I Am Boi Genius

Ace Hood Unveils ‘Trials & Tribulations’ Album Cover

2013-06-16T09:41:45Z

Backed by his biggest hit to date, “Bugatti,” Ace Hood‘s forthcoming album, Trials & Tribulations, is one of rap’s most anticipated albums of the summer. According to Ace, the LP, due out on July 16th, is introspective and testimonial and will bring listeners closer to understanding what he went through that eventually led to his undeniably hungry flow.

Watch: Ace Hood – Trials & Tribulations Album Trailer

Days ago, he unveiled the album cover for ‘Trials’, and it’s less thematic than his previous cover. Ace clenches rosary beads while looking down in deep thought.

Although the cover is unimaginative, it’s much better than that green screen mess of a Source cover. His label bosses, DJ Khaled and Birdman, shine bright like a diamond in all white while a shirtless Ace sags in a pair of tight, leather pants.

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Prince Taps Ledisi For “Ain’t Gonna Miss U When U’re Gone”

2013-06-16T09:38:22Z

Prince works up a purple sweat on “Ain’t Gon Miss U When U’re Gone,” the follow-up to “Screwdriver,” “Rock and Roll Love Affair” and “Breakfast Can Wait.” The funky and fun tune finds the Purple One singing and rapping about a certain someone that think this song is about them.

He taps Ledisi as a feature but doesn’t take full advantage of the soulful diva’s pipes. Still, though, it’s good to see Prince co-signing contemporary greatness.

Listen: Prince Ft. Ledisi – “Ain’t Gonna Miss U When U’re Gone”

“Ain’t Gonna Miss U When U’re Gone” is available for purchase via 3rdEyeGirl.com. According to SC, the 6-minute record is included on Prince’s Plectrum Electrum album, which is due out later this year.

Genius Report: B

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Fifth Harmony Readies Summer Takeover With “Miss Movin’ On”

2013-06-16T09:37:36Z

Has Simon found the female answer to One Direction with Fifth Harmony? Judging by their debut single, “Miss Movin’ On,” yes! The sugary tune is catchy and boasts enough anthemic, girl power juice to make it the teeny bopping smash of the summer.

I’m breakin’ down, gonna start from scratch
Shake it off like an Etch A Sketch
My lips are saying goodbye
My eyes are finally dry
I’m not the way that I used to be
I took the record off repeat
You killed me but I survived
And now I’m coming alive

Ironically, “Miss Movin’ On” sounds like a Demi Lovato B-side in parts. However, with time, I’m sure the harmonizing quintet will develop a distinct sound both individually and collectively.

Listen: Fifth Harmony – “Miss Movin’ On”

Ally Brooke, Camila Cabello, Normani Hamilton, Dinah Jane Hansen and Lauren Jauregui auditioned individually on the last season of The X Factor. The producers put them together as a group, and they finished in third place. They later signed to L.A. Reid’s Epic Records via Simon Cowell’s Syco Music imprint.

“Miss Movin’ On” was written by Jason Evigan, Julia Michaels, Lindy Robbins and Mitch Allen and produced by the Suspex. It premiered on June 15th on Saturday Night Online with Romeo.

Genius Report: B-

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Michelle Williams Teases New Single “If We Had Your Eyes”

2013-06-15T10:11:51Z

Months after the Super Bowl spectacle, Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child is finally releasing new music. She announced her new single, “If We Had Your Eyes,” on Twitter, accompanied by a 30-second teaser instrumental and a stunning single cover.

Presumably, the song, produced by Harmony Samuels, will find Michelle returning to her contemporary gospel, inspirational roots but with a slow burning, R&B production. All will be answered when the single arrives on iTunes on June 24th.

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Robin Thicke Unveils ‘Blurred Lines’ Cover Art + Tracklist, Performs For New MySpace

2013-06-15T07:24:48Z

Robin Thicke is cleverly capitalizing off the success of “Blurred Lines,” his first Hot 100 chart-topper and million seller single. In addition to unveiling the tracklist, Mr. Thicke has revealed the cover art for the album.

Robin also performed “Blurred Lines” with Pharrell at the new MySpace launch party in Los Angeles, which later broadcasted on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

Unfortunately, the unresponsive crowd was too busy recording the show themselves to enjoy Robin and Pharrell’s awkward moves. Needless to say, the chemistry-less performance was a dud. Pharrell brought out Leah Labelle and Miley Cyrus to salvage the performance, but that was a dud too.

Blurred Lines Tracklist

1. “Blurred Lines” ft. T.I. and Pharrell)
2. “Take It Easy On Me”
3. “Ooo La La ”
4. “Ain’t No Hat 4 That”
5. “Get In My Way”
6. “Give It 2 U” ft. Kendrick Lamar)
7. “Feel Good”
8. “Go Stupid 4 U”
9. “4 The Rest Of My Life”
10. “Top Of The World”
11. “The Good Life”

“Blurred Lines” Performance

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Bruno Mars Represents Earth, Wind & Fire In “Treasure” Video

2013-06-17T00:55:57Z

Bruno Mars didn’t just “borrow” the sounds of Earth, Wind and Fire and Michael Jackson for his Unorthodox Jukebox album, he’s also unapologetically “adopting” their songs’ visual accompaniments—music videos and live performances—for his act too.

Similar to his “Locked Out of Heaven” and “When I Was You Man” videos, the video for “Treasure” packs a nostalgic punch. It goes a retro step further than those videos actually—he streams the video in 480p and letterbox format. Oh, the horror!

Bruno Mar’s “Let’s Groove” Video Still

Put simply, the video is a re-enactment of Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Let’s Groove” video. Triangular beams of light, transparent cutouts, dance sequences, aura trail effect, single lady for a group of men (what’s that about?)…all of these elements are implemented in Bruno’s video.

Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Let’s Groove” Video Still

Perhaps this is Bruno’s way of paying homage to the true musical geniuses; however, I think it’s an extreme disservice to Bruno’s talent to perpetually deliver unoriginal songs, live performances, music videos and style, regardless of how well executed, entertaining and refreshing they are. Furthermore, if you’re going to basically recreate someone else’s work, at least have the decency to credit them.

According to the liner credits, only one song on ‘Jukebox’ contains a sample, although every single one bears a striking resemblance to a song recorded by your parents’ favorite artist.

It’s quite hypocritical and discriminatory for mega-media outlets like Billboard to harshly criticize Beyoncé for copying and pasting her career, yet Bruno’s mooching is concealed.

While Bruno has us chillin’ in the past, let’s rewatch MJ’s “Rock With You” video too.

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