Kanye West — Yeezus Album Review by Jay Fingers

Kanye West — Yeezus

Brash, bold, and mostly brilliant, Kanye West’s sixth studio, Yeezus, ranks among his best work to date. It’s sure to be his most divisive album yet, even more so than the equally awesome 808s & Heartbreaks, and that’s okay. It’s not an album that’s easily digestible, especially after only one listen. It’s an album that pulsates with a dark energy and revels in its own vainglorious nihilism.

Working with an array of producers that include French electronic duo Daft Punk, Wu-Tang leader RZA, Travi$ Scott, Mike Dean, and the legendary Rick Rubin, and borrowing from a range of influences such as industrial, electro, dancehall, and soul, Yeezus pushes hip-hop way past its usual boundaries. Of course, that’s par for the course for any West album, but Yeezus takes it further.

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Tyler, the Creator – Wolf Album Review by Jay Fingers

Wolf by Tyler, the Creator

Title: Wolf
Artist: Tyler, the Creator
Label: Odd Future / RED / Sony Music Entertainment
Genre(s): Hip-Hop
Released: April 2, 2013

Tyler, the Creator is immature.

Surely this will not be a revelation to anyone familiar with the music that’s come from the Odd Future frontman the past few years. Yet despite a predilection for juvenile antics and shocking lyrics, Tyler is unquestionably a gifted artist, one who’s continually growing as evidenced on his third studio album, Wolf.

Thematically, Wolf is a bit of a departure from Tyler’s previous efforts Bastard and Goblin. While the album is just as dark (if not darker) than its predecessors, it’s less violent and less reliant on shock value. It’s slightly ironic that Tyler abandoned the “therapy session” framework from his earlier albums as Wolf seems to be his most cathartic work to date. Consider this his My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.

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Jon B. – Rockin’ Your Beautiful FULL STREAM + FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD

jonbbsidescollection
Who doesn’t love the blue-eyed soul of Jon B., who leaped onto the scene in the mid-90s with several hits including the classic They Don’t Know among others.

Released a couple of days ago, this mid tempo cut oozes with sexuality and really pumps.  We hope urban radio gets hip to this one. Enjoy! Read more of this post

Underdog The DJ – The Unseen MIXTAPE FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD

Underdog The DJ

This mixtape goes deep, hard and is so serious. Kudos to DC soulhead Karen Parker of the Massive Axel F posse for hipping us to this one. Including some less obvious reworks (e.g. SWV) and some serious dark dub tones, this mix is perfect for any time of day whether in the morning with that machiatto or in the evening with a glass of wine and your thoughts.

Tracklist:
1. SWV- THE RAIN (REEZEY RMX)
2. TEEBS- Bern Rhythm
3. Andre 3000 x The Weeknd-The Ride(@ RE_creator202 -TD202 Faded Too Long Remix)
4. MARK PRITCHARD- BEAUTIFUL AFRICA
5. J DAVEY- SHASH’U RAINCHECK REMIX
6. Calvin Harris – Sweet Nothing (Grandtheft REmix)
7. BENGA-PAGE YOU
8. MOSKA- BOK BOK
9. Ellie Goulding – High For This (Sliink X Kiff Remix)
10. LIL TEXAS- I Need U (Sango Edit)
11. DJ SLIINK- MARLEY RIGHT NOW
12. The Calling- (Xaphoon Jones ReWork)
13. ARNLD-WRLD
14. R. Kelly – Ignition ( Fingalick’s Clyde Rerub )
15. CRYSTAL WATERS-Gypsy Woman (Moombahsoul Remix)
16. Björk – Crystalline (Afroteque Remix)
17. ERYKAH BADHU- WINDOW SEAT (Afroteque Remix)
18. FRANK OCEAN- THINKING BOUT YOU (Afroteque UPTWN PERUVIAN :) DEDICATION REMIX)
19. FRANK OCEAN – WISEMAN
20. BARRINGTON LEVY – VIBES IS HIGH
21. Jesse boykins III- zoner demo
22. Telepopmusic-Brighton Beach

 

 

Osmojam – Si Tu Veux Rester (“If You Want to Stay”) FULL STREAM

osmojam photo
Discoveries like this are why we do this. Out of nowhere, we come across this amazing new singer, Osmojam, coming straight outta Paris! Yesterday, we brought you her brilliant EP featuring several 80s classic remade in a very soulful way.

This song, which is a teaser for her upcoming album, Echappée (Escape in English), sizzles with jazzy soulful tones and velvety vocals that make you feel warm inside. Enjoy!

Rating: A

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Osmojam – 80 EP FREE STREAM + MP3 DOWNLOAD

Osmojam

Title: 80
Artist: Osmojam (with Fabien Coronado on guitar and Kelyan Horth on Piano/Rhodes)
Released: December 15 2012
Hood: Paris, France
Rating: A

Osmojam Facebook PageOsmojam on TwitterOsmojam Bandcamp

We are all over this!  Beautiful Parisian singer, Osmojam, possesses a remarkable voice and an uncanny ability to transform some of our favorite 80s classics. If this short EP is any indication of what’s to come, we are too excited!  She nails every song and breathes soulful new life to each one. Well done from beginning to end! Read more of this post

Sivey – Prism Mix 003 Mixtape FULL STREAM + FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD

Sivey Prism
Since bringing us the Pink Matter remix with Frank Ocean last year, we were eagerly anticipating what would come next from this talented producer.  This sultry mix is just what we wanted.   Read more of this post

Bridget Kelly – Every Girl EP FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD + ALBUM REVIEW

every-girl-cover1every-girl-back

Artist:  Bridget Kelly
Title: Every Girl
Genre(s): Rhythm & Blues, Soul, Pop
Label: Roc Nation
Produced by: Shea Taylor, Reginald Perry, James Fauntleroy II, Greg Ogan and John Adams
Released: October 19, 2011
You Will Like This if You Like: Frank Ocean, Res, Teresa Jenee

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Elle Varner – Interviewed by TheGrio’s Kyle Harvey

Great work on this Elle Varner interview recently conducted by TheGrio.com’s music editor, Kyle Harvey.   Elle discusses her current tour with fellow Grammy nominees Miguel and Trey Songz.   She is certainly one of the most dynamic voices Read more of this post

2013 Grammy Awards Nominations and Predictions

We are happy for all of this year’s Grammy nominees but especially Kanye West, Jay-Z and Frank Ocean, all of whom have been featured on this site.  The Grammy Awards may be politically charged at times, but it is still the preeminent award show for music and attracts a global audience and hosts some of the most memorable performances in music history.  As such, we are very excited to present this year’s nominees and our predictions. (note: given the extensive list of categories, we will only focus on those categories and awards which we feel are most relevant to the soulhead community)

Event Details:
55th Annual Grammy Awards
February 10, 8pm EST
CBS (check your local listings) Read more of this post

Frank Ocean Interview – BBC Sound of 2012

Frank Ocean

Check out this in-depth interview with soulhead favorite Frank Ocean.  We’ve been down since the beginning and are eager to learn even more about what makes this rising R&B, soul and pop sensation tick. Enjoy! Read more of this post

Frank Ocean – Nature Feels Video (MGMT)+ FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD + FULL STREAM

Anyone who has been following us knows we are big fans of Frank Ocean. Since dropping his first album Nostalgia, Ultra and more recently Channel Orange, he has been on a serious tear. Despite all the talk about matters besides his music, this brother has kept his eye on the prize and is one of the most important singers to emerge on the scene in quite some time. This track is just bananas.  Inspired by alt rock outfit, MGMT‘s hit Electric Feel, it captures one of Frank’s earliest intimate moments. The video is well done and pulls you into the theme of the tune.  We really dig this. Enjoy!

Grade: A
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Frank Ocean – Pink Matter featuring Andre’ 3000 (Slow Burn edit) by Sivey FREE MP3 Download + Stream

Artist: Frank Ocean
Title: Pink Matter
Remix by: Sivey
Released: November 27, 2012

Pink Matter is one of the standout tracks from Frank Ocean‘s new Channel Orange album and this re-edit by producer Sivey makes ample use of the atmospheric track and reimagines it into something even more beautiful.  For those of you who are new to Frank Ocean, we have been down since the beginning so check out his first work here.  Enjoy.

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Tuac – Higher Ground FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD


Title: Higher Ground
Artist: Tuac (pronounced “Tuck”)
From: Brooklyn, NY
Label: KPI
Released: October 2012

We are too proud to do our part for this incredible man and artist, Tuac (pronounced “Tuck”), who has been a friend of soulhead.com founder, Ron Worthy, for the past 12 years.  Personal friendship notwithstanding, this new single showcases Tuac’s very capable and strong voice as well as his songwriting abilities.  This very soulful uptempo song just makes you feel good from beginning to end and serves as the perfect lead single for Tuac’s forthcoming EP of the same name due out on KPI on November 6, 2012.  This singer, who recently starred in the Bluest Note, a film featured at this year’s UrbanWorld Film Festival, is definitely on the rise and reaping the benefits of years of hard work and personal growth.  We will certainly be on the lookout for this one.

soulhead Founder Ron Worthy, wife Dana Worthy and Artist Tuac

soulhead Founder Ron Worthy, wife Dana Worthy and Artist Tuac


Download this FREE Tuac Higher Ground Single

Frank Ocean – Thinkin’ Bout You FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD

Frank Ocean - Thinkin Bout You FREE MP3

soulheads worldwide know we are down with Frank Ocean, his message, style and artistry.   Since his indie released  Nostalgia Ultra mixtape, he has been making waves on his own and as a part of the notoriously wild Odd Future crew.  As such, we were right there with Lady Gaga who tweeted her prediction that Frank would take 2012 MTV Video Music Awards to the next level and basically own the show, which he did. Read more of this post

GLAM.I.Rock – FBGM Mixtape + Track-By-Track Review by Thembisa S. Mshaka FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD

Artist:  Glam.I.Rock
Title:  FBGM Mixtape
Release Date:  April 2, 2012

Track-by-Track Review By Thembisa S. Mshaka

The GLAM in her name stands for Good Lyrics And Music, and so does she. The ‘I.Rock’ is self explanatory: she rocks confidence, intelligence, and a mischievous streak that every 21 year-old should wear like a badge of honor—without letting it lead to their demise. She’s got a killer shape, but thankfully, she doesn’t lead with that like most young women artists. She wants to be heard above all. And though she’s young, you know she’s a student of great hip-hop that precedes her when you hear her say “ain’t no future in yo frontin’” on the first cut. A percussion prodigy, GLAM is the rare combination of a hip hop artist who is actually a musician. This makes her musical choices more complex than many of the new artists in the field. Though she swerves into pop and R&B lanes, line her up next to Frank Ocean instead of Nicki Minaj (no shade). Read more of this post

MeLo-X: Inside the Mind of MeLo 2 FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD

Artist:  MeLo-X
Title:  Inside the Mind of MeLo
Release Date: March 28, 2012
Produced By: MeLo X

Ne-Yo – Lazy Love FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD + RATING

Title: Lazy Love
Artist: Ne-Yo
Label: Def Jam
Released: May 14, 2012

We are digging this new slow jam from R&B renaissance man Ne-Yo’s forthcoming LP R.E.D. (Realizing Every Dream) (due this Fall). This cat honestly has such an incredible songwriting record that it seems he cannot lose. The song, an ode to that can’t get outta bed lovin, will surely be popular this Summer and beyond. While not as catchy as its alter-ego Crazy Love, its simple story, hook and lush melodies make this one a winner. Read more of this post

Frank Ocean – White (Gentrification Mix) Feat. Melo-X FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD

This brother is on fire. Just after leaking Whip Appeal, Frank Ocean releases this very ethereal and moody track with remix assistance from Melo X, who drops some serious knowledge. We really love the fact that this artist is prolific and seems to really want to push the boundaries of what R&B should sound like. Well done.

Frank Ocean– “Whip Appeal” – FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD

We are loving this new track from one of the hottest cats in the World right now, Frank Ocean.   Seemingly adjunct member of the West Coast Hip-Shock contingent, Odd Future, Mr. Ocean gives soulheads a nice sexy groove tailor made for long drives or cruising the block.  The cut, which is an obvious take on Babyface’s classic, winds around the corners like a brand new sports car and will appeal to the fellas and ladies alike.  Cop this one and be the cool man on campus (or neighborhood).

Nice one Frank. We have been on board since Nostalgia Ultra and this new project sounds like it is heading in the right direction!

To download this track, Click Here enter this code: nsVGtMj4qo8

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