needed to happen. Or if Diddy wanted to have Dawn solo, I could have understood that too. I’m trying to figure out the purpose of the third member – Kalenna. She needs to be told three’s a crowd…boo!

Anyways, this song is a straight club banger. Definitely won’t be listening to it past August, but we can enjoy it now. The video is hot too. There are a lot of bells and whistles with a helicopter and Diddy driving around in a banging Bugatti. I’m happy to see T.I. back in the scene because without him and Ricky Ross on the track, it would be straight whack! I hope Dirty Money’s album, Last Train to Paris, which is set to release on June 29 has a good mix of tracks besides this and Love Come Down. If not, my suggestion is that the train doesn’t leave the station and try to make it to no where!

by Travie McCoy ft. Bruno Mars: Bruno Mars is straight up making hits for people these days! First it was Nothin’ on You by B.O.B. Billionaire is the latest track he lends his vocals to and it’s a HIT in my book. The song is catchy and isn’t about goin to the strip club, whores dancing, or whatever whack ish rappers are rhyming about these days. This is simply a chill song you can listen to and ride with ya top back, enjoying the summer weather. I’m excited to get Travie’s new album too. As a member of Gym Class Heroes, he already has a history of good music. Travie did an interview on beehivefm today and was talking about a few of the tracks on the album, and specifically Dr. Feelgood with Cee-lo. Travie seems like a cool guy and someone whose album I want to support. I don’t know why when I just saw the release date of June 8, I thought it was months away…Clearly it’s only a couple of weeks away. Mark your calendars. Or, you can be lazy and wait for me to remind you. Nighty night as I go to bed signing “I want to be a billionaire so freakin bad… Buy all of the things I never had…I wanna be on the cover of Forbes magazine…Smiling next to Oprah and the Queen….Oh every time I close my eyes…I see my name in shining lights…”