“Stay Fly” – Three 6 Mafia
With their recent Oscar win for their Hustle & Flow track “It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp,” Memphis trio Three 6 Mafia have been thrown into the spotlight (a full decade after they first formed, by the way). In light of their recent success, it’s worth checking out their biggest hit to date, “Stay Fly.”
One of the more interesting acts in hip-hop today, Three 6 Mafia has a sound like
no other, apparent throughout their lead single from their 2005 album Most Known Unknown. The eerie drums and synthesizer beats complement the annoyingly catchy skittering chorus, which is rapped over a sample of “Tell Me Why Our Love Gone Cold.”
With its soul inflections and quick-paced flow, “Stay Fly” is somewhat of a departure from the group’s more languorous crunk sound, yet the diversion (aided and abetted by fellow Tennessee rappers Eightball, MJG, and Young Buck) definitely suits them.
“Say I” – Christina Milian featuring Young Jeezy
Two main factors involved in creating a hit single, especially when it comes to urban music, are the producer and the guest collaborator. R&B diva Christina Milian goes two for-two, enlisting hit-making duo Cool & Dre to provide a superb, drum-heavy beat, and also gets a clever verse from one of rap’s heavy hitters, Young Jeezy. Add to that an apparent improvement in Milian’s vocals since we last heard from her, and you’ve got a perfect blend of cutting-edge production and soulful singing-the recipe for a surefire hit.
“More” – Rhymefest f/Kanye West
You know an emerging talent is special when they win a Grammy even before releasing a single song. This was the case with J Records rapper/producer Rhymefest, who helped pen the groundbreaking “Jesus Walks” with fellow Chi-Town native Kanye West. West returns the favour on his pal’s Blue Collar album, laying down a piano-laced beat over a echoing sample, as Rhymefest delivers crystal-clear lyrics that touch upon the greedy nature of today’s society: “Now he just stuck in the sauce/like white kids when they got cut off/Daddy, I want more!”
“Hustler Musik” – Lil’ Wayne
Lil’ Wayne is one of the South’s most intriguing rappers. Shortly after the release of his underwhelming The Carter record, Wayne became president of famed label Cash Money Records and quickly transformed into a vastly better lyricist, spitting street knowledge with the confident flow of a seasoned vet. Back with his critically acclaimed The Carter II, Wayne demonstrates his artistic growth on the street tale “Hustler Musik,” a story of his hustle in the rap game: “No assistance/Just that persistence, that commitment.”
“Love” – Keyshia Cole
Keyshia Cole was undoubtedly one of the most slept-on artists of 2005, but make no mistake, she’s ensuring that her voice will make a whole lot of noise in ’06.
“Love,” a striking ballad off Cole’s stellar debut The Way It Is, is reminiscent of R&B legend Mary J. Blige’s earlier work and should help cement her status as one of the most promising female artists in an increasingly tired genre.
Though she’s had four singles to date (unusual for a new artist), some of which have made an impact at radio, the raw, emotional “Love” is the song most likely to finally ‘break’ this talented singer.
