By Fawn Renee
Trials and tribulations make you stronger. Those same elements power great albums, just ask Usher. His most popular album to date, and the second best-selling album of the last decade, the Grammy-award winning …

By Fawn Renee
After more than a year in the making, the seventh studio album from Atlanta rapper Ludacris, entitled Battle of the Sexes, is finally dropping. Originally due in 2009 and intended to be a …

By Fawn Renee
We first got wind of the beautiful, talented Keke Wyatt in 2000 when she teamed up with R&B sensation Avant on his single “My First Love,” and by wind I mean blown away. …

By Fawn Renee
It’s no secret that album sales aren’t what they used to be, and the fragile music industry was ill-prepared for the digital takeover. Many rappers have kept their careers alive, and in many …

By Fawn Renee
Marsha Ambrosius is a rare talent. She writes, sings, and produces records independently. Her work is so refreshing, authentic, and alluring that even without a mainstream radio hit, her debut album has become one …

By Fawn Renee
Her resume reads like a “who’s who” in the entertainment industry, having penned songs for everyone from Mary J. Blige to Raphael Saadiq, while playing wardrobe stylist to A-listers such as Will Smith, …

By Fawn Renee
While two of the South’s most influential MCs live life behind bars, the West Coast desperately clings to the fleeting success of Snoop Dogg while grooming the New West, and the Midwest waits …

By Fawn Renee
R&B has so many forms and meanings today. From a simple songwriting perspective, the gender roles have been skewed; grown men are not only singing to and for women, but are doing so, …

By Fawn Renee
‘I hope my music is healing. I believe that music can encourage you to move on from painful events. It helps to make a scar fade.’- Corinne Bailey Rae
There are very few timeless …

By Fawn Renee
The tide is changing in the music industry. What was once hot is merely lukewarm these days; similarly, what was once considered taboo in the realm of Hip-Hop is now a staple. This …

By Fawn Renee
So often Hip-Hop critics focus on what’s being said, and not how it’s being said. On the contrary, label heads and casual Hip-Hop enthusiast focus more on delivery as opposed to content. The …

By Fawn Renee
Only champions can turn tragedy into triumph.  Truth be told, Hip-Hop almost lost Detroit when producer extraordinaire and Slum Village founder James “J Dilla” Yancey lost his battle with lupus in 2006. Dilla …

By Fawn Renee
Everyone can’t do everything. Not every producer can rap. Not every rapper should be a CEO. And not every CEO has the business savvy or selflessness involved to develop another artist. Take Jay-Z …

By Odeisel
I know the last one was long as hell, but we’re back at it regular size for your latest edition of Sick Sunday, where we give you the lowdown on the past week in …

By Fawn Renee
Over a decade ago, the world was introduced to one of the biggest pop stars of this generation- Mrs. Beyonce Knowles. When she boldly proclaims, “Since 15 in my stilettos, been struttin’ in …

By Fawn Renee
Disclaimer: This is not a Hip-Hop record. I repeat: this is NOT a Hip-Hop record. Instead, this is a fruitless attempt at breaking into the Hip-Hop scene under the guise of electro-pop.
Hooking up …

By Fawn Renee
Freedom of the press is a touchy subject in a world laden with immorality. Journalists are held to a higher standard today than ever before, as the powers that be seek to control …

By Fawn Renee
The saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” but there aren’t many artists in the music industry today that couldn’t use a little maintenance. Norah Jones is the exception. With her …

By Fawn Renee
“Russian Roulette,” “Hard,” “G4L” [Gangsta 4 Life], and “Fire Bomb” all sound like song titles that wouldn’t be out of place on any of your favorite rapper’s albums today. But they aren’t from an …

By Fawn Renee
Clive Davis is a musical genius whose ear for music is legendary among executives in the industry today. He doesn’t take an artist and make them a star; he finds stars and molds …