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Listen Up:
Chart toppers…
So what are you listening to? According to the charts, women are definitely dominating the airwaves. Heavy hitters like Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, and Fergie are sitting pretty in the top 10. Don’t fret fellas, we still love you, too. Justin, Chingy and Cham are all over the radio, ringtones, mp3 players and anything that can hold music.So instead of listing all of my favourite songs, I thought that I would share with you my opinion on some of the current chart toppers. Agree? Disagree? Let me know! ¤ Michelle
“Ring the Alarm”
Beyoncé, B'Day
I’m a fan of Beyoncé. I like her music and I also think that she is a positive role model for young girls. That being said, I don’t know what she was thinking when she produced "Ring The Alarm"! I don’t know if I dislike the song more or the video – which, by the way, features the worst makeup and wardrobe that I’ve ever seen used in a video."Ring The Alarm" is not a song that you can dance to, and it’s a little too disjointed to just sit back and listen to. I can appreciate that Ms. Knowles was trying to flex her creative muscles and shake up her signature pop music formula, but this song is a little off the mark for me.
Rating: Sorry Bey, I still got love for you girl, but I can only give you ** 1/2 (out of 5). The video gets * (out of 5).
“Pullin' Me Back”
Chingy featuring Tyrese, Hoodstar
I never thought that the name Chingy would appear on this website. Ever since I heard that atrocious single "Holidae In" a few years back, I promptly put him on my “Do not listen to” list. But, his latest track, "Pullin’ Me Back" featuring Tyrese (model-turned actor-turned crooner), got me to lift the ban for a while.If Tyrese weren’t on this song, I’m not too sure that I would still like it. His chocolaty voice adds a sexy flava, which the song was screaming for. It also doesn’t hurt that a cool video accompanies the song. (Yes, that’s ex-"America’s Next Top Model" loser Yaya struttin’ her stuff in the video.)
Chingy isn’t the best rapper out there, but teaming up with Tyrese was a stroke of genius.
Rating: The song has an infectious hook and it’s not nearly as annoying as anything else that he’s done, so I give this song *** 1/2 (out of 5).
“London Bridge”
Fergie, The Duchess
I couldn’t possibly imagine that there would be a more nauseating song than last year’s "Holla Back Girl," but "London Bridge" takes its place.Honestly, there is nothing redeeming about this song. The beat is whack, the lyrics suck, and Fergie is trying way too hard to be Gwen Stefani.
Rating: Bottom line, I really hate this song, hence I can only give it * (out of 5)
“Everytime The Beat Drops”
Monica featuring Dem Franchize Boyz, The Makings Of Me
Remember when Monica entered the game at 13 years old and she was strangely comfortable singing about love and relationships? Well, do you remember when she entered her mid-teens and traded lyrical jabs with fellow teeny bopper princess, Brandy?Well, Miss Thang’s a grownass woman who’s reppin’ the ATL (Atlanta), and she’s ready to get her crunk on!
On her new joint she teams up with Dem Franchize Boyz to give a decent crunk-pop song. This song isn’t getting that much airplay at the moment, but it’s good enough for me to shake my booty to.
Rating: Basically, this is a harmless song about getting your dance on in the club. I give this song a *** 1/2 (out of 5).
“Ghetto Story Chapter 2 (Remix)”
Cham featuring Alicia Keys, Ghetto Story
This dancehall ditty hit the streets of Jamaica in November 2005, but it was released in Canada and Stateside this summer. It quickly blew up to be the biggest song of the summer."Ghetto Story" tells the tale of a man living a hard knock life in the tough streets of Jamaica (similar to Damian Marley’s "Welcome To Jamrock"). Thankfully it offers a sense of realism, rather than a depressing account of living in poverty.
It only took me only one listen to completely love this song. It didn’t have to grow on me – I loved it from the first time that I heard “Rah, rah, rah!”
Alicia Keys adds a chill, soulful vibe to this song. There aren’t that many non-patois spewing singers that can add an authentic esthetic to a reggae jam. Big up to you, Alicia!
Rating: I feel like waving the Jamaican flag when I hear this song! Not only was this my jam of the summer, it will be on my list for best songs of the year. I give this song ***** (out of 5).
“Sunday Morning”
k-os, Atlantis (Hymns For Disco)
You know how some hip-hop purists have mad love for Common, Mos Def, and Talib Kweli? Well that’s how I feel about my boy, k-os.I have been a fan of his since 2002. He has never compromised his artistic integrity and he always delivers quality music.
"Sunday Morning" doesn’t stray from the brilliance of his past works. He proudly releases music with a message without being too preachy.
Rating: I’m definitely feeling his eclectic production on this song. To me it sounds like hip-hop with a strong rock sensibility. Yes, my boy is an innovator. I give this single **** (out of 5).
“Call On Me”
Janet Jackson featuring Nelly, 20 Y. O.
Janet Jackson’s last CD, Damito Jo, didn’t do as well as she would have expected. Maybe it’s because she didn’t really sound like she’d grown as an artist, and subsequently, her material just fell flat.Her latest single, "Call On Me," is way better than anything off the Damito Jo CD. But on the other hand, we have yet to see Janet evolve as a singer.
Don’t get me wrong, it is not a terrible song, but it could have been sung by any R&B singer. She sings in her trademark breathy voice while Nelly coos on the record.
Rating: Sorry Ms. Jackson, it’s an okay song, but I can only give you a *** (out of 5).
“My Love”
Justin Timberlake featuring T.I, FutureSex/LoveSounds
I honestly dig this song more than "SexyBack" – the first release of the FutureSex/LoveSounds CD. "SexyBack" is a cool, erotic song (BTW, if I were an exotic dancer, I would so totally use this song to perform to), but "My Love" is little more raw with the addition of Down South cutie, T.I.This song is a mélange of synth-pop and R&B, which is more enjoyable than JT’s distorted voice on his first release. I like that he has returned to showcasing his amazing falsetto instead of scaring me with that crazy megaphone distortion.
Rating: I love the crazy frenetic beats, and the dance-friendly nature of the song. I give it *** 1/2 (out of 5).
