Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
Young Dro continues his domination of Urban radio as his new single, "Rubberband Banks," was the most-added track on the national playlists in early October. The Atlanta-based rapper's debut album Best Thang Smokin' — which includes the breakthrough smash "Shoulder Lean" — made a stunning premiere upon its August 29 release, topping Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and placing high on the Billboard 200. The "Rubberband Banks" companion video is already blowing up at the major video networks.
Jupiter Rising are the collective talents of 80 Bug and Spencer Nezey, who have created a pop hip-hop collection of songs that are already experiencing unprecedented success on all musical formats. Chime Entertainment and Pitch Control Marketing have hired three renowned producers to remix the Jupiter Rising single "Go" (audio|video) for the Dance community. Eddie Arroya, whose recent mix of Shakira's "Don't Lie" helped propel the single to number one, is working on a reggaeton mix; Dave Aude — whose recent re-mix projects include Paris Hilton, Coldplay, The Gorillaz, and The Pussycat Dolls — will also contribute with a new mainstream dance mix.
Right from the start, Kelly Price broke records by reaching Billboard’s top spot twice with the same song, having achieved the number one victory with no music video. No artist has done that since the music video became a medium of promotion. It was a sweet victory for Price after being told by several music executives she was talented and beautiful, yes, but, "No one wants to look at a fat girl or buy her records, no matter how good she sounds." Kelly reminded the world that big was indeed beautiful. Millions of albums later, this award-winning, Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, producer, actress, and now author has only begun to show the world who she is and what she is capable of. Now, Price will expand her reach yet again with the release of her first gospel CD, This Is Who I Am. Stream the first single, "Healing."
Press Play, Diddy's first solo project in five years, has been garnering widespread critical acclaim. The collection, which arrived in stores this week, finds the Bad Boy founder and recording artist joined in the studio by a hand-picked cast of modern artists and groundbreaking producers. The result is a cutting-edge collection that brings together a captivating range of sounds and voices in an album defined by depth and diversity. We have streaming audio for a few tracks as well as a video: "I Am" featuring Aasim, "Tell Me" featuring Christina Aguilera, "Everything I Love" featuring Nas & Cee-Lo, "Get Off" (audio|video)
Mutronium gives more new-wave love to New York City with video featuring Times Square and a naked cowboy.
