2016 is not even at the halfway mark and it’s been a year of major change so far. We’ve lost so many music legends, we’ve watched a few injustices and we’ve witnessed a cool refreshing drink take over the internet. The music industry is in a strange place and I feel an uncertainty in the air. Something important is coming music wise…but for now let’s talk about what’s hitting the decks and what I think will be packing the floor.
How many of you remember where you were when The Jonas Brothers broke up? I don’t! I never paid any attention to the boy bands after the 90s. In fact, the explosion of Disney based artists designed for the preteens really began to get on my nerves in the 2000s. So, when the Jonas Brothers broke up, I said “Okay…big deal!” But suddenly the oldest, Joe Jonas was popping up in the media as a sex symbol. And he did look kinda hot. I felt bad for his middle brother, Nick because he had acne and looked a little awkward. But like all teen stars there comes a time when your marketing hits puberty and sex appeal is the selling point and the artist declares their adulthood.
Joe did okay, but all of a sudden Nick is the front runner. Really smart moves on his part. Working out, acting roles, suggestive photo shoots, and catchy tunes have found Nick Jonas surpassing his big brother’s solo career. So much so, that Joe had to regroup and became the lead singer of the band DNCE. Nick’s latest single, “Close” is a duet with Tove Lo and the best mix, in my opinion, is the Dan E Remix. It’s sexy and has just enough burn to it heat up the dance floor. His transformation is reminiscent of Janet Jackson’s from “Dream Street” to “Control.” Nick has become quite the eye candy. And of course, him playing a gay character on FOX’s “Scream Queens” didn’t hurt his LGBT following either. “Funny How Time Flies When You’re Having Fun” as Janet would say…especially on the Reelsoul Reworked Bootleg.
But let’s not put Joe Jonas out to pasture yet. His debut single with his new group DNCE has been quite the club and radio friendly track as well.”Cake By The Ocean” has plenty of remixes but if you want a meaty production with some stank on it, the Kue Remix is my choice.
Of course, I couldn’t write about music right now and not talk about the sudden death of music legend, Prince. It is shocking when someone dies that you grew up with. For me, his music was such a huge part of my adolescent years. I dare say that my discovery of my own sexuality was in part through his music. And while everyone is digging up all his big hits like “Kiss,” “I Wanna Be Your Lover” and “When Doves Cry” to pay tribute, I actually found a gem of a remix of his last official Billboard charted hit, “Black Sweat.” Tommie Sunshine’s White Lady Edit serves up the funk of the original version while finally giving the DJ an option at a club speed.
One of the tracks that has really got me wanting to hit the floor is a hot and bouncy House track called “Chunky” by Format B. This is one of those tracks that most people won’t know the name years from now but if it was played at a house party everyone will be sayin’ “That’s my jam!”
Now, even though Rihanna’s “Needed Me” totally has not done anything serious on the charts, I was glad to see her partner up with Calvin Harris again. “This Is What You Came For” definitely has chart promise. And the Barry Harris remix will definitely help that happen.
Every now and then I’ll do a search on an artist and at the moment, I am really into a New York born recording artist named Jeannie Sol. This gal is a powerhouse of a vocalist. I would say she could probably sing anything. And because she is bilingual that’s probably true. So, I’m doing my search to see if she has anything new and I come across this Hip Hop House track called “Soul Free” by The Good People featuring Miss Sol. The track is decent and her vocals are on point, but the whole male rapper on a House production was quite the 90s throwback….and not in a good way.
I decided to contact Jeannie personally and ask about the track. She didn’t even know it was out. Apparently this was a recording done almost a decade ago and the producers used her vocals and added a rap but didn’t inform her that they ever did anything with the track. Unfortunately, this is a very common practice in the music business. And one of the producers was someone she knew personally as a friend. Perhaps they should not have called themselves The Good People.
I was really shocked when I heard that Kesha lost her lawsuit with Sony. I just wish they would have let her out of contract so she could start anew. So, I was really thrilled to see that she’s back as a featured artist with Zedd. And “True Colors” finds her vocally stronger and I think we are gonna hear some more deeper lyrics than what Dr. Luke ever produced for her.
Someone else who I am kinda digging on the new release scene is Miss Jennifer Lopez and her Meghan Trainor pinned track, “Ain’t Your Mama.” Now, I know most DJs are gonna gravitate towards the Ray Rhodes Remix, but my favorite is the Pull Up Remix.
So, Beyonce dropped her new album “Lemonade” with an HBO exclusive special and the internet went insane! Suddenly her concept album was giving an inside look into her personal life. Rumors started that Jay Z had cheated with some “Becky with the good hair.” Speculation on who this mystery woman could be began buzzin’ everywhere. Mistaken identity caused the “beehive” to attack the wrong person on Twitter and girls were afraid to show up for their engagements for fear of public harassment. This had Wendy Williams written all over it! But then stories started coming out that “Lemonade” was a concept concocted by Bey and Jay.
Well, I didn’t get to see the HBO special because HBO Canada did not air it. But I did get my hands on some promo tracks from the new album via my digital pool. I decided to investigate this track regarding “Becky.” Turns out it is a song called “Sorry.” So, I needed to add my own flair to it so I could mix it. I called my mix the “Relentless Wit Da Good Hair Club Mix” (which is funny since I’m bald).
But some folks like Azealia Banks went as far as saying that Beyonce was not smart enough to come up with the concept for “Lemonade” by herself. She also implied that Beyonce is just a puppet for Mr. Carter. Honestly…why can’t she just concentrate on her own music. I have been so distracted by her antics and Twitter fights that I have long forgotten all about “212.” The rest of her music is a side note compared to excuses for why she does have high record sells and her constant need to start beef with other artists. Or perhaps this is just a ploy to gain some attention for her latest effort…..”The Big Beat.” This is a hot track. I just hope that it finds its way to the dance floor.
Another one who really shouldn’t be rockin’ the boat is Iggy Azalea. She apparently took offense to Beyonce’s use of the phrase “Becky with the good hair” and took to Twitter to air a disdain for the derogatory term for white women. All I can say is the “beehive” is real! And by the time they get through with you no one is gonna be paying attention to your release, “Team” or “A Zillion.” I kinda like the track and it took me a while to recognize the sample of “Come Together” by The Beatles that is used for the baseline of “Team.” Clever, but I don’t think attacking Beyonce is gonna help your record sales.
I’m not a huge fan of this next selection, but apparently it is a huge hit. “Took A Pill In Ibiza” by Mike Posner is a very popular request. It’s down-tempo and kinda a fake Reggaeton production, but fortunately, for me I found the Mr. Collipark remix.
But if you are looking for a real Reggaeton production, check out our final track “One Dance” by Drake featuring Kyla & Wizkid. The Turner S. Club Mix really serves up that low BPM tropical sound.
