News Staff Reporter
This summer was a very promising one for up-and-coming artists on major labels, including Yung Joc (“It’s Goin’ Down”), Cassie (“Me & U”), Rick Ross (“Hustlin’”), and Danity Kane from MTV’s hit reality show “Making The Band.” Although the charts were infiltrated with hits from R&B and Hip-Hop rookies, several legends also put out albums. Those worthy of mention include Method Man, The Roots, and Kelis.
As strong this summer’s music was, avid music fans need to check out some of the fall’s most anticipated-releases: former N-Sync member Justin Timberlake released a heavily hip-hop-influenced album in early September featuring cameos by Three 6 Mafia and T.I., with Timbaland on the production boards. The lead single “Sexy Back” peaked at #1 on the US Charts and earned him a performance at the prestigious 2006 Video Music Awards.
Arguably one of the best hip-hop artists alive, Ludacris plans to drop Release Therapy this week through Disturbing Tha Peace/Def Jam Records. The album’s strong points include “Runaway Love” with Mary J. Blige and the current top single “Money Maker” featuring Pharrell.
Fellow DTP labelmate Bobby Valentino’s Special Occasion, released September 13, is another album worthy of attention. Although some of its mellow tracks tend to become monotonous, the main single “Turn The Page” is a wonderfully written song with a catchy melody.
R&B Divas Beyonce, Fergie, and Janet Jackson put out mediocre albums this month. Beyonce’s B’Day was awfully short (eleven tracks in all), which turned fans off from her highly-anticipated sophomore effort. Fergie, of the Black Eyed Peas, came out with another disappointment: the best song on the album is “London Bridge”, which many describe as decent at best. Janet Jackson’s new album is both inconsistent and different from past albums in her 20-year career, a change for the worse.
If you’re looking for the best albums of the month, go with John Mayer’s Continuum and Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor. Both artists have brought fresh music perfect to end the summer with. Mayer’s follow-up consists of an entirely new sound; mellow soul with a hint of pop reminiscent in Room For Squares and Heavier Things. Lupe Fiasco, known to the mainstream rap world as ‘hip-hop’s savior,’ perfectly blends a jazzy, hip style with infectious production provided by The Neptunes.
