Album Review: Rihanna - LOUD

One good thing to say about Rihanna: Her work ethic is persistant. You can talk about her situation with Chris Brown which 85% of America passed on about it. Or other negative things about her like her naked pics(NOTHING NEGATIVE about that) But one thing to praise is her drive. Since 2005 when she came out with Pon DI Replay and her debut album, Rihanna drops a new album EVERY YEAR. She has hits on Billboard EVERY YEAR. Also she shows improvement between albums. Loud is no different, instead another example of her incline in her career

Loud is a fun-type album especially when it starts. The first couple tracks like S&M and Only Girl in the World(remix by Fatman Scoop) makes me think she ripping her style from House king David Guetta. Play this in a house club and crowd will go crazy. Not sure about and urban club though. But with Man Down, she delivers for the islands with Barbadoian and even some Haitian vibes. Raining Men with Nicki Minaj and What’s My Name featuring Drake are the two tracks Billboard will have relationships with. California King Bed and Love The Way You Lie pt II are the Unthinkable(slow ballads) to this album as the first mentioned is about long-distance relationships and the second is Rihanna’s response to Eminem’s version. And Skin is a track that can explain how sexy Rhi can be between the sheets

Loud will hit stores by next week. Expect most if not the whole album to be on the Billboards. Another notch in her career and a way to stay revelant all 365 days of the year.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH TRAE THE TRUTH (DJ BENZ)(VIDEO)

Check out this exclusive interview (HottestinTheHood/Commission Radio) as Trae the Truth keeps it Trill about the Radio One Ban, The relationship with Rap--Lot records, J-Prince as well as is DRAKE REALLY WITH RAP-A-LOT Instead of Young money!?
Find out

Cant Ban the Truth Hosted by Evil Empire and DJ Folk. Comes out, Tomorrow

Album Review: Trey Songz - Passion, Pain, Pleasure

Trey shows that his reign on the R&B throne is not a fluke. After a successful turnout of his last album , Ready , he drops Passion, Pain, Pleasure , just a year after Ready. And from what I heard, this tape may cause more pregnancies then all my Sexual Seduction tapes combined. Reason why I say this is because of a past project. If you recall, before he dropped Ready, he dropped what was basicallu one of the top R&B mixtapes of 2009 with Anticipation. It was more personal, deeper, more intimate, So when Ready was more on the Pop side, people became skeptical. I guess Trey's management spotted that which is why PPP is more like Anticipation, which in return increase his fans' adoration by miles.

I like that he does most of the album BY HIMSELF to show his range and talent. Only features I spot are Bottoms Up with Nicki Minaj and Unusual with Drake. Also some tracks still have the sexual feel as well as being club hits, like 'Alone' and 'Blind'. But the majority of the album is very intimate like the radio hit 'Cant Be Friends'. Something that the ladies are longing for , Trey will provide.

Personally, he stepped up from Ready. Now it's proof, his reign is not a fluke. Hopefully this can inspire more intimate R&B records like back in the 90s that we all grown to love
And as i see, people are already trying to make babies to PPP. LOL. Don't send Tremaine Aldon Neverson the child support bill. You are responsible for your actions.

Passion, Pain, Pleasure in stores now.

2010 MTV VMAs Recap

source via HipHopDX.com

Late night talk show host Chelsea Handler hosted the 2010 MTV Video Awards, being the first woman in 16 years to do so. While the night featured a number of Hip Hop performances, The genre did not fare so well in the awards aspect.

Eminem opened the show with the first single from his Recovery album, "Not Afraid" and was later joined by Rihanna to perform "Love the Way You Lie." Em won two awards, including Best Male Video and Best Hip Hop Video, but left after his performance to join Jay-Z on their New York/Detroit tour.

Rick Ross made a quick and somewhat bizarre appearance on an electric scooter, picking up Handler and not appearing on the show again.

As has been reported this past week, Taylor Swift recently wrote a song for Kanye West, which she performed during the show. The song was reported to have been a sort of "forgiving" for Kanye's infamous antics at last year's VMAs. While much of the lyrics felt unrelated to the rapper, others were spot-on references to 'Ye: '32 is not growing up now/Who you are is not what you did/ You're still an innocent…Everyone of us has messed up too.'

Drake was joined by Mary J. Blige and Swizz Beatz on the piano. The trio performed the T.I.-featured "Fancy," although T.I. did not attend the awards show, possibly because of recent drug charges.

5-time VMA nominee B.o.B. took the stage with both Bruno Mars and Hayley Williams to perform both "Nothing On you" and "Airplanes." However, B.o.B did not win any awards.

New G.O.O.D. artist Pusha T joined Kanye West, who was the last performer of the night. West raised a toast to all the "douche bags," "assholes," "scum bags," and "jerk offs" in reference to last year's VMA fiasco. "You've been putting up with my shit for way too long," he sang during the performance.

While Eminem left the awards show early, Jay-Z (who was also nominated for awards) did not attend the show, nor did wife Beyonce. Nicki Minaj lost out on the Best New Artist Award to Justin Beiber, while Pop artist Lady Gaga ended up taking home many of the awards including Best Female Artist and Video Of The Year for "Bad Romance."

Things Benz noticed:

-Em proved he still the best to do it.

-Nicki performance is wierd but wierd is offically in

-Justin took a page outta MJ's book in dancing and can be Linkin Park's drummer.

-Drake's performance was REAL especially with Mary J, the Queen of R&B

-Em can add on to his legacy by albums like Recovery

-Kanye was great making a sample live and shoutout to the assholes, and getting the very same ppl that booed him a year ago jump on his D**k again

-Lady Gaga swept the awards. SWEPT. She is now Madonna. Respect

Drake - Aston Martin Music (His Verse)

Didn't I say yesterday on the Benzimusiq Mixshow that I would find this record by today? Yes i did. For your enjoyment and to diminish curiosity, Aston Martin music. Drizzy version. Toronto, I got yall.


Drake - Aston Martin Music (his verse)

Beanie Sigel Disses Drake, still shootin at Jay

Beanie is now in a new label about to do his new album "The Closure"...So of course he's gonna take shots at Jay-Z for the Roc a Fella meltdown. But now he's saying anybody that features Jay on the record is on his bad list too. He made it clear that he aimin at Drake now.

I still feel one day Jay gonna make a clear response.

But yo since I spoke with both Bleek n Beans, I aint taking sides. But what do yall think?

Drake – 9AM In Dallas [Mastered]

Everyone was buzzin about this track from the minute he put it out. On June 15th if you decide to purchase the LP this track will be on there. But Lowkey got it and Since Drake had bars i decided to post it. Can't download it tho. Starting to think Thank Me Later has more tracks, lol

Drake - 9AM in Dallas

ALBUM REVIEW: Drake - Thank Me Later

For over a year, the whole industry and its fans were waiting on this LP as Drake continued to climb the mountain of Hip-Hop immortality. Since he dropped his historic So Far Gone mixtape (which has now sold over 400,000 units as an EP), Drake has been the #1 or close to #1 artist talked about. From surprising features to prolific interviews to syndicated videos, he always find a way to stay in your ear or the screen. Not bad from October's Very Own from Toronto. Few weeks ago the LP(just like every f**kin album) leaked to the public. Two years ago, The Carter III leaked ans still did a million. Will the offishall debut of Drake do the same? Possibly.

As far as the features, he had a whole lot of aid. Alicia Keys went alongside Drake in the premier track, "Fireworks". Boi-1Da will always deliver as he is the top sound right now. T.I and Swiss Beats delivered with Drizzy on "Fancy" as it can be a club hit. Drake and Lil Wayne basically went ignant s**t once again on "Miss Me". The Top feature is one of the legends teaching Drake about legacy as Jay-Z drops an intoxicating verse on "Light Up". The surprising thing is that Drake can keep it up with anyone he gets on the track with. (Drake! where the Dr.Dre produced track with Eminem huh???)

One track I can truly respect. "Show me a Good Time" Kanye laid the crazy 808 as usual. The DJ that scratched on it was nasty and Drake went in on history including a shoutout to J Dilla.

This album is worth the hype for 2010 However.........

When you compare debuts from legends like Nas' Illmatic , Biggie's Ready to Die, Eminem's Slim Shady LP & Marshall Mathers LP , I'm not sure if TmL can rank among these relics of time. These artists went in on personal subjects, from beefs with their mothers to sclling crack and heroin, to being broke and starving, with your stomach close to your ribs. Also these artists make you seriously think with memorable , complex lyrics. Drake however made this album "for your girlfriend" and went in on different tales of adultery. Yes, some of these words make you think and have some complexion But.......Can TML sell 2 million if it came out the same week as a Tupac album in 1996? That i'm not sure.

These beats are sickening. Drake amped up his vernacular another notch. Every song on here can be a hit. Thank Me Later is worth the hype. For now it is the #1 album of 2010. One of the best since graduation. Drake is definitely top 5 right now........but if you talking about legacy, if you talking about history and being among Pac, Snoop, Em, Jay. or Big, That's when Thank Me Later has a reasonable doubt. Drake will have to follow up on his next LP. Then we can thank him fully.

Drake: Thank Me Later (Tracklist)

Because of LowKey who always on his job I just received the tracklist to the album of the year. From what you see.......It damn sure looks like it.

1. Fireworks (Feat. Alicia Keys) (Produced By Crada, Noah “40″ Shebib & Mattew “Boi-1da” Samuels)
2. Karaoke
3. The Resistance (Produced By Noah “40″ Shebib & Matthew “Boi-1da” Samuels)
4. Over (Produced By Matthew “Boi-1da” Samuels & Al-Khaaliq)
5. Show Me A Good Time
6. Up All Night (Feat. Nicki Minaj) (Produced By Matthew “Boi-1da” Samuels)
7. Fancy (Feat. T.I . & Swizz Beatz) (Produced by Swizz Beatz)
8. Shut It Down (Feat. The Dream) (Produced by Omen & Noah “40″ Shebib)
9. Unforgettable (Feat. Young Jeezy) (Produced by Matthew “Boi-1da” Samuels & Noah “40″ Shebib)
10. Light Up (Feat. Jay-Z) (Produced By Tone Mason & Noah “40″ Shebib)
11. Miss Me (Feat. Lil Wayne) (Produced By Matthew “Boi-1da” Samuels; additional production by Noah “40″ Shebib)
12. Cece’s Interlude
13. Find Your Love (Produced By Kanye West & Jeff Bhasker)
14. Thank Me Now (Produced By Timbaland)

Thanks Karla.and Thanks LowKey !

Thank Me Later out June 15th. Remember Me Now out now. Here too

Drake - Find Your Love (Video)

Directed by Anthony Mandler.

2nd single off Thank Me Later. Shot in Jamaica

MIXTAPE RELEASE - TOMMY STARS - PURPLE RAIN. FREE!!

FOR MY 100TH BLOG POST AND PERMISSION FROM THE COMMISSION I WILL RELEASE TOMMY STARS - PURPLE RAIN MIXTAPE/STREET ABLUM FOR FREE! IT WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE HERE ON BENZIMUSIQ FOR 72 HOURS. 3 DAYS. CLICK ON ALBUM COVER AND LISTEN TO THE SEX SOUNDTRACK OF THE SUMMER

TRACKLIST: (ALL ORIGINAL)

1. Purple Rain ft. Risa

2. Have a Baby

3. F*ckin 2night

4. Everywhere ft. Lil Wayne & Birdman

5. Victoria's Secret

6. Wanna Have

7. 1 Thang

8. Name On My Back

9. Here Kitty Kitty ft. Trey Songz

10. You Got Me Chopped

11. Swirvin

12.Grind Off ft. Risa & Chyna Cavalli

13.Say Yeah ft. Slim (from 112)

14.Slow Down ft. Drake

15.Starship

16.First Lady

17 Bonus Track: Lil Love ft. Solange Knowles

The Sex Soundtrack of the summer. Free (for 72 hours)

Stars!!

STATE YOUR NAME CANNON: TOMMY STARS

Ok, on this intro, i'm going to be brutally honest(when have I not). I knew about this cannon for a few years, because we have the same group of friends. The very first time I heard his music, I wasn't with it because it sounded different. He was making 2010 music in 2007. I guess my 19-yr-old self back then wasn't ready. Fast forward to today and both of us has made major moves in this game to become respected in Philly as well as this industry. So it only makes sense for us to collide and give you real ish for you all to here. I'm real proud to know him and confident to say he is the next big thing in music. How couldn't he if he collabed with the very top music has to offer? Ya mean? So on the eve of the scheduled release of his anticipated mixtape, Purple Rain, i give you Rainman....Captain Hooks. Tommy Stars:

1. State Your Name Cannon:

They call me Tommy Tommy Tommy Tommy Stars!! Aka Captain Hooks lol Tommy Stars on deck!

2. Where you represent:

I represent every hood where people are struggling and tryna do something better for themselves, but I was born and raised in Philly(Logan)

3. What made you start rapping? When did it all start?

I have always been into music since I can remember. I have been in bands since 1st grade but I started rapping in about the 7th grade.

4. Talk about the Commission:

The Commision is my movement. It consist of Most Famous my right hand with the song and hook writing female emcees Tiani Victoria and Chyna Cavalli, singer/songwriter Risa, my business partner Chris aka dj Circuit Breaker, Dj Young Legend, A.Boogie and Dj Benz(me). The Commision is the future of the underground hiphop scence. We are about to change the way the underground is moving. We are the future.

5. How did you first meet up with D-Block and talk about how you got on the album, No Security.

I met up with D-Block through my former management's cousin. He lived in the same building as Bully who's with D-Block and we started recording up at Vinny Idols studio too. Bully recorded in there too so I laid this track called I look mean and Bully was like "yo can I get on that"..it was sorta like history from there. I started recording at the main D-Block studio after that and from doing hooks for Bully, Styles and Sheek over heard them. It was a rap after that. I laid all the hooks for No Security in 30 minutes flat. Styles was super impressed at how fast I worked and I've been dealing with them ever since.

6. One thing I've noticed is that your networking game is on point. Tell everyone how important it is to do that, and how to network THE RIGHT way.

Networking is the key to success. Being successful in the music business or any business is not about talent or skills, it's about who you know and that's a fact. A closed mouth does not get fed. You don't always have to have money to make things happen. Use your talent to your advantage. If you have crazy bars offer ghost writing in exchange for something if you produce offer beats for something. I write hooks that's my currency.

7. Purple Rain comes out this week. Streets only. When will it be out online?

Purple Rain will be available mid May hopefully. Our part is complete its all up to the processing that iTunes has to do.

8. Tell me more about your next mixtape. I should say album because you really went in.

You said it right. It's far from a mixtape. It's 365 days of grind studio time thought and sweat. It is the perfect summer CD aka sex on beat lol. 17 tracks I think and two hidden for the street release and a bonus for the online buyers. It's nothing like these Philly rappers. The total opposite. I've created my own lane of music.

9. On Purple Rain, You collabed with Drake, Lil Wayne, and Trey Songz. All original material. Today they are the top three artists in the game. Tell me what went on in the studio as you create bangers with these superstars.

I was never in the studio with them. The tracks were flown over and that's how they where created. That's a thing that seems to be the past this day and age, meeting artists in the studio at the same time but it's a blessing to have these records with these major artists even if it was done in the 2010 manner lol.

10. What should take place in order for Tommy Stars to be the next big artist out?

People have to take time to listen, that's all plain and simple just listen to the music. You can't deny good music. I am already the next big thing. I just need that co-sign from the streets and it will come as soon as the streets turn their ears away from the bullshit and tune in to quality talent and great music once that happens you a see the outcome for yourself.

11. What do you feel about the state of Hip Hop in Philadelphia? Your opinions on other Philly stars like Meek Mill, Tone Trump, etc.

They are doing their thing. They do what they do. I do what I do. We all have different lanes. I don't really focus on other artists cause they not focused on me lol at least I don't think they are. But the state of hip-hop in Philly right now to me is one sided. The radio stations play the same artist all day everyday but we all know what the almighty dollar can do.

12. Another great collab you told me about: You and Solange Knowles. How was that like and can we hear that record anytime soon?

Same situation with her was the same with the other big artists. The tracks were flown over and they were recorded at separate studios. The track has been out for about 2 years now. You can google it. It's called little love.

13. You are basically "Captain Hooks". What is the recipe of cooking up a perfect collaboration?

Its putting two good musicians together whose goal is to make good music, not just do it cause two artist are buzzing and they have a beat from a known producer. It's me hearing a beat writing the hook then hearing the perfect artist besides myself on the track or if I think it needs a second artist on it.

14. Name one artist that you would love to collab with but you haven't already.

Kanye West I would love that

15. What is the ideal type of woman you like? Do you believe she still exist?

Yes I do believe she does exist because she just has to be honest, untainted by the world. I thought I had the perfect female twice and time proved me wrong twice but God works in mysterious ways so maybe even though I wanted those females it wasn't in Gods plan.

16. Describe to the readers what a Philly girl is like. Lol

Lol imma pass on this cause my opinion will become a major event lol but some of the traits are driven, crazy, educated, ghetto, sexy, talented I could go on I love my Philly females they are a diverse bunch :)

17. Craziest story involving a groupie lol.

Lol I don't have groupies lol I have loyal supporters who sometimes are turned on sexually by me lol but I don't have any wild stories :)

18. Lebron or Kobe?

Kobe all day he's an amazing player. He's this generation's Jordan and I've seen Jordan in action and its tough to top Jordan but Kobe's gonna do it. I see that he's still very young still learning and he's the best in the game period right now.

19. What's the next steps for Tommy Stars?

Grind city push Purple Rain like its a album and I'm working on my next CD entitled Graffiti Bridge and wait to see what God's next move for me is.

20. Contact info in case anyone wants to collab with you.

You can get at me on twitter @tommystars I run my own page or myspace.com/tommystarsonline I'm on twitter everyday and Facebook but I don't accept everyone on the book.

21. Any Shoutouts?

Dj BigMike the reason why I'm here in the position I'm in, Everyone up d-block my movement Most famous Chris Tiani Chyna Boogie and everyone that supports Tommy Stars

Sexual Seduction 6: Hosted by DJ Beanz

As a treat to all of you, I give you my 6th installment of my anticipated R&B mixtape series.

-exclusives from Rick Ross, Dwele, Jacki-O, Keyshia Cole,
-throwbacks like Bootsy Collins, Monica, Erykah Badu
-hot joints throughout the tape
-Summer Walker topless lotioned up licking a bud of pure kush.

With all I gave you, call me Santa Claus of Rainforests "drops mic, picks up blunt and trojan condoms"
were ms. Benzi at? hehehe lol.

Enjoy!

Remember Me Now: The Best of Drake - DJ Benz & DJ K Yung

DJ K Yung and I teamed up to give you Remember Me Now. The Best of Drake. We been breaking Drake tracks for years before Young Money. So we figured we give you a TRUE history of where Drake comes from. Most of them you already know. Some are fairly new(Drake doing reggaeton) (and a possible Drake/Movado collab??)

tape includes Andreena Mill, Lil Wayne, Trey Songz, Saukrates, Kardinal Offishall and more.

Thank Me Later in stores June 15th.

Toronto, this is for you.

Drake - Over . Thank Me Later (Video)

Video of his first single. His album is getting more hyped up than ever.

Smh I got this video at 5am before LowKey and Necole Bitchie....sleep sucks.

Remember Me Now:Best of Drake will be out tomorrow (tonight if you are in Canada)

New XXL Cover: Nicki Minaj n Drake: King & Queen??

Here's the New May Cover of the XXL. Nice cover. Two of the top acts in the game.....BUT...

Do you honestly think they are rap royalty??...You know they saying Drake is now #1. And Nicki is like the "best female rapper alive"(Drake said that). And then there's Hiroshima(my new word for barbie nation. Whether that sticks i don't know).

When I think rap royalty i think..Death Row with Pac. Wu-Tang had it for a second. Jay-Z and Roc-a-fella. Eminem and Shady. I know Young Money is a conglomerate now but...is it fair?

Personally I think they jumped the gun too soon.

(source via LowKey)

Young Artists For Haiti - Wavin' Flag (Canada)

Canadian Artists like Drake, Kardinal Offishall, Jully Black, Nelly Furtado, Justin Bieber and others put this song together for Haiti which was beautiful. Includes a Drake verse. Please purchase this song on ITunes as proceeds will go to Haitian relief.

Jay-Z / Lil Wayne at MSG: Lil Wayne

It's no secret every time Jay-Z steps in Madison Square Garden, its a memorable performance. Last night was no different. In New York's stop on the BP3 tour, there's definitely will be a story line. As Jeezy performed, none other than Lil Wayne steps out to perform "Im Goin In" The crowd roared like a Larry Johnson 4-point play in the playoffs. Just to think, Weezy was supposed to be sentenced to jail only to have a fire break out in the courthouse. Hours later, he made an historic event in the Mecca of Arenas....

Coincidence? or planned? hmmm...either way, i wish i was there.





Weezy: from Jail to MSG in a day.



Drizzy, Weezy, Jeezy



Every time Drake shows up in NYC, his careers takes a step forward



Good to see Nicki back home



Trey Songz

Shoutout to MetroMixNewYork for the pics. You can find a lot more on their website
MTV or YouHeardthatNew for the video

Jay-Z calls MSG "The house Hov Built" - cant argue with that
Lil Wayne's sentence always gets pushed back...what does it do to his street cred?

All I'm saying is.....We will know for real if Wayne is REALLY a blood when he gets to Rikers.

Money to Blow video......parody

I don't know what to say about this improv. I don't know whether to be ashamed that girls from Manhattan can make a rap group as good as Young Money or amused because the top team of hip hop can be made fun of so bad.

This NEVER happened back in 1994-96 With Bad Boy or Death Row. You probably would have been shot. lmao. But with this, they got a lot of talent. Be grateful Suge Knight ain't around.



If You want to see these girls live, their next show is the 19th of this month.

http://candyslicecomedy.com/

Shoutout to @craziscorpio for the link.

Drake Unplugged...BEFORE Young Money. in Degrassi.

I got this video from nigel D. and saw this. (For those who don't pay attention, his real name is Aubrey Graham) From what i seen, Drake was DESTINED to shine whether Lil Wayne came around or not. He was very much established from a young age with a lot of talents. I think a lot of people with gain respect for Drake by watching this.

Plus around the 2:15 mark he introduced his book of rhymes, and it amazed me how he stated 'i dont think i'll ever use it"....Life comes in suprises but as a student of the game he was more than prepared.