Today the Daily introduces two recurring guests, Phenom and Giddy, to highlight some of this week's premier players in rap and hip-hop. Check out the buzz on hot singles and upcoming albums every week.
PHENOMenal Singles to Get GIDDY About
Dr. Dre - "Bad Intentions" (Interscope)
He's back at it again. From The Wash soundtrack, Dre laces us with another hot beat with definite hit written all over it. The flute in the background leaves you hypnotized while Dre attacks the song with all the "Bad Intentions" running through his mind.
Usher - "U Got It Bad" (Arista)
"If you're touched by the words of this song/ Baby you got it, you got it bad." Deny it if you want, but everyone needs this kind of slow jam when feeling down. Great job on the new album, Usher (8701).
G-Dep - "Special Delivery" (Bad Boy) *Giddy's Gem*
It's Bad Boy, baby! G Dep, Bad Boy Records' new golden child proves he's no one-hit wonder with a unique and brilliant flow over an "All About The Benjamins"-like beat. Nov. 20 will prove to be a very busy day for record stores, as G Dep's Child Of The Ghetto and Timbaland & Magoo's Indecent Proposal drop among other heavy hitters with tentative release dates.
Glenn Lewis - "Don't You Forget It" (Epic) *Phe's Fav*
Stevie Wonder meets Carl Thomas in Canada. Yes, that is right, this soul savior is Canadian. Who would have thought a new Stevie Wonder would come from Canada, but this song is amazingly smooth, so keep an eye peeled for his self titled debut album soon. You can find the single on Red Star Sounds Vol.1: Soul Searching, a collection of tracks from today's promising new soul artists. "Don't You Forget" about him!
Ludacris, LL Cool J, & Keith Murray - "Fatty Girl" (Universal)
"F is for the fatty's where's my ish... Girl you taste like a Cinnabon... I'm not supposed to do this type of thing, I'm a Christian... Girl you got a badonka donk." This song can be quoted all day with its clever metaphors and club-friendly beat. Also on the Fubu collection Fubu Presents The Good Life.
Phenom's Got a Good Pheeling About... Bubba Sparxxx
"It's gon' get ugly... in here... in here" claims Bubba Sparxxx and successful producer Timbaland in his first single "Ugly" from his debut album entitled Dark Days, Bright Nights. Bubba Sparxxx is the first member of Timbaland's new venture with Interscope Records known as the Beat Club which will somewhat compare to the Ruff Ryders or the Roc-A-Fella Family. In addition to the album's six Timbaland-produced tracks, Dark Days, Bright Nights features five songs produced by Shannon Houchins, two by OutKast's Organized Noize production team, two by Atlanta producer Khalfani, and one by Gerald "Geo" Hall. Bubba has been referred to as a white Ludacris with his slow, southern style of rapping, while representing Atlanta and what he calls "The New South." Among Bubba's influences is Too $hort, whose music turned Sparxxx into a huge rap fan, but it was the Atlanta group OutKast that inspired Sparxxx to become an active participant in the rap game. Bubba's next single is rumored to be "Bubba Talk," also produced by Timbaland. Very consistent with Bubba's image, the single is laced with horses and cows over an upbeat banjo riff. Similar to "Ugly," "Bubba Talk" and the album Dark Days, Bright Nights are bound to be hits. Bubba can be seen in the new issue of XXL and be sure to look out for the album, out in stores today. For more info and a great game where one must get all the pigs on the farm to get into their pen, go to www.BubbaSparxxx.com.
Giddy's Second Look at... Jimmy Cozier
Although this is his first self-released project, Cozier has been in the music scene for years now, writing songs for the likes of Mya, Blackstreet, and Janet Jackson. Using a fusion of R&B and Caribbean, Jimmy Cozier brings a unique blend of soulful artistry and unabashed expressiveness. His smooth yet raspy voice is reminiscent of Carl Thomas and Case, yet Cozier manages to stand alone with his Caribbean-laced ballads. After one of the year's hottest R&B singles, "She's All I Got," was released off his self titled album, many were expecting a lot from Jimmy Cozier. However his first project was met with lukewarm response, most likely due the overwhelming popularity of his lead single.While the response to his album may lead you to believe that his album was lacking in quality, a true listen to his self-titled release leads you to believe otherwise. Besides the infectious lead single, highlights include a duo with Alicia Keys titled "Mr. Man" and the emotional "Heartfelt Letter." Cozier also gives a shout out to the British R&B fans with the song titled "Two Steps," which talks about difficulties with relationships and the "Two-Step" style of music that Craig David has brought to the US from England. Cozier's unique style, his voice and his talent let you know he isn't new to the music game and he's here to stay. For more info on Jimmy Cozier, hit up his website at www.jimmycozier.com
