Top 10 Albums & Songs of 2011

Best Of 2011: According To My ITunes

2011 music was okay this year. Even though we had a lot of gimmicks, but real music still come out on top. The music I speak of is Adele, she brought that real music back. Her album 21 is the best selling album of the year. I feel that her album is very deserving of this honor. When you listen to her album you can tell that it's from her soul and comes out real. This is the type of music that I appreciate, honestly. This is definitely the year of Adele. But other artists that made real music included Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, Jay-Z/Kanye West, J-Cole, and Mary J. Blige. The music this year, didn't make me stray away from my throwbacks.

As like everyone I would like blog about my top 10 albums & songs that I played a lot this year. My top is a little different because some albums I listened to this come out this year but I played them a lot. As a result, this top 10 albums list will be a little different. 

Albums:

Honorable Mentions

1. Adele- 19
2. Raphael Saadiq- The Way I See It
3. Marsha Ambrosius- Late Nights & Early Mornings

10. Born In The U.S.A - Bruce Springsteen(1984)

I always knew about Bruce Springsteen, but I didn't really play attention to his music. I only knew songs like "Dancing In The Dark" and "Born In The USA". I never really heard a full album from Springsteen. But Lady Gaga was promoting her Born This Way album she was explaining that Bruce Springsteen was a big influence on her because of her dad. So I felt that I need to gave a Springsteen album a try, so I downloaded Born In The USA and I fell in love with it. I listen to it at least once a week. With songs Like "I'm On Fire", "Working On The Highway", and "My Hometown". I understand while this album is such a classic. 

Listen to "Dancing In The Dark" that saxophone by late Clarence Clemons AKA Big Man is awesome

9. My Life II: The Journey Continues (Act 1)- Mary J. Blige (2011)

Mary J. Blige released her 10th album, which she entitled My Life II, as a big fan of the first My Life, I was very nervous about this project.  The first My Life album was very emotional, raw, and classic, I felt that was a era that Mary should have let alone. The My Life is dear to my heart, I didn't want it to be destroyed. So, the album was released Nov 21, and of course I loved it. But I still feel that this album should have not been called My Life II, because if you are a Mary J. Blige fan, this album seemed to be more her first album What's The 411?. I felt Mary could have just called this album The Journey Continues.  But this album is still in my best albums of 2011, with songs like "Feel Inside", "Don't Mind", "No Condition", and my album favorite "Need Someone", Mary showed why she has lasted so long in this industry, 20 years .

Listen to "No Condition" this song still gives you that soulfulness that Mary continues to still give us for 20 years.

8. Born To Sing- En Vogue (1990)

En Vogue in my opinion is the best girl group of all time. There harmonies are unmatched, this girls can SANG. I always knew about En Vogue's first album but I never listened to it. Their Funky Divas was the album that I have never familiar with. So, one day I was listening to "Waiting On You" and I decided to download Born To Sing as I expected the album was awesome. Anytime I feel like listening to some SANGING, the first album I think about is Born To Sing was the best album title for this first album.

Listen to "Part of Me" this song was leaves me speechless.

7. Amazing Grace- Aretha Franklin (1972)

God has always been in my life, I know who he is but I finally found a church that I can all my own. During this time, I have been listening to Amazing Grace every night because it makes me feel good and understand how bless I am.  Songs like "What A Friend We Have In Jesus", "God Will Take Care of You", "Never Grow Old", and "How I Got Over" makes me understand why this album is the greatest album of all time.

Be Blessed and listen to "Mary Don't You Weep"

6. Stronger- Kelly Clarkson (2011)

Ever since American Idol, I have been a fan of Kelly Clarkson. In my opinion, I feel she is the best American Idol winner. Her voice sings chills up my spine, her voice is the best out right now. Her vocals can across all genres, soul, pop, rock, jazz, etc. This year Clarkson released Stronger in October, which was a good album. But a lot of Kelly's song were leaked in the Spring, so when the album was released a lot of the songs I knew, but it didn't take away for the album. With Songs like "Honestly", "You Love Me", "Hello", and favorite track "The War Is Over". I listen to this album at least once a day, because it's a fun album.

Listen to my favorite track "The War Is Over", hear the aggression.

5. Cole World:The Sideline Story- J. Cole (2011)

I didn't know about J. Cole until one of my homeboys but me on to him. He told me that I should listen to his mixtape Friday Night Lights. When I listen to this mixtape, I thought he was ill on the mike. Then I saw him live on Rihanna's Loud Tour, I knew that I had to get his debut album. When I got this album, Cole didn't disappoint, he in my opinion was bringing that REAL hip-hop because he was rapping about REAL things. With songs like "Lights Please", "Nobody's Perfect", "Lost Ones", "Daddy's Little Girl", and my favorite track the emotional "Breakdown".

Listen to the emotion of the track and his rhymes on "Breakdown"

 

4. Watch The Throne- Jay-z & Kanye West (2011)

This album I was waiting for because Jay-Z & Kanye West are one of the best rappers out right now. When I heard "Otis" I knew this album was not going to disappoint. When the album was released on August 8, at midnight I brought the album. From "No Church In The Wild" to "Why I Love You", in my opinion is the best rap album of the year. With songs like the James Brown sampled "Gotta Have It",  "New Day", and "Who Gon Stop Me", this album was awesome. You can tell this album was Jay-Z album as well as a Kanye album. In addition, I had to opportunity to go to the Watch The Throne concert, it was an EPIC event.

Listen to my favorite track off the album, the inspiring "Murder To Excellence"

3. 4- Beyonce (2011)

Finally Beyonce made a album that I will be album to play for years to come. Albums like B'Day and I Am..Sasha Fierce, didn't do anything for me. I think Beyonce was more concerned about having hits than making timeless music. Her album Dangerously in Love was her best until 4 was released. Even though the album leaked, she made timeless songs like "Start Over", "Dance For You", "End Of Time", and the MJ "Off The Wall" album inspired "Love On Top".  When this album was officially released, I couldn't stop listening to it.

Listen to "End Of Time" this song needed a video, but I understand Beyonce was pregnant but this video had Michael Jackson all over it.

2. 21- Adele (2011)

As I said in one of the previous blog entry, I was introduced by Adele by one of my twitter followers. He asked me if I have ever heard of Adele before, I said yes, but he said I need to listen to her new album 21, it's very soulful. I decided to listen and I fell in love with it. I brought it before I listened to the album in full. One this album he was giving me soul, pop, blues, and jazz wrapped in one. With songs like "Someone Like You", "Turning Tables", and my favorite song "Take It All". This album is full with honestly and this album will be considered a classic. It was my best album until my number 1 album came out in May.

Listen to "Take It All" and her voice is so pure and soulful.

1. Born This Way- Lady Gaga (2011)

This album I listen to at least 4 times a day. When the first single was released, "Born This Way" I wasn't impressed. Even though I know that this song serves a purpose, but I wasn't a fan of it. But when I brought the album, I was impressed. This album was musically awesome. Lady Gaga put pop, rock, dance, and rhythmic sounds together and make a great blend. Many people think Gaga changed, but this album showed how she improved musically. Songs like "Marry The Night", "You & I", "Hair", "Bad Kids", "Judas", and the inspiring "The Edge Of Glory" makes the album the best album of 2011 in my opinion.

Listen to the New Years anthem "Marry The Night"

Songs:

Honorable Mentions:

1. Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, & Busta Rhymes  "Look At Me Now"
2. Jennifer Lopez & Pitbull  "On The Floor"
3. Pitbull & Ne-Yo  "Give You Everything"
4. LMFAO  "Party Rock Anthem"
5. Pink "Fuckin Perfect"

10. Beautiful People -Chris Brown

9. Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay- Big Sean & Kanye West

8. Til The World Ends- Britney Spears

7. The Living Proof- Mary J. Blige 

6. The Edge Of Glory- Lady Gaga

5. Rolling In The Deep- Adele

4. Niggas in Paris- Jay-z & Kanye West

3. I Care- Beyonce

2. Judas- Lady Gaga

1. Stronger- Kelly Clarkson 

HOPE SOME OF MY FAVORITES OF 2011 MADE YOUR LIST TOO!!

(IN THE COMMENT BOX PUT SOME OF YOUR FAVORITES OF 2011)

Top 5 Christmas Songs

Happy Holidays To You & Yours

"Christmas is a time to have a good time with your family, why not have good music to help that good time turn into the perfect time" -Me

Greetings everyone we are at this great time of the year, the time where Jesus Christ was born. This is a time to be with family and spread love to one another. It's great that GOD let you see another Christmas because a lot people didn't get to make it through to see another Christmas, so you are blessed.

Enough preaching....TIME FOR THE MUSIC

This entry I decided to talk about my top 5 Christmas songs. Hopefully after some of these songs can become favorites of yours as well.

TOP 5 CHRISTMAS SONGS

Honorable Mentions:

1. All I Want For Christmas -Mariah Carey

    This song to me is definitely puts me into that Christmas spirit. When

    I am in a supermarket and I hear this song I know that Christmas is

    near.

2. May Christmas Bring You Happiness-Luther Vandross

     My family has this Christmas album that we listen to EVERY year and

     EVERY time I hear it really gets me into the Christmas spirit.

3. New Years Resolution-Carla Thomas & Otis Redding

When I hear this song, it makes me think about me and my family having a good time around the Christmas tree, drinking and laughing.

Top 5:

5. Let It Snow -Boyz II Men & Brian McKnight

     This song to me is awesome it makes you want to sit with that special

     someone and cuddle by the fireplace and listen to this while it's

     snowing. Wayna murders the adlibs at the end.

4. This Christmas-Donny Hathaway

This song is a Christmas classic, this song speaks to all genres and ages. This song will last forever, everyone has tried to remake this classic but nothing comes close to the original.

3. Give Them Love On Christmas Day-Jackson 5

Jackson 5 Christmas Album is my favorite Christmas album of all time. I remember when I played it on my mother's record player for the first time, I haven't stop playing it since. Michael's vocals on this song is awesome.

2. Gee Whiz- Carla Thomas

This song will always be in my top Christmas song because this is the first Christmas song I have ever learned as a kid. My family told me at the age of two I knew all the words to this song. This song always brings me back to when I was a kid and my grandmother showing me how to wrap gifts.

1. White Christmas-Otis Redding

The greatest Christmas song of all time in my opinion. When I listen to this song it makes me think of my late-grandfather. This song is so soulful that I don't think a song can get a more soulful than this.

2 FAVORITE CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCES

Mary J. Blige & Andrea Bocelli -What Child Is This

 

This performance is so POWERFUL!

O Holy Night- Deborah Cox

Deborah Cox is preggo and she sings the world out of this song. The saxaphone just makes it more special.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR!!!



The Men of Soul

Otis Redding & R. Kelly

(2 of 3 of my Favorite Male Artist of All Time)

Last week I was listening to my best of Otis Redding and I started thinking what new artist reminds me of Otis. Then out of nowhere my computer continues to play the beginning of R. Kelly's "Love Letter" which was definitely influenced by Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. So, my computer basically answered the question for me. Now I will give a little background of these two greats.

First I will start with Otis Redding, he was just so soulful here's a song that displays soulfulness.

After listening to this song if you didn't feel the pain in Otis' heart, you need new ears.

Otis Redding was born in Georgia in 1941. Coming into this world as an African American during these times were not easy. Otis realized that at an early age, but it was something that was special about him at a young age he had a voice. As a result, he started singing in the church choir. So as time continue his finally started going through financial and health issues. This cause Otis to begin working at the age of 15, but he never gave up on singing because during this time he was a guest musician. Otis looked at Little Richard as his inspiration so during singing contest he always sung a Little Richard song. Finally he got his breakthrough he began a play of Little Richard's band, but he knew he didn't belong in the background. So, he met with Phil Walden that got him a deal with Atlantic Records and the rest is history. 

He released his first album in 1964 entitled "Pain In My Heart" that included the Pain In My Heart, These Arms of Mine, and Security. These song set the formula for the type of music Otis was going to make. 

Listen to These Arms of Mine

SOUNDS GOOD DOES IT

Then in 1964 he released his second album "The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads" this album included Mr. Pitful, the cover of O.V Wright's That's How Strong My Love is, and the cover of Jerry Butler's classic For Your Precious Love. 

Listen to one of my favorites of Otis' That's How Strong My Love is

WITH THIS SONG I SEE WHERE ALICIA KEYS GOT HER INSPIRATION FOR "THAT'S HOW STRONG MY LOVE IS"

In 1965, Otis released his breakout album to the Pop World, which was Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul. This album included his version of Respect, which he wrote. But Aretha Franklin made it an anthem for women. I've Been Loving You Too Long and The Rolling Stone classic Satisfaction. This album made him a star this album is considered to be a classic. 

Listen to the ORIGINAL Version of RESPECT

NOW FELLAS DONT BE TOO MAD AT ARETHA FRANKLIN VERSION BECAUSE IN REALITY IT WAS REALLY A MAN'S ANTHEM FIRST!

I've Been Loving You Too Long

SATISFACTION

HE TURNED THIS ROCK SONG INTO A SOUL CLASSIC

By this time Otis just keep coming with the hits but in 1966 he released my favorite song from him Try a Little Tenderness. Jay-Z & Kanye West paid respect to this song in their song simply entitled Otis. 

SOUNDS SO SOULFUL DON'T YOU AGREE!!

During this time anything Otis touched turned to gold because everyone knew that his voice spoke realness and you can feel the emotion. But unfortunately Otis career was short lived because in 1967 he died in a plane accident, which left music industry stunned because he on his way to a long and lasting career. But his music still lives on, but 5 months before he died he recorded Sittin On The Dock Of The Bay. His label thought that this song was to pop for his fans, but Otis felt this was the best song he ever wrote and he know that it would be his first number 1 hit. Otis was right, but he wasn't able to enjoy it because the song was released after his death. Even though the song was a different sound for Otis the soul is still there.

Sittin On The Dock Of The Bay

OTIS IS SITTING ON THE DOCK OF THE BAY IN HEAVEN WHILE HE SINGS WITH SAM COOKE

Now my theme is bringing the old and new together. When I think about Otis Redding and the young generation two people come to my mind, R. Kelly & Tyrese. Tyrese voice reminds me of a Otis Redding, but when it comes to the style and sound, R. Kelly reminds me of Otis Redding. R. Kelly has that style that reminds you of Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, and Marvin Gaye. 

Let's take a little journey of R. Kelly's legendary career, I am going to begin it with the album that introduced R. Kelly to the world, "Born In The 90s" with Public Announcement

She's Got That Vibe

YALL NOT FEELING ME YET!!!

Since yall are not understanding here's another one

Slow Dance

Okay got yall lukewarm now, so let me give you a little history about R. Kelly. He was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1967. He was introduced to gospel by his mother because she was very church bound woman. In school, he discovered that he had voice and in 1980 he sung Ribbon In The Sky by Stevie Wonder in a high school talent school. Then after he discovered his talent he formed a group and they use to sing in the Chicago train stations until they were discovered in 1989. In 1992, R. Kelly and his group Public Announcement released their album "Born In The 1990s". The hits included Slow Dance, Honey Love, She's Got That Vibe, and Dedicated. But I feel R. Kelly felt that he can do this one his own so after his left the group and went solo. 

In 1993, R. Kelly released his first solo album entitled 12 Play which included song like:

Bump & Grind

HEY YALL STILL WITH ME

Seems Like Your Ready

THE 90S CLASSIC -Your Body's Callin

What made this album so great and classic, R. Kelly wrote, produced, and arranged this album by himself. In my opinion, this is his best album he combined soul, hiphop, and funk. What I really love about this album was his remake of The Spinners' classic Sadie. He made that song his own, which was classic. If this album is not in you collection you need to get it.

In 1995, R. Kelly released his second album entitled R. Kelly. With album R. Kelly used his formula of 12 Play but added his gospel roots to the album. 

You Remind Me Of Something

Down Low featuring The Isley Brothers

Thank God It's Friday

I am just hitting you with the classic, keep vibing with me. In 1998, he released his album that  helped R. Kelly reached the pop world, that included the anthem from Space Jam I Believe I Can Fly. The album was simply titled "R". The used all of his influences for his album that included gospel, rock, pop, soul, and hip-hop.

This hits included:

HALF ON A BABY

WHEN A WOMAN'S FEED UP

DID YOU EVER THINK FT NAS

I'M YOUR ANGEL FEATURING CELINE DION

In 2000, R. Kelly went back to his 12 Play album with TP2.COM that included hits like I Wish , Fiesta , and the his mother dedicated song I Wish...

After this album Kelly had legal troubles but that didn't stop his music with albums like "Chocolate Factory", "Happy People/U Saved Me" that included the step anthems Step In The Name of Love & Happy People. Get your dance on for a minute

STEP IN THE NAME OF LOVE REMIX

HAPPY PEOPLE

By this time we knew that R. Kelly may had legal trouble but it didn't stop his talents. He continue to give us good music that included Trapped in The Closet, Same Girl, and Number One with Keri Hilson

ROCK WITH ME FOR A SECOND:

But in December 2010, R. Kelly released what I feel is a dedicated to all artists before him that included Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. The album "Love Letter" is a 60's type of album. R. Kelly said that he was just listening to Otis, Sam, and Marvin Gaye he started feeling inspired. This album I felt was the best album of 2010. What my generation don't understand you have to respect the old as well as the new. If you love the sounds of Otis and Sam Cooke, this album is a must. Go support good music...Here is a few songs 

WHEN IT A WOMAN LOVES

MUSIC MUST BE A LADY

HOW DO I TELL HER

This one is for the steppers

LOVE LETTER CHRISTMAS REMIX

Otis Redding & R. Kelly are musical geniuses because all of their songs are timeless. But I just wanted to show my young generation that if it wasn't for guys like Otis Redding their would be no R. Kelly....