Today's Pick

Professor Green opens up about losing the woman who raised him as he unveils emotional music video for "Lullaby," the lead single of the British rapper and producer's forthcoming third studio album "Growing Up in Public," due in UK stores on September 22nd via Virgin Records. It features the vocal talents of American up-and-coming singer Tori Kelly, who first found fame in the 2010 series of American Idol.
"Lullaby" is a tender rap-pop song very in the vein of the Eminem and Rihanna collaborations. This is Kelly's first major duet. Fans have been left moved by the emotional "Lullaby" video. And Green, whose real name is Stephen Manderson, has revealed the inspiration behind the British star's heartfelt hit song is his late grandmother, Patricia, who raised him as a child. Speaking exclusively after the release of his video clip, he said: "I wrote the song about my great grandmother who I lived with and was brought up by until I was 13 when she passed away. It's the specific details that matter here, the bed she slept in, the blue blanket she had on her bed, the things and the place I associated with being safe and secure."
Opening up about the time his beloved grandmother passed away, Green said: "I remember when she passed away I was on the sofa at my mums asleep and I opened my eyes as she picked up the phone to be told she'd passed away - unexpectedly as when she went into hospital they thought it was a stomach ulcer and nothing more serious." He went on to describe his shock at the news as he said: "I cried before she'd put the phone down and told me. I remember getting home and all of her things being there but her not, it was the first time I'd suffered lost and I'd lost one of the most important people in my life."
Matching the tone of the single, the Alex Herron-directed touching video focuses on a young boy and his grandfather and follows their story as the grandfather becomes unwell and passes away. Kelly sings the chorus on a pick-up truck, and in a wheat field, while Green raps walking the city streets as we get to see footage of the actual treatment of the video; the young boy taking care of his grandfather as he lives his last days. When he returns home from the hospital where is his grandfather has passed away, the song's filled with nostalgia that will make him break down. Fortunately for him, he has the support of his girlfriend to carry through.

Just in time for the 4th of July, Becky G is inviting you to cool off and captures the fun, buoyant feeling of summer love with her brand-new video for her new single, "Shower," the lead single off her upcoming still untitled debut studio album, which she says, like the "Shower" video, will be a whole lot "edgier" and "more grown up" than what you've come to expect from her. Becky is stepping up her game with every new single she puts out, and her latest song, "Shower," promises to be a serious contender for song of the summer.
Co-written with Dr. Luke, Rock City and Henry Walter, the pop-rap song finds Becky singing about how she's found a love so powerful that this guy make her sing in the shower every time. "We wanted to captures moments of feeling good, and me personally when I feel good is when I'm hanging out with friends or that special person," Becky shared with MTV while shooting the video in Los Angeles. "It's a party basically... You're going to have fun watching it because we are having fun making it."
The bubblegum pop track, with its catchy and quick clap-measured beat, also contains cute, feel-good lyrics that are irresistible to sing along to. Becky serenades her summer beau with, "You light me up inside /Like the 4th of July /Whenever you're around /I always seem to smile /And people ask me how / Well you're the reason why /I'm dancing in the mirror and singing in the shower." In an interview with Rolling Stone about what's the story behind "Shower"? Becky explained "Singing in the shower [laughs]. It didn't come to me when I was singing in the shower, but I am a shower singer and someone was making me feel some type of way about it."
And like the single itself is a rather easygoing joint with a peppy beat and "la-da-dees" sprinkled throughout, the newest visuals are equally carefree, showing her perky, upbeat tune visualized by all of the summer essentials - pool parties with good friends, barbecues with good food and summer romances with cute boys. The video also shows plenty of CoverGirl product placement and Becky actually getting into a shower (rain), getting her hair soaking wet and do wet-hair flips like only a true diva can do! "Going back to my previous music videos, it's all about my culture, the way I was raised and now people are going to see me growing up," the 17-year-old said. "It's really special for me."

Ke$ha returned to her over-the-top roots and sporting cornrow hair extensions, huge platform sneakers and huge gold rimmed glasses in the promo for her electronic rap song, "Crazy Kids," the third single from her sophomore studio album, "Warrior," features a guest verse by will.i.am, who co-penned the original solo version of the song. Neither crazy nor kids, the reigning Queen and King of Auto-Tune, Ke$ha and will.i.am have paired up for a scientifically formulated dance-pop song ready to pair with vodka bombs at your local sketchy club that smells funny.
Featuring whistling, "Crazy Kids," is of the techno-pop genre with traces of pop rap. And lyrically, the song was said to establish dualistic personalities for Ke$ha, and were inspired by a birthday party of Ke$ha's, which she described as, "one crazy night." This whistle-laden live-for-the moment tune finds the 26-year-old "Die Young" singer reverting back to the irreverent Pop-Rap style of her debut release, "Animal." The queen of the white-trash outcasts does not pull any punches as she spits nonchalant cuss-filled rhymes.
The glitter-loving pop star explained in her official track-by-track commentary: "'Crazy Kids' is an anthem for people like me, my animals and many people in the world who are crazy and not afraid to show it, and actually proud of it." And Ke$ha, always adept at live-for-tonight choruses, belts out a catchy one here for everyone who's dancin' on the dance floor or drinkin' by the bar. We've come to expect a certain kind of craziness from Ke$ha and the outspoken pop star hasn't let us down in her new video for "Crazy Kids," which displayed Ke$ha at her most take-it-or-leave it and the beats grimy.
The Darren Craig-directed video has Ke$ha rocking a new look in typical Ke$ha style, everything in the clip is over-the-top, from will.i.am appearing as a pinball-playing astronaut, to the inclusion of a mini horse, various shirtless, bearded old men, and throwing a hellacious house party that's sure to get the neighbors up in arms. Ke$ha clearly enjoys what she's doing - she looks like she's having an absolute blast throughout the video, whether she's mean-mugging for the camera or dropping it low in a series of scandalous dance sequences. Of course, she didn't hold back when it came to the crazy.

Florida Georgia Line hit the road to do the cruise with St. Louis rapper Nelly in the video for the urban-flecked remix of the country duo's smash hit "Cruise," the lead single from the up-and-coming country duo's extended play "It'z Just What We Do," as well as included on their debut studio album, "Here's to the Good Times." The mid-tempo track had become the best-selling song by a country duo in digital history and has already become a fan favorite live, as it sets the bar for a fun, summertime anthem for years to come.
The song tells a familiar story about an attractive woman with whom the male narrator wants to "cruise" in his car, and they end up in a summer romance. The girl described in "Cruise" is the typical country-song wet dream. This isn't an original story, but it's one that never gets old. Florida Georgia Line's Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard play it with inspiration and their formal training shows in the tight execution of this lyric-heavy summer song. If anyone should know a thing or two about southern love in the country, it's a band called Florida Georgia Line. They don’t disappoint with "Cruise," although the bridge could be cut without consequence.
In this very contemporary tune, the R&B influences are obvious in both the rhythm and the melody. It gives the song that uber-laidback quality that often characterizes popular summer singles. "Cruise," became a Top 10 pop hit after it was remixed with some hip-hop flavor by Nelly, is what you might classify as finesse. Because Nelly has previous experience dueting with Tim McGraw on 2004's "Over and Over," he can rap over a back-porch strum without freaking out and shrugging off several centuries of slavery. This isn't faint praise - it takes a certain dignity to commiserate with the pretty-boy dorkuses of Florida Georgia Line without them mudflaps kicking some up on you.
These boys all bring their fast, fun and the furious ways to share the love for fast cars and hot women that invites plenty of dancing along and a little acceleration when it comes to the gas pedal. This remix and its video embody that spirit. The Marc Klasfeld-directed remix video takes us from daylight dirt racing to dancing at night with the ladies and sees St. Louis MC drives a white Ferrari, while Florida Georgia Line duo races monster trucks through the desert. Nelly gets pulled over by a cop, who strips off her clothes before jumping in the car. It celebrates the pursuit of a good time and how getting their fast is mission critical, so you can further enjoy the festivities. Buckle up for the ride.

Taking some time away from cleaning baby Bash's poop as a new daddy, Wiz Khalifa is back to his rapper day job in the video for "Let It Go," featuring Akon, is the third single from Khalifa's latest fourth studio album, "O.N.I.F.C," and one of a few (rare) signs in the album that the 25-year-old Pittsburgh rapper thought of more than weed and money. The highly cinematic visuals, which includes a motivational storyline and put Khalifa and Akon in the roll of narrators as a boxing drama unfolds.
Khalifa chronicles his own life, rapping about what he aimed to do with Hip Hop music success and trends he's given to the culture. He made clear that he has re-prioritized his life somewhat, thanks to a small but notable change to his lyrics: "I just had a kid / now homie, I'm the man." Khalifa also vows to "make sure my family gon' eat" - words that he's also taken to heart, given his grind these days. Khalifa performed with Akon on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" just 24 hours after he dropped his music video for “Let It Go."
In "Let It Go," Khalifa and Akon introduce a young lady boxer who's training hard at home while going to night school and working a crappy job at a gentleman's club. And speaking of manners, one night a "gentleman" gets a little too fresh, causing our girl to fight back and almost knock that guy unconscious. Luckily, she leaves before things get too out of control. After an unhelpful chat with her boyfriend, she takes full control of her life by going full throttle on her boxer training at the gym. And to think she's got Khalifa and Akon as her (rooftop) guardian angels!
Over sweeping, atmospheric production, Khalifa rhymes about achieving success despite any detractors along the way. Visually, the narrative from Ryan Hope-directed video is also ironically a motivational picture with various story lines playing throughout the film. The rappers take a backseat from the spotlight to tells the story of a female boxer trying to get her life together and make it to the top, but struggling because her boyfriend isn't supportive and killing her whole vibe. The hook of "Let It Go," is a musical delivery that reminds people to let go of the things holding us back in life. Whether it be a person or a task that we can achieve by staying focused, the duo are reminding listeners to 'do better' as we know.

Nelly continues to go down the road of commercial hip pop success and gets behind the wheel to take his lady for a sweet and fancy ride through the desert outside of Los Angeles in the brand new visual to his new single, "Hey Porsche," the lead single from the 38-yeas-old St. Louis rapper's upcoming anxiously awaited seventh full-length album, "M.O," due out in June. The video puts Nelly in the role of wistful narrator as some classic adventure ensues, endless stretches of highway, middle-of-nowhere mechanics, floppy hats and all.
"Hey Porsche," is a pop-country song which inspired by his love of cars - Porsche Automobil, as Nelly has described as the 2013 version of Prince's classic "Little Red Corvette." The track is "definitely more of a pop song than a rap song, with a great groove and a great hook," according to Pop program director Rich Davis. It represents more of an evolution than a revolution in Nelly's artistry and shows a different side of the rap icon. With acoustic guitar and slick, sun-soaked production, it's emblematic of the artist's uncanny ability to deftly cross into pop territory.
"You have this girl, she's bad as hell. You have this car and you start to realize they both go together," Nelly explained. "If you're lucky enough to have the car and the girl, then you the man." Its almost weird to hear the commercial pop beat but yet hear him singing up sliding up under a girl named "Porscha!" Nelly is no stranger to conquering the charts and he's continuing a long legacy of hits including "Ride Wit Me" and "Hot in Herre" with "Hey Porsche."
Nelly pulls up the scene with his ceiling missing in this joy ride visual directed by Ethan Lader. The clip begins with Nelly plays a lowly car mechanic working on a classic vintage Porsche in a highway garage, who sticks to summer-cruise essentials: a convertible, a desert road, and offers a thorough inspection for an uppity lady of high society. Despite their differences, he's able to win her over with his charm, and the two end up taking that classic Porsche for a spin in the deserts. As he drives away, his car radio plays Florida Georgia Line's straight-up country song "Cruise," with an added shout-out from the band.

Bobby Raym a.k.a., B.o.B is out of his mind and Nicki Minaj helps the insane B.o.B escape a mental institution in their just-released video for "Out Of My Mind," their crazy collaboration and the fourth single appears on B.o.B's sophomore album, "Strange Clouds." Minaj rarely has any competition when it comes to crazy, but in B.o.B's new clip, both rappers have completely lost it. All we have to say is they make one crazy couple!
We always knew that the Atlanta MC and a schizophrenic rapstress were just a little bit off, compared to everyone else in this rap game. But they both go a little... Damn. The rapper has been dealing with internal conflict ever since his 'B.o.B vs. Bobby Ray' mixtape, but we had no idea it was this bad. "Out of My Mind" is impressive testament to B.o.B's infectious, unflappable cool. The guy knows how to hang in nearly every sonic situation, and master it, just like a real rock star.
Minaj jumps on this track in her usual animated style. The Queens MC goes straight for the jugular as she bounces rhymes with B.o.B. Her verse on track is fun because she basically mocks B.o.B the whole time. But maybe the infamous Pink Barbie felt bad after the fact. And maybe that's why she decided to strip and give him a short lap dance in the visuals, which feature B.o.B as a mental patient and Minaj as a stripping mad doctor. The two bounce around rubber rooms and apply for parole as they try to plead their case that we are the crazy ones and they are the ones who are sane.
Filmed in Detroit, the Benny Boom-directed clip tells a disturbed story that begins with B.o.B locked in a mental facility. Though it may seem like the world is against him, B.o.B luckily finds a friend in Dr. Minaj. During a one-on-one therapy session, Minaj strips out of her clinical white jacket and gives the troubled MC a lapdance. By the end of her scene the pink-haired beauty slides a skeleton key from between her lips promising to help her partner in rhyme get free.

The cutesy duo Karmin have finally served up the music video for their new pop rap single, "Hello," the second official single and title track from their Epic Records debut EP. Karmin took the internet by storm last year after posting a cover of Chris Brown's "Look At Me Now" on YouTube, which instantly went viral and became one of YouTube's most viewed videos of 2011.
After enjoying the success of their chart-busting single "Brokenhearted," the Berklee grads are back and go back to hip-hop roots - like big drums up front, with with the promo of their next single "Hello." The Stargate-produced tune, is more than a few dance beats away from their acoustic YouTube covers of yore, and shows off Amy Heidemann's impressive rapping skills as she flows over a catchy beat about their rise to fame and the people who doubted them along the way. "This one gets a little darker, the sound is darker, there's more rap in it, it's a little more aggressive," she said.
The swag-pop duo show a darker, more mysterious side in their new video for “Hello,” and in it, Heidemann wanders through vibrant Chinatown looking a little lonely and also a little mischievous while her real-life beau Nick Noonan is at home, shaving his head. He eventually shows up and the pair hug while looking seriously dour. "It's mostly performance-based and we do it in Chinatown in L.A., that's where it was filmed," Noonan explained their real-life chemistry unfold on-screen.
In the video, a long-haired Heidemann rapping in her daisy dukes as she struts her way alone throughout the Asian-inspired urban backdrop on a Beach Cruiser, changing into a black trench coat when she hits the town at night. Meanwhile Noonan gives himself a brand-new look as he shaves off his golden locks in anticipation of a date with his other half. It all gets sorted out in the end, the two reunite as Noonan picks up his fiancée in a classic convertible car and the ridiculously sweet couple drive off together in style.

Southern rhymer B.o.B and country-pop songbird Taylor Swift unite on the new video set for "Both of Us," the third single lifted off rapper's sophomore album, "Strange Clouds." The video is a tribute to the hard-working everyperson. In fact, the video doesn't focus on the superstar duo for too long, as it cuts to scenes of every day people, from all walks of life, living their day-to-day lives.
The track finds the rapper identifying with underdogs, as he rhymes about battling pain and hardships in life. While the 23-year-ol rhymer is roaming the streets and spitting his lines, the country music beauty is playing with a dog in a field of flowers. On how the duet project came about, he recently shared that Swift "came to Atlanta and she hit up Grand Hustle. I wasn't there. Tip was there, and I eventually linked with her in Dallas, and the rest is history."
The Jake Nava-directed clip was filmed in Nashville, and it opens with B.o.B hanging out in his modest home, while Swift is chilling out in the most un-Taylor Swift spot in music video history, a pool hall. As the video closes out, viewers are left with a sort of fantasy, with B.o.B and Swift re-imagined as the everyman and everywoman living simple lives in rural Tennessee, much like the folks in the video. This video instead sheds light on the grittier sides of the country music capital, following the lyrics of the track, which center on adversity and strife.
The video isn't glamorous, but it leaves viewers appreciating the little things in life. It's not about money, it's about understanding that sometimes a romp through a sprinkler or a good game of billiards is enough to take you away from the mundane moments of everyday life. The twosome just want to make sure that this summer, you take the time to appreciate the little things in life, like running through sprinklers and playing a good game of pool or if you're feeling as adventurous as Swift, jumping into a pool.

The Far East Movement team up with the Karen Amanda Reifer-fronted Barbados four-piece pop band, Cover Drive, to throw a street party for their new UK single and video "Turn Up the Love," a rare love song from the hip-hop group known for its high-energy dance tracks.
Follow-up to the group's single "Live My Life" with Justin Bieber, the international pop friendly tune "Turn Up The Love," serves as the third single off Electro-pop band's sophomore major label set, "Dirty Bass." To give the song some international flair, the East L.A. outfit wrangled in Barbadian quartet Cover Drive to sing the chorus, and featuring heavy dance beat with Karen Amanda Reifer on the hook.
Directed by Matt Alonzo, the feel-good 'celebratory' clip for "Turn Up the Love," offers the usual Far East Movement fare, and sees the "Like a G6" hitmakers wearing ridiculously-huge fake bling-blings, along with Cover Drive to host a flashy party on the streets where everybody's invited to dance their troubles away from day to night time. The beat is hot, and Amanda's chorus is ace!
The colorful video is based on the simple concept of a summer street party, with grilling, cars and boomboxes. When night falls, a larger group of people gathers together to sing in unison and party the night away. As the whooshing synths play out the song, the crowd engages in a little bit of hip-hop line dancing. Every day is Friday in the Far East Movement land!

Gym Class Heroes, a rap rock band from Geneva, New York, have premiered the music video for the uplifting cut "The Fighter," the third single from group's latest album "The Papercut Chronicles II," that hits stores on last November 15. Gym Class Heroes deliver an ode to perseverance. It sounds like they have a third big hit from the album. OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder provides signature martial percussion and a winning pop hook to the empowering anthem. His sweet featured vocals are icing on the cake.
The uplifting Tedder collaboration, "The Fighter," is a song about never giving up in life. Frontman Travie McCoy raps about staying positive, no matter what your situation in life. Musically, the mid-tempo guitar-based groove has sweet Tedder's fingerprints all over it, making it feel more like a OneRepublic song featuring McCoy than a Gym Class Heroes song featuring Tedder. However regardless of the actual credits, this is a catchy song with a light touch appropriate for summer pop radio airplay. The 'Firework'-lite lyrics will have everyone singing along.
Directed by Marc Klasfeld, Gym Class Heroes get emotional in their newly-unveiled mix of docu-style clip, which documents the journey 19-year-old gymnast John Orozco takes as he 'fighting' for his dream to represent his country at the upcoming Olympic Games. His 'story' footage is intercut with images of McCoy and Tedder performing "The Fighter" in different sports facilities. In between shots of the band tearing it up, we see incredible footage of young athlete working out hard - running, sweating and doing all kinds of sick flips and twirls on the parallel bars.
Gym Class Heroes are banging the drum for sportsmanship, athletic prowess and relentless determination. It seems that experience has turned Gym Class Heroes into consistent hitmakers. The formula is clear. Take a lightly uplifting rap, weld on a strong hook from top level pop songwriters and producers, and then punctuate it with a strong featured vocal. From the home-movie-style shots of Orozco competing as a child, to him meeting with youngsters who want to be just like him when they grow up, "The Fighter" is feel-good all over. Does he end up making it? Guess we'll have to wait till the 2012 Olympics to find out!

Flo Rida is bringing a summer feel to the music video for his catchy new offering "Whistle," which serves as the third single, follow-up to his hits "Good Feeling" and "Wild Ones," from rapper's upcoming fourth studio album, "Wild Ones," set to release on July 3rd. The guitar-driven tune, produced by DJ Frank E and David Glass, features a whistling chorus that you won't be able to get out of your head, and is still in top 10 of Billboard Hot 100.
Rida has long been known for using vocal stars (Ke$ha, Sia) and anthemic samples to provide the hooks for his singles, but on "Whistle," the rapper takes the reins all by himself. The result is a sun-drenched, happy-go-lucky tune that's sure to provide him with a horse in the summer anthem race. Lyrically, "Whistle" is perhaps his least subtle single, but the song's whistle hook is bound to make listeners forget all about it, and with the track's care-free vibe, the rapper's transgressions are easy to forgive.
Rida is a certified hit maker. Along with Pitbull, he has used the Hip-Pop sound with catchy hooks to conquer the charts time and again since past few years. Speaking of the tune, the Hip-Hop singer gushed to Billboard that it "will probably be the biggest record I've done yet." As for his latest record, the 32-year-old said, "With this album, there's gonna be a lot of No.1s, so that's why I came up with the title 'Wild Ones.'" The singer whose real name is Tramar Dillard added, "I made it my business to be inspired by just traveling around the world, and just coming up with some music that the world can enjoy - to take this from local to national to international."
The 'Good Feeling' rapper enjoys the summer sunshine in his latest feel good clip, which was filmed in Mexico last month, and captures him rapping shirtless from the top of a cliff on the tropical lands of Acapulco, and having fun dancing with beautiful women. The video also features bikini-clad women whistling the song's chorus, as well as people enjoying boat rides in the sea and diving off cliffs. The action in "Whistle" then moves to a club scene with fireworks and confetti as Rida brings the video to a close.

Maroon 5 pulled back the curtain on the brand new video for their record-breaking single "Payphone," a depressing song stuck in a sunny melody, gets the Michael Bay treatment in their explosive new video, which has no shortage of gunfire, car chases, explosions, plus plenty of frontman Adam Levine actually singing into a payphone. The track, features rapper Wiz Khalifa, is the lead single from their upcoming fourth studio album "Overexposed," set for release on June 26.
The mid-tempo pop ballad talks about a romance that is no more, how regretful the unlucky lady will be for walking away, and finds the 33-year-old frontman in a downbeat mood as he reminisces about a failed relationship, and Khalifa' verse is more direct than Levine's despondent lyrics - it explores the way a relationship used to be and the way they no longer are.
"Payphone" has a plodding, piano-heavy production with martial drumming and a dramatic chorus. It also features throbbing bass on the hook that gives the song the hint of a disco edge. It's a straight-ahead pop ditty that like everything else these days, seems to take a page from Bruno Mars' "Grenade" for its shiny, military-like precise beat that still manages to sound convincingly warm. It's melodic and catchy, and but not overly aggressive.
The Samuel Bayner-directed clip plays out as a flashback that starts with a beleaguered Levine in the middle of a bank robbery, as a bespectacled bank worker who saves a co-worker from bank robbers, torching his ride and dialing his lost love. We then get to see he manages to steal a gun, making a call from a Los Angeles phone booth, bust out of the bank with a foxy lady, and end up becoming a sought-after fugitive himself. Along the way he steals Khalifa's classic sports car and running from police. The clip is an enjoyable mini-blockbuster.

Hot Chelle Rae debut music video for their latest single, "Honestly," the third single from the buzzy pop rock band's sophomore studio album "Whatever," which Hot Chelle Rae have been on a roll with, is a streak that's likely to continue with the release of "Honestly," a catchy new single in which frontman Ryan Keith Follese sings about getting dumped but quickly moving on and having fun again.
Sample lyrics from the Blink 182-esque breakup song, "Honestly" jumps right into the relationship drama with no instrumental intro. A lively acoustic guitar accompaniment appears as the song opens into its chorus, which finds Follese picking up the pieces much faster than most reasonable people would. Maybe he's in denial, or maybe he was never really that into her, but either way, Follese and Hot Chelle Rae have created a tell-off tune for anyone whose young love doesn't work out as planned.
The music video was directed by Marcus Raboy and filmed in Los Angeles. It features a cameo from Ashley Benson, star of the ABC Family hit "Pretty Little Liars." Benson plays Follese's on-screen fuming girlfriend with a storyline about a relationship gone sour. Talking about the party scene they shot for the video, Follese gushes, "It was madness, there's icing all over my blazer..." The lead singer adds, "It was an amazing day -- one of the best videos, if not the best video we've ever done."
Navigates their break up, the clip sees Follese ignoring Benson's desperate attempt to gain back his attention at the party. The frontman has to deal with not-fun stuff, and pulls a devil-may-care attitude when she constantly tries to infuriate him. He simply shrugs her off and plays a matchmaker for her when she brings another guy to a party to anger him. That's what young love is all about - dodging bullets and getting outta dodge, to mix a metaphor. It's also about trying not to let the heartache overwhelm you.

Bad Meets Evil have released a music video for "Lighters," the second single from Detroit hip hop duo's debut EP, "Hell: The Sequel," which has been in stores since June. When old friends and former collaborators Eminem and Royce Da 5'9" reunited to form Bad Meets Evil, it seemed like a no-brainer. But what did cause at least some trepidation was the Bruno Mars-featuring "Lighters." The song, though, seems to be doing fairly well on the Billboard Hot 100, so the success train continues onward with a video for the power anthem.
This soft-hop track, which has been said by critics to incorporate soul music with influences of synthpop, features Mars and was produced by his production team The Smeezingtons along with Eminem and Battle Roy. Mars' refrain gives the tune similar dynamics to his collaboration with B.O.B., "Nothin' on You." Royce's verse finds him recalling his dad hanging up his postal carrier uniform. "I cried plenty tears, my daddy gotta bad back," he rap-sings. "So it's only right, that I write till he can march right/In to that post office and tell 'em to hang it up." Royce explained to The Boombox: "It was always a goal of mine to hopefully retire my father someday."
The Rich Lee-directed video opens with frustrated Eminem lounging on a messy room while attempting to write lyrics. Feeling trapped, he climbs down a ladder to an underground tunnel in hopes to escape his frustration. The same goes with his partner Royce. The Slaughterhouse is locked down somewhere behind bars counting down the day when he will finally be free again. He gets his hope up when finding a secret portal and taking a chance to explore it. At the end of their dark path, both of them find a clearing with thousands of floating lanterns lighting up the sky.
While the Detroit rappers get cinematic scene of finding a path to escape their troubles, Mars simply sits behind a piano playing it and crooning the hook. The Grammy-winning singer once told MTV that the video has an underlying message which will "leave fans inspired." As Mars sings the bridge, the two rappers find their way out of the tunnels and finally get their sky full of lighters after going through a long, dark path. The video was met with positive reception for its positive and inspirational message: leave the dark and negative behind and move toward the glowing and positive.

Bobby Ray, aka B.o.B has premiered a brand new video midnight Tuesday, the day after he just turned to 22 on MTV.com for promotional single "Don't Let Me Fall," the fourth video from the Atlanta rapper's highly praised debut LP, "B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray." It literally turns everything upside down in his creative visual, while crooning about his meteoric fame which apparently led him to enjoying rollercoaster experiences, he tries hard to stay where he is now.
This laid back Hip-Hop track "Don't Let Me Fall" is about the rappers spectacular launch into stardom, which has led him to living a life with a lot of ups and downs, but he just wants to stay where he is now. It takes a look at his tumultuous emotions dealing with his career propelling him into the spot light. The track involves B.o.B multi-tasking as he sings, raps, and produces the tune. It is not surprising that some reviewers have commented that this piano-laden cut reminds them of Coldplay, as B.o.B disclosed in a video interview with Rap-Up.com that the British band's A Rush of Blood to the Head is an album he can't live without.
B.o.B reflects upon how all the success that came by seems surreal in the Ethan Lader-directed video, which is a poignant, creative, and willing to think outside the box for video concepts, which combines old footage on an old tube television with newly shot scenes. The video opens with B.o.B sitting upright on a bench, which seems to be lying on the floor. The world is moving around him, as if he's fallen. B.o.B strums his guitar in this mind-bending technique of subjects seemingly gravity-defying clip, shot on the sidewalks of downtown Denver and and Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The clip weaves in footage from B.o.B's humble beginnings and follows him as he rises up the ranks in rap's food chain. B.o.B doesn't depend on a big budget to make its music video worth watching. Rather the rapper makes the video very simplistic with an artsy feel, and in turn it takes you on a journey.
The tone and theme behind "Don't Let Me Fall," both the song and now the video, create a connection which ties B.o.B's musical journey to his fans. The track plays like an open prayer where the artist asks listeners to embrace his experiences and creativity. Things have been really looking up for B.o.B, as his name continues to grow in the music industry. His unique style of being able to play multiple instruments as well as singing and rapping have crossed him over to different demographics. The best thing about the newly turned 22-year-old is that he never sounds the same on every record or looks the same in videos. He is destined to spread his message of creativity and empowerment through his music.

Mr. Auto-Tune T-Pain has debuted a very expensive music video filmed to support his very goofy/awful new single "Reverse Cowgirl". The Jeremy Rall-directed video features the zombie auto-tune MC rapping to the camera with slow-motion cherries fall out of glasses, and captures of beautiful women dance around him in a "classy" manner. This is actually pretty arty for a T-Pain video, and is going to be one of those songs that you'll only hear at shitty clubs at one in the morning, where it might sound like the best, but you're embarrassed you know the words.
Teddy Pain attempts to Auto-Tune another hit with "Reverse Cowgirl" is the lead offering from his upcoming fourth studio effort, "RevolveR," which will drop later this year. Young Jeezy who provides additional verses to the song doesn't make any cameo appearance in the accompanying music video. The video has a different look compared to the heavy 3-D graphics that were featured in his last album "Thr33 Rings" but, like every artist today, T-Pain is re-inventing himself. Beside prepping to release his own record, T-Pain also has a joint album with Lil Wayne. Recently, he told MTV that the T-Wayne album will be released after Weezy gets out of jail. "He has so much going on. He has 'Rebirth' out right now. I don't wanna interrupt that," he said.
Florida-born T-Pain, is a Grammy winning American hip hop artist and producer known for his use of auto-tune. At the age of ten he turned his bedroom into a small studio with a keyboard, beat machine and four-track recorder, and he began his career as a rapper in the group Nappy Headz. The "T" in T-Pain stands for Tallahassee, and the 'Pain' means the pain trying to get out of Tallahassee. T-Pain has had over 10 top ten singles on Billboard Hot 100, and in 2008 he won a Grammy with rapper Kanye West for the single "Good Life." In June 2009, T-Pain collaborated with country-pop singer Taylor Swift for the CMT Music Awards, and performed "Thug Story," a parody of Swift's hit single "Love Story."

Freedom is the third studio album by singer, Akon. The album was originally named Acquitted, however Akon changed it due to its negative connotation. Freedom is the first album by Akon not to carry the Parental Advisory warning, although there is still profanity in the album. The album debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200, selling 110,000 copies its first week. It currently sold about 600,000 copies in the U.S.
Let's enjoy two of my favorite songs in this album now. Please click on each title to listen. "Freedom" and "Beautiful" (featuring with Colby O'Donis & Kardinal Offishall.)
The video for "Beautiful" is the 3rd official single from album "Freedom", and that he "wants the best music video" for the song. The video was premiered on Yahoo! Music on February 24.