AAC

Woah, Nelly has a hit again? I find it rather generic, but I can see it's appeal...

She's taking more of a pop route, now. I guess that's a good thing, but here's to hoping that her album does not reflect this type of music. It's OK, but is it really a single? I thought the second single was "Right Through Me" which was set to premiere shortly...? "Massive Attack" is not included on the record, apparently, and it was only deemed a buzz single at the time anyway.

He's still working on the album title, but re: his twitter, apparently he's close to naming it. "See Me Now" is not mastered. The "Power" remix is just out of this world. Swizz Beatz has just been getting better and better. Kanye's final verse is just something else...

"Breaking Point" is so generic it's unreal. Incredibly disappointed if this sticks as the lead single.

I love the "Miss Me" video. It's similar to "Over", but that was always going to be the case. I love Lil' Wayne's inclusion, I think it was crafted really well. This album is timeless. It gets better as time goes on. Honestly, it's my album of the year, by far. It's gone platinum, too, by the way. His R&B mixtape "It's Never Enough" is coming "soon", as stated by the man himself, so I'm expecting that to drop in October/November. Really looking forward to that - it's rumoured that we'll get a full version of "Fall For Your Type" which, if true, could be his best track to date. Has anyone heard "I'm Ready For You"? It's a reference track for a female pop singer (which is obvious in the lyrics), but the hook is just immense. Whoever records this definitely has a hit on their hands...

"Right Above It" is a great track, but it lacks strong production. Drake's verse is epic & Weezy's punchlines are cool. Looking forward to this EP.

It's official, "Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)" is #1 on the Hip Hop/R&B chart for the 10th consecutive week. It matches her run at #1 on this chart for "No One" which was her most successful R&B single previously. I think this will spend another week at the top making it her most successful R&B single to date, which is so exciting. Her top 5 R&B singles are: "Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)" - 10 weeks at #1 "No One" - 10 weeks at #1 "You Don't Know My Name" - 9 weeks at #1 "Like You'll Never See Me Again" - 7 weeks at #1 "If I Ain't Got You" - 6 weeks at #1 It's also back up to #21 on the Hot 100. It's weird that it's still seeing airplay gain... this is a positive, though!

Yeah, it's a "once in a career" kind of turnaround. Before "Emancipation", she was pretty much considered a joke. Everything seemed to fall into place before it's release. It is a really strong, cohesive album that - in my opinion - will remain timeless (as opposed to one of her earlier albums i.e. "Emotions"). I'll always go back and listen to it because it's still fresh.

Yeah, it's not surprising considering it's the record that re-launched her career. Everyone, and I mean everyone thought that her career was DEAD prior to the release of "Emancipation".

"Butterfly" has been my favorite for a while now. "Daydream" saw her change direction slightly, but "Butterfly" was where she was freed, musically speaking. It was her first record that had real, noticable Hip Hop influences. It was her transitional album, which she has also claimed herself. No filler, and all songs blend nicely, even though there are many different sounds on the record from latin-R&B ("My All") to straight up mellow Hip Hop ("Breakdown"). I re-discovered "The Roof" a few weeks back, and holy $h!t, it's such a great, chilled Hip Hop soul track. One of my favourites of all time. You may find "Music Box" more agreeable, but considering I know how you embrace Hip Hop, you should also like "Butterly"...

I forgot to mention that this has been 8 weeks at #1 on Hip-Hop & R&B charts. I can't tell you how happy I am to see it's reign this successful. It's an Alicia track that'll never burn, and far and away my favourite track she's released.

It does seem like "Put It in a Love Song" would be received better than if it were re-released in the U.S. Either way, I'm excited for new material. HOWEVER, "Love Is My Disease" would've been a great follow-up to the R&B smash "Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)" for Urban radio. This does not relate to the UK as I appreciate it would probably do very little for the album. I wonder when this will premiere...

I find Ne-Yo quite hit or miss, but I'd much prefer his slick production to Guetta's overplayed dance beat. It's all down to personal preference, which is why I said I was less excited for the project because you just knew they were going to take this route. It's very possible - even if she does work with him - that his record(s) won't make the cut because I'm sure "sound" will be even more overexposed than it is now when it comes round to the album release. I really hope it's not going to be record full of RedOne & Guetta productions because I think I may boycott it. Leona wouldn't do that, though, she knows it would be too contrived to make that much of shift in her musical direction so late on in this era of dance music.

So, as expected, she's working with David Guetta (apparently). Honestly, I'm getting less excited about this. Everything is just coming across a little too false for my liking. She should've jumped on the bandwagon a year ago (if she were going to). I'm going to reserve judgment until we hear something, but I have a feeling it's just going to be so unoriginal. Some good news, however, J.R. Rotem ("Better in Time", Jason Derulo's work etc.) & Ne-Yo are on board.

It was never going to be a success in the UK. It's continuing to progress on Urban & Rhythmic. #5 on Urban & #18 o Rhythmic. Still gaining spins.

Just got my email from Seatwave & I am totally gutted, but wish his mother well. I understand he's quite close with her. At least it's only "postponed" as opposed to "canceled"...

Better than "REVOFEV", by far. Great chorus & Kanyes goes hard.

"Champagne Life" is so much better than "Beautiful Monster"...

It's because it's an example of a song that is tailor made for Urban radio. As soon as I heard this track I knew it'd be a huge R&B hit (similar to that of "Like You'll Never See Me Again"). I'm happy this is her highest peaking single on the Hot 100 this era. Considering she's had no real big commercial hits this era, her album has been really consistent. It's obviously sold minimal in comparison to her previous records, but it shows that she's got a strong fanbase and things could've been a lot worse...

"Find Your Love" #5 Hot 100 #3 Hip-Hop/R&B New peaks on charts all around, mainstream radio update below. 24 19 Up this week DRAKE Find Your Love 3598 2579 1019 25.761 +155 (spins) +14 (bullet) +0.634 (AI) I'm so glad this is really smashing. But uh, his performance on Leno was poor. He's great at rapping live, but when it comes to singing live it's another story. I've seen so many videos of his singing and he tries real hard to cover his voice. And that's coming from a massive Drake fan...

I think it's one of the standouts. Looking back, it definitely doesn't have much replay value. I genuinely believe "Hot Revolver" was the strongest song he recorded during the "Rebirth" era and that didn't even make the cut. I'll never understand that, as it was released to iTunes as the second single after "Prom Queen"...

-- 1 DRAKE YM/CASH MONEY/UNIV MOTOWN 462,989 -- THANK ME LATER Great numbers.

I haven't a clue! I'm sure it'll be announced soon. Maybe someone from YM? Who knows...

#15 isn't that bad considering he's not really had a "hit" in the UK. I'll be severely disappointed if he doesn't play a number of "Thank Me Later" tracks, and I'm sure a number of people will. Here's to hoping he'll add them to the setlist. You're going on July 13th, right? That's the date I'm going, so more than likely we will actually see each other!

1. "Can't Breathe" 2. "Bleeding Love" 3. "Scene of the Crime" 4. "Take a Bow" 5. "Alive" 6. "My Hands" 7. "Yesterday" 8. "Better in Time" 9. "Run" 10. "Naked"