Travis Scott just dropped a Skrillex-produced remix of “Sicko Mode” and it is [fire emoji]. Skrillex went full Skrillex on the beat, and it actually works. Check it out below.
I always forget that Tamar Braxton is a legitimate artist because the first things that come to mind when I think of her are reality TV and Instagram drama. That being said, I have never heard a Tamar song I didn’t like — I’ve never done a deep dive in her albums, but all of the singles I’ve heard have been solid. “Wanna Love You Boy” is no different.
The video looks like it was shot on somebody’s Galaxy S5, but I like it anyways. The colorful outfits and droptop Cadillac give me ’90s vibes, and I live for nostalgia. Watch the video below.
We now have a video for “ZEZE” and Travis Scott directed it, so you know it’s good.
The video is presented as “behind-the-scenes” footage, where we get to see all of the mishaps that could happen during the production of a music video, complete with a moody video director (played by art prodigy Steven Savoca). We also get what appears to be actual footage of Travis Scott directing the video. And, of course, we get all the special effects. Because Travis Scott.
Today in 1998, the video for Britney Spears’ debut single, “…Baby One More Time,” premiered on MTV’s Total Request Live. And just like that, a star was born.
With that very first music video, Britney Spears changed the game and became the prototype for young white female pop singers. Over the next five years or so, record labels would churn out one act after the other that was modeled after Britney in look and sound. As you can imagine, none of them were able to replicate her success because there is only one Britney. If there ever was a case study for an artist that had the much-coveted X-factor, it would be Britney Jean Spears.
The “…Baby One More Time” video was set in Venice High School (where Grease was filmed), with Britney rocking the now-legendary catholic school girl uniform. According to Nigel Dick, the video’s director, much of the video’s treatment came from Britney, including the decision to tie the shirts at the midriff.
“…Baby One More Time” would go on to become the first of Britney’s four No. 1s on the Billboard Hot 100 — it was also the first for songrwriter and producer Max Martin, who would go on to write 21 more No. 1s (and counting). I was only [redacted] years old at the time of this video’s release, and I didn’t quite get the hype, but it was clear that it was a new day in pop music.
Kelly Rowland just dropped a new single titled “Kelly” and it sounds like she really wanted to blend in with a lot of what’s on the radio. She’s sing-rapping over a beat that you might hear on a Migos or a Travis Scott album. It’s not the worst song ever, but I know Kelly is capable of so much more. Listen below.
“How Bout That?” is the fourth single from Quavo Huncho and I’m not sure why. The song isn’t terrible, but that album has much better songs to choose from.
Quavo didn’t help matters by making a basic-ass video. Check it out below.
Jade’s “Don’t Walk Away” is quintessential ‘90s contemporary R&B magic. With a thumping beat and a beautiful melody, it was hard yet soft, and years later, it still gets the party started. I often wonder if the bangers of today will age this well.
Written and produced by Vassal Benford III and Ronald Spearman, the song borrows the percussive beat of Kool & the Gang’s “Jungle Jazz” and the piano line from Stevie Wonder’s “That Girl.” The song peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the group’s biggest hit.
Like many other super talented acts from that decade, Jade didn’t last, but “Don’t Walk Away” has upheld their legacy through the years. Any true R&B fan understands what a chune that song is, and if you’re just discovering it, thank me later.
Zayn and Nicki Minaj’s long-rumored collaboration finally dropped this week. “No Candle No Light” brings us a singing Nicki, and while I’m usually quick to mention that it is not her calling, she actually does a decent job on this track. Check it out below.
Mariah Carey and Ty Dolla $sign performed “The Distance” last night on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. It was by far one of Mariah’s best live performances on broadcast television in a while. Watch it below.
Mariah Carey’s 15th studio album, Caution, dropped a few hours ago, and let me start by telling you that she did not come to appease anyone who prefers Mariah the balladeer. Whew chilay. This shit is hella “urban” (as they say).
The album starts with “GTFO” and “With You,” the album’s first two singles, the former of which has grown on me significantly since its release. The third song on the album is the title track, which is a sexy mid-tempo co-produced by Mariah, No I.D., SLMN and LUCA. It doesn’t sound like any No ID beat I’ve ever heard, so I’m guessing Mariah might have combined tracks to make this one. Whatever the case, the track is dope.
Tracks No. 4 and No. 5 are “A No No” and “The Distance,” and I have already expressed how amazing I think both songs are. They are followed by “Giving Me Life,” which has a beat that is laid-back and hard at the same time. If you’re familiar with her catalog, it may remind you of “Lullaby.” On the chorus, we hear Mariah reminiscing about a lover giving her life since she was 17 and feeling herself “like Norma Jean,” better known as Marilyn Monroe (one of Mariah’s biggest idols). The track features Slick Rick and Blood Orange, the latter of which co-produced the track but didn’t provide vocals.
“One Mo’ Gen,” like much of the album, is about secks; however, Mariah is somewhat more explicit on this track. It starts with Mariah asking if you like it when she puts her lips there. I don’t know where “where” is, but I’m reaching for my anointing oil. The beat is bass-heavy, and I hate to say this, but it kinda reminds me of Ariana Grande’s “Sweetener.” That being said, you can’t really copy someone who has modeled her career after yours, so that’s that on that.
Mariah shoots her shot at a potential lover on “8th Grade.” This one smacked me in the face right away, and that’s a huge statement because everything on the album so far has gotten a thumps up from me. Timbaland, who co-produced the track, comes through with his signature ad libs towards the end of the track.
“Stay Long Love You” is what the kids call a bop. The beat is bouncy as hell and Gunna (who sounds a lot like Young Thug) was a great addition. Co-produced by Mariah and the Stereotypes, this is by far my favorite song on the album. Mariah got this one right and I’m not sure why this wasn’t a lead single. If radio gives this song a chance — and if Mariah commits to making a music video that isn’t trash — this could be a huge hit.
The standard version of the album closes with its one and only ballad, “Portrait.” The song is will give you “Close My Eyes” vibes, not just because of how piano-driven it is or how personal the lyrics are, but because the melody is one that doesn’t quite settle. I’m sure Mariah put her heart into it, but this ain’t it.
The Japanese edition of the album has an 11th track called “Runway,” co-produced by Mariah, Lido and Skrillex — “The Distance” production team (sans Poo Bear). Over a sped-up loop of her own song, “Butterfly,” Mariah sings about overcoming struggles. At this point, there are few people in show business better-qualified to speak on this subject than Mariah Carey — she has been through it all and lived to tell about it.
Caution is the best album I’ve heard in a long time, and it hurts to know that it might go generally unnoticed. Mariah came through with the beats, the melodies, the vocals and the lyrics, and no objective observer can say that this album isn’t solid.
The saddest thing about the music industry is how quickly and intently it discards seasoned artists, especially when they are female. If Ariana Grande or Normani or even Beyoncé (who’s no spring chicken) put out an album like this, people would take note; but unfortunately, it was released by a 28-year veteran who simply isn’t on anyone’s radar anymore. This album will probably debut high on the charts, but it will (unfortunately) be forgotten soon, and that has nothing to do with its quality and everything to do with the basic ways of the music-buying audience.
Album rating: 9 out of 10 stars.