Palestinian and Canadian singer, songwriter Ayah has slipped through the industry’s fingertips the first time around, but now she’s back with a soulful vengeance.
Ayah has messed with some big boys in the industry including DJ Jazzy Jeff and NYC lyricist Skyzoo, but still the mention of her name is unnoticed. Ayah's vocal skills, cool vibe, and outer beauty is what caught underground media outlets attention last year when she released her Marvin Gaye inspired mix-tape Problem Woman. Ayah’s mix-tape epitomizes the true meaning of a slept on album with crazy tracks ranging from her remake of Pharcyde’s 90’s hit Pass Me By featuring Skyzoo and Pusha Man featuring one of Toronto’s hottest emcees Tona.
Ayah releases her debut video "Believe" off of her sophomore album '4:15'. Believe was directed by the Slakah the Beatchild (Kanye West of Toronto) and reveals the true essence of Ayah.
Believe is probably going to be one of the rawest videos you might see this year, so remember Ayah's name and face. Ayah constantly proves that her talent is effortless and the industry shouldn't let such a phenomenon slipped through their fingertips again.
Ayah's sophomore album '4:15' will be released on 04/15/09. For more info on Ayah check out her site, www.ayahmusic.com. Check out the link below to download her latest single Might not be!
Excuse me while I shake the gravel off myself because I've been hiding in a cave. And if I were literally hiding in one it would be pretty just like this one. How dare I not post a blog entry in over a month?! A month and one day to be exact. To all my readers and my fab 3 followers I apologize, but a sistah has been busy commuting back and forth from Boston to NYC to intern at GIANT twice a week. [Sidebar] Aww look at the kiddies playing red light, green light in the school yard in Harlem... Too cute. Yes, i'm blogging from Megabus and i'm so happy they have wifi on this bad boy cuz my Macbook is my entertainment on this bus. From the looks of what people are wearing outside and how folks are already chilling hard on every block from 125th to 34th street its going to be a nice day in the city...
Back to da biz: Music, music, music... Its ridiculous how music can evolve in just a month. I don't know where to begin. Well, last week both J.Holiday and The-Dream released their sophomore albums, which were both aight in my opinion. I felt like both could have stepped outside of the box just a tad bit, the albums were good, but not great. Sorry fellas, love ya, but gotta keep it real. I must admit that The-Dream does have a few more bangers on his album than J.
Keri Hilson released a diss track supposedly addressing Beyonce and Ciara. Check it out! Keri Hilson's album is expected to be released on March 24, which I am anticipating to have the official copy although she tried to diss the Queen B. This track is a couple of weeks old, but it gives me a chuckle every time I hear Keri's feisty verse. "I shot the sheriff, but wait til I shoot these B****** Down!!!"
That track is a trip, huh?
I've been really in hiding because I slept on Kid Cudi whose single "Day and Night" I've beem mimicking for a few weeks now. My cousin Krissy and I start rolling every time we hear this hook. From the sound of his voice its pretty obvious that this dude has worked with Kanye West and he's signed to G.O.O.D. Music, which is Kanye's label which released both Common's Be and John Legend's Get Lifted albums. Kid Cudi was born in Cleveland, Ohio and now resides in NYC.
"Day and Night" reminds me of Kanye's Heartless video.
There are so many remixes to this song including this one featuring Jermaine Dupri.
As a lover of music I feel like I have neglected displaying my love for hip-hop in my blog. Don't get it twisted your girl loves and is pretty knowledgable regarding the origin of hip-hop, "South Bronx, South, South Bronx!" and its historical context and how hip-hop affects people of today, yesturday, and years to come. While I watched the Grammy's two weeks ago like everyone else I was a little thrown off by the whole knockout between Chris Brown and Rihanna which is dying down since CB's publicist released a statement this week. Anywho, I finally tuned in on the actual performances and grammy nominees and my homegurl Shandha was a little pissed off by Mr. Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. also known as Lil Wayne's big win at the Grammy's. Weezy sure don't look like a Dwayne. Although Lil Wayne has sold record breaking numbers of his latest album "Tha Carter III", Shandha was still offended by the Grammy's placing Weezy in the same category as Jay-Z, Nas, and Lupe Fiasco. She asked, "Who the hell puts the categories together and furthermore who decides who is the best?" As Lil Wayne exited the stage at the Grammy's with the Best Rap Album of the year award I began to ask myself,"Was his album better than Jay, Nas, and Lupe?" Personally, I loved Hov's "American Gangster" album because although the lyrical content was not Jay's best it was relatable to what was going on within our government, the parallel between the album and the movie American Gangter was genius. Nas, "Nigga" album, well I cannot honestly give my opinion on that because I did not listen to it in its entirety and I can say the same for Lupe's album too, but their singles were convincing enough.
In the music industry and in life there are always going to be great leaders, founding fathers, or whatever you want to call them who pave the way for future leaders. Look at Barack. I think that Lil Wayne winning the Grammy's symbolizes not the passing of the torch, but a borrowing of the torch. Feel the heat Weezy. Right now, its his time to reap the benefits of selling over a Milli albums, which is major in this day and time when records rarely sell thanks to online downloading. Overall, I am proud of him, but I felt a little sick seeing my boy Jay [like I know him on a first name basis lol] just sitting there when he paved the way for him. Do I think Weezy is the best rapper alive? I don't think so... Do I think he is one of the most successful rappers out? Yes, next to Jay, Snoop, T.I. and Will Smith. Let's not forget Will Smith was one of the first hip-hop artists to win a Grammy, so he actually paved the way for Weezy, Mr.Shawn Carter, and everyone else who claims they're rappers. I say all of this because I love hip-hop and I don't want this blog to be boxed into a Neo-Soul/R&B category because I am a lover of all genres of music. As long as I can groove to the sound of it, recite its substantial lyrics, and its easy on my ears...
Speaking of Hip-Hop I am giving crazy props and respect to T.I. for his show "Road to Redemption", which is raw and emotionally too heavy for a sistah. I cry every time I watch each episode, its like a mini series of Antwan Fisher. I pray young kids or the hood is watching and taking heed to the reality of violence, poverty, and ignorance that T.I. is putting on blast that so many of our youth are facing this second. I think its time that hip-hop gets it overdue props for making a change in its lyrical content and society.
Although we have a long way to go there are so many artists who are definitely slept on in hip-hop and I am currently speaking of the Somalian Emcee Knaan. You might have noticed him recently in Facebook ads or MTV commercials talking about Black History and its significance. Not only can this brotha spit, but he's sick on the spoken word tip. Take a sniff! You smell that? Fresh talent. Introducing Knaan.
Knaan's album TROUBADOUR will be in Stores and Online on Feb 24. I can't wait! Check out his site because he is currently on tour and coming to a city near you.
Detroit native Black Milk is another artist whose talent is effortless and he's sick on the beat machine. I interviewed this dude last year and he was one of the realist emcees that gave me no other option, but to love and believe in what he was spitting. His album "Tronic" was one of the highest rated hip-hop albums that I have ever rated on Yo!Raps and is deserving of street credibility.
If Ryan Leslie's album could be compared to anything it would definitely be expired milk that still fortunately doesn't stink and still taste so good. Can you taste it? Am I the only one that feels like I already know what the vibe of Ryan Leslie's album and track listing is? Track listing. Hmm... I have been downloading every Ryan Leslie collaboration, single, and video that he has ever created. I guess you can call me a R. Leslie fiend. "Addiction" was written for me and maybe Cassie too. Lol.
Well, the release of his debut album is Tuesday February 10 and for the life of me I cannot find the entire track listing that I trust. There were more songs added to his MySpace page, but i'm sure Ryan didn't reveal all of the songs from his overdue album to the world yet. If so, I will still march my pretty fanny to the store and cop his album and you should too. Please support Slept on Artists including Ryan Leslie. I should get paid for promoting him so much! Its all love...
I decided to play a little Ryan Leslie Track Listing Guessing Game and while you're listen to each track think about appreciating yourself on V-day if you find yourself being single. Gift idea, just treat yourself to this album because it will put your singleness into perspective. Ryan is exposing the unspoken thoughts and selfish thoughts that we tend to hold back while in relationships.
Track 1. "Out of the blue" What your ex is probably thinking?
