Melt in Your Ears: Robin Thicke’s RollaCoasta & Ryan Leslie’s Adidas Ad

Even though Robin Thicke made a string of promotional appearances on various talk shows (including David Letterman) with Nikki Minaj for their song, Shakin’ it for Daddy (I wasn’t a big fan…), Robin decided to release Rollercoasta featuring Estelle as his second official single (International markets only) from his fourth studio album Sex Therapy. While Rollercoasta will only be released for International markets,  the Single  Its In The Morning featuring Snoop Dogg will be released as the US single. Robin just finished filming the video recently.

Rollacoasta is a good look for International markets since the song has a funky futuristic vibe. Also Estelle is always a good choice when trying to reach an overseas audience. Do ya’ll like this? I think its hot!

Sidenote: Thicke’s Sex Therapy is a solid album that finds him branching out and trying some new sounds. If you haven’t already, Cop that ish!!

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“I ain’t sure about commitment, but I could sure use the company”

Well, at least he’s honest… Ryan Leslie, teaming up with Adidas for their new campaign called Adidas Originals, recorded a new song called When I think About Love. Ryan plays a snippet of the song in this promotional video of him decked out in Adidas gear singing on the streets of NYC. Being a Marketing major, this is the kind of Advertisement I can get into. And the song is catchy too!  Check it out!

ChokLitFactory Exclusives: Top R&B Albums of 2009 + Producers of the Year

In addition to the top songs of 2009, we added a list of the top albums as well as the top producers that kept the unique beats coming this year. We are going to keep these lists pretty short & sweet and in no particular order.

Top 10 R&B Albums of 2009

Maxwell – Black MidSummer’s Night

Mariah Carey – Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel

TheDream – Love Vs Money

Chrisette Michelle – Epiphany

R.Kelly – Untitled

Alicia Keys –  The Element of Freedom

Pleasure P – The Introduction of Marcus Cooper

Ryan Leslie – Transition

Trey Songz – Ready

Whitney Houston – I Look to You

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R&B Producers/Songwriters of the Year:

The Dream & Tricky Stewart – These are the official go-to guys for Urban Pop & R&B these days. You want a hit record? You hit up these two. 2009 was no different for the Producing pair who racked up hit records for Fabolous (Throw it in the Bag), Snoop Dogg (Gangsta Love), Rihanna (Hard) and Mariah’s full album. We will definitely be hearing more from this pair in 2010.

Los Da Mystro – One of my favorite producers, Los has recently branched out from doing songs for TheDream, producing R.Kelly’s Like I Do and Trey Songz’ I Invented Sex. You may also remember Los’ work from the Dream’s Walking on the Moon, Rockin That Sh*t and My Love.

Ryan Leslie – Not only is Ryan Leslie an incredibly gifted artist and songwriter, he is an amazing producer as well. Aside from producing his dedicated work on Transition, Leslie has also contributed tracks to Chris Brown’s Famous Girl and Mary J. Blige’s Said and Done for 2009.

ChokLitFactory Exclusives: Top 25 Songs of 2009 Part II

So we hit you with the first 15 hot ones of 2009, and now we have the top 15. This group of songs are a bit more uptempo and more well-known songs from either veteran artists or  newcomers who broke through with a hit record. Included in the list of newcomers is Keri Hilson who rose from her role as a resident songwriter to being a resident hit -maker and artist. Melanie Fiona also made a name for herself in 2009, hoping to make an even bigger name for herself in 2010. But instead of me spoiling the suspense, keep reading the find out who makes it to number one!

14. The Dream – Rockin’ that Shit – TheDream is another artist who had a great year professionally and personally. Not only did he marry his pregnant sweetie, Christina Milian, he was promoted over at Def Jam due to his ability to score hits for Def Jam’s many artists. In 2010 TheDream will release his last solo album *tear* Love King. Rockin That Shit was the ish when it was released early last year. Heavy syths and a thumping bass complement Terius’ soft vocals. TheDream can create a melody like a beast and this song exhibits this. And if you don’t remember, the remix to this song was even better.

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13. K’Jon – Oceans – Detroit native K’Jon scored a big hit with his serene feel-good song Oceans. In it, K’Jon uses the metaphor of sailing with reaching one’s goals and happiness in life. A very nice song, with some nice vocals from K’Jon.

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12. Keri Hilson, Kanye West & Ne-Yo – Knock you Down – We predicted this song would be Keri’s last chance to hit it big and that’s just what happened. Knock You Down is Keri’s biggest hit to date, in North America and abroad. Alongside the Chris Robinson-directed video with guests Kanye and Ne-Yo making appearances, this song helped solidify Keri as a force in the Industry to be reckoned with.

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11. Dirty Money – Love Come Down – Diddy has really been feeling himself musically lately. While working on his latest album, Last Train to Paris, he hooked up with former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard and singer/songwriter Kaleena to form the group, Dirty Money. Since their formation, the group has been releasing some really promising music, the best being Love Come Down, a homage to the Total days of Bad Boys with Kaleena providing some sexy vocals over a banging beat and a Jay-Z sample from H to the Izzo.

Keep reading for the remainder of the list!

ChokLit’s Choice: Ryan Leslie

I knew Ryan Leslie released a new album last year, but sadly I did not see any promotion for the album or for its two released singles, You’re Not My Girl and I Choose You. Recently I added I Choose You to  the ChokLitpod and its been in heavy rotation. So much so that I had to do a post on this guy. Ryan is consistently making some stellar music. The Washington, D.C-based singer/songwriter/producer has made enormous leaps and bounds musically and artistically since he emerged behind the production scenes of his ‘star’ artist, Cassie. Since then, we have been able to witness his growth as an Artist.

I Choose You is one of those songs that blends the music with the lyrics seamlessly and perfectly. Over solo keyboards and violins, Ryan sings,

You introduce me to life, that I’ve never known
When I’m by your side that’s when I’m feeling home
And my only attempt is to make you smile, I promise…

Over the others, over my pride
Cuz you’re the best thing, in my life
I choose you
I choose you

Ryan Leslie – I Choose You

The song is 2 min and 50 seconds of subtle brilliance. Leslie’s album Transition was released only 9 months after his debut solo album Ryan Leslie in 2009. Transition was written, produced and arranged by Leslie who crafted it following a relationship he had in the Summer of 2009, with a woman he met while at rehearsal.

Also check out his video for You’re Not My Girl. It features a fresh take on lighting and colors, as well as some some interesting dance moves by Leslie. One of the dancers in the video, the female with the blond in her hair was also one of the principle dancers on the set of Trish’s video for  Best Day of My Life. She is from Toronto. Check the video out!

Butta of the Week: Fabolous & some R&B Cats do it Loso’s Way

TheDream, Fabolous & Christina Milian on set of the video. Tank tops now, huh Dream?

Fabolous aka LOSO has been making quite a few guest appearances lately, appearing with notable R&B artists like Brutha, Ryan Leslie and TheDream to add some Brooklyn flava to their songs. Now its Loso’s turn to eat.  His new ablum is titled, Loso’s Way. Here is the video for the lead single, Throw it in the Bag, featuring TheDream. The Erick White-directed video is bright and lively, and its fun for a hip hop track. I actually like the song. Fab is the perfect Ladies’ Rapper; he’s slick, handsome and has the rap skills to back it up. And TheDream is the new R.Kelly as far as hip hop collabs go. So this partnerships works really well. I believe the lead girl is Claudia Jordan, a model who last appeared on Celebrity Apprentice.

*SideNote: I don’t quite understand the end of the video…is she under arrest or no? Or out on bail? Anyways, check it out!

ChokLitFactory Exclusive: Top 25 R&B Songs of 2008 Part II

 My apologies for the late post. Life is working me hard right about now…But lets keep this moving.

Last post, we had Ne-Yo, Trey Songz and Lloyd holding their own on the list. While Beyonce and Keyshia Cole held it down for the ladies. Now we’ll get more upbeat as the next set of songs showcase songs that had us Rockin that thang up in the clubs. We’ll start things off with a ChokLitFactory fave, Mr. Nash.

*Players are fixed! They should play fine now!

17 – The Dream feat. Young Jeezy  – I Luv Your Girl Remix

#17

This track released as TheDream’s 3^rd single was a monster hit for Mr. Nash. Me, having the privilege of being in the ATLfor the summer of the song’s release, can attest to the hit factor of this song. The chorus was catchy as sin and the playful “Ahhh…Ah Ah Ah Ah!!” sent ladies everywhere in a tizzy up in the clubs.

TheDream feat. Young Jeezy – I Luv Your Girl

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16 – Slim feat. Ryan Leslie & Fabolous – Good Lovin’ 

#16

Ryan Leslie is a friend to the ChokLitFactory in my mind; gotta give respect where respect is due. And Slim is well known as well, for his uniquely soft voice and his success with the former R&B Group, 112. So this song already contains two of my favourite artists. The groove is sexy and plays well against Slim’s vocals. Def a hit!

Slim feat. Ryan Leslie, Fabolous – Good Lovin
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ChokLitFactory Exclusive: Top 25 R&B songs of 2008 Part I

This is EPIC! So big…we needed 3 posts!

So, this list is a bit dated, I know. Most people start to post these around December or, more appropriately, January of the New Year. So I am slow on this, but better late than never! 2008 wasn’t the best year in R&B, but it wasn’t the worst either. The good news is that we had some good, solid efforts from newcomers like TheDream, Estelle, Jennifer Hudson and Jazmine Sullivan. Also, the veterans made sure they kept at the top of their game; Alicia gave a solid, soulful effort, Beyonce gave us two sides to her personality to dance to and Usher made a late, great entry with Trading Places, off his Here I Standflop (sorry, Ush). Also, the sophomore slump didn’t affect the homies Trey Songz, who introduced us to his more hip-hop-influenced side; Lyfe Jennings who brought some more up-tempos cuts with his third release and Raheem Devaughn, who started off 2008 with his hit, Customer.

Other notables include the ever-changing Erykah Badu, Solange, with her impressive sophomore album, Solange and the Hadley Street Dreams and Raphael Saadiq’s critically acclaimed, The Way I see it. It was hard to keep the Hip Hop out, so forgive me for sneaking some T-Pain and Weezy up in there! Enjoy! Didn’t agree? Then speak on it!!

**Update: All Some of my wonderful links aren’t currently working. You can hover around the link to get the player to open up in another window, then press play from there. Sorry for inconvience 😦

25 – Joe – Why just be friends

#25

Joe struggled to get some attention in the‘08 with his new effort, New Man. But this lead single was a welcome treat with Joe’s airy vocals and the song’s slinky, sexy beats.

Joe – Why Just be Friends (click link)

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24 – Beyonce – Ego

Beyonce came at us strong with her newest album, I am…Sasha Fierce, but her album was very mainstream and pop-driven. Luckily, Ego is one track ChokLit Heads can get down to. With cocky lyrics like, “I talk like this ‘cuz I can back it up! I got a big Ego…” and the song’s old-school R&B feel, it is definitely a standout track from her current effort. Take note.

Beyonce – Ego

Sweet Tooth: Ryan Leslie

The maaaaaaaan right now..

Ryan Leslie released his second album about a week ago to some decent numbers (according to his Twitter, he’s been selling out all over NYC). He is pretty much rivalling Diddy right now for the biggest self-promoter.  By now, you must have seen at least one of his unique YouTube vids where he shows how he crafts his great songs. They are CRAZY. They really make you appreciate the song much more, in my opinion. I became a fan when I watched the Making of Addiction – one of my fave songs of 2008 btw (the LIST is comin ya’ll). As soon as I get my ish together, I will write up an official ChokLit review of his new album. But so far, from what I’ve heard, album sounds Bananas!

Read MORE!!