Ginuwine vs. Rebel vs. Jamie Foxx vs. Ray J - "Hate to Love"

Earlier this week, a Ray J version of "Hate to Love" (sometimes labeled "Love to Hate) leaked on the internet. Peep:



This marks the FOURTH version of this song, behind Ginuwine, Rebel/R-Styl, and Jamie Foxx.

Sadly, no one actually released it for their respective albums. With that said, who do you think rocked the beat best? Why do you think no one officially released the record? Let us know!!

Ginuwine: A New Beginning

Ginuwine fans will be happy to hear that G is coming out with a reality tv show entitled "Ginuwine: A New Beginning." The show showcases G's never-ending grind of touring, creating new music, and being a father to his children and husband to his wife and former artist Sole. Ginuwine and his camp are currently shopping the show around so there's no word on which network will pick it up. Check out the trailer below:



G seems to be spending a lot of time in Miami. I wonder if he and Tim cooked something up. Guess we will have to watch and see.

Ginuwine "Hate To Love" produced by Timbaland

There's nothing I love more than when one of The Chronicles music news exclusives becomes a reality. Such is the case with the LONG awaited unreleased Ginuwine track "Love To Hate" from his album A Man's Thoughts that we told you about over 2 years ago! Produced by Timbo, vocal production by Jim Beanz, check out G's "Hate To Love":



Why G decided to ok with the god awful "Get Involved" track over this is beyond comprehension.

Thoughts?

Ginuwine Channels His Inner B Boy

We've all seen Ginuwine's classic video for "None Of Ur Business"



The video version includes the dope dance sequence with G poppin' and lockin' to what I hope we all know by now is the famous
song by George Krantz called "Din Da Da." Well for all you old school breakers like me you know the track was featured in the movie Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo and you also also know that G was obviously inspired by it too by this particular scene from the movie:



Go Turbo!

Pitchfork Names Top 200 Tracks of the '90s, Timbaland Productions Make List

The staff over at Pitchfork just released their "Top 200 Tracks of the 1990s," and probably to no one's surprise, Timbaland's name can be found all over the list (some songs are discussed in "pre" and "post" Timbaland terms, which really shows his influence on popular music). While Timbo himself didn't make the list as an artist, three of his produced tracks are among the top 200, and one of those even made the top 10! Here are the three songs that made the list, and what the Pitchfork staff had to say about them:

8. Aaliyah
"Are you that Somebody"
[Atlantic; 1998]

Late-90s Timbaland was the epitome of audacious, screwball production genius, and Aaliyah was his ideal foil, a sultrily cool singer who did for melodic tension-and-release what other R&B singers were doing for showy melisma. Subsequently, "Are You That Somebody" sounds outlandish to the point where it comes across like a challenge from producer to singer-- and it's a challenge easily met. Tim's beat is borderline ridiculous, a rubbery, surreptitiously funky bounce that sounds like "Looney Tunes" composer Carl Stalling had been commissioned to rework a Catfish Collins chicken-scratch guitar riff.

But the aspects that might come across as goofy at first-- the baby coo sourced from Prince's "Delirious"; the beatboxing that sounds like broken castanets; the fact that it first emerged on the soundtrack to the Eddie Murphy version of Dr. Doolittle-- are offset by Aaliyah's characteristically deft performance, balancing an uncanny ability to wring new angles out of a deceptively simple melody and the chops to let her singing naturally jump from smooth longing to nimble rhythmic counterpoints. The moment in the chorus where her voice finally wraps itself entirely around that stagger-step beat and rolls out with the same fluidity as the frenetic bassline-- "causeIreallyneedsomebody/tellmeareyouthatsomebody"-- is everything great about late-90s R&B in one burst of inspiration. --Nate Patrin

33. Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott
"The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)"
[Elektra; 1997]

If you were a rap hit in 1997, there's a ballpark 70% chance Puff Daddy was your midwife. (Diddy actually wanted Missy Elliot for Bad Boy on the strength of her work with Timbaland on Aaliyah's records, and praise be that she went her own way.) This was not the weather for slinky, weird rap debuts, but being unprecedented is usually marketable somehow. (Didn't hurt that Hype Williams put her in what looked like a trash bag for the video.) A relief from stereotypes, sexier than most sex talk-- visionary stuff rarely makes the Top 10 anyhow. --Mike Powell

104. Ginuwine
"Pony"
[550 Music/ Sony Music Entertainment/ Epic; 1996]

Wherein the sound of a burping processed voice personifies sex. That belching roll came courtesy of Timbaland in his first jaw-dropper, and Elgin Lumpkin-- Ginuwine's wisely ditched government name-- obliged with the sort of on-the-nose sexual metaphor that made 90s R&B such a delightfully literal piece of American musical history. "If you're horny, let's do it; ride it, my pony." That is a masterful exegesis on cut-to-the-chase. But though Ginuwine has become a genuinely underrated R&B figure-- time is unkind to the lot-- Timbaland used "Pony" to catapult himself into the conversation for most innovative and exciting producer of the half-decade. Indeed, he did most of his best work, including albums for Aaliyah, Missy Elliott, and Playa and stunning select single and remix work for Jay-Z, Jodeci, and Usher in the years that followed.

But "Pony" remains an indefatigable thing, a signifier for "different" R&B, challenging in its strangeness-- the burping, the quiet moan on the intro, those skitting hi-hats, the mechanical hissing of pistons-- that it remains an inspiration 14 years on. Timbaland did more sensual work at almost the exact same time as he worked with Aaliyah on her One in a Million but he never unleashed such unbridled, skin-pressed sex on wax again. --Sean Fennessey

Since Pitchfork decided the list should only name one song per artist, "One in a Million," "Hot like Fire," "Make it hot," and "Sock it 2 Me" received honorable mention type of accolades.

Peep the full list Here

Congrats, Timbo!!!

New Ginuwine Interview

Yet again the guys over at Static Major Is Music hit us with another interview this time with the one and only Ginuwine. Check it out!

From The Bassment: Ginuwine aka Tornado

Ya'll remember the Rare Reel we posted over 3 years ago introducing a very young Tornado right? If not here it is again for to check out:


Jodeci, Sista, & Tornado interview
Uploaded by ThomasCrownChronicles. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

Well the good folks over at the Static Major Is Music site just hooked us all up with a track by the Bassment R&B group 1-900, featuring Tornado and produced by long time Timbaland affiliate Darryl Pearson called "Dream Dreams":



How dope is that! BIG props to Dimu and the crew!

Congratulations 2010 ASCAP Winners

The Thomas Crown Chronicles would like to extend a big congratulations to the winners of this year's American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishes (ASCAP) Rhythm and Soul Music Awards. They include:

“KNOCK YOU DOWN” by Keri Hilson featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo
Writers: Marcella Araica, Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo
Publishers: Keriokey Music, Pen In The Ground Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Yaslina Music Publishing Inc.

“LAST CHANCE” by Ginuwine
Writer: Wayne “Siete” Wells
Publishers: Aztec Tracs, Ultra Tunes

“TURNIN’ ME ON” by Keri Hilson
Writer: Keri Hilson
Publishers: Keriokey Music, Universal Music Publishing Group

Congrats all!

Timbaland Gives Nas His Biggest Record So Says Ginuwine

In a recent interview with Vibe Magazine Ginuwine spoke on being the best dancer in the game, his current career "sabotoge", and being on one of Nas' biggest records, check it out:

Nas caught a lot of flack for your collaboration, “You Owe Me,” on Nastradamus. Jay-Z questioned his artistic integrity (on 2002's "Blueprint 2"), and some hardcore fans considered him a sellout. What are your feelings on the song?
I think you can be versatile. You don’t have to stay on one thing all the time. People have fun and they experiment and that’s what he might’ve been doing. And everyone wants to appeal to the masses; you want your voice to be heard. With him and what he stands for, if he reached millions of other people, he could change those millions of other people. So you don’t want to just keep yourself in a box, you want to get out there and experiment and do whatever it is that’s going to make you huge. And that’s song was probably one of the biggest songs of his career. People still give me love when I do it on my shows. So I think it’s healthy for someone to go out and experiment. You can’t stay the same all the time. You get bored.

Let’s look back for a second. Do you still keep in touch with Missy?
Every so often. I’ll page her and be like, “What’s up, baby? How are you?” She’ll say, “Hey, what’s up, I’m cool.” And that’s it. But hanging out, nah. I don’t really hang out with no one anyway. But she’s still doing her thing. I think she’s working on something right now. She does a lot of production and writing, like she always has. But she actually was on my last CD with me. We did a song called “Get Involved” and we did David Letterman together, so whenever I need her she’s definitely there for me. And vice versa.

G has definitely been getting a lot of press lately. Let's hope his new album comes with the heat especially executive produced by B Cox!

Ginuwine Still Got Love For Timbaland

G sat down with Honey Mag and shared his latest and perhaps final thoughts on the Timbo situation:

I don’t like feeling like a cry baby. I’m not gonna hound on it or keep saying anything about it because ultimately he is a great producer and [he] helped me start my career and that can never get taken away, but I wish what we had set out to do – that we had completed it.

The business kind of separates you. You know I’m not gonna chase anybody but you’d like to think if you need somebody, they’d [be] there. And if you need me, I’m definitely here. I’m just the same old G.

Hopefully Tim feels the same way. Just get back to making good music ya'll!

Ginuwine Continues To Talk On TImbaland

Listen to this:



WOW! The whole video had to be changed and everything even after the 50K was paid. What do you guys think about all this? Has the money gone to Timbaland's head?

Props to Buddha on the find.

More Ginuwine On Timbaland

Speaking of Ginuwine and Timbaland take a look and listen to this interview G did with 103 Jamz in Norfolk, VA:



SO sad but hopefully they'll be able to patch things up and get back to making incredible music together.

Thanks to Buddha for the link.

Ginuwine "Doesn't Like" Timbaland?

This is so sad to read. In an interview with Vibe Magazine Ginuwine opens up about his current relationship with Timbaland:

He [Timbaland] really hasn’t been interested in working with me, so I can’t speak on the present. But back in the days, it spoke for itself as far as him being the most sought after producer. Music was boring until he came out with that new sound. Back then, I would have described it as futuristic because it was something that had not been done and people jumped on it. If it wasn’t for him making that style as hot as it is, a lot of producers that’s out now maybe wouldn’t even be here.

Ho goes on to talk about his disappointment in Timbaland's lack of support on G's latest album A Man's Thoughts which Timbo produced the joint "Get Involved":

Me and Tim were real close at one point. A lot of the times that I reached out, there were a bunch of excuses. I begged and pleaded with him because I felt a certain way but I was like, is it just a bad vibe that I’m picking up on? Maybe I’m bugging out, I don’t know. But it came out to be true and I still feel like he owes me an apology for that. The reason I’m pissed off at him now is because of what he did. I would’ve been cool and not bothered him if he would’ve said, ‘Nah, I’m too busy,’ or gave me the lame excuse like he’s been giving me. But don’t do it and then not do what you’re supposed to do [to promote the song].

Despite the friction though G still has a lot of love for Tim and still thinks he'd win out in a producer battle royale:

I would have to go with Tim. I’m still a man. I’m not gonna not say the truth just ’cause I’m mad at you. [Laughs] He’s one of the best producers ever to me. Pharrell actually came up behind him. And the only reason I said Polow [in the first round], I’m looking at it on a level of what’s out now. But as a whole, there’s no one that can touch Timbaland.

And what of Timmy selling out? G gives it to us straight up:

I don’t know about the sold out thing. I think any smart businessman would go where the money is bigger, but I also feel like you don’t forget your roots either. You don’t alienate the people that helped you and started you out… What is it about me now that you just don’t like? And if it is something, say it. I can take truth. I can’t take that kind of stuff and right now I don’t really like him. I really don’t. That’s not being a man.

It really bums me out to read this interview from a man who rolled with Timbo since the beginning. It makes me wonder if this is the same way Missy Elliott feels? And others from the Da Bassment days. What do you think, has Timbaland sold out? Is it all about the money? Or is Ginuwine just angry that his career isn't as hot as it once was? Leave a comment and let us know.

Ginuwine's Favorite Aaliyah Moment?

Throughout all the years and all the tracks Ginuwine and Aaliyah worked on what do you think G's favorite one is with 'Liyah? Watch for yourself:



Now another interesting fact about G and Baby Girl is that G has never really written for anyone besides himself but a track he did write for someone else is none other than Alliyah's "I Miss U" written, get this, back in 1998.

Ginuwine finishes new album

Check the new message from Ginuwine via his myspace:

Hey Guys!!! I've just completed my album and I am proud to say that I've been very lucky to work with some amazing writers and producers!!!! Some of the people that I worked with were Jonta Austin, Brian Michael Cox,Adonis, Oak, The Clutch, And the Man that I started Out with... TIMBALAND!!!!! I'm going to be picking my single within two or three weeks to be released in January2009!!!!

The Chronicles can also tell you exclusivley to be on the lookout for the Timbaland produced, Jim Beanz vocal produced "Hate To Love Ya" off the album. Can't wait to hear what they came up with!

Ginuwine reunites with Timbaland

Yep it's true! After a long hiatus Ginuwine has just announced that he is going back into the studio with Timbaland for his new album. Here's a message via his myspace:

Hey guys!!! My album is coming along very well!!! I just recently finished working with jonta austin, brian michael cox, and adonis!!! Im heading to Miami on the 10th to work with Timbaland!!!! Thats right Timbaland!!!! Stay tuned for more updates!! Feel free to leave questions or comments!

The album will be released in the first quarter of 2009 along with a new single beforehand. No title yet for the project but it will be released on Nofti Records with distribution though Warner Brothers. Longtime friend and collaborator Tank will be executive producing the album. "Everything is still in the works," Ginuwine told Billboard.com. "I don't want to rush anything. I'm just working on various songs and definitely hoping to work with others like Polow da Don and Timbaland. However, at this point I can say the music will reflect a maturing Ginuwine. I'm not the same young man I was when I first got into music. "

Bachelor Part II or synthy pop Part 2,038,039? Let's hope for the former!

Props to Buddha and Big A on the news.

Ginuwine releases new song, talks Timbaland

Ginuwine recently talked about his new collaboration with UK producer Shayal in a East meets West style project. He also hinted at the possibility of working with Timbaland and the possibility of a future album:

Are you bitter that Timbaland, with whom you worked heavily in the '90s, seems to have moved more into pop territory than R'n'B?

Timbaland is a producer and an artist and he gets bored with a lot of things. He needs new things to excite him and so he's moving on. But he certainly hasn't neglected the hip-hop and R'n'B scene.

Would you like to work with him again?

I would like to, but then again, maybe that wouldn't work now. Sometimes you have to move on. But I do believe that if he and I stepped into the studio to create something for today's music scene, we could do it. I would love to, but right now, I'm not focused on that.

Here's the Full Article

G is featured on the track "Baby Dil Deewana" produced by Shayal and also featuring
Anu Shukla. Here's the video:



Thoughts?

Thanks to Kyle for the info.

Rare Reel

LIVE Ginuwine "I'll Do Anything/I'm Really Sorry"

Anyone recognize a certain back-up singer?

Who Flipped it better? Jermaine Dupri (and Brian Michael Cox) Vs. Lil' Jon Vs. Timbaland

This latest "battle" if you will has to do with a long sought after sample that still has yet to be identified. Timbaland first used the sample back in 1999 on Ginuwine's "Only When UR Lonely" Remix off of his classic album The Bachelor.




The following year, in 2000, Jermaine Dupri, assisted by Brian Michael Cox, used the same sample for Da Brat's track "My Bitches" from her album Unrestricted.



Finally, Lil' Jon decided to revisit the sample and used it for his and the Eastside Boyz track "Grand Finale" F/ Jadakiss, Bun B, Nas, and T.I. from the 2004 album Crunk Juice .



So in a span of 5 years 3 top producers used the same sample but as always the question is: who flipped it better? HUGE bonus points this week too if you can name that sample.

Bossplayya's Timstrumental of the Week

This week, I'm keepin' it with the OG Supafriendz clique. And keepin' it in 1996. ONE IN A MILLION was an album track first, but before that hit the airwaves, Tim had his first 'Major' hit with Ginuwine's debut single PONY.

I could not get that song outta my head when it came out, of course I copped the album on the Tuesday it dropped...and lo & behold, once again the name TIMBALAND was in front of me. The intro and other joints almost made me forget about PONY, but that song was just undeniable.

Usually when you pick up records a decade after they drop, you notice that slow jams tend to age well, while the uptempo joints inevitably sound dated (check Jodeci's FOREVER MY LADY album). It's a testament to Timbo's genius that PONY still sounds as fresh as it did 11 yrs ago, and just think Timbo has said he had that beat for years before the record dropped...

Ginuwine//PONY timstrumental

-Bossplayya