WRETCH 32 FEAT. JOSH KUMRA - DON'T GO

2011

UK: #1

 

A personal favourite here. In retrospect, I'm amazed this got to #1 especially since it beat Emeli Sande's debut single 'Heaven' and 'Moves Like Jagger'. In the context of chart music in 2011, this sounds out of place too - with it's minimal beat, soulful chorus and sombre raps this could easily chart today. However, in the dance-pop saturated market that was 2011, it was interesting and great to see a song like this at #1. Wretch 32 is one of my favourite artists and one who is generally underrated. I pondered including Traktor or Blackout or 6 Words but Don't Go has been somewhat forgotten. Still waiting on that second album Wretch...

 

 

 

Black Skinhead is an interesting track, prefer it now to when it came out, Kanye has a lot better though!

 

Never liked CFMF, just sounds like an awful MJ karaoke attempt...

 

Not a fan of Don't Go either :P Josh Kumra completely spoils it with his terrible vocals.

Wow!, first time I've heard this in about 2 years. I did really like this at the time although 'Traktor and 'Unorthodox' is more memorable than this.

 

 

GYPTIAN - HOLD YUH

2010

UK: #18

 

I had to include a dancehall/reggae song to my selection seeing as it's a genre I love! Stylo G has bought the tunes the last few years and Sean Paul still pops up from time to time. However, 'Hold Yuh' became a massive anthem back in 2010 - capturing the zeitgeist of that summer in a similar way to previous reggae anthems such as 'No Letting Go' and 'Welcome to Jamrock'. It was on the 1Xtra playlist for a record EIGHT months and received a hot remix from a then up-and-coming Nicki Minaj. Quite a basic track, with the child-like piano intro and laid-back flow but also containing a potentially filthy chorus (I always hear 'hole' instead of 'hold'). A song I listen to frequently as it's perfect for sunsets and relaxation.

 

Hold Yuh is amazing & was so great to see such a unique song in the charts.

Young Money - BedRock

2009

UK: #09, US: #02

 

Always think this is a bit of a forgotten gem from the last 10 years; it doesn't seem to have had the lasting impact I expected but it really was pretty massive at the time. As one of the first (and only) successful releases from the Young Money supergroup, this track helped introduce the charts to a number of names who would go on to be chart favourites in the years to follow. The song introduced the charts to the hip-hop staples Nicki Minaj and Tyga as well as being the second big hit for Drake (after 'Best Thing I Ever Had' which also smashed that year). For that reason alone, the song deserves recognition for somewhat shaping the way in which the R&B/Hip-Hop scene looks today. Along with an undeniably catchy chorus sung by Lloyd and loads of quotable lyrics, it's a real treasure. Kudos for putting it all together Lil' Wayne.

 

Yes! this isn't a forgetten gem for me. Still play this. What a tune this was and still is. Interesting lyrics indeed about a G-Spot and another word for a cat on your sideburn. Definitely introduced us to Tyga and Nicki Minaj. And also got Drake a hit after 'Forever'. Thanks for putting this together, Lil Wayne probably the strongest song he has done.

 

As for 'Hold Yuh' The reggae tune from 2010.

 

 

Fergie feat. will.i.am - Fergalicious

2006

UK: #62, US: #02

 

Now for a classic piece of 00's fun. With Fergie about to make a proper comeback a big 10 years since the release of her first solo album, it feels right to celebrate the greatness of The Duchess and 'Fergalicious' in particular. For reasons I can't remember the song never really took off in the UK (was it ever properly pushed?) but it was so massive in the US it remains possibly one of the most memorable songs released back in '06. Lyrics that are great fun; again another very quotable song and with a fantastically magical candy themed video, what's not to love?

 

 

 

Absolutely Adore Bedrock :wub: was amazing to see it do so well on these shores you'd think it would have been one of the endless conveyor belt of huge US Urban tracks that did nothing over here.

Keri Hilson feat. Kanye West & Ne-Yo - Knock You Down

2009

UK: #05, US: #03

 

My next pick is 'Knock You Down', a song you really cannot ignore when remembering the big R&B hitters of 2009. The song really blew up throughout the summer, becoming Keri's big breakout solo hit; one which she has never really managed to follow up since (only having one other top 40 single afterwards, in the shape of 'I Like'). It really was a killer collaboration and there really is something so joyous about the whole thing - great vocals from both Keri and Ne-Yo, lovely melodic verses, a sing-a-long chorus and a verse from Kanye that is as strong as ever. I remember being thrilled when it broke through at the time (mainly because I had been routing for Keri for a good while before) and still love it to this day. I don't know how well it has aged but it still gets everyone singing along at pre's for a night out (it has become a bit of a staple in my drinking playlist) so keep on getting that relevancy Keri :kink:

 

Those last two are my favorites so far!! So hard to pick a favorite from The Duchess but I still can't get enough of Fergalicious so it's probably that. My high school had a new principal named Mr. Ferguson around the time this was released so it became a very big running joke at school :kink:

 

Knock You Down is a stunning collab, definitely Keri's finest moment although she's had many others that come close. Apparently it was the last song recorded on the album, on the day it had to be finished so thank goodness it was included on there!

Kelly Rowland feat. Lil Wayne - Motivation

2011

UK: DNC, US: #17

 

Kelly has always been under-rated, we all know this. She has spent most of her career living in the shadow of one of her former band members (and it ain't Latoya) but her career really has been scattered with moments of brilliance that have been somewhat washed over; for me 'Motivation' is definitely one of those moments. Thankfully the song didn't go by completely unnoticed like it was expected to at the time, becoming her first top 20 single on the US Billboard Charts ever (other than 'Dilemma' all the way back in 2002), selling over 2,000,000 copies along the way; amazing stuff! The song is just incredibly sexy R&B and the sulty vibes just come to Kelly so naturally. Filled with so many hooks throughout, it really is one that gets better with every listen. I still can't get enough of it to this day. The less said about that #169 UK chart peak the better.

 

'Hold Yuh' feels like it's so much bigger than it actually was! The Nicki remix often gets played on nights out here in Nottingham and it gets a MASSIVE reaction everytime! Great song <3

 

But shut this thing down now. Davidson just unleashed the beast that is, 'Knock You Down'! *.* My all time favourite R&B song :wub: Still can't really get enough of it. I wish she'd hurry and give us something new, officially! :drama: Bored of these leaks. JUST COME BACK ALREADY DAMNIT! :drama:

DRAKE - HOLD ON, WE'RE GOING HOME

2013

UK: #4, US: #4

 

Ah, where to begin to Drake... quite possibly the biggest influence over mainstream Hip Hop/R&B this decade and certainly one of my favourite artists. So many songs I could have picked of his to include, but I've gone for Hold On, We're Going Home. Obviously a massive song, with its mid-tempo synth grooves and a crooning vocal enabling it to become massive worldwide. Also, because it marked a turning point in Drake's credibility I think. Hard to imagine now as we're in the midst of Drake's 'imperial phase' but in 2013, he was somewhat laughed at by the Hip Hop community. For singing about his feelings, for his middle-class Toronto background, for trying to act street... but this song was so strong it rose above all that. You can hear his influence in artists such as Bryson Tiller and the sing-rap style used by Fetty Wap, Rae Sremmurd and Young Thug.

 

Basically Drake's great and so is this song.

 

I can still remember when "HOWGH" came out and my instant reaction to it and how it took over me completely for months. Sooo many great memories of listening to this song in the latter half of 2013; listening to it late at night on the bus or in the car gave me such an indelible feeling. 2010s classic tbh.

MERIDIAN DAN FEAT. BIG H & JME - GERMAN WHIP

2014

UK: #13

 

The Grime revival of the past few years has been excellent to see, with artists like Skepta, Stormzy and JME getting chart recognition without having to filter their music. This song was the catalyst. Adding some trap snares to grime drums and tempo (140 BPM for those not initiated) was an inspired move alongside a nursery-rhyme style chorus! Rising from underground anthem status, this genuinely seemed everywhere to me at the start of 2014, with its subsequent top 20 position cementing it as a real cult anthem. Never fails to put a smile on my face.

 

The last four again all great in their own different ways.

 

 

 

PLAN B - ILL MANORS

2012

UK: #6

 

One of the more important songs released this decade, I'd rank this as one of my favourite songs of all time! Back in the summer of 2011, England cities were burning in the most widespread riots since the 1980's. I think this has largely been written off as teenagers wanting a new TV or pair of trainers when the issues ran deeper... this was Plan B's attempt to force that discussion into the mainstream. A string-laden beat alongside many quotable lines and a chantable chorus saw this reach the top 10 in 2012. I think it would have done even better if the incendiary video wasn't banned from TV and only the BBC radio stations dared touch it. However, I'd definitely define this as 'Essential' when looking back at the last decade.

 

Rihanna feat. Jeezy - Hard

2009

UK: #42, US: #08

 

Released in a time when that Rihanna reign just wouldn't let up, my next pick is 'Hard'. Rather ironically, it could be said that 'Hard' is actually one of the few songs that saw Rihanna's chart reign ever so slightly "let up", but the meddling performance certainly doesn't reflect on the song's overall quality. The song acts as the highlight of RiRi's fourth studio album 'Rated R'; both the song and the album becoming fan favourites of the Rihanna navy. Out of all the Rihanna offerings, I thought this one deserved a particular mention because it is so massively under-rated in her discography. It is brimming with attitude and the brash vocal delivery just suits her down to a T - if the 'Good Girl Gone Bad' album was her journey into being the 'badgalriri' we all know and love, then I would like to think of 'Hard' as the final product.

 

Indeed massively underrated. Interesting collaboration with Young Jeezy's hoarse voice but sounds good this.