J.Lo wants one thing to be clear, she Ain't Your Mama.
In her first single since re-signing with L.A. Reid's Epic Records, Jenny From The Block provides a new anthem for raising awareness of gender inequality. Switching between vintage "maid" scenes and women submitting to their man, the end of the video finds a big dance number lead by the singer herself as all of the women walk off their jobs.
Catch the video above.
Following a one month break from social media, Kehlani is back with a sultry new track, "24:07."
Check it out below:
(Young Money/Republic Records)
Drake has released his new album, shortened from Views from the 6 to simply Views, late last night. This album has been highly anticipated not only because Drake is a well-known, well-liked rapper in the hip-hop realm, but also because his single “Summer Sixteen” included lyrics hyping up the value of his new music. He raps, “All summer sixteen, playin’ dirty not clean… Lookin’ for revenge all summer sixteen.” Though this album certainly brings the sexual coolness that makes Drake able to play with pop queens such as Rihanna in her song “Work,” Views also creates an introspective view on his undoubted success derived from a humble upbringing as a Toronto native.
In addition to Drake’s twenty-track album, he also includes huge stars as features on multiple tracks. Future, Rihanna, and PARTYNEXTDOOR are all artists that add to his album without overshadowing the unique-sounding rapper. In general, the album directly parallels Drake’s sound that has made him famous: it’s light and smooth while still maintaining quick and witty rap lyrics that rise to the surface of every track. Songs like “Weston Road Flows” describes a humble beginning for the rap star that verifies his relentless ego that pervades his music now. Though the hip-hop genre is filled with proud ego, Drake argues through this song that the hard work put in along the way is the reason it should be rewarded. Furthermore, “Grammys” featuring Future includes like such as “I pull up in yachts so big that they try to hit me with boat fines OVO a gold mine… but I'm going to go no time… hall of fame, hall of fame.” This is the cocky contrast to the explanation in “Weston Road Flows,” describing the beginning versus the current luxurious lifestyle.
Drake also includes songs on the album like “Childs Play” that is an extremely witty insult song to a girl that lightens the mood of Views. The following lyrics are in only one verse of the song that accurately describes the brilliant yet cold attitude Drake ensues to the female subject of the song. “Why you gotta fight with me at Cheesecake? You know I love to go there, say I'm actin' light skinned, I can't take you nowhere. This a place for families that drive Camrys and go to Disney. They don't need to know all of our business. You wildin', you super childish; you go to CVS for Kotex in my Bugatti. I took the key and tried to hide it, so you can't drive it, and put on mileage, then you find it, awkward silence.” He compares the relationship and her actions to child’s play; it’s the best way to describe immaturity between two people in reflection of a relationship.
In total, Views is the epitome of Drake’s artistic identity to present day. The extensive twenty-song track list includes icy sensuality, witty attitude, and insight into his journey towards the current pinnacle of his career. Though Drake’s tendency towards lighter, smoother rap pervades the tracks, his also includes tracks with features such as Future to highlight harder, louder rap to even out the album’s tone. Fans should be satisfied, even after “Summer Sixteen” and its hype, at Views’s well-rounded sound.
If anyone is beginning to feel nostalgic for time when artists put all of themselves into their music instead of songs written for them by other people, if anyone is tired of the same chords played on different tracks because originality is the a thing of the past, if anyone feels a wall going up in the industry between what is out there and what is real, J.R. is your new artist to watch. The St. Louis native bleeds dedication to his true identity as a musician. RRU interviewer Gibson sat down with J.R. in Los Angeles before J.R. headed out to continue his Gang Season EP tour in South Carolina.
“I have always kept music a part of my life… ever since my mother kept me in school programs. It’s something I have a passion for,” J.R. said, “This is a pivotal point in my career to make sure my fans know me and understand me. I don’t want to get stuck in the lane where it looks like I need a feature.”
However, J.R. is nothing but grateful and respectful to those who’ve stuck out helping hands for him in the industry as he’s continued to rise. Big names such as Nelly, a St. Louis native himself, and Trey Songz are two rappers who have cultivated rich, professional relationships with J.R.
“Trey was listening to [my] music and inquired… I met him in Detroit and began to build a friendship and music chemistry. He listened to my first single ‘I’m Just Sayin;’’ I sent it directly to him, and he sent it right back. That’s when I knew (laughs). Next day, it was on the radio in my home city.” J.R. asserts his thankfulness and understanding of the influences that have helped shape his career, something that is rare in an egocentric industry. Beside the recent Trey Songz, Nelly and The St. Lunatics are two other artists who’ve inspired him because they influenced his direction, as he grew up seeing what they got to do. His dream collaboration would be Outkast.
In addition to recognition of his influences, J.R. also notes the importance of his production team. “If you find someone you can really work with for a long, long hours, appreciate them and keep them close to you because it’s really hard to find,” he said. His close circle is also from his home city of St. Louis. This is another major source of passion for J.R.
“It’s a tough city. In St. Louis, you have to develop a thick skin. Entertainment comes with a million critics. I get the hate comments all day. That’s fine. If you sit there thinking, ‘How can I make this sound negative? That’s really gonna hurt his feelings.’ I don’t care. Imma make good music; make sure my kids are alright. I’m always going to be genuine.”
His tough skin and real personality are derivations from his St. Louis upbringing, as the city continues to mold the musical man from his city childhood. In regards to his music, the genuineness is carried into the studio, as well. “[My music] is very emotional,” he said, “It evokes emotion out of people. I put a lot of me into my records.” In regards to the lyrical content regarding tough situations, J.R. has experienced in his life, he said, “I put a lot of ‘me’ into my records. It’s not struggle music – [I] let you know what we’ve been through, what the struggle was, and where we are now. I want to be able to touch my fans in that way.”
“God blessed me and put me in certain situations. If it all ended tomorrow, I’d be happy.”
Since his Gang Season EP was released in late February, J.R. has been on his own tour promoting the EP. He commented on the good reception and love people have been showing him while on tour. However, the tour has not faulted his ability to share new music with his fans. “Party Bussin,’” the rapper’s “celebratory anthem,” was just released. It is a feel-good track that fans can place on their pregame and going out playlists. However, hip-hop is not the only genre that J.R. would consider working within. “I’m open to any kind of music. I don’t want to dress like a country singer and make trap music, but when Nelly sat down and made a record with Tim McGraw (referencing “Over and Over”), that’s blurring lines,” J.R. admirably said in regards to blending genres. He has a strong admiration for artists across all genres of music, which is a unique trait for an artist focused in one genre.
In regards to the continuation of his career, J.R. goal is concerned with longevity. “I want to be around forever,” he said, “You can die physically, but Tupac’s not going anywhere. Biggie’s not going anywhere.” A strong statement from the up-and-comer who has high expectations for his music derived from a hard, instinctive work ethic. With Summer Jam right around the corner, J.R. continues be grow while continuing to give thanks to those who push him everyday.
“God blessed me and put me in certain situations. If it all ended tomorrow, I’d be happy.”
Catch the full interview with J.R. above.
(Parkwood Entertainment)
Beyoncé’s new album dropped Saturday. Titled Lemonade, her new album came with a twist: a video that incorporates the songs from her album in a lengthy, short film-like context. Not only does Beyoncé use the music video mix of her new album to create a backdrop for an artistic rendition of Lemonade; she also incorporates talking parts and monologues throughout the video that describe the artistic content to come in the following scenes. The backgrounds and sets are intense, filled with cultural representations of her heritage and family, scary and grungy garage and red-lit hallways, childhood and interview videos, and nature shots.
Each mini music video within the larger context of the whole-album video accurately reflects the vibe of the song. Queen B’s hot topics of this album encircle three major themes: husband infidelity, black female oppression (historically and currently), and her heritage. Many scenes reflect the Southern upbringing that Beyoncé had. However, her reflections on love in the album are not positive; Beyoncé spends a lot of lyrics insulting and describing the pain that a man caused her by cheating. One can assume this might be a personal, artistic outlet to marital problems with Jay-Z, or it could be a general reflection of what she has witnessed around her.
Beyoncé also includes numerous shots of other black women, with different culturally typical hairstyles and outfits that reflect current and historical tradition. Beyoncé seems to heavily delve into reflection of her own family lineage and history of her people while connecting it to her current struggles growing through love and art. In one striking scene, the camera pans from different mothers who hold photos of their deceased sons, assumingly from gang violence or police brutality, two problematic issues the African American community faces. In Lemonade, Beyoncé grounds herself deeper and more reflectively than we have ever seen her. While BEYONCÉ was centered solely on love, sex, and female portrayal, this album and its accompanying video gives fans a much better look into who Queen B is as a person outside of the glitter and off the stadium stages.
However, though the album delves into a lot of intense issues associated with Queen B’s exploration of her heritage and herself, the album and its video end with a positive light. She states in a monologue, “We will heal.” She is hopefully correct; the African American suppression in America has been persistent for years, turning from blatant forms such as slavery to subtle forms such as structural inequality. In addition, she adds a positive not about relationships after discussing infidelity throughout her album. Whether Queen B is explicitly talking about Jay-Z cheating, a probable assumption, she states, “Our love was stronger than your pride.” This song is accompanied with videos including Jay-Z and B being happy together. The viewer/listener assumes that B forgave the cheating due to the broader picture of their strong love and future as a happy couple who can forge past a mistake. It is to be seen if she is talking about her family with Jay-Z and Blue Ivy, but all the video included of her happy family insinuates such. Beyoncé ends Lemonade on a positive note in comparison to its beginning, ending the credits with her previously released music video of “Formation.” Queen B, yet again, you slay. This time, you slay on a level deeper than discussing curves and boys; delving into the messy historical content of being an African American woman in America in a long term relationship in the public eye deserves praise.
Stream Lemonade over at Tidal.
