Song Fav

Work Out

     On June 15, 2011, J. Cole released "Work Out" as the lead single for his debut studio album, "Cole World: The Sideline Story". J. Cole is an American hip hop recording artist. This song, classified as hip hip and R&B, interpolates "Straight Up" by Paula Abdul. As of January 11, 2012, "Work Out" has been certified by the RIAA. The music video, shot in Brooklyn, New York, shows J. Cole playing basketball and interacting with a girl that catches his eye.
     This song is personally, a great memory from this past summer. Even though it came out earlier, this was when the song became popular. It has a great fun vibe that can make you want to get up and sing and dance or even just sheer you up if your in a bad mood with J. Cole's smooth voice. "Work Out" was one of those songs that after two days I has memorized and probably sang over a million times. Every time I hear "Work Out", I just light up.
     To watch a just the beginning of the music video please click this link (I chopped the video due to inappropriate scenes.), "http://www.tubechop.com/watch/1124031".
     To listen to "Work Out" please click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/MkCwaljHc70" .
     To watch a lyric video of the song click the link,"http://www.youtube.com/embed/9fskMLPn-Uw".
     To watch Paula Abdul's "Straight Up", please click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/El1kgCqD7Xk".
     To watch a lyric video of "Straight Up", click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/GDDW7mgy7nI".

Song Fav

Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)

      "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson. It is the titular song from he fifth studio album, "Stronger". It's genre is dance, electropop, and pop rock. "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" came out on January 17, 2012. Commercially, "Stronger" became her most successful single to date. 

     Lyrically, the content of the song mainly explores themes of empowerment and recovery following a heartbreak. Kelly's confident voice really adds power to this very meaningful song. Now, this is definitely a song I would just get right on up and start dancing too. It has the perfect amount of energy to get you wanting to dance to it but not too much, which would make it overly obnoxious. This song sends out a positive message that should be used by everyone.
     To watch the music video of "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)", click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/Xn676-fLq7I".
     To see a lyric video of the song, please click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/Vf43LCtGrj4". 

Song Fav

Feel So Close

     Scottish recording artist, Calvin Harris sings, "Feel So Close". This song is from his album, "18 Months". This song was released on August 19, 2011 and is classified as house and dance-pop. Clavin returned to singing on this song, after previously stating he had quit singing in concerts. The song reached number one in his native Scotland.

     This song is very upbeat, energetic, and lively. It has a fast tempo and steady beat. Also, Calvin's deep voice adds a sense of warmth to the song. "Feel So Close" is one of my favorite songs for it reminds me of summer memories from when I was younger. This song has a special place in my heart, for every time I hear it I wish I could go back to being a kid and having no worries. 

     To watch the music video of "Feel So Close" click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/dGghkjpNCQ8".

     To see a lyric video of the song please click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/AEh3zEMYKzA".

Song Fav

Lights

     "Lights" by English recording artist, Ellie Goulding is from her debut album, "Lights". "Lights" came out on March 13, 2011 and is classified as synthpop, indie pop, and indietronic. The song was inspired by Goulding's childhood fear of the dark. The song received mainly positive reviews, although a few said that the song was threaded with dark thoughts. The song sold three million copies in the US. 

     "Lights" is a very upbeat song but still very smooth. The song is very  versatile. It is a something that you could either dance to at a party or fall asleep to in your room. It can go from fast-paced to soothing in an instant. Overall, this is just that kind of song that you want to sing along too.
     To watch the music video of "Lights" click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/0NKUpo_xKyQ".
     To watch a lyric video of the song, click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/S4UU747QfpM".
     To listen to the backing track (because it's awesome , please click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/cpBtCzex8xg".

Lil Wayne V.S. Drake

     The ongoing debate about who is the better rapper is going to end today. It's Lil Wayne V.S. Drake. They both have different styles and have their own fans, Team Tunechi (Lil Wayne) and Team Drizzy (Drake), but at the end all that matters is who is superior.  Let's get started!

Lil Wayne

Dwayne Micheal Carter Jr., born September 27, 1982 is formerly known for his stage name Lil Wayne is an American hip hop recording artist from New Orleans, Louisiana. He joined Cash Money/Young Money Records in 1991 at the age of nine, taken under the wing by Bryan Williams (Birdman). In 1996 he joined the southern hip hop group Hot Boys and then soon went solo. Lil Wayne's parents divorced at the age of two and his father permanently abandoned the family. He had dropped out of school at the age of 14 to focus on his music career. He later attended the University of Houston but dropped out once again since it was conflicting with his schedule. He did get a degree in psychology though, when he took online courses from the university of Phoenix. Now he is 30 years old and wants to retire at the age of  35 for he has 4 kids. A daughter as the oldest, and then 3 younger sons. He had gotten rapper Trina pregnant but she suffered a miscarriage. Lil Wayne is a very successful rapper who continues to rise in fame and popularity.

Drake

Aubrey Drake Graham, born October 24, 1986 is Canadian recording artist, rapper, songwriter, and actor. He was born in Toronto, Ontario and became known for playing Jimmy Brooks on the teen television series Degrassi: The Next Generation. His parents divorced when he was younger and that truly impacted his life. His father lived in the hood (Memphis) and his mother lived a wealthy upper-class area (Forest Hills). Even though Drake's mother was very poor and that the only income they were getting was from Drake's acting career, his mother wanted him to get a good education. A large portion of Drake's work includes both rapping and singing which makes him an unique artist. Drake turned 26 this past October and continues to win more and more awards rising as we speak. 

 

Awards

              

In Conclusion

     Overall, Lil Wayne and Drake are both very talented artists. They have won numerous awards and have many fans that love and adore them. Unfortunately  there can't be two #1's. I'm proud to say that Lil Wayne has, in my opinion, rose to the top.

Keep Your Ears Open

     Here are my top 10 songs to check out by Lil Wayne. 

 1. Bedrock

2. Got Money

3. A Milli

4. How to Love

 5. 6 Foot 7 Foot

6. Lollipop

7. Down

8. Mirror

9. Go D.J.
10. She Will

                                         Song Fav

Stay

     Classified as pop and R&B, "Stay" is Rihanna's second single to her seventh studio album, "Unapologetic". It was released on January 7, 2013 in the format of CD Single. The song features guest vocals by Mikey Ekko. It received a positive response from music critics saying that it was either a stand out track or that it was boring. However, their opinions were unified in praising of the vocal performance and emotion.  

     This song personally is a song I would choose to listen  to when I'm studying. Don't get me wrong I would listen to this song when I'm just jamming out too. This song is very calm and soothing. It will help you get to that clear and focused state of mind that you need to be in. It changes pitch, voice, tempo, and instruments during the song as to make sure it doesn't get too boring, you need something to keep you somewhat motivated to study. This song is very meaningful and may be too deep for some people, as they may start to get distracted by the lyrics.

     I would love to show you the music video due to the facial expressions, but unfortunately I can't    due to inappropriate scenes.

     To see a lyric video, click this link please, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/1YWDLjvfEs4".
     To watch a karaoke video of "Stay" click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/jQ2M36IU2PU" .

Song Fav

Call Me Maybe

     Released on September 20, 2011, Carly Rae Jepson came out with "Call Me Maybe". It's genre is teen-pop, dance-pop, and disco. Lyrically, the track alludes to the inconvenience that a love at first sight brings to a girl who hopes from a call back from her crush. The song received generally positive reviews from contemporary critics. It is 2012's best-selling digital single, and one of the best-selling digital singles of all time.

     This song is very energetic, funny, whimsical, but most of all childish, and I mean that in a good way. "Call       Me Maybe" brings out the inner child in all of us. It's flirtatiousness and curiosity really bring the song together, making it sound like a girl in high school  was singing this aloud. In the beginning, I used to joke with my friends saying that the song should be called, "Call Me Baby", instead. I know realize the true meaning of the song and that Carly was singing the song as if to ask her crush, "Call me, maybe?"

     To watch the official music video of "Call Me Maybe" click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/fWNaR-rxAic".

     To see a lyric video of this song please click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/RWAdb1vgoik".

     To watch a karaoke version of "Call Me Maybe" click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/j3iq_6wd13s". 

Song Fav

Somebody That I Used To Know

     "Somebody That I Used to Know" is a song written and recorded by Belgian-Australian 

singer-songwriter Gotye, featuring New Zealand singer/guitarist Kimbra. It was released on July 5, 2011 as the second single from Gotye's third studio album "Making Mirrors". "Somebody That I Used to Know" is a mid-tempo, indie pop ballad. It received generally positive reception from critics. Kimbra was voted best female artist and Gotye was voted best male artist and producer of the year. In 2013, the song also won 2 Grammys.

     "Somebody That I Used to Know" is a song about a man expressing his feelings about a relationship ending. He speaks about how he didn't see it  happening but how he was glad it was over. They decided to still be friends but then Kimbra comes in singing about how Gotye/ or her boyfriend had always took advantage of her and blamed things on her. She also says that he said he was over it but could never let go. Gotye then comes back in with how she didn't have to stoop so low and change her number, etc... The music represents not really the lyrics but the emotion of the song. If you watch Gotye in the video, he is singing with sadness and gets nervous as Kimbra approaches him. On the other hand, Kimbra is emotionless and gets in Gotye's face when she is singing. The paint/pattern in the video demonstrates Gotye and how his feelings developed into the relationship as he is being painted to match the pattern in the background. Kimbra, who is already painted, gradually has the paint disappear, showing how her feelings for the relationship decreased.
     To watch the music video of "Somebody That I Used To Know" click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/8UVNT4wvIGY" .
     To watch a lyric video of the song so you can really listen to the lyrics click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/DqRC5tquyU0" .
     And just because I think the backing track is really cool I'll include a video of that. Her is the link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ejr-Oc9zgkM" .

                   Song Fav                                

Everybody Talks

     Neon Trees, the American Rock band came out with "Everybody Talks", on December 20, 2011. It is the lead single for their second studio album, "Picture Show". The song received generally positive reviews saying that people could relate to it and that the song will work with a very wide audience. The song was considered to be a sleeper it, a term used in the entertainment industry for a piece that plays successfully for a long period and becomes a big success, despite having relatively little promotion or a successful opening. "Everybody Talks" was inspired by early 1960's pop music.

     "Everybody Talks" is a real smooth song. The theme of the song is actually pretty weird. There isn't really a theme or a meaning to the song. The song just basically about the music video. When you watch the music video you may not get it because not all the lyrics' time when they are sung match up with the scenes in the music video. It would probably help if you watched and listened to a lyric video first of "Everybody Talks" and then played the music video. 

     If you would like to see a lyric video of the song, click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/H_pRyMShJ0k". 

     If you would like to watch the official music video of "Everybody Talks", please click onto this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/X5G9tIe84lE" .

Song Fav

Payphone

     The American pop song, "Payphone" performed by American pop rock band, Maroon 5 ft. Wiz Khalifa, was released on April 17, 2012. It is the lead single in their fourth studio album, "Overexposed". It received mainly good reviews although some said that the song would have been better without Khalifa's  appearance.  On the Billboard Hot 100, the song debuted at number three before peaking at number two and 493, 000 copies in it's first week. "Payphone" was the world's fifth bestselling single of 2012.
     "Payphone" is a song that has recently caught my interest again. When I first heard this song, I thought it was a smooth, upbeat song that was very energetic. Now that I listen to it again, almost a year later, I feel differently. It is still an upbeat, smooth, and somewhat energetic piece, but not as fun as it used to be. If you watch the music video it is about Adam Lambert trying to be the hero in a robbery to impress a girl. He escapes with the girl, a fellow co-worker but is mistaken as one of the robbers. He picks up a car and is then being speed chased. Wen he is finally safe, he goes to a payphone and tries to call the girl. She doesn't want to associate with him and basically just leaves him high and dry. When yo listen to the song the first time you will get the impression that I first got. Once you start listening to and interpreting the lyrics the song will start to feel sad and depressive. I am not saying that this song in any way is depressive. I still like to listen to this song now and then and sing along to it's catchy tune, but if I pay to much attention to the lyrics i do tend to start getting a little sad. The whole theme/plot of the song isn't so sad, but the lyrics really impact it with their word choice.
     Unfortunately, this song is explicit, so I cannot show you the official music video. If you would like to watch a radio edit (clean version) music video click onto this link (this music video is basically like a summary of the official music video), "http://www.youtube.com/embed/PNB59FdytuU" .
     To listen to the clean version with lyrics of "Payphone" click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/G4bIPMg0Gmc"
     To listen to the same thing but this time with Wiz Khalifa's rapping part omitted, click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/lGPd9Z397YQ"

Song Fav

"I'm Not Afraid"

     On April 29, 2010 Eminem came out with his hit single, "I'm Not Afraid". The song is part of his seventh studio album, "Recovery". It is classified as hip hop and his vocals are sung mainly over a guitar, synthesizer, and piano; no auto-tune was used on Eminem's voice. He has won many awards and has gotten mainly good criticism on the song. Eminem talks about a positive change against drugs and violence.

     I really enjoy this song because it was one of the first songs I heard when I started getting into the rap/hip hop genre of music. It is has very meaningful lyrics (which you know is something I love-as shown in first few posts) and is very clear, simple, and to the point with them. It is not as if the song has some deep meaning to it. The music video explains the song very well too, having Eminem display courage and confidence with his actions, but also with the setting and event that happen in the music video. One, including Eminem jumping off a cliff. This song to me is a big staple of Eminem himself.. Even though the song is old it shows off Eminem as he is know, passionate and caring for his career and life.

     Unfortunately, I cannot show you a music or lyric video because Eminem does use a lot of foul language, although the music video is perfectly fine, it still has audio.

     Fortunately, I can show you an audio video of just the instrumental for "I'm Not Afraid". To see that video please click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/zoHPzpnkOKk".

Song Fav

Just the Way You Are

     On July 20, 2010 Bruno Mars came out with his second-best selling single, "Just the Way You Are". In the United Kingdom the song came out on September 19, 2010. The music video came out on September 19, 2010 for both nations. The genre of the song is R&B and pop and sold as CD single and digital download. It is meant to be straight to the point and meaningful. The song has a massive chorus and memorable melody.

     I remember the first time I heard this song on the radio, the announcer had said, "Okay girl's this ones for you," and I think that that quote fits this song perfectly. The song is basically about telling a woman she looks beautiful. The song still plays on some radio stations and is a big fan hit. Bruno's voice also plays a big part of the song, rebounding off of Alicia Keyes's classic feel. It is truly in my opinion a song that will be remembered in time from Bruno Mars.

     To watch the music video of "Just the Way You Are" click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/LjhCEhWiKXk".

     To watch a lyric video of the song click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/nzPM6s3AAGw".

     To listen to just an audio of the song please click this link, "http://www.youtube.com/embed/QCvEzNvSJc8".