"Color Me Bad...Kaleidoscope!" -Miguel's Newest Release Debuts In Brooklyn

I'm STILL kicking myself that I missed his show at the Bowery Ballroom last night, but the Gods have smiled on me, cause I'm hearing that Miguel will be at Brooklyn Bowl TONIGHT! which is right im my beloved home boro so the cab fare home will be cheaper! LOL! His album was just released a couple of hrs ago, so tonight will play out as an album release party of sorts. You can thank me now.

Miguel -- 2012 Tour Dates
Oct. 2 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Bowl
Oct. 3 - Brooklyn, NY - Basement Mix Records
Oct. 4 - Los Angeles, CA - Amoeba Music
Oct. 5 - Mississippi, MS - Mississippi State - Jacob Allen Student Center
Oct. 6 - Indianapolis, IN - Lucas Oil Stadium
Oct. 10 - Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theatre
Oct. 11 - Baltimore, MD - Morgan State University
Oct. 12 - Nashville, TN - Limelight
Oct. 13 - Gainesville, FL - University of Florida Center for Performing Arts
Oct. 15 - Petersburg, VA - Virginia State University - Daniels Gymnasium

"Wave Ya Hands, If You Feel Me!" -Top Ten Things You'll Likely Hear At An R&B Concert

Every year I attend my fair share of live music outings that one can take in. But after a few, you start to see (or hear in this case) a common pattern shared among each and every artist performing. So if you go to a TON of concerts like I do, OR you're an up & coming singer and need a on stage dialogue "how to" here's a list of on stage cliches'

1. "Sound man, can you turn the sound/my mic up a lil' bit in the monitors?"
2. "How many single ladies in the house tonight?"
3. "If you know the song sing along OR clap your hands!"
4. "I heard [name the city] had the livest crowd!"
5. In the middle or end of the show, name each band member
6. Mention you have a new album that's coming out or IS out.
7. Ask "How many of you got the latest album?" then joke "Now how many of you downloaded the bootleg?"
8. Point to random chick in the crowd and say "This song is for YOU!"
9. The crowd randomly shouts out songs that they wanna hear the artist perform.
10. Artist teases "This is my LAST song for the night." only to come back to do a THREE more songs!

Leave a comment OR e-mail me if you think of any I might've forgotten (LOL) TheMreport@gmail.com Thank you and GOODNIGHT! *drops mic & raises hands!

"Don't Put This Channel On Mute!" -Frank Ocean's Channel Orange Review

With all the controversy surrounding his sexuality Frank Ocean finally revels the thing that's most dear to him...his artwork! He may NEVER gets the public's full acceptance now that he's prematurely outed himself due to a "him" mentioned in a lyric. But he's probably want you to accept his music. Dude is TALENTED! Frank takes Musiq's vocal styling, Prince's detailed story telling, Stevie's vision, but his own makes them all HIS own! He'll never be remembered as the great vocalist of our time, but he's a BEAST with his lyrics! I wished...I'm sorry PRAY that more artist take is lead and create something outside of "stripper slow jams." The album sorta reminds me of when I first heard Andre' 3000's (do does a guest spot on the album) Love Below release, but not as funky. Channel plays out like a sonic journal/diary that you happen to come across and read. OR a laid back part two to his  Nostalgia, Ultra joint.  I.E. it'll be a while maybe on a road trip /airplane cross country listen that you get the canvas Ocean is painting. You may have to stand further back to see the bigger picture. Allow me to breakdown what you're expected to hear. [SPOILER ALERT]

1.START -no lyrically album intro of him starting up a Playstation3 as his iPhone message alert goes off in the background. I can't make out what game he was playing though...SORRY!

2.THINKING OF YOU -Now COME ON! I know you've heard this one before right? Any respectable Frank Ocean fans should have this on there iPod by now! Even Bieber covered this song! You DO know who THAT is right? DOPE song by the way, Youtube heavy!

3.FERTILIZER -10 seconds of channel surfing then a happy go 70's style song kicks in about using the sh** life hands you as well...fertilizer. Hey, it's only 40 sec. long, so bear it.

4.SIERRA LEONE -Young teenage parents dealing with a new born basically. Short as well.

5.SWEET LIFE -Again I know you've heard this one...like LAST week even! Awesome Stevie Wonder vibe on this one with the assistance of Pharrell on production. Not sure if this is a "second single" (Pyramids being the 1st), but I f**ks with it.

6.NOT JUST MONEY -Eavesdropped convo from a "mom" sounding female about finding happiness in things other than money. A perfect set up for...

7.SUPER RICH KIDS -The "white people with money problems" anthem.  I can see the Kardashians bumping this HARD!

8.PILOT JONES -The get high cut of the bunch (get it "pilot" ) more interlude than full song. It ends with a plane landing right into...

9.CRACK ROCK -Yep another druggie song, but a precautionary one! DOPE! No pun intended (well maybe) This is like a modern Sly & the Family Stone joint to me. It's the drum track probably, but I'm not mad at it at all.

10.PYRAMIDS -One of my favs off the album so far! Kinda sounds like a Watch The Throne leftover (which ISN'T a bad thing). It's LONG but great from start to finish. Been singing this one in my head since it came out (...like him LOL!) Part two of the song is dope how the flips how women went from queens living IN pyramids to strippers WORKING in a club called the Pyramid! GENIUS!

11.LOST -Ocean's attention to detail on this would outshine any of your favorite rapper out right now! Not a stand out track to me (maybe on a second or third listen) but again...his lyrics are it!

12.WHITE -Straight instrumental Ocean track, with John Mayer's guitar styling on top of it basically, Nothing to see...here move along. Though I did find it funny that he would put a guy who openly said quote "My dick is sort of like a white supremacist. I've got a Benetton heart and a fuckin' David Duke cock. I'm going to start dating separately from my dick." unquote, on a song titled "WHITE" LOL. Ironic huh?

13.MONKS -A Frank Ocean version of a Janelle Monae' song I feel coming from this. Again not a banger banger but I'm not hating on it. I'd rather listen to...

14.BAD RELIGION -His "Purple Rain" of the album. Listen for the "I could never make HIM love me" line that started all the gay whispers.  It's really short, but it's there to serve the exact purpose that it did. BTW I wonder if the "If I'm on my knees, it's s bad religion" was a gayer line then the "him" reference. I'm just sayin'

15.PINK MATTER -DOPE quiet track with a DOPE verse from "Mr. 3 Stacks" himself! On here he questions his sexual choices "...pink used to be my favorite color, now its just grey matter" queer but awesome lyrical line.  I even dig the duet crooning that he and Dre' do towards the end...brilliant!

16.FORREST GUMP - the last to his bi-sexual clue dropping comes with his most blunt lyric of them all. "Boy you forever running through my mind" If that isn't an all out declaration then you my friend have a closeted mind. I dig the sound bites of "Run Forrest, run!" thrown in in the background...nice touch!

17.END -Just a car radio version of "VOODOO" (one of) my favorite Frank Ocean tracks. which i wish was longer (hmmmph).  Ending with a hazy conversation and a "it is what it is" break up.

So ummm yeah that's it folks. That pretty much sums things up over here. I think the album is his "emo" release like 'Ye had with 808 Heartbreak and now that "it's" off his chest, it's be back to biz as usual. He's already proven himself twice over with his short body of work that's out there in the world. But like every TRUE artist the music message matters first before the sale that HOPE to get. S**t the controversy may even help him sell MORE!

"It's A LEAP Year! New Year's Eve Is TONIGHT!"- Some Last Minute Goodies For You Kids

Man this year is flying by FAST! It seems like just yesterday that we were 700 deep in Brooklyn toasting the New Year coming in. And now look at it, it's New Year's Eve ALL OVER AGAIN! But wait...you say it's on July? Well then tell that to the 600 folks that RSVP'd for tonight's "CREW LOVE" 4th Anniversary event. I have a feeling that the fireworks for the fourth will be INDOORS this year! LOL! No seriously, TONIGHT is looking type MAJOR as far as the expected turnout for our 4th year celebrating the social life crew called the Block Association aka the Block Boys. And if you've been partying with us since the start YOU KNOW how important tonight will be for us. It' like having a second b'day every year. Anyways indie women's clothing brand RUE 107 will be joining us toasting their anny as well! Their 2nd to be exact. So you KNOW I had to do a remix to the trailer video right! Bad Boy style! Take that take that take that! So there's that below AND today is NEW MUSIC TUESDAY so we're finally releasing the highly anticipated original soundtrack that downloadable HERE! You straight now? Cool! Good, we'll see you guys later TONIGHT!

"(Crew) Love Makin' Music!" - CREW LOVE Soundtrack Song List Leaked!!!

To be released late Monday/Tues. I got my hands on the exclusive track listing for the Block Boys inspired "CREW LOVE" 4th Anniversary soundtrack! Each member submitted two tracks each that they individually felt embodied the Block Boy lifestyle. And BOY is it an interesting collection! So without further ado in no particular order, here's the breakdown on what you'll be expected to hear. Hope to see to at the "release party" @AJNA BAR on Tues. night! LOL!

1. FREI SPEECH picked-
"Gotta  Have it" -Jay-Z & Kanye West & 
"King Tut" Busta Rhymes ft. Reek Da Villan & J. Doe

2. CORY picked-
"So Forgetful" -Lloyd Banks feat. Ryan Leslie &
"Crazy Love" -Ne-Yo ft. Fabolous -

3. SILKY VALENTE' picked - 
"Celebrate" -Drake feat. Tank & "Rich Forever" Rick Ross

4. KEITH "MAJOR" picked - 
"Dope Bitch" - the Dream & "Touch'n You" - Rick Ross ft. Usher

5. ALANZO "DANNY OCEAN" picked- 
"So Sophisicated" -Rick Ross ft. Meek Mills
& "5 min freshen up" -Ryan Leslie

6. GARY picked - 
"Party Life" - Miguel & "Amen" - Meek Mill

7. L.A. picked- "Let the dollars circulate" -Billy Paul &
"Cause I love you" -Lenny Williams

8. DJ TRAUMA picked-  
"Tonight" -John Legend ft Ludachris and "Party Shot" -Popcann

9. CARLITO - "Over my dead body" Drake & "Ric Flair" Killer Mike.

BONUS TRACK:?

"New Year's Eve...In July?" -Exclusive Block Association Anniversary Preview

The social lifestyle and event planning collective the Block Association (of which I'm a proud member of) has been doing MAJOR influential moves since they first formed a mere four years ago! And this year our popularity seems to be soaring which each successful venture we set out to do.  So now that our anniversary is quickly approaching, we felt it was necessary to crank things up to the 10th POWER! Just HOW do you top continuously packed 600+ events (NYE, & Super Bowl party) and shoulder to shoulder holiday brunch parties (Pranna, Duo, Midtown 1015)? Book one of THEE BEST & spaciously decorated venues in the Meat Packing district and throw a HUGE July 4th Eve (Tues. July 3rd for you dummies) anniversary party for all to enjoy! We're still working on the details but here's what you cab except SO FAR...A beautiful casually dressed crowd (may even do a dress theme) and GREAT collection of NYC & PA socialite hosts, bottle packages, and MAYBE a surprise celeb host or two (depending just WHO'S in town that week).  But for now here's some images below of the venue (Anja Bar), the working title "CREW LOVE" and soundtrack mixtape is in the works w/ the premiere of a Block Association theme song (YES! you heard right, theme song, the instrumental is posted below), plus an after work BK backyard BBQ is in the works (Thurs. July 5th) and "Welcome To My House Party" 1st Sat. after party (location tba) to close out our anniversary week strong! WHEW!! Are you hype yet? Thought so. Fingers crossed, hopefully our damn website will be up by then...MAYBE?!?

"Old School New School Need To Learn..." - J. Cole's "Can't Get Enough" Sample

Man it's been a LONG while since I posted one of these bad boys! But I'm digging this young boy J.Cole's joint "Can't Get Enough" so when I heard the original sample it was to good to pass up sharing it! So with a bit of research (and the help of that Shazam app) I was able to successfully track down the original track "Paulette" he used by ummm Balla et Ses Balladina (hope I'm spelling it correctly). So without further ado he's both to enjoy!

J.COLE -"Can't Get Enough"

Balla Et Ses Balladina -"Paulette"

"Drake Cake" -Take Care Track Listing...But Not Really

Drake's SUCH a deep thinker right? Even on his new album cover it looks like he's contemplating some deep s**t! Anyways as the world awaits his delayed album ya boy got a hold on the track listing via Ghostface Killah(!) It's NOT the actually songs that's gonna be on the CD but a parody of what WOULD be, in the mind of Tony Stark that is! Funny stuff ya'll! Some of these sound like actually song titles that he WOULD make! LOL

1. "Frolicking" (Intro)
2. "Jimmy"s Back" feat. Meek Millz & Rick Ross
3. "I Wanna Save You....(From You)" feat.Trey Songz
4. "My Eyebrows Say Yes, My Heart Says No" feat. Swizz Beatz & Bruno Mars
5. "Bar Mitzvah Money" feat. Asher Roth
6. "Peacock Feathers" feat. Kanye West, T.I. & Lady Gaga
7. "If I Were A Man" feat. Nicki Minaj & Solange
8. Aub's Interlude
9. "Mr Fancy Pants" feat. T-Pain
10. "Heart Throbbing" feat. Lil Wayne
11. "Fuckin U Til I Cry" feat. Justin Bieber
12. "Signed, Sealed....Heartbroken" feat. Trey Songz
13. "Gallop To Me" feat. Chris Brown & Rihanna
14. "Let Me Fluff" feat. The Eurythmics & DJ Khaled
15. Young Angel's Outro

"Breukelen Houses...A Wonderful Community!" -Exclusive Photos From Shawn Pen's "Respect Me" Video Set

They say "Strike when the fire is hot" right? I ask "When is the fire NOT HOT?" DUH! I bring this up cause lately ya boy (that would be me) have been getting requests left and right for photo/video gigs non stop! Which brings me to this particular job. Thanks to my Logan Zane connections (China & Aisha), I recently reconnected with an old industry associate of mine that needed to reemerge back on the scene after a long extensive absence in the music industry. Formerly known as "Little Shawn" ("Hickeys on Your Neck/Dom Perignon") Shawn Pen became the name of choice for his reincarnation. And being that he found the right tune for his reemergence it need a visual to go with it. This is where I come in folks, enter stage right! At our reintroduction meeting, we set a date and laid out a plan on how he envisioned the video to look. Then two weeks later I find myself on the corner of Stanley & Pennsylvania Ave (East New York folks) at 9:30 in the am! YEP, the hood hood! Looking like a DT staked out in front of prostitute central (the Galaxy Motel), in a Popeye's parking lot with a big ol' camera strapped to my chest. Can we say TARGET! However as the day progressed, my tensions were put to ease with the company Shawn brought out, as well as two world renown Brooklyn legends (DJ Clark Kent & Scratch) that made the shoot all for the better. Anyways here photos from the two day set that I took in between shooting that I wanted to share with you. The video will be edited soon, so hold on to these till I'm done. One.

"Nasir Jones, Nas If You're NASTY"-Nas's Latest Video Contribution

I've ALWAYS been a Nas fan! NOT on the Jay-Z level that I am, but I gotta admit...the kid is NICE! My biggest "problem" with Nasir was never his lyrics it was his consistency to put out hits! He never quite found his quote unquote "groove" to when it came to his choice of beats & on track deep thinker vs gangster rap persona. Well that's neither here or there, I came here to talk about the NEW s**t he got out circulating now. Dope on plastic! Oh whatever the hell that they put music on these days! LOL! Cover yo face and listen as the "Godson MC" spits FIRE! I'm hoping this is a comeback story for him!

"Welcome Back Carter!" -Tunechi's Track Listing For Tha Catrer IV

Okay you got the "Watch The Throne" album (both the download AND the CD versions) correct? You copped those "WTT" tix the second they came on-line right? Studied the behind-the-scenes trailer, and every song lyric to it's entirety. And now you have the "Otis" video on repeat...so now WHAT?! I'm guessing wait till Wayne drops his latest offering to the world (Aug 29th) and watch how people are gonna compare and debate the two albums till a fist fight breaks out! I'm joking yet, I can seriously see this happening! Anyways four of the songs you've already heard ("How to Love", "6'7'', "She Will", and "John") so how the rest of the album holds up is a mystery (Kanye shrug)

01. Intro 02. Blunt Blowin'
03. MegaMan 04. 6 Foot 7 Foot (feat. Cory Gunz)
05. Nightmares Of The Bottom
06. She Will (feat. Drake)
07. How To Hate (feat. T-Pain)
08. Interlude (feat. Tech N9ne)
09. John (feat. Rick Ross)
10. Abortion
11. So Special (feat. John Legend)
12. How To Love
13. President Carter
14. Its Good (feat. Drake & Jadakiss)
15. Outro (feat. Bun B, Nas, Shyne & Busta Rhymes)

Deluxe Bonus:
16. I Like The View
17. Mirror
18. Two Shots

Hey,wait...I just noticed there's NO Nicki on here!

"What More Can I Say? We Killin' Em" - "OTIS" Video Now Up For Your Veiwing

I honestly think this is the first video were Jay-Z wasn't taking himself so seriously! He looks like he's actually having ummm FUN! Hearing the song, I never thought to myself "what would the video treatment be?" Besides that the song is pretty short. But I'm not mad at this AT ALL! I'm sure the video will get as many hits as the song as been getting spins in the club, the radio, on yo iPod, etc. and so on. Enjoy!

"Drop A Bomb To That" -New Hovie & Yeezy "OTIS" Watch The Throne Single Is Out!

Just yesterday I posted a sarcastic rant about how these two cats had fans holding there breath waiting in vain like (Bob) Marley for them to drop SOMETHING sonically from their highly anticipated collabo release "Watch The Throne" (not to be confused with "Game of Thrones" on HBO). And low and behold I hear this track "OTIS" (produced by K.West) that has them going back and forth lyrically like an Olympic level ping pong match...Chinese players of course! Listening to it I can't help but think of that Kanye line from "Touch The Sky" where Ye says "Jay's favorite line: Dog, in due time. Now he look at me, like, Damn dog, you where I am!" And look he's made a whole album rapping along side his idol! Now THAT'S a MF'ing come up If I saw one, right?!? BTW peep the screaming at the end of the song, I'd sware it's Kanye SO excited that this is FINALLY happening! LOL

"OTIS"-Jay-Z & Kanye West


"Try A Little Tenderness" -Otis Redding

"Internet Killed The Radio Star!" -New Tracks To Groove To; NaS, Cee-Lo, & Frank Ocean

I think is SO crazy how at one time I used to stay up late posted up by the radio, half sleep half woke, finger in position to hit play/record at the first hint of a new song being played! Now with this ol' Internet invention I simply just cruise around my favorite music sites/blogs, or just type in the title of a new song by the artist I'm digging and BONG! It's in my playlist in a matter of seconds!!! Now I'm not mad at change it's just that the excitement of first hearing a track and then the hunt to get a clean, no DJ voice over version is forever LOST. But enough abut me being an old man, I'm joining the wave and putting you on to some new joints out that I'm personally digging right now via that SAME internet thingy.

"Dreamkilla"-FRANK OCEAN


"Bridges"-CEE-LO GREEN


"Ghetto Dreams"- NAS Ft. COMMON


"Nasty" -NAS

"Frei Style Friday!" -New Grooves From Capt. Grey Beard

I TOLD you dudes! DON'T sleep on the Block! We don't just do events! Case in point, peep Freelikefrei's on going musical project "the Gray Era" latest release. "Blame Me /She Sexy" Old school sound with a new school feel to it. Listen to lyrics, if you know Frei he's just speaking his mind with a beat behind it. Minority Report approved!

"Frei Stylin' Conversations With..." -Chris Faust's Q & A With Freelikefrei & The M Report

Okay folks, I'm mo' need you to pay attention to me on this one. For sometime now I've been watching this young talent man grow not only as an artist but just a dope HUMAN BEING for some years now. To the point were he's become a pseudo lil' (sorry, YOUNGER) brother to me in a sense. Evolving from the former moniker of "Print" to now adopting his given name, is not the only change in the game he's about to bring. I'd put good hard-earned money up and say he could go toe to toe with A LOT of these current cats out there doing it! Real rap! Anyways I am more than proud to announce that this coming Friday we'll have the honor of hosting his "yeah, It's FINALLY finished and out" release slash, Q & A slash, let's get Luke's (Place) POPPIN' (!) party with us that night. Here's a chopped and screwed interview conducted by Freelikefrei, shot by me (the Minority Report), and edited by Chris himself...yeah he does that too. On TOP of being a school teacher!



CHRIS FAUST // "FAUST" FREE LP RELEASE PARTY
PRESENTED BY: FREI & THE MINORITY REPORT
05.20.11
Come out and celebrate with Chris Faust
for the release of his debut LP "FAUST'

Friday May 20th
"The Class Reunion" -Dinner & Dance Party
Luke's Place -277 Cumberland St. (corner of Lafayette St.)

Chris Faust Listening Party 7pm - 9pm
After party 10pm-2am

Music by the M Report, the Ahficionados,
& special guest DJ's

Hosted by (B'day boy) Jason Rice and Chris Faust
and a collective of fashionable folks
Admission "FREE like Frei" all night
Food & drinks served till late.

"A New 'Du" -Fall In Love Clip, Fabo w/ R.Les & Ne-Yo, Plus A Dope Chris Brown Cover

What's with all these videos nowadays being shot up in the studio (like how Tupac was lol)? Don't know if this is the growing trend but..Here are my current favs. Enjoy!

"Ocean's Away!" -Frank Ocean Get Ultra Nostalgic

Now wait before you start thinking "Dude you're JUST now hearing about him?" Pause. I waited purposely to post about my latest musical obsession Frank Ocean's "Nostalgia/Ultra" because I didn't wanna appear like I was jumping bandwagons due to his Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them ALL (or Odd Future or better yet OFWGKTA) association. But after a GOOD solid week of soaking in each and every track...cat daddy is the TRUTH! Why? Not only are is choices of cover/samples outside the box, the LYRICS are oceanic deep. Not your usual R&B (Rap & Bulls**t) fare about ass chasing, and couch surfing in the clubs wasted off of X amount of bottles you and your team popped! Ocean actually takes the time to poetically paint abstract pictures with words to tell stories that are relate able. "American Wedding", "There Will Be Tears", & "Strawberry Swing" are the finest examples of this. Though the music is not original his TAKE approach to them are. On first listen to those that have "musical deficiency" you'd think the track we're customized like the BMW on the "virtual" cover of this mixtape. Nah! Coldplay, MGMT, and Mr. Hudson all lend tunes to Frank's intro into "the Machine" aka the industry. Gotta say, it's the BEST mixtape I've experience I had in a while since Drake's "So Far Gone" release a ways back. And speaking Drake (BTW Kanye too) don't be shocked if you hear one of this guys donating a verse or two to his stuff in the future. Beyonce's ALREADY working with dude! Get up! Listen, if you plan to jump into Ocean's music you better know how to "Swim Good!" Download it HERE!

"Little Dragon Meets Small Wonder" -PS22 Gets A Visit And I'm Jealous

If I VERY come back in another life, and by chance my future parents just happen to live in Staten Island. I hope that they live in the district that P.S.22 is in! Yeah I know that's a lot to wish for right? But man, these kids live better than some folks I know! Besides the many celebrity visits, all and the Oprah shout outs and the Oscar performance, I think I'm most jealous of their Little Dragon collabo (viewable below)! Having learned the lyrics in just days, the kids pull it off like pros! I also added a joint off of Little Dragon's upcoming album too.

"Blake...James Blake!" -Blue Eyed Soul Music Imported From The UK.

YES, I do realize that James Blake's latest release has been out for a week! But this is not one of those albums you skim through to find the instant radio cuts by any means. The music can be best described "as if a white British kid that was raised on Southern gospel & Techno music that may have experimented in casual drug use from time to time decided to make an album". But DON'T take that as a BAD thing! The music defies a genre but hey...why not CREATE a NEW one right?!? Here the track listing from his self titled release. I placed stars next to the one you need to REALLY check for!

Tracklisting is as follows:

Unluck
Wilhelms Scream***
I Never Learnt To Share***
Lindisfarne I
Lindisfarne II***
Limit To Your Love***
Give Me My Month
To Care (Like You)
Why Don’t You Call Me
I Mind***
Measurements

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Plus two videos I found to give you a good idea of what to expect: