As we all know, the HOOK of a song is probably one of the most important elements to a track’s success. From it’s simplicity factor all the way down to personal connection to the intended ear, the hook needs to be MONEY. And in 2011, we heard various amounts of hooks that snatched us in from the very first listen. Team YHTN (along with some other valued ears) have selected THESE six hooks for nominees to this years Hook Of The Year accolade. And the nominees are?
Rihanna – We Found Love (Prod. By Calvin Harris): If one of the pivotal figures in Black Twitter sings this your hook as much as I enjoy Egg Nog? You have a winner. RiRi’s Talk That Talk was fueled with slutty commentary, but it was the lead off single “We Found Love” that dragged everyone into Ms. Fenty love land. Clubs WORLDWIDE could not and would not stop singing an infectious hook that an even my 6 year old niece enjoyed. But, was it TOO simple?
Lil Wayne ft. Drake – She Will (Prod. By T-Minus): One thing about Sherbert? The guy knows how convey specific feelings. And on the hook on Wayne’s dark “She Will” offering, he did just that. How often does one wonder about how REAL an ass is once a PYT is backing it up towards you? Not only that, but even girls were Twitpicing and Instagramming girls grabbing their tushi’s with the caption “Baby, it’s real.” *Clutches chest for a second* And to close it off, we all consider ourselves the “realest” niggas in the game right now, chances are she’ll get down with the get down lol.
Meek Mill ft. Rick Ross – I’m A Boss (Prod. By Jahlil Beats): Talk about a MONSTER! Self made or not, we all consider ourselves bosses in some way shape or form. And when the DJ’s got a hold of this puppy? Even the sweepers in the club were chanting this hook verbatim. Countless nights in 2011 were spent on couches and tables reciting this hook like there was no tomorrow. Bitch, I’M A BOSS!
DJ Khaled ft. Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne – I’m On One (Prod. By T-Minus, Nikhil S. and Noah “40″ Shebib): Sherbert’s at it again. It’s simple, you can relate and it’s an exact emotion when under the influence. Everyone is on one when them lights go dim and the music gets loud- all we needed was the right rhetoric to get our point across. And no matter where you’re from, what age you are and how you mix any drink, you’re sure to be on one once the needle touches this record.
The Throne – Niggas In Paris (Prod. By Hit Boy): I don’t know about you guys, but I’m all “cray” out. But that still doesn’t take away from how dope and simple this hook was. I mean Khole Kardashian tweets it, I use it as a response to when my mother asks me what I’m doing for the weekend and the cougars that attended the Victoria Secret Fashion show now have a new anthem to strip to when they go lingerie shopping for their UBER rich husbands this Valentine’s Day.
Big Sean ft. Kanye West & Roscoe Dash – Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay (Prod. By Andrew “Pop” Wansel, Shepard & Mike Dean): There was no way we could leave out the human instrument in this years Hook Of The Year nominees. Roscoe Dash, who actually said this was intended for Watch The Throne scored BIG time with this bad boy. It also helped the hook STARTED the song off which makes it THAT MUCH more infectious. And who can forget the adlibs heard around the world, “Hol up, Hol Up, Hol Up, Hol Up” connecting the hook to the verse. This was DEFINITELY inspired by a lil Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay word to Kevin Liles (anyone who attended Big Sean’s album listening session in NYC will understand that reference).
Ok ladies and gents, those are this years nominees. I know I know, there are some I left off the list, but these 6 echoed throughout Twitter and email threads when I inquired about this topic. No fear, I got some honorable mentions below. Winner will be announced New Year’s Day!
Honorable Mentions: Kendrick Lamar’ “ADHD”, Drake’s “The Motto”, J.Cole’s “Can’t Get Enough”, Wale’s “That Way”, Waka Flocka’s “Round Of Applause”, Big Sean’s “Ass”, Young Jeezy’s “Way Too Gone”, Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass”, Future’s “Tony Montana”, Pitbull’s “Give Me Everything”, Big K.R.I.T’s “Country Shit”, Wale’s “Tats On My Arm”, Meek Mill “Tupac Back”, Gunplay’s “Rollin”, Drake’ “Marvin Room”
As I speak for the people like I always say, let me say this for the people Andre……..COME BACK FULL TIME! 2011 was ready for the reappearing act of Andre Lauren Benjamin, better known as Andre 3000 aka Three Stacks, sort of. Several years back, Three Stacks stated the reception from some of his guest verses inspired him to create his long awaited solo effort, but of course nothing came about. Fast forward to 2011, Andre got back on his remix/feature game drawing the number one inquiry from his die hard advocates: WHERE IS THE SOLO PROJECT? Of course Andre doesn’t have answers for us and needless to say, the question doesn’t need to be asked again. In the meantime, let’s review Andre’s work from 2011 and decided is he ready to set foot in the solo territory. The nominees are……
Drake ft. Lil Wayne & Andre 3000 – The Real Her (Prod. By Noah “40″ Shebib): Weeks before Drake’s sophomore effort hit the streets, “The Real Her”, sans Benjamin’s vocals hit the eStreets leaving many to wonder who the open beatscape was for after Dwayne’s verse. 3000′s verse was more than likely a bad night in the strip club wondering about not only his own troubles, but the ones surfacing in the minds of those doing something strange for a piece of change. Word play is solid, especially the Boise line, but ended on a sour not with the Rabies reference.
Beyonce ft. Andre 3000 – Party (Prod. By Kanye Wes, Jeff Bhasker & Beyonce Knowles): I’d first like to say more more Kanye and Three Stack collaborations are needed. As for the verse, the party rhetoric started out pretty fun. An obvious play on his moniker, Dre came out swinging without looking. But about 10 seconds later, the ATL native went on a mid life crisis tangent which then turned into a off the dome freestyle session in which he was having fun doing lol. Oddly enough, the final couple bars, Dre reals us back in with a witty closing.
B.o.B ft. Andre 3000 – Play The Guitar (Prod. By Salaam Remi): An extraordinary start to an awesome collaboration. Imagine seeing Three Stacks on top of your local Church’s Chicken plucking away at guitar? Seems to me this verse was straying along the lines of the feeling of playing the guitar. Well that’s what the latter of the verse gave me, especially the outro. Fast paced spitting at its finest, it’s easy to get lost in Dre’s wordplay, but play it back a couple times it may hit a couple chords. Not the best in flow, but the message was well received.
Kesha ft. Andre 3000 – Sleazy (Remix) [Prod. By Bangladesh, Dr. Luke, Benny Blanco]: This verse comes off a bit confusing to me, but I like the story being told from the young perspective. I’m going to call in some help from you folks to help me break it down a bit more. I’m obviously missing something, but I have a hunch what’s going on. Regardless, the beat doesn’t compliment his flow as it should. Sounds like the production is trying to keep up with him. My least favorite verse out of all the 6 nominees.
Lloyd ft. Lil Wayne & Andre 3000 – Dedication To My Ex (Miss That) [Prod. By Polow Da Don]: There’s nothing like reminding an ex on how she FUCKED up. Andre keeps his cool as he travels down memory lane with an ex he shared some great times with before the glits and glamour (this may or may not be a true story). Seems to me the current joker 3000′s ex is with now doesn’t know her at all and the thought of rekindling that fire is something Benjamin won’t fathom.
Young Jeezy ft. Jay-Z & Andre 3000 – I Do (Prod. By M-16): To me, and not because I love this song, but Three Stacks got off on this. Clean! It’s not the fact that Stacks is spitting the imagery of love at first sight, but he’s doing it from the perspective during a night at the club. Not one, but all of you should relate to seeing THAT chick who fits your domestic bill. This verse went through three specific phases: The Spotting. The Proposal. The Child. All while in the club. Flow fits in the pocket of the instrumental easily. My favorite verse from Andre this year.
Lil Wayne ft. Tech N9ne & Andre 3000 -Interlude (Prod. By Willy Will): Not for nothing, Tech let niggas HAVE it on here. In all directions, but Andre’s laid back demeanor balanced out this feature party quite well. And with no main focus, the canvas for Andre’s verse was an open field that became colorful extremely quick. It’s the pharaoh, Three Stacks. Well! Disrespecting niggas flows, crowning himself king of the jungle and some female banter? Yeah, this one is a no brainer to say the least, no?
Ok, incase you guys don’t agree with my lyrical observations, I’ve linked each song for you to listen and give your own synopsis. I can’t wait to see what some of you have to say. GO! GO! GO!
Again, this is not an attack on anyone’s personal life so please don’t go running your mouth “Ooo, LowKey called Rihanna a slut.” No, I called her lyrcial commentary slutty. Ok, so this award is for the slut like commentary from these specific artists. Whether it was from an album, a mixtape, featured verse, these mufuckaz were sluts lol. And don’t misconstrue this award as a bad thing because whether we like to admit it or not, ALL of us like a slut in the bedroom. And there’s no better way to commence slut like activity then leading it off with slut music. And the nominees are……
Trey Songz - Two words: Anticipation II. That tape ALONE ignited some slut like activity towards the latter of 2011. But wait, we can’t forget the third single from Passion, Pain & Pleasure, “Love Faces.” And since a MAJORITY of us aren’t rookies in the bedroom, it’s pretty easy to assume what Trey was referring to. I mean if you’re still not convinced, just listen to the ending of “Inside Pt.2″ on Anticipation II.
Nicki Minaj - FUCK. THAT. Her verse on Big Sean’s “Ass” remix and the romp roast shaking in the actual visual gives her a nomination alone. You’re not going to rap “Someone point me to the best ass eater” and think you won’t be deemed a musical slut. Damn Nicki a freak. Me like. But again, this isn’t about me….it’s about the people.
Big Sean - Speaking of the “Ass” remix, Big Sean is up for a nomination as well. The Detroit native is always talking about how big his medal of honor is not to mention he humps the air every time he performs the “Ass” single. Not only was the slut rhetoric talk heavy on Finally Famous, but Sean also exercised his sexual commentary on The Dream’s “Ghetto”, Kelly Rowland’s “Lay It On Me”, “Tinie Tempah’s “Lucky Cunt” and Wiz’s “Gang Bang.”
Rihanna - Oh Rihanna’s a dirty little freak. Ms. Fenty had NO issues showing off her sexual repitore in 2011 on AND off stage…hell even on Twitter. Talk That Talk, her sixth solo LP beamed of sexual banter towards her significant other and sexual desires instigating similar behavior from her fans. And I’m not going to sit here and front like I’m not a HUGE fan of the hook on “Cockiness (I Love It).” *Turns it on NOW*
Kelly Rowland - Who would’ve thought Ms. Rowland would be looked at as a musical slut lol? Her third solo opus Here I Am spotlighted her freakiness with a little bit of help from songwriter, Rico Love for her first single “Motivation” featuring Lil Wayne. Things took another slutty turn with the Big Sean assited and Hit Boy produced “Lay It On Me.” Her stage presence performing the cut also gave this nomination some leverage as well. Man listen, Kelly looks like a freak anyway.
Chris Brown – Yeah, I caught this one late after I posted. But you guys are right, Chris does deserve a nomination. Simply off what he did on “No Bullshit” and it’s visual, his stage antics, specifically with Kelly Rowland. Yeah, he’s in the runnings too.
Simple: who was the biggest musical slut in 2011? And if I’m missing someone, hit that comments section and add your thoughts. Please and thank you!
We loathe fancy cars. Well, some of us do. And this year, a couple of our favorite artists brought those big boy toys out for the world to see. From the drop tops, to the coupes, to the sleek to just down right destroying and rebuilding we saw it all. Here’s our five nominations for Hip Hop Mobile of the year.
T-Pain’s $1.8 Million Bugatti Veyron – Teddy’s been running strong for a couple of years now. You can’t deny the man works his ass off. From writing, producing, performing and constructing iPhone Apps, he’s earned this pretty little present to himself. Calling it “motivation for everyone”, Pain went and purchased himself a 2008 Veyron Bugatti. Shit. Not even mad. The Motivation Vehicle of 2011.
Meek Mil’s 2011 Rolls Royce Ghost – Merry Muthafucking Christmas Mr. Mill. The Dream Chaser himself got a NICE present from The Boss the other day with a pretty little bow to top things off. Hard work definitely pays off. Personally, if I had a choice, I’d take this one over the actual phantom. Nice and sleek. I’m not into clunky cars lol. But again, this isn’t about me….it’s about the people.
The Throne’s Otis Mobile - You can NOT chop up a fucking Maybach and turn it into a god damn GO-KART! WHAT? The foolishness committed with this particular vehicle in the “Otis” video was on a trillion. Everyone and their mother wanted to chop up a vehicle, put some bat wings on it, do donuts with it behind an abandoned building with some pretty lightskinned chicks in the back. EVERYONE. I was hoping they’d bring it out during their performance on the VMAs or even during The Watch The Throne tour, but they auctioned off for charity. Can’t be mad at that now can you. Am I the only that’s still trying to get fire to spit out my exhaust pipes?
Fabolous’ Aston Martin Rapide - Technically, we shoulnd’t include this one because it was a birthday present to himself LAST year. But since it happened so late in the year, it crossed over into 2011. Blacked out Aston Martin Rapide for the Brooklyn Boy. Clean as a whistle. Not heavy on the tints and not footwear. Pshhh, perfection right there. Niiiiiiiice.
Birdman’s 2011 Maybach 62s Ladaulet Drop Top – * Birdman voice* $1.5 on the skinny tires, NIGGA. Only three of these bad boy’s were made and Birdman got the white one for his birthday back in March from his son, Wayne. White on the inside and out? Oh I’m spilling YooHoo somewhere in that bitch. It comes with a bottle of Dom? Nope, you’re putting either a FRESH bottle of Coquito (since I’m Dominican and all) or 24 oz of Bluemoon. Oh yes the hell you are.
This one is simple, which car do you want more, ladies and gents? I mean this isn’t a real DEBATE, but more so a fun conversation about fancy cars. Don’t get all serious either on me, “Man Low, I ain’t got the money for this shit, fuck do I care for?” No shit, nigga…neither do I. Dream for a minute, DAMN!
