Posts
My plan was to update this blog weekly, but that didn't really last. Anyway, thought I'd post a few albums and briefly talk about them. Just a selection of future releases, with some that I look forward to, and others that I don't really have any interest in (such as Will.I.Am and Ciara). I believe the few that I've chosen are varied enough either way.
Schoolboy Q - Oxymoron. For me, Habits & Contradictions was one of the best releases in 2012. From 'Hands On The Wheel', to 'Blessed', the album was bolstered by stellar collaborations, strong lyrical themes and built the foundations for another spectacular release this year. I really hope he outdoes himself with this release. I see big things for Black Hippy (featuring Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Jay Rock and Schoolboy Q). They've all put stellar albums out in recent years, and things can only get better. G.O.O.D Music, Maybach Music Group, Grand Hustle and The Throne... sleep with an eye open!
Will.I.Am - #willpower. He's not really 'Hip Hop' or 'R&B' (evidently Pop), but he's Black so I'll include him (lol). With the success of 'Scream & Shout' around the world, one wonders whether the album will be a hit (critically and commercially). Considering he loves to delve deep into the pits of auto-tune, repetitive lyrics and club-beats, I doubt it'll be met with critical praise (possibly, neither a commercial success). If Britney Spears wasn't on the song, I can pretty much bet on the lives of my non-existent children that the single would be floating so low on the charts that it'd be dead on arrival. Plus, the fact that the album is called #willpower automatically invalidates anything positive. Who puts a hashtag in their album title? Is this supposed to be really creative, unique or 'out-there'? It just seems really pretentious to me. I wouldn't be surprised if the album was top-5 in the UK though. Our charts are currently obsessed with dance music at the moment.
Destiny's Child - Lovesongs. I'm only including them because they haven't released music in a long time, and they're getting some press because of it. Therefore it's automatically anticipated for audiences; even if it's just a compilation album. Whether they have contract obligations, or they want to release new material (what, one new song?), I wonder why Beyonce even needs her backing singers anyway. She's just performed at President Obama's inauguration (armed with a lip-syncing scrutiny), is performing at the Superbowl next month and is releasing a new album soon. But I suppose Kelly and Michelle need to pay the bills also. Oh, and their new song 'Nuclear' isn't very good. By the way, if you haven't seen this before, I suggest you go watch. It's pretty old (from MadTV) but it's bloody amusing.
LL Cool J - Authentic Hip-Hop. I hope everyone is looking out for this album. It's LL Cool J! I'll forever look forward to albums from those who've released classics and been within the industry for so long. Plus, his head looks like a egg on NCIS: Los Angeles; so credit goes to him for willing to go on prime-time TV like that. I kid, I kid...
Azealia Banks - Broke with Expensive Taste. The album name quite literally sums myself up. I'm a poor student, but I have the taste of someone who most certainly does. I do feel Azealia should have jumped on the hype of '212' and released the album sooner, rather than later. Yes, she does have dedicated fan-base and loyal critics, but that can only take an artist so far. The hype has died. But anyone is better than Nicki Minaj, so I hope the album does illustrate that Nicki shouldn't be the only female rapper in demand. Plus, I hear that Azealia may be featuring on Lady Gaga's single 'Ratchet' with Beyonce and Rihanna (probably just a rumour though). I wonder how desperate Nicki Minaj was to get on that track, instead of Azealia. The only verse she's every had that truly out-shone everyone was on Kanye's 'Monster'. Evidently lightning doesn't strike twice...
Lil Wayne - I Am Not a Human Being II. Firstly, why did he get a pass for his verse on 'Take It To The Head' ("Got my eyes closed, like Asian persuasion")? I seriously didn't think my opinion on him could have gown further down, but boy it did. Someone needs to take him back to the set of Gremlins because he's evidently quite lost. I know there'll probably be a song or two that I like on the album, especially since he's collaborating with Drake, Future, Diplo and Big Sean, though. Let's just hope there are no insensitive verses on the album. Yeah, not going to happen...
Ciara - One Woman Army. From looking at her recent sales and charting positions, she really is a one woman army. Whoever is providing names for her albums should stop providing negative foreshadows. Basic Instinct? I know she's probably playing upon the film name, but why would you include the phrase 'Basic' in your album title? She needs to take a 1, 2 step back to the drawing board before her access is revoked. I think she's on thin ice, since her last album didn't go too well.
Drake - TBA. I know there are quite a lot of people who dislike Drake, and I'm not really one of them. I mean, he either plays upon the 'Nice' guy or 'Hood' cliché. I guess it depends on what he has for breakfast. But come on, he's middle-class, Jewish and was on Degrassi. I don't know what kind of image he's attempting to represent, but it's turning into the clash of the titans. I've never watched Degrassi, nor heard of it until recent years, but come on. That's like Lil Wayne dressing up and portraying himself to be a regal academic, who delves into upper-class society functions. Nonetheless, the man releases decent music (the reviews for Take Care were exceptional) so the hype for his next album is deservedly quite high. I hope there's no Lil Wayne on album though. Less is more. Less is better. Less is what we need.
Chris Brown - Carpe Diem. I'll be avoiding this more than Rick Ross avoids the gym. No thank you, and good night.
