Bryan-Michael Cox and Diddy have done it again. Even though I haven’t been keeping up with Making the Band 4 like I should be (because I was watching Making the Band 3 all the time), this song is really going off to me. I love the production, and the boys, whomever they’ve chosen to be a part of the band, are actually singing! In the past couple of episodes I have seen, I haven’t really seen any boys that I really think would be great as performers. They just seemed a little watered down. But this song, I think, proved me wrong. B. Cox put it down. I’m eager to see whether or not these boys will put out an album that was as well put together as Danity Kane’s.
Making the Band 4 - I Want You Exclusive (full) - download / alternate
Make sure you tune into MTV Monday nights at 10 pm to catch all new episodes of Making the Band 4. For more video clips, photos and highlights, check out the Making the Band 4 page on MTV.com.
NOTE: Sorry about the link mix-up, guys. I updated it. It should work now.
Cassie - Is It You? (full) - download
Cassie was supposedly working on a new album due out in the fall, but this song isn’t from it. “Is It You?” is actually taken from the soundtrack for the sequel to the movie, “Step Up.” I honestly admit that I can see where this song was going, regardless of how much I hate Cassie’s lack of vocal ability. I like the feel of the track, which I’m sure was produced by her alleged boyfriend and producer, Ryan Leslie. It feels like a soundtrack song to me though.
J. Holiday - Don’t Wanna Lose (full) - download
I haven’t really been excited by the lot of J. Holiday’s music that I’ve heard besides, “Bed,” and a couple of other tracks I really like this song. It’s simple, and it just displays his vocal ability really well. I like the doo-wop direction that this song is going, and the boy really does have a set of pipes on him. I guess this has sort of revived my excitement for Back of My Lac, out October 2nd.
The song “Bed” has been heating up all over the radio. Everyone seems to love it. Produced by Los Da Mystro and written by the Dream (who we just did a feature on, as well as the man who brought to you Rihanna’s “Umbrella”). It turns out that Dream also recorded his own version of “Bed,” which I’m sure was probably a guide vocal that he’d sent to the label before J. Holiday recorded it. I’m a little torn, because to me, they sound similar, Dream’s version is just a little more raw, of course. I think my ear has just been trained to J. Holiday’s version. Dream has his own project out on the way, but you know we’ve got to ask the question: Who sang it better? It’s up to you.
J. Holiday - Bed (full) - REMOVED The Dream - Bed (full) - download / alternate
Make sure you support J. Holiday’s new album, Back of My Lac, due out October 2nd, and check our exclusive interview with him. Also, don’t forget to check out The Dream on MySpace and look for more heat coming from his way.
Eve feat. Fabolous, Swizzy & Missy Elliott - Tambourine (Remix) (full) - download
Easily one of my favorite club bangers out now, I’m glad they took “Tambourine” to the next level, because although I think it’s loved by many a DJ doing a Swizz Beatz mix (complete with “Get Me Bodied,” “Bring ‘Em Out” and “It’s Me, Snitches!”), I don’t think it got as much love as it should have. Hopefully with this remix, it’ll get the play that it needs, even though Eve is pushing the new single with Sean Paul.
Will.I.Am & Nicole Scherzinger - I Got It From My Momma (full) - download
Somebody please explain to me why the Black Eyed Peas broke up? Because individually, I feel like Will.I.Am and Fergie’s music both sound exactly the same as when they were together. It’s almost a little embarrassing. Even though this says Nicole (from PCD), it still sounds like Fergie to me. Maybe I’m just a hater, but I think they were just better off together - even though Fergie’s The Dutchess did have a nice run on the charts for a while with some successful singles. Will.I.Am’s rap at the end is kinda funny though.
I don’t know what they can’t get right. Amerie’s third album, Because I Love It has been released overseas, but can’t seem to get the steam it needs in the United States. With a couple of failed singles (and videos that have been played loosely in the States), this project just can’t seem to get released over here. But Sony Columbia is finally doing what I said to do all along - release “That’s What U R” as a single. Duh! What took them so long? Easily one of the most radio-friendly songs on her album, I’m not sure what the thought process was on this decision in the first place. I think what may confused people is that the “Take Control” video starts off with this song and the fact that most of this material is near over a year old…
Amerie feat. Fabolous & Slim Thug - That’s What U R (full) - download / alternate
We’ll see how this does. Maybe the two rap features will help it out. I’m not sure, though. Because I Love It may be the Wanderland (Kelis’s second album released only overseas) of Amerie’s career. For more info on Amerie, check out her official site, amerie.net.
Think you’ve never heard this guy’s music before? Well, if you’ve recently blasted Rihanna’s “Umbrella” (which he wrote in 12 minutes) or “Breakin’ Dishes” or J. Holiday’s “Bed,” then you’re very familiar with The Dream’s sound. Working closely with teammates Tricky Stewart and Jazze Pha, Dream plays guitar, trumpet and drums and is the husband of R&B singer, Nivea. It’s no wonder that in his spare time, he enjoys painting and sculpting. Drawing his inspiration from Sam Cooke, Al Green and Timbaland, this Rockingham, NC native (now based in Atlanta) has production and writing credits everywhere. Just check the discography.
It’s rumored that his new video for “Shawty Is A 10″ is being shot in the coming weeks. There are definitely high hopes set for this new Def Jam signee. But he’s definitely not new to the game…
For more information about the Dream, make sure you log onto his MySpace and be on the look out for the exclusive sit-down interview with the hit-maker.
Fantasia feat. Polow & Young Jeezy - When I See U (rmx) (full) - download
I love this song, I love Polow Da Don - but this remix doesn’t suit this song at all. I just feel like this is a beautiful song and the remix kind of cheapens it a little bit. I think that Polow’s production is great, but just not for the feel of this song. I can’t put my finger on it, but there was something that just bothered me about it when I first heard this remix on the radio. I think they just took a beautiful song and tried to turn it into a club banger.
Lil’ Mama - G-Slide Tour Bus (full) - download
Classic use of nursery rhyme in a rap song. I’m sorry, I don’t know what it is that Lil’ Mama has, but she’s got something that just grips me and makes me wanna listen. I think it’s because she’s got so much personality and character, and her voice kind of just commands the song. I don’t even know what she’s talking about, and I don’t even care, but something about her to me just goes hard. I like her. Regardless of how corny and gimmicky people think she is.
