13 Aug

Posted at 22:14h in Music, Throwback
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With a debut single like “Grind with Me,” it was always hard to take Pretty Ricky seriously. There was something about them that always struck me as particularly corny.

And of course, there were those stripper videos Spectacular used to post on social media. Shaking my head.

Even today, just the thought of the group makes me snicker. However, as clownish as they might have been, I have never questioned the quality of “Your Body,” the group’s second single from their debut album, Bluestars.

Produced by Jim Jonsin and written by the late Static Major, the song was in keeping with the freaky theme of its predecessor, but surpasses it in terms of melody and catchiness. Calling it a classic might be a stretch, but “Your Body” is quite unique in the sense that it sounds very much like a throwaway 2005 radio hit and yet feels somewhat timeless.

07 Aug

Posted at 09:31h in Music
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“WAP” is finally here and it is every bit as nasty as you expected it to be.

Driven by a sample of Frank Ski’s “There’s Some Whores in This House”, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion rap about all types of licking and sticking — so much so that YouTube wouldn’t let them use the explicit version for the video.

Produced by Ayo & Keyz, the track is presumed to be a single from Cardi B’s sophomore set. The video includes cameos from Normani, Kylie Jenner, Mulatto, Rosalia, Sukihana and Rubi Rose. Check it out below.

06 Aug

Posted at 20:58h in Music, Throwback
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In 2005, the Black Eyed Peas were two years into their “pop” years. They were no longer making songs like “Joints & Jams,” but they weren’t quite yet making songs like “I Gotta Feeling.”

The purists will tell you that everything post-Fergie was trash, but that simply isn’t true. Yes, “I Gotta Feeling” might be the worst song ever, but there is no BEP era that doesn’t have at least a few gems.

“Don’t Lie,” the second single from the group’s fourth album, Monkey Business, is one of such gems. Produced by will.i.am, the track is precisely where “pop,” hip-hop and folk meet without overstepping. With an infectious melody and lyrics that are easy to sing along to, it is as “radio-friendly” as it gets. And contrary to what your average music critic says, that’s a good thing.

31 Jul

Posted at 01:43h in Music
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Just hours before the release of Black Is King — which inopportunely drops at midnight Pacific Time — Beyoncé decided to pacify us with a visual for “Already,” one of the standout tracks from The Lion King: The Gift.

The “Already” video gives us high fashion, grit, body art, choreo and special effects — all delivered in a markedly African style. And if you had any doubt that Bey was going for African vibes, that ill gbese she hit would probably clarify.

In under three hours, the “Already” video has racked up over 400,000 views on YouTube. Check it out below.

30 Jul

Posted at 22:24h in Music, Throwback
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As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, there is no exact formula for commercial success in the music industry.

That being said, there are certain artists’ whose lack of traction bother me particularly. One of such artists is dancehall queen Patra.

She had a string of singles in the mid-‘90s that were loved by the true patrons of the arts, but to broader audiences, she is largely unknown. If this post is your introduction to Patra, I implore to explore her catalog.

Patra’s sophomore album, Scent of Attraction, includes a track called “Banana” that is as raunchy and danceable as they come, and perhaps could’ve been a hit if it was released during the dancehall wave of the early 2000s. Click play and thank me later.

30 Jul

Posted at 18:58h in Music
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Her favorite rapper is Gucci, but her fabric is Louis.

“Muwop” is one of those songs that stand in its truth — said truth being complete and unabashed ratchetness. Featuring Gucci Mane, the track has all the basic-ass lyrics you’d expect, but it is just right for the season.

I’d say, “Too bad we’re stuck in the house,” but the fact of the matter is that the song’s target audience is proceeding with summer as planned. Click play.

23 Jul

Posted at 21:23h in Music, Throwback
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As I’ve indicated in previous posts, there are no rules when it comes to what should be considered “deep” or “poignant.”

Sad songs don’t have to be slow nor do they have to be sung by scruffy Caucasian guitarists. In fact, a sad song can come in the form of an EDM bop performed by two French DJs who generally hide their identities.

“Digital Love” is the third single from Daft Punk’s second LP, Discovery. Based on a sample of George Duke’s “I Love You More,” the song is the kind of funk/EDM fusion for which Daft Punk is known and loved.

However, this one hits a little different. The lyrics (written by DJ Sneak) describe a dream where the dreamer dances with a long-sought-after love interest. All seems to be going well, and then in an instant, the dream ends.

The tempo of “Digital Love” is such that one would be inclined to dance before anything else — and you wouldn’t be wrong in doing so. However, something about this song puts me firmly in my feelings. No Drake.

There is a yearning that can be felt in its lyrics, its Auto-Tuned vocals, and its melody. From the disappointment of a beautiful dream cut short to the hope that said dream becomes reality, it tugs at heartstrings in a special way.

If you spend your life looking to Adele-types for poignancy, you will miss out on all the feelings you can feel through a song like “Digital Love.” Click play.

17 Jul

Posted at 00:34h in Music
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DJ Khaled just released two tracks “featuring Drake — I hate that DJ’s think they can have someone sing/rap an entire song just to be “featured,” but I digress.

“Popstar” and “Greece” strike two markedly different tones — the former is heavy on the braggadocio, while the latter is more “romantic.” Also, Drizzy raps on “Popstar” while he sings on “Greece.”

Off rip, I can confirm that “Greece” is the superior track by far, but it wouldn’t be unreasonable to say that “Popstar” is a solid track. Check both out below.

“Popstar”


“Greece”

16 Jul

Posted at 16:39h in Music, Throwback
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Not many can brag about having the most famous musician in the world on their debut album, but when your Michael Jackson is your uncle, the rules are a little different.

In January of 1996, Taj, Taryll and TJ Jackson — sons of Tito Jackson, collectively known as 3T — released “Why” as the fourth single from their debut album, Brotherhood. Written by MJ and Babyface, the song is equally representative of both writers. The King is also featured on the track, which he produced.

“Why” failed to crack the Billboard Hot 100, but heaven knows it was worthy. Check it out below.

12 Jul

Posted at 13:20h in Music
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JoJo just released a visual for the acoustic version of “Think About You,” which is a thousand times better than the original version.

The video is as stripped-down as the song it accompanies, with JoJo alone in her room reminiscing about previous lovers. Check it out below.

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