Day 26: Forever in a Day- Album Review

Released: April 13th, 2009

After being solely selected by Sean "Diddy" Combs at the end of MTV's Making the Band 4, the group of Robert Curry, Brian Andrews, Willie Taylor, and Michael McCluney made up the group Day 26. The group name is a tribute to the day their debut album was released on March 25th, 2008. They had quickly gone from unknowns to stars. MTB 4 came back to MTV for a follow-up season that followed the group through the recording process of their second album "Forever in a Day". This album is a great follow-up to their debut album "Day 26" which peaked at #1 in the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums. This album also peaked at #1 and is smooth from start to finish with songs like the hit "Imma Put It On Her" featuring P. Diddy, and Young Joc, and "Truth is a Lie". The group is in the process of working on a third album with their newly joined label Atlantic Records.

Mario: D.N.A.- Album Review

Released: October 9, 2009

Growing up in the working-class neighborhoods of Baltimore, Mario Barrett was raised by his grandmother, because his own mother struggled with drug addiction. He realized his own talent at the young age of four, telling himself he wanted to become a singer. His mother supported his dream by buying him a karaoke machine. His dedication to pursuing a music career was never in doubt as he joined a music group in high school. The basis for all his melodies and singing was his talent for playing the piano. He was quickly discovered by music producer Troy Patterson at a college talent show. After attending high school up to the tenth grade, he was inspired by his music teacher, and ended up signing with J Records in his early teen years. This fourth installment from Mario entitled "D.N.A." was just an average work for me. It has some good slow tracks such as "Stranded", "I Choose You", and " Don't Walk Away". To me, the upbeat tracks are where his vulnerability is shown. Songs like "Break Up", and "Get Out" are just par to me. But don't take it from me, this installment peaked at #2 in the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop albums, which is two spots higher than his last album.

Chris Brown: Graffiti- Album Review

Released: December 8th, 2009

Born in Virginia with that southern swagger, Chris Brown was introduced to soul music at a young age. He grew up listening to all the soul albums his parents owned, but as time went on, he began to stray into the hip hop world. Using inspirations such as Michael Jackson, he taught himself how to be a top notch performer through his singing and dancing. He started out singing in his church choir and at lots of different talent shows. The reality of the vocal talent didn't hit Brown's parents until he busted out by doing his own rendition of Usher, but they quickly did everything they could to get him signed. Brown rapidly entered the scene with what he could, doing his recordings with local labels. He was quickly discovered though by Tina Davis, the senior A&R executive at Def Jam Recordings. She loved his singing at knew Brown was one in a million, he was now signed with Def Jam. The label circus for Brown didn't end there as the agreement with Def Jam lasted only two months. With Brown losing his spot with Def Jam, and Davis losing her job to a corporate merger, Brown did the only thing he could do and asked Davis to be his manager. She quickly turned him to labels like Jive and Warner Bros. Brown made a quick decision, choosing Jive due to their success with young artists. The third installment from him entitled "Graffiti" has grown on me since it was released. At first when I listened to it, the album as a whole sounded very monotone. I quickly realized this album had a lot more to offer. With upbeat tracks like "Wait" featuring Game and Trey Songz, and the hit "I Can Transform Ya" featuring Lil Wayne and Swizz Beatz, and slow, heartfelt songs like "Crawl", "I'll Go", and "Take My Time" featuring Tank, the complete work is really a masterpiece encompassing all of Brown's talent. The album peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop, need I say more.

Sterling Simms: Yours,Mine and the Truth- Album Review

December 21st, 2008

Growing up listening to the sounds of Sam Cooke, and being inspired by a former musician in his own grandfather, Sterling Simms was meant to be a music star. After struggling early in his career, he began to focus more on writing and producing music than in performing it himself. But everything changed when he met up with producer Teddy Bishop. Bishop was quickly impressed by his work, and convinced him to continue to strive to become a performer. Doing performances for groups of music executives, he soon found his stride. With record companies like Atlantic and Warner Bros. interested in signing all he had to do was choose. While he was waiting to be signed by those labels, he went to the VMA's and connected with music industry legend George Robinson. Robinson love his work, and Simms quickly signed with a company called One Recordings, recommended by Robinson. Soon after signing with One Recordings, Simms met up with L.A. Reid at Island/Def Jam, and they signed a deal with One Recordings to make the switch for Simms. He soon finished his debut album "Yours,Mine and the Truth with Def Jam. The album, for me was great from start to finish. Every track is a smooth combination of great lyrics and rhythm. Some suggestions from the album would be "Let Her Go", "DUI(80 on the Freeway)", the hit single "All I Need", and "She Should Be Thanking You". The album debuted at only #100 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums, but peaked at #89 two weeks later.

Trey Songz: Ready- Album Review

August 3rd, 2009

Born Tremaine Aldon Neverson, but better known by his stage name Trey Songz, he was raised as a military brat early on, but came to realize his vocal talent at age 14. He was actually a little nervous at first to even sing, but soon was discovered at a talent show by record producer Troy Taylor and he was quickly signed to Atlantic Records. He never went to college, and moved to New Jersey to begin his singing career. This particular installment from him entitled "Ready" is well-produced from beginning to end. Each song flows well with the rest, and the album itself seems almost in sequence. Some suggestions from the album I would recommend are "Neighbors Know My Name", I Need A Girl", "Say Aah", and "LOL :)". This was a great effort from him, I feel like after his sophomore album "Trey Day" this was a step up.