Continuing on the R&B tip, Usher recently released a new track "Climax" which is the lead single from his upcoming album "The Shanertance". The track which was produced by Mad Decent head honcho "Diplo" and is genuinely the best thing I've heard from Usher since his Confessions album way back in 2004. Even if you're not an Usher fan there's no denying Climax is a real slow burner. Don't anaylyse it, just listen to it and get a bit of good R&B back in your life. Stream Climax below and check out the official video after the jump.
First post in quite some time, but how could I resist posting another Frank Ocean banger? This time the Odd Future crooner has dropped the track "Whip Appeal" which was previously rumoured to appear on the deluxe edition of his very dope "Nostalgia, Ultra" album. This track definitely needs to be played loud while you're cruising in your whip late at night. Ocean is killing it right now, he's got his fingers in countless pies for other artists yet he continues to put out bonafied R&B hit after hit. He's by far the pick of the Odd Future crew (well in my opinion Ocean and Earl Sweatshirt are the only two good things to come from Odd Future) and definitely one to keep an eye on. Give Whip Appeal a listen or 10 below and stay tuned to Ocean's Tumblr page for more leaks.
OK, so I might be more than a little bit late with this video but as I'm a big Frank Ocean fan I thought it was well worth highlighting. So the story goes that Odd Future member, Ocean initially leaked "Thinking About You" onto the interweb back in July and it was later revealed that the song was actually a reference track for Roc Nation arist, Bridget Kelly's debut album. Then in September High 5 Collective released the official video clip for the song. So who knows where this this track will end up, all you need to know is that it's Frank Ocean and it's good. The video is unsurprisingly weird involving some vengeful Native Americans, catatonically sick children and of cource Ocean, making a brief appeareance as a male nurse. This is definitely one of my favourite tracks of 2011 so stay tuned to see if this makes it into my best singles of 2011 list, which I'm currently compiling. Check out the full Thinking About You video after the jump aong with stream/download link.
It's been a huge year for Canadian R&B sensation Abel Tesfaye AKA "The Weeknd". The Toronto native released his "House of Ballons" mixtape in March to widespread acclaim and even a co-sign from fellow Canadian Drake. Now he's back with the hihgly anticipated second chapter of his mixtape trilogy entitled "Thursday". This is great stuff and if you haven't listened to House of Balloons head over to the theweeknd.com where you can dwonload it for free. The final chapter in The Weeknd's mixtape trilogy "Echoes of Silence" is set to drop sometime in the US Fall, so keep an eye out for that. Artwork and and download links after the jump.
R&B crooner and now rapper Ryan Leslie released the video for "Glory", the first single from his upcoming album a few months ago, but I thought it was worth highlighting it on The Benjamins. I must admit I've been a fan of Leslie ever since I heard his debut album for the first time a couple of years ago. I became an even bigger fan when he first turned his hand to rapping and dropped a verse on Kanye West's "Christian Dior Denim Flow" (probably my favourite G.O.O.D. Friday release of last year.) Even if you don't like R&B all that much you've got to respect the mans work ethic and his talent as a producer and musician. Glory sees him trading in the singing for some more rapping with some decent results, although I'm not sure about the line "I was bad with a black band/ eating everyone in the game - pac man". Leslie's upcoming album was slated for a July 4 release but had now been delayed so stay tuned to The Benjamins for more updates. Check out the "Glory" video after the jump along with album art and purchase details.
Now I'm not one to post any Beyonce Knowles music around here but I can't front, this new track "Party" is actually pretty good. Plus it also helps that the song features a verse from one of the most underrated MC's in the business Andre 3000! Yes, you heard right Andre 3000 AKA Three Stacks of Outkast fame drops a verse on Party. I'm always hyped to hear him rapping again, so in my books any new Andre 3000 music is good music. Let's hope this verse signifies a return to the spotlight for 'Dre and that mythical solo album of his will drop sooner rather than later and he can get back to working on the next Outkast album. I don't want to take all the shine away from Beyonce, she's pretty good to and Party will apparently appear on her upcoming album, 4 which is set to drop on June 24. Stream/download of Party below.
Long before OFWGKTA blew up and well before the release of Frank Ocean's mixtape, Nostalgia, ULTRA the R&B artist known as Lonny Breaux had been putting in work honing his craft and writing for artists like Brandy and John Legend. Over the years Ocean had built up a bit of a back catalog of songs and some people over on the KanyeToThe forum had the bright idea to compile all of Ocean's demos and unreleased tracks into one convenient package, and thus the "Lonny Breaux Collection" was born. The 64 track compilation features production from the likes of Midi Mafia, Brian Kennedy, The Underdogs, Syience and J.R. Rotem. If you like Frank Ocean you are sure to find some songs in this collection that you'll enjoy and the songs as a whole show Ocean's growth as an artist leading up to what you may have heard on his latest tape Nostalgia, ULTRA. Check out the track "J.O.B" below with artwork and download link after the jump.
Odd Future R&B crooner Frank Ocean has been generating a lot of hype lately with the release of his very dope Nostalgia, ULTRA mixtape and guest appearances on Tyler the Creator's Goblin album. Now he has dropped the Dave Wilson directed visuals for the track "Acura Integurl". This track was released just prior to Nostalgia, ULTRA and didn't end up making it onto the mixtape, but don't let this fool you as this is one of my favourite Frank Ocean songs. The video features Ocean taking a ride into the hills in an orange Honda (Acura) NSX (which just happens to be pretty much my favourite Honda car of all time). There are rumours that his record label, Def Jam will releasing a retail version of Nostalgia, ULTRA on July 26, but all I'll say about that is, good luck clearing all the samples on the album. Anyway check out the video and stream/download of Acura Integurl after the jump.
So when alot of people think of OFWGKTA they think of crazy shock rap, but many of you may not know that one member of the group, "Frank Ocean" is actually an RnB singer. Ocean put out a very dope and well received free album, "Nostalgia,ULTRA" at the end of February and now director Aris Jerome has made an unofficial video for one of my favourite songs off of the album, "Songs for Women. Peep the video below with download links after the jump.
