Lorde shook up the music scene four years ago with her debut album, Pure Heroine. “Royals”, her monster hit single, led that collection of witty numbers that became her brand. Fans started pleading for new material in 2016. Lorde has now come out of the shadows with her audible reply. She has never been one of those artists to soak up the limelight. Perhaps that mystique is what makes her artistry that much more intriguing. Her upcoming album, Melodrama, is a summation of the last two years of her teenage years. Unlike her counterpart, Katy Perry, Lorde is more reflective woman than teenage dream girl.

Her aura has always given off a glow that’s wise beyond her years.  The album artwork features the work of Brooklyn artist Sam McKinnis. So, it shouldn’t come as much surprise that heartbreak is the center of attention on the album’s lead single, “Green Light”. She’s clearly angry here “She thinks you love the beach/You’re such a damn liar/Those great whites they have big teeth/Hope they bite you”. The music video features her dolled up in a form fitted pink dress. Lorde spills out her feelings in the back of a random SUV, then outside of its window and eventually on top of its roof. Someone, I expected Alanis Morisette to jump out of the backseat yelling, “You Outta Know”. 

Lorde is heartbroken on “Green Light”. However, she’s also triumphant and unapologetic. Although “Green Light” will likely be another chart topper for Lorde, “Liability” is the song that will take your breath away. Her vocals and lyrics are at the forefront here, against the subtle backing of a piano. The song has a bit of a melancholy undertone with lyrics like “You’re all gonna watch me disappear into the sun”. Nonetheless, this one is the real showstopper of the two songs. Lorde seems to shine brightest when she digs into herself the deepest. Looks like Melodrama is set to be one hell of a heartbreaking, love struck roller coaster ride. 

What are your thoughts on “Green Light” and “Liability”? 

Cherish was riding high on the music scene in 2006. Their single “Do It To It” was blasting out of every car stereo that summer. They followed with the hits “Unappreciated”, “Chevy”, and “Amnesia”. They seemed poised to beat the sophomore jinx so many first time artists suffer from. Then all of a sudden….poof! The group released two more studio albums, their last in 2011. Then, they disappeared for years. Cherish has now resurfaced with new music. However, you may not recognize them. The group originally consisted of sisters Farrah, Felisha, Fallon and Neosha. Oh, but something looks different this time around. Two group members are missing.

Fallon and Felisha have decided to trudge forward as a duo, without Farrah and Neosha. There is no definite information on what caused the group’s split. We can likely predict there was some sort of infighting happening though. Cheirsh’s new single is a mellow slow jam called “One Time”. Their sound surprisingly remains similar to their early days. Their harmonies still sound intact. Ah, but there’s one dilemma here. The music industry has changed greatly even since their absence. “One Time” doesn’t have the umph to get fans attention much longer than its title suggests. Although they did have a few slower tempo driven hits, they were known for club songs.

There’s one more thing though. The song’s lyrical content. Groups like SWV made chart topping hits talking about stealing someone else’s man (revisit “I’m So Into You” and “You’re The One“). Cherish has missed the mark here though. Something tells me that requesting one time to be in bed with someone else’s guy isn’t the best comeback single. Eh, maybe it’s just me though. Check the song out for yourself below. Are you excited about Cherish’s partial reunion? Would you play this one more than just “one time”? Plus, reminisce on some of their signature hits.

Ella Mai, DJ Mustard’s new British artist, took the music industry by storm last year. Now, she’s back with her third EP, appropriately titled Ready. DJ Mustard produced the entire EP. However, Ella Mai doesn’t let his stellar beats outshine her for one minute. She starts off strong with the lighthearted love song, “Boo’d Up”. The track has a hard, R&B influenced knock that may remind you of Keith Sweat’s classic “Make It Last Forever”. She showcases her sexy low growl on the seductive “Breakfast In Bed”. Her melodies flow effortlessly as she pleads her case for a lover she’s infatuated with. So, she just wants to give him breakfast in bed. This song is a surefire contender for a hit single. 

Hopefully Ella Mai releases a full length debut album soon. Her EP Ready will at least satisfy our appetite in the meantime.  “Nobody Else” will definitely keep people moving on the dance floor. Part of Ella Mai’s appeal is that she can play pretty bad girl and beautiful songstress all in the same breath. She’s the jealous girl here, over a guy that she’s technically not in a relationship with. Hey, we’ve all been there before though. She isn’t one to compromise her needs and desires, as evident on the chin check anthem “My Way”. 

“Makes Me Wonder” has all the makings of a summer love mid tempo jam. “Anymore” is just the opposite. She’s dismissing a love let down with the quickness. She doesn’t seem to be too sad about it either. Make sure you catch Ella Mae opening for Kehlani’s SweetSexySavage tour at a city near you. 

Here’s a look back at one of Ella Mai’s first songs, “She Don’t” featuring Ty Dolla $ign.

Jidenna’s debut album, The Chief, has been a long time coming. His hit single, “Classic Man”, came out two years ago. Ironically, that song is nowhere to be found on his debut. However, the 14 tracks on the album don’t disappoint. He has Janelle Monae’s backing. So, he is expected to march to the beat of his own drum. Jidenna confidently does just that. Although he is a Hip Hop artist at his core, The Chief crosses various cultural and genre boundaries. The album’s title is a tribute of sorts to his father. Let’s just say that his father is smiling from above.

Jidenna quickly let’s us know he’s serious on the aggressive opener, “A Bull’s Tale”. Here, he details burying his father and people who have shaky motives. This is hands down one of the most memorable songs from The Chief. The production and his witty lyrics are a match made in heaven. Jidenna carries the majority of the album on his own, with the help of a few features. His Wondaland brother, Roman GianArthur stops by on the infectiously tribal sounding “Chief Don’t Run”.

Nana Kwabena is featured on the southern, guttural ditty “The Let Out”. None of the songs are extremely radio friendly, but that’s what makes the music more intriguing. However, this song stands out as a probable fan and radio favorite. “Safari” features his mentor Janelle Monae, St. Beauty and Nana Kwabena again. The production here sounds like it could have fit easily next to a track from Kanye’s classic 808s and Heartbreak album. Don’t mistake it though. Jidenna still has a style that’s all his own.

Jidenna proves he has a clever sense of humor on songs like “Trampoline”. Here, he sings, “The lady ain’t a tramp/Just cause she bounce it up and down like a trampoline”. This song sounds like what would happen if the I Dream Of Genie theme song were remixed. However, the interlude at the end of the song is even more hilarious. “Bambi” sounds like a close descendant of the legendary Bob Marley. “Helicopters/Beware” is a brilliant tale about those who have labeled him a target because of his success.

How could we forget “Long Live The Chief”? This song embodies the whole concept of the album. Jidenna is cool, calm and collected. The thumping bass knock, coupled with his unbothered swagger make for a stellar song. “2 Points” further drives the point home that Jidenna shines brightest alone, on his own terms. The Chief proves that although his album took a while to release, it was well worth the wait.

Jidenna has created a kick ass debut. So, I wonder how he will top himself on his sophomore album. Maybe that one will be called The Chief Still Stands. With songs like these, he will definitely be around for many years to come. 

Check out some of the songs from The Chief, below. What are your thoughts on Jidenna’s brand of Hip Hop?

Big Sean’s career has truly taken off in the last few years. 2015’s Dark Sky Paradise shot straight to No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart. Fast forward 2 years later and his new release, I Decided., has followed in the same footsteps. However, he seems much more calculated and serious these days. His approach this time around is less commercial than some of his other previous radio hits. Big Sean is clearly more concerned about the bars and content.

“Light” featuring Jeremih speaks from a reflective point of view (one of Big Sean’s strong points), proving why he has earned the right to be one of Hip Hop’s premier acts. He gave us a glimpse of the mellow aggressiveness we could expect on I Decided. with the triumphant “Bounce Back”. Big Sean is clearly here to win, even if it looks like he’s losing. However, “No Favors” is the song that will really have fans and haters talking alike. The production sounds like an episode of Unsolved Mysteries. Big Sean carries the first half of the song, before Eminem comes in to add his fiery verse. His tone on this song isn’t as animated as we have come to expect from him, but it fits well on this song.

On “Jump Out The Window”, he nonchalantly flows about a love tale that finds him admitting he’s falling in love. This is hands down one of the most memorable songs on the album. Thankfully, Big Sean’s voice doesn’t sound bad when he turns to rap singing. Don’t mistake it though. Two minutes into the song, he takes it back to rap for those that think he may be getting too soft. “Moves” will likely be a club anthem, although it’s barely over 2 minutes long. “Same Time” featuring his girlfriend Jhene Aiko (as their duo Twenty 88) is even shorter and offers more as a sultry interlude than a full song.

“Voice In My Head/Stick To The Plan” is arguably the most interesting track on the album. Big Sean seems to be battling with himself at some points. He also decides to switch up his flow towards the end and raps extremely quick. There is an even an eerie reference to suicide here. A Big Sean album wouldn’t be complete without its signature uplifting track though. This time, he offers several towards the end of I Decided. Perhaps the most poignant is the rousing “Bigger Than Me” featuring The Flint Chozen Choir and Starrah. The latter end of the song features a heart to heart talk with his mother.

Family is what really drives the core of Big Sean’s music. He took somewhat of a risk this time by dialing back on his commercial success to release a more gritty project. Big Sean isn’t your typical Hip Hop artist though. By the looks at his first week album sales, it seems as if he made the wise choice.