Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 12:35PM 12)Trey Songz-Can't Be Friends
I couldn't believe that this song went ignored while Bottoms Up was bubbling on the charts, and the clubs. The first single off his Passion, Pain, & Pleasure penned & produced by Mario Winans(of I Need A Girl Fame pt 1&2)is classic. I haven't heard a mainstream male-sung pop ballad this mature and well written in years. The Trey's vocals just add so it has so much vulnerability to it. This year I became a Trey Songz fan off of this song. This might be the best song that showcased his vocal abilities to their fullest potential. Just like I said about the Big Sean mention a few songs ago, there needs to be more honestly again from mouths of men. Winans pens the perfect song not just about breaking up, but about the end of relationship on any format. This should be recognized for R&B song of the year.
11)Delta Spirit-Salt In the Wound
You know this must be a good song to be a indie rock outfit mentioned on a list with predominantly Soul, R&B, and Rap artist, as we as place just outside of the top-ten. Love the introspection about spirituality and point of existing as well in this song. When he just howls out the end of the track its a powerful moment as well. Great production as well as songwriting on this one.
10)All City Chess Club- I'm Beamin Remix
I wrote a ton about this track already in the Asher post earlier. The level of greatness from verse to verse is just on another planet. A posse track in todays music landscape is never this impressive. So much goodness can be said about this hip-hop symphony. All City Chess Club>G.O.O.D Music or any other crew today, IMO.
9)Big Boi ft Andr3000-Lookin 4 You
The Outkast track that was left off a Big Boi album. The best thing these guys have done together since Roses, no matter how much solo material these two put out. Nothing beats the group that redefined what the music could be in the first place. Lennon, And Paul never could match the greatness that was The Beatles, though both released good stuff after. Same applies here. Hope that one day these guys can get back together to challenge music once again.
8)Eryka Badu-Gone Baby, Don't Be Long
The Wings sample flip on this is incredible. I don't know if anyone else but Mrs Badu could have pulled this off so well. Was the track off this album that made me push repeat right away, couldn't believe the goodness that was being bestowed upon my ears.
7)Von Pea-The Yorker
This is the Empire State of Mind part 3 right here. This track screams New York at you. I don't know how many have been there, but this is the other people in New York that doesn't revolve around Broadway. No diss to Jay-Z and Alicia, but there renditions were a little more glamor influenced. Good song, but this has a feeling of more everyone who isn't in the lime lights of one of the best cities in the world.
6)Kid Cudi-Mr Rager
I don't know if Kid Cudi somehow looked at my life in 2008 and wrote a song based on it, but if there was a song about that, it would be this one. Just a song about the party dude, who is headed no where really. Sad tale for sure, I am glad as hell to be out of that mindset. A great production right here.
5)Reflection Eternal-Ballad of a Black Gold
A sad tale of our addiction to oil. By one of the best lyricist in hip-hop today. Came out a little before the huge BP oil spill. This guy is a prophet. He is saying some real stuff here, this might be the best song ever made about the USA, and our addiction to oil. Video was great as well.
"if you oil rich then we invadin, they call it occupation, but we losing jobs across the nation"
4)Kanye West ft Pusha T-Runaway
Remarkable how much male bashing goes on in pop-music today from the mouths of women. Glad there are finally some honest well made songs like this from the minds of the victimizers themeselves. The production though is where the magic starts on this track. The samples, the piano, the drum arrangement, strings so much gold hidden in this. Then when Push comes on with the most asshole-ish, arrogant verse possible, it just all comes together. Kanye is a great artist, when all is said and done. I will give the man his props while he is still with us. He makes great music. So lets say a toast to the douche-bags
3)Asher Roth-G.R.I.N.D(Get Ready It's a New Day)
What can I say that I haven't already said about this guy, this year? The guy obviously has found a deeper purpose in life, is making great music, and might have one of the best anthems of the year that not a lot of people have heard yet. That doesn't take away though from the importance of this song though. It had to be made by someone, because threw all the crap we have been through the last few years, there needed to not be just an angry song stating the obvious, it needed to be angry and pointing to someway to start making things better in our own lifes, and inspiring true change. The chrous is amazingly soulful, takes me back to when I was little at church and would love to dance to all the positive uplifting gospel songs. At the end of the day Asher, and G.R.I.N.D are a true life testament of how its never too late to change for the better.
2)John Legend & The Roots-Shine
When I was leaving the theater after watching the documentary Waiting For Superman , this is the song that was playing as the credits rolled. I thought it was a cover when I found out that it was from his and The Roots project, but when I found out this was an original, I was amazed. Went home listened to it some more and reached the conclusion that he has not only written one of the best songs this year, but also one of the best of his music career as well.
1)Janelle Monae- Tightrope
My favorite artist this year song that kept me dancing at work, dancing at home, dancing in the car and anywhere this song played. Not just because the music had such a danceable vibe either. Because of the message within in the song as well. Staying on course to pursue your passions and dreams as well. One of the best songs this decade by far. Will not stop singing praises her way.
Next Week: Top Ten Albums of 2010
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