Andrew Martone

Aretha Franklin’s Young, Gifted & Black is a Masterpiece

January 24, 2017

Young, Gifted & Black: The Queen On The Throne 45 years ago Aretha Franklin was at her peak. 3 major events mark this era: First, her show stopping 1971 performances at the Fillmore West in San Francisco helped expose her to a brand new audience. Second, her game-changing 1972 gospel album Amazing Grace redefined the gospel genre, and helped bring

Music·Then

Is Aretha Franklin’s “Ain’t No Way” An Undercover LGBT Anthem?

Introduction Before I get started on “Ain’t No Way”, I want to address a few things (in case this crosses Miss Franklin’s eyes). The intention of this piece is not gossip. No malice is intended in these words. I’m simply working off information I’ve learned, and a theory I came up with as

Where Are You Christmas? Mariah Carey’s Unsung Holiday Classic

Faith Hill’s “Where Are You Christmas?” To some, it’s ‘that song from

Me. I Am Misunderstood… The Elusive Chronicles of Mariah’s 14th studio album

Introduction In 2014, Mariah Carey released her fourteenth studio album, Me. I

Before “I don’t know her”: A true history of Mariah Carey & Jennifer Lopez’s ‘beef’

March 20, 2016

In Depth·Mariah Carey·Music

This is not where it started. This was after. Jennifer Lopez recently returned to Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live! and was questioned on her alleged beef with Mariah Carey. Once again, Jennifer insisted that there is no bad blood on her end between the two, and that she admires

In Memoriam: Natalie Cole

January 1, 2016

Music·Now

Though she was the daughter of a King (Nat King Cole to be exact), Natalie Cole didn’t let her father’s legacy overshadow or impede the creation of her own. A major player across R&B, soul, and jazz throughout her 6 decade career in music, she will be greatly missed and

Aretha Franklin Reminds The World Why She Is Queen at Kennedy Center Honors (VIDEO)

December 30, 2015

Music·Now

Aretha Franklin is the Queen of Soul. She is without doubt, the most influential vocalist of all time, with the only other real contender being Frank Sinatra, each for their own distinct reasons. Last night, CBS finally aired their taping of November’s Kennedy Center Honors. Among the honorees was legendary singer/songwriter Carole

97 Words: Pusha T’s ‘King Push- Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude’

December 28, 2015

In 97 Words·Music·Now·Reviews

Menacing. Pusha T knows how to select beats that agree with his unique voice, signature “yuuuh”, and dark, snowy, lyrical content. Bringing back Puff Daddy on the boards results brilliantly in the disjointed, aggressive “Crutches, Crosses, Caskets” and a few more notable moments. Timbaland excels as Pusha projects “The flow

97 Words: Frank Sinatra at 100

December 13, 2015

In 97 Words·Music·Now

Frank was everything. He was a God to me growing up. The day he died, my grandmother wouldn’t speak to me on the phone she was so distraught. I’ve grown to appreciate the music more as I’ve grown up. He is unparalleled. “Fly Me To The Moon” is forever my

Album Review: Adele’s ’25’ is picturesque and nearly perfect

December 7, 2015

Featured·Music·Now·Reviews

Imagine if the new Adele album had been sub-par. What would happen? A “Skyfall” is probably the best guess. One has to wonder what the album she scrapped sounds like. Maybe one day the world will be privy to it, but for now, let’s bask in the magnificence that is 25.

EXCLUSIVE: Mary J. Blige, Lil’ Kim, Mariah Carey, and more ignite HOT 4 The Holidays

December 6, 2015

Mariah Carey·Music·Now

Last night at HOT 4 the Holidays, sparks flew. With a line up starring Busta Rhymes, Mariah Carey, Lil’ Wayne, Mary J. Blige, Lil’ Kim, Rick Ross, Fetty Wap, Puff Daddy, and more, it was inevitable. From Mariah Carey’s stellar runs at the end of her quick performance of “I Know

Concert Review: Adele effortlessly captivates Radio City Music Hall for NBC taping

November 18, 2015

Music·Now·Reviews

When news spread that Adele would film a one night only show at Radio City Music Hall, tickets became a frenzy. Instead of monetizing fans and charging the boat loads of money that could be charged for Adele’s first US show in years, tickets were given away for free, lottery

Single Review: Trina’s “F**k Boy” affirms that she’s still Da Baddest

November 18, 2015

Music·Now·Reviews

There’s something to be said for Trina’s longevity as an artist, and a female rapper. She’s on the Louboutin heels of releasing her 6th album, something that puts her ahead of every single notable woman with bars in music today. Her closest competition in number of albums released is her

Single Review: Say “Hello” to the slayage; Adele has returned!

October 23, 2015

Music·Now·Reviews

“I heard that you’d settled down”. Funny how Adele’s own words came to ring so true for herself. After the release and indescribable acclaim and success of her sophomore album 21 in 2011, Adele nothing short of disappeared. With the exception of recording the theme to the James Bond film

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Andrew Martone

Aretha Franklin’s Young, Gifted & Black is a Masterpiece

Is Aretha Franklin’s “Ain’t No Way” An Undercover LGBT Anthem?

Where Are You Christmas? Mariah Carey’s Unsung Holiday Classic

Me. I Am Misunderstood… The Elusive Chronicles of Mariah’s 14th studio album

Before “I don’t know her”: A true history of Mariah Carey & Jennifer Lopez’s ‘beef’

In Memoriam: Natalie Cole

Aretha Franklin Reminds The World Why She Is Queen at Kennedy Center Honors (VIDEO)

97 Words: Pusha T’s ‘King Push- Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude’

97 Words: Frank Sinatra at 100

Album Review: Adele’s ’25’ is picturesque and nearly perfect

EXCLUSIVE: Mary J. Blige, Lil’ Kim, Mariah Carey, and more ignite HOT 4 The Holidays

Concert Review: Adele effortlessly captivates Radio City Music Hall for NBC taping

Single Review: Trina’s “F**k Boy” affirms that she’s still Da Baddest

Single Review: Say “Hello” to the slayage; Adele has returned!

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97 Words: Lady Gaga has found “The Cure”

97 Words: “Bananas (Who You Gonna Call?)” by Queen Latifah

Review: “Passport Bros” by Bas & J. Cole

97 Words: Frank Sinatra at 100

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