Let’s get something out of the way before we move on to the meat of today’s post. I’m just gon’ call a spade a spade and agree with everyone else that Cassie’s 106 performance was, as Clay Cane would say, a hot cat scratch MESS. I mean, JAY-SUS!!! Now, I haven’t changed my position on her at all, because the performance only pretty much confirmed the obvious. But anyone that wondered for a moment if this girl had something other than what we see (a passing resemblance to Apollonia) can now eat a big ol’ bag of crow-flavored crow. That performance was hilarious and sad all at once.
UPDATE: Cassie Speaks on ALL OF IT.
I’ve already posted about my conflicts with hip-hop and soul music, but I’m not at all at odds with pop. Pop music exists for a reason, and to even bother debating it’s validity or integrity is a complete waste of time. It’s like dignifying a stupid question with a response. Take the following for example:
1. London Bridge
“Oh shit” indeed! Will.I.Am. has already distanced the Black Eyed Peas from hip-hop, not only by his proclamation that they ain’t, but for “My Humps”. That song, and this song both fall into the catagory of pop because they have a broad appeal (for mysterious reasons) and don’t care to be taken seriously. “London Bridge” (still haven’t discovered the reasoning behind the title) is definitely not hip-hop, even though Fergie Ferg is channeling Shawwna on the track. But guess what? I like this shit too. It has swagger. But it’s definitely dirty-ass pop music. And the shit’s #1. (It might be nothin’ to you, but it’s the shit to me.)
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2. About Us
This shit is a joke, but if you’re a savvy (and sheisty-ass) DJ, you can most definitely sneak this in between Cherish’s “Do It To It” and Danity Kane’s “Show Stopper”. Las Fashionistas says Brooke Hogan has the makings of a future porn star, but if your girl Cass is any indication, porn-appeal is a requisite part of a pop image. PCD, anyone? The real shade is, if Monica or Ciara had done this shit, we wouldn’t be nearly as critical. I mean, does this song really require any soaring vocals? Right. By the way, this version is called “The Crossover Mix” since it features Paul Wall. R&B and Hip-Hop stars are usually the ones that make “crossover” joints to appeal to a pop audience. Interesting to see this shit working in reverse.
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3. A Public Affair
I actually fucks with this song (channeling my inner white girl), not only because it blatantly jacks Madonna (and mystifyingly, Earth, Wind and Fire), but it’s just one of those fun, upbeat, dance songs. Jessica Simpson needed something like this. You can almost never go wrong with the dance route in this genre. Give the girl credit for not trying to be crunk. I’m in full agreement with Rich on this one.
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4. Unfaithful (Maurice’s Club Mix)
I had to use a club mix as an example because Rihanna shouldn’t do ballads anymore than Cassie should perform live. I was never a huge Rihanna fan but I do love some of her joints. None of them carry a BPM under 100, though. For all you househeads out there, you’re right, this is the same Maurice Joshua that is contractually bound to do dance remixes for DC-3 and Beyonce. STAY IN YOUR LANE, RIHANNA, before Bey opens up a can of “Ring the Alarm” on your ass! Rihanna is the definition of Pop, ya’ll, just in case you thought her allegiance to Def Jam was a proclamation of anything other than.
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5. Walk Away (Ralph Rosario Main Club)
Kelly Clarkson is a prime example of a pop star that’s got chops. I wasn’t ready to pray at the temple of Clarkson when she was fresh off Idol (although I was digging “Miss Independant”), but now with “Since You Been Gone” and “Because of You” I’m finally a believer. And her dance remixes are hot as hell. Kelly has the makings of a diva. She’s already gotten the Gay Boy’s seal of approval with Breakaway.
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6. No Ay Igual
It does not have to be equal, in case you were wondering. Nelly Furtado has been classified as one of those artists that’s hardest to classify. What is she? For the sake of ease, she’s pop, through and through. Although this joint only has a stitch of the English language (“What it is?”), it’s one of the most dynamic tracks from Loose. Timbaland’s crazy percussion urges you to forget about the meaning of it all and shake your ass.
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7. Candyman
Who says Pop can’t be diverse? Christina Aguilera continues to challenge the stigma with tracks like this. Although “Candyman” harkens back to the old doo-wop style of song, she still throws in some “dirrty” and not very subtle sexual references. The thing I love most about her is how, through innovation, she’s pushing the genre (pop, and others) forward. She just seems to have a decent understanding of music for music’s sake.
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If any of this was lost on you, leave your expectations at the door when it comes to Pop. It’s supposed to be fun, of the moment, and (many times) completely disposable. Pop should not have to bear the burden of it’s artists possessing breathtaking vocal talent, or of it’s lyrical content being that substantial. I think we all need to change some of our thinking and just allow Pop to take us where it’s meant to in the first place.
Now suck on that.
you should really give a listen to Janelle Monae’s Lettin Go…wish that this was released on radio…good MJ pop
I love your blog! Keep up the good work pimpin’
I read somewhere, I can’t remember where, that Fergie’s song is about giving head.
*vomits*…*rolls eyes*…*walks away*…
Excellent post, son. I just saw that London Bridge video an I’m embarassed to say I really like the song. Might have to cop that.
The Jessica joint is ridiculously sweet. But that Rhianna number is still eww. Kelly Clarkson can’t do no wrong at this point. I’m proud of Christina for trying to push pop music further along.
What are the kids saying about this Danity Kane bizness? I don’t know how I’m supposed to recieve it.
Pop music has always been my guilty pleasure. I’m sure listening to these vapid tarts will decrease my gully factor.
I’m having a hard time accepting Danity Kane as a group. I’d be interested in solo albums of Aundrea and D. Woods. Them gals can sang.
I’m not feeling a few of the tracks you listed. But agree that pop has its place. What’s fun about pop is that it knows not to take itself too seriously.
One problem, I see, is whenever a black person opens their mouth to sing the industry races to label it R&B when in some cases clearly the ish is pop! And when music is mis-categorized/mis-marketed and mis-labeled we end up with some mis-takes during award and recognition time!
LoL, Miss P. I remember that one time Shaggy won an American Music Award for Hip-Hop. I think I ’bout LOST IT!!!
Miss P I give you daps. That comment was on point (and funny as hell)!
lol@ Cassie
Hi. I just wanted to say I’m lovin your blog. Very interesting. I’m also feeling Fergie’s new song! Pop … hip hop or whatever…the song is fire and the beat if funky. gotta give it to Ferg on this one. Anywho, I enjoyed your site and I plan on returning. Mind if I link ya?
Much Love,
Mo
lolol — thanks for the quote. Cassie is truly horrible … i just dont get it … i was going to put her in my latest blog entry, but she is so boring i couldnt even think of anything interesting … be sure to check out my latest rant
I saw the BET and TRL performance from Cassie. BOTH were horrible, but the TRL one was worse. It’s like she didn’t know the lyrics to her own song which made me question…how long has it been since she attempted to lipsynch Me & You? Since she made the video? Oh and by the way, she SHOULD have lipsynched her live performances, especially the BET one. Still, that don’t do you no good if you don’t know your own lyrics. I was cringing in my chair and at times LMAO during her performances. I can’t believe Diddy let her go out on stage and embarass herself like that. She made Danity Kane look like Tina Turner on stage. I still like Me & You though. Cassie just don’t need to go out on stage again until she polishes her craft because a few more outings like that and she’ll be finished. However, seeing that Ashlee Simpson still (to my disbelief) has a career after the Orange Bowl fiasco…well, that just proves that stranger things really can happen.
Nelly and Xtina have the most interesting tracks here. Brooke Hogan makes me want to snatch her grills out of her mouth like Bugs Bunny snatches Daffy’s teeth out on Looney Tunes. And yes, the first time I heard Jessica’s new song, I knew she was trying to channel Madonna.
I am guilty of LOVING the Fergie song. The first time I heard it was in a club in Toronto but had no idea who it was. I damn near fainted when I found out it was her but I was already sucked in by that point. And I HATE pop music! I love Candyman too, very cute. Christina can sing her ass off.