The DJ’s Take: I’ve been writing this blog for almost 8 months now, and I can’t believe I haven’t covered an SWV track. As you can tell, this single samples MJ’s Human Nature, which is also the basis for Nas’ classic It Ain’t Hard to Tell. On a side note, I led off one of my first (and best) mixtapes with It Ain’t Hard to Tell going into Right Here. Brought a tear to my eye because it was so beautiful. Try it yourself and you’ll hear what I mean.
The DJ’s Take: So I’ve gotten comments from staff and bartenders about why I play the same general music every night. It’s boring, they say. Well, here’s my explanation - the top 40 is boring, and it doesn’t change much from month to month. So deal with it.
That said, if they made music like this and I knew people would want to hear it, mixing would be as fun and exciting as it was when I started DJing. This track still makes my head nod. And in case it got lost in the hiphop archives, R&B artist Jaheim has a new single that just broke into the Billboard Hot 100 and pays homage to this forgotten classic.
The DJ’s Take: This has to be one of the most unintentionally funny music videos in recent memory. If I were one of those soldiers, we’d have to do about 20 takes before I could keep a straight face. The instrumental is bland, with a repetitive piano loop and fake horns that make my eyelids heavy. But I have to admit that the hook is well-done and catchy. I didn’t even realize this was in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 until a few days ago, and I still haven’t gotten around to downloading it. No requests for this yet, although a top 40 DJ might want to keep it on hand as a disposable part of the rotation.
The DJ’s Take: Fresh track off of MJB’s new album Stronger WithEach Tear, and it’s been on repeat on my iPod since yesterday. The rich synth creates this mysterious aura that’s perfect for driving through a major city at night in your Benz (or rolling your Hot Wheels Benz on your carpet at home if your funds are low). Props to Ryan Leslie for another strong beat.
Does it have pop potential? I don’t think so. In fact, it’s not even the most touted track off its own album. That said, it’s definitely a good option if you spin hiphop and R&B at a more classy, laidback lounge or bar where you’re not obligated to rattle off the top 40.
The DJ’s Take: If I were a 13 year old girl, and I had just heard this song for the first time, I would trudge angrily up to my room, slam the door behind me, and cry into my Jonas Brothers pillow. To quote the great John McEnroe, you cannot be serious. This song just broke into the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. If this stays on for a couple more weeks and someone actually requests it, I may actually need to download this and spin it. Come on America - do you just not care about what you listen to anymore? This song is like those White House party crashers - it should not be there.
Not surprisingly, it’s in the same key and same bpm as TiK ToK, which is currently #1, so you can mix them together into a double abomination. On a side note, I mixed in TiK ToK right after Thong Song last weekend in front of a full house, and I just started laughing in the booth. Not a “This is so awesome” kind of laugh. It was more like, “How did I become so lame that I would think of that mix” kind of laugh. It worked (both were requests), but that’s when you know you’ve sold out.
On a historical side note, this single reminds me of Robin S’s Show Me Love, which I think was #1 on the charts back in the mid 90s.
The DJ’s Take: So it’s late at night on a Tuesday, and I’m watching TV when I hear this track bumping outside on the street. Keep in mind that it’s about 15 degrees out there. I peek out my window, and it’s this group of high school kids with their hats turned back smoking something good in their car, windows rolled down, and heads nodding hard. So at the very least, the dude bros out there are feeling it.
Personally, the production’s kinda cool, and it’s not a bad option as a set closer for when the couples are pairing up and getting ready to call it a night. I find this single a little more of a challenge to beatmatch in because it’s soft and quiet, so turn the volume up in those headphones when you’re doing it. This is already a hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and should be up there for a little bit longer.
Speed: 92 bpm, switches to 123 bpm halfway through
The DJ’s Take: The song is a little generic, but definitely danceable - that’s what the BEPs do. What’s interesting, especially for the DJs, is the tempo change halfway through. So you can be going along, warming the crowd up early on with something like Blame It, when you start thinking, “Maybe we should speed things up.” But you don’t want to just fade out and then abruptly cut in with something faster. Imma Be actually speeds up at its midpoint, so you can smoothly mix into some Lady GaGa, or the faster BEP singles like I Gotta Feeling and Meet Me Halfway.
Coincidence? I think not. Props to producer will.i.am, even if he didn’t mean to do it. Way to monopolize a club DJ’s playlist. Also, Imma Be is currently making a move up the Billboard charts, so it’ll satisfy the average crowd’s pop sensibilities.
Music review blog where fans & dj’s can find new tracks by artist or bpm. Get an instant playlist or dj mix in one click.
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Search for songs in thetagssection below. Tags are organized byBpmandArtist Name.
DJs: Bpm tagsare in multiples of 5. So an 81 bpm song may get the 80 bpm tag if it sounds good at 80, the 85 bpm tag if it sounds good at 85, or both if it sounds good at either speed.
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I’m a former hiphop dj who’s spun at bars, clubs and parties. This blog is a place for me to share my experience and insight on the art and the industry.
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