chris paul and keri hilson
50 Cent - War Angel REVIEWS
The Joker: I don't want to kill you! What would I do without you? Go back to ripping off mob dealers? No, no, NO! No. You... you... complete me.
50 Cent has just released a new “street album” called War Angel for the downloading delight of his fans, haters and the curious bystander.
All eyes are on 50 right now.
It truly appears to be make it or break it time for the rap mogul, who appears to have sustained some collateral damage in the kinda-sorta battle with Miami’s Rick Ross. Based on the marketing behind War Angel, one gets the impression that 50 Cent has reloaded and is ready to shoot up the competition.
“I Line N***ad,” the first song, proves 50 Cent isn’t really playing and, in fact, is working really hard to re-establish his lyrical presence. The song is standard hardcore street-hop that is appealing to aficionados. Similarly, “Talking In Codes” and “Redrum (Murder)” are short, terse songs that will satisfy advocates of samples and boom bap music. Lyrically, 50 sounds hungry and the ad libs on several songs are even equipped with animalistic growls. “You are now under my hypnosis / Summer Time grind, come out with the toasters / I return like an animal ferocious / New money breed new enemies, n***a you know this,” 50 barks on “C.R.E.A.M. 2009.”
There are no production credits, but whoever helped paint the sonic backdrop had a great set of brushes. It truly feels good to hear abrasive Hip-Hop in an emerging era of colorful hipsters. There are moments when you hear 50 trying a bit too hard still it’s easy to forget this rapper is a multimillionaire that rolls tight with Bette Midler.
With a street album called War Angel, this reviewer could have done without “I’ll Do Anything,” “London Girl,” and “Cocaine,” all which deviate from the theme of angst and hostility. Certainly, there is a place for such songs on a commerical album so the ladies and other proponents of smoother sounds will likely appreciate them.
And for The Joker? When it comes to quality of his music, it almost seems that 50 Cent’s best work is indelibly linked to Ja Rule – his mortal enemy. The hatred 50 had for Ja, brought out the best in the G-Unit General. But, he opted to kill Ja’s career instead of letting him linger. Same with Rick Ross. Rick Ross has continued to diss 50 Cent, but 50 never lashes back at Ross. War Angel is more than sufficient, however it falls short of picking off where Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ left off. However unfair that may be, it is what it is.
With other mixtapes on the way, War Angel is a good indication that 50 Cent will be 100-percent by the time Before I Self Destruct comes out.
Royce Da 5 9 Preps "The Revival", Digital only EP
Royce 5’9’s unwavering passion for music and hunger for the game keeps him in the studio day and night. For further proof, look no further then the amount of music he will be releasing over the course of the next three months, which will undeniably validate Royce’s place in the pantheon of Hip-Hop’s elite lyricists.
While Royce preps the release of his highly-anticipated "Street Hop" LP, (which will be released on 9-22-09) which is executive-produced by DJ Premier and has already generated overwhelming critical accolades alone with the release of street-singles "Shake This" and "Part Of Me" and the forthcoming self-titled debut LP from the buzz worthy Bi-Coastal conglomerate Slaughterhouse (Royce 5’9, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz & Crooked I) this summer.
On the heels of both releases, Royce will first be releasing a Digital only EP entitled "The Revival." "The Revival" will be released on 7-7-09 and it will include new tracks from Royce’s "Street Hop" LP along with a new unreleased Slaughterhouse track and will be available at all major digital retailers. Royce will also be debuting a new single and video for "The Revival" in the very immediate future. Likewise, each member of Slaughterhouse will also be releasing a new digital EP throughout the month of July and each release will contain a new Slaughterhouse track that will not be included on their debut.
With so much good music ready to be unleashed on the masses Royce asserts "I’m looking forward to releasing new music and touring this summer. Street Hop has been in the works for almost 2 years and the release date will be here before you know it. The Revival will give people a chance to see what I’ve been up to and what to expect from the album. The month of July will belong to Slaughterhouse with the release of our full length group album and solo EP’s from me followed by Joell, Joey and Crooked. We will show fans why we are the ones to watch."
BET Awards 2009 Winners
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist: Lil' Wayne
(Dwayne Michael Carter Junior AKA Weezy)
Best Male R&B: Ne-Yo
Best Collaboration: Jamie Foxx featuring T-Pain - "Blame It" (Click for video)
(Blame it on the A-A-Al-Alcohol!)
Best New Artist: Keri Hilson
(Keri Lynn Hilson, representing "The Clutch")
Best Group: Day 26
(Brian Andrews, Willie Taylor, Michael McCluney, Robert Curry & Qwanell Mosley. This guys came out as Diddy's project at MTV's "Making The Band").
Best Female R&B: Beyonce Knowles
(Beyoncé Giselle Knowles, Destiny's Child)
Best Female Hip-Hop: M.I.A.
(Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam, UK/Sri Lanka - No one got Swagger like her!)
Best Gospel: Mary Mary
Best Video of the Year: Beyonce - "If I Were A Boy"
Video Director of the Year: Benny Boom
Best Actor: Will Smith
(Gettin' Jiggy With It!)
Best Actress: Taraji P. Henson
Best Male Athlete: LeBron (Raymone) James
Best Female Athlete: Serena (Jameka) Williams
Viewers' Choice: T.I. - "Live Your Life"
(T.I.P has got Rihanna's to watch his back with this choice).
Centric Award: Jazmine Sullivan
The 2009 BET Awards Nominees (28th June is the date for the ceremony and announcement of the BET 2009 awards winners) has been announced at the channel yesterday at the "106th & Park" TV show @ BET.
Jamie Foxx has announced at the show that he will be the host for the 2009 BET awards.
For the Best Male Hip Hop Artist Award the nominees are Kanye West, T.I., Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy and Rick Ross.
In the Rappers category T.I. & Lil Wayne has gained the most nominations - 4 nominations each! T.I. is nominated for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, Best Video Of The Year, The Viewer’s Choice Award and The Best Collaboration Award.
Lil' Wayne is also nominated for "Best Collabo" for "Turnin' Me On" on his Collaboration with Keri Hilson. Keri is nominated for 4 awards, but for the Female side Beyoncé Knowles is the leader with 5 nominations.