… of course it isn’t better than “The Boy Is Mine.” Back In 1998, “The Boy Is Mine” was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for an impressive thirteen weeks and landed both Brandy and Monica a Grammy.

Now in 2012 both talents are hungry for that type of success again. Produced by Rico Love, “It All Belongs to Me,” shows that both Monica and Brandy still have “it.” Mixing Hip-Hop, R&B, Rock and Soul in the safest form, both ladies are through with their boyfriends claiming the material possessions purchased by them.

First area of wrong is the name dropping of Apple and Facebook. That alone makes the song dated… Oh there’s a bit more but “The Boy Is Mine” was lightning in a bottle so we can’t be too hard. Overall “It All Belongs…” is decent but leaves a lot to be desired. Listen up after…

What’s so significant about the pairing of those two images above? Well, it was 2003 when Madonna took to the VMA stage with the top Pop female acts, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Fast forward almost nine years later to last evening’s Super Bowl halftime show and Madonna is paired with two of today’s top Pop mainstream acts. Still wandering the significance? The significance is the fact that she was the center then and she still is now. The point is Madonna is in a genre where age matters and she is still viewed as #1.

The almost thirteen minute flamboyant showing put on by the matriarch of Pop brought brought in 114 million viewers. It was the most watched halftime show in the history of the Super Bowl. Joined by LMFAO, Nicki Minaj, M.I.A. and Cee-Lo, Madonna mixed with a crop of the current radio fillers. Amidst the controversey by M.I.A. (the flipping of the finger) is a pool of positivity…

HOWEVER, we’re not just kissing behind on here. The energy was not electrifying. Fan or no fan, from the mediocre performance in “Give Me All Your Luvin’” song and video to last night’s halftime show Madonna is just not setting the atmosphere on fire. It was like she on cruise control. Nonetheless, the Queen of Pop put on an opulent visual for those 114 million viewers.

Also, listen below to the LMFAO remix to “Give Me All Of Your Luvin’.”

Andrae Sutherland bka Popcaan has released the video for his Smudge riddim tune, “Party Shot.”

The video is fun; partying, alcohol, girls in bikinis, y’know the cliché. This single has definite potential to flood the clubs with its nice melody.

M.I.A. did her esoteric thing back in 2010 with /\/\/\Y/\ but now she’s ready to claim back the mainstream crowd that she won over in the “Paper Planes” days, without altering her style.

Well put one down for M.I.A. because the Danja-produced single and Romain Gavras-directed video is exactly what M.I.A. needs. The single is Danja in his better form with the single’s Punjabi-like vibe.

The video is another political statement by the British born Sri-Lankan. M.I.A. slaps the Saudi Arabian laws in the face with this one. As women in that nation are prohibited from doing a lot of things, M.I.A. has the women dancing, riding in Nissans, Volvos and BMW’s with “not a fuxks given.” As Proph states, the style of driving in the video is hagwalah, very popular in that region. The bright colors of the lights and clothing contrast the dusty and bland desert setting. The simple choreographed dancing fits the tempo of the song quite well and M.I.A. riding on a diagonally placed Beamer could not be a better visual.

It looks as though M.I.A. will be serving the public an album with more widespread appeal than her last. Question though, how is it that M.I.A. is releasing another album and Rye Rye is still waiting on an official release date?

We were just across the way and saw this new song and video from Miguel entitled “Adorn.” The song and video is lifted from Art Dealer Chic, Vol. 1 due out on February 27. Holy smokes, this song is some sensual goodness.

“‘Adorn’ is the first visual projection i’ll release inspired by a series of dreams I recently had,” explained Miguel, who also painted the album’s artwork.

Just watch and listen after because this is too good.

Hi, hello, yes it is our first post for the new year. What else can we say…

What better way to start off the year, a month late, than with Madonna. The reigning matriarch of Pop has returned with a new era nearly four years since Hard Candy. The icon will release her twelfth studio album entitled MDNA on March 26. With over a month to go before the release of the album the era is already promising to be a good one.

The first blitz of the MDNA era occurs this Sunday. Madonna will give 12 minutes of her self to put on the “greatest (half-time)show” at Super Bowl XLVI. But before that happens the first single and video from the album have premiered.

“Give Me All Your Luvin’” is the first single to be lifted from MDNA and features M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj. The “hoity-toity” Madge has labeled all music out today as having a homogenized quality. She is not lying but at the same time “Give Me All Your Luvin’” isn’t the most original. The Martin Solveig-produced track sounds awfully similar to The Go-Go’s 1980 hit, “We Got The Beat.” The addition of Nicki Minaj is unnecessary and M.I.A. does not look so comfortable. However, Nicki Minaj never looked better wearing a black wig.  The single is definitely a grower and hopefully is just a warm-up to what will be a great album.

Now, as for the video, it’s cute, it’s camp and comes off as a thank you to the NFL for the halftime gig. The video opens with the true but cheesy lines, “Fans can make you famous, a contract can make you rich, the press can make you a superstar, but only luv can make you a player.” Madonna’s energy through out the video is quite mute compared to what we’re used to. Coming out the gates, it will give cause some to say oh, age is catching up with her… Anyway, the video is aight and the best bit about it is when she walks on the wall as she is held by the footballers.

Not one without controversy, Madonna has already gotten off to a hot start. Track number one, “Girls Gone Wild,” is being targeted by by Joe Francis for the song’s title being exact to his franchise…

iTunes has unveiled the official track list to MDNA and it seems promising:

1. Girls Gone Wild
2. Gang Bang
3. I’m Addicted
4. Some Girls
5. I Don’t Give A
6. Turn Up the Radio
7. Give Me All Your Luvin’ feat. M.I.A. & Nicki Minaj
8. B’day Song
9. Superstar
10. I’m a Sinner
11. Masterpiece
12. Falling Free
13. Love Spent
14. I Fucked Up
15. Beautiful Killer **Not “Beautiful Stranger” from Austin Powers…**

There will also be three additional (bonus)tracks for the Deluxe Edition. What else, hmmmm, oh there will be an announcement in the near future for Madonna’s next world tour. Madge’s promo game is tight this go round. Listen to the megamix which includes the unreleased “Girls Gone Wild” and “Turn Up the Radio” below.

Thanks to P-O-P-I-S-D-E-A-D, we can finally bring you, our viewers, a year’s end list of the best (by opinion) in music. What you are about to read is a list of the 50 best albums of 2011. It’s a mix of the best indie, “mindie” and mainstream collections of work put out by today’s brightest artists, artistes, musicians, entertainers, Pop acts, entertainers, etc… So join us and hit the jump for what we think is an unbiased list of 2011′s best.

50. Mac Miller – Blue Slide Park

Notes: One of the most impressive, consistent Hip-Hop debuts of 2011.

iPod food: “One Last Thing”

49. The Black Keys – El Camino

Notes: A wild, fun and ballsy follow up record from the indie heroes.

iPod food: “Gold On The Ceiling”

48. Ghostpoet – Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam

Notes: An introspective alternative hip hop debut from the promising Brit.

iPod food: “Us Against Whatever Ever”

47. Britney Spears – Femme Fatale

Notes: Ms. Spears best release since ‘Blackout’. An outstanding, experimental, forward-thinking pop record.

iPod food: “How I Roll”

46. Radiohead – King of Limbs

Notes: As expected, Radiohead delivers another exquisite album to rest alongside their acclaimed discography.

iPod food: “Lotus Flower”

45. Lights – Siberia

Notes: A surprisingly beautiful, electro-pop sophomore album from the Canadian singer. Might be the year’s most improved artist.

iPod food: “Siberia”

44. The Roots – Undun

Notes: Have The Roots ever made an album that wasn’t worthy of mention on a year-end list?

iPod food: “Make My”

43. Toro Y Moi – Underneath The Pine

Notes: Chillwave artist makes an amazing record to get blazed dance to.

iPod food: “New Beat”

42. Curren$y – Weekend at Burnie’s

Notes: On this release, tapped as a mixtape and an album, Curren$y matures and delivers his best release to date.

iPod food: “#jetsgo”

41. Washed Out – Within and Without

Notes: One of the year’s best electronic debuts.

iPod food: “Amor Fati”

40. St. Vincent – Strange Mercy

Notes: I never really ‘got’ St. Vincent’s music…before this album.

iPod food: “Cruel”

39. The Beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Committee: Part Two

Notes: The Hip Hop veterans, 30 odd years in the game, make their best album in ages. One of the most underrated hip hop albums of the year.

iPod food: “Too Many Rappers” feat. Nas

38. Anna Calvi – Anna Calvi

Notes: A moody, haunting, Mercury-Prize-nominated debut by the English chanteuse.

iPod food: “No More Words”

37. Feist – Metals

Notes: A gorgeously sung, heartbreaking album heavy on ballads detailing lost love, grief and sadness.

iPod food: “Caught a Long Wind”

36. Kendrick Lamar – Section.80

Notes: Lamar lives up to the hype and proves he is a force to be reckoned with on this impressive Hip-Hop debut.

iPod food: “Tammy’s Song (Her Evils)”

35. Tyler, The Creator – Goblin

Notes: The arguable new king of shock-rap returns with an album so misogynist, so obscene, so violent, so weird, so revolting, so controversial, so uncomfortably revealing…you can’t help but wonder if the joke is really on us. A fascinating self-examination on record.

iPod food: “Nightmare”

34. Frank Ocean – Nostalgia, Ultra

Notes: The eldest of the OFWGKTA-clan releases a mixtape that showcases his phenomenal talent for singing and songwriting. Might have one of the most anticipated records to come out next year.

iPod food: “Novacane”

33. Björk – Biophilia
Notes: Biophilia is the ambitious, multi-media brain child of everyone’s favourite Icelander. It may also be Bjork’s most ambitious musical offering yet. Using a plethora of custom-made instruments (including one that makes harmonies out of the Earth’s gravitational pull), Bjork is one of the few artists that would know how to use them to create these otherworldly tracks.

iPod food: “Mutual Core”

32. A$AP Rocky – LiveLoveA$AP

Notes: By far, the most spectacular, promising Hip-Hop mixtape of 2011 courtesy of the young Harlem native. I cannot wait to hear what else A$AP Rocky has in store for us in the new year!

iPod food: “Bass”

31. Cut Copy – Zonoscope

Notes: Another solid, colourful album from the Aussie electropop-masters. Would we expect anything less?

iPod food: “Blink and You’ll Miss a Revolution”

30. The War On Drugs – Slave Ambient

Notes: One of the most critically acclaimed rock albums of 2011, and deservedly so. Similar to last year’s “The Suburbs” by The Arcade Fire.

iPod food: “Come to the City”

29. TV On The Radio – Nine Types of Light

Notes: Another impressive album by the Indie gods. This one is a little more experimental than their earlier releases and it pays off!

iPod food: “New Cannonball Blues”

28. Zomby – Dedication

Notes: One of the most critically acclaimed artists of the post-dubstep movement makes a haunting, schizophrenic, minimal masterpiece on this largely instrumental album.

iPod food: “Mozaik”

27. Kasabian – Velociraptor!

Notes: Another stellar collection by the beloved rock act.

iPod food: “Neon Noon”

26. Saigon – The Greatest Story Never Told

Notes: Saigon finally released his forever-and-a-day delayed debut album and it may have the title of most critically acclaimed hip hop album of 2011. This is as close to ‘real’ hip hop as you’ll hear in the mainstream.

iPod food: “Come On Baby” feat. Jay-Z

25. Yuck – Yuck

Notes: Another critically acclaimed rock debut released this year, and deservedly so. Yuck transports me back to the 90s, they have a style that is somewhere between Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana. They also get the award for best band name.

iPod food: “Stutter”

24. Rustie – Glass Swords

Notes: A mesmerizing electronic debut this was. From beginning to end it is a sonic onslaught that never ceases to bring a smile to your face and a desire to dance. After releasing a few EPs, it was nice to finally have a full length by this promising artist.

iPod food: “Ultra Thizz”

23. Cults – Cults

Notes: I remember first listening to the entirety of this album riding the metro and being blown away by their 60s-nostalgic vibe. I personally think this was one of the strongest debuts in any genre this year.

iPod food: “You Know What I Mean”

22. SBTRKT – SBTRKT

Notes: The mystery of the man behind SBTRKT is appealing, though not nearly as intriguing as the music itself (which is a good thing). This horribly underrated electronic album explores 90s-era British dubstep, drum-and-bass, house, r&b and just about everything else. A really enjoyable listen!

iPod food: “Right Thing To Do”

21. Kate Bush – 50 Words for Snow

Notes: Veteran singer-songwriter Kate Bush recently released her tenth album in almost thirty-five years and it was expectedly brilliant. Bush seems to be only getting better with age on this experimental, wintery concept album.

iPod food: “Among Angels”

20. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues

Notes: A stunning, lush sonic adventure. This is the best the band has ever sounded. No year-end list would be complete without this one.

iPod food: “Lorelai”

19. Wilco – The Whole Love

Notes: An album that covers many different styles, Wilco has provided us with a memorable return-to-form.

iPod food: “Art Of Almost”

18. Katy B – On a Mission

Notes: Hot off the heels of two brilliant singles, Katy B, now the official queen of dubstep, crafted what turned out to be one of the best debuts of 2011. Armed with a beautiful voice, charisma and songwriting skills, expect this young lady to become a household name in the near future.

iPod food: “Katy On A Mission”

17. The Horrors – Skying

Notes: A top-notch, melancholic album by a band that sounds more like Radiohead than Radiohead does. An underrated gem.

iPod food: “Endless Blue”

16. Girls – Father, Son, Holy Ghost

Notes: This album as a whole sounds like a bi-polar, bluesy, hypersensitive romp through depression (or aggression). At one moment it is loud and electrifying, only to be followed up by a song so heartfelt and touching it could bring a tear to the eye. A laudable achievement.

iPod food: “Vomit”

15. John Maus – We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves

Notes: An expectantly weird album from the lo-fi crooner. This is not a record for everyone, but if you appreciate musical experimentation and boundary-pushing, look no further. This might also have to be my favorite album title of the year.

iPod food: “Keep Pushing On”

14. Metromony – The English Riviera

Notes: Finally listened to this album a few weeks ago and saw what all the hype was about. A hypnotic listen from beginning to end. What it lacks in production value is made up for in heart.

iPod food: “Corinne”

13. Das Racist – Relax

Notes: Though Das Racist may have started out as a joke, their album is seriously good. With lyrical sharpness, an eclectic, genre-bending musicality, the guys are at once hilarious, eye-opening and innovative. Now that is impressive. There is definitely more than meets the eye to this band. May be the “Arular” (via M.I.A.) of the ’10s.

iPod food: “Girl”

12. Lykke Li – Wounded Rhymes

Notes: I always knew Lykke Li was capable of something great. While her debut album was endearing, one couldn’t help but feel there was still a load of untapped potential there. Wounded Rhymes is the fulfillment of that promise. On this sweepingly gorgeous, wall-of-sound, soul-bearing album it’s hard not fall in love with the Swede. A beautiful record.

iPod food: “Love Out Of Lust”

11. Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch The Throne

Notes: It’s Jay-Z and Kanye West. Need I say more?

iPod food: “Otis”

10. Raphael Saadiq – Stone Rollin’
Notes: Raphael Saadiq is THE most underrated artist in R&B. Nobody in the genre consistently churns out phenomenal albums like he does. Stone Rollin is no exception, covering everything from country, jazz, soul, r&B and everything in between. Also of note is his voice, silky smooth and with a wide range, effortlessly gliding over the taut productions. He is the arguable leader of the retro soul movement now that Amy Winehouse has passed, though he does it with a flair that is uniquely his.

iPod food: “Just Don’t”

9. Little Dragon – Ritual Union
Notes: The Swedes have produced another stunning collection of songs that deal with themes related to love, fidelity and commitment. From start to finish, you will instantly be struck by the range of production and vocal techniques, not to mention the experimental instrumentation that the band is famous for. The band would not be the same without the vocal prowess of Yukimi Nagano, the lead vocalist who breathes life into the hypnotic productions.

iPod food: “Seconds”

8. Bon Iver – Bon Iver
Notes: This multi-Grammy-nominated album by Bon Iver is certainly his best album yet. It is a clear demonstration of his genius. An exceptional vocalist, songwriter, and producer, Iver is one of the most talented of our generation. He is a sensitive and sincere person which is exemplified throughout the album with devastating, and refreshing, candor. If this is any indication of what is to come in what is only a young career, we should be very, very enthusiastic of the prospect of even more masterpieces in the future.

iPod food: “Best/Rest”

7. Shabazz Palaces – Black Up

Notes: This was a massive release for underground hip hop. Being the first signed rappers on the Sub Pop record label, Shabazz Palaces seemingly came out of nowhere to deliver a landmark rap album that is so surreal, ghostly and ethereal, it plays almost like a dream with tracks melting into one another as if by magic. If Kanye hadn’t taken it earlier, the perfect name for this album would be My Dark Beautiful Twisted Fantasy. Alas, this is a bold and brilliant statement from a promising rap act.

iPod food: “An Echo From the Hosts That Profess Infinitum”

6. James Blake – James Blake
Notes: This is an album so uncomfortably introspective that it is best described as the aural equivalent to schizophrenia (or depression). Think of it as the post-dubstep cousin of The Eraser by Thom Yorke. Lyrics like “My brother and my sister don’t speak to me, and I don’t blame them” are sung with such pain that you just want to give the guy a hug after it’s all done. The minimal instrumentation and dark sonic landscape perfectly compliment Blake’s soulful vocoded vocals. Post-dubstep has officially arrived.

iPod food: “Limit To Your Love”

5. Adele – 21
Notes: The populists choice. Clearly Adele has achieved something great with her sophomore album, which is the best-selling album of 2011 (she also has the best-selling song), and her gimmick-free persona has resonated with millions. A frank, honest collection of heart-broken songs, this may be the best break-up album since Beck’s Sea Change. And let’s face it…she has one of the best voices in the game. What sets her apart from many of her contemporaries is the fact that her voice also conveys emotion, as opposed to just being another strong but passionless vocalist. This will be remembered as the album that shot Adele to super-stardom.

iPod food: “Set Fire To The Rain”

4. Drake – Take Care

Notes: Take Care is the album Drake should have made the first time around but perhaps it was necessary to go through an album cycle in order to draw on experiences for material for this new record. If you thought Drake was sensitive before, this album may make you think he needs some serious therapy. It is fascinating to hear Drake’s rise to stardom from his perspective, detailing encounters with gold-digging women, family issues, daddy abandonment, the dark side of fame, lost love and just about everything else. Love him or hate him, Drake looks as if he has a long career ahead of him. After making what turned out to be the best mainstream hip hop album of this year, he has proven himself to be a true artist.

iPod food: “The Ride” (feat. The Weeknd)

3. M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
Notes: This is an album dripping with nostalgia – a yearning for a childhood gone all too quickly. It has the ability to make you feel young again. Little on words and big on heart, these tracks are best heard from beginning to end, and are so imaginative (and moving), you may just encounter that feeling of wanting to be a kid again. Quite simply, a wonderful record.

iPod food: “Wait”

2. The Weeknd – House Of Balloons (Mixtape)
Notes: This is the future of music. A perfect blend of r&B, dubstep, pop, rock, hip hop all presented in a flawless package available to to everyone for no money, what’s not to love here? Released as a mixtape (but is arguably a full-length album) earlier this year, The Torontonians have created one of the best R&B records of this century, complete with silky smooth vocals, lyrics that reflect modern romance and top-notch production from a band that came out of nowhere. It was the most surprising and innovative release of this year.

iPod food: “The Party & The After Party”

1. PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
Notes: What is there to say about this album? On this, PJ Harvey’s 10th studio album, she and her band have truly outdone themselves. This happened to be one of the best-reviewed albums of 2011, and a personal favorite of mine since its release this past February. It was also the winner of the prestigious Mercury Prize (the second time PJ Harvey has won the award). Let England Shake transports you to the England of yesteryear where wars were fought and life was hard. This is not a protest album as much as it is a love/hate letter to her home country of England in what might now be considered the quintessential British album. It’s elegant lyrics reference war, violence, loss and alienation by comparing how it was then and how it is now as a British citizen. Her voice shifts effortlessly from a high-pitched shrill to a low, heartbreaking coo over complex arrangements that will haunt the listener long after the final song is played. This is an album that everyone can should appreciate; it is a timeless masterpiece that fully shows the musical genius of PJ Harvey. It is without a doubt the best album of 2011.

iPod food: “England”

There you have it, the top 50 albums of 2011. This was another year for great music which has us hoping for even more greatness in 2012.

Last year, 2010, Ke$ha released the surplus of an album to Animal entitled Cannibal. Ke$ha stepped outside of her Dance-Pop sound for three minutes and twenty six seconds and what a good time that was. It was producer Bangladesh and artist Andre 3000 who helped to deliver the super great “Sleazy.” Now, a little over a year, someone in Ke$ha’s camp realized how great this song is and decided to release this. But instead of releasing the original track the current version has been chalked up with new verses from your favorite rappers.

T.I., Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa and of course Andre 3000 hop on the remix of the urban bass banga. Not that it needed the assistance but we’re sure these features will give the single a whole new life and give it a push on the charts. Plus, this has reignited the interest in Ke$ha just in time for her sophomore, due in Spring of 2012. Oh, check T.I.’s flow…

Of the handful of people who accused Lady GaGa of biting their style a couple of years ago, Irish artiste Róisín Murphy was one of them. Since the claims and a few loose single releases (“Orally Fixated“) Murphy has been somewhat quiet. That’s changed with the recent release of her song entitled “Simulation.”

Similar to “Orally…” the song is retro, disco and plain erotic. Lead by sex, the nine minute and ten seconds song is spread out with Murphy moaning and groaning over the bass thumping beat. We must say, the style of music does not match Murphy’s natural look. Like they say, looks can be deceiving, get NASTY after…

Anthony Hamilton has returned with a new album entitled Back To Love. Dear Lord, the topic of love will never go away but it’s okay because the artists do it justice with their multi-minute sonic pieces. Back To Love features many highlights and makes for a solid effort. However, we can’t get over how oddly familiar the Keri Hilson-assisted “Never Let Go” sounds like Beyoncé’s “Halo.”

One of the tracks, “Pray For Me,” has us cooing on point. The soft song with the beautiful melody has Hamilton in a state of asking for forgiveness, a second chance. He realizes his wrongdoing and wants his lady back. Take a listen after…

Kevin Cossom has still not quite made it into mainstream territory but we like his collection of urban that he has released thus far. The latest is a track entitled “Where You Are.” Cossom is telling a prospect to not waste his time if she is going to leave him heartbroken. It’s a catchy and effective song, as with most of his songs. Listen after…

With Common’s The Dreamer/The Believer dropping on the 20th of this month, more and more of the music is starting to surface. The latest is a collaboration with soulful crooner, John Legend, entitled “The Believer.”

You know, when we listen to certain artists there is a moment before we press play that has us hoping to hear a song that just soaks our souls and has us just wanting to replay the song over and over. A lot of times that does not happen but with “The Believer,” it is most certainly one of those songs. The song has a positive message and sounds sonically amazing. The No I.D.-produced song is just great and more than satisfies… Listen after…

Robin Thicke is about to release his fifth studio album, Love After War, on December 6, 2011. Listening to the album, Thicke is sticking as close to the R&B/Soul sound as he can; there’s not much of a mainstream sound on here as with Sex Therapy.

There is however one little quirky track in the mix that has us addicted. That would be track number three, “Never Give Up.” The song, with the motivational title and lyrics, is paired with something that sounds like an edited Disney instrumental. There is such a theatrical vibe to this song and we love it. Listen after…

Elizabeth Grant bka Lana Del Rey has become a viral sensation with her vintage sonic style. We’ve always been captivated by “Video Games”; the song is just beautiful. Although, for some reason we just weren’t completely pulled in by this true artist.

Well, after the recent release of her latest single, “Born To Die,” we had no choice but to became a full fan of Rey. The haunting orchestral production sounds like some alternative urban tune then those retro vocals come in and just leaves the listener in a deep state of thought. Her new album, Born To Die, will be released at the top of 2012. Listen after…

After girl group ‘RichGirl’ failed to take off, member Lyndriette has stepped to the side and is pushing a solo career. The gorgeous girl premiered the first single entitled “Addicted” from her forthcoming EP, Proclamation.

“Addicted” is a nice radio-friendly midtempo song, written by Pooh and produced by The Globetrakkers. Unfortunately R&B is not what’s runnin’ up the charts despite this song sounding as pretty as its singer looks. Give “Addicted” a listen after…

It’s been over three years since we were introduced to KiD CuDi’s music. We broke away from the fandom of CuDi but still find interest in his latest projects. CuDi is teaming up with his longtime producer friend, Dot Da Genius, to release WZRD on January 30, 2012 (CuDi’s birthday). The first track from the project premiered last night.

WZRD will be a profanity-free rock infused album. From the sound of the first single, “Brake” is just that. Both Dot n CuDi are behind the productions this round.

CuDi stated, “WZRD is bringin Punk Rock back with a whole new energy and sound.” CuDi has long left the position of being a mainstream artist with an alternative appeal to just an artist, all about the music and not worried about the charts. This one is definitely a grower. Listen after…

Just days before Beyoncé announced her pregnancy, which to this day has caused controversy, she performed in front of 4 sold out crowds at the Roseland Ballroom in NYC. A few months later and now the workaholic is releasing Live at Roseland: Elements of 4.

Attending the premiere last night, showing off the baby bump, Beyoncé held a screening for a fortunate audience. Well they’re not the only fortunate ones as VEVO has partnered with Beyoncé to allow viewers to watch the entire DVD for free. The concert is very similar to the shows Beyonce did in Vegas some two years ago; the same rigmarole of storytelling whilst performing songs from her back catalogue. What’s different is she performs just about every song, in full, from her latest album, 4. You just do not get tired of Beyoncé because when she hits that stage, you’re guaranteed a real showing. Watch after…

Whilst everyone sings the Dr. Luke-produced “You Da You Da One,” we are just won over by track number five, “Cockiness (Love It).” This marks the first time that Rihanna and Mr. Bangladesh have worked together and our question is, why is this just happening?

“…Suck My Cockiness, Lick My Persuasion
I Love It, Love It, Love It When You Eat It…”

“Cockiness…” is Rihanna in her rawest and most urban form, to date. Truly, this is a sound we want to hear Rihanna sink further into; a total knocker for the club crowd. Bangladesh always brings the Bass and that’s just what he’s done and more. Talk That Talk is being described as Rihanna’s most “erotic” album to date and a song like this definitely supports that. Listen to the Candice Pillay and D. Loernathy-written track after…

The latest Jay-Z and Rihanna collab has arrived. The last time these two did a collaboration, for a RiRi album, was for Good Girl Gone Bad. Y’know, it was that little song named “Umbrella,” the one that catapulted Rihanna into the Popstar she is today. Now, how does this new song compare…

Where “Umbrella,” was a ten (considered to be the best Pop song of the noughties by opinion) “Talk That Talk” is a five, maybe even a six or seven. The Ester Dean, Stargate and Diddy-backed song is enjoyable but isn’t great. Also, Rihanna’s a little more grown so she can have a profanity spitting Jay-Z on the track. With a more urban than Pop sound don’t expect this to be a global smash but definitely expect it to sit comfortably on US urban radio formats. Listen after…

It’s been announced that “You Da One” will be the next single.. From a brief listen, we hear some BANGERZ okay; check “Cockiness (Love It)” and “Birthday Cake.” Listen to the preview after…