Jennifer Hudson: Jennifer Hudson

Album Review Coming Soon

Jennifer Hudson: If It Isn't Love & What's Wrong (Go Away)

This weeks song of the week is interestingly jennifer Hudson's "if It Isn't Love" off of her debut album out tuesday. the song is absolutely breathtaking, and will likely go down as my favorite ballad of the year...by far.



As a bonus, I also have, for your enjoyment, her duet with T-Pain. yes, you read right. J. Hud. T-Pain. Duet. Amazingly, the song works and their voices compliment it each very well. The note, yes...note, at the end is killer. Good stuff.

Jazmine Sullivan: After The Hurrcane

Produced by Stargate, Jazmine Sullivan's "After The Hurricane" showcases the immense talent of an amazing singer. I'm sure that her star shall shine brightly for years to come, especially if this indeed the third single.

In regard to the song, the selection tells the story of a relationship where one individual is as harmful to the relationship as a hurricane is harmful to the lives of people. With lyrics such as "Now my life is shattered and I'm left to pick up the pieces, I found a new beginning to pick the pieces back together, just like after a hurricane" the tune is a must hear.

Solange: T.O.N.Y.

"T.O.N.Y." stands for "The Other Night...Why" and is by far the standout track on her sophomore album. Co-written with Cee-Lo, the track tells the tale of a possible one night stand that has subsequently led to emotional turmoil for the singer.

Throughout the song the antagonist is simply referred to as "Tony" and she even notes that the story "would make a real good song" and how "she could have been in love right by now, if it wasn't for...T.O.N.Y."

T.I.: Paper Trail

Released on September 30, 2008, T.I.'s sixth album "Paper Trail" is a testament to trials & tribulations, as well as T.I.'s return to paper. This album of course, marks the first time that the rapper has supposedly written lyrics down while recording since his debut album.

First official single "Whatever You Like" is already marked as T.I.'s biggest hit. Having already topped the Hot 100 & Hot Rap Tracks, the track is sure to go #1 in Airplay and is almost assured the #1 spot on R&B/Hip-Hop.

I'm sure you all know that I love rap songs with catchy hooks by R&B/Pop artists, so their should be no surprise that I'm elated that the second single is the infectuous "Live Your Life" featuring Rihanna. Other similar tracks include the John Legend assisted "Slide Show", the Usher assisted "My Life, Your Entertainment, and the Justin Timberlake assisted "Dead & Gone."

In reference to "Dead & Gone" T.I. kills it lyrically as he pays homage to those that he has lost. "You Ain't Missin Nothin" is another track where he talks about those lost to incarceration, which is obviously an emotional subject considering T.I.'s recent run-in with the law.

Street singles "No Matter What", "Swing Ya Rag" and the superb "What's Up, What's Haapnin" have created quite a buzz for the once "underground" rapper. "Swagger Like Us" featuring Jay-Z, Lil' Wayne, and Kanye West is likely to be one of the rap anthems of the year. And the Ludacris assisted track ("On Top of the World") officially squashes all thoughts of beef between my two favorite rappers. Further more with tracks like "Ready for Whatever" T.I. has definitely created a paper trail of amazing albums.

Tracklist
1. 56 Bars
2. I'm Illy
3. Ready for Whatever
4. On Top of the World
5. Live Your Life
6. Whatever You Like
7. No Matter What
8. My Life Your Entertainment
9. Porn Star
10. Swing Ya Rag
11. What's Up, What's Haapnin
12. Every Chance I Get
13. Swagger Like Us
14. Slide Show
15. You Ain't Missin' Nothin'
15. Dead & Gone

Top 3 Tracks
What's Up, What's Haapnin ~ Ready for Whatever ~ Whatever You Like

Jazmine Sullivan: Fearless

Released on September 23, 2008, Jazmine Sullivan's debut album "Fearless" is sure to make her a contender for best new R&B artist of the year. Lead single "Need You Bad" (produced by Missy Elliot) has already topped Billboard's R&B/Hop Songs chart.

Second single "Bust Your Windows" is likely to become one of the female anthems of the fall with lyrics such as "I'll bust your windows out your car, you should be lucky that is all I did." Sullivan's reggae influenced R&B and strong vocals are quite refreshing in the same ol' industry that we are in today.

Notably, "Lions, Tigers, and Bears" is one of the most sincere, heartfelt power ballads that I have heard in a long time. In the tune, Sullivan professes that she's not afraid of the "Wizard of Oz" noted creatures, but that she is is afraid of "falling in love..."

Likewise, the standout track "After the Hurricane" is so beautiful, it brings tears to my eyes every time that I hear it. In fact, the album is worth a listen just for that track. Definite single material.

Tracklist
1. Bust Your Windows
2. Need You Bad
3. My Foolish Heart
4. Lions, Tigers, & Bears
5. Call Me Guilty
6. One Night Stand
7. After the Hurricane
8. Dream Big
9. Live A Lie
10. Fear
11. In Love with Another
12. Switch

Top 3 Tracks
After the Hurricane ~ Lions, Tigers, & Bears ~ Dream Big

T-Pain & Ludacris: Chopped N Screwed

T-Pain's second single featuring Ludacris "Chopped N Screwed" is a certified winner. Although it took me awhile for previous single "Can't Believe It" to grow on me, "Chopped..." was instant. The mid-tempo slow jam is sure to set the clubs on fire this Fall.

The song, produced by T-Pain himself, is an ode to men who are seduced and subsequently played by women, hence the name reference of chopped and then screwed. I'm sure that this will become another Top 10 hit for T-pain.

Ne-Yo: The Year of the Gentleman

Released on September 16, 2008, Ne-Yo's third album "The Year of the Gentleman" separates the writer-turned-crooner from the majority of his contemporaries. First single "Closer" seemed to be a huge risk at first (evident by its barely Top 20 peaking at Urban radio); however, the euro-pop, dance infused song exploded at Pop radio and has since hit the #1 spot on the Hot 100 Airplay.

However, it is second single "Miss Independent" that really holds the album together. The standout track is sure to become one of the biggest hits of Ne-Yo's career. Like the aforementioned tracks, "Year..." relies on smooth ballads, laced with even smoother, gentler beats.

Tracks suck as "Single" and "Mad" are personal favorites; however, the ingeniousness of the album somewhat gets drowned out by its repetitiveness. In fact, after track #5 ("Miss Independent") the rest of the songs seem to blend in together, though that is not necessarily a bad thing. I suppose that it is better to have similar, listenable tracks than... Of which, makes "Year..." definitely an album Ne-Yo should be proud of and that any R&B fan can simply play from start to finish.

Tracklist
1. Closer
2. Nobody
3. Single
4. Mad
5. Miss Independent
6. Why Does She Stay
7. Fade Into the Background
8. So You Can Cry
9. Part of the List
10. Back To What You Know
11. Lie To
12. Stop This World

Top 3 Tracks
Miss Independent ~ Single ~ Mad

Solange: Sol-Angel & The Hadley Street Dreams

Released on August 18, 2008, Solange Knowles' second album forever changed the way that the world will view Beyonce's little sister. First off, I have to commend her for taking the initiative and getting signed to a new label as well as for creating music that she seems to truly enjoyed making. Now, for the album.

The album was preceded by the singles "I Decided" (Pt. 1 & 2) and "Sandcastle Disco" produced by the Neptunes and Soulshock, respectively. Notably "Sandcastle..." and album track "T.O.N.Y." are absolutely breathtaking. Both co-written by Solange and Cee-Lo, the simplicity of Solange's vocals and the live instruments make for a mesmerizing listen.

Tracks like "6 O' Clock Blues" (another Soulshock production) and "Ode To Marvin" allow Solange to showcase a true 60s/70s disco-soul feel without sounding cliche. In fact, on tracks like the aforementioned "T.O.N.Y.", Solange sounds fresher than many of her past contemporaries in the genre.

"Sol-Angel & The Hadley Street Dreams" is an album for the future and I hope that it gets the recognition that it deserves. Definite kudos go to anyone, who like Solange, is willing to step out of their comfort zone and try something different. Especially, when they can pull it off like Ms. Knowles.

1. God Given Name
2. T.O.N.Y.
3. Dancing In The Dark
4. Would've Been The One
5. Sandcastle Disco
6. I Decided (Pt. 1)
7. Valentines Day
8. 6 O' Clock Blues
9. Ode to Marvin
10. I Told Yo So
11. Cosmic Journey
12. This Burd
13. I Decided (Pt. 2)

Top 3 Tracks
T.O.N.Y. ~ Sandcastle Disco ~ Would've Been The One

The Pussycat Dolls: Elevator

Starting this week, every week I will do a review of my current Zykiox "Song of the Week." This week, I have been entranced by "Elevator" track #11 on The Pussycat Dolls new album "Doll Domination" which will be released on September 23, 2008. The song, produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins is a mid-tempo featuring lead vocals by Nicole Scherzinger and Melody Thornton.

The song focuses on the literal "ups and downs" of a relationship. With lyrics such as "but you love me today, don't want me around tomorrow" and "you stuck on one, while I'm pressing three, when we get back on the fourth floor then we disagree" the song is a definite single contender.