the chal banz blog

Rihanna quietly released her oft-delayed album, "Anti" this past January. The album was quickly certified Platinum thanks in part to the million of streams it received on TIDAL, where it was released first. Billboard however didn't recognize the sales and at presstime, "Anti" has sold close to 280,000 copies. "Anti" is Rihanna's second #1 album and it features the #1 single, "Work". Now as far as the album is concerned, I feel "Anti" is Rihanna's most enjoyable album since "Good Girl Gone Bad". The album opens with "Consideration" featuring SZA followed by the breezy but brief, "James Joint". "Kiss It Better" is an instant favorite to me and deserves the single treatment, while "Needed Me" might be the proper follow up since its already charting on the charts. "Desperado" finds Rihanna playing the bad ass that she is known to be singing in a monotone voice. ...

Earlier this year Future surprised us with his third straight #1 album, "EVOL". After being such a big fan of Future's last album, "DS2" I just knew I would like this album. After first listen, the album was sort of blah to me. Maybe I didn't give it a fair chance so I went back just recently and started listening to this album when I worked out. I realize that "EVOL" is actually a proper follow up to "DS2", though I feel Future shouldn't rush release albums. Okay so on to the review, "Aint No Time" opens the album which is a listenable track, not my favorite. Much better is "In Her Mouth", where Future says "I'm trying to fuck the DA lady in her mouth though". This is one of my favorite songs on the album. "Maybach" follows which isn't bad. Next is "Xanny Family" which is also very enjoyable and features quite a few laughable lines from Future who is a very witty lyricist. ...

Miguel unveils the cover for his new album "Wild Heart" which is due in June. The album features the new single "Coffee" featuring Wale. What do you think of Miguel's new album cover? In my opinion, the cover is giving me a Prince vibe. Do you agree?

Luke James has revealed the album cover for his self titled album due in stores on September 23 through Island Records. The song contains the single Options featuring Rick Ross. The singer also just released a video for his new single Dancing In The Dark. Will you be supporting Luke James? 

Tinashe, known for her hit song 2 On will release her new album Aquarius on October 3. What do you think about the album's cover? 

Jennifer Hudson unveils the new album artwork from her new album JHUD due September 23. The album features the singles It's Your World featuring R. Kelly and Walk It Out . Producers on the album include Timbaland and Pharrell. What do you think of the album cover and the title? If you look closely, the album cover is a still from Jennifer's Walk It Out video. Do you think its lazy to use a still from your video shoot for an album cover? I don't think so long as its the right photo. I think Jennifer looks great!

Chris Brown unveils his new album cover for X . The long awaited album will FINALLY be released on September 9. You all ready for Chris' new album? 

Jhene Aiko unveils the cover to her Def Jam Records debut Souled Out. It is the follow up to her 2013 EP Sail Out . Souled Out will feature the songs Promises featuring Jhene's daughter, To Love & Die featuring Cocaine80s and The Pressure . 

Keyshia Cole has unveiled the cover art for her new album Point Of No Return . The album currently has no release date but the album is said to be released this Summer. The album features the singles Rick James, Next Time, and She . Keyshia hasn't had a real hit single from this album yet. I'm not sure what her next plan of action is. Many are saying Keyshia is over and they aren't feeling her new batch of songs. PONR is reportedly Keyshia's last album for Interscope so she probably doesn't care how well it performs chartwise. I think I did read that this album will get the visual album treatment a la Beyoncé. We shall see. What do you all think of Keyshia Cole's new album cover? 

Check Michelle Williams out as she will take us on her Journey To Freedom , her new album being released on September 9. The album features the first single Say Yes featuring Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland. Michelle appeared this morning on ABC's Good Morning America where she revealed the album's cover art. So guys what do you think about Michelle's new album cover? Will you be supporting her on September 9?

Hail Mariah! Mariah Carey releases yet another album cover for her upcoming album Me. I Am Mariah...The Elusive Chanteuse . Though this cover is for the Japan release, I think it should of been the album's initial cover. I admire the simplicity of the cover and it doesn't feature Mariah all photoshopped down as usual. Anyway Mariah's new album is available for pre-order now on iTunes and will be available on May 27. So what do you all think of the Japan album cover? Yay or nay? 

As promised Mariah Carey unveiled her new album details early this morning(midnight to be exact). What I thought was going to be an album release, was merely just the album details complete with album cover(above), tracklisting, and release date, May 27. Titled, Me. I Am Mariah...The Elusive Chanteuse is Mariah's 16th album. It joins previously overlong album title, Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel, which was a really good album. Anyway you can check out the album's tracklisting below:   1. “Cry.” 2. “Faded” 3. “Dedicated” (feat. Nas) 4. “#Beautiful” (feat. Miguel) 5. “Thirsty” 6. “Make It Look Good” 7. “You’re Mine (Eternal)” 8. “You Don’t Know What To Do” (feat. Wale) 9. “Supernatural” 10. “Meteorite” 11. “Camouflage” 12. “Money ($ * / …)” [feat. Fabolous] 13. “One More Try” 14. “Heavenly (No Ways Tired/Can’t Give Up Now)” 15. “Me. I Am Mariah…The Elusive Chanteuse” Deluxe 16. “It’s a Wrap” (feat. Mary J. Blige) 17. “Betcha Gon’ Know” (feat. R. Kelly) 18. “The Art ...

On May 13 Epic Records will release  Xscape  from the late King of Pop Michael Jackson. The album will feature eight tracks, from the vaults composed and produced by the likes of Jackson, Rodney Jerkins, Timbaland, and Stargate(worked with Ne-Yo). The album's title track serves as the first single which was produced by Rodney Jerkins. The album will be available for pre-order on iTunes beginning on April 1.  

Check Ashanti out the cover of her new album BraveHeart . According to UBG, this is the official album cover. The album features the new red hot single I Got It featuring Rick Ross. BraveHeart will be released on March 4. Mark your calendars. We're only one month away to #BraveHeart I'm excited! So what do you all think of the new official album cover for BraveHeart ? http://urbanbridgez.com/ubgblog/2014/02/04/ub-first-look-ashantis-official-braveheart-album-artwork

Kelis has unveiled the cover art to her new album FOOD due on April 22. The album features the first single Jerk Ribs . A video for the song was shot and is set to debut anytime now. FOOD is reported to be available in Standard and Deluxe editions and will be a two disc set. So what do you all think about the new Kelis album cover? I like it personally. It gives a slight 60s vibe and you can always count on Kelis to go left when everyone else goes right.

Ashanti has revealed the new and improved cover from her long delayed album BraveHeart now due on February 18. If you recall the cover that was going around previously had been an outtake from her The Woman You Love video. Ashanti contends that the previous album cover was never the official album cover. BraveHeart will feature Ashanti's newest song I Got It featuring Rick Ross. A video for the song is said to debut soon. So what do you all think of new Ashanti album cover? And how do you think the music will sound? As you all know I am an Ashanti fan and I've been waiting for this album for years now and I think she will deliver in terms of music.

Toni Braxton and Babyface reveal the provocative cover art for their new album which is due in stores on November 25. Don't mark my words on that release date. This is according to Essence magazine. I've read plenty of dates for this album and I'm not sure on the actual date. I'd check Amazon.com they'd probably have the REAL date.

Move over Mary J. Blige, Tamar Braxton is releasing her own Christmas album this year. Sad thing is I don't know the release date but when I find out I'll let you all know.

September 10 is the release date for the new Janelle Monae album which features appearances from Erykah Badu, Miguel, and Prince. This is the Standard album cover and the Deluxe features one image of Monae, which was revealed awhile back.

Disc 1: 1. Suite IV Electric Overture 2. Givin Em What They Love feat. Prince 3. Q.U.E.E.N. feat. Erykah Badu 4. Electric Lady with Solange 5. Good Morning Midnight (interlude) 6. PrimeTime feat. Miguel 7. We Were Rock & Roll 8. The Chrome Shoppe (interlude) 9. Dance Apocalyptic 10. Look Into My Eyes Disc 2: 12. Suite V Electric Overture 13. It’s Code 14. Ghetto Woman 15. Our Favorite Fugitive (interlude) 16. Victory 17. Can’t Live Without Your Love 18. Sally Ride 19. Dorothy Dandridge Eyes feat. Esperanza Spalding 20. What An Experience Janelle Monae will release her new album The Electric Lady on September 3 on Atlantic/Bad Boy Records.