superlover shania d: it's u.

SUPERLOVER SHANIA D's "It's U" is a dash of Kelis, a sprinkle of Sade, and 100% Shania D.*

In fact, this song could pass as an unreleased slow-jam by Kelis. I don't say this to imply that it is unoriginal, given that one of the sole characteristics of Kelis is her originality and the fact that she just doesn't give a fuck about fitting into genres or expectations. In fact, this general attitude seems to propel Shania D forward herself-- "Her influences include Nina Simone, Sade, Bob Marley, Santana, Frida Kahlo, Esthero, Tricky, and Missy Elliott. All artists who did it their way with no apologies."

Similarities to other artists seem to be by mere coincidence. Her song "Brighter Hue" may have a vibe reminiscent of Sly & The Family Stone, but I don't get the impression that she sat down and said to herself, "I am going to write, sing, and produce a song that is reminiscent of Sly & The Family Stone!" There's something so incredibly genuine and likable about her. When asked for more details about her tunes, she states-- "My music is inspired by life, love, and the belief that we as artists have a voice and can use that voice and power to promote love, peace, fun, joy, and good times."

Going back to "It's U"...I don't know if it was intentional or not, but this song is pure bedroom-babymakin' music. It's the type of song that could have you humping your pillow in the absence of your lover. Hypothetically (I swear). "Underwater2U", a purely instrumental track, has a similar effect...as does "Geneva", which (for some reason) reminds me of Me'shell Ndegeocello's "Andromeda and the Milky Way" in a very positive way.

But it's not all just sexy, sultry shit. This girl raps, speaks poetry, and did I mention that she produces all of this herself? Because she does. She's also scoring (scored?) a documentary on the life of John Woo.

Long story short, I totally wish we were friends.

dl: SUPERLOVER SHANIA D - It's U (YSI)
dl: SUPERLOVER SHANIA D - Underwater2U (YSI)
(sexy jams)
- buy it - site it - space it -

* In retrospect, I've realized that this doesn't quite make sense, but I like the way it sounds. Perhaps there are trace elements of Kelis and Sade that weren't quite significant to include? Or I'm stupid.

johnboy: nicole scherzinger remix.

JOHNBOY has been on my radar for a while now, though I admittedly hadn't been impressed by anything he put out until now.

The original version of Nicole Scherzinger's "Whatever You Like" f/ T.I., produced by Polow Da Don, is really grating*. Kelis was able to ride over a similar Polow beat on her song "Blindfold Me", but Nicole does not possess the edginess, swagger, or attitude to work a song like this. In her case, the beat just emphasizes how ridiculously bad her lyrics are.

Given that The Pussycat Dolls album was practically Nicole's solo album given the sheer lack of lead-vocals from other members, I was surprised at how much I hated Nicole's solo material so far. Then, as if scolding me for jumping to conclusions...Johnboy hopped in with his remix. It wasn't the lyrics or flow of "Whatever You Like" that I hated, it was the beat. This remix takes those same stupid lyrics and makes them bearable. They're still stupid, but this time they're catchy.

The chorus of "I do whatever you like" becomes appropriately robotic. Nicole is programmed to fit into our mold of pop diva. She's been waiting for this moment since before her days in Eden's Crush, and now that she's here...she's going to do whatever you like. Not what she wants to do. Whatever you like.

At first I misheard Nicole's chorus as "I do what I think you like". In that case, I didn't like what she thought I'd like until Johnboy remixed it. Reboot Nicole, and please try again.

d/l: NICOLE SCHERZINGER f/ T.I.- Whatever You Like (Johnboy remix) (YSI)
(remix of new pop tune)
- space it / space it - wik it - hype it -

EDIT: Admittedly the Polow Da Don original grew on me while writing this post.

u-tern: kelis "trilogy" mix.

download: KELIS- Trilogy (U-Tern's Synth Rock Mix) (YSI)
(Word is that this mix is HOT. Don't sleep.)
- space it - blog it - site it - hype it / buy it - site it - space it - wik it - hype it -

U-Tern likes Pabst. He would like you to get familiar with it. U-Tern also likes Kelis. Therefore, I like U-Tern...because I'm obviously obsessed with her. Perhaps you can get familiar with Pabst* while listening to his mix of Kelis. Why? Because you like U-Tern too. You just don't know it yet.

* Unless you are under 21. There small be no familiarity with the Blue Ribbon. Ever.

gotdion: kelis remix

download: KELIS- Get Along With You (GotdioN remix) (YSI)
(electro-rocked version of a sad R&B jam)
- space it - cop it - / buy it - site it - space it - wik it -

I've told you how much I love Kelis, so you can forget that. This post is really about GotdioN. He's underground, but he's been pushing out some of the best mainstream hip-hop/R&B remixes that I've heard in a long time. Check out this adrenaline-rushed remix of the second single off of Kaleidoscope by Kelis. Strangely, he says that this is one of his least favorite mixes...so maybe my ears are flawed on this one. Either way, make sure to cop his mixtapes on the space before he gets famous! You'll certainly be hearing more of his mixes here on THE MONEY SHOT.

kelis: new video for "lil star" f/ cee-lo.

I originally objected to posting music videos on this blog, but in this experimental pre-April time...why not?

I've been following Kelis's career ever since the days of Kaleidoscope, when I got a call from my eighth grade girlfriend telling me that I needed to see the video with the crazy rainbow-brite Scary Spice wanna-be yelling a lot. It didn't take me much longer to realize that Kelis was more than that. Can't see beyond "Milkshake"? Check out the videos below, and understand my love. Several of these were not released in the US, so if you're on my side of the pond...they're definitely worth watching. I've starred my favorites.

- Caught Out There* - Good Stuff - Get Along With You* -
- Young, Fresh N' New* -
- Milkshake - Trick Me* - Millionaire -
- Bossy* - Blindfold Me - Lil Star -

• Note the minimalist aesthetic of "Trick Me".
• Note the poodles, ice sculptures, and absurdity of "Bossy".
• Note the Heidi Klum in "Young Fresh N' New".
• Note the oddly dark, gothic mood of "Get Along With You".
• Note the random jungle and polar wonderland scenes in "Blindfold Me".
  

Despite the giant bubble coat, "Lil Star" is probably the most "normal" Kelis video I've ever seen. It is directed by Mark Klasfeld, the same man behind "Bossy" and "Blindfold Me". I'm a little disappointed that the video took the song so literally, but Kelis can get away with it because she's super-cute. "Lil Star" is the single in the UK, so if you're still sick of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy"...don't be too worried about hearing Cee-Lo's voice on your radio too. My secret hopes are that it will do well enough to cross over to the US as Nelly Furtado's "Maneater" did, but I'm not holding my breath. "Trilogy" will be the third single in the US, and a video is not yet recorded.

This post is starting to get way too fanatical and I totally promised that I'd lay off the hip-hop, pop, and R&B for a couple of days, so I'll stop.

quio: she likes to jump at people.

QUIO popped up on some random 16 year-old hipster kid's myspace page one day. Considering I don't usually take musical cues from teenagers who are trying too hard (very few teenagers aren't trying too hard, let's be honest), the strangest thing made me find her appealing. I'd ask you not to judge me for this, but the sole reason I was on the random 16 year-old's myspace was to judge him. Karma, I guess. So judge all you want.

Okay. So while I'm listening to "Gazon Gasolina", I swore that an element of the instrumental was taken from The Neptunes' instrumental for "Caught Out There" by Kelis. It's one single noise, and I may be crazy for noticing this, but it made a difference. I love, like, AND respect Kelis no matter what anyone else says. She's absolutely crazy. Crazy amazing. If you don't agree, perhaps you should read her cover story in VIBE Vixen, a magazine that was apparently created for women of color...and, um, me. So, in this article, Kelis talks about her relationship with her hubby Nas (which sounds like the healthiest show business relationship in the universe), her music, her family, and more. No, this isn't an advertisement for VIBE Vixen bitches. Admittedly, I read the article in Hudson News while waiting for my train back to the jerz at Penn Station. But seriously, Kelis is the real deal. Read that shit up in the Super Stop & Shop if you have to. She's the shit. <-- This video is further evidence. "BITCH...where'd you get that bag?"

Sorry, had to get that out of my system. Now back to Quio.

The first thing you should know about Quio is that she should not be taken seriously. In fact, she is violently against being taken seriously-- "She likes to...break up what supposedly makes sense. In misunderstandings she sees both the chance to have performer and listener create something new, and to put into question the perception of understanding something the wrong or right way. Quio is against seriousness when it is used as a tool of dominance, in the way that seriousness gives weight, means truth, means realness. Never wanting to impose meaning. She writes against preconceptions and boxing people in, especially women into premade schemes." Crazy. Crazy amazing.

If that doesn't convince you, perhaps you will be swayed by lyrics such as, "I spread my vibes like an orca in ultrasonic." Orcas aren't mentioned quite mentioned enough in pop music, and I salute Quio for attempting to address this issue.

Quio doesn't quite fit into a mold. On "Gazon Gasolina", she sounds like a nonsensical version of Lady Sovereign over some random-ass experimental electro track. On another side, "So Dazed" is just as non-sensical, yet it's mellow vibe is more suitable for a fan (or former fan) of The Postal Service. You can watch the trippy video for the latter song here.

Some final things you should know: I'm super late in discovering Quio. Over a year. On the other hand, I'm not sure if I can agree with radio babylon's assessment that, "this is perfect for anyone who loves M.I.A. but doesn't think she's grime enough." I guess everyone will have different things to say about Quio due to her genre-fucking tendencies. And, oh...by the way, her name is pronounced "oooh!" Yes, that doesn't make sense. At all.

DOWNLOAD: QUIO- So Dazed
DOWNLOAD: QUIO- Gazon Gasolina
DOWNLOAD: QUIO f/ LISE- Mom + Wife

BUY Like Oooh!

BLOGWATCH: Said the gramophone, my older brother when it comes to blogging, brings us new tunes and a great write-up about Basia Bulat, who I interviewed way back in Febz. Blogs are for dogs leads us to a new track by Air "One Hell of a Party", featuring guest vocals by Jarvis Cocker. You Ain't No Picasso pays tribute to his favorite band Bishop Allen with a post featuring songs from the final two EPs of their twelve month project.

viva la france: kelis gets a facelift from braxe.

ALAN BRAXE is well known in the French electronica scene.

But you may not be up on that. It may sound pretentious for me to say that, but I know I'm certainly not familiar with it. However, you may know him from his 1998 hit single "Music Sounds Better With You". No? Me either. I suppose I was too busy listening to The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill around that time...and then there was also "The Boy is Mine".

In any case, what is really relevant is what Alan Braxe is doing today. He released a hit single called "Rubicon" in 2004. With the success of this single, he has moved on to remix songs for blogger faves such as Annie, Goldfrapp, Royskopp, Test Icles, Death From Above 1979, and Bjork.

What really matters right now is not any of these remixes. Along with usual collaborator Fred Falke, he has remixed "Bossy" by Kelis f/ Too $hort. Not only has he remixed it, he has made it significantly better. Honestly, even if she was back with an 808...the beat was just not gellin', ya know? Along with the new beat, he has replaced Too $hort's whack ass rhyme and put it in the middle of the song, rather than towards the end. For some reason, this works Jesus magic.

Beyond the incredible nature of this single song, I just want to express my hopes that Braxe's interest in Kelis will trigger some respect for her within the blogosphere. People call her a one (or two) hit wonder, but what they fail to realize is that songs like "Milkshake" are among her worst work. Kelis is one of the most intriguing R&B artists of our generation, constantly taking risks musically and maintaining a unique presence. She may just be a pop artist, but it's important to recognize that she is in fact an artist.

DOWNLOAD: KELIS- Bossy (Alan Braxe & Fred Falke remix)

PRE-ORDER Kelis Was Here, BUY The Upper Cuts

BLOGGER NOTE: Big ups to my boy at Bigstereo for sharing the link from fluo kids with me. Big ups to fluo kids for posting this in the first place. This song may be old news to some, but whatevs. Every ear should hear this shit.

BLOGWATCH: Stop Loving Everything has some new songs by The Changes, who I kind of love. 20 Jazz Funk Greats has a live track by The Knife. The Daily Growl has a song by Lily Allen that almost makes me believe the hype.

kelis: i don't just like this, i like this like this

Kelis is a fascinating individual. I once deemed her the "American R&B equivalent of Bjork" due to her eclectic repertoire, and I didn't just come up with that title because of her collaboration with Bjork. She's all over the place. One minute she's falling apart and floating in a creepy, gothic wasteland, and moments later she's a pop culture phenomenom. She's an R&B sensation, yet she's a rockstar. She's a commercial failure, and a dance music superstar. She's a child! She's a minimalist! She's the first girl to scream on a track.

Now, she's back with an 808...and a new haircut. And, oh yeah, a new album. Her new single "Bossy" has been met with mixed reviews by fans, and it isn't quite causing a storm on the charts. Despite this, there is much hype among fans about Kelis Was Here, which is full of collaborations with today's hottest producers-- Scott Storch, Cee-Lo, will.i.am, Linda Perry, Swizz Beatz, and more.

Speaking of those hot producers, let's talk about a recently leaked track done by Swizz Beatz (Beyonce's "Check Up On It", Busta Rhymes' "Touch It"). The song is called "Like You", and though it's been met by mixed reviews on the net...it's amazing. Sampling the opera diva song from The Fifth Element, "Like You" is a combination of fifth grade vernacular ("I don't just like you, I like you like you") and sleaziness ("He's making me hot...or is it his cock?"). This is something only Kelis can get away with.

Something about this track creeps me out though...A month ago, my friend Anna and I decided we were going to record a mini-movie called "KELIS: THE OPERA". The plot involved two milkshake stands, both alike in dignity...well, actually one of them was operated by an evil guy. Also, our main number "Milkshake" involved a synchronized swim routine.

After having developed this idea, I can't help but think that Kelis has stolen our thoughts, using them as inspiration for this song. I guess I'll be able to confirm this theory for sure when her next music video has aquatic choreography.

DOWNLOAD: KELIS- Like You (shoutout to Plavalaguna for this one)

PRE-ORDER Kelis Was Here, to be released August 8th

BONUS TRACK: KELIS- Get Along With You (Fake ID Remix)

BLOGWATCH: Check out The Gossip covering Aaliyah's "Are You That Somebody?" over at the space (link courtesy of mammoth press). Your Standard Life has Bright Eyes at Bonnaroo, and You Ain't No Picasso has it as a zip file. If that doesn't float your boat, maybe one of the 50 SONGS over at i guess i'm floating will...featuring Sufjan Stevens, Destroyer, Oh No! Oh My!, Beirut, Phoenix, and more.

summer album preview: the big bang.

Busta Rhymes is an asshole. It's hard for me to write an impartial review of an album by a man who verbally attacks a gay fan for simply trying to congratulate him on his comeback. I understand that he needs to maintain his street cred, but jeez...couldn't he just pat the guy on the back and say, "Thanks for the love, No homo dawg." I'm not even going to take you back to the radio interview in which sir Bus-a-Bus states that he poked Nicole Richie and said that "He ain't gonna even ENTERTAIN" the concept of being with another man. Can't we all just take an example from Kanye?

But shit, this isn't any sort of commentary on homophobia in hip-hop. I can talk out my ass and it's not gonna stop rappers from calling their rivals fags and homos. This is about the music, so right now I got to separate myself from the man behind it. But before I do so, let me point out the gayest photo of Busta Rhymes ever taken...

"Haaaay reporter!!!"

The Big Bang is, yes, the best work Busta has done since 1998's Extinction Level Event. People are saying Busta is back, but I never realized that he left. Sure, it's been 4 years since It Ain't Safe No More. The album only went Gold, but it also pushed out "I Know What You Want", Busta's most successful single since "What's It Gonna Be?" with Janet Jackson. "Touch It" and "I Love My Bitch" aren't even touching it's success on the charts, but I suppose that doesn't mean shit to Mr. Trevor Smith.

It's all about getting another platinum on the wall...and with Dr. Dre's help, this album will probably help Busta obtain that. Honestly, he needs all the help he can get at this point. At 34 years, Busta is no longer the fresh-faced 19-year-old we heard spitting on "Scenario". He's been in the game for a long time and it shows, especially on the Midnight Marauders throwback track "You Can't Hold the Torch" featuring Q-Tip. On the song, Busta asks where all the love & music went in the game, complaining about younger rappers in the game..."These n---as can't hold the torch/ So why should we pass it?"

The most successful aspect of the album is that it remains consistent & cohesive despite the obvious differences between the club bangers, old man joints, sexy jams, street anthems, and blatant excuses to have a guest appearance. The album certainly isn't short on guests with everyone from Stevie Wonder to Missy Elliott to LaToya Jackson showing up on tracks. Yes. THAT LaToya Jackson.

The most interesting song on the album is the final track, the Dr. Dre produced "Legends of the Fall-Offs". The chorus asks, "Do you ever think what life would be? Where you will go after you die?" Evidently, it is creepy, haunting, morbid, and surprisingly beautiful. On the track, Busta raps over the sound of shoveled dirt and his own heartbeat with minimal instrumentals. It's good to know that a big ol' tough guy like Busta still has fears. It's also good to know that he still has a heart. I guess the real reason that I like it is because Busta is buried alive by the end. Asshole, I hope you get that platinum for your wall.

WATCH: "I Love My Bitch" music video f/ Kelis & Will.i.am
WATCH: "Touch It (remix)" video f/ a whole shitload of rappers, Mary J. Blige (for a fact she don't rap), and an adorable group of middle-school aged cheerleaders stepping.

DOWNLOAD: BUSTA RHYMES f/ MISSY ELLIOTT- How We Do It Over Here
DOWNLOAD: BUSTA RHYMES- Legend of the Fall-Offs

PRE-ORDER The Big Bang

Finally, I recommend that you head over to soul-sides to read a great review of Christina Aguilera's new track (that I posted earlier today) and Busta's album. You can also take a listen to "You Can't Hold the Torch". Great bloggers think alike?