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Archive » nOvaMatic
This page contains 897 entries posted by nOvaMatic
Mixtape Roundup
House Of Soul[Bounce]
We're looking to recruit a gang of new House heads with this joint right here! This one has been sitting in our virtual file cabinet for a while now and we couldn't just let it collect dust without sharing it...
Video SoulBounce
Jody Watley Brings Her 'Light' To DC
I don't watch the news, and that's a bad thing. If I did, I probably would've known Jody Watley was in town. She made a pit stop by Fox 5 here in DC in advance of her concert at the...
First Spin, Releases
Kev Brown Is Officially 'Random'
I digs Kev Brown. Not simply because he hails from my area, but also because he tends to work with a lot of our faves here at SoulBounce: Eric Roberson, Raheem DeVaughn, Wayna, V and De La Soul, to name...
SoulTube
Get To Know Kandi, Again
If you didn't love Xscape back in the day, then we really can't be friends. They were everything! Via the magic of reality television, half of the group is back to being part of our regular pop culture diet. There's...
Media Watch
It Also Doesn't Help That So Much Bad Music Is Being Released
Jonah Weiner's Slate article about the death of music mags has a lot of us talking, and it is any wonder? These publications are dying left and right for a number of reasons. But there was one particular portion of...
First Spin
Robin Thicke Wants To Get 'Dirty'
Robin Thicke is already at work on his fourth album, and he recently revealed that the death of Michael Jackson has him re-thinking the direction of his output. We're not sure if the Scott Storch-produced "Dirty It Up" came pre-...
First Spin
Nicolay & Carlitta Durand Show You The 'Way'
The first single from Nicolay's forthcoming City Lights 2: Shibuya has been unleashed in the form of "Lose Your Way", one of a handful of tracks featuring new FE Music signee Carlitta Durand. The music and vocals unfold much in...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: All They Do Is This
Albums by Mariah, Diddy and Amerie pushed back. [EUR]Is classical music enough to repel graffiti artists? [CUR]Jazzy Jeff is a DJ Hero. [AHH]Kelly Clarkson fought not to have her Beyonce-sounding single released, and lost. [NYP]The full story behind "Purple...
A Soulful Noise, Soul On Film
Your 'Purple' Production is 25, Your Highness
Guess what turns 25 today? Purple Rain! Yeah, we're so old! Why, it seems like only yesterday we were made to close our eyes during the Lake Minnetonka sequence. ...
Video SoulBounce
Michael & Janet, Together Again
We normally wouldn't consider posting user-generated video mash-ups, but when this came across our virtual desks we simply could not resist. The friendly competition between Janet Jackson and her brother Michael has always been legendary, but it remains that, in...
First Spin
Amerie Invokes Whodini In 'Why R U' Remix
Amerie's penchant for drawing upon classic Hip Hop has never been more evident than in this remix of "Why R U", which digs back farther than the original with a sample of Whodini's "One Love." We're curious how much of...
Events
Brooklyn Bouncers: Join NYRP For A Free Martin Luther Show!
The New York Restoration Project is holding a concert this weekend featuring singer/songwriter Martin Luther as part of its "Garden Grooves" series. The free outdoor series, which began in June, is intended to bring people outdoors to engage with their community as well...
A Soulful Noise
Our Long-Overdue, Obligatory Janet Jackson Update
Janet Jackson, pictured here with her sisters LaToya and Rebbie on the day of brother Michael's funeral (credit) appears to have a lot to sort out in 2009. On the heels of her brother's death, reports are surfacing that she's...
A Soulful Noise
Awful Akon Track Included On New Whitney Album
Practically a year ago, a Whitney Houston track leaked called "Like I Never Left," featuring the insufferable Akon, who was possibly included to distract from the fact that Houston doesn't sound as great as in the past. Too bad that didn't...
A Soulful Noise
Carlitta Durand & Zo! To Release Projects On Official FE Music Imprint
Shibuya and "Purple Flip" are just the beginning, folks. Nicolay and Phonte have confirmed that The Foreign Exchange has expanded from an act to full-fledged imprint and plans to release albums by Carlitta Durand and Zo! This is something we've...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: U Got It Bad
Chris Brown's apology. That shirt might be a punishment worse than jail. [BJ]A marriage of irrelevance: Jay-Z on the cover of Billboard. [RR]Paula Abdul is thisclose to not re-signing with American Idol. [NYM]Check out this clip of Q-Tip performing "Vivrant...
The Interwebs
Well Damn, Ne-Yo.
Apparently Ne-Yo had some kind of situation at a recent performance in Manchester. We largely stayed away from it because we didn't find it particularly interesting, funny or worthwhile, but it did prompt the rest of the treacherous Internets to engage in its...
Releases
Nicolay To Unleash 'Shibuya' This Fall
The Foreign Exchange engine keeps moving forward with this year's release of Nicolay's City Lights 2: Shibuya. As a follow-up to the original City Lights, which focused on soulful Hip Hop instrumentals, Shibuya moves things forward in a new and surprising way....
Mixtape Roundup
SoulBounce Sunday Brunch
We know it's been a while since we hit you with a music podcast, but we're still friends right? It just so happens that we have a backlog of mixes in various stages of production that we need to burn...
Rap Snacks
The Other Rapper With A Book Deal
What got lost in all the hullabaloo about Jay-Z writing a book in which he translates his ever-so mystifying lyrics into layman's terms, was that Q-Tip has also inked a book deal with Random House. Perhaps not a multiple-volume situation...
Releases
Behold: The Magic & Majesty Of Whitney Houston's Album Cover
We don't take for granted the reality that folks love issuing romantic, complex and mythological edicts based on static images. So, let's see how much we can read into the cover of Whitney Houston's forthcoming I Look To You. Is it...
First Spin, Releases
'Take A Trip' With Phonte As Marc Mac Goes 'In Between The Lines'
Those of you familiar with UK-based 4Hero are already up on Marc Mac. His latest release, In Between The Lines, veers away from the duo's electronic-influenced output to bring us an EP rooted in soulful Hip-Hop. One track already gaining ground...
First Spin, House of Soul
Anto Vitale & Tamara Wellons Take Us 'Out Of This World'
Anto Vitale is quickly becoming my favorite House producer, and what can I say that I haven't already said about Tamara Wellons? On the heels of their still very recent "Broken Wings" comes "Out Of This World," which really cannot be...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Tap On Your Window Pane
Check out this vintage Michael Jackson 1984 Special Issue of Billboard magazine. [BB]Latoya Jackson has a theory or twenty. [MTV]Scenes from the Rock The Bells stop in the DMV. [DCI]Nas thinks Kelis has overestimated his income. [XXL]The fact that there's a...
Mixtape Roundup
Best MiJac Tribute So Far? Possibly.
Following the passing of Michael Jackson, we knew there would be a deluge of MJ-themed deejay mixes hitting the Internets, with pretty much everyone offering up a selection of classics, non-negotiable Pop hits and rarities. Our comrade Honey has been...
First Spin
The Foreign Exchange & Friends Got That 'Purple' Stuff
It would seem that Nicolay and Phonte of the Foreign Exchange know absolutely nothing about taking a break, since they manage to drop bonus after bonus with every blink of the eye. Today's gem harkens back to Prince's most purple...
First Spin
M64 Creates Galaxies With 'Rhythm Of The Drum'
We've been meaning to post this up since its release a couple of weeks back, but we've been understandably distracted. "M64" is known as the effect of two galaxies colliding and resulting in a new star system. Producer/emcee Ohmega Watts has...
Crowd Participation
What Michael Jackson Records Are You Buying?
It's already been established many times over that the biggest-selling albums these past couple of weeks are Michael Jackson albums. The King of Pop is ruling the charts, as he did during his peak and as he well should. But,...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: It's Got Me Plushed On Some Luxurious
"BET, why do you hate us?" [CM]Jay-Z freestyled and made some rappers mad. Life went on. [2DB]Was Los Angeles able to brace itself for Michael Jackson's funeral? [NYT]Here is your list of artists performing at the services today. [IDOL]...
Rap Snacks
Oh, THERE'S Loon!
Amir Junaid Muhadith, formerly Chauncy Hawkins, professionally known as "Loon" or "Mase 2.0", is finally at peace. Since leaving Bad Boy five years ago, he has converted to Islam, as shown in the Al Jazeera TV clip after the bounce....
First Spin
New Whitney Channels Old Whitney In New Single
Let me be the first to say that I cannot stand Pop ballads nowadays. Every time one of the current crop of divas goes this route, it never feels sincere, and I always think to myself "This only works for...
First Spin
Do We 'Want' What Consequence & Kanye Are Cooking?
Consequence's anticipated "Whatever U Want" featuring Kanye West and John Legend has finally arrived, and while it's not a particularly bad song, we're not as open as when we first heard "Callin' Me" or "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly."...
Releases
Q-Tip's 'Kamaal' Will See Latter Year Release
For those of you that didn't "obtain" Q-Tip's Kamaal The Abstract after Arista's non-release, you're in for a treat. The album will finally, officially, be released September 15th of this year. History tells us the album was shelved due to...
Video SoulBounce
He Didn't Have To Change At All
Back in 1974, a special aired on ABC entitled Free To Be... You And Me, based on a children's songbook that encouraged individuality and achievement, regardless of background or gender. Diana Ross sang "When We Grow Up" for the recording,...
Diggin' in the Crates
Donut Of The Heart
At the risk of sounding patronizing, there are still some people that didn't know "All I Do Is Think Of You" was originally recorded by The Jackson 5. Many in my age group are familiar with Troop's cover, and by...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Gonna Find You And Make You Want Me
Mariah is a little obsessed with Eminem being obsessed with her. [CL] Pepa and Chilli are looking for love in all the wrong places, and by that we mean VH1. [EUR] Check out some brilliant Michael Jackson covers. [AAD]...
Letter From the Editor
With Respect to Our Readers, A Preemptive Apology
Not for nothing, but this is an extremely heavy time to be a music blogger, particularly one whose entire output is largely dedicated to R&B/Soul. We understand that the impact of Michael Jackson's death has resulted in an ad nauseum...
Relax in Paradise
Gone Too Soon.
I was not even trying to hear anything that remotely sounded like "Michael Jackson died" last night. Those words don't belong in the same sentence together. They do not compute. My thoughts are completely scattered. Some of which I was...
Video SoulBounce
New Whitney Promo Video Promises What We Thought Was Unpromiseable
Yeah, we know "unpromiseable" isn't a word, but that's beside the point. When we first saw the press rumblings heralding the return of Whitney Houston we thought back to all the times we were told she's definitely, surely coming out...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Lead Me On Girl If You Must
Maxwell sits down for a chat with the Seattle Times, but he really isn't saying anything us fiends don't already know so this link might be a waste. [ST]Letoya Luckett is cast opposite Ashton Kutcher in Five Killers. [WTF]Rappers will...
Diggin' in the Crates
Looking Back On The Original Bad Girls
It goes without saying that my favorite girl group of all time is Total, and after stanning for them for a solid 14 years, I cannot begin to tell you why. That isn't to say they weren't dope, but if...
Video SoulBounce
'Turn My Swag On' Never Sounded So Soulful!
Leave it to Phonte. At a recent Foreign Exchange show in Toronto, he took his already entertaining member introductions to the next level. With the band in full, although relaxed, swing, he offers "With this kinda Neo-Soul shit, you can take...
First Spin
Mariah Carey Has A Message For The 'Obsessed'
Wanna know the best defense against cocky, nihilistic Detroit rappers? Synthesized, vengeful Pop music! That's right, Mariah Carey has a song for that ass! As promised, "Obsessed" has finally been serviced to radio and someone had better watch out. She's a...
We Hear
How NOT To Keep The Public Out of Your Business
It was dismaying to learn that Nas and Kelis, two artists we have an affinity for, were getting a divorce, especially with Kelis in the latter part of her pregnancy. We understand her anger and frustration because of the circumstances,...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Sound Tainted To Me
Parsing the differences between Electrik Red and RichGirl. [CM]Dear mainstream media, Rihanna and Teyanna are not the same person. [BJ]Fantasia is looking fetching in these new Derek Blanks photos. [CL]Why is MC Hammer being asked about Auto-Tune as opposed...
I'm Mad
About That Mary J. Blige / Chris Brown Song
Mary J. Blige is free to record with whomever she pleases. She's free to do songs that are heavy on Auto-Tune and light on originality. She wouldn't be the first musical act to pander to audiences (that would otherwise dismiss...
Hip-Hop at War
House Puts A Shoe in Charles Hamilton's A$$
As many of you know by now, Charles Hamilton is unable to list J Dilla as Executive Producer of his forthcoming album. You know, the free one from which he would donate proceeds to the non-existent J Dilla Foundation. One...
A Soulful Noise
What Can We Expect From The New Mariah Carey Album?
We are so conflicted about Mariah Carey, but one thing we're certain of is that she's simply bursting with amusing blog fodder. The first single from the forthcoming Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel is entitled "Obsessed" and is due to...
Soul Cynic
To the Artists We Love: Please Don't Use Auto-Tune On Your Next Album
Now that our beloved Mary J. Blige has dropped "The One" which is Auto-Tuned within an inch of its life, we can't help but fear for the rest of our faves. Many of them, we can't imagine selling their souls...
Rap Snacks
Notable Quotables From PackFM's HipHopDX Interview
It's easy to dismiss someone that openly rails against the status quo as a hater, but this seems to be the last thing PackFM is worried about. He recently did an interview with the folks over at HipHopDX, in anticipation...
Hip-Hop at War
Has Charles Hamilton Gone Too Far?
THIS negro!It doesn't surprise me that Charles Hamilton has done something foolish once again (he's meeting his monthly average and right on time) but this right here? Completely unacceptable. For anyone that doesn't feel like clicking the link, Sonic's major...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Anything You Wanna Do
Jocelyn Brown is suing Snap 150 years after anyone gives a damn about Snap. [M&C]Mos Def was on 106th & Park, no doubt causing the show's audience to wonder why his music wasn't making them dumber. [DK]Drake shows love...
First Spin
Mary J. Blige Is 'The One' (Of Many Using Auto-Tune)
Oh my beloved Auto-Tune, how long has it been since our last rendezvous? The past few minutes of not hearing a popular artist employ your delightfully robotic finish have felt like an eternity! Don't ever abandon me again! And look! You...
First Spin
Jay-Z's 'Death Of Auto-Tune' Is A Couple Years Too Late
He isn't saying anything new. Initially I was all ready to jump on board with Jay-Z and his wacky "Death Of Auto-Tune" idea, but after actually hearing the track, in which he bemoans not only the use of "T-Paining it" but...
Listicle
The Top 10 Most Lame Excuses By Wack Rappers
One thing we've frequently noticed about figures in Hip-Hop, particularly those in the mainstream, is that no one wants to be held accountable for anything. When their output yields positive results and feedback, they will happily take all the credit, while...
Kicks & Giggles, The Interwebs
So Apparently Pitbull Is Also On Maxwell's New Album
(I blame Speeakz for this.)Â Nas, who is soon to be liberated from Kelis With Child (we're calling her that until the delivery, word to Blake Incarcerated) is leading Maxwell down a path of sin on Twitter! It goes without saying...
Bounce-Worthy
dot.|maTic Brings Soul To 'The City'
Since I know a great deal of artists (aspiring and established) drop by here every now and then seeking retribution for the latest in unfiltered music commentary, allow me to make a recommendation. dot.|maTic (born Jelani Carter) needs to be added to...
Video SoulBounce
A 'Spaceship' To The Past
Early Kanye West tracks are known for being some of the most relatable "everyman" compositions to hit Hip Hop during their time. Perhaps the one that damn-near everyone can identify with is the melodic, Consequence-resurrecting "Spaceship," a testament to thankless...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: In My Black Chevrolet
That Eminem/Bruno business on the MTV Movie Awards was staged? You don't say... [EW]Missed the BlackStar reunion? Here's how it went down. [SPIN]Ciara and KFC? Not in bed. [IDOL]Don't forget to cop that Jay Stay Paid. Here's a review. [AMG]...
Mixtape Roundup
SoulBounce Blended & Beat Vol. 5
Not one to rest on our laurels during our unfortunate hiatus, we prepared this podcast many weeks ago in the hopes of unveiling it upon our return. "Blended & Beat Volume 5" somehow strikes a balance between classics and more...
The Interwebs
Diddy Proudly Reaches Over 1 Million Twitter Validators
Congratulations are in order for one Mr. Sean John Combs as he reached the highly coveted mark of over 1 million followers last evening on Twitter, which is quickly becoming a den of celebrity pole-jocking. But perhaps the main...
Video SoulBounce
See These Ladies Live: YahZarah, Deborah Bond, & Alison Carney
I have seen all three of these ladies live multiple times and they never disappoint. Here we have SoulBounce faves (and our good girlfriends) YahZarah, Deborah Bond and Alison Carney, having some impromptu fun at DC's Blues Alley. Dre...
First Spin
'Tell Me U Love' This New Amerie Track
During our break, a couple of Amerie joints leaked from the forthcoming In Love & War. The resounding favorite here at SBHQ is "Tell Me U Love Me," which finds Amerie on home terrain with aggressive percussion, horns, and the...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: You're My Lady
Soooo... Soulja Boy was on The View. I wonder if they ever had Q-Tip? (Nah, that's too much like right.) [RR]Should dope Hip Hop be qualified by it's message or it's creative execution? [HHM]Jadakiss is counted among Def Sounds' "Rappers...
Man vs. Machine
Man Vs. Machine (Part 6): Uckery-Fay At 64kbps
Welcome to the sixth installment of "Man vs. Machine" in which I, SoulBounce HNIC, listen to one hour of mainstream urban radio and document my "findings" along with the type of commentary that only your friendly SB editors can provide....
Bounce Over There
Teedra Sings, Chester Talks & Keyshia Poses [Roundup]
Get to know Quite Nyce and Raydar Ellis over at Beatlife.� Chester Gregory to Nu-Soul Mag: "I believe that this is the age of the independent artist, who can be creative at marketing and promotion and make themselves heard worldwide without...
Video SoulBounce
'P. Twitty' & The LOX In The Same Video With No Bloodshed!
Well this is fun. Check out this clip of Diddy hanging out with Jadakiss and the rest of The LOX in this clip from "PTWITTYTV" in advance of Jada's new album release. Yes, we're two days late, but the sight...
We Hear
Solange Quietly Dropped From Label While We Were Distracted By Kelly?
That's the buzz according to BV's Jawn Murray. When the news broke that Kelly Rowland parted ways with Columbia, Solange was being released from Geffen. (UPDATE: The label refutes BV story. Solange is still signed.) Now my sources tell me...
Soul Cynic
Will Amerie's Def Jam Debut Be The 'Thing' Fans Have Been Waiting For?
We love Amerie. No, really, we LOVE her. But we're approaching this new Def Jam situation with extreme caution, as the label's track record with female R&B/Pop singers is shaky at best. (Let's see... Rihanna is known as a "singles...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: It's Not Fair
Ciara has heard one Beyoncé comparison too many and she's not gonna take it anymore. [C+D]Someone (or someone posing) as a rep for XXL is playing greasy with potential advertisers. [GAWK]Flashback to when Janet was in "Control." [VIBE]Gladys Knight is...
Listicle
Which Of These 8 Toxic Music Heads Do You Know?
I think we can all attest to, at some point, displaying some disturbing characteristics when it came to our consumption of music. Eventually we all grew up (hopefully), but maybe some of our familiars didn't. If you find yourself still...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Didn't Mean To Turn You On
Primo is involved in the new DMC album. [DJP]Plies has coined a new term for women. "Goonette." Yup, our culture allows this. [WAOD]Nothing went Platinum this year. Are you surprised? [BI]Destiny's Child is a go! [M&C]Are you man enough to...
Bounce Over There
Rare Janet Gems, Julie Dexter In Concert, Choklate Is So Sweet [Roundup]
Paul Pre and TrueRadio just dropped a fly mixtape featuring Flying Lotus, 14KT, and Sa-Ra. Get the full download at Beatlife.net.Choklate talks to Nu-Soul about what makes her sound different and her new album, due to drop this Spring. Are you...
The Interwebs
A Lame Kelly Rowland Prank
Seems every website was in the spirit of tomfoolery yesterday with it being April Fool's. But one site really took things too far. They elected to spread a rumor that Kelly Rowland was not only considering leaving Destiny's Child, but...
We Hear
Kelly Rowland Forming Group With Ex-DCers?
On the heels of the announcement that Kelly Rowland will no longer be signed to Columbia as a solo artist comes a new rumor that she also plans to part ways with Destiny's Child. On her blog, Kelly recently wrote this...
A Soulful Noise
Maxwell Teases Fans With Shots From 'Pretty Wings'
Aside from being known for testing the patience of his devoted fanbase, Maxwell is also known for creating a truly sensual visual experience in his videos. This is why he looked to Philip Andelman (who also helmed clips for Jay-Z's "I...
Sh*t or Shinola?
iTunes To Charge 30% More For Crappy Music
This isn't an April Fool's joke. As has been reported elsewhere, starting April 7th, your friendly nerds at Apple will increase the price of "hit songs" on iTunes a whole thirty cents!Some music industry veterans are criticizing the 30% hike...
Crowd Participation
SoulBounce Roundtable: Beyond Justin & Ciara
In light of our recent post entitled "How Can Justin Timberlake Still Objectify Black Women And Get Away With It?" and the ensuing reaction, we thought it would be a good idea to dig deeper and officially claim ownership of...
Hip-Hop at War
Charles Hamilton Fans, Meet Black Spade
We're not even going to bag on your boy Charles Hamilton, because the jury's still out on whether or not he's worth the bullet. However, this whole Black Spade beatjacking situation has inspired copious amounts of uckery-fay and reckless greasy...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Dead On Arrival
N'dambi fans, here's the update on her new project that you've been waiting for. [SITKOL]Pharrell recently took "Spaz" to new, realistic levels. [NEPS]Usher elucidates on his last dope album. [UD]Andre 3000 has a need for speed. [CL]dead prez is...
Mixtape Roundup
Crave, Volume 1
If our Morning Soul theme this week was any indicator, Male R&B needs to come back in a big way. There's definitely some notable artists holding it down across the board, but a good argument can be made that it's...
Admin Announcements
Welcome Dar To The Darkside
We realize he's been on board for over a month now, but you can now call Dar an official member of the team. I personally reached out to him because he has a tendency to blog in the comments, and...
Sh*t or Shinola?
New Winehouse Material Half-Baked?
Amy Winehouse.It actually feels good to type her name outside the context of controversy, but that doesn't make this news any better. Shockingly, Amy has been productive in the Caribbean recording new material, yet her label has stamped a big...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Feel A Little Poke Coming Through
Care to add anymore items to this controversial list? [CM]Justin Timberlake's new fragrance will likely smell like dance sweat. [KB]The 70 Best Hip Hop Videos of All Time? You decide. [FM]Ginuwine just announced a duet with Brandy. [TFB]Kanye's Complex...
Free Music, Mixtape Roundup
DJ Jazzy Jeff Adds A Touch of Soul To Hip Hop Classics
It goes without saying that Jeffrey Townes, while inspiring deejays since his tenure as one half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, is one of the most accomplished and perhaps underrated producers of our time. He recently dropped My...
First Spin, House of Soul
Anto Vitale & Tamara Wellons Soar On Soulful 'Wings'
Soulful House heads, your new anthem has arrived. Following in the tradition of his tea dance-oriented "Theorema del Faya" and the rousing "Majico,"Â Anto Vitale joins with DC's own Tamara Wellons for "Broken Wings." As a fan of both, our anticipation...
First Spin
Aaliyah Lives On In JLaine's 'Don't Really Know'
This is a track that manages to be several of our favorite things at once: Creative without being over the top; mellow without inducing a coma, articulate without being preachy. JLaine's "Don't Really Know" featuring Wes Felton cleverly flips the...
Soul Cynic
FULL DISCLOSURE: A Mary J. Blige Song I Hate
Congratulations to Mary J. Blige and her label for being cleared of stealing "Family Affair" from Leonard Jones and James White, who claimed the track was similar to their own "Party Ain't Crunk." As you all know, we ride for...
Video SoulBounce
Consequence & Cudi Get Crazy in Clip Revisiting Quest
Clocking in at 1:55 "Buggin' Out '09" finds Consequence and Kid Cudi adorning the same pair of "crack eyes" Phife rocked in Tribe's "Jazz (We've Got)" video. The singular deviation here are the multi-colored filters Cordero used to enhance each...
Mixtape Roundup
For The Jeeps: Supa Dupa Friends
Not for nothing, but Missy and Timbaland are one of the most missed duos in Hip Hop, right up there with Dre and Snoop. Or Puffy and Mase. (Kidding!) As we patiently wait for the return of Missy (hopefully with...
Sh*t or Shinola?
You Believe This Because You Are Rich
You wanna know what's really dragging Hip Hop down? Entitled Negroes that live in a box and have a little bit of paper and influence. We generally like Jay-Z, as he's consistently the least-embarrassing figure in modern Hip Hop, which...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Guilty Feet Have Got No Rhythm
Flava Flav, who just celebrated his 50th birthday, proves that you can be a catch at any age! [AHH]Kid Cudi plans to retire, presumably before explaining to any of us why we should give a damn. [XXL]Jay Leno, who inexplicably still...
We Hear
Solange Knowles Is Responsible For The Entire '60s!
For anyone that's been sleeping under a rock for the past several months, Solange is an innovator. If not for her, so many R&B and Soul artists wouldn't be referencing the '60s in their sound and imagery. She recently took...
Kicks & Giggles, Soul Fashioned
Apparel Bizarre
When we first learned that Prince worked out an exclusive distribution deal with Target, we had no idea it would inspire this much Photoshop foolery. This comes to us via a tweet heard 'round the world last night. We're not...
First Spin
Oddisee Is Making Hip Hop 'Cool Again'
We've said many times off-site that Oddisee should be famous, as he's one of if not the most capable MC/producers in the DMV. His mixtapes are highly coveted throughout the virtual realm, and he's steadily amassing a flawless resumé by...
House of Soul
Return To Karizma's 'Mind'
After the mastery of 2007's A Mind Of Its Own, producer Karizma is set to return with A Mind Of Its Own Pt. 2. Based in Baltimore, Karizma is mostly known for his aggressive House tracks, but as excerpted below,...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: I Got What You Want
This is what happens when you ask Lil' Kim about her plastic surgery. [CC]"12 Reasons We'll Always Love Big Poppa." [VIBE]YouTube + the UK = FAIL. [BBC]The Roots owned at Highland. [FM]ICYMI: Oprah has some advice for Rihanna. [MI]...
Industry & Culture
A Sampling Of Hip Hop's Changing Times
Sampling has long been a debated aspect of Hip Hop, since many of the genre's detractors use sampling to discredit the music. To make the point that Hip Hop producers are creatively bankrupt and unoriginal they would point out the...
Mixtape Roundup
HipHop/SoulBounce: His Soulful Materials
The blend we present to you today is all about Soul samples. They've remained popular in Hip Hop for a reason--however they're reversed, sped-up, slowed-down, flipped, tweaked, or outright jacked--they provide a depth and texture. They also serve as a point of entry or discovery...
Video SoulBounce
Jazmine Sullivan Dreams A Little Too 'Big' In This Clip
Like "Lions, Tigers & Bears," Jazmine Sullivan's clip for "Dream Big" is green-screened within an inch of its life. For a girl with this much beauty and natural talent, these over-the-top videos are unnecessary. We certainly don't bemoan the concept...
Industry & Culture, Video SoulBounce
Black Milk & Nicolay Discuss Their Craft
As any faithful reader of this site knows, I'm always on deck when it comes to Black Milk and Nicolay, two producers that made the biggest impression on me the past couple of years. It's always cool to revisit the...
First Spin
Amel Larrieux Has Us Feeling The 'Glow'
As I write this, I've listened to this track about seven times in a row. That's how hot Amel Larrieux's "Orange Glow" is. In fact, it's so hot I couldn't bare to post the entire track. You cats need to...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Keep On Moving, Don't Stop
*Sigh* Do people ever get tired of writing about Janet's weight? [RO]According to this hilarious study, music by Lil' Wayne, T.I. and Beyoncé are consumed mostly by kids with low IQs. [PFO]Prince is releasing a 3-disc set exclusively through Targét...
Video SoulBounce
Dwele Is 'Workin' On It'
"Workin' On It" is an interlude and J Dilla tribute from Dwele's Sketches Of A Man. It is also, incidentally, one of my favorite tracks from the album, and provides a smart segue into "Brandi," which is inspired by Slum Village's "Go...
SoulTube, Video SoulBounce
ICYMI: Oprah Puts the Spotlight on Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson's performance of the National Anthem was the only reason Oprah Winfrey even bothered with this year's Super Bowl, and who can blame her? Hudson's reemergence has been on full steam ever since, punctuated by her recent Grammy win....
First Spin
The Latest Ryan Leslie Leak Is 'One In A Million'
Ryan Leslie's recent self-titled release is slowly growing on me, mainly because of my staunch dedication to give dude a chance (and the fact that I legally purchased it and don't wanna feel like a chump). But for those of...
Mixtape Roundup
SoulBounce Blended & Beat Vol. 4
This month's Blended & Beat continues in the spirit of previous mixes, with beats that are uptempo, jazzy and funky. The Platinum Pied Pipers aka PPP provide the bookends this time around, with a tasty center of Old School-meets-Dance...
Media Watch
Eartha Kitt, Who Actually Starred in Films, Not Remembered at Oscars
I didn't watch the telecast of the Academy Awards and rarely ever do. I'm just not that big on celebrity worship and honoring a bunch of boring movies I never wanted to see in the first place, but that's just me....
Releases
Selected Dilla Productions To Officially Be Released As A Compilation
Although there are several mixtapes, tributes and homegrown collections of J Dilla's work floating around the Internet, there's been no official collection of his work with other artists. That is, until now. Enter Rapster Records who, on 3/31, are set...
First Spin
Melanie Fiona 'Kills' It With New Track
We can probably all attest to being, at some point, in a situation where our suitor is driving us mad and doing some grimy things that call their devotion into question. But the love is so strong that you just...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: C'mon, Baby, Do It
Congratulations to Deborah Cox, who just gave birth to her third child, Kaila Michelle. [BET]MC Hammer, Kris Kross or Kanye--who tops your list for the worst Hip Hop fashion trends? [SC]INTERNET BEEF ALERT: If you were on Twitter last...
Sh*t or Shinola?
Tyler Perry Wants to Help J-Hud Shoot Herself in the Foot
Tyler Perry has publicly expressed that he's written one of his million dollar country-fried masterpieces with Jennifer Hudson in mind. Also, he's stated they have a mutual interest in working with each other. Luckily, their schedules have prevented this idea...
Sh*t or Shinola?
Revisiting the 6 Reasons Why The Roots' Extended Break From Touring Isn't Such A Bad Thing
In light of recent developments involving The Roots' shiny new gig as Jimmy Fallon's Late Night house band, we thought it prudent to re-visit DJ Stylus's 6 points for why this won't be such a bad look (mostly the point that...
Soul Cynic
The Importance of Listening To the Words
As I was explaining to someone earlier today, sometimes when you don't like something, you don't have to list the reasons. When certain songs do not appeal to you as a listener, you can spend an inordinate amount of time...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: A Man Don't Really Love You If He Hits You
Does the optimism of the Obama presidency herald a surge in crappy Pop music? [MSNBC]Marlon Jackson is backing a theme park in Nigeria. The theme? Slavery. [GAWKER]Did Suge Knight catch a beatdown? Is such a thing possible? [HHDX]LaBelle rocked...
Pause For A Cause
Jay Smooth and Elizabeth Berry Discuss Domestic Violence In the Industry
Some time after Big Punisher passed away in 2000 an article by Elizabeth Mendez Berry surfaced in VIBE magazine, in which the celebrated MC was revealed to have beaten his wife Liza Rios with a lead pipe for not changing...
Media Watch
Music Press: Ryan Leslie's Debut is 'Just Right'
After innumerable setbacks, Ryan Leslie's self-titled official debut hit physical and virtual shelves last week. Reviews for the release by mainstream music press are generally in favor of the wunderkind who, while still bearing partial blame for unleashing Cassie upon...
Mixtape Roundup
For The Lovers: A Late Night With Janet Jackson
Because Valentine's Day is right around the corner and we already know how you feel about Janet, it was our duty to put together the ultimate Janet-themed babymaking blend. This was a no-brainer; even the folks that aren't devout Janet...
Crowd Participation
Name Your Top 5 J Dilla Joints
As any lover of Hip Hop knows, Saturday, 2/7 was the birthday of James Yancey, a/k/a J Dilla or Jay Dee. Today represents the date of his passing 3 years ago, bringing the unofficial Dilla Weekend to a close. To...
A Soulful Noise
Confirmed: Jam & Lewis Have Reunited with Janet
Full disclosure: While we are generally pleased that Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are back working with Janet Jackson, let us pray that whatever they're putting together is marinated and slow-cooked. At this point in time, it's too soon to...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Think About You All the Time
Beyoncé is thismuchcloser to fulfilling her dream of portraying Jesus Christ. [BS]Wrigleys dropped Chris Brown. Sucks to be him right now. [BV]Jennifer Hudson is touring with Robin Thicke this Spring. [PM]Tameka is OK. [C+D]Lil' Kim is joining Dancing With the Stars and...
Crowd Participation
Reconciling Our Grammy Picks And Predictions
At the close of last week, your SoulBounce Editors predicted the victors for this year's Grammy Awards in relevant R&B and Hip Hop categories, with our own personal preferences thrown in for good measure. Nearly every nightmarish prediction came...
We Hear
Etta James Got Jokes
And now we come crashing back to reality. For anyone that had visions of 71-year-old "Miss Peaches" whaling on Sasha Fierce, put it out of your mind. It was all a joke! Now where will we direct our self-righteous indignation?"I'm...
Battle of the Beats
Whose 'Showers' Are More Refreshing? M.I.A.'s or Ghostface's?
Welcome to another Sample Slam! The object of this week's battle is "Sunshower," originally recorded by Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band. Although it counts among the many samples for Tribe's "Can I Kick It?", it was heavily and most notably utilized...
Soul-Poll
Did Etta James Go Too Far?
If there's one thing we love it's a crunk sista of advanced age. It doesn't matter if what she has to say is fair, warranted, realistic or accurate--it simply entertains us. I'm sure everyone by now is aware of Etta...
Mixtape Roundup
For the Stans: A Dedication to The First Lady
It is no secret the we absolutely adore Faith Evans and long for her return. The release of her memoir and a film depicting the life of late husband Christopher Wallace a/k/a Biggie Smalls has kept her name on our...
Industry & Culture
Why Is Everyone So Upset With DJs?
We've long considered the deejay an essential part of the Hip Hop tapestry, whether he was an actual group member spinning for the MCs, actually producing the records or debuting select tracks on mixtapes and radio stations and turning otherwise...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Looks Like Its Gonna Rain
Following in the legendary footsteps of Dionne Warwick, Vivica A. Fox is spokesperson for the new and improved Psychic Friends Network. I really don't know what to say, ya'll. [DL]Brandy: "I really try not to focus on the sales...
A Soulful Noise
Analog Girl Gives Birth To Digital Baby
Congratulations are in order for Jay Electronica and Erykah Badu, on the birth of their new daughter. We've been waiting for this special delivery since earlier today when they both "tweeted" that she'd gone into labor. Now we await, once...
Media Watch
Keylolo's VIBE Cover is Icy-Hot!
It is only right that the "new" era of Keyshia Cole would inspire, on some level, a VIBE cover to ether all recent VIBE covers. It has always been our silent campaign for more Black music and entertainment mags to...
Video SoulBounce
Jazmine Sullivan's Not Afraid of Tigers, At Least
Jazmine Sullivan's "Lions, Tigers & Bears" made the Top 10 Lists of three SoulBounce editors, because it really is a dope, cinematic song. We had no idea she'd go so literal with the execution of the video, however. Yellow Brick...
Soul On Film
What Tyanna Wallace Thinks of 'Notorious'
Christopher Wallace's eldest has managed to stay off our radar for the majority of all things Biggie-related. In fact, the only Tyanna Touchstone for me is the answering machine intro to "One More Chance". Well little Tyanna is all grown...
The Interwebs
All The Things That Happened Since The Last Gordon Gartrell Radio
Barack Obama defeated John McCain in the 2008 Election.SoulBounce officially started podcasting.I grew an afro and had it lopped off by an overzealous barber that doesn't understand the definition of "half".Umm, CHRISTMAS!!!2008 ended.Barack Obama became POTUS.Phonte might've said something untoward...
Soul Cynic
How Does It Feel (To Exercise Extreme Patience)?
It's still taking us a while to process this bit of info about D'Angelo's forthcoming James River, mainly the part about it being "forthcoming." I mean, c'mon, part of D'Angelo's mystique as an artist is his unfaltering ability to not...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Wanna Lick You Up and Down
Flavor Flav, the Pride of Hip Hop, is creating an anthology intended to scare us. [AHH]Get to know Jadyn Maria. [AW]God bless whoever brought the Sister 2 Sister website into modern times. [BW2]Ron Mexico has a word or two...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Gimme A Beat!
Did Phonte go after Kanye's 808s? 'Bout time someone in Hip Hop said something. [HHDX]The "S" is for "super"! JJ Fad is returning with a new album and tour! [AHH]Kendu wants to put an end to Keyshia doing "Mary". [EUR]Boondocks...
Industry & Culture
How Can the Music Industry Save Its Ass?
We understand, painfully, that the music industry is first and foremost a business. Art typically comes dead last in the traditional label structure. BBC News recently published a report entitled "Music Industry Scrambles for Cash," which basically points out that...
Sh*t or Shinola?
Who Addressed the Negative Feedback Better? Michelle or Syleena?
The Internets are a treacherous place, y'all, and no one knows that better than our entertainers. Recently, a video surfaced of Michelle Williams addressing someone that said she looked "a hot mess." While we were quite entertained by Michelle's spunk,...
Battle of the Beats
Battle of the Beats Quadruple Header: Bad Boy vs. So So Def
We've been waiting to do this one for a long time. Today's Battle of the Beats presents you with two powerhouses that to this day inspire fierce debate. During most of the '90's Diddy's Bad Boy outfit and Jermaine Durpi's...
A Soulful Noise
Wanna Be in the New Dwele Video? Then Learn This Song
This week Dwele announced on his MySpace blog that he was in the process of shooting the video for "A Few Reasons" and wants fans to get in on the act:I'm shootin a video for A Few Reasons ... Myself!...
Mixtape Roundup
A Mix, Because We Love Amerie Rogers
It slipped our minds, too. This week, Amerie turned 29. Whatever reasons Amerie doesn't "hit" with some folks are inconsequential at this point, and please spare us the Beyoncé comparisons. Cats were comparing her to Mary J. during the course of...
Sh*t or Shinola?
Don't Blame JD For How 'Discipline' Turned Out
You know what they say--what don't come out in the wash will damn sure come out in the rinse! Now that Jermaine Dupri no longer holds an executive position at Def Jam (better for both parties, IMO), the Discipline Wars...
First Spin
These Remixes Remind Us Why We Love Old-School MiJac
Probably one of the fringe benefits of maintaining a Black music blog is invoking the Jacksons whenever the opportunity arises, since no other group of performers has personified Black Pop the same way since. With that in mind, here are...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Throw Your Hands In the Air If You're A True Player
Faith Evans continues making Lil' Kim look silly. [HHDX]Charli Baltimore wants some of that "look silly" action. (It's kinda tacky to fight over someone that is deceased, right?) [VIBE]Jay-Z has discovered a clever way to compare Beyoncé to Michael...
First Spin
This Beyoncé Remix is 'Siik'
It doesn't take a genius to know that when it comes to Beyoncé Knowles, other sites got the girl covered many times over. But there are times when something so irresistible crosses our desk that we have to take a...
Mixtape Roundup
SoulBounce Blended & Beat Vol. 3
Happy 2009, bouncers and bouncettes! Today we present to you another installment of our "Blended & Beat" music podcast, but this time things are slightly different. We went light on the Disco and House, not that it was a point...
Soul Cynic
Bobby Valentino is Right
This item was simply too hot to be relegated to Morning Soul. Bobby Valentino thinks R&B is dead. Not as in completely gone, since we have evidence of artists like Mary J. Blige, Jazmine Sullivan, Jill Scott and a few...
Soul On Film
'Black Dynamite' Depicts SoulBounce Header Graphic in Shocking Live-Motion!
You know what kind of movies we love here at SoulBounce? The ones where the hero throws a punch but you don't hear it land until ten seconds later. We hope this is the case with Black Dynamite, a spoof...
A Soulful Noise
3 Albums in One Year? Prince Might Be the One to Pull It Off
As you've no doubt heard already, our favorite former freak turned strident JW, The Artist Formally Known As Sane Prince is threatening promising to release three full albums in 2009. There's even a fresh new website heralding this phenomenon. After...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: When You Get The Notion, Put Your Backfield In Motion
Looks like Warner Brothers still has its hands in Talib Kweli's Blacksmith label after all. [BB]Check out one of the most comprehensive "R&B in 2008" wrap-ups ever--on a Hip Hop site. [KN]Will more Hip Hop artists continue to embrace R&B/Pop...
Letter From the Editor, Looking Back
2008
Well would you look at that? Goodbye, 2008! Oh how you made us so proud and so ashamed in so many ways!...
Admin Announcements
Celebrating the Spirit of Black Santa
Since it's the holidays, our editors will be in and out for the next several days. Mostly out. See, we need to catch up on listening to the Temptations' rendition of "Silent Night", since we've only heard it about 5,000...
The Interwebs
Nicolay Classified As 'Marginal', Removed from Wikipedia
You can find virtually anything on Wikipedia, in varying degrees of accuracy. Nicolay's page was 100% accurate since it was updated and managed by his team. That was until after the release of Leave It All Behind, when it was...
First Spin
Which Of These Tracks Passes the SoulBounce Sniff Test?
Today's selections are a little more varied than usual, beginning with Gnarls Barkley's hauntingly funky "Who's Gonna Save My Soul" with a guest turn from Jay Electronica as "Jota Flowers." Next we have some more random, misguided noise from Busta...
First Spin
Some New/Old Janet To Hold You Over Until...?
Jimmy Jam recently revealed that he would love to do more work with Janet Jackson and pointed out that the possibility was never in doubt. He also added, "Just because you work with another producer or decide to go the...
SoulBounce Honors
SoulBounce Honors 2008's Producer of the Year: Nicolay
He's good. I've been banging the drum for Nicolay since this site's inception, and being able to feature and write about him so thoroughly here has been as much a blessing as listening to his music. In 2008, Nicolay earned...
First Spin
Marsha Assists Jamie On Something Quite Freaky
I suppose "T-Shirt & Panties" needed some kind of upgrade, right? Between songs featuring T.I., Lil' Wayne and T-Pain, we were wondering if Jamie Foxx's Intuition (released today) had any tracks that could pass the SoulBounce Sniff Test. Sex songs...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Life's Not Over
BEHOLD: MTV's "Top Hip Hop Songs of 2008." Stay relevant and classy, ya'll. [TRU]Monica is planning a duet with Keyshia Cole on her next release. I think it's safer for all of us that these two are friends rather than...
Soul Cynic
What's Good With G.O.O.D.?
When Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music launched with the releases of Be and Get Lifted, many of us knew we finally had an imprint that, although nestled in the organic, textured warmth of Soul music, had enough commericial viability to push...
Media Watch
Brandy's 'Human' Gets a B for 'Back'
Last week Brandy released her long-awaited fifth studio album Human. Reviews have been generally favorable (on the positive side of "average" with a few digs here and there) and, to be expected, many cite her personal drama in their critical write-ups. These matters are fair...
Media Watch
Universal Opinions on 'Universal Mind Control'
With our upcoming Christmas break in mind, along with general hesitance to either praise Common for Universal Mind Control or rip him a new one, it's looking like we won't be reviewing the album. So we look to the Internets...
Listicle
The Top 10 Worst Moments in Black Music of 2008
It's all fun and games until someone says something stupid, or continues singing after their brother passes out on stage. Today we're counting down The Top 10 Worst Moments in Black Music, and most of it isn't very funny at...
Listicle
YEAR-END TOP 10: nOva's Picks of 2008
Yesterday my comrade ill Mami unveiled her Top 10 Tracks of 2008 and now the ball is in my court. Last year's list was topped by Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu and Kanye West's "Flashing Lights" landing at #1. I've...
First Spin, House of Soul
Jihad Muhammad Re-Rubs Hil St. Soul
One of my favorite House producers Jihad Muhammad of Movement Soul recently dropped a gem on the Internets. It's a smooth "re-rub" of Hil St. Soul's "Goodbye" from the Soulidified album. Just how new is the track? Well, Soulidified dropped...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Hey, Little Walter
Delve a little deeper into the mind of Sy Smith. [ER]It's hard to believe that, after all these years, Diddy is an actual human being. [MTV]Are Hip Hop blogs posting too many tracks with little discretion? [NWS]Adele humbly declares she's...
Releases
Your SoulBounce Guide to New & Upcoming Releases!
Let's assume that just about everyone pictured in the above graphic will sell pretty well. It is, after all, the 4th quarter, and people just purchase music all fast and loose for the holiday season. It's a fact! Most...
Free Music
K-Salaam & Beatnick Re-Vision Common Through the Years
Seems everyone has something to say about Common's Universal Mind Control, an album that has seen innumerable changes since we found out about it. With that, this might be a good time to look into the past with K-Salaam & Beatnick's Common...
Releases, Soul Cynic
'Notorious' Soundtrack Just Another Biggie Greatest Hits Album
The reason I've always had a blazing Clair Huxtable side-eye for the Notorious film is because, so many years later, folks are still finding ways to profit from familiar B.I.G. material and mythos. Rarely is there anything new added to...
First Spin
Which of These Tracks Passes the SoulBounce Sniff Test?
Here's another batch of tracks that require your critical ear and relentless fury. First is Q-Tip's "Evolution of A Man" featuring Al Kapone from the Cadillac Records soundtrack. I'm sad to admit that Nas freaked this sample a little better,...
First Spin
Dwele's Piping Hot & Sexy McDonald's Ad
Remember that "R&B"-infused McDonald's commercial that recently premiered and everyone had an opinion on? Well, our boy Dwele has basically come through to save the day with this radio jingle for McCafé, which is McDonald's answer to Starbucks, I suppose....
Crowd Participation
FULL DISCLOSURE: How Do You Discover New Music?
Sometimes it's good to be cynical when it comes to music, and distrustful of selections depending on the source of recommendation as long as you don't wallow in it. Music that appeals to you because it was shoehorned into your consciousness by overwrought PR tactics,...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Stomp!
Kanye West thinks Beyoncé is probably greater than TINA TURNER. [SR] Ashley Dupré and Violator? Not happening. [TRU] Debbie Allen is back for the new Fame remake, along with Frasier Crane! [TMB] MTV does its audience a tremendous service...
Video SoulBounce
A Re-Introduction To Black Milk
Shockingly, there is a small contingent of us that knows absolutely nothing about Black Milk, which is why these fancy Internet videos from Out Da Box TV are so handy. The brief musical history of Milk, which provides a useful...
First Spin
Which of These Tracks Passes the SoulBounce Sniff Test?
Hello SB fam. Hope everyone has had their fair helping of turkey--jive and otherwise. Here are a few tracks that hit the 'net while we were all stuffing our faces. First up is a new Common joint with Cee-Lo called...
We Hear
Obama Inauguration To Be A Star-Studded (Pop) Event?
Remember last week when we asked who should perform at Barack Obama's inauguration and we (along with our commenters) kicked around names like Stevie Wonder, Jill Scott, Seal and Alicia Keys? Ha! The jokes on us if recent rumors are...
Kicks & Giggles
Is This New McDonald's Ad Tired? Or Whimsical?
Grown Man R&B lives! Oh wait, this isn't a new Avant video? It's a Black man singing about McNuggets? Ugh. It's the '80s all over again, only this time "Calvin" isn't visiting Burger King on his lunch break. Man, this...
First Spin
Which of These Tracks Passes The SoulBounce Sniff Test?
Here's a roundup of some new and noteworthy tracks that we either missed or didn't really warrant a single post (sorry, Jamie). First up is the superb "MVP" by Ludacris produced by DJ Premier. I'm thinking Luda should do more...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Kinda Like Shaft
Aretha Franklin exiles chitterlings from her Thanksgiving menu, and cleans collards with Cheer. [NPR]Black Milk, House Shoes and Elzhi discuss Tronic, Dilla and Detroit. [CK]People are linking Lenny Kravitz with Ashley Dupre. [EUR]Read your SB HNIC go hard on...
Mixtape Roundup
SoulBounce Blended & Beat Vol. 2
Are you ready for some Thanksgiving Family Funkery? Or maybe something to get you through the next two hellish workdays? We've unveiled another mix for our loyal family of readers, and not a moment too soon (the last joint went...
Reviews
Why I Cannot Properly Review Black Milk's 'Tronic'
Tronic is so bloody fantastic it's frustrating. When you've spent most of the last couple of years trying to convince people how dope Black Milk is and they respond with this hard-headed refusal to give dude a chance, it makes you...
Video SoulBounce
This is What You Do When Q-Tip is In Town
Q-Tip's clip for "Renaissance Rap" is a treat on many levels. Very rarely does an artist do a video for a "hidden" track (it follows "Move" on the same track). Most times, videos released from the same album tend to...
Crowd Participation
What Slow Jams Make Your Baby-Making Playlist?
We recently consulted the fam for its ideal "Get Busy" music selections, and it resulted in one of the most epic email threads known to man. (I forgot to use the "BCC" Fail.) This isn't really a surprise; people jump...
Listicle
November's 10 Soulful People, Places & Things
Yes, clearly the month of November is almost over, but we're not psychics! If this feature takes off (as in, you love it) I'll try to get around to doing them mid-month, every month. Consider it a rundown (in no...
We Hear
CON-TRO-VER-SY!
OK! So, that Prince thing. Yup, we read all about it, and it's a hot, rancid mess. We aren't sure how to process this, mainly because, when you involve religion things get a little hairy. And, personally, I'd hate to...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Anticipating Like A Bottle Of Heinz
Beyoncé is the new gay icon, in case you haven't been around for the past five years or so. [VIBE]You want your Barack Obama commemorative plates? Well we got 'em right here. [GAWK]Common selling his album on Zune for...
Releases
Your SoulBounce Guide To New & Upcoming Releases!
Look at you. Just frothing at the mouth for that new Beyoncé, ain'tcha? Well your wait is over, Crazy, because her album, along with a bunch of other stuff, is about to be released--officially! Welcome to another Release Guide. As...
Listicle
6 Reasons Why The Roots' Extended Break From Touring Isn't Such A Bad Thing
We were all there when the news broke over the weekend. ?uestlove revealed that he and The Roots crew would cease touring because they were recently hired as Late Night's new house band as the show transitions from Conan O'Brien to Jimmy...
Video SoulBounce
Video: Black Milk 'Give The Drummer Sum'
Listening to Black Milk's "Give the Drummer Sum" from his newly-released Tronic, it's hard not to imagine a video replete with kaleidoscopic colors, a funky big band and the requisite honeys. With that in mind, there really isn't much to say...
Video SoulBounce
Your Regularly-Scheduled Controversial Auto-Tune Post Now Features Q-Tip!
Look, we can gripe and moan about the use of Auto-Tune and the Vocoder until we're blue in the face but, although they are closely related, there are marked differences between the two. Mainly, Auto-Tune is intended for pitch-correction and...
First Spin
Which of These Tracks Passes The SoulBounce Sniff Test?
So there were a couple of things we missed this week. Consider this a quick roundup of a few choice tracks we encountered during our daily internet haunts that we didn't get around to posting. First up is Chester French,...
Battle of the Beats
The Total Vs. Brandy Double-Header!
Hey, any excuse to talk about these two acts, right? Luckily for Brandy, she has an eagerly-awaited album right around the corner. Total, not so much, but our memories of them are precious. In today's Battle of the Beats, we...
Letter From the Editor
We've Earned the Right to 'Hate'
Oh boo-hoo, look at the big mean website making fun of Kanye West and T-Pain! You know what? I took a little vacation from this site and just sat back and watched the discourse unfold. It was pretty funny! You'd...
First Spin, Soul Cynic
Dear R&B, Stop Making Songs About Liquor
If you're anything like me, you love to "get your drank on." You love poppin' bottles wit' models up in da club. And why shouldn't you? You're grown! But you know what's really tired? Songs that not only constantly reference...
Media Watch, We Hear
Does This Mean They'll Do A Song Together?
You know what? I think I may actually go out and buy the December issue of Sister 2 Sister, because my girl Faith Evans is on the cover and she's talking about Lil' Kim. Only this time, she has nothing...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Can You Feel It Coming?
Mobb Deep's Prodigy is still b*tching about Jay-Z. Wait 'til you see his handwriting! [URB]Here are a few things to keep in mind when you vote today! [CSWS]Raphael Saadiq has made his choice. [SV]Fantasia sang at the funeral for Jennifer...
We Hear
112's Q Responds To Mike's Allegations
Since we helped spread the word of 112's Mike alleging the group split because of theft, it is only fair that we post Q. Parker's response. Recently a report surfaced that 112 had indeed broken up (news to us) and...
Battle of the Beats
Who Would You Rather Do 'Anything' With? SWV or Janet?
Perhaps this a little too slow and sexy on a Halloween Friday? But whatevs! I know you've been waiting for this battle, and is it any wonder? There are, at last count, a bazillion songs titled "Anything." So here we...
Soul Cynic
Do The Jacksons Ever Visit Each Other? Or, Like, Call?
I have a long, tortured history covering the Jacksons on this site. They're my favorite performers. They're also endearingly loco. I resisted the urge to write-up Jermaine Jackson's 1,547th reveal that the kids are getting back together for a tour....
Releases
Buy Q-Tip's Album Now! (If You Didn't Illegally Download It Already)
Due to "customer demand" (i.e., a leak) Q-Tip's The Renaissance is available as a super-early, new-fangled digital download on Amazon, iTunes, and some other online stores I don't use. This is smashing news, since the succeeding quote all-but holds SOULBOUNCE.COM...
I'm Mad
Is There A Way To Make Sure This Dumbass Never Sells Records Again?
You know what? If you plan on excusing Soulja Boy's garbage-ass statement about slavery then I wish for you never to visit this site again. It's totally worth the loss. I have had it with this child. Granted, he's an...
We Hear
It Ain't All 'Peaches & Cream' With One Former 112 Member
Michael Keith of 112 just went on record as saying the group broke up because another member took money that was intended for him and Slim. This is quite a surprise. Although nothing indicated the foursome would be reuniting for another album,...
Releases
Your SoulBounce Guide To New & Upcoming Releases!
This is what you call being "servicey." What you see above is a snapshot of releases over the next couple of weeks. We know it has been a while since we've done one of these and, honestly, we have no...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: At the Playground, Ya Know
Is this new Ray-J song wack because it's offensive? Or offensive because it's wack? Maybe both. [AHH]50 Cent done got his grubby paws on the Jam Master Jay documentary. [MTV]A new release date and updated tracklist for Common's UMC...
First Spin, Releases
Slim Gets A Little More 'Fly' With A Remix & Release Date
As we await 11/18 for Slim Scandrick's Love's Crazy, here's yet another remix of his single "So Fly." He's recruited Faith Evans for the "official remix," adding fuel to the rumor of him snagging her for his label. Also onboard...
Industry & Culture
Billboard Honored 'Women In Music,' But Wait--
This past Friday, Billboard honored Women in Music with a special breakfast held at the Hotel St. Regis in New York. The Ciara "Women of the Year" nod spread across the Internet quickly, eliciting a fair amount of rage, confusion...
We Hear
If This Fight Actually Ended Up Happening, It'd Be Really Hard to Choose Sides
Did you see that clip last week where one of TMZ's shameless "videographers" cornered living legend and unrepentant Soul Diva Aretha Franklin by asking her if she thought Beyoncé owed her an apology for that whole Tina Turner mess? It's...
Mixtape Roundup, Mixtape Roundup
SoulBounce Blended & Beat Vol. 1
Our very own Vivrant Thang pulled me out of "retirement" because she's a jet-setter and needs riding music. So I thought, what better way to test out our little podcast feed than with a mix? (If it doesn't work, let...
Industry & Culture
Ain't No Payola in Freestyle, But There's Still A-Plenty in Commercial Radio!
Do you remember last year when the FCC and radio broadcasters agreed to abide by The Future of Music Coalition's "Rules of Engagement," which sought to end the dirty tactics associated with payola? Remember the way we all laughed and...
Pause For A Cause
Usher Says 'Hush,' Momentarily Distracting Us From His Personal Life
Under normal circumstances, this would be a First Spin, but just giving the song away, in this case, is counter-intuitive. You see, Usher has this new song called "Hush", and I would like for you to buy it. "Message Music" always...
Diggin' in the Crates
The Track Salt-N-Pepa Did for Drag Queens Nationwide
You know what? I'm not afraid to say that I quite enjoy this song. Who better than Salt-N-Pepa to glam it up in the interest of a little fabulous self-love and fun? "I Am the Body Beautiful" was part of...
Admin Announcements
Join Us Tonight For The BET Hip Hop Awards Live-Blog & Drinking Game!
Did you know the 2008 BET Hip Hop Awards are airing tonight? Fashizzle! And our lovely Butta is on duty this evening with another one of her rollicking live blogs! Also, what's a BET awards ceremony without a fawty ounce? Or an economy-sized bottle of...
Listicle
7 Songs That Criticized The State of Music
We like it when artists go against the grain, even when it could mean certain career suicide. A lot of artists think the way we do. They know they are part of an industry that is drowning in banality, capitalism...
We Hear
If Jimmy Jam Knows So Much About Janet's Condition...
... then can we get some reunion action? I mean, soon would probably be a bad idea (I need babygirl to wait about five years before disappointing you cynics again) but if the friendship is intact, then the professional relationship...
Media Watch, The Interwebs
An All-New 'Old Media vs. New Media' Debate to Divide Hip Hop Fans
Oh snap! The Full Clip just posted an entry called "Blogging Has Destroyed Hip-Hop in 2009!", which means Dukes thinks things are so bad right now that the outlook for next year is pretty dim. This all came about because...
SoulTube
Barack Obama Appears on '106th & Park', Devil Laughs Heartily
So... You gotta hand it to Sen. Barack Obama. When this man says "change," dammit he means CHANGE. It is because of him that the audience and hosts of BET's 106th & Park didn't make me want to cringe in...
Media Watch
Tracks by Whitney, Diddy & Ja Rule Make Blender's '50 Worst Songs Ever' List
Blender.com is well on its way to becoming the most hated site on the Internets, and I don't even work there! (Call me.) The same folks that dared decree that Tupac is overrated have compiled a list of what they...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: The Butterfly? Uh, Uh That's Old!
A Hollywood madame is adding fuel to those tired Will Smith rumors. [GK]Kanye West is so secure in his new album that he sees fit to defend it left and right. [XXL]Also, he may be working with Boy George....
Bounce-Worthy
Bounce-Worthy: TK Wonder
Last but not least in our list of Bounce-Worthy femcees is TK Wonder. According to WaPo, her style rests somewhere between "M.I.A. and Flying Lotus." It's an imaginary pedigree that would get anyone to listen, but it's not that...
Hip-Hop at War
Just How Much Has Common Changed Over the Years?
There seems to be a bit of hand-wringing over Common's forthcoming Universal Mind Control. Many visitors to this site reacted with ambivalence or flat-out rejected his most recent videos. And all of the changes the album has undergone over the past year...
Relax in Paradise
Levi Stubbs (1936-2008)
Four Tops Vocalist Levi Stubbs Dies At 72 [BB]Levi Stubbs [Wiki]...
Crowd Participation
FULL DISCLOSURE: When Did You Have Your Moment of Clarity?
There comes a point in every adult music lover's life when s/he realizes that things have changed dramatically, and possibly for the worse. We weren't always like this, and neither were our parents. You think there wasn't a point where...
Diggin' in the Crates
Dilla, Meet Janet. Janet, Dilla
The Velvet Rope is almost universally hailed as Janet Jackson's creative zenith. Her self-titled debut, not so much. Today's Diggin' in the Crates takes a look at offerings from both ends of that spectrum, guest-starring the great J Dilla. There's...
Industry & Culture, SoulTube
Behold: The Mostly Awful 'American Music Award' Nominees!
The American Music Awards have earned the distinction of being the most useless, vile, and insipid awards ceremony ever and the worst thing Dick Clark has ever brought upon us. Seriously, at least Grammy has the decency to be shady. AMA is...
Video SoulBounce
Q-Tip 'Moves' Like MJ in New Clip
Our friend Q-Tip just dropped another video from The Renaissance. This one is for "Move", which, for at least an eon, was available as a stream on his MySpace page. See the smoke and laser lights? Remind you of anything?...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: That's It, Pack It Up
Angela and Vanessa Simmons are doing a spin-off of Run's House to meet all that cacophonous public demand. [BV] Get to know Soha. [CM] Go back in time with this vintage Things Fall Apart preview tape by DJ Jazzy...
Events
DC: 'Can A Sista Rock a Mic' is Coming to Its Climax!
If you aren't in DC, then I feel bad for you. Not only because you don't get to hang out with cool folks like Butta and nOva, but also because you won't get to hang out with cool folks like...
Industry & Culture
If the Super Producer is Dead, There May Be Hope for Us After All
Gooch over at XXL asked one of those rhetorical, seemingly non-threatening Hip Hop questions that tends to get people riled up. "Is the era of the super-producer over?" The one hit wonder has put the super producer out of business....
Soul Cynic
'It Was All A Dream'
In yesterday's Morning Soul, we posted an item about Kanye's "Love Lockdown" clip being inspired by American Psycho, according to the artist. This is the film starring Christian Bale as Wall Street yuppie Patrick Bateman. During the day, Patrick is...
Soul Cynic
Maxwell & Swizz Beatz? It Could Happen
Now we will accept the arduous task of constructing Maxwell's first entry into his Black Summers Night trilogy from some recent insights into the Man of Mystery. For the past several years, Maxwell has been "kickin' it" and cutting his hair...
First Spin
Black Milk Spills All Over The Internet With A Taste of 'Tronic'
When it comes to Hip Hop in 2008, I'm only looking forward to a few albums. One of which is Black Milk's Tronic, due 10/18. Over the past couple of weeks, two tracks were officially leaked to the Internet, and...
Crowd Participation
How Much Does An Artist's Behavior Affect Your Music Purchase?
Welcome to another installment of Crowd Participation in which we hold our familiars at gunpoint and force them to answer the kind of controversial, thought-provoking questions that you'll only find here. This week's question involves making the choice that, in...
Video SoulBounce
ZOMG! Kanye is So Progressive and Innovative With His 'Lion King' Stageshow Extras!
Kanye West just premiered his video for "Love Lockdown" on the Ellen Degeneres Show. Upon first hearing the track, we imagined the video would be something solemn and simple like "Can't Tell Me Nothing" with just a touch of the...
Video SoulBounce
And They Are Signed to Universal Motown
So where do I begin? This video will either disprove or solidify our recent rants about there being no visible female MCs. This epic piece of uckeryfay landed in my RSS feeds as part of my subscription to Universal Motown's Youtube channel....
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: It's Saturday On Tuesday
What exactly did JD give Janet that she keeps canceling shows? [SOHH] The Sugar Hill Gang is releasing an album next year. Heh. [HHDX] Seventy-five years later and we're still talking about Death Row's money woes. [AHH] Okayplayer wins...
The Interwebs
'Swagger' Outpaces 'Hater' as Most Death-Worthy Slang Term
swagger: How one presents him or her self to the world. Swagger is shown from how the person handles a situation. It can also be shown in the person's walk. - Urban Dictionary. Kill it! Kill it! Kill it! As...
Industry & Culture
If FemCees Weren't So Busy Being Cute, They'd Have a Job?
My inner feminist is in fight-mode right now because of a widely-circulated quote from an industry insider. We've spent the last few weeks lamenting the lack of female MCs in Hip Hop because, seriously, who else will? But the folks...
Soul-Poll
What's Your Favorite Mary J. Blige Cover?
In honor of absolutely nothing, we present to you this week's Soul-Poll. Mary J. Blige, for at least a little while, was not only referred to as the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" but also the "Queen of Remakes." Derogatory subtext...
Media Watch
Remember When Hip Hop Looked Like This?
The late-'90s weren't considered the best time to be a fan of Hip Hop, says many of us during the late-'90s. This point in semi-recent Hip Hop history marked a time of change, where Hip Hop was thriving and growing...
I Was There, Video SoulBounce
SoulBounce East Celebrates a 'Renaissance' with Q-Tip
Picture it: Washington, DC. 2008. Commonwealth. Your intrepid SoulBounce editors are invited to a small listening party for Q-Tip's forthcoming release The Renaissance, and the music is presented and played by The Abstract himself! Participants include: Industry Soul, DJ Stylus the...
Rap Snacks
NWA is 'Most Dangerous' in New VH1 Doc
Possibly the worst thing to come as a result of N.W.A.'s tenure in the game was the term "Gangsta Rap," which to this day is used to define a genre of reprehensible Hip Hop that isn't very "gangsta" at all....
A Soulful Noise
Could 112's Slim Be Bringing Us That Long-Awaited Faith Album?
Am I overstating with the whole "long-awaited" bit? Perhaps. But honestly, when it comes to R&B delivered by a female over 30 with a touch of Hip Hop that isn't Mary, Faith Evans fits the need perfectly. Today's rumor (until verified...
Media Watch
EW Bemoans 3rd Annual BET Sausage Party
The great thing about Entertainment Weekly's "Popwatch" blog is they often post about Hip Hop. If you're lucky, you'll happen upon an entry that decries a reality that not enough blogs (specifically Hip Hop blogs) are willing to decry, like...
Free Music, Releases
Black Milk Nabs Dwele & Primo for 'Tronic'
Black Milk's Popular Demand is among a shortlist of Hip Hop albums released in the past couple of years that make me nod my head without feeling guilty afterwards. In quick succession, he paired up with Bishop Lamont for...
Media Watch
Would You Trust a Man that Once Wore His Hair Like This? [Updated With Flex Rant!]
Hopefully this will bring an end to the long national nightmare called The R. Kelly Verdict Pontification Parade, but it won't end his career, unforch. Recently, The R. went to the most trusted news source on cable television to talk about...
Rap Snacks
New Andre 3000 Solo Joint in the Works [Patience is a Virtue]
Benjamin Andre To Be Exact was voted The Dopest MC Out Right Now even though he doesn't really have anything out right now, which means his awesomeness laughs in the face of release dates and the existence of any tangible product....
Relax in Paradise
Norman Whitfield (1943-2008)
Temptations and Motown producer Norman Whitfield dies [NME]Norman Whitfield [AMG]...
Kicks & Giggles
LL Has More 'Swagger' In His Deodorant Stick Than Jigga & T.I. Combined
"Swagger" is a word none of us will ever get tired of, and the geniuses at Old Spice realize this. That's why they have a new line called exactly that. Since "Swagger" is a word that has been appropriated by...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Have To Survive, Have To Stay Alive
MTV is finally dropping TRL. Hopefully BET will follow suit and cancel 106th & Farce. [SR] A contest where no one wins: Predict the sales of Ne-Yo's Year of the Gentleman. [PFM] Find out how Kenny Lattimore remains Timeless....
Releases
Ne-Yo & Raphael Drop This Week; George's 'Dukey Treats' Makes a Splash
Good day, SoulBouncers! The fellas are putting out work in force this week aren't they? This week sees highly-anticipated releases by Raphael Saadiq, Ne-Yo, Darius Rucker (with a country album, no less), Wayne Brady (?) and the legendary George Duke,...
The Interwebs
I Am Kanye West
You know, Animal raises a pretty good point: Who updates Kanye's blog when he's being arrested? Because Kanye himself said that he doesn't have or need any help. And we are inclined to believe him because the style with which he...
Media Watch
Canada Gives Janet Great Feedback
Janet Jackson's opening show in Vancouver has been getting praise from, like, everyone! Well, maybe Canadians are a little less cynical and out-for-blood like us Americans? But this is still good news, even with the photos indicating Janet reinacted select...
Soul Cynic
So What Will Common's Album Be Called When It's Actually Released?
Have you been keeping up with the long, convoluted saga of Common's 8th studio album? Because if so, and you have the copious notes to prove it, then you should write for this blog because I am tired. This album...
Releases, Soul Cynic
Jay-Z, Beyoncé, & Kanye Are Coming Back [It's Been Seconds Since We've Seen You]
If there are three artists you barely ever get to read about on a Black music site it's Jay-Z, Beyoncé and Kanye West. To be sure, they are the least exposed artists of our time and could benefit from an...
A Soulful Noise
Paging Faith Evans!
Don't hold your breath for any new material from Faith Evans. Basically, she's been doing everything but recording music, and that's the way things will remain for a little longer, she tells SoulTracks. She's no longer signed to Capitol Records,...
Crowd Participation
Name An Artist That Completely Broke Your Heart
Ever stan so hard for an artist only to one day be completely thrown off by an underwhelming project of theirs? It's happened to quite a few of us. In this week's Crowd Participation, some of us came together to...
A Soulful Noise
Janet and Label Turn a 'Def' Ear to One Another
How fitting is it that Janet Jackson added LL Cool J, another Def Jam artist and one due to depart, to her tour? They should almost be calling it the "Eff Def Jam" tour, since Janet has recently revealed "I...
Letter From the Editor, Yes We Can!
We'd Like to Thank the Academy...[Yes We Did!]
I know there were many of you looking forward to my complete dismantling of the Internets if SoulBounce didn't win any Black Weblog Awards. Well I'm sorry to inform you that we rightfully won for Best Music Blog (popular and judges'...
Media Watch
In 2008, You're Allowed to Call 2Pac Overrated
Is 2Pac overrated? Blender seems to think so and kudos to them! Whether you agree with them or not, more publications should be willing to voice opinions like this instead of regurgitating the party line. Many of you may see...
Rap Snacks
Book of Rhymes
Did you know that Michael Eric Dyson was writing a book based solely on Nas' Illmatic? "Why for?" you ponder. Well, Illmatic is the "greatest Hip Hop album ever" and the main work Nas fans call upon when qualifying whatever new...
Media Watch
Let's Pretend This Whole VIBE/Thicke Thing Never Happened
But first an apology. I was so unfair to VIBE last week when we were discussing the Robin Thicke nontroversy. My willingless to go after them so hard had nothing to do with VIBE specifically, but moreso my mounting frustration with...
Soul-Poll
What's the Most Played-Out Trend in Hip Hop and R&B Right Now?
Calm down, children! This is one of our least-intense Soul Polls ever. Occasionally, we can spark serious discourse about music or provide you with a platform to just poke a little good-natured fun. Today's poll would be the latter. If forced to...
Soul Cynic
No, Spike. The Exact Opposite Will Happen
We all know that Barack Obama is a powerful figure, but is he really powerful enough to galvanize the Black creative community into generating better output? Yes, according to Spike Lee: "I believe artists have to lead the way. The same...
Releases
The Foreign Exchange's 'Leave It All Behind' Cover & Tracklisting
The Foreign Exchange's Connected counts as one of the few albums released over the past few years that kept me from completely giving up on Hip Hop and Soul music. (Did I say that out loud?) We've been waiting for...
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Dip It Low, Pick It Up Slow
Leona Lewis is pissed that people will finally know what she sounded like before anyone cared who she was. [AA]DJ Stylus reveals himself as one of the many bouncers that contributed to our Top 100. [VC]Solange's success brings Beyoncé to...
Releases
Terrence Howard Drops This Week. Are You Buying?
Another day, another $10-15. This is the part of the week where we put our money where our mouths are and reconcile all the pontification with purchasing. What are you buying? Well, for starters, Terrence Howard drops this week. (Cut to:...
A Soulful Noise
Another 'Unauthorized' Leak, Another Artist That Doesn't Get It
Last week, we asked our intrepid readers if labels should hold themselves accountable for leaks and the response was an overwhelming "yes." Sure, the blogs and downloaders perpetuate the entire mess, but leaks don't originate from nowhere. Can someone please tell...
A Soulful Noise
Janet Jackson + LL Cool J = Something That Should've Happened Eons Ago
So LL Cool J is the opening act for Janet Jackson's tour. This news comes to us via the man responsible for the darkest period of Janet's career, Jermaine Dupri. Watch in the video below as JD bugs a preparing...
Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs
Looking Back On the Top 100 Soul/R&B Countdown
I'm so glad we've had this time together....And so marks the final days of our Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs countdown. Some of you are probably curious about the list's methodology, and I'm here to tell you. We didn't just rank...
Soul Fashioned
Yes You Can With This Tribe-Inspired Obama Tee!
The Obama campaign has definitely brought politics and Hip Hop together, for better or for worse. But the most outstanding example of this lies within this dope t-shirt from Always Urban. The shirt's design takes a cue from A Tribe...
The Interwebs
On Michael Jackson's 50th, AOL Keeps it Classy
"What does Michael Jackson make you think of?" AOL's PopEater polls it's readers, "His music, his plastic surgery, the scandals, or other?" Well, it appears they aren't really giving them a fair choice, as they have a photo gallery chronicling...
A Soulful Noise
We Reiterate: Michael Jackson Turns 50 Tomorrow
Hello, World. SoulBounce here. Much was made of Madonna turning 50 this year by the MSM (Mainstream Media) and our favorite niche blogs, but nearly no one has mentioned that Michael Jackson is turning 50 as well. What's really going...
Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs
#3: Michael Jackson: 'Rock With You'
Who would you rather rock with? Michael or Janet? Oh snap! I thought we were in the middle of another Battle of the Beats, but we're actually on #3 of our top 100 R&B/Soul Songs countdown. This is my last...
Industry & Culture, Soul-Poll
POLL: Should Labels Take Responsibility For Leaks?
Welcome to the Internet, Music Industry. In recent weeks, T.I. and Chris Brown have cried foul over the leaking of upcoming material. These artists certainly have a right to be irritated, but there's almost never an attempt to hold their...
First Spin, Soul-Poll
QUICK POLL: How Much of A Difference Does Darkchild Make to Brandy's Success?
Much is being made of Brandy once again employing Darkchild to helm her new project. I love all of Brandy's albums, and although she created a signature sound with Rodney Jerkins, I hesitate to declare him the one and only...
Admin Announcements
Let's All Welcome Our New Editor!
After a strenuous, touch-and-go, nationwide talent search, I am giddy to report we are fully-staffed (for the time being)! Many of you may have noticed a new regular poster that goes by "Ro." Her contributions thus far have suited the...
Releases
Buy New Music. Buy Old Music. Just Buy Something.
It's time to put your money where your mouth is, folks. We tend to be very critical here on this site (and by "we" I mean the SB staff and our wonderful visitors) but all the critiques in the world...
Video SoulBounce
Q-Tip's 'Gettin' Up' Clip Doesn't Have to Be Official to Be Kinda Fresh
Maxwell might be this site's baby daddy/deployed soldier husband, but Q-Tip is like that cool cat we used to chill on the stoop with back in the day that we haven't seen in forever. A few days ago, he posted this...
First Spin
We're 'Tired' Too, D-Brock (of Waiting for Your Next Awesome Album)
Sometimes I just really can't keep up. Earlier this month saw the release of Strange Fruit Project producer S1's Music Box compilation, featuring nearly all of my favorite under the radar Hip Hop and Soul artists. Where the hell was...
A Soulful Noise
Congrats On Your New Publishing Deal, Johnta. When's Your Album Coming Out?
We're not sure what the hell is going on between Jermaine Dupri and Def Jam, nor do we care--as long as Johnta Austin's album, whether it's called Ocean Drive (overdue by an entire year at least) or Love, Sex &...
Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs
#7: Faith Evans 'Soon As I Get Home'
When Faith Evans' self-titled freshman release debuted in 1995, she had a lot to contend with. The Mary J. Blige comparisons ran unchecked, due in part to her involvement in My Life (she co-wrote a few tracks including "Everyday It...
Rap Snacks
Method Man Was Also Better in the '90s
I use that title in jest. Method Man is a cool, smart and funny dude, and I suspect that maybe he would enjoy this site if he ever got around to visiting it. But have any of you heard about...
A Soulful Noise
Stan for Raphael Saadiq and Win Big!
Oh snap! Raphael Saadiq will be treating a devoted fan to a taping of VH1 Soulstage and a live performance in NYC if they can answer 5 questions correctly: 1. Where was Raphael Saadiq born and raised?2. After high school,...
Soul Cynic
Is the Motown Re-Tread Ingenious? Or a Crutch?
We've been absolutely ga-ga over the singers we've highlighted on this site that "go way back, back into time" to channel what can only be defined as a decidedly "Motown Sound." To wit, anything that reminds us of the imprint's...
Industry & Culture
Forbes.com Distracts the Blogosphere for a Day
Not to begrudge the success of our Hip Hop brethren, but maybe it's time to have yet another discussion about Art vs. Commerce. As many of you know, Forbes released its list of Hip Hop's top earners for 2008. They...
Rewind
Revisiting Some of Our Favorite Soulful Moments From Black Sitcoms
One thing I miss about Black sitcoms are those episodes where the main cast would just let their hair down and celebrate our music. It was key to the show's cultural fidelity to reference the songs we love--a wink, a...
Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs
#11: Rufus & Chaka Khan 'Sweet Thing'
Sometimes it really bugs me how so many seem to overlook the pure genius and mastery of Rufus and Chaka Khan. It's almost like they get lost in the discussion, particularly Chaka herself, when we're all reminiscing about the likes...
Bounce Over There
Mainstream of Consciousness: You Need to Handle That With Your Label
Chris Brown, God bless him, is furious that an unfinished track meant for a forthcoming duet with Rihanna has leaked all over the Internet. We get a sense that he's more upset with the dedicated 12-year-old fans that love him so and shared the...
Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs
#12: Stevie Wonder 'As'
The world probably needs more upbeat, celebratory love songs. (The world needs more love in general, but that's another entry for another blog for another day.) Stevie Wonder is a wide-ranging, nuanced writer and producer, able to wrench tears of...
Crowd Participation
FULL DISCLOSURE: Name a Universally-Adored Soul Classic That You Hate
Sometimes it's useful (read: fun) to push the envelope and break tradition. We can be brutally honest at The Most Comprehensive Black Music Blog in the Internet, because (1) we're just a blog, and (2) you don't know where any of us...
A Soulful Noise
Let's Give Angie Stone Her Props While She's Still Living
Raise your hand if you've been sleeping on Angie Stone! In an interview with Unsigned, she says "I just don't want to die or have something tragic go down and that makes them give some props to Angie Stone. I...
Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs
#15: The Isley Brothers 'Between the Sheets'
It's not like we haven't already waxed poetic about the brothers Isley during the course of this countdown. It simply goes without saying that "Between the Sheets" is their most popular joint, strictly by virtue of the generations introduced to...
Soul On Stage
A 'Colored Girl' Can't Catch A Break
India Arie, who famously flipped Grammy the bird for being "increasingly political" was all set to hit Broadway in a revival of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf this September. But her Broadway debut...
Relax in Paradise
Isaac Hayes (1942-2008)
Soul Legend Isaac Hayes Dies [CNN]Isaac Hayes [Official]...
Video SoulBounce
Well Played, Keyshia Cole's Family!
How can you possibly have a night out on the town without Keyshia Cole's family showing up to class up the joint? Full disclosure: I don't dislike Keylolo as much as my comrade, and I think Keyshia is one of...
Releases
The Game Needs eLZhi's 'The Preface'
Between Caltroit, Sketches of a Man and Elzhi's forthcoming The Preface, it's good to see that Detroit is still thriving in these post-Dilla times. For the uninitiated, Elzhi is a junior member of Slum Village (the only group that can...
Video SoulBounce
The Long, Tortured History of Bad Boy Signees, by Maronzio Vance
This is a damn shame. Even though we've all had this conversation in barbershops, blogs, and on front porches getting wasted, it still isn't any less true. At this point, anyone tripping over themselves to be an artist on Bad...
We Hear
We Had No Idea Big Boi & Killer Mike Hated Each Other
When we consider beefs in Hip Hop, they usually run along the lines of LL vs. Canibus, Jay-Z vs. Nas, or Ice-T vs. Soulja Boy (the only beef that matters in that the two of them cancel each other out)....
A Soulful Noise
Jill's Fiance is Drumming For Janet
Those two worlds that collided in Tyler Perry's Why Did I Make This Movie Get Married are meeting once again, in a manner. John Roberts, the gentleman lucky enough to win Jill Scott's heart will be joining Janet Jackson's "Rock...
Video SoulBounce
Winehouse & Kanye Are Top Dogs in this Hilarious Clip
Amy Winehouse and Kanye West provide us endless amounts of entertainment and blog fodder net-wide, so it goes without saying this this clip from PollThePeople.com is right up our alley. It features an array of pooches dolled up to look...
Rewind
Stevie Wonder and His Afro Rock Out on Sesame Street
The coolest thing I came across today as I was shaking down the Internet for news is something that isn't news. It's a clip of Stevie Wonder performing "Superstition" on Sesame Street some 35 years ago. It's over six minutes...
Media Watch
Kanye Humbled by Inconsequential Accolade
If you thought Kanye West didn't have it in him to exercise humility, then think again! He was recently named in Vanity Fair's Best-Dressed of 2008. On "his" blog, "he" wrote: "I've sat in front of this computer for...
Rap Snacks
Is This LL Cool J's 'Exit 13' Cover? Really?
El Todd the Sex God's Def Jam swan song is named after the most unlucky number in the world. It's called Exit 13 and is meant to be released on 8/26, about two years after it was originally intended. 50...
The Interwebs
'The nOva Kirk-Out Prevention Initiative'
Major props to DJ Stylus for godfathering the new mission. As many of you know, SoulBounce was featured on the Friday Favecast in celebration of our birthday. The interview was fun, chilled, and quite revealing! You'll learn juicy SoulBouncey secrets...
Media Watch
So Big Tigger Plays for Our Team After All?
Get your mind out of the gutter! What we're talking about here is a recent profile in WaPo, in which they spoke to five DC-area radio personality/deejays about what they do and why they do it, along with a few other insightful tidbits. What...
Yes We Can!
SoulBounce.com is Campaigning for the 2008 Black Weblog Awards!
Did you know preliminary noms for the 2008 Black Weblog Awards begin this week? Oh yeah! They sure do! SoulBounce.com is eligible for some nominations because (1) it's a weblog and (2) we're Black. Check out our Staff Page for...
I Was There
Sketches of a Dwele Concert
Our visitor and friend IKandiDiva recently attended the Charlotte, NC stop of Dwele's "Sketches of a Man" tour and you know what? He was good, she says! I've heard some conflicting opinions regarding Dwele's mastery of the stage. I've seen...
Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs
#24: Mary J. Blige 'My Life'
A long time ago, before Mary J. Blige's My Life passed into becoming a classic--her defining moment, the R&B album by which we gauge all succeeding R&B albums, the album that we play on repeat to get over that trifling...
SoulBounce Sampler, Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs
Get The SoulBounce Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs On iTunes
We are now in the homestretch of the SoulBounce Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs countdown. Songs 50-26 showcased a range of songs and artists from the last 30 years that your SoulBounce Editors and our esteemed panel chose amongst our...
Media Watch
You and I Drove D'Angelo to Drink
Did any of you read that D'Angelo piece in SPIN? If not, don't, because then you will feel guilty. You see, when D'Angelo did his naked "Untitled" video, people all of a sudden thought he was a sex symbol. Then,...
First Spin
What Do You Get When You Mix an Icon with an Akon?
After Mariah validated T-Pain and Janet validated Plies, we now have Whitney Houston inserting herself back into the game with none other than Akon via "Like I Never Left." This is as creatively-insipid as it is commercially-strategic. Some would argue...
Crowd Participation
QUESTION: How Do You Define 'Grown Folks Music'?
While we cover many aspects of Black music here at SoulBounce, our chief focus has always been Grown Folks' Music. In explaining the site to someone, it occurred to me that I wasn't precisely sure what "Grown Folks' Music" meant,...
The Interwebs
Is About.com's List of the 'Best Rap Albums of the 90s' Random, or Just Common Sense?
Although some of you out there may not like it, we talk about Hip Hop here at SoulBounce. There will probably never come a day that we won't. That being said, I happened upon About.com's Best Rap Albums of the...
Media Watch
Is the Blogosphere Ruining the Discussion of Music? Just Ask Q-Tip.
The folks over at HipHopRuckus have some excerpts from Q-Tip's upcoming interview with SPIN magazine, and he has a pretty interesting (possibly polarizing) take on music blogs. Tip, I implore you to drop by SoulBounce 'cause you ain't seen nothing...
First Spin, Soul Cynic
Can Tank & Donell Jones Keep Grown Man R&B Alive?
When it comes to big R&B male soloists, who's worth a damn? R. Kelly? Nope! Because he's lecherous, creatively-repetitive and thinks he's a rapper. Maxwell? Maybe, if he stops putting us through this slow Chinese water-torture. Usher, to be fair,...
A Soulful Noise
Will Slim Emerge As the Most Successful Soloist of 112?
There's nothing wrong with a little friendly competition between comrades, especially when that competition is imagined and perpetuated by the Best! Black! Music! Blog! on the Interwebs. Without question, Slim is the most recognizable voice of 112 and he's poised...
Admin Announcements
We Want YOUR Concert Reviews and Photos!
(L-R: Butta, Anthony David, Vivrant Thang, nOvaMatic, Sweetlips)One of the most brilliant ideas to come to us via our survey was the suggestion that we have readers submit concert reviews and experiences. This is pretty ingenious since Your Friendly SoulBounce...