Corporate line:
Cash Money/Universal Motown Records multi-platinum artist Lil Wayne is once again taking control of the airwaves and breaking records in both with “Lollipop,” the first single from his highly anticipated album “Tha Carter III.” This is the biggest add week that a hip-hop artist has received at Rhythm Crossover and the biggest any artist has received at Urban Radio including Beyonce and Mariah.

“Lollipop,” is being well received at key radio stations across the country including: New York (Hot 97), Los Angeles (Power), Seattle (93 KUBE), Miami (99 Jamz), Philadelphia (Power 99), Atlanta (Hot 107) and Detroit (Hot 102). Lil Wayne’s MySpace page received over a million unique views this week giving him the #1 Top Artist profile on the site. The video is currently in heavy rotation at MTV, MTV2, BET’s Rap City and MTV Jams, where it appeared as the Jam Of The Week. The “Lollipop” video is also in medium rotation at MTV Hits and on BET’s main playlist. Lil Wayne will also appear on BET’s annual Spring Bling and will be only the 2nd artist in the event’s history to perform for an entire episode!

Since the release of his last CD, the platinum selling “Tha Cater II,” Lil Wayne has guest appearances on over 70 songs for other artists including Fat Joe’s 2008 Grammy nominated single “Make It Rain,” DJ Khaled’s “We Taking Over,” and Wyclef Jeans’ “Sweetest Girl.” He also released a duet CD with Bryan “Birdman” Williams titled Like Father, Like Son in 2006 which was a critical and commercial success.

The hits:
“Lollipop” – The only song where Wayne lets his unique style loose. It’s a hit but that doesn’t mean its great. It’s dance club worthy but not winning any awards. In a few weeks it’ll be completely forgotten.

The rest:
“3 Peat” – What is Wayne doing? He sounds like he’s straining to kick out a rhyme like he’s sitting on the toilet.
“Mr. Carter” – Wayne must have skinny man disease–he always seems to have to prove he’s a bad ass. We’re only two tracks in and already its a self-love fest.
“Got Money” – Wayne is trying way too hard and gets nowhere. I’m sure he thinks he’s getting far.
“Phone Home” – Apparently Wayne watched E.T. and figured out what he would do if he was a long necked alien… he’d rap like he had no talent. This is the worst song Wayne has ever made.
“Shoot Me Down” – I spoke too soon. This is the worst Wayne song ever. The chorus is horrible. The rhymes are even worse: “I sweat money and the bank is my shower.” Enough said.
“La La” – Okay, not enough said. This tops both of the worst songs ever.

Finally:
Lil’ Wayne was supposed to be the next Eazy-E.. He had a voice that was unique and a tight flow. There is a big difference between Eazy and Wayne: one is a legend the other is a wanna-be. Wayne has squandered his talent worrying too much about telling us how great he is but never being great. He’s run away from his unqiue voice. Lil’ Wayne isn’t getting better–he’s fallen from cult hero to mainstream hack.

“Lollipop” video:

Corporate line:
It comes as no surprise that Jewel, an acclaimed American singer, songwriter, actress, poet, painter, philanthropist and daughter to an Alaskan cowboy singer-songwriter, finds herself in the embrace of country music for the release of her seventh career album, “Perfectly Clear.”

Jewel’s personal odyssey, partly chronicled on one of the best selling debut albums of all time, the twelve-time platinum Pieces of You, comes full circle with her forthcoming country album, “Perfectly Clear,” the debut release on newly launched Nashville-based independent label The Valory Music Co.

Jewel is set apart her whole career for not only singing, but writing all her songs, and this album is no exception. “I’ve been writing country songs my whole career; some of the songs on this record date back to when I was 18 years old. I’ve been hanging on to them until now. They were meant for a record like this one.”

The record’s first single “Stronger Woman” is a powerful and positive message that resonates with women of any age. Perfectly Clear is produced by Jewel and John Rich of Big and Rich fame. “Jewel is probably one of the greatest American singer-songwriters we have. It is such an honor to work with anyone of that caliber of talent,” Rich says. Jewel has spent a lot of time in Nashville over the last few years, and has naturally been drawn to and accepted by the Nashville music community. “If I were discovered today, there is no doubt that I would be signed as a country artist. Songs like “You Were Meant For Me” would have been a country hit today, and not a pop hit as it was in the 90s. The genres have changed more than I feel I have,” says Jewel.

The hits:
“Stronger Woman” – Jewel’s gorgeous voice carries the song. This song in less able hands wouldn’t be as interesting.
“Thump Thump” – A simple, beautiful song. It has a lot of corny moments–but Jewel’s voice is amazing.
“Perfectly Clear” – A beautiful song that shouldn’t have been left for last.

The rest:
“I Do” – Pretty, unremarkable. It goes from a total country song like “Stronger Woman” to a folksy track like this is really startling.
“Rosey and Mick” – Great lyrics: “Mick came home late last night/ He drank enough beer to take the edge off a knife.” But the song doesn’t have much of a hook.

Finally:
Jewel was born to make country music. It’s the perfect transition for her and a great career move. Country is one of the surest ways to a long career. So why didn’t Jewel make an entire country album? She still has one foot in folk music and one in country. At some point she needs to make a choice instead of releasing schizophrenic albums.

Jewel performs “Thump Thump”

Jewel interview/performance on GMA