New Releases: Usher & Erykah

As if Monica wasn't enough last week, R&B is taking over again with the new releases from two of the genre's biggest stars: Usher and Erykah Badu.

Lady Badu, who is pretty much like royalty of neo-soul, comes back to us with the second part of her four album series, New Amerykah, Pt. 2: Return of the Ankh. The album features the lead hit single, "Window Seat", along with tracks such as "Jump In The Air (and Stay There)" featuring Lil Wayne and Bilal, "Incense" featuring Kirsten Agnesta, "Out My Mind, Just In Time" and "Turn Me Away (Get Munny)". This album is as brilliant as, if not better than, Part One. If this is your kind of stuff, get the album. If this is not your cup of tea, GET INTO IT! Grade: A

Usher drops his new album, Raymond v. Raymond, as the follow-up the lackluster, critically acclaimed, Here I Stand, which was met with lukewarm reception. Led by the lead smash hit single, Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home), the album comes jam-packed with tunes about partying, love, sex & relationships. Including tracks like "Lil Freak" featuring Nicki Minaj and "There Goes My Baby", which are also gaining at radio, the album features also features Ludacris, will.I.am, and T.I. Of course, this is no Confessions, however it is a step in the right direction and miles above Here I Stand. The only song worth skipping, in my opinion, is "Papers". Standout tracks include "O.M.G", "Mars vs. Venus", "Foolin' Around" and "Making Love (Into The Night)". Grade: A-

Here's the newly released video for the international single, "O.M.G" featuring will.i.am:


Hopefully, this song will be a single in the U.S.

Go cop these albums now! And if you haven't gotten Monica's Still Standing, the stores are now stocked!