Rss

  • youtube

Comebacks, Bad B$%&^#s & Praise Breaks

Posted by :Peauxetic Expressions On : September 3, 2012
4

Category: Uncategorized

Tags:, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

On this week’s Bump It or Dump It?, there’s literally something here for everybody. Check out the songs below that  cover everything from R & B to Gospel to Rock and Rap. What are your thoughts on these songs?

Anita Baker: Lately

Anita Baker dropped off the music scene to focus on family life after the massive success of 1994’s Rhythm of Love CD. Who could forget her hits “Rapture”, ”I Apologize”, “Body and Soul” and “Giving You The Best That I Got”? But, on October 23, 2012 she will release her new CD, Only Forever, after almost 10 years of silence. Her first single “Lately” (a remake of Tyrese’s1998 hit) is already breaking records with having the highest debut single on the Billboard Urban Adult Contemporary Chart in over 15 years. I must admit, she did a great job on this remake and really made the song her own. Her voice has not changed one bit…and neither has her image. But the response of fans shows that while she was gone, she was definitely not forgotten.

Lupe Fiasco: Bitch Bad

We reward lies and avoid shining light on the truth. But leave it to Lupe Fiasco to always tell it like it is, from his perspective. Not since “Dumb It Down” has he attacked the current state of Hip Hop in a single as he does with “Bitch Bad”. If you can get past the title, the message here is one everyone needs to hear. Lupe Fiasco’s last studio CD, Lasers, didn’t take off with fans as some of his previous work (i.e. The Cool). But after listening to “Bitch Bad” I’m sure he’ll reel in some of his old fan base, as well as gain new fans. The basic message here is that music is glorifying the term bitch as a good thing, instead of what it really is. The video’s concept also touches on blackface and the actors, such as Paul Robeson, who used it. He also take a jab at rapper Lil Webbie here too. Wonder what will come of that. Look for this song to be featured on his upcoming Food and Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Part 1 CD on September 25, 2012.

Alanis Morissette: Numb

In the mid 1990s, Alanis Morissette could not be touched. She was on every radio station, video music channel and at the top of the Billboard charts. Her most successful release to date, Jagged Little Pill, spawned 4 huge hit singles: “Ironic”, “Head Over Feet”, “You Oughtta Know” and “Hand In My Pocket”. Her first 2 CDs were only released in Canada, but with Jagged Little Pill, she struck gold…or rather platinum, 15 times over in the US alone. Now she’s back with her 8th studio album, Havoc and Bright Lights, released on August 28, 2012. I’ve always thought she was one of the best songwriters in the music business, no matter how disturbing her lyrics are. “Numb”, featured on her new CD is nothing short of disturbing, but I still like it. Check out her live performance from her upcoming tour DVD, Havoc and Bright Lights. 

Toby Mac featuring Lecrae: Forgiveness

I recently purchased Toby Mac’s new CD, Eye On it. I’ve heard several of his songs before, but never purchased any of his music. But after hearing the single “Me Without You”, plus a few other tracks, I decided to purchase it. And I was definitely glad that I did. Many of the tracks on this CD shine, but “Forgiveness” really stands out to me. The song features Gospel rapper Lecrae, who ironically doesn’t even rap on the track. Lecrae’s new CD, Gravity, will be released tomorrow, September 4, 2012. “Forgiveness” simply speaks about it being something that we all need at some point in our lives. The song is very powerful and I think this will be a big hit for Toby Mac, should he decide to release this as a single.

Music Monday: Top 5 Music Videos Of All Time

Posted by :Peauxetic Expressions On : May 28, 2012
9

Category: Uncategorized

Tags:, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The evolution of music videos have really made an impact over the years. There’s nothing like watching a music video to a song you already like. Or if the video is extremely good, it will make you like the song even better. Today, at Peauxetic Expressions, I’ve decided to share some of my favorite music videos with you. All of these videos push the envelope of creativity, innovation, and trendsetting. There are so many videos that I love, but these are just a few that I can watch again and again. Hopefully these videos will make you reminisce on great times for this Memorial Day holiday. Feel free to submit your own list too!

Ok, so here’s my list of the 5 best music videos ever….in no particular order.

1. TLC: Waterfalls

“Waterfalls” is the song that really catapulted TLC’s career to superstar status. The song itself is already addictive, but the video makes you dive in even more.  TLC proved that they were more than just Crazy, Sexy and Cool. With complete story lines to accompany the songs verses, miraculously doing weird dancing on top of water, and transforming into see through blob figures, “Waterfalls” still packs the same punch now as it did in 1995. Who knew walking on water in midriff tops and baggy dresses could look so hot.

2. Missy Elliott: Sock It To Me

It’s safe to say that Missy Elliott is probably one of the best artists when it comes to music videos. Her visuals are always over the top and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a music clip from her that I didn’t enjoy. But the one that sticks out in my head the most is from her first CD, Supa Dupa Fly. The concept of “Sock It To Me” (which also features Da Brat and an appearance by Lil Kim) is set in a futuristic video game fantasy world where Missy, Da Brat and Lil Kim fight off their enemies on floating motorcycles, dodging fireballs the whole way through. This video seems to have absolutely nothing to do with the song….but who really cares when it looks this cool???

3. Michael Jackson: Remember The Time

Most people would probably say that “Thriller” is their favorite Michael Jackson video and it’s one of my favorites too. But the one that really stands out to me is “Remember the Time”. The video was released in 1992, from the hugely successful Dangerous CD. Everybody from Eddie Murphy to Magic Johnson was featured in the video too. The slick and polished looking pharaoh themed ambiance, complete with a vanishing whirlwind of sand spin from Michael Jackson, makes this video just as captivating today as it was during its original release. At almost 10 minutes long, this video is worth watching every second.

4. Busta Rhymes Featuring Janet Jackson: What’s It Gonna Be? 

Busta Rhymes always finds a way to deliver outlandish and quirky videos to accompany his high energy songs. And “What’s It Gonna Be?” is no exception. However, on this clip, his approach is more sleek and shiny than bold and gritty. Complete with rain drops in the shape of falling Busta Rhymes figures that land on Janet Jackson, this video is amazing. Not to mention the painted on leather suit Janet Jackson wears in the video. We also see Busta Rhymes change from human to metal armor clad water figure. One of the best Hip Hop videos ever made….hands down.

5. Korn: Freak On A Leash

I’m not a huge fan of Korn, but I must say, their “Freak On A Leash” video is one of the best ever made. The symbolism of the flying bullet and the slow motion shots was ahead of its time when the video was released in 1998. The song, which was lifted from their Follow The Leader CD, proves the group was leading the pack outstanding music videos. I love the mix of animation, slow motion and live performances here. They just don’t make music videos like this anymore. And it’s also good to see Korn is still together. See if you can spot the dinosaur cell phone featured in the video, lol. How times have changed….

Bump It or Dump It??? Vocal Wars Behind the Music

Posted by :Peauxetic Expressions On : May 7, 2012
4

Category: Uncategorized

Tags:, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It’s Monday so you know what time it is….today I’m giving my reviews on new music from Rock to Gospel and Rap to R&B. But the question is, do these songs have repeated play potential or will they not even make it to the second verse before you hit the stop button? Check out my reviews and listen to see for yourself. Bump It or Dump It???

Brandy is making a return to music again this year.  However, with her recent Behind the Music special and reunion with Monica on the new song, “It All Belongs To Me”, many are calling this more of a comeback than a return.  So does she still have what it takes to deliver music with substance that rules the charts? Time will tell, but the first single from her upcoming Two Eleven CD, “Put It Down” featuring Chris Brown, just may give her the boost she needs. The song is produced by Bangledesh (“A Milli”, “Diva”) and has a catchy rhythm and even features Chris Brown and Brandy’s alter ego “Brand Nu” rapping.  Everything is promising here except for the main element that needs to be…the chorus…Instead of the edgy, grimy effect the song tries to go in, the chorus waters it down to bubblegum pop at some points. But hey, who really listens to words in popular music now anyway? Be on the lookout for Two Eleven to hit stores next month. I have a feeling this song will be growing on me…

Goodie Mob is most known for hits like “They Don’t Dance No Mo” and “Soul Food”.  It’s been 13 years since the release of a Goodie Mob album with all four original members (World Party).  Since then, the group’s resident eccentric soul singer/rapper, Cee-Lo has found success with the short-lived Gnarles Barkley and 3 solo albums. But apparently the group still had an itch to get back together. Perhaps their most crossover sounding song to date, it makes smart business sense that the group debuted the song on NBC’s “The Voice”, where Cee-Lo is one of the judges. But this song is crossover in a good way, without coming across contrived. The only weird part is the song features mostly Cee-Lo, with the other members merely chanting in the background. I think this will gain a lot of new fans for Goodie Mob and perhaps be the biggest song of their career. Hopefully the old fans will be open-minded enough to receive it as well. The song also has great lyrics that actually mean something…what a concept, lol. Look for the song to be featured on their new project, Age Against The Machine.

Maroon 5 has always pushed the envelope, but managed to sugar coat it to the point where it’s barely unrecognizable. From their upcoming album Overexposed, the group has teamed up with rapper Wiz Khalifa to give us the addictive “Payphone”. The song lyrics are a little explicit at some points. But so are some of the group’s other successful hits (“Wake Up Call” and “If I Never See Your Face Again”). The song talks about a fairy tale love story gone wrong and time too far spent.  Just the word payphone sounds like an obsolete word that has been buried to never be spoken again.  A few language beeps aside, Maroon 5 can more than likely count “Payphone” as another notch on their string of hits. Plus Wiz Khalifa will gain more crossover exposure, so it’s a win win situation.

Marvin Sapp seems to be following the old saying, “Strike while the iron is hot”. He’s been releasing CD’s back to back every year and a half for the past few years now (since “Never Would Have Made It). On his new CD, I Win, the opening track, “Teach My Hands To War” is a great song that’s sure to get you hyped up and ready to praise God.  The song is basically saying that you’re going to use your hands as weapons of praise against the enemy. Powerful message and the music is busy, but in a good way. Just be careful because you may forget you’re listening to a gospel song if you just listen to the music. The go go inspired tempo here has a bit of a throwback feel but is still current at the same time. I’m not sure if this song will be released as a single from I Win. But one thing’s for sure, it’s definitely the stand out up-tempo track on the CD.  I’m sure this would be a wonderful song to hear in concert.