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)

    

Usher Talks About Building A Lifestyle Brand

by Samantha Critchell | AP Fashion News

Usher knows his stuff when it comes to fashion.

The R&B singer describes his style as "flashy classy" and he is known for seamlessly moving between three-piece banker suits and leather jackets. He admires edgier designers such as Rick Owens, Marc Jacobs and Kris Van Assche.

Usher has enough business savvy to say it's not the right time for him to launch his own label, but he is in New York to promote his new fragrance, Usher VIP, a follow-up to Usher He, which ranked in the top 40 of men's prestige fragrance sales this year, according to market data researcher NPD.

This is all moonlighting for him, though. Musically, Usher had the No. 3 hip-hop song according to Nielsen/BDS with "Papers."

On this day Usher is in a luxurious hotel suite wearing a long blue cardigan sweater, dark jeans and black leather boots to answer fashion questions from The Associated Press:

AP: What's the most important element of your look?

Usher: It's about how you feel, not about `fashion.' It's about healthy living, the combination of foods you eat. ... Those ancillaries are what lead you to `fashion.' Fashion can be a beautiful scarf, soft cashmere sweater or cool boots.

AP: Where do you find inspiration for your style?

Usher: My taste develops the more I'm introduced to things, the more I travel and experience different lifestyles. I always go out and embrace where I am — I don't stay locked up in a hotel room. I am an eclectic spectator.

AP: Why isn't there an Usher fashion label yet?

Usher: I'm building a lifestyle brand and I'm not rushing to do clothes. I feel like I'm speaking to my customer now with the fragrances, and, in this economy and with my style and attention to detail, my clothes won't come cheap. It's not the right time.

AP: What did you wear when you sang at President Obama's holiday concert earlier this month?

Usher: I worked with the president's tailor. I wanted an edge but be appropriate and I wanted to be warm. The scarf I wore was attached to the jacket, which was cashmere and had waxed silver thread. I wore a slim pant that was dressy and well tailored — and I'm in good shape now so I didn't mind showing off a little. I wore black boots that were like spats with French buttons by Dsquared2. ... It was all new for the president.

AP: What's with the beard?

Usher: It keeps me warm.

SONG REVIEW: "I Love You" by Usher

 

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Play "I Love You" by Usher

SONG REVIEW: "She's Got It" by Usher (by Rico Love)

R&B crooner Usher is working on his comeback after a disappointing reception of his 2008 album Here I Stand.  Here comes a newly leaked track called "She's Got It" which features rapper/singer Rico Love, who is one of his proteges.  The uptempo number sounds like a great album track.  Only one can wonder what the overall theme of his new album Raymond Vs. Raymond and whether this song would fit.  Usher has had plenty of great unreleased material that did not make Stand.  Let's hope the mistake will not be repeated for this track and the previously leaked "More."

 

Play "She's Got It"

SONG REVIEW: "I Love You" by Chris Brown (featuring Ester Dean)

Many talented stars have tarnished their at one time or another.  From Michael Jackson to Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson to Usher, their fans have forgiven them for their indiscretions that have cost them their own career setbacks.  With his February 2009 domestic abuse situation behind him, R&B singer Chris Brown preps his Graffiti album which includes this jolly love song "I Love You."  As part of the extended deluxe version of the album release, "Love" is cute, simple, light, delectable, etc., having all the ingredients of a guarantee radio hit.

At first listen, the accordion instrumentation sounds out of place, but it made such a sweet tune magical.  Though newcomer pop singer Ester Dean sounds very good as the guest vocalist, would it not be twice as hot if the female vocals were such by pop diva Rihanna?

Play "I Love You" 

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)

SONG REVIEW: "Spotlight" by Gucci Mane (featuring Usher)

Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane has followed the blueprint of fellow southern rapper Lil' Wayne's success as a guest rapper du jour-turned-solo hitmaker.  In the past year, Gucci has turned up on recent hits by R&B chart toppers Mariah Carey, Mario and Trey Songz.  His shine on those tracks prepared his first single "Wasted" from his upcoming The State Vs. Radric Davis in becoming a hit on urban radio.

The album's second single "Spotlight" featuring R&B superstar Usher will most likely give Gucci his first crossover hit as a lead artist.  The breezy uptempo jam, produced by Polow Da Don, lightens up the rapper's usual southern street sound with a generic, pop music friendly rhythm and a catchy hook by Usher.  Notwithstanding, "Spotlight" will please the ears of listeners from the clubs and throughout.

"Spotlight" by Gucci Mane (featuring Usher)
Click on the title to listen to song.