Review: But You Caint Use My Phone - @FatBellyBella (Written By: @Natural_Nation)

Listening to But You Caint Use My Phone was like getting a chance to sneak in to the studio and eavesdrop on an Erykah Badu jam session. It's one of those projects where less is more. It's creative, eccentric, gives us everything we love about Ms. Badu, and it's simple, in a great way. Not the way trap music is simple but the way dance music in the 70's was simple. They could repeat one word on a nine minute track and for nine straight minutes people would take their time sweating their hair out. It didn't need much to be good, it just was. There was a thought process put into the listening experience.

In general But You Caint Use My Phone is a compilation of tributes to songs that revolve around phones. The very first track is an homage to one of Erykah's most recognizable singles Call on Tyrone. The song carries the same melody adjusted with different lyrics. Hi, one of my favorite tracks is barely long enough to be anything more than an interlude. It immediately reminded me of how angry I was listening to Fertilizer on channel Orange. So perfect, yet so short.

Now, I have to be completely honest when I first heard Cell U Lar Device as a stand alone single I didn't make it to the second verse. I initially didn't give it the time of day and this is coming from a hardcore Erykah fan. On first impression I summed it up to be a poor remake. Boy was I salty when I actually made it through the whole track. It's now one of my favorite songs on the mixtape. Lesson learned, never doubt the Mother.

Phone Down is probably my least favorite song but the concept is interesting. Honestly it's embarrassing how relevant the premise is. Throughout the song Erykah repeats the words "I can make you put your phone down." It's an effortless but meaningful statement. Do you know the kind of power you would have in this day and age if you could make someone put their phone down? From now on I'm using it as a pick up line. U Use to Call Me is similar to Hi in that it feels like an interlude. But there is a rapper featured on this track that sounds like a perfect version of Drake, with the sniffles. Who are you!? The people want to know!

Mr. Telephone Man (track six) and U Don't Have to Call (track seven) are both tributes to previously made songs. The former is New Edition's 1984 hit Mr. Telephone Man and the latter is Usher's 2001 hit U Don't Have To Call. Track 7 made my favorite list easily. I love the eclectic sound and thanks to my pops caught the Parliament style bird call in the beginning of the song. Drake with a cold makes another appearance on Whats yo phone number. This track has a modern sound, generally attributed to the snares in the background. It wouldn't surprise me if this was a mixtape favorite.

Listening to Dial'Afreaq immediately brought me to Looking for the Perfect Beat by Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force. AKA' 1980's breaking anthem. It has a very 80's hip-hop, breakdancing vibe which I will admit didn't fully connect with the opening segment about our complete disregard for the life of bee's but still very cool none the less. I'll Call You Back has an uncanny resemblance to Post Malone's White Iverson. Another smooth transition to Hello.

Hello is the closing song on this 11 part mixtape. I mean what is there to really say about this song. It's Andre 3000! It's the ultimate collaboration. These are two people I used to wish would get married when I was younger. Neither of them can do wrong in my eyes, but it really is a lovely collaboration. They also bring along their son Seven for the ride. Everything from the melody to the tone of their voice's is a perfect combination. It's just a bonus that it happens to be a great song and a reminder of what happens when two artists get together and blend seamlessly; like Toni Braxton and BabyFace. Bleh, it couldn't have ended on a better note. I'm done. Make sure to listen to my favorite tracks, as listed below. But You Can't Use My Phone is available on iTunes.

Rating: 4.75 out of 5

Favorite Tracks 

2. Hi

 3. Cel U Lar Device 

7. U Don't Have to Call

11. Hello 

iTunes download

Listen: Hello - @Fatbellybella featuring Andre 3000 & Seven

Regardless of whatever is going on, Erykah Badu has always found a way to stay classy (except when you cross her ask Raven Symone).

Part of the Thanksgiving mixtape releases, Erykah dropped her newest mixtape But You Caint Use My Phone. Hello has definitely been viewed as a fan favorite. It closes out the project and features her former lover, Andre 3000 and their son Seven. I was surprised when I originally heard his voice as he really draws a lot of influence from the champagne papi, Drake. Super talented just like his parents. Listen to that below and look out, Zuri has the scoop on the whole project soon.

Review: 25 - @Adele

     Okay everyone stop the presses! *crickets* Okay great, now that I have everyone’s attention let me share some good news. The Queen is back! And I’m not talking about Beyonce (sorry ya’ll) I’m talking about Adele. Her highly anticipated album, 25, came out last week and what can I say? The girl did her thang. Not only is she breaking hearts with her sounds, she is also breaking records. Her album has sold over 2.4 million albums in the first week, surpassing NSYNC’s record that was set in 1990. I guess people start to miss you when you go missing for four years. But we’re not bitter, we are all saying "Hello" back, and embracing her with open arms.

     Now there are always people that hate and say “It’s just another break up album, it’s not going to be any different then her other ones.” Well you Sir (or Madam) are mistaken. Okay yes, she sings about past relationships but she included songs like A Million Years Ago, River Lea and When We Were Young that are very nostalgic. She sings about her childhood and love for her hometown, confirming that you can take the girl out of London, but you can’t take London out of the girl. There were also some tracks that were surprisingly seductive; especially I Miss You. It’s definitely not a break up song. The heavy percussion and Adele’s heavy breathing in the beginning, along with the lyrics “treat me soft but touch me cruel/ I wanna teach you things you never new” show that the title is very misleading. Lay Me Down is also an intimate composition on the deluxe edition. She tells her lover to “Turn off the lights/ lay me down/ till the morning.”
     And while we know Adele for her soulful, R&B and gospel sound, there are a couple of pop sounding tracks on here. My favorite song, Send My Love (To Your New Lover,) is a sassy message to her ex, telling him to treat his new girl better because she’s giving him up. The upbeat tempo is something you can dance to. I know I did, several times. Water Under The Bridge is a groovy pop ballad that every girl can relate to. When a guy isn’t committing, and you have to decide if you’re going to put up with it not; you know we’ve all made that mistake before. Accompanied with this album, Adele wrote a letter to herself: “My last record was a break up record and if I had to label this one it would be a make-up record. I’m making up with myself… making up for everything I did and never did”. She shares this personal message, and so much more with her fans, who may be able to learn from her mistakes. So from all of us I would like to say, thank you for making up with yourself. It’s good to have you back.
Rating: 4.8 out of 5

Watch: Hello - @Adele

You know with this kind of music you never have to say much. You especially keep quiet when you're talking about Adele.

I don't know what it is about singers from the UK but these British artists have pipes. She just dropped a new video for Hello. Mack Wilds makes cameos as her former lover. This one is for the ladies and the sappy lover boys like me. Hello by Adele after the break.