Tag Archives: Drake

Music

In Demand Rappers Being Featured a Lot of Times

13 Comments

Rappers are very in demand in misic as their talent is often requested by other artists. They do the rap part and it gives them exposure and of course, rack up some money. There were some rappers who are often requested to contribute rap pieces in some songs and here’s the list of some of these rappers which many of the songs tehy were featured became successful:

Jay-Z
Jay-Z has been one of the most successful rappers especially in terms of total records sold. He is also one of the rappers who has been featured a lot of times. He has been featured in more than 50 released singles, and some of the most successful songs he was featured were 3 singles fron Beyonce, including “Crazy in Love”. Rihanna’s “Umbrella” was also highly successful which Jay was also featured.

2 Chainz
2 Chainz is just one of the rappers in the industry for not so long ago. But he’s already featured in a lot of songs with more than 40 by which, the most notable one was “Talk Dirty” by Jason Derulo.

Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes is one of the 1990’s rapper who still very relevant today. Aside from his hit songs, he has been featured in a lot of songs with more than 20. He’s been featured in big hits like “Don’t Cha” by the Pussycat Dolls and Chris Brown’s “Look at Me Now”.

Ludacris
Ludacris has became one of the top rappers since early 2000’s. He’s been featured in a lot of hit songs. He’s been heard in about 50 singles by other artists. In early 2000’s, he’s been featured in Usher’s number 1 single “Yeah!”. He’s also featured twice in Justib Bieber’s singles which one of them is “Baby”.

Puff Daddy / P.Diddy / Diddy
Sean Combs had used a number of pseudonyms as mentioned above and featured in a number of songs by Mariah Carey, The Notorious B.I.G. and others. He was featured more than 30 times in offficial singles.

Drake
Drake is one of the biggest rappers today and he never left the Billboard charts, either his own singles or those he was featured. In a short period of time, he was already heard as a featured artist in more than 50 singles, which included the hit “What’s My Name?” by his rumored girlfriend, Rihanna.

Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott has been one of the most successful female rappers and she’s also being featured in a lot of singles. She may had took a break but she’s back recently with a hit single. She was heard in more than 40 singles which included hits by Mariah Carey and other singers.

Lil Wayne
Among all rappers, Lil Wayne can possibly the most in demand. He’s been featured in more than 100 titles which were released as official singles. Well, he had numerous hits by himself too. It included works with Chris Brown and “Down” by Jay Sean.

Pitbull
Pitbull’s music may be different from other rappers as his sound is not hip-hop. But he was featured several times in different singled. He was partnered a number of times with Jennifer Lopez which included “On the Floor” and in some singles of Chris Brown.

Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg was also a hit rapper in 1990’s and even until now. He had been featured more than 90 times in singles which included songs by Pussycat Dolls and Katy Perry.

Wiz Khalifa
Wiz Khalifa was known for his hit “Black and Yellow”, but he was also known for being featured in some singles. One of the most successful singles he was featured is “Payphone” by Maroon 5.

Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj is currently the reigning queen of rap for scoring a number of hit songs by herself. She was also featured in lots of singles ranging at about 50 titles, and included works with David Guetta, Justin Bieber and Madonna.

Credits to Wikipedia

Music

Trends and Cliches in Mainstream Music (Since 2010)

4 Comments

Since 2010, there are a lot of changes in music industry and we also witnessed how album sales went down. Though, we saw the success and record breaking success of Adele as the most successful artist in this era. Here are some of the trends and cliches in music industry since 2010:

Electronic dance music (EDM)
Electronic dance music continued to dominate all the genres. We heard successful records from David Guetta, Avicci, Calvin Harris, Zedd, and a lot more. Even most pop stars and even R&B singers sung a lot of dance music, showing how popular the genre is. Some of them were Rihanna, Beyonce, Chris Brown, Britney Spears, Usher, and a lot more.

Music crossover to pop
There were a lot of artists who changed or tried other genres which led to their notable success, though some did not succeed. Maroon 5 may already had pop hits before 2010, however, they became full time pop band with their 2012 album “Overexposed” and their recent “V”. Taylor Swift is the most successful in crossing over to pop. She gave a taste of pop tunes in her partly pop, partly country album “Red”. With her latest album “1989”, she became a fully-pledged pop star.

Formerly teen stars going sexy
There were a lot young stars before 2010 who took the “good girl, gone bad” route. Miley Cyrus became the most controversial who went naked in “Wrecking Ball”, magazine covers, parties and the raunchy performance on VMA 2013. Selena Gomez also went naked in her current album cover “Revival” and music video. Demi Lovato also went sexier on her new album “Confident”.

Million selling first week
It seems the phenomenon during first half of 2000s is happening since 2010 despite the sales are going down with albums. Taylor Swift has the most nunber of albums to reach the million threshold. Her third studip release “Speak Now” reached over 1.04 million on its first week according to Soundscan. Her fourth album “Red” sold higher with 1.21 million, while her recent and current album exceeded 1.28 million. But the recordbreaker and fastest among all was Adele’s “25”, which exceeded 3.38 million.

Soundtracks
Soundtrack albums did well since 2010. “Frozen” is the most successful which became very successful in 2014. Other successful soundtracks were “Fifty Shades of Grey”, Pitch Perfect 1 and 2, “Furious 7”, “Glee” albums, and a lot more.

Retro music
It seems retro and old music is incorporated in music of some pop stars. Meghan Trainor is known for her pop, soul and doo wop sound on her “Title” album. Charlie Puth incorporated Motown sound on his music, and the 80’s sound on Carly Rae Jepsen’s sound on her “Emotions” LP.

Surprise releases of albums
Beyonce broke record for releasing surprise album and went to number 1 with massive sales. Other artists followed suit which included Drake.

Credits to Wikipedia, Billboard, Soundscan

Music

10 Songs With “Something”

10 Comments

When you refer to “something”, it was like you had given or vice versa in most songs. There were great “something” songs and others became too popular, here are 10 of them:

A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera- Say Something
This might be one of the most popular “something” songs during the recent years. This emotional pop ballad from the duo along with diva Christina Aguilera was a top 5 hit worldwide.

Robbie Williams- Something Beautiful
British crooner Robbie Williams serenaded everyone in this song. He just wanted something beautiful and this went to the UK top 3, according to The Official Charts Company.

Secondhand Serenade- Something More
As a Secondhand Serenade fan, I waited for a new song from them and this came out. This song is something different from his usual sound and it is a good move. But the song performed moderately in the charts.

High School Musical Cast- Start of Something New
Want some pop love song? This “something” song from High School Musical topbilled by Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens may not be released as an official single, but it was a big radio hit in the Philippines.

James Morrison- You Give Me Something
I love this soulful song from James, who has a soulful voice too. He may be happy for that “something” he got. Well, this song went to top 5 in a number of territories.

Britney Spears- Do Something
Britney wants the guy to do “something” who’s looking at her. Well, this song went to the top 10 in UK and a number one hit here in the Philippines.

Mariah Carey- Say Something
Released as Mariah’s final single from her blockbuster comeback LP “Emancipation of Mimi”, it became a R&B hit but the lowest charting song from that record.

Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman- Something Stupid
I never though Nicole Kidman can sing so softly in that song. She was prompted to sing after her performance in “Moulin Rouge”. This song was number one in Europe and Asia then.

Timbaland and Drake- Say Something
The third song with the same title in this list, this collaboration was a big hip-hop hit then.

Shawn Mendes- Something Big
This young pop star may be doing big with “Stitches”, but prior to that, he came out with this “something” song which was a hit in his home country, Canada.

Some facts from Wikipedia

Music

Setting My Playlist

4 Comments

I am a big fan of music and I make my playlist every time. Now I am setting up my playlist and picking up songs to include in my current playlist. I had listed at least twelve songs for my playlist and it would be good now that the 2016 is about to start. Here are the new songs I included in my playlist:

Adele- When We Are Young
I love this song for its conveying melody and Adele’s vocals is superb. Also, I can feel her the hearts coming from her heart.

Justin Bieber- Love Yourself
I used to listen to this already but not yet on my list. It is a nice acoustic ballad.

Coldplay- Everglow
For me, it is the best cut from their new album and I just included it on my playlist.

Alessia Cara- Here
This young singer is promising. I like her voice, musicality and how she shun from the way people loves to live like based on this song’s lyrics.

Drake- Hotline Bling
I just added it on my playlist as it is a good midtempo jam. Never mind Drake’s dance moves though.

One Direction- History
It was not yet released but I think it is one of the best tracks from “Made in the A.M.”

Fall Out Boy- Centuries
I know it is quite an old song but I just learned to like it and now on my list.

Charlie Puth- One Call Away
This beautiful ballad was recently performed by Charlie in Miss Universe. It was a beautiful ballad that’s why included it here.

Gwen Stefani- Used to Love You
I love the synth and the whole sound as it brings some breeze while listening to it.

Justin Bieber- I’ll Show You
I am loving synths in music and it is in this song. Also, this song reminds me of Owl City.

Fetty Wap- 679
I love how rhythmic Fetty Wap is and it is in this song so I listed it here.

Dawin- Dessert
The song is very catchy and will surely make you move when listening to it.

Music

Yearend Special: Top Songs by Male Artists 2015

2 Comments

Here are the top 10 singles from male artists this 2015:

Ed Sheeran- Thinking Out Loud
Many of you might have fallen in love to this lovely ballad by Ed Sheeran. You can hear the song anywhere, a testament of the song’s success. In the US, it stayed at top 2 for a number of weeks and a number 1 position in many singles charts elsewhere.

Justin Bieber- What Do You Mean?
This might the biggest comeback single by a male artist. Justin pulled this EDM pop track which crashed the streaming and downloads charts. It also did well in the radio. With its success in different platform, it scored Justin his first worldwide number 1 hit.,

Drake- Hotline Bling
Drizzy is one of the top male stars this year that he scored a big hit with this telephone-related hit “Hotline Bling” which was a recent number 2 single in the US and hitting the top 10 in other countries.

Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars- Uptown Funk
Mark and Bruno were great producers but the latter is the better singer. The tandem of the two was number 1 globally thus helped the sing to be the top song this year.

Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth- See You Again
As a tribute to the late Paul Walker, this song easily topped the charts worldwide. It was good to hear rap and pop can make an emotional and goosebump-worthy song.

Ed Sheeran – Photograph
Ed Sheeran generated another hit for “x” to this dramatic song. It climbed to the top 10 in US and despite peaking lower in his hometown UK, it sold a hefty amount.

Sam Smith ft. John Legend- Lay Me Down
Sam Smith asked John Legend to re-record this emotional ballad which eventually was a UK number 1 song.

Charlie Puth ft. Meghan Trainor- Marvin Gaye
After “See You Again”, Charlie has proven he can also do it as lead artist when this song hit #21 in Hot 100 according to Billboard and #1 in UK from OCC.

Justin Bieber- Sorry
This song is currently a hit in different places around the world, it may be at number 1 (included UK) or number 2 (included US).

The Weeknd- Can’t Feel My Face
One of the biggest songs this year, The Weeknd has finally proven himself. This song topped the US and a multi-platinum succcess there. It also hit the top 10 worldwide.

Some facts from Wikipedia

Music

Yearend Special: Top Male Artists of 2015

4 Comments

There are lots of male artists who did very well this year. It seems its “boy power” as based on the charts, guys did much better. Female stars still did well but it seems guys did better this year. Here are the 10 biggest male singers/rappers this year:

The Weeknd
The Weeknd may have underrated prior this year but he had a blast on the charts this 2015. After a top 5 entry via “Earned It” (the sensual song from Fifty Shades of Grey), he scored 2 #1 singles this year, the funky “Can’t Feel My Face” and the explicit ballad “The Hills”. Aside from hit songs, he got a bonus for topping the albums chart worldwide.

Justin Bieber
It was a huge comeback for the Canadian pop star. With a feature for Diplo and Skrillex song, it was followed by an album which just dominated the sales but also 3 top 5 hit songs just recently, with “What Do You Mean?” which ruled the charts globally.

Drake
He’s the biggets rapper this year as he scored 2 number one albums and several hit songs including the current smash “Hotline Bling”, which is doing very well anywhere.

Sam Hunt
Sam Hunt is currently a big star in country music. He scored lots of hits in top 40 this year including a top 10 album. I love his song “Take Your Time”, which became huge in top 20.

Mark Ronson
Music producer Mark Ronson scored is biggest success in career this year through “Uptown Funk” which is the biggest single worldwide this year. Anyway, thanks to Bruno Mars’ contribution.

Charlie Puth
One of the biggest breakthrough artists this year, Charlie Puth made a mark as a co-writer and the pop vocals in the big hit “See You Again” with Wiz Khalifa. He’s also successful as lead singer of the pop hit “Marvin Gaye”.

Nick Jonas
Nick Jonas can easily be said as the most successful Jonas. He had success worldwide with the pop hit “Jealous” followed by the darker R&B tune “Chains”. He reached top 40 recently with EDM/pop hit “Levels”.

Sam Smith
He’s the biggest winner in Grammys this year and his “In the Lonely Hour” is still one of the biggest sellers this year. His ballads “I’m Not the Only One” and “Lay Me Down” were top ten hits.

Fetty Wap
One of the top newcomers this year, Fetty Wap easily made two ten singles this year. He also went to the top of rap albums this year.

Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran is the biggest male singer this year. With the beautiful love song “Thinking Out Loud” and the melancholic “Photograph”, both were successful. While LP “x” sold millions this 2015.

Some facts from Wikipedia

Music

Yearend Special: R&B Singles of 2015

10 Comments

This year we heard great R&B songs which included hip-hop, upbeat and some slow jams. Here are some of them which did very well in 2015.

The Weeknd- Earned It
“Fifty Shades of Grey” produced a number of hit songs which included this soulful song from The Weeknd which we saw stayed inside the top 10.

Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth- See You Again
This can be considered the biggest R&B hit and collaboration this year. Co-written by Charlie Puth, it was one of the year’s biggest single.

Selena Gomez ft. A$AP Rocky- Good for You
Selena Gomez has gone sensual in this song as evident in her good vocals. She is alongside rapper ASAP Rocky in this track which became a top 5 hit.

The Weeknd- Can’t Feel My Face
This R&B funky song which had everybody thought a song of Michael Jackson had everybody dancing. It ruled the charts for weeks recently.

Fetty Wap ft. Remy Boyz- 679
This is such a catchy hip-hop tune. With its high chart position in the US, it also led its new song to the top 10.

Drake- Hotline Bling
During the last few months of the year, this track of Drake has been ruling the downloads and streaming charts. Drake is really the biggest rapper at the moment.

Silento- Watch Me
The choreography of this song has been viral over the internet which secured the song for high chart position while its sales also increased.

The Weeknd- The Hills
One of the three big hits from The Weeknd this year, this sexual song (also incorporated with profanity) went to the top of the charts too.

Natalie La Rose ft. Jeremih- Somebody
One of the newcomers this year, this song which interpolated a Whitney Houston hit was also a big hit in the chart. Still, waiting for anothe hit track for La Rose though.

Sam Smith ft. John Legend- Lay Me Down
Originally sang as a solo, Sam Smith invited John Legend in this song intended for release as a charity single. It went to the top of UK and secured Smith’s third US top ten as lead act.

Music

Yearend Special: Top R&B and Hip-hop Albums of 2015

6 Comments

R&B music may not be as hot as it was a decade ago but there are lots of R&B albums released this year. However, at this yearend chart, most albums that made impact were from rappers and there’s only one artist who’s purely a singer. Here are the impactful R&B/hip-hop albums this year.

Drake- If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late
Drake may be one of the biggest rappers this day and I think behind Eminem when it comes to success. This record incredibly debuted on top again and even crossed millions in sales.The album was successful both commercially and critical response.

KendrIck Lamar- To Pimp a Butterfly
This is highly praised by the critics and I also included this album for the ten top albums and underrated albums of the year. Despite the success it wasn’t too overstated. The album easily entered on top of US’ Billboard 200.

Drake & Future- What a Time to Be Alive
Drake is undoubtedly the top male artist this year. His collaboration with Future and also released surprisingly easily sold thta fast to settle at the summit of American charts. The album also contains some nicely written tracks.

Fetty Wap- Fetty Wap
He can be considered as the top breakthrough artist this year due to surprisingly successful and viral hit songs. This self-titled debut from the rapper climbet to the apex as expected. It may not be as huge as the singles but still considered one of the top R&B/hip-hop records this year.

The Weeknd- Beauty Behind the Madness
The Weeknd is a no stranger in music as he already scored some top 10 albums. But just this year when he received mainstream attention. It started with the successful collaboration with pop star Ariana Grande for “Love Me Harder” and the “Fifty Shades of Grey” contribution “Earned It”, it led to the release of his new albums which received commercial and critical appeal and even settled with two number 1 songs.

Music

Yearend Special: Top Albums of 2015

2 Comments

2015 is about to end and several music organizations are making their own list of the bests in music during the year. Since I am focused in mainstream music, I made my own list of the top or highly successful albums during this year. The albums listed below were in random position and not based on sales alone rather how it made impact in music this year.

Taylor Swift- 1989
Released during late 2014, this blockbuster album which was one of the biggest sellers last year is still one of the two biggest sellers this year along with 5 top 10 hits this year.

Ed Sheeran- x
Also released last year, during midyear, this sophomore effort from Ed remains one of the biggest seller this year which was also heightened by one of the biggest hits this year “Thinking Out Loud”.

Sam Smith- In the Lonely Hour
One of the albums with heartbreak themes, this debut record from Sam Smith was one of the biggest albums this year despit being released in 2014. With 3 top 10 hits, the album’s big win in Grammy helped the album to sell more.

Meghan Trainor- Title
This debut effort from Meghan was released at the beginning of the year. With doo-wop, Motown and pop influences, the album was a chart-topper and scored at least 3 top 10 singles.

Drake- If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late
This is the biggest rap album this year either critically or commercially. Drake has always been consistent with sales of his records.

One Direction- FOUR
One of the biggest November releases in 2014, this fourth record from the boyband is still one of the biggest sellers this 2015. It recorded 2 top 40 hits.

Kendrick Lamar- To Pimp a Butterfly
With general praises from critics, this effort from the rapper eventually became a number 1 album.

Justin Bieber- Purpose
After some years out of the limelight due to troubles and underperforming record “Journals”, he came back this year with three hits which are included to this hit new album.

One Direction- Made in the A.M.
This last record from the lads before hiatus may have been defeated by Justin Bieber but it’s sales can never be considered a failure due to its high sales. It even scored two top 10 singles.

Adele- 25
This hot new LP from Adele will effortlessly trump all records in sales at the end of the year after going multi-platinum in just one week. Aside from the album’s sales, “Hello” was also a record-breaker.

Music

Artists’ Names in Song Titles

Leave a comment

It seems dropping names of artists in song titles is the trend recently. Those songs may not be direct tributes to those artists, rather simile which compares an action to an artists. Not all though as we heard from current hits. Check those recent songs below:

Note: Some songs may be from recent years and mostly mainstream.

 

Madonna- B, I’m Madonna

Well, it was apparently sung by Madonna herself and it was telling the whole world that she’s Madonna. She’s a legend, an idea brought up by its producer, American DJ, Diplo. It was like to show Madonna started it all for other female pop stars around. Never mind the word “B”, it’s not intended or mean something vulgar.

 

Charlie Puth ft. Meghan Trainor- Marvin Gaye

Charlie admitted he’s a big fan of Motown music particularly, of Marvin Gaye. So this song may be a little tribute with his name as the title and some lyrics of Marvin Gaye’s song on it. However, it was like a euphemism since the song is somewhat salacious if you’re listen and understand its lyrics. Marvin Gaye became a verb in this song!

 

The Wanted-Walks like Rihanna

It seems Rihanna is a dream girl for the lads of The Wanted. However, it doesn’t matter to them if a girl cannot sing or dance, as long as she can walk like Rihanna. Now you know girls, if you like the guys of The Wanted, then check how Rihanna walks.

 

Maroon 5- Moves Like Jagger

Maroon 5 admitted that this song is a tribute to The Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger. Nevertheless, if you listen to its lyrics it has other meaning of it. Imagine Mick Jagger’s eccentric moves, it’s not just about the moves. I am telling you, lol!

 

Cher Lloyd- Swagger Jagger

Shortly after “Moves like Jagger”, this song was released from UK X -Factor alumna Cher Lloyd. It seems Mick Jagger has huge influence to many artists right?

 

Drake- Girls love Beyonce

This is a real tribute from Drake and pertaining that  a lot of girls loves and love to be like Beyonce. In the song also interpolates “Say My Name”, a song popularized by Bey’s former group Destiny’s Child.

 

Taylor Swift- Tim McGraw

This song was part of Taylor Swift’s humble beginnings as it became her first single. She’s still a country singer that time and she really loves Tim McGraw. Despite the Tim McGraw reference, it is a love song and failed relationship that perhaps connected with country music, particularly with Tim McGraw’s music.