G-Magazine Now

SONG REVIEW: "Love Again" by Tweet

 

R&B songbird Tweet, a.k.a. Charlene Keys, has been absent from the mainstream for four years.  A new album titled Love, Tweet has been hyped up since 2008 with false promises of a release.  Fans like us could not wait for a follow-up to the disappointing sophomore effort Its' Me Again.  Leaked tracks "Anymore" and "Real Lady" were the rumored first singles in early 2008.  Since then, the news about a new album being on the horizon was quieted.  Now, a new song "Love Again" has surfaced.  It is not confirmed as a single for the upcoming Love, Tweet, which now has a May 2010 release date, but it sounds like a great slow jam, almost like an extended interlude.

Check out "Love" as it will keep us Tweet fans anticipating for a new album just a little while longer.

 

Play "Love Again" by Tweet

SONG REVIEW: "Black Culture" by Beyonce

There is no telling with R&B/pop diva Beyonce calls herself doing with this leaked tune "Black Culture."  Initially, the title sounds like a song where Beyonce can sing some serious lyrics for a change, but that is where the joke lies.  It's merely a throwaway, unfinished track that refers hooking up at a party to Black culture.  Huh?

By the way, I almost forgot to mention the beat with Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" sample is hot.

 

Play "Black Culture" by Beyonce

What Is Actually Going To Appear On Toni Braxton's Pulse Album?

 

R&B diva Toni Braxton, who is one of my all-time favorite singers, plans to release the long-awaited album Pulse in February 2010.  Pulse's first single "Yesterday," featuring labelmate Trey Songz on the remix, has ascended to #12 from #51 on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts this week.  Since the song's September release, so much material has been leaked from the upcoming album's recording sessions. Thus, I wonder what will actually make the final cut.

Like most fans and critics, "Yesterday," especially the remixed version, was a poor choice for the first single.  Comparing that to prior albums' first single such as "You're Makin' Me High," "He Wasn't Man Enough" and "Please," the song does not proclaim that Ms. Braxton is here and has became a threat to her competition.  From all the tracks that have leaked so far, "My Ring" would have been the best choice to cement the announcement of Toni Braxton's comeback after two under-performing albums.  "I Hate Love" and "Stay" would be great follow-up singles, especially as crossover hits, but "Ring" has that anthem vibe for all the women (and men) in good relationships despite the irony of her own marriage in demise.

Overall, the collection that leaked so far has some gems in there.  Hopefully, we will get an album similar to The Heat or the underrated Libra.  Of course, Secrets is Toni's best and of the 90's, but that was a different Toni, and I'm not sure if she is in that state of mind.

Check out all the tunes below and suggest what would make great singles.

Play "Get Loose"

Play "Clockwork"

Play "Melt (Like An Iceberg)"

Play "I Hate Love"

Play "Don't Leave"

SONG REVIEW: "We're Gonna Make It" by Mary J. Blige (featuring Jazmine Sullivan)

 

This duet is a R&B hit in the making.  R&B queen Mary J. Blige teams up with starlet Jazmine Sullivan in the liberating "We're Gonna Make It."  While both woman wail throughout the song where it is impossible to differentiate the voices at times.  Overall, the tune defines another classic empowered Mary song.

 

Play "Gonna Make It" (featuring Jazmine Sullivan)

SONG REVIEW: "I Love You" by Usher

 

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Play "I Love You" by Usher

SONG REVIEW: "She's Got It" by Usher (by Rico Love)

R&B crooner Usher is working on his comeback after a disappointing reception of his 2008 album Here I Stand.  Here comes a newly leaked track called "She's Got It" which features rapper/singer Rico Love, who is one of his proteges.  The uptempo number sounds like a great album track.  Only one can wonder what the overall theme of his new album Raymond Vs. Raymond and whether this song would fit.  Usher has had plenty of great unreleased material that did not make Stand.  Let's hope the mistake will not be repeated for this track and the previously leaked "More."

 

Play "She's Got It"

SONG REVIEW: "Special" by Snoop Dogg (featuring Brandy & Pharrell)

California rapper Snoop Dogg is a legend in hip-hop for one of several good reasons.  Once he has that hit-making chemistry with a top producer (i.e., Dr. Dre and Pharrell), he comes back to them for more hits in his new projects.  After creating #1 hits with "Beautiful" and "Drop It Like It's Hot," Pharrell produces this hot new hip-hop love ballad "Special" with R&B diva Brandy.  The trio makes magic on the midtempo ballad.

Though it is rumored to be a single from the upcoming album Malice In Wonderland, the jam sounds great as a summer cut.

 

Play "Special"

R&B Diva Brandy Goes Hard With Her Rap Alter-Ego "Bran'Nu"

In 2009, R&B icon Brandy has proven to be one of the most talented songbirds of today.  With two powerful a capella renditions of soul music classics YouTube, the buzz and anticipation grew immensely for a real comeback for this R&B starlet.  You may not believe this, but Brandy's rap skills are as strong as her vocals.  She delivers severe rap flows sounding reminiscent of hip-hop divas Eve and Lil' Kim during their best years on Timbaland's new Shock Value II album.  Are you doubtful?  Check out the tunes "Meet In The Middle" and "Play."

Play "Meet In Tha Middle" (w/ Timbaland)

 

"Play" Symphony (w/ Timbaland, Attitude & D.O.E.)

 

Will she incorporate her masterful hidden talent on her upcoming album?

After hearing Brandy's sharp skills as a R&B singing rapper, divas who tried years ago such as Beyonce, Monica, Mary J. Blige and Rihanna can forget about following suit.  It is a wrap for them.  Even Lil' Kim, Eve, Trina and Foxy Brown can fall back because Brandy shut that game down.

SONG REVIEW: "I Love You" by Chris Brown (featuring Ester Dean)

Many talented stars have tarnished their at one time or another.  From Michael Jackson to Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson to Usher, their fans have forgiven them for their indiscretions that have cost them their own career setbacks.  With his February 2009 domestic abuse situation behind him, R&B singer Chris Brown preps his Graffiti album which includes this jolly love song "I Love You."  As part of the extended deluxe version of the album release, "Love" is cute, simple, light, delectable, etc., having all the ingredients of a guarantee radio hit.

At first listen, the accordion instrumentation sounds out of place, but it made such a sweet tune magical.  Though newcomer pop singer Ester Dean sounds very good as the guest vocalist, would it not be twice as hot if the female vocals were such by pop diva Rihanna?

Play "I Love You" 

SONG REVIEW: "Pop That P*ssy" by Lil' Jon

Crunk rapper Lil' Jon makes music strictly for the strip joints and hood clubs. Despite the amount of vulgarity in his work, Jon's tunes have become radio hits.  It might be a safe bet that the newly-leaked "Pop That P*ssy" will not be one of those radio-friendly hits due to the title, but its catchy beat and melodic, misogynistic hooks could easily become an anthem in the strip clubs.

 

Play "Pop That P*ssy"