This week’s Best You Never Heard feature returns this week with little known gems by Danity Kane, Destiny’s Child, Johnta Austin, and Mary J. Blige.
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Danity Kane – Lights Out
Lifted from Danity Kane’s 2008 sophomore smash ‘Welcome to the Dollhouse’, ‘Lights Out’ served as one of the LP’s many highlights. Penned by band-member Dawn, and produced by newcomers Flex&Hated, the song served up a delicious slice of Urban-Pop – which no doubt have made a dent on the charts had it been released as a single. From its production, to its vocal arrangements to its lyrical dexterity, this is a home-run of a track if I ever heard one.
Unfortunately, the group – who were the nearest the industry had come to producing a Destiny’s Child successor, disbanded at the top of 2009 (see: Diddy, petty squabbles, and Bad Boy). Yet, with gems such as this, Aubrey, Dawn, Aundrea, Shannon, and D. Woods clearly made their mark. (SAM)
Listen:
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Destiny’s Child – If
The release Destiny’s Child’s final album, ‘Destiny Fulfilled’, was a bittersweet experience for both fans and critics alike. However, the trio ensured that the record was packed with some of the best songs that they ever recorded. One such track was track #8 – ‘If’.
Vocally fluid and lyrically astute, the group harmonised with perfect synchronisation; engaging in carefully timed exchanges without missing a beat. Yet, what was most interesting about ‘If’ was the fact that it is one of the few songs in the entire Destiny’s Child catalogue that did not revolve around Beyonce. Not only did all of the girls get equal airtime but we finally got hear what they are capable of as a group instead of just Beyonce and her background singers. (TRENT)
Listen:
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Johnta Austin – Turn It Up
Many of you will find the name Johnta Austin synonymous with monster hits such as ‘We Belong Together’ and ‘Be Without You’. Unsurprising as the singer-songwriter is the pen behind both chart-toppers and more.
Austin decided to step out from the shadows in 2007 with his debut LP ‘Ocean Drive’. Though the album never saw the light of day, it spawned the oh-so-stellar single ‘Turn It Up’. An R&B mid-tempo with a ‘thump’ (courtesy of producer Jermaine Dupri), the song manages to give a nod to many an R&B classic, while not being far from being one itself. Great track. (SAM)
Listen:
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Mary J. Blige – Kitchen
There is a reason that Mary J. Blige is called the Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul – this woman always manages to evoke a wide range of emotions amongst her listeners. ‘Kitchen’ stands as a shining example of exactly how Blige manages to apply her incredible voice to lyrics reflecting real life experiences without sounding contrived or unnatural.
Utilising clever metaphors and a classic R&B melody, the diva and her co-writer, The-Dream, combine the essence of 1970’s Soul with modern production to create a song that proved to be a standout track on her ‘Stronger with Each Tear’ LP. If there is someone in life who is trying to take what’s yours and you want to send them a message then this is the song for you. Mashonda. (TRENT)
Listen:
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Trent got this 1… he picked some of my fav tracks of there respected albums
turn it up is criminally underrated- good work sam!
trent all the way
‘Lights Out’ was my fav song from the DK album. The production is crazy and Dawn KILLS it! Love her (in DK not DM).
‘If’ was without a doubt my fav song on ‘Destiny Fulfilled.’ That album was a phenomenally put together work. Some people don’t realize that the entire album is storyline/evolution of a relationship from beginning to end.
‘Turn it up’ is very underrated! I love that song and I love Johnta’s voice on it. I honestly think if someone like Usher recorded it, it would have been a much bigger success.
‘Kitchen’ is okay. I was never a big fan of that song. LMAO @ the Mashonda reference!
KITCHEN was hot! Shuda been a single.
I hate Trent’s arrogant full of s*** ass but his selections were all hot this go around. Never heard the DK joint but the Johnta song was a SMASH that never happened. I’ll check out the DK song and lemme go find a download link of Johnta.
The DK song is the best I’ve heard from them…. Dawn and the short one are most certainly the best singers. Is the Playboy chick singing on this? I don’t know the other voices or names LOL
SAMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SAM IS EVEN WINNING IN THE POLL BY HELLA…ITS BECAUSE HE HAS ONE OF DANITY KANE’S SONG
Light’s out is one of their best song
DANITY KANE WAS BIGGER THEN DESINT’S CHILD ANYWAY.
NO ONE EVEN KNOWS WHO DESTINY CHILD IS ANYMORE…DANITY KANE WAS WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY BIGGER.
AUBREY O’DAY HAD HER SHOW COMMING OUT “THE AUBREY O DAY PROJECT” ON OXYGEN AT THE END OF THE YEAR
AUBREY O DAY WILL BE BIGGER THEN RIHANNA AND LADY GAGA COMBINED ONCE HER SOLO ALBUM DROPS!
DAWN IS FUGLY. AND NEEDS TO GET OUT OF DIRTY MONEY
SHANNON AND AUNDREA NEED TO GET THEIR ASSES TO WORK
D. WOOD’S PROJECT IS A LOST CAUSE…SHE NEEDS DANITY KANE
Aubrey and Dawn are the only ones that could survive alone…AUBREY COULD BE SOOO BIG!
WACTH OUT
AUBREY WILL BE BIGGER THEN GAGA
DK album was meant to sell over 10mil but I guess it was slept on, right???
Guys; Alja Jackson has finally arrived checkout her offical music video for her debut single “Prettiest Girl” http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150224028775357
O.O
Wow I d/l Danity’s 2 albums just this morning & were listening to them right now while coming on here lol .
They were decent wish they lasted for one more disc. Oh well.
And I liked that DC3 song mostly cuz it wasn’t all Beyonce.
I’m gonna vote Sam just cuz of the sheer DK coincidence 😛
Kitchen is okay, Mary always gives real talk but ummm….she too was dating Kendu when he was still legally married. His wife wasn’t vocal but his daughter was but the story wasn’t juicy enough to make headlines. ‘If’ is decent as well, nice harmonies.
Johnta Austin is a beast at writing excellent songs. Turn it up was so slept on. As I said before trey songz f**** up his songs everytime he sings them, but hey Johnta Austin makes money that way. So anyway I cant wait until Johnta Austin finally release his cd. HIs new song “Close your eyes” is the truth.
Mary always does it for me love the song.
They picked the wrong singles after Cater to you……..smh….its like the record label wanted to get the album over with…..
Man, Why is the Caca Post Comment disabled?? Im having a serious time biting my Tongue LOL. You know what F-IT, Ill post it here:
“Critiqued by a select few for being a gimmick with no substance, this ought to silence the naysayers. For during this economical climate, consumers are consistently investing the most in who and what they see the most quality in.”
LMAO, This should silence us?? Us “Caca Haters” were no strangers to Gimmicks becoming successful, Its been going on long B4 Caca (See Madonna). & LOL at 13 Million albums sold, Yeah OFF THE STRENGTH OF A RE-RELEASE LOL, Ofcourse shes gonna sell, she appeals to current “Brainless” music trends which she undoubtedly helpe shape, ill give her that but Shes still a Gimmick. Is Over rated & Anti-Talented. Minute 13… Tic tic tic.
LIGHTS OUT and IF yessssss!!! Give me that life now!! Yess!!!!
Dawn did a great job writing Lights Out! I can definately hear the gospel influence on her ad-libs – from the Clark Sisters – and the song itself sounds a bit like a Fred Hammond song LOL. Stil, a great track from a very good album!
IF – omg I have ALWAYS loved that song and the whole of DESTINY FULFILLED. Michelle, Kelly, Bey sound phenomenal on that trackkk! Damn Michelle’s voice floated over those smooth hip-hop beats beautifully! I would love to hear a little bit of that flavour on her next album! 😀
http://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/JONATHANGARDNERTV
if was always one of my faves… michelle kills it! she really adds that different flavour
and when they do it live!! oh vey too good!
I thought that Danity Kane and Destiny Child songs were part of their respective albums. I’ve had them already for the longest time. Oh well.
I picked Trent. Reason being? Danity Kane was a b*******, mediocre, manufactured MTV group that couldn’t decide whether they wanted to be Pop or R&B. Anyone who stans for them: fails.
I like Danity Kane Lights Out but its not the best you never heard from them. Destiny’s Child “If” was and still is fire so is that album. Never heard the other two before I didint really care Turn It Up or Kitchen.
omg If was my song
If is an amazing song love it and i love lights down but it isnt their best
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