Customer Reviews

Still Ghetto (Clean)

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Watching BET's Midnight Love one night, I was introduced to a r&b singer named Jaheim. As I was watching his video, I wasn't too impressed with "Could It Be" at first. I saw the song as just another new cat jumping into the r&b game. However, as I heard the song more often, I began to like the song more and Jaheim's voice wasn't that bad, as it reminded me of the infamous Teddy P singing "Love TKO", "Turn Off The Lights", or "Come Go With Me". I was still hesitant in buying "Ghetto Love" but everyone that had purchased the CD gave me rave reviews so I decided to purchase my own copy. "Ghetto Love" turned out to be one of my favorite r&b CDs of 2001. I liked how Jaheim used his sharp "street" edge to his songs. My favorites included "Looking For Love", "Ghetto Love", "Remarkable" w/Terry Dexter, "Ready, Willing & Able", as well as the rest of his singles: "Just In Case" and "Anything" w/Next. With a title of "Still Ghetto" you would expect the same thing from his sophomore CD and ladies and gentlemen that is what you will get. "Still Ghetto" starts off with Jaheim and Duganz doing what they did on a few tracks on "Ghetto Love" by rappin' and singin' straight from the streets. From there, Jaheim does what he does best by lacing his fans with the street anthems and romantic melodies that he is known for now. His 1st single, "Fabolous" is dedicated to the children coming up in the world today. As Jaheim can tell you, he knows how rough it was growing up and being a hardhead so he is trying to motivate children of today to not walk in the same path that he did. While the song may not hit you like "Could It Be", "Fabolous" gets a strong point across and was definintely the right pick for the 1st single. The majority of the rest of the songs deal with relationships and trying to find the right woman. The ladies will definitely be impressed with this CD. "Diamond In Da Ruff" deals with a woman that Jaheim wish he would have treated better and now he realizes how much they could have had if he would have swallowed his pride and been a man about their relationship. "Let's Talk About It" follows the same line as Jaheim wants to talk to someone that he dealt with in the past and try to realize where they went wrong. He was in trouble so much that he couldn't be focused in the relationship. "Put That Woman First" covers territory that has been covered by R Kelly, "When A Woman's Fed Up" and Joe, "Treat Her Like A Lady". However, with the old school feel to the song, this will still be one of your favorites. "Beauty & Thug" features the queen of r&b/hip hop, Mary J Blige and brings pleasant results. Both singers sound very well together and Malik Pendleton, who produced Mary J. Blige's "Seven Days" from her "Share My World" CD does the production. The fellas will be able to relate to "Tight Jeans", as Jaheim tells a tale about one of his good female friends always coming around him wearing tight jeans. While he may have intentions of being a platonic friend, she is tempting him to think of her in other ways. Jaheim also displays the same sentimental side that he showed on "Ghetto Love" with songs like "Backtight", "Special Day", "Long As I Live" and "Everywhere I Am". The latter, is a powerful dedication to his mom who passed away when he was a teenager . On another song, "Me And My B****", Jaheim professes his loyalty for his lady, but at the same time he is saying if you try to "get at her", that might be the last move you make. This may be too much for some r&b fans, but if you understand the concept, you will understand that he isn't trying to offend women, this is just his way of expressing his thoughts on this particular song. If Jaheim would have ended "Still Ghetto" at track 13, I believe that he would have a 5 star CD on his hands. However, tracks 14-16, turn out to be nothing but filler. Especially, "Whut You Want", which puts a damper on 13 straight tight songs. The majority of the production is handled by Kay Gee, formerly of Naughty By Nature and Eddie F and Darren Lighty, which provides primarily the same sound as his debut CD displayed. Overall, Jaheim has a nice sophomore CD on his hands. If you liked "Ghetto Love", you will enjoy "Still Ghetto" but you may enjoy the 1st CD better.

James' Top 5

1) Long As I Live
2) Diamond In Da Ruff
3) Beauty & Thug w/Mary J Blige
4) Me & My B****
5) Put That Woman First

A few years ago, I was recovering from a crisis of identity. Having delved deeply into R & B as my music of choice, I began to become one of the homies except for one thing; I did not really fit in. I wasn't really into the banal bling-bling / gangsta lyrics and stance of so many rappers, and I didn't like the annoyingly [imitation] beats of more urban music.

Tyring to find my way, I went back a bit; about 30 years or so to the era when R & B was soulful (hence why it was called Soul) and was about expression. This is the spirit of black music; whether it be African tribal music, soul, jazz or even hip-hop, black music communicates to the soul through the artists pouring his/her own soul into the music. This is lacking today in popular black music (even jazz), so hearing albums like Stevie Wonder's Talking Book and Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, I longed for such a time to exist once again.

In stepped Jaheim. His thuggishness was initially a turn-off for me, until I heard his voice and I said to myself; "this brother can really sing with soul!" His voice reminded me of the ever-soulful Luther Vandross and after hearing the his first album, I had to own it. Throughout Ghetto Love, Jaheim pours out his soul, especially on the mini-songs "Love Is Still Here" and "For Moms". This was what was missing, and it had returned. His thuggish ways were actually real, but he was more like one of the nice guys in the ghetto a roughneck Romeo looking for a woman he could love and treat like a queen.

Almost subconsciously, I began a gradual change to discover soul in music. From the ghetto soul of Jaheim and the Neo-Soul of D'Angelo and Maxwell to the jazz of Miles Davis and the avant-garde John Coltrane and the REAL hip-hop of rap groups like Jurassic 5, I had discovered what I was looking for.

So when I heard that Jaheim had a new album, I had to buy it. listening to samples on his website, I found the album to be as good, if not better than the first. As soon as it hit the stores, I bought a copy. Listening to it, it is obvious that this is a superior album to his first. Gone is the uneven stretch as seen on Ghetto love from Tracks 9-11. This is a mellower yet not saccharine album that is as smooth as Jaheim's voice. The songs have message such as the single Fabulous that talks about issues of self-esteem. And instead of just talking about love and sex, he talks about relationships, in particular putting that woman first. Everywhere I Am is yet another song in honor of his mother, this time he give a full-length track to contemplate her loss and what he wishes she was around to see he had accomplished.

Now, this album would under normal circumstances have lost a whole lot more than one star. Jaheim writes very little of the material and he doesn't play any of the instruments. But, with a voice as soulful as his, and with a delivery that is as sincere as the pioneers of soul, I don't label him a simply pop star with no talent. Soul music is not all about fancy-shmancy one man bands like Stevie Wonder and more recently Remy Shand. The singer has to be sincere with what they sing, and if Jaheim requires other to put his emotions into words, that doesn't bother me. This is an album that will hopefully be remembered as a classic in soul music.

As a child growing up in the projects of New Jersey, Jaheim Hoagland accumulated more emotional baggage than all of JFK international airport. Having lost his father at two years old, he spent most of his childhood doing the street thug thing, getting into all sorts of petty trouble while being raised in a single-parent household. But when his mother passed away when he was 17, the pain of his loss inspired him to aggressively pursue a recording career, and 4 years later his debut, "Ghetto Love," was released. To be certain, that record wasn't perfect, and it had its share of filler. But what made it worth the trip was Jaheim's voice, which had me do double-takes to make sure I wasn't listening to a Teddy Pendegrass record. On his superior, impressive second album, "Still Ghetto," the flava is r&b with a dash of hip hop, but the influences are clearly rooted in the old school. Throughout its trip of nearly an hour, "Still Ghetto" is honest, rugged, and soulful. Thematically, it's not a huge departure from his debut, as the majority of the songs pertain to relationships and the drama that sometimes comes with them. Mary J. Blige openly gave Jaheim props in a Rolling Stone article, and she appears in the impressive duet, "Beauty and Thug," in which the Queen of Hip Hop Soul's bruised voice goes hand-in-hand with his husky voice. He glides effortlessly through the ultrasmooth slow jam "Long As I Live," and I don't even need to explain what the song "Tight Jeans" is about. "Still Ghetto" is essentially the record Tank's "One Man" should have been. The latter record suffered from tired beats and half-inspired singing, but on "Still Ghetto," Jaheim pulls it off with flying colors. He may be a little rough on the edges, and some may even question his choice of words (um, "Me and My B----," anyone?), but there's no denying his honesty. Some records keep it real, and others keep it right. This record does both.

To say that I am feeling Jaheim is an understatement.
Who could have thought that "Ghetto Love" would be topped?. Heck, I am still jamming off of "Just in Case". "Still Ghetto" has surely done the deed. Finally I can give the other CD a rest. Soulful, sultry, and tantalizing music.
From his "don't hate on us we're fabulous" single straight to "put that woman first", Jaheim
takes you on a tour of "His" ghetto. Raw yet romantic, Vulgar yet honest. This CD will will be sure to ignite those break-up to make-up lovemaking flames. So beautiful his music but edgy enough to have every sistah searching for her special rough neck. Go ahead, click that "buy" button, your CD collection deserves it!

Jaheim one of many talented soul artists out there, comparable with Joe, Maxwell and Tyrese but a little better for the moment if you ask me, his dark voice makes the diffrence plus that he actually makes a few more uptempo songs then the average ballad singers. I first heard him a couple of years ago when he was still not that famous. Breakthrough song "Fabulous" is one of the best here, it's a catchy but deep song about growing up, even children sings in the backround. "Put the woman first" a ballad dedicated to women is good, so is his duet with Mary J Blige "Beauty and a Thug" another song i like is the romantic " Me and My b*tch" eventhough it souds like a typical woman hating song it's a romantic ballad, Jaheim had the guts to give the song such a title which i found cool. My favorite song is the uptempo "Let's talk about it" made for success. "Diamonds in da ruff", "Still Ghetto" and "Every which way" are also good. Jaheim's made a fantastic album here, defenitely worth the money!

...i found jaheim to be a true artist...not in terms of haveing a great voice..but also in that abillity to dig deep into your soul with his words and really drag you into that world...finding your self realizing facts in life that some of us tend not to think about or tent to take for granted,this album is defintly more mature that "GETTO LOVE" that also being a magnificent album...but it's like Jaheim is moveing on and that's what makes this album truely ammazing ,those of you who have heard the first one will agree with me that if Jaheim would of made this Album similar to the first it would only make him look more like a seller than an artist...but it's that feeling of continuence that is so unique about "STILL GETTO",like moveing on to read the second chapter in a book....and thats what this album is all about....the more mature Jaheim....the more mature R&B......The more mature life...

"Still Ghetto" starts off with Jaheim and Duganz doing what they did on a few tracks on "Ghetto Love" by rappin' and singin' straight from the streets. From there, Jaheim does what he does best by lacing his fans with the street anthems and romantic melodies that he is known for now.
the first track"Fabolous"deals with life as a kid and growing up in a rought hood and the negative effect that has on the children of today in an attempt to pass on a point to educate the socieity of the harmful prints that are left behind due to the constant unstability surrounding these children,the other tracks describe life in brief...relationships,fights,family friendship,jealousy,hate,and love......In the begining i mentioned this album to represent a phase of my life and it does in so many ways.. The second song"Diamond In Da Ruff" deals with a woman that Jaheim wish he would have treated better and now he realizes after how much they could have had if he would have swallowed his pride and been a man about their relationship,realizing what had happend he edges her to talk about it and try to understand where things went wrong,and how much he wants for things to work out and to look back at all those good times we had "Let's Talk About It","Put That Woman First"magnificent old school vibe here and again as the story continues realizing that with all that has happend how could i be so blind and not of put that woman first, "Beauty & Thug" features the queen of r&b/hip hop, Mary J Blige and brings pleasant results. Both singers sound very well together and Malik Pendleton, who produced Mary J. Blige's "Seven Days" from her "Share My World" CD does the production. The fellas will be able to relate to "Tight Jeans", as Jaheim tells a tale about one of his good female friends always coming around him wearing tight jeans. While he may have intentions of being a platonic friend, she is tempting him to think of her in other ways,Family being a very important aspect in his life as shows when dedicating "Everywhere I Am" to his mother to which died when he was a teenager,"Me And My B****" shows how loyal and intimate relations can really be,and to what extent he would go to protect what he has,on the otherhand how far realationships can go the other waybeing affected by jealousy and dought ,and how sometimes it can be more destructive that creative...
in the end i would like to say that this album has a more real to life element to it than most of the other albums out there....and if we were to define R&B(ryhthem and blues) we would then truly see that is what life is all about(happiness and sadness)...and Jaheim has really passed on a message through this album...only adding to the greatness and inspiration one gets and gains through R&B music.........
I can't say which song i like the most...for each one deals with a different aspect and requries a certain mood and provides a Unique atmosphere...but if i had to choose i would say that my best are:
1)Put that woman first
2)Diamond in a ruff
3)Fabulous
4)lets talk about it
5)Beauty and a thug

...P> ......thanks and i hope you all enjoy this.......

From Marvin Junior (The Dells) to Teddy Pendergrass...and now Jaheim...the torch keeps passing! Although THIS CD displays his incredible voice and makes him a STAR...I'm saving my FIVE star review for his NEXT CD. The next one SHOULD make him a SUPERSTAR...elevating him to the Luther and Teddy heights.

I miss Teddy Pendergrass...the Teddy who sang with the Blue Notes and who later had some fantastic solo albums BEFORE the accident. Where Luther had a touch of female in his phrasing (which made his voice incredible)...Teddy's voice was ALL testosterone, without apologies. Forceful, direct and demanding, Teddy's singing reminded me of old Southern Negro field hollers. All due respect to David Ruffin, Eddie Levert, Dennis Edwards...even Gerald Levert (excellent ALL)...but they're urban...they're missing that "pig feet and hot sauce". Teddy had the quintescential southern black, arrogant, macho, R&B song voice...and during the 70's, I'm sure it made many white people (especially women) uncomfortable in various ways.

Jaheim has the same voice...the same approach. What played well in the 70's...continues to play. His "ghetto-ness" might turn some off...but I hope he doesn't completely drop that thug affect...yet. It took 25 years...but the torch has been passed. On his NEXT CD...I hope he pays a tribute to Teddy by remaking a song.

Yes...I'm ol' skool...and I thank you Jaheim...now pass the corn bread.

Jaheim's still ghetto has a perfect flow to it musically that just attracts you to listen again and again, but however it is not this that makes Jaheim truly unique. He reminds me of TQ - someone who actually wrote not only about love but had some true feeling to his songs, "Fabulous" is such a beautiful piece of work that his superb writing skills and brilliant voice are displayed to the maximum.

Get this album, in my opinion one of the best 5 albums for a long time.

"Still Ghetto" is Jaheim's sophomore album. "Still Ghetto" is incredible, amazing & wonderful. I picked this album up a few months ago. I had never heard of Jaheim, I hadn't even heard of him. But when I first listened to this album, I was amazed. Jaheim has such a wonderful voice. It's so deep, so soulful. I'd love to hear more from him. After purchasing this album and listening to it numerous times back to back, I decided to get more of his material. I saw the video for the song "Anything" and I thought it was new, but I quickly learned that it was an old song off of Jaheim's debut album, "Ghetto Love". I purchased the album but I haven't gotten around to listening to it, just only a few tracks.

"Put That Woman First" was the first song I heard by this New Jersey vocalist. I saw the video and I thought it was great. This song is about, well, putting that woman first because if you don't she's going to leave. Great song, great message.

"Fabulous" is probably the best song on this album. It teaches children to keep their head up and never give up. I think that is a great message and it also features little children singing the chorus and other parts in this song.

"Special Day", "Let's Talk About It", "Me And My Bitch" & "Diamond In Da Ruff" are other songs I also like on "Still Ghetto".

Overall, this album is great. I'm looking forward to listening to "Ghetto Love".

I would never guess that such a big brotha like Jaheim would possess such a beautiful voice. He's so shy. I know he's gonna be around for a long time with a voice like that; he's got that Mary J type of soul. This album goes down like hot chocolate on a winter day, smooth. I say, cop this album, and play it whether you're in love or still looking for it.