TenPHENOMenal R&B Singles
Usher feat. Ludacris - "U Don't Have to Call Remix"
Ludacris is as clever as ever as he plays on words, gets raspy, and even gives a shot out to Raspberry Smirnoff. This song was already a hit, and now it's unstoppable.
Avant - "Makin' Good Love"
"I know you thinkin' yo it sounds like a lullaby" but this track is about as sexy as it gets right now. Your temperature is sure to rise when you hear Avant smooth it out. Side note for the PHEllas, your girl is really going to PHEel this one in the late hours.
Ashanti feat. Notorious BIG -"Unfoolish (Foolish Remix)"
Murder Inc.'s Ashanti is absolutely blowin' up the charts right now. The original to this song is a huge hit and the remix keeps it real by acknowledging Biggie's influence on her success. The shot out to "F*ckin You Tonight" is a great touch as well.
Boyz II Men - "Color Of Love"
Sigh. Boyz II Men always seem to know how to sing a sweet ballad. Boyz II Men's maturity truly shines on this track, which the flow of a "Song for Mama."
Angie Stone - "Wish I Didn't Miss You"
Sound like a familiar case? Everyone has been there a time or two or three. Angie's full voice over a mid tempo head bobber are powerful enough to attract even the non neo-soul listener.
Jaheim feat. Next - "Anything Remix"
"When you dream, dream of Jaheim [... featuring Next of course]." This remix is as dreamy as the original with a grimy hip-hop twist. Jaheim's album title "Ghetto Love" is a perfect way to explain this track.
Brian McKnight feat. Jermaine Dupri -"How's It Gonna Be So So Def Remix"
Taking a slow love ballad and making it into a dance joint can be difficult. Leave it to JD to make you bounce ya @ss and holla to this funky and sexy track.
Prophet Jones - "Cry Together"
Great remake that is headed straight for your "Feeling Sad" folder. This track proves that Prophet Jones could be here to stay - no one-hit wonders here, folks.
City High - "City High Anthem"
Staying true to form, City High drops another real good feel good track produced by the killer combo Wyclef and Jerry Wonder. Also, another City High single means another City High video which means we all get to see more of Claudette... YES!
Glenn Lewis - "Its Not Fair"
If you're a stickler for non-synthesized instruments and incredibly silky vocals, then this track has your name written all over it. Glenn Lewis is bringing some real heat on this one where he tells the story of his girl's betrayal after he's committed to her. Go get his debut album World Outside My Window in stores now - Its HOT!
Giddy's Got the Good Word...
Jay-Z is reportedly working on his 7th studio LP, The Gift, The Curse due out Novemeber 2002. Does the man ever stop?
Xzibit is nearly finished with his upcoming album Man vs. Machine. Look out for production from Dr. Dre, Battlecat, E-Swift and DJ Premier. Man vs. Machine is due for a June release, pending his situation with Columbia Records.
LoudRecords has officially shut down. Loud was negotiating with Columbia in an attempt to divide artists between them in order to keep the label afloat, but could not come to an agreement with Columbia. While Loud's major artists (Wu-Tang, Mobb Deep, Xzibit, etc) will be retained by Columbia, other artists such as The Liks are looking to jump ship.
According to a report from Urban Expose, Motown Records has dropped Benzino after his album The Benzino Project only sold 80,000 units. Apparently the sales of the album were so bad that Benzino himself had to pay for production of the video "Shine Like My Son" after Motown refused, fearing that they would not profit from the investment.
According to a report from New York Daily News, Funkmaster Flex is facing a paternity suit from a woman claiming he fathered her 11-month old child. Haydee Diaz claims to have met Flex, who is married, in the fall of 1998, and to have had a constant sexual relationship until last June. Flex denies Diaz's claims and told the paper that he loves his wife and feels like Diaz is trying to take advantage of his fame.
Fugee member Wyclef Jean is expected to take his third solo album, Masquerade to the streets. The new album will include appearances from M.O.P, Freddie Foxxx and more for the new album. Clef says that he wanted to give the hip-hop fans something to listen to, as his first two albums was contained many R&B type tracks. Tracks like "80 Bars" and "The PJ's" are all focused more on Clef's hip-hop side. First M.O.P. does a song with LFO, and now this?
On a relationship note, Eminem is rumored to be with actress Kim Basinger, while the newest couple in hip-hop is rumored to be Eve and Nas. Also, look for Eminem's upcoming album, The Eminem Show to be pushed back to the end of May.
