STR8NYC.COM- All The Juice in HollyHood! » New Album Covers

LIL WAYNE’S “REBIRTH” ALBUM COVER

J'More — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:16:55 +0000

Here’s the cover of Lil Wayne’s highly anticipated rock album Rebirth set to finally hit store shelves December 15th. As a bonus, it will be packaged as a dual-disc along with the Young Money compilation, We Are Young Money.

Will Lil Wayne sell a milli this time around?!

ANY THOUGHTS?!

ALICIA KEYS REVEALS OFFICIAL “THE ELEMENT OF FREEDOM” COVER…’CHU LIKE?!

LexAve — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:37:59 +0000

ALICIA KEYS REVEALS OFFICIAL “THE ELEMENT OF FREEDOM” COVER…’CHU LIKE?!

Alicia Keys took our advice and sent her team back to work on a revised cover for her new album The Element of Freedom. The label claims the previous WACK cover was “fan” made…’chea right! Regardless, we’re glad they took bloggers’ criticism to heart and made the necessary edits. We definitely APPROVE!

ALBUM COVER: ALICIA KEYS- “THE ELEMENT OF FREEDOM” UPDATE

LexAve — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:52:31 +0000

ALBUM COVER: ALICIA KEYS- “THE ELEMENT OF FREEDOM” ***UPDATE***

***UPDATE***
Alicia Keys took it to twitter last night and announced this cover up top is NOT official…

Check out Alicia’s new album The Element of Freedom which hits stores December 15th!
Realtalk, Alicia looks stunning on the cover but something about it just doesn’t fit. Maybe its the doves or the heaven-like quality…but it seems really dated.

THOUGHTS?!
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EXCLUSIVE: CHRIS BROWN’S ALBUM COVER FOR “GRAFFITI”

LexAve — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:58:59 +0000

EXCLUSIVE: CHRIS BROWN’S ALBUM COVER FOR “GRAFFITI”

Check out Chris Brown’s official album cover for Graffiti, which drops December 15th!
The animation is cute and I can appreciate the creativity but something about Chris Brown’s posture screams feminine…maybe its those leggings, they gotta go!

ON DECK or OFF DECK?!
***UPDATE***
Check out Chris Brown’s KANYE-LIKE ALL-CAPS response to the criticism about his man-leggings…

So there….
Props to KFC

EXCLUSIVE: RIHANNA’S “RATED R” ALBUM COVER…

LexAve — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:06:19 +0000

EXCLUSIVE: RIHANNA’S “RATED R” ALBUM COVER…

It’s finally here! Rihanna’s Rated R album cover.
The grainy black-and-white cover was shot by iconic photographer Ellen von Unwerth in Berlin on October 8-9.
Von Unwerth told PopEater,

“Rihanna was looking to create something a bit new for the look of the album. She’s so beautiful, sweet and tough at the same time–and a pleasure to shoot. We had so much fun giving her a bit of edge–I loved taking her beauty and finding a new dramatic look. She’s fantastic to work with–very giving, very creative, very involved in every aspect of the shoot, and ready to push the boundaries.”

THOUGHTS?!
Via PopEater

KID SISTER UNVEILS AN “ULTRAVIOLET” SOUND

J'More — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:21:34 +0000

KID SISTER UNVEILS AN “ULTRAVIOLET” SOUND

Last year, Chi-town rapper Kid Sister hit the scene with her electrifying debut single “ProNails” featuring none other than Chi-town’s finest Kanye West. However, it’s now a year later and she’s finally releasing her long-anticipated debut album UltraViolet on November 17th. Why you ask? Well, initially when Kid Sister turned in her album, originally titled Dream Date in September 2008, she wasn’t happy with the final product and asked her record label to push it back.

“There were a few things about the album that irked me…the album wasn’t cohesive”, she explained to Pitchfork earlier this year.

Check out the lead single off Ultraviolet titled “Right Hand Hi” below!

TRACKLISTING + TOUR INFO UNDER THE HOOD!

Tracklisting:
1. Right Hand Hi
2. Life On TV
3. Daydreaming
4. Let Me Bang 2009
5. Big n Bad
6. Pro Nails (feat. Kanye West)
7. Step (feat. Estelle)
8. Switch Board (feat. DJ Gant-Man)
9. Get Fresh
10. 53421
11. You Ain’t Really Down
12. Control

Kid Sister is also embarking on a national tour which starts next week. To find out when she’s going to be in your city CLICK HERE!

RYAN LESLIE’S “TRANSITION” x ALBUM REVIEW

LexAve — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:08:44 +0000

RYAN LESLIE’S “TRANSITION” x ALBUM REVIEW

Wednesday night ya gurl got the chance to attend Ryan Leslie’s exclusive album listening session for Transition at Chuck King Studios in NYC. The intimate small session revealed a more in depth look into the Harvard educated singer/songwriter/producer. Leslie took us on a storytelling and video montage journey of his courtship of a new mystery lady in his life. After going through a tough hurtful break-up (think Cassie), Leslie couldn’t help but feel a bit bitter, but after meeting a woman one night at SOB’s in NYC… his transition began. It was the bad break-up and meeting this woman that inspired the first record on the album “Never Gonna Break-Up”. Leslie gave us a sneak peek into the video treatment to the song which shows Leslie bumping into a “Didddy look-a-like” who asks for a light, only to find out Leslie’s girl gave him the same collector’s item lighter. The encounter infuriates Leslie leading him to trash his girl’s crib, assuming she’s cheating on him with the “Diddy look-a-like”.
The mystery woman in Leslie’s life also inspired other joints like “Something That I Like” where Leslie showcases his rapping skills alongside the Clipse’s, Pusha-T and “Without You I’d Be Nothing” a guitar driven song with a lil’ 70’s flavor. Ryan Leslie rapping? Yup, R-Les began as a teen freestyling joints “I’m So Glad We’re Friends”, there’s proof on video. As for his current single “You’re Not My Girl”, is more about the new lady and keeping their budding relationship a secret so that if anyone asks just remember “you’re not my girl”. Aside from the rapping and expanding his musical horizons, it was pretty evident, the man is a romantic at heart regardless.

Unlike most album listening sessions where the artist simply shows up an greets the crowd, Leslie went through each cut in full description thus showing his hardworking and love for the project. As a fan, I can appreciate the new project along with its sick beats, but as a music reviewer I would’ve appreciated it more had Ryan taken more time to work on Transition and mourn his bad break-up w/Cassie and dive more into his emotions. Yes the beats are sick, but lyrically speaking it’s lacking some substance. It’s been less than a year since his official debut album and now there’s a 2nd LP on the way…something about Transition seems rushed.
Transition drops November 3rd.
POP THE HOOD FOR TRACKLISTING

1. Never Gonna Break Up

2. Something That I Like (feat. Pusha T)

3. Zodiac

4. Is It Real Love

5. Sunday Night

6. You’re Not My Girl

7. To The Top

8. Nothing

9. Guardian Angel

10. All My Love

11. I Choose You

EXCLUSIVE: RYAN LESLIE’S NEW ALBUM COVER “TRANSITION”

LexAve — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:33:43 +0000

EXCLUSIVE: RYAN LESLIE’S NEW ALBUM COVER “TRANSITION”

Check out the cover to R-Les’ sophomore album, Transition, set to drop November 3rd. Word is the lead single “You’re Not My Girl” is not doing too well on the charts…Really?! I know I’m feeling the joint.

WILL YOU COP R-LES’ TRANSITION?!

BEHIND-THE-SCENES: AMERIE’S “HEARD ‘EM ALL” VIDEO SHOOT

LexAve — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:47:29 +0000

BEHIND-THE-SCENES: AMERIE’S “HEARD ‘EM ALL” VIDEO SHOOT

Not sure if this is official album cover to Amerie’s In Love & War but its hot! But apparently she’s giving her fans a taste of what’s to come with an album sampler posted on her site, check it out HERE. Also be sure to check out some behind the scenes footage of her making the video to “Heard ‘Em All”. Though the song features Lil’ Wayne, apparently he’s not in the video…stay tuned for the official premiere of “Heard ‘Em All” coming soon…

Word is the video is directed by Anthony Mandler, he did “Run This Town”…so expect some of type dark, apocalyptic cinematography.

NEW VIDEO: THE MAKING OF JAY-Z’S “BLUEPRINT 3″…

LexAve — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 04:22:35 +0000

NEW VIDEO: THE MAKING OF JAY-Z’S “BLUEPRINT 3″…

And all this time I thought the cover was photoshopped. WOW! Talk about art in motion…this is exactly why Jay-Z is always ahead the game. Love it!