10. The Notorious B.I.G.
Real Name: Christopher WallaceFavourite 3 Songs:
'Going Back to Cali'
This was made during the East Coast vs. West Coast rap war, which made it interesting that he was saying good thing about the other side.
'Juicy'
His first hit single from his first album, was about his troubles in his teenage life.
'Big Poppa'
This song was everywhere and went platinum in 1995.
Under-Rated Song:
'I Got a Story to Tell'
Favourite Album:
Life After Death
Favourite Album Cover: Ready to Die
Favourite Lyric:
"When the lala hits ya lyrics just splits ya,
head so hard, that ya hat can't fit ya.
Either I'm witcha or against ya,
format venture, back through that maze I sent ya."
(Going Back to Cali)
9. Boyz II Men
Names: Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman, Wanya Morris
Favourite 3 Songs:
'End of the Road'
It's their most popular and well know song. Possibly my favourite song ever.
'It's So Hard to Say Goodbye'
Classic song, done A capella. Wonderful.
'I Do'
A song about marriage and devotion, with powerful vocal harmonies.
Under-Rated Song:
'Thank You'
Favourite Album: II
Favourite Album Cover: Motown
: A Journey Through Hitsville USA
8. Nelly
Real Name: Cornell Haynes
Favourite 3 Songs:
'Ride Wit Me'
Wonderful chorus that everyone knows and sings along with.
'Body On Me'
Nice piano riff and basic vibe of the track.
'Hot in Herre'
Great party song.
Under-Rated Song:
'Lie'
Favourite Album:
Brass Knuckles
Favourite Album Cover: Sweat Suit
Favourite Lyric:
"If you wanna go and get high wit me,
Smoke an L in the back of the benzy,
Oh why do i feel this way?
Hey! Must be the money!" (Ride Wit Me)
7. 50 Cent
Real Name: Curtis Jackson
Favourite 3 Songs:
'21 Questions'
This came out after 'In Da Club' and i thought it was much better. Love both song, but the electric guitar in this song made it for me.
'I'll Still Kill'
Akon's chorus is awesome, and the track goes great with his rapping style. Gangstalicious.
'Follow My Lead'
Really cool and chilled out song. Nice contrast to his usual rough demeanour.
Under-Rated Song:
Many Men (Wish Death)
Favourite Album:
Get Rich or Die Tryin'
Favourite Album Cover: Before I Self Destruct
Favourite Lyric:
"I'm tryin to explain baby, the best way i can,
I melt in your mouth girl, not in your hand"
6. Bone Thugs N Harmony
Names: Krayzie Bone, Wish Bone, Bizzy Bone, Flesh-N-Bone, Layzie Bone.
Favourite 3 Songs:
'Notorious Thugs'
A wonderful song that Biggie collaborated with them for. Wonderful layers.
'Tha Crossroads'
Love the mix of R&B with Rap, it really shows their signature 'Bone Thugs' rap flow too.
'Look Into My Eyes'
Catchy hook for people who sing in a lower register Making it easy to sing-a-long to.
Under-Rated Song:
'Change the World'
Favourite Album Cover: E 1999 Eternal
5. Mariah Carey
Favourite 3 Songs:
'Emotions'
A really lively and strong chorus, also this song really shows off her huge vocal range, low to whistle registers.
'Honey'
It's an R&B song but has a Hip-Hop groove about. Mixing my two favourite styles together, in the opposite way i'm used to.
'Love Takes Time'
From her first album, a soft song with a sweet 90s R&B chorus.
Under-Rated Song:
'Mine Again'
Favourite Album:
E=MC2
Favourite Album Cover: The Emancipation of Mimi
4. Usher
Real Name: Usher Raymond
Favourite 3 Songs:
'U Remind Me'
The strings in the riff are a nice touch. The key change at the end made the climax strong and soulful.
'Yeah!'
Amazing song to dance to in proper R&B/Hip-Hop style or even just a jig at the club. Addictive riff and the only useful source of Lil Jon's voice apart from 'Get Low'.
'My Boo'
Usher + Alicia Keys. Need I say more, a dream duet for my taste in music.
Under-Rated Song:
'Superstar'
Favourite Album:
Confessions [Special Edition]
Favourite Album Cover: Confessions
3. T.I.
Real Name: Clifford Harris
Favourite 3 Songs:
'Dead and Gone'
As i've said before, i really enjoy the R&B mix with Rap music. A lot of fun to dance to with a sing-a-long chorus.
'What You Know'
A grimey and tough song with it's power enforced by the enormous bass that's blasted by the beat and the voice.
'Live Your Life'
Again, another sing-a-long chorus with the well known southern T.I. rapping flow.
Under-Rated Song:
Hero [Feat. Akon]
Favourite Album:
Paper Trail
Favourite Album Cover: Paper Trail
Favourite Lyric:
"I want'cho body, need'cho body,
long as you got me, you won't need nobody
you want it, i got it, go get it, i buy it
tell them other grown jokers be quiet"
2. Akon
Real Name: Aliaune Thiam
Favourite 3 Songs:
'I Wanna Love You'
Snoop's raps and Akon's half rap half singing styles complimented each other well in this.
'Blown Away'
Styles P's underground influence was shown in this song. A toy piano playing the descending melodic riff was a neat touch i thought.
'We Don't Care'
Club and party jam to jump and shout to. Simply a fun song.
Under-Rated Song:
'Trouble Nobody'
Favourite Album:
Konvicted
Favourite Album Cover:
Freedom
1. 2pac
Real Name: Tupac Shakur
Favourite 5 Songs:
'How Do U Want It?'
My favourite 2pac song, K Ci & Jojo singing the chorus in their identifiable R&B with the lyrical genius of Shakur, epitomises my love of R&B, Rap fusion.
'I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto'
Although the last verse is a mash up of two of the verses in Changes, it's still a really enjoyable song to listen to.
'Baby Don't Cry (Keep Your Head Up II)'
A posthumous gem, again like How Do U Want It? an R&B Rap mix, but this one was more contemporary R&B than 90s R&B.
'Changes'
Popularly known as his best song lyrics wise.
'California Love'
His most popular and highest sold single of all time. It was release around the time of All Eyez on Me, but as a Remix. The original, and version that everyone knows, wasn't released until his Greatest Hitz Album came out.
Under-Rated Song:
'Life of an Outlaw' / 'If I Die Tonight'
Favourite 2 Albums:
All Eyez on Me, Me Against the World
(These are often debated over for which is his best work, along with 7 Day Theory)
Favourite Album Cover:
Me Against the World
Favourite Lyrics:
"Ya body is banging baby, i love it when you flaunt it,
time to give it to daddy baby now tell me how you want it"
(How Do U Want It?)
"They say pussy and paper is poetry power and pistols,
plottin' on murdering on muthafuckaz 'fore they get chu,
Picturein pitiful punk n***** copin' plea's
puffin' weed as i position myself to clock G's"
(If I Die Tonight)
"I see no changes, all i see is racist faces,
Misplaced hate makes disgrace to races"
(Changes)
My goal for the next month or to is to get Biggie and Boyz II Men higher than Akon and T.I. That's a bit shameful like that at the moment.
