A_Status

Hello all,

It's been too long! I will return shortly. Much to discuss...

Beanie and G-Unit Vs. Jay-Z

So, it's been a minute since I've last posted, but that's neither here nor there.

There are some serious issues that we need to discuss here. I am NOT feeling this Beanie Sigel saga or the fact that 50 Cent is using this exploitation of Beanie as free promo for his sorry-a** album that drops in a few weeks. (I would normally try to give an exact album date, but that's how much I just don't care...) I am 100% "team Jay-Z" here because you have a man that was given a wonderful opportunity, an opportunity that, given to most pushers and hustlers, would have caused them to give up their illegal past and pursue legit ventures ala Jay-Z, Fabolous, 50 Cent. But not Beanie...he continued to be plagued by legal issues b/c of a thug life that he just could not leave. He was on the most dominant hip-hop clique, had a clothing line AND a movie and STILL couldn't make something of himself?! And somehow this Jay-Z's fault for not bailing him out?! Shame on you Beanie. It's called being a man and I agree with Jay's statement that there is only so much you can do for a person. What he needed to do was stand on his on two feet and make some executive decisions but he chose to blow it all on foolishness. Now, he's a washed-up rapper running into the arms of "hip-hop's angel" (I say that sarcastically) 50 Cent. Hmmm...seems rather familiar, doesn't it? Does a certain MASE come to mind? We all see how THAT turned out!



And 50 Cent...the opportunistic chump whose glory days are well behind him, should be ashamed of himself. So many unnecessary childish beefs, for what? What has he contributed to the game? One classic album and a bunch of knockoffs after that?! C'mon man, let's be serious. The only reason why 50 is even still in the news is because of his exploitation of dumb-a*ses like Tia (Rick Ross' baby mama, Young Buck, & now Beanie Sigel). If he spent even HALF as much time working on improving his rhymes instead of this petty bull--, maybe he'd be decent again.



Anyway, Hov will most certainly have the last laugh. His money and influence is greater than 50 Cent's and Beanie's...he has Beyonce...and last but not least, Beanie will assuredly be locked up for something stupid again in a matter of time. The End.

"Death of the Autotune (CDQ)"

Ladies and Gentleman...H-O-V. Let's Go! "Death of the Autotune".

Okay. Now that this track has gotten a chance to settle, I can do a proper review. Wow, talk about coming back with a BANG?! The track is brilliant! From the relevance of the topic, to the confidence and defiance in Jay's delivery to the instrumental, the track is certainly a winner. For anyone questioning Jay's relevance, this track settles their doubts. Although lyrical delivery is slow, the intention and message is crystal clear and hard-hitting.

The track officially out at radio for 9 days has already garnered a respectable Audience Impression of 10million. For those of you unfamiliar with how radio works, Audience Impressions is a way to measure how many people are hearing your track per day. Solid airplay hits are anything above 50million and smash is anything above 80million. Power singles have had airplay as high as 220million although that is EXTREMELY rare and requires support from all radio formats (Top 40, Rhythmic, Urban, Adult Contemporary, Urban Adult Contempory, Country). Anyway, many songs struggle to reach AI of 10million in a 3week/month period so for the song which is just a "street single" to do so in such a short time is an accomplishment.

The official radio single "Off That" (ft. Drake) will be serviced to radio in July. I hope it doesn't disappoint.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings...What ya'll think?

Blueprint III--Ready to go right now!

Well, that's a slight misstatement. It's ready to go (collective sigh of finally ensues) but will be released on September 11, 8 years after the release of 'The Blueprint' on the tragic day in 2001.

Tonight, Funkmaster Flex will premiere the street single 'Death of the Autotune' exclusively on New York's Hot 97.

The official radio single is 'Off That (ft. Drake)' and will be serviced to radio this summer.

Looking forward to both of these fo' sho'!

WTF Files: Beyonce, Day26, Souljaboy, Jamie Foxx, Halle Berry, Electrik Red!

Beyonce is that you???

...YUCK.

So I find it puzzling and ironic that after Diddy has shown absolutely no initiative to promote his ailing group 'Day26' see 'The Bad Boy Curse Revealed,' and the $5 Stadium Music video that even THEY (#Confession - I dont really care for the "Stadium Music Video" LOL 5:12 PM May 31st from web from @Willie_Day26) don't like, that they'd shoot SIX additional videos!

Yess. SIX!

From Willie's Twitter on Jun 1:

Ok Ya'll we r leaving NY now headed to the airport to go to LA, We have 6 videos to shoot in 4 days , Got make these hot for ya'll!! lol12:16 PM Jun 1st from web

WTH?

So I'm assuming most of these will be non-single videos like 'Stadium Music'? Whatever...promotion is promotion so I guess we should just be glad we're getting something.

Ummmm, so Soulja Boy is smokin' weed live on the internet. Greeaaat. You are soooooo coool. Snoop already did this like 2 yrs ago. NEXT.

O, and what happened to setting a positive example for your fans?

P.S. Dude will be on Oprah shortly. LMAO!

Wow, talk about a come-up!

O yeah, and Halle Berry and Jamie Foxx made out, tongue and all at an award show that aired on Spike TV.

WOW! Jamie Foxx is a lucky dude. Look at his grip on her booty and look at her feelin' on his package. LOL.


And...what's really good with a Def Jam group flopping on the albums chart? The label promoted the group fairly decently but Electrik Red never had the support of radio.

Result: Billboard 200 Debut at #100 with only 5,000 copies sold.

LMAO! That is BADDER THAN BAD!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously? #100??? 5,000 copies sold? BA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

WOW...ok, ok. I'm cool now.

Wow...What do I think is the cause? Well, their overall marketing image.

These girls, IMO, come off as very arrogant and slutty and old. Nobody is tryna hear what you have to say when you come wit that approach.

First, come into the industry humble. Show off your talents...THEN gain our respect.

Also, none of them seem to behave like "ladies." Since when are women pimps cool? C'mon now...wit a song like "We Fuck You"? Your doin' too much...

So...what do ya'll think?

New Music--Thursday!!!!

Ok, Ok. I've been a little inconsistent and "New Music Monday" sounds better than "New Music Thursday," no doubt. I'll get on the ball next week.

Anyway, there are a couple of new songs that I'm actually excited about this week so lets get straight to it!

1st up:
RichGIRL- He Ain't Wit Me (Tho)
Wow, move over Electrik Red (I didn't really like you anyway) because these girls are like Destiny's Child pt. 2. From the Beyonce/Nicole Sherzinger hybrid lead singer to the Kelly Rowland look-a-like, to the J.Lo look-a-like to Ms. Thicky-cakes blondie to ...the other girl (lol), these girls have the look of fame and can blow (musically, haha...dirty minds).

The beat knocks, the video is fire, the singing is on point, the topic is relevant, the girls look good=urban hit and with good promotion cross-over appeal?

Verdict: A-

What do you guys think?

2nd Up:

T.I.- Hell of a Life 

Whatever You Like Pt. 2! I love it. It's got a great party vibe and is a familiar, yet not redundant, sound. T.I. barely ever disappoints and with this I am reminded why he is one of my favorite rappers.

This serves as one of the first official singles from the rerelease of double platinum "Paper Trail" due this summer. I'm not exactly sure how this will work as "Remember Me (ft. Mary J. Blige)" has already been sent to Rhythmic and Urban radios. Maybe this is going to Pop?

Anyway, great song.

Verdict: A-

3rd Up:
T.I. ft. Mary J. Blige-Remember Me
Ummmm...here's the other first official single from "Paper Trail" rerelease. It's "good"...but not great. It's been done before. I feel like this is Dead and Gone pt. 2, but I'm not as receptive of this as I am of "Hell of a Life."

Not a bad song tho, could be a grower. Lyrically, as always, T.I. is on point. The song is fittingly titled as he's off in jail currently as well. I guess I should stop being hard on the song.

Verdict: B+

4th Up:
Amerie-Why R U
Ok, so this ain't exactly NEW NEW, but it kinda went under the radar by me until recently. I mean, Amerie REALLY turned me off with that 1970s funk "Take Control" back in 2006 and I have to admit I'm kinda glad it flopped, lol. Cut it out wit the bullsh*t songs, Amerie. You're too pretty for that.

Anyway, this song is EXCELLENT. It restores her to her "Why Don't We Fall In Love" glory and should help her gain some of her urban audience back. I'm feelin' the old school vibe and the vocals on the hook send chills down my spine. It's just that good.

My only beef with the song is that the sound of the verses and the hook don't really mesh well. Maybe it's me listening too closely? Not sure.

Anyway...

Verdict: A-

Top 5 Songs of the Moment

So, there really appears to be a lack of quality music currently, but I'm sure that one can find a few diamonds in the ruff.

My 5 songs of the moment are:
1) Always Strapped (ft. Lil' Wayne) by Birdman
2) All I Really Want (ft. The-Dream) by Rick Ross
3) Every Girl by Young Money
4) Halo by Beyonce
5) Like A Surgeon by Ciara

I would recommend these songs to those of you who are unfamiliar with them as they are certainly IMO a great listen.

So, what's in heavy rotation in YOUR iPods, Zunes, or what have you???