Archive » December 2007

This page contains 135 entries posted in December 2007

Monday December 31

Letter From the Editor, Looking Back

2007



This will probably be a lot longer next year.

I created this site to expand the conversation of "urban" music beyond the usual suspects, leaning towards "alternatives" while using the aggressive approach employed by the gossip blogs. There were some stumbles along the way, and there are still a number of kinks that need smoothing out. But overall, we've established our voice and people are starting to know what to expect from SoulBounce.com.

In August, we quietly appeared on the internet with features like our daily greeting Morning Soul, highlighting a classic video and delivering a few links to news items just to whet your appetite, as well as the Mixtape Roundup, in which I share some of the best music podcasts and digital mixtapes I couldn't keep to myself. While these are merely supplemental posts, they are dedicated and unique to our site. You have come to expect them, and whether you leave feedback or not, you'll know something's wrong if these entries don't appear on their regular schedule.

The tone of our site was established by the variety of artists we covered. Naturally, we showed love to Eric Roberson and Raheem Devaughn and others in their lane, but we immediately took things a step further with a dedicated affection for Q-Tip and an almost voyeuristic interest in the antics of Amy Winehouse. This opened the gates a little wider. We would regard Hip-Hop artists as much as soul vocalists if their product seemed to suit the audience we were cultivating, as well as covering artists that are considered mainstream and tabloid mainstays if their music touched on something that can be considered inherently soulful. We still have limitations and a focus, but within that, the sky's the limit.

In our first month, Butta landed an interview with Ledisi, whose album has gone on to earn much critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination. Not bad for a site that only existed less than three weeks.

August's tally of pageviews was just under 3,000. Modest. Nothing to brag about.

Read more...

Tuesday December 25

Admin Announcements

See You in 2008!



The SoulBounce family has officially gone on vacay! Check back for us in 2008! Happy Holidays and congrats to Raven Nicole for winning our giveaway!

Monday December 24

Crowd Participation

YEAR-END TOP 10: Soul Wishery

#10
For 50 Cent to lock himself into a room and not emerge until he is a ravenous, starving maniac whose only salvation is to write banging rhymes for food. Either that or for him to no longer release any new albums. Ever. [ill Mami]

#9
No more mention of Ray J unless he actually releases material worthy of mentioning. No, this does not include any "material" he may have released while in the presence of Whitney or Lil Kim. [ill Mami]

#8
I want NY to take over again and balance the scales. [nOva]

#7
No more talk of retirement from Jay-Z since he never actually did. [ill Mami]

#6
For some urban music bloggers to realize that simply posting a YouTube clip or copy/pasting a press release isn't writing, no matter how high their traffic is. Also, not inventing "beef" based on an isolated statement by an entertainer pulled out of context. [nOva]

#5
If I don't get a new Maxwell single in the first quarter and a new CD in the second, I'm cutting somebody. [Butta]

#4
I wish that some level of integrity is restored to Hip-Hop and R&B and that the audience gets back to appreciating artists and not deifying entrepreneurs. Also, can we finally put "poppin bottles" and "sittin' on chrome" to bed? Hip-Hop is supposed to be innovative. [nOva]
 
#3
No more of a certain someone until she gets her ish together...for real this time. [ill Mami] I really want her to have fat thighs again. She used to be a brick. [nOva]

#2
For Bilal to be on time for a performance. And to share the chief! [nOva]

#1 
I hope that more independent soul artists get the props, record sales and money that they deserve. [Butta]

Monday December 24

Soul-Poll

Holiday Soul-Poll Results: It's Gonna Be A 'Silent Night' 'This Christmas'

Classic_Soul_Christmas_Song_Results.jpg


Now this is a surprise. After falling behind early, The Temptations pulled ahead of the pack and put the smack down on The Jackson 5, Nat King Cole, and even Donny Hathaway in our last Soul-Poll of 2007. Over half of the poll voters chose "Silent Night" as their favorite Classic Soul Christmas song, and even though there are a lot of Hathaway fans scratching their heads right now, you really can't be mad at this result. The Temps sang the definitive version of "Silent Night," and on this Christmas Eve it's the perfect song to listen to. Wouldn't you agree?

The Temptations: "Silent Night"


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone! Come back in 2008 when we'll have a lot more Soul-Poll fun. 

Monday December 24

Media Watch

Where My Girls At?

This video from the EW archives has two staffers wondering what ever happened to all of our favorite 90's R&B girl groups. The blame is naturally placed on Destiny's Child and everything that sprung from that. Although I typically adore when mainstream publications take a look at some of the defining music that shaped my coming-of-age, I have a few beefs with this video.

  • The title of the video is "Beyonce Wannabes", but almost everyone on the list pre-dates Beyonce and Destiny's Child. Now, the people in the actual video didn't refer to the groups as "Beyonce Wannabes", but whoever posted the video did, and that person needs his/her ass beat.
  • 3LW is mentioned right along with Brownstone. Like, are they even broadcasting from the same frequency?
  • Total isn't mentioned at all. Sacrilege! Neither are SWV and Xscape, who were probably better than the rest of those groups put together.
Click the pic to watch (EW doesn't allow third-party sites to embed), then come back and leave us your thoughts on what would've been a fun, insightful trip down memory lane if not for the egregious lapses in judgment.

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Monday December 24

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: Nat's Christmas Classic


  • Little Brother is in the midst of their "12 Days of Getback", posting exclusive remixes to their album on their Myspace blog. [LB/MS]
  • Van Hunt doesn't listen to Raheem Devaughn, Maxwell, or D'Angelo. [AHH]
  • Like M.I.A. but wish there were more artists like her? You might be in luck. [AMG]
  • Check out the most recent remixes of Jay-Z's American Gangster, including Marvin Gaye, Frank Sinatra and Christmas themed mash-ups. [KN]
  • BET is looking for someone--anyone--to host a show about anything. Send in your tapes, people! [PW]
Friday December 21

Crowd Participation

YEAR-END TOP 10: Butta's Picks of 2007

This was a very hard list to compile this year because there were so many songs that I loved, but I narrowed it down to songs that struck me from the first listen. And if you're wondering what's up with all these slow jams on my list, what can I say? I'm a lover not a fighter.

musiq_soulchild.jpg 10. Musiq "Teachme"
Although Luvanmusiq is my least favorite Musiq album, "Teachme" was a song that I just couldn't get enough of. I loved the lyrical content and sentiment of this track. And how often do we hear a dude talking about surrendering his heart and wanting to be in love? [WWW] [SB]

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Friday December 21

Video SoulBounce

New Videos From M.I.A., Fat Joe, And Duo Live

The final new video roundup of the year finds three very different artists showing us what they got. Up first is M.I.A., who you either love or don't in yet another colorful video. In the second slot is Fat Joe doing it up big with J. Holiday on hook detail and everyone and their grandmother in this video--including Greg Nice of all people. No sign of Smooth B, though. Last on deck is Duo Live featuring Fabolous and Al B. Sure! in a new video that would have been so much better without Duo Live. Sorry, but they suck. However, Fabo and Al B. sound pretty good together.

M.I.A.: "Paper Planes"


Read more...

Friday December 21

Mixtape Roundup

The Last Mixtape Roundup?

Thumbnail image for nas_n_word.jpg
(Every Friday we'll be bringing you the hottest DJ blends, podcasts and radio shows found across the web and linking you to some new, unreleased and re-imagined tracks. Let us know if you're feeling the roundup. It might be our first sacrifice of 2008!)

HIP-HOP
  • Podcast: With A Bang... 12/12 (Season Finale): Jay-Z, Ghostface Killa, Mos Def, Beastie Boys [ML]
  • STEREOTRONIQS - 12/12: Q-Tip, Kanye West, Bahamadia, Kool G Rap [UCC]
  • dj dAz presents: ill spiritual (a hip hop blend): Nas, Camp Lo, Reflection Eternal, J Dilla [Daz]
  • DON'T FORGET THE REAL HIP-HOP: Snoop, De La Soul, Cru, Mos Def [Colin]

SOUL
  • THE ORIGINAL SOUL SANCTUARY RADIO 12/17: Boyz II Men, Shai, Kenny Lattimore, Faith Evans [UCC]
  • SOUL SANCTUARY RADIO: ENHARMONIC 12/15: Meshell Ndegeocello, Portishead, Cree Summer, Vanessa Williams [UCC]
  • ProjectVibe 12/13: Davina, Jill Scott, Eric Roberson, Usher [UCC]
  • Vol. 27 Live at the BBQ: Dirty Disco with Ty G: Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Roy Ayers, Parliament [HVW8]

HOUSE
  • DeeperSoul Session 82: Energy Soul: Black Coffee, DJ Cristos, Marlon D, Jill Scott [DS]
  • DeeperSoul Friends in the Mix: DJ Ronnie At It Again: Eddie Matos, Groove Invaderz, Deep Solution, Richard Earnshaw [DS]
  • CASAMENA Radio Hour 12/18: V, Jill Scott, Karizma, Yoruba Soul [CM]

Friday December 21

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: Last Christmas


  • Beyonce, T-Pain and Justin Timberlake are, predictably, MTV's favorite "R&B" artists of the year. MTV is why SoulBounce exists, children. [MTV]
  • Fresh has pics from the R. Kelly/Keyshia Cole show. I hope the front row brought their umbrellas. [C+D]
  • Ruben Studdard has been dropped from J Records. Watch your back, Fanty! [SOHH]
  • MTV still has a bone to pick with Kanye. [SPIN]
  • Michael Jackson poses with a group of angry parents for his Thriller anniversary cover; remixes are leaked with abandon. [2DB]

Thursday December 20

A Soulful Noise

Christmas Time Has Come Early For Alicia Keys

alicia keys flyaway hair.jpg
Despite the reception that As I Am has gotten on SoulBounce, it has just been confirmed  by Billboard and Soundscan that Ms. Keys has broken even more sales records. More specifically, Alicia Keys' past three studio albums have all spent at least 5 weeks at #1 on the Billboard R&B chart, a feat only previously accomplished by the Jackson 5...in 1970. Wow. Is it also any surprise that Keys' album is currently #1 on the R&B charts as well as #2 on the Pop charts? 

Say what you will, but Alicia is slaying the competition right now. If you're really quiet, you can hear a bead of sweat trickle down the meticulously made up face of Miss Mary J... 

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