Today, From The Vault journeys back to 2004, with the hit single ‘Rich Girl’ from dynamo duo Gwen Stefani and Eve.
The ragga-tinged cut served as the second offering from Stefani’s stellar solo debut ‘Love.Angel.Music.Baby’ and was released during the last quarter of 2004. Produced by Hip-Hop heavyweight Dr. Dre, ‘Rich was a global monster hit reaching the Top 10 of numerous countries and earning the duo yet another Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Grammy nod.
Indeed, the track serves as the 2nd of their collective efforts; with the first being E.V.E’s 2001 smash ‘Let Me Blow Your Mind’ – which featured Stefani on the hook and was also helmed by Dre. It would be this cut that would nab the coveted Grammy.
What’s so interesting about the ‘Love.Angel.Music.Baby’ album’s single-run (or the LP, as a whole for that matter) is how all the songs boast a genuine ‘Gwen-Factor’ while remaining worlds apart from each other. Whether Hip-Hop, R&B, Rock, New Wave, the mother of two possesses a unique musical character that enables her to touch upon every musical style without ever sounding contrived or desperate.
The tune’s David LaChapelle directed video is an elaborate high fashion pirate-themed affair complete with ships, anchors and cannon fires. It goes without saying, our two ladies look incredible in it.
From the over-the-top fashion and the ‘different’ sound, to the big-budget glossy videos and intricate stage showings, we firmly believe Gwen Stefani had laid down the groundwork for the Fergies, GaGas, Perrys and to some extent Minajs of the world; injecting the reality that “crazy” is cool and outrageous can be fun. It is a shame, then, that the said artists and their counterparts -when quizzed about their influences- namedrop many a retro legends, often forgetting the Orange County Girl.
Here’s hoping both Gwen and Eve hurry up and hit us with some new material soon.
Your thoughts?
I used to love those two together.
“we firmly believe Gwen Stefani had laid down the groundwork for the Fergies, GaGas, Perrys and to some extent Minajs of the world; injecting the reality that “crazy” is cool and outrageous can be fun”
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Well, I firmly believe CINDY LAUPER is the one who started this.
Katy Perry once said something like “Maybe I will never be like Beyonce but I hope I can be like Cindy Lauper”.
This was a truly terrible song in my opinion. Not hating, I just never could get into it.
i like Lady Saw’s version better.
But for real, that album “Love. Angel. Music.Baby.” slayed all others the years 2004 and 2005. I never bought it but you couldn’t get away from it even if you didn’t own it.
Heeeeeeey!!! miss U Gwen! i’m waiting for the news album of “no doubt”!!!!!
Me too i can’t wait!
& yall please follow me now: http://twitter.com/shynlownoam
werent u guys just calling eve a hasbeen a fee days ago because of what she said about Nicki….now u cant wait for new music!?
For me, she was like the bridge on the evolution of the blond pop star: from Madonna to Britney to Christina to her (Gwen) & to Caca. If she wasn’t as lazy in making solo music, there might probably be no room for Caca. Her 3 albums seems like a mismash of The Fame & Born This Way. If Gwen was prolific from 2008 onwards, Caca will be labeled a copycat. Too bad Gwen is out of the pop queen race now, it would have been more fun with her on the scene.
I missed the mid 2000s when the pop starlets where the triumvate of Gwen, Nelly F, and Fergie: ladies with swagger who were less fake than the pop starlets now. For me, that was the height of 2000s music, until it got swagger-jacked by the commercial friendly triumvate of Caca, Rihanna, Katy – although I love the last 2, not Caca.