Johnta Austin feat. Jermaine Dupri - Turn It Up (full) - download Johnta Austin - Make Her the One (full) - download
You might not know the name, but you’ve heard his music. Along with super-writer/producer Bryan Michael Cox, Johnta Austin has written for the likes of Mariah Carey (”We Belong Together” and “Shake It Off”), Mary J. Blige, as well as Letoya Luckett. Now, I guess Johnta’s taking his step into the spotlight and The first song is something like the R&B version of “Slow Jamz” by Kanye, Twista & Jamie Foxx, except with more emphasis on old and new school R&B, instead of just old school classics. Johnta’s voice isn’t anything to rant and rave about, he sounds like any other male crooner out these days, but I think R&B needs a fresh male face.
Paris Hilton - Turn It Up (low quality snippet) - download
I seriously just laugh at the thought of Paris Hilton coming out with an album, but randomly, I could hear this song in the club. When I got a hold on the snippet, I found myself poppin’ in my computer chair, and then I realized that it was Paris Hilton, and I had to catch myself before anyone heard or saw. It sounds like a Scott Storch production, and although there has been confirmation about him producing for the album, we can’t be certain. “Turn It Up” sounds exactly like a song Storch produced for Jessica Simpson titled “Fired Up,” which is where the assumption came from. As we all expect, Paris is not a singer. More of a talker, moaner, whisperer and a breather…
Nelly Furtado and Timbaland get down in “Promiscuous,” with cameo appearances from Justin Timberlake and Timbaland protege, singer/songwriter, Keri Hilson.
So I’ve been touching on mostly R&B, but I thought I’d expose some of Fefe Dobson’s latest material from her forthcoming sophomore album, “Sunday Love.” I’m sure some of you may have remembered her from her first single, “Take Me Away,” from her debut album, but Fefe’s grown up vocally and lyrically. “Sunday Love,” an album title Fefe tributes to her mother, is influenced by 1980’s pop/rock and 1990’s punch. Fefe, co-writing the entire album, got to work with some of rock’s greats a la Courtney Love, Nina Gordon, Matthew Wilder, and ex-Marilyn Manson guitarist John5, as well as Cyndi Lauper and Joan Jett. Even if you’re not a rock fan, Fefe’s lyrics and the passion in her voice have converted non-believers into Fefe fanatics. “Sunday Love” is due out June 20th, and a video for “This Is My Life,” which is the official single, is apparently in the making since the single’s addition to airplay’s greatest gainers.
Fefe Dobson - This Is My Life (full) - download Fefe Dobson - Don’t Let It Go to Your Head (full) - download Fefe Dobson - As A Blonde (snippet) - download Fefe Dobson - Hole (snippet) - download
For more information about “Sunday Love,” and upcoming Fefe updates, check out her offical site, fefedobson.com or the best Fefe fan source online, fefefan.com. And since everyone and their mother’s on MySpace, give her an add.
Atlanta-based (by way of Kansas City) Janelle Monae says, “I have so many people I look up to. Bjork, OutKast, Fiona Apple, Janet Jackson, Madonna… I want to take things you’ve taught me to the stars.” And that she will. Janelle has just been featured in last month’s issue of VIBE Magazine in their monthly “Next” section, where they display upcoming talent and new artists. Janelle’s single, “Lettin’ Go” from Big Boi’s “Got Purp, Vol. 2″ and her upcoming debut album “Metropolis” has just started to get radio spins in certain markets and hopefully will spread like wildfire in the coming weeks. Her sound is like none other - so fresh, so new and at the same time, very familiar.
In the summer of 2005, Janelle Monae performed “Dear Mr. President,” a soulful, Curtis-Mafyfield-like political burner, complete with strutting bass and blaring horns, for an audience of one: the hip hop legend and musical innovator known as Big Boi. After hearing this single song, Big Boi was an ecstatic believer. Janelle has two songs on the “Got Purp, Vol. 2″ album and is said to be featured on several songs on the forthcoming OutKast album.
I’ve got high hopes for Miss Monae, I can honestly say this is someone I’m really digging. Some have describe Janelle’s music as a rollercoaster ride of jazz, hip hop, R&B, pop, disco and funk fusion. Her style is very ecletic, very unique and I hope people are ready for the new direction that music’s about to take. Not only does Janelle have a great voice, she’s dope in live performances and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her. You can tell in meeting her that she really loves the music and what she does. Janelle Monae is definitely a breath of fresh air. She’s bringing a new kind of passion and excitement to the game.
Janelle Monae - Lettin’ Go (full) - download Janelle Monae - Time Will Reveal (full) - download
Although these songs aren’t her latest, I was surprised at how slept on she was and how many people hadn’t heard her music. If you want some of the latest, check out Janelle Monae on MySpace or get frequent updates on album release and performances in your area on janellemonae.com.
If you haven’t heard yet, then maybe you need to get up on your gangster because everyone’s talking about Cassie. If you haven’t recognized her from her infamous Complex Magazine spread, the gig of spokesmodel for Missy Elliott’s “Respect” Adidas line, her performance in the “Clean & Clear” commercials, or from being the lead girl in Mario’s “Here I Go Again” video, then maybe you’ve just been hooked to her from her ever-so-popular MySpace page. And if it’s none of those things, and you’ve never heard of her at all or even seen her face before, then there’s a problem, because Cassie is what’s hot in the streets right now. Another member of Ryan Leslie’s Next Selection Lifestyle Group, Cassie is basically a model/actress turned singer. There’s little to be said about Cassie’s voice: it’s nothing spectacular, but it really doesn’t matter: the songwriting and production is tight and her voice floats over these tracks perfectly. She’s not claiming to be the princess of hip hop and R&B, but she definitely has been coined Next Selection’s Princess. And have you seen that face? If not, get yourself familiar with her, because Cassie’s coming for throats. She’s got Ryan, Diddy and many other industry unstoppables behind her. Look for the single “Me & You” on your radio station, as well as watch out for the video. It’s coming soon, and Cassie’s stopping at nothing to become the next big thing.
Cassie - Me & You (full) - download Cassie feat. Ryan Leslie - Just One Night (full) - download Cassie - Can’t Do Without You (full) - download Cassie - Miss Your Touch (full) - download
To get more information on Cassie, add her on MySpace. She’s one of the few that updates frequently and gets back to her fans. It’s really her running the page. You can also check out her official website, cassieworld.com or get updated on her daily life on her Next Selection blog. Tell her Skateboard B. sent you…
Brooke Valentine feat. Pimp C - Dope Girl (full) - download
Wow, so they gave her a budget for her second album! I was surprised, because after “Girlfight,” you didn’t hear much from Miss Valentine. But like I said, H-Town and Texas as a whole is on the map, so I can see why she wouldn’t want to miss this Texas gravy train. The new single, “Dope Girl” is not much to rave about, but hopefully the feature from the freshly released Pimp C will give some steam behind it. You make the judgement yourself.
Clipse feat. Pharrell Williams - Mr. Me Too (full) - download
So the Clipse haven’t had an album in a LONG time, but apparently, the leak of this track is suppose to cement their comeback. They’ve release several songs since their first album, but I can safely say, I feel like this one is single material. “Mr. Me Too” is just sick. Hopefully this is the next single for their upcoming, highly anticipated album, “Hell Hath No Fury,” which has been reworked more than a few times. Let’s hope this one does it for them now that all the political label drama is over.
I don’t know about you, but I’m super amped for Nelly Furtado’s new album, “Loose.” The songs have been leaked for a couple months now, but the video is supposed to premiere on TRL today for her hot single, produced by and featuring Timbaland, “Promiscuous.” I’ve pretty much fallen in love with every single song so far that I’ve heard from the album, I’m real excited. I’m glad to see Timbaland up to his old tricks again, because for a minute, he was going through a dry spell. To my knowledge, there’s been no confirmed release date for “Loose,” but if you love funky music that’s kind of different, then you’ll love this stuff. Just download these few tracks that have leaked and see if they make your cut like they’ve made mine.
Nelly Furtado feat. Timbaland - Promiscuous (full) - download Nelly Furtado - Maneater (produced by Timbaland) (full) - download Nelly Furatdo - No Hay Igual (produced by Timbaland) (full) - download
NOTE: All version available for download have been tagged as “final” or “album” versions, which is why the file may have “version 2″ tagged at the end. These songs were released previously with slightly different composition, but these are the songs in their final form!
