Leela James has one of the smoothest, most sincere voices of our generation. Her music strikes with such a conviction that places the listener right in the center of her situation. She continues that formula on her latest release, Did It For Love. Her new album is quite refreshing in a time where substance is painfully lacking in today’s music. She’s currently on tour in support of her new album. After just one listen, I’m sure you’ll want to get your tickets.

Did It For Love is a well rounded Love 101 session. Leela kicks off the 40 minute set with the frustrated tune, “Hard For Me”. Here, she sings about a lover who won’t let his wall down to let love in. However, she flips the script on “Don’t Mean A Thing” and “Don’t Want You Back”. The former track is an uptempo, dance song that reminds us that actions speak louder than words. This is especially true when it comes to love. The former, “Don’t Want You Back” is a sexy, dismissive number that shuts down a man who lost his chance with her. She has moved on and has no signs of looking back. I can easily see this song being a successful single from the album. 

Leelah James sings about faded love memories that she yearns for on the heartfelt, “I Remember”. Dave Hollister joins her for a worthy vocal pairing on the upbeat love song, “Good To Love You”. This one may remind you of R. Kelly’s “Step In The Name Of Love”. “There 4 U” has a throwback 70s style groove. There are many songs that promise a safe haven for love. However, when Leela James says it, you know that come hell or high water, she means it. 

Although Leela James has a no nonsense persona, she gives major props when they are due. She isn’t afraid of randomly catering to her man, as evident on the beautiful ballad, “This Day Is For You”. She offers herself for love on the rousing “Take Me”. Meanwhile, “All Over Again” is a bare bones, soul stirring confession of love, backed with simple production of pianos and light drums. This is definitely one of my favorites on the album. “Our Love” kicks up the pace again with horns and an infectious melody that finds Leela singing about an incomparable love. 

Leelah James closes out the 12 song set with the title track, “Did It For Love”. She admits that she’s possibly made some bad decisions (and good ones too) in the past, all because of love. There are few that can navigate through the waters of love as effortlessly as Leela James. So, here’s to another collection of her heart through song that will be in heavy rotation for quite some time. 

“Strike while the iron is hot”. This old saying is extremely appropriate in today’s music industry. Jaysyd has a strong grasp on this concept. His last EP, HER, hasn’t even been out for a year yet. He already has new music to offer. Jaysyd’s new mixtape, Thanks For Nothing, picks up where HER left off. However, there is a marked maturity heard in his new material. “Single”, the lead track, is a great example. He confesses that he prefers the single life to avoid getting his heart broken again. He’s scarred from his previous relationship, although he has plenty of women available at his beckoning call.

Jaysyd even charters new musical directions, with the pop and reggae influenced, “Find My Self”. This song’s vibe travels in a lane that suits him well, as he takes us on a journey of self reflection. “Love Me” has a similar Caribbean influence and has tremendous popular appeal. Who doesn’t want to be loved? “Feel Good” is a mid tempo track that finds Jaysyd playing Martin and he wants to work it out with his Gina. This track sounds different from most of the album, but it was an excellent choice to include to shake things up a bit.  Nonetheless, he manages to take out time to pay tribute to his mother on the touching conversation, “Mom’s Birthday”.

Thanks For Nothing definitely has its share of lyrically memorable moments. Take a listen to “Do Me” featuring E.Z. (the sole noted feature on the mixtape). He sings, “I had a girl screen shot my messages/So now, I take my time when texting shit”. His vocals pair well with the bass thumping, mid-tempo track. Jaysd gets more personal about his past relationship on “Do Better”, one of the best songs on the mixtape. “Proud” finds him digging even deeper though, as recounts an ultimatum given to him by his ex: her or the music. Sounds like he picked the better choice. “Dope” takes a detour from the hard lessons learned and steps into the bedroom. He croons about having the love potion over a hypnotic sounding track. This will definitely be one of the fan favorites.

Jaysyd isn’t afraid to let a woman know if she’s worthy though. He’s hesitant, yet hopeful on the slow groove, “FWU”. “Beat It Up” takes a page from R. Kelly’s “Feelin’ On Yo Booty”. However, Jaysyd adds in his own metaphors and makes the song his own. “Start Over” speaks about not wanting to begin again in love, or in this case friends with benefits gone wrong. The song even opens with a voicemail from an upset woman, before he goes into his side of the story. “Wet” is a no holds barred after dark invitation that is reminiscent of the Ghost Town DJ’s 1995 smash, “My Boo”. He takes one more look back to his past on “Only Fair”. He shares the honest feelings of wanting ex to feel miserable if she’s not with him. We have all been there before.

Jaysyd ends Thanks For Nothing on a dismissive note with “Nice To Know You”. The song is primarily backed with swift piano rifts, as he nonchalantly says goodbye to a woman that played too many games. Ironically, Thanks For Nothing was released on April Fool’s Day. There is no joke that he’s serious about continuously evolving his craft and releasing quality music. Make sure you check out the mixtape, which available at all major online retailers.

Trey Songz has always been considered as R. Kelly’s musical nephew. At least that’s my take on him. Trey Songz has a lyrical prowess that’s smoother than many of his counterparts. However, the bulk of his catalog contains tales of breakups, makeups, sex, cheating and oh….more sex. His latest album Tremaine doesn’t leave room to expect anything different. The album starts off with a seductive intro titled “The Prelude”, before it transitions to a heartfelt plea for an ex’s return on “Come Over”. The latter could easily be single that gains him more of an adult contemporary fan base. Although songs lke “#1 Fan”, “The Sheets….Still”,  take the album’s worth two steps back, they aren’t enough to tarnish Tremaine‘s credibility. 

“Nobody Else But You” feels like a backhanded compliment. Nonetheless, the is Trey Songz we’re talking about here. If anyone can pull that off he can. “Playboy” is a stellar number that finds him calling himself out for his promiscuous ways over a nostalgic 90s inspired track. Keith Sweat, eat your heart out buddy.  “Song Goes Off” proves yet again that Trey Songz wears the hat of regret well. This song is a smooth ballad that finds him trying to get an ex lover to admit she still loves him…in roughly 4 minutes or less. 

The funky, slinky guitar groove of “She Lovin’ It” has a hint of rock inspiration and offers one of the high points on the album. “Animal”, cleverly placed right after this track, makes lions, tigers and bears sound so sensual. Remember R. Kelly’s song “Zoo”? This is a worthy, updated version of that. “1×1” and “What Are We Here For” are Tremain‘s strongest pop offerings. Although neither of the songs are necessarily my favorites, I can see them being big hits for him. 

All in all, Tremaine offers little uncharted territory for Trey Songz. He has definitely matured over the years, but his core message is still intact.  Despite MIKExANGEL’s feature on “Games We Play”, the album is void of any features. This was actually refreshing to hear since Trey Songz can easily carry an album all on his own. Tremaine, b.k.a. Trey Songz, seems to live by the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. While this is true, I’ll be glad to see the day he decides to really break away from the mold.  

Empire returns to prime time TV tonight. The show’s fans have been eagerly anticipating the new episode. However, the real buzz is about Jamal’s new single. Wait. This song actually has nothing to do with Jamal. Jussie Smollett steps front and center into the spotlight to reveal a new “artistic expression” as he calls it. The song and its accompanying video is not a publicity stunt or a teaser for a new album. However, he clearly stands behind the song. He believe it’s a message that needs to be conveyed.

Jussie Smollett does not like Trump. Should I have said President Trump? Eh, for the sake of this blog, let’s just leave it at Trump. There is even one scene in the video where he rolls a bicycle over a plastic mask resembling Donald Trump. “Build a wall/It won’t keep us from loving each other/Rewrite the laws/You won’t keep us from loving each other,” he sings. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Jussie Smollett confronts issues like police brutality, immigration, the AIDS epidemic, LGBT rights and racism. Oh and he directed the poignant video himself.

“F.U.W.” does not reserve all of its sting solely for Trump. However, this is easily the smoothest and most blatant stand against the current presidential administration. Dare I say it, the song is an awakening, thought-provoking ballad that should be heard. Jussie Smollett may not have created this song for Empire ratings or personal gain. Nonetheless, people will definitely be talking about this video for a while.

So, what are your thoughts on “F.U.W.”? Do you think Jussie Smollett has gone too far? 

Check it out for yourself below.