A lot of people might be surprised to find out that Lumidee (yes, that girl who can't sing and had a mega hit with Never Leave U back in 2003) entered the Billboard Hot 100 this week with She's Like The Wind (Featuring Tony Sunshine). The song is hot, thank god she raps and not sings.
She's signed to TVT records now (Lil' Jon, Teedra Moses label) and her second album will be released sometime this year. I must admit that I'm somehow looking forward to hearing what she has to offer. She was really right when she said "nobody thought I would come back, and here I am back again", I wonder what all that people who said she was over are gonna say now he he. Okay, the girl can't sing but she's working hard, she is where she is because of something (apart from being Big Pun's niece he he)
I really predicted her comeback, even though she was never really gone. She's been doing it in the reggaeton scene. Her collaboration with rapper Speedy Sientelo, was a massive hit in Europe and sold close to 1 million copies, she was also featured in songs by Big Mato. Her image really improved (I'd do her now he he) and the new song is far better than her old material (her debut album had songs that scared me!)
Let's see what future holds for Lumidee!

OMARION

TUG
VIDEO: ENTOURAGE, ICEBOX
RATING: 8/10

Omarion is back with a new album named 21. Even though his debut wasn't that great, I had high expectations for this one cus Entourage is a nice song and Icebox is more than amazing. And well, apart from that, having The Underdogs, The Neptunes, Timbaland, Bryan Michael Cox, Sean Garett and Marques Houston on your album makes a difference.
Well, the album is hot, not saying that all the tracks are on fire, but there are some which are very original and it feels like this album suits him perfectly as an artist. He didn't call the producers and asked just for hot tracks, it's more than that, he worked hard and sometimes found a new sound.
It's almost impossible to forget Do It after a few listens, and Electric deserves to be mentioned too (it's already a fan favorite).
Omarion did it this time, and he didn't let down with the sophomore album like many did (Ciara).

Lastly, I read what Toya wrote about labels going hard at blogs for posting unauthorized mp3s for download, so I'm thinking what the hell I should do with the music I upload...maybe I will ask for e-mails and send it like I did some time ago with Danity Kane...I have a lot of cool things in store

Enjoy

Dan 

I've been jamming to Fantasia's second album for the past 3 weeks. I must admit that I was pretty excited about this album before checking it even though her debut Free Yourself wasn't that wow to me. The idea of Urban Rock (like she described the new sound), made me impatient and curious.

First single Hood Boy is just what I was expecting, the perfect example of Urban Rock in my opinion. The song is sexy, hot, rockish, aggressive, dirty and Big Boi does his thing blazing his rhymes to the song.

Fantasia has that strange voice that adds the personality to every song, and the production is on point.

But, if you are not into the first single, don't worry cus she has better jams. When I See U is catchy and beautiful from start to finish and is the perfect contender for the second single prize, Not The Way That I Do has that powerful chorus, Nominate U is R&B at its best and I'm Not That Type has a Crazysexyasskickin' beat plus Fantasia killing vocals. The track is very different from the sound she chose for the album, but you can't complain. The other tracks are amazing too, but these were the highlights.

This is definitely an improvement over her debut album and shows us why she is nothing but the Winner of American Idol.

KESHIA CHANTÉ - 2U

SONY/BMG CANADA
VIDEO: 2U, BEEN GONE

RATING: 7.5/10

Canadian R&B artist Keshia Chanté released her second album 2U in December. I took my time and checked it during my holidays and I still see myself playing it.

Been Gone (the first single) simples Vivaldi's 4 Winter Seasons and the result is nothing but amazing, the title track is cool but forgettable and half of the tracks are fillers. I'm not saying that it's a bad album by any means, Summer Love is one of the best songs, even though you try you just can't hate on Stomp, Kiss has that so overused hit formula. Fallen is hot but if you want to incluye a rapper in your song it could be someone better than Freeway and Little Things is the obvious solo piano song, which is very nice by the way!

Her voice is pretty good (I find it similar to Monica's), she has potential, at only 18 she has 2 albums and a national R&B star tatus in her homeland,  famous producers in the album are Happy Perez (Frankie J, Eamon), singer Shawn Desman, Danja (Paula DeAnda, Justin) who produced Too Much and Rockwilder, who produced and wrote Can't Believe with the help of Yummy Bingham (who also wrote Be About Yours).

RUBEN STUDDARD - THE RETURN

J RECORDS
VIDEO: CHANGE ME

Well, as you can see I'm back! I hope you all had fun and started the new year the best way! I left the blog abandoned some time, and I must admit that I haven't taken my time to update it properly for the past 3 or 4 months, it turned into a torture to have my blog updated, and that was the last thing I wanted. But I'm back and ready to take this to another level, I want to write more often, cus in the end it's what I enjoy but you know, sometimes you're between job, and other things.

I want to make it more enjoyable for you (readers), I don't want this to be just another blog,where you can go and just search for downloads, I want this to have its style and personality, just like Toya and Monica and a lot out there.

Well, 2007! It's crazy! We will have an incredible year in R&B!

 

Amerie is hard at work on her third album Because I Love It which to my surprise does not contain any production from Rich Harrison. Is she trying to follow Kelis steps? Mmm, it didn't work for Ms. Jones, let's see if it does for Amerie. First single Take Control iis kewl, but I'm expecting a big record. Touch was an amazing album.

Mario is comino back with his third album Go which includes collaborations with the hottest beatmakers in the industry. Stargate, Pollow Da Don, Bryan Michael Cox among others! I will be definetly buying that shit! He's far better than his competitors Ne-Yo, Sammie & Chris Brown in terms of vocal abilities.

The amazing and supa talented Teedra Moses is coming back too. That album The Young Lioness is something I indeed can't wait for! Complex Simplicity is a classic and everytime I hear it I love it more and more! Word has it that she's working with Scott Storch. Trey Songz, Raphael Saadiq and Jadakiss are confirmed guests on the album.

Musiq is expected to drop too. Some tracks have been circulating in the web. One of them being Buddy, which is HOT!

Joe is working too on his sophomore shit. A track featuring Papoose was in the charts not so long ago.

Chris Brown is working on his second album Graduation, and I'm expecting something better than his debut. I enjoyed it but it could've been a lot better. 2006 was a huge year for him, almost 2 million copies sold, 4 hit singles, and a fifth one without a video making it in the charts too.

The one and only Brandy is also working hard on her as yet untitled fifth album. I will be getting that album too. Afrodisiac was amazing, it's really sad that it didn't recieve the attention it deserved. Too bad that Timbaland is not included in the upcoming project. He reported that he lost interest in it, but Rich Harrison, Bryan Michael Cox, Darkchild & The Neptunes are still there so I know I shouldn't worry bout the material quality, and It's Brandy, no matta what producers she chose the shit is always HOT.

Macy Gray is working with Will I Am and Outkast! That fourth album, named BIG, will hopefully be as its' title. Her carrer has been falling downhill, but maybe she pull it off a la Mariah and come back hard! That raspy voice needs to be heared everywhere!

Boy band Ahmir will release their album The Gift very soon. I'm still wondering why the hell they're unsigned! Really looking forward to that shit, their voices are fiyah and the songs are hot too. They managed to go top 5 in Billboard single sales, so imagine where would they be if they had label support!

Ashanti is another comeback I am highly anticipating. She's working with a lot of producers and I don't know why I feel that her fourth album Incredible is going to be Hot! Snoop Dogg and The Neptunes are helping her to bring da hotness back! Her last album Concrete Rose was okay, but I don't know what was she thinking (or her label) when Don't Let Them was released as the second single...one of the weakest tracks! Everybody knew that Don't Leave Me Alone was THE HIT! I really hope she doesen't suffer from bad ass decissions again!

Following Ashanti, is her ex labelmate Lloyd, who left The Inc and joined Jazze Pha's Sho'Nuff Entertainment, and scored a hit with You (a collaboration with Lil' Wayne). His second album Ghetto Story is expected to hit stores in the first quarter of 2007. He doesen't have THE voice but I like his sound, looking forward to that shit!

Usher is coming back with the followup to the mega-seller Confessions. Thank god that Jermaine is involved in the project. It'll be difficult tu surpass the sales he enjoyed in 2004, and to score the numer of hits, but only God knows if he will do it.

Keyshia Cole is working on her second effort Tears From A Soldier with Poke&Tone, Darkchild, Cool&Dre among others. I can't wait for that album she betta hurry up. A Darkchild produced track leaked and even though it's hot and I love the beat is not as hot as her previous hot, she will have to work her ass off to put out a better sophomore album cus the debut was amazing!

Silena Murrell (for you Mo) is releasing her debut album in 2007 too! I became addicted to this girl, her song Bring It Home is amazing and other jams like One Life and Dying To Tell U fill me of BIG expectations of what's to come.

Kelly Rowland will release her second album Miss Kelly in April, and the album contains production from Sean Garett, Bryan Michael Cox and collabos with Snoop Dogg. I really can't wait for that album, and I know I might be hated for saying this...but Kelly sings better than Beyonce.