Artist: Kanye West ft. Dwele
Song: Flashing Lights
Album: Graduation

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-MackN2U-

So I’m in the car goin to work, thinkin of how I can test out my newly enabled mobile blogging feature. Thank you to Brotha Fred’s AM Mayhem for playin the perfect Friday jam: Janet Jackson’s ‘Escapade’. So if your mind’s tired from workin so hard all week, save your troubles for another day, cause its the weekend! Happy Friday folks!

-MackN2U-

We all know the urban music scene has a tendency to focus on matters that are more superficial – bling, broads, cars and clothes. However, some artists have used their star power and status to speak up and address issues facing our world by providing knowledge to the uninformed, and a voice to the unheard. At Sound-Savvy we realize there are lots of politically and socially conscious artists and songs, but I chose to highlight just a few, for various reasons. Check out our 5 picks that made the list for this week, then leave comments and add your own.

Artist: Lupe Fiasco
Song: Little Weapon
Album: The Cool

A hot song by one of the hottest and widely overlooked artists currently on the rap scene. Little Weapon discusses the influence of video games on the minds of young people. The song presents an important factor: the fact that hip-hop music is not as large of a contributor to youth violence and destruction. The message is clear: kids who have not developed the maturity level to differentiate real from fantasy should probably find better hobbies than the Grand Theft Auto series. I recommend listening to these other songs by Lupe: American Terrorist, Streets On Fire, and Dumb It Down.

Artist: Jadakiss ft. Anthony Hamilton
Song: Why
Album: Kiss of Death

Artist: Lyfe Jennings
Song: You Think You’ve Got It Bad
Album: Lyfe Change

From day one, Lyfe has set himself apart from the mainstream urban community by being conscious of many major issues. You Think You’ve Got It Bad which features Wyclef Jean, stretches beyond the borders of our communities as well as beyond our national borders and discusses global issues. Lyfe and Wyclef weigh in on the poverty epidemic, AIDS, homelessness and the failing economy. For more from Lyfe, I recommend: It’s Real, and S.E.X.

Artist: TLC
Song: Waterfalls
Album: CrazySexyCool

A lot of people didn’t realize just how big this record really was. Not only did it bring light to a few social issues, the song actually hit home with a lot of listeners. To take it a step further the accompanying video clip struck a deep chord throughout the hip-hop and urban music community. Gang violence, and HIV AIDS are the main themes of this powerful song.

Artist: Kanye West
Song: Diamonds from Sierra Leone
Album: Late Registration

Finally, Mr. Ego himself. Placing himself to the side for a moment, West drew the ears of the nation when he brought to light the plight of West African children who work in the diamond mines to extract conflict diamonds and die in civil wars financed by those precious jewels. With vocals from the Dame Shirley Bassey, he added a serious tone to the black and white video clip and even contributed to a documentary which highlighted the seriousness of this issue.

So I just got in from the gym, my workout this morning consisted of 40 minutes straight cardio on the elliptical machine and 35-40 minute toning cycle on upper body machines. REWIND: Yes, 40 minutes on the elliptical. To some it seems like hell to get through 10 minutes on that damn thing, and it was like that for me when I first started working out a few years ago. I always get people that get on after me and get off before me, and they’re like “How do you go so long on that thing?” It’s the music in my Pod that keeps me motivated. I get on, type in my information, plug in my iPod, close my eyes, and GO! So for all my fellow gym rats that need that extra push, here’s volume 1 of my workout set of playlists, I hope it helps you keep movin’ towards your fitness goals…

1. Feedback (SoSoDef Remix) – Janet Jackson featuring Busta Rhymes, Ciara, and Fabolous from the Discipline album
2. She Wants To Move (Remix) – N.E.R.D. feat. Common, Mos Def, Q-Tip and De La Soul from the album Fly Or Die
3. King Of The Dancehall – Beenie Man from Back to Basics
4. Harder To Breathe – Maroon 5 from Songs About Jane
5. Ching-A-Ling – Missy Elliott from the Soundtrack for the Motion Picture ‘Step Up 2: The Streets’
6. Signs – Snoop Dogg feat. Justin Timberlake from Rhythm and Gangsta
7. Let Me Love You (Remix) – Mario feat. Jadakiss and T.I. from the album Turning Point
8. Play – Jennifer Lopez from her debut album On the 6
9. Lights Out – Danity Kane from Welcome To The Dollhouse
10. Stronger – Kanye West from his latest release Graduation
11. Pon De Replay (Remix) – Rihanna feat. Elephant Man from the album Music of the Sun
12. Phenomenon – LL Cool J from the Phenomenon album
13. Walk It Out (Remix) – DJ Unk feat. Andre 3000 and Jim Jones from his debut release Beat’n Down Yo Block!
14. Get It Shawty – Lloyd from the album StreetLove

While sitting around with my girls in a cipher, we got to thinking: when Nas went on a tirade expressing that hip-hop is dead, did he really mean what he said? So we broke it down, and this is what we came up with. Granted, this is a prospective brought to you by three 80s babies, it can possibly bring you to the same consensus…
Hip-hop is the foundation from which all other types of genres were derived. Hip-hop consisted of emceeing, deejaying & factoring in break dancing & graffiti. The essence of hip-hop has been lost, but it can very well be resurrected. Growing up, I listened to Oaktown 3-5-7, Run DMC (in my Adidas!) Salt N Pepa, just to name a few, but here in present day, I can’t stomach the acts that are out now.
I’m more on the tip of listening to conscientious rap; something that feeds my soul that GOOD FOOD, empowering me to be better, instead of the coonery that Soulja Boy & his crew are portraying. Don’t get me wrong, you might’ve seen me “Supaman dat hoe” a few times, out of fun of course, but that’s not real music. Artists such as Soulja Boy could very well be the main argument for why, in Nas’ opinion, hip-hop is dead. I give major kudos to Common, Talib Kweli, The Roots, Little Brother & other artists like them, because they bring real issues to the table. They have a fan base, but in my opinion, they don’t eat as good as your Rick Ross’ or Lil’ Wayne. How much weight can you push, or how many times can the word bitch or hoe be thrown out there?
The world has changed, and I can’t blame the young teeny bopper generation for the things that they don’t know about. They’re ignorant, only because they weren’t & haven’t been exposed to what REAL is. Hip-hop hasn’t died, it has been filtered, diluted & stored away in a time capsule; hoping to one day be opened & be resuscitated. For now, I guess as a consumer of music, I have to turn a deaf ear to this new gimmick they call music. Keep in mind these are just my thoughts & aren’t in no way shape or form meant to insult.

-Mello-

Usher’s new release, Here I Stand is set to hit stores May 27. We got a chance to listen to it, and it was so crazy that we had to do a review together for our readers. Click below to see what all the hype is about…

Mello: Looks like Usher, Mr. Entertainment himself, has created yet ANOTHER CLASSIC
MackN2U: Maannnn… if anyone doubted, they need to just go get it
Mello: we missed him in the spotlight..but his hiatus WAS WELL WORTH IT
MackN2U: this CD should have been called THE TRUTH, cause that’s what it is: True talent and true content
Mello: From the Intro to the end, hit after hit…
MackN2U: This album introduces Usher: The Grown Ass Man
Mello: The Husband, the Father, The Artist
MackN2U: Love In The Club, first single… Polow Da Don… crazy club joint
Mello: Moving Mountains…2nd single. It’s all about the back & forth rollercoaster ride of a relationship
MackN2U: produced by the Dream, and vocally Moving Mountains is just plain sick. He had to get into the zone to record this joint… so much emotion
Mello: Usher has always been a strong artist vocally but this entire album shows extreme growth on all levels…
MackN2U: yeah, but in the past, he’s been so busy cranking out dance tracks and club bangers that his real vocals are overshadowed, but not this time around
Mello: he really allows his fans to dig deep into his personal space especially on Something Special. You can tell his overprotective wife has inspired some of these tracks
MackN2U: and Before I Met You is the official “turnin in my playa card” anthem
Mello: if your a virgin to what Usher brings, by cd’s end.. that V-Card has OFFICIALLY been snatched
MackN2U: this dude is the truth… A lot of people are prayin for his downfall… they think Confessions was a fluke and he can’t do it again… but Ladies and Gentlemen
Mello: Usher is BACK and with a vengeance on the sexually enhanced track Trading Places, particulary one of my FAVES
Mello: He wants his special lady to do ALL the work
MackN2U: Wait… that’s my favorite track!!
Mello: in essence, lets trade places… role-reversal, U take charge
MackN2U: I like a woman that can take charge sometimes
Mello: Ladies..hear me when I say this…There’s nothing wrong with a lil role reversal to keep that candle lit in the bedroom, or your relationship for that matter
MackN2U: in and out of the bedroom
Mello: then….as a result of the work you’ve put in, your reward comes on part 2
MackN2U: exactly
Mello: and I CAN’T WAIT!
MackN2U: we’ll hook you up like we always do… but we wanna give you the chance to take control
MackN2U: But fellas can all relate to His Mistakes. Ne-yo did some work on this track…
Mello: reminds me of Musiq’s Previous Cats
MackN2U: “I love you girl, but I refuse to stay, payin for his mistakes”…But beyond the lyrics… there’s some beautiful instrumentation and vocals
Mello: I definately agree
MackN2U: I tell ya, Usher has some hot club bangers in his catalog… but he shines best on his mids and slow jams on this album
Mello: I’ve always been a fiend for Ushers slow jams
MackN2U: His Mistakes is a beautiful piano-led melody with a nice symphonic violin. It’s just beautiful…
MackN2U: The title track, Here I Stand… well every artist does their wedding song if you’re in the game long enough – every GREAT artist, that is and this is his wedding ballad…
Mello: yea. Great artist – that sounds better
Mello: Come on Mack…lets not spoil the goodies on the album…we gotta let the Sound-Savvy community take a listen first
MackN2U: aight, u right
Mello: cant spoil it, its only fair…
MackN2U: If there’s one purchase you gotta make. GET THIS ALBUM. Fellas, this is some real grown man music… but not old school
Mello: ChuucHHH! I definitely second that notion. Ladies…Usher is a man of his word…and he does look out for us too
MackN2U: Sound-Savvy slaps a double stamp of approval on this… this is Sound-Savvy Certified HOTNESS!!!
Mello: Bonafide Hotness
MackN2U: And ya’ll know we got no problem tellin u it’s garbage, even if we’re fans of the artist
Mello: and please dont do this man a dishonor and burn it. He deserves every penny….
MackN2U: REAL TALK!! and even if u do… just listen to it!
Mello: You heard it here first folks… May 27th…Here I Stand… in stores
MackN2U: Cop that!
Mello: you wont be disappointed!

MackN2U: Syesha’s gone!!
Mello: yea, she is… I was kinda heartbroken behind that
MackN2U: my little Beyonce clone
Mello: but, it was rigged
MackN2U: of course… they needed a man-to-man competition for the ratings…
Mello: and they did her no justice on song preference
MackN2U: yeah, her last song was the producers choice… how did she get stuck with something from HAPPY FEET? And David Cook gets the best Aerosmith song in the universe?!?!
Mello: now, here is where me & u will battle it out… Viva La Archuleta!
MackN2U: whateva… Cook is gonna rock it out!!
Mello: I was kinda wishing for an upset last night tho
MackN2U: me too… but it’s better that she went home now… she wouldn’t have won against either of them… not with as many times as she’s been in the bottom
Mello: yea, now she will be able to create an album with some freedom – without being under Clive Davis’ puppet strings
MackN2U: yeah, I’ll be buying it, and the Sound-Savvy community will hear about it… and David Cook’s album too
Mello: definitely…call me a sap but when they each visited their hometown, tears filled my eyes
MackN2U: uh… yeah… YOU A SAP!!
Mello: it was almost as if I were in their shoes, living out my dream
MackN2U: lol… but i know the feeling
Mello: I’m a sap, I will admit it, but there’s nothing like having that chance @ ur dream, and it actually comes true
MackN2U: it seemed like Syesha didn’t get much love… Archuleta had the mayor, David Cook was on Fox… Syesha was just in the limo, it’s like she got played big time
Mello: she’s black… go figure, sad to say…
MackN2U: we haven’t had a black female finalist since… Fantasia?
Mello: nope
MackN2U: jeez… I tell ya. She’s gonna be a star anyway… I can see her putting out an album and then getting a headlining show on Broadway and possibly a movie deal. She’ll probably get the cheesy roles first like Beyonce did with Fighting Temptations and Carmen
Mello: all you need is that ONE opportunity
MackN2U: but then she’ll get something that’ll set her apart
Mello: and more doors open for you
MackN2U: right… like Danity Kane said “All I need is one shot!”
Mello: let me get on TV
MackN2U: shiiiid… let me get on MTV… its a done deal!!
Mello: next thing you’ll see us hosting our own show: “The Sound-Savvy Hour”
MackN2U: That’ll be hot!!!

It’s funny how a video can change your feelings of a song. Once again, Rihanna is stunningly beautiful in this clip, and has that kick-ass “I’m-sick-of-your-shit” demeanor that’s just so sexy to me. I didn’t like this song initially, but the video is hot despite (or due to) its simplicity and brings a whole new life to the song. It’s interesting seeing her on the other side of the fence: on Unfaithful, she was the guilty cheater, sobbing over her sins. But as the victim, there are no tears, just take your box to the left and get gone! Personal highlight: Stand up, light the match, toss it, and walk away. I’d hate to be the dude she kicks to the curb…

-MackN2U-

You lie to me right through your smile, I’ve seen behind your eyes
Now I’m sober, no more intoxicating my mind, Even the devil wouldn’t recognize you… – Madonna, Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You

Artist: Madonna
Album: Hard Candy
Release Date: 4.25.08

Enter a digital battleground of rhythm and beats. Hard Candy is a clever disguise for a war raging between Timbaland’s team and Pharrell’s posse to save our pop diva in distress from an inevitable fade away from relevance. The verdict: a valiant effort on both parts as Madonna narrowly escapes the dying of her limelight with this compilation of hip pop. I didn’t know much about Madonna musically beyond her unavoidable singles in the past and her videos. I’m not now, nor have I ever been a Madonna fan but at the request of readers on Sound-Savvy, I gave it a listen…

Appropriately titled, this album mixes Madonna’s sweet pop style with some hard-hitting hip hop beats. On the lead single 4 Minutes, which features Justin Timberlake, Madonna gets into the groove and goes one place she’s sure to have a hit: the clubs. Opening the album is it’s Neptunes counterpart Candy Shop, a percussion heavy dance number by the Neptunes. Metaphorically, this song is a reminder of Madonna’s musical span – with 11 albums under her belt she’s proven her ability to make music for everyone. Dance 2Night has a disco flavor, reminiscent of some of Madonna’s early work but the cameo from Mr. Timberlake keeps the track current. Other dance floor tracks include Heartbeat (not quite as upbeat, but catchy), and the catty She’s Not Me. The latter is borderline girl fight and the material girl rags on her replacement: She started reading my books and stealing my looks and lingerie…She’s not me, she’ll never have my name…Overall the project lacks sensitivity in the vocals, which Madonna grasps at on Miles Away, a nod to the notion that love is stronger at a distance, but too much distance tears at the heartstrings: You always love me more, miles away, I hear it in your voice when you’re miles away…

Mack’s Pick: My personal favorite track is Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You. The beat is super hot, and is by far the best meshing of Madonna’s vocals with any beat on the CD. The piano lead on the beat sticks out, and Justin rips the bridge with an operatic-esque solo that could curl toes.

If you can overlook the fact that Timbaland’s beats are so busy that you forget whose album this really is, along with the fact that Skateboard P overshadows her on the rest of the tracks, then it’s actually just okay. Nothing really new here, but then again, Madonna’s pushin half a century with a tenure in the biz that’s half her age. There isn’t much new ground for her to cover and be successful. That being said, I hope Madonna realizes that there’s no longer a need to justify her love of the music anymore, she can take a bow while she’s still ahead.

-MackN2U-