Throwback Treasures: Mark Morrison "Return of the Mack"

Recently one of my best friends decided to assign me the "Return of the Mac" ringtone for her new phone. I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't recognize the song by name. Yes, your throwback dealer was slick slacking. Anyway, thanks to the wonders of YouTube I was reunited with one of my favorite 90s one-hit wonders songs! Now don't sleep on Mark Morrioson. The German native has had some Top 10 hits in the UK since dropping this gangster heartbreak hotel track. Morrison will be returning to music after a 5 year hiatus with I Am What I Am, which drops sometime this year. Rumor has it there's a collaboration with Diddy on there which is allegedly going to be hot. Hmm, we'll see...

'Cause what they didn't know was wrong,
And all the nasty things you've done,
So, baby, listen carefully,
While I sing my comeback song.

Artemis J

Throwback Treasures: Monifah "Touch It"

It's been a decade since Monifah has dropped anything though there's rumors her next album MidNite will be out this year. Regardless, she'll always be known for her '98 hit "Touch It". I don't know why she's dancing for soldiers but ok...there's nothing wrong sex and patriotism.

Cause your love just feels so good to me
Could ya just move it on up, 'cause I'm in ecstasy
And I'ma give it to ya all night long
I'ma show your body what your tongue is doin' wrong

Artemis J

Throwback Treasures: Slum Villiage "Tainted"

Okkkaaaaaayyy so quick, random, my ass should be in bed post. To be honest I wasn't really feeling Slum Village as much as I was feeling the dude on the old broke down church organ, who I would later figure out is Dwele and claim as my husband (but that's not until one wild night of baking cookies in Wertimer's kitchen) . Regardless, this was one of the toughest videos to come out of the 2002. It reminded me of the animated show PJs. (ONCE UPON TIME IN THE PJS...LOW RENT HIGH RISE YA'LL) Anyway, so here's the trio's hit "Tainted" off of their album Trinity (Past, Present, and Future). Ok off to bed. [sigh] less than a week. Watch me crash by Tuesday.

[tick tock] Artemis J

Throwback Treasures: Glenn Lewis "Don't You Forget It"

Ok...I need a moment. [fans self with stolen MLK church fan]. Lawd knows THIS is a beautiful man. If growing up Maxwell was my Neo-Soul husband then Glenn Lewis was my boo on the side. Lewis is best known for his sultry song "Don't You Forget It" off of his 2002 debut album World Outside My Window. I honestly expected great things from this Toronto born (see Drake ain't the only attractive Blacadian) especially since it won a Juno for Best R&B/Soul Recording. Not to mention his song "Fall Again" ended up on the soundtrack to that whack Jennifer Lopez movie. You know, the one where she's chasing after the white guy who's "too good for her." Oh wait...that's the plot to practically EVERY movie she's been in since Selena, whoops my bad. ANYWAY, in 2007 he came back out with "Back For More" featuring Kardinal Offishall (another Blacadian). I wasn't really feeling the island feel. I know, he's half Tridianian and half Jamacian, but STILL it just didn't feel...authentic. And the Ginuwine-let-me-cut-off-my-cute-little-curls-because-I'm-going-in-a-different-direction-with-my-music approach didn't sit well with me either. The only part of the video that I did find entertaining was the random Mike Epps cameo and even then he had that "I don't know why I'm here either" look on his face. Regardless, I'm still patiently waiting for the return of the Glenn Lewis that was more concerned about me getting back to my home than taking me back to his.

[waiting for break] Artemis J

Throwback Treasures: Pras "Ghetto Superstar"

I always felt bad for Pras; the same way I felt bad for Beyonce's backup singers...I mean the other 2 members of Destiny's Child. He was talented but could never quite step out from behind Lauryn andWyclef's shadows. His solo debut in '98 actually was a club banger (Ghetto Superstar whose single of the the same title was featured in Bulworth staring Halle Berry and Warren Beatty) and was expected to go far. Then...the new millenInium happened. I thought his career had resurrected in '05 with the release of Win Lose or Draw...wrong again. Personally, I liked "Haven't Found", not enough to buy the ENTIRE album but still... In 2008 he launched a website, www.platinumbrand.com, that according to its mission statement it's "a global provider of video solutions and services. Our channels broadcast interactive music, film and video productions to enlighten and entertain our viewers." Hopefully that works out for him.

.Till the next time my supervisor steps out [cough cough] Artemis J

Throwback Treasures: Jonell "Round and Round Rmx"

Nothing grinds my gears more than a one-hit wonder who should have at least had been a two-hit wonder. Perfect example is Jonell. She came on the scene in 2001 with "Round & Round" but it was the remix featuring Method Man that ended up on the How High soundtrack that was the commercial success. I really don't know what happened to her. It seems as though she's fallen off the face of the earth. Crossing my fingers that 2010 brings a comeback album for this woman or at least a spot on a mixtape featuring Drake. SOMETHING. ANYTHING. Till next time.

FYI: She's from the Natti (Cincinnati) so I know Kate loves her.

[cough cough] Artemis J