R’n’B & Hip-Hop Update – Breezy scores first UK number 1 LP
Chris Brown released his fifth studio album ‘Fortune’ on June 29th and managed his first number one in the UK. The controversial R’n’B star hasn’t for one second hid amongst all the scandal surrounding his and then girlfriend Rihanna, nor since the well-publicised altercation with Drake, which also seemingly centred around Rihanna (Women are the common denominator here Chris). Through his perseverance and refusal to succumb to public and media scrutiny and condemning of the highest level, Brown’s talents have continued to shine.
The Virginia-born star has kept himself firmly in the limelight, forcing his talents and creativity on the nay-sayers ears with irrepressible results. Brown is simply a musical constant, if he isn’t releasing a new album, it’s a mixtape or a feature. He’s possibly the most current artist in today’s monopoly of genres, personified by his market savvy to utilise the dance movement to his advantage and incorporate those tracks on his albums. He then releases them as lead singles and thus gains the financial rewards of the mainstream fanbase – smart.
Sadly for Brown on this effort, the quality is just lacking. Critics everywhere have panned ‘Fortune’ and as much as the 23-year-old is one of my favourite artists today, I feel inclined to do the same. Out of 10 professional reviews within the industry, Brown only managed 2 out of 5 stars maximum, with MusicOMH giving it zero stars out of five. The New York Times billed it as unfoaviourable, as did Time magazine. Spin magazine gave it a very tame 4/10 while Entertainment weekly mustered a C-, which they say and I quote ‘is at a push’.
The track listing for this album is just all wrong. Two of my recommendations for downloads this week are actually Chris Brown tracks, but they didn’t even make the album. Brown or indeed his advisors have become to fixed on the capital rewards for dance songs and have compromised what made Brown popular, his innovative urban interpretations. ‘Turn up the music’ just sounds like a generic club song, it’s very listenable but it’s like he looked at ‘Yeah x3’ and thought that worked before, if I just put a token few of those on my album we’ll do ok.
Tha Bizness produced ‘Strip’ is a good track, however it got leaked so long ago now it’s one you’d skip past and not really give it the worth it should if you’re a real Chris Brown fan. ‘Baseline’ and ‘Till I Die’ are also good tracks (I find it hard to dislike anything Wiz Khalifa is on) but a handful of tracks isn’t enough when you’re a global star like Chris Brown. It will be interesting to see where he goes from here, what’s more important to someone like Chris Brown as this stage in his career, the sales or the reviews? I suppose legacy wise you can stand by your sales, but the fans will tire of mediocre efforts sharpish.
Tracks
Chris Brown – Cali Swag
This Jahill beats joint has a great beat and baseline, you’d have to be mad to not feel it. The Roc Nation producer is so hot in the game right now, and at 23 has the world at his feet. You may recognise the ‘Jahill Beats, holla at me’ at the beginning of the song as his calling card. I normally slate Brown for rapping after so many lacklustre efforts before, but he brings it hard and fast on this track and delivers for just over two minutes solid with a well put together flow. I’ve had this track playing on the regs.
Pleasure P feat. Tyga – I love Girls
Both these artists are capable of making a hit, so when I saw them together I had high hopes. Both delivered how I imagined and the beat accompanying the piano is a great blend. Not sure about the chorus mind ‘I love girls, I love girls, I love girls so much I think I’m lesbian-onest, just being honest’. Don’t know what he’s trying to achieve by blending lesbian and honest…if I’m being honest.
August Alsina feat. Lloyd – Sucka for Love
This is a good song as it’s quite original, and has a very listenable melody. August is obviously quite the pessimist on love, but his vocals are certainly strong. Lloyd as always brings his very unique and soft voice to the fray. I was a huge fan of Lloyd around the Street Love album, I hope he manages an effort to rival that soon. I’ll be keeping my eye out for Alsina too; he joins the likes of Brandon Hines and Raheem DeVaughan striving to make their way out the mid-card pack with underground efforts.
R. Kelly & Jerimah – Misunderstood
I like a finger-snap joint. Kells record speaks for itself, and he is well regarded to know his way around the studio producer wise too, making hits in what he calls the Chocolate Factory. The consistent key change in this song keeps it interesting as well as the back and forth between R. Kells and Jerimah who is certainly establishing himself, and holds his own alongside such a legend like R. Kelly.
Chris Brown feat. B.O.B & T-Pain – Get Down
A very infectious beat and hook, I was in to this effort after the first minute I listened. B.O.B comes through with a smooth and clever delivery which certainly adds to the track that was crying out for a rapper. Much like Cali Swag, this is a track which shouldn’t have been overlooked.
Other tracks to give a go are Frank Ocean – Sweet Life, which Pharrell co-produced and resonates with easy listening R’n’B purists so effortlessly. If you don’t know about Frank Ocean, get to know. Nas feat. Amy Winehouse – Cherry Wine showcases Nas and his famous flow at its best. The sample of Winehouse suits the tempo of the song, and Nas delivery is so sharp. Jadakiss feat. Yo Gotti & Young Jeezey – Trafficking is one for you harder hip-hop fans as you will be able to tell by the artists before you listen. It’s a grimier beat with a repetitive chorus, but I like the verses and the tone of the song. Enjoy.
