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: 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

RANKED: Top 15 R&B and Hip-Hop Music Artists Of 2009

 

2009 brought the most interesting mix in urban music we have seen in years.  As R&B music fans anticipated a comeback for real soul music coming to the forefront, the hopes were met with return of R&B/pop diva Whitney Houston and soulful crooner Maxwell having albums flying off the shelves.  Even the passing of R&B/pop legend Michael Jackson demonstrated to music fans worldwide the importance of creating timeless music that remains relevant beyond its shelf life.  Pop superstar Beyonce may have positioned herself into icon status with the groundbreaking music video "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)."  Additionally, emerging artists Trey Songz, Chrisette Michele and Ne-Yo seen the best year in music both critically and commercially and new acts Jasmine Sullivan, Jennifer Hudson and Keri Hilson made impressive debuts.  

In hip-hop music, the rise of newcomers Drake and Gucci Mane showed that fans could not get enough of their guest appearances and their own hits.  Hitmaking rapper Kanye West changed the game of hip-hop with an entire auto-tune album which met with mixed results by critics despite its best seller status.  Veterans Jay-Z, Eminem, Ludacris and T.I. prolonged their staying power with chart-busting anthems and club bangers.  

With all the diversity in urban music in 2009, what music artist reigned supreme?  Check out G-Magazine Now's Top 15 Music Artists of 2009.

15. Chrisette Michele

R&B singer Chrisette Michele built a nice following of fans amongst hip-hop's elite before her debut album was released in 2007.  After shining on appearances on records by Jay-Z, Nas and The Game, Michele caught the attention of new fans of the buying public who loved her bluesy, raspy, wailing voice.  Though her debut sold moderately, anticipation built when the sophomore album Epiphany arrived in stores.  With the hot single "Epiphany" going to the top 20 of the R&B charts, great promotional tour and winning reviews from critics, the album made the biggest shock of 2009 by taking the #1 position in its debut week over Ciara's Evolution album, which was widely predicted to outsell Michele.

14. Jazmine Sullivan

1. After a strong impression with her debut single "Need U Bad" on the R&B charts in 2008, R&B songstress Jazmine Sullivan kept the momentum going in 2009 with the follow-up single "Bust Yo Windows."  Though the top five R&B tune was considered controversial and silly, that did not deter Sullivan from capturing many nominations as a new artist on several award shows including the Grammys.  Jazmine released three more singles "Dream Big," "Lions, Tigers & Bears" and "In Love With Another Man," which became a soundtrack single to the gay cult film Noah's Arc: Jumping The Broom and the buzz single to her debut before "Bad" was released.

13. Keyshia Cole

Following the monstrous success of her sophomore album effort Just Like You, R&B starlet Keyshia Cole rushed her third album A Different Me to take over 2009. It led with the moderate hit "Playa Cardz" right with the late great rapper 2Pac.  Soon, Cole followed up with two more top 10 R&B hits "You Complete Me" and the powerful duet "Trust" with embattled R&B diva Monica.  "Trust" created much anticipation for new Monica material while creating a buzz for another great R&B ballad single for Ms. Cole.  Unfortunately, a fourth single, allegedly "This Is Us", was scrapped due to the singer's pregnancy.  Wouldn't it be nice to see Ms. Cole's child become a musical force to reckon 20 years from now?

12. Lil' Wayne

Though he did not need an album promote to keep his strong momentum continuing from the surprising success from his 2008 Tha Carter III album, New Orleans emcee Lil' Wayne became the guest rapper du jour to those who needed extra promotion on their singles and albums.  The list contained artists from all genres including Madonna, Shakira, Keri Hilson, Amerie, Drake, Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes and Chris Brown.  From the A-listers to the newest acts, everyone needed a touch of Lil' Wayne in their music.

11. Ne-Yo

Fresh off his multiple Grammy nominations for his groundbreaking Year Of The Gentleman album, Ne-Yo delivered two additional hit singles with "Miss Independent" and "Mad."  His relevance in urban and pop music appeal made him a sought after guest singer on hits by rap heavyweights 50 Cent and Flo-Rida and on Keri Hilson's #1 hit single "Knock You Down."  2009 became the year in R&B/Hip-Hopfeaturing Ne-Yo.

   

10. Rihanna

Urban/pop superstar Rihanna began 2009 with a worldwide #1 "Live Your Life."  With T.I. as the lead artist of that hit, it was Rihanna's feature that pushed it to the top of the charts worldwide.  She also released "Rehab," the final single from her multi-platinum Good Girl Gone Bad album, which became a modest hit that featured Justin Timberlake.  A violent incident involving her famous ex-lover Chris Brown quieted her for months until her guest appearance on Jay-Z's "Run This Town" to which her touch made it become a worldwide hit.  The release of her controversial hit single "Russian Roulette" and the R&B hit "Hard" made the anticipation of her new album Rated R very high with her best debut sales week ever in most countries.

9. Kanye West

2009 became the most controversial year for critically-acclaimed rapper Kanye West.  His choice in relationships and posse friends have been under scrutiny, though not as much as his music.  His latest album 808's & Heartbreak drew mixed reaction from criticism due to his departure from rapping and using the often-mocked AutoTunes in singing every song.  The criticism did not prevent West in earning near chart-topping hits "Love Lockdown" and "Heartless."  West also spiced up more hits as a guest rapper on chart toppers "Knock You Down" by Keri Hilson, "Run This Town" by Jay-Z and "Forever" by Drake.  Being a great scene stealer for better or worse, Kanye's appearance on Beyonce's "Ego" drew more praises than its original song version and music video.

Whitney, Mariah, Beyonce, Keri and Lady Gaga Dominate VH-1's Top 40 Videos Of 2009

 

Today, music cable station VH-1 unveiled its list of the top 40 music videos of 2009, and unsurprisingly, our favorite music divas were included on this list.  Can you guess who earned the coveted #1 position?  You might be surprised as it is a toss up between two pop divas who ruled the pop singles charts this year.  Check out the following stars whose videos made the countdown.

34. "Mllion Dollar Bill" by Whitney Houston

32. "Happy" by Leona Lewis

30. "Obsessed" by Mariah Carey

29. "Run This Town" by Jay-Z, Kanye West & Rihanna

27. "Knock You Down" by Keri HIlson (featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo)

24. "Paparazzi" by Lady Gaga

21. "Halo" by Beyonce

Check Out The 2010 Grammy Nominees Led by Beyoncé , Taylor Swift, Maxwell and Lady Gaga

 

Check out the nominees for the 2010 Grammy Awards.  With an astounding 10 nominations, R&B diva Beyoncé is sure to be a big winner from the success of her I Am...Sasha Fierce.  It is of no surprise that country-pop darling Taylor Swift would be a leading nominee also.  Being the biggest album seller of the year, Taylor is up for eight nominations, competing in the top three categories alongside Beyonce.

Other multiple nominees include R&B crooner Maxwell, pop superstar Lady Gaga, Chicago rapper Kanye West and hip-pop group the Black Eyed Peas.  Surprisingly, R&B divas Whitney Houston, Brandy and Mariah Carey are snubbed, while R&B's worst male performer Trey Songz and Marcus P have at least two nominations apiece.

Check out this list of nominations.  I have chosen my picks on who deserves the win in bold and green fonts.  Who would you pick as winners?

Album Of The Year

I Am…Sasha Fierce (Beyoncé)
The E.N.D. (the Black Eyed Peas)
The Fame (Lady Gaga)
Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King (Dave Matthews Band)
Fearless (Taylor Swift)

Record Of The Year

"Halo" (Beyoncé)
"I Gotta Feeling" (the Black Eyed Peas)
"Use Somebody" (Kings Of Leon)
"Poker Face" (Lady Gaga)
"You Belong With Me" (Taylor Swift)

Song Of The Year

"Poker Face," Lady Gaga & RedOne, songwriters (Lady Gaga)
"Pretty Wings," Hod David & Musze, songwriters (Maxwell)
"Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)," Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart, songwriters (Beyoncé)
"Use Somebody, "Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill & Nathan Followill, songwriters (Kings Of Leon)
"You Belong With Me," Liz Rose & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)

Best New Artist

Zac Brown Band
Keri Hilson
MGMT
Silversun Pickups
The Ting Tings

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance

"Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" by Beyoncé
"It Kills Me" by Melanie Fiona
"That Was Then" by Lalah Hathaway
"Goin' Thru Changes" by Ledisi
"Lions, Tigers & Bears" by Jazmine Sullivan

Best Male R&B Vocal Performance

"The Point Of It All" by Anthony Hamilton
"Pretty Wings" by Maxwell
"Sobeautiful" by Musiq Soulchild
"Under" by Pleasure P
"There Goes My Baby" by Charlie Wilson

Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

"Blame It" by Jamie Foxx & T-Pain
"Chocolate High" by India.Arie & Musiq Soulchild
"Ifuleave" by Musiq Soulchild & Mary J. Blige
"Higher Ground" by Robert Randolph & The Clark Sisters
"Love Has Finally Come At Last" by Calvin Richardson & Ann Nesby

Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance

"At Last" by Beyoncé
"Soul Music" by Anthony Hamilton
"Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" by Boney James & Quinn
"Sow Love" by Ann Nesby
"Woman Gotta Have It" by Calvin Richardson

Best Urban/Alternative Performance

"Daykeeper" by The Foreign Exchange
"All Matter" by Robert Glasper & Bilal
"Pearls" by India.Arie & Dobet Gnahore
"A Tale Of Two" by Eric Roberson, Ben O'Neill & Michelle Thompson
"Blend" by Tonex

Best R&B Song

"Blame It" James T. Brown, John Conte, Jr., Jamie Foxx, Christopher Henderson, Brandon R. Melanchon, Breyon Prescott, T-Pain & Nathan L. Walker, songwriters (Jamie Foxx & T-Pain)
"Lions, Tigers & Bears" Salaam Remi & Jazmine Sullivan, songwriters (Jazmine Sullivan)
"Pretty Wings" Hod David & Musze, songwriters (Maxwell)
"Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart, songwriters (Beyoncé)
"Under" D. Babbs, L. Bereal, M. Cooper, A. Dixon, J. Franklin, T. Jones, R. New & K. Stephens, songwriters (Pleasure P)

Best R&B Album

The Point Of It All (Anthony Hamilton)
Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics (India.Arie)
Turn Me Loose (Ledisi)
Blacksummers' Night (Maxwell)
Uncle Charlie (Charlie Wilson)

Best Contemporary R&B Album

I Am... Sasha Fierce (Beyoncé)
Intuition (Jamie Foxx)
The Introduction Of Marcus Cooper (Pleasure P)
Ready (Trey Songz)
Thr33 Ringz (T-Pain)

Best Rap Solo Performance

"Best I Ever Had" by Drake
"Beautiful" by Eminem
"D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)" by Jay-Z
"Day 'N' Nite" by Kid Cudi
"Casa Bey" by Mos Def

Soul Train Music Awards Returns With Beyonce, Keri Hilson And Maxwell As Multiple Nominees

With four nominations each, Beyoncé, Keri Hilson and Maxwell head the list of nominees for the return of the "Soul Train Awards." The awards ceremony, hosted by actors Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, will be the first special aired on BET's recently launched CENTRIC Network. Taping November 3 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, the "CENTRIC Presents: 2009 Soul Train Awards" will premiere on both CENTRIC and BET in a special simulcast on November 29 at 9 p.m.
 
In addition to awards presented in various categories, the show will salute the careers of legendary artists Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson, Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. The Soul Train Awards will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of Motown Records and honor the late Michael Jackson with the Entertainer of the Year award. Scheduled performers include Toni Braxton, Trey Songz, Chrisette Michelle, Ledisi and Melanie Fiona.
 
Here's the "CENTRIC Presents: 2009 Soul Train Awards" complete list of nominees and categories:
My picks are highlighted in pink.

Best New Artist
· Drake
· Jazmine Sullivan
· Keri Hilson
· Ryan Leslie
· Solange (WTF? She has been a working artist since 2002.  Matthew Knowles must have concocted this.)
 
Best Female R&B/Soul Artist
· Beyoncé
· Chrisette Michele
· Jennifer Hudson
· Ledisi
· Whitney Houston
   
Best Male R&B/Soul Artist
· Charlie Wilson
· Maxwell
· Musiq Soulchild
· Raphael Saadiq
· Robin Thicke
 
Song of the Year
· "God in Me" - Mary Mary
· "Pretty Wings" - Maxwell
· "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" - Beyoncé
· "Spotlight" - Jennifer Hudson
· "Turnin Me On" - Keri  Hilson/ ft Lil Wayne
 
Album of the Year
· Beyoncé - "I Am...Sasha Fierce" (Sony Music)
· Jamie Foxx - "Intuition" (J Records)
· Kanye West - "808s & Heartbreak" (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam)
· Maxwell - "Blacksummer's Night" (Sony Music)
· Ne-Yo - "Year of the Gentleman" (Def Jam)

Kanye West Gets Community Service For Airport Scuffle

Kanye West's karma is beleaguered by all kinds of bad luck these days.  Since his violence acts towards photographers in late 2008, West has kept himself in the media more for his bad deeds than his amazing music.  After an industry-wide upset towards the rapper over his upstaging of country music darling Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Music Awards in September, he has been shunned from nominations at recent music awards announcements in addition to a boycott on radio stations.

Now, West finds himself punished for a minor crime he committed in Los Angeles last year.  Read the story below.

Rapper Kanye West and his business manager must complete 50 hours of community service in exchange for the dismissal of charges stemming from a Los Angeles airport scuffle with paparazzi last year.

Kanye West must complete 50 hours of community service by December 23.

West has already attended 12 hours of anger management classes and paid for the camera that was broken during the incident, his lawyer told the judge during a hearing Friday morning.

Police arrested West and Don Crawley on September 11, 2008, after an altercation with a photographer and a cameraman who were taking their photos, airport police said.

West and Crawley were later charged with three misdemeanors counts: vandalism, battery and grand theft.

"There was not a situation where there was a lot of time for either defendant to reflect on what they were doing," said Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Mark Zuckman.

Zuckman, who presided over Friday's hearing, said he could take the position that "a brief impulsive response" by West and Crawley "doesn't necessarily demonstrate a severe character flaw that needs to be addressed in a criminal case."

Still, he said, he did not want "to send a message that ripping the camera from someone's hand and destroying it [in] an act of vandalism is acceptable, no matter what kind of provocation caused them to be angry. There are other remedies."

West and Crawley have until December 23 to complete 50 hours of community service, Zuckman said. If they do, he will dismissed the charges.

If convicted, West could have faced up to two years and six months in jail, while Crawley could have faced up to five years, according to Frank Mateljan, the spokesman for the city attorney.

Source: CNN

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

Lada Gaga Reveals "The Monster Ball" Tour

Less than two weeks after her planned outing with Kanye West was cancelled, Lady Gaga has announced plans for her upcoming North American tour, called "The Monster Ball."

The outing, with support from upstart rapper Kid Cudi, was announced on the singer's official site on Thursday, October 15, with a promise that it will be the first-ever "pop electro opera." The first date of the 22-show tour is November 27 at the Bell Center in Montreal, and current plans call for it to finish with two dates at Radio City Music Hall in New York on January 20-21.

The dates are scheduled as follows:

November 27 - Montreal, Quebec, Canada @ The Bell Center
November 28 - Toronto, Ontario, Canada @ Air Canada Center
November 29 - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada @ Scotiabank Place
December 1 - Boston, MA @ Wang Center
December 2 - Boston, MA @ Wang Center
December 3 - Camden, NJ @ Susquehanna
December 9 - Vancouver, BC, Canada @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre
December 10 - Vancouver, BC, Canada @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre
December 13 - San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic
December 18 - Las Vegas, NV @ TBD
December 19 - San Diego, CA @ San Diego Sports Arena
December 21 - Los Angeles, CA @ Nokia Theatre
December 29 - Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theater
December 31 - Miami, FL @ Knight Center
January 3 - Orlando, FL @ The Hard Rock
January 7 - St. Louis, MO @ The Fox
January 8 - Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre
January 9 - Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre
January 12 - Detroit, MI @ Fox Theater
January 16 - Atlantic City, NJ @ Borgata
January 20 - New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
January 21 - New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall

Kanye West & Lady Gaga Tour Gets Canned

Kanye West and Lady Gaga's tour is over before it began.

Just days after announcing dates for an ambitious tour that was to kick off next month, the tour was canceled.

Live Nation announced the news on Thursday. The tour promoter says refunds will be issued.

The name of the tour was to be "Fame Kills."

The cancellation comes on the heels of negative publicity for West. He is still feeling the heat for hijacking Taylor Swift's award-winning moment at the MTV Video Music Awards last month.