Best Of 2009 – Tiffany Luckey
Posted By Ben W. on December 17, 2009
Today’s Best Of list is a little different. Tiffany Luckey is here to focus solely on 2009’s top tracks in hip hop and R&B.
R&B and hip-hop in 2009 was, to say the least, pretty lackluster. But behold! In the midst of all that was lame, there were those songs that were actually good – at least popularly. So here are my top 10 R&B and top 10 hip-hop songs of 2009. We can only hope that 2010 will be better. (NOTE: Songs were officially released as singles in the U.S. in 2009 and/or charted on the Billboard charts in 2009.)
Top (popular) R&B Songs of 2009
10. “Halo” – Beyonce
I thought I’d choose a song from R&B/pop’s leading lady that shows that she can be more than just some hot chick booty shaking in a leotard. But something tells me we’re going to get more “Single Ladies” than “Halo” on her next album to be released in late 2010. Sigh.
9. “Sex Therapy” – Robin Thicke
Total classic baby-making music. ‘Nough said.
8. “Give It To Me Right” – Melanie Fiona
You’d think this song would be about, ahem, “free love”, since it heavily samples The Zombies’ 1968 classic hit “Time of the Season.” Well, it kinda is. With lyrics like “If you can’t please me/I know somebody who can,” this Canadian songstress is not afraid to, um, spread her love around.
7. “Why R U” – Amerie
This song definitely reminds of the summer of 2003, when Amerie’s “Why Don’t We Fall In Love” was released in the U.S., and when I became a fan. Nice lyrics, mid-tempo beat, smooth vocals. Good times.
6. “sobeautiful” by Musiq Soulchild
It annoys me that most of Musiq Soulchild’s song titles are in lowercase…with no spaces between the words. But I digress. This song is (literally) beautiful – from the lyrics and the music to Musiq’s oh so sexy falsetto voice.
5. “Blame It” – Jamie Foxx featuring T-Pain
Not a fan of Auto-Tune. Or T-Pain. Or Jamie Foxx as a singer. But in some parallel universe, this combination works. Probably the best clubbing song of 2009. Come on, you know you love it, too.
4. “The Point of It All” – Anthony Hamilton
Fellas: If your girlfriend/wife ever doubts that you love her, just play this for her. Hands down, the most romantic R&B song of the year. Aw.
3. “Chocolate Legs” – Eric Benet
Contrary to (un)popular belief, this song is not about candy. Just your classic “when I get home from work we need to get it on immediately” song – without being that obvious, of course.
2. “Epiphany (I’m Leaving)” – Chrisette Michele
Throughout music history, we’ve heard all kinds of women’s anthems. You know, those songs about a woman being super fed up with the guy she’s in a relationship with. This is definitely “I Will Survive,” sans the disco. Chrisette is “over being your girlfriend,” and she’s not playing around.
1. “Pretty Wings” – Maxwell
Thank the heavens that Maxwell released his album BLACKsummer’snight this year. Though set to beautiful music, the lyrics to “Pretty Wings” are bittersweet (being in love with someone at the wrong time). I wouldn’t play this song at a wedding, but I would have it on constant replay after a not-so-good break-up.
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Top (popular) Hip-Hop Songs
10. “Chillin’” – Wale featuring Lady GaGa
Though Wale’s debut album Attention Deficit is a little all over place, this song exemplifies what the Washington, D.C.-based rapper should be. Plus I need a good reason to put Lady Gaga on one of my top lists (don’t hate).
9. “Da Game Been Good to Me” – UGK
Released posthumously 18 months after Pimp C’s death, this single shows that UGK (Pimp C and Bun B) will always be the kings of underground hip-hop.
8. “Life Is Better” – Q-Tip featuring Norah Jones
Here, Q-Tip gives us his ode to hip-hop, name dropping all the greats – from Run D.M.C. and the Furious Five to Biggie Smalls and 2Pac. And who knew jazz singer/songwriter Norah Jones could sing the hook of a hip-hop track so well?
7. “Best I Ever Had” – Drake
Either this song is about Canadian actor-turned-rapper Drake telling one specific girl that she’s (sexually) the best he’s ever had – or he tells EVERY girl that he gets in the sack that she’s the best he’s ever had. Hot track nonetheless.
6. “Casa Bey” – Mos Def
Because it’s Mos Def, I’m pretty sure this song has a deeper meaning. But on the surface, it says, “Mos Def is the shit.” And he is.
5. “Day ‘n’ Nite” – Kid Cudi
Cleveland-based rapper Kid Cudi definitely gets the “Alternative Hip-Hop Artist of the Year” award from me, which is a good thing. That is all.
4. “We Made You” – Eminem
Let’s be honest. It’s going to be über hard for Eminem to go back to his glory days, ala The Marshall Mathers LP. But here he gives us what he’s best known for – dissing celebs and having fun on a track.
3. “New Wu” – Raekwon featuring Method Man and Ghostface Killah
If this song doesn’t take you back to the classic Wu Tang days of “C.R.E.A.M.,” then you are not a true Wu fan. And I am ashamed of you.
2. “Boom Boom Pow” – Black Eyed Peas
OK, I know some may not think that “Boom Boom Pow” deserves to be on a “best of hip-hop” list, seeing it’s more electro-hop than, well, hip-hop. But you gotta love this song. And did we forget that Afrika Bambaataa, the godfather of hip-hop, is electro-hop? Just saying.
1. “Empire State of Mind” – Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys AND “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)” – Jay-Z AND “Run This Town” – Jay-Z featuring Rihanna and Kanye West
Jay-Z had a good year, with three strong singles. So it was difficult to pick just one. No wonder he’s the self-proclaimed “Best Rapper Alive.”
– Tiffany Luckey
You can read her full review of Wale’s Attention Deficit album HERE.
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