Top Music Releases of Summer 06

With all of this summer’s extreme heat, it’s difficult to fathom that things could get any hotter, but when you step into any Best Buy or Tower Records and take a look at what artists will be dropping this summer, you’ll know that not only is it possible, it’s highly probable. Many artists have began to follow a working formula of releasing projects during the summer; maybe it’s due to all of the vacationing that goes on; or maybe artists know that us commoners, who still maintain our daily work routines, need more of a musical release during the summer season. Either way, this summer, even more so than other summers, artists are coming out of the woodwork to bring more than a mere single and 12 or so album fillers, but entire CDs that can get us to and from work, through long flights across and out of the country, or even through a 45 minute workout.

For eclectic soul lovers, summer 06 has already begun to sizzle with the release of India.Arie’s third album, Testimony: Volume 1, Life & Relationship, which dropped at the very beginning of the summer. India’s first single “Not my Hair” featuring Akon landed India with her first #1 album on the Billboard 200. For the mixture between alternative and hip-hop, check out Nelly Fertado’s Loose, who’s single “Promiscuous Girl” feat Timberland has been taking over radio airwaves. Loose was also released at the beginning of the summer. If you’re a rap fan, and you are interested in fast-paced, rugged, spicy, “Chi-Town” flow, definitely go pick up Shawnna’s sophomore album, Block Music. Fans have already welcomed “Getting’ Some” into the iPod collection, and her current single “Damn” is quickly rising to fame. Now that we have gotten through the releases that have already taken place for the summer, let’s look at what the rest of the summer has to offer.

The beginning of July may have music lovers feeling like they have finally found a breeze, but the temperature picks right back up at the end of July with a releases from Pharell Williams and LeToya Luckett, formerly of Destiny’s Child. While that may be all of the true heat for July, August will be what really burns music fans up. In August, fans can look forward to music from DMX, Rick Ross, Lyfe Jennings, and Cassie. All of these artists have hit singles on the charts right now, and many of which you can catch on tour, or on TV. True hip-hop lovers are burning up with anticipation for the August 22nd release of Method Man’s 4:21âÂ?¦The Day After. Meth is definitely taking time to prove to his fans that he is still in fact “Hollyhood” and not Hollywood. Plus, teaming up with Lauryn Hill on his first single, “Say” definitely is a good look. Also, be on the lookout for Meth and Def Jam’s websites to release one unheard song off of Meth’s upcoming album each week until the album drops. August will also bless fans with heat from Christina Aguilera and Kelis. Atlanta music lovers have lots to look forward to in August with the release of Idlewild-the CD and movie by A-Town music legends, Outkast. Young Dro (T.I.’s prodigy) will also be dropping late August; Young Dro’s single “Shoulder Lean” has already taken his rapping credibility to soaring heights. The summer will be wrapping up with enough heat to last us for the remainder of the year; Justin Timberlake will release his much anticipated 2nd CD, FutureSex/LoveSounds; JT’s first single, “Sexy Back” which features Timberland will premiere a video late July. And finally, dropping just a day after her 25th birthday is the ever-so-beautiful and talented Beyonce Knowles. Instead of the world giving her a birthday gift, she has decided to change the game and give the world a gift, her sophomore CD, B’Day; which includes “Deja-Vu”, the chart smashing duet with beau Jay-Z.

Music is one of the most common forms of expression, and what better way for artists to express themselves then through the release of their music. True fans spend hours getting on artists’ websites, buying magazines, and even locating artists in each and every city they visit, all with the hopes of getting one step closer to getting personal with them; but one of the most personal items that artists give their fans is their release of their CD. This summer fans are really getting an opportunity to get close to their favorites not only by CD releases, but many artists are going above and beyond by putting live concerts on the internet, leaking downloadable songs, and even giving exclusive concerts for fans that buy their CDs; this will really make summer 06 one of the hottest summers to date. Sit back and enjoy the music!