Love and Hip Hop: ATL Style

So I put off watching Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta. I saw who they were casting and this overwhelming feeling of “who the F is that?” washed over me. Plus I had heard that Khia was in talks to be cast on it. Shoot, if Khia was on this show, I’d be watching this show in a heartbeat! I went ahead and watched it anyway, as I heard that it was ratchet as hell. Since Basketball Wives is on break, I need some hood shit to tide me over.
I guess I should have remembered that when I started watching Love and Hip Hop, I initially was clueless to the identity of like 80% of the cast. Olivia was the one who stood out, as I remembered her 2.5 hits. I grew to love those women and their stories, so I guess letting in these ATLiens into my heart shouldn’t be that much of a stretch

Mimi & Stevie J: Stevie J is a name that I heard before. I’m not sure how, but apparently he has been Mariah adjacent, so he is good in my book. His wife Mimi is the polar opposite to Chrissy. She puts up with his trifling ass ways and seems to let him get away with a smile. The ninja bought her a house in the country for her and their daughter. He went out of his way to make it known that it was for them and not him. That screams: I’m shipping your ass away so I can bang bang bang and then skeet skeet skeet.

Erica: she is REAL southern in the way she speaks. She apparently is Lil’ Scrappy’s baby’s mother. Her cheated on her when he blew up and she took his ass back when the other chick cheated on him. She has a really nice smile, but I think this broad is silly as hell for putting up with Lil Scrappy

Lil Scrappy: I still can’t put my finger on any of the songs he has been on. Maybe he’s big in the trap?

K. Michelle: We meet her and she is screaming a song. She lets us know that she likes to rock out with her cock out. She is giving me a whole LOT of Keyshia Cole fever. I actually think he voice is a bit more controlled and refined compared to Keyshia. Apparently she was dating some guy at her label, Jive and he beat her and jacked up her career.

Ariane: Mimi’s girl. I like her. She is trying to knock some sense into her girl’s silly ass. At one point she asks if it’s the dick that keeps Mimi around. Haha. Klass Act.

Joseline: I’ll be honest, when I saw the promo pictures I really thought this girl was transgendered. She kind of reminds me of Eddie Murphy’s ex, Nicole. She does her interviews in this swimsuit type thing and all I Can look can look at are her massive village feeders. She really looks like a busted ass RIhanna and it’s clear that Stevie J and her have something from the jump. Then she goes on talking about the sex and how he “fucks her brain” Umm, girl ok?

Mama Dee: NYC cast had Mama Jones, this cast has Mama Dee. She seems a bit more composed, but she quickly shows her ass. She has her own catch phrase, IN THAT ORDER!! She says it often, even when it doesn’t make any damned sense. I guess branding is important. Apparently she was a pimp. No, like she literally was pimping. The hell?

The characters of course all run in the same circle and end up at K Michelle’s party where one of the guests lets Mimi know that Joseline holds her man Stevie J DOWN! Oop! Mimi is about to pop off, but then she just sits there like a silly ho. There is more screaming, yelling and drank throwing.

Question: Why would Stevie J allow his affair to be shown on camera like that? Doesn’t that look horrible professionally? Also I don’t think Mariah would endorse such foolery. Oh and beyond that, he has a child, that is not growing up in a bubble and is sure to catch wind of her fucked up family life being discussed all over the internet. That is messed up. With that being said, I will probably watch as I saw a preview for the season where someone shakes the table. K Michelle says something like “don’t shake unless you ready to get shook!” There is a pregnancy scare and the guys start scapping. I feel bad watching this train wreck, but at least I’m not selling drugs. It could be worse. Leave me alone.

Album Review: Usher-Looking For Myself

So Usher’s “Looking for Myself” officially dropped today. The title is interesting given the fact that so many artists, especially R&B singers, seem to be looking for themselves. People aren’t buying CDs in America anymore and a more pop/dance sound sells like hotcakes overseas. So do you pay your bills and make music for the masses, or do you stay “true” to R&B and maybe have to work a few swing shifts at Wendy’s to make ends meet? Decisions, decisions. It appears that Usher is pulling a Nicki Minaj and attempting to give all of his fans something.

For the Glowstick Set:

Can’t Stop Won’t Stop- This song actually samples “Uptown Girl” I think will.i.am produced it. It sounds kind of like a rehash of “OMG” but in a good way, if that even makes sense.

Scream- The second single which is hella upbeat and dancefloor friendly. I love the energy of this song. It wasn’t until about my 20th listen that I actually listened to the lyrics and realized just how sexual it is. Needless to say I loved it even more. “Realx and get on your back, if you wanna scream” GENIUS.

Climax: I loved this song from the get go. I love Diplo’s production on it. I think it is the perfect balance between electro pop and R&B. Usher’s vocals and falsetto bring a soul to the song that can easily be lost in electro music.

Numb: I feel like he attacks the beginning of this song with the same energy and intensity as “Without You” In fact this song sounds like it could be a part 2. A lesser part 2.

Euphoria: this is getting back into the dance vibe. It almost reminds me of a less inspired “Where Are You Now” I really enjoy this track


Skeet Music:

I Care: Usher slows it down a bit over a bumping and grinding beat that has been updated for 2012. It’s pretty sexual.

Show me: The beat to this song is really light and breezy, but I’m not really that into it. It’s not bad, it just is. The song kind of reminds me of Chris Brown’s “Forever” Plus, I think “show me what you came here for” just doesn’t sit right with me grammatically.

Lemme See: This song features Rick Ross and has a sexy ass vibe to it. He busts out the falsetto in an attempt to get some panties to drop. “hollering bout what you gonna do to me/ don’t talk about it, be about it/lemme see lemme see” 2 things: 1.) I’m sick of hearing the MAYBACH MUSIC in every Rick Ross Song 2.) Did Rick Ross just say that a chick looked like Trayvon Martin in her hoodie? The hell?

Twisted: This song features Pharrell, who I LOVE. The beat is really different and totally Skateboard P, yet sounds like a total throwback to a 70s vibe. I could see Pam Grier shooting at some jive turkeys while this played in the backround.

Dive: Rico Love penned track that has minimal production but allows Usher’s voice to really shine and soar. “The walls are looking like the might precipitate” Once again, after a few listens I think this song is super sexual and he’s talking about vagina.

What Happened To U: This song just has Usher patting himself on his pat and I’m not really here for all that.

Looking for Myself: The title track. Surprisingly it is boring as hell. I don’t really care for the song at all.

Lessons for the Lovers: Bump and grind music. Not really my thing, but a decent R&B track nonetheless. I guess if I had someone to bump and/or grind I’d have a different appreciation for it.

Sins of My Father: I like the groove of the track and Usher’s delivery has such a rich and old feel to it that it just resonates with me.

IFU- this track has a lot going on. I think it’s in a good way. It’s sexy and has hands claps. It’s a decent song.

Say the Words: I don’t really like this song. It sounds like a bonus track (NOT in a good way)

2nd Round: Eh. IT’s ok, nothing to write about. SO I’m going to stop writing about it. Now. There. I am done.

Hot Thing: Doing too much, yet does NOTHING at all. Ok, that’s how I felt the first two listens, but now I feel like I’d shake my hindquarters to this in a club.

Overall this is a pretty solid album. Yes, it has it’s share of fillers. It’s not a classic, but it is a decent album. I think Usher will please his core fans while broadening his appeal with some songs outside of his usual genre. I have seen the blogs and the comments with people wanting “the old Usher” back, but come on people! If he were to put out an album in the same vein as “Confessions” people would say that he isn’t trying new things, or that he sounds played out. The man is trying new things. Some of them work, some of them don’t. I think it should be applauded when musicians take risks and experiment with their sound. (granted I don’t think going the Guetta route is that risky, but whatever) Usher’s voice is on point in this project and I’m sure he will perform his ass off to make the songs come alive in the video. I’m excited what’s to come from this album.