K. Michelle - How Many Times

K. Michelle returns with "How Many Times" but after the superior "Just Can't Do This" failed to make a splash on the charts, I'm not sure how this one will fare. However, she does provide a superb vocal and once again relays the typical theme of a broken hearted woman. She sings how many times "she took her (lover) back" and all he did was betray her, break her heart, and leave her all alone. Two thumps up for the man basher!

Jay Sean - Hit The Lights

Sometimes you just have to bring it back to a plain ol' and classic club track. Jay Sean once again delivers with his third collaboration with Lil' Wayne "Hit The Lights." When all goes down, turn off the lights, drink a little something, let the DJ spin those records, and have some fun.

My DJ at work has been spinning this for a while now. After "2012" with Nicki underperformed, hopefully this will change the course of his "Frozen Time" LP.

OneRepublic - Good Life

OneRepublic's new music video for "Good Life" is inadvertently set in the middle of nowhere; however, the lyrics describe that "this could be a really good life." Lead singer Ryan Tedder describes waking up in London, traveling to New York and L.A. from "Paris to China to Colorado."

Honestly, world travel is symbolic of all of the opportunities this world has to offer. It's feel good songs like this that makes me appreciate the simple things while simultaneously looking forward to when I can live my life and experience a world of adventure!

Nicki Minaj - Moment 4 Life

I love Nicki. I love her style, her persona, her delivery, and her message. In "Moment 4 Life" with Drake she acknowledges the struggle that it took to get her to where is today and now that she's "made" it, she wishes that she could have this moment for life. As Drake proclaims, "everybody dies, but not everybody lives." So I say life your life and cherish every moment you have because when it'll be your last. Although the latter half of the video is quite uneventful, the intro is hilarious and is well worth the watch.

Lupe Fiasco - Words I Never Said

Lupe has always been a political rapper, but this collaboration with Skylar Gray takes the cake. Wow, is all I can say. He sure us being honest and expressing his opinion. Take a listen and speak up. Someone obviously needs to.

Katy & Ke$ha - E.T./Blow

Katy & Ke$ha have released their new singles and I wanted to discusss them together. Of course, I would have preferred "Hummingbird Heartbeat" or "Last Friday Night" to be released next by Katy, but this "E.T." remix with Kanye is "supernatural" and most importantly I'm glad that she is switching up with each single release. Katy sounds in control and in love. I love it and hope it smashes.

Ke$ha on the other hand continues to release pretty much that same, similar-themed song over and over again. Even so, I can't knock her for it because "Blow" is hot and why mess with a formula if it isn't broken? It sets the party mood that is about "blooooowwwww-ohohoh-oh!"

Avril Lavigne - What The Hell

With each new listen, I fall in love again with Avril Lavigne's new single "What The Hell." The video takes that love to a whole new level as Avril parades around as her broken-hearted and confused boyfriend follows her around town. Fun, happy, and catchy Avril is just as good as deep, emotional, and artist Avril. I'm glad she's found a way to comprise and balance both aspects into her music. It's good that she doesn't care "I you love me (her), if you love me (her)..." because sometimes that's what it takes to just, be yourself.

Lloyd - Cupid

I'm not not 100% sold on Polow Da Down producing Lloyd's new LP in its entirety; however, second single "Cupid" is a winner and its release was just in time for the month of love. Lloyd proclaims that "cupid has done it again" because his lover has "got his head spinning around, and around, and around." Oh, and did I mentioned that the beat knocks? Good stuff.

Wiz Khalifa - Roll Up

Wiz Khalifa is quite an interesting new artist. Not sure where I place him, yet but with a #1 hit under his belt he shows promise. On second single "Roll Up" Wiz is already singing. Dang, he's going commercial quickly! The Stargate-produced track has a notably sing-a-long hook that is sure to be a Rhythmic hit. Can't hate on him for wanting to keep the momentum.

The Black Eyed Peas - Just Can't Get Enough

No where near the quality of the material on "The END," the second single for The Black Eyed Peas album "The BEGINNING" is pretty catchy; however, the beat change halfway through the song is quite...odd. On the track "Just Can't Get Enough," Fergie proclaims that "she's addicted" to her lover. She is really one of two highlights on the track (along with Will.i.am's island influenced pre-chorus). Oh, can Fergie Ferg just go solo again? I miss her.

Bruno Mars - The Lazy Song

Although most assumed "Marry You" would follow Bruno Mars' #1 hits "Just The Way You Are" and "Grenade," however, his label has thrown a curve ball and sent out "The Lazy Song." Personally, I find this breezy mip-tempo a gem and glad that he's switching it up from the previously released love ballads.



In "Lazy," Bruno proclaims "that today I don't feel like doing anything...nothing at all." I know we all had days like that. I chuckle everytime I hear "no I ain't going to comb by hair...I'll just strut in my birthday suit" because, that's real. Matter of fact, that's exactly how I plan on spending tomorrow, doing "...nothing at all."

Kanye West - All of The Lights

Kanye West has finally released the video for his latest single "All of The Lights." Unfortunately, I'm not impressed. The video starts out with a plot, but it ends randomly and turns into a performance video. Hype Williams was my favorite music director and inspired me to pursue a degree in Film; however, I'm not sure of the relative direction he's going in as of late. Rihanna appears uninterested and the solo (thus, random) addition of Kid Cudi is quite uneventful. Sigh. Well, at least the superb song is shaping out to be a sizable Urban hit.

Britney Spears - Hold It Against Me/Inside Out

Today Britney Spears finally premiered her new video for her #1 single "Hold It Against Me." Although an overall good video, I am somewhat disappointed by the limited dancing Ms. Spears exhibits. The dub step in this song is EPIC & it should have had a more in your face choreography. Maybe next time.


However, producer Dr. Lue also graced up with this snippet from Britney's new album "Femme Fatale." The track is supposedly titled "Inside Out" and it sounds like a winner...so at least the album seems like it will have some strong tracks. Whew!

Chris Brown - 2.4.1

Chris Brown has genuinely been impressing me with his music as of late. Although some of his words and public statements have been sketchy, he remains an amazing artist and musician. Notably, I'm pleased that Keri Hilson is releasing her duet with Chris Browm, "One Night Stand," as the third official single from her album "No Boys Allowed." I think it's pretty obvious what the song is about.

Also, Chris Browns duet with rapper, singer, & producer Kevin McCall (both of whom co-crote "One Night Stand" as well) "Between The Lines" is a catchy and exceedingly well written tune about trusting your man no matter the rumors or gossip. Trust, is yet another important factor necessary for maintaining a strong relationship.

Melanie Fiona - Gone & Never Coming Back

I'm totally on my R&B tip tonight and Melanie Fiona's "Gone & Never Coming Back" assentuates that real singers are back. After last years #1 R&B hit "It Kills Me" being the standout cut on her debut, I wondered how Ms. Fiona's career would progress. This song is a strong indication.



Within the track, Melanie tells the heartbreaken lover who is gone...and never coming back. Most notably, it seems that their relationship was obviously imperfect and even though Melanie "thought that memories never die" she realizes that her love is truly never returning. Can we give it up once again for real singers?

Musiq - Anything

Featuring Swizz Beats, Musiq's new single "Anything" is a winner. I swear that Musiq is one of the few conteporary Urban Adult R&B artists who consistently produces soulful jams. This track is no different. Musiq proclaims that he'll be honest with his lover and that she can trust him and tell him anything. As the adage goes, honesty is key within any relationship.

Jennifer Hudson - Where You At

I wanted to begin this week with posting some of my favorite new songs. First up, is Jennifer Hudson's new single "Where You At." The power-ballad was written by R. Kelly and is the lead single from Ms. Hudsons "I Remember Me" LP.



The track finds Jennifer asking where the man who promised her the world is when the hard times come about. Unexpectantly, he leaves her alone an underprotected. Although not as strong as her previous lead single, Jennifer's voice absolutely soars during the bridge and in music, really, what else is there without a great vocal performance?

Lloyd - Things I Like About You

I believe that Lloyd is allowing Polow Da Don to produce his "King of Hearts" LP entirely and "Things I Like About You" appears to have been recorded during a session with another producer. Regardless, this song is beautiful and should receive the single treatment. I never understand why an artist would throw away such a quality song?



He notes "the way we kick it like best friends" is one of the things that he likes about his lady friend. Notably, "the way you call my mother, just to check up on her, you care about family" is another point where he describes her positive attributes. I can only hope that "Cupid" (the rumored next single from his album) is half as good as this track.

Hyper Crush - Kick Us Out

My DJ at work has been playing Hyper Crush tunes for quite some time now, but "Kick Us Out" is by far my favorite. I honestly will always remember the first (and to date only) time I was kicked out of a club. This song embodies that feeling and takes it to the level of simply enjoying one's self at a party. Yes, it's arguably been done and said before, but this group spices up the concept and makes a banger in the process.

Dirty Money - Make Love To You/Yesterday

This morning, Dirty Money released a Love/Hate mixtape for Valentine's Day and the standout cut finds Dawn & Kaleena vocally personifying everything that is amazing about love. However, it's interestingly Diddy's chorus that truly takes the song to another level.



Diddy sings "when I make love to you, I swear a lie become the truth, that's when the fire turns to rain fail, and the pain is good to you...that's when the angels come to play, that's when the darkness starts to fade away, and your night turns back to day, when I make love to you." Pure poetry.

Dirty Money also released the music video for their track with Chris Brown today in the form of "Yesterday." Simply down, yet quite creative, the video finds Chris doing what he does best: visually shutting down basically ever other male R&B artist without breaking a sweat.

Trey Songz - Love Faces

To commemorate Valentine's Day, I had to post the new video from R&B singer Trey Songz. "Love Faces" is the third single from his album "Passion, Pain, & Pleasure," is already a smash at Urban radio and I likely contender for #1 on the R&B charts in the coming weeks.

Notably, this video actually has something of a plot compared to Trey's other sexually themed videos. But, of course, any song describing the "love faces" that a woman makes when being made love to is going to incorporate some sexual overtones. All I can say is that Trey has found a niche and is remaining consistent within it.

Lady Gaga - Born This Way

This past Friday, Lady Gaga released the highly anticipated leading single and titled track of her third album "Born This Way." She even proceeded to perform it at the 2011 Grammy Awards. Within hours, the track reached #1 on iTunes in over 20 countries around the world and is highly favored to become the 1000th #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100.

In regard to the song the track is an up-tempo anthem where Gaga proclaims "Don't be a drag, just a be a queen." Although somewhat cliche in it's lyrics, the track is another self-empowerment song specifically targeted to the the LGBT community and any other disenfranchised minority group. Commercial success withstanding, the song is a testament to Gaga's creativity as an artist and is sure to garner a lot of attention for the rest of the year.

Dawn - Vibrate/Falls Away

As fate would have it, just as I was about to take it back and post one of my favorite cuts by Dawn Richard (of Dirty Money & Danity Kane fame) a new song by her, "Vibrate" is released. Honestly, both "Vibrate" and the older tune, "Falls Away" are everything to me.



Notably, "Falls Away" was released online years ago and simply shows the promise that Dawn has a solo artist. The song details a love where even through the hard times, everything else simply "falls away" when she's with her special love.

"Vibrate" takes love to an entirely differently level by emphasizing that she gets chills and that her lover makes "her body go...vibrate." With a sensual and smooth delivery, this track has me HIGHLY anticipating her mixtape which is set to drop next week (and of course, an eventual studio LP!)

Chris Brown - Up To You

Chris Brown released the promo video for "Up To You" off of his new album "F.A.M.E. & Fortune" and I must say that this snippet is amazing. I can still remember hearing the snippets of "Your Man Ain't Me" and "Winner" before his first LP was released, and I must say that "Up To You" gives me a similar emotional connection and Chris' maturity and growth is evident on the cut. I've been impressed with all of the new material from "F.A.M.E" and I look forward to hearing the full version when it's released.

Rihanna - S&M

The video for Rihanna's 3rd single off of her album "Loud" has been released. Honestly, I must say that the Melina directed clip for "S&M" is arguably Rihanna's best, yet. It's bright and colorful and twisted in regard that Rihanna mostly strayed away from the atypical. Instead of focusing on the general conception of S&M, she depicted most of the bad press and negative images that the media has taunted her for over the past six years of her career. Thus, even though "she may be bad...she's perfectly good at it." Yes you are Rihanna, yes you are.