Customer Reviews

Bet Award 04 Nominees

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The BET Awards may amount to nothing more than an expensive paperweight, but the album inspired by the show is much more than that. Working with the nominees of the generally music based awards, the album is able to become a nice snap shot of R&B/Rap crica 2003/4. There are a few snags on the album, but most of the best tracks are included:

(1) OutKast feat. Sleepy Brown "The Way You Move" A-. This recent hit is cool, funky and one of OutKast's best songs ever. It's impressive the way the group nixes soul, hip-hop and funk with such endless effort to create a catchy rap with a hook. This is a great song by a great group at the best of their abilities, and easily the highlight of "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below".

(2) Beyonce feat. Jay-Z "Crazy In Love" A+. Now this is what a single SHOULD be. Everything her just plain works from Beyomce's seductive pulse to Jay-Z slammin' raps to the brassy horn arrangment (something missing from today's music). Definetly THE song of Summer '03! This song is catchy, addictive, stormin' and one of, if not the, best song of 2003.

(3) Mary J. Blige feat. Method Man "Love At First Sight" B+. A nice, sweet little R&B/Rap track that is very likeable. Ther is a true sense of chemistry between these two classic artists; who helped define this genre. The two veterans almost come close to equaling their classic: "I'll Be There For You / You're All I Need".

(4) Missy Elliot "I'm Really Hot" C+. Again, after "Pass That Dutch", we have another track that doesn't fully show the best of Missy's abilities. This, along with most of "This Is Not A Test!", is that it focuses too much not on dance, and not enough on hip-hop; and that doesn't work for Missy Elliot. Where's the genius of her "Under Construction" LP? Maybe she'll break out of the creative slump soon.

(5) Ludacris feat. Shawnna "Stand Up" A-. No wonder this rap/dance track hit #1, it is catchy, cool and fun. Loaded with energy, fierce and packs quite an impact. Luda and Shawnna luanched each others careers with 2000's "What's Your Fantasy", and they bring those skills back here. I just don't understand why the Academy* calls this a Rap SOLO Performance; it's clearly a collaboration.

(6) Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz "Get Low" B-. The song is fun to listen to and is very catchy, but doesn't really have much beneath the surface. This is one if those songs that you know you should dispise, yet it makes you like it. The beat atleast accomplishes it's goal of sticking to memory with it's catchy flow. Not exactly skilled, but damn good times though!

(7) G-Unit "Stunt 101" B. Not a great rap song by any means, yet the song contains alot of style and energy to keep it interesting. The trio of 50 Cent, Young Buck and Lloyd Banks mend well together. 50 Cent of course contributes alot, although it seems to riding of his success a little too much. It's good, even if it's unnessecary.

(8) Kanye West "Through The Wire" C. Kanye West has enjoyed chart success through alot of hype, but I find this song to be very pedestrian for rap. The lyrics don't define Kanye as an original rapper, and the use Chaka Kahn's "Through The Fire" doesn't make a very appealing beat.

(9) Janet Jackson "I Want You" B+. More of a pop/dance song, but never the less a nice addition. It really is quite mesmerizing, and has a relaxing flow through out; almost dream-like. Janet's usual talent and style make this light and breezy song a total delight. Not great Janet, but pretty good

(10) Sean Paul "Like Glue" B-. This song is alright but does not have the same quality of "Gimme The Light". It feels a bit to slow, and that doesn't fully use Sean Paul's speedy lyrical acrobatics. Not exactly good, yet it is damn near impossible to get out of our head.

(11) R. Kelly "Ignition" (Remix) A-. This is the quality that we expect from R. Kelly, very good. This is the rare case where the remix trumps the original; if think R. Kelly can take just about anything and make it sound terrific. Not a source of depth, but a highly enjoyable, catchy tune that is endlessly listenable.

(12) Jagged Edge "Walked Outta Heaven" A. It sounds odd saying this, but I feel for the song/"story". Jagged Edge is good with party numbers like "Where The Party At", but their ballads are their best numbers. The lyrics and beat are, surprisingly, both haunting and comforting at the same times. This is one of the best R&B singles of recent years.

(13) Luther Vandross "Dance With My Father" A-. Alot of substance that is plain beautiful to hear, very personal and meaningful. Contemporary R&B is fantastic, yet there is still much to enjoy in a traditional sound like this. If you hate this song, there is just something wrong with you; few songs achive this type of honest beauty.

(14) musiq "Whoknows" B+. A very good R&B track which adds more to the arguement that musiq is a new Stevie Wonder. He is easily the best new Male R&B artist of the 2000s, and there is so much to praise with this tune. If nothing else; he has a very unique voice and sound.

(15) Anthony Hamilton "Comin' From Where I'm From" B. A nice R&B tune with some substance to back it as well. Anthony captures that timeless R&B quality that never get old or dated. Add this with "Charlene" and "Why", and we can see why it's about time Anthony Hamilton "broke out" in the industry.

(16) The Isley Brothers "Fight The Power" A+. Nice to add the old guys/Lifetime Achivement Award winners on the end of the album. The classics are just as important as ever; all the tracks prior to this closer, would not exist without it. This song, from 1975, is a terrific R&B tune all around and a true classic. The Isley Brothers really are living legends.

Bottom Line: ***. The album is exactly what it promises and will not disapoint. Kind of like 2002's "Off The Hook", only more solid. It would have been great had it had a few more tracks been included, like "Sorry 2004", "Right Thurr", "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" and "You Don't Know My Name". But as it is, the album is a pretty good summation of today's urban music.

*NOTE: By using the word "Academy",I mean the Grammys. Why should the Oscars be the only ones called the Academy? They are just different academies.

I really did like the Cd, because the Cd had some of the best artists on it. I also like the Cd because the Cd had the best song that the artist made.

This CD has some good songs on it. The ending is a little on the sloppy joe side but the beginning is awesome. Not a lot of people know about this CD because it's brand new. THIS CD IS SIZZLING WITH HIP-HOP/R&B HITS!!! People who like Totally Hits or Now That's What I Call Music series and like hip-hop/r&b, you should love this. Sizzle. Sizzle. I hear sizzling hits here. You gotta get this, because if you don't, you won't know what hip-hop/r&b really is like. You gotta feel me when I say GET THIS CD! YOU WILL ENJOY IT!

This album finally deals with ghetto issues. It explores alot of the problems with ghetto culture. It allows people to break through these barriers in a meaningful way. The album is honest, real and inspired. I loved it!

outside of R.Kelly,Isley Brothers&Outkast I can take or leave the rest of the Songs here.