Category: album

Categories
album Health Michelle Obama

Coming Soon – Michelle Obama’s Rap Album

Michelle Obama is an accomplished lawyer, mother of two and, of course, the first lady. And now, she’s adding hip-hop artist to her impressive resume.

The first lady is lending her star power to a new rap album to inspire people to live healthier, more active lives.

Before you get your hopes up too high, no, the first lady does not actually rap on the album. But she is playing a speaking role in a new song titled “Everybody,” featuring Jordin Sparks, Doug E. Fresh, Dr. Oz and the Hip Hop Doc.

Obama teamed up with Partnership for a Healthier America to make the album as part of her Let’s Move! healthy eating initiative.

The record, “Songs for a Healthier America,” features music by Matisyahu, Travis Barker, Artie Green, Ashanti and Monifah, among others, and includes songs titled “U R What You Eat,” “Veggie Luv” and “Hip Hop F.E.E.T.”

Categories
album Entertainment Music

Magna Carta Holy Grail Review

I’m not much of a fan of Jay Z so I didn’t start listening to his newest album, Magna Carta Holy Grail, with some sky-high expectations but, I know what he’s capable with his music so I expected something that I’d love to put on my iPod. I was quickly reminded why I’m not much of a fan.

The first song Holy Grail pretty much sets the bar for this album, songs with sick beats, good intros, and good/decent hooks. Jay Z’s lyrics are another story; his lyrics seem uninspired, his flow seems off, and no matter who he has with him in his songs (Justin Timberlake, Rick Ross, Beyonce, or Frank Ocean) the songs just fail to want me hit replay. The entire album seems less of a big money album and more like a quickly done mixtape.

It seems as if Jay Z, who can surround him with the best in the music industry, just sat down and said “this is good enough”. Perhaps Jay Z should really retire from music and focus fully on his business ventures, those seem like something he won’t be happy just at “good enough”

Categories
album Music

Earth, Wind & Fire Album, ‘Now, Then & Forever,’ Set For Sept. 10

NEW YORK — Earth, Wind and Fire initially wanted to release its new album around the 2012 presidential election, but the band realized it wasn’t satisfied with the songs it created.

“We have a lot more bells and whistles in place now and the record is better,” singer Philip Bailey said in a recent interview.

“Now, Then & Forever,” the group’s first album in eight years, will be released Sept. 10. Bailey said the band called co-founding member Larry Dunn and others to help produce its latest sound.

 

Categories
album Entertainment Music

I Am Not A Human Being II

I Am Not A Human Being II (IANAHB2) is the tenth album from the rapper Lil Wayne and was released this past Tuesday, March 26th, 2013. Thankfully through the wonders of iTunes I got myself a copy and have run through every track on there, which is a first for me regarding any Lil Wayne album.

A little background information first, I am not a big fan of Lil Wayne or any Young Money rapper, or even am I a big fan of any rap music in general. I do admit to having rap on my Ipod and it is enjoyable to listen to while driving at night, so I decided to give this album a try.

IANAHB 2 seems to be lost between Weezy’s past albums and what you’d find off his mixtapes. Throughout the album you find songs that seem to be experimental and stray from what you’re use to from Lil Wayne (“Hello”  in particular is nothing what I would have expected), leftovers from previous albums (A remade “Hot Revolver” is on here), but also the same in your face, drug crazed, gangster loving Lil Wayne the world has gotten from his previous albums. The most memorable song on here is probably the most pleasant surprise (God Bless America) as it holds a lot deeper of a meaning I’ve ever heard come from Lil Wayne before.

Overall this isn’t Lil Wayne in his finest form, which is something you can expect from an album that doesn’t have the word “Carter” in it. While the songs seem to be off from what we’re use to from Lil Wayne along with some of his older songs recycled into here, it’s still something you’ll want to at least give it a listen to. As for me, I’ll be adding more rap music on my iTunes library and patiently waiting for “Tha Carter V”.

 

Categories
album Technology

Technology For Interactive Musical Experience!

New musical productions are increasingly making use of technology to embark their listeners into an interactive listening experience. Following the release of Bluebrain’s location aware album-app in 2011, several other musicians and groups have shown their interests for more interactive songs. The album-app by Björk that allow users to experience the songs through a game is another good illustration of this new trend.

Among the many producers who are setting the pace in this new era of music and technology, the “Appsongs” from Jorge Dexter stands out. Without going into the design of the app interface (which is great by the way), the idea of this ‘n’ project itself is just amazing. The listener gets to recombine the components and build the songs they are listening to in real-time. According to the app’s creator, there can be as much as 10^27 possible versions of the same song and the listener gets to decide what version he/she wants: “These songs are not solid, but liquid. They are half alive: always the same and always different”.

Which such innovations going on in this industry, do producers really have a choice but to go with the flow? What will the future of the musical industry look like? Are the days of static entertainment fading away? Food for thought.

The app is available for free on Android and iOS. Have a taste of the app by watching this video:

Exit mobile version