Monthly Archives: April 2010

World Premiere: “Not Myself Tonight” – Christina Aguilera

For those of us who assumed Xtina to be the one behind the brilliantly faceless ‘iamwhoiamwhoami’ viral campaign – we obviously had too much faith in the pop vet. I wasn’t impressed much by Ms. Aguilera’s first single choice off Bionic, but, I felt the same way about “Dirrty” before its video debuted… This clip, though; while looking (and sounding) like a “Dirrty Pt. 2″ is much less groundbreaking, stylish, and dare I say, tasteful? (Never thought I’d see the day) I could have sworn Xtina was looking to reinvent her brand? Hm. I suppose the vid does certify her a singing hardcore porn star. Was her previous shtick softcore? I presume the PVC does hoist things up a notch. Especially as a new mother and all… but, come on Christina…if you were looking for the new you, surely a video with clones from your past isn’t it. Not tonight. Sorry.

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World Premiere: “Shake” – Game

Producers Cool & Dre and Clueless‘ Stacey Dash reemerge from the depths of hip-hop ephemera for the big band-inflected first video off Game’s eagerly-anticipated fourth album. Love that Game‘s yacht closet looks like a Foot Locker and is easily triple the square footage of my East Village apartment. The R.E.D. Album drops June 29th.

As I mentioned before, I saw The-Dream live last week (April 22) at the Highline Ballroom. He performed a slew of signatures aside from debuting new material (“Love Queen” and “Sex Intelligent” off the upcoming Love King) to an overflowing crowd. The rarely live Mr. Nash outdid himself when he brought Fabolous onstage for a “Throw It In The Bag (Remix)”/“Gangsta Luv” medley. Highlights: Jumpsuited backup dancers, Ne-Yo in the crowd, pink-wigged (Nicki Minaj-lookalike) DJ, and Gyptian’s purr.

World Premiere, Pt. I: “Money Can’t Buy You Class”
- Countess Luann (of The Real Housewives of New York City)

I don’t know which is more devastating:
Countess Luann’s wonky talk-y first (and hope to God, only) single
or M.I.A.’s 9-minute redheaded bloodbath?

World Premiere, Pt. II: “Born Free” – M.I.A.
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Tonight I’m going to see The-Dream and Gyptian live for the first time ever =
Big things.
These are the tracks I’ll be pre-gaming to…

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World Premiere: “Holla @ Me” – Tyga & Chris Brown

C-Breezy teams with Young Money‘s Tyga for this Jahlil Beats-produced street romp.

World Premiere, Pt. II: “Shake (Remix)” -
Game (Feat. Travis Barker)

Game‘s first single off the upcoming [The] R.E.D. Album is re-tuned with percussion by Blink 182′s Travis. Love this track.

World Premiere: “Ride” – Ciara (Feat. Ludacris)

Sometimes a bare minimum performance video works better for an artist than anything too shiny. See here: If the “Work” video likened Ciara to a “You Want This”-era Miss Janet, then her video for “Ride” is cut from the pages of the overly basic, breakthrough “Pleasure Principle” clip. Outfitted for the majority of the video in a midriff-baring tank top, Braves fitted (a reference to her beginnings as the ATL’s crunk queen), knee pads, leggings, and a pair of Adidas, Ciara sticks to her idol’s sexually athletic, archetypal aesthetic through shadows, empty soundstages, and a freestyled floor-fucking routine. It’s without a doubt, Ci was cut from the same domineering, dance-driven DNA that Janet was, delivered to the aughts for the identical reason Janet became so triumphant two decades ago – as a reminder to popular music that black women can, in fact, hold their ground amongst the Madonna’s (or today, Gaga’s) with a handful of nasty moves honkies can’t do. And for that, I am thankful.

World Premiere: “RIDE” – Ciara (Feat. Ludacris)

Recently appointed Givenchy go girl is back with a follow-up to last year’s flop, Fantasy Ride. With a thumping Tricky [Stewart] tune-up, she relinquishes her superhero shtick to re-up her signature ATL pride with help from writer, The-Dream. As the lead single off her upcoming Basic Instinct LP, “RIDE” more than readies her audience for a comeback with verses by long-time collaborator Ludacris and heavy trunk rattling chop’n'screw production. While it’s no Ci-Ci/Jazze Pha masterpiece (or even Lil’ Jon’s “Goodies“) and sounds like a demi-continuation of “Like A Surgeon” (also by The-Dream and Tricky), it’s a nice attempt at returning to her crunk’n roots. Saddle up because it also happens to be the perfect Summer track to practice your Ciara Matrix backspins to.

The wait is over… well sort of (Thank Me Later drops June 15). Drake’s Ken Kesey-inspired video accompaniment (directed by Anthony Mandler) for hit single “Over” is finally here! And the projected visuals are as astounding as they are astonishingly simple.

World Premiere: “Hold Yuh (Remix)” – Gyptian (Feat. Nicki Minaj)

Everyone’s favorite song on the latest S&M mixtape seems to be Gyptian’s Summer-ready “Hold Yuh,” so it’s just right that the blog’s favorite femcee has graced it with her 16 bars. This track’s shaping up to be the official sound of Summer 2010 and there ain’t no problem with that.

If you haven’t noticed by now – I’ve been on the craziest riddim trip as of late. From Gyptian’s “Hold Yuh” to the Serani and Jadakiss-assisted DJ Webstar “Tipsy” remix (featured on the latest S&M mixtape), I’ve fallen hard for the zagga zagga zow. It’s added some much-needed Spring to my step. The last time I had Caribbean fever was back when I couldn’t go a day without watching Cool Runnings, listened to Inner Circle, Snow, and UB40 non-stop, and was head-over-heels in love with Diana King. Oh, the good ol’ days.. if only they’d stop hating on homos already. Continue after the jump for my favorite rasta riddims…Remember where you heard ‘em first MF.

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