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No artist in the R&B and pop genres has generated the buzz Rita Ora has over the past week, so it’s only right that the Roc Nation signee and London native gets the headline spot for yet another milestone episode.
It’s been a solid week in the music world, with a few very enjoyable releases from a range of genres. Miguel came through with an excellent free 3-track EP, Jesse Boykins III delivered what could be a breakout moment for the lavishly-talented singer with a video for B4 The Night Is Thru, Kid Cudi’s new WZRD project released their debut album to a positive reception here on OTU, and finally the mysterious A. Chal dropped off one of the finest electronic instrumentals I’ve heard in some time.
All caught up? Hit that click below and keep things moving.
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 140
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Some really interesting remixes this week, with the works of R&B poster boys Drake and Frank Ocean undergoing treatment from their peers. Of course, there’s a sprinkling of original material too with a range of styles represented.
A fair bit to recap on from the week gone by: a James Blake and Drake mashup mixtape, a very enjoyable R&B throwback from will.i.am, strong slow jam from Lloyd’s upcoming album, brand new material from Drake, and for some reason a video for Enrique, Usher and Lil’ Wayne’s collab and Britney’s latest single. Click below for this week’s goods and services.
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 106
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Plenty of new material this week, in what has been a very active week for the R&B and pop scene. Well, that’s probably a half-truth as there’s only really the one post to recap on from this week’s posts, with the official visuals for Nikki & Rich’s breakout single with Fabolous surfacing.
Very interesting lineup in this week’s episode, with man-of-the-moment Frank Ocean lining up alongside such current luminaries as Chris Brown, Trey Songz and many more. No throwback this week as there has been quite a chunk of new material to get through, but there’s lots of good stuff to get into regardless. Click below to collect your winnings.
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 96
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Very, very interesting project here. The Dirty Money trio let go of an official mixtape release, comprised of both unreleased material from recording sessions, and remixes of tracks from their hugely successful (and pretty enjoyable) Last Train To Paris album.
One of the tracks from this actually surfaced a day or two ago (I was saving it for R&B Friday!), and was a very listenable R&B-style remix to their club anthem Ass On The Floor, retooled by The-Dream and Tricky Stewart. On that basis (and of course, the style of their album), I expect this mixtape to provide some pretty solid R&B work in a fairly empty scene right now. Download link below, tracklist even further below that.
Diddy-Dirty Money-LoveLove vs. HateLove Mixtape
→ Continue Reading Diddy-Dirty Money-LoveLove vs. HateLove Mixtape
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Since the emergence of Dirty Money, I’ve really come to appreciate Dawn Richard. She’s revealed herself to be a solid vocalist with charisma, and an edgy quality that will hopefully steer her away from the bubble-pop style running rampant in the R&B game.
The Prelude To A Tell Tale Heart (alternately titled #ATellTaleHeart) marks her first full-length solo project, and I’ve got high hopes that Dawn can break out with some great material of her own. One prominent example (not on this mixtape) is Empty Room, which really displayed Dawn’s abilities.
The video here is taken from Dawn’s blog, as she documents her travels across the world and accompanies it with some live footage, studio footage and so on. Worth a watch for an intro to the mixtape, which you can grab below.
Dawn Richard-The Prelude To A Tell Tale Heart (#ATellTaleHeart) Mixtape
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Probably one of the best tracks on their Last Train to Paris album, the Dirty Money trio let loose of yet another video from the project.
I was actually quite glad to see this album has recieved fairly widespread critical acclaim, as I still see a few vituperative comments about the mainstream style they’ve gone with: facts are, they make it sound far, far less generic than most mainstream acts, and certainly do a good job of adding a more mature, edgier feel to the R&B style. I’m a big fan of how they acknowledge the gender roles in the group by ‘responding’ to one another in their verses, which adds a new and rarely-used dimension to the music.
Solid production on this track, being made up primarily of a quick piano loop that’s captivating and lively, whilst Kalenna and Dawn deliver in spades with the vocals as they switch between smooth, laidback verses to energetic, passionate choruses with relative ease. The video is pretty simple, with specific colour blocks used for the three seperate ‘scenarios’ giving it a consistent feel that emphasises the audio appropriately. LTTP available on iTunes now!
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All good things come to an end, and my recent run of posting these on time has been broken. The football fans out there will also note that another streak was broken today, but we are NOT getting into that.
A quick round-up from the week gone by: UK upcomer Talay Riley grabs Wretch 32 for a remix of his single, Timbaland’s latest weekly instalment, Trey Songz’s take on Chris Brown’s latest single, and finally a medley of incredible Michael Jackson covers from the fantastic Patrick Stump.
Lots of big names in this week’s episode, and many that will certainly catch your mainstream eyes. Click below for a sweet-smelling blast of R&B to your sweaty, sweaty face.
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 86
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Oddly, I was actually in the process of finally listening to Diddy-Dirty Money’s Last Train To Paris album yesterday, and lo and behold Diddy had liberated a remix by one of Netherlands’ finest, Chuckie.
The original is definitely one of the stronger tracks on the album, and this remix completely alters the R&B/pop feel of the track into a huge electro/dance effort. The first third of the track is very heavy on the electro synths, and almost verges on techno at times, but it’s within the middle portion that the track really shines as the superb vocals of the original are layered over a piano-driven melody that supplements the club vibe of the track nicely. Worth a listen for the electro heads.
Diddy-Dirty Money-I Hate That You Love Me (Chuckie’s Marquee Remix)
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To me, the early hours of ‘Saturday’ count as Friday, so welcome to the first on-time R&B Friday in a few weeks!
Not a great deal to recap on this week, with the only notables being another official remix to Lloyd’s Lay It Down, and an all-British collaboration from Alesha Dixon and Jay Sean. However, it’s more than made up for with this week’s episode: with almost 20 tracks from the likes of Trey Songz, Pitbull and many more, there’s lots to enjoy and keep you going until next week.
Want some? Come get some.
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 83
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Two very different remixes Diddy liberated recently on Twitter of Dirty Money’s single.
The first is an electro remix by Felix Da Housecat, and certainly doesn’t skimp on the dance vibes. I’m not too keen on the version, but purely because I preferred the more relaxed synths of the original, and frankly I’m not the biggest electro head in the world. However, those who do like that sort of music will definitely enjoy this a great deal. The second is actually a mash-up with the ubiquitous Pon De Floor, and matches up (in terms of tempo) quite nicely. Being a mash-up, those drifty synths are left in for the most part, with the odd burst of Pon De Floor‘s melody giving the track a stronger club vibe. Arguably, that melody is a bit overbearing for this sort of track, but it’s worth a listen either way.
Dirty Money-Ass On The Floor (Felix Da Housecat Electro Remix)
Dirty Money-Ass On The Floor (Pon De Floor Mashup)
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Diddy just let this one loose on Twitter, and I assume it’s the official remix to the track. Once again, a T-Pain remix has become part of the official remix (Black and Yellow being the other example), and it’s a good thing as his remixes have been very good in recent weeks.
We do also have to deal with a Gucci Mane verse, though in honesty it’s not too terrible and does fit in line with the track fairly well. However, it has to be said that Pain’s contribution is certainly the highlight, as he throws in a new intro, as well as retaining his contributions to the hook and adlibs.
Dirty Money-Loving You No More Remix ft. T-Pain and Gucci Mane
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The SIXTH video from the Dirty Money album (and it’s not even out until tomorrow!), and once again they’ve got it just right. Say what you want about Diddy, but when it comes to R&B and mainstream hip-hop, he’s absolutely nailed it down with incredible consistency this year.
I’m a huge fan of this track, and fully believe this is Swizzy’s best production of the year. The airy synths are contrasted superbly by a speedy percussion that you wouldn’t normally associate with the synth/melody style, and its held together by fantastic vocals. That blend of variation is visualised perfectly with dark, winter landscapes mirroring the atmospheric synths, and the energy of the production represented by the movement and passion of all involved artists.
Yet another fantastic audio-visual combination from these guys, and I’m genuinely surprised at just how right they’ve got this project. Audio is available here.
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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
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By my count, this is the 5th video from the album so far, with at least two others (Ass On The Floor and Lookin’ For Love) in the works. Unbelievable effort really, and they’ve all been relatively decent which certainly makes it worth making more. Given that the album is recieving widespread praise too, there seems to be no reason to stop pushing the project.
This track is probably the most ‘hip-hop’ I’ve heard thus far from Last Train To Paris, being driven almost solely by a simple, open percussion line and a soul-sampled hook. Very minimal production, but one that will certainly appeal to the hip-hop fans, with a fittingly-simple video to further enhance that appeal. LTTP is released everywhere next week.
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Another very fitting video from the Dirty Money trio. Diddy, Dawn and Kalenna put together a deserted, lonely and searching video that fits with the bittersweet nature of the audio, and adds a well-rounded set of visuals to their most ‘complete’ song to date.
The isolation adds further emphasis to Diddy’s rhymes, which as mentioned when reviewing the audio, are surprisingly heartfelt and sincere. Not packing videos with complex storylines and thematics tends to retain the identity of the audio/lyrics, and doesn’t muddle that image with additional messages: it’s the right move for this track, as the simple and effective visuals add weight to the tone and vibe of the track.
Audio can be found here.
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Swizz Beatz hits us up with his latest Monster Monday track, this time with Dirty Money taking the spotlight, and I can’t really say I’m much of a fan of this in all honesty. The track to me seems to be a little over-produced if anything, and its definitely a case of less would be more. However, it has to be said that I’m starting to warm to Swizz’s hooks, and once again he’s delivered one that’s bound to stick in your head throughout the day.
Download the track for free from here
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Well, there’s no shortage of things to talk about on this one. First off, there are plenty of cameos: on first watch, I picked up Rick Ross, Dawn Richard, Faith Evans, JoJo, Polow Da Don and Lloyd. Always nice to see lots of artists coming together.
Secondly, I’m not sure Keri has done a video/song as ‘promiscuous’ as this one: there’s no lack of skin and, er, gyrating/thrusting. I didn’t quite pick up on it when the audio was released, but the lyrics are pretty ‘sexually honest’ too, and it’s undoubtedly her riskiest effort to date. Personally, I don’t think she needed to go down this route, but there we are.
The final point would be that despite the heavy sexual emphasis, there is actually some semblance of a story going on, which is respectable. It’s a shame (or not, if I’m honest) that it’s lost amidst a sea of smut. Audio is here.
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Whilst the rest of the music world seems to have taken a much-needed breather this week (album releases aside), there’s been no shortage of new and/or unreleased R&B and pop material in the 76th instalment of R&B Fridays.
The week has already seen a great new video from Tank, two new remixes from T-Pain, a captivating video for Bruno Mars’ Grenade, the UK’s own Chipmunk working with Chris Brown, another release from Trey Songz’s upcoming mixtape, Keri Hilson and Kanye West getting together for a new remix, Keyshia Cole and Nicki Minaj’s collabo video, and the unexpected release of a John Legend and Estelle EP.
Lots up there, and lots down below. Click on.
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 76
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It’s always exciting when this happens. Although this demo actually leaked before the final Dirty Money version, it only struck me what it was after listening to the DM track.
Aside from having Cole on the verses in place of Diddy, the track is the same from a production and hook standpoint. It’s interesting how a change of personnel can really alter the feel of a track: it feels much closer to a hip-hop track with Cole involved, and it’s a shame they didn’t retain at least one of his verses. Quite surprisingly though, Diddy’s 2nd verse is probably stronger than Cole’s by virtue of having a much more personal touch. However, Cole does a great job with his first verse, and as previously stated adds a much stronger hip-hop vibe.
J. Cole-I’m Coming Home (Demo) ft. Dirty Money
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Premiered at a Major League Baseball game earlier today, the latest release from Last Train To Paris represents a marked change in direction for the trio.
Production-wise, a strong pop/R&B undercurrent manifests itself as an uplifting, motivational effort, with that core built on by some bittersweet raps from Diddy: many of the lyrics are regretful and reflective, particularly in the first two verses, but are delivered with a positive inflection that masks the gravity and emotion of them. Creatively, it’s the best move for this track as it meshes with the upbeat flavour of the production, adding consistency and flow to the track and allowing for a better segue into the comparative optimism of the final verse. It also builds to a well-delivered hook, as Dawn and Kalenna come through with uplifting, memorable vocal work. One of the stronger tracks from the trio, and probably the most rounded as a song.
Dirty Money-I’m Coming Home
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A strong choice for their next single, the Dirty Money trio and Drake drop off a decent video that fits the audio nicely.
The track has a very lonely, inner voice feel and that’s emphasised well here with the various isolated Diddy scenes, alongside the blank, lifeless colour schemes and scenery utilised throughout. I’ve developed a lot of appreciation for Drake’s verse in this track, and if you actually give it a good listen it’s got some very poignant lines: specifically, I really liked ‘how come every time that you’re suspicious I’m a liar?’.
Audio can be smuggled out of here.
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Lots of things I could pick out in this week’s episode, but probably the most prominent would be the features: there are lots of them! A couple of unexpected ones too, including Asher Roth’s first appearance in R&B Fridays.
Warm yourself up for this episode with some help from Bruno Mars and Nicki Minaj: watch Bruno Mars perform some classics, listen to Bruno collab with Damian Marley, and enjoy a cover version of Just The Way You Are. Then, grab a great Nicki-featured collabo, listen to her next single from Pink Friday, and finally catch her blended with La Roux and Colin Munroe.
Head below for this week’s instalment of the internet’s favourite R&B series.
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 67
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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
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Visuals for the official remix to Dirty Money’s smash hit. Gave this a quick run-through, and I have to admit that I love Nicki Minaj. She’s genuinely very funny, her facial expressions never fail to amuse. She’s not bad to look at in this one either.
Her flow on this is pretty ridiculous too, and whilst her rapping isn’t always amazing, she deserves credit for her versatility as she doesn’t just stick to one flow unlike most mainstream rappers.
Audio is here.
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Many of your Fridays have been centered around this OTU institution, and I’m glad to deliver this 50th episode of the hugely popular series. I’ve enjoyed writing it as much as you have reading it.
Before you see what’s in store this week, I’ve actually sprinkled a lot of R&B in other posts this week to build up some R&B love prior to this episode that you should check for. First off, go here for Ne-Yo’s new single. After that, check out the final version of Alicia Keys’ Rapture, Estelle’s latest single, a superb track from The-Dream, amongst other R&B-influenced tracks that have been posted.
Done all that? Good on you. Time to get the rest!
→ Continue Reading R&B Fridays: Episode 50
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As you can guess, I’ve got a fair few tracks built up from my hiatus, but I’ll ease us all back into it with this number. It’s supposedly an unfinished demo, but still sounds decent. It’s a more uptempo effort than some of their other leaks, although not quite as obviously club as Love Come Down.
It’s a good track, but for me isn’t as good as Hair Down, which I’m still loving to bits and is probably going to be hard to top. Worth picking up though, as it’s yet another switch in style for the trio, and they make this one work too. These guys are proving to be rather versatile.
Dirty Money-Strobe Lights ft. Lil’ Wayne
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I dropped the ball a bit here. I thought I’d posted most of these up, and clearly I was wrong. Oh well. Click below to help yourself to some more brainless party music, some of which could be playing in a club near you soon.
→ Continue Reading Another Long Overdue Club Music Post
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I was enjoying this track when it dropped, and the video does it justice. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but fits the track well enough and will make you want to go back and listen to the track again.
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A new Diddy/Dirty Money video for the track Angels. To pick up another Dirty Money track (and find out who else is in the group!), specifically club-banger Love Come Down, click here.
As well as that, there are a couple of new Papoose videos which are worth a watch (purely because it’s so rare to find him making music videos!).
You will not want to miss out on seeing Diddy do something so different…so click on.
→ Continue Reading New Videos From Diddy/Dirty Money and Papoose
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