Tag Archives: Polow Da Don

Dec 18 2009
Leave a comment
Music

Juelz Santana – Back To The Crib ft. Chris Brown

Juelz Santana launches his Def Jam career with Back To The Crib ft. Chris Brown:

Juelz Santana took the apparent ‘risk’ in turning to Chris Brown to feature on the record, however this so called gamble seems to have paid off, musically atleast, simply as Chris fits the record well and helps broaden the track’s appeal in regards to audience.

Produced by Polow Da Don, who seems ready to launch another successful Chart take-over, he has done it before, producing hits for the likes of Keri Hilson, Usher and Chris Brown himself (for his new album Graffiti). Issues aside, I like the record, the chorus is catchy, the beat is infectious as it is, an overall hit record feel, a track that is radio friendly whilst being almost guaranteed to be played by a DJ towards the end of his set. The video is simple and fun, it has a good feel-good vibe and i’m sure it will be another successful record for Santana.

Advertisement
Tagged , , , , , ,
Nov 06 2009
Leave a comment
Music

Gucci Mane – Spotlight ft. Usher (Official Video)

I guess you can say Hip-Hop’s man of the moment, Gucci Mane makes his official mainstream debut after snatching the underground crown with his sets of mixtapes and guest verses (most notably his recent appearance on the remix for Mariah Carey – Obsession), here is the new single, Spotlight:

Produced by Polow Da Don (who seems destined to return back to his dominant ways within the charts), this catchy record is made for the radio, the clubs and no doubt will make it onto many iPods, featuring Usher, it possesses an Atlanta feel with a mainstream vibe, it helps welcome Gucci Mane into the mainstream safely, Usher does well, he provides the song with a much needed assurance, an extra appeal. All together this is a good record, many can enjoy it with its broad concept. The video is a good look, similar to Usher’s U Don’t Have To Call video, none the less a good visual for the record.

Gucci Mane is currently riding a wave of success throughout the charts and Spotlight looks set to be his mainstream initiation as he embarks on an even bigger career.

Mr "So Icey" himself, Gucci Mane

Tagged , , , , , ,
Nov 06 2009
Leave a comment
Music

50 Cent – Baby By Me ft. Ne-Yo (Official Video)

Okay, so here it is, I know when I first heard the record I was fairly scepticle and was not so positive, simply because I expected more, having heard the unmastered version, It felt like a mixtape record, however, the final master made a big difference, it went from being a generic Hip-Hop with R&B hook record to something that was actually created from scratch, producer Polow Da Don (Nas – Hero, Fergie – Glamorous), sampled his favourite 50 cent line, “Have A Baby By Me..Be A Millionaire”, although that dominates the record, I prefer the production itself, the drum beat sounds solid, it has a mid-temp which remains consistent, it never sounds weak or loses its presence at any moment, additional piano offers a more musical feel and really sets you up for the synth based chorus, on which Ne-Yo shines like no other, his vocals really make a difference, it just shows how big these two artists are, you get a sense of their personalities blended, it is a more vunerable 50 cent, something that is unheard of, Ne-Yo offers the balance which fits to the catered beat.

Matching this magic is the video:

Featuring Kelly Rowland as 50’s love interest, they manage to display an on screen chemistry, it is a fairly basic video in the sense of its idea and Ne-Yo having a seperate black screen scene, however the quality manages to provide a much needed appeal, you see 50 Cent in a way you have not before, he portrays a more personal side, it draws a lot of interest into the artist and as a whole completes a well contrasting video.

Kelly and Curtis on set of Baby By Me

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,
Jul 15 2009
Leave a comment
Music

T.I. – Remember Me ft. Mary J. Blige

As the ‘King of the South’ starts his ‘Year and a day’ jail sentence, he leaves us with this anthem featuring none other than Mary J. Blige.

Produced by Polow Da Don (Usher – Love in This Club), this inspirational mid-tempo track provides T.I. with the perfect canvas to paint his lyrical picture as the Grand Hustle rapper vents some feelings regarding his own situation whilst inspiring others to stand strong regardless of how strong the negative winds in our lives are. Featuring Mary J. Blige, who commands the chorus like nobody else, the only other person that could have done it is Mariah Carey, however, with Mary you have a far more urban edge as well as that mainstream appeal.

It is a shame that one of the best artists is having to be locked up for a year, but I’m in no doubt that it will only lead to what might just be the best album of his career for T.I. when he returns. In the mean time he has another hit to add to his already large catalogue. Remember Me is a classic sounding song, with a real meaning from one of the realest artists who will be missed).

Fáris Rating:
8/10http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPuJRR78fFk

Tagged , , , , ,