Pop Rock Nation

Tag: Ne-Yo

Chart Chat 10/12/08: T.I., T.I., and…Did I Mention T.I.?!?
We’re back. I think doing these every two weeks is probably the way to go. Gone are the days when the charts changed dramatically every week. This way, it takes me twice as long to recycle the jokes!! Anyway, here’s this week’s charts, provided by Billboard magazine.
01-Live Your Life (T.I. feat. Rihanna)
02-Whatever You Like (T.I.)
03-So What (Pink)
04-Disturbia (Rihanna)
05-Let it Rock (Kevin Rudolf feat. Lil’ Wayne)
06-Hot N Cold (Katy Perry)
07-Keeps Gettin’ Better (Christina Aguilera)
08-Can’t Believe It (T-Pain feat. Lil’ Wayne)
09-Paper Planes (M.I.A.)
10-Gotta Be Somebody (Nickelback)
11-Miss Independent (Ne-Yo)
12-Closer (Ne-Yo)
13-Love Story (Taylor Swift)
14-Better in Time (Leona Lewis)
15-Love Lockdown (Kanye West)
16-I’m Yours (Jason Mraz)
17-Light On (David Cook)
18-Forever (Chris Brown)
19-Mrs. Officer (Lil’ Wayne feat. Bobby Valentino and Kidd Kidd)
20-Got Money (Lil’ Wayne feat. T-Pain)
01-Paper Trail (T.I.)
02-Jennifer Hudson (Jennifer Hudson)
03-Something Else (Robin Thicke)
04-Covers (James Taylor)
05-Death Magnetic (Metallica)
06-Year of the Gentleman (Ne-Yo)
07-Rock ‘n Roll Jesus (Kid Rock)
08-The Glass Passenger (Jack’s Mannequin)
09-Kellie Pickler (Kellie Pickler)
10-Fearless (Jazmine Sullivan)
11-Way to Normal (Ben Folds)
12-The Recession (Young Jeezy)
13-The Surrender (Anberlin)
14-Tha Carter III (Lil’ Wayne)
15-A Little Bit Longer (Jonas Brothers)
16-Don’t Forget (Demi Lovato)
17-Doll Domination (Pussycat Dolls)
18-L.A.X (The Game)
19-Good Girl Gone Bad (Rihanna)
20-Only by the Night (Kings of Leon)

(more…)
October 12, 2008
Ne-Yo’s “Year of the Gentleman”: Miss Independent, Meet Mr. Sensitivity

In just a few short years, Shaffer Smith (known to most of us as Ne-Yo) has become one of pop/R&B’s most respected songwriters. Since breaking through with Mario’s “Let Me Love You”, the Vegas native has penned songs for acts like Beyonce (“Irreplaceable”), Rihanna (“Unfaithful), Usher, Mary J. Blige and Celine Dion, to name just a few. Unlike most of today’s pop acts, Ne-Yo brings a classicist’s touch to his songwriting. He actually writes stories instead of a few chants wrapped around a hook. Take some of the slang out and he could have been writing in the Sixties or Seventies.

The man has since pursued a second career as an artist in his own right, with two hit albums under his belt. As a singer and performer, Ne-Yo, like just about every other young male artist in pop & R&B, owes much to Michael Jackson. His high tenor can be compared favorably to “Off the Wall” and “Thriller”-era MJ, and his dance moves are nothing if not Jacksonesque.

Unfortunately, Ne-Yo’s albums have been a mixed bag so far. While 2006’s In My Own Words was a solid effort that hinted at greatness, 2007’s Because of You was a well-written but somewhat boring follow-up. After that, I wasn’t sure if Ne-Yo had a great album in him…until now.

Ne-Yo. Photo by Robin Wong.

(more…)

September 20, 2008
New Music In Stores & Online 9/16/08: Nelly, Buckcherry, Ne-Yo & More!!

Welcome to the final release week of summer 2008. Oh, what a summer it was, too. There was Li’l Wayne and Coldplay and Metallica and…ahh, the memories. Lots coming out this week. Let’s get crackin’:

Nelly: “Brass Knuckles”:

Remember, like, five years ago when Nelly was the hottest shit since sliced bread? Boy, how times have changed. The “Hot in Herre” guy’s label has burned four singles trying to get something on the long-delayed “Brass Knuckles” to catch fire. Hasn’t happened, even with he and Ashanti getting it on like a D-class Jay-Z and Beyonce on their new song “Body On Me”. As would be expected, there is an extremely long list of guest artists on this album: LL Cool J, Chuck D. (!??!??!), T.I., Rick Ross and Fergie are just a few of the artists who make cameos here. Will Nelly be the next artist to appear in a “Catch a Falling Star” column?

Seriously, Chuck D? Really?!!??!

(more…)

September 16, 2008