Another week, another video from Rick Ross. This time he and DRE Films apply the visual treatment to my favorite God Forgives, I Don't record, "Amsterdam," which features the vocals of the lioness Teedra Moses.
Omen and his team The Elaborate Musik Orchestra have a treat for you. If you download anything today, make sure it's their new studio album Black Hero Theme Muzik, which features guest vocals from Smoke DZA, Teedra Moses, Pill, GLC, Karina Pasian, King Mez, Chase N. Ca$he, and more!
Wind down and vibe out to Terrace Martin's new single "We Fly," the first single from his upcoming album 3ChordFold. Snoop Dogg and Teedra Moses help smooth it out on this one and I'm honestly just happy to hear something new from my boo Teedra.
MMG's NYC representative, Torch, done being underestimated, forgotten and overlooked. In a crew full of talent, I definitely think people fail to realize how great of a rapper Torch really is. Check out UFO Vol. 2 below, which features the banger "Slowdown" and appearances from the lovely Teedra Moses, Rick Ross, Vado, Jim Jones and the rest of the Maybach Music Group gang.
I say this time and time again, but y'all have GOT to stop sleeping on Teedra Moses. She's been one of my favorite R&B singers since her debut album Complex Simplicity dropped in '04, and she's still proving herself as one of the best on her latest mixtape Luxurious Undergrind. Check out the video for "Another Luvr" featuring fellow MMG representer Wale, below, and make sure you take a second and check out Luxurious Undergrind if you don't have it already!
The moment I heard that Teedra Moses had a show in North Carolina, I made it up in my mind that I would drive however long it took to finally see her. After seven years of being in the bedroom, shower, school, and car singing her music, I finally got a chance to see her perform LIVE when she opened up the Homecoming Concert at Livingstone College. When I tell you she KILLED IT!!!!!...BOI!
What impressed me most was her immense appreciation for her fans, which is something you don't see a lot with artists today. She sang "Take Me" specifically for a diehard fan in the audience, invited another loyal fan onstage with her, and even made time to have a conversation with him after the show although she had a 6 AM plane to catch.
After seeing her perform live for myself, there's no doubt in my mind why Teedra is nicknamed "The Young
Lioness." It was clear as soon as the curtain opened and she gracefully
appeared onstage that she has the just the right amount of grace and ferocity that's needed to thrive in the sweltering jungle known as the music industry. Her voice sounded even better live than on her
recordings, and her love for her music and performing permeated through the entire auditorium. Now I completely understand that it was her confidence, ambition and talent that allowed Rick Ross to recognize that Maybach Music Group was in need of someone like Teedra Moses.
Watch below as she performs "Another Luvr" and "Be Your Girl" LIVE at Livingstone College!
To see if Teedra Moses will be in your area, take a look at her full schedule!
Hip Hop has changed dramatically over the years--almost everything is digital now and rappers can make music to anything because creativity seems endless. I welcome these changes with open arms and although there are a lot of sh*tty artists clogging the Internet, there are also incredible talents that can reach a large audience easier than ever before.
What few seem to notice is that the same movement is happening with R&B. There are tons of amazing singers and songwriters that are participating in the progressive evolution of this genre that seems to be expanding just as quickly as rap. I'd like to consider the standouts in R&B our "Leaders of the New School," although many who are just starting to gain major attention have been around in the industry for quite some time.
Teedra Moses stole my heart in 2004 when I heard Complex Simplicity. I've always followed her music and her business moves. Most recently, The Young Lioness signed a deal with Maybach Music Group and dropped a brand new mixtape, The Luxurious Undergrind. Watch below as she speaks on her past relationship with TVT, her current record deal, and her aspirations.
Nothing but love for my girl Teedra. Be sure to tune in every Thursday night at 10 PM ET on UStream for her show Luxurious Undergrind Radio Live!
I was inspired to make Gangstas Use Emoticons Radio, Vol. 5 a tribute to A Tribe Called Quest after viewing their documentary. Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest portrayed honestly and artistically the paths that brought Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi Brown together, kept them together, and split them apart. Just learning the story behind my favorite ATCQ songs inspired me to listen to their entire discography, and to dedicate Vol. 5 to them.
If you're familiar with them, sit back and reminisce. If not, learn a bit and discover the main influence of today's biggest artists and producers. I also encourage you to visit RapGenius to get deeper into the lyrics and to contribute your knowledge.
Listen below and hit the jump for the tracklisting!
I can't have a blog about music without shouting out my favorite underrated singer, Teedra Moses. She released her classic debut album Complex Simplicity in 2004 and now The Young Lioness is back with her newest mixtape, Luxurious Undergrind, her first solo release as the first songstress on Anti-Sexy Rozay's Maybach Music Group. Download after the jump...
