As TLC gears up for the release (filming has already been completed) of its upcoming VH1 Biopic (CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story), music video director Lionel C. Martin (Boyz II Men’s ” End of the Road and SWV’s “Right Here”) has also released a never before seen video of their hit song “Creep”. Although I prefer the one that was shot with Matthew Rolston (Salt N Pepa’s “None of Your Business, Brandy’s “Wildest Dreams”), this video is still quite entertaining. It takes a more grungy approach than the polished final version. You’ll notice that Left Eye seems a bit removed from the creeping shenanigans, while T-Boz takes center stage for the main skit of her literally sneaking out of the window and making it back home just in time before her boyfriend notices she’s gone. And Chilli finds herself creeping on a man whose hair is just as long as hers….and he has his own secret.
It’s a comical video done only the way TLC can. Plus, who else can wear ripped up jeans and shirts that resemble car wash wipers and still look sexy??? Check out the video below and a rare remix that features one of Left Eye’s most interesting raps. It totally contradicts the whole meaning of the song. Always the rebel, she originally wanted to wear black tape over her mouth in the music video and wasn’t pleased with the song’s message and it’s selection as being the lead single from CrazySexyCool.
It’s not everyday that an artist can take a 4 year plus break from a successful album before releasing another one. Justin Timberlake’s 2nd second CD, FutureSex/LoveSounds was released in 2006 and spawned the hit singles “My Love”, “Sexy Back”, and “What Goes Around…”. In the meantime, he has dabbled in acting in various films but has now returned to his day job, singing. I personally think he should stick with this one instead of acting, lol. The question most fans have for a follow-up album after such a lengthy hiatus is whether or not it’s worth buying. Within just the first 3 tracks of The 20/20 Experience, that question is answered with a resounding yes.
Some of you may have heard the CD before the official release date, via illegal downloading or the free iTunes stream the week before the release (hopefully it’s the latter, lol). However, the Target version of the CD includes 2 bonus tracks that are worthy enough to have been added to the original 10 track collection. “Pusher Love Girl” is a slow slumping smooth groove that finds Justin Timberlake pleading for his “dealer” woman to keep supplying him with her addictive “drugs”. Then there’s the infectious first single, featuring Jay Z (“Suit and Tie”), which seems to be catching the likes of several generations and shows his growth as an artist. “Strawberry Bubblegum” is one of my favorites that is reminiscent of Michael Jackson and even borrows a bit from the old N’Sync classic hit, “Pop”. The song’s lyrics are a bit sugary but not too sappy (“If you’d be my strawberry bubblegum/Then I’ll be your blueberry lollipop) and nonetheless clever. This song is packed with innuendo and similar to many of the other tracks and FutureSex/LoveSounds, includes long interludes that tie in to the song or the album’s theme. “Let The Groove Get In” is a thumping latin inspired track that is lyrically competitive but still addictive. Plus with a beat that good, who really cares? Lol. But the ultimate secret weapon the CD is “Spaceship Coupe”, a slow jam produced by Timbaland (who produces almost all of the CD) and Timberlake that sounds like a perfect mix of Phyllis Hyman’s version of “Betcha By Golly Wow”, Justin Timberlake’s own “Until The End of Time” and Ciara’s sultry classic, “Promise”. This song is sheer genius and you just have to hear it for yourself.
So with an album this great, you must be thinking that it will be another few years before he jumps back in the studio for a follow-up. Think again. Not one to rest on his laurels this go round, drummer Questlove from The Roots was actually the first to spill the beans on talk of a new Justin Timberlake album. Yes, according to Questlove, the 2nd installment of The 20/20 Experience will be available in plain sight and ripe for purchasing by November of this year. He revealed the news in Okayplayer chat stating, “spoiler alert. 20/20 Vol 2 comes out in nov. (10 songs now … 10 songs later= 20 vision).” He also went on to say how he heard all 20 tracks out of orders and doesn’t know which ones will be on each album. Plus he stated that this concept may be a bit to lofty and strenuous. Maybe so…..but is it just me, or does it sound like Questlove could be hating just a tad bit? Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great artist in his own right. But some of his comments sound a little shady to me, especially considering that he leaked the information. Since the leak, Justin Timberlake has confirmed the rumor to be correct, just not exactly when it will be released.
Will you be ready for a new Justin Timberlake CD again in November? What do you think of The 20/20 Experience? Word on the street is that he just may etch out 1,000,000 copies sold in his first week.
***And speaking of 20/20 vision, don’t forget to purchase your pre sale copy of my new book, Hindsight 20/20! The official release date is April 5th, with a release party to follow on April 6th (check out my “20 Days to Hindsight 20/20″ post for more details).***
The pre sale promotion has ended, but make sure to get your copy of Hindsight 20/20 today! Just click on the cover photo below to purchase.
As T-Boz’s reality show, “Totally T-Boz”, came to a close last Tuesday, January 18th, she announced a very special release that she’s been working on. It’s her new song, “Champion”. It’s a step in the direction of launching her own solo career (while balancing upcoming TLC obligations) that she so anxiously wants. I’m not sure if now is the best time for her to embark on a solo career, but she definitely has one heck of a resume. Despite the fact that TLC hasn’t released a CD in 2002′s 3D, they are still one of the best-selling female groups (and groups period) of all time, with over 65 million records sold worldwide. Plus, with her beating the odds once again with her brain tumor recovery, she has at the very least proven that she has a compelling story to tell. Nevertheless, I’m excited about the new TLC music coming soon and the possibility of T-Boz’s own records.
In an era where meaningful lyrics seem to have been tossed out the window, “Champion” not only has an inspiring message but is also helping fund research for such diseases as sickle-cell anemia, lupus and leukemia. Not some, but all proceeds will go towards finding a cure for these diseases. I’m not too fond of the production here and it sounds a bit unfinished, but I like the melody, lyrics and T-Boz’s signature scratchy tone here. If there’s anyone who can sing a song like this and really have lived it and mean it, it’s T-Boz. You can help be a champion by downloading the single on iTunes and contributing to important disease research.
What do you think of ”Champion”? Is T-Boz better solo or should she stick with TLC?
-“Yes, I am in America. And yes, I am wanted. And it’s probably illegal to be this hot.” –Tamar Braxton
As cocky as it may sound, Tamar Braxton is about as hot and wanted in America as she’s ever been right now. Arguably the most vibrant star on The Braxton Family Values reality show, the woman who has made quotes like “get your life” and any phrase followed by “dot com” famous is finally stepping out of Toni Braxton’s shadow. Since the show first aired, she made no secret about the fact that she wanted to jump-start her own solo singing career. It’s no surprise that she can actually sing and she has badgered her husband Vince Herbert about not doing his part to help her (especially considering he’s Lady Gaga’s manager).
Now she has started her own spin-off show, Tamar and Vince, landed a spot on the upcoming VH1 Show Tiny Tonight, plus she’s the host of Centric’s new lifestyle show, CultureList. Oh yeah and then there’s the No.1 single she just released. Yep, her single “Love and War” reached No. 1 on several iTunes charts and No. 2 overall….just 1 day after its release.This is all with minimal promotion except for several Twitter plugs from Lady Gaga. One of which read, K I NEVER PROMOTE ARTISTS but if u want your mind blown check @tamarbraxtonher “Love & War” She’s Toni Braxton sister + her voice is BEYOND,” Considering Lady Gaga has over 31,000,000 “monsters” (what she calls her fans) following her, I’m sure this helped in a big way.
So what do I think of her first single “Love and War”? I was very pleasantly surprised and even impressed by some of her vocal runs. She almost sounds….dare I say it, better than Toni Braxton. The lyrics flow well with the melody on this track and the music isn’t overproduced. And more surprisingly, she’s not over-singing. I don’t know why I expected that before I heard the song. Wait….maybe it’s because of her exaggerated personality on TV, lol. But all jokes aside, she has definitely made a believer out of me as someone who wasn’t even interested in her solo material initially. But now, I’ll be on the lookout for it. What do you think of her and the new song? Her new CD (this is actually not her first solo release) is set to drop in February. Will you be buying? If the rest of the tracks sound like “Love and War”, I just might be….
Check out “Love and War” below, if you haven’t already heard it
