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Pleasure P
The Introduction of Marcus Cooper
Pretty Ricky, no more!
a Keith Barbee piece!
Former boy band member, Pleasure P begins his debut effort with “I’m a Beast,”
featuring Yung Joc. The track is full of kinetic energy but doesn’t necessarily set the
tone for the album.
The infectious but clumsy second single, “Boyfriend #2” is more in line with what
you can expect from Marcus Cooper. Not quite Pretty Ricky; not yet Usher.
R&B gym rat, Tank contributes the new single “Under” which finds Pleasure P back
in that Pretty Ricky lane albeit more racy than raunchy.
The teaser single from last summer, “Did You Wrong” also surfaces here. The
remix with ex-Def Jam signee, Teairra Marie would have been a welcomed
addition. Think bonus track.
Another R&B singer Rico Love, who contributes much to this album, brilliantly
intersperses a sample of “Encore” made famous by Cheryl Lynn on “Your Love.”
“Encore” was produced by legendary duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, for my music
heads.
Sean Garrett along with the late Static Major (the group Playa, Lil Wayne’s
“Lollipop”) contribute “Fire Lovin” and “Illusion,” both of which fail to pique much
interest. Formulaic. Boring. Filler.
Pleasure P closes the disc with the rise-above-the-haters ballad, “Dream in the Air”
which borrows President Obama’s (damn that feels good to even type) ‘Yes We
Can’ mantra.
Old habits die hard as evidenced by Pleasure P, the boy who recorded libidinous
ditties with a boy band and Marcus Cooper, the man he hopes to become.
And that’s fine. He’s allowed growth. But he should know that he walks a fine line.
The Introduction of Marcus Cooper
Pretty Ricky, no more!
a Keith Barbee piece!
Former boy band member, Pleasure P begins his debut effort with “I’m a Beast,”
featuring Yung Joc. The track is full of kinetic energy but doesn’t necessarily set the
tone for the album.
The infectious but clumsy second single, “Boyfriend #2” is more in line with what
you can expect from Marcus Cooper. Not quite Pretty Ricky; not yet Usher.
R&B gym rat, Tank contributes the new single “Under” which finds Pleasure P back
in that Pretty Ricky lane albeit more racy than raunchy.
The teaser single from last summer, “Did You Wrong” also surfaces here. The
remix with ex-Def Jam signee, Teairra Marie would have been a welcomed
addition. Think bonus track.
Another R&B singer Rico Love, who contributes much to this album, brilliantly
intersperses a sample of “Encore” made famous by Cheryl Lynn on “Your Love.”
“Encore” was produced by legendary duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, for my music
heads.
Sean Garrett along with the late Static Major (the group Playa, Lil Wayne’s
“Lollipop”) contribute “Fire Lovin” and “Illusion,” both of which fail to pique much
interest. Formulaic. Boring. Filler.
Pleasure P closes the disc with the rise-above-the-haters ballad, “Dream in the Air”
which borrows President Obama’s (damn that feels good to even type) ‘Yes We
Can’ mantra.
Old habits die hard as evidenced by Pleasure P, the boy who recorded libidinous
ditties with a boy band and Marcus Cooper, the man he hopes to become.
And that’s fine. He’s allowed growth. But he should know that he walks a fine line.
D-Block
No Security
Too many cooks; No definite recipe
a Keith Barbee piece!
I purchased this CD so now you don’t have to.
I bought the D-Block disc because of my love of Jadakiss, the fact that I ride with
Sheek Louch, and the little-known-fact that Styles P is nice when he wants to be. I
guess my love of The Lox aided and abetted my decision. D-Block, however, is
not The Lox. Not even close.
The word disappointing may be too harsh as there are diamonds in the rough. A
rare few. That rarity includes the album opener “So Much Trouble” featuring
Beanie Sigel. “Get That Paper” also makes that short list and is one of only two
tracks that even feature Jadakiss. That should have been omen enough.
Who said thugs can’t bounce? Obviously no one as “Get Ya Bounce On”
demonstrates. But just because you weren’t told, doesn’t mean that you didn’t
know. These dudes can hear!
“That’s D-Block” allows Bucky and Large Amount to shine- brightly. These two
seem to be the hungriest. You hear it in the cadence, the delivery, and the
content. Large Amount also proves his worth on “Hello” which features Red Café.
“Brother’s Keeper” is the second showing from Jadakiss although he isn’t as
crisp and witty here. It’s Jada and I’m grateful.
No Security, for better or worse, serves as a platform to showcase D-Block, a
cadre of upstarts who The Lox feel we need to know. I’m not so certain.
No Security
Too many cooks; No definite recipe
a Keith Barbee piece!
I purchased this CD so now you don’t have to.
I bought the D-Block disc because of my love of Jadakiss, the fact that I ride with
Sheek Louch, and the little-known-fact that Styles P is nice when he wants to be. I
guess my love of The Lox aided and abetted my decision. D-Block, however, is
not The Lox. Not even close.
The word disappointing may be too harsh as there are diamonds in the rough. A
rare few. That rarity includes the album opener “So Much Trouble” featuring
Beanie Sigel. “Get That Paper” also makes that short list and is one of only two
tracks that even feature Jadakiss. That should have been omen enough.
Who said thugs can’t bounce? Obviously no one as “Get Ya Bounce On”
demonstrates. But just because you weren’t told, doesn’t mean that you didn’t
know. These dudes can hear!
“That’s D-Block” allows Bucky and Large Amount to shine- brightly. These two
seem to be the hungriest. You hear it in the cadence, the delivery, and the
content. Large Amount also proves his worth on “Hello” which features Red Café.
“Brother’s Keeper” is the second showing from Jadakiss although he isn’t as
crisp and witty here. It’s Jada and I’m grateful.
No Security, for better or worse, serves as a platform to showcase D-Block, a
cadre of upstarts who The Lox feel we need to know. I’m not so certain.
The Wendy Williams Show
Under the Big Top
a Keith Barbee piece!
Wendy Williams is over-the-top. Truly, she is. This is Ricki Lake in her prime. This, for
all intent and purpose, is a circus.
Two shows into her nationally syndicated show and Williams is, unapologetically, who
she has always been. Gossipmonger, Pop Culture Fanatic, and the title I’m sure she
loves- Queen of All Media.
The first show saw Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty) as both couch and musical guest.
Show two gave us Brooke Burke (Dancing With The Stars, season 7) and R&B upstart,
Jeremih. NeNe Leakes of Housewives of Atlanta takes to Wendy’s couch on the third
show.
Beyonce. Denzel. Ashton Kutcher. They are not found here. You see Wendy has made
a name for herself as a shit-talker of sorts. This is the same Wendy who spent the 90’s
on her own Salem witch hunt for “the gay rapper” and also has a notorious radio
interview with Whitney Houston that has been branded a classic!
A-list celebrities won’t be stopping by much. Possibly a Diddy here or a Kimora Lee
there. But that’s because those people, like Wendy, have larger-than-life personas.
And one has to be able to roll with Mrs. Wendy’s punches. And sometimes, she
punches hard. Speaking of Diddy, the rumor mill has often speculated that Diddy was
the reason Wendy was let go at popular New York radio station, Hot 97 and exiled to
Philadelphia radio before returning to WBLS 107.5 in the rotten apple.
Who knows? But despite the drama, confrontations, and rumors, Williams has become
her own brand. Radio (The Wendy Williams Experience), TV (Wendy Williams is on Fire
for VH1 and The Wendy Williams Experience), Publishing (most notably the New York
Times best seller, Wendy’s Got the Heat), and Liquor (Georges Veselle champagne).
She dreams big and goes hard.
But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t often come across clownish. On her new television
show, there are awkward moments where she doesn’t know which camera to look to,
doesn’t realize that her facial and hand movements can be distractions, reports false
information, and comes across tacky and crude.
However, those are issues that become perfect with practice. But something tells me
that Mrs. Wendy wouldn’t want it any other way. And to that I say- on with the show!
Under the Big Top
a Keith Barbee piece!
Wendy Williams is over-the-top. Truly, she is. This is Ricki Lake in her prime. This, for
all intent and purpose, is a circus.
Two shows into her nationally syndicated show and Williams is, unapologetically, who
she has always been. Gossipmonger, Pop Culture Fanatic, and the title I’m sure she
loves- Queen of All Media.
The first show saw Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty) as both couch and musical guest.
Show two gave us Brooke Burke (Dancing With The Stars, season 7) and R&B upstart,
Jeremih. NeNe Leakes of Housewives of Atlanta takes to Wendy’s couch on the third
show.
Beyonce. Denzel. Ashton Kutcher. They are not found here. You see Wendy has made
a name for herself as a shit-talker of sorts. This is the same Wendy who spent the 90’s
on her own Salem witch hunt for “the gay rapper” and also has a notorious radio
interview with Whitney Houston that has been branded a classic!
A-list celebrities won’t be stopping by much. Possibly a Diddy here or a Kimora Lee
there. But that’s because those people, like Wendy, have larger-than-life personas.
And one has to be able to roll with Mrs. Wendy’s punches. And sometimes, she
punches hard. Speaking of Diddy, the rumor mill has often speculated that Diddy was
the reason Wendy was let go at popular New York radio station, Hot 97 and exiled to
Philadelphia radio before returning to WBLS 107.5 in the rotten apple.
Who knows? But despite the drama, confrontations, and rumors, Williams has become
her own brand. Radio (The Wendy Williams Experience), TV (Wendy Williams is on Fire
for VH1 and The Wendy Williams Experience), Publishing (most notably the New York
Times best seller, Wendy’s Got the Heat), and Liquor (Georges Veselle champagne).
She dreams big and goes hard.
But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t often come across clownish. On her new television
show, there are awkward moments where she doesn’t know which camera to look to,
doesn’t realize that her facial and hand movements can be distractions, reports false
information, and comes across tacky and crude.
However, those are issues that become perfect with practice. But something tells me
that Mrs. Wendy wouldn’t want it any other way. And to that I say- on with the show!
| More reviews this week~ Jadakiss, Rick Ross, and more! Also, stay tuned for 'Conversation Piece' w/ Ashley Jefferson White this week as we discuss the long-awaited, new Maxwell disc. |