This week has seen some superb music video releases in the pop, R&B and soul world and that mini-revival continues with a solid offering in this week’s R&B instalment.
This week’s episode aims to definitively prove the age-old belief that size really doesn’t matter, as whilst there isn’t as much content as usual, the artists that have turned up to the party are bringing some real quality with them.
The latest edition of #MonsterMondays is delivered in video format, and we’re treated to one of the better behind-the-scenes visuals of recent times.
The track itself was superb, and being able to really flesh out the messages, as well as seeing the work put into what seemed to just be another remix, is certainly an easy and enjoyable watch when you’re a fan of the audio.
The aforementioned audio can be walked out of here.
Believed to be a cut from Eminem’s 2004 album Encore (though some of the lyrics and delivery suggest it could be a lot more recent), we’re treated to a huge collaboration that could have comfortably stood out on any of Em’s albums, particularly Recovery.
The production is very captivating, with a solid percussion line anchoring the track, whilst wistful and orchestral-style melodies create a backdrop that suits Eminem’s thoughtful lyricism perfectly. He’s certainly on good form with his raps here, as he details his ‘addiction’ to hip-hop, and the consequential ‘side effects’ of fame on relationships and personality: hence, I think it may be a more recent track, as it fits the subject matter and lyrical style of his newer material. Alicia is on great form as ever, taking on this atmospheric beat brilliantly with her smooth vocals for both the hook and a verse of her own. Top all-round track, and it’s a huge loss that it wasn’t included on any albums…unless it’s set for an upcoming one.
Edit (Indi):Replaced with a stream, as this is an unauthorised leak that the Shady camp are unhappy with!
Swizz Beatz enlists his wonderfully-gifted wife for the latest, and possibly last, edition of #MonsterMondays. I say that as Swizzy has put up a voting system on the Monster Mondays site for fans to pick their favourite of the bunch.
As it turns out, this is quite possibly the best of the collection. Alicia delivers some of those typically superb vocals over Kanye West’s Devil In A New Dress, a soulful beat that is absolutely perfect for her style. The original had Kanye on a strong hip-hop vibe, and for Alicia to bring her soulful style and love-heavy perspective to the track makes for refreshing and enjoyable listening. Eve adds in even more diversity with her decent verse, and this is a remix that will certainly give the original a run for its money.
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.
Couple more of tracks from the potentially awesome remix album coming from Cookin’ Soul. Haven’t checked these out yet, but you can beat me to it (enjoying the previewer?) below.
Two very different and constrasting takes on the track. Crooked uses the beat to air his feelings on the new Death Row, amongst other things, whilst Wale opts to stay a little closer to the subject of the original and delivers some awesome introspective lyrics. Both worth checking out.
This is the last leak from Thank Me Later that we will be posting (miiight do one more), and my word is it a good one. Picking up from Unthinkable, this is a solemn, atmospheric and thoughtful track whereby they both bring their absolute best to the table. Alicia Keys delivers a fantastic hook, Drake brings some of his most personal rhymes to date, and the choice of beat is just like those that made me believe Drake would be a big deal (Lust For Life, Houstatlantavegas etc.) 18 months ago.
Utterly fantastic song, if you’re a fan of either artist you will love this. Best leak from the album thus far without question for me. Unmissable.
R&B Fridays fans will have picked this one up a couple of weeks ago. I mentioned then that the version there was rough, and you can grab the final, mastered version below. Will definitely be worth checking out, as even the rough version was really good.
Yup, the official remix folks – Drake actually lays down a verse on this, so if you were beginning to get bored of the original track, then rejoice and download this by clicking below.
Ajay Edit: Added the artwork for those of you into that sort of thing.
So first Mediafire doesn’t let me upload. Then, my laptop decides it doesn’t like my external hard drive anymore. Then when they kiss and make up, Mediafire just won’t work for me. Annoying.
Anyway, lots of interesting songs in this week’s episode. I say interesting as a couple of them have quite pertinent backgrounds/accompanying news, which will definitely be of interest to most R&B fans!
A whole bunch of diverse tracks in this one, I tried to keep it as mixed as possible with 15 different artists, seeing as we went Bruno Mars-centric last week. Big names (lots of these), upcoming names, collabos, singers, rappers and more: they’re all there and waiting for you after the click.
Undeniably the best track from Alicia’s album, I’ve been looking forward to a video ever since I first heard it. The behind-the-scenes footage definitely stoked that desire, and the video does not disappoint.
As with the recent Drake video there’s a really compelling story to this one, probably more so than the Drake one, with the timeline parallels creatively used as a storyline device and general depth of the song contributing to a superb visual treat. Decent acting in this too, Chad Michael Murray does a lot with very few words. Love the song (according to my Lastfm, my 2nd most played song in the last 12 months!), love the video. Keys looks pretty good in the video too, and hence I plan on proposing soon. You’re all invited to the wedding.
It’s been a superb week for really good music videos, as evidenced by the Drake one mentioned above, and also here, here, and over here.
This looks like it’s going to be rather good. Really interesting direction they seem to be taking with the track and they’re definitely putting some effort into this one, recruiting Chad Michael Murray for a role.
Can’t wait for the full video to drop, and we all the know the track itself is utterly fantastic. No sign of Drake for the video though, which sort of makes sense given that he wasn’t listed as an ‘official’ feature.
I want to marry Alicia Keys’ voice. If there was some way I could have my every move/action narrated back to me by her voice, I would sacrifice any one of you for that privilege.
A possible leak from Lasers, or an upcoming Alicia Keys track? It’s leaked as a Lupe track, but I’m not sure where this will end up. However, it is a collabo that I expect most of you will be frothing at the mouth for.
Produced by Chad Hugo of The Neptunes/N*E*R*D, this beat definitely has that classic Neptunes sound. As you can imagine, that suits Lupe just fine and it works for Alicia too. Lupe’s verses are good as ever, and he brings a great flow to this one. Alicia Keys does most of the work on the track, which leads me to believe it will end up being hers. Either way, definitely one to check out.
It’s been a Shyne-dominated week (scroll down for some throwback Shyne), and he jumps on a couple of the top R&B joints around. I haven’t checked either out yet, but Shyne fans will inevitably be looking to scout his verses (he drops two in each remix I’m told), whilst fans of the originals may like a remix to freshen up the original.
Not a collaboration I was expecting, but a pleasant surprise nonetheless. Produced by Cool and Dre, fans of either of these artists will certainly enjoy this, click on below to get hold of it.
The first episode of 2010 brings a nice blend of established and new artists this week, which makes a pleasant change from the recent R&B Friday domination by big names.
This episode includes a remix to one of my favourites songs of 2008, and other cracking tracks, coming in at a collective total of 19 tracks this week. There are a couple of names making comebacks in this post too, so be sure to click on and start the year off with plenty of music.
2009 was one hell of an interesting year. We saw the comeback of Eminem, albums by the 2 other big names of hip-hop in Jay-Z and 50 Cent, and once again we waited all year for Dr. Dre’s Detox which never came. It’s fair to say that despite this the year hasn’t been dominated by the big boys and we’ve seen a gradual change in hip hop – the gangsta rap of previous years has steadily evolved into what can be described as ‘Hip Hop Hipsters’. Kanye led the way back in 2004 and by 2009 the likes of Lupe Fiasco, Kid Cudi, Wale and Asher Roth have emerged.
Plenty of music this week from a nice mixture of current mainstream artists, and future stars. Keeping it varied with the styles too, as there’s some slower stuff and some of a higher tempo, there’s something for everyone after the click.
That’s what it is. 6 tracks I’ve collected over the last few days from a range of acts after the click. Mostly big names in this one, so be sure to grab this stuff, as it’s all pretty good too.
On picture duty for the 25th episode is a young newcomer who I am going to be tracking very closely, as he’s going to be huge: Bruno Mars was recently featured on B.o.B’s phenomenal “debut” single and is featured twice in this episode.
Leona Lewis, R. Kelly, Bobby Valentino and others provide tracks too, so click on and grab some goodness.
My bad, things got a bit out of schedule yesterday and I didn’t get time to put this up. Ah well, it’s here now. Usher and R. Kelly headline this episode, and with Ne-Yo, Alicia Keys, Jason Derulo and more following up, you know this a good episode. Big names and big tracks after the click.
Bit of a bittersweet moment here. First off, it’s R&B Fridays’ 20th so that’s cool. However, due to illness I’ve been unable to really make this a huge/crazy extravaganza, like I did for ep. 10. Woops.
With that said, it’s still another great edition. Usher takes up 3 coveted spots this week as his new album nears, and there are tracks from Keri Hilson, Alicia Keys and more.
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