My Sincere Thoughts

There aren’t too many albums that make the “highly
anticipated” list as of late. Most are just copycats of each other, using the
same theme or lyrical content. It’s as if they are afraid to step out on their
own and create a new lane. The only R & B albums that made the list so far
this year for me are Jamie Foxx (phenomenal singer) and The Dream (exceptional
songwriter).  Since I was thoroughly
impressed with Mr. Foxx’s ‘Intuition’ it was now up to The Dream to deliver with
‘Love Vs Money’. Let’s see if he would succeed or fail.
Coming off the success of his debut album ‘Love Vs Hate’,
The Dream comes back with a similarly titled ‘Love Vs Money’. I must say that I
wasn’t expecting much. I’m just that way when it comes to music nowadays. I was
expecting something similar to the Vocoder heavy R & B that floods the
radio but I was pleasantly surprised. 
This album is actually a great overall body of work.  Dare I say, probably one of the best albums to
come out this year and it’s only March. 
He has raised the bar for the guys with this one.

The third musical installment from singer/actor/comedian Jamie Foxx is “Intuition”. This album lives up to and exceeds his previous album “Unpredictable” (a solid album in itself). Below is my track-by-track take on this album.

Just Like Me (featuring T.I.) – The album opens with the lead single ‘Just Like Me’. The song is very catchy and easy on the ears. The premise is that his significant other is just like him, from having fun to cheating. This is a nice up-tempo song with a great drum line behind it. This song could have done without Mr. Harris even though he doesn’t add or detract from its likeability.

I Don’t Need It – Seems Mr. Foxx was channeling the old greats like Ray Charles again. This song’s instrumental gives you a feel of today, but his voice and delivery beckon back to the days of the old Motown. I’m sure I’ve heard this beat somewhere before, I just can’t place it. In this song, he sings of not needing the money or companionship of this particular young woman. He has everything he needs already.

Number One Feat Lil Wayne – This Just Blaze produced beat hits on all cylinders. From the bass heavy instrumental to his sing/rap flow, this is definitely one of the best songs on the album. Easily one of my favorites, he could do without the Autotune, but I guess everyone has to have at least one on their album. The lyrical content is not all that amazing, he talks of the flossy things like every other person, but the beat and flow make up for his lack of lyrical creativity. Lil Wayne is actually not too far on his Martian stuff on this one. I guess like the autotune, you have to have at least one song with Lil Wayne.

Digital Girl Featuring Kanye West – This is I believe his second single. The instrumental reminds me of Afrika Bambataa’s ‘Planet Rock’ or most recently, Common’s ‘Universal Mind Control’.
Kanye raps about what seems like his love for Mac. Jamie came at this from a different angle. The beat is up-tempo yet he matches it up perfectly with the ballad flow. A definite banger.

Blame It Featuring T- Pain – This Bangladesh inspired beat (Think ‘A Milli’ or ‘Diva’) seems to rock hard. ‘Blame it’ is basically about him picking up a girl that gets pretty frisky and they decide to blame this behavior on the alcohol. Like Lil Wayne Before, T-Pain seems to be a requisite for every album. Like Tip on ‘Just Like Me’ he neither takes away nor does he enhance the song.

She Got Her Own Featuring Neyo and Fabolous – This is the remix to ‘Miss Independent’ by Neyo, but like I thought when I first heard it a while ago this sounds better as a song on it’s own as opposed to be lumped as a remix to something else. Mr. Foxx seems to have a winner here. The instrumental is slower than the original track and, basically, a totally different song. I like this version better.

I Don’t Know – When I heard the small sample of Pharcyde’s ‘Passing Me By’ I was hooked. The song seems well written and it’s a nice cool out song to listen to.

Weekend Lover – This ballad is about a woman who’s having a tough week dealing with everything from arguing with her man to being late because of a child to having the babysitter not arrive. Once the weekend comes, he is there to relieve her of all that stress and be her ‘weekend lover’.

Why – Once the Autotune is in effect. This tale is about a relationship lost to unknown reasons. This well written track is one of those reflection tracks that makes you think back to loves lost. The piano heavy instrumental would sound amazing live or in an acoustic set.

Freak’in Me Featuring Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry– This wouldn’t be Jamie Foxx if he didn’t have at least one freaky/slow grinding song. This is it. The slow instrumental with the claps and bass drops will entice that young lady’s body to slow grind. Their intertwined flow is complimentary to the track as it moves seamlessly from beginning to end.

Slow – This melodic tune is made for those late night sessions. This ballad picks up where ‘Freak’in Me’ leaves off. He turns into the crooner that he is with this instructional love song.

Rainman – Here he envisions himself without his love and what it’s like to not have that love there. Here he compares her not being there to rainy days. He evokes the depression felt with heavy rain as well as losing a love interest. Lyrically he takes you there with his comparative similes and the track is beautifully written. I think this is one of my favorites, if not my favorite.

Overdose – Another love ballad about a love lost. He and his writers seem to have a stronghold on how to reflect on love. Here he talks of how his love for her is like a drug that he would happily overdosed using.

Love Brings Change (Bonus Track) – This track is a beautifully written and heartfelt track about how love can bring change. This seems that it may have been dedicated to someone that may have passed on.

Jamie seemed to really take his time on this one and take it back to the essence of real R & B mixed with a little of the modern day antics, beautifully written both musically and lyrically. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of material on this album. It exceeded any expectations I had set for it when going in. I knew the album would be good, but not this good. I think every track is excellent and this album easily flows from one song to the next. This may be a certified “baby maker” here. I give this album a 4.5 out of 5.

John Legend attempts to bring some soul and real music back to the R & B scene with his third studio album Evolver. Here he sticks to the format of good music and great lyrics equaling a timeless album.

Green Light featuring Andre 3000 – The album opens with a short interlude followed by the lead single. This track is very different from anything that’s been previously heard from him. He steps away from the piano bench and actually makes a track that makes you want to dance. This is a great up-tempo change of pace for the R & B crooner. You can’t go wrong when you add 3 stacks to any track.

It’s Over feat Kanye West – Here he wonders why she keeps calling knowing that the relationship is over and there is nothing left to talk about. They reminisce about the good times but it’s still a wrap and time to move on. Nice groove – ish type of track.


Everybody Knows – This acoustic track is about him trying to get his love back. He seems torn over the breakup and the fact that she has moved on. He then realizes that everybody knows that no one really knows how to make a relationship work and that it’s all work another chance. Something to listen to after that big break up to help you get through.


Quickly featuring Brandy – All about loving people quickly because life is short and love is all we need. Brandy sounds really good on this song and her vocal style is a great compliment to John’s. Very loving vibe to the record.

Cross The Line – This ballad is about crossing over the line from being a best friend to becoming a lover or girl/boyfriend. That is a thin line to cross. John examines both the pro’s and cons of this situation.

No Other Love Featuring Estelle – This reggae inspired tune is on point. Another track about a love lost and wanting it back because no one else compares. Estelle blesses this track with her beautiful voice and English accent.


This Time – The first slow ballad of the album. John jumps back behind the keys and belts out this beautiful song of a love lost and how if he had the chance, things would be different, this time.

Satisfaction – Here he sings about getting the satisfaction or at least the admonishment for loving her the way he does. He feels that she doesn’t love him the way he loves her and is not feeling appreciated.


Take Me Away – Another track about reminiscing over a past love. This time he is reminiscent of a lover that wanted to be taken away to a better life that he only he can provide.

Good Morning – A wake up song about waking up to the love of his life lying next to him.

I Love, You Love – A slow tune played over guitar reminiscent of an Eric Clapton tune. Here he talks of being in love with love and how love hurts but you keep on loving regardless.

If You’re Out There – This is his ‘Time for Change’ theme song. It is very motivational and inspirational as he pleads for people to stand up and make a difference.

Overall, this album is somewhat different from the previous 2 albums with more upbeat tunes as opposed to more slow love songs. The Flow of the album makes it great for an easy listening/ flowing album. It’s not too ballad heavy but stays true to form. He is afterall still an R & B singer. I would give this album 4.5 out of 5. Definitely worth the purchase.

Paper Trail is the 6th album from The Atlanta rapper. This past year has been steeped in controversy, making Paper Trail one of the most anticipated albums of the year. It is evident that he will take this controversy and construct it into this album.

56 Barz – This intro is true T.I.P. style. While throwing subliminal shots at Shawty Lo, he proclaims to be O Dog (Menace II Society) without the braids. He is on his typical ‘I got more swagger that you’ type style. “Somebody better tell them man/ they swag owe my swag everything”.

I’m Illy – Here he talks about how dope he is, how much money he has and how he doesn’t need to struggle for anything because he’s the illest. He also dispels rumors that he is bankrupt despite losing the bulk of his endorsements due to his trial.

Ready For Whatever – On this reflective beat, he tries to explain why he did what he did that led to his situation. He feels like people were out to get him and his friend dying just made those feelings stronger. A sort of ‘if you’ve never been in my situation you can’t understand me’ type of thing. He felt he had no choice when it came to protecting his family. This song gives you an insight as to why he did what he did.


On Top of the World (Featuring Ludacris & B.o.B.) – This is the first track officially released since Luda and T.I. squashed their beef. He here talks about how he’s gone from being wild and unruly to taking care of his family (sending his younger cousins to college) and becoming arguably the greatest of all time. Luda easily outshines T.I. on this track, not saying that Tip was a slouch but Ludacris was just better.

Live Your Life (Featuring Rihanna) – Honestly, some parts of this song I don’t like. The beat is crazy and T.I. has a crazy flow over it. But Rihanna on the hook would not have been my choice. In some cases she should be seen and not heard. This is one of those cases. Don’t get me wrong I think Rihanna is Beautiful and very talented, just not that great of a singer. He dedicates this track to the soldiers in Iraq as this song is an ode to living YOUR life not someone else’s life. You should be happy for what you have and not try to do something just because someone else does it. Pretty inspirational. Even though I don’t like Rihanna on the hook I caught myself singing it along with her.

Whatever You Like – On this single he explores his more sensitive side by singing about how he can give his partner whatever she likes. Whether it’s shopping sprees or ‘big boy rides or big boy ice’ he is willing to pamper her and make her feel like the queen that she is. He seems to be following the pattern of other successful rappers by singing. He doesn’t sound too bad, but let’s not try and make an entire album singing, okay? Okay.

No Matter What – The first single to be released during the anticipation of his trial. Here he talks of how he’s not through even though there are obstacles surrounding his daily existence. This song is to dispel the rumors that he is through and folded under the pressure.

My Life Your Entertainment (Featuring Usher) – They both seem to take shots at how they are portrayed in the media. Hence the title. It’s just funny how they feel that the media is intruding on them, which at times they do, but they also seem to want that attention. They explain their point of view well on this DJ Drama beat.

Porn Star – On this slow tempo bass heavy track he talks about leaving the bar with a young lady he met, taking her home and seeing if she wants to be a porn star. He brags about all the things he can and will do to her if she was to come home with him.


Swing Ya Rag (Featuring Swizz Beats) – The braggadocio is in full effect on this Swizz Beats track. Everything is all about Louis or Gucci merchandise. “If big money ain’t the topic/Homie I ain’t even talking”.

What’s up, What’s Hapnin – This being the most blatant attack on Shawty Lo, he raps about how haters can keep talking while he just gets bigger. He explains how they’re hate is actually making him bigger and better. In this continuous battle over who is really repping Bankhead (now known as Veterans Memorial) he talks about how the haters feel left out because he doesn’t mention them by name when shouting Bankhead out. The beat is very infectious but the lyrics seem like a petty attempt at picking on someone that is not really his competition to begin with. The song is cool but He’s too big with too many other issues to worry about what Shawty Lo has to say. With all that said, this is still my joint! I play it whenever I feel hated on.

Every chance I get – Here he talks about how he is going to ball out every chance he gets, take your broad and fuck your bitch (his words not mine). Another song about how he can take your girl and how he balls harder.


Swagga Like Us (Featuring Kanye West, Jay Z and Lil Wayne) – He definitely holds his own on Mr. West’s beat alongside these rap giants. To say he was outshined wouldn’t be a reach but he still did his thing. With the 4 of the best in the game on one track, this song will definitely go down in rap history as one of the greatest. Kanye is on his Autotune kick, while Jay Z is on his typical ‘I’m fresh’ style. I’m not sure what lil Wayne is on (probably a cup full of something purple) while T.I. ties it all together on the last verse.

Slide Show (Featuring John Legend) – A slow melodic track that leads you down memory lane to when he had nothing and how he had to hustle to get where he is now. A very inspirational song explaining how you should watch for the pitfalls while following your dreams. Look back at your life like a slide show and you will see how far you’ve come or how far you have to go.

You Ain’t Missing Nothing – This song seems to be a sort of song to himself when he goes to jail. Basically he talks of keeping your head up even though you’re locked up. “you only do 2 days/ the day you go in and the day you come out”. He talks of when time gets hard behind bars just put on this song to help get through.

Dead And Gone (Featuring Justin Timberlake) – On this tribute to Big Phil he murders this slow track (sounds like an extension of the previous track You ain’t Missing Nothing) while rapping about how his old gangsta persona is dead and gone and it’s a new beginning for him. He seems to have grown from both the situation of losing his best friend and the trial.

Overall this album is a solid contribution to my T.I. collection. This album is one of the best to be released in a long time. His time at home was well spent, giving him time to reflect on his life and separate the good from the bad. I give this album 4 out of a possible 5. Paper Trail is well worth the purchase.

This is the new album by Nelly titled Brass Knuckles. This album is actually pretty descent outing for the St. Louis bred rapper. Here’s my play by play. Take it for what you want.

The first cut off the album is a cut by the name of You Ain’t Him featuring Rick Ross. Without any fluff, he jumps right into the album with this bass heavy track about being that dude that people are trying to be.

The next track is Hold Up featuring T.I. and LL Cool J (Who Nelly is sure to become). Here he talks about how rappers want to be him (young, black and rich) and how you should think big, “your only goal is to buy out the mall. I go to buy me the mall…” Next T.I. blesses the song with his braggadocio about buying whatever he wants and doing whatever he likes. Uncle L is rapping as if Nelly was his ghostwriter. He seems Very uninspiring, sorry to my LL fans. He claims at one point to being the Blueprint.

After kicking it with T.I. and LL he decides to dip on over to the left coast and hook up with Snoop on L.A. A song about what else, L.A. The beat is very west coast as Snoop easily rides on the hook. Nate Dogg makes an appearance to make this an official tribute to the west coast.

Next he slows it down a bit with a mid tempo joint called A Long Night featuring Usher. He seems to be singing more than Usher is on this one while Usher’s hook sounds like more of a rap as he talks about how long of a night it will be. This is sure to be a lady’s pleaser with it’s seductive beat.

He follows that with another mid tempo track about relationship problems called Lie featuring the St. Lunatics. Here he raps/sings on this track, followed closely behind by Ali, Murphy Lee and Kyjuan about how people try to tear apart relationships with lies and he say/she say foolishness.

After the Lie is the first official single Party People featuring Polow Da Don and Fergie. This energetic track is just as the title suggests. For the party people. The beat is very upbeat and bass heavy as he raps/sings about getting the party started. Going back to his first album roots by using quick-rap (yes I made that word up). Even Fergie gets hers off on this track by matching Nelly’s quick-rap with her own. Definitely a club banger.

After getting the party started he hooks up with chuck D (yes, THE Chuck D of Public Enemy) on Self Esteem. A song about believing in yourself and having self worth in order to reach your goals and be that person that you can be. Talking about how he overcame adversity to be the person he is today. A very positive track for young people, and anyone for that matter, to hear and take to heart.

After uplifting you, he hits you with his single Body On Me featuring Akon and Ashanti. Here he talks about how much he wants to be there and take care of his woman.

His newest Nike Tribute song Stepped On My J’z features Jermaine Dupri and Ciara. Another tribute to a shoe style. This is similar to his earlier hit Air Force Ones (I still blame him for sending the price of Uptowns from $40 to $75). A nice beat with a catchy hook. You can’t go wrong with that; especially if you’re a Jordan Fanatic like me, (# 4’s and 6’s are my favorites). Even Ciara joins in by singing about her love for Jordan’s. ” I got me the black and pink patent leather with the gray matching with the skinny jeans off with the shades”.

After bragging about his exclusive shoes, he moves on to Let it Go (Lil Mama) featuring and Pharrell. Now this is a banger! He rides this Neptune beat to death. It may be a DMV (D.C. Maryland Virginia) bias but this beat by Pharrell is by far the best on the entire album. He actually steps his rap game up on this one. With opening lines like “ They call me Mr. Intellectual/ I keep a bunch of vegetables/ the carrots and the broccoli/ How the hell could you stop me.” Not lyricist of the year worthy but better than most of what is out now. This song is all about braggadocio and getting that guap (money). Here’s another gem, “my paint job so wet my license plate reads ‘pussy’”.

The next track is One and Only. Kind of similar to Dilemma from Nellyville minus Kelly Rowland. Here he is talking to the girl that he was with growing up that will always be his one and only love. He wants to be with her but of course, she is with someone else. I guess he just wanted to get that off his chest (been there done that).

On the next track Chill, featuring the St. Lunatics he raps about how you can either chill or get knocked out. Basically saying, don’t try them. “You really talking reckless right now/ and we know you ain’t built for that”. I see somebody has been listening to Get Rich or Die Tryin’ one too many times…

Next up is Who F**ks Wit Me Featuring Avery Storm. The track is crazy. The acoustic guitar rides smoothly over some heavy bass. On this one, he once again raps about being a baller and how he is “earning interest as I speak”. Basis of this song is that men lie, women lie but numbers don’t.

The final song on the album is Ucud Gedit (his spelling, not mine) featuring Gucci Mane and R. Kelly. Ummera… Honestly, he could have left this off the album. It sucks badly. Gucci Mane always sounds like he has a head cold and is stuffed up, while R. Kelly is the same as always.

Overall, this album is a good. In today’s market, it will not have the same success as his previous albums, but lyrically it is the same caliber if not better. It’s at least worth the download (legally, of course). I give it 3.5 out of a possible 5.

I have just completed my first joint venture of sorts with the homie BJ. I will be doing album reviews of major releases and hopefully branch out into doing artist reviews of upcoming new artists. We’ll see how things go, but as for now, I’m sticking with album reviews. The first album I chose to do was the new album by Plies Definition of Real. So as to not take up any more of your time here is my take on the album..

I’m Da Man – Featuring Trey Songz. The song is consistent with his slow flow and lyrical content about being keeping it real and living that street life. The song is simple and sticks to the usual Plies format of being “real”.

Ol’ Lady – This song is for the haters. He tells the haters and people that owe him money not to play with him or he’ll get with their girl. The bravado is all over this track. The beat is a great slow jam that he would probably have playing while he messes with your girl. He is confident in his swagger and ability to take anyone’s girl at anytime.

Bushes - He tries to validate his thugness or goon level with this one. This song is about hiding in the bushes and waiting to jump out to kill someone. Keeping with the hood’s ‘no snitching’ policy he raps about pop this person for running his mouth. Once again, a slow beat for him to flow on. I see a trend developing.

Worth Goin’ Fed Fo- On this track, he explores whether or not living in the dope game is worth it. The money may be good but is it rally worth it? “I don’t know if 25 yrs worth 2 yrs of balling/ that’s a big pill to take and I ain’t trying to swallow it”. A question every goon on the street has asked himself or herself at one point or another. Is it really worth it? He really explores the mindset when faced with these decisions. Reminds me of 100 Years from his first album.

Dat B**ch – A song about a stripper. I think every Florida rapper (southern rapper for that matter) has to have a song like this on their album. Another song about hoes and bitches… The song is most likely a strip club favorite, about getting paid and heading straight to the strip club to make it rain on the baddest one there.

Somebody (Loves You) – On this track Plies raps over a sample of Patti Labelle’s classic of the same name about the friends that he lost to the streets and the mentality of the hood. He shows a sensitive side on this. A sharp contrast from the typical bust it baby and goon music. This shows that he is more than just an uneducated street thug. From his personal loss to the general feeling of being lost in the hood, this song shows that he is that somebody that cares.

Feel Like Fuckin’ – A sharp contrast from the previous song. He talks about how he just feels like fucking, and sucking. No time for the other foolishness, just straight fucking and go home.

Watch Dis – A song about stunting featuring T – Pain. A typical song about how much ice you have and how big your rims are. Not really my type of music but hey if you like it I love it. I guess every rapper has to have a stunting song, right?

Who Hotter Than Me – This beat is sick and infectious. Thanks the haters for making him hotter. I guess they made him hotter somehow… Understandable

1 Day – A dedication song to a friend that passed away. Showing once again that he’s a goon with heart. A slow tempo reflective type song.

Bust It Baby Part 2 – The lead off single featuring Ne-Yo where he talks to his hood chick. This song is dedicated to his jump-off or bust it baby. The lyrics can lead you to believe either she is that down hood chic that you want to be with or she is a jump-off. This is a good lead single because it sets the tone for the entire album.

S**t Bag – A hot yet very simple beat. Here he talks about not playing with or trying him in the streets. The result would be you having to wear a diaper for life. Not good. A lot of gun play for no reason on this track.

Please Excuse My Hands – Another song for his bust it babies featuring both Jamie Foxx and The Dream. Jamie with Plies and Dream playing background even though he only sings the hook headlines this track. Nice addition to a slow jam mixed CD. Reminds me of Silk’s Meeting in My Bedroom.

Rich Folk – Here he raps about being tired of being broke and how he wants to live the good life without selling dope. The beat is bouncy.

#1 Fan – On this cut he is telling you what to say to a woman that you’re trying to holler at. Just tell her you’re her #1 fan. Fellas be careful though, don’t want to come off stalkerish… This features Keyshia Cole and J. Holiday and their voices actually compliment each other. I hope to hear more from them in the future. I may be a little biased since He reps D.C. but I really think he makes her sound good. Plies may have started a new pick up line with this song.

Overall, the album is pretty good. There are some similar sounding songs on the album like 1 day & Somebody (Loves You). It seems to follow the same formula as his first album The Real Testament. If you’re a Plies fan than this most definitely is worth it. If not I still think it’s worth getting. I think he has a way to go before he’s considered in the category of great lyricists, but he is a good up and coming rapper.