#MusicMonday ... Luther Vandross "Never Too Much"

Yeah, I'm going to take it back just a bit! Happy Monday and enjoy!



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Foreign Exchange Live at B.B. Kings in NYC

I got the pleasure to see Foreign Exchange perform at B.B. Kings recently in NYC this past weekend. If you didn't go, you missed a great show. Waited in line for a while in the rain for it. Well worth it. Check out the pics and videos.














Foreign Exchange - House of Cards



Foreign Exchange - Nic's Groove featuring Rapper Big Pooh



Foreign Exchange performing Bobby Brown's On Our Own from the movie Ghostbusters II



Foreign Exchange - Ig'nant Songs Done The Neo-Soul Way


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What I'm Listening To....Brian McKnight - What I've Been Waiting For

Brian McKnight "What I've Been Waiting For" / Evolution Of A Man In Stores & Online 10.27.09



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What I'm Watching ... Raheem DeVaughn "Bulletproof"

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Check It ... Diamond District "Hologram"

I caught this Diamond District track over at www.thisisrealmusic.com. This track Hologram is dope and is suppose to be on the upcoming project from the crew out of the DMV. Check it ...



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Check It ... Tony J "U Need a Man"

Check out new music from Tony J. According to his bio, Tony J is on a mission: "With the new generation of R&B artists singing tales of promiscuous lifestyles, today’s R&B music has lost its connection with love and romance. Houston native, Tony J, wants to change that." The track is pretty dope. Check it out.



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Download ... Jermiside "Die Jerm Die"

jermiside.bandcamp.com

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HIP HOP DISHONORS (SPOOF)

Affion Crocket strikes again. LMAO!

@OCSupreme Presents...Sex, Lust & Pain

Do you love R&B music? Slow jams? Music from the 1990s to now? Well, I finally finished the 3rd installment to my slow jam series I started putting together for my listening enjoyment and yours. These mixes are not easy to make. So hard to remember some of the older tracks that were dope when they came out. So hard to choose from the many new tracks slipping through the racks. And last, it's so hard to put them in an order that flows from beginning to end. Ultimately, I will be the one happy with the results but honestly, I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. Because I know the feeling when you're listening to a CD from start to finish without wanting to skip a single track. The feeling you get when all you want to do is play that CD over and over. Well, hopefully, this is it. Thanks!


"Sex, Lust & Pain"
1. Bilal - Soul Sista
2. Cassie - Leave You a Message
3. R. Kelly - Put My T-Shirt On
4. Keith Sweat - Chocolate Girl
5. Donell Jones - Think About It (Don't Call My Crib)
6. Glenn Lewis - Storm
7. Next - Butta Love
8. Amerie - Just Like Me
9. Tank - Sex, Love and Pain
10. TLC - Red Light Special
11. Mary J. Blige - It's On ft. R. Kelly
12. LSG - Door #1
13. Janet Jackson - Together Again (Jimmy Jam Deeper Remix)
14. Boyz II Men - Uhh Ahh
15. R. Kelly - Naked
16. Joe - All The Things (Your Man Won't Do)
17. Aaliyah - Can I Come Over
18. Tamia - Last First Kiss

Download Here: Sex, Lust & Pain
(For Promotional Use Only)

Get Vol. 1 Here: The Lights Off LP

Get Vol. 2 Here: Good Moanin'

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Battle of The Voices

Listening to my Zen on random is a beautiful thing when you have 7000+ songs in it. That's exactly what I was doing and that's exactly what it was when out of nowhere, it lands on a Lauryn Hill song titled "To Zion". Got me thinking about how much I missed her voice, her videos, her impact to the game of R&B and Hip Hop music. She was a very talented and uniquely amazing individual that comes once in a blue moon. A rare voice that can penetrate the soul of millions of listeners.

I can remember the first time I ever heard and saw Ms. Lauryn Hill when she was still Ms. before she became Mrs. Lauryn Hill-Marley. I was watching Sister Act 2 and there she was on a piano with another singer practicing off somewhere apart from the group. She didn't start singing until after her friend had trouble with a part. So she ask Lauryn, "Rita" in the movie, to join in to help. That moment there gave me goosebumps as soon as I heard the first 5 seconds. "I sing because I'm happy." And so I listen because you make me happy. Amazing, amazing, amazing. Check it out.



'To Zion' by Ms. Hill got me to thinking, I wonder who people would choose if they had to in a Battle of The Voices between Lauryn Hill and Beyoncé Knowles. I'm only asking about their vocal talent. Not about the overall package. If it came down to singing ability, plain and simple. Who can sing better?




You can go by Grammy's if you'd like. Beyoncé has 7 as a solo artist, 10 total. Lauryn has 5 as a solo artist and 8 total. You can argue the amount of years, albums and collaborations it took to win those Grammys, but my question was purely looking for people's opinions about their voice and nothing else. Here's the answers I received.

@thaLadyBlogga no question. Lauryn Hill. She wasn't running around in a leotard and heels but she could lay a track lyrically and vocally.

@djkoast just straight singing? B. But Lauryn has her beat with lyrics 20 fold.

@clarity4kia Lauryn. She made you feel. Beyoncé has gorgeous voice, but there is no depth to her songs or her interpretations.

@Karlnova Lauryn Hill's voice has more soul and she's more vulnerable in her singing. You can feel her. Beyoncé is strong but guarded

@CUTE_NESS Lauryn Hill hands down. Even on her live album when her voice is breaking she sounds amazing.

@CUTE_NESS Lauryn Hill also because of content. She has something to say and she says it beautifully..

@42TheGreat Lauryn Hill, hands down. She delivers her message with more sincerity, while I believe B knows her ish is mainly for the club.

@fancyxpaants no doubt Lauryn will make a grown man cry .. but vocally Beyoncé has more range.. =/

@ThroatChopU Lauryn! Beyoncé got a look, a sound and an audience. Lauryn has the same but is more genuine tho!

@BORNININIQUITY Lauryn, hands DOWN! and I'm a Bey fan..

@blunted215 Lauryn Hill, hands down.

@ReadBeanpie Vocals Lauryn. Beyoncé has 1 sound. L-Boogie has range!

@DontBeASkeptik Lauryn had more emotion in her voice than bey ever can

@BelascoBlack Beyoncé sound like she devoted her whole life developing her voice. Hill sounds like she had her skill down from jump.

@BelascoBlack Beyoncé = polished. Lauryn Hill = effortless.

@fiveeightyseven RT @BelascoBlack Beyoncé = polished. Lauryn Hill = effortless. <---- I agree. My vote goes to Lauryn hill.

@MellyMelss Lauryn Hill... Damn it now I'm gonna listen to her "The Miseducation...". "Loving you is like a battle and we both end up wit scars."

@Da_Bean_Counter Lauryn Hill... HANDS DOWN!!!

@_peech: I'd say Lauryn Hill - she's flexible in the sound she brings. Beyoncé can do a lot of runs but at this point, who can't?

This can go all day with opinions going back and forth for so many reasons. I thought it was a good debate to start and a good challenge considering both parties involved are vocally incredible singers. Completely jaw-dropping talent.

So, what are you thoughts, reasons, choice as to who's your winner in this Battle of The Voices?




P.S. We miss you, Lauryn.

Talib Kweli - Ms. Hill




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What I'm Watching ... Shad "The Calling"

I caught this vid on Shad's Facebook page. You probably know by now I think the dude is dope based on endless post here on the blog. This joint, The Calling featuring Jermiside and Destruments, is dope. The video was done by 360 To Nowhere and the track is off the Danny Diggs' EP, Introducing. Check the video ...

Shad - The Calling from 360 To Nowhere on Vimeo.

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Check It ... Nneka "The Uncomfortable Truth"

I posted up some joints from Nneka a few months back here on the blog. Caught this new single, The Uncomfortable Truth, that's suppose to be on her State-side debut, Concrete Jungle, which is due out early next year. The joint is dope! Check it out.



Also check November promo dates:
Monday, 11/9 - New York, NY -- Joe’s Pub
Tuesday, 11/10 - New York, NY -- Highline Ballroom w/ The Roots
Thursday, 11/12 - Boston, MA -- Café 939
Friday, 11/13 - Philadelphia, PA -- World Café Live
Saturday, 11/14 - Vienna, VA -- Jammin' Java
Tuesday, 11/17 - New York, NY -- Highline Ballroom
Thursday, 11/19 - Santa Monica, CA -- Zanzibar
Friday, 11/20 - San Francisco, CA -- Café Du Nord

www.myspace.com/nnekaworld

(Caught this over @ beatsandrants.blogs.com)



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