*Update* Now, that I’ve gotten to actually enjoy the video myself I can only say the following. I loved it. This video goes back to what music videos use to be all about-imaginative, visual delights that keep you intrigued from start to finish. The dancing was inventive (and reminiscent of “Thriller”), the acting from Gaga and Beyoncé was refreshingly sarcastic and witty and the visuals were a cinematographers dream. Lady Gaga usually has very crazy and out-there videos, and this one is no different. Great job.

Thoughts?

Cj…

Here’s the video for Teairra Mari’s “Sponsor”

Surprisingly the clip is very polished. It’s a simple video that does what it needs to do for the song and has a nice small twist at the end. I hope this does wonders fro Teairra and the single can continue to pick up because she deserves it. Sucks that Gucci couldn’t be in the video though.

Thoughts?

Cj..

It is incredibly hard to believe that the Grammy nominated ‘it’ boy rapper Drake is just releasing his first single for his debut album. I want his publicist. He is already a big name in the game and has yet to drop his debut Thank Me Later. His debut single (although he has had plenty of other singles) is called “Over” and is a great opener for his album. Filled with live instruments, the Boi-1Da produced track has Drake doing his trademark mix of rapping and singing. I like it and can see it doing very well (I mean it’s Drake afterall).

[Download Here]

“Oh that’s right….I’m doing me!”

Thoughts?

Cj..

*Warning: Crack music is in this post*

Admittedly, when I saw the track listing for Usher’s album Raymond vs. Raymond (releasing March 26th) had a song called “Mars vs. Venus”, I raised my eyebrow. I couldn’t help but to immediately think of Jay-Z’s “Venus vs. Mars”. So when I discovered that the track leaked, my curiosity nearly forced me to give it a listen. I’m so glad I did. The song is amazing. I won’t talk to much about it, just download it.

Although it has mostly been leaked, Usher’s album is shaping up to be a really great effort. I can’t wait to get my hand on the entire disc. I’m not sure he will ever have another Confessions, but Raymond vs. Raymond will be another great disc from the R&B superstar.

[Download Here]

THOUGHTS?

Cj..

Two interesting songs were released over the weekend. One from “American Boy” singer Estelle the other a leak from everyone’s favorite idol, Fantasia Barrino-proving just how freaky each can be.

Estelle’s “Freak” is a great track but the accompanying video does little for me. Why is she so dark in the video with those loud pink lips? That doesn’t read as ‘flattering’ to me. But either way check it out.

Fantasia’s “Control Freak” is certified crack music and I’ve been playing it on repeat all week. The sensual tune has Fantasia’s trademark raw and raspy vocals milking the seductive track. I hope she can offer more tracks that bump as hard as this one for her upcoming album.

[Download here]

Cj..

Okay the song does little for me but this video had me cracking up. Lil’ Jon is a hot mess.

QUE!?

Cj..

Marsha Ambrosius is a rare gem. Her vocals are so soft and inspiring while her music sings to the heart. If you didn’t already know she is going solo leaving behind her Floetry days. Her debut album will be titled Late Nights & Early Morning and releases at the end of this year. Here’s a treat for Marsha lovers…her short and sweet mixtape Yours Sincerely.

[Download Here]

Cj..

Vampire Weekend is dope.

Vampire Weekend‘s video for “Giving Up the Gun” is dope.

And I believe that’s all….

Yep. That’s it!

Cj..

One of my favorite song-writers/artists/producers The Dream has released his first single to be lifted off his upcoming LoveKing album. The song (titled “LoveKing”) is classic Dream-and I am not complaining. I was apprehensive when the beat first kicked in but my worries vanished as the song got into the heart of it. With his trademark off-the-wall lyrics and addictive production, “LoveKing” serves as a pleasant start to the material expected from the album. I am a Dream fan, Love/Hate and Love Vs. Money were amazing and cohesive efforts so I expect the same from the third installment.

[Download Here]

Cj..

Here’s the video for Letoya Luckett’s latest single (my favorite from her latest album) “Good to Me”

Simple. I like. Plus she looks gorgeous in the clip.

Cj..

LeToya “Good To Me” from Music’N'BS on Vimeo.

Wait what happen to Beyoncé’s hiatus? With her upcoming video with Lady Gaga for “Telephone” and now this video for Alicia Keys’s “Put It In a Love Song” she will still be in the lime light….and I’m not complaining whatsoever. She works so damn hard.

Anyways here are some pics from the set of the “Put It In a Love Song” vid.

Looks like it’s set in Brazil and will be a winner.

Bring it A….and B….haha.

Cj..

Mariah Carey’s fun video for the remix of her single “Up Out My Face” featuring popular female rapper Nicki Minaj.

The clip was directed by Mariah’s husband Nick Cannon.

As always Nicki’s facial expressions are hilarious.

Cj..

Mario’s DNA album is noting amazing. It doesn’t come close to his brilliant 2007 album Go. Few tracks from the disc are memorable and as a whole it is uninspiring. So for the video for one of the few good tracks on it to be uninspiring and blah is upsetting. “Ooh Baby” is a great tune, but the video does little to nothing for me. It tries to be raunchy but falls flat. Check it out.

Music videos are my thing. It’s what I want to do for at least 5 years of my life. Artists, I beg of you, stop wasting time and money on uninspiring, pointless or tacky videos. Music videos have the power of being groundbreaking and amazing feats of artistry. They can temporarily unite or excite a culture. If you aren’t going to come hard with each and every one of your videos, I’d rather there not be a video no matter how great the song is.

Cj..

M.I.A is back friends.

Her new project has been kept pretty much a secret so the drop of this new song and accompanying video is a great surprise for her fans.

Nice.

Cj..

The great thing about talent is it’s headquarters has a revolving door. There is always new fresh and young talent waiting to be revealed and explored. So one of our task at MESH. is to help expose new talent for everyone to see. So every now and then we will feature new artists or artists you might not be too familiar with in hopes that you can see exactly what’s new and who’s next. Sound good?

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Young Ripp and J Star are 19 year old rappers who attend Norfolk State University. Hailing from Danville, Virginia and Atlanta, Georgia, the duo calls themselves Laptop Heroes as their first mixtape of the same name was created in their dorm room at Norfolk. They describe their sound as “commercial Southern” and they definitely have promise. With cool tracks like “Already Famous” and “Ride” it’s easy to see why they are quickly getting a loyal fan base. Now in their sophomore year, the duo has hooked up management and are looking to become even more successful. There isn’t nothing more admirable then the hustle and grind of young HBCU students.

Give Young Ripp and J Star a listen at their official myspace (here).

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Cj..

Want to be featured on MESH.? Email Contact@TheMEShlife.com

Omarion’s new album Ollusion (which is a very decent effort) drops tomorrow and with it also comes the video release of his third single. “Speedin’” is a great tune for the singer. I can’t say that is album will do really well but I do encourage you guys to check it out.

Cj..

For the new music today I thought it would be cool if majority of the artists weren’t big names. So, lets kick it off with two names you should know followed by a few names trying to get their break into the industry.

[Monica-One in a Lifetime]

[Kandy Life- Lady Gaga] (recorded before her first album)

[Winner-Krys Ivory]

[Tipsy- Tayma Loren ft. The Dream]

[Sex Playlist-Chrishan]

Enjoy.

Cj..

Here’s the cool/fun video for band Ok Go’s latest “WTF?” featured off their upcoming album Of the Blue Colour of the Sky releasing in January. I’m a sucker for fun and borderline pointless videos (Ok Go master this well).

Cj..

The next single coming from Timbaland’s highly underwhelming album Shock Value II will be “Carryout” featuring Justin Timberlake. I think it’s a smart move as it’s one of the few decent tracks I like on the disc. The video trailer (I think it’s funny all music videos are getting trailers nowadays) shows performance footage and an interview. The full video will be released in January.

Cj..

One of my favorite tracks from Mariah Carey’s latest effort Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel “Up Out My Face” is getting the single treatment. Of course, the track is being remixed featuring hot girl rapper of the moment Nicki Minaj. Here are a few pics from the shoot.

Mariah is dropping a re-release of her album that will feature a remix for each track. It’s due February 23.

Looks like it’s going to be an interesting video.

Cj..