T-Pain explains ditching Auto-tune

By The Music Scoop
JR Staff Writer

In 2005, T-Pain ushered in a new era in hip hop. At the time, hip hop needed something new. Jay-Z was retired and no rapper had truly stepped up. There were several new artists, but none really stood out among the rest.

But, late in the summer of 2005, T-Pain debuted his single, "I'm Sprung." The song quickly became a hit, thanks to his use of the auto-tune. It was not long before T-Pain was using the auto-tune on his hooks with other artists.

By 2007, T-Pain had risen the ranks and was recording with R. Kelly. On their collaborations, Kelly also used the auto-tune. On the mixtape level, Lil Wayne had taken over the rap game. In 2008, he released his comeback album, Tha Carter III, which featured Wayne's first chart-topper, "Lollipop," which only used the auto-tune.

Soon, everyone from Kanye West to Young Jeezy was using auto-tune. The machine had invaded every rap song on the radio. Throughout 2008, there were rumors of Jay-Z coming out with a new album, which he would name The Blueprint 3. When the album did not come, fans assumed the album was nothing more than a rumor. However, when the album came, it was led by Jay-Z's "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-tune)" single. The song was released as T-Pain prepared to release his new album.

Out of frustration, T-Pain dissed Jay-Z, but soon apologized. With his popularity drained, T-Pain decided to take time off. T-Pain came out of his hiatus for the DJ Khaled single, "All I Do is Win." However, T-Pain did not begin his more formal comeback until he performed the hook on DJ Khaled's 2011 single, "Welcome to my Hood." Now, T-Pain is preparing to release his fourth studio album and he announced the album would not feature auto-tune.

Now a six-year veteran in the game, T-Pain wants to do something different. Him ditching the auto-tune is not out of fear of a 2008 repeat. Instead, T-Pain is hoping to prove he can sing without the help of the machine and he is trying to evolve his sound. Each day, T-Pain is in the studio trying to make this happen.

Read more...

T-Pain denies relationship with Ke$ha

By Mr. Hollywood
JR Staff Writer

After taking some time off, T-Pain is working on re-entering the game. His career took a major hit when Jay-Z released his 2009 comeback single, "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-tune)." The song went at all of the rappers using the auto-tune, with the exception of T-Pain.

Despite the song killing the career of some rappers, T-Pain has continued to use it. He performed the hook on the popular single by the ever-popular DJ Khaled, "All I Do Is Win." T-Pain also provided the hook on his recent hit, "Welcome to my Hood."

Outside of making hits, T-Pain's love life has been very private. The most T-Pain has ever said was that he was in love with a stripper. In recent months, he has been rumored to be with a few different women. But, stories began about he and Ke$ha after a photo surfaced.

The two spent time together in Las Vegas earlier this week. Apparently, the two made out, as a photo of them was leaked to the internet. Before hanging out with her, T-Pain said he admired Ke$ha. However, he said it was not in a romantic way, instead T-Pain said he loves her because of her "fuck everybody" attitude.

Read more...

T-Pain gets Facebook-inspired Tattoo

By Mr. Hollywood
JR Staff Writer

In 2007, T-Pain released his second album and became a fixture in the game. His run continued when he released his third album in 2008 and inspired the rap game. Due to his success with the auto-tune, many rappers began using it, most notably Lil Wayne and Kanye West.

Jay-Z, who was recording while T-Pain was dominating, was watching the change take place. While he was a fan of T-Pain, Jay-Z felt rappers had taken auto-tune too far. He returned in 2009 with "D.O.A." and ruined T-Pain's career. After admitting this, T-Pain dissed Jay-Z in Las Vegas.

Their issue was quickly resolved and Jay-Z was voted 'Rap Artist of the Year' for 2009. Meanwhile, T-Pain was quickly becoming a memory. Last year, he had a little success with his part in DJ Khaled's hit, "All I Do is Win." The song was a major hit during the summer of 2010, but it did little to boost his solo career.

T-Pain is determined to regain his crown in 2011 and he is working on new music. Having been away for three years, he knows he has to come outside of the box. The first move from T-Pain was not even musical, instead it was a tattoo. Due to all the negative publicity he receives, he got a tattoo of the Facebook 'like' symbol, saying "You Don't Have to Like Me."

Read more...