G-Magazine Now: TIMBALAND

December 23, 2009

RANKED: 15 Hottest R&B & Hip-Hop Albums Of 2009

While many R&B and hip-hop albums were released in 2009, only a small handful made impressionable reactions from critics and fans. While some artists experimented with new sounds and deep, personal lyrics, other perfected their genre in singing and composition. Comprising of the finest in R&B, hip-hop and reggae, check out G-Magazine Now's top 15 albums of 2009.

15. Imperial Blaze by Sean Paul

a strong collection of the hottest sounds of dancehall reggae

14. Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel by Mariah Carey

a unapologetically youthful, edgier version of her classic 1997 Honey album

13. Love Vs. Money by The-Dream

a very polished, smooth southern R&B sophomore effort with hood love

12. The Ecstatic by Mos Def

an uncompromising east coast-flavored hip-hop album with one great rhyme after another

11. Man On The Moon: The End Of Day by Kid Cudi

one of the finest album debuts with Kanye West-inspired tracks and diverse subjects

10. Testimony: Vol: 2, Love & Politics by India.Arie

self-indulgent, self-loving, self-affirming and self-teaching collect of tunes at its best

9. Rated R by Rihanna

a genuine self-reflective work with an in-your-face, bad ass mentality

8. Turn Me Loose by Ledisi

once an underground R&B diva, now a commercially soulful starlet with even more sass

7. The Blueprint 3 by Jay-Z

the hip-hop king's outstanding thesis on why he deserves keeping the crown

Continue reading "RANKED: 15 Hottest R&B & Hip-Hop Albums Of 2009" »

Dec 23, 2009 1:51:02 PM | ALBUM REVIEWS, ALICIA KEYS, CHRISETTE MICHELE, INDIA.ARIE, JAY-Z, KID CUDI, LEDISI, MARIAH CAREY, MARY J. BLIGE, MAXWELL, MOS DEF, R&B MUSIC, RAP MUSIC, RIHANNA, SEAN PAUL, THE-DREAM, TIMBALAND, TREY SONGZ

December 11, 2009

Brandy Debuts Live Rapping Performance In Las Vegas

R&B diva Brandy performed as her rapping alter-ego Bran'Nu at Timbaland's Shock Value 2 album release party in Las Vegas over the weekend. Rhyming her verse on "Meet In The Middle," Ms. Norwood comes across sweeter on stage than she did on record. Though she performs greatly as a rapper on record, let's hope for a great new album from our beloved diva in 2010 that will bring her back to the top of the charts.

Enjoy!

Dec 11, 2009 2:24:00 AM | BRANDY, LIVE PERFORMANCES, TIMBALAND

December 03, 2009

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)

Dec 3, 2009 1:45:00 AM | ALBUM REVIEWS, BRANDY, D.O.E., DAUGHTRY, ESTHERO, JOJO, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, KERI HILSON, MILEY CYRUS, POP MUSIC, SEBASTIAN, TIMBALAND

December 01, 2009

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.