Chrisette Michele Triumphs Over the Sophmore Slump

Chrisette Michele Triumphs Over the Sophmore Slump

R&B songstress, Chrisette Michele, returns with her sophmore album “Epiphany,” an album that focuses primarily on all the aspects of a relationship. Despite being featured on many songs by acclaimed artists like Jay-Z and Nas, as well as the popular Roots’ jam, “Rising Down,” Michele is not quite a household name--at least not yet. Her first album, As I Am, only received minimal success. Michele hopes to acquire more success this time around with “Epiphany” as she leaves the majority of the songwriting and production to Ne-Yo.

Songs like the title track “Epiphany (I‘m Leaving)” exhibits Ne-Yo’s influence throughout the album. The song, with its playful, rhythmic piano melody and mid-tempt cadence has garnered popularity in the music charts. It is a catchy breakup song in which Michele is pretty much “over” the monotony of a relationship. The song is nice because of its relatable subject matter and leads a trend of songs that anyone can listen to and automatically engage in. In “Notebook,” Michele sings about not having the courage to tell her crush how she really feels, so she writes it all in her notebook. It’s cute, catchy song that anyone can identify with.

It’s obvious that Michele is trying to appeal to a larger audience, deviating from her initial jazzy vibe to a more pop/R&B tone that is easier to consume in this music industry. Despite this switch of sound, this works in her favor because if one thing hasn’t changed, it is her amazing vocal talent that is showcased throughout this entire album. She exhibits her vocal range to its fullest extent in the powerful “Blame It On Me.” Those real squeaks and gasps of emotion in the midst of stunning notes gives this song its power. One moment her voice is swinging upwards and in another moment she is singing like a bird, tackling each note with perfection. Her talent only proves her worthiness of numerous comparisons to Ella Fitzgerald.

This is an album that definitely truimphs over the “sophmore slump” and will hopefully give her the credit and attention she deserves.

Read more »

K'naan's Hood is More Hood Than Your Hood

K'naan's Hood is More Hood Than Your Hood

"I come from the most dangerous city in this universe", K'naan raps in his first single "If Rap Gets Jealous". In the midst of a war-torn Somalia, K'naan seeked refuge in Harlem and learned English by avidly listening to Nas and Rakim albums, honing his proficient craft. K'naan aptly proves that hip hop is a universal language as "Troubadour" features artists like Damian Marley, Chubb Rock, and Chali 2na (of Jurassic 5 fame), amongst others. Being the son of a poet and singer, his Somalian influences are superbly showcased in his sophomore effort.

Though English isn't his native tongue, his lyrical capacity and colorful vocabulary broadly surpasses most American rappers. It would be an understatement to say that he puts today's mainstream artists to shame as his vocals and lyrical skill has warranted many comparisons to Eminem.

He incorporates a worldly perspective into the forefront of hip hop, challenging America's ghettos to the relentless violence and poverty in Somalia, making America's 'hoods seem like Beverly Hills. In "America", K'naan's first verse is strictly recited in Arabic and despite Mos Def's lazy performance, this is one of the more notable tracks.

He brings a much needed honestly back to hip hop music, touching on political topics of poverty and violence. He is affective without sounding too preachy and excessively didactic, "My job is to write about what I see/ So a visual stenographer is who I be", he rhymes in "I Come Prepared". The album isn't all about his past woes. He also balances the heaviness of this album with bittersweet love songs like "Fatima" and danceable tracks like "Bang Bang", featuring Maroon 5's Adam Levine.

The album ventures beyond the realm of hip hop, seamlessly delving into reggae, pop, jazz, funk and rock. On his first single, "If Rap Gets Jealous", a rock-heavy track with guitar by Metallica's Kirk Hammett, he challenges rappers and their lack of substance, "So I can rap, quench my thirst/I don't even hear verses no more/I hear jerkin' off punks with lip glosses and purses."

K'naan's compelling back story of escaping the grasps of war while utilizing his rich history in music has crafted a remarkable album. It is only the beginning for this prolific new artist.

Listen to tracks on "Troubadour" on his myspace
Buy his album here.

Read more »