U like Keri Hilson?

Hello,

It has been absolutely ages since I last wrote one of these, I have had a lot to do so without sounding like a complete sellout I have actually been 'far too busy' to update.

This week's song is 'I like' by Keri Hilson. Some of you may have heard this, some of you may not, but I'm predicting big things for this tune. Keri Hilson's back catalogue is, well, for lack of a more respectful term, 'varied'. For every 'Knock you down' there is a 'Turning me on'. Nobody needs to ever hear 'Ms Keri Baybayyyyyy', ever again. The sound of a serious female vocalist pretending to be 'hood' is embarassing enough; the fact that other artists; Young Wheezy, Timbaland etc, who should know better, let her embarass herself is quite another. She is as out of place as a chartered accountant at a Dubstep rave.

Either she actually believes she is an outstanding rapper or she has been hitting the syzurp a little too hard recently. That said, as I before mentioned, there are songs like 'After Love' with Diddy and 'Way I are' with Mr Mosely that highlight just how good she can be when she tries. She has a beautiful voice, nice pitch and tone. She is in essence the perfect foil for an RNB collaboration; the question is, can she cut it solo? That is exactly the question posed by 'I like'.

The start of 'I like' resembles Taio Cruz/ Cheryl Cole type pop; ascending synths with simple break beats and pop type cymbals. Keri is in her more sensible persona, having banished Ms Keri Baybayyy to an Atlanta house party, she uses her hook of 'I like' to great effect in what is essentially a pop/dance ballad in the mould of Euro-pop. The track builds in momentum but never really reaches a climax. It is easy listening and will never set the clubs alight but like the BEP's 'Meet me halfway' reflects RNB's spftening attitude towards pop; focussing on melody and jingle. I think it utilises the strong personality of the modern woman; evoking a business type, rich, perhaps even spoilt heiress type of persona for Ms Hilson. Like Tulisa from N-Dubz, who has benefitted from shoving colloquilisms into her music at every available oppurtunity (LBD, Facebook, Bang Bang shoes etc) and the tragic Jordan Sparks in her latest outing (SOS, FYI, Texting etc) Keri has adopted the borderline pretencious business term of approval 'I like', and made it relatively catchy.

A 7/10 is a good result for Keri. I think she should be proud; its made my i-pod.


This week's playlist

Young Money- Bedrock

Toni Braxton & Trey Songs- Yesterday

Shakira, Timbaland and Lil Wayne- give it up to me

N-Dubz- Na na

Birdman, drake, Lil wayne- Money to blow

Beyonce, Lady Gaga- Videophone

Rihanna and lady Gaga- Silly boy

Jason Derulo- In my head

Jlo- Louboutins

Janet Jackson- Make me

Kardinall Offishal- Clear!




Surprisingly, the answer is a resounding 'yes'.