Music Review: This Is How We Do It - Montell Jordan

Speed: 104 bpm

The DJ’s Take: If you spin golden era hiphop and R&B, shame on you if you don’t have this classic in your collection. People love anything they can sing to, and this definitely qualifies. Interesting how this track is so much more of a banger than the classic it took its beat from, Slick Rick’s Children’s Story. Guess it goes to show that tweaking an instrumental is an art form unto itself. Based on the lyrics, I recommend playing this on a Friday night when everyone’s feeling alright.

Download the MP3: This Is How We Do It

Music Review: I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me) - Jay-Z

Jay-Z - New Music - More Music Videos

Speed: 98 bpm

The DJ’s Take: I started spinning in 2002, which was about a year or two after this came out, and it was still the joint to play if you were a hiphop DJ. This was when the Neptunes were producing pretty much every hit out there, just like Timbaland a couple years ago. People talk about the intangible ingredient known as “that bounce” that makes good tracks great, and this single has it. Add it to your rap rotation pronto.

Download the MP3: I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me) [Explicit]

Music Review: Beat It - Michael Jackson

Speed: 139 bpm

The DJ’s Take: As a 4 year old rocking Osh Kosh BGosh overalls and a bowl cut, this was my favorite song off my Thriller tape cassette. Add in the Eddie Van Halen guitar solo, and you have one of the sweetest pop-rock collabos ever. With the continuing buzz over the King of Pop’s recent demise, this is a nice bridge to more recent stuff like Big Pimpin and Day N Nite.

Download the MP3: Beat It (Single Version)

Music Review: The Way You Make Me Feel - Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson - New Music - More Music Videos

Speed: 113 bpm

The DJ’s Take: One of the few post-Thriller singles MJ did that I actually liked. Bpm is around 113, but I always prefer playing this at around 117 or 118. On a side note, look for the LaToya cameo about 3:30 into the video. That’s brotherly love right there.

Download the MP3: The Way You Make Me Feel

Music Review: City Lights - Method Man and Redman ft. UGK

Full song on YouTube



Speed: 70 bpm

Mix this one with: Boyfriend #2 - Pleasure P, Crank That - Soulja Boy, All The Above - Maino ft. T-Pain

The DJ’s Take: This track would be in contention for my main theme song if I were a pro wrestler or Thor, the God of Thunder. Hard beat plus three of the best MCs in the business (Meth, Red and Bun B of UGK) minus the pre-album hype equals an underappreciated hit.

Download the MP3: City Lights [Explicit]

Music Review: Glide For Me - Red Hott ft. Bobby Valentino

Full song on YouTube



Speed: 108 bpm

The DJ’s Take: I really don’t understand how this single isn’t a hit yet, unless it’s simply the politics of the music business. The instrumental makes you feel like you’re gliding on the ocean somewhere in the Caribbean on a yacht, Bobby Valentino kills the hook, and Red Hott flows nice, although I have no idea what he’s saying. Anyway, you don’t play this because it’s popular - you play it because it sounds good.

Music Review: Crank That - Soulja Boy

Soulja Boy Tell'em - New Music - More Music Videos

Speed: 70 bpm

Mix this one with: City Lights - Method Man and Redman ft. UGK, Boyfriend #2 - Pleasure P, All The Above - Maino ft. T-Pain

The DJ’s Take: Just like everyone else, I am truly surprised at how Soulja Boy still has a career at this point. That said, he has apparently mastered the art of the catchy hook, and that’s a skill unto itself, especially in today’s pop scene. Yes, people still get down to this track, and the fake steel drums make you subconsciously feel like you are in Nassau or some other infamous spring break mecca. Playing this is like an all or nothing proposition - get set to get mad love, or get totally ragged on. Like Black Sheep said, the choice is yours.

Music Review: I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas

Speed: 128 bpm

The DJ’s Take: Sure, they’re not the interesting underground group they were back before Fergie joined, but they’re making their money with chart-topping tracks like this one. I think when you want to appeal to the masses, you make positive tracks that everyone can dance to, and I Gotta Feeling certainly qualifies. Intro is reminiscent of Paper Planes with the buildup, but it’s also a little longer, which definitely helps when you’re mixing it in. I’m already getting consistent requests for this on weekends, so have this on hand for your next gig or party while it’s hot.

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Music Review: Feels Good - Tony! Toni! Toné!

Speed: 118 bpm

Mix this one with: She’s Fresh - Kool and the Gang

The DJ’s Take: First off, I have to say it’s a shame we don’t hear the new jack swing in rap or R&B anymore. That said, if you play 80s or 90s music, this one is a strong choice for any 115-120 bpm mix. I like to slip this one in every once in awhile and see who remembers one of the great groups of the early 90s. Former lead singer Raphael Saadiq has produced some good tracks for himself and others over the last 10-15 years, so you may want to look up his discography if you like his sound.

Music Review: Turn Me On - Kevin Lyttle

Kevin Lyttle - New Music - More Music Videos

Speed: 106 bpm

Mix this one with: Mo Money Mo Problems - Notorious BIG ft. Mase and Puff Daddy

The DJ’s Take: To be honest, this one can be a little hit or miss. It’s a hot track and was at the top of the charts a few years back, but it seems like people already forgot, at least in my neck of the woods. Pick your spots, either before-after Mo Money Mo Problems or in the middle of a dancehall reggae or reggaeton mix.