By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
There are some unlikely pairings underway in the music world.
One in particular is a merging of hardcore hip-hop with pop-laced neo-soul.
For his new album, titled 'Curtis,' hip-hop superstar 50 Cent has called upon the musical talents of blue-eyed soul crooner Robin Thicke.
The two Interscope Music Group-associated artists collaborated on the track 'Follow My Lead,' which will be a lead single for the June 26 release.
"It has a more mature vibe to it," 50 explained in an 'MTV' interview. "The older demographic is really becoming attracted to Robin Thicke and I think it has something to do with the reflection of his sales increasing on a steady level because the older you are, the less you've adjusted to MP3ing and downloading material. You're conditioned to going into the store and buying the CD. That's good."
Thicke, whose musical talents were first discovered by Hip Hop Soul architect Andre Harrell, was heavily influenced by the infectious culture.
"Even though I'm a singer and not a rapper I'm influenced more by hip-hop music than anything else in the world," Thicke said to interviewers early this week. "I think hip-hop music is the leader of artistic expression in the world right now. It's changing the way people dress in Asia and Russia. There is no painter that is doing that right now, there is no movie star that has everyone dressing like them and talking them."
With his sophomore album, 'Evolution of Robin Thicke,' the singer/songwriter (who's the son of actor Alan Thicke and husband to actress Paula Patton) has become a platinum-plated success story, and a fixture on the R&B charts. Appearances on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' and 'Today' have bolstered sales of the Pharrell Williams-helmed opus, and also increased his visibility.
For his latest musical effort, he garnered two BET Awards.
Thicke has been confirmed to open for Beyonce Knowles on her new North American Tour this summer; they will both appear on 'Oprah' May 21.
He will also play Radio City Music Hall with Jill Scott next month.
A video for 'Follow My Lead' was filmed last week in Los Angeles.
Comments: (26)
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By: tru gee on 5/18/2007 10:35PM
www.usghetto.com
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By: Black Queen on 5/19/2007 2:53PM
I LOVE ROBIN THICKE!!!! I can't say the same for 50 but I LOVE ROBIN THICKE!!!!
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By: sheliaeady on 5/19/2007 3:49PM
i LOVE ROBIN THICKE HIS NEW JAM U CANT BELIVE IS AWSOME
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By: pat on 5/20/2007 2:13AM
i love 50 he so sexy, i dream of him in bed wow maybe one day i'm so hopeing!!!!!! I LOVE YOU FIFTY!!!!!!
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By: mm on 5/20/2007 3:07PM
ugh...why doesn't 50 just go away. he is only building up his bank account while tearing down his own people. i hope this merger doesn't ruin my respect for robin thicke's artistry.
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By: ms_cutiepants on 5/21/2007 8:49AM
To MM:
How long has it been since 50 said all those things get over it you act like he was talking about you!
I can't believe how big of a bitch guys turn in to when they talk about 50 they be whining like "I don't like 50 he was talking about people; wah,wah,wah"
Man the f**k up.
He can say whatever he want to say and if you have such a big problem with what comes out his mouth I'd like to see you punch him in it, and if you're not man enough for that shut the f**k up.
P.S. I LOVE YOU 50! ;)
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By: mm on 5/21/2007 9:10AM
@ms_cutiepants. you have now made your daily contribution to coonery. aren't you special!
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By: JC on 5/21/2007 2:10PM
DO NOT BE FOOLED!!!! 50 cent is ahead of the other rappers in shielding himself with REAL artists while hip hop/rappers are put under the spotlight about their behavior,lyrics,videos,etc. Some rappers are blending with true artists (actors,singers,etc.)to get a strong hold or acceptance in hollywood & the public,BUT when the coast is clear they will be back to spending vermen,
destruction,crap,doing porn videos,etc. REMINDER: 50 cent give an interview that basically said that he was going to continue to use foul language,the "n"word, graphic violence/sexual lyics & images to promote rap and the public & black community can kiss his ass. ALSO, rappers 50 cent,Jay-Z & others,etc. are in their 30's & 40's promoting this crap to america's youth. HIP HOP CAN BE CONTROLLED-----BY THE CUSTOMERS (spending money)& THE LAW (underage girls in videos/parties,drugs,guns,etc.)!!!
America & the world is NOT a ghetto & many decent people WILL NOT let rappers (former/present drug dealers,
prisoners,gangsters,pimps,etc.) turn it into one.
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By: kennedy on 5/22/2007 6:57PM
mm is clearly hating.
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By: Tracy Wright on 5/22/2007 10:09AM
Fifty and Robin Thicke, that should be interesting. Robin seems to be very versatile with his music. I think the duo would be great. http://granitehardwaredesigns.com
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