Only a year after the release of his third studio album, Graffiti, Chris Brown takes his place back in the spotlight for his brand new fourth studio album, F.A.M.E. The title is an acronym that is simply a tribute to his fans, stating “Fans Are My Everything.”
The past couple years have been very trying for Chris Brown. He started off on top, in a high-profile relationship with one of the world’s biggest superstars with a budding career as an artist and becoming an accomplished writer. He had created his own lane, and some would even argue that Chris is the best at what he does. But all of that talent and greatness was overshadowed by controversy, with a domestic situation that would leave Chris Brown in between a rock and a hard place.
Radio outlets, fans, music television and even some of his peers made the decision to steer clear of Chris Brown and his 2009 release, Graffiti, but it seems as though amid some appearances, performances and successful mixtapes, the doors have began to open again for the 21-year-old crooner. On his latest effort, F.A.M.E., Chris wants to give a token of his appreciation to his fans for sticking by him through this tough time, simply by making music that they want to here. Continue
It’s been a long time coming for Marsha Ambrosius, the former Floetry songstress who releases her solo debut album, Late Nights & Early Mornings, today.
In the midst of releasing three albums as half of the English R&B duo, Marsha also made dozens of guest appearances on other artists’ tracks. Following a brief stint with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment label, she found a home at J Records last year and has been preparing for this moment by showcasing her aural aphrodisiac talents on a number of mixtapes.
Not only is Marsha a gifted singer, she’s also a talented songwriter and producer having written and produced most of the album herself. She shares co-writing credit with Alicia Keys on the smooth, seduction-filled song “With You”, the first track following the introduction, appropriately titled “Anticipation”. Marsha keeps the mood going as she declares it’s gonna be a late night, early morning on the title track layered over a Bobby Z-esque beat (see Prince’s “The Beautiful Ones”) produced by Rich Harrison.
♫ Marshia Ambrosius – Hope She Cheats on You (With a Basketball Player)
But things quickly go from grown and sexy to “I hope she cheat on you with a basketball player” with the album’s lead single. Instead of wishing an ex well, Marsha wishes everything that could go wrong for him to actually do so because, as she explained in an interview with Rap-Up, “my ego is bruised and I’m acting out”, a feeling which most people can attest to feeling at some point in their life.
When Adele first hit the scene with “Chasing Pavements” over three years ago, the comparisons quickly came between her and Amy Winehouse. Sure, they’re both English singers/songwriters; both won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist (Amy in 2008, Adele the following year); and their music has helped usher in a new soulful sound. But in a late 2008 interview, Adele was quick to point out, “We’re a gender, not a genre.”
Adele describes her musical style as “heartbroken soul”, which might seem a bit odd for someone approaching the ripe old age of 23, but listening to her debut, 19, is all the proof you need to see just how accurate that description is. Her second album, 21, hitting stores and online retailers in the U.S. and Canada today, follows suit.
The album opens with the bluesy lead single “Rolling in the Deep”, which was released late November and its video less than a week later prompting a countdown of sorts by yours truly. The track is the epitome of a lover scorned with powerful vocals and equally powerful lyrics (Throw your soul through every open door. Count your blessings to find what you look for. Turn my sorrow into treasured gold. You’ll pay me back in kind, and reap just what you’ve sown.) with Adele exclaiming, “We could have had it all!” Continue
Nearly fifteen years ago Ginuwine jumped on the scene with his first single, the overtly sexual “Pony”. Now, the 40-year-old who was once “So Anxious” is older and ready to show his fans the man he’s become on his namesake seventh album, Elgin, available today.
Ginuwine picks things up right where A Man’s Thoughts left off in that it expresses the same maturity…somewhat.
In an interview regarding the new album, Ginuwine explained that he wasn’t trying to get the younger crowd. “I realize where I am in my career, and I realize the age difference and everything. I’m just trying to keep the fans that once knew me back in the day, and I’m just trying to grow with them and have them grow with me.”
The latter may be true, but including the Trina-assisted “Batteries” (which happens to be the album’s only feature) says otherwise about attracting a younger crowd as it cries out as a cheapened attempt of recreating “Bottoms Up” and would be better suited for someone of both lesser caliber and age.
Only a year after the release of his third studio album, Graffiti, Chris Brown takes his place back in the spotlight for his brand new fourth studio album, F.A.M.E. The title is an acronym that is simply a tribute to his fans, stating “Fans Are My Everything.”
