The Double Standard

It has always been a double standard and not just within the music industry but the world overall. Women are told not to act sexual, not to be a "hoe" but we praise men who have many partners or brag about their sex. Truth of the matter is women know the game and they have perfected it. It was said a long time ago by a famous rapper (2pac) that you don't make music for the men you make music for the ladies (not exact word but for editing reasons ya know). When you make music to appeal to the women the men will buy to please the lady.

When women make music they appeal to both. They appeal to the eye for men and appeal to the ear for women. Women are not actually glorifying the sexiness. They are glorifying a version of themselves that they might not be able to show. They are living through that artist, the plus is connecting and enjoying the music that is being made.

Nicki Minaj is getting so much backlash with her "Anaconda" cover and for what selling sex...please how old are we?

There is no difference between her single cover and a King magazine that is on the stands in most grocery and book stores. Nicki made a comparison to Sports Illustrated as well. What's so different between her showing off her body and "The Body Issue" that comes out every year. Art is art and we can't condone one without giving the same respect to the other.

Beyonce was super sexual in her self titled album released at the end of 2013 and was called every name in the book, but here is a business woman just doing what she's supposed to do. She's married has children but isn't supposed to feel sexual. I think they call it "Feminism" The Double standard needs to stop.



This is okay to have printed though right?

And This huh?

Point of No Return

This album title speaks volumes for Keyshia Cole

The album title signifies the end of a marriage, the end of rumors, and possibly if this album doesn't do well...the end of a career. For years we been saying that like Mary J Blige the public doesn't want to hear you singing about how happy you are. We want to hear about the low life men you've come across and the painful relationships you been through. Pain has created some of the best songs ever and Keyshia is no stranger to that.

It was the pain and grittiness that had the world fall in love with her in the first place. When she sang "I should've cheated"  you felt it...you was right there with her. The happiness she went through was great for her personally but horrible for her career. Now that she is pretty much single again and dealing with the aftermath of her marriage...the music should be GREAT. With the release of her new album cover earlier last week we have learned that she has worked with Stargate (Ne-Yo), Mike Will (Kelly Rowland), and Mario Winans.

Yes I do fall into the "fish plate" jokes but I really want to hear what this album will bring. Hopefully less "Rick James" and more "I Choose You" from her previous album.  Like the title says...Point of No Return, because if this doesn't work out she can always start a girl group with Keri Hilson & Ashanti.  LOL

Can Missy "Work It"

It's been almost ten years since Missy Elliot released her last album and every couple of years we get a snippet or a feature that gets us excited...but no album.  I personally gave up on it until I came across a couple recent interviews.

Most recently Rap-Up.com did a story about Missy's upcoming album and the reason for the delay

read that article here

Right now outside of the underground scene we just have Nicki Minaj and Iggy doing it for the female rap game. I'm not really up for the female rapper against female rapper stuff but I am really excited to hear some new Missy. I wouldn't say Missy is the best rapper but her overall package is what I miss. You get the crazy along with the creative. You put Missy's creative juices on top of a Timberland production and you have freakin MAGIC. Word is the first single is ready to go, it's on Missy when she feels the time is right.

Hopefully as she has described this new album...it's a GAME CHANGER.

Throwback Album Review~~~Brandy Afrodisiac

With one of the most unique voices in music it's hard to believe that Brandy has been on the scene since 1994. With such hits as "I wanna be Down", "Almost doesn't count", "Sitting up in my room" and countless others it's shocking to see an album from her not get the credit it deserves.


After a slight wait on June 28th 2004 Afrodisiac hit stores with great critical acclaim but failed to capture previous commercial success. This in itself was one of the reasons she asked to be released from her Atlantic Records contract. The recording of the album took place mostly in 2003 with super producer Timberland. The album and production was a major departure from what many fans have come to known from the artist. Bubbly, sweet, loving music was replaced with eccentric hip hop beats and very mature lyrics which mostly told the story of her life from the past two years. Many times the singer has said Darkchild had created a sound with her and then gave it to everybody else. She wanted the new album to sound more raw...more street.

The lyrics and production may have been different but the vocals and the unique way Brandy emotes emotion were not lost. The queen of vocal layering did not disappoint with such favorites such as the title track, "I Tried", "Necessary" and "Focus". Internationally "Afrodisiac" was the most successful single. The album did get nominated for Grammy's and MTV music awards but to date has only gone Gold.  This album is a gem and a most listen during relationship struggles. In interviews when asked about this personal album she says

"It was an edgier Brandy, a sassier sound, but still with a lot of heart and a lot of passion."

Couldn't agree more.  If you don't have it in your collection already your missing out on great music from a spectacular artist. 

What's the end game

             Year after year, rumor after rumor I just shrug my shoulders when I hear people talk about Jay Z and Beyonce getting divorce. I roll my eyes when I hear the rumors about cheating and infidelity. This is a power couple and they have already rolled through the bruises and the bumps. I never bought into it...until now.

Don't get me wrong I love seeing people in love...especially black love but parts of me are starting to wonder if the King & Queen of music are headed toward separation. They have been a couple pretty much since 2002 and both of them have been very secretive on how they met and what drew them together. Was it a love connection or was it a business plan that has gone above and beyond both of their dreams? Think back to 2002, at that point Jay Z just started having commercial success and Beyonce just started her post Destiny's child career. I've always agreed that they both bought something to the table that the other needed. Jay Z bought his savvy business sense. He bought creative ideas, he bought street cred, and he also bought another mans opinion about business besides Matthew Knowles. Beyonce bought a since of class and stability to a man who has always been called a playa and "super ugly".

Beyonce already had a level of celebrity and star power. I'm sure Jay Z saw the "it" factor right away and together they could do a lot of great things. I don't believe it was love at first sight for Bey. People don't give her the credit she deserves. At some point I'm sure she did fall in love with him but at the start I'm sure for her it was the "ultimate come up". She latched on and learned the business, and from album to album you could see the wheels turning, you could see the stakes raising higher and higher.

Now here we are 12 years later at a point where things could be starting to crumble. No matter how secretive and careful you are...you cannot keep this level of notoriety a secret. Nobody's marriage or relationship is as perfect as they try to make it. At some point the walls start to crack and if you keep just covering the holes without taking a look at the entire wall...it will keep cracking until it all falls down. If this match made in business heaven does come to an end...how will it happen?

It is entirely too much at stake. They are invested in more ways then one. Let's forget there combined net worth is near 1 billion. Let's forget together the "On The Run" tour is making history. Let's forget that one without the other is not as successful. The important thing is they are parents. They are way to private and into the brand of themselves to have a messy public split. I see maybe a more behind closed doors quick sign of papers and a lengthy well written press release. This is even if they even split at all. The marriage as we know it could be dissolved but for financial reasons they could stay married and only come together for music and performances while living a separate life all together.

TrueFAN does not want this power couple who seems very happy together to split but I would be lying and a lot of you would be too if you say you haven't thought about the circumstances if they didn't last. How ironic was it that once they both finished touring the world see's tattoos missing and Solange going in on Jay in the elevator that "On The Run" tour came to light. I'm sure the tour had been thought about long ago though <smile>

I-Tunes about to step it up.

Ever since Beyonce gave no warning...other artists are trying to take what she did and elevate it.

Nothing is wrong with this at all but the big question is...WHO WILL IT BE.

The word on the street is ITUNES is gearing up for another exclusive album release from a huge artist. Beyonce's exclusive ITUNES release caught the world by storm and gained high praise for it's creativity and fan friendliness. It was a move that made artists wonder if the the old way is still the right way.

This next release that ITUNES will do is said to be a very marketable artist but it probably won't be as big as Beyonce's surprise was. This artist is carefully weighing give aways, a possible live concert in the midst of the release, exclusive prizes through social media and more.  So who is the artist that's about to do a Beyonce 2.0???

Nobody knows yet but the names that have been put out there are right on the money.

1. Rihanna.
This is right up Rihanna's alley. She is the only artist that has given Beyonce any competition and it's only right since she has been very quiet musically. A highly anticipated album is due for her and I guarantee if it's her the numbers will either match or surpass Beyonce's.   And that will only be because it won't be a surprise...this artist will make it known when the album is coming so people will sit at the computer at 12am and download.

2. Janet Jackson
It's been rumored for over a year now that Janet has been back in studio working on a project that some say has material as good as her classic "Velvet Rope" album. Janet has been low key but has made it clear that she is making music that she loves and that she cares about. With so many Janet Jackson fans young and old this would be the best way for her to announce her return to music. The only reason I think this might not be her is because Janet has been away for so long. Plus with some of her 90's counter parts Mariah and Toni having issues appealing to this new generation of music buyers  it will be hard for her to reach Beyonce numbers. But if she did decide to go visual like Beyonce did she would EAT IT!!!!

3. Adele
I'm not real clear on this one because Adele is not the kind of artist to give visuals plus she doesn't need an exclusive campaign to set records and sell millions. However she is a super Beyonce fan and could possibly be looking to get more bank for her buck.

4. Ne-Yo
One of three males that have been talked about. Ne-Yo is an artist that could surprise and so something of this caliber. Granted he hasn't been as successful as he was before but best believe he does have world wide appeal to give a great album with visually appealing videos (cue the music video for Lazy Love). The things that would have to align for Ne-Yo is a groundbreaking song as a first single...HE DOES NOT have the appeal to just tweet "My album is out" and people will flock.

5. Fergie
A str8 up surprise this would be. The Black Eye Peas front woman is no stranger to chart success. However she hasn't had an album since her break through Gwen Stafani esque album. With the right production (WILL I AM) and the right song I could see this.

6. Kendrick Lamar
This along with Rihanna feels so right.  Kendrick is not the typical hip hop artist. He is very calculating and a perfectionist. I can see a visual album from him and with Dr. Dre producing his new album this would be the kind of media blitz that would take him to the next level. We all have heard the rumors that Kanye had the idea of doing a visual album a long time ago but I think Kendrick would do it justice.

7. Usher
If this was 2005 or 2006 I would be so here for this...but let's face it. This is an artist who has declined over the years and just kind of surviving at this point. I like Usher's music but he is not the world wide smash he once was. Plus I'm not seeing a Confessions part 2 coming so this would the wrong artist.


Take a raead
http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/permalink/2014/03/17/beyonceexclusive

Busy summer for Brown

Earlier this week  Chris Brown made news for once about music instead of his legal woes.

Granted he accused his former manager Tina Davis of leaking his music but overall it's been quiet or him. Now that he has completed his 90 day rehab stint in anger management he is back to making music and getting ready for two big releases. His new album "X" which will be released on May 5, 2014 he is also teaming back up with Tyga to release Fan of a Fan 2. The mixtape he released with Tyga helped bring brown back into the spotlight after being shunned by the industry after the Rihanna fiasco back in 2009. That album produced great tracks such as "Deuces" and "Aint' thinking about you". They are looking for that same magic and recently released the song "Bitches". I'm not a fan of the tittle but the song is a club jam. I'm sure the radio version will be just as good lol.

Here is to new music from Chris Brown. His personal issues are crazy but his music never
 disappoints to me.

Back to the basics

I'm old enough to remember when Hip Hop/Rap wasn't mainstream. I'm old enough to remember when just rhyming about your radio became a hot song. I'm old enough to remember when Hip Hop made you feel good and also had you cuttin up on the dance floor.

Now Hip Hop has fallen victim to being over hype. What I mean by that is Hip Hop today is no longer about feel good music, about lifting up your block, about fighting the struggle. Now Hip Hop has turned into a battle between clothing labels, paychecks and sex. In some songs you get all three. Outside of a few artists Hip Hop has turned into a production battle. It's no longer about the rhymes and lyrics but it's about beats and production. Who cares what they are saying in the song as long as the beat is hot and I can shake my ass.

Or better yet. What ignorant catch phrase can we make hot from it.

I'm not the biggest hip hop head but even I felt some kind of way by the recent release of Nikki Minaj's "Lookin Ass Ni@@A". After I heard the song and seen the video I scrolled down my social media timeline to see people hash tagging #shedidthat #Nikkiisback  and other phrases that was spoken in the song. I don't want to be a hypocrite because I've used the words before and still do on occasion but to have an entire song just spittin that one word is pure BS. This is not music, and this is damn sure not HIP HOP.

I need the days back when Hip Hop just made you feel good.This foolishness that's played now is far from. Almost every song is depressing and all about drinking, getting high, degrading women. It's become mindless music.

I can only listen to certain artists now. I can only take seriously J Cole, Nas, Kendrick Lamar, and on the rare occasion old school Jay Z. Nobody else is speaking anything. Nobody else has a message, nobody else is daring to be different. All of these up and coming artists want to sound just like what they hear on the radio but sadly that's the problem. Be your own person, create your own style. And for God sake...have a little depth to your craft. You can entertain the class being a clown but you can gain a nation by speaking substance.

Nine Lives

I know it's nothing new for celebrities to get special treatment. I know it's nothing new for them to do horrible things and not go to jail but how many times will the legal system give this man a free pass?


I'm a fan of Chris Brown and his music and as much as I don't want to see people go to jail...HE NEEDS TO GO TO JAIL. It's one incident after another and until a judge finally says we have had enough he will not learn his lesson.

Recently an L.A. judge declined to put Chris Brown in jail and elected to send him to 90 days of anger management.

HE'S ALREADY BEEN THROUGH ANGER MANAGEMENT.  I think a few times at this point. He is on probation still from his run in with Rihanna's face back in 2009. Most people break the rules of their probation and you automatically get thrown into jail. He now has had 3 to 4 run ins with the law and still no jail time. He will never learn...and sadly it's not us as the public that suffers. It's him as a person.

Love, Marriage & Divorce

For months now we have held our breath waiting for that 90's music again. Waiting for music to have melodies, catchy hooks, powerful lyrics and above else great singing. What we were not prepared for was to have two of the 90's biggest stars come together to give it to us.

Love, Marriage & Divorce is a duet album by Babyface & Toni Braxton. This is Toni Braxton's first album since 2010 and first in nine years for Babyface. I for one am pleased.

This CD is like jumping into a time machine and going back to a time when music was really music. It's like coming home from a long day of work and slipping on your favorite pajamas. Unlike the title of the album it's all about the ups and downs of relationships. The roller coasters of emotions you go through and the bitter battles that can come from it. This is not a "youngin" album. This right here is for the grown man/woman he can truely relate to these life experiences. Toni as always sounds great and Babyface still has it. One of the few singer/songwriters who can not only write hits for others but can churn a couple out for himself. His emotions always bleeds over a song and the best representation of that on this album is "Where did we go wrong". My favorite track on the entire album.

This CD is GOLD and you would be a fool not to go BUY this album.

Top tracks



Where did we go wrong
Hurt You
Reunited
Rollercoaster
I Wish

Does Parenthood change an artist?

Having a child is one of the most sacred experiences a woman can have. And on of the greatest repsonbiblites a mother and a father will ever have. 

With that being said for an entertainer it can also become a crutch in this new word of keep the hits coming. Some artists have a niche of being cold, calculating, and at times weird, what becomes of this artist after they have children. Do they change there music altogether or do they stay true to them and there fans. It's common sense that once you have a child you put your child first. Nothing is more important then your child. This misconception is that you are supposed to change everything about yourself. You must fit this stereotype of what a mother and father are supposed to be. Your idenity is no longer your own...but just a side story to your new bundle of joy.

One person this rings so true with was Madonna. Madonna has always been known for her over the top personality. She has always been hyper sexual and done whatever she could to push the envelope. When the world learned she was pregnant rumors and hateful lies were spread. People clutched there pearls wondering what kind of mother would she be. Months after her child was born and she embraced this newness she swore that certain songs she would no longer sing. She no longer wanted to relive a part of her life that seemed so different from the woman she had become. Ray of Light is one of her most critical acclaimed albums and one of my favorites. It was very much a far cry from her previous work yet almost on the same level. Gone was the super sexual Madonna and a more spirtual, more calm woman. As time went on some of the songs she swore she would no longer do crept back into her song list. I'm sure record execs had a hand in this because how can you tour without doing your biggest hits. How can you expect to sale your music when you have become somebody totally different. As years have gone by the sexual Madonna has come back but to a respectable level lol.

Usher in recent years has lived in baby momma hell. His ex wife constantly taking him back and forth to court and along with losing a step child has not been the best for him. The one thing different for men who are parents is that it's not frowned upon for men to continue to be hyper sexual and flirtatious. Even though Usher's music has gone more pop the sexual content has not changed. His night exploits in the media has not changed but from what we can see he is a great dad and spends as much quality time with his children as possible.


Part 2 coming next week.

Beyonce Backlash

By now everyone has formed there opinion on if they are a Beyonce fan or not. Some people hate her because she's always in the news, others hate her because she's still on top while thier artist is hovering around retirement. Either way Beyonce isn't going anywhere...infact she has recreated herself every step of the way and is more relevant then ever.

Her impressive reemergence at the end of last year with her self titled album "Beyonce" caused a super nova in the music industries. Love her or hate her the power move that she made is unmatched. To release an album without any indication is unheard of but for her it became a #1 album right out the gate selling over a million copies within the first week on sale. Sounds realistic for an artist of her caliber but to think it sold that much off of just Itunes digital sales takes it to a whole new level.

The new album showcased a more urban Beyonce...a Beyonce we haven't really seen since the BDay era. This time around though it was more of a "statement" then an era. With this being her first album since having her daughter, and coming right off of one the most successful tours of the year the direction of her music was unknown. This visual album is more like the leaked song from earlier this year "Grown Woman". She is super sexy, unforgiving, and in your face like never before.

With this new "persona" her "Drunk In Love" single soured up the charts. Without any real promotion of her album The Grammy's would be the first time on a national stage her music would have a voice. To open the Grammy's is a big deal and who better to do it then the Queen of Grammy's herself. The performance not the best but not the worst turned out to be something new to down her about. I will agree that "Drunk in Love" was not the best choice for the performance but considering it was killing urban radio and it's sung an viral everywhere she would've been a fool not to do the song.

Unfazed though she performed the song again a few days later to better fan fare.

Beyonce the woman people love to hate but her relevance has not gone away. She is a power house in the industry and it won't change anytime soon. People hope to still be in the game for almost 12 years and still have this level of success.

Unlike her song...she is not flawless, she's human. Everyone has an off night, but can many artists count on one finger how many times they have been off.

Bruno Mars breaks record

TrueFAN doesn't cut for Bruno Mars however you got to give it up for the record he broke last night during the Superbowl.

Most of the night people compared him to what was a larger then life half time show last year when Queen Beyonce tour it down. Two different artists, two different kinds of music. Bruno got the last laugh though when his numbers not only shattered Beyonce's show but the record holder Madonna as well. His 115 million mark is the new record and even though I'm not a big fan his show was entertaining. I'm sure it helped that he was joined by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers as well. Congrats Bruno, you get a well deserved standing ovation.

Below is the full show.