#iTunesSounds: Four To Know – December 6, 2015

“Four To Know” is a glimpse inside what’s current in the iTunes Music Libraries of our team members. We’ll provide four songs to grab and a breakdown of what appeals to us in each track.

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

1) “Credit” by Ty Dolla $ign feat. Seyvn Streeter

BREAKDOWN: First of all, I owe an assist to our TheOrganizedGrind affiliate owner Donte Grant for his assist on this one. He told me that the new Dolla $ign album was a must listen. As usual, Grant was dead on. Placed in the middle of his “Free TC” CD, Ty delivered a crisp track as he teamed up with emering R&B artist Sevyn Streeter. It remains to be seen if this will make it to the airwaves as a single at some point during the life span of the release but it’s worth a listen ASAP.

2A/B) “Black Friday” by J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar

BREAKDOWN: As if the rumblings of these two teaming up for a collaboration album weren’t loud enough already, they each dropped separate tracks on the other’s beat. Lamar chose Cole’s “A Tale of 2 Citiez” while Cole jumped on Kendrick’s hit “Alright.” Neither spared the beat going all in with A Game verses to hold us over as we wait. Cole even alluded to a possible release date during the month of February. Stay Tuned. For now, enjoy both of these songs.

3) “For The Summer” by Fabolous

BREAKDOWN: Fab’s latest mixtape “Summertime Shootout” ironically dropped on Thanksgiving Day. This track was the opening track off of another quality output from the New York based rapper. In talking with PSBPopCulture.com Team Member, Keil Moore, the progression for Fab as a 38-year-old artist is impressive. Keep an eye out for the “Young OG Project II” album scheduled for a digital release on Christmas Day. If Fabolous keeps up his current pace of releases during the Fourth Quarter, his new nickname will be Mr. Winter Holiday.

FAVORITE LINE: “Girlfriend like really 2 Chainz for the summer? I’ve copped a few things that were dumber…With that said, I might cop two things for the summer. They both gonna be blacker than Lou’s thing for the summer.”

^^^ Fab with the witty reference to Los Angeles Laker Louis Williams (insert Drake – 6th Man reference) and his two girlfriends.

4) “Under the Stars” by John Legend

BREAKDOWN: This song takes me back to his “Once Again” album. “Under The Stars” is exactly the kind of ballad that Legend has perfected since my introduction to his music in 2003 on Slum Village’s “Selfish.” It was released in conjunction with Stella Artois“Give Beautifully” holiday campaign. Though Legend dropped the song for the holiday season, it has a year round feel to it.

Brandon Clay is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com through his various genre reviews. A self-professed entertainment & music junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. You can follow him on Twitter @PSBPopCulture.

#EntertainmentPSB: “Fixer Upper” – Season Premier – December 1, 2015

As a homeowner, I find myself paying more attention to channels like HGTV than I ever did growing up in my parents home. My love for the series “Fixer Upper” is a result of having gone through the home buying (and renovating) process. I was introduced to the series by my Operations intern, Taylor Johnson, and have really enjoyed the first two seasons.

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

As the show gears up for its’ third season on HGTV, Chip and Joanna Gaines are back at it. The married couple displays a unique way to blend their careers of renovating homes for clients throughout central Texas while raising a family based in the town of Waco, Texas. The couple is in the process of making themselves the most popular item to come from the town since Baylor University quarterback Robert Griffin III won the Heisman Trophy in 2012. Before the show aired in 2013, the Gaineses had already renovated more than 100 homes building their Magnolia Homes business in the process.

In the third season, the two will tackle their toughest project to date as they build what is slated to be called “Magnolia Market.” It is scheduled to be completed sometime in July. In addition to silos and a warehouse that will contain the Magnolia Homes offices, part of the plan calls for a retail marketplace and an area for approximately 15 to 20 mobile food vendors and trucks. The WacoTrib reported that the city of Waco has contributed with a reported 208,376 in tax incentives to assist in the project. Even my dad, John Clay, is a big fan of the show and mentioned his excitement about the series premier over Thanksgiving Dinner last week.

Make sure to turn in to HGTV at 9 pm EST / 8 pm CST.

Brandon Clay is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com through his various genre reviews. A self-professed entertainment & music junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. You can follow him on Twitter @PSBPopCulture.

#iTunesSounds: Four To Know – December 1, 2015

“Four To Know” is a glimpse inside what’s current in the iTunes Music Libraries of our team members. We’ll provide four songs to grab and a breakdown of what appeals to us in each track.

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

1) “Hello” by Erykah Badu feat. Andre 3000

BREAKDOWN: It’s always nice to hear from Miss Badu who was one of R&B’s go-to voices in the late ’90’s and early 2000’s. The fact that she brought Andre 3000 along for one of his few select verses that he drops annually was a pleasant surprise. The two team up over the classic Ronald Isley sample “Hello, It’s Me.” Andre delivers his seemingly timeless flow while Badu makes it feel like it’s 2000 all over again.

2) “No Shade” by Chaz French feat. Wale

BREAKDOWN: A relative newcomer to the mainstream scene, keep an eye on Chaz French. I owe an assist to PSBPopCulture.com Team Member, Jordan Davis, for this one. French comes through with a quality output on this one even singing the hook. Meanwhile his veteran counterpart, Wale, delivered a mean punch on the type of R&B type of track we’ve come to expect Mr. Folarin to body.

3) “Contradiction” by Mail Music feat. Jhene Aiko

BREAKDOWN: Mali Music has been on the scene for years but has started to breakout as a mainstream R&B solo artist since the release of “Beautiful.” I have to credit current Notre Dame freshman Ali Patberg for the lob on that track 18 months ago. Now Mali is back on the Spike Lee movie “Chi-Raq” soundtrack. He brought emerging female R&B artist Jhene Aiko along on this one and together the combine to knock this one out the park. The high pitch sound floating on top of the melody reminds me of the style Justin Bieber used on “Sorry” and adds to the sound of this one.

4) “Send My Love” (To Your New Lover) by Adele

BREAKDOWN: On a “25” CD loaded with soon-to-be Billboard chart toppers, this one stands out with it’s upbeat tempo as she does her 1-2 on the track. The feel in sequence and message makes me think of “Rumour Has It” off of Adele’s “21” output. Ironically, it’s the second track on the CD the same way Rumour Has It was.

Brandon Clay is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com through his various genre reviews. A self-professed entertainment & music junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. You can follow him on Twitter @PSBPopCulture.

#iTunesSounds: Justin Bieber – “Purpose” – November 30, 2015

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

Since releasing his debut EP, “My World”, in late 2009, Justin Bieber has become one of the most popular artists worldwide regardless of genre. His latest release, “Purpose”, is his first studio release since 2012 and showcases a distinct sound that is maturing with his age. Over the past three years, the now 21-year-old singer has had some issues away from the music studio. That said, Bieber delivered a hit when needed with this one. We take a look at this latest album.

My Fantastic Four tracks off of Purpose are as follows:

2) “I’ll Show You”

BREAKDOWN: Bieber doesn’t waste anytime addressing the missteps of the past couple of years: the pressure of the fame, stardom and celebrity.



FAVORITE LINE: “This life’s not easy. I’m not made out of steel. Forget that I’m human, forget that I’m real.

4) “Sorry”

BREAKDOWN: This is a hit. From the opening sounds that proceed Bieber’s voice coming on the track to his voice floating over the strong melody. He performed this one at the American Music Awards and I am sure that will see this stay on the Billboard charts for weeks to come.

FAVORITE LINE: “You gotta go and get angry at all of my honesty. You know I try but I don’t do too well with apologies.”

8) “Love Yourself”

BREAKDOWN: This is the moment that we all talk about with the significant other who steps in saying everything in life is wrong but them. Friends, family and even the other person. Bieber touches this with a smooth beat and a some lightly played instruments as his voice tap dances on the track.

FAVORITE LINE: “My mama don’t like you and she likes everyone. And I never like to admit that I was wrong.”

Listen to more about this topic on the PSBPopCulture.com Report at the 7:00 min mark:

17) “Trust”

BREAKDOWN: This is my favorite song on the album. The whole sound has a real Timberlake post-NSync feel. The bass line is a perfect compliment to the R&B like production on this one. Bieber does a good job of showing his growing diversity on a track that he can deliver live with a female fan on stage as opposed to having to choreograph a dance for this one.

FAVORITE LINE: “Let’s be honest with ourselves. Did we really come this far just to watch it go down the drain?”

Honorable Mention: “We Are” feat. Nas

BREAKDOWN: Bieber teams up with arguably a Top Five rapper in the history of the game for this one. To my surprise, the track didn’t feel forced even though at 42, Nas could be Bieber’s father.

Brandon Clay is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com through his various genre reviews. A self-professed entertainment & music junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. You can follow him on Twitter @PSBPopCulture.