Catching Up With the Kids 6/1/11

Occasionally I browse the pop music world/charts/blogs and see what the kids are listening to. Sometimes I am pleased with what I find, most of the time I am not. This is a journal of my discoveries.

Catching Up On: Wacka Flocka Flame

Although Pitchfork gave the album an 8.0, I really don’t understand the appeal.  This guy’s lyrics are unintelligible, and frankly, when I can understand them, they’re pretty simple.  And while that’s not necessarily a dealbreaker for me (I did give Wiz Khalifa a thumbs up several days ago), the melody and production don’t really add any plus signs for me.  This radio hit, which I’ve been unable to avoid lately, is jawdroppingly atrocious.

Catching Up On: Big Time Rush

Apparently this is a tween sensation that’s been around for years on Nickelodeon, but this is the hit that will cross them over to the pop radio masses, Bieber style.  The tune itself is pretty catchy, it’s good for a Friday night club run, though I could do without the continuing destruction of the legacy of Snoop Dogg.

Catching Up On: Mindless Behavior

Another R&B-based boy band, they all look 14 years old and are produced pretty slickly and whathaveyou.  Watch the video, and you can tell they all think they’re Usher, but it doesn’t hide the fact the melody is straight-up Disney.  And the lyrics, a romantic homage to texting your honey, are just pretty damn hilarious.

Catching Up On: Fabolous

Now to the good stuff: while I’m not necessarily “catching up on” Fabolous, who has been awesome for years, this new single is banging.  This is what the rap radio game needs right now, an elder statesmen showing everybody how it’s done.

Catching Up On: Swizz Beatz

Hardest beat on the charts right now, and it needs to be on the radio more.  In the same vein as his collaboration with Jay Z in “On To the Next One” (even the video is similar), Swizz keeps it simple and LOUD. And remember Eve? Yeah, she’s on here too.


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