The Audacity of Dope

Yee!  New freshness from my guy Pinder.  TAOD and SNSS fam already know the deal, but if you’re sleeping:

After years of living, months of creating, weeks of preparation and sweeping Internet anticipation, J. Pinder’s “Careless Redux” is finally available for free download. Presented by DJ Skee—of KIIS-LA and Sirius XM fame—the 16 track mixtape is an impressively technical yet emotionally raw journey into the Seattle native’s comings and goings: through the club, through the industry, and through his city. Featuring vocal appearances by Musiq Soulchild, Marsha Ambrosius, Rapper Big Pooh, and Thurz, “Careless Redux” weaves together a wide range of beats from some of the best producers in the game: Vitamin D, DJ Khalil, Kuddie Fresh and Illmind.

Full of rewind-worthy moments, “Careless Redux” has a mood and a mission for every listener. Producers Mel & D and DJ Khalil collaborate with J. Pinder for “King,” an instant head-nodder that begs for a special sort of ride in the whip. On “Float’n,” J. Pinder rises to the occasion of Kuddie Fresh’s heartfelt strings and heartbeat drums, delivering a meditation on hard days and harder work. J. Pinder depicts his world with sharp story telling, polished mic skills and playful punchlines, transforming his world into everyone’s world.

Download here.

Musiq just dropped a video for the best track on his new album, and aside from that awfully slow intro, it’s dope.  Once the song drops, it’s just like the good ol’ Musiq sound you’re used to…i.e., not “Radio.”

See Musiq, was that so hard?  After the debacle that was “Radio,” I’m glad to see one of my favorite R&B singers bounce back with a solid single.  It’s not my favorite Musiq track, and I’ve never been a big fan of Mary, but at least it gives me hope that his album won’t be a complete departure from his style.

Musiq ft. Mary J. Blige – “IfULeave”

Swiped from IllRoots.

Musiq – “Radio”

This is so wack.  Not only is the song awful, but it’s such an obvious attempt to pander to the dumbed down radio audience.  Horrible beat, horrible melody, horrible lyrics, and a blatantly moronic hook.  I know some of y’all thought this song was a joke of some sort when I first posted it up, but it looks like Musiq is really going to put all of us through this.  I’m looking forward to hearing the album (apparently titled Aijuswanaselle), but if there’s any more crap like this on it, I’m taking him off my list of favorite singers.  “I’m not mad Musiq…I’m…I’m disappointed.”

And just cause I can’t leave you with that atrocity, peep a flashback to the better times.

(i felt the same way)

This is just sad. One of my favorite singers out there just dropped a new joint. Swiped from 2DopeBoyz:

Musiq – “Radio”

Nothing more disappointing than hearing an artist you really dig make a blatant attempt to fit in with a popular sound. It’s so far from his style, it’s ridiculous. Hopefully this won’t end up being the first single from his next project.