G-Magazine Now

ALBUM REVIEW: Timbaland's "Shock Value II"

 

Hip-hop-turned-electro pop rapper/producer Timbaland abandoned his humbly rich beginnings in hip-hop and has decided to travel fully into the world of pop music with his newly released Shock Value II.  Sufficiently, that may generate enough shock value; however, the barrage of collaborations working tremendously well as an album collective is a better shock.  Almost every track can stand alone as a hit-making single being pop friendly enough for radio without sounding too simple.

Since working with rock bands worked in the previous Shock Value album, Timbo enlists Daughtry, One Republic [again], The Fray and Chad Kroger (of Nickelback).  However, who would have put money on a track with Timbo and corny teen country-pop star Miley Cyrus sounding very good?  Here is another shocker; R&B singer Brandy, a.k.a. Bran' Nu, can rhyme her tail off.  Check out "Meet In The Middle" and "Symphony."

 

Play "Meet In Tha Middle" (Feat. Bran' Nu)

Play "Ease Off The Liquor"

Play "We Belong To Music" (featuring Miley Cyrus)

Play "The One I Love" (featuring Keri Hilson & D.O.E.)

Play "Carry Out" (featuring Justin Timberlake)

Play "Lose Control" (featuring JoJo)

Play "Can You Feel It" (Feat. Esthero & Sebastian)

Play "Long Way Down" (featuring Daughtry)

Taylor Gets Love From American Music Awards' Nominations; Kanye Gets Snubbed

Apparently, rapper Kanye West's mean-spirited antics towards country-pop darling Taylor Swift affected his eligibility in the nominations of the 2009 American Music Awards.  The popular rapper, whose 2008 album 808's & Heartbreak became a best-seller with three top 10 singles, was shut out from the nominations in favor of less successful hip-hop artists Jay-Z, T.I. and Eminem.

So far Alicia Keys, The Black Eyed Peas, Jennifer Lopez, and Adam Lambert have signed on to perform at the event, set to take place Sunday, November 22 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

The nominees for the 2009 American Music Awards are:

POP/ROCK MUSIC

Favorite Male Artist
Eminem
Michael Jackson
T.I.

Favorite Female Artist
Beyoncé
Lady Gaga
Taylor Swift

Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Black Eyed Peas
Kings of Leon
Nickelback

Favorite Album
Lady Gaga / Fame
Michael Jackson / Number Ones
Taylor Swift / Fearless

COUNTRY MUSIC

Favorite Male Artist
Jason Aldean
Darius Rucker
Keith Urban

Favorite Female Artist
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
Zac Brown Band

Favorite Album
Rascal Flatts/ Unstoppable
Taylor Swift / Fearless
Zac Brown Band / Foundation

RAP/HIP-HOP MUSIC

Favorite Male Artist
Eminem
Jay-Z
T. I.

Favorite Album
Eminem / Relapse
Jay-Z / Blueprint 3
T.I. / Paper Trail