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A Rhyme: "Next To Me" - Emeli Sandé

With a voice that sounds like a cross between Beyonce and Leona Lewis and a sound soulful and reminiscent of the orchestral elements of the Motown era, Emeli Sandé brings a classic sound to a genre that's populated by the latest innovations, with "Next To Me". Her refreshing vocals on the chorus soar into a smooth falsetto. Sandé has the kind of vocals that sooth the listener and still makes the song comfortable enough for you to get into the groove.

Like, Leona Lewis, Sandé hails from the U.K. and has the chops to go up against her and many other contemporaries. She currently has the U.K.'s biggest selling debut album of 2012 called Our Version of Events with good reason. The album is currently out stateside.



Source: EmeliSandeVEVO

A Rhyme: "Put It Down" - Brandy feat. Chris Brown

Brandy released the lead single from her new album "Two Eleven", due in May. The employs techniques used on R&B and Hip-Hop songs as of late--auto tune, rapid repetition, and other vocal manipulation techniques like stuttering and deepening of the voice. Chris Brown provides a rap in the bridge, different from how most would expect to hear him on a record.

The song isn't necessarily a club song but it can generate a nice dance video if need be. Chris could definitely have a routine in the video and it wouldn't be out of place. "Put It Down" doesn't sound much like what is on the radio as far as the instrumental is concerned but the repetition should make it good radio fare.

A Rhyme: "Fantasies" - Bootleg feat. Left Eye

Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes passed away ten years ago today and a song released by German label Block Starz Music leaked yesterday. The song is characterized by a smooth beat with a sweet flute and a steady protools beat. Left Eye's rapping is different than was usually characteristic of her--it is deeper and a more rugged, probably because around that time she was developing music under the persona of N.I.N.A. That version of Left Eye was on Suge Knight's Death Row records.

For that reason, this song is a departure from what people knew of Left Eye during her TLC days. It offers a glimpse of the type of music the rapper would have released had she not had that fatal plane crash a decade ago.



Source: Creative Loafing Atlanta

Video: "...Baby One More Time" - Tony Lucca

On tonight's episode of NBC reality singing competition The Voice, contestant Tony Lucca performed a cover of former MMC cast mate Britney Spears' 1998 song, "...Baby One More Time". Giving the song a completely new and different take, Tony put a southern rock spin on the bubblegum pop tune. The performance showed that he clearly made the song his own and well suited to his own style. Tony brought new life into the track making it more current and diverse while still doing the original version justice.

A Rhyme: "Every Single Night" - Fiona Apple

Fiona Apple released her first new song since 2005 today called "Every Single Night". The music is minimal only becoming enchanted during the chorus with backing vocals coming in behind Fiona's. With little instrumentation, Fiona's words are what needs to be payed attention to.  Her vocals on the song are like a cabaret singer allowing listeners to hear every blip in her delivery--it makes her more raw, something that she is known for.

The song comes from her latest release, The Idler the Wheel is wiser than the Driver of the Screw, and Whipper Chords will serve more than Ropes will ever do. It's lengthy title is reminiscent of her 1999 album When the Pawn... which has a much lengthier title. "Every Single Night"'s lulluby-esque tone makes it soothing but the punch in the chorus makes you really listen.

A Rhyme: "Party Girl" - Asher Roth Feat. Meek Mill

"I Love College" rapper Asher Roth returns with his new song about a girl who likes to party. Aptly titled "Party Girl," it samples Eddie Murphy's 80's hit "Party All The Time". Asher still has connections to college-oriented music with this song describing the party antics of a stereotypical college frat girl.

Backed by a club-dupstep based beat, it makes for a good track that any party girl would want to dance to. The song also serves to introduce younger audiences to the fact that yes, Eddie Murphy did attempt to sing at some point. It's good, it's straight forward and the rap provided by Meek Mill helps make it more hip-hop and less typically pop appealing to the college crowed. It's not necessarily mainstream but neither is Asher Roth.

A Rhyme: "Big Hoops (Bigger The Better)" - Nelly Furtado

With the release of a lyric video on VEVO, Nelly Furtado returns  to the scene for the first time since 2006's Loose with her new single about hoop earrings. It's a club song that focuses on a typical premise of a girl trying to catch a guy's eye. While that may seem like nothing new, what is new is the techniques Nelly used on this song compared to how we last heard her. Produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Nelly utilizes vocal manipulation not only through the ever-popular autotune but also on her own. The singer echoes current pop staple Rihanna, feigning a Caribbean accent on the track.

The most interesting part of the song comes in the last minute when the music stops and after a few words from Nelly and the chorus repeats with a fast-paced 90's-esque rave track racing in the background. That's something refreshing to hear considering it could have gone a more predictable route and launched into a dupstep break down. Even though the song is nothing especially different to what's on the radio now, it is different enough to stand out.

A Rhyme: "Lost" - Gorilla Zoe

Gorilla Zoe’s most popular track is undoubtedly “Lost” form his March 2009 album Don’t Feed Da Animals.  Like many artists, his song is about being lost in the business. He has his go-to vices to keep him sane: purple and a chick he met in the club. The words in the song smoothly flow from ear to ear with the slick familiar hip-hop beat in the background and a female vocalist that echoes more of the R&B genre.

This isn’t the most typical hip-hop song but it’s not completely original. Yet it still goes a little deeper than the usual: rapping about money, cars, girls, and the like. It’s a song anyone who is feeling at least somewhat overwhelmed can relate to.  And the song actually tells a story making it more relevant.

Image Credit: Bad Boy South, Block, Atlantic

A Rhyme: "Bright Lights" - Gary Clark Jr.

Upon first hearing Clark's "Bright Lights", you might mistake it for a blues song from the peak of the genre during the 40's and 50's. But once the smooth electric guitar joins in you'll recognize that this is something of a more recent caliber.

Clark sings about a city's social scene blowing up his ego and him not caring. And he shouldn't. With guitar skills like those showcased on the bridge that take years of training to perfect, he seems to have mastered it well. The crooner's solo sounds smooth but still gritty enough to for the listener to believe he's taken time to make it to this city where he's determined for you to know his name.

Image credit: rollingstone.com

A Rhyme: "Delusional" - Simon Curtis

From Simon Curtis' debut album released on his own independent label in March of last year, "Delusional" showcases electronic elements prevalent on 8Bit Heart. The first verse gives the impression that the song may focus on naysayers who write Curtis off as someone who won't make it in the music business:

Here's to all the people who've been trying to keep me down
Got their fingers in my collar trying to turn me all around
I find it so funny to hear how much they hate
Try to push me to the ground then say they love me to my face
Say what you mean and don't try to deceive me
I so want to believe it, yes I want to, yes I do
Say what you want and don't try to prolong it
If you want to so-long it, then I want you to, yes I do

This can be thought into the second verse where Curtis proclaims "Now I know you're gonna try to say I stole this verse from Tim'..." (though his voice is more reminiscent of Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys, his musical styling is more in line with Justin Timberlake's) but the rest of the verse suggests he's really referring to a lover who left him for someone else. Whether this lover is a man or a woman is up for debate, as there is speculation if the singer is gay. All that aside "Delusional" is a song that easily fits into the current atmosphere of music, which is why 8Bit Heart was downloaded 150,000 times since its release.

Source: Billboard.com, simon-curtis.com

Picture credit: simon-curtis.com

A Rhyme: "Moves Like Jagger" - Maroon 5 feat Christina Aguilera

The new single from Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera, "Moves Like Jagger" debuted today much to eager Xtina fans' delight. The song is infectiously catchy and relies heavily on it's funky disco-esque beat that is characteristic of some of Maroon 5's songs. Adam Levine's voice is smooth along side the notable guitar. (Which might echo Party In The USA from two summers ago). Aguilera supplies guest vocals on the bridge and announces her arrival on the track with her signature vocal stylings and gives the song a fresh feminine take. Though The Voice judges often bud heads on the show, they show great chemistry here. It's a tune that is sure to be something of a summer smash.

Listen:

A Rhyme: "Strawberry Wine" - Deana Carter

The debut single "Strawberry Wine", from country crooner Deana Carter, was released in 1996 from her debut album Did I Shave My Legs For This?. Before being recorded the year earlier, songwriter Matraca Berg shopped it around to labels but was shut down by companies who insisted the song was too long and controversial. Carter recorded the song and it became the most successful song of her career.

Listening to the song and viewing the lyrics, you get a sense of just how special the hometown is for the speaker (which is not necessarily Carter, since Berg wrote the song based on her experience growing up in Luck, Wisconsin). It's where she lost her innocence and first fell in love. Carter sings the song in a way that makes her fondness believable even though the fields become overgrown so many years later. The song has remained one of the most popular country tunes and was later covered in 2006 by country duo The Wreckers.

Picture credit: amazon.com

A Riff: How Hip-Hop Wasn't My Thing

When I was younger, I never used to listen to Hip-Hop/Rap. You could say that I never grew up, but while most of my peers had moved on past the era of 2000s bubblegum pop, I stayed with it and continued listening to the genre and found myself listening to, and liking my local hits and top-40 radio stations. During this time period I even found myself moving into country music and liking it as well. I didn't think this was a bad thing until my peers started talking about artists I knew nothing about. Lil' Fizz--who is that? Hip-Hop and R&B were out of my realm. The only time I was exposed to R&B was in the car when my mom had it on those stations (that was when R&B was good. I still prefer '90s R&B over today's any day.)

Lil' Fizz, member of the boy band B2K, that split in 2004

When I would ask "Who is that?" I would get a flurry of "You don't know who____is?!" It made me feel embarrassed. Then when the conversation came to "Who is your favorite singer?" or "What kind of music do you listen to?" my answers would be criticized. Don't let me bring up the fact that i listened to country music, because as many people know, apparently country music is a forsaken genre. It just doesn't have the mass appeal that other genres do. But I did bring it up and that pretty much stopped the conversation. Unless there was a "Why do you like it? I can't relate to it." It's not about relating to it, I don't related to agriculture being my way of living either, nor do I relate to drug dealing and lusting after women. And since that had such a terrible reaction, I dare not tell them who my favorite singer is. (See my twitter and you will quickly find out who it is.)

A certain...Fatale

Recently, however I have liked Hip-Hop and R&B mostly due to me just being exposed to it more. Undoubtedly the best artist out right now is Eminem. simply because he is so refreshingly honest and raw at the same time, plus, there are not antics. Em just is. And now I like the Hip-Hop genre and R&B too. There is room for Pop and Hip-Hop both in my repertoire.

Image Credit: Randee St. Nicholas, bestylistik.com

A Rhyme: "Turning Tables" - Adele

A song that makes you feel vulnerable is one of the best. "Turning Tables" by Adele is one of those songs. On her second studio effort, 21, Adele took inspiration from her past relationship which is how she wrote songs like this one. Because this song is so well written, her voice does all the explaining necessary, evoking emotion that can only be felt if you have experienced the lyrics. The way Adele sings the lyrics and the way the song is written make it an effective listen.

A Rhyme: "Since I've Been Loving You" - Led Zeppelin

Valentine's Day is here and what better way to celebrate than with a love song!

From the album, III, released in October of 1970, "Since I've Been Loving You" is a blues-rock song about a man in love. Thought it may seem so on the surface, this song isn't just any typical love song. Basically a guy is so in love with his woman, but since they have fallen for each other she's driven him crazy. Listening to the track you can definitely feel the sanity leaving Robert Plant's body. He's worried that his lover hasn't been treating him well--at least that's what everybody is trying to tell him.

This is a popular song of the band's and has been covered by British singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae albeit in a modified slower, more relaxed version. The classic can be found below.



Image credit: Atlantic Records

A Rhyme: "There Is No Arizona" - Jamie O'Neal

Released in 2000 with the singer's debut album Shiver, Jamie O' Neal's "There Is No Arizona" remains one of her most popular tracks to date. I first heard this song probably a year after it was released when my grandpa started listening to country radio in the car. After that, I would watch GAC and see the video. Ever since then, I have loved the song. I came across it again recently and bought it from iTunes and upon listening to it again, I've truly understood what it is about.

The gist of the story is that a guy promises to take his girlfriend to Arizona where they'll live out the rest of their lives together and all their dreams will come true. As it turns out, he goes there without her leaving her waiting for him until one day, it dawns on her that he isn't coming back. The reason why this song is so poignant is because of the way the writers decided to relay the fact that a guy had promised his girl these dreams and now they were never going to be realized. They simply say that the hopes will never be true because Arizona doesn't exist. O'Neal does a great job of conveying the emotion evicted in the song. I feel it every time.

Image Credit: Mercury Nashville

Music Video: F**kin' Perfect - P!nk

The latest single from P!nk's first greatest hits compilation, Greatest Hits...So Far!!!, is one of those songs that is meant to let listeners know that they are just right the way they are. It's a cliche topic that has been written about numerous times but with P!nk, an artist known for sticking up for the underdogs (see her last smash "Raise Your Glass" ), you get the feeling that she is being genuine. In fact P!nk says in a message on her website how important the meaning of this video and song is:

"Making this video was a very emotional experience for me, as was writing this song. I have a life inside of me, and I want her or him to know that I will accept him or her with open and loving and welcoming arms."

The video displays a chilling image of a cutting; even I, who isn't usually move by such a thing since I see it shown in the media and on television so often, was put a little off center by the image. The message of the video is clear by the end of the clip: you are perfect to those who love you.

Check out the video below. What's your reaction to the chilling scenes?



Credit: pinkspage.com

A Rhyme: "Voodoo" - Alexz Johnson

Many know Alexz Johnson from the hit TV shows Instant Star and So Weird but Johnson's true passion is singing and that she does well on her debut disc. The title track, "Voodoo", is essentially about Johnson wondering what mystical or emotional power has her falling for her guy. If you're listening to the song thinking it'll sound like a tune from Jude Harrison (Johnson's Instant Star character) then you may be disappointed. Many site the song and the LP as a huge departure from the singer's TV show songs and I have to agree.

I came upon "Voodoo" when I was on the Internet one day and thought, "I wonder what ever happened to that album Alexz Johnson was supposed to be recording." I went to her official site, clicked on "Voodoo" and immediately loved the song. After streaming the album on alexzjohnson.com I downloaded the album from iTunes and have been playing the LP practically non-stop. Check out the title track below.



Picture Credit: Wikipedia

A Rhyme: "Red" - Daniel Merriweather

Released on Colombia records, "Red" is actually Daniel Merriweather's second single from his sophomore album, Love & War. The song debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 5, Merriweather's second top 10 single. The singer says "Red is a song "about the blindness of war and the absence of compassion displayed by western administrations."

Currently featured as a Vh1 "You Oughta Know" artist, his song has been playing quite often on Jump Start in the morning. It was there that I first heard the song and liked it ever since. I'd describe Daniel Merriweather as a male version of British songstress Adele. If you like her song, "Chasing Pavements" you'll probably like this song too. Check it out below!

Source: Wikipedia