the chal banz blog

I don't catch every single video release and obviously I thought there was already a video in existence to this; apparently not! It was just added to YouTube yesterday.

It's been awhile since I've done any type of album review but usually I base my album reviews on albums that I like. So that means if you ever see any type of album review; its an album that I like and I just take a few paragraphs or two to gush about it. I will say that this is the first Musiq album that I really embraced, and I'm happy with the results. I owe that to the album's first single; "Anything" featuring Swizz Beats. It is an excellent first single in my opinion. It's upbeat and features a great sample used to fine effect. While I'm not sure of the exact sample, I do know it from LL Cool J's "Jinglin' Baby". The album's second single; "Yes" is nice and laid back like much of the bulk of the album. Its an album that I can actually listen to from start to finish. While the album is in stores today; I had an advanced copy of the album for about a week so I've been enjoying it for enough time to make a final j...

Well that was until the 50 Cent assisted; "Down On Me" was released and hit the Pop top 10. The song was his saving grace and he has 50 Cent to thank for that. I'm not a fan of the song per say but I know a lot of people who do like it. Simply put; Jeremih is a singles artists as all his singles do pretty good. I mean R&B is not selling like that anyway and Def Jam knows that. Personally I would keep him around cause he is still making the label money unlike artists who release singles and their not hits at all! Musiq has chosen "Yes" as the second single off his upcoming album, "MusiqInTheMagiq" in stores and online May 3. The album also features the first single; "Anything" featuring Swizz Beats which is one of my favorites right now. This is the first Musiq album I'm looking forward to; oddly enough. I've liked his songs over the years but never got into any of his album as a whole. I was just reading that Ester Dean's hit;...

Musiq is back on the scene with his first single and video featuring Swizz Beats. Musiq's new album, "THEMAGICTHEMUSIQ" will be in stores and online May 3. I think I got the album title right; if not its the other way around then again they mention at the end of the video!

On May 10 singer/songwriter/producer Raphael Saadiq will release his fourth album. I forget the name of the song that Raphael has out now. I know Raphael's albums don't really do well commercially but from a critical standpoint; their usually always on the year-end lists and get nominated for a ton of Grammy's. Music Biz: Musiq To Release New Album Musiq Soulchild is putting the finishing touches on his next album, "MUSIQINTHEMAGIQ," with a planned release date of May 3. "It's recorded. It's done," the singer tells Billboard.com. "We just need to take the actual songs and mix those and put the project together. I'm ultimately going to pick, like, 12 (songs) out of 50 or so that we have." Musiq says the sound of the album, his follow-up to 2008's "Onmyradio," is still being determined. "It's a lot of songs floating around in so many different directions," he explains. "Ultimately I just know th...

If you haven't already read, Monica has been secretly married to her NBA boo, Shannon Brown. I'm just not sure how long though. In other Monica news, she is diligently working on a new album, "New Life" to be released this summer. The album will be released this summer. Working on the album are Missy Elliott, Oak(worked with Trey Songz) and Andrew Wansel(worked with Nicki Minaj). Musiq is back with a new single, "Anything" featuring Swizz Beats. It is the first single from his upcoming album, "TheMusicTheMagic" in this stores this Spring. Make sure you look out for that! Marsha Ambrosius' debut album, "Late Nights & Early Mornings" has another new release date, March 1. The album features the singles, "Far Away" and "I Hope She Cheats On You(With A Basketball Player). I swear if they push this album back one more time... ---------------- Now playing: Usher - My Way via FoxyTunes

You may all remember the Floacist from Floetry and now she is releasing a solo album on November 9. ---------------- Now playing: Missy Elliott Feat. Da Brat & Jade - Slap! Slap! Slap! via FoxyTunes

Music Biz: Eve Shares Her Thoughts On Nicki Minaj! “I am a fan of the fact that she’s a female MC in the game. I gotta be honest, I don’t really know many of her records. I’ve seen a few things, honestly I don’t [remember them] and I’m being really real. I don’t really know her that well,” she tells VIBE. “When she was on [the “My Chick Bad” music video] set, she was nice as shit. To me, if her music was dope and she would’ve been an asshole than I wouldn’t have been a fan. I’m more a fan of hers as a person.” Though Eve—who met Minaj for the first time in late March and heard the final versions of Ludacris' “My Chick Bad” a week before the Miami shoot—wasn’t too familiar with the Young Money front-woman’s catalogue, she did think her verse was one-of-a-kind. “I mean, I think it’s unique to who she is. It is what it is. You know what I mean? I thought it was dope,” she says. “She definitely is a quirky chick. That’s a good word for her. When she had the Freddy Krueger g...

This is my first time hearing of this song or maybe I let it slip through the cracks. I've never been big on Clipse with the exception of a few songs. I will say they usually come harder than this. ---------------- Now playing: Musiq - moneyright via FoxyTunes

Video: Jazmine Sullivan - Road To The Grammy's(Episode Three) Somewhere along the way I missed ep 2 but you can check out ep 3. As much as I love her singles and videos, I can't get into Jazmine all that much. Video: India.Arie feat Musiq - Chocolate Hight Debut video off upcoming album, "Testimony: Love & Politics Vol. 2" in stores February 17. Audio: Rick Ross - Kiss My Pinky Ring, Curly[50 Cent Diss] In their ongoing feud Rick Ross strikes back at 50 Cent. I will have to go with Ricky on this one just because 50 irks me more and more. I heard that the reviews of this song has been less than stellar. I actually like it though. I'm starting to think this little beef with Rick is just publicity for 50's "Before I Self Destruct" album.

Hello all! Check out the exclusive album cover for India.Arie's "Testimony Vol. 2: Love & Politics". It is one of the first huge releases this year. The album is led by single, "Chocolate High" featuring Musiq. I'm not the biggest fan of India but I do like some songs from her debut, "Acoustic Soul" such as "Brown Skin". The album will be in stores February 3. Audio: Lil' Jon feat Ciara & Lil' Wayne - Roll Call Newly leaked track! This is said to be on Lil' Jon's ill-fated, "Crunk Rock" album. It may pop up on Ciara's new album, "Fantasy Ride". Ciara has had so many leaks within the last few months, it's not eveny funny! I guess she just joins the list of singers who has material leak all the time. Audio: Nas - Fear Of Mandingo Newly leaked track! From the new mixtape, "Eldorado Black". This track supposedly almost made the cut on the "N****" album. Music Biz: Solange...

Music Biz: Janet Upset At Beyonce! Beyonce Knowles has infuriated Janet Jackson - by suggesting her family is lower class. The former Destiny’s Child singer said in a recent interview, “I grew up upper class. Private school. My dad had a Jaguar. We’re African-American and we work together as a family, so people assume we’re like The Jacksons. “But I didn’t have parents using me to get out of a bad situation.” Knowles’ comments were not welcome - and Janet now plans to confront her R&B rival. India.Arie's Testimony! India.Arie's second volume in her series of "Testimony" albums, "Love & Politics," will arrive Feb. 10 from Universal Republic. The lead single, "Chocolate High," features Musiq Soulchild, while second single "Therapy" features Jamaican roots artist Gramps Morgan. "Intro -- Grains" "Therapy" "Psalms 23" "Chocolate High" "He Heals Me" "Interlude -- Grains" ...

Audio: India.Arie feat Musiq - Chocolate High New single from UniversalRepublic recording artist. Features Musiq! From her new album, "Testimony: Vol 2, Love & Politics" in stores this February. I remember when India.Arie was all the rage when she first debuted. It seems like the machine behind her in the beginning has cooled down significantly. She is still around though and that's all that counts. Audio: Keri Hilson - Promise In The Dark Newly leaked track from singer/songwriter. This might be possibly included on her serially delayed album, "In A Perfect World". I think Keri's label should of just released her album behind, "Energy". It was a moderately successful single. I was expecting more from Keri musically since she had Timbaland and Polow Da Don on board. I think she needs some harder tracks. Audio: Soulja Boy feat Sammie - Kiss Me Thru The Phone 2nd single from his upcoming album, "iSouljaBoyTellEm" in stores December 16, 2...

The month of December is just overflowing with music releases. Better yet I should say the months of November and December are full of music releases. Anyway check out the new album cover for Musiq. The album is lead by singles, "Radio" and "IfULeave" feat Mary J Blige. I'm not a big Musiq fan but I've always liked "Radio". 1. BAgain 2. Radio 3. Someone 4. Special 5. Dearjohn 6. Deserves You More 7. Love Of My Life 8. Money Right 9. Iwannabe 10. If U Leave 11. So Beautiful Video: Cadillac Records Trailer Check out Beyonce's latest movie role. Audio: Enrique Iglesias feat Ciara - Taking My Breath Away First single from his upcoming "Greatest Hits" album. Music Biz: The Knowles Knows! The last stop before Knowles World Domination is approaching. Beyonce’s second solo world tour kicks off April 2009. But this time around, The Knowleses are in talks to bring lil sis Solange along for the ride:Last week, Mathew Knowles broke the news tha...

Video: Musiq feat Mary J Blige - IfULeave(Teaser) Here is a preview of the new single from Musiq and Mrs. Blige-Issacs! Video: 50 Cent - The Money & Power (TV Show Trailer) 50 reminds us why he is the richest man in Hip-Hop. Take notes rookies! Video: Brutha feat Fabolous - I Can't Hear The Music

Audio: Jennifer Hudson feat Fantasia - I'm His Only Woman Check out this newly leaked song from Jennifer Hudson's self-titled album in stores September 30. Originally the song featured Jazmine Sullivan but Fantasia was favored. Call it "Screamfest '08" if you will! If this song is released as a single I can see Urban AC radio eating this up. This is the type of songs they love. Audio: Musiq feat Mary J Blige - If U Leave Here is the latest song from Musiq's upcoming album coming soon. I'm not sure on a release date but I will let you all know when I find out. I've never been big on Musiq but I do like a few of his songs. Audio: Alicia Keys feat Jack White - Another Way To Die(James Bond Theme) Here it is the exclusive premiere of the James Bond theme. Originally the song was meant for Amy Winehouse and several other high profile acts before landing in the hands of Keys. Check it out before its gone! Music News: Originally scheduled for release this Dec...

Video: Butta Creme - Sugar Daddy This Pretty Ricky protege which appears on their first single, "Cuddle Up" releases their first video. It's always nice to see a new girl group hit the scene. In the back of my mind though I always wonder how long they will be around. Judging by the look and sound of this group, they may manage one hit. Then again you never know that can become bigger than Destiny's Child......................NOT! Video: Musiq - Radio Debut video from upcoming album in stores this September. I see Musiq is still donning the shades. I guess that has become his trademark. We all know why he truly wears them right? Well I think its time he got that problem fixed especially if he has the money. I know I would but that's just me! Music News: As expected Ms. Brandy has returned to the music scene with her new single, "Right Here (Departed)" produced by longtime collaborator Rodney Jerkins. Click here to listen to the new tune! I am a fan of Br...