Usher: Raymond v. Raymond- Album Review

Released: March 30th, 2010

Born Usher Raymond IV, but going by his self-titled stage name Usher, He grew up in Dallas, Texas, but spent most of his childhood in Chattanooga, due to a family relocation. When he was just 9 years old, his mother put him in his church choir in Chattanooga, but it was grandmother who noticed his vocal talent. After they realized the ability he had, his family moved into the big city of Atlanta, Georgia, believing it would provide him with better opportunity. His early music endeavors included participating in a RnB vocal quartet called "NuBeginnings", and performing on the TV show Star Search, where he was finally discovered by the A&R representative from LaFace Records, who connected Usher with the founder of LaFace Records, L.A. Reid. His self -titled debut album was released three years after he was signed on August 30th, 1994. He has since taken off with his success on his albums "My Way" in 1997, "8701" in 2001, "Confessions" in 2004, and now his most recent installment this year with "Raymond v. Raymond". The album is solid from start to finish with tracks like "Daddy's Home" featuring Plies, "Mars vs. Venus", "Papers" and "Making Love (Into the Night)", and also recently peaked at #1 in the U.S. Billboard Top R&B Hip-Hop albums.

Boyz II Men: Love-Album Review

Released: November 24th, 2009

After two decades of being together, the R&B vocal group from Philadelphia, Boyz II Men decided to switch things up with their 2o09 covers album in "Love". The foursome is made up of Nathan Morris, Michael McCary, Shawn Stockman, and Wanya Morris, and is the best-selling male R&B group of all-time. With this installment being a covers album, I am confident the group exhibited their true talent by going outside their own comfort zone, and trying to tackle other artitsts' classics. Even jumping into different genres with their own rendition of Lonestar's "Amazed" and the Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris", they answered with their own harmony to fit the bill. My favorite covers they attempted on the album were Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me", Chicago's "If You Leave Me Now", and Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time".

The-Dream: Love vs. Money- Album Review

Released: March 10th, 2009

Born Terius Youngdell Nash, but better known by his music stage name of The-Dream, he was raised by his grandfather in Atlanta. He didn't hit his stride singing and performing until 2001, when he met producer Laney Stewart, who helped him find a record deal. His early career then began while working on Nivea's second album "Complicated", and helping to write and produce Rihanna's smash hit "Umbrella" in 2007 with Chris "Tricky" Stewart, Laney's brother. This work with Rihanna helped propel him to a record deal with Def Jam Recordings, and then release his debut album "Lovehate" later in 2007. He later followed up that release with his sophomore album " Love vs. Money" in 2009. This album is pretty solid from start to finish. Compared to his first album, it is way more upbeat which I think will serve him well in his future endeavors. The first album seemed to not have as many collaborations, which I think is where he shines. My favorite track off this album was "Right Side of My Brain", which is a slower track but has a melody that never gets old. Some other good tracks are "My Love" featuring Mariah Carey, and "Rockin that Shit". And again, this album peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums for 2009.