Katy B ft. Jessie Ware: Aaliyah

Released: 7th December 2012

Recorded: 2011

Label: Columbia

Hey guys! Sorry it's been so long! Here's a little treat for you all. :o) Since I'm from the UK, it's only fair that I represent my UK roots. Here's a not so familiar track from Katy B and Jessie Ware titled 'Aaliyah' which pretty much speaks for itself. You can find this track on Katy B's Danger EP. For those who don't know, Katy B is very, heavily influenced by Aaliyah and did this song as a tribute, paying homage into her forever, lasting memory. When you have two great artists on a track, you can rest assure that what you'll hear will be fire!

Interestingly enough, when I first heard this track, I was pleasantly surprised as it sounded no where near to what Aaliyah would of done. Production wise it has a very funky, electronic dance beat, which is very catchy on the ears. Lyrically, both Katy B and Jessie Ware talk about Aaliyah and the impact she had, particularly on her male admirers. Katy B plays the role of a girl who finds a man, only to find out that Aaliyah's natural charisma and charm is all too much, swaying her man away from her. She goes on to sing the main hook – " Aaliyah please, this is green envy, why must you taunt me girl?" Both ladies talk about Babygirl in a positive way, showing how flawless and effortless she was since she never tried too hard to 'look' sexy, she clearly just 'was' sexy in her own right. It wouldn't surprise me if women were jealous of her, because she always had a natural allure which is very hard to do, since it comes from within yourself as a person, knowing who you are and being content with it. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy this upbeat track which you can listen to down below! :o)

Nas ft. Aaliyah: You Won't See Me Tonight

Released: April 6th 1999

Recorded: 1998 – 1999

Label: Columbia Records

I Am... is the third studio album release from one of my all time favorite rappers Nas. The album itself debuted at number one on the charts, selling over 470'000 copies within the first week! Originally the album was meant to be a double album titled I Am...The Autobiography, but because most of his original tracks were bootlegged, Nas was left with no choice but to discard many songs on the album and just stick to one CD disc. Now you can only imagine the frustration he was going through back then, as internet technology was such a new concept to people. To have your tracks leaked over the internet kinda devalues the artists work in a way where you are too lazy to even buy the album content and pay respect to their work. In all honesty, I believe that if we didn't have the internet people would still buys CD's rather then trying to download them for free. It's quite a shame, but it goes to show the sign of the times.

Here's a song off Nas's album where Aaliyah features on the song You Won't See Me Tonight. Again this song talks about real relationship trials and tribulations. The song talks about how a woman is fed up of a man being too busy for her, rather than putting his woman first as a priority, he just takes her for granted. This in toll leads to the – Why are you always so busy?, When do you have time for me? Are you cheating on me? Let's face it ladies, all of us from one time or another have been through this situation to the point where you end up being Sherlock Holmes (not something I would advise, as you clearly don't trust the person you are with if you have to resort to extreme measures). But the fact of the matter is that it does happen. The song title itself embodies this message too, where Aaliyah sings the hook – 

"You won't see me tonight, you won't see me tomorrow, I'll be gone by daylight, and you'll be so full of sorrow, you'll go tell all your friends, how you called and I follow, but you won't see me tonight, no you won't see me tomorrow".

Truer words have never been spoken! Now at the same time, being the diplomatic person that I am there are always two sides to a story (bit of Ginuwine comes to mind there! lol), so in defense for the men, maybe your man is too busy and as a woman you need to hold it down and support him in whatever he ventures in. The last thing a man wants is to hear a woman constantly nagging, so be the stress reliever in the relationship and make him forget about his worries. However, I do believe making time for one another is of high importance, but others may argue that absence makes the heart grow fonder. What do you think? Anyhoo I digress, this track is definitely one to add to your playlist. Timbaland yet again delivers his fine production skills on this dope beat. Lyrically, Nas delivers as always. Anyways, please check out the video below. Enjoy guys! :o)

Kris Kross: Live And Die For Hip-Hop ft. Aaliyah, Da Brat, Jermaine Dupri and Mr.Black

 

Released: February 8th 1996

Recorded: 1995

Label: So So Def Recordings/Ruffhouse Records/Columbia Records/Sony Music Entertainment

Live And Die For Hip Hop was the second and final single from the album Young, Rich And Dangerous. The single features rappers Da Brat, Jermaine Dupri, Mr.Black and background vocals from our Babygirl. The actual song itself contains a sample from Regina Belle's – Baby Come To Me. You can check this out below to compare and contrast. Dj Clark Kent who I mentioned earlier in my Junior M.A.F.I.A. post also contributed by making a remix version of the track. However, all in all production wise for this classic hip-hop joint goes to Jermaine Dupri.

Overall I like the track, but I don't think Aaliyah is featured in it enough as I would of liked. I also feel that she should of at least been in the video to show some kind of recognition, but hey! It is what is it is...I aint gonna complain, because I'd rather hear some vocals from Babygirl then none at all. Oh and I would also like to say R.I.P to Chris Kelly A.K.A– Mac Daddy who passed away on May 1st 2013. It's a real shame he had to go like that through the drugs route, along with others like Amy Winehouse. All we can do is remember the great music they have left us with in this music industry. I still remember the trend they made by wearing their clothes backwards, crazy times... But as a tribute I have left the videos Jump and Tonite's Tha Night which you can check out down below. Enjoy everyone! :o)