NEW VIDEO: DIRTY MONEY

Here is the long-awaited video for Dirty Money's song "Love Come Down." This is just dope!

NEW MUSIC: MARY J. BLIGE

Visit the pre-site to Mary's website for an exclusive listen: www.mjblige.com

Here is the official second single from Mary J. Blige's new album "Stronger" set for a December 22nd release just in time for the Holiday Season. The new record "I Am," is produced by Stargate and features lyrics from Johnta Austin. The song fits into the category of her "Be Without You"-type songs, but I must say I like this one. The piano rifts and vibrant strings really make this song fly. Although I prefer her track for the film "Precious," "I Can See In Color," the new single could possibly resonate with fans and become a hit amongst all formats.

INDUSTRY NEWS: JANET JACKSON READY FOR COMEBACK

Miss Jackson is ready to make her comeback. She has her "Number Ones" compilation set for a November 17th release. It will include all of her singles since 1986, and features her new single "Make Me," featuring production from super producer Rodney Jerkins. Rodney also leaked to the public that Janet will be releasing a new album in 2010. The album will be very dance-driven (could that be a challenge to Lady GaGa?). Additionally, Janet has gone back to her original label A&M.

For some odd reason, I think Janet is going to take 2010 by storm. I think her album is gonna be dope. If her songs don't focus on having a pop appeal, nor overly urban appeal, she will be great. Honestly, if she wants to really make a huge dance album, she should go atypical and look to the "Control" album for inspiration, yet pair it with strong hip-hop elements of the 90's.

Here is Janet's new single "Make Me." It's dope!

ALBUM REVIEW: AMERIE

With a new label home, Amerie really set fourth to put together a great album that was progressive to prove her growth as an artist and musical ear and with the release of her Island Def Jam debut, "In Love & War" Amerie really sticks to that sentiment. All the songs are brilliant. They explore different musical genres such as Funk, Rock, and old school Hip-Hop, and adult contemporary creating a R&B sound that is atypical, yet commercially appealing at the same time; however not Pop. Her vocals are beautiful as usual. She sticks with her spinto technique, and strains a lot more than before on hooks and harmonizes some of her lead vocals which adds a soulful depth to her music.

I recommend the entire thing, and really hope people support Amerie, because poor sales will definitely mean she gets dropped despite poor promotion on Island Def Jam's end. She definitely falls into the same boat as Letoya Luckett where much of her album does not necessarily have standout, radio singles, though it is still a decent, cohesive, and solid effort. This set could definitely win a Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Album in 2011. It's funny how people embrace some artists music over others. It's crazy how people like Keri Hilson or a Trey Songz has blown up all of a sudden. His music, for instance, has not really changed radically, and radio is even accepting unconventional ballads from him. If the right Amerie track is released, she could blow up like Trey, but that would also mean she would need to do some good hook work for the likes of Gucci Mane, Lil' Wayne, and Drake. However, another option for boosting Amerie's appeal could include remakes. I know she could put out a nice remake of Whitney Houston's "Saving All My Love." I hope Island pushes to release "Pretty Brown" as a single since Trey is really hot right now with R&B's leading vets duet-ting with him like Toni Braxton, Mariah Carey, and even Mary J. Blige.

Standout Tracks: Why R U, Pretty Brown, More Than Love, The Flowers, Red Eye, and Different People

ALBUM REVIEW: RYAN LESLIE

After Ryan Leslie hit the head on the nail with his self-titled debut album, Ryan Leslie returns with his new album "Transition," which proves to be a big disappointment. Much of the album sounds the same in the tradition of the album's lead single "You're Not My Girl." Although, I applaud Ryan for staying in his own lane, keeping his signature sound of heavy synths and even heavier bass lines, he needs to evolve because all the songs on his album sound the same, which is all that needs to be mentioned. Standout tracks include "Guardian Angel" and "All My Love" and bonus tracks "Promise Not 2 Call" and "Rescue U." I would say Ryan's sound would improve if he went back to his jazz roots and created some slick work in the vain of Marvin Gaye during the 70's or perhaps began to let others produce him. A Ryan Leslie and Pharrell collaboration or Ryan Leslie and Timbaland collaboration would be dope.

NEW MUSIC: ALICIA KEYS

Here is a snipped of a new Alicia Keys song entitled "Dreaming" which will more than likely be included on her new album "The Element of Freedom" set for a December 14th release.

This song is dope. It has a laidback, 70's cosmic feel that makes me think of the work of Norman Conners and Roberta Flack during that period. Why didn't Alicia put this out! Her first and second singles are kind of whack just because the instrumentals seem discombobulated, and off with the vocal part. Yet "Dreaming" is jazzy and very much a movement. I hope the rest of "The Element of Freedom" follows this motif, and the single choices thus far released are not indicative of the the main feel of the album.

INDUSTRY NEWS: MARY J. BLIGE PUSHES BACK ALBUM

It's offical! Mary J. Blige new album, "Stronger" is set for a December 22nd release date. It was originally slated for a November release, then pushed back to December 15, and now the 22nd to capitalize on Holiday sales more than likely.

This is just not a good look on so many levels. I'm personally glad the album is coming out, but Geffen is just not doing a good job on this project in terms of A&R and Promotions. Mary certainly didn't do too great with "The One." It's crazy how the song had a lot of steam when it originally hit the net, then got even bigger when the Drake version surfaced, and now the video, which was great, came out super late, and the second official single has just been decided, very sloppy... What is even more sloppy is outside music confusing the fans like her contributions to the "More than A Game" soundtrack and her song for "Precious." Mary is clearly receiving the Mariah treatment with the first hit being a big deal, then the label scrambling to maintain its heat. Universal as a whole is really slipping with its major artists, and Mary needs to consider jumping ship.

And if Mary is looking to secure a #1 debut, she may have trouble because she tried this stunt with her last album, and despite selling 600K+ in the first week she still debuted at #2 because people buy Christmas music during the holidays. And of course the team is not going to have her release her album the week before against Rihanna and Alicia Keys. I say Mary should push her album back into the new year when she could definitely secure a #1 debut.

INDUSTRY NEWS: SOLANGE GETS DROPPED!

Recently it has been reported that Geffen Records recording artist Solange Knowles has been dropped from the label more than likely for poor album sales. Despite producing a critically acclaimed set, "Sol-Angel & the Hadley Street Dreams," the label still decided to part ways with Ms. Knowles. She is still signed to her father Matthew Knowles imprint Music World Music, and will most likely sign a deal with Epic Records, a rumor that was started months ago since the confirmation that Solange had either been dropped/left Geffen Records was still up in the air.

I'm not surprised Solange got dropped, but at the same time this chick did produce a critically acclaimed set with lots of potential for appeal in all markets. The album's first single "I Decided" was genius, and the album's third single "T.O.N.Y." was definitely one of the best songs I had heard in a long time, in all areas from its song-writing to throwback instrumental.

It seems to me that Geffen just never put in the promotional effort for Solange as some of their other artists like Keyshia Cole because they figured people would automatically check out her music because she is simply Beyonce's sister.

Another problem, with the situation is Solange's vocals. Her voice just is not up to par so maybe this why she got dropped. She has limited range, and her tone isn't so sweet or crisp. Her voice works at times for fun songs like "I Decided," but in the end its not enjoyable to hear if she performed an a capella song.