|
|
An interesting collection of ‘mid-rangers’ this week, as 3 of the 4 included artists are of the sort who regularly release material and frequently collaborate with big name artists, but don’t quite seem to have fully nailed down a spot in their respective lanes. There’s always plenty of talent floating around in that middle ground, and inevitably it’s where we find the next big stars: time will tell if any of these guys are to be that breakout artist.
2 posts to catch up on from the week gone by, with Mike Posner releasing his first project since his debut album, and The Weekend unleashing his first ever music video (I use that term loosely). Click below for this week’s goods.
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 128
 Be the first to like.
What a line up. Here’s DJ Suss One’s latest drop from his upcoming album, The Feature Presentation. Production on this is has that epic sound to it, which is perfect for Jada, Banks and Montana to flex their lyrical and bravado-filled muscles.
Not much else to talk about here, other than the seemingly pointless feature from Floyd Mayweather (just give us that super-fight we all want already!). It’s your standard decent posse cut right here, those who enjoy that sort of thing (like me) will enjoy it, those who don’t, won’t.
DJ Suss One – Champion ft. Jadakiss, Lloyd Banks, French Montana, Junior Reid & Floyd Mayweather
Be the first to like.
Is R&B currently suffering from one of its worst recessions? Outside of a few upcoming stars (Frank Ocean, The Weeknd and others) there hasn’t been much in terms of consistent quality, and outside of the aforementioned two artists, it’s increasingly difficult to see where the recovery will come from.
However, one of the few artists in recent years to really come away with credit recently released a free album, as The-Dream dropped off a new project, and even if R&B is struggling, soul season is underway with debut visuals from John West and the latest single from Goapele.
Click below for this week’s six pack, and see if an R&B comeback is on the cards.
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 116
2 people like this post.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of this week’s R&B content has already been delivered, with the hugely-anticipated release of The Weeknd’s second project, Thursday. There’s also new music from upcoming UK singer Chrome, dropping off an energetic single for his latest video.
Very diverse episode this week, with some mainstream pop, old-school style soul and the usual R&B fare all made available for your listening pleasure, and plenty of big names providing that content. Click below to fill yourself with R&B nourishment.
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 114
1 person likes this post.
Break out your parachute pants and turtleneck jumpers, you’re about to go back to 1992. A vague recollection of early-mid 90s music is all that’s needed to become enamoured with the latest single from the lovely Yasmin.
The production boasts a wonderfully retro combination of early 90s jungle and reggae with mid 90s/00s garage, fusing speedy drums with thick bass and sharp melodies and resulting in an addictive throwback production. Solid vocal work from Yasmin too, who comes on a drifty, lightweight style that blends nicely with the eclectic production to retain that old-school flavour, and also act as another sign of her musical versatility. Three singles from Yasmin thus far, and whilst each has been very different from the last, there’s a consistency in the quality that suggests her debut album should be one to look forward to.
Be the first to like.
Being on time is the new being late. Or something like that. Gone with a slightly different approach for this week’s episode, as I sympathise with the mainstream folk who come looking for some party/chart tracks, and leave empty handed. I’ve chucked in a few artists/tracks I don’t particularly like, but will certainly go down well with the mainstreamers, and of course there’s still a healthy dose of music that’s actually good too.
Onto the recap from this week, and three noteworthy posts: Frank Ocean dropped some highly anticipated visuals for Novacane, Katy Perry released an entertaining video for her latest single, and most importantly The Weeknd dropped off some superb new material.
Click on for this week’s punnet of healthy tracks.
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 105
2 people like this post.
Not to be confused with George Orwell’s somewhat more macabre view of the number 101, we roll on past the magical 100 with this week’s episode. Be sure to catch up with my top 30 from episodes 1-100 if you haven’t already.
Short recap from the last week: Raheem DeVaughn follows up his enjoyable Jackin’ 4 Beats mixtape with a sequel, Beyonce returned with her latest high-octane video, and a (highly-praised) remix of Mike Posner’s Falling.
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 101
1 person likes this post.
Is this the longest title we’ve ever seen on OTU? It’s certainly up there! DJ Khaled enlists a plethora of rappers to take on the remix of his recent(ish) single, Welcome To The Hood.
I can’t be the only one, but I’m pretty tired of these remixes by him where he just sticks a load of guest verses on it and expects a hit. Having said that I really wanted to hear the Game verse on this and thus had to check it out. I’m also pretty sure there’s a lot of you out there who still lap this stuff up, so who am I to hate on it?
Summary: I don’t like this and I didn’t like the original either, you might though.
DJ Khaled-Welcome To My Hood (Remix) ft. Ludacris, T-Pain, Busta Rhymes, Mavado, Twista, Birdman, Ace Hood, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Bun B, Game & Waka Flocka
Be the first to like.
Probably my favourite track from Bruno’s album, and one that’s still very listenable today. The simplicity of the video is very fitting here, ensuring the easygoing, relaxing reggae vibe of the track isn’t tainted by excessive storyline work.
The cinematography is an understated highlight (oxymoron?) too, with various retro-esque effects, filters and wipes used throughout that enhance that nostalgic, old-school summer day feel of the track.
It’s actually quite refreshing to see Bruno on this chilled out tip too, with his previous videos being pretty emotional, passionate efforts. Say what you want about him (and it seems many people will moan about him just because he’s now popular), but his talents are undeniable and he’s by far the most bearable mainstream pop artist right now by virtue of being a talented singer-songwriter, and with the diversity level that this track shows. I must admit I feel a certain level of personal pride having (helped) uncover his talent towards the end of 2009, and frankly he deserves his success.
1 person likes this post.
New #MonsterMondays from Swizzy, this time enlisting Snoop and JR Reid.
A bit of reggae influence + Snoop was always going to envoke a song about a certain illegal substance. Despite the predictable subject matter, this isn’t bad. The use of auto-tune really wasn’t necessary for JR Reid but I can get over it; decent chilled track to vibe to.
Get your hands on this illicit track below.
Swizz Beatz – Co-Pilot ft. Snoop Dogg & JR Reid
Be the first to like.
Is it me, or is it taking pretty long to get to episode 100?! I feel like we’ve been in the 80s forever!
Either way, the R&B/pop keeps coming thick and fast with another well-proportioned episode for you this week. Four R&B-related OTU items for you from the week gone by: the latest video from the Dirty Money trio, the first mixtape offering from Dirty Money’s Dawn Richard, visuals for Sean Garrett and J. Cole’s collaboration, and finally the official remix of Chipmunk and Chris Brown’s collab, also featuring J. Cole.
Click on for music and a whole pile of related text.
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 87
1 person likes this post.
New video from one of the best releases of last year, probably one of my favourite tracks from Nas & Damian Marley’s collaboration album too. The visuals for this have been shot superbly and we’re given some great effects which really capture the mood and essence of this sombre and thought-provoking song.
Audio for this can be found here.
Side note: Yesterday happened to be the birth date of Damian Marley’s father too.
#happybelatedbirthdaybob
3 people like this post.
No recap this week thanks to a temperamental hard drive, but R&B Fridays actually makes it out on a Friday for the second consecutive week, which is a pretty big victory.
Lots of remixes and rappers popping up this week, with some huge names coming through with some very unexpected pop and R&B remixes. More than enough original material too though, making this a very diverse episode that’ll satisfy the vast majority of you grubby little folk.
Click on and let me be the Snoop to your Cameron, though R&B/pop probably isn’t the same as marijuana…probably.
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 84
4 people like this post.
Kray Twinz is a name you may recognise, with probably their biggest hit to date being a collaboration with Twista and Lethal Bizzle.
“The new track ‘Some Boy’, taken from the Kray Twinz’ forthcoming album, sees Island Records recording artist Stush lock her lyrical flow and toasting over a hypnotic snake charming Indian-meets-dancehall vibe. Lady Stush, known for her features on club hits with Groove Armada and Sticky, delivers over a hypnotic beat with ease and a lyrical dexterity, which is second to none.
The boys have been busy with production duties for Twista’s latest US album ‘The Perfect Storm’, which has been receiving great reviews. The Twinz have also produced the single ‘IT AIN’T OVER’ for Thriller Live lead singer solo artist Jag who is set for a big launch this year.”
This is a track that’s already #1 on the Brit Asia Video Charts and also a video that receives airtime on popular UK urban Channel AKA.
Be the first to like.
Once again, it’s not quite a Friday. However, with the busy Christmas/New Year period over, hopefully these will be back on regular schedule from next week!
The past week has seen some pretty interesting R&B/pop pieces: Duck Sauce came through with a great remix of Chromeo and Elly Jackson’s single, the well-respected Jackie Boyz dropped off a mixtape, Marsha Ambrosius delivered an incredibly thoughtful video, Eminem remixed Dirty Money’s Hello, Good Morning, and we were also treated to two more Dirty Money remixes. Click below for this week’s instalment.
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 82
1 person likes this post.
Flying ever quicker towards that milestone 100th episode, episode 78 stops off at many of your favourite artists, having already done so a few times this week: we were given the new Michael Jackson video, R. Kelly then covered one of MJ’s biggest hits (as well as turning back the clock with some live performances), and Tinie Tempah unleashed his latest video.
However, it’s been the upcoming names that have really shone this past 7 days, with Jesse Boykins releasing the highlight of this week’s R&B/soul and Theophilus London adding a modern spin to Tweet’s Oops, courtesy of a Lindsay Lohan assist.
Cast your eyes and cursors downwards for more meaty (or soya) chunks of music.
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 78
1 person likes this post.
It’s always great to hear this Bob Marley classic, but when it’s performed by the brilliant but elusive Lauryn Hill, there’s a whole new experience to enjoy.
As you’d rightfully expect, Lauryn stamps her authority on the track with a great performance, making it sound as if it was written for her in the first place. Ably backed by The Roots, this is a performance that’s well worth watching.
Be the first to like.
Plenty to recap from the past week: Behind-the-scenes with Rihanna and Drake, new visuals from Nicki Minaj, a video for Dirty Money and Drake’s collabo, three mastered tracks from Ciara/Usher, Akon and Nicole Scherzinger, and finally the finished version of Jamie Foxx and Drake’s fantastic Fall For Your Type.
Click on for this week’s R&B fix.
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 72
Be the first to like.
I’ll let the email speak on this one, as I haven’t fully checked it out myself yet to comment!
“THIS SINGLE HAS BEEN GETTING MASSIVE SUPPORT, INCLUDING 1XTRA & CHOICE, AND THE D&B MIX IS PART OF AN OVERALL PACKAGE WHICH INCLUDES THE LEAD VERSION, CURRENTLY KILLIN IT IN THE CLUBS & ON RADIO.
THE VIDEO WAS SHOT IN JAMAICA IN SEPTEMBER, WHEN CANADIAN RAPPER JACKSON JOINED SIZZLA IN KINGSTON & ALSO LATER LAID DOWN SOME NEW TRACKS WITH HIM IN THE FAMOUS KING JAMMY’S STUDIO.
ANOTHER VERSION OF THE VIDEO FOR THE “WORLD” MIX WENT LIVE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, AND BOTH ARE DUE TO HIT UK TV SHORTLY
OUT ON RICHMOND STREET RECORDS 6TH DECEMBER 2010″
Download link here.
Be the first to like.
New leak from Bruno Mars much anticipated debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans. Liquor Store Blues is a fantastic song which features some welcomed vocals from Damian Marley. Bruno Mars fans need no convincing, I’m sure you’re all clamouring to get your hands on this and are furiously pressing the link below.
Bruno Mars – Liquor Store Blues ft. Damian Marley
5 people like this post.
Maino shows his softer side and adds his own take on Gyptian’s It’s You track. This is the latest leak from Maino’s upcoming mixtape, Art Of War.
Gyptian – It’s You ft. Maino
Be the first to like.
19 tracks from 19 different artists this week tells you that this episode is stacked with variety. Mostly established names too (at least in the R&B Fridays series!), so this is definitely one to be getting involved with.
As per usual routine, let’s catch up with the R&B week gone by: the new Rihanna single, Ne-Yo’s latest video, hugely anticipated visuals for Bruno Mars’ debut single, the official tracklisting for Bruno’s debut album, much-delayed video from Auburn, and finally the latest collab from Taio Cruz and Tinchy Stryder.
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 65
1 person likes this post.
1. Grenade
2. Just The Way You Are
3. Our First Time
4. Runaway Baby
5. The Lazy Song
6. Marry You
7. Talking To The Moon
8. Liquor Store Blues (ft. Damian Marley)
9. Count On Me
10. The Other Side (ft. Cee-Lo Green & B.o.B)
2 people like this post.
Murray: September 5, 2010
Some superb stuff in our August snapshot which perfectly compliments the closing of summer as we welcome autumn with open arms. We’ve mixed old school with new school to create that sound which will have you rocking out until next month’s episode. New material from the likes of Atmosphere, Usher, Fat Joe, Sage Francis, Lil Wayne and Drake all sit comfortably next to some classic older joints from Damien Rice, Linkin Park, Kanye West, and of course, Eric B and Rakim.
If you’re still clutching onto the dying days of summer then don’t worry, we’ve kept July’s snapshot available for you. But trust us, take our hands and let’s step into autumn together.
OTU’s August Snapshot
Confused? Find out more here.
2 people like this post.
Lots of material in this episode, and plenty has already been released throughout the week.
To recap: Trey Songz’s latest visuals, Khalil’s debut visuals, the official single from the upcoming Foreign Exchange album, Cee-Lo’s anticipated F*** You video, a fantastic cover of Outkast’s Prototype, and finally a new Trey Songz and Drake collaboration.
Oddly, there are some huge hip-hop names making appearances in this episode. Click on to see what they’re doing hanging around these parts, and what everyone else is up to.
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 64
1 person likes this post.
Is it me or has Gyptian’s Hold Yuh been ‘popular’ for ages!? Everywhere I go, this song is still being played. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind the track as Gyptian’s vocals aren’t bad, but it is possibly the most minimal beat of all-time and hence doesn’t have much replay value.
Anywho, Wale takes a very likeable spin on the beat, with his uptempo flow definitely makes the lack of a beat less obvious. Would be interesting to hear a blend, maybe keeping Gyptian’s hook in around Wale’s verses. Aspiring DJs: the challenge is there.
Wale-Hold Yuh Freestyle
Be the first to like.
Not the first Classic Collabo entry by Young Buck, heck this isn’t even the 1st one from his Buck The World album! However I’ve found myself revisiting this track in recent days. Featuring Ky-mani Marley (yup, another talented son of Bob) this is just a great track to sit and vibe too – given that this is a song about smoking weed, that’s exactly what Young Buck intends.
Disclaimer – I do not smoke nor endorse the smoking of illegal substances!
Young Buck – Puff Puff Pass ft. Ky-mani Marley
Be the first to like.
Fingers crossed, this week’s R&B Friday will actually reach you on time!
A really diverse episode awaits you this week, with both an interesting mixture of tracks and a range of well-known artists making the cut this week. Plenty of content with over 20 tracks making up this instalment, you should have enough to see you through the next week.
Hit that red line below and eat as much as you like. Go on, go crazy. No-one’s watching.
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 61
1 person likes this post.
Yep, THAT Ana Ivanovic. The aesthetically-pleasing tennis star joins Filip Filipi and Collie Buddz for the first official single from Filipi’s upcoming album, Design & Origin of Stars. Whilst she’s only on the intro, it’s a pretty sweet co-sign and sets up the ‘tribute’ track nicely.
As Murray said previously, you can really hear the Shyne influence in Filipi’s rapping style. I like his verses on this one, coming through with a deliberate, driving flow that plays off this upbeat and poppy beat nicely. The hook is a good fit for the track, with a memorable melody and catchy lyrics that could easily see this gain some momentum. Wildly different to Slav, this one will be more accessible to a mainstream audience.
Filip Filipi-Hurricane Ana ft. Ana Ivanovic and Collie Buddz
4 people like this post.
|
Upcoming OTU Live Events None right now!
|
Recent Comments