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)
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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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