I Am Boi Genius

Rick Ross & Usher Film ‘Touch ‘N You’ Video

2012-05-26T09:46:13Z

When a rapper crafts an album titled, God Forgives, I Don’t, a single dedicated to the ladies isn’t what most would expect to hear. But that’s part of Rick Ross’ genius. Right?

He enlists R&B/Pop superstar Usher to croon the infectious hook, although he has Maybach O at his disposal now. “Touch ‘N You” is definitely a step up from Raymond’s “Lemme See,” and Ross is following through with a proper visual directed by Chris Robinson.

MTV

Bonus: Usher’s animated Q photo shoot. [iLuLuOnline]

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Brandy Talks Frank Ocean-Penned ‘Scared Of Beautiful’

2012-05-26T08:58:17Z

Brandy joined forces with Monica for “It All Belongs To Me” to mark her return after an extended hiatus. She followed up with the Bangladesh-produced “Put It Down,” featuring a rap verse from Chris Brown.

Recently, the R&B superstar chatted with Bark + Bite to elaborate on Frank Ocean’s contribution to her upcoming album, Two Eleven, her VH1 Behind The Music special and the possibilities of a tour with Monica.

Bark + Bite: You’ve already worked with Frank Ocean in the past, but you’re said to have completed work with him for the new album, right?
Brandy: Yeah, I love Frank Ocean. I tease him all the time that I knew before everyone else knew how special he was. It’s always great to work with him, he’s such a young genius just coming into his own.
He gave me a great song called “Scared of Beautiful” and I think the meaning of that record is just so huge. It could be taken in so many different ways and there are so many double entendres going on in that song. Just people who are afraid to succeed, people who are afraid to love, people who are afraid of being the best version of who they are. That’s how it can relate to everyone. I really hope that it makes the album, I really hope it does.
Bark + Bite: Your VH1 Behind the Music recently aired. It was a pretty emotional special. What was it like for you to watch it?
Brandy: I actually have never seen it. I lived it and I was definitely open in talking about it, so there’s no need for me to watch it. It felt like a weight was lifted and I appreciate VH1 wanting to do a Behind the Music with me because it was so needed for me just personally and emotionally.
Just being able to tell my story and be very transparent with the people that loved me for so long and also, to reach the people that were confused about the things that happened or were judgmental or whatever the case may be. I was able to confront that.
And taking responsibility always relieves you in so many ways. So it was very liberating for me, and I was so glad I did that because now I don’t have to talk about any of that anymore. It can really be about going forward and what my music represents and what my life is and my purpose.
Bark + Bite: There was talk of you possibly hitting the road with Monica for a joint tour. Is that still in the works?
Brandy: Um, honestly, we haven’t really talked about it since we stopped promoting “It All Belongs to Me.” I just honestly think Monica and I are in different places in our music. And my vibe is a little bit different this time around so I don’t know. I kind of wanna do my own thing. I definitely feel like the fans would want a tour from us, but I don’t know, I just feel like I’m being pulled in a different direction. I’m definitely still open to it, but right now I’m looking in a different way right now for me.

Considering it’s a written interview, and it may not be as harsh as it is transcribed, I will hold my thoughts on Brandy’s comments concerning the tour with Monica. Personally, I’d love to see the ladies tour together. What are your thoughts?

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50 Cent Releases ‘The Lost Tape’ Mixtape & ‘Murder One’ Video

2012-05-26T08:58:07Z

50 Cent has so much going on, people tend to forget he’s an accomplished rapper. He teams up with DJ Drama for his initiation into the honorary Gangsta Grillz committee, headed by T.I. and Young Jeezy.

The Lost Tape is the mixtape at hand, and it features 15 street tracks. Though the tape boasts some decent records, that conviction 50 had when he burst on the scene is what’s actually lost.

Download The Lost Tape at DatPiff and stream below.

“Murder One”

Beyoncé Grunts, Growls & Runs Through ‘Ex-Factor’ Cover

2012-05-26T17:45:33Z

Beyoncé has taken over Revel Resorts in Atlantic City this Memorial Day weekend. She kicked off the first show tonight, and Miss Jia (of MissJia.com) was in attendance to provide photos and footage covering the spectacle.

In the set list, the “If I Was A Boy” singer covered Lauryn Hill’s “Ex-Factor.” Though her vocals are solid, as ever, she stripped the song of its simplicity (and message) by adding excessive grunts, growls and runs. Less is more… most of the time.

Bey has released two behind-the-scenes videos exposing the preparation that goes into the “Beyoncé experience.” It showed how meticulous she was about the placement of lights and such, but it didn’t show the song selection process. She briefly covered Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” before segueing to “Halo.” It was an amazing execution.

Following the show, Jay-Z tweeted: ”I’m gonna say this and then I’m gonna end mine.” BEYONCE is the best performer in the world. Period.” Though I haven’t seen this show in its entirety (or in HD), I agree wholeheartedly with his opinion.

View More Performances Here

[Photo Source]

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Beyoncé Gets Back To Business [Video 2]

2012-05-26T03:37:11Z

Without a doubt, Beyoncé owns every stage she touches. She plans on continuing the trend at Revel Resorts in Atlantic City, where she will mark her return to the stage after giving birth to Blue Ivy.

Mrs. Carter has released behind-the-scenes videos showing how hands-on she is with the production of her sets.

Related: Beyoncé Gets Back To Business [Part 1]

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Report: Drake Responds To Pusha T–Says He Has No Time For Flops

2012-05-26T03:23:39Z

This shall be a cruel summer indeed!

Nearly simultaneous to the release of Lil’ Wayne’s lukewarm diss, “Goulish,” Drake has allegedly responded to Pusha T at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. According to a Club Paradise Tour concertgoer, Drake said:

“If your hit single came out when I was 16–and your shit flopped–and you switched teams, don’t say nothing to me nigga!”

Expect a video to accompany the reported statement soon. Hopefully Pusha isn’t so beneath Drake that he doesn’t release a response record.

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Lil’ Wayne Fires Back At Pusha T With ‘Goulish’

2012-05-26T02:45:57Z

As I stated before, there is a beef brewing between G.O.O.D. Music and YMCMB. Pusha T ignited the flame with a subliminal diss to Drake on “Exodus 23:1,” Lil’ Wayne fired back with a not-so subliminal Tweet and Kid Cudi joined in by voicing his “love” and support for his labelmate.

Wayne has taken said tweet and used it as the opening line for a diss over a Swizz Beatz’ beat. Apparently he fell off his skateboard on the way to the studio because the response is beyond weak and barely coherent. Hopefully he recovers from the concussion and comes harder next time.

IFWT

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Kendrick Lamar: “I Don’t Vote!”

2012-05-26T01:30:26Z

Kendrick Lamar appeared on DJ Drama’s Shade45 radio show to discuss a variety of topics. While most listeners chimed in on 2 Chainz and Gunplay being in his iPod or him not caring about same-sex lifestyles, I was more intrigued by his shameless announcement of refusing to vote.

The Compton rapper revealed he didn’t vote in the past, and he won’t vote in the future. Drama nor Lamar specified if the election in question was a presidential election, but it’s safe to assume that’s what they were referring to.

Though he tells Drama he didn’t vote “last time” (in the 2008 presidential election), he told The Source another story: “You know what’s crazy I probably didn’t vote till Obama.” Maybe he forgot; or maybe he was referring to the 2010 midterm elections.

Regardless, Drama failed to ask the one-word follow-up question, but I’m certain the answer is in that same Source interview.

When you come from a small city and you constantly see the same thing everyday, no matter how much the world talks about it or how much you see it on CNN, its still the same lifestyle. You really don’t give a fuck about it, you kind of just fall back into the world and say, “this is it.” Thats the world that we’re all in, that my people are still in.
I look at it as… the President or whoever is not going to help my city, the people that’s going to help my city is me and the people in it. I try not to talk about people outside of the community that talk about the community. The change is going to have to come from within.

Kendrick doesn’t realize this mentality is more harmful than helpful. Hopefully he ceases with the political talk; he doesn’t want to become as off-putting as Lupe Fiasco.

[They talk voting at 8:40.]

Bonus: President Obama, Colin Powell, Jay-Z, Janet Jackson & Alicia Keys speak on same-sex marriage.

[DJ Drama]

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Wale, Theophilus London, Fat Joe & Big K.R.I.T. Release New Songs

2012-05-25T20:09:34Z

Wale, Meek Mill and French Montana have a problem with hoes that be “Actin’ Up,” and they have an even bigger problem with niggas that be lettin’ em. ”Actin’ Up” is the latest release from Maybach Music Group and will appear on their compilation, Self Made Vol. 2.

Wale & Meek Mill Ft. French Montana – “Actin’ Up”

Theophilus London has been bubbling under the radar for quite some time now. He has released a feel-good, funky tune titled, “Morning Kisses,” in support of his Lover’s Holiday II: Rose Island EP.

Theophilus London – “Morning Kisses”

Remember the photos that surfaced with Fat Joe, Kanye West, Jadakiss, Yasiin Bey (Mos Def), Busta Rhymes and DJKhaled in the studio? Well, the product of that session was “Pride N Joy,” and Miguel and Roscoe Dash also appear on the record. Good look deciphering who is who. [SC]

Fat Joe Ft. Kanye West, Miguel, Jadakiss, Mos Def, DJ Khaled, Roscoe Dash & Busta Rhymes – “Pride N Joy”

Big K.R.I.T. enlists his southern brethren, Juicy J and Waka Flocka, for the remix of “Temptation.” On the track, Waka claims he can “bring the freak out of any girl,” even nuns and Christians. Well then.

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Chris Brown Premieres Steamy ‘Sweet Love’ Video

2012-05-25T14:16:50Z

Chris Brown is so desiring that he causes women to levitate while sleeping when he’s near–at least that’s what his new video for “Sweet Love” suggests. Though Chris has released a lot of music, ‘Sweet’ is the follow-up single to “Turn Up the Music.” Expect videos accompanying “Till I Die” and “Don’t Wake Me Up” in the coming weeks.

Brown’s Fortune arrives on July 3^rd. Days ago, he unveiled the humiliating deluxe edition cover. For someone who is so obsessed with art, you’d think he could craft something better. Clearly he had some free time; he released a confusing rap song, “Bitch I’m Paid,” because he was bored.

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