The Best of 2011

Albums:

1. Adele - 21
2. Beyonce - 4
3. Jay-Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne
4. Jill Scott - Light of the Sun
5. Chris Brown - F.A.M.E.
6. Marsha Ambrosius - Late Nights...Early Mornings
7. Kelly Clarkson - Stronger
8. Big Sean - Finally Famous
9. Robin Thicke - Love After War
10. Kelly Rowland - Here I Am

Songs....well, there are too many so:

1. Adele - Someone Like You
2. Kelly Rowland - Motivation
3. Miguel - Quickie
4. Rihanna - We Found Love
5. Beyonce - 1+1
6. Chris Brown - Beautiful People
7. Jay-Z & Kanye West - Niggas In Paris
8. Kirk Franklin - I Smile
9. Jill Scott - Hear My Call
10. Adele - Rolling In The Deep
11. Beyonce featuring Andre 3000 - Party
12. Lady Gaga - The Edge of Glory
13. Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera - Moves Like Jagger
14. Miguel - Sure Thing
15. Marsha Ambrosius - Far Away
16. Jay-Z & Kanye West - Otis featuring Otis Redding
17. Beyonce - End Of Time
18. Katy Perry - Firework
19. Chris Brown featuring Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne - Look At Me Now
20. Mary J. Blige - Living Proof

Movies:

1. The Help
2. X-Men: First Class
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
4. Bridesmaids
5. Fast Five
6. The Rise of the Planet of the Apes
7. Columbiana
8. Kung Fu Panda 2
9. Puss In Boots
10. Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1

Disclaimer: This is my opinion. Deal with it.

My Top 5 Albums of the Year...

...So far...

5. Chris Brown - F.A.M.E.
4. Jill Scott - Light of the Sun
3. Marsha Ambrosius - Late Nights...Early Mornings
2. Beyonce - 4
1. Adele - 21

Letting you know right now that numbers 1 and 2 are not changing. At all.

**from January to June 2011**

I Smile...

Today's a new day but there is no sunshine
Nothing but clouds and it's dark in my heart
And it feels like a cold night
Today's a new day, where are my blue skies?
Where is the love and the joy that you promised
You'd tell me it's alright
I almost gave up but a power that I can't explain
Fell from heaven like a shower...
So I smile, even when I hurt
See I smile, I know God is working
So I smile, even though I been her for a while
I smile...

I love coming across a song that can describe when I feeling down and it's lyrics can turn it into positivity and uplifting. I've been in that funk for a while and Kirk Franklin's "I Smile" brings me out of it. It's like we've had a conversation. Like he's been all up in my head.

Marsha Ambrosius fights for us...

Marsha Ambrosius, "Far Away"

If there was ever a music video that literally had me tearing up, it’s this one. Very powerful, very unexpected. It’s about time that a famous “sistah” showed her support in such a way Marsha just did. I hope to see this video make the countdown on BET but knowing how some ignorant folks could be…


I can't help but think about how the guy at that committed suicide could have been me last year...

53rd Annual Grammy Predictions

The nominees are here. These are just my predictions. If I don’t choose your faves, get a life. 

Record of the Year: B.o.B. featuring Bruno Mars, “Nothing On You”, Eminem featuring Rihanna, “Love The Way You Lie”, Cee-lo Green, “Fuck You”, Jay-Z & Alicia Keys, “Empire State of Mind”; Lady Antebellum, “Need You Now” - There’s no denying that all of these songs were big hits but “Need You Now” was definitely THE biggest. Plus the Grammy’s love Lady A.

Album of the Year: Eminem - Recovery, Arcade Fire - The Suburbs, Lady Antebellum - Need You Now, Katy Perry - Teenage Dream, Lady Gaga - The Fame Monster - I’m a bigger fan of Gaga but she’s not going to get this one. Katy has NO chance in Hell. Eminem and Lady A’s records were huge so this is basically a coin toss; one of them has it in the bag. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s given to the unknown Arcade Fire just as Herbie Hancock was given the award.

Song of the Year: Ray LaMontagne, songwriter (Ray LaMontagne And The Pariah Dogs) - “Beg, Steal or Borrow”; Cee Lo Green, Philip Lawrence & Bruno Mars, songwriters (Cee Lo Green) - “Fuck You”; Tom Douglas & Allen Shamblin, songwriters (Miranda Lambert) - “The House That Built Me”; Alexander Grant, Holly Hafferman & Marshall Mathers, songwriters (Eminem Featuring Rihanna) - “Love The Way You Lie”; Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott, songwriters (Lady Antebellum) - “Need You Now” -There’s no denying this one.

Best New Artist: Justin Bieber, Drake, Florence & The Machines, Mumford and Sons, Esperanza Spalding - Honestly, anybody but Justin(a) or Drake.

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance: Sara Bareilles, “King of Anything”; Beyonce, “Halo (Live from I Am…Yours An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas)”; Norah Jones, “Chasing Pirates”; Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance”; Katy Perry, “Teenage Dream” - I won’t even start with the Beyonce nomination. Straight to the point: it’s Lady Gaga or Norah Jones (another Grammy darling).

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance: Michael Jackson, “This Is It”; Bruno Mars, “Just The Way You Are”; Michael Buble, “Haven’t Met You Yet”; Adam Lambert, “Whataya Want From Me”; John Mayer, “Half of My Heart” - Definitely one of the toughest categories, I’m just going out on a limb and say Bruno Mars will take this one. Don’t quote me on this one, though. Either guy could win.

Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals: Glee Cast, “Don’t Stop Believin’ (Regionals Version)”; Maroon 5, “Misery”; Paramore, “The Only Exception”; Sade, “BabyFather”; Train, “Hey, Soul Sister (Live)” - If this was 10 years ago when the Grammy’s still had substance and serious credibility, Sade would take this home. But it’s 10 years later, and I’m going with Paramore. Still, a tough one.

Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals: B.o.B featuring Hayley Williams and Eminem, “Airplanes Pt. II”; Herbie Hancock featuring P!NK, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No 1, Jeff Beck & Oumou Sangare, “Imagine”; Elton John & Leon Russell, “If It Wasn’t For Bad”; Lady Gaga & Beyonce, “Telephone”; Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg, “California Gurls” - This is a toss-up between Katy, Gaga and B.o.B. The other two doesn’t exactly scream “pop”. If fans were voting, Katy would win. But they’re not so BeyGaga has this one.

Best Pop Vocal Album: Justin Bieber, My World 2.0; Susan Boyle, I Dreamed A Dream; Lady Gaga, The Fame Monster; John Mayer, Battle Studies; Katy Perry, Teenage Dream -SuBo. Nuff said. And I don’t even like her.

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance: Faith Evans, “Gone Already”; Fantasia, “Bittersweet”;Monica, “Everything To Me”; Kelly Price, “Tired”; Jazmine Sullivan, “Holding You Down (Going In Circles)” - If the Grammy’s were true to the vocal performances then, hands down, Kelly would just pick up her award without needing the winner announced. But the Grammy’s are more-so about popularity these days. It’s a battle between Mo and Fanny but Miss Thang will most likely take this one. One of the biggest songs, most added and 7 weeks at number one…what more do you need? Some SERIOUS sangin’-your-ass-off, of course.

Best Male R&B Vocal Performance: El DeBarge, “Second Chance”; Jaheim, “Finding My Way Back”; Kem, “Why Would You Stay?”; Kirk Whalum & Musiq Soulchild, “We’re Still Friends”; Usher, “There Goes My Baby” - The Grammy’s love a comeback but not so much, according to the Whitney Houston snub fiasco. So El, no. This goes to Usher. C’mon son, it was another huge song.

Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group: Chuck Brown, Jill Scott & Marcus Miller, “Love”; Chris Brown & Tank, “Take My Time”; Ron Isley & Aretha Franklin, “You’ve Got A Friend”; John Legend & The Roots, “Shine”; Sade, “Soldier of Love” - Tough one. Hmm, Ron and ReeRee, John and the Roots or Sade gets this one. My money…Sade.

Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance: R. Kelly, “When A Woman Loves”, John Legend & The Roots, “Hang On In There”, Calvin Richardson, “You’re So Amazing”; Ryan Shaw, “In Between”; Betty Wright, “Go (Live)” - Kellz. I mean, have you HEARD the song? Trey Songz who?

Best Urban/Alternative Performance: Bilal, “Little One”; Cee-lo Green, “Fuck You”; Carolyn Malachi, “Orion”; Janelle Monae featuring Big Boi, “Tightrope”; Eric Roberson, “Still” - Cee-lo or Janelle. “Fuck You” was just genius.

Best R&B Song: Charles Harmon & Claude Kelly, songwriters (Fantasia), “Bittersweet”; Ivan “Orthodox” Barias, Curt Chambers, Carvin “Ransum” Haggins, Jaheim Hoagland & Miquel Jontel, songwriters (Jaheim), “Finding My Way Back”; E. Debarge & Mischke, songwriters (El DeBarge), “Second Chance”; John Stephens, songwriter (John Legend & The Roots), “Shine”; K. Owens, songwriter (Kem), “Why Would You Stay” - Monica, Kelly Price, Alicia Keys, Sade, R. Kelly and Usher were snubbed in this category. The only one deserving of this nomination is Fantasia, so she gets it.

Best R&B Album:  Raheem DeVaughn, The Love & War Masterpeace; Fantasia, Back To Me; Jaheim, Another Round; John Legend & The Roots, Wake Up!; Monica, Still Standing - Mo or Fanny gets this. Two of the best R&B albums released this year. By the way, where’s Alicia.

Best Contemporary R&B Album: Chris Brown, Graffiti; R. Kelly, Untitled; Ryan Leslie, Transition; Janelle Monae, The ArchAndroid; Usher, Raymond v. Raymond - My vote would go for Janelle. But this is the Grammy’s. Chris or Usher? Chris would be a pity win, though I liked his album. So…it’s Usher. Alicia’s missing again.

Best Rap Solo Performance: Drake, “Over”; Eminem, “Not Afraid”; Ludacris, “How Low”; T.I., “I’m Back”; Kanye West, “Power” - Too easy. Eminem. He’s a Grammy favorite. Yeezy is a close 2nd.

Best Rap Performance by a Duo/Group: Big Boi & Cutty, “Shutterbugg”; Drake, T.I. & Swizz Beatz, “Fancy”; Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz, “On to the Next One”; Ludacris & Nicki Minaj, “My Chick Bad”; Young Jeezy & Plies, “Lose My Mind” - It’s either Jay and Swizz or Luda and Nicki. Whether Nicki wins or loses, stan wars volume 75498…

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: B.o.B. & Bruno Mars, “Nothing On You”; Chris Brown, Tyga & Kevin McCall, “Deuces”; Eminem & Rihanna, “Love The Way You Lie”; Jay-Z & Alicia Keys, “Empire State Of Mind”; John Legend, The Roots, Melanie Fiona & Common, “Wake Up! Everybody” - Eminem’s a Grammy favorite, so in this order: Love the Way You Lie, Deuces, Nothing on You.

Best Rap Song: Shawn Carter, Angela Hunte, Burt Keyes, Alicia Keys, Jane’t “Jnay” Sewell-Ulepic & Alexander Shuckburgh, songwriters (Sylvia Robinson, songwriter) (Jay-Z & Alicia Keys) - “Empire State of Mind”; Alexander Grant, Holly Hafferman & Marshall Mathers, songwriters (Eminem & Rihanna) - “Love The Way You Lie”; M. Burnett, J. Evans, Marshall Mathers, L. Resto & M. Samuels, songwriters (Eminem) - “Not Afraid”; Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Bruno Mars & Bobby Simmons Jr., songwriters (B.o.B & Bruno Mars) - “Nothing On You”; Shawn Carter, J. Chaton & K. Dean, songwriters (G. Auge & X. De Rosnay, songwriters) (Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz) - “On To The Next One” - Wow. Jay-Z and Eminem are nominated twice here. B.o.B. has no chance. If Jay wins, it should be “Empire State of Mind”. If Em wins, it’s “Not Afraid”.

Best Rap Album:  B.o.B., The Adventures of Bobby Ray; Drake, Thank Me Later; Eminem, Recovery; Jay-Z, The Blueprint 3; The Roots, How I Got Over - Eminem. That’s a given.

Everything's beautiful through rose colored glasses...

Kelly Rowland, “Rose Colored Glasses”. 


What is it with K.Ro and these cheap ass videos? Once again, love the song but hate the video. She sure is working those hand routines though. Manly hands she has. And those arms. Kelly’s been in the gym a lot lately. Speaking of manly, anyone else get the “drag” vibe from K.Ro in this video?


Side note: Kelly's album has been delayed until 2011...or never.

You and me baby, we're stuck like glue...

This stays on repeat. My new favorite song:


Artist: Sugarland
Song: Stuck Like Glue

Back to (Boring) Me

I decided to go ahead and give this crazy bitch a listen. I can’t really be a fan of hers anymore after she tried that fake ass suicide attempt. I still believe all that “drama” is a publicity stunt since she needs buzz because her upcoming album isn’t generating any. I already liked the lead single “Bittersweet” (notice she sings, “my Lord, my Lord…this shit is bittersweet”). The 2nd single, “Man of the House” is catchy but I doubt it will do well as a single. And of course, “Even Angels” is a nice somewhat motivational track. Unfortunately, it feels like the album is all over the place. While each and every track is great or just good enough, I find myself getting bored by the 4th track and trying to stay awake and maintain attention by the 6th. I feel the album wasn’t well put together and there aren’t any good singles. However, Fanny does show some growth. I’d have to listen to the tracks randomly instead of from beginning to end. Not THE best but definitely a good one. Glad Fanny and Monica is resurrecting the female R&B genre and sticking true to it. Now it’s time for Faith and Kelly P. to follow suit.

Standout: “I’m Here” (from ‘The Color Purple’ musical) - This shit had me on my damn feet.

Grade: 3.5/4

In stores 8/24

Watch me burn...

Artist: Eminem featuring Rihanna
Song: Love The Way You Lie
Album: Recovery

The second single and number one hit for Eminem and Rihanna from the platinum number one selling album, Recovery. I love this song. I think the video is nice. Nothing EPIC, just nice. It's nothing to go all gaga over. I also can't see all the hype about Megan Fox. She can't act and she isn't that pretty to me. However, I cannot get past the fact that Rihanna is collaborating with a guy known for domestic violence against his former wife, and seems fine with being featured in a video that displays domestic violence, especially when she's supposed to be the victim given all that she's gone through.But hey, at least she's getting that check.

Movie Review: Despicable Me and Inception

Despicable Me

At first I didn’t care too much for this movie. The initial trailer previews didn’t give me the idea that this film would be a good one; although I thought the little kids (kids, not kidz) would love it regardless. But as time went on, the previews revealed a little more of the film then came the little girl. “It’s so fluffy!!” Lol, she’s so cute. So I decided to pull up the movie online *yes, ONLINE* and watch it. I gotta say, I laughed my ass off throughout the movie. I had the wrong impression; this movie is hilariously fun. I wish I would have been able to take my niece to see it. Definitely worth it. I also recommend the soundtrack, which is produced by Pharrell. Grade: A+

Inception

I never understood what this film would be about before walking into the movie theater. Just as I expected, it was confusing at times. This is a kind of film that you’d have to really pay attention or else if you miss two seconds, you’d be seriously lost. I like those kinds of movies that can hold my attention like that. However, despite a little confusion, I still understood what was going on. Most films of this nature are hard to pull off but Inception was brilliantly executed. It takes you on a dream within a dream within a dream that can be created and controlled by the sleeping individual. The confusing part comes when you don’t know when the characters are in a dream or not, lol. I recommend it. Grade: A

Your love made me iridescent...

Artist: Monica
Song: Love All Over Me
Album: Still Standing (In Stores Now)

The 2nd single from one of the year's best selling female R&B artist, Monica, is poised to become her 2nd number one R&B hit from the number one album, Still Standing. "Love All Over Me" is a soulful ballad, the follow-up to the first single, "Everything To Me", a number one hit for 8 weeks on the charts. LAOM, which once again the fans decided for the single thanks to Monica and J Records, jumped ten spots to reach #14 in its 8th week. The video, which finally premiered on 106 & Park yesterday, is beautiful and cinematic, although not completed as there are alternate endings. It stars Lakers champion player Shannon Brown, who portray's Monica's new love, and rapper Maino, the old love who had to go away for a few years. Monica and Shannon are engaged to be married but when Maino returns back into her life, Monica is left to choose who she wants to be with. The twist: the fans get to decide her fate. Voting is currently underway, and this version of the video will run until the final results revealed on Friday, July 23rd. The final video will be revealed, showing who the fans decided Monica will meet at the alter. Who will it be? Stay tuned.

I'm for #TeamShannon.

In Stores Now: Janelle Monae

I'm late but do you see this?

Yes, the pic below... 

It's a cover of a newly released album.

Get up off your ass.

Get on iTunes or in your car.

Get it.

I don't wanna hear SHIT about this not being your taste.

I was wondering maybe...

Artist: Alicia Keys featuring Drake
Song: Unthinkable (I'm Ready)
Album: The Element of Freedom

This is one of my favorites off the Element of Freedom. I love the video except for the ending. This is shaping up to be a big hit. I’m glad she went with this song as a single instead of the one with Bouncy. I don't think that song has a chance at all.

An Angel Called Home...

LENA HORNE

1917-2010 

A. Legendary. Icon.

 
"Stormy Weather" 

New Video: Beyonce's cool but I love "Bouncy"

"Why Don't You Love Me" - Beyoncé from Beyoncé on Vimeo.

Artist: Beyonce
Song: Why Don't You Love Me?

So much for taking a break. It’s a nice video, good visuals but nothing to write home about. As usual, Bey is looking seXXXy. I see she’s showing off her 16 undeserved Grammy awards for disposable lack of quality. (Roll-eyes) Anyway, as for the song, I don’t care for it. Nice vocals but that’s it. You know the stans are going crazy right about now. I just SMH. At least I have her ass to look at. Oh, and her boobies

New Video: Xtina's not herself...

She's  A SLUTTY SEXXXY BITCH!!

Artist: Christina Aguilera
Song: Not Myself Tonight
Album: Bionic

YASSSSSSS!!!!!!!!! *Puts on my yaki ponytail and does my slutty dance* LOL!! I already love this song. Now I love it even more. X-tina really turned it on in this video, looking like one sexxxy, slutty MILF. Sadly, she's getting flack for "copying" Lady Gaga, when X-tina had already done the same things Gaga is doing now. Don't get me wrong; I'm a Gaga fan but if it wasn't for X-tina, she wouldn't be here. I mean, did we forget the Stripped era? Anyway, this will definitely be the VOTW next week.

New Music Videos: Breezy, Tyga, B.o.B. & T.I

Artists: Chris Brown & Tyga
Song: G-Shit

I love Breezy but I'm not sure about the rapping. Why won't y'all let him be great?


Artists: B.o.B. featuring T.I. & Playboy Trey
Song: Bet I Bust
Album: The Adventures of Bobby Ray

New Video: M.I.A.

M.I.A, Born Free from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

Artist: M.I.A.
Song: Born Free

I stared at my laptop in shock for like 10 minutes.

New Video: Snoop Dogg & Cudi

Artist: Snoop Dogg featuing KiD CuDi
Song: That Tree

New Music Videos

Artist: Maxwell
Song: Fistful of Tears
Album: BLACKsummer'snight

Love this song. I think it's time to move into the second part of this trilogy, blackSUMMER'Snight.


Artist: Toni Braxton
Song: Hands Tied
Album: Pulse *Available May 4th*


Artist: Toni Braxton
Song: Make My Heart
Album: Pulse *Available May 4th*

"Make My Heart" is a nice video, very different. However, I just cannot get into the song, no matter how much I try. Hell, I doubt I would like it even if Bouncy recorded it. I love, love, LOVE me some Toni Braxton but I’m just too disappointed in her and the direction of this project. Over 25 recorded songs leaked over the past year, and she and the label decided to pick 11 of those tracks for the album, half of them being the weakest including this one. They completely threw away the best songs Toni recorded this era. Even though "Make My Heart" impacts urban radio on April 20th (it has already been at radio since February), none of Toni's singles have taken off, including *great songs* "Hands Tied" the original and remix of "Yesterday" that features Trey SongzThings just can’t seem to go right for Toni but this time it’s her own fault. She’s trying too hard.

*Side note: I would have posted the new Snoop and Cudi video but it was removed.