FX has officially given the green light to Childish Gambino's show about the Atlanta rap scene.
.png)
Sunday, December 14, 2014
D'Angelo's Explains 'Black Messiah' Title, Releases Tracklisting
RCA If you haven’t heard by now, D’Angelo will be releasing his new album ‘Black Messiah,’ his first full-length studio effort in 14 years. More details about the project has surfaced, including the official tracklisting.
According to Pitchfork, the album will hit iTunes at the stroke of midnight. Essentially, D’Angelo is pulling a Beyonce on us and we didn’t even know it.
As for the album’s title, the 40-year-old singer insists that he’s not calling himself a black demigod.
“Black Messiah is a hell of a name for an album. It can easily be misunderstood,” he explains in a pamphlet that was given out at a listening session in New York on Sunday (Dec. 14). “For me, the title is about all of us. It’s about the world. It’s about an idea we can all aspire to. We should all aspire to be a Black Messiah.”
“It’s about people rising up in Ferguson and in Egypt and in Occupy Wall Street and in every place where a community had enough and decides to make change happen,” he continues. “It’s not about praising one charismatic leader but celebrating thousands of them.”
‘Black Messiah is not one man. It’s a feeling that, collectively, we are all that leader,” he finished.
The pamphlet also revealed that Q-Tip and Funkadelic’s Kendra Foster contributed with the lyrics, while the Roots’ drummer Questlove, drummer James Gadson and bassist Pino Palladino performed on the project.
We’ve already heard a new track, ‘Sugah Daddy,’ but the set’s official kick-off single will be ‘Really Love,’ which impacts radio on Monday (Dec. 15).
Judging by the first single and the overjoyed response by fans and critics, alike, D’Angelo’s ‘Black Messiah’ might be biggest album to drop in 2014.
Welcome back, D’Angelo!
‘Black Messiah’ Tracklisting:
1. ‘Ain’t That Easy’
2. ’1000 Deaths’
3. ‘The Charade’
4. ‘Sugah Daddy’
5. ‘Really Love’
6. ‘Back in the Future (Part I)’
7. ‘Till It’s Done (Tutu)’
8. ‘Prayer’
9. ‘Betray My Heart’
10. ‘The Door’
11. ‘Back in the Future (Part II)’
12. ‘Another Life’
See 20 R&B Singers Real Names Revealed
Trina Hit with Slander After Copying Solange's Wedding Picture [PHOTO]
It looks like Solange fans don’t think that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Trina was hit with a slew of slander after readers saw the ‘Pull Over’ rapper mimic the singer’s famous wedding photo.
The Miami native felt a bit artistic and decided to recreate Solange’s classic wedding picture from her New Orleans nuptials, where herself, along with family members and friends, were in all white standing in unison posing for the camera.
However, things went left quickly after Trina posted the photo on Instagram. Fans weren’t too happy about this struggle imitation and took to social media to vent about how bad they felt the baddest chick’s picture was.
“This looks like a scene in a scary movie,” wrote one commentator, while another follower typed, “No! Be original Trina. Love you [though].”
On Twitter, the hate was real. Check out the tweets below.
What do you think of Trina’s photo? Tell us in the comments below.
30 Awkward Style Moments in R&B
Brazilian "Booty Queen" to Share Pics From Virginity Restoration
Indianara Carvalho, 22, Miss Bum Bum Brazil 2014, is preparing for a fully-nude photoshoot, but before she bares all, the "booty queen" is going under the knife.
Memphis Bleek Gets Married, Jay Z Attends Wedding (@MemphisBleek @S_C_)
Memphis Bleek had the love and support of his family and his good friend Jay Z at his wedding over the weekend.
Nikki Mudarris Tans Her Enormous Bare Cheeks in Tiny Bikini (@MissNikkiiBaby)
Nikki Mudarris is truly one of the best at setting some of the most seductive thirst traps.
Nas and Russell Simmons Join Millions March Protest in New York [PHOTO]
In New York, Washington, D.C., and around the globe, thousands of demonstrators marched on Saturday (Dec. 13) in protest of police violence on black men and women. Among the demonstrators were members of the hip-hop community including Nas and Russell Simmons.
At the “Millions March NYC” protest in New York, people marched from Washington Square Park to the NYPD headquarters. According to unofficial estimates, nearly 30,000 people were marching through the streets. Rappers Nas and hip-hop elder statesman Russell Simmons were among those in the streets calling for justice.
At the “Justice For All” march in Washington, D.C., thousands of protesters marched through the nation’s capital and heard a rousing speech from Dr. Michael Eric Dyson. The families of police shooting victims, including relatives of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Akai Gurley and John Crawford also spoke at the event.
The demonstrations was organized by the National Action Network, a civil rights organization headed by the Rev. Al Sharpton who spoke at the D.C. event. Demonstrations were also held in San Francisco, Oakland, Calif., Chicago and Los Angeles.
Nas and Simmons weren’t the only hip-hop figures out in protest. Indie rappers Immortal Technique, Torae (of the Barrel Brothers) and others were out in force at the New York rally. Meanwhile, artists like Big Boi, Q-Tip, Rihanna, 9th Wonder, Ludacris, French Montana and Pharrell Williams showed their support through social media. Check out their tweets below.
Watch Time Lapse of Protesters Marching in New York
Police Search for Suspects in Frightening Philly Armed Robbery
A man who was headed to China to attend his mother's funeral was robbed of thousands of dollars by two men just hours before his trip.
Fans Question Kylie Jenner's Lip Obession on Twitter (@KylieJenner)
Fans and critics of Kylie Jenner, the youngest sister of the Jenner-Kardashian clan, have a lot to say about the teen's latest transition.
JR Smith Admires LHHNY Star Rah Ali's Curves on Instagram (@TheRealJRSmith @RashidaAli)
JR Smith has been known for spitting some rather legendary game on Instagram, and previously asked a fan if she was trying to "get the pipe.
Five Best Songs from Ashanti's 'Concrete Rose' Album
Murder Inc. Of all the R&B artists to emerge in the aughties, Ashanti is one of the few still able to move the needle. The R&B songbird was part of Irv Gotti’s Murder Inc. label during the imprint’s glory days.
Dubbed the “Princess of R&B,” Ashanti’s eponymous debut was highly anticipated off the strength of the smash hit, ‘Foolish,’ as well as various standout guest features. The collection would go on to become one of the more successful debuts in recent memory, premiering at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 charts and selling over 500,000 copies in its first week. The album also helped earn her three Grammy trophies, including Best Contemporary R&B Album.
Ashanti returned in 2003 with her sophomore effort, ‘Chapter II,’ and dodged the sophomore jinx. But with beef and legal troubles plaguing Murder Inc., the album was somewhat of an afterthought despite releasing quality singles with ‘Rock wit U’ and ‘Rain on Me.’
Despite the turmoil with her label, Ashanti focused on her third offering, ‘Concrete Rose,’ which was released on Dec. 14, 2004. While the album saw Ashanti’s streak of No. 1 debuts and dominant first-week sales come to an end, the singer delivered another quality body of work to add to her catalog.
The collection sees Ashanti maturation as a person and an artist on full display and is more refined than her earlier albums. Devoid of an chart-topping singles, what the LP lacks in commercial hype, it fully makes up for with stellar production, great songwriting and solid vocal performances throughout.
This weekend marks 10 years since the album touched our hearts and soul. So we’ve selected what we feel are the five most worthy selections from ‘Concrete Rose.’ Did your personal favorite make the cut?
Powered by live guitars and drums, 'Focus' is as infectious as anything featured on the album. The song is a musical tour de force. Ashanti is vocally on-point as well, giving the song just the right amount of swagger and spunk required to truly make it a hit out of the park. Pleasing to the sonic palette, 'Focus' is arguably the most complete song on 'Concrete Rose.'
Ashanti concocts a winner with the breezy 'Don't Let Them.' However, the song was not without controversy. Although fans demanded the second single be 'Don't Leave Me Alone,' Def Jam, the singer's parent label, refused to give Ashanti a budget for the second music video. To appease the fans, the singer went out of pocket to film a visual for another fan-favorite, 'Don't Let Them.' Co-written by Ashanti and Irv Gotti, the song samples Raekwon's 'Only Built 4 Cuban Link' classic, 'Heaven or Hell.' Seeking reassurance from her lover that he's around for the long-haul, 'Shanti hits on all cylinders with her feathery vocals and knack for melodic enunciation on full display. Although criminally slept-on, true fans know that it one of the standout tracks on the album.
Released as the first single from 'Concrete Rose,' the rock-tinged 'Only U' is an example of what Ashanti does best -- deliver indelible heatseekers that are a lock for radio airplay. Co-produced by Seven Aurelius and Irv Gotti, from the moment you hear the intro, which samples Club Nouveau's 'Why You Treat Me So Bad,' you already know what you're about to experience is something sonically epic. Featuring guitar riffs, claps, and booming drums, Ashanti is fully submissive on the song. "Oh I can't wait to get next to you / Oh, I just can't leave you alone / Boy you got me doing things that I would never do / And I can't stop the way I'm feeling if I wanted to," she coos. While not a mega-single on the level of 'Foolish' or 'Rain On Me,' 'Only U' is a track many artists would lust for and is nothing short of a certified banger.
'Concrete Rose' ends on a high note with the defiant close-out track, 'Freedom.' Written by Ashanti and co-produced by Demetrius McGhee and Irv Gotti, the song sees the singer lashing out against her haters and naysayers with lyrics like, "See, I ain't never think that I would have a situation where the people around me just envy, I must replace em' / See, I always thought the people who watched me grow would wanna see me blow, fa'sho, but little did I know." Featuring rolling piano keys, organs, and snares, 'Freedom' stands as the LP's most transparent track and gives the listener a glimpse of the backlash that fame can bring and underneath the glitz and the glamour.
Ashanti's appetite for a lover that can spoil her emotionally is detailed on the serene 'Every Lil' Thing.' Written by Ashanti and co-produced by Seven Aurelius and Irv Gotti, the Murder Inc. mami expresses her desires of unlimited adoration, singing "baby, from what you told me, you can give every lil' thing / and baby, from what you've shown me, instead of going out, you can bring the world to me / see, I done had it all, did it all, and now I'm looking for more." Powered by harps and light snares and Ashanti's bubbly vocals, 'Every Lil' Thing' is one of 'Concrete Rose's finer selections and quite the treat.
Exclusive! Smoke DZA Says He Rewrote Biggie Songs for Inspiration (@smokedza)
Smoke DZA spoke with VladTV exclusively about his process behind writing his raps.
Teyana Taylor Flaunts Her Plump Birthday Cakes at Skate Party (@TEYANATAYLOR)
Teyana Taylor just turned 24 on Wednesday, December 10th, and instead of do the standard "get wasted at the club" celebration, she decided to throw on '80s retro gear and turn up with her friends at a roller skating-themed party.
Ronnie Fieg x Pony M-110
These days it feels like whatever Ronnie Fieg touches turns to gold, or red, for his latest collaboration with Pony. For the re-launch of the Pony M110 model, the sneaker maverick has put together a shoe that represents something that binds them both together — New York City.
Red leather upper with bits of tonal snakeskin on the tongue and ankle gives off a strong ‘Big Apple’ vibe and red leather laces make it luxurious. Mr. Fieg gets his brand name on the ankle along with Pony. Plus, the inside lining will let you know just how limited these shoes are as each pair is numbered up to 500.
Ronnie Fieg’s releases are known to sell out and it’s very safe to assume that this pair will do the same. Since he hasn’t given us a release date yet, it only increases the fear of missing out on this great-looking sneaker. At least we know that they will be available at Fieg’s Kith stores in New York when they do hit retail.
[Via Ronnie Fieg]
D'Angelo Releases 'Sugah Daddy,' His First Song In 14 Years
After 14 years of relative obscurity, D’Angelo delivered his first song, ‘Sugah Daddy,’ on Sunday (Dec. 14). Fans will be happy to hear that his trademark falsetto and soulful vibe hasn’t rusted by his years of idleness.
‘Sugah Daddy,’ technically, isn’t so new. The R&B crooner has performed the song during his live concerts back in 2012. So this is the first studio version of the piano-driven, funky track.
The single is an infectious jam session with pianos, horn stabs, bubbling bass guitars and smoothed-out vocals from the Virginia native. Influences of Prince is also heard throughout the song.
If there’s any questions on whether D’Angelo can still bring the funk and soul to the music game, the answer is a resounding yes. If this is what he’s bringing with his new project, get ready for a soulful ride in the next few weeks.
D’Angelo’s ‘Black Messiah’ album will be played for fans at a listening party today (Dec. 14) in New York with host author-journalist Nelson George, which is being sponsored by Red Bull Music Academy and Afropunk.
‘Black Messiah’ is rumored to arrive in stores on Tuesday (Dec. 16).
Welcome back, D’Angelo!
Listen to D’Angelo’s Song ‘Sugah Daddy’
See 20 R&B Singers Real Names Revealed
Exclusive! Tiny Lister Slams People for Pimping Out Religion for Money (@realtinylister)
Tommy "Tiny" Lister spoke exclusively with VladTV on becoming a born again Christian.
"Millions March" Brings Out Thousands of Protestors in NYC (@MillionsMarch)
Over 50,000 protesters took to the streets of New York to march for peace, justice and the end of police brutality.
Thousands of "Millions March" Protestors Take Over NYC (@MillionsMarch)
Over 50,000 protesters took to the streets of New York to march for peace, justice and the end of police brutality.
Scaff Beezy Confirms Breakup With Nicki Minaj On Twitter (@NickiMinaj)
Nicki Minaj is officially a single lady.
Chief Keef Wants to Release Glo Gang Coloring Books for Children (@ChiefKeef)
Chief Keef has showed interest in the art world after collecting Glo Gang themed portraits.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)