G-Magazine Now

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

MUSIC VIDEO: "Hard" by Rihanna

Check out the Rihanna's music video for "Hard," the third single from her Rated R album.  In summary, she shuts down all her competition in the music video game and fashion department here.  This should make Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Britney Spears, Pink, Kelly Clarkson, Brandy, Toni Braxton, Janet Jackson, Monica, Mya, Amerie, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, and whoever else really think outside the box in their future music videos and gives us fans an eyeful and not the predictable.  Well, Lady Gaga is the only pop diva that is still ahead of the music video game.

Enjoy!

Monica's "Still Standing" TV Is A Must-See; Album Is A Must-Have

R&B starlet Monica gave cable network BET one of its best original programming shows ever.  Monica's reality-TV "Still Standing" chronicles the life of this one-time top-charting diva making a comeback in the R&B/pop game.  Along with her quest to return to urban music dominance, she juggles life as a mother and a partner to popular Atlanta rapper Rocko.  

What sets "Standing" against other BET reality shows such as [fellow singer] Keyshia Cole's "The Way It Is" and "College Hill" is that the other shows exploit the negative characteristics of the cast members rather than addressing and solving them as responsible adults who care about their reputations would.  As viewers see that Monica tackles health problems within her immediate family, relationship issues within her inner circle and the pressures of making a great comeback album, they notice a young woman who owns her life and handles her pressure with sophistication while keeping things real with her fans as she performs her hits and tells stories about her journeys.

Watch this recent episode below.  Monica adds the finishing touches to her upcoming album Still Standing.  Hopefully, the song "Betcha," which heavily samples Evelyn King's 1982 R&B classic "Betcha She Don't Love You," becomes the album's first single.  Produced by rapper Missy Elliott, the song has the potentially to become Monica's first crossover hit since 1998's "Angel Of Mine."  Other songs played in the episode, "One In A Lifetime" and "Stay Or Go," may suggest that Ms. Arnold may engage in one of the greatest comeback in R&B music history. 

Are you anticipating the Still Standing album?

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.

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)