Rest In Peace Hev.

MC Lyte dropped a new track “Jook Joint” via her twitter. It goes hard.

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Because of the dreamer, I have become an achiever. We have by no means transcended racial issues in the US. We still have a LONG way to go. Yet, I acknowledge that great change has been made, sparked by the vision Dr. King had for his people. Today, I sit in reflection of what it means to be a black woman in America in the afterglow of Dr. King’s movement. My generation in particular has benefited greatly as a result of his struggle. Our quandary these days is that America feels the debt of racial violence and ignorance has been paid in full. Our kids will have to deal with the lack of apathy of their peers, who feel like equality means absolution. As America continues to re-write history often forgetting or smoothing over it’s history of racial hate and violence towards people of color, it’s important that we continue to teach our kids our legacy of struggle, never forgetting those such as Dr. King and Malcolm X, who paid the ultimate price so that we could be whatever we set our hearts and minds to achieve. Happy Birthday Dr. King.

Download DJ Kut’s Dr. King Mix

Curated by My and mixed by me. For those of you who enjoyed the 16 candles set I did awhile back, here’s a mixtape for your ipod. Not the same mix, but designed to keep the party going none the less. I forgot what I played, so check back for a playlist. Enjoy!

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While I’m at an immediate loss for words over the death of one of our greatest Soul voices, I can remember the first time I ever heard Teena Marie’s music. My mom and I were in the car and Square Biz came on the radio. I remember hearing the rap at the end of the song and thinking it was the greatest thing I had ever heard. I wanted to be “Lady T”. Fast forward to the 2004 BET Awards, years later and I was blessed to see her and Rick James live. Her voice was as pitch perfect as it was the first time I heard her.

Teena Marie, a native of Venice, California, is indeed the “Ivory Queen of Soul”. Teena was way ahead of her time. Back when it was unusual for a woman to run a studio, she wrote, produced and arranged her own albums. She can actually be named one of the first female MCs, thanks to her verses on the classic hit “Square Biz”. Your favorite rapper has almost certainly sampled one of her hits. She was an icon and had provided us with some of the greatest music ever. From the coldest bass line intro on “I need your lovin”, to the international vibe of “Portuguese Love”, her sound could never be put in a box. She was Soul, Funk, Jazz, Blues, and Hip Hop. I watched her story on “Unsung” recently and was mesmerized by all that she had done. She wrote beautiful music. She fought Berry Gordy and Motown and Won. She changed the music industry for the better. She’s the reason that labels do what they say they’ll do. My heart feels like it lost a friend today. Thanks to her gift of music, she may be gone, but she’ll never be forgotten. Let’s have a toast to “Lady T”.

Download Teena Marie’s “Unsung” Full Episode

Who is Teyana Taylor? Google Her. Guilty pleasure… I’m feeling this. She’s not a great singer, but that’s not really what this song is for. Simon Sez hit the floor when the beat drops. Thanks to Kid Fury for the track.

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You make the call…

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I’ve been a Jamie Foxx fan for a long time. After Jamie’s last smash with “Blame it On the Alcohol”, I went into this album optimistic. To be honest, I want to love this album! But I can’t. As I listened, I soon realized that Jamie was being positioned as a crossover artist. On “Best Night of My Life”, he attempts to please everybody, and his core fans are left wanting more. It says a lot when my favorite songs are the interludes, Ideas that should have been nourished into full songs.

The intro had me thinking this album was promising. I liked his version of “This will be” (natalie cole’s hit), and found myself wishing it was a full song. The other stand out was “Let Me Get You On Your Toes” – Promising from the initial “Pop Champagne” beat. Definitely something I would bang while on the way to the club, or cruising through LA. But way too short.

“Living Better Now” was made better with the Biggy sample, but it reminded me of a “jerk” song. I’m too old to be jerking, so maybe it was suited for his younger audience.

“Freak” had an annoying 80′s melody that began to irritate me quickly, so it didn’t last long.

“Yep Dat’s Me” with Ludacris and Soulja Boy was geared for the south. It sounds like 5 songs in one. My said “he’s too old for this song”. She’s right. He conjures up images of the old man in the club. Even Luda can’t save this track, and he usually breathes life into any track he spits on.

“Fall for your type”, the lead off single feels more like Drake than Jamie. I enjoy Jamie more as the life of the party than as the Melancholy introspect. The haunting melodies are beautiful though.

“Sex On the Beach” Jamie’s pop cross over song. Expect this in heavy rotation on your top 40 station.

Jamie’s album has everything you would need for a hit album: the requisite pop song with the dance beat and autotune, a “jerk song” for the LA youngins, a down south track with Luda, a couple of baby making love songs, and a guest appearance by today’s new radio prince Drake. It’s missing one key ingredient; Soul.

If you’re a New Edition fan, this will make a fun addition to your mixtape collection. Thanks to SoulBounce for spreading the Christmas Cheer! I always wanted an autographed picture of New Edition!

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Am I too old to be a Diggy fan? Well, if I am, so what. He goes in on this classic Premier track. Take a listen and tell me what you think…

“When I go, watch the money go – Prenup…”

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