The Best You Never Heard: Fantasia, Lady GaGa, Rihanna, & Kierra Sheard

Published: Wednesday 11th Dec 2013 by Sam
best-you-never-dec-2013

The Best You Never Heard is back!  Each week will once again see That Grape Juice spotlight an array of little known gems. Featuring picks from the TGJ editorial team, we want to know…who chose the best song! Let us know below…

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Fantasia – I’m Not That Type

 

As American Idol graduates go, the likes of Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood may posses the most Platinum plaques, yet -for us- it’s Fantasia Barrino who boasts the most solid catalogue.

Indeed, in the 10 years since the North Carolina native blazed onto the scene, she has solidified herself as one of music’s most consistent talents. A status she earned with releases such as her self-titled sophomore set in 2006.

While much of the LP is soaked in the classic soulfulness we’ve come to love from the singer, it also served up a number of pleasant surprises. Case, point, ‘I’m Not That Type’.

Produced by Missy Elliott, the cut places Fantasia on “Club” terrain with its pulsating bassline, gritty beat, and all-round “edgy”. While lyrically, the track embraces the brand and strand of new age feminism perpetuated by the likes of TLC and Destiny’s Child.

Sonically, though, this is all flavours of ratchet. And yours truly loves it.

If this year’s ‘Without Me’ had an older, feistier, sister, this gem would be she!  {SAM}

LISTEN: [audiotube id=”xyg4ny_W73U”]

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Lady GaGa – Disco Heaven

 

This week’s pick comes courtesy of Pop force Lady GaGa and her gem ‘Disco Heaven’.

A bonus track from Stefani’s first LP ‘The Fame’, it is a throwback to – as its title implies – the golden era of the Disco. Produced by former collaborator Rob Fusari, the dark retro number stands as a favorite among Little Monsters.

Markedly different from the singles released from its parent album but rather similar to her more recent output, it is again a testament to GaGa’s vision of who she wanted to be as an artist – especially when this song was recorded pre-RedOne and was part of Lady GaGa’s shows BEFORE she was “LADY GAGA”. Indeed ‘Heaven’ wouldn’t sound misplaced if played in between tracks such as ‘ARTPOP’ and ‘Applause’.

In any case, the song is a major winner, press play to find out why! {JOE}

LISTEN:  [audiotube id=”Hb7L3ZEg_K4″]

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Rihanna – Last Goodbye

 

Pulled from her sophomore LP ‘A Girl Like Me’, Rihanna‘s ‘Final Goodbye’ now stands as one her lesser known songs, perhaps lost in the shadows of the chart-toppers that followed its release and the ballads she now finds herself being celebrated for.

However, as you’ll agree once you press play below, the number does more to showcase her vocal skill than the songs that have seen her go from Teen Pop sensation to one of the this era’s most successful entertainers.

Penned by Luke McMaster, Charlene Gilliam and Curtis Richardson, the Gaelic- sounding ‘Goodbye’ sees an 18 year old Fenty bid adieu to the nightclub-ready themes found in ‘SOS’ and ‘Break It Off’ and land on mature ground with a cut that’s just as poignant today as it was upon its 2006 release.

Love it as much as I do? You know who to vote for below!  {DAVID}

LISTEN: [audiotube id=”gujdHQboago”]
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Kierra Sheard – Wave Your Banner (ft. Mary Mary)

 

If there was a duckwalk in your spirit, we wouldn’t be mad if you broke out into it while listening to this song. In the streets or in the church, ‘Wave Your Banner’ – the triumphantly, energetic cut from gospel songstress Kierra Sheard and Grammy winning gospel sister duo Mary Mary – simply bumps…hard!

Found on Sheard’s third album ‘Bold Right Life’, the tune is an oft-overlooked gem and awesome reverse follow-up to Mary Mary’s ‘God In Me’ (which saw Kierra play guest). As the aptly titled ‘Bold’ marked the singer’s first album into adulthood, it flexed a newfound confidence befitting a growing artist and woman overall. Had the Urban contemporary ‘Wave’ ever been released to radio, we’re sure it would’ve been a hit.

Alas, we can only dream. Until then, we’ll ‘Wave’ right along with Kiki on this bass driven tune! {RASHAD}

LISTEN: [audiotube id=”1lAik1e9nTY”]
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Whose Pick Was Best This Week?!

 


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  1. dark horse December 11, 2013

    last goodbye is cute .

  2. RoyalKev December 11, 2013

    I like that Rih song, but that Fantasia song is the one!

  3. …its not that funny December 11, 2013

    Maaannnn…Fantasias second album was slept on cause that album was really good. Songs like this, Two Weeks Notice, Bump What Your Friends Say, Surround U, Sunshine…I could go on forever. And ofcourse this album gave Fantasia one of her biggest hits ever with When I See U which pushed it to gold status. Good times, good times, lol

  4. HOTSTUFF December 11, 2013

    Okay i’ve already heard ‘LAST GOOD BYE’ but its been a while so thank you DAVID, her vocals are like candy, smooth & sweet yet emotional… As for Sam, Fantarilla is a screaming church dude.

  5. Bluek December 11, 2013

    RIP Lady Gaga 🙁

  6. JohnVidal December 11, 2013

    Lady Gaga is a disgusting p**.

  7. Jonathan Gardner December 11, 2013

    I go IN for Kierra.

    I’ve been following her since her first album – though her second THIS IS ME is my favourite. I had the deluxe and used to play it OUT every day!

    My vote goes to Rashad

  8. cake like lady gaga December 11, 2013

    I like Disco Heaven by Queen GaGa… GaGa is a true artist, she grows as an artist. She isn’t like these other pop girls who rather release generic microwave music just to get a hit, instead she breaks boundaries and gives us something new every single time..

    The Fame was a great album, but BTW was even better and showed growth.. ARTPOP is way better than BTW (and the fame) and shows her growing as an artist… IMO!!!!!!

  9. jay scorpio December 11, 2013

    Rihanna secures her 13th No.1 single on Billboard Hot 100 with The Monster!!!! Slayage will not end no matter how hard the haters try to bring the NAVY down!!!! #Winning

  10. rfdfdf December 11, 2013

    fantasia wins for me

  11. BEYHIVE_MINAJ December 11, 2013

    @JayScorpio It’s still eminem’s song tho

  12. cake like lady gaga December 11, 2013

    DEAD at the navi claiming Eminems song as Riherpes. Its not Riherpes 13th #1 because its not her song

    _/

  13. HOTSTUFF December 11, 2013

    @Beyhive_minaj

    And Beyonce’s last hit still remains Gaga’s song tho.

  14. Destiny Alsina December 11, 2013

    Fantasia is more talented than Rihanna could ever be Hotstuff.

  15. HOTSTUFF December 11, 2013

    @Cake Like FLOPGA

    your comment is irrelevant just like CHARTDROP LMAO #DEAL

  16. HOTSTUFF December 11, 2013

    @DESTINY ALSINA

    Blabla speak on it h**!

  17. BEYHIVE_MINAJ December 11, 2013

    @Hotstuff was the shade necessary? I’m happy for rih,it’s great seeing black women win. I’m just tired of people treating the monster as her song when it isn’t

  18. Destiny Alsina December 11, 2013

    Fantasia is a legend in the making.

    Rihanna has nothing but #1 hits yet she’s still a lessor to Beyonce, Gaga, Taylor and Katy. Label puppet with a bunch of Grammys for features.

  19. Lamont December 11, 2013

    Kierra Sheard!! That’s my jam rite dere… Love the Fantasia song as well!

  20. Rihboy December 11, 2013

    Dont care for any.

  21. Lovebird (LOUDER – 04.03.14) December 11, 2013

    13 number ones.

  22. anonymous December 11, 2013

    @Hotstuff. h** please. You gotta be kidding me. There is NO way that Rihanna is a better singer than Fantasia. You just cant compare the two. her voice is just not strong enough and you need to get your ears fixed. that Rihanna sound like she is struggling and whinning in her music all the time. Ive heard her sing live and she aint all that. and Im not the only one who feels this way. I’ve heard others say this before. she’s only staying relevant the same way Miley cyrus is. by acting like a s***. she’s a no talent media attention w****.

  23. HOTSTUFF December 11, 2013

    @ANONYMOUS

    Wow how dare u to think that u are worth my time, i’m not asking for u to sugar coat it but next time your gonna have to make it quick, i aint got time for your essay . have a nice day ! xoxo Hotstuff aka the Hottest .

  24. HOTSTUFF December 11, 2013

    LMAOOOO RIHANNA KEEPING OTHER FANBASES & THEIR FAVES PRESSED SINCE 2005 #DATREIGN

  25. wake up call December 11, 2013

    WTF are ya’ll Voting for WAVE YOUR BANNER IS TEA!!! WERK RASHAD

  26. Antonio December 11, 2013

    Love Fantasia’s song but the other 3 can go. The next time you guys do this, you should something from Monica, Ciara, TLC and Toni Braxton and an all male one featuring Usher, Chris Brown, Maxwell and R. Kelly

  27. Start the drama start the music December 11, 2013

    How many number ones does Eminiem have? Cuz if he has less than Rihanna than that means Emniem is using Rih to score some hits. I don’t really know though…..

  28. Netta December 11, 2013

    This is Em’s 5th #1.

  29. BEYHIVE_MINAJ December 11, 2013

    @stop the drama start the music
    Em could care less about hits. He has stated many times that he does it cause he loves rap,and he wants to be respected as an emcee. Besides,who needs a hit when you are the first rap artist to win an oscar,have 2 diamond albums,open with over 700k,have 13 Grammys,and recognized as the king of rap

  30. Sean December 11, 2013

    Just a suggestion…

    These “Best You Never Heard” posts are fantastic, but the format of the voting is confusing as hell. Make it simple and let us vote for the song name and not the person nominating the song. I always have to look back and sift through the text to figure out who to vote for. Voting should be as simple and straightforward as possible.

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