Sterling Simms is for grown folks; adults only. The Philadelphia born R&B singer's latest mixtape, Mary & Molly, is the soundtrack to the fast lane. Offering up a startling, wide-eyed peek into the steamy and sometimes scary world of fame, Mary & Molly feels like a sex-crazed haze, a raunchy emotional stupor fueled by the drugs this music is an ode to.
Having somewhat completed the full circle of Hip-Hop success (mixtapes, classic albums, built a label and an empire), many would believe that 50 Cent might finally walk away from the ferocious battleground on which he ran roughshod for years. But in between brokering deals, acting and setting up a charity to feed hungry children in third world countries, the G-Unit general announced that he would be teaming with the mixtape don DJ Drama to unleash another potent mix of gangsta tales and pulverising productions. Curtis aims to bring back G-Unit's glory days with The Lost Tape, a highly anticipated musical project which hopes to reaffirm his elite status in rap's rankings as well as ensure that there's still room for gangsta rap in today's market. It's put up or shut up time for a man who was one of Hip-Hop's most controversial acts for many years.
Dual personalities in Hip Hop have been around from the jump off. From Kool Keith to Redman to MF Doom, pseudonyms have allowed artists to express themselves in numerous ways, most often they are heralded for their uniqueness. Fast forward to 2010 and we find B.O.B aka Bobby Ray continuing with the trend. Having sprung forth in 2009 with the optimism-fuelled anthem 'In The Sky', May 25th aims to introduce the world to B.O.B’s dual personas - in addition to acting as a promotional tool as May 25th is the release date for his forthcoming album.
Singer/songwriter/producer/rapper Wyclef Jean is back with his new 13-track EP From The Hut To The Projects To The Mansion, assuming the alias Toussaint St Jean (inspired by the historical Haitian slave-to-revolutionary leader, Toussaint L’Overture, which you can see in essence with the warrior spirit of the album). Supporting this assertive album are some females who know how to hold their own: Lil Kim, Eve and an unexpected but effective collaboration with Cyndi Lauper; as well as a definite club banger with Timbaland, which has the super producer's signature all over it.