by Jamie Foxx ft. Kanye West & Dream: I was listening to a mixtape earlier and this song came up in the queue. I like the background music, but I don’t think I have really listened to any words other than Kanye’s. This should have been Kanye’s track! I’ve tried repeating the track several times and the other artist’s just don’t make the song a hit for me. Rather, I think the track is too mainstream and requires you to overlook the lyrics to focus on the beat, melody, etc. until Kanye comes back up on the closing verse …I stated earlier on @6inchvinyl (one of my Twitter accts) that I didn’t know Jamie Foxx has a new album, Intuition, to be released THIS Tuesday. I knew he had a single out with T.I., but I thought the track was T.I.’s and didn’t make it to Paper Trail. I must say that this a perfect example of HORRIBLE marketing. When Jamie Foxx’s first album was released, he was everywhere! I practically knew the whole album before the tracklist was officially released. This brings an interesting point: Is it better for an artist to release half of his/her album before it is released to get a following? Or, is it better to leave fans guessing until the album drops? P.S. The track is Song of the Day because Kanye’s production and lyrics are hot, but it is also Wiggity Wiggity Whack because Jamie’s verse’s are below par for this to be his song!

by M.I.A. ft. Jay-Z: Speaking of the cherry on top…Jay is featured on this remix of M.I.A.’s Boyz. The original version was ranked #7 on the Rolling Stone 100 Best Songs of 2007. For the song to be highly ranked, I am surprised that I am just hearing this. I would not have known who M.I.A. is if it had not been for T.I., Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Lil Wayne creating Swagger Like Us. Crazy thing is they sampled her song Paper Planes for Swagger Like Us and I had not heard Paper Planes prior either. So, homegirl has mastered her new strategy: To win big in the States, she MUST have the best artists somehow linked to her songs. Specifically on this track, Jay adds a unique flavor and I like how he doesn’t always perform on tracks that are considered rap. He has proven that he can mix it up with Linkin’ Park and now the British artist who uses the Dappan koothu style of music for this track. Dappan koothu is a musical genre that focuses on traditional dance and folk styles with a major emphasis on percussion instruments. You have just been granted your newly learned fact for the day!

by Eminem: Guess who’s back? That’s right. Slim Shady. Eminem. Marshall Mathers. Whichever name you choose, this man is back and in full force! Sorry this is just a clip, but this is what happens when you hear a track before it’s officially released! If this track is any indication of the other tracks off the same titled album, Relapse, it will be a hot one! This beat is sick and I like how he switches up the sound of his voice. Granted his lyrics are risky, but they have always been. You have to know to expect that from Slim. The rap game is REAL interesting these days…In 2008, we had albums from Lil Wayne, T.I., The Game, Nas, and Young Jeezy while albums from Kanye, Big Boi, and Dr. Dre will come before December 31st. When Em drops an album, the music game will be CrAzY!?! Only thing we will need is an album from Jay-Z to be the cherry on top.

by T.I. ft. Ricco Barrino: It humors me when artists release an album and there are additional songs leaked that are not on the CD. I guess these are the songs that did not make the cut, but I like this joint! Paper Trail is hot, but T.I. needs to combine all these left over tracks and release a mixtape.  Everyone has assumed the chorus of this is sung by T-Pain, but they are wrong! Ha! It’s actually sung my Ricco Barrino, who happens to be the same artist that is on the chorus of Porn Star. If you read a previous post, you would know I questioned who this artist is because he isn’t listed as a featured artist. So, I’m glad I came across this track to be exposed to this new artist, who is Fantasia’s brother, and know that T.I. has a few more tracks up his sleeve to look out for!

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 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 T.I. ft. Kanye West, Jay-Z, & Lil Wayne: JUST LEAKED! The hottest four in the game! First listen, I think the “swagger like us” needs to be played down a bit. A majority of the time, this overpowers the lyrics of the artists. Hottest verse given to Kanye no doubt! Jay follows as a close second. Listen for yourself…

by Ludacris: Clearly, Ludacris is releasing a new album this year. Being out of the game for a few years, Luda made an astonishing comeback with a track from his mixtape titled Politics (Obama is Here). That granted him to be the topic of a few news reports to put his name back out there. Additionally, he is featured on several song verses such as Monica’s Still Standing and Ciara’s High Price. Ludacris’ new album is titled Theater of the Mind and is slated for November ’08. The first single is reported to be What Them Girls Like featuring Chris Brown and Sean Garrett, but the song is only ok in my opinion. It’s the typical first-single club banger that will get people interested in the release. Alternatively, I like this track with T.I better. Record execs should have asked me!