The kid has finally graduated. Jay-Z came into the game on a humble. Took a chance on some white labels, saw that he had a buzz going and switched his focus from maybe I can play this game, to... I'm gonna dominate this game.
If B.I.G. hadn't passed away, would he be as dominant. You can only speculate, but right now there is no other rap artist who can appear on five different songs and all of them are blazing. The club songs, just-ride-to joints, mixtape specials, without Jay in the game last year, there would have been no one to keep this rap thing lively?
Hip Hop CD of the Year
Outkast "Stankonia"
Why pick these two crazy guys over, say... Eminem? Well to tell you the truth Eminem didn't get that many votes. Outkast on the other hand got everybody all smelly.
It's rare nowadays, that an artist will create music that they love first and then leave it up to the people to figure out if they are gonna join the party. It's even rarer that such an act can be a success.
With no thoughts of banging joints in the club they spit out a disc that introduces new sounds, varied song structures, and down home soul, all in one package. They went into the studio and beat out a disc that
you have to listen to at least 5 times before you really get it... And what do they do for an encore. Go right back in the kitchen to start on the next one, a double cd that will be released late 2001.
Hip Hop Single of the Year
Jay-Z "Do It Again - 6 AM"
You know the scene... you're in the club. You hear the guitars come in (that is a guitar isn't it?), everybody who isn't on the floor, gets up and makes their way, if not on the floor, then as close as possible.
Guys who couldn't bring themselves to ask that girl to dance, make their advances now, the night isn't gonna get any hotter, the time is now. BAMM! The beat drops, Beanie rips his verse, you hear the chorus and then....
oh no... the DJ starts it over again. The cycle repeats itself.
Every year there is one song that gets the crowd in a frenzy and makes the DJ's job real easy, this year it was this record. Don't spill your drink while you're getting your freak on.
Don't Forget About
Mystical "Shake Ya Ass"
The first time I heard this song, I couldn't believe that they were saying "ass" on the radio. The FCC must have handed down a new set of rules.
After the intial disbelief I turned it up a little louder and felt that bass, two points so far. I don't think there is any other artist that could have
made this song. With a chorus that screams at you to shake that dough maker, you can't come into the verse with some smooth pimp shit, you need somebody that
is gonna keep that ill vibe flowing. Mystical owned this track, and with the production by the Neptunes and the contrasting Curtis Mayfield type singing on
the chorus, it spelled hit from the minute it touched plastic.
Most Slept on Hip Hop CD of the Year
GhostFace "Supreme Clientele"
What is the essential ingredient in a good meal? Any meal, it doesn't matter what it is... the thing that makes you say, "damn, that tastes good" is flavor.
This cd has plenty of that, but it flew under the radar most of the year. Call it bad promotion, or missed opportunity, but there is no doubt that it should have gotten more play then it did.
There is no waiting around for choruses with Ghost, he gets right into the mix, stirring up some marvelous shit to keep your mouth watering, on some, yo, this is me right here. (yeah, I stole that)
The big question.... when are Raekwon and Ghost gonna collab on another classic like "Only Built 4 Cuban Links?"
Producer of the Year
Timbaland
When the Ruff Ryders introduced Swizz Beatz, with his keyboard driven rhythms, he stole a little bit of the shine from Timbaland, and as a result he seemed to fade into the background. Yeah, he came out with the Magoo stuff and
said that he was taking it to another level with his solo disc. It didn't happen. What did he do? Went back in the lab and came out with a new style. He dropped the stop and go, stutter step high hat tracks, and came out
with trunk bangers. Beats that are hard as Flintstone granite. When your "Big Pimpin", your Timmin.. When you ride the "Snoopy Track", it's time to Tim.. "Is That Your Chick", it's a Timbo track. The only other producer who engineered quality joints like that
was Dr. Dre, but he has a bunch of guys on his team that deserve some of the credit for the new joints he's putting out. Taking that into consideration and because you voted for him....the award goes to Timbaland.
Breakout Artist of the Year
Mystical
You heard the rumors. Mystical got his ass kicked by them No Limit boys. Mystical is joining Bad Boy. Mystical is my baby's father... actually that last one, is the latest that I've heard. You
know when you get on top everybody wants a piece of you. Mystical did the unthinkable last year and left No Limit, only to reappear, with a new look and style that he didn't get to display
when he was down with the tank. Is it the new producers, or is it the mysterious videos with the big butt women? Whatever it is, Mystical stepped into the sunshine this year and showed everybody how to do it New Orleans gumbo style.
Good Food Artist of the Year
Common
He was forced to drop the sense from his name, but he left it in his music. Common is in that family of artists who give you neo-soul. The progressive urban, retro soul glow attitude and look that
permiates the work of Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, The Roots, and so on... Common has got that. His style is simple, but complex. However, he came down to earth with the funk sounds of "The Light." What makes that track
stand out is the bass line and the fact that he is talking about "I never knew a lo-lo- lo love like this...." You don't hear rappers talking about love, unless it's that thug love and they're pouring out liquor for them.
But it's that simple, yet complex thing which makes this track work and which makes Common a healthy choice on the menu.
Comeback Home Notice
Lil Kim
Have you ever seen somebody that just tries too hard to be something that they're not? It's a sad sight. Oh yeah, there is no music with this one, because this is serious,
no time for dancing around in thongs and blond wigs. Anybody who succeeds at something, needs a person who keeps them grounded to reality. All the hype, the "you're so great" autograph seekers, limos, and invitations to
places you couldn't even imagine being - that can get to your head. When Kim lost BIG she obviously didn't just lose a lyric writer, she lost the person that kept her head on straight. Not that he was Mr. Morals, but he was real.
Kim needs someone around her who is gonna tell her that all the Gucci, fake titties, and glamour girl stuff is nice, but remember who your fanbase is. The guest spot on "Quiet Storm" was tight, rewind the tape, take notes and look at your own
album, there were a few songs on it, but you released the fluff stuff. Here.. take this ticket and pay me back with a CD that will make me eat these words.
Most Over Hyped Album of the Year
Wu-Tang "The W"
Did you hear that intro? Didn't it sound like something serious was about to take place, some demented, sick shit? Please, when I first heard it, I was in the car, so the subs are in effect, I hear this great intro and then this flat,
wack beat comes on and I'm like "what the f-ck is this?" The Wu seem to be stuck in a time warp, where they are the only artists out, the hottest artists out, and can't nobody touch their style. Wrong. Longevity, and hence success, in the rap game means that you have to float with the times, don't change your whole style but stick something in there that the current fans are feeling.
That means, can we get some hot beats out of this camp? A little bit of hunger on the mike? When I heard the Wu were getting back together for a new joint, I thought that it was gonna be on..
but it only took a few advance listens for me to tell that I was mistaken. I didn't even buy the CD, didn't even download an MP3, all it took was two corny videos and your votes to make me say, where is that old "Enter the 36 Chambers" Wu at? Y'all are overdue.
Click of the Year
Roc-A-Fella
You know what? I'm sick of writing about Roc-A-Fella. But if you're talking about rap music you can't not mention them; not if you're talking about the group of guys
who have this thing on lock right now. And they are only getting stronger. Memphis Bleek has amped his skills, Beanie hasn't even begun to get loose, and I hear that they have some kid
named Freeway down with them who they are working on for future assaults to your exhausted little cranium... oh, and don't forget about Fabulous.. he's always on them Clue tapes, so in some way he'll eventually get some shine.
What's the news on Amil? My guess is just that, a guess. So I won't go there. What I do know is that I haven't seen or heard from her in a minute. You want to hear a rumor? I heard she was messing around with Baby from Cash Money..... damn, I didn't want to spread the cheese whiz but there it is, spoiling the click's shine time. Which she's doing anyway with all the b.s. about her. That's why I wouldn't be
suprised to see her get the boot. Can they find a replacement? That's comical. There are just as many hungry, ready get at it, female mc's out as there are baby thugs. It's nuuuthing. (say that like Jay)
R&B Artist of the Year
R-Kelly
I placed my votes as well, and I have to say that I don't agree with this choice. Who did I choose? I chose Destiny's Child. Before you
break out into laughter and get to slapping me, let me state my case. The artist of the year, was the most dominant, or the artist who
the year wouldn't have been the same without them. Now... I don't own any D Child cd's, but you have to admit that they went a long
way from that "No, No, No" song, which I hated, to the "Independent Woman" song which Beyonce is doing her thing on. The group line-up changes,
the impending solo shot by Beyonce, the fifty times a day on MTV and BET. Hey, give them a little bit of credit. Oh... didn't R-Kelly win this one, well you write his piece and get back to me.
R&B CD of the Year
D'Angelo "Voodoo"
I thought that I was one of the few people who was banging this cd. Well I shouldn't say banging, because this cd goes down as smooth as
Amaretto. Turn the lights down, spark some scents, and throw this on... it's perfect. I can't remember one song that you reach for the fast forward
button on. What it shows, is what an artist with a dedication to the art and development of music can do. Artists that look to push the boundaries usually
produce the best work. It's not always a fast food treat though, it's kinda like a 3 course meal and homemade biscuits. Let's just hope that it doesn't take him another three
years to release another one. a brother get's hungry every now and then.
R&B Single of the Year
Sisqo "Thong Song"
This is the song that took Sisqo to the level that he's at today. Before that he was just a dancing and flipping, all over the roof of some building. Remember that video? I'm not the biggest Sisqo
fan, but I will admit that when I heard the chorus to this song I was hooked. I like the way ya' booty goes.. she had dumps like a truck truck truck... guys like what what what. By the time it was played for the twentieth time, I was over it. Alright, I'll stop hating, but will somebody tell Sisqo to
chill with the acrobatic stunts before he breaks his neck? I'm just a concerned fan... What's up, Kathryn.
Most Slept on R&B CD of the Year
Avant
Now I admit I really did sleep on this guy. Earlier in the year, I heard a little buzz about some guy named Avant, but didn't take it any further then to pick up the cd at Rock & Soul, read the credits and put it right back. It's been harder for me to part
with my cd dollars, you know with Napster and everything, so Mr. Avant didn't grab my attention right then. Then I heard "Separated" and my opinion changed real quick. He has a real smooth voice, kinda like baby R-Kelly. But duh... I still don't own the
cd, can somebody hook a brother up? My R&B collection is real flimsy.
I Slept On This One Too
Jill Scott
My first choice as most slept on cd of the year. What did I base my decision on? The fact that everybody is talking about her. Well actually it's like a loud whisper, the best kept secret. People in the music industry love to say that they have Jill Scott in
the cd changer. It's the cool pass. If you're spinning Jill then you're hip to a hidden jewel. She kinda shoved Erykah Badu to the side for a minute, you know with the whole, old soul thing.
People tend to embrace one artist in each genre and J. Scott is the soul girl of the moment. I'm gonna get my cool pass tommorrow.
Video of the Year
D'Angelo "How Does It Feel"
This one was no contest. It was the talk of the Spring-Summer 2000. Women were loving the fact that they finally got a chance to see a video, where the man was half-naked for a change. That was the appeal of the video.
The way that the camera panned dangerously close to violating FCC regulations, the sweat on the belly, him looking down below with delight, it all made for an experience that I've never seen in a video before.
The only artist who would have even tried to pull that off would be Prince, but he hasn't been the same since the early nineties. So with that said, let's congratulate D'Angelo for being so daring, the women should
be thanking his gym instructor, and we should all wonder what was really going on below that waist high camera angle.
