New New | God in Me

Mary Mary changes it up with this gospel....BANGER. Via TSS Between the synths and autotone, and celebrity cameos (Fanzsworth Bentley) I dang near expected T-Pain to burst through the curtain and two-step down the runway. I understand the message of the song and the audience it will certainly minister to, yet there is still that question in the pit of my stomach; where is the divide between secular and spiritual. Believe me I am definitely not the one to judge because I clearly enjoy both genres of music; but if there is suppose to be such a divide between the world and God's work, to those who believe in strict gospel music and do not enjoy contemporary mixing, where do you draw the line? For me personally Kirk Franklin is one pf my favorite artists, (although I enjoy his early work better, but don't all fans appreciate artists' firsts over newer material) so it is hard for me to make a good case. I bumped "Stomp" as quickly as I jammed to "This Is How We Do It." It may be wrong but I feel there is a way you can enjoy the music you like and still live righteous under God's vision. And now I'm off my soapbox.

'98 | Slam

With Nonchalant being from D.C., it felt natural to continue that theme. Slam is the docudrama of the U.S.'s war against drugs and its continuously growing number of victims - black men. Set in D.C. Saul Williams plays a young, intelligently gifted poet surviving the streets. After a friend is severely shot during a drug deal gone wrong, Williams is caught up, left to put thing sin perspective. A tale in manhood and truth, the film depicts an all-too familiar story of our black men in the inner cities.

'96 | Had a good day, damn I must have missed it

Nonchalant hit it big with this monster of a rap conscious cut. Here she pinpointed the downfalls of dealing and slinging, and how it affects all around. The twist she evokes with the "dealer's" perspective on the second verse is haunting, to sense how someone in that situation justifies their circumstance. It's sad anyway.

8709 Special | the Return

R&B may be given a boost of adrenaline this year with the return of Maxwell. All were stunned when the newly shaved man appeared to pay tribute to Al Green @ the BET Awards. His new album BLACKsummer'snight is slated for an '09 release. Here is the first single..."Pretty Wings." Shout out to TSS. And here is one of my favorites by the mellow-falsetto-voiced singer.