G's Use Emoticons Radio: The Re-Up (Mixed By @DJHourglass)

I took a little sabbatical from blogging late last year to shift my focus a little more from reporting what kind of music was out there to creating. While I plan to continue sharing great music with all my loyal G's out there, look forward to more mixes which I intend to make better with each and every edition.

During my brief break, I put together The Re-Up, which a lot of people seemed to enjoy and pass around. Since it's the weekend it's the perfect time to give this a spin and take a nice, healthy shot of Turnup juice. Check out the rest of the repertoire on Mixcloud and be sure to let your support be known!


For bookings in Atlanta, St. Louis, Charlotte and the surrounding areas, email DJHourglass@gangstasuseemoticons.com. It's hourglass time!

Mike WiLL Made It - "Est. In 1989 (Part 2.5)" [New Mixtape]

Mike WiLL Made It has been responsible for many a calorie burned in 2012 thanks to his hits like "Bandz A Make Her Dance" and Rihanna's "Pour It Up." Now he's letting a few more exclusives free on his Gangsta Grillz tape Est in 1989 2.5, which includes new ones from Kelly Rowland, 2 Chainz, Trinidad Jame$, and more.

Download: Mike WiLL Made-It - Est. In 1989 (Part 2.5) [Courtesy of LiveMixtapes.com]

Brandy - Wildest Dreams

Brandy diversifies her single choices for her upcoming October 2nd release 2 Eleven as she follows up "Put It Down" with the innocent "Wildest Dreams." Awwww. Someone's in love!


[Rap-Up]

Previously: Brandy ft. Chris Brown - Put It Down [Music Video]

Brandy ft. Chris Brown - Put It Down [Music Video]

Brandy has the release date for her comeback album Two Eleven set for October 2nd, and she pulled out all of the stops in the visuals to her Chris Brown featured lead single "Put It Down." Watch below as she pulls out a few moves and a few Hourglass approved leading men while share the spotlight with CB.



Previously:

• Monica, Brandy, Chaka Khan, Gary Houston & Cissy Houston Pay Tribute To Whitney Houston At The BET Awards [VIDEO]
• Nelly ft. Chris Brown - Marry Go Round

Monica, Brandy, Chaka Khan, Gary Houston & Cissy Houston Pay Tribute To Whitney Houston At The BET Awards [VIDEO]

Led by a heartfelt introduction by Mariah Carey, singers Monica, Brandy and Chaka Khan paid tribute to their friend Whitney Houston the best way they knew how. Also joining them in song were Whitney's brother and mother, Gary and Cissy Houston. I've got to applaud BET for organizing the best Whitney tribute thus far. :')



[Yardie]

Click here for more footage of the 2012 BET Awards!

Previously:

• Monica Reveals The Origins of "It All Belongs To Me" [VIDEO]
• Brandy - Put It Down ft. Chris Brown

Brandy - Put It Down ft. Chris Brown

Brandy recruits Chris Brown to add a few bars to her new single "Put It Down," a fun track made for radio.  Great timing for the single, given Brandy's publicity with her Behind The Music episode as well as her hit with Monica. Stream "Put It Down" below, and be sure to post a comment and let me know what you think!


Props to GWHH

Previously:

• VH1 Behind The Music: Brandy [Full Episode]
• Gucci Mane ft. Chris Brown & Lil Wayne - Cyeah, Cyeah, Cyeah

VH1 Behind The Music: Brandy [Full Episode]

Can Behind The Music win Emmys or something? Because this season has been pretty great, especially last week's special on Nas. This week, VH1 digs into the life of Brandy, whose successful teenage career was faced with major challenges as life continued on. Watch the full episode below, which covers her musical history along with battles with an eating disorder, her false marriage, the tragic car crash, and more.



Props to Rap-Up

Previously: Brandy & Monica Pay Tribute To Whitney Houston [VIDEO]

Brandy & Monica Pay Tribute To Whitney Houston [VIDEO]

Brandy and Monica have been everywhere together promoting their new single "It All Belongs To Me," and they stopped by V103's Soul Sessions at Atlanta's W Hotel to give their hit the live treatment.  While their performance of the Rico Love penned ballad was phenomenal, the highlight of their set was their tribute to the late Whitney Houston.

Watch below as T.I., Tiny, Kandi, Polow Da Don, and others watched on as Brandy and Monica got emotional while performing Whitney's hit "You Give Good Love," and hit the jump to watch the duo perform "It All Belongs To Me."

Monica & Brandy Talk Relationship On The Breakfast Club [VIDEO]

A decade and ago, an interview with both Brandy and Monica would have never happened. Now the R&B stars are very close friends and are out promoting their new single "It All Belongs To Me." They surprised The Breakfast Club with an appearance this morning and let everything out on the table.

Watch part 1 of their interview below where they discuss their past feuds, their upcoming albums, Ray J's infamous "Money Team" rant, and their relationships with Whitney Houston. Part 2 after the jump!

Monica & Brandy - It All Belongs To Me [Music Video]

The music video to Monica and Brandy's "It All Belongs To Me" just premiered on VH1, and thanks to my affinity for trashy reality shows I caught most of the video when it aired. If you haven't seen the music video yet, check it below, and let me know what you think. They look great, but I still don't know how  I feel about this song. I just know all the basic bi**hes are going to be saying "Log off your FB" nonstop now. Sigh.



Previously: Monica & Brandy Perform "It All Belongs To Me" Live On Jay Leno [VIDEO]

Monica & Brandy Perform "It All Belongs To Me" Live On Jay Leno [VIDEO]

Monica and Brandy are wasting no time getting their new single "It All Belongs To Me" to the masses.  The duet was released only 10 days ago and the two singers have already shot the music video in L.A.  Last night, they appeared on Jay Leno and gave an excellent performance of the Rico Love penned track with a live band backing them up.  Watch the performance below, and hit up the comment with your thoughts!



Props to Free's World

Previously: Monica & Brandy - It All Belongs To Me [Behind The Scenes]

Monica & Brandy - It All Belongs To Me [Behind The Scenes]

Awwww. They're Besties now!

Monica and Brandy's new song "It All Belongs To Me" is the final product of probably the most demanded collaboration in R&B this decade. Watch below to see why they finally decided to get back in the studio together and hit up the comments with your thoughts of "It All Belongs To Me!"



Props to Free's World

Previously: Monica & Brandy - It All Belongs To Me

Monica & Brandy - It All Belongs To Me

R&B lovers rejoice because Monica and Brandy were in the studio creating a follow-up to their 1998 classic, "The Boy Is Mine." This time, instead of working against each other, they're coming together on the Rico Love penned "It All Belongs To Me" that is sure to appear on both Brandy and Monica's upcoming albums.  Listen below, and hit up the comments with your thoughts on their new single!



Props to SoulCulture

Previously:

• Brandy & Sean Garrett Talk Upcoming Project [VIDEO]
• Monica - Until It's Gone [Music Video]

Brandy & Sean Garrett Talk Upcoming Project [VIDEO]

Brandy's been in the studio grinding with Sean Garrett to make her upcoming album her best project to date. In an hour long Ustream session, Sean Garrett and Brandy talked to fans about her new sound, which has more hip hop elements as far as production goes, and discussed her passion to recreate herself so that she can have the impact she once had on R&B.

Watch below and get an exclusive preview of her upcoming single around the 30 minute mark!



Previously: Brandy - Silent Night (Not a Christmas song)

New Music: Brandy - Silent Night

First off, this is NOT a Christmas song. This is a comeback! Brandy's got the big guns on her side (Stacy Barthe, Sean Garrett, etc) as she prepares to release her brand new album.  Last night the full track "Silent Night" leaked, and to my surprise, Brandy was cool with it! Since she is, I'm gonna drop it off for you gangstas to let me know if you're feeling it!


Download (Tags)

Props to SC

New Music: Tyrese - The Rest Of Our Lives ft. Brandy & Melanie Fiona + Music Video Trailer

Tyrese is back with another leak from his upcoming album Open Invitation.  What's different about this track is that, there are two versions--one featuring Brandy and the other featuring Melanie Fiona.  Listen to the ballad "The Rest of Our Lives" and let me know which version you prefer!

As a bonus, hit the jump for the trailer to his upcoming music video for "Too Easy" ft. Ludacris!

Tyrese - The Rest Of Our Lives ft. Brandy

Tyrese - The Rest Of Our Lives ft. Melanie Fiona

Props to CDJ