New Music: Alexis Miller~ Big Money

Right about now, I'm sure you're asking yourself, "Who the hell is this chick?" Well for those of you who've been socially aware, you know her as Mary Jane aka "The chick that filed the restraining order against Shaq last year"! Long alias huh? Of course because no one knows her otherwise. Anyways, she's featured on this track by some dude named K.R.U.T.C.H. (???). Not sure if I'm feelin it though! Have a listen for yourself. Not sure about these homemade rhinestone stilettos either for that matter!

LISTEN: Big Money

Angel Lola Luv Serious About Rapping... WHY?

Why must the video chicks have aspirations to step out of their world of rump shakin and bottle poppin? I'll never know I guess. Seems the queen of the fake booties, Miss Angel Lola Luv wasn't joking when she said that she had a rap album coming out. Lawd how I wish she was joking! But I mean really... will this be another Lil Kim/Foxy Brown type of rap deal where she's rapping about all of her many conquests, her jewels, and cars, and furs, and houses? Can the rap game get any more redundant? Here are the promo pics for her debut album to which I have no clue what it's titled.

Jamie Foxx Set To Release Third Album

After the smash hit album of 2005 "Unpredictable", actor/singer Jamie Foxx is set to release his third solo album in December.

"Just Like Me," just released for download Friday (October 31), is said to be the first single from the album, tentatively titled "Man's Intuition". Produced by The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, the track also features some vocals from T.I. in the hook.

While details about the album are still coming out, the album is definitely coming to a store near you December.

Soulja Boy Set To Release Second CD

Soulja Boy Tell'em, best known for the mega hit "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" single from his 2007 debut, "SouljaBoytellem.com," returns Dec. 16 with his sophomore album.

iSouljaboytellem" (Collipark Music/Interscope) is led by the single "Birdwalk," which will be serviced to radio this week. An accompanying video is slated to debut shortly afterward.The new set features production from Mr. Collipark, Polow Da Don and Soulja Boy himself. Other tracks on the album include "Yamaha Mama" featuring Sean Kingston and "Turn My Swag On," which will be released virally. In addition, Soulja Boy, who recently signed a multi-year sneaker and apparel contract with Yum Shoes, a Dallas-based clothing company, will reveal the first line of the shoe in November. He will also launch his own animated series on his Web site next month."Souljaboytellem.com" has sold 949,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen Soundscan. "Crank That" has shifted a mammoth 3.86 million downloads.

Heavy D Returns With A New Sound

When was the last time you've heard AAAAAANYTHING from rapper Heavy D? Hmmmm? Geesh, I can't think back that far. Anyways, he's coming back too. Boy I tell you... these old rappers just can't let it go. They're like boxers who've reached their prime and still try to come back for one more title bout to fight the young kid on the block and ends up gettin TKO'd!

Although the Diddly-iddly-iddly-iddly D has been gone from the game a minute, he's still finding a way to stay relevant. This time forging ahead with his own label Stride Entertainment and a brand new reggae album titled Vibes. The project, which was recently released digitally on iTunes, debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard reggae chart and No. 2 on iTunes’ reggae chart. The release may surprise fans, who know the rapper for such classic records as “Mr. Big Stuff,” “We Got Our Own Thang," "Now That We Found Love" and “Black Coffee.”

“I set Stride Entertainment up for this release and to be able to have the freedom to create,” Heavy said in an interview. “I didn’t really have the opportunity to do full-on albums back then because I was under contract with a label who paid you money to do a certain thing.”

Heavy D maintains the new project is a natural extension of infusing reggae into his music over the years. He admitted to putting the same effort into Vibes as he has done with his rap albums, but admitted that as CEO of his own label, his creative freedom is boundless. “They record labels didn’t regard reggae at the time as something that was viable for the company or something that they felt would sell a whole lot or records,” Heavy D. continued. “I also felt like I wanted to do it on my terms. I wanted to be able to express myself in a way where I didn’t have anybody being concerned about whether or not they'd be reimbursed.”

Among the guests found on Vibes are reggae stars Barrington Levy and Sizzla. The first single from the project is the project is the steady-tempo, horn-heavy “Long Distance Girlfriend.” While Vibes could have been released at the height of his rap career, Heavy D sums up the motivation to pursue his latest endeavor with one word.

The Carter IV In The Works??

With Lil Wayne's latest album, "Tha Carter III," only being out since May, it's highly unlikely that Wayne would be working on The Carter IV so soon right?

Guess again!

According to his blog on ESPN.com, the rapper is in the studio working on "Tha Carter IV" as well as a new mixtape.The mixtape, titled "Dedication 3," will fall under DJ Drama's "Gangsta Grillz" series and "you can expect it real soon," Wayne says. In a nod to his well-recognized prolific output, Wayne says immediately after "Dedication 3" comes out, he'll re-release it "with 20 extra songs for free on my Web site."

"Tha Carter III" is by far the best-selling album of 2008, having shifted 2.5 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Lil Wayne is also collaborating with T-Pain for a highly anticipated duet album, "T-Wayne," which is slated for 2009.

"We've got three or four songs we've finished," T-Pain tells Billboard. "They don't really have titles. We're just doing music and however it comes out, it comes out."The singer says the tracks won't sound like his current Wayne-featuring single, "Can't Believe It," but will have the collective flair shown on tracks like "Got Money."Wayne will take a break from recording later this month to play the Voodoo Music Experience on Oct. 25 in his New Orleans hometown, and will also drop by Power 105.1's Powerhouse concert three days later in East Rutherford, N.J

KEM Working On Third Album

For all of my soul fans out there, R&B singer KEM has been working hard to bring you his third album, which he hopes to release in 2009. But don't ask him to say exactly when.

"I can't get it done quick enough," the Detroit-based artist (real name Kim Owens) told Billboard.com about "KEM III: Intimacy,". This album will be his follow-up to 2005's gold-certified "Album II."

"I'm breathing down my neck. The internal pressure is always more intense than the external pressure. The fans are ready for new music. Everybody's ready for it. KEM says the album, which he's been recording in Detroit, "shows my evolution as a songwriter and a producer." It may also include a superstar duet that's still in the negotiating stages. The "Intimacy" title indicates the set's theme, though KEM says it's not all about that kind of intimacy.

"I'm known for making love songs," Kem explains, "so we thought we'd explore that word, that idea -- not only sensual intimacy but the true meaning of relationships and opening yourself up to somebody and allowing them to do the same with you."So the song 'Mother's Love' is about maternal intimacy between a mother and child. There are spiritual love songs on the album, too. Life is about relationships -- good, bad or indifferent. That's what we will be exploring on this new album."

D'Angelo & Q-Tip New Song Released On iTunes

The definition of sexy is back ya'll! Michael D'Angelo Archer has made his way to the surface and he's teamed up with Hip Hop head Q-Tip. D'Angelo has prefaced the spring 2009 release of his third album with a new buzz single. "I Found My Smile Again," a remake of the tune D'Angelo originally recorded for the 1996 "Space Jam" soundtrack, became available exclusively via iTunes today (Sept. 30).

"The song is something that's very close to him," manager Lindsay Guion tells Billboard.com. Alluding to D'Angelo's problems stemming from a 2005 arrest for drunk driving and drug possession, Guion adds, "He's able to smile again and he's ready to connect with fans. He's coming back. And he looks great, by the way.

The iTunes releases follows news of a Q-Tip song featuring D'Angelo, "I Believe," that was leaked online today. D'Angelo went into the studio with Q-Tip about two months ago to record the track. While the song is slated to appear on Q-Tip's own upcoming album, "The Renaissance" (Universal Motown, Nov. 4), Guion isn't sure yet if it will also be featured on D'Angelo's new album via J Records/RCA Music Group.Guion did confirm that D'Angelo is in a Los Angeles studio working on his album, collaborating with Raphael Saadiq, ?uestlove and Roy Hargrove, among others.D'Angelo has largely fallen off the musical map since 2000's "Voodoo," which has sold 1.7 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Its single "Untitled (How Does It Feel)," hit No. 2 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart and No. 25 on the Hot 100.

D'Angelo f/Q-Tip~ I believe

Jay Z Track List For Blueprint 3

Blueprint 3 details have been showing up everywhere even months before the debut of the much anticipated lp. Now the track list for the album is available. Check it out below.

01. Wake Up New York (Intro)
02. Most Kings
03. Hades (Lucifer Pt. II)
04. Eternal Jewels (ft. Jay Electronica) [prod. by Jay Electronica]
05. Blueprint 3
06. Lucy (ft. Chris Martin)
07. The Audacity of Dope
08. S.L.U. Pt. 2 (ft. Nas, Andre 3000, and Young Jeezy)
09. Election Night (We believe in Obama)
10. Just Memories
11. Apostate (ft. Eminem) [prod. by Eminem]
12. Oasis
13. My Brothers Keeper (ft. Scarface)
14. Brooklyn Lost
15. Weeds & Concrete16. Without Rain...

New Music Tuesday: Jennifer Hudson~Robin Thicke~T.I.

Everybody knows that Tuesdays are always the days when new music, movies, etc... is released. And today is a doosey!!! Jennifer Hudson's debut album, Robin Thicke's "Something Else", and T.I.'s "Paper Trail" and a host of others... but those three are worth grabbing if you can! I went and got them already!!! I heard a few snippets of Robin Thicke's cd and I'm in love with the whole thing!

Left Eye's New CD

We all love and miss Lisa Left Eye Lopes, but I'm not sure if coming out with an album is a smart move right now. Especially with all the big boys dropping here within the next few months and with the current climate of the music industry itself. But here it is, a new album from the greatest sista of uniqueness Left Eye. The album is titled Eye-Legacy! And this album is supposed to hit stores in November. I just want to hear the first single. It's being reported that there are songs on the album from Tupac Shakur, Lil Mama, Chamillionaire, Missy Elliott, TLC, Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men, Free, Bobby Valentino, and Left Eye's sister, Reigndrop Lopes on it. I'm crossing my fingers on this one!

Labelle Is Back!

It's been widely reported that Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash all formerly of the 70's group "Labelle" were going to get back together one more time... and, much to my surprise, those reports have turned out correct.

Labelle is back in the building ladies and germs and they can be found in all of their feathered, bedazzled and synthetic hair-wearing glory on the cover of their new album, Back to Now. I'm not sure who's idea it was to get all featured up for this cover, but it wasn't a smart move! How much ya'll bet somebody uses this album cover as Halloween inspiration?

The CD hits stores on October 21st, and if the first single, "Rollout," is any indication these classics may have another one on their hands. Ya'll... this is one of those songs you'll hear in the juke joint around the corner from your auntie Betty's house! But I actually like it. The reggae-tinged track has a lil bounce to it that makes you wanna electric slide! And yes, they jumped on the Auto-Tune train too! But I ain't made at them. They gotta get in where they fit in these days!

Wyclef Jean co-wrote/co-produced the song and contributes some vocals to the track as well. Other contributors to the new album include Lenny Kravitz and Gamble and Huff... whoever that is!

Listen to “Roll Out” now:

Queen Latifah Returns To Hip Hop

Queen Latifah is returning to her roots. Seems that the "Queen" of hip hop wants to make a comeback. Hell, why not? LL won't sit his fine ass down, so why does she have to?

Queen considered naming her new album , "The L Word", just to "mess with peoples heads"... yeah right! Being that there has been much speculation about her sexuality, and her relationships, the Queen wanted to really throw a jab back at the nosey's of the world.

“L was gonna stand for love though or La,” she laughs. “Since people want to play games, I like to jab back sometimes just for fun, but I’m like, ‘Nah, that’s too much energy wasted.’ ” Good thought, but c'mon now!

Latifah calls the new album (due in December) “banging” and plans to hit the road next year. She’s been working with LL Cool J and Dr. Dre. “They pretty much did the whole album,” Latifah said during a small roundtable interview to promote her new film The Secret Life of Bees, which also stars Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, Dakota Fanning and Sophie Okonedo.

“My boy Kenny Flav did one track and I think might do two more. Missy [Elliott] and Swizz Beatz are the only two people I have left. But they’re mixing it right now.”

Latifah, whose last album, 2007’s Trav’lin Light, was a collection of jazz and R&B standards, says she “just about” wrote all the rhymes for it. “Dre helped me write some stuff. He wrote some stuff with me and Ludacris wrote a record for me.” Lyrically it covers a range of topics, she says. “A lot of love on there. People, dealing with people, how people do all kinds of things, but then you’re like, ‘You know what? They’re just people.’“Just like the media,” she adds. “You read something in the paper and just when I start to get mad, I’m like, ‘You know what? They’re just people.’ People do stuff. People will let you down. They won’t be around, but hey they’re just people, what are you gonna do?”

The as-yet-undecided first single should drop within the month. And Latifah says since she jetted away for a break, she’s not even sure what the finished product will sound like. “I did all my parts and then I went on vacation. So they put people on it while I was gone and they’ve been waiting to talk to me to surprise me,” she adds (though she is certain Busta Rhymes makes a cameo). “I’m actually supposed to talk to them and find out who the hell is on that damn album. I’m sure there is no one on there I don’t like.”

Q-Tip Get's Up!!! FINALLY!!!!

Why am I soooooooo geeked about Q-Tip gracing us again with his lyrical presence? I'm lovin this new joint titled "Gettin Up". The beat is sho'nuff bangin and Tips lyrics and flow compliment the whole track! Take a listen for yourself!

WE MISSED YOU Q-TIP!

Peeped over at Soulbounce

Wayne Brady Debuts His CD

My word... *deep painstaking SIGH*... Now we have Wayne Brady's cornball Jones self coming out with an album too? How much more foolishness can we stand?

On September 16 Wayne Brady will release his debut album on Peak Records/Concord Music Group titled - A Long Time Coming. I must admit, the Emmy Award winner is definitely an entertainer whose talent truly knows no boundaries. As a stage, screen and live performer Brady is unparalleled.

But now, he turns his attention to his first love: music. The 12-track R&B collection features Brady's own compositions standing side by side with his loving, inspired reinventions of such classics as Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come," The Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love" and Stevie Wonder's "All I Do."

"I always thought that Wayne Brady was an amazingly talented performer with an incredible voice," says Andi Howard, president of Peak Records. "When asked by his producers if I would be interested in signing him as an artist to Peak my response was an emphatic, yes. Not only did he deliver a fabulous album, but an album that is extremely heartfelt and exceeded all expectations. It was indeed 'A Long Time Coming.'"

Brady linked with The Heavyweights, the superstar production team composed of Jack Kugell, Jamie Jones and Jason Pennock, to write and record the album. The Heavyweights' productions have sold more than 28 million albums and include work with such superstars as Jim Brickman, Martina McBride and Destiny's Child. The first single off the album entitled, "Ordinary," is a mid-tempo burner that pays tribute to the glorious simplicity found in every day life and love. Penned by the Heavyweights, Sarah Nagourney and Welford B. Walton II, the song is enhanced by Brady's nuanced, soulful delivery.

Video Shoot: Brandy ~ Right Here (Departed)

Brandy Norwood has been one of the missing links on the female music scene, but after four long years on haitus and since she's released any new music, she is back on the scene with a new album. I'm starting to get that Brandy vs Monica rivalry feeling back... isn't Monica's new album coming out soon too? I'm just sayin... coincidence?

Brandy just wrapped up filming her video for her lead single “Right Here (Departed)” from her forthcoming album “Human” in downtown L.A. yesterday afternoon (August 18th). Brandy says that her new album is "an unadulterated look into her heart." “Human is my most personal album to date. I have grown so much since my last album. Being able to express myself and my journey through my music is a feeling I can’t describe. With this new chapter of my life it feels good to have Rodney [Jerkins, her producer], a familiar face, by my side again. He brings out emotions in me like nobody else.”

Brandy's new album will be out in stores November 11th, with the single “Right Here (Departed)” releasing August 26th.

Fantasia Is Hard At Work

I had to give you guys the latest on my girl Fantasia. Why I love her so much is simply because she is Fantasia. She doesn't put on any aires about who she is or where she comes from. She can relate to most of us women who are going through it or have gone through it with her music.

Anyways, Gyant over at SOHH.com is reporting that he's gotten wind of Fanny being on her grind for her next album. The Grammy nominee is working with team over at Konvict Musik and the boys of Rock City to piece together this next project. They've already kicked out six songs for the untitled album and are hard at work on more. From what Gyant is saying about the songs that he's heard, Fantasia and her team are bringing us a new sound, but still the reminicsenct feel of the drama ladden life of most of her music that we all love. I can't wait!

Daily Eargasm: Musiq Soulchild~ Radio

I've loved Musiq since he came out in 2000 with his first cd Aijuswanaseing. Musiq is back, and this time with a new hit, and a new style. I saw him on 106th & Park yesterday and he was saying the reason why he named the song "Radio" is because he was tired of the radio stations not playing his stuff enough and his music not getting no pub in the clubs. This song right here will definitely get played up in the clubs. It's got that dirty south feel to the beat and I love it! The new cd titled "On My Radio" is set to be released September 18th, which is Musiq's birthday

T.I. & Luda Settle Their Differences

Squashing beef? For what? Doesn't beef sell records? The answer to that may arguably be yes, it does, but truth be told, is that the one an entertainer would want his success measured? By the number of enemies he had?

Forget the menial rap beefs for just one second, and let's make history and get this money just like Jay-Z and Nas did in squelching their anamosity towards one another. With that beef behind us, now two of the other biggest names in hip-hop are following in their footsteps. Ludacris and T.I. seem to have kicked their storied rivalry to the side of the road, and are pearing on Luda's new record "Wish You Would."

On a verse on the song Luda raps: "Surprise, n---a. It was bound to happen sooner or later," starting the song. "They ain't ready for this," Tip chimes in. The duo speak about people trying to violate them, and why no one can put a dent in their success.

"Yeah, I went green and 26s on the hybrid/ Smoke so much green that I can't open up my eyelids," Luda slings in his first verse. "Wake up in London, go to sleep on Atlanta time/ Still, my paint got more candy than your valentine."

"I'm fly enough to fly away," Tip raps later. "Trouble, I don't shy away/ From it, I annihilate suckas in their driveway/ In church on Sunday morning, praying 'bout what happened Friday."

'Cris and Tip have had very competitive back-and-forth for the past few years, once even appearing on the same song (Young Buck's "Stomp") and dissing each other. Last year, Tip had a well-documented physical altercation with Luda's manager Chaka Zulu during one of the events surrounding the BET Awards. Surprisingly, a few days before T.I. got arrested late last year in Atlanta, he and Luda appeared onstage together in a club, and everything seemed all love. During a recent appearance on MTV Jams' "The Parker Report," Tip told host Erik Parker that he and 'Cris did indeed have a spirited hip-hop joust at times, but that it was no real beef.

Will This Be Jay-Z's Final Album?

Jay-Z has confirmed rumors that he's hard at work on his 11th and final album via Def Jam, "The Blueprint 3." The Roc king made a special appearance last night as a guest during Kanye West's Glow in the Dark concert at New York City's Madison Square Garden. During the performance, Kanye asked the audience if he could play a few beats that he recorded while in Hawaii recently, including a song tentatively called "Jockin' Jay-Z."As the track played, Jay-Z himself crossed the stage and began rapping, "That bloke from Oasis said I couldn't play guitar // somebody shoulda told him I'm a f*cking rock star / today is gonna be the day that I'm gonna throw it back to you." He was referencing his cover of Oasis' "Wonderwall" at the recent Glastonbury Festival, which drew a mixed response.

According to longtime Jay-Z friend and Roc-A-Fella artist Memphis Bleek, "Jockin' Jay-Z" is only one of many gems that West has crafted for the MC. "Kanye just brought him a new beat called 'Brooklyn,'" Bleek told Billboard.com. "You know Jay though, he's always changing his mind. It's going to be a masterpiece though. Kanye gave him some beats where I told Jay that I'm hating on him for having them. The beats are like new rhythms with old drums. Just picture Jay-Z having four records like 'Encore."

If you recall, the track "Encore" was a fan favorite on Jay-Z's "The Black Album." Other producers including Sean C and LV, who produced several tracks on "American Gangster," have also hinted that they are working on the project. No date has been set for its release. Afterward, Jay-Z will begin recording for Live Nation as part of a deal he signed with the company this spring.