February Misses

Welcome to March. It's still cold and snowing, so ain't nothin' new other than this music that I'm about to hit you with. February started off slow. The first few weeks of the month, finding 10 songs that were good enough to post about seemed like a challenge, but around the mid-way point, the ball started rolling and the jams started to be unleashed.

I don't know if it was because of Valentine's Day, but February released a lot of good R&B. This list is very R&B heavy, and that's with me leaving off solid tracks from Alicia Keys and Marsha Ambrosius. The February Misses are also somewhat nostalgic, with homage being paid to Michael Jackson, Anita Baker, The Fugees and Shalamar. Enough talky-talky, go ahead an check out what you missed. You're welcome.

Live Stream: Jay Z & Budweiser's Made In America Music Festival

It's official! Jay-Z can do no wrong.

Today is the first day of the 2nd annual Budweiser sponsored Made In America Music Festival that Mr. Carter spear-headed. Philadelphia serves as the setting for this melting pot of musical tastes. This year Hov has a line up that makes Lollapalooza look like a high school talent show.

Not only is the 2 day weekend extravaganza being headlined by Beyonce & Nine Inch Nails, but it boasts a line-up that features Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Miguel, Kendrick Lamar, Calvin Harris and a ton of other very musically inclined individuals and groups.

Public Enemy is there dammit!!!

For those not lucky enough to make it to Philly for the weekend, here is the live stream for the event. This is a stream from the Rocky & Liberty stages. For streams of the Skate and Freedom stages, click the link up above. If you close your eyes, you almost feel like you're in a mile-long line for the porta-potty. You're welcome.

"The Great Gatsby" Soundtrack Album Stream

This soundtrack has almost as much hype as the movie.  It was executive produced Jay-Z, and as much as it pains me to say this, I think he might have over-thought this one.  This whole thing smells like Jigga's best Kanye impersonation.

His song 100$ Bill falls flat in my opinion, there's just too much going on for my taste. As a matter of fact, that seems to be the theme of the entire soundtrack...too much going on.  Emile Sande has a remake of Beyonce's Crazy In Love, and Beyonce has a cover of Amy Winehouse's Back To Black featuring Andre 3000.  Both are over-experimental and evaporated all the soul that existed in each original.

Don't get me wrong, there are a few nice tracks on the LP, but all of the ones I was looking forward to left me disappointed.  Check it out for yourself, the NPR link for the full album stream is below.  You're welcome.

The Great Gatsby Soundtrack Full Album Stream

New Music: Janelle Monae ft. Erykah Badu - Q.U.E.E.N.

Damn.  Wow.  The title says it all. I don't think these two paid attention to Beyonce with her Bow Down sentiments.  Janelle Monae and Erykah Badu on the same track, if that doesn't draw you in, I don't know what will.  From the first chord, this song just exudes power.  You can keep your Bieber and will.i.am mash-ups, the game definitely needs more creative collaborations like this.  You're welcome.

Jay-Z - Open Letter

From the King of Pop, to new music from the King of Hip-Hop. What an eventful morning its been so far.  It seems Jay is a little pissed from a few things.  First from being forced to sell his shares of his beloved Brooklyn Nets in order to pursue ambitions to become an agent to NBA players. Then, there's the whole being investigated for going to Cuba for his and Beyonce's anniversary this past weekend. Looks like some higher ups took his bars from Otis a little too literally (Welcome to Havana/Smokin' Cubanas with Castro in cabanas).

I definitely understand the league's position, it definitely would be a conflict of interest.  Being the business man Jay is, he probably understands too, but he found a perfect opportunity to vent.

I love angry Hov.  His lyrics come off so much more fluid when he has something to get off his chest.  Plus, what other artist do you know that can get Swizz Beatz and Timbaland to come to the studio and make a beat so that they can "vent"?  Only Jigga.  You're welcome.

March Misses

Time to see what music was good, but not good enough to get it's own post.  A few odd ones this month.  Much to the dismay of Rush Limbaugh, Beyonce made the list, and Lil' Wayne almost made this list, but I chose another annoying P.O.S. (Chris Brown) to take his place.  I'm as shocked as you that these two shitsippers actually produced some good songs last month.  Enough about the mentally handicapped, let get to what I missed.