Tag Archives: Salaam Remi

2013 Grammy Awards: Hip-Hop Winners Receive Awards Too Early

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By Maurice Bobb

Despite letting LL Cool J serve as host, it’s apparent that the Grammys still has a problem with hip-hop. Case in point: most of the important awards were all awarded prior to the telecast.

Since rap’s most prestigious awards got no love during the broadcast, here’s a quick look at who took home the hardware. Drake, Young Jeezy and Jay-Z were all up for Best Rap Performance, but it was Hov and Kanye West, who opted to skip the show again this year, who won for “N—–s in Paris.”

Jay and ‘Ye also beat out Wale, Drake and Snoop Lion for Best Rap Song, winning again for “N—–s in Paris.” The biggest award, Best Rap Album went to Drake, over Rick Ross 2 Chainz and Lupe Fiasco, for Take Care. Drizzy celebrated his first ever Grammy win by dropping the video for his new single, “Started From The Bottom” last night during the telecast on his site.

The only hip-hop category that made it to air was Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, which went to Jigga, Yeezy, Frank Ocean and The Dream for “No Church in the Wild.” Hov provided the best one-liner of the night after forcing the Grammy producers to stop the “wrap it up” music to give his acceptance speech by pointing to Dream’s hat and saying, “I would like to thank the swap meet for his hat.”

As for R&B, newcomer Frank Ocean planted his flag by winning Best Urban Contemporary Album for Channel Orange, while Usher won Best R&B Performance for “Climax” and Beyonce won Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Love on Top.”

As for performances, hip-hop was only represented when LL Cool J closed the show with his new song “Whaddup” featuring Chuck D from his upcoming LP, Authentic, and, of course, Jay, who literally got up from his seat on cue to deliver his ostentatious lines from his collabo with Justin Timberlake’s “Suit & Tie” from his upcoming comeback album, The 20/20 Experience.

And then there’s the curious case of Nas. After garnering 13 nominations over his illustrious career, Esco still went home without a golden gramophone. Critics and fans alike hoped that the Illmatic MC would finally take home the gold for his stellar Life is Good CD, but it wasn’t meant to be.

“It’s not to get the Grammy stuff, but our vibe and mode even while recording the album was: We won already,” Salaam Remi said prior to the telecast. “It wasn’t that we won the Grammy. We won still being positive and forward with life in the first place.”

Nas Hasn’t Won A Grammy, Despite 13 Nominations

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Nas has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards thus far in his career, and while it seemed like Sunday would be the night he finally took home a trophy, the Queensbridge rapper still walked away empty handed.

Nasir’s critically acclaimed 10th LP Life is Good was nominated for Best Rap Album, while his single “Daughters” was up for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song, not to mention “Cherry Wine” (featuring Amy Winehouse) received a nod for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.

Fans were rooting for the hip-hop poet to go home with a big win, but it just wasn’t his night. Drake nabbed Best Rap Album with his sophomore LP Take Care, while The Throne cleaned up in most other rap categories. “If you look who’s won over the course of his career, there was always something a little shinier, a little bit more friendlier,” Nas’ producer Salaam Remi told MTV News of his Grammy drought. “He wasn’t the most commercial kid on the block, the most popular kid, but might’ve been the realest one.”

Though there must be some disappointment for Nas, Salaam Remi maintains that their music is still winning. “It’s not to get the Grammy stuff, but our vibe and mode even while recording the album was: We won already,” he said. “It wasn’t that we won the Grammy. We won still being positive and forward with life in the first place.”

[Album Reviews] Alicia Keys

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“Girl On Fire” finds the perfect balance of self-help and realized-romance.

Alicia Keys has released her fifth album Girl On Fire a little over a decade since she first came into recorded music prominence. The Hell’s Kitchen RB Singer-Songwriter went cross-genre in 2001 thanks in due part to her ability to add musicality to RB. It wasn’t anything new to the genre, but at the time it was something that wasn’t common. It was a well marketed intention of artistic integrity that earned Alicia Keys a record setting five Grammys in one night in 2002, and she’s delivered on the promise of being that year’s Best New Artist ever since.

With Girl On Fire, she continues along a “Best New Artist” vein. For the first time, Alicia heavily enlists the help of some of today’s popular songwriters (for every track except two): Emeli Sandé, Bruno Mars, John Legend, Babyface, and Frank Ocean. None of the collaborations backfire in the way they could. Alicia retains her signature style. Apart from the noticeable inclusions on the album, the noticeable absence from the Girl On Fire crew is Kerry Brothers. The acoustic production of every track except “Girl On Fire” and “A New Day” (respectively produced by Salaam Remi and Swizz Beatz) mark Kerry’s obvious exclusion.

Alicia’s songwriting turned inward since 2007′s As I Am. Songs about romance were paired with songs about realizing one’s purpose and the lessons of life mistakes. Girl On Fire finds the perfect balance of self-help and realized-romance. Take for instance the beautiful “Brand New Me” where she sings, “If I talk a little louder/If I speak up when you’re wrong/If I walk a little taller/I been under you too long” along with the Frank Ocean co-penned “One Thing” where the pair’s words come together in harmony. The Maxwell duet “Fire We Make” has the potential to be Alicia’s biggest single since the 2009 Drake pairing “Fireworks” – romantic, succinct, with an indelible RB melody. The album’s signature Alicia Keys moment, “Not Even The King,” is the most stripped down track that captures Alicia’s ability to carry simple production (think of how it felt listening to “If I Ain’t Got You” for the first time).

Upon first glance there’s an absence of radio singles on Girl On Fire, but aside from the strained vocals on the title track, A.Keys has delivered a subdued album. While Keys started by taking over the Pop charts, she’s slowly worked her way into an RB focus – it’s a welcome endeavor as she’s always been a true RB artist. Girl On Fire pushes her superb writing skills forward without losing what makes Alicia Keys the artist she promised to be 11 years ago.

Amy Winehouse Featured On Nas’ ‘Cherry Wine’ Single

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By Miranda Johnson

After nabbing a hit with their first collab “Like Smoke,” Nas can now be heard rapping alongside the late great Amy Winehouse on the single “Cherry Wine,” from his upcoming Life is Good LP. With Winehouse’s 1-year death anniversary approaching, hearing her soulful melodies combined with Nas’ lyricism on this tune is the ideal way to honor her legacy. Listen below.

On the Salaam Remi-produced track, both Nas and Amy fantasize about finding their soul mates, naming characteristics each partner will have. Nas brings just enough street vibes to the song, paired with Winehouse who powerfully knocks out the chorus, reminding us of the tragic loss the music world suffered with her passing last year.

“Where is he, the man who is just like me? I heard he was hiding somewhere I can’t see. And I’m alone, I realize that when I get home,” Amy belts throughout the chorus. Followed by Nas opening up the first verse rapping, “I want someone who likes the champagne I like. Someone to talk me off the bridge any day and night. She teach me how to live, she ain’t afraid of life. Not easily impressed with the rich and famous life Cause she done been there and heard all the rumors before. She love or she ride out with me on my music tour.”

Nas released another new track earlier this week called “Loco-Motive,” in which the Don continues to embrace his traditional ’90s rap style. The New York ode features Large Professor and is produced by No I.D.

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Nas Producer Compares Life is Good To Amy Winehouse, Fugees

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Despite having more than 20 years in the game and a number of classic albums already under his belt, Nas admitted to MTV News he’s “a little nervous” about completing his 10th solo album, Life is Good. Luckily, he has friends like producer Salaam Remi to reassure him.

When Nas and Salaam were putting the finishing touches on the album, the rapper admitted doubt started to creep in. “At this point when we’re mastering, I start to get a little nervous,” Nas told MTV News on June 12. “I start thinking about those records I could’ve, should’ve, would’ve done that didn’t make it.”

Remi, who worked with God’s Son on the majority of Life is Good, made it clear to Nas he has no doubts. The producer told him that the upcoming album reminded him of Amy Winehouse‘s 2006 breakout Back to Black and the Fugees’ 1996 Grammy Award-winning LP The Score. Sounds like a lofty comparison, but Salaam produced on both Winehouse’s and the Fugees’ classic albums, so he is an authority on the matter.

It’s not that Nas lacks confidence, but in the past he has been known to leave some pretty amazing records on the cutting-room floor. In fact, on 2002′s The Lost Tapes, he unearthed gems like the soulful “Doo Rags” and “No Idea’s Original.” For Life is Good, however, Nas firmly believes that he has all the right songs on there.

Last November, Salaam spoke with MTV’s Mixtape Daily and described his friend’s recording process. “It’s always way more songs, Nas’s process is that he really records a lot and goes through different ideas and gets to that point,” he said.

With Life is Good, the rap great thinks he has the right mix of tracks, however. “I feel like the record is definitely one of my more focused records,” he said. “It’s only the mastering part that I get nervous [about], because I’m like, ‘After it’s mastered, that’s it.’ “

Already Nasir has released “Nasty” and “The Don,” two street singles that are reminiscent of New York‘s mid-1990s hip-hop movement. His latest single, “Daughters,” is a reflective jewel where he examines his role as a dad. So far it sounds like Esco has a quality album on his hands and he doesn’t want to look back with any regrets. “Three years from now, when I’m listening to it, I don’t want to always think what I should’ve put on this record … just so it could be a complete piece of work,” he said. “But it is a complete piece of work.”

What are your expectations for Nas’ upcoming Life is Good LP? Tell us in the comments!

Usher Teases ‘Incredible,’ ‘Crazy’ Collabo With David Guetta And Ludacris

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Usher was out to make a statement with his latest album, and he seems to have achieved that. On his seventh studio effort, Looking 4 Myself, the RB star broadened his horizons, taking a chance on some new producers, which resulted in a unique — what he calls “revolutionary pop” — sound.

Teaming up with DJ/producers Swedish House Mafia and Salaam Remi, Usher enriched his genre-breaking sound on this album, especially with the artistic and sultry first single, “Climax,” produced by Diplo.

“I never would have imagined that me and Diplo would have created as much incredible music as we did,” Usher recently told MTV News. “However, I felt like he could get it, and just … the nights of going through the ideas and him being very humble in his approach. To be as successful as he is musically … he’s probably one of the most humble people that I’ve ever met and will sit there — I’m talking until 6 o’clock in the morning — off a melody that we’ve been working on all day, no words, just melody, and still be patient and still come back with a very positive vibe the next day.”

Usher also went back to producers he has worked with in the past including will.i.am, Rico Love and Max Martin. And with the massive success of last year’s “Without You,” many were hoping that David Guetta would collaborate on Looking 4 Myself. Well, fear not, fans, as Usher and Guetta have gone back into the studio together for what Usher promises will be another hit record.

“Well, there is another crazy record, that he, I and Luda [Ludacris] worked on,” Usher said. “I can’t tell you too much about it. I’ll tell you as much as he has: It’s incredible, it’s crazy.”

When we caught up with Ludacris recently at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, he revealed that this new track will actually be featured on his upcoming album, Ludaversal, which drops in September.

“That is definitely the track, absolutely,” Ludacris said. “I can’t tell you anything else, but that’s it. That’s all you need to know for now.”

Usher Had Plans To Record With Amy Winehouse

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It’s one of the great RB duets that never was. While Usher was working on his seventh studio album, Looking 4 Myself
, he was determined to take fans on a musical journey and experiment with sounds
 he’d never explored before.

So, in addition to teaming up with Diplo for the seductive lead single, “Climax,”
, as well as EDM giants Swedish House Mafia, Usher said he sought out producer Salaam Remi because he was very interested in doing a song with Remi protege, Amy Winehouse,
 before the singer died unexpectedly died at age 27 in July 2011. “We met and we talked about it for a moment when I saw her,” Usher said of a brief sit-down with the troubled crooner to discuss the potential soul summit.

“There was a few conversations that took place, but we never quite made it to it … I would have loved it.” One of those talks occurred while the unlikely duo were shopping at the ritzy London department store Selfridges. “I was shopping and she was doing some private shopping and she came out and we kind of crossed each other’s [paths] and, [I was like] ‘Is that Amy Winehouse?’ … And before you know it we talked and exchanged information and I invited her to a show … and she didn’t come.”

Winehouse was out of the country at the time and sent a relative to the gig in her stead, but that missed connection has stuck with Usher to this day. “It could have been one of the most incredible records ever,” he said. “A voice like that comes once in a lifetime.”

Usher still wanted to get in the studio with Remi, and though it was a hard time for the producer, the pair met in New York and worked it out. “The style and the sound that we worked, I felt would definitely compliment what he does as a producer and what I have to offer.”

The story that the two explored on “Sins of My Father” was a new one for Usher, who had never spoken about his feelings for his dad in song before. “That was a hard one, but he gave me a palette that really worked.”

Usher’s Looking 4 Myself Represents An ‘Evolution’

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Usher‘s seventh studio album may be titled Looking 4 Myself, but judging from the sound of his latest effort, he’s found what he’s looking for. Although the musical landscape has drastically changed over the years, unlike most artists, Usher has consistently evolved with it. He takes some risks with this album, and let’s face it: He’s earned the right to do just that.

Usher has called his latest album’s sound “revolutionary pop” and that’s exactly what it is. Looking 4 Myself takes his fans on a musical journey that has the singer experimenting with different sounds and working with different producers, but at the same time sticking with what he does best — making infectious music that gets people on their feet and in the clubs.

Usher himself admits that this album is unlike anything he’s done, and he recently told MTV News that he credits his life experiences as the real inspiration behind this new sound.

“It is an experience that was kind of based off of the places that I’ve gone and the music that I’ve listened to, the styles that I’ve been inspired by and also some of the emotions that I’ve been able to feel,” Usher said. “You know, for me, every album should represent kind of an evolution. The last three years of my life have been extremely experimental in style, lifestyle, in music and in fun. I travel to different places, met and sat with different artists, made a lot of friends, and in doing that I created new music.”

One can tell that Usher took his time with this album, meticulously picking out each beat and working with producers he’s never worked with before. He teamed up with Diplo, who produced the bold, artistic lead single, “Climax,” Swedish House Mafia and the late Amy Winehouse‘s producer, Salaam Remi. Mixing these new producers with veterans like will.i.am, Max Martin and Pharrell, Usher found himself with a sound that mixes retro, electro and RB.

“I think when making this album, it was about what felt good. After I had an understanding of different styles, I began to find the music that I felt comfortable with, even though it was a little bit different,” Usher said. “I would find the melody and the emotion in it, most of the time it’s a beat, it’s a beat on the guitar or the piano, and then the melody finds its way and then the words begin to find a way. A lot of them came from travel so I thought back to where I was, kind of took my mental diary out and began to take myself back to that experience to what I think the people were experiencing or what I felt in that moment.”

Looking 4 Myself drops Tuesday, June 12.

Are you excited for Usher’s album? Let us know in the comments.

779b0 spotted Ushers <i>Looking 4 Myself</i> Represents An Evolution

Usher Makes Fans ‘Scream’ With New Dance Single

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With nine #1s, Usher is easily one of the most reliable hitmakers in the game, and he may have just found his next smash hit. The RB superstar released his latest single, “Scream,” on Thursday (April 26), and it has chart-topper written all over it.

The Max Martin-produced banger finds Usher in familiar territory, singing the virtues of living for the moment — just as he did on 2010′s “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love,” which was also helmed by Martin. With a pounding beat and a massive, swelling hook, the song returns Usher to the club after his recent foray into slow-jam territory with “Climax,” the Diplo-produced first single from his forthcoming Looking for Myself.

“I see you over there, so hypnotic Thinking ’bout what I do to that body/ I get you like ooh baby baby,” Ush sings. “Got no drink in my hand/ But I’m wasted/ Getting drunk off the thought of you naked/ I get you like ooh baby baby.”

In addition to his own new album, Usher also recently hit the studio with David Guetta to record a follow-up to their hugely successful collaboration “Without You.” Usher made a surprise appearance during Guetta’s set at Coachella on April 14.

“These are really big records that we’re working on right now,” Guetta told The Hollywood Reporter of his new track with Ush. “It’s really crazy.”

Head to our Newsroom blog to see why it’s time for an Usher greatest-hits album.

Looking for Myself is set for release on June 12 and is expected to be released in both standard and deluxe editions. The album is Usher’s follow-up to his 2010 smash Raymond v. Raymond, which produced the massive singles “OMG” and “There Goes My Baby.”

For his new record, Usher returned to work with many of his Raymond collaborators, including Rico Love and Jim Jonsin, as well as Diplo, Martin and Salaam Remi, who is best known for his work with Nas and the late Amy Winehouse.

Are you excited about Usher’s new album? Let us know in the comments below!

Nas’ 10th Album Life Is Good Due In July

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By Rob Markman

Nas released his last solo album Untitled four years ago, and on July 17, the Queensbridge legend will finally drop his 1oth studio LP Life Is Good. “It’s been a long time; it’s been years since I released a solo studio album, so this record is everything,” Nas told MTV News in March. “This is everything that I’ve got to say — I guess you’ve got to live a little and you put that in your music, so it’s coming from my life.”

Since his classic 1994 debut Illmatic, Nas has stood as one of rap’s premier artists. Though he has grown from a local New York prospect to a global icon, God’s Son has managed to stay true to his Big Apple hip-hop roots. On last summer’s single “Nasty,” the much-revered MC rode atop a break-beat-inspired rap production that was reminiscent of rap’s golden era of the late 1980s. The album’s second official release, “The Don,” follows a similar path and even features production from the late Heavy D, as well as Salaam Remi and Da Internz.

Earlier this month, Nas was the subject of VH1′s “Behind the Music” series, and it was there that the usually private rap star opened up about some pretty personal subjects. Esco and those close to him gave backstory to Nas’ epic battle with one-time rap foe Jay-Z and spoke on the death of the rapper’s mother and his messy divorce from RB singer Kelis.

One thing that Nas didn’t expound on, however, is his recent tax troublewith the I.R.S. It has been reported that the rapper owes more than $6 million in back taxes. He will wait until his album is released to address that subject. “My side of the story is on the record and I speak about it on the record,” he said when he appeared on “RapFix Live” in late March.

Before his July 17 release, Nas will drop another single. The No I.D-produced “Daughters” will drop on May 1, while the video for “The Don” is scheduled to premiere April 27.

Are you looking forward to Nas’ Life is Good? Tell us in the comments!

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