Crunk music could see a rebirth this year (#NoWeezy) with Lil Jon’s return to the scene. Damn, this is a hit if I ever heard it!! Nice beat, smooth hook and great vocals from Mario and Kellz! This joint COULD appear on the King of Crunk’s new album Crunk Rock which is currently in the works and should be out later this year. Read the rest of this entry »

Artist: R. Kelly
Album: Untitled
Release Date: 11.30.09

Over the years, there are a few things we’ve grown to expect from an R. Kelly album – sexuality, enticing imagery, and great music – but he’s undeniably at his best when there’s an even balance of the Kellz trifecta. With Untitled, Kellz dials down the extra nonsense that plagued his previous albums, instead giving an intense focus on the music first, allowing everything else to fall properly into place. Gone is the endless soap opera drama and even his R&B thug persona took a backseat on most of this record. This, ladies and gentlemen, is the reintroduction of R. Kelly.

Though the album opens on a high note with the percussive club jam Crazy Night and moves into the afterparty salute Exit, Kelly quickly reels things in with some bedroom boom. It’s the slower numbers that dominate this album, much to the desire of his widespread fanbase. Sexual in nature, Echo is a true testament to Kelly’s unfaded musical ability, characterized by reverberated yodels – another signature Kellz move. The intimacy gets deep on the more literal Bangin The Headboard and the gloves are completely off with the ode to oral pleasure Go Low (“grab my ears and pull my face, tonight I’ll be givin’ you brain…” ). Whole Lotta Kisses smooths things out, evoking his 90’s style of subtle lyricism, and underpowered production – a definite standout. In contrast, Like I Do and the lead single Number One fuse Kelly’s signature sound with some new-age production, the latter featuring the steamy co-pilot Keri Hilson. Closing out the album are two ballads that would make any of his R&B counterparts envious: the sensitive crooning of Elsewhere which is a personal favorite and the mega-track Pregnant featuring The Dream, Robin Thicke and Tyrese.

For all its good, the album sees its share of disappointment, mostly on the upbeat club-themed tracks. It’s true that the album wouldn’t be “well-rounded” without some variance, but tracks like Supaman High and Be My #2 just don’t work well with the flow of the album and throw off the continuity quite a bit. Religious is another underwhelming track and Text Me sounds okay but I haven’t heard a sexting song that lit a good fire since Raheem’s Text Messages.

Untitled has a lot more good than bad and although it shouldn’t be considered classic, it’s definitely a much-needed return to form for the man who’s music increased the surplus population through much of the 90’s and the 00’s. Kelly’s strength lies in his ability to create good relatable music, not gimmicky music for younger generations. Quite a few joints to keep in rotation here so light the candles and set the mood, Kellz is back on it…

Shouts to my Facebook Fam for the Kellz debate, made me listen to this joint more ‘intently’… Jade, Sherrod, thanks for always supportin!

Sound-Savvy officially rates Untitled with 3.5 out of 5 platinum headphones.

Here’s the bonus track from the UK version R. Kelly’s Untitled album, dropping December 1st.  As a bonus, i threw in another track off the album below.

DOWNLOAD:  R. Kelly – Fallin’ From The Sky
DOWNLOAD:  R. Kelly – Like I Do

Never did I ever imagine that the art of the woo would come down to expressing the desire to drop a seed in a dimepiece. The lineup on this track makes it an all-star R&B hit, and it WILL appear on his forthcoming Untitled album, releasing December 1st.

Audio: Pregnant

Here’s a new track from the “AYE!” man himself.  This track was out a while back tagged up, here’s the no DJ.  Shouts to Young Kingz.  I’m constantly bumping this track; officially the first OJ Da Juiceman track I’ve EVER played more than once, most likely because of the beat & Kellz feature.

DOWNLOAD:  OJ Da Juiceman – Poppin’ (Feat. R. Kelly)

I ain’t mad at this joint at all… R. Kelly puts it down once again for the ladies with Tyrese on Pregnant, a possible cut off his upcoming album Untitled. I don’t know how many fellas gon dig this one… with Usher’s Papers blowin up this song might be a recipe for disaster, but at least it sounds good!

Audio: R. Kelly ft. Tyrese – Pregnant

New from Kellz. Here’s the 2nd single from his Untitled album, in stores on November 10th. Props to Young Kingz. Click the picture above to view the official album cover (high res, of course!).

DOWNLOAD: R. Kelly – Religious

(On a special sidenote, 11/10’s also my birthday. I’ll be expecting my gifts people!)

Full video featuring the sexy Keri Hilson. Kellz’ new album, Untitled, is in stores September 29.

We first heard these two together on Ciara’s debut album Goodies, with the song Next To You. Fast forward a few years and turn up the sexiness meter and we have Echo, not to be confused with her bonus track of the same name from Fantasy Ride. Very sexy, this track is due to appear on his forthcoming album, Untitled due in stores and online September 29.

Audio: R. Kelly ft. Ciara – Echo