New Releases: Toni and Trina

The first comes from a diva that's been in the game since '93 when she couldn't "Breathe Again" after singing "Another Sad Love Song" for "Seven Whole Days" on her classic self-titled debut album. Soon after, she spilled all of her Secrets, her sophomore album, also a classic masterpiece. She had us begging to "Un-break My Heart", got sexy on "You're Makin' Me High", and told us about how he was "Talkin' in His Sleep". The she dropped The Heat on us, letting us know that "He Wasn't Man Enough" and she told him to "Just Be A Man About It". After that, she lost steam but she was still More Than A Woman and told him to "Hit the Freeway". The Libra side coming out of her, she told those bitches "Please" back up off out her face and leave her man alone. Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Toni Braxton as come back to give us another chapter after finding her PULSE, her new album which is now in stores today. The album features the singles "So Yesterday" (including a remix with Trey Songz), "Make My Heart", and "Hands Tied". So far, unfortunately, all singles have failed to take off. There's barely any promotion and no buzz surrounding this album. I've been expressing my disappointment for this project but it's sad that this talented soulful woman cannot catch a break. However, this time it is her and the label's fault. Tracks leaked practically every 2 seconds, currently just over 25 total. Of all those tracks, eleven of them were selected for the album, with a select couple remastered. This doesn't take away from it being a good album because it is indeed a good one (still a few non-selected songs were much better than half of those on the disc). Noteworthy tracks include "Why Won't You Love Me?", "Hero",  and "Pulse". Get the deluxe edition on iTunes and you'll get the sassy bonus track, "The Wave". I wish Miss Toni the Tigress the best. Grade: B-

Trina finally drops her long-awaited (seriously, who was actually waiting besides a few of the Kidsz?) album, Amazin'. You know I only care for this one for 2 reasons: the current R&B hit "Always" and "I Want It All", the 2 tracks featuring my girl Monica, who steals the spotlight on both tracks. The album also features the hit flop single, "Million Dollar Girl" featuring Keri Flopson and (annoyin' ass) Diddy, and the Lady Gaga-assisted "Let Them Hoes Fight". You got 2 choices: buy it or bootleg it. You know which one I did...

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.