I’m so proud of my long time friend Melanie Fiona.  From the time we spent in the studio back in the dayz i knew she was destine for greatness. ENJOY

Dr. Dre certainly knows how to brand himself and build his brand. He has collaborated with HP to produce a special version of the portable Envy Laptop.  Said to be the first computer created for music it features new Beats Audio sound technology that will improve the sound produced by the laptop’s speakers. With a thin, sleek design and touted as one of the best performers around, Dre has found a decent product to back..but let’s face it it’s not a Mac (sorry did I say that out loud). Despite my evident bias, I urge you to check out the promotional video feature Dre’s new single “Under Pressure”.

Statistics – Lyfe Jennings

I’m sure I was one of many that utter the same words when El Debarge hit the stage at the recent BET Awards..What da Hell?!? Where did they find him? I immediately began to search online to appease my curiosity and apparently I wasn’t the only one. The night the awards aired “El Debarge” searches surged 10,529% ranking in the top 1,000 overall searches on Yahoo. But back to the performance, you have to agree it was mint. His performance of such hits as “All This Love”, “Time Will Reveal” and “The Rhythm Of the Night” brought me back to my youth. What really surprised me is that he still had it; his signature falsetto was intact even after 16 years. For his sake, I’m so glad the performance went well, and he didn’t endure the embarrassment of a failed attempt to rekindle one’s career on a BET Awards shows (*cough* New Edition). If his performance of “Second Chance” is any indication of the caliber of music on his upcoming album (name after the title track) due to release in the fall, it will be a definite addition to my collection. With such producers as Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, and Baby Face to name a few, I’m sure “Second Chance” will be a solid piece of work. IAE, do I hear an El Debarge Soul Kitchen in the near future?  Just a suggestion…

You might start to mistake KidKut.com for the ALL THINGS DRAKE site, but don’t get it twisted – we are just proud of our own. With that said, I would like to congratulate Drake on his successful debut at No. 1 on Billboard 200. Selling 447, 000 copies “Thank Me Later” has accomplished the third best sales week of 2010 for a single album, ranking only behind Sade’s “Soldier of Love” and Lady Antebellum’s “I Need You Now”.

Check out the New Video from The Roots – Dear God 2.0. Lyrically, musically and visually solid. Speaking of The Roots, if you happen to be in the T.Dot next week, you can catch the Roots at the Toronto International Jazz Festival on Tuesday June 29th Toronto Star Stage – Nathan Phillips Square 100 Queen Street West, Toronto ON , Doors 8 pm – Show 9 pm – All Ages.

Today, June 16^th, we celebrate the 39^th birthday of Tupac Shakur (2PAC).  Take a moment to reflect on the artist, writer, poet, actor, and activist considered one of the greatest artists of All TIME (According to Rolling Stones Magazine and millions of fans worldwide). A discography spanning 11 albums, more than half released after his death, Pac is the highest selling rap artist with over 75 million albums sold worldwide. It makes you wonder what the game would be like if Pac was still alive? Would there still be an east/west coast divide? Whatever the case may be, we cannot ignore the impact that Pac has had on rap music. He gave a face to the hardships of growing up in the ghetto; amidst all the violence and racism, yet we were able relate to the struggle and bounce to it.  Years after his untimely death, his music still echo’s on like a soundtrack to a generation. His music remains relevant..timeless even.

Twitter is going crazy! Fans are lining up for blocks!  Why? June 15^th marks the release of Drake’s much anticipated debut album “Thank Me Later”. Lil Wayne has been recently quoted from prison saying “I need him to do two million the first week, straight up” .. so lets make that happen! Get your copy so Drake can exceed the expectations of the industry and silence the haters.

Special thanks to beats by dr. dre for sending me

these exclusive headphones. When you purchase the Solo HD Red part of the proceeds go directly to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH MUSIC
Beats Solo HD (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition headphones allows you to listen to great music and help eliminate AIDS in Africa. The Beats family is committed to help stop the spread of this devastating virus. When you buy Beats Solo HD (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition headphones, Monster gives a portion of the proceeds directly to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS in Africa.

THE GLOBAL FUND IS SAVING LIVES
In sub-Saharan Africa, over 3,800 people die every day from AIDS and more than 1,000 children are infected daily with HIV. Contributions from the sale of the Beats SOLO HD (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition headphones help fund treatment for those living with HIV in Africa. It can cost as little as 40 cents to buy the two pills a day that someone living with HIV needs to stay alive. (RED), The Global Fund and the contribution from this purchase can help make that treatment available to those who need it.