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)

    

SONG PREVIEWS: Snoop Dogg | Beyonce | Mary J. Blige | Paris Bennett | Ne-Yo

 

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

Play "Feet Don't Fail Me Now" by Snoop Dogg (featuring Charlie Wilson & Nelly)

Play "Waiting" by Beyonce

Play "Brand New" by Mary J. Blige

Play "Poster" by Paris Bennett

Play "Bedroom Walkin'" by Ne-Yo

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

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 REVIEW: "We're Gonna Make It" by Mary J. Blige (featuring Jazmine Sullivan)

 

This duet is a R&B hit in the making.  R&B queen Mary J. Blige teams up with starlet Jazmine Sullivan in the liberating "We're Gonna Make It."  While both woman wail throughout the song where it is impossible to differentiate the voices at times.  Overall, the tune defines another classic empowered Mary song.

 

Play "Gonna Make It" (featuring Jazmine Sullivan)

ALBUM REVIEW: "Stronger With Each Tear" by Mary J. Blige

Though she could have chosen a better male singer than Trey Songz to duet on "We Got Hood Love," Stronger With Each Tear is Mary J. Blige's most fluid album since 1997's Share My World.  As a mid-to-uptempo heavy album, Stronger packs enough urban radio-friendly singles that should rival sales of 2005's The Breakthrough if promoted better than the overlooked 2007 Growing Pains.  Mary's soulful wailing remains in tact as she compares a relationship to a "Kitchen" and boasts "I Feel Good" after singing about "Good Love" in a nice club tempo featuring rap king T.I.

 

Play "Good Love" (featuring T.I.)

Play "I Feel Good"

Play "Each Tear"

Play "Kitchen"

Play "In The Morning"

Play "I Love You"

Play "In The Morning"

R&B Diva Brandy Goes Hard With Her Rap Alter-Ego "Bran'Nu"

In 2009, R&B icon Brandy has proven to be one of the most talented songbirds of today.  With two powerful a capella renditions of soul music classics YouTube, the buzz and anticipation grew immensely for a real comeback for this R&B starlet.  You may not believe this, but Brandy's rap skills are as strong as her vocals.  She delivers severe rap flows sounding reminiscent of hip-hop divas Eve and Lil' Kim during their best years on Timbaland's new Shock Value II album.  Are you doubtful?  Check out the tunes "Meet In The Middle" and "Play."

Play "Meet In Tha Middle" (w/ Timbaland)

 

"Play" Symphony (w/ Timbaland, Attitude & D.O.E.)

 

Will she incorporate her masterful hidden talent on her upcoming album?

After hearing Brandy's sharp skills as a R&B singing rapper, divas who tried years ago such as Beyonce, Monica, Mary J. Blige and Rihanna can forget about following suit.  It is a wrap for them.  Even Lil' Kim, Eve, Trina and Foxy Brown can fall back because Brandy shut that game down.

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!

Mary J. Blige Album Cover Revealed

R&B queen Mary J. Blige's secret to maintaining A-list status in the music industry is growth.  With each album and single Blige has released, the maturation of the diva's style has ascended.  Check out the newly unveiled album cover for Stronger (With Each Tear).  Her ninth studio album boasts such a simple, yet strong, sophisticate photo of Blige.

This is one of the classiest album covers ever.  Hopefully, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Rihanna and Beyonce will follow suit.

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

PREVIEW SONGS: Ciara | Johnta Austin | Ryan Leslie | Juvenile | Kevin Lyttle

Check out these recently leaked songs by your favorite music artists.  You can listen to them by clicking on the titles below.

"Turn It Up" by Ciara

"I Am" by Johnta Austin (featuring Mary J. Blige)

"Zodiac" by Ryan Leslie

"We Be Gettin' Money" by Juvenile (featuring Dorrough & Shawty Lo)

"Feels So Good" by Kevin Lyttle (featuring Shaggy)

PREVIEW SONGS: Snoop Dogg | Toni Braxton | Mary J. Blige | Mariah Carey | Joss Stone

Listen to these recently leaked tunes by your favorite music artists by clicking onto the song titles.

"Gangsta Luv" by Snoop Dogg (featuring The-Dream)

"Yesterday" (remix) by Toni Braxton (featuring Trey Songz)

"Skycap" by Mary J. Blige

"Candy Bling" ("I Remember" remix) by Mariah Carey (featuring T-Pain)

"Governmentalist" by Joss Stone (featuring Nas)

Watch "VH-1 Hip-Hop Honors" Performances Honoring Def Jam

If you have not seen a re-run or the first run of "VH-1's Hip-Hop Honors," you really have not missed much with the exception of a few key performances.  Overall, the show was not worth two consecutive hours sitting in front of the tube.  Missing the most successful artists on the Def Jam Recordings roster, who was honored for its 25th anniversary, including LL Cool J, Jay-Z and Kanye West defeated the purpose of celebrating Def Jam Records.  In fact, co-founder Russell Simmons shared his disappointment by calling the ceremony "incomplete."

You can check the performances here.  There are a handful to enjoy including performances by Method Man as well as laughable ones by Foxy Brown and JaRule.

Enjoy!

Method Man (featuring Redman & Mary J. Blige) - "Da Rockwilder" & "You're All I Need To Get By/I'll Be There For You"

JaRule & Ashanti - "Down Ass Chick" & "Always On Time"

Onyx - "Slam"

DMX (featuring Gym Class Heroes)- "Party Up (Up In Here)"

Warren G (featuring Trey Songz) - "Regulators"