Album Review: Alicia Keys - The Element of Freedom

I'm not even going to waste my time and write an extensive review of Alicia Keys' latest effort "The Element of Freedom," I'm just going to say flat out that it is boring!
Please tell me why, on this, Alicia's fourth album, her music has not progressed much, phonically speaking, from her debut in 2001? Never mind... To be fair, Keys did do a small bit of experimentation with different instruments on this album, but she is still stuck behind the piano. It seems as if all the songs blend into the next. I did have high hopes after finding Drake and Beyonce listed as features on two songs only to hear Drake sing background and Alicia place very overused and simple piano cord progressions over a bombastic beat Beyonce probably rejected from her album.
Alicia Keys is a very talented individual, and as such I really expected to hear some creative growth on "The Element of Freedom". What I got instead are a hand full of more piano songs to go along with the rest shes written. The only two songs I can imagine myself listening to on a semi-regular basis are "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart" and "Un-Thinkable [I'm Read]" featuring Drake on background vocals. "The Element of Freedom" lands in stores today.

Alicia Keys - Intimate Studio Performances

Early yesterday Alicia Keys blessed the internet with a video detailing an intimate studio performance of her two new singles as well as a few oldies. "The Element of Freedom" is in stores today. Check the video below.

Robin Thick - Sex Therapy and Shakin it for Daddy ft. Nicki Minaj [Live on 106 & Park]

Robin Thicke hit up 106 & Park yesterday evening for an exclusive performance of his latest singles "Sex Therapy" and "Shakin It for Daddy" with special guest Nicki Minaj. "Sex Therapy" drops in stores today, and what an amazing album it is. Check out the performances below.

Nike Blazer High AC Dark Cinder

This is real shoe porn! I don't know if I should be beating my meat or getting my money up lol. Nike has been unloading the Blazer in mass portions this year. We have seen just about every colorway and a few unique attributes on these Blazers. One such element that seems to have won a lot of sneaker lovers over is the return of the velcro straps. Following the release of the gray patent leather pair and the black lux color scheme, Nike has now released a dark cinder Blazer High AC at 21 Mercer.
It simply features a 100% dark cinder-colored leather base combined with a clean, white vulcanized rubber sole. However, the most distinctive element on this shoe is the five-strap velcro design across the midfoot. Other features include a monochromatic swoosh, tan trimming and a tan Nike tag logo on the heel. Click the link for more images.

Click the pic[s] for a larger view.

Video Preview: Rihanna - Hard ft Young Jeezy

Below is a quick preview of Rihanna's upcoming video "Hard" featuring Young Jeezy. Looks to be one of her most creative videos to date. Enjoy.

Vans Syndicate Holiday 2009 Mountain Edition S “Warrior”

The pack consists of two very solid colorways. The sneakers were inspired by US military boots and use the very same material on the upper – Warrior leather. The durability and performance of the material is very impressive. Make sure to check out the video after the jump, showcasing the performance of Warrior leather.
Also many more detailed images of the two sneakers follow after the jump.

Click the pic[s] for a larger view.

New Music: Alicia Keys - We're Almost There [MJ Cover]

Alicia Keys does her rendition of "Almost There" a classic Michael Jackson song that most "fans" don't know about. Check the song below as well as a link to the original MJ jam.

To hear the original click here.

Official Video: Timbaland - Say Something (feat. Drake)

"Say Something" is one of the best songs on the album. "Timbaland Presents: Shock Value II" is in stores now. LMAO at the faces Tim makes!

Nike Air Zoom Toki ND Obsidian/Vivid Pink

The simple silhouette of the Nike Air Zoom Toki is back at 21 Mercer, hitting us with a clean color-up in obsidian and pink. The dark-colored uppers are done completely in suede, with matching Swooshes on either side. White piping is used along the midfoot and eyelets, matching the vulcanized sole perfectly. The real accent comes from Vivid Pink pinstripe along that sole, which pops off of the dark majority of the shoe.

Click the pic[s] for a larger view.

New Mixtape: Tyga - Black Thoughts

I know I am hella late this one, but I have to blog about Tyga's latest mixtape, "Black Thoughts". Once again Tyga proves that he definitely deserves a shoutout when mentioning the great new rappers on the up and up. I love the fact that this dude utilizes the concept of a mixtape to release quality work. Some tracks are new, others sample popular music of the past year. Follow the link below for the track list and download. You won't be disappointed.

Click the pic to download.

Official Video: Lupe Fiasco - Solar Midnight

Lupe released a video to "Solar Midnight" an iTunes bonus to the Twilight: New Moon soundtrack. Click the link, and enjoy.

New Music: Sade - Soldier of Love

"Soldier of Love" is the much anticipated upcoming sixth studio album from British soul and R&B band Sade. It is their first new material since the 2000 multi-platinum Lovers Rock. The album is slated for release on February 8, 2010. The first single "Soldier of Love" premiered on December 8 at 7am EST on band's official website. Follow the jump to listen to the lead single as well as view the alternative album cover.

Official Video: Melanie Fiona - Monday Morning

Melanie Fiona's debut album, "The Bridge" currently sits at number 11 on Billboad's R&B/Hip-Hop albums and number 90 on the Billboard 200 charts. Check the official video for "Monday Morning" below.

Album Review: Robin Thicke's Sex Therapy

This Tuesday, December 15, Robin Thicke will release his greatest album to date, arguably the best R&B / soul album of the past decade. DO NOT take the previous sentence lightly! Robin Thicke is back with his somewhat anticipated new release, "Sex Therapy". The only reason I say "somewhat anticipated" is because I have seen limited promo for the album. I can, however, say that the lead single of the same name as the album has been getting steady airplay on the radio. Whoever told Thicke to step away from the piano and make a concept album about sex deserves a gold medal. Do note that there are two versions of the album; "Sex Therapy: The Sessions", and the deluxe edition, where five additional tracks are mixed in rather than tagged at the end, "Sex Therapy: The Experience".
The album starts off with club bangers such as "Sex therapy", "It's in the Morning", and "Shakin' it for Daddy". Trust, you have never heard Robin Thicke like this before. With production from Polow Da Don, Teddy Riley, and Rich Skillz, Thicke utilizes the first half of the album to establish his self as a force to be reckoned with. He definitely makes an effort to get you dancing, and he succeeds [at least with me]. The album incorporates sultry voice-overs from wife Paula Patton [hes the doctor, shes the nurse], and she even gets her own fairly lengthy interlude, "Start With A Kiss" that precedes the second half of the album where Thicke somewhat pays homage to the early Sergio Mendes sound. After listening to this half, I must say, I see Robin Thicke in a whole new light [he even has his first parental advisory warning lol]. The man might be a pimp! Thicke closes the album with "Diamonds" featuring The Game. This song is used to compare women to diamonds. After naming various prominent women such as Beyonce, Keyshia Cole, Rihanna, Queen LaTifa, Michelle Obama, and Paula Patton, its clear that Thicke has a serious case of jungle fever. "Sex Therapy" includes features from Jay Z, Snoop Dogg, Nicki Minaj, Kid Cudi, Estelle, Jazmine Sullivan, and The Game.
Overall, I would give "Sex Therapy" four and a half stars out of five. After years of playing the role of underdog, Robin Thicke is definitely on the road to legendary status. I predict years later people will remember Thicke as one of the greats. Check the video for the lead single below.

Official Video: Vampire Weekend - Cousins

"Contra" is the second album by American indie rock band Vampire Weekend. The release of the album is, according to the band's website, planned to be January 11, 2010 in the UK, and January 12 in the U.S. "Horchata" was released as a free mp3 download on October 5, 2009 on the band's website. The first single is "Cousins", and will be accompanied by a 10", and a music video which is posted after the jump.