Top Lists

Logic’s Most Streamed Songs

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Logic’s songs have done very big streaming numbers. He has almost 14 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Many people have differing opinions on his music. Still, he continues to achieve more and more success. Besides doing music, he has also written two books. Listeners of his music are used to his creative writing passion coming through in his music. Several of his albums have a narrative theme running through them. There are skits on the albums that weave the story together, The covers also have given listeners visual components to go with the story. Additionally, he also produces many of his own songs. This is a testament to his skill set expanding as he took his commitment to this to the next level. His discography has multiple types of songs in it for different audiences. In this list, we’ve ranked his top streaming songs.

10. Shimmy – Logic (feat. Joey Bada$$)

Logic listeners have been waiting for this song for years. This is a collaboration that has been a long time coming. The two of them did a freestyle while on tour together in 2017. Listeners had to go to YouTube if they wanted to hear the freestyle. This is their first official collab and it dropped in 2023. The freestyle was over a 90s-esque boom bap beat and fans expected an official song from them to sound similar. However, Logic and Joey decided to go the opposite route. In this song, the two of them rap over a spacey trap beat. For listeners, this was a pleasant surprise because they still enjoyed the song. Logic and Joey have confident yet chill flows on it. The song’s title, hook and verses pay homage to ODB from Wu-Tang Clan. 

#9. Lightsabers – Logic (feat. C Dot Castro)

This song from Logic has a very motivational feeling to it. There are horns all over the song’s hook that sound triumphant and the hook is very positive. This is a special song because it features a brief intro from Juicy J. Hearing a legend on a song with Logic is a testament to the level he’s reached as an artist. The song’s opening moments also have one of his older name tags he used on his mixtapes. After the triumphant opening moments, there’s a beat switch and a piano replaces the horns. The triumphant tone dials down and things change to a more tranquil atmosphere. Still, Logic tells of how things have changed from the past to now as we get a glimpse inside his mind. Feature C Dot Castro continues the reminiscent theme established by Logic.

#8. Wake Up – Logic (feat. Lucy Rose)

This song was the first single for Logic’s latest album College Park. This album is a concept album and it gave listeners a taste of what they could look forward to. In this track, Logic speaks about the things he has been through in his past. In another reference to his past, he uses an ad-lib that longtime listeners instantly will recognize. He also speaks on other situations that listeners with a background like his could relate to. This runs throughout the entire verse. He also speaks on how he overcame these things. He reflected the reminiscing concept in the song’s hook which reinforces how often he dealt with these things. At the song’s conclusion, Lucy Rose offers listeners an explanation of the album’s concept.

#7. Self Medication – Logic (feat. Seth MacFarlane, Redman and Statik Selektah)

This is one of Logic’s most surprising songs. The surprise comes from the amount of people on the song. It also comes from who these people are. Statik Selektah is known for his boom bap production and soulful samples. He’s also known for his scratching which is what he did on this song. Seth MacFarlane of course is know for his shows and voice acting. However, in this situation he uses his singing skills – which are sometimes showcased on his shows. He does a Frank Sinatra impression as he sings on this song and gives the song a very classy feeling. Lucy Rose follows him with vocalizations. Redman of course is a rap legend and it’s surprising and cool that he worked with Logic. Their rap verses have an old school hip-hop feeling to them that matches well with the atmosphere of the whole song.

#6. Perfect – Logic

This is the shortest Logic song on this list. It also is one of the most energetic ones. In this song, there is no hook. The song title comes from the sample in the song. The sample is from the Street Fighter video game series that exclaims “Perfect!”. This happens if a player wins round without getting hit. Logic jumps from flow to flow on this one with high energy as the drums skitter around his words. There’s a distinct bell like noise in the song that carries its melody. For many people, the energy in the song made it a quick addition to their gym playlist. Logic also released a remix to this song that features Lil Wayne and A$AP Ferg.

#5. Ballin – Logic

This is the oldest Logic song on this list. The song originally released in 2013 and was on his mixtape Welcome to Forever. However, on that version there was a feature from C Dot Castro. This version, which comes from the Uncle Drew soundtrack, does not contain his verse. This is another energetic song from Logic that features him speaking highly of himself. The hook is motivational and speaks of Logic attaining the financial goals he wants. For those who are familiar with some of Logic’s other grounded music, this may be surprising. This is a testament to the growth he’s made as well as his range as an artist. The song has claps throughout it which loosely connects to the basketball theme of Uncle Drew. The drums and bass on this one are very high energy too and encourage listeners to rap along with the hook.

#4. 44 More – Logic

This song is actually part two of a different Logic song. “44 Bars” is a song from his project Bobby Tarantino. This sequel is on his project Bobby Tarantino II. The original song contrasted the rest of the songs on the project because of its emotional context. Meanwhile, on this song, Logic abandons this feeling for high energy. However, several of his bars still relate to the overarching subject matter from the original. His delivery of them is what makes them sound different. This song also features one of his fastest verses. It also features a beat switch right before Logic goes into it. Logic adapts to beat switches all over the song as he changes his flow accordingly. Listeners actually got a glimpse of the recording process for this song. In it, they saw how many times it took Logic to get the fast portion of the verse right. 

#3. Homicide – Logic (feat. Eminem)

When this song was announced, many Logic fans were very excited. Logic has had a few very fast rap verses in his career. Eminem is known for his fast-paced verses. This song showcases this skill from both artists. Logic’s hook is just as fast as his verses. He goes through a group of flow switches and also uses some humor within the verse. The hook also pays homage to Eminem – one of Eminem’s biggest songs specifically. Eminem’s verse is even faster than Logic’s and is a little different from his too. It doesn’t have the hook from the song during it at all. Eminem’s verse also has many more punchlines than Logic’s. Logic has discussed his admiration for him so it’s safe to say he didn’t mind.

#2. Everyday – Logic (feat. Marshmallow)

This is a Logic song where he tried something new. Before this released, Logic had mostly only worked with his in-house producer 6ix. The two of them have been working together for his whole career. But, on this one 6ix does not have any production credits at all. This is because on this one Marshmello is the sole producer. Marshmello is instantly recognizable because of the large marshmallow head he wears that covers his face. People know him for his electronic music production. However, for Logic he produced something that still lined up well with the rap based production Logic was used to. The song combines trap drums and melodies that are more electronic and pop centric. Logic also sings on the song which is something he did more in his later career. 

#1. 1-800-273-8255 – Logic (feat. Alessia Cara and Khalid)

This Logic song has over one billion streams. It without a doubt is the song that took him to an entirely new level of popularity. This track was a large departure from the type of music had previously done. This song also had two surprising features on it. These came from Alessia Cara and Khalid who are pop artists. Previously, Logic had not worked with any artists from that world or even made a pop oriented song. The message behind this song is why it took off in popularity. The song discusses not giving up on life and letting it consume you. The phone number is the Suicide Prevention Hotline. After Logic performed the song on the MTV VMAs in 2017,they received an immense amount of calls. No matter what you think of him, the fact remains that this song literally saved lives.

Is your favorite Logic song on this list? Let us know in the comments section.

[Via]

Ari Lennox’s Most Streamed Songs

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Ari Lennox’s songs have gained millions of streams with numbers climbing every day. She is one of the most popular names in R&B right now. Ari and her Dreamville label mates did the soundtrack for the new Creed III movie. She put out her latest project age/sex/location in September 2022. She’s also currently on tour promoting this album. It’s safe to say that she is currently booked and busy. Many fans have been riding with her for a while and are very glad to see her reach the level she has. They know she will only go up even more from here. Many fans do their part by listening to her music every day. We’ve compiled and reviewed 10 of her most streamed songs.

#10 Greater – Ari Lennox

Ari is no stranger to having a song on a compilation album. She’s on Revenge of the Dreamers III: Director’s Cut and D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape with solo tracks and posse cuts. This time around she’s on a solo track. The song only has one verse which brings the main focus to the song’s hook. Ari glides through it by using various inflections and vocalizations as she sings it. Her background vocals compliment these moments well as she showcases the power of her voice. In these moments, her range is on display as the passion comes through on the lead and background vocals too. Meanwhile, there are strings and other cinematically pleasing instruments playing in the production that compliment her voice well.

#9 Waste My Time – Ari Lennox

This is one of Ari Lennox’s most recent songs. It’s likely one you’ve heard on the radio. Like many songs in Ari’s catalog, it speaks on an aspect of relationships many people can relate to. She takes a direct approach to telling her partner to follow up on the things they have said they want to do with her. The song’s hook sticks with listeners due to its repetition but not to the point of being annoying. This repetition comes in at the song’s final moments. Throughout the song, background vocals enhance Ari’s lead ones. Her vocals also carry the main melody of the song which is more understated in the subtle keys in the production. The drums seem to be the main focus which make the song sound great on speakers and headphones. 

#8 Can’t Make You Change – JID feat. Ari Lennox

Whenever labelmates make a song together, it’s always exciting to see. As most know, Ari Lennox and JID are both on J. Cole’s label, Dreamville. However, this is not the first time they have been on a song together. On this song, Ari brings the counterpart to the perspective JID is speaking from. She speaks of wanting him to change his behavior but also knows no matter what he she does, he won’t. Ari’s vocals on the bridge shift to the perspective JID is speaking from. Throughout the song, there are soundbites of women speaking about the shortcomings of their partner. Their words expand from what Ari sings. One thing that sticks out is how this song has a beat switch where JID shares his side of things at length.

#7 Queen Space – Ari Lennox (with Summer Walker)

This is Ari and Summer Walker’s second song together chronologically however, it is the first one on this list. It’s a newer track on this list so its streaming numbers are lower than their first collab. However, this is not a reflection of the quality of the song. The song’s piano gives it a live performance feeling. Ari’s vocals dip in and out on the hook as she does a start-stop delivery. Summer comes in on the second half the song and does the same thing towards the end of her verse. As Ari comes back in on the hook, Summer provides background vocalizations that enhance the mood of the song well. Their vocals blend excellently as they both have a soft tone that escalates as the song progresses. This is seen most prominently in the song’s final moments as the drums drop out and the piano and their vocals are the only things that can be heard. 

#6 Unloyal – Summer Walker (with Ari Lennox)

This Ari Lennox song has a unique feeling to it. Due to the production, it sounds like it’s being performed in a lounge at night. This feeling is capitalized on by the saxophone solo at the halfway point of the song. Summer’s verses on the first half have her speaking her truth on her place in a relationship. Rather than going for large displays of vocal range, she focuses on a straightforward delivery. However, she does utilize some background vocals to reinforce the points she’s making and Ari mirrors this technique on her verse. Summer begins the song and Ari comes in on the second half.However, on the first half, Summer sings the hook and on the second half, Ari does. This song was highly anticipated by many listeners once they saw Ari’s name as a feature on the tracklist. 

#5 Pressure – Ari Lennox

This is one of Ari’s most popular radio songs. It’s one of those songs that once you hear it, it gets stuck in your head. The way the vocals say “Pressure!” throughout the hook are an earworm for sure. The pace of the song plays a huge role in how well it sticks. There’s a certain bounce to it that makes it feel vintage and modern at the same time. The guitar in the song plays well with the delivery of Ari’s verses as she flows through the guitar’s more rigid notes. One of the most surprising aspects of this song is that Jermaine Dupri has production credits on it. It’s always a big deal when someone from a past generation of music works with someone in the current generation. It shows they have faith in the music and where it will take listeners next.

#4 Scenic Drive – Khalid (feat. Ari Lennox & Smino)

This is another song in Ari Lennox’s discography where she is the feature. However, the song she’s on is quite significant as it is the title track for Khalid’s project. The song is the last one on it as it ties the theme of the project together. Ari’s verse on the track is brief but effective. Her double entendres fit the theme of the song while simultaneously referring to her usual subject matter. At the conclusion of her verse, her delivery speeds up a little, again, continuing the theme of driving. Her background vocals can still be heard once her verse ends as Khalid sings the hook. Towards the end of this portion, the two of them vocalize together however, Ari’s vocals are still layered under/behind his.

#3 Night Drive – Ari Lennox

This is the only song on this list from Ari Lennox’s project titled Pho EP. This song – and the project itself – are familiar to those who have been supporting her from the very beginning. This is one that mirrors the theme of the previous entry on this list. However, on this one the atmosphere of the drive is a little different. Here, the tone is not fully romantic as the person Ari is with is no longer officially in a relationship with her. However, because of the history they have she still wants to move forward with them. There’s a certain soulful feeling to the song due to the  horns in it and they blend well with modern subject matter. There’s also keys and bass in the song that give it a slight live instrumentation feeling. 

#2 BMO – Ari Lennox

This is a song many Ari Lennox fans know. While it is one of the shortest ones on this list, that’s not a con. It’s a song that gets its point across well and finishes once the point has been made. BMO stands for “Break Me Off” and Ari tells us what she means by that in the song. Something interesting about this song is the fact that listeners almost never got to hear it in the first place. The beat for the song was a little different but once Ari’s manager heard it, producer Omen changed up the production a little and the song transformed. Ari has performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and has released a remix of it with Doja Cat. The bass line of the song is what many people love about it and this is exactly the part Omen added to it to transform it into what is heard today. 

#1 Shea Butter Baby – Ari Lennox (with J. Cole)

For many people, this was their introduction to Ari Lennox’s songs. And, one of two things likely pulled them in: the song title or J. Cole’s feature. Many people are well aware of how J.Cole only works with artists who make high-quality music. Seeing him on a feature with someone you may not be unfamiliar with means you should get familiar with them. Meanwhile, this song title itself caught many people’s interest. The benefits of shea butter are not exactly a “secret” but it’s still something only real ones know about/use. The song itself is as smooth and warm as the moisturizer itself. Cole brings an intimate verse that compliments Ari’s soulful vocals. Neo-soul songs have a certain feeling that comes with them and this song has that feeling for sure. 

Which of Ari Lennox’s songs are your favorite? Let us know in the comment section.

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Eminem’s Albums Ranked

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At this point, Eminem’s album discography has allowed him to become a legacy act. His career began in 1996 however, most of the world tapped in with him in 1999. Since then, he has released multiple albums all of which were discussed for one reason or another. Recently, he shifted into doing NFT related things which many fans are not fond of. However, he is still putting out music. He’s also capitalizing on the success of his previous albums by releasing deluxe/expanded editions. Unlike some modern artists, he has waited years instead of weeks or days to do this. Naturally, by being in the game for so long, he has created a large discography. We’ve compiled 10 of his albums and ranked them.

#10 Revival

For many listeners, this was supposed to be (another) comeback album from Eminem. It dropped in 2017 and the album before it dropped in 2013. A fake tracklist began circulating before the album was released. This fake tracklist gave the album two sides: One with more pop leaning features and the other with rap features. Fans shared what they were anticipating most as they have seen him excel at both. However, once the album was released, they realized this was not the format the album truly had. In fact, many listeners were disappointed in the album. They praised some aspects of the album’s final songs and the surprising Beyonce feature on the opening track. Many found issues with Em being the age he was but still using the same subject matter as music from his past.

#9 Encore

Originally, it was thought this would be Eminem’s last album. The album title, the final song’s title and the things happening in his life at the time pointed towards it. Due to this, this album tries to capture the several types of music Em was known for in his career. There are serious songs as well as silly songs. For many, the former did not work well as the songs just did not sound good. Due to Eminem’s process and condition at the time, several of these songs were just incoherent. Contrastingly, the album contains one of the best, well written and most praised songs in his career “Mockingbird” The fact he made a song like this as well as a song like “My 1st Single” and put it on the same album shows just how much was truly happening in his life and mainly, his mind. 

#8 Relapse

As more and more about the concept of this album was shared by Eminem, the listeners formed more concrete opinions about it. Some praised the concept of him becoming different “characters” on the album as well as how the storyline itself paralleled his own life. Because of these “characters” Em used different accents when speaking as them which was divisive for many people. Still, this album did have some moments that were universally celebrated. The single from Relapse:Refill titled “Forever” was one of the most talked about songs at the time. The features on it included Drake, Lil Wayne and Kanye West. There have been many stories of how people wrote – and rewrote their verses on the song. This song differed greatly from the much darker material on the rest of the album. 

#7 Recovery

For many, this album was a clear shift for Eminem. He spoke about the things he was truly going through – which he had done before – but things were different this time around. This album contains one of Eminem’s biggest songs, “Not Afraid”. For many, this song was motivational and it showed listeners that they could relate to Eminem’ struggles. This album also contains one of his most popular pop-rap collabs “Love the Way You Lie” which features Rihanna. This song was a massive success and showed that they were a duo that worked well together. It also brought in many listeners who previously had no interest in his music due to its content. Multiple listeners could tell several songs were written for this exact purpose. They accepted he had become even more of a global star and needed to make music that lined up with this status. 

#6 Music to be Murdered By

This is one of Eminem’s most recent album releases. This one was also a surprise drop that got a lot of attention quickly. For many, the most surprising part about this album were the features. Em had previously spoke ill of much of the current generation of rap. However, he now had songs with several big names of that generation. These included Juice WRLD, Don Toliver and Anderson .Paak. The latter is likely due to a conversation with Dr. Dre. Eminem showed he could fit in with the current generation of rap while still staying in the lane he was known for. Listeners have praised the songs on here for how good the chemistry was with the featured artists as well as the production. This album has “Godzilla” on it which features a hook from Juice WRLD and Eminem’s fastest verse to date – which broke a record he set himself.

#5 The Marshall Mathers LP 2

For many, The Marshall Mathers LP is Em’s best project. Getting a sequel was something they never thought would ever happen. It was announced that Rick Rubin was working with him for much of the album’s creation and production. People knew Rubin for his work with artists of all kinds in the music world so seeing his name generated hype. Once the album was released, his imprint on the album was clear especially its lead single “Berzerk” which samples the Beastie Boys. Many listeners enjoyed multiple songs on the album but are divided on if it truly should have been called a “sequel”. This album also contains the single “Rap God” which holds the Guinness World Record for most words in a hit single. 

#4 Kamikaze

This was a surprise “response” album from Eminem. As time has shown, he often hears and pays attention to the feedback he gets on his music, Listeners know this because of lines in songs that refer to the feedback he received. Most of the songs on the album are about this. Eminem listened to the feedback he got on the project before this one, Revival, and addressed it. He also makes multiple references to the state of rap at the time and how he mostly disapproves of it. The way he comes across when addressing it is a mix of disapproval for some of it. Many of his listeners disapproved of it too so his opinion lining up with theirs satisfied them.

#3 The Eminem Show

This is another album from Eminem that many people have praised. It largely departed from the Slim Shady character and gave listeners an even more focused view on Eminem as a person. Also, many listeners praised the rock influence on the album’s prediction. Considering Em said he grew up on rock and he produced many of the album’s songs, it all lines up. People praised this album for that factor and Eminem’s song writing itself. They were fans of how his flow and delivery synced up so well with the production. The subject matter was not as out there as some of his other work and that’s why listeners resonated with it on a different level. Several songs that are considered classics in his discography are all on this project.

#2 The Slim Shady LP

This was many people’s introduction to Eminem. As someone who was a new face in the rap game at the time, he wanted to make sure people knew exactly who he was. Ironically, the album’s first single was “My Name Is” and with it came controversy right out the gate. Clean and explicit versions of songs have been a thing in rap for years. However, with “My Name Is” entire lines are different between the two versions of the single. Many fans remember how they were even more surprised and shocked yet intrigued when they heard the explicit album version. This album is often praised because it balances Em’s introspective songs and colorful and creative songs well. Also, many of these songs were produced by The Bass Brothers which listeners say are a perfect pairing for Em since their beats place the focus on his rhymes. 

#1 The Marshall Mathers LP

For many listeners, this is the best Eminem album. It is his second one and they feel it capitalized on everything that made the previous one so good. As previously discussed, this is an album where Eminem spoke on things people were saying about him. This was not in terms of just the music but how he carried himself and other things happening in his life at the time. Naturally, the album is full of references to the pop culture world at the time. Eminem doubled down on making that one of his trademarks with this album with over-the-top lyrics of all kinds. For many listeners, this is one of his most influential albums. It showed the world who Eminem was as an artist and how he could craft songs excellent through verses and production from Dr. Dre and himself. 

Which of Eminem’s albums are your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.

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Jason Derulo’s Most Streamed Songs

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Jason Derulo songs have been very popular in the pop world. His music burst onto the scene when EDM and Pop went hand in hand. His songs were everywhere and rightfully so. They brought happiness to people and were easy to dance to. Their accessibility is why they were used in commercials and other mass market situations. Even the way he said his name in songs was memorable. This is something that has truly never left many people’s minds. For some, most of his music is nostalgic because it released when they were younger with less responsibilities. Some of his songs are classics in many people’s eyes for this exact reason. We’ve compiled his 10 most streamed songs and you’re definitely going to find some of those nostalgic tracks on this list.

#10 Saturday/Sunday – Jason Derulo, David Guetta

This is one of the most recent Jason Derulo songs on this list. Lately, many people are sampling very popular songs from the past. The sample is often instantly recognizable and draws people in. Jason Derulo uses that technique with the chorus of this song. David Guetta’s production brings an EDM tone to it for 2023. Like most songs in this genre, the drop is what people wait for. The pulsing drums come in and it makes it hard to not move in some way when this happens. Jason’s vocals sound light and fun as interlopes the hook from “Saturday Love” by Cherrelle and Alexander O’Neal. The song has a danceable tone to it that also makes it ideal for working out too. The fact these two worked together again in 2023 was quite a big deal for fans. 

#9 Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat) [BTS Remix] – Jawsh 685, BTS, Jason Derulo

There are three versions of this song. The first one, was an instrumental song by New Zealand producer Jawh 685 titled “Laxed – Siren Beat”. The second one, featured Jason Derulo. The third, featured BTS and Jason Derulo. For BTS fans, seeing yet another song reach huge success was a joy for them. However, there’s some controversy attached to this one. When the music video for the song was released, Jason Derulo did not initially credit BTS or Jawsh 685. This made BTS fans upset. Fortunately, he later fixed it. The song has a melody that goes well with its earworm of a hook. Naturally, the song’s bilingual aspects are a big draw as the BTS members use Korean and English in their verses. This is a collaboration that brought new listeners to listeners of BTS and Jason Derulo.

#8 Acapulco – Jason Derulo

This is a fairly recent Jason Derulo song that dropped in 2021. It’s on the shorter side at just over two minutes. This encourages fans to listen to it back-to-back and even a third time if they want. On this song, he uses a slight accent at times to fit the theme of the song. Acapulco is a city in Mexico and Jason alludes to the beach resort town in the song. The melody of the song lines up with Jason’s vocal delivery exactly. The entire song has a fun and upbeat atmosphere. Additionally, the lyrics in both verses follow the same flow which make them easy to remember and sing along with. Perhaps the icing on the cake for the theme is the sound of ocean waves at the beginning of the song.

#7 Whatcha Say – Jason Derulo

This is one Jason Derulo’s songs many people consider a classic. This one was on Jason Derulo’s debut album from 2010. To celebrate its 10 year anniversary, the album was re-released in 2020. For many people, this song was their introduction to his music. He made sure people knew his name on this one since he said it at the beginning. Furthermore, the song’s hook is probably what people think of when they hear the song. This portion is a sample of “Hide and Seek” by Imogen Heap. Jason’s verses are a response to it and the song tells a story. The instruments in the song combine keys and what sounds like trumpets and create a layered atmosphere. This one is not as direct with its danceability in comparison to some of his other songs.

#6 Talk Dirty – Jason Derulo feat. 2 Chainz

When pop artists work with rappers, it can go one of two ways. People either latch on to it or dismiss it. This was another nostalgic one for many but calling it a “classic” may be a reach for many of them. Still, this song does have an iconic part that many people remember. It’s not really a “drop” like EDM music has but everything does shift for something: a saxophone. The saxophone’s melody comes in with the hook which makes it stick out easily. This part may sound a little dated for some if you’re listening in 2023. This Jason Derulo song is very hook centric too as his actual verses are minimal. 2 Chainz’s is longer and fits in with the theme well. This one is the opening and title track of the album it’s on.

#5 1,2 3, – Sofia Reyes feat. Jason Derulo and De La Ghetto

English-speaking artists collaborating with Hispanic ones is something we’ve been seeing for years. These days, the Hispanic artist is able to burst onto the American scene without a collaboration. Or, the English-speaking artists feature on their song instead of vice versa. This is the case with this Jason Derulo song. The song is bilingual with Sofia’s verse using English and Spanish. De La Ghetto’s verse is essentially in Spanish completely aside from a few ad-libs. Jason’s verse is brief and also bilingual. He appears again on the song’s hook and provides background vocalizations. The song itself has the bounce that many Hispanic led pop songs have. Traditional instruments like guitars combine with traditional and programmed drums to create a fun dance atmosphere. 

#4 Take You Dancing – Jason Derulo

Pop music has been using double entendres and innuendos for years. Pop music is meant to be accessible for all and with these methods, songs can be played in multiple settings. This Jason Derulo song uses this technique although due to one line it’s not exactly cleverly “hidden”. Still, it’s got a hook with repeated vocalizations that stick in listeners’ minds. For some, it makes them think of “Tom’s Diner” by Suzanne Vega which used a similar technique. The keys and guitar in the song give the song a lighthearted tone and the strings that come in make it a little more interesting. Jason goes into his higher register throughout the song too which is common but still appreciated by listeners. 

#3 Want to Want Me – Jason Derulo

This Jason Derulo song is another one that was very popular when it released. It has a pleasant atmosphere and would be fitting on a sunny day. This one was used in compilation videos on social media a lot or for positive segments on daytime shows. Once again, Jason mostly uses his higher register for his vocal delivery. This compliments the tone of the song well. His background vocalizations are a little more understated in this one. However, they still serve as an additional melody to the song. They come in at the end of the hook in the background. Furthermore, this is another hook centric song in his discography. The verses are short and the hook is easy to sing along with which was its purpose.

#2 Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat) – Jawsh 685, Jason Derulo

This one is the Jason Derulo version of the #9 song on this list. With only him on vocals, the second verse on the song is different. However, the first one is still used on the BTS remix as it was here. With Jason only doing the vocals here, the song is also slightly shorter, This does not mean we hear the instrumental for any longer amount of time either though. In fact, the instrumental itself is the exact same. Jawsh 685 didn’t feel the need to change it and this decision makes sense. Jason’s high register vocals are on display even more prominently here and fit the song well. For this one, the real triumph is how much attention and success it brought to Jawsh 685 as this is his #1 most streamed song.

#1 Swalla – Jason Derulo feat. Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign

We haven’t specified the stream count for any of these songs but this one is worth mentioning. It’s over one billion. This makes sense considering Nicki Minaj is one of the features on it. Also, Ty Dolla $ign is always a big draw when he’s featured. Out of all the songs up here, this one is the most rap centric. Jason still sings while Ty Dolla does a rap-sing flow and Nicki raps. The hook interlopes a classic hip-hop song “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” by ODB. The song’s subject matter is an obvious innuendo. However, the song’s island based production makes it ideal for that setting and it’s still danceable. The music video showcased the former with colors as bright as the song’s atmosphere is.

Do any of these Jason Derulo songs give you nostalgia? Let us know in the comments section. 

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Missy Elliott’s Biggest Hits

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We would be here a long time if we discussed all of Missy Elliott’s hits. As someone who laid the groundwork for being original, she has gotten her well-deserved flowers. In fact, she still continues to get her flowers to this day. Her hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia named a street after her in 2022. And like several legends, she’s still active musically. These days, she’s mostly doing features but they are just as important as solo songs. Her name is respected in the music world and it’s great to see her connect to the current generation. Across the years, she’s had multiple hits and iconic music videos to go with them. Many of these songs are timeless for many people and will continue to be played throughout the years. We’ve compiled and ranked ten of them.

#10 Where They From Missy Elliott feat. Pharrell

This song is the most recently released one in this list but it’s still very important. It’s one of Missy Elliott’s hits that younger people may know. While it is common knowledge at this point, both Missy and Pharrell are from the same part of Virginia. Timbaland, a producer they have both worked with across the years, is also from that area. This song is a showcase of Missy and Pharrell’s chemistry and uniqueness. From the very beginning of the song fans knew Pharrell was behind the production due to the 4 count start. He also has a verse on it that matches Missy’s bouncy animated flow on it. There’s a beat breakdown for Missy’s second verse that still keeps the energy going and her flow is still super animated. This one was big in the dance world for sure and you probably heard it in a commercial or two. 

#9 Let It Go – Keyshia Cole feat. Missy Elliott and Lil Kim

This song is special for several reasons. For one, it has all three of these women on a track together. Each of them were doing excellent in their own lanes of music and came together to showcase their skills. The song itself was produced by Missy and Lamb and they did something super special with it. The song uses the same sample as “Juicy” by Notorious B.I.G who was in a relationship with Lil Kim. Missy’s post hook has a brief nod to him and Lil Kim ends her verse with his signature “baby baby” catchphrase. The beat also switches for Lil Kim while still maintaining the R&B tone of the rest of the song. For many people, this song is a mood booster.

#8 Gossip Folks Missy Elliott feat. Ludacris

Ludacris was another popular rap name in the early 2000s. For many, him and Missy were similar in terms of their flows and delivery on songs. They both had animated styles and used humor in their ad-libs and punchlines. The beginning of Missy’s first verse is a testament to the former. She elongates the last word of almost every bar and does the same throughout he rather verses. Meanwhile, Ludacris comes in with a fast flow that still has several stand out moments. In it he talks about his past which contrasts Missy talking about her present well. Both of them address those with negative opinions about them and respond uniquely and confidently. Also, this was one Missy and Timbaland produced together. 

#7 One, Two Step – Ciara feat. Missy Elliott

This one of the songs on here that isn’t produced by Timberland and/or Missy. On this one Missy is the feature and drops in after Ciara’s singing. For many, this song is a nostalgic classic. Some hold it in such high regard because of the collaboration between the two women. Others because it’s produced by Jazze Pha who had a very large presence in music at the time. There are multiple synthesizer melodies on the song which were common at the time. One thing distinct about this song is there’s a bridge before Missy’s verse. During this, a brand new melody comes in as Ciara sings. The original beat comes back in for Missy’s brief but effective verse. 

#6 Bounce – Timbaland feat. Justin Timberlake, Dr. Dre and Missy Elliott

With so many tracks with Timbo and Missy on here, it’s only right there’s one where she’s the feature. Timbaland was an established producer at this point and had worked with multiple big names. This song was on his debut project and naturally there are many big names of the time on it. This track specifically has several legends on it and Missy’s verse might be the best one. The verses all have a suggestive theme running through them and Missy was not new to that. Amongst the men, she stated what she has and she could do just as confidently as they did. Timbaland’s futuristic production created the perfect atmosphere for this. Missy’s verse interestingly enough does not mention him this time around even though she has done it several times on other songs.

#5 The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) – Missy Elliott

While Missy is known for her high energy dance tracks, this one slows things down a little. It’s not exactly a ballad but goes for a cool and calm atmosphere. And naturally, you can still dance to it.  Missy sounds just as confident as she always does on it. This one is special because it’s the first solo track on her debut album. Because of this, we see her skill displayed well and yet she still has more in store. This music video has her most iconic look: The patent leather blow up suit. It’s been called a “trash bag” multiple times but Missy herself cleared that up years ago. The last minute or so of the song is absent from Missy’s presence. It’s almost as if she wanted the focus to be on Timbaland’s production completely. 

#4 Bomb Intro/Pass That Dutch – Missy Elliott

This song’s opening moments set it up well. Missy Elliot is on production and takes a dance based approach to the beat. The claps that go throughout it set the tone to clap and dance a long easily. The bass also becomes a core part of the song as it almost is a melody in itself. Missy’s imagery in her verses keep the club scene going as she encourages people to dance along with the song. Along with those moments she also has some fun and creative punchlines that line up well with the song’s atmosphere. Sometimes albums start out with an instrumental or spoken word. This was the first song on the album it’s on and it sets the tone right out the gate with very high energy. 

#3 Lose Control – Missy Elliott feat. Ciara and Fatman Scoop

This is one of Missy Elliott’s hits with an iconic intro. When people heard it, they knew what time it was and got up fast. Missy Elliot produced this one herself and showed she was talented in that department too. The song’s warping melody is the perfect pair for Missy’s confident flow. Fatman Scoop serves as a hype man throughout the song and does a great job at it. He encourages people to dance and get into the song. Ciara brings a more subdued voice to the group and the production adapts for it. She even has a couple of bars before going into her singing. The trio proved they could make a high energy song and show off their skills well with everyone shining in their own way. 

#2 Get Your Freak On – Missy Elliott

This song is mandatory in a list of Missy Elliott’s hits. Timbaland is on production and Missy has production credits too. The song’s melody is the part most people remember about it. Missy’s energy is strong throughout the track. The hook is fun and easy to remember and fits in really well with the production around it. Missy uses a start-and-stop flow that includes pauses in the production too. These moments are capitalized on by fun and humorous ad libs. Missy uses these techniques to talk about her dominance in the rap game which all were aware of at the time. This was another one that was big for dancing and the music video proved that. There were also several cameos in the video including Timbaland himself, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Eve and more. 

#1 Work It – Missy Elliott

This is easily the biggest of Missy Elliott’s hits. The intro is instantly recognizable for many people. Timbaland’s signature drums come in right before Missy begins her verse. As with many of her songs, she introduces herself before it. The song’s siren-like melody is one of the most memorable aspects of it. Missy’s verses are also full of creative flows and her making her own sound effects within them too. This was a testament to her unique creativity that put her at the level she reached. However, the most iconic aspect of this song is the hook where Missy talks about reversing – then says the hook itself in reverse. For many at the time this may have been confusing to hear. But, upon looking at the lyrics it’s easy to see that’s exactly what she did.

Which of Missy’s hits do you love most? Let us know in the comments section.

[Via]

Kanye Takes No. 1 Spot On ’50 Genuinely Horrible Albums By Brilliant Artists’ List

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Fresh off Billboard and Vibe‘s Top 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time list, Rolling Stone has an offering. This, however, isn’t necessarily a good thing, as the list marks 50 Geniunely Horricle Albums by Brilliant Artists. Listed under the outlet’s “Epic Fails” label, the artists aren’t relegated to one genre. No one was safe, and West’s 2018 release Ye earned itself the top spot.

It isn’t as if RS was shading the artists, per se, but did pick the worst records (in their opinion) from catalogs. Ye is celebrated among fans, but it arguably hasn’t established the same impact as his other classics. Additionally, they noted that it was in 2018 when West’s public unraveling seemed to have its starting point.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 22: Kanye West attends the Balenciaga Spring 2023 Fashion Show at the New York Stock Exchange on May 22, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)
Read More: The “50 Worst Rappers” List Is An Interesting Cast Of Hip Hop Characters

They wrote: “They are certainly the worst works of his career, and it would be easy to pick Jesus Is King or Donda as the single lowest moment. But we’re going with 2018’s Ye because it marks the beginning of the most disastrous artistic and personal collapse in the history of popular music. Clocking in at a mere 23 minutes, the chaotic, half-baked album was cut in Wyoming right around the time he told TMZ that slavery was a ‘choice’ and started wearing a MAGA hat in public.”

“The uproar over his slavery remark caused him to rework many of the Ye lyrics over a frantic two weeks shortly before the album dropped,” Rolling Stone continued. “Which explains screeds like ‘Just imagine if they caught me on a wild day/Now I’m on 50 blogs gettin’ 50 calls/My wife callin’, screamin’, say, ‘We ’bout to lose it all.’” The Kanye scandals of 2018 seem almost quaint compared to his recent issues, but he’s never made music less vital than this.”

View of American rapper and producer Kanye West, his chin in his hand, in the White House’s Oval Office, Washington DC, October 11, 2018. He wears a red baseball cap that reads ‘Make America Great Again.’ (Photo by Ron Sachs/Consolidated News Pictures/Getty Images)
Read More: Joe Budden Thinks Logic Is ”Easily One Of The Worst Rappers To Ever Grace A Mic”

The pointed review was the only Hip Hop act in the Top 10, but not the full list. Lil Wayne’s 2010 album Rebirth also made this list at No. 24, while Run-DMC’s Crown Royal in 2001 came in at No. 27. Outkast’s Idlewild was a surprise for fans at No. 46. Others like Prince, Madonna, and The Jacksons also found themselves criticized.

Math Hoffa Lists His Top Rap Groups Of All Time

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The argument surrounding who’s the greatest rap group of all time is certainly a complicated one. There’s a rather long list of legendary groups within hip-hop who are worthy of a mention.

On Tuesday (December 27), battle rapper Math Hoffa took to his Instagram account to share his own personal list. His top five consists of Wu-Tang Clan, The LOX, G-Unit, A Tribe Called Quest and Outkast in that order.

Numbers six to ten in his mind are the Fugees, Run-D.M.C., Onyx, Three 6 Mafia and Goodie Mob. He subsequently ranks Camp Lo eleventh, Dipset at twelfth and gives the thirteenth spot to Das EFX. Obviously, there are a couple of notable exclusions.

“These list[s] get tricky huh? Lol no bias… if you feel we left anyone out, place in the comments below,” the New York native writes in the post’s caption.

Later in the day, he shared a revised list, tweaking it slightly. These are seemingly based on some comments he was receiving. His top two remain the same, but he replaces G-Unit with Mobb Deep in the third spot and slots G-Unit down at seven. Run-D.M.C. moves down to eighth, followed by N.W.A. at ninth and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony at number 10. Although he adds in four more spots, going up to 17, he still has Dipset last.

Of course, Hoffa’s initial list has stirred up some healthy debates on social media. “Math Hoffa GOAT list for hip hop groups is SEWER WATER[!] Outkast 5?? No NWA??? No Public Enemy??!! Give this man Donkey of The Day @cthagod,” writes one Twitter user.

“Math Hoffa’s “greatest groups” ever is laughable. It’s why people have to start saying “FAVORITE”…saying “greatest” opens it up to critique and we’re gonna laugh out the building. that list is ass,” another user writes in response.

Evidently, it seems as though any list will spark debates, considering everyone has their own biases.

Who are your top three hip-hop groups of all time? Comment them down below. Finally, make sure to stay tuned to HNHH for the latest updates and news.