R. Kelly f. Ludacris, “Tongues” MP3

In 2003, if we were asked what the meaning of “thoia thoing” meant, you’d hear enough crickets to fill R. Kelly’s closet. All we knew was he managed to sneak it into the rotation of his early material in the 2000s, right up there with Big Tigger’s verse on “Snake.” By now we’re used to The R. speaking a language that only our bodies understand. Proving that he’s a cunning linguist, he got Bangladesh to add on with an eerie sample of voices talking in tongues. That’s not the scary part, it’s as disturbing as the chanting scene from Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut. Based on things played out when Kells got you lost in translation, any excuse to bring out the eye mask has to be a good one.
Read the full story

Stream: R. Kelly f. K. Michelle, “Echo” RMX MP3

Kellz is on his hood shit, literally. Rap-singing, shots are being fired subliminally, bringing in K. Michelle to empty the clip; this “Fiender’s Fix” as he calls it is just as raw as her voice. We don’t think any of this should surprise you though because the videos of them making this remix were pretty much spot on. Kelz threw some daddy (stroke) on it as always and K. held her own. We no longer have words to describe what R. Kelly does. We just sit back and watch our brains ooze out of our ears and eyeballs fall into our hands.
Read the full story

Video: R. Kelly, “Sign of a Victory”

R. Kelly went to South Africa and had a major spiritual experience. Due to the spotlight on South Africa, we predict Kells’ new spiritual outlook. This video takes yet another beautiful look at the country at the height of its special moment this year. He didn’t just land on the rock, he moved it.
Read the full story

Chris Brown f. R. Kelly and Tyrese, “Pregnant” (Remix) MP3

It isn’t too late for Chris Brown to mature without controversy. Shooting NSFW videos, to becoming a baby daddy on his remix to R. Kelly’s “Pregnant” is how we see him outside of any other dysfunctional ways adults act. Chris Breezy’s PG-rated dance routines that were once cute, were already teetering on rated R status; so bringing life into to the world in the aftermath of many choreographed humping to beats would be natural. No harm, no foul. Listen to Chris brown tack on his verse at the top of record that previously featured Robin Thicke and The-Dream.
Read the full story

Video: R. Kelly, “Sign of Victory”

Gospel singers, dancers dressed as tribesmen, a gold hoodie, drama and kneeled singing equals THE PIED PIPER. R. Kelly knows how to bring a once in a lifetime performance together. The dude never lacks flair in anything he does. Don’t believe us? Obviously you’ve never seen anything Kellz has ever done. He probably didn’t even break a sweat during this performance of “Sign of Victory” (seriously, its winter in South Africa right now). As always, he delivers calmly because, well, this is what Kellz was born to do. He sounds right at home amidst the vuvzelas. Our only question is does he have a team that he roots for? If so, which because we’ll put all our money on them.
Read the full story

K Michelle’s What’s the 901 Mixtape will Hit Home for Suite903

So you might know Suite903 as the name of a long-lasting mixtape series that is as well-respected in the music industry like it’s FADER magazine affiliate. Here’s a new jewel: this site you rely on for Total Soul is also distant relatives of K Michelle’s hometown area code, 901. Imagine that, we’re two numbers removed from Tennessee’s digits! Haha.

K Michelle’s title for her What’s the 901 mixtape is far from arbitrary. The R&B bombshell is repping where she’s from. Is it a classic like Mary J. Blige’s What’s the 411? No need to get your hopes up, because her more formal introduction as R. Kelly’s protégé will be via Jive Records this year. Until What’s the 901 drops on May 28th, here are four things to keep you patiently waiting.
Read the full story

R. Kelly, “Sign of Victory” MP3

Around 2004 and 2005, R. Kelly talked about putting out a world album. It was ambitious, maybe even crazy at the time, yet it was during the prime of his career when he spoke about it with Damon Dash’s defunct america magazine. Kells was photographed in his studio which he practically morphed into a jungle with plants stretching to the ceilings, connecting him closer to nature and other far corners of the Earth.

The album that would channel the yodeling of the Swiss alps, to the bongo drums of Africa never actually happened, but since then he’s really jumped out the window with “The Zoo” and “Sex Planet.” Bet the farm that they are outtakes from those sessions of Kells going global. Now that he’s landed “Sign of Victory” as the official song for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, he’s ready to add another trophy to his Grammy-award winning single from the Space Jam soundtrack. Listen to Kells cross cultures, this time for the sake of sport after the jump.
Read the full story

Video: Lil Jon f. R. Kelly and Mario, “Ms. Chocolate”

There are three very prevalent things in Lil John’s latest video: bedhead, leather and Lil Jon’s biceps! We’d like to suggest some more things that should have gotten more face time: Crunk Juice, Lil Jon’s Wine collection, R. Kelly wearing a scarf on his head, Mario’s nose flares, grapes—we could go on forever. We do appreciate a serious anthem to sisters on the darker side of the spectrum. Dark chocolate doesn’t get as much love as it should which also means we rarely see the silhouette of dark skinned girls poppin’ booty in video. It’s bittersweet, we think.
Read the full story

Video: K. Michelle “Fallin”

We’re seriously concerned about the safety hazard on the set of “Fallin’” because of all the broken glass flying left and right. Also we hope nobody was hurt by K. Michelle’s crazy corset and shoe game. If you don’t recognize her from the “Making of Echo Remix” videos we posted a few weeks back then you should do your research.

If you believe everything on the internets, she’s Kellz’ new girlfriend but if you’re us you’ll just peg her as a new and quite dangerous artist. Not only does she have a co-sign from one of the last few relevant people in R&B (yeah we said it), she also has the talent to back it up. Before we go proclaiming her the next best thing, we’re going to let her formal introduction do the talking for us, then you can tell us whether you’re impressed or not.
Read the full story