Throwback Thursday

For this weeks throwback I chose one of my favorite Barry White tracks "Honey Please, Cant You See", I love how uptempo and fun this song is, ofcourse along with the back up! (they GETTIN IT). This song came out in 1974 and came between 2 of Barrys BIGGEST records, "Never gonna give you up" and "Cant Get Enough of Your Love Babe" and thats why it isnt as popular or one of his most memorable, but im inlove with it, and I hope you enjoy it too


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Click here to read more about Barry

I Shant Be Bothered...

Ok, to go to dinner with a man you so convincingly accused of molesting you is what I personally wouldn't do, but Raz "My Ass Hurts" B is now apparently over the entire thing, as well as his brother Ricky "Im doin it fo the kids, or atleast until my phone bill gets paid" Romance. I believed the allegations that the boys made on their you tube video, BUT i also believe there were ulterior motives behind creating that video aswell, and judging from THIS those motives were appeased. Cant u tell by the way Raz and Ricky are shuckin and jivin around while it looks like Chris is on his way home to explain to his wife why she wont be getting that new benz she was expecting this month?

Discipline Tracklisting?

Heres the rumored tracklisting for the upcoming Janet album entitled Discipline set to drop on the 26th of February. "Feedback" was recently rushed released to itunes 3 weeks before its even scheduled to hit radio, i guess miss Jackson is out for blood this time around..Now as far as i kno this is only the rumored tracklisting so its a chance it could be the hopefull wishing of a bored and lonely stan, ugh isnt there a Noahs Arc episode to be watched or something?...but anyhoo along with the listings you can see the producers to each song...now what do u guys think about it?

1. "Lessons Learnt (Discipline Intro)" (produced by Rodney Jerkins)
2. "Naughty Naughty" (produced by Rodney Jerkins)
3. "Feedback" (produced by Rodney Jerkins & D'Mile)
4. "Let Me Know When" (produced by Jazze Pha and Jermaine Dupri)
5. "Your Way" (Interlude) (produced by Pharrell Williams)
6. "All Up" (produced by Pharrell Williams)
7. "Between Me & You" (featuring Maroon 5) (produced by Johnta Austin)
8. "Creep (Interlude)" (produced by Polow da Don)
9. "High" (produced by Polow da Don)
10. "Leave It" (produced by Rodney Jerkins & D'Mile)
11. "Steady Hands" (produced by Jermaine Dupri)
12. "Class (Interlude)" (produced by Pharrell Williams)
13. "Deeper" (produced by Pharrell Williams)
14. "To The End" (produced by Ne-Yo)
15. "I'll Always" (produced by Johnta Austin)
16. "Low" (produced by Jazze Pha)
17. "Dismissed (Discipline Outro)" (produced by Rodney Jerkins)

Now i could careless about this cocktail of producers any other time, but for Janet i think it will work nicely...and its GREAT to see Jermaines name up there only twice, lawd knows thats too many as it is tho....Im interested to hear that maroon 5 callabo, and if it were 2001 i would say the same about the songs produced by Pharrell Williams, but since its 2007 they will most likely sound like every other underwhelming zing pop powie soundin track hes produced in the past 5 years.

Throwback Thursday

Hey readers, I LOVE old school music and truthfully I listen to it more than the popular music of today, so i figured id share some of the stuff i have in heavy rotation with you guys...reminisce, discover new-old music, or just jam out..but either way, every Thursday will bring a different throwback song that Ive been listening to, i figured we gotta get some type of consistency in this joint...By throwback, NO I'm NOT talkin about a SWV song or an old Badboy artist...This week we have Miss Loleatta Holloway with her 1970s hit "Dreamin"...Ive ALWAYS loved the over the top sass of this song, and of course the back up...with lyrics like "I see that look in your eyes when he walks by...I know you wanna touch him but honey don't u try...Cuzz u dont stand a snow balls chance in hell, you'll make out better trying to unring a bell" you CANT HELP but do a neck roll and a finger snap...see...SASS!



. . . ....

Click Here to read more about Loleatta

Mary Debuts Big

This week the numbers came in for the Billboard 200 and it warms the heart to report that Mary J has pushed nearly 630,000 units to come in at number 2 (Damn that Groban!). While I would have LOVED for her to come in at Number 1, id take a number 2 pushin over a half a mil than a number 1 during a low sales week pushin only 100k. This is an AMAZING triumph especially considering that this time around Mary didnt have a "Be Without You" type success of her first single, as a matter of fact "Just Fine" didnt even crack the top 20 (although it is climbing) on the hot 100 so Miss Blige doin over a half a million in one week is something BIG and only shows that the lil engine that could is now the fiercest thing on the tracks...and now that Jay is stepping down, can someone please tie Rihanna to them?

Dwele Readies New Album

So alots been going on in the past week, folks May or May Not have been getting touched, babies are havin babies and Jay's finally tired of Pullin a Diddy on half of the Def Jam roster...but in news I actually give a shit about...Dwele is gearing up a new album! he talks with Billboard.com about the direction and the sound of the new album along with the excitement that comes along with a Grammy nomination..Heres the snippet...

"Dwele describes the as-yet-untitled album as "kind of a mixture. I have a couple songs that are more radio-friendly, but I'm actually trying to take my time and elevate. It's all about going with the music and trying to follow that."

Click on the quote to read more

Happy Holidays from RhythmicWords!

Hey readers, I just wanna wish you all a very safe and a very blessed holiday with friends and loved ones..i hope u all get what u need and desire and experience all the love and togetherness u can handle! lol merry Christmas everyone :-)

New Michael Jackson ft Kanye West

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of his Thriller album, Michael Jackson will release a new edition of the album in February with remixes, rare recordings and other good stuff. Heres the remix to "Billie Jean" which is produced by Mr West himself. I personally was expecting more, or atleast something new and creative, just slapping the bassline from "Stronger" on the original song is not my idea of a remix, or atleast a good one.... I have to thank my brother in bloggatry Showtime over at Talk of the Town for sending me this one...many thanks!...so check it out and tell me what u think, I pretty much could live without it.

Michael Jackson ft. Kanye West - Billie Jean

Rhythmic's TOP 10 ALBUMS OF '07

This year has brought us many musical heartbreaks, a slew of one hit wonders, a shockingly GOOD album from Britney and an endless supply of ugly rappers with no talent (its like, whats the use?!?!)..There has been a hand full of albums thats been worth keeping the faith over! This is my 3rd year doing my top 10 albums list, first on Rhythmicwords, so if u wanna take a gander at 2005 and 2006 than u go right ahead, but kno that i do look back at a few selections like WTF..no goldfrapp on the 2006 list? wth was i thinking..but anyhoo...what we have right here is 2007 and oddly enough with all the crap polluting the airwaves this past year, it was the easiest year i had picking my top 10...



#10. Chrisette Michele - I AM
Released: June 19
Chrisette Micheles debut was a blend of classic soul, R&b, and Jazz with a dash of hiphop in the mix on tracks like "BE OK" and "In This for you". The album was an absolute breath of fresh air with songs that could only be described as BEAUTIFUL, some of which being "Golden", "Love is you", "Best of Me" and "If I have my Way". Vocally she was the best thing ive heard in YEARS and is showcased perfectly on the throwback/ Jazz infused "Lets rock".




#9. Common - Finding Forever
Released: July 31
After his instant classic BE, Common and Kanye West went back into the studio, good idea..if it isnt broken why fix it? On this album more of the good stuff that made Be so good is was delivered to us along with production from Wil.I.Am and the late J Dilla aswell as collaborations from Dwele, Bilal and everyones favorite MIA soulstar D'Angelo. This album solidified that Common is an artist that will definitely be around forever, in some form or fashion....too bad he couldn't find a better album cover...



#8. Mark Ronson - Version
Released: April 16
The Brilliance behind majority of the highlights on Back To Black by Amy Winehouse released his sophomore album full of nothing but clever covers earlier this year with help from such artist like Amy Winehouse, Lilly Allen, and the late Old Dirty Basterd, among others. The way he gave Funky soul makeovers to indie-rock songs can inspire anyone fond of ANY musical genre. The man covered "Toxic" by Britney Spears and actually made it something not only tolerable but...good..someone give him some type of award STAT!


#7 Alicia Keys - As I Am
Released: Nov 13
This album by Alicia turned me into a believer, not necessarily making me think shes deserving of all the hype that has surrounded her and her career, it just made me see the girl is definitely talented and light years ahead of many that have come and gone. In my opinion, her best album perfectly blends and crosses genres almost effortlessly without coming off...yanno...in desperate need of being eclectic and deep.
[Click Here to read my review for This Album]



#6 Kanye West - The Graduation
Released: Sep 11
Kanye not in someones top 5!?!?! BLASPHEMY!!!!...well..not really...just dont tell him, yall know how HE do...but this album I thoroughly enjoyed and thought was brilliant and definitely a display of growth from an artist thats already a grown ass man compared to his Rap counterparts. With songs like "Flashing lights" and "I Wonder" he should be in everyones top 10 by default.





#5. Lupe Fiasco - The Cool
Released: Dec 18
The fact that I LOVE
this album as much as I do suprised the hell out of me, considering im not a big BIG rap fan and my favorite artist in the genre have pretty much been the same and haven't changed for years. I do own Lupe's first album and I thought it was a good debut but it just never grabbed me the way I thought it would, but this album here had me at hello. Great stories, amazing production and Lupe's ability to make u actually listen to what hes SAYING makes this my pick for rap album of the year.
[Click Here to read my review for This Album]


#4. Joss Stone - Introducing Joss Stone
Released: Mar 20
If Mary had her breakthrough back in 05 than Joss definately had hers in 07. With the musical GENIUS Raphael Saadiq aiding her, she developed a funky, retro sound that was all her own that perfectly complimented the strength of her voice. No matter how much dumb shit this girl says in the press (and trust me, its been alot) i still dig her, why? because shes talented, young, sassy and black...oh..wait..scratch that last one...but u get my drift.




#3. Jill Scott - The Real Thing
Released: Sep 25
After the slight let down and complete sidestep that was Beautifully Human, JIll knew she had to come harder, fiercer, stronger on her 3rd studio album, and thats exactly what she did, completely exceeding my expectations. Divorce proved that Jill wasnt going to go all sour grapes on us, instead she went passion fruit, homegirl straight up got all freaky on us but in a way that didnt require a parental advisory sticker..way to taint the masses Jill, i love it.

[Click Here to read my review for This Album]

#2. Mary J. Blige - Growing Pains
Released: Dec 18
The Queen of hiphop soul didnt fail with this follow up to the hugely successful Breakthrough one bit. All stanning aside this is an R&B album at its purest that, at moments, takes you back to the 70s, when times were simpler, music was FUN and artist had actual talent to speak of. Take a listen to Mary's version of "Hello, Its Me" and you'll know EXACTLY what im talking about.
[Click Here to read my review for This Album]



#1. Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
Released: Dec 19, 06
All potential gimmicks aside (tortured soul abusing drugs and doing dumb shit = publicity, which = album sales) this is one of the best albums ive heard in YEARS, flawless from start to finish, theres very little I can say thats negative about Amy Winehouse's second album. While this one isnt as diverse and jazzy as her debut Frank, it rides the fence of vintage SOUL and blues brilliantly giving us INSTANT classics like "Love is a Losing Game" and "Wake up Alone". I eagerly anticipate what chapter amy will share with us on her next album... if yanno...she doesnt die first.


Ofcourse there were albums that I DIDNT forget about that I loved. Feist, Bjork, Maroon 5, Musiq and a few others all came out with albums that were good, its just that 10 other albums were better. Now tell me which were YOUR favorite albums of this year...do u agree with mine? do u think im crazy for my picks? discuss....

It just Breaks. My. Heart.

Today i had a tragic and heartbreaking conversation with a ex friend of mine and startling discoveries came about that made me question loyalty, life, and well...just look for yourself..

RhythmicSoul05 (3:44:17 PM): baron did u buy mary today?

BaNwT829 (3:44:27 PM): no bitch

RhythmicSoul05 (3:44:37 PM): :-O

RhythmicSoul05 (3:44:40 PM): *grabs my chest*

RhythmicSoul05 (3:44:45 PM): why baron...why?

BaNwT829 (3:45:29 PM): dont get me wrong i like mary, I like her a lot but im not crazy bout her for some reason she doesnt make me wanna wet my pants like letoya luckett even though she is clearly better then her

RhythmicSoul05 (3:45:54 PM): i...cant...breathe

RhythmicSoul05 (3:46:03 PM): *collapse*

BaNwT829 (3:46:09 PM): LOL

And on that note I must quote Mary J herself when i say.. "FRIENDSSSS...how many of us have them!?!?! I DONT THINK WE REALLY NEED THEMMMMMM!!!!"

Yall betta keep it cute and go out to support My mary! before i sick her on u!...yall dont wanna see mary in a dark alley on a night where shes looked through old family albums and snuck into the liquor cabinet..NOT PRETTY... WHERE WERE YA!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Rhythmic Review: Mary J. Blige - Growing Pains

Growing Pains is the eighth studio album from the everyones favorite underdog and peoples champ! Mary J Blige. The Queen of hip hop Soul manages to make an album that treads new ground, yet sticking to the very familiar path that fans, stans and haters alike have come to know, love and hate. The 16 track offering is as honest as a My Life but without the pain, No shes no longer hurting, Yes she still experiences downs, but this time around she doesn't force either extreme like she has in the past on less successful releases (Love and Life anyone?) This outing shes being true to not only her fans but most of all herself.

The album opens up on a perfect note with the upbeat/inspirational second single "Work That" co-produced by Sean Garrett and Theron Feemster. The song is IMMEDIATELY followed by the head-nod inducing track "Grown Woman", which marks Marys best club ready, trunk blasting track since the 2001 infectious number 1 hit "Family Affair". Tracks segue into each other beautifully and without hesitation, grabbing the attention of your ears and keeping it until the very last track, which happens to be one of the best on the album. "Come To Me (Peace)" is arguably the apex of the album, showcasing a synth-heavy sound that's not typical of Mary's yet still familiar, relatable and experienced enough to be VERY MARY, much like the song that precedes it, the piano and string filled "Smoke".

With Lyrics like "Holding on isn't healthy, but its killing me to let go/ Trying to stare at your picture but i cant see it not for all the smoke" and Production/writing from heavy hitters like Brian Michael Cox, Neyo, Tricky Strewart, The Dream, and Stargate, it only proves that Mary can still relate to those going through it, because at times she still is too. Proving that shes still human and, contrary to popular belief, Kendu is not God and flubs up like anyone else. Songs like smoke and my personal favorite "Roses" only adds to the conviction of the albums push for positivity and love, or at least the up and down personal journey to that.

Like any album there are some weaker moments (not necessarily ineffective tho) within the album. The unbalanced "Shake Down" features Usher and comes off as a teaching lesson from Mary to the R&B crooner more so than anything else. A more logical and worthy opponent like Jaheim would have been a perfect counterpart for the maturity and polished honesty, in Mary's voice, that even with 45623345245645 million records sold later Usher still lacks. The weak moments are forgivable and completely overshadowed with gems and overall FUN tracks like the throwback sounding "Till the Morning". Produced by the Neptunes, this track takes Mary to an era where she would have fit in perfectly and solidifies the overall 1970s cohesion that this album gives, from the Michael Jackson inspired first single "Just Fine", to the cover shot, to the Wilona Woods inspired hair. Now is it just me or Would a remake of the CLASSIC 1976 track "Sparkle" By the QUEEN OF SOUL herself, Aretha Franklin, been more than suiting for this album and for Mary?


This album comes at a perfect time in Marys career, unlike past albums that weren't as appreciated as they should have been due to bad timing. 2003's Love and Life, which came 10 years too late, or one of Marys best, 99's Mary, which came out about 5 years too early for many to appreciate the growth, musicianship, and over all genius of that album. Not an overnight icon, A 15 year spanning career has groomed, trained and polished the coal turned diamond Queen of HipHop Soul and she continues to shine. Mary takes us to a familiar destination with a alternate route filled with beautiful scenery and new surroundings and shows us that Growing Pains is easily one of the best R&B albums since...well...The Breakthrough

I give Growing Pains an A

In Stores NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rhythmic Releases

Today is Tuesday and like every tuesday a swarm of new releases hit the shelves and this week is no exception...



In stores today: Growing Pains by Mary J Blige, The Cool by Lupe Fiasco, Hate it or Love it by Chingy, and Makings of a Man by Jaheim...I think we ALL know which ones im purchasing (and which ones im not)..click here to read my review of The Cool and come back later for my review of Growing Pains

Joss Stone - L-O-V-E

Im sure some of you have seen the new commercial for Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle fragrance, entitled Coco Mademoiselle, with Winona Ryder 2.0 Keira Knightley galivanting around in it...BUT what really caught my attention and made me actually give a damn about the commercial all together was a VERY familiar voice singing a VERY familiar song. For the campaign Joss covered Nat King Cole's CLASSIC 1965 hit L-O-V-E and did a pretty damn good job if i may say so myself...G'on Joss, keep doin the damn thing girl..FUCKA GRAMMYS!

Joss Stone - L-O-V-E

Mary J. Talkin Greasy?...or just...Stating facts?

In recent interviews with MTV and various other media outlets, Mary made it known that the Umbrella song by Rihanna was originally intended for her..she passed, i sighed a pray of relief, and the world went on turning as it should. According to Pr-inside.com Mary said in an interview with them? or someone?
"I'm not going to chase what (mainstream) fans like. It might work for a Mariah. It might work for a Beyonce. But Mary J. Blige is looked at as some sort of organic thing."

People are getting rubbed the wrong way by this quote but me personally? i cant see why..Mary isn't necessarily saying anything negative about neither beyonce or mariah, wanting a mainstream sound isn't exactly saying "THEM HOES WACK!" by a long shot..and the honest truth is, she isn't exactly saying anything that...well..isnt true. Both Mariah and Beyonce have formed a type of mainstream sound that flows with the now, not exactly showing growth as much as its mirroring what the radio sounds like at that specific time their album or a record is released (Rainbow and B'day anyone?) and that ISN'T a bad thing at all, if it sells it sells..like Mary said, it works for THEM. Saying Mary is dissing or talking down about those 2 is like quoting Mary saying "24inch long indian remy may work for a Beyonce or for a Mariah, but it does nothin for my scalp chile!" it doesn't mean if u wear ur hair down to ur calfs your any less fierce than she is..its just not HER...Now im not saying that Marys material over the years hasnt become more radio friendly, but its still MARY regardless of how it sounds or how it differs from her first recordings...but u have to admit you would go to Mary expecting a more organic sound, style and overall feel of music than u would any other high profile R&B/pop female out now. I honestly would look to Mariah or Beyonce to do a collaboration with someone hot right now like Timbaland (post timberlake and furtado take over of course) or a Polow da Don before i would Mary. If YOUR perception of wanting a mainstream sound is a negative one than that's YOUR opinion and not necessarily where Mary may have been coming from...now on that note..

Rhythmic Review: Lupe Fiasco - The Cool

Now im no eskay or a big hip hop head (hell i don't even subscribe to XXL) tho i DO enjoy hiphop, just not yanno..crap... so when it came to reviewing this album, my first hip hop album to review, I was abit intimidated..where do i start? what do i say? I cant exactly make any Aretha references, what am I gonna do!?!?!?!? but then I remembered one thing...THIS is my blog, I can say whatever the hell I want! score!... And after listening to this album, I was put to ease because I knew I would have more than enough to say about this brilliantly crafted Sophomore effort from the Chi-town lyricist...

A concept album of sorts that expands on "The Cool" track from Food and Liquor album, he breaks the album down into 3 parts, The Cool, The Game and The Streets, but LUCKILY only 4 songs really follow this concept, which means he only kills someone on wax on about 1 song. This makes it easier to just sit back and enjoy the album for what it is, a GREAT album that tackles different issues, personalities and point of views. Want something witty without coming off one bit condescending? see "Dumb It Down", want something light and fun? see "Go Baby", craving something a bit heavier thats no laughing matter? see "Intruder". The beauty with this album is that theres a bit of something for every type of Hiphop Fan to appreciate, lyrically and production wise, was this a goal for Lupe? probably not, but yanno it happened, and im happy for it.

What attracted me to Lupe his first go around was not only the fact that he had something to say but that he said them over sometimes soulful, sometimes choppy, sometimes random beats that HE made cohesive throughout the entire first album, why? because as a listener u tend to actually LISTEN to what Lupe has to say instead of how much the beat makes you want to do the opposite (even if at times that was a downfall). The difference with The Cool is that you no longer ignore the production all together, with STRONG contributions from Mike Shinoda, Chris and Drop and the bulk from FNF producer Sountrakk, you see the beats manage to no longer be upstaged by Lupe and his remarkable story telling skills but provide a solid backing that assist in the story and add more depth, Perfect example "Gold Watch".

From the De la soul reminiscent "Paris, Tokyo" to the schizophrenic "Hello/Goodbye" all the way to the unexpected and overall FUN "Hi-Definition" featuring Snoop Dogg, Lupe still proves that he's capable of randomness that works and somehow mixes together to make one of the best Rap albums of the year (amongst those Ive listened to, so sorry to u Curtis stans)

(Im changing the grading system to something easier, lazier and permits me to no longer look for witty attatchments lol..To go along with the whole feel of Finals, out with the number system in with the actual grades!)
I give The Cool an A-

In stores 12/18/07