G-Magazine Now

RANKED: 50 Greatest #1 R&B/Hip-Hop Hits Of 2000-2009

This decade in music saw a healthy competition for the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B/Hip-Hop across all sub-genres of urban music.  From pop divas to R&B crooners and east coast emcees to southern-slanged rappers and in between, over 100 songs topped the aforementioned charts in urban music.  G-Magazine Now compiled a list of the 50 top-charting singles that changed the game, made lasting impressions upon listeners and deserved their spot at the top.  Check out the list below.

    

50. "I Remember" by Keyshia Cole (2007)

49. "A Milli" by Lil' Wayne (2008)

48. "So Sick" by Ne-Yo (2006)

47. "Foolish" by Ashani (2002)

46. "So Gone" by Monica (2003)

45. "Try Again" by Aaliyah (featuring Timbaland) (2000)

44. "I'm Real (remix)" by Jennifer Lopez (featuring Ja Rule) (2001)

43. "Oops (Oh My)" Tweet (featuring Missy Elliott) (2002)

42. "All For You" by Janet Jackson (2001)

41. "Always On Time" by Ja Rule (featuring Ashanti) (2002)

 

40. "Bootylicious" by Destiny's Child (2001)

39. "Love Of My Life (An Ode To Hip-Hop)" by Erykah Badu (featuring Common) (2002)

38. "Low" by Flo-Rida (featuring T-Pain) (2008)

37. "He Wasn't Man Enough" by Toni Braxton (2000)

36. "Say My Name" by Destiny's Child (2000)

35. "Live Your Life by T.I. (featuring Rihanna) (2008)

34. "SexyBack" by Justin Timberlake (featuring Timbaland) (2006)

33. "S.O.S. (Rescue Me)" by Rihanna (2006)

32. "You Don't Know My Name" by Alicia Keys (2003)

31. "Let's Get Married" by Jagged Edge (2000)

 

30. "Need U Bad" by Jazmine Sullivan (2008)

29. "I Wish" by Carl Thomas (2000)

28. "Hollaback Girl" by Gwen Stefani (2005)

27. "Bag Lady" by Erykah Badu (2000)

26. "Stronger" by Kanye West (2007)

25. "Ms. Jackson" by OutKast (2000)

24. "Blame It" by Jamie Foxx (featuring T-Pain) (2009)

23. "Boom Boom Pow" by Black Eyed Peas (2009)

22. "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" by Beyoncé (2008)

21. "Irreplaceable" by Beyoncé (2007)

    

RANKED: 15 Hottest R&B & Hip-Hop Albums Of 2009

 

While many R&B and hip-hop albums were released in 2009, only a small handful made impressionable reactions from critics and fans.  While some artists experimented with new sounds and deep, personal lyrics, other perfected their genre in singing and composition.  Comprising of the finest in R&B, hip-hop and reggae, check out G-Magazine Now's top 15 albums of 2009.

 

15. Imperial Blaze by Sean Paul

a strong collection of the hottest sounds of dancehall reggae

14. Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel by Mariah Carey

a unapologetically youthful, edgier version of her classic 1997 Honey album

13. Love Vs. Money by The-Dream

a very polished, smooth southern R&B sophomore effort with hood love

12. The Ecstatic by Mos Def

an uncompromising east coast-flavored hip-hop album with one great rhyme after another

11. Man On The Moon: The End Of Day by Kid Cudi

one of the finest album debuts with Kanye West-inspired tracks and diverse subjects

 

10. Testimony: Vol: 2, Love & Politics by India.Arie

self-indulgent, self-loving, self-affirming and self-teaching collect of tunes at its best

 

9. Rated R by Rihanna

a genuine self-reflective work with an in-your-face, bad ass mentality

 

8. Turn Me Loose by Ledisi

once an underground R&B diva, now a commercially soulful starlet with even more sass

 

7. The Blueprint 3 by Jay-Z

the hip-hop king's outstanding thesis on why he deserves keeping the crown

Susan Boyle Breaks Alicia Keys' #1 Album Debut Streak; Robin Thicke Gets Top 10

 

Sarah Boyle's I Dreamed A Dream album continues to lock up the top slot on the Billboard 200 chart for a fourth week in a row, selling 661,000 copies (up 14%), according to Nielsen SoundScan. Dream has now sold a total of 2,465,000 copies and is the second-best selling album of 2009. Only Taylor Swift's Fearless -- with 2,933,000 sold -- is standing in its way. With two weeks left in the 2009 tracking year, anything is possible.

R&B diva Alicia Keys has to play runner-up to Boyle, as her fourth studio album The Element of Freedom debuts at No. 2 with 417,000. Keys' last effort, As I Am, was released during Thanksgiving week of 2007 and started with 742,000 at No. 1.

Freedom's bow at No. 2 breaks a remarkable streak of No. 1 debuts for Keys. All four of her previous albums -- three studio sets plus an Unplugged release -- started at No. 1. However, Keys still has a chance of eventually reaching No. 1. The set could rise to the top next month when (and if) the Boyle hysteria dies down.

The second-biggest new arrival to the Billboard 200 is Robin Thicke's Sex Therapy: The Session, which begins at No. 9 with 123,000. It's the singer's third top 10 set in a row, following The Evolution of Robin Thicke (No. 5 in 2007) and Something Else (No. 3 in 2008). The latter album opened with a sales frame of 137,000 copies in October of that year.

RANKED: Top 30 R&B & Hip-Hop Music Singles Of 2009

With so much good music released in 2009, G-Magazine Now compiled its list of the hottest music single in R&B and hip-hop.  The list has been based on the songs that has charted well, became favorites of G-Magazine Now, and reviewed well by fans, critics and bloggers.  Some of your favorite music artists including Ne-Yo, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Rihanna, Drake and Chrisette Michele have more than one song listed here.  See if your favorite tunes have made the cut

    

30. "The One" by Mary J. Blige

29. "Rockin' That Thang" by The-Dream

28. "Becky" by Plies

27. "If This Isn't Love" by Jennifer Hudson

26. "Successful" by Drake (featuring Trey Songz)

25. "So Beautiful" by Musiq Soulchild

24. "Turn My Swag On" by Soulja Boy Tell 'Em

23. "Doesn't Mean Anything" by Alicia Keys

22. "Live Your Life" by T.I. (featuring Rihanna)

21. "She Got Her Own" by Ne-Yo (featuring Jamie Foxx & Fabolous)

20. "Pretty Wings" by Maxwell

19. "Trust" by Keyshia Cole (featuring Monica)

18. "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart" by Alicia Keys

17. "Blame It On Me" by Chrisette Michele

16. "Best I Ever Had" by Drake

15. "Epiphany (I'm Leaving)" by Chrisette Michele

14. "Regret" by Letoya (featuring Ludacris)

13. "Day 'N' Nite" by Kid Cudi

12. "Bad Habits" by Maxwell

11. "Heartless" by Kanye West

SONG PREVIEWS: Tiffany Evans | Cassie | Alicia Keys | Young Jeezy | Taio Cruz

 

Check out these recently leaked tunes by your favorite music artists. All you have to do is press play to enjoy them.

Play "I'm Okay" by Tiffany Evans

Play "Right Time" by Cassie 

Play "Lover Man" by Alicia Keys

Play "Grindin'" by Young Jeezy (featuring Lil' Boosie & Richie Wess)

Play "Break Your Heart" by Taio Cruz (featuring Ludacris)

ALBUM REVIEW: "The Element Of Freedom" by Alicia Keys

R&B adult contemporary queen Alicia Keys ushers in a new studio album before the end of this decade with the soul-wrenching The Element of Freedom.  Although Ms. Keys is a very accomplished songwriter, Freedom brings out the best in her songwriting and her ability to depend less on piano-laden tunes.  Fans will rejoice over the much hyped duet with R&B diva Beyonce on "Put It In A Love Song."  However, it is the Jay-Z-less "Empire State Of Mind Pt. 2," which rounds out the album, that delivers a classic-Alicia.  The stripped-down piano version is the greatest remix of a song in years.

 

Play "Pray For Forgiveness"

Play "Put It In A Love Song" (featuring Beyonce)

Play "How It Feels To Fly"

Play "Through It All"

Play "Empire State Of Mind Pt. 2 (Broken Down)"

Play "This Bed"

Play "Love Is A Disease"

G-LINKED: Real Housewives Of Atlanta Might Dump NeNe & Kim

The third season of the Atlanta Housewives could reveal some major shifts in the new season, including new cast members. Pop the top for the details.

According to a source, NeNe Leakes and Kim Zolciak are demanding more money to appear on the show. Apparently, Bravo is unwilling to pay more and the producers are fed up with their extravagant requests. We hear the network is quietly making plans to move on without the two ladies.

They have been interviewing some major Atlanta prospects and want to move forward with adding a sixth housewife or replacing Kim and NeNe. Returning will be Kandi, Lisa, and Sheree who was rumored to be leaving the show. On a side note, Tameka Foster was in talks to join the cast but all the ladies said they would walk if she was added.

At least they all agreed on something.

Source: Bossip

• Privacy Advocates Slam Facebook Change (Yahoo!)
• Chris Brown Rates Celebrity Females (Necole Bitchie)
• President Obama Accepts Nobel Peace Prize (The Hollywood Gossip)
• Erykah Badu Previews New Album In New York City (The Rap-Up)
• Dallas Mavericks Player Accused Of Hate Crime (Rod 2.0)
• Pamela Anderson Promotes The Big Penis Book (D-Listed)
• Meet The Real Songwriter Of "Empire State Of Mind" (Billboard)

Oprah's Holiday Extravaganza Performances Featuring Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige & Jennifer Hudson

Yesterday, Oprah aired her Christmas concert special titled "Oprah's Holiday Extravaganza" which featured great performances by R&B singers Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige and Jennifer Hudson.  Check out these performances paired with country and opera singers.

"Silent Night" by Jennifer Hudson & Sugarland Hudson

"What Child Is This" by Mary J Blige & Andre Bocelli

"The War Is Over" by Alicia Keys & Tim McGraw

Enjoy!

American Music Awards 2009 Performances: Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige & Janet Jackson

Jay-Z & Alicia Keys - "Empire State Of Mind"

Mary J. Blige - "I Am"

Janet Jackson - Hits Medley

American Music Awards 2009 Performances: Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, Shakira & Kelly Clarkson

Alicia Keys – “Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart”

Carrie Underwood – “Cowboy Casanova”

Shakira - "Give It Up To Me"

Kelly Clarkson – “Already Gone”

Alicia Keys Duets With Mariah Carey, Beyonce and Jay-Z On New Album

 

R&B songstress Alicia Keys has unveiled the tracklisting of her upcoming The Element Of Freedom album, and the guest appearances look very impressive.  Only a true A-list musician would only duet with other A-list talent, impressive underground artists or artists signed to their own management.  Obviously, people cannot wait to hear the results from the songs with Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Jay-Z.

Perhaps the next album will include duets with Mary J. Blige, Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Usher, Rihanna, Lauryn Hill, John Legend, Black Eyed Peas and Whitney Houston.  We could only dream.

Check out the song list below from The Element Of Freedom: 

1. "The Element of Freedom (Intro)"
2. "Love is Blind"
3. "Doesn't Mean Anything"
4. "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart"
5. "Wait Til They See My Smile"
6. "That's How Strong My Love Is"
7. "Unthinkable (I'm Ready)"
8. "Love is My Disease"
9. "Like the Sea"
10. "Put It In a Love Song" (featuring Beyoncé)
11. "This Bed"
12. "Distance and Time"
13. "More than Just Friends" (duet with Mariah Carey)
14. "How It Feels to Fly"
15. "Empire State of Mind (Part II)" (featuring Jay-Z)

MUSIC VIDEO: "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart" by Alicia Keys

R&B songstress Alicia Keys can do no wrong with the music video for "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart," the second single from the upcoming Elements Of Freedom album.  Not only does the singer look radiant in the video, but purple is a color that suit Ms. Keys really well.  While Keys is known to feature a hip-hop figure in her music videos, it is great to see the mysterious unraveling of actor Idris Elba in this one.  With great visuals and cinematography, "Sleeping" will become a huge hit for Ms. Keys.

Enjoy!

MUSIC VIDEO: "Doesn't Mean Anything" by Alicia Keys

R&B songstress Alicia Keys debuts her new music video for the first single "Doesn't Mean Anything" off her upcoming The Element of Freedom album.  As the song matures throughout radio and other outlets, it increases my pique of interest; however, the video bores me.  If a song explains how the lost of a loved one who make a person's life feel empty, this video should not have Ms. Keys looking her most glamorous ever in a music video.  Having the paramour in the visuals would not have been a bad idea either.

Nonetheless, the song deserves to become a huge hit as her past singles, and Alicia looks her most radiant in a music videos.  Fans could not be any more proud.

Enjoy!

Taylor Gets Love From American Music Awards' Nominations; Kanye Gets Snubbed

Apparently, rapper Kanye West's mean-spirited antics towards country-pop darling Taylor Swift affected his eligibility in the nominations of the 2009 American Music Awards.  The popular rapper, whose 2008 album 808's & Heartbreak became a best-seller with three top 10 singles, was shut out from the nominations in favor of less successful hip-hop artists Jay-Z, T.I. and Eminem.

So far Alicia Keys, The Black Eyed Peas, Jennifer Lopez, and Adam Lambert have signed on to perform at the event, set to take place Sunday, November 22 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

The nominees for the 2009 American Music Awards are:

POP/ROCK MUSIC

Favorite Male Artist
Eminem
Michael Jackson
T.I.

Favorite Female Artist
Beyoncé
Lady Gaga
Taylor Swift

Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Black Eyed Peas
Kings of Leon
Nickelback

Favorite Album
Lady Gaga / Fame
Michael Jackson / Number Ones
Taylor Swift / Fearless

COUNTRY MUSIC

Favorite Male Artist
Jason Aldean
Darius Rucker
Keith Urban

Favorite Female Artist
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
Zac Brown Band

Favorite Album
Rascal Flatts/ Unstoppable
Taylor Swift / Fearless
Zac Brown Band / Foundation

RAP/HIP-HOP MUSIC

Favorite Male Artist
Eminem
Jay-Z
T. I.

Favorite Album
Eminem / Relapse
Jay-Z / Blueprint 3
T.I. / Paper Trail