Cocaine is bad, as is an oversized ego. Mix the two together and you get The Weeknd saying that Usher’s “Climax” was influenced by his sound. Unfortunately, the Weeknd and many of his deluded fans will never appreciate the recklessness of his comments because Diplo, who co-wrote and produced “Climax,” essentially co-signed what he said.
As a token of my rejection of the Weeknd’s tomfoolery, this week’s TBT selection could only be one from Usher’s catalog, which offers dozens of hits. However, I’m opting for an album cut.
Ursh’s third album, 8701, gave us classics like “U Remind Me” and “U Got It Bad,” but it also blessed us hidden gems like “Twork It Out.” Co-written by Usher, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, “Twork It Out” takes us back to a time when major R&B stars needed to know how to sing, and with the Weeknd showing his whole ass and getting away with it, I long for those days more deeply than usual. Click play.
The Weeknd just dropped a new video that appears to pick up from where the last one left off, with the singer still rocking a red jacket and bruised face as he continues his trippy journey. The video begins in a what appears to be a hotel lobby party and ends in a desert.
Much like Abel’s previous clip, this one tries way too hard to not make sense. Some hipster somewhere thinks this video is deep, but it’s not. Check it out below.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great shame that I confess that I enjoy Woah Vicky’s new song, “Big Vick.” The lyrics are predictable as hell and Vicky’s whole schtick feels wholly inauthentic, but the beat slaps just hard enough for you to ignore all those other things — momentarily, at least. Check it below.
Drake just dropped a new song and a Coronavirus-inspired video featuring a solo Drake with his face covered. The “Tootsie Slide” video also comes with a new dance routine to go along with the song’s instructional hook. It also comes with the “Life Is Good” bass line, but that’s neither here nor there.
The real story, however, is Drake’s McMansion, which serves as a reminder that not all quarantines are made equal. Check the video out below.
On what would’ve been his 81st birthday, it would be a crime for our TBT pick to be anything other than a Marvin Gaye song.
A little over a month ago, I referred to TLC’s “Red Light Special” as being possibly the quintessential baby-making song, and while it is up there on the all-time list, Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” might have a stronger case for the title.
Penned by Gaye himself and Ed Townsend, “Let’s Get It On” was the title track from the Marvin Gaye’s thirteenth studio album. The song is pure sex vibes and is a forefather for most of the slow jams ever since.
“Let’s Get It On” was Marvin Gaye’s second No. 1 and sixteenth top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and was the top-selling single of 1973. Almost 50 years later, the song’s legacy is evergreen — we hear it in movies, we hear it in commercials, and we even hear it as an uncredited sample in hit songs.
Happy birthday to one of the greatest to ever do it. Click play.
DaBaby just dropped a new song and a short film to go with it.
Musically, “Find My Way” offers a good balance of “commercial”and “gully” – both questionable terms to use when describing music, but I’m sure you know what I mean. DaBaby sing-raps throughout the song, but the lyrics have just enough gun references to placate rap fans that are allergic to melodies.
The 10-minute music video is an absolute masterpiece. DaBaby and B. Simone are true thespians, and as played out as Bonnie-and-Clyde themes are, the “Find My Way” video does it without making you roll your eyes.
This past Friday, Future released a song that is sure to light the clubs up when we’re finally allowed to leave our homes. Who doesn’t want to yell “I’m a ty-tycoon!” despite having four dollars in their bank account?
“Tycoon” is Future’s first solo track of 2020, following collabos with Drake, Jhené Aiko and Lil Uzi Vert. Check the video out below.
Mariah Carey turns 50 years old today – or, as she would say, marks the 38th anniversary of her 12th birthday today. Because she is eternally 12.
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you probably know that Mariah is a favorite around these parts. She has given us three decades of hits (and shade), and is easily among the most successful musicians ever. She is a vocal beast and the musical genius that most of your faves are pretending to be.
Unfortunately, because she’s a woman – a pretty and glamorous one at that – Mariah has never gotten her just due. A lot of her work has been relegated to fluff status because she doesn’t fit any of the prototypes preferred by the music critic class. Also, a lot of people don’t even know that she writes and produces all of her songs — with covers being the exception.
Fortunately, what Mariah has lacked in critical acclaim is more than made up for in commercial success. She has sold over 200 million albums worldwide — making her the highest-selling female artist ever — and has registered 19 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 — just one No. 1 hit shy of the all-time record. She had a US No. 1 hit every single year of the ’90s and is the only artist in history to have a No. 1 hit in four different decades. She has also written more No. 1 hits than other woman in history. And the list goes on and on and on.
Mariah’s legacy is further cemented by the long list of megastars who cite her as an influence, including Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Ariana Grande.
Mariah’s 30 years in show business have been nothing short of eventful, and when her biopic is eventually made, it is going to be a good one. From a bitter ex-husband sabotaging her career to a crazed ex-manager blackmailing her (and thereby forcing her to reveal her mental health struggles), she has had more than her fair share of drama. However, after each devastating low, she somehow bounces back to a history-making high.
Mariah Carey is a true model of resilience and longevity, and hopefully, she will get the recognition she deserves while she’s still with us.
In celebration of her 50 years of life, below are my five favorite* Mariah songs.
“Underneath the Stars”
“Melt Away”
“Dreamlover”
“Honey” (Bad Boy Remix) [featuring Mase & The LOX]
When it comes to live performances, there are few musical acts who have given us more iconic moments than Diana Ross. And with this Thursday being her birthday, it was imperative that we revisited one of her legendary performances.
In a 1981 TV special, Diana Ross performed many of her greatest hits, including “Upside Down,” her fifth No. 1 hit as a solo act and 17th overall — also, the lead single from Diana (1980), her tenth and most successful studio album.
In this performance, Miss Ross brought the glam we all know and love her for. She also brought Michael Jackson — her “baby” — onstage during the performance. The two had become close friends over the years and their chemistry made for a magical moment despite being an otherwise simple performance.
At the risk of sounding like an old clam, it has to be said: They don’t make ’em like this no more.
When you’re quarantined and the Don Julio makes you filthio.
Kehlani just released a music video for “Toxic,” showing that a global pandemic is no match for the creative and the determined.
Shot on what appears to be a webcam, Kehkani gave us a grainy, smoky visual that fits the song so well that you’d think it was done by professionals. Peep the clip below.
