Top 10 Love Songs (Part 2)

My Top 10 Love Songs (1-5)

By Tamira Thomas
7/23/14

These are the top 5 love songs. Okay, to me they are.

#5 Chris Brown - Should've Kissed You

Well first off, I'll say I love the song just as much I hate the video. But it's up to you if you want to watch it. It just seems lame but whatever. Anyway, this song is perfect for that common awkward "friend zone" situation, where you just want to tell that special person how you feel. Also, when you want to kiss them!

#4 Disclosure ft. Sam  Smith - Latch

I don't know why this video stir up controversy. Oh, because two women made out? The video showed different types of people becoming romantically involved: gay and straight. Those who felt uncomfortable watching need to get a grip. Though to some the video may seem eccentric, I think the song is awesome, with the amazing instrumental from Disclosure and the lovely vocals from Sam Smith. The lyrics are pretty great, as well. It's an all-around great production.

#3 Katy Perry - Not like the Movies

No video for Katy here (her videos are usually awesome) but the song didn't really need one. That's how perfect it was. And that is also why it got my number 3 spot. You how everybody thinks love is like it is in the movies? Well, that's how Ms. Perry wants it in this song and who could blame her. I think everybody, deep, deep down, wants that "fairy tale feeling".

#2 Childish Gambino - What kind of love 

 
  https://soundcloud.com/childish-gambino/what-kind-of-love

As you can see, this song is only on SoundCloud (because someone leaked it before it could go on his album, jerks). I was scrolling on SoundCloud and happen to find this song and thank God, I'm glad I did. When Donald Glover sings, it's just special, then when he sings about delicate subjects like such, it is beyond words, so I immediately made this song number 2 on the list.

#1 Aaliyah - At Your Best, You Are Love

Number one! This is the type of song, someone thinks of the one they love or are crushing on, when they listen to it....I do. Especially when you're both hitting a bumpy road. I do believe in music therapy and so this song could possibly help. This is also one of my favorite songs from Aaliyah. Though she can't take all the credit. It was originally song by the Isley Brothers.

Songs That Almost Made the List (No Order)

OutKast (Andre 3000) - Prototype

Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love

Drake - Find Your Love

Denetia and Sene - Blah Blah Blah 

Robin Thicke ft. Pharrell - Wanna Love U Girl

What do you guys think? What are your top five?

Be sure to check out my SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/mira2x 

Thanks for reading!

Is It Really Rap?

Ameerah Stewart
7/22/14

Recently, I've been really into the Bangtan Boys, a Korean rap/hip hop boy band. But.. Those titles don't really make sense altogether, do they? Well, you're not the only one who thinks so. South Korea has been shaken up by these 7 teens and rappers from all over the peninsula have had something to say about their situation. 

The most known instance of opinion is underground rapper B-Free's for when he publicly dissed the main rappers of the group, Suga and Rap Monster, at a hip hop radio event. Things were implied such as they can't be real rappers and idols, they succumbed to the crutch of a company, they're sell outs, they're not hard anymore, they can't rap, blah blah blah blah.

And some people defended this guy by saying the "great guru spirits of rap history voodoo magic" said that one couldn't be a rapper and be in a company without creative license, or can't rap with others, or be girly, etc. 

BUT.

These rappers do have creative license. They rap about what they feel, they write most of the lyrics for their songs including vocals, and they write ALL of their raps unlike other certain Korean "rappers" *coughGDragonTOPTaecyeonLJoeCAPKeyMinhoMickyUKnowNumerousOtherscough*. Cough cough.

And no band-rappers? Whoa.. What about the 90s? Salt 'N Pepa, the roots, Public Enemy? If anything, these boys are doing the rap game in Korea a favor. Very few rappers there tend to be paired or joined with vocalists as a team like you used to be able to find in the oh so selfish USA. But, can a Korean even be a rapper anyways? Tell me what you think!

Top 10 Love Songs (Part 1)

My Top 10 Love Songs (6-10)

By Tamira Thomas
7/22/14

Before I get into the first half of my list, let me say this is my opinion in love songs I can relate to and enjoy (without crying....because they're are so beautiful and that's what love should be like). But I do hope you agree with some of my list.

  #10 Beyoncè - Halo

I'd never thought one of Beyonce's songs would make my list (due to her recent turn of raunchiness in her music) and it barely did but this song is great. This is back when I actually considered myself a fan of hers. It was 2008 when Bey dropped this angelic love song. The video was just as great as the song starring herself and the handsome Michael Ealy. 

#9 Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown - No Air

This is song is life (no pun intended). When I first heard this song and seen the video, I really thought Chris and Jordin were dating and in love or something because the way they song this record you felt what they were saying. This is definitely also one of the best duets I've ever heard. I don't know if you ever felt like you couldn't breathe without that person around but it isn't suppose to be taken literally but it's just to say without that special person, you don't even want to breathe (live).

#8 Miguel - Sure Thing

Miguel actually wrote and sang this song to win his long-time girlfriend (which he did, how cute). This delightful song always won my heart over to make it my number eight spot. "You can bet and never got to sweat that" this song will have you jammin' and feeling the love.

#7 Aaliyah - One in a Million

This song is a one in a million. And so is the great and late Aaliyah. I have to admit I've been skipping this song lately on my playlist but it definitely was one of the first song I thought of when I thought above love records. This talented soul sang beautifully to her love in this RnB classic. 

#6 Jhené Aiko ft. Childish Gambino - Bed Peace 

Now it was funny for me to go from my oldest favorite female artist to my newest favorite but Aiko gets spot number six. The lovely melody made this song seem even more lovelier (which is why I recently learned to play it on the piano). Then there's Gambino on it (imagine if sang, it'd be perfect). Actually, this song is perfect, both of my favorite music artist on one song talking bout' love. Also I totally ship them! 

Song Spotlight: Love Is Hell by Theory Of A Dead Man

By Malik Frierson
7/21/14

Are you tired of all the love going on around you? Did you recently have a bad experience in your love life? Well I've got just the song for you! Theory Of A Dead Man have always made pretty cynical songs. Their lyricshave always  painted a less romantic picture about life. Maybe that's their charm. A song I found myself listening too a lot by them is "Love Is Hell".  The song itself is purely anti love. If you've been dumped, cheated on, or manipulated by a significant other odds are this is the song for you. This song was always on the top of my playlist after I had been through a breakup. The instruments also fit very well with the tone of the song. Giving a hard, and brutal sounding electric guitar that sounded how an angry heartbroken person would feel. All in all it's a great song that deserves some recognition so heartbroken or not take the time to give it a listen.

Top Five Original Songs From Gaming

By Malik Frierson
7/19/14

         Incase you haven't noticed, I the person who writes some of the articles you read on this blog am a huge nerd. I love gaming, comics, and super heroes. In gaming there is tons of music. But every once in a while You will find a certain track that is just so amazing, memorable, and so damn good you just have to hear it a bazillion more times. So I have picked five original tracks from videogames that just make my geeky side giddy with glee.

5. Kefka's theme from the Final Fantasy series
 Kefka is one of the most famous video game villains ever. He has many unforgettable features to him whether it be his clown like demeanor, or his dangerous unpredictability. Today though we're going to focus on his theme. Kefka's theme just feels perfect for the character. It has a sadistic evil clown feel to it. When you hear it you know some serious evil is about to happen. This song just feels sinister which is why it makes the list.



4.  No Happy Endings from Grand Theft Auto V

 The last track I picked went well for a character. But this track goes well for key moments through out GTAV. The track "No Happy Endings" is played all around GTAV and helps set the mood for important story points in the game. The track itself sounds amazing. To me it has a 80s feel. Rock Star picked the best moments to play this track too. In one instance you play as fan favorite Psychopath Trevor who flies to North Yankton to uncover a secret hidden by your so called friend and fellow GTA Protagonist Michael. In the scene, you fly over the fictional state of San Andreas and then the open sea all during a stormy night. Lightning starts cracking through the sky and then the track starts playing and makes it all such a perfect scene. The track also plays during parachute missions. It creates a sense of awe while you slowly float down to a beautifully realized Los Santos.  

3. Suicide Mission from Mass Effect 2

Imagine leading a crew of the best of the best into hell. If there was a song for that feeling it would be this track. In Mass Effect 2 you must lead a crew into a suicide mission. Your choices as a leader decide if all or none of your crew makes it out of this mission. The Mission is so big it needed its own theme. The composer Jack Wall succeeded at making an intense orchestra track that fits well the sci-fi tone of the game. When you hear the track you feel like your under pressure but also you feel that all you need to do is push through and you and your crew will make it.

2. Armed With Death from The Walking Dead Game

The Walking Dead Game is an emotional roller coaster from start to end. This is ever apparent in episode 5 "No Time Left" when Lee makes one final push through a herd of walkers to save Clementine a little girl many gamers have grown to love. While Lee fights his way through a herd of walkers this amazing track starts playing. I found my self yelling "YEAH" and "I'M COMING CLEM"  as I cut through each walker. The music is an adrenalizing track which sounds like it has elements of country and rock. This track feels like I'm listening to raw emotion, which is why this track takes #2.

1.Dovahkiin from Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
 
The number one spot is taken by the phenomenal track Dovahkiin. From the amazing masterpiece that is the game Skyrim. Dovahkiin was created for the game but sung in a foreign language created specifically for the game. It makes you feel like you actually are a powerful warrior and a force to be reckoned with. The song is so good I have it set on repeat on my phone as I type this. The track feels very norse so it has a historical charm to it. It also sets the mood for when your in an epic battle with a dragon. It will make the nerd in you jump with joy.

Well thanks for reading this nerd's favorite video game tracks. If you're reading this far you should stick around and read the other articles on here, they are pretty damn good. Some are written by the supreme overlord of this blog Tamira and then there are some written by her incredibly handsome co-writer, me. So stick around there will be tons more music centric stuff to read. This is the handsome co-writer nerd signing off.

Jhene Aiko Drops New Track: "The Pressure"

By Tamira Thomas
7/18/14

More Music from Jhené Aiko!

cover of single "The Pressure"

     A month ago, Jhené released her single "To Love & Die" ft. Cocaine 80s, which had to grow on me but overall I enjoy. Yesterday, she dropped another single called "The Pressure" and let me say I fell in love with it at first listen. In my opinion, I enjoyed it more than "To Love & Die". Both will be featured on her highly anticipated album: Souled Out. 

  

    In her second single, she talks about her relationship with this guy and is trying to tell him there's no pressure and she understand the pressure he's facing because she is too. I can't but relate to this song just like many of her soulful and meaningful pieces. I think that's why I enjoy it so much because it reminds of her dated music and when I first discovered her.

     I actually hope more of her songs from Souled Out will be as soulful and as down-to-earth as "The Pressure" was. I guess we all see on August 25th, the designated date for the album release. I can't wait! How about you guys?

   Give it a listen at: https://m.soundcloud.com/jhene-aiko-1/the-pressure .

Gaming Soundtrack Of The Week

By Malik Frierson
7/18/14    
This week the gaming sound track of the week goes to Grand Theft Auto 5.

The music of Grand Theft Auto 5 was a mixture of different genres to make a fun time. Rock, hip hop, country, alternative, and pop can be found on this sound track. Like the game it self it appeals to a wide variety of people. From artist like Kendrick Lamar, to Favored Nations, to Rihanna the collection is very varied. all of the songs are featured in game and fit well together. There's something enjoyable about committing a crime while listening to Rihanna. As I listened to the sound track I found myself enjoying songs from genres I usually don't enjoy. This sound track is so good it's criminal (pun intended0. Even if your not a gamer or you don't play Grand Theft Auto you should take the time to listen to this soundtrack I'm sure you'll find something you like.

Rebellious Rock Songs

By Malik Frierson
 7/16/14
  What is it about Rock music that is so appealing to many? I say it is the  rebellious spirit of the genre. Rock music has a defiant feel too it. The lyrics the violent and fast feel of the songs. From the 50s to now rock music has been fueling rebels for decades. These are my Top 5 Rebellious rock songs.

5. Whore By In This Moment                  In This Moment is a heavy metal band. The lead singer Maria Brink is a very talented person. The song Whore feels very rebellious. When you think of the word whore negative thoughts come to mind. you think of someone who is distasteful lacking in class. In This Moment flips the word whore upside down. The song actually demonstrates power in it. The lyrics state " I'm the girl you've been thinking about the one thing you can't live with out. Yea I'm the girl you've been waiting for." This shows  a different interpretation of the word whore which is a woman with power over someone else and challenges the public's opinion on it.

4.Riot By Three Days Grace
This one is more obvious. From Three Days Grace comes Riot. From the violent guitar sounds, to the emotion filled lyrics the song appeals to our anger at the unfairness of the world. It lets us know that we are strong together and it will feel good when we fight back. Whether you've been dumped, cheated, bullied Riot will fill full of the energy to just go crazy and fight back against those who have wronged you.

3.In One Ear By Cage The Elephant
      In One Ear has a not care vibe about it. In the beginning the singer list about all the negative things said about him and he states he doesn't care he's going keep doing what he loves. Its about enjoying and doing what you love and blocking out the people who don't want you too be happy about that. Rebel by being happy about your life.

2. Holiday By Green Day

   " Holiday" is an energetic song that fills people who listens with energy. The song has been described by the lead singer of Green Day Billie Joe Armstrong an anti war song. The song was apart of Green day's famous album American Idiot which was filled with songs that displayed the rocker's view of the issues that were happening post 9/11. "Holiday" is personally my favorite from it's fast beat and energetic feel but it also has a strong message hidden underneath.

1. Kick In The Teeth By Papa Roach

 Kick in the Teeth is a song that oozes defiance. It starts out stating that the world is a terrible place but the singer shows defiance. He basically says I can take what ever is thrown my way. In the music video the singer is constantly beat down but he keeps getting back up. Its a song about being resilient and not letting things keep you down. Rebel against those who want to keep you down.

Well those were my top 5 rebellious songs thanks for reading.

"Because The Internet" Album Review

By Tamira Thomas 

January 27, 2014

cover of "Because the Internet"

                       

                  Prominence
Late last year, Donald Glover, also known as Childish Gambino, dropped his second official album “Because The Internet”. Well according to him, he doesn’t want to call it an album but an ‘experience’. There really isn’t one category to define his music as a whole, especially this album. Not to get into the sells analysis, but he had much success, selling over 95,000 copies. The actor-turned-rapper has been making what would be considered rap/hip-hop music for over 5 years now and this “experience” contained some of his best. Songs like “3005”, which sort of a love song and “The Worst Guys”, which the very opposite, stood out the most. Those songs which seem to be the singles of the album are the foundation of the album; they balance out the meaning of the album. To me, it seems as Donald is trying to figure out who he really is and who are really his friends.

                              Gambino’s Growth

Compared to his first album “Camp”, Glover has improved lyrically and vocally. With this album, his talent really shows, being that he can rap and sing. His wordplay has always been great but in this album, it has improved satirically and emotionally. Through every song in which he speaks, there’s a meaning and it’s the way he feels. He can go from full blown hip-hop in “Sweatpants” and “Worldstar” to a little bit of pop in “Earth: The Oldest Computer”. There was even some R&B soul with “Urn”. This album really proved how creative he is and how multi-talented he is. With this album, it shows that Gambino is very capable of winning Hip-hop awards and even Grammys. 

                                Then and Now
Starting from underground rapping, Donald has made his way to the mainstream spotlight. He now collaborates with various artists like Chance the Rapper (The Worst Guys) and Jhene Aiko (Pink Toes). But he has made it clear that it isn’t fame that he really wants, he just wants to make music. Plus, most people know him from the TV show Community.
When he first started, he felt like he had something to prove. But in this “experience”, he pointed out that he didn’t know who he was anymore because he was so busy trying to fit in. Him now being 30 years old, I guess it hit him that well it’s finally time to just be himself, whoever that is (as he stated in several songs).

                         Success and Comparison

I mentioned early that “Because the Internet” sold thousands of copies but its success is much more than that. The originality of this album is impressive and shouldn’t be looked over. Childish Gambino shouldn’t really be any kid’s role model but then again maybe he should because this guy is very, very musically talented. And as a comedian, he’s pretty funny too. But anyway, Gambino’s goal was to refine and improve his craft as a whole and that’s what he did with this album. I could even go farther to say that his album is just as great as Drake’s Nothing was the Same and J. Cole’s Born Sinner because to me, there wasn’t any other rap/hip-hop compared to theirs. All three albums told a story but I feel like Gambino’s was told the best without any subliminals. He even had chapters to each section. The guy is a music genius and he deserves more praise because of this album. This quality music is expected from Donald on his next project because it definitely impressed.