New Music: The Dream "IV Play" & Fantasia "Side Effects of You"

It's new music time again!!! Let's begin with two projects that I cannot stop playing. The Dream is back. I can honestly say he never disappoints me. His cd's are always full of good music. "IV Play" is no different. I have my favorite tracks already. They are "High Art" which features Jay-Z; "Turnt" which features Beyonce' & 2 Chainz; "Where Have You Been?" which features Kelly Rowland; "Equestrian," and "New Orleans." The cd is very feature heavy but it didn't really bother me. The music is just good. I can let the whole thing play which is a plus. I think if the right singles are dropped it could be a great summer cd. I think I like "IV Play" as much as I liked his debut.

Also, back with new music is Fantasia. Her new cd "Side Effects of You" is a banger as well. Her first single is "Lose To Win." I wasn't a fan of this song until I saw her "American Idol" performance followed by her album release performance. She slayed both of them effortlessly. I became excited about her new work. She didn't let me down either. I love "Side Effects of You" (the title track), "Change Your Mind," "In Too Deep," and Without Me" (which features Kelly Rowland and Missy Elliott) the most. The entire project is golden to me. Great music from Fantasia. Both projects are worth your money. I am loving the direction that R&B is returning to. Get into this.

New Music From Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake is back!! Finally!! I have to say it's been far too long. 6 years since he blessed us with music. I have been a fan since the day I heard N'SYNC's "Gone." I was not into the whole N'SYNC movement before that. I fell for that silky voice of Justin's that day. That song was so soulful that I was shocked to see who the voice belonged to. I was all in from that moment on. I still play his solo cd "Justified" regularly. I loved everything about it. It is classic to me. Then, he released "Future Sex/Love Sounds" and redefined what I thought about him. He just reinforced my love of his music. So, 6 years later, he finally puts out new music. I thought he was done with music and focusing on his acting career. I am a happy fan right now.

"Awww, go on and show em who you call daddy. I guess they're just mad cause girl they wish they had it. Oooh, my killer, my thriller. Yeah, you're a classic. And you're all mine tonight. And as long as I got my suit and tie, I'mma leave it all on the floor tonight. Baby got fixed up too nice. Let me show you a few things about love." - JT

"Tell ya mother that I love her cause I love you. Tell your father we'll go further as a couple. They didn't lose a daughter, they got a son." - Jay-Z

I listened to his new single "Suit & Tie" on YouHeardThatNew last night. On first listen, I liked it but didn't love it. (Note: I also wasn't crazy about Beyonce's "Crazy In Love" or Jay-Z's "Change Clothes" on first listen either). By the 4th listen, I determined I was indeed a fan. The production by Timbaland is nuts. The beat changes three different times. But, it really works. This is grown man R&B. I am so thankful that Timbaland and JT went the R&B route and avoided the trashy Euro-pop route. The song is about being on his suit and tie sh-t, grown man music. Also, this track feature's my favorite rapper, Jay-Z. The beat changes for the third time when Jay steps in. His verse is about being grown and married. JT is releasing his third solo cd sometime this year. It is titled "The 20/20 Experience." I cannot wait to hear what him & Timbaland have cooked up this time around. Listen and enjoy this new offering from the original Justin.

Oh and just because I felt like it, below are some of my fave JT tracks from his two prior cd. I am listening to prepare myself for what "The 20/20 Experience" will no doubtedly be.

Get Into It: New Music Tuesday

There is a lot of new music dropping today. One R&B project, one R&B/Pop and one Hip-Hop/Pop project. All different in their own rights. Good music nonetheless. Let's get into them. First up is Rihanna. She is back after barely a year after "Talk That Talk." Rihanna's "Unapologetic" is dope. I have a new favorite song. It is her "Pour It Up." It is the perfect strip club song. The beat is intoxicating to me. I also love "What Now," "Jump," "Phresh Off The Runway," and "Diamonds (remix)." I can play it from beginning to end. It's not a deep or conscious project. It's just feel good music. And, I can enjoy it purely for that reason. "Lost in Paradise" and "Stay" get me into my feelings but in a good way. "Loveeeeeee Song" features Future an artist I do not get the appeal of. The song would be better without him and the auto-tune in my opinion. I fast forward through him and I like it much better. "Unapologetic" is Rihanna's 7th cd. Who knew the "Pon De Replay" girl would have staying power? I know I did not. Anyway, I like it.

Keyshia Cole is back with "Woman To Woman." It is a vast improvement over her "Calling All Hearts." It is a clear R&B cd which is what CAH should have been. I love the title track which is a duet with Ashanti. I really like it. I also love "Trust & Believe," "Signature," and "Zero (feat Meek Mill)." What I really dig is the fact that the cd just flows. I don't skip any songs. I just vibe all the way through it. Keyshia is back. She sounds like her debut self. A little older, little wiser and in love, Keyshia shines throughout this project. I truly enjoy it. I was a little apprehensive about it at first because of the last one. I am glad I was wrong.

Also, dropping today is Nicki Minaj's "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded: The Re-Up." First off, the title is too long and silly. Secondly, I think it is very wack of artists to add a few songs to a project and re-release it. I think they are taking advantage of their fans. Thirdly, she added 8 songs to it. I believe she could have added a few more songs and released a totally new project. With all of that being said, I like the new songs. Love "Up In Flames," "The Boys," "I Endorse These Strippers (feat. Tyga)," and "High School (feat. Wayne)" the most. "I'm Legit" featuring Ciara makes me want to dance. I can see myself listening to this while getting dressed to go out. I do not think that this project will move major numbers for that reason alone. The songs are cute but not really hard hitting Nicki. But, I am also not her core audience. Music truly is my thing. I cannot think of anything else that moves me as much. I do not think that I will ever get tired of hearing it, talking about it, loving it. I cannot foresee that day in my future. As long as it exists, I will be discussing it. Get into this new music. Enjoy!

New Music: Artists To Watch

In the last few weeks, I have been consistently listening to the following new artists. All of these ladies seem to have that "it" factor. I love that most of them are not only singers but songwriters as well. All of the following songs have been in constant rotation. I love that none of these ladies sound alike. Each has their own sound and direction. Music, especially R&B, has been missing something lately. I like that this music makes me feel the way R&B songs did in the 90's. Whenever I come across new artists that I dig, I love to share it with anyone I can. It makes me happy to introduce new artists to my people. So, here they go, get into them. You won't be disappointed. There is something here for everyone. Enjoy.

1) Mylah "Ever" This song is reminiscent of Prince and Vanity. It has that electric pop feel to it. It's just feel good music. I listen to it every morning. It puts me in a good mood. Her debut cd is forthcoming. It's tentatively being titled "Siren" which I think is a very hot title. Ever since she redid Kanye's "Say You Will" and Kelis' "Get Along With You," I've been a fan. She has been working towards this and I, for one, cannot wait to hear what she does. Her first single lets me know that her debut will not be cookie cutter R&B.



2) RaVaughn "Me and You (Love Thang)" She is Ne-yo's artist. That lets me know that her material will be awesome. I am always here for anything that Ne-yo has his hands in. This is off of her EP "Love Always...The Introduction." I happen to dig every song on it. But, there is just something about this track. The music, the lyrics and overall feel are all my type of music. RaVaughn is definitely one to watch.



3) Rita Ora "Been Lying" She is ROC Nation's latest overseas sensation. She is on the brink of US stardom as well. This song will be on her debut cd "Ora." I have love this song since the first time I heard it. I will say that her singles haven't been my faves but other dope tracks will be found on the cd.



4) Bridget Kelly "Special Delivery" Another ROC Nation signee that I love. BK has been on my radar since she was on tour with Jay-Z singing the AKeys part of "Empire State of Mind." She released a EP that I loved. This serves as her first single from her debut cd. I cannot wait to hear what else she has in store. Her voice does it for me.



5) Lianne La Havas "Empty" In the last few years, the influx of European singers have been great. Lianne is clearly one of the best. I had the hardest time picking just one song. I like everything on her debut cd "Is Your Love Big Enough?" Her voice is so smooth. I love it.

New Music: Tristan Wilds, Emanny

It's new music time again. This time, I'm focusing on the guys. Over the last few days, I've been listening to two projects over & over. Tristan Wilds is a name that you should know. He is most famously known as an actor. He played Michael Lee on seasons 4 &5 of HBO's hit "The Wire." He is now on the hit show "90210" as Dixon. But, now Tristan is trying his hand at a new love: music. He released his EP "Remember, Remember" on his blog at the end of last year. The second guy is Emanny. He is awesome and dope. He is a guy I found via Twitter. I'm so glad I did. Both projects fall into the category of R&B/Hip-Hop. Which is just the genre I love.

When it comes to Tristan, I can admit that I am super late on this one. I knew he was working on music but I hadn't followed up on it. I saw his new video "Cold" on Necole Bitchie's website. The video is simple and cute and I love it. The song is one of my favorites. As is his interlude, which is a remake of the Nancy Sinatra song "Bang, Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)." This song became popular again when it was used in "Kill Bill."Tristan flawlessly mixes r&B and Hip-Hop on his EP. His tone when singing is very melodic. I am definitely a new fan of his music. His EP has me excited for new music from him. I was pleasantly surprised while listening to the EP. I am always on the lookout for good new music. And, Tristan's work falls into that category. If you haven't heard it before, take the time and get into the videos below and the EP as a whole. I love this.







My other new find is Emanny. I came across him by way of Joe Budden's twitter page. I first heard him on a SLV track. His voice is intoxicating. So, I downloaded his "Songs About Her" & "Road To The Highlife" here & have been playing both constantly. There isn't a track I dislike. "I Messed Up" featuring Joe Budden & "Young & Ready" featuring Jadakiss are two standout tracks. Emanny's voice is soothing. I like his lyrics. I am wondering what he will drop next. I don't know his label situation but he is a winner to me. His two projects so far have been very solid.





I love the fact that social media sites are keeping me abreast of new music. Honestly, top 40 radio just plays the same songs by the same artists. That can be beyond boring. I like to hear music that everyone hasn't heard already or played out already. Without Twitter, Tumblr, and blogs, I would've missed both of these guys projects. I'm glad I didn't though. Go ahead and get into both of them. Remember their names. I have a feeling that they will be stars.