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@KareemTaylor, Author at AllHipHop - Page 7 of 12

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Kareem Taylor

VIDEO: Teairra Mari Talks Being "Let Go" From Roc-A-Fella, New Music With Rico Love

By: @KareemTaylorCategory: Alternatives

R&B songbird Teairra Mari is on the rise again, and she’s not holding anything back. This time around, she’s with a new team and ready to show the world what she’s got. “After I was released from Def Jam, people always said, it’s over for her. And I just always knew in my heart, that – no it’s not,” says Ms. Mari. The 24-year-old is now working on new music, having released her latest video “U Did That” featuring 2 Chainz. She also talks being signed at 17, working with Rico Love and even compares herself to Janet Jackson. Check the video below: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlWyrjx_YVQ&w=853&h=480]

R&B Review: Brian Culbertson Preps "Dreams", Features Vivian Green and Stokley from Mint Condition

By: @KareemTaylorCategory: Alternatives

Smooth Jazz instrumentalist Brian Culbertson is prepping his upcoming album, Dreams, and he’s got some pretty cool features, too. On the album, he spotlights R&B voices Noel Gourdin, Vivian Green, and Stokley Williams of Mint Condition, all of whom provide a few vocals throughout. When you press play on this record, you’re immediately required to stop what you’re doing on Earth, and transport to Brian Culbertson’s world. And – that’s the way it should be. Having produced or performed on over 25 #1 records, you’d expect nothing less. Melodic, smooth, catchy, and honest are all words that describe Dreams. It begins with “Later Tonight”, the first cut that unapologetically grabs you and pulls you in. Combination of the bass and piano (and I’m sure lots of other instruments, too!) make this a replay track. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEr5-cg4mf4&w=853&h=480] When Stokley Williams from Mint Condition begins to sing, you understand he’s quite different, and you like it. That’s how “No Limits” opens up, with a crooning Williams expressing the urgency to see his woman as soon as possible. He rides the beat effortlessly, not outshining it, but meshing and creating a beautiful song worthy of play during date nights by the fireplace. Of course, with a glass of Chardonnay. While I’ll forever feel John Legend should’ve been called to lay a few vocals on this, I’ll live with the instrumental of “Your Smile”. While listening, you’ll imagine being whisked away to your lovers beach house, showered with cool breeze and lots of sand in between your toes. I assume this is why the album is called Dreams. It’s where we’d all like to be, however, since we’re not, let’s keep this on repeat. “Still Here”, featuring Vivian Green, comes in at the perfect time on this record. Totally reminding you why you’re still here, with your lover, fighting for what’s right. The instrumental lays low, giving Vivian time to shine, and sing words that you think she herself even believes. Conviction, in the beat, and her voice, pulls you in and keeps you listening. You almost feel like she’s about to provide relationship advice, and she is, if you listen. “Still Here” f/ Vivian Green [soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/44237147″ params=”auto_play=false&show_artwork=true&color=ff7700″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] It starts off slow, reflective almost. After that huge event just happened in your life, you have gone into reminiscent mode, playing back in your mind all things that once mattered, and still do. That’s “In The City” for you. Rhythm & Blues is one of the genres that will never die. Here’s why: There’s a need for soul. A need for music that resonates with your heart. “You’re My Music” featuring Noel Gourdin does just that. Gourdin croons, and at best, can’t help himself when he aggressively says, “Let’s make music!” to his lover of choice. This is one for the replay. The title track “Dreams”, almost makes you feel like it’s the last song on the record. Celebratory in nature, “Dreams” reminds you of the good job you’ve done, and it’s okay to pat yourself on the back. Whether you’ve landed your dream job, finally approached the girl (in my case) of your dreams, or finished a semester-long research paper, this song offers smooth, clean, celebration music. “Madelena” is a stand-out track, coming in with a purpose to make you take it serious. Gentle, yet, forceful, pulling you away from the drama of the streets, and into the dreamy world of Culbertson. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne_TpC-ibyQ&w=853&h=480] One of the most pressing tracks on the album, “Lights Off”, is all instrumental. The beauty of this is that you can add your own words, your own thoughts and use your imagination to fill in the blank. Do that. You’ve been taken on a ride, and now it’s time for the trip home. “The Journey” is just that. Bringing things to a close, Culbertson is taking you out with a bang. Almost as if it’s waiting on you to take action. Though it’s the last song, with the album on repeat, it will effortlessly flow into the first track, and give you the perfect encore. In the past, Brian has collaborated with artists including Musiq Soulchild, Ledisi, and even Brian McKnight. We’re glad Brian wasn’t on McKnight’s latest work, though. Dreams is a near-perfect effort from Brian Culbertson as he smoothly presents to you the best of the best, with little room for anything less. A leading smooth jazz instrumentalist, Culbertson takes no short cuts, and even brings a few of his friends for the ride, all of which makes for a solid effort. Dreams will be in stores and online June 12. Pre-order here.

Ray Lavender Drops “We Love”, And Dude Sings His Heart Out!

By: @KareemTaylorCategory: Alternatives

In 2007, Atlanta-based R&B crooner Ray Lavender released one of the year’s most popular singles “Girl Got A Girlfriend”, and even featured a remix with Red Cafe and Fabolous. A second single was released; however, an album never materialized, even though he was signed to Akon’s Kon Live Music imprint. Now, Lavender is back with his latest effort, “We Love”, a more slowed-down track since his last, uptempo,”Tequila”. [soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/48079169″ params=”auto_play=false&show_artwork=true&color=ff7700″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] Today, Lavender is signed with Global Artist Group and is prepping his debut album! Check out our recent interview Ray L.

Video: Tank’s “Compliments” featuring T.I. and Kris Stephens

By: @KareemTaylorCategory: Alternatives

After releasing his latest effort, This Is How I Feel, just two weeks ago, Tank has returned with a video for “Compliments”, featuring T.I. & Kris Stephens. So far, Tank has released two previous singles from his fifth studio album – “Lonely” featuring Chris Brown and “Next Breath”. The star power is there, but does the video “compliment” the song? [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-WMuRdqf7I&w=853&h=480] Tank’s This Is How I Feel is available in stores and online now.

Remember Bad Boy Records’ Cheri Dennis? She’s Got A New Name and New Song…and It’s Dope!

By: @KareemTaylorCategory: Alternatives

Remember Cheri Dennis? Of course you do. Formerly one (of many) very talented Bad Boy Records artists that just never seemed to get the push they deserved. In 2008, Cheri released her debut album In And Out of Love, with its Ryan Leslie-produced leading single, “I Love You”, featuring Yung Joc and Jim Jones, and then sort of faded to black. Well – that’s behind her now. Cheri Coke (her new name) and Melo X just released her latest work, “The Garden of Eden”, a song that will appear on her upcoming project, X/Coke. Slightly a different twist from what we’re used to hearing from Cheri, it’s perfect for R&B lovers who have swayed to the likes of newbies such as Frank Ocean and The Weeknd. It’s not the same, though. Cheri’s coined it: “Nu Wave Trill Sex.” [soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/47996859″ params=”auto_play=false&show_artwork=true&color=ff7700″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] Check out some behind-the-scenes footage of Cheri & Melo X working the new music: [vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/42714731 w=500&h=281] X/COKE will be available for free download on Tuesday, June 19.

Something New: Rapper Young Lyxx Vows To Put San Diego On The Map; Writes Mixtape In One Night

By: @KareemTaylorCategory: Breeding Ground

Photo credit: Asha Belk When you have a dream – you go for it. That’s what 22-year-old San Diego-bred musician Young Lyxx keeps in mind as he preps his fifth EP, California Dreamin Vol. 1. Young Lyxx, now based in Atlanta, Georgia, saw his level of notoriety raise when the video for his single “Wow” featuring Rocky Diamonds, produced by GB Hitz, became his biggest viral hit to date, amassing nearly 30,000 views. The video, while totally simplistic in its treatment, is set on Grammy-winning producer Polow da Don’s couch. So, how does a rapper – who’s not famous (or signed to a major) – end up in Polow’s house? There must be something special about this guy. AllHipHop.com chopped it up with Lyxx on his upcoming project and his mission to put San Diego on the map, and we get answers to our main question: How did you end up at Polow da Don’s house? In 1999, at just 10 years old, Lyxx became inspired to write after hearing his big cousin rap. He soon wrote his first set of bars, of which he admits today, weren’t his best. But he got better. It was in 2010, when he landed a meeting with a Def Jam rep that Lyxx says he received advice that catapulted his career: “He [the Def Jam rep] was telling me, “You got it! It’s just all on building your brand.” They want to see that following from you. At that time, I was new on this Atlanta scene, so I felt him. I took from that meeting and just focused on bettering my craft, and building a brand as well – so I could have a movement behind what I was doing.” [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kFaAe6nfl4&w=853&h=480] Though he shares his thoughts via lyrics, Lyxx admits, he’s really a quiet person: “I rap because it’s my way of venting. It allows me to express my inner thoughts, ’cause I’m pretty much a quiet person when it comes to showing how I feel about things. Unless I really know you, I won’t open up to you. With rap, I can open up to everybody, but in a different type of manner. It allows me to go in the studio and be personal with it, by myself, and then I can let people hear it.” With crews on the rise including YMCMB, A$AP Rocky’s crew, A$AP Mob and Odd Future, Lyxx says his crew is taking a different approach. “I wanted to come up with some type of unit where it would unbalance the industry by allowing our team to not have to reach out for anything. I was looking for synonyms for unbalance – and Top Heavy came about. I know they use that in corporate America as well. Then, when I moved to Atlanta, it formulated with the people.” [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHomvzhbKIE&w=853&h=480] In 2011, Lyxx released his third project, Almost There, which featured the track “Wow” featuring Rocky Diamonds. Diamonds, a member of MDMA, a group signed to Polow Da Don’s Zone 4 imprint, and Lyxx met up in Los Angeles and recorded the song. When it came time for the video, Rocky invited Lyxx over to Polow’s house. As quickly as they could, they grabbed a camera and started shooting, with Lyxx revealing: “One day, Rocky hit me up saying ‘Yo. I’m at Polo crib!’, and he was like ‘Let’s shoot the video!’. We had like two hours, so we just grabbed a camera and knocked it out.” [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liIYw12S2wo&w=853&h=480] Now, on the heels of his latest release California Dreamin Vol. 1, Lyxx says this is his most honest project, revealing: “This is my first Cali-themed out project, where people can really get a glimpse of who is Young Lyxx, where is he from, what’s San Diego about, what’s Cali about, just get a different glimpse of Cali through my vision. Everybody can tell you what Cali is like, and it’s usually going to be L.A., because that’s where a lot of rappers are from, but I’m from San Diego. There hasn’t been a rapper to really come out and give you that glimpse. “We’ve had Mitchy Slick, but even Mitchy Slick, he’s known in Cali as a hardcore gangbanger – I’m not. I feel like it’s going to be honest. Even though I’m giving a different glimpse, people in Cali are still going to relate, because it’s still real life at the end of the day. It’s a mixtape to pay homage to California. I picked seven tracks that were classics. After that, I went to the studio and wrote the whole mixtape in one night. It was organic. The project features ’90s tracks from Tupac, Mac Dre, Warren G, Dr. Dre and more. I wanted to take classics, but I wanted to also do underground Cali artists from back in the ’90s.” With his unique style of dress and near-perfect ability to provide mellow lyrics meshed together with production from some of the best upcoming producers, it’s safe to say, there is something special about Young Lyxx. He’s going for his. Not to be alone, he’s bringing the whole city with him. San Diego has a new hero. California Dreamin Vol. 1, hosted by DJ Fu and presented by IMKING Clothing, drops June 19. Follow Young Lyxx on Twitter (@YoungLyxx).

Josh Xantus Finally Follows Up His 2009 “First Time” With New Sequel, “Last Time”

By: @KareemTaylorCategory: Alternatives

R&B’s Josh Xantus, a classically-trained musician, has just released the follow up to 2009’s “First Time”. This time, it’s the “Last Time”. Everyone remembers the kid who came on the scene, singing soulfully at his piano, reminiscing on his first time with a special young lady. Trained at Julliard, performed in front of legends including Stevie Wonder, Josh X has a voice and piano skill-set that shuts down any of today’s top talent. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lqw55V_6pVA&w=853&h=480] We just hope, in Josh X’s case, he’s able to find his sound in today’s industry. It seems, since the release of “First Time”, X has struggled to cement his place on the music scene as a mainstay. With hard work and a talk with his team (or an entirely new one), X will rise to the occasion as we know he can. “First Time” [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_YQRhtt3Bk&w=640&h=480] His latest mixtape, Everybody Hates Josh X, is available here. It features appearances by Jim Jones, Jadakiss and Sheek Louch, with production from Swizz Beatz.

Chris Brown Throws Out Brown Hair, Introduces New Nose Ring in “Sweet Love”

By: @KareemTaylorCategory: Alternatives

Grammy-winning (or supposedly Grammy-winning) entertainer, Chris Brown, has just released a video for his latest single “Sweet Love”. Produced by Polow da Don, this track is sure to please the ladies. Even though 2Pac might be the only male entertainer who could pull off a nose ring, do you think Chris has a good shot at pulling it off, too? [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ6Po7fivdk&w=560&h=315]

After 12 Years Between Albums and “Battling Demons,” D’Angelo Is Still The Most

By: @KareemTaylorCategory: Alternatives

With two hugely influential and platinum-selling albums, Richmond, Virginia’s D’Angelo was once on top of the world. Appearing to many as a sex symbol when he appeared in his video for “Untitled (How Does It Feel), D’Angelo reveals in GQ that the visual “overshadowed his talents.” His second album, Voodoo, released in 2000, marked the end of the burgeoning “neo-Soul” era in the ’90s that included Lauryn Hill, Maxwell, and Erykah Badu. In January 2012, when a viral video began swirling around the Internet of D’Angelo performing in Sweden, interest picked up with questions reveling in “Is D’Angelo back?!” In the June issue of GQ, D’Angelo tells all about his troubles, and he reveals why he had to fall back from the industry, details about his battle with drug addiction, and how growing up in church affected him. Check the full GQ interview here, and ladies, while you wait for the new D’Angelo music, go ahead and reminisce on some of the old: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxVNOnPyvIU] [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3y2aP0B4Ic] [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCJY2NSSU1g]

Video: Bei Maejor featuring Waka Flocka Flame – “Lights Down Low”

By: @KareemTaylorCategory: Alternatives

If you haven’t seen this name, then you’ve probably been living under a pebble. Yes, a pebble. Grammy-nominated Bei Maejor is a songwriter, producer, and recording artist who has just released the video for his latest single, “Lights Down Low”. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc3Sp_f9j_s&w=853&h=480] As a solo artist, his first single “Trouble” debuted in September 2011, and it also came with a video featuring J.Cole. Known for his collaborations with artists including Ciara, Drake, Ne-Yo, and Trey Song, Maejor is hard at work on his debut album. Keep an eye on this guy.

Wingo from Jagged Edge Releases “Life of The Party” [Download], Touts Jermaine Dupri for JE’s 8th Album

By: @KareemTaylorCategory: Alternatives

Wingo, member of famed ’90s R&B quartet, Jagged Edge, has stepped out on his own and released his first solo mixtape, appropriately titled, Life of the Party. The mixtape features appearances from Slim (of 112) and Atlanta’s own, Gucci Mane. AllHipHop.com had a chance to chop it up with Wingo about his solo debut, and he gave us first dibs on Jagged Edge’s upcoming eighth studio album. On the release of his first mixtape, an excited Wingo reveals: “I’m just giving them a ‘lil piece of Wingo! Still doing the whole Jagged Edge thing. I’m gonna be Jagged Edge forever. That has paved the way for a lot of stuff. I’ve been doing a lot of music of that for the past couple of years. I’ve signed a couple of artists to my record label, younger cats who are very talented. At the end of the day, it’s time to put it out. It’s not gone do no good in that Mac! [laughs].” [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTUWG-6nuyA&w=853&h=480] Life of the Party chronicles the life of Wingo, who admits he hasn’t picked a single yet, because he values the opinions of his fans: “Every time someone goes out with me and hangs out with me, they really enjoy themselves. That’s why I named it Life of the Party. I haven’t even picked a single yet, I want the DJs and the fans to let me know what’s hot and what’s not. Those are the opinions I really trust. I think everything I do is awesome [laughs], but everybody’s not going to like everything that you do.” Platinum-selling R&B group Jagged Edge saw their biggest selling album in 2000 with J.E. Heartbreak, and they’re in talks to release a sequel. Wingo exclusively revealed to us what they’re working on: “We’re getting ready to work on the eighth album for Jagged Edge. The twins want to do J.E. Heartbreak 2; that’s our biggest selling record to this day. Only way that would make sense is if we go back to the roots. Go back to who did the first J.E. Heartbreak. Bryan Cox, Jermaine Dupri.” So, there is hope in a huge Jagged Edge reunion! Until then, enjoy the sounds of Wingo, one who has always held us down on many of our favorite Jagged Edge tracks. Who can forget the runs at end of “Let’s Get Married”? Just saying. Check out the tracklist for Life of The Party and see the download link below: 1. Keep It Cool (Intro) 2. Bust It Down (Feat. Gucci Mane) [P###. By Midnite Black] 3. Film A Movie [P###. By King David] 4. Girls In My Pocket (Feat. K.C) 5. Take A Load Off [P###. By King David] 6. Turn Up The Radio (Feat. Treyon) 7. Irrestiable (Feat. Lil Will) [P###. By King David] 8. Mohawk Shawdy (RIP) (Vontae Of WMB) 9. Too Many Girls [P###. By King David] 10. Video Girl (Feat. Trap Boiz & Roc De Carlo) [P###. By King David] 11. Gangsta Boo (Feat. C-Bone & K.C) [P###. By K.C] 12. X’s (Feat. WildMoney Boiz) 13. Out Of Love [P###. By Midnite Black] 14. Ain’t No Lovin’ Tonight 15. My Own 12 Play [P###. By King David] 16. Computer Love Song (Feat. Bossman) [P###. By Burcast] 17. Model For Me [P###. By King David] 18. Movie Star [P###. By Burcast] 19. Ain’t Givin’ Up (Feat. B.I.G) 20. Like Us (Feat. Charlay & K.C) [P###. By Dj Wiz] Download Wingo’s Life of The Party here.