Keri Hilson: The Beautiful Songbird

Her voice doesn't strike me as being powerful, but the 25 year old Atlanta native does possess star quality. Songwriter recently turned artist Keri Hilson has been writing for industry artists since 2001. Her repertoire includes singles written for Britney Spears, Toni Braxton, Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige, Ciara, Usher, Teairra Mari, the Pussycat Dolls, Danity Kane , Avant, Ruben Studdard, B5, Diddy, Chingy, LeToya, Ludacris, Rich Boy, Jennifer Lopez, Shawn Desman, Kelly Rowland, Nicole Scherzinger, Lloyd Banks, Keke Palmer, Omarion, Tiffany Evans, and Timbaland. (This sounds like the same list of artists Ne Yo has written for) Again, does anyone write their own music? Let's see, I didn't think much of this young lady until I read her Myspace bio. (mind you written in her own words)While her story is similar to most aspiring artists, she mentions one thing:

WHAT YOU SEE now took nine loonnnnng years of group changes, voice changes, situation switches, financial drought...there was so much upward and downward motion but the only thing steady was my relationship with GOD. He laid the love for music on my heart at an early age for a reason. So I always found comfort in knowing that doing music was my destiny. Never once did I question whether my dreams would see the light of reality. I don't force the hand. Things will be when they're supposed to be. And my time is coming...soon...I can feel it. SO I WRITE while I wait.

That's exactly what I like to hear. Patience is a virtue my friends (Like I have any room to advise) Again her music isn't anything out of the ordinary, but she does have a decent voice, a nice look and best of all STRONG faith. Although, I can't deny After Love (Diddy f/ Keri Hilson) was the most played song on my iTunes list totaling 378 plays. What can I say, I was feelin the song! :o)
For more check her out on Myspace http://www.myspace.com/kerihilson
I'm digging the houndstooth print on her page! It seems as if she's very articulate and quite educated. (Not that R&B artists can't be described using either of these two adjectives)

Why Did The Fugees Break Up?

Another trip home to Baltimore without my laptop or iPod. (How silly of me) (Besides it's not super safe to travel on the BUS of all places with a huge laptop) When I moved out of my parents home after Junior year I left only 3 things; linen, books, and my 1995 Sharp 3-disc CD changer stereo with a dual cassette tape deck. (how archaic is that?) The CD Changer doesn't work (I don't think it ever did) therefore I'm reduced to listening to the trash transmitted across the airwaves. After channel surfing (which seemed more like static searching) I decided to take refuge in a stack of old dusty tape cassettes I found in the bottom of my closet. Alas real music! Half of the tapes are broken in half and the others had the weird shiny tape hanging out, doubled in knots. So I decided to sit down and look through the towering piles of cassettes. "Hmmm let's see what do I have?"

*Jodeci Forever My Lady... not in the mood (this could be another potential post topic)
*Mariah Carey Butterfly...definitely not in the mood (Me and MiMi have a love hate relationship)
*Xscape Hummin Comin At Cha... that's cool but I can't listen from beginning to end
*Fugees The Score... Oh yes... I completely forgot about The Fugees

So, popped it in the tape deck and now I'm back in 1996. The Score has sold over 18 million copies world wide and was the official album that helped the Fugees gain wide range, international exposure. The Fugees (short for Refugees)released 3 singles from The Score peaking under 25 on the Billboard charts.(see text below)

Killing Me Softly Fugees(feat. Lauryn Hill) Peaked at 1
Fu-Gee-La Fugees(Refugee Camp) Peaked at 13
Ready Or Not Peaked at 22

Thinking back, this album was undeniably sagacious. The Score touched on various social issues including, police brutality, poverty, sexism, immigration, and racism. (In my opinion groups with members of various backgrounds have the potential to cover a wider range of social issues) Years later I can respect and agree with the tenacious lyrics as opposed to simply admiring the music for the way it sounds. Check out lyrics from one of my FAVORITE Lauryn Hill verses. (The Score: Manifest)

You see I loved hard once, but the love wasn't returned
I found out the man I'd die for, he wasn't even concerned
And time it turned,
He tried to burn me like a perm
Though my eyes saw the deception, My heart wouldn't let me learn
From um, some, dumb woman, was I,
And everytime he'd lie, he would cry and inside I'd die.
My heart must have died a thousand deaths
Compared myself to Toni Braxton thought I'd never catch my breath Nothing left, he stole the heart beating from my chest
I tried to call the cops, that type of thief you can't arrest
Pain suppressed, will lead to cardiac arrest
Diamonds deserve diamonds, but he convinced me I was worth less
when my peoples would protest,
I told them mind their business, cause my s*** was complex
More than just the sex
I was blessed, but couldn't feel it like when I was caressed
I'd spend nights clutching my breasts overwhelmed by God's test
I was God's best contemplating death with a Gillette
But no man is ever worth the paradise MANIFEST
Try this site for lyrics

Where are they now? History has taught us, "All good things must come to an end", thus one of the many theories behind the Fugees 1997 breakup. The Score was regarded as one of the best Hip Hop albums of its time as a result spawning the successful solo careers of both Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean.
So what are they doing now?
Lauryn Hill is a 8 time Grammy award winner and 19 time Grammy award nominee. Hill's ongoing prestigious list of accomplishments include 3 World Music Awards, 3 American Music Awards, and a Soul Train Sammie Davis Jr. Entertainer of the Year Award. There's no doubt the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (which I pre-ordered from Sam Goddie 2 weeks before its' release) was received as one of the decades most highly anticipated,best selling albums. Ms. Hill's debut album had a powerful R&B impact and set relatively untouchable industry standards. (To think this was the same girl who was originally "escorted" (booed) off stage for her Amatuer night performance on the Apollo) Below are a few tracks from the Miseducation and peak positions on the Billboard charts

Lost Ones Peaked at #27
Doo Wop (That Thing) Peaked at #2
Ex-Factor Peaked at #7
Nothing Even Matters(feat. D'Angelo) Peaked at #25
Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You Peaked at #45
To Zion Peaked at #77
Everything Is Everything Peaked at #14

We heard from Ms. Hill again in 2002 with the release of MTV's Unplugged According to Wikipedia, Most of the songs featured only an acoustic guitar and her voice, somewhat raspy from rehearsal on the day before the recording. Hill used the set as an opportunity to give information on why she had been absent from the public for a period of time and what she had found while away. Critical reception was mixed, but the album received platinum status. Since then, we've seen a few miscellanous tracks here and there but nothing substantial. Where are you L Boogs?


Wyclef, or shall we call him Mr. Producer/collaboration/hook singing extrordinaire, had a number of successful albums/collaborative efforts since the Fugees breakup. (See stats below)

We trying To Stay Alive Peaked at #14
Guantanamera(f/ Refugee All Stars) Peaked at # 23
NoNoNo Part 2(Destiny's Child f/Wyclef) Peaked at # 1
Gone Til November Peaked at #9(Who knew R Kelly sang background vocals on this track)
911(feat Mary J Blige) Peaked at # 6
Two Wrongs(f/Claudette Ortiz) Peaked at #11
(please note these are only singles peaking at 25 or under)

I respect Wyclef for his random ability to reappear with hit singles after 1-2 year hiatuses. Mr. Jean doesn't necessarily posses the greatest singing voice, but for what it's worth he's both entertaining and memorable. Wyclef has contributed to a number of charities and since became active in his support of his native country and created the foundation Yéle Haiti to provide humanitarian aid and assistance to Haïti. He describes Yéle as a non-political organization intended to empower the people of Haïti and the Haïtian diaspora to rebuild their nation(Wikipedia)In addition he's also a very note worthy producer. (see music player below for a few Wyclef post-Fugee singles)

And well Praswell, I'm not going to include because he isn't one of my favorite artists.(mainly because I'm tired of typing and there isn't much note worthy information about him on the internet) Ok that's not fair! I've included a few tracks(see media player below)
My take on things--- The Fugees offsprings happen to be two of my favorite artists. As stated before, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was pre-orderd two weeks before its release. (Yes I was extremely HYPE) Till this day I continue to use the Miseducation as a source of reference. The lyrics remedy anything from a broken heart to being able to learn how to dig deep and unmask your true inner woman. (I know, a bit mushy but who cares) Lauryn Hill can do NO wrong in my eyes. I don't care if she was strung out living on the street, she'd always have a place to stay in my home! (provided I have a place to stay by the end of the year) lol Moving on..."911" has been my mother and I (I think that's how you say it) sing-a-long song since its release in 2000. (We role play as if we are Wyclef and Mary J. Blige. Of course I'm Mary and she's Wyclef :o) So fast forward to 2008 (ok enough of the 1996 pre-adolescent-time machine-music reminiscing)I'm sitting in my room curling my hair, listening to The Score, and wishing for a Fugees reunion. Although there isn't much hope for a Fugees reunion Part 2 the legacy (The Score)left behind will be transcended throughout generations. We will always remember Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and um ... what's his name? lol Praswell

Teanie Bopper Part Duex: Teyana Taylor

I'm really starting to believe Harlem USA is its own planet. I mean, have you ever been? As soon as you step off the train and breathe the air, it's almost as if you've walked onto the pages of a story book. The place is quite magical and by far one of the most historical neighborhoods New York City has to offer. (Ok enough...moving on) Our second teenie bopper for the week ,Teyana Taylor, is Star Trak Entertainment's new teen protege. The 17 year old singer/rapper skipped onto the scene in 2007 decked out in her fresh Air Force Ones, Heatherette dresses and 10 speed mountain bikes. Her debut album From A Planet Called Harlem was scheduled for release in August. Although the album didn't drop, the Jazzy Pha produced hit single Google Me has received lots of attention over the internet via Youtube. You've also probably seen her 80s themed MTV Super Sweet 16 episode. (You know you're getting old when kids have themed parties for the decade you were born)But what else is there to know about the self proclaimed teen president of the nerd squad? This excerpt from a Trace Magazine article discusses Ms. Taylor's sense of style, her working relationship with Pharrell, and even her somewhat secret crush.(provided through Concrete Loop)

TEYANA ON TEACHING BEYONCE
Beyoncé even enlisted Teyana to teach her the dance for a segment in her “Ring The Alarm” video.

“She was mad focused and really wanted to learn,” recalls Teyana.

TEYANA ON HER CRUSH
“It’s Shia Labeouf! I’ve got my eye on him. I mean, for real. He’s so cute and I looove his swagger.”

But she makes sure to note that her career is her boyfriend

“Yeah, I do have my eye on Shia, but to be honest performing is my boyfriend right now. That’s just what I really love and we’ve been together for so long.”

TEYANA ON HER LOOK
“I always stood out as far as dressing,” she says. “I like to look different and people know me for that. My look is a mix of old-school hip-hop and skater.”

TEYANA ON PHARRELL
“I sang for the Senior Vice President of A&R at Universal, and he asked me the top five people I would really want to work with and my first three were Pharrell. It was crazy to meet him. I mean I love that dude and we connected,” Teyana recalls.

Pharrell couldn’t agree more, “I heard about how talented she was, and I wanted to meet her. I was impressed she could, sing, dance and rap, so we gave her a shot.”

TEYANA ON RECEIVING FREE CLOTHES FROM ‘HEATHERETTE’
“I love their clothes. They make a dress, and it’s not like a pretty princess dress. It’s not girlie but more rock star and out there. That’s like the only dresses I’ll wear. They are just like me – they are unique and don’t care what people say. I fell in love with them, and them with me,” says Teyana.

In all honesty, I think the young teenie booper's style is more engaging then her music. Don't get me wrong, I dig a few of her songs. Let's see, if I were a stary eyed, naive 16 year old kid I would probably ditch Lil Momma and go cop From A Planet Called Harlem as soon as it droped. But since I'm past the teenage love affair stage and looking more for...umm grown up music, I'll just download a few tracks from iTunes. The fact she's Pharell's young protege and the most recent act in the Star Trak line up has her teenage fans in a craze. Having a great production squad is half the battle, and when one of your label mates is the King of hot beats its almost inevitable that you'll sell records. She can dance, she can sing, she has tremendous style, and she's interesting. After all there's nothing worse than a boring entertainer. (cough cough Deborah Cox, Maxwell, just to name a few) Check out her website for more information on tour dates, events, and featured articles.

New Videos

Camp Lo - Pop Champagne I can dig this-- Who remembers Camp Lo?


Beyoncé Knowles - Halo Beyonce is looking uber pale now-a-days :o( This song makes so much sense when you're in love


Beyoncé Knowles - Diva Ladies please don't start wearing the shingle glasses...Absolute MESS. I don't quite understand this video and as David Alan Greer put it, "The blackest most hood thing about Beyonce is Jay-Z" lol


Plies - Street Light (feat. Sean Garrett)


Yung Berg - Outerspace


Gorilla Zoe - Lost


Anthony Hamilton - A Change Is Gonna Come


Young Jeezy - Who Dat? (feat. Shawty Redd)


Charles Hamilton - Brooklyn Girls This kid is going straight to the top*** I sure can spot talent


Soulja Boy Tell' Em - Kiss Me Thru The Phone (feat. Sammie)


Juelz Santana - Jingle Bellz (Feat. Starr)