2008 Summer Sountrack
So if you thought summer kicked off during Memorial Day weekend in the United States, think again. Every year, summer officially starts on June 21, 2008 and lasts until Sept. 21. And that's three whole months of potential fun in the sun. And in celebration of the finest of the four seasons, your Guide to R&B has compiled a list of a dozen new and new-ish bright and sunny songs that could or should be blaring from your radios, CD players and TVs this summer.
"Magic" is the first single off Robin Thicke's third album, Something Else, which is slated to be in stores this September. Personally, I'm diggin' this track's flavor a lot. Not only is it real R&B, it also goes a long way toward proving that Robin's not a gimmick or a one-hit wonder. To play "Magic," click the "Stream the song" link.
Buy/download the songMore »
Young Steff is a singer with a great, melodic voice that definitely deserves to be heard. Steff, who's real name is Stephen Goldsboro, is straight outta Vineland, New Jersey, near Philadelphia. His debut album isn't due out Sept. 16, 2008, but for now you can check out his dope first single, "Professional," by clicking on the "Stream the song" link.
Buy/download the songMore »
Music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has a new protégé, and he seems to be more excited about her than he has been about almost any artist since B.I.G. was alive. Janelle Monae, who's signed to Bad Boy via her own imprint, Wondaland Arts Society, is set to re-release her Metropolis Suite EP this summer, and then her solo debut album, Metropolis, comes out in September.More »
Back in the '90s Chauncey Black was a member of the Teddy Riley-led vocal group BLACKstreet, which had the hits "Before I Let You Go" and "No Diggity." Well, Chauncey's back - this time with Busta Rhymes' Flipmode Records - and has just dropped "Everyday is Your Birthday," a BLACKstreet-ish song about pampering that special someone as much as possible. It's the first single from his upcoming solo album, Church Boy.
Buy/download the songMore »
Solange, who's Beyonce's younger sister, is gearing up to drop her sophomore album, Sol-AngeL and the Hadley St. Dreams, via Geffen Records on Aug. 26. The first single is called "I Decided," and yours truly hasn't really been feelin' it. The throwback, doo-wop sound here, (courtesy of producer Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes), is nice, but the vocals arn't that strong.
Buy/download the songMore »
This is the first single from Pretty Ricky's third album, '80s Babies, which comes out Aug. 26, 2008. "Cuddle Up" features the girl group Butta Créame, and their vocals add a different, smoother texture to the group's usual sound. Also featured on the song is the group's newest addition, 4Play, who recently replaced ex-member Pleasure.
Buy/download the songMore »
Ryan's the producer who discovered the "singer" Cassie brought her to Sean "Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Records and produced her massive hit "Me & You" back in '06. And like many other producers recently, Ryan's trying his hand at singing, too. His first album's due to drop on NextSelection/Univeral Motown Records sometime in August.More »
When Usher first dropped the original version of "Love In This Club," yours truly blogged about how I wasn't really feelin' it. Well, Usher came back with a remix of the song, featuring Beyonce and Lil' Wayne, and I must say, your Guide's liking this much better than the original version. Maybe it's the more uptempo beat, maybe it's the all-new, more meaningful lyrics. Maybe it's the regal presence of Beyonce. Whatever it is, this song's pretty damn tight.
Buy/download the song
If you've read the About R&B review of Lyfe Jennings' third album then you know that Lyfe has gone in a sort of new, sunnier (and more commercial) direction with his music. And if there's a song that best exemplifies Lyfe's new sound and outlook, its "Brand New," an upbeat, radio-friendly track about staying true and not letting success change who you are as a person.
Buy/download the song
1. "Magic," Robin Thicke
"Magic" is the first single off Robin Thicke's third album, Something Else, which is slated to be in stores this September. Personally, I'm diggin' this track's flavor a lot. Not only is it real R&B, it also goes a long way toward proving that Robin's not a gimmick or a one-hit wonder. To play "Magic," click the "Stream the song" link.
Buy/download the songMore »
2. "Professional," Young Steff
Young Steff is a singer with a great, melodic voice that definitely deserves to be heard. Steff, who's real name is Stephen Goldsboro, is straight outta Vineland, New Jersey, near Philadelphia. His debut album isn't due out Sept. 16, 2008, but for now you can check out his dope first single, "Professional," by clicking on the "Stream the song" link.
Buy/download the songMore »
3. "Many Moons," Janelle Monae
Music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has a new protégé, and he seems to be more excited about her than he has been about almost any artist since B.I.G. was alive. Janelle Monae, who's signed to Bad Boy via her own imprint, Wondaland Arts Society, is set to re-release her Metropolis Suite EP this summer, and then her solo debut album, Metropolis, comes out in September.More »
4. "Cryin' for the Queen," Little Jackie
Little Jackie is a duo made up of singer Imani Coppola and producer Adam Pallin. Their sound is eclectic, but can be described as Motown-style R&B meets doo-wop with a heavy hip-hop influence. To be honest, this probably isn't even technically R&B, but I'm feelin' their song "Cryin' for the Queen" so much, I'm going to list it anyway. On the song, Imani unleashes a vicious verbal attack on Amy Winehouse and her wild antics.More »5. "Everyday is Your Birthday," Chauncey Black
Back in the '90s Chauncey Black was a member of the Teddy Riley-led vocal group BLACKstreet, which had the hits "Before I Let You Go" and "No Diggity." Well, Chauncey's back - this time with Busta Rhymes' Flipmode Records - and has just dropped "Everyday is Your Birthday," a BLACKstreet-ish song about pampering that special someone as much as possible. It's the first single from his upcoming solo album, Church Boy.
Buy/download the songMore »
6. "Excuse Me Momma," Mishon
This singer-actor, who's still only 15, is taking on the music world with his new single, "Excuse Me Momma," which is the tale of a young dude who sees a beautiful girl at the mall, and does the gentlemanly thing and asks the girl's mother for permission to talk to her daughter. His voice sounds very similar to Chris Brown's, but Mishon insists that it's not intentional.More »7. "I Decided," Solange Knowles
Solange, who's Beyonce's younger sister, is gearing up to drop her sophomore album, Sol-AngeL and the Hadley St. Dreams, via Geffen Records on Aug. 26. The first single is called "I Decided," and yours truly hasn't really been feelin' it. The throwback, doo-wop sound here, (courtesy of producer Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes), is nice, but the vocals arn't that strong.
Buy/download the songMore »
8. "Cuddle Up," Pretty Ricky
This is the first single from Pretty Ricky's third album, '80s Babies, which comes out Aug. 26, 2008. "Cuddle Up" features the girl group Butta Créame, and their vocals add a different, smoother texture to the group's usual sound. Also featured on the song is the group's newest addition, 4Play, who recently replaced ex-member Pleasure.
Buy/download the songMore »
9. "Diamond Girl," Ryan Leslie
Ryan's the producer who discovered the "singer" Cassie brought her to Sean "Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Records and produced her massive hit "Me & You" back in '06. And like many other producers recently, Ryan's trying his hand at singing, too. His first album's due to drop on NextSelection/Univeral Motown Records sometime in August.More »
10. "Rev It Up," Qui
Jacqui Rice, who professionally goes by the name Qui (pronounced "Kwee") is the daughter of Hall of Fame ex-football player Jerry Rice. Despite still being a junior at Georgetown University, Qui's set her sights on music stardom and is prepping her debut album, Luv 'N Life, for release late this summer on the JJR Entertainment label.11. "Love In This Club Part II," Usher, Beyonce & Lil' Wayne
When Usher first dropped the original version of "Love In This Club," yours truly blogged about how I wasn't really feelin' it. Well, Usher came back with a remix of the song, featuring Beyonce and Lil' Wayne, and I must say, your Guide's liking this much better than the original version. Maybe it's the more uptempo beat, maybe it's the all-new, more meaningful lyrics. Maybe it's the regal presence of Beyonce. Whatever it is, this song's pretty damn tight.
Buy/download the song
12. "Brand New," Lyfe Jennings feat. T.I.
If you've read the About R&B review of Lyfe Jennings' third album then you know that Lyfe has gone in a sort of new, sunnier (and more commercial) direction with his music. And if there's a song that best exemplifies Lyfe's new sound and outlook, its "Brand New," an upbeat, radio-friendly track about staying true and not letting success change who you are as a person.
Buy/download the song
