by Raheem Devaughn ft. Ludacris: I said we living like we bulletproof. We bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang. We load it, cock it, aim and shootin. This track reminds me of some old school Marvin Gaye or Curtis Mayfield. It is deep and a true reflection of hip-hop. Music is supposed to be an indication of our time and bring people together. A majority of the music played today is quite degrading and promotes negativity, but there are artists such as Raheem that break the cycle and progress change.

I want to give a shout out to Kenny Burns who snuck in the video and didn’t think he would be noticed ☺

I must reiterate how good this Raheem Devaughn album is! I know I missed the album release, but I will say again and again that this is a must-have cd. Even if you have to obtain a bootleg, get it! That’s how I got my copy My bestests, the name my best friends and I gave ourselves, and I love the most recent Jill Scott album, The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3. I am making a comparison for my bestests and anyone who loves Jill as an influential female neo-soul artist: Raheem is the male version of Jill Scott!?! Some compare him to Marvin Gaye, while I put him in a category of his own! I’m addicted to this cd.

I first became aware of Raheem Devaughn a few years ago with his track You. He has released a few singles and each gains a little more popularity than the previous. I heard one his most recent tracks, Customer, yesterday and it immediately clicked in my head that I never uploaded his album to my iPod – which means that it gets no play! I made sure I synched my iPod this morning so I could listen. Time I pressed play I knew I would love the album! Raheem’s first words were “Some people make music for a moment. I make music for a lifetime.” I preach this all the time, so I’m glad there is an artist whose thoughts parallel mine. This album is amazing and such a great one to listen to. It even includes interludes, which are rarely heard on other artist’s albums that have been released. His upbeat songs are ok, but I think he has mastered the slow jam. He has a natural soulful sound that can’t be made in a studio! Track #7, Mo Better, is my favorite and it gave me a few chills First, the song is 7 minutes and 39 seconds. That equals about 2+ “regular” songs these days. I think I have listened to it about 20 times already. I have been known to continuously repeat songs so I’m sure it will continue to be played. I hope you like this track. If so, purchase this album and support this artist who has yet to gain the recognition he deserves.