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 REVIEW: "Love Again" by Tweet

 

R&B songbird Tweet, a.k.a. Charlene Keys, has been absent from the mainstream for four years.  A new album titled Love, Tweet has been hyped up since 2008 with false promises of a release.  Fans like us could not wait for a follow-up to the disappointing sophomore effort Its' Me Again.  Leaked tracks "Anymore" and "Real Lady" were the rumored first singles in early 2008.  Since then, the news about a new album being on the horizon was quieted.  Now, a new song "Love Again" has surfaced.  It is not confirmed as a single for the upcoming Love, Tweet, which now has a May 2010 release date, but it sounds like a great slow jam, almost like an extended interlude.

Check out "Love" as it will keep us Tweet fans anticipating for a new album just a little while longer.

 

Play "Love Again" by Tweet

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

SONG REVIEW: "Black Culture" by Beyonce

There is no telling with R&B/pop diva Beyonce calls herself doing with this leaked tune "Black Culture."  Initially, the title sounds like a song where Beyonce can sing some serious lyrics for a change, but that is where the joke lies.  It's merely a throwaway, unfinished track that refers hooking up at a party to Black culture.  Huh?

By the way, I almost forgot to mention the beat with Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" sample is hot.

 

Play "Black Culture" by Beyonce

What Is Actually Going To Appear On Toni Braxton's Pulse Album?

 

R&B diva Toni Braxton, who is one of my all-time favorite singers, plans to release the long-awaited album Pulse in February 2010.  Pulse's first single "Yesterday," featuring labelmate Trey Songz on the remix, has ascended to #12 from #51 on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts this week.  Since the song's September release, so much material has been leaked from the upcoming album's recording sessions. Thus, I wonder what will actually make the final cut.

Like most fans and critics, "Yesterday," especially the remixed version, was a poor choice for the first single.  Comparing that to prior albums' first single such as "You're Makin' Me High," "He Wasn't Man Enough" and "Please," the song does not proclaim that Ms. Braxton is here and has became a threat to her competition.  From all the tracks that have leaked so far, "My Ring" would have been the best choice to cement the announcement of Toni Braxton's comeback after two under-performing albums.  "I Hate Love" and "Stay" would be great follow-up singles, especially as crossover hits, but "Ring" has that anthem vibe for all the women (and men) in good relationships despite the irony of her own marriage in demise.

Overall, the collection that leaked so far has some gems in there.  Hopefully, we will get an album similar to The Heat or the underrated Libra.  Of course, Secrets is Toni's best and of the 90's, but that was a different Toni, and I'm not sure if she is in that state of mind.

Check out all the tunes below and suggest what would make great singles.

Play "Get Loose"

Play "Clockwork"

Play "Melt (Like An Iceberg)"

Play "I Hate Love"

Play "Don't Leave"

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

PREVIEW SONGS: Jordin Sparks | Jamie Foxx | DMX | Wale | Ginuwine

 

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

Play "Me & The Mirror" by Jordin Sparks

Play "Marching On" by Jamie Foxx (featuring Tank)

Play "Let Me Be Your Angel" by DMX (featuring Janyce)

Play "The Meeting" by Wale

Play "Superstar" by Ginuwine

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

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

PREVIEW SONGS: Lady GaGa | Chrisette Michele | Snoop Dogg | Robin Thicke | Lil' Flip

 

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

Play "Reloaded" by Lady Gaga (featuring Rodney Jerkins)

Play "Unconditional" by Chrisette Michele (featuring Freeway & Tek)

Play "Bootiez Automatic" by Snoop Dogg

Play "Sex Therapy" (remix) by Robin Thicke (featuring Ludacris)

Play "Heartbreaker" by Lil' Flip

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)

PREVIEW SONGS: Fergie | Lil' Wayne | Mario | Lloyd | Mobb Deep

 

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

Play "Quando Quando Quando" by Fergie (featuring Will.I.Am)

Play "Drop The World" by Lil' Wayne (featuring Eminem)

Play "Thinkin Of You" by Mario

Play "Everything I Do" by Lloyd

Play "Tha World" by Mobb Deep

Sade's "Soldier Of Love" Reviewed By Billboard

We all know that Sade's new album Soldier Of Love is looooooooooooong overdue, but their music is so timeless that we can keep playing their hits as if their songs were still young.

Sade Adu and her band previewed their new album at a New York event on Monday night.  Check out their review by a Billboard magazine journalist.

by Mariel Concepcion | Billboard

Soldier Of Love is produced by Sade along with the band's friend and longtime collaborator Mike Pela. The band's lineup remains virtually unchanged since its inception in 1983, and the songs on Soldier are written primarily by Sade Adu, saxophone and guitar player Stuart Matthewman, bassist Paul Spencer Denman and keyboard player Andrew Hale.

"The Moon and the Sky" finds Adu declaring her devotion to her former lover, singing, "I pulled in all the stars and the moon/laid them on your feet till I gave you my love/you are the one that got me started/you could let me love anyone, but I only wanted you/why did you make me cry? Why didn't you come get me one last time," over choppy violins and simple drums. The title track, which was released last week as the first single, begins with a gentle wind, followed by muted trumpets. "I've lost the use of my heart, but I'm still alive/still looking for the light in the endless pool on the other side," Adu croons in her husky voice over marching band drums and smeared electric guitar riffs.

The heartfelt "Morning Bird" is packed with strings, piano strokes and tambourine clatter, as Sade questions, "How could you? You are the river/I told this life, how could you/you are the morning day, you sang me into life/everyday, fly away, you are the blood of me/the heart of my dream." She commends a man's fatherly instincts on "Baby Father" over a guitar and drums, while she shelters the love of her companion on "The Safest Place," singing, "In my heart, your love has found the safest hiding place" over a piano-based production.

"Long Hard Road" has dramatic violins and "Be That Easy" is reminiscent of a country love song with guitars and whistles. Meanwhile, Sade sounds pained on "Bring Me Home," with lyrics like, "I've cried for the lives I've lost/I feel so close but far away from God;" "In Another Time" is one of the album's highlights, with a stunning violin arrangement and saxophones; and "Skin" features a delicate drum and bass beat.

Sade's 2000 release, Lovers Rock, sold 3.9 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

SONG REVIEW: "I Love You" by Usher

 

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Play "I Love You" by Usher

Watch Jennifer Hudson's "I'll Be Home For Christmas" TV Special

Chicago native and R&B diva Jennifer Hudson was granted her very own TV special to air during the Christmas season on ABC this Monday night.  Titled "I'll Be Home For Christmas," Ms. Hudson took viewers back to her hometown and showcasing the landmarks of her upbringing during the holiday seasons, including Evergreen Plaza and Dunbar Vocational Career Academy, and singing some of her favorite songs about the birth of Jesus Christ and holiday cheer.

This was a beautiful TV special to watch.  Check it out below.

Enjoy!