John Legend - If You're Out There - John Legend

“We're the generation / We can't afford to wait / The future started yesterday and we're already late”

Good isn’t it? Billboard News calls it an “anthemic call-to-action and evocation of human potential”. John Legend will debut his song “If You’re Out There” tonight (Aug. 25) at the Democratic National Convention at Denver’s Pepsi Center. The song was produced by Trevor Horn and Devo Springsteen. It features the Agape Choir, and will be available via www.my.barackobama.com/johnlegend after the performance but can be purchased now via i-Tunes.

The song is taken from John Legend’s upcoming studio album “Evolver” due for release on October 28, through Columbia Records. “Green Light” (feat. Andree 3000) the album’s first single and video clip have already been released.

Paper Planes - M.I.A. - Paper Planes

“I Fly like Paper, Get High like Planes”

An Ordinary Joe here, with my thoughts on “Paper Planes” the hit song by M.I.A, The UK born Singer/Songwriter/Producer and Visual Artist of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam a.k.a. “M.I.A.” released her sophomore album “Kala” in August 2007. The album’s third single “Paper Planes” had some success, but it has been brought back into the spotlight thanks to its play in the trailer for the new stoner comedy “Pineapple Express”.

The song which has been covered by Rihanna is not for the faint at heart with talks of selling weed, the tune of gunshots and lines like “Some I murder, some I let go”. The song also carries tales of M.I.A’s troubles getting a visa. Because of this most of her album was not recorded in the US; however “Paper Planes” was recorded in Bedstuy, Brooklyn. “Paper Planes” has rocketed to the #6 position on the Billboard Hot 100 and was labeled the “Sales Gainer” last week. M.I.A’s talent, unique style and originality truly define her music, which serves as a warp back to a tough youth and a regular ole' “Fugees” right of passage (tell me you know who the 'Fugees' are).

There has been controversy over whether or not the song has terrorist connotations. Mathangi’s father who was known as Arular (title of her first album) was a founding member of a Sri Lankan Tamil Militant Group called EROS which has been associated with the LTTE in the past. The LTTE has been classified as a terrorist organization by a number of countries. Their symbol is the tiger, which allegedly appears in the video at some point. It seems the movie and song have affected some more than others because, according to TMZ.com co-star of the movie “Pineapple Express” Craig Robinson has been charged with three (3) felony drug counts.

Here's the Video...

Just Stand Up - Cancer Benefit - Just Stand Up

“L.A.” Reid and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds are teaming up for the first time in 20 years, to produce arguably the biggest collaboration in recent years.

If names like Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Fergie, Sheryl Crow, Miley Cyrus, Melissa Etheridge, Ashanti, Natasha Bedingfield, Keyshia Cole, Ciara, Leona Lewis, LeAnn Rimes and Carrie Underwood have you jumping when they’re solo, prepare yourself for when all of these ladies are dropping vocals on one track. The song will be called “Just Stand Up” and will raise funds for the Stand Up to Cancer Foundation.

The song will be released exclusively on i-Tunes on September 2, 2008. Also, the “Just Stand Up” TV special will air live and commercial free on the networks of CBS, NBC and ABC simultaneously on September 5, 2008, during which the song will make its TV debut. Stars confirmed to make appearances and answer phones during the show include Jennifer Aniston, Christina Applegate, Lance Armstrong, Abigail Breslin, David Cook, Fran Drescher, Kirsten Dunst, Elizabeth Edwards, America Ferrera, Neil Patrick Harris, Salma Hayek, Scarlett Johansson, Casey Affleck, Danica Patrick, Christina Ricci, Robin Roberts, Homer Simpson, Marge Simpson, Meryl Streep, Hilary Swank, Charlize Theron, Forest Whitaker and Reese Witherspoon. The show will also feature network news anchors Charles Gibson, Katie Couric and Brian Williams, who will report on potentially life-saving research and speak with cancer patients and scientists. Make sure to tune in.

The music project is said to have been the brainchild of “L.A.” Reid (Chairman of Island Def Jam Music Group) after he met with the women behind the Stand Up to Cancer Foundation.

Plies' Definition of Real - Comment Response - Plies' Definition of Real

We the two Ordinary Joes have decided to write a response to a comment posted on our Review of Plies’ album “Definition of Real”.

“There are two types of opinion that come from veterans: Wise opinions and Bias opinion”- Unknown.

Ryan brought up a good point when he said, “Now out of LL and ice-t whose perspective of hip-hop is right?". I have two ways to dismiss your stance although I do respect it. Firstly, Ice T said that Souljah Boy can eat a dick because he's killing Hip Hop. We have to look at what it means to "kill Hip Hop". Remember in the 70’s it was a new type of music and was being deemed garbage for years due to its 'simplicity' and 'negativity'. Fast forward 30 years, due to artist like Jay-z, Tupac, Nas, Common, Mos Def, etc., who brought technique, style, deep themes, and so on to the genre, it was considered music. Now fast forward 8 years to today. With artist rapping worst than Mother Goose and Doctor Seuss, they are destroying the progress that was made by the pioneers of Hip Hop. That’s where Ice T is coming from with his stance.

“Ladies Love Cool J’s" stance was more subjective to what his taste in music may be. Maybe seeing Souljah Boy as a new artist reminds him of himself, which makes him compare this 'New hip hop' to 'old hip hop' when LL Cool J first began. What ever it maybe, doesn't cancel the fact that Souljah boy (along with others that are too much to name) is not merely stunting Hip Hop, but is retrogressing it back to the Genesis stage of infancy. Rap is music. Rap isn't what you "can't say to people in a normal" conversation. Nonsense is what you choose not to say to people in a regular conversation. Hip Hop is music that has a meaning. In no other type of music do you hear people just talking about what they have on and who they're f*ckin and how good they can rap. Have you ever heard a singer sing about how good he or she can sing....? I have nothing else to say.

Ordinary Joe I must say, that was a lot of food for thought, but it’s my turn now. Ryan, I can argue the fact that everyone is a teacher in their own right; we all impact the lives of others and consequently pass on our practices and ideals whether intentionally or not. Now with that in mind, I’m sure you can agree that a rapper with a nearly Billboard Hot 200 topping album is teaching the world’s youth just a little more than we would like him to, with lyrics like “I Got her Trained, Now She Suck Me With Ice”. I can say that you were almost right in your opinion that “Rap is really what u can't say to people in a normal” conversation…why? Because I think you view rap as a chance to freely express ones thoughts without fear of persecution, however I must agree with Ordinary Joe in that “Rap is Music”. All music is freedom of expression, the themes of modern Hip Hop however have gotten so outlandish, that it has desensitized some people to the fact most of what these kids rap about is unacceptable anyway.

Also to touch one issue, the fact that LL Cool J has survived in the industry for so long. The Hip Hop industry has changed just as much as LL Cool J has changed over his career; he has to do what sells now; as every musician so often learns. Therefore, naturally he would make himself more susceptible to accepting a “new hip hop” and its fall from grace. Mind you, I’m not saying that Ice-T was right to tell Soulja Boy to “eat a dick”, but I sit back and understand that they have a right to an opinion, only expressing mine when necessary.

Link to "Definition of Real" Review

Jonas Brothers - A Little Bit Longer - Jonas Brothers

“Baby, who turned the temperature hotter? Cause I’m burnin’ up, burnin’ up for you baby,” a phrase reminiscent of our teen years. The third studio album of the Jonas Brothers “A Little Bit Longer” is released today and is expected to do very well thanks to the well oiled record market Disney has developed for itself. In an industry full of free downloads and internet leaks, Disney has somehow guaranteed itself the sales of hundreds of thousands of copies of their tween artists’ albums thanks to heavy marketing in the prepubescent to pubescent spectrum.

In this album we go from the “You gotta be be good to me” a line from the opening song on the album “Be Be Good”. To the three part harmony laden “Love Bug”. The guitar and shouts of “One Man Show” sound less like kiddie pop, and more like underground rock. I must admit though, I couldn’t bear to listen to the whole track. The brothers do a good job of expressing the surge of emotions teenagers go through with puberty and all. One minute they’re crying their hearts of out to simply hold a girl’s hand; although this innocence questionable, and the other their saying “I’m a One Man Show, I don’t need no one.” “A Little Bit Longer” that last and arguably the best track on the album, is Nick Jonas going solo, singing about his battle with Diabetes, through genuinely touching lyrics.

The album was placed on MTV’s The Leak on August 5, 2008, where fans checked it out before they go out to purchase it today. Also, synonymous to their first album under Hollywood Records, this album will be released in CDVU+ format.

The Ordinary Joes give “A Little Bit Longer” a “C”, for a good mix of pop and rock, keeping it clean and a sure hit amongst JB fans.