Album Review || Chris Brown x Tyga 'Fan Of A Fan'

Chris Brown is one busy guy who manages to find time amongst his rocky relationship and court appearances to make a lot of hit music. After only releasing his own album a few months ago, Chris has teamed up with his friend and fellow controversial artist, Tyga, to make a 16 track album.
Chris and Tyga, who are touring together at the moment alongside Trey Songz, are releasing Fan Of A Fan today and, after collaborating on some club anthems many times before, there is a high expectation for this album.

The album cover already sets a precedent for a fun, fresh and colourful album with the sultry slow jams we expect from Chris and the catchy club anthems that made Tyga famous.
So opening track Westside does exactly what you would hope and sets the scene with a sexy, mid-tempo vibe where Tyga and Chris both rap.
This is followed by two, more commercial sounding, club songs including the hit single Ayo which follows the formulae of many other successful Chris and Tyga collaborations. It may sound very similar to many of their previous hits like Holla At Me and Loyal but it is a sound that works and hasn't grown old quite yet.

But, it is track number four, Girl You Loud, that has fast become my favourite even though it is one of the slower more understated songs on the album.
As the title suggests, its a very sexual slow jam with some high notes from Chris on the chorus and some provocative rapping from Tyga. This, along with the simplicity of the beat and catchy lyrics, makes it an album highlight for me.

There are also some great features on the album with 50 Cent jumping on I Bet, a potential single and an aggressive yet fun club anthem. Then Pusha T makes a brilliant appearance on another favourite of mine D.G.I.F.U. Tyga finally has his chance to shine on this track with an impressive flow and a sing-a-long hook over some innovative production, as well as Chris making a serious entrance as a rapper. This song will definitely grab your attention from the outset.

The fresh beats and catchy hooks are what stand out on this album which is brimming with five star club tracks which we are used to hearing from the duo but will never tire of. Tracks like Banjo and Bitches and Marijuana may not be lyrically complex or original but they are fun, exciting and memorable which sums up the music the pair are known for making.
There are equally as many moments of greatness in the slower and sexier songs like Lights Out and Wrong In The Right Way. 
In fact, there is only one song on the album that does nothing for me, which is Better, because it feels lacklustre and dull when amongst such strong production throughout the rest of the album.

I am really impressed with this album, which I almost didn't even listen to since I am not the biggest fan of Tyga's previous work and Chris fell short with his last album. However, I am glad I gave this album a chance as it has the perfect mix of Chris bedroom song hits and catchy Tyga-style uptempo music.
They compliment each other well, and I even enjoy Chris when he tries his hand at rapping, so this is an all around brilliant album from the both of them.

Standout track: I Bet and Banjo
Rating : 4/5

Album Review || Big Sean 'Dark Sky Paradise'

This month is turning out to be a very exciting one for fans of hip-hop as Big Sean becomes the third huge artist to release an album following Drake and Chris Brown x Tyga.
His album, Dark Sky Paradise, has been teased by girlfriend Ariana Grande and other album collaborators Jhene Aiko and Drake. It also features appearances from Kanye West, Chris Brown and Lil' Wayne (to name a few) and with the massive success of lead single I Don't Fuck With You there is a lot of hype surrounding this album.
Fans have been waiting with bated breath for what is expected to be one of the best rap albums of the year, but does it live up to the hype?
Here is my track by track album review...

  1. Dark Sky (Skyscrapers)

A solid opening track that sets the tone for the rest of the album with a strong and aggressive flow and autobiographical/personal lyrics.
The stormy sound effects that start this track are a hint as to what to expect from this album, as well as an ode to the album title. There is definitely something dark about the production of this song.

2. Blessings feat. Drake

This song leaked a while ago and was announced as the next single which I am very happy about because this is easily one of my favourite songs on the album.
There is still something a little dark that carries from the previous track but the beat is a little more mainstream friendly.
Drake fits himself into the song perfectly, maybe even taking some of the shine away from Big Sean with his lyrics.

3. All Your Fault (feat. Kanye West)

This immediately catches your attention with some innovative production that you would expect to hear Kanye West on so his opening verse is no surprise. His lyricism is impressive with an ability to reference Chris and Karreuche and police brutality in the space of 30 seconds.

The chorus is catchy and fun and bound to be stuck in my head for the next few days.

But my favourite part is the final few seconds when Sean and 'Ye bounce off each other in a closing verse which is a concept in rap that we don't hear very often these days and needs to catch on.

4. I Don't Fuck With You (feat. E-40)

This lead single has already achieved huge success and has become a break up anthem for the next year.

The song is fun and everyone can relate to the sentiment at some point in their life whether it is towards an ex or just someone you don't like. The phrase I Don' Fuck With You is a phrase that Sean can market for the rest of his life so for that alone I applaud this song.
Yes, it is disrespectful and offensive but that is what makes it a guilty pleasure.

5. Play No Games (feat. Chris Brown & Ty Dolla $ign)

Five songs in and Play No Games offers a less aggressive and relaxed tone with a slightly more R'n'B tempo. I really enjoy the production and there are some enjoyable moments from Big Sean in his verses but I was a little disappointed with Chris and Ty Dolla $igns appearances.

The chorus, delivered by Chris, fell a little short and Ty should have been utilised a lot more than the 10 second sound-bite he had.

6. Paradise (Extended)

This is by far my favourite song on the album! The Mike.Will.Made.It beat is superb and coupled with Big Sean's intense flow this feels like a rap battle with himself.

There is a rawness in the verses and chorus that makes this song compelling and stand-out even amongst some other great songs.

It will definitely be on repeat for a couple of weeks and is now joining my gym playlist.

7. Win Some, Lose Some (feat. Jhene Aiko)

This slow tempo track offers a nice change of pace to the album and offers a slightly a more vulnerable look into Sean's world.

It's a nice song but it doesn't have me jumping up and down with excitement aside from the fact that Jhene Aiko makes an appearance. However, I wish she had sung the chorus solo and maybe even had her own verse because her soothing vocals over this relaxed beat would be a powerful juxtaposition against the previous song.

Having said that, I love the honesty in his lyrics about his relationship with Naya Rivera and I love the closing lines delivered by his father.

8. Stay Down

Unfortunately, there is something missing on this song making it the first track that I might skip whenever I play this album. Big Sean started out strong with his first six tracks and seems to have started slipping into mediocrity.

Stay Down is instantly forgettable, which you don't need at the mid point of the album, and that's mainly due to the chorus which is lyrically disappointing and lacklustre and the beat is stunted. It felt like it should have been a more uptempo, club friendly song.

9. I Know (feat. Jhene Aiko)

DJ Mustard always gets it right and this beat is no different. The bass is pleasing to the ear and exciting and builds up into a great mid tempo club track. 

I can imagine myself learning the lyrics to this song and belting it out in the car on a summers day.

I love Jhene's feisty verse, the added element of a female perspective and vocal fits well at this point on the album which has, thus far, been dominated by men. But it didn't need to be over five minutes long. It could have ended around the four minute mark although I do have a soft spot for outros that runs smoothly into the next song.

10. Deep (feat. Lil Wayne)

Ta-da! That is how you smoothly lead from one song into the next without them sounding exactly the same.

I appreaciate the ominous sound that we heard in the first few tracks of the album making its way back into the music and it really compliments Lil Wayne's style.

The production, acoustic piano section, bass...everything about this song is really well-executed.

11. One Man Can Change The World (feat. Kanye West & John Legend)

A very simple, stripped back song with just a piano and a little singing from Big Sean but, for the first time on the album, his vocals aren't completely cringe-worthy.
This sounds like a new-era Kanye production which isn't exactly my cup of tea but I can appreciate the sentiment and emotion behind the song.

John Legend brings the song from sub-par to above average but he should have sung every chorus because 'Ye and Sean are no vocalists compared to him.

12. Outro

Another change of pace to close out the album and a fitting ending it is. It feels like the paradise after the dark sky perhaps.

I enjoy this fun, summer time vibe that concludes a somewhat dark and deep album; it may have been nice to hear a couple of more tracks like this leading us towards this finale.

There is a throwback element to it which is calling out for a remix with Jay, Nas and some other OG's but, even without one, this song stands strong as it is.

Bonus Tracks

13. Deserve It (feat. PARTYNEXTDOOR)

I am not a big fan of PARTYNEXTDOOR as his sound is repetitive and annoying and he never seems to add much to a song when he features.

Maybe this is what makes this song a little forgettable and unnecessary. 

14. Research (feat. Ariana Grande)

I am glad, and pleasantly surprised, that the Ariana Grande feature isn't the soppy love song I was expecting.

Though it is a slightly more commercial and radio-friendly sound that would have felt really out of place on the album, it it is still a mildly enjoyable song mainly because of Sean's lyrics and his delivery.

15. Platinum and Wood

I instantly liked this song and felt like it should have been squeezed onto the album and not downgraded to a bonus track. The change in beat half way through gives the song a fun boost that stops it from becoming dull and tired.

Platinum and Wood is easily one of the more understated tracks that is over before it really has a chance to start.

I cannot tell you how much I enjoy this album and believe it is Sean's best piece of work to date.
This album definitely has an on-going theme that ties in with the album title, it is quite dark at times yet there are elements of light (paradise) that break through the dark sky.

He is open and honest about romantic and family relationships as well as his status in the rap industry. He is experimental with his sound without straying too far from the Big Sean image we have come to know and love.
The lyricism and flow that Big Sean presents on this album is surprisingly brilliant and superior to many rappers who have had more success. He separates himself from the newbies and up and comers by playing around with a flow and delivery only he could pull off so confidently. 

For me, this album is finally showing Big Sean at his best. He has set a very high bar for other rappers with this album and I am really impressed. Big Sean has always been on my radar and as potentially iconic rapper and he has always released great, fun music and kept strong relationships with some of the most important rappers of this generation. All this has led up to a great album and possibly the best of the year depending on what Drake, Kendrick and others bring to the table.

Stand-out track : Paradise by far

Rating : 4.5/5

Album Review || Drake 'If You're Reading This It's Too Late'

In a very Beyonce manner, last week Drake decided to drop a surprise album/mixtape on the world with zero promotion, zero release date and no warning of any kind. All he had to do was post the cover for If You're Reading This It's Too Late on his Instagram and wait for the world to catch on. This came completely out of nowhere because we weren't expecting any new music till later on in the year with his fourth album Views From The Six (this still might happen btw).

I love when artists take this kind of risk because it means I am going to listen to it with no expectations and I can allow the music to speak for itself so that it was I have done for the past few days.

If You're Reading This It's Too Late opens with a very bold statement which continues throughout the mixtape as an ongoing theme. Drake makes it clear that he knows he is one of the best rappers/artists of this generation and he has garnered so much success that he believes he has what it takes to be a legend.
The confidence, borderline cockiness, displayed in the opening track Legend is felt on the majority of the mixtape and can sometimes feel overplayed and irritating.
By the time I had reached track 6 I was beginning to ask myself 'where is the sensitive, humble rapper with his occasional singing', I missed him.
His success is built on the image of 'emotional rapper' and although he may find the meme's and comments tiring, he cannot deny that it has been much of the reason for his fame and fortune. It was original, exciting, refreshing and often relatable.
This mixtape only seems to suggest that Drake wants to try something new and it just doesn't always work for him.

The production on the album is sub-par with only Madonna and No Tellin' offering some originality and a familiar Drak-esque sound. The rest of the tracks feel lazy and the beats are all pretty much mid-tempo underground sounds with little instrumental value.
Unfortunately the features don't add anything to this mixtape either especially PARTYNEXTDOOR who's trying way too hard to jump on the autotune fad that only T-Pain can get away with.
Even Lil' Wayne's appearance on Used To is disappointing which is a first for the two who normally bounce off each other with ease.

Don't get me wrong, there are some welcoming moments of humour and vulnerability that we expect from Drake particularly on You & The 6 where he pays tribute to his city and his mother for making him the man he is today. However, these moments are few and far between and they are laced with so much boasting and lacklustre lyricism that they can sometimes get lost.
The stand-out track, in my opinion, is 10 Bands with its heavy bass, strong beat and catchy chorus that could surely be club worthy with a bit of a remix.
6 God, a track which leaked weeks ago, comes a close second for favourite on the mixtape because of the aggression in Drake's verses. It brings an energy that hasn't shown its face on the rest of the mixtape.

Aside from those two tracks, there is nothing on this able that excites me or gets me hyped for Drake's promised fourth album later this year. My fingers are crossed in the hopes that this mixtape was just an experimental means of creativity in order to bridge a gap in the long silence between the last Drake album the one yet to be released.
If that is the case then all hope is not lost, in fact, that may mean the album could be even better since he has released all of his aggression and smugness.
Even so, I am still and will forever be a massive fan of both Drake as an artist and a person - one mediocre mixtape is not enough to tarnish the long list of brilliant music he has created.

Rating : 2/5 (and only because he has some great lyrics and I am judging this on a mixtape standard)

New Video || Omarion x Jhene Aiko x Chris Brown

It has been weeks since Omarion released his latest album with the lead single Post To Be featuring Chris Brown and, his niece's mother, Jhene Aiko. Although it has been playing for a while and seems to have had its moment, I am still a fan of the song and have been waiting for the video ever since it was promised last month.
The video was exactly what I expected which is always the case when multiple artists feature on an uptempo r'n'b track, and that is a backdrop and some dancing.
It may not be the most exciting of videos but it's nice to see all three artists seemingly having fun together and Jhene looks beautiful throughout the video.

New Video || Ariana Grande

On Sunday night, Ariana released the music video for the fourth single off her latest album and, with the song being called One Last Time, she took us on an apocalyptic journey.
The video is thoroughly entertaining on the first watch and is a very original concept that was well directed by Max Landis. Ariana and her boyfriend, who is holding the camera throughout the video, jump out of their car and race onto a rooftop as the countdown to the end of the world begins.
The handheld camera effect makes it feel all the more realistic and the entire concept is refreshing so this video gets an all around thumbs up.

Throwback Thursday || Valentine's Day Playlist

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it is essential to have the perfect playlist ready to go for a home-cooked dinner date or a lazy day in bed. Even if you are single and don't celebrate/acknowledge 14th February, you can always sit back and appreciate some good old classic love songs...

Dynamic Duets

Because confessing your love is always better when your partner reciprocates

For The Ladies
The best way to serenade the woman in your life

For The Men
Every man appreciates a good love song once in a while

For The Bedroom
When the date is over and Valentine's day is coming to an end...

New Music || Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick is slowly but surely giving us an inkling of what to expect from his next record after dropping a second single yesterday. The Blacker The Berry is an aggressive and lyrically provocative record that already has a lot of hip hop fans excited. In the song, Kendrick addresses the topic of racial tension that has been making headlines for the past twelve months and reminds us why he is one of the best rappers of this generation.
After i, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Kendrick this year but with this track I can hear the artist that I discovered on his debut album and that is certainly only a good thing.

New Music || Beyonce

Fans of the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' book have been awaiting the release of the movie for well over a year when it was announced.
But now it's the soundtrack that has everybody talking, particularly Beyonce's new rendition of her club classic Crazy In Love. The track was featured heavily in the movie trailer and now the full version has dropped and it's every bit as good as the original.
It almost sounds like a completely new song with the sultry vocals and breathy 'uhoh-ing' over an orchestra of blockbuster cinema quality.

The 2015 Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are probably my favourite music award show, after the VMA's of course, and I look forward to reviewing the night every year.
Although it is arguable that the Grammy's have lost their credibility over the years, all eyes were on this years winners following an already controversial nominees list. Admittedly, I found last night to be quite dull and a huge disappointment but here are the performances and winners that had everyone else talking last night.
If you would like to read my thoughts on last nights fashion then head over to my other blog www.ukstylemuse.blogspot.co.uk

Performances

There were a lot of big name performers last night as well as the usual surprise collaborations but there wasn't anything that stood out to me as a classic performance.

Sia took to the stage with surprise guest Kristen Wiig and her sidekick dancer Maddie Ziegler to perform Chandelier and Katy Perry gave a stunning performance of her album track By The Grace Of God.

Then Rihanna, Kanye and Paul McCartney gave a simple rendition of their new song FourFiveSeconds and Pharrell surprised everyone with a new rendition of his Grammy award winning classic Happy.

Ariana Grande sang Just A Little Bit Of Your Heart hitting all the notes and proving to be a more than talented singer and Beyonce closed the show with a beautiful performance of Precious Lord, Take My Hand.

Winners

To many a music fans relief, Iggy Azalea walked away with no awards despite being nominated for four but it was Eminem who took home Best Rap Album hopefully avoiding any controversy this year.

Kendrick Lamar finally won his Grammy for Best Rap Performance for his song i although he wasn't there to pick it up himself.

The biggest winner of the night was Sam Smith who walked away with four Grammy's including Song Of The Year and Best New Artist.

But a small controversy arose when Beyonce, who won two awards last night, was beaten by Beck for Album Of The Year. 

Now, in my opinion, Beyonce or Ed Sheeran should have won that award because their album's have produced multiple hit singles and proven themselves iconic...and I have no idea who Beck is.

Kanye seemed to agree that Beyonce was robbed as he jokingly went on stage to interrupt Beck's winning speech and spoke about the 'travesty' after the show.

Throwback Thursday || Missy Elliott

In honour of Missy's surprise appearance at the Superbowl on Sunday, I have picked some of my favourites from the Missy Elliott collection.

The Rain

She's A Bitch

All N My Grill

Get Ur Freak On

Gossip Folk

Lose Control

New Video | Rihanna

As promised, Rihanna released the music video for her new single, FourFiveSeconds, after a two year break and a lot of anticipation. I am still not excited about the song - it isn't awful but underwhelming and more suited as an album track - so I wasn't expecting much from the video and that is exactly what I got.
Rihanna, Kanye and Paul McCartney all stand in front of a plain background fully decked out in denim as though this is a Levi's advert. The video feels like it has been shot on an iPhone in half a day because it comes across as lazy and half-hearted.
However, having said that, there is something about Rihanna that makes her captivating so even though this whole comeback has left me a little disappointed I still couldn't take my eyes off the video and I have even downloaded the song. I guess that is what they call a star.

Introducing || Tink

Tink is definitely the one to watch in 2015 with her mento Timbaland working on a debut album that already boasts a collaboration with Rick Ross and Jay-Z.
The Chicago born 20 year old has a tonne of songs and videos on Youtube which will get you excited about the up and coming musicians career. She has the feel of a young Lauryn Hill with her pitch perfect vocals and fierce rapping flow that she can alternate between with ease and skill.
Her latest track Around The Clock is a hot Timbaland produced hip hop track that showcases Tink's lyricism and confidence as she paves her way on to the music scene.