Hip Hop.

Catchy word play that doesn’t stop.

That’s how one could define Hip Hop.

But if Rappers didn’t swear non-stop,

Would they still make hits, or just flops?

I’m here for the heavy baselines when the beat drops,

And the intelligent lyrics which make my heart stop.

Words about life, hardships and running from the cops,

It’s quite a change from listening to sweet pop.

I’m not a Rapper, I don’t drive drop-tops,

I don’t wear Gucci, I just wear flip-flops.

But I can marvel at the excesses and bejewelled cups,

And at the money for private jets they cough up.

Biggy Smalls and Tupac: they were at the top,

The list of legends is too long; I really can’t name-drop.

At home, in your car or even at the barbershop,

You’ll find youself nodding when you hear that Hip Hop.

Written by

©Ivie M. Eke 2017.

I Love Music: The Missy Elliot Edition.

Photo: amazon.com

I was recently feeling nostalgic for 1990s RnB music, so I went on Youtube with the intention to watch a video or two.

Before I knew it, I found myself in a Youtube hole as I watched video after video of the musician, Missy Elliot.

Missy Elliot is an American recording artist and a force of nature.

She sings.

She raps.

She dances.

She is awesomeness personified.

I believe that the first Missy Elliot music video which I ever watched was for ‘The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)’ in 1997 (I seriously can’t believe that it has been 20 years already!

The video was colourful and kind of weird. Missy’s lyrics were playful and witty and the video featured cameos from Hip Hop and RnB artists like Lil’ Kim, Yoyo, Da Brat, Total and Diddy (then known as Puff Daddy). The song was produced by the legendary Timbaland and the video was directed by Hype Williams.

There was no other video like it at the time, and for me ‘The Rain’ symbolises Missy’s uniqueness and creativity.

Photo: genius.com

Here’s a list of my favourite Missy Elliot songs:

-The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly).

-Sock it to me (with Da Brat).

-She’s a bitch.

-Hot Boyz (with Nicole Wray, Nas, Eve).

-All in my grill (with Nicole Wray).

–Cold rock a party (with MC Lyte).

-Can We (with SWV).

–Ladies’ Night (with Angie Martinez, Lil Kim, Left Eye and Da Brat).

-Party to Damascus (with Wyclef Jean).

-Work it.

-Lose control (with Ciara).

-Get your freak on.

-What about us (with Total).

-One minute man (with Ludacris and Trina).

-Take away (with Ginuwine and Tweet).

-Fighting Temptations (with Beyonce, Free and MC Lyte).

–Here we come (with Timbaland and Magoo).

 

I think I’ll just stop here; this list is much longer than I thought it would be!

Are there any Missy Elliot fans out there? Let me know in the comments!

I LOVE MUSIC: THE MYA EDITION.

 

Mya Harrison. Photo: genius.com

 

Mya Harrison (popularly known simply as Mya) is an American RnB singer.

Mya is one of my favourite RnB singers and I really enjoy her music which was popular in the late 1990s to the early 2000s.

One of her most memorable music videos is for her song, ‘Case of the ex’ which was released in the year 2000. The video had everything I needed from a Music/Rnb video:

Catchy lyrics? Yes.

Sweet vocals? Yes.

Choreographed dancing in the desert? Yes.

Did I ever question why Mya was confronting her music video boyfriend about his ex-girlfriend in the desert? No, I did not.

She has several other songs which I enjoy but I noticed that I did not hear much about Mya for years until I watched a video recently where she explained her absence from the music scene.

I would describe her vocals as very sweet and soothing with an attitude. She is also a great dancer, and her uptempo songs usually have energetic dance routines. I hope she continues to bring out good music.

Here are a few of my favourite Mya songs:

Ghetto Superstar (with Pras and Ol’ Dirty Bastard).

Take Me There (with Blackstreet and Mase).

Free.

Case of the ex.

Lady Marmalade (with Pink, Lil Kim and Christina Aguilera).

My love is like…wo.

Falling.

The best of me.

 

Are there any Mya fans out there? Please let me know in the comments!

***All videos are from youtube***