De Ja Vu - the Justin Timberlake Edition!

Okay, so it is no secret, I haven't really been a fan of JT since the whole '04 Superbowl incident. Yes, I believe that he LEFT JANET HANGIN! And so should anyone else, who watched that tomfoolery take place, and middle American society basically have an aneurysm from it. The image of him holding three pieces of material from Janet's outfit is embedded in the dome.

Fast forward to 2009. Ciara is desperately trying to promote her upcoming album, so after basically two singles that flopped, she decides to drop the cut she has with JT. It has been about two, maybe even three years since she dropped her last album. Amid rumors of her alleged relationship with 50 Cent, a very revealing spread in Vibe Magazine and a notorious haul to reinvent herself, in "Love, Sex and Magic," her sexuality is almost overkill.

At first glance/listen, the song is decent. A nice radio-friendly track that I am sure will get lots of play on the dance stations. Whether or not the urban market will grab a hold of this remains to be seen. I kind of feel for Ciara, because it is hard to make that girl to a woman jump, and let's face it, prior to this year, her fan base was greatly the 6-16 market. Now she is trying to appeal to grown folks. The problem is that while us, grown folk love a nice video and song on the radio, it's the a great live performance that will make us loyal. Considering that I have seen Ciara perform live quite a few times, and all of them were bad at best, I am not so sure, she will be able to grab the adult market.

But what struck me in this video was the parallel to Janet Jackson. She has made no secret about her constant Janet-inspired style. Although, this video almost looks like a Beyonce knockoff with the shades and the bodysuit and stockings. But watching her play-by-play with Timberlake, the Superbowl came crashing back to me. Their chemistry is forced. The choreography is always good, but at times Ci Ci comes off a little masculine. While the song is solid and the video is entertaining, I don't know if America, especially the urban market can deal with JT schmoozing another sista in the industry with blatant sexual interest in a song. Time will tell.



I wonder what Jessica Biel thinks of the vid?

Hard Candy = GOOD MUSIC!

So, I bought this album off of my favorite download site, MP3Fiesta.com. I downloaded it to my comp and then to my Itunes, and had it in my Ipod for about two days before I gave it a real listen.

Then on the bus Friday, I decided to listen to it on the way home. I was bobbing my head and found myself singing along several times. I have to say this album has pleasantly surprised me. I know that Madonna is the queen of reinvention, but she hit this one out of the park. I mean freakin slam-dunked it.

The entire album features platinum production from Timbaland and The Neptunes, with the Neptunes completely outshining on each of their tracks. Madonna returned to her R&B/dance hits that initially made her successful. This album is timeless, there is no way anyone from a hip-hop head to a punk rocker couldn't listen to this and find at least half of the tracks worthy of being in their MP3.

I won't give a complete album review, but I would be remissed if I didn't at least mention the standout tracks. I will admit that when I first heard "4 Minutes" I didn't like it, because we have been almost force-fed music from the Timbaland/Timberlake team for the past year-and-a-half. But, thank goodness on HC, there are only two tracks that heavily feature the Timbs with "4 Minutes" being one of them.

Heartbeat - a Neptunes track, with heavy beats has the synth imogulation you hear on Usher's "Love in This Club," however, the overall melody of the song gives it this 80's feel that is so catchy, you will definitely be singing this in the shower.

She's Not Me - another Neptunes track is incredibly edgy, sexy and an ode to a man who may have moved on, but Madge reminds him repeatedly that the new chick is not her. This is going to be a popular track if she decides to release it. Guitar riffs and handclaps are very reminiscent of Nile Rogers of Chic.

Incredible - wow, another Neptunes track...this is a true pop dance cut, but it has flashes of this futuristic disco sound to it. There is a break down in the song that will have you booty shaking if you weren't already.

Beat Goes On - staying with the Neptunes, this is quite possibly the best track on the whole cd. Featuring Kan the Lous Vuitton Don, it is very urban. The black radio stations will most definitely be rocking this one. This is one of those cool tracks you want to play in the car.

Spanish Lesson - is a funky spanish-influenced track where Madonna comes in and out saying things in Spanish and then translating in English. Whatever, the beat is so hot and SEXY, you almost don't even hear what she's saying. I can't wait to hear this in the club! Oh, and if you were wondering, yep, this one is the Neptunes too.

So cop it if you love good music. Whether you dig Madonna or not, you can't lose with this one. Hard Candy is the business!

Madonna has joined the Timberland/Timberlake revolution!

Here is the link for her new single which features JT and produced by Timbo.

http://www.zshare.net/audio/908943606c289f/

I have to say when I first heard it, I didn't like it. After listening to it again, it isn't bad, but I am just so sick of the Timbs! Need a break from them, but Madonna clearly knows how to reinvent herself.