New Music || Double Drake

A few days ago, a track from Drake's upcoming album Views From The 6 leaked and it is brilliant. The song, Can I, is minimalistic and features Beyonce and these two have already proved to be quite the duo with their previous track Mine. Although this on could do with more vocals from Bey and maybe a little beat change mid-way through, I do like the song.

But then, just to increase the hype a second track leaked which features new r'n'b vocalist Tinashe. On A Wave sounds a little unfinished with its abrupt ending but that may just be because it is a preview. Either way this is another track that has potential an sets a laid-back atmosphere for the album. 

New Video || Britney Spears

Britney is back bitch! Although I had assumed she retired from music or something since her residency in Vegas, it seems that the pop princess still has some hits to churn with new track Pretty Girls. 
The song features Iggy Azalea forming the perfect female pop duo but not the best Britney song (from an old fan). The video, however, is really fun and cute and truly is the best I have seen Brit in about ten years. Her choreographer is almost on par, her body looks banging and she seemed to really be having fun.

New Music || Miguel

Miguel has been awol for a couple of years now and only popped out of hiding to give us a short E.P last year. Now it seems like he might be back for good with a new album this year (please) and a new track which may or may not be the lead single.
Coffee (Fucking) features Wale and is a remix of a song from Miguel's last E.P but it is strong enough to chart and put Miguel back on everyone's radar.
It is the typical raunchy and sensual song that we expect to hear from Miguel with an alternative r'n'b edge and great vocals. Welcome back, Miguel !

New Music || Krept n Konan

Krept n Konan might just end up being the first UK grime act to really break through into the American market with their debut album Long Way Home. It already boasts collaborations with Ed Sheeran, Jeremih, Rick Ross and more, so as long as the music is up there with the rest of their material then it could be a strong album.
The lead single Certified isn't the most catchy or energetic song, which is what I am used to hearing from the rap duo, but their lyrics are as playful as ever and Rick's verse definitely helps elevate the track into a potential overseas hit.

New Music || Rihanna

Rihanna has everyone on the edge of their seat in anticipation for her new album but for now we will have to just wait. At least we have this new single to keep us going. Bitch Better Have My Money is an instant Riri classic with a catchy hook and a club beat that will catch on by the end of the month.
Her attitude is on full form and offers us a different, but more recognisable, side to the Bajan pop princess.
Love it !

New Music || Jhene Aiko

Jhene Aiko never seems to get it wrong and she has another beautiful and soulful track on her hands with Living Room Flow.
As always, everything from the vocals to the production to the lyrics fits perfectly together and creates a sultry bedroom song to add to her already quite long list.

New Music || Christina Milian

Christina Milian has been out of the music scene for a while now and turned her hand at presenting and reality TV instead. But now that she is dating Lil Wayne and signed to Young Money Records, she has headed back to the studio and dropped this new song Rebel.
After so many years, I expected some growth and some fun from Christina yet this song falls flat. Her previous music was r'n'b heavy, club bangers that have stood the test of time (everybody still loves Dip It Low and Whatever You Want) and Rebel is far from that.
The song is instantly forgettable and uses way too much auto-tune for a capable R'n'B singer like Tina. In fact, if this is what we can expect to hear for the rest of the year, then I would advise her to start over because this isn't good enough.

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.

New Music : The Return of Rihanna

Rihanna has finally dropped some new music after a two year break and she opted to join forces with Kanye West and Paul McCartney for the track. FourFiveSeconds is not your typical Rihanna song and certainly not what I was expecting to hear which is why I am a little disappointed.
The song is a laid-back, guitar strumming mid-tempo debut that strays very far away from the club bangers and sexy slow jams we are used to.
This might be a grower and I will give it a few more listens before I make my final decision but at the moment I am not too excited about Riri's comeback now.

New Music : Major Lazer

Major Lazer has teamed up with quite the surprising duo, Ariana Grande and Machel Montano for this fun dancehall-inspired track All My Love. It's a remix on the original song which featured on the Hunger Games : Mockingjay soundtrack.
Although it feels a bit too early in the year for a song such as this - more suited as a summer hit - it's a refreshing sound particularly for young Ariana. She fits well in this song and with Machel's soca edge and the great production skill of Major Lazer, it makes for a really catchy dance track.

New Music | Frank Ocean Pays Tribute To Aaliyah

Frank Ocean has been noticeably absent from the music scene for over a year now which has left me particularly disappointed. However, he has graced us with his presence once again with a cover of an Isley Brothers track At Your Best (You Are Love) to pay tribute to the late Aaliyah on her 36th birthday.
The original track and Aaliyah's version are both stunning but there is something about Frank's voice and his ability to emote every word he sings which makes this cover so captivating. It was not only a wonderful gift for Aaliyah but a great gift for his fans as I am sure this will keep us going until his next project.

New Music | Ciara

Ciara has been out of the scene music-wise for a little while now as she was a bit busy having a baby and breaking up with Future. But she has now returned with a new single called I Bet and it's a good one.
There is no subtlety in the lyrics or subject matter as it is clearly aimed at her ex/baby father and addresses the allegations of cheating. But, regardless of the personal issue she is discussing, it is a song that I feel many women can relate to and will be singing after they've gone through a break-up.
Plus, it's nice to hear this softer side of Ciara who is more known for her uptempo dance music, and even though she isn't the strongest vocalist, the song is pretty.

New Music | Sevyn Streeter

Sevyn Streeter is a potentially huge R'n'B singer who has never quite had a great song since her debut It Won't Stop. Well she may finally have the breakout song which could lead to a hit album thanks to this collaboration with her mentor Chris Brown.
Don't Kill The Fun isn't an instant attention catcher but after a couple of listens you can appreciate the quality of the production and the commercial potential it has.
I think at this point it's safe to say that Sevyn is at her best when she is with Chris.

New Music : Teairra Marie

Aside from her current stint on Love and Hip Hop Hollywood, Teairra Marie has been on the quiet side these past few years. But, as you may have seen on the show, she is ready to get back to her music and after a studio session with Yung Berg, she has graced us with a new track called Deserve. 
TT sounds as good as she always has and the song is decent and quite catchy but it isn't good enough to make her stand out from the other female artists flying the flag at the moment.
Teairra has attitude and a fire that makes her original and if it can translate into her music along with that voice then she could really spark a brand new music career.
Having said that, this song is a nice starting point as a showcase for her talent.

New Video : Beyonce

Another great day for music as Beyonce builds up to the release of the platinum edition of her self-titled album. Two new songs from the album leaked a couple of days ago but Beyonce, always one step ahead, almost immediately dropped the seemingly home-made video on her website.
The song, 7/11, is a fun, uptempo club track that has elements of the current trend trap music, in its repetitive and simple lyrics along with the strong hip-hop beat. It may be an unusual sound for the Queen of R'n'B but she pulls it off because the song may just be one of my favourites.
The video is also a revelation. We see Beyonce dancing around her bathroom, bedroom and in corridors with her friends as she drinks alcohol and dresses up in some of her most infamous red carpet dresses.
It is always entertaining and refreshing to see King Bey having fun and not in such a huge production like most of her music videos.

New Music : Meek Mill

Even from behind bars, Meek Mill can drop some pretty catchy club anthems and FYM is just that. What it lacks in substance and originality it makes up for in other areas which is pretty much the recipe for all Meek Mill songs.
Although this may never see mainstream success (based on the explictives alone), I am sure this will be playing in all the clubs by the end of the month.

New Music : Nicki Minaj

Sadly, Nicki announced last week that her album release date will be pushed back four whole weeks but to keep us satisfied she dropped a new song featuring Chris Brown, Drake and Lil Wayne. Only is a lyrically strong and provocative hip-hop song which sees Nicki at her best and delivering what many of her day one fans have been waiting for, that mixtape Minaj.
Chris' chorus is ridiculously catchy and I can definitely hear this being a club banger before the year is up so get ready to twerk to this one on New Years.

New Music : Fergie

It has been years since Fergie blessed us with new music since she has been busy having a baby and all that good stuff. But she is back with a new song titled L.A Love produced by hit-maker DJ Mustard.
When I first heard the snippets last week I was not excited at all because the chorus is extremely cliche and uninspiring. However, the beat and production on the verses and hook is quite strong and makes the chorus far less weak when in context of the whole song.
I know that Fergie can do better but as a comeback single it is promising and I have a feeling it will grow on me with time.

New Music : Jessie J

Jessie J burst back onto the music scene this year with her huge hit Bang Bang alongside two other female superstars, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj.
Now Jessie has dropped another single, Burnin' Up, featuring rapper 2 Chainz and to say that it is a different sound for Jessie is an understatement.
The energetic dance number has all the classic Jessie vocal elements but it takes a slightly sexier and more urban turn than usual.
I was unsure of this new style for Jessie and the song itself lacks strong production or lyrics which makes it a bit of a disappointment as a follow up to Bang Bang.