Aughts pt.10-2009

This will actually be the simplest, shortest list, because overall, 2009 SUCKED musically. But that's indicative of the year King MJ died.

1. Real As It Gets Feat. Young Jeezy-Jay-Z
Finally made me “get” what cats love about Jeezy. It’s my favorite song of the year times two. Spun twice as many times as #2 on the list, which just happens to be…
2. Empire State Of Mind Feat. Alicia Keys-Jay-Z
From September though the rest of the year, it was “Song of the Year” in America. Be honest.

3. Thank You-Jay-Z
I love when Hov’s sense of humor is all over a track. He makes all other emcees look like the children most are compared to him.

4. Bad Habits-Maxwell
Didn’t know he still had it in him when “Pretty Wings” sat on the net for two years before Black Summer’s Night finally came. If nothing else on the album gave you that Urban Hang Suite scratch you needed, this one did. The horns riffing at the end is just too much (in a good way).

5. Devil's Halo/Tie One On-Me'Shell Ndegéocello
The bedroom/basement queen returns doing what she does best-Make me horny.

6. We Fight, We Love (Remix feat. Kanye West & Consequence)-Q-Tip
This remix would’ve been a classic no matter when it dropped, but considering Michael’s death, “Heartbreak Hotel’s” usage here was the most serendipitous musical moment of last year for me. Didn’t know whether to dance or cry.

7. Make Her Say-Kid Cudi feat Kanye West & Common
Back on my Ye’ box. For him to take the acoustic version of GaGa’s “Poker Face” and flip it to this; and for her to give her blessing, is true artistic homogeny. If only the world were so agreeable. Ha.

8. I Can Make It Better-Freddie Washington
Rarely do I have smooth jazz moments, but I’ve waited on a solo record from this dude for years and this song was just “pretty.”

9. Pretty Girls/My Sweetie-Wale
Best of the two worlds I wanted to see Wale expose the world to-Go-Go and Afrobeat. "Pretty Girls" is a local fave already, but to take Backyard Band's Weensy and UCB on stages like MTV, BET and VH1 was bolder than many locals give him credit for. "My Sweetie" is awesome and only Nigerian parties can explain to you. Gotta be there-kinda like go-go.  “Money on the floor, splash it, splash it.”

10. Woe-Chinahblac
Got a bunch of new music to review and just let the pod shuffle. When this came on, I remember stopping my walk. A bit of Tweet, a taste of Anastascia, the voice got me. Live music behind her kept me. Nice.

11. Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready) (featuring Drake)-Alicia Keys
Singles be damned, this is the best record she’s made in years. (why must everybody use Drake to sell tracks though?)

12. Pregnant (Featuring Tyrese, Robin Thicke And The-Dream)-R. Kelly
Don’t judge me. It’s dope. And yes, it’s funny as hell.

13. On the Ocean-K'Jon
Songs like this just STAND OUT on the radio today. And that’s when you know how bad radio sucks. Too few “songs” being composed.

14. Blame It-Jamie Foxx & T-Pain
No words needed.

15. Sobeautiful-Musiq
Didn't know he had it in him to make me question Maxwell. How dope this one was only further validates how good "Bad Habits" had to be to one-up it.