Billboard Information for MJB, YOUNG MONEY, and EMINEM

INFORMATION on CHART PLACINGS for ALBUM DEBUT(S) and RESPECTIVE SINGLE(S) for
December 21st, 2009

MARY J. BLIGE-- "Stronger With Each Tear
#2--Billboard 200
#1--R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
#1--Digital Albums

Current SINGLE(S) from "Stronger With Each Tear"
"I Am"
#67--Hot 100
#13--R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
#55--Radio Songs
#96--Canadian Hot 100

YOUNG MONEY-- "We Are Young Money"
#9--Billboard 200
#3--R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
#4--Digital Albums
#1--Rap Albums

Current SINGLE(S) from "We Are Young Money"
"Bedrock" featuring Lloyd
#12--Hot 100
#5--R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
#17--Radio Songs
#11--Digital Songs
#2--Rap Songs

"Steady Mobbin'" featuring Gucci Mane
#48--Hot 100
#33--R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
#47--Digital Songs
#18--Rap Songs

EMINEM-- "Relapse: Refill"
#11--Billboard 200
#4--R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
#5--Digital Albums
#2--Rap Albums
#11--Canadian Albums

Current SINGLE(S) from "Relapse: Refill"
"Music Box"
#82--Hot 100
#63--Canadian Hot 100


INFORMATION on PREVIOUS WEEK'S ALBUM PLACINGS on the BILLBOARD 200

ALICIA KEYS-- "The Element of Freedom"
DROPPED from #2 to #4

ROBIN THICKE-- "Sex Therapy..."
DROPPED from #9 to #30

Susan Boyle is about to hit triple-platinum status with her album...and it's seriously blocking anyone from having the #1 spot. Same thing happened to MJB that occurred with Alicia Keys...plenty in sales...but not enough to secure the top spot.

YOUNG MONEY debuts in the Top Ten...this really doesn't impress me...but it does make me happy when I think of Drake...I'm just saying.

EMINEM jumps from #133 to #11, thanks to his "Refill..." re-release...but I honestly don't think this album is gonna stay in the Top Twenty for that much longer.

ALICIA KEYS drops only two spots while ROBIN THICKE remains in the Top Thirty...

CHECK HERE NEXT WEEK on THURSDAY, JANUARY 7th, 2010 to find out how MARY J BLIGE, YOUNG MONEY, and EMINEM do on Rise and Fall portion of this blog!

(ALL INFORMATION on this page has been retrieved on Thursday, December 31st, 2009 from ALL FACTS made AVAILABLE on BILLBOARD.COM...the lack of information on an ARTIST's release doesn't necessarily mean they are not on the charts. Full BILLBOARD INFORMATION can be accessed at billboard.biz)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.
Written by Felix-Lee "Campbells" Andrades, III

CAMPBELL's TOP FAVORITE ALBUMS of 2009

NUMBER SIX...KID CUDI-- "Man On the Moon: The End of Day"

RELEASED--September 15th
DEBUTED and PEAKED at #4 (Billboard 200) with 104,400 copies sold.
TOTAL U.S. SALES--230,000
CERTIFICATIONS--N/A
SINGLES--
"Day 'n' Nite" (Platinum)
Peaked at #3 (Hot 100)
"Make Her Say" featuring Kanye West and Common
Peaked at #43 (Hot 100)
"Pursuit of Happiness" featuring MGMT and RATATAT
Peaked at #59 (Hot 100)
AWARDS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS--
2010 Grammy Award Nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance ("Day 'n' Nite")
2010 Grammy Award Nomination for Best Rap Song ("Day 'n' Nite")
2010 Grammy Award Nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group ("Make Her
Say" featuring Common and Kanye West)
2009 BET Award Nomination for Best New Artist
2009 BET Hip-Hop Award Nomination for Track of the Year ("Day 'n' Nite")
2009 BET Hip-Hop Award Nomination for Best Hip-Hop Video ("Day 'n' Nite")
2009 BET Hip-Hop Award Nomination for Rookie of the Year
2009 MTV Video Music Award Recipient for Best New Artist

Kanye West may have had to take a lot of heat for his display during this year's MTV Video Music Awards ceremony...but one should never forget his talent. If it wasn't for him, we might not have ever been introduced to KID CUDI. KID CUDI's brand of "electro hop" brought us a refreshing difference to the uninteresting Hip-Hop music we've been hearing for so long. The infectious single "Day 'n' Nite" peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100...while "Make Her Say" featuring Common and Kanye West and "Pursuit of Happiness" featuring MGMT and RATATAT also enjoyed success on the charts. "Man On the Moon: The End of Day" may have seemed like a "stoner's soundtrack", but there were definitely some deep points for me. Tracks like "Sky Might Fall" and "Hyyerr" featuring Chip tha Ripper instantly became my favorites. In the short amount of time since "Man On the Moon: The End of Day" was released, KID CUDI has gone on to be featured on several other artists' albums, including Jay-Z's "The Blueprint 3" and Robin Thicke's "Sex Therapy...". He is also in the works on a follow up to his debut album...a collaboration album entitled "Cudder". KID CUDI has already worked with Snoop Dogg, Travis Barker, Clipse, Cage, and Pharrell and looks forward to heading into the studio with Drake, Green Day, Kings of Leon, Robin Thicke, The Killers, and more. He also landed the lead role in the upcoming Mark Wahlberg-produced comedy series "How To Make It In America". Oh...and just to add to the list...KID CUDI has received SEVERAL nominations and awards for his hard work, including three Grammy Award nominations. Pretty impressive for a breakthrough artist, huh?




NUMBER FIVE...MARY J BLIGE-- "Stronger With Each Tear"
RELEASED--December 21st
DEBUTED at #2 (Billboard 200) with 330,000 copies sold.
SINGLES--
"The One" featuring Drake
Peaked at #63 (Hot 100)
"I Am"
Peaked at #65 (Hot 100)

I wasn't joking when I said that the better albums were released towards the end of the year. And much like Alicia Keys, if it wasn't for Susan Boyle, MJB's album would've debuted at the top spot. Regardless, "Stronger With Each Tear" marks MJB's third album to shift that many copies in one week. Even though sales this time around can't compare to those of the past, it's still interesting to know that she continues to debut as high on the charts with every album she puts out. I'm very happy about this, considering that most didn't believe she'd sell so well to begin with. "Stronger With Each Tear" is definitely worth it...so if you haven't purchased it yet...go and get it. You won't be disappointed.




NUMBER FOUR...ALICIA KEYS-- "The Element of Freedom"
RELEASED--December 15th
DEBUTED and PEAKED at #2 (Billboard 200) with 417,000 copies sold.
CERTIFICATIONS--N/A
SINGLES--
"Doesn't Mean Anything"
Peaked at #60 (Hot 100)
"Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart"
Peaked at #27 (Hot 100)
AWARDS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS--N/A

ALICIA KEYS will never disappoint her audience...and that's saying a lot because some artists tend to leave their fans hanging with expectations that don't get fulfilled. But she always manages to deliver a stellar performance with every album she releases and "The Element of Freedom" is no different. In my review, I mention the album being her best work of art...and a lot of people are agreeing with that. On every song, ALICIA KEYS brings a different sound and style, appealing to everyone's personal tastes in music. "Love Is Blind" and "Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)" featuring Drake (on background vocals) are for sure my favorite tracks on the album...but regardless, the whole album is enjoyable...and it, without a doubt, places ALICIA KEYS on a plateau high above the rest.




NUMBER THREE...DRAKE-- "So Far Gone (EP)"
RELEASED--September 15th
DEBUTED and PEAKED at #6 (Billboard 200) with 73,000 copies sold.
TOTAL U.S. SALES--275,000
CERTIFICATIONS--N/A
SINGLES--
"Best I Ever Had"
Peaked at #2 (Hot 100)
"Successful" featuring Trey Songz and Lil' Wayne
Peaked at #17 (Hot 100)
AWARDS/ACCOMPLISHEMENTS--
2010 Grammy Award Nomination for Best Rap Song ("Best I Ever Had")
2010 Grammy Award Nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance ("Best I Ever Had")
2009 BET Hip-Hop Award Recipient for Rookie of the Year
2009 BET Hip-Hop Award Recipient for Track of the Year ("Every Girl" w/ Young Money)
2009 BET Hip-Hop Award Nomination for Lyricist of the Year
2009 BET Hip-Hop Award Nomination for MVP of the Year
2009 MTV Video Music Award Nomination for Best New Artist in a Video ("Best I Ever Had")
2009 Soul Train Music Award Nomination for Best New Artist
2009 Soul Train Music Award Nomination for Record of the Year ("Best I Ever Had")
2009 Soul Train Music Award Nomination for Best Collaboration ("Successful" w/ Trey Songz and
Lil' Wayne)

And the haters can keep on hating. DRAKE has come a very long way since his role in Degrassi: The Next Generation. Even during his time on the show, DRAKE was already at work in the recording studio, producing three mixtapes between the years of 2006 and 2009 ("Room For Improvement", "Comeback Season", and "So Far Gone".) Little did we know he was going to blow up and become the most highly-sought out rapper in the game right now. DRAKE's "So Far Gone", an EP containing seven-tracks, gave mainstream radio something entirely unexpected...especially with the lead single "Best I Ever Had" (which has been reportedly downloaded approximately a million times since its release!). Now DRAKE has been nominated for TWO Grammy Awards and is featured on several songs including his work with Young Money, Birdman, and Timbaland. He is also hard at work on his full-length debut studio album called "Thank Me Later" out in March which features confirmed collaborations with The-Dream and Jay-Z. I am highly anticipating this album as I know for a fact that DRAKE is now a force to be reckoned with. If "So Far Gone" is any indication of what his future work will sound like, look forward to some very insightful material, along with the club-bangers I'm sure will be present.




NUMBER TWO...WISIN Y YANDEL-- "La Revolucion"

RELEASED--May 26th
DEBUTED and PEAKED at #7 (Billboard 200) with 35,000 copies sold.
TOTAL Worldwide SALES--3,000,000
CERTIFICATIONS--N/A
SINGLES--
"Abusadora"
Peaked at #1 (Latin Songs Chart)
"Gracias a Ti"
Peaked at #1 (Latin Songs Chart)
AWARDS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS--N/A

WISIN Y YANDEL will forever remain MY personal Reggaeton artists of all time. They have consistently put out groundbreaking albums and "La Revolucion" was one of very few Reggaeton-themed CDs that stayed very close to the roots of the genre. Mixing in a euphoric electronic sound with what was ALREADY a pulsating rhythm, WISIN Y YANDEL managed to breathe to life an entirely new sound for a style of music that has been suffering from a lack of originality. Out of any other artist, they have gone on to collaborate with numerous American performers, including Lenny Kravitz, Paris Hilton, R. Kelly, and more. "La Revolucion" included guest appearances from 50 Cent, Ivy Queen, Ednita Nazario, and more...and on the re-release to the album ("La Evolucion"), Akon, Aventura, T-Pain, and Enrique Iglesias are among some of the artists who contributed their talents as well. Much like everybody else on this list, anything from WISIN Y YANDEL is destined to be iconic...and I cannot wait to see what they come up with on their future albums...




NUMBER ONE...RIHANNA-- "Rated R"

RELEASED--November 23rd
DEBUTED and PEAKED at #4 (Billboard 200) with 181,000 copies sold.
TOTAL U.S. SALES--368,000
CERTIFICATIONS--
Australia--Gold
Poland--Platinum
UK--Gold
SINGLES--
"Russian Roulette"
Peaked at #9 (Hot 100)
"Hard" featuring Young Jeezy
Peaked at #11 (Hot 100)
AWARDS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS--N/A

I don't think it's a surprise that I would pick "Rated R" to be the NUMBER ONE album on my list. RIHANNA came through and delivered an unexpectedly riveting performance on her latest album. And I think that deserves some recognition. She's come a long way...and even though "Rated R" is laced with profanity, sexual references, and despondency alike, RIHANNA tells a story that she's not allowed to convey to the public. Every lyric on the album rings truth to her personal life...and her growing maturity is very distinguishable. For those that didn't think she'd make it...she's back...and harder than ever. RIHANNA is set to embark on a world tour by the name of "Mad House" that should hit America by Summer of 2010...and I couldn't be any more happier for her. She truly is entitled to a lot in her life...and I'm sure her success will continue to be hated upon by others who have officially failed to have a career of their own...no names mentioned.

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.
Written by Felix-Lee "Campbells" Andrades, III

Billboard Information for ALICIA KEYS and ROBIN THICKE

INFORMATION on CHART PLACINGS for ALBUM DEBUT(S) and RESPECTIVE SINGLE(S) for
December 15th, 2009

ALICIA KEYS-- "The Element of Freedom"
#2--Billboard 200
#1--R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
#1--Digital Albums
#5--Canadian Albums

Current SINGLE(S) from "The Element of Freedom"
"Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart"
#27--Hot 100
#10--R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
#48--Radio Songs
#23--Digital Songs
#37--European Hot 100

"Empire State of Mind II Broken Down"
#55--Hot 100
#94--R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
#26--Digital Songs
#40--Canadian Hot 100

ROBIN THICKE-- "Sex Therapy..."
#9--Billboard 200
#2--R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
#2--Digital Albums

Current SINGLES from "Sex Therapy..."
"Sex Therapy..."
#79--Hot 100
#25--R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
#69--Digital Songs


INFORMATION on PREVIOUS WEEK'S ALBUM PLACINGS on the BILLBOARD 200

CHRIS BROWN
DROPPED from #7 to #31

GUCCI MANE-- "The State vs. Radric Davis"
DROPPED from #10 to #41

SNOOP DOGG-- "Malice N Wonderland"
DROPPED from #23 to #54

TIMBALAND-- "...Shock Value II"
DROPPED from #36 to #95

CLIPSE-- "'Til the Casket Drops"
DROPPED from #46 to#169

Yes, if it wasn't for Susan Boyle who sold 661,000 copies of her debut album, ALICIA KEYS would have had the #1 spot. Instead, she debuts at #2 with 417,000 copies sold. That number may not be close to her past album sales, but it's still an impressive feat. Her latest single "Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart" jumped up 29 spots on the Billboard Hot 100...proving that ALICIA KEYS had it all along...it's just the public that was sleeping on her.

ROBIN THICKE appears at #9 with 123,000 copies sold of his newest masterpiece "Sex Therapy...”, giving him his third Top Ten album in a row...the lead single of the same name is enjoying moderate success on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

CHRIS BROWN debuted under Rihanna...his singles debuted under Rihanna...and in the second week of sales since "Graffiti" was released, he dropped under Rihanna. If only CHRIS BROWN had a Twitter account so he could bitch about the latest travesties in his pathetic life. As we all called it, his album will continue to drop down the chart very noticeably until it lands in oblivion where it belonged in the first place.

GUCCI MANE and SNOOP DOGG both fell 31 spots down the chart...but TIMBALAND and CLIPSE had the biggest tumble....that's actually not that very surprising.

CHECK HERE NEXT WEEK on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31st, 2009 to find out how MARY J BLIGE, YOUNG MONEY, and EMINEM do on the charts!

(ALL INFORMATION on this page has been retrieved on Thursday, December 24th, 2009 from ALL FACTS made AVAILABLE on BILLBOARD.COM...the lack of information on an ARTIST's release doesn't necessarily mean they are not on the charts. Full BILLBOARD INFORMATION can be accessed at billboard.biz)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.
Written by Felix-Lee "Campbells" Andrades, III

BABYBOI's TOP FIVE ALBUMS of 2009 (BABYBOI SEZ Volume 1.4)

NUMBER FIVE...KELLY CLARKSON-- "All I Ever Wanted"

RELEASED--March 6th
DEBUTED and PEAKED at #1 (Billboard 200) with 255,000 copies sold.
TOTAL U.S. SALES--797,000?
CERTIFICATIONS--
Australia--Platinum
Canada and UK--Gold
SINGLES--
"My Life Would Suck Without You" (Platinum)
Peaked at #1 (Hot 100)
"I Do Not Hook Up"
Peaked at #13 (Hot 100)
"Already Gone" (Platinum)
Peaked at #20 (Hot 100)
AWARDS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS--
2010 Grammy Award Nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album
2009 MTV Video Music Award Nomination for Best Female Video ("My Life Would Suck
Without You")

Pop perfection. That pretty much sums up Kelly’s latest disc. Fans that were turned off by the dark and moody vibes of "My December" should be aware that "All I Ever Wanted" is quite different. While the biting lyrics can still be found, the melodies and beats here are way more uplifting. With production by hit-makers Ryan Tedder, Dr. Luke, and Max Martin, Kelly’s album is filled with back-to-back hits. It’s one of those rare albums where no tracks need to be skipped and one can listen completely from beginning to end. Kelly’s voice has never sounded better either; on ballads like ‘Cry’, ‘Save You’, and ‘Already Gone’, it’s made quite clear why Clarkson was chosen as the winner for American Idol’s premiere season. With platinum sales and a current single still on the chart after several months, it’s obvious why Kelly’s album was just nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal. Here’s hoping she wins! Kelly Clarkson has also recently begun writing and prepping for her next album due fall 2010.




NUMBER FOUR...AVENTURA-- "The Last"

RELEASED--June 9th
DEBUTED and PEAKED at #5 (Billboard 200) with 47,000? copies sold.
TOTAL Worldwide SALES--N/A
CERTIFICATIONS--
U.S.--(2x) Platinum
SINGLES--
"Por Un Segundo"
Peaked at #1 (Latin Songs Chart)
"All Up 2 You" featuring Akon and Wisin y Yandel
Peaked at #1 (Latin Songs Chart)
"Su Veneno"
Peaked at #1 (Latin Songs Chart)
"Dile Al Amor"
Peaked at #3 (Latin Songs Chart)
AWARDS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS--N/A

One has to have a ton of moxie to call yourself the "King of" anything. Yet, with their latest album, Aventura has earned the right to be titled the "Kings of Bachata". "The Last" is hands down their best album to date. The album made history during it’s first week of sale when it sold so many copies that it ended up charting on BOTH the Latin Charts AND the Billboard 200, coming in at number 5, and selling more copies than albums by Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Hannah Montana! Since then four singles have been released and ‘The Last’ has been praised by many critics. Aventura gained fame initially for blending R&B melodies with bachata beats, thus creating a new genre in the process called 'bachata urbano'. With their latest, they continue to move into new territories sonically, mixing euro-pop and verses from mainstream U.S. rappers (Ludacris and Wyclef Jean) into a complete and refreshing package. And fans of old school bachata need not worry either, as there are several songs here that still cater to the traditional. “The Last” is a must buy and if you don’t own it already, you should.




NUMBER THREE...MARIAH CAREY-- "Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel"

RELEASED--September 29th
DEBUTED and PEAKED at #3 (Billboard 200) with 168,000 copies sold.
TOTAL U.S. SALES--344,000
CERTIFICATIONS--
UK--Silver
SINGLES--
"Obsessed" (Platinum)
Peaked at #7 (Hot 100)
"I Wanna Know What Love Is"
Peaked at #60 (Hot 100)
"H.A.T.E.U."
Peaked at #72 (R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart)
AWARDS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS--N/A

Twelve albums into her career and Mariah Carey still manages to make headlines. First, it was the announcement that "Memoirs..." would forgo the pop and hip-hop sounds of MC’s last disc for a complete R&B vibe reminiscent of her earlier albums. Then it was the explosive first single ‘Obsessed’, which touched on the recent comments rapper Eminem had been making about her and became a summer smash, as well as Mariah’s biggest club-banga in the process. Following that news came the decision to remake what was considered to many the untouchable “I Want To Know What Love Is”. But after all the headlines, one is left with a damn good album. Easily one of MC’s most consistent records to date, "Memoirs..." finds exec-producers Tricky Stewart and The-Dream reigning in Mariah’s multiple octave voice, while surrounding her with simple, yet effective beats. Songs like “H.A.T.E.U.” (Having A Typical Emotional Upset) and “Angels Cry” show Mariah’s vulnerable side; while “Standing O” and “Betcha Gon’ Know” display her acidic side to full effect. Unlike most albums out today, "Memoirs..." is deep and provides thought-provoking and even funny lyrics. In a move inconsistent with an industry infatuated with collaborations, this album doesn’t provide any. Honestly, they’re really not needed. Those interested in seeing Mariah’s voice accompanied by the rapper-du-jour should wait for the ‘Memoirs Remix’ album due in February, which is said to feature Gucci Mane, Jermaine Dupri, Diddy, Big Boi, and T-Pain. While this album hasn’t set the charts on fire, (it’s looking like Mariah’s lowest selling album to date) that doesn’t mean it’s not a quality product. "Memoirs..." has landed on many year end lists (Rolling Stone included) for good reason. It’s simply a great album from one of the best singers of our generation.




NUMBER TWO...JAY-Z-- "The Blueprint III"

RELEASED--September 8th
DEBUTED and PEAKED at #1 (Billboard 200) with 476,000 copies sold.
TOTAL U.S. SALES--1,431,200
CERTIFICATIONS--
Canada--Gold
U.S. and UK--Platinum
SINGLES--
"D.O.A. (Death of Autotune)"
Peaked at #24 (Hot 100)
"Run This Town" featuring Kanye West and Rihanna (Platinum)
Peaked at #2 (Hot 100)
"Empire State of Mind, Part One" featuring Alicia Keys
Peaked at #1 (Hot 100)
"Young Forever" featuring Mr. Hudson
Peaked at #41 (Hot 100)
AWARDS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS--
2010 Grammy Award Nomination for Best Rap Solo Performace ("D.O.A. (Death of
Autotune)")
2010 Grammy Award Nomination for Best Rap Song ("D.O.A. (Death of Autotune)")
2010 Grammy Award Nomination for Best Rap Song ("Run This Town" featuring Kanye
West and Rihanna)
2010 Grammy Award Nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ("Run This Town"
featuring Kanye West and Rihanna)
2009 American Music Award Recipient for Favorite R&B/Hip-Hop Artist
2009 American Music Award Recipient for Favorite R&B/Hip-Hop Album ("The
Blueprint III")
2009 BET Hip-Hop Award Recipient for Lyricist of the Year
2009 BET Hip-Hop Award Recipient for Best Live Performer
2009 BET Hip-Hop Award Recipient for MVP of the Year
2009 BET Hip-Hip Award Nomination for Track of the Year ("D.O.A. (Death of
Autotune)")
2009 BET Hip-Hop Award Nomination for Best Hip-Hop Video ("D.O.A. (Death of
Autotune)")
2009 MTV Video Music Award Nomination for Best Male Video ("D.O.A. (Death of
Autotune)")
2009 MTV Video Music Award Nomination for Best Hip-Hop Video ("D.O.A. (Death of
Autotune)")

"Don’t call it a comeback" or so the saying goes...but nothing could be truer about Jay-Z’s newest album. "The Blueprint 3" is hands down a comeback, especially for a rapper who seemingly lost his way and verve on albums like "Kingdom Come". With the hard hitting first single "D.O.A. (Death of Autotune)", Jay cemented his status as best rapper alive, while at the same time creating an ode to the overused auto-tune phenomenon that plagues hip-hop. With the second single "Run This Town", Jay proved his longevity and knack for making a hit. After hitting Number oOe by going nearly gold during just its first week of sale, (and breaking a record held by Elvis), “The Blueprint 3” is currently on its way to double-platinum status and may even become the highest selling hip-hop album of 2009--if Jay can best Eminem in the next few weeks. Executive producer Kanye West was well aware of what type of album Jay’s fans were expecting with his return this year and he more than delivered. The album is filled with hits, from the catchy “Hate” and “Off That”, to the anthem-in-the-making "Empire State of Mind”. Jay was even able to beat out new-comers Drake and Kid Cudi in sales during a very competitive season. “The Blueprint 3” is easily a hip-hop classic and proves that even after being in the game for over a decade, an artist can still be refreshing and enjoyable




NUMBER ONE...KERI HILSON-- "...In a Perfect World"

RELEASED--March 24th
DEBUTED and PEAKED at #4 (Billboard 200) with 94,000 copies sold.
TOTAL Worldwide SALES--613,000
CERTIFICATIONS--
U.S.--Gold
SINGLES--
"Energy"
Peaked at #78 (Hot 100)
"Return the Favor" featuring Timbaland
Peaked at #69 (R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart)
"Turnin' Me On" featuring Lil' Wayne
Peaked at #15 (Hot 100)
"Knock You Down" featuring Ne-Yo and Kanye West
Peaked at #3 (Hot 100)
"Slow Dance"
Peaked at #49 (R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart)
"I Like"
Peaked at #1 (Germany Charts)
AWARDS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS--
2010 Grammy Award Nomination for Best New Artist
2010 Grammy Award Nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration ("Knock You Down"
featuring Ne-Yo and Kanye West)
2009 American Music Award Nomination for Favorite Female/R&B Soul Artist
2009 American Music Award Nomination for Breakthrough Artist
2009 BET Music Award Recipient for Best New Artist
2009 BET Music Award Nomination for Best Female R&B Artist
2009 BET Music Award Nomination for Best Collaboration ("Turnin' Me On"
featuring Lil' Wayne
2009 BET Music Award Nomination for Viewer's Choice ("Turnin' Me On" featuring
Lil' Waune
2009 Soul Train Music Award Recipient for Best New Artist
2009 Soul Train Music Award Recipient for Best Collaboration ("Knock You Down"
featuring Ne-Yo and Kanye West)
2009 Soul Train Music Award Nomination for Song of the Year ("Turnin' Me On
featuring Lil' Wayne"
2009 Soul Train Music Award Nomination for Record of the Year ("Knock You Down"
featuring Ne-Yo and Kanye West)

Not since Aaliyah has a female artist so easily blended R&B and pop on an album. Interestingly, both artists had close relationships with Timbaland who produced the majority of their work. Miss Keri’s debut is in a class all by itself and far outshines other more heavily hyped albums from established artists (here’s looking at you Ciara and Beyoncé). After writing a multitude of hits for people like Mary J. Blige, Britney Spears, and Diddy, Keri Hilson made a name for herself on Timbaland’s “Shock Value”. There she was featured on several tracks including the smash hit (number 1 in 9 different countries!) single “The Way I Are”, which she also wrote. Keri’s hook was unforgettable and so a star was born. Flash-forward a couple years and Keri had finally put the finishing touches on her solo debut. The album features production by the aforementioned Timbaland, as well as Polow da Don, Danja, and Cory Bold. It also features guest vocals from Akon, Lil' Wayne, Keyshia Cole, Trina, Ne-Yo, & Kanye West. While first single "Energy" struggled to make an impact at radio, subsequent single "Turnin Me On" got Keri into heavy rotation. It was "Knock You Down", however, that cemented Keri’s status as an artist to be reckoned with. From the sultriness of "Slow Dance" to the pop precision of "Alienated", Keri Hilson’s debut really does have something for everyone. Currently on its way to platinum status, “Perfect World” will have another opportunity to achieve even more sales when it’s much rumored re-release finally makes its way into stores this January. Look for new single “I Like” to be part of the package, as well as a new version of "Do It" and other unreleased tracks on the “In A Perfect World (I Like Edition)”. Keri is currently celebrating her recent Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and his hard at work on the follow up to ‘Perfect World’ which she hopes to have ready by summer 2010. If you consider yourself a fan of quality music, then do yourself a favor and pick up Keri’s debut right now!

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.
Written by CJA "Babyboi"

MARY J. BLIGE-- "Stronger WithEach Tear" (Rating 5/5)

The end of 2009 is only a few days away, leaving music artists scrambling to make a lasting impression on people's minds. With the countless reviews I've done, I always search for the one artist that can MOVE me with their music. Very few have done that this year. On the other hand, there's MJB...another artist whose music I have related to so much over the years of her career. And as I finish off the final three reviews of 2009, I am proud to say that MJB STILL has that "lasting impression" on me after all this time.

There has been a lot going on with MJB's ninth studio album, starting with the fact that is was supposed to be released last month and was pushed back a few times. "Stronger With Each Tear" has also experienced several facelifts, adding to the mystery that originally circled around it. First named "Stronger" (after the lead single to the soundtrack for the Lebron James documentary "More Than a Game"), the title was later reworked...and the alleged reason why is the fact that the single didn't do so well on the chart. If you look closer, the song itself is absent from the final tracklist.

So what do we have? The official lead single from the album entitled "The One" featuring Drake is a little different sonically from the heavy tracks we heard in the nineties. It still worked for her...in my opinion, at least. "Stronger With Each Tear" isn't filled with over-Autotune usage like most everyone else's album from this year. MJB's voice is still as powerful and captivating as it's always been. The second official single, "I Am", seems to be a continuation from her 2005 mega-hit "Be Without You", giving those who haven't listened to the album the idea that it isn't gonna stray far from the imprint that is MJB. The album opens up with the song "Tonight" whose melodically drifting introduction holds your curiosity prisoner, drawing you into the strong and beautiful lyrics within it. T.I. makes a decent contribution to the track "Good Love", but I prefer to hear MJB by herself...so on cuts like "I Feel Good" and "In the Morning", where she discusses some very personal and reflective points about life and relationships, I can't help but feel all sorts of emotions. Don't get me wrong, the collaborations MJB has on the album are great...especially the one with Jazmine Sullivan on the DELUXE EDITION bonus track... (yes, there is more than one version of this album arriving in stores today...more on that later) ...called "Gonna Make It". Even the one with Trey Songz is alright...but to set the record straight and give props to where it's deserved...the song "We Got Hood Love" was simply titled "Hood Love" and featured Johnta Austin...it was supposed to be on HIS debut album that never got released. Just wanted to put that out there in case you go overboard thinking Trey Songz had anything to do with that song...all he does is make a cameo. Other tracks on the album like "Each Tear", "I Love U (Yes I Do)", and "Kitchen" are also standouts and cannot be ignored.

In the end, I am very proud of MJB...we all know she has overcome so much in her life...and she continues to get "Stronger With Each Tear". I hope she keeps on giving us the best music out there for a long time to come.

Songs I Truly Enjoyed from the Album:
• The One featuring Drake
• Said and Done
• Good Love featuring T.I.
• I Am
• Kitchen
• We Got Hood Love featuring Trey Songz
• I Can See In Color
• Gonna Make It featuring Jazmine Sullivan (Deluxe Edition Only)

From MARY J. BLIGE's new album "Stronger WithEach Tear", here's "Tonight..."



From the same album, here's "I Love U (Yes I Do...)"



(BONUS TRACKS)
(Deluxe Edition)
• Stay
• Gonna Make It featuring Jazmine Sullivan

(iTunes Store)
• Closer


MARY J BLIGE
"I Am"
From the album "Stronger With Each Tear"
Directed by Anthony Mandler
(3.44)




COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.
Written by Felix-Lee "Campbells" Andrades, III

YOUNG MONEY-- "We Are Young Money" (Rating 3/5)

See...after hearing albums like this one, I regret not following my dream of becoming a record producer...the industry really needs some help because if this is the future of music, I will go hide in a cave. Now...so I don't make any contradictions, I need to state something right off the bat. "We Are Young Money" receives an "average" rating because of the production value and some of the artists who perform. Keep in mind that YOUNG MONEY itself is made up of several people who are part of the label with the same name... "Young Money Entertainment". Those performers range widely from "losers" to "wonders" and they include Lil' Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Jae Millz, Mack Maine, Tyga, Gudda Gudda, Lil' Chuckee, Lil' Twist, Shanell, Short Dawg, and T-Streets. If it wasn't for some of these artists, I would've been quick to dismiss this CD. So don't get it twisted when I describe how ridiculous and comical "We Are Young Money" really is.

People who said years ago that rappers weren't educated based their opinions on the idiocies that came out of said rappers' mouths. I have to be bold and agree...now, not every rapper out there is ignorant...that is true. But really...do I need to hear lyrics like "...she jump up on that dick and get her trampoline on" ("Wife Beater"), "flow tighter than a dick in the butt", and "Is that why you gettin' more head than shampoos?" ("Roger That")? Come on now...you just sound beyond stupid. Rappers have lost their way with words and are now doing nothing but abusing the English language...it truly is "laugh-out-loud" material as nothing I hear on this album can be taken seriously.

Lil' Wayne needs to re-invent himself. He is altogether a confusing person to understand when he raps because he doesn't form words properly...everything that comes out of his mouth is nothing but slurred nonsense...not to mention that Autotune is his best friend, making it harder to decipher anything that comes out of his damn mouth. (Maybe that's why his album keeps getting pushed back? Or maybe it's that if his album "Rebirth" ends up sounding like the unfathomably absurd Rock track on THIS album called "Play In My Band", the label knows ain't nobody gonna buy his shit!) Drake and Jae Millz are the only ones I truly appreciate on this album...and Nicki Minaj, sweetheart...the days of Lil' Kim, Foxy Brown, Trina, and Remy Ma are done with. What makes you think you're gonna trump the likes of them? Everybody else...I'm sorry, who are you and why are you on this album?
The titles of the songs themselves don't even spark curiosity in me... "New Shit", "Fuck the Bullshit", "Pass the Dutch" ...again, really? None of this is original. I'm sorry...I'll pass up the offer to listen to any of this if it gets presented to me again. DRAKE...he's the only who is really talented out of the whole group...and maybe Lil' Wayne if he could get me to stop calling him a "drunken project roach that won't die no matter how many times you try to kill it..."

Oh yeah, Lloyd, Birdman, Gucci Mane, and Pleasure P all make guest appearances on the album...and just like I forgot to mention them until now in this review...I completely miss the fact that they are featured on "We Are Young Money".

Songs that I Somewhat Enjoyed from the Album:
• Gooder (As performed by Mack Maine and others)
• Ms. Parker (As performed by Lil' Wayne, Mack Maine, Gudda Gudda, and Jae Millz
• Wife Beater (As performed by Lil' Wayne, Jae Millz, Tyga, and Mack Maine)
• New Shit
• Fuck the Bullshit featuring Birdman (As performed by Lil' Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Gudda Gudda, and Drake)
• Bedrock featuring Lloyd (As performed by Lil' Wayne, Gudda Gudda, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Tyga, and Jae Millz)
• Steady Mobbin' featuring Gucci Mane (As performed by Lil' Wayne)
• She Is Gone featuring Pleasure P (As performed by Lil' Wayne, Jae Millz, and Gudda Gudda)
• Finale (As performed by Mack Maine, T-Streets, Jae Millz, Gudda Gudda, and more)

From YOUNG MONEY's new album "We Are Young Money", here's "Pass the Dutch..."




YOUNG MONEY
"Bedrock" featuring Lloyd
From the album "We Are Young Money"
Directed by Dayo Label
(5.02)




COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.
Written by Felix-Lee "Campbells" Andrades, III

EMINEM-- "Relapse: Refill" (Rating 2/5)

EMINEM is one of the most skillful rappers of our time. I won't deny him that...but after listening to "Relapse" when it was first released earlier this year, I was slightly disappointed. I realize that after all this time, it's going to be rather difficult to change EMINEM's persona...and "lyrical genius". I ended up giving "Relapse: Refill" a rating of 5/5 when I started writing this review...but after a long, intense debate with my Babyboi, I caught myself up in a valid point which, in turn, has brought the rating down...forcing me to write a completely different review from what I originally had.

EMINEM stated that he was going to re-release "Relapse" with the extra tracks because some of the music he was recording for his future "Relapse 2" album ended up taking a different direction. Don't really know what's the difference because with EMIMEN, he doesn't leave much to the imagination. Every album he's put out there has been filled with lyrics of murder, rape, sadism, homophobia, and a whole lot more. So is it really gonna be a surprise when we hear this new upcoming album? Probably not...and that's evident HERE on "Relapse: Refill". EMINEM includes the single "Forever", which we already know features Drake, Kanye West, and Lil' Wayne. The other extra tracks like "Hell Breaks Loose" featuring Dr. Dre, "Buffalo Bill", and "Taking My Ball" are as disturbingly full of offensive jokes as previous songs that have made his famous like "My Name Is" and "The Real Slim Shady". But as you proceed through songs like "Drop the Bomb On 'Em" and the DELUXE EDITION BONUS TRACK "Careful What You Wish For", EMINEM shows you a vulnerable side that we all know is there...he just isn't man enough to admit it. Dr. Dre is at the forefront of production, as always, bringing some of the most innovative sounds of today...but EMINEM continues on with his bold ways on the track called "Elevators", where he calls Adam Lambert, Clay Aiken, and another "fake its". Really? It doesn't take a genius to figure out what he's trying to say...Adam Lambert picked up the connotation...he really doesn't care what EMINEM says.

And why should we? EMINEM has been named "The #1 Artist of the Decade" by Billboard...and that is justifiably so...I won't negate him his talent. But for the man who is well on the way to turning forty...shouldn't he switch up his style and get off the ignorant bullshit? I would love it if EMINEM could rap about something important instead of the same garbage over and over again. Then again, that won't happen...unless Hell freezes over. I've always made mention about rappers who have a "masculinity issue", i.e. 50 Cent and others. Well, bring EMINEM to the top of that list. We know that he has a soft side...that's been noticed on songs he's dedicated to his daughter and others like "Beautiful" and "Sing For the Moment". Why can't he embrace that side? And another thing...the whole homophobia syndrome has been proven countless times to mean one thing...maybe you're gay your damn self and you don't have the balls to be true to yourself. Either way, EMINEM will probably sell another ridiculous amount of albums with the next couple releases he has lined up...

I guess that really shows how full of disturbed people this planet really is.

Extra Tracks that I Somewhat Enjoyed from the Album:
• Forever featuring Drake, Lil' Wayne, and Kanye West
• Hell Breaks Loose featuring Dr. Dre
• My Darling

From EMINEM's new album "Relapse: Refill", here's "Taking My Ball..."



From the same album, here's "Careful What You Wish For..."



BONUS TRACKS
(Deluxe Edition/iTunes Store)
• My Darling
• Careful What You Wish For

*NOTE--Before the making of this review, it was announced that both USHER's "Raymond vs. Raymond" and LIL' WAYNE's "Rebirth" were pushed back into the early months of 2010.

REVIEW COMING IN TWO WEEKS on TUESDAY, JANUARY 5th, 2010:
KE$HA-- "Animal"

Yes...BABYBOICAMPBELLS REVIEW will be taking a brief hiatus from music reviews until next year...but we'll be back...and better than before. And we'll start off with KE$HA's upcoming debut album which contains the major hit "Tik Tok". Catch us next year on JANUARY 5th, 2010!

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.
Written by Felix-Lee "Campbells" Andrades, III