R Kelly - Double Up CD

Double Up CD music It seems like T.I. hasn't gotten any rest since he hit it big with his sophomore release--2003's TRAP MUZIK. With an impressive array of LPs, mixtapes, countless guest spots, and enough industry legwork on his Grand Hustle label in the meantime, the self-proclaimed "King of the South" has been steadily putting in work. With the follow-up to his multi-platinum smash, KING, T.I. carries a concept, pitting one persona against the other on the fittingly titled, T.I. VS. T.I.P. Speaking alternately as the rap industry mogul who moves millions and the street-corner hustler who just can't get the hood out of him, the ATL native is smart to slyly examine this duality on his own--a dilemma that has been known to dog the most successful hip-hop artists under the umbrella epithet "sell-out." Mannie Fresh, Lil C, Just Blaze, the Runners, Keith Mack, Danja, Eminem, and Jeff Bass are among the varied contributors whose production work makes T.I.'s fifth solo LP bang. T.I. VS. T.I.P. also features cameos from an array of superstar guests including Jay-Z, Eminem, Nelly, Alfa ...

Double Up buy CD music Rapper-turned-singer T-Pain occupies a genre all his own: "Hard & B" is how he describes it. On his sophomore album, EPIPHANY, the Tallahassee native follows the same formula that made his debut such a success--namely, shockingly hardcore lyrics normally reserved for the rap arena, cloaked in sweat and sensitive melodies. With a penchant for computerized vocal effects (much like his contemporary and label-boss Akon), T-Pain ups the ante on radio-friendly raunch with sexy club anthems like "Backseat Action," "69," and "Yo Stomach." EPIPHANY features guest appearances from Yung Joc, Akon, Cham, and J Lyric, among others, further solidifying his credibility within the world of hardcore hip-hop. Second album features guest appearances by his mentor Akon as well as Yung Joc. Photographer: Christian Lantry.

Double Up songs In My Own Words, released in early 2006, was a major success for Ne-Yo. It was a number one album supported by two Top Ten singles and a third that peaked in the Top 20. As it kept gathering steam, the singer/songwriter/producer shrewdly continued to write for others: Rihanna's Top Ten "Unfaithful" and Beyoncé's number one "Irreplaceable" kept his profile on the rise through the end of the year. Indicating that he still has quality material to spare, Because of You comes just a little after a year after his debut, and it is just as solid. Though some of the accomplices remain, such as the Norwegian StarGate team (his partners on "So Sick," "Sexy Love," "Unfaithful," and "Irreplaceable") and Ron Feemster, the key to the album's potency and freshness is its differences from In My Own Words. None of the debut's singles were as upbeat as this album's lead single, "Because of You," a sophisticated yet youthful song for the dancefloor, one of many instances where it's evident that Ne-Yo has thoroughly absorbed Michael Jackson and Rod Temperton's rich vocal arrangements on Off the Wall. The album's closing quarter fulfills the contemporary ballad quota, but the preceding quarter provides imaginative and surprisingly adventurous arrangements, as well as some of the nastiest hooks. "Sex with My Ex," the wildest of these three songs, is somewhere between a screwed-and-chopped mix of Prince's "Delirious" and Diddy's "Last Night," its hard beat and synthesizer rays twisted into knots. It's also one of several moments where a newfound swagger is just as convincing as that of prime Usher. Making it to number one on your own, writing a major hit for one of the planet's most popular entertainers, and qualifying as the heir to R. Kelly can have that effect. Executive producer Jay-Z seems to know exactly what he has on his hands: on "Crazy," he completes his verse within the first 30 seconds, allowing his R&B franchise star to take over with no interruptions. ~ Andy Kellman Recording information: Battery Studios, New York, NY; Chalice Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Compound Studios; D.M.L. Studios, East Orange, NJ; L. Gold Studios, Philadelphia, PA; Lethal Studios, Bridgetown, Barbados; Roc The Mic Sounds, New York, NY; sony Music Studios; Westlake Studios, Beverly Hills, CA. Photographers: Tai Linzie; Ellen Von Unwerth. Arranger: Larry Gold. Personnel: Robert Taylor "R.T.", Espen Lind, Joe Davi (guitar); Gloria Justen, Igor Szwec, Emma Kummrow, Olga Konopelsky (violin); David Barnett (viola); Jennie Lorenzo (cello). Audio Mixers: Kevin "KD" Davis; Phil Tan.

Double Up album for sale Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's second album of 2006 and its sophomore outing as a trio (with Flesh-N-Bone in jail and Bizzy Bone absent), STRENGTH AND LOYALTY is a much more high-profile affair than its predecessor, TRUE STORIES. On this record, the hip-hop act's first for Interscope, Krazyie Bone, Layzie Bone, and Wish Bone are joined by guest stars such as Kelly Rowland (the R&B-tinged "So Crazy") and Akon (the hard-hitting "Never Forget Me"), but also prove that they can still astound with their own smooth vocal harmonies and deft rhymes, as exemplified by the catchy, return-to-form track "Just Vibe." With many songs produced by the perennially in-demand Swizz Beatz, STRENGTH AND LOYALTY should pull in fans who had written the group off years ago, and win over new converts to the distinctive Bone Thugs aesthetic. Additional personnel: Felecia, Akon, Mariah Carey, Swizz Beatz, Game, Twista, will.i.am, Yolanda Adams, Bow Wow (vocals).

Double Up CD music The third album by R&B loverman Tank offers up more smooth urban contemporary grooves tailor-made for deep, soulful seduction. Tank's upbringing in the church is in ample evidence throughout in his impassioned, gospel-infused delivery, but most of the topics on Sex Love & Pain wouldn't pass muster with the local Reverend. The vibe of the album is generally low-key, with bright, keys-heavy arrangements and call-and-response vocals with backup singers (further contributing to the churchified feel), but Tank keeps things intimate with his pleading, flexible tenor and boudoir themes. Fans of Ginuwine, Omarion, and R. Kelly should check this one out. Personnel: Tank (various instruments); Tony Dixon, The Underdogs , St. Nick, Steve Russell, Timbaland, Eric D. Jackson (various instruments).

Double Up buy CD music Three years after his commercially successful 2004 release, REAL TALK, Brooklyn's own Fabolous returned with FROM NOTHIN' TO SOMETHIN' in 2007. On his fourth full-length, Fabolous continues with the same smooth player posturing, detailing the various ways he runs the streets in a breathy, effortless flow. At 16 tracks deep, FROM NOTHIN' TO SOMETHIN' shines on the production end thanks to a slew of air-tight beats from Timbaland, Jermaine Dupri, Just Blaze, Scott Storch, Swizz Beatz, and Reefa among others. Fabolous also benefits from a long list of guest R&B-hook-providers including Akon, T-Pain, Lloyd, Rihanna, and Ne-Yo as well as cameo verses from heavyweights Young Jeezy, Pusha T, Lil Mo, Swizz Beatz, Joe Budden, and Red Café. All that aside, though, the record's hottest cut might just be Fab's tribute to his borough, "Brooklyn," which features a verse from none other than the Jigga man himself, Jay-Z. Recording information: Baseline Recording Studios, New York, NY; House Of Mirrors, New York, NY; Legacy Studios, New York, NY; PatchWerk Recording Studios, Atlanta, GA; Sony Music Studios, New York, NY; SouthSide Studios, Atlanta, GA; The Icon Mansion, Miami, FL; You Know Me Well Studios, Atlanta, GA. Photographers: Tai Linzie; Jonathan Mannion. Arranger: Rob Mathes. Personnel: Wen Qian, Sandra Park (violin); Rebecca Young (viola); Alan Stepansky (cello); Aaron Heick (saxophone); Jeff Kievit (trumpet); Darryl McClary (keyboards); Antwan "Amadeus" Thompson (drums). Audio Mixers: Ryan West; Jordan "DJ Swivel" Young; Jermaine Dupri; Just Blaze; Phil Tan.