NOTE: Thanks for all the e-mails and kind instant messages from people who asked if I’ve been doing okay since there hasn’t been a new review in a while! I’ve been fine, it’s just that it’s been kind of slow with new music recently. Hopefully things will pick up in the coming weeks!
Shareefa – Cry No More (full) – download
Shareefa has grown on me, including that “Need A Boss” song, since they play it every 5 minutes here. I guess the fact that the past weekend was DTP Weekend here in Atlanta doesn’t help too much. But this is sort of like deja vu. This song sounds exactly like “Need A Boss” to me. And surprise, it’s produced by Darkchild! It really does sound like the same song to me for some reason, minus the vocal skip sample.
Kelis feat. Spragga Benz – Fire (full) – download
Thanks to UltimateKelis.com for this track! It’s supposedly an internation bonus track from “Kelis Was Here,” which is also growing on me (select songs). I can definitely see why this didn’t make the US release. Kelis’s voice actually sounds pretty good on this song. And check out the feature from Foxy Brown’s ex-boo.
Nicole Wray – Take Your Man (rip) – download
I don’t know, a Nicole Wray come back, again? It didn’t work with her last single (“If I Was Your Girlfriend,” which I loved). I guess she decided to recruit gogo-master, Rich Harrison, which is who this track is produced by. I’m going to do a little more research because I want to find out who she’s signed to now. It can’t possibly be the Roc anymore.
Beyonce – Lost Yo Mind (full) – download
Another bonus track from “B’Day.” This song comes with your purchase when you pre-order from iTunes. It’s another Swizz Beats production. The track is very energetic, and of course, it finds Beyonce belting over one of his ever-so-repetitve his productions. I honestly think this song is sort of interesting. I cracked up laughing at the beginning of the song. Listen and you’ll see why.
i love nicole wray i still bump “make it hot”.
Beyonce’s song is bearable after the thrid time hearing it. Even though I don’t think I’ll like her album, I’ll still get it because it is still Beyonce. I love her!!!
Thanks so much for the Kelis & Beyonce bonus tracks!!!
I like that Beyonce song!!!
I see where B is trying to go and I actually like her beats but I think her CD is lacking something. She could have done so much more, but I’m not knocking her being her.
I’m a bit biased, As a percussionist, I tend to flock to a beat that is funky. I listen to the beat and not the music.
Like The Beyonce Song…Thanks Brian!
I like the Shereffa,Nicole Wray song.
Beyonce song is “interesting” She’s doing alot of yelling this time around aint she?
These are pretty good! Thanks for the post…I’m getting a little underwhelmed with Beyonce’s hollerin, but she is certainly a talent.
I think Shareefa has a HOT voice!! It has a rawness to it that I love. I can’t wait to see what her album sounds like. Her tone reminds me of Nicole Wray a little, and I think she was terribly underrated. I wonder what she’s doing now.
Okay, Beyonce! I see you girl! Let that aggression out! I’m feelin’ this.
I love the Beyonce song. Happy Birthday Beyonce!
Wow! I’m so slow! I totally did not see that Nicole Wray song.
#8, I think that the reason beyonce is doing a lot of hollerin’ this time around is because for a lot of vocal artist, they never really display their vocal ability on uptempo songs.
I think that she’s trying to display her “range” on the songs on “b’day,” y’know?
*Wondering if Beyonce has “lost her mind”…*
This song reminds me of “Check on It.”
I gotta admit though, I did pre-order B-Day yesterday on iTunes. She is one of the few people out right now who actually has the vocal ability to sing HARD. I’ve about had it with all of these soft-voiced people. I’m even starting to like “Ring the Alarm” a little, just because it’s different.
I copped Idlewild and Xtina for the same reasons.
shareefa– i am really feeling this song!! like it for real. it doesn’t sound like the same ole same ole mess we hear from those non-singin’ heifers. i can tell she can sing for real.
kelis– it is just alright.
nicole wray– i think its hot. i loved her last attempt at a comeback with if i was your girl. this is pretty good too.
miss b– it is just alright. after awhile it began to annoy me.
I’m feelin that Beyonce song A LOT!
Most of her stuff hasn’t grabbed me but that beat and the aggressive vocals are good stuff!
thanx B
not so crazy about the Beyonce track but its ok.. as someone said.. after the 3rd time its alright.. i see why it didnt make the album
next on Kelis..
I like nicole..
next at shareffa..
Someone tell Swizz to stop it with the whistles and shit! Switch ya style up!
Are you guys serious? Why do you think this song is a bonus? Good songs aren’t bonuses.Dear heavenly father what has happened to Beyonce? Repetitive doesn’t even begin to descride this horrible mess of a song.
Beyonce needs real produces.Men (or women) who can play instruments and know about music inside and out.Right now she is relying on these rap “beat makers” and they are showing just how talentless they really are.
Imagine Beyonce with David Foster or Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis who not only have produced two of the biggest selling albums in the world (Rhythm Nation & Janet, and The Bodyguard Soundtrack) but also a slew of other hits dating back to the early 80′s (Force MD’s, SOS Band, and others).These men are talented true musicians.
Wake up Beyonce and step away from these fluffy producers.Do like Christina Aguilera did and look for people with a great sound you like and not just the “In” producers of the moment.
Thanks brian for breaking it down, coz some folks still keep gettin ,beyonce style of singing confused with hollering, when actually she’s just singing in a higher voice register, basically display her range, i mean christina aguilera does it all the time. anyhow im definately feelin the beyonce joint.
Beyonce i do believe is re-releasing B-Day next year around April because it’s stated this isn’t her type of music she wanted for her sophomore album it’s deena off that movie she did
ummm B…can u please leave Jay outta the studio next time round…im just sayin…oh and how bout workin more than 2 weeks on an album that ur gonna try 2 sell ppl..
o and please with the copy ca ish…not a good look or a hood look…how u just gonna JACK thr rhythm nation ish..and poor MIMI’s rappin style of R&B…and trust i AM a fan im just sayin BITING is almost never a good look
Beyonce track is heavy >> it will grow on people ~~ they should have put it as a bonus track for the international heads !
i like nicole’s song i really hope this comeback works this time cause i really like her.
i like shareefa. i really like “i need a boss” and this song is good too. i might cop her album when it comes out.
This is my first comment…..Yeah, I like the new Beyonce Song but WE DO need some more talent out there because one of the only reasons Beyonce is still dominating is becasue THERE IS NO OTHER TALENT TO COMPETE because record companies just sign anything they think will go platinum, not talent anymore. All of the newest female singers put out in the last 4 years has been wack or not up to par. Even LETOYA’s album isn’t up there. Beyonce’s new album is too influenced by Jay-Z which shows she is still very young and influential and she gives her boyfriend too much credit. She even stated in a recent interview that she saw how it’s done @ ROCAFELLA and wanted to immulate there creative process which is different for a singer than is for a RAP artist. She needs to stick to what she knows. A grown woman should never give her man so much credit even if he thinks he knows what he is doing because she is setting her self up for the long hall.
Her songs aren’t as universal as say a Mariah or Mary J.’s GROWN WOMAN songs. She screams I am woman now in her interviews but she puts out songs called FREAKUM DRESS etc. People don’t mention anything because she appears to be so sweet and nice and pretty so anything goes right now. I’m Not hatin’ on Miss B, or anyone else, but my friends and I (not just me, and I do have A LOT of friends because we are all in the industry) have been tired of her singing, watching here wierd dancing you all seem to love, doing all the make-up and hair commercials, and playing A SINGER IN EVERY MOVIE SHE HAS BEEN IN. She seems to be following a cookie cutter mold that Brandy and others set for her years ago. I thought she and her camp were more origional than that. Her songs aren’t really songs I think I will listen to for years to come as mentioned by many critics such as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston or Celine Dion songs. I don’t think she can even hang with those 3. I agree with #19 with the better production such as David Foster needed instead of sounding like Amerie or someone who doesn’t write there own songs with the same ol’ run of the mill hip-hop producers over and over. Scott Storch did a great job on her last album because his sound is more origional and he produced 3 out of her 3 singles. A lot more goes into making a star and comming out with hit albums than all of you realize. SHe is a REALLY GOOD singer, bit I think she is prettier than she can sing. A)She needs to take some time off for couple of years like Janet and Madonna and Michael(The Greats) because she is way to over exposed right now. She needs to stop being worried about someone stealing the spot light if she takes a break because A.) No one stays on top forever and B.) Your star is going to burn out otherwise.
P.S. I think her last album was VERY well put together, but all the songs were surrounded around HER RELATIONSHIP WITH JAY-Z (HOVE!!!) hence the title Dangerously in Love and this album sounds about the same I heard the album 2 weeks ago on Shareyourknowledge.com. It’s not as bad as a lot of people say,and I ADMIRE her for trying to change it up but she could have used more help on the writting tip. Just because you write a verse here and your daddy/manager makes sure you get WRITTING CREDITS on all the rest so you don’t end up broke when it’s all over doesn’t make you a GOOD WRITTER. A good artist realizes when she needs help and when it’s time to take a break and let GOD handle the rest instead of bragging about rushing art, which is not cute by the way.
love nicole and like kelis….everything else…errrrmmm
i like the Beyonce track….its hott and different
I Love Lost Yo Mind
i LOve The album resentment,irreplacible, Green light, kitty kast
BANGERS love them all
the album went str8 2 numba one in ENgland
WELL DONE B LOVE YA
@ 26
I understand what you are saying, and you make some valid points, so I don’t think you’re a hater. lol I do however want to mention something about the type of songs Beyonce puts out. A lot of people talk about how her lyrics are not up to par with the likes of the people you named and also with other artists like India.Arie. However, I don’t this means that her songs won’t be remembered 20 years from now. There have been many artists who came before Beyonce that sometimes had silly lyrics, but those artists are remembered for their star power and delivery, which I think will also apply to Beyonce down the road. Two artists that come to mind on this tip are James Brown and Little Richard. I don’t think anyone will deny that these men are legends, but their all of their lyrics are not what I’d call “deep.” Also, I’m not saying Beyonce is at legend status like these gentlemen. She has years to go in order to earn that title. I just wanted to provide a different perspective.
Brian u have some great songs to wake up to on a Monday Morning Eventhough I had already heard all but the Kelis song….This Post Is A Labor Day Banga!!!
Big Ups..
@ #30 that is very true. I just see a lot of people giving Beyonce legendary prop which is okay because it’s all a matter of opinion, but give her a little more time to prove herself is all I’m trying to say.
Kelis song is just okay..
Nicole Wray… Nice
Shareefa.. Okay+
Not feeling Beyonce’s new song at all..
I really like a lot of Kelis’ songs from the new c, but I still think LIVING PROOF and TRILOGY are the best songs released by her thus far.
As for B, the fact that this kind of material is following the brilliant DIL makes it seem worse to me. I love RING THE ALARM and I don’t mind UPGRADE you, but this album (unlike her first which featured different beats) is all one-note. I understand that she wants to show her range, but it is not being done effectively. Yes Christina does it (as someone mentioned), but the words are still articulated for us to understand and the beats NEVER overpower her. B is a great artist which is why I am truly baffled by this. She should’ve taken hints from her contempories who’ve already made sure that they didn’t fall into the sophomore slump by miing it up and trying new stuff while still working on improving the old style (i.e. Alicia Keys, JT’s album is already sounding hella good: all his tracks except Snoops’ Pose are good, Christina’s image for Stripped wasn’t the greates, but noyone can deny how good that album was with the perfect mix of love songs, deep songs and fun songs).
I know all B lovers are gonna try and attack me, but so be it. I like B, but to purchase an album I have to appreciate more than just a couple of songs on it (that’s what singles are for) so while I’m sure that all her devoted fans will buy it no matterhat, I won’t. That’s saying a lot for someone who has 3 DC albums and DIL! Artists will never learn to respect theor craft and give us our money’s worth if we just keep buying any crap they release. I truly hope that B’s third album will let her mix it up and be creative, yet show that she truly put foth an effort and hard work, not to mention a dedication to her listeners, because I don’t think B’day demonstrates any of that at all.
I love Kelis’ cd, can we say HEAVY rotation?! And I agree with the rotation od the ‘Need A Boss’ track, they play it every 5 minutes here too. However, it still hasn’t grown on me. lol But I’m pretty sure that she, in general, will grow on me.
Shareefa – like this one better than Need a Boss
Kelis- I like I like :}
Nicole Wray- she is so slept on I kinda like this one @1 me too lol
Beyonce- I agree @33 NEXT!!!
Im really feeling shareefa I wanna hear more songs from her tho. nicole idk. beyonce is real strange now. kelis needs vocal training bad i still like her
Whewwwww, NICOLE! Love that! But she sound a little babyish.
Beyonce, NO. Well, it’s aight. She need to go to rehab for cocaine anonymous.
Kelis….Never.
Shareefa, real nice.
Unfortunately, I didn’t really care for any of these songs.
The only one I could stomach was Kelis’ Fire.
I believe the download for Nicole Wray’s song was flawed. It only played the first second or so of the song.
@#22
I co sign
sorry I meant #26 and #22 as well lol
NICOLE – Dayum what happened to Nicole Wray, I miss her on the music scene!….This was the first one I downloaded b/c I haven’t heard from her in a long min. The song is cute, but I can do w/o all the cussing, it’s unneccessary. It’s like ths song is supposed to be all cute but fierce & that came across in her lyrics and tone of her voice, the cussing seems forced, like hse trying to be hard.
BEYONCE – not feeling it. why all her songs about cheating men…..I know she supposedly got her inspiration from her character in Dreamgirls but it seem like all her songs are about a cheating boyfriend and there is more to life than that. And this is coming from a Beyonce fan. I think some of these tracks “dumbs” down her talent.
Sharefa – It’s OK…the lyrics and the beat are toomuch for eachtoher. One takes away from the other. So I’m not feeling it, it gives me a headache.
Kelis – her voice sounds good on this track….I like the upbeat tempo of the song it works for Kelis’ style.
to #23: “and please with the copy ca ish…not a good look or a hood look…how u just gonna JACK thr rhythm nation ish..and poor MIMI’s rappin style of R&B…and trust i AM a fan im just sayin BITING is almost never a good look”
———–
How is B jackin Mariah’s rappin style when DC’s first single “No No No” was on that rappin/singing style of R&B? And how long ago was that?!
Love the beyonce track, feelin the aggression and yes it did take me 3 listens. I started listening 2 the kelis and i had 2 stop it, she’s just so underwhelming nowadays.
#26 – SabbathNicole
That was the most accurate post on here in regards to Beyonce. Your comments were spot-on. I hope Beyonce or someone from her camp see’s it and relays your advice.
o m g you din lost your mutha ****** mind…get it beyonce lol
kelis and nicole wray – i don’t think so come again.those songs would make me walk off the dance floor or hit the skip button on the cd player
shareefa- i am really feeling this girl.looking forward to her cd whenever it drops
Love the songs. Kelis Her album is still growing on me.
On the beyonce topic..I like her new cd because its different for her I was so tired of the I love You..Let me Cater to you..But its different for her and I like it.
We all “bite”….
When you go shopping and buy the latest/hottest trend or designer purse, you are biting. You are biting off the designer. You are biting off the girl you saw wearing it first.
The furniture you BUY, someone desgined it. You didn’t create it. You are biting again. Maybe you saw ti the store display and liked how the furniture looked. Maybe you saw it on MTV Cribs or one of your friends had it. The latest magazine or whatever. IS this not biting too? I think so.
MY point is, society has never been original. People are influenced by people, so naturally if you see something you like you are going to buy it, make it, and find a way to fit it into your lifestyle. I think the term “biting” is being used way too loosely on this post. People are inspired by people everyday so nothing we do, say, buy, create or perform is 100% original.
True, what Beyonce is doing is nothing new. But she does find a way to make it her own, to put her personality and personal touch to the song, performance, style, etc.
I think it is allright to be inspired by what other people do if yo make it your own and add your personal touch to it. But to call this “biting”…..is extreme, b/c then we all would be guilty of biting.
Kelis – Not really feeling it
Nicole Ray – the lyrics are silly, but i luv the song. i’ve always loved her…why can’t she get her career of the ground. i’ve always thought her music was better than a lot contemporaries
Beyonce – okay, don’t shoot me for saying this but i think ashanti pulls off the r&b vocals over hard hip hop tracks a lot better than bee. she just seems out of her element w/ this stupid beats from swizz with the repetititive claps and whistles with her repeating the same words over and over again and calling it a chorus. I just wanna her beyonce sing. every song i’ve heard from her new album is way too overproduced. with all the layering of her vocals, her voice almost sounds electronic. she doesn’t need all of that. there are a few standout tracks on her album, but most of them sound like they were never really thought out or completed and this is one of them.
Beyonce’s song is basically on the same level as the whole B’Day album, good but not great
Kelis was ok
Nicole not feelin that much
Shareefa I’m feelin it
So I only listened to Kelis and B.
Kelis song was okay…I like the beat and it does suit her voice.
As for B…I luv her and I think she is a super talented singer…but the more songs I hear from Bday…the more I am not impressed by her effort. To me all the songs lack something…you can tell that she did not invest alot of time in her new project. Having said that…her songs (well ring the alarm atleast) are bareable because – and only because – she has a killa voice…
on http://www.shareefaweb.com u can guys download “impossible” new shareefa’s song, its hooooot
yeah the beginning of “Lost Yo Mind” was a little hilarious
Beyonce:luv it, cuz people dont know how hard it is to sing and yell at da same time and dis girl can hold her own.
Shareefa:I agree da beats in da back are da exactly da same from need a boss, but its still a hot song!
Kelis:Didnt bother cuz i know she still cant sing!!!!
Nicole Wray:I luv her song its fiyah!!!!
So far all the tracks ive heard from B-day kinda suck.
Looks like B is getting in on the whole light skinned dark skinned thing in her song “Creole”.
So wats her point in this song, that red bones, yellow bones or whatever creoles are da flyest pple?
Its about the looks on this one.lol
Nicole Wray lookin good. I remember the song she did wit Missy”Why U All In My Grill”. Thats the shit. The beat was fire.
Shareefa looks exactly like Shawna. Are they twins? Damn! The y shoul’ve been in a group 2gether like the Clipse.
The rest,Icommented on them madd times. Later
Brian you need to post Amel Larrieux-unanswered questions from her latest cd on here; sorry this is off topic.
I hate the new album!!!!!!!!!!!!!