After several push backs, Ciara’s fourth studio album Basic Instinct will be released on November 2nd (according to her website… though Amazon is showing a December 14th release date).  A new song has leaked and it struck me as quite familiar… because I heard it first by a man named J.Lewis.  Shut ‘Em Up is a rhythmic driven song for Ciara to finally tell her haters out there to piss off.  Lyric highlights include:

They say I’m Hollywood, They think that I’m too good, Just handling my business, Where I live don’t make a difference.

When I make my booty pop, I Shut Em Up 

This song hasn’t been confirmed to be on her upcoming album - nor can you really find what her entire track listing will be.  J.Lewis must have sold the rights to Ciara, or at the very least, she’s done a demo track of it.  It’s still stands to be a mystery (hence the setbacks on the release date I’m sure).  I’ve always had a place in my heart for Ciara.  She’s got fierce attitude, an incredible body (thanks to her near perfect dance moves) and always seems to put out some good stuff.  Though, I gotta say, I love the J. Lewis version better.  Which do you prefer?


Ciara “Shut Em Up”

J. Lewis “Shut Em Up”

And check out this incredible DJ Mashup below!  Best of both worlds & what they should release!

Shontelle’s No Gravity album is available everywhere tomorrow!  Start the week off right with a dance driven song.  Heck yeah!

Shontelle - Perfect Nightmare

I feel a though this one was inspired by Apple’s new iPad.  Love the song but the video is alright.

WHAT THE WHAT?! Rihanna’s moving away from the dark & R-rated side and moving into a more playful and dance driven one.  Though we can’t yet confirm this, rumor has it that Who’s That Chick is predicted to be her second single from her upcoming new album Loud.  We’ve been playing Only Girl (In the World) non-stop but this one may take its current spot on rotation!  Leave your comments!


Update!  Rihanna has broken the news herself via twitter that this is not for her upcoming album but rather, a Doritos commercial.  Throw it on the bonus tracks to Loud, you won’t regret it RiRi!

Another great video today was released, this time by JoJo.  Simple and beautiful in black & white.  This song totally takes me back to Enigma’s Sadness song.  In the Dark definitely has a New Age flare!  What do you think?





Download her entire mixtape (legally!) here!

Today marks the 9th year since R&B artist Aaliyah was laid to rest.  The Princess of R&B sold more than 32 million albums worldwide and is known for redefining the ideals of R&B and Hip Hop.  She is missed and remembered by her many fans and loving family.

Another beautiful R&B singer hailing from Barbados, Shontelle has supported some great musicians and bands on their headlining tours.  Beyonce, Kevin Rudolf and New Kids On the Block have toured with Shontelle over the past couple of years, and this year, she may be headlining her very first tour.  With her sophomore album being released on September 21st, the internet has already been a buzz with a few leaks coming from her new work, with Rodney “Darkchild” Jenkins influence all over it.  Her first single “Impossible” was released back in February of this year and didn’t make a mark on the Hot 100 until May (getting on the charts at number 13).  Though she has had great success in the UK, maybe this album will appeal to the American market.  Her said to be second single is “A Perfect Nightmare,” and was produced by Darkchild (Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson).  Unlike the her previous ballad, this ballad takes off with a dance driven beat after a soft beginning.  I am digging it.  Could this be the single that launches Shontelle into the Top 10?

Shontelle - Perfect Nightmare

She’s been off the scene for quite a few years, despite her “Unplugged” album and two very quiet album releases of never heard before material.  The five time Grammy winning Lauryn Hill is said to be coming back out for a special appearance at the Rock the Bells festival (though which exact dates she’ll be performing are still unknown).  Ms. Hill has always been a favorite of mine and though her 1998 Miseducation album is really her only full studio album to date, let’s hope she has some new material up her sleeve.  Artists such as the beautiful Alicia Keys & souful Leela James have really taken her spot - though stylistically, I feel they have very different viewpoints from opposite walks of life.  Sony claims that Ms. Hill has been recording sporadically throughout the past years but still, a new studio album has yet to be released.

In honor of the incredibly talented Lauryn Hill, today’s Flashback Friday includes some of her greatest hits.  We miss you Ms. Hill.  Come back soon!

There’s A Thug In My Life - Rihanna by Wonky Pop

Where the hell did all the music go?  When did music suddenly become a theatrical display of shock value shiz?  Though right now, Christina Aguilera is my “girl crush” (sorry Alicia!), when it comes down to it, my favorite style of music is any singer-songwriter.  Artists like Bebo Norman, Ray Lamontange, Damien Rice, Plumb, Lauryn Hill, Sarah McLachlan, Norah Jones, Alanis Morrisette, Alicia Keys, Annie Lennox, Marc Broussard, Cary Brothers, The Ting Tings and Sam Sparro to name a few.  They don’t focus on the shock value, the fashion, the stage props, etc.  They are 100% focused on what they are best at: singing the music that they’ve written.  I’ve seen most of these artists live and there is just no comparison to a big pop concert.  I prefer the smaller venues, the ones with the concrete floors where 60 people are crammed into a small space, and no matter where you stand, you are in great eyesight of the artist performing (unless you’re standing directly behind my 6’4” ass, sorry!).  It’s when you go to one of these smaller venues, the artist can pull you into their world, tell you the story they’ve written and why.  I’ve seen more than 200 lives shows in my life so far, and it is definitely my drug of choice.  Live music.  There is nothing else on this earth like it that can get me that high.  Music is what makes the world go ‘round.

I’ve listened to this Leela James song “Music” almost 5 times in the past half hour, because I can’t get enough of the soulfullness of the song.  And the R&B vibe is just perfect for this (L A Z Y) Friday (I am definitely anxious for the 3 day weekend that lies ahead of me!).  The video which is a collaboration of years of soul music, is so well done.  It really expresses what Leela is singing about.  Where did all the music go?  Lauryn Hill, please make a comeback - if anyone can bring music back to its roots, its you!